The dynamic history of gymnosperm plastomes: Insights from structural characterization, comparative analysis, phylogenomics, and time divergence.

Gymnosperms are among the most endangered groups of plant species; they include ginkgo, pines (Conifers I), cupressophytes (Conifers II), cycads, and gnetophytes. The relationships among the five extant gymnosperm groups remain equivocal. We analyzed 167 available gymnosperm plastomes and investigated their diversity and phylogeny.

Developing Growth-Associated Molecular Markers Via High-Throughput Phenotyping in Spinach.

High-throughput imaging and genomic information can be combined to optimize marker development. Genome-wide association studies identified loci associated with plant growth traits. We identified candidate genes associated with plant growth and development.

Tie2-mediated vascular remodeling by ferritin-based protein C nanoparticles confers antitumor and anti-metastatic activities.

Background: Conventional therapeutic approaches for tumor angiogenesis, which are primarily focused on the inhibition of active angiogenesis to starve cancerous cells, target the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway. This aggravates hypoxia within the tumor core and ultimately leads to increased tumor proliferation and metastasis. To overcome this limitation, we developed nanoparticles with antiseptic activity that target tumor vascular abnormalities.

Development of a real-time automated monitoring system for managing the hazardous environmental pollutants at the construction site.

The management of noise, vibration, and dust, which are hazardous pollutants from construction sites, is essential to minimize the health damage of the nearby residents and the economic damage of construction companies due to pollutants from construction sites. For the effective management of hazardous pollutants, their emissions from construction sites must be identified immediately and accurately. Therefore, this study developed a real-time automated monitoring system named "MOnitoring for Noise, Vibration, and Dust (MONVID)" for comprehensively measuring the hazardous environmental pollutants and managing them in real-time.

Inhibitory Effects of Pectinase-Treated Prunus Mume Fruit Concentrate on Colorectal Cancer Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Endothelial Cells.

Pectinase is a well-known enzyme used in the food processing industry to produce fruit juice and concentrate. This study evaluated the anticancer and antiangiogenesis activities of pectinase-treated Prunus mume fruit concentrate (PC) and its phenolic components. PC treatment (250 to 1,000 µg/mL) resulted in decreased proliferation of SW480 human colorectal cancer cells through S-phase cell cycle arrest; however, equivalent concentrations of PC did not show toxicity toward CRL-1539 colon normal cells.

Grape Peel Extract and Resveratrol Inhibit Wrinkle Formation in Mice Model Through Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway.

Considering the anti-photoaging effect of antioxidant compounds, we investigated the protective capacity of grape peel extract (GPE) and resveratrol on ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin wrinkle formation. Total phenolic, total anthocyanin, and total flavonoid content in GPE prepared from peel of Campbell Early variety were 23.96 ± 0.

Influence of aging process on the bioactive components and antioxidant activity of ginseng (Panax ginseng L.).

The effects of aging process on the ginsenosides and antioxidant activity of ginseng was investigated. Fresh ginseng roots were aged in oven at 70 or 80 °C for 7, 14, 21, or 28 d. Their ginsenosides, phenolics, and antioxidant activity were analyzed.

Detection of prefracture hip lesions in atypical subtrochanteric fracture with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry images.

Purpose: To retrospectively assess how often and how early hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images show prefracture lesions in patients with atypical subtrochanteric fracture (ASF) and determine whether DXA images with assessment of prodromal symptoms could be used for early ASF prediction.

Materials And Methods: The retrospective research protocol complied with HIPAA and was institutional review board approved, with waiver of informed consent. Among 62 women with ASF, nine without hip DXA images and seven without clear documentation of prodromal symptoms were excluded.

Simultaneous enhancement of free isoflavone content and antioxidant potential of soybean by fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae.

In order to determine the fungal strain and fermentation period which produce the highest antioxidant activity of fermented soy product, soybean was fermented with Aspergillus oryzae NL 5 isolated from Korean traditional meju produced in Sunchang Yeastopia Land in Korea, and was subjected to analyzing isoflavone profiles and assaying antioxidant activity. Antioxidant potential of the samples was evaluated by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, 2,2'-azinobis (2-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity and total phenolic contents. In addition, antioxidant assay using fluorescent probes, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and dihydroethidium, in HepG2 cells was conducted for the samples.

Small intestinal model for electrically propelled capsule endoscopy.

The aim of this research is to propose a small intestine model for electrically propelled capsule endoscopy. The electrical stimulus can cause contraction of the small intestine and propel the capsule along the lumen. The proposed model considered the drag and friction from the small intestine using a thin walled model and Stokes' drag equation.

Effect of oryzanol and ferulic acid on the glucose metabolism of mice fed with a high-fat diet.

The effects of oryzanol and ferulic acid on the glucose metabolism of high-fat-fed mice were investigated. Male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: NC group fed with normal control diet; HF group fed with high-fat (17%) diet; HF-O group fed with high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5% oryzanol; and HF-FA group fed with high-fat diet supplemented with 0.

Ischemia induces regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2) protein upregulation and enhances apoptosis in astrocytes.

Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) family members, such as RGS2, interact with Galpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, accelerating the rate of GTP hydrolysis and attenuating the intracellular signaling triggered by the G protein-coupled receptor-ligand interaction. They are also reported to regulate G protein-effector interactions and form multiprotein signaling complexes. Ischemic stress-induced changes in RGS2 expression have been described in astrocytes, and these changes are associated with intracellular signaling cascades, suggesting that RGS2 upregulation may be an important mechanism by which astrocytes may regulate RGS2 function in response to physiological stress.

Increased AQP2 targeting in primary cultured IMCD cells in response to angiotensin II through AT1 receptor.

Vasopressin and angiotensin II (ANG II) play a major role in renal water and Na(+) reabsorption. We previously demonstrated that ANG II AT(1) receptor blockade decreases dDAVP-induced water reabsorption and AQP2 levels in rats, suggesting cross talk between these two peptide hormones (Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 288: F673-F684, 2005). To directly address this issue, primary cultured inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells from male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 15 min with 1) vehicle, 2) ANG II, 3) ANG II + the AT(1) receptor blocker candesartan, 4) dDAVP, 5) ANG II + dDAVP, or 6) ANG II + dDAVP + candesartan.