Hierarchical Nanostructures Constructed by Soft Epitaxial Self-Assembly of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Giant Amphiphiles.

2D nanomaterials with ångström-scale thicknesses offer a unique platform for confining molecules at an unprecedentedly small scale, presenting novel opportunities for modulating material properties and probing microscopic phenomena. In this study, mesogen-tethered polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) amphiphiles with varying numbers of mesogenic tails to systematically influence molecular self-assembly and the architecture of the ensuing supramolecular structures, are synthesized. These organic-inorganic hybrid amphiphiles facilitate precise spatial arrangement and directional alignment of the primary molecular units within highly ordered supramolecular structures.

Comparison of one-stage laparoscopic common bile duct exploration plus cholecystectomy and two-stage endoscopic sphincterotomy plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy for concomitant gallbladder and common bile duct stones in patients over 80 years old.

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the safety and efficacy of one-stage laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with those of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) plus LC for concomitant gallbladder (GB) and common bile duct (CBD) stones in elderly patients.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed the medical records of patients aged >80 years who were diagnosed with concomitant GB and CBD stones between January 2010 and December 2020.

Results: Of the 137 patients included in this study, 46 underwent one-stage LCBDE + LC and 91 underwent two-stage EST + LC.

A multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of five potexviruses infecting cactus plants using dual-priming oligonucleotides (DPOs) primers.

Five potexviruses, namely, cactus virus X (CVX), opuntia virus X, pitaya virus X (PiVX), schlumbergera virus X (SchVX) and zygocactus virus X (ZyVX), have been reported in cactus plants. In this report, a multiplex RT-PCR assay, based on specific dual-priming oligonucleotide (DPO) primers, was developed to detect these five viruses simultaneously in field samples. Using 18 field plants comprising 16 cactus species, these viruses were detected among nine of the 18 plants, including the simultaneous detection of CVX, PiVX, SchVX and ZyVX co-infecting an Aporocactus flagelliformis and a Notocactus leninghausii f.

The Prognostic Impact of HER2 Genetic and Protein Expression in Pancreatic Carcinoma-HER2 Protein and Gene in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal and clinically heterogeneous disease with a limited benefit from human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy. Recently, some studies have addressed the antitumoral effect of novel anti-HER2 drugs in HER2 low-expressing tumors. However, there have been few studies on the significance of low HER2 expression and genetic heterogeneity in PDAC.

Morphological Transitions of a Photoswitchable Aramid Amphiphile Nanostructure.

Self-assembly of small amphiphilic molecules in water can lead to nanostructures of varying geometries with pristine internal molecular organization. Here we introduce a photoswitchable aramid amphiphile (AA), designed to exhibit extensive hydrogen bonding and robust mechanical properties upon self-assembly, while containing a vinylnitrile group for photoinduced isomerization. We demonstrate spontaneous self-assembly of the vinylnitrile-containing AA in water to form nanoribbons.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: .

The family includes viruses with flexuous filamentous virions that are 470-800 nm in length and 12-13 nm in diameter. Alphaflexiviruses have a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome of 5.5-9 kb.

[Gut Microbiota and Pancreatobiliary System].

The gut microbiota is part of the human body that is involved in body metabolism and the occurrence of various diseases. Detecting and analyzing their genetic information (microbiome) is as important as analyzing human genes. The core microbiome, the key functional genes shared by all humans, helps better understand the physiology of the human body.

Genetic differences between Korean and American isolates of Petunia vein clearing virus.

Petunia plants are used for urban landscaping in many parts of the world, including South Korea. In this study, we aimed to investigate the occurrence of petunia vein clearing virus (PVCV) infection in petunia plants in Seoul, South Korea. PVCV was detected from 23 of 79 petunia samples collected from Seoul.

Detection of Co-Infection of f. with Six Virus Species in South Korea.

Co-infection with two virus species was previously reported in some cactus plants. Here, we showed that f. can be co-infected with six different viruses: cactus mild mottle virus (CMMoV)-Nl, cactus virus X (CVX)-Nl, pitaya virus X (PiVX)-Nl, rattail cactus necrosis-associated virus (RCNaV)-Nl, schlumbergera virus X (SchVX)-Nl, and zygocactus virus X (ZyVX)-Nl.

A pepper mottle virus-based vector enables systemic expression of endoglucanase D in non-transgenic plants.

Plant-virus-based expression vectors have been used as an alternative to the creation of transgenic plants. Using a virus-based vector, we investigated the feasibility of producing the endoglucanase D (EngD) from Clostridium cellulovorans in Nicotiana benthamiana. This protein has endoglucanase, xylanase, and exoglucanase activities and may be of value for cellulose digestion in the generation of biofuels from plant biomass.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Virgaviridae.

The family Virgaviridae is a family of plant viruses with rod-shaped virions, a ssRNA genome with a 3'-terminal tRNA-like structure and a replication protein typical of alpha-like viruses. Differences in the number of genome components, genome organization and the mode of transmission provide the basis for genus demarcation. Tobacco mosaic virus (genus Tobamovirus) was the first virus to be discovered (in 1886); it is present in high concentrations in infected plants, is extremely stable and has been extensively studied.

Antiviral Activities of Trichothecenes Isolated from Trichoderma albolutescens against Pepper Mottle Virus.

A bioassay-guided isolation using a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged pepper mottle virus (PepMoV-GFP) based leaf-disk method to obtain new antiviral agents led to the isolation of trichodermin, 1, and a new compound trichoderminol, 2, from EtOAc extract of Trichoderma albolutescens culture medium. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by MS and NMR experiments, and the absolute configurations of the compounds were established by experimental and calculated vibrational circular dichroism spectra. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their anti-PepMoV potential in systemic host plants, such as tobacco and pepper, by PepMoV-GFP based systemic host method.

Quassinoids isolated from Brucea javanica inhibit pepper mottle virus in pepper.

A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged pepper mottle virus (PepMoV) based leaf-disc method and systemic host method were developed to identify antiviral agents. Preliminary experiments using a PepMoV-GFP based leaf-disc method led to the isolation of five quassinoids, including brusatol (1), bruceantin (2), brucein A (3), bruceantinol (4), and brucein B (5), from the CHOH extract of Brucea javanica. All isolated compounds exhibited inactivation effects in systemic host plants, and compounds 3 and 4 were potent, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 10μM.

Stokes attenuates cholestatic liver cirrhosis-induced interstitial fibrosis via Smad3 down-regulation and Smad7 up-regulation.

Cholestatic liver cirrhosis (CLC) eventually proceeds to end-stage liver failure by mediating overwhelming deposition of collagen, which is produced by activated interstitial myofibroblasts. Although the beneficial effects of Stokes (RVS) on various diseases are well-known, its therapeutic effect and possible underlying mechanism on interstitial fibrosis associated with CLC are not elucidated. This study was designed to assess the protective effects of RVS and its possible underlying mechanisms in rat models of CLC established by bile duct ligation (BDL).

Acetic acid chromoendoscopy for determining the extent of gastric intestinal metaplasia.

Background And Aims: The diagnosis of gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is currently performed by histologic assessment of multiple endoscopic biopsies, methylene blue chromoendoscopy, or narrow-band imaging with magnification. However, practical and readily available methods are lacking. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of acetic acid chromoendoscopy (AAC) for determining the extent of gastric IM.

Differentially expressed genes of Chenopodium amaranticolor in response to cymbidium mosaic virus infection.

Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV)-induced expressed sequence tag (EST) clones from Chenopodium amaranticolor were identified. CymMV was mechanically inoculated onto C. amaranticolor, and local lesion symptoms were observed.

[Septic Shock in Pyogenic Liver Abscess: Clinical Considerations].

Background/aims: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a life-threatening condition, despite advances in diagnostic technology and strategies for treatment. A strong predictor of mortality in this condition is septic shock. This study describes clinical, biochemical, and radiologic features in patients with PLA with or without septic shock, with the intent of describing risk factors for septic shock.

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction-based System for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Lily-infecting Viruses.

A detection system based on a multiplex reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to simultaneously identify multiple viruses in the lily plant. The most common viruses infecting lily plants are the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), lily mottle virus (LMoV), lily symptomless virus (LSV). Leaf samples were collected at lily-cultivation facilities located in the Kangwon province of Korea and used to evaluate the detection system.

Phylogenetics and Gene Structure Dynamics of Polygalacturonase Genes in Aspergillus and Neurospora crassa.

Polygalacturonase (PG) gene is a typical gene family present in eukaryotes. Forty-nine PGs were mined from the genomes of Neurospora crassa and five Aspergillus species. The PGs were classified into 3 clades such as clade 1 for rhamno-PGs, clade 2 for exo-PGs and clade 3 for exo- and endo-PGs, which were further grouped into 13 sub-clades based on the polypeptide sequence similarity.

Simultaneous multiplex PCR detection of seven cucurbit-infecting viruses.

Two multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems using dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO) primers were developed for the simultaneous detection of seven cucurbit-infecting viruses. One system allows for the detection of papaya ringspot virus, watermelon mosaic virus, and zucchini yellow mosaic virus, whereas the other permits the detection of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus, kyuri green mottle mosaic virus, and zucchini green mottle mosaic virus. Viral species-specific DPO primers developed in this study detected as little as 10 fg/μl of viral RNA under monoplex conditions and 10 pg/μl of viral RNA under multiplex conditions.

Randomly detected genetically modified (GM) maize (Zea mays L.) near a transport route revealed a fragile 45S rDNA phenotype.

Monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crops has been emphasized to prevent their potential effects on the environment and human health. Monitoring of the inadvertent dispersal of transgenic maize in several fields and transport routes in Korea was carried out by qualitative multiplex PCR, and molecular analyses were conducted to identify the events of the collected GM maize. Cytogenetic investigations through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of the GM maize were performed to check for possible changes in the 45S rDNA cluster because this cluster was reported to be sensitive to replication and transcription stress.

Cecal fecaloma due to intestinal tuberculosis: endoscopic treatment.

Colorectal fecaloma is a mass of accumulated feces that is much harder in consistency than a fecal impactation. The rectosigmoid area is the common site for fecalomas and the cecum is the most unusual site. Diagnosis is usually made by distinctive radiographic findings of a mobile intraluminal mass with a smooth outline and no mucosal attachment.