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Abstract The widespread use of sulfonamides can result in the residue of sulfonamides in the foods of animal origin that are the major concerns of consumers and regulatory bodies due to their adverse reaction such as the development of antibiotic resistance. A rapid and efficient multi-residue analytical method was developed to screen and confirm 31 sulfonamides in livestock samples in a single run, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with comprehensive mass spectrometric approaches. In this study, a novel sample preparation procedure was used, based on a modified QuEChERS method (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe). The linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the method were validated according to the Codex guidelines. The response of the detector was linear for each target compound over a wide concentration range, with a correlation coefficient (r2) greater than 0.98. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.3 to 5 ng g −1 and from 1 to 19 ng g −1 and the average recoveries (%) for three laboratories ranged from 85 to 109% with a CV (n = 5) below 22%. The applicability of this screening method was verified using real livestock samples. The proposed analytical method achieves identification and quantification of target sulfonamides at trace levels in a short analysis time. None of the samples contained residues that exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL).

There is a paucity of research on the difference between men and women in the impact of mental health on sexual function during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to explore sexual function changes and the effects of mental health on sexual function during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data from a self-administered online questionnaire completed by 180 healthy Korean volunteers were analyzed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women tended to be more vulnerable than men in all subscales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), except for the stress subscale (p < 0.001). Regarding sexual function, overall sexual function, including both the total International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score and total Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score, was lower during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. All subscales of DASS-21 and total DASS-21 scores were negatively correlated with total IIEF-5 and total FSFI score in men and women, respectively. On a multivariate analysis, the anxiety subscale of DASS-21 was an independent risk factor for decreased total IIEF-5 score in men (p < 0.05). Mental health during the pandemic has negatively influenced sexual function in both sexes. Particularly, anxiety was a significant risk factor for decreased erectile function in men during the pandemic.

Abstract In this study, an analysis method was established for the quantification of residues of halquinol and its metabolites in livestock and fishery products using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). We selected beef, pork (muscle and fat), chicken, egg, milk, flat fish, eel, and shrimp as target samples for validation of the method owing to them being typical livestock and fishery products. Validation of the developed analysis method was performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) at three concentration levels (0.5, 1, and 2 × the maximum residue limits) following the Codex Alimentarius (CODEX) guidelines (CAC/GL 71–2009). For all samples, correlation coefficients (R2) exceeded 0.99, recoveries ranged between 75.59 and 119.36%, and coefficients of variation (CV) ranged between 1.39 and 28.66%, thus satisfying CODEX guidelines. In addition, inter-laboratory validation was conducted, and the resulting recoveries and CVs satisfied the CODEX guidelines; LOQ was established as 10 μg kg–1 for pig muscle and 5 μg kg–1 for the other samples. Therefore, the analysis method developed in this study can accurately and precisely screen for and quantify halquinol and its metabolites in livestock and fishery products.

Background: We investigated the association between moderate-to-severe prostatitis-like symptoms and the predictors of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) progression. Methods: Men who underwent health checkups were analyzed. We classified symptoms as “moderate to severe” if the pain score according to the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index was ≥8 and predictors of the progression of BPH were defined as having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥1.6 ng/mL, total prostate volume (TPV) ≥31 mL, international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≥20, and maximal flow rate (Qmax)

Abstract Abnormal expression of insulin gene enhancer-binding protein 1 (ISL1) has been demonstrated to be closely associated with cancer development and progression in several cancers. However, little is known about ISL1 expression in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ISL1 has also been recognized as a positive modulator of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we focused on ISL1 which showed maximum upregulation at the mRNA level in the enzalutamide-resistant cell line. Accordingly, we found that ISL1 was overexpressed in enzalutamide-resistant C4-2B cells and its expression was significantly related to EMT. Our findings reveal the important role of ISL1 in androgen receptor (AR)-dependent prostate cancer cell growth; ISL1 knockdown reduced the AR activity and cell growth. ISL1 knockdown using small-interfering RNA inhibited AR, PSA, and EMT-related protein expression in C4-2B ENZR cells. In addition, knock-down ISL1 reduced the levels of AKT and p65 phosphorylation in C4-2B ENZR cells and these suggest that knock-down ISL1 suppresses EMT in part by targeting the AKT/NF-κB pathway. Further, ISL1 downregulation could effectively inhibit tumor growth in a human CRPC xenograft model. Together, the present study shows that downregulation of ISL1 expression is necessary for overcoming enzalutamide resistance and improving the survival of CRPC patients.

Despite an increase in the use of targeted anticancer drugs and immunotherapy, cytotoxic anticancer drugs such as docetaxel continue to play a clinically important role. The aim of this study was to evaluate drug-drug interactions between docetaxel and coadministered medicines in patients with breast cancer a claims database. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database (2017 to 2019) was used in this study. We evaluated the risk of neutropenia (defined using receipt of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) prescriptions) under docetaxel administration or the coadministration of docetaxel and an interacting anticancer drug (predefined based on approval information obtained from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Lexicomp electronic database). The propensity score matching method was applied to balance covariates in the case (patients with G-CSF prescriptions) and control (patients without G-CSF prescriptions) groups. We identified 947 female patients with breast cancer prescribed with docetaxel and excluded 321 patients based on inclusion criteria. Of the remaining 626 patients, 280 were assigned to the case group and 346 to the control group. Predefined drugs were coadministered to 71 (11.3%) patients during the 7-day period before and after the administration of docetaxel. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) calculated using the logistic regression model applied to the propensity score matching showed no significant difference between the administration of docetaxel alone and docetaxel coadministration (adjusted OR, 2.010; 95% confidence interval, 0.906, 4.459). In conclusion, we suggest that coadministration of docetaxel and a predefined interacting drug are not associated with G-CSF prescription.

Background. Alirocumab and evolocumab, as protein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, have been reported to reduce cardiovascular risk. This meta-analysis is aimed at updating the safety data of PCSK9 inhibitors. Methods. We assessed the relative risk for all treatment-related adverse events, serious adverse events, diabetes-related adverse events, and neurocognitive and neurologic adverse events with PCSK9 inhibitors compared to controls (placebo or ezetimibe). In addition, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively integrate and estimate the adverse event rates in long-term studies. Results. There were no significant differences between PCSK9 inhibitors and controls in the relative risk analysis. In a subgroup analysis of each PCSK9 inhibitor, alirocumab treatment significantly reduced the risk of serious adverse events compared to control treatment (risk ratio RR=0.937; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.896–0.980), but no significant difference was observed with evolocumab treatment (RR=1.003; 95% CI, 0.963–1.054). Moreover, alirocumab treatment afforded a significant reduction in the risk of diabetes-related adverse events compared to control treatment (RR=0.9137; 95% CI, 0.845–0.987). The overall incidence (event rate) of long-term adverse events was 75.1% (95% CI, 71.2%–78.7%), and the incidence of serious long-term event rate was 16.2% (95% CI, 11.6%–22.3%). Conclusions. We suggest that alirocumab and evolocumab are generally safe and well tolerated and that their addition to background lipid-lowering therapy is not associated with an increased risk of adverse events or toxicity.

Background: To compare the safety and efficacy of open simple prostatectomy (OSP) and robotic simple prostatectomy (RSP) for the treatment of large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 52 patients who underwent OSP (n = 23) and RSP (n = 29) between January 2005 and March 2019 at a single institution. The preoperative status of the patients, complications related to surgery, and the functional outcomes of the surgery were analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in the preoperative total prostate volume, transitional volume, prostate-specific antigen value, and age between the two groups. Postoperative improvements in the International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual were significant and similar for both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding surgery duration and resected prostate volume. The majority of patients in both groups had the urethral Foley catheter removed within the planned 10 day postoperative period, with the exception of two patients in the OSP group who had prolonged indwelling Foley catheter placement because of persistent hematuria. Postoperative hematocrit changes were significantly lower in the RSP group (RSP: 7.8 ± 4.1%, OSP: 14.2 ± 4.9%, P

Statin is highly recommended for dyslipidemia to prevent atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases and death. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies and safeties of low/moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe combination therapy vs. high-intensity statin monotherapy. Meta-analysis was conducted on data included in published studies performed to compare the effects of the two treatments on lipid parameters and hs-CRP. Safety-related parameters were also evaluated. Eighteen articles were included in the meta-analysis. In terms of efficacy, low/moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe reduced LDL-C (SE = 0.307; 95% CI 0.153-0.463), TC (SE = 0.217; 95% CI 0.098-0.337), triglyceride (SE = 0.307; 95% CI 0.153-0.463), and hs-CRP (SE = 0.190; 95% CI 0.018-0.362) significantly more than high-intensity statin therapy. In terms of safety, the two treatments were not significantly different in terms of ALT elevation, but high-intensity statin increased AST and CK significantly more than combination therapy. This analysis indicates that low/moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe combined therapy is more effective and safer than high-intensity statin monotherapy, which suggests the addition of ezetimibe to statin should be preferred over increasing statin dose and that high-intensity statin should be used more carefully, especially in patients with related risks.

This paper devises an output-feedback multi-loop positioning technique adopting the speed observer and multi-motor synchronizer, targeting the dual (master and slave) motor elevator system applications, providing the three contributions. First, the order-reduction observer continuously extracts the speed information from the motor position measurement, independent of the system model information. Second, the order-reduction stabilizer accomplishes the speed synchronization tasks for both the master and slave motors. Third, the resultant feedback system guarantees to exponentially recover the desired first-order transfer function from the reference to the actual motor position despite the model-plant mismatches. The prototype elevator system adopting the dual motor experimentally validates the practical advantages of the proposed technique.

When fabricating definitive implant-supported fixed prostheses in upper and lower completely edentulous patients, it is crucial to get information about the vertical dimension, jaw relationship, implants, abutments and gingival contour. In this case, temporary prostheses were used to take the information. The temporary prosthesis was scanned outside of the mouth so that it increased the efficiency of scanning it. During the scan of the prosthesis, a scan zig which connected both posterior parts of the prosthesis was used to minimize the scan errors. We report this case because we obtained satisfactory functional and esthetic results by using the digital technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel trajectory-tracking technique for servo systems treating only the position measurement as the output subject to practical concerns: system parameter and load uncertainties. There are two main contributions: (a) the use of observers without system parameter information for estimating the position reference derivative and speed and acceleration errors and (b) an order reduction exponential speed error stabilizer via active damping injection to enable the application of a feedback-gain-learning position-tracking action. A hardware configuration using a QUBE-servo2 and myRIO-1900 experimentally validates the closed-loop improvement under various scenarios.

To understand the environmental factors affecting the spatiotemporal distribution of copepods, sampling was conducted seasonally in a small mesotidal inlet and estuary located in Doam Bay of southwestern Korea. The study area was divided seasonally into two or three station groups (estuarine, mixed, and coastal) by a cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling based on copepod abundance. Acartia forticrusa, A. hudsonica, A. ohtsukai, Paracalanus parvus s. l., Pseudodiaptomus marinus, Tortanus derjugini, T. dextrilobatus, T. forcipatus, Oithona spp., and harpacticoids were important species for grouping the stations. The spatiotemporal distribution of the first two species was restricted to the estuarine area in summer and significantly correlated with temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration. The distribution of other brackish species, such as T. derjugini and T. dextrilobatus, significantly correlated with temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration. In contrast, A. hudsonica significantly correlated with dinoflagellate density and turbidity in winter, in addition to the abovementioned environmental factors. Acartia hudsonica also maintained a large population in the estuarine area in fall and winter, and its distribution extended across the entire bay in spring. Other coastal species occurred in all areas and did not significantly correlate with environmental factors. Therefore, brackish species in the study area may have developed seasonally different behaviors to sustain their populations.

BackgroundErlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat EGFR mutation positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Skin rash and diarrhea are well-known and common adverse events in patients receiving erlotinib, whereas other adverse events, including eye, liver, or renal disorders have not been evaluated adequately. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the ocular, hepatobiliary, and renal toxicities of erlotinib in patients with NSCLC cancers.MethodsIn total, sixty studies were assessed, and the results of the included studies were quantitatively integrated using meta-analysis. The incidence of ocular, hepatobiliary (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and bilirubin elevations; other hepatic adverse events), and renal adverse events were estimated. Additionally, the erlotinib-treated groups and the control groups (placebo or other treatment) were compared with respect to ocular disorders and ALT elevation. The study protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42018093758.ResultsThe overall incidence of ocular disorders was 3.30% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20%-5.00%). The incidence of ALT elevation, bilirubin elevation, and other hepatobiliary disorders was 6.40% (95% CI 3.90%-10.4%), 3.80% (95% CI 2.30%-6.10%), and 1.00% (95% 0.60%-1.80%), respectively. The incidence of renal disorder was 3.10% (95% CI 1.90%-5.00%). The risk of ocular toxicity in the erlotinib treatment group was significantly increased (risk ratio = 2.91; 95% CI 1.70-4.98) compared to that in the control group. ALT elevation was not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionBased on the results, careful monitoring of ocular toxicity in patients receiving erlotinib should be recommended and closer monitoring of hepatic toxicity should be also recommended in patients with liver-related risk factors.

With the increasing demand for renewable energy power generation systems, high-power DC transmission technology is drawing considerable attention. As a result, stability issues associated with high power DC transmission have been highlighted. One of these problems is the fault current that appears when a fault occurs in the transmission line. If the fault current flows in the transmission line, it has a serious adverse effect on the rectifier stage, inverter stage and transmission line load. This makes the transmission technology less reliable and can lead to secondary problems such as fire. Therefore, fault current must be managed safely. DC circuit breaker technology has been proposed to solve this problem. However, conventional technologies generally do not take into account the effects of fault current on the transmission line, and their efficiency is relatively low. The purpose of this study is to introduce an improved DC circuit breaker that uses a blocking inductor to minimize the effect of fault current on the transmission line. It also uses a ground inductor to efficiently manage the LC resonant current and dissipate residual current. DC circuit breakers minimize adverse effects on external elements and transmission lines because the use of elements placed on each is distinct. All of these processes are precisely verified by conducting simulation under 200 MVA (±100 kV) conditions based on the VSC-based HVDC transmission link. In addition, the mechanism was explained by analyzing the simulation results to increase the reliability of the circuit in this paper.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of nitrituria and the relationship between nitrituria and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V were used. A total of 19,083 participants were included. The chi-square test, the Mantel-Haenszel extension, logistic regression analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 2.0% of the participants had nitrituria. The incidence of nitrituria significantly increased with age (P trend