• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 2019

Barley worldwide is affected seriously by Fusarium seedling blight (FSB) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) diseases caused by the Fusarium species. The objective of this study was to facilitate the resistance of hulled and hull-less barley at different growth stages to F. culmorum according to direct parameters: disease rating (DR), fresh weight of leaves and roots, kernel weight per spike, kernel number per spike, plump kernels, and indirect parameters - chlorophyll a fluorescence (CF). Plate assay, greenhouse and field tests were performed on 30 spring barley doubled haploid (DH) lines and their parents infected with Fusarium culmorum. Direct parameters proved that hulled genotypes show less symptoms. Most studied chlorophyll a fluorescence (CF) parameters (apart from DIo/CS - amount of energy dissipated from PSII for laboratory test, TRo/CS - amount of excitation energy trapped in PSII reaction centers, ETo/CS - amount of energy used for electron transport and RC/CS - number of active reaction centres in the state of fully reduced PSII reaction center in field experiment) were significantly affected by F. culmorum infection. In all experiments, hulled genotypes had higher values of CF parameters compared to hull-less ones. Significant correlations were detected between direct and indirect parameters and also between various environments. It was revealed that ABS/CS, TRo/CS, and RC/CS have significant positive correlation in greenhouse test and field experiment. Significant correlations suggest the possibility of applying the CF parameters in selection of barley DH lines resistant to F. culmorum infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2019

Immunometabolism, defined as the interaction of metabolic pathways with the immune system, influences the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Metformin and carbon monoxide (CO) are two pharmacological agents known to ameliorate metabolic disorders. There are notable similarities and differences in the reported effects of metformin and CO on immunometabolism. Metformin, an anti-diabetes drug, has positive effects on metabolism and can exert anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects via adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. CO, an endogenous product of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), can exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects at low concentration. CO can confer cytoprotection in metabolic disorders and cancer via selective activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) pathway. Both metformin and CO can induce mitochondrial stress to produce a mild elevation of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) by distinct mechanisms. Metformin inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), while CO inhibits ETC complex IV. Both metformin and CO can differentially induce several protein factors, including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and sestrin2 (SESN2), which maintain metabolic homeostasis; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of the antioxidant response; and REDD1, which exhibits an anticancer effect. However, metformin and CO regulate these effects via different pathways. Metformin stimulates p53- and AMPK-dependent pathways whereas CO can selectively trigger the PERK-dependent signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to identify the mechanistic differences between metformin and CO, pharmacological application of these agents may represent useful strategies to ameliorate metabolic diseases associated with altered immunometabolism.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.521-529
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• 2019

Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus is a species of the widespread geminiviruses. The infection of Nicotiana benthamiana by Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) causes a reduction in photosynthetic activity, which is part of the viral symptoms. ${\beta}C1$ is a viral factor encoded by the betasatellite DNA ($DNA{\beta}$) accompanying TYLCCNV. It is a major viral pathogenicity factor of TYLCCNV. To elucidate the effect of ${\beta}C1$ on plants' photosynthesis, we measured the relative chlorophyll (Chl) content and Chl fluorescence in TY-LCCNV-infected and ${\beta}C1$ transgenic N. benthamiana plants. The results showed that Chl content is reduced in TYLCCNV A-infected, TYLCCNV A plus $DNA{\beta}$ (TYLCCNV A + ${\beta}$)-infected and ${\beta}C1$ transgenic plants. Further, changes in Chl fluorescence parameters, such as electron transport rate, $F_v/F_m$, NPQ, and qP, revealed that photosynthetic efficiency is compromised in the aforementioned N. benthamiana plants. The presense of ${\beta}C1$ aggravated the decrease of Chl content and photosynthetic efficiency during viral infection. Additionally, the real-time quantitative PCR analysis of oxygen evolving complex genes in photosystem II, such as PsbO, PsbP, PsbQ, and PsbR, showed a significant reduction of the relative expression of these genes at the late stage of TYLCCNV A + ${\beta}$ infection and at the vegetative stage of ${\beta}C1$ transgenic N. benthamiana plants. In summary, this study revealed the pathogenicity of TYLCCNV in photosynthesis and disclosed the effect of ${\beta}C1$ in exacerbating the damage in photosynthesis efficiency by TYLCCNV infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.333-344
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• 2019

Various genetic and environmental factors are known to be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We identified COPD-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using 189 samples accompanying either adenocarcinoma (AC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SC), comprising 91 normal and 98 COPD samples. DEGs were obtained from the intersection of two DEG sets separately identified for AC and SC to exclude the influence of different cancer backgrounds co-occurring with COPD. We also measured patient samples named group 'I', which were unable to be determined as normal or COPD based on alterations in gene expression. The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes categorized with the 'cell adhesion', 'inflammatory response', and 'mitochondrial functions', i.e., well-known functions related to COPD, in samples from patients with COPD. Multi-omics data were subsequently integrated to decipher the upstream regulatory changes linked to the gene expression alterations in COPD. COPD-associated expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) were located at the upstream regulatory regions of 96 DEGs. Additionally, 45 previously identified COPD-related miRNAs were predicted to target 66 of the DEGs. The eQTLs and miRNAs might affect the expression of 'respiratory electron transport chain' genes and 'cell proliferation' genes, respectively, while both eQTLs and miRNAs might affect the expression of 'apoptosis' genes. We think that our present study will contribute to our understanding of the molecular etiology of COPD accompanying lung cancer.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.233-238
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• 2020

Process-based model (PBM), based on the interactions between endogenous physiological processes and many environmental factors, can be a powerful tool for estimating crop growth and productivity. Carbon acquisition and biomass accumulation are the main components in PBM, so it has become important to understand and integrate gas exchange process in crop model. This study aimed to assess the applicability of FvCB model (a leaf model of C3 photosynthesis proposed by Farquhar, von C aemmerer, and Berry (1980)) in onion (Allium cepa L.). For parameterization, two early-maturing onion cultivars, 'Singsingball' and 'Thunderball', grown in a temperature gradient plastic film house, were used in measuring leaf net CO2 assimilation rate (A), and then, parameter estimation was carried out for four parameters including Vcmax (maximum rate of carboxylation), Jmax (maximum rate of electron transport), TPU (rate of triose phosphate utilization), and Rd (Dark respiration rate). The gas-exchange model calibrated in this research is expected to be able to explain the photosynthetic responses of onion under various environmental conditions (R2=0.95***).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1876-1884
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• 2020

Ethanol often accumulates during the process of wine fermentation, and mitophagy has critical role in ethanol output. However, the relationship between mitophagy and ethanol stress is still unclear. In this study, the expression of ATG11 and ATG32 genes exposed to ethanol stress was accessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The result indicated that ethanol stress induced expression of the ATG11 and ATG32 genes. The colony sizes and the alcohol yield of atg11 and atg32 were also smaller and lower than those of wild type strain under ethanol whereas the mortality of mutants is higher. Furthermore, compared with wild type, the membrane integrity and the mitochondrial membrane potential of atg11 and atg32 exhibited greater damage following ethanol stress. In addition, a greater proportion of mutant cells were arrested at the G1/G0 cell cycle. There was more aggregation of peroxide hydrogen (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2•-) in mutants. These changes in H2O2 and O2•- in yeasts were altered by reductants or inhibitors of scavenging enzyme by means of regulating the expression of ATG11 and ATG32 genes. Inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mtETC) also increased production of H2O2 and O2•- by enhancing expression of the ATG11 and ATG32 genes. Further results showed that activator or inhibitor of autophagy also activated or inhibited mitophagy by altering production of H2O2 and O2•. Therefore, ethanol stress induces mitophagy which improves yeast the tolerance to ethanol and the level of mitophagy during ethanol stress is regulated by ROS derived from mtETC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.408-417
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• 2022

Background: Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) has been used as a health supplement and herbal medicine. Astrocytes are one of the key cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and have bioenergetic potential as they stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. They play a critical role in connecting the brain vasculature and nerves in the CNS. Methods: Brain samples from KRGE-administered mice were tested using immunohistochemistry. Treatment of human brain astrocytes with KRGE was subjected to assays such as proliferation, cytotoxicity, Mitotracker, ATP production, and O₂ consumption rate as well as western blotting to demonstrate the expression of proteins related to mitochondria functions. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was diminished utilizing siRNA transfection. Results: Brain samples from KRGE-administered mice harbored an increased number of GFAP-expressing astrocytes. KRGE triggered the proliferation of astrocytes in vitro. Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis induced by KRGE was detected using Mitotracker staining, ATP production, and O₂ consumption rate assays. The expression of proteins related to mitochondrial electron transport was increased in KRGE-treated astrocytes. These effects were blocked by HIF-1α knockdown. The factors secreted from KRGE-treated astrocytes were determined, revealing the expression of various cytokines and growth factors, especially those related to angiogenesis and neurogenesis. KRGE-treated astrocyte conditioned media enhanced the differentiation of adult neural stem cells into mature neurons, increasing the migration of endothelial cells, and these effects were reduced in the background of HIF-1α knockdown. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRGE exhibits prophylactic potential by stimulating astrocyte mitochondrial biogenesis through HIF-1α, resulting in improved neurovascular function.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.575-587
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• 2022

Human ABCB6 is an ATP-binding cassette transporter that regulates heme biosynthesis by translocating various porphyrins from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of human ABCB6 with its substrates, coproporphyrin III (CPIII) and hemin, at 3.5 and 3.7 Å resolution, respectively. Metal-free porphyrin CPIII binds to ABCB6 within the central cavity, where its propionic acids form hydrogen bonds with the highly conserved Y550. The resulting structure has an overall fold similar to the inward-facing apo structure, but the two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) are slightly closer to each other. In contrast, when ABCB6 binds a metal-centered porphyrin hemin in complex with two glutathione molecules (1 hemin: 2 glutathione), the two NBDs end up much closer together, aligning them to bind and hydrolyze ATP more efficiently. In our structures, a glycine-rich and highly flexible "bulge" loop on TM helix 7 undergoes significant conformational changes associated with substrate binding. Our findings suggest that ABCB6 utilizes at least two distinct mechanisms to fine-tune substrate specificity and transport efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2023

Three dimensional (3D) porous structures consisting of Cu@CoO core-shell-type nano-dendrites were synthesized and tested as the anode materials in lithium secondary batteries. For this purpose, first, the 3D porous films comprising Cu@Co core-shell-type nano-dendrites with various thicknesses were fabricated through the electrochemical co-deposition of Cu and Co. Then the Co shells were selectively anodized to form Co hydroxides, which was finally dehydrated to get Cu@CoO nanodendrites. The resulting electrodes exhibited very high reversible specific capacity almost 1.4~2.4 times the theoretical capacity of commercial graphite, and excellent capacity retention (~90%@50^th cycle) as compared with those of the existing transition metal oxides. From the analysis of the cumulative irreversible capacity and morphology change during charge/discharge cycling, it proved that the excellent capacity retention was attributed to the unique structural feature of our core-shell structure where only the thin CoO shell participates in the lithium storage. In addition, our electrodes showed a superb rate performance (70.5%@10.8 C-rate), most likely due to the open porous structure of 3D films, large surface area thanks to the dendritic structure, and fast electron transport through Cu core network.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2002

Transferring single flux quanta across a Josephson junction at an exactly determined rate has made highly precise voltage measurements possible. Making use of self-shunted Nb-based SINIS junctions, programmable fast-switching DC voltage standards with output voltages of up to 10 V were produced. This development is now extended from fundamental DC measurements to the precise determination of AC voltages with arbitrary waveforms. Integrated RSFQ circuits will help to replace expensive semiconductor devices for frequency control and signal coding. Easy-to-handle AC and inexpensive quantum voltmeters of fundamental accuracy would be of interest to industry. In analogy to the development in the flux regime, metallic nanocircuits comprising small-area tunnel junctions and providing the coherent transport of single electrons might play an important role in quantum current metrology. By precise counting of single charges these circuits allow prototypes of quantum standards for electric current and capacitance to be realised. Replacing single electron devices by single Cooper pair circuits, the charge transfer rates and thus the quantum currents could be significantly increased. Recently, the principles of the gate-controlled transfer of individual Cooper pairs in superconducting A1 devices in different electromagnetic environments were demonstrated. The characteristics of these quantum coherent circuits can be improved by replacing the small aluminum tunnel Junctions by niobium junctions. Due to the higher value of the superconducting energy gap ($\Delta_{Nb}$ ＝ $7\Delta_{Al}$), the characteristic energy and the frequency scales for Nb devices are substantially extended as compared to A1 devices. Although the fabrication of small Nb junctions presents a real challenge, the Nb-based metrological devices will be faster and more accurate in operation. Moreover, the Nb-based Cooper pair electrometer could be coupled to an Nb single Cooper pair qubit which can be beneficial for both, the stability of the qubit and its readout with a large signal-to-noise ratio..