Considering both small and large scale motions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial for reliably predicting its binding affinities to DNA aptamers.

Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF), a predominant isoform of VEGF signal proteins, is an ideal target for developing drugs against various diseases. It is composed of a heparin binding domain (HBD) and a receptor binding domain (RBD), which are connected by a flexible linker. Among the two domains, RBD is utilized in binding with the signal transduction protein, the VEGF receptor (VEGFR).

Rice module enhances drought tolerance by regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis genes.

Plants have evolved sophisticated defense systems to enhance drought tolerance. These include the microRNA (miRNA) group of small noncoding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators; however, details of the mechanisms by which they confer drought tolerance are not well understood. Here, we show that , a member of - gene family, is mainly expressed in response to drought stress and regulates the transcript levels of () and in rice ().

Driven to the edge: Species distribution modeling of a Clawed Salamander (Hynobiidae: ) predicts range shifts and drastic decrease of suitable habitats in response to climate change.

Climate change is one of the major threats to global amphibian diversity, and consequently, the species distribution is expected to shift considerably in the future. Therefore, predicting such shifts is important to guide conservation and management plans. Here, we used eight independent environmental variables and four representative concentration pathways (RCPs) to model the current and future habitat suitability of the Korean clawed salamander () and then defined the dispersal limits of the species using cost distance analysis.

Trapping analytes into dynamic hot spots using Tyramine-medicated crosslinking chemistry for designing versatile sensor.

Hypothesis: Due to the intrinsic nature of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the detection of molecules with weak binding affinities toward metal substrates is critical for development of a universal SERS sensing platform. We hypothesized the physical trapping of small pesticide molecules for active hot spot generation using tyramine-mediated crosslinking chemistry and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) enhances SERS detection sensitivity.

Experiments: Tyramine-mediated crosslinking chemistry for sensor application was validated by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and Raman spectroscopy.

Correlation between the TiO encapsulation layer on Pt and its electrochemical behavior.

Supported metal catalysts with partial encapsulation resulting from strong metal-support interactions show distinctive structural features which strongly affect their functionalities. Yet, challenges in systematic synthesis and in-depth characterization for such systems limit the present understanding of structure-property relationships. Herein, the synthesis and characterization of two Pt/TiO models are conducted by a simple change of the synthesis order, while keeping all other parameters constant.

Strategic molecular design of -carboranyl luminophores to manifest thermally activated delayed fluorescence.

In this paper, we propose a strategic molecular design of -carborane-based donor-acceptor dyad system that exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in the solution state at ambient temperature. Planar 9,9-dimethyl-9-fluorene-based compounds with - and -carborane cages appended at the C2-, C3-, and C4-positions of each fluorene moiety (-type: , , , and , and -type: - = [-form of ]·[NBu]) were prepared and characterized. The solid-state molecular structure of exhibited a significantly distorted fluorene plane, which suggests the existence of severe intramolecular steric hindrance.

Increasing Trends in the Incidence and Prevalence of Epilepsy in Korea.

Background And Purpose: There have been few reports on recent trends in the occurrence of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and prevalence of epilepsy and analyze their annual trends in Korea over the period 2009-2017.

Methods: This nationwide population-based study was carried out using the National Health Insurance Service of Korea database.

Fundamentals to Apply Magnetic Nanoparticles for Hyperthermia Therapy.

The activation of magnetic nanoparticles in hyperthermia treatment by an external alternating magnetic field is a promising technique for targeted cancer therapy. The external alternating magnetic field generates heat in the tumor area, which is utilized to kill cancerous cells. Depending on the tumor type and site to be targeted, various types of magnetic nanoparticles, with variable coating materials of different shape and surface charge, have been developed.

Monoolein Cubic Phase Including Hydrophobized Modified Gelatin and Poly(ethyleneimine) and Its Effect on the Stability of Retinyl Palmitate.

Retinyl palmitate (RP) was added in monoolein (MO) cubic phase including decanoyl poly(ethyleneimine) (DePEI) and decanoyl gelatin (DeGel) in its water channel. RP, DePEI, and DeGel was incorporated In the cubic phase without structural disintegration, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetric and polarized optical microscopic analysis showed that adding the additives reduces phase transition temperature of cubic phase by 2 °C to 3 °C.

Extracellular vesicles derived from macrophages display glycyl-tRNA synthetase 1 and exhibit anti-cancer activity.

Glycyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (GARS1), a cytosolic enzyme secreted from macrophages, promotes apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the mechanism underlying GARS1 secretion has not been elucidated. Here, we report that GARS1 is secreted through unique extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a hydrodynamic diameter of 20-58 nm (mean diameter: 36.

Fabrication and characterization of 3D printable nanocellulose-based hydrogels for tissue engineering.

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based hydrogels are considered attractive biomaterials for tissue engineering due to their excellent physicochemical properties. Hydrogels of alginate and gelatin were prepared with or without CNCs and printed using a CELLINK® BIOX 3D bio-printer. The 3D-printed scaffolds were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Morphological keys for identifying long-tailed gorals () and population composition in the Osaek Region of South Korea.

The objectives of this study were to select morphological keys for the identification of individual endangered long-tailed gorals through analysis of photographic data and to use these morphological keys to determine the number and population composition of gorals living in the Osaek Region of Seoraksan National Park. Amongst 8149 photos taken using 73 cameras in the Osaek Region, 2057 photos of faces and horns were analysed. The presence and absence of horns, shape of the horns, proportion of the ring to the length of the horn and facial colour pattern were selected as morphological keys to identify individual gorals.

An unusual presentation of acquired periungual fibrokeratoma: A mixed form of dome-shaped and branching type.

Acquired periungual fibrokeratoma is an uncommon benign fibrous tumour occurring in the periungual area, predominantly the proximal nail fold. We describe a case of acquired periungual fibrokeratoma with an unusual presentation of mixed features including dome-shaped and branching type in order to facilitate the recognition of this variant.

Phytochemical characterization, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of white cabbage extract on the quality and shelf life of raw beef during refrigerated storage.

Brassica vegetables are well-characterized, containing a wide-spectrum of phenolic compounds that are responsible for their diverse biological activities like antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This study explored the preservative effect of var. f.

Bioinspired DNase-I-Coated Melanin-Like Nanospheres for Modulation of Infection-Associated NETosis Dysregulation.

The current outbreak of the beta-coronavirus (beta-Cov) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in December 2019. No specific antiviral treatments or vaccines are currently available. A recent study has reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, is associated with neutrophil-specific plasma membrane rupture, and release excessive neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and extracellular DNAs (eDNAs).

Surface-decorated nanoparticles clicked into nanoparticle clusters for oligonucleotide encapsulation.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are the predominant and representative metal nano-carriers used for the tumor-targeted delivery of therapeutics because they possess advantages such as biocompatibility, high drug loading efficiency, and enhanced accumulation at tumor sites the size-dependent enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In this study, we designed an AuNP functionalized with block polymers comprising polyethylenimine and azide group-functionalized poly(ethyl glycol) for the electrostatic incorporation of cytosine-guanine oligonucleotide (CpG ODN) on the surface. The ODN-incorporated AuNPs were cross-linked to gold nanoparticle clusters (AuNCs) click chemistry using a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 cleavable peptide linker modified with alkyne groups at both ends.

Catalogue of herpetological specimens of the Ewha Womans University Natural History Museum (EWNHM), Republic of Korea.

The herpetology collection of the Ewha Womans University Natural History Museum (EWNHM) represents one of the oldest and largest institutional collections in the Republic of Korea. The specimens deposited in the EWNHM represent a major historical collection of the native herpetofauna, both in species diversity and time span. However, the full inventory of the herpetology collection has never been conducted and thus the collection has received little attention from researchers.

Enhanced osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells on electrospun cellulose nanocrystals/poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers on graphene oxide substrates.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have received a great amount of attention to the production of micro/nano-platforms for tissue engineering applications. CNCs were extracted from rice husk biomass and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. The biocompatibility of the extracted CNCs was revealed by the WST-1 assay technique in the presence of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) after different time intervals.

Biological activities of a garlic- Nakai blend fermented with .

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant- and immune-stimulating activities of various garlic- Nakai blends (fermented and unfermented). The levels of S-allyl cysteine increased by 2.5 times while pectolinarigenin (an anti-inflammatory compound) increased about six times (from 1.

Nanocellulose-based polymer hybrids and their emerging applications in biomedical engineering and water purification.

Nanocellulose, derived from cellulose hydrolysis, has unique optical and mechanical properties, high surface area, and good biocompatibility. It is frequently used as a reinforcing agent to improve the native properties of materials. The presence of functional groups in its surface enables the alteration of its behavior and its use under different conditions.

Development of Theragnostic Tool Using NIR Fluorescence Probe Targeting Mitochondria in Glioma Cells.

Because mitochondria are essential organelles for regulating energy homeostasis and intrinsic apoptosis, the perturbation of mitochondrial functions has been considered as an anticancer treatment. In this study, a new near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe, SiR-Mito11 was developed as a theragnostic agent for brain tumor by targeting mitochondria. SiR-Mito11 exhibited potential anticancer activity against glioma cells but tolerance in normal neuronal cells.

Breeding progress and preparedness for mass-scale deployment of perennial lignocellulosic biomass crops switchgrass, miscanthus, willow and poplar.

Genetic improvement through breeding is one of the key approaches to increasing biomass supply. This paper documents the breeding progress to date for four perennial biomass crops (PBCs) that have high output-input energy ratios: namely (switchgrass), species of the genera (miscanthus), (willow) and (poplar). For each crop, we report on the size of germplasm collections, the efforts to date to phenotype and genotype, the diversity available for breeding and on the scale of breeding work as indicated by number of attempted crosses.

Integrating the Rabinowitz rarity framework with a National Plant Inventory in South Korea.

Increasingly large presence-only survey datasets are becoming available for use in conservation assessments. Potentially, these records could be used to determine spatial patterns of plant species rarity and endemism. We test the integration of a large South Korean species record database with Rabinowitz rarity classes.