A xanthone O-glucoside isolated from Iris setosa Pall. ex Link exhibits promising anti-amoebic activity against the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

Background: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri, poses a significant challenge in humans owing to its high mortality rate, exceeding 97 %. Current therapeutics have been unable to deliver satisfactory treatment outcomes, due to suboptimal efficacy and toxicity, highlighting the critical need for efficacious drug development. In this study, we identified a natural compound, 3,5-Dihydroxy-8‑methoxy-1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl xanthone (DX), which exhibited promising anti-N.

Can Reference Materials Prepared Following CLSI C37-A Be Utilized Without Commutability Assessment? Perspectives Based on Lipid Measurements.

Background: Ensuring reference material (RM) commutability is crucial for evaluating measurement traceability in order to standardize laboratory tests. However, commutability assessment is not routinely performed. We assessed whether RMs prepared following CLSI C37-A guidelines could be used without assessing commutability by evaluating their commutability for four lipid measurements using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and CLSI EP14 protocols.

Simulation-based biomechanical assessment of a passive back support exoskeleton: Comparison of various support levels during a sustained forward bending task.

This study evaluated the impacts of five support levels (40, 55, 70, 85, and 100 % actuator strengths) of a passive back-support exoskeleton (BSE) on biomechanical loads associated with commercial crab sorting through musculoskeletal simulation. Whole-body kinematics of 20 male participants performing simulated crab sorting were collected and integrated into a human-BSE interaction simulation framework to predict muscle activity, spinal loads, and contact forces at the human-BSE interfaces. Increasing the BSE support level generally reduced trunk extensor muscle activity (up to 28.

Sex difference in musculoskeletal disabilities among Korean fishers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Fishing is a physically demanding occupation with a high risk of musculoskeletal disabilities (MSDs). Although previous studies have focused on ergonomic risk factors, little attention has been paid to sex differences in the prevalence of MSDs among fishers. This study aimed to assess whether female fishers experience a higher prevalence of MSDs than male fishers and to examine whether this difference persists after adjusting for socioeconomic and occupational factors.

In Vitro Anthelmintic Effect of Selected Agents Against Microcotyle sebastis and Microcotyle caudata, the Gill Monogenean Parasites of Rockfish, Sebastes spp.

The in vitro efficacy of various anthelminthic agents was investigated against adults and eggs of the Microcotyle sebastis and M. caudata. Praziquantel (PZQ), ivermectin (IVM), trichlorfon (TCF), fenbendazole (FNBZ), febantel (FBT), flubendazole (FLBZ), thiabendazole (TBZ), formalin, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) were selected as test agents.

Multivariate Evaluation of Biofunctional Metabolites in Korean Soybean Cultivars by Use Categories: Assessment of Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Activities.

This research investigates the metabolite composition and biofunctional activiteies of 41 Korean soybeans, categorized by application: bean sprout, bean paste, vegetable, and cooked-with-rice. Isoflavones were identified via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and quantified using HPLC, revealing malonylgenistin as the predominant composition (average 743.4 μg/g, 42.

Ginsenoside-Enriched Sprouts Cultivated from Aquaponic System with a Novel Nutrient Solution Regulate LPS-Induced Inflammatory Cytokines and UVB-Induced Photoaging Responses via MAPK/AP-1 Signaling Pathways.

sprouts (GSs) have attracted attention as functional resources due to their short cultivation time and enriched ginsenoside content. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivities of GSs cultivated using kelp fermentates (KF) as a nutrient solution under a smart-farming system. Ginsenoside-enriched extract (FGE), its water-soluble saponin fraction (WFGE), and 70% ethanol-soluble saponin fraction (EFGE) were analyzed for phytochemical contents and biological activities.

Effects of different sorting table heights on low back and shoulders biomechanical loads during dungeness crab sorting.

West Coast Dungeness crab fishers suffer a high prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries, especially low back pain. Substantial trunk flexion and associated low back loads during crab sorting tasks have been attributed to awkward sorting table heights. This study examined how varying table heights affect biomechanical loads on the low back and shoulders.

Perspectives of Mining Personnel on Adopting Occupational Exoskeletons: Comparisons Between a Developed and a Developing Country.

Unlabelled: Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) have received growing attention as a new ergonomic intervention to reduce physical demands in various industries (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, construction, and agriculture).

Enhancement of Energy Absorption Capability of 3D Printed Ti-6Al-4V BCC Lattice Structures by Adding Auxiliary Struts.

Lattice structures, composed of interconnected struts, offer an efficient way to reduce structural weight while maintaining structural integrity. Because of this potential, this work aims to investigate and develop an efficient variant form of a BCC (Body-Centered Cubic) lattice structure to enhance the structural robustness and energy absorption capability, based on the Maxwell stability criterion. And we specifically changed the bending-dominated to stretching-dominated behavior by adding auxiliary struts, according to the theory, and confirmed how this affects the compression behavior of the structure.

Cost-Effective Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5: The Effect of Expanding Powder Size Distribution on Mechanical Performance.

This study aims to assess the feasibility of expanding the powder size distribution (PSD) of Ti-6Al-4V grade 5 powder for LPBF to achieve cost reduction. Parameter optimization to minimize the degradation of mechanical properties due to the expanded particle size distribution was conducted. Mechanical tests for specimens built using optimized parameters revealed minor reductions in strength: 3.

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model Using Sella Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Radiomics and Clinical Parameters for the Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency and Idiopathic Short Stature: Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study.

Background: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS) are the major etiologies of short stature in children. For the diagnosis of GHD and ISS, meticulous evaluations are required, including growth hormone provocation tests, which are invasive and burdensome for children. Additionally, sella magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary for assessing etiologies of GHD, which cannot evaluate hormonal secretion.

Effects of different block designs on low back and shoulders biomechanical loads and postural stability during crab pot handling.

In commercial Dungeness crab fishing vessels, the block pulls crab pots for harvesting and typically positions them to the side of vessels, rather than the sorting tables on board. Consequently, fishermen must reach outside the vessel to grab the pots, posing increased risk of musculoskeletal and fall-related injuries. To investigate the effects of block design on these risks, 25 participants in a repeated-measures laboratory study handled a pot under two block conditions: away-from-table (conventional setting) and above-table (intervention).

Lower hepatotoxicity risk in Xelaglifam, a novel GPR40 agonist, compared to Fasiglifam for type 2 diabetes therapy.

Fasiglifam, a candidate targeting GPR40, showed efficacy in clinical trials for type 2 diabetes but exerted liver toxicity. This study investigated the drug-induced liver injury (DILI) risk of Xelaglifam, a new GPR40 agonist, based on the potential toxicity mechanism of Fasiglifam; transporter inhibition, mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive metabolite formation, and covalent binding to proteins. In the hepatobiliary transporter assay, Xelaglifam showed a broader safety margin (>10-fold) against bile acid transporters, suggesting its less likelihood to cause bile acids accumulation, unlike Fasiglifam (<10-fold safety margin).

Vertical-dominant and multi-axial vibration associated with heavy vehicle operation: Effects on dynamic postural control.

Heavy vehicle operators suffer from increased fall risk, potentially due to exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) that compromises postural control. This study aimed to characterize the relative impacts of multi-axial WBV vs. vertical-dominant WBV on dynamic postural control during sit-to-stand transition and stair descent, following prolonged vibration exposures.

Thyroid Artery Embolization for Tracheostomy Site Bleeding: A Report of Three Cases.

In this case report, the authors present three cases of post-tracheostomy site bleeding successfully treated using embolization, supplemented by CT and angiography images. This report highlights that embolization can be a viable alternative when surgical or endoscopic interventions fail or are not applicable in cases of post-tracheostomy bleeding.

Endovascular Treatment of Iatrogenic Iliac Vein Rupture during Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

We present a case of iatrogenic iliac vein rupture with venous thrombosis during total hip arthroplasty that was endovascularly treated with the insertion of covered and uncovered stents, aspiration, and balloon maceration of the thrombus. We describe in detail, with a schematic diagram, an endovascular treatment method that can be performed under local anesthesia alone and explain how to overcome the situation when the diameter of the covered stent is inadequate to cover the iliac vein.

Radiologic Insertion of a Covered Esophageal Stent Using the Rendezvous Technique: A Case Report.

In this report, we present a case of a radiotherapy-induced tracheoesophageal fistula treated with the fluoroscopy-guided insertion of a covered stent through the gastrostomy route using both the antegrade and retrograde approaches. The initial antegrade endoscopic and fluoroscopic stent insertion procedure failed due to severe esophageal stricture. Compared to the endoscopic approaches, fluoroscopy-guided radiologic procedures are generally less invasive and more successful because they allow for a better understanding of the anatomy outside the lumen during the procedure and enable the use of devices with smaller diameters.

Data Clustering Utilization Technologies Using Medians of Current Values for Improving Arc Sensing in Unstructured Environments.

In the shipbuilding industry, welding automation using welding robots often relies on arc-sensing techniques due to spatial limitations. However, the reliability of the feedback current value, core sensing data, is reduced when welding target workpieces have significant curvature or gaps between curved workpieces due to the control of short-circuit transition, leading to seam tracking failure and subsequent damage to the workpieces. To address these problems, this study proposes a new algorithm, MBSC (median-based spatial clustering), based on the DBSCAN (density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise) clustering algorithm.

Effect of illite pretreatment on germinated Brown rice with Special Reference to amino acids, antioxidants, texture, and mineral elements.

The pretreatment process of various foods has been reported to improve their nutritional properties. The soaking of brown rice improves the texture and nutrients, which are crucial for cooking and maintaining its high functional value. Illite, a clay mineral, has recently been discovered to improve the nutritional value of seeds.

Analogues of Dihydroflavonol and Flavone as Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors from the Leaves of .

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is one of the target enzymes whose disruption leads to obesity and diabetes. A series of PTP1B inhibitors were isolated from the leaves of , used in traditional medicines for diabetes. The isolated inhibitors (), including two new compounds ( and ), consisted of dihydroflavonols and flavones.

Multiple roles for the cytoplasmic C-terminal domains of the yeast cell surface receptors Rgt2 and Snf3 in glucose sensing and signaling.

The plasma membrane proteins Rgt2 and Snf3 are glucose sensing receptors (GSRs) that generate an intracellular signal for the induction of gene expression in response to high and low extracellular glucose concentrations, respectively. The GSRs consist of a 12-transmembrane glucose recognition domain and a cytoplasmic C-terminal signaling tail. The GSR tails are dissimilar in length and sequence, but their distinct roles in glucose signal transduction are poorly understood.