Tiron Has Negative Effects on Osteogenic Differentiation via Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Periosteum-Derived Cells

Tiron is a potent antioxidant that counters the pathological effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production due to oxidative stress in various cell types. We examined the effects of tiron on mitochondrial function and osteoblastic differentiation in human periosteum-derived cells (hPDCs). Tiron increased mitochondrial activity and decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in hPDCs; however, it had a detrimental effect on osteoblastic differentiation by reducing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red-positive mineralization, regardless of H₂O₂ treatment. Osteoblast-differentiating hPDCs displayed increased ROS production compared with non-differentiating hPDCs, and treatment with tiron reduced ROS production in the differentiating cells. Antioxidants decreased the rates of oxygen consumption and ATP production, which are increased in hPDCs during osteoblastic differentiation. In addition, treatment with tiron reduced the levels of most mitochondrial proteins, which are increased in hPDCs during culture in osteogenic induction medium. These results suggest that tiron exerts negative effects on the osteoblastic differentiation of hPDCs by causing mitochondrial dysfunction.     

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Induces Adipogenesis via Control of Cilia in Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

During skin aging, the volume of subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT) and the adipogenesis potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) decrease. It is known that the shortening of cilia length by pro-inflammatory cytokines is related to the decreased adipogenic differentiation of ASCs via increase in Wnt5a/β-catenin. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is known to upregulate heat shock proteins (HSP), which decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we evaluated whether HIFU modulates the cilia of ASCs by upregulating HSP70 and decreasing inflammatory cytokines. HIFU was applied at 0.2 J to rat skin, which was harvested at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days. All results for HIFU-applied animals were compared with control animals that were not treated. HIFU increased expression of HSP70 and decreased expression of NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in sWAT. HIFU decreased the expression of cilia disassembly-related factors (AurA and HDAC9) in ASCs. Furthermore, HIFU increased the expression of cilia assembly-related factors (KIF3A and IFT88), decreased that of WNT5A/β-catenin, and increased that of the adipogenesis markers PPARγ and CEBPα in sWAT. HIFU increased the number of adipocytes in the sWAT and the thickness of sWAT. In conclusion, HIFU could selectively increase sWAT levels by modulating the cilia of ASCs and be used for skin rejuvenation.     

A micro flow cell cytometry based on MEMS technologies using silicon and optical fibers

In this paper, we tested multi-mode optical fibers to select a suitable fiber for effective flow of cell cytometry. In order to align micro nozzle and multi-mode optical fibers, a guide channel was fabricated by silicon wafer etching with MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) technologies. The fabricated system is advantageous due to its low cost and simplicity in construction. It is possible because multi-mode optical fibers replace many optical lenses and expensive equipment. As a result of the flow cell cytometry using multi-mode optical fibers for both input and output, it is easy to align and we can reduce power consumption. The sensitivity of the micro flow cell cytometry is much better than other cytometries. The output voltage was as high as 300 mV. We injected various cells through the designed and fabricated flow cell cytometry, and we were able to detect cells. Every cell has its own cellulose and wall which cause different light permeability; therefore, we could get different voltage characteristics according to different cells. From the experimental results, we were able to count the number of cells and differentiate the relative size of the injected cells; therefore, we can use the micro flow cell cytometry for analyzing cells [1, 2].     

Stress and strain partition in elastic and plastic deformation of two phase alloys

A stress and strain partition theory for two phase alloys was developed on the basis of the modified rules of mixtures. The extreme value condition of macroscopic strain energy density was found through Lagrangian multiplier method. Expressions for macroscopic elastic constants of two phase alloys were derived from the extreme value condition by assuming the strain linearity between constituent phases. Governing equation for stress and strain partition in plastic deformation was also obtained from the extreme value condition. The calculated elastic constants of WC-Co alloys fell invariably within the Hashin and Shtrikman's bounds. According to the governing equation the stress ratio between constituent phases was plotted as a function of strain increment ratio. By applying the governing equation to spheroidized carbon steel and duplex stainless steel, it was shown that the stress ratios, strain ratios, macroscopic stress-strain curves, and internal stresses could be evaluated from thein situ stress-strain curves of constituent phases.     

Development of covalent-bonded organic/carbon anode for sodium-ion battery

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Sodium (Na) organic batteries have attracted great attention because of high abundance of Na, low-production cost, and structure diversity of organic...     

Functional foods with antiviral activity

Food Science and Biotechnology - Viruses are known to cause a variety of diseases, ranging from mild respiratory diseases, such as the common cold, to fatal illnesses. Although the development of...     

Irradiation Effects on Free Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Activity of Phytic Acid

ABSTRACT: Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of irradiated phytic acid at various concentrations were studied. Phytic acid sodium salt dissolved in deionized distilled water was irradiated at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kGy. The degradation of phytic acid by irradiation was observed, and it was found that the concentrations had an effect on the degree of degradation. Stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability of phytic acid was significantly increased by irradiation ( P < 0.05) and was positively correlated with irradiation dose ( P < 0.01). Antioxidant activity of phytic acid in lipid model systems was slightly increased by irradiation; however, at higher concentrations, the activity was reduced or was the same compared with nonirradiated phytic acid.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on pathogens inoculated into ready-to-use vegetables

Three ready-to-use vegetables, cucumber, blanched and seasoned spinach, and seasoned burdock were selected and the effects of an irradiation treatment for eliminating pathogens were investigated. The pathogens tested were Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria ivanovii. Inoculated viable cells of S. Typhimurium and L. ivanovii into cucumber and blanched and seasoned spinach were reduced about 4 decimal points by 2 kGy of irradiation and that of S. aureus inoculated into burdock showed about 4-decimal point reduction by 1 kGy. E. coli inoculated into burdock was not detected by 1 kGy. All the bacterial contents of test pathogens into the samples were reduced to below the limit of detection by 3 kGy irradiation. The range of the D10 value was 0.28-0.42 among the four pathogens. A Salmonella mutagenicity assay (Ames test) indicated that the 10 kGy-irradiated ready-to-use vegetables did not cause any increase. The studies indicated that a low-dose irradiation (3 kGy or less) can improve the microbial safety of ready-to-use vegetables.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on color characteristics and biological activities of extracts of Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) with methanol and acetone

Effects of gamma irradiation on the color characteristic and biological activities of methanol and acetone extracts of Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) irradiated at 0, 10, 20, and 30 kGy were investigated. Hunter color L^*- and a^*-value increased by irradiation in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in it being lighter than the nonirradiated, while Hunter color b^*-values decreased by irradiation (P<0.05). The extracts from L. japonica showed an inhibition effect against tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase and the nitrite scavenging ability. Tyrosinase inhibition effect of L. japonica was higher in the irradiated sample than the nonirradiated, and the effect was increased by irradiation doses. The L. japonica extracts had a higher inhibitory effect against xanthine oxidase, and the effect was not changed by irradiation. Nitrite scavenging activity was the highest in L. japonica extract at pH 1.2. The difference between solvents used was not detected. Thus, gamma irradiation may have no influence on the biological activities of the L. japonica extracts except for the tyrosinase inhibition effect when irradiated up to 30 kGy.