Evaluation of sedimentary organic matter pollution in semi-enclosed coastal bays: Source identification through GDGTs biomarkers.

The distribution of lipid biomarkers of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) in surface sediments was investigated to trace organic matter (OM) sources in semi-enclosed coastal bay ports in South Korea. A total of 56 surface sediment samples were collected from three ports. Low BIT values (<0.

Baseline predictors for 28-day COVID-19 severity and mortality among hospitalized patients: results from the IMPACC study.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic threatened public health and placed a significant burden on medical resources. The Immunophenotyping Assessment in a COVID-19 Cohort (IMPACC) study collected clinical, demographic, blood cytometry, serum receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibody titers, metabolomics, targeted proteomics, nasal metagenomics, Olink, nasal viral load, autoantibody, SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers, and nasal and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) transcriptomics data from patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The aim of this study is to select baseline biomarkers and build predictive models for 28-day in-hospital COVID-19 severity and mortality with most predictive variables while prioritizing routinely collected variables.

Efficient Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Molecules from Brown Macroalga : Optimal Extraction, Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Evaluation.

(SH) is a promising marine bioresource for producing bioactive compounds. Recently, the biological functions (including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities) of SH extracts have been revealed; however, efficient extraction processes to produce bioactive molecules (such as tannin and phenol) have not been carefully designed. In this study, the ultrasound-assisted extraction process was optimized based on the response surface methodology (RSM) to efficiently produce tannin and phenol from SH.

Integrated source identification of particulate and dissolved organic matter related to anthropogenic activities in an artificial lake system.

We investigated stable isotopic composition of particulate and dissolved organic matter (OM) to identify OM sources within artificial lake system (Lake Sihwa) surrounded by various land-use types. Spatial variations of hydrochemical components showed significant differences between pre- and post-typhoon. Together with varied POC/PN ratios (1.

Dietary habits of Koreans aged 95 years and older residing in rural and metropolitan areas.

Background/objectives: Cultural and environmental factors may affect dietary habits and intake, regardless of age. As recent assessments of dietary habits of adults 95 yrs and older are absent, we aimed to determine dietary habits, diet quality, and intake of adults 95 yrs and older and test if they vary by region.

Subjects/methods: Adults 95 yrs and older residing in rural areas (Gurye-gun, Goksung-gun, and Sunchang-gun [GuGokSun]; n = 46), a near-city area (Hwasun-gun, and Damyang-gun [HwaDam]; n = 77), and a metropolitan city (Gwangju Metropolitan City [Gwangju]; n = 32) were surveyed.

Ultrasound-assisted dieckol extraction from Eisenia bicyclis and its evaluation as a functional ingredient for bacterial cellulose-based desserts.

Dieckol is a brown algal phlorotannin with potent bioactivities such as hepatoprotective effects. This study aimed to produce dieckol-rich extract from Eisenia bicyclis and apply them as a functional ingredient for a novel bacterial cellulose (BC)-based dessert. The modeling and optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process were performed.

Apportioning sources of natural and anthropogenic organic matter in sediment from Lake Shihwa: An integrated approach using molecular ratios and compound-specific stable-isotope analysis.

We tested an integrated multi-isotopic analysis framework to quantitatively estimate anthropogenic organic matter (OM) loads in different land-use types of a watershed (Lake Shihwa, South Korea). The isotopic signatures of increased bulk-element abundances in urban areas and industrial complexes may reflect the mixed contributions of natural and anthropogenic sources. Together with the predominant abundance of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at both boundaries, specific indices derived from their abundance may be indicative of mixed contributions from terrestrial plants, petroleum, and combustion deposited through various pathways (e.

Risk of all-cause mortality is associated with multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors and does not differ between urban and rural areas in Korea.

Background/objectives: Urban-rural inequities in health and mortality exist in Korea, a highly centralized developed country. The potential impact of multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors on mortality and difference between urban and rural areas is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-risk health behaviors on all-cause mortality among residents living in urban and rural in Korea.

Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Extracts Obtained via Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Medicinal Plant .

has been utilized as a medicinal plant in Asia. However, the production of phytochemical-rich extracts from and the evaluation of their bioactivity are limited. Herein, phytochemical-rich extracts were prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction of , with a high extraction yield of 16.

Efficient generation of recombinant anti-HER2 scFv with high yield and purity using a simple method.

We developed a method to produce a soluble form of a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) targeting human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in Escherichia coli. By optimizing the orientations of the variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) domains and the His-tag, we identified the HL-His type antibody with the highest HER2-binding activity. Purification of HL-His yielded 40.

In-situ and wavelength-dependent photocatalytic strain evolution of a single Au nanoparticle on a TiO film.

Photocatalysis is a promising technique due to its capacity to efficiently harvest solar energy and its potential to address the global energy crisis. However, the structure-activity relationships of photocatalyst during wavelength-dependent photocatalytic reactions remains largely unexplored because it is difficult to measure under operating conditions. Here we show the photocatalytic strain evolution of a single Au nanoparticle (AuNP) supported on a TiO film by combining three-dimensional (3D) Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging with an external light source.

Oral cancer incidence rate is associated with access to dental care: City and statewide analyses.

Introduction: Access to dental care may affect diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We tested whether the incidence rate of OSCC is higher in regions with less dental care access in the city of Chicago and state of Illinois.

Study Design: Ecological cohort.

Convection-Enhanced Drug Delivery: Experimental and Analytical Studies of Infusion Behavior in an In Vitro Brain Surrogate.

Convection-enhanced drug delivery (CED) directly infuses drugs with a large molecular weight toward target cells as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers. Despite the success of many previous in vitro experiments on CED, challenges still remain. In particular, a theoretical predictive model is needed to form a basis for treatment planning, and developing such a model requires well-controlled injection tests that can rigorously capture the convective (advective) and diffusive transport of an infusate.

User Experience Evaluation of a Spinal Surgery Robot: Workload, Usability, and Satisfaction Study.

Background: Robotic spine surgery has continued to evolve since its US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2004, with products now including real-time video guidance and navigation during surgery. As the market for robotic surgical devices evolves, it is important to consider usability factors.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the user experience of a surgical-assistive robotic device.

Efficient Recovery Strategy of Luteolin from Agricultural Waste Peanut Shells and Activity Evaluation of Its Functional Biomolecules.

Peanut shells (PSs) generated from agricultural waste contain valuable compounds with bioactive properties such as anti-aging, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, making it desirable to recycle them as a sustainable resource. The aim of this study is to design an effective luteolin recovery process as the first step of an integrated biorefinery utilizing PSs as raw material. The major extraction variables and their ranges for luteolin recovery from PSs were determined (0-60 °C, 1-5 h, 0-100% MeOH concentration) and a predictive model was derived through a response surface methodology (RSM).

Experimental Study: The Effect of Pore Shape, Geometrical Heterogeneity, and Flow Rate on the Repetitive Two-Phase Fluid Transport in Microfluidic Porous Media.

Geologic subsurface energy storage, such as porous-media compressed-air energy storage (PM-CAES) and underground hydrogen storage (UHS), involves the multi-phase fluid transport in structurally disordered or heterogeneous porous media (e.g., soils and rocks).

Basin-specific pollution and impoundment effects on greenhouse gas distributions in three rivers and estuaries.

Large uncertainties exist regarding the combined effects of pollution and impoundment on riverine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It has also been debated whether river eutrophication can transform downstream estuaries into carbon sinks. To assess human impacts on the riverine and estuarine distributions of CO, CH, and NO, two source-to-estuary surveys along three impounded rivers in Korea were combined with multiple samplings at five or six estuarine sites.

Validity of Interviewer-Administered 24-h Dietary Recalls in Older Korean Women: A Pilot Study.

Despite the wide use of 24-h dietary recalls and differences in food culture between Western and Asian countries, limited studies validating 24-h dietary recalls have been performed in rice-based meals and in Asians. To determine the accuracy of 24-h dietary recalls in Koreans, 22 older women participating in a controlled-feeding study completed a single interviewer-administered 24-h dietary recall. The recalls of food items were classified as matches, exclusions, or intrusions.

Improved production of bacterial cellulose using Gluconacetobacter sp. LYP25, a strain developed in UVC mutagenesis with limited viability conditions.

Bacterial cellulose (BC), a natural polymer synthesized by bacteria, has received considerable attention owing to its impressive physicomechanical properties. However, the low productivity of BC-producing strains poses a challenge to industrializing this material and making it economically viable. In the present study, UV-induced random mutagenesis of Gluconacetobacter xylinus ATCC 53524 was performed to improve BC production.

Microbial Production of Bacterial Cellulose Using Chestnut Shell Hydrolysates by ATCC 53524.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is gaining attention as a carbon-neutral alternative to plant cellulose, and as a means to prevent deforestation and achieve a carbon-neutral society. However, the high cost of fermentation media for BC production is a barrier to its industrialization. In this study, chestnut shell (CS) hydrolysates were used as a carbon source for the BC-producing bacteria strain, ATCC 53524.

Engulfment and Cell Motility 1 (ELMO1) Regulates Tumor Cell Behavior and Predicts Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aim: Engulfment and cell motility 1 (ELMO1) plays a crucial role in the process of migration, chemotaxis, and metastasis of tumor cells. ELMO1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers. However, the distinct function of ELMO1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear.