APE1/Ref-1 Inhibits Adipogenic Transcription Factors during Adipocyte Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Cells.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein involved in DNA repair and redox regulation. The redox activity of APE1/Ref-1 is involved in inflammatory responses and regulation of DNA binding of transcription factors related to cell survival pathways. However, the effect of APE1/Ref-1 on adipogenic transcription factor regulation remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of APE1/Ref-1 on the regulation of adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. During adipocyte differentiation, APE1/Ref-1 expression significantly decreased with the increased expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, and the adipocyte differentiation marker adipocyte protein 2 (aP2) in a time-dependent manner. However, APE1/Ref-1 overexpression inhibited C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, and aP2 expression, which was upregulated during adipocyte differentiation. In contrast, silencing APE1/Ref-1 or redox inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 using E3330 increased the mRNA and protein levels of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, and aP2 during adipocyte differentiation. These results suggest that APE1/Ref-1 inhibits adipocyte differentiation by regulating adipogenic transcription factors, suggesting that APE1/Ref-1 is a potential therapeutic target for regulating adipocyte differentiation.

Integration of air quality model with GIS for the monitoring of PM2.5 from local primary emission at a rural site.

Local primary emissions of air pollutants are responsible for public health, decreasing productivity, and cultural activities in local residential areas. In this study, an integrated air quality observation and modeling system with a geographical information system (GIS) was developed to characterize the air pollution caused by local primary emission sources. This integrated system could provide air quality monitoring, data analysis, and visualization results that reflect air pollutant concentration data in a study area containing a local rural village (LRV) and an asphalt manufacturing facility (AMF). Additionally, the model was used to estimate the contributions of air quality from an emission source at the receptor and determine the control factor for the emission rate or meteorological changes. From the forward and backward modeling results, we found that the concentrations of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) concentrations in the village were affected by the unique meteorological and emission conditions. The PM2.5 concentration was significantly increased for the cases with a slow wind speed of 1 m/s or high wind speed of 3 m/s, with an emission rate of 10 g/s. The contribution of AMF emissions was explained by contribution factor analysis. During the study period of December 2014-December 2015, the incoming contribution of PM2.5 at the LRV measurement station was approximately 47.6%. These results suggest that the proposed method can be useful for understanding adverse air quality conditions and estimating the emissions of air pollutants from primary sources for local environmental and public health authorities.

Effects of urban functional fragmentation on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) variation with anthropogenic-emission restriction in China.

Urban functional fragmentation plays an important role in assessing Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions and variations. While the mediated impact of anthropogenic-emission restriction has not been comprehensively discussed, the lockdown response to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) provides an unprecedented opportunity to meet this goal. This study proposes a new idea to explore the effects of urban functional fragmentation on NO2 variation with anthropogenic-emission restriction in China. First, NO2 variations are quantified by an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with external variables-Dynamic Time Warping (SARIMAX-DTW)-based model. Then, urban functional fragmentation indices including industrial/public Edge Density (ED) and Landscape Shape Index (LSI), urban functional Aggregation Index (AI) and Number of Patches (NP) are developed. Finally, the mediated impacts of anthropogenic-emission restriction are assessed by evaluating the fragmentation-NO2 variation association before and during the lockdown during COVID-19. The findings reveal negative effects of industrial ED, public LSI, urban functional AI and NP and positive effects of public ED and industrial LSI on NO2 variation based on the restricted anthropogenic emissions. By comparing the association analysis before and during lockdown, the mediated impact of anthropogenic-emission restriction is revealed to partially increase the effect of industrial ED, industrial LSI, public LSI, urban functional AI and NP and decrease the effect of public ED on NO2 variation. This study provides scientific findings for redesigning the urban environment in related to the urban functional configuration to mitigating the air pollution, ultimately developing sustainable societies.

Discrepancy between scientific measurement and public anxiety about particulate matter concentrations.

This study presents the characteristics and relevance of air quality in the sensitive public environment by analyzing scientific observations and social data detailing the present status of particulate matter (PM) concentrations alongside the changes in the public perception. By projecting time-series data under the same conditions over long periods of time, the difference between the clarity in the information provided by the media and scientific data was quantified, and the patterns in these fields were identified. We confirmed that the PM mass loads in the atmosphere and column concentrations continue to decrease whereas the number of media articles and internet searches with related key words increased over the same period. It was observed that the number of articles in the media increased by 10.5 times over the same period in which the PM mass in the atmosphere decreased by approximately 2.5%. The correlation analysis between the scientific observation data and social data showed significant correlation for the pairs of PM10 and aerosol optical thickness (AOT), meteorological visibility and relative humidity, and media publications with the number of internet portal searches. These results indicate that individual interest and anxiety about the air quality increased quantitatively as a result of these issues being mentioned in new media sources. These results demonstrate the reasons why atmospheric scientists should provide more information about current air quality to the public and exert their professionality in scientific and public discourse.

Synergetic analysis of springtime air pollution episodes over Gwangju, Korea.

The characteristics of springtime aerosols, including their optical and microphysical properties, were analyzed for the months of March to May of 2009 in Gwangju (35.23°N, 126.84°E), Korea. A high Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)-derived aerosol depolarization ratio (δ) of 0.25±0.04 was determined on dust particles during the observation period. The Ångström exponent values of the 440-870nm wavelength pair (Å440-870) and single-scattering albedo at 675nm (Ω675) measured by a CIMEL sun/sky radiometer were 0.77±0.19 and 0.95±0.01, respectively. The elevated dust layers reached a maximum elevation of 4km above sea level. Anthropogenic/smoke particles that originated from highly populated/industrialized regions could be distinguished by their relatively smaller particle size (Å440-870 ranged between 1.33 and 1.36) and higher light-absorbing (Ω675 of 0.92±0.01) characteristics. These aerosols are mostly distributed at altitudes <1.2km. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) between the aerosol optical depth (AOD, τ) derived from LIDAR (τLIDAR) and from the CIMEL sun/sky radiometer (τCIMEL) varied with respect to the surface PM10 concentration. The RMSD between τLIDAR and τCIMEL was as low as 13% under lower PM10 concentration levels (<100µg/m3). In contrast, the RMSD between τLIDAR and τCIMEL increased three times (~31%) under high surface PM10 concentration levels (>100µg/m3). These results suggest that the accuracy of τLIDAR is influenced by specific atmospheric conditions, regardless of its uncertainty.

Source contributions and potential source regions of size-resolved water-soluble organic carbon measured at an urban site over one year.

In this study, 24 h size-segregated particulate matter (PM) samples were collected between September 2012 and August 2013 at an urban site in Korea to investigate seasonal mass size distributions of PM and its water-soluble components as well as to infer the possible sources of size-resolved water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) was also computed to identify the possible source regions of size-resolved WSOC. The seasonal average contribution of water-soluble organic matter to PM1.8 was in the range from 12.7 to 19.7%, but higher (21.0%) and lower contributions (8.9%) were observed during a severe haze event and an Asian dust event, respectively. The seasonal mass size distribution of WSOC had a dominant droplet mode peaking at 0.55 µm and a minor coarse mode peaking at 3.1 µm. The droplet mode WSOC was found to strongly correlate with oxalate, SO42-, NO3-, and K+, suggesting that in-cloud processes and biomass burning emissions are important sources of droplet mode WSOC. This finding was verified by the results obtained using PMF models. Secondary organic aerosols (oxalate + SO42- + NO3-) and biomass burning were the most important contributors (70.3%) to condensation mode WSOC. In the droplet mode, in-cloud processes and secondary NO3- (+biomass burning) were important sources of WSOC, contributing on average 46.4 and 25.9% to the WSOC, respectively. In the coarse mode, soil dust and secondary processes contributed 52.5 and 42.5% to the WSOC, respectively. The PMF analyses and PSCF maps of WSOC, SO42-, and K+ indicate that condensation mode WSOC was mostly influenced by the secondary organic aerosols and biomass burning from both local and long-range transported pollutants, while droplet mode WSOC was primarily the result of atmospheric processing during the long range transport of biogenic and anthropogenic pollutants from the eastern regions of China.

Ulmus davidiana ethanol extract inhibits monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Rehder (UD) has long been used in traditional folk medicine in Asia. This study is designed to investigate the antiadhesive activity of the ethanol extract of UD (UDE) and its underlying mechanisms in cultured endothelial cells. METHODS: The dried root bark of UD was extracted with 80% (v/v) ethanol. The antiadhesive activity of the UDE was investigated in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human embryonic kidney epithelial 293T (HEK 293T) cells stably transfected with pGL3-vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1-luc. Monocyte adhesion in endothelial cells was induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the protective effects of UDE on monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, VCAM-1 expression, reactive oxygen species production, and nuclear factor-κB activity were determined. RESULTS: Exposure to UDE at a concentration of 3-30 µg/mL for 24 hours produced no detectable cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but it significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced monocyte adhesion and VCAM-1 expression. TNF-α treatment of HEK 293T/VCAM-1-luc cells resulted in increased luciferase activity of the VCAM-1 promoter, which was inhibited by treatment with UDE. Additionally, TNF-α-induced reactive oxygen species generation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB, and IκBα degradation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were effectively reduced by treatment with 30 µg/mL of UDE. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that UDE treatment inhibited TNF-α-induced monocyte adhesion in endothelial cells, suggesting that UD may reduce vascular endothelial inflammation.

Characterization and sources of black carbon in PM(2.5) at a site close to a roadway in Gwangju, Korea, during winter.

Continuous measurements of black carbon (BC) concentrations in PM2.5 were conducted using a single-wavelength aethalometer (@880 nm, Magee Sci., AE16) at a site close to a roadway (∼70 m from roadside) in Gwangju, Korea, during winter (December-February) to investigate the characteristics and sources of BC particles. The BC concentrations ranked in the order of January > December > February, probably due to lower boundary layer height, ambient temperature, and wind speed during January. Diurnal patterns in BC and carbon monoxide (CO) levels exhibited peak concentrations during the morning and evening hours coinciding with rush-hour traffic, with a strong correlation (R(2)) ranging from 0.52 (December) to 0.87 (January). It was found that wind speed was an important factor controlling BC concentrations at the site. Very high BC concentrations, up to ∼18.0 µg m(-3), were observed at wind speeds < 1.5 m s(-1). The BC concentrations acquired under weak wind conditions are highly correlated with CO with ΔBC/ΔCO (the slope of BC and CO correlation) of 0.0063 (R(2) = 0.55, p < 0.01) and 0.0065 (R(2) = 0.59, p < 0.01) µg m(-3) ppbv(-1) during day and night, respectively, suggesting no significant difference in the fraction of diesel vehicles between the daytime and nighttime periods. Two BC episodes, "A" and "B", were classified based on BC, PM2.5, and secondary SO4(2-) concentrations, and discussed to investigate the difference in the evolution of the BC observed. Episode "A" was associated with high BC and low PM2.5 and SO4(2-) concentrations, while episode "B" was associated with high concentrations of BC, PM2.5, and SO4(2-). Based on the temporal profiles of BC, NO, and NOx concentrations, CO/NOx ratio, and potential source contribution function map for BC, the BC observed during episode "A" was mostly attributed to locally produced emissions (e.g., traffic). However, the BC during episode "B" was influenced by long-range transport of air masses from China, as well as the local emissions.

Long-range transport of biomass burning emissions based on organic molecular markers and carbonaceous thermal distribution.

Semi-continuous organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and organic molecular markers were analyzed using the thermal optical transmittance method at the Gosan supersite (on Jeju Island, Korea), which has been widely used as a regional background site for East Asia. The Carbonaceous Thermal Distribution (CTD) method, which can provide detailed carbon signature characteristics relative to analytical temperature, was used to improve the carbon fractionation of the analytical method. Ground-based measurements were conducted from October 25 to November 5, 2010. During the sampling period, one high OC concentration event and two characteristic periods were observed. Considering the thermal distribution patterns, the relationship between the EC and black carbon (BC) by optical measurements, the backward trajectories, the aerosol optical thickness, the PM10 concentrations from the 316 PM-network sites that were operated by the Ministry of Environment in Korea, and the organic molecular markers, such as levoglucosan, PAHs, and organic acids, we concluded that the event was influenced by long-range transport from biomass burning emissions. This study discusses the CTD analysis with organic molecular marker concentrations, extracts and interprets additional carbon fractions from a semi-continuous data set, and provides knowledge regarding the origin of carbon sources and their behaviors.

The effect of complex exercise rehabilitation program on body composition, blood pressure, blood sugar, and vessel elasticity in elderly women with obesity.

The purpose of this study is to identify what kind of effects complex exercise rehabilitation program has on body composition of female, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood vessel elasticity and find more effective complex exercise program for elderly females. The subjects are selected 30 females applicants in exercise program in City of G and not restricted in mobility to perform the exercise without any particular disorders. Exercise program is a combination of aerobic and strength training with different ratio, for the first 6 months focused on strength training complex exercise, and for next 6 months focused on aerobic exercise. Except for strength training and aerobic exercise, durations for strength, rest, and wrapping-up are equal. The frequency of experiments is 90 min each, 2 times per a week. Body composition, blood pressure, and blood vessel elasticity are tested pre and post experiment to compare the effectiveness of both complex exercises. As results, in the complex exercise program focused on strength training, weight, percent body fat, fat mass, waist hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic pressure increased. Blood vessel elasticity maintained its level or slightly decreased. In the complex exercise focused on aerobic exercise, weight, percent body fat, fat mass, waist hip ratio, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure decreased. Blood vessel elasticity on left foot and right foot are slightly different. Therefore, aerobic exercise is more effective than strength training for old obese females.

Health impact assessment of free immunization program in Jinju City, Korea.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the potential health impacts and improve the quality of the free immunization program in Jinju City by maximizing the predicted positive health gains and minimizing the negative health risks. METHODS: A steering committee was established in September 2010 to carry out the health impact assessment (HIA) and began the screening and scoping stages. In the appraisal stage, analysis of secondary data, a literature review, case studies, geographic information systems analysis, a questionnaire, and expert consultations were used. The results of the data collection and analyses were discussed during a workshop, after which recommendations were finalized in a written report. RESULTS: Increased access to immunization, comprehensive services provided by physicians, the strengthened role of the public health center in increasing immunization rates and services, and the ripple effect to other neighboring communities were identified as potential positive impacts. On the other hand, the program might be inaccessible to rural regions with no private clinics where there are more at-risk children, vaccine management and quality control at the clinics may be poor, and vaccines may be misused. Recommendations to maximize health gains and minimize risks were separately developed for the public health center and private clinics. CONCLUSIONS: The HIA provided an opportunity for stakeholders to comprehensively overview the potential positive and negative impacts of the program before it was implemented. An HIA is a powerful tool that should be used when developing and implementing diverse health-related policies and programs in the community.

Vasorelaxing Activity of Ulmus davidiana Ethanol Extracts in Rats: Activation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase.

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Rehder (Urticales: Ulmaceae) (UD) is a tree widespread in northeast Asia. It is traditionally used for anticancer and anti-inflammatory therapy. The present study investigated the effect of an ethanol extract of UD on vascular tension and its underlying mechanism in rats. The dried root bark of UD was ground and extracted with 80% ethanol. The prepared UD extract was used in further analysis. The effect of UD on the cell viability, vasoreactivity and hemodynamics were investigated using propidium iodide staining in cultured cells, isometric tension recording and blood pressure analysis, respectively. Low dose of UD (10~100µg/ml) did not affect endothelial cell viability, but high dose of UD reduced cell viability. UD induced vasorelaxation in the range of 0.1~10µg/ml with an ED(50) value of 2µg/ml. UD-induced vasorelaxation was completely abolished by removal of the endothelium or by pre-treatment with L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. UD inhibited calcium influx induced by phenylephrine and high K(+) and also completely abolished the effect of L-NAME. Intravenous injection of UD extracts (10~100 mg/kg) decreased arterial and ventricular pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UD extracts reduced the ventricular contractility (+dP/dt) in anesthetized rats. However, UD-induced hypotensive actions were minimized in L-NAME-treated rats. Taken together, out results showed that UD induced vasorelaxation and has antihypertensive properties, which may be due the activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelium.

Overexpression of Ref-1 Inhibits Lead-induced Endothelial Cell Death via the Upregulation of Catalase.

The role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) on the lead (Pb)-induced cellular response was investigated in the cultured endothelial cells. Pb caused progressive cellular death in endothelial cells, which occurred in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. However, Ref-1 overexpression with AdRef-1 significantly inhibited Pb-induced cell death in the endothelial cells. Also the overexpression of Ref-1 significantly suppressed Pb-induced superoxide and hydrogen peroxide elevation in the endothelial cells. Pb exposure induced the downregulation of catalase, it was inhibited by the Ref-1 overexpression in the endothelial cells. Taken together, our data suggests that the overexpression of Ref-1 inhibited Pb-induced cell death via the upregulation of catalase in the cultured endothelial cells.

Modeling of Aerosol Vertical Profiles Using GIS and Remote Sensing.

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) by climatologists, environmentalists and urban planners for three dimensional modeling and visualization of the landscape is well established. However no previous study has implemented these techniques for 3D modeling of atmospheric aerosols because air quality data is traditionally measured at ground points, or from satellite images, with no vertical dimension. This study presents a prototype for modeling and visualizing aerosol vertical profiles over a 3D urban landscape in Hong Kong. The method uses a newly developed technique for the derivation of aerosol vertical profiles from AERONET sunphotometer measurements and surface visibility data, and links these to a 3D urban model. This permits automated modeling and visualization of aerosol concentrations at different atmospheric levels over the urban landscape in near-real time. Since the GIS platform permits presentation of the aerosol vertical distribution in 3D, it can be related to the built environment of the city. Examples are given of the applications of the model, including diagnosis of the relative contribution of vehicle emissions to pollution levels in the city, based on increased near-surface concentrations around weekday rush-hour times. The ability to model changes in air quality and visibility from ground level to the top of tall buildings is also demonstrated, and this has implications for energy use and environmental policies for the tall mega-cities of the future.

Alteration of p66shc is associated with endothelial dysfunction in the abdominal aortic coarctation of rats.

To examine the role of p66shc in endothelial dysfunction, we investigated the endothelium-dependent relaxation, protein expression and superoxide production in abdominal aortic coarctation rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired only in the aortic segments above the aortic coarctation (35.0+/-7.1% vs. 86.6+/-6.0% for sham control at 1 microM Ach). The aortic segments exposed to increased blood pressure showed a decreased phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, an increased phosphorylation of p66shc, and an increased superoxide production. Angiotensin II elicited a significantly increased phosphorylation of p66shc in the endothelial cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that the increased phosphorylation of p66shc is one of the important mediators in the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic coarctation rats.

Tat-APE1/ref-1 protein inhibits TNF-alpha-induced endothelial cell activation.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/ref-1) is a multifunctional protein involved both in DNA base excision repair and redox regulation. In this study we evaluated the protective role of Tat-mediated APE1/ref-1 transduction on the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-activated endothelial activation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. To construct Tat-APE1/ref-1 fusion protein, human full length of APE1/ref-1 was fused with Tat-protein transduction domain. Purified Tat-APE1/ref-1 fusion protein efficiently transduced cultured endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner and reached maximum expression at 1h after incubation. Transduced Tat-APE1/ref-1 showed inhibitory activity on the TNF-alpha-induced monocyte adhesion and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in cultured endothelial cells. These results suggest Tat-APE1/ref-1 might be useful to reduce vascular endothelial activation or vascular inflammatory disorders.