Search

MicroRNA167 (miR167) was shown to cleave auxin responsive factor 8 (ARF8) mRNA in cultured rice cells. MiR167 level was found to be controlled by the presence of auxin in the growth medium. When cells grew in auxin-free medium, miR167 level decreased, resulting in an increase in the level of ARF8 mRNA. Cells growing in the normal growth medium containing auxin showed a reversed trend. It was also shown that expression of OsGH3-2, an rice IAA-conjugating enzyme, was positively regulated by ARF8. Delivery of synthesized miR167 into cells led to decrease of both ARF8 mRNA and OsGH3-2 mRNA. This study provides an evidence in which the exogeneous auxin signal is transduced to OsGH3-2 through miR167 and ARF8 in sequence. This proposed auxin signal transduction pathway, auxin-miR167-ARF8-OsGH3-2, could be, in conjunction with the other microRNA-mediated auxin signals, an important one for responding to exogeneous auxin and for determining the cellular free auxin level which guides appropriate auxin responses.

We present a framework for improving conflict detection algorithms using a hybrid control paradigm. This allows us to separate the problem into two parts: state/mode estimation and threat prediction. Since the dynamic equations for a conflict can change discretely depending on the situation, we propose the use of multiple model (MM) estimators to predict the situation and ultimately improve threat assessment. We provide an example using two different MM estimators for a rear-end collision warning system. The estimators can be used to determine the scenario mode as well as improve the state estimates

*† ‡ § In this paper, we present a method for computing the Probability of Conflict, PC, using a fast Monte Carlo implementation. Often, Monte Carlo simulations are associated with offline analysis or verification, and are thought of as too slow for real-time usage. However, we describe an implementation that allows for fast computation and can be used in certain online applications. Examples are given for aircraft and automobile conflict detection. Both pseudo-code and Matlab code are provided to help explain and disseminate the approach.

Many threat assessment algorithms are based on a collection of threshold equations that predict when a collision is to occur. The fact that there are numerous algorithms suggests a need to understand the underlying principles behind the equation design and threshold settings. In this paper, we present a methodology to develop appropriate alerting thresholds based on performance metrics. This also allows us to compare different alerting algorithms. The method is a performance-based approach in state-space. and can thus be utilized in conjunction with any chosen alerting algorithm or sensor system. Using carefully prescribed trajectory models (which may include uncertainties), the performance tradeoff with and without an alert can be predicted for different states along the course of an encounter situation. This information can then be used to set appropriate threshold values for the desired alerting logic. The development of the threshold criteria for a rear-end collision warning system is given as an example. Though the approach given is presented as a threshold design tool, the methodology is self-contained as a threat assessment logic. The possibility exists to compute the performance measures on-the-fly from which alerting decisions can be made directly.

Atrioventricular conduction disturbance is a rare clinical manifestation of Behcet disease. We describe a case in which a 48-year-old man complaining of dyspnea on exertion presented with complete atrioventricular block with junctional escape rhythm caused by Behcet disease. He also had moderate aortic regurgitation and mitral regurgitation. MRI and PET scan revealed inflammatory changes involving the ventricular septum and the ascending aorta. Recovery of atrioventricular conduction and improvement of valvular regurgitation were achieved with immunotherapy. Timely diagnosis and treatment of cardiac Behcet disease can prevent unnecessary pacemaker implantation. (Korean J Med 2014;86:65-69)

Background/Aims: Identification of patients at high risk for perioperative cardiac events (POCE) is clinically important. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative measurement of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could predict POCE, and compared its predictive value with that of conventional cardiac risk factors and stress thallium scans in patients undergoing vascular surgery. Methods: Patients scheduled for non-cardiac vascular surgery were prospectively enrolled. Clinical risk factors were identified, and NT-proBNP levels and stress thallium scans were obtained. POCE was the composite of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure including acute pulmonary edema, and primary cardiac death within 5 days after surgery. A modified Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) was proposed and compared with NT-proBNP; a positive result for ischemia and a significant perfusion defect (≥ 3 walls, moderate to severely decreased, reversible perfusion defect) on the thallium scan were added to the RCRI. Results: A total of 365 patients (91% males) with a mean age of 67 years had a median NT-proBNP level of 105.1 pg/ mL (range of quartile, 50.9 to 301.9). POCE occurred in 49 (13.4%) patients. After adjustment for confounders, an NTproBNP level of > 302 pg/mL (odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1 to 10.3; p < 0.001) and a high risk by the modified RCRI (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.6 to 9.3; p = 0.002) were independent predictors for POCE. Comparison of the area under the curves for predicting POCE showed no statistical differences between NT-proBNP and RCRI. Conclusions: Preoperative measurement of NT-proBNP provides information useful for prediction of POCE as a single parameter in high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery.

Objectives: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), a multicenter-based multi-cohort study, has collected information on body composition using two different bioelectrical impedence analysis (BIA) machines. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of whether the test values measured from different BIA machines can be integrated through statistical adjustment algorithm under excellent inter-rater reliability. Methods: We selected two centers to measure inter-rater reliability of the two BIA machines. We set up the two machines side by side and measured subjects’ body compositions between October and December 2007. Duplicated test values of 848 subjects were collected. Pearson and intra-class correlation coefficients for inter-rater reliability were estimated using results from the two machines. To detect the feasibility for data integration, we constructed statistical compensation models using linear regression models with residual analysis and R-square values. Results: All correlation coefficients indicated excellent reliability except mineral mass. However, models using only duplicated body composition values for data integration were not feasible due to relatively low R 2 values of 0.8 for mineral mass and target weight. To integrate body composition data, models adjusted for four empirical variables that were age, sex, weight and height were most ideal (all R 2 >0.9). Conclusions: The test values measured with the two BIA machines in the KoGES have excellent reliability for the nine body composition values. Based on reliability, values can be integrated through algorithmic statistical adjustment using regression equations that includes age, sex, weight, and height.

Caseous mitral annular calcification describes a heavy calcification of the mitral annulus with central liquefaction. This rare variant of mitral annular calcification may resemble an intracardiac tumor, abscess, vegetation, or thrombus, a resemblance that often leads to unnecessary surgery. Typical echocardiographic findings include a large, round, bright echogenic mass with a central echolucent area. It is known to have a benign clinical outcome, and it is thus managed conservatively. Because this entity is not well known and has only rarely been described, we report two cases of mitral annular calcification encountered at our institution. The first patient was an elderly woman with exertional dyspnea who was found to have a solitary pulmonary nodule on plain chest radiography. This was determined to represent caseous calcification of the mitral annulus. The other patient was an elderly woman who had a history of cerebral embolic infarction. She did not have an intracardiac thrombus, but she did have caseous mitral annular calcification. Both patients were managed conservatively. (Korean Circ J 2009;39:82-85)

Background and Objectives: Echocardiographic evaluation of the long axis left ventricle (LV ) function has been reported to be useful for understanding heart failure in those patients with a preserved ejection fraction (EF). The global and segmental peak LV systolic longitudinal strain (PSLS), as determined by the 2D speckle tracking method, may be related with the conventional diastolic parameters. We sought to determine whether the PSLS could reveal LV systolic dysfunction in those patients who have a normal EF and diastolic dysfunction. Subjects and Methods: A total of 168 patients who underwent a routine echocardiographic examination were evaluated. Echocardiographic evaluations were performed and the patients were grouped according to the grade of their diastolic dysfunction. The global and segmental PSLS were analyzed off-line. Results: Measurements of the LV PSLS were successfully obtained in 83% of the patients. The mid and basal PSLS values were significantly lower in the patients with grade I and II diastolic dysfunction (-17.5±2.0% and -17.5±2.3%, respectively) versus the normal healthy controls (-20.6±1.9%, p

A 43-year-old male presented with a painless left testicular mass. The pathologic diagnosis of the radical orchiectomy specimen was peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCL-u). According to the Ann Arbor staging system, his initial stage was III because of the right nasopharyngeal involvement. After first-line chemotherapy with four courses of the CHOP regimen and this was followed by involved-field radiotherapy, he achieved complete remission. Two months later, disease recurred to the left ciliary body of the left eye without evidence of involvement at other sites. Although the patient received intensive chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, he ultimately died of leptomeningeal seeding. Because both the central nervous system (CNS) and the orbit are sanctuary sites for chemotherapy, orbital infiltration of lymphoma should prompt physicians to evaluate involvement of the CNS and to consider performing prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy as a treatment option.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with various lymphoproliferative diseases, including Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, aggressive NK cell leukemia, Burkitt lymphoma and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. In the recent studies, the plasma EBV-DNA levels in patients with EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease appeared to be correlated with the therapeutic response. Aggressive NK cell leukemia (ANKL) is a fatal disease that's characterized by high fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and frequent hemophagocytosis. No serological tumor marker for this malignancy has yet been identified for monitoring the disease and predicting the outcome. We experienced a case of aggressive natural killer cell leukemia in a 48-year-old man, and we serially monitored the plasma EBV DNA load by performing real time quantitative PCR assay. Serial measurements of the plasma EBV DNA level during therapy showed a close correlation between the clinical response and the changes in the plasma EBV DNA titers. (Korean J Hematol 2007;42:167-171.)

Background Although emerging evidence suggests that intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a predictor of the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), it remains unclear whether the presence of IAH is a predictor of prognosis in patients with AKI. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the presence of IAH could predict prognosis in critically ill patients with AKI. The prognostic value of urinary biomarkers was also determined. Methods In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 57 patients with established AKI, who were admitted to the intensive care unit between February 2012 and June 2014. IAH was defined as a sustained elevation in intra-abdominal pressure of ≥12 mmHg, in three consecutive measurements performed daily on the first 3 days. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), liver-type fatty acid-binding protein, and simplified acute physiology score II score at the time of admission were also examined. Results IAH was observed in 78.9% of patients. The in-hospital mortality was 21.1%, and renal recovery during hospitalization was achieved in 40.4% of patients. Although high urinary NGAL [odds ratio (OR), 1.015] and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (OR, 1.003) were found to be independent predictors of renal recovery, IAH was not. High urinary NGAL (OR, 1.003) and a high simplified acute physiology score II score (OR, 1.102) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, while IAH or urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein was not. Conclusion Although IAH is prevalent in critically ill patients with AKI, it did not predict AKI prognosis. However, urinary NGAL was found to be a useful predictor of both renal recovery and in-hospital mortality.