The effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor-α blocker therapy in patients with axial spondyloarthritis who failed conventional treatment: a comparative study focused on improvement in ASAS Health Index.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blocker therapy on the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS-HI) among patients who have failed conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods: A comparative study was conducted involving axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients treated with either TNF-α blocker or conventional therapy. Patient data, including demographics, disease characteristics, and ASAS-HI scores, were collected before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to compare changes in ASAS-HI scores between the TNF-α blocker and the conventional therapy group. Results: The study population consisted of patients with axSpA, with a mean age of 38.3 years in conventional treatment group and 29.3 years in TNF-α blocker group. Most variables, including C-reactive protein levels, other comorbidities, and disease assessment scores showed no significant difference between groups. Longitudinal analysis within each treatment group from Week 0 to 12 showed no significant change in the conventional treatment group, whereas the TNF-α blocker group experienced a significant reduction in ASAS-HI scores, demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment. The TNF-α blocker group exhibited a significantly greater improvement in ASAS-HI scores compared to the conventional therapy group. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index demonstrated strong positive correlations with ASAS-HI scores, indicating higher disease activity and functional limitation are associated with worse health outcomes in patients. Conclusion: The research demonstrates that ASAS-HI scores significantly improve with TNF-α blocker therapy in axSpA patients, underscoring ASAS-HI's effectiveness as a tool for evaluating drug responses.

A potential role of protein extractions from Metagonimus yokogawai in amelionating inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Helminth infections and their components has been recognized to have a positive impact on the immune system. This study aimed to investigate the potential of Metagonimus yokogawai-derived proteins (MYp) to provide protection against ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through modulation of immune responses. The cytotoxicity of MYp at various doses was first assessed using MTS and flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from AS patients, and the production of inflammatory cytokines was analyzed through flow cytometry. In the experiments with SKG mice, MYp or vehicle was administered and inflammation was evaluated through immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that MYp did not decrease cell viability of PBMCs even after 48 h. Additionally, the frequencies of IFN-γ and IL-17A producing cells were significantly reduced after MYp treatment in the PBMC cultures. Furthermore, MYp treatment significantly suppressed arthritis and enthesitis in the SKG mouse model. The results suggest the first evidence that MYp can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and restore cytokine balance in patients with AS.

Exosome-mediated delivery of super-repressor IκBα alleviates inflammation and joint damages in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of exosomes engineered to carry super-repressor IκB (Exo-srIκB), an exosome-based NF-κB inhibitor, in the context of RA. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) were collected from patients diagnosed with RA and treated with Exo-srIκB to test the therapeutic potential. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to assess the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A and GM-CSF) by the cells. ELISA was utilized to measure the levels of TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-6, and GM-CSF. Arthritis was induced in SKG mice by intraperitoneal injection of curdlan. DBA/1 J mice were used in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) experiments. After the development of arthritis, mice were injected with either Exo-Naïve (control exosome) or Exo-srIκB. Arthritis scores were recorded biweekly, and histological observations of the ankle joint were conducted using H&E and safranin-O staining. Additionally, bone erosion was evaluated using micro-CT imaging. RESULTS: In the ex vivo study involving human PBMCs and SFMCs, treatment with Exo-srIκB demonstrated a notable reduction in inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, in both the SKG and CIA models, Exo-srIκB treatment exhibited significant reductions in inflammation, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion within the joint tissues when compared to the Exo-Naive control group. Additionally, the radiographic score assessed through microCT showed a significant decrease compared to the Exo-Naive control group. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings suggest that Exo-srIκB possesses anti-inflammatory properties in human RA cells and animal models, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of RA.

Assessment of growing condition variables on alfalfa productivity.

This study was conducted to assess the impact of growing condition variables on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) productivity. A total of 197 alfalfa yield results were acquired from the alfalfa field trials conducted by the South Korean National Agricultural Cooperative Federation or Rural Development Administration between 1983 and 2008. The corresponding climate and soil data were collected from the database of the Korean Meteorological Administration. Twenty-three growing condition variables were developed as explaining variables for alfalfa forage biomass production. Among them, twelve variables were chosen based on the significance of the partial-correlation coefficients or potential agricultural values. The selected partial correlation coefficients between the variables and alfalfa forage biomass ranged from -0.021 to 0.696. The influence of the selected twelve variables on yearly alfalfa production was summarized into three dominant factors through factor analysis. Along with the accumulated temperature variables, the loading scores of the daily mean temperature higher than 25°C were over 0.88 in factor 1. The sunshine duration at temperature between 0°C-25°C was 0.939 in factor 2. Precipitation days were 0.82, which was the greatest in factor 3. Stepwise regression applied with the three dominant factors resulted in the coefficients of factors 1, 2, and 3 for 0.633, 0.485, and 0.115, respectively, and the R-square of the model was 0.602. The environmental conditions limiting alfalfa growth, such as daily temperature higher than 25°C or daily mean temperature affected annual alfalfa production most substantially among the growing condition variables. Therefore, future cultivar selection should consider the capability of alfalfa to be tolerant to extreme summer weather along with biomass production potential.

Assessment of weather events impacts on forage production trend of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid.

This study aimed to assess the impact of weather events on the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivar production trend in the central inland region of Korea during the monsoon season, using time series analysis. The sorghum-sudangrass production data collected between 1988 and 2013 were compiled along with the production year's weather data. The growing degree days (GDD), accumulated rainfall, and sunshine duration were used to assess their impacts on forage production (kg/ha) trend. Conversely, GDD and accumulated rainfall had positive and negative effects on the trend of forage production, respectively. Meanwhile, weather events such as heavy rainfall and typhoon were also collected based on weather warnings as weather events in the Korean monsoon season. The impact of weather events did not affect forage production, even with the increasing frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall. Therefore, the trend of forage production for the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid was forecasted to slightly increase until 2045. The predicted forage production in 2045 will be 14,926 ± 6,657 kg/ha. It is likely that the damage by heavy rainfall and typhoons can be reduced through more frequent harvest against short-term single damage and a deeper extension of the root system against soil erosion and lodging. Therefore, in an environment that is rapidly changing due to climate change and extreme/abnormal weather, the cultivation of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid would be advantageous in securing stable and robust forage production. Through this study, we propose the cultivation of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid as one of the alternative summer forage options to achieve stable forage production during the dynamically changing monsoon, in spite of rather lower nutrient value than that of maize (Zea mays L.).

Defect-Passivated Photosensor Based on Cesium Lead Bromide (CsPbBr3) Perovskite Quantum Dots for Microbial Detection.

A defect-passivated photosensor based on cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite quantum dots (QD) was fabricated using parylene films, and the photosensor was applied for the microbial detection. The CsPbBr3 perovskite QDs were synthesized to be homogeneous in size under thermodynamic control, and the perovskite QD-based photosensor was fabricated using MoS2 flakes as the electron transfer layer. In this work, a parylene film with functional groups was deposited on a photosensor for physical protection (waterproof) and defect (halide vacancy) passivation of the perovskite QD. As the first effect of the parylene film, the physical protection of the perovskite QD from water was estimated by comparing the photosensor performance after incubation in water. As the second effect of the parylene, the interaction between the functional groups of the parylene film and the halide vacancies of the perovskite QDs was investigated through the bandgap, crystal structure, and trap-state density analysis. Additionally, density functional theory analysis on Mulliken charges, lattice parameters, and Gibbs free energy demonstrated the effect of the defect passivation by parylene films. Finally, the parylene-passivated QD-based photosensor was applied to the detection of two kinds of food-poisoning and gastroduodenal disease bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes and Helicobacter pylori).

Wearable fabric-based ZnO nanogenerator for biomechanical and biothermal monitoring.

Wearable devices that can mechanically conform to human skin are a necessity for reliable monitoring and decoding of biomechanical activities through skin. Most inorganic piezoelectrics, however, lack deformability and damage tolerance, impeding stable motion monitoring. Here, we present an air-permeable fabric-based ZnO nanogenerator with mechanical adaptivity to diverse deformations for wearable piezoelectric sensors, collecting biomechanical health data. We fabricate ZnO nanorods incorporated throughout the entire nylon fabric, with a strategically positioned neutral mechanical plane, for bending-sensitive electronics (2.59 µA mm). Its hierarchically interlocked geometry also permits sensitive tactile sensing (0.15 nA kPa-1). Various physiological information about activities, including pulse beating, breathing, saliva swallowing, and coughing, is attained using skin-mounted sensors. Further, the pyroelectric sensing capability of a mask-attached device is demonstrated by identifying specific respiratory patterns. Our wearable healthcare sensors hold great promise for real-time monitoring of health-related vital signs, informing individuals' health status without disrupting their daily lives.

Phage-targeting bimetallic nanoplasmonic biochip functionalized with bacterial outer membranes as a biorecognition element.

The use of phages-a natural predator of bacteria-has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections; thus, the isolation and detection of phages from the environment is crucial for advancing phage therapy. Herein, for the first time, we propose a nanoplasmonic-based biodetection platform for phages that utilizes bacterial outer membranes (OMs) as a biorecognition element. Conventional biosensors based on phage-bacteria interactions encounter multiple challenges due to the bacteriolytic phages and potentially toxic bacteria, resulting in instability and risk in the measurement. Therefore, instead of whole living bacteria, we employ a safe biochemical OMs fraction presenting phage-specific receptors, allowing the robust and reliable phage detection. In addition, the biochip is constructed on bimetallic nanoplasmonic islands through solid-state dewetting for synergy between Au and Ag, whereby sensitive detection of phage-OMs interactions is achieved by monitoring the absorption peak shift. For high detection performance, the nanoplasmonic chip is optimized by systematically investigating the morphological features, e.g., size and packing density of the nanoislands. Using our optimized device, phages are detected with high sensitivity (≥∼104 plaques), specificity (little cross-reactivity), and affinity (stronger binding to the host OMs than anti-bacterial antibodies), further exhibiting the cell-killing activities.

CCL20 inhibition for treating inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: Th17 cells are known to play a significant role in AS. C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) binds to C-C chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) on Th17 cells, promoting their migration to inflammation sites. The aim of this research is to examine the effectiveness of CCL20 inhibition in treating inflammation in AS. METHODS: Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMC) and SF (SFMC) were collected from healthy individuals and AS. Flow cytometry was used to analyse cells producing inflammatory cytokines. CCL20 levels were determined using ELISA. The impact of CCL20 on Th17 cell migration was verified using a Trans-well migration assay. The in vivo efficacy of CCL20 inhibition was evaluated using an SKG mouse model. RESULTS: The presence of Th17 cells and CCL20 expressing cells was higher in SFMCs from AS patients compared with their PBMCs. The CCL20 level in AS SF was significantly higher than in OA patients. The percentage of Th17 cells in PBMCs from AS patients increased when exposed to CCL20, whereas the percentage of Th17 cells in SFMCs from AS patients decreased when treated with CCL20 inhibitor. The migration of Th17 cells was found to be influenced by CCL20, and this effect was counteracted by the CCL20 inhibitor. In the SKG mouse model, the use of CCL20 inhibitor significantly reduced joint inflammation. CONCLUSION: This research validates the critical role of CCL20 in AS and suggests that targeting CCL20 inhibition could serve as a novel therapeutic approach for AS treatment.

Breathing-Driven Self-Powered Pyroelectric ZnO Integrated Face Mask for Bioprotection.

Rapid spread of infectious diseases is a global threat and has an adverse impact on human health, livelihood, and economic stability, as manifested in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Even though people wear a face mask as protective equipment, direct disinfection of the pathogens is barely feasible, which thereby urges the development of biocidal agents. Meanwhile, repetitive respiration generates temperature variation wherein the heat is regrettably wasted. Herein, a biocidal ZnO nanorod-modified paper (ZNR-paper) composite that is 1) integrated on a face mask, 2) harvests waste breathing-driven thermal energy, 3) facilitates the pyrocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ultimately 4) exhibits antibacterial and antiviral performance is proposed. Furthermore, in situ generated compressive/tensile strain of the composite by being attached to a curved mask is investigated for high pyroelectricity. The anisotropic ZNR distortion in the bent composite is verified with changes in ZnO bond lengths and OZnO bond angles in a ZnO4 tetrahedron, resulting in an increased polarization state and possibly contributing to the following pyroelectricity. The enhanced pyroelectric behavior is demonstrated by efficient ROS production and notable bioprotection. This study exploring the pre-strain effect on the pyroelectricity of ZNR-paper might provide new insights into the piezo-/pyroelectric material-based applications.

Laser-Shock-Driven In Situ Evolution of Atomic Defect and Piezoelectricity in Graphitic Carbon Nitride for the Ionization in Mass Spectrometry.

Nanostructures─coupled with mass spectrometry─have been intensively investigated to improve the detection sensitivity and reproducibility of small biomolecules in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). However, the impact of laser-induced shock wave on the ionization of the nanostructures has rarely been reported. Herein, we systematically elucidate the laser shock wave effect on the ionization in terms of the in situ development of atomic defects and piezoelectricity in two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4 NS) by short laser pulses. The mass analysis results of immunosuppressive drugs verify the enhanced LDI-MS performance, structurally originating from anisotropic lattice distortions in g-C3N4 NS, i.e., in-plane extension (contraction) and out-of-plane contraction (extension) that modulate the charge carrier motion. Along with the experimental investigations, density functional theory calculations on Mulliken charges and dipole moments demonstrate the contribution of defect and piezoelectricity to the ionization. The results of this study provide a mechanistic understanding of the underlying ionization processes, which is crucial for revealing the full potential of laser shock waves in LDI-MS.

Simultaneous analysis of acylcarnitines using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry based on a parylene matrix chip.

Short and medium chain acylcarnitines have been used for the diagnosis of various fatty acid oxidation and organic acid disorders. This report presents a multiplex and quantitative analysis of acylcarnitines using MALDI-TOF MS based on a parylene matrix chip. The parylene matrix chip was fabricated by the deposition of a nanoporous film of parylene on an organic matrix array, which reduced the number of mass peaks from the organic matrix in the low m/z range. Quantitative analysis was possible using the parylene matrix chip because of the formation of nano-sized sample crystals on the nanoporous parylene film. Seven acylcarnitines were quantitatively analyzed using the chip; the method detection range included the cut-off values for metabolic disorders. The seven acylcarnitines of different concentrations were simultaneously detected using the parylene matrix chip and the interference from the mixed carnitines was estimated. Real L-carnitine (C0) samples were analyzed using serial dilution, and the recoveries were calculated by comparisons with a standard curve.

Electrochemical One-Step Immunoassay Based on Switching Peptides and Pyrolyzed Carbon Electrodes.

Switching peptides were designed to bind reversibly to the binding pocket of antibodies (IgG) by interacting with frame regions (FRs). These peptides can be quantitatively released when antigens bind to IgG. As FRs have conserved amino acid sequences, switching peptides can be used as antibodies for different antigens and different source animals. In this study, an electrochemical one-step immunoassay was conducted using switching peptides labeled with ferrocene for the quantitative measurement of analytes. For the effective amperometry of the switching peptides labeled with ferrocene, a pyrolyzed carbon electrode was prepared by pyrolysis of the parylene-C film. The feasibility of the pyrolyzed carbon electrode for the electrochemical one-step immunoassay was determined by analyzing its electrochemical properties, such as its low double-layer capacitance (Cdl), high electron transfer rate (kapp), and wide electrochemical window. In addition, the factors influencing the amperometry of switching peptides labeled with ferrocene were analyzed according to the hydrodynamic radius, the number of intrahydrogen bonds, dipole moments, and diffusion coefficients. Finally, the applicability of the electrochemical one-step immunoassay for the medical diagnosis of the human hepatitis B surface antigen (hHBsAg) was assessed.

Integrative treatment program for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: A prospective observational case series.

Background: In a situation where conventional treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are labor-intensive and there are concerns about the side effects of conventional medications, a 6-month integrative treatment program, including herbal medicine (HM), Floortime, and sensory enrichment therapy (SET) has been used on children with ASD in Korean medicine clinical settings. Methods: We observed the treatment responses of 18 children with ASD (66.7% male, mean age 3.9 ± 0.9 years) to the integrative treatment program as part of a prospective, single-center, observational case series. Individualized HMs were administered according to the patient's symptoms, and parents were instructed to perform Floortime and SET with their children at home for 2 h and 20 min a day, 5 days a week, respectively. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate the core symptoms of ASD. A linear mixed model for repeated measures was used for analyzing the effect of the program over time, and logistic regression used to explore the predictors of treatment response. Results: The CARS and ABC scores were significantly improved from 34.58 ± 6.27 and 69.28 ± 15.73 at baseline to 28.56 ± 6.05 and 39.67 ± 20.36 after 6 months (p < 0.0001, respectively). No serious adverse events (AEs) were reported, and compliance with HM, Floortime, and SET was high at >90%. Conclusion: This 6-month integrative treatment program appears to be a potentially effective, safe, and feasible option for children with ASD. Low baseline CARS scores may be predictors of higher treatment response.

Gut microbiome composition can predict the response to nivolumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy has revolutionized the clinical outcomes of intractable cancer patients. Little is known about the intestinal nonpathogenic bacterial composition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated by immunotherapy. AIM: To determine whether there is a correlation between gut bacterial composition and prognosis in HCC patients. METHODS: From September 2019 to March 2020, we prospectively collected fecal samples and examined the gut microbiome of 8 advanced HCC patients treated with nivolumab as a second- or third-line systemic treatment. Fecal samples were collected before the start of immunotherapy. Fecal samples of patients with progression during treatment were collected at the time of progression, and fecal samples of patients who showed good response to nivolumab were collected after 5-7 mo as follow-up. Metagenomic data from 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing were analyzed using CLC Genomics Workbench. Microbiome data were analyzed according to therapeutic response. RESULTS: All 8 patients were male, of which 6 had underlying chronic hepatitis B. A higher Shannon index was found in the responders than in the non-responders after nivolumab therapy (P = 0.036). The unweighted beta diversity analysis also showed that the overall bacterial community structure and phylogenetic diversity were clearly distinguished according to therapeutic response. There was no significant difference in the diversity or composition of the patient gut microbiome according to the immunotherapy used. Several taxa specific to therapeutic response were designated as follows: Dialister pneumosintes, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus reteri, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus gordonii, Veillonella atypica, Granulicatella sp., and Trchuris trichiura for the non-responders; Citrobacter freundii, Azospirillum sp. and Enterococcus durans for the responders. Of note, a skewed Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and a low Prevotella/Bacteroides ratio can serve as predictive markers of non-response, whereas the presence of Akkermansia species predicts a good response. CONCLUSION: The current presumptive study suggests a potential role for the gut microbiome as a prognostic marker for the response to nivolumab in treatment of HCC patients.

Metabolic Fluctuations in the Human Stool Obtained from Blastocystis Carriers and Non-Carriers.

Blastocystis is an obligate anaerobic microbial eukaryote that frequently inhabits the gastrointestinal tract. Despite this prevalence, very little is known about the extent of its genetic diversity, pathogenicity, and interaction with the rest of the microbiome and its host. Although the organism is morphologically static, it has no less than 28 genetically distinct subtypes (STs). Reports on the pathogenicity of Blastocystis are conflicting. The association between Blastocystis and intestinal bacterial communities is being increasingly explored. Nonetheless, similar investigations extending to the metabolome are non-existent.Using established NMR metabolomics protocols in 149 faecal samples from individuals from South Korea (n = 38), Thailand (n = 44) and Turkey (n = 69), we have provided a snapshot of the core metabolic compounds present in human stools with (B+) and without (B-) Blastocystis. Samples included hosts with gastrointestinal symptoms and asymptomatics. A total of nine, 62 and 98 significant metabolites were associated with Blastocystis carriage in the South Korean, Thai and Turkish sample sets respectively, with a number of metabolites increased in colonised groups. The metabolic profiles of B+ and B- samples from all countries were distinct and grouped separately in the partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Typical inflammation-related metabolites negatively associated with Blastocystis positive samples. This data will assist in directing future studies underlying the involvement of Blastocystis in physiological processes of both the gut microbiome and the host. Future studies using metabolome and microbiome data along with host physiology and immune responses information will contribute significantly towards elucidating the role of Blastocystis in health and disease.

Recyclable, Antibacterial, Isoporous Through-Hole Membrane Air Filters with Hydrothermally Grown ZnO Nanorods.

Reusable, antibacterial, and photocatalytic isoporous through-hole air filtration membranes have been demonstrated based on hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorods (NRs). High-temperature (300~375 °C) stability of thermoset-based isoporous through-hole membranes has enabled concurrent control of porosity and seed formation via high-temperature annealing of the membranes. The following hydrothermal growth has led to densely populated ZnO NRs on both the membrane surface and pore sidewall. Thanks to the nanofibrous shape of the grown ZnO NRs on the pore sidewall, the membrane filters have shown a high (>97%) filtration efficiency for PM2.5 with a rather low-pressure (~80 Pa) drop. The membrane filters could easily be cleaned and reused many times by simple spray cleaning with a water/ethanol mixture solution. Further, the grown ZnO NRs have also endowed excellent bactericidal performance for both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative S. enteritidis bacteria. Owing to the wide bandgap semiconductor nature of ZnO NRs, organic decomposition by photocatalytic activity under UV illumination has been successfully demonstrated. The reusable, multifunctional membrane filters can find wide applications in air filtration and purification.

Photothermal Structural Dynamics of Au Nanofurnace for In Situ Enhancement in Desorption and Ionization.

Fundamental properties of nanostructured substrates govern the performance of laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS); however, limited studies have elucidated the desorption/ionization mechanism based on the physicochemical properties of substrates. Herein, the enhancement in desorption/ionization is investigated using a hybrid matrix of Au nanoisland-functionalized ZnO nanotubes (AuNI-ZNTs). The underlying origin is explored in terms of the photo-electronic and -thermal properties of the matrix. This is the first study to report the effect of laser-induced surface restructuring/melting phenomenon on the LDI-MS performance. AuNI plays a central role as a photothermal nanofurnace, which facilitates the internal energy transfer from the AuNI to the adsorbed analytes by reconstruction in the structurally dynamic AuNI and therefore favors the desorption process. Moreover, piezoelectricity is driven in situ in the AuNI-ZNT hybrid, which modulates the overall band structure and thereby promotes the ionization process. Ultimately, high LDI-MS performance is demonstrated by analyzing small metabolites of fatty acids and monosaccharides, which are challenged to be detected in conventional LDI-MS. This study emphasizing the understanding of matrix properties can provide insights into the design and development of a novel nanomaterial as an efficient LDI matrix. Furthermore, the developed hybrid matrix can overcome the major hurdles existing in conventional LDI-MS.

Impact of abnormal climate events on the production of Italian ryegrass as a season in Korea.

This study aimed to assess the impact of abnormal climate events on the production of Italian ryegrass (IRG), such as autumn low-temperature, severe winter cold and spring droughts in the central inland, southern inland and southern coastal regions. Seasonal climatic variables, including temperature, precipitation, wind speed, relative humidity, and sunshine duration, were used to set the abnormal climate events using principal component analysis, and the abnormal climate events were distinguished from normal using Euclidean-distance cluster analysis. Furthermore, to estimate the impact caused by abnormal climate events, the dry matter yield (DMY) of IRG between abnormal and normal climate events was compared using a t-test with 5% significance level. As a result, the impact to the DMY of IRG by abnormal climate events in the central inland of Korea was significantly large in order of severe winter cold, spring drought, and autumn low-temperature. In the southern inland regions, severe winter cold was also the most serious abnormal event. These results indicate that the severe cold is critical to IRG in inland regions. Meanwhile, in the southern coastal regions, where severe cold weather is rare, the spring drought was the most serious abnormal climate event. In particular, since 2005, the frequency of spring droughts has tended to increase. In consideration of the trend and frequency of spring drought events, it is likely that drought becomes a NEW NORMAL during spring in Korea. This study was carried out to assess the impact of seasonal abnormal climate events on the DMY of IRG, and it can be helpful to make a guideline for its vulnerability.

Assessment of causality between climate variables and production for whole crop maize using structural equation modeling.

This study aimed to assess the causality of different climate variables on the production of whole crop maize (Zea mays L.; WCM) in the central inland region of the Korea. Furthermore, the effect of these climate variables was also determined by looking at direct and indirect pathways during the stages before and after silking. The WCM metadata (n = 640) were collected from the Rural Development Administration's reports of new variety adaptability from 1985-2011 (27 years). The climate data was collected based on year and location from the Korean Meteorology Administration's weather information system. Causality, in this study, was defined by various cause-and-effect relationships between climatic factors, such as temperature, rainfall amount, sunshine duration, wind speed and relative humidity in the seeding to silking stage and the silking to harvesting stage. All climate variables except wind speed were different before and after the silking stage, which indicates the silking occurred during the period when the Korean season changed from spring to summer. Therefore, the structure of causality was constructed by taking account of the climate variables that were divided by the silking stage. In particular, the indirect effect of rainfall through the appropriate temperature range was different before and after the silking stage. The damage caused by heat-humidity was having effect before the silking stage while the damage caused by night-heat was not affecting WCM production. There was a large variation in soil surface temperature and rainfall before and after the silking stage. Over 350 mm of rainfall affected dry matter yield (DMY) when soil surface temperatures were less than 22°C before the silking stage. Over 900 mm of rainfall also affected DMY when soil surface temperatures were over 27°C after the silking stage. For the longitudinal effects of soil surface temperature and rainfall amount, less than 22°C soil surface temperature and over 300 mm of rainfall before the silking stage affected yield through over 26°C soil surface temperature and less than 900 mm rainfall after the silking stage, respectively.