Association between seaweed intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study.

This study aimed to identify the longitudinal association between seaweed and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Korean population. Data from 148 404 Korean adults aged 40 years and older without a history of T2DM, cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline were obtained from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study data. The participants' seaweed intake was obtained using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and the diagnosis of T2DM was surveyed through a self-reported questionnaire during follow-up. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for T2DM were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard regression, and the dose-response relationship was analysed using a restricted cubic spline regression. Participants had a mean follow-up period of 5 years. Participants with the highest seaweed intake had a 7 % lower risk of T2DM compared with the group with the lowest intake (95 % CI (0·87, 0·99)). Interestingly, this association was stronger in those with normal weight (HR: 0·88, 95 % CI (0·81, 0·95)), while no association was observed in participants with obesity. Spline regression revealed an inverse linear relationship between seaweed intake and T2DM risk in participants with normal weight, showing a trend where increased seaweed intake is related to lower instances of T2DM (Pfor nonlinearity = 0·48). Seaweed intake is inversely associated with the onset of T2DM in Korean adults with normal weight.

Broadband light-absorption InGaN photoanode assisted by imprint patterning and ZnO nanowire growth for energy conversion.

In this research, an InGaN-based photoanode with a broadband light-absorption range from ultraviolet to green, patterned by imprint lithography and branched by ZnO nanowires, has been applied to water splitting. Over the solar spectrum range, the absorbance increases due to the scattering effect of the micro-structure compared to that of flat surface InGaN, which reaches a maximum of over 90% at 380 nm as ZnO nanowires are further employed in this novel photoanode. Consequently, the induced photocurrent density of the InGaN photoanode with a domelike structure and ZnO nanowires on the surface shows a remarkable enhancement of seven times that of the one with a flat surface. Further investigation indicates the wet-etching process for defect removal has an essential impact on photocurrent efficiency. This design demonstrates an innovative approach for water splitting.

Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Activity With Different Diameters and Water Depths in a Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercise.

PURPOSE: Surface electromyography (sEMG) has been used to evaluate extrinsic laryngeal muscle activity during swallowing and phonation. In the current study, sEMG amplitudes were measured from the infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles during phonation through a tube submerged in water. METHOD: The sEMG amplitude values measured from the extrinsic laryngeal muscles and the electroglottographic contact quotient (CQ) were obtained simultaneously from 62 healthy participants (31 men, 31 women) during phonation through a tube at six different depths (2, 4, 7, 10, 15, and 20 cm) while using two tubes with different diameters (1 and 0.5 cm). RESULTS: With increasing depth, the sEMG amplitude for the suprahyoid muscles increased in men and women. However, sEMG amplitudes for the infrahyoid muscles increased significantly only in men. Tube diameter had a significant effect on the suprahyoid sEMG amplitudes only for men, with higher sEMG amplitudes when phonating with a 1.0-cm tube. CQ values increased with submerged depth for both men and women. Tube diameter affected results such than CQ values were higher for men when using the wider tube and for women with the narrower tube. CONCLUSIONS: Vocal fold vibratory patterns changed with the depth of tube submersion in water for both men and women, but the patterns of muscle activation differed between the sexes. This suggests that men and women use different strategies when confronted with increased intraoral pressure during semi-occluded vocal tract exercises. In this study, sEMG provided insight into the mechanism for differences between vocally normal individuals and could help detect compensatory muscle activation during tube phonation in water for people with voice disorders.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. Leaf Extract Fermented by Ganoderma applanatum Mycelia.

Corticosteroids are commonly used anti-inflammatory agents. However, their prolonged use can lead to side effects. Therefore, the development of natural compounds with minimal side effects is necessary. This study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of action of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. leaf (COL), bioconverted using Ganoderma applanatum (G. applanatum) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. The COL 70% EtOH extract fermented by G. applanatum (70COLGA) improved the high cytotoxicity of 70% EtOH extracts (70COL). When RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with 100 and 200 µg/mL of 70COLGA for 2 h and then treated with LPS for 16 h, LPS induced the production of nitric oxide (NO), and the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) were significantly inhibited. When RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with 100 and 200 µg/mL of 70COLGA for 2 h and then treated with LPS for 4 h, the phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) was markedly decreased. In addition, 70COLGA markedly suppressed the production of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Analysis of pro-inflammatory molecules using cytokine arrays showed that macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and IL-27 expressions were also suppressed by 200 µg/mL of 70COLGA in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results demonstrate that 70COLGA significantly prevented inflammatory responses by inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. When RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with 100 and 200 µg/mL of 70COLGA for 2 h and then treated with LPS-conditioned medium (LPS-CM) for 30 min, 70COLGA directly inhibited STAT activation. In summary, our findings suggest that 70COLGA has therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Salmonella vector induces protective immunity against Lawsonia and Salmonella in murine model using prokaryotic expression system.

BACKGROUND: Lawsonia intracellularis is the causative agent of proliferative enteropathy and is associated with several outbreaks, causing substantial economic loss to the porcine industry. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we focused on demonstrating the protective effect in the mouse model through the immunological bases of two vaccine strains against porcine proliferative enteritis. METHODS: We used live-attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) secreting two selected immunogenic LI antigens (Lawsonia autotransporter A epitopes and flagellin [FliC]-peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein-FliC) as the vaccine carrier. The constructs were cloned into a Salmonella expression vector (pJHL65) and transformed into the ST strain (JOL912). The expression of immunogenic proteins within Salmonella was evaluated via immunoblotting. RESULTS: Immunizing BALB/c mice orally and subcutaneously induced high levels of LI-specific systemic immunoglobulin G and mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A. In immunized mice, there was significant upregulation of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 cytokine mRNA and an increase in the subpopulations of cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+ and CD 8+ T lymphocytes upon splenocytes re-stimulation with LI antigens. We observed significant protection in C57BL/6 mice against challenge with 106.9 times the median tissue culture infectious dose of LI or 2 × 109 colony-forming units of the virulent ST strain. Immunizing mice with either individual vaccine strains or co-mixture inhibited bacterial proliferation, with a marked reduction in the percentage of mice shedding Lawsonia in their feces. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella-mediated LI gene delivery induces robust humoral and cellular immune reactions, leading to significant protection against LI and salmonellosis.

A novel transdermal drug delivery system: drug-loaded ROS-responsive ferrocene fibers for effective photoprotective and wound healing activity.

The present study proposes an innovative transdermal drug delivery system using ferrocene-incorporated fibers to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate. Using electrospinning technology, the authors created ferrocene polymer fibers capable of highly efficient drug encapsulation and controlled release in response to reactive oxygen species commonly found in wound sites. The approach improves upon previous methods significantly by offering higher drug loading capacities and sustained release, directly targeting diseased cells. The results confirm the potential of ferrocene fibers for localized drug delivery, potentially reducing side effects and increasing patient convenience. The method could facilitate the application of bioactive compounds in medical textiles and targeted therapy.

Association between Phytochemical Index and Inflammation in Korean Adults.

While the relationship between phytochemicals and inflammation has been confirmed by in vivo or in vitro studies, large-scale epidemiological studies comprehensively analyzing phytochemical-rich food groups remain scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the association between the phytochemical index (PI) and the inflammation levels in Korean adults. The data were derived from the 2015-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and a total of 18,699 participants were analyzed. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels >3.0 mg/L and white blood cell (WBC) counts >10 × 103/µL were defined as "elevated." The PI was calculated based on eight food groups using a 24-h dietary recall. The odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) for elevated hs-CRP levels and WBC counts, according to the PI quintile, were calculated using the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Participants in the higher PI group had lower means of hs-CRP levels and WBC counts than those in the lower PI group (all p for trend <0.001). In fully adjusted logistic regression models, elevated hs-CRP levels and WBC counts in the highest PI group were lower by 40% (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49-0.76) and 34% (OR: 0.66, CI: 0.47-0.93), respectively. Conclusions: A high consumption of phytochemical-rich foods is associated with lower inflammation. This suggests that adopting phytochemical-rich dietary patterns may be an effective approach for reducing inflammation.

Dietary niacin intake and risk of dyslipidemia: A pooled analysis of three prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although the pharmacological effect of niacin in lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels has been demonstrated in several clinical studies, information regarding the effect of dietary niacin intake is uncertain, and the longitudinal association between dietary niacin intake and the risk of dyslipidemia has not been adequately studied. METHODS: We analyzed data from three community-based cohort studies in Korea, including 211,567 participants aged ≥40 years. Dietary niacin intake was estimated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and the occurrence of dyslipidemia was confirmed through surveys during the follow-up period. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate the cohort-specific hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for dyslipidemia and pooled the results using the fixed-effects method. RESULTS: Higher dietary niacin intake was associated with a reduced risk of dyslipidemia (pooled, multivariable-adjusted HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.62-0.82). Compared with the group whose dietary niacin intake was above the recommended dietary allowance in Korea, the risk of dyslipidemia increased by 32% (pooled, multivariable-adjusted HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.19-1.46) in the group below the estimated average requirement in Korea. Spline regression showed a dose-response linear relationship between dietary niacin intake and the risk of dyslipidemia (all p-values for nonlinearity >0.05). CONCLUSION: Consumption of foods with high niacin levels may help prevent or delay the onset of dyslipidemia.

Aqueous extract of the medicinal plant Patrinia villosa Juss. induces angiogenesis via activation of focal adhesion kinase.

Patrinia villosa, a Chinese medicinal herb, is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we tested the pro-angiogenic efficacy of an aqueous extract of Patrinia villosa (PVE) in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with PVE significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and the capillary-like structure forming activity of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blot analysis demonstrated that PVE treatment induced a time-dependent phosphorylation of FAK and Akt in HUVECs. Preincubation with a FAK inhibitor, SC203950, abolished PVE-induced proliferation of HUVECs, indicating a role for FAK in PVE-induced angiogenesis. The proangiogenic activity of PVE was confirmed by an ex vivo mouse aortic ring assay and an in vivo murine hindlimb ischemia model. Further analysis using fractions of PVE partitioned by n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and water residue revealed that the EtOAc fraction contains the bioactive components responsible for PVE-induced migration, endothelial cord formation, FAK phosphorylation, and aortic ring sprouting. Our results provide a rationale for the use of PVE in the treatment of peripheral vascular insufficiency; they indicate the need to identify the novel pro-angiogenic chemicals in the fractions of PVE.

InGaN-based photoanode with ZnO nanowires for water splitting.

The water splitting properties of InGaN photoanodes equipped with ZnO nanowires were examined in this study. Over the solar spectrum range, the absorbance exhibited a remarkable increase due to the enhanced light absorption caused by the ZnO nanowires. By varying the ZnO nanowires length, the photo-to-current density of photoanodes was increased from 0.017 to 0.205 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Consequently, the incident-photon-to-current efficiency was increased by a factor of 5.5 as the ZnO nanowires growth time increased from 2 to 4 h. The results of this research demonstrate the importance of light absorbance and the surface reaction sites of photoanodes on energy harvesting.

Improved conversion efficiency of amorphous Si solar cells using a mesoporous ZnO pattern.

To provide a front transparent electrode for use in highly efficient hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film solar cells, porous flat layer and micro-patterns of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NP) layers were prepared through ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) and deposited on Al-doped ZnO (AZO) layers. Through this, it was found that a porous micro-pattern of ZnO NPs dispersed in resin can optimize the light-trapping pattern, with the efficiency of solar cells based on patterned or flat mesoporous ZnO layers increased by 27% and 12%, respectively.

Lactobacillus brevis strains from fermented aloe vera survive gastroduodenal environment and suppress common food borne enteropathogens.

Five novel Lactobacillus brevis strains were isolated from naturally fermented Aloe vera leaf flesh. Each strain was identified by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and 16S rRNA sequence comparison. These strains were highly tolerant to acid, surviving in pH2.5 for up to 4 hours, and resistant to 5% bile salts at 37°C for 18 hours. Due to its tolerance to acid and bile salts, one strain passed through the gastric barrier and colonised the intestine after oral administration. All five strains inhibited the growth of many harmful enteropathogens without restraining most of normal commensals in the gut and hence named POAL (Probiotics Originating from Aloe Leaf) strains. Additionally, each strain exhibited discriminative resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. The L. brevis POAL strains, moreover, expressed high levels of the glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene which produces a beneficial neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These characteristics in all suggest that the novel L. brevis strains should be considered as potential food additives and resources for pharmaceutical research.