A metagenomic analysis coupled with oligotrophic enrichment approach for detecting specified microorganisms in potable groundwater samples.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, there is a significant need for the detection and identification of specified microorganisms (, complex (BCC), , and ), which are often missed or not identified by traditional culture-dependent methods. We employed a metagenomic analysis coupled with oligotrophic enrichment to identify specified microorganisms and evaluate tryptic soy broth (TSB) and 1/10 strength TSB for the recovery of specific microorganisms in potable groundwater samples. A total of 589-996 genera were identified in 12 water samples taken from a cold water fountain, with spp.

Purification and Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Recombinant Mouse Prolactin.

Prolactin, a hormone secreted by lactotroph cells in the anterior pituitary lobe, plays a crucial role in vascular growth and immune homeostasis. In this study, we evaluated the functional activity of recombinant mouse prolactin produced using . By employing a maltose-binding protein tag and TEV protease cleavage, we enhanced protein solubility and stability while ensuring high bioactivity.

The short-term and long-term effects of oil spill exposure on dyslipidemia: A prospective cohort study of Health Effects Research on the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill.

The Hebei Spirit oil spill in 2007 was the largest marine oil spill in Korean history, releasing 10,900 tons of crude oil near residential areas. The spilled crude oil exposes residents near the spill site and people involved in the cleanup work to harmful organic crude oil compounds, such as volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Although oil spill exposure has been linked to various health outcomes, its effects on lipid metabolism have not been well-addressed.

High-Throughput 96-Well Nanogroove-Enhanced Electrical Impedance Biosensor for Real-Time Label-Free Cancer Drug Screening.

This study advances bioelectronic platforms and cellular behavior analysis by enhancing the precision and scalability of nanopatterned membranes integrated with electrode arrays for real-time, high-throughput monitoring. By employing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and optimizing imprinting parameters, uniform large-area nanopatterns are successfully fabricated, overcoming challenges such as the "rabbit ears" effect and inconsistent pattern fidelity. The nanopatterned substrates, integrated within 96-well plates with electrode arrays, enable real-time impedance spectroscopy, providing a dynamic assessment of cellular behavior under chemotherapeutic drug exposure.

Effect of porcine oviductal fluid-derived extracellular vesicle supplementation on in vitro embryonic developmental competence and the production efficiency of cloned pigs.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from oviductal epithelial cells help with fertilization and embryo development. Although the effects of EVs on the developmental competence of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos are known, their impact on the production efficiency of cloned pigs in surrogate mothers is unclear. We evaluated the effects of porcine oviductal fluid-derived EVs (oEVs) on the in vitro development of SCNT embryos and production efficiency in cloned pigs.

"Betaone" barley water extract suppresses ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in vivo and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in vitro.

Betaone is a variety of barley developed by the Korea Rural Development Administration. This study investigated the anti-osteoporosis effects of Betaone barley water extract (B1W) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss in mice. To elucidate its mechanism, the effect of B1W on osteoclasts was assessed by measuring the protein expression of nuclear factor-activated T cells c1 (NFATc1), the expression of genes involved in osteoclast differentiation, and bone pit assays.

Association between exposure to particulate matter and heart rate variability in vulnerable and susceptible individuals.

Particulate matter (PM) exposure can reduce heart rate variability (HRV), a cardiovascular health marker. This study examines PM (aerodynamic diameters <1 μm), PM (≥1 μm and <2.5 μm), and PM (≥2.

Sticky organisms create underwater biological adhesives driven by interactions between EGF- and GlcNAc- containing polysaccharides.

Marine and terrestrial organisms often utilise EGF/EGF-like domains in wet adhesives, yet their roles in adhesion remain unclear. Here, we investigate the Barbatia virescense byssal system and uncover an oxidation-independent, reversible, and robust adhesion mechanism where EGF/EGF-like domain tandem repetitions in adhesive proteins bind robustly to GlcNAc-based biopolymer. EGF/EGF-like-domain-containing proteins demonstrate over three-fold superior underwater adhesion to chitosan compared to the well-known strongest wet-adhesive proteins, mefp-5, and suckerin, when adhering to mica in an surface forces apparatus-based measurement.

Association between respiratory tract deposited dose of size-segregated PM and FeNO based on individual exposure assessment for Korean children.

FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) is a crucial marker to understand children's respiratory diseases such as asthma, and severity may vary depending on PM diameter and respiratory tract region. This study investigates the relationship between size-segregated respiratory deposited PM dose and FeNO for children. Size-segregated PM (PM, PM, and PM) and FeNO were measured for eighty children based on individual exposure assessment in five consecutive days.

Association between single-person household wage workers in South Korea and insomnia symptoms: the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Background: The rise in single-person households is a global phenomenon with well-documented implications for both physical and mental well-being. However, there remains a scarcity of studies focusing specifically on the health impacts of single-person households on workers. This study aims to address this gap by comparing insomnia symptoms between single- and multi-person household workers, shedding light on the health implications of household composition.

Chemical exposure from the Hebei spirit oil spill accident and its long-term effects on mental health.

While evidence indicates that exposure to oil spill incidents can affect mental health, it is unclear whether the mental health effects result from the incident itself or from exposure to associated chemicals. Oil contains chemicals that can impact mental health and these chemicals may have long-term effects due to their persistence in the environment. To address the gap in current knowledge, we conducted cross-sectional and prospective analyses of data from adults who participated in the Health Effects of the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill study.

Influence of the backbone chemistry and ionic functional groups of five pairs of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on complex coacervation.

Complex coacervation plays an important role in various fields. Here, the influences of the backbone chemistry and ionic functional groups of five pairs of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on complex coacervation were investigated. These pairs include synthetic polymers with aliphatic hydrocarbon backbones, peptides with amide bonds, and carbohydrates with glycosidic linkages.

The association of shift work and TyG index among male workers in a chemical plant of Korea: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Disturbance of circadian rhythms caused by shift work has adverse effects on insulin resistance. Many previous studies have confirmed that shift work and insulin resistance are related using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, one of the insulin resistance indicators. However, the triglycerides and glucose index (TyG index) has recently been studied as an insulin resistance indicator.

A Comparative Metagenomic Analysis of Specified Microorganisms in Groundwater for Non-Sterilized Pharmaceutical Products.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring product safety involves the detection and identification of microorganisms with human pathogenic potential, including Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium sporogenes, Candida albicans, and Mycoplasma spp., some of which may be missed or not identified by traditional culture-dependent methods. In this study, we employed a metagenomic approach to detect these taxa, avoiding the limitations of conventional cultivation methods.

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during porcine oocyte in vitro maturation improves oocyte quality and embryonic development by enhancing the homeostasis of energy metabolism.

Although supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during porcine oocyte IVM is well-established, the available data are limited due to the lack of consistency. Moreover, to our knowledge, the anti-oxidant effects of DHA on porcine oocytes have not been reported. Hence, this study aimed to examine the effects of DHA supplementation on the regulation of energy metabolism during porcine oocyte maturation to improve oocyte maturation and embryonic development.

Air pollution and survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer: a follow-up study of 1591 patients in South Korea.

Background: Despite significant advancements in treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the survival rate for patients with asbestos-related cancers remains low. Numerous studies have provided evidence suggesting that air pollution induces oxidative stress and inflammation, affecting acute respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and overall mortality. However, because of the high case fatality rate, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of air pollution exposures on survival following a diagnosis of asbestos-related cancers.

CRISPR/Cas12a antifouling nanocomposite electrochemical biosensors enable amplification-free detection of Monkeypox virus in complex biological fluids.

The escalating global threat of infectious diseases, including monkeypox virus (MPXV), necessitates advancements in point-of-care diagnostics, moving beyond the constraints of conventional methods tethered to centralized laboratories. Here, we introduce multiple CRISPR RNA (crRNA)-based biosensors that can directly detect MPXV within 35 minutes without pre-amplification, leveraging the enhanced sensitivity and antifouling attributes of the BSA-based nanocomposite. Multiple crRNAs, strategically targeting diverse regions of the F3L gene of MPXV, are designed and combined to amplify Cas12a activation and its collateral cleavage of reporter probes.

Diversity in Atomic Structures of Zeolite-Templated Carbons and the Consequences for Macroscopic Properties.

Zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) are a family of ordered microporous carbons with extralarge surface areas and micropore volumes, which are synthesized by carbon deposition within the confined spaces of zeolite micropores. There has been great controversy regarding the atomic structures of ZTCs, which encompass two extremes: (1) three-dimensionally connected curved open-blade-type carbon moieties and (2) ideal tubular structures (commonly referred to as "Schwarzites"). In this study, through a combination of experimental analyses and theoretical calculations, we demonstrate that the atomic structure of ZTCs is difficult to define as a single entity, and it widely varies depending on their synthesis conditions.

Preserving Mesoporosity in Type III Porous Liquids through Dual-layer Surface Weaving.

The fundamental limitation for pore preservation in a Type III porous liquid (T3PL) is the need for a small aperture from the porous filler to realize size exclusion of a bulky solvent. We present a dual-layer surface weaving strategy that can disregard this limitation and achieve micro- and mesoporous metal-organic framework (MOF)-based T3PLs even with apertures much larger than the solvent molecules. By first weaving a tight network of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) on the MOF surface, the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) solvent can be effectively excluded from the pores while smaller guest molecules such as CO, CH, and HO can freely access the interior, as confirmed by low-pressure adsorption isotherms.

Analysis of production efficiency of cloned transgenic Yucatan miniature pigs according to recipient breeds with embryo transfer conditions.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of the production of cloned transgenic Yucatan miniature pigs (YMPs) using two recipient breeds, i.e., YMPs and domestic pigs (DPs), under various embryo transfer conditions.

Occupational and Environmental Asbestos Exposure and Survival of Patients with Asbestos-Related Cancer: A Follow-Up Study on Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer in Korea.

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are typically associated with a poor prognosis. However, it has been observed that some patients with these cancers survive significantly longer than the average survival period. While many preliminary studies have investigated factors influencing patient survival, the specific impact of asbestos exposure has not been thoroughly explored.

Association between oil spill clean-up work and thyroid cancer: Nine years of follow-up after the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident.

In 2007, an unprecedented oil spill occurred in Taean, Korea. Although crude oil contains chemicals that could increase thyroid cancer risk, few studies have examined the long-term effects of oil exposure during clean-up and thyroid cancer incidence. We investigated the long-term thyroid cancer incidence among participants involved in clean-up work.

Mechanochemically functionalized and fibrillated microcrystalline cellulose as a filler in silicone foam: An integrated experimental and simulation investigation.

Fibrillated celluloses have gained significant attention due to their exceptional mechanical properties and eco-friendly characteristics, which make them suitable for various applications. In this study, we designed a precise approach for producing highly fibrillated microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) via ball-milling treatment using four typical silane coupling agents. The empirical data demonstrate that the fibrillization of MCC and the properties of fibrillated MCC are largely affected by the size and geometry of the functional groups of the silanes.

Long-term effects of the Hebei Spirit oil spill on the prevalence and incidence of allergic disorders.

The Hebei Spirit oil spill accident occurred in December 2007, approximately 10 km off the coast of Taean, South Korea, a location notably close to residential areas. Crude oil substances have been detected in various environmental mediums since the accident, yet previous studies have primarily focused on the acute effects of oil exposure due to the short latency period of allergic diseases. Therefore, this study evaluated the long-term effects of oil spill exposure on allergic disorders.

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance trunk bark extracts inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and prevent ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ulmus macrocarpa Hance (UmH) bark has been traditionally utilized for medicinal purposes. The bark extract of this plant has diverse health benefits, and its potential role in enhancing bone health is of distinct interest, particularly when considering the substantial health and economic implications of bone-related pathologies, such as osteoporosis. Despite the compelling theoretical implications of UmH bark in fortifying bone health, no definitive evidence at the in vivo level is currently available, thus highlighting the innovative and as-yet-unexplored potential of this field of study.