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Drawing on two multilingual qualitative datasets (Korean/English and German/English), this paper examines the dual role and positionalities of two researchers who simultaneously act as translators, as well as the implications of this dual role for multilingual qualitative research. This work is informed by transnational feminist translation studies and transnational feminist approaches to qualitative research, and founded on the two researchers' intimate familiarity with their participants' languages, contexts, and meaning-making processes. Considering the complexity of this familiarity, this work presents unique dilemmas—challenges and opportunities—with respect to translating, representing, and writing about multilingual qualitative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., an important medicinal herb in traditional East Asian medicine, is primarily used to treat abdominal pain, dysentery, and hemostasis. There are ten other reported species of Agrimonia plants, including Agrimonia coreana Nakai—a naturally growing species in South Korea—and Agrimonia eupatoria Linn. Although recent studies have isolated numerous active constituents and investigated their effects, the medicinal utility of this herb is not yet fully explored. Through patch-clamp recording, a previous study reported that Agrimonia plant extracts inhibit the function of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels (CRACs). Herein, we aimed to identify and isolate the main compounds in A. coreana responsible for CRAC inhibition while assessing the anti-inflammatory effects mediated by this inhibition. We demonstrated for the first time that alphitolic acid isolated from A. coreana has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on CRAC activity and, thus, an inhibitory effect on intracellular calcium increase. Furthermore, analysis of human CD4+ T cell proliferation via the carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester method revealed that alphitolic acid inhibited T cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the potential therapeutic use of alphitolic acid in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 4-year-old with Gorham–Stout disease (GSD) who was treated with a combination of bisphosphonate, sirolimus, and atenolol. A previously healthy 4-year-old girl presented with back pain after falling on her back 2 months prior. Thoracolumbar spine X-ray revealed diffuse compression spinal fractures in T9-L2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed multiple compression fractures at T9-L5 and revealed a paraspinal mass along the T1-L1 level. Based on clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings, Gorham–Stout disease was diagnosed. Treatment with sirolimus (0.5 mg twice daily, 1.6 mg/m2) was initiated and intravenous bisphosphonate (pamidronate, 1 mg/kg for 3 days, total 3 mg/kg every 4 months) was added for back pain; she had immediate improvement in back pain. After 9 months with this treatment, she had a mild increase in paraspinal lymphangiomatosis and aggravation in T9-L5 compression fractures; atenolol was administered. The patient underwent 11 months of combination treatment with bisphosphonate, sirolimus, and atenolol, and MRI showed mild degree of reduction in the paraspinal lesions at L1-L5. The patient is currently in stable condition with no back pain or side effects. The triple combination treatment with bisphosphonate, sirolimus, and atenolol may be helpful in stabilizing the disease course of GSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is an automatic mechanism responsible for the commencement and continuance of liver injury. In this study, an antioxidative peptide Val-Thr-Ala-Leu (VTAL) was purified from simulated gastrointestinal digestion of protein hydrolysates of the triploid oyster Magallana gigas. Significant antioxidant activity was identified, as well as a protective effect against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced human liver cancer (HepG2) cells. The results suggested that the antioxidant activity improved in a dose-dependent manner. The highest cell viability (88.105 ± 3.62%) was observed in 15 mM APAP-induced cells when treated with 25 μg/mL M. gigas peptide [M.g (pep)]. The peptide sequences include hydrophobic amino acids, which could be responsible for its chemoprotective and antioxidant activities. Treatment with M.g (pep) significantly promoted the proliferation of HepG2 cells, thus protecting them against APAP and imbuing them with significant antioxidant capacity. M.g (pep) could be beneficial for treating drug-induced oxidative stress and liver damage. Additionally, M.g (pep) could serve as an alternative to synthetic antioxidant drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research on the transit network design problem has tended to focus on minimizing the various costs for both transit operators and users. However, to implement an appropriate and effective transit network in urban environments, it is important not to overly simplify the intrinsically complex nature of real-life network designs. In particular, the minimization of variance in transit service levels typically employed in existing methods can be significantly improved by incorporating a transit equity component. This paper adopts a multiobjective approach that considers system efficiency, user inconvenience, and transit equity without the use of weights in order to design a more realistic and efficient transit network. In particular, the multiobjective Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II and the neighborhood local search method are employed in a logit-based mode-choice model in order to incorporate the variable transit demand arising from the private vehicle traffic volume. A toy test network and a real-life network from the city of Goyang, Republic of Korea, are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. The model finds a set of solutions that improve transit equity with minimal losses of other objectives when compared to existing approaches, which produce a significant variance in the level of service, mainly due to the spatially condensed and overlapping distribution of their transit networks. In addition, the relationship between the three objective functions and their resulting patterns in response to key influential factors are also analyzed to verify the robustness of the proposed method in response to changing future conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The demand for fishmeal is increasing due to aquaculture development, but the supply is unstable. This indicates the need to reduce the fishmeal content in the feed and develop an optimal fish-feed formulation through substitutes. However, most studies on reducing fishmeal content in feed were conducted at the laboratory level. In this study, the application of a low-fishmeal diet as feed to olive flounder was evaluated in terms of growth-related factors, digestive physiology, and microbiota raised for five months in a fish farm using four feed formulations- FM70 [control (CON), 70% fishmeal], FM45 (45% fishmeal), FM35A (35% fishmeal), and FM35B (35% fishmeal + insect meal). There was no difference in growth-related factors, digestive physiology, and gut microbiota diversity compared with the CON-fed fish. Therefore, reducing the fishmeal content of the feed by up to 35% does not adversely affect growth and physiological characteristics under farm conditions. In olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), growth performance, expression of growth-related factors, digestive physiology, and gut microbiota were assessed under farm conditions in the fish fed diets with low levels of fishmeal. Four experimental diets were prepared, FM70 [control (CON), 70% fishmeal], FM45 (45% fishmeal), FM35A (35% fishmeal), and FM35B (35% fishmeal + insect meal), and fed to the fish for five months. The CON-fed fish had the highest plasma GH, but IGF-1 and hepatic IGF-1 mRNA expression of the olive flounder fed diets with low-fishmeal levels did not significantly differ among diets. The intestinal villus length, muscular thickness, and the number of goblet cells were statistically similar, and ocular examination of hepatopancreas showed no discernable difference in all experimental diets. The chymotrypsin content of FM35B-fed fish is significantly lower, but trypsin and lipase contents are similar. The diversity of gut microbiota did not differ among groups, although the FM35B group had a higher composition of Firmicutes. Thus, a diet with reduced fishmeal content and several alternative protein sources can be used as feed ingredients in feed formulation for olive flounder reared under typical aquaculture farm conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) to public health has been increasing due to the rapid spread of the ticks that carry the causative viral agent. The SFTS virus (SFTSV) was first identified in China and subsequently detected in neighboring countries, including South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. In addition to the tick-mediated infection, human-to-human transmission has been recently reported with a high mortality rate; however, differential study of the pathogen has been limited by the route of infection. In this study, we investigated the pathogenic potential of SFTSV based on the infection route in aged ferrets, which show clinical signs similar to that of human infections. Ferrets inoculated with SFTSV via the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes show clinical signs comparable to those of severe human infections, with a mortality rate of 100%. Contrastingly, intravascularly infected ferrets exhibit a comparatively lower mortality rate of 25%, although their early clinical signs are similar to those observed following infection via the other routes. These results indicate that the infection route could influence the onset of SFTS symptoms and the pathogenicity of SFTSV. Thus, infection route should be considered in future studies on the pathogenesis of SFTSV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium ions (Ca2+) are representative signals of plant wound responses. Wounding triggers cell fate transition in detached plant tissues and induces de novo root organogenesis. While the hormonal regulation of root organogenesis has been widely studied, the role of early wound signals including ROS and Ca2+ remains largely unknown. Results: We identified that ROS and Ca2+ are required for de novo root organogenesis, but have different functions in Arabidopsis explants. The inhibition of the ROS and Ca2+ signals delayed root development in detached leaves. Examination of the auxin signaling pathways indicated that ROS and Ca2+ did not affect auxin biosynthesis and transport in explants. Additionally, the expression of key genes related to auxin signals during root organogenesis was not significantly affected by the inhibition of ROS and Ca2+ signals. The addition of auxin partially restored the suppression of root development by the ROS inhibitor; however, auxin supplementation did not affect root organogenesis in Ca2+-depleted explants. Conclusions: Our results indicate that, while both ROS and Ca2+ are key molecules, at least in part of the auxin signals acts downstream of ROS signaling, and Ca2+ acts downstream of auxin during de novo root organogenesis in leaf explants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying immunological responses have underscored the critical involvement of ion channels in regulating calcium influx, particularly in inflammation. Nootkatone, a natural sesquiterpenoid found in Alpinia oxyphylla and various citrus species, has gained attention for its diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to elucidate the potential of nootkatone in modulating ion channels associated with calcium signaling, particularly CRAC, KV1.3, and KCa3.1 channels, which play pivotal roles in immune cell activation and proliferation. Using electrophysiological techniques, we demonstrated the inhibitory effects of nootkatone on CRAC, KV1.3, and KCa3.1 channels in HEK293T cells overexpressing respective channel proteins. Nootkatone exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of channel currents, with IC50 values determined for each channel. Nootkatone treatment did not significantly affect cell viability, indicating its potential safety for therapeutic applications. Furthermore, we observed that nootkatone treatment attenuated calcium influx through activated CRAC channels and showed anti-proliferative effects, suggesting its role in regulating inflammatory T cell activation. These findings highlight the potential of nootkatone as a natural compound for modulating calcium signaling pathways by targeting related key ion channels and it holds promise as a novel therapeutic agent for inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Park, S.J. and Kim, J., 2023. How will the United Nations (UN) Biological Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement affect the shipping industry in the future? In: Lee, J.L.; Lee, H.; Min, B.I.; Chang, J.-I.; Cho, G.T.; Yoon, J.-S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Multidisciplinary Approaches to Coastal and Marine Management. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 116, pp. 398-402. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The discussion on the creation of a new international maritime order to change the freedom of the high seas, which has been maintained following the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is expected to be at a fever pitch. In 2004, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution establishing an ad hoc working group on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). After 10 years of discussion till 2015, developed and developing countries agreed to create "a legally binding international instrument" and United Nations' member states finally agreed to a text on the Biological Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement at the resumed 5th Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which was held in March 2023. This international new order is anticipated to limit "freedom of the high seas" and significantly impact marine use, including navigation, fisheries, marine resources development, and marine scientific research. This study analyzes the effects of this new order on the shipping industry. To analyze this impact, changes in ship operating costs were calculated for container ships, dry cargo ships, and oil tankers under the assumption that two regulations apply to certain waters of Korean import routes: a reduction of average speeds by 1 knot and a 100-nautical-mile detour. Based on scenario analysis, when freight rates are high, shipping costs will rise in all scenarios regardless of fuel oil prices. However, profitability worsens when freight rates and fuel oil prices are low. Therefore, in responding to the adaptation of the UN BBNJ agreement, it is necessary to establish countermeasures for the shipping industry and strengthen cooperation systems with international organizations related to the UN BBNJ agreement. In addition, it is vital to improving the scenario and derive accurate results by cooperating with the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare surgical outcomes of sutureless flanged intraocular lens (IOL) fixation and conventional sutured scleral fixation (SF) for secondary IOL implantation in patients with IOL dislocation. Methods: This is a prospective, comparative cohort study on 103 consecutive patients (103 eyes) with IOL dislocation who underwent vitrectomy with IOL removal and sutured SF (53 eyes) or flanged IOL fixation (50 eyes). Operating time, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive difference, IOL tilt and decentration using swept-source anterior segment OCT, and postoperative complications were measured for 12 months. Results: Operating time was significantly shorter for the flanged IOL fixation than for sutured SF (19.4 ± 4.6 vs. 48.9 ± 5.2 min, p < 0.001). BCVA in both groups improved at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.05). BCVA in the 2 groups was similar during the 12 months of observation. The refractive difference, IOL tilt, IOL decentration, and incidence of postoperative complications were also not different in the 2 groups. Conclusion: Sutured SF and flanged IOL fixation had similar visual outcomes and IOL stability in patients with IOL dislocation. However, the operating time for flanged IOL fixation was less than half that of the sutured SF. This technique is an efficient alternative for treating IOL dislocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Four commercial porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) modified‐live vaccines (MLV) was compared to protect growing pigs against dual challenge of PRRSV‐1 and PRRSV‐2. Methods: Two of the vaccines were based on PRRSV‐1, and two on PRRSV‐2. A total of 72 PRRSV‐naïve pigs were divided into six groups (12 pigs/group). Results: Two PRRSV‐1 MLV‐vaccinated and two PRRSV‐2 MLV‐vaccinated groups reduced significantly (p <.05) genomic copies of PRRSV‐1 in their sera compared to the unvaccinated challenged group. Two PRRSV‐2 MLV‐vaccinated groups reduced significantly (p <.05) fewer genomic copies of PRRSV‐2 in their sera whereas two PRRSV‐1 MLV‐vaccinated groups were unable to reduce genomic copies of PRRSV‐2 compared to unvaccinated challenged groups. Two PRRSV‐1 MLV‐vaccinated groups induced a stronger PRRSV‐1 specific IFN‐γ‐SC response, while two PRRSV‐2 MLV‐vaccinated groups induced a stronger PRRSV‐2 specific IFN‐γ‐SC response. Two PRRSV‐2 MLV‐vaccinated groups showed significantly (p <.05) lower mean macroscopic and microscopic lung lesion scores compared to two PRRSV‐1 MLV‐vaccinated groups. Conclusions: These data demonstrated that two PRRSV‐2 vaccines were efficacious and exhibited similar protection while, two PRRSV‐1 vaccines were largely ineffective against the dual challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the effects of different types of instructor comments on student engagement in an online discussion. In particular, this study examined three comment types: (1) praise-oriented comments, agreeing with students' initial messages and recapping their ideas, (2) elaboration-encouraging comments, requesting elaboration on the initial messages, and (3) perspective-widening comments, suggesting different or thought-provoking opinions responding to the initial messages. Seventeen graduate students enrolled in an online course were recruited. A content analysis was employed to evaluate the levels of knowledge construction. Interactivity was measured by the number of posts and idea units. The findings revealed that perspective-widening comments facilitated students' evaluation on the peer postings and brought up diverse perspectives, contributing to knowledge construction. While elaboration-encouraging comments led to high interactivity among students, praise-oriented comments had no significant effect on the frequency of interactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To evaluate intraoperative complications and utilization of adjunctive devices between microscope and intracameral illuminations during cataract surgery in the elderly over 75 years. Design. A retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series Participants. Two hundred eighty-six eyes of 184 patients older than 75 years who underwent cataract surgery using microscope and intracameral illuminations. Methods. A chart review was performed on an advanced cataract surgery group of 141 consecutive cases in which the intracameral illumination was used and on a standard cataract surgery group of 145 consecutive cases in which the intracameral illumination was not used. Main Outcome Measures. Intraoperative complications (posterior capsule rupture, radial tear of the anterior capsule, dropped nucleus, or sulcus-implanted/sclera-fixated IOL) and utilization of adjunctive devices (pupil expansion device or anterior capsule staining). Results. The frequency of use of the pupil expansion device was lower in the advanced cataract surgery group than that in the standard cataract surgery group (0.7% vs 6.9%; p=0.007). Furthermore, the rates of a posterior capsule rupture and at least one intraoperative complication were lower in the advanced cataract surgery group than those in the standard cataract surgery group (0.7% vs 4.8%; p=0.067) (0.7% vs 7.6%; p=0.004). Conclusions. In the current cohort of patients over 75 years, the rate of intraoperative complications was lower when using the intracameral illumination than that when using the conventional method. Cataract surgery using intracameral illumination would be good option for elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unconverted character was found in the following captions in B boldface b : Figure 2 "B5-agar plates containing 1 M DPI" should be "B5-agar plates containing 1 B µ b M DPI" Figure 3 "B5-agar plates containing 1 M DPI" should be "B5-agar plates containing 1 B µ b M DPI" Figure 4 "B5-agar plates containing 1 M DPI with or without 0.1 M NAA" should be "B5-agar plates containing 1 B µ b M DPI with or without 0.1 B µ b M NAA' Figure 4 "B5-agar plates containing 1 M DPI" should be "B5-agar plates containing 1 B µ b M DPI" Figure 7 "EGTA with or without 0.1 M NAA" should be "EGTA with or without 0.1 B µ b M NAA" The correction do not affect the Conclusions of the article. Wound-induced signals regulate root organogenesis in Arabidopsis explants. [Extracted from the article]

Objective Dentin sialophosphoprotein ( Dspp ) is expressed in odontoblasts and transiently expressed in early ameloblasts. However, the origin of Dspp in ameloblasts remains unclear. Our previous studies demonstrated that copine-7 (CPNE7), a molecule that is secreted by the dental epithelium, is expressed in early ameloblasts and is then translocated to differentiating odontoblasts; its expression levels correlate with odontoblast differentiation under the control of Dspp expression. The objective of this study is to figure out the relationship between CPNE7 and Dspp during amelogenesis. Design The gene expression patterns of CPNE7 and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) were examined by immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of CPNE7 on Dspp regulation were investigated using luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in ameloblastic HAT-7 cells. Results The gene expression pattern of Cpne7 was similar to that of Dspp during ameloblast differentiation. Moreover, Gene expression omnibus profiles indicated that there is a close correlation between Cpne7 and Dspp expression in various normal human tissues. We also confirmed the effects of CPNE7 on the induction of Dspp in ameloblastic HAT-7 cells. Cpne7 overexpression promoted Dspp expression, whereas Dspp expression was down-regulated by Cpne7 inactivation. Conclusions These results suggest that the expression of Dspp in early amelogenesis is linked to CPNE7, a preameloblast-derived factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently identified highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 viruses (clade 2.3.4.4) are relatively low to moderately pathogenic in mammalian hosts compared with HPAI H5N1 viruses. In this study, we generated reassortant viruses comprised of A/MD/Korea/W452/2014(H5N8) with substitution of individual genes from A/EM/Korea/W149/2006(H5N1) to understand the contribution of each viral gene to virulence in mammals. Substituting the PB2 gene segment or the NA gene segment of the H5N8 virus by that from the H5N1 virus resulted in significantly enhanced pathogenicity compared with the parental H5N8 virus in mice. Of note, substitution of the PB2 gene segment of the H5N8 virus by that from the H5N1 virus resulted in a 1000-fold increase in virulence for mice compared with the parental virus (MLD50 decreased from 105.8 to 102.5 EID50). Further, the W452W149PB2 virus also induced the highest virus titers in lungs at all time points and the highest levels of inflammatory cytokine responses among all viruses tested. This high virulence phenotype was also confirmed by high viral titers in the respiratory tracts of infected ferrets. Further, a mini-genome assay revealed that W452W149PB2 has significantly increased polymerase activity (p < 0.001). Taken together, our study demonstrates that a single gene substitution from other avian influenza viruses can alter the pathogenicity of recent H5N8 viruses, and therefore emphasizes the need for intensive monitoring of reassortment events among co-circulating avian and mammalian viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne viral disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV) from Bunyaviridae that is endemic in East Asia. However, the genetic and evolutionary characteristics shared between tick- and human-derived Korean SFTSV strains are still limited. Methodology/Principal findings: In this study we identify, for the first time, the genome sequence of a tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)-derived Korean SFTSV strain (designated as KAGWT) and compare this virus with recent human SFTSV isolates to identify the genetic variations and relationships among SFTSV strains. The genome of the KAGWT strain is consistent with the described genome of other members of the genus Phlebovirus with 6,368 nucleotides (nt), 3,378 nt, and 1,746 nt in the Large (L), Medium (M) and Small (S) segments, respectively. Compared with other completely sequenced human-derived Korean SFTSV strains, the KAGWT strain had highest sequence identities at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid level in each segment with the KAGWH3 strain which was isolated from SFTS patient within the same region, although there is one unique amino acid substitution in the Gn protein (A66S). Phylogenetic analyses of complete genome sequences revealed that at least four different genotypes of SFTSV are co-circulating in South Korea, and that the tick- and human-derived Korean SFTSV strains (genotype B) are closely related to one another. Although we could not detect reassortant, which are commonly observed in segmented viruses, further large-scale surveillance and detailed genomic analysis studies are needed to better understand the molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and evolution of SFTSV. Conclusions/Significance: Full-length sequence analysis revealed a clear association between the genetic origins of tick- and human-derived SFTSV strains. While the most prevalent Korean SFTSV is genotype B, at least four different genotypes of SFTSV strains are co-circulating in South Korea. These findings provide information regarding the molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and evolution of SFTSV in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N6 viruses in 2016 in South Korea, novel H5N8 viruses were also isolated from migratory birds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the HA gene of these H5N8 viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4, similarly to recent H5Nx viruses, and originated from A/Brk/Korea/Gochang1/14(H5N8), a minor lineage of H5N8 that appeared in 2014 and then disappeared. At least four reassortment events occurred with different subtypes (H5N8, H7N7, H3N8 and H10N7) and a chicken challenge study revealed that they were classified as HPAI viruses according to OIE criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram-negative, short rod-shaped, gliding motile, and pale pink-pigmented bacterial strain, designated 15J9-9, was isolated from the soil of Iho Tewoo Beach, Jeju Island, Korea, and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 15J9-9 belonged to the family Cytophagaceae and was related to Larkinella bovis M2T2B15 (96.5% similarity), Larkinella arboricola Z0532 (95.3% similarity), and Larkinella insperata LMG 22510 (95.2% similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain 15J9-9 was 48 mol%. The detection of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, two unknown aminophospholipids (APL and APL), and two unknown polar lipids (L and L) in polar lipid profile, menaquinone-7 as the predominant quinone, and a fatty acid profile of C ω5 c, iso-C, and iso-C 3-OH as the major fatty acids supported the affiliation of strain 15J9-9 to the genus Larkinella. Based on its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 15J9-9 should be classified in the genus Larkinella as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Larkinella harenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J9-9 (=KCTC 42999 = JCM 31656). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate cross-protective vaccine efficacy of highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses against a recent HPAI H5N8 virus, we immunized C57BL/6 mice and ferrets with three alum-adjuvanted inactivated whole H5N1 vaccines developed through reverse-genetics (Rg): [Vietnam/1194/04xPR8 (clade 1), Korea/W149/06xPR8 (clade 2.2), and Korea/ES223N/03xPR8 (clade 2.5)]. Although relatively low cross-reactivities (10–40 HI titer) were observed against heterologous H5N8 virus, immunized animals were 100% protected from challenge with the 20 mLD 50 of H5N8 virus, with the exception of mice vaccinated with 3.5 μg of Rg Vietnam/1194/04xPR8. Of note, the Rg Korea/ES223N/03xPR8 vaccine provided not only effective protection, but also markedly inhibited viral replication in the lungs and nasal swabs of vaccine recipients within five days of HPAI H5N8 virus challenge. Further, we demonstrated that antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of an antibody-coated target cell by cytotoxic effector cells also plays a role in the heterologous protection of H5N1 vaccines against H5N8 challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the conversion of Ni Nd and Ni Tb compartment compounds into 1D coordination polymers or discrete tetranuclear 3 d –4 f compounds under microwave-heating conditions. Stirring a water–ethanol solution containing Ni(CH 3 COO) 2 ·4H 2 O, o -vanillin, 1,3-diaminopropane and LiOH·H 2 O at 30 °C produced [Ni(L 1 ) 2 ](H 2 O) ( 1 ), which possesses two imine–amine type ligands (HL 1 = ((3-methoxysalicylidene)amino)-3-aminopropane). Compound 1 reacted with Nd(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O to give a dinuclear Ni Nd complex [NiNd(HL 1 ) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 ](NO 3 ) 2 ( 2 ). When compound 2 was microwave-heated (700 W) in water in the presence of a bispyridine (bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine; bipp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane), a tetranuclear dimer bridged by two nitrato (NO 3 − ) ligands was obtained: [NiNd(L 2 )(NO 3 )( μ 3 -NO 3 )(bipy)] 2 (OH) 2 (H 2 O) 2 (bipy) or [NiNd(L 2 )(NO 3 )( μ 3 -NO 3 )(bipp)] 2 (OH) 2 (H 2 O) 4 (H 2 L 2 = 1,3-bis((3-methoxysalicylidene)amino)propane). By contrast, compound 2 was converted into a 1D coordination polymer, [Ni 2 Nd 2 (L 2 ) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ( μ -NO 3 ) 3 ](OH − ) 3 (H 2 O) 6 , when microwave-heated in the absence of the bispyridine. Compound 1 reacted with Tb(NO 3 ) 3 ·5H 2 O to give a dinuclear complex [NiTb(HL 1 ) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 ]·(NO 3 ) 2 , a Ni Tb analogue of compound 2 . Microwave-heating this Ni Tb compound in water and in acetonitrile produced a 1D coordination polymer, [Ni 2 Tb 2 (L 2 ) 2 ( μ -NO 3 ) 3 (H 2 O) 2 ]·(OH − ) 3 ·4H 2 O, and a tetranuclear Ni Tb dimer, [NiTb(L 2 )( μ 3 -NO 3 )(NO 3 )(H 2 O)] 2 ·(OH) 2 ·(H 2 O) 4 , respectively. The Ni Tb compounds exhibited emission quenching of the Tb 3+ ion, probably due to a Tb 3+ → Ni 2+ energy transfer. In addition, the intensities of the emission spectra of these compounds did not increase when the lattice water molecules were removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a hereditary tumor syndrome caused by mutations of the NF1 gene and resulting dysregulation of the Ras-pathway. In addition to peripheral nerve tumors, affected tissues include the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system. The immune system has recently been suggested as a possible modulator NF1-related phenotypes. Therefore, we determined the immune phenotype in NF1 patients and investigated its relationship with the phenotypic severity of NF1-related tumor manifestations. We quantified global leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations of peripheral blood from 37 NF1 patients and 21 healthy controls by flow cytometry. To associate immune phenotype with tumor phenotype, all NF1 patients underwent whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and total internal tumor volume was calculated. The immunophenotypes were compared among four NF1 groups with different total internal tumor burdens and between NF1 patients and non-NF1 subjects. We found that NF1 patients show a generalized lymphopenia. Closer analysis revealed that the CD8/CD27 and CD8/CD57 effector T cell fractions strongly increase in NF1 patients with low tumor load and decrease to levels below control in patients with high tumor load. Moreover, increased production of IL2, IFN-γ and TNF-α was found in T cells of NF1 patients upon phorbol-12-myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation compared to healthy controls. The data indicate that decreasing CD8/CD57 and CD27 T cell fractions correspond to increasing tumor load in NF1 patients, potentially making these populations useful marker for internal tumor burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an experimental study on development of a method for purity assignment of L-Valine amino acid by a mass balance method. Topics discussed include study of L-Valine purity assignment by quantitative-nuclear magnetic resonance (Q-NMR), determination of water content in the L-valine sample by 851 Titrando Karl-Fisher coulometer and analysis of impurities in the L-valine sample high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detector.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of euphorbiasteroid, a component of Euphorbia lathyris L., on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and its underlying mechanisms. Euphorbiasteroid decreased differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells via reduction of intracellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation at concentrations of 25 and 50 μM. In addition, euphorbiasteroid altered the key regulator proteins of adipogenesis in the early stage of adipocyte differentiation by increasing the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Subsequently, levels of adipogenic proteins, including fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, were decreased by euphorbiasteroid treatment at the late stage of adipocyte differentiation. The anti-adipogenic effect of euphorbiasteroid may be derived from inhibition of early stage of adipocyte differentiation. Taken together, euphorbiasteroid inhibits adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells through activation of the AMPK pathway. Therefore, euphorbiasteroid and its source plant, E. lathyris L., could possibly be one of the fascinating anti-obesity agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)-based small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has desirable characteristics such as superior energy resolution, but data acquisition for SPECT imaging has been widely performed with a conventional energy window. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal energy window settings for technetium-99 m ( 99m Tc) and thallium-201 ( 201 Tl), the most commonly used isotopes in SPECT imaging, using CZT-based small-animal SPECT for quantitative accuracy. We experimentally investigated quantitative measurements with respect to primary count rate, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and scatter fraction (SF) within various energy window settings using Triumph X-SPECT. The two ways of energy window settings were considered: an on-peak window and an off-peak window. In the on-peak window setting, energy centers were set on the photopeaks. In the off-peak window setting, the ratios of energy differences between the photopeak from the lower- and higher-threshold varied from 4:6 to 3:7. In addition, the energy-window width for 99m Tc varied from 5% to 20%, and that for 201 Tl varied from 10% to 30%. The results of this study enabled us to determine the optimal energy windows for each isotope in terms of primary count rate, CNR, and SF. We selected the optimal energy window that increases the primary count rate and CNR while decreasing SF. For 99m Tc SPECT imaging, the energy window of 138–145 keV with a 5% width and off-peak ratio of 3:7 was determined to be the optimal energy window. For 201 Tl SPECT imaging, the energy window of 64–85 keV with a 30% width and off-peak ratio of 3:7 was selected as the optimal energy window. Our results demonstrated that the proper energy window should be carefully chosen based on quantitative measurements in order to take advantage of desirable characteristics of CZT-based small-animal SPECT. These results provided valuable reference information for the establishment of new protocol for CZT-based small-animal study, and may offer insights into the potential of multiple-isotope imaging with CZT-based small-animal SPECT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma and atopic dermatitis are common allergic diseases, and their prevalence has increased in urban children. Recently, it is becoming understood that forest environment has favorable health effects in patients with chronic diseases. To investigate favorable clinical and immunologic effects of forest, we examined changes in clinical symptoms, indirect airway inflammatory marker, and serum chemokines before and after a short-term forest trip. The forest trips were performed with 21 children with asthma and 27 children with atopic dermatitis. All participating children were living in air polluted urban inner-city. We measured spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in children with asthma and measured scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index and Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine (TARC)/CCL17 and Macrophage-Derived Chemokine (MDC)/CCL22 levels in children with atopic dermatitis before and after the forest trip. Indoor air pollutants such as indoor mold, particulate matter 10 (PM10) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) of each child's home and the accommodations within forest were measured. A significant increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) and a significant decrease in FeNO were observed after the forest trip in children with asthma. SCORAD indices and MDC/CCL22 levels were significantly decreased after the forest trip in children with atopic dermatitis. Airborne mold and PM10 levels in indoor were significantly lower in the forest accommodations than those of children's homes; however, TVOC levels were not different between the two measured sites. Short-term exposure to forest environment may have clinical and immunological effects in children with allergic diseases who were living in the urban community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In P seudomonas aeruginosa, quorum sensing ( QS) plays an essential role in pathogenesis and the QS response controls many virulence factors. Using a mealworm, T enebrio molitor as a host model, we found that Protease IV, a QS-regulated exoprotease of P . aeruginosa functions as a key virulence effector causing the melanization and death of T . molitor larvae. Protease IV was able to degrade zymogens of spätzle processing enzyme ( SPE) and SPE-activating enzyme ( SAE) without the activation of the antimicrobial peptide ( AMP) production. Since SPE and SAE function to activate spätzle, a ligand of Toll receptor in the innate immune system of T . molitor, we suggest that Protease IV may interfere with the activation of the Toll signaling. Independently of the Toll pathway, the melanization response, another innate immunity was still generated, since Protease IV directly converted T enebrio prophenoloxidase into active phenoloxidase. Protease IV also worked as an important factor in the virulence to brine shrimp and nematode. These results suggest that Protease IV provides P . aeruginosa with a sophisticated way to escape the immune attack of host by interfering with the production of AMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the in vitro activity of various antibiotics including zabofloxacin, against isolates responsible for invasive pneumococcal diseases. Between 1997 and 2008, a total of 208 isolates were collected from sterile fluids, including blood ( n = 196, 94.2%), pleural fluid ( n = 5, 2.4%), cerebrospinal fluid ( n = 5, 2.4%), and ascites ( n = 2, 1.0%). Zabofloxacin showed the lowest MIC 50 (0.015 μg/mL) and MIC 90 (0.025 μg/mL) values of all the tested antibiotics. Rates of isolates resistant to penicillin (MIC ≥8 μg/mL), ceftriaxone (MIC ≥4 μg/mL) and levofloxacin (MIC ≥8 μg/mL) were 3.4%, 0.4% and 2.0%, respectively. Four isolates (2.0%) were resistant to levofloxacin, and zabofloxacin showed low MICs (range, 0.025–0.125 μg/mL). Zabofloxacin shows potent in vitro activity against S. pneumoniae isolates that caused invasive disease, even strains that are resistant to levofloxacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Interaction of PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae vaccines in dually infected pigs. [•] No reduction of PCV2-lesions by M. hyopneumoniae vaccine. [•] No reduction of M. hyopneumoniae-lesions by PCV2 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Diverse avian-derived NS recombinant viruses in A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) exhibited similar viral growth patterns in vitro and in vivo. [•] The NS recombinant viruses showed varied pathogenicity in infected mice. [•] Mice infected with the more highly-virulent recombinant viruses (PR8 and PR8×483NS) showed greater and more sustained cytokine production levels. [•] Avian-derived NS genes alter pathogenicity, histopathology, and cytokine production in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules, are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as cancer and arthritis. The aim of this study was to determine whether miR-127-5p regulates interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and other catabolic factors in human chondrocytes. Methods Expression of miR-127-5p and MMP-13 by normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human cartilage was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effect of miR-127-5p on MMP-13 expression was evaluated using transient transfection of human chondrocytes or chondrogenic SW-1353 cells with miR-127-5p or its antisense inhibitor (anti-miR-127-5p). MMP-13 protein production was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the involvement of miR-127-5p in IL-1β-mediated catabolic effects was examined by immunoblotting. MicroRNA-127-5p binding with the putative site in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of MMP-13 messenger RNA (mRNA) was validated by luciferase reporter assay. Results There was a significant reduction in miR-127-5p expression in OA cartilage compared with normal cartilage. Up-regulation of MMP-13 expression by IL-1β was correlated with down-regulation of miR-127-5p expression in human chondrocytes. MicroRNA-127-5p suppressed IL-1β-induced MMP-13 production as well as the activity of a reporter construct containing the 3′-UTR of human MMP-13 mRNA. In addition, mutation of the miR-127-5p binding site in the 3′-UTR of MMP-13 mRNA abolished miR-127-5p-mediated repression of reporter activity. Conversely, treatment with anti-miR-127-5p remarkably increased reporter activity and MMP-13 production. Interestingly, the IL-1β-induced activation of JNK, p38, and NF-κB and expression of MMP-1 and cyclooxygenase 2 were significantly inhibited by miR-127-5p. Conclusion MicroRNA-127-5p is an important regulator of MMP-13 in human chondrocytes and may contribute to the development of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules, are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as cancer and arthritis. The aim of this study was to determine whether miR-127-5p regulates interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and other catabolic factors in human chondrocytes. Methods Expression of miR-127-5p and MMP-13 by normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human cartilage was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effect of miR-127-5p on MMP-13 expression was evaluated using transient transfection of human chondrocytes or chondrogenic SW-1353 cells with miR-127-5p or its antisense inhibitor (anti-miR-127-5p). MMP-13 protein production was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the involvement of miR-127-5p in IL-1β-mediated catabolic effects was examined by immunoblotting. MicroRNA-127-5p binding with the putative site in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of MMP-13 messenger RNA (mRNA) was validated by luciferase reporter assay. Results There was a significant reduction in miR-127-5p expression in OA cartilage compared with normal cartilage. Up-regulation of MMP-13 expression by IL-1β was correlated with down-regulation of miR-127-5p expression in human chondrocytes. MicroRNA-127-5p suppressed IL-1β-induced MMP-13 production as well as the activity of a reporter construct containing the 3′-UTR of human MMP-13 mRNA. In addition, mutation of the miR-127-5p binding site in the 3′-UTR of MMP-13 mRNA abolished miR-127-5p-mediated repression of reporter activity. Conversely, treatment with anti-miR-127-5p remarkably increased reporter activity and MMP-13 production. Interestingly, the IL-1β-induced activation of JNK, p38, and NF-κB and expression of MMP-1 and cyclooxygenase 2 were significantly inhibited by miR-127-5p. Conclusion MicroRNA-127-5p is an important regulator of MMP-13 in human chondrocytes and may contribute to the development of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Of the Study: Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare cyanotic congenital heart defect. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of isolated TAPVC repairs and the prognoses of affected patients in the last 12 years at a single center.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 51 patients who underwent isolated TAPVC repair from 2007 to 2018.Results: The median age at operation was 19 days, and the median body weight was 3.3 kg. Thirteen (25.5%) patients had emergency operations, and the median follow-up period was 29.54 ± 36.77 months. Early mortality was noted in five patients and late mortality was noted in one patient. Pulmonary vein stenosis was observed in 22 patients within 3 to 6 months after the operation, and six patients required reoperation or transcatheter interventions. Low birth weight, small left atrial volume, long operation time, and preoperative heart failure were identified as risk factors for mortality.Conclusions: Isolated TAPVC can rapidly lead to hemodynamic instability during the neonatal period and is associated with high mortality rates. Increasing the prenatal diagnosis rate and stabilizing the patients' condition before the operation are considered important for improving the surgical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomal miRNAs have been studied in various cancers as minimally invasive biomarkers. This study aimed to investigate the potential of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Exosomes were isolated from cultures of esophageal epithelial cell and ESCC cell lines using ExoDisc, and exosomal miRNAs were detected via miRNA sequencing. Of the differentially expressed 14 miRNAs, the top 2 up-regulated miRNAs (miR-205-5p and miR-429) and top 2 down-regulated miRNAs (miR-375-3p and miR-483-3p) were selected as ESCC target miRNAs. Four selected exosomal miRNAs were validated in the plasma of 20 healthy controls (HCs) and 40 ESCC patients via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of plasma exosomal miR-205-5p and miR-429 significantly increased, while that of plasma exosomal miR-375-3p was significantly reduced in ESCC patients compared to that in HCs. At cut-off values of 5.04, 2.564, and 0.136, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ESCC were 72.5% and 70.0% for miR-205-5p, 60.0% and 60.0% for miR-429, and 65.0% and 65.0% for miR-375-3p, respectively. Based on the exosomal miRNAs identified in ESCC cell lines, our study demonstrated that plasma exosomal miR-205-5p, miR-429, and miR-375-3p could serve as potential biomarkers for ESCC diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ta metal is frequently used as a raw material in the production of military hardware and electromagnetic components; therefore, obtaining high-purity tantalum is emerging as an important goal. Here, Ta metal powder was successfully prepared by reduction of Mg gas with tantalum pentoxide (Ta 2 O 5). The reduction behavior was studied kinetically using Ta 2 O 5 with different initial particle sizes (0.3 and 1.2 μm). Reduction temperature varied in the range from 1073 to 1273 K. In the X-ray diffraction patterns of reduced powders, pure Ta peaks appear above 1123 K when using the 0.3 μm initial powder, and at 1173 K when using the 1.2 μm initial powder. With increasing reduction temperature, reduction rates were higher with the use of the 0.3 μm powder than with the coarser 1.2 μm powder. This behavior resulted in different activation energies for Mg-reduction (5.234 and 8.695 kJ/mol for the 0.3 and 1.2 μm powder, respectively). In the powder reduced at 1273 K, the oxygen content was lowered to 0.66 and 0.88 wt% for the 1.2 and 0.3 μm powders, respectively; this is explained by differences in the specific surface area according to particle size. • Metallic tantalum powder was prepared by reduction of Mg gas with Ta 2 O 5. • Reduction behavior varied with initial Ta 2 O 5 particle size (0.3 vs. 1.2 μm). • Pure tantalum formed above 1123 K (1173 K) using 0.3-μm (1.2-μm) initial powder. • Reduction rate (Mg activation energy) was higher (lower) for 0.3-μm powder. • Oxygen content higher for 0.3-μm powder reflecting different specific surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multi-host pathogen, quorum sensing (QS) plays an essential role in pathogenesis, wherein LasR, QscR and RhlR, the QS regulators, control the expression of many virulence factors. In this study, we constructed a signal-binding-domain (SBD)-deleted QscR (QscR160–237) to make a signal-independently-active form of QscR. However, QscR160–237 that has only a DNA binding domain (DBD) was not fully active. It was able to bind to the target site in a signal-independent manner, but was not able to activate transcription of the target promoter. Since QscR160–237 could interfere with binding of wild-type QscR (QscRwt) to its QscR binding site, we investigated the competition between QscR160–237 and QscRwt on the QscR binding site in vivo and in vitro. When QscRwt and QscR160–237 were independently co-expressed by two different inducers, increasing expression of QscR160–237 interfered with QscRwt activity. This was verified by a competitive gel shift assay in vitro using purified QscRwt and QscR160–237. Our results show that the SBD deletion makes QscR a partially active form that has only DNA binding ability, but it can interfere with QscRwt by competitive binding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method with electrospray ionization was developed for the simultaneous quantitation of five probe drugs and their metabolites in human plasma for assessing the in vivo activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP). CYP isoform specific substrates and their metabolites of CYP1A2 (caffeine), CYP2C9 (losartan), CYP2C19 (omeprazole), CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan) and CYP3A (midazolam) were all simultaneously analyzed using LC–MS/MS after administration of a mixture of five drugs (i.e., a “cocktail approach”) to healthy volunteers. The assay uses propranolol as an internal standard; dual liquid extraction; a Xbridge MS C18 (100mm×2.1mm, 3.5μm) column; a gradient mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid/acetonitrile (7/3→3/7); mass spectrometric detection in positive ion mode. The method was validated from 5 to 500ng/mL for caffeine and paraxanthine, 0.1–40ng/mL for losartan and EXP3174, 0.05–20ng/mL for omeprazole and 5-hydroxyomeprazole, 0.008–0.8ng/mL for dextromethorphan and dextrorphan, 0.01–1.0ng/mL for midazolam, and 0.04–4ng/mL for 1′-hydroxymidazolam. The intra- and inter-day precision over the concentration ranges for all analytes were lower than 12.5% and 13.8% (relative standard deviation, %RSD), and accuracy was between 86.5% and 108.4% and between 87.0% and 107.0%, respectively. This highly sensitive and quantitative method allowed a pharmacokinetic study in subjects receiving doses 10–100 times lower than typical therapeutic doses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During tooth development and tumorigenesis, the odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) is involved in cellular differentiation and matrix protein production. However, the precise function of ODAM remains largely unknown. To suggest new functional roles of ODAM, we investigated the cellular expression and subcellular localization of ODAM in tooth and cancer cells. ODAM was expressed in ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and osteoblasts in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, ODAM was localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of MMP-20 expressing ameloblasts and odontoblasts, but only in the cytoplasm of non-MMP-20 expressing osteoblasts. The extracellular secretion of ODAM was not observed in odontoblasts and osteoblasts, but was seen in ameloblasts. In addition, ODAM was discovered in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and extracellular matrix of various cancer cells. These results suggest that the expression pattern and subcellular localization of ODAM is highly variable and dependent on cell types and their differentiation states, and that functional correlations exist between ODAM and MMP-20. This study provides the first evidence for ODAM in multiple cellular compartments of differentiating odontogenic and cancer cell lines with important functional implications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The forkhead box C2 (Foxc2) protein, a member of the forkhead/winged helix transcription factor family, plays an important role in regulation of metabolism, arterial specification, and vascular sprouting. Foxc2-null mutants die prenatally or perinatally, and they exhibit hypoplasia of the vertebrae and insufficient chondrification or ossification of medial structures. However, the role of Foxc2 in osteoblastogenesis is not yet fully understood. According to the degree of differentiation of osteoblasts, we found that Foxc2 expression was gradually increased and dose-dependently up-regulated by well-known bone anabolic agents, such as hPTH(1–34) and BMP2. In ex vivo mouse calvarial organ culture, a significant reduction of the basal expression of Foxc2 induced by siFoxc2 remarkably suppressed cell proliferation and differentiation and induced cell death. Knockdown of Foxc2 expression using siFoxc2 in both MC3T3-E1 and primary mouse calvarial cells also resulted in a significant suppression of proliferation and differentiation, and induced cell death, supporting the ex vivo observations. In addition, the resistance to apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and phosphorylation of both Akt and ERK was significantly reduced after siFoxc2 treatment. Conversely, overexpression of Foxc2 increased the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 and primary mouse calvarial cells. Furthermore, we found that Foxc2 enhanced the expression of integrin β1, an important modulator of osteoblastogenesis, by direct binding to a Forkhead-binding element in its promoter. Taken together, these results indicate that Foxc2 plays an important role in osteoblastogenesis by promoting osteoblast proliferation, survival and differentiation through up-regulation of integrin β1 in response to stimuli which induce bone formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Anodically formed tin oxide typically displays a self-ordered porous structure with a large degree of cracking. In addition, its surface pores are frequently closed, especially in the case where the deposited tin film is anodized. Herein, we report a simple way of eliminating virtually all the inner cracks and ensuring that the surface pores are totally open, leading to well-defined one-dimensional anodic tin oxide. The current efficiency ratio of oxygen gas generation to tin oxide formation and the amount of charge allocated for pore initiation are suggested to be the key factors affecting the internal crack development and pore opening, respectively. Pulsed anodization proved to be quite an effective way to create a well-defined structure with few inner cracks and completely open pores. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phenylbutazone was crystallized from solutions by the liquid antisolvent recrystallization technique. Acetone was used as a solvent, and distilled water was selected as an antisolvent. The influence of processing parameters, such as drug concentration, temperature, injection rate of drug solution, and mixing method of drug solution with antisolvent, on the particle size distribution were investigated. Furthermore, to examine the variation of resulting particle size in the presence of the ultrasound, the ultrasonic wave was applied to all experiments. Larger crystals were obtained when crystallization took place at higher temperatures. The enhancement of drug concentration favored decreased particle size. Regarding the mixing method of the drug solution and antisolvent, smaller particles were produced when the drug solution was injected into antisolvent, and larger crystals were obtained when the antisolvent was injected into drug solutions. As the injection rate of the drug solution increased, the average particle size decreased. The processed particles consistently exhibited an acicular crystal habit. The presence of ultrasound caused a reduction of particle size under all operational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Osteoblasts originate from mesenchymal stem cells by the coordinated activities of different signaling pathways that regulate the expression of osteoblast-specific genes. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is the master transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation. Despite the importance of Runx2 in the developing skeleton, how Runx2 expression is regulated remains a pivotal question. Snail, a zinc finger transcription factor, is essential for triggering epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) during embryonic development and tumor progression. Here, we report that Runx2 expression is significantly up- or down-regulated relative to Snail expression. We demonstrate that Snail binds to the Runx2 promoter and that repression of Runx2 transcription by Snail is dependent on specific E-box sequence within the promoter. With antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)-mediated knockdown of Snail expression in zebrafish, we observed alterations in osteogenic potential. These results indicate that Snail plays a crucial role in osteogenic differentiation by acting as a direct Runx2 repressor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Quinone-methide triterpenes, celastrol (1), pristimerin (2), tingenone (3), and iguesterin (4) were isolated from Triterygium regelii and dihydrocelastrol (5) was synthesized by hydrogenation under palladium catalyst. Isolated quinone-methide triterpenes (1–4) and 5 were evaluated for SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitory activities and showed potent inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 10.3, 5.5, 9.9, and 2.6μM, respectively, whereas the corresponding 5 having phenol moiety was observed in low activity (IC50 =21.7μM). As a result, quinone-methide moiety in A-ring and more hydrophobic E-ring assist to exhibit potent activity. Also, all quinone-methide triterpenes 1–4 have proven to be competitive by the kinetic analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), the potent bone anabolic agent, regulates the bone development, as well as the growth, remodeling and healing of the fracture. The intracellular signaling of FGF2 leads to activation of genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival. However, little is known about FGF2-regulated proteins in the osteoblasts. Therefore, in this study, protein profiling in FGF2-treated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells was evaluated using proteomic technologies. Six proteins including asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NARS), eukaryotic translation termination factor 1 (ETF1), GDP-forming succinyl-CoA synthetase (SUCLG2), heat shock protein 84 (HSP 84), sorting nexin 9 (SNX9) and α glucosidase 2α neutral subunit (GANAB) were increased more than 3-fold after the FGF2 treatment. Also, two proteins including β-tropomyosin and tropomyosin 2 were decreased to 2-folds. Among these proteins, asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NARS), a member of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS), was strikingly up-regulated more than 900-fold. The overexpression of NARS significantly increased the proliferation of both the MC3T3-E1 and the primary mouse calvarial cells. In contrast, significant reduction of the basal expression of NARS by siNARS remarkably suppressed the proliferation and induced the death of cell. After the siNARS treatment, the resistance to apoptosis induced by serum deprivation was also significantly reduced. The level of p-Akt was also reduced and the activity of caspase 3 significantly enhanced. In addition, NARS-induced protection against apoptosis was abolished by the treatment of PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002. In conclusion, we suggest that NARS is one of the important mediators of FGF2 induced survival signaling in osteoblasts through the activation of PI3K/Akt survival pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most HIV-positive individuals diagnosed in Korea are infected through sexual contact, with the time of HIV infection therefore often being unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of diagnosed patients near the time of HIV seroconversion to establish useful HIV intervention strategies. Cross-sectional study. Newly diagnosed HIV cases based on the national HIV surveillance system in South Korea, 2008–2015. To distinguish recent from long-standing HIV infection among 5898 nationwide HIV-positive specimens, limiting antigen avidity assays (Sedia HIV-1 LAg-Avidity EIA, cut-off = 1.5) were performed. Data on CD4+ T cell count at HIV diagnosis and death from AIDS within one year after first HIV diagnosis were used to distinguish recent HIV infections. Acute HIV infection is characterized by detectable HIV RNA or HIV p24 antigen levels, along with a negative or indeterminate antibody western blot result, but with the subject subsequently testing positive after a predetermined period. We analyzed the characteristics of recent and acute HIV infections by sex, age, nationality, HIV testing site, region, and reason for HIV testing. Recent and acute HIV infections were described as the proportion of recent and acute HIV infections among newly-diagnosed cases in a given year. Recent and acute HIV infections over the 8-year study period were 20.5% (1210/5898) and 9.5% (562/5898), respectively. Both infections were generally higher in the following groups: males, younger age, Koreans, individuals who were tested due to disease, residents of smaller city or rural area, and individuals diagnosed in recent calendar years. Acute infections were significantly higher among individuals tested in hospitals and due to suspected HIV infection. The recent and acute HIV infection in younger age groups (< 30 years) has been increasing in a given year. There was an increase in the proportion of young individuals with recent HIV infection, and we identified risk groups more at risk of HIV infection recently in Korea. Therefore, our results could prove useful for the development and assessment of national HIV prevention strategies in Korea and provide valuable data for further HIV research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A hydrophilic pharmaceutical compound (caffeine) was recrystallized from its solutions using a carbon dioxide as an antisolvent. Caffeine was dissolved in two organic solvents, chloroform and methylene chloride at concentrations of 0.15 and 0.083g/ml, respectively. Carbon dioxide was injected into these solutions, thereby inducing supersaturation of the solution and particle precipitation. The effect of process parameters such as crystallizing temperature, solvent type, and the carbon dioxide injection rate on the solid-state properties of caffeine was investigated. The influence of a growth retardant on crystal habit and particle size was also examined. The recrystallized caffeine particles consistently exhibited acicular crystal habit. Smaller crystals were obtained when crystallization took place at higher temperatures, and submicron size caffeine particles were produced when α-d-glucose penta acetate was used as a growth retardant. Lower crystallizing temperatures provided favorable conditions for a more orderly arrangement of caffeine molecules, and consequently the crystallinity of particles increased when crystals were obtained at low temperatures. The presence of a growth retardant may have suppressed the ordered growth in some minor directions thus leading the molecules to arrange in a particular orientation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The prevalence of the bovine torovirus (BToV) and its genetic characterization have been reported in North America, Europe and Japan. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence and genetic diversity of the BToV in a total of 645 diarrheic fecal samples from 629 Korean native beef calf herds using RT-PCR and nested PCR with the primer pairs specific to a part of the BToV membrane (M) gene. Overall, 19 (2.9%) out of 645 diarrheic samples from 19 herds (6.9%) tested positive for BToVs by either RT-PCR or nested PCR. A comparison of the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequences of a part of the BToV M gene (409bp) among the BToVs showed the Korean BToVs to have comparatively higher sequence homology to the Japanese and Dutch BToVs than to the American and Italian BToVs. Generally, the Korean BToV strains clustered with the Japanese and Dutch BToV strains. However, the American and Italian BToV strains clustered on a separate major branch, suggesting that these are more distantly related to other known BToV strains. These results suggest that the BToV infections are sporadic in diarrheic calves in South Korea, and the Korean BToV strains are more closely related to the Japanese and Dutch BToVs than to the American and Italian BToVs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The DesVIII is an auxiliary protein which enhances the transfer of TDP-d-desosamine catalyzed by DesVII glycosyltransferase in the biosynthesis of macrolide antibiotics, neomethymycin, methymycin and pikromycin, in Streptomyces venezuelae ATCC 15439. Homologues of the desVIII gene are present in a number of aminosugar-containing antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters including eryCII from the erythromycin producer Saccharopolyspora erythraea, oleP1 from the oleandomycin producer Streptomyces antibioticus, dnrQ from the doxorubicin producer Streptomyces peucetius, and tylMIII from the tylosin producer Streptomyces fradiae. In order to gain further insight into the function of these DesVIII homologues, interspecies complementation experiments were carried out by expressing each gene in a desVIII deletion mutant strain of S. venezuelae. Complementation by expressing EryCII, OleP1, and DnrQ in this mutant strain restored the production of glycosylated macrolides to an approximate level of 66%, 26% and 26%, respectively, compared to self-complementation by DesVIII. However, expression of TylMIII did not restore the antibiotic production. These results suggest that the DesVIII homologues (except for TylMIII) can functionally replace the native DesVIII for glycosylation to proceed in vivo and their functions are similar in acting as glycosyltransferase auxiliary proteins. The requirement of glycosyltransferase auxiliary protein seems to be more widespread in polyketide biosynthetic pathways than previously known. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]