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Abstract All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with adequately selected cathode materials exhibit a higher energy density and better safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Ni-rich layered cathodes are benchmark materials for traditional LIBs owing to their high energy density. Recent studies have highlighted the advantages of using crack-free, single-crystalline cathode materials in ASSBs. In this study, a scalable infiltration sheet-type process was used to fabricate composite electrodes with different cathode-material morphologies for ASSBs. Typically, crack-free single-crystalline materials exhibit better retention performance and lower rate capability (i.e., slower kinetics in charge‒discharge processes) than polycrystalline cathode materials. Li6PS5Cl-infiltrated polycrystalline electrodes showed excellent retention performance and rate capability. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique analysis and transmission electron microscopy of the single-crystalline electrode confirmed severe polarization and the presence of a rock-salt-structure layer in the cathode particles; these results indicated side reactions within the layered structure of the material. In contrast, composite electrodes consisting of polycrystalline cathode materials infiltrated with the solid electrolyte Li6PS5Cl showed excellent electrochemical performance owing to intimate electrode–electrolyte interfacial contact. The result from this study confirmed the critical influence of interface engineering and material morphology on the overall performance and stability of ASSBs and could facilitate the development of high-performance ASSBs in the future.

The lifespan of aqueous zinc-ion batteries, which are promising alternatives to Li-ion batteries, is affected by the irreversibility of Zn anodes, primarily caused by Zn dendrite growth and side reactions such as hydrogen evolution and corrosion during cycling. This study introduces a strategy to regulate zinc ion flux between the Zn anode and aqueous electrolyte by coating boron nitride (BN) onto a cellulose separator using a simple doctor blade method. The resulting BN@cellulose separator effectively suppresses Zn dendrite growth and minimizes side reactions in aqueous electrolytes. Electrochemical evaluations demonstrate that the BN coating reduces interfacial corrosion and enhances electrochemical stability compared to a bare cellulose separator by regulating the zinc ion flux between the electrolyte and active Zn sites. Overall, use of the BN@cellulose separator improved the electrochemical performance and prolonged cycling stability. The proposed strategy marks a significant advancement toward enhancing the long-term reliability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Background: Anti-type 2 (T2) biologic therapies (biologics) improve exacerbation rates, lung function, and asthma-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with severe T2 asthma. However, studies comparing different biologics are lacking. We evaluated the QoL in patients with severe asthma comprehensively and compare the efficacy of different T2-directed biologics using QoL questionnaires. Methods: We compared the QoL between severe and mild-to-moderate asthma and between severe asthma with and without biologics treatment. Data of mild-to-moderate were extracted from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea, and data of severe asthma were collected from the Precision Medicine Intervention in Severe Asthma. We included 183 patients with severe asthma treated with T2 biologics or conventional therapy between April 2020 and May 2021 and assessed QoL of them using the Questionnaire for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA), Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ), and EuroQoL-5Dimensions (EQ-5D) at baseline and 6 months. Results: The EQ-5D index (0.803) of severe asthma was lower than that of other chronic diseases representing a worse QoL. The scores for all questions of QLQAKA, except “cough,” were lower (less control) in the severe asthma group than in the mild-to-moderate asthma group at baseline and 6 months (P 0.05). Conclusion: QoL was worse in severe asthma than in mild-to-moderate asthma and other chronic diseases. T2 biologics equally improved QoL in patients with severe asthma.

Abstract Respiratory infections are common causes of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (AECOPD). We explored whether the pathogens causing AECOPD and clinical features changed from before to after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. We reviewed the medical records of patients hospitalized with AECOPD at four university hospitals between January 2017 and December 2018 and between January 2021 and December. We evaluated 1180 patients with AECOPD for whom medication histories were available. After the outbreak, the number of patients hospitalized with AECOPD was almost 44% lower compared with before the outbreak. Patients hospitalized with AECOPD after the outbreak were younger (75 vs. 77 years, p = 0.003) and more often stayed at home (96.6% vs. 88.6%, p

Seafood quality preservation remains a critical focus in the food industry, particularly as the freeze–thaw process significantly impacts the freshness and safety of aquatic products. This study investigated quality changes in frozen mackerel subjected to two thawing methods, room temperature (RT) and running water (WT), and assessed the potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for classifying these methods. After thawing, mackerel samples were stored at 5 °C for 21 days, with physicochemical, textural, and spectroscopic analyses tracking quality changes and supporting the development of a spectroscopic classification model. Compared with the WT method, the RT method delayed changes in key quality indicators, including pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TVC), by 1–2 days, suggesting it may better preserve initial quality. Texture profile analysis showed similar trends, supporting the benefit of RT in maintaining quality. A major focus was on using HSI to assess quality and classify thawing methods. HSI achieved high classification accuracy (Rc2 = 0.9547) in distinguishing thawing methods up to three days post-thaw, with 1100, 1200, and 1400 nm wavelengths identified as key spectral markers. The HIS’s ability to detect differences between thawing methods, even when conventional analyses showed minimal variation, highlights its potential as a powerful tool for quality assessment and process control in the seafood industry, enabling detection of subtle quality changes that traditional methods may miss.

In the present investigation, we have devised a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) apparatus to assess the chemical characteristics and freshness of the yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) throughout its storage period. This system operates within the shortwave infrared spectrum, specifically ranging from 900 to 1700 nm. A variety of spectral pre-processing techniques, including standard normal variate (SNV), multiple scatter correction, and Savitzky–Golay (SG) derivatives, were employed to augment the predictive accuracy of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)—which serves as a critical freshness parameter. Among the assessed methodologies, SG-1 pre-processing demonstrated superior predictive accuracy (Rp2 = 0.8166). Furthermore, this investigation visualized freshness indicators as concentration images to elucidate the spatial distribution of TVB-N across the samples. These results indicate that HSI, in conjunction with chemometric analysis, constitutes an efficacious instrument for the surveillance of quality and safety in yellow croakers during its storage phase. Moreover, this methodology guarantees the freshness and safety of seafood products within the aquatic food sector.

Background and Objectives Zonulin is a human protein that regulates intercellular tight junctions and increases the permeability of the intestinal epithelium. In light of the increasing focus on zonulin’s role in numerous chronic inflammatory diseases, this study aimed to investigate whether differences exist in serum zonulin levels and bronchial epithelium zonulin expression in vivo between asthma and normal groups, using a mouse model. Methods Sixteen mice were utilized in this study, divided evenly between the normal and asthma groups. Serum zonulin levels, the expression of zonulin antibody in the bronchial epithelium, and serum cytokine levels were evaluated in both groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RNA in situ hybridization were utilized for the analysis. Results The asthma group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum zonulin. High zonulin antibody expression was also observed in the bronchial epithelium of the asthma group. Given that our mouse model demonstrated a significant difference in interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6 between the normal and asthma groups, zonulin may be associated not only with type 2 responses but also with various subtypes of asthma. Further studies are required to investigate this relationship in greater detail. Conclusion Zonulin may play a role in the complex pathophysiology of asthma and could serve as a biomarker in various asthma-related situations.

Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are economically valuable crops belonging to the Solanaceae family and are popular worldwide because of their unique spiciness and flavor. In this study, differences in the metabolomes of landrace (Subicho) and disease-resistant pepper cultivars (Bulkala and Kaltanbaksa) widely grown in Korea are investigated using a 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach. Specific metabolites were abundant in the pericarp (GABA, fructose, and glutamine) and placenta (glucose, asparagine, arginine, and capsaicin), highlighting the distinct physiological and functional roles of these components. Both the pericarp and placenta of disease-resistant pepper cultivars contained higher levels of sucrose and hexoses and lower levels of alanine, proline, and threonine than the traditional landrace cultivar. These metabolic differences are linked to enhanced stress tolerance and the activation of defense pathways, imbuing these cultivars with improved resistance characteristics. The present study provides fundamental insights into the metabolic basis of disease resistance in chili peppers, emphasizing the importance of multi-resistant varieties to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security. These resistant varieties ensure a stable supply of high-quality peppers, contributing to safer and more sustainable food production systems.

Background: Despite the increasing use of biologics in severe asthma, there is limited research on their use in asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO). We compared real-world treatment responses to biologics in ACO and asthma. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study using data from the Precision Medicine Intervention in Severe Asthma (PRISM). ACO was defined as post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) 10 pack-years. Physicians selected biologics (omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab) based on each United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval criteria. Results: After six-month treatment with biologics, both patients with ACO (N = 13) and asthma (N = 81) showed positive responses in FEV1 (10.69 ± 17.17 vs. 11.25 ± 12.87 %, P = 0.652), Asthma Control Test score (3.33 ± 5.47 vs. 5.39 ± 5.42, P = 0.290), oral corticosteroid use (−117.50 ± 94.38 vs. −115.06 ± 456.85 mg, P = 0.688), fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels (−18.62 ± 24.68 vs. −14.66 ± 45.35 ppb, P = 0.415), sputum eosinophils (−3.40 ± 10.60 vs. −14.48 ± 24.01 %, P = 0.065), blood eosinophils (−36.47 ± 517.02 vs. −363.22 ± 1294.59, P = 0.013), and exacerbation frequency (−3.07 ± 4.42 vs. −3.19 ± 5.11, P = 0.943). The odds ratio for exacerbation and time-to-first exacerbation showed no significant difference after full adjustments, and subgroup analysis according to biologic type was also showed similar results. Conclusions: Biologics treatment response patterns in patients with ACO and asthma were comparable, suggesting that biologics should be actively considered for ACO patients as well.

Abstract Background Transcriptomic analysis has been used to elucidate the complex pathogenesis of heterogeneous disease and may also contribute to identify potential therapeutic targets by delineating the hub genes. This study aimed to investigate whether blood transcriptomic clustering can distinguish clinical and immune phenotypes of asthmatics, and microbiome in asthmatics. Methods Transcriptomic expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 47 asthmatics and 21 non-asthmatics was measured using RNA sequencing. A hierarchical clustering algorithm was used to classify asthmatics. Differentially expressed genes, clinical phenotypes, immune phenotypes, and microbiome of each transcriptomic cluster were assessed. Results In asthmatics, three distinct transcriptomic clusters with numerously different transcriptomic expressions were identified. The proportion of severe asthmatics was highest in cluster 3 as 73.3%, followed by cluster 2 (45.5%) and cluster 1 (28.6%). While cluster 1 represented clinically non-severe T2 asthma, cluster 3 tended to include severe non-T2 asthma. Cluster 2 had features of both T2 and non-T2 asthmatics characterized by the highest serum IgE level and neutrophil-dominant sputum cell population. Compared to non-asthmatics, cluster 1 showed higher CCL23 and IL1RL1 expression while the expression of TREML4 was suppressed in cluster 3. CTSD and ALDH2 showed a significant positive linear relationship across three clusters in the order of cluster 1 to 3. No significant differences in the diversities of lung and gut microbiomes were observed among transcriptomic clusters of asthmatics and non-asthmatics. However, our study has limitations in that small sample size data were analyzed with unmeasured confounding factors and causal relationships or function pathways were not verified. Conclusions Genetic clustering based on the blood transcriptome may provide novel immunological insight, which can be biomarkers of asthma immune phenotypes. Trial registration Retrospectively registered

Background/Aims Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) poses a considerable burden both on the quality of life (QoL) of individual patients and on healthcare systems. Real‑world data evaluating the disease burden of CSU are limited in this country. This study evaluated the disease burden and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among symptomatic CSU patients. Methods This multicenter, noninterventional, retrospective, and cross-sectional study assessed CSU patients symptomatic for more than 6 months despite step-wise H1-antihistamine medications. Primary outcomes included Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7) and Chronic Urticaria QoL scale (CU-QoL). Secondary outcomes included EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), association of disease activity with QoL, medications used for the past 6 months, and HRU. Results Five hundred patients with CSU were enrolled. Mean disease duration was 3.7 years. Based on UAS7, 22.2% of patients were in well-controlled status and 31.2%, 28.4%, and 18.2% of them had mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively. Mean CU-QoL and DLQI scores were 57.5 ± 29.7 and 10.2 ± 7.6, respectively, while the EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.8 ± 0.2. H1-antihistamines were prescribed to 95% of patients, while omalizumab was prescribed to 33% of patients. Most patients (98%) had outpatient visits in the past 6 months. Negative correlations were noted between UAS7 and CU-QoL, EQ-5D-5L, EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale scores, but a positive correlation was noted with DLQI score (p < 0.001 for all). The number of outpatient department visits increased with disease activity (p = 0.001). Conclusions CSU affects QoL, leading to increased HRU, particularly in patients with severe disease.

Abstract Pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L.) is sensitive to chilling stress with chilling injuries occurring below 7 °C; however, chilling injuries occur at different temperatures depending on the genotype. The present study aimed to identify the factors that affect chilling sensitivity in pepper fruits. A total of 112 F2 pepper fruits crossed between chilling-insensitive 'UZB-GJG-1999–51' and chilling-sensitive 'C00562' pepper were grouped according to the seed browning rate, which is a typical chilling symptom of pepper fruit under chilling conditions. Physiological traits, amino acids, fatty acids, as well as ethylene responsive factor (ERF) and jasmonate resistant 1 (JAR1) expression levels were analyzed, and their correlations with the seed browning rate were confirmed. The expression level of JAR1 showed a strong negative correlation with the seed browning rate (r = − 0.7996). The expression level of ERF11 and content of hydrogen peroxide showed strong positive correlation with the seed browning rate (r = 0.7622 and 0.6607, respectively). From these results, we inferred that JAR1 and ERF11 are important factors influencing the chilling sensitivity of pepper fruit.

Ethylene (ET) is a gaseous phytohormone with a crucial role in the ripening of many fruits, including kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.). Meanwhile, treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an artificial ET inhibitor delays the ripening of kiwifruit. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ET and 1-MCP application during time-course storage of kiwifruit. In addition, we aimed to elucidate the molecular details underlying ET-mediated ripening process in kiwifruit. For this purpose, we conducted a time-course transcriptomic analysis to determine target genes of the ET-mediated maturation process in kiwifruit during storage. Thousands of genes were identified to be dynamically changed during storage and clustered into 20 groups based on the similarity of their expression patterns. Gene ontology analysis using the list of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 1-MCP-treated kiwifruit revealed that the identified DEGs were significantly enriched in the processes of photosynthesis metabolism and cell wall composition throughout the ripening process. Meanwhile, ET treatment rapidly triggered secondary metabolisms related to the ripening process, phenylpropanoid (e.g. lignin) metabolism, and the biosynthesis of amino acids (e.g. Phe, Cys) in kiwifruit. It was demonstrated that ET biosynthesis and signaling genes were oppositely affected by ET and 1-MCP treatment during ripening. Furthermore, we identified a ET transcription factor, AcEIL (Acc32482) which is oppositely responsive by ET and 1-MCP treatment during early ripening, potentially one of key signaling factor of ET- or 1-MCP-mediated physiological changes. Therefore, this transcriptomic study unveiled the molecular targets of ET and its antagonist, 1-MCP, in kiwifruit during ripening. Our results provide a useful foundation for understanding the molecular details underlying the ripening process in kiwifruit.

Background: Tiotropium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, is recommended for add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)-long-acting beta 2 agonists (LABA) for severe asthma. However, real-world studies on the predictors of response to tiotropium are limited. We investigated the real-world use of tiotropium in asthmatic adult patients in Korea and we identified predictors of positive response to tiotropium add-on. Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study using data from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea (COREA). We enrolled asthmatic participants who took ICS-LABA with at least 2 consecutive lung function tests at 3-month intervals. We compared tiotropium users and non-users, as well as tiotropium responders and non-responders to predict positive responses to tiotropium, defined as 1) increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ≥ 10% or 100 mL; and 2) increase in asthma control test (ACT) score ≥3 after 3 months of treatment. Results: The study included 413 tiotropium users and 1756 tiotropium non-users. Tiotropium users had low baseline lung function and high exacerbation rate, suggesting more severe asthma. Clinical predictors for positive response to tiotropium add-on were 1) positive bronchodilator response (BDR) [odds ratio (OR) = 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–47.4, P = 0.021] for FEV1 responders; 2) doctor-diagnosed asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO) [OR = 12.6, 95% CI: 1.8–161.5, P = 0.024], and 3) initial ACT score

Optimum postharvest storage conditions increase the postharvest quality and shelf life of horticultural crops. The effects of forced-air precooling (FAP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on shelf life, physicochemical quality, and health-promoting properties of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Nagano) harvested at 90 and 50% coloring stages in May and July respectively, stored at 11 °C, 95% relative humidity were assessed. Fruits were subjected to four treatments: FAP + 30 μm polyethylene liner (FOLO); FAP-only (FOLX); 30 μm polyethylene liner-only (FXLO); and control (FXLX). The quality attributes, viz. weight loss, firmness, color, soluble solids content (SSC), soluble sugars, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-dephenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were evaluated. The investigated parameters differed significantly (p < 0.05) among treatments except for soluble sugars. FOLO maintained sensory quality (weight loss, firmness, and color), physicochemical (SSC and soluble sugars), and health-promoting properties compared to other treatments during storage. The 50% coloring fruits had a huge variation between treatments than 90% coloring. The results revealed more TPC and antioxidant capacity in the 50% than in the 90% coloring fruits. The study highlights the need to consider the ideal fruit coloring stage at harvest under the effect of FAP and MAP treatments in preserving bell pepper’s postharvest quality and shelf life.

Abstract Background HLA‐B*58:01 is a well‐known risk factor for allopurinol‐induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). However, only a minority of HLA‐B*58:01 carriers suffer SCARs after taking allopurinol. The aim of this study was to investigate subsidiary genetic markers that could identify those at further increased risk of developing allopurinol‐induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in subjects with HLA‐B*58:01. Methods Subjects with B*58:01 were enrolled (21 allopurinol‐induced DRESS and 52 allopurinol‐tolerant control). HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DRB1 alleles were compared. Comparison of risk between HLAs and allopurinol‐induced SCAR in separate populations was performed to support the results. Kruskal‐Wallis test, Pearson's chi‐square test, Fisher's exact test and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the risk of SCAR development. Results Frequencies of A*24:02 (71.4 vs. 17.3%, p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 12.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6–39.2) were significantly higher in B*58:01 (+) DRESS than B*58:01 (+) tolerant controls. In addition, DRB1*13:02 further increased the risk of DRESS. The phenotype frequency of A*24:02/DRB1*13:02 was significantly higher in the B*58:01 (+) DRESS group than in the B*58:01 (+) tolerant controls (52.4% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001, OR, 66.0; 95% CI, 6.1–716.2). In 2782 allopurinol user cohort, the overall prevalence of DRESS was 0.22%, which increased to 1.62% and 2.86% in the presence of B*58:01 and B*58:01/A*24:02, respectively. Conclusion The additional secondary screening with A*24:02 and DRB1*13:02 alleles may identify those at further increased risk of allopurinol‐induced DRESS in B*58:01 carriers.

Shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging was applied to classify the freshness of mackerels. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and acid values, as chemical compounds related to the freshness of mackerels, were also analyzed to develop a prediction model of freshness by combining them with hyperspectral data. Fresh mackerels were divided into three groups according to storage periods (0, 24, and 48 h), and hyperspectral data were collected from the eyes and whole body, separately. The optimized classification accuracies were 81.68% using raw data from eyes and 90.14% using body data by multiple scatter correction (MSC) pretreatment. The prediction accuracy of TVB-N was 90.76%, and the acid value was 83.76%. These results indicate that hyperspectral imaging, as a nondestructive method, can be used to verify the freshness of mackerels and predict the chemical compounds related to the freshness.

Fast-charging of lithium-ion batteries is hindered by the uncontrollable plating of metallic Li on the graphite anode during cycling. Here, the authors demonstrate the fast chargeability and long cycle lifetimes via surface engineering of graphite with a cooperative biphasic MoO x –MoP x promoter.

The variety of characteristics of red pepper makes it difficult to analyze at the production field through hyperspectral imaging. The importance of pretreatment to adjust the moisture content (MC) in the process of predicting the quality attributes of red pepper powder through hyperspectral imaging was investigated. Hyperspectral images of four types of red pepper powder with different pungency levels and MC were acquired in the visible near-infrared (VIS-NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) regions. Principal component analysis revealed that the powders were grouped according to their pungency level, color value, and MC (VIS-NIR, Principal Component 1 = 95%; SWIR, Principal Component 1 = 91%). The loading plot indicated that 580–610, 675–760, 870–975, 1020–1130, and 1430–1520 nm are the key wavelengths affected by the presence of O-H and C-H bonds present in red pigments, capsaicinoids, and water molecules. The R2 of the partial least squares model for predicting capsaicinoid and free sugar in samples with a data MC difference of 0–2% was 0.9 or higher, and a difference of more than 2% in MC had a negative effect on prediction accuracy. The color value prediction accuracy was barely affected by the difference in MC. It was demonstrated that adjusting the MC is essential for capsaicinoid and free sugar analysis of red pepper.

‘Seolhyang’ strawberry is harvested before it is fully ripened and treated with CO2 to extend the shelf-life. However, the volatile changes in the ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry after short-term CO2 treatment have not been investigated, although the volatile profile is an important quality attribute. Herein, we investigated the effect of short-term high CO2 treatment on the changes in the composition of volatile compounds in ‘Seolhyang’ strawberries at two ripening stages (i.e., half-red and bright-red) during cold storage using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the effect of CO2 treatment on fruit quality with respect to the aroma was investigated. A total of 30 volatile compounds were identified. Storage increased the volatile compound concentrations, and the total concentration of volatiles in the CO2-treated strawberries was lower than that of the untreated strawberries during storage. The production of some characteristic strawberry volatiles (e.g., 4-methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone) was inhibited in CO2-treated strawberries. However, CO2 treatment helped maintain the concentrations of hexanal and 2-hexenal, which are responsible for the fresh odor in strawberries. Interestingly, CO2 treatment suppressed the production of off-odor volatiles, acetaldehyde, and hexanoic acid during strawberry storage. Thus, short-term CO2 treatment may help maintain the fresh aroma of strawberries during cold storage.

Abstract Mild‐acid Zn‐MnO2 batteries have been considered a promising alternative to Li‐ion batteries for large scale energy storage systems because of their high safety. There have been remarkable improvements in the electrochemical performance of Zn‐MnO2 batteries, although the reaction mechanism of the MnO2 cathode is not fully understood and still remains controversial. Herein, the reversible dissolution/deposition (Mn2+/Mn4+) mechanism of the MnO2 cathode through a 2e− reaction is directly evidenced using solution‐based analyses, including electron spin resonance spectroscopy and the designed electrochemical experiments. Solid MnO2 (Mn4+) is reduced into Mn2+ (aq) dissolved in the electrolyte during discharge. Mn2+ ions are then deposited on the cathode surface in the form of the mixture of the poorly crystalline Zn‐containing MnO2 compounds through two‐step reactions during charge. Moreover, the failure mechanism of mild‐acid Zn‐MnO2 batteries is elucidated in terms of the loss of electrochemically active Mn2+. In this regard, a porous carbon interlayer is introduced to entrap the dissolved Mn2+ ions. The carbon interlayer suppresses the loss of Mn2+ during cycling, resulting in the excellent electrochemical performance of pouch‐type Zn‐MnO2 cells, such as negligible capacity fading over 100 cycles. These findings provide fundamental insights into strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of aqueous Zn‐MnO2 batteries.

Postharvest storability is an important trait for breeding strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). We evaluated the postharvest fruit quality of five strawberry cultivars ('Durihyang', 'Kingsberry', 'Maehyang', 'Seolhyang', and 'Sunnyberry') and identified differences in their fruit ripening during the transition from the big-green to fully-red stage between two cultivars with the highest ('Sunnyberry') and lowest ('Kingsberry') storability, using comparative transcriptome and -metabolome analysis. The differentially expressed genes revealed transcriptome changes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis and cell walls. Consistently, the metabolites of both cultivars showed general changes during ripening along with cultivar-specific characteristics in sugar and amino acid profiles. To identify the genes responsible for storability differences, we surveyed the expression of transcription factors, and found that the expression levels of WRKY31, WRKY70, and NAC83 correlated with delayed senescence and increased storability. Among them, the expression levels of NAC83, and its downstream target genes, in the five cultivars suggested that NAC83 expression can be used to predict postharvest strawberry fruit storability.

BACKGROUND:Education on inhaler technique is critical for effective asthma treatment. However, traditionally used face-to-face education is time-consuming, costly, and often laborious. The current study evaluated the efficacy of a newly developed video-based inhaler technique education method. METHODS:A total of 184 subjects with well-controlled or partly-controlled asthma were enrolled from 12 hospitals in South Korea from 30 November 2015 to 01 June 2016. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio; a control group that received face-to-face education, and a study group that received video education. All subjects received fluticasone propionate plus salmeterol xinafoate (Fluterol® 250/50 inhalation capsules) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) at 12 weeks. The secondary outcome measures were change in FEV1 at 4 weeks, change in asthma control test (ACT) score, and changes in various inhaler technique parameters. These measures were assessed with a non-inferiority margin of 10% between the control group and the study group. RESULTS:FEV1 was significantly improved at 12 weeks in the control group and the study group. After adjustment, FEV1 improvement was not significantly inferior in the study group compared to the control group. The secondary outcome measures, including change in FEV1 at 4 weeks, ACT score, and various parameters pertaining to inhaler technique and satisfaction at 4 and 12 weeks did not differ significantly in the two groups. In subgroup analysis of elderly subjects and subjects with well-controlled asthma, FEV1 was significantly improved at 12 weeks in the study group but not the control group. CONCLUSION:The newly developed video education technique investigated functioned as a suitable substitute for face-to-face education on inhaler technique (dry powder inhalation capsule) in patients with stable asthma, particularly in elderly patients and patients with well-controlled asthma.