Co-treatment with the seed of Carthamus tinctorius L. and the aerial part of Taraxacum coreanum synergistically suppresses Aß25-35-induced neurotoxicity by altering APP processing.

Accumulation of ß-amyloid peptide (Aß) induces neurotoxicity, which is the primary risk factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by the ß- (BACE) and γ- (PS1, PS2) secretases is a critical step in the amyloidogenic pathway. The induction of neuronal apoptosis by Aß involves increased expression of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X (Bax) and decreased Bcl-2 expression. The seed of Carthamus tinctorius L. (CTS) and the aerial part of Taraxacum coreanum (TC) are traditional herbs used to treat several neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of co-treatment with CTS and TC on Aß-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. CTS, TC, and the co-treatment (CTS + TC) were added to Aß25-35-treated SH-SY5Y cells. CTS + TC synergistically increased cell viability and inhibited reactive oxygen species production. CTS + TC resulted in significant downregulation of BACE, PS1, PS2, and APP, as well as the 99-aa C-terminal domain of APP, compared with either CTS or TC alone. Compared with the single herbs, co-treatment with CTS and TC markedly decreased the expression of Bax and increased the expression of Bcl-2, consistent with its anti-apoptotic effects. These findings suggest that co-treatment with CTS and TC may be useful for AD prevention.

Wearable and Wavelength-Tunable Near-Infrared Organic Light-Emitting Diodes for Biomedical Applications.

Near-infrared organic light-emitting diodes (NIR OLEDs) have significant potential for wearable phototherapeutic applications because of the unique properties of the OLEDs, including their free-form electronics and the excellent biomedical effects of NIR emission. In spite of their tremendous promise, given that the majority of NIR OLEDs in previous research have relied on the utilization of an intrinsically brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, their practicality in the field of wearable electronics is inherently constrained. Here, we report wearable and wavelength-tunable NIR OLEDs that employ a high-performance NIR emitter and an innovative architecture by replacing the ITO with a silver (Ag) electrode. The NIR OLEDs permit wavelength tuning of emissions from 700 to 800 nm and afford stable operation even under repeated bending conditions. The NIR OLEDs provide a lowered device temperature of 37.5 °C even during continuous operation under several emission intensities. In vitro experiments were performed with freshly fabricated NIR OLEDs. The outcomes were evaluated against experimental results performed using the same procedure utilizing blue, green, and red OLEDs. When exposed to NIR light irradiation, the promoting effect of cell proliferation surpassed the proliferative responses observed under the influence of visible light irradiation. The proliferation effect of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells is clearly related to the irradiation wavelength and time, thus underscoring the potential of wavelength-tunable NIR OLEDs for efficacious phototherapy. This work will open novel avenues for wearable NIR OLEDs in the field of biomedical application.

Unmet Needs of Patients With Chronic Urticaria: A Survey in Korea.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common problem with a high disease burden that has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Many patients are undertreated, and awareness of management strategies is low among clinicians. The present study aimed to improve understanding of CU from the patients' perspective, including the disease burden and current healthcare system use. Adult patients who presented to our referral hospital for CU treatment completed self-report questionnaires about demographics, clinical characteristics of CU, the impact of CU on daily life, unmet needs, and the history of medical service usage. This self-report survey included 127 participants (females, 57.0%; mean age, 42.0 ± 13.6 years; mean CU duration, 1.8 ± 3.4 years); 51.6% reported frequent discomfort with CU in daily life, including 44.1% of those who reported a good response to medication. More than half of the respondents reported a depressed mood and anxiety. Although 46.4% of the respondents reported that urticaria completely disappeared while on medication, only 10% were satisfied with the CU management provided by primary care hospitals. The principal cause of dissatisfaction was that they did not know the cause of CU (68.4% of patients). In total, 55% of the patients visited 2 or more hospitals before presenting to our referral hospital and 6.3% had tried folk remedies. In conclusion, most patients report that CU is not adequately controlled. Therefore, in addition to appropriate medication, information on the cause of CU, long-term treatment plan, medication safety, and expected prognosis is required to meet patients' needs.

Statement on chronotherapy for the treatment of hypertension: consensus document from the Korean society of hypertension.

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) has been shown to have a significant predictive value for cardiovascular disease. In some cases, it has a superior predictive value for future cardiovascular outcomes than daytime BP. As efficacy of BP medications wanes during nighttime and early morning, control of nocturnal hypertension and morning hypertension can be difficult. As such, chronotherapy, the dosing of BP medication in the evening, has been an ongoing topic of interest in the field of hypertension. Some studies have shown that chronotherapy is effective in reducing nocturnal BP, improving non dipping and rising patterns to dipping patterns, and improving cardiovascular prognosis. However, criticism and concerns have been raised regarding the design of these studies, such as the Hygia study, and the implausible clinical benefits in cardiovascular outcomes considering the degree of BP lowering from bedtime dosing. Studies have shown that there is no consistent evidence to suggest that routine administration of antihypertensive medications at bedtime can improve nocturnal BP and early morning BP control. However, in some cases of uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension and morning hypertension, such as in those with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and obstructive sleep apnea, bedtime dosing has shown efficacy in reducing evening and early morning BP. The recently published the Treatment in Morning versus Evening (TIME) study failed to demonstrate benefit of bedtime dosing in reducing cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension. With issues of the Hygia study and negative results from the TIME study, it is unclear at this time whether routine bedtime dosing is beneficial for reducing cardiovascular outcomes.

Efficacy of γ-linolenic acid, Vitis vinifera extract, and acetyl-L-carnitine combination therapy for improving arterial stiffness in Korean adults: Real-world evidence.

Atherosclerosis is associated with various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Measurement of arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity (PWV) enables assessment of atherosclerosis progression in individuals. The authors screened patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis, based on the PWV findings, to evaluate appropriate early interventions and assess the efficacy of γ-linolenic acid, Vitis vinifera extract, and acetyl-L-carnitine triple combination therapy in atherosclerosis prevention. This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of adult patients between March 2007 and April 2019, with presenting complaints of fatigue and lethargy. Among patients with vascular stiffness beyond their biological age on brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) testing, those with ≥80% compliance for three drugs were allocated to the experimental group. Those with compliance of <80% for any one drug were allocated to the control group to assess changes in arterial stiffness, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid level, and blood pressure (BP). After 1 year of triple-combination therapy, there were significant decreases in right and left baPWV (1537.16 ± 274.84 and 1519.00 ± 289.32 cm/s, respectively) as compared to baseline (1633.15 ± 271. 20 and 1598.64 ± 267.95 cm/s, respectively; p < .001). There was no difference in baPWV between sexes. Moreover, neither group showed significant changes in FPG and lipid levels. When triple-combination therapy combining γ-linolenic acid, V. vinifera extract, and acetyl-L-carnitine was administered to patients with high arterial stiffness relative to their age, as assessed by baPWV, the experimental group showed a decrease in arterial stiffness in both sexes.

Efficacy and Safety of Woohwangchungsimwon Combined with Donepezil in Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Patients with Probable Alzheimer's Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are a major factor in the burden of care and medical expenses. Conventional pharmacological treatments do not exert a distinct effect on the benefits versus the risks. The herbal medicine woohwangchungsimwon is frequently prescribed for neuropsychiatric disorders. An effect of woohwangchungsimwon on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia has been previously reported; however, no clinical studies have been conducted. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of woohwangchungsimwon combined with donepezil for alleviating these symptoms in probable Alzheimer's disease. In this randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial, 74 participants with probable Alzheimer's disease will be divided via block randomization into a woohwangchungsimwon + donepezil combination group (n = 37) or a donepezil single group (n = 37). Participants will include patients under donepezil treatment for at least a month. We will perform the study for 24 weeks. The Neuro-Psychiatric Inventory subscale scores will be the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will include cognitive function, dementia severity, physical function, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. For safety evaluation, we will assess adverse reactions, measure vital signs, and conduct laboratory tests. This is the first trial aiming to confirm the efficacy and safety of woohwangchungsimwon combined with donepezil for alleviating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Its findings could provide a basis for their co-administration to control these symptoms in probable Alzheimer's disease.

Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles from Various Biological Sources and Its Biomedical Applications.

In the last few decades, the broad scope of nanomedicine has played an important role in the global healthcare industry. Biological acquisition methods to obtain nanoparticles (NPs) offer a low-cost, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly approach. This review shows recent data about several methods for procuring nanoparticles and an exhaustive elucidation of biological agents such as plants, algae, bacteria, fungi, actinomycete, and yeast. When compared to the physical, chemical, and biological approaches for obtaining nanoparticles, the biological approach has significant advantages such as non-toxicity and environmental friendliness, which support their significant use in therapeutic applications. The bio-mediated, procured nanoparticles not only help researchers but also manipulate particles to provide health and safety. In addition, we examined the significant biomedical applications of nanoparticles, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and other medical applications. This review highlights the findings of current research on the bio-mediated acquisition of novel NPs and scrutinizes the various methods proposed to describe them. The bio-mediated synthesis of NPs from plant extracts has several advantages, including bioavailability, environmental friendliness, and low cost. Researchers have sequenced the analysis of the biochemical mechanisms and enzyme reactions of bio-mediated acquisition as well as the determination of the bioactive compounds mediated by nanoparticle acquisition. This review is primarily concerned with collating research from researchers from a variety of disciplines that frequently provides new clarifications to serious problems.

The effects of herbal medicine (Jujadokseo-hwan) on quality of life in patients with mild cognitive impairment: Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside randomized controlled trial.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the early stage of dementia, requires effective intervention for symptom management and improving patients' quality of life (QoL). Jujadokseo-hwan (JDH) is a Korean herbal medicine prescription used to improve MCI symptoms, such as memory deficit. This study evaluates the improvement in QoL through JDH. Alongside a clinical trial, it estimates the cost-effectiveness of JDH, compared to placebo, for MCI over 24 weeks. Methods: Changes in QoL were measured using the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Korean version QoL-Alzheimer's Disease (KQOL-AD). Direct medical and non-medical costs were surveyed and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) per QALY for JDH were produced. Results: In total, 64 patients were included in the economic evaluation (n = 35 in JDH, n = 29 in placebo). In the JDH group, EQ-5D and KQOL-AD improved by 0.020 (p = .318) and 3.40 (p = .011) over 24 weeks, respectively. In the placebo group, they increased by 0.001 (p=.920) and 1.07 (p=.130), respectively. The ICER was KRW 76,400,000 per QALY and KRW 108,000 per KQOL-AD for JDH, compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: JDH is not considered a cost-effective treatment option compared with placebo; however, it positively affects QoL improvement in patients with MCI.

Pharmacopuncture Effects on Insomnia Disorder: Protocol for a Multi-Site, Randomized, Acupuncture-Controlled, Clinical Trial.

Insomnia is a common health problem that can lead to various diseases and negatively impact quality of life. Pharmacopuncture is a new type of acupuncture that involves applying herbal medicine extracts to acupoints. Korean medicine doctors frequently use it to treat insomnia disorder. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture for insomnia disorder. We designed a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture and acupuncture for insomnia disorder. This multi-site, randomized, acupuncture-controlled trial will enroll 138 insomnia patients. The subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, pharmacopuncture or acupuncture, at a 2:1 ratio. For 4 weeks, the participants will receive ten sessions of pharmacopuncture or acupuncture treatment and will be followed up for 4 weeks after the treatment ends. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score is the primary outcome measure. Insomnia severity index score, sleep parameters recorded using actigraphy and sleep diaries, physical symptoms associated with insomnia, emotions, quality of life, medical costs, and safety are the secondary outcome measures. The findings of this trial willprovide evidence that will be useful in clinical decision-making for insomnia treatment strategies.

The Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Gamiguibi-Tang versus Hwangryunhaedok-Tang for Patients with Insomnia Disorder Based on a Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Insomnia is associated with poor quality of life and loss of productivity, and is a significant economic burden on society. Gamiguibi-tang (GGBT) is the most frequently prescribed herbal medicine for insomnia treatment. Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT) is used as an insured herbal medicine for insomnia in the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) system. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of GGBT versus HHT in patients with insomnia disorders based on clinical trial data; (2) Methods: The EuroQol five-dimension scale (EQ-5D) was used to estimate quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Direct and non-direct medical costs and lost productivity costs were estimated. The cost-effectiveness of GGBT was compared with HHT treatments over six weeks from a societal perspective; (3) Results: A total of 81 patients who underwent GGBT (n = 56) and HHT (n = 25) treatment completed the clinical trial. The EQ-5D score improved significantly more in the GGBT than in the HHT group (0.02 vs. −0.03, p < 0.05). The QALYs for six weeks were slightly greater in GGBT (0.0997) than in the HHT group (0.0987); however, the total costs incurred were approximately 9% less in GGBT ($934) than in the HHT group ($1029). GGBT was found to be a more economically dominant treatment option compared to HHT for treating insomnia; (4) Conclusions: Among herbal medicines, GGBT may be a cost-effective option for treating insomnia from a societal perspective in Korea.

Treatment patterns and cost of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using multiple inhaler triple therapy in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Multiple inhaler triple therapy (MITT), comprising inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), has been used as an escalation treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, real-world use of MITT has not been investigated in Asia, including South Korea. This study reports baseline characteristics of patients with COPD initiated on MITT in South Korea, and their treatment patterns. Healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs associated with COPD exacerbations following MITT initiation were also assessed. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using the South Korea National Health Insurance database (2014-2018). Included patients were ≥ 40 years, had a COPD diagnosis, were newly initiated on MITT and had ≥ 12 months' data both before (baseline) and after index date (the first day with overlapping supply of all MITT components). Treatment immediately before initiation and immediately following discontinuation of MITT were identified, and proportion of days covered (PDC) by MITT was calculated. HRU and costs (per person per year [PPPY]) associated with exacerbations were identified following MITT initiation; costs were calculated using the average 2020 exchange rate (0.0008 USD/KRW). RESULTS: Among 37,400 patients, the mean age was 69 (SD 10) years and 73% were males; 56% had ≥ 1 COPD exacerbation during the baseline period, with a mean of 2 (SD 5) events/year. ICS/LABA was the most frequent regimen prescribed immediately before initiation (37%) and immediately following discontinuation (41% of 34,264 patients) of MITT. At 3, 6, and 12 months from treatment initiation, mean PDC was 81%, 63% and 49%, respectively; median treatment duration was 102 days. The mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) number of total visits for severe COPD exacerbations was 0.77 PPPY (0.75-0.78); mean PPPY total healthcare costs were 2093 USD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD in South Korea experienced frequent exacerbations prior to MITT, and PDC by MITT was low. Patients may benefit from early optimization of COPD therapy, and greater emphasis on adherence to inhaled COPD therapy. Severe exacerbations were found to incur substantial costs; treatment alternatives that can reduce the rate of severe exacerbations are likely to minimize healthcare costs.

Comparison of the outcomes between sorafenib and lenvatinib as the first-line systemic treatment for HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In a randomized controlled trial, lenvatinib was non-inferior to sorafenib in overall survival (OS) of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). This study aimed to compare the effects of sorafenib and lenvatinib as first-line systemic therapy against uHCC with real-world data in chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study involved 132 patients with HBV-related uHCC. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics, including age, sex, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, Child-Pugh class, tumor size, and tumor stage. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), and tumor response. RESULTS: After PSM, the final analysis included 44 patients treated with lenvatinib and 88 with sorafenib. The OS (7.0 vs 9.2 months, p = 0.070) and PFS (4.6 vs 2.4 months, p = 0.134) were comparable between the two drugs. Multivariable analysis showed that lenvatinib and sorafenib were not independent prognostic factors of OS (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval = 0.96-2.08, p = 0.077) after adjustment for baseline alpha-fetoprotein levels, total bilirubin levels, alanine aminotransferase level, performance status, tumor stage, and tumor size. However, the lenvatinib group had a significantly prolonged TTP (5.2 vs 2.5 months, p = 0.018) and a higher objective response rate (18.2% vs 4.5%, p = 0.020) and disease control rate (77.3% vs 47.7%, p = 0.001) than the sorafenib group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that lenvatinib had a comparable OS and PFS but longer TTP and better tumor response compared to sorafenib in patients with HBV-related uHCC.

Sport Psychological Skill Factors and Scale Development for Taekwondo Athletes.

The purpose of this study was to identify the sport psychological skills of Taekwondo athletes and to develop a scale measuring such skills. We collected preliminary data using an open-ended online survey targeting Taekwondo athletes from nine countries (South Korea, China, Malaysia, United States, Spain, France, Brazil, United Kingdom, and Taiwan) who participated in international competitions between 2019 and 2020. We extracted participants' sport psychological skills from 75 survey responses, guided by expert meetings and a thorough literature review. We verified our Taekwondo psychological skill scale's construct validity using 840 survey responses. We utilized V coefficients, parallel analysis, an exploratory structural equation model, maximum likelihood, confirmatory factor analysis, and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis for data analysis. We identified six core sport psychological skills: "goal setting," "confidence," "imagery," "self-talk," "fighting spirit," and "concentration." Our final measure, which demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity, comprises 18 items spanning 6 factors, with each item rated on a 3-point Likert scale.

The sesquiterpene lactone estafiatin exerts anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages and protects mice from sepsis induced by LPS and cecal ligation puncture.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we found that the water extract of Artermisia scoparia Waldst. & Kit suppressed the cytokine production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and alleviated carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in mice. Artemisia contains various sesquiterpene lactones and most of them exert immunomodulatory activity. PURPOSE: In the present study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of estafiatin (EST), a sesquiterpene lactone derived from A. scoparia, on LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages and mouse sepsis model. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and THP-1 cells, a human monocytic leukemia cell line, were pretreated with different doses of EST for 2 h, followed by LPS treatment. The gene and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot analysis. The activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was also evaluated at the level of phosphorylation. The effect of EST on inflammatory cytokine production, lung histopathology, and survival rate was assessed in an LPS-induced mice model of septic shock. The effect of EST on the production of cytokines in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages was evaluated by in vitro and ex vivo experiments and protective effect of EST on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mice was also assessed. RESULTS: The LPS-induced expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS was suppressed at the mRNA and protein levels in BMDMs and THP-1 cells, respectively, by pretreatment with EST. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of EST on IL-6 and TNF-α production were determined as 3.2 µM and 3.1 µM in BMDMs, 3 µM and 3.4 µM in THP1 cells, respectively. In addition, pretreatment with EST significantly reduced the LPS-induced phosphorylation p65, p38, JNK, and ERK in both cell types. In the LPS-induced mice model of septic shock, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, CXCL1, and CXCL2 were lower in EST-treated mice than in the control animals. Histopathology analysis revealed that EST treatment ameliorated LPS-induced lung damage. Moreover, while 1 of 7 control mice given lethal dose of LPS survived, 3 of 7 EST-treated (1.25 mg/kg) mice and 5 of 7 EST-treated (2.5 mg/kg) mice were survived. Pretreatment of EST dose-dependently suppressed the LPS-induced production of IL-6, TNF-α and CXCL1 in peritoneal macrophages. In CLP-induced mice sepsis model, while all 6 control mice was dead at 48 h, 1 of 6 EST-treated (1.25 mg/kg) mice and 3 of 6 EST-treated (2.5 mg/kg) mice survived for 96 h. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that EST exerts anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated macrophages and protects mice from sepsis. Our study suggests that EST could be developed as a new therapeutic agent for sepsis and various inflammatory diseases.

Cirsium japonicum var. Maackii Improves Cognitive Impairment under Amyloid Beta25-35-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Abnormal production and degradation of amyloid beta (Aß) in the brain lead to oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) is widely used as an herbal medicine and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study focused on the protective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from CJM (ECJM) on Aß 25-35-induced control mice. In the T-maze and novel object recognition test, ECJM provided higher spatial memory and object recognition compared to Aß 25-35 treatment alone. In the Morris water maze test, ECJM-administered mice showed greater learning and memory abilities than Aß 25-35-induced control mice. Additionally, ECJM-administered mice experienced inhibited lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent manner. The present study indicates that ECJM improves cognitive impairment by inhibiting oxidative stress in Aß 25-35-induced mice. Therefore, CJM may be useful for the treatment of AD and may be a potential material for functional foods.

Developing a Scale Using Item Response Theory of the Self-Resilience in Taekwondo Players.

The purpose of this study was to identify the ego-resiliency of Taekwondo athletes and to develop a scale measuring such skills. We collected preliminary data using an open-ended online survey targeting Taekwondo athletes from nine countries (South Korea, China, Malaysia, United States, Spain, France, Brazil, United Kingdom, and Taiwan) who participated in international competitions between 2019 and 2020. We extracted participants' ego-resiliency from 48 survey responses, guided by expert meetings and a thorough literature review. We verified our Taekwondo ego-resiliency scale's construct validity using 741 survey responses. We utilized V coefficients, parallel analysis, an exploratory structural equation model, maximum likelihood, confirmatory factor analysis, and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis for data analysis. We identified four core ego-resiliency types: "empathy," "coach support," "care," and "parent support/effort". Our final measure, which demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity, comprises 18 items spanning 4 factors, with each item rated on a 3-point Likert scale.

An integrated process for conversion of spent coffee grounds into value-added materials.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are inexpensive materials with a complex composition that makes them promising feedstocks for a biorefinery.Here, conversion of SCG into a wide range of high value-added products (coffee oil, bio-ethanol, D-mannose, manno-oligosaccharide (MOS), cafestol and kahweol) using a novel integrated system was evaluated. The process involves oil extraction, MOS production by mannanase obtained from Penicillium purpurogenum, NaOH (Na) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) pretreatment for the degradation of lignin and phenolic compounds, diterpenes extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation, which can be performed using environmentally friendly technologies. Approximately 97 mL of coffee oil, 164 g of D-mannose, 102 g of MOS, 99 g of bioethanol and a dash of cafestol/kahweol were produced from 1 kg of dry SCG. Producing high-value co-products from SCG using an integrated approach as demonstrated here may be an efficient strategy to reduce waste generation, while improving the economics of the biorefinery production process.

Pentacyclic and hexacyclic cucurbitacins from Elaeocarpuspetiolatus.

Four undescribed cucurbitacins, designated as petiolaticins A-D, and four known cucurbitacins were isolated from the bark and leaves of Elaeocarpus petiolatus (Jack) Wall. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on detailed analyses of the NMR and MS data. The absolute configuration of petiolaticin A was also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Petiolaticin A represents a cucurbitacin derivative incorporating a 3,4-epoxyfuranyl-bearing side chain, while petiolaticin B possesses a furopyranyl unit fused to the tetracyclic cucurbitane core structure. Petiolaticins A, B, and D were evaluated in vitro against a panel of human breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer cell lines. Petiolaticin A exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SW48 cell lines (IC50 7.4, 9.2, 9.3, and 4.6 µM, respectively). Additionally, petiolaticin D, 16α,23α-epoxy-3ß,20ß-dihydroxy-10αH,23ßH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one, and 16α,23α-epoxy-3ß,20ß-dihydroxy-10αH,23ßH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside were tested for their ability to inhibit cell entry of a pseudotyped virus bearing the hemagglutinin envelope protein of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Petiolaticin D showed the highest inhibition (44.3%), followed by 16α,23α-epoxy-3ß,20ß-dihydroxy-10αH,23ßH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one (21.0%), and 16α,23α-epoxy-3ß,20ß-dihydroxy-10αH,23ßH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside showed limited inhibition (9.0%). These preliminary biological assays have demonstrated that petiolaticins A and D possess anticancer and antiviral properties, respectively, which warrant for further investigations.

Caterpillar Medicinal Mushroom, Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycota), Attenuates Aß1-42-Induced Amyloidogenesis and Inflammatory Response by Suppressing Amyloid Precursor Protein Progression and p38 MAPK/JNK Activation.

The deposition of amyloid beta (Aß) is a neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cordyceps militaris is an edible medicinal fungus in Asian countries with antioxidative, antiaging, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms of C. militaris in the brain of Aß1-42-injected AD mice. An intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1-42 (total 3 µg/mouse) resulted in neurological damage, including amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation; however, C. militaris attenuated Aß1-42-induced amyloidogenesis and inflammatory responses. Oral administration of C. militaris at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg suppressed acetylcholinesterase activity. In addition, C. militaris treatment downregulated amyloid precursor protein levels, with a decrease in ß-secretase activity. Moreover, C. militaris significantly enhanced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Furthermore, C. militaris-administered groups had inactivated inflammatory responses by downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. The injection of Aß1-42 resulted in the activation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, which was rescued by C. militaris. These results suggest that C. militaris has a protective effect against Aß1-42-induced neurological damage.

Examining the Role of Life Skills in Mediating the Relationship between the Basic Psychological Needs and Subjective Well-Being of Taekwondo Student-Athletes.

Various theories in the field of positive youth development (PYD) through sport argue that student athletes' satisfaction with basic psychological needs, life skills development, and well-being are closely related to each other. This study identified the structural relationship among three basic psychological needs, life skills, and subjective well-being. Korean Taekwondo student athletes (N = 302, Mage = 17.67, range = 17-19) completed a survey evaluating basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), life skills (teamwork, goal setting, social skills, time management, and leadership), and subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive/negative affect). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, correlation, and the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The model's goodness of fit was Ï°2/df = 2.78, TLI = 0.90, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.077 (95% CI = 0.70, 0.80), and SRMR = 0.085. The three basic psychological needs were positively related to life skills and subjective well-being. In addition, life skills had a mediation effect between the three basic psychological needs and subjective well-being. The interpretation of the results indicated that life skills development and well-being depend on basic psychological needs. Thus, coaches should encourage a PYD climate to satisfy their athletes' psychological needs.