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Cheonggukjang (CGJ) is a traditional food, made by the fermentation of beans, and it has different recipes for different regions in Korea. However, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity effects, and is known to affect changes in the intestinal microbiota. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects of four type CGJs (one commercial and three transitional CGJs). In the cyclophosphamide (CP)-treated immunosuppressed rat, oral administration of CGJs for 4 weeks was used to investigate weight of body and immune organ, change of microbiota, blood and serum parameters, inflammation pathways (MAPKs and NFκB) and histology of spleen. It showed an immunity-enhancing effect through increase Bacteroidetes in gut, the recovery of complete blood count, levels of cytokines and IgG, activation of inflammatory pathways, and histology of spleen. In conclusion, these results show that the intake of a commercial brand CGJ, and traditional CGJs can maintain or promote the body's immunity.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by prolonged inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa lasting over 12 weeks. CRS is divided into two main types based on the presence of nasal polyps: CRS without nasal polyps and CRS with nasal polyps. The condition is further classified into endotypes based on type 1, type 2, and type 3 inflammatory signatures, with differences in terms of disease severity, prognosis, and treatment response. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRS progression. In CRS, the EMT can be triggered by infections, allergens, hypoxia, and environmental pollutants. Specifically, EMT induction proceeds through the following mechanisms: viral and bacterial infections disrupt the epithelial barrier, house dust mites and other allergens activate the TGF-β and EGFR signaling pathways, hypoxia increases HIF-1α and other mesenchymal markers, and diesel exhaust particles and particulate matter cause oxidative stress. Maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier is essential for nasal mucosa homeostasis. In CRS, barrier damage activates repair processes that trigger the EMT, resulting in barrier dysfunction and tissue remodeling. Epithelial barrier dysfunction allows antigens and pathogens to penetrate, perpetuating inflammation and promoting the EMT. This disruption is a hallmark of CRS, emphasizing the importance of barrier integrity in the development of the disease. Key signaling pathways regulating the EMT in CRS include TGF-β, Wnt, HMGB1, AGE/ERK, TNF-α, and various miR-NAs. These signaling pathways connect to various downstream pathways, such as the Smad2/3, GSK-3β/β-catenin, RAGE, and NF-κB pathways. This review focuses on the complex mechanisms of the EMT in CRS, emphasizing the role of epithelial barrier dysfunction and subsequent EMT processes in driving the disease's development and progression. A deeper understanding of these EMT-driven mechanisms will help identify the potential therapeutic targets aimed at restoring epithelial integrity and reversing the EMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine dust and bioaerosols are significant public health concerns, showing the importance of protective measures. In this study, natural-based trimethyl chitosan, permanently burdened with a positive charge, was successfully distributed on the surface of melt-blown polypropylene sheets through a metal rod coating process. This surface modification was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicating the surface adsorption of trimethyl chitosan without chemical bonding. Modifying polypropylene mask filters yielded a positive surface zeta potential for 10–20 g/m2 coat weight, increasing the filtration efficiency to 55–94 % in a standard particle filtration test using paraffin oil as a liquid aerosol. The filtration efficiency remained higher than conventional non-treated mask filters even after the humidification of sheets. In addition, the filtration test against fine dust particles, such as titanium dioxide, was performed with trimethyl chitosan-modified mask filters that captured up to 100–800 µg/m3 titanium oxide particle concentrations, showing better filtration than conventional mask filters in high fine dust events. Trimethyl chitosan-modified mask filters also exhibited potent inhibition, bactericidal, and antiviral effects against HCoV-OC43, reducing the virus infection rate by 93.69 %. Thus, trimethyl chitosan could be applied to several existing filter membranes to protect against particulate matter and dangerous airborne pathogens.