Heavy metal deposition and parameter change of soft contact lenses by exposure to particulate matter : Parameter change of SCL due to exposure to PM and heavy metal deposition.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is known to contain heavy metals and be harmful to the tissues and organs of the human body including the eyes. As such, in this study, the deposition of heavy metals from PM on soft contact lenses was examined, and changes in the lens parameters were further investigated.

Methods: Six types of soft contact lenses were exposed to captured PM for eight hours.

Collinsella urealyticum sp. nov., a urease-positive bacterial strain isolated from swine faeces.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated AGMB00827, was isolated from swine faeces. Strain AGMB00827 was obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium. Comparative analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequence revealed that strain AGMB00827 was affiliated to the genus Collinsella, and was most closely related to Collinsella vaginalis Marseille-P2666 (= KCTC 25056).

Parabacteroides faecalis sp. nov. Isolated from Swine Faeces.

A Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated AGMB00274 was isolated from swine faeces. An 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that strain AGMB00274 belonged to the genus Parabacteroides, with the highest similarity to Parabacteroides johnsonii (P. johnsonii) DSM 18315 (sequence similarity of 94.

Gut Microbiota Eubacterium callanderi Exerts Anti-Colorectal Cancer Activity.

The gut microbiota (GM) is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, studies demonstrating the role of GM in CRC are limited to metagenomic analyses. These studies lack direct evidence proving that the candidate strains are involved in CRC, and isolated probiotics for bacteriotherapy.

Cell-Free Supernatant of Isolated From Human Feces Exhibits Anti-colorectal Cancer Activity.

The gut microbiota (GM) has been shown to be closely associated with the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the involvement of GM is CRC has mainly been demonstrated by metagenomic profiling studies showing the compositional difference between the GM of healthy individuals and that of CRC patients and not by directly studying isolated gut microbes. Thus, to discover novel gut microbes involved in CRC, we isolated the GM from the feces of healthy individuals and evaluated its anti-CRC activity and .

Faecalicatena faecalis sp. nov., a moderately alkaliphilic bacterial strain isolated from swine faeces.

An obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped strain AGMB00832 was isolated from swine faeces. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene, together with the housekeeping genes, gyrB and rpoD, revealed that strain AGMB00832 belonged to the genus Faecalicatena and was most closely related to Faecalicatena orotica KCTC 15331. In biochemical analysis, strain AGMB00832 was shown to be negative for catalase, oxidase and urease.

Anaerococcus faecalis sp. nov., Isolated from Swine Faeces.

An obligate anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore forming, non-motile, catalase and oxidase-negative, coccoid-shaped bacterium designated AGMB00486 was isolated from swine faeces. The optimal growth of the isolate occurred at pH 8.0 and 37 ℃.

Nitrogen Signaling Genes and Determine the Flowering Time in a Reciprocal Negative Feedback Loop in Chinese Cabbage ( L.) Based on CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Mutagenesis of Multiple Homologs.

Precise flowering timing is critical for the plant life cycle. Here, we examined the molecular mechanisms and regulatory network associated with flowering in Chinese cabbage ( L.) by comparative transcriptome profiling of two Chinese cabbage inbred lines, "4004" (early bolting) and "50" (late bolting).

sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the faeces of a cow.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped strain, AGMB 02131, which grew at 20-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 3.0-11.0 (optimum pH 4.

Gibberellin Promotes Bolting and Flowering via the Floral Integrators and under Marginal Vernalization in Radish.

Gibberellic acid (GA) is one of the factors that promotes flowering in radish ( L.), although the mechanism mediating GA activation of flowering has not been determined. To identify this mechanism in radish, we compared the effects of GA treatment on late-flowering (NH-JS1) and early-flowering (NH-JS2) radish lines.

Sequence analysis of the first B5 subgenogroup strain of enterovirus 71 isolated in Korea.

Enterovirus A71 (EV71), the main etiological agent of handfoot- mouth disease (HFMD), circulates in many areas of the world and has caused large epidemics since 1997, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. In this study, we determined the full-genome sequence of CMC718, a newly isolated EV71 strain in Korea. The CMC718 genome was 7,415 nucleotides in length and was confirmed by whole-genome phylogenetic analysis to belong to the B5 genotype.

Molecular genomic characterization of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus isolates from South Korea.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne emerging infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV) and is a threat to public health due to its high fatality rate. However, details on tick-to-human transmission of SFTSV are limited. In this study, we determined the whole-genome sequence of a South Korean SFTSV strain (CUK-JJ01), compared it to those of other recent human SFTSV isolates, and identified the genetic variations and relationships among the SFTSV strains.

Transcriptome Profiling and Characterization of Drought-Tolerant Potato Plant ( L.).

Potato ( L.) is the third most important food crop, and breeding drought-tolerant varieties is vital research goal. However, detailed molecular mechanisms in response to drought stress in potatoes are not well known.

Synthesis of PbMoO₄ Nanoparticles Using a Facile Surfactant-Assisted Microwave Process and Their Photocatalytic Activity.

Lead molybdate (PbMoO₄) materials were successfully synthesized using a facile surfactant-assisted microwave process and characterized by XRD, Raman, PL, BET and DRS. We also investigated the photocatalytic activity of these materials for the decomposition of Rhodamine B under UV-light irradiation. The XRD and Raman results revealed the successful synthesis of 42–69 nm, well-crystallized PbMoO₄ crystals with a facile surfactant-assisted microwave process.

Genome-wide Analysis of Alternative Splicing in An Inbred Cabbage ( L.) Line 'HO' in Response to Heat Stress.

Introduction: High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) studies demonstrate that Alter-native Splicing (AS) is a widespread mechanism that enhances transcriptome diversity, particularly in plants exposed to environmental stress. In an attempt to determine the transcriptome and AS patterns of cabbage inbred line "HO" under Heat Stress (HS), RNA-Seq was carried out using HS-treated and con-trol samples. Genome-wide analysis indicated that AS is differentially regulated in response to HS.

Eclalbasaponin II Ameliorates the Cognitive Impairment Induced by Cholinergic Blockade in Mice.

Eclalbasaponin II derived from Eclipta prostrata L. (Asteraceae) has been reported to have anti-fibrotic, anti-bacterial and autophagic activities, but its effect on cognitive function has not been investigated. We studied the effect of eclalbasaponin II on cholinergic blockade-induced memory impairment in mice using the passive avoidance, Y-maze, and Morris water maze tasks.

Transcriptome profiling of sweetpotato tuberous roots during low temperature storage.

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is a globally important root crop with high industrial value. However, because sweetpotato tuberous roots undergo chilling injuries that negatively affect their quality at temperatures below 10 °C, postharvest damage during the winter season is a major constraint for industrialization.

Identification of Flowering-Related Genes Responsible for Differences in Bolting Time between Two Radish Inbred Lines.

Late bolting after cold exposure is an economically important characteristic of radish ( L.), an important Brassicaceae root vegetable crop. However, little information is available regarding the genes and pathways that govern flowering time in this species.

Swertisin ameliorates pre-pulse inhibition deficits and cognitive impairment induced by MK-801 in mice.

Swertisin, a plant-derived C-glucosylflavone, is known to have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In the present study, we investigated in mice the effects of swertisin on glutamatergic dysfunction induced by dizocilpine (MK-801), a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist. In the Acoustic Startle Response test, their MK-801-induced (given 0.

Complete Oxidation of Benzene Over CuO-CeO2 Catalysts Prepared Using Different Process.

Catalytic combustion of benzene over CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides has been investigated. The CuO-CeO2 mixed oxides were prepared using various methods and characterized by XRD, BET and TPR. For the CuO-CeO2 catalysts with a Cu/(Cu + Ce) molar ratio of more than 0.

The OsCYP19-4 Gene Is Expressed as Multiple Alternatively Spliced Transcripts Encoding Isoforms with Distinct Cellular Localizations and PPIase Activities under Cold Stress.

Alternative splicing (AS) is an important molecular mechanism by which single genes can generate multiple mRNA isoforms. We reported previously that, in Oryza sativa, the cyclophilin 19-4 (OsCYP19-4.1) transcript was significantly upregulated in response to cold stress, and that transgenic plants were cold tolerant.

The ethanolic extract of the Eclipta prostrata L. ameliorates the cognitive impairment in mice induced by scopolamine.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Eclipta prostrata L. (Asteraceae) has been prescribed for whole body nourishment and nervine tonic in Asia. However, the effects of E.

OsCYP21-4, a novel Golgi-resident cyclophilin, increases oxidative stress tolerance in rice.

OsCYP21-4 is a rice cyclophilin protein that binds to cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressant drug. CYP21-4s in Arabidopsis and rice were previously shown to function as mitochondrial cyclophilins, as determined by TargetP analysis. In the current study, we found that OsCYP21-4-GFP localized to the Golgi, rather than mitochondria, in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, which was confirmed based on its co-localization with cis Golgi α-ManI-mCherry protein.

Catalytic Oxidation of Benzene Over LaCoO3 Perovskite-Type Oxides Prepared Using Microwave Process.

LaCoO3 perovskite type oxides were successfully prepared using microwave-assisted method, characterized by TG/DTA, XRD, XPS and H2-TPR and their catalytic activities for combustion of benzene were determined. Almost of catalyst showed perovskite crystalline phase and 13-84 nm particle size. LaCoO3 catalysts prepared by microwave-assisted method showed the highest activity and the conversion reached almost 100% at 360 degrees C.