Interaction Analysis of the Spike Protein of Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 with hACE2 and Eight Monoclonal Antibodies Using the Fragment Molecular Orbital Method.

In the past 2 years, since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged. Whenever a new variant emerges, considerable time is required to analyze the binding affinity of the viral surface proteins to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and monoclonal antibodies. To efficiently predict the binding affinities associated with hACE2 and monoclonal antibodies in a short time, herein, we propose a method applying statistical analysis to simulations performed using molecular and quantum mechanics.

Evaluation of Selective COX-2 Inhibition and In Silico Study of Kuwanon Derivatives Isolated from .

Six kuwanon derivatives (A/B/C/E/H/J) extracted from the roots of L. were evaluated to determine their cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and 2 inhibitory effects. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is known as the target enzyme of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are the most widely used therapeutic agents for pain and inflammation.

Colorimetric RT-LAMP Methods to Detect Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Standard diagnostic methods of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) rely on RT-qPCR technique which have limited point-of-care test (POCT) potential due to necessity of dedicated equipment and specialized personnel. LAMP, an isothermal nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), is a promising technique that may substitute RT-qPCR for POCT of genomic materials. Here, we provide a protocol to perform reverse transcription LAMP targeting SARS-CoV-2.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and ROS Regulation Effect of Sinapaldehyde in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of SNAH in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by performing nitric oxide (NO) assays, cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. SNAH inhibited the production of NO (nitric oxide), reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6.

Zika virus infection differentially affects genome-wide transcription in neuronal cells and myeloid dendritic cells.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that has attracted global attention and international awareness. ZIKV infection exhibits mild symptoms including fever and pains; however, ZIKV has recently been shown to be related to increased birth defects, including microcephaly, in infants. In addition, ZIKV is related to the onset of neurological disorders, such as a type of paralysis similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Development of Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays Targeting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic now has >2,000,000 confirmed cases worldwide. COVID-19 is currently diagnosed using quantitative RT-PCR methods, but the capacity of quantitative RT-PCR methods is limited by their requirement of high-level facilities and instruments. We developed and evaluated reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays to detect genomic RNA of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative virus of COVID-19.

Inhibitory Effect of Sesamolin on Melanogenesis in B16F10 Cells Determined by In Vitro and Molecular Docking Analyses.

Background: Melanin protects the skin against the harmful effects of ultraviolet irradiation. However, melanin overproduction can result in several aesthetic problems, including melasma, freckles, age spots and chloasma. Therefore, development of anti-melanogenic agents is important for the prevention of serious hyperpigmentation diseases.

Air-like plasmonics with ultralow-refractive-index silica aerogels.

The coupling of the surface plasmon near-field into the sensing medium is key to the sensitivity of surface plasmon-based sensing devices. A low-index dielectric is necessary for the sensing medium to support a highly-penetrating surface plasmon evanescent field that extends well into the dielectric medium. The air-like refractive index, n, of an aerogel substrate provides another dimension for ultralow-index plasmonic devices.

Large-scale nanoporous metal-coated silica aerogels for high SERS effect improvement.

We investigate the optical properties and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) characteristics of metal-coated silica aerogels. Silica aerogels were fabricated by easily scalable sol-gel and supercritical drying processes. Metallic nanogaps were formed on the top surface of the nanoporous silica network by controlling the thickness of the metal layer.

Scalable variable-index elasto-optic metamaterials for macroscopic optical components and devices.

Optical metamaterials with an artificial subwavelength structure offer new approaches to implement advanced optical devices. However, some of the biggest challenges associated with the development of metamaterials in the visible spectrum are the high costs and slow production speeds of the nanofabrication processes. Here, we demonstrate a macroscale (>35 mm) transformation-optics wave bender (293 mm) and Luneburg lens (855 mm) in the broadband white-light visible wavelength range using the concept of elasto-optic metamaterials that combines optics and solid mechanics.

Soy-Leaf Extract Exerts Atheroprotective Effects via Modulation of Krüppel-Like Factor 2 and Adhesion Molecules.

Soy-leaf extracts exert their cardioprotective effects by inducing endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the arteries, and they favorably modulate the serum lipid profile. In this study, we investigated the atheroprotective effects of an ethanol extract of soy leaf (ESL) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLR-/-) mice. ESL induced the expression of Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), an endothelial transcription factor, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and suppressed the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) through moderate inflammatory signal activation, not only in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated HUVECs but also in 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC)-stimulated HUVECs.

Resolution enhancement using plasmonic metamask for wafer-scale photolithography in the far field.

Resolution enhancement in far-field photolithography is demonstrated using a plasmonic metamask in the proximity regime, in which Fresnel diffraction is dominant. The transverse magnetic component of the diffracted wave from the photomask, which reduces the pattern visibility and lowers the resolution, was successfully controlled by coupling with the anti-symmetric mode of the excited surface plasmon. We obtained a consistently finely-patterned photoresist surface at a distance of up to 15 μm from the mask surface for 3-μm-pitch slits because of conserved field visibility when propagating from the near-field to the proximity regime.

Proton pump inhibitors decrease melanogenesis in melanocytes.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used as inhibitors of gastric juice secretion for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, there are no previous studies of the effects on melanogenesis resulting from PPI treatments. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PPIs on melanogenesis in melan-a cells derived from immortalized mouse melanocytes.

Sesamol decreases melanin biosynthesis in melanocyte cells and zebrafish: Possible involvement of MITF via the intracellular cAMP and p38/JNK signalling pathways.

The development of antimelanogenic agents is important for the prevention of serious aesthetic problems such as melasma, freckles, age spots and chloasma. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimelanogenic effect of sesamol, an active lignan isolated from Sesamum indicum, in melan-a cells. Sesamol strongly inhibited melanin biosynthesis and the activity of intracellular tyrosinase by decreasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation.

Cellular Anti-Melanogenic Effects of a Euryale ferox Seed Extract Ethyl Acetate Fraction via the Lysosomal Degradation Machinery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Euryale ferox seed extracts (Efse-EA) on melanogenesis in immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, melan-a. Efse-EA showed strong dose-dependent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Treatment of melan-a cells with 30 μg/mL Efse-EA produced strong inhibition of cellular tyrosinase and melanin synthesis.

Quinoline compound KM11073 enhances BMP-2-dependent osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells via activation of p38 signaling and exhibits in vivo bone forming activity.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 has been approved by the FDA for clinical application, but its use is limited due to high cost and a supra-physiological dose for therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, recent studies have focused on the generation of new therapeutic small molecules to induce bone formation or potentiate the osteogenic activity of BMP-2. Here, we show that [4-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl) piperazino][1-phenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methanone (KM11073) strongly enhances the BMP-2-stimulated induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an early phase biomarker of osteoblast differentiation, in bi-potential mesenchymal progenitor C2C12 cells.

S-(-)-10,11-dihydroxyfarnesoic acid methyl ester inhibits melanin synthesis in murine melanocyte cells.

The development of antimelanogenic agents is important for the prevention of serious aesthetic problems such as melasmas, freckles, age spots, and chloasmas. In the course of screening for melanin synthesis inhibitors, we found that the culture broth from an insect morphopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana CS1029, exhibits potent antimelanogenic activity. We isolated and purified an active metabolite and identified it as S-(-)-10,11-dihydroxyfarnesoic acid methyl ester (dhFAME), an insect juvenile hormone.

Broadband light-trapping enhancement in an ultrathin film a-Si absorber using whispering gallery modes and guided wave modes with dielectric surface-textured structures.

An embedded nanosphere dielectric structure on an a-Si ultrathin film improves weighted absorption from 23.8% to 39.9%.

Broadband electromagnetic cloaking with smart metamaterials.

The ability to render objects invisible with a cloak that fits all objects and sizes is a long-standing goal for optical devices. Invisibility devices demonstrated so far typically comprise a rigid structure wrapped around an object to which it is fitted. Here we demonstrate smart metamaterial cloaking, wherein the metamaterial device not only transforms electromagnetic fields to make an object invisible, but also acquires its properties automatically from its own elastic deformation.