PKCα-LSD1-NF-κB-Signaling Cascade Is Crucial for Epigenetic Control of the Inflammatory Response.

The inflammatory response mediated by nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling is essential for host defense against pathogens. Although the regulatory mechanism of NF-κB signaling has been well studied, the molecular basis for epigenetic regulation of the inflammatory response is poorly understood. Here we identify a new signaling axis of PKCα-LSD1-NF-κB, which is critical for activation and amplification of the inflammatory response. In response to excessive inflammatory stimuli, PKCα translocates to the nucleus and phosphorylates LSD1. LSD1 phosphorylation is required for p65 binding and facilitates p65 demethylation, leading to enhanced stability. In vivo genetic analysis using Lsd1SA/SA mice with ablation of LSD1 phosphorylation and chemical approaches in wild-type mice with inhibition of PKCα or LSD1 activity show attenuated sepsis-induced inflammatory lung injury and mortality. Together, we demonstrate that the PKCα-LSD1-NF-κB signaling cascade is crucial for epigenetic control of the inflammatory response, and targeting this signaling could be a powerful therapeutic strategy for systemic inflammatory diseases, including sepsis.

PHF20 is crucial for epigenetic control of starvation-induced autophagy through enhancer activation.

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis under various stress conditions, including conditions of nutrient deprivation. To elevate autophagic flux to a sufficient level under stress conditions, transcriptional activation of autophagy genes occurs to replenish autophagy components. Thus, the transcriptional and epigenetic control of the genes regulating autophagy is essential for cellular homeostasis. Here, we applied integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling to reveal the roles of plant homeodomain finger protein 20 (PHF20), which is an epigenetic reader possessing methyl binding activity, in controlling the expression of autophagy genes. Phf20 deficiency led to impaired autophagic flux and autophagy gene expression under glucose starvation. Interestingly, the genome-wide characterization of chromatin states by Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin (ATAC)-sequencing revealed that the PHF20-dependent chromatin remodelling occurs in enhancers that are co-occupied by dimethylated lysine 36 on histone H3 (H3K36me2). Importantly, the recognition of H3K36me2 by PHF20 was found to be highly correlated with increased levels of H3K4me1/2 at the enhancer regions. Collectively, these results indicate that PHF20 regulates autophagy genes through enhancer activation via H3K36me2 recognition as an epigenetic reader. Our findings emphasize the importance of nuclear events in the regulation of autophagy.

Sex differences in the association between self-rated health and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in Koreans: a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: No studies have investigated the association between self-rated health (SRH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in South Koreans. We explored this association and analyzed differences between sexes. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the 2015-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we analyzed the association between SRH and high hs-CRP levels (> 1.0 mg/L) in 14,544 Koreans aged ≥ 19 years who responded to the SRH survey and had available hs-CRP test results. Differences in sociodemographic factors were analyzed using the Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables or the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between hs-CRP levels and SRH according to sex while adjusting for other possible confounders. RESULTS: The percentage of very poor to poor SRH was higher in the high hs-CRP group (22.4%) than in the low hs-CRP group (17.66%). Among men, the risk of a high hs-CRP level increased with worse SRH (adjusted for confounders; P for trend < 0.001). After adjusting for all confounders, including chronic diseases, men with very poor SRH showed a higher odds ratio (OR) for high hs-CRP levels than those with very good SRH (fully adjusted OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.04-2.90). Significant correlations were absent among women. CONCLUSIONS: Poor SRH was correlated with low-grade inflammation (high hs-CRP levels) among Korean male adults. These findings could be useful for developing health improvement programs and in goal setting at a national scale.

Applicability assessment of empty fruit bunches from palm oil mills for use as bio-solid refuse fuels.

Palm kernel shells (PKS), empty fruit bunches (EFB), and trunks are by-products of the palm oil industry and form approximately 50 wt % of fresh fruit bunch (FFB). In particular, EFB accounts for approximately 20 wt % of FFB. Although large amounts of EFB are generated from palm oil mills every year in Indonesia and Malaysia, EFB is treated as waste because commercial technologies for thermo-chemical conversion of EFB into renewable energy are still under development. A robust conversion method can transform EFB into an appealing renewable energy source. In order to secure this renewable energy source, Korea can import EFB as biomass. This paper investigates literature on the status of utilization of EFB, by-products from palm oil mills in order to identify the best available technological process to use EFB as bio-solid refuse fuels (SRF). Meanwhile, physico-chemical analyses (proximate, elemental, and calorific value analyses), biomass and heavy metal content were measured in order to assess whether EFB would be suitable for use as a bio-SRF, in accordance with the Korean quality standard for SRF. According to the analysis results, EFB showed applicability to use as bio-SRF; main analysis results - moisture (9.63 wt %), ash (5.94 wt %), biomass content (97.82 wt %) and calorific value (3668 kcal kg).

p38 MAPK α and ß isoforms differentially regulate plasma membrane localization of MRP2.

In hepatocytes, cAMP both activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and increases the amount of multidrug resistance-associated protein-2 (MRP2) in the plasma membrane (PM-MRP2). Paradoxically, taurolithocholate (TLC) activates p38 MAPK but decreases PM-MRP2 in hepatocytes. These opposing effects of cAMP and TLC could be mediated via different p38 MAPK isoforms (α and ß) that are activated differentially by upstream kinases (MKK3, MKK4, and MKK6). Thus we tested the hypothesis that p38α MAPK and p38ß MAPK mediate increases and decreases in PM-MRP2 by cAMP and TLC, respectively. Studies were conducted in hepatocytes isolated from C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and MKK3-knockout (MKK3(-/-)) mice and in a hepatoma cell line (HuH7) that overexpresses sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) (HuH-NTCP). Cyclic AMP activated MKK3, p38 MAPK, and p38α MAPK and increased PM-MRP2 in WT hepatocytes, but failed to activate p38α MAPK or increase PM-MRP2 in MKK3(-/-) hepatocytes. In contrast to cAMP, TLC activated total p38 MAPK but decreased PM-MRP2, and did not activate MKK3 or p38α MAPK in WT hepatocytes. In MKK3(-/-) hepatocytes, TLC still decreased PM-MRP2 and activated p38 MAPK, indicating that these effects are not MKK3-dependent. Additionally, TLC activated MKK6 in MKK3(-/-) hepatocytes, and small interfering RNA knockdown of p38ß MAPK abrogated TLC-mediated decreases in PM-MRP2 in HuH-NTCP cells. Taken together, these results suggest that p38α MAPK facilitates plasma membrane insertion of MRP2 by cAMP, whereas p38ß MAPK mediates retrieval of PM-MRP2 by TLC.

An Update on Potential Perspectives of Glucosinolates on Protection against Microbial Pathogens and Endocrine Dysfunctions in Humans.

Glucosinolates are the major bioactive secondary metabolites found in the Brassicaceae family and studied extensively in biosynthetic and application perspectives. Because of their potential applications in the welfare of plants (protection against plant pathogens) and human life (prevention of cancer and other diseases), these compounds attracted much interest in the scientific community. In this review, we presented updates on glucosinolate derivatives in protection against microbial pathogens and endocrine related diseases in human. Further, the mechanism of action of glucosinolate derivatives and the strategies to improve their efficiency through modern approaches were discussed. Finally, the genetic enrichment of their contents in plant systems has also been discussed.

Scattered atypical melanocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei in the nail matrix: diagnostic clue for early subungual melanoma in situ.

BACKGROUND: The lack of highly specific clinical and histopathological criteria has contributed to the delay in diagnosis of subungual melanoma in situ in its early stages. METHODS: Eighteen cases of subungual melanoma in situ, the largest series reported to date, were analyzed to characterize the clinical and histopathological findings of early stages of subungual melanoma in situ along with five cases of nail matrix nevus and five cases of subungual lentigo serving as histologic control. RESULTS: Clinically, longitudinal melanonychia was present in all 18 cases of subungual melanoma in situ, consisting of irregular dark brown to black streaks within a brown background with (11 cases) or without Hutchinson's sign. Histopathologically, variable shaped and sized, hyperchromatic nuclei surrounded by retraction artifact were present in all cases. Nine cases showed a significant increase in the number of atypical melanocytes with marked nuclear atypia, while the rest of the cases showed less noticeable changes in nail matrix including lower density of melanocytes and/or mild nuclear atypia. In 15 cases, the nuclear enlargement in some of the melanocytes was greater than two times that of the neighboring matrix cells. In the remaining three cases, the nuclei were enlarged to a much lesser degree. All cases displayed areas of haphazard and uneven distribution of solitary melanocytes and, although not observed in all cases, some degree of pagetoid spread was present in majority of the cases. In contrast, nail matrix nevi showed well-formed nests consisting of relatively monomorphous melanocytes with abundant cytoplasm and subungual lentigos consisted of subtle increase in the number of dendritic melanocytes in solitary units within the lower layers of the nail matrix. CONCLUSION: Increase in the number of scattered atypical melanocytes with large hyperchromatic nuclei in a partial nail matrix may provide a diagnostic clue to subungual melanoma in situ in concert with its clinical suspicion.

Purification and characterization of buffalo liver L-arginase and its kinetic properties with dihydropyrimidine and metal ions.

Arginase (L-arginine amidinohydrolase, EC.3.5.3.1) from animal tissues such as, liver and kidney has been partially characterized by many researchers. In this study, we purified arginase to homogeneity from buffalo liver with about ~2857 purification fold and a 20% recovery by chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis were obtained. The molecular mass determined by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE was found to be 118 kDa and 47 kDa, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature of the arginase was 9.5 and 40°C, respectively. Kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) showed activation of arginase in the reaction medium with decrease in Km (7.14, 5.26, 4.0 and control 3.22 mM) and Vmax (0.05, 0.035, 0.027 and control 0.021 mg/mL/min), while co-factor activity of arginase was optimized using metal ions like Mn²âº and Mg²âº at 2 mM, which revealed an increase in Vmax values (0.011, 0.013, 0.015 and control 0.010 mg/mL/min) and a decrease in Km values (2.22, 2.12, 1.88 and control 1.66 mM). The kinetic data suggested that the arginase activity is enhanced in the presence of dihydropyrimidine derivative and metal ions, indicating essential mode of activation.

Molecular evolution and functional divergence of X-intrinsic protein genes in plants.

X-intrinsic proteins (XIPs) are a novel class of major intrinsic proteins found in diverse organisms. Recently, XIP genes have been reported to be involved in the transport of a wide range of hydrophobic solutes; however, the evolutionary forces driving their structural and functional divergence in plants are poorly understood. In the present study, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were performed to gain insight into the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms driving this structural and functional diversification. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed the major lineage-specific expansions of XIP genes in plants. Within the eudicots, XIP genes have diverged into Asterid and Rosid-specific phylogenetic lineages and have also undergone several independent duplications during the course of evolution. Investigation of functional divergence at the protein level showed evidence for shifting evolutionary rate and/or altered constraints on the physiochemical properties of specific amino acid sites following gene duplication. Selection pressure analyses suggest that purifying selection is the predominant evolutionary force acting on the XIP gene subfamily, along with episodic positive selection. However, only a few amino acid sites were found to be subjected to such episodic positive selection. Furthermore, protein functional divergence analysis has identified critical amino acid residues, which must be validated by future experimental studies, that could provide new insights into the role of XIPs in transport of a wide range solutes of physiological importance.

Pyrroloaryls and pyrroloheteroaryls: Inhibitors of the HIV fusion/attachment, reverse transcriptase and integrase.

Heterocyclic compounds execute a very important role in drug design and discovery. This article provides the basic milestones of the research for pyrroloaryl and pyrroloheteroaryl based components targeting HIV viral replication cycle. Anti-HIV activity is elaborated for several classes of pyrrolo-compounds as pyrrolopyridines, pyrrolopyrimidines, pyrrolopyridazines, pyrrolobenzodiazepinones, pyrrolobenzothiazepines, pyrrolobenzoxazepinones, pyrrolophenanthridines, pyrroloquinoxalines, pyrrolotriazines, pyrroloquinolines, pyrrolopyrazinones, pyrrolothiatriazines, arylthiopyrroles and pyrrolopyrazolones targeting two essential HIV enzymes, reverse transcriptase and integrase as well as attachment/fusion of HIV virons to the host CD-4 cell. Such attempts were resulted in a discovery of highly potent anti-HIV agents suitable for clinical trials, for example, BMS-378806, BMS-585248, BMS-626529, BMS-663068, BMS-488043 and BMS-663749, etc. as anti-HIV attachment agents, triciribine, QX432, BI-1 and BI-2 as HIV RT inhibitors which are in preclinical or clinical development. Mechanism of action of compounds presented in this article towards the suppression of HIV attachment/fusion as well as against the activities of HIV enzymes reverse transcriptase and integrase has been discussed. Relationships of new compounds' molecular framework and HIV viral target has been overviewed in order to facilitate further construction of promising anti-HIV agents in future drug discovery process.

Determination of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of Vitis labrusca cv. baile berries.

Grape juice and grape skin extracts are important commercial source of polyphenolic compounds which exert different functional properties such as color potential, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, and health benefits. In this paper we describe a sensitive and specific assay for determination of bioactive polyphenolic compounds in Campbell Early (Vitis labrusca cv. baile). Five polyphenolic components were separated on an Agilent Zorbax Extend C18 Column (250 mm x 4.6 mm x 5 µm) and detected by a diode array detector. The mobile phase was composed of (a) aqueous phosphoric acid (0.2%, v/v); and (b) acetonitrile using a gradient elution. Analytes were performed at 25 degrees C with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min and UV detection at 280, 360, and 520 nm. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 ≥ 0.9999) within tested ranges. Overall intra- and inter-day variations were less than 1.90%, and the average recoveries were 95.5-105% for analytes. The antioxidant activity determined by DPPH radical assay, ranged from 86-105 for extracts, and 165-252 for studied standards (µM trolox/100 g dry wt.). The proposed method would be sensitive enough and reliable for quality control in functional food and modernization of Campbell Early (Vitis labrusca cv. baile) as potent antioxidant agents.

Quantitative analysis of flavonoids, sugars, phenylalanine and tryptophan in onion scales during storage under ambient conditions.

A comprehensive quantitative analysis of flavonoids, sugars, phenylalanine, and tryptophan have been carried out in different onion scales during storage at ambient temperature (20-23 °C) and relative humidity (60-80 %). Depending on the length of storage, dry matter content and composition shows variation inside the onion bulbs. Inner sprouts were observed on longitudinally cut bulbs after 2 months and visible sprouts appeared after 5 months of storage. The bulbs lost 20 to 30 % of their weight at the end of the storage. Higher dry matter content was observed in the inner scales. Significantly high content of quercetin in inner scales and high level of quercetin-3,4'-O-diglucoside and quercetin-4'-O-monoglucoside in outer scales was observed during a 7 months storage. During storage period, high content of fructose and glucose was observed in the middle scales while sucrose was high in the inner scales. There was no particular trend observed within analyzed amino acids. However, the content of phenylalanine was higher than tryptophan.

Rab11, but not Rab4, facilitates cyclic AMP- and tauroursodeoxycholate-induced MRP2 translocation to the plasma membrane.

Rab proteins (Ras homologous for brain) play an important role in vesicle trafficking. Rab4 and Rab11 are involved in vesicular trafficking to the plasma membrane from early endosomes and recycling endosomes, respectively. Tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) and cAMP increase bile formation, in part, by increasing plasma membrane localization of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2). The goal of the present study was to determine the role of these Rab proteins in the trafficking of MRP2 by testing the hypothesis that Rab11 and/or Rab4 facilitate cAMP- and TUDC-induced MRP2 translocation to the plasma membrane. Studies were conducted in HuH-NTCP cells (HuH7 cells stably transfected with human NTCP), which constitutively express MRP2. HuH-NTCP cells were transfected with Rab11-WT and GDP-locked dominant inactive Rab11-GDP or with Rab4-GDP to study the role of Rab11 and Rab4. A biotinylation method and a GTP overlay assay were used to determine plasma membrane MRP2 and activation of Rab proteins (Rab11 and Rab4), respectively. Cyclic AMP and TUDC increased plasma membrane MRP2 and stimulated Rab11 activity. Plasma membrane translocation of MRP2 by cAMP and TUDC was increased and inhibited in cells transfected with Rab11-WT and Rab11-GDP, respectively. Cyclic AMP (previous study) and TUDC increased Rab4 activity. However, cAMP- and TUDC-induced increases in MRP2 were not inhibited by Rab4-GDP. Taken together, these results suggest that Rab11 is involved in cAMP- and TUDC-induced MRP2 translocation to the plasma membrane.

A systematic exploration of high-temperature stress-responsive genes in potato using large-scale yeast functional screening.

Potato (S. tuberosum) is a highly heat-sensitive crop; a slight rise from optimal temperature can lead to drastic decline in tuber yield. Despite several advancements made in breeding for thermo-tolerant potato, molecular mechanisms governing thermo-tolerance is poorly understood. The first step towards understanding the thermo-tolerance mechanism is to identify the key genes involved in it. Here we used a yeast-based functional screening method to identify, characterize and classify potato genes with potentials to impart heat tolerance. We constructed two cDNA expression libraries from heat-stressed potato plants (35 °C) after 2 and 48 h of treatment. 95 potential candidate genes were identified based on enhanced ability of yeast cells over-expressing heterologous potato cDNA sequences to tolerate heat stress. Cross-resistance analysis of these heat-tolerant yeast clones to other abiotic stresses indicated that 20 genes were responsive to drought, 14 to salt and 11 to heat/drought/salt stresses. Comparison of 95 genes with reported whole potato transcriptome data showed that majority of them have varying expression patterns under heat, drought and salt stresses. The expression pattern was validated by analyzing the expression of 22 randomly selected genes under various stresses using qPCR. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of these 95 genes indicated that most of them are involved in various cellular metabolism, signal transduction, response to stress and protein folding, suggesting possible role of these genes in heat tolerance of potato. Genes identified from this study can be potential candidates for engineering heat tolerance as well as broad-spectrum abiotic stress tolerance of potato.

Theoretical study of new blue iridium complexes comprising a bipyridine derivative and various ancillary ligands.

New blue emitting ligand Iridium(III) complexes with two phosphines trans to each other and two ancillary ligands, such as Ir(dfpypy)(PPh3)2(H)(CI) and Ir(dfpypy)(PPh3)2(H)(CN), [dfpypy = 2,6-difluoro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridine] were designed and studied to tune the phosphorescence wavelength to the deep blue region and to enhance the luminescence efficiencies. To gain insight into the factors responsible for the emission color change and the different luminescence efficiency, we performed the DFT and TD-DFT calculations on the ground and excited states of these phosphors. (1) The fluorine-substituted dfpypy ligand lower the HOMO energy levels because a N of the pyridyl ligand is more electronegative than a C of the nonsubstituted phenyl ligand and also (2) mono-cyclometalated Iridium(III) complexes using two phosphines trans to each other increased HOMO-LUMO gap by strong field effects of ancillary ligands. From these results, we discuss how the dfpypy ligand and the ancillary ligand influences the emission peak as well as the metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition efficiency. As the maximum emission spectra of FIrpic known as blue phosphorescence material is about 475 nm. The resulting Iridium(III) complexes, Ir(dfpypy)(PPh3)2(H)(CN), would appear pure blue region about 415 nm with more intensified efficiency.

Evaluation of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of 18 Korean onion cultivars: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Onion is undoubtedly one of the major sources of flavonoids. However, there exists a varietal difference in composition, concentration and beneficial activities of onion, on the basis of cultivars, day length sensitivity/ripening and types. To characterise such differences, 18 onion cultivars from Korean were evaluated for their total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Simultaneous quantification of quercetin, quercetin-3,4'-O-diglucoside, quercetin-4'-O-monoglucoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside was made in methanol and 75% ethanol. RESULTS: Total phenolic content was examined spectrophotometrically with the Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent and total antioxidant activity were studied by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) methods. The cultivar 'Sunpower' showed the highest level of total phenolics [5016 ± 30.0 µg gallic acid equivalents g(-1) dry weight (DW)] and flavonoids (2873.95 ± 60.01 µg Q g(-1) DW) among the 18 cultivars in methanol. However, there were fewer total phenolics and flavonoids in ethanol extracts. The antioxidant activity for cultivar Sunpower was highest in ethanol extracts 24.12 ± 1.00 and 16.13 ± 0.35 µmol L(-1) Trolox equivalents g(-1) DW with FRAP and DPPH, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among the 18 cultivars, Sunpower is the most promising in terms of total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that day length sensitivity/ripening among the cultivars do not play any significant role for high values of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity.

HPTLC analysis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of Arisaema tortuosum tuber extract.

CONTEXT: Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to several chronic diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott (Araceae) is an Indian folk medicinal herb traditionally used for treatment of various diseases related to inflammation and stress. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out for HPTLC analysis and evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of a methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant activities of methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber (1 mg/mL) were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays and anti-inflammatory effects by diene-conjugate and ß-glucuronidase assays, with in vitro tumor growth inhibition on HeLa cancer cells. The results for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were compared using Trolox and salicylic acid as reference compounds, respectively. RESULTS: The TLC and HPTLC analysis showed the presence of quercetin, rutin, luteolin and lectin (Rf values 0.97, 0.53, 0.59 and 1.58, respectively). The methanol fraction of tuber exhibit higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for DPPH (IC50 = 852 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 532 µg/mL), and FRAP (IC50 = 458 µg/mL), as compared with Trolox as standard, with a remarkable amount of phenolics (86.2 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (175.5 mg/100 g), along with potent anti-inflammatory activity indicated by diene-conjugate (86.20%) and ß-glucuronidase (92.92%) inhibition, as compared with salicylic acid as reference compound. The antiproliferative activity at 100 mg/mL was 88% inhibition with HeLa cells. The inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation was greatest (p < 0.001) with the 100 mg/mL A. tortuosum tuber extract treatments and least with the 25 mg/mL dose. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that A. tortuosum tuber might be used as a promising and potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative agent and might be used for standardization of potential drug after successful isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds.

Changes in the Average Body Mass Index of Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Korean Elementary School Students: The Role of Physical Education in Student Health.

This study aimed to emphasize the importance of physical education in maintaining sufficient physical activity by examining the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea over multiple years. This study investigated changes in the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea. It provided foundational data to suggest the role of physical education in student health and set future directions. The 2019-2021 Physical Activity Promotion System (PAPS) of the Korean Ministry of Education was used. Data corresponding to fifth- and sixth-grade students (124,693 from 2019, 126,226 from 2020, and 117,809 from 2021) in 1208 elementary schools in Korea were collected. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted for the data analysis. The study findings are as follows: First, the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea increased significantly in 2021 compared with 2019 and 2020. Second, changes in the yearly average BMI showed a significant difference depending on gender and grade. Obesity among fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea increased steadily during 2019-2021, which may be due to a decrease in students' physical activity. Male students showed a steeper increase regardless of grade. During the study period, limited physical activity at school increased obesity rates. Physical education must play a role in students' health in preparation for future changes.

The UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:dolichol phosphate-N-acetylglucosamine-phosphotransferase gene as a new selection marker for potato transformation.

Here we describe the generation of potato plants that constitutively overexpressed, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:dolichol phosphate-N-acetylglucosamine-phosphotransferase (GPT). Such transgenic plants can be formed in a medium with tunicamycin at 9.8 ± 0.28% efficiency, similar to the 9.4 ± 1.10 for the bialaphos resistance gene (Bar) gene. This study indicated that GPT transformation was very stable with high reproducibility, and that growth and tuber production in the GPT-transformed plants were stronger than in the wild-type plants.

Theoretical study of new heteroleptic ruthenium complex with conjugated phenoxazines.

In this study, novel ruthenium complexes substituted with donor antenna group were designed and studied theoretically to enhance the photovoltaic. We have compared the well known N3 dye and Ru(II) complexes substituted with antenna groups, such as a conjugated phenoxazine (POZ) of one site, two conjugated POZs of both site to bipyridine. Molecular orbital analysis confirmed that the HOMOs of N3 are localized over the NCS ligand orbitals of N3, however, the HOMO, HOMO-1 and HOMO-2 of Ru(dcbpy)(pbpy)(NCS)2 and Ru(dcbpy)(dpbpy)(NCS)2 are localized over the NCS or POZ antenna ligand. The TDDFT calculations showed that the complexes with POZ donor antenna had panchromatic absorption spectra in the region above 400 nm compared to N3 dye. Absorption bands between 400 and 500 nm were ascribed to transitions of antenna unit. From these results, it is shown that substituted antenna moiety enhanced their electronic and optical properties as dye sensitizer, and it is expected that these ruthenium complexes with POZ antenna would show better performance than N3 dye in conversion efficiency for DSSCs.