Daegu TechnoPark

Araliadiol, a triterpenoid compound isolated from Centella asiatica, exhibits diverse biological activities, including anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and hair growth-promoting properties. However, its protective effects against skin damage caused by environmental pollutants, such as urban particulate matter (UPM), remain unexplored. Given the critical role of oxidative stress in UPM-induced cellular damage, we investigated the potential of araliadiol as a dermoprotective agent and explored its underlying molecular mechanisms. The stability of araliadiol was evaluated at various temperature conditions and solvent conditions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To explore the biological functions and signaling pathways affected by araliadiol, bioinformatic analyses including Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and Monarch phenotype analysis were performed. Cellular responses to araliadiol were assessed in HaCaT and HEK293T cells by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and transcription of antioxidant genes. Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathway was further examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), luciferase assay, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. The interaction between araliadiol and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) was investigated through molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). DNA damage and apoptosis were examined using the comet assay, γ-H2AX staining, Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, and protein expression analysis. Araliadiol significantly reduced intracellular levels of ROS by upregulating key antioxidant genes, including HO-1, NQO1, TXNRD1, GCLC, and GCLM. Mechanistically, araliadiol promoted the expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, a master transcription factor involved in antioxidant defense. In parallel, araliadiol selectively activates the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-AP-1 signaling cascade by directly binding to and activating MKK7, an upstream kinase involved in oxidative stress responses. Given the close association between oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis, we further investigated the protective capacity of araliadiol in this context. Araliadiol markedly attenuated UPM-induced DNA damage and apoptosis, as evidenced by reduced comet tail formation, decreased γ-H2AX levels, a lower proportion of Annexin V-positive cells, and modulation of apoptosis-related proteins. Meanwhile, although UPM exposure induced the expression of specific antioxidant-associated genes (TXNRD and GCLC), HO-1 protein expression, and AP-1 signaling, it failed to activate Nrf2 transcriptional activity. Instead, UPM exposure resulted in elevated intracellular ROS accumulation and increased DNA damage. Our findings suggest that UPM exposure alone elicited limited stress-adaptive antioxidant responses without effective cytoprotection. In contrast, araliadiol treatment independently activated robust antioxidant and cytoprotective signaling. Moreover, under UPM exposure, araliadiol further enhanced cellular defense through the activation of the Nrf2 and JNK-AP-1 signaling pathways. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of araliadiol as a dermoprotective agent derived from Centella asiatica, particularly in mitigating pollutant-induced skin damage.

Modern material science has contributed to recent advancements in acupuncture techniques. Recent advancements in electrochemical anodization and noble metal nanoparticle deposition have transformed conventional stainless-steel acupuncture needles into multifunctional platforms with enhanced physicochemical and electrochemical properties. These modifications have opened new avenues for biomedical applications, especially improving therapeutic efficacy in specific conditions such as chronic pain management, neuropathic pain relief, and alcohol-withdrawal–related symptoms. In particular, nanoporous acupuncture needles exhibit increased surface area and improved tissue interfacing, enabling their use as low-impedance neural electrodes for local field potential (LFP) monitoring and as electrocatalysts in oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions (OER/HER). Impedance spectroscopy revealed lower charge transfer resistance, while linear sweep voltammetry showed enhanced current response, both indicating superior electrochemical performance relative to conventional electrodes. However, the current research is limited by a narrow focus on specific diseases and minimal variation in fabrication protocols. To fully realize their potential, future studies should prioritize the optimization of anodization parameters and explore broader clinical applications and electrochemical utilization. This review highlights the emerging role of nanostructured acupuncture needles as a bridge between traditional therapy and modern engineering, suggesting a path forward toward their integration into precision medicine, bioelectronic systems, and sustainable energy technologies.

1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BDO) is a key commodity chemical used in the production of various products, including plastics, fibers, and polyesters. Here, a potent microbial platform for 1,4-BDO production from glucose via the L-glutamate-derived CoA-independent pathway was developed using Corynebacterium glutamicum as the host strain. Introducing a CoA-independent 1,4-BDO biosynthesis pathway and removing a metabolic flux bypass, the resulting initial strain produced 2.20g/L of 1,4-BDO from glucose. Upon prolonged cultivation, C. glutamicum showed an endogenous capacity to degrade 1,4-BDO. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify genes potentially involved in this pathway. Among them, fadH, aldH, and adhA were verified as the key enzymes for 1,4-BDO degradation. The deletion of three dehydrogenase genes from the initial strain removed the product degradation and achieved an improved 1,4-BDO titer of 3.14g/L. Finally, fed-batch fermentation of the final strain was conducted, resulting in 13.4g/L of 1,4-BDO production. This work demonstrates the first successful development of C. glutamicum as a potent platform strain for the biosynthesis of 1,4-BDO.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and cost-effectiveness. However, their practical application is severely limited by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and the inherently low electrical conductivity of sulfur, which leads to rapid capacity fading and poor rate performance. To address these challenges, this work develops a hollow-structured graphitic nitrogen-doped porous carbon (h-GNPC) framework derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 via a magnesiothermic reduction (MR) process. This method effectively tailors the pore architecture and electrical conductivity, enabling efficient sulfur encapsulation and high sulfur loading up to 90 wt.%. Compared to a carbon host treated without the MR method, the h-GNPC exhibits enhanced porosity, which can accommodate sulfur with stabilized cyclability. As a result, a coin cell with sulfur-loaded h-GNPC cathode exhibits an initial capacity of 1292.9 mAh g-1 and enhanced capacity retention of 74.9% over 500 cycles at 0.2C as well as rate performance. Notably, pouch-type cells assembled with the h-GNPC cathode demonstrate excellent scalability and cycling stability, highlighting the practical potential of this design for the commercialization of LSBs technology.

Porcelain Gallbladder (PGB) is a condition marked by extensive calcification and thickening of the gallbladder wall. PGB is extremely rare in dogs. The exact mechanism of PGB remains unclear. However, chronic cholecystitis and factors such as biliary hyperplasia, mucin hypersecretion, and cystic duct obstruction can lead to fibrosis and calcification of the gallbladder wall, potentially resulting in PGB. A 13-year-old spayed female Shih Tzu presented with anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Physical exams showed mild epigastric pain. Blood tests indicated mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, significant alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) increases. Hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and elevated canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) were also noted. Diagnostic imaging revealed extensive gallbladder wall calcification and thickening, choleliths, mild bile duct dilation, pancreatitis, and duodenitis. Cholecystectomy was performed, and symptomatic treatment for pancreatitis and duodenitis was administered. Histopathological examination is essential for confirming PGB by identifying calcification of the gallbladder wall. Histopathological examination of the gallbladder revealed severe papillary hyperplasia, mucin hypersecretion, multiple ulcers, diffuse calcification, and fibrotic changes. These findings confirmed the diagnoses of gallbladder mucocele and PGB. Postoperatively, biochemical markers normalized or significantly decreased, with clinical improvement observed. This study presents the rare occurrence of PGB in dogs and emphasizes the importance of appropriate veterinary intervention for improving clinical outcomes.

The physical and chemical properties of implanted materials play a key role in their interaction with synthetic peptides that exert antimicrobial activity. In this study, we explored the diffusion properties and efficacy of the SET-M33 antimicrobial peptide in combination with artificial substrates, comprising cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) or porous protective envelopes. We found that porous materials, such as biosynthesized cellulose, polymeric meshes, and electrospun membranes, were conducive to SET-M33 diffusion. The diffusion dynamics was controlled by the intrinsic fibrous architecture of the materials. Biosynthesized cellulose supported the peptide’s antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The efficacy of SET-M33 was instead reduced when combined with the other tested porous membranes and non-porous CIED interfaces, such as titanium and silicone. On the other hand, the low porosity of biosynthesized cellulose membranes, while effective in retaining the drug, diminished diffusion and thus peptide availability. In light of these findings, the implications for the use of antimicrobial peptides in the prevention of CIED surgical pocket infections are discussed.