• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.529-535
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• 2016

The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by a variety of external or host-derived stimuli and its activation initiates an inflammatory response through caspase-1 activation, resulting in inflammatory cytokine IL-1β maturation and secretion. The NLRP3 inflammasome activation is a kind of innate immune response, most likely mediated by myeloid cells acting as a host defense mechanism. However, if this activation is not properly regulated, excessive inflammation induced by overactivated NLRP3 inflammasome can be detrimental to the host, causing tissue damage and organ dysfunction, eventually causing several diseases. Previous studies have suggested that mitochondrial damage may be a cause of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy, which is a conserved self-degradation process that negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Recently, mitochondria-selective autophagy, termed mitophagy, has emerged as a central player for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis through the elimination of damaged mitochondria, leading to the prevention of hyperinflammation triggered by NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this review, we will first focus on the molecular mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases. We will then discuss autophagy, especially mitophagy, as a negative regulator of NLPP3 inflammasome activation by examining recent advances in research.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 1998

2-chloroethylethyl sulfide (CEES) is an alkylating agent that readily reacts with a wide variety of biological molecules causing metabolic abnormality. The mechanism of cell death during CEES injury is poorly understood. We have examined the effect of exposure of thymocytes with various concentrations of CEES to determine the pattern of cell death in thymocytes injury induced by CEES. In the present study, we show that two patterns of cell death occurred by either one of two mechanisms: apoptosis and necrosis. Exposure to low level of CEES (100 ${\mu}M$) for 5 h caused an induction of apoptosis on thymocytes, as identified by the following criteria: DNA fragmentation visualized by the characteristic "ladder" pattern was observed upon agarose gel electrophoresis and morphological features were revealed by microscopical observations. In contrast, exposure to high levels of CEES (500 ${\mu}M$) induce necrotic features such as cell lysis. Thus, depending on the concentrations, CEES can result in either apoptotic or necrotic cell damage. Our findings suggest that thymocytes which are not killed directly, but merely injured by low levels of CEES, are able to activate an internally-programmed cell death mechanism, whereas thymocytes receiving severe damages apparently can not.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.205-214
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• 2021

The use of the supernatant from a Bacillus subtilis culture mixed with sodium bicarbonate was explored as a means of controlling stem brown spot disease in dragon fruit plants. In in vitro experiments, the B. subtilis supernatant used with sodium bicarbonate showed a strong inhibition effect on the growth of the fungus, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, the agent causing stem brown spot disease and was notably effective in preventing fungal invasion of dragon fruit plant. This combination not only directly suppressed the growth of N. dimidiatum, but also indirectly affected the development of the disease by eliciting the dragon-fruit plant's defense response. Substantial levels of the pathogenesis-related proteins, chitinase and glucanase, and the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway enzymes, peroxidase and phenyl alanine ammonia-lyase, were triggered. Significant lignin deposition was also detected in treated cladodes of injured dragon fruit plants in in vivo experiments. In summary, B. subtilis supernatant combined with sodium bicarbonate protected dragon fruit plant loss through stem brown spot disease during plant development in the field through pathogenic fungal inhibition and the induction of defense response mechanisms.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2023

Plant viruses are responsible for worldwide production losses of numerous economically important crops. The most common plant RNA viruses are positivesense single-stranded RNA viruses [(+)ss RNA viruses]. These viruses have small genomes that encode a limited number of proteins. The viruses depend on their host's machinery for the replication of their RNA genome, assembly, movement, and attraction to the vectors for dispersal. Recently researchers have reported that chloroplast proteins are crucial for replicating (+)ss plant RNA viruses. Some chloroplast proteins, including translation initiation factor [eIF(iso)4E] and 75 DEAD-box RNA helicase RH8, help viruses fulfill their infection cycle in plants. In contrast, other chloroplast proteins such as PAP2.1, PSaC, and ATPsyn-α play active roles in plant defense against viruses. This is also consistent with the idea that reactive oxygen species, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid are produced in chloroplast. However, knowledge of molecular mechanisms and functions underlying these chloroplast host factors during the virus infection is still scarce and remains largely unknown. Our review briefly summarizes the latest knowledge regarding the possible role of chloroplast in plant virus replication, emphasizing chloroplast-related proteins. We have highlighted current advances regarding chloroplast-related proteins' role in replicating plant (+)ss RNA viruses.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.2862-2882
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• 2023

With the development of networking technology, it has become common to use various types of network services to replace physical ones. Among all such services, electronic voting is one example that tends to be popularized in many countries. However, due to certain concerns regarding information security, traditional paper voting mechanisms are still widely adopted in large-scale elections. This study utilizes blockchain technology to design a novel electronic voting mechanism. Relying on the transparency, decentralization, and verifiability of the blockchain, it becomes possible to remove the reliance on trusted third parties and also to enhance the level of trust of voters in the mechanism. Besides, the mechanism of blind signature with its complexity as difficult as solving an elliptic curve discrete logarithmic problem is adopted to strengthen the features related to the security of electronic voting. Last but not least, the mechanism of self-certification is incorporated to substitute the centralized certificate authority. Therefore, the voters can generate the public/private keys by themselves to mitigate the possible risks of impersonation by the certificate authority (i.e., a trusted third party). The BAN logic analysis and the investigation for several key security features are conducted to verify that such a design is sufficiently secure. Since it is expected to raise the level of trust of voters in electronic voting, extra costs for re-verifying the results due to distrust will therefore be reduced.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.710-724
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• 2023

The plant defense responses to microbial infection are tightly regulated and integrated with the developmental program for optimal resources allocation. Notably, the defense-associated hormone salicylic acid (SA) acts as a promoter of flowering while several plant pathogens actively target the flowering signaling pathway to promote their virulence or dissemination. Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum inject tens of effectors in the host cells that collectively promote bacterial proliferation in plant tissues. Here, we characterized the function of the broadly conserved R. pseudosolanacearum effector RipL, through heterologous expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. RipL-expressing transgenic lines presented a delayed flowering, which correlated with a low expression of flowering regulator genes. Delayed flowering was also observed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants transiently expressing RipL. In parallel, RipL promoted plant susceptibility to virulent strains of Pseudomonas syringae in the effector-expressing lines or when delivered by the type III secretion system. Unexpectedly, SA accumulation and SA-dependent immune signaling were not significantly affected by RipL expression. Rather, the RNA-seq analysis of infected RipL-expressing lines revealed that the overall amplitude of the transcriptional response was dampened, suggesting that RipL could promote plant susceptibility in an SA-independent manner. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underpinning RipL effect on flowering and immunity may reveal novel effector functions in host cells.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.395-405
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• 2024

This study provides a thorough examination of Unmanned Ground Vehicles(UGVs), focusing on crucial technologies and trends across major global markets. It includes an in-depth patent analysis revealing the dominant positions of the United States and the European Union in this field. Additionally, it underscores substantial advancements made by China, Japan, and Korea since 2010. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation(LDA)-based patent text mining, the study identified key technology areas in UGV development, such as advanced control systems, navigation technologies, power supply mechanisms, and sensing and communication tools. Through linear regression analysis, the study predicted the future paths of these technology areas, offering important insights into the evolving world of UGV technology. The findings can provide strategic guidance for stakeholders in the defense, commercial, and academic sectors, pointing out the future directions in UGV advancements.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.254-259
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• 2013

The mechanisms of resistance to oxyfluorfen (OF) and paraquat (PQ) were investigated in rice plants. Examination of the concentration dependence of oxyfluorfen- or paraquat-induced increase in conductivity showed that conductivities in the OF- and PQ-treated leaf squares were increased with 0.1 ${\mu}M$ oxyfluorfen and 0.01 ${\mu}M$ paraquat and further increased with higher concentrations. The levels of conductivity were approximately 10-times higher in the PQ-treated plants than in the OF-treated plants, indicating that the PQ-treated plants suffered more severe photodynamic damage than the OF-treated plants. The photooxidative stress caused by foliar application of either 50 ${\mu}M$ oxyfluorfen or 100 ${\mu}M$ paraquat increased the enzyme activities of ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase 1 day after the herbicide treatments and then further increased their enzyme activities 2 days after the treatments. The activities of catalase began to increase 2 days after the oxyfluorfen and paraquat treatments. These antioxidant enzymes appear to play an essential part of defense mechanisms against oxyfluorfen and paraquat. Our results demonstrate that paraquat caused more severe oxidative stress, as indicated by a greater change in conductivity, thereby resulting in greater increases in antioxidant responses in plants, compared with those of oxyfluorfen.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2023

The liver, a multifunctional organ, plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being by regulating metabolism, detoxification, nutrient storage, hormone balance, and immune function. Liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer, have significant clinical implications and remain a global health concern. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) and explores their underlying molecular mechanisms in protecting against liver diseases. Silkworm larvae are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and n-3 fatty acids, making them a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of silkworm larvae involve modulating the production of cytokine such as TNF-α and interleukins, inflammatory enzymes including cyclooxygenase-2 and macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating liver inflammation. Silkworm larvae also exhibit anti-oxidative effects by scavenging free radicals, reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhancing the liver's antioxidant defense system. Moreover, silkworms have been reported to decrease the serum alcohol concentration and lipid accumulation. Understanding the therapeutic properties of silkworm larvae contributes to the development of innovative strategies for liver injury prevention and treatment. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise signaling pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of silkworm larvae, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions in liver diseases.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2276-2291
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• 2017

Data protection of removable storage devices is an important issue in information security. Unfortunately, most existing data protection mechanisms are aimed at protecting computer platform which is not suitable for ultra-low-power devices. To protect the flash disk appropriately and efficiently, we propose a trust based USB flash disk, named UTrustDisk. The data protection technologies in UTrustDisk include data authentication protocol, data confidentiality protection and data leakage prevention. Usually, the data integrity protection scheme is the bottleneck in the whole system and we accelerate it by WH universal hash function and speculative caching. The speculative caching will cache the potential hot chunks for reducing the memory bandwidth pollution. We adopt the symmetric encryption algorithm to protect data confidentiality. Before mounting the UTrustDisk, we will run a trusted virtual domain based lightweight virtual machine for preventing information leakage. Besides, we prove formally that UTrustDisk can prevent sensitive data from leaking out. Experimental results show that our scheme's average writing throughput is 44.8% higher than that of NH scheme, and 316% higher than that of SHA-1 scheme. And the success rate of speculative caching mechanism is up to 94.5% since the access pattern is usually sequential.