Development of virus-induced genome editing methods in Solanaceous crops.

Genome editing (GE) using CRISPR/Cas systems has revolutionized plant mutagenesis. However, conventional transgene-mediated GE methods have limitations due to the time-consuming generation of stable transgenic lines expressing the Cas9/single guide RNA (sgRNA) module through tissue cultures. Virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) systems have been successfully employed in model plants, such as and spp In this study, we developed two VIGE methods for Solanaceous plants.

Shikimic acid, a mannose bioisostere, promotes hair growth with the induction of anagen hair cycle.

Shikimic acid (SA) has recently been found to be a major component of plant stem cells. The exact effects of SA on human hair follicles (HFs) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of SA on hair growth.

Novel effect of sildenafil on hair growth.

Background: Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, is known to increase the intracellular level of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which causes vasodilation. However, the effect of sildenafil on human hair follicles (hHFs) is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of sildenafil in hair growth.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content and risk assessment from edible oils in Korea.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content and a risk assessment from consumption of Korean edible oils were investigated. Liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy were used to measure eight PAH in edible oils commonly consumed in Korea. The total average PAH concentration was 0.

Ajoene, a stable garlic by-product, inhibits high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and oxidative injury through LKB1-dependent AMPK activation.

Hepatic steatosis, a hepatic component of metabolic syndrome, is common and may progress to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. The liver X receptor-α (LXRα)-sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) pathway plays a key role in hepatic steatosis. This study investigated the potential of ajoene, a stable garlic by-product, to inhibit high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and the underlying mechanism.

Ajoene, a stable garlic by-product, has an antioxidant effect through Nrf2-mediated glutamate-cysteine ligase induction in HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes.

Cytoprotective effects of chemopreventive agents may be attributed to the induction of antioxidant enzymes. Among these, the induction of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) protects cells from oxidative injury by increasing glutathione (GSH) content. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcriptionally regulates the expression of genes encoding for GCL and other cysteine-metabolizing enzymes.

Synthesis of azaisoflavones and their inhibitory activities of NO production in activated microglia.

A series of azaisoflavones were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated for nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in BV-2 microglia cell lines. Among these compounds, compound 8d was the most potent with IC(50) 7.83 microM for inhibition of NO production.

Synthesis of polymeric thiazolidinedione and fibrate conjugates.

Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of antidiabetic drug acting mainly through activation of PPARgamma which is a member of family of ligand activated nuclear hormone receptors. Clofibrate is an antilipemic drug acting through activation of PPARalpha. Despite the impressive antidiabetic activity of TZD, several side effects are implicated to use of this drug on some patient.

Synthesis and biological activity of 5-{4-[2-(methyl-p-substituted phenylamino)ethoxy]benzyl}thiazolidine-2,4-diones.

Thiazolidinedione derivatives are potential antidiabetic drugs that bind and activate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), which is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and enhances insulin sensitivity. In an effort to develop a novel and effective thiazolidindione derivative, 5-{4-[2-(methyl-p-substituted phenylamino) ethoxy] benzyl} thiazolidine-2,4-diones 7 have been prepared by Mitsunobu reaction of the hydrophobic segment, methyl-p-substituted phenylaminoethanol 4 with hydroxybenzylthiazolidinedione 5 and their ability to activate PPARgamma and inhibit LPS-induced NO production were evaluated.

Alpha-substituted N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea analogues as potent and stereospecific TRPV1 antagonists.

A series of alpha-substituted N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea analogues have been investigated as TRPV1 receptor antagonists. alpha-Methyl substituted analogues showed potent and stereospecific antagonism to the action of capsaicin on rat TRPV1 heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In particular, compounds 14 and 18, which possess the R-configuration, exhibited excellent potencies (respectively, K(i)=41 and 39.