Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, few studies have evaluated how the ICU model affects the outcomes of patients with sepsis. Methods: This post hoc analysis of data from the Management of Severe Sepsis in Asia’s Intensive Care Units II study included 537 patients with sepsis admitted to 27 ICUs in Korea. The outcome measures of interest were compared between the closed ICU group, patients admitted under the full responsibility of an intensivist as the primary attending physician, and the open ICU group. The association between a closed ICU and ICU mortality was evaluated using a logistic regression analysis. Results: Altogether, 363 and 174 enrolled patients were treated in open and closed ICUs, respectively. Compliance with the sepsis bundles did not differ between the two groups; however, the closed ICU group had a higher rate of renal replacement therapy and shorter duration of ventilator support. The closed ICU group also had a lower ICU mortality rate than the open ICU group (24.7% vs. 33.1%). In a logistic regression analysis, management in the closed ICU was significantly associated with a decreased ICU mortality rate even after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio, 0.576; 95% CI, 0.342–0.970), and that association was observed for up to 90 days. Conclusions: Sepsis management in closed ICUs was significantly associated with improved ICU survival and decreased length of ICU stay, even though the compliance rates for the sepsis bundles did not differ between open and closed ICUs.

Closed intensive care units and sepsis patient outcomes: a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study in South Korea

Non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO) is a multifunctional member of the Drosophila behavior/human splicing (DBHS) protein family with DNA- and RNA-binding activity. NONO is highly expressed in various types of cancer, and excessive O-GlcNAcylation has also been implicated in tumorigenesis. Although recent studies revealed that NONO is O-GlcNAcylated and that this modification is involved in DNA damage repair, it remains unknown whether O-GlcNAcylation of NONO regulates cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, little is known about the effect of O-GlcNAcylation on other biological properties of NONO. In this study, we identify Thr440 as the primary NONO O-GlcNAcylation site and demonstrates its crucial role in the assembly of paraspeckles, an important subnuclear compartment that facilitates NONO-dependent transcriptional regulation in mammalian cells. Moreover, we found that O-GlcNAcylation of NONO is required to maintain the expression of genes related to microtubule cytoskeleton organization involved in mitosis and to suppress the expression of genes related to cellular response to type I interferon. Regarding the regulation of these genes, depletion of NONO O-GlcNAcylation at Thr440 significantly inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Collectively, our findings highlight NONO O-GlcNAcylation as a key regulator modulating paraspeckle formation and as a candidate therapeutic target in colon cancer.

O-GlcNAcylation of NONO regulates paraspeckle component assembly and contributes to colon cancer cell proliferation

Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer fibres gain considerable attention as promising candidates for mechanochromic smart textiles across various domains, ranging from fashion to healthcare. However, intrinsically high hysteresis of cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer during stress relaxation necessitates a time-lag between successive stimulus detections, thereby constraining the practical use in real-world systems. Here, we develop high-tough and low-hysteresis mechanochromic fibres capable of effectively detecting ultra-fast deformations at practical levels. By utilizing a thermoplastic elastomer as a core fibre and cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer as a sheath, we develop sheath-core composite fibres. The cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer sheath-core fibres preserve remarkable optical properties of cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer sheath while improving mechanical properties, including high strength (100.9 MPa), toughness (2.7 x 102 MJ m-3), and ultra-fast resilience (60% strain at 49.98 cm s-1 strain speed) due to the thermoplastic elastomer core. We demonstrate on-demand mechanochromic fibres with tuneable moduli of thermoplastic elastomer core, expanding the fields of smart textile from single fibre to dynamic sensory environment.

Ultra tough and high resilience mechanochromic fibres for real world stress detection

Of the various adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, fever is a common systemic symptom that often resolves spontaneously without treatment. However, rare vaccine-induced conditions that present with fever and systemic inflammation have been reported. In this case, a 65-year-old man with BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination underwent F-18-FDG PET/CT to evaluate prolonged fever and elevated serum C-reactive protein. PET/CT showed hypermetabolic infiltration in the pericardium and peritoneum suggesting immune-mediated pericarditis and peritonitis. After administration of high-dose corticosteroids, the patient's symptom resolved. This case suggests that multisystem inflammatory syndrome and polyserositis can be induced by the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome With Polyserositis Detected by FDG PET/CT

Late Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is not rare in the era of universal prophylaxis after kidney transplantation. We aimed to determine the nationwide status of PJP prophylaxis in Korea and compare the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of early and late PJP using data from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY), a nationwide Korean transplant cohort. We conducted a retrospective analysis using data of 4,839 kidney transplant patients from KOTRY between 2014 and 2018, excluding patients who received multi-organ transplantation or were under 18 years old. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for early and late PJP. A total of 50 patients developed PJP. The number of patients who developed PJP was same between onset before 6 months and onsets after 6 months. There were no differences in the rate, duration, or dose of PJP prophylaxis between early and late PJP. Desensitization, higher tacrolimus dose at discharge, and acute rejection were associated with early PJP. In late PJP, old age as well as acute rejection were significant risk factors. In conclusion late PJP is as common and risky as early PJP and requires individualized risk-based prophylaxis, such as prolonged prophylaxis for old patients with a history of rejection.

Comparison of early and late Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in kidney transplant patients: the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) Study

Enzyme immobilization using inorganic materials has been shown to preserve enzyme activity improving and improve their practical applications in biocatalytic process designs. Proper immobilization methods have been used to obtain high recycling and storage stability. In this study, we compared the activity and stability of in situ or crosslink-immobilized enzymes in a CaCO3 biomineral carrier. More than 30% of the initial enzyme activity was preserved for both the systems after 180 days upon 15 activity measurements at room temperature, confirming the improved stability of these enzyme systems (100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.0); however, differences in enzyme loading, activity, and characteristics were observed for each of these methods. Each system exhibited efficacy of 80% and 20%, respectively. Based on the same amount of immobilized enzyme (0.2 mg), the specific activities of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate substrate at room temperature of in situ immobilized carboxyl esterase (CE) and crosslinked CE were 11.37 and 7.63 mM min?1 mg?1, respectively (100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.0). Moreover, based on the kinetic behavior, in situ immobilized CE exhibited improved catalytic efficiency (Vmax Km?1) of the enzyme, exhibiting 4-fold higher activity and efficiency values than those of the CE immobilized in CaCO3. This is the first study to describe the stabilization of enzymes in CaCO3 and compare the enzyme kinetics and efficiencies between in situ immobilization and crosslinking in CaCO3 carriers.

Evaluating enzyme stabilizations in calcium carbonate: Comparing in situ and crosslinking mediated immobilization

The role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in tumor cell migration has been widely studied, however, the characteristics and effects of MMP-2 in clinical sample of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) remain poorly understood. Here, in order to unveil the perturbed proteomic signal during MMP-2 induced cancer progression, we analyzed plasma proteome of CRC patients according to disease progression, HCT116 cancer secretome upon MMP-2 knockdown, and publicly available CRC tissue proteome data. Collectively, the integrative analysis of multi-layered proteomes revealed that a protein cluster containing EMT (Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition)-associated proteins such as CD9-integrin as well as MMP-2. The proteins of the cluster were regulated by MMP-2 perturbation and exhibited significantly increased expressions in tissue and plasma as disease progressed from TNM (Tumor, Node, and Metastasis) stage I to II. Furthermore, we also identified a plausible association between MMP-2 up-regulation and activation of focal adhesion kinase signaling in the proteogenomic analysis of CRC patient tissues. Based on these comparative and integrative analyses, we suggest that the high invasiveness in the metastatic CRC resulted from increased secretion of MMP-2 and CD9-integrin complex mediated by FAK signaling activation.

Multi-layered proteogenomic analysis unravels cancer metastasis directed by MMP-2 and focal adhesion kinase signaling

Background: Riehl’s melanosis of the face and neck has been reported in middle-aged women who have darker skin types. Recently, cases of Riehl’s melanosis have been on the rise in Korea, which might reflect the increased use of various cosmetic products and procedures. Objective: This study was designed to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of Riehl’s melanosis in Korean patients. Methods: We closely observed 80 patients with Riehl’s melanosis diagnosed in Asan Medical Center and Hanyang University Medical Center between 2005 and 2015. A skin biopsy was analyzed in 51 patients, and a patch test was carried out in 16 patients. Results: Patients with chronic Riehl’s melanosis (＞12 months) had an increased frequency of previous laser treatments. Patients with acute Riehl’s melanosis (＜3 months) reported a previous history of dry skin, itching, or irritation as a result of the use of hair dye. Patients older than 50 years, with darker skin type, and with a longer disease duration (＞12 months) had poor response rates. Chronic Riehl’s melanosis may be preceded by repeated irritation of barrier-compromised skin, and acute Riehl’s melanosis seems to be an allergic form of Riehl’s melanosis. Conclusion: Riehl’s melanosis has different clinical manifestations according to disease duration and different treatment responses based on disease duration.

Revisiting Riehl’s Melanosis in Korean Patients: Clinicopathological Features, Blood Chemistry, and Immunohistochemistry

Clinical Practice Guideline for Dementia (Diagnosis and Evaluation): 2021 Revised Edition

SYNERGISTIC TOXICITY OF COPPER AND ISONIAZID CAUSE ISONIAZID-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Intraocular pressure estimation method based on eye vibration responses

Although low-molecular-weight (LMW) biothiols function as a disease indicator in plasma, rapidly and effectively analyzing them remains challenging in the extracellular oxidative environment due to technical difficulties. Here, we report a newly designed, affinity pulldown platform using a Bacillus subtilis-derived organic hydroperoxide resistance regulatory (OhrR(BS)) protein and its operator dsDNA for rapid and cost-effective analyses of plasma LMW biothiols. In the presence of organic hydroperoxide, LMW biothiols triggered the rapid dissociation of FAM-labeled dsDNA from FLAG-tagged OhrR(BS) via S-thiolation of OhrR(BS) on anti-FLAG antibody-coated beads, which led to a strong increase of fluorescence intensity in the supernatant after pulldown. This method was easily extended by using a reducing agent to detect free and total LMW biothiols simultaneously in mouse plasma. Unlike free plasma LMW biothiols, total plasma LMW biothiols were more elevated in Delta LDLR mice than those in normal mice. Owing to the rapid dissociation of OhrR/dsDNA complexes in response to LMW biothiols, this pulldown platform is immediately suitable for monitoring rapid redox changes in plasma LMW biothiols as well as studying oxidative stress and diseases in blood.

Microbial Redox Regulator-Enabled Pulldown for Rapid Analysis of Plasma Low-Molecular-Weight Biothiols

Clinical outcomes in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma with a partial response to first-line R-CHOP chemotherapy: prognostic value of secondary International Prognostic Index scores and Deauville scores (vol 78, pg 238, 2019)

With increasing demand for high-capacity and rapidly rechargeable anodes, problems associated with unstable evolution of a solid-electrolyte interphase on the active anode surface become more detrimental. Here, we report the near fatigue-free, ultrafast, and high-power operations of lithium-ion battery anodes employing silicide nanowires anchored selectively to the inner surface of graphene-based micro-tubular conducting electrodes. This design electrically shields the electrolyte inside the electrode from an external potential load, eliminating the driving force that generates the solid-electrolyte interphase on the nanowire surface. Owing to this electric control, a solid-electrolyte interphase develops firmly on the outer surface of the graphene, while solid-electrolyte interphase-free nanowires enable fast electronic and ionic transport, as well as strain relaxation over 2000 cycles, with 84% capacity retention even at ultrafast cycling (>20C). Moreover, these anodes exhibit unprecedentedly high rate capabilities with capacity retention higher than 88% at 80C (vs. the capacity at 1C).

Controlling electric potential to inhibit solid-electrolyte interphase formation on nanowire anodes for ultrafast lithium-ion batteries

One of the most common chemistries used to label primary amines utilizes N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), which is also structurally incorporated in various quantitative proteomic reagents such as isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and tandem mass tags (TMT). In this paper we report detrimental effect of hydroxylamine, a widely used quenching reagent for excess NHS, on phosphopeptides. We found an impairment in the degree of phosphopeptide identification when hydroxylamine-quenched TMT-labeled samples were vacuum-dried and desalted compared to the nondried (just diluted) and desalted ones prior to phosphoenrichment. We have also demonstrated that vacuum-drying in the presence of hydroxylamine promotes beta-elimination of phosphate groups from phosphoserine and phosphothreonine while having a minimalistic effect on phosphotyrosine. Additionally, we herein report that this negative impact of hydroxylamine could be minimized by direct desalting after appropriate dilution of quenched samples. We also found a 1.6-fold increase in the number of phosphopeptide identifications after employing our optimized method. The above method was also successfully applied to human tumor tissues to quantify over 15000 phosphopeptides from 3 mg TMT 6-plex labeled-peptides.

Neutralizing the Detrimental Effect of an N-Hydroxysuccinimide Quenching Reagent on Phosphopeptide in Quantitative Proteomics

Bacillus licheniformis uses an

Pathogenicity Control of Staphylococcus aureus ...

Energy Saving Potential Of Organic Rankine Cycle In A Desiccant-Enhanced Evaporative Cooling System

Genetic and Physiological Analysis of the Bacillus licheniformis perR Mutant

Detection of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Household Products Using Bacterial Cell-based Sensor

Difference in cellular environments affects the in vivo sensitivity of PerR to H2O2

OhrA is more efficient than OhrB at the decompostion of CHP in Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus licheniformis contains three PerR paralogues involved in hydrogen peroxide sensing response

Unfortunately, the original version of this article contained wrong information of an author which should be changed. Na-Yeon Jung Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Busan, Korea → Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Yangsan, Korea.

Erratum to: Prognosis of Patients with Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia Who have Focal Versus Diffuse Frontal Atrophy

Restricted lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and cortical superficial siderosis (CSS) are the characteristic markers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). However, their effects on clinical features has not been evaluated well. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical implication of these markers in clinical-radiologically diagnosed CAA. A total of 372 patients with possible or probable CAA who met the modified Boston criteria were recruited in a memory clinic setting. Cortical thickness was measured using surface based methods. Presence of restricted multiple lobar CMBs were independently associated with cortical thinning across the entire cortical regions while presence of CSS was independently associated with cortical thinning primarily in the bilateral frontal region. Presence of restricted multiple lobar CMBs was associated with impairment in all cognitive domains such as attention, language, visuospatial, memory and frontal executive functions while presence of CSS was associated with attention and frontal dysfunction. The relationships of restricted multiple lobar CMBs or CSS with cognitive impairment were partially mediated by thinning in the corresponding cortical regions. Our findings suggested that restricted multiple lobar CMBs and CSS affect distinctive clinical features, providing new insights into potential mechanisms in CAA.

Distinctive Clinical Effects of Haemorrhagic Markers in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (vol 7, 2017)

Predictors of General Discomfort, Limitations in Activities of Daily Living, and Intention of a Second Donation in Unrelated Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation

The rate of detection of thyroid nodules and carcinomas has increased with the widespread use of ultrasonography (US), which is the mainstay for the detection and risk stratification of thyroid nodules as well as for providing guidance for their biopsy and nonsurgical treatment. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) published their first recommendations for the US-based diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in 2011. These recommendations have been used as the standard guidelines for the past several years in Korea. Lately, the application of US has been further emphasized for the personalized management of patients with thyroid nodules. The Task Force on Thyroid Nodules of the KSThR has revised the recommendations for the ultrasound diagnosis and imaging-based management of thyroid nodules. The review and recommendations in this report have been based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature and the consensus of experts.

Ultrasonography Diagnosis and Imaging-Based Management of Thyroid Nodules: Revised Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology Consensus Statement and Recommendations

In many Gram-positive bacteria PerR is a major peroxide sensor whose repressor activity is dependent on a bound metal cofactor. The prototype for PerR sensors, the Bacillus subtilis PerRBS protein, represses target genes when bound to either Mn2+ or Fe2+ as corepressor, but only the Fe2+-bound form responds to H2O2. The orthologous protein in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, PerR(SA), plays important roles in H2O2 resistance and virulence. However, PerR(SA) is reported to only respond to Mn2+ as corepressor, which suggests that it might rely on a distinct, iron-independent mechanism for H2O2 sensing. Here we demonstrate that PerR(SA) uses either Fe2+ or Mn2+ as corepressor, and that, like PerRBS, the Fe2+-bound form of PerR(SA) senses physiological levels of H2O2 by iron-mediated histidine oxidation. Moreover, we show that PerR(SA) is poised to sense very low levels of endogenous H2O2, which normally cannot be sensed by B. subtilis PerRBS. This hypersensitivity of PerR(SA) accounts for the apparent lack of Fe2+-dependent repressor activity and consequent Mn2+-specific repressor activity under aerobic conditions. We also provide evidence that the activity of PerR(SA) is directly correlated with virulence, whereas it is inversely correlated with H2O2 resistance, suggesting that PerR(SA) may be an attractive target for the control of S. aureus pathogenesis.

Staphylococcus aureus PerR Is a Hypersensitive Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor using Iron-mediated Histidine Oxidation

Low Baseline Interleukin-17A Levels Are Associated with Better Treatment Response at 12 Weeks to Tocilizumab Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients (vol 2015, 487230, 2015)

Background: The present study evaluated the efficacy of a combination of ibandronate and cholecalciferol on the restoration of the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) and various bone markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, prospective 16-week clinical trial conducted in 20 different hospitals. A total of 201 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were assigned randomly to one of two groups: the IBN group, which received a once-monthly pill containing 150 mg ibandronate (n=99), or the IBN+ group, which received a once-monthly pill containing 150 mg ibandronate and 24,000 IU cholecalciferol (n=102). Serum levels of 25(OH) D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and various bone markers were assessed at baseline and at the end of a 16-week treatment period. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment, the mean serum levels of 25(OH) D significantly increased from 21.0 to 25.3 ng/mL in the IBN+ group but significantly decreased from 20.6 to 17.4 ng/mL in the IBN group. Additionally, both groups exhibited significant increases in mean serum levels of PTH but significant decreases in serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) at 16 weeks; no significant differences were observed between the groups. However, in subjects with a vitamin D deficiency, IBN+ treatment resulted in a significant decrease in serum CTX levels compared with IBN treatment. Conclusion: The present findings demonstrate that a once-monthly pill containing ibandronate and cholecalciferol may be useful for the amelioration of vitamin D deficiency in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Moreover, this treatment combination effectively decreased serum levels of resorption markers, especially in subjects with a vitamin D deficiency, over the 16-week treatment period.

Efficacy of a Once-Monthly Pill Containing Ibandronate and Cholecalciferol on the Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

The progression of lung hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been studied in a long-term prospective cohort. We explored the longitudinal changes in lung volume compartments with the aim of identifying predictors of a rapid decline of the inspiratory capacity to total lung capacity ratio (IC/TLC). The study population comprised 324 patients with COPD who were recruited prospectively. Annual rates of changes in pulmonary function, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), vital capacity (VC), IC, and IC/TLC, were estimated using the random coefficient models. The mean annual rates of changes in pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1 were -23.0 mL/year (p < 0.001) and -26.5 mL/year (p = 0.004). The mean annual rates of changes in VC, IC, TLC, and IC/TLC were -33.7 mL/year (p = 0.007), -53.9 mL/year (p < 0.001), -43.7 mL/year (p = 0.012), and -0.65 %/year (p = 0.001), respectively. RV, FRC, and RV/TLC did not change significantly during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a high modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale score, a high Charlson comorbidity index value, and low post-bronchodilator FEV1 were associated with rapid decline in IC/TLC. MMRC dyspnea scale, post-bronchodilator FEV1, and the Charlson comorbidity index at baseline were independent predictors of a rapid decline in IC/TLC.

Longitudinal Lung Volume Changes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: To date, no clinical parameter has been associated with the decline in lung function other than emphysema severity in COPD. Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to explore whether the rate of lung function decline differs between COPD patients with and without exertional desaturation. Methods: A total of 224 subjects were selected from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. Exertional desaturation was assessed using the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and defined as a post-exercise oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) of <90% or a >= 4% decrease. The cohort was divided into desaturator (n = 47) and non-desaturator (n = 177) groups. Results: There was a significant difference between the desaturator and non-desaturator groups in terms of the change in pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) over a 3-year period of follow-up (p = 0.006). The mean rate of decline in FEV1 was greater in the desaturator group (33.8 ml/year) than in the non-desaturator group (11.6 ml/year). A statistically significant difference was also observed between the two groups in terms of the change in the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score over 3 years (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study suggests, for the first time, that exertional desaturation may be a predictor of rapid decline in lung function in patients with COPD. The 6MWT may be a useful test to predict a rapid lung function decline in COPD.

Exertional Desaturation as a Predictor of Rapid Lung Function Decline in COPD

Zn-polar (0001) surfaces are more chemically reactive than other surfaces of ZnO crystals and drive preferential anisotropic and asymmetric growth along the [0001] direction, which facilitates growth of c-axis oriented, one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures. Accordingly, capping the top (0001) surface of ZnO crystals can impede c-axis growth and thus serve to modulate growth habits. In this study, we generated vertically aligned ZnO hexagonal nanotube-rod (h-NTR) hybrids by modulating growth habits during a second-stage process. Electron microscopy studies revealed the formation of very thin (10-20nm) single-crystalline nanotube walls along the edges of underlying hexagonal rod tops capped with Si. In addition, spatially resolved investigation of ZnO h-NTR indicated an abrupt increase in the measured bandgap across rod-tube junctions, which was ascribed to a quantum confinement effect and Burstein-Moss effect of carriers within the very thin nanotube walls.

Large-Scale Synthesis of Vertically Aligned ZnO Hexagonal Nanotube-Rod Hybrids Using a Two-Step Growth Method

생명과학 길잡이

Analyses of the Roles of Cysteine Residues in Organic Hydroperoxide Sensing by Bacillus cereus OhrR

Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Fur Family Proteins from Bacillus licheniformis

CHILDBEARING DECISIONS AND FAMILY SIZE AMONG WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Revision and update on clinical practice guideline for liver cirrhosis

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show different spirometric response patterns to bronchodilator, such that some patients show improvement principally in expiratory flow (forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FEV1), whereas others respond by improvement of lung volume (forced vital capacity; FVC). The mechanisms of these different response patterns to bronchodilator remain unclear. We investigated the associations between bronchodilator responsiveness and quantitative computed tomography (CT) indices in patients with COPD.

Response patterns to bronchodilator and quantitative computed tomography in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The Vibrio vulnificus CMCP6 genome harbors nine copies of divergent large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes that may express and constitute four kinds of LSU rRNA molecules in a single cell. Primer extension analyses showed that these heterogeneous LSU rRNA transcripts are all expressed and assembled into ribosomes during both infection and nonpathogenic stages. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer between SSU and LSU genes indicated that rRNA operons of V. vulnificus CMCP6 can be clustered into three distinct groups in rRNA genes of closely related Vibrio species. These findings imply that divergent rRNA genes in V. vulnificus CMCP6 resulted from interspecies recombination events in V. species, while the consequences of expression of heterogeneous rRNA molecules are not clear.

Expression of Divergent LSU rRNA Genes in the Vibrio vulnificus CMCP6 Genome During Both Infection and Non-Pathogenic Stages

Algicidal Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Belonging to GRAS

Functional Studies of Fur Family Proteins from Lactic acid Bacteria

Fe2+-mediated Histidine Oxidation of PerR from Staphylococcus aureus

Identification of Novel Amino Acid Residues that Affect Metal Ion Selectivity of Bacillus subtilis Peroxide Sensor PerR

Functional Analysis of Novel Fur-Family Proteins, BL00950 and BL00690 from Bacillus licheniformis

Identifications of Amino Acid Residues of Bacillus subtilis Fur Family Proteins Involved in DNA Binding Specificities

Effect of nano-structured polymer surfaces on osteoblast adhesion and proliferation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease and responses to therapies are highly variable. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of pulmonary function response to 3 months of treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD. A total of 127 patients with stable COPD from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease (KOLD) Cohort, which were prospectively recruited from June 2005 to September 2009, were analyzed retrospectively. The prediction models for the FEV1, FVC and IC/TLC changes after 3 months of treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone were constructed by using multiple, stepwise, linear regression analysis. The prediction model for the FEV1 change after 3 months of treatment included wheezing history, pre-bronchodilator FEV1, post-bronchodilator FEV1 change and emphysema extent on CT (R = 0.578). The prediction models for the FVC change after 3 months of treatment included pre-bronchodilator FVC, post-bronchodilator FVC change (R = 0.533), and those of IC/TLC change after 3 months of treatment did pre-bronchodilator IC/TLC and post-bronchodilator FEV1 change (R = 0.401). Wheezing history, pre-bronchodilator pulmonary function, bronchodilator responsiveness, and emphysema extent may be used for predicting the pulmonary function response to 3 months of treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD.

Predictors of Pulmonary Function Response to Treatment with Salmeterol/fluticasone in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COMPARISON TO EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2A OR ALFA-2B PLUS RIBAVIRIN IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS C (CHC) IN KOREA: IN KYEONGGI-INCHEON PROVINCE, PEGINTERFERON EFFECTS ON CHC TREATMENT (KIPECT) STUDY

To date, clinico-physiologic indices have not been compared with quantitative CT imaging indices in determining the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. We therefore compared clinico-physiologic and CT imaging indices as risk factors for COPD exacerbation in patients with COPD. We retrospectively analyzed 260 COPD patients from pulmonary clinics at 11 hospitals in Korea from June 2005 to November 2009 and followed-up for at least one year. At the time of enrollment, none of these patients had COPD exacerbations for at least 2 months. All underwent clinico-physiologic and radiological evaluation for risk factors of COPD exacerbation. After 1 yr, 106 of the 260 patients had at least one exacerbation of COPD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that old age, high Charlson Index, and low FEV1 were significant in a clinico-physiologic model, with C-statistics of 0.69, and that increased age and emphysema index were significant in a radiologic model, with C-statistics of 0.64. The difference between the two models was statistically significant (P = 0.04 by bootstrap analysis). Combinations of clinico-physiologic risk factors may be better than those of imaging risk factors in predicting COPD exacerbation.

Comparison of Clinico-Physiologic and CT Imaging Risk Factors for COPD Exacerbation

The detection of thyroid nodules has become more common with the widespread use of ultrasonography (US). US is the mainstay for detecting and making the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules as well as for providing guidance for a biopsy. The Task Force on Thyroid Nodules of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed recommendations for the US diagnosis and US-based management of thyroid nodules. The review and recommendations in this report have been based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature, the results of multicenter studies and from the consensus of experts.

Ultrasonography and the Ultrasound-Based Management of Thyroid Nodules: Consensus Statement and Recommendations

Inhibition of LXR alpha-dependent steatosis and oxidative injury by liquiritigenin, a licorice flavonoid, as mediated with Nrf2 activation. (Retraction of vol 14, pg 733, 2011)

Biochemical characterization of OhrR from Xanthomonas campestris

Mutational analysis of the metal-binding sites of peroxide sensor PerR

Identification of aminoacids residues involved in DNA recognition by Fur family proteins in Bacillus subtilis

We propose an improved solvent contact model to estimate the solvation free energies of amino acids from individual atomic contributions. The modification of the solution model involves the optimization of three kinds at parameters in the solvation free energy function: atomic fragmental volume, maximum atomic occupancy, and atomic solvation parameters. All of these atomic parameters for 17 atom types are developed by the operation of a standard genetic algorithm in such a way to minimize the difference between experimental and calculated solvation free energies. The present solvation model is able to predict the experimental salvation free energies of amino acids with the squared correlation coefficients of 0.94 and 0.93 for the parameterization with Gaussian and screened Coulomb potential as the envelope functions, respectively. This result indicates that the improved solvent contact model with the newly developed atomic parameters would be a useful tool for the estimation of the molecular salvation free energy of a protein in aqueous solution.

Computational Prediction of Solvation Free Energies of Amino Acids with Genetic Algorithm

Peroxide-sensing by Transcription Factor: Cysteine and Histidine Oxidation

Peroxide sensing mechanisms of metal-dependent peroxide sensor perR from Staphylococcus aureus

Biochemical Characterization of Novel Fur-family Proteins from Bacillus licheniformis

The Role of YdeA, a Bacillus subtilis Homologue of Human DJ-1 Protein, in Oxidative Stress Response

The Bacillus subtilis OhrR protein functions as a transcriptional repressor of the inducible peroxidase, OhrA. Derepression is mediated by the organic-peroxide selective oxidation of an active site cysteine (C15). In the presence of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), oxidation of OhrR leads to a sulphenic acid intermediate which reacts to form either a mixed-disulphide or a protein sulphenamide. These inactive forms of OhrR can be reactivated by thiol-disulphide exchange reactions allowing restoration of repression. Here, we demonstrate that linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LHP) is a potent oxidant for OhrR and even low levels lead to overoxidation of OhrR to cysteine sulphinic (and sulphonic) acid derivatives. Kinetic competition experiments indicate that further oxidation of the initial OhrR sulphenate product occurs at least 100-fold more rapidly with LHP than with CHP. Thus, depending on the oxidant, OhrR can be either reversibly oxidized or can instead function as a sacrificial regulator.

Oxidant-dependent switching between reversible and sacrificial oxidation pathways for Bacillus subtilis OhrR

OhrR proteins can be divided into two groups based on their inactivation mechanism: 1-Cys (represented by Bacillus subtilis OhrR) and 2-Cys (represented by Xanthomonas campestris OhrR). A conserved cysteine residue near the amino terminus is present in both groups of proteins and is initially oxidized to the sulfenic acid. The B. subtilis 1-Cys OhrR protein is subsequently inactivated by formation of a mixed-disulfide bond with low-molecular-weight thiols or by cysteine overoxidation to sulfinic and sulfonic acids. In contrast, the X. campestris 2-Cys OhrR is inactivated when the initially oxidized cysteine sulfenate forms an intersubunit disulfide bond with a second Cys residue from the other subunit of the protein dimer. Here, we demonstrate that the 1-Cys B. subtilis OhrR can be converted into a 2-Cys OhrR by introducing another cysteine residue in either position 120 or position 124. Like the X. campestris OhrR protein, these mutants (G120C and Q124C) are inactivated by intermolecular disulfide bond formation. Analysis of oxidized 2-Cys variants both in vivo and in vitro indicates that intersubunit disulfide bond formation can occur simultaneously at both active sites in the protein dimer. Rapid formation of intersubunit disulfide bonds protects OhrR against irreversible overoxidation in the presence of strong oxidants much more efficiently than do the endogenous low-molecular-weight thiols.

Conversion of Bacillus subtilis OhrR from a 1-Cys to a 2-Cys peroxide sensor

Electron-beam-induced Zn nanocrystal islands were formed in a dielectric SiO2 layer. When a ZnO thin film on a p-type Si with amorphous SiOx interface layer is subjected to a 900 degrees C annealing followed by electron irradiation in a transmission electron microscope environment, an amorphous Zn2xSi1-xO2 layer is formed. Upon irradiation with a 300 keV electrons, metallic and single crystal nanoislands of Zn with similar to 7-10 nm diameter were formed and embedded within the SiO2 interface layer. Possible mechanisms for the formation of Zn nanocrystals are presented.

분자미생물학연구실

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이진원

연구실 소개

연구실 키워드

알럼나이가 간 회사

연구실 지원 방법

대우 조건

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저널 & 학회 논문 출판 수

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Closed intensive care units and sepsis patient outcomes: a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study in South Korea

O-GlcNAcylation of NONO regulates paraspeckle component assembly and contributes to colon cancer cell proliferation

Ultra tough and high resilience mechanochromic fibres for real world stress detection

연구실 보유 특허

대학별 입시끈

우리 연구실 모집

교수님 소개

이진원

연구실 키워드

알럼나이가 간 회사

연구실 지원 방법

대우 조건

연도별 논문 인용수

저널 & 학회 논문 출판 수

연구실 논문 목록

Closed intensive care units and sepsis patient outcomes: a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study in South Korea

O-GlcNAcylation of NONO regulates paraspeckle component assembly and contributes to colon cancer cell proliferation

Ultra tough and high resilience mechanochromic fibres for real world stress detection

연구실 보유 특허

최근 3년간 연구실적 높은 연구실

대학별 입시끈

우리 연구실 모집