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Abstract Objective In comparison with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the contribution of neuroinflammation in spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) has been less explored. We investigated the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of ALS and SBMA by analyzing systemic inflammatory markers and osteopontin (Spp1). Methods This study involved 105 ALS, 77 SBMA, and 55 healthy controls. We measured their systemic inflammatory markers, serum Spp1, and cytokine levels (interferon‐γ, interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and IL‐17A), investigated correlations between Spp1 levels and clinical features, and evaluated ALS survival rates according to Spp1 levels. Results In the ALS group, systemic inflammatory markers were significantly higher than in the control and SBMA groups. Spp1 levels were observed to be higher in ALS patients, but the difference was not statistically significant among the study groups. Cytokine profiles were comparable. In ALS, higher Spp1 levels were correlated with lower ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS‐R) scores (r = −0.25, p = 0.02) and faster disease progression rate (r = 0.37, p

This study aimed to provide the basis of treatment effects by analyzing randomized control trials (RCTs) on the use of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) for low back pain that were published between February 2018 and July 2023. In total, 2,865 articles were retrieved from international and Korean databases. Nine of these articles were selected and evaluated based on the following categories: (1) year of publication, (2) type of disease, (3) sample size, (4) treatment interventions, (5) treatment frequency and duration, (6) insertion point and depth of thread embedding, (7) types and sizes of threads and needles, (8) evaluation indexes, (9) treatment outcomes, and (10) side effects. The risk of bias in RCTs was also assessed. This study also emphasizes the importance of further research on TEA for clinical treatment and the use of objective approaches. Furthermore, detailed method descriptions and results are important in determining the efficacy of TEA.

ABSTRACTThis study presents a comparison of prediction performances by an artificial neural network (ANN), well-known deep convolutional neural network (D-CNN) models, and four proposed shallow convolutional neural network (S-CNN) models to forecast three key physicochemical properties (PCPs): salinity, °Brix, and moisture content of kimchi sauce (KS). The S-CNN models effectively minimized underfitting issues found in D-CNN models, predicting PCPs with a low error rate even with small image datasets. Furthermore, the ANN model using color values also allowed for competitive predictions. We used two nondestructive prediction strategies: (i) using color values with ANNs for immediate application in small-scale enterprises and (ii) using photographs as input for S-CNN models, allowing for faster and more accurate quality prediction. These results highlight the potential for image-based quality prediction in food science, possibly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of real-time quality control. Future enhancements could incorporate additional data sources for improved predictive performance.

Mollusca species shell such as oyster shell (OS) and snail shell (SS), are discarded after taking the meat, and the discarded shell causes the environmental problems. Therefore, recycling shell waste could potentially eliminate the environmental problems. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of OS and SS as natural calcium resources. The minerals, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sodium were analyzed in OS and SS extracts. Among them, the calcium content was the highest: 36.87 (%) and 33.42 (%) in the OS and SS extracts, respectively. Further, the content of ionized bioavailable form of calcium in OS and SS was higher than that of CaCO3 under simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions. Additionally, OS and SS were added to kimchi, and their inhibitory effect on kimchi acidification was evaluated by assessing pH, titratable acidity and microbial analysis. As the results indicated that the addition of OS and SS had little effect on inhibiting the growth of lactic acid bacteria. However, it was confirmed that calcium neutralizes the organic acids produced during fermentation. Overall, the results of this study provide preliminary information on the re-use of OS and SS extracts as ionized natural calcium supplements and fermentation retardants.

The skin is the largest organ and a crucial barrier for protection against various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. As we age, the skin's components become more vulnerable to damage, forming wrinkles. Among different procedures, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel has been extensively utilized for skin regeneration and reducing wrinkles. However, it has limitations like low retention and weak mechanical properties. In this study, we suggested the poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) microparticles containing alkaline magnesium hydroxide and nitric oxide-generating zinc oxide and rejuvenative hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels including these functional microparticles and asiaticoside, creating a novel delivery system for skin rejuvenation and regeneration. The fabricated rejuvenative hydrogels have exhibited enhanced biocompatibility, pH neutralization, reactive oxygen species scavenging, collagen biosynthesis, and angiogenesis capabilities in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, an excellent volume retention ability was demonstrated due to the numerous hydrogen bonds that formed between hyaluronic acid and asiaticoside. Overall, our advanced injectable hydrogel containing functional microparticles, with controlled release of bioactive molecules, has a significant potential for enhancing the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin.

Internal replaceable electronic module substitutions can impact EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) qualification testing and results if EMC testing is conducted at the cabinet level. The impact of component substitutions on EMC qualification results therefore should be evaluated. If a qualitative evaluation is not adequate to ensure that the modified product will not impact the cabinet level EMC qualification results, a new qualification testing should be conducted. Component level retesting should be conducted under electromagnetically equivalent conditions with the cabinet level test. This paper analyzes the propagation of conducted susceptibility test waveforms in a representative cabinet and evaluates the impact of component substitutions on cabinet level EMC qualification results according to the location of the replacement items. A guideline for a qualitative evaluation of the impact of component substitutions is described based on the propagation of the conducted susceptibility test waveforms. A module level test method is also described based on an analysis of the shielding effectiveness of the cabinet.

The cultivar of red pepper used in kimchi contributes to spiciness, red color, and fermentation characteristics. Capsaicinoids are the main components of red pepper. Therefore, understanding changes in metabolites during kimchi fermentation according to capsaicinoid concentration is necessary to control the quality of kimchi. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of capsaicinoids on metabolites during kimchi fermentation. To profile the effect of capsaicinoid concentrations on kimchi fermentation, five kimchi samples were prepared using different concentrations of capsaicinoids (4, 12, 30.7, 40.9, and 50.3 mg/kg) and stored at 4 °C for 28 days. During kimchi fermentation, pH, titratable acidity, capsaicinoid concentration, total viable and lactic acid bacteria, free sugars, amino acids, and microbial community were evaluated. Each result was statistically analyzed for changes in capsaicin concentration and fermentation time. The capsaicinoid concentration did not change during kimchi fermentation but the growth of lactic acid bacteria changed. According to the growth of lactic acid bacteria, free sugar, amino acids, and microbial community changed with the capsaicinoid concentration. Overall, the results of this study provide preliminary information on the use of red pepper and capsaicinoids in the kimchi industry.

Garlic, a key ingredient in kimchi, is an indispensable source of lactic acid bacteria, which are essential for fermentation. This study explored the effects of various garlic varieties on kimchi fermentation, focusing on changes in microbial communities and metabolite profiles. We observed that the type of garlic used did not significantly alter the microbial community. However, the presence of garlic itself made a significant difference. Specifically, kimchi with garlic showed higher abundance of Leuconostoc and Weissella, which are bacteria primarily responsible for kimchi fermentation. Additionally, kimchi containing garlic had increased levels of mannitol and fructose, which significantly influence taste; however, lactic acid and putrescine levels were decreased. Therefore, the addition of garlic directly contributes to the flavor profile of kimchi. Sixty-two metabolites were identified using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The variety of garlic added influenced the metabolite profiles of kimchi, particularly in the later stages of fermentation. These profiles were categorized based on the garlic's origin, whether from southern or northern ecotypes (R2X = 0.933, R2Y = 0.986, Q2 = 0.878). These findings confirm that both the presence and the variety of garlic significantly impact the microbial ecology and metabolites during kimchi fermentation, underscoring its essential role in the process.

Abstract It is important to optimize the drying process, along with the concentration of drying aid and the inlet air temperature, in order to obtain products with better physicochemical properties. Onion–stevia leaf hot extract powders were prepared using gum arabic (GA) and whey protein concentrate (WPC). Inlet air temperature and carrier concentrations were optimized using response surface methodology. The drying yield of powdered extracts was 14.39–74.32%, L*‐ value was 52.66–66.98, bulk density was 0.36–0.75 (g/cm3), moisture content was 2.40–11.57%, water solubility index was 30.32%–97.46%, and mean particle size D[4,3] was 9.13–88.01 (μm). For both GA‐ and WPC‐based powders, optimal inlet air temperatures and carrier concentrations were 148.81 and 144.62°C, and 11.58 and 12.03% (w/v), respectively. GA powders had a higher glass transition temperature (76.49°C) as compared to WPC powders (48.12°C) or maltodextrin as control (55.49°C). Sweetness (5.0/7.0) and overall acceptability (4.3/7.0) scores were higher for GA powders as compared to WPC powders (3.7/7.0 and 3.4/7.0), respectively. Conclusively, GA is a better carrier than whey protein for preparing spray‐dried onion–stevia powder that can be used as a natural sweetener.

Abstract Individuals who are unable to walk independently spend most of the day in a wheelchair. This population is at high risk for developing pressure injuries caused by sitting. However, early diagnosis and prevention of these injuries still remain challenging. Herein, we introduce battery-free, wireless, multimodal sensors and a movable system for continuous measurement of pressure, temperature, and hydration at skin interfaces. The device design includes a crack-activated pressure sensor with nanoscale encapsulations for enhanced sensitivity, a temperature sensor for measuring skin temperature, and a galvanic skin response sensor for measuring skin hydration levels. The movable system enables power harvesting, and data communication to multiple wireless devices mounted at skin-cushion interfaces of wheelchair users over full body coverage. Experimental evaluations and numerical simulations of the devices, together with clinical trials for wheelchair patients, demonstrate the feasibility and stability of the sensor system for preventing pressure injuries caused by sitting.

Food-borne bacteria have frequently been detected in kimchi, a representative and traditional fermented ethnic food of Korea. This study investigated the effect of atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment (1.1 kV, 43 kHz, N2: 1.5 m/s, 5–60 min) on reduction of Yersinia enterocolitica and Staphylococcus aureus and on quality parameters in Geotjeroi, a non-fermented kimchi. A decrease of 0.12/0.09, 0.19/0.19, 0.34/0.45, 0.64/0.72, and 1.13/1.12 log10 CFU/g was observed by 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min of DBD plasma, respectively. D-value of 52.83 and 51.95 min was determined for Y. enterocolitica (R2 = 0.99) and S. aureus (R2 = 0.98) using the first order kinetics model. The quality parameters (pH, Brix, and hardness) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between treated and untreated Geotjeori. Moreover, a decrease of >1 log10 CFU/g, for both bacteria was observed without any change in the quality of Geotjeori. These findings imply that DBD plasma treatment enhances Geotjeori safety and protects product from microbial risk.

Outcomes after repair of chronic rotator cuff injuries remain suboptimal. Type-1 collagen-rich tendon hydrogel was previously reported to improve healing in a rat chronic rotator cuff injury model. Stem cell seeding of the tendon hydrogel improved bone quality in the same model. This study aimed to examine whether there was a synergistic and dose-dependent effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tendon–bone interface healing by combining PRP with stem cell–seeded tendon hydrogel. Human cadaveric tendons were processed into a hydrogel. PRP was prepared at two different platelet concentrations: an initial concentration (initial PRP group) and a higher concentration (concentrated PRP group). Tendon hydrogel was mixed with adipose-derived stem cells and one of the platelet concentrations. Methylcellulose, as opposed to saline, was used as a negative control due to comparable viscosity. The supraspinatus tendon was detached bilaterally in 33 Sprague-Dawley rats (66 shoulders). Eight weeks later, each detached tendon was repaired, and a hydrogel mixture or control was injected at the repair site. Eight weeks after repair, shoulder samples were harvested and assigned for biomechanical testing (n = 42 shoulders) or a combination of bone morphological and histological assessment (n = 24 shoulders). Biomechanical testing showed significantly higher failure load and stiffness in the concentrated PRP group than in control. Yield load in the initial and concentrated PRP groups were significantly higher than that in the control. There were no statistically significant differences between the initial and concentrated PRP groups. The addition of the highly concentrated PRP to stem cells–seeded tendon hydrogel improved healing biomechanically after chronic rotator cuff injury in rats compared to control. However, synergistic and dose-dependent effects were not seen.

Background A previous study reported that hyperlipidemia increases the incidence of tears in the rotator cuff tendon and affects healing after repair. The aim of our study was to compare the gene and protein expression of torn rotator cuff tendons in patients both with and without hypercholesterolemia. Methods Thirty patients who provided rotator cuff tendon samples were classified into either a non-hypercholesterolemia group (n=19, serum total cholesterol [TC]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of salted shrimp on kimchi fermentation. Four types of kimchi (KWD, KWR, KWC, and KWY), based on the variety of salted shrimp (Detteugijeot, Red shrimp jeot, Chujeot, and Yukjeot, respectively), were prepared and stored at 4°C for 6 weeks. Amino nitrogen content in KWD was significantly higher after 4 weeks (P

The first specimen (54.8 mm standard length) of Ernogrammus zhirmunskii Markevich & Kharin, 2011, belonging to the family Stichaeidae, was recorded in Dokdo, East Sea, Korea on July 26, 2021. This species was characterized by a single ventral lateral-line canal from the posterior margin of the pelvic-fin base extending to the anus and one or two rigid spines on the posterior part of the anal fin. This species is similar to Ernogrammus hexagrammus and Ernogrammus walkeri but differs in the number of ventral lateral-line canal present, with E. zhirmunskii consisting of one (unpaired) ventral lateral-line canal compared to other two Ernogrammus species, which have a pair of parallel ventral lateral-line canal. For further analysis of species identification, a partial gene sequence from the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (554 bp) of E. zhirmunskii was obtained for the first time. This study documents the first record of E. zhirmunskii in Korean waters and proposes the new Korean name of ‘Il-gob-julbe-do-la-chi’ for the species.

We developed a predictive growth model of Yersinia enterocolitica for fresh Kimchi cabbages as a function of storage temperature (5–20 °C). The Baranyi equation used for primary modeling at these storage temperatures was suitable as a model for obtaining lag time (LT) and specific growth rate (SGR) (R2 = 0.97–0.98). As the temperature increased, the growth of Y. enterocolitica tended to increase, with SGR values of 0.33, 0.40, 0.60 and 0.68 log colony-forming units/h at 8, 11, and 15 °C, and LT values of 5.63, 3.54, 2.23 and 1.09 h, respectively. The secondary model was determined by the non-linear regression analysis. The suitability of the modeling results for the SGR and LT value was verified by determining the mean square error (

Red yeast rice is fermented rice with Monascus purpureus and contains monacolin K, which decreases cholesterol levels. Here, the anti-obesity effect of kimchi with red yeast rice (RYRK) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Initially, the anti-obesity effect of RYRK was examined by measuring triglyceride (TG) content and obesity-related gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. RYRK (100 mg/kg) were then orally administered for 8 weeks with a high-fat diet. Body weight and serum GOT and GPT were measured. The inhibitory effect of RYRK on lipid profiles and accumulation was assessed. RYRK significantly reduced TG content and obesity-related gene expression with low cytotoxicity (p

Kimchi cabbage is a well-known glucosinolate (GLS)-containing vegetable, but its by-products are discarded despite the presence of GLS. The aim of this study was the optimization of the extraction and nanoencapsulation of GLS from kimchi cabbage by-products to enhance the intestinal absorption of GLS. The optimal GLS extraction conditions included steaming thrice as pretreatment, utilizing 70% methanol, and ultrasonication at 20% amplitude for 15 min. Under these conditions, 80.11 ± 4.40 mg/100 g of GLS extraction was obtained and the extraction yield was 81.70 ± 4.73%. The optimized kimchi cabbage by-product extract (KCE) was coated with chitosan-lipid nanoparticles (KCE-NPs) and their stability and release under simulated in vitro gastrointestinal conditions were evaluated. KCE-NPs protected the encapsulated GLS under acidic gastric conditions and released 91.63 ± 0.76% of GLS in the simulated intestinal medium. Therefore, the proposed KCE-NPs are a promising delivery system for increasing GLS absorption.

Arsenic (As)-contaminated soil inevitably exists in nature and has become a global challenge for a sustainable future. Current processes for As capture using natural and structurally engineered nanomaterials are neither scientifically nor economically viable. Here, we established a feasible strategy to enhance As-capture efficiency and ecosystem health by structurally reorganizing iron oxyhydroxide, a natural As stabilizer. We propose crystallization to reorganize FeOOH-acetate nanoplatelets (r-FAN), which is universal for either scalable chemical synthesis or reproduction from natural iron oxyhydroxide phases. The r-FAN with wide interlayer spacing immobilizes As species through a synergistic mechanism of electrostatic intercalation and surface chemisorption. The r-FAN rehabilitates the ecological fitness of As-contaminated artificial and mine soils, as manifested by the integrated bioassay results of collembolan and plants. Our findings will serve as a cornerstone for crystallization-based material engineering for sustainable environmental applications and for understanding the interactions between soil, nanoparticles, and contaminants.

Catalase, an antioxidant enzyme widely produced in mammalian cells and bacteria, is crucial to mitigating oxidative stress in hostile environments. This function enhances the intracellular survivability of various intracellular growth pathogens, including Brucella (B.) abortus. In this study, to determine whether the suppression of catalase can inhibit the intracellular growth of B. abortus, we employed 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT), a catalase inhibitor, in both RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and an ICR mouse model during Brucella infection. The intracellular growth assay indicated that 3-AT exerts growth-inhibitory effects on B. abortus within macrophages. Moreover, it contributes to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the formation of nitric oxide. Notably, 3-AT diminishes the activation of the nucleus transcription factor (NF-κB) and modulates the cytokine secretion within infected cells. In our mouse model, the administration of 3-AT reduced the B. abortus proliferation within the spleens and livers of infected mice. This reduction was accompanied by a diminished immune response to infection, as indicated by the lowered levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 and altered CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. These results suggest the protective and immunomodulatory effects of 3-AT treatment against Brucella infection.

The cement industry emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, the cement industry should recycle the emitted CO2. However, sequestration by carbonation in cement composites absorbs a very small amount of CO2. Therefore, a direct way of achieving this is to improve the absorption performance of CO2 in cement composites. In this study, to improve absorption, unlike in existing studies, a granulation technique was applied, and the material used was calcium hydroxide (CH). In addition, granulated CH was coated to prevent a reaction during the curing of cement paste. The coated CH granule (CCHG) was applied to 5% of the cement weight as an additive material, and the specimens were cured for 91 days to wait for the coating of CCHG to fully phase-change. The experiment of CO2 absorption showed an unexpected result, where the use of blast furnace slag (BFS) and fly ash (FA) had a negative effect on CO2 sequestration. This was because BFS and FA had a filler effect in the cement matrix, and the filler effect caused the blocking of the path of CO2. In addition, BFS and FA are well-known pozzolanic materials; the pozzolan reaction caused a reduction in the amount of CH because the pozzolan reaction consumed the CH to produce a calcium silicate hydrate. Therefore, the pozzolan reaction also had a negative effect on the CO2 sequestration performance combined with the filler effect. The CO2 sequestration efficiency was decreased between ordinary cement paste and BFS-applied specimens by 45.45%. In addition, compared to cases of ordinary cement paste and FA-applied specimens, the CO2 sequestration performance was decreased by 63.64%. Comprehensively, CO2 sequestration performance depends on the porosity and amount of CH.

Forests are degraded from various factors, and the first step in restoration frequently involves revegetation. One of the degradations is wildfires, which damage vegetation, affect soils, and lead to the loss of ecosystem functions. Using seed mixtures is a viable method for restoring the ecosystems. This research investigated the impacts of six perennial plant seed mixtures derived from native plants in South Korea and the addition of two types of annual plant seeds to these mixtures, both separately and combined. Cultivation of the seed mixtures was conducted by pot cultivation in a greenhouse for the early stage of vegetation (16 weeks). The seed mixture treatment enhanced plant species diversity, number, and biomass. The seed mixture treatment elevated the urease activity from 14.42 to values between 33.88 and 55.74 μg NH4-N g−1 2 h−1. A seed mixture integrated with two annual plants heightened the phosphomonoesterase activity from 482.79 to 543.75 μg p-nitrophenol g−1 h−1. Nitrogen leaching was reduced across all seed mixture treatments, while phosphorus leaching diminished with the addition of the annual legume. These findings illustrate the influence of seed mixture treatments and the inclusion of annual seeds on the beginning stage of revegetation, offering a basis for further ecosystem restoration.

The available quantitative methods for evaluating bulbar dysfunction in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are limited. We aimed to characterize vowel properties in Korean ALS patients, investigate associations between vowel parameters and clinical features of ALS, and analyze subclinical articulatory changes of vowel parameters in those with perceptually normal voices. Forty-three patients with ALS (27 with dysarthria and 16 without dysarthria) and 20 healthy controls were prospectively collected in the study. Dysarthria was assessed using the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) speech subscores, with any loss of 4 points indicating the presence of dysarthria. The structured speech samples were recorded and analyzed using Praat software. For three corner vowels (/a/, /i/, and /u/), data on the vowel duration, fundamental frequency, frequencies of the first two formants (F1 and F2), harmonics-to-noise ratio, vowel space area (VSA), and vowel articulation index (VAI) were extracted from the speech samples. Corner vowel durations were significantly longer in ALS patients with dysarthria than in healthy controls. The F1 frequency of /a/, F2 frequencies of /i/ and /u/, the VSA, and the VAI showed significant differences between ALS patients with dysarthria and healthy controls. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.912. The F1 frequency of /a/ and the VSA were the major determinants for differentiating ALS patients who had not yet developed apparent dysarthria from healthy controls (AUC 0.887). In linear regression analyses, as the ALSFRS-R speech subscore decreased, both the VSA and VAI were reduced. In contrast, vowel durations were found to be rather prolonged. The analyses of vowel parameters provided a useful metric correlated with disease severity for detecting subclinical bulbar dysfunction in ALS patients.