Neoantigen-Displaying Protein Nanoparticles as a Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine Against Melanoma.

Although interest in peptide-based cancer vaccines has surged in the era of personalized immunotherapy enabled by the discovery of neoantigens, the effective generation of neoantigen-specific T cell responses has been limited. Here, a Brucella BP26 protein-based nanoparticle displaying the MHC class II-restricted melanoma neoantigen, M30, is reported for use as a therapeutic cancer vaccine. Genetic engineering of 10 tandem repeats of the M30 neoepitope to a BP26 monomer results in the self-assembled, neoantigen-displaying protein nanoparticles (BP26-M30 NPs).

Investigating Activity Recognition for Hemiparetic Stroke Patients Using Wearable Sensors: A Deep Learning Approach with Data Augmentation.

Measuring the daily use of an affected limb after hospital discharge is crucial for hemiparetic stroke rehabilitation. Classifying movements using non-intrusive wearable sensors provides context for arm use and is essential for the development of a home rehabilitation system. However, the movement classification of stroke patients poses unique challenges, including variability and sparsity.

Fast, sensitive, and specific multiplexed single-molecule detection of circulating tumor DNA.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis has emerged as a highly promising non-invasive assay for detection and monitoring of cancer. However, identification of multiple point-mutant ctDNAs, particularly at extremely low frequencies in early cancer stages, remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, we present a multiplexed ctDNA detection technique, SIMUL (single-molecule detection of multiple low-frequency mutations).

Autonomy support encourages use of more-affected arm post-stroke.

Background: Autonomy support, which involves providing individuals the ability to control their own behavior, is associated with improved motor control and learning in various populations in clinical and non-clinical settings. This study aimed to investigate whether autonomy support combined with an information technology (IT) device facilitated success in using the more-affected arm during training in individuals with stroke. Consequently, we examined whether increased success influenced the use of the more-affected arm in mild to moderate subacute to chronic stroke survivors.

Metabolite Profiling to Evaluate Metabolic Changes in Genetically Modified Protopanaxadiol-Enriched Rice.

Event DS rice producing protopanaxadiol (PPD) has been previously developed by inserting dammarenediol-II synthase gene () and PPD synthase gene (). We performed a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics of the DS rice to identify metabolic alterations as the effects of genetic engineering by measuring the contents of 65 metabolites in seeds and 63 metabolites in leaves. Multivariate analysis and one-way analysis of variance between DS and non-genetically modified (GM) rice showed that DS rice accumulated fewer tocotrienols, tocopherols, and phytosterols than non-GM rice.

Pathogenic Role of RAGE in Tau Transmission and Memory Deficits.

Background: In tauopathies, brain regions with tau accumulation strongly correlate with clinical symptoms, and spreading of misfolded tau along neural network leads to disease progression. However, the underlying mechanisms by which tau proteins enter neurons during pathological propagation remain unclear.

Methods: To identify membrane receptors responsible for neuronal propagation of tau oligomers, we established a cell-based tau uptake assay and screened complementary DNA expression library.

Effect of changing the lying posture angle by changing the bed posture on the average pressure, maximum pressure, and pressure area in the hip region.

Background: An electric bed can easily change posture from a lying position and was effective in preventing pressure ulcer.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the optimal posture for the prevention of pressure ulcers by analyzing pressure changes applied to the pelvic region.

Methods: Pressure changes resulting from lateral rotations of the body using an electronic adjustable bed and changes in the posture and angles of the trunk and knees were assessed.

Cisplatin fastens chromatin irreversibly even at a high chloride concentration.

Cisplatin is one of the most potent anti-cancer drugs developed so far. Recent studies highlighted several intriguing roles of histones in cisplatin's anti-cancer effect. Thus, the effect of nucleosome formation should be considered to give a better account of the anti-cancer effect of cisplatin.

Active Aging In Long-Term Care Facilities In Korea : Beyond The Lexical Meaning.

The discourse of active aging, as introduced by the WHO, aims at optimizing older adults' opportunities for health, participation, and security that could eventually enhance their social integration and quality of life. Considering that even those with frailty could strive for active aging in the given circumstances, we examined the meaning of active aging in long-term care settings and care strategies to promote it based on the WHO's framework. We conducted interviews with a total of 35 participants.

Antigen-Presenting, Self-Assembled Protein Nanobarrels as an Adjuvant-Free Vaccine Platform against Influenza Virus.

Although naturally occurring, self-assembled protein nanoarchitectures have been utilized as antigen-delivery carriers, and the inability of such carriers to elicit immunogenicity requires additional use of strong adjuvants. Here, we report an immunogenic outer membrane protein BP26-derived nanoarchitecture displaying the influenza extracellular domain of matrix protein-2 (M2e) as a vaccine platform against influenza virus. Genetic engineering of a monomeric BP26 containing four or eight tandem repeats of M2e resulted in a hollow barrel-shaped nanoarchitecture (BP26-M2e nanobarrel).

Simultaneous determination of eight arginine-related metabolites in cellular extracts using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple, sensitive, and rapid liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of arginine and its pathway-related metabolites (ornithine, proline, citrulline, glutamate, agmatine, spermidine, and spermine) in cellular extracts. Cells were lysed and cellular proteins precipitated by the addition of acetonitrile followed by ultra-sonication. Supernatants were analyzed using a Chromolith High Resolution RP-18 endcapped column (100 × 4.

Plasma metabolites as possible biomarkers for diagnosis of breast cancer.

Metabolomic approaches have been used to identify new diagnostic biomarkers for various types of cancers, including breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers of breast cancer using plasma metabolic profiling. Furthermore, we analyzed whether these biomarkers had relationships with clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer.

Determination of motolimod concentration in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study.

Motolimod (VTX-2337) is an agonist of toll-like receptor 8. In this study, a novel and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for quantifying motolimod in rat plasma and subsequently used in a pharmacokinetic study. Proteins were precipitated from plasma samples using acetonitrile prior to the analysis.

Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 Activities by Extract and Its Prenylated Flavonoids in Human Liver Microsomes.

possesses several pharmacological properties and has been widely used for the treatment of diarrhea, inflammation, abscess, dysentery, and fever in East Asian countries. is a major source of prenylated flavonoids, such as sophoraflavone and kushenol. In this study, we examined the effects of extract and its prenylated flavonoids on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform activity in human liver microsomes.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of recombinant human extracellular superoxide dismutase (rhSOD3) in mouse plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study.

The antioxidant enzyme human extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is a promising biopharmaceutical candidate for the treatment of various diseases. To support the early development of SOD3 as a biopharmaceutical, a simple, sensitive, and rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry procedure was developed and validated for the determination of SOD3 levels in the plasma of ICR mice. After purification with Ni-NTA magnetic beads and digestion with trypsin, SOD3 signature peptides and internal standard signature peptide (ISP) were separated via high performance liquid chromatography using a Zorbax C column (2.

Anticancer effects of a novel chroman analog in HeLa cells are associated with G2‑phase arrest and mitochondrial‑mediated apoptosis.

In the present study, the anticancer activity of 1‑[(3S,4R)‑2,2‑dimethyl‑3‑oxo‑4‑(2‑piperidonyl)chroman‑6‑yl]‑3‑phenylurea (S32) was investigated by testing its effect in vitro on the growth of HeLa cells. First, we showed that the IC50 value of S32 was ~70 µM by using WST‑8 assay, and that it significantly inhibited the proliferation and viability of HeLa cells in a dose‑dependent manner after 48 h. Morphological changes in apoptotic cells included cellular shrinkage and nuclear condensation.

Antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory activities of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in cultured mammalian cell lines.

Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of ginsenosides that are the well-known bioactive principles of Panax ginseng. Among the two stereoisomeric forms of Rg3, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 [20(S)-Rg3] is predominant. 20(S)-Rg3 is capable of suppressing the nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) productions induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.