Adjuvant effects of β-defensin on DNA vaccine OmpC against edwardsiellosis in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

β-defensin of flounder plays an important role in immunomodulation by recruiting immune cells and has a potential vaccine adjuvant effect in addition to its bactericidal activity. In this study, adjuvant effects of β-defensin on DNA vaccine OmpC against edwardsiellosis in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were investigated. The bicistronic eukaryotic expression plasmid pBudCE4.

The Functions of β-Defensin in Flounder (): Antibiosis, Chemotaxis and Modulation of Phagocytosis.

Most defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum killing activity against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. However, it should be recognized that there are some non-cationic β-defensins in organisms, which need to be further studied. In this study, a new spliced isoform of anionic β-defensin from flounder (, fBD) was identified, and its antibiosis, chemotaxis and modulation of phagocytosis were examined.

Rational design of CuPdN nanocrystals for selective electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid.

The selective electrochemical reduction of CO yields value-added products that are important renewable energy resources for carbon recycling. In this study, CuPdN nanocrystals (NCs) exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity for carbon dioxide (CO) reduction to formic acid (HCOOH) than as-prepared CuN and CuPd NCs. In addition, the reaction yielded small amounts of CO (<5%), H, and HCOOH as the main products, and the electrocatalytic activity of the Cu NCs was significantly enhanced by modification with N and Pd.