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A force plate is mainly used in biomechanics; it aims to measure the ground reaction force in a person's walking or standing position. In this study, a large-area force mat of the piezoresistance sensing type was developed, and a deep-learning-based weight measurement calibration method was applied to solve the problem in which measurements are not normalized because of physical limitations in hardware and signal processing. The test set was composed of the values measured at each point by weight and the value of the center of the pressure variable, and the measured value was predicted using a deep neural network (DNN) regression model. The calibration verification results show that the average weight errors range from a minimum of 0.06% to a maximum of 3.334%. This is simpler than the previous method, which directly measures the ratio of the resistance value to the measured weight of each sensor and derives an equation.
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Although the tumor bulk is initially reduced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), chemoresistance developed due to prolonged chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). The enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to chemoresistance and poor outcomes. A docosahexaenoic acid derivative developed by our group, 7S,15R-dihydroxy-16S,17S-epoxy-docosapentaenoic acid (diHEP-DPA), exerts antitumor effects against TAMs infiltration and CSCs enrichment in our previous study. The current study aimed to investigate whether diHEP-DPA was able to overcome chemoresistance to 5-FU in CRCs, together with the potential synergistic mechanisms in a CT26-BALB/c mouse model. Our results suggested that although 5-FU inhibited tumor growth, 5-FU enriched CSCs via the WNT/ß-catenin signaling pathway, resulting in chemoresistance in CRCs. However, we revealed that 5-FU promoted the infiltration of TAMs via the NF-kB signaling pathway and improved epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway; these traits were believed to contribute to CSC activation. Furthermore, supplementation with diHEP-DPA could overcome drug resistance by decreasing the CSCs, suppressing the infiltration of TAMs, and inhibiting EMT progression. Additionally, the combinatorial treatment of diHEP-DPA and 5-FU effectively enhanced phagocytosis by blocking the CD47/signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) axis. These findings present that diHEP-DPA is a potential therapeutic supplement to improve drug outcomes and suppress chemoresistance associated with the current 5-FU-based therapies for colorectal cancer.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Colorretais , Fluoruracila , Camundongos , Animais , Humanos , Fluoruracila/farmacologia , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/metabolismo , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/patologia , Xenoenxertos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias Colorretais/tratamento farmacológico , Via de Sinalização Wnt , Células-Tronco NeoplásicasRESUMO
Tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) have garnered great interest as an option for the replacement of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors owing to their extremely low off-current and fast switching suitable for low-power-consumption applications. However, conventional doped TFETs have the disadvantage of introducing undesirable random dopant fluctuation (RDF) events, which cause a large variance in the threshold voltage and ambipolar leakage current at negative gate voltages. In this study, a simple approach for charge plasma-based doping-less TFETs (DL-TFETs), including the Ge/Si bilayer frame, which affects the RDF and low on-current issues, was developed by the commercially available Silvaco Atlas device simulator. The use of the Ge/Si bilayer enhances the on-current and point subthreshold swing to 1.4 × 10-6A and 16.6 mV dec-1, respectively. In addition, the dependencies of the Ge/Si junction boundary position and Ge content were examined systematically to attain a firm understanding of the electrical features in DL-TFETs.
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The Wii balance board (WBB) is a simplified force plate system used to evaluate the balancing ability of the elderly via a sensory interaction task to confirm a significant standing balance index. The accuracy of this system has been verified in previous studies. In this study, an instrumented and modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance (i-mCTSIB) was performed on 84 elderly subjects, and the variables for center of pressure (CoP) were calculated using WBB for each task condition. The results indicate that the visual condition has a significant effect on the sway proprioceptive sensory variables with a foam condition as their complexity increases. In addition, the correlation between the variable and Berg Balance Scale was not confirmed since CTSIB is a sensory interaction on balance ability. Therefore, WBB can be used to evaluate balancing ability based on sensory interactions consisting of the surface condition.
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Jogos de Vídeo , Humanos , Idoso , Equilíbrio Postural , PropriocepçãoRESUMO
The prototype machine of gait training and rehabilitation (MGTR) with a five-bar linkage structure was designed to improve the common end-effector type. Additionally, the study was conducted to evaluate the joint angle and muscle activity during walking for the evaluation of prototype: (1) Background: The gait rehabilitation systems are largely divided into exoskeletal type and end-effector type. The end-effector type can be improved a gait trajectory similar to normal gait according to this prototype. Therefore, a new design of prototype MGTR is proposed in this study. (2) Methods: The gait experience was conducted with thirteen healthy male subjects using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor and electromyography (EMG). It was compared that the hip and knee joints and the muscle activity between the normal gait and MGTR. (3) Results: The results showed that there was a high correlation between the knee joint angle for normal gait and MGTR. The range of motion (RoM) was small for the MGTR. The EMG results showed that the activation of the rectus femoris muscle was most similar to the normal gait and MGTR. (4) Conclusions: The characteristics of the kinematic variables of the subjects varied widely. It is necessary to modify the machine so that the link length can be adjusted in consideration of various segment lengths of patients.
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Marcha , Caminhada , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Eletromiografia , Humanos , Articulação do Joelho , Masculino , Músculo Esquelético , Amplitude de Movimento ArticularRESUMO
Non-invasive measurement of physiological parameters and indicators, specifically among the elderly, is of utmost importance for personal health monitoring. In this study, we focused on photoplethysmography (PPG), and developed a regression model that calculates variables from the second (SDPPG) and third (TDPPG) derivatives of the PPG pulse that can observe the inflection point of the pulse wave measured by a wearable PPG device. The PPG pulse at the earlobe was measured for 3 min in 84 elderly Korean women (age: 71.19 ± 6.97 years old). Based on the PPG-based cardiovascular function, we derived additional variables from TDPPG, in addition to the aging variable to predict the age. The Aging Index (AI) from SDPPG and Sum of TDPPG variables were calculated in the second and third differential forms of PPG. The variables that significantly correlated with age were c/a, Tac, AI of SDPPG, sum of TDPPG, and correlation coefficient 'r' of the model. In multiple linear regression analysis, the r value of the model was 0.308, and that using deep learning on the model was 0.839. Moreover, the possibility of improving the accuracy of the model using supervised deep learning techniques, rather than the addition of datasets, was confirmed.
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Fotopletismografia , Dispositivos Eletrônicos Vestíveis , Idoso , Envelhecimento , Feminino , Frequência Cardíaca , Humanos , Modelos Lineares , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Processamento de Sinais Assistido por ComputadorRESUMO
Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are implicated in the biosynthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators involved in immune cell signaling, most of which catalyze peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by distinct regio- and stereoselectivity. Current reports suggested that conserved amino acid, Gly in R-LOXs and Ala in S-LOXs, in the catalytic domain play an important role in determining the position as well as the stereochemistry of the functional group. Recently, we have confirmed that the catalytic specificity of cyanobacterial lipoxygenase, named Osc-LOX, with alanine at 296 was 13S-type toward linoleic acid, and producing a 17S- hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Here, we aimed to change the catalytic property of LOX from13S-LOX to 9R-LOX by replacing Ala with Gly and to produce a lipid mediators different from the wild-type using DHA. Finally, we succeeded in generating human endogenous a 13R-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid and a 13R,20-dihydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid from DHA through an enzymatic reaction using the Osc-LOX-A296G. Our study could enable physiological studies and pharmaceutical research for the 13R,20-dihydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid.
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Lipoxigenases/genética , Lipoxigenases/metabolismo , Oscillatoria/enzimologia , Ácidos Docosa-Hexaenoicos/metabolismo , Humanos , Lipoxigenases/química , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , EstereoisomerismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) is the most widely studied value-added product that can be produced by feeding glycerol to bacteria, including Lactobacillus sp. However, previous research reported that L. reuteri only produced small amounts and had low productivity of 1,3-PDO. It is urgent to develop procedures that improve the production and productivity of 1,3-PDO. RESULTS: We identified a novel L. reuteri CH53 isolate that efficiently converted glycerol into 1,3-PDO, and performed batch co-fermentation with glycerol and glucose to evaluate its production of 1,3-PDO and other products. We optimized the fermentation conditions and nitrogen sources to increase the productivity. Fed-batch fermentation using corn steep liquor (CSL) as a replacement for beef extract led to 1,3-PDO production (68.32 ± 0.84 g/L) and productivity (1.27 ± 0.02 g/L/h) at optimized conditions (unaerated and 100 rpm). When CSL was used as an alternative nitrogen source, the activity of the vitamin B12-dependent glycerol dehydratase (dhaB) and 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase (dhaT) increased. Also, the productivity and yield of 1,3-PDO increased as well. These results showed the highest productivity in Lactobacillus species. In addition, hurdle to 1,3-PDO production in this strain were identified via analysis of the half-maximal inhibitory concentration for growth (IC50) of numerous substrates and metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: We used CSL as a low-cost nitrogen source to replace beef extract for 1,3-PDO production in L. reuteri CH53. These cells efficiently utilized crude glycerol and CSL to produce 1,3-PDO. This strain has great promise for the production of 1,3-PDO because it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and non-pathogenic. Also, this strain has high productivity and high conversion yield.
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Limosilactobacillus reuteri/metabolismo , Propilenoglicóis/metabolismo , Fermentação , Glicerol/metabolismo , Xarope de Milho Rico em Frutose/metabolismo , Microbiologia Industrial/métodosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Recently, new concepts about obesity and normal weight subtypes with metabolic conditions are rising and ketone bodies are emerging as a significant indicator of metabolic health. This study aimed to find a relationship between ketonuria and those subtypes. METHODS: The data of 19,036 subjects were analyzed in this cross-sectional study (2013-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, KNHANES). Based on body mass index and adult treatment panel III with modification of waist circumference, individuals were categorized into 4 groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Individuals were divided into 2 groups, positive and negative ketonuria groups, and the metabolic parameters were compared. RESULTS: The metabolic indicators of the positive ketonuria group showed better results than those of the negative ketonuria group and the MHNW group showed the highest proportion of positive ketonuria. The MHNW group showed higher urinary ketones than the MUO group (odds ratio [OR], 0.391; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.254-0.601) in men. In women, OR of having ketonuria was 0.698 (95% CI, 0.486-1.002) in the MHO group and 0.467 (95% CI, 0.226-0.966) in the MUNW group compared to the MHNW group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared to the MHNW group, the MUO group showed lower presence of ketonuria in men, and tendency to have less ketonuria in women.
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Cetose/diagnóstico , Síndrome Metabólica/diagnóstico , Obesidade/diagnóstico , Adulto , Índice de Massa Corporal , Estudos Transversais , Bases de Dados Factuais , Feminino , Humanos , Cetose/complicações , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólica/complicações , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Obesidade/complicações , República da Coreia , Fatores de Risco , Circunferência da CinturaRESUMO
In this study, to produce adipic acid, mutant strains of Candida tropicalis KCTC 7212 deficient of AOX genes encoding acyl-CoA oxidases which are important in the ß-oxidation pathway were constructed. Production of adipic acid in the mutants from the most favorable substrate C12 methyl laurate was significantly increased. The highest level of production of adipic acid was obtained in the C. tropicalis ΔAOX4::AOX5 mutant of 339.8 mg L-1 which was about 5.4-fold higher level compared to the parent strain. The C. tropicalis ΔAOX4::AOX5 mutant was subjected to fed-batch fermentation at optimized conditions of agitation rate of 1000 rpm, pH 5.0 and methyl laurate of 3% (w/v), giving the maximum level of adipic acid of 12.1 g L-1 and production rate of 0.1 g L-1 h-1.
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Adipatos/metabolismo , Candida tropicalis/genética , Candida tropicalis/metabolismo , Proteínas Fúngicas , Engenharia Metabólica , Mutação , Palmitoil-CoA Hidrolase , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/metabolismo , Palmitoil-CoA Hidrolase/genética , Palmitoil-CoA Hidrolase/metabolismoRESUMO
This study describe the characteristics of hemiplegic stroke gait with principal component analysis (PCA) of trunk movement (TM) and gait event (GE) parameters by the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors: (1) Background: This process can determine dominant variables through multivariate examination to identify the affected, unaffected, and healthy lower-limb sides; (2) Methods: The study monitored forty patients with stroke and twenty-eight healthy individuals comprising the control group for comparison. The IMU sensors were attached to each subject while performing a 6 m walking test. Sixteen variables extracted from the measured data were divided into 7 GE and 9 TM variables explaining pelvis tilt, oblique, and rotation. (3) Results: The tilt range variables of the trunk movement on the affected and unaffected sides were lower than those of the healthy side; this showed between-group differences in various GE variables. For the healthy and affected sides, 80% of variances were explained with 2 or 3 PCs involving only a few dominant variables; and (4) Conclusions: The difference between each side leg should be considered during the development of a diagnosis method. This research can be utilized to develop functional assessment tools for personalized treatment and to design appropriate training protocols.
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Análise da Marcha , Transtornos Neurológicos da Marcha/diagnóstico , Hemiplegia/diagnóstico , Monitorização Fisiológica/instrumentação , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Tronco , Idoso , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pelve , Análise de Componente Principal , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/complicações , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/diagnósticoRESUMO
A white-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain SY21T) was isolated from waste-activated sludge. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C and pH 7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SY21T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.5-98.0â% to Thermomonas species and clustered with the type species of the genus Thermomonas. In strain SY21T, the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8, and the cellular fatty acids consisted mainly of iso-C15â:â0, C16â:â0, iso-C11â:â0 3-OH, summed feature 3 and summed feature 9. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 67.9 mol% and the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SY21T and the closest phylogenetically related strain, Thermomonas carbonis KCTC 42013T, was 35.0±0.1â%. Based on the distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain SY21T represents a novel species of the genus Thermomonas, for which the name Thermomonas aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SY21T (=KCTC 62191T=NBRC 113114T).
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Filogenia , Esgotos/microbiologia , Águas Residuárias/microbiologia , Xanthomonadaceae/classificação , Técnicas de Tipagem Bacteriana , Composição de Bases , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Ácidos Graxos/química , Hibridização de Ácido Nucleico , Fosfolipídeos/química , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , República da Coreia , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Ubiquinona/química , Xanthomonadaceae/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
The translucent white-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, fusiform-shaped bacterium (designated strain SY72T) was isolated from waste-activated sludge. Optimal growth occurred at 30-37 °C and pH 6.0-7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate belonged to the family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria. Strain SY72T is closely related to Tabrizicola aquatica KCTC 23724T (97.8â% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Pseudorhodobacter aquaticus DC2N1-10T (96.4â%), respectively. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SY72T and the closest phylogenetically related strain, Tabrizicola aquatica KCTC 23724T, was 18.0±0.7â%. In strain SY72T, the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, and the cellular fatty acids consisted mainly of C18â:â1ω7c and C18â:â1ω7c-11 methyl. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Photoautotrophic and photoheterotrophic growth did not occur in strain SY72T. Furthermore, strain SY72T did not produce photosynthetic pigments or contain the photosynthetic genes pufL and pufM, by which it differed from the phototrophic species of the family Rhodobacteraceae. On the basis of distinct phenotypic and phylogenetic properties, strain SY72T represents a novel species of the genus Tabrizicola, for which the name Tabrizicola fusiformis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SY72T (=KCTC 62105T=NBRC 113021T).
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Filogenia , Rhodobacteraceae/classificação , Águas Residuárias , Técnicas de Tipagem Bacteriana , Composição de Bases , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Ácidos Graxos/química , Hibridização de Ácido Nucleico , Fosfolipídeos/química , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , República da Coreia , Rhodobacteraceae/genética , Rhodobacteraceae/isolamento & purificação , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Ubiquinona/químicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: 1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) is important building blocks for the bio-based chemical industry, Klebsiella pneumoniae can be an attractive candidate for their production. However, 1,3-PDO production is high but productivity is generally low by K. pneumoniae. In this study, repeated fed-batch cultivation by a lactate and 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) deficient mutant of K. pneumoniae were investigated for efficient 1,3-PDO production from industrial by-products such as crude glycerol. RESULTS: First, optimal conditions for repeated fed-batch fermentation of a ΔldhA mutant defective for lactate formation due to deletion of the lactate dehydrogenase gene (ldhA) were determined. Maximal 1,3-PDO production level and productivity obtained by repeated fed-batch fermentation under optimized conditions were 81.1 g/L and 3.38 g/L/h, respectively, and these values were successfully maintained for five cycles of fermentation without any loss of fermentation capacity. This results were much higher than that of the normal fed-batch fermentation. The levels of 2,3-BDO, which is a major by-product, reaching up to ~ 50% of the level of 1,3-PDO, were reduced using a mutant strain [Δ(ldhA als)] containing an additional mutation in the biosynthetic pathway of 2,3-BDO (deletion of the acetolactate synthase gene). The levels of 2,3-BDO were reduced to about 20% of 1,3-PDO levels by repeated fed-batch fermentation of Δ(ldhA als), although maximal 1,3-PDO production and productivity also decreased owing to a defect in the growth of the 2,3-BDO-defective mutant strain. CONCLUSION: This repeated fed-batch fermentation may be useful for reducing the cost of 1,3-PDO production and may be promising industrialization prospect for the 1,3-PDO production.
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Vias Biossintéticas/imunologia , Butileno Glicóis/metabolismo , Glicerol/metabolismo , Klebsiella pneumoniae/patogenicidade , Ácido Láctico/metabolismo , Propilenoglicóis/metabolismo , FermentaçãoRESUMO
A Bacillus sp. strain named BRC1 is capable of producing 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) using hydrolysates of the Jerusalem artichoke tuber (JAT), a rich source of the fructose polymer inulin. To enhance 2,3-BD production, we undertook an extensive analysis of the Bacillus sp. BRC1 genome, identifying a putative gene (sacC) encoding a fructan hydrolysis enzyme and characterizing the activity of the resulting recombinant protein expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. Introduction of the sacC gene into Bacillus sp. BRC1 using an expression vector increased enzymatic activity more than twofold. Consistent with this increased enzyme expression, 2,3-BD production from JAT was also increased from 3.98 to 8.10 g L-1. Fed-batch fermentation of the recombinant strain produced a maximal level of 2,3-BD production of 28.6 g L-1, showing a high theoretical yield of 92.3%.
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Bacillus/genética , Butileno Glicóis/metabolismo , Glicosídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Helianthus/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Tubérculos/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Bacillus/enzimologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Técnicas de Cultura Celular por Lotes , Clonagem Molecular , Escherichia coli/genética , Genes Bacterianos , Glicosídeo Hidrolases/genética , Inulina/metabolismo , Plasmídeos/genética , Plasmídeos/metabolismo , Proteínas RecombinantesRESUMO
Methamphetamine is a potent psychostimulant drug of abuse that increases release and blocks reuptake of dopamine, producing intense euphoria, factors that may contribute to its widespread abuse. It also produces severe neurotoxicity resulting from oxidative stress, DNA damage, blood-brain barrier disruption, microgliosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Intracerebral hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke have been reported after intravenous and oral abuse of methamphetamine. Several studies have shown that methamphetamine causes vasoconstriction of vessels. This study investigates the effect of methamphetamine on endothelin-1 (ET-1) release in mouse brain endothelial cells by ELISA. ET-1 transcription as well as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and transcription were measured following methamphetamine treatment. We also examine the effect of methamphetamine on isolated cerebral arteriolar vessels from C57BL/6 mice. Penetrating middle cerebral arterioles were cannulated at both ends with a micropipette system. Methamphetamine was applied extraluminally, and the vascular response was investigated. Methamphetamine treatment of mouse brain endothelial cells resulted in ET-1 release and a transient increase in ET-1 message. The activity and transcription of eNOS were only slightly enhanced after 24 hr of treatment with methamphetamine. In addition, methamphetamine caused significant vasoconstriction of isolated mouse intracerebral arterioles. The vasoconstrictive effect of methamphetamine was attenuated by coapplication of the endothelin receptor antagonist PD145065. These findings suggest that vasoconstriction induced by methamphetamine is mediated through the endothelin receptor and may involve an endothelin-dependent pathway.
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Estimulantes do Sistema Nervoso Central/farmacologia , Endotelina-1/metabolismo , Endotélio/efeitos dos fármacos , Metanfetamina/farmacologia , Análise de Variância , Animais , Artérias/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/citologia , Linhagem Celular Transformada , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Endotelina-1/antagonistas & inibidores , Endotelina-1/genética , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo III/metabolismo , Oligopeptídeos/farmacologia , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Fatores de Tempo , Vasoconstrição/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Expressing proteins with fusion partners improves yield and simplifies the purification process. We developed a novel fusion partner to improve the secretion of heterologous proteins that are otherwise poorly excreted in yeast. The VOA1 (YGR106C) gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a subunit of vacuolar ATPase. We found that C-terminally truncated Voa1p was highly secreted into the culture medium, even when fused with rarely secreted heterologous proteins such as human interleukin-2 (hIL-2). Deletion mapping of C-terminally truncated Voa1p, identified a hydrophilic 28-amino acid peptide (HL peptide) that was responsible for the enhanced secretion of target protein. A purification tag and a protease cleavage site were added to use HL peptide as a multi-purpose fusion partner. The utility of this system was tested via the expression and purification of various heterologous proteins. In many cases, the yield of target proteins fused with the peptide was significantly increased, and fusion proteins could be directly purified with affinity chromatography. The fusion partner was removed by in vitro processing, and intact proteins were purified by re-application of samples to affinity chromatography.
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Engenharia de Proteínas/métodos , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/metabolismo , Proteínas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolismo , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolismo , ATPases Vacuolares Próton-Translocadoras/metabolismo , Interleucina-2/genética , Interleucina-2/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Proteínas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , ATPases Vacuolares Próton-Translocadoras/genéticaRESUMO
[Purpose] Proper pedaling posture can improve muscle strength and cardiopulmonary function. To investigate proper pedaling posture for the elderly, this study compared the pedaling efficiency of the elderly with that of the young by using an index of effectiveness (IE) and kinematic results. [Subjects and Methods] Eight adults in their twenties and eight in their seventies participated in 3-min, 40â rpm cycle pedaling tests, with the same load and cadence. The joint angle, range of motion (ROM), and IE were compared by measuring 3-dimensional motion and 3-axis pedal-reaction force during 4 pedaling phases (Phase 1: 330-30°, Phase 2: 30-150°, Phase 3: 150-210°, and Phase 4: 210-330°). [Results] The knee and ankle ROM, maximum knee extension, and maximum ankle dorsiflexion in the elderly were significantly decreased compared with those in the young. Moreover, there were significant differences in IE for the total phase, Phase 1, and Phase 4 between the elderly and young. IE of the young was greater than that of the elderly, except in Phase 3. [Conclusion] Joint movement in the elderly during pedaling was limited. This study provides information that will facilitate the proposal of an efficient pedaling method for the elderly.
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[Purpose] This study aimed to determine appropriate measures for assessing balance ability according to difficulty level during standing tasks. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 56 old (>65â years) and 30 young (20-30â years) adults. By using the Berg balance scale, the subjects were divided into three groups: 29 healthy older (Berg score≥52), 27 impaired older (Berg score≥40), and 30 healthy young (Berg score≥55). One inertial measurement unit sensor was attached at the waist, and the subjects performed standing tasks (1â min/task) with six difficulty levels: eyes open and eyes closed on firm ground, one foam, and two foams. Thirty-nine (24 time-domain, 15 frequency-domain) measures were calculated by using acceleration data. The slope of each derived measure was calculated through the least-squares method. [Results] Five (95% ellipse sway area, root mean squares [anterior-posterior and resultant directions], and mean distance [anterior-posterior and resultant directions] in time domain) of the 39 measures showed significant differences among the groups under specific standing conditions. The slopes of derived measures showed significant differences among the groups and significant correlations with the Berg scores. [Conclusion] The slope according to the difficulty level can be used to assess and discriminate standing balance ability.
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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in muscle strength and postural balance between fallers and non-fallers. We also compared the difference between normal and impaired balance groups using the same subjects and the same variables. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy-one healthy elderly females (age: 75.1 ± 75â years; weight: 57.3 ± 57â kg; height: 150.1 ± 15â cm) who had high levels of physical activity participated [25 fallers (FG) vs. 46 non-fallers (NG); and 52 healthy balance group (HBG) and 19 impaired balance group (IBG) subjects]. To compare the groups, the muscle strengths of 9 muscle groups, and 20 variables of the instrumented standing balance assessment (2 area variables, 9 time-domain variables, and 9 frequency-domain variables) were assessed. [Results] The FG and NG could only be categorized based on the frequency-domain variables of the instrumented standing balance assessment. On the other hand, there were significant differences between HBG and IBG in height, 6 muscle strength, and 2 time-domain variables of the instrumented standing balance assessment. [Conclusion] These results suggest that muscle strength and standing balance are reflected in physical balance ability (i.e., BBS); however they are in sufficient for determining the actual occurrence of falls.