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Two virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori, cagA and vacA, have been known to play a role in the development of severe gastric symptoms. However, they are not always associated with peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. To predict the disease outcome more accurately, it is necessary to understand the risk of severe symptoms linked to other virulence factors. Several other virulence factors of H. pylori have also been reported to be associated with disease outcomes, although there are many controversial descriptions. H. pylori isolates from Koreans may be useful in evaluating the relevance of other virulence factors to clinical symptoms of gastric diseases because the majority of Koreans are infected by toxigenic strains of H. pylori bearing cagA and vacA. In this study, a total of 116 H. pylori strains from Korean patients with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancers were genotyped. The presence of virulence factors vacAs1c, alpA, babA2, hopZ, and the extremely strong vacuolating toxin was found to contribute significantly to the development of severe gastric symptoms. The genotype combination vacAs1c/alpA/babA2 was the most predictable determinant for the development of severe symptoms, and the presence of babA2 was found to be the most critical factor. This study provides important information on the virulence factors that contribute to the development of severe gastric symptoms and will assist in predicting clinical disease outcomes due to H. pylori infection.

Background The effect of chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization on survival remains controversial. Furthermore, data regarding outcome differences for CTO revascularization based on left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) are limited. The differential outcomes from CTO revascularization in patients with preserved LVSF (PLVSF) versus reduced LVSF (RLVSF) were assessed. Methods A total of 2,173 CTO patients were divided into either a PLVSF (n = 1661, Ejection fraction ≥ 50%) or RLVSF (n = 512, Results Patients with RLVSF had a mean 37% ejection fraction (EF) and 19% had EF p p = 0.0019], which was mainly driven by a reduction in cardiac death. The difference in survival probability was greater and became more pronounced over time in patients with RLVSF than with PLVSF (1-year, p = 0.197; 3-years, p = 0.048; 5-years, p = 0.036). Conclusions SCR was associated with better survival benefit than OMT regardless of LVSF. The benefit was greater and became more significant over time in patients with RLVSF versus PLVSF. Graphic abstract

Hypoxia and limited vascularization inhibit bone growth and recovery after surgical debridement to treat osteomyelitis. Similarly, despite significant efforts to create functional tissue-engineered organs, clinical success is often hindered by insufficient oxygen diffusion and poor vascularization. To overcome these shortcomings, we previously used the oxygen carrier perfluorooctane (PFO) to develop PFO emulsion-loaded hollow microparticles (PFO-HPs). PFO-HPs act as a local oxygen source that increase cell viability and maintains the osteogenic differentiation potency of human periosteum-derived cells (hPDCs) under hypoxic conditions. In the present study, we used a miniature pig model of mandibular osteomyelitis to investigate bone regeneration using hPDCs seeded on PFO-HPs (hPDCs/PFO-HP) or hPDCs seeded on phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-HPs (hPDCs/PBS-HP). Osteomyelitis is characterized by a series of microbial invasion, vascular disruption, bony necrosis, and sequestrum formation due to impaired host defense response. Sequential plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and 3D reconstructed CT images revealed new bone formation was more advanced in defects that had been implanted with the hPDCs/PFO-HPs than in defects implanted with the hPDCs/PBS-HP. Thus, PFO-HPs are a promising tissue engineering approach to repair challenging bone defects and regenerate structurally organized bone tissue with 3D architecture.

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a chronic contagious granulomatous enteritis of wild and domestic ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). PTB causes considerable economic losses to the dairy industry through decreased milk production and premature culling. PTB-affected cattle undergo a subclinical stage without clinical signs and initiate fecal shedding of MAP into the environment. Current diagnostic tools have low sensitivity for the detection of subclinical PTB infection. Therefore, alternative diagnostic tools are required to improve the diagnostic sensitivity of subclinical PTB infection. In this study, we performed ELISA for three previously identified host biomarkers (fetuin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and apolipoprotein) and analyzed their diagnostic performance with conventional PTB diagnostic methods. We observed that serum fetuin levels were significantly lowered in the subclinical shedder and clinical shedder groups than in the healthy control group, indicating its potential utility as a diagnostic biomarker for bovine PTB. Also, fetuin showed an excellent discriminatory power with an AUC = 0.949, a sensitivity of 92.6%, and a specificity of 94.4% for the detection of subclinical MAP infection. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that fetuin could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for enhancing the diagnostic sensitivity for the detection of subclinical MAP infections that are difficult to detect based on current diagnostic methods.

Two virulence factors of

Background. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widely present in environments, such as soil and water, and have recently been recognized as important pathogenic bacteria. The incidence of NTM-related infections is steadily increasing. As the diagnosis and treatment of NTM infection should be distinguished from tuberculosis, and the treatment should be specific to the species of NTM acquired, accurate species identification is required. Methods. In this study, two-step multiplex PCR (mPCR) and multigene sequence-based analysis were used to accurately identify NTM species in 320 clinical isolates from Gyeongsang National University Hospital (GNUH). In particular, major mycobacterial strains with a high isolation frequency as well as coinfections with multiple species were diagnosed through two-step mPCR. Multigene sequencing was performed to accurately identify other NTM species not detected by mPCR. Variable regions of the genes 16S rRNA, rpoB, hsp65, and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer were included in the analysis. Results. Two-step mPCR identified 234 (73.1%) cases of M. intracellulare, 26 (8.1%) cases of M. avium subsp. avium, and 13 (4.1%) cases of M. avium subsp. hominissuis infection. Additionally, 9 (2.8%) M. fortuitum, 9 (2.8%) M. massiliense, 2 (0.6%) M. abscessus, and 4 (1.2%) M. kansasii isolates were identified. Coinfection was identified in 7 (2.2%) samples. The sixteen samples not classified by two-step mPCR included 6 (1.9%) cases of M. chimaera, 4 (1.3%) M. gordonae, 1 (0.3%) M. colombiense, 1 (0.3%) M. mageritense, and 1 (0.3%) M. persicum identified by sequence analysis. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest a strategy for rapid detection and accurate identification of species using two-step mPCR and multigene sequence-based analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the identification of NTM species isolated from patients in Gyeongnam/Korea.

Background Studies comparing the drug-eluting balloon (DEB) with contemporary drug-eluting stent (DES) in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) have been scarce. We compared that the efficacy and safety of contemporary DES versus DEB in unselected, real world patients of ISR occurred in bare-metal stent or DES. Methods Patient-level pooled analysis from nationwide multicenter registries was performed with 628 consecutive patients who underwent ISR treatment using 2nd or 3rd generation DES or DEB. Target lesion failure (TLF) and patient-oriented composite outcomes (POCO, composite of all-cause mortality, all-cause myocardial infarction, or any revascularization) at 1-year follow-up were compared between the DES and DEB groups. Results A total of 628 patients with 697 ISR lesions were treated using newer generation DES ( n =409) or DEB ( n =219). About 55.1% presented with acute coronary syndrome, and 15.1% showed left ventricular dysfunction. The risks of TLF and POCO were significantly lower in the DES group, even after being adjusted by an inverse probability weighted model (TLF, 9.2% vs. 17.9%, HR adjust 0.22, 95% CI 0.11–0.47; POCO, 12.4% vs. 24.1%, HR adjust 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.48, all p -values adjust 0.21, 95% CI 0.09–0.49, p p =0.034) along with multi-vessel disease, chronic kidney disease, type B2 or C lesion, and number of treated lesion>1. Conclusions In unselected patients of ISR, clinical outcome at one year was mainly dependent on difference in TLR and found to be better with contemporary DES than DEB.

There exists controversy on whether and for how long anticoagulation is necessary after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to study the impact of prolonged (>24 h) or brief (75 percentile of infarct size; 19.7% versus 35.3%; adjusted odd ratio [OR]: 0.435; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.120–1.57; P = .204). Similar results were observed in subanalyses of major high-risk subgroups. Moreover, follow-up LVEF 20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume; 37.1% versus 18.5%; adjusted OR: 2.249; 95% CI: 0.593–8.535; P = .234) were similar between groups. These data suggest that prolonged postprocedural anticoagulation may not provide much benefit after successful primary PCI in patients with STEMI. However, further studies are needed.

This study is an empirical study for related industries of broadcasting TV Format. Global TV trade market as MIPCOM, MIPTV, ATF, CICAF etc, is growing but TV Format trade is dependent on the exportations of TV Format. This study analyzed that the many person in charge of localization about TV Format trade what they were thinking when they trade on Format business. And carry out a survey targeting the person in charge 500 participants in ATF. For analysis, it used that the trade factors (Format brand reliability, Format confidence, Format genre similarity, Viewers’ Format sympathy and Viewers’ Format reactivity) of the person in charge and localization factors (Format stability and Format possibility of localization). The result of this study found the effects between independent variables (Format brand reliability and Viewers’ Format sympathy) and dependent variables (Format stability and Format possibility of localization). It is necessary to indicate in this result that could find the reason of a trade vitalization about global TV Format distribution because broadcasters and production companies do not know where trade business solutions are. Because of this, this study provides good business chance for the industrial world, and academic meaning has undeniable worth.

The effect of strain on the electronic structure and the thermoelectric properties of higher manganese silicide (HMS) Mn4Si7 was studied by using density functional theory (DFT) and by solving Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). We found that tensile strain reduced the band gap while compressive strain did not affect the band gap much. The electrical conductivity shows highly anisotropic with the in-plane direction being more dominant while the Seebeck coefficient does not change much, which leads to the the power factor along the in-plane direction being higher compared with that along the out-of-plane direction. The anisotropy of the electrical conductivity was due to a change of the band dispersion in the valence-band maximum (VBM). It was suggested that compressive strain can improve the power factor of Mn4Si7.

A digital predictive peak current control (PPCC) employing the adaptive slope compensation is proposed in this paper. The PPCC precisely predicts the peak current reference with the adaptive slope compensation according to operation regions and load conditions. Thereby, the PPCC can control the peak inductor current, and it significantly reduces the total harmonic distortion compared to that of the conventional digital average current control with duty ratio feed-forward which is widely used. In addition, parts of the PPCC are implemented by utilizing the internal high-resolution ramp generator and comparator of a digital signal processor without external components. The principle and analysis of the PPCC are presented, and the performance and feasibility are verified by experimental results with universal input ( $90\; {\rm V}_{\rm rms} \sim 260\; {\rm V}_{\rm rms}$ ) and $750\; {\rm W}-400\; {\rm V}$ output laboratory prototype.

BACKGROUND We compared the gene expression profiles in the hypertrophied myocardium of rats subjected to pressure overload (PO) and volume overload (VO) using DNA chip technology, and compared the effects on exercise capacity with a treadmill test. METHODS Constriction of the abdominal aorta or mitral regurgitation induced by a hole in the mitral leaflet were used to induce PO (n = 19), VO (n = 16) or PO + VO (n = 20) in rats. Serial echocardiographic studies and exercise were performed at 2-week intervals, and invasive hemodynamic examination by a pressure-volume catheter system was performed 12 weeks after the procedure. The gene expression profiles of the left ventricle (LV) 12 weeks after the procedure were analyzed by DNA chip technology. RESULTS In hemodynamic analyses, the LV end-diastolic pressure and the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship slope were greater in the PO group than in the VO group. When we compared LV remodeling and exercise capacity, cardiac fibrosis and exercise intolerance developed in the PO group but not in the VO group (exercise duration, 434.0 ± 80.3 vs. 497.8 ± 49.0 seconds, p < 0.05, respectively). Transcriptional profiling of cardiac apical tissues revealed that gene expression related to the inflammatory response and cellular signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the VO group, whereas cardiac fibrosis, cytoskeletal pathway and G-protein signaling genes were enriched in the PO group. CONCLUSIONS We found that many genes were regulated in PO, VO or both, and that there were different regulation patterns by cardiac remodeling. Cardiac fibrosis and cytoskeletal pathway were important pathways in the PO group and influenced exercise capacity. Cardiac fibrosis influences exercise capacity before LV function is reduced.

East Asia is characterized by anthropogenic emissions resulting from the large population and fast economic growth of this region. Since the prevailing wind is westerly and northwesterly, emissions from Ul-jin can be expected to contribute to acidic deposition increase in downwind direction. Aerosols collected at the near coast site, Uljin geun, gyungbook and were analyzed for NH4 +, Mg2+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, SO4 2-, and NO3 - from Aug. 2012 to Feb. 2013. The seasonal averaged aerosol concentration showed the highest potassium and calcium ion in winter and the highest ammonium ion due to a meadow and high solar intensity in summer. Sodium and chloride ion showed the same ratio all seasons and sulfate and nitrate species showed the maximum value in winter Chemical components of aerosols collected at the near coast site, Uljin geun, gyungbook were lower by 16 to 73% than those collected at other similar environment site such as kanghwa, yangyang. Comparing air quality data at the near coast site, Uljin geun, gyungbook, There was found that Uljin coast site is less influenced by the sea salts(potassium, magnesium, calcium) and nss-SO4 2- percentage is 3~13% higher than similar condition site.

Helicobacter pylori can persistently colonize the mucosa of the human stomach, resulting in gastric disorders. Endoscopic biopsy for rapid urease test and histopathologic examination are considered as the most accurate diagnostic methods for H. pylori infection. Serological methods are recommended for children because of invasiveness of the diagnosis mentioned above. Here, the cytotoxin-associated gene A protein (Cag A), as an immunodominant antigen, was subdivided to determine which regions harbor antigenicity for humans. CagA was divided into 17 overlapping fragments of ∼400 bp, which were used for the analysis of antigenic determinants. The partial proteins were subjected to immunoblot analysis using pooled serum samples from children with gastric symptoms. A partial recombinant CagA protein containing epitope regions (683-749 amino acids), which were identified in this study, was produced and used for the detection of anti-CagA antibodies and further investigated its serodiagnostic value for determination of H. pylori infection in children. The serum IgG reactivities from children with gastric symptoms were significantly three times more than that of serum samples from children with non-gastric symptoms (P

Continuous conduction mode (CCM) boost power factor corrector (PFC) is widely used for high power applications such as server power supply. PFC performs AC/DC conversion with nearly unity power factor (PF) and low current harmonic distortion. However, the electromagnetic interference filter capacitors in front of the bridge diode and input filter capacitor behind the bridge diode incur phase leading of input current. This phenomenon reduces PF. In this paper, an improved digital compensation method for phase leading of input current in CCM boost PFC is proposed. By using this method, the power system can achieve high PF and low total harmonic distortion. Moreover, it is very simple to implement and has short computation time in digital controller. The principle and analysis of the proposed method are presented. The performance and feasibility are verified by experimental results from the high line, i.e. 230v rms input, 750W/400V output prototype.

Objectives We sought to evaluate the impact of final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI) after simple stent implantation for the treatment of non-left main true coronary bifurcation lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Background Whether FKBI should be mandatory after simple stent implantation for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesion is controversial. Besides, ACS patients who have undergone bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention with simple stent implantation may experience worse prognosis compared to stable angina pectoris patients. Methods Two hundred and fifty one eligible patients (67.7% male, mean age 61.7±10.4years) were enrolled. The study population was divided into two groups according to the performance of FKBI. The primary end points were major adverse cardiac event (MACE); target lesion revascularization (TLR), non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiac death during the follow-up period. Results Over a mean follow-up period of 3.0±1.9years, there were 29 MACEs (10 TLR, 6 non-fatal MI, and 13 cardiac deaths), representing an event rate of 11.6%. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that FBKI group had favorable outcome compared to non-FKBI group with regard to hard events (p=0.010) as well as composite MACEs (p=0.008). In multivariable analysis, FKBI was a significant predictor of composite MACEs [hazard ratio 0.398 (95% confidence interval 0.190–0.836, p=0.015)] and hard events [hazard ratio 0.325 (95% confidence interval 0.130–0.811, p=0.016)]. Conclusions In terms of prognosis, performing FKBI after simple stent implantation for the treatment of non-left main true coronary bifurcation lesions may be mandatory in ACS patients.

Long-term outcomes are imperative to confirm safety of drug-eluting stents. There have been 2 randomized controlled trials comparing everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) and Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES-Rs). To date, long-term clinical outcomes of these stents were limited to only 1 report, which has recently reported 4-year comparisons of these stents. Therefore, more evidence is needed regarding long-term clinical outcomes of the second-generation stents. This study compared the long-term clinical outcomes of EES with ZES-R in "all-comer" cohorts up to 3-year follow-up. The EXCELLENT and RESOLUTE-Korea registries prospectively enrolled 3,056 patients treated with EES and 1,998 with ZES-R, respectively, without exclusions. Stent-related composite outcomes (target lesion failure) and patient-related composite events up to 3-year follow-up were compared in crude and propensity score-matched analyses. Of 5,054 patients, 3,830 patients (75.8%) had off-label indication (2,217 treated with EES and 1,613 treated with ZES-R). The stent-related outcome (189 [6.2%] vs 127 [6.4%], p = 0.812) and the patient-related outcome (420 [13.7%] vs 250 [12.5%], p = 0.581) did not differ between EES and ZES-R, respectively, at 3 years, which was corroborated by similar results from the propensity score-matched cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70 to 1.20, p = 0.523 and 0.85, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.02, p = 0.081, for stent- and patient-related outcomes, respectively). The rate of definite or probable stent thrombosis up to 3 years (22 [0.7%] vs 10 [0.5%], p = 0.370) was also similar. The rate of very late definite or probable stent thrombosis was very low and comparable between the 2 stents (3 [0.1%] vs 1 [0.1%], p = 0.657). In multivariate analysis, chronic renal failure (adjusted HR 3.615, 95% CI 2.440 to 5.354, p 0.001) and off-label indication (adjusted HR 1.782, 95% CI 1.169 to 2.718, p = 0.007) were the strongest predictors of target lesion failure at 3 years. In conclusion, both stents showed comparable safety and efficacy at 3-year follow-up in this robust real-world registry with unrestricted use of EES and ZES-R. Overall incidences of target lesion failure and definite stent thrombosis, including very late stent thrombosis, were low, even in the patients with off-label indications, suggesting excellent long-term safety and sustained efficacy of both types of second-generation drug-eluting stents.

Background. The use of anticoagulant therapy (ACT) in patients with acute infective endocarditis (IE) remains a controversial issue. Our study attempts to estimate the impact of ACT on the occurrence of embolic complications and the usefulness of ACT in the prevention of embolism in IE patients.Methods. The present authors analyzed 150 patients with left-sided IE. Embolisms including cerebrovascular events (CVE) and the use of ACT were checked at the time of admission and during hospitalization.Results. 57 patients (38.0%) experienced an embolic event. There was no significant difference in the incidence of CVE and in-hospital mortality between patients with and without warfarin use at admission, although warfarin-naïve patients were significantly more likely to have large (>1 cm) and mobile vegetation. In addition, there was no significant difference in the incidence of postadmission embolism and in-hospital death between patients with and without in-hospital ACT. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, ACT at admission was not significantly associated with a lower risk of embolism in patients with IE.Conclusions. The role of ACT in the prevention of embolism was limited in IE patients undergoing antibiotic therapy, although it seems to reduce the embolic potential of septic vegetation before treatment.

Background and objectives There are no data comparing clinical outcomes of complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between biodegradable polymer-biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) and durable polymer-everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES). We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BP-BES compared with DP-EES in patients undergoing complex PCI. Methods Patients enrolled in the SMART-DESK registry were stratified into 2 categories based on the complexity of PCI. Complex PCI was defined as having at least one of the following features: unprotected left main lesion, ≥2 lesions treated, total stent length >40 mm, minimal stent diameter ≤2.5 mm, or bifurcation as target lesion. The primary outcome was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction (TV-MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 2 years of follow-up. Results Of 1,999 patients, 1,145 (57.3%) underwent complex PCI: 521 patients were treated with BP-BES and 624 with DP-EES. In propensity-score matching analysis (481 pairs), the risks of TLF (3.8% vs. 5.2%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.578; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.246-1.359; p=0.209), cardiac death (2.5% vs. 2.5%, adjusted HR, 0.787; 95% CI, 0.244-2.539; p=0.689), TV-MI (0.5% vs. 0.4%, adjusted HR, 1.128; 95% CI, 0.157-8.093; p=0.905), and TLR (1.1% vs. 2.9%, adjusted HR, 0.390; 95% CI, 0.139-1.095; p=0.074) did not differ between 2 stent groups after complex PCI. Conclusions Clinical outcomes of BP-BES were comparable to those of DP-EES at 2 years after complex PCI. Our data suggest that use of BP-BES is acceptable, even for complex PCI.

In this paper, a simple and low-cost open-circuit fault detection and identification method for a pulse-width modulated (PWM) voltage-source inverter (VSI) employing a permanent magnet synchronous motor is proposed. An open-circuit fault of a power switch in the PWM VSI changes the corresponding terminal voltage and introduces the voltage distortions to each phase voltage. The proposed open-circuit fault diagnosis method employs the model reference adaptive system techniques and requires no additional sensors or electrical devices to detect the fault condition and identify the faulty switch. The proposed method has the features of fast diagnosis time, simple structure, and being easily inserted to the existing control algorithms as a subroutine without major modifications. The simulations and experiments are carried out and the results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

This study, changes in raw water quality is to indicate on the efficiency of ozone treatment of each pollutant as compared to derive the appropriate operating measures. The appropriate selection for injection rate of pre-ozone and did not inject pre-ozone assess changes in the water. When good water quality, you not injected of pre-ozone to evaluate the economic efficiency of electricity and put the most cost-effective ozone concentration were evaluated. Evaluation remove organic matter and chlorophyll-a concentration level in experiments with each factor of the water DOC> 2.5 / L, THMFP> 70 / L, Chl-a> 30 / or less constant process, if you do not need to put pre-ozone showed little impact. It also does not put you in pre-ozone appropriate produce enough power rate savings was calculated as approximately 90 million won. Ability to remove organic materials and the ability to produce disinfection byproducts, and cost-effective decisions by considering the concentration of injection if pre-ozone 1 mg/L was investigated by the appropriate concentration of ozone injection.

This is made of domestic and foreign coal activated carbon of five species, physicochemical adsorption efficient about sterilize products and micro harmful substances and is a result of the economic evaluation. The most well-developed micropores bed volume 123,409 of AC-1 activate carbon appeared to be the best next AC-2, AC-3, AC-4, AC-5 followed by activated carbon was investigated. PFOA and PFOS in the BV 96,000 when evaluating foreign types of adsorption activated carbon adsorption capacity was greater when more than PFOA, PFOS showed that the adsorption well. The economic evaluation of activated carbon usage in chloroform (CUR) was most excellent as a AC-1 4.3 g/day, the next AC-2, AC-3, AC-4, AC-5 there are two types of foreign economic order appears to have appeared, but the current domestic market when applying the price AC-1, AC-3, AC-2, AC-4, AC-5 order was investigated.

To identify the Helicobacter pylori antigens operating during early infection in sera from infected infants using proteomics and immunoblot analysis. Two-dimensional (2D) large and small gel electrophoresis was performed using H. pylori strain 51. We performed 2D immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody immunoblotting using small gels on sera collected at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 4–11-month-old infants confirmed with H. pylori infection by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Immunoblot spots appearing to represent early infection markers in infant sera were compared to those of the large 2D gel for H. pylori strain 51. Corresponding spots were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The peptide fingerprints obtained were searched in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Eight infant patients were confirmed with H. pylori infection based on urease tests, histopathologic examinations, and pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. One infant showed a 2D IgM immunoblot pattern that seemed to represent early infection. Immunoblot spots were compared with those from whole-cell extracts of H. pylori strain 51 and 18 spots were excised, digested in gel, and analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS. Of the 10 peptide fingerprints obtained, the H. pylori proteins flagellin A (FlaA), urease β subunit (UreB), pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (POR), and translation elongation factor Ts (EF-Ts) were identified and appeared to be active during the early infection periods. These results might aid identification of serological markers for the serodiagnosis of early H. pylori infection in infants., Graphical Abstract

Background— The aim of this study was to assess whether deferred stenting (DS) reduces infarct size and microvascular obstruction (MVO) compared with immediate stenting (IS) in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Methods and Results— From February 2013 to August 2015, 114 patients (mean age: 69 years) were randomized into the following 2 groups: DS with an intention to stent 3 to 7 days later or IS after primary reperfusion in 2 centers. The primary and secondary end points were infarct size and the incidence of MVO, respectively, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 30 days after primary reperfusion. The median time to the second procedure in the DS was 72.8 hours. Six patients in the DS group were crossed over to the IS group because of progression of dissection or safety concerns after randomization. In the intention-to-treat analysis, DS did not significantly reduce infarct size (15.0% versus 19.4%; P =0.112) and the incidence of MVO (42.6% versus 57.4%; P =0.196), compared with IS. However, in anterior wall myocardial infarction, infarct size (16.1% versus 22.7%; P =0.017) and the incidence of MVO (43.8% versus 70.3%; P =0.047) were significantly reduced in the DS group. There was no urgent revascularization event during deferral period. Conclusions— A routine DS did not significantly reduce infarct size and MVO compared with IS, although it was safe. The beneficial effect of DS in patients with anterior myocardial infarction should be confirmed by larger randomized studies. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02324348.

In this paper, a new wide range zero-voltage switching asymmetric half-bridge (AHB) converter with clamping switches for small DC offset current is proposed. Since the hold-up time requirement makes the conventional AHB converter operates asymmetrically in nominal state, a large DC offset current degrades the performance of AHB converters. In order to overcome this problem, the proposed AHB converter operates symmetrically in nominal state and two clamp switches that replace the clamp diodes, operate in hold-up state for additional gain. From the results, it can reduce the DC offset current of transformer and relieves the drawbacks that caused by asymmetric operation. In addition, a large external inductor of the proposed converter makes the wider zero-voltage switching (ZVS) range. Therefore, the proposed converter achieves the high overall efficiency and the smaller DC offset current than the conventional AHB converter. To verify these advantages of the proposed converter, the experiment was implemented with 340∼400V input voltage, 500W (12V/41.67A) output power system at 100 kHz.

This paper proposes a simple position observer based on the instantaneous power and a tuning procedure for the proposed observer in driving the surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor. In the instantaneous power of a three-phase system, the imaginary and real powers have the information related to the position and velocity. Using the instantaneous power, the difference between real rotor position and estimated rotor position is calculated. For easy design, gain parameters are described as a bandwidth of position observer. The proper bandwidth is expressed in terms of the desired load transient response, system inertia, and permitted acceleration range. Also, the sensitivity of phase resistance and inductance is analyzed. The described mathematical results show the necessity of accurate parameter information. Simulation and experimental results show the validity of the proposed design method and analysis.

A transformer magnetizing current offset for a phase-shift full-bridge (PSFB) converter is dealt with in this paper. A model of this current offset is derived and it is presented as a first-order system having a pole at a low frequency when the effects from the parasitic components and the switching transition are considered. A digital offset compensator eliminating this current offset is proposed and designed considering the interference in an output voltage regulation. The performances of the proposed compensator are verified by experiments with a 1.2-kW PSFB converter. The saturation of the transformer is prevented and the efficiency is improved by this compensator.

Background and objectives A risk prediction is needed even in the contemporary era of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We sought to develop a risk scoring specific for patients with AMI being treated with guideline-adherent optimal therapies, including percutaneous coronary intervention and all 5 medications (aspirin, thienopyridine, β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, and statin). Methods From registries, 12,174 AMI patients were evaluated. The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause death or AMI. The Korea Working Group in Myocardial Infarction (KorMI) system was compared with the Assessment of Pexelizumab in Acute Myocardial Infarction (APEX AMI), Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (CADILLAC), and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events scores (GRACE) models. Results Ten predictors were identified: left ventricular dysfunction (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3), bare-metal stent (HR, 2.0), Killip class ≥II (HR, 1.9), renal insufficiency (HR, 1.8), previous stroke (HR, 1.6), regional wall-motion- score >20 on echocardiography (HR, 1.5), body mass index ≤24 kg/m² (HR, 1.4), age ≥70 years (HR, 1.4), prior coronary heart disease (HR, 1.4), and diabetes (HR, 1.4). Compared with the previous models, the KorMI system had good discrimination (time-dependent C statistic, 0.759) and showed reasonable goodness-of-fit by Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p=0.84). Moreover, the continuous-net reclassification improvement varied from -27.3% to -19.1%, the integrated discrimination index varied from -2.1% to -0.9%, and the median improvement in risk score was from -1.0% to -0.4%. Conclusions The KorMI system would be a useful tool for predicting outcomes in survivors treated with guideline-adherent optimal therapies after AMI.

Background: The characteristics of the periodic variation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the subsequent effect on management and prognosis have not been fully investigated in a large number of Asian populations. Methods and Results: From a prospective, observational multicenter online registry, 4,573 patients diagnosed as AMI in Korea from January to December 2006 were included. The highest incidence of AMI was between 8 a.m. and noon. The number of cases was highest in the winter and lowest in the autumn (13.6 vs 11.4 patients per day, P

This study was carried out to establish the standard karyotype of Jeju horse by G-, C- and AgNOR-banding patterns. Blood samples were collected from 37 Jeju horses and 24 Thoroughbred that had been raised at the National Institute of Subtropical Agriculture in Jeju. The lymphocytes were cultured in vitro and then chromosomes prepared. The diploid chromosome number of Jeju horse is 64, which consists of 31 pairs of autosomes and X, Y sex chromosomes. The Jeju horse has 13 pairs of metacentric/submetacentric and 18 pairs of acrocentric autosomes. The X chromosome is the fifth largest submetacentric, while the Y chromosome is one of the smallest acrocentric chromosomes. The G-banding pattern of Jeju horse chromosomes showed a light band at centromeres in all autosomes, and also exhibited a typical and identical banding pattern in each homologous chromosome. Overall chromosomal morphology and positions of typical landmarks of the Jeju horse were virtually identical to those of International Committee for the Standardization of the Domestic Horse Karyotype. C-bands of Jeju horse chromosomes appeared on centromeres of almost all autosomes, but chromosome 8 showed a heterochromatin heteromorphism. The NORs in Jeju horse chromosomes showed polymorphic patterns within breed, individuals and cells. By the AgNOR staining, the NORs were located at the terminal of p-arm on chromosome 1 and near centromeres on the chromosome 26 and 31. The mean number of NORs per metaphase was 4.68 in Jeju horse. (Key words : Jeju horse, G-banding, C-banding, AgNORs, Karyotype)

This study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a new generic formulation of ramipril (test) and the branded formulation of ramipril (reference) to satisfy regulatory requirements for marketing of the generic product for use in Korean patients with mild to moderate hypertension.This was an 8-week, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group non-inferiority trial in adult patients (age18 years) with mild to moderate essential hypertension (sitting dia-stolic blood pressure [SiDBP] 90-109 mm Hg). After a 2-week washout of previous antihypertensive medications, eligible patients were randomized to receive either ramipril 5 mg/d in the morning (low-dose group: baseline SiDBP 90-99 mm Hg) or ramipril 10 mg/d (high-dose group: baseline SiDBP 100-109 mm Hg) for the first 4 weeks. If SiDBP wasor = 90 mm Hg after 4 weeks of treatment, the dose was increased to 10 mg/d for the remaining 4 weeks in the low-dose group, and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg was added to the regimen for the remaining 4 weeks in the high-dose group. The primary end point was the change in SiDBP from baseline to week 8. Secondary end points included a noninferiority analysis of the test and reference formulations with respect to the change in mean sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP) from baseline to week 8; SiDBP and SiSBP response rates (proportion of patients achieving an SiDBP90 mm Hg and SiSBP140 mm Hg, respectively) at 8 weeks; and changes from baseline in SiSBP, pulse wave velocity (PWV), exercise capacity, left-ventricular diastolic function (LVDF), and levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Laboratory and clinical adverse events (AEs) were monitored at each study visit (4 and 8 weeks).The modified intent-to-treat population consisted of 89 patients (45 test, 44 reference; 60 men, 29 women; mean age, 49.7 years; mean weight, 69.9 kg). At week 8, mean (SD) SiSBP and SiDBP were significantly decreased from baseline in both groups (test: from 145.0 [9.7]/98.1 [5.3] mm Hg to 132.2 [11.1]/ 91.8 [7.1] mm Hg [P0.001]; reference: from 145.1 [11.4]/98.0 [5.7] mm Hg to 134.0 [14.6]/92.5 [7.9] mm Hg [P0.001]). The changes in blood pressure at week 8 did not differ significantly between the test and reference groups or between the low- and highdose groups in a subgroup analysis. Blood pressure response rates at 8 weeks did not differ significantly between the groups receiving the test and reference formulations (SiDBP: 26.7% and 31.8%, respectively; SiSBP: 37.8% and 40.9%). In addition, there were no significant between-group differences in the change in PWV (-63.8 and -38.7 cm/sec), LVDF at rest or after exercise, or levels of BNP or hs-CRP. The incidence of AEs was 64.4% in the test formulation group and 68.2% in the reference group formulation (P = NS). The most common AE in both groups was cough (10/45 [22.2%] and 10/44 [22.7%]).There were no significant differences in the efficacy and tolerability of the test and reference formulations of ramipril in these Korean adults with mild to moderate hypertension. The new generic formulation was noninferior to the reference formulation in terms of the change in SiDBP at week 8.