Experimental analysis of PM2.5 reduction characteristics between Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) and sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) saplings under different densities and arrangement structures.

As global air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), has become a major environmental problem, various PM2.5 mitigation technologies including green infrastructure have received significant attention. However, owing to spatial constraints on urban greening, there is a lack of management plans for urban forests to efficiently mitigate PM2.5. In this study, we assessed the PM2.5 reduction capabilities of Pinus densiflora (Korean red pine) and Quercus acutissima (sawtooth oak) by measuring the changes of PM2.5 concentrations using an experimental chamber system. In addition, the PM2.5 reduction efficiency in 90 min (PMRE90) and the amount of PM2.5 reduction per leaf area (PMRLA) were compared based on arrangement structures and density levels. The results showed that the PM2.5 reduction by plants was significantly greater than that of the control experiment without any plants, and an additional reduction effect of approximately 1.38 times was induced by a 1.5 m s-1 air flow. The PMRE90 of Korean red pine was the highest at medium density. In contrast, the PMRE90 of sawtooth oak was the highest at high density. The PMRLA of both species was highest at low densities. The different responses of the species to total reduction were well explained by total leaf area (TLA). The PMRE90 of both species was positively correlated with TLA. The PMRLA of sawtooth oak was approximately 2.3 times greater than that of Korean red pine. However, there were no significant differences in both PMRE90 and PMRLA between the arrangement structures. Our findings reveal the potential mechanisms of vegetation in reducing PM2.5 according to arrangement structure and density. This highlights the importance of efficiently using urban green spaces with spatial constraints on PM2.5 mitigation in the future.

Comparisons of PM2.5 mitigation with stand characteristics between evergreen Korean pine plantations and deciduous broad-leaved forests in the Republic of Korea.

Owing to industrialization and urbanization in recent decades, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere has become a major environmental problem worldwide. This environmental issue pushed the use of forests as air filtering tools. However, there is a lack of continuous and long-term forest management to efficiently mitigate PM2.5. In this study, we assessed the potential of different forest types to control air pollution by measuring the seasonal PM2.5 concentrations inside and outside the forest for one year. In addition, the PM2.5 reduction efficiencies (PMREs) of two forest types were compared, and their relationship with stand characteristics was analyzed. The results showed that the average PMRE inside the forests was approximately 18.2%; the seasonal PMRE was highest in winter (approximately 28.1%) and lowest in summer (approximately 9.6%). The average PMRE of the Taehwa deciduous broad-leaved forest (TDF) (approximately 18.8%) was significantly higher than that of the Taehwa coniferous forest (TCF) (approximately 17.5%) (P < 0.001); differences were also observed seasonally. The PMRE in the TCF was higher in spring and summer (P < 0.001), while that in the TDF was higher in autumn and winter (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the PMRE in the TDF was negatively correlated with stand density (P = 0.003) and positively correlated with the average diameter at breast height (DBH) (P = 0.028). However, the PMRE in the TCF did not significantly correlate with stand characteristics. As such, the results of this study revealed the differences in PM2.5 mitigation according to stand characteristics, which should be considered in urban forest management.

Isorhamnetin improves in vitro maturation of oxidative stress-exposed porcine oocytes and subsequent embryo development.

This study investigated the effect of the flavonoid-based compound isorhamnetin (ISO) on maturation and developmental competence in oxidative stress-exposed porcine oocytes in vitro. Treatment with 2 µM ISO (2 ISO) increases the developmental rate of oxidative stress-exposed porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). The glutathione level and mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes (NFE2L2 and SOD2) were increased in the 2 ISO-treated group, whereas the reactive oxygen species level was decreased. Treatment with 2 ISO increased mRNA expression of a cumulus cell expansion-related gene (SHAS2) and improved chromosomal alignment. mRNA expression of maternal genes (CCNB1, MOS, BMP15 and GDF9) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity were increased in the 2 ISO-treated group. The total cell number per blastocyst and percentage of apoptotic cells were increased and decreased in the 2 ISO-treated group, respectively. Treatment with 2 ISO increased mRNA expression of development-related genes (SOX2, NANOG, and POU5F1) and anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2L1 and BIRC5) and decreased that of pro-apoptotic genes (CASP3 and FAS). These results demonstrate that 2 ISO improves the quality of porcine oocytes by protecting them against oxidative stress during IVM and enhances subsequent embryo development in vitro. Therefore, we propose that ISO is a useful supplement for IVM of porcine oocytes.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Treatment Reduces Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Septic Shock in Mice.

Despite advances in medicine, mortality due to sepsis has not decreased. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is emerging as an alternative treatment in many inflammation-related diseases. However, there are few studies on the application of PEMF therapy to sepsis. In the current study, we examined the effect of PEMF therapy on a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock. Mice injected with LPS and treated with PEMF showed higher survival rates compared with the LPS group. The increased survival was correlated with decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression and lower serum nitric oxide levels and nitric oxide synthase 2 mRNA expression in the liver compared with the LPS group. In the PEMF + LPS group, there was less organ damage in the liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys compared to the LPS group. To identify potential gene targets of PEMF treatment, microarray analysis was performed, and the results showed that 136 genes were up-regulated, and 267 genes were down-regulated in the PEMF + LPS group compared to the LPS group. These results suggest that PEMF treatment can dramatically decrease septic shock through the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression. In a clinical setting, PEMF may provide a beneficial effect for patients with bacteria-induced sepsis and reduce septic shock-induced mortality.

Bacteroides fragilis Toxin Induces Intestinal Epithelial Cell Secretion of Interleukin-8 by the E-Cadherin/ß-Catenin/NF-κB Dependent Pathway.

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) has emerged as a gut microbiome pathogen that can promote colitis associated cancer in humans. ETBF secretes the metalloprotease, B. fragilis toxin (BFT), which can induce ectodomain cleavage of E-cadherin and IL-8 secretion through the ß-catenin, NF-κB, and MAPK pathways in intestinal epithelial cells. However, it is still unclear whether E-cadherin cleavage is required for BFT induced IL-8 secretion and the relative contribution of these signaling pathways to IL-8 secretion. Using siRNA knockdown and CRISPR knockout studies, we found that E-cadherin cleavage is required for BFT mediated IL-8 secretion. In addition, genetic ablation of ß-catenin indicates that ß-catenin is required for the BFT induced increase in transcriptional activity of NF-κB, p65 nuclear localization and early IL-8 secretion. These results suggest that BFT induced ß-catenin signaling is upstream of NF-κB activation. However, despite ß-catenin gene disruption, BFT still activated the MAPK pathway, suggesting that the BFT induced activation of the MAPK signaling pathway is independent from the E-cadherin/ß-catenin/NF-κB pathway. These findings show that E-cadherin and ß-catenin play a critical role in acute inflammation following ETBF infection through the inflammatory response to BFT in intestinal epithelial cells.

Comparison of three antioxidants in chemical and biological assays on porcine oocytes during ageing in vitro.

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

The antioxidant dieckol reduces damage of oxidative stress-exposed porcine oocytes and enhances subsequent parthenotes embryo development.

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

The antioxidant icariin protects porcine oocytes from age-related damage in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. METHODS: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. RESULTS: Treatment with 5 µM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. CONCLUSION: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.

Pioglitazone improves porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent parthenogenetic embryo development in vitro by increasing lipid metabolism.

Optimization of culture conditions is important to improve oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development. In particular, this study analyzed the effects of increasing concentrations of PIO in the maturation medium on spindle formation and chromosome alignment, glutathione, and intracellular ROS levels and expression of selected genes related to maternal markers, apoptosis, and lipid metabolism. The percentage of oocytes displaying normal spindle formation and chromosome alignment was higher in the 1 µM PIO (1 PIO)-treated group than in the control group. The glutathione level was significantly higher in the 1 PIO-treated group than in the control group, while the reactive oxygen species level did not differ. Expression of maternal marker (MOS and GDF9), antiapoptotic (BIRC5), and lipid metabolism-related (ACADS, CPT2, SREBF1, and PPARG) genes was higher in the 1 PIO-treated group than in the control group, while expression of a proapoptotic gene (CASP3) was lower. The blastocyst formation rate and the percentage of blastocysts that reached at least the hatching stage on Days 6 and 7, and the percentage of blastocysts containing more than 128 cells were significantly higher in the 1 PIO-treated group than in the control group. These results indicate that PIO treatment during in vitro maturation improves porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent parthenogenetic embryo development mainly by enhancing lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense in oocytes.

Effects of intubation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube on intraocular pressure during rapid sequence induction using succinylcholine chloride in patients with or without underlying systemic hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation is closely associated with increases in intraocular pressure (IOP); however, the effects of double-lumen tube (DLT) intubation on IOP have not been validated. Systemic hypertension (HTN) is another factor that may increase IOP. In this study, we observed differences in IOP increases between DLT and singlelumen tube (SLT) intubation, and evaluated the influence of underlying HTN during rapid sequence induction. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients were allocated into one of the following group: SLT/without HTN (n = 17), SLT/HTN (n = 17), DLT/without HTN (n = 17), and DLT/HTN (n = 17). An SLT was inserted for orthopedic or gynecological surgery, and a DLT was inserted for lung surgery after rapid sequence induction using succinylcholine. IOP was measured before anesthetic induction and until 10 min after intubation using a handheld tonometer (Tono-Pen AVIA®). RESULTS: In the DLT/without HTN and DLT/HTN groups, the maximum increases in IOPs after tracheal intubation were 7.9 and 12.2 mmHg, respectively, compared to baseline. In the SLT/without HTN and SLT/HTN groups, the maximum increases were 5.0 and 4.9 mmHg, respectively, compared to baseline. In comparisons between patients with and without underlying HTN, the values of IOPs were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal intubation with a DLT is associated with more increases in IOPs than with an SLT in rapid sequence induction. Well-controlled underlying hypertension did not increase IOP during tracheal intubation.

Electrical Characteristics and pH Response of a Parylene-H Sensing Membrane in a Si-Nanonet Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor.

We report the electrical characteristics and pH responses of a Si-nanonet ion-sensitive field-effect transistor with ultra-thin parylene-H as a gate sensing membrane. The fabricated device shows excellent DC characteristics: a low subthreshold swing of 85 mV/dec, a high current on/off ratio of ~107 and a low gate leakage current of ~10-10 A. The low interface trap density of 1.04 × 1012 cm-2 and high field-effect mobility of 510 cm²V-1s-1 were obtained. The pH responses of the devices were evaluated in various pH buffer solutions. A high pH sensitivity of 48.1 ± 0.5 mV/pH with a device-to-device variation of ~6.1% was achieved. From the low-frequency noise characterization, the signal-to-noise ratio was extracted as high as ~3400 A/A with the lowest noise equivalent pH value of ~0.002 pH. These excellent intrinsic electrical and pH sensing performances suggest that parylene-H can be promising as a sensing membrane in an ISFET-based biosensor platform.

Silicon nanowire biosensors for detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with high sensitivity.

We have demonstrated highly sensitive and label-free detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a biomarker for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, using silicon nanowire field-effect transistors. A honeycomb-like structure is utilized for nanowire configuration to offer improved electrical performance and increased sensing area. The fabricated devices show n-type behavior with a relatively high ON-OFF current ratio, small sub-threshold swing and low gate leakage current. Monoclonal antibodies for cTnI were covalently immobilized on the nanowire surface and the attachment of antibodies is clearly visualized by atomic force microscope. The sensitivity with various concentrations of buffer solution was also investigated in order to determine the optimal buffer condition. The devices exhibit highest sensitivity under buffer solutions with low ion concentration. In addition, the detection limit of the sensor is as low as ~5 pg/mL, the lowest reported in the literature to date and nearly an order of magnitude smaller than the suggested threshold limit. The fabricated devices demonstrate a good selectivity for detecting cTnI.

Suspended honeycomb nanowire ISFETs for improved stiction-free performance.

This paper reports high performance ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) with a suspended honeycomb nanowire (SHNW) structure. The SHNW can provide a longer, stiction-free channel than that which is possible with a suspended straight nanowire (SSNW) for the realization of gate-all-around biosensors. Devices with SHNWs, SSNWs and conventional nanowires on the substrate have been fabricated using a top-down approach in order to compare their electrical performances. The SHNW devices exhibit excellent electrical characteristics such as lower subthreshold swing, higher transconductance and higher linear drain current. In addition, the SHNW ISFETs show better pH sensitivity than other ISFETs. Based on the results, the SHNW device appears promising for enhancing the intrinsic performance and ensuring the reliable operation of biosensor applications.