Structural and functional characterization of a monoclonal antibody blocking TIGIT.

TIGIT is an immune checkpoint receptor that is expressed on subsets of activated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Several ligands for TIGIT, including poliovirus receptor (PVR), are expressed on cancer cells and mediate inhibitory signaling to suppress antitumor activities of the immune cells. Many studies support that the TIGIT signaling is a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

The Protective Effect of Edible Bird's Nest against the Immune-senescence Process of UVB-irradiated Hairless Mice.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a nutritious food with many beneficial effects, including protecting cells against oxidation and infection due to wounds, bacteria or viruses. EBN has shown antiaging, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties in skin cells. Here, we investigated whether EBN has protective effects against photoaging, inflammation and immune-senescence in hairless mice treated with UVB irradiation.

Mixture of enzyme-processed and extract prevents UVB-induced decrease of procollagen type 1 and increase of MMP-1 and IL-6 in human dermal fibroblasts.

According to the previously described anti-photoaging effect of the enzyme-processed extract and extract, we hypothesized that the combination of the two extracts would have superior effect to protect human skin from UVB radiation. Besides, the mixture of active components isolated from herbal extracts, ginsenoside F2, and α-gastrodin was investigated on the photo-protective capability. The expression of aging-related markers including matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procollagen type 1 was evaluated using ELISA kits.

Cohen Syndrome Patient iPSC-Derived Neurospheres and Forebrain-Like Glutamatergic Neurons Reveal Reduced Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells and Altered Expression of Synapse Genes.

Cohen syndrome (CS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, has been associated with genetic mutations in the gene, which regulates vesicle-mediated protein sorting and transport. However, the cellular mechanism underlying CS pathogenesis in patient-derived human neurons remains unknown. We identified a novel compound heterozygous mutation, due to homozygous variation of biparental origin and heterozygous variation inherited from the father, in the gene in a 20-month-old female patient.

Identification of a novel Shank2 transcriptional variant in Shank2 knockout mouse model of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are highly heterogeneous in clinical symptoms as well as etiologies. Mutations in SHANK2 are associated with ASD and accordingly, Shank2 knockout mouse shows ASD-like behavioral phenotypes, including social deficits. Intriguingly, two lines of Shank2 knockout (KO) mouse generated by deleting different exons (exon 6-7 or exon 7) showed distinct cellular phenotypes.

Cellulomonas aurantiaca sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample from a tangerine field.

A Gram-stain positive, facultatively aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG-SMD2.3, was isolated from a soil sample collected in a tangerine field, Republic of Korea. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Cellulomonas and to be closely related to Cellulomonas fimi ATCC 484 (98.

Edgeworthia papyrifera Regulates Osteoblast and Osteoclast Differentiation In Vitro and Exhibits Anti-osteoporosis Activity in Animal Models of Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a clinical condition characterized by low bone strength that leads to an increased risk of fracture. Strategies for the treatment of osteoporosis involve inhibition of bone resorption by osteoclasts and an increase of bone formation by osteoblasts. Here, we identified the extract derived from the stem part of that enhanced differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells to osteoblast-like cells and inhibited osteoclast differentiation of RAW 264.

Chitinophaga aurantiaca sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample from a tangerine field.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG-SD5.5, was isolated from a soil sample collected in a tangerine field, Republic of Korea. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Chitinophaga and to be closely related to Chitinophaga ginsengihumi KACC 17604 (97.

Glaciecola amylolytica sp. nov., an amylase-producing bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccus-shaped bacterium (THG-3.7) was isolated from seawater. Growth occurred at 10-30 °C (optimum 25 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and in the presence of 1-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4 %).

Dietary enzyme-treated Hibiscus syriacus L. protects skin against chronic UVB-induced photoaging via enhancement of skin hydration and collagen synthesis.

Exposure of skin to UVB radiation is associated with skin thickening, erythema, deep wrinkles, and marked losses of elasticity, resilience, and hydration. To find effective anti-aging materials, scientists have studied not only natural nutritional sources, but also biotransformed metabolites. Although Hibiscus syriacus L.

Alveolar Bone Protective Effect of Hiziki Extracts on the Progression of Periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hiziki extract on alveolar bone loss, inflammation, and osteo-biomarker expression in hPDL cells (10, 50, 100 μg/ml final concentrations in culture medium) and on a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model (50, 100, 200 mg/kg with oral administration). Hiziki extract increased alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation in hPDL cell. In western blot analysis, hiziki extract resulted in increased expression of osteoblast markers, including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), SMAD anchor for receptor activation (SARA) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in hDPL cells.

Evaluation of in-vitro antimicrobial activity of Artemisia apiacea H. and Scutellaria baicalensis G. extracts.

Purpose: In traditional Korean medicine, Artemisia apiacea H. (ART) and Scutellaria baicalensis G. (SCU) are combined for the treatment of malaria and other malaria-like diseases.

Eucalyptus globulus extract protects against UVB-induced photoaging by enhancing collagen synthesis via regulation of TGF-β/Smad signals and attenuation of AP-1.

UV irradiation triggers the overproduction of matrix metalloproteinases and collagen degradation, which in turn causes increased pigmentation, dryness, and deep wrinkling of the skin. These chronic symptoms are collectively referred to as photoaging. Eucalyptus globulus is an evergreen tree that is widely used in cosmetics because of its antimicrobial activity.

Deinococcus hibisci sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (mugunghwa flower).

A Gram-stain-positive, pink-pigmented, coccus-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-motile bacterium, strain THG-AG1.5, was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower) located in Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.

Flavobacterium limi sp. nov., isolated from forest mud.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, yellow and rod-shaped bacterial strain was isolated from forest mud located at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. Strain THG-AG6.4 grew at 10-35 °C, pH 6.

Enhancement of Protective Effects of Radix Scutellariae on UVB-induced Photo Damage in Human HaCaT Keratinocytes.

Radix Scutellariae (RS) has long been used in the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases. Its main flavonoids, baicalin (BG) and wogonoside (WG), can be hydrolyzed into their corresponding aglycones, baicalein (B) and wogonin (W). In this study, we developed a safe and effective method of transforming these glycosides using Peclyve PR.

Altererythrobacter deserti sp. nov., isolated from desert soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium (THG-S3), was isolated from desert soil. Growth occurred at 15-35 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5-10 (optimum 7) and at 0-4 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-S3 were identified as Altererythrobacter rigui KCTC 42620 (99.

Microbacterium hibisci sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus L.).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod shaped actinobacterium, designated THG-T2.14T, was isolated from soil sampled from the rhizosphere of mugunghwa. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.

Caulobacter hibisci sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower).

A Gram-stain-negative, smooth, bright yellow-pigmented, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive and rod-shaped bacterial strain was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower) located in Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Cells were dimorphic, non-motile or non-stalked, and motile by means of peritrichous flagellum.

Paracoccus hibiscisoli sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus).

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium (THG-T2.31T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus). Growth occurred at 10-35 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5.

Myrcene, an Aromatic Volatile Compound, Ameliorates Human Skin Extrinsic Aging via Regulation of MMPs Production.

Myrcene is an aromatic volatile compound that is commercially well-known as a flavor ingredient in the food industry and a fragrance in the soap and detergent industry. Given the worldwide interest in natural antiphotoaging products, we investigated the protective effects of myrcene in UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). NHDFs were subjected to 144[Formula: see text]mJ/cmof UVB irradiation.

Emticicia aquatilis sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater sample.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain THG-DN6.14T, was isolated from a freshwater sample near Donghaksa temple in Daejeon, South Korea. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, THG-DN6.

Immunostimulatory Effect of Enzyme-Modified Hizikia fusiformein a Mouse Model In Vitro and Ex Vivo.

Hizikia fusiforme, a brown seaweed, has been utilized as a health food and in traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated whether enzyme-modified H. fusiforme extracts (EH) have immunological effects compared with normal H.