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Dual immunoglobulin domain-containing cell adhesion molecule (DICAM) is a type I transmembrane protein that presents in various cells including renal tubular cells. This study evaluated the expression and protective role of DICAM in renal tubular cell injury. HK-2 cells were incubated and treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 30 μg/mL) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 100 μM) for 24 h. To investigate the effect of the gene silencing of DICAM, small interfering RNA of DICAM was used. Additionally, to explain its role in cellular response to injury, DICAM was overexpressed using an adenoviral vector. DICAM protein expression levels significantly increased following treatment with LPS or H2O2 in HK-2 cells. In response to oxidative stress, DICAM showed an earlier increase (2–4 h following treatment) than neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) (24 h following treatment). DICAM gene silencing increased the protein expression of inflammation-related markers, including IL-1β, TNF-α, NOX4, integrin β1, and integrin β3, in H2O2-induced HK-2 cell injury. Likewise, in the LPS-induced HK-2 cell injury, DICAM knockdown led to a decrease in occludin levels and an increase in integrin β3, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, DICAM overexpression followed by LPS-induced HK-2 cell injury resulted in an increase in occludin levels and a decrease in integrin β1, integrin β3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, suggesting an alleviating effect on inflammatory responses. DICAM was elevated in the early stage of regular tubular cell injury and may protect against renal tubular injury through its anti-inflammatory properties. DICAM has a potential as an early diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for renal cell injury.

Fullerene is a cosmic material with a buckyball-like structure comprising 60 carbon atoms. It has attracted significant interest because of its outstanding antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Natural fullerene (NC60) in shungite meets the demand of biomedical fields to scavenge reactive oxygen species in many diseases. However, its hydrophobicity and poor solubility in water hinder its use as an antioxidant. In this study, highly water-dispersed and stable Pluronic-coated natural fullerene nanoaggregates (NC60/Plu) were prepared from various Pluronic polymers. The water dispersity and stability of NC60 were compared and optimized based on the characteristics of Pluronic polymers including F68, F127, L35, P123, and L81. In particular, NC60 coated with Pluronic F127 at a weight ratio of 1 to 5 showed excellent antioxidant effects both in situ and in vitro. This suggests that the high solubilization of NC60 in Pluronic polymers increases its chance of interacting with reactive oxygen radicals and improves radical scavenging activity. Thus, the optimized NC60/PF127 may be a novel biocompatible antioxidant for treating various diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Pressure injuries pose significant health risks, especially for the elderly, immobile individuals, and those with sensory impairments. These injuries can rapidly become chronic, making initial diagnosis important. Due to the difficulty of transporting patients from local health facilities to higher-level general hospitals for treatment, it is essential to utilize telemedicine tools, such as chatbots, to ensure rapid initial diagnosis. Recent advances in artificial intelligence have demonstrated potential for medical imaging and disease classification. Ongoing research in the field of dermatological diseases focuses on disease classification. However, the assessment accuracy of artificial intelligence is often limited by unequal class distributions and insufficient dataset quantities. In this study, we aim to enhance the accuracy of artificial intelligence models by generating synthetic datasets. Specifically, we focused on training models for Pressure Injury assessment using both real and synthetic datasets. We used PI data at a domestic medical university. As part of our supplementary research, we established a chatbot system to facilitate the assessment of pressure injuries. Using both constructed and synthetic data, we achieved a top-1 accuracy of 92.03%. The experimental results demonstrate that combining real and synthetic data significantly improves model accuracy. These findings suggest that synthetic datasets can be effectively utilized to address the limitations of small-scale datasets in medical applications. Future research should explore the use of diverse synthetic data generation methods and validate model performance on a variety of datasets to enhance the generalization and robustness of AI models for Pressure Injury assessment.

Research has been conducted on medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) to address the limited transmission capacity of existing AC power transmission lines and to achieve efficient integration of renewable energy sources. Another method to increase the transmission capacity is to raise the maximum allowable temperature of the power cable. The maximum allowable temperature for cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) in commercial power cables is 90 °C. Polypropylene (PP) is considered as an alternative material. PP has a maximum allowable temperature of 110 °C and possesses thermoplastic properties, making it environmentally friendly. However, PP may not ensure uniformity of the insulation layer depending on the extrusion process, including cooling conditions. This study aimed to determine the applicability of MVDC cables by assessing the uniformity of the insulation layer of extruded cables, considering the cooling conditions of PP in specimens. For the cooling conditions, ambient air, cooling press, and water cooling were evaluated for DC breakdown strength. Furthermore, the uniformity of the breakdown strength of the insulation layer, which was divided into sections such as conductor and sheath, was evaluated for commercial PP, XLPE, and the developed PP cables. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the DC BD strength of PP under various cooling conditions and emphasize the importance of uniformity in extruded cable sections.

The tetrazolium (TZ) test is a reliable but destructive method for identifying viable seeds. In this study, a non-destructive seed viability analysis method for Allium ulleungense was developed using multispectral imaging and stacking ensemble learning. Using the Videometerlab 4, multispectral imaging data were collected from 390 A. ulleungense seeds subjected to NaCl-accelerated aging treatments with three repetitions per treatment. Spectral values were obtained at 19 wavelengths (365–970 nm), and seed viability was determined using the TZ test. Next, 80% of spectral values were used to train Decision Tree, Random Forest, LightGBM, and XGBoost machine learning models, and 20% were used for testing. The models classified viable and non-viable seeds with an accuracy of 95–91% on the K-Fold value (n = 5) and 85–81% on the test data. A stacking ensemble model was developed using a Decision Tree as the meta-model, achieving an AUC of 0.93 and a test accuracy of 90%. Feature importance and SHAP value assessments identified 570, 645, and 940 nm wavelengths as critical for seed viability classification. These results demonstrate that machine learning-based spectral data analysis can be effectively used for seed viability assessment, potentially replacing the TZ test with a non-destructive method.

This research focuses on the development of a machine learning-based approach for the early diagnosis of blade rubbing in rotary machinery. In this paper, machine learning-based diagnostic methods are used for blade rubbing early diagnosis, and the faults are simulated using experimental models. The experimental conditions were simulated as follows: Excessive rotor vibration is generated by an unbalance mass, and blade rubbing occurs through excessive rotor vibration. Additionally, the severity of blade rubbing was also simulated while increasing the unbalance mass. And then, machine learning-based diagnostic methods were applied and the trends according to the severity of blade rubbing were compared. This paper provides a signal processing method through feature analysis to diagnose blade rubbing conditions in machine learning. It was confirmed that the results of the unbalance and blade rubbing represent different trends, and it is possible to distinguish unbalance from blade rubbing before blade rubbing occurs. The diagnosis using machine learning methods will be applicable to rotating machinery faults like blade rubbing; furthermore, the early diagnosis of blade rubbing will be possible.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are critical for soil ecosystem services as they enhance plant growth and soil quality via nutrient cycling and carbon storage. Considering the growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, this study investigated the effects of conventional and organic farming practices on AMF diversity, abundance, and ecological functions in maize, pepper, and potato-cultivated soils. Using next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR, we assessed AMF diversity and abundance in addition to soil health indicators such as phosphorus content, total nitrogen, and soil organic carbon. Our findings revealed that, while no significant differences in soil physicochemical parameters or AMF diversity were observed across farming systems when all crop data were combined, organic farming significantly enhances AMF abundance and fosters beneficial microbial ecosystems. These ecosystems play vital roles in nutrient cycling and carbon storage, underscoring the importance of organic practices in promoting robust AMF communities that support ecosystem services. This study not only deepens our understanding of AMF's ecological roles but also highlights the potential of organic farming to leverage these benefits for improving sustainability in agricultural practices.

Recent studies have highlighted the potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as an alternative treatment for Alopecia Areata (AA) due to their immunosuppressive properties. While MSCs have shown promise in cell experiments, their effectiveness in vivo remains uncertain. This study aims to validate local administration of MSC therapy’s efficacy in AA treatment through animal experiments. AA was induced through Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) administration in mice, and MSC treatment (MSCT)’s effects were assessed visually and through tissue analysis. The MSC-treated group showed more hair regrowth compared to the control (CTL) group. MSCT notably reduced local inflammatory cytokines (JAK1, JAK2, STAT1, STAT3, IFN-γR, IL-1β, IL-16, IL-17α, and IL-18) in AA-induced mice’s skin, but systemic cytokine levels remained unchanged. Furthermore, MSC treatment normalized the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway genes (LEF1 and β-catenin) and growth factors (FGF7 and FGF2), which are crucial for hair cycle regulation. This study lays the groundwork for further exploring MSCs as a potential treatment for AA, but more research is needed to fully understand their therapeutic potential.

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic changes associated with the anti-obesity effects of fermented blackberry extracts in the liver tissues of high-fat-diet-fed mice using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis. C57BL/6J mice were divided into eight groups: normal-diet-fed mice, high-fat-diet-fed mice, high-fat diet treated with blackberry extract, high-fat-diet mice treated with blackberry fermented by L. plantarum, and high-fat diet with blackberry fermented by L. brevis. After 12 weeks, the high-fat-diet group exhibited a greater increase in liver weight compared to the control group, and among the groups, the group administered with blackberry fermented with L. plantarum showed the most pronounced reduction in liver weight. As the primary organ responsible for amino acid metabolism, the liver is crucial for maintaining amino acid homeostasis. In our study, we observed that the levels of several essential amino acids, including isoleucine and valine, were decreased by the high-fat diet, and were recovered by administration of blackberry extract fermented with L. plantarum. Our results demonstrated the potential of blackberry extract fermented with L. plantarum as a functional material for metabolic disorders by restoring some of the amino acid metabolism disturbances induced by a high-fat diet.

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems doing tasks that usually need human intelligence. AI is constantly changing and is revolutionizing the healthcare field, including nutrition. This review’s purpose is four-fold: (i) to investigate AI’s role in nutrition research; (ii) to identify areas in nutrition using AI; (iii) to understand AI’s future potential impact; (iv) to investigate possible concerns about AI’s use in nutrition research. Eight databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Agricola, Scopus, IEEE Explore, Google Scholar and Cochrane. A total of 1737 articles were retrieved, of which 22 were included in the review. Article screening phases included duplicates elimination, title-abstract selection, full-text review, and quality assessment. The key findings indicated AI’s role in nutrition is at a developmental stage, focusing mainly on dietary assessment and less on malnutrition prediction, lifestyle interventions, and diet-related diseases comprehension. Clinical research is needed to determine AI’s intervention efficacy. The ethics of AI use, a main concern, remains unresolved and needs to be considered for collateral damage prevention to certain populations. The studies’ heterogeneity in this review limited the focus on specific nutritional areas. Future research should prioritize specialized reviews in nutrition and dieting for a deeper understanding of AI’s potential in human nutrition.

GV1001, an anticancer vaccine, exhibits other biological functions, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. It also suppresses the development of ligature-induced periodontitis in mice. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a major human oral bacterium implicated in the development of periodontitis, is associated with various systemic disorders, such as atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to explore the protective effects of GV1001 against Pg-induced periodontal disease, atherosclerosis, and AD-like conditions in Apolipoprotein (ApoE)-deficient mice. GV1001 effectively mitigated the development of Pg-induced periodontal disease, atherosclerosis, and AD-like conditions by counteracting Pg-induced local and systemic inflammation, partly by inhibiting the accumulation of Pg DNA aggregates, Pg lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and gingipains in the gingival tissue, arterial wall, and brain. GV1001 attenuated the development of atherosclerosis by inhibiting vascular inflammation, lipid deposition in the arterial wall, endothelial to mesenchymal cell transition (EndMT), the expression of Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) from arterial smooth muscle cells, and the formation of foam cells in mice with Pg-induced periodontal disease. GV1001 also suppressed the accumulation of AD biomarkers in the brains of mice with periodontal disease. Overall, these findings suggest that GV1001 holds promise as a preventive agent in the development of atherosclerosis and AD-like conditions associated with periodontal disease.

Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus), which are known to include a variety of bioactive substances, have been extensively studied for their antioxidant properties. Blackberries possess multiple health beneficial effects, including anti-inflammation, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activity. However, the potential biological effects and precise molecular mechanisms of the fermented extracts remain largely unexplored. In this research, we demonstrate the effect of blackberries fermented with Lactobacillus for addressing obesity. We investigated the effect of blackberries fermented by Lactobacillus on mice fed a high-fat (60% kcal) diet for 12 weeks. Fermented blackberry administration reduced the body weight and epididymal fat caused by a high-fat diet compared to the obese group. The triglyceride and total cholesterol, which are blood lipid indicators, and the levels of leptin, which is an insulin resistance indicator, were significantly increased in the obese group but were significantly decreased in the fermented blackberries-treated group. Additionally, the expression of adipogenesis marker proteins, such as CEBPα, PPAR-γ and SREBP-1, was significantly increased in the obese group, whereas it was decreased in the fermented blackberries-treated group. These results suggest that fermented blackberries have a protective effect against high-fat-diet-induced obesity by inhibiting adipogenesis and are a potential candidate for the treatment of obesity.

This study explored the positive effects of a six-week Social–Emotional and Ethical Learning® (SEE Learning) program on resilience and social and emotional competences, adapted for elementary students in Daegu, South Korea, a region strongly affected by the first outbreak of COVID-19. A total of 348 third- and fourth-grade students from 15 elementary schools participated, and the curriculum was tailored, emphasizing key areas such as resilience, attention, kindness, attention training, and compassion. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) tests showed statistically significant improvements between pre- and post-tests in resilience and its subscales, including self-efficacy, tolerance of negative affect, positive support relations, power of control, and spontaneity, as well as in social and emotional competencies, including emotional regulation, social skills, empathy, and social tendencies. Despite a lack of maintenance in all areas, at follow-up, the mean scores for self-efficacy, tolerance of negative affect, and positive support relations, as well as emotional regulation, social skills, empathy, and social tendency, remained higher than pre-test levels, suggesting some lasting benefits. The findings underscore the potential of the SEE Learning program integrated with resilience, mindfulness, compassion, and ethical practices to enhance students’ resilience and social and emotional well-being. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of mindfulness and compassion-based SEL programs to mitigate the adverse effects of traumatic events on children’s mental health.

Acute rejection (AR) is critical for long-term graft survival in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the integrated risk score of omics-based biomarkers in predicting AR in KTRs. This prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, pilot study enrolled 40 patients who recently underwent high-immunologic-risk kidney transplantation (KT). Five omics biomarkers were measured, namely, blood mRNA (three-gene signature), urinary exosomal miRNA (three-gene signature), urinary mRNA (six-gene signature), and two urinary exosomal proteins (hemopexin and tetraspanin-1) at 2 weeks and every 4 weeks after KT for 1 year. An integrated risk score was generated by summing each biomarker up. The biomarker group was informed about the integrated risk scores and used to adjust immunosuppression, but not the control group. The outcomes were graft function and frequency of graft biopsy. Sixteen patients in the biomarker group and nineteen in the control group completed the study. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate after KT did not differ between the groups. Graft biopsy was performed in two patients (12.5%) and nine (47.4%) in the biomarker and control groups, respectively, with the proportion being significantly lower in the biomarker group (p = 0.027). One patient (6.3%) in the biomarker group and two (10.5%) in the control group were diagnosed with AR, and the AR incidence did not differ between the groups. The tacrolimus trough level was significantly lower in the biomarker group than in the control group at 1 year after KT (p = 0.006). Integrated omics biomarker monitoring may help prevent unnecessary or high-complication-risk biopsy and enables tailored immunosuppression by predicting the risk of AR in KTRs.

This study aimed to compare the nanoleakage of retrograde fillings with premixed calcium silicate-based putty and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), using two different techniques (traditional and Lid). Sixty-four extracted human teeth were decoronated, then root canals and ends were instrumented for retrograde filling and divided into four groups according to the retrograde filling technique: the traditional and the Lid technique. Each group (n = 15) was filled with Ceraseal + Well-Root putty, Well-Root putty, Ceraseal + ProRoot MTA, and ProRoot MTA. The nanoleakage was evaluated using the Nanoflow device (IB Systems) on days 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30. Data were collected twice per second at the nanoscale (nL/s) and calculated after archiving the stabilization of fluid flow. The Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U-tests were used for statistical analysis. All groups showed enhanced sealing ability over time. Regardless of filling materials, the Well-Root putty, Ceraseal+Well-Root putty, and Ceraseal+ProRoot MTA groups indicated less nanoleakage than the ProRoot MTA group in the first week of evaluation (p < 0.05). Although all groups did not show significant differences after 2 weeks, the Ceraseal+ProRoot MTA group leaked less than ProRoot MTA on Days 3 and 7 (p < 0.05). The scanning electron microscopic examined good adaptation to the cavity wall, which was similar to nanoleakage results. Premixed calcium silicate-based putty retrograde filling material alone and using the “lid technique” were shown to be faster and less prone to nanoleakage when compared to MTA.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evolved into numerous lineages with unique spike mutations and caused multiple epidemics domestically and globally. Although COVID-19 vaccines are available, new variants with the capacity for immune evasion continue to emerge. To understand and characterize the evolution of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) program and has received thousands of SARS-CoV-2 clinical specimens from across the nation as part of a genotype to phenotype characterization process. Focus reduction neutralization with various antisera was used to antigenically characterize 143 SARS-CoV-2 Delta, Mu and Omicron subvariants from selected clinical specimens received between May 2021 and February 2023, representing a total of 59 unique spike protein sequences. BA.4/5 subvariants BU.1, BQ.1.1, CR.1.1, CQ.2 and BA.4/5 + D420N + K444T; BA.2.75 subvariants BM.4.1.1, BA.2.75.2, CV.1; and recombinant Omicron variants XBF, XBB.1, XBB.1.5 showed the greatest escape from neutralizing antibodies when analyzed against post third-dose original monovalent vaccinee sera. Post fourth-dose bivalent vaccinee sera provided better protection against those subvariants, but substantial reductions in neutralization titers were still observed, especially among BA.4/5 subvariants with both an N-terminal domain (NTD) deletion and receptor binding domain (RBD) substitutions K444M + N460K and recombinant Omicron variants. This analysis demonstrated a framework for long-term systematic genotype to antigenic characterization of circulating and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in the U.S., which is critical to assessing their potential impact on the effectiveness of current vaccines and antigen recommendations for future updates.

Recently, there has been a shift in smoking patterns among adolescents, with a decrease in the prevalence of conventional cigarette smoking and an increase in the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The harmful effects of e-cigarettes are remarkable, highlighting the need for proactive interventions for adolescent users and smoking cessation that consider the characteristics of both conventional cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users. This study aims to investigate the smoking status of adolescent conventional cigarette and e-cigarette smokers and to analyze the predictors of their smoking cessation plans (SCPs) based on the transtheoretical model. Self-rated health, prior smoking cessation education, consciousness-raising, and dramatic relief as types of experiential processes of change, and formation of helping relationships as a type of behavioral process of change significantly differed according to the type of cigarette behavior among adolescents. The predictors of SCP among adolescents were perceived pros of smoking and academic performance among conventional cigarette smokers and behavioral process of change, perceived pros of smoking, and economic status among e-cigarette users. This study identified differences in the characteristics and predictors of SCP. Strategies tailored to each specific adolescent smoking population are further required to promote smoking cessation.

Non-invasive diagnostics are crucial for the timely detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), significantly improving survival rates. Despite advancements, specific lipid markers for RCC remain unidentified. We aimed to discover and validate potent plasma markers and their association with dietary fats. Using lipid metabolite quantification, machine-learning algorithms, and marker validation, we identified RCC diagnostic markers in studies involving 60 RCC and 167 healthy controls (HC), as well as 27 RCC and 74 HC, by analyzing their correlation with dietary fats. RCC was associated with altered metabolism in amino acids, glycerophospholipids, and glutathione. We validated seven markers (l-tryptophan, various lysophosphatidylcholines [LysoPCs], decanoylcarnitine, and l-glutamic acid), achieving a 96.9% AUC, effectively distinguishing RCC from HC. Decreased decanoylcarnitine, due to reduced carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) activity, was identified as affecting RCC risk. High intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was negatively correlated with LysoPC (18:1) and LysoPC (18:2), influencing RCC risk. We validated seven potential markers for RCC diagnosis, highlighting the influence of high PUFA intake on LysoPC levels and its impact on RCC occurrence via CPT1 downregulation. These insights support the efficient and accurate diagnosis of RCC, thereby facilitating risk mitigation and improving patient outcomes.

Citrus fruits are one of the most widely used fruits around the world and are used as raw fruits, but are also processed into products such as beverages, and large amounts of by-products and waste are generated in this process. Globally, disposal of citrus waste (CW) through simple landfilling or ocean dumping can result in soil and groundwater contamination, which can negatively impact ecosystem health. The case of Korea is not much different in that these wastes are simply buried or recycled wastes are used as livestock feed additives. However, there are many reports that CW, which is a waste, has high potential to produce a variety of products that can minimize environmental load and increase added value through appropriate waste management. In this study, we aim to explore the latest developments in the evaluation and valorization of the growing CW green technologies in an effort to efficiently and environmentally transform these CW for resource recovery, sustainability, and economic benefits. Recent research strategies on integrated biorefinery approaches have confirmed that CW can be converted into various bioproducts such as enzymes, biofuels and biopolymers, further contributing to energy security. It was found that more efforts are needed to scale up green recovery technologies and achieve diverse product profiling to achieve zero waste levels and industrial viability.

The purpose of this work was to examine the effects of potassium poly-γ-glutamate (PGA-K) on mice fed a high-fat diet consisting of 60% of total calories for 12 weeks. PGA-K administration reduced the increase in body weight, epididymal fat, and liver weight caused by a high-fat diet compared to the obese group. The triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which are blood lipid indicators, were significantly increased in the obese group but were significantly decreased in the PGA-K-treated group. The administration of PGA-K resulted in a significant inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6. Moreover, the levels of leptin and insulin, which are insulin resistance indicators, significantly increased in the obese group but were significantly decreased in the PGA-K-treated group. These results suggest that PGA-K exhibits a protective effect against obesity induced by a high-fat diet, underscoring its potential as a candidate for obesity treatment.

Background: This study aimed to determine whether self-regulation acts as a mediating factor in the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior, targeting Korean female college students. Obesity-related stress and weight control behaviors are important factors affecting an individual’s health and well-being, and self-control, a psychological trait, can play a pivotal role in regulating how individuals respond to stress and engage in weight management behaviors. Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design. A total of 109 female college students with overweight and obesity participated in the study. We used a self-report questionnaire to measure obesity-related stress, self-control, and degree of weight control behavior. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, and bootstrapping using Hayes’ PROCESS macro for mediation. Results: Significant relationships between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), obesity-related stress and self-control (r = −0.36, p < 0.001), and weight control behavior and self-control (r = 0.26, p < 0.001) were observed. Self-control showed an indirect mediating effect on the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior (Β = 0.37, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Through the research results, it was confirmed that self-control is a factor that has a mediating effect in the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior among female college students with overweight and obesity. These results underscore the importance of addressing self-control strategies in interventions aimed at promoting healthy weight management among female college students with overweight or obesity.

Sarcopenia is defined as an age-related decline in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. Eating alone has been linked to various health issues in older adults. This study investigated the relationship between eating alone and handgrip strength (HGS) in older adults using data from 7278 individuals (≥65 years) who participated in the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. HGS was measured using a digital grip strength dynamometer, relative HGS was calculated by dividing HGS by body mass index, and dynapenia was defined as an HGS < 28 kg for men and

Background and Objectives: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) plays a crucial role in addressing various spinal disorders. The success of PLIF is contingent upon achieving bone fusion, as failure can lead to adverse clinical outcomes. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) has emerged as a promising solution for promoting fusion due to its unique combination of osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of three distinct DBMs (Exfuse®, Bongener®, and Bonfuse®) in achieving fusion rates in PLIF surgery. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 236 consecutive patients undergoing PLIF between September 2016 and February 2019. Patients over 50 years old with degenerative lumbar disease, receiving DBM, and following up for more than 12 months after surgery were included. Fusion was evaluated using the Bridwell grading system. Bridwell grades 1 and 2 were defined as ‘fusion’, while grades 3 and 4 were considered ‘non-fusion.’ Clinical outcomes were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the European quality of life-5 (EQ-5D). Results: Fusion rates were 88.3% for Exfuse, 94.3% for Bongener, and 87.7% for Bonfuse, with no significant differences. All groups exhibited significant improvement in clinical outcomes at 12 months after surgery, but no significant differences were observed among the three groups. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in fusion rates and clinical outcomes among Exfuse, Bongener, and Bonfuse in PLIF surgery.

Background and Objectives: Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is an acute respiratory disease with increasing annual numbers of reported domestic and global cases. This study aimed to establish foundational data for the prevention and control of LD by investigating the occurrence and infection routes of reported and suspected cases of LD in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, from January 2016 to December 2022, and by and analyzing the risk factors for death. Materials and Methods: A sex-and-age standardization was performed on LD patients and suspected cases reported in Gyeonggi Province. The monthly average number of confirmed cases was visualized using graphs, and a survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The mortality risk ratio was estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The incidence of LD in Gyeonggi Province mirrored the national trend, peaking in July with the highest number of confirmed and suspected cases. While there was no significant difference in survival rates by age, the survival rate was higher for suspected cases when analyzed separately. Comparing the death ratio by infection route, nosocomial infections showed the highest death ratio, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the presence of coinfections were significantly correlated with mortality. Factors such as nosocomial infection, admission within 1 to 3 days following diagnosis, and the development of complications were factors contributing to a higher risk of death. Conclusions: The general characteristics of patients with LD were similar to those suggested by previous studies. The proportion of community-acquired infections was lower than in previous studies, but the length of hospital stay was similar for survivors and the deceased, and the mortality rate within 30 days after diagnosis was higher for nosocomial infections. In conclusion, nosocomial infection, a period of up to 3 days from admission to diagnosis, and complications were significantly related to the mortality rate of LD.

Recent advancements in energy conversion and storage systems have placed a spotlight on the role of multi-functional electrodes employing conductive substrates. These substrates, however, often face obstacles due to intricate and expensive production methods, as well as limitations in thickness. This research introduces a novel, economical approach using graphite felt as a versatile electrode. A method to enhance the typically low conductivity of graphite felt was devised, incorporating interfacial chemical tuning and the electrodeposition of a highly conductive nickel layer. This technique facilitates the integration of diverse transition metal-based active sites, aiming to refine the catalytic activity for specific electrochemical reactions. A key finding is that a combination of a nickel-rich cathode and an iron-rich anode can effectively optimize alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production at the ampere scale. Furthermore, the addition of sulfur improves the bi-functional oxygen-related redox reactions, rendering it ideal for air cathodes in solid-state zinc–air batteries. The assembled battery exhibits impressive performance, including a peak power density of 62.9 mW cm−2, a minimal voltage gap in discharge–charge polarization, and a lifecycle surpassing 70 h. This advancement in electrode technology signifies a significant leap in energy storage and conversion, offering a sustainable and efficient solution for future energy systems.

Side streams and byproducts of food are established sources of natural ingredients in cosmetics. In the present study, we obtained upcycled low-molecular-weight anionic peptides (LMAPs) using byproducts of the post-yuzu-juicing process by employing an enzyme derived from Bacillus sp. For the first time, we isolated anionic peptides less than 500 Da in molecular weight from Citrus junos TANAKA seeds via hydrolysis using this enzyme. The protective effect of LMAPs against UVR-induced photoaging was evaluated using a reconstructed skin tissue (RST) model and keratinocytes. The LMAPs protected the keratinocytes by scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species and by reducing the levels of paracrine cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in UVR (UVA 2 J/cm2 and UVB 15 mJ/cm2)-irradiated keratinocytes. Additionally, the increase in melanin synthesis and TRP-2 expression in RST caused by UVR was significantly inhibited by LMAP treatment. This treatment strongly induced the expression of filaggrin and laminin-5 in UVR-irradiated RST. It also increased type I collagen expression in the dermal region and in fibroblasts in vitro. These results suggest that a hydrolytic system using the enzyme derived from Bacillus sp. can be used for the commercial production of LMAPs from food byproducts and that these LMAPs can be effective ingredients for improving photoaging-induced skin diseases.

(1) Background: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is known to improve clinical and radiological parameters; however, it may also cause more complications in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of ASD surgery, specifically regarding pain, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients aged 75 years and over and patients aged under 75 years; (2) Methods: A total of 151 patients who underwent ASD surgery between August 2014 and September 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they are 75 years and over or under. Radiological parameters measured included sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI)- lumbar lordosis (LL). Data were collected 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery; (3) Results: At 12 months postoperatively, visual analog scale (VAS) for low back pain (p = 0.342), Oswestry disability index (ODI) (p = 0.087), and EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) (p = 0.125) did not differ between patients under 75 years and those 75 and above 75 group. PT (p = 0.675), PI-LL (p = 0.948), and SVA (p = 0.108) did not differ significantly 12 months after surgery in the two groups. In the entire patient group, compared to preoperative data, significant improvements were demonstrated for clinical and radiological parameters 12 months after surgery (all p < 0.001). The rate of medical complications did not correlate with age, but the rates of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) did (p = 0.638, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively); (4) Conclusions: In terms of clinical and radiological improvements, ASD surgery should be considered for patients regardless of whether they are younger than or older than 75 years. The clinical and radiological improvements and the risk of complications and revision surgeries must be considered in ASD patients who are 75 years or older.

Various statistical distributions, such as Weibull, log-normal, and exponential functions, are frequently employed to interpret the dielectric breakdown (BD) strength data of insulating materials, including cross-linked polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene. This study aimed to determine a suitable statistical distribution for analyzing the dielectric BD strength data of PP insulators before and after thermal degradation. Dielectric BD strength tests were conducted on thermally deteriorated PP insulators under various degradation conditions. Additionally, a coefficient of determination was employed to assess the compatibility between the dielectric BD strength data and the statistical distribution of PP insulators before and after thermal degradation. The test results indicate that the coefficient of determination for alternating current BD strength data was 0.955 in the log-normal distribution before degradation and 0.929 in the Weibull distribution after degradation. Consequently, in the analysis of the PP insulation breakdown data, the log-normal distribution was found to be suitable for data before degradation, while the Weibull distribution was deemed suitable for data after degradation. These results can lead to lower errors in the power system design process, enhancing reliability when analyzing the BD strength data of insulation materials.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical obtained from Cannabis sativa; it has therapeutic effects on anxiety and cognition and anti-inflammatory properties. Although pharmacological applications of CBD in many types of tumors have recently been reported, the mechanism of action of CBD is not yet fully understood. In this study, we perform an mRNA-seq analysis to identify the target genes of CBD after determining the cytotoxic concentrations of CBD using an MTT assay. CBD treatment regulated the expression of genes related to DNA repair and cell division, with metallothionein (MT) family genes being identified as having highly increased expression levels induced by CBD. It was also found that the expression levels of MT family genes were decreased in colorectal cancer tissues compared to those in normal tissues, indicating that the downregulation of MT family genes might be highly associated with colorectal tumor progression. A qPCR experiment revealed that the expression levels of MT family genes were increased by CBD. Moreover, MT family genes were regulated by CBD or crude extract but not by other cannabinoids, suggesting that the expression of MT family genes was specifically induced by CBD. A synergistic effect between CBD and MT gene transfection or zinc ion treatment was found. In conclusion, MT family genes as novel target genes could synergistically increase the anticancer activity of CBD by regulating the zinc ions in human colorectal cancer cells.

Abnormal lipid metabolism increases the relative risk of kidney disease in patients with a single kidney. Using transcriptome analysis, we investigated whether a high-fat diet leads to abnormalities in lipid metabolism and induces kidney cell-specific damage in unilateral nephrectomy mice. Mice with unilateral nephrectomy fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks exhibited progressive renal dysfunction in proximal tubules, including lipid accumulation, vacuolization, and cell damage. Ring finger protein 20 (RNF20) is a ligase of nuclear receptor corepressor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). The transcriptome analysis revealed the involvement of RNF20-related transcriptome changes in PPAR signaling, lipid metabolism, and water transmembrane transporter under a high-fat diet and unilateral nephrectomy. In vitro treatment of proximal tubular cells with palmitic acid induced lipotoxicity by altering RNF20, PPARα, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) expression. PPARγ and aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expression decreased in collecting duct cells, regulating genetic changes in the water reabsorption process. In conclusion, a high-fat diet induces lipid accumulation under unilateral nephrectomy via altering RNF20-mediated regulation and causing functional damage to cells as a result of abnormal lipid metabolism, thereby leading to structural and functional kidney deterioration.

Greasiness in apple skin reduces its quality, and its level varies depending on the variety. In this study, low-temperature (1 ± 0.5 °C) stored ‘Hongro’ and ‘Fuji’, which had differences in the occurrence of greasiness, were moved to room temperature (20 °C) and untargeted metabolite and fatty acids for skin and flesh along with quality changes due to greasiness occurrence were compared. Ethylene production differed noticeably between the two varieties and increased rapidly in ‘Hongro’ until 9 d of room-temperature storage. The ethylene production did not differ significantly between the two varieties on day 20 when greasiness occurred. According to the PLS-DA score plot, while ‘Hongro’ had similar amounts of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, ‘Fuji’ had approximately twice as much unsaturated-fatty-acid content. ‘Hongro’, after 50 d of low-temperature (1 ± 0.5 °C) storage, produced excessive ethylene during room-temperature storage, which was directly related to greasiness development. As a result, the primary wax components of greasy ‘Hongro’ were nonacosane and nonacosan-10-ol. As the room-temperature storage period elapsed, pentyl linoleate and α-farnesene contents increased significantly. Furthermore, these greasiness-triggering characteristics of ‘Hongro’ may have been genetically influenced by the paternal parent used during breeding.

The 3-in-1 electric drive unit (EDU) has the advantage of increasing the motor size for a larger output, and the reducer can be a compact layout designed to incorporate three key components—the drive motor, inverter, and reducer—into a single main body. This paper explores a hybrid simulation model for a 3-in-1 electromechanical drive unit (EDU) and its supporting components, consisting of the gear drive unit (GDU) mount, the motor mount, and the roll rod mounts. The synthesis of these sub-components, including the 3-in-1 EDU itself, the three supporting mount modules, and a rigid-body finite element model, is presented. The dynamics of the 3-in-1 EDU were determined through an experimental modal test. Meanwhile, the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients of the three supporting mounts were measured using an elastomer tester across a frequency range from 10 Hz to 1000 Hz. To evaluate the sensitivity of each mount, the total spectral responses of the 3-in-1 EDU were compared under a torque input, considering rigid connections for each mount in contrast to their original dynamic stiffness. Through installing a rollrod mount, the optimal rigid connection was identified to control the dynamic response of the 3-in-1 EDU hybrid model. Furthermore, simulation results for the rigid connections in each mount were validated against experimental findings, confirming that the rigid rollrod mount configuration provided the best results.

Recently, security monitoring facilities have mainly adopted artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide both increased security and improved performance. However, there are technical challenges in the pursuit of elevating system performance, automation, and security efficiency. In this paper, we proposed intelligent anomaly detection and classification based on deep learning (DL) using multi-modal fusion. To verify the method, we combined two DL-based schemes, such as (i) the 3D Convolutional AutoEncoder (3D-AE) for anomaly detection and (ii) the SlowFast neural network for anomaly classification. The 3D-AE can detect occurrence points of abnormal events and generate regions of interest (ROI) by the points. The SlowFast model can classify abnormal events using the ROI. These multi-modal approaches can complement weaknesses and leverage strengths in the existing security system. To enhance anomaly learning effectiveness, we also attempted to create a new dataset using the virtual environment in Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA5). The dataset consists of 400 abnormal-state data and 78 normal-state data with clip sizes in the 8–20 s range. Virtual data collection can also supplement the original dataset, as replicating abnormal states in the real world is challenging. Consequently, the proposed method can achieve a classification accuracy of 85%, which is higher compared to the 77.5% accuracy achieved when only employing the single classification model. Furthermore, we validated the trained model with the GTA dataset by using a real-world assault class dataset, consisting of 1300 instances that we reproduced. As a result, 1100 data as the assault were classified and achieved 83.5% accuracy. This also shows that the proposed method can provide high performance in real-world environments.

This study aimed to identify the level of stress in teenagers from multicultural families in Korea and examine the factors influencing this stress. This cross-sectional study utilized the 15th (2019) Korea Youth Risk Bsehavior Web-based Survey. Of the 57,303 survey participants, 749 reported that their father, mother, or both parents were born outside of Korea. These 749 multicultural individuals were selected as study participants. We examined general characteristics (sex, grade, parental education level, academic performance level, foreign nationality, residence type, economic status, exposure to violence, and frequency of physical activity), health risk behaviors (sexual activity, drug use, and drinking), and mental health factors (sleep, depression, and presence of suicidal thoughts) to determine whether these factors may contribute to multicultural adolescent stress. Multicultural adolescents who reported insufficient sleep, depression, or suicidal thoughts were more likely to experience stress than those who did not report these factors. Moreover, participants with insufficient sleep were 3.73 times more likely to feel stress than those with good sleep. Among general characteristics, health risk behaviors, and mental health factors, mental health factors were observed to significantly predict an increase in multicultural adolescents’ stress levels. Considering the increase in the number of multicultural adolescents in Korea, it is important to address the difficulties they experience to provide appropriate interventional programs. Such programs should include techniques to help with the management of stress.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is widely used as a standard treatment for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). While patients who achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) have a highly favorable outcome, patients who do not achieve pCR have variable prognoses. It is important to identify patients who are most likely to have poor survival outcomes to identify candidates for more aggressive therapeutic approaches after NAC. Many studies have demonstrated that cytokines and growth factors packaged into extracellular vesicles (EVs) have an essential role in tumor progression and drug resistance. In this study, we examined the role of serum-derived EV-associated cytokines as prognostic biomarkers for long-term outcomes in patients who underwent anthracycline–taxane-based NAC. We isolated extracellular vesicles from the serum of 190 TNBC patients who underwent NAC between 2015 and 2018 at Samsung Medical Center. EV-associated cytokine concentrations were measured with ProcartaPlex Immune Monitoring 65-plex panels. The prognostic value of EV-associated cytokines was studied. We found that patients with high EV_APRIL, EV_CXCL13, and EV_VEGF-A levels had shorter overall survival (OS). We further evaluated the role of these selected biomarkers as prognostic factors in patients with residual disease (RD) after NAC. Even in patients with RD, high levels of EV_APRIL, EV_CXCL13, and EV_VEGF-A were correlated with poor OS. In all subgroup analyses, EV_CXCL13 overexpression was significantly associated with poor overall survival. Moreover, multivariate analysis indicated that a high level of EV_CXCL13 was an independent predictor of poor OS. Correlation analysis between biomarker levels in EVs and serum showed that EV_VEGF-A positively correlated with soluble VEGF-A but not CXCL13. An elevated level of soluble VEGF-A was also associated with poor OS. These findings suggest that EV_APRIL, EV_CXCL13, and EV_VEGF-A may be useful in identifying TNBC patients at risk of poor survival outcomes after NAC.

Emerging evidence indicates that intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels and their regulatory proteins play essential roles in normal stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cancer cells that retain characteristics similar to stem cells and play an essential role in cancer progression. Recent studies have reported that the Orai3 calcium channel plays an oncogenic role in human cancer. However, its role in CSCs remains underexplored. In this study, we explored the effects of Orai3 in the progression and stemness of oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). During the course of OSCC progression, the expression of Orai3 exhibited a stepwise augmentation. Notably, Orai3 was highly enriched in CSC populations of OSCC. Ectopic Orai3 expression in non-tumorigenic immortalized oral epithelial cells increased the intracellular Ca2+ levels, acquiring malignant growth and CSC properties. Conversely, silencing of the endogenous Orai3 in OSCC cells suppressed the CSC phenotype, indicating a pivotal role of Orai3 in CSC regulation. Moreover, Orai3 markedly increased the expression of inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1), a stemness transcription factor. Orai3 and ID1 exhibited elevated expression within CSCs compared to their non-CSC counterparts, implying the functional importance of the Orai3/ID1 axis in CSC regulation. Furthermore, suppression of ID1 abrogated the CSC phenotype in the cell with ectopic Orai3 overexpression and OSCC. Our study reveals that Orai3 is a novel functional CSC regulator in OSCC and further suggests that Orai3 plays an oncogenic role in OSCC by promoting cancer stemness via ID1 upregulation.

The effect of the channel interface of top-gate InGaZnO (IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) on the electrical properties caused by exposure to various wet chemicals such as deionized water, photoresist (PR), and strippers during the photolithography process was studied. Contrary to the good electrical characteristics of TFTs including a protective layer (PL) to avoid interface damage by wet chemical processes, TFTs without PL showed a conductive behavior with a negative threshold voltage shift, in which the ratio of Ga and Zn on the IGZO top surface reduced due to exposure to a stripper. In addition, the wet process in photolithography increased oxygen vacancy and oxygen impurity on the IGZO surface. The photo-patterning process increased donor-like defects in IGZO due to organic contamination on the IGZO surface by PR, making the TFT characteristics more conductive. The introduction of ozone (O3) annealing after photo-patterning and stripping of IGZO reduced the increased defect states on the surface of IGZO due to the wet process and effectively eliminated organic contamination by PR. In particular, by controlling surface oxygens on top of the IGZO surface excessively generated with O3 annealing using UV irradiation of 185 and 254 nm, IGZO TFTs with excellent current–voltage characteristics and reliability could be realized comparable to IGZO TFTs containing PL.

Background/Aims: Conflicting results have been reported regarding the interaction between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and clopidogrel. We investigated whether concomitant PPI use influenced the risk of recurrence in patients with stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: This study used two databases for two different designs, the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database for a self-controlled case series design, and the national sample cohort of the NHIS data base converted to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-Common Data Model version for a cohort study based on large-scale propensity score matching. Results: In the PPI co-prescription group, recurrent hospitalization with stroke occurred in 17.6% of the 8201 patients with history of stroke, and recurrent MI occurred in 17.1% of the 1216 patients with history of MI within1 year. According to the self-controlled case series, the overall relative risk (RR) of recurrent stroke was 2.09 (95% confidence interval (CI); 1.83–2.38); the RR showed an increasing trend parallel to the time from the beginning of PPI co-prescription. In the cohort study, there was a higher incidence of recurrent stroke in the PPI co-prescription group (Hazard ratio (HR): 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01–1.76, p = 0.04). The overall RR of recurrent MI was 1.47 (95% CI; 1.02–2.11) in the self-controlled case series; however, there was no statistically significant difference in recurrent MI in the cohort study (HR:1.42, 95% CI:0.79–2.49, p = 0.23). The impact of individual PPIs on stroke and MI showed different patterns. Conclusions: A PPI co-prescription >4 weeks with clopidogrel was associated with hospitalization of recurrent stroke within 1 year of initial diagnosis; however, its association with recurrent MI remains inconclusive. The influence of individual PPIs should be clarified in the future.

Src is emerging as a promising target in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment because it activates survival signaling linked to the epidermal growth factor receptor. In this study, the effect of calcium supply on Src degradation was investigated to confirm underlying mechanisms and anticancer effects targeting TNBC. MDA-MB-231 cells, the TNBC cell line, were used. Calcium supply was feasible through lactate calcium salt (CaLac), and the applicable calcium concentration was decided by changes in the viability with different doses of CaLac. Expression of signaling molecules mediated by calcium-dependent Src degradation was observed by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, and the recovery of the signaling molecules was confirmed following calpeptin treatment. The anticancer effect was investigated in the xenograft animal model. Significant suppression of Src was induced by calcium supply, followed by a successive decrease in the expression of epithelial growth factor receptor, RAS, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and nuclear factor kappa B. Then, the suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 contributed to a significant deactivation of the prostaglandin E2 receptors. These results suggest that calcium supply has the potential to reduce the risk of TNBC. However, as this study is at an early stage to determine clinical applicability, close consideration is needed.

Urban particulate matter (UPM) is a high-hazard cause of various diseases in humans, including in the respiratory tract, skin, heart, and even brain. Unfortunately, there is no established treatment for the damage caused by UPM in the respiratory epithelium. In addition, although RIPK3 is known to induce necroptosis, its intracellular role as a negative regulator in human lungs and bronchial epithelia remains unclear. Here, the endogenous expression of RIPK3 was significantly decreased 6 h after exposure to UPM. In RIPK3-ovexpressed cells, RIPK3 was not moved to the cytoplasm from the nucleus. Interestingly, the overexpression of RIPK3 dramatically decreased TEER and F-actin formation. Its overexpression also decreased the expression of genes for pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and tight junctions (ZO-1, -2, -3, E-cadherin, and claudin) during UPM-induced airway inflammation. Importantly, overexpression of RIPK3 inhibited the UPM-induced ROS production by inhibiting the activation of iNOS and eNOS and by regulating mitochondrial fission processing. In addition, UPM-induced activation of the iκB and NF-κB signaling pathways was dramatically decreased by RIPK3, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was decreased by inhibiting the iκB signaling pathway. Our data indicated that RIPK3 is essential for the UPM-induced inflammatory microenvironment to maintain homeostasis. Therefore, we suggest that RIPK3 is a potential therapeutic candidate for UPM-induced pulmonary inflammation.

GV1001, a 16 amino acid peptide derived from the catalytic segment of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, was developed as an anti-cancer vaccine. Subsequently, it was found to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-Alzheimer’s disease properties. Periodontitis is a risk factor for a variety of systemic diseases, including atherosclerosis, a process in which chronic systemic and vascular inflammation results in the formation of plaques containing lipids, macrophages, foam cells, and tissue debris on the vascular intima. Thus, we investigated the effect of GV1001 on the severity of ligature-induced periodontitis, vascular inflammation, and arterial lipid deposition in mice. GV1001 notably reduced the severity of ligature-induced periodontitis by inhibiting gingival and systemic inflammation, alveolar bone loss, and vascular inflammation in wild-type mice. It also significantly lowered the amount of lipid deposition in the arterial wall in ApoE-deficient mice receiving ligature placement without changing the serum lipid profile. In vitro, we found that GV1001 inhibited the Receptor Activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced phenotypic changes in endothelial cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that GV1001 prevents the exacerbation of periodontitis and atherosclerosis associated with periodontitis partly by inhibiting local, systemic, and vascular inflammation and phenotypic changes of vascular endothelial cells.

Balanced nutrients are essential for healthy plant growth, but there is no sensor available to monitor essential nutrients such as N and K. Electrical conductivity (EC) is one of the key parameters that could be adopted to monitor nutrient contents because soil EC is influenced by the available nutrients. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine the effects of different basal fertilizers, including inorganic, organic, and compost fertilizers, and the application ratio of basal and additional fertilizers on nutrient contents with an EC sensor. The applied basal and additional fertilizer ratios were N 30:70, K 40:60, and N 20:80, K 20:80, respectively, for each fertilizer treatment. The results showed that the EC sensor value was positively associated with water content. The soil EC response increased with inorganic fertilizer and fertigation, and it was positively correlated with soluble nutrients and exchangeable ammonium. The correlation coefficients between sensor EC and soluble nutrients, nitrate, and ammonium nitrogen were 0.87, 0.86, and 0.65, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) also elucidated that inorganic fertilizer was positively associated with sensor EC, soluble Na, Ca, Mg, and nitrate among variables. This work suggests that soil available nutrients, especially N, could be monitored with an EC sensor, and the soil nutrient status could be regulated to promote better plant growth.

The incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been increasing since 2008, with Gyeonggi Province in South Korea being particularly vulnerable due to its large number of healthcare facilities. This study examines the trends of CRE occurrence in Gyeonggi Province over the past four years and the epidemiological characteristics of the infected patients. Patients with positive CRE blood cultures admitted to healthcare facilities in Gyeonggi Province from January 2018 to December 2021 were evaluated in this study. Risk factors for CRE-related death were analyzed using data from patients who died within 30 days of the last blood sampling. Older adults aged 70 years and above constituted the majority of patients with CRE bacteremia. Antibiotic use did not significantly affect mortality risk. Non-survivors were more common in tertiary hospitals and intensive care units and included patients with hypertension, malignant tumors, and multiple underlying diseases. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common CRE strain, with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase being the predominant carbapenemase. Our study suggests the endemicity of CRE in Gyeonggi Province and highlights the increasing isolation of CRE strains in South Korean long-term care hospitals within the province. Further, infection control measures and government support specific to each healthcare facility type are crucial.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating effects of social networks and wisdom on the relationship between lifestyle habits and healthy aging in older adults with chronic diseases. Methods: Participants were 120 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older with at least one chronic disease. Data were collected from elderly people by visiting nursing care worker training centers, senior centers, social gatherings, and home welfare centers in D, G, and S cities, with a questionnaire of lifestyle habits, social networks, wisdom and healthy aging, and general characteristics. Results: There were differences in the degree of healthy aging according to age (F = 3.76, p = 0.026), spousal relationship (t = 3.11, p = 0.002), education (F = 9.08, p < 0.001), number of diseases (F = 8.65, p < 0.001), and economic level (t = −2.45, p = 0.016). The most common diseases among the subjects were hypertension, hyperlipidemia, joint diseases and diabetes mellitus. Social networks (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and wisdom (β = 0.55, p < 0.001) had partial mediating effects (z = 4.15, p < 0.001; z = 5.11, p < 0.001) on the relationship between subjects’ lifestyle habits and healthy aging. Conclusions: To increase the degree of healthy aging of subjects, it is necessary to establish a mediating intervention program that manages to have good lifestyle habits in daily life, increase social networks, and become wise.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic data from Quaternary basalt outcrops along the Hantangang River, Korea. A total of 554 samples were collected from 20 sites, representing three distinct units, Unit I, Unit II, and Unit III. Paleomagnetic data reveal a difference in the timing of eruptions between Units I and II, suggesting distinct periods by volcanic episodes. The mineral magnetic analysis identified titanomagnetite as the dominant magnetic carrier in the samples. AMS results indicated weak anisotropy and scattered AMS directions, indicating a low degree of preferred orientation of grains within the basalt rocks. The inverse AMS fabrics observed at specific sites are attributed to single-domain (SD) grains. Comparing the AMS data with the anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM) data, three distinct types of magnetic fabrics (normal, intermediate, and inverse) were discerned. The magnetic fabric was utilized to ascertain the flow direction based on the findings obtained from the AMS results. The findings suggest that the Quaternary basalts in this study’s area were primarily confined to the Hantangang River channel and its immediate vicinity during lava flow. However, distinct flow patterns are observed in the southwestern region, implying the presence of unknown volcanic sources.

C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) is a rare cause of end-stage kidney disease and frequently recurrent in allografts following kidney transplantation (KT). Herein, we describe the case of a kidney transplant recipient who developed recurrent C3GN along with BK-virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) following KT. A 33-year-old man diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis 17 years ago underwent preemptive KT with a donor kidney from his aunt. Proteinuria gradually increased after 3 months following KT, and graft biopsy was performed 30 months after KT. Histopathological examination revealed recurrent C3GN. The dosages of triple immunosuppressive maintenance therapy agents were increased. Subsequently, serum C3 levels recovered to normal levels. However, at 33 months following KT, the BK viral load increased and graft function gradually deteriorated; a second graft biopsy was performed at 46 months following KT, which revealed BKVAN and decreased C3GN activity. The dosages of immunosuppressive agents were decreased; subsequently, BKVAN improved and graft function was maintained with normal serum C3 levels at 49 months following KT. This case indicates that C3GN is highly prone to recurrence following KT and that immunosuppressive therapy for C3GN increases the risk of BKVAN.

Cervi cornu extracts have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders, including osteoporosis. However, since it is not easy to separate the active ingredients, limited research has been conducted on their functional properties. In this study, we extracted the low-molecular-weight (843 Da) collagen NP-2007 from cervi cornu by enzyme hydrolyzation to enhance absorption and evaluated the therapeutic effect in monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat osteoarthritis (OA) model. NP-2007 was orally administered at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 21 days. We showed that the production of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, and -9, decreased after NP-2007 treatment. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 were also reduced after treatment of NP-2007. Furthermore, the administration of NP-2007 resulted in effective preservation of both the synovial membrane and knee cartilage and significantly decreased the transformation of fibrous tissue. We verified that the treatment of NP-2007 significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by regulation of the NF-kB and MAPK signaling pathways. This study indicates that NP-2007 can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and can be applied as a novel treatment for OA treatment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that Glycine max hydrolyzed with enzymes from Bacillus velezensis KMU01 has on dextran-sulfate-sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Hydrolysis improves functional health through the bioconversion of raw materials and increase in intestinal absorption rate and antioxidants. Therefore, G. max was hydrolyzed in this study using a food-derived microorganism, and its anti-inflammatory effect was observed. Enzymatically hydrolyzed G. max (EHG) was orally administered once daily for four weeks before DSS treatment. Colitis was induced in mice through the consumption of 5% (w/v) DSS in drinking water for eight days. The results showed that EHG treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss and decreased the disease activity index and colon length. In addition, EHG markedly reduced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 production, and increased that of IL-10. EHG improved DSS-induced histological changes and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in mice. Moreover, we found that the abundance of 15 microorganisms changed significantly; that of Proteobacteria and Escherichia coli, which are upregulated in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, decreased after EHG treatment. These results suggest that EHG has a protective effect against DSS-induced colitis and is a potential candidate for colitis treatment.

Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that is transmitted by tainted food, causes the infection listeriosis. In this study, quercetin was tested for its antibacterial properties and effectiveness as a food additive in preventing the growth of L. monocytogenes cocktail (ATCC19117, ATCC19113, and ATCC15313) biofilms on crabs and shrimps. Quercetin showed the least bactericidal activity and no discernible microbial growth at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 µg/mL. The biofilm inhibition was performed at sub-MICs (1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 MIC). There was no quercetin added to the control group. Additionally, the present work examines the expression of various genes related to biofilm formation and quorum sensing (flaA, fbp, agrA, hlyA, and prfA). The levels of target genes were all significantly down-regulated. Quercetin (0–125 µg/mL) on the surfaces of the crab and shrimp was studied; its inhibitory effects were measured as log reductions at 0.39–2.31 log CFU/cm2 and 0.42–2.36 log CFU/cm2, respectively (p < 0.05). Quercetin reduced the formation of biofilms by disrupting cell-to-cell connections and causing cell lysis, which led to the deformation of the cells, evidenced by FE-SEM (field-emission scanning electron microscopy). These findings emphasize the significance of using natural food agents to target bacteria throughout the entire food production process.

Hydrangea serrata is a plant grown in Korea and Japan with a particular natural compound, hydrangenol. H. serrata has been researched for its anti-fungal properties, and ability to attenuate allergies and promote muscle growth. Its ability to reduce skin dryness is poorly understood. For that reason, we investigated whether H. serrata hot water extracts (Hs-WE) can moisturize keratinocytes. In clinical studies (Approval Code: GIRB-21929-NY and approval Date: 5 October 2021), skin wrinkles and skin moisturizing levels were improved in subjects applying 0.5% Hs-WE compared to the placebo group. We confirmed the components of Hs-WE from the LC/MS-MS analysis. Hs-WE and hydrangenol did not show cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells at all concentrations. Cell growth was also promoted by Hs-WE (5–20 µg/mL) and hydrangenol (15–60 µM) in a wound healing assay. Skin moisturizing factors were upregulated by the presence of Hs-WE or hydrangenol, and the hyaluronidases (HYAL) were inhibited at the mRNA level. Meanwhile, COL1A1 was increased by the presence of Hs-WE or hydrangenol. MAPK, AP-1, and Akt/PI3k signaling proteins, which are associated with cell proliferation and moisturizing factors, were increased by the administration of Hs-WE and hydrangenol. Has-1, 2, and 3 levels were enhanced via JNK when using the inhibitors of MAPK proteins and Hs-WE and hydrangenol, respectively. Taken together, Hs-WE could be used as cosmeceutical materials for improving skin conditions.