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Abstract Antibody phage display is a key tool for the development of monoclonal antibodies against various targets. However, the development of anti-peptide antibodies is a challenging process due to the small size of peptides for binding. This makes anchoring of peptides a preferred approach for panning experiments. A common approach is by using streptavidin as the anchor protein to present biotinylated peptides for panning. Here, we propose the use of recombinant expression of the target peptide and an immunogenic protein as a fusion for panning. The peptide inhibitor of trans-endothelial migration (PEPITEM) peptide sequence was fused to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) α-crystalline (AC) as an anchor protein. The panning process was carried out by subtractive selection of the antibody library against the AC protein first, followed by binding to the library to PEPITEM fused AC (PEPI-AC). A unique monoclonal scFv antibodies with good specificity were identified. In conclusion, the use of an alternative anchor protein to present the peptide sequence coupled with subtractive panning allows for the identification of unique monoclonal antibodies against a peptide target.

Cycloart-24-ene-3β,26-diol, C30H50O2, isolated from the leaves of Aglaia exima, has three six-membered rings fused together that adopt chair conformations. There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. O—H...O hydrogen bond interactions between the hydroxyl groups in the 3β and 26 positions lead to the formation of a layer structure parallel to (10overline2).

Non-invasive objective implant stability measurements are needed to determine the appropriate timing of prosthetic fitting after implant placement. We compared the early implant stability results obtained using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and damping capacity analysis (DCA) depending on the implant length and bone density. Total 60, 4.0 mm diameter implants of various lengths (7.3 mm, 10 mm, and 13 mm) were used. In Group I, low-density bone was described using 15 PCF (0.24 g/cm3) polyurethane bone blocks, and in Group II, 30 PCF (0.48 g/cm3) polyurethane bone blocks were used to describe medium density bone. RFA was performed using an Osstell® Beacon+; DCA was performed using Anycheck®. Measurements were repeated five times for each implant. Statistical significance was set at P

The difference in the leaf unfolding date of Mongolian oak obtained through MODIS image analysis between the urban center and the outskirts of Seoul was found to be seven days. The difference in the flowering date of cherry obtained through field observations was also found to be seven days between the urban center and the outskirts. The frequency of the abnormal shoot of Korean red pine differed by 71% between the urban center and the outskirts, and the length growth differed by 8.6 cm. There was a statistically significant correlation between the leaf unfolding date of Mongolian oak, the flowering date of the cherry, and the spatial difference in the frequency and length of the abnormal shoot of the Korean red pine. The temperature difference between the urban center and the outskirts of Seoul based on the mean temperature over the past 30 years was about 5 °C. The spatial difference in plant phenology showed a statistically significant negative relationship with the spatial difference in temperature. On the other hand, the spatial difference in temperature showed a statistically significant positive relationship with the spatial difference in the urbanization rate. These results are interpreted as the result of excessive land use during urbanization causing the heat island phenomenon, and the resulting temperature difference is reflected in the phenology of plants. These results are evidence that urbanization, which uses excessive land and energy, has a very significant impact on climate change. In addition, it is also evidence that sustainable land use could be an important means to achieve climate change adaptation and further solve climate change problems.

Abstract Background Safety issues for dental restorative composites are critical to material selection, but, limited information is available to dental practitioners. This study aimed to compare the chemical and biological characteristics of three nanohybrid dental composites by assessing filler particle analysis, monomer degree of conversion (DC), the composition of eluates, and cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in fibroblasts. Methods Three nanohybrid composites (TN, Tetric N-Ceram; CX, Ceram X Sphere Tec One; and DN, DenFil NX) were used. The size distribution and morphology of the filler particles were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (n = 5). The DC was measured via micro-Raman spectroscopy (n = 5). For the component analysis, methanol eluates from the light-polymerised composites were evaluated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (n = 3). The eluates were prepared from the polymerised composites after 24 h in a cell culture medium. A live/dead assay (n = 9) and Water-Soluble Tetrazolium-1 assay (n = 9) were performed and compared with negative and positive controls. The ROS in composites were compared with NC. Statistical significance in differences was assessed using a t-test and ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results Morphological variations in different-sized fillers were observed in the composites. The DC values were not significantly different among the composites. The amounts of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were higher in TN than DN (p = 0.0022) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in CX was higher than in others (p

The prediction of an occult invasive component in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) before surgery is of clinical importance because the treatment strategies are different between pure DCIS without invasive component and upgraded DCIS. We demonstrated the potential of using deep learning models for differentiating between upgraded versus pure DCIS in DCIS diagnosed by core-needle biopsy. Preoperative axial dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 352 lesions were used to train, validate, and test three different types of deep learning models. The highest performance was achieved by Recurrent Residual Convolutional Neural Network using Regions of Interest (ROIs) with an accuracy of 75.0% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.796. Our results suggest that the deep learning approach may provide an assisting tool to predict the histologic upgrade of DCIS and provide personalized treatment strategies to patients with underestimated invasive disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether support vector machine (SVM) trained with radiomics features based on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could predict the upgrade of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB) after surgical excision.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included a total of 349 lesions from 346 female patients (mean age, 54 years) diagnosed with DCIS by CNB between January 2011 and December 2017. Based on histological confirmation after surgery, the patients were divided into pure (n = 198, 56.7%) and upgraded DCIS (n = 151, 43.3%). The entire dataset was randomly split to training (80%) and test sets (20%). Radiomics features were extracted from the intratumor region-of-interest, which was semi-automatically drawn by two radiologists, based on the first subtraction images from dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for feature selection. A 4-fold cross validation was applied to the training set to determine the combination of features used to train SVM for classification between pure and upgraded DCIS. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the model performance using the hold-out test set.ResultsThe model trained with 9 features (Energy, Skewness, Surface Area to Volume ratio, Gray Level Non Uniformity, Kurtosis, Dependence Variance, Maximum 2D diameter Column, Sphericity, and Large Area Emphasis) demonstrated the highest 4-fold mean validation accuracy and AUC of 0.724 (95% CI, 0.619–0.829) and 0.742 (0.623–0.860), respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC using the test set were 0.733 (0.575–0.892) and 0.7 (0.558–0.842), 0.714 (0.608–0.820) and 0.767 (0.651–0.882), respectively.ConclusionOur study suggested that the combined radiomics and machine learning approach based on preoperative breast MRI may provide an assisting tool to predict the histologic upgrade of DCIS.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of restoration practices in a forest ecosystem near the Ulsan Industrial Complex in southeastern Korea. The calcium and magnesium contents in the soil, as well as the soil pH, increased after the application of a soil ameliorator but decreased again after 20 years. Meanwhile, the aluminum content presented the opposite trend. After restoration, the species composition and diversity of vegetation tended to differ from that of the non-restored site over time while continuously becoming more similar to that of the reference site. The ratio of exotic plant species was lower than that at the non-restored site but higher than that at the reference site. The frequency distribution for the diameter class of oaks established through restoration presented a reverse J-shaped pattern, and thus, they can be maintained continuously; similar results were obtained for the reference site. In sum, the forest ecosystem near the industrial park—which had been severely degraded due to air pollution and soil acidification—was restored to a forest close to natural conditions through restorative treatments, including the neutralization of acidic soil and the introduction of tolerant species.

This study was carried out to clarify the spatial distribution of exotic plants at national, regional, and local levels, as well as their ecological impacts, and to prepare a strategy to reduce the impacts in Republic of Korea. This study was attempted at the national, regional, and local levels throughout Republic of Korea. Compositae occupied the highest percentage among invading exotic plants in Republic of Korea. A review of the biological attributes of exotic plants based on the dormancy form, longevity, disseminule form, growth form, and radicoid form showed that therophytes, annual plants, plants that disperse seeds by gravity (D4), erect form (E), and nonclonal growth form (R5) occupied the highest proportion. At the national level, the spatial distribution of exotic plants tended to depend on topographic conditions such as elevation and slope degree, and to increase around urbanized areas, agricultural fields, and coastal areas. The habitat types that exotic plants established were similar in their native habitat and in Korea, where they invaded. They preferred disturbed land such as roadsides, bare ground, agricultural fields, and so on. The spatial distribution of vegetation types dominated by exotic plants was restricted in the lowland. The proportion of the exotic/native plants tended to proportionate reversely to the vegetation type richness (the number of vegetation types); that is, the ecological diversity. The proportion of the exotic plants was higher in artificial plantations, vegetation due to disturbance, and vegetation established on lower slopes compared with upper slopes. Even at the local level, the exotic plants appeared abundantly in the introduced vegetation, while they were rare in the native ones. In the vegetation infected by exotic species, not only the species composition changed significantly, but the species diversity also decreased. Restorative treatment by introducing mantle vegetation around the hiking trail inhibited the establishment of exotic plants. Further, the restoration practice recovered the similarity of the species composition compared to the reference vegetation and increased the species diversity.

The river is a dynamic space where erosion, transportation, and sedimentation are constantly occurring due to running water. This study aims to reveal the change in geomorphology caused by the flow characteristics of water in rivers and the response of vegetation to that. This study was carried out by clarifying the spatially appearing successional trends in the vegetation established in the stream bars and the riparian zones, which are located on different topographic conditions based on the vegetation profile, ordination result, and species diversity. The spatial distribution of vegetation on the stream bars tended to appear in the order of annual plant-, perennial plant-, and tree-dominated stands from the upstream toward a downstream direction (a gravel bar and a sand bar in a mountain gravel-bed river and an estuary, respectively) or the reversed one (a sand bar in a lowland river). The spatial distribution of vegetation on the riparian zones tended to appear in the order of annual plant-, perennial plant-, and tree-dominated stands from the waterfront toward the bank direction. Changes in species composition also differed depending on the spatial location, showing a similar trend to the spatial distribution of vegetation. Species diversity became higher in proportion to the longevity of the dominant species of each vegetation type. In conclusion, the longitudinal distribution pattern of vegetation on the stream bars resembles the lateral distribution of riparian vegetation, and the successional trends follow the spatial distribution pattern. These results suggest that the dynamics of bed loading, an allogenic process, may be an important determinant of the spatial distribution and succession of plant communities in dynamic riverine environments.

Driven by necessity, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has accelerated the development and implementation of new vaccine platforms and other viral therapeutics. Among these is the therapeutic use of antibodies including single-domain antibodies, in particular the camelid variable heavy-chain fragment (VHH). Such therapies can provide a critical interim intervention when vaccines have not yet been developed for an emerging virus. It is evident that an increasing number of different viruses are emerging and causing epidemics and pandemics with increasing frequency. It is therefore imperative that we capitalize on the experience and knowledge gained from combatting COVID-19 to be better prepared for the next pandemic.

Abstract Background Because changes in surface properties affect bacterial adhesion, orthodontic bonding procedures may significantly influence biofilm formation and composition around orthodontic appliances. However, most studies used a mono-species biofilm model under static conditions, which does not simulate the intraoral environment and complex interactions of oral microflora because the oral cavity is a diverse and changeable environment. In this study, a multi-species biofilm model was used under dynamic culture conditions to assess the effects of the orthodontic bonding procedure on biofilm formation and compositional changes in two main oral pathogens, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Methods Four specimens were prepared with bovine incisors and bonding adhesive: untreated enamel surface (BI), enamel surface etched with 37% phosphoric acid (ET), primed enamel surface after etching (PR), and adhesive surface (AD). Surface roughness (SR), surface wettability (SW), and surface texture were evaluated. A multi-species biofilm was developed on each surface and adhesion amounts of Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and total bacteria were analyzed at day 1 and day 4 using real-time polymerase chain reaction. After determining the differences in biofilm formation, SR, and SW between the four surfaces, relationships between bacteria levels and surface properties were analyzed. Results The order of SR was AD < PR < BI < ET, as BI and ET showed more irregular surface texture than PR and AD. For SW, ET had the greatest value followed by PR, BI, and AD. S. mutans and P. gingivalis showed greater adhesion to BI and ET with rougher and more wettable surfaces than to AD with smoother and less wettable surfaces. The adhesion of total bacteria and S. mutans significantly increased over time, but the amount of P. gingivalis decreased. The adhesion amounts of all bacteria were positively correlated with SR and SW, irrespective of incubation time. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, changes in SR and SW associated with orthodontic bonding had significant effects on biofilm formation and composition of S. mutans and P. gingivalis.

In this work, a facile, metal-free and efficient protocol for the synthesis of thiazolo- and benzothiazolo[3,2- a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives using onion peel as catalyst is described. For the first time, the onion peels are used for the synthesis of thiazolo- and benzothiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives. The current protocol has numerous advantages, including cost-effectiveness, avoiding the use of external acids and bases, and the high porosity of the natural catalyst has led to the desired products in good to excellent yields. We anticipate that this environmental friendly catalyst presented here will be of great utility in both research institution and industry.

This study evaluated the effects of the restoration of rivers carried out by the central government on streams located in major cities in South Korea. The effects of the restoration were evaluated based on the morphological and ecological characteristics, species composition and richness of vegetation, and a Riparian Vegetation Index of the restored streams. The naturalness of the streams, based on both the morphological and ecological characteristics, as well as the Riparian Vegetation Index of the restored streams was significantly lower than that of the reference rivers. The vegetation profiles of the restored streams did not reflect the flooding regimen of the river. Furthermore, the herbaceous plants found on the streambanks give way to shrubs and then to tree-dominated vegetation, respectively. The species composition of the vegetation in the restored streams showed a significant difference from that of the reference streams and this difference was particularly more significant with regards to the herbaceous plant-dominated vegetation types. The species richness of the restored streams showed a difference among the different streams but was lower than that of the reference streams. The ratio of exotic and gardening plants occupied in the species composition of the restored streams tended to be higher than that in the reference streams. Considering the above results, the restoration effects were usually low in the restored streams. Accordingly, an active adaptive management plan was recommended to improve those problems.

In order to ecologically restore coal mine spoils, tolerant species were selected through vegetation surveys on the abandoned coal mine spoils and natural forests established on the poor environment similarly to there. In addition, tolerant species were selected through cultivation experiments in the laboratory. Many C4 plants were included among the tolerant species selected through cultivation experiments. Soil was ameliorated by applying commercial organic fertilizer that can improve both physical and chemical properties of soil at the same time. Vegetation introduced for restoration was prepared by combining plant species tolerant to the degraded environment of coal mine spoils and the reference information. The treatment with a soil ameliorator improved the chemical properties of soil, such as the pH and nutrient contents, and promoted the growth of sample plants significantly. However, additional improvements were required compared with the chemical properties of healthy forest soil. The sites restored by ameliorating soil and introducing tolerant species showed a more similar species composition to the reference sites compared with the afforested and non-restored sites in both lowland and upland areas. However, such restoration did not play a significant role in increasing species diversity or excluding exotic plants. In this respect, more active restoration is recommended.

Abstract Background Curcuma longa L. is a well-known medicinal plant that has been used for its anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the neuroprotective effect of fermented C. longa (FCL) has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the effectiveness of FCL for the regulation of memory dysfunction was investigated in two brain cell lines (rat glioma C6 and murine microglia BV2) and scopolamine-treated mice. Methods C. longa powder was fermented by 5% Lactobacillus plantarum K154 containing 2% (w/v) yeast extract at 30 °C for 72 h followed by sterilization at 121 °C for 15 min. The protective effects of fermented C. longa (FCL) on oxidative stress induced cell death were analyzed by MTT assay in C6 cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of FCL were investigated by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as well as the expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. The step-through passive avoidance test, Morris water maze test, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and expression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) were employed to determine the effects of FCL on scopolamine-induced memory deficit in mice. The contents of curcuminoids were analyzed through LC/MS. Results Pretreatment with FCL effectively prevented the cell death induced by oxidative stress in C6 cells. Moreover, FCL inhibited the production NO and PGE2 via the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in BV2 cells. FCL significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and prevented scopolamine-induced AChE activity in the hippocampus. Additionally, FCL reversed the reduction of CREB and BDNF expression. The curcuminoids content in FCL was 1.44%. Conclusion FCL pretreatment could alleviate scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation in C6 and BV2 cells, respectively. Thus, FCL might be a useful material for preventing impairment of learning and memory.

Abstract Background Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the primary components of emissions from light-duty vehicles, and reportedly comprises 77% of all pollutants emitted in terms of concentration. Exposure to CO aggravates cardiovascular disease and causes other health disorders. The study was aimed to assess the negative effects by injecting different amounts of CO concentration directly to human volunteers boarding in the car. Methods Human volunteers were exposed to CO concentrations of 0, 33.2, and 72.4 ppm, respectively during the first test and 0, 30.3, and 48.8 ppm respectively during the second test while seated in the car. The volunteers were exposed to each concentration for approximately 45 min. After exposure, blood pressure measurement, blood collection (carboxyhemoglobin [COHb] analysis), medical interview, echocardiography test, and cognitive reaction test were performed. Result In patients who were exposed to a mean concentration of CO for 72.4 ± 1.4 ppm during the first exposure test and 48.8 ± 3.7 ppm during the second exposure test, the COHb level exceeded 2%. Moreover, the diastolic blood pressure was decreased while increasing in CO concentration after exposure. The medical interview findings showed that the degree of fatigue was increased and the degree of concentration was reduced when the exposed concentration of CO was increased. Conclusion Although the study had a limited sample size, we found that even a low concentration of CO flowing into a car could have a negative influence on human health, such as change of blood pressure and degree of fatigue.