How coat proteins shape autophagy in plant cells.

Autophagy is a membrane trafficking pathway through which eukaryotic cells target their own cytoplasmic constituents for degradation in the lytic compartment. Proper biogenesis of autophagic organelles requires a conserved set of autophagy-related (ATG) proteins and their interacting factors, such as signalling phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) and coat complex II (COPII). The COPII machinery, which was originally identified as a membrane coat involved in the formation of vesicles budding from the endoplasmic reticulum, contributes to the initiation of autophagic membrane formation in yeast, metazoan, and plant cells; however, the exact mechanisms remain elusive.

Bark Downregulates the Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Human Endothelial Cell Lines and Relaxes Blood Vessels in Rat Aortic Rings.

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, is increasing worldwide, owing to population aging and irregular lifestyle habits. Previous studies have reported the vasorelaxant effects of bark methanol extract. However, various solvent extracts of bark and their vascular relaxation mechanisms have not been sufficiently studied.

Designing starch-based fenofibrate formulations using the melting method.

Fenofibrate (FNF) is used to treat hyperlipidemia. However, FNF is a poorly water-soluble drug, and the dosage of commercial products is relatively high at 160 mg in a Lipidil® tablet. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an FNF-solid dispersion (SD) that solubilizes and stabilizes FNF.

Identification of marker compounds in fermented and validation of the method for its analysis.

Fermentation is a process that improves health functionality by inducing the production and increase of bioactive compounds. In this study, to standardize the fermentation process for , marker compounds that are increased or produced during fermentation were identified based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Analysis method verification and content analysis were conducted using HPLC-PDA.

Autophagy inducers lead to transient accumulation of autophagosomes in Arabidopsis roots.

This study reveals that plant roots show a rapid termination of autophagy induction, offering a plant model for studying how excessive autophagy is deterred. In eukaryotes, autophagy is an intracellular mechanism that is important for recycling nutrients by degrading various macromolecules and organelles in vacuoles and lysosomes. Autophagy is induced when the nutrient supply to plant cells is limited.

How are moral foundations associated with empathic traits and moral identity?

Unlabelled: We examined the relationship between moral foundations, empathic traits, and moral identity using an online survey via Mechanical Turk. In order to determine how moral foundations contribute to empathic traits and moral identity, we performed classical correlation analysis as well as Bayesian correlation analysis, Bayesian ANCOVA, and Bayesian regression analysis. Results showed that individualizing foundations (harm/care, fairness/reciprocity) and binding foundations (ingroup/loyalty, authority/respect, purity/sanctity) had various different relationships with empathic traits.

Physicochemical, nutritional and functional properties of .

is widely planted in most parts of the world, and is rich in carotenoids, vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds. It also has important medicinal value. Some related research has proven that has the potential ability to induce anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, and anticancer effects.

Antiobesity effect of Brassica juncea cultivated in Jeongseon with optimized sinigrin content using 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

In recent years, Brassica juncea has been selected as a special agricultural crop in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, Korea, and is actively grown there. However, there have been no studies on B. juncea cultivated in Jeongseon (BJJ).

Radical Scavenging-Linked Anti-Adipogenic Activity of Ethanolic Extract and Its Bioactive Compound.

is a wild vegetable cultivated in Korea and is known to contain phytochemicals with various biological activities. The potential antioxidant and anti-obesity effects of and their mechanism are yet to be reported. We evaluated the total phenolic, flavonoid, and proanthocyanidin contents and oxygen radical absorbance capacity of ethanolic extract (ASE), and analyzed the major phenolic compounds of ASE.

Development and validation of the English version of the Moral Growth Mindset measure.

: Moral Growth Mindset (MGM) is a belief about whether one can become a morally better person through efforts. Prior research showed that MGM is positively associated with promotion of moral motivation among adolescents and young adults. We developed and tested the English version of the MGM measure in this study with data collected from college student participants.

Enhancement of Immune Activities of Mixtures with Nakai and var. .

The objective of the present study was to develop a concoction of natural products that could dramatically improve immune function with minimal possible side effects. Nakai and var. are plants that are native to Jeju Island, Korea and are known to be rich in physiologically active substances.

Areas of white matter hyperintensities and motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.

Objective: To determine whether deep white matter and periventricular hyperintensities affect the motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) differently, we analyzed MRI and dopamine transporter imaging.

Methods: We analyzed the medical records of patients with de novo PD who underwent dopamine transporter PET scanning and MRI at their first visit. Deep white matter and periventricular hyperintensities were scored with a visual rating scale, and motor symptoms were assessed by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score and tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and axial symptom subscores.

Prediction of ovarian aging using ovarian expression of BMP15, GDF9, and C-KIT.

Ovarian aging is becoming a more important issue in terms of fertility preservation and infertility treatment. Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level and antral follicle count (AFC) are being practically used as markers of ovarian aging as well as ovarian reserve in human. However, these factors have some drawbacks in assessing ovarian aging and reserve.

NGL-1/LRRC4C-Mutant Mice Display Hyperactivity and Anxiolytic-Like Behavior Associated With Widespread Suppression of Neuronal Activity.

Netrin-G ligand-1 (NGL-1), encoded by , is a post-synaptic adhesion molecule implicated in various brain disorders, including bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental delay. Although previous studies have explored the roles of NGL-1 in the regulation of synapse development and function, the importance of NGL-1 for specific behaviors and the nature of related neural circuits in mice remain unclear. Here, we report that mice lacking NGL-1 ( ) show strong hyperactivity and anxiolytic-like behavior.

Modulation of dendritic cell function by Trichomonas vaginalis-derived secretory products.

Trichomoniasis caused by the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Dendritic cells are antigen presenting cells that initiate immune responses by directing the activation and differentiation of naïve T cells. In this study, we analyzed the effect of Trichomonas vaginalis-derived Secretory Products on the differentiation and function of dendritic cells.