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Functional separators, which are chemically modified and coated with nanostructured materials, are considered an effective and economical approach to suppressing the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfide (LiPS) and promoting the conversion kinetics of sulfur cathodes. Herein, we report cobalt-aluminum-layered double hydroxide quantum dots (LDH-QDs) deposited with nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) as a bifunctional separator for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). The mesoporous LDH-QDs/NG hybrids possess abundant active sites of Co2+ and hydroxide groups, which result in capturing LiPSs through strong chemical interactions and accelerating the redox kinetics of the conversion reaction, as confirmed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, adsorption tests, Li2S nucleation tests, and electrokinetic analyses of the LiPS conversion. The resulting LDH-QDs/NG hybrid-coated polypropylene (LDH-QDs/NG/PP) separator, with an average thickness of ∼17 μm, has a high ionic conductivity of 2.67 mS cm-1. Consequently, the LSB cells with the LDH-QDs/NG/PP separator can deliver a high discharge capacity of 1227.48 mAh g-1 at 0.1C along with a low capacity decay rate of 0.041% per cycle over 1200 cycles at 1.0C.

Jae-Min Park,1,2 Hye Sun Lee,3 Ju-Young Park,4 Dong-Hyuk Jung,5 Ji-Won Lee1 1Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 4Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 5Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Ji-Won LeeDepartment of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of KoreaTel +82 2 2019 3482Fax +82 2 3462 8209Email indi5645@yuhs.acPurpose: Limited evidence is available on whether the white blood cell (WBC) count is a predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in non-obese individuals. This study aimed to determine whether WBC count could be used as an indicator for the prediction of incident T2DM among non-obese individuals using a large, community-based Korean cohort that was observed over 10 years.Patients and methods: A total of 4211 non-obese adults without diabetes aged 40– 69 years were selected from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The participants were divided into four groups according to WBC count quartiles. We prospectively assessed the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident T2DM, based on the American Diabetes Association criteria, using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models over 10 years after the baseline survey.Results: During the follow-up period, 592 (14.1%) participants had newly developed T2DM. The higher quartile of WBC count groups showed significantly higher cumulative T2DM incidence over 10 years after the baseline survey (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Compared with the HRs for individuals in the referent lowest quartile, the HR (95% CI) for incident T2DM in individuals in the highest quartile was 1.55 (1.10– 2.18) after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusion: A higher WBC count predicts future incident T2DM among community-dwelling non-obese Korean adults. This study suggests that WBC count could facilitate the prediction of non-obese individuals susceptible to T2DM.Keywords: white blood cell count, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic low-grade inflammation, non-obese adults

This study was carried out to observe the development of the autonomous skeletal development of the Favonigobius gymnauchen. Total length (TL) of larvae 3 days after hatching (DAH) were mean TL of 3.34 mm, with a line-shaped parasphenoid ossification in the cranium and basioccipital ossification in the back. The 10 DAH larvae had a mean TL of 5.20 mm, with the number of caudal vertebrae increasing to 15. The urostyle and two hypural bones in the lower part also began to ossify. The 23 DAH juveniles had a mean TL of 8.47 mm. The pectoral girdle’s skeleton was completed as the scapula and coracoid were ossified. The pelvic girdle also fully supported the ventral fin as its ossification was completed. Favonigobius gymnauchen and Tridentiger obscurus showed similar characteristics in terms of the anus location of hatched larvae, number of myotomes, and melanophore distribution during the morphological development of the larvae and juveniles. However, this study confirmed differences in the development of the vertebrae and urostyle bone.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUHNW) and metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotypes is important for developing strategies to prevent cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to identify the MUHNW and MHO genetic indices. The study dataset comprised genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes and epidemiological data from 49,915 subjects categorised into four phenotypes—metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), MUHNW, MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO). We conducted two GWASs using logistic regression analyses and adjustments for confounding variables (model 1: MHNW versus MUHNW and model 2: MHO versus MUHO). GCKR, ABCB11, CDKAL1, LPL, CDKN2B, NT5C2, APOA5, CETP, and APOC1 were associated with metabolically unhealthy phenotypes among normal weight individuals (model 1). LPL, APOA5, and CETP were associated with metabolically unhealthy phenotypes among obese individuals (model 2). The genes common to both models are related to lipid metabolism (LPL, APOA5, and CETP), and those associated with model 1 are related to insulin or glucose metabolism (GCKR, CDKAL1, and CDKN2B). This study reveals the genetic architecture of the MUHNW and MHO phenotypes in a Korean population-based cohort. These findings could help identify individuals at a high metabolic risk in normal weight and obese populations and provide potential novel targets for the management of metabolically unhealthy phenotypes.

Despite the clear benefits of Na and S active materials, Na–S hybrid energy storage devices have yet to be exploited, and existing Na–S batteries cannot provide fast kinetics and long-term stabilit...

The purpose of this study is to observe the early life history of Korean Lefua costata and use the result as basic taxonomic research data for balitorid fish. The fertilized eggs were light green color with completely circle shape and mean size was 1.21±0.06 mm (n=30). Immediately after hatching, the size of the larvae was 2.81±0.11 mm (n=5) in mean length, with egg yolk. On the 3rd day after hatching, the preflexion larvae had a mean length of 4.64±0.09 mm (n=5), and their mouth was opened to start feeding. On the 8th day after hatching, a mean length of the postflexion larvae was 9.43±0.46 mm (n=5), the distal part of the notochord was bent to 45°, and 16 fin rays were developed on the caudal fin. On the 31st day after hatching, a mean length of juveniles was 22.3±0.85 mm (n=5), and the number of fin rays was the same as that of adult fish with (iv8) dorsal fins and (iii8) anal fins.

We compared the improvement in components of metabolic syndrome (MS) before and after lifestyle modification, as determined by daily step counts (on a wrist-worn Fitbit®) in participants with and without MS recruited from volunteers attending medical health checkup programs. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the change in MS components between participants with and without MS by group × time interaction. Multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for confounders was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for improvements in MS components per 1000-steps/day increments. Waist circumference, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and diastolic blood pressure were significantly different between participants with and without MS (group × time: p = 0.010, p < 0.001, p = 0.025, and p = 0.010, respectively). Multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CI) of improvement in MS components per 1000-steps/day increments were 1.24 (1.01–1.53) in participants with and 1.14 (0.93–1.40) in participants without MS. Walking improved MS components more in individuals with than without MS. From a public health perspective, walking should be encouraged for high-risk MS individuals.

This study is intended to be used as the basic material for the taxonomic research by observing the stages of skeletal development of Luciogobius grandis larvae compared to the skeletal development patterns of the same fish family of Gobiidae. 3 days after hatching (DAH), the preflexion larvae was 4.01±0.11 mm (n=5) in average total length (TL) and the frontal began to ossify in the skull. 17 DAH, the advanced postflexion larvae was 5.37±0.05 mm (n=5) in average TL the supraoccipital and epiotic were ossified in the cranial bone. 36 DAH, the juvenile was 12.2±0.20 mm (n=5) in average TL and the urohyal was ossified in the hyoid arch. In addition to one hypural bone being ossified, the first, second, third and fourth were combined and were made three bone fragments and then, the bone ossification of all skeletons was completed.

The purpose of this study is to examine the types and methods of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation and their clinical effects, and to introduce recently developed VR rehabilitation methods. VR rehabilitation is largely divided into desktop type VR, third person type VR, and immersive type VR, and various companies have already introduced several such products. In addition, a VR rehabilitation method that surrounds the anterior, left, and right sides of a patient on three or all four sides have recently been introduced that has the advantage of providing a variety of sensory stimuli in an environment similar to real life. These devices vary in price, size, and sense of immersion. To date, VR rehabilitation has mainly been applied to adults with brain damage, including stroke, as well as to individuals with cerebral palsy, dementia, or mild cognitive impairment. VR rehabilitation positively contributes to improvements in their physical function, cognitive function, mental function, and daily living activities for two reasons. First, virtual reality-based rehabilitation provides continuous multisensory stimulation to the brain’s cognitive and motor areas through dynamic interaction with an environment similar to real life. This can positively contribute to the improvement of cognitive, physical, and mental functions through a direct effect on brain restructuring or plasticity. In addition, VR rehabilitation can induce active participation in rehabilitation by evoking fun and interest in patients, using a variety of contents. Thus, active rehabilitation can not only increase the time spent participating in rehabilitation but also improve compliance, which can aid in successful rehabilitation.

Objective:This study investigated the effects of ozone, chlorine dioxide, and chlorine pretreatment on water quality and microfiltration characteristics in the water reclamation facility.Methods:Ozone (0.5-2.5 mg/L), chlorine dioxide (1-5 mg/L) and chlorine (1-5 mg/L) were injected as an pre-oxidizing agent, and membrane fouling and surface damage during microfiltration (PVDF) were assessed. Results and Discussion:The hydrophobic substances were decomposed as the dosages of ozone and chlorine injected increased. However, chlorine dioxide could not effectively decompose hydrophobic organic matters in the range of 1-5 mg/L. In the case of pretreatment with chlorine, the microfiltration operation time was longer than in the case of pretreatment with ozone and chlorine dioxide. As the concentration of chlorine injection increased, the membrane filtration time before backwash gradually increased. Regardless of the type and concentration of the oxidizing agent, the membrane damage rate by the oxidizing agent was less than 1% within 28 days, and no surface damage was observed. Conclusions:Chlorine was considered to be the most efficient pre-oxidizer for microfiltration process with a PVDF membrane to reuse biologically treated wastewater in the wastewater treatment plant.

This study aimed to investigate early life of Coreoperca herzi living in Han River and compare morphological differences between different groups during the development in order to provide basic data for relevant taxonomic research. On average, one female individual spawned 541 to 861 eggs (average 701) at once. After 259 hours, the tail broke out of the egg membrane and hatching began. Immediately after hatching, the larvae were average 7.81±0.10 mm (n=5) in total length. 60 days the juvenile was average 35.9±1.30 mm (n=5) in total length. The white spots spread to the rest of the body, rending the same pattern as that on the body of their broodstock fish.

High-capacity electrode materials have been investigated to overcome the low energy density of electrochemical capacitors, but there are still issues arising from the trade-off between charge stora...

We synthesize ZnS–ZnO heterostructure nanorings at ∼680 °C under carrier gases with various [CO2]/[N2] ratios simulating an anoxic and weakly reduced atmosphere on early Earth. The synthesized nanorings consist of a ZnS–ZnO bilayered stem, ZnO teeth, and ZnS wing-like structures between the teeth and the ZnS layer. O atoms are supplied through the decomposition of CO2 presumably catalyzed by the ZnS surface. The respective growth directions of ZnS and ZnO layers in the stem are [0001] and [0111], and ZnO teeth are directed outward from the ring. The nanorings are structurally different from ZnS–ZnO nanorings having inward-directed teeth, which were grown under an oxygen-containing ambient environment. Contrary to the assumption of sulfide dominance including ZnS and MnS while disregarding oxygen-containing minerals such as ZnO on early Earth, we show that ZnS–ZnO nanorings, which are more advantageous in CO2 reduction efficiency, could be formed.

BackgroundIn the age of aging, Korea’s current medical delivery system threatens to increase the number of medical and caring refugees. This study attempts to develop an integrated senior citizen-oriented healthcare service system in which daily care, professional care, and rehabilitation are organically organized between medical institutions and local communities, thereby meeting the daily life needs of the elderly and inducing well-being, wellness, and well-dying.MethodsTo develop the integrated healthcare system, data collection and analyses were conducted through a systematic review, literature review, benchmarking, focus group interviews, and expert consultation.ResultsThe senior-specific, citizen-oriented healthcare service system developed in this study is designed to screen patients aged 65 or older within 24 h of being admitted, using the Geriatric Screening for Care-10. If there is reason for concern as a result of the screening, further evaluation is performed through assessment. Doctors and nurses create a care plan and a discharge plan based on the results from the screening and assessment. The nurse further uses the screening to monitor the patient’s condition before discharge. Based on the screening results at the time of discharge, a transitional care plan is prepared and provided to elderly patients and/or their families. This process enables a systematic link between medical institutions and community resources, aiming for the continuous management of health issues. It also establishes a multidisciplinary treatment plan that considers patients and their families so that diseases common to the elderly are diagnosed and treated promptly.ConclusionsThe most important issue for the elderly is to be able to live healthily and independently for the rest of their lives through well-being, wellness, and well-dying. The senior-specific, citizen-oriented healthcare service proposed in this study is an integrated medical treatment system for elderly users the implementation of which requires the daily care, professional care, and rehabilitation of elderly members of society to be organically organized according to the role of the patients, their families, and the caregiver.

The inherent technical challenges of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have arisen from the intrinsic redox electrochemistry occurring on the Li and S electrodes, which can significantly deteriorate the S utilization and life cycle. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials composed of atomic or near-atomic thickness with infinite lateral dimensions have been proven to be meritorious as emerging materials for energy storage applications due to their unique structures, remarkable physical properties, and tunable surface chemistry. Herein, we argue that surface functionalization or heteroatom doping of 2D materials, hybridization with other nanostructured materials (0D quantum dots, 1D nanotubes/nanowires, and other 2D nanosheets), and finally architecting into 3D structures along with the advantages of 2D building blocks can open up new opportunities for Li–S batteries. We also focus on the future directions of Li–S batteries in the design of S cathodes and separators utilizing the intrinsic and extrinsic properties of 2D nanomaterials.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare multisystem constellation of findings with congenital cervical fusion as the hallmark. The etiology is not fully understood.Recent studies have indicated that KFS is more prevalent than previously described.Hypermobility in the nonfused segments may lead to adjacent segment disease and potential disc herniation and myelopathy after minor trauma.Most patients with KFS are asymptomatic and can be managed nonoperatively. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients presenting with pain refractory to medical management, instability, myelopathy or radiculopathy, or severe adjacent segment disease.Patients with craniocervical abnormalities and upper cervical instability should avoid contact sports as they are at increased risk for spinal cord injury after minor trauma.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder where recent evidence suggests pathogenesis may be mediated by inflammatory processes. The molecular architecture of the disease remains to be fully elucidated. We performed single-nucleus transcriptomics and unbiased proteomics using postmortem tissue obtained from the prefrontal cortex of 12 individuals with late-stage PD and age-matched controls. We analyzed ∼80,000 nuclei and identified eight major cell types, including brain-resident T cells, each with distinct transcriptional changes in line with the known genetics of PD. By analyzing Lewy body pathology in the same postmortem tissue, we found that α-synuclein pathology is inversely correlated with chaperone expression in excitatory neurons. Examining cell-cell interactions, we found a selective abatement of neuron-astrocyte interactions and enhanced neuroinflammation. Proteomic analyses of the same brains identified synaptic proteins in prefrontal cortex that were preferentially downregulated in PD. Strikingly, comparing this dataset to a regionally similar published analysis for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we found no common differentially expressed genes in neurons, but identified many shared differentially expressed genes in glial cells, suggesting that disease etiology in PD and AD are likely distinct. These data are presented as a resource for interrogating the molecular and cellular basis of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.One Sentence SummaryWe provide an extensive single cell analysis profiling nearly 80,000 brain nuclei from prefrontal cortex of late-stage Parkinson’s disease brains, demonstrate that α-synuclein pathology is inversely correlated with chaperone expression in excitatory neurons, found a selective abatement of neuron-astrocyte interactions with enhanced neuroinflammation, and augmented the study with proteomic analysis and cross-comparisons with Alzheimer’s disease datasets, providing valuable insights into the pathways of neurodegeneration and a deep definition of the underlying molecular pathology for Parkinson’s disease.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was investigated to find out the relationship between big five personal characteristics of opticians’ job burnout, customer orientation, and job performance. Methods : After the theoretical research about Big 5 personal characteristics, job burnout, customer orientation, and job performance, three hypothesis were established based on the opinion and result of previous research.The data was collected from the opticians who were working the optical shops in Gwang-ju and Jeonnam, Two hundred sixty questionnaires were collected and analyzed using regression analysis after verifying the reliability and validity of measurement variable. Results : The result showed that the conscientiousness of Big 5 personal characteristics was influenced on the job burnout negatively, and on the neuroticism positively. Also, the job burnout of opticians was influenced customer orientation and job performance negatively. Conclusion : This study was examined under the shortage of previous studies about opticians‘ big 5 personal characteristics. Even if so, it was investigated to find out the relationship of the variables and suggested the efficient strategy to reduce the turnover of the opticians who work as a frontline officer. Also more practical implications were suggested in conclusion.

For the practical use of synthetic hydrogels as artificial biological tissues, flexible electronics, and conductive membranes, achieving requirements for specific mechanical properties is one of the most prominent issues. Here, we demonstrate superstrong, superstiff, and conductive alginate hydrogels with densely interconnecting networks implemented via simple reconstructing processes, consisting of anisotropic densification of pre-gel and a subsequent ionic crosslinking with rehydration. The reconstructed hydrogel exhibits broad ranges of exceptional tensile strengths (8–57 MPa) and elastic moduli (94–1,290 MPa) depending on crosslinking ions. This hydrogel can hold sufficient cations (e.g., Li+) within its gel matrix without compromising the mechanical performance and exhibits high ionic conductivity enough to be utilized as a gel electrolyte membrane. Further, this strategy can be applied to prepare mechanically outstanding, ionic-/electrical-conductive hydrogels by incorporating conducting polymer within the hydrogel matrix. Such hydrogels are easily laminated with strong interfacial adhesion by superficial de- and re-crosslinking processes, and the resulting layered hydrogel can act as a stable gel electrolyte membrane for an aqueous supercapacitor.

Electric vehicles and renewable energy have gain lots of interests as a trial to protect environment and to prepare the depletion of fossil fuels. However, currently widely used lithium-ion batteries have disadvantages such as safety issue due to the fire hazard from organic electrolytes and non-uniform distribution of lithium reserves. Accordingly, aqueous zinc ion battery is attracting attention as an alternative because of the use of zinc, which has about 17 times more reserves than lithium, and the use of aqueous electrolyte, which has a low risk of fire. To achieve the high-performance aqueous zinc ion battery, zinc metal has been studied a lot due to its high theoretical capacity (820 mA/g). However, there are several huddles to use the zinc metal as an anode. Low reversibility due to the dendrite formation, exhaustion of electrolyte from the hydrogen evolution reaction, and low energy efficiency coming from high overpotential during charge and discharge steps are them. In this study, we tried to overcome these shortcomings by using black phosphorus. Black phosphorus with a layered structure can make phosphorene, a two-dimensional structure like graphene, through exfoliation. Such phosphorene has the advantage of being able to increase the effect of functionalization because the surface occupies a large proportion of the total. Specifically, after oxidizing exfoliated black phosphorus, we could chemically attach it to the zinc surface, a water-stable two-dimensional coating layer was formed. It could drive a uniform and facile deposit of zinc. Computational and experimental methods were used to understand this role of oxidized black phosphorus.

Background: A positive relationship between testosterone level and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women has been reported, but findings concerning the association are conflict...

Background Geriatric syndromes are associated with morbidity and poor quality of life (QOL). Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most prevalent geriatric syndromes. However, there is little research on the association of UI and UI-related QOL with other geriatric syndromes. We investigated the relationship between geriatric syndromes and UI according to gender and UI-related QOL among older inpatients. Methods This study was conducted among 444 older inpatients (aged 65 years and older) between October 2016 and July 2017. We examined geriatric syndromes and related factors involving cognitive impairment, delirium, depression, mobility decline, polypharmacy, undernutrition, pain, and fecal incontinence. UI-related QOL was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate these associations. Results Geriatric syndromes and related factors were associated with UI. Mobility decline (odds ratio [OR], 4.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29-7.56), polypharmacy (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.89-5.92), and pain (OR, 6.80; 95% CI, 3.53-13.09) were related to UI in both genders. Especially, delirium (OR, 7.55; 95% CI, 1.61-35.44) and fecal incontinence (OR, 10.15; 95% CI, 2.50-41.17) were associated with UI in men, while cognitive impairment (OR, 4.19; 95% CI, 1.14-15.44) was significantly associated with UI in women. Patients with depression were more likely to have poor UI-related QOL (OR, 8.54; 95% CI, 1.43-51.15). Conclusion UI was associated with different geriatric syndromes and related factors according to gender. Care for patients with depression, related to poor UI-related QOL, should be considered in primary care to improve the UI-related QOL of these individuals.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the development of Coreoleuciscus splendidus egg and larvae morphology in the Ungcheon-stream. C. splendidus eggs were round and ranged in size from 1.86–2.01 mm (mean 1.91±0.14 mm). Immediately after hatching, the larvae had egg yolk in the abdomen with a total length of 5.27–6.63 mm (mean 5.95±0.96 mm). On the 10 days after hatching, the latter was 8.44–8.65 mm (mean 8.54±0.14 mm) in total length, and 5 dorsal fin rays were formed in dorsal fin and 8 caudal fin soft rays were formed in caudal fin. At 88 days after hatching, total length was 26.2–25.7 mm (mean 25.9±0.35 mm), and scales were formed throughout the body. The fin rays of each part were iii.7 in dorsal fin and iii.6 in anal fin, and finally the external form was the same as the adult fish.

Blown films based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and silica aerogel (SA; 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt.%) were obtained at the pilot scale. Good particle dispersion and distribution were achieved without thermo oxidative degradation. The effects of different SA contents (0.5–1.5 wt.%) were studied to prepare transparent-heat-retention LDPE/LLDPE films with improved material properties, while maintaining the optical performance. The optical characteristics of the composite films were analyzed using methods such as ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Their mechanical characteristics were examined along the machine and transverse directions (MD and TD, respectively). The MD film performance was better, and the 0.5% composition exhibited the highest stress at break. The crystallization kinetics of the LDPE/LLDPE blends and their composites containing different SA loadings were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, which revealed that the crystallinity of LDPE/LLDPE was increased by 0.5 wt.% of well-dispersed SA acting as a nucleating agent and decreased by agglomerated SA (1–1.5 wt.%). The LDPE/LLDPE/SA (0.5–1.5 wt.%) films exhibited improved infrared retention without compromising the visible light transmission, proving the potential of this method for producing next-generation heat retention films. Moreover, these films were biaxially drawn at 13.72 MPa, and the introduction of SA resulted in lower draw ratios in both the MD and TD. Most of the results were explained in terms of changes in the biaxial crystallization caused by the process or the influence of particles on the process after a systematic experimental investigation. The issues were strongly related to the development of blown nanocomposites films as materials for the packaging industry.

Place memory is a new way of seeing as a new concept of cultural landscape research. Various research works and discussions have recently spread in landscape studies. In particular, the, which is visible and material, is a medium in which collective memory is embedded in place memory. The purpose of this study is to extract places of memory from the collective memory of residents of Janghang, Korea, and to visualize it through semantic relations. For this purpose, semi-standardized interviews (34 persons) were conducted with residents, and frequency analysis and semantic network analysis were used. As a result, the interviewees recalled only 127 places in Janghang that existed between 1920 and 2010. Locals remember the city based on places of memory. This means that the city could be illustrated according to specific places that are frequently mentioned. For instance, the top 25 places (top 20%) explain 65.6% of all the places in the city, and the top 39 places (top 30.8%) could describe 78.7% of the places. Some places are referred to more frequently when they are in the city’s symbolic landscape, and the city’s identity is projected on them. Some places were mentioned only infrequently but were nevertheless very important places by which to understand Janghang. These places of memory have not appeared in the documentary records before, which shows the value of the collective memory of the locals and the effectiveness of the interviewing method. In the clustering of the semantic network, six groups of places appeared. The local residents remembered the modern industrial city and recalled it in connection with the sites of daily life. This shows the possibility of looking not only at public memory and famous heritage as a macro history but also at daily life and meaningful places as a micro history about locals. This study has significance as an initial research that identified and visualized places of memory from the perspective of local residents. Such an approach could be useful in the study of everyday life and the conservation of modern heritage.

Background Hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia (DL) are well-known risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but not all patients develop CVDs. Studies have been limited investigating genetic risk of CVDs specific to individuals with metabolic diseases. This study aimed to identify disease-specific and/or common genetic loci associated with CVD susceptibility in chronic metabolic disease patients. Methods We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of a multiple case–control design with data from the City Cohort within Health EXAminees subcohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES_HEXA). KoGES_HEXA is a population-based prospective cohort of 173,357 urban Korean adults that had health examinations at medical centers. 42,393 participants (16,309 HTN; 5,314 DM; 20,770 DL) were analyzed, and each metabolic disease group was divided into three CVD case-controls: coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke (IS), and cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCD). GWASs were conducted for each case–control group with 7,975,321 imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms using the Phase 3 Asian panel from 1000 Genomes Project, by logistic regression and controlled for confounding variables. Genome-wide significant levels were implemented to identify important susceptibility loci. Results Totaling 42,393 individuals, this study included 16,309 HTN (mean age [SD], 57.28 [7.45]; 816 CAD, 398 IS, and 1,185 CCD cases), 5,314 DM (57.79 [7.39]; 361 CAD, 153 IS, and 497 CCD cases), and 20,770 DL patients (55.34 [7.63]; 768 CAD, 295 IS, and 1,039 CCD cases). Six genome-wide significant CVD risk loci were identified, with relatively large effect sizes: 1 locus in HTN (HTN-CAD: 17q25.3/CBX8-CBX4 [OR, 2.607; P = 6.37 × 10−9]), 2 in DM (DM-IS: 4q32.3/MARCH1-LINC01207 [OR, 5.587; P = 1.34 × 10−8], and DM-CCD: 17q25.3/RPTOR [OR, 3.511; P = 1.99 × 10−8]), and 3 in DL (DL-CAD: 9q22.2/UNQ6494-LOC101927847 [OR, 2.282; P = 7.78 × 10−9], DL-IS: 3p22.1/ULK4 [OR, 2.162; P = 2.97 × 10−8], and DL-CCD: 2p22.2/CYP1B1-CYP1B1-AS1 [OR, 2.027; P = 4.24 × 10−8]). Conclusions This study identified 6 susceptibility loci and positional candidate genes for CVDs in HTN, DM, and DL patients using an unprecedented study design. 1 locus (17q25.3) was commonly associated with CAD. These associations warrant validation in additional studies for potential therapeutic applications.

Light plays an important role in the transcriptional regulation of photosynthetic apparatus. The influence of oxygen and light conditions on the protein expression of Rhodobacter sphaeroides was investigated using a proteomic approach. The R. sphaeroides was grown aerobically under dark cultivation (D24) and light cultivation (L24) for 24 h. An average of 950 distinguishable spots were obtained on 2-D analytic gel for D24 and L24 conditions, of which 48 proteins exhibited significant changes in protein expression levels. Among the 48, 31 proteins were upregulated and 17 proteins were downregulated in L24 when compared with D24. The results depict the comparative protein expression in R. sphaeroides mediated through growth under light or dark conditions. The data suggest that the overexpressed proteins, phosphoribosyl-ATP pyrophosphatase (HisE), in the D24/aerobic culture are involved in the positive regulation of PAC production can be functionally applied in metabolic engineering and industrial processes.

Among the three isoforms encoded by Rtn4, Nogo-A has been intensely investigated as a central nervous system inhibitor. Although Nogo-A expression is increased in muscles of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, its role in muscle homeostasis and regeneration is not well elucidated. In this study, we discovered a significant increase in Nogo-A expression in various muscle-related pathological conditions. Nogo−/− mice displayed dystrophic muscle structure, dysregulated muscle regeneration following injury, and altered gene expression involving lipid storage and muscle cell differentiation. We hypothesized that increased Nogo-A levels might regulate muscle regeneration. Differentiating myoblasts exhibited Nogo-A upregulation and silencing Nogo-A abrogated myoblast differentiation. Nogo-A interacted with filamin-C, suggesting a role for Nogo-A in cytoskeletal arrangement during myogenesis. In conclusion, Nogo-A maintains muscle homeostasis and integrity, and pathologically altered Nogo-A expression mediates muscle regeneration, suggesting Nogo-A as a novel target for the treatment of myopathies in clinical settings.

Treatment of post-surgical pain is predicated by an understanding of pain generators. The purpose of this review is to identify sensory dependent areas of the shoulder and discuss their correlation in treating postoperative pain.Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews were searched (key terms: "Nociception" or "sensory pain receptors" or "pain map" or "neuroanatomy and shoulder" or "rotator cuff") to identify studies in the current literature (1966-2018) regarding sensory innervation of the shoulder and rotator cuff. The search was limited to the English language, human studies, and publication types to reviews and clinical studies. Articles written in other languages besides English, animal studies, abstracts, and conference notes were excluded. Each search result was investigated for relevant physiological information of the nerve endings and nociceptors as well as pertinent information and figures that illustrated the location of the identified receptors.A total of 12 articles were identified that addressed the sensory innervation of the shoulder. The shoulder capsule has the highest sensory nerve density. The attachment sites between the labrum and the capsule and glenoid rim were also found to be highly sensory dependent, in contrast to the peri-core zone at the capsulolabral junction, which was found to be less concentrated with fascicles and sensory nerve endings. The subacromial bursa is also a highly sensory dependent structure, with a more concentrated neural network on the coracoacromial side compared to other quadrants of the bursa. Cutaneous locations of sensory fibers on the shoulder are best defined by mapping the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of various locations on the shoulder. The most sensory dependent locations of the shoulder were found to be the posterior border of the acromion, the glenohumeral joint, the anterior deltoid, and the upper trapezius.This review examined the origin of pain in the shoulder, the location of cutaneous pain receptors, and receptors in each major part of the shoulder. Providing analgesia to these densely innervated areas of the shoulder can potentially reduce pain associated with surgical trauma. In addition, knowledge of the sensory dependent areas of the shoulder may elicit consideration of alternative incision sites and surgical protocols to decrease the insult to nociceptors in these locations. These changes could possibly decrease the narcotic requirement in the postoperative period.

Background: Nogo-A (Rtn 4A), a member of the reticulon 4 (Rtn4) protein family, is a neurite outgrowth inhibitor protein that is primarily expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the role of Nogo-A in inflammatory mechanisms remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we used Nogo-knockout (KO) mice to explore its potential role in the inflammatory process. Here, we investigated whether Nogo-A affects the inflammatory process through transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Results: Our results demonstrated that Nogo-A, CHOP, and pro-inflammatory factors were activated in the following: notexin-induced muscle injury, in human Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, in dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice, in differentiated C2C12 myoblast cells, and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Moreover, we found that Nogo-KO BMDM exhibited lower migratory ability compared with wild type (WT) BMDM after LPS treatment. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that the Nogo-A-CHOP signaling pathway regulated the inflammatory process in notexin-induced injured muscle, in mdx mice, in DMD patients, in differentiated C2C12 cells, and in LPS-stimulated BMDM. Taken together, these results suggest that Nogo-A plays a vital role in inflammatory processes, which resembles the pathological mechanisms observed in the CNS.

Background: Hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia (DL) are well-known risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but not all patients develop CVDs. Studies have been limited investigating genetic risk of CVDs specific to individuals with metabolic diseases. This study aimed to identify disease-specific and/or common genetic loci associated with CVD susceptibility in chronic metabolic disease patients.Methods: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of a multiple case-control design with data from the City Cohort within Health EXAminees subcohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES_HEXA). KoGES_HEXA is a population-based prospective cohort of 173,357 urban Korean adults that had health examinations at medical centers. 42,393 participants (16,309 HTN; 5,314 DM; 20,770 DL) were analyzed, and each metabolic disease group was divided into three CVD case-controls: coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke (IS), and cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCD). GWASs were conducted for each case-control group with 7,975,321 imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms using Phase 1/2 Asian panels from 1000 Genomes Project, by logistic regression and controlled for confounding variables. Genome-wide significant levels were implemented to identify important susceptibility loci.Results: Totaling 42,393 individuals, this study included 16,309 HTN (mean age [SD], 57.28 [7.45]; 816 CAD, 398 IS, and 1,185 CCD cases), 5,314 DM (57.79 [7.39]; 361 CAD, 153 IS, and 497 CCD cases), and 20,770 DL patients (55.34 [7.63]; 768 CAD, 295 IS, and 1,039 CCD cases). Six genome-wide significant CVD risk loci were identified, with relatively large effect sizes: 1 locus in HTN (HTN-CAD: 17q25.3/CBX8-CBX4 [OR, 2.607; P = 6.37 × 10−9]), 2 in DM (DM-IS: 4q32.3/MARCH1-LINC01207 [OR, 5.587; P = 1.34 × 10−8], and DM-CCD: 17q25.3/RPTOR [OR, 3.511; P = 1.99 × 10−8]), and 3 in DL (DL-CAD: 9q22.2/UNQ6494-LOC101927847 [OR, 2.282; P = 7.78 × 10−9], DL-IS: 3p22.1/ULK4 [OR, 2.162; P = 2.97 × 10−8], and DL-CCD: 2p22.2/CYP1B1-CYP1B1-AS1 [OR, 2.027; P = 4.24 × 10−8]).Conclusions: This study identified 6 susceptibility loci and positional candidate genes for CVDs in HTN, DM, and DL patients using an unprecedented study design. 1 locus (17q25.3) was commonly associated with CAD. These associations warrant validation in additional studies for potential therapeutic applications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal change in muscle mass over 10 years according to serum calcium levels and calcium intake. A total of 1497 men and 1845 women aged 50 years and older were included. Significant muscle loss (SML) was defined as a 5% or greater loss from baseline, while time-dependent development of SML was assessed according to quartiles for corrected calcium level and daily calcium intake using Cox regression models. The incidence of SML was 6.7 and 7.7 per 100-person-years among men and women, respectively. Groups with the lowest corrected calcium levels had more prominent SML than those with higher calcium levels, regardless of sex. The relationship between SML and calcium intake was significant only among women. The hazard ratio for SML per 1 mmol/L increase in corrected calcium level was 0.236 and 0.237 for men and women, respectively. In conclusion, low serum calcium levels may predict SML among adults aged &ge, 50 years, while low calcium intake may be a predictor for muscle loss among women. Therefore, encouraging dietary calcium intake among middle-aged and older adults for preservation of muscle mass should be considered.

Background Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is a major public health issue and is highly prevalent in the general population. Leptin is an adipose tissue-derived endocrine factor that has been associated with several metabolic factors involved in cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have investigated the association between leptin and renal diseases so far. But the results are conflicting between the studies. The objective of our study was to verify the direct association of serum leptin level with CKD development. Methods This prospective cohort study included 2646 adult aged 40–70 without CKD in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study(KoGES) across South Korea from November 2005 to February 2012. The primary outcome was the development of CKD as defined by National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was done to assess the independent associations, for with the incident of CKD as the dependent variable, in tertiles of leptin values. Results Among 1100 men and 1546 women with 2.8 mean years of follow-up, incidence of CKD was 18(1.63%) for men and 50(3.23%) for women. In the multivariate logistic regression models, individuals in the highest serum leptin tertile showed significant associations with risk of CKD after adjustment compared to the lowest tertiles in the population. The crude odds ratio for trend was 2.95(p = 0.004) for men. After adjusting for age, baseline eGFR variables showed correlation with statistical significance (OR for trend = 2.25, p = 0.037) for men. The same trends were also seen observed in all population and women also, but no statistical significance was found. Conclusions Higher plasma leptin levels are associated with the incidence of CKD, independent of traditional factors such as age, baseline eGFR. Our results suggest that leptin may partly explain part of the reported association between obesity and kidney disease.