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Vaginal dysbiosis, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and aerobic vaginitis (AV), is an important cause of premature birth in pregnant women. However, there is very little research on vaginal microbial distribution in AV compared to that in BV. This study aimed to analyze the composition of the vaginal microbiota of pregnant women with AV using microbial community analysis and identify the causative organism using each criterion of the AV scoring system. Also, we compared the quantification of aerobic bacteria using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and their relative abundances (RA) using metagenomics. This prospective case–control study included 228 pregnant Korean women from our previous study. A wet mount test was conducted on 159 women to diagnose AV using the AV scoring system. Vaginal samples were analyzed using metagenomics, Gram staining for Nugent score determination, conventional culture, and qPCR for Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Enterobacteriaceae. The relative abundances (RAs) of eleven species showed significant differences among the three groups (Normal flora (NF), mild AV, and moderate AV). Three species including Lactobacillus crispatus were significantly lower in the AV groups than in the NF group, while eight species were higher in the AV groups, particularly moderate AV. The decrease in the RA of L. crispatus was common in three criteria of the AV scoring system (Lactobacillary, WBC, and background flora grades), while it did not show a significant difference among the three grade groups of the toxic leukocyte criterion. Also, the RAs of anaerobes, such as Gardnerella and Megasphaera, were higher in the AV groups, particularly moderate AV, while the RAs of aerobes were very low (RA < 0.01). Therefore, qPCR was performed for aerobes (Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Enterobacteriaceae); however, their quantification did not show a higher level in the AV groups when compared to that in the NF group. Therefore, AV might be affected by the RA of Lactobacillus spp. and the main anaerobes, such as Gardnerella spp. Activation of leukocytes under specific conditions might convert them to toxic leukocytes, despite high levels of L. crispatus. Thus, the pathogenesis of AV can be evaluated under such conditions.

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is a rare disease with complications that can be life-threatening. An ovarian vein thrombus in a gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is an extremely rare condition that has not been previously reported in the literature. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of amenorrhea for 15 weeks and 6 days along with intermittent lower abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with a hydatidiform mole, and a metastatic workup was scheduled. Abdominal computed tomography showed a right ovarian vein thrombus. She received methotrexate chemotherapy combined with oral anticoagulants. Complete radiological remission was obtained. During the 12-month follow-up period, no disease progression or recurrence was noted. Early recognition and detection of the condition are of the utmost importance. The differential diagnosis of OVT must be considered when there is unexplained abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis during the diagnosis and treatment of GTN. A high level of suspicion is required for prompt diagnosis of OVT.

CGK012 is a newly synthesized pyranocoumarin substance suppressing the activation and transcription of β-catenin related to Wnt3a-CM. A bioanalytical method for CGK012 was developed and validated in rat plasma, and the method was applied to determine the plasma concentrations after intravenous administration. Plasma was cleaned-up by protein precipitation by acetonitrile including an internal standard. The substances were separated on a reversed-phase column, and the mobile phase was a mixture of water and acetonitrile (3:7, v/v; 0.1 % formic acid). The mass transition occurred at m/z 358.2→229.2 for CGK012 [M+H]+. CGK012 was stable in the various conditions, and the present assay met the criteria of bioanalytical method validation. CGK012 bi-exponentially decayed with the half-life of 4.0 h at the terminal phase. Mean Vd and clearance were 0.69 L/kg and 1.31 L/h/kg, respectively. This is the first bioanalytical method developed for quantification of CGK012 in rat plasma using LC-MS/MS, which would be useful to examine pharmacokinetic study of the substance.

Mesupron, the first-in-class inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is known to regulate cell proliferation and migration, and is under investigation for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In this study, a quantification method was developed for the determination of mesupron in rat plasma using liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After protein precipitation with acetonitrile including itraconazole (internal standard, IS), the analytes were chromatographed on a reversed phased column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and water (7:3, v/v, including 0.1% formic acid). The ion transitions of the precursor to the product ion were principally protonated ion [M+H]+ at m/z 630.4→398.3 for mesupron and 705.2→392.1 for the IS. The accuracy and precision of the assay were in accordance with FDA regulations for the validation of bioanalytical methods This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of mesupron after intravenous administration in rats.

This paper aims to present colour theories and show how they can be used to explain consumer's preferences of some products over others. It will, furthermore, attempt to link these theories to the design industry and look at how colour associations determine product success. Due to associative learning and personal preference, the colours of objects can cause consumers to either favour or dislike products over those with identical functions and efficiency. Age and gender affect the preferred colour choices of the individual, making some products more popular to particular groups of potential consumers. Designers can utilise colour theories to ensure that they use the most appropriate colour schemes to maximise and appeal to their targeted market successfully. A survey was conducted with 100 participants. It demonstrates the associative links between colours, emotions and product categories. It can be shown that the colour of an object can contribute to its success or failure in the market based on a number of different criteria. The design must use colour confidently to evoke certain emotions or connotations and must be carried out appropriately. The designer also has to consider whom it is that be viewing it and making the decision of preference.

Technophobia is described as the ‘abnormal fear or anxiety about the effects of advanced technology’, affecting one third of the population, causing health problems and the inability to work efficiently. The development of the mobile phone, both in its design process and its following socioeconomic success, has a prominent effect on our society in general; this point will be explicated in this paper. The negative effects of these developments have also been assessed with questionnaire-based interviews, focus groups and media analysis in order to focus on those who are most susceptible to the effects of technophobia, to discover the possible causes and to develop a solution for overcoming the phobia. The findings of the literature review and empirical research have been debated; the results proved inconclusive. All age and sex and groups displayed levels of anxiety around technology. Therefore, designers cannot afford to abandon these individuals in the future, and attention should be directed into inclusive product design. Therefore, various solutions have been suggested for support for these sufferers, such as tuition and bespoke, ‘built to specification’ mobile phones

The golden ratio is a mysterious number that surprisingly appears in science, physics, mathematics, as well as in nature. The number 1.618 seems to be a universal constant, and crops up whenever the subject is of beauty or elegance. Beautiful flowers and sea shells and also attractive people have a common number and that is 1.618 or φ (phi). This paper does a study into the story of phi, and describes how the golden ratio is derived. Artists, architects and designers have employed the ratio into dimensioning their works of art to achieve visual appeal. Examples such as the Greek Parthenon of the Acropolis and paintings such as the Last Supper all use this magic number. An investigation was conducted among 50 people to test if looking at golden proportioning was actually appealing, or if it was just a type among overzealous enthusiasts. The results show that the golden ratio may actually be of some use

In this article, the concept of a ‘virtual reality learning environment’(VRLE) discussed in the context of technology e띠lanced learning. The aim of this work is to compare the views of British (n=8) and international design education practitioners (n=21) on the future of virtual reality based learning and to test the hypothetical checklist of virtual reality learning components (VRLC). The international design education practitioners were leading researchers and members of the FiSTe project consortium. The first objective was investigated in three parts using a Practitioner based method. The second goal was investigated by presenting an incomplete checklist of the VRLC to international practitioners along with a narrative scenario, and asking them if something was missing. The results, in the main, showed that the British and the international FiSTe practitioners shared views on the future of design education, but the international practitioners showed more scepticism in their opinions. British practitioners emphasised the relevance of personal aspects of learning, when FiSTe practitioners saw learning community issues more relevant. The theoretical framework of this study, comprising the VRLC checklist was supported by the international design education practitioners with an exception of “Continuity and adaptability”, and “Support for time and learning management”.

Abnormal spiral artery remodeling during early pregnancy leads to preeclampsia. The proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts in pregnancy are important for spiral artery remodeling. This study examined whether heme oxygenase (HO) by-products (carbon monoxide biliverdin, and iron) play roles in regulating the restoration of proliferation and invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), HTR-8/SV-neo cells originating from first-trimester trophoblasts, 3A(tPA 30-1) obtained from term trophoblasts, and human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) inhibited by zinc protoporphyrin IX (Znpp-9).We explored whether HO by-products restored the proliferation and invasion of HUVECs, HTR-8/SVneo cells, 3A(tPA 30-1) cells, and HESCs inhibited by Znpp-9 depending on the oxygen concentration.Bilirubin promoted proliferation of HUVECs, HTR-8/SVneo cells, 3A(tPA-30-1) cells, and HESCs under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Biliverdin also promoted invasion of HUVECs, HTR-8/SVneo cells, 3A(tPA30-1) cells, and HESCs under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 2 promoted the proliferation and invasion of specific cell types depending on the oxygen concentration.Our data suggest that HO by-products differentially stimulate the proliferation and invasion of cells involved in pregnancy maintenance. When HO by-products are considered to be stimulants during the invasion and proliferation of such cells, both target cells and the gestational period should be considered.

This article provides a descriptive account of the development of an approach to the support of design and technology education with 3D Virtual Reality (VR) technologies on an open and distance learning basis. This work promotes an understanding of the implications and possibilities of advanced virtual learning technologies in education for teachers, learners and educational decision- makers. Furthermore, this work aims to ensure that theoretical and pedagogical considerations are given weight in the development of integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT)based learning services, while considering innovative and improved methods of educational use of integrated learning technology (ILT) for technology education.

Methods Placenta were obtained from women with normal pregnancies (n=15) and severe preeclamptic (n=15) after informed consent and under the approval of IRB of Kangwon National University Hospital. The severe preeclampsia was diagnosed as high blood pressure and proteinuria. High blood pressure was defi ned as systolic blood pressure of >160 mm Hg or diastolic pressure of >110 mm Hg and proteinuria was defi ned as urine protein of >2 g/24 hr. We investigated mRNA expression of HO-1, iNOS and eNOS in both groups by real time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis with SPSS ver. 12.0. P

Isolated tubal torsion is a rare disease that causes acute lower abdominal pain. In most of cases, the ovary and the fallopian tube are together twisted due to an ovarian tumor, but the fallopian tube alone is rarely twisted. Tubal torsion mainly occurs in fertile women, and it rarely occurs prior to menarche and during menopause. We experienced a case where isolated tubal torsion occurred in a perimenopausal female with total abdominal hysterectomy, while the findings showed a normal ovary. We report this case with a brief review of related literature.