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This study was aimed at examining the applicability of Cu–Sn system transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding using Cu foam to high-temperature operating devices. A composite solder preform was fabricated using etched Cu foam and Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu (SAC305) solder alloy to facilitate TLP bonding. Subsequently, isothermal aging treatment was performed at 200 °C for up to 1000 h. Immediately after bonding process, the joint was mostly composed of Cu–Sn intermetallic compounds and residual Cu skeleton. The changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint subjected to isothermal aging treatment were examined. During the aging process, the quantity of shrinkage voids increased with the formation of Cu3Sn owing to the continuous reaction between Cu and Cu6Sn5. As the reaction progressed, the Cu skeleton was continuously consumed, and its proportion in the joint decreased. Consequently, the shear strength decreased with increase in the aging time. However, despite its reduction owing to the formation of shrinkage voids and consumption of the Cu skeleton, the shear strength of the joint remained over 30 MPa even after 1000 h of aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to conceptualize service quality and perceived value in the context of blended learning by redefining and modifying the existing SERVQUAL model, reviewing prior marketing literature on perceived value, and examining the relationships between service quality, perceived value, and student satisfaction. The sample was restricted to colleges in South Korea, where blended learning programs have started to receive much attention. We examined our hypotheses by using regression analysis via the statistical programs Amos 22.0 and SPSS 23.0. The following results are produced. First, the conceptualization of service quality and perceived value was confirmed. Second, the different effects of online and offline service quality on each perceived value are confirmed. Offline service quality is more effective in generating perceived epistemic value, perceived social value, and perceived emotional value than online service quality, whereas online service quality is more effective in triggering perceived conditional value than offline service quality. Finally, perceived emotional value and perceived conditional value are the important determinants of student satisfaction. We address the theoretical implications that (1) service quality and perceived value are conceptualized through modification, refinement, and empirical testing and develop a multidimensional scale for service quality and perceived value, and (2) the sequential and causal relationships among service quality, perceived value, and student satisfaction are confirmed. Practically, we expect that our measurement scales for service quality and perceived value, which have high validity and reliability, can serve as diagnostic tools for blended learning program evaluation from students' perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mounting several chips on one semiconductor package can achieve a high integration density. Therefore, this decreases the solder size, owing to which, several bonding processes are performed when implementing such a package. In this study, Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder balls with 200, 300, 450, and 600 μm in diameter were mounted on ball grid array substrate. The properties of the solder joints were evaluated during multiple reflow soldering for up to 15 cycles. Smaller solder balls formed a coarser intermetallic compound (IMC), which became thicker during multiple reflows. Furthermore, in the small solder ball joint, coarser and larger Cu6Sn5 IMC grains were formed at the interface during multiple reflows. Shear tests were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the solder joints. The shear strength increased in the first three cycles and then decreased. However, that of the smaller solder joints increased again after 15 cycles, owing to rapid coarsening/growth of the IMC (Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn) that contacted the shear tool during the shear test. The same trend was shown in the shear force-displacement curves: the shear force and displacement increased again at 15 cycles for 200- and 300-µm solder joints. At 15 cycles, brittle fractures occurred at the solder joints following the shear test, and larger solder balls produced more brittle fractures. These results confirmed that the number of reflow cycles and solder ball size can affect the interfacial properties of solder joints, which in turn affect the microstructure and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and plays an essential role in hematopoiesis. UHRF1 and DNMT1 are both crucial for regulating genome-wide maintenance of DNA methylation. Specifically, it is well known that hypermethylation is crucial characteristic of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the mechanism underlying how DNA methylation regulates the differentiation of AML cells, including THP-1 is not fully elucidated. In this study, we report that UHRF1 or DNMT1 depletion enhances the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation of THP-1 cells. Transcriptome analysis and genome-wide methylation array results showed that depleting UHRF1 or DNMT1 induced changes that made THP-1 cells highly sensitive to PMA. Furthermore, knockdown of UHRF1 or DNMT1 impeded solid tumor formation in xenograft mouse model. These findings suggest that UHRF1 and DNMT1 play a pivotal role in regulating differentiation and proliferation of THP-1 cells and targeting these proteins may improve the efficiency of differentiation therapy in AML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parabens are widely used preservatives commonly found in foods, cosmetics, and industrial products. Several studies have examined the effects of parabens on human health owing to widespread and continuous exposure to them in daily life. However, little is known about their immune-regulatory effects. Objective: Here, we aimed to investigate whether methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben affect the function of dendritic cells (DCs) as the most potent antigen-presenting cells that play a critical role in the initiation of adaptive immune responses. Methods: Bone-marrow derived DCs (BMDCs) were treated with three types of parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) for 12 h. Subsequently, the transcriptomic profile was analyzed using RNA sequencing with further gene set enrichment analysis based on commonly regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To test whether parabens suppress the production of type-I interferons (IFN-I) in BMDCs during viral infection, BMDCs or paraben-treated BMDCs were infected with Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) at 10 multiplicity of infection (MOI) and measured the production of IFN-α1. Results: Transcriptomic analyses revealed that all three types of parabens reduced the transcription levels of genes in virus infection-associated pathways, such as IFN-I responses in BMDCs. Furthermore, parabens considerably reduced IFN-α1 production in the virus-infected BMDCs. Conclusion: Our study is the first to show that parabens may modulate anti-viral immune responses by regulating DCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of solder ball size on the microstructure and mechanical properties of solder joints during aging was investigated. Sn–3.0Ag0.5Cu solder balls with four different diameters (200, 300, 450, and 600 µm) were used as the joint material. Reflow soldering was employed to attach solder balls to the organic solderability preservative finished Cu ball-grid-array substrate. Aging treatment was performed for up to 2000 h at 150 °C to observe the changes in joint properties. Microstructural evaluation of the intermetallic compound (IMC) formed at the solder joints interface showed that Cu6Sn5 was formed at the interface of four different solder joins after reflow soldering, and Cu3Sn was formed between Cu6Sn5 and Cu during initial aging. As aging time increased, the thickness of the IMC formed at the interface increased. The thickness of IMC formed at the initial 200 µm solder joint was the thickest. However, the 600 µm solder joint formed the thickest IMC as the aging time increased. Upon evaluating the IMC grain size, it was observed that the initial coarse IMCs formed as the solder joint size decreased. However, when the aging time was increased, similar grain size formed at all solder joints. The shear strength increased as the solder joint size decreased. In the initial 24 h aging process, the shear strength decreased rapidly for all solder joints and subsequently decreased slightly as the aging time increased. This study confirmed that the microstructure and strength properties of Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu solder joints of different sizes changed with the aging time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein highly expressed in cancer cells of the prostate gland. In this study, the PSA recombinant protein was fused to the human immunoglobulin G crystallizable fragment (Fc) with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) retention signal tag for the plant expression system. Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation was applied to generate transgenic tobacco plants expressing PSA tagged to KDEL (PSAK), PSA-Fc, and PSA-Fc fused to KDEL (PSA-FcK). Western blot analysis showed that the PSA-FcK protein was the most highly expressed among the three different proteins in the transgenic plant leaf. The PSAK, PSA-Fc, and PSA- FcK proteins were successfully purified from plant leaves. Reduced and non-reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the PSA proteins fused to Fc and FcK were dimerized, whereas the PSA itself was not dimerized. N-glycan analysis demonstrated that the N-glycan profile of the PSA-Fc was mainly the structure with α(1,3)-fucose (Fuc) or β(1,2)-xylose (Xyl) glycan residues, whereas the PSA-Fc tagged with the KDEL ER retention signal had mainly an oligomannose-type structure. ELISA and SPR showed that PSA-FcK had a higher binding activity to Fc gamma receptor I than PSA-Fc and human Fc. In addition, PSA-FcK induced anti-PSA, and thus has the potential to be utilized as a prostate cancer vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To (1) evaluate the optimal drill orientation of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) femoral tunnel to minimize collision with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) femoral tunnel during anatomical ACL reconstruction according to the need for far-cortex drilling and (2) investigate the geometric factors that affect tunnel collision secondary to drill orientation of the ALL femoral tunnel. Methods: A three-dimensional femoral model of patients who underwent anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction between 2015 and 2016 was constructed, and the geometric factors were evaluated. Virtual ALL femoral tunnels were created to simulate 45 drilling conditions. For each condition, whether the virtual ALL femoral tunnel and its trajectory violated the femoral cortex and the minimum distance between tunnels was investigated. Results: Thirty-nine subjects were included. Overall violation rates of the femoral cortex by the ALL tunnels and its trajectories were 11.1% (195 of 1755 conditions) and 40.7% (714 of 1755 conditions), respectively. A drilling angle of axial 0° and coronal − 40° showed the longest minimum distance between tunnels without femoral cortex violation by the ALL tunnel (6.3 ± 4.0 mm; collision rate 2.6% [1 of 39 subjects]). With simultaneous consideration of the ALL tunnel's trajectory representing far-cortex drilling, a drill angle of axial 40° and coronal 10° showed the longest minimum distance between tunnels without femoral cortex violation (0.6 ± 3.9 mm; collision rate 38.5% [15 of 39 subjects]). For surgical techniques requiring far-cortex drilling, regression analyses were performed on geometric factors that could affect tunnel collision, which revealed that the sagittal inclination angle of the ACL and the distance between the ACL femoral tunnel's outlet and ALL's femoral attachment were associated with tunnel collision. Conclusion: The optimal drill orientations of the ALL femoral tunnel to minimize collision with the ACL femoral tunnel were axial 0° and coronal − 40° for surgical techniques not requiring far-cortex drilling and axial 40° and coronal 10° for techniques requiring far-cortex drilling. For techniques requiring far-cortex drilling, additional adjustment for orientation of the ACL femoral tunnel is required to reduce the risk of tunnel collision. Therefore, an individualized surgical strategy should be applied according to the graft fixation method of the ALL femoral tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influenza A virus (IAV) has caused several pandemics, and therefore there are many ongoing efforts to identify novel antiviral therapeutic strategies including vaccines and antiviral drugs. However, influenza viruses continuously undergo antigenic drift and shift, resulting in the emergence of mutated viruses. In turn, this decreases the efficiency of existing vaccines and antiviral drugs to control IAV infection. Therefore, this study sought to identify alternative therapeutic strategies targeting host cell factors rather than viruses to avoid infection by mutated viruses. Particularly, we investigated the role of KIF20A that is one of kinesin superfamily proteins in the replication of IAV. The KIF20A increased viral protein levels in IAV-infected cells by regulating the initial entry stage during viral infection. Furthermore, the KIF20A inhibitor significantly suppressed viral replication, which protected mice from morbidity and mortality. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that KIF20A is highly involved in the viral replication process and viral propagation both in vitro and in vivo, and could thus be used as a target for the development of novel antiviral drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the miniaturization and high-density integration of semiconductor packages, the importance of joint properties of microbumps and solder balls is increasing. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated according to the size of the solder balls, which were made of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (wt%)—the most commonly used joint material. A specially prepared printed circuit board substrate that was surface-treated with an organic solderability preservative and solder balls of four different diameters (600, 450, 300, and 200 µm) were employed. After the reflow process, the microstructures of the joint interfaces were examined; the results indicated that scallop-shaped Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were generated at all diameters. As the diameter of the solder-balls increased, the number of IMCs created in the joint per unit area increased and the average size of the IMCs decreased. The thickness of the IMCs created at the joint interface decreased as the diameter increased. The mechanical properties were evaluated via solder-ball shear tests, and the results indicated that as the solder-ball diameter increased, the shear force increased; however, the shear strength, that is, the shear force divided by the unit area, decreased. The results of this study suggest that when solder joints of different sizes experience the same thermal history via the reflow process, the size and thickness of the interfacial IMCs may change, and these metallurgical changes may affect the mechanical properties and reliability of joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate osteotomy gap filling rates on serial plain radiographs, and to evaluate whether alignment correction is maintained after medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) using a locking plate without bone graft. Methods: Between March 2014 and June 2017, MOWHTO was performed without bone graft regardless of gap size. Radiographs were taken preoperatively, postoperatively, at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. Radiographic examinations included a weight bearing long-standing anteroposterior (AP) view of the whole lower extremity, as well as, the AP, lateral, and both oblique views of the knee. Bone healing was measured on the medial oblique view of the knee. The postoperative alignment correction and its maintenance were assessed using the three radiologic parameters of the weight-bearing line (WBL) ratio, the hip–knee–ankle angle (HKAA), and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) on the weight-bearing long-standing AP view of the lower extremity. Results: Fifty-two consecutive patients underwent MOWHTO, but three patients failed to follow-up for more than 24 months. A total of 49 patients were assessed in this study. The median opening gap height was 10.0 mm (IQR, 8.0–12.0; range, 7–20). On immediate post-operative radiographs, the mean gap filling was 31.4 ± 3.6%. After 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, the mean gap filling rates increased to 38.7 ± 4.4%, 51.4 ± 6.6%, 66.5 ± 5.1%, 84.8 ± 7.0%, 92.4 ± 5.6%, and 97.8 ± 2.3%, respectively. Statistical differences were observed between all the follow-up evaluations (P < 0.001). Statistical differences in the WBL ratio, HKAA, and MPTA were observed between preoperatively and 1 month after surgery (P < 0.001). The mean PTSA increased significantly from preoperatively to postoperatively (P < 0.001). However, no statistical differences were found between the post-operative follow-up radiographs performed for these four values. Conclusion: MOWHTO using a locking plate without bone graft achieved at least 90% bone healing and had no loss in correction at 2 years postoperatively. Level of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical forces are pervasive in the inflammatory site where dendritic cells (DCs) are activated to migrate into draining lymph nodes. For example, fluid shear stress modulates the movement patterns of DCs, including directness and forward migration indices (FMIs), without chemokine effects. However, little is known about the effects of biomechanical forces on the activation of DCs. Accordingly, here we fabricated a microfluidics system to assess how biomechanical forces affect the migration and activity of DCs during inflammation. Based on the structure of edema, we proposed and experimentally analyzed a novel concept for a microchip model that mimicked such vascular architecture. The intensity of shear stress generated in our engineered chip was found as 0.2–0.6 dyne/cm2 by computational simulation; this value corresponded to inflammation in tissues. In this platform, the directness and FMIs of DCs were significantly increased, whereas the migration velocity of DCs was not altered by shear stress, indicating that mechanical stimuli influenced DC migration. Moreover, DCs with shear stress showed increased expression of the DC activation markers MHC class I and CD86 compared with DCs under static conditions. Taken together, these data suggest that the biomechanical forces are important to regulate the migration and activity of DCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seasonal flu is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. The development of anti-influenza drugs has significantly reduced the threat from the influenza virus; however, frequent mutations of this negative RNA virus result in antiviral-resistant strains, and constantly intimidate the human race. Thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of influenza virus infections is critical. Objective: We aimed to determine whether the kinesin superfamily protein 11 (KIF11) inhibitors, monastrol and K858, inhibit viral cytopathogenesis and influenza A virus (IAV) replication. Result: When MDCK or HEK293 cells were treated with monastrol and K858 that did not induce significant cytotoxicity, IAV-induced cytopathic effect was attenuated significantly. Furthermore, these inhibitors effectively suppressed the production of viral RNA, proteins, and infectious viral particles. Conclusion: Inhibition of KIF11 activity effectively attenuates virus-mediated cytopathic effect and suppresses viral replication. Hence, KIF11 is a potential therapeutic target against the influenza virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myofibroblasts are the major cell type that is responsible for increase in the mechanical stiffness in fibrotic tissues. It has well documented that the TGF-β/Smad axis is required for myofibroblast differentiation under the rigid substrate condition. However, the mechanism driving myofibroblast differentiation in soft substrates remains unknown. In this research, we demonstrated that interaction of yes-associated protein (YAP) and acetylated microtubule via dynein, a microtubule motor protein drives nuclear localization of YAP in the soft matrix, which in turn increased TGF-β1-induced transcriptional activity of Smad for myofibroblast differentiation. Pharmacological and genetical disruption of dynein impaired the nuclear translocation of YAP and decreased the TGF-β1-induced Smad activity even though phosphorylation and nuclear localization of Smad occurred normally in α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1) knockout cell. Moreover, microtubule acetylation prominently appeared in the fibroblast-like cells nearby the blood vessel in the fibrotic liver induced by CCl4 administration, which was conversely decreased by TGF-β receptor inhibitor. As a result, quantitative inhibition of microtubule acetylation may be suggested as a new target for overcoming fibrotic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue-green alga Spirulina maxima is a microscopic filamentous cyanobacterium. Spirulina was recently reported to elicit beneficial effects such as reducing cholesterol and inducing weight loss; however, its effects on inflammation are unknown. To determine the effect of S. maxima extract (SME) on innate immunity, we investigated the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which is a multiprotein scaffolding complex that plays important roles in innate immune responses to many pathogenic infections in macrophages. SME suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1β, and IL-18 in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, SME attenuated LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and thus pro-IL-1β could not be cleaved to IL-1β by activated caspase-1, which is activated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, SME inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in RAW264.7 cells, and attenuated the generation of ERK1 induced-reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in decreased expression of NF-κB. These findings suggest that SME suppresses the effects of the NLRP3 inflammasome via regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In summary, we demonstrated that SME prevents activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting ERK signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylparaben is most frequently used as an antimicrobial preservative in pharmaceuticals and foods. Methylparaben has been subjected to toxicological studies owing to the increasing concern regarding its possible impact on the environment and human health. However, the cytotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of methylparaben exposure in human lung cells have not been explored. Here, we investigated the effect of methylparaben on cell cycle, apoptotic pathways, and changes in the transcriptome profiles in human lung cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment with methylparaben causes inhibition of cell growth. In addition, methylparaben induced S- and G2/M-phase arrest as a result of enhanced apoptosis. Transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq revealed that mRNA expression of ER stress- and protein misfolding-related gene sets was upregulated in methylparaben-treated group. RNA splicing- and maturation-related gene sets were significantly down-regulated by methylparaben treatment. Interestingly, RNA-seq analysis at the transcript level revealed that alternative splicing events, especially retained intron, were markedly changed by a low dose of methylparaben treatment. Altogether, these data show that methylparaben induces an early phase of apoptosis through cell cycle arrest and downregulation of mRNA maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: KIF18A is a kinesin family member that is involved in various cellular processes including cell division, cell transformation, and carcinogenesis. However, its possible role in the regulation of host immunity has not been examined. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the functional role of KIF18A in the differentiation and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) that are the most efficient antigen-presenting cells. Methods: A bioinformatic analysis of the KIF18A gene family was performed to understand its sequence variability and evolutionary history. To inhibit KIF18A activity, a highly specific small molecule inhibitor for KIF18A, BTB-1 was used. DCs were differentiated from mouse bone marrow (BM) cells from 6 to 7 week old C57BL/6 mice with recombinant granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Expression of KIF18A was measured by Western blotting. The surface expression of differentiation and activation markers on DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the KIF18A gene family is remarkably conserved across vertebrates. Interestingly, the expression of KIF18A was increased as BM precursor cells differentiated into DCs. BTB-1 treatment strongly inhibited the differentiation of BM cells into DCs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of immature DCs with BTB-1 significantly impaired the expression of activation markers on DCs including MHC class I, CD80, and CD86 upon TLR4 or TLR7 treatment. Conclusion: Our results reveal that KIF18A is a critical DC differentiation and activation regulator. Therefore, KIF18A could be a potential therapeutic target for immune-mediated disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes following anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using patellar suture anchor fixation for recurrent patellar instability. Methods: Twenty patients (20 knees) were enrolled in this study. The median age was 21 years, and the median follow-up was 34.5 months. Reconstruction was performed using a hamstring autograft fixed with two suture anchors at native patellar site of the MPFL. No patient had undergone additional medial tibial tuberosity transfer. Clinical scores (Kujala, Lysholm, and Tegner score) and apprehension test were completed preoperatively and at the follow-up. Preoperative and follow-up radiographic assessments included modified Insall-Salvati ratio, congruence angle, and lateral patellofemoral angle. Results: The preoperative Kujala and Lysholm scores were 52.6 ± 12.4 and 49.2 ± 10.7, and at follow-up visits, corresponding values were 90.9 ± 4.5 ( p < 0.001) and 90.9 ± 5.2 ( p < 0.001). Tegner score increased from 3.0 (range 1-4) to 5.0 (range 4-7) ( p < 0.001). The apprehension test was positive in all patients preoperatively, but only positive in one patient at follow-up. All radiographic assessments were significantly improved; modified Insall-Salvati index (from 1.75 to 1.65) ( p = 0.002), congruence angle (from 6.3° to −7.0°) ( p < 0.001), and lateral patellofemoral angle (from 2.1° to 4.9°) ( p = 0.008). No patient experienced a patellar fracture or redislocation. Conclusion: These results are comparable to those of bone tunnel techniques reported in the literature. This study shows that anatomic MPFL reconstruction using two suture anchors is a reliable treatment option. Level of evidence: Case series with no comparison group, Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyse the change in length and tension of the reconstructed single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with three different femoral tunnels at different knee flexion angles by use of three-dimensional finite element method. Methods: The right knees of 12 male subjects were scanned with a high-resolution computed tomography scanner at four different knee flexion angles (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°). Three types of single-bundle PCL reconstruction were then conducted in a 90° flexion model: femoral tunnels were created in anterolateral (AL), central and posteromedial (PM) regions of the footprint. Length versus flexion curves and tension versus flexion curves were generated. Results: Between 0° and 90° of knee flexion, changes in length and tension in the PM grafts were not significant. Whereas the lengths and tension of the AL and central grafts significantly increased in the same flexion range. The length and tension of the PM grafts at 135° of knee flexion were significantly higher than those at 90° of knee flexion, whereas the AL and the central grafts showed only slight length changes beyond 90° of flexion. However, the tension of the AL graft increased significantly beyond 90° of flexion. Conclusions: Changes in the graft length, and tension were generally affected by different femoral tunnels and knee flexion angles. In groups with the AL and PM single-bundle reconstruction, the graft tension increased beyond 90° of knee flexion when the graft is tensioned at 90° of flexion. These data suggest that final fixation angle at 90° for the AL or PM graft would induce graft overtension in high knee flexion of 135°. Whereas central graft which is fixed in 90° of flexion is desirable in terms of prevention of graft overtension. Because the graft tension within it was relatively constant beyond 90° of flexion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the possibility of tsunami-damaged paddy soil remediation in Japan using a scraping method. We collected undisturbed soil blocks to maintain the soil structure from paddy damaged by salt from the tsunami. Scraping treatments to remove the top 2 cm of the soil surface were conducted once, twice, and thrice after drying naturally in a greenhouse environment, as well as a noscraping control. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil dramatically decreased to < 1.36 dS m in the residual soils after scraping. The EC values of the residual soils were significantly lower after being scraped twice or thrice compared with a single scraping. Similarly, the mean NaCl removal rates were significantly higher with two (91%) or three scrapings (97.2%) compared with a single scraping (73.3%). The growth of rice plants was almost normal in the residual soils based on a visual score (approximately 3 on average) using a standard evaluation system at 4 weeks after transplantation. There were no significant differences in the grain yields from the residual soils with different scraping frequencies, and the EC values of all the residual soils were < 1.36 dS m. This study clearly indicates that there were reductions in the EC and good plant growth performance in the residual soils after scraping, and there was also a high rate of NaCl removal. Therefore, scraping may be a useful method for the remediation of salt-damaged paddy soils when irrigation or culvert systems are affected severely by tsunamis and earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated Al-tolerance in 44 interspecific lines (32 upland and 12 lowland) developed from the crosses of Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima called New Rice for Africa (NERICA) with 2 O. glaberrima lines and 13 O. sativa varieties under hydroponic culture containing 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 mM Al (+Al) and 0 mM Al (−Al as a control). Ten upland and four lowland NERICA lines showed strong Al-tolerance judging from their higher relative root and shoot dry weights (percentage ratios of dry weights in the Al treatments to the control) than those of the tolerant O. sativa check of IR 53650. Their tolerance was supported by relatively higher root Al accumulation (dark blue color) opposite performance with common knowledge (shown pale blue color) in root using hematoxylin staining compared to the Al-susceptible genotypes identified based on relative root and shoot dry weights in the study. Net Al concentration was higher in roots than in shoots in all +Al conditions for all genotypes; however, a clear difference in the Al concentration among the Al-tolerant, Al-moderately tolerant, and Al-susceptible genotypes was observed in the shoots. Al concentrations in the shoots of the Al-tolerant and Al-moderately tolerant upland and lowland NERICA lines were significantly lower than those of its Al-susceptible counterparts in the groups under 0.6 and 1.2 mM Al conditions, respectively. Differences in root and shoot growth among the Al-tolerant, Al-moderately tolerant, and Al-susceptible NERICA lines were clearer under strong Al toxic conditions (0.6 and 1.2 mM Al) than under weak Al toxic conditions (0.15 and 0.3 mM Al). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum is a major phytotoxic mineral in the soil at low pH conditions. The effect of aluminum (Al) on root length, flowering time, dry matter production, and grain yield was examined using two tolerant, Pungsan (PS) and Geumgang (GG), and one susceptible, IR36, rice varieties to acid soil. Rice seedlings were subjected to two Al treatments (+Al, 150 μM of Al; −Al, 0 μM of Al) in solution culture, where pH was always adjusted at 3.5. PS and GG showed significantly larger root length than IR36 in +Al at 2 and 8 weeks after the treatment (WAT). Flowering time was delayed 9 days in +Al compared to −Al in GG and PS and 27 days in IR36. Dry matter weight and grain yield of GG and PS were also significantly higher than those of IR36 under +Al. The inhibition of such agronomic traits by Al toxicity was less in Al-tolerant varieties than in a susceptible variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-six upland lines of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) were tested with four Oryza sativa varieties in relation to Fe toxicity tolerance under hydroponic culture containing 1.44 mM Fe (+Fe) and 0 mM Fe (-Fe as a control). Three NERICAs, WAB450-IBP-24-HB (P24), WAB450-IBP-82-1-1 (P82), and WAB450-IBP-163-3-1 (P163) among the 30 lines/varieties tested possessed relatively strong tolerance judging from reduction of root length and dry weight and shoot dry weight in +Fe compared to -Fe and from iron toxicity score (ITS) in +Fe. Only P24, P82, and P163 showed emerged lateral roots from pericycle at the root elongation zone, whereas in the other 23 NERICAs and four O. sativa varieties lateral root was not observed in the root elongation or differentiation zones. Less disruption of cortex on root tissues was observed in P24, P82, and P163 than in WAB450-16-2-BL2-DV2 (BL2-DV2), the most susceptible NERICA identified. P24, P82, and P163 showed significantly lower Fe content in the shoots than BL2-DV2, suggesting that the tolerant NERICAs could have some mechanism to inhibit the absorption of Fe. The emergence of lateral roots from the root elongation zone in the three tolerant NERICAs would be closely associated with reducing Fe absorption into the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe a modified trans-tendon method of repairing partial articular surface lesions, which restored the footprint of the rotator cuff anatomically. Methods: The 24 consecutive patients with modified trans-tendon method which allowed a wider pressurized contact area by use of additional knotless anchor were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with ASES score and visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively, postoperative 3 and 12 months. The strength was measured using Isobex digital strength analyzer preoperatively and postoperative 12 months. Results: The ASES scores significantly improved from preoperative 38 ± 13 to 63 ± 5 at 3 months, and 89 ± 5 at 12 months postoperatively. The VAS scores also significantly improved from preoperative 6.6 ± 1.1 to 2 ± 0.7 at 3 months, 0.6 ± 0.7 at 12 months. The strengths significantly increased postoperatively, and there were no significant differences between affected and unaffected shoulders at 12 months postoperatively ( P > 0.05). The 22 of 24 patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with postoperative result at 12 months postoperatively. Conclusion: This arthroscopic-modified trans-tendon suture bridge technique for partial-thickness articular side tears of the rotator cuff has shown excellent functional results and very high satisfaction rate of patient during the 12-month follow-up period. Level of evidence: Evidence therapeutic study, Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a method of arthroscopically assisted, mini-open, anatomical reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligament. This method restores both components of the native ligament with the aim of achieving maximum stability with minimal disruption of the normal anatomy. Using the same principles of ligament reconstruction that are employed in other joints, transosseous tunnels are created following the native footprints of the conoid and trapezoid ligaments and an autologous graft is fixed using a PEEK screw. Adequate healing of the ligament occurs within the bone, to prevent stress risers with an appropriate working length. This procedure is unique, as it replaces the torn ligament with a natural substitute, in the appropriate location, through a minimally invasive procedure. This technique would be suitable for treatment of patients with either grade III or V acute acromioclavicular dislocations. Clinical outcomes for the first 13 consecutive patients treated with this procedure are reported, revealing excellent satisfaction rates with a Constant score of 96.6 at final follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to: 1) identify acid sulfate soil (ASS)-tolerant rice varieties from the genetic stock of Korean rice ( Oryza sativa L.) varieties under ASS conditions; 2) to evaluate their yield performance, and elucidate the physiological mechanism for ASS tolerance with the identified tolerant varieties. Two hundred sixty-six rice varieties were screened for ASS tolerance, and we identified two japonica-indica hybrid varieties, Geumgang (GG) and Pungsan (PS), as having high tolerance under ASS paddy conditions (pH 3). We first conducted a yield trial of GG and PS grown in Wagner pots to determine their potential yields under ASS conditions. A yield trial under paddy field condition followed. In the pot experiment, the ASS-tolerant varieties, GG and PS, showed significantly higher yields than PT-1, which is a local reference variety in mildly improved soil pH conditions (pH 4.1–4.6). Al and Fe content in GG and PS were significantly lower than that of PT-1, so there might be some mechanism that inhibits the absorption of toxic metal ions in the tolerant varieties. In the paddy conditions, the grain yields more than 5 t ha−1 of the two tolerant varieties under mildly improved soil pH condition were significantly higher than PT-1. Dry matter weights of above ground parts also showed the same trend as grain yield. The study demonstrated that the ASS-tolerant japonica-indica rice varieties with high yielding potential could contribute to the improvement of rice yield in ASS regions, and will be good materials for the development of acid soil-tolerant rice varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the change in the graft bending angles at the femoral and tibial tunnel aperture in single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. It was hypothesized that different knee flexion and different tunnel directions may affect changes of the femoral and tibial graft bending angle.Methods: The right knees of 12 male subjects were scanned with a high-resolution computed tomography scanner at 4 different knee flexion angles (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°). To begin with, the 3D knee models were created and manipulated with the use of several modeling programs. Single-bundle PCL reconstruction was then virtually conducted in a 90° flexion model: The femoral and tibial graft bending angle, according to the various knee flexion angles, was calculated using a special software program.Results: The femoral graft bending angle significantly decreased as the knee flexion increased between 0° and 135° (all p < 0.001). The femoral graft bending angle of the AL graft showed the most obtuse angles among the three types of the graft beyond 45° of knee flexion. For the tibial graft bending angle, the anteromedial tunnel group showed significantly more acute tibial graft bending angle than the anterolateral tunnel group in all three types of the graft at all flexion angles (all p < 0.001).Conclusion: Changes in the femoral graft bending angle were generally affected by different knee flexion angles. The effect of tibial tunnel direction on the tibial graft bending angle was found to be significant. The clinical relevance is that a mostly obtuse femoral graft bending angle was shown by the AL graft among three types of the graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]