Development of a Customized Endoscopic Dual-Diffusing Optical Fiber Probe for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy: Toward Clinical Use.

We developed a dual-diffusing optical fiber probe (DDOFP), capable of uniformly illuminating the anatomical structure of pancreatic duct for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of pancreatic cancer in clinical settings. Optical fiber presents a unique route for pancreatic PDT by enabling access to the pancreatic duct. For effective pancreatic PDT, the optical fiber should produce a uniform illumination covering of the pancreatic duct, while maintaining its transmission property under thermomechanical stresses in surgical environments.

Evaluation of thermal/acoustic performance to confirm the possibility of coffee waste in building materials in using bio-based microencapsulated PCM.

As the demand for coffee has increased, by-product disposal has become a challenge to solve. Many studies are being conducted on how to use coffee waste as building materials to recycle it. In this study, the thermal performance and acoustic performance of a composite developed using bio-based microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) and coffee waste were evaluated, and the composite was applied as building material.

Identification of Sex Pheromone Components of Korean Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Population and Synergism of Pheromone and Pine Cone Volatile Blends.

(9Z,11E)-tetradecadienyl acetate (9Z,11E-14:OAc) and (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-pentacosapentaene (C25 pentaene), known as the sex pheromone of the European Dioryctria abietella population, were identified in the Korean D. abietella population. The ratio of 9Z,11E-14:OAc to C25 pentaene extracted from female pheromone glands was 1:23.

Identification of the Female-Produced Sex Pheromone of the Dotted White Geometrid Naxa seriaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).

The dotted white geometrid moth, Naxa seriaria Motschulsky (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is a pest of Oleaceae in Korea, Japan, and China. In this study, we identified (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-heneicosapentaene (C-21 pentaene) as the only compound in extracts of the pheromone glands of female N. seriaria causing a response from receptors on the antennae of males in analyses by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection.

Reactive oxygen species mediated-antifungal activity of cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oils and their constituents against two phytopathogenic fungi.

To find new and safe type of control agents against phytopathogenic fungi, the fumigant antifungal activity of 10 plant essential oils and constituents identified in cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oils was investigated against two phytopathogenic fungi, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae and Rhizoctonia solani. Among plant essential oils, cinnamon bark and lemongrass essential oils showed 100% inhibition of R. quercus-mongolicae and R.

Antibacterial mode of action of trans-cinnamaldehyde derived from cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) essential oil against Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

The fumigant antibacterial activities of 50 plant essential oils belonging to 10 families were investigated against Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Among the test plant essential oils, Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon bark) essential oil showed the most potent fumigant antibacterial activity. When we investigated the antibacterial activities of compounds identified from cinnamon bark essential oil and 9 congeners of trans-cinnamaldehyde, lengths of inhibition zone of trans-cinnamaldehyde, salicylaldehyde and hydrocinnamaldehyde were 1.

Circular reutilization of coffee waste for sound absorbing panels: A perspective on material recycling.

The increase in coffee consumption has led to increased production of coffee waste. Methods to recycle coffee waste are constantly being researched. Coffee powder is a porous material that can effectively be used to absorb sound.

Behavioral and Electrophysiological Effects of Ajowan ( Sprague) (Apiales: Apiaceae) Essential Oil and Its Constituents on Nymphal and Adult Bean Bugs, (Thunberg) (Hemiptera: Alydidae).

We investigated the repellent effect of 12 Apiaceae plant essential oils on nymphal and adult (male and female) forms of the bean bug, Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) (Hemiptera: Alydidae), using a four-arm olfactometer. Among the essential oils tested, ajowan ( Sprague) essential oil showed the strongest repellent activity against the nymphal and adult bean bugs. For female adults, the repellent activity was significantly different between an ajowan oil-treated chamber and an untreated chamber down to a concentration of 14.

Fumigant Antifungal Activity via Reactive Oxygen Species of and Essential Oils and Constituents against and .

In this study, the fumigant antifungal activity of 10 Lamiaceae plant essential oils was evaluated against two phytopathogenic fungi, and Among the tested essential oils, thyme white () and summer savory () essential oils exhibited the strongest fumigant antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungi. We analyzed the chemical composition of two active essential oils and tested the fumigant antifungal activities of the identified compounds. Among the tested compounds, thymol and carvacrol had potent fumigant antifungal activity.

Effects of Pheromone Dose and Trap Height on Capture of a Bast Scale of Pine, Matsucoccus thunbergianae (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) and Development of a New Synthesis Method.

Matsuone is a well-known sex pheromone of the genus Matsucoccus (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), including species Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana), Matsucoccus resinosae Bean & Goldwin, and Matsucoccus thunbergianae Miller & Park. In this study, we investigated the effects of matsuone dose and trap height on the capture of M. thunbergianae and developed an alternative synthesis of racemic matsuone.

Imaging inflammation using an activated macrophage probe with Slc18b1 as the activation-selective gating target.

Activated macrophages have the potential to be ideal targets for imaging inflammation. However, probe selectivity over non-activated macrophages and probe delivery to target tissue have been challenging. Here, we report a small molecule probe specific for activated macrophages, called CDg16, and demonstrate its application to visualizing inflammatory atherosclerotic plaques in vivo.

Identification of Aggregation-Sex Pheromone of the Korean Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Population, the Main Vector of Pine Wood Nematode.

We confirmed an aggregation-sex pheromone of the Korean Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) population, which primarily transmitted the pine wood nematode in Korea. Only the M. alternatus male emitted monochamol which has been previously reported in the Chinese M.

Insecticidal Activity of Lamiaceae Plant Essential Oils and Their Constituents Against Blattella germanica L. Adult.

The insecticidal activities of 13 Lamiaceae plant oils and their components against adult German cockroaches, Blattella germanica L. (Blattodea: Blattellidae), were evaluated using fumigant and contact bioassay. Among the tested oils, basil, pennyroyal, and spearmint showed the strongest insecticidal activities against adult B.

Nematicidal Activity of 3-Acyltetramic Acid Analogues Against Pine Wood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Among 98 3-acyltetramic acid analogues, compounds , , and , showed >90% nematicidal activity against the pine wood nematode at a 10 μg/mL concentration. The nematicidal activities of compounds , , and were a little lower at 88.0%, 85.

Identification of the Aggregation-sex Pheromone Produced by Male Monochamus saltuarius, a Major Insect Vector of the Pine Wood Nematode.

In this study, we isolated and identified an aggregation-sex pheromone from Monochamus saltuarius, the major insect vector of the pine wood nematode in Korea. Adult males of M. saltuarius produce 2-undecyloxy-1-ethanol, which is known as an aggregation-sex pheromone in other Monochamus species.

Optical visualisation of thermogenesis in stimulated single-cell brown adipocytes.

The identification of brown adipose deposits in adults has led to significant interest in targeting this metabolically active tissue for treatment of obesity and diabetes. Improved methods for the direct measurement of heat production as the signature function of brown adipocytes (BAs), particularly at the single cell level, would be of substantial benefit to these ongoing efforts. Here, we report the first application of a small molecule-type thermosensitive fluorescent dye, ERthermAC, to monitor thermogenesis in BAs derived from murine brown fat precursors and in human brown fat cells differentiated from human neck brown preadipocytes.

APX-115, a first-in-class pan-NADPH oxidase (Nox) inhibitor, protects db/db mice from renal injury.

Recent studies have suggested that renal Nox is important in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, we investigated the effect of a novel pan-NOX-inhibitor, APX-115, on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic mice. Eight- week-old db/m and db/db mice were treated with APX-115 for 12 weeks.

Direct organelle thermometry with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in single myotubes.

We describe organelle thermometry using an endoplasmic reticulum-targeting small molecule dye and cytosolic mCherry, whose fluorescence lifetimes reduce with increasing temperature and can be monitored by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. The results show that heat production in single myotubes is highly localized and is coupled to a Ca(2+) burst.

Evaluation of road traffic noise abatement by vegetation treatment in a 1:10 urban scale model.

A 1:10 scale of a street canyon and courtyard was constructed to evaluate sound propagation when various vegetation treatments including trees, shrubs, vegetated facades, and green roofs were installed in the urban environment. Noise reductions in the street canyon and courtyard were measured for both single and combined vegetation treatments. Vegetated facades mitigated the overall noise level up to 1.

A novel fluorescence-based assay for measuring A2E removal from human retinal pigment epithelial cells to screen for age-related macular degeneration inhibitors.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal disease that leads to irreversible central vision loss in the elderly population. Recent studies have identified many factors related to the development of dry AMD, such as aging, cigarette smoking, genetic predispositions, and oxidative stress, eventually inducing the accumulation of lipofuscin, which is one of the most critical risk factors. One of the major lipofuscins in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (also known as A2E), a pyridinium bis-retinoid.

Suppression of the TRIF-dependent signaling pathway of Toll-like receptor by CDr10b in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize distinct pathogen-associated molecular patterns and play a critical role in innate immune responses. TLR signaling pathways can be largely classified as either myeloid differential factor 88 (MyD88)- or toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter inducing interferon-β (TRIF)-dependent pathways. Compound of Designation red 10 binding (CDr10b) was synthesized to investigate its role in neuroinflammatory diseases.

Glucagon-Secreting Alpha Cell Selective Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe TP-α: For Live Pancreatic Islet Imaging.

Two-photon (TP) microscopy has an advantage for live tissue imaging which allows a deeper tissue penetration up to 1 mm comparing to one-photon (OP) microscopy. While there are several OP fluorescence probes in use for pancreatic islet imaging, TP imaging of selective cells in live islet still remains a challenge. Herein, we report the discovery of first TP live pancreatic islet imaging probe; TP-α (Two Photon-alpha) which can selectively stain glucagon secreting alpha cells.

A molecular fluorescent probe for targeted visualization of temperature at the endoplasmic reticulum.

The dynamics of cellular heat production and propagation remains elusive at a subcellular level. Here we report the first small molecule fluorescent thermometer selectively targeting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER thermo yellow), with the highest sensitivity reported so far (3.9%/°C).

CDr10b inhibits the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase induced by lipopolysaccharide.

The pathophysiological processes of inflammation can lead to a host of diseases, such as periodontitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer. The dysregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activation play important roles in the development of certain inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of CDr10b which is originally developed for a microglia staining probe on inflammation, by modulating NF-κB activation and iNOS and COX-2 expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in murine macrophages.

First Report of Myrothecium roridum Causing Leaf and Stem Rot Disease on Peperomia quadrangularis in Korea.

In 2010, symptoms of leaf and stem rot were observed on potted plants (Peperomia quadrangularis) in a greenhouse in Yongin, Korea. The causative pathogen was identified as Myrothecium roridum based on morphological data, internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, and pathogenicity test. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M.