Sticky organisms create underwater biological adhesives driven by interactions between EGF- and GlcNAc- containing polysaccharides.

Marine and terrestrial organisms often utilise EGF/EGF-like domains in wet adhesives, yet their roles in adhesion remain unclear. Here, we investigate the Barbatia virescense byssal system and uncover an oxidation-independent, reversible, and robust adhesion mechanism where EGF/EGF-like domain tandem repetitions in adhesive proteins bind robustly to GlcNAc-based biopolymer. EGF/EGF-like-domain-containing proteins demonstrate over three-fold superior underwater adhesion to chitosan compared to the well-known strongest wet-adhesive proteins, mefp-5, and suckerin, when adhering to mica in an surface forces apparatus-based measurement.

Association between respiratory tract deposited dose of size-segregated PM and FeNO based on individual exposure assessment for Korean children.

FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) is a crucial marker to understand children's respiratory diseases such as asthma, and severity may vary depending on PM diameter and respiratory tract region. This study investigates the relationship between size-segregated respiratory deposited PM dose and FeNO for children. Size-segregated PM (PM, PM, and PM) and FeNO were measured for eighty children based on individual exposure assessment in five consecutive days.

Association between single-person household wage workers in South Korea and insomnia symptoms: the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Background: The rise in single-person households is a global phenomenon with well-documented implications for both physical and mental well-being. However, there remains a scarcity of studies focusing specifically on the health impacts of single-person households on workers. This study aims to address this gap by comparing insomnia symptoms between single- and multi-person household workers, shedding light on the health implications of household composition.

Chemical exposure from the Hebei spirit oil spill accident and its long-term effects on mental health.

While evidence indicates that exposure to oil spill incidents can affect mental health, it is unclear whether the mental health effects result from the incident itself or from exposure to associated chemicals. Oil contains chemicals that can impact mental health and these chemicals may have long-term effects due to their persistence in the environment. To address the gap in current knowledge, we conducted cross-sectional and prospective analyses of data from adults who participated in the Health Effects of the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill study.

Influence of the backbone chemistry and ionic functional groups of five pairs of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on complex coacervation.

Complex coacervation plays an important role in various fields. Here, the influences of the backbone chemistry and ionic functional groups of five pairs of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on complex coacervation were investigated. These pairs include synthetic polymers with aliphatic hydrocarbon backbones, peptides with amide bonds, and carbohydrates with glycosidic linkages.

The association of shift work and TyG index among male workers in a chemical plant of Korea: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Disturbance of circadian rhythms caused by shift work has adverse effects on insulin resistance. Many previous studies have confirmed that shift work and insulin resistance are related using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, one of the insulin resistance indicators. However, the triglycerides and glucose index (TyG index) has recently been studied as an insulin resistance indicator.

A Comparative Metagenomic Analysis of Specified Microorganisms in Groundwater for Non-Sterilized Pharmaceutical Products.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring product safety involves the detection and identification of microorganisms with human pathogenic potential, including Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium sporogenes, Candida albicans, and Mycoplasma spp., some of which may be missed or not identified by traditional culture-dependent methods. In this study, we employed a metagenomic approach to detect these taxa, avoiding the limitations of conventional cultivation methods.

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during porcine oocyte in vitro maturation improves oocyte quality and embryonic development by enhancing the homeostasis of energy metabolism.

Although supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during porcine oocyte IVM is well-established, the available data are limited due to the lack of consistency. Moreover, to our knowledge, the anti-oxidant effects of DHA on porcine oocytes have not been reported. Hence, this study aimed to examine the effects of DHA supplementation on the regulation of energy metabolism during porcine oocyte maturation to improve oocyte maturation and embryonic development.

Air pollution and survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer: a follow-up study of 1591 patients in South Korea.

Background: Despite significant advancements in treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the survival rate for patients with asbestos-related cancers remains low. Numerous studies have provided evidence suggesting that air pollution induces oxidative stress and inflammation, affecting acute respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and overall mortality. However, because of the high case fatality rate, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of air pollution exposures on survival following a diagnosis of asbestos-related cancers.

CRISPR/Cas12a antifouling nanocomposite electrochemical biosensors enable amplification-free detection of Monkeypox virus in complex biological fluids.

The escalating global threat of infectious diseases, including monkeypox virus (MPXV), necessitates advancements in point-of-care diagnostics, moving beyond the constraints of conventional methods tethered to centralized laboratories. Here, we introduce multiple CRISPR RNA (crRNA)-based biosensors that can directly detect MPXV within 35 minutes without pre-amplification, leveraging the enhanced sensitivity and antifouling attributes of the BSA-based nanocomposite. Multiple crRNAs, strategically targeting diverse regions of the F3L gene of MPXV, are designed and combined to amplify Cas12a activation and its collateral cleavage of reporter probes.

Diversity in Atomic Structures of Zeolite-Templated Carbons and the Consequences for Macroscopic Properties.

Zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) are a family of ordered microporous carbons with extralarge surface areas and micropore volumes, which are synthesized by carbon deposition within the confined spaces of zeolite micropores. There has been great controversy regarding the atomic structures of ZTCs, which encompass two extremes: (1) three-dimensionally connected curved open-blade-type carbon moieties and (2) ideal tubular structures (commonly referred to as "Schwarzites"). In this study, through a combination of experimental analyses and theoretical calculations, we demonstrate that the atomic structure of ZTCs is difficult to define as a single entity, and it widely varies depending on their synthesis conditions.

Preserving Mesoporosity in Type III Porous Liquids through Dual-layer Surface Weaving.

The fundamental limitation for pore preservation in a Type III porous liquid (T3PL) is the need for a small aperture from the porous filler to realize size exclusion of a bulky solvent. We present a dual-layer surface weaving strategy that can disregard this limitation and achieve micro- and mesoporous metal-organic framework (MOF)-based T3PLs even with apertures much larger than the solvent molecules. By first weaving a tight network of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) on the MOF surface, the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) solvent can be effectively excluded from the pores while smaller guest molecules such as CO, CH, and HO can freely access the interior, as confirmed by low-pressure adsorption isotherms.

Analysis of production efficiency of cloned transgenic Yucatan miniature pigs according to recipient breeds with embryo transfer conditions.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of the production of cloned transgenic Yucatan miniature pigs (YMPs) using two recipient breeds, i.e., YMPs and domestic pigs (DPs), under various embryo transfer conditions.

Occupational and Environmental Asbestos Exposure and Survival of Patients with Asbestos-Related Cancer: A Follow-Up Study on Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer in Korea.

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are typically associated with a poor prognosis. However, it has been observed that some patients with these cancers survive significantly longer than the average survival period. While many preliminary studies have investigated factors influencing patient survival, the specific impact of asbestos exposure has not been thoroughly explored.

Association between oil spill clean-up work and thyroid cancer: Nine years of follow-up after the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident.

In 2007, an unprecedented oil spill occurred in Taean, Korea. Although crude oil contains chemicals that could increase thyroid cancer risk, few studies have examined the long-term effects of oil exposure during clean-up and thyroid cancer incidence. We investigated the long-term thyroid cancer incidence among participants involved in clean-up work.

Mechanochemically functionalized and fibrillated microcrystalline cellulose as a filler in silicone foam: An integrated experimental and simulation investigation.

Fibrillated celluloses have gained significant attention due to their exceptional mechanical properties and eco-friendly characteristics, which make them suitable for various applications. In this study, we designed a precise approach for producing highly fibrillated microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) via ball-milling treatment using four typical silane coupling agents. The empirical data demonstrate that the fibrillization of MCC and the properties of fibrillated MCC are largely affected by the size and geometry of the functional groups of the silanes.

Long-term effects of the Hebei Spirit oil spill on the prevalence and incidence of allergic disorders.

The Hebei Spirit oil spill accident occurred in December 2007, approximately 10 km off the coast of Taean, South Korea, a location notably close to residential areas. Crude oil substances have been detected in various environmental mediums since the accident, yet previous studies have primarily focused on the acute effects of oil exposure due to the short latency period of allergic diseases. Therefore, this study evaluated the long-term effects of oil spill exposure on allergic disorders.

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance trunk bark extracts inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and prevent ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ulmus macrocarpa Hance (UmH) bark has been traditionally utilized for medicinal purposes. The bark extract of this plant has diverse health benefits, and its potential role in enhancing bone health is of distinct interest, particularly when considering the substantial health and economic implications of bone-related pathologies, such as osteoporosis. Despite the compelling theoretical implications of UmH bark in fortifying bone health, no definitive evidence at the in vivo level is currently available, thus highlighting the innovative and as-yet-unexplored potential of this field of study.

Accelerated Design of Ultra-High-Performance Aramid Copolymers via a High-Throughput Screening Approach.

Developing advanced materials, such as functional polymers, poses a significant challenge as a result of the vastness of the material space that needs to be explored, which could potentially be infinite in principle. We propose a data-driven high-throughput screening approach coupled with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to address this issue in the design of high-performance co-polymerized aramid fibers. We aimed to identify diamine monomers that could replace 3,4'-oxydianiline in Technora from a large-scale set (1 920 304) of possible monomers that were prepared from the PubChem database.

Relationship between job stress and impaired fasting glucose in male steel industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between job stress and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) of male workers in a manufacturing industry.

Methods: Data were collected from 5,886 male workers in a manufacturing industry who participated in the medical examination from June 19 to August 14, 2020 through self-reported questionnaires. The general characteristics of the subjects, shift work, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and job stress were included.

Discovery and optimized extraction of the anti-osteoclastic agent epicatechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside from Ulmus macrocarpa Hance bark.

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance bark (UmHb) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia for bone concern diseases for a long time. To find a suitable solvent, we, in this study, compared the efficacy of UmHb water extract and ethanol extract which can inhibit osteoclast differentiation. Compared with two ethanol extracts (70% and 100% respectively), hydrothermal extracts of UmHb more effectively inhibited receptor activators of nuclear factor κB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Hierarchical LTL Zeolite as an Efficient and Sustainable Solid Acid Catalyst for Replacing HCl in the Production of Polyurethane Intermediates.

In many industrially important reactions, caustic mineral acid catalysts have been successfully replaced with green solid acids such as zeolites. In this context, extensive efforts have been devoted to replacing HCl to produce methylenedianiline (MDA), a key intermediate in polyurethane production. Unfortunately, limited success has been achieved thus far due to low activity, selectivity towards the desired 4,4'-MDA, and rapid catalyst deactivation.

Health Effects of Microplastic Exposures: Current Issues and Perspectives in South Korea.

Microplastics are environmental pollutants that prevail in the oceans, remote islands, and polar regions. Exposure to microplastics presents a major emerging threat to the ecosystems due to their potential adverse effects. Herein, we reviewed the literature to provide an up-to-date synopsis of the current understanding of the sources, compositions, and adverse effects of microplastics in humans and the environment.

The association of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and kidney function in Korean adolescents using data from Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4 (2018-2020): a cross-sectional study.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals widely used in various products in everyday life. Due to its unique strong binding force, the half-life of PFAS is very long, so bioaccumulation and toxicity to the human body are long-standing concerns. In particular, effects on kidney function have recently emerged and there are no studies on the effect of PFAS on kidney function through epidemiological investigations in Korea.

Effect of Growth Factors and Hormones during In Vitro Growth Culture of Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes Derived from Small Antral Follicles in Pigs.

This study evaluated the effect of various growth factors and hormones in an in vitro growth (IVG) medium on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental competence of oocytes derived from small antral follicles (SAFs) in pigs. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) derived from SAFs were either untreated or treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin, or growth hormone (GH) for 2 days of IVG. Following IVG, COCs were cultured for maturation, and IVM oocytes were induced for parthenogenesis (PA).