Amelioration of Toll-like Receptor-4 Signaling and Promotion of Mitochondrial Function by Mature Silkworm Extracts in Ex Vivo and in Vitro Macrophages.

Objectives: The unknown immune-enhancing effects of steamed mature silkworms ( L.), known as HongJam (HJ), were investigated.

Methods: Supercritical fluid extracts from the White Jade variety of HJ (WJ-SCEs) were applied to in vitro RAW264.

The time-dependent changes in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury with motor dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from sudden accidents, leading to brain damage, subsequent organ dysfunction, and potentially death. Despite extensive studies on rodent TBI models, there is still high variability in terms of target points, and this results in significantly different symptoms between models. In this study, we established a more concise and effective TBI mouse model, which included locomotor dysfunctions with increased apoptosis, based on the controlled cortical impact method.

Rotenone and Its Derivative, Rotenoisin A, Induce Neurodegeneration Differentially in SH-SY5Y Cells.

Rotenone (ROT), the most significant rotenoid, which has shown anticancer activity, has also been reported to be toxic to normal cells, inducing Parkinson's disease (PD)-like neuronal loss with aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). To reduce the adverse effects of ROT, its derivative, rotenoisin A (ROA), is obtained by directly irradiating a ROT solution in methanol using γ-rays, which has been reported for potential anticancer properties. However, its PD-inducing effects have not yet been researched or reported.

Modulatory Effects of the Kuwanon-Rich Fraction from Mulberry Root Bark on the Renin-Angiotensin System.

In this study, we investigated the anti-hypertensive properties of mulberry products by modulating the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Comparative analysis showed that the ethyl acetate fractions, particularly from the Cheongil and Daeshim cultivars, contained the highest levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, with concentrations reaching 110 mg gallic acid equivalent (GE)/g and 471 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g of extract, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed superior angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, mainly because of the presence of the prenylated flavonoids kuwanon G and H.

Molecular diagnosis of 5 silkworm strains endemic to South Korea using single-nucleotide polymorphisms selected from whole-genome sequences.

The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), often poses a challenge in strain identification due to similarities in morphology and genetic background. In South Korea, around 40 silkworm strains are classified as premium, including 5 endemic tri-molting strains: Goryeosammyeon, Sammyeonhonghoeback, Hansammyeon, Sun7ho, and Sandongsammyeon. These strains have potential for breeding programs in response to emerging industry demands, necessitating a reliable strain identification method.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous OPC-61815 compared with oral tolvaptan in patients with congestive heart failure.

Aims: This multicentre, randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group Phase III study was conducted to confirm the non-inferiority of OPC-61815 (tolvaptan sodium phosphate) intravenous injections to oral tolvaptan tablets in patients with congestive heart failure and volume overload despite receiving diuretics other than vasopressin antagonists.

Methods And Results: Congestive heart failure patients with volume overload despite receiving diuretics other than vasopressin antagonists were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive OPC-61815 (16-mg injection; n = 149) or oral tolvaptan (15-mg tablet; n = 145) once daily for 5 days. Most patients were male; the mean age and weight were 74.

Whole-genome sequences of 37 breeding line Bombyx mori strains and their phenotypes established since 1960s.

Bombyx mori is a key insect in the sericulture industry and one of the very important economic animals that are responsible for not only the livelihood of many farmers internationally but also expended biomedical use. The National Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the Rural Development Administration of Korea (NIAS, RDA, Korea) has been collecting silkworm resources with various phenotypic traits from the 1960s and established breeding lines for using them as genetic resources. And these breeding line strains have been used to develop suitable F1 hybrid strains for specific use.

Tolerability of the Intravenously Administered Tolvaptan Prodrug, OPC-61815, in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure Who Have Difficulty With, or Are Incapable of, Oral Intake (TRITON-HF) - A Phase III, Multicenter, Open-Label Trial.

Background: OPC-61815, a prodrug of tolvaptan, is an injectable aquaretic drug. This study evaluated the tolerability of OPC-61815 in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) who had difficulty with, or were incapable of, oral intake in a multicenter, uncontrolled, open-label Phase III study.

Methods and results: Forty-five patients were enrolled at 30 Japanese sites.

Phylogeographic Relationships among (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) Populations and Their Relationships to Inferred from Mitochondrial Genomes.

We report 37 mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences of strains (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) and four of individuals, each preserved and collected, respectively, in South Korea. These mitogenome sequences combined with 45 public data showed a substantial genetic reduction in strains compared to the presumed ancestor , with the highest diversity detected in the Chinese origin . Chinese were divided into northern and southern groups, concordant to the Qinling-Huaihe line, and the northern group was placed as an immediate progenitor of monophyletic strains in phylogenetic analyses, as has previously been detected.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Efficacy, and Safety of OPC-61815, a Prodrug of Tolvaptan for Intravenous Administration, in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure - A Phase II, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Active-Controlled Trial.

Background: Tolvaptan is an orally administered aquaretic drug indicated for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) to remove excess fluid. OPC-61815, a prodrug of tolvaptan with improved water solubility, is considered suitable for intravenous (IV) administration. This Phase II study investigated the OPC-61815 dose that would result in an exposure equivalent to tolvaptan 15 mg.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the highly fecund linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) strain Jam 146.

To meet the increasing demands of the society in the current era, new strains of the domesticated silkworm Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) are being continuously bred. Consequently, cataloging the genetic information of pure lines is essential. The strain Jam 146, whose larvae have atypical pale, crescent-shaped body markings, is an important breeding resource due to its excellent fecundity.

Prediction of Human Pharmacokinetic Profiles of the Antituberculosis Drug Delamanid from Nonclinical Data: Potential Therapeutic Value against Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis.

Delamanid has been studied extensively and approved for the treatment of pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; however, its potential in the treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis remains unknown. We previously reported that, in rats, delamanid was broadly distributed to various tissues in addition to the lungs. In this study, we simulated human plasma concentration-time courses (pharmacokinetic profile) of delamanid, which has a unique property of metabolism by albumin, using two different approaches (steady-state concentration of plasma-mean residence time [-MRT] and physiologically based pharmacokinetic [PBPK] modeling).

Photoelectric Silk via Genetic Encoding and Bioassisted Plasmonics.

Genetically encoded photoelectric silk that can convert photons to electrons (light to electricity) over a wide visible range in a self-power mode is reported. As silk is a versatile host material with electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, and processability, a photoelectric protein is genetically fused with silk by silkworm transgenesis. Specifically, mKate2, which is conventionally known as a far-red fluorescent protein, is used as a photoelectric protein.

Edible unclonable functions.

Counterfeit medicines are a fundamental security problem. Counterfeiting medication poses a tremendous threat to patient safety, public health, and the economy in developed and less developed countries. Current solutions are often vulnerable due to the limited security levels.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the silkworm strain, Chilseongjam (: ), with a unique larval body marking.

Recently, a new silkworm strain with a peculiar larval marking and rare cocoon colour was bred in Korea for educational learning and exhibition. In order to obtain the genetic information of the newly bred strain, Chilseongjam (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), its complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) was sequenced. The mitogenome is 15,660 bp in length, contains a typical set of genes, and has gene arrangement and composition typical of Lepidoptera.

Visible light biophotosensors using biliverdin from Antheraea yamamai.

We report an endogenous photoelectric biomolecule and demonstrate that such a biomolecule can be used to detect visible light. We identify the green pigment abundantly present in natural silk cocoons of Antheraea yamamai (Japanese oak silkmoth) as biliverdin, using mass spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy. Biliverdin extracted from the green silk cocoons generates photocurrent upon light illumination with distinct colors.

Green-Light-Activated Photoreaction via Genetic Hybridization of Far-Red Fluorescent Protein and Silk.

Fluorescent proteins often result in phototoxicity and cytotoxicity, in particular because some red fluorescent proteins produce and release reactive oxygen species (ROS). The photogeneration of ROS is considered as a detrimental side effect in cellular imaging or is proactively utilized for ablating cancerous tissue. As ancient textiles or biomaterials, silk produced by silkworms can directly be used as fabrics or be processed into materials and structures to host other functional nanomaterials.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Busulfan in Japanese Pediatric and Adult HCT Patients.

Busulfan is the most common chemotherapy agent used in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) conditioning regimens. As narrow therapeutic index and interpatient variability exists in the effectiveness and toxicity of conditioning regimens, personalizing intravenous busulfan therapy is desirable. Population pharmacokinetic-based approaches have been applied to therapeutic drug monitoring for the purpose of personalizing therapy.

Plasmonic photocatalyst-like fluorescent proteins for generating reactive oxygen species.

The recent advances in photocatalysis have opened a variety of new possibilities for energy and biomedical applications. In particular, plasmonic photocatalysis using hybridization of semiconductor materials and metal nanoparticles has recently facilitated the rapid progress in enhancing photocatalytic efficiency under visible or solar light. One critical underlying aspect of photocatalysis is that it generates and releases reactive oxygen species (ROS) as intermediate or final products upon light excitation or activation.

Publisher Correction: Anderson light localization in biological nanostructures of native silk.

The original PDF version of this Article contained errors in Equations 1 and 2. Both equations omitted all Γ terms. This has been corrected in the PDF version of the Article.

Anderson light localization in biological nanostructures of native silk.

Light in biological media is known as freely diffusing because interference is negligible. Here, we show Anderson light localization in quasi-two-dimensional protein nanostructures produced by silkworms (Bombyx mori). For transmission channels in native silk, the light flux is governed by a few localized modes.

Genome sequence of the Japanese oak silk moth, Antheraea yamamai: the first draft genome in the family Saturniidae.

Background: Antheraea yamamai, also known as the Japanese oak silk moth, is a wild species of silk moth. Silk produced by A. yamamai, referred to as tensan silk, shows different characteristics such as thickness, compressive elasticity, and chemical resistance compared with common silk produced from the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Characterization and cDNA cloning of a defensin-like peptide, harmoniasin, from Harmonia axyridis.

We compared the mRNA expression profile of the Harmonia axyridis larvae that were either untreated or treated with LPS. The extracted mRNAs were subjected to ACP RTPCR analysis using a combination of arbitrary primers and oligo (dT) primer. Among the 47 DEGs differentially expressed, we identified a cDNA showing homology with defensin-like antibacterial peptide.

CopA3 peptide from Copris tripartitus induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells via a caspase-independent pathway.

Our previous study demonstrated that CopA3, a disulfide dimer of the coprisin peptide analogue (LLCIALRKK), has antibacterial activity. In this study, we assessed whether CopA3 caused cellular toxicity in various mammalian cell lines. CopA3 selectively caused a marked decrease in cell viability in Jurkat T, U937, and AML-2 cells (human leukemia cells), but was not cytotoxic to Caki or Hela cells.