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Viral diseases are one of the constraints affecting the sustainability of the shrimp farming industry worldwide. The common causes of viral infections include white spot syndrome virus, infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus, hepatopancreatic parvovirus, Penaeus monodon nudivirus, decapod iridescent virus 1, Taura syndrome virus, yellow head virus, infectious myonecrosis virus and Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus. Accurate diagnostic methods are necessary for preventing the spread of these transboundary diseases. Many molecular diagnostic methods for shrimp viral diseases have been developed and are currently in use, including conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nested PCR, loop‐mediated isothermal amplification PCR, recombinase polymerase assay and real‐time PCR. Although the World Organization for Animal Health (founded as OIE) recommends several PCR methods for shrimp disease diagnosis, there has been a lack of efforts to comparatively evaluate the performance of the available methods, resulting in a significant knowledge gap. Therefore, in this review, we compare various PCR assays and commercial PCR‐based diagnostic kits that have been developed and/or published previously, and discuss pros and cons of each of these methods. Our objective of this review is to offer enhanced clarity and a comprehensive overview of molecular diagnostic methods for shrimp viral diseases. This endeavour would serve as an important resource for researchers engaged in relevant studies and professionals within the shrimp‐farming industry, providing valuable guidance and insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a highly stretchable display panel capable of enduring extreme deformations including large curvature folding, fully folded deformation and stretching without any damage. We examined both uniaxial and multi‐axial stretching with the panel, and presented a method to calculate its stretchability. Our display panel exhibited areal stretchability of up to 45% strain and remained reliably functional through 10,000 repeated stretching cycles at 20% uniaxial tensile strain. By demonstrating the ability to withstand extreme deformations while maintaining structural integrity, this platform showed strong potential for use in a variety of stretchable displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salinomycin, an antibiotic, have potential as a veterinary drug for fish due to its anti-parasitic activity against several fish parasites. Thus the residual levels of salinomycin in muscles of two significant aquaculture species in Korea, olive flounder and black rockfish, were analyzed using HPLC-MS-MS. Results: The proper method to analyze the residual salinomycin in fish muscles using LC-MS-MS was settled and the method was validated according to CODEX guidelines. The residues in three distinct groups for two fish species were analyzed using the matrix match calibration curves at points of five different times following oral administration. After oral administration, salinomycin rapidly breaks down in both olive flounder and black rockfish. After 7th days, the average residue in all groups of two fish spp. decreased below limit of quantitation (LOQ). Conclusion: Due to low residue levels in fish muscles, salinomycin may therefore be a treatment that is safe for both fish and humans. This result could contribute to establishment of MRL (minimal residual limit) for approval of salinomycin for use in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aquaculture is vital for global food production, but parasites like Microcotyle sebastis pose challenges to Korean rockfish, leading to economic concerns. As there is a growing worry about drug resistance, we explored salinomycin, previously recognized for treating other parasites, to combat this issue. Our experiments revealed that salinomycin effectively lessens these parasites in Korean rockfish without significant side effects. Importantly, the treatment appeared potentially more stable when administered at a water temperature of 13 °C. This study suggests that salinomycin could be a promising alternative, especially if resistance against current treatments like praziquantel emerges. Aquaculture, a crucial sector of the global food industry, faces a myriad of issues due to parasitic invasions. One such parasite, Microcotyle sebastis, which afflicts Korean rockfish in South Korea, has a significant economic impact. The impending danger of resistance to traditional anthelmintics necessitates the exploration of new antiparasitic candidates. Although the efficacy of salinomycin against aquatic parasites such as ciliates and sporozoans is known, its influence on monogeneans has yet to be studied. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy and safety of salinomycin for the treatment of M. sebastis infections, presenting the first exploration of salinomycin's therapeutic potential against monogeneans. In vitro examinations revealed a minimum effective concentration of salinomycin of 5 mg/kg, which led to necrosis of the haptor upon dislodging from the gill filaments. The one-time oral administration of the drug at concentrations of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg showed a significant dose-dependent reduction in parasite counts, with no apparent behavioral side effects in Korean rockfish. Biochemical analyses monitored the liver, heart, and kidney enzymes, specifically aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase–myocardial band (CK-MB). At both 20 °C and 13 °C, no significant differences were observed in the levels of AST and ALT. However, at 20 °C, alterations in BUN levels were evident on Day 14, a deviation not observed at 13 °C. The CK-MB analysis revealed elevated enzyme levels at both temperatures when compared to the control group, reflecting the similar changes observed in terrestrial animals administered salinomycin. The biochemical data suggest that the oral administration of salinomycin is potentially more favorable at 13 °C than at 20 °C. Although our findings warrant further comprehensive studies, including on the long-term and potential effects on nontarget species and water quality, they also suggest that salinomycin could be considered as an alternative or adjunctive treatment if resistance to the currently used praziquantel against M. sebastis is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study detected two potential pathogens, Vibro parahaemolyticus, which causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), in fishing bait in South Korea. However, their infectious nature was not confirmed, possibly due to the degradation caused by freezing/thawing or prolonged storage under frozen conditions. While infectivity was not confirmed in this study, there is still a significant risk of exposure to these aquatic products. Furthermore, fishing bait and feed should be handled with caution as they are directly exposed to water, increasing the risk of disease transmission. In Australia, cases of WSSV infection caused by imported shrimp intended for human consumption have occurred, highlighting the need for preventive measures. While freezing/thawing is a method for inactivating pathogens, there are still regulatory and realistic issues to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of bacterial cold-water disease in salmonids and rainbow trout fry syndrome. This pathogen has attained a global presence and can spread both horizontally and vertically. However, it was not documented in Korea before September 2018. In this study, the objectives were to characterize Flavobacterium psychrophilum strain FPRT1, isolated from diseased rainbow trout genotypically and phenotypically. We also conducted various investigations to better understand its impact and assess potential control measures. We acquired fifty rainbow trout (approximately 70 g in weight) and transferred them to a laboratory aquarium. During the initial acclimation period, we observed mortality and examined affected fish for clinical signs. We isolated the bacterium from the spleen of infected rainbow trout using tryptone yeast extract salts agar supplemented with glucose, naming this FPRT1. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out, and from the result, we selected enrofloxacin to administer to the trout orally to reduce mortality. To evaluate pathogenicity, we exposed the trout to FPRT1 at different water temperatures (8, 15, and 22 °C). Genomic analysis was conducted to identify the serotype and relatedness of FPRT1 to European strains. Affected fish displayed clinical signs, such as ulcerative lesions in the mandible, anemia with pale gills, exophthalmia, and increased mucus secretion. Internal symptoms included pale liver and enlarged spleen. FPRT1 was susceptible to erythromycin, enrofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline, and gentamicin, but resistant to oxolinic acid and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Oral administration of enrofloxacin resulted in a decrease in mortality from 28% to 6%. Pathogenicity tests revealed varying mortality rates due to FPRT1 at different temperatures. The highest rates were observed at 8 °C (ranging from 43% to 100%) for both intraperitoneal and intramuscular injections, and lower rates occurred at 22 °C (ranging from 0% to 30%), with intramuscular injections displaying higher susceptibility. Genomic analysis identified FPRT1 as serotype 2 and indicated its close genetic relationship with European strains based on the core genome and dispensable genome. The substantial genomic similarity between our strain and European strains suggests the possibility of bacterial spread through the importation of fertilized eggs from Europe. In conclusion, this study highlights the introduction of the previously undocumented pathogen (F. psychrophilum) into Korean rainbow trout populations. The detection of this pathogen and its pathogenicity assessment is not only important for understanding its impact on local aquaculture but also for establishing surveillance and control measures to prevent further transmission and outbreaks in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gear wear is an important failure mode in gear systems that changes the tooth profile. Gear wear is closely related to the sliding friction force, and the temperature rise due to friction may change the lubricant regime. Therefore, this study analyzed the wear characteristics of spur gears considering the temperature for tooth profile and surface roughness. To this end, the spur gear load with friction was obtained by solving simultaneous equations comprising load-deformation equations and a moment balance equation. Subsequently, the contact pressure and the heat flux at the meshing position were calculated. The bulk temperature due to the heat flux was obtained by performing finite element analysis. Further, the flash temperature was calculated. The wear analysis included the parameters accounting for the effects of the temperature rise on the lubricant film properties. The wear depth of spur gears was calculated using the modified Archard wear formula with the parameters. The results indicate that the surface roughness slightly increases the wear depth whereas the temperature effects reduce the wear depth. Wear is altered by the tooth profile and increases transmission error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oomycete Aphanomyces invadans causes epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), a World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed disease that has seriously impacted a wide range of fish worldwide. Currently, only three conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are recommended for the detection of A. invadans. The robust quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay has recently become more important due to its highly accurate nature and the applicability of qPCR-based environmental DNA (eDNA) detection in the monitoring of pathogens in aquatic environments. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel TaqMan probe-based qPCR method to sensitively and quantitatively detect A. invadans. The assay limit of detection was determined using 10-fold serial dilutions of linearized A. invadans plasmid. Assay sensitivity was assessed in the presence of interfering substances and compared to three WOAH-listed primers using the mycelia and zoospores of A. invadans with and without fish muscle tissue. The assay specificity was also theoretically and experimentally assessed against other oomycetes, fish muscle tissue, and water samples. The assay's repeatability and reproducibility were determined. In this study, the limit of detection of the developed assay was 7.24 copies of A. invadans genomic DNA per reaction (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75 to 19.05 copies/reaction). The assay showed the same sensitivity in the presence of other substances. Compared to the WOAH-recommended PCR assays, this assay had 10-times higher sensitivity for all tested samples. There were no cross-reactions with other closely related oomycetes, fish muscle, or water samples, indicating that the assay was highly specific for A. invadans. The repeatability and reproducibility tests showed little variation, ranging from 0.1–0.9% and 0.04–1.1%, respectively, indicating the high consistency, repeatability, and reliability of the developed assay. This highly rapid, sensitive, specific, and consistent EUS qPCR assay would be of importance in transboundary disease management and the monitoring of pathogens in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Parasitic infections are a major problem in aquaculture, and there is a growing need for alternative treatments. This study investigated the efficacy of levamisole hydrochloride against Microcotyle sebastis infections in Korean rockfish. In vitro experiments showed that Microcotyle sebastis was sensitive to levamisole hydrochloride, and in vivo experiments tested different administration methods. In a controlled laboratory environment, oral administration has been demonstrated to exhibit efficacy without imposing any adverse effects on fish health. While these findings necessitate further investigation for practical application in actual aquaculture settings, they suggest the potential of levamisole hydrochloride as a therapeutic agent against Microcotyle sebastis infections in Korean rockfish. Consequently, this may contribute to the improvement of parasitic control strategies in aquaculture. Parasitic infections pose significant challenges in aquaculture, and the increasing resistance to conventional anthelmintics necessitates the exploration of alternative treatments. Levamisole hydrochloride (HCl) has demonstrated efficacy against monogenean infections in various fish species; however, research focused on Microcotyle sebastis infections in Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of levamisole HCl against M. sebastis infections in Korean rockfish with the goal of optimizing anthelmintic usage in aquaculture. In this study, we first assessed the susceptibility of M. sebastis to levamisole HCl in vitro. Subsequently, in vivo evaluations were conducted to assess the drug's efficacy, safety, and to identify optimal administration methods. In vitro experiments revealed concentration-dependent sensitivity of M. sebastis to levamisole HCl, with a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 100 mg/L. In vivo experiments employed oral administration, intraperitoneal injection, and immersion treatments based on the MEC. Oral administration proved to be a safe method, yielding efficacy rates of 27.3% and 41.6% for 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses, respectively, in contrast to the immersion and injection methods, which induced symptoms of abnormal swimming, vomiting, and death. Biochemical analyses conducted to assess the safety of levamisole HCl revealed a transient, statistically significant elevation in the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) on day three post-administration at 20 °C. Following this, no substantial differences were observed. However, at 13 °C, the enzyme levels remained relatively consistent, emphasizing the role of water temperature conditions in influencing the action of levamisole HCl. Our research findings substantiate the efficacy of levamisole HCl against M. sebastis in Korean rockfish, underscoring its potential for safe oral administration. These results provide valuable insights for developing parasite control strategies involving levamisole HCl in Korean rockfish populations while minimizing adverse impacts on fish health and the environment. However, this study bears limitations due to its controlled setting and narrow focus. Future research should expand on these findings by testing levamisole HCl in diverse environments, exploring different administration protocols, and examining wider temperature ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) can infect more than 30 species of farmed fish and has been reported in several Asian countries. Previous studies have reported the detection of RSIV in flathead grey mullets (Mugil cephalus), but research on pathogenicity, histopathological lesions, viral shedding, and the effects of infected fish on other species is very limited. In this study, we analyzed pathogenicity and viral dynamics in flathead grey mullets through immersion infection, simulating natural conditions of RSIV, and confirmed the risk of horizontal transmission to other fish species through cohabitation. Our data verify that RSIV is pathogenic to flathead grey mullets and that there is a potential for spreading the disease from fish farms to other species. Additionally, our findings revealed a high correlation between viral load and histopathological lesions in fish. Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) causes significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. We analyzed the pathogenicity of RSIV in flathead grey mullets (Mugil cephalus), the correlation of histopathological lesions, and interspecies horizontal transmission, through immersion infection and cohabitation challenges. Flathead grey mullets, which were challenged by immersion infection, exhibited mortality at 14 and 24 days after RSIV exposure. Viral shedding in seawater peaked 2–3 days before or after the observed mortality. Specific lesions of RSIV were observed in the spleen and kidney, and the correlation between histopathological grade and viral load was the highest in the spleen. In a cohabitation challenge, flathead grey mullets were the donors, and healthy rock bream, red sea bream, and flathead grey mullets were the recipients. Viral shedding in seawater was the highest in flathead grey mullet and rock bream at 25 °C, with 106.0 RSIV copies L/g at 14 dpi. No mortality was observed in any group challenged at 15 °C, and no RSIV was detected in seawater after 30 dpi. The virus shed from RSIV-infected flathead grey mullets caused horizontal transmission through seawater. These findings suggest that rapid decision-making is warranted when managing disease in fish farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) has been reported to be susceptible to various marine fish species in Asian countries such as South Korea, and it causes significant economic losses due to massive mortalities in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) in particular. However, studies on the impact of the virus shed from RSIV-infected rock bream on other fish species are limited. Here, we investigated the dynamics of the virus by simulating the natural conditions of RSIV infection in rock bream and examining its release into seawater and the risk of horizontal transmission through cohabitation with other fish species. Our data demonstrated that the virus shed from RSIV-infected rock bream caused high mortality rates in surrounding fish species through horizontal transmission. Our findings suggest the potential for RSIV-infected rock bream in farms to spread the disease to neighboring farms. Additionally, our results demonstrated a high correlation between RSIV load and viral shedding ratio in rock breams, as well as between RSIV load and histopathological infection grades. Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) causes significant economic losses in aquaculture. Here, we analyzed the pathogenicity, viral shedding, and transmission dynamics of RSIV in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) by employing immersion infection and cohabitation challenge models. Rock bream challenged by immersion exposure exhibited 100% mortality within 35 days post RSIV exposure, indicating that the viral shedding in seawater peaked after mortality. At 25 °C, a positive correlation between the viral loads within infected rock bream and virus shedding into the seawater was observed. Specific RSIV lesions were observed in the spleen and kidney of the infected rock bream, and the viral load in the spleen had the highest correlation with the histopathological grade. A cohabitation challenge mimicking the natural transmission conditions was performed to assess the virus transmission and determine the pathogenicity and viral load. The RSIV-infected rock breams (donors) were cohabited with uninfected rock bream, red sea bream (Pagrus major), and flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) (recipients) at both 25 °C and 15 °C. In the cohabitation challenge group maintained at 15 °C, no mortality was observed across all experimental groups. However, RSIV was detected in both seawater and the recipient fish. Our results provide preliminary data for further epidemiological analyses and aid in the development of preventive measures and management of RSIVD in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitin-40S ribosomal protein S27a (RPS27A), ubiquitin-like protein Fubi, and ribosomal protein (S30FAU) are ubiquitin-related proteins that are involved in the regulation of immune-related functions such as cell cycle, protein expression, and apoptosis. This study aimed to confirm the molecular characteristics, gene expression analysis, and antibacterial activity of RPS27A and S30FAU identified from the starry flounder (15 starry flounders of 128.7 ± 18.2 g). An expression analysis using a normal fish showed that RPS27A was highly expressed in the head kidney, heart, and stomach. In contrast, S30FAU exhibited high expression in the stomach, heart, and head kidney. Upon simulating an artificial pathogen infection, RPS27A was highly expressed in the heart at 1 h and 3 days post-viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHSV) infection, and had a high expression in the kidney, liver, and heart at 7 days post-Streptococcus parauberis (S. parauberis) infection. S30FAU was highly expressed in the spleen and gills at 1 day and 12 h post-VHSV infection, respectively, and exhibited a high expression in the kidney at 7 days post-S. parauberis infection. In an MIC analysis, RPS27A and S30FAU showed antimicrobial activity against all bacteria used in this study. In the biofilm assay, S30FAU was removed from S. parauberis in a concentration-dependent manner, and the cytotoxicity test showed no hemolytic activity in both RPS27A and S30FAU. Therefore, RPS27A and S30FAU of the starry flounder were confirmed to possess antimicrobial peptide abilities without limitations of cytotoxicity. This study provides valuable information on the antibacterial ability and molecular biology of the ubiquitin family isolated from the starry flounder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) is an important aquatic virus that causes high mortality in marine fish. RSIV infection mainly spreads through horizontal transmission via seawater, and its early detection could help prevent disease outbreaks. Although quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a sensitive and rapid method for detecting RSIV, it cannot differentiate between infectious and inactive viruses. Here, we aimed to develop a viability qPCR assay based on propidium monoazide (PMAxx), which is a photoactive dye that penetrates damaged viral particles and binds to viral DNA to prevent qPCR amplification, to distinguish between infectious and inactive viruses effectively. Our results demonstrated that PMAxx at 75 μM effectively inhibited the amplification of heat-inactivated RSIV in viability qPCR, allowing the discrimination of inactive and infectious RSIV. Furthermore, the PMAxx-based viability qPCR assay selectively detected the infectious RSIV in seawater more efficiently than the conventional qPCR and cell culture methods. The reported viability qPCR method will help prevent the overestimation of red sea bream iridoviral disease caused by RSIV. Furthermore, this non-invasive method will aid in establishing a disease prediction system and in epidemiological analysis using seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) play crucial roles in antiviral processes, such as in the transcriptional induction of interferon (IFN) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). In this study, the genes encoding IRF5 and IRF6 were identified in Pagrus major, and their expression in various organs after pathogen infection was analyzed. In the coding sequences of P. major (Pm)IRF5 and PmIRF6, the DNA binding domain, IRF association domain, and viral-activated domain were found to be highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PmIRF5 and PmIRF6 were most closely related to IRF5 and IRF6 of large yellow croakers. The mRNAs for PmIRF5 and PmIRF6 were constitutively expressed in all organs analyzed but were highly expressed in the liver and gills. As a result of an infection with red sea bream iridovirus, a major pathogen of red sea bream, PmIRF5 and PmIRF6 expression was significantly upregulated in the spleen and kidney. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that IRF5 and IRF6 expression play an influential role in the immune system of red sea bream infected with viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated noise characteristics and acoustic design sensitivity of the helical gear system as a model problem of wind turbine gearbox. The helical gear system was modeled with a pair of helical gears, a shaft, a bearing, and a circular plate. The aerodynamic torque by the wind speed caused axial excitation of the helical gear system. Noise from the helical gear system by the axial excitation of helical gears was analyzed. As a result, the fixed speed wind turbine caused both the gear force and the sound pressure level of the gear system to fluctuate. The sound pressure was highly related to the first harmonic component of gear force. Magnesium plate had a greater sound pressure level than aluminum and steel plate in many frequency ranges. The increase of the helix angle increased the shaft force and decreased the mesh stiffness, the natural frequency, the peaks of gear displacement and sound pressure level of the gear system. Acoustic design sensitivity of the helical gear system was analytically proposed and was validated by FDM. As for acoustic design sensitivity, the shaft diameter and plate thickness greatly affected the sound pressure, but the shaft length had little effect on sound pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analytical and diagnostic performances of methods for detecting red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), which infects marine fish, have not been evaluated. As disease management and transmission control depend on early and reliable pathogen detection, rapid virus detection techniques are crucial. Herein, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of a TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that detects RSIV rapidly and accurately. The assay amplified the RSIV, infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus, and turbot reddish body iridovirus genotypes of Megalocytivirus and the detection limit was 10.96 copies/reaction. The assay's performance remained uncompromised even in the presence of nine potential PCR inhibitors, including compounds commonly used in aquaculture. The variation of the cycle threshold values between assays performed by three technicians was evaluated using a plasmid DNA containing the major capsid protein gene sequence. The variation between replicates was low. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the developed assay were evaluated using fish samples (n = 510) and were found to be 100% and 99.60%, respectively. Two technicians evaluated the reproducibility of the assay using fish samples (n = 90), finding a high correlation of 0.998 (p < 0.0001). Therefore, the newly developed real-time PCR assay detects RSIV both accurately and rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Despite advances in interventional treatment strategies, atrial fibrillation (AF) remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Fibrotic atrial myopathy (FAM) is a main factor for adverse outcomes of AF-ablation, but complex to diagnose using current methods. We aimed to derive a scoring system based entirely on easily available clinical parameters to predict FAM and ablation-success in everyday care. Methods: In this multicenter, prospective study, a new risk stratification model termed AF-SCORE was derived in 220 patients undergoing high-density left-atrial(LA) voltage-mapping to quantify FAM. AF-SCORE was validated for FAM in an external mapping-validation cohort (n = 220) and for success following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)-only (without adjunctive left- or right atrial ablations) in an external outcome-validation cohort (n = 518). Results: FAM was rare in patients < 60 years (5.4%), but increased with ageing and affected 40.4% (59/146) of patients ≥ 60 years. Sex and AF-phenotype had additional predictive value in older patients and remained associated with FAM in multivariate models (odds ratio [OR] 6.194, p < 0.0001 for ≥ 60 years; OR 2.863, p < 0.0001 for female sex; OR 41.309, p < 0.0001 for AF-persistency). Additional clinical or diagnostic variables did not improve the model. AF-SCORE (+ 1 point for age ≥ 60 years and additional points for female sex [+ 1] and AF-persistency [+ 2]) showed good discrimination to detect FAM (c-statistic 0.792) and predicted arrhythmia-freedom following PVI (74.3%, 54.7% and 45.5% for AF-SCORE ≤ 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and hazard ratio [HR] 1.994 for AF-SCORE = 3 and HR 2.866 for AF-SCORE = 4, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Age, sex and AF-phenotype are the main determinants for the development of FAM. A low AF-SCORE ≤ 2 is found in paroxysmal AF-patients of any age and younger patients with persistent AF irrespective of sex, and associated with favorable outcomes of PVI-only. Freedom from arrhythmia remains unsatisfactory with AF-SCORE ≥ 3 as found in older patients, particularly females, with persistent AF, and future studies investigating adjunctive atrial ablations to PVI-only should focus on these groups of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Red sea bream iridoviral disease (RSIVD) generates serious economic losses by causing mass mortality events of rock bream during the season with high water temperature in the Republic of Korea and other Asian countries. However, very few studies have investigated RSIV kinetics in rock bream under various rearing water temperatures. In this paper, we investigated the viral load shedding of RSIV into seawater after artificially infecting rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) with the virus. Overall, our data suggest that the viral load shedding of RSIV into seawater varies depending on water temperature and virus inoculation concentration. Our results reveal the potential of non-invasive virus detection approaches, such as the utilization of environmental DNA in fish farms. In addition, we showed that the quantitative analysis of seawater viruses can indirectly improve our understanding of disease progression in fish, potentially contributing to enhanced disease control. Red sea bream iridoviral disease (RSIVD) causes serious economic losses in the aquaculture industry. In this paper, we evaluated RSIV kinetics in rock bream under various rearing water temperatures and different RSIV inoculation concentrations. High viral copy numbers (approximately 103.7–106.7 RSIV genome copies/L/g) were observed during the period of active fish mortality after RSIV infection at all concentrations in the tanks (25 °C and 20 °C). In the group injected with 104 RSIV genome copies/fish, RSIV was not detected at 21–30 days post-infection (dpi) in the rearing seawater. In rock bream infected at 15 °C and subjected to increasing water temperature (1 °C/d until 25 °C) 3 days later, the virus replication rate and number of viral copies shed into the rearing seawater increased. With the decrease in temperature (1 °C/d) from 25 to 15 °C after the infection, the virus replicated rapidly and was released at high loads on the initial 3–5 dpi, whereas the number of viral copies in the fish and seawater decreased after 14 dpi. These results indicate that the number of viral copies shed into the rearing seawater varies depending on the RSIV infection level in rock bream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report a 13‐inch active matrix (AM) micro‐LED stretchable display, which can be stretched by up to 20% with a 72 ppi resolution. It features a unique panel de sign, including stretchable interconnects fabricated via the conventional LTPS backplane process and micro‐LED for a light emitting device. This paper will discuss methods for realizing a stretchable panel and practical problems in stretchable display engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) is one of the most dangerous pathogens that causes the highest mortality in the aquaculture of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). Even though RBIV infection leads to huge economic loss, proteome studies on RBIV-infected rock bream have not been conducted to provide information about the differential protein expression pattern by the host protection system. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protein expression patterns in spleens of rock bream olive after infection by RBIV or mixed infection by RBIV and bacteria. Methods: Depending on the infection intensity and sampling time point, fish were divided into five groups: uninfected healthy fish at week 0 as the control (0C), heavily infected fish at week 0 (0H), heavily mixed RBIV and bacterial infected fish at week 0 (0MH), uninfected healthy fish at week 3 (3C), and lightly infected fish at week 3 (3L). Proteins were extracted from the spleens of infected rock bream. We used 2-DE analysis with LC–MS/MS to investigate proteome changes in infected rock bream. Results: The results of the LC–MS/MS analyses showed different protein expression profiles after infection. Proteins related to oxygen transport and energy generation, such as hemoglobin, beta-globin, and ATP synthase, were mostly expressed in the infected spleen. Whereas proteins involved in structure and cell movement, such as tubulin, myosin, actin binding proteins, and intermediate filament proteins, were down-regulated in the infected spleens. The protein expression profiles between infection by RBIV and mixed infection by RBIV and bacteria showed similar patterns. Conclusions: Our results indicated that infection by RBIV or mixed infection by RBIV and bacteria triggered energy generation and oxygen-transport, but cell migration and constructional changes in the spleen were extremely decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of dominant frequency (DF) in tracking the efficiency of a stepwise catheter ablation (step-CA) in persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF) remains poorly studied. We hypothesized that the DF time-course during step-CA displays divergent patterns between patients in whom a step-CA successfully restores long-term sinus rhythm (SR) and those with recurrence. Methods: This study involved 40 consecutive patients who underwent a step-CA for peAF (sustained duration 19 ± 11 months). Dominant frequency was computed on electrograms recorded from the right and left atrial appendages (RAA; LAA) and the coronary sinus before and during the step-CA synchronously to the 12-lead ECG. Dominant frequency was defined as the highest peak within the power spectrum. Results: Persistent atrial fibrillation was terminated by a step-CA in 28 patients [left-terminated (LT)], whereas 12 patients remaining in AF after ablation [not left-terminated (NLT)] were cardioverted. Over a mean follow-up of 34 ± 14 months, all NLT patients had a recurrence. Among the 28 LT patients, 20 had a recurrence, while 8 remained in SR throughout follow-up. The RAA and V1 DF had the best predictive values of the procedural failure to terminate AF (area under the curve; AUC 0.84, p < 0.05). A decision tree model including a decrease in LAA DF ≥ 6.61% during the first 20 min following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and a baseline RAA DF <5.6 Hz predicted long-term SR restoration with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 93% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study found that high baseline DF values are predictive of unfavorable ablation outcomes. The reduction of the LAA DF at early ablation steps following PVI is associated with procedural AF termination and long-term SR maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a major pathogen that causes a high mortality rate in trout farms. However, systemic responses to the pathogen and its interactions with multiple organs during the course of infection have not been well described. In this study, dual-organ transcriptomic responses in the liver and head kidney and hemato-serological indexes were profiled under I. multifiliis infection and recovery to investigate systemic immuno-physiological characteristics. Several strategies for massive transcriptomic interpretation, such as differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Poisson linear discriminant (PLDA), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) models were used to investigate the featured genes/pathways while minimizing the disadvantages of individual methods. During the course of infection, 6,097 and 2,931 DEGs were identified in the head kidney and liver, respectively. Markers of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, oxidative phosphorylation, and the proteasome were highly expressed. Likewise, simultaneous ferroptosis and cellular reconstruction was observed, which is strongly linked to multiple organ dysfunction. In contrast, pathways relevant to cellular replication were up-regulated in only the head kidney, while endocytosis- and phagosome-related pathways were notably expressed in the liver. Moreover, interestingly, most immune-relevant pathways (e.g., leukocyte trans-endothelial migration, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis) were highly activated in the liver, but the same pathways in the head kidney were down-regulated. These conflicting results from different organs suggest that interpretation of co-expression among organs is crucial for profiling of systemic responses during infection. The dual-organ transcriptomics approaches presented in this study will greatly contribute to our understanding of multi-organ interactions under I. multifiliis infection from a broader perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The assessment of noninvasive markers of left atrial (LA) low‐voltage substrate (LVS) enables the identification of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at risk for arrhythmia recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods: In this prospective multicenter study, 292 consecutive AF patients (72% male, 62 ± 11 years, 65% persistent AF) underwent high‐density LA voltage mapping in sinus rhythm. LA‐LVS (<0.5 mV) was considered as significant at 2 cm2 or above. Preprocedural clinical electrocardiogram and echocardiographic data were assessed to identify predictors of LA‐LVS. The role of the identified LA‐LVS markers in predicting 1‐year arrhythmia freedom after PVI was assessed in 245 patients. Results: Significant LA‐LVS was identified in 123 (42%) patients. The amplified sinus P‐wave duration (APWD) best predicted LA‐LVS, with a 148‐ms value providing the best‐balanced sensitivity (0.81) and specificity (0.88). An APWD over 160 ms was associated with LA‐LVS in 96% of patients, whereas an APWD under 145 ms in 15%. Remaining gray zones improved their accuracy by introduction of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) of 35 mmHg or above, age, and sex. According to COX regression, the risk of arrhythmia recurrence 12 months following PVI was twofold and threefold higher in patients with APWD 145–160 and over 160 ms, compared to APWD under 145 ms. Integration of pulmonary hypertension further improved the outcome prediction in the intermediate APWD group: Patients with APWD 145–160 ms and normal sPAP had similar outcome than patients with APWD under 145 ms (hazard ratio [HR] 1.62, p =.14), whereas high sPAP implied worse outcome (HR 2.56, p <.001). Conclusions: The APWD identifies LA‐LVS and risk for arrhythmia recurrence after PVI. Our prediction model becomes optimized by means of integration of the pulmonary artery pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is a rhabdovirus that causes high mortality in cultured flounder. Viral growth and virulence rely on the ability to inhibit the cellular innate immune response. In this study, we investigated differences in the modulation of innate immune responses of HINAE flounder cells infected with low- and high-virulence VHSV strains at a multiplicity of infection of 1 for 12 h and 24 h and performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptome analysis. A total of 193 and 170 innate immune response genes were differentially expressed by the two VHSV strains at 12 and 24 h postinfection (hpi), respectively. Of these, 73 and 77 genes showed more than a twofold change in their expression at 12 and 24 hpi, respectively. Of the genes with more than twofold changes, 22 and 11 genes showed high-virulence VHSV specificity at 12 and 24 hpi, respectively. In particular, IL-16 levels were more than two time higher and CCL20a.3, CCR6b, CCL36.1, Casp8L2, CCR7, and Trim46 levels were more than two times lower in high-virulence-VHSV-infected cells than in low-virulence-VHSV-infected cells at both 12 and 24 hpi. Quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed the changes in expression of the ten mRNAs with the most significantly altered expression. This is the first study describing the genome-wide analysis of the innate immune response in VHSV-infected flounder cells, and we have identified innate immune response genes that are specific to a high-virulence VHSV strain. The data from this study can contribute to a greater understanding of the molecular basis of VHSV virulence in flounder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High values of ECG and intracardiac dominant frequency (DF) are indicative of significant atrial remodeling in persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF). We hypothesized that patients with peAF unresponsive to ablation display higher ECG and intracardiac DFs than those remaining in sinus rhythm (SR) on the long term.Methods: Forty consecutive patients underwent stepwise ablation for peAF (sustained duration 19 ± 11 months). Electrograms were recorded before ablation at 13 left atrium (LA) sites and at the right atrial appendage (RAA) and coronary sinus (CS) synchronously to the ECG. DF was defined as the highest peak within the power spectrum.Results: peAF was terminated within the LA in 28 patients (left-terminated [LT]), whereas 12 patients remaining in AF after ablation (not left-terminated [NLT]) were cardioverted. Over a mean follow-up of 34 ± 14 months, all 12 NLT patients had a recurrence. Of the LT patients, 71% had a recurrence (20/28, LT_Rec), while 29% remained in SR throughout the follow-up (8/28, LT_SR). DF values and correlations between pairs of LA appendage (LAA), RAA, and CS DFs showed distinctive patterns among the subgroups. The NLT subgroup displayed the highest ECG and intracardiac DFs, with strong intragroup homogeneity between pairs of CS and LAA DFs, and to a lesser extent between pairs of CS and RAA DFs. Conversely, the LT_SR subgroup showed the lowest DFs, with significant intragroup heterogeneity between pairs of CS and both LAA and RAA DFs.Conclusions: Patients with peAF unresponsive to ablation show high surface and intracardiac DFs indicative of severe and uniform bi-atrial remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Carnobacterium maltaromaticum has been used as a probiotic in fish, it was reported to cause disease for the first time in Korea. The objective of this study was to understand the differences between pathogenic and non‐pathogenic strains. Pathogenicity was tested by challenging rainbow trout with C. maltaromaticum ATCC35586 and 18ISCm isolated from diseased fish, and DSM20342 isolated from a dairy product. We also compared 24 genomes of C. maltaromaticum strains plus the genome of our isolate 18ISCm sequenced in this study. Only the strains from diseased fish caused high mortality with severe histopathological changes. Although all strains shared more than 90% of Ko_id, wecC and xtmA were found only in strains from diseased fish. Interestingly, only strains from diseased fish harboured two wecC paralogs involved in the production of D‐mannosaminuronic acid which is a major component of a well‐known virulence factor, teichuronic acid. Two wecC paralogs of 18ISCm were increased when they were co‐cultured with trout blood cells, suggesting that wecC genes might play a role in virulence. The results of this study show that strains isolated from diseased fish are different from strains derived from food in terms of pathogenicity to fish and the presence of virulence‐related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gear backlash is a nonlinear effect of the gear system. In a spur gear system with the backlash, the initial position of gears with the backlash affects the impact force. This work conducted a dynamic analysis of the spur gear system with time-varying mesh stiffness and bearing stiffness with a focus on the initial gear position within the backlash. For this purpose, the time-varying stiffness of the gears and rolling bearings were calculated. Mesh force with the time-varying stiffness and the gear backlash was applied to four DOF equations of motion. The equations of motion were solved using the Newmark beta method and Newton-Raphson method. The dynamic characteristics of the spur gear system by the initial position of gears within the backlash were investigated along with the magnitude of the backlash. The results showed that as the backlash increased, the mesh and bearing forces increased as well. The mesh and bearing forces were highly dependent on the initial gear position within the backlash. Significant initial mesh and bearing forces by the initial gear position within the backlash can lead to cumulative damages to the gear system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A noncontact method to generate and measure torsional waves in rotating shafts by a set of magnetostrictive patches and a solenoid is proposed. The main issues in the present wave experiment are how to generate torsional waves having sufficient power and how not to interfere with shaft rotational motion. Magnetostrictive patches are bonded obliquely to the shaft axis for pure torsional wave generation and an arrayed patch configuration is employed for sufficient power generation and frequency localization. For uninterrupted shaft rotation, a solenoid encircling a rotating shaft wirelessly supplies or detects the ac magnetic field in the patches. The validity and performance of the proposed wave transduction method were checked by several experiments. An application of this method to the detection of a circumferential crack in a rotating shaft is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the tooth friction force and transmission error (TE) of spur gears due to sliding friction under quasi-static condition. The sliding velocity and friction force of spur gears and mesh compliance during meshing were calculated. The load-deformation relations between the tooth normal load, tooth errors, and mesh compliance, and moment equilibrium equation, including friction force, were derived. The friction force, tooth load, and TE of unmodified and linear tip-relief modified spur gears were analyzed by using the derived equations. Results indicated that the friction force, tooth load, and TE increased during approach and decreased in recess regardless of tooth modification, particularly in the single-mesh region. Friction caused larger peak-to-peak change of TE than that without friction. Xu's friction coefficient generated smooth TE and tooth load transitions near the pitch point, and BK's friction coefficient remained approximately constant, except for the sharp increase in tooth load and TE near the pitch point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences that comprise a large portion of vertebrate genomes. The olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is a valuable marine resource in East Asia. The scope of most genomic studies on the olive flounder is limited to its immunology as their focus is the prevention of mass mortality of this species. Thus, for a broader understanding of the species, its genomic information is consistently in demand. Transcripts sequences were acquired from transcriptome analysis using gill tissues of 12 olive flounders. Distribution of TEs inserted in exonic region of the olive flounder genome was analyzed using RepeatMasker (http://www.repeatmasker.org/). We found 1140 TEs in the exonic region of the genome and long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and long terminal repeats (LTRs) insertions occurred with forward orientation preferences. Transposons belonging to the hAt, Gypsy, and LINE 1 (L1) subfamilies were the most abundant DNA transposons, LTRs, and long interspersed elements (LINEs), respectively. Finally, we carried out a gene ontology analysis to determine the function of TE-fused genes. These results provide some genomic information about TEs that is useful for future research on changes in properties and functions of genes by TEs in the olive flounder genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Large flexible organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) display provides various electronic applications such as curved, bendable, rollable, and commercial display, because of its thinness, light weight, and design freedom. In this work, the process flow and key technologies to fabricate the world's first large size 77‐inch transparent flexible OLED display are introduced. “White OLED on TFT + color filter” method is used to fabricate the aforementioned display. On both thin‐film transistor and color filter substrates, transparent polyimide (PI) was used as plastic substrate with multi‐barrier. In case of a transparent flexible display, the multi‐barrier is required for the additional consideration to overcome the decrease of transmittance due to the difference in refractive index of the conventional multi‐barrier. We developed the special multi‐barrier to increase transparency with superior water vapor transition rate characteristic. The optimized amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin‐film transistors were employed on the multi‐barrier, and it shows the highly uniform electrical performance and reliability on plastic substrate. Also, the typical panel failure mechanism during laser lift‐off process caused by a particle in PI is studied, and a sacrificial layer was suggested between PI and a carrier glass to reduce the panel failure. Finally, we successfully realized the world's first 77‐inch transparent flexible OLED display with ultra‐high‐definition resolution, which can be rolled up to a radius of 80 mm with a transmittance of 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) are widely distributed in the vertebrate genome, and can be either beneficial or detrimental to the host genome. Here we identified three members of LINE RT elements in the olive flounder genome. They showed high amino acid sequence identity (89-99 %), and the sequences of LINE reverse transcriptase (RT) in olive flounder are closely related to those of coral grouper, European seabass, and three-spined stickleback. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that expression of the OF (Olive flounder)-LINE Chr3-1 RT increased more in spleen than in other tissues after treatment with the pathogen Streptococcus parauberis. These data may form the basis for further studies on the function of retroelements in infected olive flounder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most abundant cell type in the blood of mammals and fish is erythrocyte. Unlike mammalian erythrocyte, fish erythrocyte is nucleated. The functional differentiation of teleost erythrocyte is insufficient compared with that of mammals. Therefore, fish erythrocyte may have different functions from that of mammals. Functional interaction between erythrocyte and leukocyte was confirmed by the cDNA microarray newly constructed in this study to investigate characterization of rock bream erythrocyte. In this study, different immune related genes of erythrocytes were annotated by microarray analysis. Microarray analysis showed that a total of 338 genes were up-regulated in co-cultured erythrocytes with leukocytes by LPS stimulation when comparing to erythrocytes stimulated LPS. Many genes in erythrocyte of rock bream were up-regulated in presence of leukocytes, suggesting that erythrocytes interact with leukocytes to trigger expression of various genes associated with the immune system. Our results provide valuable information that direct and indirect immunological function of fish erythrocyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The susceptibility of 52 isolates of Edwardsiella tarda and 54 isolates of Vibrio harveyi to 12 antibiotics was established using internationally standardised disc diffusion protocols. Normalised resistance interpretation was employed to generate statistically valid epidemiological cut-off values for these susceptibility data. For three of these 24 species/antibiotic data sets, there were insufficient fully sensitive strains to allow analysis and for an additional two there were sufficient fully susceptible isolates to allow only a provisional estimate to be made. The data sets for a further two species/antibiotic combinations were considered too diverse to allow the calculation of a valid cut-off value. Valid epidemiological cut-off values were, therefore, calculated for 17 species/antibiotic combinations. It is argued that these cut-off values will greatly facilitate the performance of studies designed to monitor the consequence of antibiotic use in aquaculture. They will also facilitate the prudent and rational choice of antibiotics to be applied therapeutically in commercial farming of aquatic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-Power Ablation of AF Using the nMARQ Catheter Introduction The circular irrigated decapolar nMARQ ablation catheter designed for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) has recently been recalled following two deaths due to esoatrial fistula. Injury to the esophagus has been previously reported in up to 50% of patients using 20-25 W unipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy. Low power of 15 W has been proposed to prevent this complication, but the efficacy of this strategy to avoid AF recurrence is unknown. Methods and Results Consecutive patients with drug-refractory, symptomatic AF were included. Under electroanatomical navigation, the nMARQ catheter was used to isolate all PVs by applying 15 W of unipolar RF simultaneously from up to 10 poles during 40 seconds. Multiple applications were used for each vein, until isolation was achieved. Follow-up was performed after a 2-month blanking period. A total of 50 patients (37 males, age 58 ± 10 years) were included. All PVs were acutely isolated without requiring touch-up by conventional ablation catheters. Pericardial effusion occurred in two patients, of whom one required periocardiocentesis. Right phrenic nerve palsy occurred in another patient, which partially resolved. There were no cases of esophageal fistula or stroke. After a follow-up of 15±4 months, AF recurred in 27/50 (54%) patients. Conclusion The recurrence rate of AF with 15 W unipolar applications is high. Despite use of low power, complications such as pericardial effusion and phrenic nerve palsy may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The subaxial spine has high risk of fatal damage by trauma and thereby requires more accurate and aggressive treatment. For the proper treatment and predicting the prognosis, the evaluation to reveal the risk factors for the prognosis is important. We analyzed the various factors contributing to the prognosis in distractive extension injuries of the subaxial cervical spine. Methods: The study included 103 patients who were diagnosed as distractive extension injury of subaxial cervical spine. We evaluate the patient age, sex, cause of injury, initial neurological impairment, number and portion of injured segment, spinal stenosis, extent of soft tissue damage, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and degenerative spondylosis as a prognostic factor. To analyze the factor related with prognosis, the subjects were divided into group A, in which patients had neurological recovery ≥grade 2 on the ASIA scale or showed normal in final follow-up and group B, in which patients have no neurological recovery. Results: Prognosis was not associated with age, sex, and cause of injury ( P = 0.677, 0.541, and 0.965, respectively). Prognosis was poor in cases with spinal stenosis ( P = 0.009), soft tissue damage ≥grade 3 on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ( P = 0.002), or severe neurological impairment ( P ≤ 0.001). Logistic regression analysis also showed that prognosis was poor in cases with spinal stenosis (OR 5.03; 95 % CI 1.20-16.93), soft tissue damage ≥grade 3 on MRI (OR 7.63; 95 % CI 1.86-31.34), or severe neurological impairment (ASIA C, D, OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.14-2.41; ASIA A, B, OR 18.43, 95 % CI 1.64-207.69). Conclusion: The prognosis of patients with distractive extension injury of the subaxial cervical spine was poor in cases with spinal stenosis, severe soft tissue damage in MRI findings or severe initial neurological impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 50-year-old woman with a history of an adenosine-sensitive paroxysmal tachycardia. Information regarding the result of the differential diagnosis, electrocardiogram, and angiography, are discussed. It mentions that the patient was diagnosed with wide-complex tachycardia (TCL).

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is an important immune regulator that has been implicated in a number of cellular processes, including cell growth, cell cycle progression, apoptosis regulation and protection of cells against various environmental stresses. In this study, we cloned and characterised TCTP from rock bream ( Oplegnathus fasciatus), which is an economically important species in the Korean aquaculture industry. The full-length rock bream TCTP (RbTCTP) cDNA was of 1,041 bp and contained an open reading frame of 513 bp, which encoded 170 amino acids. The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) was 90 bp, while the 3′ UTR was 438 bp, containing a polyadenylation signal. RbTCTP showed 76, 75 and 74 % amino acid sequence identities to those of tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus), orange-spotted grouper ( Epinephelus coioides) and Japanese sea perch ( Lateolabrax japonicus), respectively. The positions of microtubule binding region, Ca binding region and TCTP signature regions in RbTCTP were similar to other fish species and mammals. RbTCTP mRNA expression level was highest in the gill compared to other tissues. The level of RbTCTP mRNA expression was significantly regulated by injection of red seabream iridovirus, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the effects of spilled crude oil on fish bacterial disease resistance, rockfish ( Sebastes schlegeli) were exposed to Iranian Heavy crude oil (IHCO) and Streptomyces iniae in combination. Hepatic biotransformation enzymes (ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase, glutathione- S-transferase) and plasma biochemical parameters (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glucose) in fish exposed to IHCO were not significantly different from those in unexposed fish. The level of biliary 1-OH-pyrene and cytochrome P4501A mRNA expression increased in a dose-dependent manner with IHCO exposure. The interferon stimulated gene 15, interleukin- 1beta and cathepsin L were increased significantly in the liver in IHCO-exposed fish, but not dose-dependently, but the granulocyte colony stimulating factor was not related to IHCO exposure. The percentage mortality in fish following a single exposure to S. iniae was positively correlated with IHCO exposure concentration. We concluded that IHCO exposure exacerbates fish mortality following environmental bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vein Reconnection After Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Introduction Pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR) is an important cause of AF recurrence after ablation. With the advent of force sensing catheters, catheter-tissue contact can be determined quantitatively. Since contact force (CF) plays a major role in determining the characteristics of RF lesion, we prospectively assessed the mechanisms of PVR with regard to catheter-contact and lesion distances in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and Results Forty symptomatic AF patients underwent wide circumferential PV isolation (PVI) with SmartTouch™ CF catheter. The exact locations of acute PVI and spontaneous or adenosine-provoked PVR were annotated on CARTO. One thousand nine hundred and twenty-six RF lesions isolated 153 PVs. PVR occurred in 35 (23%) PVs: 22 (63%) adenosine-provoked and 13 (37%) spontaneous. CF was significantly lower at PVR versus PVI sites for RF lesions within 6 mm from these sites: mean CF 5 versus 11 g (P < 0.0001) and force-time integral (FTI) 225 versus 415 gs (P < 0.0001); 86% of PVR occurred with a mean CF < 10 g (FTI < 400 gs); and the remaining 14% occurred at ablation sites with a long interlesion distance (≥5 mm) despite mean CF ≥ 10 g. Eighty percent of PVR sites were located anteriorly. There were no significant differences in regard to arrhythmia freedom between the patients without (69%) versus with PVR (67%; P = 1.0). Conclusions Acutely durable PVI can be achieved when RF lesions are delivered with a mean CF ≥ 10 g and an interlesion distance <5 mm. The majority of PVR occur anteriorly due to inadequate CF or long interlesion distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk of Catheter-Probing During Transseptal Access Background Transseptal puncture (TP) is a prerequisite for LA ablations. LA access can be gained by catheter probing in case of PFO (trans-PFO method) or puncture of the interatrial septum (IAS) using a transseptal needle. A 2nd access can again be gained via PFO, a 2nd TP or catheter probing of the previous puncture site (probe-TS method). This study investigates the risk factors and complications related to the mode of transseptal access. Methods and Results From August 2010 to August 2012, a total of 544 LA ablations, were performed. The mode of LA access was either a double TP or a single TP followed by the probe-TS or the trans-PFO method, respectively. TP was always guided by TEE and was successfully performed without complications in all cases. In contrast, 6/410 patients (1.5%) in whom catheter probing was performed (probe-TS, n = 4, trans-PFO, n = 2) had a dissection of the superior IAS originating from inside the oval fossa (n = 5) or perforation above the oval fossa (n = 1). Perforation into the pericardial space occurred in 4/6 patients, leading to one cardiac tamponade. In 5/6 patients, LA ablation was successfully completed, after repeated TP, despite effective anticoagulation. Patients with complications had the following characteristics: LA size 46 ± 4 mm, persistent AF (5/6), a repeat transseptal procedure (3/6) and a right-sided pouch (RSP, 5/6). Conclusions Interatrial septum dissection/perforation, occasionally with perforation into the pericardial space, is an unreported complication of TP, especially with the catheter-probing techniques. An RSP is an unrecognized risk factor in this context and can be visualized by TEE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced Efficiency of a Novel Porous Tip Irrigated RF Ablation Catheter Introduction Irrigated tip radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is the most frequently used technology for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency and the safety of 2 different open irrigated tip RF ablation catheters. Methods and Results A total of 160 patients with symptomatic AF (29% persistent, 68% male, 61 ± 10 years) were randomized to circumferential PVI using 2 different irrigated tip catheters: (1) the novel Thermocool SF® with a porous tip (56 holes) or (2) the Thermocool® catheter with 6 irrigation holes at the distal tip in both power- and temperature-controlled modes. PVI procedural time and RF duration were significantly shorter with SF® versus Thermocool® catheter: 104.5 versus 114 minutes (P = 0.023) and 35.4 minutes versus 39.9 minutes (P < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, the total fluoroscopy time and dose were shorter with SF® versus. Thermocool® catheter: 21 minutes versus 24 minutes (P = 0.02) and 1014.5 μGy*m2 versus 1377 μGy*m2 (P < 0.0001), respectively. Irrigation volume was lower with SF®: 600 mL versus 1100 mL, (P < 0.0001) and the rates of complications were not significantly different (0.6% vs 0.49%, P = 0.66). At 20.5 ± 7.5 months follow-up, there were no significant differences with regard to arrhythmia freedom between SF® (59.2%) and TC® groups (59.3%), (P = 0.61). Conclusions Using the novel irrigated tip SF catheter, PVI is achieved within a shorter ablation and procedural durations. The underlying mechanisms and potential differences in RF lesion size remain to be elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The responses of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) from the rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), concanavalin A/phorbol myristate acetate (Con A/PMA), and/or polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) were investigated using a cDNA microarray consisting of 2,400 clones. A total of 336 unique genes were more than twofold up-regulated: 169 in LPS-stimulated PBLs, 209 in Con A/PMA-stimulated PBLs, and 146 in poly I:C-stimulated PBLs. Moreover, other genes were similarly up-regulated with combinations of stimulants: 85 genes in PBLs stimulated with both LPS and Con A/PMA, 79 in PBLs stimulated with both LPS and poly I:C, and 66 in PBLs stimulated with both Con A/PMA and poly I:C. Furthermore, 42 other genes were more than twofold up-regulated in PBLs stimulated with all tested mitogens. Other genes were not significantly induced. Overall, these results suggest that certain genes in rock bream play important roles in physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, the microarray analysis showed promise as a tool for investigating immune mechanisms in teleost fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium marinum is difficult to distinguish from other species of Mycobacterium isolated from fish using biochemical methods. Here, we used genetic and proteomic analyses to distinguish three Mycobacterium strains: M. marinum strains MB2 and Europe were isolated from tropical and marine fish in Thailand and Europe, and Mycobacterium sp. 012931 strain was isolated from yellowtail in Japan. In phylogenetic trees based on gyrB, rpoB, and Ag85B genes, Mycobacterium sp. 012931 clustered with M. marinum strains MB2 and Europe, but in trees based on 16S rRNA, hsp65, and Ag85A genes Mycobacterium sp. 012931 did not cluster with the other strains. In proteomic analyses using a Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization Biotyper, the mass profile of Mycobacterium sp. 012931 differed from the mass profiles of the other two fish M. marinum strains. Therefore, Mycobacterium sp. 012931 is similar to M. marinum but is not the same, suggesting that it could be a subspecies of M. marinum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated changes in the standing crop, species composition, and ecological index of phytoplankton and zooplankton caused by the installation of an artificial upwelling structure in the sea area. The standing crop of phytoplankton and zooplankton in 2009, when the artificial upwelling structure was completed, increased 50-fold and 2.3-fold, respectively, from 2005 when the artificial upwelling structure was installed. During the investigation period, however, the correlation between the standing crop of zooplankton and the standing crop of phytoplankton did not show significant difference (SPSS,p >0.05). Phytoplankton and zooplankton species showed a 2.47-fold increase in a total of 94 species and a 1.68-fold increase in a total of 27 species, respectively, from 2006 to 2009. During the study period, the dominant species of phytoplankton wereChaetoceros didymus(16.5%),Chaetoceros pseudocrinitus(8.5%),Copelatus anastomosans(7.6%), andSkeletonema costatum(6.0%), and the dominant species of zooplankton wereParacalanus parvus(21.6%),Evadne tergestina(6.6%),Paracalanus aculeatus(6.1%),Lucifer intermedius(5.7%), andSinocalanus tenellus(5.4%), and copepods accounted for the majority of zooplankton. Phytoplankton species diversity index and richness index increased significantly from 1.68 to 2.45 and from 1.61 to 3.65, respectively, in the period from 2006 to 2009, but dominant species index decreased from 0.55 to 0.40 in the same period. It was known that bigger artificial upwelling structures caused a gradually rising upwelling effect and that in the study area, from 2006 to 2009, the ecosystem was changing to a more stable one where a variety of species habitat gradually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The responses of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) from the black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and/or concanavalin A/phorbol myristate acetate (Con A/PMA) were investigated using a cDNA microarray consisting of 5,088 clones. This analysis showed that 254 unique genes were more than twofold upregulated, and they were selected for sequencing. Among the mitogens, 84 genes were more than twofold upregulated in LPS-stimulated PBLs, and 112 genes were induced in Con A/PMA-stimulated PBLs. Moreover, 58 other genes were more than twofold upregulated in PBLs stimulated with both LPS and Con A/PMA. Other genes were not significantly induced. Overall, these results suggest that certain genes in black rockfish have important roles in physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, the microarray analysis suggested a promising tool for immune mechanisms in teleost fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims When targeting the interventricular septum during pacemaker implantation, the lead may inadvertently be positioned on the anterior wall due to imprecise fluoroscopic landmarks. Surface electrocardiogram (ECG) criteria of the paced QRS complex (e.g. negativity in lead I) have been proposed to confirm a septal position, but these criteria have not been properly validated. Our aim was to investigate whether the paced QRS complex may be used to confirm septal lead position. Methods Anatomical reconstruction of the right ventricle was performed using a NavX® system in 31 patients (70 ± 11 years, 26 males) to validate pacing sites. Surface 12-lead ECGs were analysed by digital callipers and compared while pacing from a para-Hissian position, from the mid-septum, and from the anterior free wall. Results Duration of the QRS complex was not significantly shorter when pacing from the mid-septum compared with the other sites. QRS axis was significantly less vertical during mid-septal pacing (18 ± 51°) compared with para-Hissian (38 ± 37°, P = 0.028) and anterior (53 ± 55°, P = 0.003) pacing, and QRS transition was intermediate (4.8 ± 1.3 vs. 3.8 ± 1.3, P < 0.001, and vs. 5.4 ± 0.9, P = 0.045, respectively), although no cut-offs could reliably distinguish sites. A negative QRS or the presence of a q-wave in lead I tended to be more frequent with anterior than with mid-septal pacing (9/31 vs. 3/31, P = 0.2 and 8/31 vs. 1/31, P = 1.0, respectively). Conclusion No single ECG criterion could reliably distinguish pacing the mid-septum from the anterior wall. In particular, a negative QRS complex in lead I is an inaccurate criterion for validating septal pacing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Torsional vibration testing requires pure torsional mode transduction. However, no reliable technique is available for exciting torsional vibrations in ferromagnetic cylinders for a relatively wide range of frequencies. A magnetostrictive patch bonding excitation method developed for nonferromagnetic cylinders, based on the magnetostrictive principle, may be considered for ferromagnetic cylinders. However, the direct bonding of a magnetostrictive patch onto a ferromagnetic cylinder fails because the applied magnetic field spreads to both the patch and the cylinder and thus generates unwanted modes of vibration such as longitudinal modes. Thus, a modified or new technique must be developed in order to concentrate the applied magnetic field mainly on the patch, while causing the patch deformation to fully transfer to the cylinder. This paper presents a modified magnetostrictive patch bonding excitation and measurement technique suitable for ferromagnetic cylinders. The key idea is to insert a nonferromagnetic material between the test cylinder and the magnetostrictive patch. Because the thickness of the material or the gap size critically affects the torsional vibration test by the magnetostrictive patch boding method, a series of numerical and experimental investigations to find the optimal gap size are conducted. Other factors affecting the developed modal testing method are also considered. The validity of the developed method is checked by comparing the experimentally obtained eigenfrequencies of a test ferromagnetic cylinder with the theoretical eigenfrequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]