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Cement is an important building material with high energy consumption and high emission, while energy conservation and emission reduction has been the consensus over the world in the background of the global climate warming. Aiming at the problems of large cement consumption and long construction period of deep mixing column, a double-liquid curing agent composed of low thickness cement slurry and sodium silicate solution is proposed to replace cement slurry in deep mixing columns. The installation equipment is modified to adapt to the double-liquid curing agent. The effect of the double-liquid curing agent is researched through field​ tests, which verify the environmental and economic benefits in cement saving and construction accelerating. The double-liquid curing agent for deep mixing columns has great promotion potential.

Purpose: Taichi Chuan was previously shown to benefit physical health, but the results were inconsistent. The main reason is that the mechanism is not clear and may be interpreted differently. In this systematic review, we analyzed the data obtained from various randomized controlled trials to identify the effectiveness of Taichi Chuan and the mechanism by which it improves the physical health of adults. Methods: We systematically searched various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, CNKI, Wan-Fang, and VPCS, and obtained 1448 articles for review. The articles were selected following the PICO eligibility criteria. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to interpret the results of the different studies. Results: We included 16 studies in the systematic review. Six of them were of very high quality, ten were of acceptable quality. Overall, the results showed that Taichi Chuan is beneficial to physical fitness, but not all indices supported this statement. Specifically, the effects were significant on Balance (ES = − 0.33; P = 0.02), BMI (ES = − 0.83; P

Purpose: To effectively operate river water quality under current fourth-phase Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) management system, we built a machine learning model that predicts whether water quality goals are achieved for the entire Nakdong river watershed in Korea. Methods: First, to consider the effects of land use type on the runoff characteristics of pollutants, K-means clustering was used to classify the watershed into three areas: agricultural areas, forest areas, and urban areas. Next, we developed a machine learning model to predict the achievement of BOD, TP, and TOC water quality goals in the different rainfall seasons. At this time, the Isolated Forest and ADASYN machine learning techniques were used to preprocess the training data. Finally, SHAP was used to find the factors with the greatest effects on the achievement of water quality goals. Results: This model’s average prediction results for TP, BOD, and TOC showed accuracy ranging from 0.6 to 1.0. Meteorological factors, particularly monthly precipitation and average temperature, were found to highly influence the model predictions for all land use types. In the landscape metrics, ED showed a high level of importance in all land use types. CONTAG was the main factor in agricultural areas; ED, LPI, CONTAG, COHESION and SHDI were the main factors in forest areas; and PD, ED, SHDI, and COHESION were the main factors in urban areas. Conclusion: The monthly precipitation and average temperature significantly affected whether the TMDL water quality goals were achieved in all sub watersheds, and the landscape metrics calculated as highly influenced factors differed depending on the land use type. Therefore, customized watershed management according to land use characteristics is necessary. These results provide valuable ideas for land use managers and landscape planners to achieve water quality goals through the management of non-point source pollution.

Background: Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases and for general health maintenance. Previously, we showed that ginseng did not demonstrate estrogenic property in ovariectomized mouse model. However, it is still possible that disruption of steroidogenesis leading to indirect hormonal activity. Methods: The hormonal activities were examined in compliance with OECD guidelines for detecting endocrine disrupting chemicals: test guideline (TG) No. 456 (an in vitro assay method for detecting steroidogenesis property) and TG No. 440 (an in vivo short-term screening method for chemicals with uterotrophic property). Results: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3 did not interfere with estrogen and testosterone hormone synthesis as examined in H295 cells according to TG 456. KRG treatment to ovariectomized mice did not show a significant change in uterine weight. In addition, serum estrogen and testosterone levels were not change by KRG intake. Conclusion: These results clearly demonstrate that there is no steroidogenic activity associated with KRG and no disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by KRG. Additional tests will be performed in pursuit of cellular molecular targets of ginseng to manifest mode of action.

Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is the most common and devastating symptom of bone metastatic cancer that substantially disrupts patients’ quality of life. Currently, there are few effective analgesic treatments for CIBP other than opioids which come with severe side effects. In order to better understand the factors and mechanisms responsible for CIBP it is essential to have clinically relevant animal models that mirror pain-related symptoms and disease progression observed in patients with bone metastatic cancer.In the current study, we characterize a syngeneic mouse model of prostate cancer induced bone pain. We transfected a prostate cancer cell line (RM1) with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase reporters in order to visualize tumor growth longitudinally in vivo and to assess the relationship between sensory neurons and tumor cells within the bone microenvironment. Following intra-femoral injection of the RM1 prostate cancer cell line into male C57BL/6 mice, we observed a progressive increase in spontaneous guarding of the inoculated limb between 12 and 21 days post inoculation in tumor bearing compared to sham operated mice. Daily running wheel performance was evaluated as a measure of functional impairment and potentially movement evoked pain. We observed a progressive reduction in the distance traveled and percentage of time at optimal velocity between 12 and 21 days post inoculation in tumor bearing compared to sham operated mice. We utilized histological, radiographic and μCT analysis to examine tumor induced bone remodeling and observed osteolytic lesions as well as extra-periosteal aberrant bone formation in the tumor bearing femur, similar to clinical findings in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer. Within the tumor bearing femur, we observed reorganization of blood vessels, macrophage and nerve fibers within the intramedullary space and periosteum adjacent to tumor cells. Tumor bearing mice displayed significant increases in the injury marker ATF3 and upregulation of the neuropeptides SP and CGRP in the ipsilateral DRG as well as increased measures of central sensitization and glial activation in the ipsilateral spinal cord. This immunocompetent mouse model will be useful when combined with cell type selective transgenic mice to examine tumor, immune cell and sensory neuron interactions in the bone microenvironment and their role in pain and disease progression associated with bone metastatic prostate cancer.

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is inherited as an X-linked recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1). Patients with LNS show various clinical phenotypes, including hyperuricemia, gout, devastating behavioral abnormality, intellectual disability, and self-harm. Although uric acid overproduction can be modulated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, there exists no treatment for behavioral and neurological manifestations of LNS. In the current study, CRISPR-mediated base editors (BEs) and prime editors (PEs) were utilized to generate LNS-associated disease models and correct the disease models for therapeutic approach. Cytosine BEs (CBEs) were used to induce c.430C>T and c.508C>T mutations in HAP1 cells, and then adenine BEs (ABEs) were used to correct these mutations without DNA cleavage. PEs induced a c.333_334ins(A) mutation, identified in a Korean patient with LNS, in HAP1 cells, which was corrected in turn by PEs. Furthermore, improved PEs corrected the same mutation in LNS patient-derived fibroblasts by up to 14% without any unwanted mutations. These results suggest that CRISPR-mediated BEs and PEs would be suggested as a potential therapeutic strategy of this extremely rare, devastating genetic disease.

Introduction: Sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-associating protein (SCAP) is a sterol-regulated escort protein that translocates SREBPs from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, thereby activating lipid metabolism and cholesterol synthesis. Although SCAP regulates lipid metabolism in metabolic tissues, such as the liver and muscle, the effect of macrophage-specific SCAP deficiency in adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) of patients with metabolic diseases is not completely understood. Objectives: Here, we examined the function of SCAP in high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFHS)-fed mice and investigated its role in the polarization of classical activated macrophages in adipose tissue. Methods: Macrophage-specific SCAP knockout (mKO) mice were generated through crossbreeding lysozyme 2-cre mice with SCAP floxed mice which were then fed HFHS for 12 weeks. Primary macrophages were derived from bone marrow cells and analyzed further. Results: We found that fat accumulation and the appearance of proinflammatory M1 macrophages were both higher in HFHS-fed SCAP mKO mice relative to floxed control mice. We traced the effect to a defect in the lipopolysaccharide-mediated increase in SREBP-1a that occurs in control but not SCAP mKO mice. Mechanistically, SREBP-1a increased expression of cholesterol 25-hydroxylase transcription, resulting in an increase in the production of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC), an endogenous agonist of liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) which increased expression of cholesterol efflux to limit cholesterol accumulation and M1 polarization. In the absence of SCAP mediated activation of SREBP-1a, increased M1 macrophage polarization resulted in reduced cholesterol efflux downstream from 25-HC-dependent LXRα activation. Conclusion: Overall, the activation of the SCAP-SREBP-1a pathway in macrophages may provide a novel therapeutic strategy that ameliorates obesity by controlling cholesterol homeostasis in ATMs.

Background: Although many studies have evaluated the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) components (Rg1, Rb1, Rg3, Rd, etc.), few have examined the in vivo pharmacokinetics of the radiolabeled components. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides and their metabolite compound K (CK), 20(s)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), and 20(s)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) using radioisotopes in rat oral administration. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed orally once with 10 mg/kg of the tritium(3H) radiolabeled samples, and then the blood was collected from the tail vein after 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 168 h. Radioactivity in the organs, feces, urine, and carcass was determined using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC) and a bio-imaging analyzer system (BAS). Results and conclusion: After oral administration, as the 3H-labeled ginsenosides were converted to metabolites, Cmax and half-life increased, and Tmax decreased. Interestingly, Rb1 and CK showed similar values, and after a single oral administration of components, the cumulative excretion ratio of urine and feces was 88.9%–92.4%. Although most KRG components were excreted within 96–168 h of administration, small amounts of components were detected in almost all tissues and mainly distributed to the liver except for the digestive tract when observed through autoradiography. This study demonstrated that KRG components were distributed to various organs in the rats. Further studies could be conducted to prove the bioavailability and transmission of KRG components to confirm the mechanism of KRG efficacy.

Background: Air pollution has led to an increased exposure of all living organisms to fine dust. Therefore, research efforts are being made to devise preventive and therapeutic remedies against fine dust-induced chronic diseases. Methods: Research of the respiratory protective effects of KRG extract in a particulate matter (PM; aerodynamic diameter of

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Although many deaths due to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) bacteraemia occur within a few days after the onset of bacteraemia, risk factors for early mortality (EM) have not been deeply investigated. We aimed to determine the risk factors for EM and the difference between risk factors associated with EM and late mortality (LM) in CRAB bacteraemia. Methods: Clinical information on all patients with CRAB bacteraemia in 10 hospitals during a 1-year period was collected. Among the cases with mortality within 30 days, EM and LM were defined as death within 3 and more than 5 calendar days from the first positive blood culture, respectively. Results: In total, 212 CRAB bacteraemia cases were included in the analysis. Of 122 (57.5%) patients with 30-day mortality, EM was observed in 75 (61.5%) patients and LM in 39 (32.0%) patients. The proportion of severe sepsis or septic shock, Pitt score, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was significantly higher in patients with EM than those with LM. Although urinary tract infection as the site of infection and the severity of illness were independent predictors of LM, only factors representing the severity of illness were independent risk factors for EM. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a large proportion of CRAB bacteraemia with high severity progresses to a rapidly fatal course, regardless of the underlying diseases or source of infection. Further studies might be needed to investigate the microbiological factors associated with CRAB and pathogen-host interaction in patients with EM.

Background: Few studies reported the therapeutic effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in lung inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular in cadmium-induced lung injury have been poorly understood, directly linked to chronic lung diseases (CLDs): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer etc. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate the therapeutic activities of water extract of KRG (KRG-WE) in mouse cadmium-induced lung injury model. Method: The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying mechanisms of KRG-WE were evaluated in vitro under cadmium-stimulated lung epithelial cells (A549) and HEK293T cell line and in vivo in cadmium-induced lung injury mouse model using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), luciferase assay, immunoblotting, and FACS. Results: KRG-WE strongly ameliorated the symptoms of CdSO4-induced lung injury in mice according to total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and severity scores as well as cytokine levels. KRG-WE significantly suppressed the upregulation of inflammatory signaling comprising mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and their upstream enzymes. In in vitro study, KRG-WE suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and IL-8 while promoting recovery in CdSO4-treated A549 cells. Similarly, KRG-WE reduced phosphorylation of MAPK and c-Jun/c-Fos in cadmium-exposed A549 cells. Conclusion: KRG-WE was found to attenuate symptoms of cadmium-induced lung injury and reduce the expression of inflammatory genes by suppression of MAPK/AP-1-mediated pathway.

Background: There has been a concerning increase in the prevalence and socioeconomic burden of asthma in Korea. Korea's National Health Insurance System (NHIS) covers insurance payment and claims management for all Koreans. Using National Health Insurance Sharing Service (NHISS) claims data. This study aimed to investigate patterns of healthcare utilization and direct cost in patients with asthma over a 10-year period. Methods: In this retrospective population-based study, we examined NHISS claims records between July 2005 and June 2016 and investigated healthcare utilization among patients with asthma based on age group and severity of disease (non-severe asthma [NSA] and severe asthma [SA]). Results: From 2006 to 2015, the total number of patients with asthma in Korea steadily increased from 743 968 to 2 286 309, with a corresponding increase in prevalence from 1.62% to 4.74%. The proportion of patients with SA decreased from 3.16% in 2006 to 1.56% in 2015; the proportion was consistently higher in men than in women. In addition, patients with SA had a higher cost per outpatient visit than patients with NSA, and the number of outpatient visits per year increased. The inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) prescription rate among patients with asthma decreased from 22.9% in 2006 to 15.7% in 2015. Furthermore, for a period of 10 years, more than 40% of patients with SA have been prescribed short-acting β-2 agonists (SABAs). Conclusions: Although patients with SA comprised a small proportion of patients with asthma, they incurred greater medical costs per person. The pharmaceutical prescription pattern indicated a lack of ICS-based prescriptions and frequent SABA prescriptions.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent global health threats. The need for the qualitative evaluation of antibiotic use at the national level is increasing. To identify areas for improvement, we aimed to assess the prevalence and appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions during hospitalization and ambulatory care in Korea. Methods: The prevalence and appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions on 29 August 2018 were assessed for 20 hospitals in Korea. Infectious disease specialists determined appropriateness. Except for antiviral and anti-tuberculosis agents, all antibacterial or antifungal agent prescriptions during hospitalization or ambulatory care were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of antibiotic prescription was 14.1% (8,400/59 216 patients) on the study date. Antibiotics were prescribed for 50.8% of inpatients (6557/12 902), with two or more antibiotics prescribed for 27.4% (1798/6557) of patients. A total of 10 948 prescriptions (7999 therapeutic, 2105 surgical prophylaxes, and 844 medical prophylaxes) were included in the final analysis, and 27.7% of these were inappropriate. Surgical prophylaxis was inadequately prescribed most frequently (54.4%), followed by medical prophylaxis (29.5%) and therapeutic antibiotics (20.5%). The most common indications for therapeutic antibiotics were respiratory (29.1%, n=2332), gastrointestinal (22.4%, n=1791), and urinary tract infections (13.1%, n=1050). The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were cephalosporins (52.0%, n=5490), followed by beta lactam/beta lactamase inhibitors (13.7%, n=1373), fluoroquinolones (9.1%, n=957), and metronidazole (6.6%, n=699). Conclusion: This was the first nationwide qualitative antibiotic prescription adequacy evaluation in Korea. A significant proportion of antibiotic prescriptions were inappropriate. Therefore, interventions for high-frequency infections and prescription antibiotics are needed.

Traditionally, Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng has long been used in Korea and China to treat various diseases. The main active components of Panax ginseng is ginsenoside, which is known to have various pharmacological treatment effects such as antioxidant, vascular easing, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anticancer. Most reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause chronic diseases such as myocardial symptoms and cause fatal oxidative damage to cell membrane lipids and proteins. Therefore, many studies that inhibit the production of oxidative stress have been conducted in various fields of physiology, pathophysiology, medicine and health, and disease. Recently, ginseng or ginsenosides have been known to act as antioxidants in vitro and in vivo results, which have a beneficial effect on preventing cardiovascular disease. The current review aims to provide mechanisms and inform precious information on the effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on the prevention of oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease in animals and clinical trials.

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herb that has several beneficial properties including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy regulatory effects. However, the mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. In this report, the underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting effects were investigated in aged mice treated with KRG-water extract (WE) over a long period. Methods: The mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting activities of KRG-WE were evaluated in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of aged mice using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis. Results: KRG-WE significantly suppressed the mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-6 in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of the aged mice. Furthermore, KRG-WE downregulated the expression of transcription factors and their protein levels associated with inflammation in lung and kidney of aged mice. KRG-WE also increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and their protein levels in colon, liver, and stomach. Conclusion: The results suggest that KRG can suppress inflammatory responses and recover autophagy activity in aged mice.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study aimed to identify the status of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) in small to medium-sized Korean hospitals as well as the awareness and demands about ASPs of physicians. Methods: A questionnaire was designed based on a questionnaire from a previous nationwide survey in 2018 targeting large hospitals in Korea and modified to reflect the results of in-depth interviews with non-infectious diseases (IDs) physicians at secondary care hospitals. The survey targeted all hospitals with ≥150 beds in South Korea and was performed in May–June 2020. Only one ASP-associated physician per hospital participated in the survey. Results: The survey response rate was 31.9% (217/680). ID specialists comprised the majority of medical personnel participating in ASPs in tertiary care hospitals. Conversely, in secondary and primary care hospitals there was no predominant medical personnel for ASPs and the median full-time equivalent was 0 for all types of medical personnel. Tertiary care hospitals, more than secondary and primary care hospitals, tended to perform ASP activities more actively. ‘Workforce for ASPs’, ‘Establishment of healthcare fees for ASPs’ and ‘Development of tools for ASPs’ were the most important required support for ASP improvement. Conclusion: The level of ASP establishment was more limited in primary care hospitals than in secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Korea. To improve ASPs in Korean hospitals, a supporting workforce and the establishment of a healthcare fee for ASPs appear to be necessary.

Background: Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results: Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion: This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.

A wide range of studies have steadily pointed out the relation of oxidative stress to the primary and secondary causes of human disease and aging. As such, there have been multiple misconceptions about oxidative stress. Most of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from chronic diseases cause oxidative damage to cell membrane lipids and proteins. ROS production is increased by abnormal stimulation inside and outside in the body, and even though ROS are generated in cells in response to abnormal metabolic processes such as disease, it does not mean that they directly contribute to the pathogenesis of a disease. Therefore, the focus of treatment should not be on ROS production itself but on the prevention and treatment of diseases linked to ROS production, including types 1 and 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In this regard, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally utilized to help prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes, cancer, inflammation, nervous system diseases, cardiovascular disease, and hyperlipidemia. Therefore, this review was intended to summarize in vivo animal and human clinical studies on the antioxidant activities of KRG and its components, ginsenosides.

Traditional medicinal practices have used natural products such as adaptogens to treat inflammatory, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, bacterial, and viral diseases since the early days of civilization. Panax ginseng Myer is a common herb used in East Asian countries for millennia, especially in Korea, China, and Japan. Numerous studies indicate that ginseng can modulate the immune system and thereby prevent diseases. Although the human immune system comprises many different types of cells, multiple studies suggest that each type of immune cell can be controlled or stimulated by ginseng or its derivatives. Provisional lists of ginseng's potential for use against viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms suggest it may prove to be a valuable pharmaceutical resource, particularly if higher-quality evidence can be found. Here, we reviewed the role of ginseng as an immune-modulating agent in attempt to provide a valuable starting point for future studies on the herb and the human immune system.

Cardiovascular diseases are a rapidly growing epidemic with high morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need to develop nutraceutical-based therapy with minimum side effects to reduce cardiovascular risk. Panax ginseng occupies a prominent status in herbal medicine for its various therapeutic effects against inflammation, allergy, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer, with positive, beneficial, and restorative effects. The active components found in most P. ginseng varieties are known to include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids, polyacetylene, and phenolic compounds, which are considered to be the main pharmacologically active constituents in ginseng. P. ginseng is an adaptogen. That is, it supports living organisms to maintain optimal homeostasis by exerting effects that counteract physiological changes caused by physical, chemical, or biological stressors. P. ginseng possesses immunomodulatory (including both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive), neuromodulatory, and cardioprotective effects; suppresses anxiety; and balances vascular tone. P. ginseng has an antihypertensive effect that has been explained by its vasorelaxant action, and paradoxically, it is also known to increase blood pressure by vasoconstriction and help maintain cardiovascular health. Here, we discuss the potential adaptogenic effects of P. ginseng on the cardiovascular system and outline a future research perspective in this area.

Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant, has been used as a blood-nourishing tonic for thousands of years in Asia, including Korea and China. P. ginseng exhibits adaptogen activity that maintains homeostasis by restoring general biological functions and non-specifically enhancing the body's resistance to external stress. Several P. ginseng effects have been reported. Korean Red Ginseng, in particular, has been reported in both basic and clinical studies to possess diverse effects such as enhanced immunity, fatigue relief, memory, blood circulation, and anti-oxidation. Moreover, it also protects against menopausal symptoms, cancer, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders. The active components found in most Korean Red Ginseng varieties are known to include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids, polyacetylene, and phenolic compounds. In this review, the identity and bioactivity of the non-saponin components of Korean Red Ginseng discovered to date are evaluated and the components are classified into polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds (protein, peptide, amino acid, nucleic acid, and alkaloid), as well as fat-soluble components such as polyacetylene, phenols, essential oils, and phytosterols. The distinct bioactivity of Korean Red Ginseng was found to originate from both saponin and non-saponin components rather than from only one or two specific components. Therefore, it is important to consider saponin and non-saponin elements together.

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been widely used as an herbal medicine to normalize and strengthen body functions. Although many researchers have focused on the biological effects of KRG, more studies on the action mechanism of red ginseng are still needed. Previously, we investigated the proteomic changes of the rat spleen while searching for molecular signatures and the action mechanism of KRG. The proteomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were involved in the increased immune response and phagocytosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of KRG, especially the immune-enhancing response of KRG. Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups: 0 (control group), 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg administration of KRG powder for 6 weeks, respectively. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation was performed with Q-Exactive LC-MS/MS to compare associated proteins between the groups. The putative DEPs were identified by a current UniProt rat protein database search and by the Gene Ontology annotations. Results: The DEPs appear to increase the innate and acquired immunity as well as immune cell movement. These results suggest that KRG can stimulate immune responses. This analysis refined our targets of interest to include the potential functions of KRG. Furthermore, we validated the potential molecular targets of the functions, representatively LCN2, CRAMP, and HLA-DQB1, by Western blotting. Conclusion: These results may provide molecular signature candidates to elucidate the mechanisms of the immune response by KRG. Here, we demonstrate a strategy of tissue proteomics for the discovery of the molecular function of KRG. Keywords: Immune response, Korean Red Ginseng, LC-MS/MS, Molecular signature, Proteomics

Postmenopausal obesity is becoming a serious global health concern. Soyasaponin Ab (SA) inhibits adipocyte differentiation; however, the preventive and therapeutic potential of SA in postmenopausal obesity has not been clearly established. Here, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of SA in postmenopausal obesity in vitro and in vivo. SA inhibited adipocytic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and reduced lipid accumulation and lipid droplet formation. Moreover, SA significantly decreased weight gain, adipocyte area, serum metabolic profiles in OVX mice. SA also inhibited the lipid metabolism-related factors but increased the thermoregulatory factors in both in vitro and in vivo. SA treatment further increased energy expenditure through beige fat activation. Overall, we found that SA effectively accelerated energy consumption by stimulating beige fat activation, even under estrogen-deficient conditions. Thus, SA treatment may be a promising strategy for the prevention of postmenopausal obesity by promoting weight loss, reducing fat accumulation, and improving obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Ginseng has been traditionally used for several millennia in Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan, not only as a nourishing and tonifying agent but also as a therapeutic agent for a variety of diseases. In recent years, the various effects of red ginseng including immunity improvement, fatigue relief, memory improvement, blood circulation improvement, antioxidation, mitigation of menopausal women's symptoms, and anticancer an effect have been reported in clinical as well as basic research. Around the world, there is a trend of the rising consumption of health functional foods on the level of disease prevention along with increased interest in maintaining health because of population aging and the awareness of lifestyle diseases and chronic diseases. Red ginseng occupies an important position as a health functional food. But till now, international ginseng monographs including those of the World Health Organization have been based on data on white ginseng and have mentioned red ginseng only partly. Therefore, the red ginseng monograph is needed for component of red ginseng, functionality certified as a health functional food in the Korea Food and Drug Administration, major efficacy, action mechanism, and safety. The present red ginseng monograph will contribute to providing accurate information on red ginseng to agencies, businesses, and consumers both in South Korea and abroad. Keywords: Health functional foods, Red ginseng, Red ginseng monograph

Objectives: Nowadays, adolescents spend a lot of their time on smartphones. They find it difficult to go about their daily lives without using their smartphones. Losing a mobile phone or Wi-Fi connection can be distressing to anyone. This study examined the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction among Filipino adolescents and their association with adolescent lifestyle profiles (ALPs). Furthermore, gender and grade (i.e., junior vs. senior high school students) differences in nomophobia, smartphone addiction, and ALPs as well as their differences in four nomophobia groups and among participants with and without smartphone addiction are determined. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Pearson’s correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, independent samples t -test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Using an online survey (i.e., created using Google Forms), data were collected from 1,447 (boys: n = 580, girls: n = 867) junior and senior high school students in the Philippines during the academic year 2018–2019. The Nomophobia Questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and Adolescent Lifestyle Profile-Revised 2 were used to measure nomophobia, smartphone addiction, and lifestyle profiles, respectively. Results: Only 0.5% ( n = 7) of the participants ( N = 1,447) did not have nomophobia. In contrast, 12.4% ( n = 180), 63.2% ( n = 915), and 23.8% ( n = 345) of them had mild, moderate, and severe nomophobia, respectively. Moreover, 62.6% (n = 906) of the participants had smartphone addiction. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that nomophobia and smartphone addiction were positively intercorrelated (r = .615; p < .01). Nomophobia was significantly related to overall ALPs ( r = .060; p< .05) and some of its subdomains, namely, positive life perspective, interpersonal relationship, and spiritual health. It was not correlated with health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management. Smartphone addiction was not significantly related to overall ALPs ( r = -.020; p > .05). However, positive life perspective and interpersonal relationship were significantly and negatively related to smartphone addiction. Both nomophobia and smartphone addiction were significant predictors of ALPs. Furthermore, there were significant gender differences in nomophobia and ALPs but not in smartphone addiction. Moreover, there was no significant grade difference in nomophobia, smartphone addiction, and overall ALPs. There was a significant difference in smartphone addiction and overall ALPs between the four nomophobia groups. Finally, those with and without smartphone addiction differed significantly in overall nomophobia, but not in overall ALPs. Conclusions: The role of nomophobia and smartphone addiction in ALPs were evident within the following subdomains: positive life perspective, health responsibility, physical activity, interpersonal relationship, nutrition, stress management, and spiritual health. Therefore, rules governing smartphone use should be enforced at home and in schools. Further, preventive measures should be implemented to avoid the exacerbation of nomophobia and smartphone addiction and promote a healthy lifestyle among adolescents.

Naked mole rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are long-lived, cancer-resistant rodents. Here, we report the development of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line generated from immortalized NMR embryonic fibroblasts transduced with a doxycycline-inducible mouse OSKM polycistronic vector. This iPSC line was shown to express pluripotency-associated markers, form embryoid bodies, differentiate in vitro to the derivatives of three germ layers, and exhibit normal karyotype. The ability of iPSCs to differentiate in vivo was supported by the contribution to interspecific chimera upon injection into mouse blastocysts. This NMR iPSC line may be a useful tool in cancer and aging research.

This data provides the respiratory sensor performance prepared with the MWCNT coated textile fabricated by vacuum-filtration. Readers are requested to go through the article entitled “High durability conductive textile using MWCNT for motion sensing” (Ko et al., 2018) [1] for further interpretation and discussion.

Summary: Selenof (15-kDa selenoprotein; Sep15) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident thioredoxin-like oxidoreductase that occurs in a complex with UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase. We found that Selenof deficiency in mice leads to elevated levels of non-functional circulating plasma immunoglobulins and increased secretion of IgM during in vitro splenic B cell differentiation. However, Selenof knockout animals show neither enhanced bacterial killing capacity nor antigen-induced systemic IgM activity, suggesting that excess immunoglobulins are not functional. In addition, ER-to-Golgi transport of a target glycoprotein was delayed in Selenof knockout embryonic fibroblasts, and proteomic analyses revealed that Selenof deficiency is primarily associated with antigen presentation and ER-to-Golgi transport. Together, the data suggest that Selenof functions as a gatekeeper of immunoglobulins and, likely, other client proteins that exit the ER, thereby supporting redox quality control of these proteins. : Yim et al. report that Selenof (15-kDa selenoprotein; Sep15) functions as a gatekeeper of immunoglobulins and, likely, other client proteins en route from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, thereby preventing secretion of dysfunctional proteins and supporting redox quality control. Keywords: Selenof, selenoprotein, oxidoreductase, immunoglobulins, IgM, knockout mouse, endoplasmic reticulum, Sep15, gatekeeper

Summary: Naked mole rats (NMRs) are exceptionally long-lived, cancer-resistant rodents. Identifying the defining characteristics of these traits may shed light on aging and cancer mechanisms. Here, we report the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from NMR fibroblasts and their contribution to mouse-NMR chimeric embryos. Efficient reprogramming could be observed under N2B27+2i conditions. The iPSCs displayed a characteristic morphology, expressed pluripotent markers, formed embryoid bodies, and showed typical differentiation patterns. Interestingly, NMR embryonic fibroblasts and the derived iPSCs had propensity for a tetraploid karyotype and were resistant to forming teratomas, but within mouse blastocysts they contributed to both interspecific placenta and fetus. Gene expression patterns of NMR iPSCs were more similar to those of human than mouse iPSCs. Overall, we uncovered unique features of NMR iPSCs and report a mouse-NMR chimeric model. The iPSCs and associated cell culture systems can be used for a variety of biological and biomedical applications. : In this article, Gladyshev and colleagues demonstrate that naked mole rat (NMR) embryonic and adult fibroblasts can be efficiently reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). NMR iPSCs showed unique features, were resistant to teratoma formation, and contributed to interspecific chimeric embryos. Keywords: naked mole rat, induced pluripotent stem cells, aging, lifespan, interspecific chimera, reprogramming

The Fukushima accident reveals the vulnerability of existing active nuclear power plant (NPP) design against prolonged loss of external electricity events. The passive safety system is considered an attractive alternative to cope with this kind of disaster. Also, the passive safety system enhances both the safety and the economics of NPPs. The adoption of a passive safety system reduces the number of active components and can minimize the construction cost of NPPs. In this paper, reflecting on the experience during the development of the APR+ design in Korea, we propose the concept of an innovative Power Reactor (iPower), which is a kind of passive NPP, to enhance safety in a revolutionary manner. The ultimate goal of iPower is to confirm the feasibility of practically eliminating radioactive material release to the environment in all accident conditions. The representative safety grade passive system includes a passive emergency core cooling system, a passive containment cooling system, and a passive auxiliary feedwater system. Preliminary analysis results show that these concepts are feasible with respect to preventing and/or mitigating the consequences of design base accidents and severe accidents.

Summary: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element because of its presence in selenoproteins in the form of selenocysteine residue. Both Se deficiency, which compromises selenoprotein functions, and excess Se, which is toxic, have been associated with altered redox homeostasis and adverse health conditions. Surprisingly, we found that, although Se deficiency led to a drastic decline in selenoprotein expression, mice subjected to this dietary regimen for their entire life had normal lifespans. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved, we performed systemic analyses at the level of metabolome, transcriptome, and microRNA profiling. These analyses revealed that Se deficiency reduced amino acid levels, elevated mononucleotides, altered metabolism, and activated signaling pathways linked to longevity-related nutrient sensing. The data show that the metabolic control associated with nutrient sensing coordinately responds to suppressed selenoprotein functions, resulting in normal lifespan under Se deficiency. : Yim et al. report that selenium deficiency in mice is associated with pro-longevity mechanisms because of reduced amino acid levels and altered nutrient signaling. Keywords: selenium, lifespan, selenoproteins, metabolite profiling, transcriptome, metabolic pathway, miRNA, aging, gene expression, nutrition

Background: Periostin is induced by IL-13 and has been studied as a biomarker of asthma. The present study explored the relationship between serum levels of periostin and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in asthmatic children. Methods: The study population consisted of 86 children 6–15 years old divided into an asthmatic group (n = 56) and healthy controls (n = 30). We measured the levels of periostin in serum and performed pulmonary function tests including baseline measurements, post-bronchodilator inhalation tests, exercise bronchial provocation tests (BPTs), and mannitol BPTs. Results: The 56 asthmatic children were divided into four groups: asthmatics with positive exercise BPT and positive mannitol BPT (n = 30), asthmatics with positive exercise BPT but negative mannitol BPT (n = 7), asthmatics with negative exercise BPT but positive mannitol BPT (n = 10), and asthmatics with negative exercise BPT and negative mannitol BPT (n = 9). Serum levels of periostin in asthmatic children with both positive exercise and mannitol BPT were significantly greater than those in asthmatic children with both negative exercise and mannitol BPT (95.0 [75.0–104.0] vs. 79.0 [68.0–82.5] ng/mL, P = 0.008) and controls (74.0 [69.75–80.0] ng/mL, P

Background: The novel threadlike structure is called the primo structure, and studies are conducted through many different approaches. Although various ways of differentiation are currently used, a standard for differentiation is deemed necessary in order to identify the primo structure based on the overall form of the structure. This study aims to explore the differentiation standard through the histological common point of the threadlike structure of rat and swine by using the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining method commonly used for histological research in various structures. Methods: An 8-week old Sprague-Dawley rat and a Yorkshire pig weighing 30–40 kg were used. A total of 65 pieces of rat threadlike structure and 100 pieces of swine threadlike structure were collected after the abdomen was cut and opened. The following three different characteristics were confirmed using the H&E staining method for the collected structures: (1) bright cell availability; (2) cavity availability; and (3) nuclei density. Results: For the rat threadlike structure, the bright cell (70.5%) and nuclei density (92.6%) were mainly observed; in the swine threadlike structure, however, the bright cell (60.6%) and cavity (67.2%) were mainly observed. The bright cell was confirmed to have been observed in the threadlike structures of both rat and swine. Conclusion: The bright cell is determined to be the common point in the primo structure. However, further research is deemed necessary in the future as to the functions performed by the characteristic shown by the Primo structure.

Increased serum CA 19-9 levels in patients with nonmalignant diseases have been investigated in previous reports. This study evaluates the clinical significance of serum CA 19-9 elevation in pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease and pulmonary tuberculosis. The median CA 19-9 level was higher in patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease than in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease: 13.80, tuberculosis: 5.85, p

The optical, morphological and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of transition metal oxide semiconductors are important to understand their influence on water oxidation performance. Herein, we provide experimental evidences for a better understanding of the factors that dictate the interactions of Sn-diffusion doping on the PEC properties of Fe2O3 photoanodes fabricated at high temperature by one- and two-step annealing methods. The synthesis, characterization methods and other experimental details are provided. Limited previous information on the PEC and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies has been published. This data article contains Supplementary data, figures and methods related to the research article by Shinde et al. (2015) [1]. Here, we provide a further set of the obtained experimental data results.

The mechanism of lipotropic action provided by betaine in early diet-induced liver steatosis was investigated. Male rats received a high-fat liquid diet (HF) for 3 wk. HF intake resulted in a significant accumulation of triacyglycerol and cholesterol in the liver. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was decreased, while protein expression of liver-X-receptor α (LXRα) and nuclear sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (nSREBP-1c) was enhanced. Betaine supplement at 1% in HF inhibited hepatic triacyglycerol accumulation, but elevated serum cholesterol and triacyglycerol levels. Phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC was normalized, and induction of LXRα and nSREBP-1c was prevented. HF intake down-regulated betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase and increased homocysteine levels, both of which were blocked by betaine. Betaine supplementation elevated hepatic apolipoprotein B and serum phosphatidylcholine levels. The results suggest that both inhibition of lipid synthesis and enhancement of its secretion are involved in the anti-steatotic activity of betaine.

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and test a hypothetical model to predict health outcomes in young people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Data were collected from 190 adults aged 23–45 with type 2 diabetes mellitus who visited the endocrinology outpatient department of the two university hospitals in South Korea from November 2, 2012 to March 7, 2013. Data collection used the structured questionnaires and patient medical records. The descriptive and correlation statistics were analyzed using PASW 18.0 and structural equation modeling procedure was performed using the AMOS 18.0 program. Results: The fit of the hypothetical model was appropriate with the ratio of the chi-square statistic to degrees of freedom at 17.00, goodness-of-fit index at .975, adjusted goodness-of-fit index at .930, root mean square error of approximation at .061, normed fit index at .926, Turker-Lewis index at .929, comparative fit index at .966. Behavioral skills were a critical factor that directly affects self-management behaviors. Through behavioral skills, motivation had a statistically significant indirect effect on self-management behavior. Self-management behavior had a statistically significant direct effect on health outcome. Through self-management behavior, behavioral skills had a statistically significant indirect effect on health outcome. These variables explained 17.9% of the total variance for the health outcome in young people with type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: The results suggest that self-management behavior could be improved through nursing interventions promoting personal motivation (positive attitude), social motivation (social support), and behavioral skills (self efficacy), which can result in better health outcomes for young people with type 2 diabetes.

Subterranean mammals spend their lives in dark, unventilated environments that are rich in carbon dioxide and ammonia and low in oxygen. Many of these animals are also long-lived and exhibit reduced aging-associated diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. We sequenced the genome of the Damaraland mole rat (DMR, Fukomys damarensis) and improved the genome assembly of the naked mole rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber). Comparative genome analyses, along with the transcriptomes of related subterranean rodents, revealed candidate molecular adaptations for subterranean life and longevity, including a divergent insulin peptide, expression of oxygen-carrying globins in the brain, prevention of high CO2-induced pain perception, and enhanced ammonia detoxification. Juxtaposition of the genomes of DMR and other more conventional animals with the genome of NMR revealed several truly exceptional NMR features: unusual thermogenesis, an aberrant melatonin system, pain insensitivity, and unique processing of 28S rRNA. Together, these genomes and transcriptomes extend our understanding of subterranean adaptations, stress resistance, and longevity.

A case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis mimicking travelers’ diarrhea following short-term travel is reported. The patient was a Croatian man visiting Korea for work. He presented with fever and severe bloody diarrhea. He was diagnosed with a primary CMV infection complicated with CMV colitis and hemolytic anemia and recovered with antiviral therapy and concomitant steroid therapy.

Background: The primo vascular system has been suggested as the third circulatory system. Although primo tissues have been observed in various tissues isolated from a number of animal species, including mice, rats, and rabbits, very few reports on the histological characteristics of primo tissues from different body parts are available. This study was designed to compare the histological characteristics of primo tissues isolated from different body parts of rats. Methods: Rats were anesthetized and operated on, to locate primo tissues. The primo tissues were searched at the all organs’ surface and in lymphatic vessels using suitable finding methods. The tissues found were then separated and observed by histological test methods. Results: This histological study revealed that there was no difference between the histological characteristics of the organ-surface primo tissues, the primo tissues inside lymphatic vessels, and the primo tissues on the falciform ligament. Moreover, primo tissues could be differentiated from those with a similar structure, such as lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, by immunostaining against a-LYVE-1 and a-CD31, and can be observed by specific immunostaining against the Von Willebrand factor (vWF). Conclusion: The results of this study support the fact that primo tissues could possibly constitute a third circulatory system in the whole-body network.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) regulates many genes that are preferentially expressed in liver. Mice lacking hepatic expression of HNF4α (HNF4αΔL) exhibited markedly increased levels of serum bile acids (BAs) compared with HNF4α-floxed (HNF4αF/F) mice. The expression of genes involved in the hydroxylation and side chain β-oxidation of cholesterol, including oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase, sterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and sterol carrier protein x, was markedly decreased in HNF4αΔL mice. Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA and protein were diminished only during the dark cycle in HNF4αΔL mice, whereas expression in the light cycle was not different between HNF4αΔL and HNF4αF/F mice. Because CYP8B1 expression was reduced in HNF4αΔL mice, it was studied in more detail. In agreement with the mRNA levels, CYP8B1 enzyme activity was absent in HNF4αΔL mice. An HNF4α binding site was found in the mouse Cyp8b1 promoter that was able to direct HNF4α-dependent transcription. Surprisingly, cholic acid-derived BAs, produced as a result of CYP8B1 activity, were still observed in the serum and gallbladder of these mice. These studies reveal that HNF4α plays a central role in BA homeostasis by regulation of genes involved in BA biosynthesis, including hydroxylation and side chain β-oxidation of cholesterol in vivo.

Metabolites identification is crucial to develop functional foods or perform quality control. Prunella vulgaris (Xia-Ku-Cao) is a medicinal and edible plant used as the herbal medicine or main additive in functional beverage. However, current analytical strategies can only on-line characterize tens of compounds, restricted by insufficient chromatographic resolution and low coverage of the mass spectrometric scan methods. This work was designed to characterize the wide-polarity components from the ear of P. vulgaris. The total extract was fractionated by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography into the retained medium-polarity fraction and unretained polar fraction, which were further analyzed by offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography, respectively. Data-independent high-definition MS E of the Vion™ ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometer was utilized enabling the high-coverage acquisition of collision-induced dissociation-MS 2 data. The offline 2D-LC, configuring the XBridge Amide and HSS T3 columns, gave high orthogonality (0.81) and effective peak capacity (1555). Automatic peak annotation facilitated by the UNIFI™ bioinformatics platform and comparison with 62 reference compounds achieved the efficient and more reliable structural elucidation. We could characterize 255 compounds from P. vulgaris, with numerous phenylpropanoid phenolic acids and triterpenoid O-glycosides newly reported. Especially, collision cross section (CCS) prediction and targeted isolation of three compounds assisted in the identification of 39 groups of isomers. Additionally, 17 hydrophilic compounds, involving oligosaccharides and organic acids, were characterized from the unretained polar fraction. Conclusively, the in-depth metabolites identification of P. vulgaris was accomplished, and the results can benefit the development and better quality control of this valuable plant., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Many inflammatory disorders, including diabetic kidney disease (DKD), are associated with pyroptosis, a type of inflammation-regulated cell death. The purpose of this work was to ascertain the effects of apabetalone, which targets BRD4, a specific inhibitor of the bromodomain (BRD) and extra-terminal (BET) proteins that target bromodomain 2, on kidney injury in DKD. This study utilized pharmacological and genetic approaches to investigate the effects of apabetalone on pyroptosis in db/db mice and human tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). BRD4 levels were elevated in HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and in db/db mice. Modulating BRD4 levels led to changes in the generation of inflammatory cytokines and cell pyroptosis linked to NLRP3 inflammasome in HK-2 cells and db/db mice. Likewise, these cellular processes were mitigated by apabetalone through inhibition BRD4. Apabetalone or BRD4 siRNA suppressed PLK1 expression in HK-2 cells under high glucose by P300-dependent H3K27 acetylation on the PLK1 gene promoter, as demonstrated through chromatin immunoprecipitation and immunoprecipitation assays. To summarize, apabetalone relieves renal proptosis and fibrosis in DKD. BRD4 regulates the P300/H3K27ac/PLK1 axis, leading to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent cell pyroptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. These results may provide new perspectives on DKD treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Microbial communities assemble stochastically and deterministically, but how different assembly processes shape diatom community structure across riverine habitats is unclear, especially in sediment-laden environments. In this study, we deciphered the mechanisms of riverine diatom community assembly in the water column and riverbed substrate with varying sediment concentrations. Water and sediment samples were collected from 44 sampling sites along the Yellow River mainstream during two seasons. Diatom communities were characterized based on high-throughput sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA genes coupled with multivariate statistical analyses. A total of 198 diatom species were taxonomically assigned, including 182 free-living and particle-attached species and 184 surface-sediment species. Planktonic communities were structurally different from benthic communities, with Cyclotella being dominant mainly in the middle and lower reaches of the river with higher sediment concentrations. Both stochastic and deterministic processes affected diatom community assembly in different habitats. Species dispersal was more important in the water than in the substrate, and this process was strengthened by increased sediment concentration across habitats. Diatom communities exhibited lower network complexity and enhanced antagonistic or competitive interactions between species in response to higher sediment concentrations compared with lower sediment concentrations mainly in the source region of the river. Differences in the species composition and community diversity of planktonic diatoms were closely correlated with the proportion of bare land area, nitrogen nutrients, precipitation, and sediment concentration. In particular, particle-attached diatoms responded sensitively to environmental factors. These findings provide strong evidence for sediment-mediated assembly and interactions of riverine diatom communities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The environmental impact of the discharge of lithium (Li) by anthropogenic activity has been overlooked. By analyzing Li concentrations and isotope compositions (δ 7 Li) of water and sediment samples, this study evaluates the influence of anthropogenic Li discharge on the Xiaoqing River and Laizhou Bay, which are heavily polluted areas in China. High Li concentrations of the river water (up to 7.8 μmol/L) should be linked to anthropogenic Li discharge. However, no profound δ 7 Li anomalies were observed, preventing identification of the exact discharge sources. In the river sediments, Li concentrations (19.0-45.0 μg/g) were weakly correlated with Zn, Cu, and Cr concentrations, whereas δ 7 Li values ranged from 0.6 ‰ to 13.9 ‰ with high values being accompanied by high contents of total organic carbon and heavy Cr isotope compositions (δ 53 Cr). All these point to significant influence of anthropogenic activity on the Li budget of river sediments. A simple mass balance calculation indicates that smelters, Li-bearing therapeutic drugs, and secondary Li-ion batteries are the main anthropogenic Li sources. In contrast to river sediments, marine sediments in the Laizhou Bay were broadly homogeneous at both spatial and temporal scales, indicating no significant influence of anthropogenic Li discharge. Overall, our data indicate that Li isotope systematics in river sediments, especially sediments near intense anthropogenic activity, are effective at tracing potential Li pollution and can help obtain accurate results for environmental inspection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The high level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) expression is closely related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, a dual signal ratiometric electrochemical immunosensor based on chitosan-ferrocenecarboxaldehyde-spindle gold (Chit-Fc-SAu) and Co/Fe metal-organic framework-toluidine blue/polydopamine (Co/Fe MOF-TB/PDA) was proposed for quantitative analysis of AFP. Specifically, Chit-Fc-SAu worked as a substrate to trap more primary antibodies (Ab 1 ) generating the first electrochemical signal from Fc. Thanks to the large specific surface area, the synergistic and electronic effects of Co/Fe MOF nanosheets, and the rich functional groups of PDA, Co/Fe MOF-TB/PDA could load more secondary antibodies (Ab 2 ) and signal molecules (TB) providing another amplified electrochemical signal. In the presence of AFP, Ab 1 -AFP-Ab 2 formed a sandwich structure, and as the AFP concentration increased, the peak current ratio of TB to Fc (I TB /I Fc ) also increased. The dual signal ratiometric strategy can avoid environmental signal interference and achieve signal self-calibration, thereby improving the accuracy and reproducibility of detection. After a series of exploration, this self-calibrated ratiometric immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range (0.001-200 ng mL -1 ), a low detection limit (0.34 pg mL -1 ), and good repeatability. When applied to the assay of clinical serum samples, the detection results of ratiometric sensor were consistent with that of commercial electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay, significantly superior to that of non-ratiometric sensor. The self-calibrated strategy based on ratiometric sensor helps to improve the accuracy of AFP in clinical diagnosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)