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Folic acid-decorated self-organized nanoparticles were fabricated to target folate receptor of cancer cells. Doxorubicin (DOX) was conjugated with carboxyl group of dextran backbone using succinic anhydride (DexSU-DOX). DOX-loaded self-organized nanoparticles were prepared by complexation with folic acid-grafted chitosan (ChitoFA) and DexSU-DOX. Nanoparticles in the aqueous environment have spherical shapes with average size less than 100 nm and their sizes were increased by coated with ChitoPEG or ChitoFA. At cell culture study with KB cells, ChitoFA coated nanoparticles (FADex NP) revealed folate-receptor mediated endocytosis to cancer cells and cell viability was significantly changed by folate receptor targeting. Tumor xenograft model of KB cells also showed similar results, i.e. FAdex NP efficiently inhibited growth of tumor compared to the treatment group with blocking of folate receptor. These results indicated that DOX-loaded nanoparticles of FADex NP are promising vehicle for anticancer drug targeting.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ankle Kinesio taping on range of motion and agility during exercise in university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: taping group (n=15) and non-taping group (n=15). All groups underwent the same exercise program including stretching for 30 minutes. The exercise program proceeded in the following order: five minutes of stretching, a 20-minutes exercise program, and additional five minutes of stretching. Of the eight exercise methods suggested by Purcell et al, seven were chosen (lateral shuffle, forward and backward running, agility ladder, figure-of-8, forward jogging while jumping over cones, wall jumps and zigzags); 90o cuts with lateral shuffle were omitted. The range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was measured using the goniometer. Agility was measured using the side hop test. Results: For ankle range of motion, the taping group showed significant differences in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on both sides (p

The estimation of age from biological samples (i.e., remains) at crime scenes could provide useful information about both victims and other persons related to criminal activities. Signal-joint T cell receptor excision circle (sjTREC) levels in peripheral blood decline with age, and negative correlations between sjTREC levels and age have been demonstrated in several ethnic groups. To validate the utility of sjTREC for age estimation in Koreans, Taqman qPCR was used to quantify the sjTREC level in samples obtained from 172 individuals ranging from 16 to 65 years old. We modified the previously reported method by using a shorter amplicon and confirmed the efficiency and utility of this method in this report. Our results showed that the linear negative regression curve between sjTREC levels and age was characterized by r=-0.807 and a standard error of 8.49 years. These results indicate that sjTREC level is an effective age estimation method in Koreans. The value of the standard error of quantification was not different from previous reports for other population groups.

The prompt neutron spectrum from neutron-induced fission needs to be known in designing new fast reactors, predicting criticality for safety analyses, and developing techniques for global security application. A program to measure this spectrum for neutron-induced fission of 239 Pu is underway at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The goal is to obtain data on the shape of the spectrum with a small uncertainty over the emitted neutron energy range of 100 keV to 12 MeV with additional data below and above this range. The incident neutron energy range will be from 0.5 to 30 MeV. The status of this program including results of initial experimental measurements is described here.

The prompt γ-ray spectra from 235U(n,f) at incident energies of 1 to 20 MeV and for 235Cf(s.f.) were measured up to 4 MeV in coincidence with two parallel plate avalanche counters and the liquid scintillator array FIGARO. The unfolded γ-ray spectra from 1–4 MeV using the single value decomposition and iterative Bayesian techniques for the incident neutron energy regions corresponding to the first, second and third chance fissions were found to nearly identical and similar to the distribution from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf. General agreement with the γ-ray distributions from fission was also found with previous measurements.

[Purpose] In patients with cerebral palsy (CP), performance of the sit-to-stand (STS) task is influenced by an asymmetrical motor pattern. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of an elevated chair on STS performance in patients with CP. [Subjects and Methods] Nine CP patients performed STS from a height-adjustable instrumented chair at their natural speed, with the ankle at a 90° angle to the floor. The center-of-pressure (COP) displacement was recorded under the feet. Each foot position was tested at two chair heights corresponding to 100% and 120% of the leg length. The extent and speed of COP were calculated. [Results] The anteroposterior speed and extent of COP were greater with the standard chair than with the elevated chair. The other parameters such as mediolateral speed, extent, and vertical speed of the COP were not different between the two chairs. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that the sway with STS performed from the elevated chair was lesser than that with STS performed from the standard chair. This information will be relevant to clinicians involved in the rehabilitation of CP patients and will help identify factors that influence STS performance.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare differences in respiratory pressure and pulmonary function and the effectiveness of respiratory feedback training according to walking ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP). [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three children with spastic CP were enrolled in the final analysis and were divided into an independent walking group (n=12) and non-independent walking group. All children received respiratory feedback training for four weeks. Before and after the training, respiratory muscle strength was measured and a pulmonary function test was performed. [Results] Comparison of respiratory pressure and pulmonary function test results between the two revealed that the independent walking group had significantly higher respiratory function than the other group in all variables except peak expiratory flow. In comparison of changes in respiratory function between the two groups, the independent walking group showed significantly higher improvement of respiratory function in terms of maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and forced vital capacity. [Conclusion] These findings showed that children with independent walking ability had better respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function compared with children without independent walking ability. Understanding respiratory function and the effectiveness of respiratory training according to walking ability will be valuable clinical information for respiratory assessment and therapy in children with CP.

The purpose of this study was to compare the exposure levels to emotional labor, occupational and socio-psychological stress, and fatigue for workers engaged in the fields of beauty business (make-up, skin, nail, and hair). For this purpose, a survey was carried out and a statistical analysis was performed for 813 persons As a result, emotional labor was found to be linked with 3 factors of emotional control, emotional dissonance, and positive emotional expression. The exposure level of emotional control was found to be high in the area of hair care and that of positive emotional expression was high in the area of nail care. Based on evaluation of Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS), the stress were found to be highest among workers engaged in the field of make-up and lowest among those in the field of nail. The exposure level of psychosocial stress was found to be the highest in the area of make-up and the lowest in the area of nail care. The exposure level of fatigue was found to be the highest in the area of make-up and the lowest in the area of nail care, showing a difference in the exposure level of stress by area of beauty business. The study confirmed that there is a difference in the exposure level related to emotional labor, job stress, psychosocial stress, and fatigue by area of beauty business.

The outgoing neutron energy spectra from neutron-induced fission of various actinides are important for basic understanding of the fission process near the scission point as well as playing a large role in neutron transport codes, which are heavily relied upon in the design of advanced nuclear reactors and simulations of critical assemblies. The reliability of the results of neutron transport models is a strong function of the quality of the nuclear data used as input. Currently, the world's experimental database of fission neutron spectra is severely incomplete (especially for higher incident neutron energies) with large uncertainties in key portions of the outgoing energy spectra. Many transport codes use evaluated data libraries, which are based on the approach of the Los Alamos model. Other theoretical models have been developed, but the available data cannot distinguish the results of different models (as is the case for 239Pu). Better measurements are needed for all incident and outgoing neutron energies, but most urgently in the low-energy (below 1 MeV) and high-energy (above 6 MeV) portions of the outgoing spectra where theoretical model results differ greatly. We present the design considerations (and some characterization results) of the two Chi-Nu neutron detector arrays: one array of 6Li-glass detectors and one array of liquid-scintillator detectors. These detector arrays are being constructed to meet the challenge of measuring the prompt fission neutron spectra (for a few common actinides) to a higher accuracy and precision than achieved previously and over a larger incident energy range than has been covered by previous experimenters. We see a significant reduction in neutron-scattering backgrounds with our new array designs.

SummaryTransposable elements (TEs) provide major evolutionary forces leading to new genome structure and species diversification. However, the role of TEs in the expansion of disease resistance gene families has been unexplored in plants. Here, we report high-quality de novo genomes for two peppers (Capsicum baccatum and C. chinense) and an improved reference genome (C. annuum). Dynamic genome rearrangements involving translocations among chromosome 3, 5 and 9 were detected in comparison between C. baccatum and the two other peppers. The amplification of athila LTR-retrotransposons, members of the gypsy superfamily, led to genome expansion in C. baccatum. In-depth genome-wide comparison of genes and repeats unveiled that the copy numbers of NLRs were greatly increased by LTR-retrotransposon-mediated retroduplication. Moreover, retroduplicated NLRs exhibited great abundance across the angiosperms, with most cases lineage-specific and thus recent events. Our study revealed that retroduplication has played key roles in the emergence of new disease-resistance genes in plants.

In the nuclear mass range A≈60 to 90 of the solar abundance distribution the weak s-process component is the dominant contributor. In this scenario, which is related to massive stars, the overall neutron exposure is not sufficient for the s process to reach mass flow equilibrium. Hence, abundances and isotopic ratios are very sensitive to the neutron capture cross sections of single isotopes, and nucleosynthesis models need accurate experimental data. In this work we report on a new measurement of the Cu63(n,γ) cross section for which the existing experimental data show large discrepancies. The Cu63(n,γ) cross section at kBT=25 keV was determined via activation with a quasistellar neutron spectrum at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Geel, and the energy dependence was determined with the time-of-flight technique and the calorimetric 4πBaF2 detector array DANCE at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. We provide new cross section data for the whole astrophysically relevant energy range.

The Chi-Nu experiment aims to accurately measure the prompt fission neutron spectrum for the major actinides. At the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), fission can be induced with neutrons ranging from 0.7 MeV and above. Using a two arm time-of-flight (TOF) technique, the fission neutrons are measured in one of two arrays: a 22-6 Li glass array for lower energies, or a 54-liquid scintillator array for outgoing energies of 0.5 MeV and greater. Presented here are the collaboration's preliminary efforts at measuring the 235 U PFNS.

Prompt-fission-neutron spectra for neutron-induced fission reactions on uranium and plutonium isotopes are important for nuclear applications. We have used 6 Li-glass scintillation detectors to measure outgoing neutron energies in the range from 10 keV to 1 MeV, where there is currently large uncertainty in nuclear data. To better understand the response of 6 Li-glass detectors in this energy range, measurements of well-known spontaneous-fission neutrons from a 252 Cf source were done in the neutron-beam flight path. Results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations and they show good agreement. Similar measurements with a 7 Li-glass detector were used to assess gamma-ray background yields.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between respiratory function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and children with normal development, and to compare respiratory function between children with spastic diplegic and those with hemiplegic CP. METHOD Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP, 14 children with spastic hemiplegic CP, and 14 normal children were enrolled, whose age, gender, height, weight, and body surface area were matched. All participants performed respiratory function tests by inhaling a breath and then blowing the entire volume through a spirometer, as deeply and rapidly as possible. RESULTS In general, children with spastic diplegic CP and those with hemiplegic CP showed lower respiratory function compared to children with normal development. In comparison between children with spastic CP and those with hemiplegic CP, statistical significance was observed only in FVC, FEV _1 , and PEF. CONCLUSION Findings revealed significantly weaker respiratory function in children with CP as compared to normal children. In addition, children with spastic diplegic CP showed significantly lower forced expiratory function than those with spastic hemiplegic CP. Therefore, clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention for respiratory function should be carefully considered for children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP.

Nonhost resistance, a resistance of plant species against all nonadapted pathogens, is considered the most durable and efficient immune system of plants but yet remains elusive. The underlying mechanism of nonhost resistance has been investigated at multiple levels of plant defense for several decades. In this review, we have comprehensively surveyed the latest literature on nonhost resistance in terms of preinvasion, metabolic defense, pattern-triggered immunity, effector-triggered immunity, defense signaling, and possible application in crop protection. Overall, we summarize the current understanding of nonhost resistance mechanisms. Pre- and postinvasion is not much deviated from the knowledge on host resistance, except for a few specific cases. Further insights on the roles of the pattern recognition receptor gene family, multiple interactions between effectors from nonadapted pathogen and plant factors, and plant secondary metabolites in host range determination could expand our knowledge on nonhost resistance and provide efficient tools for future crop protection using combinational biotechnology approaches. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

This presentation offers an overview of the Chi-Nu project, its results, evaluation, and plans for FY17.

PURPOSE We conducted a study to determine which factors may be useful as predictive markers in identifying Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with a high risk of resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and developing coronary artery lesions (CAL). METHODS We enrolled 287 patients in acute phase of KD at a single center. The demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS There were 34 patients in the IVIG resistant group. The IVIG resistant group had significantly higher serum N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic protein (NT-proBNP) levels (P

This study attempted to evaluate the direct and indirect effect of emotional labor, job and psychosocial stress, and fatigue of beauty industry workers on their musculoskeletal diseases. The findings of this study showed that, among the workers with perceived symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases, the body part with the most commonly occurring symptom was the shoulder, followed by neck, low back, wrist, arm, foot and knee. As for the effect of work-related psychological factors on musculoskeletal diseases, it was found that the workers with musculoskeletal diseases were more affected by emotional labor and fatigue than non-symptom workers. It was also shown that when their job stress increased, the fatigue level also increased, though their psychosocial stress decreased. In addition, it was found that both direct and indirect effects of emotional labor on fatigue were high, and the indirect effect of job stress through fatigue on musculoskeletal diseases was significant.

We prepared p-phenylenediamine (PDA)-incorporated nanoparticles using hyaluronic acid (HA). PDA-incorporated HA nanoparticles have spherical shapes and sizes were less than 300 nm. The results of FT-IR spectra indicated that PDA-incorporated HA nanoparticles were formed by ion-complex formation between amine group of PDA and carboxyl group of HA. Furthermore, powder-X-ray diffractogram (XRD) measurement showed that intrinsic crystalline peak of PDA disappeared by formation of nanoparticle with HA at XRD measurement. These results indicated that PDA-incorporated HA nanoparticles were formed by ion-complex formation. At drug release study, the higher PDA contents induced faster release rate from nanoparticles. PDA-incorporated nanoparticles showed reduced intrinsic toxicity against HaCaT human keratinocyte cells at MTT assay and apoptosis assay. We suggest that PDA-incorporated HA nanoparticles are promising candidates for novel permanent hair dye.

The distributions of prompt γ rays from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf and neutron-induced fission of 235U were measured up to ∼ 4 MeV using a liquid scintillator array. The unfolding of measured fission γ rays is presented using the Single Value Decomposition and iterative Bayesian methods. General agreement was found with comparisons made with previous measurements. The energy dependence of the prompt γ - ray distributions for the spontaneous fission of 252Cf and the neutron-induced fission of 235U from bombarding energies of 1-2, 5-10, and 10–20 MeV were found to be almost identical in the γ - ray energy region 1–4 MeV.

The first application of 39Ar Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) at the ATLAS facility of Argonne National Laboratory was to date ocean water samples relevant to oceanographic studies using the gas-filled magnet technique to separate the 39K–39Ar isobars. In particular the use of a quartz liner in the plasma chamber of the electron cyclotron resonance ion source enabled a 39K reduction of a factor ∼130 compared to previous runs without liners, and allowed us to reach a detection sensitivity of 39Ar/Ar = 4 × 10−17. In order to improve this sensitivity and allow the measurement of lower ratios, higher ion source currents and a lower overall 39K background are necessary. This paper summarizes our efforts to investigate new methods combining low level potassium cleaning techniques with the use of ultra-pure aluminum liners in the plasma chamber of the ion source. The aim of the study was to improve by 1–2 orders of magnitude the 39Ar detection sensitivity required in the selection of ultra-pure materials for detectors used in weakly interacting massive particle dark matter searches.

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) is cleaved from dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and most abundant dentinal non-collagenous proteins in dentin. DSP is believed to participate in differentiation and mineralization of cells. In this study, we first constructed recombinant human DSP (rhDSP) in Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and investigated its odontoblastic differentiation effects on human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Cell adhesion activity was measured by crystal violet assay and cell proliferation activity was measured by MTT assay. To assess mineralization activity of rhDSP, Alizarin Red S staining was performed. In addition, the mRNA levels of collagen type І (Col І), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OCN) were measured due to their use as mineralization markers for odontoblast-/osteoblast-like differentiation of hDPCs. The obtained rhDSP in E. coli was approximately identified by SDS–PAGE and Western blot. Initially, rhDSP significantly enhanced hDPCs adhesion activity and proliferation ( p 0.05). In Alizarin Red S staining, stained hDPCs increased in a time-dependent manner. This odontoblastic differentiation activity was also verified through mRNA levels of odontoblast-related markers. Here, we first demonstrated that rhDSP may be an important regulatory ECM in determining the hDPCs fate including cell adhesion, proliferation, and odontoblastic differentiation activity. These findings indicate that rhDSP can induce growth and differentiation on hDPCs, leading to improve tooth repair and regeneration.

In order to acquire basic data on the development of squid processing food, we investigated changes in the composition of boiled squid upon heat treatment (), acid treatment (acetic acid, 0~5%), and pre-boiling (, ). The proximate composition of squid was 73~78% moisture and 19~24% crude protein, treatment with acid solution had a significant effect on the proximate composition of boiled squid (p pre-boiled sample had lower levels of glucose than the other samples. The total free sugar content of the non-peeled sample was the highest, followed by the pre-boiled sample, whereas the sugar content in the pre-boiled sample was very low. With regards to amino acid content, proline was the highest in all samples, followed by taurine and histidine. Treatment with acid solution had a significant effect on the total free amino content of boiled squid (p pre-boiled sample was the highest, followed by the pre-boiled sample and non-peeled sample. Inosine and related compounds were not detected in any of the samples, and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was low. The hypoxanthine contents of the and pre-boiled samples were the highest, the adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and inosine monophosphate (IMP) contents were similar, and the IMP content of the non-peeled sample was higher than those of the peeled samples. The palmitic acid content was very high and constituted 40% of total saturated fatty acids. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents were also high and constituted 60% of total unsaturated fatty acids. Of these, DHA content was the highest, followed by palmitic acid and EPA, which accounted for about 85% of total fatty acids. No difference in fatty acid content was observed between acid treatment and pre-boiling. The mineral P content was the highest on average in all boiled squid samples, followed by K, Na, Mg, and Ca contents. In addition, the pre-boiling temperature and acid solution concentration had significant effects on the mineral content. Further, heavy metal, Cd, Pb, and As contents were detected only at trace amounts, and their levels were lower than standard and permissible amounts for food.

This study was performed to investigate the physicochemical properties of sea urchin ( , , ) roe as a processed or canned food by steaming treatment. Proximate compositions of roe and roe were similar, but water, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents of roe showed little differences. Proximate compositions of sea urchin roe showed slight differences with steaming time, raw samples showed no differences. Glycine content of the three raw sea urchin roe samples showed the highest concentration among free amino acids, followed by arginine, alanine, and lysine, in order. Total free amino acid contents of raw sea urchin roe were 754.70 mg% ( ), 567.75 mg% ( ), and 449.44 mg% ( ). Total free amino acid content of 5 min steaming sample was highest among steaming and canning conditions. ATP, ADP, and AMP contents of raw roe sample was higher than those of and roe. Major fatty acids of the three raw sea urchin roe samples were myristic acid, palmitic acid, and EPA. S.F.A. content of raw samples of and roe was higher than U.F.A content, whereas U.F.A. content of roe was highest among the three raw samples. For minerals K, P, Fe, and Zn contents were highest in roe while Ca, Mg, Na, and Cu contents were highest in roe. For heavy metals, Cd, Pb and As were detected in all samples in trace amounts under the criteria of the Korea food codex.

The use of the gas-filled magnet technique for the detection of intermediate mass ( A ∼ 20–40) recoil nuclei produced in (p, α ) reactions in inverse kinematics has been investigated. Through a series of calibration measurements with 27 Al, 28,29 Si and 33 S beams the optimum parameterization for calculating the average charge-state distribution in a gas-filled magnet has been determined. By measuring the magnetic rigidity, the time-of-flight and the differential energy loss of the particles at the focal plane of a gas-filled Enge Split Pole spectrograph it was possible to separate and identify the (p, α ) reaction products from elastically scattered particles at very small scattering angles. This technique was then tested by measuring the p( 33 S, 30 P) α and p( 37 K, 34 Cl) α reactions.

Here we prepared three-dimensional (3D) porous-structured biodegradable polymer scaffolds for tissue regeneration using room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as a novel porogen, and addressed their biological properties, including in vitro cell growth and differentiation and in vivo tissue compatibility. RTIL based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([bmim]) bearing hydrophilic anion Cl was introduced within the polymer structure to provide a pore network. A mixture of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with RTIL dissolved in an organic solvent formed a bi-continuous network during the drying process. Selective dissolution of the RTIL phase was facilitated in ethanol, which resulted in a porous network of the polymer phase with complete removal of the RTIL. The RTILs-assisted porous scaffolds showed a typical open-channeled network with pore sizes over 100 μm and porosities of about 86-94%. For the biocompatibility assessments of the scaffolds, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from rat bone marrow were seeded onto the PLA scaffold, and the cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation behaviors were examined. Results showed a typical on-going increase in the cell population with a level comparable to that observed on the tissue culture plastic control, indicating good cell compatibility. When cultured in an osteogenic medium, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of the cells on the PLA scaffolds was stimulated to increase with time from 7 to 14 days, in a similar manner to that on the control. Moreover, the expression of genes related to osteoblasts, including collagen type I, osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein, was stimulated on the 3D PLA scaffold during culture for up to 14 days, with levels higher than those on the control, suggesting the developed scaffold provided a 3D matrix condition for osteogenesis. An in vivo pilot study conducted subcutaneously in rat for 4 weeks revealed good tissue compatibility of the scaffold, with the ingrowth of cells and formation of collageneous tissue around and deep within the pores of the scaffold and no significant inflammatory reaction. Taken together, this novel method of using RTILs as a pore generator is considered to be useful in the development of biocompatible porous polymer scaffolds for tissue regeneration.

Adhesive proteins existing in the extracellular matrix (ECM) play important roles in the regulation of neuronal cell behavior, including cell adhesion, motility and neurite outgrowth. Herein we show the effects of a series of adhesive proteins on the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells and elucidate that this is closely related to the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). For this we prepared culture substrates by coating tissue culture plastic with either collagen (Col), fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LN) and investigated the neurite outgrowth behavior. The results demonstrated that neurite outgrowth was highly dependent on the particular type of adhesive protein. While neurite number was comparable on all the coated surfaces, the length of neurites was greater on the FN- and LN-coated ones (greatest on the LN-coated one). In particular, FAK expression was highly up-regulated in the FN- and LN-coated surfaces, as revealed by Western blot analysis. A knock-down experiment further supported the idea that neurite outgrowth was largely suppressed in cells transfected with a FAK knock-down gene. Taken together, the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was greatly affected by adhesive proteins of the ECM, particularly FN and LN, and this is considered to be closely related to FAK intracellular signaling. This study may be useful in the consideration and design of nerve guidance and three-dimensional scaffolds which are appropriate to promote neuronal growth and nerve tissue regeneration.

[Purpose] Degree of curvature on the spine is known to affect respiratory function and back muscle activation. We compared pulmonary function and back muscle strength according to the degree of curvature of the spine of healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three healthy volunteers were enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to the degree of curvature of the spine: the below 2° group, and the above 2° group. The degree of curvature was assessed using the Adams forward bending test and a scoliometer. A pulmonary function test (PFT) was conducted, and back muscle strength was measured. [Results] No significant differences in PFT were found between the below 2° group and the above 2° group, in terms of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), or peak expiratory flow (PEF). However, back muscle strength in the below 2 group was significantly higher than that of the above 2 group. [Conclusion] Our findings indicate that the degree of curvature of the spine is associated with back muscle strength in subjects who have spinal curvature within the normal range. Therefore, evaluation and treatment of back muscle strength might be helpful for preventing the progress of curvature of the spine in adolescents with potential scoliosis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine differences in respiratory pressure and pulmonary function among children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison with children with normal development. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP, 11 children with hemiplegic CP, and 14 children with normal development were recruited. Respiratory pressure was measured and the pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed to evaluate the strength of the respiratory muscles and lung volumetric capacity. [Results] Regarding respiratory pressure, children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP showed significantly lower functions in terms of MIP and MEP compared with children with normal development, although no significant differences were found between children with the two types of CP. In the pulmonary function test, children with spastic diplegic CP showed significantly higher pulmonary function than children with normal development in terms of only FVC and FEV1. [Conclusion] Children with CP showed relatively lower function in terms of respiratory pressure and lung capacity, in comparison with children with normal development. Therefore, respiratory function in children with CP should be carefully evaluated and should receive more attention in a rehabilitation setting.

Rapamycin, a specific inhibitor for mTOR complex 1, is an FDA-approved immunosuppressant for organ transplant. Recent developments have raised the prospect of using rapamycin to treat cancer or diabetes and to delay aging. It is therefore important to assess how rapamycin treatment affects glucose homeostasis. Here, we show that the same rapamycin treatment reported to extend mouse life span significantly impaired glucose homeostasis of aged mice. Moreover, rapamycin treatment of lean C57B/L6 mice reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo and ex vivo as well as the insulin content and beta cell mass of pancreatic islets. Confounding the diminished capacity for insulin release, rapamycin decreased insulin sensitivity. The multitude of rapamycin effects thus all lead to glucose intolerance. As our findings reveal that chronic rapamycin treatment could be diabetogenic, monitoring glucose homeostasis is crucial when using rapamycin as a therapeutic as well as experimental reagent.

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) revised the Health Functional Food Act in 2008 and extended the form of health functional foods to general food types. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate consumers’ perceptions of the expanded form of health functional food and to predict consumption patterns. For this study, 1,006 male and female adults aged 19 years and older were selected nationwide by multi-stage stratified random sampling and were surveyed in 1:1 interviews. The questionnaire survey was conducted by Korea Gallup. The subjects consisted of 497 (49.4%) males and 509 (50.6%) females. About 57.9% of the subjects recognized the KFDA's permission procedures for health functional foods. Regarding the health functional foods that the subjects had consumed, red ginseng products were the highest (45.3%), followed by nutritional supplements (34.9%), ginseng products (27.9%), lactobacillus-containing products (21.0%), aloe products (20.3%), and Japanese apricot extract products (18.4%). Opinions on expanding the form of health functional foods to general food types scored 4.7 points on a 7-point scale, showing positive responses. In terms of the effects of medicine-type health functional foods versus generic health functional foods, the highest response was ‘same effects if the same ingredients are contained’ at a rate of 34.7%. For intake frequency by food type, the response of ‘daily consistent intake’ was 31.7% for capsules, tablets, and pills, and 21.7% for extracts. For general food types, ‘daily consistent intake’ was 44.5% for rice and 22.8% for beverages, which were higher rates than those for medicine types. From the above results, consumers had positive opinions of the expansion of health functional foods to generic forms but are not expected to maintain accurate intake frequencies or amounts. Thus, continuous promotion and education are needed for proper intake of generic health functional foods.

A simple new methodology to preapre 3-dimensional (3D) porous scaffold of biodegradable polymer was exploited by using hydrophilic types of ionic liquids. The mixture of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ionic liquid within dichloromethane solvent was phase-separated during the solvent evaporation, after which the ionic liquid phase was selectively extracted to provide interconnected macropores. The pore sizes of the PLA scaffold were highly dependent on the types of ionic liquids (anion variant), ranging from tens to hundreds of micrometers, and the porosity reached to ~ 85–95%. The ionic liquid-directed technique to prepare porous structure reported for the first time herein will be highly effective in the development of polymer skeletons for tissue engineering biomaterials. In addition, the ionic liquids recovered by a simple extraction with ethanol or water can be reused for subsequent runs without the loss of its physicochemical properties.

The effects of baking with broccoli powder on the consumer perception and sensory characteristics were investigated using a model system of cookies incorporated with broccoli powder as a value-added food ingredient. Broccoli powder was incorporated into cookie dough at 5 levels (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, w/w) by replacing equivalent amount of wheat flour of the cookie dough. After aging and sheeting, cookies were baked at 170℃ for 8 min in an oven. The baked cookies were cooled to room temperature for 1 hour and packed in airtight bags prior to all measurements. Control received the most favorable mean score, which was not significantly different from samples with 1% broccoli powder for color preference (p＞0.05). Results of the consumer preference on taste showed a similar trend. Consumers did not find any significant differences on aftertaste and flavor among samples prepared by replacing wheat flour with up to 2% broccoli powder (p＞0.05). Overall, incorporation of 1% broccoli powder in the formulation would result in the most favorable broccoli cookies for the consumers without sacrificing the sensory qualities, while still taking advantages of health benefits of broccoli. Correlation analysis indicated that broccoli powder concentration was significantly negatively correlated with the consumer preference for color, taste, aftertaste, flavor, overall acceptability and positively correlated with sensory color, taste, and flavor (p＜0.05). Consumers' color, taste, aftertaste, and flavor were well correlated with the overall acceptability (p＜0.05). Sensory intensity results are also presented.

A study on the electrosorption of uranium (U(VI)) ions onto a porous activated carbon fiber was performed to treat lagoon sludge containing 100 mg/L uranium and high concentration of chemical salts composed 3.8% NaNO3, 19.8% NH4NO3, 1.9% Ca(NO3)2. The applied negative potential increased the adsorption kinetics and capacity in comparison to the open-circuit potential adsorption for uranium ions. When applying potential at −0.9 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and pH 4, above 99% of the uranium is selectively removed from the 100 mg/L influent by electrosorption, and the cumulative amount of uranium for 50 h is about 600 mguranium/gACF. The high selectivity of elctrosorption process for uranium was probably caused by the difference of charge density of cations. More than 99% of adsorbed uranium ions was desorbed at a potential of +1.2 V and pH 3. The electrosorption of uranium onto the porous activated carbon fiber electrode is due to an ion exchange type reaction between the uranium ions and surface acid groups on carbon surface. Cyclic electrosorption test consisting of adsorption and desorption step shows that the activated carbon fiber electrode is easily regenerated in situ, indicating it is a reversible process.

This paper describes the implementation and commissioning of a device based on a new concept for measurements of nuclear reactions in inverse kinematics. The HELIcal Orbit Spectrometer, HELIOS, was commissioned at Argonne National Laboratory by studying the 28Si(d,p)29Si reaction in inverse kinematics. This experiment served as a proof of principle for this previously untested concept, and was used to verify the response and performance characteristics of HELIOS.

The synoptic and kinematic characteristics of a heavy rainfall that occurred in Gangneung region on 22 to 24 October 2006 were investigated using weather maps, infrared images, AWS observation data and NCEP global final analyses data. The total amount of rainfall observed in the region for the period was 316.5 mm, and the instanteneous maximum wind speed was . According to the analysis of weather maps, before the starting of the heavy rainfall, an extratropical low pressure system was developed in the middle region of the Korean Peninsula, and an inverted trough was formed in the northern region of the peninsula. In addition, a jet stream on the upper charts of 300 hPa was located over the Yellow Sea and the southern boundary of the peninsula. A cutoff low in the cyclonic shear side of the upper jet streak, which was linked to an anomaly of isentropic potential vorticity, was developed over the northwestern part of the peninsula. And there are analyzed potential vorticity and wind, time-height cross section of potential vorticity, vertical air motion, maximums of the divergence and convergence and vertical distribution of potential temperature in Gangneung region. The analyzed results of the synoptic conditions and kinematic processes strongly suggest that the tropopause folding made a significant role of initializing the heavy rainfall.

A new fluoro-chromogenic chemosensor based on BODIPY-functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) core/shell nanoparticles 1 has been prepared. Chemosensor 1 exhibits a high affinity and selectivity for Pb(2+) over competing metal ions tested. Moreover, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry experiments established that 1 can be used for detecting Pb(2+) levels within living cell.

The near-term radioactive beam capabilities of ATLAS include radioactive beams produced in flight in a gas cell, or starting in the fall of 2009, re-accelerated beams of 252 Cf fission fragments provided by the new CARIBU injector. The availability of such exotic beams will allow for detailed studies of the single-particle aspects of nuclear structure in neutron-rich nuclei reaching out to the astrophysical r-process path by employing light-ion reactions in inverse kinematics. The HELIOS spectrometer is based on a new concept that is especially well suited for such studies. This concept was recently demonstrated using the reactions D (28 Si , p )29 Si with a (stable) 168 MeV 28 Si beam. Since then D (12 B , p )13 B , D (17 O , p )18 O , and D (15 C , p )16 C have been studied successfully. The combination of neutron-rich beams from CARIBU and the HELIOS spectrometer opens a fertile research area of precision studies of the single particle strengths and collective excitations in exotic nuclei, and is likely to have applications in other reactions as well.

The neutron long counter NERO was built at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), Michigan State University, for measuring β -delayed neutron-emission probabilities. The detector was designed to work in conjunction with a β -delay implantation station, so that β decays and β -delayed neutrons emitted from implanted nuclei can be measured simultaneously. The high efficiency of about 40%, for the range of energies of interest, along with the small background, are crucial for measuring β -delayed neutron emission branchings for neutron-rich r-process nuclei produced as low intensity fragmentation beams in in-flight separator facilities.

This study analyzes the motives of Korean women for choosing breast augmentation in a cultural and relational context; in addition, it investigates their evaluations after surgery. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 10 Korean women in their 20s and 30s who have received cosmetic breast augmentation. Enlarged and made-up breasts are a form of clothing that symbolizes the socio-economic status of women. In the vertical and individualized Korean society, the desire of women for a fashionable body invigorated the appearance management market. Fashion consumers have passively internalized the ideal body trends as the concept of the ideal body-image, which has been constructed by the social structure, markets, and the media. The analysis was rooted in post-modern feminist perspectives on the female body. The ideal body-image internalization process through the social interactions of participants was the main cultural factor to choose breast surgery. The self-image and conformity/individuality of participant were categorized as relational factors for the motivation to undergo breast surgery. The result showed that after surgery the participants achieved positive feedback from their social relationships. They expressed or hid their socio-economic statuses through their purchased fashion bodies. They also showed higher self-esteem and feelings of satisfaction by pursuing individuality and conformity as a member of society. Moreover, they achieved wider fashion options and greater controls over their public/private/secret clothing choices for certain occasions. Cosmetic breast surgery positively empowered individual women while reinforcing the socially manipulated body ideals that oppress women at the same time. Participants internalized socially constructed values and justified their surgery choices.

A novel composite nanofiber of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) incorporated with the nanocomponent of bioactive glass was exploited using an electrospinning method. Small concentrations of the bioactive glass phase added up to 10% facilitated the generation of a nanofibrous matrix with hundreds of nanometers in diameter without a formation of beads. The addition of the bioactive glass phase greatly enhanced the in vitro apatite formation on the nanofiber surface under a body simulating medium. Osteoblastic cells were demonstrated to adhere well on the composite nanofiber and grow actively with culturing time, suggesting its usefulness as a supporting matrix for the hard tissue regeneration.

Degradable polymer nanofibers produced by electrospinning are attractive for use in cell culture and tissue repair. However, the hydrophobicity and initial poor cell adhesion of synthetic polymers have limited their use in tissue regeneration. Herein, the surface of a poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) Arg-Gly-Asp sequence of nanofiber was tailored with a fibronectin peptide (FN10), which was designed to retain the central cell-binding domain. The electrospun nanofibers are first treated with an alkaline solution to reveal the carboxyl groups on the surface, which is followed by coupling with an FN10 solution in conjunction with a carbodiimide-based agent. Peptide coupling occurs effectively with saturation within 1 h, and the coupled peptide maintains its stability for several days. The peptide-coupled nanofibers show significant improvements in initial cell adhesion and spreading compared with the untreated one, confirming the role of the FN10 peptide in the initial cell events. This methodology may be useful in tailoring the surface of polymeric nanofibers with biomolecules targeted for specific tissue responses.