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Sapovirus, an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans and animals, travels from the early to the late endosomes and requires late endosomal acidification for viral uncoating. However, the signaling pathways responsible for these viral entry processes remain unknown. Here we demonstrate the receptor-mediated early activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein extracellular signal-regulated kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathways involved in sapovirus entry processes. Both signaling pathways were activated during the early stage of porcine sapovirus (PSaV) infection. However, depletion of the cell surface carbohydrate receptors by pretreatment with sodium periodate or neuraminidase reduced the PSaV-induced early activation of these signaling pathways, indicating that PSaV binding to the cell surface carbohydrate receptors triggered these cascades. Addition of bile acid, known to be essential for PSaV escape from late endosomes, was also found to exert a stiffening effect to stimulate both pathways. Inhibition of these signaling pathways by use of inhibitors specific for PI3K or MEK or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against PI3K or MEK resulted in entrapment of PSaV particles in early endosomes and prevented their trafficking to late endosomes. Moreover, phosphorylated PI3K and ERK coimmunoprecipitated subunit E of the V-ATPase proton pump that is important for endosomal acidification. Based on our data, we conclude that receptor binding of PSaV activates both PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways, which in turn promote PSaV trafficking from early to late endosomes and acidification of late endosomes for PSaV uncoating. These signaling cascades may provide a target for potent therapeutics against infections by PSaV and other caliciviruses. IMPORTANCE Sapoviruses cause acute gastroenteritis in both humans and animals. However, the host signaling pathway(s) that facilitates host cell entry by sapoviruses remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that porcine sapovirus (PSaV) activates both PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK cascades at an early stage of infection. Removal of cell surface receptors decreased PSaV-induced early activation of both cascades. Moreover, blocking of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK cascades entrapped PSaV particles in early endosomes and prevented their trafficking to the late endosomes. PSaV-induced early activation of PI3K and ERK molecules further mediated V-ATPase-dependent late endosomal acidification for PSaV uncoating. This work unravels a new mechanism by which receptor-mediated early activation of both cascades may facilitate PSaV trafficking from early to late endosomes and late endosomal acidification for PSaV uncoating, which in turn can be a new target for treatment of sapovirus infection., (Copyright © 2018 Soliman et al.)

Juvenile olive flounders, Paralichthys olivaceus (mean weight 2.69 ± 0.31 g), were raised in bio-floc and seawater for six months, these P. olivaceus (mean weight 280.1 ± 10.5 g, mean length 28.37 ± 2.3 cm) were exposed to different concentrations of waterborne nitrite (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg NO 2 - /L) for 7 days. None of the P. olivaceus individuals exposed to bio-floc and seawater containing waterborne nitrite concentrations of 200 mg/L for 7 days survived. Hematological parameters (hemoglobin and hematocrit) were significantly reduced by nitrite exposure. Regarding plasma components, the concentrations of glucose, glutamic oxalate transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) increased significantly in response to nitrite exposure, whereas cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased. Stress indicators, including concentrations of plasma glucose, cortisol, and liver and gill concentrations of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were significantly increased by nitrite exposure. The results of the study indicate that nitrite exposure affected the hematological parameters and stress indicators of P. olivaceus raised in bio-floc and seawater, and these changes were more prominent in the P. olivaceus raised in seawater than those raised in bio-floc., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Caliciviruses in the genus Sapovirus are a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans and animals. However, the mechanism of their entry into cells is not well characterized. Here, we determined the entry mechanism of porcine sapovirus (PSaV) strain Cowden into permissive LLC-PK cells. The inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis using chlorpromazine, siRNAs, and a dominant negative (DN) mutant blocked entry and infection of PSaV Cowden strain, confirming a role for clathrin-mediated internalization. Entry and infection were also inhibited by the cholesterol-sequestering drug methyl-β-cyclodextrin and was restored by the addition of soluble cholesterol, indicating that cholesterol also contributes to entry and infection of this strain. Furthermore, the inhibition of dynamin GTPase activity by dynasore, siRNA depletion of dynamin II, or overexpression of a DN mutant of dynamin II reduced the entry and infection, suggesting that dynamin mediates the fission and detachment of clathrin- and cholesterol-pits for entry of this strain. In contrast, the inhibition of caveolae-mediated endocytosis using nystatin, siRNAs, or a DN mutant had no inhibitory effect on entry and infection of this strain. It was further determined that cell entry of PSaV Cowden strain required actin rearrangements for vesicle internalization, endosomal trafficking from early to late endosomes through microtubules, and late endosomal acidification for uncoating. We conclude that PSaV strain Cowden is internalized into LLC-PK cells by clathrin- and cholesterol-mediated endocytosis that requires dynamin II and actin rearrangement, and that the uncoating occurs in the acidified late endosomes after trafficking from the early endosomes through microtubules.

Intestinal epithelial tight junctions (TJ) are a major barrier restricting the entry of various harmful factors including pathogens; however, they also represent an important entry portal for pathogens. Although the rotavirus-induced early disruption of TJ integrity and targeting of TJ proteins as coreceptors are well-defined, the precise molecular mechanisms involved remain unknown. In the present study, infection of polarized MDCK cells with the species A rotavirus (RVA) strains human DS-1 and bovine NCDV induced a redistribution of TJ proteins into the cytoplasm, a reversible decrease in transepithelial resistance, and an increase in paracellular permeability. RhoA/ROCK/MLC signaling was identified as activated at an early stage of infection, while inhibition of this pathway prevented the rotavirus-induced early disruption of TJ integrity and alteration of TJ protein distribution. Activation of pMYPT, PKC, or MLCK, which are known to participate in TJ dissociation, was not observed in MDCK cells infected with either rotavirus strain. Our data demonstrated that binding of RVA virions or cogent VP8* proteins to cellular receptors activates RhoA/ROCK/MLC signaling, which alters TJ protein distribution and disrupts TJ integrity via contraction of the perijunctional actomyosin ring, facilitating virion access to coreceptors and entry into cells.

Cr metal electrode was suggested as the working electrode material to fabricate DSSCs without the TCO, and thin films were fabricated by an unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. The surface morphologies show uniform and smooth surfaces regardless of various film thicknesses, and the small crystallites of various sizes were showed with the vertical direction on the surface of Cr thin films with the increase of film thickness. And also, the root mean square (RMS) surface roughness value of Cr thin films increased, and the sheet resistance is decreased with the increase of film thickness. The maximum cell efficiency of the TCO-less DSSC was observed when a Cr working electrode with a thickness of 80 nm was applied to the TCO-less DSSC. Consequently, these results are related to the result of the optimization of conduction characteristics, transmission properties and surface properties of Cr thin films.

Cyclooxygenases (COXs)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling pathways are known to modulate a variety of homeostatic processes and are involved in various pathophysiological conditions. COXs/PGE2 signaling pathways have also been demonstrated to have proviral or antiviral effects, which appeared different even in the same virus family. A porcine sapovirus Cowden strain, a member of genus Sapovirus within the Caliciviridae family, induces strong COX-2/PGE2 but transient COX-1/PGE2 signaling to enhance virus replication. However, whether infections of other viruses in the different genera activate COXs/PGE2 signaling, and thus affect the replication of viruses, remains unknown. In the present study, infections of cells with the feline calicivirus (FCV) F9 strain in the genus Vesivirus and murine norovirus (MNV) CW-1 strain in the genus Norovirus only activated the COX-2/PGE2 signaling in a time-dependent manner. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors or transfection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against COX-2 enzyme significantly reduced the production of PGE2 as well as FCV and MNV replications. The inhibitory effects of these pharmacological inhibitors against COX-2 enzyme on the replication of both viruses were restored by the addition of PGE2. Silencing of COX-1 via siRNAs and inhibition of COX-1 via an inhibitor also decrease the production of PGE2 and replication of both viruses, which can be attributed to the inhibition COX-1/PGE2 signaling pathway. These data indicate that the COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway has proviral effects for the replication of FCV and MNV, and pharmacological inhibitors against these enzymes serve as potential therapeutic candidates for treating FCV and MNV infections., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

We theoretically investigate the mechanism to generate large intrinsic spin Hall effect in iridates or more broadly in 5d transition metal oxides with strong spin-orbit coupling. We demonstrate such a possibility by taking the example of orthorhombic perovskite iridate with nonsymmorphic lattice symmetry, SrIrO 3 , which is a three-dimensional semimetal with nodal line spectrum. It is shown that large intrinsic spin Hall effect arises in this system via the spin-Berry curvature originating from the nearly degenerate electronic spectra surrounding the nodal line. This effect exists even when the nodal line is gently gapped out, due to the persistent nearly degenerate electronic structure. The magnitude of the spin Hall conductivity is shown to be comparable to the best known example such as doped topological insulators and the biggest in any transition metal oxides. To gain further insight, we compute the intrinsic spin Hall conductivity in both bulk and thin film systems. We find that the geometric confinement in thin films leads to significant modifications of the electronic states, leading to even bigger spin Hall conductivity in certain cases. We compare our findings with the recent experimental report on the discovery of large spin Hall effect in SrIrO 3 thin films.

Some viruses within the Caliciviridae family initiate their replication cycle by attachment to cell surface carbohydrate moieties, histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), and/or terminal sialic acids (SAs). Although bovine nebovirus (BNeV), one of the enteric caliciviruses, is an important causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in cattle, its attachment factors and possibly other cellular receptors remain unknown. Using a comprehensive series of protein-ligand biochemical assays, we sought to determine whether BNeV recognizes cell surface HBGAs and/or SAs as attachment factors. It was found that BNeV virus-like particles (VLPs) bound to A type/H type 2/Le y HBGAs expressed in the bovine digestive tract and are related to HBGAs expressed in humans and other host species, suggesting a wide spectrum of HBGA recognition by BNeV. BNeV VLPs also bound to a large variety of different bovine and human saliva samples of all ABH and Lewis types, supporting previously obtained results and suggesting a zoonotic potential of BNeV transmission. Removal of α1,2-linked fucose and α1,3/4-linked fucose epitopes of target HBGAs by confirmation-specific enzymes reduced the binding of BNeV VLPs to synthetic HBGAs, bovine and human saliva, cultured cell lines, and bovine small intestine mucosa, further supporting a wide HBGA binding spectrum of BNeV through recognition of α1,2-linked fucose and α1,3/4-linked fucose epitopes of targeted HBGAs. However, removal of terminal α2,3- and α2,6-linked SAs by their specific enzyme had no inhibitory effects on binding of BNeV VLPs, indicating that BNeV does not use terminal SAs as attachment factors. Further details of the binding specificity of BNeV remain to be explored. IMPORTANCE Enteric caliciviruses such as noroviruses, sapoviruses, and recoviruses are the most important etiological agents of severe acute gastroenteritis in humans and many other mammalian host species. They initiate infection by attachment to cell surface carbohydrate moieties, HBGAs, and/or terminal SAs. However, the attachment factor(s) for BNeV, a recently classified enteric calicivirus genus/type species, remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that BNeV VLPs have a wide spectrum of binding to synthetic HBGAs, bovine and human saliva samples, and bovine duodenal sections. We further discovered that α1,2-linked fucose and α1,3/4-linked fucose epitopes are essential for binding of BNeV VLPs. However, BNeV VLPs do not bind to terminal SAs on cell carbohydrates. Continued investigation regarding the proteinaceous receptor(s) will be necessary for better understanding of the tropism, pathogenesis, and host range of this important viral genus., (Copyright © 2018 Cho et al.)

Objective: To investigate the technical and clinical outcomes of plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) for the treatment of gastric varices (GV) and to evaluate the role of intra-procedural cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) performed during PARTO to confirm its technical success., Materials and Methods: From January 2016 to December 2016, 17 patients with GV who had undergone PARTO were retrospectively evaluated. When the proximal part of the afferent vein was identified on a fluoroscopy, non-contrast CBCT images were obtained. In patients with incomplete embolization of GV, an additional injection of gelatin sponges was performed. Follow-up data from contrast-enhanced CT and upper intestinal endoscopy, as well as clinical and laboratory data were collected., Results: Plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration procedures were technically successful in all 17 patients. Complete embolization of GV was detected on CBCT images in 15 patients; whereas, incomplete embolization was detected in two. Complete embolization of GV was then achieved after an additional injection of gelatin sponges in these two patients as demonstrated on the 2nd CBCT image. The mean follow-up period after PARTO was 193 days (range, 73-383 days). A follow-up CT obtained 2-4 months after PARTO demonstrated marked shrinkage or complete obliteration of GV and portosystemic shunts in all 17 patients. There were no cases of variceal bleeding during the follow-up., Conclusion: Plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration is technically and clinically effective for the treatment of GV. In addition, intra-procedural CBCT can be an adjunct tool to fluoroscopy, because it can provide an immediate and accurate evaluation of the technical success of PARTO.

The cellular PI3K/Akt and/or MEK/ERK signaling pathways mediate the entry process or endosomal acidification during infection of many viruses. However, their roles in the early infection events of group A rotaviruses (RVAs) have remained elusive. Here, we show that late-penetration (L-P) human DS-1 and bovine NCDV RVA strains stimulate these signaling pathways very early in the infection. Inhibition of both signaling pathways significantly reduced production of viral progeny due to blockage of virus particles in the late endosome, indicating that neither of the two signaling pathways is involved in virus trafficking. However, immunoprecipitation assays using antibodies specific for pPI3K, pAkt, pERK and the subunit E of the V-ATPase co-immunoprecipitated the V-ATPase in complex with pPI3K, pAkt, and pERK. Moreover, Duolink proximity ligation assay revealed direct association of the subunit E of the V-ATPase with the molecules pPI3K, pAkt, and pERK, indicating that both signaling pathways are involved in V-ATPase-dependent endosomal acidification. Acidic replenishment of the medium restored uncoating of the RVA strains in cells pretreated with inhibitors specific for both signaling pathways, confirming the above results. Isolated components of the outer capsid proteins, expressed as VP4-VP8* and VP4-VP5* domains, and VP7, activated the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways. Furthermore, psoralen-UV-inactivated RVA and CsCl-purified RVA triple-layered particles triggered activation of the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways, confirming the above results. Our data demonstrate that multistep binding of outer capsid proteins of L-P RVA strains with cell surface receptors phosphorylates PI3K, Akt, and ERK, which in turn directly interact with the subunit E of the V-ATPase to acidify the late endosome for uncoating of RVAs. This study provides a better understanding of the RVA-host interaction during viral uncoating, which is of importance for the development of strategies aiming at controlling or preventing RVA infections.

A dog with a history of diarrhea and dyschezia exhibited an oval-shaped, soft-tissue opacity mass in the abdomen on radiographs. CT examination revealed a large fluid-filled structure displacing the urinary bladder, prostate, and colon. The mass had continuity with the prostate; therefore, it was tentatively diagnosed as a paraprostatic cyst. Cytologic examination was performed and the mass was considered a non-inflammatory cyst. However, after surgery, histopathologic examination revealed a necrotic, inflamed cystic lipoma. This case shows that unusual intra-abdominal lipomas may have a cystic appearance.

The reaction mechanism of area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) of Al 2 O 3 thin films using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) was systematically investigated by theoretical and experimental studies. Trimethylaluminum (TMA) and H 2 O were used as the precursor and oxidant, respectively, with octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) as an SAM to block Al 2 O 3 film formation. However, Al 2 O 3 layers began to form on the ODPA SAMs after several cycles, despite reports that CH 3 -terminated SAMs cannot react with TMA. We showed that TMA does not react chemically with the SAM but is physically adsorbed, acting as a nucleation site for Al 2 O 3 film growth. Moreover, the amount of physisorbed TMA was affected by the partial pressure. By controlling it, we developed a new AS-ALD Al 2 O 3 process with high selectivity, which produces films of ∼60 nm thickness over 370 cycles. The successful deposition of Al 2 O 3 thin film patterns using this process is a breakthrough technique in the field of nanotechnology.

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are divided into neuraminidase (NA)-sensitive and NA-insensitive strains depending upon their binding affinity to the VP8* domain in the terminal sialic acids (SAs) of cell surface carbohydrates. Although NA-sensitive strains are known to use terminal SAs as an attachment factor, the exact nature of this attachment factor is largely unknown. Here we show that the specific linkage of SA-containing glycan to glycoprotein or glycolipid is an attachment factor used by NA-sensitive porcine G9P[7] PRG9121 and G9P[23] PRG942, bovine G6P[1] NCDV, and canine G3P[3] strains. Infectivity of porcine G9P[7] and G9P[23] strains was markedly blocked by α2,3-linkage and α2,6-linkage inhibitors, indicating that these strains bind to both α2,3- and α2,6-linked SAs. However, the infectivity of bovine G6P[1] and canine G3P[3] strains was significantly reduced by α2,6-linkage inhibitor but not by α2,3-linkage blockers, demonstrating a predilection of these strains for α2,6-linked SAs. The infectivity of four NA-sensitive strains was equally reduced by inhibitors of lipid membrane and N-linked glycoprotein but not by an inhibitor of O-linked glycoprotein, indicating that these strains utilize both glycolipid and N-linked glycoprotein. Our study demonstrates that four NA-sensitive animal strains could have a strain-dependent binding preference toward α2,6-linked SAs (P[1] NCDV and P[3] CU-1 strains) or both α2,3- and α2,6-linked SAs (P[7] PRG9121 and P[23] PRG942 strains) to the glycolipid and N-linked glycoprotein., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are biological antifreezes with unique properties, including thermal hysteresis(TH),ice recrystallization inhibition(IRI),and interaction with membranes and/or membrane proteins. These properties have been utilized in the preservation of biological samples at low temperatures. Here, we review the structure and function of marine-derived AFPs, including moderately active fish AFPs and hyperactive polar AFPs. We also survey previous and current reports of cryopreservation using AFPs. Cryopreserved biological samples are relatively diverse ranging from diatoms and reproductive cells to embryos and organs. Cryopreserved biological samples mainly originate from mammals. Most cryopreservation trials using marine-derived AFPs have demonstrated that addition of AFPs can improve post-thaw viability regardless of freezing method (slow-freezing or vitrification), storage temperature, and types of biological sample type.

Enteric caliciviruses in the genera Norovirus and Sapovirus are important pathogens that cause severe acute gastroenteritis in both humans and animals. Cyclooxygenases (COXs) and their final product, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), are known to play important roles in the modulation of both the host response to infection and the replicative cycles of several viruses. However, the precise mechanism(s) by which the COX/PGE 2 pathway regulates sapovirus replication remains largely unknown. In this study, infection with porcine sapovirus (PSaV) strain Cowden, the only cultivable virus within the genus Sapovirus, markedly increased COX-2 mRNA and protein levels at 24 and 36 h postinfection (hpi), with only a transient increase in COX-1 levels seen at 24 hpi. The treatment of cells with pharmacological inhibitors, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against COX-1 and COX-2, significantly reduced PGE 2 production, as well as PSaV replication. Expression of the viral proteins VPg and ProPol was associated with activation of the COX/PGE 2 pathway. We observed that pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 dramatically increased NO production, causing a reduction in PSaV replication that could be restored by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase via the inhibitor N-nitro-l-methyl-arginine ester. This study identified a pivotal role for the COX/PGE 2 pathway in the regulation of NO production during the sapovirus life cycle, providing new insights into the life cycle of this poorly characterized family of viruses. Our findings also reveal potential new targets for treatment of sapovirus infection., Importance: Sapoviruses are among the major etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in both humans and animals, but little is known about sapovirus host factor requirements. Here, using only cultivable porcine sapovirus (PSaV) strain Cowden, we demonstrate that PSaV induced the vitalization of the cyclooxygenase (COX) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) pathway. Targeting of COX-1/2 using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the COX-1/2 inhibitor indomethacin and the COX-2-specific inhibitors NS-398 and celecoxib or siRNAs targeting COXs, inhibited PSaV replication. Expression of the viral proteins VPg and ProPol was associated with activation of the COX/PGE 2 pathway. We further demonstrate that the production of PGE 2 provides a protective effect against the antiviral effector mechanism of nitric oxide. Our findings uncover a new mechanism by which PSaV manipulates the host cell to provide an environment suitable for efficient viral growth, which in turn can be a new target for treatment of sapovirus infection., (Copyright © 2017 Alfajaro et al.)

To determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of Sapelovirus A (SV-A) in diarrhea and non-diarrhea feces of Korean pigs, 110 specimens from different age groups of pigs in the same farm were analyzed by RT-nested PCR. SV-As were detected in 60% of both diarrhea and non-diarrhea specimens regardless of age groups with primer pairs for 2C region, in which all diarrhea samples were co-infected by other enteric pathogens. Phylogenetical analysis of partial VP1 region showed that our strains and several other Korean strains belonged to cluster I, distinct from some strains reported in Korea and other countries. These data indicate that genetically distinct SV-As are frequently detected in Korean pigs irrespective of diarrhea and age.

Most cold-adapted enzymes possess higher K m and k cat values than those of their mesophilic counterparts to maximize the reaction rate. This characteristic is often ascribed to a high structural flexibility and improved dynamics in the active site. However, this may be less convincing to cold-adapted metabolic enzymes, which work at substrate concentrations near K m . In this respect, cold adaptation of a shikimate kinase (SK) in the shikimate pathway from psychrophilic Colwellia psychrerythraea (CpSK) was characterized by comparing it with a mesophilic Escherichia coli homolog (EcSK). The optimum temperatures for CpSK and EcSK activity were approximately 30°C and 40°C, respectively. The melting points were 33°C and 45°C for CpSK and EcSK, respectively. The ΔG H 2 O (denaturation in the absence of denaturing agent) values were 3.94 and 5.74 kcal/mol for CpSK and EcSK, respectively. These results indicated that CpSK was a cold-adapted enzyme. However, contrary to typical kinetic data, CpSK had a lower K m for its substrate shikimate than most mesophilic SKs, and the k cat was not increased. This observation suggested that CpSK may have evolved to exhibit increased substrate affinity at low intracellular concentrations of shikimate in the cold environment. Sequence analysis and homology modeling also showed that some important salt bridges were lost in CpSK, and higher Arg residues around critical Arg 140 seemed to increase flexibility for catalysis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that CpSK exhibits characteristics of cold adaptation with unusual kinetic parameters, which may provide important insights into the cold adaptation of metabolic enzymes.

A hallmark of Weyl semimetal is the existence of surface Fermi arcs. An intriguing question is what determines the connectivity of surface Fermi arcs, when multiple pairs of Weyl nodes are present. To answer this question, we show that the locations of surface Fermi arcs are predominantly determined by the condition that the Zak phase integrated along the normal-to-surface direction is . The Zak phase can reveal the peculiar topological structure of Weyl semimetal directly in the bulk. Here, we show that the winding of the Zak phase around each projected Weyl node manifests itself as a topological defect of the Wannier-Stark ladder, energy eigenstates under an electric field. Remarkably, this leads to bulk Fermi arcs, open-line segments in the bulk spectra. Bulk Fermi arcs should exist in conjunction with surface counterparts to conserve the Weyl fermion number under an electric field, which is supported by explicit numerical evidence.

We investigated the possibility of optically discriminating harmful algal blooms (HABs), focusing on Cochlodinium polykrikoides, the major HAB causative dinoflagellate species in Korean waters. We produced a large data set of simulated remote sensing reflectance (R rs ) spectra in a wide range of bio-optical conditions using Hydrolight software and bio-optical data provided by the International Ocean-Color Coordinating Group. The two R rs band ratios (R rs (555)/R rs (531) and R rs (488)/R rs (443)) were determined to be effective in discriminating high-density C. polykrikoides blooms. The results were consistent with in situ observations and seem applicable to diverse coastal environments. Our findings provide theoretical and quantitative criteria upon which in-water HAB detecting algorithms can be developed.

Sapelovirus A (SV-A), formerly known as porcine sapelovirus as a member of a new genus Sapelovirus, is known to cause enteritis, pneumonia, polioencephalomyelitis and reproductive disorders in pigs. We have recently identified α2,3-linked sialic acid on GD1a ganglioside as a functional SV-A receptor rich in the cells of pigs and chickens. However, the role of GD1a in viral pathogenesis remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated that a Korean SV-A strain could induce diarrhoea and intestinal pathology in piglets but not in chicks. Moreover, this Korean SV-A strain had mild extra-intestinal tropisms appearing as mild, non-suppurative myelitis, encephalitis and pneumonia in piglets, but not in chicks. By real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR, higher viral RNA levels were detected in faecal samples than in sera or extra-intestinal organs from virus-inoculated piglets. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that high viral antigens were detected in the epithelial cells of intestines from virus-inoculated piglets but not from chicks. This Korean SV-A strain could bind the cultured cell lines originated from various species, but replication occurred only in cells of porcine origin. These data indicated that this Korean SV-A strain could replicate and induce pathology in piglets but not in chicks, suggesting that additional porcine-specific factors are required for virus entry and replication. In addition, this Korean SV-A strain is enteropathogenic, but could spread to the bloodstream from the gut and disseminate to extra-intestinal organs and tissues. These results will contribute to our understanding of SV-A pathogenesis so that efficient anti-sapelovirus drugs and vaccines could be developed in the future.

This study analyzed eleven genomic segments of three Korean porcine G8P[7] group A rotavirus (RVA) strains. Phylogenetically, these strains contained two bovine-like and nine porcine-like genomic segments. Eight genes (VP1, VP2, VP6 and NSP1-NSP5) of strains 156-1 and 42-1 and seven genes (VP1, VP2, VP6 and NSP2-NSP5) of strain C-1 clustered closely with porcine and porcine-like animal strains and distantly from typical human Wa-like strains. The VP3-M2 genotype of these strains clustered closely with bovine-like strains, but distantly with typical human DS-1-like strains. These data indicate that multiple reassortments involving porcine and bovine RVA strains in Korea must have occurred.

We demonstrate that topological Dirac semimetals, which possess two Dirac nodes, separated in momentum space along a rotation axis and protected by rotational symmetry, exhibit an additional quantum anomaly, distinct from the chiral anomaly. This anomaly, which we call the Z_{2} anomaly, is a consequence of the fact that the Dirac nodes in topological Dirac semimetals carry a Z_{2} topological charge. The Z_{2} anomaly refers to nonconservation of this charge in the presence of external fields due to quantum effects and has observable consequences due to its interplay with the chiral anomaly. We discuss possible implications of this for the interpretation of magnetotransport experiments on topological Dirac semimetals. We also provide a possible explanation for the magnetic field dependent angular narrowing of the negative longitudinal magnetoresistance, observed in a recent experiment on Na_{3}Bi.

Frustrated quantum magnets not only provide exotic ground states and unusual magnetic structures, but also support unconventional excitations in many cases. Using a physically relevant spin model for a breathing pyrochlore lattice, we discuss the presence of topological linear band crossings of magnons in antiferromagnets. These are the analogues of Weyl fermions in electronic systems, which we dub Weyl magnons. The bulk Weyl magnon implies the presence of chiral magnon surface states forming arcs at finite energy. We argue that such antiferromagnets present a unique example, in which Weyl points can be manipulated in situ in the laboratory by applied fields. We discuss their appearance specifically in the breathing pyrochlore lattice, and give some general discussion of conditions to find Weyl magnons, and how they may be probed experimentally. Our work may inspire a re-examination of the magnetic excitations in many magnetically ordered systems.

The emergence of novel quantum ground states in correlated electron systems with strong spin-orbit coupling has been a recent subject of intensive studies. While it has been realized that spin-orbit coupling can provide non-trivial band topology in weakly interacting electron systems, as in topological insulators and semi-metals, the role of electron-electron interaction in strongly spin-orbit coupled systems has not been fully understood. The availability of new materials with significant electron correlation and strong spin-orbit coupling now makes such investigations possible. Many of these materials contain 5d or 4d transition metal elements; the prominent examples are iridium oxides or iridates. In this review, we succinctly discuss recent theoretical and experimental progress on this subject. After providing a brief overview, we focus on pyrochlore iridates and three-dimensional honeycomb iridates. In pyrochlore iridates, we discuss the quantum criticality of the bulk and surface states, and the relevance of the surface/boundary states in a number of topological and magnetic ground states, both in the bulk and thin film configurations. Experimental signatures of these boundary and bulk states are discussed. Domain wall formation and strongly-direction-dependent magneto-transport are also discussed. In regard to the three-dimensional honeycomb iridates, we consider possible quantum spin liquid phases and unusual magnetic orders in theoretical models with strongly bond-dependent interactions. These theoretical ideas and results are discussed in light of recent resonant x-ray scattering experiments on three-dimensional honeycomb iridates. We also contrast these results with the situation in two-dimensional honeycomb iridates. We conclude with the outlook on other related systems.

We theoretically investigate emergent quantum phases in the thin film geometries of the pyrochore iridates, where a number of exotic quantum ground states are proposed to occur in bulk materials as a result of the interplay between electron correlation and strong spin-orbit coupling. The fate of these bulk phases as well as novel quantum states that may arise only in the thin film platforms, are studied via a theoretical model that allows layer-dependent magnetic structures. It is found that the magnetic order develop in inhomogeneous fashions in the thin film geometries. This leads to a variety of magnetic metal phases with modulated magnetic ordering patterns across different layers. Both the bulk and boundary electronic states in these phases conspire to promote unusual electronic properties. In particular, such phases are akin to the Weyl semimetal phase in the bulk system and they would exhibit an unusually large anomalous Hall effect.

Unlabelled: The receptor(s) for porcine sapelovirus (PSV), which causes diarrhea, pneumonia, polioencephalomyelitis, and reproductive disorders in pigs, remains largely unknown. Given the precedent for other picornaviruses which use terminal sialic acids (SAs) as receptors, we examined the role of SAs in PSV binding and infection. Using a variety of approaches, including treating cells with a carbohydrate-destroying chemical (NaIO4), mono- or oligosaccharides (N-acetylneuraminic acid, galactose, and 6'-sialyllactose), linkage-specific sialidases (neuraminidase and sialidase S), lectins (Maakia amurensislectin andSambucus nigralectin), proteases (trypsin and chymotrypsin), and glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors (dl-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol and phospholipase C), we demonstrated that PSV could recognize α2,3-linked SA on glycolipids as a receptor. On the other hand, PSVs had no binding affinity for synthetic histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), suggesting that PSVs could not use HBGAs as receptors. Depletion of cell surface glycolipids followed by reconstitution studies indicated that GD1a ganglioside, but not other gangliosides, could restore PSV binding and infection, further confirming α2,3-linked SA on GD1a as a PSV receptor. Our results could provide significant information on the understanding of the life cycle of sapelovirus and other picornaviruses. For the broader community in the area of pathogens and pathogenesis, these findings and insights could contribute to the development of affordable, useful, and efficient drugs for anti-sapelovirus therapy., Importance: The porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is known to cause enteritis, pneumonia, polioencephalomyelitis, and reproductive disorders in pigs. However, the receptor(s) that the PSV utilizes to enter host cells remains largely unknown. Using a variety of approaches, we showed that α2,3-linked terminal sialic acid (SA) on the cell surface GD1a ganglioside could be used for PSV binding and infection as a receptor. On the other hand, histo-blood group antigens also present in the cell surface carbohydrates could not be utilized as PSV receptors for binding and infection. These findings should contribute to the understanding of the sapelovirus life cycle and to the development of affordable, useful and efficient drugs for anti-sapelovirus therapy., (Copyright © 2016 Kim et al.)

Macro-porous tin oxide was prepared as an enhanced sensing material for sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide. Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) was used as a template for the formation of macro-pores. Tin chloride was used as a precursor for the synthesis of tin oxide, and was impregnated over PMMA beads using a rotary vacuum evaporator. The solid Sn/PMMA material was treated thermally for 4 h at 600 degrees C. The porous morphology of tin oxide prepared in this study was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The surface area of this material measured by the nitrogen adsorption method was approximately 56 m2/g. The crystal structure of the porous material analyzed by XRD was a typical structure of tin oxide. The response of macro-porous tin oxide as a chemical gas sensor was measured using an I-V source meter and the change in signal was observed with the repeated injection of hydrogen sulfide and air. The sensing tests for macro-porous tin oxide were carried out at 200 degrees C and the fast response of macro-porous sensing material was also confirmed.

Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) can inhibit ice recrystallization (IR), a major cause of cell death during cryopreservation. IBPs are hypothesized to improve cell viability after cryopreservation by alleviating the cryoinjury caused by IR. In our previous studies, we showed that supplementation of the freezing medium with the recombinant IBP of the Arctic yeast Glaciozyma sp. (designated as LeIBP) could reduce post-thaw hemolysis of human red blood cells and increase the survival of cryopreserved diatoms. Here, we showed that LeIBP could improve the viability of cryopreserved mammalian cells. Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa), mouse fibroblasts (NIH/3T3), human preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), and human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were evaluated. These mammalian cells were frozen in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/fetal bovine serum (FBS) solution with or without 0.1 mg/ml LeIBP at a cooling rate of -1°C/min in a -80°C freezer overnight. The minimum effective concentration (0.1 mg/ml) of LeIBP was determined, based on the viability of HeLa cells after treatment with LeIBP during cryopreservation and the IR inhibition assay results. The post-thaw viability of mammalian cells was examined. In all cases, cell viability was significantly enhanced by more than 10% by LeIBP supplementation in 5% DMSO/5% FBS: viability increased by 20% for HeLa cells, 28% for NIH/3T3 cells, 21% for MC3T3-E1, 10% for CHO-K1, and 20% for HaCaT. Furthermore, addition of LeIBP reduced the concentrations of toxic DMSO and FBS down to 5%. Therefore, we demonstrated that LeIBP can increase the viability of cryopreserved mammalian cells by inhibiting IR.

Macro-porous Al2O3 as the catalytic support material was synthesized using colloidal polystyrene spheres over a micro-channel plate. The colloidal polystyrene spheres were used as a template for the production of an ordered macro porous material using an alumina nitrate solution as the precursor for Al2O3. The close-packed colloidal crystal array template method was applied to the formulation of ordered macro-porous Al2O3 used as a catalytic support material over a micro-channel plate. The solvent in the mixture solution, which also contained the colloidal polystyrene solution, aluminum nitrate solution and the precursor of the catalytic active materials (Rh), was evaporated in a vacuum oven at 50 degrees C. The ordered polystyrene spheres and aluminum salt of the solid state were deposited over a micro channel plate, and macro-porous Al2O3 was formed after calcination at 600 degrees C to remove the polystyrene spheres. The catalytic activity of the Rh/macro-porous alumina supported over the micro-channel plate was tested for diesel reforming.

Thin film transparent oxides have attracted considerable attention over the last few decades for transparent electronic applications, such as flat panel displays, solar cells, touch-pads, and mobile devices. Metallic doped InZnO (IZO) films have been suggested for the transparent layer exhibiting semiconducting or metallic properties because of its controllable mobility and excellent electrical properties, but they show a degradation of the electrical performance under bending conditions. This study assessed Ni doped IZO (NIZO) films as a flexible transparent electrode on different flexible transparent substrates for flexible electronic applications. Thin NIZO films were deposited on cellulose, PES and glass substrates using a sputtering system with a single NIZO target (In2O3 73.8/ZnO 15.7/NiO 10.5 mol.%) at room temperature. During deposition of the NIZO films, the total flow rate of the carrier gas was maintained using a regulating system. The effects of the oxygen content in the carrier gas on the structural, electrical and optical properties of the thin films deposited on flexible substrates was characterized. The results highlight the feasibility of the transparent NIZO oxide layer on flexible substrates as a flexible electrode with a relatively high sheet resistance, which is strongly related to the crystallographic structure and oxygen content during the film deposition process.

Porcine group C rotaviruses (RVCs) are considered important pathogens due to their economic impact on pig industry and may also cross the host species barrier toward humans. Unlike RVA, however, genetic and phylogenetic data on RVCs from pigs and other host species are scarce. In the present study, full-length ORF sequences of 26 VP7, 9 VP4 and 9 VP6 genes of Korean porcine RVC strains were compared with those of other known RVC strains by phylogenetic analyses and pairwise identity frequency graphs. Applying the established 85% nucleotide identity cut-off value for RVC VP7 classification, the 26 Korean porcine RVC strains belonged to the G1, G3, G6 and G7 genotypes. Although more complete RVC VP4 sequences are warranted before a definitive cut-off value could be determined, a provisional 83% nucleotide cut-off value proposed for RVC VP4 classification resulted in 7 P-genotypes, 5 of which possessed porcine RVC strains. A 90% nucleotide cut-off value for VP6 divided RVC strains into 7 I-genotypes, 5 of which had porcine RVC strains. G/P/I-genotype comparisons suggested the occurrence of rather frequent reassortment events among Korean porcine RVC strains, and strong geographical differences in the distribution of RVC G-genotypes worldwide. Our data indicate that a large genetic diversity exists among porcine RVC strains. For the final genotype determination of each gene segment, more intensified epidemiological studies on animal and human RVC strains throughout the world are needed., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recently, there has been much effort in understanding topological phases of matter with gapless bulk excitations, which are characterized by topological invariants and protected intrinsic boundary states. Here we show that topological semimetals of Majorana fermions arise in exactly solvable Kitaev spin models on a series of three-dimensional lattices. The ground states of these models are quantum spin liquids with gapless nodal spectra of bulk Majorana fermion excitations. It is shown that these phases are topologically stable as long as certain discrete symmetries are protected. The corresponding topological indices and the gapless boundary states are explicitly computed to support these results. In contrast to previous studies of noninteracting systems, the phases discussed in this work are novel examples of gapless topological phases in interacting spin systems.

Optical properties of photonic crystal film were investigated by tuning photonic band gap (PBG). The lamellar-forming photonic films were prepared by nearly symmetric poly(styrene-b-2-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) block copolymers. Molecular weight of PS block and P2VP block is 52 kg/mol, and 57 kg/mol, respectively. When submerged in water, the lamellar films were swollen and show Bragg reflection in visible light region. We observed that the reflection color can be tuned by ion concentration (e.g., hydrogen or metal ion) in water. The higher concentration of hydrogen ion in solution, the longer reflectance wavelength shifted (from 537 nm to 743 nm). In addition, max-reflectance wavelength is dependent on both metal ion and the concentration. The max-reflectance wavelength is shifted from 653 nm (i.e., in water without ion) to 430 nm, 465 nm, and 505 nm for 120 mM of Ca2+, Fe2+, and Cu2+, respectively. Therefore, we can control the photonic band gap of photonic devices by changing the condition of swelling solution.

We study the Mott transition from a metal to cluster Mott insulators in the 1/4- and 1/8-filled pyrochlore lattice systems [corrected]. It is shown that such Mott transitions can arise due to charge localization in clusters or in tetrahedron units, driven by the nearest-neighbor repulsive interaction. The resulting cluster Mott insulator is a quantum spin liquid with a spinon Fermi surface, but at the same time a novel fractionalized charge liquid with charge excitations carrying half the electron charge. There exist two emergent U(1) gauge fields or "photons" that mediate interactions between spinons and charge excitations, and between fractionalized charge excitations themselves, respectively. In particular, it is suggested that the emergent photons associated with the fractionalized charge excitations can be measured in x-ray scattering experiments. Various other experimental signatures of the exotic cluster Mott insulator are discussed in light of candidate materials with partially filled bands on the pyrochlore lattice.

We explore possible superconducting states in t(2g) multiorbital correlated electron systems with strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC). In order to study such systems in a controlled manner, we employ large-scale dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) simulations with the hybridization expansion continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo (CTQMC) impurity solver. To determine the pairing symmetry, we go beyond the local DMFT formalism using parquet equations to introduce the momentum dependence in the two-particle vertex and correlation functions. In the strong SOC limit, a singlet, d-wave pairing state in the electron-doped side of the phase diagram is observed at weak Hund's coupling, which is triggered by antiferromagnetic fluctuations. When the Hund's coupling is comparable to SOC, a twofold degenerate, triplet p-wave pairing state with relatively high transition temperature emerges in the hole-doped side of the phase diagram, which is associated with enhanced charge fluctuations. Experimental implications to doped Sr2IrO4 are discussed.

Optical and electrical characteristics of the devices using photonic gel film and hydrogel electrolyte were studied. Poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) lamellar film with alternating hydrophobic block and hydrophilic polyelectrolyte block polymers (52 kg/mol-b-57 kg/mol) were prepared for the photonic gel. Poly(isobutylene-co-maleic acid) sodium salts were prepared for the hydrogel. This hydrogel fiber is common water swelling material and it owned ions for a device has conductivity. Photonic gel and hydrogel was spin coating onto Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass for make electric fields. The reflectance maximum wavelength of photonic crystal device shifted from 538 nm and reached to 557 nm, 585 nm and 604 nm during 30 min voltage applying time. The bandwidth variation was very limited. Loss of electrolyte was much less with hydrogel compared to the pure water. We can control color of hydrogel used photonic device by electric field with reasonable time range under moderate electric field by applying 2 V between two facing electrodes.

Although recent findings showed that the bioactive lipid metabolites can regulate the ES cell functions, the physiological relevance of interaction between sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and Flk-1 and its related signaling molecules are not yet clear in ES cell proliferation. In the present study, S1P1-5 receptors were expressed in mouse ES cells and S1P increased S1P1-3 receptor expression level. S1P treatment stimulated the cellular proliferation in S1P1/3-dependent manner, located in lipid rafts. In response to S1P, β-arrestin was recruited to S1P1/3 receptor and c-Src was activated. S1P also increased the binding of S1P1/3 receptor with Flk-1. Similar to responses for VEGF, S1P increased Flk-1 phosphorylation, which was blocked by β-arrestin siRNA, and PP2, but not by VEGF-A164 antibody or VEGF siRNA. In addition, S1P induced VEGF expression and VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor (SU1498) blocked the S1P-induced cellular proliferation. However, VEGF-A164 antibody or VEGF siRNA partially blocked S1P-induced cellular proliferation, suggesting that both VEGF-dependent Flk-1 activation and VEGF-independent Flk-1 activation are involved in S1P-induced ES cell proliferation. S1P and VEGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK were blocked by pretreatment with SU1498. Moreover, inhibition of ERK and JNK blocked S1P-induced cellular proliferation. In conclusion, S1P-elicited transactivation of Flk-1 mediated by S1P1/3-dependent β-arrestin/c-Src pathways stimulated mouse ES cell proliferation., (© 2013.)

We argue that a class of strongly spin-orbit-coupled materials, including some pyrochlore iridates and the inverted band gap semiconductor HgTe, may be described by a minimal model consisting of the Luttinger Hamiltonian supplemented by Coulomb interactions, a problem studied by Abrikosov and collaborators. It contains twofold degenerate conduction and valence bands touching quadratically at the zone center. Using modern renormalization group methods, we update and extend Abrikosov's classic work and show that interactions induce a quantum critical non-Fermi-liquid phase, stable provided time-reversal and cubic symmetries are maintained. We determine the universal power-law exponents describing various observables in this Luttinger-Abrikosov-Beneslavskii state, which include conductivity, specific heat, nonlinear susceptibility, and the magnetic Gruneisen number. Furthermore, we determine the phase diagram in the presence of cubic and/or time-reversal symmetry breaking perturbations, which includes a topological insulator and Weyl semimetal phases. Many of these phases possess an extraordinarily large anomalous Hall effect, with the Hall conductivity scaling sublinearly with magnetization σ(xy)∼M0.51.

Motivated by experiments on Pr2Ir2O7, we consider metallic pyrochlore systems A2B2O7, where the A sites are occupied by rare-earth local moments and the B sites host 5d transition metal ions with itinerant strongly spin-orbit coupled electrons. Assuming non-Kramers doublets on the A site, we derive the RKKY interaction between them mediated by the B-site itinerant electrons and find extended non-Heisenberg interactions. Analyzing a simplified model of the RKKY interaction, we uncover a local moment phase with coexisting spiral Ising-like magnetic dipolar and XY-like quadrupolar ordering. This state breaks time-reversal and lattice symmetries, and reconstructs the B-site electronic band structure, producing a Weyl metallic phase with an intrinsic anomalous Hall effect and an undetectably small magnetization. We discuss implications of our results for Pr2Ir2O7.

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is expressed in many cancers. It also executes evolutionary conserved functions in normal B cell development. We show that the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latency locus, which contains an ortholog of miR-155, miR-K12-11, complements B cell deficiencies in miR-155 knockout mice. Germinal center (GC) formation was rescued in spleen, lymph node, and Peyer's patches. Immunoglobulin levels were restored. This demonstrates that KSHV can complement the normal, physiological function of miR-155.

Topological phases of quantum matter defy characterization by conventional order parameters but can exhibit a quantized electromagnetic response and/or protected surface states. We examine such phenomena in a model for three-dimensional correlated complex oxides, the pyrochlore iridates. The model realizes interacting topological insulators, with and without time-reversal symmetry, and topological Weyl semimetals. We use cellular dynamical mean-field theory, a method that incorporates quantum many-body effects and allows us to evaluate the magnetoelectric topological response coefficient in correlated systems. This invariant is used to unravel the presence of an interacting axion insulator absent within a simple mean-field study. We corroborate our bulk results by studying the evolution of the topological boundary states in the presence of interactions. Consequences for experiments and for the search for correlated materials with symmetry-protected topological order are given.

A Gram-negative, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MA1-1(T), was isolated from a sea squirt (Halocynthia roretzi) collected from the South Sea, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain MA1-1(T) is phylogenetically closely related to Litoreibacter species and to Thalassobacter arenae. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.3, 97.1 and 97.3% to the type strains of Litoreibacter albidus, Litoreibacter janthinus and T. arenae, respectively. Strain MA1-1(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C(18:1)ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain MA1-1(T) was similar to those of the type strains of L. albidus and L. janthinus. T. arenae was found to be phylogenetically and chemotaxonomically more closely related to Litoreibacter species and strain MA1-1(T) than to Thalassobacter stenotrophicus, the type species of the genus Thalassobacter. The DNA G+C content of strain MA1-1(T) was 57.9 mol%, and DNA-DNA relatedness to the type strains of the two Litoreibacter species and T. arenae was 9-14%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the observed phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, distinguished strain MA1-1(T) from the two Litoreibacter species and T. arenae. On the basis of the data presented, strain MA1-1(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Litoreibacter, for which the name Litoreibacter meonggei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MA1-1(T) ( = KCTC 23699(T)  = CCUG 61486(T)). In this study, it is also proposed that Thalassobacter arenae is reclassified as a member of the genus Litoreibacter, Litoreibacter arenae comb. nov. (type strain GA2-M15(T)  = DSM 19593(T)  = KACC 12675(T)). An emended description of the genus Litoreibacter is also presented.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MA1-6T, was isolated from a sea squirt (Halocynthia roretzi) collected from the South Sea, Korea, and was characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Strain MA1-6T grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MA1-6T fell within the clade comprising Ruegeria species and exhibited 95.3-96.5 % similarity to the type strains of recognized Ruegeria species. Strain MA1-6T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18:1ω7c as the major fatty acid, which is consistent with data for Ruegeria species. The major polar lipids detected in strain MA1-6T and Ruegeria atlantica KCTC 12424T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain MA1-6T was 58.6 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain MA1-6T can be distinguished from recognized Ruegeria species. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain MA1-6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Ruegeria, for which the name Ruegeria halocynthiae sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MA1-6T (=KCTC 23463T=CCUG 60744T).

Vinylimidazole-grafted poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) (VI-g-PHO) copolymers were prepared by heating homogeneous solutions of PHO, VI monomer, and benzoylperoxide initiator. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflection and electron spectroscopy for chemical analyses showed that VI was successfully grafted onto the PHO chains. The surfaces and the bulk of VI-g-PHO copolymers became more hydrophilic as the VI grafting density in the copolymer increased. Measurements of the growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells and the adsorption of blood proteins and platelets in vitro showed that biocompatibility was also enhanced by grafting of VI groups. Antimicrobial activity of the VI-g-PHO copolymers was studied against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Treatment of each culture suspension with 2.0% (w/v) copolymers for 12h resulted in >90% reduction in viable cell counts against all test microorganisms. These results indicate that the VI-g-PHO copolymers are promising materials for biomedical applications, as they exhibited both biocompatibility and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Using the inelastic neutron scattering technique, we measured the spin wave dispersion over the entire Brillouin zone of room temperature multiferroic BiFeO(3) single crystals with magnetic excitations extending to as high as 72.5 meV. The full spin waves can be explained by a simple Heisenberg Hamiltonian with a nearest-neighbor exchange interaction (J=4.38 meV), a next-nearest-neighbor exchange interaction (J'=0.15 meV), and a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya-like term (D=0.107 meV). This simple Hamiltonian determined, for the first time, for BiFeO(3) provides a fundamental ingredient for understanding the novel magnetic properties of BiFeO(3).

In order to assess changes in the activity of immunecompetency present in Crassostrea gigas infected with Marteilioides chungmuensis (Protozoa), the total hemocyte counts (THC), hemocyte populations, hemocyte viability, and phagocytosis rate were measured in oysters using flow cytometry. THC were increased significantly in oysters infected with M. chungmuensis relative to the healthy appearing oysters (HAO) (P<0.05). Among the total hemocyte composition, granulocyte levels were significantly increased in infected oysters as compared with HAO (P<0.05). In addition, the hyalinocyte was reduced significantly (P<0.05). The hemocyte viability did not differ between infected oysters and HAO. However, the phagocytosis rate was significantly higher in infected oysters relative to HAO (P<0.05). The measurement of alterations in the activity of immunecompetency in oysters, which was conducted via flow cytometry in this study, might be a useful biomarker of the defense system for evaluating the effects of ovarian parasites of C. gigas.

A new sunscreen ingredient, methoxycinnamidopropyl polysilsesquioxane (MCP-PSQ), which contains an UV-absorbing p-methoxycinnamoyl group, has been developed synthetically and evaluated using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Previous studies revealed that MCP-PSQ has a raising or boosting effect on the sun protection factor (SPF) of other sunscreen agents. In this study, we demonstrated that MCP-PSQ, an organic/inorganic hybrid compound, has photoprotective effects for human fibroblasts, and for hairless mouse and human skin. MCP-PSQ increases cell viability and suppresses the expression of p53 protein in fibroblasts after UV exposure. In addition, the numbers of sunburn cells and mast cells are reduced by topical application of MCP-PSQ on hairless mouse skin after UV irradiation. A 10% MCP-PSQ cream has higher and similar effects on SPF values for human skin compared to 5% titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and 5% ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), respectively. The SPF value obtained using the MCP-PSQ cream did not drop after UV irradiation of the cream itself. However, higher dose of UV irradiation is required to guarantee the stability or photostability of the formulation. Further, there were no side effects such as erythema, edema, itch or tingling, suggesting that MCP-PSQ is a good sunscreen agent., (© 2011 The Authors. Photochemistry and Photobiology © 2011 The American Society of Photobiology.)

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by a reprecipitation method. Hydrothermal processing applied external pressure to the pristine P3HT NPs at temperatures ranging from 60 to 150 °C. Optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra for the hydrothermally treated P3HT NPs varied markedly with the processing temperature. With increasing treatment temperature, the absorption peak broadened and the peak position shifted from 510 to 623 nm; moreover, the intensity ratio of the 0-1 to 0-0 emission varied. These changes were caused by interactions between the P3HT main chains and alkyl side groups and conformational modifications induced by the high pressure during the hydrothermal process. The evolution of the optical absorption spectra of the P3HT NPs during the hydrothermal processing was strongly correlated with the variation of PL excitation spectra and with the PL emission spectra of a single NP.

A 5-year-old male neutered Siamese cat was referred because of nasal swelling, nasal discharge, and oral respiration. Computed tomography and necropsy following euthanasia revealed a firm tan mass in the nasopharynx, occluding the nasal passage. Histologically, the nasopharyngeal mass was composed of solid nests, anastomosing cords, and closely packed glands separated by a delicate fibrovascular stroma. Individual neoplastic cells were cylindrical to polyhedral in shape, had distinct cell borders, and contained moderate amounts of finely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and round to oval nuclei. The cytoplasmic granules were positive on phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin staining. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin and negative for chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells contained numerous mitochondria.

In this study, pentacene organic thin film was prepared using newly developed organic material auto-feeding system integrated with linear cell and characterized. The newly developed organic material auto-feeding system consists of 4 major parts: reservoir, micro auto-feeder, vaporizer, and linear cell. The deposition of organic thin film could be precisely controlled by adjusting feeding rate, main tube size, position and size of nozzle. 10 nm thick pentacene thin film prepared on glass substrate exhibited high uniformity of 3.46% which is higher than that of conventional evaporation method using point cell. The continuous deposition without replenishment of organic material can be performed over 144 hours with regulated deposition control. The grain size of pentacene film which affect to mobility of OTFT, was controlled as a function of the temperature.