Sound-to-Touch Crossmodal Pitch Matching for Short Sounds.

This article explores how to relate sound and touch in terms of their spectral characteristics based on crossmodal congruence. The context is the audio-to-tactile conversion of short sounds frequently used for user experience improvement across various applications. For each short sound, a single-frequency amplitude-modulated vibration is synthesized so that their intensive and temporal characteristics are very similar. It leaves the vibration frequency, which determines the tactile pitch, as the only variable. Each sound is paired with many vibrations of different frequencies. The congruence between sound and vibration is evaluated for 175 pairs (25 sounds × 7 vibration frequencies). This dataset is employed to estimate a functional relationship from the sound loudness spectrum of sound to the most harmonious vibration frequency. Finally, this sound-to-touch crossmodal pitch mapping function is evaluated using cross-validation. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to find general rules for spectral matching between sound and touch.

The Role of Escin as a Topical Agent for Lymphedema Treatment in a Rat Model.

Escin, a naturally derived material isolated from horse chestnut, is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-edema agent. This study aimed to evaluate its effects on lymphedema in a rat tail model. We divided the rats into five groups. The treatment groups received topical application of escin gel at concentrations of 20%, 10%, 2%, and 0.5% for 4 weeks. The fifth group served as a control. We performed volumetric (water displacement) tests, H&E staining, and LYVE-1 immunohistochemical staining, followed by statistical evaluation. All treatment groups showed significant volumetric reductions compared with the control group, but no significant differences were observed between the treatment groups. H&E staining showed a significant reduction in dermal thickness in the 20%, 10%, and 2% escin treatment groups compared to the control group. Within the treatment groups, the 2% escin group showed a significant difference compared with the 20% and 10% escin groups (p = 0.021 for both). LYVE-1 immunohistochemical staining revealed a significantly higher mean lymphatic vessel count in the 2% escin group compared with the 20%, 10%, and 0.5% escin-treated groups and the control group (p = 0.019, p = 0.025, p = 0.019, and p = 0.032 respectively). Topical escin applied to a rat tail model of acute lymphedema resulted in a significant reduction in tail volume, reduced dermal thickness, and increased lymphatic structures. The 2% escin concentration may be the optimal dose for improving lymphedema in this model. Further research is warranted to explore the clinical application of escin in patients with lymphedema.

Dopamine receptor D2 regulates glioblastoma survival and death through MET and death receptor 4/5.

Recent studies indicate that signaling molecules traditionally associated with central nervous system function play critical roles in cancer. Dopamine receptor signaling is implicated in various cancers including glioblastoma (GBM) and it is a recognized therapeutic target, as evidenced by recent clinical trials with a selective dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) inhibitor ONC201. Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of the dopamine receptor signaling will be critical for development of potent therapeutic options. Using the human GBM patient-derived tumors treated with dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists, we identified the proteins that interact with DRD2. DRD2 signaling promotes glioblastoma (GBM) stem-like cells and GBM growth by activating MET. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition of DRD2 induces DRD2-TRAIL receptor interaction and subsequent cell death. Thus, our findings demonstrate a molecular circuitry of oncogenic DRD2 signaling in which MET and TRAIL receptors, critical factors for tumor cell survival and cell death, respectively, govern GBM survival and death. Finally, tumor-derived dopamine and expression of dopamine biosynthesis enzymes in a subset of GBM may guide patient stratification for DRD2 targeting therapy.

Dietary supplementation with Pediococcus pentosaceus enhances the innate immune response in and promotes growth of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp.

To reach the sustainable development goals on health management in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp culture, Pediococcus pentosaceus AB01 was supplemented in shrimp diet. In this study, the control diet and three experimental diets containing P. pentosaceus AB01 (108 , 109 , 1010 CFU/g) were separately introduced to L. vannamei for a 28 days feeding trial. After the feeding trial, percent weight gain, feeding efficiency, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly elevated in L. vannamei administered with P. pentosaceus AB01 at 109 and 1010 colony-forming unit (CFU)/g. Protease, amylase, and trypsin were found at higher levels in the probiotic-supplied groups. The feeding of shrimps with P. pentosaceus AB01 significantly increased innate immune response and levels of related biochemical parameters in the haemolymph. After the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge, supplementation of P. pentosaceus AB01 had significant positive effects (p < .05) on survival rate, compared to that of the control diet. The higher resistance of L. vannamei to WSSV might have been due to alterations in the gut microbiome composition and upregulation of the Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) signalling pathway. Hence, P. pentosaceus AB01 may be a promising alternative feed to promote growth rate, modulate microbiota composition, and enhance immunity in L. vannamei shrimp.

Occurrence of the White Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera sojae, and the Soybean Cyst Nematode, H. glycines, in Korea.

Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines, SCN) is the most harmful pathogen of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) worldwide. In 2016, a new soybean-parasitic cyst nematode, Heterodera sojae (the white soybean cyst nematode) was found parasitizing the roots of soybean plants in Korea. To investigate the distribution and population density of H. sojae, 943 soil samples were collected from soybean fields in all nine provinces in Korea in 2017 to 2018. Cyst nematodes were detected in 343 samples (36.4%) from eight of the nine provinces, except the island of Jeju province. Among the 343 samples, H. glycines was found in 227 samples (66.2%), H. sojae in 95 samples (27.7%), and 21 samples (6.1%) were infested with both H. sojae and H. glycines. Wide distribution of H. sojae in soybean fields indicates that H. sojae is an important cyst nematode species parasitizing soybean together with H. glycines.

Differential Morphological, Structural and Biological Characteristics of Cysts in Heterodera Species in Korea.

Morphological (cyst shape, color, and sizes [length (L), maximum width (W), volume and "a" (L/W)]), structural (vulvar cone slope angle [VCSA], surface wrinkle [VCSW], cyst wall thickness, composition, and texture) and biological characteristics (fecundity, hatching, and emergence [number of second-stage juveniles (J2) from a cyst]) in preceding Heterodera glycines (Hg), currently-recorded H. sojae (Hs) and H. trifolii (Ht) were examined by microscopy. Cysts were lemon-shaped, indicating the genus is Heterodera except for Hs that formed frequently globular cysts with significantly flatter VCSA (102.2°) with smooth VCSW than Hg (50.6°) and Ht (82.0°), but not genus Globodera because of the presence of vulvar cone in Hs. Ht was significantly larger in all morphological characteristics than Hg and Hs, suggesting Ht may be diagnosed differentially by cyst sizes and also host plant preferences. Hs showed smaller "a" value with more globular shape and stronger structures with more thickened and strengthened collagen-like texture of cyst wall than Hg and Ht. This suggests Hs may be diagnosed differently by structural characteristics from the others, especially Hg with similar cyst sizes. There were no significant differences in emergence (inoculum potential) among cyst nematodes due to the offset of fecundity and hatching rate; however, the inoculum potential of Hs may be not so persistent as Hg and Ht in fields because of its lower fecundity and higher hatching rate (causing rapid inoculum loss) than the others. These characteristics of cysts provide information useful for simple and differential diagnoses and reliable management of cyst nematodes.

Molecular Determinants of the Thickened Matrix in a Dual-Species Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm.

Biofilms are microbial communities that inhabit various surfaces and are surrounded by extracellular matrices (ECMs). Clinical microbiologists have shown that the majority of chronic infections are caused by biofilms, following the introduction of the first biofilm infection model by J. W. Costerton and colleagues (J. Lam, R. Chan, K. Lam, and J. W. Costerton, Infect Immun 28:546-556, 1980). However, treatments for chronic biofilm infections are still limited to surgical removal of the infected sites. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis are two frequently identified bacterial species in biofilm infections; nevertheless, the interactions between these two species, especially during biofilm growth, are not clearly understood. In this study, we observed phenotypic changes in a dual-species biofilm of P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis, including a dramatic increase in biofilm matrix thickness. For clear elucidation of the spatial distribution of the dual-species biofilm, P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were labeled with red and green fluorescence, respectively. E. faecalis was located at the lower part of the dual-species biofilm, while P. aeruginosa developed a structured biofilm on the upper part. Mutants with altered exopolysaccharide (EPS) productions were constructed in order to determine the molecular basis for the synergistic effect of the dual-species biofilm. Increased biofilm matrix thickness was associated with EPSs, not extracellular DNA. In particular, Pel and Psl contributed to interspecies and intraspecies interactions, respectively, in the dual-species P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis biofilm. Accordingly, targeting Pel and Psl might be an effective part of eradicating P. aeruginosa polymicrobial biofilms.IMPORTANCE Chronic infection is a serious problem in the medical field. Scientists have observed that chronic infections are closely associated with biofilms, and the vast majority of infection-causing biofilms are polymicrobial. Many studies have reported that microbes in polymicrobial biofilms interact with each other and that the bacterial interactions result in elevated virulence, in terms of factors, such as infectivity and antibiotic resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis are frequently isolated pathogens in chronic biofilm infections. Nevertheless, while both bacteria are known to be agents of numerous nosocomial infections and can cause serious diseases, interactions between the bacteria in biofilms have rarely been examined. In this investigation, we aimed to characterize P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis dual-species biofilms and to determine the molecular factors that cause synergistic effects, especially on the matrix thickening of the biofilm. We suspect that our findings will contribute to the development of more efficient methods for eradicating polymicrobial biofilm infections.

New Cyst Nematode, Heterodera sojae n. sp. (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Soybean in Korea.

A new soybean cyst nematode Heterodera sojae n. sp. was found from the roots of soybean plants in Korea. Cysts of H. sojae n. sp. appeared more round, shining, and darker than that of H. glycines. Morphologically, H. sojae n. sp. differed from H. glycines by fenestra length (23.5-54.2 µm vs. 30-70 µm), vulval silt length (9.0-24.4 µm vs. 43-60 µm), tail length of J2 (54.3-74.8 µm vs. 40-61 µm), and hyaline part of J2 (32.6-46.3 µm vs. 20-30 µm). It is distinguished from H. elachista by larger cyst (513.4-778.3 µm × 343.4-567.1 µm vs. 350-560 µm × 250-450 µm) and longer stylet length of J2 (23.8-25.3 µm vs. 17-19 µm). Molecular analysis of rRNA large subunit (LSU) D2-D3 segments and ITS gene sequence shows that H. sojae n. sp. is more close to rice cyst nematode H. elachista than H. glycines. Heterodera sojae n. sp. was widely distributed in Korea. It was found from soybean fields of all three provinces sampled.