Comparing Gut Microbial Composition and Functional Adaptations between SPF and Non-SPF Pigs.

The gut microbiota is a key factor significantly impacting host health by influencing metabolism and immune function. Its composition can be altered by genetic factors, as well as environmental factors such as the host's surroundings, diet, and antibiotic usage. This study aims to examine how the characteristics of the gut microbiota in pigs, used as source animals for xenotransplantation, vary depending on their rearing environment.

Surface of CuO Nanoparticles Modified by -Benzoquinone for N-Selective Membrane.

In this study, CuO nanoparticles and -benzoquinone (-BQ) were added to a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix to increase N/CO selectivity. The added -BQ allowed CuO to be distributed in a uniform size in the PVP/CuO composite membrane and the matrix to be flexible by forming the interaction with PVP. The surface modification of CuO by -BQ and the well-dispersed size affected the increase in the separation performance.

CuO Modified by 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane and Its Application to CO Separation.

7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinomethane (TCNQ) was added to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/CuO composites to modify and prevent agglomeration of the particles, and thus the CuO particles were well dispersed to a small size, thereby increasing CO solubility and separation performance. When the separation performance of the PVP/CuO/TCNQ composite membrane was measured for CO/N gases, a CO separation of about 174 was measured. This improvement in performance was attributed to the fact that TCNQ was applied to PVP and CuO to prevent agglomeration between particles with surface modification.

Post-Treatment of Tannic Acid for Thermally Stable PEDOT:PSS Film.

As a poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly (styrene sulfonate), PEDOT:PSS is well known for its conductive polymer in a field of organic electronics. PEDOT:PSS can be widely operated as electronics under low temperature conditions; however, the layer can be easily damaged by high temperature conditions, while in fabrication or in the operation of electronics. Therefore, enhancing the thermal stability of PEDOT:PSS can be a novel strategy for both fabrication and operating varieties.

Prediction of Problematic Smartphone Use: A Machine Learning Approach.

While smartphone addiction is becoming a recent concern with the exponential increase in the number of smartphone users, it is difficult to predict problematic smartphone users based on the usage characteristics of individual smartphone users. This study aimed to explore the possibility of predicting smartphone addiction level with mobile phone log data. By Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA), 29,712 respondents completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale developed in 2017.

Effects of Scytosiphon lomentaria on osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Background/objectives: Bone formation and bone resorption continuously occur in bone tissue to prevent the accumulation of old bone, this being called bone remodeling. Osteoblasts especially play a crucial role in bone formation through the differentiation and proliferation. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of Scytosiphon lomentaria extract (SLE) on osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells.

What Makes Sports Fans Interactive? Identifying Factors Affecting Chat Interactions in Online Sports Viewing.

Sports fans are able to watch games from many locations using TV services while interacting with other fans online. In this paper, we identify the factors that affect sports viewers' online interactions. Using a large-scale dataset of more than 25 million chat messages from a popular social TV site for baseball, we extract various game-related factors, and investigate the relationships between these factors and fans' interactions using a series of multiple regression analyses.

Prunus yedoensis bark inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine synthesis by IκBα degradation and MAPK activation in macrophages.

The bark of Prunus yedoensis is used in antitussive medicines and in oral herbal formulations for inflammatory skin disorders. In the present study, we explored whether P. yedoensis bark extract (PYE) and its solvent partitioned fractions could modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in vivo and in vitro.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Prunus yedoensis through inhibition of nuclear factor-κB in macrophages.

Background: Prunus yedoensis (PY) is a traditional anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory herb medicine used in South Korea. However, until date, little is known regarding its mechanism of action.

Methods: In order to elucidate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of PY, the constituents of PY were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production were measured enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).

Lipid lowering activity of Citri unshii pericarpium in hyperlipemic rats.

The inhibitory effect of the MeOH extract of Citri unshii pericarpium (CU) and its fractions were tested in hyperlipemic rats using for animal models induced by high cholesterol-diet. We measured plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol as measures of its hyperlipemic effects. We demonstrated that CU decreases plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.