Seasonal Dynamics of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Republic of Korea.

Tick-borne diseases are a public health problem and a significant burden on the livestock industry. The seasonal abundance of ticks and tick-borne pathogens strongly correlates with the prevalence of these diseases. To investigate the seasonal variation in ticks and tick-borne pathogens, ticks were collected from Gangwon State, Korea, and the tick-borne pathogens , , , and were examined.

A conserved pilin from uncultured gut bacterial clade TANB77 enhances cancer immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has become a standard anti-cancer treatment, offering durable clinical benefits. However, the limited response rate of ICB necessitates biomarkers to predict and modulate the efficacy of the therapy. The gut microbiome's influence on ICB efficacy is of particular interest due to its modifiability through various interventions.

Strain typing and antimicrobial susceptibility of Albany isolates from duck farms in South Korea.

is distributed worldwide and is a common cause of bacterial food poisoning in humans and a serious public health problem. Although duck meat consumption has recently increased in Korea, studies on the epidemiological relationship between contamination in duck farms are scarce. serovar Albany isolates recovered from duck farms were analyzed using two typing methods - IR Biotyper® (IRBT) and multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA).

Genetic trends in parrot Bornavirus: a clinical analysis.

Parrot Bornavirus (PaBV) has been reported to cause indigestion and other wasting symptoms such as weight loss and lethargy. The pathogenesis of PaBV has yet to be fully elucidated. This study reports PaBV infections in South Korea and suggests a trend in the genetic information gathered from clinical cases.

Assessment of fungal contamination and biosecurity risk factors in duck-breeding farms in South Korea.

Fungi are pathogens that infect all types of poultry and farmers, leading to economic losses in poultry production. Fungi can be isolated from environmental samples and are ubiquitous in the air. This study aimed to evaluate fungal contamination in domestic duck farm environments and analyze biosecurity risk factors associated with fungal infection incidence to assess the vulnerability of the farms to fungal infection.

A novel multiplex RT-qPCR assay for simultaneous detection of bovine norovirus, torovirus, and kobuvirus in fecal samples from diarrheic calves.

Calf diarrhea results in significant economic loss and is caused by a variety of pathogens, including enteric viruses. Many of these viruses, including bovine norovirus (BNoV), bovine torovirus (BToV), and bovine kobuvirus (BKoV), are recognized as the causative agents of diarrhea; however, they remain understudied as major pathogens. We developed a multiplex reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assay for rapid and simple detection of BNoV, BToV, and BKoV.

CD19/CD22 bispecific chimeric antigen receptor‑NK‑92 cells are developed and evaluated.

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have improved the outcomes of patients with B cell leukemia and lymphoma. However, their applications and positive outcomes remain limited. CAR-T cells are currently restricted to autologous blood as their source and their use can lead to downregulation of CD19 expression along with complications such as graft-versus-host disease and cytokine release syndrome.

Role of Sterically Bulky Azobenzenes in the Molecular Assembly of Pyrene Derivatives: Rectangular Sheet-like Structures and Their Emission Characteristics.

The development of pyrene-based fluorescent assembled systems with desirable emission characteristics by reducing conventional concentration quenching and/or aggregation-induced quenching (ACQ) is highly desirable. In this investigation, we designed a new azobenzene-functionalized pyrene derivative (AzPy) in which sterically bulky azobenzene is linked to pyrene. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic results before and after molecular assembly indicate that even in a dilute N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution (~10 μM), AzPy molecules experienced significant concentration quenching, whereas the emission intensities of AzPy DMF-HO turbid suspensions containing self-assembled aggregates were slightly enhanced and showed similar values regardless of the concentration.

Cytotoxicity of Human Hepatic Intrasinusoidal Gamma/Delta T Cells Depends on Phospho-antigen and NK Receptor Signaling.

Background/aim: We previously showed that human hepatic intrasinusoidal (HI) natural killer (NK) T cells selectively eliminate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms on how HI γδ T cells, expanded with zoledronate, exhibit a superior cytotoxic effect on HI NK-resistant Huh7 HCC cells.

Materials And Methods: γδ T cells were obtained from living liver transplant donors or from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy volunteers and were expanded in the presence of IL-2, IL-15, and zoledronate for 2 weeks.

Light-Responsive Hexagonal Assemblies of Triangular Azo Dyes.

The rational design of small building block molecules and understanding their molecular assemblies are of fundamental importance in creating new stimuli-responsive organic architectures with desired shapes and functions. Based on the experimental results of light-induced conformational changes of four types of triangular azo dyes with different terminal functional groups, as well as absorption and fluorescence characteristics associated with their molecular assemblies, we report that aggregation-active emission enhancement (AIEE)-active compound () substituted with sterically crowded -butyl (-Bu) groups showed approximately 35% light-induced molecular switching and had a strong tendency to assemble into highly stable hexagonal structures with AIEE characteristics. Their sizes were regulated from nanometer-scale hexagonal rods to micrometer-scale sticks depending on the concentration.

Evaluation of Biomechanical Properties and Morphometric Structures of the Trachea in Pigs and Rabbits.

Background/aim: Animals differ in the biochemical composition, attachments, and mechanical properties of tracheal cartilage. This study examined the biomechanical properties and morphological structure of the trachea of pigs, and rabbits as preclinical models.

Materials And Methods: The trachea in pigs and rabbits can be divided into four regions, cranial cervical, middle cervical, thoracic inlet, and intra-thoracic parts.

Solvent- and Light-Sensitive AIEE-Active Azo Dye: From Spherical to 1D and 2D Assemblies.

Fluorescent molecular assembly systems provide an exciting platform for creating stimuli-responsive nano- and microstructured materials with optical, electronic, and sensing functions. To understand the relationship between (i) the plausible molecular structures preferentially adopted depending on the solvent polarity (such as N,N-dimethylformamide [DMF], tetrahydrofuran [THF], and toluene), (ii) the resulting spectroscopic features, and (iii) self-assembled nano-, micro-, and macrostructures, we chose a sterically crowded triangular azo dye (3Bu) composed of a polar molecular core and three peripheral biphenyl wings. The chromophore changed the solution color from yellow to pink-red depending on the solvent polarity.

Curation of the CANDID-PTX Dataset with Free-Text Reports.

Conventional Radiography, Thorax, Trauma, Ribs, Catheters, Segmentation, Diagnosis, Classification, Supervised Learning, Machine Learning © RSNA, 2021.

Characteristics of Human Peripheral Blood γδ T Cells Expanded With Zoledronate.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of human peripheral blood γδ T cells, which were expanded ex vivo in the presence of zoledronate (ZOL).

Materials And Methods: Human peripheral blood cells were cultured with IL-2 and IL-15 in the presence or absence of ZOL, which was added as a phospho-antigen, and their phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Expanded γδ T cells were transduced with CD19 CAR vector, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by flow cytometry.

Morphologically Diverse Micro- and Macrostructures Created via Solvent Evaporation-Induced Assembly of Fluorescent Spherical Particles in the Presence of Polyethylene Glycol Derivatives.

The creation of fluorescent micro- and macrostructures with the desired morphologies and sizes is of considerable importance due to their intrinsic functions and performance. However, it is still challenging to modulate the morphology of fluorescent organic materials and to obtain insight into the factors governing the morphological evolution. We present a facile bottom-up approach to constructing diverse micro- and macrostructures by connecting fluorescent spherical particles (SPs), which are generated via the spherical assembly of photoisomerizable azobenzene-based propeller-shaped chromophores, only with the help of commercially available polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives.

Evaluation of Immunosuppressive Therapy Use for Tracheal Transplantation with Trachea-Mimetic Bellows Scaffolds in a Rabbit Model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of immunosuppressive therapy with high-dose cyclosporine, high-dose azathioprine, and a combination of low-dose cyclosporine and azathioprine after tracheal reconstruction by using a trachea-mimetic graft of polycaprolactone (PCL) bellows-type scaffold in a rabbit model. Twenty-four healthy New Zealand white rabbits were used in the study. All underwent circumferential tracheal replacement using tissue-engineered tracheal graft, prepared from PCL bellows scaffold reinforced with silicone ring, collagen hydrogel, and human turbinate mesenchymal stromal cell (hTMSC) sheets.

Charged Polymer-Coated Separators by Atmospheric Plasma-Induced Grafting for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A simple and fast method of atmospheric plasma-induced grafting was applied over a polyethylene membrane to enhance its performance as a separator for lithium-ion batteries. The process of grafting has formed a thin, durable, and uniform layer on the surface of the porous membrane. The charges of grafted polymers affected the performance of batteries in many ways besides the change of hydrophilicity.

Assembly of an Achiral Chromophore into Light-Responsive Helical Nanostructures in the Absence of Chiral Components.

The chirality found in living organisms is one of unsolved mysteries on Earth. It is crucial to understand the manner in which small achiral molecules evolve into helical superstructures in the absence of chiral components because this process can provide important insights regarding the origin of chirality in nature. 1) the uncommon helical assembly of an achiral trigonal chromophore into helical nanostructures with aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) characteristics and 2) the tunability of the helical pitch and fluorescence intensity in response to light is reported.

Elucidation of Isomerization Pathways of a Single Azobenzene Derivative Using an STM.

The predominant pathway for the isomerization between cis- and trans-azobenzenes-either (i) inversion by the bending of an NNC bond or (ii) rotation by the torsion of two phenyl rings-continues to be a controversial topic. To elucidate each isomerization pathway, a strategically designed and synthesized azobenzene derivative was investigated on a Ag(111) surface. This was achieved by exciting the molecule with tunneling electrons from the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM).

Multistimuli-responsive azobenzene nanofibers with aggregation-induced emission enhancement characteristics.

A new azobenzene-based chromophore was synthesized to create one-dimensional (1D) nanofibers with aggregation-induced emission enhancement characteristics. The enhanced red fluorescence of the fibrous structures can be switched off via mechanical pressure, friction, or heat by pressing, rubbing, or annealing.

Calix[4]tetrahydrothiophenopyrrole: a ditopic receptor displaying a split personality for ion recognition.

A calix[4]pyrrole fused with 2,5-dihydrothiophene, possessing both a deep, π-electron-rich pocket upon anion binding and chelating ligands on the periphery, was developed. The receptor selectively forms an ion-pair complex with CsF through H-bonding and a cation-π interaction. In the process, it adopt a conformationally fixed cone conformation.

Light-responsive three-dimensional microstructures composed of azobenzene-based palladium complexes.

We describe not only fleeting assembly of photoisomerizable azobenzene-based palladium complexes into microstructured crystalline architectures but also their light-responsive functions. A transformation in the crystalline morphology from two-dimensional (2D) parallelogram-like sheets to three-dimensional (3D) cuboid- or rhombus-like structures was achieved by changing the solvent from tetrahydrofuran (THF) to acetone and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The sizes of the structures, ranging from a few hundred nanometers to several hundred micrometers, were also modified by varying the complex concentration.

Effect of the steric molecular structure of azobenzene on the formation of self-assembled monolayers with a photoswitchable surface morphology.

The growth processes of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of two azobenzene disulfides formed on flat gold surfaces were studied to confirm the effect of the intermolecular interactions between azobenzene molecules on the light-triggered surface morphologies of the SAMs. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy were employed to study the SAMs and their growth processes. The SAMs studied were of bulky-substituted azobenzene disulfide (Et-2S), and nonsubstituted azobenzene disulfide (Me-2S), formed on a gold-covered substrate, and had a twisted and a planar structure, respectively.

Rational design of light-directed dynamic spheres.

We created light-directed dynamic spheres based on simple azobenzene monomers showing (i) a high yield of reversible trans↔cis photoisomerization and (ii) noticeable phase transition from crystalline to isotropic states under UV light irradiation at ambient temperature.

Anisotropic two-dimensional sheets assembled from rod-shaped metal complexes.

The facile formation of anisotropic two-dimensional sheets with different sizes, ranging from nanometre-scale to micrometre-scale, was achieved by the assembly of rod-shaped palladium complexes.