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Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the effects of hormone therapy on serum lipid levels in postmenopausal Korean women. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 154 healthy postmenopausal Korean women. Seventy-nine women took oral estrogen (conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg/day or equivalent), and 75 applied estrogen transdermally using 0.1% 17ß-estradiol gel. Micronized progesterone (MP) was added to 40 women of oral group and 49 women in transdermal group. Serum levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and lipoprotein (a) were measured before, 3 and 6 month after hormone therapy. Results: At baseline, mean body mass index (BMI) were lower (22.76 vs. 23.74 kg/m²) and proportion of family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (61 vs. 39%) were higher in oral group. In oral group, LDL-C and lipoprotein(a) levels decreased, and triglyceride and HDL-C levels increased significantly after 3 and 6 months. There was no significant change in lipoprotein levels compared to the baseline in transdermal group. There were also no differences with additional MP. Changing pattern of HDL-C during 6 months was significantly different by the route of estrogen administration. Conclusion: Oral estrogen therapy might be more beneficial than transdermal estrogen in terms of lipid in postmenopausal Korean women. The estrogen effects are not influenced by adding MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the motion of a colloidal particle driven out of equilibrium by a time-varying stiffness of the optical trap that produces persistent nonequilibrium work. Measurements of work production for repeated cycles composed of the compression and expansion processes for the optical potential show huge fluctuations due to thermal motion. Using a precise technique to modulate the stiffness in time, we accurately estimate the probability distributions of work produced for the compression and expansion processes. We confirm the fluctuation theorem from the ratio of the two distributions. We also show that the average values of work for the two processes comply with the Jarzynski equality. This system has an analogy with a gas in a breathing soft wall. We discuss about its applicability to a heat engine and an information engine operated by feedback control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of transdermal estrogen therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal Korean women. Methods: A total of 149 healthy postmenopausal women were retrospectively evaluated: 100 were on hormone therapy (HT) and 49 were the control group. For the HT group, 54 applied estrogen transdermally using either a patch (n = 21) or gel (n = 33), and 46 took estrogen orally (conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg or equivalent). Demographic profiles and changes in BMD over two years were compared according to the route of the estrogen. Results: No differences were found in age, age at menopause, parity, body mass index, and type of menopause among the oral, transdermal and control groups. Compared with controls, HT significantly increased BMD after 2 years in both the lumbar spine and the total hip. The increases in BMD at both lumbar spine and hip were comparable between the oral and transdermal groups. There were also no differences in BMD changes according to progestogen addition in either the oral or transdermal groups. Conclusion: Transdermal estrogen therapy increases BMD, comparable to oral estrogen, in postmenopausal Korean women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since oral contraceptives (OCs) were first introduced in 1960, they have been used as a highly effective contraceptive method for over 50 years. Besides the prevention of pregnancy, they provide various non-contraceptive benefits. Well-known non-contraceptive benefits related to menstruation include reduction of dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding. In addition, many women see improvements in acne and symptoms from premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder with OC use. In addition, OCs also can be used for the management of endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome, and have also been reported to decrease the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Consequently, many women may choose to use OCs in light of their non-contraceptive benefits. These non-contraceptive benefits can encourage women to select OCs as an useful option for contraception, improving their quality of life, and even providing public health benefits. Therefore, clinicians should be familiar with OCs and able to provide detailed information regarding their non-contraceptive benefits. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence for the non-contraceptive benefits of OCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment investigated and explains the rejection of calcium and magnesium ions and conductivity under the influence of the coexisting ions. Nanofiltration (NF) membranes have been used as pressure-driven type of cross-flow system in water treatment. The evolution of flux and rejection was followed in time during 2 h. For analysis and comparison, the values after 1 h of filtration were used. The NF membranes used in this study were thin film composite NF membranes NE90 (Woojing, Korea). The experiment indicated that Donnan exclusion had strong effect with cation when operated at low flux. However, the overall ion rejection, which was conducted by conductivity value, was high due to influence of dielectric phenomenon. For anion, electric repulsion between the NF membrane and chloride was high enough to push calcium and magnesium ions through the membrane by Donnan exclusion phenomenon. Chloride ion had stronger effect on the rejection of magnesium ion than the calcium ion. The results indicate that the electrostatic repulsion between the other anions (nitrate, sulfate, and bicarbonate ions) and the membranes seemed to be strong enough with the low concentration, but vice versa at high concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface modification of islets using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is being studied as a means of preventing host immune responses against transplanted islets. In this study, to completely shield islets with PEG molecules, we increased the amount of PEG conjugated to islet surfaces, by multiple PEGylation or amplified PEGylation using poly-L-lysine, poly(allylamine), or poly(ethyleneimine), respectively. Amplified PEGylation was associated with islet cytotoxicity and functional impairment, but multiple PEGylation affected neither islet viability nor functionality. In addition, when triply PEGylated islets were allotransplanted into diabetic recipients, these islets survived in 3 of the 7 recipients for more than 100 days without any immunosuppressive treatment. Moreover, the blood glucose levels of these 3 recipients were stable and in the normal range. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 3 of 7 triply PEGylated islets transplants survived for 100 days and that 4 that were rejected before day 20 were all immunologically protected from immune cells. However, unmodified islets were completely destroyed within 1 week. Consequently, we suggest that multiple PEGylation offers an effective means of reducing the immunogenicity of transplanted islets by increasing the amount of surface-bound PEG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a simple power-control scheme for a constant-frequency class-D inverter with variable duty cycle at constant frequency is proposed. It is more suitable and acceptable for high-frequency induction-heating (IH) jar applications. The proposed control scheme has the advantages of not only wide power-regulation range but also ease of output-power control. In addition, it can achieve stable and efficient zero-voltage switching in the whole load range. The control principles of the proposed method are described in detail, and the validity is verified through the simulated and experimental results on the 42.8-kHz insulated gate bipolar transistor for an IH rated on 1.6 kW with constant-frequency variable power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viologen has been extensively investigated in the paper because their well-behaved electro-chemistry has led to their use in a variety of thesises, including the electron acceptor for the electric charge delivery mediation of the devices. The self-assembled monolayers of alkane derivatives with sulfur containing head groups on gold substrates have been widely examined recently, since the binding between S atoms and Au surface is strong. We could know it was formed monolayer onto quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) surface by self-assembly method from resonant frequency shift using quartz crystal analyzer (QCA). The measured frequency shift were about 408 Hz by VC8SH. From this value, we calculated that the mass adsorbed VC8SH were about 432 ng. The EQCM measurements revealed that anions exit and enter the viologen monolayer during reduction and oxidation, respectively. We also use the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for manipulating the surface on a nanometer scale to form nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the graft rejection of transplanted islets, the host's immune cells recognize the islets as antigens, which then stimulate the immune cells to begin the cytokine secretion and also the proliferation of immune cells. To prevent the recognition of islets by the immune cells, we grafted biocompatible polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the collagen capsule of islets without incurring any changes in the morphology and function of islets. To evaluate the efficiency of PEG grafting, PEGgrafted islets were cultured with splenocytes consisting mainly of lymphocytes and macrophages. A splenocyte proliferation assessment using a BrdU incorporation assay showed that the PEG-grafted islets did not stimulate the splenocytes. In addition, the viability and microorganisms in islet cells of co-cultured PEG-grafted islets were not altered. However, in the co-culture of free islets (control) splenocytes were stimulated; they mainly secreted TNF-α and strongly affected the viability and structure of free islets. Furthermore, when islets were treated with the rat recombinant TNF-α for 7 days, the viabilities of PEG-grafted and free islets were significantly damaged, although the viability of PEG-grafted islets was higher than that of free islets by nearly three times. These results demonstrate that PEG grafted on the surface of islets could prevent the recognition of islets by splenocytes, but could not completely protect islets from cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the taxis response of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Agrobacterium tumefaciens to nitrite and nitrite. Importance of nitrogen oxide respiration in taxis response; Inhibition of oxygen respiration following respiration of nitrogen oxides; Effect of oxygen on taxis.

Low voltage high mobility n-type thin film transistors (TFTs) based on sol-gel processed zinc oxide (ZnO) were fabricated using a high capacitance ion gel gate dielectric. The ion gel gated solution-processed ZnO TFTs were found to exhibit excellent electrical properties. TFT carrier mobilities were 13 cm2/V s, ON/OFF current ratios were 105, regardless of the sintering temperature used for the preparation of the ZnO thin films. Ion gel gated ZnO TFTs are successfully demonstrated on plastic substrates for the large area flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, commonly known as Korean or Asian ginseng, is a perennial herb native to Korea and China. Its roots are highly prized for several medicinal properties. The present study describes development and characterization of twentytwo polymorphic microsatellite markers for this species. A total of 99 alleles were detected with an average of 4.5 alleles per locus across 20 accessions. Values for observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosities ranged from 0.05 to 1.00 and from 0.18 to 0.73,respectively. Eleven loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.001). Significant (P < 0.05) heterozygote deficiency was observed at 13 loci. Exact test for linkage disequilibrium showed significant values (P < 0.05) between 12 pairs of loci. These microsatellite markers provide powerful tools for understanding population and conservation genetics of this species and also for genetic differentiation and authentication of different Panax species being used in commercial ginseng products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasal valve dysfunction can substantially impact nasal airflow and overall quality of life. This review provides a comprehensive examination of nasal valve dysfunction, including its mechanisms, classification, and surgical management. The nasal valves include internal and external valves, each of which plays a crucial role in regulating nasal airflow. Subclassification of the external nasal valve into alar and rim valves helps specify the site of obstruction when present and informs the choice of surgical intervention. Dynamic nasal valve obstruction, often characterized by inspiratory collapse of the nasal valve, must be distinguished from static obstruction, which refers to nasal valve stenosis. Accurate identification of the location and mechanism of nasal valve dysfunction is essential for effective management. Various surgical procedures target specific components of the nasal valve and can produce favorable functional outcomes. The selection of surgical procedures, whether individually or in combination, should be tailored to the characteristics of nasal valve dysfunction and the external nasal characteristics of the patient. Strict adherence to proper surgical techniques is imperative for achieving optimal treatment outcomes.

"The 2024 Guidelines for Osteoporosis - Korean Society of Menopause: Part II" provides information on the pharmacologic therapy of osteoporosis. The article discusses various treatments, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), bisphosphonates, denosumab, and romosozumab. It highlights the effectiveness of these treatments in reducing fractures and increasing bone mineral density. The article also touches on the topics of osteopenia, sarcopenia, and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), providing insights into diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The document includes a comprehensive list of references for further research on osteoporosis and its treatment options. [Extracted from the article]

A Brownian information engine can induce directed motion of a Brownian particle in a single heat bath at constant temperature by extracting work from the information about the microscopic state of the particle, and serves as a model for artificial and biological submicron scale engines. Much of the experimental studies to date are limited to the realization of an information engine where the initial state of the system is in thermal equilibrium; however, most of the biological and artificial motors operate far from equilibrium. Here, we realize a cyclic information engine operating in a nonequilibrium steady state consisting of a Brownian particle in an optical trap and investigate the optimal operating conditions for maximum work, power, and efficiency. The performance of our information engine depends on the cycle period τ and the distance xf that the trap center is shifted with respect to the reference distance xm. We found that the extracted work increases with increasing τ and is maximum when τ reaches infinity and xf=2xm, while the extracted power is maximum at finite τ for xf≥xm and when τ approaches zero for xf

We report on a lossless information engine that converts nearly all available information from an error-free feedback protocol into mechanical work. Combining high-precision detection at a resolution of 1 nm with ultrafast feedback control, the engine is tuned to extract the maximum work from information on the position of a Brownian particle. We show that the work produced by the engine achieves a bound set by a generalized second law of thermodynamics, demonstrating for the first time the sharpness of this bound. We validate a generalized Jarzynski equality for error-free feedback-controlled information engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perioperative adverse cardiac events (PACE), a composite of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, congestive heart failure, arrhythmic attack, acute pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest, and stroke during 30-day postoperative period, is associated with long-term mortality, but with limited clinical evidence. We compared longterm mortality with PACE using data from nationwide multicenter electronic health records. Methods: Data from 7 hospitals, converted to Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model, were used. We extracted records of 277,787 adult patients over 18 years old undergoing non-cardiac surgery for the first time at the hospital and had medical records for more than 180 days before surgery. We performed propensity score matching and then an aggregated meta-analysis. Results: After 1:4 propensity score matching, 7,970 patients with PACE and 28,807 patients without PACE were matched. The meta-analysis showed that PACE was associated with higher one-year mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.33, 95% CI [1.10, 1.60], P = 0.005) and higher three-year mortality (HR: 1.18, 95% CI [1.01, 1.38], P = 0.038). In subgroup analysis, the risk of one-year mortality by PACE became greater with higher-risk surgical procedures (HR: 1.20, 95% CI [1.04, 1.39], P = 0.020 for low-risk surgery; HR: 1.69, 95% CI [1.45, 1.96], P < 0.001 for intermediate-risk; and HR: 2.38, 95% CI [1.47, 3.86], P = 0.034 for high-risk). Conclusions: A nationwide multicenter study showed that PACE was significantly associated with increased one-year mortality. This association was stronger the older age group, emergency surgery group, and high surgical risk group. Further studies to improve mortality associated with PACE are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The effects of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were compared based on the route of estrogen administration. The study included 368 postmenopausal women who received MHT for 12 months. Patients were divided into transdermal (n = 75) and oral (n = 293) groups based on the estrogen route. Changes in the prevalence of NAFLD were compared between the two groups before and after 12 months of MHT. In addition, differences in the progression of NAFLD after MHT based on the dose of estrogen and type of progestogen were evaluated in the oral group. After MHT, the prevalence of NAFLD decreased from 24 to 17.3% in the transdermal group but increased from 25.3 to 29.4% in the oral group. Little or no change was found in clinical characteristics and laboratory tests in the transdermal group during MHT. However, serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased and triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly in the oral group. Furthermore, changes in the prevalence of NAFLD were not significantly different based on the dose of estrogen or type of progestogen. Our findings indicate that transdermal estrogen can be beneficial in terms of NAFLD progression.

Background: Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. To support agricultural production and enhance crop yield, two major N sources, nitrate and ammonium, are applied as fertilizers to the soil. Although many studies have been conducted on N uptake and signal transduction, the molecular genetic mechanisms of N-mediated physiological roles, such as the secondary growth of storage roots, remain largely unknown. Methods: One-year-old P. ginseng seedlings treated with KNO3 were analyzed for the secondary growth of storage roots. The histological paraffin sections were subjected to bright and polarized light microscopic analysis. Genome-wide RNA-seq and network analysis were carried out to dissect the molecular mechanism of nitrate-mediated promotion of ginseng storage root thickening. Results: Here, we report the positive effects of nitrate on storage root secondary growth in Panax ginseng. Exogenous nitrate supply to ginseng seedlings significantly increased the root secondary growth. Histological analysis indicated that the enhancement of root secondary growth could be attributed to the increase in cambium stem cell activity and the subsequent differentiation of cambium-derived storage parenchymal cells. RNA-seq and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that the formation of a transcriptional network comprising auxin, brassinosteroid (BR)-, ethylene-, and jasmonic acid (JA)-related genes mainly contributed to the secondary growth of ginseng storage roots. In addition, increased proliferation of cambium stem cells by a N-rich source inhibited the accumulation of starch granules in storage parenchymal cells. Conclusion: Thus, through the integration of bioinformatic and histological tissue analyses, we demonstrate that nitrate assimilation and signaling pathways are integrated into key biological processes that promote the secondary growth of P. ginseng storage roots.

Background: Red ginseng (RG) alleviates psychiatric disorders. Fermented red ginseng (fRG) alleviates stress-induced gut inflammation. Gut dysbiosis causes psychiatric disorders with gut inflammation. To understand the gut microbiota-mediated action mechanism of RG and fRG against anxiety/depression (AD), we investigated the effects of RG, fRG, ginsenoside Rd, and 20(S)-β-D-glucopyranosyl protopanaxadiol (CK) on gut microbiota dysbiosis-induced AD and colitis in mice. Methods: Mice with AD and colitis were prepared by exposing to immobilization stress (IS) or transplanting the feces of patients with ulcerative colitis and depression (UCDF). AD-like behaviors were measured in the elevated plus maze, light/dark transition, forced swimming, and tail suspension tests. Results: Oral gavage of UCDF increased AD-like behaviors and induced neuroinflammation, gastrointestinal inflammation, and gut microbiota fluctuation in mice. Oral administration of fRG or RG treatment reduced UCDF-induced AD-like behaviors, hippocampal and hypothalamic IL-6 expression, and blood corticosterone level, whereas UCDF-suppressed hippocampal BDNF+NeuN+ cell population and dopamine and hypothalamic serotonin levels increased. Furthermore, their treatments suppressed UCDF-induced colonic inflammation and partially restored UCDF-induced gut microbiota fluctuation. Oral administration of fRG, RG, Rd, or CK also decreased IS-induced AD-like behaviors, blood IL-6 and corticosterone and colonic IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and gut dysbiosis, while IS-suppressed hypothalamic dopamine and serotonin levels increased. Conclusion: Oral gavage of UCDF caused AD, neuroinflammation, and gastrointestinal inflammation in mice. fRG mitigated AD and colitis in UCDF-exposed mice by the regulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and IS-exposed mice by the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Abstract Background To assess the association between the reproductive factors of age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive span and the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS). Methods We used a population-based retrospective cohort study from the National Health Insurance Service database of Korea including a total of 1,224,547 postmenopausal women. Associations between age at menarche (≤ 12, 13–14 [reference], 15, 16, and ≥ 17 years), age at menopause (