The mammalian testis is a highly organized organ essential for male reproduction. Its structure comprises seminiferous tubules lined with Sertoli cells, which support spermatogenesis, surrounded by peritubular myoid cells. Within the connective tissue framework lie the Leydig cells, which synthesize testosterone in response to luteinizing hormone. Research has highlighted the importance of various ion channels and proteins in testicular function. The TWINK-related acid-sensitive potassium channel 1 (TASK-1), a two-pore channel, is vital for several physiological functions in the testis. Furthermore, Leydig cells uniquely express several key proteins, including c-kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α. The co-expression of these proteins, including TASK-1, in Leydig cells suggest the presence of complex regulatory mechanisms critical for modulating testosterone production, release, and overall testicular function. Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), a member of the transient receptor potential channel family, also plays a crucial role in testicular function, influencing processes such as sensory function, steroidogenesis, and sperm function. Hormonal fluctuations and aging affect both the presence and function of TRPV1. This channel is thought to contribute programmed cell death within the testes, particularly impacting Leydig cell survival. Notably, testosterone appears to counteract these detrimental effects by downregulating TRPV1 expression, indicating a complex interplay between TRPV1, testosterone, and overall testicular function. Therefore, we aim to discuss the critical role of ion channels, specifically focusing on TASK-1 and TRPV1 channels, in the physiological and pathophysiological functions of testicular cells.

Background: mTeSR1 is a fully-defined, serum-free medium for the derivation and maintenance of Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). This study investigates the impact of incorporating mTeSR1 supplement during in vitro culture (IVC) on blastocyst productivity, qualitative characteristics, and outgrowth potential of bovine blastocysts. Methods: In vitro fertilized (IVF) eggs were cultured in IVC medium (control) with the addition of mTeSR1 supplement at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5%, respectively. The development rates of fertilized eggs and gene expression patterns of blastocysts were assessed on day 9 of culture. For outgrowth culture, blastocysts were cultured on a mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder cells (MEFs) for 7 days. Results: In vitro development of bovine preimplantation embryos in the 2% mTeSR1 group was significantly higher than in the control (p < 0.05). The apoptotic index in the 2% mTeSR1 group was significantly lower compared to the control (p < 0.05). RTqPCR indicated that SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (Sox2) gene expression in the 5% mTeSR1 group was significantly higher than in the control (p < 0.05). The 5% mTeSR1 group also showed significantly higher BCL2 associated X (Bax) expression compared to the control and other mTeSR1 groups. On day 9 pi, blastocysts from the control and 2% mTeSR1 groups were cultured for 7 days. The 2% mTeSR1 group showed higher efficiency in forming dome-shaped colonies with stronger SOX2 expression compared to the control. Conclusions: The mTeSR1 supplement supports preimplantation embryo development and prevents apoptosis in blastocysts, leading to the efficient formation of domeshaped inner cell mass (ICM) colonies.

Background: Lower back pain/injuries are common in caregivers, and physical stresses at the lower back during patient care are considered a primary cause. An instrumented hospital bed my help reduce the physical loads during patient repositioning. Objects: We estimated the physical stresses at the lower back during patient repositioning to assess biomechanical benefits of the instrumented hospital bed. Methods: Fourteen individuals repositioned a patient lying on an instrumented hospital bed. Trials were acquired for three types of repositioning (boosting superiorly, pulling laterally, and rolling from supine to side-lying). Trials were also acquired with two bed heights (10 and 30 cm below the anterior superior iliac spine), and with and without the bed tilting feature. During trials, kinematics of an upper body and hand pulling forces were recorded to determine the compressive and shear forces using static equilibrium equations. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test if the peak compressive and shear forces were associated with repositioning type (3 levels), bed height (2 levels), and bed feature (2 levels). Results: The peak compressive force ranged from 836 N to 3,954 N, and was associated with type (F = 14.661, p < 0.0005) and height (F = 10.044, p = 0.007), but not with bed feature (F = 0.003, p = 0.955). The peak shear force ranged from 66 to 473 N, and was associated with type (F = 8.021, p < 0.005), height (F = 6.548, p = 0.024), and bed feature (F = 22.978, p < 0.0005). Conclusion: The peak compressive force at the lower back during patient repositioning, draws one’s attention as it is, in some trials, close to or greater than the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health safety criterion (3,400 N). Furthermore, the physical stress decreases by adjusting bed height, but not by using tilting feature of an instrumented bed.

2024년 1월 1일 발생한 규모 7.5의 일본 노토지진은 강력한 지반 운동, 지진 해일과 함께 대기 압력 변동에 의 한 인프라사운드 신호를 동반하였다. 노토지진 인프라사운드 신호는 진앙에서 약 830 km 떨어진 국내 인프라사운드 관측소 뿐만 아니라 약 3,500 km 떨어진 국제관측망에서도 탐지되었다. 지진 발생 당시 성층권과 중간권 고도에 형성된 동-서 반대 방향의 강한 바람은 동북아시아 지역에 위치한 관측소와 반대 방향인 태평양에 위치한 관측소에서 지진 인 프라사운드 신호 관측을 가능하게 하였다. 역-투사 방법으로 음원의 발생지역을 계산한 결과, 고주파수 대역(1-2 Hz)의 인프라사운드 신호는 주로 진앙을 포함한 일본 내륙의 지반 운동으로 발생했으며, 저주파수 인프라사운드(0.3 Hz 이하) 는 지진과 동시에 발생한 일본 서쪽 해안의 지진 해일(해수면 운동)에 의해 발생한 것으로 해석된다. 지표면-대기 상호 작용 관계식과 지진 해일 경보 높이(3 m)로 추정한 지진 해일 기원의 인프라사운드 음원 크기는 약 120 Pa로 육지 지 반 운동에 의한 음원의 크기(약 280 Pa)와 비교될 만한 것으로 확인되었다. 2024년 노토지진은 지구 표면의 지반 운동 과 해수면 운동에 의한 인프라사운드 신호가 다중 관측소에서 동시에 관측된 사례로 평가된다.

PIM-1 (polymer intrinsic microporosity-1)은 뒤틀린 구조에 기인한 높은 기체 투과 특성을 가지고 있기 때문에 기 체 분리막 소재 중 하나로 활발히 연구되어졌다. 높은 기체 투과 특성의 장점에도 불구하고 높지 않은 기체 선택성의 한계점 이 존재함에 따라 본 연구에서는 PIM-1 분리막에 PEG/PPG-CN을 첨가함으로써 CO2의 용해도 증가에 따른 기체 선택도를 높이고 열처리를 진행하여 PIM-1과 PEG/PPG-CN의 사이아노기가 트라이아진으로 전환되는 재배열을 유도하였다. 그 결과 2 wt%의 PEG/PPG-CN이 첨가되고 열처리된 PIM-1 분리막의 성능은 열처리만 된 PIM-1 분리막과 비교하였을 때 단일 및 혼 합 기체 조건에서 더 높은 이산화탄소의 투과도와 선택도를 가지는 것으로 측정되었다. 혼합 기체 조건에서는 단일 기체 조 건에서 보다 높은 이산화탄소 투과도와 선택도를 보이며 실제 기체 분리 공정의 적용 가능성이 높다는 것을 확인하였으며 트 라이아진의 가교에 의하여 기체 분리막이 가소화 저항성(anti-plasticization)을 가지는 것으로 확인되었다.

Background: Post-ovulatory aging (POA) of oocytes is related to a decrease in the quality and quantity of oocytes caused by aging. Previous studies on the characteristics of POA have investigated injury to early embryonic developmental ability, but no information is available on its effects on mitochondrial fission and mitophagy-related responses. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial fission and mitophagy in in vitro maturation (IVM) oocytes and a POA model based on RNA sequencing analysis. Methods: The POA model was obtained through an additional 24 h culture following the IVM of matured oocytes. NMN treatment was administered at a concentration of 25 μM during the oocyte culture process. We conducted MitoTracker staining and Western blot experiments to confirm changes in mitochondrial function between the IVM and POA groups. Additionally, comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes and associated changes in mitochondrial dynamics between porcine IVM and POA model oocytes. Results: In total, 32 common genes of apoptosis and 42 mitochondrial fission and function uniquely expressed genes were detected (≥ 1.5-fold change) in POA and porcine metaphase II oocytes, respectively. Functional analyses of mitochondrial fission, oxidative stress, mitophagy, autophagy, and cellular apoptosis were observed as the major changes in regulated biological processes for oocyte quality and maturation ability compared with the POA model. Additionally, we revealed that the activation of NAD+ by nicotinamide mononucleotide not only partly improved oocyte quality but also mitochondrial fission and mitophagy activation in the POA porcine model. Conclusions: In summary, our data indicate that mitochondrial fission and function play roles in controlling oxidative stress, mitophagy, and apoptosis during maturation in POA porcine oocytes. Additionally, we found that NAD+ biosynthesis is an important pathway that mediates the effects of DRP1-derived mitochondrial morphology, dynamic balance, and mitophagy in the POA model.

본 연구는 도서식물자원인 소사나무의 식물군집구조 분석을 통해 소사나무림의 서식지 외 보전 및 서식환경 등의 기초자료를 제공하고자 수행하였다. 군집구조 분석을 위하여 소사나무가 출현하는 안면도(중장리 산 14-217), 황금산, 가야산(원효봉), 팔봉산을 대상으로 총 27개의 방형구(각 100㎡)를 설치 및 조사하였다. 군집분류는 TWINSPAN에 의한 classification 분석을 하였다. 군집분류 결과 소사나무-신갈나무 군락(Ⅰ), 소사나무-소나무 군락(Ⅱ), 소사나무-소 나무 군락(Ⅲ), 소사나무-신갈나무 군락(Ⅳ), 소사나무-굴참나무 군락(Ⅴ), 소사나무-잔털벚나무 군락(Ⅵ), 소사나무-때 죽나무 군락(Ⅶ) 등 총 7개의 군락으로 분류되었다. 종다양도는 0.8056~1.1568, 우점도는 0.1214~0.3024이며, 유사도 지수는 9.37~36.36%이었다. 군락별 6개 환경인자를 RDA ordination로 상관관계 분석한 결과 제 1축을 기준으로 해발고도, 울폐도, 암석노출도, 경사도가 상관관계를 보였다. 군락 Ⅲ(소사나무-소나무 군락)과 군락 Ⅳ(소사나무-신갈 나무 군락)은 주로 해발고도, 암석노출도, 경사도가 식생분포에 영향을 미치는 환경인자로 나타났다. 군락 Ⅴ(소사나무- 굴참나무 군락), 군락 Ⅵ(소사나무-잔털벚나무 군락)와 군락 Ⅶ(소사나무-때죽나무 군락)은 울폐도가 식생분포에 영향 을 미치는 환경인자로 나타났다.

Green pesticides, derived from natural sources, have gained wider attention as an alternative approach to synthetic pesticides in managing polyphagous pests like Spodoptera litura. In this study, the methanolic flower extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Mx-Na-t) was subjected to chemical screening, and major peak area derivatives 3-Hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone (3H-dp) and Tyrosol (Ty-ol) were identified. The toxicity against S. litura larvae of Mx-Na-t (at 500 ppm) was highest in third instars (96.4%), and for 3H-dp and Ty-ol (at 5 ppm) in II instars (76.5% and 81.4%, respectively). The growth and development of S. litura larvae and pupae were significantly reduced by all three extract and phytochemical treatments. Fecundity rates also declined with the treatments, from 1,020 eggs (control) to 540 eggs (Mx-Na-t), 741 eggs (3H-dp), and 721 eggs (Ty-ol). The extract and its active constituents decreased adult emergence and slowed total larval development in a dosedependent manner. The major gut enzymes of S. litura decreased in young larvae (II instar) exposed to Mx-Na-t, 3H-dp, and Ty-ol. Fourth instar midgut tissues were severely damaged by Mx-Na-t (250 ppm), 3H-dp, and Ty-ol (2.5 ppm) treatments, which induced structural damage to the epithelial cells and gut lumen. The earthworm Eisenia foetida was used to test for non-target toxicity. Crude Mx-Na-t at 500 ppm (13% and 3%) and 3H-dp (9.3% and 2.1%) and Ty-ol (10.2% and 1.5%) at 5 ppm produced lower mortality than the synthetic chemical cypermethrin at 1.0 ppm (27% and 18%) in filter paper and artificial soil assays, respectively. In addition, there was no significant change in earthworm weights under all three phytochemical treatments compared to controls. Additionally, the in-silico predictions of BeeTox and ProTox II indicated little or no toxicity toward honey bees and other nontargets associated with 3H-dp and Ty-ol. Overall these phyto-chemicals offer an effective pest management strategy.

우리는 길앞잡이(Cicindela chinensis)의 장에서 다양한 공생 미생물들을 분리하였다. 그중 다양한 곰팡이 성장 을 억제하는 세균을 동정하였고 “Ch-1”이라 명명하였다. 우리는 Ch-1 균주를 사용하여 10종의 식물 병원성 곰팡 이와 2종 곤충 병원성 곰팡이의 생장 억제를 확인하였다. 또한 8종의 항생제에 대한 저항성을 확인하였다. 동시 에, 본 균주의 genomic sequence를 수행하였고 유전적, 생화학적, 생리적 특성을 조사하였다. Ch-1균주는 특허등 록과 친환경 미생물제제로 등록하였고 향후 생물학적 방제제로써 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단한다.

동물의 종 유지에 있어서 교미행동은 매우 중요한 위치를 차지함. 교미과정에서 수컷의 경우 모든 암컷에 대해 성행동을 보이는반면, 암컷은 가장 적절한 교미의 시기를 정하며, 적절한 수컷을 선택하고 교미행동을 보이기 때문에 암컷의 교미행동을 유도하는 과정은 생물학에서 매우 중요한 의미를 지님. 본 연구에서는 초파리 (Drosophila melanogaster) 전자현미경자료와 총신경망분석 (Connectomics)을 이용하여 초파리 뇌에서 암컷의 교미행동을 조절하는 것으로 알려진 pC1신경의 하부신경 pC1b,c가 성적 성숙과정에서 교미를 하고자 하는 욕구 (sexual drive)를 증가시키는 기능을 하는 것을 처음으로 밝힘. 본 연구에서는 처음으로 pC1b,c 신경 내의 cAMP 수준이 교미의 욕구변화를 보여주는 중요한 물질이라는 것을 밝혔고 cAMP의 수준이 오르기 위해서는 신경펩티 드인 Dh44와 그 수용체 GPCR인 Dh44R1과 Dh44R2가 필요하다는 것을 확인함. 또한 cAMP의 변화는 신경내의 CREBB를 통하여 하위 유전자인 pyx (pyrexia)의 발현을 유도한다는 것을 밝힘. 본 연구로 종 유지 메커니즘을 좀 더 이해할 수 있음.

The odors emitted from wastewater treatment plants are not only a health and hygiene problem, but can also lead to complaints from residents and have wider social ramifications such as bringing about falling property values in the surrounding area. In this paper, based on the data measured at domestic and overseas wastewater treatment facilities, the concentrations of complex odors and odorous compounds were compared for each treatment/process: primary treatment, secondary treatment, and sludge treatment processes. Odor compounds that contribute greatly to complex odors were summarized for each process. In addition, the characteristics of odor wheels for each wastewater treatment process, which provide both chemical and olfactory information regarding odors, were reviewed. For domestic wastewater treatment facilities, the complex odor concentrations (unit, dilution factor) of the primary and secondary treatment processes were 4.5-100,000 (median, 32.1) and 2.5-30,000 (median, 10.7), respectively. However, the complex odor concentrations in the sludge treatment process were 3.0-100,000 (median, 118.7), which was more than three times higher than that in the wastewater treatment process. In the wastewater treatment process, those odor compounds making the greatest contributions to complex odors were sulfur-containing compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide DMS. In order to properly manage odors from wastewater treatment plants and minimize their impact, it is important to understand the status of odor emissions. Therefore, the compositions and concentrations of odors from wastewater treatment processes and odor wheel information, which are reviewed in this paper, are used to evaluate the potential risk of odor from wastewater treatment facilities in order to derive strategies to minimize odor emissions. Moreover, the information can be usefully used to introduce the best available technology to reduce odors emitted from wastewater treatment facilities.

Determination of Idarubicin (IDA) as an anthracycline derivative and extensively used treatment of leukemia was investigated by electrochemical method using carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with NiO/SWCNTs nanocomposite and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMCl). The NiO/SWCNTs nanocomposites and EMCl play an important catalytic role in improving the electron transfer process at surface of CPE to monitoring of IDA. Electrochemical method was used to investigation redox behavior of IDA at surface of the NiO/SWCNTs/EMCl/CPE. The oxidation signal of IDA amplified by modification of CPE by NiO/SWCNTs and EMCl was about 4.3 times and NiO/SWCNTs/EMCl/CPE detected IDA in concentration range of 0.001–160 μM with detection limit of 0.5 nM, respectively. The evaluation of analytical and recovery data confirms the mentioned method was completely validated and successfully employed for the determination of IDA in real samples.

The waste secondary battery contains a significant amount of valuable metals, making its recycling highly desirable. However, conventional chemical methods for recycling are environmentally unfriendly and cost-ineffective. Rather than the chemical method, this paper deals with a mechanical method for recovering electrode materials from waste secondary batteries by blowing pressurized air onto the interface area between the electrode and the separator. Especially, in this study, the effective blowing angle were searched by simulating the separation of the electrode material from the separator through 1-way fluid structure interaction analysis based on the Cohesive Zone Modeling technique.