The Utilization of Traditional Herbal Medicine for Treatment in Traditional Korean Medicine Clinics

A cross-sectional study has been conducted to detect the facts about the use of traditional herbal medicines (THMs) in South Korea. The questionnaire has been adopted from the 2017 National Survey for the usage of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and consumption of THMs. A total number of 1346 participants have been involved in this study. Results showed that the non-decoction types of herbal medicines, which are mostly used for therapeutic purposes (89.0%), and the decoction types of herbal medicines were not only used for the purpose of treatment of diseases (62.5%) but also health improvement purposes (21.9%). Results presented that decoction types of THMs are used for musculoskeletal diseases (56.0%), digestive diseases (21.3%), and respiratory diseases (6.3%), whereas the non-decoction types of THMs are commonly used in musculoskeletal diseases (55.6%), respiratory diseases (20.5%), and digestive diseases (18.1%). Future studies are highly recommended to detect more details about the medical use of THMs in South Korea

High-Throughput Screening of Acyl-CoA Thioesterase I Mutants Using a Fluid Array Platform

Screening target microorganisms from a mutated recombinant library plays a crucial role in advancing synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. However, conventional screening tools have several limitations regarding throughput, cost, and labor. Here, we used the fluid array platform to conduct high-throughput screening (HTS) that identified Escherichia coli ???TesA thioesterase mutants producing elevated yields of free fatty acids (FFAs) from a large (106) mutant library. A growth-based screening method using a TetA-RFP fusion sensing mechanism and a reporter-based screening method using high-level FFA producing mutants were employed to identify these mutants via HTS. The platform was able to cover >95% of the mutation library, and it screened target cells from many arrays of the fluid array platform so that a post-analysis could be conducted by gas chromatography. The ???TesA mutation of each isolated mutant showing improved FFA production in E. coli was characterized, and its enhanced FFA production capability was confirmed

The Interaction of Phospholipase C-{beta}3 with Shank2 Regulates mGluR-mediated Calcium Signal

Phospholipase C-{beta} isozymes that are activated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and heterotrimeric G proteins carry a PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain binding motif at their C terminus. Through interactions with PDZ domains, this motif may endow the PLC-{beta} isozyme with specific roles in GPCR signaling events that occur in compartmentalized regions of the plasma membrane. In this study, we identified the interaction of PLC-{beta}3 with Shank2, a PDZ domain-containing multimodular scaffold in the postsynaptic density (PSD). The C terminus of PLC-{beta}3, but not other PLC-{beta} isotypes, specifically interacts with the PDZ domain of Shank2. Homer 1b, a Shank-interacting protein that is linked to group I metabotropic glutamate receptors and IP3 receptors, forms a multiple complex with Shank2 and PLC-{beta}3. Importantly, microinjection of a synthetic peptide specifically mimicking the C terminus of PLC-{beta}3 markedly reduces the mGluR-mediated intracellular calcium response. These results demonstrate that Shank2 brings PLC-{beta}3 closer to Homer 1b and constitutes an efficient mGluR-coupled signaling pathway in the PSD region of neuronal synapses

Bioimaging of Nucleolin Aptamer-Containing 5-(N-benzylcarboxyamide)-2′-deoxyuridine More Capable of Specific Binding to Targets in Cancer Cells

Chemically modified nucleotides have been developed and applied into SELEX procedure to find a novel type of aptamers to fit with targets of interest. In this study, we directly performed chemical modification of 5-(N-benzylcarboxyamide)-2′-deoxyuridine (called 5-BzdU) in the AS1411 aptamer, which binds to the nucleolin protein expressed in cancer cells. Forty-seven compounds of AS1411-containing Cy3-labeled 5-BzdU (called Cy3-(5-BzdU)-modified-AS1411) were synthesized by randomly substituting thymidines one to twelve in AS1411 with Cy3-labeled 5-BzdU. Both statistically quantified fluorescence measurements and confocal imaging analysis demonstrated at least three potential compounds of interest: number 12, 29 and 41 that significantly increased the targeting affinity to cancer cells but no significant activity from normal healthy cells. These results suggest that the position and number of substituents in AS1411 are critical parameters to improve the aptamer function. In this study, we demonstrated that chemical modification of the existing aptamers enhanced the binding and targeting affinity to targets of interest without additional SELEX procedures

Physiological responses of two halophytic grass species under drought stress environment

The physiological responses of two halophytic grass species, Halopyrum mucronatum (L.) Staph. and Cenchrus ciliaris (L.), under drought stress were evaluated. Biomass accumulation, relative water content, free proline, H2O2 content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic performance and quantum yield (Fv/Fm ratio) were studied. Under drought conditions, these halophytic plants expressed differential responses to water defi cit. Stomatal conductance and free proline content were higher in H. mucronatum than in C. ciliaris, while H2O2 content in H. mucronatum was substantially lower than in C. ciliaris. Performance index showed considerable sensitivity to a water deficit condition, more so in C. ciliaris than in H. mucronatum. Results were discussed in relation to comparative physiological performance and antioxidant enzymes activity of both halophytic grasses under drought stress

A new cognition-based chat system for avatar agents in virtual space

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Fluid-filled Giant Bulla Treated with Percutaneous Drainage and Talc Sclerotherapy: A Modified Brompton Technique

A 75-year-old man who was diagnosed as having a fluid-filled giant bulla was treated with a modified Brompton technique due to his poor performance status. Percutaneous drainage, suction, and talc sclerotherapy through a Foley catheter can be good treatment options for patients with conditions that are too poor to allow surgical intervention, especially if there is adhesion between a giant bulla and parietal pleura. Talc can also be used safely when mixed with normal saline as a sclerosant