Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanofibers as an Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst For Zn-Air Batteries

Battery Science & TechnologyNitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers have potential to be an alternative metal-free catalyst for the air-electrodes in fuel cells and metal-air batteries because of their enhanced electro-catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction(ORR). However, the available nitrogen doping precesses require more than one step. Here we report a simple and cost-effective fabrication precess, eletrospinning of polymeric fibers followed by carbonization at 1100℃, for preparation of nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanofibers with extremely high surface are (1271 m2g-1), demonstrating excellent electrocatalytic activity toward ORR at low cost, which is attributed to proper nitrogen-doping and enhanced graphitic characteristics of carbon nanofibers. For example, the performance of a Zn-air cell based on the nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanofibers exhibits a peak power density of 194mW/cm2, comparable to that based on a commercial Pt/C catalyst (192 mW/cm2). Further, the generation of hydrogen peroxide ion(<20%) in a half cell on the new catalyst is similar to that on the commercial Pt/C catalyst.ope

Bucillamine prevents cisplatin-induced ototoxicity through induction of glutathione and antioxidant genes.

Bucillamine is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This study investigated the protective effects of bucillamine against cisplatin-induced damage in auditory cells, the organ of Corti from postnatal rats (P2) and adult Balb/C mice. Cisplatin increases the catalytic activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 proteases and the production of free radicals, which were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with bucillamine. Bucillamine induces the intranuclear translocation of Nrf2 and thereby increases the expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) and glutathione synthetase (GSS), which further induces intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). However, knockdown studies of HO-1 and SOD2 suggest that the protective effect of bucillamine against cisplatin is independent of the enzymatic activity of HO-1 and SOD. Furthermore, pretreatment with bucillamine protects sensory hair cells on organ of Corti explants from cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity concomitantly with inhibition of caspase-3 activation. The auditory-brainstem-evoked response of cisplatin-injected mice shows marked increases in hearing threshold shifts, which was markedly suppressed by pretreatment with bucillamine in vivo. Taken together, bucillamine protects sensory hair cells from cisplatin through a scavenging effect on itself, as well as the induction of intracellular GSH

Exploring South Korea’s Ocean Economy : the Korea National Ocean Economy Survey 2017-2019

As the economic contribution of the ocean and fisheries industry increases, it is essential to identify industrial characteristics and propose specialized strategies based on data. However, there has been a lack of research on the establishment of an industrial classification system that reflects the characteristics of the ocean and fisheries industry in South Korea. Therefore, this study aims to introduce the specialized classification system of the ocean and fisheries industry and, further intends to analyze industry trends using the survey data based on the classification system. For the past three years (2017-2019) 9,000 businesses were surveyed annually to estimate industry revenues, number of businesses and workers, annual labor costs, and business outlook. As a result, this study proposed the need for government support for the shipbuilding and offshore plant construction & repair industry which has great economic ripple effects, and the need to strengthen the labor supply chain of the fishery industries that are easily affected by external shocks

Three newly recorded plants of South Korea: Muhlenbergia ramosa (Hack. ex Matsum.) Makino, Dichanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould & C.A. Clark and Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton

AbstractThree new Poaceae species are reported in South Korea. Muhlenbergia ramosa was found in Boryeong-si, Iksan-si, Jangsu-gun and Gwangju. Dichanthelium acuminatum and Rottboellia cochinchinensis were found in Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do and Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do which were thought to be alien species. Genus Dichanthelium and Rottboellia are newly reported in South Korea. Muhlenbergia ramosa was thought to be native to Korea

Sex-specific in the relationship between hyperuricemia and pulse pressure in non-diabetic Korean adults: the 2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background and objective: The present study assesses the relationship between hyperuricemia and pulse pressure (PP) in non-diabetic Korean adults. Material and methods: Data from 5122 subjects (2251 men and 2871 women) in the seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-2, 2017) were analyzed. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and PP were significant factors determining the odds ratios (ORs) for hyperuricemia (uric acid ≥7.0 mg/dL in men or ≥6.0 mg/dL in women) in men and the overall population. In women, SBP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and PP were not significant factors determining the OR for hyperuricemia. After adjusting for related variables, the OR of hyperuricemia was significantly higher in the high PP group (PP >60.0 mmHg) for men (OR, 1.760; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.152–2.688) and the overall population (OR, 1.557; 95% CI, 1.132–2.140) compared with the normal PP group, but this trend was not seen in women (OR, 1.060; 95% CI, 0.646–1.740). Conclusions: Hyperuricemia was positively associated with PP in non-diabetic Korean men but not in women

A Protein Profile of Visceral Adipose Tissues Linked to Early Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Adipose tissue is increasingly recognized as an endocrine organ playing important pathophysiological roles in metabolic abnormalities, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In particular, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), as opposed to subcutaneous adipose tissue, is closely linked to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and T2DM. Despite the importance of VAT, its molecular signatures related to the pathogenesis of T2DM have not been systematically explored. Here, we present comprehensive proteomic analysis of VATs in drug-naïve early T2DM patients and subjects with normal glucose tolerance. A total of 4,707 proteins were identified in LC-MS/MS experiments. Among them, 444 increased in abundance in T2DM and 328 decreased. They are involved in T2DM-related processes including inflammatory responses, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation, and glucose metabolism. Of these proteins, we selected 11 VAT proteins that can represent alteration in early T2DM patients. Among them, up-regulation of FABP4, C1QA, S100A8, and SORBS1 and down-regulation of ACADL and PLIN4 were confirmed in VAT samples of independent early T2DM patients using Western blot. In summary, our profiling provided a comprehensive basis for understanding the link of a protein profile of VAT to early pathogenesis of T2DM. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.1

Novel next generation sequencing panel method for the multiple detection and identification of foodborne pathogens in agricultural wastewater

Detecting and identifying the origins of foodborne pathogen outbreaks is a challenging. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel method offers a potential solution by enabling efficient screening and identification of various bacteria in one reaction. In this study, new NGS panel primer sets that target 18 specific virulence factor genes from six target pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus) were developed and optimized. The primer sets were validated for specificity and selectivity through singleplex PCR, confirming the expected amplicon size. Crosscheck and multiplex PCR showed no interference in the primer set or pathogenic DNA mixture. The NGS panel analysis of spiked water samples detected all 18 target genes in a single reaction, with pathogen concentrations ranging from 108 to 105 colony-forming units (CFUs) per target pathogen. Notably, the total sequence read counts from the virulence factor genes showed a positive association with the CFUs per target pathogen. However, the method exhibited relatively low sensitivity and occasional false positive results at low pathogen concentrations of 105 CFUs. To validate the detection and identification results, two sets of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analyses were independently performed on the same spiked water samples, yielding almost the same efficiency and specificity compared to the NGS panel analysis. Comparative statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis further supported the similarity of the results by showing a negative association between the NGS panel sequence read counts and qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values. To enhance NGS panel analysis for better detection, optimization of primer sets and real-time NGS sequencing technology are essential. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insights into applying NGS panel analysis for multiple foodborne pathogen detection, emphasizing its potential in ensuring food safety

Ethanol extract of Poria cocos reduces the production of inflammatory mediators by suppressing the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Background: Poria cocos Wolf, a medicinal fungus, is widely used in traditional medicines in East Asian countries owing to its various therapeutic potentials. Although several studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of this fungus, its underlying mechanisms have not yet been clearly defined.Methods: In the present study, we have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of P. cocos (EEPC) in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. As inflammatory parameters, the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were evaluated. We also examined the EEPC&apos;s effect on the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.Results: Our results indicated that EEPC exhibits a potent inhibitory effect on NO production and inhibits PGE2 release in LPS-induced macrophages without affecting cell viability. EEPC also significantly attenuated LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. Additionally, LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α was decreased by pre-treatment with EEPC at the transcriptional level. Moreover, EEPC clearly inhibited LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunits, which correlated with EEPC&apos;s inhibitory effects on inhibitor kappaB (IκB) degradation. Moreover, EEPC clearly suppressed the LPS-induced DNA-binding activity of NF-κB, as well as the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65, which correlated with EEPC&apos;s inhibitory effects on inhibitor kappaB (IκB) degradation.Conclusions: Taken together, our data indicates that EEPC targets the inflammatory response of macrophages via inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α through inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, supporting the pharmacological basis of P. cocos as a traditional herbal medicine for treatment of inflammation and its associated disorders. © 2014 Jeong et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.1