Tensile Behavior Assessment of Grid-Type CFRP Textile-Reinforced Mortar with Different Design Variables.

This study investigates the tensile behavior of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) under various design variables to enhance understanding and application in construction structures. TRM reinforced with CFRP grids is highly effective for strengthening existing structures due to its lightweight nature, durability, ease of installation, and corrosion resistance. The research aims to evaluate how design parameters such as the CFRP grid type, mortar matrix strength (influenced by the water-to-cement ratio), specimen length, and grid width affect TRM's mechanical properties.

Periodically Ordered Wrinkles in Gradient Patterned Polymer Stripes.

We demonstrated a versatile and robust strategy to create spatially defined periodic wrinkles in gradient striped polymer films through the coupled process of controlled evaporative self-assembly (CESA) and mechanically driven surface wrinkling. The mechanical properties of patterned-gradient polymer thin films were investigated by wrinkling methodology in a fast and simple manner. Understanding of the complex wrinkles can provide insights into the growth mechanism of most biological species that can be explained by competition between bending and stretching energies, e.

The First Report of the Aphid Genus (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Laos, with a Description of a New Species and Its Taxonomic Position.

In this paper, the aphid genus Takahashi, 1960 is reported for the first time from Laos. A detailed description of the apterous viviparous female of a new species, () sp. nov.

The Phytochemical Properties of Low-Grade Longan Syrup and Its Potential Use as a Dietary Supplement for Honey Bees.

Climate change significantly affects honey bee populations and their access to natural food sources, demanding alternative economic feed sources. Longan stands out as the most important fruit crop in Southeast Asia, but with a surplus of low-grade fruit that is not suitable for the market. This study investigates the potential of longan syrup as an alternative carbohydrate source for honey bees by measuring sugar composition, phytochemical profiles, feed, and survival, as well as the resulting gut microbial changes.

Ecological and Biological Studies of Two Larval Parasitoids on Two Vectors of the Pinewood Nematode in South Korea.

Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode, affects , Siebold and Zucc., and Parl. in South Korea.

Assessment of the Potential Suitable Habitat of Chevrolat, 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Under Climate Change and Human Activities Based on the Biomod2 Ensemble Model.

Effective use of species distribution models can assess the risk of spreading forest pests. In this study, based on 434 occurrence records and eight environmental variables, an ensemble model was applied to identify key environmental factors affecting the distribution of Chevrolat, 1852 and predict its potential habitat and its relative areas of change under current and future climatic conditions. The results indicate that humidity, solar radiation, topography, and human activities were the main factors influencing the distribution of .

Correction: Hong et al. Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Licochalcone A through ROS-Mediated Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Bladder Cancer Cells. 2019, , 3820.

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Comparative Analysis of Symmetry Parameters in the E2 Inner Core of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex.

Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have facilitated the high-resolution structural determination of macromolecular complexes in their native states, providing valuable insights into their dynamic behaviors. However, insufficient understanding or experience with the cryo-EM image processing parameters can result in the loss of biological meaning. In this paper, we investigate the dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2) inner core complex of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and reconstruct the 3D maps using five different symmetry parameters.

Jeju Citrus () Leaf Extract and Hesperidin Inhibit Small Intestinal α-Glucosidase Activities and Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Animal Model.

Citrus fruits are widely distributed in East Asia, and tea made from citrus peels has demonstrated health benefits, such as a reduction in fever, inflammation, and high blood pressure. However, citrus leaves have not been evaluated extensively for their possible health benefits. In this study, the α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity of Jeju citrus hot-water (CW) and ethyl alcohol (CE) extracts, along with hesperidin (HP) (a bioactive compound in citrus leaf extracts), was investigated, and furthermore, their effect on postprandial blood glucose reduction in an animal model was determined.

Antiviral Activity of Extracts and Dieckol Against Zika Virus.

and its major compound dieckol, both natural marine products, possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating effects. Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus from the family, is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes serious illnesses in humans. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-ZIKV potential of and dieckol.

Adoptive Transfer of CX3CR1-Transduced Tregs Homing to the Forebrain in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation and 3xTg Alzheimer's Disease Models.

CX3CR1-transduced regulatory T cells (Tregs) have shown potential in reducing neuroinflammation by targeting microglial activation. Reactive microglia are implicated in neurological disorders, and CX3CR1-CX3CL1 signaling modulates microglial activity. The ability of CX3CR1-transduced Tregs to inhibit LPS-induced neuroinflammation was assessed in animal models.

CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) Regulates Calcium Deposition in Smooth Muscle Cells.

Calcium deposition in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), a form of ectopic ossification in blood vessels, can result in rigidity of the vasculature and an increase in cardiac events. Here, we report that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) potentiates calcium deposition in VSMCs and mouse aorta induced by inorganic phosphate (Pi) or vitamin D. Based on cDNA microarray and RNA sequencing data of Pi-treated rat VSMCs, C/EBPβ was found to be upregulated and thus selected for further evaluation.

Characterization of Site-Specific N- and O-Glycopeptides from Recombinant Spike and ACE2 Glycoproteins Using LC-MS/MS Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in hundreds of millions of infections and millions of deaths globally. Although vaccination campaigns are mitigating the pandemic, emerging viral variants continue to pose challenges. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 plays a critical role in viral entry by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, making both proteins essential targets for therapeutic and vaccine development.

Plasticity in Gene Expression Patterns and Gene Possibly Involved in the Etofenprox-Resistant Population of White-Backed Planthopper, .

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH) poses a significant threat to rice crops globally. A bioassay was conducted on three WBPH populations collected from Korean rice fields to assess the effectiveness of five insecticides, including etofenprox and fenobucarb. The results showed a mortality rate of over 97% at the recommended concentration for carbamate and organophosphate insecticides.

Embryoid Body Test: A Simple and Reliable Alternative Developmental Toxicity Test.

The increasing emphasis on animal welfare and ethics, as well as the considerable time and cost involved with animal testing, have prompted the replacement of many aspects of animal testing with alternative methods. In the area of developmental toxicity, the embryonic stem cell test (EST) has played a significant role. The EST evaluates toxicity using mouse embryonic stem cells and somatic cells and observes the changes in heartbeat after cardiac differentiation.

Essential Role of Cortactin in Myogenic Differentiation: Regulating Actin Dynamics and Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor A-Serum Response Factor (MRTFA-SRF) Signaling.

Cortactin (CTTN) is an actin-binding protein regulating actin polymerization and stabilization, which are vital processes for maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis. Despite the established function of CTTN in actin cytoskeletal dynamics, its role in the myogenic differentiation of progenitor cells remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of CTTN in the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts by analyzing its effects on actin cytoskeletal remodeling, myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTFA) nuclear translocation, serum response factor (SRF) activation, expression of myogenic transcription factors, and myotube formation.

Indocyanine Blue (ICB) as a Functional Alternative to Indocyanine Green (ICG) for Enhanced 700 nm NIR Imaging.

Despite significant advancements in bioimaging technology, only a limited number of fluorophores are currently approved for clinical applications. Indocyanine green (ICG) is the first FDA-approved near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore and has significantly advanced clinical interventions over the past three decades. However, its single-channel imaging at 800 nm emission is often insufficient for capturing comprehensive diagnostic information during surgery.

Cannabichromene as a Novel Inhibitor of Th2 Cytokine and JAK/STAT Pathway Activation in Atopic Dermatitis Models.

Cannabichromene (CBC) is one of the main cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and although less well known than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), it is gaining attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. To date, CBC's known mechanisms of action include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and anti-acne effects through TRP channel activation and the inhibition of inflammatory pathways, suggesting that it may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), but its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of CBC on Th2 cytokines along with the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways involved in AD pathogenesis.

PM2.5 Exposure Triggers Hypothalamic Oxidative and ER Stress Leading to Depressive-like Behaviors in Rats.

Epidemiological studies have linked fine dust pollution to depression, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are known contributors to depression, but their induction by particulate matter (PM), particularly PM2.5, in animal models has been limited.

Causal Relationship Between Physical Activity and Thymic Tumors Mediated by Circulating Cytokines: A Mendelian Randomization Mediation Analysis.

Physical activity reduces chronic disease risk and enhances immune function, but its causal relationship with thymic tumors-rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum-remains unclear. This study investigated whether physical activity reduces thymic tumor risk and whether circulating cytokines mediate this effect. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genetic variants as instrumental variables for physical activity and cytokines.

Blocking the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 2 (S1P) Reduces the Severity of Collagen-Induced Arthritis in DBA-1J Mice.

The amount of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) found in the synovial tissue of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis is five times greater than that in those with osteoarthritis. Our study aims to determine whether inhibiting S1P can mitigate collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) by using an S1P antagonist, JTE-013, alongside DBA-1J wild-type (WT) and knock-out (KO) mice. CIA causes increases in arthritis scores, foot swelling, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, proteoglycan depletion, cartilage damage, and bone erosion, but these effects are markedly reduced when JTE-013 is administered to WT mice.

Chondroprotective Effect of Extract in Primary Chondrocytes and Rat OA Model.

() was extracted using fermented ethanol. The effect of fermented ethanol extract of (FeCH) on chondrocyte viability was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-iphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, which showed no cytotoxicity at 2 mg/mL. FeCH pretreatment in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes significantly inhibited the accumulation of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E, which was analyzed using the ELISA assay.

Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Cell-Type-Specific Roles of Human Odorant Receptors in Glioblastoma and the Tumor Microenvironment.

Odorant receptors (ORs), which constitute approximately 50% of all human G protein-coupled receptors, are increasingly recognized for their diverse roles beyond odor perception, including functions in various pathological conditions like brain diseases and cancers. However, the roles of ORs in glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive primary brain tumor with a median survival of only 15 months, remain largely unexplored. Here, we performed an integrated transcriptomic analysis combining The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing data from GBM patients to uncover cell-type-specific roles of ORs within the tumor and its microenvironment.

Protective Effects of Fasudil Against Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Zebrafish: An In Vivo Study.

While cisplatin is an effective anti-tumor treatment, it induces ototoxicity through mechanisms involving DNA damage, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death. Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) is essential for numerous cellular processes, including apoptosis regulation. Studies have suggested that ROCK inhibitors could prevent apoptosis and promote regeneration.

TRAPPopathies: Severe Multisystem Disorders Caused by Variants in Genes of the Transport Protein Particle (TRAPP) Complexes.

The TRAPP (TRAnsport Protein Particle) protein complex is a multi-subunit complex involved in vesicular transport between intracellular compartments. The TRAPP complex plays an important role in endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi and Golgi-to-plasma membrane transport, as well as autophagy. TRAPP complexes comprise a core complex, TRAPPI, and the association of peripheral protein subunits to make two complexes, known as TRAPPII and TRAPPIII, which act as Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs) of Rab11 and Rab1, respectively.