Role of CARD9 in Cell- and Organ-Specific Immune Responses in Various Infections.

The caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is an intracellular adaptor protein that is abundantly expressed in cells of the myeloid lineage, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CARD9 plays a critical role in host immunity against infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. A CARD9 deficiency impairs the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as migration and infiltration, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections.

Taurine Chloramine-Mediated Nrf2 Activation and HO-1 Induction Confer Protective Effects in Astrocytes.

Taurine is ubiquitously distributed in mammalian tissues, with the highest levels in the brain, heart, and leukocytes. Taurine reacts with hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to produce taurine chloramine (Tau-Cl) via the myeloperoxidase (MPO) system. In this study, we elucidated the antioxidative and protective effects of Tau-Cl in astrocytes.

Identification of a novel plant RNA virus species of the genus Amalgavirus in the family Amalgaviridae from chia (Salvia hispanica).

Background: Chia (Salvia hispanica) is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, which produces seeds that are a rich source of various nutritional compounds.

Objective: To identify a novel RNA virus potentially associated with chia.

Methods: Transcriptome data obtained from developing chia seeds were assembled into contigs.

Loss of conserved ubiquitylation sites in conserved proteins during human evolution.

Ubiquitylation of lysine residues in proteins serves a pivotal role in the efficient removal of misfolded or unused proteins and in the control of various regulatory pathways by monitoring protein activity that may lead to protein degradation. The loss of ubiquitylated lysines may affect the ubiquitin‑mediated regulatory network and result in the emergence of novel phenotypes. The present study analyzed mouse ubiquitylation data and orthologous proteins from 62 mammals to identify 193 conserved ubiquitylation sites from 169 proteins that were lost in the Euarchonta lineage leading to humans.

Metabolic burden measured by (18)f-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography is a prognostic factor in patients with small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Evidence regarding the usefulness of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in predicting the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer is increasing. However, data on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of metabolic parameters measured using (18)F-FDG PET/CT in patients with SCLC.

Fabrication of electrospun biocomposites comprising polycaprolactone/fucoidan for tissue regeneration.

In this study, we designed a new biocomposite comprising electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/fucoidan, in which the fucoidan has various beneficial biological functions, including anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activity. To obtain the composite scaffolds, a mixture of PCL and fucoidan was electrospun using various compositions (1, 2, 3, and 10 wt.%) of fucoidan powders.

Molecular-level engineering of protein physical hydrogels for predictive sol-gel phase behavior.

Predictable tuning of bulk mechanics from the molecular level remains elusive in many physical hydrogel systems because of the reliance on nonspecific and nonstoichiometric chain interactions for network formation. We describe a mixing-induced two-component hydrogel (MITCH) system, in which network assembly is driven by specific and stoichiometric peptide-peptide binding interactions. By integrating protein science methodologies with a simple polymer physics model, we manipulate the polypeptide binding interactions and demonstrate the direct ability to predict the resulting effects on network cross-linking density, sol-gel phase behavior, and gel mechanics.

Nonpolymeric thermosensitive benzenetricarboxamides.

A new class of nonpolymeric thermosensitive materials based on the benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTC) structural platform are described. We observed that the benzocrown ether-substituted BTC derivatives undergo an unusual temperature-dependent reversible solubility change in aqueous solution. Thus, a clear nonfluorescent solution of BTC derivatives becomes turbid and generates fluorescent aggregates above the LCST temperature.

Surface functionalization of a poly(vinylidene fluoride): effect on the adhesive and piezoelectric properties.

We studied the effect of the surface functionalization and crystalline phase change of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films on their adhesion and piezoelectric properties. The surface modification of PVDF was carried out with ion beam and/or plasma treatment. These surface modifications were found to alter the interfacial strength between PVDF and metal electrodes and the crystal structure of the piezoelectric PVDF film.

Two-component protein-engineered physical hydrogels for cell encapsulation.

Current protocols to encapsulate cells within physical hydrogels require substantial changes in environmental conditions (pH, temperature, or ionic strength) to initiate gelation. These conditions can be detrimental to cells and are often difficult to reproduce, therefore complicating their use in clinical settings. We report the development of a two-component, molecular-recognition gelation strategy that enables cell encapsulation without environmental triggers.

Vancomycin-induced morphological transformation of self-assembled amphiphilic diacetylene supramolecules.

Reversible ribbon-sphere microstructural transformation of dipeptide-containing diacetylene supramolecules was observed by specific ligand-receptor interactions.

A polydiacetylene-based fluorescent sensor chip.

Self-assembled diacetylene vesicles were spotted and immobilized on aldehyde-modified glass substrates using conventional microarray technology. Irradiation of the immobilized diacetylenes allowed generation of nonfluorescent "blue-phase" polydiacetylene (PDA) arrays. Specific interaction of the PDA vesicle arrays with carbohydrates or poly(acrylic acid) solutions afforded fluorescent profiles.