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Abstract Background Rice blast caused by Pyricularia oryzae is a major threat to rice production worldwide. Tainung 84 (TNG84) is an elite japonica rice cultivar developed through the traditional pedigree method. It has maintained superior blast resistance since its release in 2010. This study aimed to investigate the genetic factors underlying the durable resistance of TNG84 in Taiwan. Results Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was conducted using 122 F2 individuals and F2:3 families derived from the cross of TNG84 and a susceptible japonica cultivar Tainan 11 (TN11). Using 733 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained through genotyping-by-sequencing and three P. oryzae isolates (D41-2, 12CY-MS1-2, and 12YL-TT4-1) belonging to different physiological races and Pot2 lineages, a major QTL was identified in the region of 52–54 cM (9.54–15.16 Mb) on chromosome 12. Fine-mapping using 21 F5:6 recombinants delimited the QTL to a 140.4-kb region (10.78 to 10.93 Mb) containing the known resistance gene Ptr. Sequencing analysis indicated that TNG84 carries the resistant PtrA allele and TN11 carries the susceptible PtrD allele. Investigation of the Ptr haplotypes in 41 local japonica rice cultivars revealed that eight PtrA-containing cultivars (19.5%) consistently exhibited good field resistance in Taiwan from 2008 to 2024. Subsequently, a few F5:6 lines (P026, P044, P092, and P167) lacking the resistant Ptr allele were observed to exhibit a resistant phenotype against P. oryzae 12YL-TT4-1-lab. Trait-marker association analyses using eight F6:7 homozygous recombinants, 378 BC1F2 from P044 backcrossed to TN11, and 180 BC1F2 from P092 backcrossed to TN11, identified Piz-t on chromosome 6 and a new QTL located between 3.3 Mb and 4.4 Mb on chromosome 12 (designated as qBR12_3.3–4.4). Analysis of 12 selected BC1F2:3 lines derived from P044 demonstrated that in the absence of Ptr and Piz-t, qBR12_3.3–4.4 alone reduced the disease severity index from approximately 6.3 to 3.9. Conclusions PtrA is likely the primary gene responsible for the broad-spectrum and durable resistance of TNG84. Piz-t confers narrow-spectrum resistance, while qBR12_3.3–4.4 contributes partial resistance. The discovery of qBR12_3.3–4.4 has provided a new source of blast resistance, and the markers developed in this study can be utilized in future breeding programs.

Background/purpose: Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors in Taiwan. Due to the heterogeneity of oral cancer cells, the five-year survival rate of patients is only 50%. Post-translational modifications contribute to protein diversity and directly influence cell functions. The protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (PIAS2) is known to undergo post-translational modifications, yet its impact on oral cancer remains unclear. Materials and methods: PIAS2 expression was modulated by transfecting cells with a PIAS2 expression vector or by knocking down PIAS2 using siRNA with low and high PIAS2 expression, respectively. These cells were subjected to invasion, migration, and proliferation assays to evaluate the effects of PIAS2. Changes in genotype, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, were also examined. Additionally, the effect of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on PIAS2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells was investigated. Results: Overexpression of PIAS2 significantly increased the malignant behaviors of oral cancer cells. In YD38 and SAS cells with low PIAS2 expression, overexpression of PIAS2 enhanced proliferation, invasion, and migration. PIAS2 overexpression also affected EMT gene expression, suppressing E-cadherin and increasing fibronectin expression. Conversely, PIAS2 knockdown in OECM1 and SCC25 cells suppressed malignant behaviors and reversed EMT markers, increasing E-cadherin and decreasing fibronectin expression. Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in PIAS2 expression was observed when OSCC cells were treated with CSC. Conclusion: PIAS2 functions as an oncogene in oral cancer, and cigarette smoking induces PIAS2 expression. Increased PIAS2 levels lead to enhanced malignancy in oral cancer.

Abstract Background Bakanae disease caused by Fusarium fujikuroi is an increasing threat to rice production. The infected plants show symptoms such as elongation, slenderness, chlorosis, a large leaf angle, and even death. Bakanae disease is traditionally managed by seed treatment. However, fungicide-resistant F. fujikuroi isolates have emerged in several Asian areas, including Taiwan. This study aimed to identify new bakanae resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and provide molecular markers to assist future breeding. Results A population of F2:9 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was derived from the cross between an elite japonica Taiwanese cultivar ‘Taikeng 16 (TK16)’ and an indica variety ‘Budda’. ‘Budda’ was found highly resistant to all 24 representative isolates of the F. fujikuroi population in Taiwan. For the RIL population, 6,492 polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the rice genome were obtained by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technique, and the disease severity index (DSI) was evaluated by inoculation with a highly virulent F. fujikuroi isolate Ff266. Trait-marker association analysis of 166 RILs identified two QTLs in ‘Budda’. qBK2.1 (21.97–30.15 Mb) is a novel and first bakanae resistance QTL identified on chromosome 2. qBK1.8 (5.24–8.66 Mb) partially overlaps with the previously reported qBK1.3 (4.65–8.41 Mb) on chromosome 1. The log of odds (LOD) scores of qBK1.8 and qBK2.1 were 4.75 and 6.13, accounting for 4.9% and 8.1% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. 64 RILs carrying both qBK1.8 and qBK2.1 showed lower DSI (7%) than the lines carrying only qBK1.8 (15%), only qBK2.1 (13%), or none of the two QTLs (21%). For the future application of identified QTLs, 11 KBioscience competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers and 3 insertion-deletion (InDel) markers were developed. Conclusions Compared to other important rice diseases, knowledge of bakanae resistance has been insufficient, which limited the development and deployment of resistant cultivars. The discovery of qBK2.1 has provided a new source of bakanae resistance. The resistant RILs inheriting good plant type, good taste, and high yield characteristics from ‘TK16’ can be used as good resistance donors. Our newly developed markers targeting qBK2.1 and qBK1.8 can also serve as an important basis for future fine-mapping and resistance breeding.

Holmes and Collins (2001) proposed functional equivalence from a neuroscience perspective. They also argued that imagery execution and movement will bring out the same neuro mechanism that leads to benefits for sport performance. In this study, we aimed to apply different delivery intervention methods to investigate the effects of regular (RI), progressive (PI), and retrogressive (RETI) PETTLEP imagery patterns to jump-shot performance, state anxiety, and self-confidence of basketball players. Participants were recruited from 4 high-school basketball teams of Division II league. They were randomly assigned to a RI group, PI group, RETI group or a control group. Three intervention groups were implemented by following the 7 elements of the PETTLEP model. The intervention was delivered three times a week for 4-weeks, a total 12 imagery training sessions. The results showed: (1) PI and RETI significantly improved performance of running jump shooting, (2) RI and PI significantly reduced players’ state anxiety, (3) RI and PI significantly improved players’ self-confidence. To sum up, different imagery training patterns are beneficial to efficient learning for young athletes under certain circumstances that will improve sport performance, self-confidence, and reduce state anxiety levels. However, we recommend further exploration of the efficiency of different imagery intervention patterns among diverse age levels and sports. Lastly, in order to strengthen the effectiveness of imagery training, practitioners are suggested to provide different imagery patterns to match different skill development stages of athletes.

To date, no study has examined whether enhancing mindfulness in everyday life through varied smartphone-based interventions involving photo taking could improve creativity or whether the beliefs toward mobile-based learning would influence such mindfulness learning effect. This study, therefore, developed the inventory “Beliefs toward Mobile Devices for Creativity Learning” and designed four interventions to validate the feasibility of such a new approach. One hundred and eighty-three college students participated in the inventory development, and 149 college students, who were randomly assigned to a control group (Group 1) or one of the three experimental groups, participated in a one-week experimental instruction. While Group 1 did not receive any smartphone intervention, the experimental groups used their smartphones to take photos with different emphases for four days and to share the photos with imaginative narratives on a designated website. Group 2 emphasized free choices of photo taking (self-determination), Group 3 emphasized self-determination and idea sharing, and Group 4 emphasized self-determination in varied categories and idea sharing. The results suggest the developed inventory has good reliability and validity; moreover, incorporating both self-determination and knowledge sharing lead to the best learning effect. Notably, beliefs toward mobile-based learning influence intervention effects on the enhancement of creativity self-efficacy. Accordingly, even a small amount of mindful learning in everyday life using a smartphone lens may enhance creativity. This study provides a valid instrument and smartphone-based mindfulness approach for ubiquitous learning of creativity.

Abstract Background Bakanae is a seedborne disease caused by Fusarium fujikuroi. Rice seedlings emerging from infected seeds can show diverse symptoms such as elongated and slender stem and leaves, pale coloring, a large leaf angle, stunted growth and even death. Little is known about rice defense mechanisms at early stages of disease development. Results This study focused on investigating early defenses against F. fujikuroi in a susceptible cultivar, Zerawchanica karatals (ZK), and a resistant cultivar, Tainung 67 (TNG67). Quantitative PCR revealed that F. fujikuroi colonizes the root and stem but not leaf tissues. Illumina sequencing was conducted to analyze the stem transcriptomes of F. fujikuroi-inoculated and mock-inoculated ZK and TNG67 plants collected at 7 days post inoculation (dpi). More differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in ZK (n = 169) than TNG67 (n = 118), and gene ontology terms related to transcription factor activity and phosphorylation were specifically enriched in ZK DEGs. Among the complex phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, only DEGs involved in the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway were identified. Fourteen DEGs encoding pattern-recognition receptors, transcription factors, and JA signaling pathway components were validated by performing quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis of individual plants. Significant repression of jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) genes (OsJAZ9, OsJAZ10, and OsJAZ13) at 3 dpi and 7 dpi in both cultivars, indicated the activation of JA signaling during early interactions between rice and F. fujikuroi. Differential expression was not detected for salicylic acid marker genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 1 and non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1. Moreover, while MeJA did not affect the viability of F. fujikuroi, MeJA treatment of rice seeds (prior to or after inoculation) alleviated and delayed bakanae disease development in susceptible ZK. Conclusions Different from previous transcriptome studies, which analyzed the leaves of infected plants, this study provides insights into defense-related gene expression patterns in F. fujikuroi–colonized rice stem tissues. Twelve out of the 14 selected DEGs were for the first time shown to be associated with disease resistance, and JA-mediated resistance was identified as a crucial component of rice defense against F. fujikuroi. Detailed mechanisms underlying the JA-mediated bakanae resistance and the novel defense-related DEGs are worthy of further investigation.

Abstract Background Rice bakanae disease has emerged as a new threat to rice production. In recent years, an increase in the occurrence and severity of bakanae disease has been reported in several areas in Asia. Although bakanae disease affects rice yield and quality, little is known about the genetics of bakanae resistance in rice. The lack of large-scale screens for bakanae resistance in rice germplasm has also limited the development and deployment of resistant varieties. Results A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify genes/loci conferring bakanae resistance in rice. A total of 231 diverse accessions from Rice Diversity Panel 1 (RDP1) were inoculated with a highly virulent Taiwanese Fusarium fujikuroi isolate and assessed for resistance using two parameters: (1) disease severity index based on visual rating and (2) colonization rate determined by reisolation of F. fujikuroi from the basal stems of infected rice seedlings. We identified 14 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (10 for disease severity and 4 for colonization rate), including 1 mapped for both parameters. A total of 206 candidate genes were identified within the 14 QTLs, including genes encoding leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing and NB-ARC (nucleotide-binding adaptor shared by APAF-1, R proteins, and CED-4) proteins, hormone-related genes, transcription factor genes, ubiquitination-related genes, and oxidase/oxidoreductase genes. In addition, a candidate QTL (qBK1.7) that co-localized with the previously identified QTLs qBK1 and qFfR1, was verified by linkage analysis using a population of 132 recombinant inbred lines derived from IR64 x Nipponbare. GWAS delineated qBK1.7 to a region of 8239 bp containing three genes. Full-length sequencing across qBK1.7 in 20 rice accessions revealed that the coding regions of two LRR-containing genes Os01g0601625 and Os01g0601675 may be associated with bakanae resistance. Conclusions This study facilitates the exploitation of bakanae resistance resources in RDP1. The information on the resistance performance of 231 rice accessions and 14 candidate QTLs will aid efforts to breed resistance to bakanae and uncover resistance mechanisms. Quantification of the level of F. fujikuroi colonization in addition to the conventional rating of visual symptoms offers new insights into the genetics of bakanae resistance.

Background/purpose: Macrophages participate in the periapical inflammation with pro-inflammatory M1 cells and anti-inflammatory M2 cells. Gas6/Axl signal is the responsible pathway for the activation of M1 and polarization of M2. The aim of this study was to compare the number of CD16+ M1 cells, CD206+ M2 cells, and Gas6/Axl expression between apical granulomas and radicular cysts. Materials and methods: Twenty-four cases of granuloma and twenty of cysts were submitted to immunohistochemistry using anti-CD16 and anti-CD206 antibodies for determining M1 and M2 macrophages and investigating the cells with positive Gas6 and Axl expression. Results: There were more numerous of M1 macrophages in radicular cysts (175.9 ± 87.7) compared to apical granuloma (116.6 ± 55.8), and M2 macrophages was higher in cysts (204.0 ± 97.6) than granuloma (152.9 ± 64.6). The level of Gas6/Axl expression were similar. There was a significant different in M1 macrophage (P = 0.014) between two diagnosis. In patients with or without root resorption, the number of M1 were 194.6 ± 57.2 compared with 139.1 ± 79.6. The number of M2 were 241.7 ± 81.4 and 164.6 ± 77.1. The expression of Axl was stronger in root resorption patients (191.1 ± 43.6), but the tendency in Gas6 expression was similar. Significant differences were noted in high M2 infiltration and Axl positive lesions. Conclusion: It appears that macrophages associated with significantly higher numbers in radicular cysts than apical granuloma. Meanwhile, macrophages and Axl receptor was intensively expressed in patients with root resorption, related to severe inflammation. Keywords: Apical granuloma, Axl, Gas6, Macrophage, Radicular cyst

Abstract Background Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is an important rice disease occurring in all rice-growing areas. To manage blast disease effectively and in an environmentally friendly way, it is important to continually discover diverse resistant resources for breeding. In this study, genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to map genes/loci resistant to rice blast in the open-access rice diversity panel 1 (RDP1), previously genotyped with a 44K single-nucleotide polymorphism array. Two geographically and genetically different M. oryzae isolates from Taiwan, D41-2 and 12YL-DL3-2, were used to challenge RDP1. Infected leaves were visually rated for lesion type (LT) and evaluated for proportion of diseased leaf area (%DLA) by image analysis software. Results A total of 32 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified, including 6 from LT, 30 from DLA, and 4 from both LT and DLA. In all, 22 regions co-localized with previously reported resistance (R) genes and/or QTLs, including two cloned R genes, Pita and Ptr; 19 mapped R loci, and 20 QTLs. We identified 100 candidate genes encoding leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins, transcription factors, ubiquitination-related proteins, and peroxidases, among others, in the QTL intervals. Putative resistance and susceptibility haplotypes of the 32 QTL regions for each tested rice accessions were also determined. Conclusions By using Taiwanese M. oryzae isolates and image-based phenotyping for detailed GWAS, this study offers insights into the genetics underlying the natural variation of blast resistance in RDP1. The results can help facilitate the selection of desirable donors for gene/QTL validation and blast resistance breeding.

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), one of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, was associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) of chemotherapy. Magnolol (MN) and honokiol (HK) are major bioactive polyphenols of Magnolia officinalis. This study investigated the effects of MN and HK on the function and expression of BCRP for the purpose of developing BCRP inhibitor to overcome MDR. Cell lines including MDCKII-BCRP and MDCKII-WT were used for evaluating the function and expression of BCRP. The results showed that MN (100–12.5 µM) and HK (100–12.5 µM) significantly decreased the function of BCRP by 80~12% and 67~14%, respectively. In addition, MN and HK were verified as substrates of BCRP. Furthermore, MN and HK reduced the protein expression of BCRP, and inhibited the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). In conclusion, both MN and HK decreased the function and expression of BCRP via EGFR/PI3K signaling pathway. Therefore, both compounds were promising candidates for reversing the MDR of chemotherapy.

School counselors play key roles in recognizing and addressing students' social-emotional and academic needs and providing short-term counseling and crisis interventions focusing on mental health concerns. Research shows that play therapy is a developmentally responsive intervention for school-aged children (Ray et al., 2014). Many school counseling programs in Taiwan offer play therapy as an elective course in school counselor preparation programs. In the current study, we conducted a phenomenological research to examine 21 pre-service elementary school counselors' perceptions of play therapy training in Taiwan. Analysis of qualitative data yielded four major themes: (a) enhanced understanding of children's world, (b) the power of toys and play, (c) value of play sessions and observers' feedback, and (d) enhanced self-awareness and professional growth. Findings of this study have the potential to inform school counselor education and teacher education training regarding therapeutic skills and attending to children's social-emotional and behavioral growth. Limitations of the study, implications for counselor educators, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Objective: To report a single surgeon's experience with 109 laparoendoscopic single-site myomectomy (LESS-M) using conventional laparoscopic instruments and a homemade glove port system. Materials and methods: A total of 109 consecutive women who underwent LESS-M between March 2011 and April 2015 were reviewed. Results: The mean age and body mass index were 38.3 ± 6.5 years and 22.1 ± 3.0 kg/m2. The mean diameter of the largest myoma and the mean number of myomas were 8.1 ± 2.4 cm and 1.6 ± 0.7. The mean weight of the myomas was 223.2 ± 159.7 g. The most common type of myoma was intramural (61%), followed by subserosal (23%), submucosal (9%), and intraligamental (7%). The most common site of the myomas was anterior (39%), followed by posterior (38%), lateral (15%), and fundal (9%). The mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 138.5 ± 43.8 min and 104.9 ± 270.1 mL. Two patients (1.8%) required intraoperative transfusion. The mean hospital stay was 2.5 ± 0.6days. There were no conversions to laparotomy, but three patients(2.8%) were converted to two-port laparoscopic myomectomy. No patient experienced any major complication, including bowel, ureter, bladder injuries, or incisional hernia. Six women became pregnant after the operation, and five of these patients delivered their babies at full term by cesarean section. One patient delivered her baby at a gestational age at 32 weeks due to idiopathic polyhydramnios by cesarean section. One patient had the second pregnancy and delivery after LESS-M. Fourteen patients (12.8%) had small recurrent myomas that did not require treatment. Conclusion: LESS-M is a feasible alternative for patients with symptomatic myomas, and this technique can provide cosmetic advantages compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery.

This study was performed within the limited framework of computer-game-based educational programs designed to enhance creativity. Furthermore, the utilization of mindful learning and moderators such as flow, mastery experience, and self-efficacy, brings this research to the forefront of modern educational practices. The present researchers developed a comprehensive game-based creativity learning program for fifth and sixth grade pupils. Further analyses presented relationship trends between mindful learning experience, flow experience, self-efficacy, and mastery experience. Eighty-three 5th and 6th grade participants undertook the six-week game-based creativity learning program. Upon completion of the experimental instruction, self-evaluation revealed that participants with higher scores on the concerned variables improved more in both creative ability and confidence than their counterparts. Additionally, path model analysis revealed that mindful learning experience was a powerful predictor of both mastery experience and flow experience; it also influenced mastery experience through flow experience and self-efficacy. The findings support the effectiveness of the game-based learning program developed in this study. Moreover, this study contributes to the theoretical construction of how game-based learning can be designed to facilitate mindful learning experience, flow experience, self-efficacy, and mastery experience during creativity. Some additional enhancement mechanisms utilized in the program were: rewards for high-quality performance, challenging tasks, a variety of design components, immediate feedback, and idea sharing. The theoretical design of this study provides support for the ongoing scientific investigation of new applications of mindful learning in educational programs concerning the learning of creativity.

Both theoretical and simulation approaches were used to obtain the thermal power and temperature distribution in phosphor-converted white LEDs (pc-WLEDs) using a remote-dome phosphor package (RDPP). Different material and geometric parameters were systematically and thoroughly studied. An experiment was performed to measure the temperature distribution in an RDPP pc-WLED, which confirmed the simulation results. Given practical limitations of the material parameters, the most feasible method to reduce the phosphor temperature is to extend the dome radius and the thickness of the phosphor region.

Both BMP and Wnt signaling control stem cells in bulge/dermal papilla, intestinal crypt, and bone marrow. To explore their roles in the limbal niche, which govern corneal epithelial homeostasis, we established an in vitro model of sphere growth by reunion between single limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPCs) and aggregates of limbal niche cells (LNCs) in 3D Matrigel. Compared to LEPCs alone, spheres formed by LEPC+LNC exhibited higher clonal growth and less corneal epithelial differentiation. Furthermore, pSmad1/5/8 was in the nucleus of LEPCs, but not LNCs, and correlated with upregulation of BMP1, BMP3, BMP4, all three BMP receptors, and BMP target genes. Inactivation of BMP signaling in LNCs was correlated with upregulation of noggin preferentially expressed by LNCs. Additionally, β-catenin was stabilized in the perinuclear cytoplasm in LEPCs and correlated with upregulation of Wnt7A and FZD5 preferentially expressed by LEPCs. Inactivation of Wnt signaling in LNCs was correlated with upregulation of DKK1/2 by LNCs. Addition of XAV939 that expectedly downregulated perinuclear β-catenin in LEPCs led to significant reduction of epithelial clonal growth, but upregulated all three BMP receptors and downregulated LNC-derived noggin, resulting in activation of BMP signaling in LNCs. Addition of noggin that expectedly downregulated nuclear localization of pSmad1/5/8 in LEPCs led to nuclear localization of β-catenin in larger LEPCs but membrane relocation of β-catenin in smaller LEPCs and significant upregulation of DKK1/2. Hence, balancing acts between Wnt signaling and BMP signaling exist not only within LEPCs but also between LEPCs and LNCs to regulate clonal growth of LEPCs.

This study examined the experiences of three foreign-born women in navigating the complex academic structure of the counseling profession using collaborative autoethnography through a feminist lens. Analysis of journal narratives emerged with four major themes: (a) Layers of Systemic Barriers, Bias, and Injustice, (b) Internalized Oppression through Masking, (c) Political is Personal, and (d) Meaning Making. Recommendations include training, mentoring, and diversifying research interests for future researchers and educators.

This study develops a new solvent-compatible microfluidic chip based on phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR). In addition to its solvent-resistant characteristics, this microfluidic platform also features easy fabrication, organization, decomposition for cleaning, and reusability compared with conventional chips. Both solvent-dependent (e.g., polycaprolactone) and nonsolvent-dependent (e.g., chitosan) microparticles were successfully prepared. The size of emulsion droplets could be easily adjusted by tuning the flow rates of the dispersed/continuous phases. After evaporation, polycaprolactone microparticles ranging from 29.3 to 62.7 μm and chitosan microparticles ranging from 215.5 to 566.3 μm were obtained with a 10% relative standard deviation in size. The proposed PFR microfluidic platform has the advantages of active control of the particle size with a narrow size distribution as well as a simple and low cost process with a high throughput.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of myoma enucleation by morcellation while it is attached to the uterus (in situ morcellation) in laparoscopic myomectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 82 patients diagnosed with myoma or adenomyosis in 2007 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to the myoma weight. The operative time, myoma weight, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, and complication experienced were recorded for analysis. Results: The mean myoma weight was 265 ± 240 g and the mean operative time was 93 ± 30 minutes. The patients were divided into three groups: group A with myomas less than 150 g; group B with myomas 150-349 g; and group C with myomas greater than 350 g. The mean myoma weights were 73 ± 34 g, 214 ± 52 g, and 571 ± 218 g for groups A, B, and C, respectively; the mean operative times were 79 ± 17 minutes, 84 ± 22 minutes, and 121 ± 32 minutes, respectively. The operative time increased with myoma weight. Two patients (8%) in group C had excessive intraoperative hemorrhage and one (4%) required a blood transfusion. There was no conversion to laparotomy. Conclusion: In situ morcellation was an efficient and safe procedure for removal of large uterine myoma during laparoscopic myomectomy.

Objective: With improvements in immunosuppression and surgical techniques, more women are undergoing kidney transplantation (KT) for management of end-stage renal disease. Location of the transplanted pelvic kidney and transplanted ureter must be taken into consideration when performing pelvic surgery. We demonstrate that laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) can be successfully performed in patients who had previously undergone KT. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled four patients requiring operation for symptomatic adenomyosis after KT. LAVH was performed in these cases after initial uterine artery ligation during laparoscopy. Results: The median age of the patients was 44 years (range, 40–46 years) and the extirpated uterine weight was 195 g (range, 160–380 g). Intraoperatively, the median operation time was 147.5 minutes (range, 105–175 minutes) and the blood loss was 50 mL (range, 50–100 mL). There was mild pelvic adhesion in two cases. The postoperative recovery was good in all patients with oral intake, flatus passage, and ambulation within 1 day after operation. The median intramuscular meperidine requirements were 25 mg (range, 0–100 mg) and the hospital stay was 4 days (range, 3–8 days). There were no major complications in these cases except one with mild postoperative fever. Conclusion: LAVH may be a safe and effective treatment for treating patients with adenomyosis after KT.

Contact-inhibition ubiquitously exists in non-transformed cells and explains the poor regenerative capacity of in vivo human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) during aging, injury and diseases. RPE injury or degeneration may unlock mitotic block mediated by contact inhibition but may also promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributing to retinal blindness. Herein, we confirmed that EMT ensued in post-confluent ARPE-19 cells when contact inhibition was disrupted with EGTA followed by addition of EGF and FGF-2 because of activation of canonical Wnt and Smad/ZEB signaling. In contrast, knockdown of p120-catenin (p120) unlocked such mitotic block by activating p120/Kaiso, but not activating canonical Wnt and Smad/ZEB signaling, thus avoiding EMT. Nuclear BrdU labeling was correlated with nuclear release of Kaiso through p120 nuclear translocation, which was associated with activation of RhoA-ROCK signaling, destabilization of microtubules. Prolonged p120 siRNA knockdown followed by withdrawal further expanded RPE into more compact monolayers with a normal phenotype and a higher density. This new strategy based on selective activation of p120/Kaiso but not Wnt/β-catenin signaling obviates the need of using single cells and the risk of EMT, and may be deployed to engineer surgical grafts containing RPE and other tissues.