• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.550-559
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• 2017

Objective : Subsidence is a frequent complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Postoperative segmental micromotion, thought to be a causative factor of subsidence, has been speculated to increase with uncinate process resection area (UPR). To evaluate the effect of UPR on micro-motion, we designed a method to measure UPR area based on pre- and postoperative computed tomography images and analyzed the relationship between UPR and subsidence as a proxy of micro-motion. Methods : We retrospectively collected clinical and radiological data from January 2011 to June 2016. A total of 38 patients (53 segments) were included. All procedures included bilateral UPR and anterior plate fixation. UPR area was evaluated with reformatted coronal computer tomography images. To reduce level-related bias, we converted UPR area to the proportion of UPR to the pre-operative UP area (pUPR). Results : Subsidence occurred in 18 segments (34%) and positively correlated with right-side pUPR, left-side pUPR, and the sum of bilateral pUPR (sum pUPR) (R=0.310, 301, 364; p=0.024, 0.029, 0.007, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that subsidence could be estimated with the following formula : $subsidence=1.522+2.7{\times}sum\;pUPR$($R^2=0.133$, p=0.007). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis determined that sum $pUPR{\geq}0.38$ could serve as a threshold for significantly increased risk of subsidence (p=0.005, area under curve=0.737, sensitivity=94%, specificity=51%). This threshold was confirmed by logistic regression analysis for subsidence (p=0.009, odds ratio=8.471). Conclusion : The UPR measurement method confirmed that UPR was correlated with subsidence. Particularly when the sum of pUPR is ${\geq}38%$, the possibility of subsidence increased.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2024

The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) serves as a critical cellular mechanism dedicated to maintaining protein homeostasis, primarily within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This pathway diligently responds to a variety of intracellular indicators of ER stress with the objective of reinstating balance by diminishing the accumulation of unfolded proteins, amplifying the ER's folding capacity, and eliminating slow-folding proteins. Prolonged ER stress and UPR irregularities have been linked to a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the UPR pathway, delineating its activation mechanisms and its role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. It highlights the intricate interplay within the UPR and its profound influence on brain function, synaptic perturbations, and neural developmental processes. Additionally, it explores evolving therapeutic strategies targeting the UPR within the context of these disorders, underscoring the necessity for precision and further research to effective treatments. The research findings presented in this work underscore the promising potential of UPR-focused therapeutic approaches to address the complex landscape of neuropsychiatric disorders, giving rise to optimism for improving outcomes for individuals facing these complex conditions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.705-716
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• 2018

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle for protein synthesis, folding and modification, and lipid synthesis and calcium storage. Dysregulation of ER functions leads to the accumulation of misfolded- or unfolded-protein in the ER lumen, and this triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), which restores ER homeostasis. The UPR is characterized by three distinct downstream signaling pathways that promote cell survival or apoptosis depending on the stressor, the intensity and duration of ER stress, and the cell type. Mammalian cells express the UPR transducers IRE1, PERK, and ATF6, which control transcriptional and translational responses to ER stress. Direct links between ER stress and immune responses are also evident, but the mechanisms by which UPR signaling cascades are coordinated with immunity remain unclear. This review discusses recent investigations of the roles of ER stress in immune responses that lead to differentiation, maturation, and cytokine expression in immune cells. Further understanding of how ER stress contributes to the pathogenesis of immune disorders will facilitate the development of novel therapies that target UPR pathways.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-206
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• 2007

Carbon nanofiber (CNF)/unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) was prepared by a solvent evaporation method, and the temperature dependency of electrical conductivity was investigated. The CNF/UPR composites had quite a low percolation threshold due to CNF having a larger aspect ratio and being well dispersed in the UPR matrix. The positive temperature coefficient (PTC) was found in the CNF/UPR composites and it showed stronger effect around the percolation threshold. The electrical resistance of the CNF/UPR composites decreased and had lower temperature dependency with increasing numbers of thermal cycles.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.53-58
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• 2013

Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites are very promising candidates for new high-performance materials that offer improved mechanical, barrier, thermal and electrical properties. Herein, an approach is presented to improve the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) by using graphene nano sheets (GNS). The extent of dispersion of GNS into the polymer matrix was also observed by using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which indicated homogeneous dispersion of GNS through the UPR matrix and strong interfacial adhesion between the GNS and UPR matrix were achieved in the UPR composite, which enhanced the mechanical properties. The tensile strength of the nanocomposites improved at a tune of 52% at a GNS concentration of 0.05%. Again the flexural strength also increased around 92% at a GNS concentration of 0.05%. Similarly the thermal properties and the electrical properties for the nanocomposites were also improved as evidenced from the differential scanning caloriemetry (DSC) and dielectric strength measurement.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.445-453
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• 2015

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is an organelle where most secretory and membrane proteins are synthesized, folded, and undergo further maturation. As numerous conditions can perturb such ER function, eukaryotic cells are equipped with responsive signaling pathways, widely referred to as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Chronic conditions of ER stress that cannot be fully resolved by UPR, or conditions that impair UPR signaling itself, are associated with many metabolic and degenerative diseases. In recent years, Drosophila has been actively employed to study such connections between UPR and disease. Notably, the UPR pathways are largely conserved between Drosophila and humans, and the mediating genes are essential for development in both organisms, indicating their requirement to resolve inherent stress. By now, many Drosophila mutations are known to impose stress in the ER, and a number of these appear similar to those that underlie human diseases. In addition, studies have employed the strategy of overexpressing human mutations in Drosophila tissues to perform genetic modifier screens. The fact that the basic UPR pathways are conserved, together with the availability of many human disease models in this organism, makes Drosophila a powerful tool for studying human disease mechanisms. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(8): 445-453]

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-34
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• 2012

The addition of nano/micro silica into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) results in the improvement of the electrical properties of Silica-UPR composites. The surface, volume resistivity, dielectric strength, dissipation factor and dry arc resistivity of nano silica-UPR composites were found to improve significantly. The effects of the nano and micro fillers in UPR have been evaluated. They are presented in this paper. To evaluate the electrical properties of the nano & micro composites, all the measurements were done as per the prescribed methods in ASTM. It was observed that the addition of nano silica improves the electrical properties as compared to micro silica. The better dispersion of silica particles in unsaturated polyester resin enhances the electrical properties of silica-UPR composites.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.254-259
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of polished rice (PR) vs unpolished rice (UPR) as a potential feedstuff for sheep in order to use as a replacer to corn in sheep diet, and as well as to present the application in the formulation of cattle diet. Six corriedale ewe were randomly assigned to each treatment. UPR and PR were provided as a dietary treatment together with timothy grass as a basal diet in a crossover design for two period with 15-d duration for each period. The ratio of experimental and basal feeds were 33.3% and 66.7%, respectively. The differences in the total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents between sheep and cattle was determined according to the references. The number of data collected sheep and cattle was 9 and 17, respectively. The PR showed higher nutrients digestibility than UPR. Similarly, higher TDN content was observed PR than UPR (p < 0.05). As a result, the replacement of corn in the formulate feed with UPR and PR feed rice could be possible with the ratio of 91.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The result of comparation the TDN contents of UPR and PR in sheep and cattle, the PR has no difference in the nutritive value which suggests the applicability of the results of sheep to cattle. On the other hand, UPR has known to have different nutritive value between sheep and cattle, so caution should be taken when preparing formula feeds for cattle.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2021

Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) is in general used as a resin to prepare for composite materials with reinforcing materials such as glass fibers. UPR, a thermosetting resin, is used in industry to prepare for sheet molding compound (SMC) molding prepreg that has excellent productivity and is advantageous for mass production among various molding methods of composite materials. The fiber-reinforced composite material using UPR as a matrix material is light and has the advantage of excellent physical properties, but it is weak against impact and is fragile. Four types of polyurethane were synthesized and added to UPR resin to overcome the shortcomings.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.964-970
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• 2018

Atherosclerosis preferentially involves in prone area of low and disturbed blood flow while steady and high levels of laminar blood flow are relatively protected from atherosclerosis. Disturbed flow induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). ER stress is caused under stress that disturbs the processing and folding of proteins resulting in the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER and activation of the UPR. Prolonged or severe UPR leads to activate apoptotic signaling. Recent studies have indicated that disturbed flow significantly up-regulated $p-ATF6{\alpha}$, $p-IRE1{\alpha}$, and its target spliced XBP-1. However, the role of laminar flow in ER stress-mediated endothelial apoptosis has not been reported yet. The present study thus investigated the role of laminar flow in ER stress-dependent endothelial cell death. The results demonstrated that laminar flow protects ER stress-induced cleavage forms of PARP-1 and caspase-3. Also, laminar flow inhibits ER stress-induced $p-eIF2{\alpha}$, ATF4, CHOP, spliced XBP-1, ATF6 and JNK pathway; these effects are abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of PI3K with wortmannin. Finally, nitric oxide affects thapsigargin-induced cell death in response to laminar flow but not UPR. Taken together, these findings indicate that laminar flow inhibits UPR and ER stress-induced endothelial cell death via PI3K/Akt pathway.