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Bears harbor various endoparasites that pose risks to humans and other animals. However, information on parasitic infections in Asiatic black bears in South Korea (Korea) is limited, and potential hazards still exist because of the close contact between bears and humans on bile farms. The present study was conducted to assess the gastrointestinal parasite infection status in captive Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) at bile farms in Korea. Additionally, we aimed to characterize the molecular aspects of Baylisascaris transfuga (Nematoda: Ascarididae), the sole species investigated throughout the study. Fecal examinations were performed on a total of 84 fecal samples collected from three bear farms in Hwacheon-gun (gun = County) and Donghae-si (si = City), Gangwon-do (do = Province), and Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Eggs were identified morphologically, and an adult worm expelled in the feces was analyzed molecularly using the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 2 (cox1 and cox2) gene markers. The prevalence of helminthic eggs was 10.7 %, identified as B. transfuga based on morphological characteristics. The eggs, which were oval and brown with thick shells, had a mean length of 87.3 ± 8.9 μm on the long axis and 70.7 ± 6.1 μm on the short axis (n = 30). An adult female roundworm found in the feces of one individual, measuring 27 cm in length and 0.4 cm in width, was also identified as same species through genetic methods. Herein, we described the prevalence of B. transfuga in captive bears in Korea and its molecular characteristics for the first time. Additionally, we reviewed the sequences of the genus Baylisascaris available in the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collection, noting that many of these sequences often have ambiguous or potentially incorrect identifications, complicating the understanding of their phylogenetic status. This investigation is part of disease screening efforts aimed at enhancing the welfare of captive bears prior to their imminent relocation to sanctuaries. Health monitoring and endoparasite control in farmed bears should be carried out in both veterinary and public health contexts., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The bovine embryo production industry has seen significant growth over the past two decades, particularly in the production of in vitro produced embryos. This growth, driven by advancements in cryopreservation, in vitro culture mediums, ovum pick-up (OPU) procedures, ultrasonography devices, and embryo transfer (ET) has been notable. Particularly, ET is crucial for disseminating high genetic merit and amplifying foreign breeds by importing frozen embryos. This retrospective study aimed to assess factors affecting conception per embryo transfer (CPET) in Holstein-Friesian cattle in South Korea from October 2008 to July 2022. We evaluated type of embryo breed, type of embryo production (fresh and frozen; in vitro and in vivo production), recipient conditions including estrus type, corpus luteum quality, parity (nulliparous heifers, primiparous, and multiparous cows), and the daily mean temperature-humidity index (THI) as an index for heat stress. Type of embryo breed and estrus had no significant impact on CPET. However, we observed higher CPET in recipients with good quality corpus luteum, nulliparous heifers, and surrogates receiving fresh in vitro and frozen in vivo embryos. Importantly, CPET was not adversely affected by mild heat stress conditions (up to daily mean THI 76), indicating that using frozen in vivo embryos produced by multiple ovulation embryo transfer and fresh in vitro embryos by OPU-ET can help alleviate the subfertility issues in dairy cattle caused by global warming in Korea., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystic tumors (PRMCT) are divided into 3 groups: benign, borderline malignancy, and malignant. We report a rare case of benign retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma of a 59-year-old Caucasian female who presented to our clinic with moderate intermittent left upper quadrant abdominal pain for several months, accompanied by early satiety, and unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan indicated the presence of a 6.5 × 8.8 cm multilobulated mass in the left upper quadrant, characterized by a homogenous appearance with smooth margins. Upper endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration were performed. Cytology and histology results yielded rare inflammatory cells and debris with no cytological evidence of malignancy. The case was discussed at the hepatopancreatobiliary conference; the patient underwent a robotic resection of the mass with a gastric rim. Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenomas are commonly managed by complete surgical excision. Robotic excision presents an alternative approach for handling this uncommon neoplastic lesion., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.)

In this review we highlight emerging immune regulatory functions of lumican, keratocan, fibromodulin, biglycan and decorin, which are members of the small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRP) of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These SLRPs have been studied extensively as collagen-fibril regulatory structural components of the skin, cornea, bone and cartilage in homeostasis. However, SLRPs released from a remodeling ECM, or synthesized by activated fibroblasts and immune cells contribute to an ECM-free pool in tissues and circulation, that may have a significant, but poorly understood foot print in inflammation and disease. Their molecular interactions and the signaling networks they influence also require investigations. Here we present studies on the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motifs of SLRP core proteins, their evolutionary and functional relationships with other LRR pathogen recognition receptors, such as the toll-like receptors (TLRs) to bring some molecular clarity in the immune regulatory functions of SLRPs. We discuss molecular interactions of fragments and intact SLRPs, and how some of these interactions are likely modulated by glycosaminoglycan side chains. We integrate findings on molecular interactions of these SLRPs together with what is known about their presence in circulation and lymph nodes (LN), which are important sites of immune cell regulation. Recent bulk and single cell RNA sequencing studies have identified subsets of stromal reticular cells that express these SLRPs within LNs. An understanding of the cellular source, molecular interactions and signaling consequences will lead to a fundamental understanding of how SLRPs modulate immune responses, and to therapeutic tools based on these SLRPs in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Using ozonesonde measurements from 2015 to 2018 at the Jang Bogo station located in the southeastern Antarctic region, we evaluate ozone profiles retrieved from the three satellite measurements that are widely used: Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), and Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS) data. For the fair validation, ozonesonde profiles are smoothed using the weighting function of each satellite retrieval algorithm (i.e., convolution process). Compared with limb-viewing MLS and OMPS ozone profiles, the OMI ozone profiles are relatively less qualified: coarser vertical resolution and larger inter-annual variation. Nevertheless, our validation reveals that the quality of all three satellite ozone profiles looks comparable; In general, difference from ozonesonde profile is ∼1 ppm absolutely, and -20 to 30% relatively at maximum. This quantitative range well corresponds to previous work, meaning that our new validation confirms the reliability of satellite ozone profiles in the southeastern Antarctic region where the measurement data for the validation were not enough. Another interesting feature is the role of a priori ozone profile; Nadir-viewing OMI satellite can have qualified ozone profiles by a proper assumption of a priori ozone profile. Since the performance of limb-viewing ozone profiles is better, however, the careful usage of nadir-viewing ozone profile is still required. We think that the simultaneous usage of multiple satellite ozone profiles can contribute to better understanding of Antarctic ozone characteristics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We examined the seasonal cycle of radon concentration observed at King Sejong Station (KSG, 62°S), Antarctic Peninsula, during the period 2013-2016. The distribution of monthly radon concentration was found to be highly positively skewed from March through October (austral autumn to spring) due to large numbers of short-lived periods of high radon concentration. The global atmospheric chemistry model (CAM-Chem), which includes all global terrestrial sources of radon except for those in Antarctica, well reproduces the observed seasonal cycle of monthly-mean radon concentration at KSG. Further offline experiments suggest that uncertainties in radon emissions over South America and the Southern Ocean should be improved for the simulations of radon in Antarctica. The results demonstrate that seasonally varying transport of radon in the boundary layer from South America substantially affects the seasonality of monthly mean radon concentration at KSG. The composite analyses further reveal that high radon events at KSG are the result of a distinct east-west dipole-like structure associated with surface cyclonic circulation over the Bellingshausen Sea and anticyclonic circulation in the Weddell Sea. This atmospheric pattern provides favorable conditions for radon transport into KSG from the northwest. The relationship between radon concentration at KSG and climate variability is also discussed in this study., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We propose a new immunoassay technique, called magnetic-force assisted electrochemical sandwich immunoassay (MESIA), where serum biomarkers can be determined by magnetic actuation and electrochemical detection of gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles as probes for immunocomplex formation. In MESIA, neither washing buffer nor fluidic parts are necessary, because the formation of immunocomplexes and the removal of unbound probes are controlled by magnetic forces. Electrochemical pretreatment and measurement of the gold-coated magnetic probes allows highly sensitive, precise, and robust system for quantification of target analytes. Using MESIA, the concentration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in 10 μl of human serum is determined within 5 min. The limit of detection is 0.085 ng/mL, and the average coefficient of variance is 8.85% for five different PSA concentrations ranging from 0 to 25 ng/mL. This method shows good precision and reproducibility (<10%) and high correlation with cobas e 801 (r = 0.997) for clinical patient samples. We believe this technique to be useful in the development of a point-of-care testing platform for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases, such as cancer, based on quantification of biomarkers in a drop of blood., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study evaluated the ability of two Doppler ultrasound-derived parameters, the carotid corrected flow time (FTc) and respirophasic variation in carotid artery blood flow peak velocity (ΔVpeak), to predict fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients., Methods: A total of 53 spontaneously breathing patients were studied before anaesthetic induction for neurosurgery. Carotid FTc, ΔVpeak, and haemodynamic data were measured before and after administration of 6 ml kg -1 colloid. Fluid responsiveness was defined as a 15% or more increase in stroke volume index as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography after the fluid challenge., Results: Twenty-two (42%) patients were fluid responders. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for FTc and ΔVpeak were 0.842 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.735-0.948, P<0.001] and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.701-0.935, P<0.001), respectively. The optimal cut-off values of FTc and ΔVpeak for fluid responsiveness were 349.4 ms (sensitivity of 72.7%; specificity of 83.9%) and 9.1% (sensitivity of 72.7%; specificity of 87.1%), respectively. The grey zone for FTc was 346.9-361.0 ms and included 28% of the patients, and the grey zone for ΔVpeak was 6.5-10.2% and included 50% of the patients., Conclusions: Using Doppler ultrasound-derived parameters measured at the carotid artery, FTc predicted fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients better than ΔVpeak. However, further studies are warranted before these parameters are recommended for clinical use., Clinical Trial Registration: NCT 02843477., (Copyright © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mouse blastocysts contain the committed precursors of the extraembryonic endoderm (ExEn), which express the key transcription factor Oct4, depend on LIF/LIF-like factor-driven Jak/Stat signaling, and initially exhibit lineage plasticity. Previously described rat blastocyst-derived ExEn precursor-like cell lines (XENP cells/HypoSCs) also show these features, but equivalent mouse blastocyst-derived cell lines are lacking. We now present mouse blastocyst-derived cell lines, named primitive XEN (pXEN) cells, which share these and additional characteristics with the XENP cells/HypoSCs, but not with previously known mouse blastocyst-derived XEN cell lines. Otherwise, pXEN cells are highly similar to XEN cells by morphology, lineage-intrinsic differentiation potential, and multi-gene expression profile, although the pXEN cell profile correlates better with the blastocyst stage. Finally, we show that pXEN cells easily convert into XEN-like cells but not vice versa. The findings indicate that (i) pXEN cells are more representative than XEN cells of the blastocyst stage; (ii) mouse pXEN, rather than XEN, cells are homologs of rat XENP cells/HypoSCs, which we propose to call rat pXEN cells., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: While the involvement of adrenergic beta1-autoantibodies (beta1-AABs) in pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies is well established as are the benefits associated with autoantibody removal by immunoapheresis, the development of drugs neutralizing beta1-AABs in-vivo has been slowed due to a lack of high throughput autoantibody analytics. Highly scalable routine diagnostics involving immobilized binding partners have mostly failed in comparison to the laborious bioassays, which are difficult to scale up, but present the most reliable and sensitive tools for detecting the beta1-autoantibodies., Methods: A high throughput, image-based assay to measure cardiomyocyte beat rate and contractility was developed and tested for its applicability for detecting adrenergic beta1-autoantibodies. The classical bioassay of spontaneously beating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was used for comparison., Results: The high throughout assay using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes was able to detect beta1-AAB activity of biological sample material. The results from the high throughput assay were very similar to the data obtained from the original bioassay of spontaneously beating neonatal cardiomyocytes, with one exception, where a control antibody targeting the N-terminal end of the human beta1-receptor induced a response when tested with the high throughput imager, while none was observed by the classical bioassay. This discrepancy may be explained by the differences in host species of cardiomyocytes tested by the two methods., Conclusion: The high throughput system using iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for the detection of beta1-AAB provides a realistic option to overcome the sample-size limitations of the bioassay-based diagnostics., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To survey healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection (HA-CDI) in a 900-bed tertiary-care hospital, we prospectively investigated the epidemiology of CDI and distribution of PCR-ribotypes. From February 2009 through January 2010, all patients with HA-CDI were enrolled. Epidemiological information and prescription records for antibiotics were collected. The C. difficile isolates were characterized using reference strains and were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. During the survey, incidence of HA-CDI was 71.6 per 100 000 patient-days. In total, 140 C. difficile isolates were obtained from 166 patients with HA-CDI. The PCR-ribotyping yielded 38 distinct ribotypes. The three most frequently found ribotypes made up 56.4% of all isolates; they comprised 37 isolates (26.4%) of PCR-ribotype 018, 22 (15.7%) of toxin A-negative PCR-ribotype 017, and 20 (14.3%) of PCR-ribotype 001. Clostridium difficile PCR-ribotype 018 was present in all departments throughout the hospital during the 11 months, whereas ribotype 017 and ribotype 001 appeared mostly in the pulmonary department. Hypervirulent C. difficile PCR-ribotype 027 was detected in 1 month on two wards. The incidence of CDI in each department showed a seven-fold difference, which correlated significantly with the amount of prescribed clindamycin (R = 0.783, p 0.013) or moxifloxacin (R = 0.733, p 0.025) in the departments. The rates of resistance of the three commonest ribotypes to clindamycin and moxifloxacin were significantly higher than those of other strains (92.1% versus 38.2% and 89.5% versus 27.3%, respectively). CDI is an important nosocomially acquired infection and this study emphasizes the importance of implementing country-wide surveillance to detect and control CDI in Korea., (© 2012 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2012 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)

It is believed that the subcutaneous fat of the skin compositae grafts acts as a mechanical barrier limiting vascularisation. This study aims to determine a new mechanism associated with compositae graft take. Ten 3×3 cm rectangular full-thickness skin compositae grafts on the back of a pig were taken and then randomly changed to another place. Silicone sheets were then inserted between the graft and the recipient to block the direct contact of the dermis at the lateral surface of the graft and control the number of surface contacts. The take rate was measured using the digital VISITRAK(®). The microcirculation of the graft was evaluated by microangiograms using a latex-lead oxide solution. There was a 20.5% graft take in all four surface-blocked groups. The microangiograms showed vessel connections not only between the vessels of the dermis, but also between the subcutaneous fat of the graft and perforators from the basal surface of the wound. The subcutaneous layer does not produce a barrier but works as a significant source of vessel communication. Direct vessel-to-vessel anastomosis between the vessels of the subcutaneous fat at the graft and the basal surface of the recipient wound are another important mechanism for the success of compositae grafts., (Copyright © 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Treatment of the stiff elbow by arthroscopic capsular release is a relatively new and effective procedure. The surgery is technically demanding and is not indicated in all cases of stiff elbow. Although neurologic complications are unusual, they can be severe and permanent. Neurologic structures at particular risk are the posterior interosseous and ulnar nerves. Rehabilitation is as important as the surgical procedure itself. Arthroscopic capsular release is particularly effective in elbows with minor flexion contractures (less than 30 degrees) and might have some advantages over an open procedure for these minor contractures.

Background: To study cell replacement therapy using embryonic stem (ES) cells in mice, avoiding immune rejection and tracing the fate of transplanted cells are important issues. This study was carried out to isolate ES cells ubiquitously expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and test the survival of these cells in allografts in the cochlea of inbred C57BL/6 mice., Methods: Putative ES cells were isolated from blastocysts collected from C57BL/6-green mice ubiquitously expressing EGFP. Pluripotency of these cells was tested by expression of stem cell markers and in vitro differentiation of the cells into embryoid bodies. Isolated EGFP-transgenic ES cells were injected into the cochlea of deafened inbred C57BL/6 mice, and survival of transplanted cells was identified in histologic sections of the cochlea., Results: Putative ES cells expressed cellular markers for ES cells, including alkaline phosphatase, Oct-4, Nanog and stage-specific embryonic antigen-1. These cells formed embryoid bodies in suspension cultures. Incorporation of transplanted cells was found at the area of spiral ganglion neurons, auditory nerve fibers reaching the organ of Corti and stria vascularis in the scala media. Grafted cells were also found at the location of inner hair cells underneath the tectorial membrane., Discussion: The isolation of ES cells from the EGFP-transgenic mouse and transplantation into allogeneic inbred mice may be a useful means of studying cell therapy with respect to the ubiquitous and stable expression of EGFP and elimination of graft rejection.

The purpose of this article is to describe a series of patients undergoing ultrasound-guided suprapubic cystostomy catheter placement in the Emergency Department. A series of 17 consecutive patients who underwent emergent real-time ultrasound-guided suprapubic cystostomy in the ED over a 2-year period is reported. The procedure was facilitated by direct ultrasound imaging of the bladder using a Digital Sonoace 5500 machine. Procedural notes and follow-up records were analyzed for efficacy, safety, and complications. The results demonstrated that trans-abdominal ultrasound confirmed urinary retention before drainage in each of the 17 cases enrolled. Each patient required emergent suprapubic cystostomy catheter placement for acute urinary outflow obstruction because urethral bladder catheterization was not possible or was contraindicated. Continuous real-time ultrasound-guided percutaneous suprapubic cystostomy placement and decompression of the bladder was successful in all 17 (100%, 90-100% CI: 95%) cases. There were no complications reported. In conclusion, real-time ultrasound imaging of the bladder was successful for the purpose of aiding the guidance of a suprapubic cystostomy catheter placement in the ED and might represent an improvement from the standard blind method presently used.

The cDNA for an immune response gene encoding the low molecular weight polypeptide (LMP7) was cloned and sequenced from a flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) leukocyte cDNA library. The cDNA clone was 1,160 bp, and composed of an open reading frame of 822 bp that corresponded to a protein of 273 amino acid residues with a calculated mass of 30.5 kDa. The ScanProsite search indicated that the deduced amino acid sequence from the flounder LMP7 contains a proteasome beta-type subunit signature, which is well conserved during evolution. The sequence shares a high degree of identity with other LMP7 sequences varying from a 66% identity with zebra fish (Danio renio) to a 57% identity with the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), which was confirmed from a phylogenetic tree. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine tissue specificity, and the expression of LMP7 was detected from the liver, kidney, leukocyte, and spleen of the flounder.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), involved in folate-dependant metabolism, is associated with homocysteine levels. We studied the associations among MTHFR genotypes, coronary artery disease (CAD), and homocysteine levels in 85 patients with CAD and 152 healthy subjects. The MTHFR genotypes and plasma homocysteine levels were determined. No significant difference in mutation of the MTHFR gene between two groups was observed (P>0.05). While the homozygous mutant genotype (V/V) had the highest homocysteine levels compared to wild (A/A) and heterozygous mutant (A/V) genotypes, there were no significant differences in homocysteine levels among the MTHFR genotype groups. Homocysteine was significantly and inversely related to folate levels, the significant association in V/V genotype (beta coefficient=-1.954, P=0.04). Our data suggested that MTHFR polymorphism was not associated with homocysteine levels, implying no association between gene polymorphism and CAD in Koreans.

Mouse embryos of the ddY strain fertilized in vitro undergo the first cleavage to the 2-cell stage but not the second cleavage even 45 hr after insemination (2-cell block). We examined the phosphorylation state of p34cdc2 and histone H1 kinase activity in mouse 2-cell embryos to investigate the relationship of p34cdc2 with 2-cell block. In the first mitotic cell cycle, the amount of phosphorylated forms of p34cdc2, which were detected as the bands of retarded mobility on SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblotting with anti-p34cdc2 antibody, increased during interphase and abruptly decreased at M phase. Concomitant with this dephosphorylation, histone H1 kinase activity was increased. After the embryos cleaved to the 2-cell stage, the amounts of phosphorylated forms of p34cdc2 increased up to 33 hr after insemination. However, the activation of histone H1 kinase did not occur and the states of phosphorylation of p34cdc2 did not show any significant changes until 45 hr. In contrast, 2-cell embryos of B6C3F1 mice, which do not show a 2-cell block and develop normally to blastocysts in vitro, exhibit the dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 and an increase in histone H1 kinase activity between 31 and 45 hr after insemination. When the ddY mouse embryos arrested at the 2-cell stage were treated with okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, the dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 occurred and histone H1 kinase activity increased. The chromosomes of these embryos stained with 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole revealed the initiation of condensation. These results suggest that 2-cell-blocked embryos contain enough p34cdc2 to induce mitotic events but the protein remains in a latent form.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) glucose transporter activity in vivo is known to be down-regulated in experimental diabetes mellitus. To determine whether parallel changes in BBB glucose transporter mRNA levels occur in experimental diabetes we isolated brain microvessels, which make up the BBB in vivo, from both control and experimental diabetic rats. Microvessel RNA fractions were isolated by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation and were applied to 1.1% agarose gels for Northern blotting. The blots were probed with [32P]-labeled cDNAs corresponding to the rat brain glucose transporter and a cDNA to alpha-actin was used to monitor the transcript level of a typical housekeeping gene. The study was repeated three times and, in all cases, the BBB glucose transporter mRNA level was increased in experimental diabetes relative to control rats. These studies suggest that factors associated with experimental diabetes mellitus in rats lead to either an increased transcription or a decreased degradation of brain capillary glucose transporter mRNA.