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The successful application of mRNA therapeutics hinges on the effective intracellular delivery of mRNA both in vitro and in vivo. However, this remains a formidable challenge due to the polyanionic nature, longitudinal shape, and low nuclease resistance of mRNA. In this study, we introduce a novel mRNA delivery platform utilizing a human β-defensin peptide, hBD23. The positive charge of hBD23 allows it to form nanocomplexes with mRNA, facilitating cellular uptake and providing protection against serum nucleases. When optimized for peptide-to-mRNA (N/P) ratios, these hBD23/mRNA complexes demonstrated efficient cellular delivery and subsequent protein expression both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, as hBD23 is human derived, the complexes exhibited minimal cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Given its high biocompatibility and delivery efficiency, hBD23 represents a promising platform for the in vitro and in vivo delivery of mRNA.

Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a robust way to generate DNA constructs, which are promising materials for biomedical applications including drug delivery because of their high biocompatibility. To be employed as a drug delivery platform, however, the DNA materials produced by RCA need to be shaped into nanoparticles that display both high cellular uptake efficiency and nuclease resistance. Here, we showed that the DNA nanoparticles (DNPs) can be prepared with RCA and modified nucleotides that have side-chains appended on the nucleobase are capable of interacting with the DNA strands of the resulting RCA products. The incorporation of the modified nucleotides improved cellular uptake efficiency and nuclease resistance of the DNPs. We also demonstrated that these DNPs could be employed as carriers for the delivery of a photosensitizer into cancer cells to achieve photodynamic therapy upon irradiation at both the in vitro and in vivo levels.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely recognized for their potent antibacterial properties and diverse biomedical applications. While conventional synthesis methods typically rely on chemical-reducing agents that may pose risks to human health and the environment, this study proposes an eco-friendly green synthesis approach utilizing porcine skin extracts. The extracts were prepared through thermal treatment and filtration to serve as a biological reducing agent. Successful synthesis was validated using dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesized AgNPs was evaluated against multidrug-resistant microorganisms, demonstrating significant growth inhibition across various antibiotic-resistant strains. These findings suggest that porcine skin—a readily available bioresource—is a promising precursor for the sustainable production of AgNPs with broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential.

Rhamnus yoshinoi is a deciduous broad-leaf bush and endemic species widely found in Korea. Recently, we reported that R. yoshinoi methanol extract (RYME) had excellent antioxidant activity and inhibition of collagenase and elastase activity in cell-free system. In this study, we investigated the ability of RYME to control the mRNA and protein expression levels of the known skin wrinkle-related factors in cultured human dermal fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. Treatment with 100 or 200 μg/mL RYME strongly blocked the UVB-induced downregulation of type 1 collagen mRNA expression (p < 0.001) and partially blocked the UVB-induced upregulation of MMP-3 mRNA expression in HaCaT human keratinocytes (p < 0.05 or p < 0.001). Treatment with RYME at 100 μg/mL considerably decreased MMP-1 mRNA expression in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells (p < 0.01). In HaCaT cells, RYME exhibited the potential to improve UV light-induced skin wrinkles. Moreover, RYME selectively inhibited the UVB-induced ERK-1/2 protein phosphorylation in CCD-986sk human dermal fibroblasts at 80 and 160 μg/mL. UV-induced ERK-1/2 protein phosphorylation is one of the major mechanisms of the generation of UV-induced skin wrinkles. Therefore, it is likely that the anti-skin wrinkling effect of RYME could be attributable to selective inhibition of UV induced ERK-1/2 protein phosphorylation.

Rose ( Rosa hybrida ) is an ornamental crop cultivated worldwide for its economic significance. However, rose prickles pose the risk of injury to workers and can negatively affect flower quality. Consequently, there has been a long-standing demand for the development of new rose varieties with small, delicate, and fewer prickles. Searching for the genes involved in prickle formation is required for rapid and efficient breeding. In this study, we identified myeloblastosis (MYB) group transcription factors that are anticipated to be involved in the formation and color change of rose prickles through RNA sequencing. In addition, we aimed to estimate the influence of selected transcription factors on the physiological characteristics of roses and suggest possibilities. Three types of stems of the rose ‘Pink Beauty’ (prickless stems (PL), stems with small prickles (SP), and stems with large prickles (BP)) generated a total of 71,830,230 raw reads. The average number of trimmed reads was 71,200,618, indicating a high quality. Through differentially expression gene (DEG) analysis, we selected DEGs that were upregulated and downregulated in SP and BP compared to those in PL, focusing on the MYB group. Finally, we compared and analyzed the expression levels of seven DEGs ( MYB5, WER, ETC3, MYB4, MYB8, MYB6, and MYB14 ). In particular, MYB5 and WER are expected to play important roles in the regulation of trichome formation, whereas ETC3, MYB4, and MYB8 are anticipated to have an essential influence on prickle development. Additionally, MYB6 and MYB14 are likely to be involved in pigment biosynthesis and regulation of color changes in rose prickles. This study suggests that transcription factors play an important role in the development of rose prickles and contributes to the understanding of the functions of related genes. Data from this study will serve as a foundation for future research on the formation and development mechanisms of prickles.

Al2O3-coated Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2 cathode materials were prepared by simple surface modification in water media through a sol-gel process with a dispersant. The crystallinity and surface morphology of the samples were characterized through X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy observation. The Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2 cathode material was of a polycrystalline hexagonal structure and agglomerated with particles of approximately 0.3 to 0.8 μm in diameter. The nanosized Al2O3 particles of low concentration (0.06–0.12 wt %) were uniformly coated on the surface of Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2. Measurement of electrochemical properties showed that Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2 coated with Al2O3 of 0.08 wt % had a high initial discharge capacity of 206.9 mAh/g at a rate of 0.05 C over 3.0–4.5 V and high capacity retention of 94.5% at 0.5 C after 30 cycles (cf. uncoated sample: 206.1 mAh/g and 90.8%, respectively). The rate capability of this material was also improved, i.e., it showed a high discharge capacity of 166.3 mAh/g after 5 cycles at a rate of 2 C, whereas the uncoated sample showed 155.8 mAh/g under the same experimental conditions.

The sintering temperature of the bismuth-based temperature-stable dielectrics (BNN-BZN) is reduced down to 850 °C with 1.0 wt % of V2O5, which is the lowest to our knowledge. The effect of dopant is studied in detail. The V2O5 seems to provide an eutectic melt below the sintering temperature to increase the sinterability. A composite character was observed with 1.0 wt % of V2O2 doping, while a new solid-solution phase was found without or fewer amounts of additive. Nevertheless, the obtained physical property of the sample with 1.0 wt % of V2O5 is promising. Following combination of physical properties is obtained consistently without any quenching procedure; dielectric constant >95, Q ∼ 2000, T.C. = −8.6 ppm (30–100 °C), and specific resistivity = 1012Ω cm.

The sintering temperature of the bismuth-based temperature-stable dielectrics (BNN-BZN) is reduced down to 850 degree C with 1.0 wt % of V sub(2)O sub(5), which is the lowest to our knowledge. The effect of dopant is studied in detail. The V sub(2)O sub(5) seems to provide an eutectic melt below the sintering temperature to increase the sinterability. A composite character was observed with 1.0 wt % of V sub(2)O sub(5) doping, while a new solid-solution phase was found without or fewer amounts of additive. Nevertheless, the obtained physical property of the sample with 1.0 wt % of V sub(2)O sub(5) is promising. Following combination of physical properties is obtained consistently without any quenching procedure; dielectric constant > 95, Q approx. 2000, T.C. identical with -8.6 ppm (30-100 degree C), and specific resistivity identical with 10 super(12) Omega cm.

Six kinds of SnO2 based semiconductor gas sensors have been fabricated and investigated in the aspects of gas sensitivity to and selectivity for combustible gases. It was found that Fe2O3 was a more effective additive than Pd or Pt. It showed high sensitivity to and high selectivity for H2, CH4, C4H10, and little cross-sensitivity to ethanol and smoke.

Six kinds of SnO sub(2) based semiconductor gas sensors have been fabricated and investigated in the aspects of gas sensitivity to and selectivity for combustible gases. It was found that Fe sub(2)O sub(3) was a more effective additive than Pd or Pt. It showed high sensitivity to and high selectivity for H sub(2), CH sub(4), C sub(4)H sub(10), and little cross-sensitivity to ethanol and smoke.