Cultural variation in the motivational correlates of gratitude.

Gratitude confers a sense of indebtedness to repay the benefactor, which poses a limitation on one's autonomy-an aversive experience in individualist cultures. Yet, gratitude is frequently valued and expressed in individualist cultures such as the United States. One solution to this dilemma is that gratitude has different aspects: It confers a sense of obligation but also strengthens social relations. Thus, gratitude might be associated more strongly with indebtedness in cultural contexts where autonomy is less valued, but it might be associated with a desire to be close to others in cultural contexts where autonomy is more valued. We tested how motivations for being indebted, for connecting to others, and for a hedonic emotional balance predict both gratitude to God and interpersonal gratitude in samples from the United States, India, Israel, Poland, South Korea, and Turkey (N = 2,093). Results revealed substantial cultural variation in how these correlates are associated with gratitude. We discuss how gratitude can inform cultural differences in how relationships are construed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

[Legal and Practical Solutions for the Expanding the Roles of Medical Support Staff Nurses].

PURPOSE: Medical support staff nurses have traditionally performed various supportive tasks for physicians, often extending beyond standard nursing roles. Despite these long-standing practices, there is a notable lack of official recognition and legal protection for these expanded responsibilities, leading to increasing legal concerns. Therefore, there is a need for proposing a rational solution to address these issues. METHODS: The number of medical support staff nurses is rising, particularly as they fill gaps left by the 2024 resident physician strike. The study focuses on identifying potential challenges arising from this shift and developing strategic improvements to address these challenges effectively. RESULTS: This study proposed legally expanding the scope of nursing duties and creating a robust system for training and certifying nurses to handle these responsibilities effectively, by integrating these roles within the advanced practice nurse (APN) framework. CONCLUSION: Integrating these roles within the framework of APN can offer a sustainable and legally sound solution to the ongoing healthcare crisis, ensuring patient safety and safeguarding healthcare workers' legal rights.

Motivated to feel better and doing something about it: Cross-cultural differences in motivated emotion regulation during COVID-19.

Emotion regulation is linked to adaptive psychological outcomes. To engage in such regulation, people must be motivated to do it. Given that people in different countries vary in how they think about unpleasant emotions, we expected motivation to decrease unpleasant emotions to differ across countries. Furthermore, given that emotion regulation strategies operate in the service of motivation, we expected people who are less motivated to decrease unpleasant emotions to use emotion regulation strategies less across countries. To test these predictions, we conducted two studies during the COVID-19 pandemic: Study 1 in 2020 (N = 1,329) and Study 2 in 2021 (N = 1,279). We assessed the motivation to decrease unpleasant emotions and the use of emotion regulation strategies among members of East Asian countries (i.e., Japan, South Korea, and China) and Western countries (i.e., United States, United Kingdom, and Germany). Because we found substantial variation within these two broader cultural categories, we examined motivation and overall strategy use in emotion regulation at the country level. In both studies, motivation to decrease unpleasant emotions was the lowest in Japan and relatively high in the United States. As expected, across countries, weaker motivation to decrease unpleasant emotions was associated with using emotion regulation strategies less. We discuss implications of our findings for understanding cultural differences in motivated emotion regulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Novel Variant of FDXR as a Molecular Etiology of Postlingual Post-synaptic Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder via Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Reiteration of the Correlation between Genotype and Cochlear Implantation Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: FDXR encodes mitochondrial ferredoxin reductase, which is associated with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) and optic atrophy. To date, only two studies have described FDXR-related hearing loss. The auditory rehabilitation outcomes of this disease entity have not been investigated, and the pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we report a hearing-impaired individual with co-segregation of the FDXR variant and post-synaptic type ANSD, who underwent cochlear implantation (CI) with favorable outcomes. We suggest a possible pathophysiological mechanism of adult-onset ANSD involving mitochondrial dysfunction. METHODS: A 35-year-old woman was ascertained to have ANSD. Exome sequencing identified the genetic cause of hearing loss, and a functional study measuring mitochondrial activity was performed to provide molecular evidence of pathophysiology. Expression of FDXR in the mouse cochlea was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Intraoperatively, electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) responses were measured, and the mapping parameters were adjusted accordingly. Audiological outcomes were monitored for over 1 year. RESULTS: In lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) carrying a novel FDXR variant, decreased ATP levels, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased reactive oxygen species levels were observed compared to control LCLs. These dysfunctions were restored by administering mitochondria isolated from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, confirming the pathogenic potential of this variant via mitochondrial dysfunction. Partial ECAP responses during CI and FDXR expression in the mouse cochlea indicate that FDXR-related ANSD is post-synaptic. As a result of increasing the pulse width during mapping, the patient's CI outcomes showed significant improvement over 1-year post-CI. CONCLUSION: A novel FDXR variant associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and post-synaptic ANSD was first identified in a Korean individual. Additionally, 1-year post-CI outcomes were reported for the first time in the literature. Excellent audiologic. RESULTS: were obtained, and our. RESULTS: reiterate the correlation between genotype and CI outcomes in ANSD.

Siponimod-associated cystoid macular edema without known risk factors.

Purpose: This case report highlights the importance of monitoring ocular health for patients starting on siponimod treatment, a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. By showing how medication adverse events present in patients, we can revisit the current guidelines on ophthalmic evaluation recommendations. Observations: We report a 60-year-old patient who presented with unilateral blurry vision upon initiating siponimod therapy for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Her exam findings did not show visual field defects but were significant for cystoid macular edema distorting the foveal contour. Upon stopping siponimod therapy, the patient's macular edema and symptoms resolved significantly within 7 days and completely resolved 1 month later. Conclusions and importance: This case showcases siponimod-associated cystoid macular edema in a patient without known risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and uveitis. The patient also had the earliest reported symptom onset to date following the initiation of siponimod therapy. Current recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and FDA stress the importance of ophthalmic evaluation three to four months after treatment initiation for patients with a history of risk factors. Given our current case and its comparison with four previously reported cases, we recommend that physicians inform patients of possible ocular adverse events with siponimod therapy regardless of their past medical history and duration of treatment.

Placental growth factor deficiency initiates obesity- and aging-associated metabolic syndrome.

Obesity often leads to inadequate angiogenesis in expanding adipose tissue, resulting in inflammation and insulin resistance. We explored the role of placental growth factor (PlGF) in metabolic syndrome (MS) using mice models of type 2 diabetes, high-fat diet, or aging. Reduced serum PlGF levels were associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and development of MS features. PlGF was localized within endothelial cells and pericytes of adipose tissue. In vitro, low PlGF levels in hypoxic conditions worsened oxidative stress, apoptosis, and reduced autophagy. This was associated with a reduction in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A/VEGF-R1/-R2, which was influenced by a decrease and increase in PlGF/pAMPK/PI3K-pAkt/PLCγ1-iCa++/eNOS and PTEN/GSK3ß axes, respectively. PlGF-knockout mice exhibited MS traits through alterations in the same signaling pathways, and these changes were mitigated by recombinant PlGF and metformin. These enhanced angiogenesis and lipid metabolism, underscoring PlGF's role in age-related MS and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Examining Inclusive Language in Clinical Narratives in Medical Biochemistry Textbooks to Model Equitable Patient-Centered Care in Preclinical Undergraduate Medical Education.

Purpose: When healthcare professionals use biased or stigmatizing language to describe people or conditions, it can impact the quality of care or erode the patient-physician relationship. It is not clear where healthcare professionals acquire biased and stigmatizing language in practice. This study focuses on examining language in educational materials used in training of medical students. Specifically, medical biochemistry textbooks were examined as they are often a first exposure to clinical narratives and communication standards. The aim of this project is to investigate whether medical biochemistry textbooks, widely recommended in preclinical UME, model inclusive language communication in clinical narratives. Methods: To determine if educational materials follow inclusive writing guidelines, we conducted a modified document analysis on a sample of medical biochemistry textbooks when clinical scenarios were described. Three independent researchers separately reviewed the textbooks, coded the language using NVivo, and generated themes. Results: Our results show that medical biochemistry textbooks contain language which is not in alignment with the best practices for inclusive language. Our analysis mapped codes to two primary themes of language misalignment. The first theme, "clinical language" (n = 92), included the following codes: difficult patient, general negative descriptive language, patient as failure, and questioning patient credibility. The second primary theme, "identity-first labeling" (n = 251), included 21 codes. Conclusion: This study provides early evidence that the language used in medical biochemistry textbooks to describe people and conditions is not in alignment with inclusive language recommendations. This can reinforce the way future healthcare professionals speak to and about their patients.

Long-Term Changes in Atrial Arrhythmia Burden After Renal Denervation Combined With Pulmonary Vein Isolation: SYMPLICITY-AF.

BACKGROUND: The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypertension. Renal denervation (RDN) lowers blood pressure (BP), but its role in AF is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether RDN reduces AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). METHODS: This study randomized patients from 8 centers (United States, Germany) with drug-refractory AF for treatment with PVI+RDN vs PVI alone. A multielectrode radiofrequency Spyral catheter system was used for RDN. Insertable cardiac monitors were used for continuous rhythm monitoring. The primary efficacy endpoint was ≥2 minutes of AF recurrence or repeat ablation during all follow-up. The secondary endpoints included atrial arrhythmia (AA) burden, discontinuation of class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs, and BP changes from baseline. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients with AF (52 paroxysmal, 18 persistent) and uncontrolled hypertension were randomized (RDN+PVI, n = 34; PVI, n = 36). At 3.5 years, 26.2% and 21.4% of patients in RDN+PVI and PVI groups, respectively, were free from the primary efficacy endpoint (log rank P = 0.73). Patients with mean ≥1 h/d AA had less daily AA burden after RDN+PVI vs PVI (4.1 hours vs 9.2 hours; P = 0.016). More patients discontinued class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs after RDN+PVI vs PVI (45% vs 14%; P = 0.040). At 1 year, systolic BP changed by -17.8 ± 12.8 mm Hg and -13.7 ± 18.8 mm Hg after RDN+PVI and PVI, respectively (P = 0.43). The composite safety endpoint was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF and uncontrolled BP, RDN+PVI did not prevent AF recurrence more than PVI alone. However, RDN+PVI may reduce AF burden and antiarrhythmic drug usage, but this needs further prospective validation.

Treatment compliance, treatment patterns, and healthcare utilization in epilepsy patients with first add-on antiepileptic drugs: A nationwide cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the treatment compliance, patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs of anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) as the first add-on therapy in patients with epilepsy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study using Korean National Health Insurance claims data from 2016 to 2020. Patients with epilepsy who newly received AED add-on therapy were identified and followed for up to 12 months to evaluate persistence, adherence, treatment patterns, HCRU, and costs. Results: Among 6,746 patients who initiated AED add-on therapy, 65.5% were persistent on their index AED add-on from the index date until the end of the follow-up period, and the mean persistent time on the index add-on was 307.3 ± 92.3 days. A total of 76.8% patients were adherent, with a medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥80%, and the mean MPR was 88.9 ± 25.4%. Persistence and adherence to the index AED add-on were relatively higher among patients prescribed lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, and perampanel than those prescribed carbamazepine, topiramate, or valproate. A total of 41.0% of the patients changed their index AED add-on during the follow-up period. The carbamazepine, topiramate, and valproate groups had higher rates of change than the other AED groups. HCRU and costs tended to be lower in the lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, and perampanel groups. Furthermore, perampanel showed the lowest HCRU and costs for all-cause cases as well as the lowest length of stay and outpatient visits for epilepsy-related cases. Conclusion: In this population-based study, the use of lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, or perampanel as the first add-on therapy in patients with epilepsy contributed to better treatment compliance and lower HCRU and costs than that of carbamazepine, topiramate, or valproate.

[Effect of an Intervention Using Voice Recording of a Family Member on Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilator Weaning Process].

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the impact of an intervention using voice recording of family members on pain, anxiety, and agitation in patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A randomized control pre-post experimental design was implemented to 53 participants, with 27 and 26 participants in the experimental and control groups, respectively. A 70-second voice recording of a family member, repeated three times at 10-minute intervals was used as an intervention for the experimental group. Meanwhile, participants in the control group used headset for 30 minutes. Structured instruments were utilized to measure pain, anxiety, agitation, and the weaning process. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and the Mann-Whitney U test, or χ² test, were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The experimental group exhibited significant decrease in pain (Z = -3.53, p < .001), anxiety (t = 5.45, p < .001), and agitation (Z = -2.99, p = .003) scores compared with those of the control group. However, there was no significant difference between groups in the weaning process' simplification (χ² = 0.63, p = .727). CONCLUSION: Intervention using family members' voice recording effectively reduces pain, anxiety, and agitation in patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation. This can be actively utilized to provide a more comfortable process for patients.

Prediction of effectiveness of universal rotavirus vaccination in Southwestern Vietnam based on a dynamic mathematical model.

Vaccinating young children against rotavirus (RV) is a promising preventive strategy against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE). We evaluated the relative risk reduction of RVGE induced by universal vaccination in Vietnam through dynamic model analysis. We developed an age-stratified dynamic Vaccinated-Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered-Susceptible model to analyze RV transmission and assess vaccine effectiveness (VE). We assumed 3 different vaccine efficacies: 55%, 70%, and 85%. For model calibration, we used a database of patients under 5 years of age admitted to Ho Chi Minh No.1 Hospital with RVGE between January 2013 and December 2018. Assuming a vaccination rate of 95%, the number of RVGE hospitalizations after 5 years from universal RV vaccination decreased from 92,502 cases to 45,626 with 85% efficacy, to 54,576 cases with 70% efficacy, and to 63,209 cases with 55% efficacy. Additionally, RVGE hospitalizations after 10 years decreased from 177,950 to 89,517 with 85% efficacy and to 121,832 cases with 55% efficacy. The relative risk reductions of RVGE after 10 years were 49.7% with 85% efficacy, 40.6% with 70% efficacy, and 31.5% with 55% efficacy. The VE was 1.10 times (95% CI, 1.01-1.22) higher in the 4-months to 1-year-old age group than in the other age groups (P = 0.038), when applying 85% efficacy with 95% coverage. In conclusion, despite its relatively lower efficacy compared to high-income countries, RV vaccination remains an effective intervention in Southwestern Vietnam. In particular, implementing universal RV vaccination with higher coverage would result in a decrease in RVGE hospitalizations among Vietnamese children under 5 years of age.

Early Postoperative Benefits in Receptive and Expressive Language Development After Cochlear Implantation Under 9 Months of Age in Comparison to Implantation at Later Ages.

OBJECTIVES: The recent expansion of eligibility for cochlear implantation (CI) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include infants as young as 9 months has reignited debates concerning the clinically appropriate cut-off age for pediatric CI. Our study compared the early postoperative trajectories of receptive and expressive language development in children who received CI before 9 months of age with those who received it between 9 and 12 months. This study involved a unique pediatric cohort with documented etiology, where the timing of CI was based on objective criteria and efforts were made to minimize the influence of parental socioeconomic status. METHODS: A retrospective review of 98 pediatric implantees recruited at a tertiary referral center was conducted. The timing of CI was based on auditory and language criteria focused on the extent of delay corresponding to the bottom 1st percentile of language development among age-matched controls, with patients categorized into very early (CI at <9 months), early (CI at 9-12 months) and delayed (CI at 12-18 months) CI groups. Postoperative receptive/expressive language development was assessed using the Sequenced Language Scale for Infants receptive and expressive standardized scores and percentiles. RESULTS: Only the very early CI group showed significant improvements in receptive language starting at 3 months post-CI, aligning with normal-hearing peers by 9 months and maintaining this level until age 2 years. During this period (<2 years), all improvements were more pronounced in receptive language than in expressive language. CONCLUSION: CI before 9 months of age significantly improved receptive language development compared to later CI, with improvements sustained at least up to the age of 2. This study supports the consideration of earlier CI, beyond pediatric Food and Drug Administration labeling criteria (>9 months), in children with profound deafness who have a clear deafness etiology and language development delays (<1st percentile).

A retrospective study for long-term oncologic and obstetric outcomes in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure: focus on surgical margin and human papillomavirus.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term oncological and obstetric outcomes following the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and investigate the risk factors for recurrence and preterm birth. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent LEEP for CIN 2-3 between 2011 and 2019. Demographic information, histopathological findings, postoperative cytology, and human papillomavirus (HPV) status were collected and analyzed. The Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test were used for risk factor analysis. RESULTS: A total of 385 patients treated with the LEEP were analyzed. Treatment failure, including recurrence or residual disease following surgery, was observed in 13.5% of the patients. Positive surgical margins and postoperative HPV detection were independent risk factors for CIN1 + recurrence or residual disease (HR 1.948 [95%CI 1.020-3.720], p = 0.043, and HR 6.848 [95%CI 3.652-12.840], p-value < 0.001, respectively). Thirty-one patients subsequently delivered after LEEP, and the duration between LEEP and delivery was significantly associated with preterm-related complications, such as a short cervix, preterm labor, and preterm premature rupture of the membrane (p = 0.009). However, only a history of preterm birth was associated with preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Positive HPV status after LEEP and margin status were identified as independent risk factors for treatment failure in patients with CIN who underwent LEEP. However, combining these two factors did not improve the prediction accuracy for recurrence.

Changes in tuberculosis risk after transplantation in the setting of decreased community tuberculosis incidence: a national population-based study, 2008-2020.

BACKGROUND: Transplant recipients are immunocompromised and vulnerable to developing tuberculosis. However, active tuberculosis incidence is rapidly declining in South Korea, but the trend of tuberculosis infection among transplant recipients has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of active tuberculosis after transplantation, including risk factors for tuberculosis and standardized incidence ratios, compared with that in the general population. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted based on the South Korean health insurance review and assessment database among those who underwent transplantation (62,484 recipients) between 2008 and 2020. Tuberculosis incidence was compared in recipients treated during higher- (2010-2012) and lower-disease burden (2016-2018) periods. Standardized incidence ratios were analyzed using the Korean Tuberculosis Surveillance System. The primary outcome was the number of new tuberculosis cases after transplantation. RESULTS: Of 57,103 recipients analyzed, the overall cumulative incidence rate 1 year after transplantation was 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7-0.8), significantly higher in the higher-burden period than in the lower-burden period (1.7% vs. 1.0% 3 years after transplantation, P < 0.001). Individuals who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation had the highest tuberculosis incidence, followed by those who underwent solid organ transplantation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (P < 0.001). The overall standardized incidence ratio was 3.9 (95% CI 3.7-4.2) and was the highest in children aged 0-19 years, at 9.0 (95% CI 5.7-13.5). Male sex, older age, tuberculosis history, liver transplantation, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were risk factors for tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant recipients are vulnerable to developing tuberculosis, possibly influenced by their immunocompromised status, solid organ transplant type, age, and community prevalence of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis prevalence by country, transplant type, and age should be considered to establish an appropriate tuberculosis prevention strategy for high-risk groups.

Genome-Wide Identification and Comprehensive Analysis of the GASA Gene Family in Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Abiotic Stress.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally cultivated crop of significant economic and nutritional importance. The role of gibberellic-acid-stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA) family genes is well established in plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, there is a gap in understanding the function of GASA proteins in cultivated peanuts, particularly in response to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. Thus, we conducted comprehensive in silico analyses to identify and verify the existence of 40 GASA genes (termed AhGASA) in cultivated peanuts. Subsequently, we conducted biological experiments and performed expression analyses of selected AhGASA genes to elucidate their potential regulatory roles in response to drought and salinity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AhGASA genes could be categorized into four distinct subfamilies. Under normal growth conditions, selected AhGASA genes exhibited varying expressions in young peanut seedling leaves, stems, and roots tissues. Notably, our findings indicate that certain AhGASA genes were downregulated under drought stress but upregulated under salt stress. These results suggest that specific AhGASA genes are involved in the regulation of salt or drought stress. Further functional characterization of the upregulated genes under both drought and salt stress will be essential to confirm their regulatory roles in this context. Overall, our findings provide compelling evidence of the involvement of AhGASA genes in the mechanisms of stress tolerance in cultivated peanuts. This study enhances our understanding of the functions of AhGASA genes in response to abiotic stress and lays the groundwork for future investigations into the molecular characterization of AhGASA genes.

Maintenance of the synergistic effects of cord blood cells and erythropoietin combination therapy after additional cord blood infusion in children with cerebral palsy: 1-year open-label extension study of randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This 1-year open-label extension study aimed to identify the persistent synergistic effects of allogeneic umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells and erythropoietin (EPO) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) for up to 2 years. METHODS: This open-label extension study followed children with CP who were enrolled in the previous randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. The following groups from the first trial were maintained: (A) UCB + EPO, (B) UCB, (C) EPO, and (D) only placebo, and all the participants had continued active rehabilitation. This extended study started 3 months after termination of the first trial, which had a 1-year follow-up duration. All subjects received single additional UCB intravenous infusion at the extension baseline regardless of their initial allocation. Outcome measures were the gross motor performance measure (GMPM), gross motor function measure-66 (GMFM-66), and Bayley scales of infant development-II (BSID-II), which were followed at 3, 6, and 12 months after the extension baseline. Changes in the outcome scores from the baseline values of the previous trial and this study were analysed. RESULTS: Sixty-nine children (4.29 ± 1.28 years, M:F = 34:35) were included in this study. Each group showed improvements in the outcome measures at 12 months after additional UCB infusion compared to the baseline scores, except for GMFM and GMPM in Group C which were elevated at 3 and 6 months post-therapy. Total subject analyses did not show significant differences in the outcome measures between the four different groups at 3, 6 and 12 months after additional UCB therapy. However, patients with severe dysfunction, whose GMFCS levels were IV and V, revealed a larger improvement of the GMPM score in Group A than in Group D (Ps < 0.05) from the baseline value of the previous trial. The changes in BSID-II mental scale scores were positively correlated with the number of administered total nucleated cells per unit body weight during this one-year extension study period (r = 0.536, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that when administering UCB to treat patients with CP, combination therapy with EPO is more effective, and the effect might last as long as 2 years, especially in patients with severe impairments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CHA Bundang Medical Center IRB, No. 2015-06-093, approved on July 29, 2015, ( https://www.e-irb.com:3443/devlpg/nlpgS200.jsp ), ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03130816, retrospectively registered on April 27, 2017 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03130816?term=NCT03130816&draw=2&rank=1 ).

Identification of QTLs and allelic effect controlling lignan content in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) using QTL-seq approach.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an oilseed crop, is gaining worldwide recognition for its healthy functional ingredients as consumption increases. The content of lignans, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is a key agronomic trait that determines the industrialization of sesame. However, the study of the genetics and physiology of lignans in sesame is challenging, as they are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, therefore, the understanding of gene function and synthetic pathways related to lignan in sesame is still limited. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted genetic analyses using F7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from Goenbaek and Gomazou as low and high lignin content variants, respectively. Using the QTL-seq approach, we identified three loci, qLignan1-1, qLignan6-1, and qLignan11-1, that control lignan content, specifically sesamin and sesamolin. The allelic effect between loci was evaluated using the RIL population. qLignan6-1 had an additive effect that increased lignan content when combined with the other two loci, suggesting that it could be an important factor in gene pyramiding for the development of high-lignan varieties. This study not only highlights the value of sesame lignan, but also provides valuable insights for the development of high-lignan varieties through the use of DNA markers in breeding strategies. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the importance of sesame oil and facilitates progress in sesame breeding for improved lignan content.

Trampoline Stiffness Estimation by Using Robotic System for Quantitative Evaluation of Jumping Exercises.

Trampolines are recognized as a valuable tool in exercise and rehabilitation due to their unique properties like elasticity, rebound force, low-impact exercise, and enhancement of posture, balance, and cardiopulmonary function. To quantitatively assess the effects of trampoline exercises, it is essential to estimate factors such as stiffness, elements influencing jump dynamics, and user safety. Previous studies assessing trampoline characteristics had limitations in performing repetitive experiments at various locations on the trampoline. Therefore, this research introduces a robotic system equipped with foot-shaped jigs to evaluate trampoline stiffness and quantitatively measure exercise effects. This system, through automated, repetitive movements at various locations on the trampoline, accurately measures the elastic coefficient and vertical forces. The robot maneuvers based on the coordinates of the trampoline, as determined by its torque and position sensors. The force sensor measures data related to the force exerted, along with the vertical force data at X, Y, and Z coordinates. The model's accuracy was evaluated using linear regression based on Hooke's Law, with Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Correlation Coefficient Squared (R-squared) metrics. In the analysis including only the distance between X and the foot-shaped jigs, the average MAE, RMSE, and R-squared values were 17.9702, 21.7226, and 0.9840, respectively. Notably, expanding the model to include distances in X, Y, and between the foot-shaped jigs resulted in a decrease in MAE to 15.7347, RMSE to 18.8226, and an increase in R-squared to 0.9854. The integrated model, including distances in X, Y, and between the foot-shaped jigs, showed improved predictive capability with lower MAE and RMSE and higher R-squared, indicating its effectiveness in more accurately predicting trampoline dynamics, vital in fitness and rehabilitation fields.