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A series of hydrogeologic framework model (HFM)‐based steady‐ and transient‐state numerical simulations is performed first using a coupled subsurface flow‐transport numerical model to analyze groundwater flow and salt transport in an actual three‐dimensional complex coastal aquifer system before and during groundwater pumping. A series of analytic hierarchy process (AHP)‐based multi‐criteria evaluations is then performed applying a multi‐criteria decision‐making approach to determine optimal pumping location and rate for a new pumping well in the complex coastal aquifer system during groundwater pumping. The complex coastal aquifer system is composed of six anisotropic fractured porous geologic media (five rock formations and one fault) and three isotropic porous geologic media (three soil formations) and shows high geometric irregularity and significant heterogeneity and anisotropy of the nine geologic media. Results of the steady‐state numerical simulations show successful model calibration with 26 measured groundwater levels and two observed seawater intrusion front lines. The latter two are determined by spatial interpolation and extrapolation of electrical conductivity logging data and electrical resistivity survey data, respectively. Based on the status and prospect of necessary water uses and available groundwater resources, the field observations of groundwater and seawater intrusion, and the analyses of the steady‐state numerical simulation after the model calibration, six candidate pumping locations are selected for the new pumping well. In addition, from six preliminary individual transient‐state numerical simulations, maximum pumping rates at the six candidate pumping locations are calculated first, and a set of six incremental candidate pumping rates is then assigned at each of the six candidate pumping locations. Results of the transients‐state numerical simulations show that groundwater flow and salt transport are spatially and temporally changed, and seawater intrusion is further intensified by groundwater pumping. In addition, the magnitudes of such spatial and temporal changes and intensification are significantly different depending on the candidate pumping locations and rates. Results of the steady‐ and transient‐state numerical simulations also show that both complexity (geometric irregularity, heterogeneity, and anisotropy including the fault) and topography have significant effects on the spatial distributions and temporal changes of groundwater flow and salt transport in the coastal aquifer system before and during groundwater pumping. In addition, results of statistical estimations of the mesh Peclet and Courant numbers confirm acceptabilities of minimizing numerical dispersion in the steady‐ and transient‐state numerical simulations. Based on the analyses of the transient‐state numerical simulations, eight multiple criteria are chosen to judge, prioritize, and rank the six candidate pumping locations and six candidate pumping rates for optimal pumping. Results of the multi‐criteria evaluations determine the optimal pumping location and rate for the new pumping well among the six candidate pumping locations and six candidate pumping rates. In addition, results of consistency checks confirm consistencies of judgments in the multi‐criteria evaluations. Key Points: Numerical simulations with successful model calibration show that spatial and temporal changes in groundwater flow and salt transport significantly depend on candidate pumping locations and ratesStatistical estimations of the mesh Peclet and Courant numbers confirm acceptabilities of minimizing numerical dispersion in the numerical simulationsMulti‐criteria evaluations determine optimal pumping location and rate, and consistency checks confirm consistencies of judgments in the multi‐criteria evaluations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross‐sectional study investigated the interaction between the genetic risk score (GRS) and abnormal high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol lipid levels, which are modified by low‐carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and their effects on the prevalence of hypo‐HDL‐cholesterolemia (hypo‐HDL‐C) in Korean adults. Baseline data were obtained from the Ansan and Ansung study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), conducted from 2001 to 2002, that targeted 8,314 Korean adults aged 40–69 years, including old men (47.6%) and women (52.4%), and whole genomic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed. We identified 18 SNPs significantly associated with hypo‐HDL‐C in the proximity of several genes, including LPL, APOA5, LIPC, and CETP, and calculated the GRS. The low‐carbohydrate diet score (LCDS) was calculated on the basis of energy intake information from food frequency questionnaires. Furthermore, we performed multivariable‐adjusted logistic modeling to examine the odds ratio (OR) for hypo‐HDL‐C across tertiles of LCDS and GRS, adjusted for several covariates. Among participants in the highest GRS tertile, those in the highest tertile of the LCDS had a significantly lower risk of hypo‐HDL‐C (OR: 0.759, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.625–0.923) than those in the lowest tertile of the LCDS. In the joint effect model, the group with the lowest GRS and highest LCDS was found to have the lowest risk of hypo‐HDL‐C prevalence. This study suggests that individuals with a high genetic risk for low HDL concentrations may have a beneficial effect on a lower intake of carbohydrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified a potential molecular marker associated with meat quality traits in the myosin heavy chain 4, MYH4 gene of Landrace pigs. Sequencing revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; g.-1398G>T) in the 5' upstream region of MYH4. It was significantly associated with the number of type IIa muscle fibers and water-holding capacity based on filter-paper fluid uptake. The GG genotype groups had a greater number of type IIa fibers and a larger area composed of type IIa fibers than the other genotype group ( P = 0.004 and P = 0.061, respectively). Expression level of MYH4 gene in the genotype TT or GT was higher than in genotype of GG ( P < 0.0001). The T allele may enhance expression level of MYH4 gene and then the portion of IIb type fiber in the muscle be increased by the T allelle. Therefore, we suggest that the g.-1398G>T in the 5' upstream region of the porcine MYH4 may be used as a molecular marker for meat quality traits, although its functional effect is not defined yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major quantitative trait loci related to host resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and weight gain have been identified by genome-wide association studies.1-3 In addition, the viral load and weight gain traits of PRRSV-infected pigs have strong negative phenotypic and genetic correlations.3 SP , sp 4 Several studies have shown that SNPs (rs712180276, WUR10000125, and rs340943904) in the I guanylate binding protein 1 i ( I GBP1 i ) and I 5 i ( I GBP5 i ) genes have significant correlations with the viral load and weight gain of PRRSV-infected pigs.2 SP , sp 5-7 In particular, WUR10000125 in I GBP1 i and rs340943904 in I GBP5 i have complete or strong linkage disequilibrium (LD; I r i SP 2 sp > 0.70) in many pig breeds8-10 and individual with homozygous recombinant haplotypes have so far not been reported. Ht2 showed clearly faster growth than ht3 ( I P i < 0.001), suggesting that individuals with the rs340943904 SNP T and WUR10000125 SNP G alleles, which are associated with high resistance to PRRSV, grow more slowly. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for the development of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) after surgical removal of a urethral diverticulum (UD). Methods: We identified 35 consecutive women that underwent surgical removal of a UD between November 2002 and December 2009, and we retrospectively reviewed their medical records, including patient demographics, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), presenting symptoms related to voiding, and outcomes. Results: Among the 35 patients we identified, 28 were included in the study. After UD removal, five of the 28 patients (17.8%) developed de novo MUI, and four of the 28 patients (14.2%) developed de novo SUI. The incidences of SUI and MUI were significantly higher in patients who had a UD that measured over 3 cm in diameter and in patients in whom the UD was located in the proximal urethra. Of the seven patients with a diverticulum over 3 cm, SUI occurred in three (42.8%) (P = 0.038) and MUI occurred in five (45.4%) (P < 0.001). Of the 11 patients with a diverticulum located in the proximal urethra, SUI occurred in five (45.4%) (P = 0.011) and MUI occurred in four (36.4%) (P = 0.011). Conclusion: Significant risk factors for the development of SUI and MUI after transvaginal simple diverticulectomy include a UD measuring over 3 cm and a UD located in the proximal urethra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro RNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that repress gene expression primarily at the post-transcriptional level. Genetic variations in micro RNA genes may contribute to phenotypic differences by altering the expression of micro RNAs and their targets. Here, we identified 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in the genomic region of the porcine MIR206/ MIR133B cluster, 10 and 2 of which were associated with MIR206 and MIR133B respectively. All 12 SNPs were located within primary micro RNAs. Allele frequency determination in different pig breeds ( Berkshire, n = 153; Landrace, n = 125; Yorkshire, n = 173) and association studies of muscle fiber characteristics, lean meat production and meat quality traits were performed on the MIR206 and MIR133B SNPs. The MIR206 SNPs were associated with the percentage of type IIa and IIb fibers for muscle fiber area composition, meat quality traits including drip loss and lightness, and backfat thickness, a parameter of lean meat production. In addition, we found significant association of the MIR133B SNPs with total muscle fiber number, loin eye area, and muscle p H. Furthermore, these SNPs significantly affected the levels of mature MIR206 and MIR133B, respectively, primarily by regulating the processing of primary micro RNAs into precursor micro RNAs. Interestingly, altered MIR206 levels correlated with phenotypic variability among genotypes of the MIR206 SNP. Our data suggest that polymorphisms in the porcine MIR206/ MIR133B cluster are a genetic factor affecting muscle and meat quality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type - Diagnostic (validating cohort) Level of Evidence 2a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The relationship between the maximum voided volume followed a linear curve. The formula presented, bladder capacity (mL) = 12 ×[age (years) + 11], is thought to be a reasonable one for Korean children. Korean children have a smaller bladder capacity than that reported in previous Western studies. OBJECTIVE To develop practical guidelines for the prediction of normal bladder capacity in Korean children measured by a frequency volume chart (FVC), maximum voided volume (MVV) is an important factor in the diagnosis of children with abnormal voiding function., SUBJECTS AND METHODS In all, 298 children, aged 3-13 years, with no history of voiding disorders volunteered for the study. The MVV was determined in 219 subjects by use of a completely recorded FVC., RESULTS Linear regression analysis was used to define the exact relationship between age and bladder capacity. An approximate formula related age to bladder capacity as follows: bladder capacity (mL) = 12 ×[age (years) + 11]., CONCLUSIONS The relationship between the MVV measured by a FVC by age (3-13 years) of Korean children followed a linear curve., When applied to normal voiding patterns, the formula presented appears to be a reasonable one for Korean children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrogeomechanical numerical model is presented to evaluate three-dimensional groundwater flow and land deformation in unsaturated true anisotropic aquifers due to groundwater pumping. This multidimensional numerical model is developed on the basis of the fully coupled poroelastic governing equations for saturated-unsaturated groundwater flow in deforming true anisotropic geologic media and the Galerkin finite element method. A series of true anisotropic aquifers, which comprise variously tilting layers, respectively, and a corresponding isotropic aquifer, which is composed of a geometrically averaged equivalent isotropic material, are simulated for the purpose of comparison. The numerical simulation results show that true anisotropy has significant effects on the spatial distributions and temporal changes of hydraulic head and displacement vector. Such effects of true anisotropy are caused by the uneven partitioning of the hydraulic pumping stress between the vertical and horizontal directions in both groundwater flow and solid skeleton deformation fields. This directionally uneven partitioning of the hydraulic pumping stress results from both the differences in hydraulic and mechanical properties among the principal axes and the discordance between the global coordinate axes and the principal axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which developed a mathematical model for determining the changes in the porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity of porous media that result from the deformation of the solid skeleton. Description of the porous media model; Model application; Discussion and conclusions.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Longer anogenital distance is associated with higher testosterone levels in women: A cross-sectional study" in the previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening: cytology versus human papillomavirus DNA testing" by van Rosmalen J and colleagues in the 2012 issue is presented.

The article presents a study of the association between polymorphisms in the 5' regulatory region of leptin receptor (LEPR) gene and meat quality traits of Berkshire pigs. Results identified nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one insertion/deletion (indel) within the 5' promotor region of the LEPR gene in Berkshire pigs, showing the significant association of the indel and entire SNPs except for c.-25A>C with the backfat thickness (BFT) of Sus scrofa chromosome 6.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the study "Use of hormonal contraceptives among immigrant and native women in Norway: data from the Norwegian Prescription Database" by Omland et al.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Invasive therapies for primary postpartum haemorrhage: a population-based study in France," by G. Kayem and colleagues in the 2016 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding transverse uterine fundal incisions in caesarean sections for women having placenta praevia.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to D. Ayres-De-Campos et al's conclusion that concerted action involving the education and training of healthcare professionals and an effective hospital funding are needed to reduce the number of deliveries by cesarean section (CS).

A letter to the editor is presented about the effectiveness of postoperative uterine artery embolization for nonremoval of an abnormally invasive placenta.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Professional breastfeeding support for first-time mothers: a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial," by I. C. Fu and colleagues, published in a 2014 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The changing practice of the obstetrician" by D. Dudley in the previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The First Cut Is the Deepest": A Psychological, Sexological and Gynecological Perspective on Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery," by G. Barbara that was published in a 2015 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "How useful are national caesarean section rates for monitoring quality of perinatal care?" by M. Mathai that was published in the previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Recommendations for postpartum hemorrhage in women who decline blood transfusion" by Tae-Hee Kim and colleagues.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Single-Dose Compared With Multiple Day Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Cesarean Section in Low- Resource Settings, A Randomized Controlled, Noninferiority Trial" by E. H Westen and colleagues, published in a previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented about a case of aortic dissection in a Marfan syndrome patient with total placenta previa.