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Despite their increasing popularity and inclusion in library collections, video games are rarely suggested in library advisory or recommendation services. In this work, we use the concept of appeals from existing literature in readers' advisory and media studies to understand what attracts people to play certain games. Based on 1,257 survey responses, we identify sixteen different appeals of video games and elaborate how these appeals are expressed in users' terms. We envision these appeals can serve as an additional access point for video games and will be particularly useful for recommendation and advisory services. In addition, we also examined the correlation between appeals and common game genres. The relationships between appeals and genres observed from our data support our argument that appeals can serve as a complementary access point to result in more diversified sets of recommendations across genres. In our future work, we plan to further investigate individual appeals such as mood and narrative across multiple types of media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To protect from reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages, skin cells have evolved to have antioxidant enzymes, such as copper and zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD1), mitochondrial manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD2), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR), and suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Bioactive compounds analyses were performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) system. The antioxidant activity of Ulmus macrocarpa Hance (UMH) extracts was estimated in vitro. The anti-aging activity of UMH extracts was estimated in vivo using the SKH-1 hairless mice. The UMH extracts reduced the H2O2-induced intracellular ROS production and the cell damages in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Moreover, the H2O2-induced phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was detected in HDF and UMH extracts blocked the phosphorylation. These results suggest that UMH extracts can reduce the expression of MMPs and the reduced MMPs lead to the inhibition of collagen degradation. In addition, oral administration of the UMH extracts decreased the depth, thickness, and length of wrinkles on UVB exposed hairless mice. Therefore, UMH extracts play an advantage of the functional materials in antioxidant and anti-aging of skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Video games are increasingly recognized as important consumer products, literacy and learning tools, and objects of scholarly research. This study aims to explore video game information needs and game organization behaviour of users, especially focusing on understanding differences by sex and age. This is important for designing useful video game information retrieval and recommendation systems. Method. A large-scale survey of game players and other stakeholders interested in video games was conducted by the research team. The survey asked about their gaming experience, information seeking, and game collecting and organization behaviour. Analysis. Responses were tabulated and descriptive statistics are reported. Chi-squared-goodness-of-fit tests were also performed in order to determine whether the discrepancies between sexes and age groups were statistically significant. Results. The survey results are presented, focusing on how users organize their game collections, what kinds of game information they value and from which information sources they seek such information. The differences based on sex and age group are also discussed. Conclusions. The findings suggest that users do exhibit different information needs and seek different game information resources to meet those needs based on their sex and age, implying the importance of developing game information systems flexible enough to serve a wide variety of game users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) is a serological marker associated with various immune-mediated diseases whose clinical significance and possible diagnostic roles in ulcerative colitis (UC) are still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pANCA expression and its association with clinical findings and disease course in Korean patients with UC. This study included 484 patients with UC who were diagnosed and treated between 1990 and 2006 at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, and were followed for at least 1 year. Clinical findings at diagnosis, disease extent, treatment modalities used, and cumulative relapse rates were analyzed and compared to pANCA expression. Of the 484 patients, 405 (83.7%) were evaluated for pANCA and were eligible for analysis. The overall pANCA prevalence was 22.1%, with a female preponderance (male, 21.5%; female, 31.6%; P < 0.05). Proctitis was more common in pANCA-negative patients (pANCA-negative, 37.6%; pANCA-positive, 25.2%, P < 0.05). UC activity index and cumulative relapse rates were higher in pANCA-positive patients. However, there were no significant differences in the cumulative probability of steroid and immunosuppressant use and operation rate between the two groups. The prevalence of pANCA expression in Korean patients with UC was relatively low compared to that in Western countries. Although UC patients with pANCA expression had more severe clinical findings at diagnosis and higher cumulative relapse rates in our study, further prospective studies are warranted to clarify whether pANCA positivity influences the initial clinical presentation or disease aggressiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our limited understanding of real-life queries is an obstacle in developing music information retrieval (MIR) systems that meet the needs of real users. This study aimed, by an empirical investigation of real-life queries, to contribute to developing a theorized understanding of how users seek music information. This is crucial for informing the design of future MIR systems, especially the selection of potential access points, as well as establishing a set of test queries that reflect real-life music information-seeking behavior. Natural language music queries were collected from an online reference Website and coded using content analysis. A taxonomy of user needs expressed and information features used in queries were established by an iterative coding process. This study found that most of the queries analyzed were known-item searches, and most contained a wide variety of kinds of information, although a few features were used much more heavily than the others. In addition to advancing our understanding of real-life user queries by establishing an improved taxonomy of needs and features, three recommendations were made for improving the evaluation of MIR systems: (i) incorporating user context in test queries, (ii) employing terms familiar to users in evaluation tasks, and (iii) combining multiple task results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: To compare the clinical features and disease behavior of ulcerative colitis (UC) according to the age at onset. Methods: This retrospective study included 455 patients with UC who were diagnosed and treated between 1990 and 2008 at a single tertiary institution in Korea. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their age at diagnosis of UC: an elderly group (≥40 years) and a young group (<40 years). Clinical findings at diagnosis, extent of disease, treatment modalities used, cumulative admission rates, cumulative relapse rates, and surgery rates were analyzed according to these age groups. Results: Two hundred and forty-two patients with UC (53.2%) were diagnosed before the age of 40 years. Disease severity at initial presentation as assessed by diarrhea frequency, the presence of pancolitis, and the use of steroids were higher in the young group; however, clinical disease course including cumulative admission rates, cumulative relapse rates, and surgery rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Certain clinical features and the extent of disease in UC patients appear to be more severe when the disease is diagnosed at younger age; however, their disease course and prognosis might not be different from those of their older counterparts. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the oxacarbenium ion intermediate mechanism of GH37 trehalase from European honeybees based on &#x03B1-Secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects (&#x03B1-SDKIEs). It measures the &#x03B1-SDKIEs of the synthesized trehalose by honeybee trehase to determine the catalytic reaction mechanism. It reveals the validity of oxacarbenium ion intermediate mechanism in the hydrolytic reaction of glycosidases as well as unlikeness of nucleophilic displacement mechanisms.

The article reports on the molecular cloning of cDNA for trehalase from the European honeybee, Apis mellifera and its heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris. The mature enzyme comprised of 591 amino acids. The six peptide sequences analyzed were found in the deduced amino acid sequence, which exhibited high identity with trehalases which belong to the glycoside hydrolase family.

Enolase on the surface of streptococci putatively facilitates pathogenic invasion of the host organisms. The related Leuconostoc mesenteroides 512FMCM is nonpathogenic, but it too has an extracellular enolase. Purified isolates of extracellular dextransucrase from cultures of L. mesenteroides contain minute amounts of enolase, which separate as small crystals. Expression of L. mesenteroides enolase in Escherichia coli provides a protein (calculated subunit mass of 47 546 Da) catalyzing the conversion of 2-phsopho-d-glycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate. The pH optimum is 6.8, with Km and kcat values of 2.61 mM and 27.5 s−1, respectively. At phosphate concentrations of 1 mM and below, fluoride is a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to 2-phospho-d-glycerate, but in the presence of 20 mM phosphate, fluoride becomes a competitive inhibitor. Recombinant enolase significantly inhibits the activity of purified dextransucrase, and does not bind human plasminogen. Results here suggest that in some organisms enolase may participate in protein interactions that have no direct relevance to pathogenic invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This research aimed to provide young people in a juvenile rehabilitation centre (JRC) with access and exposure to virtual reality (VR) as a growing media technology industry, to offer media education that was fun and engaging, and to introduce the digital arts to participants as a potential career path. The project evolved through a partnership with the Washington State Librarian who, as a part of her role overseeing public library activities, wanted to ensure that newly acquired VR equipment was made available to as many people as possible. This effort included libraries within sites of incarceration. Analysis: This article presents a reflective and analytical discussion on the success and challenges of creating, implementing, and researching a VR art design program in a JRC. Conclusions and Implications: Carceral logics are entangled in research and education, in constant tension with anti-oppressive methods in place. Improvisational action as a design method in media education programs, including VR art design with incarcerated youth, may support greater participation and stronger research outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To determine the effect of simple use of suppository povidone-iodine on infectious complications after transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate. Methods. All 481 patients are included and received antibiotic prophylaxis. Among them, 360 patients received povidone-iodine suppository (Gynobetadine; 200 mg) immediately prior to biopsy and 121 patients did not. Infectious complications were classified. To evaluate bactericidal effects, we counted bacterial colonies in the rectum, harvested from a rectal swab before insertion of the suppository and after biopsy. Aliquots of the suspended bacterial strains were added to Mueller-Hinton agar medium for incubation. Colony counts were determined. Results. Infectious complications developed in 1 case (0.3%) in the rectal preparation group (Group 1) and in 8 cases (6.6%) in the nonrectal preparation group (Group 2). One in Group 1 had a fever without sepsis. Two patients had sepsis and six had fever without sepsis in Group 2. Rectal preparation was a statistically significant risk factor influencing the development of infectious complications. In vitro experiments, the mean number of colony-forming units decreased 99.9% after the rectal povidone-iodine preparation. Conclusions. All through the biopsy, povidone-iodine melted into the rectum and decreased the bacterial colony count. Simple use of povidone-iodine suppository before prostate biopsy minimizes the risk of infectious complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes some properties of the two alpha-amylase isoforms from Azuki Bean, Vigna angularis. Purification of the two isoforms from cotyledons of germinating seedling of azuki bean; Primary structures of the two enzymes; Electrophoretical analysis of azuki bean alpha-amylases; Effects of pH, temperature, calcium chloride and EDTA.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inflammatory cytokines. These signaling pathways participate in the degradation of the extracellular matrix and induce inflammatory responses that lead to photoaging. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity and the effect on MMPs and procollagen of putgyul extract in vitro. The anti-photoaging activity of putgyul extracts was estimated in vivo using hairless mice (HR-1). The putgyul extracts reduced MMP-1 production and increased the content of procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide in human dermal fibroblasts. Ultravilot-B (UVB)-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs was detected in mice, and putgyul extracts suppressed the expression. These results suggest that putgyul extract inhibits photoaging by inhibiting the expression of MMPs that degrade collagen and inhibiting cytokines that induce inflammatory responses. The mouse model also demonstrated that oral administration of putgyul extracts decreased wrinkle depth, epidermal thickness, collagen degradation, and trans-epidermal water loss, and increased β-glucosidase activity on UVB exposed skin. Putgyul extract protects against UVB-induced damage of skin and could be valuable in the prevention of photoaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant activity and chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid contents were investigated from different parts of Acanthopanax senticosus and A. koreanum. Antioxidant activity was assessed by various in vitro assays such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, reducing power assays and ORAC, and the chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were validated by HPLC chromatography. Among the various extracts, the fruit extracts of A. senticosus and A. koreanum exhibited strongest antioxidant activities including ABTS, FRAP, reducing power and ORAC, however, strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed from the leaf extract of A. senticosus. In addition, the antioxidant activities of various extracts were correlated with total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents. The major phenolic contents from various parts of these plants observed that leaf extract of A. senticosus expressed higher levels of chlorogenic acid (14.86 mg/dry weigh g) and caffeic acid (3.09 mg/dry weigh g) than other parts. Therefore, these results suggest that the leaf of A. senticosus may be an excellent natural source for functional foods and pharmaceutical agents, and the validated method was useful for the quality control of A. senticosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colonoscopy can detect both early intraluminal recurrence and metachronous neoplasia after colorectal cancer resection. Because colon length and location change after colorectal resection, factors affecting insertion time during colonoscopy also might be altered. The goal of this study was to examine whether colonoscope insertion time differs between left-sided resection and right-sided resection and to identify factors that impact the performance of colonoscopy after colorectal resection. Methods: We included consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy between November 2005 and November 2009 after colorectal resection for colorectal cancer. We classified surgical methods into left-sided resection (left hemicolectomy, low anterior resection, anterior resection, Hartman, and Mile's operation) or right-sided resection (right hemicolectomy) and retrospectively evaluated the colonoscope insertion time. Moreover, we analyzed factors that might affect the insertion time. Results: A total of 1,260 patients underwent colonoscopy after colorectal resection during the study period. Of these, 1,248 patients (771 men) who underwent complete colonoscopy were evaluated in this study. The colonoscopy completion rate was 99%, and the mean insertion time was 6.5 ± 5.1 min (median, 5 min; range, 0.3-61 min). Right-sided resection, female gender, poor quality of bowel preparation, lower endoscopist case volume, open laparotomy, and colonoscopy performed more than 1 year after colorectal resection were found to be independent factors associated with prolonged insertion time. Conclusions: This large study identified six factors that affect colonoscope insertion time after colorectal resection. These findings have implications for the practice and teaching of colonoscopy after colorectal resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography enterography (CTE) is a promising modality for small bowel imaging. However, the role of CTE in the evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) has not been established. We investigated the efficacy of CTE in diagnosing OGIB and the long-term outcomes based on CTE findings, with special reference to negative CTE. A total of 63 consecutive patients who had undergone CTE for OGIB were enrolled, and their pre- and post-CTE clinical data were collected. 'Specific treatments' were defined as treatments directly aimed at resolving presumed bleeding causes, including hemostasis and operation, while 'non-specific treatments' were defined as symptomatic treatments for anemia. Among 60 patients for whom long-term follow-up data were available, positive lesions were found in 16 patients (26.7%). The overall rebleeding rate was 21.7% during a mean follow up of 17.6 ± 4.7 months. There was no significant difference in the cumulative rebleeding rates between patients with positive and negative CTE results ( P = 0.241). All patients who received specific treatments after CTE did not rebleed (0/8). In positive CTE patients, specific treatments significantly reduced the rebleeding rate ( P = 0.023). CTE has a high rate of detecting overt OGIB. However, negative CTE results do not predict lower long-term rebleeding, and such patients with OGIB should be closely observed. In patients with positive CTE, more vigorous management significantly reduces the incidence of rebleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastrointestinal tract involvement in Behçet's disease (BD) often requires surgical intervention due to serious complications such as intestinal perforation, fistula formation, or massive bleeding.Aim: The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical and surgical features of free bowel perforation and to determine the risk factors associated with this complication in intestinal BD patients.Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 129 patients with intestinal BD treated from September 1988 to September 2008. Among them, 33 patients had intestinal perforations and all underwent emergent or elective laparotomy.Results: The mean age of the patients with bowel perforation was 34.8 ± 15.6 years (range 12-70 years) with a sex ratio of 2.3:1 (male:female). Twenty-seven (81.8%) patients were diagnosed with intestinal BD preoperatively, whereas six (18.2%) patients were diagnosed by pathological examination after operation. Fourteen (42.4%) patients experienced postoperative recurrence of intestinal BD and 11 (33.3%) underwent reoperation. Multivariate Cox hazard regression analysis identified younger age (≤ 25 years) at diagnosis (HR = 3.25; 95% CI, 1.41-7.48, p = 0.006), history of prior laparotomy (HR = 5.53; 95% CI, 2.25-13.56, p = 0.0001), and volcano-shaped intestinal ulcers (HR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.14-7.08, p = 0.025) as independent risk factors for free bowel perforation in intestinal BD.Conclusions: According to the results of our study, patients diagnosed with intestinal BD younger than 25 years, who had a history of prior laparotomy or volcano-shaped intestinal ulcers have an increased risk of free bowel perforation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrotalcite (HT)-based catalysts have been developed to improve NOx storage-reduction (NSR) activity, particularly at low temperature during the cold start period of automotive engines. The content of noble metals, including Pt and Pd, has been optimized and the effect of the K precursors on NSR activity has been extensively examined by a knowledge-based combinatorial approach using colorimetric assay. The optimum noble metal ratio was determined to be 0.5Pt/0.5Pd or 0.25Pt/0.75Pd. Pd is a more effective metal for the high performance of NSR catalyst than Pt, particularly for reducing NOx from the catalyst at 200 °C. Both CH3COOK and KNO3 are the best K precursor in view of the NSR performance at both low (200 °C) and high temperatures (350 °C). HT-based catalysts reveal excellent deNOx performance compared to Al2O3-based catalysts, mainly due to their superior redox property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two arbutin glucosides were synthesized via the acceptor reaction of a glucansucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB with arbutin and sucrose. The glucosides were purified by Bio-gel P-2 column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, and the structures were elucidated as 4-hydroxyphenyl β-isomaltoside (arbutin-G1), 4-hydroxyphenyl β-isomaltotrioside (arbutin-G2), according to the results of 1H, 13C, heteronuclear single-quantum coherence, 1H-1H COSY, and heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation analyses. Arbutin glucoside (4-hydroxyphenyl β-isomaltoside) exhibited slower effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and similar effects on tyrosinase inhibition, and increased inhibitory effect on matrix metalloproteinase-1 production induced by UVB than arbutin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of research describing the associations between thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT)/inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) genotypes and long-term clinical outcomes. We investigated whether TPMT/ITPA genotypes predicted long-term clinical response in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) undergoing thiopurine treatment. A total of 204 patients with IBD in whom thiopurine treatment was indicated were enrolled and categorized by TPMT and ITPA genotypes. Long-term follow-up clinical data for these patients were analyzed with specific focus on disease relapse. Of the 204 patients, 162 (79.4%) patients using thiopurines achieved remission and were included in an analysis of long-term clinical outcomes. There were no significant differences in disease relapse-free survival between wild and mutant types of TPMT (P=0.903) or ITPA (P=0.392), according to the results of the log-rank analysis. Our study suggests that TPMT and ITPA genotypes may not affect the rates of disease relapse in IBD patients treated with thiopurines. Further studies are indicated to confirm the utility of TPMT/ITPA genotyping to guide clinicians formulating individualized treatments for IBD patients requiring thiopurine therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]