In this study, laser-induced graphene oxide (LIGO) was synthesized through a facile liquid-based process involving the introduction of deionized (DI) water onto polyimide (PI) film and subsequent direct laser irradiation using a CO2 laser (λ = 10.6 μm). The synthesized LIGO was then evaluated as a sensing material for monitoring changes in humidity levels. The synthesis conditions were optimized by precisely controlling the laser scribing speed, leading to the synthesis of LIGO with different structural characteristics and varying oxygen contents. The increased number of oxygen-containing functional groups contributed to the hydrophilic properties of LIGO, resulting in a superior humidity sensing capabilities compared with laser-induced graphene (LIG). The LIGO-based sensors outperformed LIG-based sensors, demonstrating approximately tenfold higher sensing responsivity when detecting changes at each humidity level, along with 1.25 to 1.75 times faster response/recovery times, making LIGO-based sensors more promising for humidity-monitoring applications. This study demonstrated laser ablation in a renewable and natural precursor as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient approach to directly synthesize LIGO with controllable oxidation levels.

Recently, it is demonstrate that the invertebrates have a immune memory, called Immune priming (IP). It was partially studied that the IP is mainly regulated by epigenetic modification. Here, to understand the IP on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production, we investigated larval mortality and time-dependent expression patterns of AMP genes in T. molitor larvae challenged with E. coli (two-times injection with a one-month interval). Interestingly, the results indicate that the higher and faster expression levels of most AMP genes were detected compared to the non-primed T. molitor larvae. Our results may used to improve the understanding of mechanisms of invertebrate immune memory.

Pellino, a highly conserved E3 ubiquitin ligase, is known to mediate ubiquitination of phosphorylated Interleukin-1 receptor-related kinase (IRAK) homologs in Toll signaling pathway. To understand the immunological function of TmPellino, we screened the knockdown efficiency of TmPellino by injecting TmPellino-specific dsRNA into T. molitor larvae. Subsequently, we investigated the larval mortality and the tissue-specific expression patterns of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes against microbial challenges. Interestingly, the results indicate that the expression of many AMP genes was upregulated in the Malpighian tubules of TmPellino-silenced T. molitor larvae. This study may provide basic information to understand how Tmpellino regulates AMPs production in T. molitor.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) is known to regulate antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production in mammals. Here, to understand the immunological function of TmTRAF against microbial challenge, the induction patterns of TmTRAF against microbial infection was investigated by qRT-PCR in the whole-body and tissue of young larvae. In addition, the effects of TmTRAF RNAi on larval mortality and expression of 15 AMP genes in response to microbial infection were investigated. Our studies may help to understand the basic role of AMP production.

Tube, an intracellular protein of the Toll-pathway, forms a complex with Pelle and MyD88, and regulates a signal transduction to activate NF-κB in Drosophila. To understand the antimicrobial function of TmTube, the induction patterns of TmTube were investigated at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h-post injection of pathogens into 10th to 12th instar larvae. In addition, we investigated the effects of TmTube RNAi on larval mortality and tissue specific AMP expression in response to microbial challenge. Our results will provide a basic information to elucidate the immunological function of TmTube

In insects, the glutathione S-transferase is initiated in both the detoxification process and the protection of cellular membranes against oxidative damage. In this study, we identified the open reading frame (ORF) sequence of GST-iso1 and 2 from Tenebrio molitor (TmGST-iso1 and 2). To investigate the expression patterrns of TmGST-iso1 and 2 in response to herbicide, 0.06, 0.6, and 6 ㎍/㎕ of butachlor (FarmHannong, Seoul, South Korea) was challenged into T. molitor larvae, resulting that the TmGST-iso1 were highly induced at 3 and 24 h-post injection. Whereas, the highest expression of TmGST-iso2 was detected at 24 h after treatment. This study may contribute to basic information about the detoxifying activities of T. molitor.

Pelle, a serine/threonine kinase, is an intracellular component of the Toll pathway and is involved in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production due to pathogenic infection. It is known that the Pelle phosphorylates Cactus and activates the NF-κB signaling pathway in Drosophila, but it is not studied in Tenebrio molitor. In this study we investigated the tissue-specific expression patterns of the Pelle following pathogenic infection at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours. Additionally, larval mortality and AMP expression against microbial injection were investigated in dsPelle-treated T. molitor larvae. Our results may help to understand the antimicrobial function of TmPelle.

It is well known that the JNK pathway regulates AMP production against pathogenic infection in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Tenebrio molitor hep (Tmhep) is an homolog of MAP kinase kinase in mammals. Here, we investigate the immunological function of Tmhep in responses in microbial infection using RNA interference technology. The results showed that silencing of Tmhep increased the larval mortality against microbial challenge, as well as reduced AMP production compared to the control group (dsEGFP-treated group). Conclusively, Tmhep plays an critical role in antimicrobial defense in T. molitor larvae.

Pyrifluquinazon, as a quinazinalone chemical group, based on a new mode of biological activity. It is reported that mode of action is modifies insect behavior, rapidly stopping feeding such that insects starve to death. Time-release feature and mortality effect on M. persicae using different pyrifluquinazon nano type and non-nano type were compared. Pyrifluquinazon nano type was formulated with different molecular weight and density of used chitosan (CS 30000 0.1% and CS 3000 0.3%). In the CS 30,000 0.1%, the mortality was weakly occurred at early time, but steadily increased after 4days. Finally, we confirmed more than 70% mortality as a peak at 16days. In CS 3000 0.3%, the mortality showed about 70% until 18days as a effective controlled release. Also, We examine time-release feature and mortality effect on M. persicae according to the different pyrifluquinazon nano type(CS 30000 0.1% and CS 3000 0.3%) of concentrations. The CS 30000 0.1% bioassay results of different concentration were showed that the highest concentration(100ppm) was measured better mortality than other concentration at 0 day, but cannot confirm different effect about dissimilar concentration. However, increasing rates of M. persicae were low as treatment concentrate was high. In CS 3000 0.3% 100ppm concentration bioassay result, aphid mortality reached peak at 24 days and increasing rate also low. Additionally, for the comparing of bioassay and feeding behavior of M. persicae against pyrifluquinazon nano types and non-nano type, EPG technique was carried out. In case of non nano type, feeding inhibition efficacy was showed during 4 days after treatment, but appeared similar level with control after 10days. In CS 3000 0.3% 50ppm, residual efficacy was specially showed until 28days after treatment whereas treatments with CS 30000 0.1% were similar to the control after 22days. These result show that the change of feedinng behavior and motrality of M. persicae is correlated with the change of nano type or non nano type of pyrifluquinazon.

The multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, is a generalist predator of aphids also, shows a high level of phenotype polymorphism in color pattern of elytra. Although, it is not sure about genetic information of color polymorphism, it has been confirmed that this phenomenon comes from their genetic traits. The color of H. axyridis elytra is mainly composed of black and red pigment. Phenoloxidase (PO) plays an important role in many insect physiological functions, i.e. sclerotization and pigmentation of cuticle and melanization of parasites. Following activation, PO catalyses the hydroxylation of tyrosine and subsequent oxidation of phenolic substance into quinines, which are further converted to melanin. However, the molecular bases of H. axyridis color pattern formation are almost unknown but it may be that the different pro-POs have different expression. In this study, total RNA samples from four each color pattern individuals, for example, succinea 1, succinea 2, conspicua and spectabilis was extracted. A cDNA enconding pro-PO was molecular cloned from each color pattern of H. axyridis and its putative amino acid sequence shared homology with pro-PO of other insects. We are pursuing to elucidate that their pro-PO sequence will be similar with those other insect PPO sequence. There are also regions of high sequence similarity, including putative activation site and two copper binding sites.

Vitrification has been suggested to be an effective method for the cryopreservation of human ES cells. However, the efficiency of vitrification with different vehicles remains a matter of ongoing controversy. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of cryopreservation in human ES cells by vitrification using different vehicles. A human ES cell line and a variety of vehicles, including microdroplet (MD), openpulled straw (OPS) and electron microscopic grid (EMgrid), were employed in an attempt to assess vitrification efficiency. In order to evaluate the survivability and the undifferentiated state of the postvitrified human ES cells, we conducted alkaline phosphatase staining and characterization via both RTPCR and immunofluorescence assays. The survival rates of the postvitrified human ES cells using MD, OPS and EMgrid were determined to be 61.5%, 66.6% and 53.8%, respectively. There also exist significant differences between slowfreezing and vitrification (p<0.01). However, no significant differences were detected between the vehicle types. Finally, the pluripotency of human ES cells after thawing was verified by teratoma formation. Cryopreservation using vitrification is more effective than slowfreezing, and the efficiency of vehicles proved effective with regard to the preservation of human ES cells.

황금(Scutellariae baicalensis)은 항염 작용이 뛰어나 예로부터 사용되어온 약재로, 본 연구는 인삼에서 분리한 유산균 Leuconostoc mesenteroides (L. mesenteroides)을 이용해 황금 발효물을 제조하고 항산화와 미백 효과를 조사하였다. 황금 발효물은 황금을 70% 에탄올로 추출한 후에 L. mesenteroides를 접종하여 발효 제조하였다. 발효 전 황금과 황금 발효물에서 2가지 지표 성분 baicalin과 baicalein을 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)을 이용하여 retention times (tR)과 UV spectra를 확인함으로써 정성 및 정량 분석하였다. 세포 생존율 실험 결과, 발효 전후 황금 모두 독성이 확인되지 않았고 DPPH 라디칼 소거능 실험은 발효물의 SC50 값이 34.43 μ g/mL로 발효 전보다 우수한 효능을 나타내었으며, 세포 독성을 나타내지 않는 농 도에서 흑색종 세포인 B16F10을 이용한 melanin 생성 억제 활성 실험 결과, 황금 발효물은 우수한 melanin 생성 억제 효과를 나타내었다(IC50 = 68.17 μ g/mL). 이상의 결과들로부터 황금 발효물이 항산화 효능뿐만 아 니라 미백 효능을 갖는 화장품 원료로서 개발 가능성이 있음이 시사되었다.

This study aimed to analyze difference in clinical findings, including coronary artery complications, in patients with Kawasaki disease and respiratory symptoms with several respiratory infections. We studied 182 pediatric patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Examinations for respiratory viral polymerase chain reaction were conducted in the group of patients with respiratory symptoms. Echocardiography was perfomed by a pediatric cardiologist, and laboratory findings were evaluated. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings based on medical records were compared. There were no differences between patients with and without respiratory viral infections with respect to age, male-female ratio, coronary artery complications, Kawasaki disease-specific clinical manifestations, duration of fever, duration of hospitalization, or recurrence rate. There was a significant difference in C-reactive protein levels (55.6 vs. 73.9 mg/L) between the two groups, but the other laboratory findings. The rate of respiratory infections in pediatric patients with Kawasaki disease was similar to those reported in previous studies, and clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were not significantly different between the groups.

Background: In this study, examined the effects of an extract of a mixture of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, Paeonia lactiflora, and Rehmannia glutinosa fermented by Leuconostoc mesenteroides, with enhanced value and functionality. In oriental medicine, a mixture of these herbs is called Samultang. Methods and Results: In this study, we evaluated the effects of a fermented extract of Samultang on oxidative stress, procollagen type I expression, and melanin production. Samultang was extracted with 70% ethanol, followed by inoculation with Leuconostoc mesenteroides to obtain the fermented extract. The evaluation of viability of B16F10 cells and human foreskin fibroblast (HHF) revealed that both ethanol and fermented extracts of Samultang were non-toxic. The results of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test showed that the fermented extract of Samultang (SC50 value = 100 ㎍/㎖) was a more effective DPPH free radical scavenger than its ethanol extract. In addition, procollagen type I expression was higher in cells treated with the fermented extract of Samultang than in cells treated with ethanol. In the non-toxic concentration range, the fermented extract of Samultang showed strong inhibitory effect on melanin production in α-melanocyte stimulatin hormone-stimulated B16F10 cells (IC50 = 37.9 ㎍/㎖). Conclusions: These results suggest that the fermented extract of Samultang has considerable protential as a cosmetic ingredient owing to its antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, and whitening effects.

Background:Callus cultivation has the advantage of producing a large amount of tissue of a plant in a laboratory regardless of the environment, for extracting an active substance. In the present study, callus formation was induced in the leaves of the succulent plant Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem & Schult. After callus cultivation, anti-inflammatory activity tests were conducted, because leaves and stems of A. obesum have been reported to possess biological activity.Methods and Results:In order to induce callus formation, various concentrations of plant growth factors, such as kinetin, naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine (BA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were added to MS solid medium. The maximum callus proliferation was induced by mixed medium consisting of NAA (2㎎/ ℓ ) and BA (1㎎/ ℓ ). In addition, an elicitor was added to the medium under optimal conditions for initiating suspension culture. After suspension culturing, the activities of the callus extracts were compared and analyzed. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity tests revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of the callus extract and the content of phenolic compounds were elevated after treatment of the callus culture with the elicitior.Conclusions: A. obesum callus might be considered as potential source of biologically active anti-inflammatory material.

황련해독탕(HHT)은 기력을 회복하며 여러 만성질환을 예방하고 치료하기 위해 예로부터 사용되어온 약재로, 본 연구는 인삼에서 분리한 유산균 Leuconostoc mesenteroides (L. mesenteroides)을 이용해 황련 해독탕 발효물(FHHT)을 제조하고 항산화, 항주름 및 미백 효과를 조사하였다. 황련해독탕 발효물은 황련해독 탕을 70% 에탄올로 추출한 후에 L. mesenteroides를 접종하여 발효 제조하였다. 발효 전 황련해독탕과 황련해 독탕 발효물에서 2가지 지표 성분 berberine과 palmatine을 high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)을 이용하여 retention times (tR)과 UV spectra를 확인함으로써 정성 및 정량 분석하였다. 세포 생존 율 실험 결과, 발효 전후 황련해독탕 모두 독성이 확인되지 않았고 DPPH 라디칼 소거능 실험은 발효물의 SC50 값이 68.85 μ g/mL로 발효 전보다 우수한 효능을 나타내었다. Procollagen type I의 생성량 측정 실험에서도 역시 황련해독탕 발효물은 발효 전보다 더 높은 발현량을 나타내었으며, 세포 독성을 나타내지 않는 농도에서 흑색종 세포인 B16F10을 이용한 멜라닌 생성 억제 활성 실험 결과, 황련해독탕 발효물은 강한 멜라닌 생성 억 제 효과를 나타내었다(IC50 = 9.82 μ g/mL). 이상의 결과들로부터 황련해독탕 발효물이 항산화 효능, 항주름 효능뿐만 아니라 미백 효능을 갖는 화장품 원료로서 개발 가능성이 있음이 시사되었다.

Background: To date, the anti-wrinkle efficacy of phellodendri cortex has not been defined. In this study, we investigated the nitric oxide (NO) production and elastase inhibitory activities of 80% methanol extract of Phellodendri cortex and its ethyl acetate fraction. Methods and Results: We prepared 80% methanol extract, and its fractions from phellodendri cortex. The treatment of RAW 264.7 cell with 25㎍/㎖ 80% methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction resulted in no toxicity. We conducted assays of nitric oxide (NO) production and elastase inhibition. In the NO production assay, the ethyl acetate fraction showed an inhibitory effect approximately 17 times stronger than the 80% methanol extract. In elastase inhibitory assay, the ethyl acetate fraction also showed a stronger effect than the 80% methanol extract. In order to standardize the extract and fraction, we used TLC to separate the extract and observed the plate under UV light. We confirmed that the known pharmacological ingredients berberine, and palmatine in the 80% methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction. Conclusions: These results indicated that phellodendri cortex extract and its ethyl acetate fraction produced strong inhibitory effect on elastase and NO production.

진세노사이드(인삼 사포닌)는 인삼의 대표적 약리성분 중의 하나로 생물학적 활성을 가진 배당체 화합물 이다. 이들 사포닌은 가수분해 되어 저분자화 되었을 때, 항주름 및 항산화, 항암 등에 높은 약리효능효과를 나타 낸다. 본 연구에서는 인삼 esculin 배지를 활용하여 β-glucosidase 활성을 가진 균주를 분리하였고 인삼 사포 닌 전환을 미생물을 이용하여 수행하였다. 본 균주들을 16S rRNA sequencing을 통하여 동정하여 본 결과 Stenotrophomonas rhizopilae strain GFC09로 확인되였다. 균주의 최적 활성 조건을 결정하기 위해 조효소 1 mM와 인삼사포닌 Rb1과 함께 배양한 후 생물학적 전환을 TLC, HPLC를 사용하여 확인하였다. 조효소에 의 한 인삼 사포닌 Rb1의 전환 경로는 다음과 같다. LB: RbNeobio R&D center, Gyeonggi-do 16954, Korea →Rd→FNeobio R&D center, Gyeonggi-do 16954, Korea→compound K, TSB: Rb1→Rd→ F2. 가수 분해된 생성된 물질은 NMR로 구조 동정하였다. 전환 산물의 효능 분석결과, 콜라겐 생성을 농도 의존적으로 증가시키는 것이 관찰되었다. 이에 본 연구에서는 ginsenoside F2와 compound K 함유 인삼 전환 산물의 주름 개선 소재로서 활용가능성을 확인하였다.