An improved bacterial mRNA enrichment strategy in dual RNA sequencing to unveil the dynamics of plant-bacterial interactions.

Background: Dual RNA sequencing is a powerful tool that enables a comprehensive understanding of the molecular dynamics underlying plant-microbe interactions. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) poses technical hurdles in the transcriptional analysis of plant-bacterial interactions, especially in bacterial transcriptomics, owing to the presence of abundant ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which potentially limits the coverage of essential transcripts. Therefore, to achieve cost-effective and comprehensive sequencing of the bacterial transcriptome, it is imperative to devise efficient methods for eliminating rRNA and enhancing the proportion of bacterial mRNA.

Development of Machine Learning Model for VO Estimation Using a Patch-Type Single-Lead ECG Monitoring Device in Lung Resection Candidates.

A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is essential for lung resection. However, performing a CPET can be challenging. This study aimed to develop a machine learning model to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (VO) using data collected through a patch-type single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring device in candidates for lung resection.

Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat network underlies nonhost resistance of pepper against the Irish potato famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

Nonhost resistance (NHR) is a robust plant immune response against non-adapted pathogens. A number of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins that recognize non-adapted pathogens have been identified, although the underlying molecular mechanisms driving robustness of NHR are still unknown. Here, we screened 57 effectors of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans in nonhost pepper (Capsicum annuum) to identify avirulence effector candidates.

Natural overexpression of CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 4 in tomato alters carotenoid flux.

Carotenoids and apocarotenoids function as pigments and flavor volatiles in plants that enhance consumer appeal and offer health benefits. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum.) fruit, especially those of wild species, exhibit a high degree of natural variation in carotenoid and apocarotenoid contents.

Synthesis of Vacancy-Controlled Copper Iodide Semiconductor for High-Performance p-Type Thin-Film Transistors.

Copper iodide (CuI) has emerged as a promising p-type semiconductor material owing to its excellent carrier mobility, high transparency, and solution processability. Although CuI has potential for numerous applications, including perovskite solar cells, photovoltaic devices, and thin-film transistors (TFTs), the close relationship between the anion vacancy generation and the charge transport mechanism in CuI-based devices is underexplored. In this study, we propose solution-processed p-type CuI TFTs which were subject to the thermal annealing process in air and vacuum atmospheres at temperatures of 100, 200, and 300 °C.

Betulinic acid improves TNF--induced insulin resistance by inhibiting negative regulator of insulin signalling and inflammation-activated protein kinase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Context: Obesity is related to insulin resistance, and adipose tissue-secreted TNF- may play a role in inducing obesity. TNF- activates inflammatory protein kinase and impairs insulin signalling.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of betulinic acid on insulin resistance caused by TNF- treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Assessing the effect of antihypertensives on plaque microbiota in patients with periodontitis and hypertension using 16S rRNA sequencing: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Periodontitis is initiated or accelerated by dysbiosis of oral microorganisms. When hypertension is accompanied in periodontitis patients, changes of oral microbiota occur. Since there are no reports on antihypertensives, we assessed their effect on the oral microbial profiles of patients with periodontitis.

Long-term effects of defoliant exposure on brain atrophy progression in humans.

As the most toxic dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is classified as a group 1 human carcinogen. We investigated the long-term effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure on the progression of brain atrophy in humans. We retrospectively selected 546 patients exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (exposed group) and 1353 patients not exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (control group).

Impact of anesthetic agents on the amount of bleeding during dilatation and evacuation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Patients undergo dilatation and evacuation for abortion or miscarriage. However, bleeding is sometimes problematic. Despite reports on the association between volatile anesthetics and increased bleeding during the procedure, firm evidence is lacking.

Customized Power Wheelchair Joysticks Made by Three-Dimensional Printing Technology: A Pilot Study on the Environmental Adaptation Effects for Severe Quadriplegia.

Background: Power wheelchair joysticks are often available as standardized ready-made products for patients with severe hand dysfunction. However, standardized joysticks have limitations in accommodating the individualized features of hand dysfunctions. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has facilitated active research on the development of joysticks that can overcome such limitations.

Metabolic phenotyping of saliva to identify possible biomarkers of periodontitis using proton nuclear magnetic resonance.

Aim: The aim of this study was to propose biomarker candidates for periodontitis via untargeted metabolomics analysis.

Materials And Methods: Metabolic profiling was performed using saliva samples from 92 healthy controls (H) and 129 periodontitis patients (P) in the discovery cohort using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Random forest was applied to identify metabolites that significantly differentiated the control group from the periodontitis group.

Alleviating effects of lupeol on postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.

This study aimed to investigate the inhibition activities of lupeol on carbohydrate digesting enzymes and its ability to improve postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory assays were executed using a chromogenic method. The effect of lupeol on hyperglycemia after a meal was measured by postprandial blood glucose in STZ-induced diabetic and normal mice.

Iron-Palladium magnetic nanoparticles for decolorizing rhodamine B and scavenging reactive oxygen species.

Hypothesis: Here, FePd magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are developed as artificial enzymes with high biocompatibility and reusability.

Experiment: The nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized in an aqueous solvent by one-pot synthesis utilizing glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys) as surfactants.

Findings: The prepared hydrophilic FePd NPs are redispersible in water.

Risk of Cancer in Middle-aged Patients With Gout: A Nationwide Population-based Study in Korea.

Objective: Gout is reportedly associated with a higher incidence of cancer. However, patients with gout tend to have several cancer-related factors including obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption; thus, the precise association between gout and cancer risk remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the risk of cancer in Korean patients with gout.

Molecular Characterization of a Pathogen-Inducible Bidirectional Promoter from Hot Pepper ().

In hot pepper, the sesquiterpene phytoalexin capsidiol is catalyzed by the two final-step enzymes, a sesquiterpene cyclase (EAS) and a hydroxylase (EAH), which are genetically linked and present as head-to-head orientation in the genome. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that a subset of and is highly induced following pathogen infection, suggesting the coregulation of and by a potential bidirectional activity of the promoter (pCaD). A series of the nested deletions of pCaD in both directions verified the bidirectional promoter activity of the pCaD.

Role of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced autophagy in inflammatory response.

Background: Aggressive periodontitis is characterized by the early-onset and rapid progression of periodontal destruction and is closely associated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Autophagy is a conserved process that is critical for removing damaged proteins, organelles, and even intracellular pathogens. Therefore, this study examined whether A.

Catechin ameliorates Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced inflammation via the regulation of TLR2/4 and inflammasome signaling.

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major periodontopathogen found in patients with chronic periodontitis that can lead to alveolar bone or tooth loss. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, is most relevant to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Catechin is one of the main polyphenol compounds found in green tea and possesses a range of health benefits.

Anti-ulcer effect of Gallarhois extract with anti-oxidant activity in an ICR model of ethanol/hydrochloride acid-induced gastric injury.

Gallarhois (GR) is a traditional oriental herbal medicine with various pharmacological effects; however, its effect on gastric ulcer has not been previously explored. We firstly investigated the component and antioxidant activity of GR extract (EtGR) by HPLC analysis and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The results showed that EtGR consisted of gallotannin (68.

Retraction: extract improves insulin sensitivity and suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis in C57BL/KsJ- mice.

[This retracts the article on p. 507 in vol. 10, PMID: 27698958.

Sargassum sagamianum extract protects INS-1 pancreatic β cells against high glucose-induced apoptosis.

This study investigated the protective effects of Sargassum sagamianum extract (SSE) on INS-1 pancreatic β cells against high glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Treatment with glucose at high concentrations (30 mM) caused β cell apoptosis, whereas treatment with SSE protected the β cells from high glucose-induced damage, by recovering the cell viability. Treatment with SSE at concentrations of 10-100 μg/mL decreased lipid peroxidation and intracellular reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels, and increased cell viability and insulin secretion in high glucose pretreated INS-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Streptococcus mutans activates the AIM2, NLRP3 and NLRC4 inflammasomes in human THP-1 macrophages.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a major aetiologic agent of dental caries, is involved in systemic diseases, such as bacterial endocarditis, if it enters the bloodstream through temporary bacteraemia. Interleukin (IL)-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine, is related to the host defences against pathogens, and its synthesis, maturation, and secretion are tightly regulated by the activation of the inflammasome, an inflammatory signalling complex.

Association study of frameshift and splice variant polymorphisms with risk of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as ≥2 consecutive pregnancy losses, and can be caused by various factors, including genetics, chromosomal abnormalities, thrombophilia, immune disorders, nutritional factors, environmental factors, psychological stress or maternal infections; however, as many as 50% of RPL cases are idiopathic. In the present study, the role of genetic polymorphisms in RPL was investigated. Four gene polymorphisms were selected by whole exome sequencing, including membrane spanning 4‑domains A14 (MS4A14)D>I (rs3217518), solute carrier family 2 member 7 (SLC2A7)D>I (rs60746313), pregnancy specific β‑1‑glycoprotein 9 (PSG9)C>T (rs3746297) and ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 5 (ABCB5)C>G (rs17143187), and the aim was to investigate their association with RPL in Korean women.

Cyanidin-3-rutinoside protects INS-1 pancreatic β cells against high glucose-induced glucotoxicity by apoptosis.

Exposure to high levels of glucose may cause glucotoxicity, leading to pancreatic β cell dysfunction, including cell apoptosis and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R), a derivative of anthocyanin, on glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis in INS-1 pancreatic β cells. Glucose (30 mM) treatment induced INS-1 pancreatic β cell death, but glucotoxicity and apoptosis significantly decreased in cells treated with 50 μM C3R compared to that observed in 30 mM glucose-treated cells.