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Background and Purpose. Recently, tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs) have attracted great attention in various medical fields due to easier harvest of T-MSCs and more immunomodulatory effects than adipose-derived MSCs. However, there was still little evidence of the effect of conditioned media from T-MSCs (T-MSCs-CM) on allergic rhinitis (AR). Therefore, we investigated the impact of T-MSCs-CM on an AR mouse model. Methods. We isolated T-MSCs from human palatine tonsil and evaluated the ingredients of T-MSCs-CM. The effect of T-MSCs-CM was evaluated in the AR mouse model that was randomly divided into five groups (negative control, positive control, and T-MSCs-CM treated (0.1 mg, 1 mg, and 10 mg)). To investigate the therapeutic effect, we analyzed rhinitis symptoms, serum immunoglobulin (Ig), inflammatory cells, and cytokine expression. We also assessed T cell receptor signal, including MAP kinase (ERK/JNK), p65, and NFAT1. Results. We identified the increment of TGF-β1, PGE2, and HGF in the T-MSCs-CM. In an animal study, the T-MSCs-CM-treated group showed significantly reduced allergic symptoms and infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils in the nasal mucosa, whereas there was no significant difference in total IgE and the OVA-specific IgE level. Additionally, we found that the 10 mg T-MSCs-CM-treated group showed a significantly decreased IL-4 mRNA expression, compared to the (+) Con group. In the analysis of T cell receptor signal, the phosphorylation of MAP kinases, translocation of p65, and activation of NFAT1 were inhibited after T-MSCs-CM. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that T-MSCs-CM showed a partial immunomodulatory effect on the AR mouse model by the inhibition of T cell activation via MAP kinase, p65, and NFAT1.

Current strategies for cartilage cell therapy are mostly based on the use of autologous chondrocytes. However, these cells have limitations of a small number of cells available and of low chondrogenic ability, respectively. Many studies now suggest that fetal stem cells are more plastic than adult stem cells and can therefore more efficiently differentiate into target tissues. This study introduces, efficiency chondrogenic differentiation of fetal cartilage-derived progenitor cells (FCPCs) to adult cells can be achieved using a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture method based on silica nanopatterning techniques. In evaluating the issue of silica nano-particle size (Diameter of 300, 750, 1200 nm), each particle size was coated into the well of a 6-well tissue culture plate. FCPCs (2 x 105 cells/well in 6-well plate) were seeded in each well with chondrogenic medium. In this study, the 300 nm substrate that formed multi-spheroids and the 1200 nm substrate that showed spreading were due to the cell-cell adhesion force(via N-cadherin) and cell-substrate(via Integrin) force, the 750 nm substrate that formed the mass-aggregation can be interpreted as the result of cell monolayer formation through cell-substrate force followed by cell-cell contact force contraction. We conclude that our 3D spheroid culture system contributes to an optimization for efficient differentiation of FCPC, offers insight into the mechanism of efficient differentiation of engineered 3D culture system, and has promise for wide applications in regeneration medicine and drug discovery fields.

Abstract Spatiotemporal control of full freedoms of polarized light emission is crucial in multiplexed optical computing, encryption and communication. Although recent advancements have been made in active emission or passive conversion of polarized light through solution-processed nanomaterials or metasurfaces, these design paths usually encounter limitations, such as small polarization degrees, low light utilization efficiency, limited polarization states, and lack of spatiotemporal control. Here, we addressed these challenges by integrating the spatiotemporal modulation of the LED device, the precise control and efficient polarization emission through nanomaterial assembly, and the programmable patterning/positioning using 3D printing. We achieved an extremely high degree of polarization for both linearly and circularly polarized emission from ultrathin inorganic nanowires and quantum nanorods thanks to the shear-force-induced alignment effect during the protruding of printing filaments. Real-time polarization modulation covering the entire Poincaré sphere can be conveniently obtained through the programming of the on-off state of each LED pixel. Further, the output polarization states can be encoded by an ordered chiral plasmonic film. Our device provides an excellent platform for multiplexing spatiotemporal polarization information, enabling visible light communication with an exceptionally elevated level of physical layer security and multifunctional encrypted displays that can encode both 2D and 3D information.

Cartilage tissue engineering typically involves the combination of a biodegradable polymeric support material with chondrocytes. The culture environment in which cell-material constructs are created and stored is an important factor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of combined stimuli on cartilage zonal organization which is important to maintain cartilage functions such as lubrication and cushion. For that purpose, we developed a joint mimicking loading system which was composed of compression and shear stress. To mimic the joint loading condition, we manufactured a stimuli system that has a device similar to the shape of a femoral condyle in human knee. The fibrin/hyaluronic acid mixture with chondrocytes were dropped into support made of silicon, and placed under the device. The cartilage explants were stimulated with the joint mimicking loading system for 1 hour per day over the course of 4 weeks. The amounts of GAG and collagen in the stimulated tissue were more than that of the static cultured tissue. Cells and collagen were arranged horizontally paralleled to the surface by stimuli, while it did not happen in the control group. The results of this study suggests that mechanical load exerting in the joint play a crucial role in stimulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) production as well as its functional rearrangement.

KoreaAID, the new international development initiative of the South Korean government, was launched in Ethiopia in 2016 during the Park, Geun-Hye administration. Despite their critical stances towards promoting the Korean developmental state model in Ethiopia, Korean aid workers voluntarily sacrificed individual life and morality by mobilizing a vast number of their partners and rural residents who had collaborated in the New Village Movements and family planning projects they had implemented in Ethiopia. I examine calculative rationalities and mobilizations via mobile medical units as the legacies of the Korean Developmental State among Korean aid workers in their voluntary mobilization for KoreaAID project.

Abstract One of the greatest strengths of Drosophila genetics is its easily observable and selectable phenotypic markers. The mini-white marker has been widely used as a transgenic marker for Drosophila transgenesis. Flies carrying a mini-white construct can exhibit various eye colors ranging from pale orange to intense red, depending on the insertion site and gene dosage. Because the two copies of the mini-white marker show a stronger orange color, this is often used for selecting progenies carrying two transgenes together in a single chromosome after chromosomal recombination. However, some GAL4 lines available in the fly community originally have very strong red eyes. Without employing another marker, such as GFP, generating a recombinant chromosome with the strong red-eyed GAL4 and a desired UAS-transgene construct may be difficult. Therefore, we decided to change the red eyes of GAL4 lines to orange color. To change the eye color of the fly, we tested the CRISPR/Cas9 method with a guide RNA targeting the white gene with OK371-GAL4 and elav-GAL4. After a simple screening, we have successfully obtained multiple lines of orange-eyed OK371-GAL4 and elav-GAL4 that still maintain their original expression patterns. All of these simple experiments were performed by undergraduate students, allowing them to learn about a variety of different genetic experiments and genome editing while contributing to the fly research community by creating fruit fly lines that will be used in real-world research.

Introduction: Previous research has shown that an aqueous extract of Humulus japonicus (EH) can ameliorate hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and oxidative stress in adipocytes by activating the thermogenic pathway. However, the effects of an ethanol (30%) extract of EH on obesity are unknown. Methods: Various protein expression levels in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were assessed by Western blotting. Lipid deposition in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was examined by oil red O staining. The MTT assay was used to evaluate adipocyte viability. Caspase 3 activity and glycerol release were determined using commercial assay kits. Results: In this study, we discovered that EH treatment inhibited lipogenesis and promoted lipolysis in both differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat diet. EH treatment also increased phosphorylated protein kinase A (PKA) levels while reducing p38 phosphorylation. When H89, a PKA inhibitor, was used, the effects of EH on lipogenic lipid accumulation and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were eliminated. Treatment with luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucoside (LU), the major active compound in EH, also suppressed lipid deposition and p38 phosphorylation but enhanced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These changes were abrogated by H89. Conclusion: These findings indicate that EH containing LU reduces lipogenesis and stimulates lipolysis via the PKA/p38 signaling pathway, leading to an improvement in obesity in mice. Therefore, our study suggested that EH could be a promising therapeutic agent for treating obesity.

Abstract Structural deformation modifies the bandgap, exciton fine structure and phonon energy of semiconductors, providing an additional knob to control their optical properties. The impact can be exploited in colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), wherein structural stresses can be imposed in three dimensions while defect formation is suppressed by controlling surface growth kinetics. Yet, the control over the structural deformation of QDs free from optically active defects has not been reached. Here, we demonstrate strain-graded CdSe-ZnSe core-shell QDs with compositionally abrupt interface by the coherent pseudomorphic heteroepitaxy. Resulting QDs tolerate mutual elastic deformation of varying magnitudes at the interface with high structural fidelity, allowing for spectrally stable and pure emission of photons at accelerated rates with near unity luminescence efficiency. We capitalize on the asymmetric strain effect together with the quantum confinement effect to expand emission envelope of QDs spanning the entire visible region and exemplify their use in photonic applications.

In this study, spatial distribution analysis was conducted on the landforms that appear within the 1st grade area using the ecology and nature map of 2023. As a result, a total of 97 landforms including tidal flat and incised meander were identified as unit landforms, and a total of 1,490 sites were distributed. The spatial distribution by administrative region was highest in Gangwon-do with 273 sites (12.8%), and by unit landform, cliff (173 sites), stream cliff (129 sites), and sea cliff (100 sites) were the most distributed. These landforms are cliffs found in mountainous, riverine, and coastal areas, respectively, and are characterized by their high geomorphological conservation value due to their large scale and geometric shape compared to other terrains. In terms of spatial distribution by landform type, stream landforms (501 sites, 33.6%) accounted for the largest proportion, and there were 24 units landforms. The results obtained can be utilized for future designation of expanded ecosystem protection areas or ecosystem monitoring surveys, along with continued landform conservation.

Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) has emerged as a major pathogen in vulnerable and severely ill patients. It remains unclear whether early mortality (EM) due to AB bacteremia is because of worse clinical characteristics of the infected patients or the virulence of the pathogen. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of AB virulence on EM due to bacteremia. This retrospective study included 138 patients with AB bacteremia (age: ≥ 18 years) who were admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in South Korea between 2015 and 2019. EM was defined as death occurring within 7 days of bacteremia onset. The AB clinical isolates obtained from the patients’ blood cultures were injected into 15 Galleria mellonella larvae each, which were incubated for 5 days. Clinical isolates were classified into high- and low-virulence groups based on the number of dead larvae. Patients’ clinical data were combined and subjected to multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the risk factors for EM. In total, 48/138 (34.8%) patients died within 7 days of bacteremia onset. The Pitt bacteremia score was the only risk factor associated with EM. In conclusion, AB virulence had no independent effect on EM in patients with AB bacteremia.

Objectives: This study analyzed the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019 to investigate factors related to the use of non-insured Korean medicine (KM) treatment in individuals with chronic diseases. The non-insured KM treatments of interest were herbal decoction (HD) and pharmacopuncture (PA). Methods: Among adults aged 19 or older, 6,159 individuals with chronic diseases who received outpatient KM treatment at least once in 2019 were included. They were divided into three groups according to the KM treatment used: (1) basic insured KM non-pharmacological treatment (BT) group (n = 629); (2) HD group (n = 256); (3) PA group (n = 184). Logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with favoring HD or PA use over BT. Potentially relevant candidate factors were classified using the Andersen Behavior Model. Results: Compared to BT, the 1st to 3rd quartiles of income compared to the 4th quartile (odds ratio: 1.50 to 2.06 for HD; 2.03 to 2.83 for PA), health insurance subscribers compared to medical aid (odds ratio: 2.51; 13.43), and presence of musculoskeletal diseases (odds ratio: 1.66; 1.91) were significantly positively associated with HD and PA use. Moreover, the presence of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio: 1.46) and neuropsychiatric disease (odds ratio: 1.97) were also significantly positively associated with HD use. Conclusion: The presence of some chronic diseases, especially musculoskeletal diseases, was significantly positively associated with HD and PA use, while low economic status was significantly negatively associated with HD and PA use, indicating the potential existence of unmet medical needs in this population. Since chronic diseases impose a considerable health burden, the results of this study can be used for reference for future health insurance coverage policies in South Korea.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma frequently recurs after surgery, necessitating personalized clinical approaches based on tumor avatar models. However, location-dependent oxygen concentrations resulting from the dual hepatic vascular supply drive the inherent heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment, which presents challenges in developing an avatar model. In this study, tissue samples from 12 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are cultured directly on a chip and separated based on preference of oxygen concentration. Establishing a dual gradient system with drug perfusion perpendicular to the oxygen gradient enables the simultaneous separation of cells and evaluation of drug responsiveness. The results are further cross-validated by implanting the chips into mice at various oxygen levels using a patient-derived xenograft model. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells exposed to hypoxia exhibit invasive and recurrent characteristics that mirror clinical outcomes. This chip provides valuable insights into treatment prognosis by identifying the dominant hepatocellular carcinoma type in each patient, potentially guiding personalized therapeutic interventions.

Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence, diameter and location of the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) and the transition pattern and anterior loop length (ALL) of the mental canal and compared these values between dentate and edentulous mandibles. Methods: A total of 187 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of mandibles, namely, 100 images of dentate mandibles and 87 images of edentulous mandibles, were obtained. CBCT data related to the incisive canal and mental canal were analyzed by one examiner. Results: The prevalence of the MIC was 75∼78 %, showing no difference based on laterality or the presence of teeth. The ALL significantly differed depending on the presence of teeth as well as sex. The presence of teeth affected the size of the MIC in the female group, and the diameter of the MIC in the edentulous group was significantly narrower than that in the dentate group. The diameter of the MIC was significantly greater in males than in females in the edentulous group. Meanwhile, the location of the MIC in the male group depended on the presence of teeth at each measuring point, and the MIC was significantly closer to the lower border of the mandible in the female group than in the male group at all measuring points except at 0 mm. Conclusions: This study indicated that the presence of teeth significantly affects the type of transition of the mental canal, the ALL, and the diameter and location of the MIC. Additionally, sex could be a factor affecting MIC location, MIC diameter and anterior loop length.

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is a key enzyme involved in the conversion of cortisone to active cortisol in the liver. Elevated cortisol levels can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatocyte damage, highlighting the importance of 11β-HSD1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach. This study aimed to explore the effects of INU-101, an inhibitor of 11β-HSD1, on the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and fibrosis. Our findings demonstrated that INU-101 effectively mitigated cortisol-induced lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species generation, and hepatocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, 11β-HSD1 inhibition suppressed hepatic stellate cell activation by modulating β-catenin and phosphorylated SMAD2/3. INU-101 administration significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and liver fibrosis in mice fed fast-food diet. This study suggests that INU-101 holds promise as a clinical candidate for treating MASLD and fibrosis, offering potential therapeutic benefits by targeting the intricate processes involving 11β-HSD1 and cortisol regulation in the liver.

Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) by thermal ablation of the duodenal mucosa is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure for controlling metabolic syndrome (MS). However, thermal energy can cause adverse effects due to deep mucosal injury, necessitating an additional mucosal lifting process, which complicate the procedures. Therefore, we aimed to develop a similar procedure using non-thermal photodynamic therapy (PDT) for DMR using a highly functional metal stent covered with photosensitizers (PSs) to minimize the potential risks of thermal ablation injury. We developed a novel PS stent enabling the controlled release of radical oxygen species with specific structures to prevent stent migration and duodenal stricture after ablation and performed an animal study (n = 8) to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of PDT for DMR. The stents were placed for 7 days to prevent duodenal strictures after PDT. To confirm PDT efficacy, we stained for gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucose transporter isoform 1. The PS stents were deployed, and PDT was applied without evidence of duodenal stricture, pancreatitis, or hemorrhage in any of the pigs. Microscopic evaluation indicated apoptosis of the mucosal cells in the irradiated duodenum on days 7 and 14, which recovered after day 28. Immunohistochemistry revealed suppressed GIP expression in the mucosal wall of the irradiated duodenum. Endoscopic PDT for DMR using PS stents could be applied safely in a porcine model and may result in decreased GIP secretion, which is a crucial mechanism in MS treatment. Further clinical studies are required to explore its safety and efficacy in patients with MS.

Background: Approximately half of the patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) receive subsequent lines of chemotherapy. Recently, the liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) regimen is recommended as subsequent lines of chemotherapy. However, little is known about the predictive factors for the nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV regimen, especially in patients with previous irinotecan (IRI) exposure. Objectives: We investigated the predictive factors associated with nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV treatment in patients with PDAC. Design: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Methods: This study included patients with advanced PDAC who received the nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV regimen for palliative purposes. Results: Overall, 268 patients were treated with nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.9 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.0–8.8), while the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.6 months (95% CI: 1.9–3.2). An albumin level of3 lines of palliative chemotherapy were associated with worse OS. An NLR of ⩾3.5 and liver metastasis were significant predictive factors for worse PFS. Previous exposure to IRI was not a significant predictor. Patients without prior IRI (no-IRI) treatment showed relatively longer OS and PFS compared to IRI responders and nonresponders, but these differences were not significant when compared specifically to the responders (OS: 8.8 vs 8.1 months, p = 0.388; PFS: 3.6 vs 2.6 months, p = 0.126). Conclusion: An NLR of ⩾3.5 and liver metastasis were associated with worse PFS. Prior IRI exposure was not a significant predictive factor for OS and PFS, especially in IRI responders.

Abstract Immunization via the respiratory route is predicted to increase the effectiveness of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Here, we evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of one or two doses of a live-attenuated murine pneumonia virus vector expressing SARS-CoV-2 prefusion-stabilized spike protein (MPV/S-2P), delivered intranasally/intratracheally to male rhesus macaques. A single dose of MPV/S-2P is highly immunogenic, and a second dose increases the magnitude and breadth of the mucosal and systemic anti-S antibody responses and increases levels of dimeric anti-S IgA in the airways. MPV/S-2P also induces S-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the airways that differentiate into large populations of tissue-resident memory cells within a month after the boost. One dose induces substantial protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, and two doses of MPV/S-2P are fully protective against SARS-CoV-2 challenge virus replication in the airways. A prime/boost immunization with a mucosally-administered live-attenuated MPV vector could thus be highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication.

We induced immune activation in mass rearing experiments in three insect species, i.e., Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), and Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe, 1886) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Lysosomal staining of immune cells was a little over 6% in the control group insects, whereas it ranged from 17-35% in insects immunized with Escherichia coli K12 or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The expression of attacin-like protein and defensin-like protein was also found to be upregulated at least 10-fold, and even up to 30-fold, from the third day of rearing in insects immunized with E. coli K12 or Bt. Non-immunized or immunized G. bimaculatus, H. illucens, and P. brevitarsis seulensis were freeze-dried and powdered, and these powders were then tested for protection against Pectobacterium carotovorum infestation. No inhibitory effects on P. carotovorum were observed when using all non-immunized insect powders or PBS. However, in the clear zone test treated with H. illucens powder at 10,000 ppm, an average size of 21.67 mm was observed. In a test using potato slices infected with P. carotovorum, we observed severe disease occurrence and potato weight loss in all non-immunized insect powders or PBS-treated groups. However, the group treated with H. illucens powder had the least potato weight loss. When tested on lettuce, the H. illucens powder-treated group revealed an approximately 10% increase in the fresh weight of lettuce, with both the dry weight and leaf area of lettuce increasing in comparison with those in the control group. Thus, our study proposes a novel method for the use of freeze-dried and powdered forms of insects immunized in mass rearing as effective functional fertilizers on a large scale that can also be effective in inhibiting microbial infections, overcoming the limitation of high production costs of such insect fertilizers using conventional methods.

Abstract In the aging society, slow bone regeneration poses a serious hindrance to the quality of life. To deal with this problem, in this study, we have combined irisin with the bioglass regular beads to enhance the bone regeneration process. For this purpose, highly porous bioglass was obtained as spherical beads by using sodium alginate. The bioglass was evaluated by various analytical techniques such as SEM, EDS, XRD, and pore size distribution. The results depicted that porous bioglass was prepared correctly and SEM analysis showed a highly porous bioglass was formulated. On this bioglass, irisin was loaded with the assistance of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in three concentrations (50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 150 ng/ml per 1 g of bioglass). SEM analysis showed that pores are covered with PVA. The irisin release profile showed a sustained release over the time period of 7 days. In vitro, biocompatibility evaluation by the MC3T3E1 cells showed that prepared bioglass and irisin loaded bioglass (BGI50, BGI100, and BG150) are highly biocompatible. Alizarin Red staining analysis showed that after 2 weeks BGI50 samples showed highest calcium nodule formation. In vivo in the rabbit femur model was conducted for 1 and 2 months. BGI150 samples showed highest BV/TV ratio of 37.1 after 2 months. The histological data showed new bone formation surrounding the beads and with beads loaded with irisin. Immunohistochemistry using markers OPN, RUNX, COL, and ALP supported the osteogenic properties of the irisin-loaded bioglass beads. The results indicated that irisin-loaded bioglass displayed remarkable bone regeneration. Graphical Abstract

We investigated whether low-level light irradiation prior to transplantation of adipose-derived stromal cell (ASC) spheroids in an animal skin wound model stimulated angiogenesis and tissue regeneration to improve functional recovery of skin tissue. The spheroid, composed of hASCs, was irradiated with low-level light and expressed angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Immunochemical staining analysis revealed that the spheroid of the hASCs was CD31+, KDR+, and CD34+. On the other hand, monolayer-cultured hASCs were negative for these markers. PBS, human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells, and the ASC spheroid were transplanted into a wound bed in athymic mice to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the ASC spheroid in vivo. The ASC spheroid transplanted into the wound bed differentiated into endothelial cells and remained differentiated. The density of vascular formations increased as a result of the angiogenic factors released by the wound bed and enhanced tissue regeneration at the lesion site. These results indicate that the transplantation of the ASC spheroid significantly improved functional recovery relative to both ASC transplantation and PBS treatment. These findings suggest that transplantation of an ASC spheroid treated with low-level light may be an effective form of stem cell therapy for treatment of a wound bed.

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have significantly progressed due to their environmental protection and energy-saving advantages. However, maintaining indoor thermal comfort and effective battery thermal management are critical considerations for EVs. Unlike conventional vehicles, EVs cannot use waste heat and depend on heat pump systems for winter heating and summer cooling. This research proposes a novel system to reduce the energy consumption of heat pump systems by using recirculated air while addressing the challenges of battery temperature management and maintaining safe CO2 concentrations in the cabin. The primary objectives of this research are threefold: first, to ensure passenger comfort through an integrated approach that includes cabin CO2 concentration safety; second, to recover heat from recirculated cabin air to save energy and control battery temperature; and third, to comprehensively analyze the performance of the Electric Vehicle Thermal Management System (EVTMS) using precise Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis and mathematical modeling. This study will significantly enhance the understanding of energy consumption related to CO2 concentration control; an aspect previously overlooked in the literature. It will develop a battery temperature management strategy that leverages bus exhaust heat. These contributions will aid in achieving both passenger comfort and battery stability in electric buses, providing practical insights for the design and optimization of thermal management systems for future electric buses.

The fate of developing T cells is determined by the strength of T cell receptor (TCR) signal they receive in the thymus. This process is finely regulated through the tuning of positive and negative regulators in thymocytes. The Family with sequence similarity 49 member B (Fam49b) protein is a newly discovered negative regulator of TCR signaling that has been shown to suppress Rac-1 activity in vitro in cultured T cell lines. However, the contribution of Fam49b to the thymic development of T cells is unknown. To investigate this important issue, we generated a novel mouse line deficient in Fam49b (Fam49b-KO). We observed that Fam49b-KO double positive (DP) thymocytes underwent excessive negative selection, whereas the positive selection stage was unaffected. Fam49b deficiency impaired the survival of single positive thymocytes and peripheral T cells. This altered development process resulted in significant reductions in CD4 and CD8 single-positive thymocytes as well as peripheral T cells. Interestingly, a large proportion of the TCRγδ+ and CD8αα+TCRαβ+ gut intraepithelial T lymphocytes were absent in Fam49b-KO mice. Our results demonstrate that Fam49b dampens thymocytes TCR signaling in order to escape negative selection during development, uncovering the function of Fam49b as a critical regulator of the selection process to ensure normal thymocyte development and peripheral T cells survival.

IntroductionThe rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide within 2 months demonstrated the vulnerability of the world’s population to infectious diseases. In 2015, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) was launched to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the decade-long global battle against AMR based on GLASS data.MethodsSouth Korea established Kor-GLASS (Korean-GLASS) to proactively monitor data quality and enable international collaborations. A unique feature of Kor-GLASS is the quality control center (QCC), which uses network hubs and ensures standardized, high-quality data through interlaboratory proficiency testing (IPT) and external quality assessment (EQA). In addition, the QCC multifaceted endeavors for integrated data quality management.ResultsSince 2020, high-quality AMR data have indicated fluctuating antibiotic resistance rates in South Korea. This trend does not align with the decrease in antibiotic usage seen in humans but coincides with non-human antibiotic sales, indicating a need for greater monitoring of non-human antibiotic resistance. Comprehensive and robust management taking account of the intricate interplay among humans, animals, and the environment is essential. Kor-GLASS has been expanded into a “One Health” multiagency collaborative initiative.DiscussionAlthough a standardized solution is not suitable for all countries, it must align with the local context and international standards. A centralized top-down management structure such as that of the QCC is essential to ensure continuous data quality coordination. Sustained efforts and surveillance systems are crucial for monitoring and managing AMR and safeguarding human health.

IntroductionPathological gaming continues to be highlighted as one of the most critical issues concerning adolescents. Numerous studies have aimed to elucidate the relationships between adolescents' negative emotions (e.g., peer stress, anxiety, loneliness) and social factors (e.g., social skills and relationships) with pathological gaming. Despite the recognition of social intelligence as a crucial factor related to social factors in adolescents, there is a paucity of research examining pathological gaming and social intelligence through longitudinal analyses.MethodThis study focuses on exploring the factors that induce or inhibit pathological gaming among adolescents by analysing three-year longitudinal data from Korean adolescent gamers (N=968). Using a structural equation model, the study examines the relationships between adolescents' negative emotions (e.g., peer stress, anxiety, loneliness), social intelligence, and pathological gaming to elucidate their associations.ResultsThe results indicate that negative emotions can potentially reduce levels of social intelligence and increase aggression. Increased aggression, in turn, appears to be associated with higher levels of pathological gaming. Social intelligence was found to impact pathological gaming potentially negatively and may exert a significantly stronger influence on aggression compared to negative emotions.DiscussionThe study's findings suggest that bolstering adolescents' social aptitude and addressing mental health concerns could serve as beneficial interventions in tackling issues associated with excessive media engagement among youth. These findings suggest that, within the context of adolescent pathological gaming, social intelligence could significantly affect aggression and emerge as a key variable that may lead to pathological gaming.

Introduction Physicians can be unaware that many US adults have intermediate or lower health literacy. Avoiding medical jargon in patient communication can improve poor outcomes associated with lower health literacy, but physicians may struggle to do so as health literacy education is neither standardized nor universal at US allopathic medical schools. As with other skills-based proficiencies in medical education, repeat exposure and active learning help build competency. Medical students developed the Patient Communication Challenge (PCC), an adaptation of the Hasbro game Taboo, to facilitate practice of patient-centered communication skills among medical trainees. Methods Hour-long workshops were held for groups of preclinical medical students. Students watched a communication exemplar video, played the PCC game, and completed a postworkshop survey. To play, two teams competed to earn points by identifying medical concepts as explained by a teammate who described the term without using medical jargon. Results Evaluations indicated that the game was enjoyable and reinforced didactic concepts through active learning, with self-reported participant satisfaction and competency gain. Overall, 59% of participants (53 of 90) completed postworkshop surveys; 91% (48 of 53) agreed they felt more proficient in avoiding jargon, 94% (50 of 53) would recommend the workshop to a classmate, and 100% (53 of 53) would play again. Discussion The PCC can help early medical trainees develop health communication skills through gamification with utilization of adult learning principles and adequate frequency for skill retention. Future applications include longitudinal assessment and expanding to later stages of medical training and other health professions.

AbstractPhlomoides kirghisorum Adylov, Kamelin & Makhmedov 1987 is one of the poorly studied narrow endemics of Fergana Valley, one of Central Asia’s most densely human-populated regions. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and characterized the complete plastome of P. kirghisorum by using high-throughput Illumina reads. The complete chloroplast genome consisted of 151,324 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) region (82,775 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (17,357 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (25,596 bp each). In the chloroplast genome of P. kirghisorum, 133 genes were detected, comprising 88 protein-encoding genes, eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the genetic relationship between P. kirghisorum and P. alpina was very close. This study provides basic information to explore the molecular evolution of the Phlomoides genus and the Lamiaceae family.

Background: Rifampin plays an important role in tuberculosis treatment. In recent years, the introduction of molecular testing techniques has enabled the rapid detection of rifampin resistance, leading to discrepancies with conventional methods. The World Health Organization (WHO) has analyzed mutations in the rpoB gene that induce rifampin resistance and identified certain mutations causing borderline resistance, which are often undetected using conventional tests. Consequently, the WHO has lowered the rifampin resistance criterion concentration from 1.0 to 0.5 μg/mL in 7H10 and MGIT 960. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of this change in critical concentration on the detection of borderline rifampin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: Tuberculosis strains submitted for antituberculosis drug susceptibility testing from May 2021–2022 were analyzed. Three institutions participated; the Seoul Clinical Laboratories used the agar proportion method, whereas the Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital utilized the MGIT 960 system to test both the original and revised concentrations. Mutations were confirmed through rpoB gene sequencing for strains showing discrepancies. Results: A total of 1,596 valid susceptibility tests were conducted during the study period. Rifampin resistance was detected in 35 cases (2.19%) at 1.0 μg/mL and in 38 cases (2.38%) at 0.5 μg/mL, whereas isoniazid resistance was observed in 158 cases (9.90%). Among the three rifampin discrepancy strains, one harbored an H445L mutation, whereas the remaining two exhibited an L452P mutation. These mutations were classified as borderline resistant. Conclusion: Applying the new rifampin critical concentration resulted in a 0.19% increase in resistance rate and an 8.57% increase in detection cases. Additionally, despite testing with large number of rifampin-susceptible strains, no false resistance results were obtained. Therefore, the application of the new critical concentration is considered beneficial for the management of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis.

Organic phototransistors, renowned for their exceptional biocompatibility, hold promise in phototherapy for tracking the efficacy of photosensitive drugs within treatment areas. Nevertheless, it has been found that organic semiconductors are less effective in detecting ultraviolet (UV) light because of their narrow bandgap. Here, we show that UV photodetection in phototransistors using donor-acceptor (D-A) polymer semiconductors can be significantly enhanced by incorporating PCBM nanocrystals. This integration results in a band mismatch between the nanocrystals and the D-A polymer at the interface. These nanocrystals also demonstrate a notable capability of modulating threshold voltage under UV light. The devices incorporating nanocrystals exhibit a photoresponsivity of 0.16 A/W, surpassing the photoresponsivity of the devices without nanocrystals by 50%. The specific detection rate of devices with nanocrystals is around 2.00 × 1010 Jones, which is twice as high as that of devices without nanocrystals. The presented findings offer a potential avenue to improve the efficiency of polymer phototransistors for UV detection.

Rapid elderly population growth has increased the number of patients with cognitive impairment (CI). Early detection and ongoing medical treatment can slow CI progression and significantly reduce the cost of managing patients. However, distinguishing CI from natural cognitive decline associated with aging is challenging. Previous studies conducted to identify patients with CI using lifelog data did not consider changes in lifelog data over time because each data point was learned individually. This study introduces a model that predicts patients with CI based on sleep lifelog data and analyzes significant sleep factors that influence cognitive decline. This study followed three steps: (1) collecting sleep lifelog data from elderly Korean people and reconstructing sleep lifelog data as time-series data; (2) building a model to classify CI using a time series of sleep lifelog data and a long short-term memory model; and (3) identifying sleep factors that influence the onset of CI using an explainable AI algorithm. The proposed CI classification model achieved a sensitivity of 0.89, a specificity of 0.80, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. This study will facilitate the noninvasive screening, diagnosis, and continuous monitoring of CI in the elderly.

In this study, we propose a fire classification system using image clustering based on a federated learning (FL) structure. This system enables fire detection in various industries, including manufacturing. The accurate classification of fire, smoke, and normal conditions is an important element of fire prevention and response systems in industrial sites. The server in the proposed system extracts data features using a pretrained vision transformer model and clusters the data using the bisecting K-means algorithm to obtain weights. The clients utilize these weights to cluster local data with the K-means algorithm and measure the difference in data distribution using the Kullback–Leibler divergence. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves nearly 99% accuracy on the server, and the clustering accuracy on the clients remains high. In addition, the normalized mutual information value remains above 0.6 and the silhouette score reaches 0.9 as the rounds progress, indicating improved clustering quality. This study shows that the accuracy of fire classification is enhanced by using FL and clustering techniques and has a high potential for real-time detection.

Existing studies on gait phase estimation generally involve walking experiments using inertial measurement units under limited walking conditions (WCs). In this study, a gait phase estimation algorithm is proposed that uses data from force sensing resistors (FSRs) and a Bi-LSTM model. The proposed algorithm estimates gait phases in real time under various WCs, e.g., walking on paved/unpaved roads, ascending and descending stairs, and ascending or descending on ramps. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by performing walking experiments on ten healthy adult participants. An average gait estimation accuracy exceeding 90% is observed with a small error (root mean square error = 0.794, R2 score = 0.906) across various WCs. These results demonstrate the wide applicability of the proposed gait phase estimation algorithm using various insole devices, e.g., in walking aid control, gait disturbance diagnosis in daily life, and motor ability analysis.

In this paper, a three-phase single-stage AC-DC converter for an IPT-based small wind power generation system (WPGS) with an S-S compensation circuit is proposed. It applies a three-phase single-stage AC-DC converter to improve the input power factor (PF), efficiency, and reliability in small WPGSs. Also, inductive power transfer (IPT) was applied to compensate for brush wear in the nacelle of small and medium-sized wind turbines while ensuring electrical safety. In conditions of the three-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) voltage (80~260 Vrms) for the wind turbine and the load (150~1000 W), it was verified that the desired output voltage below 3% can be controlled through the fixed link voltage (VLink) control without wireless communication. A 1 kW prototype was built and tested to demonstrate its applicability to the rotation of small and medium-sized wind turbine nacelles instead of brushes and slip rings.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important viral agent of severe pediatric respiratory illness worldwide, but there is no approved pediatric vaccine. Here, we describe the development of the live-attenuated RSV vaccine candidate Min AL as well as engineered derivatives. Min AL was attenuated by codon-pair deoptimization (CPD) of seven of the 11 RSV open reading frames (ORFs) (NS1, NS2, N, P, M, SH and L; 2,073 silent nucleotide substitutions in total). Min AL replicated efficiently in vitro at the permissive temperature of 32°C but was highly temperature sensitive (shut-off temperature of 36°C). When serially passaged at increasing temperatures, Min AL retained greater temperature sensitivity compared to previous candidates with fewer CPD ORFs. However, whole-genome deep-sequencing of passaged Min AL revealed mutations throughout its genome, most commonly missense mutations in the polymerase cofactor P and anti-termination transcription factor M2-1 (the latter was not CPD). Reintroduction of selected mutations into Min AL partially rescued its replication in vitro at temperatures up to 40°C, confirming their compensatory effect. These mutations restored the accumulation of positive-sense RNAs to wild-type (wt) RSV levels, suggesting increased activity by the viral transcriptase, whereas viral protein expression, RNA replication, and virus production were only partly rescued. In hamsters, Min AL and derivatives remained highly restricted in replication in the upper and lower airways, but induced serum IgG and IgA responses to the prefusion form of F (pre F) that were comparable to those induced by wt RSV, as well as robust mucosal and systemic IgG and IgA responses against RSV G. Min AL and derivatives were fully protective against challenge virus replication. The derivatives had increased genetic stability compared to Min AL. Thus, Min AL and derivatives with selected mutations are stable, attenuated, yet highly-immunogenic RSV vaccine candidates that are available for further evaluation.

IntroductionIn patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), the characteristics of balance disturbance are not as well understood as those related to gait. This study examined changes in postural stability in quiet standing after the cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSFTT) in these patients. Furthermore, the study explored the relationship between the amount of spontaneous body sway and both gait and executive function.Materials and methodsAll patients diagnosed with iNPH underwent CSFTT. We evaluated their center of pressure (COP) measurements on a force plate during quiet standing, both pre- and post-CSFTT. Following the COP measurements, we calculated COP parameters using time and frequency domain analysis and assessed changes in these parameters after CSFTT. At pre-CSFTT, we assessed the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). We investigated the relationship between COP parameters and the TUG and FAB scores at pre-CSFTT.ResultsA total of 72 patients with iNPH were initially enrolled, and 56 patients who responded positively to CSFTT were finally included. Post-CSFTT, significant improvements were observed in COP parameters through time domain analysis. These included the velocity of COP (vCOP), root-mean-square of COP (rmsCOP), turn index, torque, and base of support (BOS), compared to the pre-CSFTT values (p

Fish oil supplementation exerts therapeutic effects on atopic dermatitis (AD). The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of solubilized sturgeon oil (SSO) prepared from sturgeon oil in AD were examined. NC/Nga mice were topically treated with house dust mite (HDM) extract to induce AD and were then treated with SSO, which exerted potent therapeutic effects on AD symptoms. SSO reduced epidermal hyperplasia and suppressed mast cell infiltration in the dorsal skin. It significantly reduced total and HDM-specific serum IgE levels in AD mice. SSO significantly downregulated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, and cyclooxygenase-2, while upregulating IL-10 and tight junction-related proteins filaggrin, claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 in AD skin tissues. These results show that SSO exerts therapeutic effects in AD mice by alleviating lesions, downregulating IgE, inflammatory mediators, and Th2 cytokines, and upregulating IL-10 and tight junction-related proteins. Thus, SSO may be a promising natural product for AD treatment.

Abstract Electrical stimulation has recently received attention as noninvasive treatment in skin wound healing with its outstanding biological property for clinical setting. However, the complexity of equipment for applying appropriate electrical stimulation remains an ongoing challenge. Here, we proposed a strategy for skin scar inhibition by providing electrical stimulation via a multilayer stacked electret (MS‐electret), which can generate direct current (DC) electric field (EF) without any power supply equipment. In addition, the MS‐electret can easily control the intensity of EFs by simply stacking electret layers and maintain stable EF with the surface potential of 3400 V over 5 days owing to the injected charges on the electret surface. We confirmed inhibition of type 1 collagen and α‐SMA expression of human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) by 90% and 44% in vitro, indicating that the transition of hDFs to myofibroblasts was restricted by applying stable electrical stimulation. We further revealed a 20% significant decrease in the ratio of myofibroblasts caused by the MS‐electret in vivo. These findings present that the MS‐electret is an outstanding candidate for effective skin scar inhibition with a battery‐free, physiological electrical microenvironment, and noninvasive treatment that allows it to prevent external infection.

Herein, the development of an estimation model to measure the chlorophyll (Ch) and macronutrients, such as the total nitrogen (T-N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), carbon (C), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg), in apples is detailed, using key band ratios selected from hyperspectral imagery acquired with an unmanned aerial vehicle, for the management of nutrients in an apple orchard. The k-nearest neighbors regression (KNR) model for Ch and all macronutrients was chosen as the best model through a comparison of calibration and validation R2 values. As a result of model development, a total of 13 band ratios (425/429, 682/686, 710/714, 714/718, 718/722, 750/754, 754/758, 758/762, 762/766, 894/898, 898/902, 906/911, and 963/967) were selected for Ch and all macronutrients. The estimation potential for the T-N and Mg concentrations was low, with an R2 ≤ 0.37. The estimation performance for the other macronutrients was as follows: R2 ≥ 0.70 and RMSE ≤ 1.43 μg/cm2 for Ch; R2 ≥ 0.44 and RMSE ≤ 0.04% for P; R2 ≥ 0.53 and RMSE ≤ 0.23% for K; R2 ≥ 0.85 and RMSE ≤ 6.18% for C; and R2 ≥ 0.42 and RMSE ≤ 0.25% for Ca. Through establishing a fertilization strategy using the macronutrients estimated through hyperspectral imagery and measured soil chemical properties, this study presents a nutrient management decision-making method for apple orchards.

Our study leverages insights from the conservation of resources theory and job demands–resources theory to explore the relationship between two types of emotional labor—surface acting and deep acting—and job performance among firefighters. Furthermore, we assess the moderating roles of transactional and transformational leadership within this framework. Using hierarchical multiple regression models, we analyzed data from 1453 firefighters in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea’s most populous province. The findings reveal that surface acting adversely affects job performance, whereas deep acting exerts no significant impact. The relationships between these two types of emotional labor are contingent on transactional and transformational leadership. The policy implications of this study include the need to manage employees’ emotional labor by distinguishing between surface and deep acting as well as the need for efforts and alternatives to facilitate transactional and transformational leadership.

This study explored the potential of saponins from Korean Red Ginseng to target the PINK1/Parkin mitophagy pathway, aiming to enhance insulin sensitivity in hepatocytes—a key factor in metabolic disorders like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes. Results from both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed increased expression of PINK1 and Parkin, activating mitophagy and reducing oxidative stress through reduction in mitochondrial and total reactive oxygen species. Additionally, improvements in insulin signaling were observed, including the upregulation of phosphorylated IRS and AKT, and downregulation of gluconeogenic enzymes, underscoring the saponins’ efficacy in boosting insulin sensitivity. The findings highlighted Korean Red Ginseng-derived saponins as potential treatments for insulin resistance and related metabolic conditions.

This study was conducted to characterize different colored lines of cherry tomatoes and derive information regarding their metabolite accumulation. Different colored cherry tomato cultivars, namely ‘Jocheong’, ‘BN Satnolang’, ‘Gold Chance’, ‘Black Q’, and ‘Snacktom’, were assessed for their firmness, taste characteristics, and nutritional metabolites at the commercial ripening stage. The cultivars demonstrated firmness to withstand impacts during harvesting and postharvest operations. The significant variations in the Brix to acid ratio (BAR) and the contents of phenylalanine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid highlight the distinct taste characteristics among the cultivars, and the nutritional metabolites are associated with the color of the cultivars. The cultivar choices would be the black-colored ‘Black Q’ for chlorophylls, β-carotene, total flavonoids, and anthocyanins; the red-colored ‘Snacktom’ for lycopene; the orange-colored ‘Gold Chance’ for total phenolics; and the green-colored ‘Jocheong’ for chlorophylls, vitamin C, GABA, glutamic acid, essential amino acids, and total free amino acids. The antioxidant capacity varied among the cultivars, with ‘Gold Chance’ consistently exhibiting the highest activity across the four assays, followed by ‘Snacktom’. This study emphasizes the importance of screening cultivars to support breeding programs for improving the nutritional content and encourages the inclusion of a diverse mix of different colored cherry tomatoes in packaging to obtain the cumulative or synergistic effects of secondary metabolites.

Multi-access edge computing (MEC) is an emerging computing architecture that enhances and extends traditional mobile cloud computing [...]

Abstract Mobile cable-driven parallel robots (MCDPRs) offer expanded motion capabilities and workspace compared to traditional cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) by incorporating mobile bases. However, additional mobile bases introduce more degree-of-freedom (DoF) and various constraints to make their motion planning a challenging problem. Despite several motion planning methods for MCDPRs being developed in the literature, they are only applicable to known environments, and autonomous navigation in unknown environments with obstacles remains a challenging issue. The ability to navigate autonomously is essential for MCDPRs, as it opens up possibilities for the robot to perform a broad range of tasks in real-world scenarios. To address this limitation, this study proposes an online motion planning method for MCDPRs based on the pipeline of rapidly exploring random tree (RRT). The presented approach explores unknown environments efficiently to produce high-quality collision-free trajectories for MCDPRs. To ensure the optimal execution of the planned trajectories, the study introduces two indicators specifically designed for the mobile bases and the end-effector. These indicators take into account various performance metrics, including trajectory quality and kinematic performance, enabling the determination of the final following trajectory that best aligns with the desired objectives of the robot. Moreover, to effectively handle unknown environments, a vision-based system utilizing an RGB-D camera is developed, allowing for precise MCDPR localization and obstacle detection, ultimately enhancing the autonomy and adaptability of the MCDPR. Finally, the extensive simulations conducted using dynamic simulation software (CoppeliaSim) and the on-board real-world experiments with a self-built MCDPR prototype demonstrate the practical applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.