Development of a duplex chamber digital PCR to quantify twelve genetically modified maize events.

Accurate quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is essential for regulatory compliance, especially under threshold-based labeling policies. In this study, we developed and validated twelve event-specific duplex chamber- or chip-based digital PCR (cdPCR) methods using microfluidic array plates to quantify GM maize events approved in South Korea. In contrast to conventional real-time PCR, the cdPCR approach allows for absolute quantification without standard curve calibration and incorporates event-specific zygosity ratio correction to improve accuracy of the measurement.

Emergence of a conjugative hybrid plasmid co-harboring mcr-1.1, mcr-3.39, and tet(X4) in Escherichia coli from wastewater in Seoul: A potential threat to last-line antibiotics.

The emergence of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance to last-line antibiotics such as colistin and tigecycline poses an escalating public health threat. In this study, we identified an Escherichia coli strain (WWCOL-256) isolated from municipal wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, co-harboring the mcr-1.1, mcr-3.

Lithium metal batteries using a lithiophilic oxidative interfacial layer on the 3D porous metal alloy media.

Various lithium-infused metal anodes based on pure nickel foam, recognised for their superior properties, have been developed for application in lithium batteries. However, pure nickel foam exhibits significant reactivity with molten lithium during the infusion processes, such as coating and impregnation. In this study, a high-performance and ultra-stable lithium-infused metal anode (LI-NAFA) is synthesised through a simple oxidation treatment of nickel-chromium-aluminium (Ni-Cr-Al) alloy foam (NAF) at 900 °C in an air atmosphere.

Improvement of Glucose Metabolism by Pennogenin 3-O-β-Chacotrioside via Activation of IRS/PI3K/Akt Signaling and Mitochondrial Respiration in Insulin-Resistant Hepatocytes.

Scope: Insulin resistance (IR), which causes chronic hyperglycemia, has been one of the most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome over the centuries. Pennogenin 3-O-β-chacotrioside (P3C), the main steroid glycoside derived from Paris polyphylla, has been found to exert various biological activities. However, the exact role of P3C on glucose metabolism in the IR state remains unexplored.

The matrix glycoprotein Papilin maintains the haematopoietic progenitor pool in Drosophila lymph glands.

Differentiation of prohaemocytes, the precursors of Drosophila blood cells (haemocytes), and the release of haemocytes from the lymph gland, a major larval haematopoietic organ, are vital responses to wasp infestation or tissue degeneration. Although cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lymph gland are known to play a crucial role in haemocyte differentiation, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that the matrix glycoprotein Papilin (Ppn) is essential for maintaining the prohaemocyte population in lymph glands.

Prevents Adipogenesis by Regulating Histone Acetylation.

is widely used in Ayurvedic preparations against multiple disorders and contains various bioactive components. This study aimed to determine the preventive effect of on obesity by evaluating the inhibition of adipogenesis and the related regulatory epigenetic mechanisms during 3T3-L1 differentiation. The ethyl acetate fraction of (EFPE) effectively inhibited lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Fabrication of Fe-doped biochar for Pb adsorption through pyrolysis of agricultural waste with red mud.

Synthesis of metal-doped biochar have gained prominence due to their adsorption capability for heavy metal(loid)s. In this study, iron-doped biochar (Fe-BC) was fabricated through pyrolysis of waste mushroom substrate (WMS) with red mud (RM). The synthesised Fe-BC was employed as an adsorbent for Pb removal.

Effect of Amorphous Metallic Fibers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Cement Mortars Containing Carbon Nanotubes.

Lightweight aggregate concrete can reduce the self-weight of a structure with a low unit weight; however, disadvantages such as reduced strength and brittleness remain. This study evaluated the thermal and mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate cement mortars containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and amorphous metallic fibers (AMFs). A thermal property test indicated that the peak temperature of the C1A1 and C1A2 samples using AMFs was approximately 91.

Dietary β-mannanase reduced post-weaning diarrhea of pigs by positively modulating gut microbiota and attenuating systemic immune responses.

Background: After weaning, nursery pigs have difficulty digesting non-starch polysaccharides in their diets, which can result in growth and health problems. Among non-starch polysaccharides, β-mannan is easily found in various cereal grains that form the basis of livestock diets and interferes the digestion and utilization of nutrients. Supplementation of dietary β-mannanase in nursery diet can alleviate the negative effects on nutrient utilization efficiency caused by β-mannan and improve growth and health of pigs.

Compressive Strength and Chloride Ion Penetration Resistance of GGBFS-Based Alkali-Activated Composites Containing Ferronickel Slag Aggregates.

Various studies have reported the use of alkali-activated composites to enable sustainable development in the construction industry as these composites eliminate the need for cement. However, few studies have used ferronickel slag aggregates (FSAs) as an aggregate material for alkali-activated composites. Alkali-activated composites are environmentally friendly and sustainable construction materials that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement production, which accounts for 7% of global carbon emissions.

Evaluation of large-scale poultry manure-derived biochar for efficient cadmium removal in zinc smelter wastewater.

Cadmium (Cd), a carcinogen, is released from industrial activities like metal refineries and battery runoff, with significant contamination reported near zinc smelters in Korea. This study addresses the issue using an efficient, economical adsorption process with waste-derived biochar-based adsorbents known for high Cd removal. Poultry manure (PM), typically used as fertilizer, can lead to environmental pollution if mismanaged; therefore, it was pyrolyzed to produce biochar.

Harnessing wood bottom ash for efficient arsenic removal from wastewater: Adsorption mechanisms and process optimisation.

This study explored the innovative application of wood bottom ash (WBA) as an adsorbent for arsenic (As) removal from wastewater, focusing on the adsorption mechanism and optimisation of the operational conditions. Comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including FE-SEM/EDS, BET, XRF, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS, were performed to examine the elemental and mineralogical changes in WBA before and after As adsorption. The study assessed the adsorption kinetics and isotherms, revealing that As adsorption reached equilibrium within 48 h, with a maximum capacity of 121.

Discovery of a de novo ITPR1 missense mutation in a patient with early-onset cerebellar ataxia: A rare case report of spinocerebellar ataxia 29.

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia 29 (SCA29) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by early-onset ataxia, gross motor delay, and infantile hypotonia, and is primarily associated with variants in the ITPR1 gene. Cases of SCA29 in Asia are rarely reported, limiting our understanding of this disease.

Methods: A female Korean infant, demonstrating clinical features of SCA29, underwent evaluation and rehabilitation at our outpatient clinic from the age of 3 months to the current age of 4 years.

Feasibility study of Aesculus turbinata fruit shell-derived biochar for ammonia removal in wastewater and its subsequent use as nitrogen fertilizer.

In the face of increasing nitrogen demand for crop cultivation driven by population growth, this study presents a sustainable solution to address both the heightened demand and the energy-intensive process of nitrogen removal from wastewater. Our approach involves the removal of nitrogen from wastewater and its subsequent return to the soil as a fertilizer. Using biochar derived from Aesculus turbinata fruit shells (ATFS), a by-product of post-medical use, we investigated the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the NH-N adsorption capacity of ATFS biochar (ATFS-BC).

Developing a sorptive material of cadmium from pyrolysis of hen manure.

A large amount of manure is generated from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), leading to serious environmental issues and hazardous risks from pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, developing an effective method for manure disposal is essential. Thus, in this study, we suggest the use of CO in pyrolysis of hen manure (HM) as an effective method to convert the carbon in HM into syngas (especially carbon monoxide (CO)).

Aqueous Extract Protects Cardiomyocytes against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity through Upregulation of NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase Quinone Acceptor Oxidoreductase 1.

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic agent, is widely used to treat various types of cancer; however, prolonged treatment induces cardiomyotoxicity. Although studies have been performed to overcome DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT), no effective method is currently available. This study investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of aqueous extract (PTA) in DICT.

Cerebral Infarction and Recovery in a 12-Year-Old Child With Intracranial Fibromuscular Dysplasia.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a congenital vascular anomaly resulting in arterial stenosis and weakening of typically medium-sized arteries. It is a noninflammatory, nonatherosclerotic arterial disease that affects most commonly the renal and internal carotid arteries, but intracranial FMD in the pediatric population is very rare. We report a young age-onset ischemic stroke patient with FMD affecting the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Cycling of phosphorus from wastewater to fertilizer using wood ash after energy production.

Quercus wood was used for thermal energy production, and wood bottom ash (WDBA) was used as a medium for water purification and soil fertilizer in accordance with the recently proposed food-water-energy nexus concept. The wood contained a gross calorific value of 14.83 MJ kg, and the gas generated during thermal energy production has the advantage of not requiring a desulfurization unit due to its low sulfur content.

Genotypic shift in rotavirus associated with neonatal outbreaks in Seoul, Korea.

Background: Rotavirus group A (RVA) is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide, despite the global expansion of rotavirus vaccination. In Korea, although the prevalence of RVA has been reduced among young children owing to vaccination, nosocomial infections still occur among neonates.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of RVA strains associated with several neonatal outbreaks in Seoul from 2017 to 2020.

Value-added application of cattle manure bottom ash for phosphorus recovery from water and replenishment in soil.

This study addresses ways to circulate the flow of phosphorus (P) from water to soil to improve water quality and provide a sustainable supply of P into soil. Here, bottom ash (BA_CCM), the byproduct of the combustion of cattle manure, which is performed for obtaining energy, was used to remove P in wastewater. Next, the P-captured BA_CCM was used as P fertilizer for rice growth.

Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar Containing Ground Waste Newspaper as Cementitious Material.

In recent years, several studies have reported the recycling of by-products generated by the paper industry and their application to the construction industry. A majority of the existing studies used waste paper sludge ash, and considerable energy is consumed in such incineration processes. This may further contribute to air pollution.

Financial InceNtives for cArdiac rehabilitatioN ComplEtion (FINANCE) (single blind pragmatic RCT).

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is strongly indicated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), and has been proven to reduce mortality and recurrence and improve patients quality of life. Although clinical guidelines for CR have already been developed domestically and internationally, hospital-based CR remains underutilized. Currently, studies exploring strategies to improve CR participation in South Korea and Asia are limited.