Investigation of Cation Exchange Behaviors of FA\u3csub\u3ex\u3c/sub\u3eMA\u3csub\u3e1-x\u3c/sub\u3ePBl\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e Films Using Dynamic Spin Coating

In this study, we fabricated and characterized uniform multi-cation perovskite FAxMA1−xPbI3 films. We used the dynamic spin-coating method to control the cation ratio of the film by gradually increasing the FA+, which replaced the MA+ in the films. When the FA+ concentration was lower than xFA ~0.415 in the films, the stability of the multi-cation perovskite improved. Above this concentration, the film exhibited δ-phase FAPbI3 in the FAxMA1−xPbI3 films. The formation of δ-phase FAPbI3 disturbed the homogeneity of the photoluminescence spatial distribution and suppressed the absorption spectral bandwidth with the increasing bandgap. The precise control of the cation ratio of multi-cation perovskite films is necessary to optimize the energy-harvesting performance

Lomerizine inhibits LPS-mediated neuroinflammation and tau hyperphosphorylation by modulating NLRP3, DYRK1A, and GSK3α/β

IntroductionLomerizine is a calcium channel blocker that crosses the blood–brain barrier and is used clinically in the treatment of migraines. However, whether lomerizine is beneficial in modulating neuroinflammatory responses has not been tested yet.MethodsTo assess the potential of lomerizine for repurposing as a treatment for neuroinflammation, we investigated the effects of lomerizine on LPS-induced proinflammatory responses in BV2 microglial cells, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) excitatory neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and in LPS-treated wild type mice.ResultsIn BV2 microglial cells, lomerizine pretreatment significantly reduced LPS-evoked proinflammatory cytokine and NLRP3 mRNA levels. Similarly, lomerizine pretreatment significantly suppressed the increases in Iba-1, GFAP, proinflammatory cytokine and NLRP3 expression induced by LPS in wild-type mice. In addition, lomerizine posttreatment significantly decreased LPS-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine and SOD2 mRNA levels in BV2 microglial cells and/or wild-type mice. In LPS-treated wild-type mice and AD excitatory neurons differentiated from iPSCs, lomerizine pretreatment ameliorated tau hyperphosphorylation. Finally, lomerizine abolished the LPS-mediated activation of GSK3α/β and upregulation of DYRK1A, which is responsible for tau hyperphosphorylation, in wild-type mice.DiscussionThese data suggest that lomerizine attenuates LPS-mediated neuroinflammatory responses and tau hyperphosphorylation and is a potential drug for neuroinflammation- or tauopathy-associated diseases

Quadruple 9-mer-based protein binding microarray with DsRed fusion protein

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The interaction between a transcription factor and DNA motif (<it>cis</it>-acting element) is an important regulatory step in gene regulation. Comprehensive genome-wide methods have been developed to characterize protein-DNA interactions. Recently, the universal protein binding microarray (PBM) was introduced to determine if a DNA motif interacts with proteins in a genome-wide manner.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We facilitated the PBM technology using a DsRed fluorescent protein and a concatenated sequence of oligonucleotides. The PBM was designed in such a way that target probes were synthesized as quadruples of all possible 9-mer combinations, permitting unequivocal interpretation of the <it>cis</it>-acting elements. The complimentary DNA strands of the features were synthesized with a primer and DNA polymerase on microarray slides. Proteins were labeled via N-terminal fusion with DsRed fluorescent protein, which circumvents the need for a multi-step incubation. The PBM presented herein confirmed the well-known DNA binding sequences of Cbf1 and CBF1/DREB1B, and it was also applied to elucidate the unidentified <it>cis</it>-acting element of the OsNAC6 rice transcription factor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our method demonstrated PBM can be conveniently performed by adopting: (1) quadruple 9-mers may increase protein-DNA binding interactions in the microarray, and (2) a one-step incubation shortens the wash and hybridization steps. This technology will facilitate greater understanding of genome-wide interactions between proteins and DNA.</p

Avian influenza virus transmission is suppressed in chickens fed Lactobacillus paracasei expressing the 3D8 single-chain variable fragment protein

The 3D8 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a mini-antibody sequence with independent nuclease activity that shows antiviral effects against all types of viruses in chickens and mice. In this study, chickens were treated daily with an oral dose of 109 CFU Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) expressing either a secreted or anchored 3D8 scFv for three weeks. After L. paracasei administration, the chickens were challenged with avian influenza virus (AIV). From each experimental group, three chickens were directly infected with 100 µL of 107.5 EID50/mL H9N2 AIV and seven chickens were indirectly challenged through contact transmission. oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected at 3, 5, 7, and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi) from AIV-challenged chickens, AIV Shedding titres were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Contact transmission in the chickens that were fed 3D8 scFv-secreting L. paracasei showed a significant reduction in viral shedding when compared with other groups. These results suggest that L. paracasei secreting 3D8 provides a basis for the development of ingestible antiviral probiotics with activity against AIV

Retrospective study of canine cutaneous tumors in Korea

Over the 42 month period from January 2003 to June 2006, a total of 2,952 canine biopsy specimens were received from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University and from veterinary practitioners across the nation. Out of these, 748 (25.34%) cases were diagnosed as canine cutaneous tumors in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea. Thirty-eight different types of cutaneous tumors were identified and categorized into epithelial and melanocytic tumors (56.95%), mesenchymal tumors (38.90%), and hematopoietic tumors (4.14%) located in the skin. Among these, 69.25% were benign and 30.74% were malignant. The top ten most frequently diagnosed cutaneous tumors were epidermal and follicular cysts (12.70%), lipoma (11.36%), mast cell tumors (8.82%), cutaneous histiocytoma (7.49%), basal cell tumors (6.82%), sebaceous gland adenoma (6.68%), sebaceous gland hyperplasia (5.08%), hepatoid gland adenoma (3.61%), apocrine adenocarcinoma (3.07%), and fibroma (2.81%), in order of prevalence. They comprised 68.45% of all cutaneous tumors. These top ten cutaneous tumors were distributed on the trunk (30.08%), head and neck (20.9%), extremities (19.14%), anal and perianal area (8.59%), and tail (3.91%). The age of the dogs with the ten most frequent tumors had a mean age of 8.3 years, with a range of 2 months to 19 years. When all types of tumors were considered together in the entire population, there was no difference in incidence according to sex.This study was supported by the Brain Korea 21 Program for Veterinary Science

Successful Chemotherapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma and Multi-organ Dysfunction with Infiltration of Eosinophils: A Case Report

Eosinophils are derived from hematopoietic stem cells. Peripheral blood eosinophilia is defined as an absolute eosinophil count of ≥0.5×109/L. Eosinophilia is classified into primary or clonal eosinophilia, secondary eosinophilia, and idiopathic categories including idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. Both hematopoietic and solid neoplasms may be associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia, but multiple myeloma is rarely associated with eosinophilia. We now report the case of a 31-year-old man with multiple myeloma associated with marked eosinophilia who developed multiple organ dysfunction with infiltration of eosinophils. He recovered after treatment with chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation