Hybrid integrated thin-film lithium niobate-silicon nitride electro-optical phased array incorporating silicon nitride grating antenna for two-dimensional beam steering.

This study proposes a solid-state two-dimensional beam-steering device based on an electro-optical phased array (EOPA) in thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) and silicon nitride (SiN) hybrid platforms, thereby eliminating the requirement for the direct etching of TFLN. Electro-optic (EO) phase modulator array comprises cascaded multimode interference couplers with an SiN strip-loaded TFLN configuration, which is designed and fabricated via i-line photolithography. Each EO modulator element with an interaction region length of 1.56 cm consumed a minimum power of 3.2 pJ/π under a half-wave voltage of 3.64 V and had an estimated modulation speed of 1.2 GHz. Subsequently, an SiN dispersive antenna with a waveguide grating was tethered to the modulator array to form an EOPA, facilitating the out-of-plane radiation of highly defined near-infrared beams. A prepared EOPA utilized EO phase control and wavelength tuning near 1550 nm to achieve a field-of-view of 22° × 5° in the horizontal and vertical directions. The proposed hybrid integrated platform can potentially facilitate low-power and high-speed beam steering.

Retinestatin, a Polyol Polyketide from a Termite Nest-Derived Streptomyces sp.

A new polyol polyketide, named retinestatin (1), was obtained and characterized from the culture of a Streptomyces strain, which was isolated from a subterranean nest of the termite Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto. The planar structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of the cumulative analysis of ultraviolet, infrared, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of 1 at 12 chiral centers was successfully assigned by employing a J-based configuration analysis in combination with ROESY correlations, a quantum mechanics-based computational approach to calculate NMR chemical shifts, and a 3 min flash esterification by Mosher's reagents followed by NMR analysis. Biological evaluation of retinestatin (1) using an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease revealed that 1 protected SH-SY5Y dopaminergic cells from MPP+-induced cytotoxicity, indicating its neuroprotective effects.

Overcoming radioresistance of breast cancer cells with MAP4K4 inhibitors.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer. In this study, we explored the biological function of MAP4K4 in radioresistant breast cancer cells using two MAP4K4 inhibitors, namely PF06260933 and GNE-495. Radioresistant SR and MR cells were established by exposing SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells to 48-70 Gy of radiation delivered at 4-5 Gy twice a week over 10 months. Surprisingly, although radioresistant cells were derived from two different subtypes of breast cancer cell lines, MAP4K4 was significantly elevated regardless of subtype. Inhibition of MAP4K4 with PF06260933 or GNE-495 selectively targeted radioresistant cells and improved the response to irradiation. Furthermore, MAP4K4 inhibitors induced apoptosis through the accumulation of DNA damage by inhibiting DNA repair systems in radioresistant cells. Notably, Inhibition of MAP4K4 suppressed the expressions of ACSL4, suggesting that MAP4K4 functioned as an upstream effector of ACSL4. This study is the first to report that MAP4K4 plays a crucial role in mediating the radioresistance of breast cancer by acting upstream of ACSL4 to enhance DNA damage response and inhibit apoptosis. We hope that our findings provide a basis for the development of new drugs targeting MAP4K4 to overcome radioresistance.

Oxidative tryptamine dimers from Corynebacterium durum directly target survivin to induce AIF-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells.

Accumulating evidence indicates that microbial communities in the human body crucially affect health through the production of chemical messengers. However, the relationship between human microbiota and cancer has been underexplored. As a result of a biochemical investigation of the commensal oral microbe, Corynebacterium durum, we identified the non-enzymatic transformation of tryptamine into an anticancer compound, durumamide A (1). The structure of 1 was determined using LC-MS and NMR data analysis as bis(indolyl)glyoxylamide, which was confirmed using one-pot synthesis and X-ray crystallographic analysis, suggesting that 1 is an oxidative dimer of tryptamine. Compound 1 displayed cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 25 to 35 µM. A drug affinity responsive target stability assay revealed that survivin is the direct target protein responsible for the anticancer effect of 1, which subsequently induces apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)-mediated apoptosis. Inspired by the chemical structure and bioactivity of 1, a new derivative, durumamide B (2), was synthesized using another indole-based neurotransmitter, serotonin. The anticancer properties of 2 were similar to those of 1; however, it was less active. These findings reinforce the notion of human microbiota-host interplay by showing that 1 is naturally produced from the human microbial metabolite, tryptamine, which protects the host against cancer.

The obesity-linked human lncRNA AATBC stimulates mitochondrial function in adipocytes.

Adipocytes are critical regulators of metabolism and energy balance. While white adipocyte dysfunction is a hallmark of obesity-associated disorders, thermogenic adipocytes are linked to cardiometabolic health. As adipocytes dynamically adapt to environmental cues by functionally switching between white and thermogenic phenotypes, a molecular understanding of this plasticity could help improving metabolism. Here, we show that the lncRNA Apoptosis associated transcript in bladder cancer (AATBC) is a human-specific regulator of adipocyte plasticity. Comparing transcriptional profiles of human adipose tissues and cultured adipocytes we discovered that AATBC was enriched in thermogenic conditions. Using primary and immortalized human adipocytes we found that AATBC enhanced the thermogenic phenotype, which was linked to increased respiration and a more fragmented mitochondrial network. Expression of AATBC in adipose tissue of mice led to lower plasma leptin levels. Interestingly, this association was also present in human subjects, as AATBC in adipose tissue was inversely correlated with plasma leptin levels, BMI, and other measures of metabolic health. In conclusion, AATBC is a novel obesity-linked regulator of adipocyte plasticity and mitochondrial function in humans.

Tandocyclinones A and B, Ether Bridged C-Glycosyl Benz[a]anthracenes from an Intertidal Zone Streptomyces sp.

Two new proton-deficient metabolites, tandocyclinones A and B (1 and 2), were discovered via the chemical profiling of the Streptomyces sp. strain TDH03, which was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the intertidal mudflat in Tando Port, the Republic of Korea. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated as new ether-bridged C-glycosyl benz[a]anthracenes by using a combination of spectroscopic analyses of ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectrometry (MS) data, along with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, which were acquired in tetrahydrofuran (THF)-d8 selected after an extensive search for a solvent, resulting in mostly observable exchangeable protons in the 1H NMR spectrum. Their configurations were successfully assigned by applying a J-based configuration analysis, rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) NMR correlations, chemical derivatization methods based on NMR (a modified version of Mosher's method) and circular dichroism (CD) (Snatzke's method using Mo2(OAc)4-induced CD), as well as quantum-mechanics-based computational methods, to calculate the electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Tandocyclinones A and B (1 and 2) were found to have weak antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes IFM40996 with an MIC value of 128 µg/mL (244 and 265 µM for 1 and 2, respectively). A further biological evaluation revealed that tandocyclinone A (1) displayed inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium avium (MIC50 = 40.8 µM) and antiproliferative activity against SNU638 and HCT116 cancer cells, with IC50 values of 31.9 µM and 49.4 µM, respectively.

Targeted and Logical Discovery of Piperazic Acid-Bearing Natural Products Based on Genomic and Spectroscopic Signatures.

A targeted and logical discovery method was devised for natural products containing piperazic acid (Piz), which is biosynthesized from ornithine by l-ornithine N-hydroxylase (KtzI) and N-N bond formation enzyme (KtzT). Genomic signature-based screening of a bacterial DNA library (2020 strains) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers targeting ktzT identified 62 strains (3.1%). The PCR amplicons of KtzT-encoding genes were phylogenetically analyzed to classify the 23 clades into two monophyletic groups, I and II. Cultivating hit strains in media supplemented with 15NH4Cl and applying 1H-15N heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) along with 1H-15N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and 1H-15N HSQC-total correlation spectroscopy (HSQC-TOCSY) NMR experiments detected the spectroscopic signatures of Piz and modified Piz. Chemical investigation of the hit strains prioritized by genomic and spectroscopic signatures led to the identification of a new azinothricin congener, polyoxyperuin B seco acid (1), previously reported chloptosin (2) in group I, depsidomycin D (3) incorporating two dehydropiperazic acids (Dpz), and lenziamides A and B (4 and 5), structurally novel 31-membered cyclic decapeptides in group II. By consolidating the phylogenetic and chemical analyses, clade-structure relationships were elucidated for 19 of the 23 clades. Lenziamide A (4) inhibited STAT3 activation and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, apoptotic cell death, and tumor growth suppression in human colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, lenziamide A (4) resensitized 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) activity in both in vitro cell cultures and the in vivo 5-FU-resistant tumor xenograft mouse model. This work demonstrates that the genomic and spectroscopic signature-based searches provide an efficient and general strategy for new bioactive natural products containing specific structural motifs.

Inhibition of NADPH Oxidase (NOX) 2 Mitigates Colitis in Mice with Impaired Macrophage AMPK Function.

Macrophage adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) limits the development of experimental colitis. AMPK activation inhibits NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in macrophages during inflammation, while increased NOX2 expression is reported in experimental models of colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Although there are reductions in AMPK activity in IBD, it remains unclear whether targeted inhibition of NOX2 in the presence of defective AMPK can reduce the severity of colitis. Here, we investigate whether the inhibition of NOX2 ameliorates colitis in mice independent of AMPK activation. Our study identified that VAS2870 (a pan-Nox inhibitor) alleviated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in macrophage-specific AMPKß1-deficient (AMPKß1LysM) mice. Additionally, VAS2870 blocked LPS-induced TLR-4 and NOX2 expression, ROS production, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from AMPKß1LysM mice, whereas sodium salicylate (SS; AMPK ß1 activator) did not. Both VAS2870 and SS inhibited LPS-induced NOX2 expression, ROS production, and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from wildtype (AMPKß1fl/fl) mice but only VAS2870 inhibited these effects of LPSs in AMPKß1LysM BMDMs. Furthermore, in macrophage cells (RAW 264.7), both SS and VAS2870 inhibited ROS production and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reversed the impaired autophagy induced by LPSs. These data suggest that inhibiting NOX2 can reduce inflammation independent of AMPK in colitis.

Robot Technology for Pork and Beef Meat Slaughtering Process: A Review.

Recently, many slaughterhouses have begun to introduce automation and quality evaluation sensing equipment to the slaughter processing line to overcome insufficient human resources, improve the efficiency of the slaughter process, and standardize meat quality. Various processing instruments and sensing technologies may be used depending on the livestock to be slaughtered, but a standardized process design for a smart slaughterhouse remains to be established. Slaughterhouses are becoming more industrialized, leveraging data collection and analysis to drive growth and increase production. Therefore, slaughterhouse automation is essential for meeting production demand, and an optimized design suitable for the size of each company is required to maximize economical equipment and systems. We introduce robot technology used in the slaughterhouse and detail the visceral laparotomy, carcass preprocessing, and deboning robot technology. In this study, we examine slaughterhouse automation equipment and technologies, focusing on optimizing the processing lines, the direction of application, and the hygiene of robot technique. We hope this review will provide insight into slaughterhouse automation for decision making in the slaughter industry.

Glycosylated and Succinylated Macrocyclic Lactones with Amyloid-ß-Aggregation-Regulating Activity from a Marine Bacillus sp.

Two new glycosylated and succinylated macrocyclic lactones, succinyl glyco-oxydifficidin (1) and succinyl macrolactin O (2), were isolated from a Bacillus strain collected from an intertidal mudflat on Anmyeon Island in Korea. The planar structures of 1 and 2 were proposed using mass spectrometric analysis and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by optical rotation, J-based configuration analysis, chemical derivatizations, including the modified Mosher's method, and quantum-mechanics-based calculation. Biological evaluation of 1 and 2 revealed that succinyl glyco-oxydifficidin (1) inhibited/dissociated amyloid ß (Aß) aggregation, whereas succinyl macrolactin O (2) inhibited Aß aggregation, indicating their therapeutic potential for disassembling and removing Aß aggregation.

Chronic exposure to synthetic food colorant Allura Red AC promotes susceptibility to experimental colitis via intestinal serotonin in mice.

Chemicals in food are widely used leading to significant human exposure. Allura Red AC (AR) is a highly common synthetic colorant; however, little is known about its impact on colitis. Here, we show chronic exposure of AR at a dose found in commonly consumed dietary products exacerbates experimental models of colitis in mice. While intermittent exposure is more akin to a typical human exposure, intermittent exposure to AR in mice for 12 weeks, does not influence susceptibility to colitis. However, exposure to AR during early life primes mice to heightened susceptibility to colitis. In addition, chronic exposure to AR induces mild colitis, which is associated with elevated colonic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) levels and impairment of the epithelial barrier function via myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). Importantly, chronic exposure to AR does not influence colitis susceptibility in mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), the rate limiting enzyme for 5-HT biosynthesis. Cecal transfer of the perturbed gut microbiota by AR exposure worsens colitis severity in the recipient germ-free (GF) mice. Furthermore, chronic AR exposure elevates colonic 5-HT levels in naïve GF mice. Though it remains unknown whether AR has similar effects in humans, our study reveals that chronic long-term exposure to a common synthetic colorant promotes experimental colitis via colonic 5-HT in gut microbiota-dependent and -independent pathway in mice.

Shinjulactone A Blocks Vascular Inflammation and the Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Objective: The endothelial inflammatory response plays an important role in atherogenesis by inducing nuclear factor (NF)κB-dependent cell adhesion molecule expression and monocyte recruitment. Here, we screened for natural ligands and investigated the ability of shinjulactone A to inhibit interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-induced endothelial inflammatory signaling. Methods: The natural compound library included 880 single compounds isolated from medicinal plants by the Korean Medicinal Material Bank. Primary endothelial cells were pretreated with single compounds before stimulation with IL-1ß to induce endothelial inflammation. Endothelial inflammation was measured by assaying NFκB activation and monocyte adhesion. The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was evaluated using cell type-specific marker protein expression and morphology. Results: Shinjulactone A was identified as an efficient blocker of IL-1ß -induced NFκB activation, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of approximately 1 µM, and monocyte recruitment in endothelial cells. However, it did not affect lipopolysaccharide-induced NFκB activation in macrophages. Compared to Bay 11-782, a well-known NFκB inhibitor that shows considerable cytotoxicity during long-term treatment, shinjulactone A did not affect endothelial cell viability. Furthermore, it also significantly inhibited the EndMT, which is known to promote atherosclerosis and plaque instability. Conclusion: We suggest that shinjulactone A may be an effective and safe drug candidate for atherosclerosis because it targets and inhibits both endothelial inflammation and the EndMT, without impairing NFκB-dependent innate immunity in macrophages.

Vps37a regulates hepatic glucose production by controlling glucagon receptor localization to endosomes.

During mammalian energy homeostasis, the glucagon receptor (Gcgr) plays a key role in regulating both glucose and lipid metabolisms. However, the mechanisms by which these distinct signaling arms are differentially regulated remain poorly understood. Using a Cy5-glucagon agonist, we show that the endosomal protein Vps37a uncouples glucose production from lipid usage downstream of Gcgr signaling by altering intracellular receptor localization. Hepatocyte-specific knockdown of Vps37a causes an accumulation of Gcgr in endosomes, resulting in overactivation of the cAMP/PKA/p-Creb signaling pathway to gluconeogenesis without affecting ß-oxidation. Shifting the receptor back to the plasma membrane rescues the differential signaling and highlights the importance of the spatiotemporal localization of Gcgr for its metabolic effects. Importantly, since Vps37a knockdown in animals fed with a high-fat diet leads to hyperglycemia, although its overexpression reduces blood glucose levels, these data reveal a contribution of endosomal signaling to metabolic diseases that could be exploited for treatments of type 2 diabetes.

Targeted Discovery of an Enediyne-Derived Cycloaromatized Compound, Jejucarboside A, from a Marine Actinomycete.

A genomic and spectroscopic signature-based search revealed a cycloaromatized enediyne, jejucarboside A (1), from a marine actinomycete strain. The structure of 1 was determined as a new cyclopenta[a]indene glycoside bearing carbonate functionality by nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS), MS/MS, infrared spectroscopy, and a modified Mosher's method. An iterative enediyne synthase pathway has been proposed for the putative biosynthesis of 1 by genomic analysis. Jejucarboside A exhibited cytotoxicity against the HCT116 colon carcinoma cells.

SH005S7 Overcomes Primary and Acquired Resistance of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Combined MET/EGFR/HER3 Inhibition.

In this study, we have examined the anticancer effects of SH005S7 on MET-amplified and (HCC827GR) NSCLC cells and their primary HCC827 cells. In vitro, first of all, cell viability and colony formation assay confirmed the growth inhibitory effects of SH005S7 on both cells. Second, SH005S7 inactivated EGFR-related multiple cell signaling, which was associated with a marked decrease in the constitutive phosphorylation of EGFR, HER3, MET, AKT, and ERK. Third, SH005S7 attenuated the anchorage-independent cell growth. Fourth, SH005S7 blocked invasive and metastatic capability by downregulation of mesenchymal markers-vimentin, snail, and MMP-9. Fifth, BrdU assay confirmed the cell cycle arrest of SH005S7 on these cells. When administered orally to nude mice xenografically transplanted human NSCLC, SH005S7 inhibited the growth of tumor and did not cause hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in animals. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses of tissue showed that the suppression of growth correlated with inhibition of proliferation (Ki-67, PCNA), invasiveness (vimentin, snail), and angiogenesis (CD31) marker and decrement in the constitutive and phosphorylation of EGFR, HER3, MET, AKT, and ERK. Additionally, SH005S7 had immune stimulatory effects by TNF-α cytokine release on macrophage, without cell cytotoxicity. Overall, our results suggest that SH005S7 can inhibit the growth of MET-amplified and gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells through the suppression of EGFR-related multiple targets linked to overcome gefitinib resistance.

A framework for effective face-mask contact modeling based on finite element analysis for custom design of a facial mask.

A novel contact model is presented to efficiently solve a face-mask contact problem by using the finite element (FE) method for the optimized design of a custom facial mask. Simulation of contact pressure for various mask designs considering material properties of the face allows virtual evaluation of the suitability of a mask design for a person's face without conducting empirical measurement of the face-mask contact pressure. The proposed contact model is accomplished by combining three approaches to reduce the calculation cost of simulating the face-mask contact: (1) use of a simplified and modifiable mask model that applies a spline curve to design points; (2) reduction of the FE model of the face by applying static condensation; and (3) application of a contact assumption that uses the Lagrange multiplier method. A numerical case study of a medical mask design showed that the proposed model could calculate the face-mask contact pressure efficiently (0.0448 sec per design). In a pilot usability experiment, the measured contact pressure was found similar values (range of mean contact pressure: 0.0093 ~ 0.0150 MPa) to the estimated values (range of mean contact pressure: 0.0097 ~ 0.0116 MPa).

Epoxinnamide: An Epoxy Cinnamoyl-Containing Nonribosomal Peptide from an Intertidal Mudflat-Derived Streptomyces sp.

Cinnamoyl-containing nonribosomal peptides (CCNPs) form a unique family of actinobacterial secondary metabolites and display various biological activities. A new CCNP named epoxinnamide (1) was discovered from intertidal mudflat-derived Streptomyces sp. OID44. The structure of 1 was determined by the analysis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data along with a mass spectrum. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by the combination of advanced Marfey's method, 3JHH and rotating-frame overhauser effect spectroscopy (ROESY) analysis, DP4 calculation, and genomic analysis. The putative biosynthetic pathway of epoxinnamide (1) was identified through the whole-genome sequencing of Streptomyces sp. OID44. In particular, the thioesterase domain in the nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) biosynthetic gene cluster was proposed as a bifunctional enzyme, which catalyzes both epimerization and macrocyclization. Epoxinnamide (1) induced quinone reductase (QR) activity in murine Hepa-1c1c7 cells by 1.6-fold at 5 µM. It also exhibited effective antiangiogenesis activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (IC50 = 13.4 µM).

Peripheral serotonin: cultivating companionship with gut microbiota in intestinal homeostasis.

Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is an evolutionarily ancient and phylogenetically conserved monoamine that regulates multifaceted physiological functions in mammals. 5-HT was, at one time, most extensively studied as a neurotransmitter within the central nervous system but is now known to regulate nonneuronal functions including immune responses in an autocrine-paracrine-endocrine manner. Compelling evidence from intervention studies using germ-free mice or antibiotic-associated microbiota perturbation suggests that novel interactions between 5-HT and the gut microbiota are essential in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Importantly, recent studies reveal that bidirectional host-microbial interactions mediated by the host serotonergic system can promote distinct changes within the gut microbiota. These changes may potentially lead to a state known as "dysbiosis" that has been strongly associated with various gut pathologies including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this review, we update the current understanding of host-microbiota interaction by focusing on the impact of peripheral 5-HT signaling within this dynamic. We also briefly highlight key environmental risk factors for IBD, such as the Western diet, and draw attention to the interaction of synthetic food colorants with 5-HT signaling that may facilitate future research.