Modification of Fc-fusion protein structures to enhance efficacy of cancer vaccine in plant expression system.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) fused to IgG, IgA and IgM Fc domains was expressed to create IgG, IgA and IgM-like structures as anti-cancer vaccines in Nicotiana tabacum. High-mannose glycan structures were generated by adding a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif (KDEL) to the Fc domain (FcK) to produce EpCAM-Fc and EpCAM-FcK proteins in transgenic plants via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Cross-fertilization of EpCAM-Fc (FcK) transgenic plants with Joining chain (J-chain, J and JK) transgenic plants led to stable expression of large quaternary EpCAM-IgA Fc (EpCAM-A) and IgM-like (EpCAM-M) proteins.

Plant-derived EpCAM-Fc fusion proteins induce in vivo immune response to produce IgGs inhibiting invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells.

Transgenic tobacco plant expressed EpCAM-Fc fusion proteins to induce in vivo immune responses producing anti-EpCAM antibodies inhibiting human colorectal cancer cell invasion and migration. Plant is emerging as a promising alternative to produce valuable immunotherapeutic vaccines. In this study, we examined the in vivo anti-cancer efficacy of epidermal cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-Fc and EpCAM-FcK fusion proteins produced in transgenic plants as colorectal cancer vaccine candidates.

Perceptions of Dementia among Nursing Students in South Korea: A Phenomenological Study.

This study aimed to determine nursing students' perceptions of dementia and patients with dementia. Specifically, this study sought to illuminate the essential meaning of dementia among nursing students to uncover insights useful for developing patient-centered care rooted in empathy for patients with dementia. This study used a descriptive phenomenological research method.

A novel strategy and characteristics of PVA/citric acid cross-linked hydrophilic elastic sponge of cellulose based on medicinal herb residue.

A new ultra-hydrophilic elastic sponge composite has been proposed. Medicinal herbs, commonly used in herbal medicine and subsequently discarded, are rich in natural polymer substances, making them promising candidates for various material industries. TEMPO-oxidized cellulose was extracted from medicinal herb residue, and the physicochemical properties of an ultra-hydrophilic elastic sponge, prepared through a PVA and CA impregnate cross-linking process, were investigated.

Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging features of canine cervical epidural dirofilariasis.

An 8-year-old neutered male Maltese dog presented with a month-long history of progressive nonambulatory tetraparesis. MRI revealed a well-defined, centrally nonenhanced, T1-weighted hypointense, extradural structure located in the vertebral canal at the level of the C5 vertebral body. CT demonstrated a hypoattenuating, space-occupying structure in the same area.

Enhanced binding and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by a plant-derived ACE2 protein containing a fused mu tailpiece.

Infectious diseases such as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) present an increasingly persistent crisis in many parts of the world. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a crucial cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Strumpellin/WASHC5 regulates the structural plasticity of cortical neurons involved in gait coordination.

Strumpellin/Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR homologue (WASH) complex subunit 5 (WASHC5) is a core component of the WASH complex, and its mutations confer pathogenicity for hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) type SPG8, a rare neurodegenerative gait disorder. WASH complex activates actin-related protein-2/3-mediated actin polymerization and plays a pivotal role in intracellular membrane trafficking in endosomes. In this study, we examined the role of strumpellin in the regulation of structural plasticity of cortical neurons involved in gait coordination.

High-quality genome assembly and genetic mapping reveal a gene regulating flesh color in watermelon ().

The unique color and type characteristics of watermelon fruits are regulated by many molecular mechanisms. However, it still needs to be combined with more abundant genetic data to fine-tune the positioning. We assembled genomes of two Korean inbred watermelon lines (cv.

Effects of External Employment Opportunities, Nursing Professionalism, and Nursing Work Environments on Korean Hospital Nurses' Intent to Stay or Leave.

This study aims to explore Korean Hospital nurses' intent to stay or leave their working environment, and to identify the difference between the intent to stay and the intent to leave by identifying the relationship between external employment opportunities, professionalism, and work environment. Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis. As a result of the analysis, the intent to stay among Korean hospital nurses was influenced by the work environment, external employment opportunities, education level, and marital status, whereas the intent to leave was influenced by the nursing work environment, marital status, and total clinical experience.

Phosphoproteome profiling of hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

The balance between the actions of protein kinases and phosphatases is crucial for neuronal functions, including synaptic plasticity. Although the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of neuronal proteins are regulated by synaptic plasticity, no systematic analyses of this have yet been conducted. We performed a phosphoproteomic analysis of hippocampal synaptic plasticity using a nano-Acquity/Synapt LC-MS/MS system.

Label-Free Live-Cell Imaging of Internalized Microplastics and Cytoplasmic Organelles with Multicolor CARS Microscopy.

As the bioaccumulation of microplastics (MPs) is considered as a potential health risk, many efforts have been made to understand the cellular dynamics and cytotoxicity of MPs. Here, we demonstrate that label-free multicolor coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy enables separate vibrational imaging of internalized MPs and lipid droplets (LDs) with indistinguishable shapes and sizes in live cells. By simultaneously obtaining polystyrene (PS)- and lipid-specific CARS images at two very different frequencies, 1000 and 2850 cm, respectively, we successfully identify the local distribution of ingested PS beads and native LDs in .

Nanoplasmonic immunosensor for the detection of SCG2, a candidate serum biomarker for the early diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder.

The neural circuits of the infant brain are rapidly established near 6 months of age, but neurodevelopmental disorders can be diagnosed only at the age of 2-3 years using existing diagnostic methods. Early diagnosis is very important to alleviate life-long disability in patients through appropriate early intervention, and it is imperative to develop new diagnostic methods for early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders. We examined the serum level of secretogranin II (SCG2) in pediatric patients to evaluate its potential role as a biomarker for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Expression of Colorectal Cancer Antigenic Protein Fused to IgM Fc in Chinese Cabbage ().

The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a tumor-associated antigen and a potential target for tumor vaccine. The EpCAM is a cell-surface glycoprotein highly expressed in colorectal carcinomas. The objective of the present study is to develop an edible vaccine system through -mediated transformation in Chinese cabbage ().

Expression of a Large Single-Chain 13F6 Antibody with Binding Activity against Ebola Virus-Like Particles in a Plant System.

Pathogenic animal and human viruses present a growing and persistent threat to humans worldwide. Ebola virus (EBOV) causes zoonosis in humans. Here, two structurally different anti-Ebola 13F6 antibodies, recognizing the heavily glycosylated mucin-like domain (MLD) of the glycoprotein (GP), were expressed in transgenic plants and designed as inexpensive and effective diagnostic antibodies against Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Generation of OCT4-EGFP, NANOG-tdTomato dual reporter human induced pluripotent stem cell line, KKUi001-A, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

OCT4 and NANOG are core transcription factor genes in self-renewal, differentiation, and reprogramming. Here, we generated an OCT4-EGFP, NANOG-tdTomato dual reporter hiPSC line, KKUi001-A, on the basis of human induced pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. EGFP and tdTomato reporter were inserted into before the stop codon of OCT4 and NANOG, respectively.

An Efficient Switching-Off of Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering via Double Stimulated Raman Scattering Processes of Heteromolecular Vibrational Modes.

Recently, we introduced a new switching-off technique applicable to subdiffraction-limited coherent Raman imaging, where a coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) signal can be selectively suppressed via competitive stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) processes between vibrational modes of a single molecular species. Here, we show that such a three-beam CARS suppression can be made via double SRS processes between vibrational modes of heteromolecular species, a mixture of paraffin oil and benzene. We achieve more than 80% suppression of the pump-Stokes-beam CARS signal for the ring-breathing mode (target mode) of benzene when the C-H stretching mode (acceptor mode) of paraffin oil is used to deplete the pump photons via the pump-depletion-beam SRS process.

Shot-Noise-Limited Two-Color Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy with a Balanced Detection Scheme.

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy has been considered a useful technique for investigating chemical components by selectively targeting the vibration mode of chemical structures. Its practical application to the observation of molecular structures and dynamics in complicated biological environments requires broad spectral coverage with both high resolution and a high signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we demonstrate a two-color SRS microscopy employing a balanced detection scheme and a spectral focusing method.

A study on the intent to leave and stay among hospital nurses in Korea: A cross-sectional survey.

Aims: To investigate the intent to leave or stay among Korean hospital nurses, and to identify what factors influence their intent to leave or stay.

Background: Previous studies have simply measured nurses' intent to leave or stay; however, this study examines the associations of intent to leave and intent to stay with influential factors among Korean hospital nurses.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 267 nurses working at four general hospitals in South Korea.

Intelligent Image-Based Railway Inspection System Using Deep Learning-Based Object Detection and Weber Contrast-Based Image Comparison.

For sustainable operation and maintenance of urban railway infrastructure, intelligent visual inspection of the railway infrastructure attracts increasing attention to avoid unreliable, manual observation by humans at night, while trains do not operate. Although various automatic approaches were proposed using image processing and computer vision techniques, most of them are focused only on railway tracks. In this paper, we present a novel railway inspection system using facility detection based on deep convolutional neural network and computer vision-based image comparison approach.

Bronchoalveolar lavage affects computed tomographic and radiographic characteristics of the lungs in healthy dogs.

Bronchoalveolar lavage is a common diagnostic test for dogs with suspected pulmonary disease, however there is no published information on whether this procedure could affect the imaging characteristics of the lungs. Aims of this prospective experimental study were to describe computed tomography (CT) and radiographic features of the lungs after bronchoalveolar lavage in a sample of healthy dogs. Thoracic CT and radiographic images of eight healthy Beagles were acquired at the following time points: before bronchoalveolar lavage, immediately following bronchoalveolar lavage, and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h following bronchoalveolar lavage.

A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program in Adolescents at Risk for Internet and Smartphone Addiction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary effects of the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program in adolescents deemed to be in an at-risk group for Internet and smartphone addiction.

Methods: The study group consisted of 33 adolescent participants (24 boys and 9 girls) at risk of Internet and smartphone addiction in small and medium-sized cities. The subjects participated in 8 consecutive sessions of the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program.

Unveiling the pathway to Z-DNA in the protein-induced B-Z transition.

Left-handed Z-DNA is an extraordinary conformation of DNA, which can form by special sequences under specific biological, chemical or physical conditions. Human ADAR1, prototypic Z-DNA binding protein (ZBP), binds to Z-DNA with high affinity. Utilizing single-molecule FRET assays for Z-DNA forming sequences embedded in a long inactive DNA, we measure thermodynamic populations of ADAR1-bound DNA conformations in both GC and TG repeat sequences.