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Bird deaths due to collisions with artificial structures, such as glass windows of buildings and transparent noise barriers, are continuing to occur in South Korea. The government is trying to prevent bird collisions by increasing the attachment of specially designed tapes to help birds avoid windows. This article estimates the economic benefits arising from the prevention of collisions by applying a choice experiment (CE). For this purpose, a CE survey of 1000 South Korean interviewees was conducted. The four attributes to be attached with the tapes for the CE application were a transparent soundproof wall window on an expressway, a transparent soundproof wall window on a general road, a glass window in a public building, and a glass window in a private building. The unit was the percentage of each structure with the tapes attached to the window. The marginal values of a one-unit (1%p) increase in each attribute were computed to be KRW 534 (USD 0.46), KRW 233 (USD 0.20), KRW 1,318 (USD 1.13), and KRW 12,930 (USD 11.05), respectively. This quantitative information will be an important reference for implementing the prevention policy. For example, based on the collision prevention of 1000 birds per structure, the priority for attaching tapes can be placed in the order of expressways, public buildings, private buildings, and general roads.

Background This study aimed to identify the healthcare providers’ experience and perspectives toward end-of-life care decisions focusing on end-of-life discussion and physician’s order of life-sustaining treatment documentation in Korea which are major parts of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Act. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire developed by the authors. A total of 474 subjects—94 attending physicians, 87 resident physicians, and 293 nurses—participated in the survey, and the data analysis was performed in terms of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation using the SPSS 24.0 program. Results Study results showed that respondents were aware of terminal illness and physician’s order of life-sustaining treatment in Korea well enough except for some details. Physicians reported uncertainty in terminal state diagnosis and disease trajectory as the most challenging. Study participants regarded factors (related to relationships and communications) on the healthcare providers’ side as the major impediment to end-of-life discussion. Study respondents suggested that simplification of the process and more staff are required to facilitate end-of-life discussion and documentation. Conclusion Based on the study results, adequate education and training for better end-of-life discussion are required for future practice. Also, a simple and clear procedure for completing a physician’s order of life-sustaining treatment in Korea should be prepared and legal and ethical advice would be required. Since the enactment of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Act, several revisions already have been made including disease categories, thus continuous education to update and support clinicians is also called for.

A multicenter prospective study to evaluate the feasibility of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) in oncology practice was conducted between June and December 2017. Factors associated with POLST completion and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Patients with terminal cancer, aged ≥ 20 years and capable of communicating, were enrolled from seven hospitals. Demographic data were collected and updated in February 2021. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted.Among 336 patients, 105 (31.3%) completed POLST, which was more common in male (p = 0.029), patients with better performance (p 0.001), longer duration of follow-up (p = 0.037), and those living with children (p = 0.023). Male (odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-3.51; p = 0.012), having good performance status (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, (1.35-4.19); p = 0.003), transferred from other departments (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, (0.26-0.98); p = 0.045), and living with children (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, (1.11-3.47); p = 0.020) were significant predictors of POLST completion. Patients who completed POLST were more likely to enroll in hospice care (p = 0.012) or experience out-of-hospital death (p = 0.016) at end-of-life (EOL). POLST completion showed a strong association with hospice enrollment at EOL (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, (1.08-6.32); p = 0.033).Gender, patient performance, timing of POLST discussion, and type of household were associated with POLST completion. Earlier discussions on POLST could reinforce hospice enrollment or non-aggressive EOL care.

High arsenic (As) concentration in groundwater is a major source of As contamination in crops, increasing toxicity, and risk of severe human health problems. This study aims to determine the As-responsive Really Interesting New Gene (RING) E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase gene, OsAIR4, involved in As tolerance mechanisms in rice via the Ub/26S proteasome system. We showed that OsAIR4 had two splicing variants of OsAIR4.1 and OsAIR4.2, and their expression patterns were highly induced in response to As stress in root tissues. An in vitro ubiquitination assay showed that both OsAIR4.1 and OsAIR4.2 possess E3 ligase activity. We found that both OsAIR4 proteins were localized in the cytoplasm of rice protoplasts. Heterogeneous overexpression of OsAIR4.1 and OsAIR4.2 in Arabidopsis showed As tolerance in seed germination, root growth, and whole plant growth compared with control plants under As stress conditions. This study suggests that OsAIR4 may be involved in the plant response to As stress and acts as a positive regulator of stress tolerance.

We investigated the molecular mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance in TNBC using seven patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and TNBC cell lines. Among the seven PDX models, four models showed resistance to paclitaxel. Dysregulation of JAK/STAT pathways and JAK2 copy number gains were observed in the four paclitaxel-resistant PDX tumors. In TNBC cell lines, silencing the JAK2 gene showed a significant but mild synergistic effect when combined with paclitaxel in vitro. However, JAK1/2 inhibitor treatment resulted in restoration of paclitaxel sensitivity in two out of four paclitaxel-resistant PDX models and JAK1/2 inhibitor alone significantly suppressed the tumor growth in one out of the two remaining PDX models. Transcriptome data derived from the murine microenvironmental cells revealed an enrichment of genes involved in the cell cycle processes among the four paclitaxel-resistant PDX tumors. Histologic examination of those PDX tumor tissues showed increased Ki67-positive fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment. Among the four different cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes, cycling CAF exhibiting features of active cell cycle was enriched in the paclitaxel-resistant PDX tumors. Additionally, fibroblasts treated with the conditioned media from the JAK2-silenced breast cancer cells showed downregulation of cell cycle-related genes. Our data suggest that the JAK2 gene may play a critical role in determining responses of TNBC to paclitaxel by modulating the intrinsic susceptibility of cancer cells against paclitaxel and also by eliciting functional transitions of CAF subtypes in the tumor microenvironment. KEY MESSAGES : We investigated the molecular mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance in TNBC. JAK2 signaling was associated with paclitaxel resistance in TNBC PDX models. Paclitaxel-resistant PDX tumors were enriched with microenvironment cCAF subpopulation. JAK2 regulated paclitaxel-resistant CAF phenotype transition.

The South Korean government is seeking information on the environmental conservation value (ECV) of Cypripedium japonicum, a plant on the first-level priority endangered species list of the Korea Ministry of Environment, as well as on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This research paper aims to assess the ECV by employing contingent valuation (CV) to elicit people's willingness to pay (WTP) for its conservation. To achieve this aim, in May 2020, a CV survey of 1,000 interviewees in South Korea was carried out employing a closed-ended question. The average household WTP is estimated to be KRW 3,770 (USD 3.07) per annum and secures statistical significance. From a national point of view, using information on the national population, this value comes to KRW 76.72 billion (USD 62.42 million) per year. Although the cost of conserving the species has not yet been accurately estimated, the ECV seems to be larger than the cost of conservation. Thus, it is socially desirable to conserve Cypripedium japonicum, and the conservation should be carried out in a stable and continuous manner.

This study analyzed the effect of parental supervision of infants at age 4 to 6 months on injuries at age 4 to 12 months. Among all Korean children born during 2008–2009, 464,326 (50.6%) infant had parents who responded to a questionnaire that surveyed their safety and supervision when infant were 4 to 6 months-old. Based on questionnaire score, infant were divided into “safe” or “unsafe” group. 1:1 propensity score matching was used to balance the groups, and injury diagnosis and treatments were analyzed. After matching, we examined the records of 405,862 infant. The unsafe group had significantly increased risk ratios (RRs) for injury of head/neck (RR: 1.06), trunk/abdominopelvic region (RR: 1.12), upper extremities (RR: 1.04), and from burn and frostbite (RR: 1.10). The risks of a wound and fracture and foreign body injury were significantly greater in infant whose parents sometimes left them alone (RR: 1.15 and 1.06, respectively), and whose parents did not always keep their eyes on them (RR: 1.04 and 1.13, respectively). Infant whose parents had a hot drink when carrying them had an increased risk of burn injuries (RR: 1.21). Injuries were less common in infant whose parents provided more supervision.

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is widely used in tissue engineering. The natural polymer hyaluronic acid (HA) shows excellent biocompatibility and affects cell signaling, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, a polynucleotide (PN) induces cell growth of human skin fibroblasts and osteoblasts. In this study, we evaluated the properties, safety, and efficacy of a novel composite filler consisting of cross-linked HA with PN in combination with monodisperse PLLA microspheres manufactured using Inventage Lab Precision Particle Fabrication method. The composition of the filler and characteristics of the microspheres were examined via scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and rheology and osmolality measurement. Additionally, safety and efficacy of HA-PN/PLLA composite filler were conducted in in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of PLLA microspheres revealed spherical surfaces and a narrower particle size distribution than that in PLLA filler. HA-PN/PLLA composite filler had higher viscosity and elasticity values and similar osmolality as compared to those of HA and PN fillers. The nontoxicity in in vitro and in vivo tests reflected that the composite filler may be safe for human use. In addition, the composite filler maintained a more stable volume than did HA filler for 24 weeks after administration in HWY/Slc hairless rats. Furthermore, the results support the effect of HA-PN/PLLA in restoring skin structure. Altogether, these data suggest that the novel composite filler might be a safe and effective option in terms of tissue integration, clinical management during delivery and high esthetic durability. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

We identified a RING-type E3 ligase (TaBAH1) protein in winter wheat that targets TaSAHH1 for degradation and might be involved in primordia development by regulating targeted protein degradation. Grain yield per spike in wheat (Triticum aestivum), is mainly determined prior to flowering during mature primordia development; however, the genes involved in primordia development have yet to be characterized. In this study, we demonstrated that, after vernalization for 50 days at 4 °C, there was a rapid acceleration in primordia development to the mature stages in the winter wheat cultivars Keumgang and Yeongkwang compared with the Chinese Spring cultivar. Although Yeongkwang flowers later than Keumgang under normal condition, it has the same heading time and reaches the WS9 stage of floral development after vernalization for 50 days. Using RNA sequencing, we identified candidate genes associated with primordia development in cvs. Keumgang and Yeongkwang, that are differentially expressed during wheat reproductive stages. Among these, the RING-type E3 ligase TaBAH1 (TraesCS5B01G373000) was transcriptionally upregulated between the double-ridge (WS2.5) stage and later stages of floret primordia development (WS10) after vernalization. Transient expression analysis indicated that TaBAH1 was localized to the plasma membrane and nucleus and was characterized by self-ubiquitination activity. Furthermore, we found that TaBAH1 interacts with TaSAHH1 to mediate its polyubiquitination and degradation through a 26S proteasomal pathway. Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that TaBAH1 might play a prominent role in post-vernalization floret primordia development.

It is quite important to improve energy efficiency of an apartment in South Korea since it is the most common residential space. The government needs information about the public willingness to pay (WTP) for the impacts of the improvement. This article explores the public WTP employing a choice experiment (CE). To this end, four attributes of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, abatement in air pollutant emissions, betterment in residential convenience, and enhancement energy security were selected for the impacts. The price attribute was the additional price involved in improving energy efficiency of an apartment per 3.3m2. A total of 1000 interviewees were surveyed across the country through person-to-person interviews. A mixed logit model was applied in estimating a utility function from the gathered CE data to allow for preference heterogeneity. All the coefficient estimates for the utility function showed statistical significance. The marginal WTP estimates for a 1%p reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 1%p abatement in air pollutant emissions, betterment in residential convenience, and enhancement in energy security were KRW 31,740 (USD 28.2), 13,289 (USD 11.8), 64,799 (USD 57.6), and 119,723 (USD 106.4) per 3.3m2, respectively. These figures indicate the price premium for an apartment with improved energy efficiency.

Background During puberty, changes in body composition due to sex hormones are associated with lung mechanics. However, little is known about the mediation effect of sex differences in body composition during puberty with total airway resistance. Methods We prospectively recruited 620 children (10–12 years old) from the general population and conducted a cross-sectional study. This study assessed pubertal status according to the five Tanner stages using a questionnaire, line drawings, and each subject’s blood sex hormone profile. Both the impulse oscillation system for total lung mechanics and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance for body composition analyses were conducted. The effects of puberty on body composition and subsequent total lung resistance were evaluated using mediation analysis. Results Among the 503 children enrolled, there were 261 males (51.9%) and 242 females (48.1%). In males, higher testosterone levels corresponded with reduced total lung resistance (β = –0.13, 95% CI = –0.21 to –0.05, p p = 0.02). In contrast, in females, pubertal status reduced total lung resistance (β = –0.27, 95% CI = –0.58 to –0.05, p = 0.04), however, the proportion of the mediating effect through the body mass index was –51% (95% CI = –244 to –4%, p = 0.04). Conclusion The muscle-fat ratio in adolescent males had a synergistic effect with testosterone on improving total airway resistance, whereas improvements in lung resistance by pubertal status were partially masked by body mass index in adolescent females. In conclusion, body composition changes during puberty between males and females have differing effects on total airway resistance.

OsSIRP4 is an E3 ligase that acts as a negative regulator in the plant response to salt stress via the 26S proteasomal system regulation of substrate proteins, OsPEX11-1, which it provides important information for adaptation and regulation in rice. Plants are sessile organisms that can be exposed to environmental stress. Plants alter their cellular processes to survive under potentially unfavorable conditions. Protein ubiquitination is an important post-translational modification that has a crucial role in various cellular signaling processes in abiotic stress response. In this study, we characterized Oryza sativa salt-induced RING finger protein 4, OsSIRP4, a membrane and cytosol-localized RING E3 ligase in rice. OsSIRP4 transcripts were highly induced under salt stress in rice. We found that OsSIRP4 possesses E3 ligase activity; however, no E3 ligase activity was observed with a single amino acid substitution (OsSIRP4C269A). The results of the yeast two hybrid system, in vitro pull-down assay, BiFC analysis, in vitro ubiquitination assay, and in vitro degradation assay indicate that OsSIRP4 regulates degradation of a substrate protein, OsPEX11-1 (Oryza sativa peroxisomal biogenesis factor 11-1) via the 26S proteasomal system. Phenotypic analysis of OsSIRP4-overexpressing plants demonstrated hypersensitivity to salt response compared to that of the wild type and mutated OsSIRP4C269A plants. In addition, OsSIRP4-overexpressing plants exhibited significant low enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, and accumulation of proline and soluble sugar, but a high level of H2O2. Furthermore, qRT data on transgenic plants suggest that OsSIRP4 acted as a negative regulator of salt response by diminishing the expression of genes related to Na+/K+ homeostasis (AtSOS1, AtAKT1, AtNHX1, and AtHKT1;1) in transgenic plants under salt stress. These results suggest that OsSIRP4 plays a negative regulatory role in response to salt stress by modulating the target protein levels.

South Korea is pursuing an energy transition policy (ETP) of expanding the use of renewable energy and natural gas and decreasing that of nuclear energy and coal in total generation. An investigation of whether the public is for or against the ETP is needed by the government. This article explores the public preference toward the ETP employing the data collected through a survey of 1000 individuals. They were asked to reveal their preference for the ETP on a five-point scale in the survey. Overall, there are more advocates of the ETP than those who opposed it. For the purpose of analyzing the determinants of advocacy and opposition of the ETP, an ordered probit model is employed. The results suggest that people living in the Seoul Metropolitan area think that the environment is more important than new jobs, or know the renewable energy 100% campaign before the survey is more favorable to the ETP than others. However, people who use electricity for heating tend to be negative about the ETP. As the age increases, people approve of the ETP, but when age goes beyond a certain level, they oppose it.

Due to prolonged survival and the relatively young median age of patients, the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors is an important issue in Korea. We conducted an educational program for breast cancer survivors, and evaluated its impact on knowledge, QOL, and lifestyle changes. This study utilized a single-arm pretest-posttest design. Participants were tested before and after an educational program to measure changes in knowledge. To measure QOL change, we conducted a QOL survey at the time of enrollment and again 6 months later. Regarding the knowledge test, mean scores increased from 9.62 to 14.74 points following education (p

Acidovorax citrulli, the gram-negative bacteria that causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), has been responsible for huge worldwide economic losses in watermelon and melon production since 1980. No commercial cultivar resistant to BFB has been reported. Of the two reported genotypes of A. citrulli, genotype I is the main causal agent of BFB in melon and genotype II causes disease in watermelon. After the isolation of the first bacteriophage against A. citrulli (ACP17), efforts have been made to isolate bacteriophages with wider host ranges by collecting samples from watermelon, pumpkin, and cucumber. The newly isolated phage ACPWH, belonging to the Siphoviridae family, has a head size of 60 ± 5 nm and tail size of 180 ± 5 nm, and can infect 39 out of 42 A. citrulli strains. ACPWH has genome size of 42,499 and GC content of 64.44%. Coating watermelon seeds with bacteriophage ACPWH before soil inoculation with A. citrulli resulted in 96% germination and survival, compared to 13% germination of uncoated control seeds. These results suggest that phage ACPWH may be an effective and low-cost biocontrol agent against BFB.

Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a transcriptional co-activator that is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of inhibition of YAP1 activity with vertepofin on the differentiation of mesenchymal cells at different time-points. Inhibition of YAP1 from the beginning of culture with verteporfin resulted in the suppression of chondrogenesis and cell aggregation, as well as expression of N-cadherin and fibronectin. Culturing constitutively active YAP1-overexpressing cells for 3 days had no effect on cell aggregation and differentiation and increased the expression of N-cadherin, while culturing these cells for 7 days displayed decreased Alcian blue staining. Inhibition of YAP1 activity with verteporfin at the late stage of each culture with different culture periods did not affect chondrogenesis. When the medium of cells cultured for 3, 6, or 8 days was changed to medium containing verteporfin, no changes in Alcian blue staining were evident in the next 1 to 2 days. Interestingly, in cells grown for 8 days in normal medium and incubated for 2 more days in the presence of verteporfin, Alizarin red S staining and osteopontin expression increased. Collectively, our results revealed that verteporfin regulates cell aggregation during early-stage differentiation and promotes osteogenesis at a late stage by inhibiting YAP1 activity.

The ecosystem of the Seocheon coastal wetland (SCW), one of the wetland protected areas in South Korea, was registered in the Ramsar Wetlands in 2009 as an area rich in biodiversity and inhabited by endangered wild animals and plants. Since then, preserving the ecosystem of the SCW has emerged as an important task. Thus, the South Korean government is carrying out various research and management projects to preserve the ecological integrity of the SCW. This article aims to analyze public willingness to pay for preserving the SCW. For this purpose, 1000 households were surveyed, applying the contingent valuation (CV) method during September 2017. The respondents clearly understood the CV question and gave meaningful answers. The results show that an average value for the preservation was statistically significantly estimated to be KRW 2341 (USD 2.04) for all respondents. The national value expanded from the sample to the population is worth KRW 47.79 billion (USD 42.15 million) per year. Therefore, it can be seen that the public have sufficient acceptance for preserving the SCW.

In this study, a total of 195 samples including fresh produce and farming environments was used to perform the microbial risk assessment. Levels of total aerobic bacteria ranged from 2.77 to 5.99, 6.28 to 7.81, and 1.31 to 2.74 log(10) CFU/g, whereas levels of coliforms were ≤ 2.48, ≤ 3.35, and ≤ 0.85 log(10) CFU/g, levels of Escherichia coli were ≤ 1.04, ≤ 0.12, and ≤ 1.69 log(10) CFU/g in fresh produce, soil, and irrigation water, respectively. When the presence of pathogenic bacteria was detected, only Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 14 (7.2%) and 7 (3.6%) samples out of 195 samples, respectively. From the results, it was difficult to find a strong correlation between microbial contamination of fresh produce and their farming environments. However, continuous monitoring of agricultural products and related environments should be undertaken in order to ensure the microbial safety of fresh produce.

OsHIRP1 is an E3 ligase that acts as a positive regulator in the plant response to heat stress, thus providing important information relating to adaptation and regulation under heat stress in plant. Extreme temperature adversely affects plant growth, development, and productivity. Here, we report the molecular functions of Oryza sativa heat-induced RING finger protein 1 (OsHIRP1), which might play an important role in the response to heat. Transcription of the OsHIRP1 was upregulated in response to heat and drought treatment. We found that the OsHIRP1-EYFP fusion protein was localized to the nucleus after heat treatment (45 °C). Two interacting partners, OsARK4 and OsHRK1, were identified via yeast-two-hybrid screening, which were mainly targeted to the nucleus (OsARK4) and cytosol (OsHRK1), and their interactions with OsHIRP1 were confirmed by biomolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). An in vitro ubiquitination assay showed that OsHIRP1 E3 ligase directly ubiquitinates its interacting proteins, OsAKR4 and OsHRK1, as substrates. Using an in vitro cell-free degradation assay, we observed a clear reduction in the levels of the two proteins under high temperature (45 °C), but not under low temperature conditions (4 °C and 30 °C). Seeds of OsHIRP1-overexpressing plants exhibited high germination rates compared with the control under heat stress. The OsHIRP1-overexpressing plants presented high survival rates of approximately 62-68%, whereas control plants displayed a low recovery rate of 34% under condition of acquired thermo-tolerance. Some heat stress-inducible genes (HsfA3, HSP17.3, HSP18.2 and HSP20) were up-regulated in OsHIRP1-overexpressing Arabidopsis than control plants under heat stress conditions. Collectively, these results suggest that OsHIRP1, an E3 ligase, positively regulates plant response to heat stress.

Wear and adhesion properties of single-layer graphene deposited on a silicon wafer were investigated in this study. Wear characteristics was studied at nanoscale by using friction force microscopy (FFM) while adhesion property was measured at microscale with a scratch tester. The microscratch test was performed on a single-layer graphene by linearly increasing normal load from 0 to 200 mN. The Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) was used to locally measure surface potential in the tested surface to quantitatively measure the area of damage of graphene layer. The nanoscale wear test results showed two stages of damage of graphene layer; a steady increase at low loads and a relatively rapid increase at high loads. The microscratch test results revealed that severe damage of the layer occurred without introduction of minor damage stage. We demonstrated that the KPFM was highly effective in quantifying the damage of graphene layer.

Nuts have been used globally as health foods. However, because nuts cause allergies, people need to be careful when eating food. Mostly foods are labeled, but sometimes intentional or unintentional mixing might occur. In the present study, we report DNA based on marker for the detection of four nuts almond, peanut, pine nut, and walnut using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Species-specific primer sets for four species were designed based on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion/deletion of the chloroplast gene, matK. The sensitivity of primer sets for the four species studied was assessed by analyzing DNA dilutions at concentration of 0.001–10 ng and binary mixtures of 0.1–100% of heat-treated and non-heat-treated samples. The four primer sets developed in the present study indicated appropriate amplification efficiency and correlation coefficients of the standard curves. In addition, to verify the applicability of these molecular markers, we performed a qRT-PCR with 14 commercial products and successfully detected the matK genes in several commercial food products that were declared to contain nuts. Thus, markers developed could be useful tools for confirming the presence of the four nut species in commercial products.

These days, biodegradable microsphere polymers have been attracting increasing interest as a cosmetic injectable filler. Particularly, polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres are well known for their safety and long degradation time. However, these microspheres are usually produced by the conventional stirring method, which has an inherent drawback related to the size control of the microspheres; accurate size control is critical for the use of these microspheres as a filler. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of monodisperse PCL microspheres in the size range of 26.6-161 μm using a flow-focusing microfluidic device. The acquired coefficient of variation of the solidified microspheres is approximately 4.5%; thus, these microspheres meet the requirement of being monodisperse. The study results show the feasibility of manufacturing PCL microspheres using a microfluidic device, and these microspheres have better morphological characteristics, thereby reducing pain and infection after their injection into the skin. Furthermore, the specific target size of the solidified microspheres is met. Therefore, undesired outcomes after microsphere injection through the dermis, such as phagocytosis and inflammatory reactions, are less likely to occur.

Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton plays an inductive role in chondrogenic differentiation. Our previous study showed that blebbistatin, an inhibitor of myosin II, removes actin stress fibres and induces chondrogenesis of mesenchymal cells in monolayer cultures. In the present study, we investigated signalling pathways implicated in the induction of chondrogenesis by dissolving actin stress fibres after blebbistatin treatment. Blebbistatin increased the activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 blocked blebbistatin-induced chondrogenesis without affecting blebbistatin-induced reorganization of actin filaments. Blebbistatin also upregulated the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), and inhibition of PDK1 with GSK2334470 suppressed blebbistatin-induced chondrogenesis, indicating that removal of actin stress fibres by blebbistatin induced chondrogenesis by activating PI3K/PDK1. Although inhibition of Akt activity by Akt inhibitor IV blocked blebbistatin-induced chondrogenesis, phosphorylation of Akt was not affected by blebbistatin. Blebbistatin increased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) at Ser2448 and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K). Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin almost completely abolished the phosphorylation of p70S6K. Inhibition of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and complex 2 (mTORC2) with pp242 diminished phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473, whereas inhibition of mTORC1 with rapamycin did not. However, blebbistatin did not affect the phosphorylation of mTOR at Ser2481. Taken together, the present results suggest that blebbistatin induces chondrogenesis by activating the PI3K/PDK1/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. Our data also indicate that Akt activity is essential for chondrogenesis but is regulated by mTORC2, which is independent of blebbistatin treatment.

Cynanchum wilfordii has been used as a health-enhancing food product in Korea. Owing to its morphological similarity to C. wilfordii and relative ease of cultivation, C. auriculatum has been illegally used as a substitute plant for C. wilfordii. In the present study, we developed markers to discriminate between C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum. Species-specific primer sets for C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum were designed based on the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the chloroplast matK genes for quantitative real-time PCR using SYBR green. The limit of detection of primer sets for each species was assessed by analyzing serially 1/10-diluted DNAs at concentrations of 0.001–100% (=10 ng) and binary mixtures of a flour matrix spiked with decreasing concentrations (103–1 mg/g) of non- and heated C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum, respectively. We found that species-specific primer sets indicated good amplification efficiency and correlation coefficients (R 2) of the standard curves in the extracted DNA. The developed markers were successfully applied to 19 commercial C. wilfordii food products and could prove a useful tool for verifying the presence of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum in commercial products.

Codonopsis lanceolata and Platycodon grandiflorus (order Asterales) originate from East Asia. Despite the high commercial availability of C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus, limited genetic research has been performed on these plants. We applied a targeting enrichment method to detect genetic diversity in C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus and recovered their chloroplast genomes from total DNA sequence data. Chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs) were 61,154 bp (C. lanceolata) and 81,214 bp (P. grandiflorus) in length. Sixteen simple sequence repeats and 15 long repeat sequences were determined, which are useful as potential markers in both plant species. We surveyed the phylogenetic relationships with increased resolution in 14 plant species, including other 8 species from the order Asterales and 4 from the order Apiales. In addition, we demonstrated the availability of recovered chloroplast genomes through cpDNA marker development to determine the authenticity of food fraud at the DNA level of plant species.

Berry fruits have attracted attention because of their purported benefits for aging, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Therefore, highly priced berry fruits might be targets for food adulteration and fraud. In this study, eight species-specific primer sets based on the single nucleotide polymorphism of the chloroplast genomes of four berry fruits (aronia, blackberry, cranberry, and strawberry) were developed for quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis by SYBR Green staining with the aim of preventing berry fruit food fraud. The developed primer pairs exhibited high efficiencies ranging from 88 to 110% with strong correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.99) for the amplification of each target species. However, no clear correlation coefficients were evident for non-target species. To evaluate the practicality of the developed primers, 18 commercial berry fruit products were verified by qPCR analysis. The developed primer pairs were amplified to a low Ct value (range 16.1–23.3) for the target species and proved capable of detecting target species in berry fruit commercial foods. Therefore, the developed qPCR-based species-specific markers could be suitable for the prevention of berry fruit food fraud and to verify marker reliability.

In this study, we report the development of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using species-specific primers for the simultaneous detection of Poaceae members, including adlay, barley, maize, rice, and wheat, based on sequence polymorphism in DNA-directed RNA polymerase beta-prime chain genes (rpoC2). Species-specific primer pairs were constructed with a common forward primer and reverse primers differing by sequence polymorphisms and gene location. Each primer pair was designed to PCR-amplify products of five chloroplast genes of 443, 346, 278, 221, and 96 bp for rice, barley, adlay, wheat, and maize, respectively. Multiplex PCR with a series of template DNA concentrations (0.01–10 ng/μL) was used to optimize amplification of fragments from pooled Poaceae. In addition, species-specific primers were used to detect components of seven commercial flour-mixed products. This combination of the sensitivity of multiplex PCR with the specificity of primers designed to detect unique species has broad applications in the processed food industry.

The development of DNA techniques such as quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) has led to advancements in the field of illegal food product detection. Here, we report a PCR-based method to detect rice grain flour in commercial mixed-flour products. To select the chloroplast genes available for a rice-specific marker, we analyzed chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) polymorphisms in several gene families from five plant species, including rice, adlay, barley, maize, and wheat by using comparative sequence analysis. We found two potential rice-specific marker genes, rpoB and rpoC2, which exhibited relatively high numbers of segregating sites compared to other genes. We designed gene-specific primers for rpoB and rpoC2 on the basis of sequence differences, and identified the appropriate PCR amplification in grain flour samples derived from six Korean rice varieties using the linearity test of the qRT-PCR assay. To test the applicability of these cpDNA markers, we performed a qRT-PCR assay on total DNA obtained from different commercial food products, and successfully detected the rice-specific cpDNA region (rpoB and rpoC2) in several commercial food products that were declared to contain rice. Thus, the reported qRT-PCR assay may prove to be a useful tool for the detection of various rice flours in commercial mixed-flour products such as Sunsik.

Typical symptoms of Sclerotinia stem rot were observed in commercial crops of stock in several districts in Korea during the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 winters. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences, the pathogen was identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This is the first report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection of stock in Korea.

Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) is a key regulator of centriole duplication, an event critical for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Here we showed that Plk4 relocalizes from the inner Cep192 ring to the outer Cep152 ring as newly recruited Cep152 assembles around the Cep192-encircled daughter centriole. Crystal structure analyses revealed that Cep192 - and Cep152-derived peptides bind the cryptic polo box (CPB) of Plk4 in opposite orientations and in a mutually exclusive manner. The Cep152-peptide bound to the CPB markedly better than the Cep192-peptide and effectively snatched the CPB away from a preformed CPB–Cep192-peptide complex. A cancer-associated Cep152 mutation impairing the Plk4 interaction induced defects in procentriole assembly and chromosome segregation. Thus, Plk4 is intricately regulated in time and space through ordered interactions with two distinct scaffolds, Cep192 and Cep152, and a failure in this process may lead to human cancer.

Laser shock peening (LSP) is the newest and most innovative surface treatment technique. LSP residual stress distribution is affected by many parameters. Of them, the parameters are main factors that determine the convergence of finite element analysis (FEA) and characteristic of pressure pulse of laser system. The parameters, related to the convergence of FE simulation, are stability limit time for the stable convergence of results, and solution time for dynamic analysis. The other parameters, related to characteristics of pressure pulse of laser system, are pressure pulse duration time and laser pulse interval time for multiple LSP. In the present work, we have conducted to confirm the influence of time parameters of LSP system on residual stress results using FEA, and we have also predicted optimized range of time parameters.

By using finite element analysis, we proposed an applicable finite element method of laser shock peening (LSP) and discussed various parameters, such as solution time, stability limit, dynamic yield stress, peak pressure, pressure pulse duration, laser spot size, and multiple LSP. The effects of parameters related to the finite element simulation of the LSP process on the residual stresses of 35CD4 30HRC steel alloy are discussed. Parametric sensitivity analyses were performed to establish the optimum processing variables of the LSP process. In addition, we evaluated the effects of initial residual stress, such as welding-induced residual stress field.

The exact regulatory mechanisms of carboxyl-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) and its downstream pathways in cancer have been controversial and are not completely understood. Here, we report a new mechanism of regulation of Akt serine/threonine kinase, one of the most important dysregulated signals in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by the CTMP pathway and its clinical implications. We find that HNSCC tumor tissues and cell lines had relatively high levels of CTMP expression. Clinical data indicate that CTMP expression was significantly associated with positive lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.8, P = 0.033) and correlated with poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC. CTMP was also positively correlated with Akt/GSK-3β phosphorylation, Snail up-regulation and E-cadherin down-regulation, which lead to increased proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, suggesting that CTMP expression results in enhanced tumorigenic and metastatic properties of HNSCC cells. Moreover, CTMP suppression restores sensitivity to cisplatin chemotherapy. Intriguingly, all the molecular responses to CTMP regulation are identical regardless of p53 status in HNSCC cells. We conclude that CTMP promotes Akt phosphorylation and functions as an oncogenic driver and prognostic marker in HNSCC irrespective of p53.

Effects of operation parameters on impedance responses are characterized to study electrochemical reactions of an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in an air blowing operation. The anode-supported SOFC, which consists of Ni-yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) support/Ni-YSZ anode functional layer/YSZ electrolyte/gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) interlayer/La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ -GDC cathode, is fabricated by a tape casting and co-firing process. To investigate the electrochemical response on impedances, an equivalent circuit is modeled with five elements and fitted by the complex nonlinear least square (CNLS) method. Based on the impedance spectra with the operation parameters, two among five elements are clarified to be concerned with anodic reactions and another two concerned with gas diffusion reactions in electrodes. It is difficult to clarify one among five elements with the results here. The clarified elements may be used to study the effects of materials and processes for SOFC with impedance responses, which will be helpful to improve the performance and reliability.

Epigenetic methylation change is a major process that occurs during cancer development. Even though many tumor-related genes have been identified based on their relationship between methylation and expression, few studies have been conducted to investigate the relevant biological pathways involved in these changes. To identify essential pathways likely to be affected by methylation in breast cancer, we examined a pool of genes in which expression was upregulated after induction of demethylation by 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (Aza) in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Genome-wide demethylation was confirmed by monitoring the demethylation of a previously known gene, SULT1A1. Overall, 210 and 213 genes were found to be upregulated and downregulated (fold change ≥ 2), respectively, in common in cells treated with 5 and 10 μM of Aza. Network analysis of these 423 genes with altered expression patterns identified the involvement of a cancer related network of genes that were heavily regulated by TNF-α in breast tumorigenesis. Our results suggest that epigenetic dysregulation of cellular processes relevant to TNF-α-dependent apoptosis may be intimately involved in tumorigenesis in MCF-7 cells.

Composite cathodes with La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) and Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC) are investigated to assess for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications at relatively low operating temperatures (650–800 °C). LSCF with a high surface area of 55 m2g−1 is synthesized via a complex method involving inorganic nano-dispersants. The fuel cell performances of anode-supported SOFCs are characterized as a function of compositions of GDC with a surface area of 5 m2g−1. The SOFCs consist of the following: LSCF-GDC composites as a cathode, GDC as an interlayer, yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as an electrolyte, Ni-YSZ (50: 50 wt%) as an anode functional layer, and Ni-YSZ (50: 50 wt%) for support. The cathodes are prepared for 6LSCF-4GDC (60: 40 wt%), 5LSCF-5GDC (50: 50 wt%), and 4LSCF-6GDC (40: 60 wt%). The 5LSCF-5GDC cathode shows 1.29 Wcm−2, 0.97 Wcm−2, and 0.47 Wcm−2 at 780 °C, 730 °C, and 680 °C, respectively. The 6LSCF-4GDC shows 0.92 Wcm−2, 0.71 Wcm−2, and 0.54 Wcm−2 at 780 °C, 730 °C, and 680 °C, respectively. At 780 °C, the highest fuel cell performance is achieved by the 5LSCF-5GDC, while at 680 °C the 6LSCF-4GDC shows the highest performance. The best composition of the porous composite cathodes with LSCF (55 m2g−1) and GDC (5 m2g−1) needs to be considered with a function of temperature.