Large scale and integrated platform for digital mass culture of anchorage dependent cells

Industrial applications of anchorage-dependent cells require large-scale cell culture with multifunctional monitoring of culture conditions and control of cell behaviour. Here, we introduce a large-scale, integrated, and smart cell-culture platform (LISCCP) that facilitates digital mass culture of anchorage-dependent cells. LISCCP is devised through large-scale integration of ultrathin sensors and stimulator arrays in multiple layers. LISCCP provides real-time, 3D, and multimodal monitoring and localized control of the cultured cells, which thereby allows minimizing operation labour and maximizing cell culture performance. Wireless integration of multiple LISCCPs across multiple incubators further amplifies the culture scale and enables digital monitoring and local control of numerous culture layers, making the large-scale culture more efficient. Thus, LISCCP can transform conventional labour-intensive and high-cost cell cultures into efficient digital mass cell cultures. This platform could be useful for industrial applications of cell cultures such as in vitro toxicity testing of drugs and cosmetics and clinical scale production of cells for cell therapy.

Nanovesicles derived from iron oxide nanoparticles-incorporated mesenchymal stem cells for cardiac repair

Because of poor engraftment and safety concerns regarding mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, MSC-derived exosomes have emerged as an alternative cell-free therapy for myocardial infarction (MI). However, the diffusion of exosomes out of the infarcted heart following injection and the low productivity limit the potential of clinical applications. Here, we developed exosome-mimetic extracellular nanovesicles (NVs) derived from iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)-incorporated MSCs (IONP-MSCs). The retention of injected IONP-MSC-derived NVs (IONP-NVs) within the infarcted heart was markedly augmented by magnetic guidance. Furthermore, IONPs significantly increased the levels of therapeutic molecules in IONP-MSCs and IONP-NVs, which can reduce the concern of low exosome productivity. The injection of IONP-NVs into the infarcted heart and magnetic guidance induced an early shift from the inflammation phase to the reparative phase, reduced apoptosis and fibrosis, and enhanced angiogenesis and cardiac function recovery. This approach can enhance the therapeutic potency of an MSC-derived NV therapy.

Radical scavenging activitybased and AP-1-targeted anti-inflammatory effects of lutein in macrophage-like and skin keratinocytic cells,”

Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid with antioxidative, antitumorigenic, antiangiogenic, photoprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Although the anti-inflammatory effects of lutein have previously been described, the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory action has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory activity of lutein in the inflammatory responses of skin-derived keratinocytes or macrophages and to elucidate the mechanism of its inhibitory action. Lutein significantly reduced several skin inflammatory responses, including increased expression of interleukin-(IL-) 6 from LPS-treated macrophages, upregulation of cyclooxygenase-(COX-) 2 from interferon-/tumor necrosis-factor-(TNF-) -treated HaCaT cells, and the enhancement of matrix-metallopeptidase-(MMP-) 9 level in UV-irradiated keratinocytes. By evaluating the intracellular signaling pathway and the nuclear transcription factor levels, we determined that lutein inhibited the activation of redox-sensitive AP-1 pathway by suppressing the activation of p38 and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). Evaluation of the radical and ROS scavenging activities further revealed that lutein was able to act as a strong anti-oxidant. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that lutein-mediated AP-1 suppression and anti-inflammatory activity are the result of its strong antioxidative and p38/JNK inhibitory activities. These findings can be applied for the preparation of anti-inflammatory and cosmetic remedies for inflammatory diseases of the skin

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) in Domestic Poultry and Relationship with Migratory Birds, South Korea

During the 2006–2007 winter season in South Korea, several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) were confirmed among domestic poultry and in migratory bird habitats. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all isolates were closely related and that all belong to the A/bar-headed goose/Qinghai/5/2005–like lineage rather than the A/chicken/Korea/ES/2003–like lineage

Laboratory information management system for COVID-19 non-clinical efficacy trial data

Background : As the number of large-scale studies involving multiple organizations producing data has steadily increased, an integrated system for a common interoperable format is needed. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of global efforts are underway to develop vaccines and therapeutics. We are therefore observing an explosion in the proliferation of COVID-19 data, and interoperability is highly requested in multiple institutions participating simultaneously in COVID-19 pandemic research. Results : In this study, a laboratory information management system (LIMS) approach has been adopted to systemically manage various COVID-19 non-clinical trial data, including mortality, clinical signs, body weight, body temperature, organ weights, viral titer (viral replication and viral RNA), and multiorgan histopathology, from multiple institutions based on a web interface. The main aim of the implemented system is to integrate, standardize, and organize data collected from laboratories in multiple institutes for COVID-19 non-clinical efficacy testings. Six animal biosafety level 3 institutions proved the feasibility of our system. Substantial benefits were shown by maximizing collaborative high-quality non-clinical research. Conclusions : This LIMS platform can be used for future outbreaks, leading to accelerated medical product development through the systematic management of extensive data from non-clinical animal studies.This research was supported by the National research foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT) (2020M3A9I2109027 and 2021M3H9A1030260)

Species abundance distribution of benthic chironomids and other macroinvertebrates across different levels of pollution in streams

Chironomid assemblages collected from seven different streams in South Korea were investigated. The subfamily composition of chironomids was clearly differentiated accross different levels of organic pollution. Species abundance distributions (SADs) of chironomid communities were compared with the total macroinvertebrate communities across different levels of pollution. The number of species with minimal range of abundance was lower in SADs for chironomid communities compared with total communities. The log normal distribution was accepted for both total and chironomid communities, while the geometric series was relatively more suitable for chironomids and the log series were more fitted to total communities. The a values in the log normal distribution increased in chironomid communities across different levels of pollution, while γ values increased at the polluted sites for both chironomid and total communities. In the Power law analysis, the parameter decreased in chironomid communities. The dominance decay model was more fitted to chironomid communities in clean conditions while random fraction and assortment models were more suitable for the polluted sites

The impact of the Goesan dam on fish communities up- and downstream

Dams can cause fragmentation of the natural structure and function of fish communities up- and downstream of the dam. In this study, we examined the effects of the Goesan Dam on the longitudinal distribution of fish in the Dal stream, using two computational methods: a self-organizing map (SOM) and spatial autocorrelation. Fish were collected at 16 different study sites in two seasons (spring and autumn). SOM classified the study sites into four clusters (1–4), reflecting differences in the longitudinal distribution patterns of fish, and the effects of the dam on fish community composition. Samples in clusters 1 and 2 mostly originated from tributaries and the upstream section of the dam, whereas samples in cluster 4 originated from downstream study sites of the dam. Cluster 3 included study sites originating directly from up- and downstream of the dam. Species turnover and spatial autocorrelation results confirmed the fish community alteration near the dam. Species turnover was the highest between study sites directly up- and downstream of the dam. The Mantel correlogram was positive when applied to short distances between the study sites. However, it was negative for the farthest distance, including sites near the dam, indicating that the dam caused significant alterations to the fish community. Overall, our results suggest that the habitat alterations (e.g., fragmentation of longitudinal gradients and disruption of flow regimes) due to dam construction have caused fragmentation of fish communities.We report the impact of a dam on fish communities upstream and downstream. A self-organizing map differentiated four different clusters of fish communities. At the site directly before the dam, large numbers of largemouth bass were observed. Species turnover rate was the highest between the two sites directly upstream and downstream of the dam. Species composition was negatively correlated in the farthest distances based on spatial autocorrelation