Search Results (540)

Background/Objectives: Rest–activity rhythm (RAR) disturbances can contribute to aging and dementia via metabolic dysregulation. Hydroxycholesterol (OH) is thought to mediate the link between hypercholesterolemia and neurodegeneration. This study compared sleep and RAR parameters between amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients and normal controls (NCs), and examined their associations with plasma 27-OH levels, reflecting peripheral cholesterol metabolism. Methods In total, 18 aMCI patients (76.6 ± 6.1 years) and 21 NCs (70.4 ± 6.7 years) underwent five-day actigraphy and dim light melatonin onset assessment. Plasma 27-OH levels were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to analyze the relationships between sleep, RAR, and 27-OH levels. Results: The aMCI group had significantly lower 27-OH levels and 27-OH/total cholesterol ratios (p < 0.05). GLM revealed that longer sleep onset latency (SOL) was associated with higher 27-OH levels in aMCI, distinguishing them from NCs. Additionally, in aMCI, longer SOL, lower sleep efficiency (SE), and higher fragmentation index (FI) were associated with an increased 27-OH/total cholesterol ratio (p < 0.05). Higher relative amplitude of RAR was linked to lower 27-OH levels across groups (p < 0.01), but RAR parameters showed no significant association with the 27-OH/total cholesterol ratio. Sleep disturbances, including prolonged SOL, reduced SE, and increased FI, were associated with altered peripheral cholesterol oxygenation in aMCI. Conclusions: Greater RAR amplitude correlated with lower 27-OH levels, regardless of cognitive status. These findings suggest that peripheral cholesterol oxygenation in aMCI is related to both sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm dysregulation, highlighting their role in cholesterol metabolism and neurodegeneration. Full article

In outdoor environments, GNSS is commonly used for vehicle navigation and various location-based ITS services. However, in GNSS shadow roads such as tunnels and underground highways, it is challenging to provide these services. With the rapid expansion of GNSS shadow roads, the need for radio positioning technology that can serve the role of GNSS in these areas has become increasingly important to provide accurate vehicle navigation and various location-based ITS services. This paper proposes a new GNSS shadow road radio positioning technology using multidirectional BLE beacon signals. The structure of a multidirectional BLE beacon that radiates different BLE beacon signals in two or four directions is introduced, and explains the principle of differential RSSI technology to determine the vehicle’s location using these signals. Additionally, the technology used to determine the vehicle’s speed is described. A testbed was constructed to verify the performance of the developed multidirectional BLE beacon-based radio navigation system. The current status and future plans of the testbed installation are introduced, and the results of position and speed experiments using the testbed for constant speed and deceleration driving are presented. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vertebral fractures (VFs) are a global health issue caused by traumatic or pathological factors that compromise spinal integrity. The burden of VFs is increasing, particularly in older adults. Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 were analyzed to estimate the prevalence, mortality, and years lived with disability due to VFs from 1990 to 2021. Estimates were stratified according to age, sex, and region. Bayesian meta-regression models were used to generate age-standardized rates, and projections for 2050 were calculated using demographic trends and the sociodemographic index. Das Gupta’s decomposition assessed the relative contributions of population growth, aging, and prevalence changes to future case numbers. Results: In 2021, approximately 5.37 million people (95% Uncertainty Interval [UI]: 4.70–6.20 million) experienced VFs globally, with an age-standardized prevalence of 65 per 100,000. Although the rates have declined slightly since 1990, the absolute burden has increased owing to population aging. VF prevalence was the highest in Eastern and Western Europe and in high-income regions. Males had higher VF rates until 70 years of age, after which females surpassed them, reflecting postmenopausal osteoporosis. Falls and road injuries were the leading causes of VF. By 2050, the number of VF cases is expected to increase to 8.01 million (95% UI: 6.57–8.64 million). Conclusions: While the age-standardized VF rates have decreased slightly, the global burden continues to increase. Targeted strategies for the early diagnosis, osteoporosis management, and fall prevention are necessary to reduce the impact of VFs. Full article

This study presents an analysis of the electromagnetic noise and vibration in a surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine (SPMSM), focusing on their excitation sources. To investigate this, the excitation sources were identified through an analytical approach, and their effects on electromagnetic noise and vibration were evaluated using a finite element method (FEM)-based analysis approach. Additionally, an equivalent curved-beam model based on three-dimensional shell theory was applied to determine the deflection forces on the stator yoke, accounting for the tooth-modulation effect. The stator’s natural frequencies were derived through the characteristic equation in free vibration analysis. Modal analysis was performed to validate the analytically derived natural frequencies and to investigate stator deformation under the tooth-modulation effect across various vibration modes. Furthermore, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) analysis via FEM reveals that major harmonic components align closely with the natural frequencies, identifying them as primary sources of elevated vibrations. A comparative study between 8-pole–9-slot and 8-pole–12-slot SPMSMs highlights the impact of force variations on the stator teeth in relation to vibration and noise characteristics, with FEM verification. The proposed method provides a valuable tool for early-stage motor design, enabling the rapid identification of resonance operating points that may induce severe vibrations. This facilitates proactive mitigation strategies to enhance motor performance and reliability. Full article

Objectives: Previous studies have suggested differences in vasculitic and eosinophilic phenotypes based on anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). However, their relevance under the 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) classification criteria remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of EGPA according to myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA status in a Korean cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 57 patients with EGPA without proteinase 3-ANCA positivity who fulfilled the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. Patients were classified into MPO-ANCA-positive (n = 25) and MPO-ANCA-negative (n = 32) groups. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and outcomes, including all-cause mortality, relapse, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), were compared between the two groups. Results: MPO-ANCA-positive patients exhibited higher Five-Factor Scores (1.0 [0.0–1.0] vs. 0.0 [0.0–1.0], p = 0.038), lower Short Form 36 Physical Component Summary scores (35.0 [19.7–56.3] vs. 52.5 [43.5–69.7], p = 0.048), and elevated systemic inflammation markers (higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate: 58.0 [16.0–97.5] mm/hr vs. 25.5 [7.0–63.8] mm/hr, p = 0.026). Constitutional symptoms were more frequent among MPO-ANCA-positive patients (n = 14 [56.0%] vs. n = 3 [9.4%], p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found in vasculitic or eosinophilic manifestations. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no differences in the overall (p = 0.36), relapse-free (p = 0.80), ESKD-free (p = 0.87), CVA-free (p = 0.26), or ACS-free (p = 0.94) survival rates between the two groups. Conclusions: In Korean patients with EGPA classified under the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria, MPO-ANCA positivity, as compared to ANCA-negative status, was associated with a higher disease burden and poorer quality of life but not with distinct vasculitic or eosinophilic manifestations and adverse outcomes. Full article

The fried potato market is a high-value industry, exceeding USD 55 billion and still growing. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying key frying traits remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a transcriptome analysis on two types of potatoes with distinct end-use purposes to identify the gene expression profiles related to desirable frying qualities, focusing on texture and appearance after frying. Key genes encoding starch synthase 1 and 3, sucrose synthase 4, invertases, and pectin methyl-esterase inhibitors were found to be differentially regulated in waxy and mealy potatoes based on their frying characteristics. Notably, mealy potatoes exhibited a higher expression of starch synthesis-related genes and a lower expression of invertase genes. These expression patterns may enhance glucose-to-starch conversion, thereby reducing glucose levels and minimizing sugar-induced browning, which results in a lighter fried appearance. Additionally, we identified two transcription factors, StbZIP2 and StbZIP35, that are potentially co-expressed with two starch synthases. These transcription factors are responsive to abscisic acid, a key hormonal regulator involved in tuber development. This study provides transcriptomic insights for processing quality improvement and identifies key candidate genes for marker-assisted breeding. Further studies across more diverse samples with integrative multi-omics approaches will strengthen the application of these insights in breeding programs. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the frequency and clinical significance of subclinical but substantial peripheral arterial disease (PAD), identified using PAD evaluation, including pulse volume recording/ankle–brachial index (PVR/ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcpO2), and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) tests in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Materials and Methods: This study included 54 patients with PAD evaluation results at or after AAV diagnosis. PVR/ABI and/or TcpO2 and/or SPP were performed on the same day. Abnormal PVR/ABI, TcpO2, and SPP were defined as PVR/ABI < 0.97, TcpO2 < 40 mmHg, and SPP < 50 mmHg, respectively. Poor outcomes included all-cause mortality, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cerebrovascular accidents, and acute coronary syndrome after PAD evaluation. Results: The median age of the 54 patients was 67 years, and 48.1% were male. In total, 3 of 54 patients (5.6%), 6 of 16 (37.5%), and 6 of 23 (26.1%) had abnormal PVR/ABI, TcpO2, and SPP, respectively. The concordance rate between abnormal PVR/ABI and abnormal TcpO2 or SPP was very low. Among the 54 patients, 5 (9.3%) died, and 2 (3.7%) progressed to ESKD. Abnormal SPP was significantly associated with cutaneous and renal manifestations at the time of PAD evaluation and had the potential to predict progression to ESKD during follow-up in patients with AAV. Conclusions: This study is the first to reveal the clinical usefulness of PAD evaluation: abnormal SPP may have the potential to identify subclinical but substantial PAD and can predict simultaneous kidney involvement as well as future progression to ESKD in patients with AAV. Full article

Fermentation is widely recognized for enhancing the sensory attributes and nutritional value in foods, with recent research focusing on non-alcoholic and root-based functional beverages. In this study, the genomic and fermentation characteristics of Kluyveromyces marxianus LRCC8279 (KM8279) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae LRCC8293 (SC8293) were analyzed, specifically for their application in root extract-based low-alcohol fermentations. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that both strains harbored key genes involved in glucose, fructose, and sucrose metabolism and genes implicated in ethanol production. Although SC8293 harbored maltose-metabolizing genes, including MAL13 and MAL31, these genes were absent in KM8279. This genetic difference was evident in the fermentation performance, manifesting as distinct variations in alcohol production depending on the carbohydrate source. A further investigation of fermentation conditions demonstrated that both strains maintained low alcohol levels and exhibited a consistent growth at 15–20 °C within 72 h. Fermentation using extracts from Pueraria lobata, Arctium lappa (AL), Zingiber officinale (ZO), and Platycodon grandifloras revealed that KM8279 markedly increased the production of volatile compounds, contributing to floral and fruity sensory attributes in ZO and AL, whereas SC8293 contributed to a more complex flavor profile in AL. Notably, KM8279-ZO and KM8279-AL fermentations maintained alcohol contents below 1%, indicating their potential application in non-alcoholic beverages. Future studies are needed to investigate the relationship between the key volatile compound production and associated genetic characteristics, along with sensory evaluations, to develop optimized flavor modulation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a major health concern that can lead to various chronic diseases. Little is known about the anti-obesity effect of a standardized hot water extract from the stems of Ipomoea batatas (WIB). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of WIB as a natural alternative to conventional anti-obesity treatments by assessing its effects on body weight, fat accumulation, and key metabolic biomarkers in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model. Methods: A high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice. The mice were then treated orally with either orlistat (positive control) or WIB. Changes in body weight, food intake, and fat weight were measured, along with blood lipid profiles and adipokines. Western blot analyses were conducted to determine protein levels in each tissue. H&E staining in white adipose tissue and liver, and the gut microbiota composition were analyzed. Results: WIB treatment significantly reduced body weight and fat mass compared to the HFD group and demonstrated comparable effects to orlistat. WIB improved blood lipid profiles and adipokine levels. H&E staining revealed reduced fat accumulation in the white adipose tissue and liver. Also in those tissues, WIB restored expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. In brown adipose tissue, WIB enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and upregulated thermogenic-related proteins, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1), and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 (COX-IV). Analysis of gut microbiota revealed that WIB normalized β-diversity and reversed HFD-induced phyla imbalances (notably in Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria). Conclusions: By reducing adiposity under the conditions tested in a murine model, improving metabolic markers, and favorably modulating gut microbiota, WIB demonstrates potential in mitigating obesity-related risks. These findings suggest that WIB may serve as a promising natural substance for the management of obesity. Further studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy and explore the potential underlying mechanisms in overweight or obese humans as a health supplement to help manage or prevent obesity. Full article

The intestinal epithelium, which is protected by mucosal surfaces composed of mucins and other glycoproteins, functions as a selective barrier that absorbs nutrients while preventing the translocation of harmful substances. To understand the mechanisms between mucosal disruption and tissue inflammation, we orally administrated a mucus-disrupting agent, dextran sodium sulfate, to Drosophila melanogaster and screened 63 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Through a database search using bioinformatics tools (CHEA3 and WebGestalt), we identified ELK1 as a potential key transcription factor for the selected DEGs, and among the 63 DEGs, ELK1-related genes, B3GAT3, FIBP, and TENT2 (GlcAT-S, Fibp, and Wisp in Drosophila), were selected as the relevant genes that respond to mucus disruption. We confirmed that enterocyte (EC)-specific GlcAT-S knockdown by RNAi significantly reduced gut length and increased intestinal stem cell proliferation in Drosophila. Additionally, in EC-specific GlcAT-S-knockdown flies, it was observed that the mucus-production-related genes, Muc68D and Mur29B, were specifically reduced, whereas the inflammatory cytokines egr and upd3 were overexpressed. This study provides evidence that GlcAT-S is involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation in Drosophila and plays a protective role against mucus disruption. Our findings suggest that GlcAT-S may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of intestinal inflammatory diseases such as IBD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Liver and tumor-infiltrating T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are heterogeneous, comprising the CD69⁺ tissue-resident T-cell and the CD69⁻ circulating T-cell populations. However, the impact of these distinct T-cell populations on patient prognosis is unclear; hence, further studies are needed. Methods: Tumor and distant liver tissues from 57 HCC patients with various chronic liver disease etiologies were analyzed. Single-cell dissociation and flow cytometry were used to assess CD69⁺ and CD69⁻ T-cell populations and their correlation with recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: CD69⁺/CD69⁻ subpopulations within CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells varied by patient and alcohol etiology. CD69⁻ populations among CD4⁺ T cells were less frequent in both tumor and non-tumor tissues of alcohol-related HCC patients (p < 0.05). Higher frequencies of CD69⁻CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in tumors and CD69⁺CD103⁺CD8⁺ T cells in liver tissues were associated with better RFS. CD69- T cells expressed lower PD-1 levels, indicating less exhaustion, with PD-1 expression inversely correlated with CD69⁻ frequency. PD-1 expression was higher in CD69⁻CD4⁺ T cells in alcohol-related HCC. Conclusions: We provided a detailed analysis of the heterogeneous characteristics of tumor- and liver-infiltrating T cells in HCC, emphasizing the distinct roles of CD69⁺ and CD69⁻ cell populations and their impact on RFS. CD69⁺ T cells were associated with immune exhaustion and tumor aggressiveness, whereas CD69⁻ T cells appeared to significantly contribute to the influence of alcohol intake on the immune landscape of HCC in the tumor microenvironment. However, further research should validate these findings in larger cohorts to enhance our understanding. Full article

Background and Objectives: Rotational atherectomy (RA) is a crucial method for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of heavily calcified coronary lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing RA via the radial versus femoral approach. Methods: The Rotational Atherectomy in Calcified Lesions in Korea (ROCK) registry included consecutive patients with severely calcified coronary artery disease who received RA during PCI at nine tertiary centers in Korea. A total of 540 patients who underwent PCI with RA were enrolled between October 2019 and January 2010. We retrospectively investigated the clinical outcomes between the transradial and transfemoral approaches. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) within 36 months of follow-up. Results: Of the 540 patients, 248 patients (45.9%) were in the transradial group, and 292 patients (54.1%) were in the transfemoral group. There were no significant differences in MACCE (11.3% vs. 17.8%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.520; 95% confidence interval: 0.889–2.600; p = 0.126) and procedural success (97.6% vs. 95.2%, p = 0.145). The occurrence of in-hospital bleeding was numerically higher in the transfemoral group, but the difference was not statistically significant (8 [3.2%] vs. 19 [6.5%], p = 0.081) Conclusions: In this study, the transradial approach did not show a significant difference in clinical outcomes but tended to have lower bleeding events compared to the transfemoral approach. RA via the transradial approach can be a useful vascular access option compared to the transfemoral approach. Full article

Background: Catheter insertion is the most commonly used method for treating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Simultaneous hematoma aspiration allows for faster decompression than catheter insertion alone. Methods: Between March 2020 and Apri1 2024, 49 patients (25 men and 24 women) with ICH underwent ICH catheter insertion. Thirty-two patients (Group A) underwent intraoperative aspiration simultaneously with ICH catheter insertion. The other seventeen patients underwent catheter insertion alone (Group B). Four patients in Group A (12.5%) and two patients in Group B (11.8%) died within one month after surgery. Consequently, a total of 43 patients were included in the final analysis (Group A-1 vs. Group B-1). The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and muscle strength of the four extremities in both groups were compared 2 weeks later (first period) and on the date of discharge (second period). Patients in Group A-1 were discharged 5 days earlier than those in Group B-1. (average 49 ± 20 vs. 54 ± 31 days). Results: In Group A, the preoperative ICH volume was 66.2 ± 28.8 mL, and the median aspiration volume was 30 ± 19.6 mL. The preoperative ICH volume was 55.9 ± 22.2 mL in group B. Intraoperative ICH aspiration (Group A-1) significantly improved motor scores during the second period (p = 0.001). It also showed the trend toward improved GCS scores during the first period (p = 0.095) and the second period (p = 0.069). Conclusions: Compared to ICH catheter insertion alone, additional intraoperative ICH aspiration resulted in greater motor improvement at 7 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.004). It also showed a trend toward greater improvement in the GCS scores (p = 0.12). Full article

Background/Objectives: The overlap syndrome of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) (OvSD/pSS/AAV) has been reported in other studies. This study applied the new criteria for AAV proposed by the American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology in 2022 (the ACR/EULAR criteria) to patients with pSS presenting signs and symptoms suggestive of small- and medium-vessel vasculitis. It also investigated the overall frequency of OvSD/pSS/AAV and the major contributing factors to its reclassification. Methods: This study included 116 patients with pSS from March 2005 to December 2020, according to the inclusion criteria, and defined signs and symptoms suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitides as lung parenchymal lesions supporting AAV, peripheral neuropathy, and suspected renal vasculitis. The classification could be made when the total scores for microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) are ≥5 points and the eosinophilic GPA (EGPA) score is ≥6 points. Results: The median age of the patients was 56.0 years, and 101 patients (87.1%) were women. In total, 95, 12, and 37 patients had lung parenchymal lesions supporting AAV, peripheral neuropathy, and suspected renal vasculitis, respectively. According to the ACR/EULAR criteria for AAV, 35 of 116 (30.2%) patients were reclassified as having OvSD/pSS/AAV. Among these 35 patients, 4 were reclassified as having both OvSD/pSS/MPA and OvSD/pSS/GPA and 1 as having both OvSD/pSS/MPA and OvSD/pSS/EGPA simultaneously. The major contributing factor to the reclassification of OvSD/pSS/AAV was ANCA positivity. Conclusions: The overall frequency of the reclassification of OvSD/pSS/AAV was 30.2% in pSS patients presenting signs and symptoms suggestive of small- and medium-vessel vasculitis. Its likelihood increased according to ANCA positivity. Full article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting digital entrepreneurial orientation, technology absorptive capacity, and digital innovation in business performance. To achieve the purpose of research, digital entrepreneurial orientation, technology absorptive capacity, digital innovation, and business performance (financial and technological performance) were chosen as research variables to explore the relationship effects and medicating effects. Industry type variable was selected to examine moderating effect. Industry type, employees’ numbers, and sales volumes were used as control variables to identify compounding effects of variables. A survey questionnaire was developed, and the proposed model was analyzed to target 122 small and medium venture enterprises (SMEs) in Republic of Korea. Smart PLS 4.0 and SPSS 27.0 were utilized to derive the study results as follows. First, digital entrepreneurial orientation and technology absorptive capacity have a positive influence on digital innovation. Second, digital entrepreneurial orientation has a positive impact on technology absorptive capacity. Finally, digital innovation has a positive effect on financial and technological business performance. The results of this study provide strategic implications for digital innovation and business performance for firms pursuing digital transformation. Therefore, firm managers should prioritize digital entrepreneurial orientation and technology absorptive capacity to improve business performance. Full article