Formononetin attenuated allergic diseases through inhibition of epithelial-derived cytokines by regulating E-cadherin.

Radix Astragali, has long been used to alleviate allergic diseases (ADs). Formononetin is one of the major active components in Radix Astragali, but its mechanism on ADs is not definitively known. The fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer-induced atopic contact dermatitis mouse model and poly I:C or lipopolysaccharide-treated HaCaT cells were used to examine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)/interleukin (IL)-33 production and expression of E-cadherin.

FIKK Kinase, a Ser/Thr Kinase Important to Malaria Parasites, Is Inhibited by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

A relatively high-affinity inhibitor of FIKK kinase from the malaria parasite was identified by in vitro assay of recombinant kinase. The FIKK kinase family is unique to parasitic organisms of the Apicomplexan order and has been shown to be critical in malaria parasites. The recombinant kinase domain was expressed and screened against a small molecule library, revealing a number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors that block FIKK kinase activity.

Rapid selection of astaxanthin-hyperproducing Haematococcus mutant via azide-based colorimetric assay combined with oil-based astaxanthin extraction.

The aim of this work was to develop a new approach for simple and high-throughput selection of astaxanthin-hyperproducing Haematococcus mutants through a sequential combination method of azide-based colorimetric assessment and oil-based astaxanthin quantification. Randomly mutagenized cells were spotted on solid culture medium containing 50 µM of sodium azide to accelerate the biosynthesis of astaxanthin. After 3 days, highly-induced mutants were preliminarily isolated by visual inspection and their astaxanthin accumulations were rapidly quantified by soybean oil-based extraction method.

Comparison of radiosensitivity response to acute and chronic gamma irradiation in colored wheat.

We aimed to investigate the biological responses induced by acute and chronic gamma irradiation in colored wheat seeds rich in natural antioxidants. After acute and chronic irradiation, the phenotypic effects on plant growth, germination rate, seedling height, and root length were examined, and the biochemical changes were investigated by analyzing the expression of antioxidant enzyme-related genes, antioxidant enzyme activities, and total antioxidant capacity. High dosages of chronic radiation reduced plant growth compared with the controls.

Calycosin alleviates allergic contact dermatitis by repairing epithelial tight junctions via down-regulating HIF-1α.

Calycosin, a bioactive component derived from Astragali Radix (AR; Huang Qi), has been shown to have an effect of anti-allergic dermatitis with unknown mechanism. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of calycosin related to tight junctions (TJs) and HIF-1α both in FITC-induced mice allergic contact dermatitis and in IL-1β stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) were detected by ELISA.

Characteristics and Outcome of ROS1-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Routine Clinical Practice.

Introduction: ROS1-rearranged NSCLC is classified as a distinct molecular subset of NSCLC with a therapeutic target. ROS1 rearrangement is most often identified in never-smokers with adenocarcinoma and EGFR and ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK) wild type. Treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which target the ROS1 kinase domain, is considered the standard of care.

Clinical characteristics of T790M-positive lung adenocarcinoma after resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors with an emphasis on brain metastasis and survival.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of lung adenocarcinomas with acquired EGFR T790M mutation focusing on brain metastasis and survival.

Materials And Methods: Our study included patients who had lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR mutation at 1st biopsy and then underwent 2nd biopsy after resistance to first- or second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Statistical analyses were performed to examine the associations between clinicopathologic features of lung adenocarcinoma and presence of acquired T790M mutation.

Effect of co‑culture with amniotic epithelial cells on the biological characteristics of amniotic mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of co‑culture with amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) on the biological characteristics of amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs), to compare the expression of C‑X‑C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in co‑cultured AMSCs and to investigate the roles of the stromal cell‑derived factor‑1 (SDF‑1)/CXCR4 axis in the homing and migration of AMSCs. AMSCs were isolated from human amniotic membranes, purified and then differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes in vitro, which was verified by von Kossa Staining and Oil Red O staining. Cell viability was measured by Cell Counting kit‑8 and trypan blue assays at 24, 48 and 72 h, the expression of CXCR4 was analyzed by immunofluorescence‑based flow cytometry and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the migration ability of AMSCs in vitro was observed by a migration assay.

Characterization of novel mutants of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with various depths of purple grain color and antioxidant capacity.

Background: Wheat grain is recognized as a rich source of nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants. In recent years, the focus of wheat breeding has been to increase the content of bioactive compounds to improve human health and prevent diseases.

Results: Five novel wheat mutant lines with variable seed color were developed using gamma irradiation of hexaploid wheat inbred line K4191 (purple seed color).

Dual Ag/ZnO-Decorated Micro-/Nanoporous Sulfonated Polyetheretherketone with Superior Antibacterial Capability and Biocompatibility via Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly Strategy.

Polyetheretherketone is attractive for dental and orthopedic applications due to its mechanical attributes close to that of human bone; however, the lack of antibacterial capability and bioactivity of polyetheretherketone has substantially impeded its clinical applications. Here, a dual therapy implant coating is developed on the 3D micro-/nanoporous sulfonated polyetheretherketone via layer-by-layer self-assembly of Ag ions and Zn ions. Material characterization studies have indicated that nanoparticles consisting of elemental Ag and ZnO are uniformly incorporated on the porous sulfonated polyetheretherketone surface.

Fas and FasL genetic polymorphisms in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a case-control study.

Aberrant apoptosis at the trophoblast-maternal interface and abnormal expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) have been reported in complicated pregnancies with recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) and preeclampsia. We assessed the prevalence of Fas and FasL genetic polymorphisms in Korean women with RPL and in fertile controls. In total, 306 women with RPL and 298 fertile controls were enrolled.

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17 and IgE are associated with elderly asthmatics.

Background: The pathogenesis of asthma, which is an allergic lung disease, is associated with a variety of allergens such as house dust mite, pollen, and mould, IgE containing serum IgE and allergen-specific-IgE, and inflammatory cytokines including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17. Because aging is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of asthma, we examined biomarkers related to asthmatic subjects depending on age.

Results: Physiological indices such as FEV1(forced expiratory capacity in 1 s), FEV1 (% predicted), and FEV1/FVC(forced vital capacity) (%) in asthmatic subjects were lower than those in normal subjects.

Hemocyte Morphology and Cellular Immune Response in Termite (Reticulitermes speratus).

Because termites (Reticulitermes speratus) are very small, it is difficult to conduct experiments involving pathogen injection and hemocyte collection. Therefore, to observe hemocyte-mediated immune responses against foreign substances, in vitro hemocyte culture is essential. After collecting about 3 μl of hemolymph, hemocytes were cultured for 7 d, during which the cells maintained full function.

Impact of Nodule Size on Malignancy Risk Differs according to the Ultrasonography Pattern of Thyroid Nodules.

Objective: To test whether the impact of thyroid-nodule size on the malignancy risk differs according to the ultrasonography (US) patterns of nodules.

Materials And Methods: This study is a post hoc analysis using data from the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) multicenter retrospective study which included 2000 consecutive thyroid nodules (≥ 1 cm) with final diagnoses. A total of 2000 consecutive thyroid nodules from 1802 patients (1387 women and 613 men; mean age, 51.

In situ monitoring of cytoplasmic precursor and mature microRNA using gold nanoparticle and graphene oxide composite probes.

This study strategically fabricates a nucleic acid functionalized gold nanoparticle and graphene oxide composite probe (AuNP/GO probe) to achieve both the recognition and in situ monitoring of cytoplasmic target precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) and mature microRNAs (miRNAs) in living cells. The pre-miRNA-21 detection with AuNP probes has a good linear range of 0-300 nM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.5 nM, whereas the GO probe has a linear relationship with mature miRNA-21 from 0.

In situ coating nickel organic complexes on free-standing nickel wire films for volumetric-energy-dense supercapacitors.

A self-free-standing core-sheath structured hybrid membrane electrodes based on nickel and nickel based metal-organic complexes (Ni@Ni-OC) was designed and constructed for high volumetric supercapacitors. The self-standing Ni@Ni-OC film electrode had a high volumetric specific capacity of 1225.5 C cm at 0.

Is the "ghost surgery" the subject of legal punishment in Korea?

Purpose: Recently a controversy has arisen about so-called "ghost surgery" practices, and people have voiced their opinions for legal sanction against such practices, which clearly undermine the foundation of medical ethics. However, there has been a lack of legal basis for punishing those actions. The present study aims to examine which pre-existing legal provisions could be applied to regulate ghost surgery.

Serum visfatin levels in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and matched controls.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to compare the circulating levels of visfatin between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and those without PCOS and to assess the correlations between visfatin levels and various parameters.

Methods: This case-control study recruited 74 PCOS patients and 74 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Serum visfatin levels were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Batch production of 6-inch uniform monolayer molybdenum disulfide catalyzed by sodium in glass.

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have become essential two-dimensional materials for their perspectives in engineering next-generation electronics. For related applications, the controlled growth of large-area uniform monolayer TMDs is crucial, while it remains challenging. Herein, we report the direct synthesis of 6-inch uniform monolayer molybdenum disulfide on the solid soda-lime glass, through a designed face-to-face metal-precursor supply route in a facile chemical vapor deposition process.

Vertical 1T-TaS Synthesis on Nanoporous Gold for High-Performance Electrocatalytic Applications.

2D metallic TaS is acting as an ideal platform for exploring fundamental physical issues (superconductivity, charge-density wave, etc.) and for engineering novel applications in energy-related fields. The batch synthesis of high-quality TaS nanosheets with a specific phase is crucial for such issues.

Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy studies of the interface coupling effect of monolayer ReSe single crystals on Au foils.

Rhenium diselenide (ReSe), which bears in-plane anisotropic optical and electrical properties, is of considerable interest for its excellent applications in novel devices, such as polarization-sensitive photodetectors and integrated polarization-controllers. However, great challenges to date in the controllable synthesis of high-quality ReSe have hindered its in-depth investigations and practical applications. Herein, we report a feasible synthesis of monolayer single-crystal ReSe flakes on the Au foil substrate by using a chemical vapor deposition route.