Ainsliaea acerifolia leaves are registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as edible herbal materials in Korea, and research is underway to explore their potential in developing functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. In this study, we developed an analytical method using HPLC-DAD to quantify three key compounds—chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid—in A. acerifolia leaves extract. This method has been optimized and validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, limit of quantification (LOQ), and linearity. The correlation coefficients (r²) for the calibration curves exceeded 0.9962. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.3012 and 0.9128 μg/mL for chlorogenic acid, 0.1182 and 0.3582 μg/mL for isochlorogenic acid A, and 0.2342 and 0.7098 μg/mL for 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, respectively. The net recovery rates for accuracy testing were 105.13% for chlorogenic acid, 105.37% for isochlorogenic acid A, and 100.37% for 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. All parameters assessed with this newly developed method fell within the acceptable ranges specified by ICH guidelines. These findings demonstrate that the method is robust and reliable for accurately identifying and quantifying chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in both routine analysis and large-scale extraction process of A. acerifolia leaves.

Hydride analysis is required to assess the mechanical integrity of spent nuclear fuel cladding. Image segmentation, which is a hydride analysis method, is a technique that can analyze the orientation and distribution of hydrides in cladding images of spent nuclear fuels. However, the segmentation results varied according to the image preprocessing. Inaccurate segmentation results can make hydride difficult to analyze. This study aims to analyze the segmentation performance of the Otsu algorithm according to the morphological operations of cladding images. Morphological operations were applied to four different cladding images, and segmentation performance was quantitatively compared using a histogram, betweenclass variance, and radial hydride fraction. As a result, this study found that morphological operations can induce errors in cladding images and that appropriate combinations of morphological operations can maximize segmentation performance. This study emphasizes the importance of image preprocessing methods, suggesting that they can enhance the accuracy of hydride analysis. These findings are expected to contribute to the advancements in integrity assessment of spent nuclear fuel cladding.

본 연구를 통해 국내 미기록속인 그물나비속(Neope)의 검은눈그물나비(Neope muirheadii)를 처음으로 보고한다. 이 종의 채집지 정보와 간단 한 논평을 포함하여, 성충과 생식기의 사진을 함께 제시한다.

Drought is one of the environmental factors inhibiting plant productivity and growth, leading to oxidative damage. This study aims to identify the role of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) as a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor in drought stress tolerance in Brassica napus. Drought-induced stress symptoms appeared eight days after treatment, showing wilted leaves and a significant reduction of leaf water potential. Drought-induced increase of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by NaHS application. NaHS-treated plants mitigated stress symptoms under drought conditions by reducing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, confirmed with H2O2 localization in situ. Furthermore, NaHS promotes photosynthetic activity by maintaining chlorophyll and carotenoid content, thereby supporting plant growth under drought conditions. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate and proline contents were significantly increased by drought but further enhanced by NaHS treatment, indicating the important roles of proline accumulation in drought stress tolerance. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insight into the roles of NaHS in alleviating drought stress by reducing oxidative stress and promoting proline accumulation. Therefore, NaHS may serve as an effective strategy to enhance crop production under drought-stress conditions.

본 연구는 국립수목원 내 전문전시원에 발생한 이입식물을 대상으로 2015년부터 2023년까지 이입식물 분포조사를 시행 하였다. 그 결과 자생식물 299종, 귀화식물 49종, 재배식물 13 종 총 63과 214속 361종이 조사되었다. 국화과가 63종으로 가장 많았고, 벼과, 사초과 순으로 발생하였다. 이입식물의 이입 경로를 분석하기 위하여 광릉숲에 분포하는 식물상과 비교 분석 한 결과 309종이 광릉숲에 분포하는 식물로 확인되었으며, 전 문전시원 내 식재 식물이 확산된 경우가 17종으로 조사되었다. 조사된 귀화식물 49종을 원산지별로 구분하면 유럽과 북아메리카가 69.4%, 이입 시기별 1기와 3기의 비율이 90%를 차지하였 다. 귀화식물의 귀화도 분포 등급을 적용한 결과 4등급 이상이 면서 이입 시기가 3기인 식물 9종은 빠르게 확산할 우려가 큰 식물이므로 지속적인 모니터링이 필요하다. 국립수목원에 어느 정도 귀화식물이 분포하는지를 가늠하는 도시화지수를 산출한 결과 15.0%로 나타났으며, 환경부 지정 생태계교란 야생식물 중 돼지풀, 단풍잎돼지풀, 애기수영, 미국쑥부쟁이가 출현하였 다. 이입식물은 자생식물군락과 전문전시원 내 관람로에 침입하 여 세력권을 확장하고 우점하는 경향이 있어 각각의 생태적 특 성을 고려한 제거 방법이 필요하다.

Periodontal disease (PD) is strongly linked to increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); however, the specific mechanism through which the development of PD and OSCC is simultaneously promoted remains unclear. This study explored the impact of periodontal pathogens on OSCC progression and the contribution of periodontal pathogen-stimulated OSCC to PD development. The expression of osteoclastogenesis-inducing factors was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis following stimulation of OSCC with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a pathogen commonly responsible for PD. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to determine the effects of Pg-LPS on OSCC proliferation and drug resistance to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) derived from Pg-LPS–stimulated OSCC on osteoclastogenesis was evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Pg-LPS administration in SCC-25 and YD-8 OSCC cell lines induced a significant increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand mRNA expression; however, it did not affect cell proliferation. Treatment with CM derived from Pg-LPS–stimulated SCC-25 or YD-8 cells markedly enhanced the formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells during osteoclast differentiation of BMMs. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Pg-LPS–stimulated OSCC promoted osteoclastogenesis through a paracrine mechanism.

많은 연구에 따르면 Tenebrio molitor은 유충 단계에서 플라스틱을 섭취할 수 있다고 보고되었다. 이 연구의 목적은 T. molitor 유충의 성장과 발달에 발포폴리스티렌 섭취가 미치는 영향을 조사하는 것이다. 밀기울을 섭취한 유충의 성장률은 발포폴리스티렌을 섭취한 유충의 성장률보다 더 좋았고(p < 0.001) 발포폴리스티렌을 섭취한 유 충의 번데기로 전환되는 기간은 밀기울을 섭취한 유충의 번데기로 전환되는 기간보다 더 빨랐다(p < 0.001). 하지만 두 처리구간 생존율은 유의미한 차이가 없었다(p = 0.786). 이 결과에 따르면 발포폴리스티렌을 섭취한 유충은 체중 감소와 짧은 발육기간이 특징이지만 생존하는 것에는 문제가 없었다. 따라서 우리는 T. molitor가 플라스틱 폐기물 의 지속 가능하고 친환경적인 제거를 위한 주요 자원이라는 결론을 내렸다.

거저리는 식품으로 사용되기 때문에 유충기가 오래 지속되면 더 좋다. 반면에 거저리의 개체수 유지를 위 해 성장을 가속화하기 위해서는 유충이 빨리 성충이 되면 더 좋다. 이 연구에서는 개체군 밀도가 거저리의 발달 시 간에 미치는 영향을 구명하였다. 이를 위해 상단 7 cm, 하단 5 cm, 높이 3 cm 크기의 용기를 사용했다. 거저리는 용기 당 1, 2, 5, 10, 20마리의 밀도로 용기에서 서식하였다. 용기에 밀기울 1 g을 넣고 거저리의 먹이 여부에 따라 라벨을 붙였다. 실험은 세 번 반복되었다. 모든 실험에서 개체군 밀도가 높을수록 유충에서 번데기로의 변환 시간이 짧았 지만 번데기에서 성충으로 변환되는 시간은 크게 다르지 않았다. 또한 먹이가 있는 그룹에서 번데기로의 변환 시간 이 단축되었지만, 성충으로 변환되는 시간에는 차이가 없었다. 이 연구 결과는 유충기를 연장하기 위해 더 낮은 밀 도가 필요하고 더 빠른 속도로 성충이 필요하다면 밀도가 더 높아야 한다는 것을 보여주었다. 결론적으로 거저리의 발달 시간은 개체수 밀도에 의해 제어할 수 있을 것이다.

In this study, polyimide (PI)-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared for application as electrode materials in electric double-layer capacitors by varying the steam activation time for the PI fiber prepared under identical cross-linking conditions. The surface morphology and microcrystal structural characteristics of the prepared PI-ACFs were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry, respectively. The textural properties (specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution) of the ACFs were calculated using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Barrett–Joyner–Halenda, and non-local density functional theory equations based on N2/ 77 K adsorption isotherm curve measurements. From the results, the specific surface area and total pore volume of PI-ACFs were determined to be 760–1550 m2/ g and 0.36–1.03 cm3/ g, respectively. It was confirmed that the specific surface area and total pore volume tended to continuously increase with the activation time. As for the electrochemical properties of PI-ACFs, the specific capacitance increased from 9.96 to 78.64 F/g owing to the developed specific surface area as the activation time increased.

Carbon fusion is important to understand the late stages in the evolution of a massive star. Astronomically interesting energy ranges for the 12C+12C reactions have been, however, poorly constrained by experiments. Theoretical studies on stellar evolution have relied on reaction rates that are extrapolated from those measured in higher energies. In this work, we update the carbon fusion reaction rates by fitting the astrophysical S-factor data obtained from direct measurements based on the Fowler, Caughlan, & Zimmerman (1975) formula. We examine the evolution of a 20M⊙ star with the updated 12C+12C reaction rates performing simulations with the MESA (Modules for Experiments for Stellar Astrophysics) code. Between 0.5 and 1 GK, the updated reaction rates are 0.35 to 0.5 times less than the rates suggested by Caughlan & Fowler (1988). The updated rates result in the increase of core temperature by about 7% and of the neutrino cooling by about a factor of three. Moreover, the carbon-burning lifetime is reduced by a factor of 2.7. The updated carbon fusion reaction rates lead to some changes in the details of the stellar evolution model, their impact seems relatively minor compared to other uncertain physical factors like convection, overshooting, rotation, and mass-loss history. The astrophysical S-factor measurements in lower energies have large errors below the Coulomb barrier. More precise measurements in lower energies for the carbon burning would be useful to improve our study and to understand the evolution of a massive star.

Background: Sarcopenia refers to a decrease in functional ability due to the loss of skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia can be prevented, delayed, and treated more effectively the sooner the intervention, and muscle mass and strength can be effectively increased through physical exercise and adequate protein intake. Because symptoms of sarcopenia do not appear in the early stages, awareness among healthcare professionals is essential for early diagnosis and subsequent intervention. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop sarcopenia questionnaire items and investigate additional factors in Korean clinical practice. Design: Qualitative research. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted targeting eight physical therapists affiliated with the sarcopenia associations or physical therapists with extensive clinical experience. A preliminary sarcopenia questionnaire and a qualitative survey questionnaire created by the researchers were sent to the participants together. All questions were open-ended. Results: Through a qualitative survey, themes were derived, including barriers to equipment and healthcare reimbursement, the need for awareness of sarcopenia, and improvement of survey questions. Conclusion: The diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia requires efforts not only from physical therapists, but also from patients, government, and professional societies.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have been reported to have better properties than conventional materials; however, they are more expensive due to the high cost of their main components. Therefore, research is needed to reduce manufacturing costs. In this study, CoCrFeMnNi HEAs were prepared using metal injection molding (MIM), which is a powder metallurgy process that involves less material waste than machining process. Although the MIM-processed samples were in the face-centered cubic (FCC) phase, porosity remained after sintering at 1200°C, 1250°C, and 1275°C. In this study, the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process, which considers both temperature (1150°C) and pressure (150 MPa), was adopted to improve the quality of the MIM samples. Although the hardness of the HIP-treated samples decreased slightly and the Mn composition was significantly reduced, the process effectively eliminated many pores that remained after the 1275°C MIM process. The HIP process can improve the quality of the alloy.

The development of thermoelectric (TE) materials to replace Bi2Te3 alloys is emerging as a hot issue with the potential for wider practical applications. In particular, layered Zintl-phase materials, which can appropriately control carrier and phonon transport behaviors, are being considered as promising candidates. However, limited data have been reported on the thermoelectric properties of metal-Sb materials that can be transformed into layered materials through the insertion of cations. In this study, we synthesized FeSb and MnSb, which are used as base materials for advanced thermoelectric materials. They were confirmed as single-phase materials by analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns. Based on electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of both materials characterized as a function of temperature, the zT values of MnSb and FeSb were calculated to be 0.00119 and 0.00026, respectively. These properties provide a fundamental data for developing layered Zintl-phase materials with alkali/alkaline earth metal insertions.

InP quantum dots (QDs) have attracted researchers’ interest due to their applicability in quantum dot light-emitting displays (QLED) or biomarkers for detecting cancers or viruses. The surface or interface control of InP QD core/ shell has substantially increased quantum efficiency, with a quantum yield of 100% reached by introducing HF to inhibit oxide generation. In this study, we focused on the control of bandgap energy of quantum dots by changing the Zn/(In+Zn) ratio in the In(Zn)P core. Zinc incorporation can change the photoluminescent light colors of green, yellow, orange, and red. Diluting a solution of as-synthesized QDs by more than 100 times did not show any quenching effects by the Förster resonance energy transfer phenomenon between neighboring QDs.

The pet industry, especially pet food, is experiencing rapid growth. This growth is accompanied by increasing concerns about pets' gut health, as an imbalanced microbiota can lead to various diseases. This study analyzes global patent trends in microbiome-based technologies for treating pet digestive issues using the WIPS database across major markets. Of 1,194 patents identified, 394 key references were examined, highlighting the increasing number of probiotic and microbiome-related patents since 2016. China dominates this sector, followed by Korea, Japan, and the United States. The findings provide a foundation for advancing microbiome-driven solutions for pet digestive ailments.

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when administered in adequate amounts and may exhibit antiproliferative effects on various cancer cell lines, including colon cancer. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of three Lactobacillus strains - Limosilactobacillus (L.) reuteri VA 102, Ligilactobacillus (L.) animalis VA 105, and Limosilactobacillus (L.) reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272) - on mouse colon carcinoma cells (CT-26). Live cells, heat-killed cells, and cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Lactobacillus sp. were prepared and used to treat CT-26 cells at different concentrations. The cytotoxic effect was assessed using the MTT assay. The results indicated that the CFS of all strains significantly reduced the viability of CT-26 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with the VA 102 strain showing the most pronounced effect. Heat-killed cells of L. reuteri VA 102 and L. reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272) also reduced cell viability. These findings suggest the potential anticancer properties of these Lactobacillus strains and indicate that CFS and heat-killed cells may offer a safer and more effective alternative to live bacteria for therapeutic applications. Our study contributes to the understanding of the potential of Lactobacillus strains, particularly L. reuteri VA 102, L. reuteri KCTC 3594 (ATCC 23272), and L. animalis VA 105, as possible candidates for cancer treatment and control.

목적 : 광학 시뮬레이션 프로그램을 통해 Gullstrand 모형안을 입체적으로 설계하여, 정시와 굴절이상을 구현하 였다. 이를 이용하여 망막 상의 해상도 변화를 확인하고 정량적인 분석법을 제시하고자 하였다. 방법 : 3D 광학 시뮬레이션 프로그램인 Ansys SPEOS Ver. 2012(ANSYS Inc., USA)를 이용하여 모형안을 설계하였으며, 각막 전면 곡률반지름을 변화시켜 근시 및 원시의 굴절이상을 구현하였다. 각막 전면에서 우측 24.00, 24.38 및 25.00 mm 떨어진 위치에 탐지기를 설치하여 위치에 따른 상의 변화를 분석하였다. 굴절이상의 정도와 검출기 위치에 따른 상의 겉보기 해상도, 세기 분포, 가시성, 선명도를 확인하였으며 도출하였으며, 최종적 으로 정량적 해상도를 계산하였다. 결과 : 망막 상의 겉보기 해상도는 근시는 망막 앞에, 그리고 원시는 망막 뒤에 결상된 상에서 가장 우수한 결과 를 보였다. 세기 분포는 24.76 mm에서 +1.00과 +2.00 D가 모두 유사하게 높은 것으로 나타나 겉보기 해상도와 일부 차이를 보였다. 가시성은 24.00 mm에서 –2.00과 –1.00 D, 24.38 mm에서 –1.00과 +0.00 D, 24.76 mm에 서 +1.00과 +2.00 D가 높게 측정되었다. 선명도는 24.00 mm에서 –2.00 D, 24.38 mm에서는 -1.00 D, 그리고 24.76 mm에서는 +1.00 D에서 가장 높게 측정되었다. 이로써 가시성과 선명도 값은 위치와 굴절이상도에 따른 서로 다른 결과로 분석되었다. 정량적인 해상도는 24.00 mm에서 –2.00 D, 24.38 mm에서 –1.00과 +0.00 D, 24.76 mm에서 +1.00 D가 가장 우수하게 분석되었으며, 겉보기 해상도와 잘 일치하는 것이 확인되었다. 결론 : 본 연구에서 제안된 망막 상의 정량적 해상도 분석 결과를 통해 상대적으로 비교가 까다로운 망막 상에 대하여 정량적으로 명확한 분석이 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

As environmental concerns escalate, the increase in recycling of aluminum scrap is notable within the aluminum alloy production sector. Precise control of essential components such as Al, Cu, and Si is crucial in aluminum alloy production. However, recycled metal products comprise various metal components, leading to inherent uncertainty in component concentrations. Thus, meticulous determination of input quantities of recycled metal products is necessary to adjust the composition ratio of components. This study proposes a stable input determination heuristic algorithm considering the uncertainty arising from utilizing recycled metal products. The objective is to minimize total costs while satisfying the desired component ratio in aluminum manufacturing processes. The proposed algorithm is designed to handle increased complexity due to introduced uncertainty. Validation of the proposed heuristic algorithm's effectiveness is conducted by comparing its performance with an algorithm mimicking the input determination method used in the field. The proposed heuristic algorithm demonstrates superior results compared to the field-mimicking algorithm and is anticipated to serve as a useful tool for decision-making in realistic scenarios.

This study was conducted to collect the patents of microbiome-based treatment technology for pets. An electronic search for microbiome or probiotics in brain nervous system disease was studied using the WINTELIPS database. Patent Cooperation Treaty of Korea, Japan, the EU, the US, and China that were registered by October 31, 2022 were selected in this study. A total of 206 patents were included for final analysis. Since 2016, patent activity has shown an explosive increase in recent years. China is the leading market in this technology field, and Korea has the second-highest market share. To provide the groundwork for the next research and development, we examined the industrial trend of microbiome for brain nervous system diseases in this study using an analysis of patents that have been applied for and registered up to this point. Looking at the overall patent trends by year in the technology field related to treating of brain and nervous system diseases using the microbiome, there was a tendency to repeat increasing and decreasing trends. However, considering 2021 and 2022, which have undisclosed sections, it can be seen that patent activity has tended to increase explosively in recent years, starting in 2016. If related studies use the patent analysis data constructed in this way strategically, it is expected that it will lead to patent registration and the development of new products, ultimately contributing to the revitalization of the companion animal industry.