A cell-free biosensor for multiplexed and sensitive detection of biological warfare agents.

The rapid and precise detection of pathogenic agents is critical for public health and societal stability. The detection of biological warfare agents (BWAs) is especially vital within military and counter-terrorism contexts, essential in defending against biological threats. Traditional methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are limited by their need for specific settings, impacting their adaptability and versatility. This study introduces a cell-free biosensor for BWA detection by converting the 16S rRNA of targeted pathogens into detectable functional protein molecules. The modular nature of this approach allows for the flexible configuration of pathogen detection, enabling the simultaneous identification of multiple pathogenic 16S rRNAs through customized reporter proteins for each targeted sequence. Furthermore, we demonstrate how this method integrates with techniques utilizing retroreflective Janus particles (RJPs) for facile and highly sensitive pathogen detection. The cell-free biosensor, employing RJPs to measure the reflection of non-chromatic white light, can detect 16S rRNA from BWAs at femtomolar levels, corresponding to tens of colony-forming units per milliliter of pathogenic bacteria. These findings represent a significant advancement in pathogen detection, offering a more efficient and accessible alternative to conventional methodologies.

Evaluation of haematological parameters in haemolytic anaemia caused by tick-borne pathogens in grazing cattle.

BACKGROUND: No tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) causing haemolytic anaemia in cattle have been reported, except Theileria orientalis and complete blood count (CBC) profile is the only haematological parameter to determine the severity of regenerative haemolytic anaemia. OBJECTIVES: To identify the causative agents of TBP-induced haemolytic anaemia and determine haematological parameters that indicate haemolytic anaemia in grazing cattle. METHODS: Eighty-two Korean indigenous cattle (Hanwoo) were divided into two groups: grazing (n = 67) and indoor (n = 15) groups. CBC and serum biochemistry were performed. PCR was conducted using whole blood-extracted DNA to investigate the prevalence of TBPs. RESULTS: TBP-induced haemolytic anaemia was observed in the grazing group. In grazing cattle, co-infection (43.3%, 29/67) was most frequently detected, followed by T. orientalis (37.6%, 25/67) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections (1.5%, 1/67). In indoor cattle, only co-infection (20%, 3/15) was identified. Grazing cattle exhibited regenerative haemolytic anaemia with marked monocytosis, mild neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. According to grazing frequency, the 1st-time grazing group had more severe anaemia than the 2nd-time grazing group. Elevations in indirect bilirubin and L-lactate due to haemolytic anaemia were identified, and correlations with the respective markers were determined in co-infected grazing cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative evaluation of haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and reticulocytes (markers of regenerative haemolytic anaemia in cattle) was performed for the first time. Our results show that, in addition to T. orientalis, A. phagocytophilum is strongly associated with anaemia. The correlation between haemolytic anaemia severity and haematological parameters (indirect bilirubin, reticulocytes, and L-lactate) was confirmed.

Scoping review protocol of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in Korean cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer, a life-threatening chronic disease, is the leading cause of death in Korea, accounting for 27% of all deaths in 2020. Due to advancements in medical technology and early detection of cancer in Korea, the 5-year relative survival rate reached 70.7% (2015-2019), highlighting remarkable progress over the past decades. Although cancer has been seen as a traumatic event, cancer survivors also go through a subjective process of self-maturation, which is called post-traumatic growth (PTG). Because research on PTG among Korean cancer survivors has not been systematically synthesised, a scoping review on this topic will provide a better understanding of the positive psychological changes that occur as a patient moves through the illness trajectory of cancer from a Korean cultural perspective. The purpose of this study was to describe the protocol of a scoping review regarding PTG in Korean cancer survivors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review framework suggested by Arksey and O'Malley and the manual refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews will be used with the six framework guidelines developed by Levac et al. Searched databases will include Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PsycInfo, as well as Korean databases, examining all articles published between 2012 and 2023 in Korean or English on PTG in Korean cancer survivors. Extracted data will be collated, charted and summarised. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Because the scoping review methodology undertakes a secondary analysis of collected data from previous research studies, this study does not require ethical approval. The results of this scoping review will be disseminated through presentations at conferences and publication in a scientific journal.

Preliminary report of Mycoplasma Wenoynii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos infection in Korean native cattle.

BACKGROUND: Hemotropic mycoplasmas or hemoplasmas are bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface and cause bovine hemoplasmosis. Two species, Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, have been identified and shown to be distributed worldwide. However, there is currently no information available on hemoplasmas in cattle in the Republic of Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of hemoplasmas in Korean native cattle and to evaluate the association between hemoplasma infection and anemia. METHODS: One farm was selected, at which blood samples were collected from 104 Korean native cattle [grazing cattle (n = 89) and housed cattle (n = 15)]. Hemoplasmas were detected via polymerase chain reaction analysis and complete blood counts were also performed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hemoplasmas was 34% (35/104); 20.2% (21/104) for M. wenyonii, 3.8% (4/104) for C. M. haemobos, and 9.6% (10/104) for co-infection. Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos was detected only in grazing cattle. Of red blood cell (RBC) parameters, C. M. haemobos-infected cattle had lower RBC and hematocrit, and higher mean cell volume than hemoplasma-negative cattle, although none of these differences were statistically significant. This is the first study to report the occurrence of M. wenyonii and C. M. haemobos. Mycoplasma wenyonii is more prevalent than C. M. haemobos in Korean native cattle. The results did not show an association between hemoplasma infection and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the infection rate of hemoplasmas shown in this study, further studies, such as on the pathogenicity and clinical significance of hemoplasmas are necessary.

Sensitive Methods to Detect Single-Stranded Nucleic Acids of Food Pathogens Based on Cell-Free Protein Synthesis and Retroreflection Signal Detection.

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has recently gained considerable attention as a new platform for developing methods to detect various molecules, ranging from small chemicals to biological macromolecules. Retroreflection has been used as an alternative signal to develop analytical methods because it can be detected by using a simple instrument comprising a white light source and a camera. Here, we report a novel reporter protein that couples the capability of CFPS and the simplicity of retroreflection signal detection. The design of the reporter was based on two pairs of protein-peptide interactions, SpyCatcher003-SpyTag003 and MDM2-PMI(N8A). MDM2-MDM2-SpyCatcher003 was decided as the reporter protein, and the two peptides, SpyTag003 and PMI(N8A), were immobilized on the surfaces of retroreflective Janus particles and microfluidic chips, respectively. The developed retroreflection signal detection system was combined with a previously reported CFPS reaction that can transduce the presence of a single-stranded nucleic acid into protein synthesis. The resulting methods were applied to detect 16S rRNAs of several foodborne pathogens. Concentration-dependent relationships were observed over a range of 10° fM to 102 pM, with the limits of detection being single-digit femtomolar concentrations. Considering the designability of the CFPS system for other targets, the retroreflection signal detection method will enable the development of novel methods to detect various molecules.

The impact of a modified microbiota-accessible carbohydrate diet on gut microbiome and clinical symptoms in colorectal cancer patients following surgical resection.

A high-fiber diet is widely recognized for its positive effects on the gut microbiome. However, the specific impact of a high-fiber diet on the gut microbiome and bowel habits of patients with colon cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of a modified microbiota-accessible carbohydrate (mMAC) diet on gut microbiota composition and clinical symptoms in colon cancer patients who underwent surgical resection. To achieve this, we enrolled 40 patients in two groups: those who received adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. Fecal samples were collected before and after dietary interventions for microbial and metabolite analyses. Each group was randomized in a 1: 1 ratio to follow either a 3-week conventional diet followed by a 3-week mMAC diet, or the reverse sequence. Although there were no significant differences in the microbial diversity data before and after the mMAC diet in both the non-chemotherapy and chemotherapy groups, distinct differences in gut microbial composition were revealed after the mMAC diet. Specifically, the abundance of Prevotella, which is associated with high-fiber diets, was further elevated with increased concentrations of acetate and propionate after the mMAC diet. Additionally, patients who experienced improved diarrhea and constipation after the mMAC diet exhibited an enrichment of beneficial bacteria and notable changes in metabolites. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of the mMAC diet, specifically its impact on the gut microbiome and clinical symptoms in postoperative colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. These findings emphasize the potential role of a high-fiber diet in influencing the gut microbiome, and the clinical symptoms warrant further investigation.

A Novel Tactile Sensing System Utilizing Magnetorheological Structures for Dynamic Contraction and Relaxation Motions.

It is well known that the rheological properties of magnetorheological (MR) material change under a magnetic field. So far, most works on MR materials have been oriented toward actuating characteristics instead of sensing functions. In this work, to realize dynamic tactile motion, a spherical MR structure was designed as a sensor, incorporating a magnetic circuit core to provide maximum dynamic motion. After manufacturing a prototype (sample), a sinusoidal magnetic field of varying exciting frequency and magnitude was applied to the sample, and the dynamic contraction and relaxation motion depending on the exciting magnetic field was observed. Among the test results, when 10% deformation occurred, the instantaneous force generated was from 2.8 N to 8.8 N, and the force when relaxed was from 1.2 N to 3.5 N. It is also shown that the repulsive force within this range can be implemented using an acceptable input current. The special tactile sensing structure proposed in this work can be used as a sensor to measure the field-dependent viscoelastic properties of human tissues such as stomach, liver, and overall body. In addition, it could be usefully applied to robot surgery, because it can mimic the dynamic motions of various human organs under various surgical conditions.

A one-pot transcriptional assay method that detects the tumor biomarker FEN1 based on its flap cleavage activity.

BACKGROUND: Detection of tumor biomarkers in body fluids is a significant advancement in cancer treatment because it allows diagnosis without invasive tissue biopsies. Nucleases have long been regarded as a potential class of biomarkers that can indicate the occurrence and progression of cancers. Among these, flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) plays an important role in DNA replication and repair, and also overexpressed in abnormally proliferating cells such as cancer cells. FEN1 is thus considered to be a potential biomarker as well as a target for cancer therapy. RESULTS: We developed a novel method for detecting FEN1 based on its specific endonuclease activity which incises bifurcated nucleic acids (flaps), in combination with in vitro transcription. Developed method uses a simple DNA structure (substrate DNA) carrying a short 5'-flap sequence, and a single-stranded sensor DNA encoding the Broccoli light-up aptamer. When the assay mixture was supplied with a FEN1-containing sample, the flap sequence encoding the sense sequence of T7 promoter was cleaved and released from the substrate DNA. Because the sensor DNA was designed to carry the Broccoli RNA aptamer under the antisense sequence of T7 promoter, hybridization of the excised flap onto the sensor DNA initiated the transcription of the Broccoli RNA aptamer, enabling determination of the FEN1 titer based on the fluorescence of transcribed Broccoli aptamer. By using a combination of FEN1-mediated generation of a short oligonucleotide and subsequent oligonucleotide-dependent in vitro transcription, this method could detect FEN1 in biological samples within 1 h. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY: Developed method enables the detection of FEN1 by a simple one-pot reaction. It can detect sub-nanomolar concentrations of FEN1 within an hour, and has the potential to be used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and drug screening. It also enables easy identification of compounds that inhibit FEN1 activity and is thus a versatile platform for screening anti-cancer drugs. We anticipate that the basic principles of this assay can be applied to detect other biomolecules, such as nucleic acids.

Design of High-Performance Organic Nonlinear Optical and Terahertz Crystals by Controlling the van der Waals Volume.

In the development of new organic crystals for nonlinear optical and terahertz (THz) applications, it is very challenging to achieve the essentially required non-centrosymmetric molecular arrangement. Moreover, the resulting crystal structure is mostly unpredictable due to highly dipolar molecular components with complex functional substituents. In this work, new organic salt crystals with top-level macroscopic optical nonlinearity by controlling the van der Waals volume (VvdW ), rather than by trial and error, are logically designed. When the VvdW of molecular ionic components varies, the corresponding crystal symmetry shows an observable trend: change from centrosymmetric to non-centrosymmetric and back to centrosymmetric. All non-centrosymmetric crystals exhibit an isomorphic P1 crystal structure with an excellent macroscopic second-order nonlinear optical response. Apart from the top-level macroscopic optical nonlinearity, new organic crystals introducing highly electronegative fluorinated substituents with strong secondary bonding ability show excellent performance in efficient and broadband THz wave generation, high crystal density, high thermal stability, and good bulk crystal growth ability.

Examining Final-Administered Medication as a Measure of Data Quality: A Comparative Analysis of Death Data with the Central Cancer Registry in Republic of Korea.

Death is a crucial outcome in retrospective cohort studies, serving as a criterion for analyzing mortality in a database. This study aimed to assess the quality of extracted death data and investigate the potential of the final-administered medication as a variable to quantify accuracy for the validation dataset. Electronic health records from both an in-hospital and the Korean Central Cancer Registry were used for this study. The gold standard was established by examining the differences between the dates of in-hospital deaths and cancer-registered deaths. Cosine similarity was employed to quantify the final-administered medication similarities between the gold standard and other cohorts. The gold standard was determined as patients who died in the hospital after 2006 and whose final hospital visit/discharge date and death date differed by 0 or 1 day. For all three criteria-(a) cancer stage, (b) cancer type, and (c) type of final visit-there was a positive correlation between mortality rates and the similarities of the final-administered medication. This study introduces a measure that can provide additional accurate information regarding death and differentiates the reliability of the dataset.

First report of Cryptosporidium andersoni and risk factors associated with the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned native Korean calves with diarrhea.

Cryptosporidium spp. are important enteric protozoan parasites that infect humans and other animals throughout the world. Cryptosporidium infection in cattle industry leads to substantial economic losses due to diarrhea, growth retardation, weight loss, and possibly death. Most studies have focused on C. parvum, and studies on other Cryptosporidium spp. and calf diarrhea are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned calves, to determine the risk factors for Cryptosporidium spp. infection such as age and season, and to identify subtypes of C. parvum circulating in the Republic of Korea (ROK). A total of 510 fecal samples were collected from calves with diarrhea and divided by age and season. Cryptosporidium spp. were first screened using PCR targeting the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and further the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene for subtyping of C. parvum. Out of 510 fecal samples, 71 (13.9%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea. C. andersoni (2.8%), C. bovis (30.9%), C. parvum (29.6%), and C. ryanae (36.6%) were identified. C. ryanae was the most predominant in calves in the ROK. Calf age was a significant risk factor for C. bovis (χ2 = 13.83, P = 0.001), C. parvum (χ2 = 7.57, P = 0.023), and C. ryanae (χ2 = 20.18, P = 0.000) occurrence. Additionally, C. parvum was detected 3.1-fold more frequently in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea in fall (95% CI: 1.23-7.81; P = 0.016) than in spring, whereas C. ryanae was 8.9-fold more frequently detected in summer (95% CI: 1.65-48.68; P = 0.011) than in spring. Three subtypes (IIaA17G4R1, IIaA18G3R1, and IIaA20G3R1) of C. parvum were identified. Of them, IIaA17G4R1 was the most common, whereas IIaA20G3R1 was not previously detected in calves in the ROK. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. andersoni in pre-weaned calves in the ROK. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. appears to be age-dependent in calves. Season had a significant effect on the occurrence of C. parvum and C. ryanae. Taken together, C. bovis and C. ryanae along with C. parvum are detected in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea and these two pathogens should not be overlooked in the diagnosis of calf diarrhea.

Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Blood Samples of Domestic Livestock in the Republic of Korea.

Toxoplasma gondii, a major zoonotic pathogen distributed worldwide, causes severe infections in humans, animals, and birds. However, limited information is available regarding T. gondii infection in livestock in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Herein, we determined the prevalence of T. gondii infection in livestock in the ROK and identified animal species that can potentially transmit T. gondii to humans. B1 gene-targeting nested polymerase chain reaction detected T. gondii DNA in 3.3% (2/61), 2.9% (3/105), 14.1% (11/78), and 15.4% (14/91) of dairy cattle, beef cattle, Boer goats, and Korean native goats, respectively. The prevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher (p = 0.002) in goats than in cattle. The risk of contracting T. gondii infection was significantly higher by 6.18-fold in Korean native goats (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72-22.27%, p = 0.005) and by 5.58-fold in Boer goats (95% CI: 1.50-20.76%, p = 0.010) than in beef cattle. Our T. gondii DNA sequences exhibited 97.1-100% homology with those obtained from various hosts in other countries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report T. gondii infection using the blood samples of domestic ruminants in the ROK. The results revealed that the prevalence of T. gondii infection is higher in goats than in cattle as determined by molecular detection. Thus, these findings suggest that T. gondii can be transmitted from ruminants to humans via meat consumption.

Multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea in the Republic of Korea.

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite that infects humans, companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. Infections in cattle caused by this parasite are often asymptomatic, but such infections can cause diarrhea, reduced weight gain, and ill-thrift in young calves. Although G. duodenalis causes diarrhea in calves, only a few studies have been conducted on calves in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of G. duodenalis assemblages in pre-weaned calves with diarrhea in the ROK, identify the association between the occurrence of G. duodenalis and the age of calf, and perform molecular characterization of G. duodenalis. We collected 455 fecal samples from pre-weaned native Korean calves (≤60 days old) with diarrhea in four different regions. G. duodenalis was detected using nested PCR targeting the beta-giardin (bg) gene, and positive samples were further genotyped for the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in calves with diarrhea was 4.4% (20/455) based on the analysis of bg. The highest prevalence was observed in calves aged 11-30 days (7.5%; 95% confidence interval: 3.7%-11.3%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in neonatal calves. From the 20 samples that were positive for bg, 16, 5, and 6 sequences were obtained following genotyping of bg, gdh, and tpi, respectively. Sequencing analysis of the bg gene revealed the presence of assemblage E (n = 15) and sub-assemblage AⅠ (n = 1) in the samples. Moreover, we detected mixed infections with assemblages E and A in two calves for the first time. Among the sequences obtained herein, two new subtypes of assemblage E were detected in gdh and tpi sequences each. The results suggest that G. duodenalis is an infectious agent causing diarrhea in calves, and pre-weaned calves are at a higher risk of infection than neonatal calves. Multilocus genotyping should be performed to confirm the presence of potentially zoonotic genotypes. These results highlight the importance of cattle as a source of zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis to humans.

Relationship between subjective taste sensations and taste strip test in patients with taste disorders with and without burning mouth syndrome.

Background/purpose: Both subjective and objective evaluations are required to assess taste function. Evaluation of taste function has important clinical significances in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) due to pain-taste interactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between subjective and objective taste evaluations in patients with taste disorders based on the presence of BMS. Materials and methods: Fifty-one patients with taste disturbances were included. The patients completed questionnaires on subjective taste sensations. The taste strip test was performed to examine objective taste function. The patients were divided into two groups: subjects with BMS (n = 24, 3 males and 21 females) and without BMS (n = 27, 8 males and 19 females). Results: Significant differences were not observed in age, age distribution, and gender distribution between the groups. There were no significant differences in self-reported taste abilities based on the presence of BMS. However, the taste strip test showed higher correct answer rates for bitterness (P = 0.027) in the patients with BMS. In addition, a significant difference (P = 0.034) was observed in the distribution of objective types of taste disorders between the groups. A significant correlation between the subjective and objective evaluation results was observed only in patients with BMS. Conclusion: In patients with taste disorders, patients with BMS had significant correlations between subjective and objective evaluations and different distributions in the types of taste disorders compared with those without BMS. The presence or absence of BMS should be evaluated in the diagnosis and management of taste disorders.

ROCK and PDE-5 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Dementia: Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dementia is a disease in which memory, thought, and behavior-related disorders progress gradually due to brain damage caused by injury or disease. It is mainly caused by Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia and several other risk factors, including genetic factors. It is difficult to treat as its incidence continues to increase worldwide. Many studies have been performed concerning the treatment of this condition. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are attracting attention as pharmacological treatments to improve the symptoms. This review discusses how ROCK and PDE-5 affect Alzheimer's disease, vascular restructuring, and exacerbation of neuroinflammation, and how their inhibition helps improve cognitive function. In addition, the results of the animal behavior analysis experiments utilizing the Morris water maze were compared through meta-analysis to analyze the effects of ROCK inhibitors and PDE-5 inhibitors on cognitive function. According to the selection criteria, 997 publications on ROCK and 1772 publications on PDE-5 were screened, and conclusions were drawn through meta-analysis. Both inhibitors showed good improvement in cognitive function tests, and what is expected of the synergy effect of the two drugs was confirmed in this review.

Secured and Deterministic Closed-Loop IoT System Architecture for Sensor and Actuator Networks.

Sensors, actuators, and wireless communication technologies have developed significantly. Consequently, closed-loop systems that can be monitored and controlled by devices in IoT environments, such as farms and factories, have emerged. Such systems are realized by means of cloud-level and edge-level implementations. Among them, with a model that generates real-time control decisions at the cloud level, it might be difficult to ensure the determinism of real-time control due to communication overheads. In addition, if the actuator is remotely controlled at the cloud level, it is difficult to secure control safety against external hacking or device malfunction. Herein, we propose a system architecture that can fulfil real-time performance and safety requirements with two commonly used devices, Field Edge Unit (FEU) and Current Sensing Tag (CST), in a closed-loop IoT environment. By using these devices, we designed a special architecture that can be commonly used in various closed-loop sensing and actuating applications. In this study, the proposed architecture is evaluated by applying it to a smart farm application.

Identification of Babesia capreoli from Korean Water Deer in the Republic of Korea.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa belonging to the genus Babesia that is primarily transmitted through Ixodid ticks and is highly pathogenic to ruminants, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, and in some cases, even humans. Babesia is considered an increasing threat to animal and human health. In this study we report Babesia capreoli infection in Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus). Blood samples of 77 wild animals (62 Korean water deer and 15 Korean raccoon dogs [Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis]) were analyzed to detect Babesia infection. First, PCR was performed to investigate Babesia infection using the partial 18S rRNA gene. Among the 77 wild animals examined, 11 Korean water deer were positive for infection as per the results of sequence analysis. Next, these 11 samples were reanalyzed by PCR using newly designed primers to differentiate between B. capreoli and Babesia divergens. Finally, only one Korean water deer sample was found to be positive for B. capreoli. The nucleotide sequence of this protozoan showed 99.6 - 99.7% identity to those of B. capreoli reported previously. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequence belonged to the B. capreoli clade and diverged from the B. divergens clade. Three nucleotides at positions 631, 663, and 1637 were analyzed to differentiate between B. capreoli and B. divergens. The nucleotides at positions 631 and 1637 were identical to those of B. capreoli, whereas that at position 663 was different. The sequence detected in Korean water deer also exhibited differences at other four positions (669, 704, 711, and 1661) compared with other B. capreoli sequences. This study indicates that Korean water deer serve as a reservoir for B. capreoli. In addition, the primers designed in this study can be used to detect B. capreoli. Future studies should explore the tick vectors that transmit B. capreoli and its pathogenicity. This study was approved by the Institutional Committee of Graduate Studies and Research at Jeonbuk National University, ROK (IACUC decision no.: CBU 2014-00026).

A Cylindrical Grip Type of Tactile Device Using Magneto-Responsive Materials Integrated with Surgical Robot Console: Design and Analysis.

This paper proposes a cylindrical grip type of tactile device that is effectively integrated to a surgical robot console so that a surgeon can easily touch and feel the same stiffness as the operating organs. This is possible since the yield stress (or stiffness) of magnetic-responsive materials can be tuned or controlled by the magnetic field intensity. The proposed tactile device consists of two main parts: a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) layer and a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) core. The grip shape of the device to be positioned on the handle part of the master of the surgical robot is configured and its operating principle is discussed. Then, a couple of equations to calculate the stiffness from the gripping force and the field-dependent yield stress of MRF are derived and integrated using the finite element analysis (FEA) model. After simulating the stiffness of the proposed tactile device as a function of the magnetic field intensity (or current), the stiffnesses of various human organs, including the liver and heart, are calculated from known data of an elastic modulus. It is demonstrated from comparative data between calculated stiffness from human tissues and simulated stiffness from FEA that the proposed tactile device can generate sufficient stiffness with a low current level to recognize various human organs which are significantly required in the surgical robot system.

MicroRNA detection using light-up aptamer amplification based on nuclease protection transcription.

The quantification of microRNAs (miRNAs) is important because the miRNA expression level is closely associated with the occurrence and development of diseases. Here, we report a simple nuclease protection transcription assay which combines nuclease protection assays and transcription-assisted light-up aptamer amplification for detecting miRNAs with great sensitivity.

Perceiving "Complex Autonomous Systems" in Symmetry Dynamics: Elementary Coordination Embedding in Circadian Cycles.

This study explored the biological autonomy and control of function in circumstances that assessed the presumed relationship of an organism with an environmental cycle. An understanding of this behavior appeals to the organism-environment system rather than just the organism. Therefore, we sought to uncover the laws underlying end-directed capabilities by measuring biological characteristics (motor synchrony) in an environmental cycle (circadian temperature). We found that the typical elementary coordination (bimanual) stability measure varied significantly as a function of the day-night temperature cycle. While circadian effects under artificially manipulated temperatures were not straightforward during the day-night temperature cycle, the circadian effect divided by the ordinary circadian rhythm remained constant during the day-night cycle. Our observation of this direct, robust relationship between the biological characteristics (body temperature and motor synchrony) and environmental processes (circadian temperature cycle) could mirror the adaptation of our biological system to the environment.