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Biochar is considered a promising biosorbent for harmful organic pollutants in aqueous media. However, only a limited number of biochars derived from industrial sludges have been utilized due to their problematic high ash content and heavy metal leaching. In this study, a highly effective biochar was prepared as a superabsorbent for ciprofloxacin (CIP) from chemical manufacturing plant sludge via K 2 CO 3 -activated pyrolysis, and its CIP removal behavior was evaluated. Unlike sewage sludge, chemical manufacturing plant sludge contains low SiO 2 , resulting in an ultra-pure carbon (95.4%) based biochar with almost negligible ash content. As the pyrolysis temperature increased from 400 to 800 °C, the ordered graphitic carbon structure transformed into an amorphous carbon phase, and most oxygen-containing groups disappeared. However, the pore size significantly decreased to ∼4.5 nm due to the corrosive carbon volatilization caused by K 2 CO 3 , resulting in an extremely large surface area of 2331.8 m 2 /g. Based on its large surface area and porous carbon structure, the activated biochar at 800 °C (CAB-800) exhibited an outstanding CIP adsorption capacity of 555.56 mg/g. The CIP adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies were systematically investigated. The CIP adsorption on CAB-800 was mainly attributed to π-π interactions and hydrogen bond formation, with electrostatic interactions partially contributing to the adsorption reaction. From pH 2 to 12, CAB-800 showed an excellent CIP adsorption capacity of over 316.7 mg/g, with adsorption favored under acidic conditions. Except for HCO 3 - , the presence of anions and humic acids did not significantly affect CIP adsorption capacity. These results demonstrate that biochar produced from chemical manufacturing industry sludge via K 3 2- activation is a highly feasible material for the removal of CIP from aqueous media.2 CO 3 activation is a highly feasible material for the removal of CIP from aqueous media., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are transcription factors involved in immune responses, such as pathogen response regulation, immune cell growth, and differentiation. IRFs are necessary for the synthesis of type I interferons through a signaling cascade when pathogen recognition receptors identify viral DNA or RNA. We discovered that irf3 is expressed in the early embryonic stages and in all immune organs of adult zebrafish. We demonstrated the antiviral immune mechanism of Irf3 against viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout zebrafish (irf3-KO). In this study, we used a truncated Irf3 protein, encoded by irf3 with a 10 bp deletion, for further investigation. Upon VHSV injection, irf3-KO zebrafish showed dose-dependent high and early mortality compared with zebrafish with the wild-type Irf3 protein (WT), confirming the antiviral activity of Irf3. Based on the results of expression analysis of downstream genes upon VHSV challenge, we inferred that Irf3 deficiency substantially affects the expression of ifnphi1 and ifnphi2. However, after 5 days post infection (dpi), ifnphi3 expression was not significantly altered in irf3-KO compared to that in WT, and irf7 transcription showed a considerable increase in irf3-KO after 5 dpi, indicating irf7's control over ifnphi3 expression. The significantly reduced expression of isg15, viperin, mxa, and mxb at 3 dpi also supported the effect of Irf3 deficiency on the antiviral activity in the early stage of infection. The higher mortality in irf3-KO zebrafish than in WT might be due to an increased inflammation and tissue damage that occurs in irf3-KO because of delayed immune response. Our results suggest that Irf3 plays a role in antiviral immunity of zebrafish by modulating critical immune signaling molecules and regulating antiviral immune genes., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation is a pivotal mechanism in the development of drug resistance, conferring resilience against conventional antibiotics. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of Actinostemma lobatum ( A. lobatum ) Maxim extracts on S. aureus biofilm formation and their antihemolytic activities, with a particular focus on identifying the active antibiofilm and antihemolysis compound, quercetin. Seven solvent extracts and twelve sub-fractions were evaluated against four S. aureus strains. The ethyl acetate fraction (10 to 100 μg/mL) significantly hindered biofilm formation by both methicillin-sensitive and -resistant strains. Bioassay-guided isolation of the ethyl acetate extract identified quercetin as the major antibiofilm compound. The ethyl acetate extract was found to contain 391 μg/mg of quercetin and 30 μg/mg of kaempferol. Additionally, the A. lobatum extract exhibited antihemolytic activity attributable to the presence of quercetin. The findings suggest that quercetin-rich extracts from A. lobatum and other quercetin-rich foods and plants hold promise for inhibiting resilient S. aureus biofilm formation and attenuating its virulence.

A Gram-stain-negative, obligately aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated SJW1-29 T was isolated from brackish water samples collected from the Seomjin River, Republic of Korea. The purpose of this study was to characterize strain SJW1-29 T and determine its taxonomic position as a potential new genus within the family Spirosomaceae . The strain grew within the range of 10-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, 7.0), and 1-4% NaCl (optimum, 3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain SJW1-29 T belongs to the family Spirosomaceae and is closely related to Persicitalea jodogahamensis Shu-9-SY12-35C T (91.3% similarity), Rhabdobacter roseus R491 T (90.6%), and Arundinibacter roseus DMA-K-7a T (90.0%), while the similarities to strains within the order Cytophagales were lower than 90.0%. The genome is 7.1 Mbp with a G+C content of 50.7 mol%. The use of genome-relatedness indices confirmed that this strain belongs to a new genus. The major polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, and MK-7 was the predominant menaquinone. The predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω 7 c and/or C 16:1 ω 6 c ), iso-C 15:0 , representing more than 80% of the total fatty acids. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genetic, and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain SJW1-29 17:0 3-OH, and C 16:0 , representing more than 80% of the total fatty acids. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genetic, and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain SJW1-29 T gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Spirosomaceae , for which the name Salmonirosea aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Salmonirosea aquatica is SJW1-29 T (=KCTC 72493 T = NBRC 114061 T = FBCC-B16924 T ).

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a sight-threatening and difficult-to-treat ocular infection. The significant side effects of current AK treatments highlight the urgent need to develop a safe and effective AK medication. In this study, the amoebicidal activity of Iris setosa Pall. ex Link extract (ISE) against Acanthamoeba was examined and its specific amoebicidal mechanism was explored. ISE induced significant morphological changes in Acanthamoeba trophozoites and exhibited amoebicidal activity against A. castellanii and A. polyphaga . ISE was further fractionated into five subfractions by sequential extraction with n -hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n -butanol, and water, and their amoebicidal activities and underlying amoebicidal mechanisms were investigated. The n -butanol subfraction of ISE (ISE-BuOH) displayed selective amoebicidal activity against the Acanthamoeba species with minimal cytotoxicity in human corneal cells (HCE-2). ISE-BuOH triggered apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD) in amoebae, characterized by DNA fragmentation, increased ROS production, and caspase-3 activity elevation. ISE-BuOH also demonstrated a partial cysticidal effect against the amoeba species. ISE-BuOH could be a promising candidate in the development of therapeutic drugs for AK.

Background: We report the first finding of Bathynellacea, discovered in Mongolia. We also report a new species of the genus Altainella Camacho, 2020, which was previously recorded only in the western edge of Russia., New Information: Altainellamongoliensis sp. nov. was found in the interstitial hyporheic region of the Onon River Basin, Mongolia, by inserting a core approximately 1.2 m deep and extracting the underground interstitial water. The new species exhibited sexual dimorphism in thoracopod VII, uniquely observed within the genus Altainella . We provide a morphological description and remarks on the new species with molecular information based on the 18S rDNA and partial CO1 gene sequences. We emphasise the need for continued research on the subterranean biodiversity in previously neglected regions by reporting the first discovery of macro-stygobionts in Mongolia., (Su-Jung Ji, Ana Isabel Camacho, Chi-Woo Lee, Gi-Sik Min.)

Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extracts of Jatropha podagrica stalks and roots using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) led to the isolation of six compounds: corchoionoside C (1), isobiflorin (2), fraxin (3), hovetrichoside C (4), fraxetin (5), and corillagin (6). The isolated compounds (1-6) were tested for their cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Remarkably, compound 4 (hovetrichoside C) exhibited robust cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells, displaying an IC 50 value of 50.26 ± 1.22 μM, along with an apoptotic cell death rate of 24.21 ± 2.08% at 100 μM. Treatment involving compound 4 amplified protein levels of cleaved caspase-8, -9, -3, -7, BH3-interacting domain death agonist (Bid), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (cleaved PARP), while concurrently reducing B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels. In totality, these findings underscore that hovetrichoside C (4) possesses anti-breast cancer activity that revolves around apoptosis induction via both extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that they have no conflicting interests related to this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Microalgal growth-based tests are international standards for ecotoxicity assessment; however, their long exposure times, large sample volumes, and reliance on a single growth-endpoint make them inadequate for rapid toxicity screening. Here, we aimed to develop a rapid and simple ecotoxicological test using the fast-growing green alga Mychonastes afer, with multiple endpoints-growth, lipid content, and photosynthesis. We exposed M. afer to two metals-silver and copper-and two herbicides-atrazine and diuron-for 24 h and identified the most sensitive and reliable endpoints for each toxicant: the maximum electron transport rate (ETR max ) for Ag, Cu and atrazine, and the lipid content for diuron. Lipid content was found to be both a sensitive and reliable biomarker, meeting the effluent limit guidelines in both the Republic of Korea and the USA. The sensitivity of M. afer to Ag and atrazine also closely matched the HC 5 values derived from the species sensitivity distribution approach, confirming its reliability for setting regulatory concentrations of these contaminants. Our calculated predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values were similar to established European Union PNECs for Ag, Cu, atrazine, and diuron, underlining the utility of these biological endpoints for ecological risk assessment and regulatory decision making. This method required lower sample volume (2 mL vs 100 mL) and exposure time (24 h vs 72-120 h) than conventional green algal tests, and eliminated the need for labour-intensive cell counting, expensive equipment, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurement expertise. Overall, this M. afer test can be a valuable tool for the rapid screening of wastewater for metals and herbicides, contributing to environmental protection and management practices., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

CRISPR-Cas system is being used as a powerful genome editing tool with developments focused on enhancing its efficiency and accuracy. Recently, the miniature CRISPR-Cas12f1 system, which is small enough to be easily loaded onto various vectors for cellular delivery, has gained attention. In this study, we explored the influence of temperature conditions on multiplex genome editing using CRISPR-Cas12f1 in an Escherichia coli model. It was revealed that when two distinct targets in the genome are edited simultaneously, the editing efficiency can be enhanced by allowing cells to recover at a reduced temperature during the editing process. Additionally, employing 3'-end truncated sgRNAs facilitated the simultaneous single-nucleotide level editing of three targets. Our results underscore the potential of optimizing recovery temperature and sgRNA design protocols in developing more effective and precise strategies for multiplex genome editing across various organisms.

Wastewater is a complex, but an ideal, matrix for disease monitoring and surveillance as it represents the entire load of enteric pathogens from a local catchment area. It captures both clinical and community disease burdens. Global interest in wastewater surveillance has been growing rapidly for infectious diseases monitoring and for providing an early warning of potential outbreaks. Although molecular detection methods show high sensitivity and specificity in pathogen monitoring from wastewater, they are strongly limited by challenges, including expensive laboratory settings and prolonged sample processing and analysis. Alternatively, biosensors exhibit a wide range of practical utility in real-time monitoring of biological and chemical markers. However, field deployment of biosensors is primarily challenged by prolonged sample processing and pathogen concentration steps due to complex wastewater matrices. This review summarizes the role of wastewater surveillance and provides an overview of infectious viral and bacterial pathogens with cutting-edge technologies for their detection. It emphasizes the practical utility of biosensors in pathogen monitoring and the major bottlenecks for wastewater surveillance of pathogens, and overcoming approaches to field deployment of biosensors for real-time pathogen detection. Furthermore, the promising potential of novel machine learning algorithms to resolve uncertainties in wastewater data is discussed.

Background: The Bradybaenidae snail Karaftohelix adamsi is endemic to Korea, with the species tracked from Island Ulleung in North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea. K. adamsi has been classified under the Endangered Wildlife Class II species of Korea and poses a severe risk of extinction following habitat disturbances. With no available information at the DNA (genome) or mRNA (transcriptome) level for the species, conservation by utilizing informed molecular resources seems difficult., Objective: In this study, we used the Illumina short-read sequencing and Trinity de novo assembly to draft the reference transcriptome of K. adamsi., Results: After assembly, 13,753 unigenes were obtained of which 10,511 were annotated to public databases (a maximum of 10,165 unigenes found homologs in PANM DB). A total of 6,351, 3,535, 358, and 3,407 unigenes were ascribed to the functional categories under KOG, GO, KEGG, and IPS, respectively. The transcripts such as the HSP 70, aquaporin, TLR, and MAPK, among others, were screened as putative functional resources for adaptation. DNA transposons were found to be thickly populated in comparison to retrotransposons in the assembled unigenes. Further, 2,164 SSRs were screened with the promiscuous presence of dinucleotide repeats such as AC/GT and AG/CT., Conclusion: The transcriptome-guided discovery of molecular resources in K. adamsi will not only serve as a basis for functional genomics studies but also provide sustainable tools to be utilized for the protection of the species in the wild. Moreover, the development of polymorphic SSRs is valuable for the identification of species from newer habitats and cross-species genotyping., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to The Genetics Society of Korea.)

This study investigated the technical feasibility of using electrogermination to activate dormant cysts as an inoculum for subsequent 14-d photosynthetic astaxanthin production in Haematococcus lacustris. Electrotreatment affected the cell viability, surface charge, and morphology of H. lacustris cysts. At an optimal voltage of 2 V for 60 min, the cyst germination rate peaked at 44.6 % after 1 d, representing a 2.2-fold increase compared with that of the untreated control. Notably, electrogermination significantly enhanced both the astaxanthin content (44.9 mg/g cell) and productivity (13.2 mg/L/d) after 14 d of photobioreactor cultivation, corresponding to 1.7- and 1.5-fold increases compared with those in control, respectively. However, excessive electrotreatment, particularly at voltages exceeding 2 V or for durations beyond 60 min, did not enhance the astaxanthin production capability of H. lacustris. Proper optimization of renewable electrogermination can enable sustainable algal biorefinery to produce multiple bioactive products without compromising cell viability and astaxanthin productivity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne), belongs to the Rosaceae family, is widely distributed throughout Asia, including Republic of Korea. It is used as a traditional treatment for asthma, common cold, and dry pharynx. Numerous recent pharmacological studies on antiinfluenza, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties have confirmed the medicinal properties of the Chinese quince fruit (Chun et al., 2012). In March 2022, leaf spots on Chinese quince, resulting in defoliation, were observed in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Korea (Fig. 1A). The disease symptoms are dark brown spots on leaves. Later, the chlorophyll is lost, causing the entire leaf to become wilted and fell off (Fig. 1B). To identify the pathogen, symptomatic leaves were brought to the laboratory, cut into small pieces, and surface-disinfected in 70% ethanol for 15 s and rinsed with sterile distilled water (SDW). The specimens were then treated with 1% NaOCl for 15 s, followed by rinsing with SDW. Thus, surface-disinfected tissues were placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25°C for 7 d. A total of four isolates were obtained from the infected leaves. The colonies were transferred onto freshly prepared PDA plates by the single spore method for further purification. GYUN-10746 isolate was selected as the representative strain among the four isolates and deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC 410367). They initially produced white mycelia, which turned dark brown or pale brown at the center and beige at the periphery after 7 d (Fig. 1C and D). Conidiophores were pyriform, sometimes ovoid, or ellipsoidal and brown, measuring 30.8 ± 0.49 × 12.9 ± 0.26 µm (length × width) (n=100) (Fig. 1E). The morphological characteristics were consistent with those of Alternaria alternata (Woudenberg et al. 2015). For molecular identification, DNA was amplified using the following primers: ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF1-728F/EF1-986R (Carbone et al. 1999), Gpd-R/Gpd-F (Berbee et al. 1999), Alt a1-F/Alt a1-R (Hong et al. 2005) and rpb2F/rpb2R (Liu et al. 1999) by PCR. DNA sequences from all 4 isolates (GYUN-10746, GYUN-11193, GYUN-11194 and GYUN-11195) were identical. The ITS (OP594615), TEF1-α (OR327062), GAPDH (OR372157), Alt a 1 (OR327061), and RPB2 (OR352741) sequences from the representative isolate GYUN-10746 were 100% identical to those of previously identified A. alternate isolates. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using sequences of ITS, TEF1-α, GAPDH, Alt a l, and RPB2 to illustrate their relationship with A. alternata and related Alternaria species (Fig. 2). For the pathogenicity test, healthy Chinese quince branch containing leaves were inoculated with 7-day-old mycelial plugs of A. alternata, while leaves on a branch inoculated with PDA plugs alone served as a control group. Thus inoculated branches were incubated at 25°C for 7 d. Disease symptoms were developed on leaves of the branches inoculated with mycelial plugs of the fungal pathogen (Fig. 1F), while no symptoms developed on control group. The resulting leaf spots resembled those on the original infected plants. To confirm Koch's postulates, the pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated leaves with identical morphological and molecular characteristics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by A. alternata in C. sinensis in Korea. The identification of the pathogen may provide pertinent information for the development of disease controlling strategies.

Objective: The objective was to investigate growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, immune cell distribution, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile, and microbiota in broiler chickens fed a diet containing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ15., Methods: A total of 120-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were allocated to 2 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. A control group was fed a corn-soybean meal control diet, and an NSMJ15-supplemented group was fed a control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg L. paracasei NSMJ15 at the expense of cornstarch. Each dietary treatment had 6 replicates with 10 birds per cage. Growth performance was recorded on day 9. On day 10, one bird representing median body weight was selected to collect serum for antioxidant enzyme activity, jejunal tissue for immune cell isolation and morphometric analysis, and cecal digesta for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and SCFA analysis., Results: Supplementation of L. paracasei NSMJ15 did not affect growth performance, serum antioxidant enzyme activity, and jejunal histomorphology compared to the control group. In the NSMJ15-supplemented group, the population of CD3+CD4+CD8- T cells increased (p=0.010), while the population of CD3+CD8+TCRγδ+ T cells decreased (p=0.022) compared to the control group. The L. paracasei NSMJ15 supplementation decreased (p=0.022) acetate concentration in the cecal digesta compared to the control group. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that NSMJ15-supplemented group differentially expressed (p<0.05) 10 more amplicon sequence variants compared to control group without affecting alpha and beta diversity indices of the cecal microbiota. Genera Mediterraneibacter and Negativibacillus were positively (p<0.05) correlated with CD4+ T cells, while genera Gemmiger, Coprococcus, Sellimonas, Massilimicrobiota, and Blautia were negatively (p<0.05) correlated with SCFA concentration., Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest dietary L. paracasei NSMJ15 supplementation may increase percentage of CD4+ T cells and decrease acetate concentration in broiler chickens by increasing the differential expression of specific microbial genera.

Dermacoccus barathri is the first reported pathogen within the Dermacoccus genus to cause a catheter-related bloodstream infection, which occurred in 2015. In this study, the complete genome assembly of Dermacoccus barathri was constructed, and the complete genome of Dermacoccus barathri FBCC-B549 consists of a single chromosome (3,137,745 bp) without plasmids. The constructed genome of D. barathri was compared with those of two closely related species within the Dermacoccus genus. D. barathri exhibited a pattern similar to Dermacoccus abyssi in terms of gene clusters and synteny analysis. Contrary to previous studies, biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) analysis for predicting secondary metabolites revealed the presence of the LAP biosynthesis pathway in the complete genome of D. barathri , predicting the potential synthesis of the secondary metabolite plantazolicin. Furthermore, an analysis to investigate the potential pathogenicity of D. barathri did not reveal any antibiotic resistance genes; however, nine virulence factors were identified in the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). According to these matching results in the VFDB, despite identifying a few factors involved in biofilm formation, further research is required to determine the actual impact of D. barathri on pathogenicity. The complete genome of D. barathri is expected to serve as a valuable resource for future studies on D. barathri , which currently lack sufficient genomic sequence information.

This study is the first report to characterize the Rhodus uyekii genome and study the development of microsatellite markers and their markers applied to the genetic structure of the wild population. Genome assembly was based on PacBio HiFi and Illumina HiSeq paired-end sequencing, resulting in a draft genome assembly of R. uyekii . The draft genome was assembled into 2652 contigs. The integrity assessment of the assemblies indicates that the quality of the draft assemblies is high, with 3259 complete BUSCOs (97.2%) in the database of Verbrata. A total of 31,166 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated in the protein database. The phylogenetic tree showed that R. uyekii is a close but distinct relative of Onychostoma macrolepis . Among the 10 fish genomes, there were significant gene family expansions (8-2387) and contractions (16-2886). The average number of alleles amplified by the 21 polymorphic markers ranged from 6 to 23, and the average PIC value was 0.753, which will be useful for evolutionary and genetic analysis. Using population genetic analysis, we analyzed genetic diversity and the genetic structures of 120 individuals from 6 populations. The average number of alleles per population ranged from 7.6 to 9.9, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.496 to 0.642, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.587 to 0.783. Discriminant analysis of principal components According to the analysis method, the population was divided into three populations (BS vs. DC vs. GG, GC, MS, DC). In conclusion, our study provides a useful resource for comparative genomics, phylogeny, and future population studies of R. uyekii .

Plants have evolved to establish insect herbivory defences by modulating their metabolism, growth, and development. Precise networks of phytohormones are essential to induce those herbivory defences. Gaseous phytohormone ET plays an important role in forming herbivory defences. Its role in insect herbivory is not fully understood, but previous studies have shown that it can both positively and negatively regulate herbivory. This review presents recent findings on crosstalk between ET and other phytohormones in herbivory responses. Additionally, the use of exogenous ETH treatment to induce ET in response to herbivory is discussed.

Obesity is spawned by an inequality between the portion of energy consumed and the quantity of energy expended. Disease entities such as cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and cancer, which are correlated with obesity, influence society and the economy. Suppression of adipogenesis, the process of white adipocyte generation, remains a promising approach for treating obesity. Oil Red O staining was used to differentiate 3T3-L1 cells for screening 20 distinct Lactobacillus species. Among these, Lactobacillus acidophilus DS0079, referred to as YBS1, was selected for further study. YBS1 therapy decreased 3T3-L1 cell development. Triglyceride accumulation and mRNA expression of the primary adipogenic marker, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), including its downstream target genes, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 4 and adiponectin, were almost eliminated. YBS1 inhibited adipocyte differentiation at the early stage (days 0-2), but no significant difference was noted between the mid-stage (days 2-4) and late-stage (days 4-6) development. YBS1 stimulated the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) during the early stages of adipogenesis; however, this effect was eliminated by the SB203580 inhibitor. The data showed that YBS1 administration inhibited the initial development of adipocytes via stimulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, which in turn controlled PPARγ expression. In summary, YBS1 has potential efficacy as an anti-obesity supplement and requires further exploration.

Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis is a perennial monocot plant that is well known for its pharmaceutical and ornamental uses. This study aimed to understand the changes in the primary and secondary metabolites in different in vitro tissues of N. tazetta (callus, adventitious root, and shoot) using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In addition, to optimize the most efficient in vitro culture methods for primary and secondary metabolite production, N. tazetta bulbs were used as explants and cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different hormones at various concentrations. In addition, the present study found suitable hormonal concentrations for callus, adventitious root, and shoot induction and analyzed the primary and secondary metabolites. The MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L -1 dicamba, 3.0 mg L -1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and 3.0 mg L -1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was the most efficient media for callus, adventitious root, and shoot induction in N. tazetta . The tissue induced in this medium was subjected to primary (amines, amino acids, organic acids, sugars, and sugar alcohols) and secondary metabolite (galantamine and phenolic acids) analysis. The shoots and roots showed the highest amounts of metabolites. This study showed that bulb in vitro culture can be an efficient micropropagation method for N. tazetta and the production of primary and secondary metabolites, offering implications for the mass production of primary and secondary metabolite compounds from N. tazetta tissues generated in vitro., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The huge diversity of secondary bioactive metabolites, such as antibiotic and anticancer compounds produced by Micromonospora sp., makes it an attractive target for study. Here, we explored the anti-proliferative activities of Micromonospora sp. M2 extract (MBE) in relation to its pro-oxidative activities in A549 and MCF7 cell lines. Anti-proliferative effects were assessed by treating cells with MBE. We found that treatment with MBE decreased cell proliferation and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species, and that these observations were facilitated by the suppression of the PI3K-AKT pathway, alterations to the Bcl/Bad ratio, and increased caspase activity. These observations also demonstrated that MBE induced apoptotic cell death in cell lines. In addition, the phosphorylation of P38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were upregulated following MBE treatment in both cell lines. Collectively, these results indicate that MBE acts as an anticancer agent via oxidative stress and JNK/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation, enhancing apoptotic cell death in cell lines., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.)

Introduction: The white-spotted flower chafer ( Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis ), which is widely distributed in Asian countries, is traditionally used in oriental medicine. However, its larvae are prone to severe damage by green muscardine disease (caused by Metarhizium anisopliae ) during breeding. The aim of this study was to characterize Bacillus velezensis TJS119, which has been isolated from freshwater, and investigate its potential as a biocontrol agent against M. anisopliae in insects., Methods: TJS119 was obtained from freshwater samples in the Republic of Korea and was classified as B. velezensis . We evaluated its in vitro antifungal effect, sequenced the bacterial whole genome, mined genes responsible for the synthesis of secondary metabolites, performed secondary metabolite analysis Ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and conducted bioassays for determining green muscardine disease control ability., Results: Bacillus velezensis TJS119 inhibited the mycelial growth of M . anisopliae in vitro . The size of the B. velezensis TJS119 genome was estimated to be 3,890,913 bp with a GC content of 46.67% and 3,750 coding sequences. Biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites with antifungal activity were identified in the genome. Lipopeptides, including fengycin secreted by TJS119 exhibit antifungal activity. Application of TJS119 for the biocontrol against green muscardine disease increased the viability of white-spotted flower chafer by 94.7% compared to the control., Discussion: These results indicate that B. velezensis TJS119 is a potential biocontrol agent for insect pathogens., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Han, Nam, Hwang, Kim, Jung, Kim and Lee.)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung condition characterized by the abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we investigated the potential of rutin, a natural flavonoid, in attenuating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced ECM regulation and EMT through the inhibition of the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI)-mediated suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling pathway. We found that non-toxic concentrations of rutin attenuated TGF-β-induced ECM-related genes, including fibronectin, elastin, collagen 1 type 1, and TGF-β, as well as myoblast differentiation from MRC-5 lung fibroblast cells accompanied by the downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin. Rutin also inhibited TGF-β-induced EMT processes, such as wound healing, migration, and invasion by regulating EMT-related gene expression. Additionally, rutin attenuated bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice, thus providing a potential therapeutic option for IPF. The molecular docking analyses in this study predict that rutin occludes the active site of TβRI and inhibits SMAD-mediated fibrotic signaling pathways in lung fibrosis. These findings highlight the potential of rutin as a promising anti-fibrotic prodrug for lung fibrosis and other TGF-β-induced fibrotic and cancer-related diseases; however, further studies are required to validate its safety and effectiveness in other experimental models., (© 2023 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

The biochemical properties of 2,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHP) have not been extensively studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether DHP could alleviate inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and endotoxemia. The results indicated that DHP effectively reduced mortality and morphological abnormalities, restored heart rate, and mitigated macrophage and neutrophil recruitment to inflammatory sites in LPS-microinjected zebrafish larvae. Additionally, the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-12 (IL-12), was significantly reduced in the presence of DHP. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, DHP inhibited the LPS-induced inflammatory response by downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators and decreasing the expression of myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), phosphorylation of IL-1 receptor-associated protein kinase-4 (p-IRAK4), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that DHP occupies the hydrophobic pocket of myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) and blocks the dimerization of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). A molecular dynamics simulation confirmed that DHP stably bound to the hydrophobic pocket of MD2. Furthermore, the DHP treatment inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production during the LPS-induced inflammatory response in both RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish larvae, which was accompanied by stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, our study highlights the therapeutic potential of DHP in alleviating LPS-induced inflammation and endotoxemia. The findings suggest that DHP exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the TLR4/MD2 signaling pathway and reducing the level of mtROS production. These results contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical properties of DHP and support its further exploration as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory conditions and endotoxemia., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 American Chemical Society.)

Background: The pursuit for safe and efficacious skin-whitening agents has prompted a dedicated exploration of plant-derived compounds. Notably, Tagetes erecta L. flowers have been used as a medicinal extract and possessed in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity. However, whether polyphenol-enriched fraction extracted from T. erecta L. flowers (TE) regulates melanogenesis within cellular and animal models has not yet been investigated., Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of TE as a prospective inhibitor of melanogenesis., Methods: Through advanced UPLC-QTof/MS analysis, the components of TE were analyzed. Anti-melanogenic effects of TE were evaluated in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells by measuring cell viability assay, extracellular and intracellular melanin biosynthesis, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, and melanogenesis-related gene and protein expression. Zebrafish larvae were employed for in vivo studies, assessing both heart rate and melanogenesis. Furthermore, molecular docking analyses were employed to predict the interaction between TE components and the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Direct binding activity of TE components to MC1R was compared with [Nle 4 , d-Phe 7 ]-MSH (NDP-MSH)., Results: TE was found to contain significant phenolic compounds such as patulitrin, quercetagetin, kaempferol, patuletin, and isorhamnetin. This study revealed that TE effectively inhibits melanin biosynthesis in both in vitro and in vivo models. This inhibition was attributed to interference of TE with the cAMP-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-tyrosinase pathway, which plays a pivotal role in regulating melanogenesis. Importantly, TE exhibited the remarkable ability to curtail α-MSH-induced melanogenesis in zebrafish larvae without impacting heart rates. Molecular docking analyses predicted that the components of TE possibly interact with the melanocortin 1 receptor, suggesting their role as potential inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis. However, through the direct binding activity compared with NDP-MSH, any TE components did not directly bind to MC1R, suggesting that TE inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis by inhibiting the cAMP-mediated intracellular signaling pathway. The assessment of anti-melanogenic activity, conducted both in vitro and in vivo, revealed that patulitrin and patuletin exhibited significant inhibitory effects on melanin formation, highlighting their potency as major contributors., Discussion: This investigation demonstrated the considerable potential of TE as a natural remedy endowed with remarkable anti-melanogenic properties. The demonstrated capacity of TE to attenuate melanin production by modulating the cAMP-CREB-MITF-tyrosinase pathway underscores its central role in management of disorders associated with excessive pigmentation. Importantly, the implications of these findings extend to the cosmetics industry, where TE emerges as a prospective and valuable ingredient for the formulation of skin-whitening products. The elucidated interactions between TE components and MC1R not only provide insight into a potential mechanism of action but also elevate the significance of this study. In summary, this study not only contributes to our comprehension of pigmentation-related conditions but also firmly establishes TE as a secure and natural strategy for the regulation of melanin production. The innovative aspects of TE propel it into the forefront of potential interventions, marking a noteworthy advancement in the pursuit of effective and safe solutions for pigmentation disorders., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Plants are treasure trove of novel compounds that have potential for antifungal chemicals and drugs. In our previous study, we had screened plant extracts obtained from more than eight hundred plant materials collected in Korea, and found that butanol fraction of the Actinostemma lobatum were most potent in suppressing growth of diverse fungal pathogens of plants. Here in this study, we describe further analysis of the butanol fraction, and summarize the results of subsequent antifungal activity test for the sub-fractions against a selected set of plant pathogenic fungi. This line of analyses allowed us to identify the sub-fractions that could account for a significant proportion of observed antifungal activity of initial butanol fraction from A. lobatum. Further analysis of these sub-fractions and determination of structure would provide the shortlist for novel compounds that can be a lead to new agrochemicals.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, oxidase-positive, weakly catalase-positive, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped bacterium designated as strain S2-9 T was isolated from sediment sampled in Wiyang pond, Republic of Korea. Growth of this strain was observed at 10-40 °C (optimum, 35 °C) and pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0-0.5 % NaCl in Reasoner's 2A broth. The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain S2-9 T were C 16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising a mixture of C 16 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 6 c ). Ubiquinone-8 was detected as the respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Strain S2-9 T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Paucibacter oligotrophus ' CR182 (98.4 %), all type strains of T (98.7 %), followed by ' Paucibacter aquatile ' CR182 (98.4 %), all type strains of Pelomonas species (98.1-98.3 %), Mitsuaria chitosanitabida NBRC 102408 T (97.9 %), Kinneretia asaccharophila KIN192 T (97.8 %), Mitsuaria chitinivorans HWN-4 T (97.4 %), and Paucibacter toxinivorans 2C20 T (97.4 %). Phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences showed that strain S2-9 T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Paucibacter species (CHU3 T , CR182, and 2C20 T strains were 76.6-79.3% and 19.5-21.5 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S2-9 T was 68.3 mol%. Notably, genes responsible for both sulphur oxidation and reduction and denitrification were found in the genome of strain S2-9 Paucibacter strains were 76.6-79.3% and 19.5-21.5 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S2-9 T was 68.3 mol%. Notably, genes responsible for both sulphur oxidation and reduction and denitrification were found in the genome of strain S2-9 T represents a novel species of the genus T is involved in the nitrogen and sulphur cycles in pond ecosystems. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic results, strain S2-9 T represents a novel species of the genus Paucibacter , for which the name Paucibacter sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2-9 T (= KACC 22267 T = JCM 34541 T ).

This study was performed to investigate supplementary effects of probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ56 strain on laying performance, egg quality, intestinal histology, antioxidant status, gut immunity and microbiota in laying hens. A total of ninety-six 21-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly subjected to one of 2 dietary treatments: a control group fed a non-supplemented diet, or a probiotic group fed with a diet supplemented with 1 g of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ56 (5 × 10 8 CFU/kg of diet). The trial lasted for 4 wk. Egg weight was increased (P < 0.05) in laying hens fed probiotic-fed diet compared with the control group. Dietary probiotics did not affect egg quality except for Haugh unit, which was improved (P < 0.05) in the probiotic-fed group. Neither jejunal histology nor cecal short-chain fatty acids were affected by dietary treatments. Dietary probiotics increased the activity of catalase compared with the control group. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that dietary probiotics elevated the CD4 + T cells, but not CD8 + T cells, in jejunal lamina propria. Based on the LEfSe analysis at the phylum and genus levels, Erysipelotrichales, Erysipelotrichia, Flintibater, Dielma, Hespellia, Coprobacter, Roseburia, Anaerotignum, and Coprococcus were enriched in the probiotic group compared with the control group. Taken together, our study showed that dietary probiotics could be used to improve some parameters associated with egg freshness and antioxidant capacity, and to partially alter T cell population and microbial community in laying hens., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Salix chaenomeloides Kimura, commonly known as pussy willow, is a deciduous shrub and tree belonging to the Salicaceae family. The genus Salix spp. has been known as a healing herb for the treatment of fever, inflammation, and pain relief. The current study aimed to investigate the potential bioactive natural products from S. chaenomeloides leaves and evaluate their antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori . A phytochemical investigation of the ethanol (EtOH) extract of S. chaenomeloides leaves led to the isolation of 13 phenolic compounds ( 1 - 13 ) from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction, which showed antibacterial activity against H. pylori strain 51. The chemical structure of a new phenolic glycoside, chaenomelin ( 1 ), was established by a detailed analysis of 1D and 2D ( 1 H- 1 H correlation spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC), and heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC)) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESIMS), and chemical reactions. The other known compounds were identified as 5- O - trans-p- coumaroyl quinic acid methyl ester ( 2 ), tremulacin ( 3 ), citrusin C ( 4 ), benzyl 3- O - β -d-glucopyranosyl-7-hydroxybenzoate ( 5 ), tremuloidin ( 6 ), 1-[ O - β -d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)- β -d-glucopyranosyl]oxy-2-phenol ( 7 ), arbutin cinnamate ( 8 ), tremulacinol ( 9 ), catechol ( 10 ), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde ( 11 ), kaempferol 3-rutinoside ( 12 ), and narcissin ( 13 ), based on the comparison of their NMR spectra with the reported data and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against H. pylori strain 51. Among the isolates, 1-[ O - β -d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)- β -d-glucopyranosyl]oxy-2-phenol ( 7 ) and arbutin cinnamate ( 8 ) exhibited antibacterial activity against H. pylori strain 51, with inhibitions of 31.4% and 33.9%, respectively, at a final concentration of 100 μM. These results were comparable to that of quercetin (38.4% inhibition), which served as a positive control. Generally, these findings highlight the potential of the active compounds 7 and 8 as antibacterial agents against H. pylori .

We report the complete genome sequence of Levilactobacillus brevis NSMJ23 with probiotic properties. The final genome assembly consisted of a 2,389,998-bp chromosome and seven plasmids with 45.59% GC content, which comprised 2,624 genes including 2,457 protein coding sequences., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Persicaria maackiana (Regel) is a potential medicinal plant that exerts anti-diabetic effects. However, the lack of genomic information on P. maackiana hinders research at the molecular level., Objective: Herein, we aimed to construct a draft genome assembly and obtain comprehensive genomic information on P. maackiana using high-throughput sequencing tools PacBio Sequel II and Illumina., Methods: Persicaria maackiana samples from three natural populations in Gaecheon, Gichi, and Uiryeong reservoirs in South Korea were used to generate genomic DNA libraries, perform genome de novo assembly, gene ontology analysis, phylogenetic tree analysis, genotyping, and identify microsatellite markers., Results: The assembled P. maackiana genome yielded 32,179 contigs. Assessment of assembly integrity revealed 1503 (93.12%) complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs. A total of 64,712 protein-coding genes were predicted and annotated successfully in the protein database. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthologs, 13,778 genes were annotated into 18 categories. Genes that activated AMPK were identified in the KEGG pathway. A total of 316,992 microsatellite loci were identified, and primers targeting the flanking regions were developed for 292,059 microsatellite loci. Of these, 150 primer sets were randomly selected for amplification, and 30 of these primer sets were identified as polymorphic. These primers amplified 3-9 alleles. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.189 and 0.593, respectively. Polymorphism information content values of the markers were 0.361-0.754., Conclusion: Collectively, our study provides a valuable resource for future comparative genomics, phylogeny, and population studies of P. maackiana., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to The Genetics Society of Korea.)

The study objective was to evaluate the potential production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a biodegradable plastic material, by Paracoccus haeundaensis for which PHA production has never been reported. To identify the most effective nitrogen-limited culture conditions for PHAs production from this bacterium, batch fermentation using glucose concentrations ranging from 4 g l -1 to 20 g l -1 with a fixed ammonium concentration of 0.5 g l -1 was carried out at 30°C and pH 8.0. A glucose supplement of 12 g l -1 produced the highest PHA concentration (1.6 g l -1 ) and PHA content (0.63 g g -1 ) thereby identifying the optimal condition for PHA production from this bacterium. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis suggests that P. haeundaensis mostly produced copolymer types of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB- co -3HV)] from glucose concentrations at 12 g l -1 or higher under the nitrogen-limited conditions. When several other single carbon sources were evaluated for the most efficient PHA production, fructose provided the highest biomass (2.8 g l -1 ), and PHAs (1.29 g l -1 ) concentrations. Results indicated that this bacterium mostly produced the copolymers P(3HB- co -3HV) from single carbon sources composing a range of 93-98% of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 2-7% of 3-hydroxyvalerate, whereas mannose-supplemented conditions produced the only homopolymer type of P(3HB). However, when propionic acid as a secondary carbon source were supplemented into the media, P. haeundaensis produced the copolymer P(3HB- co -3HV), composed of a 50% maximum monomeric unit of 3-hydroxyvaleric acid (3HV). However, as the concentration of propionic acid increased, cell biomass and PHAs concentrations substantially decreased due to cell toxicity.

The growing interest in microalgae and cyanobacteria biomass as an alternative to traditional animal feed is hindered by high production costs. Using wastewater (WW) as a cultivation medium could offer a solution, but this approach risks introducing harmful substances into the biomass, leading to significant safety concerns. In this study, we addressed these challenges by selectively extracting nitrates and phosphates from WW using drinking water treatment residuals (DWTR) and chitosan. This method achieved peak adsorption capacities of 4.4 mg/g for nitrate and 6.1 mg/g for phosphate with a 2.5 wt% chitosan blend combined with DWTR-nitrogen. Subsequently, these extracted nutrients were employed to cultivate Spirulina platensis , yielding a biomass productivity rate of 0.15 g/L/d, which is comparable to rates achieved with commercial nutrients. By substituting commercial nutrients with nitrate and phosphate from WW, we can achieve a 18 % reduction in the culture medium cost. While the cultivated biomass was initially nitrogen-deficient due to low nitrate levels, it proved to be protein-rich, accounting for 50 % of its dry weight, and contained a high concentration of free amino acids (1260 mg/g), encompassing all essential amino acids. Both in vitro and in vivo toxicity tests affirmed the biomass's safety for use as an animal feed component. Future research should aim to enhance the economic feasibility of this alternative feed source by developing efficient adsorbents, utilizing cost-effective reagents, and implementing nutrient reuse strategies in spent mediums., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Climate change has increased variable weather patterns that affect plants. To address these issues, we developed a microbial biocontrol agent against drought stress in kimchi cabbage ( Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis ). We selected three bacterial strains ( Leifsonia sp. CS9, Bacillus toyonensis TSJ7, and Lysinibacillus capsici TT41) because they showed a survival rate of up to 50% and good growth rate when treated with 30% PEG 6000. The three strains were treated with kimchi cabbage to confirm their enhanced drought stress resistance under non-watering conditions. Among the three strains, the TT41 treated group showed a significant increase in various plant parameters compared with the negative control on the 7th day. We performed extensive profiling of primary and secondary metabolites from kimchi cabbage and the TT41 strain. Multivariate and pathway analyses revealed that only the TT41 group clustered with the well-watered group and showed almost the same metabolome on the 7th day. When treated with TT41, lactic acid was identified as an indicator metabolite that significantly improved drought stress tolerance. Furthermore, lactic acid treatment effectively induced drought stress tolerance in kimchi cabbage, similar to that achieved with the TT41 strain.

2,4'-Dihydroxybenzophenone (DHP) is an organic compound derived from Garcinia xanthochymus , but there have been no reports on its biochemical functions and bioavailability. In this study, we evaluated whether DHP affects osteoblast differentiation and activation in MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells, as well as antiosteoporotic activity in zebrafish larvae. Nontoxic concentrations of DHP-treated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activation and mineralization in a concentration-dependent manner, accompanied by higher expression of osteoblast-specific markers, including Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osterix, and ALP. Consistent with the data in MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells, DHP upregulated osteoblast-specific marker genes in zebrafish larvae and simultaneously enhanced vertebral formation. We also revealed that DHP increased the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) at Ser9 and the total expression of β-catenin in the cytosol and markedly increased the localization of β-catenin into the nucleus. Furthermore, DHP restored the prednisolone (PDS)-induced marked decrease in ALP activity and mineralization, as well as osteoblast-specific marker expression. In PDS-treated zebrafish, DHP also alleviated PDS-induced osteoporosis by restoring vertebral formation and osteoblast-related gene expression. Taken together, these results suggest that DHP is a potential osteoanabolic candidate for treating osteoporosis by stimulating osteoblast differentiation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 American Chemical Society.)

Moraxella sp. strain DOX410 was isolated from a systematic enrichment culture to investigate strains with 1,4-dioxane degradation potential. The genome of strain DOX410 consists of five complete contigs and contained genes related to degradation of the aromatic ring structure of 1,4-dioxane., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Microphysogobio longidorsalis is endemic to South Korea and inhabits small areas of the Namhangang, Bukhangang, and Imjingang Rivers in the Hangang River water system. Endemic species usually are more vulnerable than species with a wide distribution. Notably, there is a lack of basic conservation data for M. longidorsalis . We analyzed 19 microsatellite loci in six populations of M. longidorsalis in South Korea to characterize their population structure and genetic diversity. The genetic diversity of the microsatellites was 0.741-0.779, which is lower than that of other freshwater fishes. The pairwise genetic differentiation of microsatellite ( F ) values ranged from 0.007 to 0.041, suggesting low genetic differentiation between the populations. The Jojongicheon stream population (CP) had an effective population size of <100. Therefore, conservation efforts are required to prevent inbreeding depression in ST . Discriminant analysis of principal components showed that the Hangang River water system would be a single management unit (MU). Our findings provide fundamental genetic insights for the formulation of conservation strategies for M. longidorsalis . Discriminant analysis of principal components showed that the Hangang River water system would be a single management unit (MU). Our findings provide fundamental genetic insights for the formulation of conservation strategies for M. longidorsalis .

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an important cytokine involved in immune responses to bacterial infections in vertebrates, including fish. Although Tnf-α is a well-studied cytokine, there are contradictory findings about Tnf-α function following bacterial infection. In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of the Tnf-α-type I isoform (Tnf-α1) in zebrafish by knockout experiments using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool. The open reading frame of tnf-α1 encodes a 25.82 kDa protein with 234 amino acids (aa). The expression of tnf-α1 in the early stages of zebrafish was observed from the 2-cell stage. Adult zebrafish spleens showed the highest expression of tnf-α1. To evaluate the function of Tnf-α1, an 8 bp deletion in the target region, resulting in a short truncated protein of 55 aa, was used to create the tnf-α1 knockout mutant. The pattern of downstream gene expression in 7-day larvae in wild-type (WT) and tnf-α1 knockout fish was examined. We also verified the fish mortality rate after Edwardsiella piscicida challenge and found that it was much higher in tnf-α1 knockout fish than in WT fish. Additionally, downstream gene expression analyses after E. piscicida exposure revealed a distinct expression pattern in tnf-α1 knockout fish compared to that in WT fish. Overall, our study using tnf-α1 deletion in zebrafish confirmed that Tnf-α1 is critical for immune regulation during bacterial infection., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type V (SCC mec V) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been recovered from patients and livestock. Using comparative genomic analyses, we evaluated the phylogenetic emergence of SCC mec V after transmission from overseas donor strains to Korean recipient strains., Methods: Sixty-three complete MRSA SCC mec V genomes (including six Korean clinical isolates) were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified using Snippy, and a maximum-likelihood-based phylogenetic tree was constructed using RAxML. The possible emergence of the most common ancestor was estimated using BactDating. To estimate mecA horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events, Ranger-dtl was applied to 818 SCC mec V strains using publicly available whole-genome data., Results: The phylogenetic tree showed five major clades. German strains formed a major clade; their possible origin was traced to the 1980s. The emergence of Korean SCC mec V clinical isolates was traced to 2000-2010. mecA HGT events in Staphylococcus spp. were identified in seven strains. P7 (Hong Kong outbreak strain) served as the donor strain for two Korean sequence type (ST) 59 strains, whereas the other five recipient strains emerged from different SCC mec V donors., Conclusions: Most Korean SCC mec V strains may have emerged during 2000-2010. A unique MRSA SCC mec V strain, ST72 (a Korean common type of community-associated MRSA), was also identified. The genomic dynamics of this clone with a zoonotic background should be monitored to accurately understand MRSA evolution.

Eurotiales is a relatively large order of Ascomycetes , well-known for their ability to produce secondary metabolites with potential beneficial applications. To understand their diversity and distribution, different environmental sources including soil, freshwater, insect, and indoor air were investigated. Eight strains of Eurotiales were isolated and identified based on their morphological characters and a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, BenA , CaM , and RPB2 regions. We identified eight taxa that were previously not reported from Korea: Aspergillus baeticus , A. griseoaurantiacus , A. spinulosporus , Penicillium anthracinoglaciei , P. labradorum , P. nalgiovense , Talaromyces atroroseus , and T. georgiensis . Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic tree for the eight new records species are presented, and information regarding the records is also discussed., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of the Korean Society of Mycology.)

Aster spathulifolius , an ecologically significant plant species native to the coastal regions of Korea and Japan, remains understudied in terms of its genetic structure and evolutionary history. In this study, we employed four chloroplast markers and the nuclear ITS region from 15 populations of A . spathulifolius from both Korea and Japan, including their islands, to unravel the spatial genetic structure, differentiation, gene flow, phylogenetic, and biogeographical relationships. Analysis based on multiple methods identified a low level of genetic diversity, genetic differentiation and gene flow among A . spathulifolius populations. Network analysis and principal coordinates analysis showed that 15 populations could be divided into two groups: mainland and island. Furthermore, UPGMA, neighbor-net, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference-based phylogenetic tree confirmed that these populations formed two distinct clades. Therefore, the island populations might be treated as A . spathulifolius populations rather than A . oharai populations. Divergence time analysis estimated the divergence of A. spathulifolius lineages approximately 23.09 million years ago, while ancestral area reconstruction analysis suggested Korea as the potential origin, conflicting with alternative scenarios. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary history, genetic structure, and adaptive strategies of A. spathulifolius in coastal environments. Our study challenges previous assumptions and underscores the necessity for further population studies to elucidate the intricate dynamics of this distinctive plant species.

Viperin is a prominent antiviral protein found in animals. The primary function of Viperin is the production of 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-cytidine triphosphate (ddhCTP), an inhibitory nucleotide involved in viral RNA synthesis. Studies in mammalian models have suggested that ddhCTP interferes with metabolic proteins. However, this hypothesis has yet to be tested in teleost. In this study, the role of Viperin in regulating metabolic alterations during viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) infection was tested. When infected with VHSV, viperin fish showed considerably higher mortality rates. VHSV copy number and the expression of the -/- fish showed considerably higher mortality rates. VHSV copy number and the expression of the NP gene were significantly increased in viperin -/- fish. Metabolic gene analysis revealed significant differences in soda , hif1a expression, indicating their impact on metabolism. Cholesterol analysis in zebrafish larvae during VHSV infection showed significant upregulation of cholesterol production without Viperin. fasn analysis of ZF4 cells suggested a considerable reduction in lipid production and a significant upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation with the overexpression of acc expression, indicating their impact on metabolism. Cholesterol analysis in zebrafish larvae during VHSV infection showed significant upregulation of cholesterol production without Viperin. In vitro analysis of ZF4 cells suggested a considerable reduction in lipid production and a significant upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation with the overexpression of viperin . Neutrophil and macrophage recruitment were significantly modulated in viperin -/- fish compared to the wild-type (WT) fish. Thus, we have demonstrated that Viperin plays a role in interfering with metabolic alterations during VHSV infection., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Shanaka, Jung, Madushani, Kim and Lee.)

We sequenced the genome of Westerdykella aurantiaca NNIBRFG27121 strain isolated from the wetland of Maehwamarum Habitat in Korea. The final assembly consisted of six scaffolds with a size of 31.96 Mb and an N50 of 8,770,400 bp. This genome will help in comparing species within the Westerdykella genus., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Phialemonium inflatum is a useful fungus known for its ability to mineralise lignin during primary metabolism and decompose polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, no functional genetic analysis techniques have been developed yet for this fungus, specifically in terms of transformation. In this study, we applied an Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation (ATMT) system to P. inflatum for a functional gene analysis. We generated 3689 transformants using the binary vector pSK1044, which carried either the hygromycin B phosphotransferase ( hph ) gene or the enhanced green fluorescent protein ( eGFP ) gene to label the transformants. A Southern blot analysis showed that the probability of a single copy of T-DNA insertion was approximately 50% when the co-cultivation of fungal spores and Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells was performed at 24-36 h, whereas at 48 h, it was approximately 35.5%. Therefore, when performing gene knockout using the ATMT system, the co-cultivation time was reduced to ≤36 h. The resulting transformants were mitotically stable, and a PCR analysis confirmed the genes' integration into the transformant genome. Additionally, hph and eGFP gene expressions were confirmed via PCR amplification and fluorescence microscopy. This optimised transformation system will enable functional gene analyses to study genes of interest in P. inflatum .

Osteoporosis is a significant global health concern, linked to reduced bone density and an increased fracture risk, with effective treatments still lacking. This study explored the potential of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its receptors as a novel approach to promote osteogenesis and address osteoporosis. GABA concentrations up to 10 mM were well-tolerated by MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast, stimulating osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In vivo experiments with zebrafish larvae demonstrated the ability of GABA to improve vertebral formation and enhanced bone density, indicating the potential therapeutic value for osteoporosis. Notably, GABA countered the adverse effects of prednisolone on vertebral formation, bone density, and osteogenic gene expression in zebrafish larvae, suggesting a promising therapeutic solution to counteract corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Moreover, our study highlighted the involvement of GABA receptors in mediating the observed osteogenic effects. By using GABA A , GABA B , and GABA C receptor antagonists, we demonstrated that blocking these receptors attenuated GABA-induced osteoblast differentiation and vertebral formation in both MC3T3-E1 cells and zebrafish larvae, underscoring the importance of GABA receptor interactions in promoting bone formation. In conclusion, these findings underscore the osteogenic potential of GABA and its ability to mitigate the detrimental effects of corticosteroids on bone health. Targeting GABA and its receptors could be a promising strategy for the development of novel therapeutic interventions to address osteoporosis. However, further investigations are warranted to fully elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of GABA and its clinical applications in treating osteoporosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ginkgo biloba L. stands as one of the oldest living tree species, exhibiting a diverse range of biological activities, including antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular activities. As part of our ongoing discovery of novel bioactive components from natural sources, we directed our focus toward the investigation of potential bioactive compounds from G. biloba fruit. The profiles of its chemical compounds were examined using a Global Natural Products Social (GNPS)-based molecular networking analysis. Guided by this, we successfully isolated and characterized 11 compounds from G. biloba fruit, including ( E )-coniferin ( 1 ), syringin ( 2 ), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4- O -β-D-glucopyranoside ( 3 ), vanillic acid 4- O -β-D-glucopyranoside ( 4 ), syringic acid 4- O -β-D-glucopyranoside ( 5 ), ( E )-ferulic acid 4- O -β-D-glucoside ( 6 ), ( E )-sinapic acid 4- O -β-D-glucopyranoside ( 7 ), (1' R ,2' S ,5' R ,8' S ,2' Z ,4' E )-dihydrophaseic acid 3'- O -β-D-glucopyranoside ( 8 ), eucomic acid ( 9 ), rutin ( 10 ), and laricitrin 3-rutinoside ( 11 ). The structural identification was validated through a comprehensive analysis involving nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data and LC/MS analyses. All isolated compounds were evaluated using an E-screen assay for their estrogen-like effects in MCF-7 cells. As a result, compounds 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , and 9 promoted cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells, and these effects were mitigated by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. In particular, cell proliferation increased most significantly to 140.9 ± 6.5% after treatment with 100 µM of compound 2 . The mechanism underlying the estrogen-like effect of syringin ( 2 ) was evaluated using a Western blot analysis to determine the expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα). We found that syringin ( 2 ) induced an increase in the phosphorylation of ERα. Overall, these experimental results suggest that syringin ( 2 ) can potentially aid the control of estrogenic activity during menopause.

This study is the first to report the characterization of Carex pumila genomic information. Assembly of the genome generated a draft of C. pumila based on PacBio Sequel II and Illumina paired-end sequencing, which was assembled from 2941 contigs with an estimated genome size of 0.346 Gb. The estimate of repeats in the genome was 31.0%, and heterozygosity ranged from 0.426 to 0.441%. The integrity evaluation of the assembly revealed 1481 complete benchmarked universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) (91.76%), indicating the high quality of the draft assembly. A total of 23,402 protein-coding genes were successfully predicted and annotated in the protein database. UpsetR plots showed that 7481 orthogroups were shared by all species. The phylogenetic tree showed that C. pumila is a close but distant relative of Ananas comosus . C. pumila had greater contraction (3154) than expansion (392). Among the extended gene families, aquaporins have been found to be enriched. Primers for microsatellite markers determined 30 polymorphic markers out of 100. The average number of alleles amplified by these 30 polymorphic markers was 4 to 12, with an average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.660. In conclusion, our study provides a useful resource for comparative genomics, phylogeny, and future population studies of C. pumila .