Application of diffusive gradient in thin films probes to monitor trace levels of labile methylmercury in freshwaters.

This study aimed to optimize the methods for sampling and analyzing methylmercury (MeHg) concentrated within diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and its application to different water bodies. We explored the elution solution for MeHg, comprised of 1.13 mM thiourea and 0.1M HCl, optimizing its volume to 50 mL. In addition, we found that it is necessary to analyze the entire extraction solution after adjusting its pH, to ensure completion of the ethylation reaction. The DGT samplers were deployed in two distinct aquatic environments (i.e., Okjeong Lake and Nakdong River) for up to 6 weeks, and this study demonstrated to predict the time-weighted average concentration with a diffusion coefficient of 7.65 × 10-6 cm2 s-1 for MeHg in the diffusive gel. To assess the diffusive boundary layer (DBL) effects, the DGT samplers with different agarose diffusive gel thickness were deployed. The mass of MeHg accumulated in the DGT resin at a given time decreased with increasing diffusive gel thickness, because of creating longer diffusion pathways within thicker gels. The labile MeHg concentration estimated by the DGT in Okjeong Lake and Nakdong River are found in the range of 61-111 and 55-105 pg L-1, respectively, which were found to be similar to the grab sampling data. Additionally, this study evaluated depth-dependent MeHg in Okjeong Lake. The vertical profile results showed that the concentration of MeHg at the depth of 2.3 and 15.7 m are about 1.5 and 4.6 times of the DGT installed at 0.3 m of the surface layer, respectively, suggesting potential mercury methylation in deep waters. These findings have practical implications for predicting bioavailability, assessing risks, and formulating strategies for water body management and contamination remediation.

Three new phthalide derivatives from culture broth of Dentipellis fragilis and their cytotoxic activities.

Three new phthalide derivatives (1‒3) together with two known compounds, erinaceolactone B (4) and hericerin III (5), were isolated from the culture broth of Dentipellis fragilis. The chemical structures of 1‒5 were determined by analyses of their 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by CD analysis. The isolated compounds were assessed for their cytotoxic activities against A549, DU145, HCT116, and HT1080 cancer cell lines. Compounds 1‒5 showed strong cytotoxic activities against DU145, with IC50 values ranging from 14.3 to 16.1 µM. Additionally, all compounds showed moderate or weak cytotoxic activities against all cell lines except for compounds 4 and 1 which showed no cytotoxic activities against A549 and HCT116 cancer cell lines, respectively. Against HT1080 cancer cell line, only compound 2 displayed moderate cytotoxic activity.

Understanding subduction infancy to mature subduction in Southwest Japan via the self-consistent formation of a weak slab interface.

The weak slab interface controls long-term subduction dynamics. A weak hydrous layer at the slab interface promotes mechanical decoupling between the forearc mantle and the subducting slab and converts a hot forearc mantle to a cold mantle. Often referred to as a cold nose, the cold forearc mantle, plays a key role in the transition from subduction infancy to mature subduction. This study was the first to numerically demonstrate the self-consistent formation of a weak hydrous layer with permeability anisotropy based on the Southwest Japan subduction zone case, where transition-related geological features were present. Our models showed that mechanical decoupling by spontaneous downdip growth of the weak hydrous layer created a cold nose by converting a hot forearc mantle to a cold mantle. The emergence of a cold nose explained the migration of the forearc-to-arc volcanic front, expressed as the formation of mid-Miocene forearc high-magnesium andesite and Quaternary arc adakite. Furthermore, the weak hydrous layer providing a pathway for free-water transport toward the mantle wedge tip elucidates slab/mantle-derived geochemical components in deep groundwater as well as large S-wave delay times and non-volcanic seismic tremors in the forearc.

Evidence integration on health damage for humidifier disinfectant exposure and legal presumption of causation.

OBJECTIVES: Inhalation exposure to humidifier disinfectants has resulted to various types of health damages in Korea. To determine the epidemiological correlation necessary for presuming the legal causation, we aimed to develop a method to synthesize the entire evidence. METHODS: Epidemiological and toxicological studies are systematically reviewed. Target health problems are selected by criteria such as frequent complaints of claimants. Relevant epidemiologic studies are reviewed and the risk of bias and confidence level of the total evidence are evaluated. Toxicological literature reviews are conducted on three lines of evidence including hazard information, animal studies, and mechanistic studies, considering the source-to-exposure-to-outcome continuum. The confidence level of the body of evidence is then translated into the toxicological evidence levels for the causality between humidifier disinfectant exposure and health effects. Finally, the levels of epidemiological and toxicological evidence are synthesized. RESULTS: Under the Special Act revised in 2020, if the history of exposure and the disease occurred/worsened after exposure were approved, and the epidemiological correlation between the exposure and disease was verified, the legal causation is presumed unless the company proves the evidence against it. The epidemiological correlation can be verified through epidemiological investigations, health monitoring, cohort investigations and/or toxicological studies. It is not simply as statistical association as understood in judicial precedents, but a general causation established by the evidence as a whole, i.e., through weight-of-the-evidence approach. CONCLUSIONS: The weight-of-the-evidence approach differs from the conclusive single study approach and this systematic evidence integration can be used in presumption of causation.

Formanilides from the culture broth of Perenniporia fraxinea.

A new formanilide dimer, fraxinin (1), and three known formanilides (2‒4) were isolated from the culture broth of Perenniporia fraxinea using silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies, medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), and preparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, such as NMR and mass analysis, and by comparison of the spectra with previously reported data. The free radical scavenging activities of the isolated compounds were assessed using 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Compounds 1‒3 exhibited ABTS radical scavenging activity with IC50 values in the range of 57.2-250.2 µM. Compounds 2 and 4 marginally reduced disease incidence of powdery mildew with a control value of 42% at 1.0 mg ml-1 in cucumber leaf disk assay.

Application of multiplex realtime PCR detection for hemorrhagic fever syndrome viruses.

BACKGROUND: Multiplex real-time PCR is a quick and cost effective method for detection of various gene simultaneously. HFSV (Hemorrhagic Fever Syndrome Virus) is a newly emerging infectious disease because of globalization and climate change. We tried to develop a molecular diagnostic technique for various causative viruses and evaluate its usefulness for improving public health. METHODS: Molecular diagnostic test method that qualitatively detects viruses causing viral hemorrhagic fevers hired Taq-Man Real-time RT-PCR technique. The Ct value was experimentally observed three or more times at the RNA concentration before and after the detection limit. After designing a multiplex real-time RT-PCR test for target gene of selected 17 viruses, the detection limit for each target and the presence or absence of cross-reaction and interference reaction were evaluated to determine its availability. RESULTS: Six kinds of viruses, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, Sabia virus, Chapare virus, Yellow fever virus, and Variola virus (A4L gene, B12R gene), were able to confirm the detection limit of 0.5 copies/µl, and other Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Rift Valley fever virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Junin virus, Guanarito virus, Machupo virus, Chikungunya virus, Hantavirus, Dengue virus types 1-4, and Lassa virus (L gene, GPC gene), and 11 kinds of viruses, the detection limit was confirmed at 5 copies/µl. No cross-reaction or interference between detected genes was observed. CONCLUSION: The virus test method developed through this study using multiplex is expected to be used for public health and quarantine as a test method that can be used when a hemorrhagic fever virus of unknown cause is introduced.

Bioaccumulation and in vivo fate of toxic benzylalkyldimethylammonium chloride in rats via the radiotracer analysis.

Benzylalkyldimethylammonium chloride (BAC), a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), is utilized in industrial and biomedical applications for antimicrobial purposes. Since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, various types of BAC-containing household chemicals have been produced. BACs have several adverse effects; however, their biological uptake, translocation, and excretion in animal models (essential for better understanding in vivo behavior and toxicological impact) remain unclear. In this study, we performed the first biodistribution and whole-body imaging studies of BAC in male Sprague Dawley rats, using two different administration routes. Quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) data obtained for intranasal 14C-labeled BAC ([14C]C12-BAC) exposure showed substantial uptake values for the respiratory organs (e.g. 346 ng g-1 of lung at 3 h post administration) and the radiotracer was transported to other internal organs. The amount of radiotracer in the heart, adrenal gland, and pancreas were 198, 1410, and 186 ng g-1 tissue respectively at 168 h following exposure. Autoradiograms obtained after intravenous injection also showed high accumulation and slow excretion in these organs. The cumulative excretion analysis revealed that approximately 6.4% of the administered radioactivity remained in rats after a week. The results indicated that continuous inhalation exposure to BAC leads to potential toxic effects in extrapulmonary organs and the respiratory tract. Thus, the radiolabeling method utilized may help assess various synthetic QACs in living subjects.

Crocin Attenuates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Inhibiting Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species and Ameliorates Monosodium Urate-Induced Mouse Peritonitis.

Crocin is a hydrophilic carotenoid pigment found in the stigma of Crocus sativus or the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides. In this study, we investigated the effects of Crocin on the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in J774A.1 murine macrophage cells and monosodium urate (MSU)-induced peritonitis. Crocin significantly inhibited Nigericin-, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-, MSU-induced interleukin (IL)-1ß secretion, and caspase-1 cleavage without affecting pro-IL-1ß and pro-caspase-1. Crocin also suppressed gasdermin-D cleavage and lactate dehydrogenase release and enhanced cell viability, indicating that Crocin reduces pyroptosis. Similar effects were observed in primary mouse macrophages. However, Crocin did not affect poly(dA:dT)-induced absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and muramyl dipeptide-induced NLRP1 inflammasomes. Crocin decreased Nigericin-induced oligimerization and the speck formation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Crocin also dramatically alleviated the ATP-induced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Finally, Crocin ameliorated the MSU-induced production of IL-1ß and IL-18 and the recruitment of neutrophils during peritoneal inflammation. These results suggest that Crocin suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation by blocking mtROS production and ameliorates MSU-induced mouse peritonitis. Thus, Crocin may have therapeutic potential in various NLRP3 inflammasome-related inflammatory diseases.

The long multi-epitope peptide vaccine combined with adjuvants improved the therapeutic effects in a glioblastoma mouse model.

Emerging data have suggested that single short peptides have limited success as a cancer vaccine; however, extending the short peptides into longer multi-epitope peptides overcame the immune tolerance and induced an immune response. Moreover, the combination of adjuvants such as lenalidomide and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) with a peptide vaccine showed potential vaccine effects in previous studies. Therefore, the effects of a long multi-epitope peptide vaccine in combination with lenalidomide and anti-PD1 were analyzed in this study. Long multi-epitope peptides from two MHCI peptides (BIRC597-104 and EphA2682-689) and the pan-human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR) binding epitope (PADRE) were synthesized. The therapeutic effects of long multi-epitope peptides in combination with lenalidomide and anti-PD1 were confirmed in the murine GL261 intracranial glioma model. Immune cells' distribution and responses to the long multi-epitope peptides in combination with these adjuvants were also estimated in the spleens, lymph nodes, and tumor tissues. The difference between long multi-epitope peptides and a cocktail of multi-epitope peptides combined with lenalidomide and anti-PD1 was also clarified. As a result, long multi-epitope peptides combined with lenalidomide and anti-PD1 prolonged the survival of mice according to the suppression of tumor growth in an intracranial mouse model. While long multi-epitope peptides combined with these adjuvants enhanced the percentages of activated and memory effector CD8+ T cells, the increase in percentages of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was observed in a cocktail of multi-epitope peptides combined with lenalidomide and anti-PD1 group in the tumors. Long multi-epitope peptides combined with these adjuvants also enhanced the function of immune cells according to the enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytotoxicity against GL261 cells in ex vivo. In conclusion, long multi-epitope peptides composed of MHCI peptides, BIRC5 and EphA2, and the MHCII peptide, PADRE, in combination with lenalidomide and anti-PD1 has the potential to improve the therapeutic effects of a vaccine against GBM.

Effectiveness of cone-beam computed tomography-generated cephalograms using artificial intelligence cephalometric analysis.

Lateral cephalograms and related analysis constitute representative methods for orthodontic treatment. However, since conventional cephalometric radiographs display a three-dimensional structure on a two-dimensional plane, inaccuracies may be produced when quantitative evaluation is required. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has minimal image distortion, and important parts can be observed without overlapping. It provides a high-resolution three-dimensional image at a relatively low dose and cost, but still shows a higher dose than a lateral cephalogram. It is especially true for children who are more susceptible to radiation doses and often have difficult diagnoses. A conventional lateral cephalometric radiograph can be obtained by reconstructing the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data obtained from CBCT. This study evaluated the applicability and consistency of lateral cephalograms generated by CBCT using an artificial intelligence analysis program. Group I comprised conventional lateral cephalometric radiographs, group II comprised lateral cephalometric radiographs generated from CBCT using OnDemand 3D, and group III comprised lateral cephalometric radiographs generated from CBCT using Invivo5. All measurements in the three groups showed non-significant results. Therefore, a CBCT scan and artificial intelligence programs are efficient means when performing orthodontic analysis on pediatric or orthodontic patients for orthodontic diagnosis and planning.

Biodistribution and respiratory toxicity of chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone following intranasal and intratracheal administration.

A variety of isothiazolinone-containing small molecules have been registered and used as chemical additives in many household products. However, their biodistribution and potential harmful effects on human health, especially respiratory effects, were not yet identified in sufficient detail. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a biocide comprising a mixture of chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) could reach the lungs and induce lung injury when exposure occurs by two administration routes involving the respiratory tract: intratracheal and intranasal instillation. To investigate the biodistribution of CMIT/MIT, we quantified the uptake of 14C-labeled CMIT/MIT in experimental animals for up to seven days after intratracheal and intranasal instillation. In the toxicity study, lung injury was assessed in mice using total inflammatory cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung histopathology. The results of the biodistribution study indicated that CMIT/MIT were rapidly distributed throughout the respiratory tract. Using quantitative whole-body autoradiogram analysis, we confirmed that following intranasal exposure, CMIT/MIT reached the lungs via the respiratory tract (nose-trachea-lung). After 5 min post intratracheal and intranasal instillation, the amount of radiotracer ([14C]CMIT/MIT) in the lungs was 2720 ng g-1 and 752 ng g-1 tissue, respectively, and lung damage was observed. A higher amount of the radiotracer resulted in higher toxicity. Both intratracheal and intranasal instillation of CMIT/MIT increased inflammatory cell counts in the BALF and induced injuries in the alveoli. The frequency and the severity scores of injuries caused by intratracheal instillation were approximately-four to five times higher than those induced by intranasal instillation. Therefore, we concluded that CMIT/MIT could reach the lungs following nasal and intratracheal exposure and cause lung injuries, and the extent of injury was dependent on the exposure dose.

Semi-subterranean environment and soil metagenomic datasets of the Gyeongju Seokbinggo (stone ice storage) in South Korea.

The Seokbinggo is an ice cellar made of stone to store ice in the 1700s. The Seokbinggo, a traditional Korean stone architecture, can keep ice collected in winter until summer because the semi-subterranean structure utilizes the natural environment, and the insulation design is effective. However, these structures and scientific designs are not used as ice storage and are easily damaged by biological contamination. We present the environmental data of the inside and the metagenomic dataset of the soil samples from the Seokbinggo. Next-generation sequencing was carried out on an Illumina MiSeq platform. The raw sequence data used for analysis is available in NCBI under the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) with BioProject No. PRJNA727939 and SRA accession Nos. SRX10976613, SRX10976614, SRX10976615, SRX10976616, SRX10976617, SRX10976618, SRX10976619, SRX10976620. Environmental data, including data from Korea Meteorological Administration, is available in the Mendeley data repository with DOI: 10.17632/2r8gpg7pxn.1.

Evaluation of nurse-led social media intervention for diabetes self-management: A mixed-method study.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and understand the process of a nurse-led social media intervention for health behavior and glucose control for diabetes self-management among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: This study had an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, with a randomized controlled trial and qualitative interviews. METHODS: A total of 89 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. Patients in the intervention group were invited to join the closed nurse-led social media platform that included diabetes information, action planning, unmoderated chat, and questions and answers. The outcomes of diabetes self-care behavior, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) percentage, fasting blood sugar level (FBS), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention over time. Qualitative data were collected from interviews with seven patients engaged in the intervention and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: After 6 months, insulin users who were provided with the social media intervention had significantly lower FBS and TG levels than those with usual care (135.80 ± 12.37 vs. 175.82 ± 15.34 mg/dL, p = 0.049; 206.85 ± 38.26 vs. 387.50 ± 56.19 mg/dL, p = 0.013; respectively). Although a similar rate of decrease in the HbA1c level over time was observed among insulin and noninsulin users after the social media intervention, this decrease was significantly greater among noninsulin users at 3 and 6 months compared with the control group (6.38 ± 0.34 vs. 7.25 ± 0.24, p = 0.040; 6.31 ± 0.37 vs. 7.28 ± 0.26, p = 0.036; respectively). Interview with seven patients who engaged in the intervention revealed that their engagement in the intervention was primarily determined by their acceptance of the role of managing their diabetes. Being engaged in the intervention, patients benefited from information sharing and interactive support to motivate their self-care, nurses' professional advice to modify their behaviors, and action planning to make progress toward behavioral change. CONCLUSIONS: The positive outcomes of the nurse-led social media intervention indicate that the social media platform is an effective strategy to implement diabetes self-management in clinical nursing practice. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The social media intervention would be successfully implemented by nurses to facilitate patients accepting their role in diabetes management and employing key services for diabetes information, support, professional advice, and action planning.

IL-33 Coordinates Innate Defense to Systemic Candida albicans Infection by Regulating IL-23 and IL-10 in an Opposite Way.

Invasive candidiasis has high mortality rates in immunocompromised patients, causing serious health problems. In mouse models, innate immunity protects the host by rapidly mobilizing a variety of resistance and tolerance mechanisms to systemic Candida albicans infection. We have previously demonstrated that exogenous IL-33 regulates multiple steps of innate immunity involving resistance and tolerance processes. In this study, we systematically analyzed the in vivo functions of endogenous IL-33 using Il33 -/- mice and in vitro immune cell culture. Tubular epithelial cells mainly secreted IL-33 in response to systemic C. albicans infection. Il33 -/- mice showed increased mortality and morbidity, which were due to impaired fungal clearance. IL-33 initiated an innate defense mechanism by costimulating dendritic cells to produce IL-23 after systemic C. albicans infection, which in turn promoted the phagocytosis of neutrophils through secretion of GM-CSF by NK cells. The susceptibility of Il33 -/- mice was also associated with increased levels of IL-10, and neutralization of IL-10 resulted in enhanced fungal clearance in Il33 -/- mice. However, depletion of IL-10 overrode the effect of IL-33 on fungal clearance. In Il10 -/- mouse kidneys, MHC class II+F4/80+ macrophages were massively differentiated after C. albicans infection, and these cells were superior to MHC class II-F4/80+ macrophages that were preferentially differentiated in wild-type mouse kidneys in killing of extracellular hyphal C. albicans Taken together, our results identify IL-33 as critical early regulator controlling a serial downstream signaling events of innate defense to C. albicans infection.

Natural killer cell therapy potentially enhances the antitumor effects of bevacizumab plus irinotecan in a glioblastoma mouse model.

Various combination treatments have been considered to attain the effective therapy threshold by combining independent antitumor mechanisms against the heterogeneous characteristics of tumor cells in malignant brain tumors. In this study, the natural killer (NK) cells associated with bevacizumab (Bev) plus irinotecan (Iri) against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) were investigated. For the experimental design, NK cells were expanded and activated by K562 cells expressing the OX40 ligand and membrane-bound IL-18 and IL-21. The effects of Bev and Iri on the proliferation and NK ligand expression of GBM cells were evaluated through MTT assay and flow cytometry. The cytotoxic effects of NK cells against Bev plus Iri-treated GBM cells were also predicted via the LDH assay in vitro. The therapeutic effect of different injected NK cell routes and numbers combined with the different doses of Bev and Iri was confirmed according to tumor size and survival in the subcutaneous (s.c) and intracranial (i.c) U87 xenograft NOD/SCID IL-12Rγnull mouse model. The presence of injected-NK cells in tumors was detected using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry ex vivo. As a result, Iri was found to affect the proliferation and NK ligand expression of GBM cells, while Bev did not cause differences in these cellular processes. However, the administration of Bev modulated Iri efficacy in the i.c U87 mouse model. NK cells significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects against Bev plus Iri-treated GBM cells in vitro. Although the intravenous (IV) injection of NK cells in combination with Bev plus Iri significantly reduced the tumor volume in the s.c U87 mouse model, only the direct intratumorally (IT) injection of NK cells in combination with Bev plus Iri elicited delayed tumor growth in the i.c U87 mouse model. Tumor-infiltrating NK cells were detected after IV injection of NK cells in both s.c and i.c U87 mouse models. In conclusion, the potential therapeutic effect of NK cells combined with Bev plus Iri against GBM cells was limited in this study. Accordingly, further research is required to improve the accessibility and strength of NK cell function in this combination treatment.

Role of Esophagectomy after Chemoradiation Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Comparative Analysis Stratified by Clinical Response to Chemoradiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effect of esophagectomy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by comparing the chemoradiotherapy (CRT)-only group and the trimodality treatment (TMT) group who received concurrent CRT followed by surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 412 operable ESCC patients treated with TMT or CRT between January 2005 and December 2015. The oncological outcomes of the two groups were compared using a weighted Cox proportional-hazards model with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). RESULTS: The median survival time was 64 and 32 months in the TMT (n=270) and CRT (n=142) groups, respectively (p < 0.001). After IPTW, the median overall survival (OS) remained significantly higher in the TMT group than in the CRT group (61 months vs. 32 months, p=0.016). Moreover, the TMT group showed a better local recurrence-free rate (LRFR, p < 0.001) and distant metastasis-free rate (p=0.007). In the subgroup of patients with clinical complete response (cCR), the OS was not significantly different between the two groups, both before and after IPTW adjustment (p=0.35 and p=0.93). However, among non-cCR patients, the OS was significantly higher in the TMT group (64% vs. 45%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with locally advanced ESCC, TMT was superior to CRT in terms of OS and LRFR. Such difference was more prominent in the non-cCR subgroup. In patients who achieved cCR, esophagectomy was effective in improving LRFR but not OS, suggesting that esophagectomy may be omitted in complete responders.

Micro environment data on the Daeungbojeon hall and the Palsangjeon hall of the Beopjusa temple in Republic of Korea.

This article provides long-term environmental change data for wooden buildings; it also reflects environmental data provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration. In the case of field survey, data logger was installed on the left rear and right front sides of the buildings. Datasets on the Beopjusa temple were collected at 1 h intervals in each building. Korea Meteorological Administration data was collected from public database(data.kma.go.kr) and all data processed in excel. The data was collected at two sites from Daeungbojeon hall and Palsangjeon hall in the Beopjusa temple, Republic of Korea. Data sets at 1 h intervals are provided by collecting more than 170,000 pieces of data for each building. And monthly average dataset and difference value of time average data between inside and outside are provided. This data can be used as basic data for environmental change researcher or simulation researcher of wood condition.

Ginsenoside Re exhibits neuroprotective effects by inhibiting neuroinflammation via CAMK/MAPK/NF­κB signaling in microglia.

Ginsenoside Re (G­Re) is a panaxatriol saponin and one of the pharmacologically active natural constituents of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). G­Re has antioxidant, anti­inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of G­Re on neuroinflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­stimulated microglia and its protective effects on hippocampal neurons. Cytokine levels were measured using ELISA and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Protein levels of inflammatory molecules and kinase activity were assessed by western blotting. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay; apoptosis was estimated by Annexin V apoptosis assay. The results revealed that G­Re significantly inhibited the production of IL­6, TNF­α, nitric oxide (NO) and ROS in BV2 microglial cells, and that of NO in mouse primary microglia, without affecting cell viability. G­Re also inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF­κB, and phosphorylation and degradation of IκB­α. In addition, G­Re dose­dependently suppressed LPS­mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin­dependent protein kinase (CAMK)2, CAMK4, extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) and c­Jun N­terminal kinases (JNK). Moreover, the conditioned medium from LPS­stimulated microglial cells induced HT22 hippocampal neuronal cell death, whereas that from microglial cells incubated with both LPS and G­Re ameliorated HT22 cell death in a dose­dependent manner. These results suggested that G­Re suppressed the production of pro­inflammatory mediators by blocking CAMK/ERK/JNK/NF­κB signaling in microglial cells and protected hippocampal cells by reducing these inflammatory and neurotoxic factors released from microglial cells. The present findings indicated that G­Re may be a potential treatment option for neuroinflammatory disorders and could have therapeutic potential for various neurodegenerative diseases.

Role of warm subduction in the seismological properties of the forearc mantle: An example from southwest Japan.

A warm slab thermal structure plays an important role in controlling seismic properties of the slab and mantle wedge. Among warm subduction zones, most notably in southwest Japan, the spatial distribution of large S-wave delay times and deep nonvolcanic tremors in the forearc mantle indicate the presence of a serpentinite layer along the slab interface. However, the conditions under which such a layer is generated remains unclear. Using numerical models, we here show that a serpentinite layer begins to develop by the slab-derived fluids below the deeper end of the slab-mantle decoupling interface and grows toward the corner of the mantle wedge along the interface under warm subduction conditions only, explaining the large S-wave delay times in the forearc mantle. The serpentinite layer then allows continuous free-fluid flow toward the corner of the mantle wedge, presenting possible mechanisms for the deep nonvolcanic tremors in the forearc mantle.

Quantum Light Emission from Coupled Defect States in DNA-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.

Solid-state single-photon sources are essential building blocks for quantum photonics and quantum information technologies. This study demonstrates promising single-photon emission from quantum defects generated in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by covalent reaction with guanine nucleotides in their single-stranded DNA coatings. Low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy and photon-correlation measurements on individual guanine-functionalized SWCNTs (GF-SWCNTs) indicate that multiple, closely spaced guanine defect sites within a single ssDNA strand collectively form an exciton trapping potential that supports a localized quantum state capable of room-temperature single-photon emission. In addition, exciton traps from adjacent ssDNA strands are weakly coupled to give cross-correlations between their separate photon emissions. Theoretical modeling identifies coupling mechanism as a capture of band-edge excitons. Because the spatial pattern of nanotube functionalization sites can be readily controlled by selecting ssDNA base sequences, GF-SWCNTs should become a versatile family of quantum light emitters with engineered properties.