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Indian Ocean Dipole phenomenon (IOD) refers to a dominant zonal contrast pattern of sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) over tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) on interannual time scales. Its positive phase, characterized by anomalously warm western TIO and anomalously cold southeastern TIO, is usually stronger than its negative phase, namely a positively skewed IOD. Here, we investigate causes for the IOD asymmetry using a prototype IOD model, of which physical processes include both linear and nonlinear feedback processes, El Nino’s asymmetric impact, and a state-dependent noise. Parameters for the model were empirically obtained using various reanalysis SST data sets. The results reveal that the leading cause of IOD asymmetry without accounting seasonality is a local nonlinear process, and secondly the state-dependent noise, the direct effect by the positively skewed ENSO and its nonlinear teleconnection; the latter two have almost equal contribution. However, the contributions by each process are season dependent. For boreal summer, both local nonlinear feedback process and the state-dependent noise are major drivers of IOD asymmetry with negligible contribution from ENSO. The ENSO impacts become important in boreal fall, along with the other two processes. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2018R1A5A1024958)

This study investigated the antioxidant activities of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extract (SQE), p-coumaric acid (PCA) and myricetin (MY), and their effects on the in vitro maturation and developmental ability of porcine oocytes. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) showed that 1 mg of SQE contained 3.92 μg of PCA and 0.19 μg of MY. The concentrations required to inhibit 50% of DPPH radicals were 2732.8 ppm, 38.8 mg/mL, and 0.110 mg/mL for SQE, PCA, and MY, respectively. The reducing power increased as the concentration increased, and the reducing power of MY was higher than that of PCA. The polar body extrusion rate was highest upon treatment with 1250 ppm SQE and 10 μM MY. The reactive oxygen species and glutathione levels were significantly decreased and increased, respectively. In a normal or peroxidative environment, the embryo development rate upon parthenogenetic activation was increased, and the total cell number, apoptosis rate, and development-related gene expression were altered to enhance embryonic development. The embryo development rate and total cell number upon somatic cell nuclear transfer did not differ between the groups. These results show that the antioxidant effects of SQE and MY enhance the in vitro maturation and subsequent embryonic development.

Background and Study Aim: Gallbladder stone (GBS) is a common gastrointestinal disease that is the primary indication for cholecystectomy. The present study was conducted to describe the chemical composition of gallstones in a tertiary referral hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with GBS and who underwent cholecystectomy due to symptomatic GBS and cholecystitis in Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital were enrolled in this study. After cholecystectomy, all stone specimens were classified according to their gross findings into 4 groups, namely black pigmented stones (BLPS), brown pigmented stones (BRPS), mixed cholesterol stones, and cholesterol stones (CLS). Quantitative analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was then performed to define the stones’ chemical constituents. They were reclassified into two groups as CLS (cholesterol ≥ 60%) and pigmented stones (PGS, cholesterol ≤ 59%) based on gallstone composition analysis. Results: A total of 237 stones were divided into four groups based on their gross findings; cholesterol stones (32.0%), mixed cholesterol (29.2%), black pigmented (26.4%), and brown pigmented (12.3%). After chemical composition analysis, they were resorted into the two following groups according to their cholesterol proportions: pigmented (28.3%) and cholesterol (71.7%). There were significant statistical mean age differences between the pigmented and cholesterol stone groups (58.5±19.8 vs. 34.4±11.0, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This descriptive study showed the hospital-based clinical incidence of GBS and suggested that there might be a discrepancy in stone classification based on gross findings and chemical compositions. Moreover, pigmented stones are more likely to be present in older patients than cholesterol stones.

Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a critical regulator of oxidative stress in mammalian oocytes. Our previous study described the protective effects of Sestrin-2 (SESN2) as a stress regulator against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). However, their roles in unfolded protein response-related signaling pathways in porcine oocyte maturation capacity remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of SESN2/NRF2 signaling in H

The prevalence of obesity has been continuously increasing, especially in rural areas of South Korea. Therefore, it is important to examine various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with obesity in these rural areas. The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity commenced a community-based prospective cohort study of the Gangwon area called the Gangwon Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (GOMS) study to investigate longitudinal changes in the status of obesity and its related factors.A total of 317 adults 40-69 years of age were recruited from Hongcheon and Inje districts, Gangwon province, as part of the first wave of this cohort study. Information on participants' demographic, behavioral, psychological, dietary, and environmental factors and past medical histories were collected by self-administered questionnaires and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements, blood tests, and a hand grip strength test were performed, and skin keratin and stool samples were collected. Among the 317 enrolled subjects, two participants who did not have anthropometric data were excluded from the data analyses, resulting in an inclusion of a total of 315 participants.The mean age of the 315 participants in the GOMS initial baseline survey was 58.5 years old, 87 of them were men, and the mean body mass index was 24.7±3.7 kg/mThe first baseline survey of the GOMS study was initiated, and a more detailed analysis of respondents' data is expected to be continued. Further follow-up and additional recruitment will allow the investigation of risk factors and the etiology of obesity and its comorbidities in rural areas of Gangwon province.

Ocean biogeochemistry plays a crucial role in sustaining the marine ecosystem and global carbon cycle. To investigate the oceanic biogeochemical responses to iron parameters in the tropical Pacific, we conducted sensitivity experiments using the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean–Tracers of Ocean Phytoplankton with Allometric Zooplankton (NEMO-TOPAZ) model. Compared to observations, the NEMO-TOPAZ model overestimated the concentrations of chlorophyll and dissolved iron (DFe). The sensitivity tests showed that with increasing (+50%) iron scavenging rates, chlorophyll concentrations in the tropical Pacific were reduced by approximately 16%. The bias in DFe also decreased by approximately 7%; however, the sea surface temperature was not affected. As such, these results can facilitate the development of the model tuning strategy to improve ocean biogeochemical performance using the NEMOTOPAZ model.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening neurologic emergency associated with the use of dopamine receptor-antagonist properties or the rapid withdrawal of dopaminergic medications. NMS is characterized by refractory hyperpyrexia, altered mental state, dysautonomia, and rigor. If hyperpyrexia persists, it can result in multiorgan failure. Herein, we report a case of NMS occurring after metoclopramide administration in a patient with pontine hemorrhage, which was successfully treated with targeted temperature management using a surface cooling device.

Lignan schisandrol A (SolA) is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the impact of SolA on obesity is poorly understood. To test the hypothesis that SolA has anti-obesity effects, C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet with or without SolA (0.006%, w/w) for 16 weeks. SolA decreased visceral fat mass (10%) by increasing energy expenditure and upregulating white adipose tissue thermogenic genes mRNA expression. Furthermore, SolA upregulated adipose Lpl mRNA expression and decreased plasma free fatty acid (FFA), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein (apo) B, aspartate aminotransferase levels and TG/HDL-cholesterol and apoB/apoA1 ratios as well as hepatic lipid droplets. Increased hepatic β-oxidation and fecal FFA and TG levels were observed in the SolA-supplemented mice, suggesting an association of its lipid-lowering effect with increased hepatic β-oxidation, fecal fat excretion and adipose Lpl. Conclusionally, this study provides evidence on the protective effects of SolA against adiposity, dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese mice.

The declining fertility rate and an aging population have accelerated the number of single-person households and nuclear families, and the number of households raising pets has naturally increased. However, pet owners experience great sorrow and trauma due to the death of their pets. The stronger the attachment to pets, the more severe the separation pain caused by pet loss. The purpose of this study was to analyze the moderating effect of a cognitive emotion regulation strategy mediated through separation pain on the relationship between attachment and post-traumatic growth after pet loss among owners. The study participants were 303 owners who have experienced pet loss. We analyzed the mediated moderating effects by PROCESS macro. The results showed that the adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy strengthened the effect of attachment to pets on post-traumatic growth and decreased the effect on separation pain. Conversely, the maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy weakened the effect of attachment to pets on post-traumatic growth and strengthened the effect on separation pain. The act of intentionally expanding the perspective on pet loss experience, switching into a more positive focus, and accepting reality will reduce the grief of its companions and become an opportunity for growth.

Eosinophilic inflammation is a hallmark of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and considered a major therapeutic target. Autophagy deficiency in myeloid cells plays a causal role in eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) via macrophage IL-1β overproduction, thereby suggesting autophagy regulation as a potential therapeutic modality. Trehalose is a disaccharide sugar with known pro-autophagy activity and effective in alleviating diverse inflammatory diseases. We sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of autophagy-enhancing agent, trehalose, or related sugar compounds, and the underlying mechanism focusing on macrophage IL-1β production in ECRS pathogenesis.We investigated the therapeutic effects of trehalose and saccharin on macrophage IL-1β production and eosinophilia in the mouse model of ECRS with myeloid cell-specific autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7) deletion. The mechanisms underlying their anti-inflammatory effects were assessed using specific inhibitor, genetic knockdown or knockout, and overexpression of cognate receptors.Unexpectedly, trehalose significantly attenuated eosinophilia and disease pathogenesis in ECRS mice caused by autophagy deficiency in myeloid cells. This autophagy-independent effect was associated with reduced macrophage IL-1β expression. Various sugars recapitulated the anti-inflammatory effect of trehalose, and saccharin was particularly effective amongst other sugars. The mechanistic study revealed an involvement of sweet taste receptor (STR), especially T1R3, in alleviating macrophage IL-1β production and eosinophilia in CRS, which was supported by genetic depletion of T1R3 or overexpression of T1R2/T1R3 in macrophages and treatment with the T1R3 antagonist gurmarin.Our results revealed a previously unappreciated anti-inflammatory effect of STR agonists, particularly trehalose and saccharin, and may provide an alternative strategy to autophagy modulation in the ECRS treatment.

The present study investigated whether protodioscin (PD), a steroidal saponin mainly found in rhizome of Dioscorea species, alleviates oxidative stress-induced damage of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation.Oocytes were treated with different concentrations of PD (0, 1, 10, 100, and 200 μM) in the presence of 200 μM H2O2 during in vitro maturation. Following maturation, spindle morphology and MAPK activity was assessed along with ROS level, GSH activity, and mRNA expression of endogenous antioxidant genes at the MII stage. On the day 7 after parthenogenetic activation, blastocyst formation rate was calculated and the quality of embryo and mRNA expression of development-related genes was evaluated.Developmental competence was significantly poorer in the 0 μM PD-treated (control) group than in the non-treated (normal) and 10 μM PD-treated (10PD) groups. Although the reactive oxygen species level did not significantly differ between these three groups, the glutathione level and mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (SOD1, SOD2, Nrf2, and HO-1) were significantly higher in the normal and 10PD groups than in the control group. In addition, the percentage of oocytes with defective spindle and abnormal chromosomal alignment was significantly lower and the ratio of phosphorylated p44/42 to total p44/42 was significantly higher in the normal and 10PD groups than in the control group. The total cell number per blastocyst was significantly higher in the 10PD group than in the control group. The percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts was highest in the control group; however, the difference was not significant. mRNA expression of development-related genes (POU5F1, CDX2, and NANOG) was consistently increased by addition of PD.PD effectively improves the developmental competence and quality of blastocysts by protecting porcine oocytes against oxidative stress.

We investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and mortality among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Korea.We analyzed 3876 individuals aged ≥ 20 years who were confirmed with COVID-19 from January 1 to June 4, 2020 based on the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-COVID-19 database and had undergone health examination by NHIS between 2015 and 2017. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed.Of total participants, the prevalence of MetS was 21.0% (n = 815). During 58.6 days of mean follow-up, 3.1 % (n = 120) of the participants died. Compared to individuals without MetS, COVID-19 patients with MetS had a significantly increased mortality risk after adjusting for confounders in total participants (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.68, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-2.47) and women (HR: 2.41, 95 % CI: 1.17-4.96). A low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in total participants (HR: 1.63, 95 % CI: 1.12-2.37) and hyperglycemia in women (HR: 1.97, 95 % CI: 1.01-3.84) was associated with higher mortality risk. The mortality risk increased as the number of MetS components increased among total participants and women (P for trend = 0.009 and 0.016, respectively). In addition, MetS groups had higher mortality risk in aged ≥ 60 years (HR: 1.60, 95 % CI: 1.07-2.39), and never-smokers (2.08, 1.21-3.59).The presence of MetS and greater number of its components were associated with increased mortality risks particularly in female patients with COVID-19. Managing MetS may contribute to better outcomes of COVID-19.

This study investigated the effect of the antioxidant dieckol, a component of Ecklonia cava, on maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes exposed to oxidative stress in vitro. Oocytes were matured in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium containing various concentrations of dieckol. The blastocyst formation rate was highest in the 0.5 μM dieckol-treated (0.5 DEK) group. The reactive oxygen species level was decreased, and the level of glutathione and expression of antioxidant genes (NFE2L, SOD1, and SOD2) at metaphase II were increased in the 0.5 DEK group. Abnormal spindle organization and chromosome misalignment were prevented in the 0.5 DEK group. Expression of maternal markers (CCNB1 and MOS) and activity of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase were increased in the 0.5 DEK group. After parthenogenetic activation, the total number of cells per blastocyst was increased and the percentage of apoptotic cells was decreased in the 0.5 DEK group. Expression of development-related genes (CX45, CDX2, POU5F1, and NANOG), antiapoptotic genes (BCL2L1 and BIRC5), and a proapoptotic gene (CASP3) were altered in the 0.5 DEK group. These results indicate that the antioxidant dieckol improves IVM and subsequent development of porcine oocytes and can be used to improve the quality of oocytes under peroxidation experimental conditions.

In flowering plants, double fertilization between male and female gametophytes, which are separated by distance, largely depends on the unique pattern of the male gametophyte (pollen): two non-motile sperm cells suspended within a tube-producing vegetative cell. A morphological screen to elucidate the genetic control governing the strategic patterning of pollen has led to the isolation of a sticky generative cell (sgc) mutant that dehisces abnormal pollen with the generative cell immobilized at the pollen wall. Analyses revealed that the sgc mutation is specifically detrimental to pollen development, causing ectopic callose deposition that impedes the timely internalization and differentiation of the generative cell. We found that the SGC gene encodes the highly conserved domain of unknown function 707 (DUF707) gene that is broadly expressed but is germline specific during pollen development. Additionally, transgenic plants co-expressing fluorescently fused SGC protein and known organelle markers showed that SGC localizes in the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and vacuoles in pollen. A yeast two-hybrid screen with an SGC bait identified a thaumatin-like protein that we named GCTLP1, some homologs of which bind and/or digest β-1,3-glucans, the main constituent of callose. GCTLP1 is expressed in a germline-specific manner and colocalizes with SGC during pollen development, indicating that GCTLP1 is a putative SGC interactor. Collectively, our results show that SGC suppresses callose deposition in the nascent generative cell, thereby allowing the generative cell to fully internalize into the vegetative cell and correctly differentiate as the germline progenitor, with the potential involvement of the GCTLP1 protein, during pollen development in Arabidopsis.

Mdivi-1 (Md-1) is a well-known inhibitor of mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. The mitochondrial superoxide scavenger Mito-TEMPO (MT) exerts positive effects on the developmental competence of pig embryos. This study aimed to explore the adverse effects of Md-1 on developmental capacity in porcine embryos and the protective effects of MT against Md-1-induced injury.We exposed porcine embryos to Md-1 (10 and 50 μM) for 2 days after in vitro fertilization (IVF). MT (0.1 μM) treatment was applied for 4 days after exposing embryos to Md-1. We assessed blastocyst development, DNA damage, mitochondrial superoxide production, and mitochondrial distribution using TUNEL assay, Mito-SOX, and Mito-tracker, respectively. Subsequently, the expression of PINK1, DRP1, and p-DRP1Ser616 was evaluated via immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis.Md-1 compromised the developmental competence of blastocysts. Apoptosis and mitochondrial superoxide production were significantly upregulated in 50 μM Md-1-treated embryos, accompanied by a downregulation of p-DRP1Ser616, PINK1, and LC3B levels and lower mitophagy activity at the blastocyst stage. We confirmed the protective effects of MT against the detrimental effect of Md-1 on blastocyst developmental competence, mitochondrial fission, and DRP1/PINK1-mediated mitophagy activation. Eventually, MT recovered DRP1/PINK1-mediated mitophagy and mitochondrial fission by inhibiting superoxide production in Md-1-treated embryos.MT protects against detrimental effects of Md-1 on porcine embryos by suppressing superoxide production. These findings expand available scientific knowledge on improving outcomes of IVF.

Objectives : Bone char is used in many eastern countries in Africa to remove high levels of fluoride from groundwater. However, due to the low adsorption efficiency of bone char, it is necessary to replace bone char frequently, which cause significant burden to the people in those areas. In this study, we developed a water treatment system to remove high level of fluoride in groundwater using a high efficiency bone char.Methods : In order to make a high efficiency bone char, cow bones were washed, dried and cut into small pieces. Then the bones were burned for 1, 3 and 5 hours at 350, 450 and 550℃ in electric furnaces. After that, the burned bones were sieved with 600~2,000 µm to match the size of bone char being used in Ethiopia. Surface analysis of bone char was performed using SEM and BET. The removal efficiency of bone char was conducted with various level of turbidity, TOC, and fluoride concentration for 90 minutes under the flow rate conditions of 100, 200, 300, and 400 L/day with an initial fluoride concentration of 4.8 mg/L.Result and Discussion : There was a significant difference between the bone char from Ethiopia and our study in terms of their surface roughness and specific surface area according to SEM and BET analysis. The adsorption capacity of the bone char produced in this study was 3.7 mg F/g, compared to 1 mg/L from the one from Ethiopia. In terms of turbidity and organic matter removal with column test, 200 L/d showed the shortest operating time to reach turbidity of less than 0.5 NTU, and was an effective operation for TOC removal. However, It took the longest to 1.5 mg/L of fluoride after breakthrough under 100 L/d operating conditions. In terms of operating time, bed volume, and energy efficiency, 100 L/d was found to be an effective operating condition.Conclusions : We developed a high efficiency bone char in this study with modification of its production process and tested it at various operating conditions. Our study showed that the bone char developed in this study is about 4 times more effective than traditional bone char and it is most effective at operation with low flow rates. Column operation is most effective at 100 L/d for fluoride removal under operating time and bed volume and energy efficiency. Therefore operating condition of drinking water treatment system for the fluorine removal using bone char in developing countries is effective in low flow rate operation.

SummaryOur previous studies have already revealed that β-cryptoxanthin (BCX), hesperetin (HES), and icariin (ICA) antioxidants are effective for in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. In this study, we investigated which of BCX, HES, or ICA was more effective for IVM of porcine oocytes. The antioxidant properties were assessed with aged porcine oocytes and embryos by comparing 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power, and H2O2 scavenging activity assays. The chemical assay results demonstrated that BCX had a greater DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power than HES and ICA, compared with controls. However, the H2O2 scavenging activity of the antioxidants was similar when tested at the optimal concentrations of 1 μM BCX (BCX-1), 100 μM HES (HES-100), and 5 μM ICA (ICA-5). The biological assay results showed that BCX-1 treatment was more effective in inducing a significant reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS), improving glutathione levels, and increasing the expression of antioxidant genes. In addition, BCX-1 inhibited apoptosis by increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes and decreasing pro-apoptotic genes in porcine parthenogenetic blastocysts. BCX-1 also significantly increased the blastocyst formation rate compared with the ageing control group, HES-100 and ICA-5. This study demonstrates that damage from ROS produced during oocyte ageing can be prevented by supplementing antioxidants into the IVM medium, and BCX may be a potential candidate to improve assisted reproductive technologies.