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This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of deep learning (DL) for the identification and classification of various types of dental implant systems (DISs) using a large-scale multicenter data set. We also compared the classification accuracy of DL and dental professionals. The data set, which was collected from 5 college dental hospitals and 10 private dental clinics, contained 37,442 (24.8%) periapical and 113,291 (75.2%) panoramic radiographic images and consisted of a total of 10 manufacturers and 25 different types of DISs. The classification accuracy of DL was evaluated using a pretrained and modified ResNet-50 architecture, and comparison of accuracy performance and reading time between DL and dental professionals was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire. When comparing the accuracy performance for classification of DISs, DL (accuracy: 82.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 75.9%–87.0%) outperformed most of the participants (mean accuracy: 23.5% ± 18.5%; 95% CI, 18.5%–32.3%), including dentists specialized (mean accuracy: 43.3% ± 20.4%; 95% CI, 12.7%–56.2%) and not specialized (mean accuracy: 16.8% ± 9.0%; 95% CI, 12.8%–20.9%) in implantology. In addition, DL tends to require lesser reading and classification time (4.5 min) than dentists who specialized (75.6 ± 31.0 min; 95% CI, 13.1–78.4) and did not specialize (91.3 ± 38.3 min; 95% CI, 74.1–108.6) in implantology. DL achieved reliable outcomes in the identification and classification of various types of DISs, and the classification accuracy performance of DL was significantly superior to that of specialized or nonspecialized dental professionals. DL as a decision support aid can be successfully used for the identification and classification of DISs encountered in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of design domain for a sounding rocket is suggested in this study, which is more intuitive, simplified, and conducive to a single-stage sounding rocket development process. Among the various operation parameters, this study identifies several effective variables, which are also among the most practical in a sounding rocket design process. Of the many design variables considered for peak altitude optimisation, arguably the three most effective in shaping the whole system and conferring the most practicality in the design process of a sounding rocket were determined. A simulation-based study was conducted to establish: the effect of the selected parameters on flight performance, and the optimum design conditions of a single-stage sounding rocket in terms of its peak altitude. The simulation result was compared with randomly chosen experimentally tested flight data and validated. With the clear performance curves varying depending on the variables, the combination of the considered design inputs was effective. The new type of design domain and design procedure proposed is expected to constitute a useful reference and deliver practical benefits to the development process for a target-altitude-optimised single-stage sounding rocket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loneliness is a public health issue, particularly for older Veterans. To increase older Veterans' access for socialization opportunities, a community-based telephone-delivered activity program was developed, in which Veterans can call in and engage in social activities through telephone. This paper illustrates the feasibility, acceptance, and preliminary outcomes of this program using a mixed-methods design. Thirty-two Veterans enrolled in the program, with 14 attendees who called in to the program at least once. Attendees were more likely to be depressed than those who did not call in at baseline. Program was acceptable with high client satisfaction. Perceived benefits included a structured program with interesting topics to spend time on and the opportunity to socialize, exchange ideas, and connect with other Veterans. Individual challenges (e.g., hearing difficulty) and program-level challenges (e.g., complicated procedures) were reported during qualitative interviews. Among attendees, a significant decrease in loneliness from baseline to 3-months was found but should be interpreted with caution based on the small sample size. While positive findings emerged regarding feasibility, acceptance, preliminary benefits of this program, further refinement is needed to improve future program implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults are more likely to seek mental health care through integrated care settings such as primary care. Currently, there exists a significant shortage of mental health providers trained in geropsychology and integrated care competencies. To address this need within the Veterans Health Administration, a national workforce development program was extended to include psychologists, which is called the Geriatric Scholars Program‐Psychology Track (GSP‐P). The GSP‐P has two overarching educational program aims: (1) to improve geropsychology competencies of practicing VA psychologists, particularly those working within integrated settings (e.g., primary care) and (2) enrich psychologists' abilities to enact change in their clinical settings. Ninety‐eight VA clinicians participated in the GSP‐P, which includes a multi‐day in‐person course, from 2014 to 2018. Participants completed measures assessing confidence and self‐reported knowledge in geropsychology and integrated care competencies pre‐course and 3‐months post‐completion. Two‐weeks post‐course participants responded to open‐ended survey questions regarding their perceptions of the course and potential applications of learning. Significant improvements in confidence in and knowledge of geropsychology and integrated care competencies emerged from pre‐course to 3‐months post‐completion. Qualitative findings demonstrated that participants valued the face‐to‐face, integrated multimodal educational program. Findings provided insights regarding clinicians' planned application of the knowledge acquired, such as modifying treatments for older patients. Specialized workforce programs such as the GSP‐P have a significant, positive impact on the care of older Veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifts in phenotypes derived from the domestication syndromes impact plant performance but may also affect interactions with other species in the community (e.g. mutualists and antagonists). Moreover, plantations often differ from the natural conditions experienced by the wild relatives of cultivated plants, potentially altering the nature of ecological interactions. However, apart from herbivory, little is known about how domestication and cultivation practices (e.g. insecticide application) can modify multiple ecological interactions simultaneously in wild and domesticated plants.In four sites on the Yucatan Peninsula, we compared the diversity of mutualists (e.g. moths) and antagonists (e.g. viruses) in wild and domesticated plants of papaya. For each individual, we recorded floral visitors and rates of visitation at three time periods during the day. We recorded type and percentage of damage by antagonists in three leaves of all individuals. Finally, we explored if plant sex had an effect on the interaction with floral visitors.The main floral visitors were ants and Trigona species, whereas viruses caused the main type of foliar damage. Wild individuals had a higher diversity and visitation rate of floral visitors, and less foliar damage from antagonists. Wild male individuals were more visited, but we observed a similar amount and diversity of damage in both sexes. The time of day did not have an effect on diversity of floral visitors.Together, cultivation practices and domestication appear to have an effect on the reduction in diversity of floral visitors in domesticated papaya, as well as an increase in foliar damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Excessive heat at the implant-bone interface may compromise osseointegration. This study examined the heat generated at the implant surface during preparation of a zirconia/alumina abutment in vitro. Materials and Methods: Sixty zirconia/alumina abutments were randomized into 12 experimental groups. The abutments were connected to implants and embedded in an acrylic resin block in a 37°C water bath. The abutments were reduced by 1 mm in height over a period of 1 minute with a high-speed handpiece and then polished for 30 seconds with a low-speed handpiece, both with and without an air/water coolant. Temperatures were recorded via thermocouples at the cervical, middle, and apical part of the implant surfaces. The Mann-Whitney rank-sum test was used to assess the statistical significance of the difference in temperature between the abutment/implant complexes altered with and without coolant. Results: The 1-mm reduction with the high-speed handpiece without coolant resulted in a maximum temperature of 41.22°C at the cervical portion of the implant. Three of four temperatures above 40°C were observed at the cervical part of the implant following use of the high-speed handpiece without coolant. The temperature difference between 'with coolant' and 'without coolant' during both low-speed polishing and high-speed reduction was statistically significant at the cervical portion of the implant (P = .009). In contrast, the temperature difference between 'with coolant' and 'without coolant' during both low-speed polishing and high-speed reduction was not statistically significant at the middle and apical parts of the implant (P > .05). Conclusions: Preparation of a zirconia/alumina abutment caused an increase in temperature within the implant, but this temperature increase did not reach the critical levels described in the implant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of platelet-enriched fibrin glue and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the repair of bone defects adjacent to titanium dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 6 mongrel dogs, 3 screw-shaped titanium dental implants per dog were placed into the osteotomy sites in the tibia. Before implantation, a standardized gap (2.0 mm) was created between the implant surface and the surrounding bone walls. Six gaps were left empty (control group), 6 gaps were filled with autogenous particulate bone mixed with PRP (PRP group), and 6 gaps were filled with autogenous particulate bone mixed with platelet-enriched fibrin glue (fibrin glue group). RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the bone-implant contact was 59.7% in the fibrin glue group, 29.2% in the PRP group, and 10.2% in the control defects; this difference was statistically significant (P < .05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Greater bone-implant contact was achieved with platelet-enriched fibrin glue than with PRP. The results indicate that platelet-enriched fibrin glue can induce a stronger peri-implant bone reaction than PRP in the treatment of bone defects adjacent to titanium dental implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cognitive frailty — the coexistence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment—is a phenotype of frailty in the elderly. The coexistence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, known as cognitive frailty, is one of the phenotypes of frailty in the elderly. Cognitive frailty predicts adverse health outcome more accurately than does physical frailty. In this study, we aim to determine whether the polypharmacy common among the elderly is linked with cognitive frailty. Design, Setting, and Participants: The elderly, aged between 70 and 84 years, who participated in the cross-sectional Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study were included in the present study. Measurements: Polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy were defined as the use of at least five and ten medications, respectively. Physical frailty was assessed by the Korean version of the FRAIL scale, and cognitive status was measured by the Trail Making Test part A, word list recall test, the Korean version of the Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Digit Span Backward test. Results: Among the 2,392 participants, 26.8% and 4.1% took more than five and ten prescribed medications, respectively. Polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy participants tend to have more cognitive impairment and physical frailty. Participants with cognitive frailty had the highest polypharmacy rate regardless of medication type. After controlling for the potential confounders including severity of comorbidities, frailty was found to be significantly related to polypharmacy, as defined by prescribed as well as total medications, including non-prescribed medications. However, cognitive impairment only showed a linkage to polypharmacy of prescribed medications, which—according to the results of multivariable analysis— could increase cognitive frailty, with an odds ratio of 2.70. Conclusion: Although the elderly tend to depend on various medications, they should seriously consider the risk of polypharmacy for better health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a computer simulation study of reversibility associating one-end-functionalized chain molecules on a cubic lattice. Stability of homogeneous state; Phase behavior of polymer systems; Dominance of macrophase separation in systems having reversible bonding.

Deals with a study which investigated oxygen and carbon coprecipitation in Czochralski silicon in terms of a diffusion-limited growth model. Equations for analyzing coprecipitation behavior; Temperature dependence of carbon-lean crystal; Time evolution of oxygen and carbon coprecipitation.

Investigates the partitioning of point defect species during diffusion controlled precipitation of a misfitting compound in Czochralski silicon using the principle of maximum degradation rate of the total system free energy. Information on the flux balance at the interface; Data on the principle of maximum growth rate.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious respiratory infections, second only to influenza virus. In order to know RSV's genetic changes we examined 4028 respiratory specimens from local hospital outpatients in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea over six consecutive years by real-time one-step RT–PCR; 183 patients were positive for RSV infection. To investigate the specific distribution of RSV genotypes, we performed partial sequencing of the glycoprotein gene. Of the 131 RSV-A specimens sequenced, 61 (43·3%) belonged to the ON1 genotype, 66 (46·8%) were NA1 genotype, 3 (2·1%) were GA5 genotype, and 1 (0·7%) belonged to the GA1 genotype. Of the 31 RSV-B specimens sequenced, 29 were BA9 genotype (87·9%) and 2 were BA10 genotype (6·1%). The most common clinical symptoms were fever, cough, nasal discharge, and phlegm; multiple logistic regression analysis showed that RSV-positive infection on pediatric patients was strongly associated with cough (OR = 2·8, 95% CI 1·6–5·1) and wheezing (OR = 2·8, 95% CI 1·7–4·4). The ON1 genotype was significantly associated with phlegm (OR = 11·8, 95% CI 3·8–46·7), while the NA1 genotype was associated with the pediatric patients’ gender (males, OR = 2·4, 95% CI 1·1–5·4) and presence of chills (OR = 5·1, 95% CI 1·1–27·2). RSV subgroup B was showed association with nasal obstruction (OR = 4·6, 95% CI 1·2–20·0). The majority of respiratory virus coinfections with RSV were human rhinovirus (47·2%). This study contributes to our understanding of the molecular epidemiological characteristics of RSV, which promotes the potential for improving RSV vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We describe the development of a telephone-based program, Recreation, Education, and Socialization for Older Learning Veterans (RESOLV) that aims to connect Veterans with one another by phone and thereby reduce loneliness. The program was developed through a collaboration between VA and a community-based organization, Episcopal Senior Communities Senior Center Without Walls (SCWW). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 rural and non-rural dwelling older Veterans to identify leisure interests and potential barriers to participating in leisure activities. Program feasibility was examined with questions about telephone use and interest in and perceived benefits of a telephone community. We conducted content analysis to quantify Veterans’ leisure interests and thematic analysis to characterize barriers to participation. Veterans expressed interest most frequently in groups focused on conversation, support, gratitude, and technology. Rural and non-rural participants did not differ significantly in interests. Barriers to current activity participation included limited access to activities, limitations due to physical conditions, and transportation difficulties, which were consistent themes for both rural and non-rural participants. Themes related to perceived benefits of socialization that emerged include connectedness, learning from others, being active despite limitations, and distraction from limitations. Our findings demonstrate how a telephone-based socialization program could be developed and tailored for older Veterans. It seems that such a program is feasible and may be of benefit for older Veterans in rural and non-rural areas. Further evaluation is needed to ascertain the direct benefit of such a program to older Veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is a perennial need to extend geriatrics knowledge and expertise to primary care providers to meet the unique needs of older patients. Reaching the target population of providers in an effective manner presents challenges for educators and evaluation of education programs. Gaps in a previous dissemination of an Assessment Guide for delirium, dementia, and depression were addressed through a multimodal strategy to reach a greater proportion of the intended audience, primary care clinicians, and to further evaluate the clinical impact of this learning resource. Sixty-five health care providers completed a forced choice online questionnaire. The majority of respondents were primary care providers (62.5%) who used the Assessment Guide in clinical activities such as patient assessment and patient education. Semistructured interviews with selected key informants (N = 16) provided examples of clinical impact such as improved diagnosis and changes in medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulky naevocytoma of the perineum is a very rare variant of giant congenital melanocytic naevus ( GCMN). It presents as a bulky naevocytic tumour in the perineal region with characteristic histological findings, such as extensive areas with a neural appearance called 'lames foliacees', formation of a pseudofollicular structure and extension of naevus cells between collagen bundles in a row called 'Indian-file' pattern. We report a case of late-onset bulky naevocytoma of the perineum in a 13-year-old girl. The patient presented with two bulky, pedunculated, heavily pigmented masses in the vulvar area that developed in a pre-existing GCMN lesion, which began around puberty and caused severe gait disturbance. Given the possibility of malignant transformation, we conducted staged reduction surgery of the tumour masses, which were found to be intradermal naevi without evidence of malignancy. The patient's gait disturbance improved markedly after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of local anaesthetic temperature on block of the first sacral segment. Twenty-four patients undergoing lumbar epidural anaesthesia at L2-3 or L3-4 were randomly divided in double-blind fashion into two groups to receive 22 ml of lignocaine 2% with adrenaline 1:200,000, sodium bicarbonate and fentanyl, at either 21 degrees C (cold group) or 37 degrees C (warm group). The sensory block was assessed by loss of sensation to pinprick and the pain threshold after repeated electrical stimulation at L2, S1 and S3 dermatomes. Motor block was evaluated using the modified Bromage scale. Patient characteristics were comparable between the groups. Onset of block at the first sacral segment (S1) was faster in the warm group than in the cold (10 vs. 17.5 minutes, P < 0.001). The pain threshold at S1 was significantly higher in the warm group. We concluded that epidural lignocaine 2% with adrenaline 1:200,000, sodium bicarbonate and fentanyl injected at 370C hastens SI block within 10 minutes of administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite prevalence of clonal evolution in patients with aplastic anemia (AA), somatic mutation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene is rarely reported. Herein, we reported a case of acquired AA (aAA) harboring a new four-base-pair deletion mutation within exon 4 of HLA-B*40:02 leading to frameshift and premature stop codon. The HLA-B*40:02 mutant allele was detected in the patient's peripheral blood sample not in patient's buccal epithelial cells. The patient received allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA-matched sibling donor. On day 30 after HSCT, the mutant HLA allele was not detected by high-resolution sequence-based HLA typing. Serial chimerism analyses showed mixed chimeric status indicative of coexisting donor and recipient hematopoietic cells. Our data could provide additional support in view of pathophysiology of aAA that somatic mutation of HLA-B*40:02 allele is one of the possible origin of clonal escape to evade immune attack in patient with aAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The braking system of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is composed of friction and regenerative braking system, meaning that braking torque is generated by the collaboration of the friction and regenerative braking system. With the attributes, there are two problems in the HEV braking system. First, rapid deceleration occurs due to dynamic characteristic difference when shifting the friction and regenerative braking systems. Second, the friction braking torque alters with temperature because the friction coefficient changes with the temperature. These problems cause the vehicle to be unstable. In this paper, the concurrence control and compensation control were proposed to solve these problems. And also, the concurrence control and compensation control were combined for the stability of the braking system. In order to confirm the effect of these control algorithms, the experiment and simulation were conducted. Consequently, it was confirmed that the control algorithm of this study improved the vehicle safety and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this study was to measure the radiation exposure to operator and patient during cardiac electrophysiology study, radiofrequency catheter ablation and cardiac device implantation procedures and to calculate the allowable number of cases per year. We carried out 9 electrophysiology studies, 40 radiofrequency catheter ablation and 11 cardiac device implantation procedures. To measure occupational radiation dose and dose–area product (DAP), 13 photoluminescence glass dosimeters were placed at eyes (inside and outside lead glass), thyroids (inside and outside thyroid collar), chest (inside and outside lead apron), wrists, genital of the operator (inside lead apron), and 6 of photoluminescence glass dosimeters were placed at eyes, thyroids, chest and genital of the patient. Exposure time and DAP values were 11.7 ± 11.8 min and 23.2 ± 26.2 Gy cm2for electrophysiology study; 36.5 ± 42.1 min and 822.4 ± 125.5 Gy cm2for radiofrequency catheter ablation; 16.2 ± 9.3 min and 27.8 ± 16.5 Gy cm2for cardiac device implantation procedure, prospectively. 4591 electrophysiology studies can be conducted within the occupational exposure limit for the eyes (150 mSv), and 658-electrophysiology studies with radiofrequency catheter ablation can be carried out within the occupational exposure limit for the hands (500 mSv). 1654 cardiac device implantation procedure can be conducted within the occupational exposure limit for the eyes (150 mSv). The amounts of the operator and patient's radiation exposure were comparatively small. So, electrophysiology study, radio frequency catheter ablation and cardiac device implantation procedures are safe when performed with modern equipment and optimized protective radiation protect equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background/objectives: Obesity is characterized by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, as well as insulin resistance, but the link between obesity and adaptive immunity remains to be fully studied. Methods: To elucidate the role of adaptive immunity on body composition, glucose homeostasis and inflammation, recombination-activating gene 1 knockout (Rag1-/-) mice, without mature T-lymphocytes or B-lymphocytes, were maintained on a low- or high-fat diet (LFD and HFD, respectively) for 11 weeks. Results: Rag1-/- mice fed HFD gained significantly more weight and had increased body fat compared with wild type. Downregulation of energy expenditure as well as brown fat uncoupling protein UCP-1 and UCP-3 gene expression were noticed in HFD-fed Rag1-/- mice compared with LFD. HFD mice had significantly decreased energy intake compared with LFD mice, consistent with decreased agouti-related protein and increased pro-opiomelanocortin gene expression levels in the hypothalamus. Moreover, compared with wild type, Rag1-/- mice had lower interleukin (IL)-4 levels, a cytokine recently found to induce browning in white adipocytes, and higher IL-12 levels in HFD-fed Rag1-/- mice. Despite that HFD Rag1-/- mice were more obese, they had similar glucose, insulin and adiponectin levels, while leptin was marginally increased. Conclusions: Mice with deficiency in adaptive immunity are obese, partly owing to decreased energy expenditure, but are metabolically normal, suggesting that mature lymphocytes have necessary roles in the development of obesity-related metabolic dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The relative frequency, clinical features and survival outcomes of secondary cutaneous lymphoma remain poorly understood. Objectives To determine the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of secondary cutaneous lymphoma. Materials and methods The present retrospective cohort study included all 106 patients who presented with secondary cutaneous lymphoma. Patient medical records were reviewed to determine the clinical features, survival outcomes and prognostic factors. Survival outcomes were analysed by using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons between lymphoma cell lineages [T or natural killer (T-/ NK)-cell vs. B-cell lymphoma] were performed using the log-rank test. Results Secondary cutaneous lymphomas consisted of mature T-/ NK-cell lymphomas (56%), mature B-cell lymphomas (35%), immature haematopoietic malignancies (8%) and Hodgkin lymphoma (1%). The T-/ NK-cell lineage lymphoma cases were more likely to have multiple and disseminated skin lesions than the B-cell lineage lymphoma cases. The lymphoma cell lineage did not significantly influence survival outcomes. Patients who showed cutaneous involvement within 6 months of the initial diagnosis of primary disease had a poorer overall survival ( OS) outcome than patients who developed cutaneous dissemination 6 or more months after the initial diagnosis ( P < 0·001). Patients with disseminated skin lesions had a poorer OS than patients with localized skin lesions ( P = 0·028). The two lymphoma cell lineages differed in terms of prognostic factors that influenced survival. Conclusions Skin lesion characteristics such as time point of appearance and extent affect the survival outcomes of secondary cutaneous lymphoma. Cell lineage did not influence survival outcomes but the two lineages are associated with different prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the impact of disability on mental health outcomes in older Veterans referred to an interdisciplinary geriatric mental health team for assessment and treatment of anxiety or depression or both. Thirty-five Veterans (age,M= 81.2 years,SD= 7.4) completed one or more psychotherapy sessions and pre- and post-treatment assessments of anxiety, depression, and disability. Pre-treatment disability did not predict anxiety or depression treatment response in hierarchical linear regression models. However, change in disability predicted both anxiety and depression treatment response. Specifically, decreased disability was associated with decreased anxiety and depression symptoms at post-treatment. Anxiety and depression treatment response also predicted change in disability such that decreased anxiety and depression symptoms were associated with less disability at post-treatment. The present study provides preliminary evidence that change in disability during treatment may have an effect on, and may also be a function of, treatment outcomes in older Veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and myelodysplastic/ myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) may transform into secondary myelofibrosis (MF) or evolve into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The genetic mechanisms underlying disease progression in MPN and MDS/MPN patients remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate sequential genomic aberrations identified by single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-A)-based karyotyping that can detect cryptic aberrations or copy neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN-LOH) in the chronic phase and during disease progression of MPN and MDS/MPN patients. Methods: The study group included 13 MPN and four MDS/MPN patients (seven polycythemia vera (PV); four essential thrombocythemia (ET); two MPN-unclassifiable (MPN-U); one chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML); one atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR-ABL1 negative (aCML); and two MDS/MPN-unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-U)). Among them, five patients (two PV, two MPN-U, and one MDS/MPN-U) progressed to MF and three patients (one CMML, one aCML, and one MDS/MPN-U) transformed to AML. The median follow-up period was 70 months (range, 7-152). Whole-genome SNP-A (SNP 6.0; Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA)-based karyotyping and JAK2 mutation analysis were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results: SNP-A showed 19 kinds of genomic aberrations, including seven gains, eight deletions, and four CN-LOH. CN-LOH of 9p involving JAK2 was the most common aberration, followed by 5q deletion and 9p gain. The incidence of genomic changes identified by SNP was not different in patients with disease progression (75%), compared with those without disease progression (56%) (P = 0.4). However, when excluding 9p CN-LOH, the incidence of genomic changes was significantly higher in patients with disease progression than in patients without disease progression (63% and 0%, respectively, P = 0.01). Among eight patients with disease progression, two patients (two MPN-U) showed abnormal SNP-A results, whereas metaphase cytogenetics (MC) analysis showed normal results at diagnosis and during follow-up. In nine patients without disease progression, SNP-A did not show any genomic aberrations except for 9p CN-LOH. In three patients (one PV, one aCML, and one MDS/MPN-U), clonal evolutions were identified by both MC and SNP-A according to disease progression. One PV patient who progressed to MF at 45 months after diagnosis showed sequential genomic changes from 9p CN-LOH to 9p gain by SNP-A. Results of JAK2 mutation analysis were variable depending on the patient. Most of the patients with 9p CN-LOH or 9p gain showed more than 50% of the JAK2 mutant alleles. In one patient (MDS/ MPN-U) evolving to AML, the number of JAK2 mutant alleles decreased according to disease progression. Conclusion: This study suggests sequential genomic changes identified by SNP-A may be associated with disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that 2-(3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)ureido)acetate (KHG21834) attenuates amyloid beta(Aβ)25-35-induced apoptotic death and shows anti-inflammatory activity against Aβ25-35-induced microglial activation. However, antioxidative effects of KHG21834 against Aβ-induced oxidative stress have not yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative function of KHG21834 in primary cultured cortical neurons, to expand the potential therapeutic efficacy of KHG21834. Pretreatment with KHG21834 protected against Aβ-induced neuronal cell death and mitochondrial damage, and significantly restored GSH levels and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and also suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species and protein oxidation. These results imply that KHG21834 may play a role in cellular defense mechanisms against Aβ-induced oxidative stress in cultured cortical neurons. Furthermore, KHG21834 significantly attenuated the effects of Aβ treatment on levels of NF-κB, β-catenin, and GSK-3β proteins in cortical neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that the antioxidant effects of KHG21834 may result at least in part from its ability to regulate the NF-κB, β-catenin, and GSK-3β signaling pathways. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that KHG21834 significantly attenuates Aβ25-35-induced oxidative stress in primary cortical neurons, and provides novel insights into KHG21834 as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity involving oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Irisin is a recently identified exercise-induced myokine suggested to induce browning of white adipocytes. Deficiency of myostatin, and thus stimulation of muscle growth, has also been reported to induce irisin and its precursor FNDC5 expression in muscle and drive the browning of white adipocytes in mice, implying that irisin may be related to muscle growth in addition to its beneficial effects in adipocytes. In humans, the effect of irisin in muscle hypertrophy as well as adipocyte metabolism has not been fully investigated.Methods:Primary cultured human myocytes/adipocytes and 3T3-L1 cells were used to examine irisin-regulated gene/protein expression. Lipid accumulation, ATP content, glycolysis, lipolysis and metabolite profile were measured in control and irisin-treated (10 and 50 nM) adipocytes.Results:In human myocytes, FNDC5 mRNA and irisin secretion were increased during myogenic differentiation, along with PGC1α and myogenin expression. Irisin treatment significantly increased insulin-like growth factor 1 and decreased myostatin gene expression through ERK pathway. PGC1α4, a newly discovered PGC1α isoform specifically related to muscle hypertrophy, was also upregulated. In human adipocytes, irisin induced uncoupling protein 1 and consequently increased adipocyte energy expenditure, expression of metabolic enzymes and metabolite intermediates, resulting in inhibition of lipid accumulation. Irisin and FNDC5 treatment also reduced preadipocyte differentiation, suggesting an additional mechanism in suppressing fat mass.Conclusions:These results suggest that irisin/FNDC5 has a pleiotropic role in muscle and improvement of adipocyte metabolism in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the International Prognostic Index (IPI) is considered as the current standard prognostication system for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), prognostic heterogeneity is suggested to exist among the patients within the same IPI risk group. Hence, we investigated the pattern of distribution and prognostic impact of five IPI factors within the same IPI score. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 387 patients newly diagnosed as pathologically proven DLBCL between February 2002 and February 2010. We classified patients to IPI risk scores and categorized them according to the combinations of IPI. Then, we explored the frequency of five IPI factors and analyzed the correlation between these subgroups and efficacy outcomes: complete response (CR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). Survival estimates by IPI score in this cohort corresponded to the classic IPI. Elevated serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was the most prevalently distributed factor throughout the scores, and patients with elevated serum level of LDH tended to have lower CR, inferior EFS, and/or OS irrespective of IPI scores. Particularly, among the subgroups of IPI score of 2, elevated serum level of LDH was significantly associated with inferior CR (73.1 vs 95.2 %), 3-year EFS (57 vs 87 %), and 3-year OS (58 vs 82 %). In addition, the higher serum level of LDH, particularly above 2,000 IU/L, was significantly correlated with the inferior survival outcomes (3-year EFS 78.0 vs 58.5 vs 45.5 vs 20.0 %, 3-year OS 86.0 vs 66.2 vs 58.2 vs 40.0 %). In conclusion, among five factors of IPI, elevated serum level of LDH seems to be the most frequently distributed and, more importantly, the most relevant IPI factor with the highest prognostic impact. These findings still warrant further validation in larger cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sarcopenia means the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with aging. In this study, we found that insulin resistance, chronic kidney disease stage 3, and osteoporosis at the femur neck were closely associated with sarcopenia in elderly men. These conditions modified to slow down the progression of sarcopenia. Introduction: Sarcopenia is known to have multiple contributing factors; however, its modifiable risk factors have not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to identify the most influential and modifiable risk factors for sarcopenia in elderly. Methods: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study using data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV), 2008-2009. This study included 940 men and 1,324 women aged 65 years and older who completed a body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by height of less than 1 standard deviation below the sex-specific mean for a younger reference group. Results: Using univariate analysis, age, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), limitations in daily activities, regular exercise, high-risk drinking, family income, osteoporosis, daily energy, and protein intake were associated with sarcopenia in men; age, BMI, limitations in daily activities, regular exercise, occupation, osteoporosis at the total hip, and daily energy intake were associated with sarcopenia in women. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, HOMA-IR ≥2.5 (odds ratio [OR] for sarcopenia, 2.27; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.21-4.25), chronic kidney disease stage 3 (OR, 3.13; 95 % CI, 1.14-8.61), and osteoporosis at the femur neck (OR, 6.83; 95 % CI, 1.08-43.41) were identified as risk factors for sarcopenia in men. Conclusions: Insulin resistance, chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis at the femur neck should be modified to prevent the acceleration of skeletal muscle loss in elderly men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the gender-specific association between sarcopenia and bone geometry/metabolic parameters. Low muscle mass was associated with greater deterioration of bone than in deterioration of glucose or lipid profiles. This bone-muscle relationship was more prominent in men than in women. Introduction: There are few studies that report on gender differences in the effects of low muscle mass on bone and metabolic parameters in elderly subjects. This study aimed to assess the gender-specific influence of muscle mass on bone and metabolic parameters. Methods: A total of 2,264 participants (940 men and 1,324 women) whose age ranged from 65 to 92 years were analyzed using data from The Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2009). We measured bone mineral density (BMD) and appendicular muscle mass using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and also measured metabolic profiles. Results: The age-related trend in bone and muscle coincided in men but not in women. Femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH) BMD were highly correlated with muscle mass in both genders. However, in women, this correlation was not significant in the lumbar spine (LS). In addition, this positive correlation was stronger in the FN or TH than in the LS and was stronger in men than in women. Subjects with sarcopenia were at a higher risk for osteoporosis in the FN, TH, and LS in men, and in the TH and FN in women. The degree of association between muscle mass and metabolic profiles was relatively very weak. Conclusion: Bone-muscle relationship was more prominent in men than in women. The gender differences in bone-muscle relationship may be helpful for the development of gender-specific preventive strategies in the elderly, especially in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New cross-segmented power supply rails for roadway-powered electric vehicles are proposed in this paper for reducing construction cost and EMF. The proposed rail consists of two pairs of power cables, core, bidirectional power switches, a transformer, capacitors, and harness. Each rail is connected through a switch box, which can change the current direction of a pair of power cables. Hence, adding the current of the two pairs of power cables results in the activation mode while nullifying it does the silence mode. A coupling transformer with two capacitors is introduced to compensate the variable line inductance of the rail due to the change of current direction. Therefore, multiple rails can be concurrently activated by selective turning-on and turning-off the power switches using an inverter. In addition, the EMF for the silence mode is drastically reduced if a twisted pair of power cables and copper nets is used, so that the ICNIRP guideline 6.25 μT at 20-kHz operating frequency can be met. The proposed cross-segmented power supply rail was implemented for experiments and verified for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human leucocyte antigen ( HLA) alleles and haplotypes differ significantly among different ethnic groups, and high-resolution typing methods allow for the detection of a wider spectrum of HLA variations. In this study, HLA-A, -B and - DRB1 genotypes were analysed in 4128 cord blood units obtained from Korean women using the sequence-based typing method. A total of 44 HLA-A, 67 HLA-B and 48 HLA- DRB1 most probable alleles were identified. Of these, high-frequency alleles found at a frequency of ≥5% were 6 HLA-A ( A*02:01, A*02:06, A*11:01, A*24:02, A*31:01, A*33:03), 5 HLA-B ( B*15:01, B*44:03, B*51:01, B*54:01, B*58:01) and 7 HLA- DRB1 ( DRB1*01:01, DRB1*04:05, DRB1*07:01, DRB1*08:03, DRB1*09:01, DRB1*13:02, DRB1*15:01) alleles. At each locus, A*02, B*15 and DRB1*04 generic groups were most diverse at allelic level, consisting of 8, 11 and 10 different alleles, respectively. Two- and three-locus haplotypes estimated by the maximum likelihood method revealed 73 A-B, 74 B- DRB1 and 42 A-B- DRB1 haplotypes with frequencies of ≥0.3%. A total of 193 A-B- DRB1 haplotypes found at a frequency of ≥0.1% were presented, and the six most common haplotypes were A*33:03-B*44:03- DRB1*13:02 (4.6%), A*33:03-B*58:01- DRB1*13:02 (3.0%), A*24:02-B*07:02- DRB1*01:01 (2.7%), A*33:03-B*44:03- DRB1*07:01 (2.5%), A*30:01-B*13:02- DRB1*07:01 (2.2%) and A*24:02-B*52:01- DRB1*15:02 (2.1%). Compared with previous smaller scale studies, this study further delineated the allelic and haplotypic diversity in Koreans including low-frequency alleles and haplotypes. Information obtained in this study will be useful for the search for unrelated bone marrow donors and for anthropologic and disease association studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:MicroRNAs are noncoding regulatory RNAs strongly implicated in carcinogenesis, cell survival, and chemosensitivity. Here, microRNAs associated with chemoresistance in ovarian carcinoma, the most lethal of gynaecological malignancies, were identified and their functional effects in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells were assessed.Methods:MicroRNA expression in paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant SKpac sublines was compared with that of the PTX-sensitive, parental SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line using microarray and qRT-PCR. The function of differentially expressed microRNAs in chemoresistant ovarian cancer was further evaluated by apoptosis, cell proliferation, and migration assays.Results:Upregulation of miR-106a and downregulation of miR-591 were associated with PTX resistance in ovarian cancer cells and human tumour samples. Transfection with anti-miR-106a or pre-miR-591 resensitized PTX-resistant SKpac cells to PTX by enhancing apoptosis (23 and 42% increase), and inhibited their cell migration (43 and 56% decrease) and proliferation (64 and 65% decrease). Furthermore, ZEB1 was identified as a novel target gene of miR-591, and BCL10 and caspase-7 were target genes of miR-106a, as identified by immunoblotting and luciferase assay.Conclusion:MiR-106a and miR-591 have important roles in conferring PTX resistance to ovarian cancer cells. Modulation of these microRNAs resensitizes PTX-resistant cancer cells by targeting BCL10, caspase-7, and ZEB1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, laparoscopic colorectal surgery using a single incision usually made at the umbilical area has emerged as a tool to minimize the numbers of scars and provide better cosmetic results. But experience in laparoscopic skills is needed to maintain the oncologic principles of colorectal cancer surgery with the restricted operating field during the procedure. Adding an additional port to single-incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery (SILS) may be a bridge between conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery and SILS. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether umbilical incision laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery with one additional port (ULAP) could be performed in a similar manner to conventional multiport surgery. Methods: One hundred and sixty-three patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma underwent laparoscopic colectomy between February 2011 and August 2011. Forty of these patients underwent ULAP and were compared with the other 123 patients who had conventional laparoscopic surgery. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were analyzed. Results: Both groups were similar in age ( p = 0.438), gender ( p = 0.818), body mass index ( p = 0.149), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores ( p = 0.417), history of previous abdominal operation ( p = 0.503), and tumor location ( p = 0.051). Operation time was longer in the ULAP group (255.5 min) than in the conventional laparoscopic surgery group (144.6 min) ( p < 0.001). No significant differences were evident between groups for estimated blood loss ( p = 0.263), transfusion requirements ( p = 0.841), conversion to open procedures ( p = 0.40), length of umbilical incisions (4.6 vs. 4.4 cm, p = 0.628), postoperative hospital stay ( p = 0.862), tumor size ( p = 0.455), number of harvested lymph nodes ( p = 0.203), proximal margins ( p = 0.189), and distal resection margins ( p = 0.151). Postoperative morbidity ( p = 0.736) was similar in both groups. There was no mortality postoperatively. Conclusions: Umbilical incision laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery with an additional port is a feasible and safe approach, although it is more time consuming than conventional laparoscopic colectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved magnetic mirror models (IM^3) for mono and dual coils with a finite width and infinite permeability are proposed in this paper. By introducing a mirror current, which is located at the same distance from a source current but with a smaller magnitude than the source current, the magnetic flux density of the mono and dual coils can be determined in a closed form. The ratio of the mirror current and source current is identified as a function of the width of the core plate and the distance between the source current and core plate, as rigorously derived from finite-element method simulations. Applying the proposed IM^3 to the mono and dual coils used for wireless electric vehicles, the magnetic flux density over an open core plate is analyzed and its maximum points on the plate are found, which is crucial in the design of the coils to avoid local magnetic saturation. Furthermore, the magnetic flux density when a pick-up core plate is positioned over a primary core plate is also analyzed by introducing successive mirror currents. The proposed magnetic mirror models were extensively verified by experiments as well as site tests, showing quite promising practical usefulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]