Pathogenesis of type 1 (European genotype) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in male gonads of infected boar

The objective of this study was to determine the pathogenesis of experimental infection with a type 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) by defining the sites of viral replication and apoptosis in male gonads from infected boars for a period of 21 days after intranasal inoculation. Microscopically, hypospermatogenesis and abundant germ cell depletion and death were observed in the testes. Such germ cell death occurs by apoptosis, as determined by a characteristic histological patterns and evidence of massive DNA fragment detected in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) reaction. PRRSV was detected in the testicular tissue of infected boars only. Viral nucleic acid was localized in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids but not in the vesicular and bulbourethral gland. In serial sections, PRRSV-positive cells did not co-localized with apoptotic cells. TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells were more numerous than PRRSV-positive cells in testicular sections. The present study demonstrated that type 1 PRRSV infects the spermatogonia and their progeny, and induces apoptosis in these germ cells.     

Biscrolling nanotube sheets and functional guests into yarns

Multifunctional applications of textiles have been limited by the inability to spin important materials into yarns. Generically applicable methods are demonstrated for producing weavable yarns comprising up to 95 weight percent of otherwise unspinnable particulate or nanofiber powders that remain highly functional. Scrolled 50-nanometer-thick carbon nanotube sheets confine these powders in the galleries of irregular scroll sacks whose observed complex structures are related to twist-dependent extension of Archimedean spirals, Fermat spirals, or spiral pairs into scrolls. The strength and electronic connectivity of a small weight fraction of scrolled carbon nanotube sheet enables yarn weaving, sewing, knotting, braiding, and charge collection. This technology is used to make yarns of superconductors, lithium-ion battery materials, graphene ribbons, catalytic nanofibers for fuel cells, and titanium dioxide for photocatalysis.     

Fuel-powered artificial muscles

Artificial muscles and electric motors found in autonomous robots and prosthetic limbs are typically battery-powered, which severely restricts the duration of their performance and can necessitate long inactivity during battery recharge. To help solve these problems, we demonstrated two types of artificial muscles that convert the chemical energy of high-energy-density fuels to mechanical energy. The first type stores electrical charge and uses changes in stored charge for mechanical actuation. In contrast with electrically powered electrochemical muscles, only half of the actuator cycle is electrochemical. The second type of fuel-powered muscle provides a demonstrated actuator stroke and power density comparable to those of natural skeletal muscle and generated stresses that are over a hundred times higher.     

Apo-9′-Fucoxanthinone,Isolated from Sargassum muticum,Inhibits CpG-Induced Inflammatory Response by Attenuating the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Sargassum muticum (S. muticum) is a brown edible alga and widely distributed in Korea. This report was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of apo-9′-fucoxanthinone (APO-9′) isolated from S. muticum on pro-inflammatory cytokine production. S. muticum extract (SME) exhibited significant inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs). APO-9′ pre-treatment in the CpG DNA-stimulated BMDMs and BMDCs showed a strong dose-dependent inhibitory effect on interleukin (IL)-12 p40, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production with IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.31 to 13.79. It exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and on activator protein (AP)-1 reporter activity. APO-9′ pre-treatment exhibited significant inhibition of CpG DNA-induced production of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Taken together, these data suggest that SME and APO-9′ have a significant anti-inflammatory property and warrant further studies concerning the potentials of SME and APO-9′ for medicinal use.     

Penicillinolide A: A New Anti-Inflammatory Metabolite from the Marine Fungus Penicillium sp. SF-5292

In the course of studies on bioactive metabolites from marine fungi, a new 10-membered lactone, named penicillinolide A (1) was isolated from the organic extract of Penicillium sp. SF-5292 as a potential anti-inflammatory compound. The structure of penicillinolide A (1) was mainly determined by analysis of NMR and MS data and Mosher’s method. Penicillinolide A (1) inhibited the production of NO and PGE₂ due to inhibition of the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Penicillinolide A (1) also reduced TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production, and these anti-inflammatory effects were shown to be correlated with the suppression of the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and NF-κB DNA binding activity. In addition, using inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), a competitive inhibitor of HO activity, it was verified that the inhibitory effects of compound 1 on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and NF-κB DNA binding activity were partially associated with HO-1 expression through Nrf2 nuclear translocation.     

Dye-resist properties of hetero-multifunctional dye-resist agents in acid dyeing of wool

The dye-resist effect and leveling properties of hetero-mulifunctional dye-resist agents in acid dyeing of wool were investigated. The dye-resist agent with dichlorotriazinyl group achieved better resist effectiveness than those with monochlorotriazinyl group. The resist effectiveness was improved by increasing the number of sulfonate group in dye-resist agents. Also, the resist agents with more sulfonate groups showed better dye-assist effectivness, attributable to the increased electrostatic attraction between dye-resist agents and the cationic dye. However, the leveling properties of dye-resist agents decreased with the number of sulfonate groups in the molecule.     

Improvement of mechanical and electrical properties of poly(ethylene glycol) and cyanoresin based polymer electrolytes

Ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of a mixed polymer matrix consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and cyanoresin type M (CRM) with various lithium salts and plasticizer were examined. The CRM used was a copolymer of cyanoethyl pullulan and cyanoethyl poly(vinyl alcohol) with a molar ratio of 1:1, mixed plasticizer was ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) at a volume ratio of 1:1. The conductive behavior of polymer electrolytes in the temperature range of 298∼338 K was investigated. The PEG/LiClO₄ complexes exhibited the highest ionic conductivity of ∼10⁻⁵ S/cm at 25°C with the salt concentration of 1.5 M. In addition, the plasticized PEG/LiClO₄ complexes exhibited improvement of ionic conductivity. However, their complexes showed decreased mechanical properties. The improvement of ionic conductivity and mechanical properties could be obtained from the polymer electrolytes by using CRM. The highest ionic conductivity of PEG/CRM/LiClO₄/(EC-PC) was 5.33×10⁻⁴ S/cm at 25°C.     

Preparation of regenerated cellulose fiber via carbonation. I. Carbonation and dissolution in an aqueous NaOH solution

Cellulose carbonate was prepared by the reaction of cellulose pulp and CO₂ with treatment reagents, such as aqueous ZnCl₂ (20–40 wt%) solution, acetone or ethyl acetate, at −5–0°C and 30–40 bar (CO₂) for 2 hr. Among the treatment reagents, ethyl acetate was the most effective. Cellulose carbonate was dissolved in 10% sodium hydroxide solution containing zinc oxide up to 3 wt% at −5–0°C. Intrinsic viscosities of raw cellulose and cellulose carbonate were measured with an Ubbelohde viscometer using 0.5 M cupriethylenediamine hydroxide (cuen) as a solvent at 20°C according to ASTM D1795 method. The molecular weight of cellulose was rarely changed by carbonation. Solubility of cellulose carbonate was tested by optical microscopic observation, UV absorbance and viscosity measurement. Phase diagram of cellulose carbonate was obtained by combining the results of solubility evaluation. Maximum concentration of cellulose carbonate for soluble zone was increased with increasing zinc oxide content. Cellulose carbonate solution in good soluble zone was transparent and showed the lowest absorbance and the highest viscosity. The cellulose carbonate and its solution were stable in refrigerator (−5°C and atmospheric pressure).     

Impact of vitronectin concentration and surface properties on the stable propagation of human embryonic stem cells

The standard method for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESC) uses supporting feeder layers of cells or an undefined substrate, Matrigel(?), which is a basement membrane extracted from murine sarcoma. For stem cell therapeutic applications, a superior alternative would be a defined, artificial surface that is based on immobilized human plasma vitronectin (VN), which is an adhesion-mediating protein. Therefore, VN adsorbed to diverse polymer surfaces was explored for the continuous propagation of hESC. Cells propagated on VN-coated tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) are karyotypically normal after >10 passages of continuous culture, and are able to differentiate into embryoid bodies containing all three germ layers. Expansion rates and pluripotent marker expression verified that a minimal VN surface density threshold is required on TCPS. Further exploration of adsorbed VN was conducted on polymer substrates with different properties, ranging from hydrophilic to hydrophobic and including cationic and anionic polyelectrolyte coatings. Despite differing surface properties, these substrates adsorbed VN above the required surface density threshold and were capable of supporting hESC expansion for >10 passages. Correlating wettability of the VN-coated surfaces with the response of cultured hESC, higher cell expansion rates and OCT-4 expression levels were found for VN-coated TCPS, which exhibits a water contact angle close to 65°. Importantly, this simple, defined surface matches the performance of the benchmark Matrigel, which is a hydrogel with highly complex composition.