Search

Background Few studies have assessed the correlation between coexisting mental disorders in participants with diabetes mellitus (DM) and the risk of heart failure (HF). Herein, we conducted a cohort study to determine the association between the accumulation of mental disorders in participants with DM and the risk of HF. Methods The Korean National Health Insurance Service records were assessed. 2,447,386 adults with DM who underwent health screening between 2009 and 2012 were analyzed. Participants with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, or anxiety disorders were included. In addition, participants were categorized based on the number of coexisting mental disorders. Each participant was followed until December 2018 or until the onset of HF. Cox proportional hazard modelling with confounding factors adjustment was conducted. In addition, a competing risk analysis was conducted. Subgroup analysis assessed the impact of clinical variables on the association between the accumulation of mental disorders and the risk of HF. Results The median follow-up duration was 7.09 years. The accumulation of mental disorders was associated with a risk of HF (zero mental disorder (0), reference; 1 mental disorder, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.222, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.207–1.237; 2 mental disorders, aHR: 1.426, CI: 1.403–1.448; ≥3 mental disorders, aHR: 1.667, CI: 1.632–1.70. In the subgroup analysis, the strength of association was the strongest in the younger age group (inter Conclusions Comorbid mental disorders in participants with DM are associated with an increased risk of HF. In addition, the association was stronger in a younger age group. Participants with DM and mental disorders should be monitored with increased frequency for signs of HF; for which they have a higher risk than the general population.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are crucial for maintaining spermatogenesis, studying germ line stem cell biology, and producing transgenic animals. Growth factors, including leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), are essential for in vitro culture of SSCs as well as their self-renewal and maintenance. In this study, we investigated the effects of these growth factors on porcine spermatogonial germ cell (pSGC) colony formation. We determined round alkaline phosphatase (AP)-positive pSGC colonies in the presence and absence of growth factors after 7 days of pSGC culture. EGF was found to be essential to support the formation of AP-positive pSGC colonies. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) was also altered in cultured pSGCs compared to that in feeder cells. We verified the effect of EGF signaling on pSGC colony formation using AG1478 as an EGFR inhibitor and AG879 as an ERBB2 inhibitor. pSGC colonies were observed in low dose AG1478-treated groups with EGF, whereas a high dose of AG1478 suppressed pSGC colony formation. AP-positive colonies were also observed in all AG879-treated groups. Taken together, EGFR and EGF signaling play a critical role in the initiation of colony formation of pSGCs. Our study provides insights into the mechanisms of EGF-mediated colony formation by SGCs derived from porcine testes, and will aid the development of transplantation techniques for the production of transgenic offspring.

Recent technologies have allowed researchers to observe animal behaviour and monitor their surrounding environments by deploying electronic sensors onto the animals. So-called ‘bio-logging’ (also known as animal telemetry, biotelemetry, or animal-borne sensors) has been widely used to study marine animals that are difficult for humans to observe. In this study, we (1) review the types of sensors used, the animal taxa studied, and the study areas in marine bio-logging publications from 1974 to 2019; (2) introduce the main topics in behavioural and environmental marine bio-logging studies; and (3) discuss suggestions for future marine bio-logging studies. We expect that technological advances in new sensors will enhance the ability of both behavioural ecologists and oceanographers to explore animal movements, physiology and marine environments. In addition, we discuss future perspectives of bio-loggers to improve data acquisition and accuracy with longer battery life for applying bio-logging techniques to broader species.

This study applied hurdle technology to achieve effective microbial inactivation, and concurrently improve the qualities of soft persimmon juice during storage. Hurdle technology applied was based on moderate temperature, ultrasonication, and pH adjustment (using ascorbic acid) as preservative factors. The inactivation effect of preservative factors and their varying combinations at different levels on Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes was investigated via a stepwise approach to determine suitable inactivation conditions. The hurdle treatment for soft persimmon juice was determined based on the results of microbial inactivation and sensory test as the addition of 1% ascorbic acid combined with thermo-sonication at 50 °C for 30 min (AAUSHT). The effect of individual and hurdle treatment on juice storage quality was examined for 21 days at 4 °C. AAUSHT effectively inhibited both bacteria and fungi growth ( 4 log CFU/mL). Furthermore, AAUSHT effectively reduced non-enzymatic browning, color change, and maintained apparent viscosity of juice.

Metal catalysts have been employed as cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells to facilitate the surface exchange rate in the intermediate temperature range (600–800 °C). However, incorporated metal catalysts easily agglomerate, resulting in the loss of the reaction sites; thus, the electrochemical performance rapidly deteriorates over time. To hinder the agglomeration of metal catalysts while maintaining the catalytic activity, we encapsulated metal catalysts with nano-particulated perovskite materials using an infiltration technique. The encapsulation of Ag nanoparticles with nano-particulated Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ (SSC) successfully prevented the agglomeration of Ag nanoparticles, maintaining the initial polarization resistance for 200 h at 650 °C, while the polarization resistance of the SSC electrodes with the Ag nanoparticles increased by ~ 190% after 200 h at 650 °C because of the thermal agglomeration of Ag nanoparticles.

The purpose of this study is to establish the criteria for a landslide early warning system (LEWS). We accomplished this by deriving optimal thresholds for the cumulative event rainfall–duration (ED) and identifying the characteristics of the rainfall variables associated with a high probability of landslide occurrence via a Bayesian model. We have established these system criteria using rainfall and landslide data for Chuncheon, Republic of Korea. Heavy rainfall is the leading cause of landslides in Chuncheon; thus, it is crucial to determine the rainfall conditions that trigger landslides. Hourly rainfall data spanning 1999 to 2017 from seven gauging stations were utilized to establish the ED thresholds and the Bayesian model. We used three different calibration periods of rainfall events split by 12, 24, 48, and 96 non-rainfall hours to calibrate the ED thresholds. Finally, the optimal threshold was determined by comparing the results of the contingency table and the skill scores that maximize the probability of detection (POD) score and minimize the probability of false detection (POFD) score. In the LEWS, by considering the first level as “normal,” we developed subsequent step-by-step warning levels based on the Bayesian model as well as the ED thresholds. We propose the second level, “watch,” when the rainfall condition is above the ED thresholds. We then adopt the third level, “warning,” and the fourth level, “severe warning,” based on the probability of landslide occurrence determined via a Bayesian model that considers several factors including the rainfall conditions of landslide vs. non-landslide and various rainfall variables such as hourly maximum rainfall and 3-day antecedent rainfall conditions. The proposed alert level predicted a total of 98.2% of the landslide occurrences at the levels of “severe warning” and “warning” as a result of the model fitness verification. The false alarm rate is 0% for the severe warning level and 47.4% for the warning level. We propose using the optimal ED thresholds to forecast when landslides are likely to occur in the local region. Additionally, we propose the ranges of rainfall variables that represent a high landslide probability based on the Bayesian model to set the landslide warning standard that fits the local area’s characteristics.

The gut microbiome provides ecological information about host animals, but we still have limited knowledge of the gut microbiome, particularly for animals inhabiting remote locations, such as Antarctica. Here, we compared fecal microbiota between southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli), that are top predatory marine mammals in the Antarctic ecosystem, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and assessed the relationships of the gut microbial communities to functional profiles using gut metabolite analysis. The bacterial community did not differ significantly by host species or sex at the phylum level, but the distinction at the family level was obvious. The family Ruminococcaceae (Firmicutes) was more abundant in southern elephant seals than in Weddell seals, and the families Acidaminococcaceae (Firmicutes) and Pasteurellaceae (Gammaproteobacteria) were uniquely present in Weddell seals. The fecal bacterial community structure was distinctively clustered by host species, with only 6.7% of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) shared between host species. This result implies that host phylogeny rather than other factors, such as diet or age, could be the major driver of fecal microbiotic diversification. Interestingly, there was no apparent sex effect on bacterial community structure in Weddell seals, but the effect of sex was pronounced in adult southern elephant seals mainly due to the prevalence of Edwardsiella sp., suggesting that extreme sexual dimorphism may modulate the gut microbiota of southern elephant seals. Unlike the clear distinction in the taxonomic composition of fecal bacterial communities, there were no discernible differences in the profiles of potential microbial functions and gut metabolites between host species or sexes, indicating that functional redundancy dominates the gut microbiota of seals surveyed in this study.

Cr poisoning of the SUS interconnect and the solid oxide fuel cell electrode is one of the crucial hurdles to achieving system sustainability. Among various approaches to solving this issue, the suppression of cation segregation, especially Sr, and preventing the electrode surface from direct exposure to Cr-gas have been considered the most important factors. Herein, the effect of surface coating on mitigating Sr segregation as well as the use of strategies for protecting the electrode surface from exposure to Cr gas are discussed. Using Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3(SSC) as a model film electrode and Gd0.1Ce0.9O2 (GDC) as the coating layer via a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method, the Cr tolerance of the perovskite oxide electrode was enhanced. Electrochemical measurement at 650 °C for 200 h showed ∼2.5 times higher stability of the GDC-coated SSC electrode than the bare SSC electrode. Using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), the chemical states of the GDC-coated SSC electrode were characterized, revealing significantly reduced Sr and Cr intensity on the surface of the coated electrode when compared to the bare SSC electrode.

Among the diverse approaches for improving the electrode performance of solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures, the use of nanofiber-based electrodes has provided large improvement owing to their large specific surface area, continuous conduction pathway, and highly porous structure. However, the low thermal stability at increased temperature often limits the process compatibility and sustainability during operation. In this study, we fabricated nanofiber-based electrodes with a high porosity and hollow shape using one-step electrospinning with a hydrogel polymer, which exhibited largely improved performance and excellent thermal stability. A porous-nanofiber-based cell exhibits a polarization resistance of 0.021 Ωcm2 and maximum power density of 1.71 W/cm2 at 650 °C, which is an improvement of 34.3% and 14.7% compared to that of a solid-nanofiber-based cell, respectively. Comprehensive analyses of the microstructures and chemistry indicate that the performance increase is mainly attributable to the enhanced surface oxygen exchange reactions owing to the extended reaction sites with lower energy barriers by the high porosity and enriched oxygen vacancies in the nanofibers.

With the increasing importance of monitoring and verifying urban CO2 concentrations to mitigate carbon emissions from cities, a high-resolution ground networks of low-cost CO2 sensors are emerging that have a price advantage over existing high-cost sensors. This study develops a low-cost CO2 instrument called the Seoul National University CO2 Measurement (SNUCO2M) to monitor and analyze intra-city CO2 concentrations over Seoul, Korea. The first step of establishing this low-cost CO2 sensor network involved installing the SNUCO2M at the Yongsan Building (YSB; 113 m MASL) and Namsan Seoul Tower-High (NSTH; 385 m MASL) on October 18, 2018 and July 8, 2019, respectively. For comparison with the SNUCO2M, we utilized CO2 concentrations measured by the Picarro instrument (high-cost CO2 sensor) at Gwanak Mountain (GWA) background measurement site and the lower part of the NST (NSTL). The initial CO2 measurements from the SNUCO2M, show that 1) the SNUCO2M has a 0.71% maximum error range and is sufficient to measure urban atmospheric CO2 concentrations; and 2) the SNUCO2M captures 26.92 and 20.30 ppm of Seoul’s summer and winter time CO2 enhancement compared to the GWA background site. Our results suggest that the low-cost sensors such as SNUCO2M successfully detect urban CO2 characteristics over the megacity and has great potential to replace high-cost sensors with cost and management limitations.

Background The optimal surgical strategy for pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) in neonates and young infants is controversial. Staged repair may be associated with a higher risk of inter-stage mortality, while primary repair may lead to frequent post-repair re-interventions. Methods From 2004 to 2017, 65 patients with PA/VSD who underwent surgical intervention before 90 days of age were identified and enrolled in this retrospective study. The cohort was divided into two groups: group-SR, who underwent initial palliation with staged repair (n = 50), and group-PR who underwent primary repair (n = 15). Results There were three post-palliation in-hospital mortalities, four inter-stage mortalities, and one post-repair in-hospital mortality in group-SR. In group-PR, there was one in-hospital death and one late death. Five-year survival rates were comparable between the two groups (group-SR: 83.6%; group-PR: 86.7%; p = 0.754). During the median follow-up duration of 44.7 months (Inter-quartile range, 19–109 months), 40 post-repair re-interventions (22 in group-SR, 18 in group-PR) were performed in 26 patients (18 in group-SR, 8 in group-PR). On Cox proportional hazards model, primary repair was identified as the only risk factor for decreased time to death/1st post-repair re-intervention (Hazard ratio (HR): 2.3, p = 0.049) and death/2nd post-repair re-intervention (HR 2.91, p = 0.033). Conclusions A staged repair strategy, compared with primary repair, was associated with comparable overall survival with less frequent re-interventions after repair in young infants with PA/VSD. Lowering the inter-stage mortality after initial palliation by vigilant outpatient care and aggressive home monitoring may be the key to better surgical outcomes in this subset. Graphic Abstract Surgical outcomes of PA with VSD according to the surgical strategies. Patient 1 (birth weight: 2.7 kg) underwent primary Rastelli-type repair at post-natal day # 50 (body weight: 3.8 kg) using Contegra® 12 mm. The postoperative course was rocky, with long ventilatory support (10 days), ICU stay (14 days), and hospital stay (20 days). Cardiac CT scan at 9 months post-repair showed severe branch pulmonary artery stenosis, which necessitated LPA stenting at 12 months post-repair and RV-PA conduit replacement with extensive pulmonary artery reconstruction at 25 months post-repair. Patient 2 (birth weight: 2.5 kg) underwent RMBT at post-natal day #30 (body weight: 3.4 kg) using 4 mm PTFE vascular graft and staged Rastelli-type repair at post-natal 11 months using a hand-made Gore-Tex valved conduit (14 mm). No post-repair re-intervention has been performed. Cardiac CT scan at 90 months post-repair showed no branch pulmonary artery stenosis.CT computed tomography, ICU intensive care unit, LPA left pulmonary artery, PA pulmonary atresia, PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene, RMBT right modified Blalock–Taussig shunt, RV-PA right ventricle to pulmonary artery, VSD ventricular septal defect.

Background Pelvic incidence (PI) is used as a key parameter in surgical correction of adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, reflecting the exact center or inclination of the three-dimensional anatomical structures on the two-dimensional (2D) sagittal radiographs is limited, resulting in measurement errors. Therefore, we evaluated whether there is a change in PI measurement according to the actual rotation of the pelvis, and conducted a study on a more accurate method for PI measurement using 2D sagittal radiographs. Methods From 2014 to 2015, the data of 30 patients who visited our outpatient clinic were analyzed retrospectively. CT scans including those of the lower lumbar spine, pelvis, and both femurs in the DICOM format were imported to Mimics Research 17.0 (Materialise NV, Belgium), SolidWorks (Dassault systems, France), and AutoCAD 2014 (AUTODESK, US). The changes in PI according to vertical and horizontal pelvic rotations were evaluated. Results The average PIs according to the horizontal pelvic rotations measured on AutoCAD with 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40° were 48.8°, 48.7°, 48.3°, 47.8°, 46.9°, 45.6°, 44.0°, 42.2°, and 39.9°, respectively. The PI with an acceptable error of 6° on radiographs was 35° in the horizontal pelvic rotation. The average PIs according to the vertical pelvic rotations measured on AutoCAD with 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40° were 48.8°, 49.0°, 49.5°, 50.2°, 51.3°, 52.7°, 54.4°, 56.6°, and 59.4°, respectively. The PI with an acceptable error of 6° on radiographs was 30° in the vertical pelvic rotation. Conclusions This study revealed that the PI value could differ from the actual anatomical value due to the horizontal and vertical rotation of the pelvis while acquiring the radiograph. Regarding whole-spine lateral radiographs, errors in PI measurement may occur due to pelvic rotation or nonvertical projection of X-rays. In the standing pelvic lateral radiographs, ensuring superposition of the femoral heads at the center and obtaining the straight sacral endplate by referring to CT or magnetic resonance imaging would be a more accurate measurement method to define PI.

We sought to evaluate the clinical implication of endotoxin levels in gram-negative bacilli (GNB)-induced abdominal septic shock patients with polymyxin B-hemoperfusion (PMX-HP) treatment. A prospective cohort of 60 patients who received surgical infectious source control for abdominal sepsis from January 2019 to December 2020 was included in the study. Endotoxin activity (EA) levels and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were assessed immediately after surgery (baseline), 24, and 48 h post baseline. With receiver operating characteristic curves, the patients were stratified into two groups by the EA cut-off value (high-risk group vs low-risk group) and the clinical outcomes were compared. Logistic regression was performed to identify the clinical impact of PMX-HP on in-hospital death. Among the 31 high-risk patients (EA level ≥ 0.54), 16 patients (51.6%) received PMX-HP treatment and showed significant decreases in EA levels compared to patients who underwent conventional treatment only (− 0.34 vs − 0.12, p = 0.01). SOFA scores also showed significant improvement with PMX-HP treatment (12.8–8.9, p = 0.007). Fourteen in-hospital deaths occurred (45.2%), and PMX-HP treatment had a protective effect on in-hospital death (odds ratio (OR) 0.04, p = 0.03). In 29 low-risk patients (EA level p = 0.018). However, SOFA scores and in-hospital deaths were not improved by PMX-HP treatment. EA level significantly decreased after PMX-HP treatment and it may represent a therapeutic option to improve organ impairment and in-hospital death in septic shock patients with EA levels exceeding 0.54.

In the Antarctic ecosystem, leopard seals are known to be a main predator of penguins, while Weddell seals typically feed on fish and small crustaceans. In this study, we describe the observation of a Weddell seal that hunted juvenile Adelie Penguins on Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The Weddell seal remained in the water near the edge of the sea ice and attacked young individuals. The penguins were in the late phase of molting and appeared to just venture into the water, which indicates that the individuals were unfamiliar with the water and had lower swimming ability than adults. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first video recording of Weddell seal predation on penguins and the first record on Adelie Penguins being attacked by the Weddell seals. Here, we discuss the possibility that Weddell seals could be an opportunistic predator of juvenile penguins when they are highly vulnerable.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) is involved in lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity and can lead to apoptosis. Resveratrol, a sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) agonist, prevents ER stress and improves ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis and cell death. Clusterin is a secreted chaperone and has roles in various physiological processes. However, changes in the expression of clusterin upon ER stress and the connection between SIRT1 and clusterin in protection against ER stress are not well known. In cells treated with tunicamycin, resveratrol increased the expression of clusterin mRNA and protein and the secreted clusterin protein level in conditioned medium. Resveratrol decreased protein expression of the ER stress markers, p-PERK, p-IRE1α, and CHOP, and increased the expression of the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) factors, SEL1L and HRD1, in tunicamycin-treated cells. However, no changes in the expression of these genes were observed in clusterin siRNA-transfected cells. Moreover, increased LAMP2 and LC3 expression and decreased Rubicon expression were observed in cells treated with resveratrol or secreted clusterin. These data suggest that SIRT1 activation by resveratrol attenuates ER stress by promoting protective processes such as ERAD and autophagy pathways and that these protective effects are mediated by clusterin. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s12192-019-01012-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long-acting injectable formulations (LAIFs) have received substantial attention recently due to their advantages over conventional formulations, including easy administration, continuous and controlled release of drug over months, and the ability to maintain drug concentrations within the therapeutic range. The constant advances in biotechnology produce complex active pharmaceuticals that might be difficult to administer by conventional means. In particular, peptides, proteins, and antibodies are hard to administer orally given their physicochemical instability in the gastrointestinal tract and short half lives in blood. Therefore, LAIFs are a good candidate delivery system for such drugs. LAIFs reduce the frequency of application and improve patient compliance. For instance, LAIF-based antipsychotics can be more effective in patients with bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. This review provides an overview of the various drug delivery technologies using LAIFs. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres, hydrogels, organogels, and liquid crystals were chosen as representative LAIFs, and their preparation methods, advantages, limitations, challenges, and prospects are discussed. LAIFs are an attractive delivery system for bio-macromolecules that might participate in the new drug paradigm in the future. While each LAIF-based delivery technology has its own unique advantages, there are still some limitations that need to be overcome, and studies are being performed to understand and address these limitations.

Infiltration-based composite electrodes are one of the most promising structures to obtain solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with high performance. For a rational design of advanced composite electrodes, we report here a comprehensive model based on fluid mechanics by using the Peclet number and contact angle hysteresis to precisely control the morphologies of the infiltrated nanoparticles. Depending on the key parameter, the drying rate, three distinct morphologies—film-like coating, discrete coating, and concentrated coating—were suggested for the model and confirmed through experiments on the infiltration of the electrode material into the porous electrolyte scaffold. We believe that these results can provide an in-depth understanding of the infiltration process, which will help in arriving at simple fabrication guidelines for designing advanced nanostructures using wet chemical processes.

The hydrogel of biomolecule-assisted metal/organic complex has the superior ability to form a uniform, continuous, and densely integrated structure, which is necessary for fine thin film fabrication. As a representative of nature-originated polymers with abundant reactive side chains, we select the gelatin molecule as an element for weaving the metal cations. Here, we demonstrate the interaction between the metal cation and gelatin molecules, and associate it with coating quality. We investigate the rheological property of gelatin solutions interacting with metal cation from the view of cross-linking and denaturing of gelatin molecules. Also, we quantitatively compare the corresponding interactions by monitoring the absorbance spectrum of the cation. The coated porous structure is systematically investigated from the infiltration of gelatin-mediated Gd0.2Ce0.8O2−δ (GDC) precursor into Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ (SSC) porous scaffold. By applying the actively interacting gelatin–GDC system, we achieve a thin film of GDC on SSC with excellent uniformity. Compare to the discrete coating from the typical infiltration process, the optimized thin film coated structure shows enhanced performance and stability.

To compare the surgical outcomes of the two different ankle stabilization techniques. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the outcomes of the modified Brostrom procedure with [calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) group] or without CFL repair [anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) only group]. Of the 50 patients randomly assigned to two groups, 43 were followed up prospectively for ≥ 2 years (CFL group: 22 patients, 36.6 ± 13.1 months; ATFL Only group: 21 patients, 35.3 ± 11.9 months). Functional outcomes were assessed using the Karlsson–Peterson and Tegner activity level scoring systems. Anterior talar translation (ATT), talar tilt angle (TTA), and degrees of displacement of the calcaneus against the talus on stress radiographs were measured. All parameters were compared between the two groups. Multiple regression analysis setting the postoperative Karlsson–Peterson score as the dependent variable was performed to determine the significant variable. There were no significant differences between the two groups in functional (Karlsson–Peterson and Tegner activity level) scores at the last follow-up and their changes. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the ATT, TTA, their differences compared with the contralateral ankles, and degrees of displacement of the calcaneus against the talus at the last follow-up. Osteochondral lesion of the talus rather than CFL repair was the significant variable related to functional outcome. The modified Brostrom procedure with additional CFL repair did not result in a significant advantage in any measured outcome at 3 years. Randomized controlled trial, Level I.

The stem cell niche is a complex unit comprising key components, such as the extracellular matrix and various paracrine factors, which regulate the differentiation of adult stem cells. In our previous study, we established pig spermatogonial stem cells (pSSCs) in culture and identified the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in pSSCs. The present study investigated not only the expression of IGFBP-3, but also its possible role in pSSCs. In this study, IGFBP-3-expressing cells responded positively to protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), which is a marker for pig spermatogonia. IGFBP-3 expression was significantly increased in 60-dayold pig testes. Additionally, the expression levels of insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) and its receptor (IGF-IR) were observed in pSSCs and pig Sertoli cells (pSCs). Furthermore, IGF-I treatment enhanced the proliferation of pSCs and pSSCs when they were co-cultured. Blocking the IGF-I pathway using a specific IGF-IR inhibitor dramatically reduced the proliferation of pSCs. In addition, when heparan sulfate was used to sequester IGFBP-3 from IGF-I binding, a significant increase in the proliferation of pSCs was observed. Exogenous IGF-I treatment also increased the expression level of IGFBP-3 in cultured pSSCs. Furthermore, pSSCs grew well in IGF-I-treated pSC conditioned media. In summary, IGF-I and IGF-IR signaling are important for the proliferation of pSCs, and the germ cell-derived IGFBP-3 had an inhibitory effect on the mitotic activity of IGF-I in pSCs.

In pinnipeds, twin pups are rarely reported and are often confused with cases of adoption. Here, we report the direct field observations of twin Weddell seal pups at Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. During the breeding period in 2019, a female seal was observed giving birth to twin pups. The date of birth was recorded as 9th November, which was the latest birthing date in the colony (40 days later than the first breeder). The twin pups exhibited strong bonding behavior with their mother and sucked for five days after the birth. The female and pups had disappeared since day 6 and one of the twin pups was found dead near a sea-ice crack on day 12. Here we provide the detailed field observations of the twins from birth to death. We discuss that the high costs of the late breeding and lactation associated with twins could prevent seal twins from surviving.

Mammary gland development is critically dependent on the interactions between its stromal and epithelial compartments. In this study, we established a co-culture of bovine mammary epithelial Mac-T cells and murine preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. Mac-T cells were co-cultured with 3T3-L1 cells for four days and production of milk proteins was induced for three days. After seven days of co-culturing, the number of alveolar-like colonies in the presence of 3T3-L1 cells was significantly higher than that in control group. Expression levels of αS1-casein and β-casein mRNAs were significantlyincreased by co-culturing with 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, casein protein production was significantly higher in the co-culture of Mac-T cells with 3T3-L1 cells than in control Mac-T cells. Substances that induced casein production in Mac-T cells also stimulated adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. We suggest that a co-culture system of bovine mammary epithelial cells and preadipocyte cells is an efficient method for in vitro milk protein production.

Because the rate of bone loss is an important risk factor for fracture, we studied longitudinal changes in bone mineral density (BMD). Although the BMD of the hip decreased over time, spine BMD remained largely stable or increased. Therefore, spine BMD may not be appropriate for assessing BMD change. The rate of age-dependent bone loss has been shown to be an important risk factor for fracture. However, longitudinal rates of BMD loss in Korea have not yet been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate longitudinal changes in BMD in Korea. This cohort study was performed in a population of individuals 40 years of age or older living in the rural area of Chungju City, Korea. A second BMD examination was conducted approximately 4 years after a baseline examination. A total of 3755 of the 6007 subjects completed the follow-up visit, corresponding to a follow-up rate of 62.51%. The age-standardized osteoporosis prevalence was 12.81% in males and 44.35% in females. In males, the average annual BMD loss at the total hip increased from −0.25% per year in their 40s to −1.12% per year in their 80s. In females, the average annual BMD loss at the total hip increased from −0.69% per year in their 40s to −1.51% per year in their 80s. However, the average annual percentage change in spine BMD in females increased from −0.91% per year in their 40s to +1.39% per year in their 80s. A substantial number of subjects had osteoporosis, even though we standardized the prevalence of osteoporosis. In total hip, the mean BMD was decreased during the follow-up period; in addition, the annual percentage loss increased with age. However, spine BMD remained approximately stable or increased over time and therefore may not be appropriate for assessing BMD change.

Molecular markers of spermatogonia are necessary for studies on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and improving our understanding of molecular and cellular biology of spermatogenesis. Although studies of germ cell surface marker have been extensively conducted in the testes of rodents, these markers have not been well studied in domestic animals. We aimed to determine the expression pattern of cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) in developing porcine testes and cultured porcine SSCs (pSSCs), as well as its role in pSSC colony formation. Interestingly, expression of CD14 was observed in porcine testes with PGP9.5-positive undifferentiated spermatogonia at all developmental stages. In addition, in vitro cultured pSSCs expressed CD14 and showed successful colony formation, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and flow cytometry. PKH26 dye-stained CD14-positive cells transplants were performed into the testes of recipient mice, which were depleted of both testicular germ and somatic cells from immunodeficiency mice and were shown to colonise the recipient testes. Moreover, a colony-forming assay showed that the development of pSSC colonies was disrupted by a high concentration of lipopolysaccharide. These studies indicated that CD14 is surface marker of early spermatogonia in developing porcine testes and in pSSCs, suggesting a role for CD14 in porcine spermatogenesis.

In recent decades, the glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula have been rapidly retreating. Using satellite images taken during the austral summer from 1989 to 2016, we estimated the glacier pattern on King George Island in the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, and found that glacier boundaries have gradually retreated. We have recorded the kelp gull nest sites in this glacier-retreat region during four breeding seasons (from 2012–2013 to 2015–2016). Satellite images and newly established kelp gull nests suggest that glacier retreat could lead to an enlarged breeding habitat for kelp gulls.

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) is a transmembrane protein that is an essential mediator of interferon-induced anti-proliferation. Identifying the functional role of IFITM1 has been difficult because of high expression of the protein induces cell death. In this study, we showed that IFITM1 is localized to the mitochondria and that its expression is related to mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). Overexpression of IFITM1 resulted in a wrinkled and ruptured cell morphology, and subcellular fractionation revealed IFITM1 expression in the mitochondria and the plasma membrane. Interestingly, IFITM1 was expressed at high levels in the mitochondria of MPRO cells, but only at low levels in the plasma membrane. A mitochondrial staining assay confirmed that IFITM1 was localized to the mitochondria in MPRO cells. In addition, IFITM1 expression was significantly increased by treatment with H2O2, arachidonic acid, and dithiothreitol. These findings suggest that IFITM1 expression is not restricted to the membrane, but is present in the mitochondria as well. Furthermore, mitochondrial IFITM1 expression is regulated by mROS.

Breeding animals can increase the survival of their offspring by defending their offspring and perform a conspicuous display against nest predators and potential risks. Here, we recorded the behavioral responses of Antarctic penguins when a stuffed skua and a human approached their nests. We investigated (1) how sympatrically breeding chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins responded to the approaching skua (a real nest predator) and human (a newly introduced intruder) and (2) how the penguin responses varied based on the degree of previous exposure to humans. Our results showed that chinstrap penguins mostly displayed strongly threatening behavior, with physical attacks on both the skua and human. However, gentoo penguins displayed a weaker threatening behavior toward the skua and responded differently to the presence of a human. Many gentoo individuals avoided the human rather than displaying threatening behavior. Furthermore, gentoo penguins near the pathway used by humans exhibited weak responses after 4 weeks of exposures to passers-by, whereas other individuals far from the pathway responded with threatening behavior. These results indicate that chinstrap and gentoo penguins may have different strategies for defending their offspring; gentoo penguins might discriminate between intruder types depending on the degree of danger, whereas chinstrap penguins consistently reacted to any intruders approaching to their nest sites. Our findings suggest that gentoo penguins may become habituated with humans following prior to short-term exposure.

In this study, a novel process for fabricating micro Al2O3 patterns using local anodization is proposed. On the basis of double layer theory, the anodizing region was localized on an aluminum surface near a micro tool electrode with a small inter-electrode gap. The localized oxide formation process was observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) including energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). It was confirmed that micro-scale localized aluminum oxide was fabricated on the aluminum surface. Features of the anodized oxide line were investigated using different ratios of sulfuric and oxalic acid mixtures at various pulse durations and voltage conditions. The experimental results show that an insulating aluminum oxide line pattern was fabricated on 10 µm aluminum foil. Subsequently, a coplanar waveguide (CPW) micro patch antenna was fabricated and characterized by a PNA network analyzer. The local anodization can be used for fabricating micro-electric circuits without masks and substrate; which will promise the next generation of micro electronic devices.

In contrast to extensive research on optimal foraging in birds, the proximate mechanisms by which birds estimate the properties of nuts or seeds have not been well studied. Using slow-motion video-recording and experiments with modified peanuts presented to birds in their natural habitat, we explored these issues in a wild population of the Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina). Jays evaluated each peanut by performing fast movements of the head combined with additional fast movements of the beak, which may open and subsequently close producing sound at the moment of hitting the shell. These movements seemed to provide Jays with additional sensory information that led to a more strict discrimination against non-preferred peanuts. We presented Jays with two types of peanuts that looked similar but differed in weight and found that, after handling the nuts, Jays consistently preferred the heavier nuts. In another experiment, the visually larger nuts with atypically lower mass (due to experimental alteration) were picked up easily but subsequently were rejected during handling, while the smaller peanuts with the weight typical for the size were easily accepted leading to the preferences for nuts with higher nutmeat density. This indicates that birds may have a concept of how much a nut of a given size should weigh, or alternatively that simple correlation between density of nut content and the properties of sound produced during handling lead to the ability of choosing denser nuts. We discuss further experimental studies that may bring more understanding of the proximate mechanisms of nut content assessment by birds.

We examined the association between serum TSH levels and osteoporosis of the lumbar spine in 756 Korean women aged 65 years or older with normal thyroid function. Low-normal serum TSH levels might be a potential risk factor for the osteoporosis in non-obese elderly women. We aimed to examine the association between serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and osteoporosis of the lumbar spine in healthy elderly Korean women with normal thyroid function. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the correlations between serum TSH levels and the osteoporosis of the lumbar spine depending on the body mass index (BMI) in a total of 756 women aged 65 years or older who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and thyroid function test in a routine health screening examination at our medical institution. After the adjustment of the age and BMI, there was a significant positive correlation between serum TSH level within normal range and the BMD of the lumbar spine (r = 0.165, P

Magainin 2 is pore-forming antimicrobial peptide on lipid matrix of bacterial membrane, secreted from the skin of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. The aim of this study was to investigate a new concept for antibacterial mechanisms called bacterial apoptosis-like cell death. We examined the morphological changes induced by magainin 2 in Escherichia coli, regarding apoptosis. Specifically, phosphatidylserine externalization from the inner to outer membrane surface was detected by Annexin V staining, and DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation was detected by TUNEL and DAPI assay. We also found much mechanistic evidence to support the hypothesis that magainin 2 induces bacterial apoptosis-like death-including disturbance of membrane detected by DiBAC4(3), caspase activation observed by FITC-VAD-FMK staining, and analyzing the role of RecA in bacterial apoptosis-like death through the RecA expression assay by Western blot-in E. Coli when treated with magainin 2. On the basis of these results, magainin 2 exerts antibacterial activity with a new mechanism which is bacterial apoptosis-like death. Searching antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action can be an effective strategy to coping with the emergence of new resistance mechanisms. Magainin 2 deserves further research as a potential antimicrobial therapeutic agent.

Localized charge transfer reactions induced by the external bias were observed near the electrode-electrolyte interfaces by Kevin probe microscopy. Spatially resolved potential measurements revealed the localized charge accumulation and rearrangement driven by the external bias, which were ascribed to oxidation and reduction of the oxide surface. This in situ measurement of charge distribution with spatial information under controlled environments can be particularly useful in investigating the charge transfer reactions on the surfaces of functional materials and enhance our understanding of many electronic and electrochemical devices.

The ability of water and ethanolic extracts isolated of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) to function as an anticancer agents was studied using HepG2 cells. The ethanolic UR extract was further fractionatedwith hexane, chloroform (CHCl3), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and water, and these fractions were subsequently investigated for anticancer activity. Among the fractions, the n-BuOH fraction induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, when determined by cell cycle analysis, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, and Hoechst 33342 staining. Moreover, the n-BuOH fraction induced apoptotic cell death by modulating the expression of caspase-7, caspase-8, and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). These results indicated that the n-BuOH fraction from UR has strong anticancer activity in HepG2 cells and causes an upregulation of apoptotic proteins through the activation of PARP.

Accumulation of excess hepatic lipids contributes to insulin resistance and liver disease associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Exendin-4 is an agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor and plays a role in improving insulin resistance and liver disease by increasing silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog (SIRT) 1. However, the effects and mechanism of action of exendin-4 on responses to palmitic acid (PA)-induced ER stress in hepatocytes have not been clearly defined. We investigated whether exendin-4 attenuates PA-induced ER stress via SIRT1 in HepG2 cells. PA treatment induced increased expression of PRKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, inositol-requiring kinase 1α (IRE1α), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA. Exendin-4 decreased the expression of P-IRE1α, ATF6, X-box binding protein-1 and CHOP, and increased the expression of SERCA2b. A significant decrease in the hepatic expression of PUMA, BAX, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3 were observed in hepatocytes treated with exendin-4. The TUNEL assay consistently showed that exendin-4 reversed hepatocyte apoptosis induced by treatment with PA. Inhibition of SIRT1 by nicotinamide and siRNA significantly increased the expression of ER stress marker genes in cells treated with both PA and exendin-4. In conclusion, increased SIRT1 by exendin-4 attenuates PA-induced ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes.

Polyphenols in mulberry fruit were fast extracted using a microwave-assisted extraction technique, and the effects of process variables including the solvent concentration, irradiation time, microwave power, and solvent consumption upon polyphenol extraction were investigated. Fifteen runs rotatable box-behnken design (RBBD) with three variables and three levels were employed; optimal conditions and maximal yields of the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were predicted by generating a mathematical polynomial model based on response surface methodology. The estimated optimal conditions were ethanol concentration of 40%, irradiation time of 8 min, and microwave power of 210 W. A verification experiment was carried out at the above mentioned optimal conditions, and no significant differences were observed between the predicted and experimental values, which confirmed that the prediction was valid and application of response surface methodology (RSM) to the extraction of polyphenols and flavonoids from mulberries under microwaveassisted extraction (MAE) process was successful. In addition, specific polyphenols contained in mulberries were identified and quantified using high performance liquid chromatograph.

Background This study compared carotid ultrasound (CUS) and traditional risk calculations in determining cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and investigated whether awareness of CVD affects patient and/or physician behavior. Methods In this prospective, observational, multicenter study, 797 participants with type 2 diabetes were assessed using CUS, the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Risk Engine (UKPDSRE) calculator, and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) algorithm. Health-related behaviors and physician treatments were compared at baseline and at 6 months after assessment. Results According to CUS, 43.5 % of the participants were at high risk (compared to 10.6 % and 4.3 % using the UKPDSRE and FRS approaches, respectively). Interestingly, 31.5 % of the patients with low risk scores according to the UKPDSRE calculator and 35.8 % of the patients with low risk scores according to the FRS algorithm were found to be at high risk according to CUS. The proportion of patients who achieved target LDL-C levels significantly increased after CUS. Moreover, increased awareness of atherosclerosis through CUS findings significantly altered physician treatment patterns and patient health-related behaviors. Conclusions Carotid atherosclerosis was detected in more than 30 % of all participants with low or intermediate risk stratification scores. Improved awareness of atherosclerosis through CUS findings had a positive impact on both patient and physician behavior, resulting in improved CV risk management. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12872-016-0401-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Belgian Malinois (BM), one of the excellent military dog breeds in South Korea, is usually castrated before sexual maturation. Therefore, the transfer of their genetic features to the next generation is difficult. To overcome this, testicular cells from 4-month-old BMs were frozen. Testicular cells were thawed after 3 months and cultured in StemPro-34 medium. Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) characteristics were determined by the transplantation of the cultured germ cell-derived colonies (GDCs) into empty testes, containing only several endogenous SSCs and Sertoli cells, of immunodeficient mice, 4 weeks after busulfan treatment. Following the implantation, the transplanted cells localized in the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules, and ultimately colonized the recipient testes. Xenotransplantation of GDCs together with testicular somatic cells conjugated with extracellular matrix (ECM), led to the formation of de novo seminiferous tubules. These seminiferous tubules were mostly composed of Sertoli cells. Some germ cells were localized in the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules. This study revealed that BM-derived SSCs, obtained from the castrated testes, might be a valuable tool for the transfer of BM genetic features to the next generation.

We evaluated the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Korean adults with diagnosed diabetes using nationally representative data. Among subjects aged ≥30 years who participated in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2007 and 2008, a total of 745 subjects (336 men and 409 women) with a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were analyzed. The prevalence of hypertension in adults with diagnosed diabetes was 55.5%. The rates of awareness, treatment and control were 88.0, 94.2, and 30.8%, respectively. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of hypertension in adults with diagnosed diabetes was higher in all age groups in both genders. Factors independently associated with a high prevalence of hypertension included being male, increasing age, single,9 years of education, the presence of chronic kidney disease risk, hypercholesterolemia (≥240 mg dl(-1)) and high body mass index (≥25 kg m(-2)). Regular medical screening was positively associated with hypertension control, whereas a high triglyceride level (≥150 mg dl(-1)) was inversely associated. A high prevalence and a low control rate of hypertension in adults with diagnosed diabetes suggest that stringent efforts are needed to control blood pressure in diabetic patients.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based impedance spectroscopy provides localized impedance information of materials and interfaces at the nanoscale by utilizing the conductive AFM tip as a moving electrode to detect current response as a function of time and frequency under controlled environments. This capability enables AFM-based nanoscale impedance measurements to play a unique role in enhancing our understanding of many electronic and electrochemical devices. This article introduces the central concepts of AFM-based impedance measurement and reviews recent examples applying this technique to a variety of functional materials systems, in particular focusing on fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, photoactive biomembranes, as well as other application examples.

We report the first case of non-parental infanticide in the Black-billed Magpie Pica pica. Using a video camera installed in the victims’ nest, we recorded repeated visits (over 4 days) of an adult (each time one bird) who attacked six nestlings at each visit until they died or were evicted. The nest was one of 58 nests filmed over four breeding seasons. Collected evidence suggests that the perpetrator(s) might have been the female breeder of the neighbouring nest, possibly also her male partner. The parental female aggressively attacked the perpetrator. Post-infanticide expansion of breeding territory by the suspected perpetrator is the hypothetical ultimate explanation of the observed infanticide. Movie clips from inside the nest are shown at: http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo110422pp01a, http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo110422bm01a, http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo110422pp02a, and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo110422pp03a.

Because T2DM increases the risk of coronary atherosclerosis and CAD and new noninvasive techniques to assess CVD risk have gained considerable popularity, it is important to know how these tools relate to each other. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the extent of coronary artery calcification measured by MDCT, plasma OPG levels, baPWV and the established cardiovascular risk factors in Korean patients with T2DM. From November 2006 to December 2007, 110 asymptomatic Korean patients with T2DM without prior evidence of CAD were assessed (mean age 57.2 years). CAC imaging was performed using a 40-slice MDCT. Serum OPG levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Oscotec, Korea) from the serum samples of each subject. We measured the baPWV as an index of arterial stiffness. In addition, we measured fasting glucose, HbA(1)C, hsCRP and lipid profiles. A total of 74 patients (67.3%) had minimal or insignificant CAC (10). The CACS, OPG and baPWV showed significant positive correlations with each other. The CACS was significantly associated with the baPWV, smoking and use of a statin. The baPWV was significantly associated with age, duration of DM, total cholesterol and CACS by multiple linear regression models of the dependent variables of CACS or baPWV. CAC and baPWV were significant predictors of each other (r = 0.359, P = 0.014 and r = 0.361, P = 0.004). The results of this study showed that CAC, baPWV and serum OPG levels were significantly correlated with each other in asymptomatic Korean patients with T2DM. Furthermore, our results suggest that arterial stiffness, as determined by baPWV, may predict the extent of coronary calcification by MDCT.

There are a range of rates and a number of prognostic factors associated with the local recurrence of colorectal cancer after curative resection. The aim of this study was to identify the potential prognostic factors of local recurrence in patients with colon and rectal cancers. A retrospective review of 1,838 patients who underwent curative resection of non-metastatic colorectal cancer was conducted. The patients were treated between 1994 and 2004, and had a minimum follow-up of 3 years. There were 994 patients with colon cancer and 844 patients with rectal cancer. The median duration of follow-up was 60.9 ± 24.5 months. With respect to colon cancer, the local recurrence rate was 6.1% (61 patients). With respect to rectal cancer, 95 patients had a local recurrence (11.3%), the rate of which was statistically greater than the local recurrence rate for colon cancer (p

Background: Recently, klotho has been proposed as a link between cardiovascular diseases and premature aging, but the relationship between KLOTHO genes and cardiovascular risk factors, especially glucose metabolism, in humans is unclear. Objectives: We investigate the relationship between polymorphisms G395A in promoter and C1818T in exon 4 of the KLOTHO gene with glucose metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean women. Material and methods: In 251 women (mean age 51.3±6.9 yr), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were measured. The genotyping of polymorphisms G395A in promoter and C1818T in exon 4 of the KLOTHO gene was performed by allelic discrimination using a 5′ nuclease polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: Allele frequencies of G395A polymorphism was 0.829 for the G allele and 0.171 for the A allele and allele frequencies of C1818T polymorphism were 0.804 for the C allele and 0.196 for the T allele, both of which were in compliance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the two polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium (D′=0.43, p

Cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-alpha play an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, the relationship between changes in the cytokine levels and subsequent bone loss in patients undergoing a bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is unclear. A total of 46 patients undergoing an allogeneic BMT were prospectively investigated. The bone turnover markers and the serum cytokines were measured before BMT and serially after BMT. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured before and 1 year after BMT. At 1 year after BMT, the lumbar spine BMD had decreased by 4.8%, and the total proximal femoral BMD had decreased by 12.3%. The serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels increased until 2 and 3 weeks after BMT, respectively. The lumbar BMD was significantly decreased as the serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels increased by post-BMT 3 weeks. The lumbar BMD decreased significantly as the cumulative prednisolone and cyclosporine dose increased. Patients with GVHD > or =grade II had higher lumbar bone loss than patients with GVHD

Biomass has became an important renewable alternative energy resource. Million tons of food sludge, which is difficult to handle because of its rank smell and water content, is generated in Korea. Thermochemical conversion is one way to convert biomass to energy; it can be divided into carbonization, liquefaction, and gasification. Carbonization of food waste was carried out in a conventional stainless steel autoclave of 2 L capacity at different temperatures. Since gasification produces hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, which can be used for methanol synthesis, gasification of carbonized solid was studied in the fluidized-bed gasifier. The reaction parameters in the gasification of carbonized solids were investigated.

Pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNFalpha and IL-8) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines were determined in weekly samples from 52 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). IL-6 increased immediately after transplant peaking at week +3, but IL-8 concentrations were elevated only during week +1. After a slight decrease in week +1, TNF-alpha significantly increased from week +2 and peaked at week +3, whereas, IL-10 values started to rise in week +2 and peaked during week +4. IL-6 and TNF-alpha were positively correlated from week +2 to week +4, and IL-6 levels at week +1 were related with fever and severe stomatitis. Serum levels of IL-6 at week +1 and IL-10 at week +4 were significantly higher in patients with early transplant-related complications, such as fever, severe stomatitis or acute GVHD > or = overall grade II than in those without the complications. We conclude that a high serum IL-6 level at week +1 may be an early predictor of transplant-related complications and that it seems to trigger pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine release. Kinetic patterns of IL-6 and IL-10 were more exaggerated in those with complications after HSCT.

Transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in experimental animal models has been used to study germ line stem cell biology and to produce transgenic animals. The species-specific recipient model preparation is important for the characterization of SSCs and the production of offspring. Here, we investigated the effects of surgically induced cryptorchidism in dog as a new recipient model for spermatogonial stem cell transplantation. Artificially unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism was induced in ten mature male dogs by surgically returning the testis and epididymis to the abdominal cavity. The testes and epididymides were collected every week after the induction of artificial cryptorchidism (surgery) for one month. To determine the effect of surgical cryptorchidism, the seminiferous tubule diameter was measured and immunohistochemistry using PGP9.5 and GATA4 antibodies was analyzed. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules of abdominal testes were significantly reduced compared to those of the scrotal testes. Immunohistochemistry results showed that PGP9.5 positive undifferentiated spermatogonia were significantly reduced after surgical cryptorchidism induction, but there were no significant changes in GATA-4 positive sertoli cells. To evaluate the testis function recovery rate, orchiopexy was performed on two dogs after 30 days of bilateral cryptorchidism. In the orchiopexy group, SCP3 positive spermatocytes were detected, and spermatogenesis was recovered 8 weeks after orchiopexy. In this study, we provided optimum experimental conditions and time for surgical preparation of a recipient canine model for SSC transplantation. Additionally, our data will contribute to recipient preparation by using surgically induced cryptorchidism in non-rodent species.

This paper presents a method for diagnosis in a large-scale system environment. The method utilizes the theory of hierarchical systems and hybrid diagnostic reasoning from AI (artificial intelligence). In shallow reasoning, which is a part of hybrid reasoning, the concept of entropy is used to determine which component (that might be responsible for a symptom observed) is to be tested next. The procedure is illustrated using a simulated example of a CIM (computer-integrated manufacturing) system, and is implemented on IntelliCorp's knowledge engineering environment (KEE).