Brush-Paintable Black Electrodes for Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Based Flexible Piezoelectric Devices.

We investigated simple and unrestricted brush-paintable black electrodes for poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based artistic flexible piezoelectric devices. The conductive black ink for paintable electrodes was synthesized by mixing poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and typical black ink and optimizing the mixing ratio. At an optimal mixing ratio, the brush-paintable black electrodes showed a sheet resistance of 151 Ω/sq and high coatability for flexible piezoelectric devices. Noticeably, higher black ink ratios increased adhesion forces, while diminished the shear flow of the conductive black ink. In addition, the optimized conductive black electrode exhibited an outstanding level of mechanical flexibility due to good adhesion between the black electrode and the PVDF substrate. During the repeated inner/outer bending fatigue tests with high strain, no resistance change confirmed the outstanding flexibility of the brush-paintable conductive electrode. As a promising application of the brush-paintable optimized black electrode, we suggested highly flexible piezoelectric devices that can be used. A PVDF-based piezoelectric speaker and a generator with the brush-paintable black electrode showed acoustic and output signal values approximate to those of metallic electrodes fabricated by vacuum-based high-cost thermal evaporators. Our experiment demonstrated a cost-efficient and simple process for fabricating brush-paintable electrodes, applicable to the flexible PVDF-based piezoelectric devices.

Draft Genome Sequence of Aspergillus oryzae BP2-1, Isolated from Traditional Malted Rice in South Korea.

The fungus Aspergillus oryzae strain BP2-1 was isolated from the traditional malted starter culture nuruk. We report here the draft whole-genome sequence of A. oryzae BP2-1, which is comprised of 14 scaffolds with a total length of 39,455,382 bp and a GC content of 47.13%.

Paintable and writable electrodes using black conductive ink on traditional Korean paper (Hanji).

We demonstrate black conductive ink (BCI) that is writable and paintable on traditional handmade Korean paper (Hanji) for application as a high performing electrode. By optimal mixing of Ag nanowire (Ag NW) suspension and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) solution in standard charcoal-based blank ink, we synthesized BCI suitable for writing and painting on Hanji with a normal paintbrush. Due to the shear stress induced by the paintbrush bristles, the Ag NW and PEDOT:PSS mixture was uniformly coated on the porous cellulose structure of Hanji and showed a low sheet resistance of 11.7 Ohm per square even after repeated brush strokes. Moreover, the brush-painted electrodes on Hanji showed a constant resistance during tests of inner/outer bending and folding due to the outstanding flexibility of the Ag NW and PEDOT:PSS mixture that filled the porous cellulose structure of Hanji. Therefore, the pictures drawn in the BCI on Hanji exhibited a level of flexibility and conductivity sufficiently high to enable the BCI to function as an effective electrode even when the paper substrate is wrinkled or crumpled. The successful operation of the paintable interconnector and heater on Hanji indicates the high potential of the brush-painted electrodes that can be used in various social and cultural fields, including fine art, fashion, interior design, architecture, and heating industry.

Diversity analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from natural sources by multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

We used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to analyze the diversity of natural isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the most important microorganism in alcoholic fermentation. Six loci, ADP1, RPN2, GLN4, ACC1, MET4, and NUP116, in S. cerevisiae genome were selected as MLST markers. To investigate genetic diversity within S. cerevisiae, 42 S. cerevisiae isolated from natural sources in Korea as well as six S. cerevisiae obtained from Genbank and four industrial S. cerevisiae were examined using MLST. Twenty-six polymorphic sites were found in the six loci. Among them, ACC1 had the most genetic variation with eight polymorphic sites. MLST differentiated the 52 strains into three clades. Alcohol fermentation results revealed that S. cerevisiae in Clade III produced less alcohol than those in Clades I and II. These results suggested that MLST is a powerful tool to differentiate S. cerevisiae and can potentially be used to select S. cerevisiae suitable for industrial use.

Extract of Makgeolli suldeot downregulates NF-κB-mediated MMP-9 expression, thereby inhibiting invasive activity in a human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231.

Makgeolli is a Korean traditional alcoholic beverage prepared by fermenting rice starch using nuruk. It is known for its health benefits, but the mechanisms underlying its inhibitory effects on cancer remain unclear. Here a 70% ethanol extract of Makgeolli suldeot (70EMS) was tested for its inhibitory activities against cancer metastasis. This extract interrupted the formation of the neovasculature and reduced the migratory and invasive activity of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, it dose-dependently suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and Akt. Moreover, 70EMS strongly inhibited the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) into the nucleus and expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1). These data indicate that the anti-invasive effect of 70EMS may be related to the inhibition of ERK1/2, phosphorylation of JNK, and reduced expression of NF-κB and AP-1, thereby attenuating MMP-9 in human breast cancer cells.

Cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruit inhibits metastasis by downregulating MMP-9 in breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231.

Anthocyanins play an important role in physiological functions related to human health. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside isolated from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruit on cancer cell metastasis. The inhibitory effect of cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside on angiogenesis was assessed by chorioallantoic membrane and tube formation assays. Cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside interrupted the formation of neovasculature and tube-like structures in a dose-dependent manner. It inhibited the wound healing migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells through reconstituted extracellular matrix (Matrigel). Gelatin zymography revealed that cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside significantly decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. In additional, cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside exerted an inhibitory effect on Akt phosphorylation. These results suggest that cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside inhibits metastasis processes, such as angiogenesis and invasion, in breast cancer cells through regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity.

Bioactive 3,4-seco-Triterpenoids from the Fruits of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus.

Eight new 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenes and glycosides, acanthosessiligenins I and II (1, 3) and acanthosessiliosides A-F (2, 4-8), as well as six known 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenes (9-14) were isolated from an ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits. The chemical structures of 1-8 were determined by spectroscopic data interpretation. All isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against six human cancer cell lines and their ability to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Anti-inflammatory lignans from the fruits of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus.

A new lignan, named acanthosessilin A (1), as well as eight known lignan and lignan glycosides 2-9 were isolated from an ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruits. The chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including HR-EIMS, 1D NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT), 2D NMR (gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, NOESY), and IR spectroscopy. All isolated compounds were tested for the ability to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Sterols isolated from Nuruk (Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815) inhibit the migration of cancer cells.

An activity-guided fractionation method was used to isolate anticancer components from Nuruk (Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815:KSD-815). Dried powder of KSD-815 was extracted with 80% methanol and partitioned successively using nhexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The n-hexane and n-butanol fractions showed a strong antimigratory effect on human cancer cells. Both of these fractions were subjected to separation and purification procedures using silica gel, octadecyl silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies to afford four purified compounds. These were identified as ergosterol peroxide (1), stigmast- 5-en-3beta,7beta-diol (2), ergosta-7,22-dien-3beta,5alpha,6beta,9alpha-tetraol (3), and daucosterol (4), respectively, by spectroscopic methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy, and comparison with those in the literature. Compounds 1-4 were isolated from KSD-815 for the first time. Compounds 1 and 4 inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells at concentrations lower than 20 micronM.

Nuruk extract inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitrite and interleukin-6 in RAW 264.7 cells through blocking activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Nuruk, which is a natural inoculator and source of amylolytic enzymes, is used in Korean traditional rice wine. A methanol extract of nuruk (NE) attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced nitrite and interleukin (IL)-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. Both the n-hexane and water fractions from NE (MEH and MW, respectively) inhibited the production of nitrite and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. MEH and MW also inhibited the LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Further, and MEH protected against the LPS-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Together, these results indicate that nuruk may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive effects of Korean traditional rice wine.