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Financial development as a viable tool in nation-building and economic expansion is generally established in growth empirics. That notwithstanding, its roles in the drives towards environmental sustainability have received commending and reprimanding views in recent times. However, empirical study advancing the asymmetric effects of financial development from the broader view of measures seems limited and evolving. Hence, the present study investigates the positive and negative effects of financial development measured by broad money and domestic credit to the private sector on environmental sustainability (CO2 emissions and ecological footprint) in the Emerging Seven (E7) economies from 1995 to 2019. The empirical evidence considers the intervention of government policy through fiscal policy instruments (government spending and tax revenue), eco-digitalization, affluence, and population growth in a STIRPAT framework. The main analyses focus on advanced estimators such as pool mean group, mean group, dynamic fixed effects, and panel quantile regression. Feedback shows that negative shocks from financial development captured by broad money induce more surges in CO2 emissions. Similarly, the negative shocks from domestic credit to private sectors promote CO2 emissions, while the positive shocks moderate the emissions. The findings also uncover eco-digitalization as a viable tool to achieve environmental sustainability in the E7 economies. Furthermore, the measures of fiscal policy have differing impacts on environmental sustainability as evident from the positive and negative signs attributed to government expenditure and tax revenue. Moreover, affluence and population growth exacerbate CO2 emission surges. Policy insights that drive environmental sustainability are suggested based on the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open green innovation is essential to accelerate decarbonization in Africa. The dearth of empirical evidence on the current trajectory of green innovation in Africa often hinders appropriate green innovation policy design. This study investigates the incidence of collaboration in inventive activities within Africa using the ‘designation of the inventor’ in the online European Patent database. We identify and assess open and closed climate adaptation and mitigation inventions using explorative and network analysis techniques. Our research shows that even though climate change adaptation technologies are more valuable, climate change mitigation technologies are more responsive to open innovation. We also discovered that the number of green inventions is slightly increasing, but there are very few collaborative open green inventions in Africa as many of the inventions are closed. These results accentuate the fragmented national innovation systems in many African countries. The lack of collaboration and the disconnect between universities and firms shows that most African knowledge institutions have not evolved into vibrant sources of firm learning for national economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ampelopsin (AMP) is a well-known flavonoid that exerts a number of biological and pharmacological effects including anticancer effects against several cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of AMP against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive cells and its mechanism of action. Our results showed that AMP dose-dependently inhibited cell viability and induced apoptotic cell death in EBV-positive cells without cytotoxicity in EBV-negative cells. In particular, AMP induced caspase-8 dependent apoptosis via upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and death receptor (DR5). Knockdown of DR5 by RNA interference blocked AMP-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, AMP dose-dependently activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in EBV-positive cells. Additionally, SB203580 (a p38-MAPK inhibitor) effectively inhibited apoptotic cell death. These results demonstrate that treatment with AMP induces the apoptosis of EBV-positive cells through upregulation of TRAIL/DR5 and activation of p38 signaling. Therefore, these results provide experimental information for developing AMP as a new therapeutic drug against EBV-positive cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae (SUMILACT LTM) was used for the bioconversion of the ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, and Rg3 to gypenoside-XVII, compound-O, compound-MC1, F2, and Rh2, respectively. The optimal conditions were pH 4.5, 50 °C, 60 U·mL−1 enzyme, and 8.0 mM substrate. Interestingly, the enzyme hydrolyzed only the outer β-(1,2)-D-glucose linkage at the C-3 position of ginsenosides. Under optimum conditions, the enzyme completely converted Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, and Rg3 to gypenoside-XVII, compound-O, compound-MC1, F2, and Rh2, respectively, with the highest productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commercial immobilized D-glucose isomerase from Streptomyces murines (Sweetzyme) was used to produce L-rhamnulose from L-rhamnose in a packed-bed reactor. The optimal conditions for L-rhamnulose production from L-rhamnose were determined as pH 8.0, 60 °C, 300 g L−1 L-rhamnose as a substrate, and 0.6 h−1 dilution rate. The half-life of the immobilized enzyme at 60 °C was 809 h. Under the optimal conditions, the immobilized enzyme produced an average of 135 g L−1 L-rhamnulose from 300 g L−1 L-rhamnose after 16 days at pH 8.0, 60 °C, and 0.6 h−1 dilution rate, with a productivity of 81 g/L/h and a conversion yield of 45% in a packed-bed reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce carbon dioxide emission of materials, two eco-friendly diols, poly(lactide) (PLA) diol and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were applied for the synthesis of polyurethane acrylates (PUAs). PUAs with acrylate-ended groups were synthesized and then their mixtures were copolymerized by UV. The cured PUAs were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, drop shape analysis, universal testing machine, and dynamic mechanical analyzer. The cured PUAs showed single Tg due to well distribution of diols. Tensile strength and Tg of the cured PUAs increased with the content of PLA diol. As the content of PEG in the PUAs increases, thermal stability and hydrophilicity were improved. The results showed that the mechanical and thermal properties of synthesized PUAs could be controlled by diol ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine Australian consumers’ ethnic food involvement, with a specific focus on Korean food. It will also explore the effects of ethnic food involvement on consumer perceived food attributes and their preferences for specific food-related travel activities, targeting Korean food. Using a Korean restaurant patron survey, the findings of the study identifies three distinct market segments – “Korean food lovers”, “low-involved novices” and “taste-oriented diners”. It also found that Australian consumers’ food perceptions and travel preferences are significantly affected by their level of past involvement with Korean food. Such findings can be useful to allow destination marketers to target the local residents’ decision-making process at the early stage of their trip planning as food tourism positioning strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two type of triblock copolymers [poly(l-lactide)-b-perfluoro polyether-b-poly(l-lactide) (fluoro l-PLA) and poly(d-lactide)-b-perfluoro polyether-b-poly(d-lactide) (fluoro d-PLA)] (fluoro PLAs) were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The synthesized triblock copolymers showed more hydrophobic properties than pristine l-PLA due to the perfluoro polyether (PFPE). To control the surface properties, the blends were prepared by mixing fluoro PLAs with l-PLA. The degradation rates of the fluoro PLAs/l-PLA blends were retarded due to the surface segregation of PFPE which has lower surface energy. In case of the fluoro d-PLA/l-PLA blends, however, the stereocomplex formation between the l-lactide and d-lactide sequences enhanced the thermal and enzymatic stabilities of l-PLA. As a result, the biodegradability of l-PLA can be controlled by copolymerization or the formation of a stereocomplex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop carbon dioxide (CO2)-reducible polymeric materials, block copolymers (PLA-PEC-PLA) of CO2-reducible polymers, poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of lactide in the presence of PEC diol using stannous octoate. Differential scanning calorimetry and contact angle measurements showed that the incorporation of the PEC block decrease the crystallinity of PLA and increases the hydrophilicity and flexibility due to its compatibility. The enzymatic degradation in Tris-HCl buffer containing proteinase K showed that the degradation rate of L-PLA-PEC-L-PLA was faster than that of L-PLA due to the decreased crystallization and increased hydrophilicity after copolymerization as well as degradation of PEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explains electronic word of mouth (eWOM) in terms that are opposed to the traditional definitions and examines the motivations that lead to eWOM in order to clarify ethnic restaurant users’ post-consumption behavior online. To fill in the gap left by studies that have primarily relied on predetermined questionnaires (e.g., DINESERV), this study uses a qualitative methodology (i.e., netnography). Four motivations for engaging in eWOM are identified. Customers tend to articulate their dining experiences by engaging in online social networks for the purpose of evaluating services, expressing positive or negative feelings, approving other members’ contributions, or gaining positive recognition from others. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Although the roles of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) have been accepted as the initial or confirmatory diagnostic tool for spontaneous intracranial infections, the usefulness of these has rarely been investigated in intracranial infections after a craniotomy procedure. Through an analysis of the clinico-radiological characteristics of spontaneous and postoperative intracranial infections, the authors revealed the specific factors that affect the accuracy of DWI and ADC in diagnosing intracranial infections. Methods. The authors retrospectively analyzed 67 intracranial infections confirmed using preoperative MR imaging, including the DWI, ADC and gadolium-enhanced (Gd) images, and by peroperative pus drainage. Results. In 67 enrolled patients, no or uncertain diffusion restriction on DWI and ADC was found in 9 cases (13%). All the cases showed typical peripheral enhancement on Gd images. Among nine cases without diffusion restriction, postoperative infection was seen in five cases (62.5% [5/8 postoperative infection group] vs. 6.8% [4/59 spontaneous infection group], p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, postoperative infection was the predictive factor for false-negative restriction on DWI and ADC (hazard ratio: 41.2, 95% confidential index: 2.39-710.25, p = 0.01). Conclusion. Despite the excellent availability of DWI and ADC for diagnosing spontaneous intracranial infections, negative restriction results of those images are not sufficient to exclude postoperative intracranial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of surgical wide excision and amniotic membrane transplantation with adjuvant mitomycin C 0.04% eye drops on recurrent conjunctival-corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CCIN). Methods: The authors applied amniotic membrane transplantation after total surgical excision of a tumor to a patient with recurrent conjunctival-corneal intraepithelial neoplasia. The tumor co-existed as a conjunctival lesion and corneal opacity. After one week, the patient received mitomycin C 0.04% eye drops four times a day for one month to prevent recurrence. Ocular complications and recurrence were evaluated under slit lamp microscopy for one year. Results: Corneal epithelium completely healed within one week after the surgery. Both conjunctival and corneal lesions were completely regressed and no recurrence has been found with follow-up to 24 months. Conclusions: Surgical wide excision and amniotic membrane transplantation with adjuvant topical MMC would be an effective treatment modality for treatment of recurrent CCIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses the Stimuli-Organism-Response framework to examine how consumers’ reasons for shopping and website stimuli affect their attitudes toward online shopping, their ability to regulate their emotional purchases, and their repurchase intentions. Results from a survey of 416 qualified respondents were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results of the survey showed that (1) the hedonic shopping value has a positive effect on consumers’ attitudes toward online shopping and emotional purchases, (2) the utilitarian shopping value has a significant effect on consumers’ attitudes toward online shopping, (3) environmental stimuli positively influence consumers’ attitudes toward online shopping and emotional purchases, and (4) consumers’ attitudes toward online shopping positively affect their repurchase intention. However, there are no significant relationships between the utilitarian shopping value and emotional purchases or between emotional purchases and repurchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the association and interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms in CFH and LOC387715/ARMS2 with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Korean population. Methods: A total of 114 exudative AMD patients and 240 normal subjects participated in the study. PCR and direct sequencing were used to screen SNPs in the CFH and in the LOC387715/ARMS2. Genotype and haplotype analyses were performed. Two-locus gene-gene interactions were evaluated by the data mining approach multifactor-dimensionality reduction method. Results: The *C/*T genotype frequency of rs1061170 in CFH showed a significant difference (OR = 1.79). Genotype and allele frequencies of rs551397 (*C/*C, OR = 2.84; *C, OR = 1.67) and rs800292 (*G/*G, OR = 2.198; *G, OR = 1.676) in CFH, and rs10490924 (T/*T, OR = 12.45; *T, OR = 4.45) and rs2736911 (*C/*C, OR = 3.21; *C, OR = 2.71) in LOC387715/ARMS2 were significantly higher in patients. In the haplotype analysis, C-T of rs2736911-rs10490924 in LOC387715/ARMS2 (OR = 4.85) and C-G of rs551397-rs800292 in CFH (OR = 2.22) predisposed significantly to AMD. After cross-validation consistency (CVC) and permutation tests, we identified the 1 marker model (rs10490924), which has a prediction accuracy of 73.5%, and the two locus model, rs10490924_ rs800292, with 75.3% balanced accuracy in predicting AMD disease risk. Conclusions: Korean individuals with the LOC387715/ARMS2 rs10490924, and to a lesser extent, CFH rs800292 variants might be at a greater risk for the development of exudative AMD. Furthermore, the risk of exudative AMD may increase significantly if these variants are both present in the two genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling transduction initiates TGF-β activation, resulting in activation of TGF-β receptor II (TGFBR2). Any quantitative and qualitative changes in TGFBR2 are expected to affect the TGF-β signaling pathway, which occupies a central position with respect to the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, immune reaction, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix formation. Recent studies have shown that TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms may confer susceptibility to early acute and chronic allograft rejection in kidney transplantation recipients. In this study, we assessed whether polymorphisms of the TGFBR2 gene were associated with susceptibility to kidney transplantation rejection. A total of 347 renal allograft recipients transplanted at three centers in Korea were analyzed. Three SNPs (rs764522, rs3087465, rs2228048) of the TGFBR2 gene were genotyped from genomic DNA with direct sequencing. Multiple logistic regression models (codominant, dominant, recessive, and log-additive) were performed to evaluate odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values. A total of 63 patients (18%) developed acute rejection (AR). There were no significant differences in age, sex, number of HLA mismatches, cause of renal failure, or immunosuppressant regimen between the AR and non-AR group. The synonymous SNP rs2228048 was significantly associated with AR (p = 0.020 in recessive model, and p = 0.036 in log-additive model. The allele frequencies of rs2228048 were different between the AR and non-AR group (p = 0.026). These results suggest that the synonymous TGFBR2 gene SNP rs2228048 may be associated with the development of AR in Korean kidney transplantation recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite advances in critical care, more effective methods of systemic oxygenation in patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome are needed. The goal of this study was to determine if it is possible to increase systemic oxygenation by transpleural perfusion with oxygenated perfluorocarbon in animals with induced acute lung injury. Methods: Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were intubated, and acute lung injury was induced by aspiration of 0.1N HCl (1 mL/kg) through the tracheal tube. Inflow and outflow tubes were placed in the thoracic cavity and connected to a perfusion circuit containing a roller pump, warmer, and oxygenator. Rats in group I were not treated after aspiration of HCl, those in group II were perfused with oxygenated saline, and those in group III were perfused with oxygenated perfluorocarbon. Arterial blood gases were collected every 30 minutes for 180 minutes. At the last step of the experiments, pathological examination of the lungs and parietal pleura was performed. Results: PaO2 in group III was significantly higher than that in group I or II. PaCO2 in group III was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. Histological examination showed relatively well-delineated zones of inflammation-free coagulative necrosis of lung parenchyma in all groups. Conclusions: Transpleural perfusion with oxygenated perfluorocarbon in an animal model of induced acute lung injury resulted in a significant increase in systemic oxygenation and depletion of systemic carbon dioxide, and might be a useful method for improving systemic oxygenation in patients with acute lung injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four specimens of unknown Coilia sp. were collected for the first time from the Yellow Sea in 2008 and compared with Coilia mystus and Coilia nasus. Coilia sp. showed similar morphology to C. mystus and C. nasus, but differed in that its tail was considerably shorter. We conducted an analysis of the morphological and genetic characteristics in an effort to clarify the taxonomic position of Coilia sp. In counts and measurements, Coilia sp. were well distinguished from C. nasus by the number of scutes (42-44 in Coilia sp. vs. 40-45 in C. mystus vs. 45-55 in C. nasus), ratio of dorsal base length to head length (43.4-47.6 vs. 37.9-47.6 vs. 33.0-41.0), and eye length to head length (19.2-20.8 vs. 17.0-22.4 vs. 13.8-18.2). In caudal skeleton of Coilia sp., urostyle, hypural and epural bones were not observed; instead of them, caudal fin rays were supported by the last vertebra, neural and haemal spines' extension. The molecular phylogenetic relationship was analyzed using 414 base-pair 12S rRNA mitochondrial DNA sequences. The Kimura-2-parameter distance between Coilia sp. and C. mystus was 0.3%, but was 1.3% between Coilia sp. and C. nasus. Both the neighbor-joining tree and maximum-likelihood tree showed that Coilia sp. are closely clustered with C. mystus. Therefore, our results suggest that the Coilia sp. may be a deformed fish of C. mystus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the experimental work for the treatment of landfill leachate in a combined process using the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the natural zeolite Clinoptilolite. Clinoptilolite was used in a pretreatment step as a sink for ammonia nitrogen and, on average it reduced the levels of ammonia nitrogen, soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color by 72, 4.7, and 25%, respectively. The reductions by fungal treatment alone were 16.6, 21.5, and 31.2%, respectively. However, a reduction in nitrogen loading greatly enhanced fungal treatment efficiency. A high C/N ratio in the leachate was found preferable for the fungal treatment. With the synergy created by pretreatment and fungal growth that was stimulated by the addition of a growth medium, the process could remove ammonia nitrogen, soluble COD (SCOD) and color at levels as high as 81.5, 65, and 59%, respectively. The ratio of SBOD[SUB5]/SCOD increased from 0.1 to 0.17 upon treatment, indicating that the process rendered the leachate more amenable to the biological process. This result suggested that the preliminary reduction of ammonia nitrogen was essential in making the fungal process practicable for landfill leachate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein molecules are amphoteric and exist in aqueous solution as macromolecular ions that carry a charge which depends upon temperature and pH. Despite the repulsive Coulomb forces acting between them, protein macromolecular ions can form crystals in pH buffered solutions of strong electrolytes. It is proposed that the first step in the mechanism of crystallization is the formation of crystal nuclei made from partially discharged macromolecular ions that have exchanged H[sup +] with the buffer. We suggest that the strength of the bare Coulomb repulsive force is weakened by the Debye-Hückel plasma screening provided by the inert electrolyte. This screening causes the rate of nucleus formation to increase with increasing ionic strength. Extending classic nucleation theory to account for these various charge effects, the results are applied to the case of lysozyme and a calculation is made of the dependence of the steady state nucleation rate upon temperature, pH, ionic strength, and protein supersaturation. It is found that the nucleation rate increases with increasing temperature and increasing ionic strength. Under condition of fixed temperature, supersaturation, and inionic strength, the nucleation rate has local maxima at low pH, where individual lysozyme macro ions are highly charged, and at pH 11, where they have zero average net charge. At both pH values, the nucleus that determines the rate has minimum size. In contrast to standard nucleation theory, which ignores charge, it is found that the size of the nucleus that controls the rate is different from the size of the nucleus that has the lowest concentration. All other conditions being the same, it is predicted that lysozyme crystals should nucleate most rapidly near pH = 2 and near pH = 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study of the residual stresses induced during processing of filament-wound composite cylinders, using a cure-dependent viscoelastic material model and a finite-element model. Explanation of models; Results; Conclusion that the geometric constraint of the cylinder itself plays a role in inducing stress.

The development of process-induced residual stresses in a typical graphite/epoxy composite material during cure is analyzed in this article. An extensive material characterization study of the resin system was reported in a previous article by the authors [1], and the results of that study are used to develop a cure-dependent viscoelastic material model for the composite system. A finite-element model is developed to solve the stress analysis problem. To overcome large memory storage requirements and lengthy calculation times, a recursive formulation is used in the finite-element analysis. Cure kinetic and heat transfer modeling are evaluated independently using the finite-difference method. Process-induced residual stresses in cross-ply laminates are calculated and the results are compared with elastic solutions. The results of the analysis indicate that in certain cases significant residual stresses are present during the cure cycle, even before final cool-down commences. Whether a material experiences significant curing stress before cool-down depends on many factors, including stress relaxation time, equilibrium modulus, the level of chemical shrinkage, and curing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaching characteristics of sludges from the treatment of acid mine drainage(AMD) from Iron Mountain Mine near Redding, California were compared using two different processes: caustic soda treatment and a modified lime/sulfide treatment process. The modified lime/sulfide process produced a sludge with better dewaterability characteristics than sludge from the caustic soda process. The results of the Cal WET indicated that the modified lime/sulfide process sludge had less leachability than that of sludge from the caustic soda process. Both processes could achieve a substantial reduction of heavy metals in leachate to levels below the federal regulatory limits(TCLP). For cadmium and zinc, however, neither process produced a sludge that met the requirements of the Cal WET procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The importance of integrated movement behaviours (MB, i.e., physical activity [PA], sedentary behaviour, and sleep) and their interdependence for health has been recently discussed in the literature. The proposition that the amount of time spent in any one of these behaviours may impact the amount of time spent in another is supported by the ActivityStat hypothesis. The aim of this review is to (1) to assess whether individuals with liver disease display MB and/or energy (i.e., total energy expenditure [EE], basal EE, resting EE, and activity EE) compensation throughout the day and/or days; and (2) to examine whether a prescribed PA intervention triggers compensatory responses. Documents were included if they focused on people living with liver disease; analysed MB and/or EE components; were data-based; and were published in English. Fifteen documents were included in the final synthesis. The one finding that addressed research question 1 showed no compensatory response. As for research question 2, most of the findings suggest no compensation effects in response to a PA intervention. There is insufficient evidence to support the ActivityStat hypothesis in people living with liver disease. Further research should be conducted to test this hypothesis using standardized methodological procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to use spillover theory to examine the impacts of touristification on different life domains and on residents' overall quality of life (QoL). Specifically, this study investigates how touristification influences residents' life domain satisfaction, which influences their overall QoL. The study examines the relationship between satisfaction with residents' overall QoL and their support for tourism development, based on social exchange theory. The research model shows that community and emotional impacts of touristification negatively affected both life domain satisfaction and support for future tourism development; additionally, life domain satisfaction positively affected QoL, and QoL positively affected support for future tourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a cationic surfactant commonly used as a disinfectant, and is discharged into the aquatic environment by various water sources such as wastewater. BAC may also interact with potentially toxic substances such as persistent organic chemicals. Although studies of BAC contamination toxicity and bioaccumulation have been widely reported, the biochemical responses to BAC toxicity remain incompletely understood, and the detailed molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches were applied to investigate the protein profiles in Oryzias latipes (medaka) chronically exposed to BAC. Fish were exposed to three different concentrations of BAC, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/L, for 21 days. A total of 20 proteins involved in the cytoskeleton, the oxidative stress response, the nervous and endocrine systems, signaling pathways, and cellular proteolysis were significantly upregulated by BAC exposure. The proteomic information obtained in the present study will be useful in identification of potential biomarkers for BAC toxicity, and begins to elucidate its molecular mechanisms, providing new insights into the ecotoxicity of BAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus is a γ-herpes virus that infects primary B cells and can transform infected cells into immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). The role of EBV in malignancies such as Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma is well understood, however, its role in EBV-infected retinal cells remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of EBV on the growth of retinal cells. Previously, we established and reported a cell line model to address the relationship between EBV infection and retinal cell proliferation that used adult retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) and EBV infection. To determine the effect of EBV on ARPE-19 cells, cell death was measured by propidium iodine/annexin V staining and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by FACS, and protein expression was evaluated using western blot analysis. Also, downregulation of LMP1 and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression was accomplished using siRNA technology. We found that ROS were dramatically increased in EBV-infected ARPE19 cells (APRE19/EBV) relative to the parental cell line. Additionally, the expression level of NOX4, a main source of ROS, was upregulated by EBV infection. Interestingly, downregulation of LMP1, one of the EBV viral onco-proteins, completely decreased EBV-induced ROS accumulation and the upregulation of NOX4. Treatment with APX-115A, a pan-NOX inhibitor, induced apoptotic cell death of only the EBV-infected ARPE19 cells but not the parental cell line. Pretreatment with z-VAD, a pan-caspase inhibitor, inhibited NOX inhibitor-induced cell death in ARPE19/EBV cells. Furthermore, APX-115A-induced cell death mediated the activation of JNK and ERK. Finally, we confirmed the expression level of NOX4, and APX-115A induced cell death of EBV-infected human primary retina epithelial cells and the activation of JNK and ERK. Taken together, these our results suggest that APX-115A could be a therapeutic agent for treating EBV-infected retinal cells or diseases by inhibiting LMP1-NOX4-ROS signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biocompatible polymer composite film was prepared by casting method of the mixed solution of poly(L-lactide) (PLA) and lotus leaf powder (LLP) in chloroform. The obtained composite film showed hydrophobic properties. The surface wettability and change in the surface morphology of the film before and after degradation in the enzyme solution were analyzed by contact angle measurement and high resolution scanning electron microscopy. The degradation rate of PLA could be controlled by mixing the right composition of LLP to PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered blood pressure (BP) regulation and heart rate variations are characteristic findings of cardiovascular dysautonomia in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, these variations had not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and characteristics of 24-hour BP and heart rate variations in patients with PD. Case-control comparisons of 139 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with PD and 55 age-matched controls were performed. All cases underwent clinical assessments and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. The associations among BP and heart rate variations and parkinsonian motor symptoms were investigated. There were significant differences in the distribution of non-dipping, the percent of nocturnal BP decrease, nighttime BP level, the standard deviation of heart rate, and nocturnal decrease of heart rate between patients with PD and controls. However, these abnormal diurnal BP and heart rate patterns were not associated with parkinsonian motor symptoms and not related to age, gender, or disease duration. In conclusion, this result suggests daily BP and heart rate abnormalities may be one of the circadian cardiovascular autonomic dysfunctions in patients with PD, irrespective of age, disease severity, or motor symptom phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Impaired urinary concentration is uniformly present with advanced disease in chronic renal failure. Aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) is known to be expressed in the renal collecting duct cells and participates in urinary concentration in response to vasopressin. Recently, the study of AQP expression in various forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrated a reduction in AQP-2 expression associated with a loss of nephrons and the presence of chronic interstitial fibrosis. No information on aquaporin genetic variations in CKD is available to date. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible impact of aquaporin-2 genotype on the development and clinical course of CKD. Methods. Blood samples from 259 patients with CKD and 106 ethnicity-, age-, and sex-matched healthy controls were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. AQP-2 -667 genotype was assessed by PCR, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the patients and healthy controls (p = 0.3936, p = 0.2941, respectively). In all, 79 (30.5%) patients had the AQP-2 -667 wild-type A/A, 123 (47.5%) were heterozygous for the G allele, and 57 (22.0%) patients showed homozygosity. After subclassification of CKD according to underlying disease, no significant differences were observed between those patients and controls (p = 0.72 for diabetic nephropathy, p = 0.52 for hypertensive nephropathy, p = 0.27 for chronic glomerulonephritis, and p = 0.80 for unknown etiology). Genotype and allele frequencies of the AQP-2 gene polymorphism (rs3759126) of hypertensive patients in pre-ESRD did not show a noticeable difference compared with normal blood pressure patients in pre-ESRD (p = 0.50). No correlation was found to exist between the AQP-2 gene polymorphism (rs3759126) and serum electrolyte levels in pre-ESRD patients (p = 0.38 for serum sodium level and p = 0.44 for serum potassium level). Conclusion. Our data indicate that no association exists between the -667 AQP-2 A/G polymorphism and susceptibility to CKD or its clinical course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been found to be associated with the development and repair mechanisms of several renal diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EGF or its receptor genes might have an association with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or acute renal allograft rejection (AR) in a Korean population. Three-hundred and forty seven recipients of the first renal transplants for ESRD, including 63 AR patients along with 289 healthy adults were included in the study. Five EGF gene SNPs (rs11568835, rs11568943, rs2237051, rs11569017, and rs3756261) and four EGFR gene SNPs (rs1140475, rs2293347, rs1050171, and rs6965469) were analyzed. The genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using the AxiomTM genome-wide human assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SNPStats and Haploview version 4.2 software. Multiple logistic regression models (codominant, dominant, recessive, and Log-additive) were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and P value. One SNP (rs11569017) in the EGF gene showed significant association with ESRD but not with AR. Another SNP (rs11568835) in the EGF gene showed significant association with susceptibility to AR but not with ESRD. One SNP (rs1050171) in the EGFR gene showed significant association with susceptibility to AR but not with ESRD. Our findings suggest that SNPs in the EGF and EGFR gene may be associated with the risk of ESRD and AR development in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skate (Dipturus chilensis) cartilage extract was utilized as a green reducing agent for the synthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles with an average size of 16.7 ± 0.2 nm. The gold nanoparticle solution showed a surface plasmon resonance at 543 nm with a wine-red colour. A strong X-ray diffraction pattern and clear lattice structure in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicated a face-centred cubic structure of the gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles retained excellent colloidal stability. Gold nanoparticles showed strong antioxidant activity in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. In vitro cytotoxicity was observed for seven cancer cells assessed by the water-soluble tetrazolium assay. Among the seven cancer cells, the highest cytotoxicity was observed for MDA-MB-231 (human breast adenocarcinoma cell) followed by HeLa (human epithelial cervix adenocarcinoma cell) and lastly by HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell). Furthermore, gold nanoparticles showed excellent haemocompatibility, indicating the possibility of their use as a future nanomedicine. These results strongly suggest that gold nanoparticles green-synthesized by upcycling skate cartilage waste extract will be valuable carriers or vehicles for the delivery of drugs or bioactive molecules, such as anti-cancer agents, for the treatment of cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional status affects the prognosis of various tumors. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is the known predictor of postoperative outcome in resectable pancreatic cancer patients. This study aimed to validate the prognostic value of PNI in all stages of pancreatic cancer. We retrospectively reviewed 499 patients with pancreatic cancer who were diagnosed at Severance Hospital between January 2006 and December 2011. The PNI value was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (/mm3) at initial diagnosis. The median patient age was 62 yr, and 289 were men. The study group comprised resectable disease (n = 121), locally advanced disease (n = 118), and metastatic disease (n = 260). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that PNI ≤ 49.5 at initial diagnosis, together with performance status, platelet count, and clinical stage, was significantly associated with overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.562; all P < 0.05). Patients with PNI ≤ 49.5 (n = 208) had shorter median overall survival compared to patients with high PNI (9.8 vs. 14.2 mo; log rank, P < 0.001). In clinical stage subgroup analysis, initial PNI ≤49.5 independently predicted shorter overall survival, especially in resectable and metastatic disease (P = 0.041, P = 0.002, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence indicates that nocturnal blood pressure level and/or loss of nocturnal blood pressure dips are sensitive markers of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several studies have suggested that blunted heart rate variability and nocturnal decline in heart rate are also associated with target organ damage. These phenomena occur relatively commonly in patients with Parkinson disease (PD); however, few studies have assessed the consequences of these abnormalities in patients with PD. We investigated the influence of circadian changes in blood pressure and heart rate on white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in patients with PD. The presence of nocturnal hypertension was associated with increased WMH score, and nighttime systolic pressure was closely related with white matter changes. Blunted heart rate variability and nocturnal decline in heart rate were also related to increasing WMH scores. The non-dipping phenomenon did not influence WMHs. These findings suggest that white matter changes are related to circadian autonomic dysfunction, particularly nocturnal hypertension in patients with PD. Therefore, it is important to monitor nocturnal blood pressure status, because modifying these circadian regulatory disturbances can be beneficial to protect against vascular brain damage in patients with PD. (Author correspondence: neuronet@catholic.ac.kr) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical study of a turbulent natural convection in a rectangular cavity with the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented. The primary emphasis of the present study is placed on investigation of accuracy and numerical stability of the LBM for the turbulent natural-convection flow. A HYBRID method in which the thermal equation is solved by the conventional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation (RANS) method while the conservation of mass and momentum equations are resolved by the LBM is employed in the present study. The elliptic-relaxation model is employed for the turbulence model and the turbulent heat fluxes are treated by the algebraic flux model. All the governing equations are discretized on a cell-centered, nonuniform grid using the finite-volume method. The convection terms are treated by a second-order central-difference scheme with the deferred correction method to ensure accuracy and stability of solutions. The present LBM is applied to the prediction of a turbulent natural convection in a rectangular cavity and the computed results are compared with the experimental data commonly used for the validation of turbulence models and those by the conventional finite-volume method. It is shown that the LBM with the present HYBRID thermal model predicts mean velocity components and turbulent quantities which are as good as those by the conventional finite-volume method. It is also found that the accuracy and stability of the solution is significantly affected by the treatment of the convection term, especially near the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on the histopathologic findings of directly injected lipiodol into lung and to identify the existence of remaining lipiodol in the lung according to the follow-up time. Forty rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: group I ( n == 10) served as the control group and received 0.2 mL of normal saline; groups II ( n == 10), III ( n == 10), and IV ( n == 10) served as experimental groups and received 0.1--0.2 mL of lipiodol under fluoroscopy. At 3 hours (groups I and II), 24 hours (group III), and 1 week (group IV) after injection, the radiographic presence of lipiodol and histopathologic findings of each group were evaluated. Minimal acute lung injuries developed and the radio-opaque lipiodol nodule remained in group II. In group III, acute lung injuries were the most serious. However, acute injuries disappeared and foamy macrophages accumulated within the alveolar space in group IV. In this group, remaining lipiodol was also identified on radiograph. Directly injected lipiodol caused acute lung injury, which disappeared at 1 week along with the resolving process. On radiographs, directly injected lipiodol remained after 1 week. Lipiodol could be used as a safe and stable biomaterial for marking pulmonary nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tested the cytoprotective effect of methyleugenol in an in vivo ischemia model (i.e. middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1.5 h and subsequent reperfusion for 24 h) and further investigated its mechanism of action in in vitro cerebral ischemic models. When applied shortly after reperfusion, methyleugenol largely reduced cerebral ischemic injury. Methyleugenol decreased the caspase-3 activation and death of cultured cerebral cortical neurons caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 1 h and subsequent re-oxygenation for 24 h. Methyleugenol markedly reduced superoxide generation in the ischemic brain and decreased the intracellular oxidative stress caused by OGD/re-oxygenation. It was found that methyleugenol elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Further, methyleugenol inhibited the production of nitric oxide and decreased the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Methyleugenol down-regulated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the ischemic brain as well as in immunostimulated mixed glial cells. The results indicate that methyleugenol could be useful for the treatment of ischemia/inflammation-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several clinical studies have demonstrated that patients with essential tremor (ET) may have cognitive deficits; however, detailed neuropsychological assessments in comparison with motor tasks in patients with ET have not been reported. We conducted a prospective study to determine the correlation of cognition with age, disease duration, and motor task severity in patients with ET. Forty-seven patients with ET who underwent clinical assessment using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin clinical rating scale and detailed neuropsychological investigation were included. Cognitive decline was significantly correlated with age at the time of examination, educational status, and tremor severity; cognitive decline however, was not related to disease duration or the presence of vascular risk factors. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the tremor severity was independently associated with cognitive impairment in patients with ET, regardless of age, gender, educational status, duration of ET symptoms, and vascular risk factors. Our results support the finding that the age at examination and educational status are risk factors associated with dementia in patients with ET, as with other types of dementia. In addition, the relationship between tremor severity and cognitive decline suggests there may be a pathophysiologic association between the two conditions, although the pathologic basis for dementia in the older onset ET cases requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we review the debate on cultural globalization and examine the rise of English as a form of global communication. The implications of these trends for the geographical community are discussed in an analysis of the use of English in geography journals. We note the increasing number of journals published in English, measure the proportion of contributions from non-English-speaking countries in English language journals, and note the language practice of selected journals. We conclude that there has been a trend towards linguistic homogenization and raise the question: what are the implications of a geographical discourse dominated by just one language? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the diagnostic efficiency of positron emission tomography with 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose in detecting breast cancer in augmented breasts. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University hospital, Korea. Subject: 9 cases or 8 patients with breasts augmented with paraffin or silicone. Intervention: FDG-PET, mammography, and ultrasonography Results: The mammogram detected the breast cancer in only 1 of 3 patients, and ultrasonography gave a false positive result in 1 patient with an augmented breast. In contrast, PET predicted all the cancers and 5/6 benign lesions. 2/3 breast cancers had axillary FDG uptake interpreted as showing metastatic involvement, and in 1 case with cancer with no axillary lymph node involvement there was no FDG uptake in the axilla, which correlated with the pathological finding. Conclusions: Although the high cost of PET makes its use as a screening test for all patients with augmented breasts unrealistic, it would be the best diagnostic choice if other methods failed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare cause of progressive renal dysfunction resulting in fibrillary deposits in the mesangium and/or glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Some case reports have shown FGN in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. This is the first case report of FGN in a patient with Behçet's syndrome. The most common renal histological finding in Behçet's syndrome is secondary amyloidosis. A 46-year-old woman with a 4-year history of Behçet's syndrome was referred to the nephrology clinic with foamy urine with non-selective proteinuria (urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was 1400 mg protein/g creatinine) and microscopic hematuria. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis showed no evidence of monoclonal gammopathy. A renal biopsy was performed. Light microscopy showed mesangial widening and nodular expansion with hyaline deposits. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed immunoglobulin M deposits in the mesangium. Congo red staining was negative. Electron microscopy showed fibrillary deposits on the GBM. Pathological findings were consistent with FGN. She had been taking 50 mg azathioprine and 3000 mg mesalazine per day for 4 years due to Behçet's syndrome, so we did not add any other immunosuppressive agents or corticosteroids. Treatment of this glomerulopathy is not promising. It has been noted that none of the various approaches, including corticosteroid, plasmapheresis, and cytotoxic therapy, improves prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]