Association between Breakfast Consumption Frequency and Chronic Inflammation in Korean Adult Males: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker. Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included. Data from the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for analysis. The frequency of breakfast consumption was assessed through a questionnaire item in the dietary survey section asking participants about their weekly breakfast consumption routines over the past year. Participants were categorized into two groups, namely "0-2 breakfasts per week" and "3-7 breakfasts per week"; hs-CRP concentrations were measured through blood tests. Results: Comparing between the "infrequent breakfast consumption (0-2 breakfasts per week)" and "frequent breakfast consumption (3-7 breakfasts per week)" groups, the mean hs-CRP was found to be significantly higher in the "infrequent breakfast consumption" group, even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides (mean hs-CRP: frequent breakfast consumption, 1.36±0.09 mg/L; infrequent breakfast consumption, 1.17±0.05 mg/L; P-value=0.036). Conclusion: Less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Further large-scale studies incorporating adjusted measures of daily eating patterns as well as food quality and quantity are required for a deeper understanding of the role of breakfast in the primary prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Recommendations for Adult Immunization by the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, 2023: Minor Revisions to the 3rd Edition.

The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases has been regularly developing guidelines for adult immunization since 2007. In 2023, the guidelines for the following seven vaccines were revised: influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcal, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, and rabies vaccines. For the influenza vaccine, a recommendation for enhanced vaccines for the elderly was added. For the herpes zoster vaccine, a recommendation for the recombinant zoster vaccine was added. For the pneumococcal vaccine, the current status of the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 20-valent PCV was described. For the Tdap vaccine, the possibility of using Tdap instead of tetanus-diphtheria vaccine was described. For the HPV vaccine, the expansion of the eligible age for vaccination was described. For the meningococcal vaccine, a recommendation for the meningococcal B vaccine was added. For the rabies vaccine, the number of pre-exposure prophylaxis doses was changed. This manuscript documents the summary and rationale of the revisions for the seven vaccines. For the vaccines not mentioned in this manuscript, the recommendations in the 3rd edition of the Vaccinations for Adults textbook shall remain in effect.

Memristors with Tunable Volatility for Reconfigurable Neuromorphic Computing.

Neuromorphic computing promises an energy-efficient alternative to traditional digital processors in handling data-heavy tasks, primarily driven by the development of both volatile (neuronal) and nonvolatile (synaptic) resistive switches or memristors. However, despite their energy efficiency, memristor-based technologies presently lack functional tunability, thus limiting their competitiveness with arbitrarily programmable (general purpose) digital computers. This work introduces a two-terminal bilayer memristor, which can be tuned among neuronal, synaptic, and hybrid behaviors. The varying behaviors are accessed via facile control over the filament formed within the memristor, enabled by the interplay between the two active ionic species (oxygen vacancies and metal cations). This solution is unlike single-species ion migration employed in most other memristors, which makes their behavior difficult to control. By reconfiguring a single crossbar array of hybrid memristors, two different applications that usually require distinct types of devices are demonstrated - reprogrammable heterogeneous reservoir computing and arbitrary non-Euclidean graph networks. Thus, this work outlines a potential path toward functionally reconfigurable postdigital computers.

Association between Uric Acid Levels and the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Carbonated Beverages in the Korean Population: The 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Elevated uric acid levels are linked with obesity and diabetes. Existing research mainly examines the relationship between sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage (SSB) consumption and uric acid levels. This study explored the association between the quantity and frequency of SSB consumption and elevated uric acid levels in Korean adults. Data from 2881 participants aged 19-64 years (1066 men and 1815 women) in the 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Serum uric acid levels were categorized into quartiles, with the highest defined as high uric acid (men, ≥6.7 mg/dL; women, ≥4.8 mg/dL). SSB consumption was classified into quartiles (almost never, <1 cup (<200 mL), 1-3 cups (200-600 mL), ≥3 cups (≥600 mL)) and frequency into tertiles (almost never, ≤1/week, ≥2/week). Multivariate logistic regression assessed the association, with separate analyses for men and women. Increased daily SSB consumption and frequency were significantly associated with high uric acid levels in men but not in women. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics, consuming ≥3 cups (≥600 mL) of SSBs per day and SSBs ≥ 2/week were significantly associated with high serum uric acid levels in men, but this association was not observed in women. The study concludes that increased SSB intake is linked to elevated uric acid levels in Korean men, but not in women.

Rapid Plaque Progression Is Independently Associated With Hyperglycemia and Low HDL Cholesterol in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A PARADIGM Study.

BACKGROUND: We assessed whether combinations of cardiometabolic risk factors independently predict coronary plaque progression (PP) and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease. METHODS: Patients with known or suspected stable coronary artery disease (60.9±9.3 years, 55.4% male) undergoing serial coronary computed tomography angiographies (≥2 years apart), with clinical characterization and follow-up (N=1200), were analyzed from the PARADIGM study (Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaque Determined by Computed Tomographic Angiography Imaging). Plaque volumes measured in coronary segments (≥2 mm in diameter) were summed to provide whole heart plaque volume (mm3) and percent atheroma volume (plaque volume/vessel volume×100; %) per patient at baseline and follow-up. Rapid PP was defined as a percent atheroma volume increase of ≥1.0%/y. Major adverse cardiovascular events included nonfatal myocardial infarction, death, and unplanned coronary revascularization. RESULTS: In an interscan period of 3.2 years (interquartile range, 1.9), rapid PP occurred in 341 patients (28%). At multivariable analysis, the combination of cardiometabolic risk factors defined as metabolic syndrome predicted rapid PP (odds ratio, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.12-2.03]; P=0.007) together with older age, smoking habits, and baseline percent atheroma volume. Among single cardiometabolic variables, high fasting plasma glucose (diabetes or fasting plasma glucose >100 mg/dL) and low HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; <40 mg/dL in males and <50 mg/dL in females) were independently associated with rapid PP, in particular when combined (odds ratio, 2.37 [95% CI, 1.56-3.61]; P<0.001). In a follow-up of 8.23 years (interquartile range, 5.92-9.53), major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 201 patients (17%). At multivariable Cox analysis, the combination of high fasting plasma glucose with high systemic blood pressure (treated hypertension or systemic blood pressure >130/85 mm Hg) was an independent predictor of events (hazard ratio, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.10-2.90]; P=0.018) together with family history, baseline percent atheroma volume, and rapid PP. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stable coronary artery disease, the combination of hyperglycemia with low HDL-C is associated with rapid PP independently of other risk factors, baseline plaque burden, and treatment. The combination of hyperglycemia with high systemic blood pressure independently predicts the worse outcome beyond PP. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02803411.

NTRK-fused central nervous system tumours: clinicopathological and genetic insights and response to TRK inhibitors.

Background Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are found in 1% of gliomas across children and adults. TRK inhibitors are promising therapeutic agents for NTRK-fused gliomas because they are tissue agnostic and cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Methods We investigated twelve NGS-verified NTRK-fused gliomas from a single institute, Seoul National University Hospital. Results The patient cohort included six children (aged 1-15 years) and six adults (aged 27-72 years). NTRK2 fusions were found in ten cerebral diffuse low-grade and high-grade gliomas (DLGGs and DHGGs, respectively), and NTRK1 fusions were found in one cerebral desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma and one spinal DHGG. In this series, the fusion partners of NTRK2 were HOOK3, KIF5A, GKAP1, LHFPL3, SLMAP, ZBTB43, SPECC1L, FKBP15, KANK1, and BCR, while the NTRK1 fusion partners were TPR and TPM3. DLGGs tended to harbour only an NTRK fusion, while DHGGs exhibited further genetic alterations, such as TERT promoter/TP53/PTEN mutation, CDKN2A/2B homozygous deletion, PDGFRA/KIT/MDM4/AKT3 amplification, or multiple chromosomal copy number aberrations. Four patients received adjuvant TRK inhibitor therapy (larotrectinib, repotrectinib, or entrectinib), among which three also received chemotherapy (n = 2) or proton therapy (n = 1). The treatment outcomes for patients receiving TRK inhibitors varied: one child who received larotrectinib for residual DLGG maintained stable disease. In contrast, another child with DHGG in the spinal cord experienced multiple instances of tumour recurrence. Despite treatment with larotrectinib, ultimately, the child died as a result of tumour progression. An adult patient with glioblastoma (GBM) treated with entrectinib also experienced tumour progression and eventually died. However, there was a successful outcome for a paediatric patient with DHGG who, after a second gross total tumour removal followed by repotrectinib treatment, showed no evidence of disease. This patient had previously experienced relapse after the initial surgery and underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell therapy with carboplatin/thiotepa and proton therapy. Conclusions Our study clarifies the distinct differences in the pathology and TRK inhibitor response between LGG and HGG with NTRK fusions.

Anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole derivative BNZ-111 on paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, remains a formidable challenge, especially in the context of platinum-resistant disease. This study investigated the potential of the benzimidazole derivative BNZ-111 as a novel treatment strategy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS: The human EOC cell lines A2780, HeyA8, SKOV3ip1, A2780-CP20, HeyA8-MDR, and SKOV3-TR were treated with BNZ-111, and cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were assessed. RESULTS: It demonstrated strong cytotoxicity in both chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments using orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft models showed significant tumor growth inhibition without apparent toxicity to vital organs. Unlike paclitaxel, BNZ-111 proved effective in paclitaxel-resistant cells, potentially by bypassing interaction with MDR1 and modulating ß-3 tubulin expression to suppress microtubule dynamics. CONCLUSION: BNZ-111, with favorable drug-like properties, holds promise as a therapeutic option for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, addressing a critical clinical need in gynecologic oncology.

Phase II Efficacy and Safety of 80 mg Osimertinib in Patients With Leptomeningeal Metastases Associated With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (BLOSSOM).

PURPOSE: Leptomeningeal metastases (LMs) exhibit a high incidence in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) post-treatment with first- or second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This investigation evaluates the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of 80 mg once daily osimertinib in patients with LMs resistant to prior first- or second-generation EGFR TKIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this phase II multicenter, open-label, single-arm study, 80 mg osimertinib was administered to patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who had developed LMs subsequent to treatment with prior EGFR TKIs. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), assessed alongside objective response rate by the blinded independent central review (BICR) and a pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the first day of cycles 3 and 6. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients diagnosed with LM were treated with osimertinib, including 64 patients evaluable for the LM efficacy set-T790M negative (n = 62) and T790M positive (n = 2). The median OS in the full-analysis set was 15.6 months (95% CI, 11.5 to 20.2). The objective response rate for LM was 51.6%, including a 15.6% complete response, and the disease control rate was 81.3% by BICR in the LM efficacy evaluable set. The median LM progression-free survival by BICR was 11.2 months (95% CI, 7.7 to 15.3), the duration of response was 12.6 months (95% CI, 7.6 to 17.7), and OS was 15.0 months (95% CI, 11.3 to 18.7). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the CSF to free plasma osimertinib ratio was 22%. Most safety profiles were grade 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates significant intracranial efficacy and survival benefits of 80 mg once daily osimertinib in NSCLC patients with LMs. The data support considering daily 80 mg of osimertinib as a treatment option for EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients with LMs, irrespective of T790M mutation status.

Enhancing machine learning models for total organic carbon prediction by integrating geospatial parameters in river watersheds.

This study utilizes machine learning (ML) algorithms to develop a robust total organic carbon (TOC) prediction model for river waters in the Geumho River sub-basins, South Korea, considering both non-rain and rain events. The model incorporates geospatial parameters such as land use, slope, flow rate, and basic water quality metrics including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and suspended solids (SS). A key aspect of this research is examining how land use information enhances the model's predictive accuracy. We compared two ML algorithms-extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and deep neural networks (DNN)-with a traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) approach. XGBoost outperformed the others, achieving an R2 value between 0.61 and 0.68 in the test dataset and demonstrating significant improvement during rain events with an R2 of 0.77 when including land use data. In contrast, this enhancement was not observed with the MLR model. Feature importance analysis using Shapley values highlighted COD as the primary predictor for non-rain events, while during rain events, COD, TP, TN, SS and agricultural land collectively influenced TOC levels. This study significantly advances understanding of TOC variability across different land use scenarios in river systems and underscores the importance of integrating geospatial and water quality parameters to enhance TOC prediction, particularly during rain events. This methodology provides a valuable framework for developing river management strategies and monitoring long-term TOC trends, especially in scenarios with gaps in essential monitoring data.

Successful Treatment of Refractory or Relapsed Hepatoblastoma With Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children.

BACKGROUND: The standard-risk hepatoblastoma has a good prognosis in children; however, refractory or relapsed (R/R) hepatoblastoma has a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) rescue in pediatric patients with R/R hepatoblastoma. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 6 pediatric patients with R/R hepatoblastoma who underwent autologous HSCT. The MEC conditioning regimen was used for all patients, comprising melphalan 140 mg/m 2 /day intravenously (IV) on day 7 and 70 mg/m 2 on day 6, etoposide 200 mg/m 2 IV on days 5 to 8, and carboplatin 400 mg/m 2 IV on days 5 to 8. One patient received a TopoThioCarbo regimen, comprising topotecan 2 mg/m 2 /day IV on days 4 to 8, thiotepa 300 mg/m 2 /day IV on days 6 to 8, and carboplatin 500 mg/m 2 /day IV on days 3 to 5, as the conditioning regimen for the first transplantation. This was followed by salvage chemotherapy for relapse, and the second transplantation was performed using MEC as the conditioning regimen. RESULTS: We report the retrospective results of 6 patients with a median age of 1.8 (range 0.4 to 10.2) years who had R/R hepatoblastoma and underwent autologous HSCT. The median follow-up period was 58 (range 28 to 113) months after diagnosis. The median stage at diagnosis was 2.0 (range 2 to 4). Two patients had lung metastases during diagnosis. The median initial alpha-fetoprotein level was 292,888 (range 28,831 to 2,406,942) ng/mL, and the median number of chemotherapy lines before autologous HSCT was 3.5 (range 2 to 7). The disease status before HSCT was complete remission (CR) for all patients. The engraftment rate was 100%. No treatment-related mortality was reported. The 3-year event-free survival and overall survival rates were 83.3% and 100%, respectively. One patient relapsed after the second HSCT and achieved CR after salvage chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests autologous HSCT as an effective treatment in pediatric patients with R/R hepatoblastoma. Nevertheless, future large-scale prospective studies are warranted.

Comprehensive multiomics analysis reveals distinct differences between pediatric choroid plexus papilloma and carcinoma.

Choroid plexus tumors (CPTs) are intraventricular tumors derived from the choroid plexus epithelium and occur frequently in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic and epigenomic characteristics of CPT and identify the differences between choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) and choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC). We conducted multiomics analyses of 20 CPT patients including CPP and CPC. Multiomics analysis included whole-genome sequencing, whole-transcriptome sequencing, and methylation sequencing. Mutually exclusive TP53 and EPHA7 point mutations, coupled with the amplification of chromosome 1, were exclusively identified in CPC. In contrast, amplification of chromosome 9 was specific to CPP. Differential gene expression analysis uncovered a significant overexpression of genes related to cell cycle regulation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathways in CPC compared to CPP. Overexpression of genes associated with tumor metastasis and progression was observed in the CPC subgroup with leptomeningeal dissemination. Furthermore, methylation profiling unveiled hypomethylation in major repeat regions, including long interspersed nuclear elements, short interspersed nuclear elements, long terminal repeats, and retrotransposons in CPC compared to CPP, implying that the loss of epigenetic silencing of transposable elements may play a role in tumorigenesis of CPC. Finally, the differential expression of AK1, regulated by both genomic and epigenomic factors, emerged as a potential contributing factor to the histological difference of CPP against CPC. Our results suggest pronounced genomic and epigenomic disparities between CPP and CPC, providing insights into the pathogenesis of CPT at the molecular level.

Nomogram for radiation-induced lymphopenia in patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy based-chemoradiation therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma: A multi-institutional study.

Purpose: Severe lymphopenia (SLP) has emerged as a significant prognostic factor in glioblastoma. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)-based radiation therapy (RT) is suggested to minimize the risk of SLP. This study aimed to evaluate SLP incidence based on multi-institutional database in patients with GBM treated with IMRT and develop a predictive nomogram. Patients and methods: This retrospective study reviewed data from 348 patients treated with IMRT-based concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) at two major hospitals from 2016 to 2021. After multivariate regression analysis, a nomogram was developed and internally validated to predict SLP risk. Results: During treatment course, 21.0% of patients developed SLP and SLP was associated with poor overall survival outcomes in patients with GBM. A newly developed nomogram, incorporating gender, pre-CCRT absolute lymphocyte count, and brain mean dose, demonstrated fair predictive accuracy (AUC 0.723). Conclusions: This study provides the first nomogram for predicting SLP in patients with GBM treated with IMRT-based CCRT, with acceptable predictive accuracy. The findings underscore the need for dose optimization and radiation planning to minimize SLP risk. Further external validation is crucial for adopting this nomogram in clinical practice.

PITPß promotes COPI vesicle fission through lipid transfer and membrane contact formation.

Lipid transfer through membrane contact has been implicated to support vesicular transport, but a mechanistic understanding of this process remains to be achieved. Here, examining Coat Protein I (COPI) transport, we find that phosphatidylcholine (PC) with short acyl chains (sPC), which is needed to support COPI vesicle fission, is delivered through membrane contact from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi complex at sites of COPI vesicle formation. Phosphatidylinositol transfer protein beta (PITPß) plays a central role in this delivery by not only catalyzing PC transfer, but also forming membrane contact. By combining cell-based studies with reconstitution approaches, we achieve spatial and temporal detail in explaining how sPC delivery occurs. Our findings advance the mechanistic understanding of how membrane contact is needed for vesicular transport in a model pathway and shed new insights into how PITPß acts.

Surface anatomy and levator scapulae muscle injection: A cadaveric investigation.

Accurate detection of the levator scapulae muscle is critical for effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The commonly used surface anatomy approach has not been validated and is less accurate than ultrasound-guided techniques. Therefore, we determined the needle insertion point for the levator scapulae using a new technique based on the anatomy of the scapula. This investigation used 15 fresh-frozen cadavers to explore the relationship between the acromial angle and medial tip of the scapular spine (O) of the scapular spine. Based on the x-axis (the distance [L] from Point O to point acromial angle) and the y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis passing through Point O, the barycentric coordinates were determined through the intersections of each axis and the superior angle of the scapula with the levator scapulae. Various ratios involving the established distance L) were ascertained, we compared the measurements and ratios between the male and female groups, and the accuracy of the new technique was compared with the conventional technique. The optimal site of the new technique was within 6 to 7% of distance L on the x-axis and 42 to 44% of distance L on the y-axis. This technique was significantly more accurate than the conventional technique (P = .006). Although ultrasound allows for accurate injections via real-time visualization, its unavailability in some cases highlights the importance of understanding surface anatomy landmarks. Our new technique, based on the anatomy of the scapula and relative measurements, is more accurate than the conventional technique. This should enable more precise detection of the levator scapulae for accurate and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Embryonic development through in vitro fertilization using high-quality bovine sperm separated in a biomimetic cervix environment.

This study is the first to identify bovine blastocysts through in vitro fertilization (IVF) of matured oocytes with a large quantity of high-quality sperm separated from a biomimetic cervix environment. We obtained high-quality sperm in large quantities using an IVF sperm sorting chip (SSC), which could mimic the viscous environment of the bovine cervix during ovulation and facilitates isolation of progressively motile sperm from semen. The viscous environment-on-a-chip was realized by formulating and implementing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based solutions for the SSC medium. Sperm separated from the IVF-SSC containing PVP 1.5% showed high motility, normal morphology and high DNA integrity. As a result of IVF, a higher rate of hatching blastocysts, which is the pre-implantation stage, were observed, compared to the conventional swim-up method. Our results may significantly contribute to improving livestock with superior male and female genetic traits, thus overcoming the limitation of artificial insemination based on the superior genetic traits of existing males.

Bayesian predictive modeling for gas purification using breakthrough curves.

This study proposes a predictive model for assessing adsorber performance in gas purification processes, specifically targeting the removal of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) using breakthrough curve analysis. Conventional parameter estimation methods, such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, encounter challenges due to the limited availability of kinetic and equilibrium data for CWAs. To overcome these challenges, we implement a Bayesian parametric inference method, facilitating direct parameter estimation from breakthrough curves. The model's efficacy is confirmed by applying it to H2S purification in a fixed-bed setup, where predicted breakthrough curves aligned closely with previous experimental and numerical studies. Furthermore, the model is applied to sarin with ASZM-TEDA carbon, estimating key parameters that could not be assessed through conventional experimental techniques. The reconstructed breakthrough curves closely match actual measurements, highlighting the model's accuracy and robustness. This study not only enhances filter performance prediction for CWAs but also offers a streamlined approach for evaluating gas purification technologies under limited experimental data conditions.

Effects of Cissus quadrangularis L. Powder on Proximate Composition, Physicochemical and Textural Properties of Tteokgalbi.

We investigated Cissus quadrangularis L. powder (C) use as a natural additive to Tteokgalbi, a traditional Korean meat-based dish. Five distinct Tteokgalbi samples were treated: one without any additives (negative control, NC), one with 1.00% C (C1), 2.00% C (C2), 4.00% C (C3), and 0.10% ascorbic acid (positive control, PC). C addition resulted in changes in composition, quality, and sensory attributes. Moisture content decreased with higher C levels; crude protein varied among the groups, with C1 having the highest crude protein levels and C3 the lowest. Crude fat decreased with increasing C concentration, whereas the carbohydrate content increased. The water-holding capacity notably decreased in the C3 group, resulting in increased cooking loss with higher C concentrations. C treatment altered color and texture, reducing CIE L* and increasing CIE a* before cooking and increasing CIE L* and CIE a* after cooking. CIE b* decreased before cooking but increased thereafter. C-treated Tteokgalbi was less cohesive, chewy, and brittle compared to the NC. The C treatment increased the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and enhanced radical scavenging capacities. It also affects storage characteristics, lowers pH, and increases 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values. The microbial counts were lower in C2 and C3 after 11 days. These findings suggest the potential use of C as a natural meat additive.

Incidence of fungal contamination in fresh ginseng samples and mycotoxigenic potential of representative fungal isolates.

BACKGROUND: Fresh ginseng is typically accompanied by soil after harvest, leading to contamination with harmful fungi during storage and distribution. In this study, we investigated the incidence of fungal contamination in fresh ginseng (5-6 years old) purchased from 22 different stores in Geumsan, Korea. RESULTS: The incidence of fungal contamination in the samples was 67.4-111.5%. Fusarium solani was the most abundant species in the head (38.5%) and fine root (19.3%) parts of the ginseng samples, whereas F. oxysporum was the most abundant in the main root (22.0%) part. We isolated Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium spp. (total number of isolates: 395) from the ginseng samples, and 138 isolates were identified using phylogenetic analysis. Polymerase chain reaction-based screening of 65 mycotoxin-producing species revealed that two P. expansum isolates were positive for citrinin and/or patulin, and five F. oxysporum isolates were positive for fumonisin biosynthesis gene. One P. expansum isolate produced 738.0 mg kg-1 patulin, and the other produced 10.4 mg kg-1 citrinin and 12.0 mg kg-1 patulin on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. Among the 47 representative F. oxysporum isolates, 43 (91.5%) produced beauvericin (0.1-15.4 mg kg-1) and four of them (8.5%) produced enniatin B and enniatin B1 (0.1-1.8 mg kg-1) as well. However, none of these toxins was detected in fresh ginseng samples. CONCLUSION: Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum were the most abundant species in fresh ginseng samples. Most F. oxysporum (43) and P. expansum (2) strains isolated from fresh ginseng produced beauvericin and enniatins (B and B1), and patulin or citrinin, respectively, on PDA medium. This is the first report of the mycotoxigenic potential of P. expansum and F. oxysporum strains isolated from fresh ginseng. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.