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Probabilistic mixture models are recognized as effective tools for unsupervised outlier detection owing to their interpretability and global characteristics. Among these, Dirichlet process mixture models stand out as a strong alternative to conventional finite mixture models for both clustering and outlier detection tasks. Unlike finite mixture models, Dirichlet process mixtures are infinite mixture models that automatically determine the number of mixture components based on the data. Despite their advantages, the adoption of Dirichlet process mixture models for unsupervised outlier detection has been limited by challenges related to computational inefficiency and sensitivity to outliers in the construction of outlier detectors. Additionally, Dirichlet process Gaussian mixtures struggle to effectively model non-Gaussian data with discrete or binary features. To address these challenges, we propose a novel outlier detection method that utilizes ensembles of Dirichlet process Gaussian mixtures. This unsupervised algorithm employs random subspace and subsampling ensembles to ensure efficient computation and improve the robustness of the outlier detector. The ensemble approach further improves the suitability of the proposed method for detecting outliers in non-Gaussian data. Furthermore, our method uses variational inference for Dirichlet process mixtures, which ensures both efficient and rapid computation. Empirical analyses using benchmark datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms existing approaches in unsupervised outlier detection. • Interpretable outlier detection method based on Dirichlet process mixtures. • Efficient computation facilitated by variational inference and ensemble analysis. • Outlier detection method well-suited for both Gaussian and non-Gaussian data. • Accessible Python module readily available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • S. chinensis had two important and explicit anti-asthmatic pathways; one was to decrease the upregulated Th2-related factors and the other was to inhibit inflammation. • S. chinensis sup pressed the release of Th2-related cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 by down-regulating the expression level of Th2 cell transcription factor, GATA-3. • S. chinensis controlled inflammation via ERK-NF-κB/COX-2-PGE2 pathway. • S. chinensis has been used as culinary material in the East north Asia. Asthma is an incurable chronic inflammatory pulmonary hyperresponsiveness. As current medications have many adverse effects, the development of new drugs is required. To define the anti-asthmatic effect of Saururus chinensis, animal and RAW264.7 cell models were used. Histopathological evaluation such as H&E and PAS staining; inflammatory cell analysis, such as cell count using equipment and Diff-Quick staining; serum IgE measurement; and asthma/inflammation-related proteins evaluation via RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were conducted. In animal study, S. chinensis prevented asthmatic pulmonary changes, such as epithelial cells hyperplasia, inflammatory cells increment, and mucous hypersecretion; controlled Th2 cell-related cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) including GATA-3 and blocked inflammation occurrence via NF-κB/COX-2/PGE 2 pathway. The anti-inflammatory effects and pathways of S. chinensis were confirmed in a cell-based study. Asthma is caused by both Th1/Th2 imbalance and inflammation and as S. chinensis effectively prevents the occurrence of asthma, it should be considered an anti-asthmatic candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to understand how mothers of young adolescent girls who are perceived as overweight or at risk for becoming so and whose body mass indices are at the 70th percentile or higher socialize their daughters about body, weight, eating, and health. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 US mothers, and data were analyzed using constant comparison processes. Findings revealed that mothers adopted a variety of strategies – including teaching, modeling, managing, avoiding, and comforting – to achieve varied socialization goals for their daughters. Specifically, mothers sought to help their daughters to accept the self, reject the hegemonic ideal, maintain “healthful” eating, avoid overeating/monitor the self for over-eating, engage in regular physical activity, and/or navigate stigmatizing social situations. Mothers’ sometimes experienced ambivalence or uncertainty as they socialized their daughters about the body, suggesting that they may benefit from professional counseling designed to resolve this tension/hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the study about the cathode’s solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation mechanism of salt type additives (STAs) and its function. To address this issue, we performed several types of chemical analysis and computer simulation techniques. In order to reveal the redox nature and oxidative decomposition dynamics, the electrolyte (EL) solution dynamics by Quantum mechanics and Molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method was applied. The estimation of SEI chemical components agrees with our chemical analyses data and other group’s reports. The molecular dynamics simulation of sub micro second sampling indicates that the SEI phase induced from STAs functions as a lithium ion selective translocation media and protective coating layer against the degradation of the solvent molecules. The results give us an insight how to design additive’s chemical structure to improve longevity of the cell in the high voltage regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, samples of Korean Doenjang , a dietary soybean fermented food, were prepared using three fungal strains ( Aspergillus oryzae J (A), Mucor racemosus 15 (M15), and Mucor racemosus 42 (M42) and bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis TKSP 24 (B) as starter cultures. The resulting Doenjang samples were evaluated for their total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities based on DPPH and nitrite radical scavenging and reducing power abilities, as well as α–glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities in vitro . The starter culture Doenjang samples showed significant antioxidant activities with DPPH and nitric oxide radical inhibitory rates of 59.92 and 92.83%, respectively. The starter culture Doenjang samples yielded phenolic contents in the range of 25.06–29.49 mg/g gallic acid equivalents (GAE). The starter culture Doenjang samples also strongly inhibited tyrosinase and α-glucosidase enzymatic activities by 58.93–62.25% and 58.23 ± 1.28–67.14 ± 1.14% with IC 50 values of 14.14–25.93 and 27.40–40.98 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, starter culture Doenjang samples showed potent antioxidant efficacy in terms of reducing power ability. These findings confirm the therapeutic potential of starter culture Doenjang samples as a potential source of natural antioxidants for use in food and medicine industries along with their possible applications for treatment of skin depigmentation and diabetes mellitus type-2 related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim., classified into the family of Araliaceae, is used in a variety of diseases in traditional Korean medicine including ischemic heart disease. Aim of the study: To determine the neuroprotective effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on global cerebral ischemia. Materials and methods: A four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) rat model was used to evaluate the potential protective effects against transient global cerebral ischemia ethanol extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus was orally administered at doses of 3, 30, and 300mg/kg twice at times of 0 and 90min after reperfusion. The effects on memory deficit were investigated by using a Y-maze neurobehavioral test after brain ischemia, and the effects on hippocampal neuronal damage were measured 7 days after ischemia. The expressions of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), CD11b antibody (OX-42), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Oral administration of Eleutherococcus seticosus at 30, 100 and 300mg/kg significantly reduced hippocampal CA1 neuronal death by 3.5%, 25.9% and 53.1%, respectively, compared with a vehicle-treated group. Oral administration of Eleutherococcus senticosus at 300mg/kg inhibited 81.9% of the decrease in spontaneous alternation induced by 4-VOin the Y-maze test, and also attenuated ischemia-induced activation of COX-2, GFAP and OX-42 in the hippocampal CA1 region. Conclusion: Eleutherococcus senticosus protects delayed neuronal death in the CA1 region of the hippocampus against global cerebral ischemia in rats with the recovery of spatial memory, which can be considered as the normal functioning of the hippocampus. Regarding the immunohistochemical study, the effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus may be attributable to its anti-inflammatory properties through the inhibition of COX-2 expression, microglia and astrocyte expression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The current global initiative to end Cholera by 2030 emphasizes the use of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) combined with feasible household Water-Sanitation-Hygiene (WASH) interventions. However, little is known about how improved WASH practices and behaviors and OCV interact to reduce the risk of cholera. We reanalyzed two arms of a cluster-randomized trial in urban Bangladesh, to evaluate the effectiveness of OCV given as a 2-dose regimen. One arm (30 clusters, n = 94,675) was randomized to vaccination of persons aged one year and older with OCV, and the other arm (30 clusters, n = 80,056) to no intervention. We evaluated the prevention of cholera by household WASH, classified at baseline using a previously validated rule, and OCV over 2 years of follow-up. When analyzed by assignment to OCV clusters rather than receipt of OCV, in comparison to persons living in "Not Better WASH" households in the control clusters, reduction of severe cholera (the primary outcome) was similar for persons in "Not Better WASH" households in vaccine clusters (46%, 95% CI:24,62), for persons in "Better WASH" households in the control clusters (48%, 95% CI:25,64), and for persons in "Better WASH" households in the vaccine clusters (48%, 95% CI:16,67). In contrast, when analyzed by actual receipt of a complete OCV regimen, , in comparison to persons in "Not Better WASH" households in the control clusters, protection against severe cholera increased steadily from 39% (95% CI:13,58) in residents of "Better WASH" households in the control clusters to 57% (95% CI:35,72) in vaccinated persons in "Not Better WASH" households to 63% (95% CI:21,83) in vaccinated persons in "Better WASH" households. This analysis suggests that improved household WASH and OCV received may interact to provide greater protection against cholera. However, the divergence between findings related to intent to vaccinate versus those pertaining to actual receipt of OCV underscores the need for further research on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data for health policy creation by estimating phytonutrient intake and identifying major food sources of phytonutrients. Dietary recall data collected in the 2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and phytonutrient database of the Korea National Academy of Agricultural Science were used in this study. The proportions of the population satisfying recommended dietary guidelines for fruits and vegetables were estimated, and phytonutrient intake was compared between populations who consumed the recommended intake and those who did not. The study found that 5.3% of subjects satisfied the recommended fruit and vegetable intake. In particular, the proportions of adolescents (13 to 18 years of age) and young adults (19 to 39 years of age) meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake were lower than other age groups (P<0.001). Intakes of major carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene), flavonoids (anthocyanidins, hesperitin, quercetin, catechin, and isoflavones), and one phenolic compound (gallic acid) were significantly higher (P<0.001) among subjects who met the recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption compared with those who did not. Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons were found to be major sources of carotenoids. Flavonoids were mainly obtained from persimmons, mandarins, apples, grapes, onions, soybeans, and chestnuts. However, one or two food items contributed to nearly all intake of each phytonutrient, suggesting a lack of variety. In conclusion, the Korean population needs to consume a larger quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]