Production Levels Research Articles

A deoxyviolacein-based transposon insertion vector for pigmented tracer studies.

Pigments provide a simple means to rapidly visually ascertain the quantities or presence of specific microbes in a complex community. The selection of pigment-producing colonies that are simple to differentiate from common colony phenotypes provides a high degree of certainty for the identity of pigment-tagged strains. Successful employment of pigment production is dependent on various intrinsic factors related to proper levels of gene expression and pigment production that are not always easy to predict and vary within each microbe. We have constructed a simple transposon system that incorporates the genes for the production of deoxyviolacein, a pigment produced from intracellular reserves of the amino acid tryptophan, to randomly insert these genes throughout the genome. This tool allows the user to select from many thousands of potential sites throughout a bacterial genome for an ideal location to generate the desired amount of pigment. We have applied this system to a small selection of endophytes and other model bacteria to differentiate these strains from complex communities and confirm their presence after several weeks in natural environments. We provide two examples of applications using the pigments to trace strains following introduction into plant tissues or to produce a reporter strain for extracellular nitrogen compound sensing. We recognize that this tool could have far broader utility in other applications and microbes, and describe the methodology for use by the greater scientific community.

Benefits for the Greek economy from resolving bad loans and zombie firms

We examine the type and magnitude of negative externalities stemming from “zombie” firms in the Greek economy, focusing on investment, employment and productivity. For this purpose, we use a panel dataset of Greek firms broken down by size and sector of economic activity for the period 2002-2021. A descriptive analysis reveals a high positive correlation in the trends between non-performing business loans and the number of zombie companies in the Greek economy over the last twenty years. Through quantitative analysis, significant direct and indirect effects emerge from the degree of density of zombie firms at the total economy and sectoral levels. First, healthy firms outperform zombie firms in terms of investment growth, employment growth and productivity levels. Second, a high concentration of capital in zombie firms negatively affects the rate of investment growth of healthy firms in specific sectors of economic activity. Third, a high concentration of capital in zombie firms forces healthy firms to increase their overall productivity in order to survive. Fourth, a high concentration of capital in zombie firms prevents the reallocation of capital to more productive investments across firms and sectors of activity. Finally, younger and larger companies generally perform better in terms of investment and employment growth, and productivity levels. Overall, a faster resolution of zombie firms and non-performing corporate loans, both on and off bank balance sheets, allows a more efficient allocation of resources and can boost investment, employment and growth rates in the Greek economy in the medium to long term.

Pengaruh Jumlah Uang Elektronik yang Beredar di Masyarakat Terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Indonesia

Economic growth is a value that shows the level of production of goods and services achieved by a country so that it can reflect the state of the country's economy. Payments using non-cash or frequently used money such as electronic money are considered more efficient and economical, so the value of electronic money transactions increases every year. This research analyzes the influence of the value of electronic money transactions, money supply and inflation on Indonesia's economic growth, in this case GDP. Secondary data from 2018 to 2022. The data analysis method used is multiple linear regression. From the results of the tests that have been carried out, values were foundelectronic money transactions, money supply (JUB), and inflation has a significant effect on economic growth in Indonesia. The higher the value of electronic money transactions and inflation can increase economic growth, but the greater the money supply, the lower economic growth (GDP).

Integrating insulated concrete form (ICF) with solar-driven reverse osmosis desalination for building integrated energy storage in cold climates

This research addresses the pressing global challenges of clean energy and water supplies, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions for the building sector. The study integrates Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems with building energy systems, incorporating Solar Thermal Collectors (STC)/Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT), water-to-water heat pumps, and an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) based building foundation wall thermal energy storage. It explores the effectiveness of four configurations—STC-ICF, STC-ICF-RO, PVT-ICF, and PVT-ICF-RO—using sensitivity analysis on collector area (25 % and 50 % increase) and weather data from four Canadian cities: Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver and two non-Canadian cities: Helsinki, Finland and Bergen, Norway. Key outcomes highlight the benefits of integrated RO scenarios, such as reduced ICF wall temperature, diminished unwanted heat in the cooling season, reduced RO pump consumption, and enhanced solar energy production. The STC-ICF-RO and PVT-ICF-RO systems achieved energy savings of 653 kWh and 131 kWh, respectively, compared to their non-integrated RO counterparts. Both systems also contributed to lowering CO2 production levels. The STC-ICF-RO system's payback period is 2 years, affirming its economic viability. Compared to the base system without ICF and RO integration, the STC-ICF-RO and PVT-ICF-RO configurations reduced energy consumption by 20 % and 32 %, respectively. The sensitivity analysis suggests potential system improvements under specific conditions, primarily when implemented in communities of buildings.

Labour market tightness in the post-COVID-19 era

Since 2020, the labour market in advanced economies has shown resilience against successive supply-side shocks. High job vacancy rates and historically low unemployment, despite a recent weakening of economic growth, imply a lower sensitivity of the labour market to changes in the business cycle, underscoring the need to re-evaluate labour market tightness, as it could increase the risks of wage-price spirals and more restrictive monetary policy. Ιn the present paper, we analyse the degree of labour market tightness and its implications for wages, inflation and monetary policy in two large open economies, the US and the euro area, and in a small open economy, Greece, that has undergone substantial labour market reforms, to explore whether post-pandemic labour market developments have common or idiosyncratic features. We find that policy support measures to address the pandemic and the energy crisis have decoupled unemployment from cyclical fluctuations, with the gap narrowing in 2023. Labour market tightness in the post-pandemic era has mainly been driven by a robust increase in labour demand, while labour supply has reverted to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the US, the euro area and Greece. Real compensation per employee lags labour productivity levels in all three economies, whereas it remains below its pre-pandemic level in the euro area and Greece. This suggests that the economies in question could tolerate some further catch-up in real wages in the short term without experiencing inflation.

Impact of working from home on employee productivity in post COVID 19 era: The moderating role of organizational support

The purpose of the study is to review the impact of working from home on employee productivity in post COVID-19 era, the moderating role of organization support. The descriptive survey design is adapted for this research to explore the impact of COVID-19 on employee productivity while seeking further knowledge on organizational support in post COVID-19 era. The structure of this research is flexible, therefore the necessity to adopt the qualitative research approach. Data was obtained through a survey with a questionnaire. Sample size is approximately 203 consisting of employees from both the private and public sector organization in some part of Accra, basically Accra central. The study employed the use of the Cronbach Alpha to measure the reliability of the scale adopted. Thus, in the context of the study, the high Cronbach's Alpha values suggest that the survey items for measuring employee productivity, organizational support, and flexible work hours were well-designed and highly reliable. Therefore, the findings of the study are likely to be trustworthy and reproducible. This relationship implies that as opportunities for flexible work schedules increase, so does the level of productivity among employees. However, this study also emphasizes that employee productivity is not simply a matter of offering flexible work arrangements. The role of organizational support emerges as crucial, as shown by its substantial positive impact on employee productivity. In conclusion, this research offers compelling evidence that flexible working hours and organizational support are key ingredients in the recipe for enhanced employee productivity. The studies recommends further research is needed to uncover the intricacies of these relationships and to broaden our understanding of the dynamics of modern work environments.

Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase GhCDPK16 Exerts a Positive Regulatory Role in Enhancing Drought Tolerance in Cotton

Cotton is essential for the textile industry as a primary source of natural fibers. However, environmental factors like drought present significant challenges to its cultivation, adversely affecting both production levels and fiber quality. Enhancing cotton’s drought resilience has the potential to reduce yield losses and support the growth of cotton farming. In this study, the cotton calcium-dependent protein kinase GhCDPK16 was characterized, and the transcription level of GhCDPK16 was significantly upregulated under drought and various stress-related hormone treatments. Physiological analyses revealed that the overexpression of GhCDPK16 improved drought stress resistance in Arabidopsis by enhancing osmotic adjustment capacity and boosting antioxidant enzyme activities. In contrast, silencing GhCDPK16 in cotton resulted in increased dehydration compared with the control. Furthermore, reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and downregulation of ABA-related genes were observed in GhCDPK16-silenced plants. These findings not only enhanced our understanding of the biological functions of GhCDPK16 and the mechanisms underlying drought stress resistance but also underscored the considerable potential of GhCDPK16 in improving drought resilience in cotton.

Measuring digitalization at scale using web scraped data

Measuring digitalization has been a central topic in academic discourse. While evaluating firms' efforts in increasing digitalization is crucial, quantifying it at scale, presents considerable challenges. This paper uses website information as a source of data to operationalize a measure of digitalization. Drawing on a sample of 60,942 firms, our approach proposes two distinct measures of digitalization: one at the product level and the other at the general organizational level. We substantiate these measures using a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods. The study validates the content of websites as a relevant source of innovation indicator data and verifies the indicators using multiple experiments. The developed digitalization indicators offer future research an empirical measure of digitalization that can be run at scale, across industries and regions through time.

A rule-based multiscale model of hepatic stellate cell plasticity: Critical role of the inactivation loop in fibrosis progression.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the source of extracellular matrix (ECM) whose overproduction leads to fibrosis, a condition that impairs liver functions in chronic liver diseases. Understanding the dynamics of HSCs will provide insights needed to develop new therapeutic approaches. Few models of hepatic fibrosis have been proposed, and none of them include the heterogeneity of HSC phenotypes recently highlighted by single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Here, we developed rule-based models to study HSC dynamics during fibrosis progression and reversion. We used the Kappa graph rewriting language, for which we used tokens and counters to overcome temporal explosion. HSCs are modeled as agents that present seven physiological cellular states and that interact with (TGFβ1) molecules which regulate HSC activation and the secretion of type I collagen, the main component of the ECM. Simulation studies revealed the critical role of the HSC inactivation process during fibrosis progression and reversion. While inactivation allows elimination of activated HSCs during reversion steps, reactivation loops of inactivated HSCs (iHSCs) are required to sustain fibrosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated the model's sensitivity to (TGFβ1) parameters, suggesting its adaptability to a variety of pathophysiological conditions for which levels of (TGFβ1) production associated with the inflammatory response differ. Using new experimental data from a mouse model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, we validated the predicted ECM dynamics. Our model also predicts the accumulation of iHSCs during chronic liver disease. By analyzing RNA sequencing data from patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated with liver fibrosis, we confirmed this accumulation, identifying iHSCs as novel markers of fibrosis progression. Overall, our study provides the first model of HSC dynamics in chronic liver disease that can be used to explore the regulatory role of iHSCs in liver homeostasis. Moreover, our model can also be generalized to fibroblasts during repair and fibrosis in other tissues.

Peripheral inflammation is associated with brain atrophy and cognitive decline linked to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

Inflammation is an important factor in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). An NMR measurement in plasma, glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), captures the overall level of protein production and glycosylation implicated in systemic inflammation. With its additional advantage of reducing biological variability, GlycA might be useful in monitoring the relationship between peripheral inflammation and brain changes relevant to AD. However, the associations between GlycA and these brain changes have not been fully evaluated. Here, we performed Spearman’s correlation analyses to evaluate these associations cross-sectionally and determined whether GlycA can inform AD-relevant longitudinal measurements among participants in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n = 1506), with additional linear models and stratification analyses to evaluate the influences of sex or diagnosis status and confirm findings from Spearman’s correlation analyses. We found that GlycA was elevated in AD patients compared to cognitively normal participants. GlycA correlated negatively with multiple concurrent regional brain volumes in females diagnosed with late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI) or AD. Baseline GlycA level was associated with executive function decline at 3–9 year follow-up in participants diagnosed with LMCI at baseline, with similar but not identical trends observed in the future decline of memory and entorhinal cortex volume. Results here indicated that GlycA is an inflammatory biomarker relevant to AD pathogenesis and that the stage of LMCI might be relevant to inflammation-related intervention.

Decomposition of production growth and identification of efficient cropping zones for major pulse crops in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand

The study’s goal is to decompose pulse production growth in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and identify efficient copping zones for both states. The total change in production was decomposed into three effects, i.e., the area effect (ΔA. Y0), the yield effect (ΔY. A0.), and the interaction effect (ΔA. ΔY). The relative spread index (RSI) and relative yield index (RYI) were computed to identify the potential cropping districts for different pulses grown in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We classified districts into four zones: most efficient, efficient, not efficient, and highly inefficient. A higher RYI corresponds to higher yield districts, and a higher RSI indicates a more cultivated area. Districts with a high relative spread index and a low relative yield index indicate that a particular pulse is not suitable for that district. We suggest addressing production issues through research, marketing, and extension services to enhance the productivity level of pulse crops. The results from Uttar Pradesh are highly encouraging, indicating that the yield effect has primarily contributed to the growth in pulse production. The government’s policies, schemes, and initiatives to promote pulse production and decrease imports are moving in the right direction. According to the methodological analysis, 57 districts are among the most efficient cropping zones for all selected pulse crops in Uttar Pradesh. In the case of Uttarakhand, for all selected pulses, 20 percent of districts come under the most efficient cropping zone, and 20 percent of districts come under the most efficient cropping zone. The highest 40 percent of districts fell under highly inefficient cropping zones. Lack of high-quality inputs, technology adoption, and poor market and extension services may be the reasons for low productivity in these districts. An increase in productivity with low costs could help the country reduce imports of pulses and check the flow of foreign currency.

Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-18, IL-33) at the level of the mucous membrane, the entry point of infection, in persons who have experienced COVID-19 disease

Introduction. The mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is the entrance gate for a large number of infections, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That is why the main task of the immune system of the mucous membranes of the entrance gate of infection is to maintain respiratory function. High production of proinflammatory cytokines, which play a key role in the development of severe COVID-19 infection, leads to detrimental consequences for all body systems. Their long-term influence can not only aggravate chronic pathologies, but also significantly increase the recovery period, leading to a decrease in the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to study the expression of IL-18 and IL-33 genes at the level of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract in patients who have had COVID-19 disease. Materials and methods. The present study involved patients who had moderate or severe COVID-19. The control group consisted of relatively healthy individuals. The expression levels of IL-18 and IL-33 were detected using RT-PCR. Results. During the entire period of rehabilitation after suffering from COVID-19, patients showed a tendency to increase the level of IL-18 expression at the level of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. The level of IL-33 production was also increased, but varied depending on the location and period of sample collection. Conclusion. This increase in the level of IL-18 during the rehabilitation period of patients after COVID-19 may be explained by the fact that the virus, by activating glia through olfactory receptor neurons, triggers a powerful immune response and promotes the production of a large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On the contrary, overexpression of IL-33 in the late stages of rehabilitation is most likely associated with its ability to restore barrier tissues of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Thus, we can conclude that the virus promotes excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the amount of which increases maximally at the 6th month of rehabilitation after suffering from COVID-19.

The subtherapeutic dose of valproic acid induces the activity of cardiolipin-dependent proteins

A mood-stabilizing anticonvulsant valproic acid (VPA) is a drug with a pleiotropic effect on cells. Here, we describe the impact of VPA on the metabolic function of human HAP1 cells. We show that VPA altered the biosynthetic pathway of cardiolipin (CL) and affected the activities of mitochondrial enzymes such as pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and NADH dehydrogenase. We demonstrate that a therapeutic dose of VPA (0.6 mM) has a harmful effect on cell growth and increases the production of reactive oxygen species and superoxides. On the contrary, less concentrated VPA (0.06 mM) increased the activities of CL-dependent enzymes leading to an increased level of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production. The effect of VPA was also tested on the Barth syndrome model, which is characterized by a reduced amount of CL and an increased level of monolyso-CL. In this model, VPA treatment slightly attenuated the mitochondrial defects by altering the activities of CL-dependent enzymes. However, the presence of CL was essential for the increase in ATP production by VPA. Our findings highlight the potential therapeutic role of VPA in normalizing mitochondrial function in BTHS and shed light on the intricate interplay between lipid metabolism and mitochondrial physiology in health and disease. SummaryThis study investigates the dose-dependent effect of valproate, a mood-stabilizing drug, on mitochondrial function. The therapeutic concentration reduced overall cellular metabolic activity, while a subtherapeutic concentration notably improved the function of cardiolipin-dependent proteins within mitochondria. These findings shed light on novel aspects of valproate's effect and suggest potential practical applications for its use. By elucidating the differential effects of valproate doses on mitochondrial activity, this research underscores the drug's multifaceted role in cellular metabolism and highlights avenues for further exploration in therapeutic interventions.

THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE SOCIOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE REGIME OF TEMPORALITY: THE FOUNDATIONS OF ARCHITECTONICS

The aim of this work is to investigate and conceptualize the ‘temporality regime’ as a socio-cultural phenomenon, primarily analyzing its impact on social processes and social transformations. This study characterizes the concept of ‘temporality regime’ by employing heuristic resources of sociological theorization, particularly the socio-cultural approach, discourse theory, P.Bourdieu’s principle of double structuration of reality, and specific provisions of practice theory. Two levels of inter connection in the architectonic soft he temporality regime are established: static and dynamic. It is determined that the static level includes the inter connection of the objective background (culture) and the subjective plane (interpretative activity of subjects). The objective background is defined by cultural postulates that have imperative power, where as the subjective plane includes the activities of actors who interact with the products of cultural production. It is noted that the dynamic level of the temporality regime concerns the inter connection of social changes and the discursive field of the temporality regime through the pragmatic dimension. Social changes act as factors of transformation of the temporality regime, and conversely, temporality regimes influence social dynamics. It is found that this double interconnection forms a new level of discursive production, where social practices transform into discursive practices and vice versa, affecting the formation and development of social changes. The theoretical significance of the study lies in a deeper understanding of the temporality regime as a socio-cultural phenomenon, enabling the analysis of the interaction between culture and social practices in the context to social changes. The practical significance of the studies that understanding these inter connections will allow form or effective management of social changes and prediction of their consequences. The scientific novelty of the research is associated with the identification of static and dynamic levels of interconnection in the architectonics of the temporality regime, allowing for a concrete analysis of the impact of culture on the activities of actors and social changes, and vice versa. Limitations of the study include the need for additional empirical data to confirm theoretical conclusions. Therefore, future research prospects involve the collection of additional empirical data.

KIAA1429 increases FOXM1 expression through YTHDF1–mediated m6A modification to promote aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis in multiple myeloma

ObjectiveMultiple myeloma (MM) is a deadly plasma cell malignancy with elusive pathogenesis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is critically engaged in hematological malignancies. The function of KIAA1429, the largest component of methyltransferases, is unknown. This study delved into the mechanism of KIAA1429 in MM, hoping to offer novel targets for MM therapy.MethodsBone marrow samples were attained from 55 MM patients and 15 controls. KIAA1429, YTHDF1, and FOXM1 mRNA levels were detected and their correlation was analyzed. Cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were testified. Glycolysis-enhancing genes (HK2, ENO1, and LDHA), lactate production, and glucose uptake were evaluated. The interaction between FOXM1 mRNA and YTHDF1, m6A-modified FOXM1 level, and FOXM1 stability were assayed. A transplantation tumor model was built to confirm the mechanism of KIAA1429.ResultsKIAA1429 was at high levels in MM patients and MM cells and linked to poor prognoses. KIAA1429 knockdown restrained MM cell viability, and proliferation, arrested G0/G1 phase, and increased apoptosis. KIAA1429 mRNA in plasma cells from MM patients was positively linked with to glycolysis-enhancing genes. The levels of glycolysis-enhancing genes, glucose uptake, and lactate production were repressed after KIAA1429 knockdown, along with reduced FOXM1 levels and stability. YTHDF1 recognized KIAA1429-methylated FOXM1 mRNA and raised FOXM1 stability. Knockdown of YTHDF1 curbed aerobic glycolysis and malignant behaviors in MM cells, which was nullified by FOXM1 overexpression. KIAA1429 knockdown also inhibited tumor growth in animal experiments.ConclusionKIAA1429 knockdown reduces FOXM1 expression through YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification, thus inhibiting MM aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis.Graphical KIAA1429 knockdown reduces FOXM1 expression through YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification, thus inhibiting aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis in MM

City-level green growth accounting: Evidence from China's thirteen urban agglomerations

Cities play a pivotal role in achieving 'Carbon Peak' and 'Carbon Neutrality' objectives through the implementation of strategies aimed at mitigating environmental risks. While the environmental impacts of industrial production activities have been widely examined, the nuances of their internal structures remain obscure. This study delves into the industrial sector across the 'thirteen urban agglomerations (TUAs)' in mainland China, covering the years 2006–2016, by developing a comprehensive (source-specific and variable-specific) decomposition framework for Malmquist productivity index. The framework is utilized to discern whether efficiency changes or technological advancements drive productivity growth, considering input/output variables such as capital and labor. Findings show that the average annual environmental productivity gain during the examined period was 2.6 %, suggesting a general enhancement in productivity within TUAs' industrial sectors. A detailed breakdown of productivity changes indicates that a combined contribution of 1.8 % to environmental productivity growth stemmed from energy use and pollutant variables, with emissions of industrial sulfur dioxide being the most significant at 0.9 %. Conversely, the 'catch-up effect,' or environmental efficiency change, was negative (−0.2 %), indicating the TUAs' inability to emulate the productivity levels of more advanced areas. Industrial energy use and capital inputs were the primary contributors to this negative trend, each accounting for a −0.2 % impact. The results underscore the importance of facilitating technology transfers from more developed to less advanced regions, especially regarding renewable energy and capital investment, to bolster environmental performance and productivity in the TUAs' industrial sectors.

How do teams become high-performing teams?

This paper investigates the qualities of high-performing teams in a work life context. High-performing team qualities increase the level of functioning, productivity, and efficiency of teams and create organizational performance, competitiveness, and business success. An overview of the qualities is based on research literature of high-performing teams, including research on innovative high-performing teams. The study is based on a longitude teambuilding case 2019-2021 in the Norwegian Transmission System Operator, Statnett SF. The team changes were supported by a professional facilitator the whole process. The outcome demonstrated that the approaches used to improve performance, defined by the teams’ ambitions, and needs, had the wanted effects on goal achievements, team cooperation and culture as well as working conditions and climate.

Does energy innovation heterogeneously affect renewable energy production?

Achieving long-term sustainable development is a critical global imperative, and the adoption of renewable energy sources plays a pivotal role in this endeavor, aided by the advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. As a result, energy innovation has emerged as a crucial factor in realizing sustainable development goals. This study utilizes panel quantile regression analysis to investigate the relationship between energy innovation and renewable energy production in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from 1985 to 2019. The findings suggest that energy innovation can effectively enhance renewable energy production, particularly in countries with higher proportions of renewable energy generation, such as Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. However, countries like Saudi Arabia, which have lower ratios of renewable energy production, may not experience a significant impact from energy innovation. Consequently, the study recommends implementing systematic and integrated measures that focus on raising awareness and improving conditions for the adoption of renewable energy. These measures can drive the transition towards a more sustainable energy landscape in the MENA region. Policymakers should prioritize research and development investment and incentives in countries with higher levels of renewable energy generation, while simultaneously addressing barriers and fostering knowledge sharing between countries with differing levels of renewable energy production.

Heterozygous Apex1 Deficiency Exacerbates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Systemic Inflammation in a Murine Model

The biological role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (Apex1) in modulating systemic inflammation remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of Apex1 deficiency on systemic inflammation triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a murine model. The methods involved transcriptomic analysis and assessments of inflammatory responses in age-matched 8-week-old Apex1+/- and wild-type Apex1+/+ mice, generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Apex1+/- mice displayed no overt changes in body weight, however, Apex1 protein expressions in tissues were significantly reduced compared to wild-type mice. Furthermore, in Apex1+/- mice transcriptomic analysis showed that genes associated with antioxidant pathways were downregulated, and levels of superoxide production, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased. Moreover, hematological analysis showed increased neutrophil levels and a twofold increase in the count of splenic lymphocyte antigen 6 family member G+ (Ly6G+) neutrophils in the Apex1+/- mice compared to those in Apex1+/+ mice. Furthermore, following LPS treatment, the levels of cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, increased in the Apex1+/- mice. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a significant reduction in the survival rates of Apex1+/- mice treated with LPS compared to those of Apex1+/+ mice. The hepatic and lung injury scores and Ly6G+ neutrophil infiltration levels also increased in Apex1+/- mice after LPS treatment. These results showed that Apex1 deficiency exacerbated the LPS-induced tissue damage in the lung and liver. These findings illustrate that in vivo Apex1 deficiency exacerbates LPS-induced systemic inflammation, tissue damage, and mortality in a murine model, highlighting the crucial role of Apex1 in mitigating inflammatory responses and maintaining a holistic physiological equilibrium.

Development of a cost-effective medium suitable for the growth and fucoxanthin production of the microalgae Odontella aurita using jeju lava seawater and agricultural fertilizers

Diatoms have garnered significant attention in various industries, including feed, food, and pharmaceuticals, due to their potential as advanced biomaterials containing valuable components such as fatty acids, pigments, and nanoparticles. However, the industrial-scale cultivation of diatoms has faced challenges such as limited productivity and high production costs. This study aimed to develop a cost-effective growth medium for the cultivation of Odontella aurita, a diatom known for its high levels of fatty acids and fucoxanthin production. The research investigated the impact of Jeju lava seawater on the growth of O. aurita OAOSH22 and evaluated the effectiveness of five different agricultural fertilizers in cultivation. The final composition included the selected fertilizer supplemented with silicate. The growth of O. aurita in F/2 medium supplemented with Jeju lava seawater was found to be 1.8 times higher than in the ordinary seawater-based F/2 medium, attributed to the elevated silicon content in Jeju lava seawater. The optimized medium, incorporating Jeju lava seawater and agricultural fertilizer, resulted in a significant increase in biomass by a factor of 15.6 and a substantial rise in fucoxanthin production by a factor of 7.5. Additionally, the utilization of this optimized medium resulted in a significant reduction of 95.1 % and 89.7 % in the costs associated with biomass and fucoxanthin production, respectively. These findings suggest that the use of Jeju lava seawater promotes the growth of O. aurita, and the optimized medium, including agricultural fertilizers, provides a cost-effective alternative to existing microalgal media.