Metal-Ion-Free Preparation of κ-Carrageenan/Cellulose Hydrogel Beads Using an Ionic Liquid Mixture for Effective Cationic Dye Removal.

A metal-ion-free method was developed to prepare κ-carrageenan/cellulose hydrogel beads for efficient cationic dye removal. The beads were fabricated using a mixture of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate and N,N-dimethylformamide as the solvent system, followed by aqueous ethanol-induced phase separation. This process eliminated the need for metal-ion crosslinkers, which typically neutralize anionic sulfate groups in κ-carrageenan, thereby preserving a high density of accessible binding sites.

Two New Species of (Agaricales, Omphalotaceae) from Mudeungsan National Park in Korea.

(Agaricales, Omphalotaceae) is a saprobic mushroom-forming genus characterized by gymnopoid, omphaloid, and pleurotoid basidiome, and ellipsoid to cylindrical basidiospores. Currently, 66 species are classified as the genus through continuous taxonomic validations to resolve taxonomic confusions caused by morphological similarities with other genera, such as and . In Korea, 16 species have been recently identified, but there are still many undiscovered species.

Vision-Based Computing Pipeline for Recognizing Hand Grip-Types During Tool Handling.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSHands are frequently exposed to the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to their involvement in tool handling. We propose a computer vision-based pipeline that can accurately recognize the types of hand grips during tool handling using monocular red, green, and blue (RGB) images. While the predominant methods for hand ergonomics assessments require considerable training for practitioners, the proposed pipeline can facilitate assessments by providing crucial information, such as grip types, duration, and repetition, in a continuous and noninvasive manner.

Six Unrecorded Species of Agaricales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) from Mudeungsan National Park in Korea.

The order Agaricales is one of the diverse mushroom-forming fungi, with approximately 40,000 identified species worldwide. They contribute to forest ecosystems as decomposers, symbionts, or pathogens. Mudeungsan National Park is one of the biggest National Park in Southwestern Korea.

Sustainable Encapsulation of FZB42 Using Tunicate-Derived Carboxymethylcellulose Hydrogels for Enhanced Biocontrol Efficiency.

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to increasing environmental pollution and biodiversity loss, accelerating the emergence of resistant phytopathogens. As an alternative, biological control agents offer a sustainable approach; however, their efficacy is often limited due to poor stability under varying environmental conditions, underscoring the need for improved formulation strategies. In this study, a pH-responsive hydrogel system was designed by combining tunicate-derived carboxymethylcellulose (TCMC) with alginate to encapsulate spores of the biocontrol bacterium FZB42.

A multivalent 9-O-acetylated sialic acid-conjugated bacteriophage platform for antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy for human coronavirus OC43.

Coronaviruses pose significant global health and economic challenges due to their capacity for rapid mutation and immune evasion, which limit the effectiveness of current treatments. Here, we present an engineered antiviral platform based on filamentous bacteriophages conjugated with multivalent 9-O-acetylated sialic acid ligands (Ac-SLPhage), designed to target conserved viral entry pathways of human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2. This nanomaterial competitively blocks viral attachment through high-affinity interactions with host sialic acid receptors, while simultaneously modulating host responses by enhancing antioxidant defenses and suppressing inflammation.

Boosting Triboelectric Performance with In Situ Prussian Blue-Decorated MXene Nanocomposites in P(VDF-TrFE) and Nylon-11 Nanofibers for Self-Powered Photodetectors.

A surface-engineered poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] film demonstrates enhanced electron affinity, which increases charge density and boosts electron-accepting capability for efficient triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, its nonconductive nature and low dielectric constant restrict overall performance. To address these limitations, this study introduces HF-etched MXene (MX) nanosheets and in situ synthesized Prussian blue (PB)-decorated MX nanocomposites (PB@MX NCs) as surface additives in electrospun P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers.

Natural Progression of Rheumatic Aortic Valve Disease Following Mitral Valve Intervention: A 16-Year Single-Center Experience.

Recognizing the natural progression of the remaining valve disease following the intervention of a single valve is crucial in multiple rheumatic valvular diseases as often encountered in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate whether performing mitral valve (MV) intervention alone for multiple rheumatic MV and aortic valve (AV) disease is safe. Rheumatic AV disease progresses slowly and severity does not differ significantly after MV intervention.

Effectiveness of acupotomy combined with nerve block therapy for cervical radiculopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining acupotomy with nerve block therapy (NBT) for cervical radiculopathy (CR) compared to NBT alone.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the combined use of acupotomy and NBT for CR. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool.

Assessing Environment Resistance of the Korean Wild Boar ASFV Isolates "".

African swine fever (ASF) is a disease characterized by high mortality and severe hemorrhagic damage in swine breeds, leading to significant economic losses for domestic pig farm operations. Although the introduction route of ASF in South Korea remains unclear, the primary transmission is believed to be through contamination of environmental fomites by migrating ASF-positive wild boar. Therefore, understanding the persistence of African swine fever virus (ASFV) under various environmental conditions in South Korea is crucial.

Anatomical Location as a Predictor of Treatment Response in Globus Pharyngeus.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the anatomical location of the globus sensation influences treatment outcome in patients with globus pharyngeus.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between March 2023 and May 2024 with 55 patients who presented with globus sensation. The participants were categorized into the upper and lower globus groups based on the anatomical location of globus sensation relative to the upper esophageal sphincter.

Singlicate bead-based immunoassay for biomarker quantitation in sub-microliter volume sample.

Point-of-care testing (PoCT) devices are becoming increasingly essential for widespread disease diagnostics. Hence, it becomes necessary to develop solutions for detecting biomarkers from minimal-volume samples while remaining accessible and user-friendly. This study presents a new method called FoCUS (Forward scattering Correction Using a Single-bead).

Strontium-Doped Implant Osseointegration Under Dry Preservation Conditions: In Vitro and Rat Model-Based In Vivo Studies.

Objective: This study aims to develop an innovative dry preservation surface modification for strontium-modified pure titanium implants to prevent surface degradation by hydrocarbon pollutants in the air and to enhance osseointegration.

Methods: An optimal parameter dry preservation surface modification was established by immersing samples in a 0.1 M KCl + 0.

Highly Elliptic Circular Dichroism of Copper Aspartate One-Dimensional Nanostructures across the Ultraviolet to Terahertz Ranges.

Since the discovery of chirality, circular dichroism (CD) of mirror-asymmetric molecules has been studied across the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared ranges. Recently, chiroptical activity studies have expanded to the terahertz (THz) range, where resonance peaks originate from collective vibrations of tens and hundreds of atoms. In this study, we synthesized Cu coordination complexes with and aspartic acid as nanowires and nanorods and characterized their chiroptical activity across multiple frequency ranges.

Increasing frequency and spatial extent of cattle heat stress conditions in the Southern plains of the USA.

Oklahoma, as part of the Southern Plains region and a key contributor to U.S. cattle production, faces increasing heat stress due to climate change, which can adversely influence livestock.

Identification of Novel Mosaic Variants in Focal Epilepsy-Associated Patients' Brain Lesions.

Unlabelled: Focal cortical dysplasia type III (FCDIII) is a rare and complex condition associated with drug-resistant epilepsy and often characterized by cortical lamination abnormalities, along with a variety of neoplasms and vascular abnormalities.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the genetic architecture underlying FCDIII through the use of whole-exome sequencing (WES) of brain and peripheral blood samples from 19 patients who had been diagnosed with FCDIII.

Methods: Variants were identified through a series of machine-learning-based detection and functional prediction methods and were not previously associated with FCDIII.

Two-Step Carboxymethylation of Cellulose from Using Ionic Liquid.

Water-soluble carboxymethylated tunicate cellulose (CMTC) was produced using cellulose from , known for its uniquely high molecular weight and crystallinity. Among various known methods for cellulose carboxymethylation tested in this study, only the homogeneous method using LiClO yielded water-soluble CMTC. However, industrial application of this method is hindered by LiClO's toxicity, explosiveness, and high cost.

Multiple coronary artery perforation as a fatal complication during the management of an undeflatable stent balloon: a case report.

Background: An undeflatable stent balloon following its inflation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare and unpredictable complication that can lead to serious consequences. Currently, there is no standardized protocol for managing this issue.

Case Presentation: An 83-year-old man presented with chest pain.

Omni-Directional Assembly of 2D Single-Crystalline Metal Nanosheets.

Scalable and cost-effective fabrication of conductive films on substrates with complex geometries is crucial for industrial applications in electronics. Herein, an ultrasonic-driven omni-directional and selective assembly technique is introduced for the uniform deposition of 2D single-crystalline copper nanosheets (Cu NS) onto various substrates. This method leverages cavitation-induced forces to propel Cu NS onto hydrophilic surfaces, enabling the formation of monolayer films with largely monolayer films with some degree of nanosheet overlap.

Effects of dietary rumen undegradable protein:rumen degradable protein ratio on nitrogen metabolism in Hanwoo steers.

Objective: We investigated the effects of dietary rumen undegradable protein (RUP): rumen degradable protein (RDP) ratio on growth performance, nitrogen (N) metabolism, and rumen and blood parameters in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) steers.

Methods: Eight Hanwoo steers (average body weight, 393 kg) were allocated to two groups and fed with a high RUP:RDP ratio (46.9:53.

Supplemental metaphyseal fixation of severe comminuted distal radius fracture with a mini plate.

Backgrounds: The treatment of complex distal radius fractures, particularly those involving both intra-articular disruption and significant metaphyseal comminution, remains a considerable surgical challenge. While volar locking plates have become a widely accepted standard for stabilizing these fractures, alone they may not address all fracture patterns. This study presents a surgical approach that incorporates the use of a mini-plate to provide targeted support for the metaphyseal region.

Revealing the Calcium Assisted Partial Catalytic Graphitization of Lignin-Derived Hard Carbon Anode and Its Electrochemical Behaviors in Sodium Ion Batteries.

Among the various contenders for next-generation sodium-ion battery anodes, hard carbons stand out for their notable reversible capacity, extended cycle life, and cost-effectiveness. Their economic advantage can be further enhanced by using inexpensive precursors, such as biomass waste. Lignin, one of the most abundant natural biopolymers on Earth, which can be readily obtained from wood, possesses a three-dimensional amorphous polymeric structure, making it a suitable candidate for producing carbonaceous materials through appropriate carbonization processes for energy storage applications.

Fc-binding M13 phage-enhanced electrochemical biosensors for influenza virus detection.

The importance of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) has significantly increased, driving the demand for rapid and sensitive diagnostic platforms. Molecular probes play a pivotal role in improving the sensitivity and accuracy of IVDs because of their target-specific signal transduction capabilities. Antibodies, which are commonly used as detection probes, face several challenges, including limited stability, high production costs, and low signal output.