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Background/Objectives: Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is a very small particulate matter originating from cities, factories, and the use of fossil fuels in diesel vehicles. When DPM permeates the skin, it causes inflammation, leading to severe atopic dermatitis. Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Kenaf) seeds and leaves possess various beneficial properties, including anti-coagulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of Hibiscus cannabinus L. flower (HCFE) in HaCaT cells stimulated with 100 μg/mL of DPM. Methods: The anthocyanin content of HCFE was analyzed, and its antioxidant capacity was investigated using the DPPH assay. After inducing inflammation with 100 ug/mL of DPM, the cytotoxicity of HCFE 25, 50, and 100 ug/mL was measured, and the inhibitory effect of HCFE on inflammatory mediators was evaluated. Results: Anthocyanin and myricetin-3-O-glucoside were present in HCFE and showed high antioxidant capacity. In addition, HCFE decreased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and MCP-1, and significantly reduced the gene expression of CXCL10, CCL5, CCL17, and CCL22, which are known to increase in atopic dermatitis lesions. Furthermore, HCFE reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and down-regulated the activation of NF-κB, MAPKs. Inhibition of the NLRP-3 inflammasome was observed in DPM-stimulated HaCaT cells. In addition, the restoration of filaggrin and involucrin, skin barrier proteins destroyed by DPM exposure, was confirmed. Conclusions: These data suggest that HCFE could be used to prevent and improve skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis through the regulation of inflammatory mediators and the inhibition of skin water loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We assessed the changes in optical properties and biocompatibility of transition zones in multilayered translucent monolithic zirconia exposed to prolonged hydrothermal aging and compared the results to those with different yttrium oxide contents. Materials and Methods: Four types of zirconia blocks from IPS e.max ZirCAD were used: 3Y-TZP e.max ZirCAD LT (ZL), 4Y-TZP e.max ZirCAD MT (ZM), 5Y-TZP e.max ZirCAD MT Multi (ZT), and 3Y/5Y-TZP e.max ZirCAD Prime (ZP). A total of 120 specimens (15.0 mm diameter and 1.5 mm height) were fabricated and divided into three groups (n = 10). The aging process for the specimens was conducted in an autoclave set to 134 °C and 0.2 MPa, with durations of 0 h (control), 5 h (first aged), and 10 h (second aged). The optical properties and biocompatibility were analyzed, followed by a statistical analysis of the data (α = 0.05). Results: Before and after aging, ZL and ZP exhibited the lowest color changes. ZT exhibited the highest average transmittance and translucency parameter values, while ZL had the lowest. The water contact angle test showed the highest value in ZM and lowest in ZL across all the aging stages. ZL, ZM, and ZP showed a considerable decrease in the water contact angle; however, ZT did not. A cell counting kit-8 assay showed ZL had the highest value, while ZM had the lowest. A filamentous actin test exhibited the highest value in ZL and lowest in ZM. In the vinculin analysis, ZL and ZT exhibited the lowest values, whereas ZM and ZP had the highest. Conclusion: 3Y/5Y-TZP exhibited a balanced performance across critical parameters, such as color stability, translucency, and biocompatibility, aligning with 3Y-TZP. While 5Y-TZP demonstrated superior translucency, it confirmed the lowest color stability, whereas 3Y-TZP achieved the highest biocompatibility. These properties provide clinicians with a reliable material option that ensures superior esthetic outcomes and long-term prognosis, ultimately contributing to improved patient satisfaction and clinical longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-frequency noise exceeding 1 kHz has emerged as a pressing public health issue in industrial and occupational settings. In response to this challenge, the present study explores the development of a graphene oxide–polyethyleneimine (GO-PEI) foam (GPF) featuring a hierarchically porous structure. The synthesis and optimization of GPF were carried out using a range of analytical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Braunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). To evaluate its acoustic properties, GPF was subjected to sound absorption tests over the 1000–6400 Hz frequency range, where it was benchmarked against conventional melamine foam. The findings demonstrated that GPF with a GO-to-PEI composition ratio of 1:3 exhibited enhanced sound absorption performance, with improvements ranging from 15.0% to 118%, and achieved a peak absorption coefficient of 0.97. Additionally, we applied the Johnson–Champoux–Allard (JCA) model to further characterize the foam's acoustic behavior, capturing key parameters such as porosity, flow resistivity, and viscous/thermal losses. The JCA model exhibited a superior fit to the experimental data compared to traditional models, providing a more accurate prediction of the foam's complex microstructure and sound absorption properties. These findings underscore GPF's promise as an efficient solution for mitigating high-frequency noise in industrial and environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the levels of major flavonoids, nutritional components, total secondary metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities in 136 mung bean accessions and statistically analyzed the effect of seed weight difference on each. Vitexin and isovitexin were detected in all the mung bean accessions, with isovitexin being in a higher concentration regardless of seed weight difference. The contents of total protein and total starch were in the ranges of 22.01–28.96 and 32.62–49.03 g/100 g, respectively. Five fatty acids were detected by GC–FID analysis in all mung bean accessions, with linoleic acid being the most dominant (37.96–50.71 g/100 g). Total saponin content (TSC), total phenol content (TPC), DPPH• scavenging activity, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) showed more than five-fold differences. Analysis of variance supported by multivariate analysis demonstrated that seed weight difference had a significant effect on total starch, all individual fatty acids except for stearic acid and oleic acid, TSC, and all antioxidant activities except for ABTS•+ scavenging activity. On the other hand, vitexin, isovitexin, total protein, total phenol, and total fatty acid contents remained unaffected by seed weight difference. Overall, this study showed the diversity of key flavonoids, nutritional components, total secondary metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities in mung bean genetic materials. Moreover, the study unveiled how seed weight affects the analyzed parameters in mung beans for the first time. These findings could maximize the use of mung beans in food industries and breeding programs as well as lead to more studies in metabolomics and genomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the diversity of major yield traits and nutritional components across 122 chickpea breeding lines, cultivars, and landraces of different origins. All parameters showed significant variations, with a variance ranging from 4.61% in days to maturity (DM) to 43.04% in oleic acid. Six accessions, including CP021, CP022, CP026, CP037, CP066, and CP109, outperformed in yield traits and nutritional value. Origin significantly affected all phenotypic traits except total fatty acid contents, with Indian and Ukrainian accessions demonstrating contrasting performances. Most traits, except for the number of seeds per pod (SPP), palmitic acid, and total fatty acid contents, differed significantly among breeding lines, cultivars, and landraces. Breeding lines were the earliest to flower and to mature with average days to flowering (DF) of 50.23 days and DM of 101.50 days. They also had the highest average SPP, number of pods per plant (PPP), total seeds per plant (TSPP), total protein, crude fiber, dietary fiber, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid contents making them preferable for high yield and nutrition. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the chickpea accessions into seven clusters, showing significant variations in yield traits and nutritional components. Principal component and Pearson's correlation analyses indicated positive correlations between DM and DF, and between SPP, PPP, and TSPP. Nutritional components also displayed varying associations, with a notable negative correlation between oleic and linoleic acids, the two essential fatty acids. Overall, this study showed the diversity of key phenotypic traits in chickpea breeding lines, cultivars, and landraces of different origins. The significant effects of genotype and origin differences on these traits could be used as a basis for future metabolomics and genomics research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sucrose is a desirable component of processed soybean foods and animal feed, and thus, its content is used as an important characteristic for assessing the quality of soybean seeds. However, few studies have focused on the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with sucrose regulation in soybean seeds. This study aims to measure the sucrose content of 1014 soybean accessions and identify genes related to high sucrose levels using QTL analysis. Colorimetric analysis based on the enzymatic reaction of invertase (INV) and glucose oxidase (GOD) was employed to test the germplasms. A total of six high-sucrose genetic resources (IT186230, IT195321, IT263138, IT263276, IT263286, and IT276521) and two low-sucrose genetic resources (IT025668 and IT274054) were identified. Two F2:3 populations, IT186230 × IT025668 and Ilmi × IT186230, were then established from these germplasms. QTL analysis identified four QTLs (qSUC6.1, qSUC11.1, qSUC15.1, and qSUC17.1), explaining 7.3–27.6% of the phenotypic variation in the sugar content. Twenty candidate genes were found at the four QTLs. Notably, Glyma.17G152300, located in the qSUC17.1 QTL region, exhibited a 17-fold higher gene expression in the high-sucrose germplasm IT186230 compared to the control germplasm Ilmi, confirming its role as a major gene regulating the sucrose content in soybean. These results may assist in marker-assisted selection for breeding programs that aim to develop soybean lines with a higher sucrose content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) is an infectious pathogen that causes fatal viral hepatitis in ducklings. Duck hepatitis A virus-1 (DHAV-1) is the most virulent and widely distributed serotype, inflicting severe damage on the global duck farming industry. The main approach to preventing DHAV-1 involves using attenuated live vaccines. However, these vaccine strains may persist in ducks and pose a risk of reverting to virulence. Therefore, distinguishing between infected and vaccinated animals is vital for clinical diagnosis and vaccine safety monitoring. Currently, only time-consuming and costly sequencing methods serve this purpose. In this study, a Mismatch Amplification Mutation Assay (MAMA)-PCR method was developed based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the VP1 gene. The MAMA-PCR method offers a highly specific and sensitive clinical tool for rapidly distinguishing DHAV-1 wild-type from vaccine strains, significantly contributing to accurate clinical diagnosis and epidemiological understanding. Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is the main pathogen causing viral hepatitis in ducks, marked by high contagion and acute mortality. Live attenuated DHAV-1 vaccines are widely used to control the disease. This study aims to develop a mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA)-PCR for the rapid detection and differentiation of Korean DHAV-1 wild-type strains from vaccine strains. A MAMA primer was designed to target a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) at position 2276 within the VP1 gene, allowing differentiation in a single PCR reaction. The MAMA-PCR accurately identified both strains, with detection limits of 100.5 ELD50/mL and 102.3 ELD50/mL, respectively. The MAMA-PCR demonstrated specificity, showing no cross-reactivity with 12 other viral and bacterial pathogens. The MAMA-PCR was applied to 89 farms, yielding results consistent with nested-PCR and sequence determination, identifying four positive farms for DHAV-1 vaccine strains. In conclusion, this study is the first to employ the MAMA-PCR method to distinguish between DHAV-1 wild-type and vaccine strains. The developed method is rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive, thereby serving as an effective tool for clinical diagnostics in identifying and differentiating between Korean DHAV-1 wild-type and vaccine strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the effects of genetic and environmental factors on plant biochemical components helps in selecting the best varieties for the food industry and breeding programs. This study analyzed the nutritional qualities, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant activities of 14 field-grown yardlong beans accessions and how they are affected by differences in pod and seed colors. The analyzed parameters varied significantly among the yardlong bean accessions, with variances ranging from 1.36% in total unsaturated fatty acid content to 51.01% in DPPH• scavenging activity. Accessions YLB4, YLB7, and YLB14 performed the best, showing antioxidant indices of 100.00, 70.10, and 67.88%, respectively. Among these, YLB14 showed a characteristic property, having the highest levels of vitamin C (2.62 mg/g) and omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (2.67). It also had the second highest dietary fiber (21.45%), stearic acid (4.44%), and linoleic acid (40.39%) contents, as well as the lowest thrombogenicity index (0.38). Although cluster and principal component analyses did not clearly separate the yardlong beans based on pod or seed color, analysis of variance revealed that these factors and their interaction had significant effects on total phenol, DPPH• scavenging activity, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and reducing power. In contrast, the nutritional parameters, except for dietary fiber, were not significantly affected by pod and seed color variations. Therefore, consuming yardlong beans of different pod and seed colors may not affect the overall nutrient intake. In general, this study identified yardlong beans with green pods and black seeds as good sources of antioxidants. Accordingly, further metabolomics and genomics studies are suggested to thoroughly explore their characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the bit density in 3D NAND flash memory involves reducing the pitch of ON (Oxide-Nitride) molds in the Z-direction. However, this reduction drastically increases Z-interference, adversely affecting cell distribution and accelerating degradation of reliability limits. Previous studies have shown that programming from the top word line (WL) to the bottom WL, instead of the traditional bottom-to-top approach, alleviates Z-interference. Nevertheless, detailed analysis of how Z-interference varies at each WL depending on the programming sequence remains insufficient. This paper investigates the causes of Z-interference variations at Top, Middle, and Bottom WLs through TCAD analysis. It was found that as more electrons are programmed into WLs within the string, Z-interference variations increase due to increased resistance in the poly-Si channel. These variations are exacerbated by tapered vertical channel profiles resulting from high aspect ratio etching. To address these issues, a method is proposed to adjust bitline biases during verification operations of each WL. This method has been validated to enhance the performance and reliability of 3D NAND flash memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores the detection of gene fusions in acute leukemia using targeted RNA sequencing and compares its effectiveness with traditional methods like karyotyping and RT-PCR. Gene fusions, which result from chromosomal rearrangements, are crucial for diagnosing and treating leukemia. Recent updates in diagnostic criteria emphasize the importance of identifying these gene fusions. Targeted RNA sequencing offers advantages such as rapid diagnosis, minimal training requirements, and cost-effectiveness, making it a practical method in clinical settings. Our findings suggest that targeted RNA sequencing can accurately identify gene fusions, potentially benefiting nearly half of leukemia patients and improving diagnostic precision. This method may significantly impact the research community by providing a reliable and efficient tool for leukemia diagnosis. Gene fusions are key drivers in acute leukemia, impacting diagnosis and treatment decisions. We analyzed 264 leukemia patients using targeted RNA sequencing with conventional karyotyping and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Leukemic fusions were detected in 127 patients (48.1%). The new guidelines introduced additional diagnostic criteria, expanding the spectrum of gene fusions. We discovered three novel fusions (RUNX1::DOPEY2, RUNX1::MACROD2, and ZCCHC7::LRP1B). We analyzed recurrent breakpoints for the KMT2A and NUP98 rearrangements. Targeted RNA sequencing showed consistent results with RT-PCR in all tested samples. However, when compared to conventional karyotyping, we observed an 83.3% concordance rate, with 29 cases found only in targeted RNA sequencing, 7 cases with discordant results, and 5 cases found only in conventional karyotyping. For the five cases where known leukemic gene rearrangements were suspected only in conventional karyotyping, we conducted additional messenger RNA sequencing in four cases and proved no pathogenic gene rearrangements. Targeted RNA sequencing proved advantageous for the rapid and accurate interpretation of gene rearrangements. The concurrent use of multiple methods was essential for a comprehensive evaluation. Comprehensive molecular analysis enhances our understanding of leukemia's genetic basis, aiding diagnosis and classification. Advanced molecular techniques improve clinical decision-making, offering potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to fabricate mini-tablets of polyhedrons containing theophylline using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer, and to evaluate the correlation between release kinetics models and their geometric shapes. The filaments containing theophylline, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and EUDRAGIT RS PO (EU) could be obtained with a consistent thickness through pre-drying before hot melt extrusion (HME). Mini-tablets of polyhedrons ranging from tetrahedron to icosahedron were 3D-printed using the same formulation of the filament, ensuring equal volumes. The release kinetics models derived from dissolution tests of the polyhedrons, along with calculations for various physical parameters (edge, SA: surface area, SA/W: surface area/weight, SA/V: surface area/volume), revealed that the correlation between the Higuchi model and the SA/V was the highest (R2 = 0.995). It was confirmed that using 3D- printing for the development of personalized or pediatric drug products allows for the adjustment of drug dosage by modifying the size or shape of the drug while maintaining or controlling the same release profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) are valued for their stability but formulating them is challenging due to powder aggregation and limited flowability, which affects drug delivery and uniformity. In this study, the incorporation of L-leucine (LEU) into hot-melt extrusion (HME) was proposed to enhance dispersibility while simultaneously maintaining the high aerodynamic performance of inhalable microparticles. This study explored using LEU in HME to improve dispersibility and maintain the high aerodynamic performance of inhalable microparticles. Formulations with crystalline itraconazole (ITZ) and LEU were made via co-jet milling and HME followed by jet milling. The LEU ratio varied, comparing solubility, homogenization, and aerodynamic performance enhancements. In HME, ITZ solubility increased, and crystallinity decreased. Higher LEU ratios in HME formulations reduced the contact angle, enhancing mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) size and aerodynamic performance synergistically. Achieving a maximum extra fine particle fraction of 33.68 ± 1.31% enabled stable deep lung delivery. This study shows that HME combined with LEU effectively produces inhalable particles, which is promising for improved drug dispersion and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) holds significant commercial value as one of the leading oil crops, with its agronomic features and oil quality being crucial determinants. In this investigation, 73,226 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 95 rapeseed mutant lines induced by gamma rays, alongside the original cultivar ('Tamra'), using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) analysis were examined. This study encompassed gene ontology (GO) analysis and a genomewide association study (GWAS), thereby concentrating on agronomic traits (e.g., plant height, ear length, thousand-seed weight, and seed yield) and oil traits (including fatty acid composition and crude fat content). The GO analysis unveiled a multitude of genes with SNP variations associated with cellular processes, intracellular anatomical structures, and organic cyclic compound binding. Through GWAS, we detected 320 significant SNPs linked to both agronomic (104 SNPs) and oil traits (216 SNPs). Notably, two novel candidate genes, Bna.A05p02350D (SFGH) and Bna.C02p22490D (MDN1), are implicated in thousand-seed weight regulation. Additionally, Bna.C03p14350D (EXO70) and Bna.A09p05630D (PI4Kα1) emerged as novel candidate genes associated with erucic acid and crude fat content, respectively. These findings carry implications for identifying superior genotypes for the development of new cultivars. Association studies offer a cost-effective means of screening mutants and selecting elite rapeseed breeding lines, thereby enhancing the commercial viability of this pivotal oil crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the nutrient levels, secondary metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities of 35 yardlong bean accessions from China, Korea, Myanmar, and Thailand, along with their key agronomic traits. Significant variations were found in all the parameters analyzed (p < 0.05). The crude fiber (CFC), dietary fiber (DFC), total protein, and total fat contents varied from 4.10 to 6.51%, 16.71 to 23.49%, 22.45 to 28.11%, and 0.59 to 2.00%, respectively. HPLC analysis showed more than a 10-fold difference in vitamin C level (0.23 to 3.04 mg/g), whereas GC-FID analysis revealed the dominance of palmitic acid and linoleic acid. All accessions had high levels of total unsaturated fatty acids, which could help in preventing cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, total phenolic, tannin, and saponin contents ranged between 3.78 and 9.13 mg GAE/g, 31.20 and 778.34 mg CE/g, and 25.79 and 82.55 mg DE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activities like DPPH• scavenging, ABTS•+ scavenging, and reducing power (RP) ranged between 1.63 and 9.95 mg AAE/g, 6.51 and 21.21 mg TE/g, and 2.02, and 15.58 mg AAE/g, respectively. Days to flowering, total fat, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and TPC were significantly influenced by origin and genotype differences, while seeds per pod, one-hundred seeds weight, CFC, DFC, vitamin C, RP, and TSC were not affected by these factors. Multivariate analysis categorized the accessions into four clusters showing significant variations in most of the analyzed parameters. Correlation analysis also revealed significant relationships between several noteworthy parameters. Overall, this comprehensive analysis of biochemical factors revealed diversity among the different yardlong bean varieties. These findings could have practical applications in industries, breeding programs, and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiviral treatment reduces the severity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, its effectiveness against long COVID-19 is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral drugs in preventing long COVID and related hospitalizations/deaths. Scientific and medical databases were searched from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2023. We included observational cohort studies comparing individuals receiving early antiviral therapy for COVID-19 and those receiving supportive treatment. A fixed-effects model was used to merge the effects reported in two or more studies. The risk of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) was combined as an odds ratio (OR). Six studies were selected, including a total of 3,352,235 participants. The occurrence of PASC was 27.5% lower in patients who received antiviral drugs during the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.725; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.409–0.747) than in the supportive treatment group. Moreover, the risk of PASC-associated hospitalization and mortality was 29.7% lower in patients receiving early antiviral therapy than in the supportive treatment group (OR = 0.721; 95% CI = 0.697–0.794). Early antiviral therapy was associated with a reduced risk of PASC and related hospitalization or death. Thus, early antiviral therapy is recommended for at-risk individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) was first identified in turkey flocks in Wisconsin, USA, in 1966. Since then, H9N2 AIVs have been detected in mammals, domestic poultry, and wild birds. In June 2020, a new H9N2/Y280 was discovered in Korea. Existing commercial vaccines might not be fully effective against H9N2/Y280. Since influenza viruses undergo mutations rapidly, fast and accurate vaccine production is critical to address variant strains. Consequently, this study focused on rapid and effective vaccine production techniques against H9N2/Y280. The recombinant rHVT/Y280 was successfully constructed using NHEJ-CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. rHVT/Y280 vaccination induced strong humoral immunity, providing significant protection against H9N2/Y280 strain A21-MRA-003 following a challenge of 2 × 107 50% egg infectious dose. Therefore, rHVT/Y280 is a potential candidate for a live vaccine against H9N2/Y280. Since the outbreak of the H9N2/Y439 avian influenza virus in 1996, the Korean poultry industry has incurred severe economic losses. A novel possibly zoonotic H9N2 virus from the Y280-like lineage (H9N2/Y280) has been prevalent in Korea since June 2020, posing a threat to the poultry sector. Rapid mutation of influenza viruses urges the development of effective vaccines against newly generated strains. Thus, we engineered a recombinant virus rHVT/Y280 to combat H9N2/Y280. We integrated the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the H9N2/Y280 strain into the US2 region of the herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) Fc126 vaccine strain, utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. The successful construction of rHVT/Y280 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing, followed by efficacy evaluation. Four-day-old specific pathogen-free chickens received the rHVT/Y280 vaccine and were challenged with the H9N2/Y280 strain A21-MRA-003 at 3 weeks post-vaccination. In 5 days, there were no gross lesions among the vaccinated chickens. The rHVT/Y280 vaccine induced strong humoral immunity and markedly reduced virus shedding, achieving 100% inhibition of virus recovery in the cecal tonsil and significantly lowering tissue viral load. Thus, HVT vector vaccines expressing HA can be used for protecting poultry against H9N2/Y280. The induction of humoral immunity by live vaccines is vital in such cases. In summary, the recombinant virus rHVT/Y280 is a promising vaccine candidate for the protection of chickens against the H9N2/Y280. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), caused by IBD virus (IBDV), is an extremely contagious immunosuppressive disease that causes major losses for the poultry industry worldwide. Recently, the novel variant IBDV (G2d) has been highly prevalent in Korea, but the current vaccines against this very virulent IBDV have limited efficacy against this novel variant. To develop a vaccine against this variant IBDV, a recombinant virus designated rHVT-VP2 was constructed by inserting the IBDV (G2d) VP2 gene into herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. The PCR and sequencing results obtained showed that the recombinant virus rHVT-VP2 was successfully constructed. Vaccination with rHVT-VP2 generated IBDV-specific antibodies in specific pathogen-free chickens starting from 2 weeks post-immunization. Seven days after the challenge, the autopsy results showed that the bursa atrophy rates of the rHVT-VP2, HVT, vaccine A, and positive control groups were 0%, 100%, 60%, and 100%, respectively, and the BBIX values were 1.07 ± 0.22, 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.64 ± 0.33, and 0.32 ± 0.06, respectively. These results indicate that rHVT-VP2 can provide 100% protection against a challenge with the IBDV (G2d), whereas vaccine A only provides partial protection. In conclusion, vaccination with the recombinant virus rHVT-VP2 can provide chickens with effective protection against variant IBDV (G2d). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wild animals can be of veterinary and public health concern due to their potential to harbor pathogens and transmit them to humans and domestic animals. Avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1) is capable of infecting a wide range of avian species, leading to a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms and posing a potential risk to public health. This study represents the investigation of avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) in wild waterfowl from Korea. In this study, 13 isolates of APMV-1 and 1 isolate of APMV-13 were obtained and their genetic characteristics of fusion gene were analyzed. We identified the wild ducks and geese likely to be infected with APMV, and our data suggest a possible intercontinental transmission of APMVs by wild waterfowl. Moreover, our study provides the first evidence for the presence of class I of APMV-1 and APMV-13 in wild waterfowl that were sampled in Korea. This finding not only adds to our understanding of the diversity of APMVs but also underscores the importance of monitoring and addressing the epidemiology of these viruses in wildlife, particularly from a One Health perspective. Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) are often carried by wild waterfowl, and the wild waterfowl may play an important role in the maintenance and spread of these viruses. In this study, we investigated APMVs in the population of migratory wild waterfowl from 2015 to 2021 in Korea and analyzed their genetic characteristics. Fourteen viruses were isolated and subsequently identified as APMV-1 (n = 13) and APMV-13 (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis of the full fusion gene of 13 APMV-1 isolates showed that 10 APMV-1 isolates belonged to the class II sub-genotype I.2, which was epidemiologically linked to viruses from the Eurasian continent, and 3 viruses belonged to class I, which linked to viruses from the USA. The APMV-13 isolates from wild geese in this study were highly homology to the virus isolated from China. Sequence analysis of 14 isolates showed that all isolates had a typical lentogenic motif at the cleavage site. In summary, we identified the wild species likely to be infected with APMV and our data suggest possible intercontinental transmission of APMV by wild waterfowl. Our current study also provides the first evidence for the presence of class I of APMV-1 and APMV-13 in wild waterfowl surveyed in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized the diversity of 367 barley collections from 27 different countries, including 5 control cultivars, using several phenotypic traits. Morphological traits, including spike type, grain morphology, cold damage, and lodging rate, exhibited wide variations. Eighteen accessions matured early, while four accessions had longer culm and spike lengths than the controls. The ranges of total phenolic content (TPC), β-glucan content, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, DPPH• scavenging activity, and reducing power (RP) were 1.79–6.79 mg GAE/g, 0.14–8.41 g/100 g, 3.07–13.54 mg AAE/100 g, 1.56–6.24 mg AAE/g, and 1.31–7.86 mg AAE/g, respectively. Betaone, one of the controls, had the highest β-glucan content. Two accessions had β-glucan levels close to Betaone. Furthermore, 20 accessions exhibited increased TPC compared to the controls, while 5 accessions displayed elevated ABTS•+ scavenging activity. Among these, one accession also exhibited higher DPPH• scavenging activity and RP simultaneously. Based on the statistical analysis of variance, all the quantitative traits were significantly affected by the difference in origin (p < 0.05). On the other hand, grain morphology significantly affected biochemical traits. Multivariate analysis classified barley accessions into eight groups, demonstrating variations in quantitative traits. There were noteworthy correlations between biochemical and agronomical traits. Overall, this study characterized several barley varieties of different origins, anticipating future genomic research. The barley accessions with superior performances could be valuable alternatives in breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. The activation of the JAK-STAT pathway increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, further deteriorating AD. Therefore, for the treatment of AD, the JAK-STAT pathway is emerging as a significant target, alongside inflammatory cytokines. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effects of a novel herbal complex, LK5, composed of Scutellaria baicalensis, Liriope platyphylla, Sophora flavescens, Dictammus dasycarpus, and Phellodendron schneider, known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. We examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-AD effects of the LK5 herbal complex in HaCaT cells stimulated by LPS and IL-4/IL-13, as well as in a mouse model of AD induced by DNCB. In HaCaT cells stimulated with LPS or IL-4/IL-13, the LK5 herbal complex demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and downregulating the phosphorylation of STAT proteins. In a murine AD-like model induced by DNCB, administration of the LK5 herbal complex significantly ameliorated clinical symptoms, including dermatitis, ear thickness, and TEWL. Histological analysis revealed a reduction in epidermal thickness and mast cell infiltration. The LK5 herbal complex also inhibited pruritus induced by compound 48/80. Furthermore, the LK5 herbal complex treatment significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TSLP, IL-6, and IgE in plasma and ear tissue of AD-induced mice. These findings suggest that the LK5 herbal complex may modulate the immune response and alleviate AD symptoms by inhibiting STAT pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries, often misdiagnosed, can lead to substantial morbidity. This study utilized postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) to define normal syndesmotic relationships in 131 subjects. Methods: Three parameters were measured: fibular rotation (FR), sagittal translation (ST), and incisura depth (ID). Results: Interobserver reliability was excellent for FR and ID but moderate for ST. Anatomical variability was wide, with FR ranging from −0.4° to 16.6°, ST from 0.33 mm to 3.49 mm, and ID from 1.89 mm to 6.05 mm. Side-to-side variability within subjects was minimal. Gender-specific differences were observed in ST, possibly due to size variations, highlighting the need for gender-specific diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: Although establishing universal reference values is challenging, using contralateral ankles for comparison can enhance diagnostic accuracy in syndesmotic injuries. This study, the first of its kind, offers valuable insights into normal distal tibiofibular syndesmotic relationships based on PMCT data. Future validation studies in patients with syndesmotic injuries can further improve diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome is well known for its influence on human physiology and aging. Therefore, we speculate that the gut microbiome may affect muscle strength in the same way as the host's own genes. To demonstrate candidates for gut microbes affecting muscle strength, we remodeled the original gut microbiome of mice into human intestinal microbiome through fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT), using human feces and compared the changes in muscle strength in the same mice before and three months after FMT. After comparing before and after FMT, the mice were divided into three groups based on the observed changes in muscle strength: positive, none, and negative changes in muscle strength. As a result of analyzing the α-diversity, β-diversity, and co-occurrence network of the intestinal microbial community before and after FMT, it was observed that a more diverse intestinal microbial community was established after FMT in all groups. In particular, the group with increased muscle strength had more gut microbiome species and communities than the other groups. Fold-change comparison showed that Eisenbergiella massiliensis and Anaeroplasma abactoclasticum from the gut microbiome had positive contributions to muscle strength, while Ileibacterium valens and Ethanoligenens harbinense had negative effects. This study identifies candidates for the gut microbiome that contribute positively and those that contribute negatively to muscle strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although most epidemiological studies have been conducted using a relatively small population or subjects who had medical screenings, the present study aimed to investigate the incidence and prevalence of MASLD (formerly NAFLD) in Korea using nationwide registry data provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). Methods: Using nationwide medical records provided by HIRA, we analyzed the entire dataset of patients with MASL (KCD10-K76.0) and MASH (KCD10-K75.8) from 2010 to 2021 and calculated the incidence and prevalence by year, age, and gender. The prevalence and incidence rates were calculated by analyzing the HIRA data covering almost the entire population of Korea for 12 years, from 2010 to 2021, with an average population of 50,856,244 during this period. Statistical analyses included calculating confidence intervals using Ulm's formula and conducting sex- and age-specific analyses with a Cochran–Armitage test for trends. Results: The annual incidence of MASL/MASH increased significantly from 9.71/0.37 in 2010 to 13.95/5.52 per 1000 persons in 2021 (p < 0.01). The annual prevalence of MASL increased from 15.69 in 2010 to 34.23 per 1000 persons in 2021, while the annual prevalence of MASH increased from 0.49 to 9.79 per 1000 persons between 2010 and 2021 (p < 0.01). Regarding the sex-dimorphic feature of MASLD, there was a male predominance in those < 50 years old but a female predominance in those ≥ 50 years old for the incidence and prevalence of MASL and the incidence of MASH. Conclusion: The incidence of MASL increased by 3% to 4% every year, while the incidence of MASH increased 14.91-fold from 2010 to 2021. The increasing trend is noteworthy compared with previous reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adzuki beans are widely cultivated in East Asia and are one of the earliest domesticated crops. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic diversity and domestication history of adzuki beans, we conducted Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) analysis on 366 landraces originating from Korea, China, and Japan, resulting in 6586 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Population structure analysis divided these 366 landraces into three subpopulations. These three subpopulations exhibited distinctive distributions, suggesting that they underwent extended domestication processes in their respective regions of origin. Phenotypic variance analysis of the three subpopulations indicated that the Korean-domesticated subpopulation exhibited significantly higher 100-seed weights, the Japanese-domesticated subpopulation showed significantly higher numbers of grains per pod, and the Chinese-domesticated subpopulation displayed significantly higher numbers of pods per plant. We speculate that these differences in yield-related traits may be attributed to varying emphases placed by early breeders in these regions on the selection of traits related to yield. A large number of genes related to biotic/abiotic stress resistance and defense were found in most quantitative trait locus (QTL) for yield-related traits using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genomic sliding window analysis of Tajima's D and a genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) revealed distinct domestication selection signatures and genotype variations on these QTLs within each subpopulation. These findings indicate that each subpopulation would have been subjected to varied biotic/abiotic stress events in different origins, of which these stress events have caused balancing selection differences in the QTL of each subpopulation. In these balancing selections, plants tend to select genotypes with strong resistance under biotic/abiotic stress, but reduce the frequency of high-yield genotypes to varying degrees. These biotic/abiotic stressors impact crop yield and may even lead to selection purging, resulting in the loss of several high-yielding genotypes among landraces. However, this also fuels the flow of crop germplasms. Overall, balancing selection appears to have a more significant impact on the three yield-related traits compared to breeder-driven domestication selection. These findings are crucial for understanding the impact of domestication selection history on landraces and yield-related traits, aiding in the improvement of adzuki bean varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legume dehulling often removes anti-nutrients while improving nutritional quality. However, the process may reduce the levels of other health-promoting metabolites. This study investigated the effect of dehulling on major nutrients, bioactive metabolites, and antioxidant activities using 22 faba bean cultivars typically grown in different parts of the world. The faba bean cultivars differed significantly in all the parameters assessed. Crude fiber (CFC), dietary fiber (DFC), crude protein, and crude fat contents were in the ranges of 5.24–10.56, 16.17–25.15, 19.83–30.90, and 0.79–1.94% in the whole seeds and 0.96–1.59, 4.14–9.50, 22.47–36.61, and 1.13–2.07% in the dehulled seeds, respectively. Moreover, fatty acids including palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, bioactive metabolites including total phenol (TPC), total saponin (TSC), and total tannin (TTC) contents, and antioxidant activities including ABTS•+-scavenging activity, ferric antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH•-scavenging activity also showed significant variations. Dehulling significantly reduced DFC (55.09–79.30%), CFC (69.61–87.52%), and TTC (1.70–66.99%) in all the faba bean cultivars while increasing total protein content (9.31–17.69%). Dehulling also increased the total fat content (3.02–48.13%) in all the cultivars except Giant Three Seeded, a Japanese cultivar, which showed a 12.62% decrease. In contrast, dehulling exhibited varying results on fatty acids, TPC, TSC, and antioxidant activities among the faba bean cultivars. Accordingly, three cultivars: Primus from Hungary, Levens Marschbohne from Germany, and Ascott from France, exhibited simultaneous increases in nutritional levels after dehulling. Domasna-2 from Macedonia, Abawi# 1 from Peru, Seville from the United Kingdom, and Large Mazandran from Iran, on the other hand, exhibited marked reductions in nutritional levels, functional metabolites, and antioxidant activities. In general, our findings indicated that dehulling reduces crude fiber, dietary fiber, and tannin levels while increasing protein and fat contents in faba beans. However, fatty acids, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity may not be equally affected by dehulling and, therefore, specific genotypes should be inspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal fatigue cracks occurring in pipes in nuclear power plants pose a high degree of risk. Thermal fatigue cracks are generated when the thermal fatigue load caused by local temperature gradients is repeatedly applied. The flaws are mainly found in welds, owing to the effects of stress concentration caused by the material properties and geometric shapes of welds. Thermal fatigue pipes are classified as targets of risk-informed in-service inspection, for which ultrasonic testing, a volumetric non-destructive testing method, is applied. With the advancement of ultrasonic testing techniques, various studies have been conducted recently to apply the phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) method to the inspection of thermal fatigue cracks occurring on pipes. A quantitative reliability analysis of the PAUT method must be performed to apply the PAUT method to on-site thermal fatigue crack inspection. In this study, to evaluate the quantitative reliability of the PAUT method for thermal fatigue cracks, we fabricated crack specimens with the thermal fatigue mechanism applied to the pipe welds. We performed a round-robin test to collect PAUT data and determine the validity of the detection performance (probability of detection; POD) and the error in the sizing accuracy (root-mean-square error; RMSE) evaluation. The analysis results of the POD and sizing performance of the length and depth of thermal fatigue cracks were comparatively evaluated with the acceptance criteria of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code to confirm the effectiveness of applying the PAUT method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trypsin inhibitors (TIs) in soybean seeds reduce the availability of processed soybean foods and animal feed. This study aimed to evaluate the trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) in 999 Korean soybean accessions and conduct molecular characterization of soybean accessions with low TIA. TIA was evaluated using colorimetric analysis through a substrate–enzyme reaction. The average TIA of the 999 soybean accessions was 90.31%, ranging from 43.70% to 99.51%. Kunitz trypsin inhibitor 3 (KTi-3) gene target sequencing analysis was performed on seven soybean germplasm accessions (IT105782, IT170889, IT273590, IT274513, IT274515, IT276197, and IT022891) showing less than 60% TIA. Four soybean accessions (IT274513, IT274515, IT276197, and IT022891) exhibited the same mutations (a G-to-T transversion and an AG deletion) in the KTi-3 gene (Glyma.08g341500) in PI542044. In addition, whole-genome re-sequencing was performed on three soybean accessions with no mutations in the KTi-3 gene. Compared with the reference soybean genome, an in-frame insertion and five missense mutations were identified in the coding sequencing of the KTi-1 gene (Glyma.01g09500) in IT105782. A RT-qPCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression level of KTi-1 was reduced by approximately 17% in IT105782 during seed development. In this study, we identified a previously unreported mutation in the KTi-1 gene and developed a KASP marker using this new KTi-1 variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the suitability of the plantaris tendon (PT) as a tendon graft donor for sports trauma reconstruction and proposes a predictive model for estimating PT length by using an individual's height and leg length. Anatomical dissection of 50 cadavers (32 males and 18 females) yielded precise measurements of PT length and width while also recording height and leg length. Among the lower limbs, 89% were suitable for at least one recommended graft suitability criterion. In addition, PT length exhibited robust positive correlations with height and leg length. Predictive equations were established for estimating the PT length based on leg length and height with consistency across sexes and sides: PT length = 0.605 + 0.396 × leg length (r = 0.721) and PT length = 1.480 + 0.193 × height (r = 0.626). This study underscores the grafting potential of the PT, providing a predictive tool that can aid surgeons in addressing tendon graft challenges within sports trauma scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel flexible ethanol gas sensor was created by the deposition of a CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) thin film on a thin mica substrate using the pulsed laser deposition technique. Transition electron microscopy (TEM) investigations clearly demonstrated the successful growth of CFO on the mica, where a well-defined interface was observed. Ethanol gas-sensing studies showed optimal performance at 200 °C, with the highest response of 19.2 to 100 ppm ethanol. Operating the sensor in self-heating mode under 7 V applied voltage, which corresponds to a temperature of approximately 200 °C, produced a maximal response of 19.2 to 100 ppm ethanol. This aligned with the highest responses observed during testing at 200 °C, confirming the sensor's accuracy and sensitivity to ethanol under self-heating conditions. In addition, the sensor exhibited good selectivity to ethanol and excellent flexibility, maintaining its high performance after bending and tilting up to 5000 times. As this is the first report on flexible self-heated CFO gas sensors, we believe that this research holds great promise for the future development of high-quality sensors based on this approach.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritus, dry skin and redness on the face and inside elbows or knees. Most patients with AD are children and youths, but it can also develop in adults. In the therapeutic aspect, treatment with corticosteroids for AD has several side effects, such as weight loss, atrophy and acne. In the current study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effect of Moringa concanensis leaves on HaCaT keratinocytes and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in BALB/c mice. We observed that M. concanensis treatment exhibited significant inhibition in the production of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, in LPS-induced HaCaT keratinocytes by downregulating the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, M. concanensis inhibited the activation of JNK, AP-1 and p65, which resulted in the deformation of NLRP3 in LPS-stimulated HaCaT cells. In mice with DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions, the administration of M. concanensis ameliorated the clinical symptoms, such as the dermatitis score, thickness of lesional ear skin and TEWL. Furthermore, M. concanensis could attenuate the activation of the immune system, such as reducing the spleen index, concentration of the IgE levels and expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome in ear tissues. Therefore, our results suggest that M. concanensis exerts anti-atopic dermatitis effects by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in physical properties and biocompatibilities caused by thermocycling of CAD/CAM restorative materials (lithium disilicate, zirconia reinforced lithium silicate, polymer-infiltrated ceramic network, resin nanoceramic, highly translucent zirconia). A total of 225 specimens were prepared (12.0 × 10.0 × 1.5 mm) and divided into three groups subjected to water storage at 37 °C for 24 h (control group), 10,000 cycles in distilled water at 5–55 °C (first aged group), and 22,000 cycles in distilled water at 5–55 °C (second aged group) [(n= 15, each]). The nanoindentation hardness and Young's modulus (nanoindenter), surface roughness (atomic force microscopy (AFM)), surface texture (scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)), elemental concentration (energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)) and contact angle were evaluated. The morphology, proliferation and adhesion of cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were analyzed. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The results showed that the nanoindentation hardness and Young's modulus were decreased after thermocycling aging. Cell viability and proliferation of the material decreased with aging except for the highly translucent zirconia. Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate exhibited significantly lower cell viability compared to other materials. The surface roughnesses of all groups increased with aging. Cell viability and Cell adhesion were influenced by various factors, including the surface chemical composition, hydrophilicity, surface roughness, and topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate implant stability and the reliability of different measuring devices according to implant placement site and duration in patients aged over 65 years. The study evaluated 60 implants (diameter: 3.5/4.0/4.5/5.0 mm and length: 8.5/10.0/11.5 mm) in 60 patients aged ≥ 65 years. The implant placement sites were divided into six evenly distributed sections (n = 10), i.e., maxillary right-posterior, A; maxillary anterior, B; maxillary left-posterior, C; mandibular right-posterior, D; mandibular anterior, E; mandibular left-posterior, F. Participants visited the hospital six times: implant surgery, 1V; stitch removal, 2V; 1-month follow-up, 3V; 2-month follow-up, 4V; before final restoration delivery, 5V; and after final restoration delivery, 6V. The implant stability was evaluated with the Osstell Mentor (ISQ), Periotest M (PTV), and Anycheck (IST). The mean values of ISQ, PTV, and IST were analyzed (α = 0.05). ISQ, PTV, and IST results of 4V and 5V were significantly higher than those of 1V (p < 0.05). The lowest ISQ results occurred in the E location at 4V and 5V (p < 0.05). In all mandibular locations, IST results of 6V were significantly higher than those of 1V, 2V, 3V, and 4V (p < 0.05). ISQ results were negatively correlated with PTV and positively correlated with IST, and PTV was negatively correlated with IST. By considering various factors affecting the stability of the implant, it is necessary to determine the appropriate implant load application time. This could help increase the implant success rate in elderly patients. And as a diagnostic device for implant stability and the evaluation of osseointegration in elderly patients, Anycheck was also able to prove its relative reliability compared to Osstell ISQ Mentor and Periotest M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the impact of the gut microbiome on human physiology and aging, it is possible that the gut microbiome may affect locomotion in the same way as the host's own genes. There is not yet any direct evidence linking the gut microbiome to locomotion, though there are some potential connections, such as regular physical activity and the immune system. In this study, we demonstrate that the gut microbiome can contribute differently to locomotion. We remodeled the original gut microbiome of mice through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using human feces and compared the changes in locomotion of the same mice before and three months after FMT. We found that FMT affected locomotion in three different ways: positive, none (the same), and negative. Analysis of the phylogenesis, α-diversities, and β-diversities of the gut microbiome in the three groups showed that a more diverse group of intestinal microbes was established after FMT in each of the three groups, indicating that the human gut microbiome is more diverse than that of mice. The FMT-remodeled gut microbiome in each group was also different from each other. Fold change and linear correlation analyses identified Lacrimispora indolis, Pseudoflavonifractor phocaeensis, and Alistipes senegalensis in the gut microbiome as positive contributors to locomotion, while Sphingobacterium cibi, Prevotellamassilia timonensis, Parasutterella excrementihominis, Faecalibaculum rodentium, and Muribaculum intestinale were found to have negative effects. This study not only confirms the presence of gut microbiomes that contribute differently to locomotion, but also explains the mixed results in research on the association between the gut microbiome and locomotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze tire wear particulate matter (TWP) from tread rubber with different formulations and to compare the concentration of TWP with different wear devices. The TWP generated during the abrasion of truck and bus radial (TBR) tires were examined, and the effect of using different types of rubber and carbon black (CB) were investigated. When natural rubber (NR) was solely used as the tire tread rubber material, there was a higher concentration of 5–10 µm TWP. However, when the tread formulation consisted of NR mixed with butadiene rubber, the TWP concentration decreased. Changing the type of CB also reduced the amount of TWP in the 2.5 µm size range. The TWP concentration in the specimens increased with increasing speed and vertical load. The TWP generated during the abrasion tests using wear testers and tire simulators exhibited similar trends. These findings suggest that modifying tire tread formulations can effectively control the distribution and amount of TWP generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of enrofloxacin (ENR) administration on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter isolated from broiler chickens under field conditions. The isolation rate of Salmonella was significantly lower (p < 0.05) on farms that administered ENR (6.4%) than on farms that did not (11.6%). The Campylobacter isolation rate was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in farms that administered ENR (6.7%) than in farms that did not (3.3%). The ratio of resistance to ENR was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in E. coli isolates from farms that used ENR (88.1%) than farms that did not (78.0%). The respective ratio of resistance to ampicillin (40.5% vs. 17.9%), chloramphenicol (38.0% vs. 12.5%), tetracycline (63.3% vs. 23.2%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (48.1% vs. 28.6%) and the ratio of intermediate resistance to ENR (67.1% vs. 48.2%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Salmonella isolates from the farms that used ENR than farms that did not. In conclusion, the use of ENR at broiler farms was an important factor in decreasing the prevalence of Salmonella but not Campylobacter and caused ENR resistance among E. coli and Salmonella but not Campylobacter. Exposure to ENR could have a co-selective effect on antimicrobial resistance in enteric bacteria in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in the development and progression of lung cancer by promoting its invasiveness and metastasis. Using integrative analyses of the public lung cancer database, we found that the expression levels of the tight junction proteins, zonula occluden (ZO)-1 and ZO-2, were lower in lung cancer tissues, including both lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma than in normal lung tissues analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Although the ectopic expression or knockdown of ZO-1 and ZO-2 did not affect the growth of lung cancer cells, they significantly regulated cell migration and invasion. When M0 macrophages were co-cultured with ZO-1 or ZO-2 knockdown Calu-1 cells, M2-like polarization was efficiently induced. Conversely, co-culture of M0 THP-1 cells with A549 cells stably expressing ZO-1 or ZO-2 significantly reduced M2 differentiation. We also identified G protein subunit alpha q (GNAQ) as a potential ZO-1- and ZO-2-specific activator through analysis of correlated genes with the TCGA lung cancer database. Our results suggest that the GNAQ-ZO-1/2 axis may play a tumor-suppressive role in lung cancer development and progression and highlight ZO-1 and ZO-2 as key EMT- and tumor microenvironment-suppressive proteins. These findings provide new insights for the development of targeted therapies for lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated by various agents, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The NLRP3 inflammasome facilitations the maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine that is critically involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although the NLRP3 inflammasome clearly exacerbates AD symptoms such as erythema and pruritus, drugs for AD patients targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are still lacking. Based on the previous findings that Mentha arvensis essential oil (MAEO) possesses strong anti-inflammatory and anti-AD properties through its inhibition of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway, we postulated that MAEO might be capable of modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome in AD. The aim of this research was to investigate whether MAEO affects the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) stimulated with LPS + ATP in vitro and in a murine model displaying AD-like symptoms induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in vivo. We found that MAEO inhibited the expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1, leading to the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β production in BMDMs stimulated with LPS + ATP. In addition, MAEO exhibited efficacy in ameliorating AD symptoms in a murine model induced by DNCB, as indicated by the reduction in dermatitis score, ear thickness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), epidermal thickness, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Furthermore, MAEO attenuated the recruitment of NLRP3-expressing macrophages and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine dorsal skin lesions induced by DNCB. Overall, we provide evidence for the anti-AD effects of MAEO via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and a leading cause of cancer-related death in the worldwide. Various anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin and pemetrexed, have been developed for lung cancer treatment but due their drug resistance and side effects, novel treatments need to be developed. In this study, the efficacy of the natural drug JI017, which is known to have few side effects, was tested in lung cancer cells. JI017 inhibited A549, H460, and H1299 cell proliferation. JI017 induced apoptosis, regulated apoptotic molecules, and inhibited colony formation. Additionally, JI017 increased intracellular ROS generation. JI017 downregulated PI3K, AKT, and mTOR expression. JI017 increased the cytosolic accumulation of LC3. We found that JI017 promoted apoptosis through ROS-induced autophagy. Additionally, the xenograft tumor size was smaller in JI017-treated mice. We found that JI017 treatment increased MDA concentrations, decreased Ki-67 protein levels, and increased cleaved caspase-3 and LC3 levels in vivo. JI017 decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis by inducing autophagy signaling in H460 and H1299 lung cancer cells. Targeting JI017 and autophagy signaling could be useful in lung cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop prediction equations for maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) based on non-exercise (anthropometric) and submaximal exercise (anthropometric and physiological) variables in paraplegic men with a spinal cord injury. All participants were tested on an arm ergometer using a maximal graded exercise test. Anthropometric variables such as age, height, weight, body fat, body mass index, body fat percentage, and arm muscle mass and physiological variables such as VO2, VCO2, and heart rate at 3 and 6 min of graded exercise tests were included in the multiple linear regression analysis. The prediction equations revealed the following. Regarding non-exercise variables, VO2max was correlated with age and weight (equation R = 0.771, R2 = 0.595, SEE= 3.187). Regarding submaximal variables, VO2max was correlated with weight and VO2 and VCO2 at 6 min (equation R = 0.892, R2 = 0.796, SEE = 2.309). In conclusion, our prediction equations can be used as a cardiopulmonary function evaluation tool to estimate VO2max simply and conveniently using the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of paraplegic men with spinal cord injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costunolide (CTL), an active compound isolated from Saussurea lappa Clarke and Laurus nobilis L, has been shown to induce apoptosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in various types of cancer cells. However, details of molecular mechanisms underlying the difference in sensitivity of cancer cells to CTL are still largely unknown. Here, we tested the effect of CTL on the viability of breast cancer cells and found that CTL had a more efficient cytotoxic effect against SK-BR-3 cells than MCF-7 cells. Mechanically, ROS levels were significantly increased upon CTL treatment only in SK-BR-3 cells, which leads to lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and cathepsin D release, and subsequent activation of the mitochondrial-dependent intrinsic apoptotic pathway by inducing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). In contrast, treatment of MCF-7 cells with CTL activated PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy to remove damaged mitochondria, which prevented the elevation of ROS levels, thereby contributing to their reduced sensitivity to CTL. These results suggest that CTL is a potent anti-cancer agent, and its combination with the inhibition of mitophagy could be an effective method for treating breast cancer cells that are less sensitive to CTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) of the genus Potyvirus is an important virus in cultivated soybeans. Here, we obtained 7 SMV genomes from soybean germplasms using RNA sequencing and conducted a comprehensive evolutionary and phylogenetic study of 143 SMV genomes derived from 10 plant species and 12 countries. The phylogenetic tree we constructed using coding DNA sequences revealed the existence of nine clades of SMV isolates/strains. Recombination analysis revealed 76 recombinant events and 141 recombinants in total. Clades 1 and 3 contain the most common SMV pathotypes, including G1 through G7, which are distributed worldwide. Clade 2 includes several Chinese SMV pathotypes. The SMV isolates were further divided into two groups. The SMV isolates in the first group, including clades 8 and 9, were identified from Pinellia and Atractylodes species, whereas those in the second group (clades 1 through 7) were mostly found in cultivated soybeans. The SMV polyprotein undergoes positive selection, whereas most mature proteins, except for the P1 protein, undergo negative selection. The P1 protein of SMV isolates in group 1 may be highly correlated with host adaptation. This study provides strong evidence that recombination and plant hosts are powerful forces driving the genetic diversity of the SMV genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Due to the rapid environmental changes in the Seocheon Tidal Flat, South Korea, important staging and wintering sites of the vulnerable Far East Russin population of Swan Goose are threatened. To provide practical information for establishing protection strategies based on Swan Goose behavioral characteristics, we estimated core home range and habitat use patterns over time at the Seocheon Tidal Flat during wintering. Based on the GPS tracking data, the core home range and habitat use characteristics of the Swan Goose differed significantly between daytime and nighttime (Day: 59.9 km2, Night: 40.3 km2, on average, 100% MCP). In addition, our data indicated that Swan Goose has two important overnight resting areas in the Seocheon Tidal Flat, South Korea, namely the Janggu Bay and sand dune areas in Yubu Island. The Seocheon Tidal Flat is an important staging and wintering site for the Far East Russian population of Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. However, rapid environmental changes for tourism in this area can threaten the survival of this vulnerable population by hindering sufficient rest and wintering; therefore, establishing protection strategies based on Swan Goose behavioral characteristics is necessary. Here, we estimated Swan Goose core home ranges and habitat use based on GPS tracking data collected at the Seocheon Tidal Flat in South Korea from 2017–2018. The home range of Swan Geese was estimated to be an area from Yubu Island in the south to Janggu Bay in the north; however, the core home range and habitat use characteristics differed significantly between daytime and nighttime (Day: 59.9 km2, Night: 40.3 km2, on average, 100% MCP). During the day (08:00–18:00), Swan Geese mostly spent time resting or feeding on tidal flats, especially those around tidal channels or paddy fields near Janggu Bay, whereas they mostly rested on sand dunes near Yubu Island along with the mudflats at Janggu Bay at night. Our results provide practical information on the habitat use of wintering Swan Geese population over time and indicate that Yubu Island is an important resting place. Hence, these results can contribute to evaluating threats to Swan Geese and establishing management and protection strategies for the Seocheon Tidal Flat, a major wintering site for the Far East Russian population of Swan Geese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives The antimicrobial efficacy of a nonthermal atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (NAPPJ) on dental impression materials was investigated. Materials and Methods Type 3 polyvinyl siloxane was used as the impression material, and air and nitrogen NAPPJ were applied. The antibacterial effect of the NAPPJ was measured using the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of Streptococcus mutans. Surface chemical characteristics of the impression material were examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurement. Additionally, physical properties were analyzed through surface roughness measurement, detail reproduction, and strain-in-compression test. Results Compared with the control group, the plasma treatment group showed ruptured bacteria membranes, destroyed bacteria structures, a significant reduction in the number of CFUs, and a significantly reduced contact angle. Further, XPS analysis showed that their surface was significantly richer in hydroxyl groups. The surface roughness, detail reproduction, and strain-in-compression results indicated no significant differences between the plasma treatment and control groups. NAPPJ treatment could remove bacteria from polyvinyl siloxane dental impression materials without changing the surface's physical properties. Conclusion Therefore, it is considered a promising method for disinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Identification of a Novel KTi-1 Allele Associated with Reduced Trypsin Inhibitor Activity in Soybean Accessions." The correction addresses an error in Table 3 of the original publication, where an accession number was incorrectly entered and the genotype name was modified. The corrected table is provided in the document. The authors state that the scientific conclusions of the article are unaffected by this correction. [Extracted from the article]

Background and objectives: Bacterial antibiotics have had several side effects. Therefore, interest in natural substances with less side effects is increasing these days. Paeonia lactiflora, the root of Paeonia lactiflora, is used as a raw material for medicines. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial effect and the cytotoxicity of Paeonia lactiflora extract. Materials and Methods: For cytotoxicity, MTT analysis according to ISO 10993-5 was performed. The antibacterial test of the Paeonia lactiflora was determined from bacterial viability, Inhibition zone test, CFU (colony forming unit) and SEM (scanning electron microscope). To confirm the antibacterial component of Paeonia lactiflora, the content of flavonoids and polyphenols was analyzed. Results: Our results showed that Paeonia lactiflora extract contained flavonoids and polyphenols, which exhibited antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Candida albicans (C. ablicans). Further, the cytotoxicity of Paeonia lactiflora extract was low. Conclusions: We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because it demonstrates that Paeonia lactiflora extract can be used as an antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical simulation study of the dispersion characteristic of the surface acoustic wave (Rayleigh wave) was conducted by modeling the adhesion interlayer with stiffness coefficients to evaluate the bonding properties of nano-scale thin film structures. For experimental validation, a set of thin film specimens were fabricated—637 nm, 628 nm, 637 nm, 600 nm, and 600 nm thick titanium (Ti) films were deposited on silicon (Si) (100) substrate using a DC Magnetron sputtering process with DC power from 28.8 W, 57.6 W, 86.4 W, 115.2 W, and 144 W. The thicknesses of the Ti films were measured using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Surface acoustic wave velocity for each of the manufactured thin film specimens was measured by using a V(z) curve technique of a Scanning Acoustic Microscope. The measured velocity, transducer frequency, and thickness of the film were applied to dispersion characteristic simulation for a given stiffness coefficient to calculate adhesion strength of each specimen. To verify the simulation result, the adhesion force of each specimen was measured using a nano-scratch test and then compared with the calculated values from the dispersion characteristic simulation. The value of adhesion strength from the dispersion characteristic simulation and the value of adhesion force of the nano-scratch test were found to have a similar tendency according to the process variable of the thin film. The results demonstrated that the adhesion strength of a thin film could be evaluated quantitatively by calculating the dispersion characteristics with the adhesion interlayer stiffness model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, thirty-eight isoflavone derivatives were comprehensively identified and quantified from the raw, steamed and fermented seeds of four selected soybean cultivars based on UPLC-DAD-QToF/MS results with reference to the previously reported LC-MS library and flavonoid database, and summarized by acylated group including glucosides (Glu), malonyl-glucosides (Mal-Glu), acetyl-glucosides (Ac-Glu), succinyl-glucosides (Suc-Glu) and phosphorylated conjugates (Phos) in addition to aglycones. Among them, Suc-Glu and Phos derivatives were newly generated due to fermentation by B. subtilis AFY-2 (cheonggukjang). In particular, Phos were characterized for the first time in fermented soy products using Bacillus species. From a proposed roadmap on isoflavone-based biotransformation, predominant Mal-Glu (77.5–84.2%, raw) decreased rapidly by decarboxylation and deesterification into Ac-Glu and Glu (3.5–8.1% and 50.0–72.2%) during steaming, respectively. As fermentation continued, the increased Glu were mainly succinylated and phosphorylated as well as gradually hydrolyzed into their corresponding aglycones. Thus, Suc-Glu and Phos (17.3–22.4% and 1.5–5.4%, 36 h) determined depending on cultivar type and incubation time, and can be considered as important biomarkers generated during cheonggukjang fermentation. Additionally, the changes of isoflavone profile can be used as a fundamental report in applied microbial science as well as bioavailability research from fermented soy foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]