Sojucktang induces apoptosis via loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3 activation in KLE human endometrial cancer cells

Sojucktang （SJT） has long been used for the treatment of endometrial diseases in Korea. However, the mechanisms responsible for the SJT-induced apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells remain unclear. In the present study, SJT was demonstrated to show cytotoxic effect and induce apoptotic cell death via mitochondrial regulation in KLE endometrial cancer cells. Linderae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Zedoariae Rhizoma, Trogopterorum Faeces and Agelicae Gigantis Radix were found to be the potent constituent herbs of SJT to significantly decrease the viability of KLE cells by a tetra zolium salt （XTT） assay. Apoptotic bodies were observed in SJT-treated KLE cells by 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole （DAPI） and TdT-mediated-dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. SJT also increased sub-G1 DNA contents of the cell cycle undergoing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was observed that SJT activated caspase-3 and cleaved poly （ADP-ribose） polymerase （PARP）, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, this study shows that SJT exerts anti-tumor activity against KLE endometrial cancer cells via mitochondrial dependent apoptosis induction.     

Synthesis of the CuInSe2 thin film for solar cells using the electrodeposition technique and Taguchi method

The Taguchi method was used to obtain the optimum electrodeposition parameters for the synthesis of the CuInSe₂ thin film for solar cells. The parameters consist of annealing temperature, current density, CuCl₂ concentration, FeCl₃ concentration, H₂SeO₃ concentration, TEA amount, pH value, and deposition time. The experiments were carried out according to an L₁₈(2137) table An X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were respectively used to analyze the phases and observe the microstructure and the grain size of the CuInSe₂ film before and after annealing treatment. The results showed that the CuInSe₂ phase was deposited with a preferred plane (112) parallel to the substrate surface. The optimum parameters are as follows: current density, 7 mA/cm 2 ; CuCl₂ concentration, 10 mM; FeCl₃ concentration, 50 mM; H₂SeO₃ concentration, 15 mM; TEA amount, 0 mL; pH value, 1.65; deposition time, 10 min; and annealing temperature, 500℃.     

Extrusion Freeforming of Millimeter-Wave Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG) Photonic Crystals

Extrusion freeforming can be used for the rapid prototyping of millimeter-wave electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures. In this work, an alumina-polymer paste with a relatively high volatility solvent (propanol) was used and the characteristics of the ceramic paste, particularly the rheological features are described. The advantage of high volatility solvent is that the viscosity and elastic modulus of the paste are increased sharply as the solvent evaporates. Thus, the rigidity of the extruded filament is quickly increased as a small amount of solvent evaporates. Finally, by employing this procedure, different EBG structures such as 2-D, 3-D woodpile and aperiodic structures were fabricated and their bandgaps were measured. The experimental results show that extrusion freeforming is a relatively simple and easy method to fabricate these woodpile structures with a bandgap in the 90–110 GHz region.     

The histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A influences the development of Drosophila melanogaster

We examined the consequences of the deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) on the development of Drosophila melanogaster. When fed to flies, TSA caused lethality and delayed development at concentrations as low as 5 μM, had stronger effects on males than females, and acted synergistically with mutations in the gene encoding the RPD3 deacetylase to cause notched wings, but did not appear to affect a SINA signaling pathway that is normally repressed by the SIN3 corepressor. These findings suggest that deacetylated histones play an important role in normal developmental progression and establish parameters for genetic screens to dissect the role of deacetylases in this process. Received 14 June 2001; received after revision 31 July 2001; accepted 21 August 2001     

Mutations in CAV3 cause mechanical hyperirritability of skeletal muscle in rippling muscle disease.

Hereditary rippling muscle disease (RMD) is an autosomal dominant human disorder characterized by mechanically triggered contractions of skeletal muscle. Genome-wide linkage analysis has identified an RMD locus on chromosome 3p25. We found missense mutations in positional candidate CAV3 (encoding caveolin 3; ref. 5) in all five families analyzed. Mutations in CAV3 have also been described in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1C (LGMD1C; refs. 6,7), demonstrating the allelism of dystrophic and non-dystrophic muscle diseases.     

Structural basis of water-specific transport through the AQP1 water channel.

Water channels facilitate the rapid transport of water across cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. These channels are believed to be involved in many physiological processes that include renal water conservation, neuro-homeostasis, digestion, regulation of body temperature and reproduction. Members of the water channel superfamily have been found in a range of cell types from bacteria to human. In mammals, there are currently 10 families of water channels, referred to as aquaporins (AQP): AQP0-AQP9. Here we report the structure of the aquaporin 1 (AQP1) water channel to 2.2 A resolution. The channel consists of three topological elements, an extracellular and a cytoplasmic vestibule connected by an extended narrow pore or selectivity filter. Within the selectivity filter, four bound waters are localized along three hydrophilic nodes, which punctuate an otherwise extremely hydrophobic pore segment. This unusual combination of a long hydrophobic pore and a minimal number of solute binding sites facilitates rapid water transport. Residues of the constriction region, in particular histidine 182, which is conserved among all known water-specific channels, are critical in establishing water specificity. Our analysis of the AQP1 pore also indicates that the transport of protons through this channel is highly energetically unfavourable.     

Shoshonitic intrusive suite in SE Guangxi: Petrology and geochemistry

A NE-direction Mesozoic shoshonitic intrusive suite in SE Guangxi has been identified in terms of geological, petrological and geochemical investigations. The shoshonitic intrusives are characterized by enrichment of LILE, HFSE and LREE and no obvious Nb-Ta depletion, similar to those potassic rocks formed in within-plate and rifting environments. Unlike most shoshonitic rocks forming in arc settings, the SE Guangxi shoshonitic intrusives were likely generated during regional lithosphere extension induced by upwelling of asthenosphere mantle.     

The neuronal sortilin-related receptor SORL1 is genetically associated with Alzheimer disease

The recycling of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) from the cell surface via the endocytic pathways plays a key role in the generation of amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) in Alzheimer disease. We report here that inherited variants in the SORL1 neuronal sorting receptor are associated with late-onset Alzheimer disease. These variants, which occur in at least two different clusters of intronic sequences within the SORL1 gene (also known as LR11 or SORLA) may regulate tissue-specific expression of SORL1. We also show that SORL1 directs trafficking of APP into recycling pathways and that when SORL1 is underexpressed, APP is sorted into Abeta-generating compartments. These data suggest that inherited or acquired changes in SORL1 expression or function are mechanistically involved in causing Alzheimer disease.