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Objective: Motorcyclists face a higher risk of severe morbidity and mortality compared to automobile passengers. This study aimed to determine the injury characteristics of motorcyclists according to their body mass index (BMI). Methods: A retrospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) registry. Motorcycle riders aged 18 or older who were injured and admitted to study hospitals between 2019 and 2020 were included. Patients were divided into three groups based on BMI cutoffs of 18.5 and 25 kg/m²: the low, optimal, and high BMI groups. The primary outcome was anatomical injury location according to the abbreviated injury scale. The secondary outcomes were the surgery and intensive care unit admission rate, and the 48-h and 30-day in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of BMI on outcomes. Results: Among 1280 patients, the low and high BMI groups had higher risk of abdominal injuries (AIS ≥ 2) than the optimal BMI group, with adjusted odds ratios of 2.82 (95% CI 1.41-5.63) and 1.61 (95% CI 1.17-2.21), respectively. Only the low BMI group had a significant association with severe abdominal injury (AIS ≥ 3), with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.11 (95% CI 1.31-7.39). No significant association was found between BMI and surgery, ICU admission, or mortality. Conclusion: The low BMI group was more likely to have an abdominal injury (AIS score ≥2 or AIS score ≥3) during motorcycle injuries. BMI was not associated with surgery, ICU admission, or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the risk factors for dangerous driving between older adults with normal cognition and those with cognitive impairment.Design: The driving risk questionnaire (DRQ) that was applied to a community-dwelling older adult cohort and 2 years of accident/violation records from the National Police Agency were analyzed. We conducted regression analyses with the presence or absence of risky driving based on records (accidents + violations) 2 years before and after evaluation as a dependent variable and dichotomized scores of each risky driving factor as independent variables.Results: According to four identified factors-crash history, safety concern, reduced mileage, and aggressive driving-significant associations were found between risky driving over the past 2 years and crash history and for aggressive driving in the normal cognition group. In the cognitive impairment group, only crash history was significantly associated, although safety concerns showed a trend toward significance.Conclusions: In this study, it was suggested that the factors of DRQ have a significant association with actual risky driving. Our results are expected to contribute to establishing the evidence for evaluating and predicting risky driving and advising whether to continue driving in clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients who underwent curative resection of ampulla of Vater (AOV) cancer. This is the first study for nomograms in AOV cancer patients using retrospective data based on an international multicenter study. Methods: A total of 2007 patients with AOV adenocarcinoma who received operative therapy between 2002 January and 2015 December in Korea and Japan were retrospectively assessed to develop a prediction model. Nomograms for 5-year OS and 3-year RFS were constructed by dividing the patients who received and who did not receive adjuvant therapy after surgery, respectively. Significant risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. Performance assessment of the four prediction models was conducted by the Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and calibration curves using bootstrapping. Results: A total of 2007 and 1873 patients were collected for nomogram construction to predict 5-year OS and 3-year RFS. We developed four types of nomograms, including models for 5-year OS and 3-year RFS in patients who did not receive postoperative adjuvant therapy, and 5-year OS and 3-year RFS in patients who received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The C-indices of these nomograms were 0.795 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.766-0.823), 0.712 (95% CI: 0.674-0.750), 0.804 (95% CI: 0.7778- 0.829), and 0.703 (95% CI: 0.669-0.737), respectively. Conclusions: This predictive model could help clinicians to choose optimal treatment and precisely predict prognosis in AOV cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, the effect of a scale-aware convective parameterization scheme (CPS) on the simulation of heavy precipitation in the gray-zone was investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. We performed WRF simulations with the Kain-Fritsch (KF) scheme (non-scaleaware), Multiscale Kain-Fritsch (MSKF) scheme (scale-aware), and explicit convection (i.e., no CPS). The MSKF scheme uses a scale-aware parameter that modulates the convective available potential energy (CAPE) timescale and entrainment process in the KF scheme as a function of the horizontal grid spacing. The results of this study show that WRF simulations using explicitly resolved convection lead to overestimations and erroneous precipitation locations in the gray-zone because the convection and atmospheric instability cannot be appropriately triggered and reduced. The CPS without scale-awareness in the gray-zone exaggerates the convection and distorts synoptic fields, leading to the erroneous simulation of heavy precipitation at high resolution. The MSKF scheme with scale-awareness improves the simulation of convective cells-related heavy rainfall by removing the atmospheric instability in the gray-zone, reducing the role of the CPS, and increasing the role of the microphysics parameterization scheme (MPS) with decreasing grid spacing. In addition, the results of sensitivity experiments show that reducing the CAPE timescale leads to the faster development of convective cells, whereas decreasing the entrainment leads to precipitation overestimation. The modulated parameters in the scale-aware MSKF scheme play a crucial role in balancing the effects of the CPS and MPS in the gray-zone. Plain Language Summary Based on the increase in computational resources, numerical weather prediction models are operating in the "gray-zone" for horizontal grid spacing in the range of 1-10 km in which both cumulus parameterizations and explicitly resolved deep convection are problematic. In this study, the effect of the scale-aware convective parameterization scheme (CPS) on the simulation of convective cellrelated heavy precipitation across the gray-zone was investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The scale-aware CPS uses a scale-aware parameter, which modulates the convective process as a function of the horizontal grid spacing. We found that simulating convection processes in the gray-zone without the CPS is inadequate. Furthermore, the CPS without scale-awareness generates an erroneous precipitation simulation due to the exaggeration of convection and distortion of synoptic fields. In contrast, the scale-aware CPS improves the simulation of convection cell-related heavy rainfall in the gray-zone by reducing the role of the CPS and increasing that of explicitly resolved precipitation with the decrease in the grid spacing. Our results indicate that using a scale-aware CPS and managing convective processes are crucial in controlling the CPS and microphysics parameterization scheme (MPS) in the gray-zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a fulminant necrotizing vasoocclusive retinitis associated with a high incidence of vision loss. Prognostic factors associated with the treatment of ARN have not been comprehensively identified. This study aimed to determine therapeutic prognostic factors associated with long-term clinical outcomes in eyes with ARN. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with ARN who were treated between 2005 and 2019 in two tertiary ophthalmology departments in Seoul, Korea. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate prognostic factors associated with late-onset retinal detachment (RD) and vision loss (<20/200). Results: Sixty-one eyes with ARN with an average follow-up of 63.5 months were included. Surgical intervention of vitrectomy (odds ratio [OR], 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.004-0.47) and intraoperative prophylactic laser use (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-0.81) were independently associated with a decreased risk of late RD. The factors independently associated with an increased risk of vision loss were worse initial visual acuity (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.50-7.21), zone 1 involvement of necrotic retinitis (OR, 10.84; 95% CI, 1.62-72.41), and lateonset RD (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.92-31.54). Conclusion: Vitrectomy and/or prophylactic intraoperative laser treatment may be effective treatment options in preventing delayed RD associated with an increased risk of vision loss in eyes with ARN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report on a qualitative study that examined research information management (RIM) ecosystems on research university campuses from the perspectives of research information (RI) managers and librarians. In the study, we identified 21 RIM services offered to researchers, ranging from discovering, storing, and sharing authored content to identifying expertise, recruiting faculty, and ensuring the diversity of committee assignments. In addition, we identified 15 types of RIM service provision and adoption problems, analyzed their activity structures, and connected them to strategies for their resolution. Finally, we report on skills that the study participants reported as being needed in their work. These findings can inform the development of best practice guides for RIM on university campuses. The study also advances the state of the art of RIM research by applying the typology of contradictions from activity theory to categorize the problems of RIM service provision and connect their resolution to theories and findings of prior studies in the literature. In this way, the research expands the theoretical base used to study RIM in general and RIM at research universities in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response of Arctic Ocean biogeochemistry to subsurface flow driven by permafrost thaw is poorly understood. We present dissolved chloride and water isotopic data from the Chukchi Sea Shelf sediments that reveal the presence of a meteoric subsurface flow enriched in cations with a radiogenic Sr fingerprint. This subsurface fluid is also enriched in dissolved inorganic carbon and methane that bear isotopic compositions indicative of a carbon reservoir modified by reactions in a closed system. Such fluid characteristics are in stark contrast with those from other sites in the Chukchi Sea where the pore water composition shows no sign of meteoric input, but reflect typical biogeochemical reactions associated with early diagenetic sequences in marine sediment. The most likely source of the observed subsurface flow at the Chukchi Sea Shelf is from the degradation of permafrost that had extended to the shelf region during the Last Glacial Maximum. Our data suggest that the permafrost-driven subsurface flow most likely took place during the 2-3°C warming in the Early Holocene Thermal Maximum. This time scale is supported by numerical simulation of pore water profiles, which indicate that a minimum of several thousand years must have passed since the cessation of the subsurface methane-bearing fluid flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naringin is a flavonoid which has a therapeutic effect. However, the details of its antifungal mechanism have not yet been fully elucidated. This study focused on clarifying the relationship between naringin and Candida albicans, to understand its mode of antifungal action. In general, naringin is an antioxidant, but our results indicated that 1 mM naringin generates intracellular superoxide (O2 -) and hydroxyl radicals (OH-). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a serious impact on Ca2+ signaling and the production of mitochondrial ROS. After exposure to enhanced O2 - and OH-, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and mitochondrial O2 - generation were confirmed in C. albicans. It was verified that mitochondrial O2 - transforms mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) to oxidized GSH (GSSG), leading to extreme oxidative stress in mitochondria. The previously observed Ca2+ accumulation and oxidative stress resulted in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) alteration and increased mitochondrial mass. In succession, cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol was detected due to MMP loss. Cytochrome c promotes the initiation of apoptosis, and further experiments were performed to assess the apoptotic hallmarks. Metacaspases activation, chromosomal condensation, DNA fragmentation, and phosphatidylserine exposure were observed, indicating that naringin induces apoptosis in C. albicans. In conclusion, our findings manifested that naringin-generated O2 - and OH- damage the mitochondria and that mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated apoptosis is novel antifungal mechanism of naringin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transpolar arcs (TPAs) are believed to predominantly occur under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions with their hemispheric asymmetry controlled by the Sun-Earth (radial) component of the IMF. In this study, we present observations of TPAs that appear in both the northern and southern hemispheres even during a prolonged interval of radially oriented IMF. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16 and the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellites observed TPAs on the dawnside polar cap in both hemispheres (one TPA structure in the southern hemisphere and two in the northern hemisphere) during an interval of nearly earthward-oriented IMF on October 29, 2005. The southern hemisphere TPA and one of the northern hemisphere TPAs are associated with electron and ion precipitation and mostly sunward plasma flow (with shears) relative to their surroundings. Meanwhile, the other TPA in the northern hemisphere is associated with an electron-only precipitation and antisunward flow relative to its surroundings. Our observations indicate the following: (a) the TPA formation is not limited to northward IMF conditions; (b) the TPAs can be located on both closed field lines rooted in the polar cap of both hemispheres and open field lines connected to the northward field lines draped over one hemisphere of the magnetopause. We believe that the TPAs presented here are the result of both indirect and direct processes of solar wind energy transfer to the high-latitude ionosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically review the effects of cortical bone thickness (CBT) and bone mass density (BMD) on miniscrew success rates.Methods: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched up to June 2020. Of a total of 5734 articles, seven studies were finally selected for the review.Results: The overall mean success rate weighted by the number of miniscrews was 87.21% (89.87% in the maxilla and 79.24% in the mandible). There was a significantly higher success rate for miniscrews placed in the maxilla compared with those in the mandible (P < .05). CBT showed small positive effect on the success rate of the miniscrews although it failed to reach a statistical significance. The cortical BMD had a minimal effect on the success of the miniscrews. The cancellous BMD demonstrated a very strong effect on the success of the miniscrews in the maxilla, whereas it showed a moderately negative effect in the mandible.Limitations: Because of the small number and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further randomized clinical studies with a large sample size are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulations of the lunar sodium tail and its bright sodium spot are presented. As an attempt to do reverse engineering to understand the lunar sodium exosphere, we simulated velocity distributions of the sodium tail and its bright spot that emerges in the night sky around new Moon phases. In this work, three physical sodium sources (i.e., photon-stimulated desorption [PSD], solar-wind ion sputtering [SIS], meteor impact vaporization [MIV]), the dust anisotropy effect reported by Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), three gravitational sources (i.e., the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun), and variable solar radiation pressure effects are considered. We simulated velocity distributions of the lunar bright spot considering different source contribution ratios and their temperatures in order to find the best initial parameters which can account for the important observed recessional velocity of 12.4 km/s by Mierkiewicz et al. (2006, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027650). We found that the upper limits of Maxwellian temperatures of 1,800 K for the PSD and 2,500 K for the MIV and that the best contribution ratio of the three major sodium sources (i.e., PSD: SIS: MIV) is found at the case of 2: 1: 3 (i.e., MIV dominant). Based on the previous brightness observations of the bright spot, the total production rate of the lunar sodium is estimated to usually vary between 0.4 and 1.3 × 1022/s. We introduce an interesting event in the lunar sodium tail, the Sodium Ring phenomena, which can occur transiently during the total solar eclipse due to the umbra and penumbra effects of the Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: We previously demonstrated the presence of onychodermis below nail matrix and nail bed. Because nail matrix is a producer of nail plate, we hypothesized that onychodermis below nail matrix could be the nail counterpart of follicular dermal papilla. In this study, we sought to further characterize histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical features of nail matrix onychodermis. Methods and Results: Hematoxylin and eosin slides of 10 polydactyly nail units and 10 nail matrix biopsies from children and adults were reviewed. In polydactyly nail units, the onychodermis beneath nail matrix was characterized by onychofibroblasts showing abundant cytoplasm, and this area was slightly separated from the undersurface of the nail matrix. Nail matrix biopsy specimens also showed similar histology in the nail matrix onychodermis. Alcian blue stain demonstrated mucin deposition in onychofibroblasts within the nail matrix onychodermis. Immunohistochemically, elastin was rarely expressed in the nail matrix onychodermis while it was strongly expressed in the dermis of other areas of polydactyly nail units. Elastin was not expressed in follicular dermal papilla of terminal hair follicles of the scalp. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the presence and localization of nail matrix onychodermis (onychomatricodermis). Our study also demonstrates similar elastin expression patterns in the onychomatricodermis and follicular dermal papilla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new scheme for online detection and identification of single and multiple insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) open-circuit faults in three-phase pulse-width modulation (PWM) inverters of AC machine drives, which is based on Park's vector of machine phase currents. First, the switch open-circuit faults are detected by monitoring dwell times of the vector of the actual phase currents expressed in the stationary reference frame in each sector, where the normalisation of the current to its reference value is utilised, by which the immunity to the false alarms in transient conditions is improved significantly. Then, the IGBT open-circuit faults are identified, where leg open-circuit conditions are in the first place determined based on the average values of the normalised line-to-line currents. Next, the single open-circuit IGBT is located from the polarity of the corresponding phase current. By the proposed diagnosis method, the fault detection time is at the longest about 52.3 and 54% of a fundamental period in the simulation and experimental tests, respectively, and the 27 possible cases of IGBT open-circuit faults combined for all IGBTs in the inverter can be identified. In addition, this algorithm can be implemented without any additional hardware and computational burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1 (REDD-1), an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is induced by various cell stressors, including LPS, a major player in the pathogenesis of endotoxemic shock. However, the pathologic role of REDD-1 in endotoxemia is largely unknown. We found that LPS increased REDD-1 expression, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, and inflammation and that these responses were suppressed by REDD-1 knockdown and in REDD-1+/- macrophages. REDD-1 overexpression stimulated NF-κB-dependent inflammation without additional LPS stimulation. REDD-1-induced NF-κB activation was independent of 2 classic IKK-dependent NF-κB pathways and the mTOR signaling pathway; however, REDD-1, particularly its C-terminal region (178-229), interacted with and sequestered IκBα, to elicit atypical NF-κB activation during the delayed and persistent phases of inflammation after stimulation. Moreover, REDD-1 knockdown mitigated vascular inflammation and permeability in endotoxemic mice, resulting in decreases in immune cell infiltration, systemic inflammation, caspase-3 activation, apoptosis, and consequent mortality. We further confirmed the inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of REDD-1 in endotoxemic REDD-1+/- mice. Our data support the likelihood that REDD-1 exacerbates endotoxemic inflammation via atypical NF-κB activation by sequestering IκBα. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Quantifiler® Trio Quantification Kit has been developed to quantify the total amount of amplifiable and human male DNA in samples and to estimate the extent of DNA degradation. To minimize the cost of DNA quantification, we evaluated kit performance using a reduced volume of reagents (1/10-volume) using DNA samples of varying types and concentrations. Our results demonstrated concordance between the manufacturer's method and the low-volume method for DNA quantification, DNA degradation index estimation, and human male DNA quantification. We confirmed the practical utility of the low-volume method with 109 casework samples by evaluating short tandem repeat (STR) profiling success with respect to DNA quantity and quality. We also defined a cutoff value for DNA quantity to ensure reliable STR results. Using a reduced volume of reagents, 10 times more reactions per kit are possible; accordingly, this method reduces the cost of DNA quantification, while maintaining performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a simple ultra-low standby power control analogue circuit for home appliances using an AC power relay and charge capacitor for the gating delay of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) to control the power relay. In the standby mode, the AC power is fully disconnected by the relay to the home appliance, and connected by the user input action. To make sure there is enough time for the SMPS and the main MCU initialization, a simple charge capacitor and parallel connected sustaining signal are proposed. The capacitor saves the power during the user input action, and discharges to sustain the gating of MOSFET up to the SMPS activation. After start-up the SMPS and main MCU of home appliance, user input can be detected by the main MCU of home appliance, and the main MCU produces the sustain signal to keep the turn-on state. In the turn-off operation, the main MCU cuts off the sustaining signal by detecting of the user input signal. After the user input action to turn-off the power, the main AC power can be disconnected after the discharging of capacitor. The operating modes and power consumptions are analysed in the simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although accumulative evidence exists that support the applicability of multi-segmental foot models (MFMs) in evaluating foot motion in various pathologic conditions, little is known of the effect of aging on intersegmental foot motion. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in inter-segmental motion of the foot between older and younger adult healthy females during gait using a MFM with 15-marker set. Methods: One hundred symptom-free females, who had no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, were evaluated using MFM with 15-marker set. They were divided into young (n = 50, 20-35 years old) and old (n = 50, 60-69 years old) groups. Coefficients of multiple correlations were evaluated to assess the similarity of kinematic curve. Intersegmental angles (hindfoot, forefoot, and hallux) were calculated at each gait phase. To evaluate the effect of gait speed on intersegmental foot motion, subgroup analysis was performed according to the similar speed of walking. Results: Kinematic curves showed good or excellent similarity in most parameters. Range of motion in the sagittal (p < 0.001) and transverse (p = 0.001) plane of the hallux, and sagittal (p = 0.023) plane of the forefoot was lower in older females. The dorsiflexion (p = 0.001) of the hallux at terminal stance and pre-swing phases was significantly lower in older females. When we compared young and older females with similar speed, these differences remained. Conclusions: Although the overall kinematic pattern was similar between young and older females, reduced range of inter-segmental motion was observed in the older group. Our results suggest that age-related changes need to be considered in studies evaluating inter-segmental motion of the foot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) exert both positive and negative effects on plant growth and development and therefore receive a great deal of attention in current research. A hot pepper, Capsicum annuum receptor-like kinase 1 (CaRLK1) was ectopically expressed in Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 cell and Nicotiana benthamiana plants. This ectopic expression of CaRLK1 enhanced cell division and proliferation in both heterologous systems. Apparently, CaRLK1 is involved in controlling the cell cycle, possibly by inducing expressions of cyclin B1, cyclin D3, cyclin-dependent protein kinase 3, condensin complex subunit 2 and anaphase-promoting complex subunit 11 genes. CaRLK1 overexpression also increased transcript accumulation of NADPH oxidase genes, generation of O2− and catalase (CAT) activity/protein levels. In parallel, it decreased cellular H2O2 levels and cell size. Treatment with Tiron or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) both decreased the cell division rate and O2− concentrations, but increased cellular H2O2 levels. Tobacco BY-2 cells overexpressing CaRLK1 were more sensitive to amino-1,2,4-triazole (3- AT), a CAT inhibitor, than control cells, suggesting that the increased H2O2 levels may not function as a signal for cell division and proliferation. Overexpression of CaRLK1 stimulated progression of the cell cycle from G0/ G1 phase into the S phase. It is concluded that the CaRLK1 protein plays a pivotal role in controlling the level of O2− as signaling molecule which promotes cell division, concomitant with a reduction in H2O2 by the induction of CAT activity/protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) exert both positive and negative effects on plant growth and development and therefore receive a great deal of attention in current research. A hot pepper, Capsicum annuum receptor-like kinase 1 (CaRLK1) was ectopically expressed in Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 cell and Nicotiana benthamiana plants. This ectopic expression of CaRLK1 enhanced cell division and proliferation in both heterologous systems. Apparently, CaRLK1 is involved in controlling the cell cycle, possibly by inducing expressions of cyclin B1, cyclin D3, cyclin-dependent protein kinase 3, condensin complex subunit 2 and anaphase-promoting complex subunit 11 genes. CaRLK1 overexpression also increased transcript accumulation of NADPH oxidase genes, generation of O2− and catalase (CAT) activity/protein levels. In parallel, it decreased cellular H2O2 levels and cell size. Treatment with Tiron or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) both decreased the cell division rate and O2− concentrations, but increased cellular H2O2 levels. Tobacco BY-2 cells overexpressing CaRLK1 were more sensitive to amino-1,2,4-triazole (3- AT), a CAT inhibitor, than control cells, suggesting that the increased H2O2 levels may not function as a signal for cell division and proliferation. Overexpression of CaRLK1 stimulated progression of the cell cycle from G0/ G1 phase into the S phase. It is concluded that the CaRLK1 protein plays a pivotal role in controlling the level of O2− as signaling molecule which promotes cell division, concomitant with a reduction in H2O2 by the induction of CAT activity/protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of the Cambrian witnessed the diversification of 'small shelly fossils (SSF)', which affected carbonate depositional system. One of the problematic SSF, chancelloriids, are common components of the early to middle Cambrian carbonate and shale, and their contributions toward Cambrian carbonates are not yet fully understood. This study assesses distribution patterns of chancelloriid sclerites in the Cambrian Series 3 Daegi Formation based on microfacies analysis and discusses their sedimentologic implications. In the lower part of the formation, partially articulated chancelloriid sclerites occur mainly in bioclastic packstone and grainstone facies, with isolated sclerite rays in nodular packstone to grainstone facies. In the middle part of the formation, chancelloriid fragments occur only sporadically in bioclastic wackestone to packstone, bioclastic grainstone and oolitic packstone to grainstone facies, whereas boundstone facies are nearly devoid of their fragments. There are no chancelloriid fragments in the upper part of the formation, which consists of oolitic packstone to grainstone facies. Chancelloriids are interpreted to have primarily occupied platform margin shoal environments, shedding their sclerites to surrounding areas, and thus contributed as sediment producers. The distribution of Daegi chancelloriid sclerites is similar to other Cambrian examples, with the exception of common chancelloriids in Cambrian Series 2 reefs and their apparent near absence in the Daegi and other Cambrian Series 3 reefs. This disparity resulted from changes in the ecologic niche of chancelloriids after the end-Cambrian Series 2 reef crisis, coupled with an overall decline of chancelloriids in the middle Cambrian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various early Paleozoic (Cambrian Series 3-Middle Ordovician) reefs are found in the Taebaek Group, eastern Korea, located in the eastern margin of the Sino-Korean Block. They occur in every carbonate-dominant lithostratigraphic unit of the group, but their morphology and composition differ markedly. The Daegi Formation (middle Cambrian: Cambrian Series 3) contains siliceous sponge- Epiphyton reefs formed in a shallow subtidal environment, which is one of the earliest metazoan-bearing microbial reefs after the archaeocyath extinction. The Hwajeol Formation (upper Cambrian: Furongian) encloses sporadic dendrolites consisting of Angulocellularia, which developed in a relatively deep subtidal environment, representing a rare deeper water example. The onset of the Ordovician radiation resulted in the formation of microbialite- Archaeoscyphia-calathiid patch reefs in shallow subtidal deposits of the Lower Ordovician Dumugol Formation. Subsequent late Early Ordovician relative sea-level fall established extensive peritidal environments, forming microbial mats and stromatolites of the Lower-Middle Ordovician Makgol Formation. Ensuing Ordovician radiation resulted in one of the earliest metazoan skeletal reefs of the Middle Ordovician Duwibong Formation, constructed by stromatoporoid Cystostroma and bryozoan Nicholsonella, and developed around shallow shoals. These reefs reflect ongoing evolution and sea-level change during the early Paleozoic, and exemplify a rare glimpse of peri-Gondwanan records of reef evolution, which warrant detailed investigations and comparison with their counterparts in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apoptosis commonly occurs in eukaryotes to eliminate unwanted cells. In this study, we demonstrated that coprisintreated bacteria undergo cell death that is mechanistically and morphologically similar to apoptosis in eukaryotes. Time-kill kinetic assay against Escherichia coli indicated that coprisin exerted bactericidal activity. The bactericidal mechanism was studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analysis, followed by Western blotting. We confirmed coprisin-induced DNA fragmentation and activation of the RecA protein as a SOS response. Furthermore, FITC-VAD-FMK, FITCAnnexin V, and bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethineoxonol [DiBAC4(3)] staining showed that caspase-like protein(s), such as RecA, were activated, and membrane alterations such as phosphatidylserine externalization and cytoplasmic depolarization were induced. Finally, 30-(p-hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein assay indicated that depolarization of membrane potential leads to hydroxyl radicals (*OH) formation. Based on these results, we conclude that coprisin exerts bactericidal activity against E. coli by causing severe DNA damage, which induces apoptosislike death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size evolution of gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) on the sidewall surface of silicon (Si) nanowires (NWs) has been investigated by thermal treatments, using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The Si NWs grown at 550°C by rapid thermal chemical vapour deposition have been observed to be surrounded by Au NPs with less than 5 nm diameter and ~1012 cm-2 density on the whole Si NW surface. To explore the size change of Au NPs, the Au NPs on the Si NW were annealed ex situ at the temperature range of 700-900°C for 20 min. The sizes of NPs for samples annealed at 700, 800 and 900°C represent Gaussian distribution with the average size of 4, 6 and 7 nm, respectively, while at high temperatures above 900°C, they change to a bimodal distribution. It is suggested that the surface diffusion rate of Au NPs on Si NW is much lower than that on the Si substrate because of the substitutional diffusion mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, five nonphenolic (E)-N'-benzylidenebenzohydrazides including three new compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their free radical scavenging activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). X-Ray analysis of a single crystal of (E)-N'-(4-chlorobenzylidene)benzohydrazide (3c) revealed a triclinic, space group P-1 structure with a trans configuration around the azomethine (-C2=N2-) double bond. The three-dimensional Hirshfeld surfaces and the related two-dimensional fingerprint plots were also drawn to study the plausible intermolecular interactions. Density functional calculations of structures, electronic densities, frontier molecular orbitals modeling, and Mulliken charge analysis of all compounds were performed at the B3LYP/6-311G level of theory. Theoretical vibrational frequencies were predicted and compared with experimental values, and results supported the validity of optimized geometry of noncrystalline compounds. All synthesized compounds showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity, although compound 3d exhibited greatest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 11 μM. The results of DFT analysis were used to explain the proposed antioxidant mechanism of (E)-N'-benzylidenebenzohydrazide analogs. This analysis revealed that protons attached to N, O, and C atoms possessing high negative charge are involved in the production of free radicals that scavenge DPPH. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of (E)-N'-benzylidenebenzohydrazide analogs correlated well with HOMO-LUMO energy difference of molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New fluorescent benzamide derivatives were developed by using four different aromatic groups with expanding sizes from thiophene to naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene in an attempt to identify a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. The compounds exhibited red shift absorption and emission dependent on the size of the aromatic group as well as a high fluorescence efficiency with high quantum yields. However, the HD AC binding affinity of the compounds with polyaromatic modification of the substituent was very low (IC50 ranging from 46 to 101 μM) in contrast to that of the monoaromatic substituted compound (<0.12 μM). Likely, the modification of the aromatic substituent results in the enzyme's inability to bind the inhibitors due to space limitation at the binding site. Nevertheless, we believe that these results will be useful in the design of new fluorescent HD AC inhibitors based on the benzamide scaffold with diverse applications as diagnostic tools targeting the HD AC enzyme, which has an important role in the prevention of a number of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binding mode of free base and Mn(III)meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridium-4-yl)porphyrin (TMPyP and MnTMPyP) to various duplex and triplex synthetic polynucleotides was investigated by polarized light spectroscopy, specifically circular and linear dichroism (CD and LD) spectroscopy. Both TMPyP and MnTMPyP produced a similar positive CD spectrum in the Soret absorption region when bound to poly(dA) ⋅ poly(dT) duplex and poly(dA) ⋅ [poly(dT)]2 triplex. Considering that the third poly(dT) strand blocks the major groove, this result suggested that both porphyrins bound near the minor groove where the axial ligands of the central Mn(III) ion did not affect the binding mode. In contrast, TMPyP intercalated and MnTMPyP bound the exterior of poly(dG) ⋅ poly(dC) and poly(dI) ⋅ poly(dC) duplexes, as judged from the negative and positive CD signals, respectively. The CD signals for both intercalated TMPyP and externally bound MnTMPyP were greatly altered when bound to poly(dG) ⋅ poly(dC) ⋅ poly(dC)+ and poly(dl) ⋅ poly (dC) ⋅ poly (dC)+ triplexes, indicating that the binding modes of both porphyrins were affected by the presence of the third strand, poly(dC)+, which contrasted with the AT polynucleotides. This observation supported the conclusion that the external binding site of MnTMPyP at the GC and IC duplexes is the major groove. The reduced LD spectrum indicated that the angles of the two electric transition moments of both TMPyP and MnTMPyP in the Soret absorption region were 57° and 65° with respect to the local DNA helix axis when bound to the poly(dA) ⋅ [poly(dT)]2 triplex. On the other hand, a strong, wavelength-dependent reduced LD was observed in the Soret region for both porphyrins when associated with CGC triplex, and the excessive tilt degree prevented any reasonable calculation of the angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular structures of the various conformers of para-bromocalix[4]aryl derivatives 1-4 were optimized using the DFT B3LYP calculation method. The total electronic and Gibbs free energies and normal vibrational frequencies of the different structures (CONE, partial cone (PACO), 1,2-Alternate(1,2-A) and 1,3- Alternate(1,3-A)) were calculated from the four kinds of para-bromocalix[4]aryl derivatives. The B3LYP/6- 31G(d,p) calculations suggested the following: 1(PACO) is the most stable among four conformers of 1; 2(CONE) is the most stable among five conformers of 2; 3(PACO) is the most stable among four conformers of 3; 4(1,3-A) is the most stable among four conformers of 4. All the most stable structures optimized by the B3LYP calculation method were in accordance with the experimental crystal structures of 1-4. The calculated IR spectra of the various conformers (CONE, PACO, 1,2-A and 1,3-A) of 1-4 were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because the density of air is lower than the effusion, air bubbles can be passively moved by a head position change, causing a bubbling sound in the affected ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the antifungal mechanism of curcumin. This polyphenolic compound has been used traditionally in Asia for medicinal, culinary, and other purposes. Although antifungal effect of curcumin has been reported, this is the first study for its mode of action underlying disruption of plasma membrane in Candida albicans. The leakage of potassium ion from the fungal cytosol and dissipation in membrane potential was detected by bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)trimethine oxonol [DiBAC4] staining. We also investigated an increase in membrane permeability in curcumin-treated C. albicans with influx of propidium iodide assay. Fluorescence analysis with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene supported the membrane-targeted mechanism of action indicating membrane disruption. On the basis of these results, we studied the effects of curcumin treatment on model membrane to elucidate its antifungal mechanism. Using calcein leakage assays from curcumin-treated large unilamellar vesicles and giant unilamellar vesicles, we found that curcumin has membrane-active mechanism inducing leakage of intracellular component through the flappy membrane. Therefore, this study suggests that curcumin exerts antifungal activity via inducing disruption of fungal plasma membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and effective approach has been developed to prepare hybrid hollow microspheres, via consecutive processes of pickering mini-emulsion polymerization for core-shell formation, and calcination of the sacrificial core. The resulting hollow composite particles have mono-layered shells. The morphology and size characteristics of synthesized composite particles were investigated, using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (BPQ) in aqueous solution and its interaction with native DNA was investigated using conventional absorption and linear dichroism (LD) spectroscopy. The appearance of a broad absorption maximum at long wavelengths and its proportional relationship to solvent polarizability suggested that BPQ adopts a aggregated state for all solutions examined. Disappearance of this absorption band at higher temperatures in aqueous solution also supported BPQ aggregation. When associated with DNA absorption spectral properties were essentially the same as that in aqueous solution. However, two isosbestic wavelengths were found in the concentration-dependent absorption spectrum of the BPQ-DNA complex, suggesting the presence of at least two or more DNA-bound BPQ species. Both species produced LDr spectra whose magnitude in BPQ absorption region is larger or comparable to that in the DNA absorption region, suggesting that the molecular BPQ plane is near perpendicular relative to the local DNA helical axis. Therefore, BPQ molecules are aligned along the DNA stem in both DNA-aggregated BPQ species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold acclimated plants show an elevated tolerance against subsequent cold stress. Such adaptation requires alterations in gene expression as well as physiological changes. We were interested in gene expression changes at the transcriptional level during adaptation processes. The patterns of transcriptional changes associated with cold acclimation, deacclimation and reacclimation in Arabidopsis leaves were characterized using the Coldstresschip. Gene expression profiles were further analyzed by 'coexpressed gene sets' using gene set enrichment analysis ( GSEA). Genes involved in signal transduction through calcium, and cascades of kinases and transcription factor genes, were distinctively induced in the early response of cold acclimation. On the other hand, genes involved in antioxidation, cell wall biogenesis and sterol synthesis were upregulated in the late response of cold acclimation. After the removal of cold, the expression patterns of most genes rapidly returned to the original states. However, photosynthetic light-harvesting complex genes and lipid metabolism-related genes stayed upregulated in cold deacclimated plants compared to non-treated plants. It is also notable that many well-known cold-inducible genes are slightly induced in reacclimation and their expression remains at relatively low levels in cold reacclimation compared to the expression during the first cold acclimation. The results in this study show the dynamic nature of gene expression occurring during cold acclimation, deacclimation and reacclimation. Our results suggest that there is a memory of cold stress and that the 'memory of cold stress' is possibly due to elevated photosynthetic efficiency, modified lipid metabolism, increased calcium signaling, pre-existing defense protein made during first cold acclimation and/or modified signal transduction from pre-existing defense protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical investigation on the methanol extract of the starfish Ctenodiscus crispatus resulted in the isolation of five steroids, (22E,24ξ)-26,27-bisnor-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,15α,25-pentol 25-O-sulfate (1), (22E,24R,25R)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β,5,6β,15α,25,26-hexol 26-O-sulfate (2), (28R)-24-ethyl-5α- cholesta-3β,5,6β,8,15α,28,29-heptaol-24-sulfate (3), (25S)-5α-cholestane-3β,5,6β,15α,16β,26-hexaol (4), and Δ7-sitosterol (5). Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D, 2D NMR and MS and chemical methods. Compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against human hepatoma HepG2 and glioblastoma U87MG cells via inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis by 4 was demonstrated by cell death, DNA fragmentation, increased Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio and the activation of caspase-3, caspase-9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absolute isotope ratio is a critical constituent in determination of atomic weight. To measure the absolute isotope ratio using a mass spectrometer, mass discrimination factor, fMD, is needed to convert measured isotope ratio to real isotope ratio of gas molecules. If the fMD could be predicted, absolute isotope ratio of a chemical species would be measureable in absence of its enriched isotope pure materials or isotope references. This work employed gravimetrically prepared isotope mixtures of argon (Ar) to obtain fMD at m/z of 40 in the magnetic sector type gas mass spectrometer (gas/MS). Besides, we compare the nitrogen isotope ratio of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) with that of nitrogen molecule (N2) decomposed from the same NF3 thermally in order to identify the difference off MD values in extensive m/z region from 28 to 71. Our result shows that FMD at m/z 40 was -0.044 % ± 0.017 % (k = 1) from measurement of Ar artificial isotope mixtures. The fMD difference in the range of m/z from 28 to 71 is observed -0.12 % ± 0.14 % from NF3 and N2. From combination of this work and reported fMD values by another team, IRMM, if fMD of-0.16 % ± 0.14 % is applied to isotope ratio measurement from N2 to SF6, we can determine absolute isotope ratio within relative uncertainty of 0.2 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on the isolation of a new Germacrane-type sesquiterpene from fermented Curcuma longa L., also known as turmeric. It discusses the health benefits of turmeric, the pharmacological effects of fermented turmeric, the chemical structures of the compounds, and the inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds on nitrite production.

The article discusses a study on the synthesis, isolation,and identification of both isomers of 3 by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Topics covered include the reaction of isomers 1 and 2 in the presence of potassium tertbutoxide at reflux temperature, the molecular structure of minor product 3a obtained by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and the crystalline structure of 3a.

The recently developed GEMOSIL, a nanocomposite material composed of gelatinous hydroxyapatite (HAP-GEL) and animosaline by pozzolanic crosslinking, provides a potentially improved alternative to current endodontic cements. The mechanical performance of fully dried GEMOSIL approximated that of cortical bone. In its pre-set form, the moldable cement solidified in approximately 5 minutes when submerged in water, primarily due to the pozzolanic crosslinking. The purpose of this study was to test if adding chlorhexidine to Ca(OH)2 during the formation of this material could provide enhanced antimicrobial effects. Four zones of inhibition were formed using GEMOSIL, GEMOSIL CHX, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA; Tulsa Dentsply), and Chlorhexidene as a control. Each material was prepared into disc samples (6.2mm x 0.85mm; 8 per material). The Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans strains were cultured at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions. Bacterial suspensions were evenly distributed on a blood-agar plate surface. The MTA/GEMOSIL/GEMOSIL CHX /Chlorhexidine discs were placed on the inoculated blood-agar plates which were immediately incubated at 37 o C for 18-24 hours under aerobic conditions. Results showed that the Chlorhexidine and GEMOSIL CHX provided a similar antimicrobial effect to Enterococcus faecalis, while GEMOSIL and MTA did not. All four materials showed similar effects to Streptococcus mutans. In combination with previous reports showing osteogenesis of GEMOSIL, the GEMOSIL CHX may be applicable to both orthopedic and endodontic cements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Several 3D multi-segment foot models (MFMs) have been introduced for the in vivo analysis of dynamic foot kinematics. However, reproducibility of a model should be checked and ascertained before clinical utilization of a MFM. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of recently introduced MFM with a 15-marker set by assessing the participant’s stride-to-stride (intra-session) and visit-to-revisit (inter-session) repeatability. Methods Twenty healthy adults with a mean age of 28.9 years (10 males and 10 females) were tested. Three representative strides from five separate trials were used for analysis from each session. Kinematic data of foot segmental motion was collected and tracked using the Foot3D Multi-Segment Software (Motion Analysis Co., Santa Rosa. CA). A retest was performed in the same manner at an interval of 4 weeks. Coefficients of multiple correlation (CMC) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated in order to assess the intra-session and inter-session repeatability. Results Inter-segment foot angles from healthy adults from a MFM with 15-marker set showed a narrow range of variability during the gait cycle. The mean intra-session ICC was 0.981 (±0.010), which was interpreted as excellent. The mean intra-session CMC was 0.948 (±0.027), which was interpreted as very good repeatability. The mean inter-session ICC was 0.886 (±0.047) and the mean inter-session CMC was 0.801 (±0.077), which were interpreted as excellent and good repeatability, respectively. Conclusion We demonstrated a MFM with a 15-marker set had high intra-session and inter-session repeatability, especially in sagittal plane motion. We thought this MFM would be applicable to evaluation of the segmental foot motion during gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a study which examined extensive structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the synthesized curcumin compounds to obtain better pharmacological profiles with in vitro activity. Topics discussed include the relationship between curcumin-derived pyrazoles of the 1,3-dicarbonyl with hydrazines and curcumin-ester of the phenol position and purification of curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin from commercial curcuminoids.