Fully Integrated 24-GHz 1TX-2RX Transceiver for Compact FMCW Radar Applications.

A fully integrated 24-GHz radar transceiver with one transmitter (TX) and two receivers (RXs) for compact frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar applications is here presented. The FMCW synthesizer was realized using a fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL) and programmable chirp generator, which are completely integrated in the proposed transceiver. The measured output phase noise of the synthesizer is -80 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset. The TX consists of a three-bit bridged t-type attenuator for gain control, a two-stage drive amplifier (DA) and a one-stage power amplifier (PA). The TX chain provides an output power of 13 dBm while achieving <0.5 dB output power variation within the range of 24 to 24.25 GHz. The RX with a direct conversion I-Q structure is composed of a two-stage low noise amplifier (LNA), I-Q generator, mixer, transimpedance amplifier (TIA), a two-stage biquad band pass filter (BPF), and a differential-to-single (DTS) amplifier. The TIA and the BPF employ a DC offset cancellation (DCOC) circuit to suppress the strong reflection signal and TX-RX leakage. The RX chain exhibits an overall gain of 100 dB. The proposed radar transceiver is fabricated using a 65 nm CMOS technology. The transceiver consumes 220 mW from a 1 V supply voltage and has 4.84 mm2 die size including all pads. The prototype FMCW radar is realized with the proposed transceiver and Yagi antenna to verify the radar functionality, such as the distance and angle of targets.

Alliums as Potential Antioxidants and Anticancer Agents.

The genus Allium plants, including onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots, have long been recognized for their potential health benefits, particularly in oxidative and cancer prevention. Among them, onions and garlic have been extensively studied, unveiling promising biological activities that are indicative of their potential as potent antioxidant and anticancer agents. Research has revealed a rich repository of bioactive compounds in Allium species, highlighting their antioxidative properties and diverse mechanisms that target cancer cells. Compounds such as allicin, flavonoids, and organosulfur compounds (OSCs) exhibit notable antioxidant and anticancer properties, affecting apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and the inhibition of tumor proliferation. Moreover, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes enhance their potential in cancer therapy. Studies exploring other Allium species beyond onions and garlic have revealed similar biological activities, suggesting a broad spectrum of natural products that could serve as promising candidates for developing novel anticancer treatments. Understanding the multifaceted potential of Allium plants will pave the way for innovative strategies in oxidative and cancer treatment and prevention, offering new avenues for pharmaceutical research and dietary interventions. Therefore, in this review, we compile an extensive analysis of the diversity of various Allium species, emphasizing their remarkable potential as effective agents.

Variations of Major Glucosinolates in Diverse Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) Germplasm as Analyzed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

In this study, the variability of major glucosinolates in the leaf lamina of 134 Chinese cabbage accessions was investigated using Acquity ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). A total of twenty glucosinolates were profiled, of which glucobrassicanapin and gluconapin were identified as the predominant glucosinolates within the germplasm. These two glucosinolates had mean concentration levels above 1000.00 µmol/kg DW. Based on the principal component analysis, accessions IT186728, IT120044, IT221789, IT100417, IT278620, IT221754, and IT344740 were separated from the rest in the score plot. These accessions exhibited a higher content of total glucosinolates. Based on the VIP values, 13 compounds were identified as the most influential and responsible for variation in the germplasm. Sinigrin (r = 0.73), gluconapin (r = 0.78), glucobrassicanapin (r = 0.70), epiprogoitrin (r = 0.73), progoitrin (r = 0.74), and gluconasturtiin (r = 0.67) all exhibited a strong positive correlation with total glucosinolate at p < 0.001. This indicates that each of these compounds had a significant influence on the overall glucosinolate content of the various accessions. This study contributes valuable insights into the metabolic diversity of glucosinolates in Chinese cabbage, providing potential for breeding varieties tailored to consumer preferences and nutritional demands.

Lifetime adversity predicts depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Although life stress and adversity are well-known risk factors for mental health problems and cognitive impairment among older adults, limited research has comprehensively examined the impact of both childhood and adulthood adversity on psychiatric and cognitive impairment symptoms over a prolonged period. To address this issue, we investigated how lifetime adversity exposure is related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults in the United States. METHOD: We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2016). The sample included 3496 individuals (59.9% female), aged ≥64 years old (Mage = 76.0 ± 7.6 years in 2016). We used the individual-level panel data and ordinary least squares regressions to estimate associations between childhood and adulthood adversities, and later-life depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Many participants experienced a significant early life (38%) or adulthood (79%) stressor. Moreover, experiencing one childhood adversity (vs. none) was associated with a 17.4% increased risk of adulthood adversity. Finally, as hypothesized, childhood adversity exposure was related to experiencing more depression and anxiety symptoms in later life, whereas adulthood stressor exposure predicted more cognitive impairment as well as more depression and anxiety symptoms. DISCUSSION: These findings demonstrate significant associations between lifetime adversity and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in older adults. Screening for lifetime stressors may thus help healthcare professionals and policymakers identify individuals who could potentially benefit from interventions designed to reduce stress and enhance resilience.

Short-term impact of COVID-19 on consumption spending and its underlying mechanisms: Evidence from Singapore.

We examine the short-term impact of COVID-19 on consumption spending and its underlying mechanisms using individual-level monthly panel data from Singapore. Although Singapore's case fatality rate was one of the lowest in the world in the early stage of the pandemic (0.05%), we find that the COVID-19 pandemic reduced household consumption spending by almost one quarter at its peak, with a larger response from households with above-median wealth. We show that the reduction in consumption spending is associated with the nationwide lockdown policy, heightened economic uncertainty and reduced income. In addition, we find a substantial increase in monthly savings among households without income losses, suggesting a substantial rebound in consumption spending after the lifting of the lockdown. The results from June 2020 confirm this conjecture, as we find that consumption spending rebounded by about 10 percentage points in that month.

Incidence de la COVID­19 à court terme sur les dépenses de consommation et leurs mécanismes sous­jacents : l'exemple de Singapour. À l'aide de données de panel mensuelles recueillies au niveau individuel, nous analysons l'impact de la COVID­19 à court terme sur les dépenses de consommation et leurs mécanismes sous­jacents à Singapour. Bien que le taux de létalité dans le pays ait été l'un des plus faibles au monde au début de la pandémie (0,05 %), nous avons observé une diminution de la consommation des ménages de près de 25 % lors du pic épidémique avec une réaction plus importante des foyers à revenus supérieurs à la médiane. Nous montrons que la baisse des dépenses de consommation est corrélée à la politique de confinement du pays, au contexte économique de plus en plus incertain et à la baisse des revenus. Nous constatons également que la baisse des revenus ne constitue vraisemblablement pas le facteur moteur dans la diminution globale de la consommation. En outre, nous observons une augmentation substantielle de l'épargne mensuelle des foyers n'ayant pas subi de perte de revenus, laissant entrevoir un net rebond des dépenses dès la levée du confinement. Les données de juin 2020 confirment cette hypothèse puisque les dépenses de consommation ont augmenté d'environ 10 % au cours de ce même mois.

Health shocks, health and labor market dynamics, and the socioeconomic-health gradient in older Singaporeans.

Health disparities by socioeconomic status (SES) are potentially shaped by how an individual's health status and work capacity are affected by the incidence of illness, and how these effects vary across SES groups. We examine the impact of illness on the dynamics of health status, work activity and income in older Singaporeans to gain new insights on how ill health shapes the socioeconomic health gradient. Our data comprise of 60 monthly waves (2015-2019) of panel survey data containing 445,464 person-observations from 11,827 unique respondents from Singapore. We apply a matched event-study difference-in-differences research design to track how older adults' health and work changes following the diagnosis of heart disease and cancer. Our focus is how the dynamics of health and work differ for different SES groups, which we measure by post-secondary education attainment. We find that the dynamics of how self-assessed health recovers following the diagnosis of a new heart disease or cancer do not vary significantly across SES groups. Work activity however varies significantly, with less well-educated males and females being significantly less likely to be in active employment and have income from work, and are marginally more likely to be in retirement following the onset of ill health. By contrast, more well-educated males work more, and earn more a year after the health shock than they did before they fell ill. Occupational differences likely played a role in how work activity of less well-educated men decline more after an acute health event compared with more well-educated men. Understanding the drivers of the socioeconomic health gradient necessitates a focus on individual-level factors, as well as system-level influences, that affect health and work.

Unveiling Glucosinolate Diversity in Brassica Germplasm and In Silico Analysis for Determining Optimal Antioxidant Potential.

This study explored the glucosinolate (GSL) content in Brassica plants and utilized in silico analysis approach to assess their antioxidant capabilities. GSLs, present abundantly in Brassica vegetables, offer potential health advantages, including antioxidant effects. Employing Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), major GSLs were identified in 89 accessions from diverse species and subspecies. Statistical analysis and principal component analysis unveiled significant GSL variation and potential correlations among the Brassica germplasms. This study unveils the dominance of aliphatic GSLs over aromatic and indolyl compounds in all the accessions. Notably, Gluconapin (GNA) (33,049.23 µmol·kg-1 DW), Glucobrassicanapin (GBN) (9803.82 µmol·kg-1 DW), Progoitrin (PRO) (12,780.48 µmol·kg-1 DW) and Sinigrin (SIN) (14,872.93 µmol·kg-1 DW) were the most abundant compounds across the analyzed accessions. Moreover, in silico docking studies predicted promising antioxidant activity by evaluating the interactions of each GSL with antioxidant enzymes. Specifically, Sinigrin and Gluconapin exhibited a notably weaker influence on antioxidant enzymes. This provides key insights into the antioxidant potential of Brassica germplasm and highlights the importance of in silico analysis for evaluating bioactive properties. In general, the results of this study could be utilized in breeding programs to maximize GSL levels and antioxidant properties in Brassica crops and for developing functional foods with enhanced health benefits.

CHARMM-GUI QM/MM Interfacer for a Quantum Mechanical and Molecular Mechanical (QM/MM) Simulation Setup: 1. Semiempirical Methods.

Quantum mechanical (QM) treatments, when combined with molecular mechanical (MM) force fields, can effectively handle enzyme-catalyzed reactions without significantly increasing the computational cost. In this context, we present CHARMM-GUI QM/MM Interfacer, a web-based cyberinfrastructure designed to streamline the preparation of various QM/MM simulation inputs with ligand modification. The development of QM/MM Interfacer has been achieved through integration with existing CHARMM-GUI modules, such as PDB Reader and Manipulator, Solution Builder, and Membrane Builder. In addition, new functionalities have been developed to facilitate the one-stop preparation of QM/MM systems and enable interactive and intuitive ligand modifications and QM atom selections. QM/MM Interfacer offers support for a range of semiempirical QM methods, including AM1(+/d), PM3(+/PDDG), MNDO(+/d, +/PDDG), PM6, RM1, and SCC-DFTB, tailored for both AMBER and CHARMM. A nontrivial setup related to ligand modification, link-atom insertion, and charge distribution is automatized through intuitive user interfaces. To illustrate the robustness of QM/MM Interfacer, we conducted QM/MM simulations of three enzyme-substrate systems: dihydrofolate reductase, insulin receptor kinase, and oligosaccharyltransferase. In addition, we have created three tutorial videos about building these systems, which can be found at https://www.charmm-gui.org/demo/qmi. QM/MM Interfacer is expected to be a valuable and accessible web-based tool that simplifies and accelerates the setup process for hybrid QM/MM simulations.

The influence of factors associated with past reproductive histories on migraines in middle-aged premenopausal women: a nationwide population-based study in Republic of Korea.

Introduction: Women can experience various reproductive events, such as pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and contraception, which cause long-term changes in female hormones. In middle-aged women, the prevalence of migraine is high, and a clear gender difference is evident. This study investigated the effects of factors associated with past reproductive events on the risk of new migraine in middle-aged premenopausal women. Methods: The influence of reproductive factors on migraine in middle-aged women was investigated using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) and Korean Health Examination (KHE) databases. The reproductive factors of interest were parity, breastfeeding, and oral contraceptive (OC) use. The study included 949,704 middle-aged premenopausal women 40-60 years of age. The study population was divided into two groups based on new diagnosis of migraine during the follow-up period (2009-2018). Results: The risk of new migraine tended to increase in the primiparous (hazard ratio, HR: 1.179; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.137-1.221) and multiparous groups (HR: 1.181; 95% CI: 1.142-1.221) compared with the nulliparous group. The breastfeeding ≥12 months group (HR: 1.071; 95% CI: 1.052-1.091) showed a significantly increased risk of new migraine compared with the non-breastfeeding group. All women in the OC groups (< 1 year, HR: 1.048; 95% CI: 1.028-1.069 and ≥ 1 year, HR: 1.100; 95% CI: 1.067-1.134) showed a higher risk of new migraine than those in the non-OC group. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that childbirth, longer breastfeeding, and OC use may be associated with a higher risk of new migraine in middle-aged premenopausal women.

Cortex-to-caudate volume ratio as a predictor of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Brain and cortical atrophy play crucial roles in supporting the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study hypothesized that the ratios of brain or cortical volume to subcortical gray matter structure volumes are potential imaging markers for cognitive alterations in AD dementia and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). METHODS: Seventy-seven subjects diagnosed with AD dementia or aMCI underwent baseline neuropsychological testing, 2-year follow-up cognitive assessments, and high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans. Total brain/cortical volume and subcortical gray matter structure volumes were automatically segmented and measured. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between volumetric ratios and interval changes in cognitive scores. RESULTS: The ratio of cortical volume to caudate volume showed the most significant association with changes in MoCA (B = 0.132, SE = 0.042, p = 0.002), MMSE (B = 0.140, SE = 0.040, p = 0.001), and CDR-SOB (B = -0.013, SE = 0.005, p = 0.007) scores over the 2-year follow-up period. These associations remained significant after adjusting for various covariates. Similar associations were observed for the ratios of cortical volume to putamen and globus pallidum volumes. CONCLUSIONS: The cortex-to-caudate volume ratio is significantly associated with cognitive decline in AD dementia and aMCI. This ratio may serve as a useful biomarker for monitoring disease progression and predicting cognitive outcomes. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the relative atrophy of cortical and subcortical structures in understanding AD pathology.

The incidence and predictors of antibiotic-associated encephalopathy: a multicenter hospital-based study.

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and likelihood of antibiotic-associated encephalopathy (AAE), comparing rates among the classes of antibiotics in monotherapy or in combination therapy. We also investigated the associations between the incidence of AAE and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and electroencephalogram features. Consecutive admissions that used any kind of antibiotics to treat infectious diseases were identified from six hospitals. We classified antibiotics according to three distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical subtypes. We searched for the incidence of AAE as the primary outcome. A total of 97,433 admission cases among 56,038 patients was identified. Cases that received type 1 antibiotics had significantly more frequent AAE compared to those that received type 2 antibiotics (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-5.95; P = 0.021). Combined use of type 1 + 2 antibiotics was associated with a significantly higher incidence of AAE compared to the use of type 2 antibiotics alone (adjusted OR, 3.44; 95% CI 1.49-7.93; P = 0.004). Groups with GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 had significantly higher incidence rates of AAE compared to those with GFRs ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 among cases that received type 1 + 2 antibiotics. Detection of spike-and-wave or sharp-and-wave patterns on electroencephalogram was significantly more common in the combination therapy group. Combination use of antibiotics was associated with a higher incidence of AAE compared to monotherapy. The incidence of AAE significantly increased as renal function decreased, and epileptiform discharges were more likely to be detected in cases receiving combined antibiotics.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Agronomic Traits in Gamma-Ray-Derived Mutant Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.).

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), in the Malvaceae family, is an important crop for not only fiber production, but also various other industrial materials. We performed phylogenetic analysis and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of seven agronomic traits: days to flowering, plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, flower color, stem color, and leaf shape, using 96 kenaf genotypes, including gamma-irradiation-derived mutant lines. Genotypes were determined by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and a total of 49,241 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used in the analysis. Days to flowering, plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight were positively correlated with each other, and stem color was also correlated with fresh weight and dry weight. The phylogenetic analysis divided the 96 lines into nine related groups within two independent groups, and the GWAS analysis detected a total of 49 SNPs for days to flowering, plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, flower color, stem color, and leaf shape with -log10(P) ≥ 4, of which 22 were located in genic regions. The detected SNPs were located in genes with homology ranging from 45% to 96% to plants of the Malvaceae and Betulaceae, and these genes were found to be involved in plant growth and development via various pathways. Our identification of SNP markers related to agronomic traits is expected to help improve the quality of selective breeding programs for kenaf.

Chitosan-GSNO Nanoparticles and Silicon Priming Enhance the Germination and Seedling Growth of Soybean (Glycine max L.).

Soybean, a major legume crop, has seen a decline in its production owing to challenges in seed germination and the development of seedlings. Thus, in this study, we systematically investigated the influence of various chitosan-S-nitrosoglutathione (chitosan-GSNO) nanoparticle (0, 25, 50, and 100 µM) and Si (0, 0.5, and 1 mM) priming concentrations on soybean seed germination and seedling growth over five different priming durations (range: 1-5 h at each concentration). Significant differences were observed in all parameters, except seedling diameter, with both treatments. Seed germination was significantly enhanced after 3 h of priming in both treatments. The final germination percentage (FGP), peak germination percentage (PGP), vigor index (VI), seedling biomass (SB), hypocotyl length (HL), and radical length (RL) of 100 µM chitosan-GSNO-nanoparticle-primed seeds increased by 20.3%, 41.3%, 78.9%, 25.2%, 15.7%, and 65.9%, respectively, compared with those of the control; however, the mean germination time (MGT) decreased by 18.43%. Si priming at 0.5 mM increased the FGP, PGP, VI, SB, HL, and RL by 13.9%, 55.17%, 39.2%, 6.5%, 22.5%, and 25.1%, respectively, but reduced the MGT by 12.29% compared with the control treatment. Chitosan-GSNO and Si treatment up-regulated the relative expression of gibberellic acid (GA)-related genes (GmGA3ox3 and GmGA2ox1) and down-regulated that of abscisic acid (ABA)-related genes (GmABA2, GmAAO3, and GmNCED5). Chitosan-GSNO and Si application increased bioactive GA4 levels and simultaneously reduced ABA content. Hence, the use of exogenous chitosan-GSNO nanoparticles and Si as priming agents had a beneficial effect on seed germination and seedling growth because of the up-regulation in the expression of GA and down-regulation in the expression of ABA. Additional research is needed to understand the combined impact of Si and chitosan-GSNO nanoparticles, including their effects on the expression levels of other hormones and genes even in the later growth stage of the crop.

Genotyping-by-Sequencing Analysis Reveals Associations between Agronomic and Oil Traits in Gamma Ray-Derived Mutant Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) holds significant commercial value as one of the leading oil crops, with its agronomic features and oil quality being crucial determinants. In this investigation, 73,226 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 95 rapeseed mutant lines induced by gamma rays, alongside the original cultivar ('Tamra'), using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) analysis were examined. This study encompassed gene ontology (GO) analysis and a genomewide association study (GWAS), thereby concentrating on agronomic traits (e.g., plant height, ear length, thousand-seed weight, and seed yield) and oil traits (including fatty acid composition and crude fat content). The GO analysis unveiled a multitude of genes with SNP variations associated with cellular processes, intracellular anatomical structures, and organic cyclic compound binding. Through GWAS, we detected 320 significant SNPs linked to both agronomic (104 SNPs) and oil traits (216 SNPs). Notably, two novel candidate genes, Bna.A05p02350D (SFGH) and Bna.C02p22490D (MDN1), are implicated in thousand-seed weight regulation. Additionally, Bna.C03p14350D (EXO70) and Bna.A09p05630D (PI4Kα1) emerged as novel candidate genes associated with erucic acid and crude fat content, respectively. These findings carry implications for identifying superior genotypes for the development of new cultivars. Association studies offer a cost-effective means of screening mutants and selecting elite rapeseed breeding lines, thereby enhancing the commercial viability of this pivotal oil crop.

Optimal Planting Time for Summer Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Cropping in Korea: Growth, Yield, and Photosynthetic Efficiency in a Semi-Closed Greenhouse.

In Korea, greenhouses are traditionally used for crop cultivation in the winter. However, due to diverse consumer demands, climate change, and advancements in agricultural technology, more farms are aiming for year-round production. Nonetheless, summer cropping poses challenges such as high temperatures, humidity from the monsoon season, and low light conditions, which make it difficult to grow crops. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the best planting time for summer tomato cultivation in a Korean semi-closed greenhouse that can be both air-conditioned and heated. The experiment was conducted in the Advanced Digital Greenhouse, built by the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences. The tomato seedlings were planted in April, May, and June 2022. Growth parameters such as stem diameter, flowering position, stem growth rate, and leaf shape index were measured, and harvesting was carried out once or twice weekly per treatment from 65 days to 265 days after planting. The light use efficiency and yield per unit area at each planting time was measured. Tomatoes planted in April showed a maximum of 42.9% higher light use efficiency for fruit production and a maximum of 33.3% higher yield. Furthermore, the growth form of the crops was closest to the reproductive growth type. Therefore, among April, May, and June, April is considered the most suitable planting time for summer cultivation, which is expected to contribute to reducing labor costs due to decreased workload and increasing farm income through increased yields. Future research should explore optimizing greenhouse microclimates and developing crop varieties tailored for summer cultivation to further enhance productivity and sustainability in year-round agricultural practices.

Variability of Glucosinolates in Pak Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) Germplasm.

Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing phytochemicals generally abundant in cruciferous vegetables such as pak choy. Glucosinolates participate in a range of biological activities essential for promoting a healthy human body. In this study, we aimed to elucidate glucosinolate variability present in pak choy germplasm that are under conservation at the Rural Development Administration Genebank, Jeonju, Republic of Korea. The Acquity Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) analytical system was used in profiling the glucosinolate content in leaf samples of various accessions. We identified a total of 17 glucosinolates in the germplasm. Based on principal compoment analysis performed, three separate groups of the accessions were obtained. Group 1 contained the cultivar cheongsacholong which recorded high content of glucobrassicin (an indole), glucoerucin (aliphatic), gluconasturtiin (aromatic) and glucoberteroin (aliphatic). Group 2 consisted of six accessions, BRA77/72, Lu ling gaogengbai, 9041, Wuyueman, RP-75 and DH-10, predominatly high in aliphatic compounds including glucoiberin, glucocheirolin, and sinigrin. Group 3 comprised the majority of the accessions which were characterized by high content of glucoraphanin, epiprogoitrin, progoitrin, and glucotropaeolin. These results revealed the presence of variability among the pak choy germplasm based on their glucosinolate content, providing an excellent opprtunity for future breeding for improved glucosinolate content in the crop.

Green Onion (Allium fistulosum): An Aromatic Vegetable Crop Esteemed for Food, Nutritional and Therapeutic Significance.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards a greater demand for more nutritious and healthier foods, emphasizing the role of diets in human well-being. Edible Alliums, including common onions, garlic, chives and green onions, are staples in diverse cuisines worldwide and are valued specifically for their culinary versatility, distinct flavors and nutritional and medicinal properties. Green onions are widely cultivated and traded as a spicy vegetable. The mild, onion-like flavor makes the crop a pleasant addition to various dishes, serving as a staple ingredient in many world cuisines, particularly in Eastern Asian countries such as China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The green pseudostems, leaves and non-developed bulbs of green onions are utilized in salads, stir-fries, garnishes and a myriad of culinary preparations. Additionally, green onions have a rich historical background in traditional medicine and diets, capturing the attention of chefs and the general public. The status of the crop as an important food, its culinary diversity and its nutraceutical and therapeutic value make it a subject of great interest in research. Therefore, the present review has examined the distribution, culinary, nutritional and therapeutic significance of green onions, highlighting the health benefits derived from the consumption of diets with this aromatic vegetable crop as a constituent.

Leaf Mustard (Brassica juncea) Germplasm Resources Showed Diverse Characteristics in Agro-Morphological Traits and Glucosinolate Levels.

Leaf mustard, characterized by its purple/red/green leaves with a green/white midrib, is known for its thick, tender, and spicy leaves with a unique taste and flavor. There were only a few studies reported on leaf mustard for its morphological and biochemical traits from Korea. A total of 355 leaf mustard accessions stored at the GenBank of the National Agrobiodiversity Center were evaluated for 25 agro-morphological traits and seven intact glucosinolates (GSLs). The accessions showed a wide variation in terms of most of the traits. The quantitative agro-morphological traits varied from 16.0 (leaf length) to 48.7% (petiole width) of the coefficient of variation (CV). The highest variation was observed in glucoiberin (299.5%, CV), while the total GSL showed a CV of 66.1%. Sinigrin, followed by gluconapin and gluconasturtiin, was the most abundant GSL, accounting for as high as 75% of the total GSLs, while glucobrassicanapin and glucoiberin were the least abundant, contributing 0.7% and 0.1% on average, respectively. Sinigrin had a positive significant correlation with all GSLs but gluconasturtiin, while glucobarbarin and gluconasturtiin were highly positively correlated to each other, but least correlated with other GSLs. The leaf length was negatively correlated with sinigrin and glucoiberin. The width of the petiole showed a positive correlation with gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, and glucobrassicin, while the length of the petiole had a negative correlation with sinigrin, glucobrassicanapin, glucoiberin, glucobrassicin, and the total GSLs. A higher width of the midrib was associated with higher contents of gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, and glucobrassicin. A PCA analysis based on the agro-morphological traits showed that the first and second principal components accounted for 65.2% of the overall variability. Accessions that form a head tend to exhibit a longer leaf length, a larger plant weight, a thicker midrib, and higher widths of the midrib, petiole, and leaf. The GSLs showed inconsistent inter-and intra-leaf variation. Accessions that identified for various traits in their performance, such as, for example, Yeosu66 and IT259487 (highest total glucosinolates) and IT228984 (highest plant weight), would be promising lines for developing new varieties.