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Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam) is the world’s seventh most important food crop by production quantity. Cultivated sweetpotato is a hexaploid (2n = 6x = 90), and its genome (B1B1B2B2B2B2) is quite complex due to polyploidy, self-incompatibility, and high heterozygosity. Here we established a haploid-resolved and chromosome-scalede novoassembly of autohexaploid sweetpotato genome sequences. Before constructing the genome, we created chromosome-scale genome sequences inI. trifidausing a highly homozygous accession, Mx23Hm, with PacBio RSII and Hi-C reads. Haploid-resolved genome assembly was performed for a sweetpotato cultivar, Xushu18 by hybrid assembly with Illumina paired-end (PE) and mate-pair (MP) reads, 10X genomics reads, and PacBio RSII reads. Then, 90 chromosome-scale pseudomolecules were generated by aligning the scaffolds onto a sweetpotato linkage map.De novoassemblies were also performed for chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes inI. trifidaand sweetpotato. In total, 34,386 and 175,633 genes were identified on the assembled nucleic genomes ofI. trifidaand sweetpotato, respectively. Functional gene annotation and RNA-Seq analysis revealed locations of starch, anthocyanin, and carotenoid pathway genes on the sweetpotato genome. This is the first report of chromosome-scalede novoassembly of the sweetpotato genome. The results are expected to contribute to genomic and genetic analyses of sweetpotato.

The high comorbidity rates of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and gaming disorder (GD) with other psychiatric disorders are concerning. A follow-up study of gamers from clinical and non-clinical samples with and without diagnoses of IGD or GD was conducted to investigate the changes in diagnoses over a one-year period, compare their diagnostic stability, and examine the patterns of co-occurrence between IGD and GD with other psychiatric disorders over the same period.Baseline and one-year follow-up data of 279 participants, including 120 problematic gaming patients and 159 gamers from the general population, were analyzed. Information on demographics, gaming habits, and self-reported psychological status was collected. Additionally, a structured interview was conducted using the Gaming Diagnostic Interview and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.Although there was no significant difference between the changes in IGD/GD diagnosis during the one-year period, 34.7% of the participants had a change in IGD diagnosis, while the number of GD cases increased to 60.4%. When evaluating the fixed effects of comorbidity on IGD and GD, ADHD had the highest odds ratio for both IGD (75.23, 95% CI 10.67-530.61) and GD (117.02 x10These results revealed that a GD diagnosis might be more prone to change than an IGD diagnosis. GD was also found to be more affected by comorbid psychiatric disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of switching to teneligliptin from other dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled despite treatment with a stable dose of other DPP-4 inhibitors. Methods Patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7% despite taking DPP-4 inhibitors other than teneligliptin, with or without other antidiabetic agents, for at least 3 months were enrolled in this study. Patients on DPP-4 inhibitors administered prior to participation in this study were switched to 20 mg teneligliptin once daily and the dose was maintained for the 52-week study period. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c at week 12. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and the blood lipid profile were also evaluated. Adverse events were monitored for safety assessment. Results At weeks 12, 24, and 52, the HbA1c values significantly decreased by − 0.39, − 0.44, and − 0.52%, respectively, compared to the baseline value (p

This study was aimed at comparing the effects of cervical stabilization exercises with thoracic spine extension exercises and cervical stabilization exercises with breathing exercises on head posture in subjects with the forward head posture (FHP). FHP is a poor habitual neck posture that is defined by the forward translation of the cervical vertebrae and hyperextension of the upper cervical vertebrae. Continuous FHP adds the load to posterior cervical structures, for instance, ligament, and transforms scapular kinetics and kinematics, and affects the quality of life and activities of daily living. The study included 30 adults with FHP, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental group was asked to perform cervical stabilization exercises with thoracic spine extension exercises, and the control group was asked to perform cervical stabilization exercises with breathing exercises. After 4 weeks of exercise, the changes in head posture (cranial rotation angle and craniovertebral angle) were measured again. Craniovertebral angle and craniovertebral angle were assessed using digital, lateral-view photographs of the subjects in their usual standing postures. The results showed that there was a significant difference between experimental group and control group before and after exercise (p < 0.05). In between-group comparison, there were significant differences noted in craniovertebral angle and cranial rotation angle in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Both two groups affect cranial rotation angle, craniovertebral angle, and postural alignment, but it is believed that cervical stabilization exercises with thoracic spine extension exercises directly affect the thoracic and cervical spines. As a result, cervical stabilization exercises and thoracic spine extension exercises are recommended to improve postural alignment.

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the center of pressure during stair ascending in subjects with chronic ankle instability while different angles of foot are applied. The subjects of this study were 20 male and female adults with chronic ankle instability were selected from among the employees of D Hospital in Daegu Metropolitan City. The criteria for selection of subjects with chronic ankle instability were those who felt wobbling in the ankle joint and scored not higher than 24 points in a test using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). The subjects carried out stair ascending in neutral, toe-in and toe-out postures, respectively, and changes in the center of pressure (COP) were compared and analyzed. The results of this study, no statistically significant difference appeared in the comparison between the toe-in posture and neutral posture or between the neutral posture and the toe-out posture but medial/lateral movements of the center of pressure showed significant differences between the toe-in and toe-out postures. In addition, the total travel range and the moving range of the center of pressure, the average velocity, and the anterior/posterior movements of the center of pressure showed no statistically significant difference among all three postures. As a result, it could be seen that when adults with chronic ankle instability climb the stairs, the toe-in posture reduce the medial/lateral movements of the center of pressure thereby increasing the stability of the ankle and effectively preventing re-injuries.

Frequent blood pressure monitoring is the key to diagnosis and treatments of many severe diseases. However, the conventional ambulatory methods require patients to carry a blood pressure (BP) monitoring device for 24 h and conduct the measurement every 10--15 min. Despite their extensive usage, wearing the wrist/arm-based BP monitoring device for a long time has a significant impact on users' daily activities. To address the problem, we developed eBP to measure blood pressure (BP) from inside user's ear aiming to minimize the measurement's impact on users' normal activities although maximizing its comfort level. The key novelty of eBP includes (1) a light-based inflatable pulse sensor which goes inside the ear, (2) a digital air pump with a fine controller, and (3) BP estimation algorithms that eliminate the need of blocking the blood flow inside the ear. Through the comparative study of 35 subjects, eBP can achieve the average error of 1.8 mmHg for systolic (high-pressure value) and -3.1 mmHg for diastolic (low-pressure value) with the standard deviation error of 7.2 mmHg and 7.9 mmHg, respectively. These results satisfy the FDA's AAMI standard, which requires a mean error of less than 5 mmHg and a standard deviation of less than 8 mmHg.

In subjects with functional ankle instability, lumbopelvic instability causes instability of the hip and lower extremities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a lumbopelvic stabilization exercise program on the balance and instability of adults with functional ankle instability. 30 adults with functional ankle instability were assigned to a hip joint strengthening exercise group and a lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group at random. General ankle intervention was used in the hip joint strengthening exercise group, whereas a stabilization exercise using a sling was added in the lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group. The dynamic balance ability, static balance ability, and ankle instability were measured. A Paired-sample t-test was conducted to see the within-group changes in dynamic balance, static balance, and ankle instability scale before and after the experiment. To compare the changes between groups, an independent-sample t-test was conducted. The lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group showed increased the posterior-lateral distance and the scores on foot and ankle ability measures (p

Bone growth factors, particularly bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), are required for effective treatment of significant bone loss. Despite the extensive development of bone substitutes, much remains to be desired for wider application in clinical settings. The currently available bone substitutes cannot sustain prolonged BMP-2 release and are inconvenient to use. In this study, we developed a ready-to-use bone substitute by sequential conjugation of BMP to a three-dimensional (3D) poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) scaffold using novel molecular adhesive materials that reduced the operation time and sustained prolonged BMP release.A 3D PLLA scaffold was printed and BMP-2 was conjugated with alginate-catechol and collagen. PLLA scaffolds were conjugated with different concentrations of BMP-2 and evaluated for bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo using a mouse calvarial model. The BMP-2 release kinetics were analyzed using ELISA. Histological analysis and micro-CT image analysis were performed to evaluate new bone formation.The 3D structure of the PLLA scaffold had a pore size of 400 µm and grid thickness of 187-230 µm. BMP-2 was released in an initial burst, followed by a sustained release for 14 days. Released BMP-2 maintained osteoinductivity in vitro and in vivo. Micro-computed tomography and histological findings demonstrate that the PLLA scaffold conjugated with 2 µg/ml of BMP-2 induced optimal bone regeneration.The 3D-printed PLLA scaffold conjugated with BMP-2 enhanced bone regeneration, demonstrating its potential as a novel bone substitute.

Spirulina maxima is a marine microalga that has been promoted worldwide as a super food. This study was conducted to evaluate its ability to improve memory in the older adults using Spirulina maxima 70% ethanol extract (SM70EE). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comprised 80 volunteers recruited from Jeonbuk National University Hospital in Jeonju, Republic of Korea, who were randomly assigned to two groups. The participants received either 1 g/day of SM70EE or a placebo without otherwise changing their diet or physical activity. The participants were examined at baseline and after a 12-week interval to determine whether there were changes in their results for visual learning, visual working memory, and verbal learning tests from the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and beta-amyloid levels, and total antioxidant capacity. Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group showed a significant improvement in visual learning and visual working memory test results and enhanced vocabulary. SM70EE use was shown to improve memory, with no adverse effects. Its efficacy in alleviating Alzheimer’s disease symptoms was verified for the first time through this clinical trial. SM70EE could play a role in the management of patients with dementia. This trial is registered with registration number of clinical research information service (CRIS: KCT0006161).

Background The transaortic approach is the most common method of septal myectomy. However, difficulties arise due to a limited view of the surgical field. Here, we report our experience with videoscope-assisted transaortic myectomy. Methods We reviewed myectomy operations that were performed between July 2015 and June 2019 at Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. Patients who previously had cardiac surgery, alcohol septal ablation, or concomitant disease which required combined surgery, were excluded. Among the 21 patients included, 10 patients underwent videoscope-assisted transaortic myectomy (VA group), and 11 patients underwent myectomy in a conventional manner (CO group). The preoperative data, echocardiographic images, operative records, and postoperative outcomes of these patients were reviewed. Results There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups VA and CO. The main indications for videoscope-assisted transaortic myectomy in group VA were midventricular septal muscle resection (70%), abnormal papillary muscle resection (40%), and abnormal chordal connection resection (30%). Eight (80%) patients had multiple indications for videoscope-assisted transaortic myectomy. There was no surgical mortality in either group. Postoperative patients showed less than moderate mitral regurgitation and a New York Heart Association class either III or IV. There were no differences in hospital days (9.5 vs. 12.0 days; p = .383), nor postoperative pressure gradient (14 vs. 15 mmHg; p > .99). Conclusions Videoscope-assisted transaortic myectomy is an effective surgical technique in selective hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with complex intraventricular anatomy, diffuse hypertrophy, and midventricular obstruction.

Achieving high ionic conductivity, wide voltage window, and good mechanical strength in a single material remains a key challenge for polymer-based electrolytes for use in solid-state supercapacitors (SCs). Herein, we report cross-linked composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPEs) based on multi-cross-linkable H-shaped poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) tetrablock copolymer precursors, SiO2 nanoparticles, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, an ionic liquid (IL). Self-standing CGPE membranes with a high IL content were prepared using in situ cross-linking reactions between the silane groups present in the precursor and the SiO2 surface. The incorporation of an optimal amount of SiO2 increased the cross-linking density of the resulting CGPE while reducing polymer-chain ordering and, consequently, increasing both ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. As a result, the CGPE with 0.1 wt % SiO2 exhibited a high ionic conductivity (2.22 × 10–3 S cm–1 at 25 °C), good tensile strength (453 kPa), and high thermal stability up to 330 °C. Finally, an all-solid-state SC assembled with the prepared CGPE showed a high operating voltage (3 V), a large specific capacitance (103.9 F g–1 at 1 A g–1), and excellent durability (94% capacitance retention over 10,000 charge/discharge cycles), which highlights its strong potential as a solid-state electrolyte for SCs.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a cardioprotectant and potential cardiovascular therapeutic agent. Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) are important determinants of myocardial structure and function. Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel is a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether CO modulates BK channels and the signaling pathways in HCFs using whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings. CO-releasing molecules (CORMs; CORM-2 and CORM-3) significantly increased the amplitudes of BK currents (IBK). The CO-induced stimulating effects on IBK were blocked by pre-treatment with specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockers (L-NG-monomethyl arginine citrate and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester). 8-bromo-cyclic GMP increased IBK. KT5823 (inhibits PKG) or ODQ (inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase) blocked the CO-stimulating effect on IBK. Moreover, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP also increased IBK, and pre-treatment with KT5720 (inhibits PKA) or SQ22536 (inhibits adenylate cyclase) blocked the CO effect. Pre-treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (a thiol-alkylating reagent) also blocked the CO effect on IBK, and DL-dithiothreitol (a reducing agent) reversed the CO effect. These data suggest that CO activates IBK through NO via the NOS and through the PKG, PKA, and S-nitrosylation pathways.

Achieving high proton conductivity, low vanadium ion permeability, and high chemical stability using a single material remains a key challenge for hydrocarbon-based membranes for use in vanadium re...

Dumulmycin (1) was isolated from Streptomyces sp. DM28, a bacterial strain from a riverine sediment sample. The structure of 1 was elucidated as a bicyclic macrolide possessing 19-membered and 5-membered rings by spectroscopic analysis. The stereochemistry of 1 was determined by J-based configuration analysis, ROESY NMR data, DP4 calculations, and the modified Mosher's method. Genetic analysis identified a trans-acyltransferase polyketide biosynthetic gene cluster for 1. Dumulmycin exhibited in vitro antitubercular activity (MIC50 = 27.1 μM).

Maximum operating temperature in optical thermometry is limited due to poor thermal stability of the sensing material at high temperatures. Here, Yb, Er and Ho-doped α-SiAlON (Yb/Er/Ho-α-SiAlON) ceramic prepared by hot press method has been studied for optical thermometry via upconversion under 980 nm excitation. The phase of the sintered ceramic has been confirmed by Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data. The temperature-dependent upconversion was studied in a wide temperature range of 298–1023 K and fluorescence intensity ratio technique was used for temperature sensing behavior. Excellent spectral/thermal stability over the investigated temperature range was observed for the Yb/Er/Ho-α-SiAlON as the sensing material. The maximum values of absolute and relative sensitivity based on the thermally coupled levels of Er3+ are 59.2 × 10−4 K−1 and 1.10 %.K−1 at 298 K and that based on non-thermally coupled levels are 108 × 10−4 K−1 at 385 K and 0.345 %.K−1 at 329 K, respectively.

A new hydrocarbon-based (HC) composite membrane was developed using liquid crystal polymer (LCP)-nonwoven fabrics for application in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). A copolymer of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) with a sulfonation degree of 50 mol% (SPAES50) was utilized as an ionomer for the HC membranes and impregnated into the LCP-nonwoven fabrics without any surface treatment of the LCP. The physical interlocking structure between the SPAES50 and LCP-nonwoven fabrics was investigated, validating the outstanding mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the composite membrane in comparison to the pristine membrane. In addition, the through-plane proton conductivity of the composite membrane at 80 °C was only 15% lower than that of the pristine membrane because of the defect-free impregnation state, minimizing the decrease in the proton conductivity caused by the non-proton conductive LCP. During the electrochemical evaluation, the superior cell performance of the composite membrane was evident, with a current density of 5.41 A/cm2 at 1.9 V, compared to 4.65 A/cm2 for the pristine membrane, which can be attributed to the smaller membrane resistance of the composite membrane. From the results of the degradation rates, the prepared composite membrane also showed enhanced cell efficiency and durability during the PEMWE operations.

The nature of flow field inside the scramjet engine consists of shock-shock interaction and the shock boundary layer interaction. For a sustained combustion, a device called isolator plays a critical role in providing adequate pressure to the combustion chamber by a series of bifurcated shock waves called “shock train”. A small downstream pressure perturbation can cause upstream movement of this shock train and results in engine unstart condition. The propagation speed of downstream disturbance can influence the shock train oscillation. In the present study, computational fluid dynamics analysis is conducted to understand the oscillatory characteristic of shock train in a rectangular duct at M =1.75. The impact of downstream perturbation frequency (f b = 10 – 50 Hz) and the amplitude (A = 0.01 – 0.1) are simulated and discussed. The presence of low-frequency oscillation is observed without back pressure perturbation. The downstream pressure perturbation has a noticeable effect on the shock train excursion length i.e., the maximum upstream to downstream distance moved by shock train. The increase in perturbation frequency leads to decrease in disturbance propagation speed. Similarly, the propagation speed increases with the increase in the perturbation amplitude.

Coprisamides C and D (1 and 2) were isolated from a gut bacterium, Micromonospora sp. UTJ3, of the carrion beetle Silpha perforata. Based on the combined analysis of UV, MS, and NMR spectral data, the planar structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated to be unreported derivatives of coprisamides A and B, cyclic depsipeptides bearing a 2-alkenylcinnamic acid unit and the unusual amino acids β-methylaspartic acid and 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined using the advanced Marfey's method, phenylglycine methyl ester derivatization, and J-based configuration analysis. The biosynthetic gene clusters for the coprisamides were investigated based on genomic data from coprisamide-producing strains Micromonospora sp. UTJ3 and Streptomyces sp. SNU533. Coprisamide C (1) was active against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis mc2 6230 strain.

Daptomycin (DAP) is a calcium (Ca2+ )-dependent FDA-approved antibiotic drug for the treatment of Gram-positive infections. It possesses a complex pharmacophore hampering derivatization and/or synthesis of analogues. To mimic the Ca2+ -binding effect, we used a chemoenzymatic approach to modify the tryptophan (Trp) residue of DAP and synthesize kinetically characterized and structurally elucidated regiospecific Trp-modified DAP analogues. We demonstrated that the modified DAPs are several times more active than the parent molecule against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Strikingly, and in contrast to the parent molecule, the DAP derivatives do not rely on calcium or any additional elements for activity.

Air-shaft entrance hood model with fence is investigated to reduce micro pressure wave in a single-track tunnel of the high-speed railway. Aerodynamically designed airshaft hoods are classified by 5 cases according to fence types and the micro pressure waves are measured by the low frequency sound level meters installed at a tunnel exit of a moving model test rig with a scale ratio of 1/64. Based on the case of no hood model, 5 different hood models were tested and analyzed for the speed of a model train from 180 km/h to 250 km/h.

The morphological structure and dynamics of confined polymers adjacent to the polymer-polymer interface have a profound effect on determining the overall physical properties of polymer blends. We measured the diffusion dynamics of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) melts confined between polystyrene (PS) layers using neutron reflectivity. Combinations of various thicknesses of PMMA and deuterated PMMA (