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A red-emitting and ratiometric fluorescence probe 1 for detecting H 2 O 2 , based on a styrylnaphthalimide-boronate ester was developed. Upon a H 2 O 2 -mediated hydrolysis of boronate ester, probe 1 was transformed to 2 with a ratiometric fluorescence change, decrease at 535 and increase at 640 nm. It was also found that the fluorescent reaction of 1 with H 2 O 2 in solution could be completed within 10 min and the detection limit was estimated to be 0.30 μM. Moreover, this ratiometric change was highly selective for H 2 O 2 over other redox species, metal ions, and anions. Also, this system was found to be capable of detecting H 2 O 2 in the pH range of 6–9. Furthermore, probe 1 was preferentially accumulated into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the live HeLa cells, and an increased H 2 O 2 level in the presence of an ER stress inducer, thapsigargin was revealed. Image 1 • A red-emitting and ratiometric fluorescence probe for detecting H 2 O 2 was developed. • This probe is based on H 2 O 2 -mediated hydrolysis of styrylnaphthalimide-boronate ester. • This probe can show a selective fluorescence change between 535 and 640 nm to H 2 O 2. • The probe can detect H 2 O 2 within 10 min with the detection limit of 0.30 μM. • This probe can be utilized to monitor H 2 O 2 in the ER of the live cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duration of gene silencing due to the short-term silencing effects induced by exogenous siRNA have limited the therapeutic applications of RNAi and the development of RNAi-based therapeutics. We here generated Eg5 shRNA-expressing plasmids using the inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) sequences to produce Eg5 hairpin RNA under the control of U6 promoter. Using PEGylated DC-Chol/DOPE cationic liposomes, we demonstrated that a single systemic administration of Eg5 shRNA-expressing plasmid/liposome lipoplexes induced the long-term Eg5 silencing in the tumor sites of tumor-bearing mice, and ultimately lead to more sustained anticancer effects than standard synthetic siEg5/liposome lipoplexes. This non-viral Eg5 shRNA expression system had no risk of immunogenicity anticipated in the use of viral vectors, and could reduce the potential of off-target effects by scaling down the administration dose of RNAi therapeutics in patient. Therefore, the sustainable shRNA expression properties in the tumor sites suggest an efficient strategy to overcome the limitations caused by chemically synthesized siRNA methods such as short-term silencing effects and off-target effects. Herein, this study provides a non-viral silencing strategy for inducing long-term Eg5 silencing in vivo and suggests the great potential of Eg5 shRNA-expressing lipoplexes as a DNA-based RNAi therapeutics for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background IL-23 is the key cytokine for generation of pathogenic IL-17–producing helper T (T H 17) cells, which contribute critically to autoimmune diseases. However, how IL-23 generates pathogenic T H 17 cells remains to be elucidated. Objectives We sought to examine the involvement, molecular mechanisms, and clinical implications of prostaglandin (PG) E 2 –EP2/EP4 signaling in induction of IL-23–driven pathogenic T H 17 cells. Methods The role of PGE 2 in induction of pathogenic T H 17 cells was investigated in mouse T H 17 cells in culture in vitro and in an IL-23–induced psoriasis mouse model in vivo. Clinical relevance of the findings in mice was examined by using gene expression profiling of IL-23 and PGE 2 -EP2/EP4 signaling in psoriatic skin from patients. Results IL-23 induces Ptgs2 , encoding COX2 in T H 17 cells, and produces PGE 2 , which acts back on the PGE receptors EP2 and EP4 in these cells and enhances IL-23–induced expression of an IL-23 receptor subunit gene, Il23r , by activating signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, cAMP-responsive element binding protein 1, and nuclear factor κ light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) through cyclic AMP–protein kinase A signaling. This PGE 2 signaling also induces expression of various inflammation-related genes, which possibly function in T H 17 cell–mediated pathology. Combined deletion of EP2 and EP4 selectively in T cells suppressed accumulation of IL-17A+ and IL-17A+IFN-γ+ pathogenic Th17 cells and abolished skin inflammation in an IL-23–induced psoriasis mouse model. Analysis of human psoriatic skin biopsy specimens shows positive correlation between PGE 2 signaling and the IL-23/T H 17 pathway. Conclusions T cell–intrinsic EP2/EP4 signaling is critical in IL-23–driven generation of pathogenic T H 17 cells and consequent pathogenesis in the skin. Graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A naphthalimide-indoline hybrid ( 1 ) was developed as a pH-sensitive turn-on fluorescent probe. Probe 1 displays a weak fluorescence intensity in pH span of 2.5–11.0 owing to a photo-induced electron transfer (PET) from the indoline moiety to the naphthalimide. However, the PET process is suppressed under the pH of 2.5, showing a strong fluorescence signal at 430 nm. The turn-on fluorescent change of 1 is selective for the acidity (H + ) over other anions, metal ions, redox species and it displays a good reversibility. Moreover, glass TLC plates coated with probe 1 can readily detect acid vapors at an ambient atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Academic resilience of a previous time point affects resilience at a later time • Emotional engagement of a previous time point affects engagement at a later time • Academic resilience predicted emotional engagement of EWPS Project participants • Emotional engagement did not predict academic resilience Rapid economic growth in Korean society has widened the social and educational gaps among children. This study examines the reciprocal relationship between academic resilience and emotional engagement and the effect of participation in Korea's Educational Welfare Priority Project from a longitudinal perspective. Elementary and middle schools were studied for three years (2015–2017), with 820 students involved in the first year, 911 in the second, and 837 in the third. The results show that academic resilience predicted emotional engagement at a later time point only for project participants, but emotional engagement did not predict academic resilience. This study reveals the importance of psychological resources, such as academic resilience, for disadvantaged students and has implications for educational welfare policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although gas chromatography is the gold standard for detecting the persistent organic pollutant dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a quick and easy alternative is needed to detect this highly toxic pesticide in food and household products. Therefore, we developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based assay for the sensitive detection of DDT. The mAb used in our assay demonstrated favourable binding affinity in the nanomolar range against 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA), a DDT analogue, which is considered higher than commercially developed antibodies. By optimizing the assay conditions, we were able to detect DDT and its closely related compounds, including dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), and isomeric impurities. Our dot blotting assay demonstrated a detection limit of 0.9 ng/mL for DDT. Using computational modelling, we predicted the structure of the mAb and its interaction with DDT. Overall, this study provides insights for engineering mAb with improved sensitivity, facilitates point-of-care detection of toxic chemicals, including DDT, and offers a vital method for food safety monitoring and environmental protection. [Display omitted] • A sensitive monoclonal Ab-based assay detecting DDT and its derivatives is reported. • A detection limit of 0.9 ng/mL was demonstrated for DDT. • DDT spiked in milk and various juice samples was successfully quantified. • The antibody structure and its interaction with DDT were predicted. • This assay can be practically used to monitor potential DDT contamination in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to paleoparasitology's relatively late beginnings, the fundamental data necessary for any reasonably complete understanding of parasitic infection patterns in Korean history remains insufficient. Especially with respect to ancient samples dating to before the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910 CE), few cases have been analyzed by parasitological techniques. In the present study, we therefore undertook a series of paleoparasitological examinations of archaeological samples from the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BCE–935 CE). Specifically, in soil samples obtained from shell midden and mountain top fortress sites, we observed Ascaris lumbricoides , Trichuris trichiura , Dicrocoelid and Taenia sp. eggs. The results of our current investigation of strata and samples from the prosperous first-millennium era of the Silla Kingdom are encouraging for a comprehensive understanding of the parasitic infection patterns in the earlier days of Korean history that could not be obtained by any previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]