Background: For patients with neck pain, a taping method has been used to promote thoracic spine extension. To induce thoracic spine extension without back pain, a neutral lumbo-pelvic position must be established. The spiral trunk taping method can induce a neutral lumbo-pelvic position and thoracic spine extension. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of spiral trunk taping in inducing thoracic spine extension and neutral lumbo-pelvic position in patients with neck pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to groups. The experimental group received spiral trunk taping and the control group received sham taping. The resting position visual analogue scale (VAS) and VAS during painful movement were measured and compared pre and post treatment. Results: Significant within-subjects changes were resting position VAS (F=59.823, P=0.001) and VAS during painful movement (F=76.128, P=0.001). Significant between-subject changes were resting position VAS (F=10.402, P=0.003) and VAS during painful movement (F=7.657, P=0.01). Conclusion: Spiral trunk taping, which can induce thoracic spine extension and a neutral lumbo-pelvic position, was effective for neck pain. This study demonstrates the potential of a systemic taping approach in the management of neck pain, and provides important clues for future clinical applications.

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen that affects the nervous systems of humans, pigs, and horses. It has been classified into five genotypes (G1-G5) based on molecular analysis of the pre-membrane or envelope gene. In the Republic of Korea, the predominant JEV genotype has recently shifted from G3 to G1 and G5, highlighting the need for a rapid and accurate diagnostic method. In this study, we designed specific common and differential primer sets for JEV G1, G3, and G5 to detect the JEV gene. Four specific primer sets for JEV G1, G3, and G5 were used to selectively amplify the target gene. The detection limits of the common primer set for JEV G1, G3, and G5 were 100, 0.1, and 10 TCID50/reaction, respectively. The detection limits of the three differential primer sets were 1, 0.1, and 1 TCID50/reaction, respectively. No cross-reactivity was observed with non-JEV reference viruses. We successfully developed a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to distinguish the three JEV genotypes. Our multiplex RT-PCR assay is highly sensitive and specific, providing a reliable tool for confirming JEV infection in suspected samples. Additionally, our assay can be applied to suspected mosquito samples and commercial veterinary biological products.

This study explores the utilization level of smart manufacturing systems in the value chain processes of manufacturing and empirically examines the effect of the utilization level of these systems on manufacturing competitiveness in SMEs. Smart manufacturing systems in the value chain processes are categorized into Sales, Purchasing, Production & Logistics, and Support systems. By analyzing the research model using structural equation modeling, this study identifies that Sales systems, Purchasing systems, Production & Logistics systems, and Support systems have a significant impact on manufacturing process efficiency. Additionally, Production & Logistics systems and manufacturing process efficiency positively and significantly influence manufacturing competitiveness. The findings suggest that the utilization of information is directly and positively related to manufacturing process efficiency, including reducing lead-time, decreasing work performance man-hours (M/H), and improving work accuracy. These improvements ultimately have a significant impact on manufacturing competitiveness. In conclusion, the use of smart manufacturing systems is becoming an integral part of the manufacturing industry. To gain a competitive edge, it will be necessary to introduce and utilize optimal smart manufacturing systems, taking into account the size of manufacturing firms.

Background: The shift from traditional education to competency-based education in response to societal demands, emphasizes the need for developing assessment tools to measure major competencies—comprising knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personal characteristics—required to perform specific tasks. Thus, It is essential to develop assessing tools to measure the existing major competencies in physical therapy, enabling more effective management of educational outcomes on competencies. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to develop an assessment tool for measuring major competencies within the Department of Physical Therapy. Design: Delphi survey research. Methods: This study was conducted based on the three major competencies and six sub-competencies of the Physical Therapy Department. To develop an assessing tool for measuring major competencies, conversion of the achievement factor into behavioral statements, and expert panel group Delphi survey was conducted. Results: The results of the Delphi survey indicated 0.88 to 1, exceeding the established threshold and demonstrating adequate validity. Conclusion: A total of 54 preliminary questions for the major competency assessing tool were developed through the Major Curriculum Committee. Through the Delphi survey, the validity of the 54 preliminary questions for major competencies was secured.

Herbivorous insects can be exposed to soil contaminants via trophic transfer. To assess the effect of accumulated arsenate (As(V)) in host plants on aphids across generations, Myzus persicae were reared for several generations on pepper (Capsicum annuum) grown in soil treated with 0, 2, 4, and 6 mg of As(V) per kg. In the first generation, the body length of M. persicae significantly (p < 0.05) increased on As(V)-treated plants (μ = 1.29 mm) compared to untreated plants (μ = 1.21 mm). Aphids showed higher fecundity on plants treated with 2mg/kg of As(V) (15.3) compared to untreated ones (10.6), but it decreased again under the 4mg/kg (11.4) and 6mg/kg (11.2) treatments. When newborns were transferred to untreated plants after being reared on each treatment for two previous generations, they exhibited higher fecundity as their parents were treated with higher levels of As(V). While more research is needed to understand the unexpected beneficial effects, this study highlights the complex impacts of soil As(V) on aphid dynamics which span multiple generations.

The family Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) is known as one of the largest families in Microlepidoptera, encompassing about 600 genera and more than 5,000 described species worldwide. However, the genus Altenia Sattler, 1960 has been poorly studied in Korea, with only one known species. Here we introduce a new species, Altenia parascriptella sp. nov., from Korea, providing photos of adults and genitalia for both sexes, along with diagnostic characteristics.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is toxic heavy metal that accumulates in organisms after passing through their respiratory and digestive tracts. Although several studies have reported the toxic effects of Cd exposure on human health, its role in embryonic development during preimplantation stage remains unclear. We investigated the effects of Cd on porcine embryonic development and elucidated the mechanism. Methods: We cultured parthenogenetic embryos in media treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 μM Cd for 6 days and evaluated the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation. To investigate the mechanism of Cd toxicity, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, we examined mitochondrial content, membrane potential, and ROS. Results: Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates began to decrease significantly in the 40 μM Cd group compared with the control. During post-blastulation, development was significantly delayed in the Cd group. Cd exposure significantly decreased cell number and increased apoptosis rate compared with the control. Embryos exposed to Cd had significantly higher ROS and lower GSH levels, as well as lower expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared with the control. Moreover, embryos exposed to Cd exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of mitochondrial genes and an increase in mitochondrial ROS compared to the control. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Cd exposure impairs porcine embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings provide insights into the toxicity of Cd exposure on mammalian embryonic development and highlight the importance of preventing Cd pollution.