Sustainable production of natural products using synthetic biology: Ginsenosides.

Synthetic biology approaches offer potential for large-scale and sustainable production of natural products with bioactive potency, including ginsenosides, providing a means to produce novel compounds with enhanced therapeutic properties. Ginseng, known for its non-toxic and potent qualities in traditional medicine, has been used for various medical needs. Ginseng has shown promise for its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, and it has been used as a potential agent to boost immunity against various infections when used together with other drugs and vaccines.

Anticonvulsant effects of cenobamate in chemically and electrically induced seizure models in rodents.

Background: Cenobamate is an antiseizure medication used to treat partial-onset (focal) seizures. It is a molecule with one chiral center and a unique dual mechanism of action: enhancement of fast and slow inactivation of sodium channels with preferential inhibition of the persistent current and positive allosteric modulation of GABA receptor-mediated ion channels.

Aims/methods: Anticonvulsant effects of cenobamate (YKP3089; R-enantiomer), YKP3090 (S-enantiomer), and YKP1983 (racemate) were evaluated in chemically and electrically induced focal and generalized seizure models in rodents.

Ascorbic acid reduces insulin resistance and pancreatic steatosis by regulating adipocyte hypertrophy in obese ovariectomized mice.

Ascorbic acid has been suggested to regulate obesity in obese male rodents. Moreover, increased adipocyte size has been associated with metabolic disease. Thus, we investigated the effects of ascorbic acid on adipocyte hypertrophy and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6J mice, an animal model of obese postmenopausal women.

Stretchable and Skin-Mountable Temperature Sensor Array Using Reduction-Controlled Graphene Oxide for Dermatological Thermography.

Since thermometry of human skin is critical information that provides important aspects of human health and physiology, accurate and continuous temperature measurement is required for the observation of physical abnormalities. However, conventional thermometers are uncomfortable because of their bulky and heavy features. In this work, we fabricated a thin, stretchable array-type temperature sensor using graphene-based materials.

Process Controlled Ruthenium on 2D Engineered V-MXene via Atomic Layer Deposition for Human Healthcare Monitoring.

In searching for unique and unexplored 2D materials, the authors try to investigate for the very first time the use of delaminated V-MXene coupled with precious metal ruthenium (Ru) through atomic layer deposition (ALD) for various contact and noncontact mode of real-time temperature sensing applications at the human-machine interface. The novel delaminated V-MXene (DM-V CT ) engineered ruthenium-ALD (Ru-ALD) temperature sensor demonstrates a competitive sensing performance of 1.11% °C as of only V-MXene of 0.

Ultra-thin membrane filter with a uniformly arrayed nanopore structure for nanoscale separation of extracellular vesicles without cake formation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as vehicles that mediate diverse cell-cell communication. However, in-depth understanding of these vesicles is hampered by a lack of a reliable isolation method to separate different types of EVs with high levels of integrity and purity. Here, we developed a nanoporous and ultra-thin membrane structure (NUTS) that warrants the size-based isolation of EVs without cake formation, minimizing the sample loss during the filtration process.

Micro-/Nano-Structured Biodegradable Pressure Sensors for Biomedical Applications.

The interest in biodegradable pressure sensors in the biomedical field is growing because of their temporary existence in wearable and implantable applications without any biocompatibility issues. In contrast to the limited sensing performance and biocompatibility of initially developed biodegradable pressure sensors, device performances and functionalities have drastically improved owing to the recent developments in micro-/nano-technologies including device structures and materials. Thus, there is greater possibility of their use in diagnosis and healthcare applications.

Fault-Free Protection Level Equation for CLAS PPP-RTK and Experimental Evaluations.

Centimeter level augmentation system (CLAS) of the quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) is the first precise point positioning-real time kinematic (PPP-RTK) augmentation system of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), which is currently providing services for Japan. CLAS broadcasts the state-space representation of correction messages along with integrity messages regarding satellite faults and the quality index of each correction. In other GNSS augmentation systems, such as the space-based augmentation system (SBAS) of GNSS, the quality indices of correction messages are used to generate fault-free protection levels that represent a position bound containing a true user position with a probability of missed detections.

Higher Muscle Mass Protects Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus from Progression to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: We evaluated whether postpartum muscle mass affects the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korean women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A total of 305 women with GDM (mean age, 34.9 years) was prospectively evaluated for incident prediabetes and T2DM from 2 months after delivery and annually thereafter.

Glucocorticoid-Induced Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis after Short-Term Use of Tenofovir with Hypophosphatemia: A Case Report.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is a neuromuscular disorder associated with muscular dysfunction caused by hypokalemia. There are various causes of HPPs and rarely, HPP appears to be relevant to tenofovir or glucocorticoid treatment. There have been several case reports of tenofovir-related nephrotoxicity or tenofovir-induced HPP.

1,2,3-benzotriazole adversely affects early-life stage of Oryzias latipes.

1,2,3-benzotriazole (BT) is used in large amounts around the world and is one of the substances derived from household chemicals that are of concern for risk when discharged to aquatic environments. Therefore, several studies have been conducted on the aquatic toxicity effects of BT, but the chronic impact assessment studies to evaluate the developmental effects on the early-life stage of fish are insufficient. In this study, the acute toxicity test and subchronic toxicity test (fish, early-life stage toxicity test, ELS test) using embryos of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) were performed to evaluate the acute toxicity, developmental toxicity, growth (indicated by total length and weight at the end of the test), and histopathological effect of BT.

Effect of benzotriazole on oxidative stress response and transcriptional gene expression in Oryzias latipes and Danio rerio embryo.

Emerging contaminants (EC) such as benzotriazole are being released into the environment in various ways, therefore it is necessary to understand how organisms are affected by EC. In this study, we exposed medaka (Oryzias latipes) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) during their embryonic period (1 day after hatching) to benzotriazole to investigate its effects on oxidative stress (ROS, GSH, GST, SOD, CAT and MDA) and changes in gene expression patterns. In both medaka and zebrafish, the influence of oxidative stress was confirmed through an increased MDA level and changes in the ROS and GSH levels.

A beneficial role of computer-aided diagnosis system for less experienced physicians in the diagnosis of thyroid nodule on ultrasound.

Ultrasonography (US) is the primary diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules, while the accuracy is operator-dependent. It is widely used not only by radiologists but also by physicians with different levels of experience. The aim of this study was to investigate whether US with computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) has assisting roles to physicians in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Rational Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Oxazolo[4,5-c]-quinolinone Analogs as Novel Interleukin-33 Inhibitors.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is an epithelial-derived cytokine that plays an important role in immune-mediated diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Although IL-33 is considered a potential target for the treatment of allergy-related diseases, no small molecule that inhibits IL-33 has been reported. Based on the structure-activity relationship and in vitro 2D NMR studies employing N-labeled IL-33, we identified that the oxazolo[4,5-c]-quinolinone analog 7 c binds to the interface region of IL-33 and IL-33 receptor (ST2), an orphan receptor of the IL-1 receptor family.

Comparison betweeen dapagliflozin add-on therapy and insulin dose escalation in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes treated with insulin: DVI study.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of adjunct therapy with a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, compared with insulin escalation for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on current insulin therapy.

Methods: A 12-month retrospective case-control study of patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7% on insulin therapy. The study group received add-on therapy with dapagliflozin (10 mg once daily); the control group received titrated increases of their existing insulin dose by a mean of 21.

Fenofibrate Regulates Visceral Obesity and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Obese Female Ovariectomized C57BL/6J Mice.

Fibrates, including fenofibrate, are a class of hypolipidemic drugs that activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which in-turn regulates the expression of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism genes. We investigated whether fenofibrate can reduce visceral obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via adipose tissue PPARα activation in female ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), a mouse model of obese postmenopausal women. Fenofibrate reduced body weight gain (-38%, < 0.

The herbal extract ALS-L1023 from Melissa officinalis reduces weight gain, elevated glucose levels and β-cell loss in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) is a traditional medicinal plant with hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects; however, how it imparts its beneficial effects remains unclear. We thus hypothesized that the herbal extract ALS-L1023, isolated from Melissa officinalis, inhibits obesity and diabetes, and tested our hypothesis using Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, which are an established animal model of type 2 diabetes.

A machine learning framework for computationally expensive transient models.

Transient simulations of dynamic systems, using physics-based scientific computing tools, are practically limited by availability of computational resources and power. While the promise of machine learning has been explored in a variety of scientific disciplines, its application in creation of a framework for computationally expensive transient models has not been fully explored. Here, we present an ensemble approach where one such computationally expensive tool, discrete element method, is combined with time-series forecasting via auto regressive integrated moving average and machine learning methods to simulate a complex pharmaceutical problem: development of an agitation protocol in an agitated filter dryer to ensure uniform solid bed mixing.

Glycemic Efficacy and Metabolic Consequences of an Empagliflozin Add-on versus Conventional Dose-Increasing Strategy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled by Metformin and Sulfonylurea.

Background: We assessed the glucose-lowering efficacy of adding empagliflozin versus dose escalating existing medications in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This was a 6-month retrospective case-control study in subjects with uncontrolled T2D (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] >7%) on conventional treatment. The study group started add-on therapy with empagliflozin (10 mg once a day) while the control group was up-titrated with existing medication, using either monotherapy or a combination of metformin, sulfonylurea, and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor.

Lemon Balm Extract ALS-L1023 Regulates Obesity and Improves Insulin Sensitivity via Activation of Hepatic PPARα in High-Fat Diet-Fed Obese C57BL/6J Mice.

Our previous studies demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activation reduces weight gain and improves insulin sensitivity in obese mice. Since excess lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissues is suggested to be responsible for the development of insulin resistance, this study was undertaken to examine whether the lemon balm extract ALS-L1023 regulates hepatic lipid accumulation, obesity, and insulin resistance and to determine whether its mechanism of action involves PPARα. Administration of ALS-L1023 to high-fat-diet-induced obese mice caused reductions in body weight gain, visceral fat mass, and visceral adipocyte size without changes of food consumption profiles.

Heavy metal and antibiotic co-resistance in Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from shellfish.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major gastroenteritis-causing pathogen in Korea. Recent studies have reported that heavy metal and antimicrobial resistance in bacteria are related. In this study, we investigated heavy metal and antimicrobial resistance in wild strains of V.

The herbal extract ALS-L1023 from Melissa officinalis alleviates visceral obesity and insulin resistance in obese female C57BL/6J mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb to treat stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Current reports suggest that not only chronic stress stimulates angiogenesis, but angiogenesis also regulates adipogenesis and obesity.

Feasibility Analysis of LTE-Based UAS Navigation in Deep Urban Areas and DSRC Augmentation.

The current autonomous navigation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) heavily depends on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). However, in challenging environments, such as deep urban areas, GNSS signals can be easily interrupted, so that UAS may lose navigation capability at any instant. For urban positioning and navigation, Long Term Evolution (LTE) has been considered a promising signal of opportunity due to its dense network in urban areas, and there has recently been great advancement in LTE positioning technology.