Phyllodulcin from the hexane fraction of Hydrangea macrophylla inhibits glucose-induced lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We confirmed that the hexane layer of Hydrangea macrophylla leaf extract (HLH) is rich in phyllodulcin (PD), an alternative sweetener through HPLC analysis. To investigate in vivo activity of HLH and its PD, acute toxicity and growth rate of Caenorhabditis elegans were tested and there are no clinical abnormalities at 125-500 µg/mL of HLH. HLH decreased the total lipid and TG contents dose-dependently glucose (GLU) induced obese worms. Also, HLH increased survival rates under oxidative and thermal stress and decreased body ROS contents significantly. Such antioxidant properties of HLH were attributed to the enhanced activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase. To determine whether the effect of HLH was by PD, worms were treated with PD (concentration contained in HLH), and inhibitory effects on total lipids and ROS were observed. Our results suggest that HLH and its PD as a natural alternative sweetener can be material to improve metabolic diseases.

Automated BigSMILES conversion workflow and dataset for homopolymeric macromolecules.

The simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILES) has been utilized in a variety of artificial intelligence analyses owing to its capability of representing chemical structures using line notation. However, its ease of representation is limited, which has led to the proposal of BigSMILES as an alternative method suitable for the representation of macromolecules. Nevertheless, research on BigSMILES remains limited due to its preprocessing requirements. Thus, this study proposes a conversion workflow of BigSMILES, focusing on its automated generation from SMILES representations of homopolymers. BigSMILES representations for 4,927,181 records are provided, thereby enabling its immediate use for various research and development applications. Our study presents detailed descriptions on a validation process to ensure the accuracy, interchangeability, and robustness of the conversion. Additionally, a systematic overview of utilized codes and functions that emphasizes their relevance in the context of BigSMILES generation are produced. This advancement is anticipated to significantly aid researchers and facilitate further studies in BigSMILES representation, including potential applications in deep learning and further extension to complex structures such as copolymers.

Locking plate fixation in comminuted coronoid fractures with partial loss of the articular cartilage - Of basal-1 type according to the O'Driscoll classification.

BACKGROUND: We have attempted to restore the arc of motion by considering trochlear-coronoid articulation as a complete circle during fixation of the coronoid, even for comminuted coronoid fractures with partial loss of articular cartilage (CCFPLAC), using various kinds of locking plates. Herein, we report the radiological and clinical outcomes after fixation of the basal-1 type of CCFPLAC (O'Driscoll classification) using our method. METHODS: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with CCFPLAC were admitted between January 2012 and December 2020. Sixteen of these patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were enrolled in this study. Surgically, the lost area (defect of articular cartilage) was never compressed or minimized, but the original height and shape of the coronoid were preserved as is. Provisionally, a few K-wires were used to maintain the original shape and position of the CCFPLAC, and various kinds of locking plates/screws were used to fix the fragment anatomically and firmly. If needed, the plate was bent to ensure stable compression of the coronoid according to its size. In a few cases, locking plates were adjusted by cutting extra screw holes. RESULTS: Among the 16 patients, the mean age was 46.2 years, and the male:female ratio was 10:6. The mean follow-up period was 3.63 years. 8, 6, and 2 patients were designated as group 1 (isolated CCFPLAC), 2 [CCFPLAC in type 4 (terrible triad) injury), and 3 (CCFPLAC in type 5 posterior olecranon fracture-dislocations), respectively. Complete union was achieved after a mean of 8.94 weeks. The mean flexion-extension and pronation-supination arcs were 127.19 ± 4.46° and 135.31.59 ± 8.06°, respectively, which were significantly different from those on the contralateral (normal) side (p < 0.001); however, the arcs were within the functional ranges for ordinary daily living. Additionally, the functional status was satisfactory in all patients. However, Mayo Elbow Performance Score and the degree of arthritis were statistically poor in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: CCFPLAC of the basal-1 type (O'Driscoll classification) can be treated satisfactorily if already designed and widely distributed locking plates are properly manipulated to maintain the original geometry of the coronoid according to the individual joint characteristics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective case series.

Novel percutaneous technique for creation of porcine model of tricuspid regurgitation via two routes.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an experimental porcine model of tricuspid regurgitation using two induction routes: the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava. METHODS: Tricuspid regurgitation was generated using the loop wire cutting method. The tricuspid regurgitation jet direction was controlled by accessing the valve through the inferior (n = 7) or superior (n = 6) vena cava. The occurrence, direction, and progression of tricuspid regurgitation were assessed postoperatively, and echocardiography was performed at 4 to 6 weeks. Right heart dilatation was assessed using computed tomography after 6 weeks. RESULTS: Moderate to severe or torrential tricuspid regurgitation occurred immediately after the procedure in 12 of 13 animals. The jet was directed toward the septum in five of seven animals in the inferior vena cava group and toward the posterolateral side in four of six animals in the superior vena cava group. The dimensions of the right heart (right atrium, ventricle, and tricuspid valve annulus) were significantly enlarged at the 4- to 6-week follow-up echocardiographic examination and confirmed to be enlarged by computed tomography, independent of the route used. CONCLUSION: The loop wire cutting method successfully induced a disease model of tricuspid regurgitation while controlling the regurgitation jet direction via two procedural routes.

pH-Responsive Cellulose/Silk/Fe3O4 Hydrogel Microbeads Designed for Biomedical Applications.

In this study, cellulose/Fe3O4 hydrogel microbeads were prepared through the sol-gel transition of a solvent-in-oil emulsion using various cellulose-dissolving solvents and soybean oil without surfactants. Particularly, 40% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) and 40% tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide (TBPH) dissolved cellulose at room temperature and effectively dispersed Fe3O4, forming cellulose/Fe3O4 microbeads with an average diameter of ~15 µm. Additionally, these solvents co-dissolved cellulose and silk, allowing for the manufacture of cellulose/silk/Fe3O4 hydrogel microbeads with altered surface characteristics. Owing to the negatively charged surface characteristics, the adsorption capacity of the cellulose/silk/Fe3O4 microbeads for the cationic dye crystal violet was >10 times higher than that of the cellulose/Fe3O4 microbeads. When prepared with TBAH, the initial adsorption rate of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the cellulose/silk/Fe3O4 microbeads was 18.1 times higher than that on the cellulose/Fe3O4 microbeads. When preparing TBPH, the equilibrium adsorption capacity of the cellulose/silk/Fe3O4 microbeads for BSA (1.6 g/g) was 8.5 times higher than that of the cellulose/Fe3O4 microbeads. The pH-dependent BSA release from the cellulose/silk/Fe3O4 microbeads prepared with TBPH revealed 6.1-fold slower initial desorption rates and 5.2-fold lower desorption amounts at pH 2.2 than those at pH 7.4. Cytotoxicity tests on the cellulose and cellulose/silk composites regenerated with TBAH and TBPH yielded nontoxic results. Therefore, cellulose/silk/Fe3O4 microbeads are considered suitable pH-responsive supports for orally administered protein pharmaceuticals.

Knockout of formyl peptide receptor 1 reduces osteogenesis and bone healing.

AIMS: Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1), from a G-protein coupled receptor family, was previously well-characterized in immune cells. But the function of FPR1 in osteogenesis and fracture healing was rarely reported. This study, using the FPR1 knockout (KO) mouse, is one of the first studies that try to investigate FPR1 function to osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and bone fracture healing in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary BMSCs were isolated from both FPR1 KO and wild type (WT) mice. Cloned mouse BMSCs (D1 cells) were used to examine role of FoxO1 in FPR1 regulation of osteogenesis. A closed, transverse fracture at the femoral midshaft was created to compare bone healing between KO and WT mice. Biomechanical and structural properties of femur were compared between healthy WT and KO mice. KEY FINDINGS: FPR1 expression increased significantly during osteogenesis of both primary and cloned BMSCs. Compared to BMSCs from FPR1 KO mice, WT BMSCs displayed considerably higher levels of osteogenic markers as well as mineralization. Osteogenesis by D1 cells was inhibited by either an FPR1 antagonist cFLFLF or a specific inhibitor of FoxO1, AS1842856. In addition, the femur from WT mice had better biomechanical properties than FPR1 KO mice. Furthermore, bone healing in WT mice was remarkably improved compared to FPR1 KO mice analyzed by X-ray and micro-CT. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicated that FPR1 played a vital role in osteogenic differentiation and regenerative capacity of fractured bone, probably through the activation of FoxO1 related signaling pathways.

Genome-based taxonomic identification and safety assessment of an Enterococcus strain isolated from a homemade dairy product.

The aim of this study was to explore the taxonomic identification and evaluate the safety of a bacterium, Enterococcus lactis IDCC 2105, isolated from homemade cheese in Korea, using whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis. It sought to identify the species level of this Enterococcus spp., assess its antibiotic resistance, and evaluate its virulence potential. WGS analysis confirmed the bacterial strain IDCC 2105 as E. lactis and identified genes responsible for resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin, specifically msrC, and eatAv, which are chromosomally located, indicating a minimal risk for horizontal gene transfer. The absence of plasmids in E. lactis IDCC 2105 further diminishes the likelihood of resistance gene dissemination. Additionally, our investigation into seven virulence factors, including hemolysis, platelet aggregation, biofilm formation, hyaluronidase, gelatinase, ammonia production, and ß-glucuronidase activity, revealed no detectable virulence traits. Although bioinformatic analysis suggested the presence of collagen adhesion genes acm and scm, these were not corroborated by phenotypic virulence assays. Based on these findings, E. lactis IDCC 2105 presents as a safe strain for potential applications, contributing valuable information on its taxonomy, antibiotic resistance profile, and lack of virulence factors, supporting its use in food products.

Evaluating the operational efficiency of NBA teams on franchise value: An assessment of data envelopment analysis.

The main purpose of this research is to empirically analyze the determinants of organizational performance using National Basketball Association (NBA) team data. Based on the resource-based theory of the firm, prior studies posit that operational efficiency encompasses the ability of professional sports teams to translate their resources into creating organizational performance. The contention is that NBA teams enhance organizational performance in the market when possessing valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable resources and capabilities. In this sense, the operational efficiencies of NBA teams align with the concept of core competence, enabling teams to achieve competitive advantages through superior performance. The exploration of the level of operating efficiency in NBA teams and its role in organizational performance is beyond essential. This study conceptualizes operating efficiency as the degree of competence exhibited by professional sports teams, drawing on comprehensive game-related statistics and financial performance data derived from human assets and team budgets. To bridge theory and empirical investigation, data spanning six seasons (2015-2016 to 2020-2021) for all 30 NBA teams were collected. The results reveal that 29 out of 180 decision-making units exhibit outstanding organizational efficiency, significantly contributing to franchise value.

Effect of Sevoflurane Anesthesia on Diastolic Function: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of sevoflurane on left ventricular diastolic function is not well understood. We hypothesized that parameters of diastolic function may improve under sevoflurane anesthesia in patients with preexisting diastolic dysfunction compared to patients with normal diastolic function. METHODS: This observational study included 60 patients undergoing breast surgery or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were assigned to diastolic dysfunction (n = 34) or normal (n = 26) groups of septal e' < 8 or ≥ 8.0 cm/s on the first thoracic echocardiography (TTE) performed before anesthesia. During anesthesia, sevoflurane was maintained at 1 to 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) to maintain the bispectral index at 40 to 50. At the end of surgery, the second TTE was performed under 0.8 to 1 MAC of sevoflurane with the patient breathing spontaneously without ventilator support. Primary end point was the percentage change (Δ) of e' on 2 TTEs (Δe'). Secondary end points were ΔE/e', Δleft atrial volume index (ΔLAVI), and Δtricuspid regurgitation maximum velocity (ΔTR Vmax). These percentage changes (Δ) were compared between diastolic dysfunction and normal groups. RESULTS: e' (Δe': 30 [6, 64] vs 0 [-18, 11]%; P < .001), mitral inflow E wave velocity (E), mitral inflow E/A ratio (E/A), and mitral E velocity deceleration time (DT) improved significantly in diastolic dysfunction group compared to normal group. LAVI decreased in diastolic dysfunction group but did not reach statistical significance between the 2 groups (ΔLAVI:-15 [-31, -3] vs -4 [-20, 10]%, P = .091). ΔE/e' was not different between the 2 groups (11 [-16, 26] vs 12 [-9, 22]%, P = .853) (all: median [interquartile range, IQR]). TR was minimal in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function, including septal e', E, E/A, and DT, improved with sevoflurane anesthesia in patients with preexisting diastolic dysfunction, but remained unchanged in patients with normal diastolic function.

Measuring Optokinetic Reflex and Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Unilateral Vestibular Organ Damage Model of Zebrafish.

One-sided vestibular disorders are common in clinical practice; however, their models have not been fully established. We investigated the effect of unilateral or bilateral deficits in the vestibular organs on the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and optokinetic reflex (OKR) of zebrafish using in-house equipment. For physical dislodgement of the otoliths in the utricles of zebrafish larvae, one or both utricles were separated from the surrounding tissue using glass capillaries. The video data from VOR and OKR tests with the larvae was collected and processed using digital signal processing techniques such as fast Fourier transform and low-pass filters. The results showed that unilateral and bilateral damage to the vestibular system significantly reduced VOR and OKR. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between unilateral and bilateral damage. This study confirmed that VOR and OKR were significantly reduced in zebrafish with unilateral and bilateral vestibular damage. Follow-up studies on unilateral vestibular disorders can be conducted using this tool.

Cellular subpopulations identified using an ensemble average of multiple dielectrophoresis measurements.

While the average value measurement approach can successfully analyze and predict the general behavior and biophysical properties of an isogenic cell population, it fails when significant differences among individual cells are generated in the population by intracellular changes such as the cell cycle, or different cellular responses to certain stimuli. Detecting such single-cell differences in a cell population has remained elusive. Here, we describe an easy-to-implement and generalizable platform that measures the dielectrophoretic cross-over frequency of individual cells by decreasing measurement noise with a stochastic method and computing ensemble average statistics. This platform enables multiple, real-time, label-free detection of individual cells with significant dielectric variations over time within an isogenic cell population. Using a stochastic method in combination with the platform, we distinguished cell subpopulations from a mixture of drug-untreated and -treated isogenic cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our platform can identify drug-treated isogenic cells with different recovery rates.

Arctic/North Atlantic atmospheric variability causes Severe PM10 events in South Korea.

Severe PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of <10 µm) events in South Korea are known to be caused by stable atmospheric circulation conditions related to high-pressure anomalies in the upper troposphere. However, research on why these atmospheric circulation patterns occur is unknown. In this study, we propose new large-scale teleconnection pathways that cause severe PM10 events during the midwinter in South Korea. This study investigated instances of extremely high (EH)-PM10 in South Korea during mid-winter and examined the corresponding atmospheric teleconnection patterns to identify the factors contributing to EH-PM10 events. K-means clustering analysis revealed that EH-PM10 instances were associated with two large-scale teleconnection patterns. Cluster 1 exhibited a wave train pattern originating in the North Atlantic that developed from Eurasia to the Korean Peninsula. Cluster 2 was associated with a wave-like teleconnection pattern from the Barents-Kara Sea to the Korean Peninsula. The Rossby waves, triggered by the North Atlantic and the Arctic, propagated and weakened the surface pressure system. This led to a high-pressure anomaly over the Korean Peninsula, reducing atmospheric ventilation and causing a rapid increase in PM10 concentration within a few days. Furthermore, an experiment involving a linear baroclinic model established that atmospheric forcing in upstream regions has the potential to induce large-scale atmospheric teleconnection patterns, resulting in EH-PM10 cases in South Korea. These findings emphasize the ventilation effect and transport of PM10 concentrations modulated by two large-scale teleconnection patterns originating from the Arctic and North Atlantic, leading to EH-PM10 events in South Korea. Understanding this combined phenomenon may assist in the implementation of emission reduction measures based on the results of short-term forecasts of severe PM10 events.

Effectiveness of Acupotomy Combined with Epidural Steroid Injection for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Pragmatic Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety of acupotomy combined with epidural steroid injection (ESI) in lumbosacral radiculopathy and examine its feasibility for the main study. Materials and Methods: This randomized, controlled, two-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, pragmatic study included 50 patients with severe lumbosacral radiculopathy who had insufficient improvement after an ESI. Patients were randomized (1:1 ratio) into a combined treatment (acupotomy + ESI, experimental) and an ESI single treatment (control) group. Both groups underwent a total of two ESIs once every 2 weeks; the experimental group received eight additional acupotomy treatments twice a week for 4 weeks. Types of ESI included interlaminar, transforaminal, and caudal approaches. Drugs used in ESI comprised a 5-10 mL mixture of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (2.5 mg), mepivacaine (0.3%), and hyaluronidase (1500 IU). The primary outcome was the difference in changes from baseline in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores between the groups at weeks 4 and 8. The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was calculated to evaluate the cost-effectiveness between the groups. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed at all visits. Results: Mean ODI scores for the experimental and control groups were -9.44 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -12.71, -6.17) and -2.16 (95% CI: -5.01, 0.69) at week 4, and -9.04 (95% CI: -12.09, -5.99) and -4.76 (95% CI: -7.68, -1.84) at week 8, respectively. The difference in ODI score changes was significant between the groups at week 4 (p = 0.0021). The ICUR of the experimental group versus the control group was as economical as 18,267,754 won/quality-adjusted life years. No serious AEs were observed. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupotomy combined with ESI for lumbosacral radiculopathy and its feasibility for a full-scale study. Larger, long-term follow-up clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish clinical evidence for acupuncture by analysing data from trials that demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) with the following research question: Is acupuncture treatment effective for symptom alleviation in patients with WAD compared with other usual care? DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, ScienceOn, KMBASE, Korean Studies Information Service System, Korea Med, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System and Research Information Sharing Service were searched from their inception to 1 October 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture on patients with WAD. The outcomes were the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score or numerical rating scale score for neck pain, the range of motion (ROM) of the neck, the Neck Disability Index and safety. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent researchers analysed and extracted data from the selected literatures. The risk of bias and the quality of evidence were assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 525 patients with WAD from eight RCTs were included in this study. The meta-analysis revealed that the outcomes showed significant differences in the pain VAS score (standard mean difference (SMD): -0.57 (-0.86 to -0.28), p<0.001) and ROM-extension (SMD: 0.47 (0.05 to 0.89), p=0.03). The risk of bias assessment revealed that four studies published after 2012 (50%, 4 out of 8 studies) showed low bias in most domains. The pain VAS score was graded as having moderate certainty. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture may have clinical value in pain reduction and increasing the ROM for patients with WAD. High-quality RCTs must be conducted to confirm the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with WAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42021261595.

Key factors for the survival of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 in manufacturing and storage.

Functional microbiome development has steadily increased; with this, the viability of microbial strains must be maintained not only after the manufacturing process but also at the time of consumption. Survival is threatened by various unavoidable factors during freeze-drying and shelf storage. Here, the aim was to optimize the manufacturing process of the functional strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 after freeze-drying and storage. Explosive growth was achieved using a medium composition with two nitrogen sources and a mineral, and growth was drastically improved by neutralizing the medium pH during the culture of L. plantarum IDCC 3501. Culture optimization involved a smaller cell size, leading to less intracellular free water. Moreover, when maltodextrin (MD) powder was directly added to the harvested cells, some intracellular free water was extracted from the bacterial cells, resulting in a dramatic increase in the viability of L. plantarum IDCC 3501 after freeze-drying and subsequent storage. Furthermore, MD enhanced survival in a dose-dependent manner. Bacterial survival was correlated with lysozyme tolerance; therefore, the positive result might have been caused by the osmotic dehydration of intracellular free water, which would potentially damage the bacterial cells via ice crystallization and/or a phase transition during freeze-drying. These critical factors of L. plantarum IDCC 3501 processing provide perspectives on survival issues for manufacturing microbiome strains. KEY POINTS: • Culture conditions for probiotic bacteria were optimized for high growth yield. • Osmotic dehydration improved bacterial survival after manufacturing and shelf storage. • Reduction in intracellular free water content is crucial for intact survival.

Association of low muscle strength with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence regarding the association between muscle strength and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). AIM: To investigate the association between muscle strength and MAFLD in the general population in Korea. METHODS: This nationwide representative cross-sectional study included 31649 individuals aged ≥ 19 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2015 and 2018. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for MAFLD according to sex-specific quartiles of muscle strength, defined by relative handgrip strength, were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between muscle strength and probable liver fibrosis in patients with MAFLD. RESULTS: Of all the participants, 29.3% had MAFLD. The prevalence of MAFLD was significantly higher in the lower muscle strength quartile groups for all participants, sexes, and age groups (P < 0.001). A 1.92-fold (OR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.70-2.16) and 3.12-fold (OR = 3.12, 95%CI: 2.64-3.69) higher risk of MAFLD was observed in the lowest quartile (Q1) group than in the other groups (Q2-Q4) and the highest quartile (Q4) group, respectively. The ORs of MAFLD were significantly increased in the lower muscle strength quartile groups in a dose-dependent manner (P for trend < 0.001). These associations persisted in both sexes. An inverse association between muscle strength and the risk of MAFLD was observed in all subgroups according to age, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. In patients with MAFLD, the odds of severe liver fibrosis were higher in Q1 (OR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.25-2.69) than in other groups (Q2-Q4). CONCLUSION: Among Korean adults, low muscle strength was associated with an increased risk of MAFLD and liver fibrosis in patients with MAFLD.

Tenacibaculum tangerinum sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment.

An orange-coloured bacterium, designated as strain GRR-S3-23T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment collected from Garorim Bay, Chuncheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. Cells of GRR-S3-23T were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile. GRR-S3-23T grew at 18-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 2-4 % NaCl (optimum, 2-3 % w/v). Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that GRR-S3-23T was closely related to Tenacibaculum aiptasiae a4T (97.6 %), followed by Tenacibaculum aestuarii SMK-4T (97.5 %), Tenacibaculum mesophilum MBIC 1140T (97.4 %), Tenacibaculum singaporense TLL-A2T (97.3 %), Tenacibaculum crassostreae JO-1T (97.2 %),and Tenacibaculum sediminilitoris YKTF-3T (97.1 %). The average amino acid identity values between GRR-S3-23T and the related strains were 86.8-72.8 %, the average nucleotide identity values were 83.3-74.1 %, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 27.0-19.6 %. GRR-S3-23T possessed menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as major respiratory quinone and had summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, 20.6 %) and iso-C15 : 1G (10.8 %) as major fatty acids (>10.0 %). The polar lipid profiles of GRR-S3-23T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid, three unidentified lipids, one unidentified glycolipid and four unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content of GRR-S3-23T was 33.7%. On the basis of the results of the polyphasic analysis involving phylogenetic, phylogenomic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses described in this study, GRR-S3-23T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Tenacibaculum, for which the name Tenacibaculum tangerinum is proposed. The type strain is GRR-S3-23T (=KCTC 102029T=KACC 23271T=JCM 36353T).

Structure Dependent Electrochemical Behaviors of Hard Carbon Anode Materials Derived from Natural Polymer for Next-Generation Sodium Ion Battery.

Hard carbons are one of the most promising anode materials for next-generation sodium-ion batteries due to their high reversible capacity, long cycle life, and low cost. The advantage in terms of price of hard carbons can be further improved by using cheaper resources such as biomass waste as precursors. Lignin is one of the richest natural bio-polymer in the earth which can be obtained from woods. As the lignin has three-dimensional amorphous polymeric structure, it is considered as good precursor for producing carbonaceous materials under proper carbonization processes for energy storage devices. In this study, structural properties of lignin-derived hard carbons such as interlayer spacing, degree of disorder and surface defects are controlled. Specifically, lignin-derived hard carbons were synthesized at 1000 °C, 1250 °C, and 1500 °C, and it was confirmed that the structure gradually changed from a disordered structure to ordered structure through X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Hard carbons exhibit sloping regions at high voltage and plateau region at low voltage during the electrochemical processes for sodium ions. As the heat treatment temperature increases, the contribution to the overall reversible capacity of the sloping region decreases and the contribution of the plateau region increases. This trend confirms that it affects reversible capacity, rate-capability, and cycling stability, meaning that an understanding of structural properties and related electrochemical properties is necessary when developing hard carbon as a negative electrode material for sodium ion batteries.

Cancer organoid-based diagnosis reactivity prediction (CODRP) index-based anticancer drug sensitivity test in ALK-rearrangement positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

BACKGROUND: Recently, cancer organoid-based drug sensitivity tests have been studied to predict patient responses to anticancer drugs. The area under curve (AUC) or IC50 value of the dose-response curve (DRC) is used to differentiate between sensitive and resistant patient's groups. This study proposes a multi-parameter analysis method (cancer organoid-based diagnosis reactivity prediction, CODRP) that considers the cancer stage and cancer cell growth rate, which represent the severity of cancer patients, in the sensitivity test. METHODS: On the CODRP platform, patient-derived organoids (PDOs) that recapitulate patients with lung cancer were implemented by applying a mechanical dissociation method capable of high yields and proliferation rates. A disposable nozzle-type cell spotter with efficient high-throughput screening (HTS) has also been developed to dispense a very small number of cells due to limited patient cells. A drug sensitivity test was performed using PDO from the patient tissue and the primary cancer characteristics of PDOs were confirmed by pathological comparision with tissue slides. RESULTS: The conventional index of drug sensitivity is the AUC of the DRC. In this study, the CODRP index for drug sensitivity test was proposed through multi-parameter analyses considering cancer cell proliferation rate, the cancer diagnosis stage, and AUC values. We tested PDOs from eight patients with lung cancer to verify the CODRP index. According to the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement status, the conventional AUC index for the three ALK-targeted drugs (crizotinib, alectinib, and brigatinib) did not classify into sensitive and resistant groups. The proposed CODRP index-based drug sensitivity test classified ALK-targeted drug responses according to ALK rearrangement status and was verified to be consistent with the clinical drug treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the PDO-based HTS and CODRP index drug sensitivity tests described in this paper may be useful for predicting and analyzing promising anticancer drug efficacy for patients with lung cancer and can be applied to a precision medicine platform.