Bioactive Lysophosphatidylcholine 16:0 and 18:0 Are Elevated in Lungs of Asthmatic Subjects

Mark Yoder,Yan Zhuge,Yang Yuan,Oksana Holian,Sherry Kuo,Richard van Breemen,Larry L. Thomas,Hazel Lum 대한천식알레르기학회 2014 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.6 No.1

Purpose: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, and is associated with upregulation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the enzyme that hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine, producing lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and free fatty acids. LPC is a lipid mediator with known pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic properties, and is believed to be a critical factor in cardiovascular diseases. We postulate that asthmatic subjects have an elevated content of LPC in the lung lining fluids. Methods: Eight non-asthmatic controls and seven asthmatic subjects were recruited for broncho-alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) collection for analysis of LPC by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: LPC16:0 and LPC18:0 were significantly elevated in the BALF of asthmatics with impaired lung function characteristic of moderate asthma, but not mild asthma. The increased LPC content in BALF was accompanied by increased PLA2 activity. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis of the BALF cell fraction indicated increased secretory PLA2-X (sPLA2-X). Conclusions: The increased LPC content in the lung lining fluids is a potential critical lipid mediator in the initiation and/or progression of airway epithelial injury in asthma.

Monitoring for Intrusion Behaviors with a Small UAV

Josiah Yoder,Hyukseong Kwon,Rajnikant Sharma,Daniel Pack 제어로봇시스템학회 2012 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2012 No.10

In this paper we present behavior recognition algorithms using images captured by a small UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). Small UAVs provide a mobile platform capable of monitoring a large area, but each UAV has a limited field of view, resulting in very brief observations of targets of interest as UAVs fly over them. Standard behavior recognition algorithms are designed for CCTV networks, where cameras have a fixed view of the target area. To apply these algorithms to imagery from small UAVs, we first geo-locate targets based on their image coordinates and correspondences between geo-located landmarks and landmarks in each video frame. We then apply behavior recognition algorithms that are suited to very short observation periods. We test these algorithms in a simulation environment incorporating realistic target motion and validate the entire approach on imagery captured by a small UAV. These experiments illustrate that automatic behavior recognition has merit even during brief fly-overs, typical of a small UAV on surveillance patrol.

Control of Quantum-Confined Stark Effect in InGaN-Based Quantum Wells

Jae-Hyun Ryou,Yoder, P.D.,Jianping Liu,Lochner, Z.,Hyunsoo Kim,Suk Choi,Hee Jin Kim,Dupuis, R.D. IEEE 2009 IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electro Vol.15 No.4

<P>This paper reviews current technological developments in polarization engineering and the control of the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE) for In<I>x</I>Ga<SUB>1-</SUB> <I>x</I>N-based quantum-well active regions, which are generally employed in visible LEDs for solid-state lighting applications. First, the origin of the QCSE in III-N wurtzite semiconductors is introduced, and polarization-induced internal fields are discussed in order to provide contextual background. Next, the optical and electrical properties of In<I>x</I>Ga<SUB>1-</SUB> <I>x</I>N-based quantum wells that are affected by the QCSE are described. Finally, several methods for controlling the QCSE of In<I>x</I>Ga<SUB>1-</SUB> <I>x</I>N-based quantum wells are discussed in the context of performance metrics of visible light emitters, considering both pros and cons. These strategies include doping control, strain/polarization field/electronic band structure control, growth direction control, and crystalline structure control.</P>

줄기세포 만병통치약

SAM KAPLAN(사진),NATHAN YODER 상상스토리(주) 2015 Popular science 한국판 Vol.6 No.-

Impact of hematologic toxicities during concurrent chemoradiation for cervical cancer

Feiya Shi,Alison K. Yoder,Claire Mach,Shraddha Dalwadi,Matthew L Anderson,Tracilyn R Hall,Michelle S Ludwig 대한산부인과학회 2022 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.65 No.2

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic significance of hematological toxicities during cervical cancer treatment. MethodsPatients treated for cervical carcinoma with definitive chemoradiation were identified. Toxicities were assessed duringweeks 1 to 6 of concurrent external beam radiation and chemotherapy. Outcomes were analyzed using Cox regressionanalysis. ResultsOne hundred twenty-one patients with Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I-III disease were eligible foranalysis. Median age at diagnosis was 45 years (interquartile range, 40-52) with median follow-up time of 34 months(95% confidence interval, 30.8-37.2). All patients experienced some grade of hematologic toxicity. The most commongrade 3+ toxicities were low absolute lymphocyte count (n=115, 95%), low white blood cell count (n=21, 17%), andanemia (n=11, 9%). The most common grade 4 toxicity was lymphopenia, experienced by 36% of patients (n=44). Grade 4 lymphopenia was associated with reduced overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 4.5; P=0.005), progressionfreesurvival (HR, 3.4; P=0.001), and local control (HR, 4.1; P=0.047). Anemia grade 3, 4 was also associated withreduced overall survival (HR, 4.1; P=0.014). After controlling for disease and treatment variables, grade 4 lymphopeniaremained significantly associated with reduced overall survival (HR, 9.85; P=0.007). The association with grade 4lymphopenia only remained significant in women of Hispanic ethnicity. ConclusionSevere lymphopenia was associated with reduced overall survival and progression-free survival in Hispanic womenundergoing definitive chemoradiation for cervical cancer, but not associated with outcomes in non-Hispanic women.

Structure and Function of the Mating-type Locus in the Homothallic Ascomycete, Didymella zeae-maydis

윤성환,Olen C. Yoder,B. Gillian Turgeon 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.6

Homothallic Didymella zeae-maydis undergoes sexual reproduction by selfing. Sequence analysis of the mating type (MAT) locus from this fungus revealed that MAT carries both MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes found in heterothallic Dothideomycetes, separated by ~1.0 kb of noncoding DNA. To understand the mechanistic basis of homothallism in D. zeae-maydis, each of the MAT genes was deleted and the effects on selfing and on ability to cross in a heterothallic manner were determined. The strain carrying an intact MAT1-1-1but defective MAT1-2-1 gene (MAT1-1-1;ΔMAT1-2-1) was self-sterile, however strains carrying an intact MAT1-2-1 but defective MAT1-1-1 gene (ΔMAT1-1-1;MAT1-2-1), when selfed, showed delayed production of a few ascospores. Attempts to cross the two MAT deletion strains yielded fewer ΔMAT1-1-1;MAT1-2-1 than MAT1-1-1;ΔMAT1-2-1 progeny and very few ascospores overall compared to WT selfs. This study demonstrates that, as in the other homothallic Dothideomycetes,both MAT genes are required for full fertility,but that, in contrast to other cases, the presence of a single MAT1-2-1 gene can induce homothallism, albeit inefficiently,in D. zeae-maydis.

Robust Mobile Ground Target Localization Using Ground Image Features with UAV Position Compensation Techniques

Hyukseong Kwon,Rajnikant Sharma,Josiah Yoder,Daniel Pack 제어로봇시스템학회 2012 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2012 No.10

Recently, the task of localizing mobile ground targets using airborne images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has received an increased interest of researchers in the UAV community. The task is even more difficult when position information of a UAV, estimated by Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, becomes unavailable. In this paper, we propose a new method to compute the UAV attitude and thus locate mobile ground targets using ground landmarks obtained from SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) features. We show the validity of the proposed method using experimental flight data.

Beyond the clinical walls: registered dietitian nutritionists providing medical nutrition therapy in the home setting

Kristen Hicks-Roof,Jing Xu,Amanda K. Fults,Krista Yoder Latortue 한국영양학회 2021 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.15 No.6

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) are providers of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to address health and chronic disease. Traditionally, RDNs have provided care in healthcare facilities including hospitals and private care facilities. The purpose of this study was to determine how RDN individualized MNT in the home impacted nutrition, physical activity, and food security. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis. The mean age of the participants (n = 1,007) was 51.6 years old with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 34.1 kg/㎡. Individualized MNT visits were delivered by an RDN in the home setting from January to December 2019. Participants were referred by healthcare professionals or self-referred. Participants had MNT benefits covered by their health insurance plan (43.3% Medicaid; 39.8% private insurance; 7.9% Medicare, 9% other). Health outcomes related to nutrition care were measured. Outcomes included self-reported consumption of nutrition factors and physical activity. Our secondary outcome focused on food security. The changes in weight, BMI, physical activity, and nutrition factors were analyzed by a linear regression model or linear mixed model, adjusting for age, sex, baseline value, and number of appointments. Food security was summarized in a 2 by 2 contingency table. RESULTS: Baseline values had significantly negative impacts for all changes and number of appointments was significant in the changes for weight and BMI. Increases in physical activity were significant for both female and male participants, 10.4 and 12.6 minutes per day, respectively, while the changes in weight and BMI were not. Regarding dietary factors, the consumption total servings per day of vegetables (0.13) and water (3.35) significantly increased, while the consumption of total servings of whole grain (−0.27), fruit (−0.32), dairy (−0.80) and fish (−0.81) significantly decreased. About 24% (of overall population) and 45% (of Medicaid population) reported improvements in food security. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that home visits were a useful setting for MNT delivered by RDNs. There is a strong need for individualized counseling to meet the participants" needs and personal goals.

Stimulated Bronchial Epithelial Cells Release Bioactive Lysophosphatidylcholine 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1

Yan Zhuge,Yang Yuan,Richard van Breemen,Michael DeGrand,Oksana Holian,Mark Yoder,Hazel Lum 대한천식알레르기학회 2014 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.6 No.1

Purpose: In human subjects and animal models with acute and chronic lung injury, the bioactive lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is elevated in lung lining fluids. The increased LPC can promote an inflammatory microenvironment resulting in lung injury. Furthermore, pathological lung conditions are associated with upregulated phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the predominant enzyme producing LPC in tissues by hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine. However, the lung cell populations responsible for increases of LPC have yet to be systematically characterized. The goal was to investigate the LPC generation by bronchial epithelial cells in response to pathological mediators and determine the major LPC species produced. Methods: Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) were challenged by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for 1 or 6 hours, and condition medium and cells collected for quantification of predominant LPC species by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The cells were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for PLA2. The direct effects of LPC in inducing inflammatory activities on NHBE were assessed by transepithelial resistance as well as expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). Results: VEGF stimulation of NHBE for 1 or 6 hours, significantly increased concentrations of LPC16:0, LPC18:0, and LPC18:1 in condition medium compared to control. The sPLA2-selective inhibitor (oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) inhibited the VEGF-induced release of LPC16:0 and LPC18:1 and PLA2 activity. In contrast, NHBE stimulated with TNF did not induce LPC release. VEGF did not increase mRNA of PLA2 subtypes sPLA2-X, sPLA2-XIIa, cPLA2-IVa, and iPLA2-VI. Exogenous LPC treatment increased expression of IL-8 and MMP-1, and reduced the transepithelial resistance in NHBE. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that VEGF-stimulated bronchial epithelial cells are a key source of extracellular LPCs, which can function as an autocrine mediator with potential to induce airway epithelial inflammatory injury.

Widespread nuclease contamination in commonly used oxygen-scavenging systems

Senavirathne, Gayan,Liu, Jiaquan,Lopez Jr, Miguel A,Hanne, Jeungphill,Martin-Lopez, Juana,Lee, Jong-Bong,Yoder, Kristine E,Fishel, Richard Nature Publishing Group 2015 NATURE METHODS Vol. No.