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Two species of the marine harpacticoid family Pseudotachidiidae (Copepoda) are reported from subtidal sediments in the Southern Sea of Korea. Psammis wellsi sp. nov. (Danielsseniinae) is most closely related to P. longisetosa Sars, 1910 but differs from its European congener in the ventral ornamentation of the female genital double-somite, the dorsal ornamentation of the second abdominal somite in the male, the armature of the proximal endite of the maxillary syncoxa, the relative setal lengths and general shape of the female P5, and the relative length of the inner seta of the male P5 endopodal lobe and P6. The female of Pseudomesochra tatianae Drzycimski, 1968 is redescribed in detail, constituting the only other record of the species since its discovery at the type locality in western Norway. East Asian records of members of the four subfamilies currently recognized in the Pseudotachidiidae are summarized. Published and other records of the 23 described species in the Pseudomesochrinae are collated and their armature patterns of P1–P5 are tabulated and corrected where necessary. Pseudomesochra affinis (Sars, 1920) is removed from its synonymy with P. longifurcata T. Scott, 1902 and formally reinstated as a valid species. An updated female-based key to the 19 valid species of Pseudomesochra T. Scott, 1902 and four species of Keraia Willen & Dittmar, 2009 is presented.

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to a specific target with high affinity, and are widely applied in biomedical diagnostics and drug development. However, the use of aptamers has largely been limited to simple binders or inhibitors that interfere with the function of a target protein. Here, we show that an aptamer can also act as a positive allosteric modulator that enhances the activation of a receptor by stabilizing the binding of a ligand to that receptor. We developed an aptamer, named IR-A43, which binds to the insulin receptor, and confirmed that IR-A43 and insulin bind to the insulin receptor with mutual positive cooperativity. IR-A43 alone is inactive, but, in the presence of insulin, it potentiates autophosphorylation and downstream signaling of the insulin receptor. By using the species-specific activity of IR-A43 at the human insulin receptor, we demonstrate that residue Q272 in the cysteine-rich domain is directly involved in the insulin-enhancing activity of IR-A43. Therefore, we propose that the region containing residue Q272 is a hotspot that can be used to enhance insulin receptor activation. Moreover, our study implies that aptamers are promising reagents for the development of allosteric modulators that discriminate a specific conformation of a target receptor.

A new monospecific genus of the family Nannopodidae Brady, 1880 is proposed, based on specimens of both sexes of Concilicoxa hispidagen. et sp. nov. collected from subtidal sandy sediments in the Yellow Sea of South Korea. The presence of a coxal outer projection on the first to fourth legs and reduction of both rami of the second to fourth legs in this new genus show a clear relationship with a clade, which is characterised by the modified thoracopods for burrowing ability, comprising Huntemannia Poppe, 1884, Rosacletodes Wells, 1985, Laophontisochra George, 2002, Acuticoxa Huys & Kihara, 2010 and Talpacoxa Corgosinho, 2012 in Nannopodidae. Within this clade, C. hispidagen. et sp. nov. is most closely related to L. maryamae George, 2002 in having the prehensile endopod in the first leg, broad intercoxal sclerite on the second to fourth legs and the female fifth leg being composed of separate exopod and baseoendopod, but is distinguished by the absence of mandibular exopod, two-segmented mandibular endopod, presence of four setae on the distal exopodal segment of the first leg, and fusion of the intercoxal sclerite to the coxae in the third and fourth legs. These four features are considered as autapomorphies of the new genus. The possible relationship amongst members of the nannopodid clade is further discussed. Additionally, some comments on the taxonomic position of L. terueae Björnberg, 2014 are given, resulting in the transfer of the species to Acuticoxa as A. terueaecomb. nov.

The genus Smacigastes Ivanenko & Defaye, 2004 (Harpacticoida, Copepoda) is the most primitive genus in the family Tegastidae Sars, 1904, occurring in deep-sea chemosynthetic environments, such as hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, whale falls and wood falls. Our exploration of the Onnuri Vent Field, the sixth active hydrothermal vent system in the Central Indian Ridge, resulted in the discovery of a new species in the genus Smacigastes. A detailed morphological analysis of S. pumilasp. nov. reveals that it most resembles S. barti Gollner, Ivanenko & Martínez Arbizu, 2008, described from a hydrothermal vent in the East Pacific Ridge; the new species can be distinguished from the existing species by the 8-segmented female antennule, the absence of an abexopodal seta on the antennary basis, the mandibular exopod represented by a single seta and the exopod of the first leg with five setae. This is the first record of Smacigastes in the Indian Ocean. A dichotomous key to species of the genus Smacigastes worldwide is provided.

Transcription regulation by cis-acting elements such as DNA and RNA has not been investigated much compared to that of trans-acting elements like...

Objectives: Sulforaphane, a major ingredient isolated from Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli), is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects. In this study, we employed an in vitro model of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and a23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1 cells) to investigate the anti-allergic inflammatory effects and mechanisms of sulforaphane and Brassica oleracea var. italica extracts. Methods: Cytokine levels were measured by ELISA and quantitative real-time-PCR methods. Caspase-1 activity was determined by caspase-1 assay. Binding mode of sulforaphane within caspase-1 was determined by molecular docking simulation. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting. Results: Water extract of Brassica oleracea var. italica (WE) significantly reduced thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) secretion and caspase-1 activity on activated HMC-1 cells. In the molecular docking simulation and in vitro caspase-1 assays, sulforaphane regulated caspase-1 activity by docking with the identical binding site of caspase-1. Sulforaphane significantly inhibited the levels of inflammatory mediators including TSLP, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblotting experiments revealed that sulforaphane and WE reduced translocation of NF-κBp65 into the nucleus and phosphorylation of IκBα in the cytosol. Furthermore, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) was down-regulated by treatment with sulforaphane or WE. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sulforaphane and WE have anti-allergic inflammatory effects by intercepting caspase-1/NF-κB/MAPKs signaling pathways.

In the Pacific Ocean, the taxonomy of the family Zosimeidae Seifried, 2003 is poorly understood and to date only five species of the genus Zosime Boeck, 1873 are known. During oceanographic cruises exploring the species diversity of harpacticoids, two undescribed zosimeid copepods were sampled from shallow Korean waters and the deep northwestern Pacific. A detailed morphological examination has led us to propose two new genera, Heterozosime gen. nov. for the Korean zosimeid H. tenuis gen. et sp. nov. and Acritozosime gen. nov. for the deep-sea zosimeid A. spinesco gen. et sp. nov. Both new genera exhibit a distinctive feature in that the first thoracic leg has a two-segmented exopod, in contrast to the three-segmented exopod of this leg in all known zosimeid genera. Furthermore, Acritozosime gen. nov. can also be discriminated from other genera by the two-segmented endopod in second to fourth thoracic legs and the reduced setal armatures of the second exopodal segment of antenna, the first endopodal segment of first to third thoracic legs and the third exopodal segment in second to fourth thoracic legs. A comparison of the fundamental structures of appendages suggests that A. spinesco gen. et sp. nov. experienced a unique evolutionary history within the Zosimeidae.

OBJECTIVES: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes capable of degrading extracellular matrix components (ECM), are believed to be associated with carcinogenesis. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection increased oxidative stress and promotes the invasion and metastasis of gastric cells by inducing expression of MMPs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediates expression of MMPs. Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, has strong antioxidant and anticancer properties. The present study was aimed to investigate whether astaxanthin inhibits H. pylori-induced MMPs expression in human gastric epithelial cells by redicing oxidative stress. METHODS: AGS cells, human gastric epithelial cell line, were pre-treated with astaxanthin for 3 hours prior to H. pylori (cag A positive NCTC 11,637 strains) infection. The cells treated with or without astaxanthin were cultured for 24 hours in the presence of H. pylori. mRNA expression of MMP-7 and MMP-10 was measured by real time PCR analysis. ROS levels were determined using dichlorofluorescin fluorescence. Protein levels of MMPs were determined using western blot analysis. Invasion assay was performed for the cells in the upper and lower compartments in Matrigel-coated filters and the cells were examined under a laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: H. pylori increased ROS levels and expression of MMP-7 and MMP-10 in AGS cells. H. pylori induced cell invasion. Astaxanthin suppressed the expression of H. pylori-induced MMP-7 and MMP-10 at the mRNA and protein level. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection induces expression of MMP-7 and MMP-10 and cell invasion, which may be mediated with increased ROS in gastric epithelial cells. Astaxanthin inhibits MMP expression by reducingROS levels in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. FUNDING SOURCES: This study was supported by a Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Wheat is one of the most important grains. Its consumption is increasing globally. Many countries are making efforts to increase the extent of wheat harvest. It is known that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) have beneficial effects on various plants. Two PGPRs including Paenibacillus pabuli strain P7S (PP7S) and Pseudomonas nitroreducens strain IHB (PnIHB) were employed to investigate effects of PGPRs on early growth of three wheat cultivars (Koso, Seakumkang, and Jokyung). While PP7S had adverse effects on Seakumkang and Jokyung, PP7S had positive effects on Koso except root length compared to control group having no treatment of PP7S. However, all treatments with PnIHB had adverse effects on germination rate, root/shoot lengths, vigor index, and dry root/shoot weights of all three wheat cultivars. These positive effects with PP7S on Koso might be related to the earlier emergence of wheat seed above soil which is known to be an indicator of increased yield. Results of the present study suggest that if proper PGPR strains are selected, they could have positive effects on early growth rate of a wheat cultivar.

Two new copepod species of the Ceratonotus group in the subfamily Ancorabolinae (Ancorabolidae) are described from the Korean peninsula. Dendropsyllus kimi sp. nov. differs from its congeners by the one-segmented ♀ P3 endopod, the inner spine on ♀ P5 exopod and the absence of sensillate tubercles on abdominal somites 1 and 2. Dimorphipodia gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Dimorphipodia changi sp. nov. and can be differentiated from its sister taxon, Arthuricornua, by the sexual dimorphism in P2–P4 exp-3, the absence of paired laterodorsal processes near the posterior margin of the cephalothorax and the presence of pleural setular tufts on somites bearing P2–P4. Ancorabolina, previously placed in the Ancorabolinae, is transferred to the Laophontodinae, whereas Patagoniaella is provisionally reassigned to the family Cletodidae. Within Laophontodes, the inadequately described Laophontodes brevis, Laophontodes ornatus and Laophontodes propinquus are relegated to species inquirendae. Laophontodes georgei sp. nov. is proposed for the unavailable name Laophontodes norvegicus, Laophontodes multispinatus is reassigned to Lobopleura, and Laophontodes gracilipes is fixed as the type of Rostrophontodes gen. nov., the potential sister group of Ancorabolina. The authenticity of Laophontodes bicornis and other dubious ancorabolid records from the Korean peninsula is discussed. Updated keys to genera of both Ancorabolinae and Laophontodinae and to species of Laophontodes are provided.

Taxonomic studies of benthic harpacticoids from sublittoral habitats in the Southern Sea of Korea were performed. Three new species belonging to the genus Zosime Boeck, 1873 were discovered: Zosime...

Tubulin-based nanotubes (TNTs) to deliver microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) for clinical oncology are reported. Three MTAs, docetaxel (DTX), laulimalide (LMD), and monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), which attach to different binding sites in a tubulin, are loaded onto TNTs and cause structural changes in them, including shape anisotropy and tubulin layering. This drug-driven carrier transformation leads to changes in the drug-loading efficiency and stability characteristics of the carrier. TNTs coloaded with DTX and LMD efficiently deliver dual drug cargoes to cellular tubulins by the endolysosomal pathway, and results in synergistic anticancer and antiangiogenic action of the drugs in vitro. In in vivo tests, TNTs loaded with a microtubule-destabilizing agent MMAE suppress the growth of tumors with much higher efficacy than free MMAE did. This work suggests a new concept of using a drug's target protein as a carrier. The findings demonstrate that the TNTs developed here can be used universally as a delivery platform for many MTAs.

Eight species of copepods belonging to the family Dirivultidae (Siphonostomatoida) are described from deep-water hydrothermal vent fields on the Central Indian Ridge in the Indian Ocean. Aphotopontius limatulus Humes, 1987, previously known only from the East Pacific, is included. The other seven species are new, as follows: Aphotopontius kiost n. sp., A. muricatus n. sp., Benthoxynus constrictus n. sp., Stygiopontius spinifer n. sp., S. horridus n. sp., S. geminus n. sp., and S. quadripaxillifer n. sp. The copepodid I stage of S. horridus n. sp. is also described. This is the first record on copepods living on hydrothermal vent fields in the Indian Ocean.

By virtue of their native structures, tubulin dimers are protein building blocks that are naturally preprogrammed to assemble into microtubules (MTs), which are cytoskeletal polymers. Here, polycation-directed (i.e., electrostatically tunable) assembly of tubulins is demonstrated by conformational changes to the tubulin protofilament in longitudinal and lateral directions, creating tubulin double helices and various tubular architectures. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy reveal a remarkable range of nanoscale assembly structures: single- and double-layered double-helix tubulin tubules. The phase transitions from MTs to the new assemblies are dependent on the size and concentration of polycations. Two characteristic scales that determine the number of observed phases are the size of polycation compared to the size of tubulin (approximate to 4 nm) and to MT diameter (approximate to 25 nm). This work suggests the feasibility of using polycations that have scissor- and glue-like properties to achieve "programmable breakdown" of protein nanotubes, tearing MTs into double-stranded tubulins and building up previously undiscovered nanostructures. Importantly, a new role of tubulins is defined as 2D shape-controllable building blocks for supramolecular architectures. These findings provide insight into the design of protein-based functional materials, for example, as metallization templates for nanoscale electronic devices, molecular screws, and drug delivery vehicles.

The primarily marine subtidal family Laophontidae not only contains more valid genera than any other family in the Harpacticoida, it is also one of the most speciose ones in the order, currently accommodating 327 species and subspecies. Based on published records, 25 laophontid species in 12 genera have so far been reported from Korean waters. Here both sexes of a new genus and species of Laophontidae are described, collected from shell gravel off Dokdo Island in the East Sea.Philippiphonteaspidosomagen. et sp. n.displays a radically divergent morphology, including an extreme dorsoventrally depressed body shape which is reminiscent of members of the family Porcellidiidae. The convergent evolution of dorsoventrally flattened body plans in the Harpacticoida is briefly discussed.The distribution and habitat preference of laophontid species recorded from the Korean peninsula are summarised. The authenticity of the Korean record ofFolioquinpesmangalisFiers & Rutledge, 1990 from washings of invertebrates and intertidal stones from Jeju Island is reassessed in the light of a discussion of the genus.Folioquinpespseudomangalissp. n.andF.indicussp. n.are proposed as new species forFolioquinpesmangalisFiers & Rutledge, 1990sensuKim (2013) andLaophontechathamensisSars, 1905sensuSewell (1924), respectively. A key to species ofFolioquinpesFiers & Rutledge, 1990 is provided.

Under normal growth conditions, Arabidopsis VOZ1 interacts with DREB2C and acts as a transcriptional repressor by reducing DNA binding of DREB2C. Under heat stress conditions, VOZ1 is degraded by ubiquitination, and DREB2C, which is freed from VOZ1, functions as a transcription activator. To investigate the mechanism by which the DEHYDRATION-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT-BINDING FACTOR 2C (DREB2C)-dependent signaling cascade regulates heat stress (HS) responses, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening using the DREB2C APETALA2 (AP2) DNA-binding domain as the bait against a cDNA library derived from Arabidopsis. We identified VASCULAR PLANT ONE-ZINC-FINGER 1 (VOZ1) and further verified positive VOZ1 colonies by repeating the X-α-Gal second screening and pull-down assay in vitro. Deletion analysis of VOZ1 demonstrated that the amino acid residues in its transcriptional regulatory, zinc finger and NAC domains are essential for the DREB2C–AP2 interaction. Although the HsfA3 promoter was strongly transactivated by DREB2C in Arabidopsis protoplasts, transient co-expression of VOZ1 (35S:VOZ1) with DREB2C (35S:DREB2C) in Arabidopsis protoplasts resulted in a significant decrease in the activity of GUS fused to the HsfA3 promoter (Prom HsfA3 :GUS), indicating that VOZ1 acts as a repressor of DREB2C. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), the signal generated by binding of DREB2C to DRE gradually decreased with increasing VOZ1 level, providing evidence that the interaction of the DREB2C AP2 DNA-binding domain with DRE is blocked by VOZ1. Additionally, a voz1 voz2-2 double knockout mutant exhibited increased HS tolerance, likely due to the suppressive function of VOZs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that VOZ1 functions as a negative regulator of HS-inducible DREB2C signaling by blocking access to the AP2 DNA-binding domain of DREB2C.

This is the first report of a transcriptome assembly of a newly discovered hydrothermal vent mussel, Gigantidas vrijenhoeki (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), on the Central Indian Ridge. Gigantidas vrijenhoeki was identified from material collected at the newly discovered Onnuri Vent Field (OVF) on the Central Indian Ridge in 2018, and was reported as a new species, distinct from another dominant hydrothermal vent mussel, Bathymodiolus marisindicus, in 2020. We sequenced the transcriptome of G. vrijenhoeki using the Illumina HiSeq X System. De novo assembly and analysis of the coding regions predicted 25,405 genes, 84.76% of which was annotated by public databases. The transcriptome of G. vrijenhoeki will be a valuable resource in studying the ecological and biological characteristics of this new species, which is distinct from other deep-sea mussels. These data should also support the investigation of the relationship between the environmental conditions of hydrothermal vents and the unique distribution of G. vrijenhoeki in the OVF of the Central Indian Ridge.

Mendel’s Law of equal segregation states that each of the two alleles in a diploid organism has an equal probability of being transmitted into... Meiotic drive occurs when a selfish element increases its transmission frequency above the Mendelian ratio by hijacking the asymmetric divisions of female meiosis. Meiotic drive causes genomic conflict and potentially has a major impact on genome evolution, but only a few drive loci of large effect have been described. New methods to reliably detect meiotic drive are therefore needed, particularly for discovering moderate-strength drivers that are likely to be more prevalent in natural populations than strong drivers. Here, we report an efficient method that uses sequencing of large pools of backcross (BC1) progeny to test for deviations from Mendelian segregation genome-wide with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that distinguish the parental strains. We show that meiotic drive can be detected by a characteristic pattern of decay in distortion of SNP frequencies, caused by recombination unlinking the driver from distal loci. We further show that control crosses allow allele-frequency distortion caused by meiotic drive to be distinguished from distortion resulting from developmental effects. We used this approach to test whether chromosomes with extreme telomere-length differences segregate at Mendelian ratios, as telomeric regions are a potential hotspot for meiotic drive due to their roles in meiotic segregation and multiple observations of high rates of telomere sequence evolution. Using four different pairings of long and short telomere strains, we find no evidence that extreme telomere-length variation causes meiotic drive in Drosophila. However, we identify one candidate meiotic driver in a centromere-linked region that shows an ∼8% increase in transmission frequency, corresponding to a ∼54:46 segregation ratio. Our results show that candidate meiotic drivers of moderate strength can be readily detected and localized in pools of BC1 progeny.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a class of compounds that suppress the function of histone deacetylases (HDACs). This study was performed to examine the effects of Trichostatin A (TSA), a typical HDACi, on chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) and related molecular pathways. After evaluating the concentration for cytotoxicity and HDAC activity, hBMMSCs underwent chondrogenic differentiation in pellet culture with or without TSA for 21 days. The weight of TSA-treated pellets was 25% lower than that of untreated pellets. DNA level was not significantly different, but glycosaminoglycan content per DNA level was lower in TSA-treated pellets than that of untreated pellets. Gene expression of the chondrogenic markers (SOX9, Aggrecan, and Col2A1) decreased by by 12.9-fold, 8.9-fold, and 7.6-fold respectively in TSA-treated pellets compared with that in TSA-untreated pellets. TSA-treated pellets had lower cell density and lower proteoglycan staining content compared with those of TSA-untreated pellets. A microarray analysis from TSA-treated pellets showed that 1,467 chondrogenic-related genes were downregulated and 1,524 were upregulated by more than 2-fold compared with TSA-untreated pellets. Col10A1, TGF-β3, and SOX9 decreased significantly by 10-fold, 2.1-fold, and 3.2-fold respectively in TSA-treated pellets compared with those in untreated pellets, whereas expression of BMP4 and FGFR3 increased significantly by 2.1-fold and 5.4-fold respectively. It is concluded that TSA inhibits chondrogenesis and does not seem to be useful for cartilage tissue engineering of hBMMSCs.

A new marine tardigrade species of the genus Orzeliscus belonging to the family Halechiniscidae is described from the sea coasts of Korea and Japan. This new species is most characterized in having slender, pole-shaped clava with uniform breadth along its whole length. Furthermore, it evidently differs from the congeners by the combination of characters of a hemispherical protrusion on cheek region of the head, a big and bulbous lateral projection between leg III and leg IV, and an elongate papillus terminating with a minute tube on leg IV. ‘Orzeliscus cf. belopus’ sensu McKirdy, Schmidt and McGinty-Bayly, 1976 from the Galapagos Islands quite resembles this new species in sharing the slender, pole-shaped clava. However, these two Pacific populations are distinguished to each other by body size and shapes of the protrusion on cheek region and the lateral projection between leg III and leg IV. Scanning electron microscope photographs and a key to species of the genus Orzeliscus are also provided herein.

A halacarid species of Scaptognathus teuriensis Abe is recorded from Korea on the basis of the specimens collected from littoral sandy sediments at Dokdo Island, the easternmost island off Uleung Island of South Korea. Korean specimens coincide well with the key characters in the original description for types from Hokkaido, Japan, such as male genitoanal plate comprising only pars sclerosum, bipartite female genitoanal plate with six perigenital setae, rounded posterior margin of anterior dorsal plate, second and fifth dorsal setae both positioned at membranous cuticle, leg chaetotaxy of bipectinate setae on tibiae I-IV of 4-2-2-2, and tarsi of all legs armed with paired large lateral claws with accessary teeth and small median claw. Redescription based on Korean specimens and scanning electron microscope photomicrographs are provided herein. This is the first record of the genus from Korea.

Two marine gastrotrich species of the genus Acanthodasys, A. ericinus Lee, 2012 and A. comtus Lee, 2012, are taxonomically reconsidered. Both of them were originally described based on the specimens from intertidal or sublittoral sandy bottom of the Yellow Sea and Jeju Island, South Korea, and included in a monographical publication of 〈Flora and Fauna in Korea〉 in 2012. However, the description of them was quite insufficient, and designations of type specimens were entirely lacking. In this study, we make a subsequent designation of type specimens for the two Acanthodasys species, and carry out a full redescription of them with additional remarks on their morphological micro-characteristics by scanning electronic microscopy. Some brief nomenclatural notes on Korean marine gastrotrichs are also provided.

Surveys of marine gastrotrichs on the coast of South Korea yielded a new species of the genus Tetranchyroderma, bearing 5-pronged hooks as a cuticular armature. Tetranchyroderma hummoni is characterized by a dorsal armature adorned with pentancres, whose central tines are about twice as long as peripheral tines. The new species is also characterized by bearing 3 large and broad papillae per side along boundary row of pentancres on oral hood, a pair of rod-like cephalic tentacles, and a pair of modified pestle organs. Moreover, this new species is clearly distinguished from its congeners by the number of dorsal, dorsolateral and ventrolateral cirratum-type tubes (6−10, 13−19, and 9−14 per side, respectively), and by a pair of foot-like ventral adhesive tubes. The description of the new species belonging to the genus Tetranchyroderma is based on detailed illustrations and scanning electron microscopy. We also provide a short account on the variability within the species, including the morphologica...

Systemic lidocaine can provide satisfactory post-operative analgesia in adults. In this study, we assessed whether intravenous lidocaine is effective for post-operative analgesia and recovery in children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. A total of 66 children aged from six months to less than six years were classified in either the lidocaine (L) or control (C) groups. Children in Group L received a lidocaine infusion (a bolus dose of 1 mL kg&minus, 1, followed by a 1.5 mg kg&minus, 1 h&minus, 1 infusion), whereas Group C received the same volume of 0.9% saline. The primary outcome was the number of patients who presented face, legs, activity, crying and consolability (FLACC) scores of four or more, and therefore received rescue analgesia in the post-anesthesia recovery care unit (PACU). Secondary outcomes included the highest FLACC score in the PACU, FLACC, and the parents&rsquo, postoperative pain measure (PPPM) score at 48 h post-operation, as well as side effects. The number of children who received rescue analgesia in the PACU was 15 (50%) in Group L and 22 (73%) in Group C (p = 0.063). However, the highest FLACC score in PACU was lower in Group L (3.8 &plusmn, 2.4) than in Group C (5.3 &plusmn, 2.7) (p = 0.029). In conclusion, systemic lidocaine did not reduce the number of children who received rescue analgesia in PACU.

The monospecific genus Leptotachidia Becker, 1974 (Pseudotachidiidae Lang, 1936) was previously known only from the deep Atlantic. Female specimens of two unknown species of this genus were collected from abyssal sediments during an expedition to the northwestern Pacific on board research vessel ISABU (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology) in November 2017. In this paper we describe the females of two new species, L. senariasp. nov. and L. apousiasp. nov. The new species were attributed to the genus Leptotachidia by the combination of the five-segmented female antennule, presence of the Brodskaya organ on the distal antennulary segment, and the second exopodal segments of second to fourth legs without inner setae. An outstanding character of both Pacific species is the reduced armature of thoracic legs in contrast to the type species, L. iberica Becker, 1974. In addition, the setal armature of L. senariasp. nov. and L. apousiasp. nov. is unique within the genus in that the female leg 5 of L. senariasp. nov. has six elements instead of five; and the antennary exopod of L. apousiasp. nov. bears a single seta on the proximal segment instead of two. This is the first record of Leptotachidia from the Pacific. A key to all three species of Leptotachidia is provided.

Re-study of the type species of the genus Barathricola Humes, 1999 (Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Schminkepinellidae) described from the Pacific Ocean (Juan de Fuca Ridge), and study of the species Barathricolathermophilussp. nov. from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent field on the Central Ridge in the Indian Ocean revealed a derived feature and widespread geographic distribution of this deep-sea genus of cyclopoids. The derived feature of Barathricola is the sexually dimorphic third endopodal segment of leg 3 possessing a small outer terminal spine together with spine-like outgrowths on this segment. The new species differs from Barathricolarimensis Humes, 1999 in not expressing sexual dimorphism in leg 5, having three spines and one seta on its exopod in both sexes (B.rimensis has three spines and one seta on the female exopod but three spines and two setae on the male exopod) and in having broader caudal rami which are 8.9 times longer than wide in the female (this ratio for B.rimensis is 11). An amended diagnosis of the genus Barathricola, a key and a table of morphological differences for all species of Schminkepinellidae are given.

Larrea nitida Cav. (LNC), which belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae, is widely indigenous and used in South America to treat various pathological conditions. It contains the antioxidant and antiinflammatory but toxic nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) as well as O-methylated metabolite of NDGA (MNDGA) as bioactive compounds. The hepatic metabolism-based toxicological potential of extracts of LNC (LNE), NDGA, and MNDGA has not previously been reported. The present study aimed to characterize the phase I and phase II hepatic metabolism and reactive intermediates of LNE, NDGA, and MNDGA and their effects on the major drug-metabolizing enzymes in vitro and ex vivo. A methanol extract of LNC collected from Chile as well as NDGA and MNDGA isolated from LNE were subjected to metabolic stability assays in liver microsomes in the presence of the cofactors reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and/or uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA). Cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition assays were performed using CYP isozyme-specific model substrates to examine the inhibitory activities of LNE, NDGA, and MNDGA, which were expressed as % inhibition and IC50 values. Ex vivo CYP induction potential was investigated in the liver microsomes prepared from the rats intraperitoneally administered with LNE. Glutathione (GSH) adduct formation was monitored by LC-MS3 analysis of the microsomal incubation samples with either NDGA or MNDGA and an excess of GSH to determine the formation of electrophilic reactive intermediates. Both NDGA and MNDGA were stable to NADPH-dependent phase I metabolism, but labile to glucuronide conjugation. LNE, NDGA, and MNDGA showed significant inhibitory effects on CYP1A2, 2C9, 2D6, and/or 3A4, with IC50 values in the micromolar range. LNE was found to be a CYP1A2 inducer in ex vivo rat experiments, and mono- and di-GSH adducts of both NDGA and MNDGA were identified by LC-MS3 analysis. Our study suggests that hepatic clearance is the major elimination route for the lignans NDGA and MNDGA present in LNE. These lignans may possess the ability to modify biomacromolecules via producing reactive intermediates. In addition, LNE, NDGA, and MNDGA are found to be inhibitors for various CYP isozymes such as CYP2C9 and 3A4. Thus, the consumption of LNC as an herbal preparation or NDGA may cause metabolism-driven herb-drug interactions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Material of a Bryocamptus species, formerly reported as B. umiatensis Wilson, 1958 from Sakhalin and South Korea, is here recognized as a distinct new species. Specimens of both sexes were recently obtained from an alpine wetland, Sumeunmulbaengdui, located in the Hallasan National Park, Korea, and newly registered as a Ramsar Wetland in 2015. The new species, B. jejuensis n. sp., differs from the type population of B. umiatensis from Alaska by the smooth margin of the anal operculum in both sexes, the peculiarly modified terminal seta on the distal endopodal segment of the male leg 3, the sword-like spinous seta on the distal endopodal segment of the male leg 4, and the presence of a setule row on the inner distal margin of the caudal rami in the female. Both sexes of the new species are described in detail with particular reference to the male characters. A revised key to the seven species of the genus Bryocamptus Chappuis, 1929 occurring in Korean waters is provided.

Two new species of Clausidiidae, each belonging to the genera Clausidium Kossmann, 1875 and Hippomolgus G. O. Sars, 1917, are described from Korea. Clausidium maximus n. sp. is an associate of a burrowing decapod of the genus Callianassa living on the Korean coast of the Yellow Sea and has, as diagnostic characters, two inner setae on the second endopodal segment of legs 2-4, nine elements on the third exopodal segment of leg 4, an inner seta on the second exopodal segment of male leg 1, and a relatively large body size, exceeding 2.0 mm in the female. Hippomolgus limiticus n. sp. was found in the bottom sediments in the East China Sea. It is similar to H. furcifer G. O. Sars, but distinghuishable from the latter species by having shorter caudal rami, 4-segmented female maxilliped, and inner coxal spine (instead of seta) on legs 2 and 3. This is the first record on the genera Clausidium and Hippomolgus in the West Pacific.

Sakuranetin (SKN), found in cherry trees and rice, is a flavanone with various pharmacological activities. It is biosynthesized from naringenin in rice or cherry trees, and the metabolism of SKN has been studied in non-human species. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic pathways of SKN in human liver microsomes and identify the phase I and phase II metabolites, as well as evaluate the potential for drug&ndash, herb interactions through the modulation of drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs). HPLC-DAD and HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry were used to study the metabolic stability and identify the metabolites from human liver microsomes incubated with SKN. The potential of SKN to inhibit the DMEs was evaluated by monitoring the formation of a DME-specific product. The cytochrome P450 2B6 and 3A4-inductive effects were studied using promoter reporter assays in human hepatocarcinoma cells. The major pathways for SKN metabolism include B-ring hydroxylation, 5-O-demethylation, and conjugation with glutathione or glucuronic acid. The phase I metabolites were identified as naringenin and eriodictyol. SKN was found to be a UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 1A9 inhibitor, whereas it induced transactivation of the human pregnane X receptor-mediated cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 gene.

A new cyclopoid species belonging to the genus Metacyclops Kiefer, 1927 is described, based upon the specimens from a temporary pool in a forest of Mt. Phnom Domnak Dambouk, situated in the southwestern part of Cambodia. Metacyclops woni sp. nov. is characterized by its quite short caudal rami, about 2.5 times longer than wide, with a spinule row on anterior quarter of lateral margin. This new species belongs to the species group with the spine formula 3,4,4,3 of swimming legs 1-4. Among the members of the species group with the combination of characters of 11-segmented antennule and a single apical spine on the second endopodal segment of leg 4, it most resembles M. deserticus Mercado-Salas and Suarez-Morales, 2013 from Mexico in carrying an outermost caudal seta slightly longer than the innermost caudal seta and an apical spine on the second endopodal segment of leg 4 slightly shorter than the segment. However, it differs clearly from the present new species by much longer caudal rami with lateral caudal seta at nearly halfway of lateral margin of the ramus and smooth posterior margin of intercoxal sclerites of legs 1-4. This is the first record of the genus Metacyclops from Cambodia and the fourth one from Southeast Asia.

Although lung inflammation and fibrosis are well-documented dose-limiting side effects of lung irradiation, the mechanisms underlying these pathologies are unknown. An improved mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced pneumonitis is a prerequisite for the development of more effective radiotherapy; this was the rationale for the current study. Mouse lungs were focally irradiated with 75 Gy. The numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and total cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured. Histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining for Tgf-β1 and Cd68 (a macrophage-specific protein) was also performed. After irradiation, mice developed pneumonitis, and exhibited higher numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, macrophages, and total cells compared to controls. In addition, inflammasome (Nlrp3, and caspase 1, Il1a, and Il1β), adhesion molecule (Vcam1), and cytokine (Il6) genes were significantly upregulated in the IR group. Cd68 and Tgfb1 proteins were significantly increased after irradiation. Upregulation of Cd68 and Tgfb1 correlates with the onset of radiation-induced pneumonitis and fibrosis. In addition, radiation-induced pneumonitis and fibrosis are accompanied by upregulation of phenotypic markers of inflammasome activity. Our findings have implications for the onset and exacerbation of damage in normal lung tissue.

This study demonstrates that ecologically engineered bacterial consortium could enhance microalgal biomass and lipid productivities through carbon exchange. Phycosphere bacterial diversity analysis in xenic Chlorella vulgaris (XCV) confirmed the presence of growth enhancing and inhibiting microorganisms. Co-cultivation of axenic C. vulgaris (ACV) with four different growth enhancing bacteria revealed a symbiotic relationship with each bacterium. An artificial microalgal-bacterial consortium (AMBC) constituting these four bacteria and ACV showed that the bacterial consortium exerted a statistically significant (P

While the influence of nanotopography on stem cell behavior has been extensively investigated on adult stem cells, far fewer studies have investigated the interaction of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with various nanotopographical patterns. The purpose of this study was to identify nanopatterns that can influence the stemness and proliferation, as well as the adhesive properties in iPSCs, and thereby explore the feasibility of applying these nano-features for regenerative medicine. Three kinds of nanopatterns were fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane membranes, irregular patterned membrane (IPM), groove patterned membrane (GPM), and postpatterned membrane (PPM), in addition to flat patterned membrane (FPM) which did not have any nanotopographic features and was used as the control pattern. On the surfaces of GPM or PPM, iPSCs showed tendency for aggregation and did not spread out well at passage 1. However, with continued passaging (P6, P10), the tendency to form aggregates was greatly reduced. While iPSCs cultured on GPM and PPM had low population doubling time values compared with FPM and IPM at P1, the differences disappeared in later passages. The expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki67 in iPSCs gradually decreased with continued passaging in cells cultured on FPM and IPM, but not in those cultured on GPM and PPM. The expression of Oct3/4 and Nanog, marker of stemness, was significantly higher on GPM and PPM than on FPM at P6 and P10. At P5, numerous filopodia were demonstrated in the peripheral attachments of iPSC colonies on FPM and IPM, while GPM and PPM generally had globular appearance. The expression of the focal adhesion (FA) molecules α-actinin, vinculin, phalloidin, or FA kinase was significantly greater on GPM and PPM than on FPM and IPM at P6 or P10. In conclusion, continued passaging on regular nanopatterns, including groove- and post-forms, was effective in maintaining an undifferentiated state and proliferation of iPSCs and also in increasing the expression of FA molecules.

A new gastrotrich species of the genus Tetranchyroderma, bearing three-pronged cuticular hooks, was discovered in the Pacific, from littoral sandy bottoms of a beach at Joyagdo Island off Wando, south coast of the Korean Peninsula. Tetranchyroderma pinnatum, sp. nov., is characterized by feathered triancres, two pairs of rod-like cephalic tentacles, absence of dorsal and dorsolateral adhesive tubes, a short testis, and a large tube-shaped copulatory organ. Scanning electron microscopy is used to describe the fine details of the species, and a comparison among known species with triancres is provided. We also provide a key to the species of the genus Tetranchyroderma recorded in the northwest Pacific.

A new gastrotrich species of the genus Dendrodasys (Dactylopodolidae) is described on the basis of specimens collected from sublittoral fine sandy bottoms at Uljin, East Sea and at Gujwa, the northeastern coast of Jeju Island, South Korea. Dendrodasys duplus is characterized by a triangular head with lateral lobes extending outward, two pairs of pestle organs posterior to the lateral cephalic lobes, a pair of anterior adhesive tubes, the absence of dorsal, lateral and ventral adhesive tubes, large posterior adhesive tubes arising from the anterior third of the caudal peduncle, and paired testes of different lengths. The genus Dendrodasys is recorded for the first time in East Asia.

Given the tremendous potential of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), investigations of the underlying radiobiology associated with SBRT-induced normal tissue injury are of paramount importance. This study was designed to develop an animal model that simulates centrally and peripherally located clinical SBRT-induced lung injuries. A 90-Gy irradiation dose was focally delivered to the central and peripheral areas of the left mouse lung with an image-guided small-animal irradiation system. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after irradiation, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images of the lung were taken. Lung function measurements were performed with the Flexivent (R) system (SCIREQ (c), Montreal, Canada). For the histopathological analysis, the lungs were fixed by perfusing with formalin, and paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's Trichrome. Gross inspection clearly indicated local lung injury confined to the central and peripheral areas of the left lung. Typical histopathological alterations corresponding to clinical manifestations were observed. The micro-CT analysis results appeared to correlate with the histopathological findings. Mouse lung tissue damping increased dramatically at central settings, compared with that at the control or peripheral settings. An animal model to simulate clinical SBRT-induced central and peripheral lung injuries was developed and validated with histopathological, radiological and functional analyses. This model increases our understanding of SBRT-induced central and peripheral lung injuries and will help to improve radiation therapy in the future.

We demonstrated a comprehensive approach for development of axenic cultures of microalgae from environmental samples. A combination of ultrasonication, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and micropicking was used to isolate axenic cultures of Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck (Beijerinck) and Chlorella sorokiniana Shihira & R.W. Krauss from swine wastewater, and Scenedesmus sp. YC001 from an open pond. Ultrasonication dispersed microorganisms attached to microalgae and reduced the bacterial population by 70%, and when followed by cell sorting yielded 99.5% pure microalgal strains. The strains were rendered axenic by the novel method of micropicking and were tested for purity in both solid and liquid media under different trophic states. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene confirmed the absence of unculturable bacteria, whereas fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further confirmed the axenicity. This is the most comprehensive approach developed to date for obtaining axenic microalgal strains without the use of antibiotics and repetitive subculturing.

As one of the serial faunistic studies on the brackish cyclopoids from Korea, taxonomic accounts of three species of Halicyclops from various brackish waters in South Korea are provided, with detailed illustrations of them: H. uncus Ueda and Nagai, 2009, H. setiformis Ueda and Nagai, 2012, and H. itohi Ueda and Nagai, 2012. Halicyclops uncus is newly recorded from Korea, and the latter two species are corrected from H. sinensis sensu Chang, 2009 and H. cf. rotundipes sensu Chang, 2009, respectively. As a result, a total of seven species of the genus are now recognized in Korea, and a revised key to the species is presented.

Bee venom has long been used to treat various inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Previously, we reported that bee venom phospholipase A(2) (bvPLA(2)) has an anti-inflammatory effect through the induction of regulatory T cells. Radiotherapy is a common anti-cancer method, but often causes adverse effects, such as inflammation. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of bvPLA(2) in radiation-induced acute lung inflammation. Mice were focally irradiated with 75 Gy of X-rays in the lung and administered bvPLA(2) six times after radiation. To evaluate the level of inflammation, the number of immune cells, mRNA level of inflammatory cytokine, and histological changes in the lung were measured. BvPLA(2) treatment reduced the accumulation of immune cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. In addition, bvPLA(2) treatment decreased inflammasome-, chemokine-, cytokine- and fibrosis-related genes' mRNA expression. The histological results also demonstrated the attenuating effect of bvPLA(2) on radiation-induced lung inflammation. Furthermore, regulatory T cell depletion abolished the therapeutic effects of bvPLA(2) in radiation-induced pneumonitis, implicating the anti-inflammatory effects of bvPLA(2) are dependent upon regulatory T cells. These results support the therapeutic potential of bvPLA(2) in radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis treatments.

The non-marine ostracod genus Frambocythere Colin, 1980 (Limnocytheridae, Timiriaseviinae) had a previously known stratigraphical range from the Albian (Lower Cretaceous) through to the Lutetian (middle Eocene). However, during surveys of Seongryu Cave in Uljin-gun Province, South Korea, specimens of an extant species of Frambocythere were recovered. This extends the stratigraphic range of the genus by more than 40 million years to the present, and the species is, therefore, considered to be a relict ‘living fossil’. This newly described species is most similar in morphology to Frambocythere gr. tumiensis (Helmdach, 1978), reported from Thanetian (Paleocene) deposits of the Paris Basin. The living species was found in the hypogean realm, in contrast to the fossil species, which were all epigean. It is hypothesized that, like the genus Kovalevskiella Klein, 1963, which belongs to the same lineage, Frambocythere migrated from epigean to hypogean habitats.

A genuine interstitial cyclopoid species belonging to the genus Psammophilocyclops Fryer, 1956 is recorded from the filtration basin of a water treatment plant, South Korea. The genus Psammophilocyclops is very rarely found, and only three species have been recognized as yet: P. boccaroi Fryer, 1956 from Africa, P. trispinosus Shen et Tai, 1964 and P. bispinosus Shen et Tai, 1964 from China. The present new species differs from the congeneric species by the character combination of 11-segmented antennule in female, four-segmented maxilliped with 2,1,1,2 setation, the spine formula of 3,3,3,3, and setal arrangement of 3,3,5,3 on the distal endopodal segments of legs 1–4. Description and taxonomic accounts of the new species are presented with a revised generic diagnosis and a key to the species hitherto known in the genus.

A new gastrotrich species of the genus Crasiella (Planodasyidae) is described from the sublittoral sandy bottom of Jeju Island, South Korea. The family Planodasyidae and the genus Crasiella are recorded for the first time from East Asia. Crasiella clauseni n. sp. differs from its congeneric species by the combination of characters: absence of cephalic sensory pits; unseparated arrangement of anterior tubes and ventrolateral tubes, comprising about 120 adhesive tubes along whole body length; 5-7 horizontal rows of adhesive tubes and a pair of TbV in the anterior part of pharyngeal region; bifid pedicles with 8-11 posterior adhesive tubes; and tube-shaped seminal receptacle and copulatory organ. This paper deals with description of the new species, and provides a key to the species of genus Crasiella.