Sangji University

Legume crops are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and various secondary metabolites such as isoflavones. Micronutrient treatments regulate plant biological activities, including stomatal function, hormone balance, and antioxidant accumulation, thereby improving resistance to environmental stress. This study investigated the effect of FeCl2 treatment, which changed the seed coat color, on the physical and biochemical characteristics of mungbean sprouts. After 72 h of cultivation with FeCl2 (Fe-72 h), no significant differences in physical traits were observed compared with the control. However, the levels of isoflavone aglycones (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein) were significantly higher. These findings suggest that FeCl2 treatment does not affect the physical quality of mungbean sprouts but enhances their metabolic quality by catalyzing isoflavone biosynthesis, as these compounds function as iron chelators. Tissue-specific analysis revealed that the seed coat and cotyledons accumulated the highest levels of isoflavone aglycones. The seed coat and cotyledons are directly exposed to FeCl2 during soaking, whereas newly developing tissues, such as the hypocotyl, are only indirectly affected. This difference in mineral exposure among tissues likely influences the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The observed increase in isoflavone content may improve stress resistance during mungbean cultivation and enhance the nutritional quality of mungbean sprouts as a health-promoting food.

Abstract Bioactive compounds extracted from apple mango leaf exhibit notable phytochemical, biological, and pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory effects, which contribute to their wide application potential. This study investigated the immunomodulatory potential of Apple mango leaf extract (AMLE) on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) using integrated RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyses with flow cytometry validation. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified the blue and turquoise modules that were differentially expressed after AMLE treatment. The blue (immune-activating) modules were enriched in NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K signaling pathways, implying strong immune activation. Integrative transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analyses revealed that AMLE treatment upregulated Il1b , Flt3 , and Irf8 , which was accompanied by increased accessibility of PU.1- and ETS1-binding motifs. Notably, AMLE consistently downregulated cell cycle-related transcription factors (e.g., the E2F family), indicating a shift from proliferation/immaturity to functional maturity. Il1b emerged as a central regulator of transcriptional and epigenetic responses. Flow cytometry confirmed that AMLE enhanced the maturation of MHCII + CD11c + CD11b lo BMDCs with elevated MHCII, CD40, and CD80 expression. These findings indicate that AMLE induces concerted transcriptional and chromatin-remodeling events that drive DC activation. Overall, AMLE enhances dendritic cell (DC) maturation through the IL1b–PU.1 regulatory network, highlighting its potential as a natural immune-modulatory candidate.

Accurate forecasting of photovoltaic (PV) power generation is essential for mitigating weather-induced variability and maintaining power-system stability. This study aims to improve PV power forecasting accuracy by enhancing the quality of numerical weather prediction (NWP) inputs rather than modifying forecasting model structures. Specifically, systematic errors in temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation data produced by the Unified Model–Local Data Assimilation and Prediction System (UM-LDAPS) are corrected using a Model Output Statistics (MOS) approach. A case study was conducted for a 20 kW rooftop PV system in Buan, South Korea, comparing forecasting performance before and after MOS application using a random forest-based PV forecasting model. The results show that MOS significantly improves meteorological input accuracy, reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) of temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation by 38.1–62.3%. Consequently, PV power forecasting errors were reduced by 70.0–78.7% across lead times of 1–6 h, 7–12 h, and 19–24 h. After MOS correction, the normalized mean absolute percentage error (nMAPE) remained consistently low at approximately 7–8%, indicating improved forecasting robustness across the evaluated lead-time ranges. In addition, an economic evaluation based on the Korean renewable energy forecast-settlement mechanism estimated an annual benefit of approximately 854 USD for the analyzed 20 kW PV system. A complementary valuation using an NREL-based framework yielded an annual benefit of approximately 296 USD. These results demonstrate that improving meteorological data quality through MOS enhances PV forecasting performance and provide measurable economic value.

. In this study, we conducted an objective Bayesian analysis focused on the ratio of scale parameters within generalized half-normal distributions. To support this analysis, we developed non informative priors, derived probability matching priors, and established reference priors. We successfully identified a second-order matching prior that satisfied all specified matching criteria. Our results demonstrated that Jeffreys’ prior and the two-group reference prior adhered to a first-order matching criterion, while the one-at-a-time reference prior was classified as a second-order matching prior. Additionally, we outlined the conditions required for the propriety of posterior distributions under general priors, including the non informative priors we formulated. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed priors, we performed a simulation study, which indicated that the one-at-a-time reference prior corresponds with target coverage probabilities from a frequentist standpoint. We further illustrated our methodology through real data examples.

Various methods are used to diagnose and evaluate the severity of a Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).Among them, the correlation between the tcdB gene PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values and toxin antigen detection is a key area of research.This study examined the relationship between stool tcdB Ct values and toxin antigen results, and their clinical utility in evaluating the CDI severity.A retrospective review was conducted on 300 hospitalized patients suspected of antibiotic-associated diarrhea who tested positive for C. difficile tcdB by PCR (GeneXpert, Cepheid) from Jan 2023 to May 2025.The patients were divided into toxin antigen-positive and -negative groups using C.DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE (TECHLAB, Inc.).The Ct values in the two groups were compared, and their associations with three severity scoring systems (Zar score, ATLAS score, IDSA/ SHEA guidelines) were analyzed.The median Ct value was significantly higher in the antigen-negative group (29.6) than in the antigen-positive group (25.4) (P=0.0001).The optimal Ct cutoff for predicting antigen positivity was 27.2 (AUC=0.779).Toxin positivity correlated significantly with the ATLAS scores (P=0.041),IDSA/SHEA scores (P=0.012), and CDAD scores (P=0.333).The Ct values showed no significant association with CDI severity.Toxin antigen may be clinically useful in assessing the CDI severity.

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze individual cases where acupuncture therapy has been used to improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease and to develop a system that achieves the following objectives: (1) recommending acupuncture points used in cases with similar combinations of symptoms, and (2) suggesting frequently used acupoints for specific symptoms.Methods : We conducted a comprehensive literature search of papers published up to July 8, 2025, utilizing databases such as ScienceON, OASIS, and CNKI.Case reports on Parkinson's disease treatment were identified and compiled into a structured database.Using the Pandas, NumPy, and sklearn libraries, two algorithms were developed.In the first algorithm, the user inputs the patient's symptoms, and the algorithm finds the most similar cases, recommending the acupuncture treatments and acupoints used in those cases.In the second algorithm, the user inputs specific symptoms and acupuncture treatments, and the algorithm recommends the most frequently used acupoints for those inputs.Results : Both algorithms achieved high mean accuracy of K-fold cross validation in providing reliable recommendations.These validation results showed that the algorithms have the ability to accurately recommend acupoints and treatment methods based on Parkinson's disease symptoms.This indicates that they have potential for effective clinical application.Conclusions : The developed algorithms showed high accuracy in recommending acupuncture points and treatments based on patient symptoms, with promising results for clinical application.Future research with more diverse cases could enhance the generalizability of these recommendations.This case-based algorithmic research can make both technical and clinical contributions to the effective acupuncture treatment of Parkinson's disease, and furthermore, it holds the potential to evolve into various related platforms and studies.

Abstract Green tides – massive proliferations of green macroalgae ( Ulva spp.) – have increasingly occurred worldwide in recent years, driven by accelerating climate change and anthropogenic nutrient inputs. These blooms disrupt coastal ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and economic damage. In Korea, green tides have persisted on Jeju Island since the 2000s, and have also been sporadically reported on the southern mainland coasts. However, the specific Ulva species responsible for these blooms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated Ulva community structure and relative frequencies from 46 sites (966 specimens) on Jeju Island and the southern coasts, using chloroplast tuf A gene-based phylogenetic analysis, complemented by additional nuclear 5s rDNA marker. We found considerable differences in Ulva community composition between Jeju Island and the southern coasts, along with pronounced seasonal variation. On Jeju Island, nine Ulva species were found, with Ulva ohnoi and Ulva australis dominant, whereas 10 species were observed with U. australis and Ulva linza prevailed on the southern coasts. The presence of nonindigenous Ulva species highlights the need for continuous monitoring to track their spread and biomass growth. Our results provide essential genetic insights to support effective management of green tide events in Korean coastal ecosystems.

Abstract In this study, the effects of Bermuda grass and perennial ryegrass on the proximate composition, shear force, fatty acid profile, aroma, and taste characteristics of goat meat were investigated. Proximate composition analysis showed that the Bermuda grass group had a significantly higher fat content and lower shear force (p < 0.05). Fatty acid profiling revealed higher concentrations of essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, in the Bermuda grass group, although accompanied by increased saturated fatty acid levels. Aroma analysis identified greater expression of creamy and fruity volatile compounds, such as methanethiol and 2-methylheptanal, in the Bermuda grass-fed group. Taste analysis revealed stronger umami intensity and lower sourness and saltiness in the Bermuda grass-fed group, which correlated with elevated levels of oleic and linoleic acids. These findings suggest that feeding Bermuda grass enhances both the nutritional and sensory attributes of goat meat, including tenderness, aroma complexity, and flavor, and may increase consumer preference.

This study compared the education, certification systems, and competency standards of clinical laboratory scientists in major countries with South Korea’s current three- and four-year structures, aiming to justify a unified four-year bachelor’s program. The policy, licensing, and educational documents from international bodies (WHO, IFCC, and IFBLS) and key countries (USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan) were analyzed using a qualitative comparative framework (June~August 2025). The Korean curricula were reviewed and categorized by ISO 15189 standards and ASCP MLT/MLS exam domains for comparison. The findings show that most advanced countries adopt a standardized four-year curriculum emphasizing advanced competencies such as clinical reasoning, digital healthcare, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory management. By contrast, Korea’s dual-track system lacks curricular consistency and specialization, and its national licensing examination does not distinguish competencies according to education level. A unified four-year program would align Korea with global standards, strengthen professional expertise, and expand the competitiveness of graduates in an increasingly technology- driven healthcare market. This change represents administrative reform and a strategic measure to secure international equivalence, address workforce modernization, and improve healthcare quality. Ultimately, transitioning to a standardized fouryear curriculum would prepare future-ready professionals and reinforce Korea’s leadership in global laboratory medicine.

Background/Objectives: Dioscoreae Rhizoma, commonly known as yam, has long been used in East Asia as a medicinal food for gastrointestinal (GI) health. This systematic review aimed to assess the GI-related benefits of Dioscoreae Rhizoma by synthesizing findings from both human clinical trials and in vivo experimental studies. Methods: A structured search of eight major databases—including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science—was conducted through April 2025. This systematic review includes both human and in vivo animal studies that investigated the effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on gastrointestinal function. Studies such as in vitro experiments, non-original articles and studies involving multi-herbal formulations were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed with three different tools including the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising two human trials and twenty-five animal experiments. Clinical trials reported improvements in gut-microbiota balance, glycemic control, and postsurgical recovery, including enhanced wound healing and reduced infection rates. In animal models, yam-derived interventions attenuated inflammatory responses, enhanced antioxidant defenses, preserved mucosal-barrier integrity, and favorably modified gut-microbiota composition. Discussion and Conclusions: Accumulating evidence supports the GI-beneficial effects of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, mediated through diverse biological pathways, including immunomodulation, antioxidation, and microbiota regulation. This study has limitations on lack of high-quality human studies, small sample size and heterogeneity among studies regarding different plant parts used, extraction processes, and dosage. Further rigorously designed studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms, standardize intervention protocols, and validate clinical efficacy.