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Background/Aims Potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 17 (KCTD17) protein, an adaptor for the cullin3 (Cul3) ubiquitin ligase complex, has been implicated in various human diseases; however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. Here, we aimed to elucidate the clinical features of KCTD17, and investigate the mechanisms by which KCTD17 affects HCC progression. Methods We analyzed transcriptomic data from patients with HCC. Hepatocyte-specific KCTD17 deficient mice were treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to assess its effect on HCC progression. Additionally, we tested KCTD17-directed antisense oligonucleotides for their therapeutic potential in vivo. Results Our investigation revealed the upregulation of KCTD17 expression in both tumors from patients with HCC and mouse models of HCC, in comparison to non-tumor controls. We identified the leucine zipper-like transcriptional regulator 1 (Lztr1) protein, a previously identified Ras destabilizer, as a substrate for KCTD17-Cul3 complex. KCTD17-mediated Lztr1 degradation led to Ras stabilization, resulting in increased proliferation, migration, and wound healing in liver cancer cells. Hepatocyte-specific KCTD17 deficient mice or liver cancer xenograft models were less susceptible to carcinogenesis or tumor growth. Similarly, treatment with KCTD17-directed antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) in a mouse model of HCC markedly lowered tumor volume as well as Ras protein levels, compared to those in control ASO-treated mice. Conclusions KCTD17 induces the stabilization of Ras and downstream signaling pathways and HCC progression and may represent a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

Abstract Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract, negatively impacting patients’ quality of life. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (RH 3201) on irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 subjects with IBS-C were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 8 weeks of probiotics administration or placebo. Concerning bowel activities, both irritant bowel movements and discomfort caused by constipation showed significant improvement with RH 3201 at 8 weeks. Symptoms including severity of abdominal bloating, frequency of abdominal bloating, and satisfaction of bowel habits based on the irritable bowel syndrome-severity scoring system also ameliorated in the probiotic group. Analysis of the fecal microbiome revealed that the abundance of Bacteroides cellulosilyticus and Akkermansia muciniphila was higher during the period of RH 3201 administration compared to the placebo. Untargeted metabolome analysis further suggested a correlation between specific metabolites, such as N-acetylornithine, xanthine, and 3-phenylpropionic acid, and the improvement of clinical symptoms. These results indicate that RH 3201 was effective in ameliorating IBS-C, potentially by enriching beneficial microbes and associated metabolites in the gut environment.

Edible insects are a promising source of bioactive compounds with diverse health benefits. This study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides isolated from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (PBSL). Polysaccharides were fractionated using a molecular weight cutoff membrane, and among these fractions, the higher molecular weight fraction (H-PBSL, 666.84 kDa) demonstrated significant immunomodulatory activity. Methylation and NMR structural analyses revealed H-PBSL to be an acidic heteroglycan with a complex structure, consisting of a backbone of repeating (1→4)-linked α-glucan units highly branched at O-6 positions with T-α-Glcp, T-α-GlcpA, and T-β-Galp. The immunomodulatory effects of H-PBSL were evaluated using RAW264.7 macrophage cells. H-PBSL treatment enhanced phagocytic activity and increased the expression of immune modulators and macrophage activation surface molecules. In addition, H-PBSL activated the NF-κB signaling pathway, evidenced by increased phosphorylation of IκB and NF-κB, and translocation of NF-κB from cytosol to nucleus. Moreover, inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) reduced H-PBSL-induced nitric oxide synthesis, indicating TLR4′s pivotal role in H-PBSL-mediated macrophage activation. These findings highlight the potential of H-PBSL as a novel immunomodulatory agent derived from an edible insect, with possible applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNFs), implying lignin-containing cellulose fibers, maintain the properties of both lignin and cellulose, which are hydrophobic and hydrophilic, respectively. The presence of hydrophobic lignin in LCNFs is expected to be an economical and attractive option that can improve the thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. Thus, this study was conducted to produce lignin-rich LCNFs from sugar-rich waste obtained from rice husks after acidic pretreatment. The LCNFs were produced from the lignin-rich solid fractions obtained after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, which were then incorporated as an additive into a chitosan-based film. The variations in lignin content in the range of approximately 50.6%–66.8% in differently obtained LCNFs gave significantly different optical strengths and mechanical properties. These controllable processes may allow for customized film formation. Additionally, the glucose-rich liquid fractions obtained after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were used as a substrate for ethanol fermentation to achieve total utilization of rice husk biomass waste. In conclusion, the lignin-rich biomass fraction holds promise as a suitable material for chitosan-LCNF film and has the potential to increase the economic feasibility of the biomaterial industry.

Abstract To compare the efficacy of scleral buckling with adjuvant pneumatic retinopexy (SB with PR) and scleral buckling (SB) alone for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This retrospective and comparative study included patients who underwent SB with PR (n = 88) or SB alone (n = 161) for primary RRD. The primary anatomical success rate for SB with PR was 81.8%, whereas that for SB alone was 80.7% (P = 0.836). Among patients who achieved primary anatomical success, those in the SB with PR group showed postoperative epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation more frequently than those in the SB alone group (11 of 72 [15.3%] vs. 6 of 130 [4.6%]) (P = 0.009). The mean time to subretinal fluid absorption was not significantly different between the SB with PR and SB alone groups (11.2 ± 6.2 vs. 11.4 ± 5.8 months, P = 0.881). In the SB with PR group, retinal detachment involving ≥ three quadrants was a significant risk factor for surgical failure (hazard ratio, 3.04; P = 0.041). Adjuvant pneumatic retinopexy does not provide additional benefit in improving the surgical outcomes of SB for primary RRD repair.

This paper aimed to comprehensively review the potential valorization of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) into activated carbon and its potential application. Activated carbon is carbon processed through dual phases, including carbonization and activation. Firstly, this process converts biomass into carbon thermally with zero to little oxygen conditions. Next, the carbon needs to be activated to stimulate the formation of pores and reduce impurities. The activated carbon’s quality is influenced by the activation process, which can be done physically, chemically, or physiochemically. Activated carbon has an amorphous structure and abundant internal pore structure, thus increasing the surface area. In Indonesia, the quality of active carbon is regulated by Indonesian National Standards or SNI 06-370-1995. The factors influencing the activation step include activator agent type, activator agent concentration, activation ratio and time, etc. . Generally, activated carbon can be widely applied to various sectors, such as agriculture (i.e., slow-released fertilizer, fertilizer, etc.), waste treatment (i.e., adsorbent, activator in anaerobic digestion/AD, bioremediation, etc.), gas purification, ceramic membrane, etc. However, further in-depth investigation is required to determine potential scaling-up and commercialization.

Abstract Posttranslational modification of proteins via ubiquitination determines their activation, translocation, dysregulation, or degradation. This process targets a large number of cellular proteins, affecting all biological pathways involved in the cell cycle, development, growth, and differentiation. Thus, aberrant regulation of ubiquitination is likely associated with several diseases, including various types of metabolic diseases. Among the ubiquitin enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases are regarded as the most influential ubiquitin enzymes due to their ability to selectively bind and recruit target substrates for ubiquitination. Continued research on the regulatory mechanisms of E3 ligases and their adaptors in metabolic diseases will further stimulate the discovery of new targets and accelerate the development of therapeutic options for metabolic diseases. In this review, based on recent discoveries, we summarize new insights into the roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases and their adaptors in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases by highlighting recent evidence obtained in both human and animal model studies.

Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) after cardiac arrest (CA) is a leading cause of mortality and long-term neurological disorders in survivors. Targeted temperature management (TTM) has been rigorously studied as a way to improve results compared to a normal body temperature for preventing secondary damage after HIBI. We report a case of successful TTM in a patient who was suspected to have HIBI after resuscitation from cardiovascular collapse due to respiratory failure during elective surgery under brachial plexus block with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil infusion. A 27-year-old male patient developed CA due to apnea during orthopedic surgery. TTM was performed in the surgical intensive care unit for 72 hours after resuscitation, and the patient recovered successfully. TTM application immediately after resuscitation from CA in patients with suspected HIBI may be an appropriate treatment.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features, natural course, and genetic characteristics of Koreans with rhodopsin-associated retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-associated RP).Design: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study.Participants: We reviewed the medical records of 42 patients with RHO-associated RP of 36 families who visited 4 hospitals in Korea.Methods: Patients with molecular confirmation of pathogenic variants of the RHO gene were included. The patients were divided into two subgroups: the generalized and sector RP groups. A central visual field of the better-seeing eye of

In the realm of geotechnical engineering, understanding the mechanical behavior of soil particles under external forces is paramount. The main topic of this study is how to use deep learning image analysis techniques, especially transfer learning models like VGG, ResNet, and DenseNet, to look at response images from models of reflective photoelastic soil particles. We applied a total of six transfer learning models to analyze photoelastic response images. We then compared the validation results with existing quantitative evaluation techniques. The researchers identified the most outstanding transfer learning model by comparing the validation results with existing quantitative evaluation techniques using performance metrics such as the coefficient of determination, mean average error, and root mean square error.

This study aimed to explore the safety and properties of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei IDCC 3401 as a novel probiotic strain via genomic and phenotypic analyses. In whole-genome sequencing, the genes associated with antibiotic resistance and virulence were not detected in this strain. The minimum inhibitory concentration test revealed that L. paracasei IDCC 3401 was susceptible to all the antibiotics tested, except for kanamycin. Furthermore, the strain did not produce toxigenic compounds, such as biogenic amines and D-lactate, nor did it exhibit significant toxicity in a single-dose acute oral toxicity test in rats. Phenotypic characterization of carbohydrate utilization and enzymatic activities indicated that L. paracasei IDCC 3401 can utilize various nutrients, allowing it to grow in deficient conditions and produce health-promoting metabolites. The presence of L. paracasei IDCC 3401 supernatants significantly inhibited the growth of enteric pathogens (p < 0.05). In addition, the adhesion ability of L. paracasei IDCC 3401 to intestinal epithelial cells was found to be as superior as that of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. These results suggest that L. paracasei IDCC 3401 is safe for consumption and provides health benefits to the host.

Korean red ginseng has been widely used as an herbal medicine. Red ginseng dietary fiber (RGDF) is a residue of the processed ginseng product but still contains bioactive constituents that can be applied as prebiotics. In this study, we evaluated changes on fermentation profiles and probiotic properties of strains that belong to family Lactobacillaceae with RGDF supplementation. Metabolomic analyses were performed to understand specific mechanisms on the metabolic alteration by RGDF and to discover novel bioactive compounds secreted by the RGDF-supplemented probiotic strain. RGDF supplementation promoted short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, carbon source utilization, and gut epithelial adhesion of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and inhibited attachment of enteropathogens. Intracellular and extracellular metabolome analyses revealed that RGDF induced metabolic alteration, especially associated with central carbon metabolism, and produced RGDF-specific metabolites secreted by L. plantarum, respectively. Specifically, L. plantarum showed decreases in intracellular metabolites of oleic acid, nicotinic acid, uracil, and glyceric acid, while extracellular secretion of several metabolites including oleic acid, 2-hydroxybutanoic acid, hexanol, and butyl acetate increased. RGDF supplementation had distinct effects on L. plantarum metabolism compared with fructooligosaccharide supplementation. These findings present potential applications of RGDF as prebiotics and bioactive compounds produced by RGDF-supplemented L. plantarum as novel postbiotic metabolites for human disease prevention and treatment.

Melanogenesis is responsible for skin pigmentation and the enzymatic browning of foods. Tyrosinases play a major role in melanin synthesis, and many attempts have been made to identify new natural tyrosinase inhibitors, but few have sought to do in microbes. Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by the metabolism of probiotics and have been reported to be safe and effective. In this study, we evaluated the tyrosinase inhibitory effects of culture supernatants of probiotics and discovered novel bacterial metabolites that can be used as a potent tyrosinase inhibitor based on metabolomics. Cultures of Bifidobacterium bifidum IDCC 4201 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 showed effective anti-tyrosinase, reduced melanin synthesis, and altered protein expression associated with the melanogenesis pathway. Comparative metabolomics analyses conducted by GC-MS identified metabolites commonly produced by B. bifidum and L. plantarum. Of eight selected metabolites, phenyllactic acid exhibited significant tyrosinase-inhibitory activity. Our findings suggest that applications of probiotic culture supernatants containing high amounts of phenyllactic acid have potential use as anti-melanogenesis agents in food and medicines.

This study investigates the impact of various experimental parameters on the reflective photoelastic coating technique used to measure the stress and strain in model soil particles. The focus is directed towards three pivotal parameters: the choice of adhesive for the photoelastic coating, the inherent properties of the light source, and the configuration of the camera for color image analysis. Through a series of uniaxial compression tests on consistently crafted model soil particles, a notable relationship emerges between the adhesive’s shear strength, its viscosity, and the uniformity of the photoelastic response. While the light source’s characteristics and camera adjustments hold significance, their influence on the consistency of the response is comparatively subtle. Consequently, the adhesive’s role is underscored as instrumental in influencing the photoelastic response, offering valuable insights for subsequent research endeavors utilizing the reflective photoelastic technique.

We investigated the potential of Inula britannica extract encapsulated in liposomes as a functional food ingredient with enhanced bioavailability and stability. Inula britannica, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and various health benefits, was encapsulated using a liposome mass production manufacturing method, and the physical properties of liposomes were evaluated. The liposomes exhibited improved anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 and downregulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2 transcription factors. Additionally, we observed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and modulation of the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. These findings suggest that Inula britannica extract encapsulated in liposomes could serve as a valuable functional food ingredient for managing and preventing inflammation-related disorders, making it a promising candidate for incorporation into various functional food products. The enhanced absorption and stability provided by liposomal encapsulation can enable better utilization of the extract’s beneficial properties, promoting overall health and well-being.

In urban areas, deep excavation-induced ground deformations may damage adjacent existing structures and are conventionally evaluated by levelling at installed settlement points. However, a small number of measurements cannot represent the total changes in ground deformations adjacent to excavation sites. Furthermore, significant local subsidences may occur in places where settlement points have not been installed and only noticed after an accident. For deep excavation sites located in urban areas, paved pedestrian sidewalks are often located adjacent to sites, and construction activities can cause these paving blocks to become displaced. This study introduces a method to detect paving block displacements adjacent to deep excavation sites using terrestrial photogrammetry. A digital camera creating point cloud data (PCD) and an acquisition method satisfying the frontal and side overlap requirements were demonstrated. To investigate the displacement detections and measurement capabilities by PCD analysis, an experimental program was conducted, including a PCD comparison containing the uplift, settlement, and horizontal paving block displacement and reference data. The cloud-to-cloud distance computation algorithm was adopted for PCD comparisons. Paving block displacements were detected for displacements of 5, 7.5, and 10 mm in the uplift, settlement, and horizontal directions; however, the horizontal displacements were less clear. PCD analysis enabled satisfactory measurements between 0.024 and 0.881 mm for the vertical-displacement cases, but significant errors were observed for the horizontal-displacement cases owing to the cloud-comparison algorithm. The measurement blind spot of limited settlement points was overcome by the proposed method that detected and measured paving block displacements adjacent to excavation sites.

A combined usage of animal and plant proteins-mixture could aid to solve environmental and social problems arising from the use of animal protein alone, while also improving the taste and texture of plant protein. Protein mixtures could be a better protein source due to the high availability of amino acids in the body compared with single proteins. Consuming proteins with probiotics can provide more beneficial health effects by helping to hydrolyze protein and absorb amino acids in the body. In this study, coadministration of an animal and plant protein mixture with a high concentration of probiotics was investigated to increase protein digestibility and amino acids absorbability in a mice model. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501, which has the maximum ability to hydrolyze a protein mixture, composed of soybean protein and milk protein, was selected, and the changes in mice (C57BL/6J, male, six weeks) were investigated after the coadministration of protein mixture and 5 × 108 or 5 × 109 CFU/mL of L. plantarum for eight weeks. Normal diet, high-protein diet (HPD), and HPD supplementing L. plantarum were separately administered to mice. Food and water consumption of the mice did not differ depending on diet type. Measurements of the serum concentrations of amino acids showed that the absorption of aspartate, glutamate, isoleucine, leucine, valine, and lysine increased when high concentrations of protein and probiotics were administered. Thus, high L. plantarum concentrations could be a protein diet supplementation to improve health by promoting the absorption of amino acids.

Obesity can be associated with an increased risk of metabolic complications. Here, the authors show that adipocyte-specific ablation of the phosphatase PHLPP2 improves glucose homeostasis in high-fat diet fed obese mice, and that this may be due at least in part to PHLPP2 dephosphorylation of HSL.

Abstract Soil particle shape analysis was conducted on two calcareous sands from Dissa and Matmata in Tunisia and one silica sand from Jumunjin in Korea using an image analysis method. This technique uses complex Fourier shape descriptors and image analysis of sand grains SEM photographs to provide accurate quantification of particle morphology and texture. The Fourier descriptors, denoted “Signature Descriptors”, provide measures of Elongation, Triangularity, Squareness, and Asymmetry and identify the overall shape of soil particles. A summary of higher-order descriptors provides textural information linked up to local roughness and texture characteristics. After analyzing the Fourier descriptors, elongation was found to be the major characteristics of the three sands, mainly for the Dissa and Matmata carbonate sands. In addition, the elongation signature descriptors for the Dissa and Matmata sands have very high values compared to those of Ras Alkhair (Saudi Arabia) and Dog’s bay (Ireland) sands. Therefore, the Dissa and Matmata carbonate sands have higher angles of friction and higher critical state angle of friction than Ras Alkhair and Dog’s bay sands. Furthermore, the Dissa and Matmata carbonate sands show higher roughness than Jumunjin’s silica sand.

Abstract Aims/hypothesis One of the critical mechanisms determining creep in granular materials is the breakage of soil particles. This study aims at evaluating the time-dependent creep deformation of calcareous sand at low effective stress conditions. Methods K0 creep tests were performed for both calcareous and silica sands at low stresses of 65 and 120 kPa, and the results of creep tests were compared with the results of constant rate of strain (CRS) tests at high stress levels up to 12 MPa. For a quantitative evaluation of the effect of the particle breakage on the creep deformation of calcareous sand, the relative breakage ( $$B_{r}$$ B r ) was determined based on the results of sieve analyses. Results The results demonstrate that Tunisia calcareous sand experiences significant particle breakage during creep and the consequent creep deformation at low stress level. The determined $$B_{r}$$ B r after creep at low stress level is comparable with that after the CRS test at high stress level. Conclusions High potential of particle breakage inherited by characteristic minerology of the calcareous Tunisia sand significantly influences the creep deformation at low stress level.

Abstract Background Pretreatment processes and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis are prerequisites to utilize lignocellulosic sugar for fermentation. However, the resulting hydrolysate frequently hinders fermentation processes due to the presence of inhibitors and toxic products (e.g., ethanol). Thus, it is crucial to develop robust microbes conferring multi-stress tolerance. Results Zmo0994, a functionally uncharacterized protein from Zymomonas mobilis, was identified and characterized for the first time. A major effect of Zmo0994 was a significant enhancement in the tolerance to abiotic stresses such as ethanol, furfural, 5′-hydroxymethylfurfural and high temperature, when expressed in Escherichia coli. Through transcriptome analysis and in vivo experiments, the cellular mechanism of this protein was revealed as due to its ability to trigger genes, involved in aerobic respiration for ATP synthesis. Conclusions These findings have significant implications that might lead to the development of robust microbes for the highly efficient industrial fermentation processes.

Abstract Background Functional communication is vital in many areas of daily life, and modifying dysfunctional communication has been emphasized in various social areas, including family and school. The present preliminary study addressed the feasibility of a virtual reality (VR)-based interactive feedback program for the modification of dysfunctional communication. Methods Thirty-seven healthy young males completed psychological assessments associated with functional communication and participated in the VR-based program, consisting of the three tasks of ‘exploring the communication style,’ ‘practicing functional communication,’ and ‘expressing empathy.’ Behavioral parameters were recorded based on the participants’ choices among available options and the visual analog scale scores that resulted in responses to questions in the tasks. Results Participants completed the program without dropping-out and reported 10.76 (SD, 9.66) in the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and 106.97 (SD, 16.66) in the Presence Questionnaire. In exploring the communication style, there was no difference between the dysfunction level-with family and dysfunction level-with a friend, but only the dysfunction level-with family showed significant correlations with the level of communication with parents. In practicing functional communication, the communication scores with the placating, blaming, and computing styles significantly increased according to the repetition of trials. In expressing empathy, the empathetic feeling score was negatively correlated with the perspective-taking score, whereas the emotional intensity score was positively correlated with the level of differentiation of the self. Conclusion These results suggest that the program may have a tolerable level of cybersickness, an adequate level of presence, an improvement in the behavioral parameters that may reflect the important aspects of communication, and a proper reflection of psychological states or interpersonal characteristics. The use of this program can be an important starting point for the development of a more convenient method for delivering VR programs designed to modify dysfunctional communication, which can further increase computerized dissemination.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) negatively impacts cancer survivors’ quality of life and is challenging to treat with existing drugs for neuropathic pain. TNF-α is known to potentiate TRPV1 activity, which contributes to CIPN. Here, we assessed the role of TMI-1, a TNF-α-converting enzyme inhibitor, in paclitaxel (PAC)-induced neurotoxicity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells.Materials and Methods: Immortalized DRG neuronal 50B11 cells were cultured and treated with PAC or PAC with TMI-1 following neuronal differentiation. Cell viability, analysis of neurite growth, immunofluorescence, calcium flow cytometry, western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, and cytokine quantitation by ELISA were performed to determine the role of TMI-1 in neurotoxicity in neuronal cells.Results: PAC administration decreased the length of neurites and upregulated the expression of TRPV1 in 50B11 cells. TMI-1 administration showed a protective effect by suppressing inflammatory signaling, and secretion of TNF-α.Conclusion: TMI-1 partially protects against paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity by reversing the upregulation of TRPV1 and decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in neuronal cells.

The present study aimed to evaluate the safety of Bacillus subtilis (BS) IDCC1101, newly isolated from Cheonggukjang in Korea. Genome sequencing of BS IDCC1101 was performed to investigate the presence of secondary metabolites, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and mobile elements. Its phenotypic safety analyses included antibiotic susceptibility, enzyme activity, carbohydrate utilization, production of biogenic amines (BAs) and D-/L-lactate, hemolytic activity, and toxicities in HaCaT cells and rats. The genome of BS IDCC1101 consisted of 4,118,950 bp with 3077 functional genes. Among them, antimicrobial and antifungal secondary metabolites were found, such as fengycin, bacillibactin, and bacilysin. Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes did not exhibit transferability since they did not overlap with mobile elements in the genome. BS IDCC1101 was susceptible to almost all antibiotics suggested for assessment of BS’s antibiotic susceptibility by EFSA guidelines, except for streptomycin. BS IDCC1101 showed the utilization of a wide range of 27 carbohydrates, as well as enzyme activities such as alkaline phosphatase, esterase, esterase lipase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase activities. Additionally, BS IDCC1101 did not exhibit the production of D-/L-lactate and hemolytic activities. Its toxicity in HaCaT cells and rats was also not detected. Thus, these genotypic and phenotypic findings indicate that BS IDCC1101 can be safely used for industrial applications.

LiDAR is a useful technology for gathering point cloud data from its environment and has been adapted to many applications. We use a cost-efficient LiDAR system attached to a moving object to estimate the location of the moving object using referenced linear structures. In the stationary state, the accuracy of extracting linear structures is low given the low-cost LiDAR. We propose a merging scheme for the LiDAR data frames to improve the accuracy by using the movement of the moving object. The proposed scheme tries to find the optimal window size by means of an entropy analysis. The optimal window size is determined by finding the minimum point between the entropy indicator of the ideal result and the entropy indicator of the actual result of each window size. The proposed indicator can describe the accuracy of the entire path of the moving object at each window size using a simple single value. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can improve the linear structure extraction accuracy.

Eliglustat (Cerdelga®, Genzyme Corp. Cambridge, MA, USA) is an approved drug for a non-neurological type of Gaucher disease. Herein, we describe the total synthesis of eliglustat 1 starting from readily available 1,4-benzodioxan-6-carbaldehyde via Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and diastereoselective amination of chiral para-methoxycinnamyl benzyl ethers using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate as the key steps. Notably, the reaction between syn-1,2-dibenzyl ether 6 and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate in the mixture of toluene and hexane (10:1) afforded syn-1,2-amino alcohol 5 at a 62% yield with a diastereoselectivity > 20:1. This observation can be explained by competition between the SNi and the SN1 mechanisms, leading to the retention of stereochemistry.

High aggression is common and costly for mental health problems in young adults. Because communication is a universal part of social relationships, including conflicts with others, it could be a possible target for mediating aggression. This study aimed to evaluate whether the virtual reality (VR)-based communication modification program can be utilized for aggression management. Fifty-eight individuals with high aggression (n = 30) and with low aggression (n = 28) completed psychological assessments associated with aggression and functional communication, and they participated in the program, consisting of the three tasks: exploring the communication style, practicing functional communication, and expressing empathy. The participants’ selections and their visual analog scale scores, in response to questions in the tasks, were collected as behavioral data. Results indicated that the high aggression group selected blaming dysfunctional communication style more frequently than the low aggression group. VR-based parameters, expected to reflect dysfunctional communication-related characteristics, showed significantly different correlations with aggression-related traits between the two groups. These findings show that our program may accurately represent an individual’s aggressive traits and elicit the appropriate reaction.

Study DesignRetrospective study.PurposeWe report the surgical outcomes of small degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) patients treated by a short-segment fusion and followed for a minimum of 5 years.Overview of LiteratureSeveral surgical options are available for the treatment of DLS, such as decompression only, decompression plus a short-segment fusion, or decompression with a long segment fusion. Few studies have evaluated the results of a short-segment fusion in patients with DLS over time.MethodsSeventy small DLS patients (Cobb's angle, 10°–25°) with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were treated with a short-segment fusion between March 2004 and February 2010. The mean patient age was 71 (male:female=16:54), with a follow-up of 6.5 years (range, 5.0–11.6). The Cobb's angle, 1 and 2 segment coronal upper intervertebral angle, 1 and 2 segment sagittal upper intervertebral angle, the lumbar lordosis angle, and the C7 plumb lines (coronal and sagittal) were evaluated using simple radiographs, and visual analog scale (VAS), back pain was assessed preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and at 3, 6, and 12 months and 3 and 5 years after surgery. To identify factors influencing the radiologic progression, age, number of fusion segments, vertebral levels of fusion, body mass index, lowest instrumented vertebra (L5 or S1), bone mineral density (>–2.5, ≤–2.5), and the presence of an interbody fusion were analyzed.ResultsThe Cobb's angle and 1 segment coronal upper intervertebral angle showed more progression during follow up, particularly at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Clinical outcomes and radiological results were found to be significantly associated (p=0.041). No statistically significant association was found between other factors affecting radiologic progression from postoperative 6 months to 1 year.ConclusionsRadiologic variables (the Cobb's angle and coronal upper intervertebral angle–1) should be carefully considered and clinical caution exercised from 6 to 12 months after short-segment fusion in small DLS (10°–25°).

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne’s disease in dairy cattle populations around the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate MAP antibody kinetics in serum and milk samples throughout the lactation period in dairy cattle. The samples were collected simultaneously from eight MAP-positive and two healthy MAP-negative (control group) cows. The MAP antibody was detected by using serum and milk ELISA. The serum and milk MAP antibody titers fluctuated between the positive and negative cut-off values in this study. Specifically, cattle with low MAP antibody titer (2 = 0.5358) observed throughout the assessment period. The milk MAP ELISA test had low diagnostic performance in cows with low MAP titer due to its weak correlation (R2 = 0.0198). Finally, this study suggest that the periodic MAP ELISA test is recommended for the application of Johne’s eradication program due to the fluctuating nature of MAP antibody kinetics.