Third-generation biomass production utilizing microalgae exhibits sustainable and environmentally friendly attributes, along with significant potential as a source of physiologically active compounds. However, the process of screening and localizing strains that are capable of producing high-value-added substances necessitates a significant amount of effort. In the present study, we have successfully isolated the indigenous marine diatom Odontella aurita OAOSH22 from the East coast of Korea. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of its morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. Afterwards, comprehensive analysis was conducted on the morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics, along with testing for optimal growth conditions. The morphological characteristics of the isolate were observed using optical and electron microscopes, and it exhibited typical features of O. aurita. Additionally, the molecular phylogenetic inference derived from the sequence of the small-subunit 18S rDNA confirmed the classification of the microalgal strain as O. aurita. This isolate has been confirmed to contain 7.1 mg g-1 dry cell weight (DCW) of fucoxanthin, a powerful antioxidant substance, in terms of dry cell weight (DCW). In addition, this isolate contains 11.1 mg g-1 DCW of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is one of the nutritionally essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, this indigenous isolate exhibits a significant potential as a valuable source of bioactive substances for various bio-industrial applications.

Sea fog event over the Eastern Yellow Sea on 15–16 April 2012 was reproduced in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulation with high-resolution to investigate the roles of phys-ical processes and synoptic-scale flows on advection fog with sea surface warming. Initially, longwave radiative cooling (LRC) with negative sensible heat flux (SHF) due to the turbulence af-ter sunset triggered a formation of cloud at the surface under the moist advection with a southerly wind. This is a conventional type of advection fog. At night, continuous cooling due to longwave radiation and SHF near the surface modulated the change of the SHF from negative to positive, resulting in a drastic increase in the latent heat flux (LHF) that provided sufficient moisture at lower atmosphere (self-moistening). This is a favorable condition for advection fog with sea sur-face heating (ssH), and this transition represents advection fog with ssH. Enhanced turbulent mixing driven by a buoyancy force increased the depth of the sea fog with a gradual rise in the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) height, even at nighttime. In addition, cold advec-tion with a prevailing northerly wind at the top of the MABL led to a drastic increase in turbulent mixing and the MABL height, which resulted in rapid growth of the height of sea fog due to ver-tical diffusion. After sunrise, shortwave radiative warming in the fog layers offsetting the LRC near the surface weakened thermal instability, which contributed to the reduction in the MABL height, even during the daytime. In addition, dry advection of northerly wind induced dissipa-tion of the fog via evaporation. An additional sensitivity test of sea surface salinity showed weaker and shallower sea fog than the control due to the decrease in both the LHF and local self-moistening.

The possibility of using Si-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries is actively investigated due to the increased lithium capacity of silicon. The paper reports the preparation of submicron silicon fibers on glassy carbon in the KI–KF–KCl–K2SiF6 melt at 720°C. For this purpose, the parameters of silicon electrodeposition in the form of fibers were determined by cyclic voltammetry, and ex-perimental samples of ordered silicon fibers with an average diameter from 0.1 to 0.3 μm were obtained under galvanostatic electrolysis conditions. Using the obtained silicon fibers, anode half-cells of lithium-ion battery was fabricated, and its electrochemical performance under mul-tiple lithiation and delithiation was studied. By means of voltametric studies, it is observed that charging and discharging of the anode based on the obtained silicon fibers occurs at potentials from 0.2 to 0.05 V and from 0.2 to 0.5 V, respectively. A change in discharge capacity from 520 to 200 mAh g-1 during the first 50 charge/discharge cycles at a charge current of 0.1C and a Coulomb ef-ficiency of 98-100% was shown. The possibility of charging silicon-based anode samples at charging currents up to 2C was also noted; the discharge capacity ranged from 25 to 250 mAh g-1.

Various peptides or non-structural amino acids are recognized by their specific target proteins and perform biological role in various pathways in vivo. Understanding the interactions between target protein and peptides (or non-structural amino acids) provides key information on the molecular interactions, which can be potentially translated to the development of novel drugs. However, it is experimentally challenging to determine the crystal structure of protein-peptide complexes. To obtain structural information on substrate recognition of peptide-recognizing enzyme, X-ray crystallographic studies were performed using triglycine (Gly-Gly-Gly) as main-chain of peptide. The crystal structure of Parengyodontium album Proteinase K in complex with triglcyine was determined at 1.4 Å resolution. Two different bound conformations of triglycine were observed at the substrate recognition site. The triglycine backbone forms stable interactions with β5-α4 and α5-β6 loops of main-chain. One of the triglycine-binding conformations was identical with the binding mode of a peptide-based inhibitor from a previously reported crystal structure of Proteinase K. Triglycine has potential application X-ray crystallography to identify substrate recognition sites in peptide binding enzymes.

Cervical cancer, primarily caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) types 16 and 18, is a major global health concern. Persistent HR-HPV infection can progress from reversible pre-cancerous lesions to invasive cervical cancer, which is driven by the oncogenic activity of human papillomavirus (HPV) genes, particularly E6 and E7. Traditional screening methods, including cytology and HPV testing, have limited sensitivity and specificity. This review explores the ap-plication of p16/Ki-67 dual-staining cytology for cervical cancer screening. This advanced im-munocytochemical method allows for simultaneously detecting p16 and Ki-67 proteins within cervical epithelial cells, offering a more specific approach for triaging HPV-positive women. Dual staining and traditional methods are compared, demonstrating their high sensitivity and negative predictive value but low specificity. The increased sensitivity of dual staining results in higher detection rates of CIN2+ lesions, which is crucial for preventing cervical cancer progression. However, its low specificity may lead to increased false-positive results and unnecessary biopsies. The implications of integrating dual staining into contemporary screening strategies, particularly considering the evolving landscape of HPV vaccination and changes in HPV genotype prevalence are also discussed. New guidelines and further research are necessary to elucidate the long-term effects of integrating dual staining into screening protocols.

Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a very specious genus and consists of about 1,250 species, mainly distributed in tropical Asia and China. The first complete plastome sequence from the genus, Croton tiglium, is reported in this study (NCBI acc. No. MH394334). The plastome is 150,021 bp in length. The lengths of LSC and SSC are 111,654 bp and 18,167 bp, respectively. However, the length of the IR region is only 10,100 bp and includes only four rrn and four trn genes, and a small part of the ycf1 gene. We propose two-step IR contractions to explain this unique IR region of the C. tiglium plastome. First, the IR contracted from rps19-rpl2 to ycf2-trnL-CAA on the LSC/IRb boundary. Second, the IR contracted from ycf2-trnL-CAA to rrn16-trnV-GAC on the LSC/IRa boundary. In addition, duplicated copies of psaI genes were discovered in the C. tiglium plastome. Both copies were located side by side between accD and ycf4 genes, but one copy was pseudogenized because of a five-basepair (TAGCT) insertion in the middle of the gene following frameshift mutation. The plastome contains 112 genes, of which 78 are protein-coding genes, 30 are tRNA genes, and four are rRNA genes. Sixteen genes contain one intron and two genes have two introns. The infA gene is lost. Twelve large repeats were detected in the plastome. All large repeats are located in the LSC region. Also, 272 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. The penta-SSRs accounted for 45% of total SSRs, followed by mono- (32%), di- (12%), tetra (6%) and tri-SSRs (5%). Most of them were distributed in the large single copy (LSC) region (85%). In addition, 76% of the SSRs were located in the intergenic spacer (IGS). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that C. tiglium is a sister group of Jatropha curcas with 100% bootstrap support. Seven Euphorbiaceae species formed one clade with 100% bootstrap support.

Changes in crude oil price affect the shipping freight market in three different channels. This study explores the dependence structure between oil prices and maritime freight rates to identify the strongest channel. Therefore, it investigates the relationship between oil prices and three major maritime freight rates; the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), the Baltic Dirty Tanker Index (BDTI), and the Baltic Clean Tanker Index (BCTI). We employ the decomposition method, not studied in the existing literature. The copula approach identifies the time-varying effects and asymmetry in the tail dependence structure between oil prices and freight rates. The main results of this analysis are as follows. The decomposed components display different conditional dependence patterns, and asymmetry is revealed in the upper and lower tail dependence. In the long run, we find more dependence in extreme periods like the financial crises. In short-run fluctuations, we find the dependence increases in an economic boom. The implications of the results suggest that dependence can vary over time and may change depending on extreme events, implying that the complementary strategies of the long run and short run should be different.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, regulate many cellular activities including proliferation and neovascularization. The use of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2 (rh-BMP 2) in oral and maxillofacial surgery has seen a tremendous increase, especially with bone grafting materials to promote bone reconstruction processes; even though its interactions with the other essential processes in the human tissues are still not fully clear. investigating the effect of administrating rh-bmp2 on the clinical values of the gingival cell proliferation index Ki67 marker expression in the gingival tissue in comparison with normal human gingival tissue. The study includes 2 groups in a randomized controlled Clinical Trial: 40 gingival samples; 20 normal and 20 have been treated with 0.25µg of rh-BMP2 during dental implantation in the posterior mandible area, taken 3 months later in the time of healing abutments installation using a tissue puncher. Samples will be stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemically. The expression of Ki67 will be measured in one way: the number of cells that express the marker. The comparison between groups will be done using One -a way ANOVA test in the numerical data SPSS 17.0 will be used as software. Differences would be considered significant at P=0.05. It is considered that rh-BMP2 can improve gingival tissue proliferation in patients undergoing dental implant treatment, and indicates better healing.

A new study for CH4 reforming to hydrogen and hydrogen storage was performed using magnesium-based alloy. MgH2-12Ni (with the composition of 88 wt% MgH2 + 12 wt% Ni) was prepared in a planetary ball mill by milling in hydrogen atmosphere (reaction-involved milling). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were performed for the samples after reaction-involved milling and after reactions with CH4. The variation of adsorbed or desorbed gas with time was measured by a Sieverts’ type high-pressure apparatus at 773 K. The microstructures of the powders were observed using scanning transmission microscope (STEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The synthesized samples were also characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. XRD pattern of MgH2-12Ni after reaction with CH4 of 12 bar at 773 K and decomposition under 1.0 bar at 773 K exhibited phases of MgH2 and Mg2NiH4. This shows that reforming of CH4 was occurred, hydrogen produced after reforming of CH4 was then adsorbed on the particles, and hydrides were formed during cooling to room temperature. Ni and Mg2Ni formed during heating up to 773 K are believed to have brought about catalytic effects for reforming CH4. MgH2-12Ni adsorbed 0.8 wt% reformed CH4 within 1 min in a reaction with CH4 of 12 bar at 773 K and then desorbed 0.8 wt% reformed CH4 (hydrogen-containing mixture) within 1 min under 1 bar at 773 K. Attenuated total reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra of MgH2-12Ni after reactions under 12 bar CH4 at 723 K and 773 K showed peaks of C-H bending, C=C stretching, O-H stretching, O-H bending, and C-O stretching.

Pericytes are increasingly recognized as being important in the control of blood-brain barrier permeability and vascular flow. Research on this important cell type has been hindered by widespread confusion regarding the phenotypic identity and nomenclature of pericytes and other perivascular cell types. In addition, pericyte heterogeneity and mouse-human species differences have contributed to confusion. Herein we summarize our present knowledge on the identification of pericytes and pericyte subsets in humans, primarily focusing on recent findings in humans and nonhuman primates. Precise identification and definition of pericytes and pericyte subsets in humans may help us to better understand pericyte biology and develop new therapeutic approaches specifically targeting disease-associated pericyte subsets.

Recent progress in the fabricating flexible electronics has been developed significantly due to the increased interest of the flexible electronics which can be applied to enormous fields not only to conventional electronic devices but to bio/eco electronic devices. Flexible electronics can be applied to wide range of fields such as flexible display, flexible power storage, flexible solar cells, wearable electronics and healthcare monitoring devices. Recently, flexible electronics are being attached on the skin and even implanted into human body to monitor the bio-signals and for treatment purpose. To improve the electrical characteristic and the mechanical properties of flexible electronics, nanoscale fabrications using novel nano-materials are required. Advanced in nanoscale fabrication methods allow construction of the active materials that can combine with the ultra-thin soft substrate to form flexible electronics with high performances and reliability. In this review, wide range of nanoscale fabrication methods for flexible electronics classified in either top-down or bottom-up approaches such as conventional photolithography, soft lithography, nanoimprint lithography, growth, assembly and chemical vapor deposition(CVD) will be reported with specific fabrication processes and results. Here, our aim is to introduce various fabrication methods that can be used to fabricate the flexible electronics.

Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) using an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) enables determination of room-temperature structures without causing radiation damage. Using an optical pump-probe or mix-and-injection, SFX enables the intermediate state visualization of a molecular reaction. In SFX experiments, serial and stable microcrystal delivery to the X-ray interaction point is vital for reasonable data collection and efficient beam time. The Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X-ray Free Electron Laser (PAL-XFEL) facility established SFX instruments at a nanocrystallography and coherent imaging (NCI) experimental station. Various sample delivery methods, including injection, fixed-target scanning, and hybrid methods, have been developed and applied to collect XFEL diffraction data. Herein, we review the currently available sample delivery methods for SFX at the NCI experimental station at the PAL-XFEL. This article will help PAL-XFEL users access the SFX system for their experiments.

Accumulating reports have suggested that an inability to clear dead cells is a cause of inflammation and cancer and that the fascia is associated with cancer metastasis. Novel corpuscle-connected filiform structures (CCFSs) entangled on the fascia of the internal organs of rats were selectively visualized with high repeatability (93%) under vital staining with Janus Green B (JGB). Serial sections of CCFSs stained with haematoxylin and eosin and with Mattson Trichrome were microscopically examined. In parallel, the immunohistochemistry with CD31, Lyve 1, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also used to investigate the novel properties of the CCFSs. All of the CCFSs enclosed JGB-stained granules, which was verified by the impromptu coupling of stereo and light microscopes and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The functions of the CCFSs were discovered under fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to be implicated in cell death: fragmented DNAs and f-actins with extracellular DNAs. The dead cells in the CCFSs were verified by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and TEM. Moreover, the CCFS had a relatively-high concentration of calcium, a main element for cell death in tissue, which was measured in 2-dimensionally images using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Taken these results, we report for the first time that novel reticular CCFSs are widely entangled on the fascia of the internal organs of rats with the implication for cell death.

We analyze the upside and downside risk connectedness among international stock markets. We characterize the connectedness among international stock returns using the Diebold and Yilmaz spillover index approach and compute the upside and downside value-at-risk. We document that the connectedness level of the downside risk is higher than that of the upside risk and that stock markets are more sensitive when the stock market declines. We also find that specific periods (e.g., the global financial crisis, the European debt crisis, and the COVID-19 turmoil) intensify the spillover effects across international stock markets. Our results demonstrate that the EU, Ger-many, and the US acted as net transmitters of dynamic connectedness; however, Japan (JP), China (CH), and India (IN) acted as net receivers of dynamic connectedness during the sample period. These findings provide significant new information to policymakers and market participants.

Radar observation data with high temporal and spatial resolution are used in the data assimilation experiment to improve precipitation forecast of a numerical model. The numerical model considered in this study is Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with double-moment 6-class microphysics scheme (WDM6). We calculated radar equivalent reflectivity factor using higher resolution WRF and compared with radar observations in South Korea. To compare the precipitation forecast characteristics of three-dimensional variational (3D-Var) assimilation of radar data, four experiments are performed based on different precipitation types. Comparisons of the 24-h accumulated rainfall with Automatic Weather Station (AWS) data, Contoured Frequency by Altitude Diagram (CFAD), Time Height Cross Sections (THCS), and vertical hydrometeor profiles are used to evaluate and compare the accuracy. The model simulations are performed with and with-out 3D-VAR radar reflectivity, radial velocity and AWS assimilation for two mesoscale convective cases and two synoptic scale cases. The radar data assimilation experiment improved the location of precipitation area and rainfall intensity compared to the control run. Especially, for the two convective cases, simulating mesoscale convective system was greatly improved.

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. In addition to viral hepatitis, genetic conditions such as steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and Wilson’s disease can also lead to cirrhosis. Moreover, alcohol can cause cirrhosis on its own and exacerbate chronic liver disease from other causes. The treatment of cirrhosis can be divided into addressing the cause of cirrhosis and reversing liver fibrosis. To this date, there is still no clear consensus on the treatment of cirrhosis. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in potential treatments that modulate the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis for the treatment of cirrhosis. According to recent studies, modulation of the gut microbiome by probiotics ameliorates the progression of liver disease. The precise mechanism for relieving cirrhosis via gut microbial modulation has not been identified. This paper summarizes the role and effects of the gut microbiome in cirrhosis based on experimental and clinical studies on absorbable antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Moreover, it provides evidence of a relationship between the gut microbiome and liver cirrhosis.

1) Background: In service business areas, design enhances the customer experience through the elements which anticipate specific emotional responses of customers. Many service companies are keen to develop and examine design elements from the customer perspective. Furthermore, recently, having considered the significance of customers’ emotional responses by design elements, categorising design elements into manageable dimensions can facilitate the evaluation of design elements. However, design elements and dimensions of design value are not defined in the current service marketing literature, and companies need a measurement tool and managerial guideline to their innovative value creation and compelling service delivery. For these reasons, this research aims to categorise the design value dimensions and propose the managerial implication for the innovative use of design; 2) Methods: This study used the mixed methodology; two stages of interviews and SEM (Structural Equation Modelling); 3) Results: Interview analyses facilitate the identification of design elements in the service delivery process. SEM results underpin the relevance of the categorised design elements and their impact on customer loyalty by comparing different groups (country and time elapsed from experience); and 4) Conclusions: Findings are the fundamentals of developing measuring tool for design and trigger future studies for conceptualising intangible assets.

Polypyrrole (PPy)-capped caped silver nanowire (Ag NW) nanomaterials (core–shell rod-shaped Ag NW@PPy) were synthesized suing a one–port suspension polymerization technique. The thickness of PPy layer on the 50-nm-thickness/15-μm-length Ag NW was effectively controlled to 10, 40, 50, and 60 nm. Thin films cast from one-dimensional conductive Ag NW@PPy formed a three-dimensional (3-D) conductive porous network structure and provided excellent electrochemical performance. The 3-D Ag NW@PPy network can significantly reduce the internal resistance of the electrode and maintain structural stability. As a result, a high specific capacitance of 625 F/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s was obtained from the 3-D porous Ag NW@PPy composite film. The cycling performance over a long period exceeding 10,000 cycles was also evaluated. We expect that our core–shell-structured Ag NW@PPy composites and their 3-D porous structure network films can be applied as electrochemical materials for the design and manufacture of supercapacitors and other energy storage devices.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used in the manufacturing process of the semiconductor and display industries, and the need for emission reduction is growing as a greenhouse gas with a very large global warming potential. The decomposition characteristics of etch type and water film (WF) type plasma-wet scrubbers were investigated. The PFCs used in the study were CF4, SF6, NF3, CHF3, C2F6, C3F8, and C4F8, and the destruction removal efficiency (DRE) and by-product gas generation rate according to the changes in the parameters (total flow rate and power) of the plasma-wet scrubber were confirmed. When the total flow rate was 100 L/min and the measured maximum power (11 kW), the reduction efficiency of CF4 in the etch type was 95.60 % and the DRE of other PFCs was 99.99 %. And, in the WF type, the DRE of CF4 was 90.06 %, that of SF6 was 96.44 %, and that of other PFCs was 99.99 %. When the total flow rate was 300 L/min and 11 kW, the DRE of SF6 in the etch type was 99 %, and the DRE of NF3, CHF3, C2F6, C3F8, and C4F8 were 99.80 %, 95.34 %, 85.38 %, 88.49 %, and 98.22 %, respectively. And, in the WF type, the DRE of SF6 was 94.39 %, and the DRE of NF3, CHF3, C2F6, C3F8, and C4F8 were 99.80 %, 95.34 %, 85.38 %, 88.49 %, and 98.22 %, respectively. The by-product gas generation rate was significantly lower in the WF type.

Substrate binding proteins (SBP) bind to specific ligands in the periplasmic region and bind to membrane proteins to participate in transport or signal transduction. Typical SBPs consist of two α/β domains and recognize the substrate by hinge motion between two domains. Conversely, short length Rhodothermus marinus SBP (named as RmSBP) exists around the methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein. We previously determined the crystal structure of RmSBP consisting of a single α/β domain, but the substrate recognition mechanism is still unclear. To better understand the short length RmSBP, we performed comparative structure analysis, computational substrate docking, and X-ray crystallographic study. RmSBP shares a high level of similarity in α/β domain with other SBP proteins, but it has a distinct topology in the C-term region. The substrate binding model suggested that conformational change in the peripheral region of RmSBP was required to recognize the substrate. We determined the crystal structures of RmSBP at pH 5.5, 6.0, and 7.5. RmSBP showed structural flexibility of the β1-α2 loop, β5-β6 loop, and extended C-term domain based on the electron density map and temperature B-factor analysis. These results provide information that will further the understanding of the function of the short length SBP.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of lupin flake supplementation on the growth, plasma parameters, carcass characteristics, and meat composition of late-fattening Hanwoo steers. The steers (n = 40) were randomly divided into the four groups with 10 steers each: LP0 (Lupin flake 0%), LP3 (lupin flake 3%), LP6 (Lupin flake 6%), and LP9 (lupin flake 9%). The total digestible nutriant intake increased as the concentration of lupin increased (linear and quadratic effects; P < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance content in the strip loins decreased as lupin flake supplementation levels increased (linear and quadratic effects; P < 0.05), while carnosine levels increased linearly (P < 0.05). As the lupin flake supplementation level increased, anserine and creatinine contents increased linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05). Similarly, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) contents increased with increasing lupin flake supplementation levels in linear and quadratic effects (P < 0.001). Palmitoleic acid content increased significantly with increasing lupin flake supplementation level (linear and quadratic effects; P < 0.05). The content of oleic acid in the strip loin was not significant, but the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) (P < 0.05) and n-6/n-3 ratio (P < 0.05) increased. The results of this study indicated that although lupin flake supplementation did not markedly affect the growth, carcass characteristics, or meat composition of late-fattening Hanwoo steers, it exerted a positive effect on the flavor, taste profiles (anserine, creatinine, ATP, and AMP), hypotonicity(TBARS), and healthy meat production (UFA and n-6/n-3 ratio) related to beef.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising solution to tackle bacterial infections and combat antibiotic resistance. However, their clinical application has been hindered by their vulnerability to protease degradation and toxicity towards mammalian cells. To overcome these challenges, our study aims to develop a method to enhance the stability and safety of AMPs, applicable to effective drug-device combination products. KR12 antimicrobial peptide was chosen and in order to further enhance its delivery and efficacy, HIV TAT protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) was fused to form CPP-KR12. A new product, CPP-KR12@Si, was developed by forming silica nanoparticles with self-entrapped CPP-KR12 peptide using the biomimetic silica precipitability due to its cationic nature. Peptide delivery from CPP-KR12@Si to bacteria and cells was delivered at a slightly delayed rate with improved stability against trypsin treatment and a reduction in cytotoxicity over CPP-KR12. Finally, the antimicrobial potential of CPP-KR12@Si/bone graft substitute (BGS) combination product was demonstrated, which is coated with CPP-KR12 in the form of nanoparticles on the surface of BGS. Self-entrapped AMP in silica nanoparticles is a safe and effective AMP delivery method that will be useful for developing a drug/device combination product for tissue regeneration.

In this paper, the design process of BLDC adopting the dual rotor method that can reduce the overall size of the motor while generating the same torque as the conventional Permanent Magnet BLDC is analyzed. A simple size is selected by obtaining the torque per rotor volume (TRV), and a method of matching the counter electromotive force by selecting the pole arc of the magnet through a magnetic equivalent circuit is analyzed. Since the efficiency is low because the 120-degree commutation method is selected, the middle stator is optimized through detailed design through the experimental design method. Afterwards, it has the advantage of being able to shift without stopping due to the characteristic of a dual rotor. For this, an analysis of the driving characteristics for each mode is performed.

Milled MgH2, NaAlH4, MgH2–10NaAlH4, MgH2–30NaAlH4, MgH2–50NaAlH4, and MgH2–2Ni-10NaAlH4 samples were prepared by milling in hydrogen atmosphere (reactive mechanical milling, RMM). Decomposition temperatures of milled MgH2, NaAlH4, MgH2–10NaAlH4, and MgH2–30NaAlH4 were examined in a Sieverts-type hydrogen-absorption and release apparatus, in which the hydrogen pressures were kept constant during hydrogen absorption or release. As the content of NaAlH4 in the sample increased, the temperature at the highest peak in the ratio of increase in Hr to increase in T, dHr/dT, versus T curve decreased. The higher content of NaAlH4 is believed to have made effects of reactive mechanical milling stronger. Effects of the NaAlH4 content on the temperatures of intermediate reactions were studied for MgH2 – NaAlH4 composites. Phase formation in the cycled MgH2–50NaAlH4 were investigated. The hydrogen-storage properties of MgH2–30NaAlH4 were compared with those of Mg-based alloys in which oxide, halides, or fluoride was added.

Our study provides guidelines on how to build long-term customer relationship in the non-contract mechanism context. More specifically, the findings show that special, social, and core benefits influence calculative commitment, and operational and special benefits influence affective commitment. This study also supports that calculative and affective commitment play a crucial role in understanding multi-channel agencies’ loyalty. In sum, this study revealed that calculative and affective commitment can be considered as partial or full mediators in the relationship between RBs (relational benefits) and loyalty. This study not only contributed to the existing SET (social exchange theory) and RBs paradigm but also provided practical implications for food distribution management.

Recently, the demand for electric vehicle is increasing worldwide due to eco-friendly policies and stricter emission regulations. As a traction motor for electric vehicle, interior permanent magnet synchronous motors are mainly used. For the design of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor, the magnetic equivalent circuit method, which is a method of lumped constant circuit, and the finite element method, which is a method of distributed constant circuit, mainly are used. Magnetic equivalent circuit method is useful for simple design through fast and intuitive parameters, but it cannot derive the distribution of magnetic field. The finite element method can derive an accurate magnetic field distribution, but it takes a long time to analyze and it is difficult to analyze intuitive design parameters. In this paper, magnetic equivalent circuit method and Carter coefficient are mixed for rotor structure design. This design method will be called the hybrid magnetic equivalent circuit method. Intuitive design parameters are derived through this hybrid magnetic equivalent circuit method. We will derive the Air gap flux density distribution according to rotor shape, no-load induced voltage, and cogging torque, and compare and verify it with the finite element method.

A surgical microscope is large in size, which makes it impossible to be portable. The distance between the surgical microscope and the observation tissue is 15–30 cm, and the adjustment range of the right and left of the camera is a maximum of 30°. Therefore, the surgical microscope is generated attenuation (above 58%) of irradiation optical source owing to the long working distance. Moreover, the observation of tissue is affected because of dazzling by ambient light as the optical source power is strong (55 to 160 mW/cm2). Further, observation blind spot phenomena will occur due to the limitations in adjusting the right and left of the camera. Therefore, it is difficult to clearly observe the tumor. In this study, a compact pen-type probe with a portable surgical microscope is presented. The proposed surgical microscope comprises a small and portable pen-type probe that can adjust the working distance between the probe and the observed tissue. In addition, it allows the adjustment of the viewing angle and fluorescence brightness. The proposed probe has no blind spots or optical density loss.

A surgical microscope is large in size, making portability impossible. The distance between the surgical microscope and the observation tissue is 15 to 30 cm, while the maximum adjustment range of the camera to the right and left is 30°. Therefore, surgical microscopes cause attenuation (above 58%) of the irradiation optical source owing to the long working distance. Moreover, the observation of tissue was dazzled with ambient light because the optical power source was strong (50 to 160 mW/cm2). Owing to the limited ability to adjust the camera to the right and left, a blind spot occurs with a surgical microscope. Therefore, it is difficult to clearly observe a tumor. In this study, a compact pen-type probe with a portable surgical microscope is proposed. The pen-type probe is small with a portable shape, and is capable of adjusting the working distance between itself and the observed tissue. It is also possible to adjust the viewing angle and fluorescence brightness. The proposed pen-type probe has no blind spots or optical density loss.

A metering roundabout where traffic is controlled by traffic lights with phase times influenced by queue detector occupancy might be the solution to enhance performance when there are unbalanced traffic flows at roundabouts. There have, however, been minimal studies on how the distance of the queue detector from the stop line affects signal phase time durations and the queuing lengths. This research, therefore, seeks to develop a Cuckoo Search/Local search Algorithm using parameters such as arrival volumes, conflicting volumes, detector distance and phase time to investigate the relationship of signal setting, detector location and queuing formulations. Also, some additional statistical tests were performed for the fitness of the data. In order to conduct solid model validations, model output data was compared against the AIMSUN model. The results from the analyses demonstrated that the queue detector distance can affect phase time durations and vehicle queuing lengths on the controlling approach as well as queuing lengths on the metered approach. This study showed that, based on the study for the Old Belair Road roundabout in Adelaide, South Australia, the total queue length (controlling + metered) will be minimized when the detector is relocated at 209 meters from the roundabout stop line, giving longer phase green times and resulting in decreased intersection queuing lengths.

The irradiation biology of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys Stål) treated at the nymphal stage was investigated to determine its application for sterile insect technique (SIT). Fifth instar males of BMSB were exposed to gamma-radiation 60Co at different doses of 12, 16, 20, 24 and 64 Gy. Irradiated males were mated with non-irradiated virgin females to assess the longevity of both sexes, female fecundity and fertility of their offspring until the egg stage of the F2 generation. The mortality of each of the developmental stages of the F1 and eggs of the F2 generation was observed to determine whether negative effects from exposure to radiation was inherited. The data indicated that irradiation significantly reduced the lifespan of male insects at doses above 20Gy. Irradiated males did not affect the longevity and fecundity of their female partners, nor either sex of their resulting progeny, but it did reduce the hatch rate of the eggs at all doses tested. The sterility rates of F1 eggs were 55.6%, 73.3%, 74.1% and 74.1% at doses of 12Gy, 16Gy, 20Gy and 24Gy respectively. Eggs were completely sterile (100%) at a dose of 64Gy with no egg hatch recorded. A low hatch rate of F2 eggs illustrated that negative effects from radiation was inherited by the subsequent generation. The results support the potential for the use of SIT for BMSB management by irradiating the fifth instar male nymphs at 16-64Gy.

Air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as water pollutants including heavy metal, are harmful to human and environment. Effective control and reduction of their pollution is therefore an important topic for today’s scientists. Fly ash (FA) is a type of industrial waste that can cause multiple environmental problems if discharged into the air. On the other hand, because of its high porosity, large specific surface area, and other unique characteristics, the FA can also be used as a low-cost and high efficient adsorbent with some simple modifications. This paper reviews the effects of FA on treatment of the above air and water pollution based on our research experience over many years, including to the current status of global FA utilization, physicochemical properties, principle of adsorption, and the application direction of FA in the future. It focuses on the use of nanocomposite technology to fabricate functional FA fibrous membranes to adsorb VOCs from air, and treat heavy metal wastewater. This present review first describes the fabrication technology of FA nanocomposites and their mechanism of adsorption VOCs from air. Utilization of nanofiber technology to fabricate multi-functional FA emerging composite materials to mitigate air and water pollution has great potential in the future, especially use of pollutant material to control other pollutants.

A number of accidents at sea are primarily caused by low visibility due to sea fog therefore, it is important to estimate sea fog intensity and visibility in real-time in the ocean environment. However, the existing estimation systems have significant costs so that it is not viable to install them at various locations, such as small vessels, minor ports, and a number of buoys. Therefore, this paper proposes an algorithm called RDCP (Reduced Dark Channel Prior) which provides the estimation at a low complexity and a low cost. For the estimation, the RDCP algorithm firstly acquires dark channels from an ocean image, then applies an optimized threshold value to the dark channels, and crops out the sky region in the ocean image. For the estimation performance evaluation, 320 raw images captured from cameras at four different ports in South Korea are used rather than artificially composed images. Considering facilities in oceans which are usually operated in the power limited environment, the processing time performance of PDCP are also examined. The experiments demonstrate that the RDCP algorithm provides reliable estimation performance in real-time.

The ASEAN Community-based Tourism (CBT) Standard has been adopted by 10 ASEAN member states in 2016 in order to collectively promote ASEAN as a competitive community-based tourism destination. Among the ASEAN member states, Lao PDR (Laos), has a unique CBT development experience through collaboration with various international development agencies. Such history has brought about issues when ASEAN CBT Standard was implemented at to provincial and district levels in Laos, including concerns of related communities on the Standard being not easily applicable considering the state of tourism development. While the application of the regional standard is a significant issue to the tourism industries in the Member States, however, there has been a lack of studies regarding the dynamics of implementation of regional tourism standards at the national level. In order to fill the research gap, this study utilized in-depth interviews with seven executives with significant experiences from the government, international development agency, international organization, and the private sector. Interviewees projected a diversity of perspectives on enabling factors and challenges in implementing ASEAN Community-based Tourism Standard at the national level focusing on Laos, which showed the complexity of CBT dynamics. The results also revealed how regional standards can be further recognized and promoted to the key stakeholders of Laos, better accepted and utilized by end users, and possibly better customized according to the local circumstances. Findings of this study evidence that collaboration among key stakeholders and the expected role of these stakeholders are critical when implementing ASEAN CBT Standard.

Background The Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI), a prodiagnostic marker for sepsis, utilizes leukocyte count. Platelet activation, similar to leukocytes, plays a crucial role in host defence against pathogens and may serve as a predictor of sepsis outcome. However, the combined evaluation of Mean Platelet Component (MPC) and DNI in assessing sepsis has been rarely used. Methods To assess the prodiagnostic validity of simultaneous utilization of DNI and MPC in cases of human febrile sepsis, we conducted measurements of cellular indices, including DNI and MPC, as well as molecular biomarkers such as procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). This study was carried out on patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected sepsis. Results Using a cutoff value of 2.65%, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of DNI in sepsis were found to be 69%, 73.9%, 77.9%, and 64.1%, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences in DNI and MPC levels were observed between the sepsis and non-sepsis groups (6.7±7.8% versus 2.1±2.2%, P=0.000 and 26.0±1.9 g/dl versus 26.8±1.4 g/dl, P=0.002), respectively. Notably, there was a negative correlation between DNI and MPC, with the strength of the correlation varying based on the cause of sepsis. By setting the cutoff value for DNI at 6.2%, the sensitivity, specificity, and NPV improved to 100%, 80.3%, and 100%, respectively, although the PPV remained at 10.6%. Importantly, the DNI≥6.2 group exhibited a higher incidence of death (10.9%, 5/46) and multiorgan failure (19.6%, 9/46) compared to the DNI<6.2 group (0.0%, 0/46 and 0.0%, 0/167, respectively) (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively). Conclusions In our study, DNI demonstrates superior effectiveness compared to other molecular biomarkers such as CRP and procalcitonin in distinguishing febrile septic patients from febrile nonseptic patients and predicting prognosis. Additionally, there exists a negative correlation between MPC and DNI, making MPC a valuable marker for differentiating the etiology of sepsis. These findings hold significant clinical implications as DNI/MPC is a cost-effective and readily applicable approach in various impending sepsis scenarios. Notably, this study represents the first examination of the prodiagnostic validity of simultaneously employing DNI and MPC in human cases of febrile sepsis.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of rhizome extract of Dioscorea batatas (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Chinese Yam) and its bioactive compound, allantoin, on myoblast differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle cells. Yams were extracted in water and the extract was analyzed by HPLC. The expression of C2C12 myotubes differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis regulators were determined by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR or Western blot. The glucose levels and total ATP contents were determined by glucose consumption, glucose uptake and ATP assays, respectively. Treatment with yam extract (1 mg/mL) and allantoin (0.2 and 0.5 mM) significantly increased of MyHC expression compared with non-treated myotubes. Yam extract and allantoin significantly increased the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis regulating proteins, PGC1?, Sirt-1, NRF-1, and TFAM, as well as the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC in C2C12 myotubes. Furthermore, yam extract and allantoin significantly increased the glucose uptake levels and the ATP contents. Finally, HPLC analysis revealed that the yam extract contained 1.53% of allantoin. Yam extract and allantoin, stimulated myoblast differentiation into myotubes and increased energy production through upregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis regulators. These findings indicate that yam extract and allantoin can help to prevent the skeletal muscle dysfunction through stimulation of energy metabolism.

Objective: The pleiotropic effect of hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) is responsible for potent defense against inflammatory response. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced inflammatory response through the regulation of interleukin-37 (IL-37) expression. Methods: Serum was collected from patients with gout (n = 40) and from healthy controls (n = 30). The mRNA and protein expression of target molecules IL-1b, IL-37, caspase-1, and Smad3 was measured in THP-1 cells stimulated with MSU, atorvastatin, or rosuvastatin using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. Transfection with IL-1b or Smad3 siRNA in THP-1 cells was used to verify the pharmaceutical effect of statins in uric acid-induced inflammation. Results: Serum IL-37 level in gout patients was significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.001) and was associated with serum uric acid level (r = 0.382, p = 0.008). THP-1 cells stimulated with MSU markedly induced IL-37 mRNA expression and transition of IL-37 from cytoplasm to nucleus. Recombinant IL-37 treatment dose-dependently inhibited activation of caspase-1 and IL-1b in MSU-induced inflammation. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin attenuated caspase-1 activation and mature IL-1b expression but augmented translocation of IL-37 from cytoplasm to nucleus. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin induced phosphorylation of Smad3 in THP-1 cells treated with MSU crystals. Statins potently attenuated translocation of IL-37 from cytoplasm to nucleus in THP-1 cells transfected with Smad3 siRNA compared to cells with negative control siRNA. Conclusion: This study revealed that statins inhibit MSU-induced inflammatory response through augmentation of phosphorylated Smad3-mediated IL-37 expression in THP-1 cells.

The objective of the present paper is to get a better understanding of the electrochemical properties of organoclays, which were prepared via solid-state intercalation of three cationic surfactants, such as dodecyltrimethylammonium, tetradecyltrimethylammonium, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium, as bromide salts, at different loading levels into the interlayers of two natural smectite clays (AH and DI). The electrochemical properties of the prepared organoclays were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammetry response of the electrochemical probe, 〖Fe(CN)〗_6^(3-)/〖Fe(CN)〗_6^(4-), shows that the intensities of the anodic and cathodic peaks don’t increase when the working electrode is based on carbon paste modified with the raw clays (AH or DI), whereas the peaks intensities increase significantly when the working electrode consists of carbon paste modified with organoclays. This increase in the intensity of the current indicates an improvement in the surface conductivity of the carbon paste electrode when they are modified with organoclays. When the working Electrode is based on organoclays modified carbon paste, the potential differences (ΔEp) are ranged between 140 and 170 mV, which are lower than those of the unmodified carbon paste electrode (330 mV) and those modified with raw clays (520 mV). This indicates an easy electron transfer process on the surface of the organoclays modified carbon paste electrodes.

OBJECTIVE: Although 3D-printed anatomic models are not new to medicine, the high costs and lengthy production times entailed have limited their application. Our goal was developing a new and less costly 3D modeling method to depict organ-tumor relations at faster printing speeds. METHODS: We have devised a method of 3D modeling using DICOM images. Coordinates are extracted at a specified interval, connecting them to create mesh-work replicas. Adjacent constructs are depicted by density variations, showing anatomic targets (ie, tumors) in contrasting color. RESULTS: An array of organ solid-tumor models were printed via Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printer at significantly less cost ($0.05/cm3) and time expenditure (1.73 min/cm3; both, p<.001). Printed models helped promote visual appreciation of organ-tumor anatomy and adjacent tissues. Our mesh-work 3D thyroidal prototype reproduced glangular size/contour and tumor location, readily approximating the surgical specimen. CONCLUSIONS: This newly devised mesh-type 3D printing method may facilitate anatomic modeling for personalized care and improve patient awareness during informed surgical consent.

Varicella (chickenpox) is one of the most common infectious diseases in preschool children and can be prevented by immunization. While immunization program promotes higher vaccine coverage, there are still challenges with implementing vaccination programs particularly in low-income countries. Economic barriers can increase inequality in vaccination, which highlights the importance of distributing cost-effective varicella vaccines. Varicella vaccines have been developed with two main Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) strains globally: MAV/06 and Oka strains. Most of the vaccines are based on the Oka strain, while MAV/06 strain vaccines were exclusively developed by GC Biopharma. Although more than 30 million doses of MAV/06 vaccines as cost-effective vaccines have been distributed internationally, there is no comprehensive review on safety, immunogenicity, and effectiveness of MAV/06 vaccines in the literature. This paper aims to summarize and present more than 30 years of accumulated evidence from research on safety, immunogenicity, and effectiveness of MAV/06 vaccines. We expect that MAV/06 vaccines as cost-effective varicella vaccines make a significant contribution to improving global public health and health equality in children.

Controversy exists on whether animal and plant proteins influence obesity differently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between total, animal, and plant protein intake with the obesity index and renal function in Korean adults. Study participants included Korean adults aged 60 years or older from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2013-2014. Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. One-day 24-hour recall data were used to estimate the daily total, animal, and plant protein intake. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. General linear modellings were used to assess the relationships between protein intake, BMI and WC. The mean age was 69.2 ± 0.2 years, 44.2% were male. The total daily protein intake was 1.1 ± 0.02 g/kg/d and 0.9 ± 0.02 g/kg/d for males and females, respectively. Only one third of protein intake was from animal sources. In males, BMI (p < 0.001, p = 0.016, p < 0.001 respectively) and WC (p < 0.001, p = 0.010, p < 0.001, respectively) decreased as daily intake of plant protein (g/kg/d), animal protein (g/kg/d) and total protein (g/kg/d) increased. Similar associations were shown in Korean female. GFR was not associated with protein intake regardless of protein source in both sexes. In Korean adults aged 60 years or older, the protein intake was associated with a favorable obesity index without decrease in renal function. The effect was similar in both male and females, with both animal and plant proteins.

The recycling, incineration, and final disposal rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) are calculated based on the total amount of waste input to each facility in many countries. These statistic data have serious limitation in setting the national goal and policy for effective waste management because it is not considering the amount of foreign objectives in the process of each life-cycle stage. This case study is to estimate the actual rates of recycling, incineration, and final disposal by material flow analysis (MFA) after the collection of MSW in Korea. The actual rates of recycling, incineration and final disposal for MSW in 2016 were 49.9%, 32.9% and 23.1% respectively, indicating that the recycling rate was lower by 10.1%, while the incineration and final disposal rates were raised by 7.6% and 8.4% respectively, compared with the statistics for current MSW. In addition, the changed actual rates of recycling, incineration treatment, and final landfill, and variation of waste treatment charge according to treated amounts per treatment method was analyzed. This results of this study will contribute to establish national level of plan on effective waste management.

Large structures such as wind turbines are subject to environmental factors and varying operational loads which may result in structural damage, making components of these large structures prone to performance and mechanical degradation. The use of high-definition optical vision sensors in digital image correlation (DIC) allow for the application of a non-destructive image registration technique in which it measures finite three-dimensional deformations on surfaces through correlations of a unique pattern or set of unique localized patterns. However, the physical placement of an artificial marker such as a unique speckled pattern on the surface of the structure is time-consuming and often impractical for large structures. Therefore, we propose a novel auto-mated methodology that searches and segments salient and unique regions of an image as well as for all subsequent images to assist in performing efficient displacement measurements for vibrational study and structural health monitoring purposes. Our algorithm is validated on a con-trolled set of images, as well as on a small structure and large real-world wind turbine, which suggests the algorithm’s efficacy without the use of artificial markers for large structural health monitoring.

Clinically, knowing the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) helps doctors to make the better decision on accurate diagnosis of numerous diseases. The manual cell counting is a very time-consuming and expensive process, and it depends on the experience of specialists. Therefore, a completely automatic method supporting cell counting is a viable solution for clinical laboratories. This paper proposes a novel blood cell counting procedure to address this challenge. The proposed method adopts SegNet - a deep learning semantic segmentation to simultaneously segment RBCs and WBCs. The global accuracy of the segmentation of WBCs, RBCs, and the background of peripheral blood smear images obtains 89% when segment WBCs and RBCs from the background of blood smear images. Moreover, an effective solution to separate grouped or overlapping cells and cell count is presented using Euclidean distance transform, local maxima, and connected component labeling. The counting result of the proposed procedure achieves an accuracy of 93.3% for red blood cell count using dataset 1 and 97.38% for white blood cell count using dataset 2.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the leading causes of death worldwide, has a causal nexus with liver injury, inflammation, and regeneration that accumulate over decades. Observations from recent studies have accounted for the involvement of the gut-liver axis in the pathophysiological mechanism responsible for HCC. The human intestine nurtures a diversified colony of microorganisms residing in the host ecosystem. The intestinal barrier is critical for conserving the normal physiology of the gut microbiome. Therefore, a rupture of this barrier or dysbiosis cause the intestinal microbiome to serve as the main source of portal-vein endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharide, in the progression of hepatic diseases. Indeed, increased bacterial translocation is a key sign of HCC. Considering the limited number of clinical studies on HCC with respect to the microbiome, we focus on the clinical as well as animal studies involving the gut microbiota with the current understandings of the mechanism by which the intestinal dysbiosis promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. Future research might offer mechanistic insights into the specific phyla targeting the leaky gut, as well as microbial dysbiosis, and their metabolites, as key pathways that drive HCC-promoting microbiome-mediated liver inflammation and fibrosis, thereby restoring the gut barrier function.

Background: Since 2010, Burkina Faso has developed and initiated community-based management of childhood illnesses. Following the increased presence of community health workers and the adoption of free community health care, this study aims to assess community satisfaction with curative care administered by community health workers. Methodology: It was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. Data were collected in the health districts of Boussé and Boussouma from 20 February to 30 March 2023 for quantitative data and from 12 to 30 January 2024 for qualitative data using a questionnaire (household survey) and an interview grid (focus groups). Analyses were conducted using SPSS IBM 25 and Nvivo 14. Results: Households benefit from oral curative care when using CHWs, but are not satisfied with the temporal accessibility of these community health workers. Temporal accessibility and awareness during care have a significant influence on household satisfaction. Conclusion: Curative care by community health workers is effective, but its use could be improved by addressing the unavailability of community health workers, inputs and better communication during care.

Background and objectives: Traditional intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) uses a fixed-rate continuous background infusion mode. However, some patients suffer from inadequate analgesia or opioid-related adverse effects due to the biphasic pattern of postoperative pain. Therefore, we investigated the postoperative analgesic efficacy of PCA using an optimizing background infusion mode (OBIM), where the background injection rate varies depending on the patient's bolus demand. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 204 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Patients were allocated into either the optimizing (group OBIM) or the traditional background infusion group (group TBIM). The numeric rating scale (NRS) score for pain was evaluated at admission to and discharge from the recovery room, as well as at the 6th, 24th, and 48th postoperative hours. Data of bolus demand count, total infused volume, and background infusion rate was downloaded from the PCA device at 30-min intervals until the 48th postoperative hour. Results: The NRS score was not significantly different between groups throughout the postoperative period (P = 0.621), decreasing with time in both groups (P < 0.001). The bolus demand count was not significantly different between groups throughout (P = 0.756). The mean cumulative infused PCA volume was lower in group OBIM [84.0 (95% confidence interval: 78.9−89.1) mL) than in group TBIM [102 (97.8−106.0) mL] (P < 0.001). The background infusion rate was significantly different between groups throughout (P < 0.001); it was higher in group OBIM than in group TBIM before the 12th postoperative hour, and lower from the 18th to the 48th postoperative hours. Conclusions: The OBIM combined with bolus dosing is useful in that it reduces the cumulative PCA volume compared to the TBIM combined with bolus dosing, while yielding comparable postoperative analgesia and bolus demand in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Cell migration crucial contributor to metastasis, a critical process associated with the mortality of cancer patients. The initiation of metastasis is triggered by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), along with the changes of the expression of EMT marker proteins. Inflammation plays a significant role in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a typical inflammatory agent, promoted the generation of superoxide through the activation of p-Tyr42 RhoA, Rho-dependent kinase 2 (ROCK2) and the phosphorylation of p47phox. In addition, p-Tyr42 RhoA activated phospholipase D1 (PLD1), with PLD1 and phosphatidic acid (PA) being involved in superoxide production. PA also regulated the expression of EMT maker proteins. Consequently, we have identified MHY9 (Miosin IIA, NMIIA) as a PA-binding protein in response to LPS. MYH9 also contributed cell migration and the alteration of the expression of EMT marker proteins. P-Tyr42 RhoA, PLD1 and MYH9 associated to form a complex, which was distributed in both the cytosol and nucleus. In addition, we have found that p-Tyr42 RhoA and PLD1 associated with the ZEB1 promoter. Taken together, we propose that p-Tyr42 RhoA and PLD1, responsible for producing PA, and PA-bound MYH9 are involved in the regulation of ZEB1 expression, thereby promoting cell migration.

Achievement of solid fusion of the lumbosacral junction (L5-S1 level) is an important factor in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and feasibility of injectable rhBMP-2 (a combination of Eschericia coli-derived rhBMP-2 and hydrogel type β-TCP carrier; NOVOSIS Inject) as a bone substitute for the fusion of lumbosacral junction. 20 patients (average age 69.1 years) diagnosed with ASD with sagittal imbalance who underwent surgical treatment including anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) in the L5-S1 level were evaluated. Injectable rhBMP-2 was applied in L5-S1 ALIF and followed-up for 1-year. Solid fusion rates and changes of clinical outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Visual Analog Scale [VAS] of back and leg) were measured and analyzed at 6 and 12 months after surgery. All postoperative adverse events were evaluated about the association with injectable rhBMP-2. Fusion rates were 68.4% and 100% at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Compared to baseline, ODI were improved to 45.8% and 63.7%, VAS(back) were improved to 69.2% and 72.8%, and VAS(leg) were improved to 49.2% and 64.8% at 6 and 12 months after surgery (p&lt;0.001, respectively). There were no adverse events associated with injectable rhBMP-2. Thus, injectable rhBMP-2 may be a suitable choice of a bone graft substitute when achieving solid interbody fusion in the lumbosacral junction.

This study aims to explore anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of cassava (EUM) and poultry (FP) ef-fluents using one inoculum-substrate ratio (30%) and three EUM vs FP substrate composition ra-tios (25 :75, 50 :50 and 75 :25). The AcoD process was therefore designed for 20 L batch digesters, under mesophilic conditions, with less than 5% total solids for 66 days. The results showed that EUMs were highly resistant to degradation, while FPs were the most easily degradable. Kinetic analysis indicated specific organic matter reduction rates of 0.28% per day for EUM and 0.76% per day for FP. EUM alone produced 45.47 mL/g MOV, while the 50 :50 substrate produced 1184.60 mL/g MOV. The main factors contributing to EUM inefficiency were the inability to tame acidic conditions, and the accumulation of volatile fatty acids. AcoD produced 23 to 50 times more methane than EUM alone, 2 to 5 times more than FP alone and 2 to 4 times more than ino-culum. Consequently, AcoD of both types of waste had a positive effect on gas formation in terms of quantity and quality, with CH4 content increasing from around 2 to 75% as a function of organic nitrogen input

Antibiotics have been used in various fields such as livestock farm and fish farm as well as hospital in order to treat diseases caused by bacteria. However, the antibiotics that are not completely decomposed, but remains as residue and discharge to aquatic environment, can cause an imbalance in the gut flora of host, as well as regulate abnormal host gene regulatory system. We investigated the effects of chronic exposure with the low concentrations of erythromycin and ampicillin on gut microbiome and immune and stress-related gene expression using Korea native ricefish (Oryzias latipes). As a result of microbiome analysis, the proportion of Proteobacteria was increased in the ricefish when exposed to erythromycin and ampicillin chronically, whereas the proportion of other bacterial phyla decreased. In addition, the immune and stress-related genes were significantly influenced in the ricefish under the chronic antibiotics exposure. These results show that the internal microbial flora and the host gene expression are susceptible even in the low concentration of chronic antibiotic existing environments. This study provides the importance of the appropriate use of antibiotics dose to maintain the sustainable and healthy aquaculture industry and water ecosystem.

Maize is an important staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the average grain yield on farmers’ fields falls considerably short of the demand of the region’s population. In addition, the normal endosperm maize widely consumed in SSA is deficient in vitamin A. Drought, a consequence of climate change, is a major constraint to maize production, resulting in seasonal low grain yield in farmers’ fields. The objectives of this study were to assess the performance of newly developed extra-early maturing provitamin A hybrids under managed drought and well-watered conditions, compare the outcomes of multiple trait base-index and multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index selection procedures, and identify drought-tolerant hybrids with stable performance across contrasting environments for commercialization in SSA. One hundred and ninety provitamin A hybrids and six checks were evaluated under managed drought and well-watered conditions at Ikenne for two seasons between 2021 and 2023. A 14*14-lattice design was used for the field evaluations under both research conditions. Drought stress was achieved by the complete withdrawal of irrigation water 25 days after planting. Results revealed significant differences among the hybrids under drought and well-watered conditions. Grain yield, ears per plant, and plant aspect under managed drought were correlated to the same traits under well-watered conditions suggesting that the expression of these traits is governed by common genetic factors. Twenty-nine hybrids were identified as top-performing drought-tolerant hybrids by the multiple trait base index and multiple-trait genotype–ideotype distance index. Of the selected outstanding 29 hybrids, 34% were derived from crosses involving the tester TZEEIOR 197, demonstrating the outstanding genetic potential of this inbred line. Further analysis of the 29 selected hybrids revealed TZEEIOR 509 × TZEEIOR 197 as the hybrid that combined the most drought-tolerant adaptive traits. However, the hybrids TZEEIOR 526 × TZEEIOR 97, TZEEIOR 384 × TZEEIOR 30, TZEEIOR 515 × TZEEIOR 249, TZEEIOR 510 × TZEEIOR 197, TZEEIOR 479 × TZEEIOR 197, and TZEEIOR 458 × TZEEIOR 197 were identified as the most stable hybrids across drought and well-watered conditions. These hybrids should be extensively tested in multi-location trials for deployment and commercialization in SSA.

The extraction method for simultaneously analyzing fatty acids (Myristic acid, cis-Palmitvaccenic acid, Palmitic acid, Palmitic-9,9-d2 acid, Oleic acid, Stearic acid and Stearic-2,2-d2 acid) related to biodiesel fuel in large algae was developed. The introduction of trimethylaminoethyl (TMAE) derivatives into the hydroxyl group (-OH) functional group of the analyte was able to improve ionization and obtain high sensitivity. Liquid Chromatography (LC) was used to investigate the optimal mobile phase composition and flow rate for the separation of five derived fatty acids. In this study, a solid phase extraction (SPE) column was introduced for efficient extraction of fatty acids, and the optimal conditions for SPE were set by comparing the recovery rate according to the solvent for each step (loading, washing, and elution) of SPE from macroalgae.

The aim of this work is to study the phase transformations, microstructures and mechanical properties of the martensitic stainless steel (MSS) 410 deposits produced by laser powder-directed energy deposition (LP-DED) additive manufacturing. The LP-DED MSS 410 deposits underwent the post heat treatment in austenitizing at 980℃ for 3hrs and followed by different tempering treatment at the temperatures of 250, 600, and 750℃ for 5hrs, respectively. The analyses of phase transformations and microstructural evolutions of LP-DED MSS 410 were carried out using X-ray diffraction, SEM-EDS, and EBSD. Vickers hardness and tensile strength properties were also measured to analyze the effects of the different tempering heat treatments. It reveals that as-built MSS 410 has very fine lath martensite and high hardness of about 480HV1.0 and tensile strength of about 1280 MPa, but elongation was very lower than the post heat treated ones. Precipitations of chromium carbide (Cr23C6) were most commonly observed at the grain boundaries and the entire matrix at the tempering temperatures of 600℃ and 750℃. In general, the tensile strengths de-creased from 1381MPa to 688MPa as tempering temperatures increased up to 750℃ from 250℃. Additionally, as the tempering temperature increased, the chromium carbide and tempered mar-tensite structures became coarser.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between various asbestos exposure routes and asbestos-related disorders (ARDs). The study population comprised 11,186 residents of a metropolitan city who lived near asbestos factories, shipyards, or in slate roof-dense areas. ARDs were defined from chest X-rays indicating lower lung fibrosis (LFF), pleural disease (PD), and lung masses (LMs). Of the subjects, 11.2%, 10.4%, 67.2% and 8.3% were exposed to asbestos via occupational, household, neighborhood, and slate roof routes, respectively. Regarding adjusted confounders and other exposure routes, the odds ratio (OR) of PD from household exposure (i.e., living with asbestos-producing workers) was 1.9 (95% confidence interval: 0.9–4.2), and that of LLF and PD from neighborhood exposure, or residing near asbestos factories) for <19 or >20 years, or near a mine, were 4.1 (2.8–5.8) and 4.8 (3.4–6.7), 8.3 (5.5–12.3) and 8.0 (5.5–11.6), and 4.8 (2.7–8.5) and 9.0 (5.6–14.4), respectively. The ORs of LLF, PD, and LM among those residing in slate-dense areas were 5.5 (3.3–9.0), 8.8 (5.6–13.8), and 20.5 (10.4–40.4), respectively. Substantial proportions of citizens residing in industrialized city have potentially been exposed to asbestos, and various exposure routes are associated with the development of ARDs. Notably, this may be the first finding of the health effects of slate roof exposure. However, given the limitations of this study, including potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, further research is needed.

Canine lymphoma (CL) is one of the most common malignant tumors in dogs. The cause of CL remains unclear. Genetic mutations that have been suggested as possible causes of CL are not fully understood. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is a time- and cost-effective method for detecting genetic variants targeting only protein-coding regions (exons) that are part of the entire genome region. A total of eight patients with B-cell lymphomas were recruited, and WES analysis was performed on whole blood and lymph node aspirate samples from each patient. A total of 17 somatic variants (GOLIM4, ITM2B, STN1, UNC79, PLEKHG4, BRF1, ENSCAFG00845007156, SEMA6B, DSC1, TNFAIP1, MYLK3, WAPL, ADORA2B, LOXHD1, GP6, AZIN1, and NCSTN) with moderate to high impact were identified by WES analysis. Through a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of 17 genes with somatic mutations, a total of 16 pathways were identified. Overall, the somatic mutations identified in this study suggest novel candidate mutations for CL, and further studies are needed to confirm the role of these mutations.

Agriculture (crop production, land use, and livestock) is the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector after the energy sector. Agriculture is also recognized as the source and sink of GHGs. Evidence demonstrates that the application of high amounts of nitrogen-rich fertilizers enhances methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which are potent GHGs with a high global warming potential (GWP). Considering its global contribution to the climate crisis, reducing GHG emissions in agriculture would considerably lower its share of the global GHG emission records, which may lead to enormous benefits for the environment and food production systems. Several diverging and controversial views questioning the actual role of plants in the current global GHG budget continue to nourish the debate globally. We must acknowledge that considering the beneficial roles of major GHGs to plants at a certain level of accumulation, implementing GHG mitigation measures from agriculture is indeed a complex task. This review seeks to provide key approaches for GHG mitigation in the literature (environmentally friendly crop cultivation and residue management practices, improvement of plants nutrients/fertilizer use efficiency, exploring the genetic diversity for low GHG emission, soil methane-producing bacteria, integrated soil fertility management, improved livestock feeding efficiency, and production, etc.). This work gathers key approaches from 275 peer-reviewed publications, including experimental research papers, review articles, and books, discussing greenhouse gas emissions mechanisms and mitigation to unravel effective strategies for GHG mitigation, proven to be effective or carry the potential to mitigate GHG generation from agriculture. This review also discusses in depth the significance and the dynamics of strategies regarded as game changers with a high potential to enhance, in a sustainable manner, the resilience of agricultural systems. Agricultural GHG mitigation approaches discussed in this work can serve as game changers in global efforts to reducing GHG emissions and alleviating the impact of climate change through sustainable agriculture and informed-decision making.

Gastrodia pubilabiata is a nonphotosynthetic and mycoheterotrophic orchid belonging to subfamily Epidendroideae. Compared to other typical angiosperm species, the plastome of G. pubilabiata is dramatically reduced in size to be only 30,698 base pairs (bp). This reduction has led to the loss of most photosynthesis-related genes and some housekeeping genes in the plastome, which now only contains 19 protein coding genes, three tRNAs, and three rRNAs. This study decoded the entire mitogenome of G. pubilabiata, which consisted of 44 contigs with a total length of 867,349 bp. Its mitogenome contained 38 protein coding genes, nine tRNAs, and three rRNAs. To determine possible gene transfer events between the plastome and the mitogenome, individual BLASTN searches were conducted, using all available orchid plastome sequences and flowering plant mitogenome sequences. Plastid rRNA fragments were found at a high frequency in the mitogenome. Seven plastid protein coding gene frangments (ndhC, ndhJ, ndhK, psaA, psbF, rpoB, and rps4) were also identified in the mitogenome of G. pubilabiata. Phylogenetic trees using these seven plastid protein coding gene fragments suggested that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from plastome to mitogenome occurred before losses of photosynthesis related genes, leading to the lineage of G. pubilabiata. Compared to species phylogeny of the lineage of orchid, it was estimated that HGT might have occurred approximately 30 million years ago.

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), induced by heat shock, environmental, and pathophysiological stressors, is a multi-dimensional protein that acts as a protein chaperone and an antioxidant. HSP27 plays a major role in the inhibition of apoptosis and actin cytoskeletal remodeling. HSP27 is upregulated in many cancers and is associated with poor prognosis, as well as treatment resistance whereby cells are protected from therapeutic agents that normally induce apoptosis. This review highlights the most recent findings and role of HSP27 in cancer, as well as strategies for using HSP27 inhibitors for therapeutic purposes.

To explore more effective and safer mobilization strategies for multiple myeloma (MM) patients, we conducted a prospective trial comparing single-dose etoposide (375 mg/m2 for one day) plus G-CSF versus G-CSF alone followed by risk-adapted plerixafor. After randomization, 27 patients in the etoposide group and 29 patients in the G-CSF alone group received mobilization regimens. Six (22.2%) patients in the etoposide group and 15 (51.7%) patients in the G-CSF alone group received a risk-adapted plerixafor based on a peripheral blood CD34+ cell count of less than 15/mm3 (P = 0.045). The median total count of CD34+ stem cells collected was significantly higher in the etoposide group (9.5 × 106/kg vs. 7.9 × 106/kg; P = 0.018), but the optimal collection (CD34+ cell count ≥ 6 × 106/kg) rates were not significantly different between the etoposide group and the G-CSF alone groups (96.3% vs. 82.8%; P = 0.195). The rate of collected CD34+ stem cells of 8.0 × 106/kg or grater was significantly higher in the etoposide group (77.8% vs 44.8%; P = 0.025). Meanwhile, the rates of adverse events of were relatively low, with no neutropenic fever or septic shock observed in either group. After transplantation, the median days to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were not significantly different between the two groups (P =1.000 in both). Thus, both single-dose etoposide plus G-CSF and G-CSF alone with risk-adapted plerixafor were effective and safe, but the former may be the better option for patients who are expected to receive two or more transplantations.

Lichens are a life form in which algae and fungi have a symbiotic relationship. A lichen has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. Inflammation is a response caused by various factors, such as infection by pathogens or tissue damage; excessive reactions can contribute to the etiology of chronic diseases, such as asthma, brain damage, and serious tissue damage. This study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl acetate extract from Phlebia sp. on NF-κB and AP-1 pathways in the lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cell. Especially, Phlebia sp. extract inhibits the phosphorylation of AP-1 signaling (c-Fos and c-Jun) and its upstream MKK/MAPKs (MKK4, MKK7 and JNK), which induced a decrease in the production of the inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in downstream of AP-1 signaling. Furthermore, Phlebia sp. extract inhibited the production of final inflammatory effector molecules involved in AP-1 signaling, including nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Here, we report that Phlebia sp. extract has the potential to be developed as an anti-inflammatory agent.

The Korean water deer (WD), the dominant wildlife species in South Korea, is classified as vul-nerable on the IUCN Red List. Beside their several unique characteristics, they have a lower in-cidence of tick bites compared to other Cervidae species, particularly roe deer (RD). In natural environments, ticks exhibit questing behavior by waiting on grasses to climb onto host's hair coat. They use sensory organs to detect signals such as body temperature and chemicals from the host's skin, then move to preferred feeding location. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis of the skin tissue and hair features of both species to compare the factors leading to lower incidence of tick bites in WD. Notably, WD had significantly larger blood vessels, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands which maintain the barrier functions of the skin (p≤0.004), irregular scale surfaces in hair cuticles, and stiff and 2.83-times thicker primary hair diameter (p<0.001). Each parameters made the ticks difficult to move onto the epidermis of WD. To our knowledge, this is the first report which is focused on the comparative analysis for skin and hair feature in WD and RD. We suggest that these differences may attribute to evade tick bites in WD.

This study focused on the precise detection and concordant analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to verify the usefulness of CTCs as promising clinical markers. CTCs are traditionally achieved using immune-fluorescence and morphological techniques. By combining two prostate cancer-specific genes (PSA and PSMA) and two epithelial-specific genes (EpCAM and KRT19), the CTC detection efficiency can be enhanced. The detection rates of localized prostate cancer (LPC), locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPC), metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), and metastatic castration-resistive prostate cancer (mCRPC) were 63.04 % (29/46), 70.59% (34/51), 94.34% (50/53), and 90% (126/140), respectively. Subsequent correlation analysis between the four genes, baseline PSA, and CTC count revealed that only the CTC count correlated with baseline PSA in the localized stages of prostate cancer, whereas all four genes were correlated with baseline PSA and CTC count in the metastatic stages of prostate cancer. The precise detection of CTCs using both numerical and transcriptomic analyses can improve the accuracy of biomarker investigations. This study provides valuable insights into the limitations of serum PSA testing and offers a promising alternative to diagnose and manage prostate cancer via the CTC number and specific genes for prostate cancer.

We successfully designed an optimized plenum fan with a three-dimensional, smooth, curved blade. The optimized model revealed that the static pressure in the channel had been increased uniformly and stably, and the flow separation at the leading edge was significantly reduced. To conclude, the three-dimensional blade stabilized the fluid flow, and the flow friction was reduced by suppressing the flow separation as much as possible so that both the static pressure and the static efficiency were clearly improved in comparison with those of the original model. The static efficiency, as a result, was improved by 6% compared with that of the original model.

This study entailed the design and analysis of a 400 m-class underwater glider operated by a bladder-type buoyancy engine. The underwater glider was designed for high-speed movement with a maximum velocity of 2 knots. The shape of the hull was designed to reduce water resistance using the Myring hull profile equation. The reliability was verified by performing simulations using resistance coefficients. The relationship between the control value of the ballast discharged from the buoyancy engine and the glider's speed according to the path angle was analyzed. Further, the relationship between the optimal glide angle and the design control value of the ballast was derived, and the optimal glider speed was estimated accordingly. Based on the analysis results, a bladder-type buoyancy engine was developed, and the maximum speed of the tested underwater glider was measured via sea trials.

Acoustic emission (AE) is caused by the sudden release of energy by a material as a result of material degradation related to deformation, crack, or fault within a solid. The same situation also occurs in leaks caused by turbulence in the fluid around the leak. In this study, analytical modeling for AE due to leakage through a circular pinhole in a gas storage cylinder was performed. The displacement fields responsible for AE, excited by the concentrated force (CF) associated with the turbulent flow though the pinhole, were derived by solving the Navier-Lamé equation. The CF as an excitation source was formulated in terms of a fluctuating Reynolds stress (FRS) and spatial Green’s function. In particular, a series of experiments were conducted under different operating conditions to explore the characteristics of the AE signals due to leak in a gas cylinder. Finally, the simulation and experimental results were compared to verify the accuracy of the simulation results.

(1) Background: Multiple alterations of cellular metabolism have been documented in experimental studies of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and are thought to contribute to its pathogenesis. (2) Methods: To elucidate the molecular pathways and transcriptional regulators associated with the metabolic changes of renal cysts in ADPKD, we compared global gene expression data from human PKD1 renal cysts, minimally cystic tissues (MCT) from the same patients, and healthy human kidney cortical tissue samples. (3) Results: We found PKD1 renal cysts displayed the Warburg effect with gene pathway changes favoring increased cellular glucose uptake and lactate production, instead of pyruvate oxidation. Additionally, mitochondrial energy metabolism was globally depressed, associated with downregulation of gene pathways related to fatty acid oxidation (FAO), branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) degradation, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in renal cysts. Activation of mTORC1 and its two target proto-oncogenes, HIF-1α and MYC, was predicted to drive the expression of multiple genes involved in the observed metabolic reprogramming (e.g., GLUT3, HK1/HK2, ALDOA, ENO2, PKM, LDHA/LDHB, MCT4, PDHA1, PDK1/3, MPC1/2, CPT2, BCAT1, NAMPT); indeed, their predicted expression patterns were confirmed by our data. Conversely, we found AMPK inhibition was predicted in renal cysts. AMPK inhibition was associated with decreased expression of PGC-1α, a transcriptional coactivator for transcription factors PPARα, ERRα, and ERRγ, all of which play a critical role in regulating oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. (4) Conclusions: These data provide a comprehensive map of metabolic pathway reprogramming in ADPKD and highlight nodes of regulation that may serve as targets for therapeutic intervention.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites secreted mainly by molds. The contamination of the raw materials used in the production of infant flours by these mycotoxins presents a risk to the health of infants and young children who are the main consumers of these flours. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of mycotoxins in raw materials and in infant flours from Burkina Faso. Analyses were carried out on 39 samples of raw materials and 26 samples of infant flour collected from artisanal and semi-industrial production units. The contents of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, FB1 and OTA were determined by LCMS/MS. The results indicated a variability in the contents of total aflatoxins (AFs), FB1 and OTA within the samples of raw materials. Also, 79.49% of the raw materials contaminated by total aflatoxins were above the maximum limit value and 61.54% of these raw materials had AFB1 levels above the recommended limit value. The highest levels of AFs were found in peanuts and maize. OTA was very present in soybean samples. The occurrence of mycotoxins was highly variable in infant flours within the same production unit (p &lt; 0.001). and between different units (p &lt; 0.001). Infant flours produced by artisanal production units had higher AFB1 contents than those produced by semi-industrial units. The need to control these mycotoxins is essential in order to considerably reduce their contamination and exposure in infants and young children and to preserve their health.

Advancements in 3D printing technologies have led to new implementations in rapid prototyping, microfluidics, tooling, dentistry, biomedical devices, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Stereolithography techniques, which are photopolymerization-based processes, contribute to the optical, chemical, and mechanical properties of 3D printed materials using versatile polymer chemistry. This study used potassium titanate powder (K2Ti8O17) as an additive to enhance the mechanical strength of photocurable resins. PEG was selected as the stabilizer to optimize the dispersion and precipitation of potassium titanate. The flexural strength, hardness, and tensile strength were compared to assess the mechanical strength of the 3D printing resin. The flexural strengths of the printed specimens were in the range of 15–39 N/mm2. The measured surface hardness and tensile strength were 41–80 HV and 2.3–15 N/mm2, respectively. The output resolution of the potassium titanate/acrylate resin was tested using a line-pattern structure. 3D printing resin without stabilizers produced lines with a thickness of 0.3 mm, whereas 3D printing resin containing a stabilizer produced lines with a thickness of 0.2 mm. The flexural strength and pattern thickness results suggest that the potassium titanate/acrylate resin can be utilized as a 3D printer resin, suggesting new possibilities for potassium titanate materials.

This study investigated defect formation and strain distribution in high Mg content Al-Mg alloys during normal rolling and cross-rolling processes. The finite element analysis (FEA) revealed the presence of wave defects and strain localization-induced zipper cracks in normal cold rolling, which were confirmed by experimental results. The concentration of shear strain played a significant role in crack formation and propagation. However, the influence of wave defects was minimal in the cross-rolling process, which exhibited a relatively uniform strain distribution. Nonetheless, strain concentration at the edge and center regions led to the formation of zipper cracks and edge cracks, with more pronounced propagation observed in the experiments compared to FEA predictions. Furthermore, texture evolution was found to be a crucial factor affecting crack propagation, particularly with the development of the Goss texture component which is observed by electron backscattered diffraction analysis at bending points. The Goss texture hindered crack propagation, while the Brass texture allowed cracks to pass through. This phenomenon was consistent with both FEA and experimental observations. To mitigate edge crack formation and propagation, potential strategies involve promoting the formation of the Goss texture at the edge through alloy and process conditions, as well as implementing intermediate annealing to alleviate stress accumulation. These measures can enhance the overall quality and reliability of Al-Mg alloys during cross-rolling processes. In summary, understanding the mechanisms of defect formation and strain distribution in Al-Mg alloys during rolling processes is crucial for optimizing their mechanical properties. The findings of this study provide insights into the challenges associated with wave defects, strain localization, and crack propagation. Future research and optimization efforts should focus on implementing strategies to minimize defects and improve the overall quality of Al-Mg alloys in industrial applications.

The tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is heterogenous; thus, it is likely that multiple immune-related and inflammatory markers are simultaneously expressed in the tumor. The aim of this study was to identify immune-related and inflammatory markers expressed in freshly frozen CRC tissues and to investigate whether they are related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of CRC. Seventy patients with CRC who underwent curative surgical resection between December 2014 and January 2017 were included in this study. Tissue samples were obtained from tumor and non-tumor areas in the patients’ colons. The concentrations of immune-related markers (APRIL/TNFSF13, BAFF, LAG-3, PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4) and inflammatory markers (CHIT, MMP-3, osteocalcin, pentraxin-3, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2) in the samples were measured using the Bio-plex Multiplex Immunoassay system. The concentrations of APRIL/TNFSF13, BAFF, and MMP-3 in the samples were significantly high; thus, we conducted analyses based on the cutoff values for these three markers. The high APRIL/TNFSH13 expression group showed a significantly higher rate of metastatic lesions than the low expression group, whereas the high MMP-3 expression group had higher CEA levels, more lymph node metastases, and more advanced disease stages than the low expression group. The five-year disease-free survival of the high MMP-3 expression group was significantly shorter than that of the low expression group (65.1% vs. 90.2%, p=0.033). This study provides evidence that the APRIL/TNFSF13, BAFF, and MMP-3 pathway is overexpressed CRC tissues and is associated with unfavorable clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in CRC patients. These markers could serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for CRC.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are characterized by dysregulated signaling pathways that are crucial for tumor formation and progression. The efficacy of traditional therapies is limited, particularly in treatment of PNETs at advanced stage. Epigenetic alterations profoundly impact the activity of signaling pathways in cancer development, offering potential opportunities for drug development. There is currently a lack of extensive research on epigenetic regulation in PNETs. To fill this gap, we first summarize major signaling events which are involved in PNET development. Then, we discuss the epigenetic regulation of these signaling pathways in the context of both PNET and commonly occurring, and therefore more extensively studied, malignancies. Finally, we will offer perspective on the future research direction of PNET epigenome and its potential applications in patient care.

The loss of vitamin D3 upregulated protein 1 (VDUP1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammation-related diseases. Notably, reduced expression of VDUP1 has been observed in clinical specimens of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the role of VDUP1 deficiency in colitis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of VDUP1 in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice. VDUP1-deficient mice were more susceptible to DSS-induced colitis than their wild-type (WT) littermates after 2% DSS administration. VDUP1-deficient mice exhibited an increased disease activity index (DAI) and histological scores, as well as significant colonic goblet cell loss and an increase in apoptotic cells. These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in MUC2 mRNA expression and a marked increase in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines within damaged tissues. Furthermore, phosphorylated NF-B p65 expression was significantly upregulated in damaged tissues in the context of VDUP1 deficiency. VDUP1 deficiency also led to significant infiltration of macrophages into the site of ulceration. An in vitro chemotaxis assay confirmed that VDUP1 deficiency enhanced bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) chemotaxis induced by CCL2. Overall, the loss of VDUP1 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of UC, and blocking VDUP1 dissociation may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of UC.

Oxidative stress is known to be critically implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic stroke. The remarkable neurotrophic activity of Gelidium amansii, has been reported consistently in a series of our previous studies, inspired us to investigate whether this popular agarophyte could protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative injury in hippocampal neurons. The primary culture of hippocampal neurons challenged with H/R suffered from a significant loss of cell survival, accompanied by apoptosis and necrosis, DNA damage, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) which were successfully attenuated when the neuronal cultures were preconditioned with GAE, an optimized ethanolic extract of G. amansii. Moreover, the expression of N-methyl-D-acetate receptor subunit 2B (GluN2B), an extrasynaptic glutamate receptor, was significantly repressed in GAE-treated neurons as compared to those without GAE intervention. Together, this study demonstrates that GAE attenuated H/R-induced oxidative injury in hippocampal neurons through, at least in part, a potential neuroprotective mechanism that involves inhibition of GluN2B-mediated excitotoxicity and suppression of ROS production, and suggest that this edible seaweed could be a potential source of bioactive metabolites having therapeutic significance against oxidative stress-related neurodegeneration, including ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

As renewable energy generation prediction systems have been introduced into the energy trading market, accurate prediction of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation has become a crucial challenge for ensuring stable trade of variable energy. Therefore, it is essential to quantitatively investigate and analyze current prediction technology and develop more advanced prediction systems. In this study, three models for predicting PV energy generation were investigated. Multiple regression, random forest, and gradient boosting machine (GBM) models were con-structed for 15 utility-scale power plants throughout South Korea. Model performance was evaluated in terms of root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). The multiple regression-based model had an RMSE of 12.00% and MAE of 9.06%. The random forest model had an RMSE of 11.69% and MAE of 8.61%. The GBM model had an RMSE of 11.34% and MAE of 8.18%, indicating its superior accuracy among the three models in predicting PV energy generation. These findings provide valuable insights that may contribute to the development of advanced PV energy generation models and their application in grid operations.

Ulmus species have been widely used in Korean folk medicine because of their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. We intended to investigate the wound healing effect of the powder of Ulmus parvifolia (UP) root bark in a mouse wound healing model. We also determined the mechanisms of effects of Ulmus parvifolia (UP) in skin and skin wound healing effect using keratinocyte model. in vivo experiments showed that the wound lesions in the mice decreased by U. parvifolia with 200 mesh size of root bark powder and significantly reduced by treatment with UP, compared with those treated with U. macrocarpa (UM). Results from in vitro experiments also revealed that UP extract promoted the migration of human skin keratinocytes. UP powder treatment upregulated the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 protein and significantly increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels. We confirmed that topical administration of the bark powder of exerted a significant effect on skin wound healing by upregulating the expression of MMP and transforming growth factor-β. TGF-β In, Our study suggests that U. parvifolia may be a potential candidate for skin wound healing including epidermal skin rejuvernation.

In this study, the effect of hot stamping forming process on the properties change of compound layer in Al–Si coated high-strength steel sheet with different thickness was investigated. The coating layer in hot stamped high-strength steel sheet was composed of a diffusion layer and a compound layer. As the hot stamping temperature and holding time for forming increased, the thickness of the compound layer in the Al–Si coated high-strength steel sheet increased. The thickness of coating layer with the hot stamping for 500 sec at 890, 910 and 950 °C was obtained 8.9, 11.8, and 20.6 micrometer, respectively. The thickness of coating layer with hot stamping for 180, 500 and 550 sec at 910 ^oC was obtained 5.7, 11.8, and 17.8 micrometer, respectively. The compound layer in hot stamped high-strength steel sheet with Al–Si coating layer consists of Al_5.4Fe₂ and Fe₂Si phases. In the compound layer, Al and Si were irregularly distributed.

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on immunological factors in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) model were investigated. Hairless mice were randomly assigned to control, acetone and olive oil solution-treated (AOO), PEMF 15 Hz, PEMF 75 Hz, and sham groups (n=5 each). AOO solution was used to dissolve DNCB. Both PEMF and sham groups were exposed to similar DNCB doses, causing similar AD symptoms. After AD induction for five weeks, only the PEMF group was exposed to PEMF stimulations (15 Hz, 75 Hz, and 15 mT) for two weeks inside the solenoid coil. In both groups, splenomegaly was observed, as AD was induced by hyperimmune reactions caused by DNCB sensitization. However, splenomegaly did not occur in the PEMF-exposed groups, and spleen weight decreased similarly to that of the control. Hence, the total splenocytes in the PEMF group were similar to those in the control group, whereas the sham group showed thrice the number of splenocytes compared to the PEMF group. The serum immunoglobulin E levels did not significantly change in the PEMF group; however, they increased more than fourfold in the sham group. These results demonstrate that PEMF stimulation ameliorates the abnormal symptoms caused by hyperimmune reactions.

Objective tools to track medication adherence are lacking. A tool to monitor pill intake that can be implemented in mHealth apps without the need for additional devices was developed. We propose a pill intake detection tool that uses digital image processing to analyze images of a blister to detect the presence of pills. The tool uses the circular Hough transform as a feature extraction technique and is therefore primarily useful for the detection of pills with a round shape. This pill detection tool is composed of two steps. First, the registration of a full blister and storing of reference values in a local database. Second, the detection and classification of taken and remaining pills in similar blisters, to determine the actual number of untaken pills. In the registration of round pills in full blisters, 100% of pills in gray blisters or blisters with a transparent cover were successfully detected. In counting of untaken pills in partially opened blisters, 95.2% of remaining and 95.1% of taken pills were detected in gray blisters, while 88.2% of remaining and 80.8% of taken pills were detected in blisters with a transparent cover. The proposed tool provides promising results for the detection of round pills. However, the classification of taken and remaining pills need to be further improved, in particular for the detection of pills with non-oval shapes.

Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria have become a severe problem for public health. Developing new antibiotics for MDR bacteria is difficult, from inception to the clinically approved stage. Here, we have used a new approach; we have modified the antibiotic, ciprofloxacin (CFX), with triphenylphosphonium (TPP, PPh3) moiety via ester- (CFX-ester-PPh3) and amide-coupling (CFX-ester-PPh3), to target bacterial membranes. In this study, we have evaluated the antibacterial activities of CFX and its derivatives against 16 species of bacteria, including MDR bacteria, using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, morphological monitoring, and expression of resistance-related genes. TPP-conjugated CFX, CFX-ester-PPh3 and CFX-amide-PPh3 showed significantly improved antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, including MDR S. aureus (MRSA) strains. The MRSA ST5 5016 strain showed high antibacterial activity, with an MIC values of 11.12 µg/mL for CFX-ester-PPh3 and 2.78 µg/mL for CFX-amide-PPh3. The CFX derivatives inhibited biofilm formation in MRSA by more than 74.9% of CFX-amide-PPh3. In the sub-MIC, CFX derivates induced significant morphological changes in MRSA, including irregular deformation and membrane disruption, accompanied by a decrease in the level of resistance-related gene expression. With these promising results, this method is very likely to combat MDR bacteria, through a simple TPP moiety modification of known antibiotics, which can be readily prepared at clinical sites.

As symbionts of fungi and algae, lichens produce a variety of secondary products which pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of Heterodermia hypoleuca and its main compound, atraric acid. The results confirmed that atraric acid could regulating induced pro-inflammatory cytokine, nitric oxide, induced nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Means while, atraric acid down-regulated expression of phosphorylated IκB, ERK and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Based on these results, the anti-inflammatory effect of atraric acid during LPS-induced endotoxin shock in a mouse model was confirmed. In the atraric acid treated-group, cytokine production was decreased in the peritoneum and serum, and each organ damaged by LPS-stimulation was recovered. These results show that atraric acid has an anti-inflammatory effect and its molecular mechanism may be involved in the inactivation of the ERK/NFκB signaling pathway, demonstrating its value as a potential therapeutic for inflammatory diseases.

Background/Objectives: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause variable symptoms, which may be irreversible if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. We aimed to develop a widely accepted expert consensus to guide the practice of diagnosing and treating B12 deficiency. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of the literature published in PubMed since January 2003. Data were used to design a two-round Delphi survey to study the level of consensus among 42 experts. Results: The panelists agreed on the need for educational and organizational changes in the current medical practices for diagnosing and treating B12 deficiency. Recognition of clinical symptoms should receive the highest priority in establishing the diagnosis. There is agreement that the serum B12 concentration is useful as a screening marker, whereas methylmalonic acid or homocysteine can support the diagnosis. Patient lifestyle, disease history and medications can provide clues to the cause of B12 deficiency. Regardless of the cause of the deficiency, initial treatment with parenteral B12 was regarded as the first choice for patients with acute and severe manifestations of B12 deficiency. The use of high-dose oral B12 at different frequencies may be considered for long-term treatment. Prophylactic B12 supplementation should be considered for specific high-risk groups. Conclusions: There is a consensus that clinical symptoms need to receive more attention in establishing a diagnosis. B12 laboratory markers can support the diagnosis. The severity of clinical symptoms, the causes of B12 deficiency and the treatment goals govern decisions regarding the route and dose of B12 therapy.

Phosphate (Pi) starvation is a critical factor limiting crop growth, development, and productivity. Rice (Oryza sativa) R2R3-MYB transcription factors function in the transcriptional regulation of plant responses to various abiotic stresses and micronutrient deprivation, but little is known about their roles in Pi starvation signaling and Pi homeostasis. Here we identified the R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene OsMYB58, which shares high sequence similarity with AtMYB58. OsMYB58 expression was induced more strongly by Pi starvation than by other micronutrient deficiencies. Overexpressing OsMYB58 in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice inhibited plant growth and development under Pi-deficiency conditions. In addition, overexpression of OsMYB58 in plants exposed to Pi deficiency strongly affected root development, including seminal root, lateral root, and root hair formation. Overexpressing OsMYB58 strongly decreased the expression of the rice microRNAs, OsmiR399a and OsmiR399j. By contrast, overexpressing OsMYB58 strongly increased the expression of rice PHOSPHATE 2 (OsPHO2), whose expression is repressed by miR399 during Pi starvation signaling. OsMYB58 functions as a transcriptional repressor of the expression of its target genes, as determined by a transcriptional activity assay. These results demonstrate that OsMYB58 negatively regulates OsmiR399-dependent Pi starvation signaling by enhancing OsmiR399s expression.

This study explores the potential of titanium disulfide (TiS2) as an active material for aqueous calcium-ion batteries (CIBs). We investigate the electrochemical redox reactions of calcium ions within TiS2 and assess its suitability for use in aqueous CIBs. Additionally, we examine the im-pact of different electrolyte concentrations on TiS2 electrode reactions. Our findings reveal that TiS2 exhibits distinct charge-discharge behaviors in various aqueous calcium-ion electrolytes. Notably, at higher electrolyte concentrations, TiS2 effectively suppresses the hydrogen genera-tion reaction caused by water decomposition, demonstrating its potential as an active material for aqueous CIBs. In-situ X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the intercalation of Ca2+ ions be-tween TiS2 layers during charging. This confirmation is groundbreaking, as it represents the first experimental evidence of calcium ions being electrochemically inserted between TiS2 layers from aqueous solutions, signifying a previously unreported achievement and strongly suggesting TiS2's applicability in aqueous CIBs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further supports the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the TiS2 electrode surface, contributing to the suppression of electrolyte decomposition reactions. Furthermore, we investigate the influ-ence of anions in the electrolyte on charge-discharge behavior. Our findings suggest that the choice of anion coordinated with Ca2+ ions affects SEI formation and cycling performance. Un-derstanding the role of anions in SEI formation is crucial for optimizing aqueous CIBs. In con-clusion, this research underscores TiS2's potential as an active material for aqueous calcium-ion batteries and emphasizes the importance of electrolyte composition in influencing SEI formation and battery performance. These findings contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient energy storage technologies.

Cymbidium goeringii, locally known as the spring orchid in Korea, is one of the most important and popular horticultural species in the family Orchidaceae. C. goeringii cultivars were originated from plants with rare phenotypes in wild mountains where pine trees commonly grow. This study aimed to determine the cultivar-specific combined genotypes (CGs) of short sequence repeats (SSRs) by analyzing multiple samples per cultivar of C. goeringii. In this study, we collected more than 4,000 samples from 67 cultivars and determined the genotypes of 12 SSRs. Based on the most frequent combined genotypes (CG1s), the average observed allele number and combined matching probability were 11.8 per marker and 3.118×10-11, respectively. Frequencies of the CG1 in 50 cultivars (n ≥ 10) ranged from 40.9% to 100.0%, with an average of 70.1%. Assuming that individuals with the CG1 are genuine in the corresponding cultivars, approximately 30% of C. goeringii on the farms and markets may be not genuine. The dendrogram of the phylogenetic tree and principal coordinate analysis largely divided the cultivars into three groups according to their countries of origin; however, the genetic distances were not distant among the cultivars. In conclusion, this dataset of C. goeringii cultivar-specific SSR profiles could be used for ecogenetic studies and forensic authentication. This study suggests that genetic authentication should be introduced for the sale of expensive C. goeringii cultivars. We believe that this study will help establish a genetic method for the forensic authentication of C. goeringii cultivars.

Keywords: Cell-free DNA, sepsis, oxidative stress, immunoredox modulation, cecal ligation and puncture, toll-like receptor

For over a century, viruses have left a long trail of evidence implicating them as frequent suspects in the development of type 1 diabetes. Through vigorous interrogation of viral infections in individuals with islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes using serological and molecular virus detection methods, and mechanistic studies of virus infected human pancreatic β-cells, the prime suspects have been narrowed down to predominantly human enteroviruses. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of evidence supporting the hypothesised role of enteroviruses in the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. We also discuss concerns over the historical focus and investigation bias toward enteroviruses, and summarise current unbiased efforts aimed at characterising the complete population of viruses (the “virome”) contributing early in life to the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Finally, we review the range of vaccine and antiviral drug candidates currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the prevention and potential treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Many studies on flexible strain and pressure sensors have been reported due to growing interest in wearable devices for healthcare. However, most are fabricated with multiple ingredients and complicated methods even though commercial textiles, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, and silk were used. Here we present flexible pressure and strain (motion) sensors prepared with only graphene oxide (GO) and commercial silk fabrics and yarns. The pressure sensors were fabricated by simply dipping the silk fabric into GO solution followed by thermal treatment at 400 °C for reduction of GO (rGO). The pressure sensors were made from rGO-coated fabrics, which were stacked in 3-, 5-, and 7-layers. The super-sensitivity of 2.58 ×103 kPa-1 at low pressure was observed in the 7-layer pressure sensor. The strain sensors were obtained from rGO-coated twisted silk yarns whose gauge factor was 0.307. Although this value is small or comparable to other sensors, it is appropriate for motion sensing. The results of this study show a cost-effective and simple method for the fabrication of pressure and motion sensors with commercial silk and GO.

There is a lack of data comparing sugammadex with anticholinesterase for the quality of anaesthesia recovery, especially following a single bolus dose of rocuronium. Thus, we evaluated the influence of reversal with sugammadex or neostigmine on post-operative quality of recovery by using the Post-operative Quality Recovery Scale (PQRS). A total of 86 patients undergoing trans-pars plana vitrectomy (TPPV) under general anaesthesia were intubated following a single bolus dose of rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg). At the end of surgery, patients were received either neostigmine or sugammadex. The quality of recovery was assessed using the PQRS at 15 minutes and 40 minutes after surgery, and on post-operative day 1. The recovery rate in the physiological domain was higher in the sugammadex group at 15 minutes after surgery (P = 0.02). Though there were no significant differences in the overall cognitive recovery domain, patients in the sugammadex group could recall more numbers in reverse order. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in the other domains of the PQRS. The use of sugammadex may increase the quality of the post-operative physiological recovery at early post-operative periods compared with neostigmine use following a single bolus dose of rocuronium in patients undergoing TPPV with general anaesthesia.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is considered the initial treatment for lung cancer patients with small-sized and limited number of brain metastases. The objective of this study was to assess clinical outcomes of SRS treatment using CyberKnife (CK) for recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class II/III patients with one to three brain metastases from lung cancer and identify which patients in the high RPA class could benefit from SRS. A total of 48 lung cancer patients who received CK-based SRS for their metastatic brain lesions from 2010 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Radiographic response was evaluated during follow-up period. Overall survival (OS) and intracranial progression-free survival (IPFS) were calculated and prognostic variables associated with OS and IPFS were evaluated. Median follow-up time was 6.6 months. Local control rates at 6 months and 1-year following SRS were 98% and 92%, respectively. The median OS of all patients was 8 months. One-year and 2-year OS rates were 40.8% and 20.9%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, uncontrolled primary disease (p = 0.008) and ECOG performance status of 2 or 3 (p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for inferior OS. These two factors were also significantly associated with inferior IPFS. In subgroup analysis according to RPA class, primary disease status was the only prognostic factor, showing statistically significant OS differences in both RPA class II and III (controlled vs. uncontrolled: 41.1 vs. 12.3 months in RPA class II, p = 0.031; 26.9 vs. 4.1 months in RPA class III, p = 0.011). Our results indicated that SRS could be an effective treatment option for RPA class II/III patients with brain metastases from lung cancer in the modern treatment era. SRS might be particularly considered for patients with controlled primary disease.

Background and objectives: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain significantly impacts physical activity and quality of life in the elderly, potentially influencing mortality. This study explored the relationship between MSK pain, physical activity, muscle mass, and mortality among older adults. Material and Methods: We studied 1000 participants of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA), a prospective, population-based cohort study of people aged 65 years or older. Survival status was tracked over a 5-year period. Correlations between Low back pain (LBP), knee pain, regular exercise, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), and other variables were analyzed. Logistic regression analyzes were used to identify independent risk factors for mortality. Results: Of the total participants, 829 (82.9%) survived after a 5-year period. Survivors tended to be younger, had a higher BMI, and were more active in regular exercise. In contrast, non-survivors exhibited a higher prevalence of both LBP and knee pain, along with increased instances of multiple MSK pain. Lower ASM correlated moderately with LBP and knee pain, whereas higher ASM was associated with regular exercise Lower ASM was moderately associated with LBP and knee pain, while higher ASM correlated with engagement in regular exercise. There was a moderate correlation between LBP and knee pain, both of which were associated with a lack of regular exercise. Age, sex, ASM, and regular exercise were significant predictors, even though MSK pain itself did not directly predict all-cause mortality. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the independent association between ASM, regular exercise, and mortality. Although MSK pain did not directly correlate with all-cause mortality, the non-survivor group had higher levels of both single and multiple MSK pain. Recognizing the interplay of MSK pain, physical activity, and muscle mass for older adults, the research underscores the need for holistic strategies to enhance health outcomes in older individuals with MSK pain.

This study investigated novel quantitative traits loci (QTLs) associated with the control of grain shape and size as well as grain weight in rice. We employed a joint strategy multiple GAPIT (Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool) models [(Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK)), Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Uniform (FarmCPU), Settlement of MLM Under Progressive Exclusive Relationship (SUPER), and General Linear Model (GLM)]–High Density SNP Chip DNA Markers (60,461) to conduct a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). GWAS was performed using genotype and grain-related phenotypes of 143 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Data show that parental lines (Ilpum and Tung Tin Wan Hein 1, TTWH1, Oryza sativa L., ssp. japonica and indica, respectively) exhibited divergent phenotypes for all analyzed grain traits), which was reflected in their derived population. GWAS results revealed the association between seven SNP Chip makers and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain length, co-detected by all GAPIT models on (Chr) 1–3, 5, 7, and 11), were qGL1-1BFSG (AX-95918134, Chr1: 3820526 bp) explains 65.2%–72.5% of the phenotypic variance explained (PVE). In addition, qGW1-1BFSG (AX-273945773, Chr1: 5623288 bp) for grain width explains 15.5%–18.9% of PVE. Furthermore, BLINK or FarmCPU identified three QTLs for grain thickness independently, and explain 74.9% (qGT1Blink, AX-279261704, Chr1: 18023142 bp) and 54.9% (qGT2-1Farm, AX-154787777, Chr2: AX-154787777 bp) of the observed PVE. For t length-to-width ratio, the qLWR2BFSG (AX-274833045, Chr2: 10000097 bp) explains nearly 15.2%–32% of PVE for LWR. Likewise, the major QTL for thousand-grain weight (TGW) was detected on Chr6 (qTGW6BFSG, AX-115737727, 28484619 bp) and explains 32.8%–54% of PVE. The qTGW6BFSG QTL coincides with qGW6-1Blink for grain width and explained 32.8%–54% of PVE. Putative Candidate genes pooled from major QTLs for each grain traits have interesting annotated functions that require functional studies to elucidate their function in the control of grain size, shape, or weight in rice. Genome selection analysis proposed makers useful for downstream marker-assisted selection based on genetic merit of RILs.

To analyze the combined response of ocular cyclotorsion and head tilt during body tilt and to interpret the physiologic role of those movements, each of the three subjects completed six different experiments of body tilt not fixating their head movements using a flight simulator, which consisted of combinations of three tilt angles (30, 45, and 60) and two visual conditions. Head tilt and ocular cyclotorsion of the right eye before, during, and after the tilt maneuver were recorded and analyzed by time sequence. In the active tilting phase, the right eye showed a stepladder pattern of multiple repeats of fast and slow cyclotorsion along with head tilt to obtain maximum visual information. During the stationary tilting phase, there occurred a small amount (mean, 2.3) of ocular cyclotorsion which was reciprocal to that of head tilt. The visual cue of body tilt through the central visual field induced a larger amount of head tilt but affected little ocular cyclotorsion. The maximum degree of ocular cyclotorsion during each experiment was 10.2 on average. In conclusion, the combined response of ocular cyclotorsion and head tilt develops during body tilt and it compromises the conflicting needs between binocular vision and gravitational orientation.

Rice production is a significant contributor to methane emissions, accounting for ap-proximately 11% of global anthropogenic emissions. However, methane emissions in rice fields could effectively be reduced by implementing proper management practices and careful cultivar selection. The impact of nitrogen fertilizers on methane emissions is mul-tifaceted, as these fertilizers enhance crop growth and influence the activity of me-thane-producing (methanogens) and methane-consuming microbes (methanotrophs), leading to complex outcomes in methane emissions. In this study, we used qPCR to quan-tify methanogens and methanotrophs using mcrA (methanogenesis-related gene) and pmoA (methane oxidation-related gene) primer sets under different nitrogen levels (0, 50, and 100%) and rice varieties. The results revealed that higher nitrogen input led to higher methanogen inhabitation in the rhizosphere. Additionally, the abundances of methano-gens and methanotrophs varied among the different rice varieties. Furthermore, it was observed that there may be an additive effect between the rice variety and nitrogen level used. These findings suggest that future breeding efforts should involve screening for me-thane-related microbes in rice cultivars adapted to low-nitrogen conditions. By identifying and selecting rice varieties that promote lower methanogen levels and higher metha-notroph inhabitation, significant steps can be taken to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation.

Abstract: Rice production is a significant contributor to methane emissions, accounting for approximately 11% of global anthropogenic emissions. However, there is potential for effectively reducing methane emissions from rice fields through the implementation of proper management practices and careful cultivar selection. The impact of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on methane (CH4) emissions is multifaceted, as these fertilizers not only en-hance crop growth but also influence the activity of methane-producing microbes (Meth-anogens) and methane-consuming microbes (Methanotrophs), leading to complex out-comes in CH4 emissions. In this study, we utilized qPCR to quantify methanogens and methanotrophs using mcrA (methanogenesis-related gene) and pmoA (methane oxida-tion-related gene) primer sets under different nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100%) and rice varie-ties. The results revealed that higher nitrogen inputs led to higher methanogen inhabita-tion in the rhizosphere. Additionally, the abundances of methanogens and metha-notrophs varied among different rice varieties. Furthermore, through the analysis of two-way ANOVA, it was observed that there may be an additive effect between rice variety and nitrogen level. Furthermore, enhancing agronomic traits related to yield can reduce methanogen inhabitation. These findings suggest that future breeding efforts should in-volve the screening of methane-related microbes in rice cultivars adapted to low nitrogen conditions. By identifying and selecting rice varieties that promote lower methanogen lev-els and higher methanotroph inhabitation, we can take significant steps towards mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation.

Here, we report a simple and effective method for separation of gram-negative bacteria using aptamer-modified microbeads and acoustophoresis. As acoustophoresis allows for simultaneous washing and size-dependent separation in continuous flow mode, we efficiently obtained gram-negative bacteria that showed high affinity without any additional washing steps. The proposed device has a simple and efficient channel design, utilizing a long, square-shaped microchannel that shows excellent separation performance in terms of the purity, recovery, and concentration factor. Microbeads (10 µm) coated with the GN6 aptamer can specifically bind gram-negative bacteria. Using acoustophoresis, gram-negative bacteria-bound microbeads and other unbound/contaminants can be separated by size with high purity and recovery. The device demonstrated excellent separation performance, with high recovery (up to 98%), high purity (up to 99%), and a high volume rate (500 µL/min), and a concentration factor of up to 20×. The acoustophoresis microfluidic device also showed binding affinity to multiple strains of gram-negative bacteria, but not to gram-positive bacteria. This study presents a new paradigm for early diagnosis of bacterial infectious diseases. In addition to detecting living bacteria or bacteria-derived biomarkers, this protocol can be extended to monitoring the contamination of water resources, and may aid quick responses to bioterrorism and pathogenic bacterial infections.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of constitutive equations on the prediction accuracy for springback in cold stamping with various deformation modes. In this study, two types of yield functions—Hill’48 and Yld2000-2d—were considered to describe yield behavior. Isotropic and kinematic hardening models based on the Yoshida–Uemori model were also adopted to describe hardening behavior. Various material tests (such as uniaxial tension, tension- compression, loading-unloading, and hydraulic bulging tests) were carried out to determine the material parameters of the models. The obtained parameters were implemented in the finite element (FE) simulation to predict springback, and the results were compared with experimental data. U-bending and T-shape drawing were employed to evaluate the springback prediction accuracy. Obviously, the springback prediction accuracy was greatly influenced by constitutive equations. Therefore, it is important to choose appropriate constitutive equations for accurate description of material behaviors in FE simulation.

Malnutrition and cognitive dysfunction are typical features of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and are correlated with the development of complications. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of nutritional state and diet on cognitive function in ALD. A total of 43 patients with compensated alcoholic cirrhosis were enrolled, and neuropsychological test was assessed according to body mass index (BMI, &lt;22 and ≥22). In the ALD animal study, mice were divided into 5 groups (n=9/group; normal liquid, 5% EtOH+regular liquid, 5% EtOH+high-carbohydrate liquid, 5% EtOH+high-fat liquid, and 5% EtOH+high-protein liquid diet) and fed the same calories for 8-week. To assess cognitive function, we performed T-maze studies weekly before/after alcohol binging. In cognitive function (BMI &lt;22 /≥22), language score of Korea mini-mental state (7.4±1.4/7.9±0.4), Rey-complex figure (72.0±25.9/58.4±33.6), Boston naming (11.7±2.7/13.0±1.8), forward digit span (6.7±1.8/7.5±1.6), Korean Color Word Stroop (24.2±26.5/43.6±32.4), and interference score (33.9±31.9/52.3±33.9) revealed significant differences. In the T-maze test, alcohol significantly delayed the time to reach food, and binge drinking provided a temporary recovery in cognition. The alcohol-induced delay was significantly reduced in the high-carbohydrate and high-fat diet groups. Synaptic function exhibited no changes in all groups. Cognitive dysfunction is affected by nutritional status and diet in ALD.

Manipulating autophagy is a promising strategy for treating cancer as several autophagy inhibitors shown to induce autophagic cell death. One of these, autophagonizer (APZ), induces apoptosis-independent cell death by binding an unknown target via an unknown mechanism. To identify APZ targets we used a label-free drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) approach with a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) readout. Of 35 protein interactors, we identified Hsp70 as a key target protein of unmodified APZ in autophagy. Either APZ treatment or Hsp70 inhibition attenuates integrity of lysosomes, which leads to autophagic cell death exhibiting an excellent synergism with a clinical drug, temozolomide, in vitro, in vivo, and orthotropic glioma xenograft model. These findings demonstrate the potential of APZ to induce autophagic cell death and its development to combinational chemotherapeutic agent for glioma treatment. Collectively, our study demonstrated that APZ, a new autophagy inhibitor, can be used as a potent antitumor drug candidate to get over unassailable glioma and revealed a novel function of Hsp70 in lysosomal integrity regulation of autophagy.

According to the IPCC guidelines, CO₂ emissions from biomass should be excluded from the entire amount of CO₂ emissions when calculating CO₂ emissions and should be separately reported due to the “carbon neutrality.” Sewage sludge is one of the representative biomass fuels. And it is mixed with fossil fuels in terms of greenhouse gas reduction or is used as fuel to replace fossil fuels by itself. According to the results of this study, biomass contents of both the sewage sludge and the sewage sludge incineration exhaust gases did not amount to 100%. At present, in many countries(South Korea, Japan, and Germany), when calculating greenhouse gas emissions from sewage sludge incinerator, all CO₂ emissions from sewage sludge are judged to be biomass and only those greenhouse gas emissions that correspond to Non-CO₂ gases are calculated as greenhouse gas emissions. However, since, according our results, the content of sewage sludge is not 100% biomass, if CO₂ emissions are excluded according to the existing greenhouse gas emission calculation method, the amount of emissions may be underestimated. Therefore, to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions from sewage sludge incinerator, CO₂ emissions should be calculated in consideration of the fossil carbon contents of sewage sludge.

This study presents a novel approach for automating the body condition scoring of dairy cows, leveraging advancements in 3D imaging technology and deep neural networks. The primary objective was to design and implement a system capable of accurately and efficiently assessing the body condition of dairy cows, a critical metric in livestock management for optimizing health and productivity. To achieve this, a 3D camera was employed to capture detailed point cloud data, reconstructing the three-dimensional morphology of individual cows. The obtained data were then fed into a deep neural network, specifically tailored for the task of ranking body condition. The neural network was trained on a diverse dataset of annotated body condition score representing varying degrees of body condition, ensuring robust performance across different physiological states. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed system in automatically and objectively scoring the body condition of dairy cows. The automated process not only expedites the assessment but also reduces the subjectivity associated with manual scoring methods. This innovative approach holds promise for improving the efficiency of dairy farm management by providing timely and accurate body condition assessments. The integration of 3D imaging and deep learning techniques paves the way for future advancements in precision livestock farming, contributing to enhanced animal welfare, optimized production, and sustainable agriculture practices.