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Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) was reported to play an anti-inflammatory role, however, previous studies largely focused on the effects of KRG on priming step, the inflammation-preparing step, and the anti-inflammatory effect of KRG on triggering, the inflammation-activating step has been poorly understood. This study demonstrated anti-inflammatory role of KRG in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome activation in macrophages during triggering of inflammatory responses. Methods: Caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 macrophages were established by priming with Pam3CSK4 and triggering with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability and pyroptosis were examined by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Nitric oxide (NO)-inhibitory effect of KRG was assessed using a NO production assay. Expression and proteolytic cleavage of proteins were examined by Western blotting analysis. In vivo anti-inflammatory action of KRG was evaluated with the LPS-injected sepsis model in mice. Results: KRG reduced LPS-stimulated NO production in J774A.1 cells and suppressed pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that KRG suppressed the direct interaction between LPS and caspase-11 and inhibited proteolytic processing of both caspase-11 and gasdermin D in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Furthermore, KRG significantly ameliorated LPS-mediated lethal septic shock in mice. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a novel mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory action that operates through targeting the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome at triggering step of macrophage-mediated inflammatory response.

In quantum metrology, measurement and estimation schemes are vital for achieving higher precision, along with initial state preparation. This article presents the compound measurement of parity and particle number, which is optimal for a broad range of states named equator states (ESs). ES encompasses most pure input states used in current studies and, more significantly, a wide range of mixed states. Moreover, the ES can be prepared directly using non-demolition parity measurement. We thus propose an improved quantum phase estimation protocol applicable to arbitrary input states, ensuring precision consistently surpassing that of the standard protocol. The proposed scheme is also demonstrated using a nonlinear interferometer, with the realization of the non-demolition parity measurement in atomic condensates.

For large ships and offshore vessels, structural safety is verified through whole-ship analysis using commercial software. In the case of general oil tankers, classification rules for structural strength evaluation are uniformly applied. Structural strength evaluation is mainly divided into the cargo hold, fore-end, and aft-end parts. For the structural design of a cargo ship, it is important to calculate the design load and determine the thickness and size of the structural member. Structural FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is performed on only the cargo hold range as recommended by the CSR (Common Structure Rule). There is no FE analysis recommendation for either the aft- or the fore-end area. Therefore, structural safety is carried out based on existing design experience and engineer judgment. With previous approaches, it is difficult to clarify the safety of the aft-end part according to external loads such as hull girder load and local pressure. Recently, local buckling damage cases have investigated the aft-end of the shuttle tanker. Although this is a good example, it can be recognized that it is necessary to improve the accuracy of prediction when estimating the structural safety at the aft-end part. In this study, a novel FE-based evaluation methodology about buckling damage is proposed. In order to conduct a structural strength verification based on FE analysis modeling, reasonable solutions for load conditions, boundary conditions, modeling methods, and evaluation criteria are presented. This result is expected to be helpful in examining the structural strength of the aft-end part of similar carriers in the future.

Background: Although ginsenosides and saponins in Korea red ginseng (KRG) shows various pharmacological roles, their roles in the inflammatory response are little known. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory role of ginsenosides identified from KRG saponin fraction (RGSF) and the potential mechanism in macrophages. Methods: The ginsenoside composition of RGSF was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. An anti-inflammatory effect of RGSF and its mechanisms were studied using nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production assays, mRNA expression analyses of inflammatory genes and cytokines, luciferase reporter gene assays of transcription factors, and Western blot analyses of inflammatory signaling pathways using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells. Results: HPLC analysis identified the types and amounts of various panaxadiol ginsenosides in RGSF. RGSF reduced the generation of inflammatory molecules and mRNA levels of inflammatory enzymes and cytokines in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, RGSF inhibited the signaling pathways of NF-κB and AP-1 by suppressing both transcriptional factors and signaling molecules in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion: RGSF contains ginsenosides that have anti-inflammatory action via restraining the NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways in macrophages during inflammatory responses.

Limited research has focused on exploring the collaboration between home and school to address cyberbullying. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 17 school counselors to explore their experiences working with parents and caregivers in addressing cyberbullying. We identified four themes: (a) connections with parents and families, (b) digital citizenship, (c) blurred boundaries, and (d) family/counselor support. We discuss the themes and offer implications for school counselors to address cyberbullying in schools, including highlighting strategies for bridging the gap between families and schools through policies and communication about cyberbullying.