Gut-Specific Delivery of T-Helper 17 Cells Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice

Hong, C.P.,Park, A.,Yang, B.G.,Yun, C.H.,Kwak, M.J.,Lee, G.W.,Kim, J.H.,Jang, M.S.,Lee, E.J.,Jeun, E.J.,You, G.,Kim, K.S.,Choi, Y.,Park, J.H.,Hwang, D.,Im, S.H.,Kim, J.F.,Kim, Y.K.,Seoh, J.Y.,Surh, C. Elsevier North Holland [etc.] 2017 Gastroenterology Vol.152 No.8

<P>BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity and metabolic syndrome have been associated with alterations to the intestinal microbiota. However, few studies examined the effects of obesity on the intestinal immune system. We investigated changes in subsets of intestinal CD4(+) T-helper (T-H) cells with obesity and the effects of gut-tropic T(H)17 cells in mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: We isolated immune cells from small intestine and adipose tissue of C57BL/6 mice fed a normal chow diet or a HFD for 10 weeks and analyzed the cells by flow cytometry. Mice fed a vitamin A-deficient HFD were compared with mice fed a vitamin A-sufficient HFD. Obese RAG1-deficient mice were given injections of only regulatory T cells or a combination of regulatory T cells and T(H)17 cells (wild type or deficient in integrin beta 7 subunit or interleukin 17 [IL17]). Mice were examined for weight gain, fat mass, fatty liver, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. Fecal samples were collected before and after T cell transfer and analyzed for microbiota composition by metagenomic DNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mice placed on a HFD became obese, which affected the distribution of small intestinal CD4(+) T-H cells. Intestinal tissues from obese mice had significant reductions in the proportion of T(H)17 cells but increased proportion of T(H)1 cells, compared with intestinal tissues from nonobese mice. Depletion of vitamin A in obese mice further reduced the proportion of T(H)17 cells in small intestine; this reduction correlated with more weight gain and worsening of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Adoptive transfer of in vitro-differentiated gut-tropic T(H)17 cells to obese mice reduced these metabolic defects, which required the integrin beta 7 subunit and IL17. Delivery of T(H)17 cells to intestines of mice led to expansion of commensal microbes associated with leanness. CONCLUSIONS: In mice, intestinal T(H)17 cells contribute to development of a microbiota that maintains metabolic homeostasis, via IL17. Gut-homing T(H)17 cells might be used to reduce metabolic disorders in obese individuals.</P>

Effect of Anodic Gas Compositions on the Overpotential in a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell

Lee C.G.,Kim D.H.,Hong S.W.,Park S.H.,Lim H.C. The Korean Electrochemical Society 2006 한국전기화학회지 Vol.9 No.2

Anodic overpotential has been investigated with gas composition changes in a $100cm^2$ class molten carbonate fuel cell. The overpotential was measured with steady state polarization, reactant gas addition (RA), inert gas step addition (ISA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods at different anodic inlet gas compositions, i.e., $H_2:CO_2:H_2O=0.69:0.17:0.14\;atm\;and\;H_2:CO_2:H_2O=0.33:0.33:0.33\;atm$, at a fixed $H_2$ flow rate. The results demonstrate that the anodic overpotential decreases with increasing $CO_2\;and\;H_2O$ flow rates, indicating the anode reaction is a gas-phase mass-transfer control process of the reactant species, $H_2,\;CO_2,\;and\;H_2O$. It was also found that the mass-transfer resistance due to the $H_2$ species slightly increases at higher $CO_2\;and\;H_2O$ flow rates. EIS showed reduction of the lower frequency semi-circle with increasing $H_2O\;and\;CO_2$ flow rate without affecting the high frequency semi-circle.

Korean Byungkyul - Citrus platymamma Hort.et Tanaka flavonoids induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, regulating MMP protein expression in Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hong, G. E.,Lee, H. J.,Kim, J. A.,Yumnam, S.,Raha, S.,Saralamma, V. Venkatarame Gowda,Heo, J. D.,Lee, S. J.,Kim, E. H.,Won, C. K. Lychnia 2017 International journal of oncology Vol.50 No.2

<P>Citrus platymamma Hort.et Tanaka is an indigenous fruit of Jeju island in Korea. In this study the bioactivity of C. platymamma flavonoids were evaluated on human hepatoma Hep3B cell lines. Eleven flavonoids were identified from the peels of C. platymamma Hort.et Tanaka through high-performance liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry and the anticancer effect of these C. platymamma flavonoids on human hepatoma Hep3B were studied. Chromatin condensation was observed in Hep3B cells treated with C. platymamma flavonoids. DNA fragmentation was confirmed through agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL assay. An increase in the total apoptotic cells and G2/M cell cycle arrest with decreased protein expression of CDC25C, CDK1, cycl in B1 and p21 were observed in Hep3B cells treated with flavonoids of C. platymamma. Further, protein expression of Bcl-XL, Bax, caspase-3 and -9 were also modulated by C. platymamma flavonoids treatment indicating that cell death is through intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Moreover, C. platymamma flavonoids also regulated the phosphorylation of MAPKs, PI3K, and Akt in Hep3B cells. Relevant to inhibiting metastasis, C. platymamma treatment reduced wound closure of Hep3B cells and the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 were reduced in C. platymamma treated cells. The results show that C. platymamma flavonoids induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis following activation of MAPKs and suppression of PI3K/Akt pathway which eventually inhibits cell migration in Hep3B cells. The finding provides evidence on biochemical activities of C. platymamma Hort.et Tanaka, which would be an essential agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment.</P>

C?H bond arylation of anilides inside copper-exchanged zeolites

Mathew, B.P.,Yang, H.J.,Jeon, H.,Lee, J.H.,Kim, J.C.,Shin, T.J.,Myung, K.,Kwak, S.K.,Kwak, J.H.,Hong, S.Y. Elsevier 2016 Journal of molecular catalysis Chemical Vol.417 No.-

<P>Syntheses of fine-chemicals using heterogeneous catalysts have tremendous industrial potentials, yet C-H functionalization studies have been largely focused on homogeneous catalysis. We report here the first meta-selective C-H bond arylation of anilides inside copper-exchanged zeolites. Mid- or large-pore zeolite frameworks are selected as supports to access large organic molecules, and atomically distributed copper catalysts exhibit high activities (84-90% conversions) toward direct arylation of anilides with diphenyliodonium salt on 0.5 mol% copper concentration. Computational studies indicate the well fitted copper-aryl complexes inside zeolite frameworks. Electron micrographs, elemental analyses, and reusability study show no observable leaching of catalytically active copper species during the reactions tested. These results demonstrate the practical synthetic potential of copper-exchanged zeolites as promising supported molecular catalysts to afford biaryl motifs-containing compounds with high catalytic activity, chemical stability, and recyclability. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Age-related differences in virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound findings in patients with coronary artery disease

Hong, Y.J.,Jeong, M.H.,Choi, Y.H.,Ma, E.H.,Ko, J.S.,Lee, M.G.,Park, K.H.,Sim, D.S.,Yoon, N.S.,Youn, H.J.,Kim, K.H.,Park, H.W.,Kim, J.H.,Ahn, Y.,Cho, J.G.,Park, J.C.,Kang, J.C. Japanese College of Cardiology 2010 Journal of cardiology Vol.55 No.2

Background: We assessed the age-related differences in pre-intervention virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) findings at target lesion sites in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: A total of 553 patients who underwent pre-intervention VH-IVUS imaging were grouped according to age: non-elderly (@?70 years, n=429) and elderly (>70 years, n=124); 191 had stable angina and 362 acute coronary syndrome. VH-IVUS classified the tissue into: fibrotic, fibro-fatty, dense calcium (DC), and necrotic core (NC). Results: Overall, the absolute and percent volumes of DC (11.0+/-11.0mm<SUP>3</SUP> vs. 9.7+/-11.9mm<SUP>3</SUP>, P=0.033; 11.7+/-8.1% vs. 9.8+/-7.2%, P=0.014, respectively) and NC (18.5+/-17.6mm<SUP>3</SUP> vs. 16.6+/-18.9mm<SUP>3</SUP>, P=0.020; 18.8+/-8.8% vs. 16.5+/-9.3%, P=0.026, respectively) were significantly greater in the elderly than in the non-elderly. In stable angina patients, the absolute and percent volumes of DC (10.4+/-9.9mm<SUP>3</SUP> vs. 7.2+/-7.6mm<SUP>3</SUP>, P=0.022; 13.4+/-10.0% vs. 9.2+/-6.5%, P=0.011, respectively) and NC (14.8+/-11.2mm<SUP>3</SUP> vs. 12.0+/-11.9mm<SUP>3</SUP>, P=0.035; 19.6+/-8.8% vs. 15.5+/-8.4%, P=0.006, respectively) were significantly greater in the elderly. However, in acute coronary syndrome patients, there were no significant differences in absolute and percent volumes of DC (11.4+/-11.6mm<SUP>3</SUP> vs. 10.9+/-13.4mm<SUP>3</SUP>, P=0.8; 10.7+/-6.5% vs. 10.1+/-7.5%, P=0.5, respectively) and NC (24.1+/-20.3mm<SUP>3</SUP> vs. 23.9+/-21.2mm<SUP>3</SUP>, P=0.9; 22.0+/-8.8% vs. 21.3+/-9.6%, P=0.6, respectively) between the elderly and non-elderly groups. Myocardial infarction (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.45-4.12, P=0.003), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.30-3.53, P=0.009), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06-2.45, P=0.042), but not age, were independent predictors of percent NC volume >20% in lesion site. Conclusions: Myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, but not age, were associated with NC-rich lesions. Clinical presentation, risk factors, and inflammatory status, but not age, are important factors for plaque components.

AS-275: Relation Between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Coronary Plaque Components in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: Virtual Histology-Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis

Hong, Y.J.,Jeong, M.H.,Choi, Y.H.,Ko, J.S.,Lee, M.G.,Kang, W.Y.,Lee, S.E.,Kim, S.H.,Sim, D.S.,Park, K.H.,Yoon, N.S.,Youn, H.J.,Kim, K.H.,Park, H.W.,Kim, J.H.,Ahn, Y.,Cho, J.G.,Park, J.C.,Kang, J.C. Cahners Pub. Co., etc.] ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2009 The American Journal of Cardiology Vol.103 No.9

Recovery properties of hydrogen gas sensor with Pd/titanate and Pt/titanate nanotubes photo-catalyst by UV radiation from catalytic poisoning of H₂S

Hong, D.U.,Han, C.H.,Park, S.H.,Kim, I.J.,Gwak, J.,Han, S.D.,Kim, H.J. Elsevier 2009 Current Applied Physics Vol.9 No.1

Recovery properties after H<SUB>2</SUB>S catalytic poisoning of catalytic-type gas sensor with photo-catalysts and UV radiation have been examined. Each sensing material of the sensor consists of Pd, Pt supported on γ-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> and Pd/titanate, Pt/titanate nanotubes or TiO<SUB>2</SUB> particles. Pd/titanate and Pt/titanate nanotubes photo-catalyst were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis method. All the sensors were deactivated after 500ppm H<SUB>2</SUB>S exposure for 20h. The sensors with Pd/titanate or Pt/titanate nanotubes showed regenerated voltage response under UV radiation. However the sensor with TiO<SUB>2</SUB> particles showed negligible regenerated voltage response. Regenerated voltage response with Pd/titanate or Pt/titanate nanotubes may stem from location of Pd or Pt catalyst on the titanate nanotube photo-catalyst.

Thermal Stability and Adhesion Improvement of Cu(Ag)/Mo Bilayer Metallization in Large-Area TFT-LCDs

H. M. Lee,J. G. Lee,C. H. Kang,C. O. Jeong,D. H. Kim,H. Ruh,J. H. Lee,J. H. Lee,S. Kim,S. K. Lim,S. Y. Kim,T. K. Hong 한국물리학회 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.49 No.III

The addition of 1.4 at.% Ag to Cu thin films strongly influences the grain growth, stress relaxation, surface morphology, and adhesion to Mo glue layer. Annealing of the Cu(Ag)/Mo structures produced two distinct sets of microstructural changes occurring in temperature regimes between room temperature and 300 C, and 300 . 600 C. In the low temperature regime, Ag precipitates have a considerable effect in retarding the grain growth. At temperatures greater than 300 C, grain growth of Cu coincides with the coarsening of Ag particles and the outdiffusion of Ag to the Cu surface. The addition of Ag to Cu thin films also significantly enhanced thermal stability as a result of Ag precipitation along the grain boundaries and improved the adhesion strength of Cu(Ag) alloy to Mo, possibly due to the interfacial segregation of Ag. In addition, Cu(Ag)/Mo showed low resistivity of 2.3 . 1.9 μ -cm, depending on the annealing temperature. Since the Cu(Ag)/Mo structure shows excellent thermal stability and high adhesion properties with low resistivity, it can be used for interconnections in large-size TFT-LCDs.

Gender differences in coronary plaque components in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound analysis

Hong, Y.J.,Jeong, M.H.,Choi, Y.H.,Ma, E.H.,Cho, S.H.,Ko, J.S.,Lee, M.G.,Park, K.H.,Sim, D.S.,Yoon, N.S.,Youn, H.J.,Kim, K.H.,Park, H.W.,Kim, J.H.,Ahn, Y.,Cho, J.G.,Park, J.C.,Kang, J.C. Japanese College of Cardiology 2010 Journal of cardiology Vol.56 No.2

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the gender differences in plaque components in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Methods: We used virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound to evaluate the plaque components in culprit lesions in 362 ACS patients (254 men, 108 women). Results: Women were more likely to be diabetic (34% vs 23%, p=0.030), had greater percentage necrotic core (%NC) volume (19.0+/-12.7% vs 16.8+/-11.9%, p=0.040), and had trends toward higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (0.85+/-1.28mg/dl vs 0.53+/-0.48mg/dl, p=0.063), and higher incidence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (62% vs 52%, p=0.078) compared with men. %NC volume was significantly greater in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients (20.4+/-10.2% vs 16.0+/-8.9%, p<0.001) and was significantly greater in patients with elevated hs-CRP (>=0.2mg/dl) compared with those with normal hs-CRP (<0.2mg/dl) (18.8+/-8.9% vs 16.6+/-9.7%, p=0.021). However, there were no differences in plaque components between diabetic women and men, and between women and men with elevated hs-CRP levels. Diabetes [odds ratio (OR): 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-3.82, p=0.003] and hs-CRP (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.08-2.65, p=0.032), but not female gender, were the independent predictors of TCFA. Conclusions: Although it seems likely that female ACS patients have more vulnerable plaque components compared with male ACS patients, these findings may result not from true gender differences in plaque components but higher prevalence of diabetes and hs-CRP elevation in women.

Effect of Statin Treatment in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction According to the Level of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

Jeong, H.C.,Ahn, Y.,Park, K.-H.,Sim, D.S.,Hong, Y.J.,Kim, J.H.,Jeong, M.H.,Kim, Y.J.,Chae, S.C.,Cho, M.C. INTERNATIONAL HEART JOURNAL ASSOCIATION 2014 International heart journal Vol.55 No.2

The effects of statins on the prognosis of patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction remain controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of statin treatment on clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with LV systolic dysfunction. A total of 5,119 AMI patients with LV ejection fraction less than 50% on the initial echocardiogram were analyzed in the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry. The study population was divided into 4 groups according to the level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and statin treatment: low hs-CRP (hs-CRP <= 2.0 mg/L) and high hs-CRP (hs-CRP > 2 mg/L) with or without statin therapy. We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including cardiac death, reinfarction, target lesion revascularization, and coronary artery bypass grafting during a 12-month period in each group. Stalin therapy did not significantly prevent the MACEs in the low hs-CRP groups (with statin 10.1% versus without statin: 12.0%, P = 0.249). In the high hs-CRP groups, however, the incidence of MACEs was significantly decreased with statin treatment (with statin: 11.3%, without statin: 20.8%, P < 0.001). These findings were consistently observed in all subgroups of the high-hs CRP group, including the subgroup with an LV ejection fraction less than 40%. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis of the high hs-CRP group, lack of statin therapy was a significant predictor of MACE incidence (odds ratio: 1.573, 95% confidence interval: 1.079-2.293, P = 0.018). The statin treatment was associated with better outcome in AMI and LV dysfunction patients with hs-CRP >= 2 mg/dL.