Proteomics Profiling of Bilirubin Nanoparticle Treatment against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

In myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) poses a significant challenge due to a lack of effective treatments. Bilirubin, a natural compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been identified as a potential therapeutic agent for IRI. Currently, there are no reports about proteomic studies related to IRI and bilirubin treatment. In this study, we explored the effects of bilirubin nanoparticles in a rat model of myocardial IRI. A total of 3616 protein groups comprising 76,681 distinct peptides were identified using LC-MS/MS, where we distinguished two kinds of protein groups: those showing increased expression in IRI and decreased expression in IRI with bilirubin treatment, and vice versa, accounting for 202 and 35 proteins, respectively. Our proteomic analysis identified significant upregulation in the Wnt and insulin signaling pathways and increased Golgi markers, indicating their role in mediating bilirubin nanoparticle's protective effects. This research contributes to the proteomic understanding of myocardial IRI and suggests bilirubin nanoparticles as a promising strategy for cardiac protection, warranting further investigation in human models.

Exploring Bioactive Compounds in Brown Seaweeds Using Subcritical Water: A Comprehensive Analysis.

In this study, we characterized the bioactive properties of three important brown seaweed species, Sargassum thunbergii, Undaria pinnatifida, and Saccharina japonica, by subcritical water extraction (SWE), as these species are well known for their beneficial health effects. Their physiochemical properties, including potential antioxidant, antihypertensive, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and the antibacterial activity of the hydroysates were also analyzed. The highest total phlorotannin, total sugar content, and reducing sugar content in the S. thunbergii hydrolysates were 38.82 ± 0.17 mg PGE/g, 116.66 ± 0.19 mg glucose/g dry sample, and 53.27 ± 1.57 mg glucose/g dry sample, respectively. The highest ABTS+ and DPPH antioxidant activities were obtained in the S. japonica hydrolysates (124.77 ± 2.47 and 46.35 ± 0.01 mg Trolox equivalent/g, respectively) and the highest FRAP activity was obtained in the S. thunbergii hydrolysates (34.47 ± 0.49 mg Trolox equivalent/g seaweed). In addition, the seaweed extracts showed antihypertensive (≤59.77 ± 0.14%) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (≤68.05 ± 1.15%), as well as activity against foodborne pathogens. The present findings provide evidence of the biological activity of brown seaweed extracts for potential application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.

NAB2-STAT6 fusion protein mediates cell proliferation and oncogenic progression via EGR-1 regulation.

Solitary fibrous tumors are rare mesenchymal tumors derived from soft tissues and vascular walls. NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene serves as a marker gene for this disease and consists of the truncated repressor domain of NGFI-A-Binding protein 2 (NAB2) and the intact activation domain of STAT6. In this study, we found that EGR-1 and the proliferation-related EGR-1 target gene IGF2 were upregulated in NIH-3T3 cells transfected with NAB2-STAT6. Additionally, p-Rb (Ser795) and cyclin D1 levels were upregulated, and cell proliferation was also enhanced. We identified that treatment with the IGF2 inhibitor reduced cell proliferation in NIH-3T3 cells transfected with NAB2-STAT6. The oncogenic progression was enhanced in NIH-3T3 cells transfected with NAB2-STAT6 compared with those transfected with the empty vector. Taken together, our study suggests that the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene is associated with cell proliferation through EGR-1 transcriptional expression and IGF2 can be a drug target for the treatment of solitary fibrous tumors.

Fast charging with high capacity for aluminum rechargeable batteries using organic additive in an ionic liquid electrolyte.

Aluminum-ion batteries have many advantages such as the natural abundance of aluminum, high theoretical capacity, and low cost. However, the ionic liquid commonly used as the electrolyte for aluminum-ion batteries has high viscosity, which hinders the migration of charge carriers. In this study, we used various organic solvents as additives for the ionic liquid electrolyte and investigated their effect on the battery performance. The electrolyte containing 45% (v/v) benzene had the best electrochemical properties, which led to a high specific capacity of 90 mA h g-1 at an extremely high current density of 5 A g-1.

Bacillus/Trapa japonica Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate enhances human hair follicle dermal papilla cell proliferation via the Akt/ERK/GSK-3ß signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in medical treatments, the proportion of the population suffering from alopecia is increasing, creating a need for new treatments to control hair loss and prevent balding. Treatments based on plant-derived compounds could potentially prevent hair loss. Human hair follicle dermal papilla (HDP) cells, a type of specialized fibroblast in the hair bulb, play an essential role in controlling hair growth and in conditions such as androgenic alopecia. We examined the effect of Bacillus/Trapa japonica fruit ferment filtrate extracts (TJFs) on HDP cells to determine whether activation of the Akt/ERK/GSK-3ß signaling pathway improved HDP cell proliferation. METHODS: We prepared TJFs using various methods. The extract properties were analyzed using WST-1, Lowry, and cell migration assays as well as immunofluorescence staining. We also determined the cell cycle stage and performed western blotting and an in ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Last, we constructed an organotypic three-dimensional cell culture model for immunohistochemical use. RESULTS: Our study confirmed that the TJFs contained numerous peptides and five unknown fractions. The TJFs stimulated HDP cell proliferation and migration via the Akt/ERK/GSK-3ß signaling pathway. To verify that the Akt/ERK/GSK-3ß pathway affected HDP cell proliferation, we treated HDP cells with LY294002 (an Akt inhibitor), BIO (a GSK-3ß inhibitor), and PD98059 (an ERK inhibitor). The TJFs also induced cell cycle progression, inhibited type І 5α-reductase, decreased apoptosis, and enhanced angiogenesis (vascular expansion). In addition to these signaling pathways, proteins including insulin-like growth factor-1 and keratinocyte growth factor, stimulating hair growth, were detected in the three-dimensional cell culture model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that TJFs enhance HDP cell proliferation via the Akt/ERK/GSK-3ß signaling pathway, suggesting a potential treatment for alopecia.

Laparoscopic Hill repair: 25-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The open Hill repair for gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia is remarkably durable, with a median 10-year reoperation rate of only 3% and satisfaction of 93%. No long-term data exist for the laparoscopic Hill repair (LHR). METHODS: Patients who underwent primary LHR at Swedish Medical Center for reflux and/or hiatal hernia at least 5 years earlier (1992-2010) were identified from an IRB-approved database. There were 727 patients who met inclusion criteria, including 648 undergoing repair for reflux and 79 for paraesophageal hernia. Two questionnaires were administered via mail to evaluate long-term quality of life using validated GERD-HRQL, Swallowing score, and global satisfaction score. Outcomes were defined by GERD-HRQL score, Swallowing score, resumption of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, need for reoperation, and global satisfaction with overall results. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-two patients completed and returned the survey (226 lost to follow-up, 90 deceased, 3 denied undergoing LHR, 166 non-responders), of which 52% were male. The average age at the time of surgery was 49.5 years. Median follow-up was 18.5 years (range 6.2-24.7). The average GERD-HRQL score (7.1) and the average Swallowing score (39.9) both indicated excellent symptomatic outcomes. 30% of patients are using daily PPIs. 24 patients (9.9%) required reoperation for failure during the follow-up period, 21 in the reflux group and 3 in the paraesophageal hernia group. Overall, 85% reported good to excellent results, and 76% would recommend the operation. CONCLUSION: LHR shows excellent long-term durability and quality of life similar to the open Hill repair, with 85% good to excellent results at a median follow-up of 19 years and a reoperation rate under 10%. It is surmised that Hill suture fixation of the gastroesophageal junction to the preaortic fascia may confer unique structural integrity compared to other repairs.

Comparison of Fracture Strength of Milled and 3D-Printed Crown Materials According to Occlusal Thickness.

This study aimed to measure the fracture strengths and hardness of final restorative milled and 3D-printed materials and evaluate the appropriate crown thickness for their clinical use for permanent prosthesis. One type of milled material (group M) and two types of 3D-printed materials (groups P1 and P2) were used. Their crown thickness was set to 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mm for each group, and the fracture strength was measured. Vickers hardness was measured and analyzed to confirm the hardness of each material. Scanning electron microscopy was taken to observe the surface changes of the 3D-printed materials under loads of 900 and 1500 N. With increased thickness, the fracture strength significantly increased for group M but significantly decreased for group P1. For group P2, the fracture strengths for the thicknesses of 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm significantly differed, but that for 1.0 mm did not differ from those for other thicknesses. The hardness of group M was significantly higher than that of groups P1 and P2. For all thicknesses, the fracture strength was higher than the average occlusal force for all materials; however, an appropriate crown thickness is required depending on the material and component.

A comparison of the mechanical properties of 3D-printed, milled, and conventional denture base resin materials.

This study investigated the mechanical properties of three denture base resin materials produced by three-dimensional (3D) printing (Group P), computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing milling (Group M), and conventional (Group C) methods. Three-point flexural tests were performed before and after thermocycling treatment to evaluate the mechanical properties. Additionally, nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to analyze the behavior of the materials. After flexural strength tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to evaluate the fracture cross-section. The results consistently showed that Group P exhibited significantly higher flexural strength and modulus regardless of thermocycling than Groups C and M (p<0.05), along with a higher storage modulus in DMA and greater resistance and resilience to nanoindentation deformation. SEM analysis showed that Group C had a relatively smooth cross-section, whereas Groups M and P had torn cross-sections. This study suggests that the 3D-printed material has suitable mechanical properties for hard dental prosthesis applications.

Optimization and evaluation of Atrina pectinata polysaccharides recovered by subcritical water extraction: A promising path to natural products.

In this study, the recovery of Atrina pectinata posterior adductor polysaccharides (APP-PS) using subcritical water extraction (SWE) was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) and the physicochemical and biological properties of the recovered APP-PS were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions, which resulted in a maximum yield of 55.58 ± 1.12 %, were temperature, 152.08 °C; extraction time, 10 min; solid-liquid ratio, 30 g/600 mL. The obtained APP-PS was found to be 88.05 ± 0.17 % total sugar. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed the presence of the α-coordination of D-glucan in the polymer sample. The analysis of monosaccharide composition, along with thermogravimetric analysis, revealed the typical structure of the sample, composed of glucose alone. Total phenolic contents of APP-PS were measured as 5.47 ± 0.01 mg Gallic acid/g of dry sample and total flavonoids contents were determined to be 0.78 ± 0.06 mg Quercetin/g of dry sample. For biological activities, ABTS+, DPPH and FRAP antioxidant activities were measured to be 20.00 ± 0.71, 2.35 ± 0.05 and 4.02 ± 0.07 µg Trolox equivalent/100 g of dry sample, respectively. Additionally ACE inhibitory was confirmed to be 87.02 ± 0.47 %. These results showed that SWE is an effective method to recover biofunctional materials from marine organisms.

Effect of Adhesion Conditions on the Shear Bond Strength of 3D Printing Resins after Thermocycling Used for Definitive Prosthesis.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing polymers such as urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) and ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA) are typically used in definitive prosthesis and require surface treatments before bonding. However, surface treatment and adhesion conditions often affect long-term use. Herein, polymers were divided into Groups 1 and 2 for the UDMA and Bis-EMA components, respectively. The shear bond strength (SBS) between two types of 3D printing resins and resin cements was measured using Rely X Ultimate Cement and Rely X U200, according to adhesion conditions such as single bond universal (SBU) and airborne-particle abrasion (APA) treatments. Thermocycling was performed to evaluate the long-term stability. Sample surface changes were observed using a scanning electron microscope and surface roughness measuring instrument. The effect of interaction between the resin material and adhesion conditions on the SBS was analyzed via a two-way analysis of variance. The optimal adhesion condition for Group 1 was achieved when U200 was used after APA and SBU, whereas Group 2 was not significantly affected by the adhesion conditions. After thermocycling, the SBS significantly decreased in Group 1 without APA treatment and in the entire Group 2. Additionally, porosity, along with increased roughness, was observed on both material surfaces after APA.

Effect of airborne particle abrasion treatment of two types of 3D-printing resin materials for permanent restoration materials on flexural strength.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effects of airborne-particle abrasion (APA) on the flexural strength of two types of 3D-printing resins for permanent restoration. METHODS: Two types of 3D printing resins (urethane dimethacrylate oligomer; UDMA, ethoxylated bisphenol-A dimethacrylate; BEMA) constituting different components were printed. The specimen surfaces were subjected to APA using 50 and 110 µm alumina particles under different pressures. The three-point flexural strength was measured for each surface treatment group, and a Weibull analysis was performed. Surface characteristics were analyzed via surface roughness measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis and nano-indentation measurements were limited to the control group. RESULTS: The three-point flexural strength according to the surface treatment was significantly lower in the UDMA group for large particle sizes and at high pressures; the BEMA group demonstrated low flexural strength for large particle sizes regardless of the pressure. After thermocycling, the flexural strengths of UDMA and BEMA significantly decreased in the group subjected to surface treatment. The Weibull modulus and characteristic strength of UDMA were higher than those of BEMA under different APA and thermocycling conditions. As the abrasion pressure and particle size increased, a porous surface formed, and the surface roughness increased. Compared with BEMA, UDMA featured a lower strain, greater strain recovery, and a negligible increase in modulus according to strain. SIGNIFICANCE: Thus, surface roughness increased with the sandblasting particle size and pressure of the 3D-printing resin. Hence, a suitable surface treatment method to improve adhesion can be determined by considering physical property changes.

An experimental study on the performance of fire extinguishing system according to the agent charging condition and nozzle type.

In confined environments such as aircraft, an increase in mass impacts the overall system's performance, thus requiring sophisticated management. To verify whether the performance characteristics of fire extinguishing systems used in aircraft are satisfied, in this study was built a 1:1 scale test model. We examined the influence of the initial charge state and nozzles. Further, it measured the pressure inside the pipelines and vessels where multiple nozzles are installed to identify the flow and diffusivity characteristics of HFC-125 inside the pipelines and vessels. At a charging ratio of 54%, the initial pressure drop was smaller, and the lowest pressure before the bubble release point appeared 0.26 s later than when the charging ratio was 76%. The average pressure of each nozzle was 275.8 kPa higher under a charging ratio of 54% than 76% and increased further when the average concentration change was 54%, indicating that diffusivity increased. Although improvements occurred according to the charging ratio, the improvements according to the HFC-125 charging mass were more significant.

Diversity of Microbial Metal Sulfide Biomineralization.

Since the emergence of life on Earth, microorganisms have contributed to biogeochemical cycles. Sulfate-reducing bacteria are an example of widespread microorganisms that participate in the metal and sulfur cycles by biomineralization of biogenic metal sulfides. In this work, we review the microbial biomineralization of metal sulfide particles and summarize distinctive features from exemplary cases. We highlight that metal sulfide biomineralization is highly metal- and organism-specific. The properties of metal sulfide biominerals depend on the degree of cellular control and on environmental factors, such as pH, temperature, and concentration of metals. Moreover, biogenic macromolecules, including peptides and proteins, help cells control their extracellular and intracellular environments that regulate biomineralization. Accordingly, metal sulfide biominerals exhibit unique features when compared to abiotic minerals or biominerals produced by dead cell debris.

Microwave-assisted digestion method using diluted nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide for the determination of major and minor elements in milk samples by ICP-OES and ICP-MS.

A novel method for microwave-assisted digestion of milk samples using diluted HNO3and H2O2 with a single reaction chamber was developed for elemental analysis by ICP-based techniques. The optimal conditions for digestion were 0.25 g of sample mass, 6 mL of 0.1 molL-1HNO3and 2 mL of 30% H2O2 at 250 ℃ and 160 bar. The optimized procedure resulted in low residual carbon content and residual acidity of 260 mgL-1 and 0.06 mol L-1, respectively. The limits of detection ranged from 0.286Õ¸g g-1(Ca) to 82.990Õ¸g g-1(Fe). In addition, the proposed method was considered an excellent green analysis method with a final score of 87 based on the analytical Eco-Scale. Finally, the method was validated and applied to the determination of Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn in milk samples from South Korea.

Periplasmic Bacterial Biomineralization of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles.

Metal sulfides are a common group of extracellular bacterial biominerals. However, only a few cases of intracellular biomineralization are reported in this group, mostly limited to greigite (Fe3 S4 ) in magnetotactic bacteria. Here, a previously unknown periplasmic biomineralization of copper sulfide produced by the magnetotactic bacterium Desulfamplus magnetovallimortis strain BW-1, a species known to mineralize greigite (Fe3 S4 ) and magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) in the cytoplasm is reported. BW-1 produces hundreds of spherical nanoparticles, composed of 1-2 nm substructures of a poorly crystalline hexagonal copper sulfide structure that remains in a thermodynamically unstable state. The particles appear to be surrounded by an organic matrix as found from staining and electron microscopy inspection. Differential proteomics suggests that periplasmic proteins, such as a DegP-like protein and a heavy metal-binding protein, could be involved in this biomineralization process. The unexpected periplasmic formation of copper sulfide nanoparticles in BW-1 reveals previously unknown possibilities for intracellular biomineralization that involves intriguing biological control and holds promise for biological metal recovery in times of copper shortage.

Study on graphene oxide as a hole extraction layer for stable organic solar cells.

The development of an efficient and stable hole extraction layer (HEL) is crucial for commercializing organic solar cells (OSCs). Although a few candidates have been widely utilized as HELs for OSCs, the most appropriate material has been lacking. A few articles have recently reported graphene oxide (GO) as a well-working HEL that offers comparable performance to conventional HELs. However, a systematic study providing comprehensive insight into the GO-based OSC behavior is lacking. This article discusses broad topics, including the material properties, device efficiency, shelf lifetime, and impedance properties. We found that GO offers excellent properties, which are identical to those of conventional HELs, while the shelf lifetime shows a significant 6-fold increase. Furthermore, we discuss the significantly reduced space-charge limited region of an aged GO-based OSC compared with a PEDOT:PSS-based device, which is revealed to be a reason for the different shelf lifetime. We believe that the results will accelerate the development of GO as an HEL for OSCs and other optoelectronic devices.

Immunogenicity of an inactivated rabies vaccine for animals derived from the recombinant ERAGS strain.

PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the immunogenicity of an inactivated rabies vaccine based on the ERAGS strain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ERAGS virus propagated in Vero cells was inactivated with 3 mM binary ethylenimine for 8 hours. Three types of inactivated rabies vaccines were prepared to determine the minimum vaccine virus titers. Four further types of inactivated rabies vaccines were prepared by blending inactivated ERAGS with four different adjuvants; each vaccine was injected into mice, guinea pigs, and dogs to identify the optimal adjuvant. The immunogenicity of a Montanide (IMS) gel-adjuvanted vaccine was evaluated in cats, dogs, and cattle. Humoral immune responses were measured via a fluorescent antibody virus neutralization method and a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The minimum virus titer of the inactivated rabies vaccine was over 107.0 50% tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50 values)/mL. Of the four kinds of adjuvants, the IMS gel-adjuvanted vaccine induced the highest mean viral neutralizing antibody (VNA) titers of 6.24 and 2.36 IU/mL in guinea pigs and dogs, respectively, and was thus selected as the vaccine for the target animals. Cats, dogs, and cattle inoculated with the IMS gel-adjuvanted vaccine developed protective VNA titers ranging from 3.5 to 1.2 IU/mL at 4 weeks post-inoculation (WPI). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that cats, dogs, and cattle inoculated with an inactivated rabies vaccine derived from the ERAGS strain developed protective immune responses that were maintained to 12 WPI.

Generation of a recombinant rabies virus expressing green fluorescent protein for a virus neutralization antibody assay.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescent antibody virus neutralization (FAVN) test is a standard assay for quantifying rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) in serum. However, a safer rabies virus (RABV) should be used in the FAVN assay. There is a need for a new method that is economical and time-saving by eliminating the immunostaining step. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to improve the traditional FAVN method by rescuing and characterizing a new recombinant RABV expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). METHODS: A new recombinant RABV expressing GFP designated as ERAGS-GFP was rescued using a reverse genetic system. Immuno-fluorescence assay, peroxidase-linked assay, electron microscopy and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to confirm the recombinant ERAGS-GFP virus as a RABV expressing the GFP gene. The safety of ERAGS-GFP was evaluated in 4-week-old mice. The rabies VNA titers were measured and compared with conventional FAVN and FAVN-GFP tests using VERO cells. RESULTS: The virus propagated in VERO cells was confirmed as RABV expressing GFP. The ERAGS-GFP showed the highest titer (108.0 TCID50/mL) in VERO cells at 5 days post-inoculation, and GFP expression persisted until passage 30. The body weight of 4-week-old mice inoculated intracranially with ERAGS-GFP continued to increase and the survival rate was 100%. In 62 dog sera, the FAVN-GFP result was significantly correlated with that of conventional FAVN (r = 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: We constructed ERAGS-GFP, which could replace the challenge virus standard-11 strain used in FAVN test.

Effects of Short-term Mobile Application Use on Weight Reduction for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has led to a significant health burden. Technological advancements have highlighted the benefits of digital therapeutics for chronic diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a mobile application on weight reduction in patients with T2DM. METHODS: A total of 48 patients with T2DM was included in this single-center, randomized, controlled trial. In addition to conventional treatment, participants in the intervention group used a mobile application-based self-management system for diet, exercise, and medication adherence. The primary outcome of this study was weight change after 3 months of intervention, and secondary outcomes were metabolic parameters. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, no significant differences in body weight change were observed between the intervention and control groups (P=0.229). However, a significant difference was found in waist circumference (WC) between the two groups, wherein the control group showed an increase in WC (from 95.00±8.89 cm to 95.76±9.72 cm), while the intervention group showed a reduction (from 91.93±6.25 cm to 90.75±6.01 cm) with a significant time by group interaction (P=0.016). Additionally, participants with good compliance exhibited a more evident reduction in WC (P=0.037). However, no significant differences were found in other metabolic parameters between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle modification using short-term mobile applications effectively reduced WC, especially in patients with good adherence to the application. However, weight reduction was not achieved.

Curvature Effect of a Phosphatidylethanolamine-Included Membrane on the Behavior of Cinnamycin on the Membrane.

The behavior of cinnamycin on a biomimetic membrane was studied with respect to the curvature of a phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-included membrane with the adhesion measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The membrane was formed through vesicle fusion on the hydrophobic surface of silica spheres, which was used to define the curvature of the membrane. The hydrophobicity was generated by the reaction of alkyl-silane and analyzed with an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer. The cinnamycin, immobilized covalently to the AFM tip coated with 1-mercapto-1-undecanol that was observed to be inert to any adhesion to the membrane, showed that the adhesion became stronger with the increase in the curvature. The correlation between the adhesion and the curvature was linearly proportional. Since it was found that the cinnamycin was bound to a PE headgroup and the binding was enhanced by the interaction of the hydrophobic area located at one side of the cinnamycin, the linear proportionality seems to suggest that the interaction is related to the one dimensional orientation of the binding.