Eicosanoids represent a category of oxygenated C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids that play a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions in insects. These compounds are synthesized from phospholipids through the enzymatic activity of phospholipaseA2 (PLA2). In this study, we investigated four PLA2 genes encoded in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, with a focus on understanding their specific functions through a variety of experimental approaches. Among the four PLA2s identified, Fo-PLA2A and Fo-PLA2B fall under the category of Ca2+-independent cellular PLA2 (iPLA2), while Fo-PLA2C and Fo-PLA2D are classified a secretory PLA2 (sPLA2). Enzyme activity assays showed that all developmental stages of the thrips exhibited significant activity against both types of PLA2 substrates (arachidonic acid (AA) and non-AA), albeit with variations in enzyme kinetics across different developmental stages. Further examination revealed that all four PLA2 genes were expressed in every developmental stage. Fo-PLA2B and Fo-PLA2C displayed higher expression levels in larvae, while Fo-PLA2A and Fo-PLA2D were predominantly expressed in female and male adults, respectively. These findings support the hypothesis that PLA2s likely serve specific functions during distinct developmental stages. Our results indicated that PLA2s play pivotal roles in mediating various physiological processes such as immunity, development, and reproduction. So, the differential expression of certain PLA2s in various stages suggests that each PLA2 may have a specific role during different stages. Additionally we conducted flouorescens in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to localize PLA2 transcripts in different tissues, shedding light on their specific functions within these tissues. In summary, the four identified PLA2s are associated with distinct catalytic activities and exhibit differential expressions across developmental stages and tissues, collectively contributing to various physiological processes.

3D printing is widely used in product development and prototype manufacturing, and is expected to become universal across various industries with the development of 3D printing-related technologies. However, parts made by Fused Deposition Modeling(FDM) 3D printing using the commonly used stacking manufacturing process, show low tensile strength and hardness. The decreased mechanical properties of these parts limit their use as structural elements. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between ultrasonic treatment of PLA parts produced by FDM 3D printing and their mechanical properties. Specifically, we analyze the effects of ultrasonic annealing on the mechanical properties of PLA parts using the tensile test specimen.

In order to increase the usability of PLA in tissue engineering, we tried to improve the hydrophobicity and low mechanical properties of PLA. The basic solutions were prepared by mixing 3, 5, and 7wt.% of PLA in a solution of chloroform and acetone in a volume ratio of 3:1. Several types of nanofiber mats were fabricated using a mixed solution in which 0.5, 1, and 3wt.% of PEO and PVAc, which are biodegradable polymers, were added to these solutions, respectively, through the SBS method. As a result, it was found that when the content of PEO increased, the diameter and surface state of nano fibers became uniform and the water contact angle significantly decreased, but it did not affect the tensile strength. In addition, the hydrophobicity of PLA was improved to hydrophilicity by mixing with PVAc, but the strain was greatly reduced.

Recently, 3D printing has been actively studied. A representative material in this 3D printing technology is plastic, and PLA, an eco-friendly material, is widely used. FDM is widely used as a way to output these PLA materials. However, this method lacks mechanical properties compared to injection-molded products as it is a method of stacking materials by melting. Therefore, in this study, using an FDM-type 3D printer, a tensile test was performed after printing a tensile specimen with PLA filament with the layer angle and layer density as control factors. After that, changes in tensile properties according to the layer angle and density were compared and evaluated. As a result, to improve the tensile strength, the layer density had to be considered, and to improve the elastic modulus, both the layer angle and the layer density had to be considered.

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Various attempts are being made to converge new industries with IT industry to find new growth engines in the field of IT, maximizing efficiency in terms of productivity. 3D printers are also related to this, and various studies have been conducted worldwide to utilize them in the construction industry. At present, there is an active effort to study atypical structures using 3D printers. The most widely used method is the use of glass panels, however, the additional cost of the manufacturing process and thus the overall project cost cannot be ignored. In addition, the construction of the curvature of the existing two-way curved surface in the conventional flat joint method is not suitable for implementing an amorphous shape. In this paper, we propose an optimized shape through Abaqus analysis of various shapes of Space Truss interior using 3D printing technology using polymer.

폴리락타이드 재질의 식품용 기구 및 용기·포장에서 식품으로 이행될 우려가 있는 유해 중금속인 납, 카드뮴 및 비소의 이행량을 측정하고 안전성을 평가하기 위하여 국내에 유통중인 폴리락타이드 시료 총 211건을 수거하였다. 용출실험은 ‘식품용 기구 및 용기·포장 공전’의 조건 에 따라 식품모사용매인 4% acetic acid로 하였으며 온도 조건으로 70oC와 가혹사용조건인 100oC 모두 적용하여 이 행량을 비교하였다. 납, 카드뮴 및 비소의 이행량은 모두 70oC보다 100oC의 조건에서 증가하는 경향을 보였으나, 납 의 최대 이행량은 기준·규격과 비교하여 1.0%의 낮은 수 준이었고, 카드뮴은 모두 미량이 검출되었으며, 비소의 최대 이행량은 기준·규격 대비 3.9%의 낮은 수준으로 기준·규격을 초과하는 시료는 없었다. 이행량 결과를 바탕으로 납, 카드뮴 및 비소의 일일추정섭취량을 산출한 후 잠정주간섭취허용량 등과 비교하는 안전성평가를 진행하였으며, 국내에 유통되는 식품용 폴리락타이드 기구 및 용기·포장을 통한 납, 카드뮴 및 비소의 일일추정섭취량은 2.5 × 10−5~ 2.0 × 10−3μg/kg bw/day인 것으로 산출되었다. 용출조건별로는 70oC, 30분에서 카드뮴의 일일추정섭취량이 가장 낮았고, 100oC, 30분에서의 납 일일추정섭취량이 2.0 × 10−3μg/kg bw/day로 제일 높게 나타났으나, 납의 위해도는 인체안전기준(25 μg/kg bw/week)과 비교시 0.055% 수준으로 매우 낮음을 확인되었다. 이를 통하여 국내 유통 폴리락타이드 재질 식품용 기구 및 용기·포장에서의 납, 카드뮴 및 비소의 이행량은 매우 낮은 수준임을 확인하였고, 본 연구의 결과는 향후 식품용 기구 및 용기· 포 장의 안전관리를 위한 과학적인 근거자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes fatty acids from phospholipids at sn-2 position. Two immune-associated PLA2s are known in Spodoptera exigua. Both are calcium-independent cellular PLA2 (iPLA2A and iPLA2B). These iPLA2s are inducible to immune challenge using different epitopes such as virus, Gram+, Gram- bacteria, and fungi. However, their expression profiles are different between these two iPLA2s. Especially, immune challenge with Gram+ bacteria and fungi significantly up-regulated these iPLA2 expression, suggesting their expression under Toll signal pathway. RNA interferences of Toll or IMD signal components are being investigated.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes phospholipids at sn-2 position to release free fatty acids. PLA2 consists of a superfamily mainly categorized as secretory PLA2 (sPLA2), cellular Ca 2+ -dependent PLA2 (cPLA2), and cellular Ca 2+ -independent PLA2 (iPLA2). We are the first to report iPLA2 in insect. Here an objective of our study is to purify a recombinant iPLA2 protein (SeiPLA2) of Spodoptera exigua using bacterial expression system. An open reading frame of SeiPLA2 was cloned into an expression vector and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. Over-expression with IPTG yielded recombinant SeiPLA2 (rSeiPLA2), which was then purified by an affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA column. The purified rSeiPLA2 gave significant PLA2 activity using a pyrene substrate. Its activity was inhibited by an iPLA2 specific inhibitor (BEL), but not by sPLA2 inhibitor (BPB) or cPLA2 inhibitor (MAFP

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces oxidation against various biomolecules including fatty acids. Calcium-independent cellular phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) has been known to function maintenance of fatty acids in phospholipids in mammals. An insect iPLA2 (Pi-iPLA2) was predicted from transciptomes of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella. It was expressed in all developmental stages from egg to adult. RNA interference (RNAi) against Pi-iPLA2 was performed with specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) with more than 70% efficiency in reduction of its expression. Under this RNAi condition, P. interpuctella exhibited developmental retardation with significant accumulation of lipid peroxidation measured by the amount of melondialdehyde

Nitric oxide (NO) is an immune mediator in several insects. In addition, eicosanoids mediate various immune responses in response to microbial challenges. This study focuses on cross-talk between two immune mediators. Nitric oxide synthase (SeNOS) of Spodoptera exigua was predicted in its cDNA sequence by interrogation to the transcriptomes and validated by RT-PCR against developmental stage and larval tissues. RNA interference (RNAi) of SeNOS suppressed nodule formation of S. exigua larvae against heat-killed Xenorhabdus hominickii. RNAi of SeNOS also suppressed NO levels in fat body and hemocytes along with suppression of PLA2 activity. NOS-specific inhibitor, L-NAME, also inhibited PLA2 activity, but its enantiomer, D-NAME, did not. However, PLA2 of dexamethasone or oxindole did not suppress NO levels in the immune tissues. In addition, X hominickii did not inhibit up-regulation of NO levels. These results suggest that NO signal activates PLA2 to produce eicosanoids to mediate immune responses

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the committed step for eicosanoid biosynthesis. Two cellular PLA2 genes (iPLA2 and cPLA2) have been identified in Spodoptera exigua. PLA2 activity varied among developmental stages and different tissues. There was a positive correlation between PLA2 activities and their expression levels. Interestingly, there was significant inhibition by sPLA2 inhibitor, suggesting a presence of sPLA2 in S. exigua. An entomopathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus hominickii, infection suppressed expression of PLA2 genes and its extract inhibited enzyme activities. Oxindole of a bacterial metabolite of X. hominikii inhibited PLA2 activity and expression.

The use of bee venom (Apis mellifera L., BV) occasionally causes side effects such as inflammation and allergic reactions in the recipients. Several case reports also suggested the treatment of BV has some limitations in its clinical uses, due to the occurrence of dermal necrosis and anaphylatic reactions. It is generally understood that bee venom allergy is mainly the result of its allergic component, phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The present study was aimed to generate PLA2-free bee venom (PBV) and evaluate its efficacy as skin care and cosmetic preparation, comparing with original bee venom (BV). Our results showed that both BV and PBV exhibited significant protective effects in UVB-irradiated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and they also induced type I collagen synthesis in UVB-irradiated HDF cells except BV at 3 μg/ml. Furthermore, BV and PBV showed the inhibition of UVB-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), a major collagen degrading enzyme in skin. However, BV, unlike PBV, exhibited strong cytotoxicities in skin cells (both HaCaT and HDF) at its working concentrations of anti-wrinkle effect. The underlying cell signaling mechanisms of anti-wrinkle effects of BV and PBV were demonstrated by the activation of ERK1/2, and p38. Conclusively, PBV appears to be the bee venom of choice with less cytotoxicity and higher efficacy on UVB-irradiated skin cells in comparison with original bee venom (BV). Therefore, PBV can better be used as a cosmetic ingredient exhibiting excellent anti-wrinkle effect against photoaging than original BV.

이 연구는 소수성 폴리락타이드(PLA) 블록과 친수성 하이퍼브랜치드 폴리글리세롤(hbPG) 블록으로 구성된 양친매성 블록 공중합체(PLA-b-hbPG)의 합성방법에 대한 것이다. 또한, hbPG 블록을 4-hydroxyl cinnamic acid (CA)로 에스터 반응화하여, 광가교가 가능한 블록 공중합체인 PLA-b-hbPG-CA에 대한 접근 법에 대해서도 보고하였다. 연구된 양친성 고분자는 친수기에 많은 양으로 존재하는 폴리글리세롤에 의해 화장 품용 약물 전달체로 사용이 가능한 작은 크기(100 nm)의 마이셀을 형성함을 확인하였다. 또한, hbPG으로 구성 된 마이셀의 corona 부분은 우수한 친수성을 나타내어 생체 내 독성을 최소화할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 소수성 활성성분이 담지된 PLA-b-hbPG-CA 마이셀은 생체적합성 및 자기조립구조에 의해 화장품용 약물 전달체로 활용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

Since single-use disposable plastic usage has steadily been increasing, recent trends in polymeric research point to increasing demand for eco-friend materials which reduce plastic waste. A huge amount of non-degradable polypropylene (PP)-based pots for seedling culture are discarded for transplantation. The purpose of this study is to investigate an eco-friendly biodegradable material as a possible substitute for PP pot. The blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) was used because of its good mechanical and flexible properties as well as biodegradation. After landfill, various properties of the blend pot were investigated by UTM, SEM, NMR and TGA. The results showed the tensile strength of the blend film rapidly decreased after 5 weeks of landfill due to degradation. From NMR data after landfill, the composition of PLA in the blend was decreased. These results indicate that the biodegradation of the blend preferentially occurs in PLA component. To investigate the effect of holes in pot bottom and side on root growth, a plant in the pot was grown. Some roots came out through holes as landfill period increases. These results indicate that the eco-friendly pot can be directly planted without the removal of pot.

Total phenolic content and the antioxidative activity (DPPH radical-scavenging capacity) of 29 fruits and vegetables were determined. The total phenolic contents of plum (1.06 mg GAE/g fresh weight) and cherry (0.95 mg GAE/g fresh weight) were high, whereas those of banana, carrot, and cucumber (each at 0.07 mg GAE/g fresh weight) were low. In the DPPH radical-scavenging assay, apple mango extract showed the highest value(92.8%) among the 29 ethanol extracts tested, followed by paprika (75.4%), beet (75.3%), and cherry (75.1%). In the inhibition assay, cherry (34.95% inhibition) and grape (31.03%) showed the highest activities among the 29 fruits and vegetables examined.