Vessel segmentation for -separation in quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Purpose: -separation is an advanced quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) method that is designed to generate paramagnetic ( ) and diamagnetic ( ) susceptibility maps, reflecting the distribution of iron and myelin in the brain. However, vessels have shown artifacts, interfering with the accurate quantification of iron and myelin in applications. To address this challenge, a new vessel segmentation method for -separation is developed.

Computational and experimental study of AC measurements performed by a double-nanohole plasmonic nanopore sensor on 20 nm silica nanoparticles.

A novel method of AC sensing is presented that uses a double nanohole (DNH) nanoaperture atop a solid-state nanopore (ssNP) to trap analytes and measure their optical and electrical properties. In this method analytes are propelled by an external applied voltage towards the sensor until they are trapped at the DNH-ssNP interface via a self-induced back action (SIBA) plasmonic force. We have previously named this method SIBA Actuated Nanopore Electrophoresis (SANE) sensing and have shown its ability to perform concurrent optical and DC electrical measurements.

Development of a prediction model for metabolic syndrome based on physical activity and fitness in individuals with physical disabilities.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model to estimate the number of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome based on physical activity and fitness in individuals with physical disabilities.

Methods: A total of 134 adults aged ≥ 30 years with severe physical disabilities diagnosed over 1 year were enrolled in this study. Standardized procedures were used to collect anthropometric data, blood samples, and physical fitness measurements.

Association of physical fitness with visceral fat status and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in individuals with spinal cord injury using manual wheelchair in Korea.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of physical fitness with visceral fat status and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Korea.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 113 individuals with SCI (aged ≥40 years; women, 19.5 %) who were receiving care at the disability welfare facilities in G and C Provinces.

Inhibition of (p)ppGpp Synthesis and Membrane Fluidity Modulation by Diosgenin: A Strategy to Suppress Persister Cells.

Persister cells are a subset of bacterial cells that exhibit transient antibiotic tolerance without genetic resistance, contributing to the persistence of chronic infections. This study investigates the ability of diosgenin, a naturally occurring steroidal saponin, to inhibit persister cell formation in through metabolic suppression and membrane modulation. Diosgenin treatments at 80 µM and 160 µM significantly reduced persister cell survival under oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin stress, with reductions ranging from 82% to 94% after 3 h diosgenin pre-exposure.

Nanoarchitectonics of Metal-Organic Framework and Nanocellulose Composites for Multifunctional Environmental Remediation.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used in environmental remediation due to their unique properties. However, their practical applications are significantly limited by its powder crystal form. To address these limitations, MOFs can be integrated with abundant and sustainable biomass-derived nanocellulose (NC) to construct processable macroscopic architectures.

Political construction of risk perception and preventive behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Korea.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the complex interactions between politics and public health, as political ideologies shape risk perception and adherence to safety measures worldwide. In South Korea, the shift from a progressive to a conservative government administration during the pandemic presents a unique opportunity to examine how risk perception and compliance with preventive measures vary under different political regimes.

Methods: We used secondary data from a representative South Korean polling company.

(Maitake) extract as natural antioxidant on emulsion-type pork sausages.

This study examined the potential of extract (GF) as a natural antioxidant and functional ingredient in emulsion-type pork sausages. GF demonstrated dose-dependent radical scavenging activity in DPPH and ABTS assays, with a concentration of 5 mg/mL achieving effects similar to those of l-ascorbic acid. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 34.

Reductive N Cleavage and Nitride Insertion Reactivity at Molybdenum Complexes Supported by a Rigid PNP Pincer.

Metal-nitride species represent key reactive intermediates in reductive N cleavage and functionalization. Toward a better understanding of nitride transfer reactivity, we present a series of Mo-nitride complexes supported by a rigid diphosphino-acridane pincer ligand. Notably, the stepwise reduction of a MoCl complex under N allows the isolation of a bridging diazenido intermediate as well as a dinuclear Mo-nitride species (4) accommodating a bridging N moiety.

Effects of DA-9701 (motilitone®) on gastric emptying, glycemic control, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Background/aims: Diabetes is associated with various gastrointestinal disorders, including altered gastric emptying, which may be rapid, slow, or transient. These alterations can significantly influence gastrointestinal symptoms and directly influence blood glucose levels. DA-9701 (motilitone), a prokinetic agent derived from Corydalis tuber and Pharbitis seed, is employed in Korea to manage functional dyspepsia due to its anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal motility-enhancing properties.

Analysis of runs of homozygosity in Yeonsan Ogye chickens using 600K single nucleotide polymorphism arrays.

Runs of homozygosity (ROHs) are caused by identical haplotypes inherited from ancestors. ROHs provide useful information regarding the inbreeding rate, demographics, and selection history. The Yeonsan Ogye (YO) breed is an indigenous chicken in Korea that is characterized by a completely black body.

Immune cell infiltration into brain tumor microenvironment is mediated by Rab27-regulated vascular wall integrity.

Aggressive brain tumors often exhibit immunologically 'cold' microenvironment, where the vascular barrier impedes effective immunotherapy in poorly understood ways. Tumor vasculature also plays a pivotal role in immunoregulation and antitumor immunity. Here, we show that small GTPase Rab27 controls the vascular morphogenesis and permeability for blood content and immune effectors.

Bottlebrush polymer patches template heterometal growth on a gold nanoparticle surface.

We report a new bottlebrush copolymer (BBCP) ligand design as robust patches for gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) to construct a rigid template guiding heterometal deposition on the surface. Given the spatial congestion of the side chains, the BBCP rapidly forms dense and stationary patches on Au NPs and effectively blocks additional metal deposition. Reducing solvent quality varies the phase segregation of the BBCP and subsequently restricts metal deposition to specific locations, fabricating diverse bimetallic heterostructures.

Tailoring Mesopores on Ultrathin Hollow Carbon Nanoarchitecture with NO Coordinated Ni Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) offer exceptional atomic utilization and catalytic efficiency, particularly in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), where effective mass transport and electronic structure control are critical. However, many SACs suffer from suboptimal hydrogen adsorption energies and limited synergy with the support matrix, which restrict their intrinsic activity and durability. Overcoming these limitations requires an integrated strategy that simultaneously optimizes both the atomic coordination environment and the support architecture.

An Anthracene Derivative with a Highly Vertical Molecular Orientation.

Controlling the orientation of the transition dipole moment (TDM) is very important in the field of optoelectronics. In particular, the horizontal orientation of emissive TDMs in organic materials has been extensively studied because it can improve the out-coupling efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Conversely, the vertical orientation of emissive TDMs remains virtually unexplored.

Genome-wide association studies of the fatty acid composition of Korean native chicken breast meat.

The fatty acid composition of meat, which affects both its quality and the consumer's health, is a complex trait influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Identification of the genes influencing the fatty acid composition of meat is very important for the selection and breeding of chickens with desirable and healthier fatty acid profiles. The objective of this study was to identify functional candidate genes for fatty acid profiles of the breast meat of the Korean native chicken-red-brown line (KNC-R) through genome-wide association studies.

Risk factors for residual tumors in histologically incompletely resected rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (r-NETs) are often misidentified as polyps, leading to inappropriate endoscopic treatment and incomplete resection.

Aims: This study investigated the occurrence and risk factors of residual r-NETs following salvage local resection (SLR) after incomplete resection.

Methods: The medical records of 95 patients who underwent SLR for histologically incompletely resected (R1/Rx-resected) r-NETs referred from other hospitals between January 2020 and August 2023 were analyzed.

Loss of VHL-mediated pRb regulation promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor is a substrate-defining component of E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes that target cellular substrates for proteasome-mediated degradation. VHL inactivation by mutation or transcriptional silencing is observed in most sporadic cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). VHL loss in ccRCC leads to constitutive stabilization of E3 ligase substrates, including hypoxia inducible factor α (HIFα).

CaClOH-Modified Silica Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology has attracted wide attention in biomedical applications; its success relies heavily on the development of effective delivery tools. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel CaClOH-modified silica nanoparticle (SNP-CaClOH) with a spiky surface for mRNA delivery. SNP-CaClOH is obtained by a rationally designed thermal decomposition process of hydrated CaCl inside the silanol-rich mesopores of preformed spiky SNPs.

Evaluation of imputation performance based on the single nucleotide polymorphism panel density and the reference population size in Korean native chicken.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the optimal single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel density for accurate imputation in the Korean native chicken (KNC) and Yeonsan Ogye (YO) populations. The primary focus was on evaluating how the reference population size and SNP density influence imputation performance and accuracy.

Methods: Data were collected from five purebred lines of KNC and the YO population, comprising a total of 256 KNC and 199 YO chickens.

Study on the importance of uniformity and nanoparticle size in ZIF-8 carbon nanoarchitecture for enhancing electrochemical properties.

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived carbons, known for their highly tunable structures, have attracted considerable attention for electrochemical applications. Efficient ion and electron transport, along with low electrode resistance, is critical for enhancing performance in these areas. To optimize MOF-derived carbons, we synthesize Zn-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) nanocrystals with controlled sizes and a narrow size distribution, resulting in nanoporous polyhedral carbon structures.

Unlocking coordination sites of metal-organic frameworks for high-density and accessible copper nanoparticles toward electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia.

Ordered pore engineering of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts by soft-template strategies can facilitate the mass transfer of reactants during heterogeneous electrocatalysis. Besides, the abundant open coordination sites generated by the removal of surfactants also open up a new avenue for incorporating active moieties within the framework; however, such studies are still limited. Herein, a mesoporous cerium-based MOF, MUiO-66(Ce), is synthesized by introducing a pluronic triblock copolymer as a template, where abundant open coordination sites are found to be present on the hexa-cerium nodes.

Mediating effect of physical activity on the association between body fat distribution, dysmobility syndrome, and cognitive impairment in older women in the community.

Purpose: To examine the association between body fat distribution, dysmobility syndrome, and cognitive impairment in 181 community-dwelling older women and assess physical activity's mediating role.

Methods: Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the android-to-gynoid (A/G) fat ratio was calculated as the android fat proportion divided by the gynoid fat proportion. Participants were categorized into high and low 50 % groups based on the A/G fat ratio.