Search

Objective : Intracranial atypical meningiomas have a poor prognosis and high rates of recurrence. Moreover, up to one-third of the recurrences undergo high-grade transformation into malignant meningiomas. We aimed to investigate the clinical factors that can predict the propensity of malignant transformation from atypical to anaplastic meningiomas.Methods : Between 2001 and 2018, all patients with atypical meningioma, in whom the tumors had undergone malignant transformation to anaplastic meningioma, were included. The patients’ medical records documenting the diagnosis of atypical meningioma prior to malignant transformation were reviewed to identify the predictors of transformation. The control group comprised 56 patients with atypical meningiomas who were first diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2018 and had no malignant transformation.Results : Nine patients in whom the atypical meningiomas underwent malignant transformation were included. The median time interval from diagnosis of atypical meningioma to malignant transformation was 19 months (range, 7–78). The study group showed a significant difference in heterogeneous enhancement (77.8% vs. 33.9%), bone invasion (55.6% vs. 12.5%), mitotic index (MI; 14.8±4.9 vs. 3.5±3.9), and Ki-67 index (20.7±13.9 vs. 9.5±7.1) compared with the control group. In multivariate analysis, increased MI (odds ratio, 1.436; 95% confidence interval, 1.127–1.900; p=0.004) was the only significant factor for predicting malignant transformation.Conclusion : An increased MI within atypical meningiomas might be used as a predictor of malignant transformation. Tumors at high risk for malignant transformation might require more attentive surveillance and management than other atypical meningiomas.

Cancer is a major disease and the leading cause of death worldwide, with colorectal cancer (CRC) being the third-most common cancer in Korea. The survival rate associated with CRC reduces as the disease stage increases. Therefore, its early detection and treatment can greatly increase patient survival rates. In this study, we identified the tetraspanin 5 (TSPAN5) gene as an important biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with CRC. A TMA slide was used for statistical analysis. pN and clinical stage were found to be significant factors according to chi-square analysis, whereas pT, pN, metastasis, clinical stage, and TSPAN5 expression were significant according to Cox regression analysis. In order to prove the usefulness of TSPAN5, which is overexpressed in patients with metastatic CRC, as a biomarker, proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined using cell lines inhibited using small interfering RNA. The evaluations confirmed that TSPAN5 suppression, in turn, suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenesis, which are characteristic of cancer cells. Therefore, the evaluation of TSPAN5 expression may help observe the prognosis of CRC and determine an appropriate treatment method for patients with CRC.

The strain designated as AN120528

A Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated as BN140041T, was isolated from cave soil at Gubyeongsan Mountain, Boeun-gun, Chungbuk province in Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain is closely related to Nocardioides silvaticus S-34 T, N. pelophilus THG-T63T, and N. immobilis FLL521T with 97.4%, 97.1%, and 96.8% similarity. The draft genome length was 4.27 Mb containing 424 contigs with a DNA G + C content of 70.5 mol%. The ANI value between strain BN140044T and its closely related species N. silvaticus S-34 T was 82.6%. The genome sequence of BN140041T displayed a key enzyme involved in the bioremediation of organic pollutants. The diagnostic diamino acid of peptidoglycan was LL-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The major respiratory quinone was MK-8(H4), and the major fatty acids (> 5% of the total fatty acids) were iso-C16:0 (55.3%), C18:1ω9c (7.7%) and iso-C17:0 (5.7%). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol. The results of genotypical, physiological, and biochemical characterization allow the phenotypic differentiation of strain BN140041T from related the Nocardioides strains. Therefore, strain BN140041T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which we propose the name Nocardioides antri sp. nov. The type strain is BN140041T (= KCTC 49080 T = CCTCC AB 2018226 T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, yellow-pigmented and non-spore forming rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain BN140078T, was isolated from farmland soil, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea. It was able to grow aerobically at 10–40 °C (optimum 28 °C), pH 5.5–7.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0–2.0% (w/v) NaCl concentration (optimum 1.0%) on Reasoner’s 2A (R2A) agar medium. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain BN140078T had 96.9%, 96.5% and 96.1% 16S rRNA gene similarities with Chitinophaga ginsengihumi KACC 17604T, Chitinophaga rupis KACC 14521T and Chitinophaga japonensis KACC 12057T, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7 and the major fatty acids (≥ 5%) were C16:1 ω5c, iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and Summed Feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids were composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified amino lipids and six unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 49.5 mol%. The genome of strain BN140078T comprises a number of biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, in particular those for non-ribosomal peptide products. The polyphasic taxonomic study clearly distinguished this strain from its closest phylogenetic neighbors. Thus, we propose that the BN140078T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga, for which the name Chitinophaga agrisoli sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is BN140078T (=KCTC 62555T = CCTCC AB 2018162T).

This study was conducted to increase the resilience of the disaster-safety vulnerable class. To this end, AHP analysis was conducted focusing on the factors of Disaster resilience of the disaster-safety vulnerable groups. The AHP survey was distributed to disaster experts(public officials, researchers, etc.), and a total of 10 surveys were analyzed. Analysis result, the priority factors for resilience of the disaster-safety vulnerable groups were community factors(0.371) → legal system factors(0.300) → economic factors(0.170) → disaster psychology factors(0.159). The priority within each factor is laws(ordinances), resident participation, local government-community trust, and support systems were derived. In order to enhance the resilience, administrative and policy implications for local government-community trust and resident participation were presented in amendment and supplementation of local government ordinances and implementation of support systems within local communities.

Background Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a plant disease that causes serious damage to pine trees. PWD occurs when the host plant is infected with pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In this study, a compound with nematicidal activity was isolated from actinomycetes and its efficacy was investigated in vitro. Result We screened and selected Streptomyces sp. 680560, which had nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, it showed 99.93% similarity with Streptomyces blastmyceticus NRRB-5480T . Furthermore, the active compound was isolated and was identified as teleocidin B4. Teleocidin B4 at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μM had low nematicidal activity after 24 and 36 h against adult and stage juveniles (J2) of B. xylophilus, but after 48 h, nematicidal activity exceeded 95%. The rate of inhibition of egg hatching for Teleocidin B4 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM was confirmed to be dose-dependently inhibited after 48 h of treatment. Teleocidin B4 is not only toxic to hatched B. xylophilus, but also affects egg hatching. Conclusion In conclusion, this study was carried out to isolate actinomycete metabolites from pine tree endophytes from various natural environments for control of pine wilt disease. A compound with nematicidal activity was isolated from a selected strain and its structure was identified as teleocidin B4. The nematicidal effect of the isolated active substance, teleocidin B4, was confirmed. This is the first report of the effect of teleocidin B4 on B. xylophilus, suggesting its possibility as a PWD control agent. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Purpose : To compare the differences in visual quality and accommodative functions after wearing single and multiple front surface aspheric functional contact lenses in the twenties having sufficient accommodation. Methods : Thirteen subjects(21.38±0.65 years) were evaluated for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stray light, total higher order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, accommodative response, binocular accommodative facility and near point of accommodation after wearing two types of contact lenses, respectively. Results : There was no significant difference in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stray light, total high order aberration, spherical aberration and binocular accommodative facility. Coma aberration increased slightly in wearing multi front aspheric functional contact lenses at 4 and 5 mm pupil size(p=0.037). Accommodative response(p=0.006) and near point of accommodation(p=0.005) were significantly reduced and shorter in wearing multi front aspheric functional contact lens. Conclusion : There was no difference in visual quality in wearing multiple front aspheric functional contact lenses compared to in wearing single front aspheric contact lenses. But it is thought to be useful as a functional contact lens for young adults because it has the effect on reducing the accommodative burden.

While Perron and Wada (2009) show that postwar U.S. real GDP follows a trend stationary process (TSP) based on the maximum likelihood approach, our analysis based on the Bayesian approach shows that it is a difference stationary process (DSP) with the stochastic trend component explaining most of the variations in real GDP. One goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis on the sources of such different results and to suggest that more credibility should be conferred to the Bayesian inference. Another goal naturally is to re-investigate the trend-cycle decompositions within the Bayesian framework. This is done by employing a model that incorporates time variation in both the mean and variance. The Bayesian approach to model selection prefers a DSP model to a TSP model, even though the evidence is less than decisive. Empirical results also show that there exists convincing evidence that the cycle from the DSP model, which is small in magnitude and noisy, has out-of-sample predictive power for future output growth at short horizons. The highly persistent TSP cycle without any predictive power may be related to spurious periodicity discussed in Nelson and Kang (1981).

Background: To analysis the role of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in treatment of the recurrent or residual World Health Organization (WHO) grade II and III meningiomas.Methods: Between 1995 and ...

Endophytic bacteria, a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites, are ideal candidates for environmentally benign agents. In this study, an endophytic strain, Streptomyces sp. AE170020, was isolated and selected for the purification of nematicidal substances based on its high nematicidal activity. Two highly active components, aureothin and alloaureothin, were identified, and their chemical structures were determined using spectroscopic analysis. Both compounds suppressed the growth, reproduction, and behavior of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In in vivo experiments, the extracts of strain Streptomyces sp. AE170020 effectively suppressed the development of pine wilt disease in 4-year-old plants of Pinus densiflora. The potency of secondary metabolites isolated from endophytic strains suggests applications in controlling Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and opens an avenue for further research on exploring bioactive substances against the pine wood nematode.

A light pink coloured bacterium, designated strain BN140002T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain BN140002T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 94.7, 94.7, 93.9, 93.3, 93.4 and 93.0% similarities to Salinarimonas rosea KCTC 22346T, Salinarimonas ramus DSM 22962T, Saliniramus fredricksonii HL-109T, Microvirga soli R491T, Chelatococcus caeni EBR-4-1T and Chelatococcus composti PC-2T, respectively. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 1 (C12 : 0 aldehyde and/or unknown 10.98) and the predominant ubiquinone was Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain BN140002T was 70.1 mol%. The genomic orthoANI values between strain BN140002T and Salinarimonas rosea KCTC 22346T and Salinarimonas ramus DSM 22962T were 75.0 and 74.8 %, respectively. Strain BN140002T had a class I-C type CRISPR-Cas system (CRISPR-associated helicase Cas3, CRISPR-associated protein Cas8c, CRISPR-associated protein Cas7, CRISPR-associated RecB family exonuclease Cas4, CRISPR-associated protein 1, 2). Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BN140002T should be assigned as a novel species of the genus Salinarimonas , for which the name Salinarimonas soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BN140002T (=KCTC 42643T=CCTCC AB 2017173T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on an actinobacterial strain (AN110305T) isolated from soil sampled in the Republic of Korea. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of strain AN110305T with Actinomycetia , with highest pairwise sequence similarities to Goodfellowiella coeruleoviolacea DSM 43935T (97.6%), Umezawaea tangerina MK27-91F2T (97.0%), Kutzneria chonburiensis NBRC 110610T (96.9%), Kutzneria buriramensis A-T 1846T (96.8%), Umezawaea endophytica YIM 2047XT (96.8%), Kutzneria albida NRRL B-24060T (96.7%) and Saccharothrix coeruleofusca NRRL B-16115T (96.6%). Cells of strain AN110305T formed pale-yellow colonies on Reasoner's 2A agar. MK-9 (H4) (68%) and MK-10 (H4) (32%) were the predominant menaquinones. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethyl ethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid were major polar lipids. Iso-C16:0 (24.5%), anteiso-C15:0 (19.3%), anteiso-C17:0 (15.7%) and iso-C15:0 (15.2%) were the major fatty acids and meso-diaminopimelic acid was the pepdidoglycan. The cell-wall sugars were composed of galactose, glucose, mannose and ribose. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.7 mol%. Based on genotypic and phenotypic data, strain AN110305T could be distinguished from all genera within the family Pseudonocardiaceae and represents a novel genus and species named Solihabitans fulvus gen. nov., sp nov. The type strain is AN110305T (=KCTC 39307T =DSM 103572T).

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, irregularly rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated as BN130099T, was isolated from farmland soil sampled in Goesan-gun, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain is closely related to Nocardioides pelophilus KACC 19192T with 98.11 % similarity. The DNA G+C content of strain BN130099T was 68.84 mol% (draft genome sequence). The genome sequence of BN130099T displayed key enzymes involved in bioremediation of organic pollutants and biosynthetic clusters of saquayamycin. The strain contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-8(H4) as the major respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acid was iso-C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The results of physiological and biochemical characterization allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain BN130099T from N. pelophilus KACC 19192T. The strain represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides , for which we propose the name Nocardioides humilatus sp. nov. The type strain is BN130099T (=KCTC 49079T=CCTCC AB 2018135T).

Uncovering tumor markers of colorectal cancer is important for the early detection and prognosis of the patients. Spermine oxidase (SMOX) is upregulated in various cancers. The present study aims to explore the biologic function and expression patterns of SMOX in colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common type of cancer worldwide. We used quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and in vitro functional studies in four CRC cell lines knocked down by SMOX siRNA and immunohistochemistry in 350 cases of CRC tissues. The results showed that SMOX was overexpressed in CRC cell lines and clinical samples. SMOX overexpression in tumor tissues was an independent prognostic factor, worsening overall survival (p = 0.001). The knock-down of SMOX inhibited CRC cell proliferation, invasion, and soft agar colony formation, uncovering its carcinogenic functions. This study indicated that SMOX overexpression could be an important oncogene in CRC and might serve as a valuable prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Superhydrophobic (SHPo) surfaces have been investigated vigorously since around 2000 due in large part to their unique potential for hydrodynamic frictional drag reduction without any energy or material input. The mechanisms and key factors affecting SHPo drag reduction have become relatively well understood for laminar flows by around 2010, as has been reviewed before [Lee et al. Exp Fluids 57:176 (2016)], but the progress for turbulent flows has been rather tortuous. While improved flow tests made positive SHPo drag reduction in fully turbulent flows more regular since around 2010, such a success in a natural, open water environment was reported only in 2020 [Xu et al. Phys Rev Appl 13:034056 (2020b)]. In this article, we review studies from the literature about turbulent flows over SHPo surfaces, with a focus on experimental studies. We summarize the key knowledge obtained, including the drag-reduction mechanism in the turbulent regime, the effect of the surface roughness morphology, and the fate and role of the plastron. This review is aimed to help guide the design and application of SHPo surfaces for drag reduction in the large-scale turbulent flows of field conditions. Graphic abstract

Endophytic bacteria, a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites, are ideal candidates for environmentally benign agents. In this study, an endophytic strain, Streptomyces sp. AE170020, was isolated and selected for the purification of nematicidal substances based on its high nematicidal activity. Two highly active components, aureothin and alloaureothin, were identified, and their chemical structures were determined using spectroscopic analysis. Both compounds suppressed the growth, reproduction, and behavior of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In in vivo experiments, the extracts of strain Streptomyces sp. AE170020 effectively suppressed the development of pine wilt disease in four-year-old plants of Pinus densiflora. The potency of secondary metabolites isolated from endophytic strains suggests applications in controlling Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and opens an avenue for further research on exploring bioactive substances against the pine wood nematode.

We develop an N-regime Markov-switching model in which the latent state variable driving the regime switching is endogenously determined with the model disturbance term. The models structure captures a wide variety of patterns of endogeneity and yields a simple test of the null hypothesis of exogenous switching. We derive an iterative filter that generates objects of interest, including the model likelihood function and estimated regime probabilities. Using simulation experiments, we demonstrate that the maximum likelihood estimator performs well in finite samples and that a likelihood ratio test of exogenous switching has good size and power properties. We provide results from two applications of the endogenous switching model: a three-state model of US business cycle dynamics and a three-state volatility model of US equity returns. In both cases, we find statistically significant evidence in favor of endogenous switching.

A LC-MS-guided screening led to the isolation of two new streptimidone derivatives (2 and 3) containing a glutarimide ring and two glutarimide ring-opened compounds (4 and 5) along with a known glutarimide-containing polyketide, streptimidone (1) from Streptomyces sp. W3002 strain. Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with data from the literature. Compound 2 is a non-hydroxylated analog at the C-5 position of streptimidone. The structure of 3 was determined as a streptimidone derivative possessing the α, β-unsaturated ketone moiety at positions C-5 and C-6. Compound 4 had similar chemical shifts and splitting patterns with 3, but the glutarimide ring is opened. Compound 5 closely resembles that of 4 with the only difference being the existence of an additional methoxy group instead of an amide group. Streptimidone (1) and 3 showed weak cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, respectively.

Background A rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT), a rare brain tumor, presents as a benign feature with a favorable outcome. To date, a few cases with aggressive behaviors, such as recurrence or dissemination, but none with malignant transformation, have been reported. We describe 1 case that recurred as glioblastoma after complete resection of the benign RGNT. Case Description A man aged 58 years presented with headache and dizziness without neurologic symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 4 × 2.5 cm, well-demarcated mass in the left cerebellar hemisphere. The patient underwent gross total resection of the tumor and a diagnosis of RGNT was made. There was no evidence of recurrence on serial follow-up. However, a recurrent heterogeneous enhancing mass in the previous surgical cavity was observed on a 7-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan. Reoperation was performed and a histopathological study revealed a glioblastoma. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous malignant transformation of an RGNT. Our case may be helpful in better understanding the biological behavior and clinical outcome of RGNT. We emphasize the malignant potential of this rare tumor and the necessity of future large-scaled research for most appropriate therapeutic strategies.

The growth rate and natural history of untreated hemangioblastomas remain unclear. This study investigated the natural history of untreated intracranial hemangioblastomas and predictors of tumor growth using volumetric assessment. This study retrospectively enrolled 31 patients with untreated hemangioblastomas between 2004 and 2017 who were followed up for at least 12 months. The 31 patients had a total of 52 hemangioblastomas. The 31 patients included 11 (35.5%) men and 20 (64.5%) women, of mean age 42.5 years. Seventeen (54.8%) patients were genetically diagnosed with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Of the 52 lesions, 33 (63.5%) grew during the follow-up period, whereas 19 (36.5%) remained stable. Overall mean actual growth rate (AGR) was 1.94 cm3/year, 2.38 cm3/year in the VHL and 1.79 cm3/year in the non-VHL group (p = 0.31). Overall mean relative growth rate (RGR) was 21%/year, 26%/year in the VHL and 19%/year in the non-VHL group. Time to 50% treatment probability was 34 months. The 1, 3, 5, and 7-year treatment probabilities were 11.5%, 50.1%, 52.7%, and 73%, respectively. The presence of only symptomatic lesions was significantly predictive of the growth of intracranial hemangioblastoma (odds ratio: 5.0, p = 0.02). The overall growth rate of intracranial hemangioblastoma was faster than that of other benign intracranial tumors, with symptomatic lesions being the only meaningful predictor of tumor growth. Because of their rapid growth rate and high probability of treatment, a wait and scan management strategy should be carefully applied to intracranial hemangioblastomas.

Since the mid-1980s, the volatility of major macro variables has decreased remarkably, known as the Great Moderation. Even though a great deal of literature addresses the sources of the Great Moderation, its association with potential changes in the dynamics of consumption or output has not been investigated rigorously. This paper reports two empirical findings: i) a faster adjustment of output to changes in its long-run random walk component and ii) a faster adjustment of consumption to changes in permanent income (as approximated by the random walk component of real output) since the mid-1980s. Our interpretation is that a faster diffusion of technology shocks induced by improved information technology may be responsible for the former. In the presence of precautionary savings, a change in the consumer behavior induced by lower uncertainty about future income may be responsible for the latter. The change in output dynamics itself may also be responsible for the change in consumer behavior, as implied by Deaton (1991).

A promiscuous Bacillus glycosyltransferase (YjiC) was explored for the enzymatic synthesis of monoterpene O-glycosides in vitro and in vivo. YjiC converted seven monoterpenes into 41 different sugar-conjugated novel glycoside derivatives. The whole-cell biotransformation of the same set of monoterpenes exhibited robust enzyme activity to synthesize O-glucosyl derivatives from Escherichia coli. These newly synthesized selected monoterpene-O-glucosyl derivatives exhibited enhanced antibacterial activities against human pathogenic bacteria and antinematodal activities against pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.