Invasion and Dispersion of the Exotic Species (Decapoda Cambaridae) in Yeongsan River Basin, South Korea.

The introduction of exotic species negatively affects the distribution and interactions within local biological communities in an ecosystem and can threaten ecosystem health. This study aimed to provide the basic data required to manage in the Yeongsan River basin. We identified the dispersion pattern and evaluated the ecosystem risk of this newly introduced species.

Habitat Preferences and Trophic Position of Ris, 1911 (Insecta: Odonata) Larvae in Youngsan River Wetlands of South Korea.

In freshwater ecosystems, habitat heterogeneity supports high invertebrate density and diversity, and it contributes to the introduction and settlement of non-native species. In the present study, we identified the habitat preferences and trophic level of larvae, which were distributed in four of the 17 wetlands we examined in the Yeongsan River basin, South Korea. Larval density varied across four microhabitat types: open water area, and microhabitats dominated by , , and .

Transglutaminase 2 Inhibition Reverses Mesenchymal Transdifferentiation of Glioma Stem Cells by Regulating C/EBPβ Signaling.

Necrosis is a hallmark of glioblastoma (GBM) and is responsible for poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying necrotic microenvironment-induced malignancy of GBM have not been elucidated. Here, we report that transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) is upregulated in the perinecrotic region of GBM and triggered mesenchymal (MES) transdifferentiation of glioma stem cells (GSC) by regulating master transcription factors (TF), such as C/EBPβ, TAZ, and STAT3.

Effects of combined radiofrequency field exposure on amyloid-beta-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 mouse hippocampal neurones.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease and it is caused by neuronal death in the brain. Recent studies have shown that non-ionizing radiofrequency (RF) radiation has some beneficial cognitive effects in animal models of AD. In this study, we examined the effect of combined RF radiation on amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 rat hippocampal neurons.

Comparison of properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites containing two different clays.

Morphologies, thermo-optical properties, and gas barriers of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hybrid films containing two different clays are compared. Saponite (SPT) and hydrophilic bentonite (BTT) were used as the reinforcing filler in the fabrication of PVA hybrid films, which were synthesized from aqueous solutions and were solvent-cast at room temperature under vacuum, yielding 20-31-μm-thick PVA hybrid films with varying clay contents. The addition of small amounts of clay is sufficient to improve the thermal properties and gas barriers of PVA hybrid films.

Red Ginseng-containing diet helps to protect mice and ferrets from the lethal infection by highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus.

The highly pathogenic (HP) H5N1 influenza virus is endemic in many countries and has a great potential for a pandemic in humans. The immune-enhancing prowess of ginseng has been known for millennia. We aimed to study whether mice and ferrets fed with Red Ginseng could be better protected from the lethal infections of HP H5N1 influenza virus than the infected unfed mice and ferrets.

Transmissibility of novel H7N9 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses between chickens and ferrets.

Previous studies have shown that the H7N9 avian influenza virus cannot be transmitted efficiently between ferrets via respiratory droplets. Here, we studied the infectivity of the H7N9 avian influenza virus in chickens and its transmissibility from infected to naïve chickens and ferrets. The H7N9 virus (A/Anhui/1/2013) replicated poorly in chickens and could not be transmitted efficiently from infected chickens to naïve chickens and ferrets.

Severe pathogenesis of influenza B virus in pregnant mice.

The study on pathogenesis of influenza B virus during pregnancy is limited. Here, we showed using a mouse model that influenza B virus could cause severe disease including death during pregnancy. Infected pregnant mice resulted in 40% mortality, but infected age-matched non-pregnant mice did not show any death.

The severe pathogenicity of alveolar macrophage-depleted ferrets infected with 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.

The in vivo role of alveolar macrophages in the infections with 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus is not as yet known. Ferret study shows that alveolar macrophages are critical for lowering the risk of severe outcomes in 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infections. Up to 40% of the infected ferrets depleted of alveolar macrophages died, with elevated body temperature and major loss of body weight in contrast to infected ferrets not depleted of alveolar macrophages.

Vibrotactile Rendering for a Traveling Vibrotactile Wave Based on a Haptic Processor.

Mobile device users can now experience diverse graphical content ranging from a simple static object to an object having complex dynamic behavior. A user who manipulates and plays with such "objects" wants to haptically "feel" the presence of a static object or the motion of a dynamic object. To satisfy this demand, we previously proposed a vibrotactile rendering method based on a vibrotactile traveling wave.