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Although the introduction of high-speed 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology has significantly reduced printing time, the time required for postpolymerization is a speed-determining step because of the long wait time. How postpolymerization conditions affect material properties is unclear. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the physical properties, accuracy, and biosafety of a 3D printed dental restorative material according to postpolymerization conditions. Specimens were prepared by 3D printing with a digital light processing 3D printer with 1 interim dental material (C&B MFH). All printed specimens underwent a postpolymerization process with 5 different postpolymerization devices and were designated as groups D1 (D102H), FO (Form Cure), LC (LC-3DPrintBox), ME (Medusa), and MP (MP100). The light intensity and temperature of each device were measured, and the Vickers hardness, flexural strength and modulus, degree of conversion (DC), cytotoxicity, and polymerization shrinkage were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted with 1-way analysis of variance, the Tukey post hoc test, and regression testing (α=.05). Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the fracture surface characteristics of the specimens. Light intensity was strongest with the ME device, and the temperature inside the device during postpolymerization showed the highest increase with the LC device and the lowest increase with the D1 device. The LC group specimens showed the highest mean Vickers hardness, and the MP group showed the lowest. The flexural strength was ≥100 MPa in all groups, with a flexural modulus ranging from 1.17 to 1.5 GPa. The DC results were similar to the physical properties test results. The D1, FO, LC, and ME groups all showed ≥70% cell viability, indicating no toxicity. The FO group showed the highest shrinkage rate of 0.52%. When the light intensity was strong, the surface was sufficiently hard, and toxic substances were not eluted even after a short postpolymerization time, suggesting that light intensity modulation and time management can be used to improve the postpolymerization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the concept of the Metaverse rapidly spread, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), one of the Metaverse games, received public's attention again. Additionally, MMORPGs have garnered significant academic interest in multidisciplinary fields, including human-computer interaction, computer science, and psychology. This study provides a general overview of the knowledge structures on MMORPGs in various academic fields using a bibliometric approach. To this end, we collected articles on MMORPGs published between 2001 and 2021 from the Web of Science. Then, main research forces in the field of MMORPGs are identified by examining productive authors, institutions, and countries/regions. Additionally, we applied VOSviewer to conduct co-citation analyses for identifying highly cited authors, journals, and literatures on MMORPGs. The results revealed that the USA and South Korea are the most productive countries. In addition, players' motivation, players' demographics, in-game social interaction, and pathological usage are the main research topics in the field. We expect that our results will help researchers and stakeholders to gain a general understanding of the development of the MMORPG academic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companies innovate themselves to survive competition, and successful innovations are transferred to the industry as a whole through imitation. In this paper, the technical efficiency (TE) of the Korean information and communication technology (ICT) industry is estimated through stochastic frontier analysis, and the efficiencies from 2000 to 2013 are compared through meta-frontier analysis. In addition, by analyzing the effect of innovations that move the production function up on the TE and the meta-frontier efficiency through the two-stage least square model, this paper investigates the effects of innovation on other companies in the industry in the short- and long-term and how the industry evolves accordingly. As a result, sudden inflation of the meta-technology ratio caused by a few innovative firms automatically lowers the average TE. However, the innovation spills over intra-industry by the efforts of other firms trying to reach around the innovation (i.e., imitation). This recovers other firms’ TE and increases meta-frontier efficiency. In addition, this paper provides theoretical and practical implications of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 2010s, various companies have begun to manufacture wearable smartwatch devices, but the current sales of these products are not impressive. This study investigates how the limitations of the smartwatch are related to perceptual discomforts. Theoretically, this study evaluates the claim that the discomfort that users appear to have with the smartwatch stem from failed remediation. Users perceive the smartwatch more as a set of functional sensors rather than a watch or smartphone. Specifically, from the remediation perspective, the authors asked how users perceive the functions of the smartwatch. This study used dynamic topic modeling for topics on the smartwatch on Reddit. This study reports that the smartwatch has failed to provide a proper way to use the remediated content that it provides. Suggestions for future studies are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few well-designed studies that have investigated the effectiveness of azithromycin in treating adult patients hospitalized with scrub typhus are currently available. The purpose of our study was to compare the effects of intravenous azithromycin administration with those of oral doxycycline, and to evaluate cardiovascular death associated with intravenous azithromycin in adult patients hospitalized with scrub typhus. This retrospective study investigated Korean National Infectious Disease Cohort Collaborative-registered scrub typhus-infected patients who were hospitalized between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2021, and who were ≥18 years old. The primary outcome was time to fever clearance and the secondary outcomes were treatment failure, relapse, scrub typhus-related death, or azithromycin-related cardiovascular death. To address any indication bias, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed. Times to fever clearance between the doxycycline and azithromycin groups were compared using log-rank tests and Kaplan–Meier curves. A total of 326 consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed scrub typhus were included in this study of whom 109 were treated with azithromycin and 217 with doxycycline. Using IPTW, there were no statistically significant differences in the following end points between the azithromycin and doxycycline groups: median time to fever clearance (3 days vs. 3 days, P = 0.649), treatment failure (0.71% vs. 0.42%, P = 0.702), relapse (0.0% vs. 0.0%), and scrub typhus-related death (5.12% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.155). No azithromycin-related cardiovascular deaths occurred. In the sensitivity analyses, there were no significant changes in effect size. Our study showed that the therapeutic effects and safety of intravenous azithromycin are comparable to those of oral doxycycline administration in patients hospitalized with scrub typhus. A well-designed randomized controlled trial may help further evaluate the most adequate route of administration, dose and duration of treatment with azithromycin. • Doxycycline has been reported to have side effects and treatment failures when used as a first-line agent in scrub typhus. • Azithromycin has been reported to be a good alternative to doxycycline in the treatment of scrub typhus. • Therapeutic effects of intravenous azithromycin are comparable to those of oral doxycycline in patients with scrub typhus. • Intravenous azithromycin can be recommended as a good alternative agent when oral doxycycline is contraindicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Pharmacopuncture, a new type of acupuncture treatment in traditional East Asian medicine combining acupuncture and the injection of herbal medicine, is widely used for asthma in China and Korea. However, the evidence is equivocal. This systematic review aims to summarize and evaluate the efficacy of pharmacopuncture for asthma. Methods Eleven electronic databases and five journals were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of pharmacopuncture for asthma were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan Rsoftware (version 5.3). Results Eighteen RCTs involving 1624 patients with asthma were included for qualitative synthesis. Data from 12 RCTs were used for meta-analysis. There were various types of pharmacopuncture used. Use of Chuankezhi pharmacopuncture (CKZ PA) and Huangqi pharmacopuncture (HQ PA) usually overlapped among included studies. Subgroup analysis was conducted after dividing experimental groups into two groups: CKZ PA and HQ PA. When added to conventional therapy, pharmacopuncture significantly improved the response rate (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12–1.24, I 2 = 0%), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (SMD = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.59–2.03, P = 0.0004, I 2 = 94%) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.22–1.01, P = 0.002, I 2 = 76%). Conclusions Evidence of pharmacopuncture efficacy for asthma is encouraging, but not conclusive, because of the low methodological qualities, substantial heterogeneity, and small sample sizes of the examined studies. Further research using large-scale, rigorous study designs should be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Many studies have demonstrated that the Sanfu herbal patch (SHP) is effective for treating asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, no studies on its effectiveness for preventing respiratory diseases were identified in searchable databases. Therefore, a prospective, before-and-after study was conducted to investigate whether it was feasible to evaluate the effectiveness of SHP when applied in summer could prevent respiratory diseases in children in winter. Methods This pilot study included 60 children with a history of respiratory diseases who visited Dongguk University Korean Medicine Hospital for SHP treatment during the Sanfu Days in summer 2015, and were surveyed using a questionnaire before treatment and then again in March 2016. Results There were improvements in the frequency and duration of the common cold and rhinitis and in the frequency of tonsillitis and otitis media after treatment ( P < 0.05). The improvement rates for the frequency and duration of the common cold were 70% and 60%, respectively. Total and component Wisconsin Upper Respiratory System Survey (WURSS)-21 scores significantly improved after treatment ( P < 0.05). The effectiveness rates for improvement of WURSS-21 symptom, QoL, and total score were 55.0%, 70.0%, and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion The effectiveness of SHP in preventing the common cold in children seems to be encouraging, but not conclusive, because of the methodological limitations of this study. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings. For other respiratory diseases, further research recruiting participants separately according to each respiratory disease should be conducted to validate the effects of SHP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to examine whether there is a significant difference between the level of activity and semantic networks of the Facebook pages of highly reputable and less reputable companies of the same industry. Applying the dialogic communication theory, the present study conducted a semantic network analysis. Samples used in the study include a total of five technology companies: Google, Sony, Dell, Fujitsu and Lenovo. Various elements, such as word clusters, co-occurring words and visual representation, were carried out through NodeXL, WORDij and UCINET software. The results show that high reputation score companies are not necessarily more engaged in direct interaction with its publics than low reputation score companies. In addition, high reputation score companies had positive words, whereas low reputation score companies had mixed results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The bulb of Fritillaria thunbergii has been utilised as mucoregulators and expectorants for controlling the airway inflammatory diseases in folk medicine.Hypothesis/purpose: We investigated whether verticine, ebeiedine and suchengbeisine isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria thunbergii inhibit the gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin from human airway epithelial cells.Study Design: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with verticine, ebeiedine or suchengbeisine for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF, PMA or TNF-α for 24h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Production of MUC5AC mucin protein was measured by ELISA.Results: (1) Verticine, ebeiedine or suchengbeisine inhibited the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF, PMA or TNF-α; (2) The production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by EGF, PMA or TNF-α were also inhibited by treatment of verticine, ebeiedine or suchengbeisine.Conclusion: These results suggest that verticine, ebeiedine and suchengbeisine isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria thunbergii inhibit the gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells, and the results are consistent with the traditional use of Fritillaria thunbergii as remedy for diverse inflammatory pulmonary diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the video game console market is thriving again. In this study, we attempted to explore users' intention to use video game consoles by developing a causal model mainly based on coolness theory and the technology acceptance model. To better illustrate user experience for video game consoles, we added several concepts to the causal model, including hedonic motivation, system and service quality, perceived cost, and game variety. Through examining survey-based data from 360 Koreans, we discovered that the model had a high explanatory power for users' intention to use video game consoles. The key findings were as follows: First, among the components of coolness theory, individuals' attitude toward consoles was significantly related to subcultural appeal and originality, but not to attractiveness. Second, originality positively influenced subcultural appeal significantly. Overall, this study implied that the novel coolness theory is effective for exploring user experience regarding of specific devices and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and aim: In this study, we investigated whether glycyrrhizin and carbenoxolone affect MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) or phorbol ester (PMA) from human airway epithelial cells. Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with each agent for 30min and then stimulated with EGF and PMA for 24h, respectively. MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Results: Glycyrrhizin and carbenoxolone were found to inhibit the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by EGF or PMA, and both compounds also inhibited the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF or PMA. Conclusion: These results suggest that glycyrrhizin and carbenoxolone can inhibit mucin gene expression and production of mucin protein, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Study Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and related side effects of alfentanil and remifentanil in preventing the withdrawal movement associated with rocuronium injection. Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting: Operating room of a university hospital. Patients: 115 ASA physical status I and II adult patients. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to one of three study groups. Group C received saline, Group A received alfentanil 10 μg/kg, and Group R received remifentanil one μg/kg, each in a volume of three mL. Treatments were injected over 30 seconds, followed by thiopental sodium. At 90 seconds after the start of the study drug injection, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was injected over 10 seconds. Measurements: Cough, breathholding, and thoracic muscle rigidity were observed while injecting the study drug. Each patient''s response to the rocuronium injection was graded on a 4-point scale in a blinded manner. Main Results: During injection of the study drug, Group R showed a significantly higher frequency of cough than Group A (24% vs. 2%; P < 0.05). One Group R patient presented with apnea. Frequency of withdrawal movement in Groups A and R were significantly lower than that in Group C (6% and 0% vs. 63%; P < 0.0001) but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: When administered 90 seconds before rocuronium injection, alfentanil showed a comparable effect to that of remifentanil in attenuating rocuronium-associated withdrawal movement, and a lower frequency of side effects such as cough. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects on memory and learning ability of the Korean herbal medicine, Saenhyetang (SHT), which is consisted of nine herbs, were investigated. Hot water extracts (HWE-SHT) and ethanol extracts (EE-SHT) were used for the studies. It was shown that N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B (NR2B) was increased in the forebrains of SHT-administrated mice (HWE-SHT), leading to enhanced activation of NMDA receptors, facilitating synaptic potentiation in response to stimulation at 10–100Hz. These HWE-SHT-treated mice exhibit superior ability in learning and memory in various behavioral tasks, showing that NR2B is enhanced by HWE-SHT treatment and also is critical in gating the age-dependent threshold for plasticity and memory formation. NMDA receptor-dependent modifications, which were mediated in part by HWE-SHT administration, of synaptic efficacy, therefore, represent a mechanism for associative learning and memory. Results suggest that oriental medical enhancement of NR2B attributes such as intelligence and memory in mammals is feasible. On the other hand, to examine the effects of EE-SHT on the learning and memory in experimental mice, the passive and active avoidance responses were studied. The EE-SHT ameliorated the memory retrieval deficit induced by ethanol, but not other memory impairment in mice. EE-SHT (10, 20mg/100g, p.o.) did not affect the passive avoidance responses of normal mice in the step through and step down tests, the conditioned and unconditioned avoidance responses of normal mice in the shuttle box and lever press performance tests, and the ambulatory activity of normal mice in normal condition. However, EE-SHT was shown to significantly decrease the spontaneous motor activity during the shuttle box test, and also to prolong the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital in mice at 20mg/kg. These results suggest that EE-SHT has an ameliorating effect on memory retrieval impairment and a weak tranquilizing action. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• It examines the impact of global OTT platforms on the local video industry. • Specifically, it investigates the impact of the launches of YouTube and Netflix. • It compares efficiency differences in production and distribution industries. • It uses stochastic frontier analysis and meta frontier analysis. Global over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as YouTube and Netflix are gaining great popularity worldwide. Although the entrance of global OTT platforms may undermine the growth of countries' local-related industries, it is also possible that imitation on the part of domestic content providers stands to create new OTT platforms or other opportunities for the growth of local content industries. This study examines the impact of global OTT platforms on the local video content industry in South Korea. Specifically, it investigates the impact of the launches of YouTube and Netflix on efficiency differences in local video content production and distribution industries through stochastic frontier analysis and meta-frontier analysis. Introduction of the global OTT platform had an impact on the domestic content industry, but there was a difference in growth according to the detailed classification industry, and the effect differed depending on the entered platform. Tobit analysis confirms that the effects of technological development and entry of global OTT platforms are significant on the technical gap ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using the theoretical framework of ego-centric networks, this study examines the associations between the characteristics of both Facebook-specific and pre-existing personal networks and patterns of Facebook use. With data from an ego-network survey of college students, the study discovered that various dimensions of Facebook-specific network characteristics, such as multiplexity, proximity, density, and heterogeneity in race, were positively associated with usage patterns, including time spent on Facebook, posting messages, posting photos, and lurking. In contrast, network characteristics of pre-existing relationships, such as density and heterogeneity in race, were negatively associated with Facebook usage patterns. Theoretical implications and limitations were discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although (−)-α-bisabolol, a natural monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol, is often used as a cosmetic soothing supplement, little is known about its mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate anti-inflammatory effects of (−)-α-bisabolol and its mechanisms of action. In this study, we found that (−)-α-bisabolol inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes was reduced, as evidenced by Western blot and luciferase reporter assays for COX-2 and iNOS. To assess the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory property of (−)-α-bisabolol, its effects on the activity of AP-1 and NF-κB promoters were examined. LPS-induced activation of AP-1 and NF-κB promoters was significantly reduced by (−)-α-bisabolol. Consistently, (−)-α-bisabolol reduced LPS-induced phosphorylation of IκBα. In addition, while LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK and p38 was attenuated by (−)-α-bisabolol, significant changes in the level of phosphorylated JNK were not observed. Our results indicate that (−)-α-bisabolol exerts anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating expression of iNOS and COX-2 genes through inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 (ERK and p38) signaling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recognizing policy-making process as a communicative process, this study examines who has subsidized information relating to the net neutrality policy debate. Empirical data has been collected from net neutrality stories published in four national newspapers, as well as from hearings by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), during the period of February 2004 through January 2009. Study findings reveal that corporate interests have played a significant role in subsidizing information on net neutrality, both to the public through the mainstream media and to legislators through Congressional hearings. Furthermore, study results show that experts played a larger role in defining net neutrality through the mainstream media and FCC hearings than they did through Congressional hearings. Finally, the role of advocacy group representatives was more apparent at Congressional hearings than via the other two available information channels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The root of Panax notoginseng (PN) is commonly used to treat chronic liver disease with its therapeutic abilities to stop haemorrhage in the circulation, while the PN flower (PN-F) is largely unknown in the biological activities on inflammation and mechanisms of its actions. In this study, the pharmacologic effects of PN-F methanol extract on inflammation were investigated to address potential therapeutic or toxic effects in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cells, RAW264.7 cells. Materials and methods: Production of NO, PGE2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) in supernatant, the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and cytokines, the phosphorylation of MAPK moleduces (ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK), and the activation of NF-κB in PN-F extract were assayed in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Results: PN-F extract significantly inhibited the productions of NO, PGE2, TNF-α and IL-1β on the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, PN-F extract suppressed the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The molecular mechanism of PN-F extract-mediated attenuation in RAW264.7 cells has close a relationship to suppressing the phosphorylation of MAPK molecules such as ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK, and the translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into nuclear. Conclusion: These results indicate that PN-F extract inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response via the blocking of NF-κB signaling pathway in macrophages, and demonstrated that PN-F extract possesses anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The anti-thrombic properties of the Korean herbal medicine, Dae-Jo-Hwan (DJW) were investigated. Water extracts, a 70% methanol (MeOH) extract and an ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction (III) from DJW inhibited platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo assays. The extracts of DJW and eleven herbs from which it is derived, except for Panax ginseng Meyer, Angelica sinensis (OLIV.) DIELS and Schisandra chinensis Baill., inhibited AA-induced blood platelet aggregation to various extents. The effects observed with total DJW was synergistic over-additive rather that additive since the sum of single contributions was lower than the effect of the total extract. Fraction III was specially protected against the lethality of PAF, while verapamil did not afford any protection. Exogenously applied arachidonic acid (AA) (100μM) led to a 89% platelet aggregation, the release of 14pmol of ATP, and the formation of either 225pg of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) or 45pg of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), each parameter being related to 106 platelets. An application of DJW 5min before AA, dose-dependently diminished aggregation, ATP-re lease, and the synthesis of TXA2 and PGE2, with IC50 values of 70, 87, 65 and 72μg/ml, respectively. The similarity of the IC50 values suggests the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) by DJW as the primary target, thus suppressing the generation of TXA2, which induces platelet aggregation and the exocytosis of ATP by its binding on TXA2-receptors. These results indicate that DJW shows anti-thrombotic action on human platelets and inhibits the action of PAF in vivo by an antagonistic effect on PAF. Therefore, it may be useful in treating disorders caused by PAF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The anti-thrombic properties of the Korean herbal medicine, Dae-Jo-Hwan (DJW), which is consisted of 11 herbs (indicated as concentrations) of Rehmanniae radix 24%, Hominis placenta 5%, Testudinis carapax 9%, Eucommiae cortex 9%, Asparagi radix 9%, Phellodendri cortex 9%, Achyranthis radix 7%, Liriopis tuber 7%, Angelicae sinensis radix 7%, Ginseng radix 6%, and Schizandrae fructus 3%, were investigated. The extracts of DJW and its 11 herbs, except G. radix, A. sinensis radix and S. Fructus, inhibited the endotoxin-induced hepatic venous thrombosis in high cholesterol diet-treated rats. Also the extract inhibited the endotoxin-induced decrease in blood platelets and fibrinogen, and endotoxin-induced increase in fibrin degradation products (FDP) on disseminated intravascular coagulation in normal rats. In in vitro experiments, the extract was shown to have inhibitory effect on collagen- and ADP-induced blood platelet aggregation, on thrombin-induced conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and on the activity of plasminogen or plasmin. In conclusion, the protection of extracts of Korean herbs on the ischemic infarction induced artificially might be related to their inhibitory effects on DIC, platelet coagulation and thrombic action. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights • Performance of computer-assisted implant surgical guides varied among 3D printers. • Guide hole tolerance of metal sleeve-free guides: within clinically acceptable range. • Potential for routine use of in-office 3D printers in clinics is demonstrated. Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the adaptation and guide hole tolerance of metal sleeve-free computer-assisted implant surgical guides fabricated with 3D printers. Methods An implant surgical guide for full-guided implant placement was designed with a total of eight different guide holes. Ten implant surgical guides (n = 10) were fabricated from the same design with each of five in-office 3D printers (D1, FOR, ONE, PER, and ZEN) using compatible printing materials. Ten surgical guides fabricated by the manufacturer of the implant company were used as the control group (CON). The adaptation of the surgical guides was evaluated by the replica technique. The tolerance of the guide holes was evaluated by measuring the degree of diversion with guide drills. Results CON and D1 showed superior internal adaptation with a gap distance of less than 1 mm. The mean degree of diversion of the guide holes ranged from 3.45° for ZEN to 6.55° for PER. The tolerances of CON (4.70°) and D1 (4.50°) did not differ at the level of statistical significance at α = 0.05. Significance The characteristics of implant surgical guides were evaluated per se. None of the 3D printers fabricated superior implant surgical guides to those produced by the manufacturer with regard to the internal fit and guide tolerance. However, the potential for the routine clinical use of in-office 3D printers was demonstrated. Further studies are required to determine how the guide hole tolerance and the angular deviation between the preplanned and actual implant positions are related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Targeted inactivation of Runx3 in mouse lung induced mucinous and nonmucinous adenomas and markedly shortened latency of adenocarcinoma formation induced by oncogenic K-Ras. RUNX3 was frequently inactivated in K-RAS mutated human lung adenocarcinomas. A functional genetic screen of a fly mutant library and molecular analysis in cultured cell lines revealed that Runx3 forms a complex with BRD2 in a K-Ras-dependent manner in the early phase of the cell cycle; this complex induces expression of p14 ARF /p19 Arf and p21 WAF/CIP . When K-Ras was constitutively activated, the Runx3-BRD2 complex was stably maintained and expression of both p14 ARF and p21 WAF/CIP was prolonged. These results provide a missing link between oncogenic K-Ras and the p14ARF-p53 pathway, and may explain how cells defend against oncogenic K-Ras. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor activity of KBH-A42 [N-hydroxy-3-(2-oxo-1-(3-phenylpropyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl)propanamide], a novel synthetic histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. KBH-A42 inhibited a variety of HDAC isoforms in enzyme assays and suppressed growth of various cancer cell lines. Among the cell lines examined, colon cancer cells, including SW620, SW480 and HCT-15, were the cell types most sensitive to KBH-A42. KBH-A42 inhibition of cancer cell growth was comparable to or stronger than that of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a well-known HDAC inhibitor approved by the FDA to treat cutaneous T cell lymphomas. In SW620 cells, KBH-A42 increased the acetylation of histones, mediated cell cycle arrest (G1 arrest at low doses and G2 arrest at high doses), and induced apoptosis. The cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by KBH-A42 might be mediated through up-regulation of p21Waf1 and activation of caspases, respectively. In addition, KBH-A42 inhibited SW620 tumor growth in a human tumor xenograft model. Taken together, our results indicate that KBH-A42 exerts an anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo and is a promising therapeutic candidate to treat human cancers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It has long been known that water extracts of placenta hominis (Jahage in Korean) are effective for treating immunological and vascular diseases and is a major constituent of traditional oriental medicines. We report herein on the isolation and purification of a new type of anticoagulant protein, PP27, from human placenta. PP27 ran as a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass (Mr) of 27 kDa under denaturing conditions and chromatography on a calibrated Sepharose 4B column indicated a molecular mass of 23 kDa, a value that is similar to those of other PP4 enzymes reported to date. The isoelectric point of PP27 was pI 5.2. PP27, at doses higher than 10 μg/ml, inhibited platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet activation in a dose-dependent manner. The protein was found to inhibit the coagulation time in a concentration-dependent manner. PP27, which acts as a vascular anticoagulant of annexin type, inhibits the blood clotting process by virtue of its binding of essential lipids, which is dependent on the presence of Ca2+ ions. In the presence of Ca2+ ions, PP27 combines with platelet membranes and neutralizes their procoagulant effect. Coagulation, triggered by the addition of thromboplastin/lipid mixtures, is extinguished by PP27. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Herbal medicine, Herba Taraxaci (Tarazacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.), was administered to mice with Behcet''s disease (BD)-like symptoms induced by herpes simplex virus (HSV). BD is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease. Herba Taraxaci (6 mg) was administered alone or in combination with 2 μg of colchicine to BD-like mice. Colchicine is a drug that is widely used as a medication for BD patients. The water extracts of Herba Taraxaci were administered orally once per day for 20 days. Eighty percent (8 of 10) of mice treated with Herba Taraxaci combined with colchicine showed improvement in mucocutaneous symptoms compared to 0% (0 of 10) of the nontreated group and 30% (3 of 10) treated with colchicine alone. Cytokine expression in spleen tissue collected from treated mice was analyzed by RT-PCR and FACS. Treatment with Herba Taraxaci induced IL-4 mRNA, and spleen from mice receiving the combined treatment (Herba Taraxaci and colchicines) showed an increased number of splenocytes staining with anti-IL-10 (46.8±6.80) compared to Herba Taraxaci (35.4±2.17) (p<0.05) or colchicine alone (26.2±4.47) (p<0.001). These results suggest that the Herba Taraxaci may be an effective complementary agent in the treatment of BD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since urban problems are increasingly becoming complex and multifaceted due to the rapid urbanization, interest in the development of smart cities as an efficient solution to such problems is growing. The significance of smart cities lies in not having technology itself but using technology with a novel approach to solve urban problems, enhance the quality of life for urban residents, and optimize government performance. Such an approach includes scientifically processing civic query (including complaints, suggestions, and inquiry) data about a city and planning the city such that its policies reflect its residents' voices to ensure "throughput legitimacy." This study introduces a novel approach to analyze diverse informal civic query data for a city and plan the city in a way that its residents want. By analyzing 160,000 civic queries accumulated over 10 years from 2006 to 2017 from the "Oasis of 10 Million Imagination," which is a civic participation platform of Seoul, this study aims to contribute to the sustainable development of Seoul so that it can plan a citizen-centric and smart city that satisfies the demands of its residents. By applying Dynamic Topic Model, the authors intend to specify civic demands and forecast the demands of citizens. • This study introduces a novel approach to analyze diverse civic query data submitted online. • Analyzed 160,000 civic queries accumulated over 10 years from 2006 to 2017 from the online venue of Seoul city, South Korea. • Machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI) would enhance the quality of responsive governance. • Dynamic topic model and Word2vec combined for detecting civic complaints. • City government should provide data-driven insights for its citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]