Symptomatic joint degeneration is a common chronic musculoskeletal disorder worldwide. The literature has noted that some clinicians find treating this condition “technically challenging,” while others find it to be “unchallengingly routine.” We believe that all clinicians treating symptomatic joint degeneration should have a robust understanding of the mechanobiological interactions between the synovial lining, synovial cells, synovial fluid, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone. This four-part narrative review describes how inner lining synovitis and cellular changes in the subchondral region, including the development of bone marrow edema, are symptom generators in some patients with various grades of joint degeneration. This review suggests that physical therapists (PTs) should acquaint themselves with the concept of mechanotransduction and more fully consider cellular mechanosensitivity and mechanoresponsiveness as exercise loading and manual interventions loads are placed upon joints with degenerative change. We call for additional research efforts in the area of protocol development for low-load exercise intervention and between PTs and physicians who may have access to laboratory facilities and imaging equipment. This research could allow for both direct and indirect assessment of intra-articular pressure, synovial fluid, and bone marrow edema after the application of therapeutic exercise and joint mobilization.

Roseolithon sabulosum, a coralline algal species within Hapalidiaceae, has been documented from Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based on rbcL and psbA sequences confirmed that the Korean non-geniculate coralline algal specimens from Jeju Island are conspecific with Japanese R. sabulosum, including the holotype. Additionally, both morpho-anatomical and molecular analyses confirmed the identity of our specimens as R. sabulosum. Roseolithon sabulosum is characterized by flared epithallial cells, variable subepithallial initials, and multiporate tetra/bisporangial conceptacles elevated above the thallus surface with 4-7 rosette cells in conspicuous depressions that produce a pitted appearance. Its conceptacle roofs are composed of 3-6 cell layers, and pore canals are lined by 2-4-celled filaments containing rosette cells with disintegrated roofs underlain by elongate to wedge-shaped cells longer than other roof cells. In this study, we report R. sabulosum for the first time in Korea, thereby broadening its known distribution to include both Korea and Japan.

This study was conducted to provide comprehensive information on the current status, constraints, and policy responses regarding rice cultivation in Uzbekistan for researchers and policymakers engaged in rice production in Central Asia. Despite annual fluctuations, Uzbekistan’s rice cultivation area has consistently exceeded 100,000 hectares each year. The yield per unit area improved by 19.2%, increasing from 4.21 t/ha in 2021 to 5.02 t/ha in 2024. In terms of cultivation methods, the proportion of doub le c ropping rose f rom 50.7% t o 71.6%, a lthough productivity remained h igher in s ingle cropping (5.35 t/ha) compared to double cropping (4.88 t/ha). Rice demonstrated an economic advantage of 2-5 times per hectare compared to major crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton. However, domestic production growth has not kept pace with rising consumption demands, leading to a sharp increase in imports, from 9,000 tons in 2019 to 108,800 tons in 2023. The structure of rice imports is shifting from a heavy reliance on Kazakhstan (90%) toward diversification, including partnerships with Pakistan, Thailand, and other countries. Major constraints to rice production in Uzbekistan include an arid climate, chronic irrigation water shortages, and soil salinization, which affects 50-70% of irrigated farmland. In response, the government established a comprehensive development strategy through Cabinet Resolution No. 986 in 2019 and is currently promoting economies of scale by establishing 42 clusters across 8 provinces (covering 41,440 hectares, or 29.7% of the total area). To address water scarcity, laser land leveling technology has been implemented on over 700,000 hectares as of 2024, aimed at reducing irrigation water usage and increasing yields, with plans to further expand water-saving cultivation technologies. In terms of international cooperation, the KOPIA project is enhancing quality seed production and distribution, as well as establishing machine transplanting cultivation technology. Partnerships with IRRI and participation in the Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) are strengthening the development of climate- adaptive varieties and international networks. Overall, Uzbekistan’s rice industry has the strategic potential to contribute significantly to food security, rural economic development, and regional trade activation through systematic policy implementation and enhanced international cooperation.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) is a key horticultural vegetable in East Asia, particularly in South Korea. It is an important ingredient in traditional fermented foods like kimchi. With climate change and agricultural diversification, such as crop rotation, becoming increasingly relevant globally, examining the productivity of different Chinese cabbage varieties in new regions is crucial. This study evaluated the feasibility of cultivating Chinese cabbage in Bolivia, where the highland regions present unique environmental conditions, including temperature and soil characteristics. We conducted an experiment to grow five different Korean varieties of Chinese cabbage for three months in Sipe Sipe, Cochab amb a, w here t he KOPIA B olivia c enter is located, t o assess t heir a daptability to t he l ocal environment. A s a result, we i dentified two Korean v arieties a s the most s uitab le f or c ultivation i n Bolivia. We expect that this research will serve as a foundational reference for further exploration of the possibilities for cultivating different Chinese cabbage varieties in Bolivia.

While potatoes are a representative crop in Bolivia, their cultivation requires a significant amount of chemical pesticides. Some seed treatment chemicals used for seed potatoes in Bolivia can be highly toxic. Additionally, farmers face financial constraints that make it difficult to use these pesticides. In this paper, we investigated the potential of applying plant ash to seed potatoes as an eco-friendly alternative for seed potato disinfection. We also examined the effects of seed tuber cutting in combination with the ash treatment. The potato variety used was “Jatun Puka,” a new variety developed in Peru that has been studied at the Bolivian National Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Innovation (INIAF). The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four repetitions in Sipe Sipe and Sapanani o f Cochab amb a, and Mairana of S anta Cruz. The r esults s howed that the e ffects of the ash treatment and tuber cutting were significantly influenced by the local environment of each region in Bolivia. The ash treatment was more effective than the others only in the Sapanani region, where the soil pH was low enough to fall within the optimal range for potatoes after the ash treatment. Generally, cutting seed potatoes had a negative effect on yield across all three regions, with the negative impact increasing in proportion to the humidity or precipitation of each area. However, considering the cost of seed potatoes per unit area, cutting them remains an adoptable option under certain circumstances. We hope this research will serve as an important reference for future studies on eco-friendly potato cultivation in Bolivia.

목적 : 본 연구는 착용자의 몰입감과 편의성을 고려한 소형·고성능 Head-Mounted Display (HMD) 광학계를 구현하기 위해, 프리즘 기반의 비구면 광학계를 설계하고 그 성능을 분석하였다. 방법 : Code V 소프트웨어를 이용해 광학계를 설계하였으며, 설계 목표는 대각선 시야각 40°, 전체 시스템 두 께 약 11 mm, 조리개 크기 4 mm, ERF 15 mm 조건 하에서 0.01 mm 이하의 RMS 스팟 크기와 50 cycles/mm 에서 0.4 이상의 MTF 값을 확보하는 것이다. 총 10개 면으로 구성된 시스템은 3개의 프리즘과 1개의 디스플레이 로 이루어졌으며, 프리즘은 9개의 광학 면을 형성하고, 10번 면은 디스플레이 면이다. 5개의 비구면 면을 적용하였 으며, 비축 구조와 광로 접힘 기법을 통해 소형화와 고해상도를 동시에 달성하도록 구성되었다. 결과 : 최종 설계된 광학계는 중심부 스팟 크기 0.005 mm, 전체 평균 0.01 mm 이하로 유지되었으며, 50 cycles/mm 기준 MTF는 0.4를 달성하여 고주파 성능이 우수함을 입증하였다. 왜곡률은 최대 +2.8%로 확인되어 기존 연구 대비 향상된 왜곡 특성을 보였다. 광학 성능은 중심부뿐만 아니라 주변 시야에서도 안정적으로 유지되었 으며, 전체 시스템 두께는 11 mm로 소형화가 가능함을 입증하였다. 결론 : 본 연구는 프리즘과 비구면 요소만을 활용해 구조적 단순화와 광학적 고해상도를 동시에 달성한 사례로, 향후 웨어러블 디스플레이 및 초소형 AR 용 HMD 개발에 적용 가능한 경량화 설계 전략으로 활용될 수 있다.

A 9-year-old neutered male Russian Blue cat presented with progressive hindlimb weakness, pain, and difficulty in jumping or running. MRI revealed a hypointense disc at L2-L3 compressing the ventral spinal cord. Despite conservative treatment, neurological symptoms worsened, and the patient was referred for surgical management. A combined L2-L3 mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral partial corpectomy was performed to decompress the spinal cord. Intraoperatively, the lesion was identified as disc protrusion, with no evidence of intradural extrusion. Postoperative day 1, the left hindlimb showed incomplete paresis despite intact proprioception, the right hindlimb exhibited complete paralysis with loss of proprioception. However postoperative recovery was favorable, with gradual restoration of proprioception and ambulation, culminating in full motor recovery including jumping by 9 weeks post-surgery.

The global e-waste problem is becoming increasingly serious. China, as one of the largest producers and consumers of electronic products, still has a low formal recycling rate. Consumers, as the owners of waste electronics, are the key to successful reverse logistics. However, many choose to store or dispose of e-waste at home rather than use official recycling channels. While many previous studies focus on factors that encourage recycling, fewer examine what stops people from taking part. This study applies Valence Theory to identify the factors that increase consumers’ psychological resistance to recycling small e-waste in China’s first-tier cities. It also examines how these factors influence social value and resistance behavior. The research model includes perceived price unfairness, perceived inconvenience, perceived benefits, and information publicity, with social value as a mediator. Data were collected through an online survey of 303 residents in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for analysis. The results show that perceived inconvenience and perceived benefits significantly influence social value. Perceived price unfairness, perceived inconvenience, and social value significantly affect consumer resistance. These findings expand the application of Valence Theory in e-waste research and address gaps in the Theory of Planned Behavior by considering both perceived risks and benefits. Practically, this study suggests that manufacturers, recyclers, and policymakers should improve recycling facilities, make the process more convenient, ensure fair and transparent pricing, and create targeted measures to reduce consumer resistance and encourage participation in formal recycling systems.

충청남도농업기술원 화훼연구소에서는 분홍색 계통의 국화 (Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl.) 품종인 ‘레이디빈(Lady Vin)’을 육성하였다. ‘레이디빈(Lady Vin)’ 품 종은 분홍색 반겹꽃 특성을 가진 ‘G18-138-03’을 모본으로, 황색 반겹꽃 품종인 ‘기기골드(Gigi Gold)’를 부본으로 하여 2018년에 인공 교배를 통해 개발하였다. 2019년부터 2021년 까지의 연차별 생육 및 개화 특성 조사를 거쳐 2021년에 최종 선발된 ‘레이디빈(Lady Vin)’은 반구형 초형과 Red Purple 65B에 해당하는 분홍색 설상화를 갖고 있으며, 개화 시기는 9월 12일로 확인되었다. 주요 생육 특성으로는 평균 화경 3.7cm, 본당 착화수 2,248.1개, 꽃잎 수 104.1개, 초장 22.9 cm이며, 엽색은 Green 139D에 해당하였다. ‘레이디빈(Lady Vin)’ 품종은 대조 품종인 ‘Marble Ball’과 유사한 초형과 엽색 을 보이지만, 개화시기와 착화수에서 차이를 나타내며, 화단이 나 도로변 조경용으로 활용도가 높다. 또한, 상품성이 뛰어나 화훼 농가에 새로운 수익 자원으로 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대 된다.

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and neurological disability though mechanisms involving oxidative stress and the activation of apoptosis-related pathways. Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, is known for its neuroprotective effects via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. 14-3-3 γ is abundantly expressed in the brain and plays a critical role in maintaining neuronal function and survival. However, the effect of retinoic acid on the expression of 14-3-3 γ protein has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether retinoic acid regulates the expression of 14-3-3 γ protein in the cerebral cortex of a stroke animal model. Male rats were randomly divided into four groups: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) + sham, retinoic acid + sham, PBS + middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and retinoic acid + MCAO. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced using the MCAO method. Retinoic acid (5 mg/kg) or PBS was administered intraperitoneally immediately after MCAO. Neurological deficit scores and corner tests were conducted 24 h after MCAO surgery, and the cerebral cortex was harvested for analysis of 14-3-3 γ expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Neurological assessments showed that retinoic acid treatment significantly alleviated MCAO-induced behavioral impairments. Proteomic analysis revealed that MCAO markedly reduced the expression of 14-3-3 γ protein in the cerebral cortex, whereas retinoic acid administration effectively attenuated this reduction. These findings were further supported by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analyses, which showed consistent results at both the mRNA and protein levels. Retinoic acid attenuates the ischemia-induced downregulation of 14-3-3 γ expression in the cerebral cortex. Our findings can suggest that retinoic acid exerts neuroprotective effects in ischemic brain injury through the regulation of 14-3-3 γ protein expression.

Bone-related diseases (e.g., osteoporosis) represent a significant health challenge, prompting research for effective therapeutic agents, particularly from natural sources. The edible mushroom, Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii has attracted interest due to its wide range of biological activities. Cytotoxicity assays revealed no significant toxicity of the M. aitchisonii water extract (MAWE) up to 50 μg/mL. MAWE significantly promoted dose-dependent osteoblast differentiation with ALP activity and mineralization increase by 109.17 % and 23 %, respectively, compared with the differentiation-only group. Moreover, MAWE significantly upregulated osteoblast-related gene expressions, including that of type I collagen (COL1A), osterix (Osx), and osteopontin (OPN). Furthermore, MAWE treatment significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation. This effect was further confirmed by demonstrating that the AMPK inhibitor compound C suppressed AMPK phosphorylation, and subsequent MAWE treatment restored it. In summary, these results demonstrate that MAWE possesses potent osteoblast differentiation-promoting efficacy, primarily through AMPK signaling pathway activation.

This study was conducted to investigate the residue pattern in milk of tetrachlorvinphos oral product used in dairy cows and to suggest an appropriate withdrawal period for the tetrachlorvinphos oral product in milk. The oral product containing tetrachlorvinphos was administered per oral to Holstein dairy cows at a dose of 3.4 g of the active ingredient per 100 kg body weight (maximum dose). Milk was collected at 12-hour intervals during administration and up to 120 hours after termination of administration to determinate tetrachlorvinphos residue in milk by LC-MS/MS. Tetrachlorvinphos residues at each time point and the maximum residue level for tetrachlorvinphos in milk (0.01 mg/kg) were applied to a non-statistical model to establish the withdrawal period of the test product. The recovery, precision, coefficient of determination(R2), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the analytical methods used to quantify tetrachlorvinphos were 98%~104%, 5%~11%, 0.9981~ 0.9991 and 2 μg/kg, 7 μg/kg, respectively. These parameters met all the method validation criteria suggested by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and were used as an analytical method for tetrachlorvinphos in milk. When this product was administered to dairy cows at 1x dose by feeding, the tetrachlorvinphos was undetectable in milk (below the limit of detection) in all cows during the dosing period and up to 120 hours after termination of administration. Therefore, we suggest the withdrawal period of this product in milk as 0 days.

The Republic of Korea has experienced rapid economic growth alongside increasing concern for animal welfare. However, progress in improving farm animal welfare remains slow, particularly in slaughterhouses, which are recognized as critical points for animal welfare concerns due to numerous issues observed. Due to the impracticality of assessing all slaughterhouses nationwide, this study conducted a field survey of seven chicken slaughterhouses utilizing the widely adopted WQ® protocol. The evaluation criteria included crate density, rough handling, plumage loss and emaciation, panting or huddling, wing flapping, vocalization, leg fractures, and dead-on arrival (DOA). Given that broilers are transported in crates from farms to the stunning area, the relationship between crate density and these welfare indicators was analyzed. The significance level was set at <0.05. Revealed correlations between crate density and various health and welfare indicators, including rough handling, plumage loss and emaciation, crate height, panting or huddling, pen spacing, lairage temperature and humidity, wing flapping, vocalization, and DOA. This study represents a pioneering effort in the Korean poultry industry, marking the first development of a welfare standard for chicken slaughterhouses.