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Background: Hanwoo cattle farmers aim to improve calf production and reproductive efficiency. Recovery of the reproductive tract postpartum is a critical factor influencing the postpartum period and conception of breeding cows. This study aimed to precisely analyze the recovery process of the reproductive tract in primiparous Hanwoo postpartum and to establish recovery criteria. Methods: Ten primiparous Hanwoo cows were used in this study. After parturition, estrus was examined daily using visual observations and estrus detection patches. Ovarian recovery, cervical diameter, and uterine horn diameter were examined using ultrasonography four times per week. Results: The analysis revealed that the first estrus occurred at 19.1 ± 6.5 days postpartum, the first ovulation at 27.1 ± 4.5 days, and the first normal estrus cycle at 39.2 ± 6.4 days. The ovulation rate during the first estrus was 40%. A normal estrus cycle occurred in 11.1% of patients at the first ovulation. The cervix diameter recovered to 42.0 ± 3.5 mm and the uterine horn diameter to 34.4 ± 7.1 mm by 24 days postpartum, with the difference in uterine horn diameter recovering to 2.6 ± 1.2 mm by 31 days postpartum. Conclusions: This study can aid in determining the optimal breeding time for postpartum primiparous Hanwoo cow and provide foundational data for Hanwoo breeding studies.

Hip range of motion (ROM) restriction is commonly observed in youth soccer players. This study aimed to investigate the effects of foam rolling training (FRT) and static stretching training (SST) on youth soccer players who have restricted hip ROM. The study included 34 youth soccer players with hip ROM restrictions, who were divided into two groups: FRT (n = 17, 15.9 ± 1.3 years) and SST (n = 17, 15.9 ± 1.7 years). Both groups were diagnosed with hip ROM restriction and enrolled in the study, then performed foam rolling and static stretching programs three times a week for six weeks. The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), and hip ROM, Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ), and isokinetic hip strength test were measured before and after intervention. The results showed that both FRT and SST were effective in improving hip function, as measured by HAGOS, and in increasing hip ROM, particularly flexion, abduction and internal rotation (p < 0.05). External rotation was significantly increased only in the SST group (p < 0.05). Both FRT and SST also improved YBT-LQ (p < 0.05). However, the SST group showed higher reach distances than the FRT group in all directions after training (p < 0.05). Both groups improved isokinetic hip strength in flexion and abduction movements, but when compared between groups, the FRT group showed greater improvement in peak torque (p < 0.05). In conclusion, FRT was more effective in reducing symptoms and pain and improving muscle strength, while SST improved hip mobility and dynamic balance more broadly. These results suggest that including both foam rolling and static stretching in a training program to optimize hip ROM and function in youth soccer players may be effective.

Sports enjoyment is crucial for young athletes as it influences both their immediate willingness to engage in sports and their long-term commitment and development. Therefore, understanding the effects of different training methods on sports enjoyment is essential. This study aimed to compare the effects of speed-agility-quickness training (SAQT) and sprint interval training (SIT) on young soccer players preparing to return after rehabilitation, investigating their impact on physiological and physical performance, as well as on sports enjoyment. A total of 56 adolescent soccer players (age, 15–17 years) were randomly assigned to either the SAQT (n = 28) and SIT (n = 28) groups and underwent training according to the group allocation twice weekly for 8 weeks. A graded exercise test for peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), isokinetic knee strength tests (peak torque, average power), and agility tests (Illinois agility test, Agility T-test) were used to assess physical factors. The Sports Commitment Questionnaire-2 (SCQ-2) was used to evaluated sports enjoyment. VO2 peak, isokinetic knee strength, and agility significantly improved in both groups after the 8 weeks of intervention. In between-group comparisons, it was found that SIT was more effective in enhancing VO2 peak (p < 0.05), anaerobic threshold (AT) (p < 0.05), and knee strength (p < 0.05), whereas SAQT was associated with greater enhancements in Illinois agility test (IAT) (p < 0.05) and Agility T-test (ATT) (p < 0.05) performance times, as well as in sport enjoyment scores (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it appears that SAQT may substantially enhance agility and quickness, which are crucial for optimal in-game performance, while SIT may improve other vital components such as cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. Particularly for youth soccer players who are recovering from injuries, SAQT could be instrumental in fostering more positive affective responses and enhancing sport enjoyment.

After rehabilitation, it is important for athletes to regain their previous fitness level in order to return to play. In this study, we sought to determine whether short-term HIIT and MICT improve the fitness in young male football players. Our analysis included 50 participants with a mean age of 16.4 ± 1.3 years (range: 15.5–17.7 years), a mean height of 174.7 ± 6.2 cm (163.1–191.0 cm), and a mean weight of 65.7 ± 6.5 kg (48.6–79.0 kg). Athletes who had almost completed their rehabilitation and were about to return to playing football were classified into high-intensity interval training (HIIT, n = 25) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, n = 25), and underwent a 12-session intervention training program that lasted four weeks. We conducted graded exercise tests, as well as Wingate, isokinetic strength, and Y-balance tests. The Mann-Whitney test was used for between-group comparisons and Wilcoxon’s test was used for comparisons before and after intervention. Volume of oxygen uptake peak, heart rate recovery and anaerobic threshold showed significant improvement in both groups following intervention but were significantly higher in the HIIT group than in the MICT group (p < 0.05). The Wingate anaerobic peak power and fatigue index showed significant increasement in the HIIT and MICT in first and second sets, but only for third set in the HIIT (p < 0.05). HIIT improved isokinetic strength at 60°/s, whereas both training methods provided improvement at 180°/s (p < 0.05). Results arising from the Y-balance test did not improve in either group. In conclusion, short-term HIIT and MICT are effective methods with which to improve fitness in young male football players preparing to return to play after injury. However, HIIT was slightly more effective than MICT in terms of improving aerobic and anaerobic fitness and strength.

Abstract BackgroundCataract is a leading cause of vision impairment. Obesity-related risk factors, including insulin resistance, increase the risk of cataract. The fatty liver index (FLI) is a biomarker for noninvasive fat layer prediction of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The FLI has been used to evaluate the metabolic contribution in other organs besides the eye. However, no study exists on the FLI and eye disease. ObjectiveThis retrospective cohort study for the association between the FLI and incidence of cataract surgery in individuals older than 50 years was designed to show that a higher FLI is associated with an increased incidence of cataract surgery in individuals aged 50 years and older. MethodsThis study was retrospectively designed based on the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) cohort (median follow-up of 9.8 years). Participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on the FLI: low (FLI

Background: Sperm quality and the number of sperm introduced into the uterus during artificial insemination (AI) are pivotal factors influencing pregnancy outcomes. However, there have been no reports on the relationship between sperm concentration at AI and sperm quality in Hanwoo cattle. In this study, we examined sperm quality and pregnancy rates after AI using sperm inseminated at different concentrations. Methods: We evaluated the motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity of sperm at different concentrations (10, 15, 18, and 20 million sperm/straw) in 0.5-mL straws. Subsequently, we compared the pregnancy rates after AI with different sperm concentrations. Results: After freeze-thawing, sperm at the assessed concentrations showed similar viability and acrosomal membrane integrity. After AI, cattle in the 10 million group had significantly lower pregnancy rates compared to those in the 18 and 20 million groups. Conversely, there were no statistically significant variances observed between cattle in the 10 and 15 million groups. Conclusions: Sperm at concentrations of 10, 15, 18 and 20 million per straw exhibited comparable motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity. However, a concentration of at least 18 million sperm per straw is required to achieve a consistent rate of pregnancy rate in Hanwoo cattle after AI.

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evoked a worldwide pandemic. As the emergence of variants has hampered the neutralization capacity of currently available vaccines, developing effective antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants becomes a significant challenge. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 has received increased attention as an attractive pharmaceutical target because of its pivotal role in viral replication and proliferation. Here, we generated a de novo Mpro-inhibitor screening platform to evaluate the efficacies of Mpro inhibitors based on Mpro cleavage site-embedded amyloid peptide (MCAP)-coated gold nanoparticles (MCAP-AuNPs). We fabricated MCAPs comprising an amyloid-forming sequence and Mpro-cleavage sequence, mimicking in vivo viral replication process mediated by Mpro. By measuring the proteolytic activity of Mpro and the inhibitory efficacies of various drugs, we confirmed that the MCAP-AuNP-based platform was suitable for rapid screening potential of Mpro inhibitors. These results demonstrated that our MCAP-AuNP-based platform has great potential for discovering Mpro inhibitors and may accelerate the development of therapeutics against COVID-19.

Testosterone plays an important role in regulating fertility, muscle mass and bone density. Low bone mineral density has been reported in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS); however, there is limited research available on the prevalence of TDS. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in middle-aged and older men (n = 4707, age: 40–79 years) with TDS. Their total serum testosterone levels were measured, and TDS was defined as a testosterone level of ≤3.5 ng/mL. To assess bone mineral density, we used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure the density at the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and femoral neck (T-score: osteopenia ≤−1.0; osteoporosis ≤−2.5). We performed logistic regression analysis to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity and VO2peak (Volume oxygen peak). The results showed a significant difference in physical activity between men with TDS and those without TDS (NTDS) in both middle-aged and older age groups (p < 0.05). Among middle-aged men, the AOR for osteopenia in the lumbar spine was 1.2-fold higher (Confience interval, CI (Confidence interval), 1.017–2.698), and in the femoral neck, it was 1.3-fold higher (CI, 1.012–3.013) for individuals with TDS compared to those without TDS. In older men, the AOR for osteopenia in the femoral neck increased by 1.4-fold (CI, 1.029–2.530). In conclusion, our findings suggest that middle-aged men with TDS have a higher likelihood of experiencing osteopenia in both the lumbar spine and femoral neck, while older men are more likely to have osteopenia, specifically in the femoral neck, but not osteoporosis.

Owing to the increasing g lobal demand for natural gas, the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers has become a key trend in the shipbuilding market. In the design of membrane-type LNG carriers, a sloshing analysis is crucial for cargo containment systems (CCSs). In this study, structural responses due to impulsive sloshing loads were observed, including the effects of hydroelasticity and the test medium. To this end, the structural responses were first observed with and without hydroelastic coupling between the liquid and structure. When fluid–structure coupling is considered, a finite element analysis is performed for the integrated structure of the hull and CCS. This method was then applied to evaluate the capacity and safety of the inner hull structures of actual LNG vessels in cases where different sloshing pressures occurred owing to the different liquid–gas media. The structural capacity was evaluated using the utilization factor (UT). The results confirm that the effects of the hydroelasticity, density ratio, and phase transition of the experimental medium are essential for the evaluation of the structural responses of LNG CCSs.

This study examines adolescents’ media use after receiving media education, specifically, media education received through Newspaper in Education (NIE) at school and parental mediation at home. The study verifies whether media education stimulates social participation by analyzing adolescents’ self-expression. Data collected through the Korea Press Foundation’s 2019 survey on media use among students aged 10 to 18 in Korea ( N = 1,905) were analyzed. Students who experienced NIE used various types of media to access news and consume news more sensibly. This type of news use influenced adolescents to become more active in self-expression and encouraged social participation. In addition, the relationship between parental mediation and social participation is sequentially mediated by adolescents’ sensible news use and self-expression.

Abstract With the advent of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a high demand for lightweight and flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding membranes with multifunctional capabilities. However, the rapid advancement of technology has led to environmental deterioration, emphasizing the significance of eco‐friendly and sustainable materials for EMI shielding. In this study, a novel environment‐friendly EMI shielding membrane with electric thermotherapy function and antibacterial properties is developed. The membrane substrate utilizes recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and is sequentially coated with synthesized FeCo@C nanoparticles (NPs) and silver nanowires (Ag NWs). The membrane is then dip‐coated with PDMS to modify the surface superhydrophobicity. Experimental results affirm that the developed environment‐friendly EMI shielding membrane possesses exceptional shielding efficiency (68 dB) and can be effectively utilized for safe and low‐voltage thermotherapy (137 °C by 2 V) while exhibiting antibacterial properties.

Characteristics of random ocean waves have been measured by different devices, and X-band marine radar is one of the typical devices. This study proposes an enhanced methodology for estimating the significant wave height of ocean waves through the analysis of X-band radar images, particularly leveraging the shadowing characteristics inherent within radar images. The enhancement of the shadowing-based algorithm is achieved by incorporating three different key physical properties of ocean waves. These include the spatial autocorrelation function (SACF) in the Smith function, the orthogonal property of mean surface slopes, and the relationship of high-order spectral moments. The enhanced algorithm is complementarily integrated with fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based spectral analysis, facilitating the determination of significant wave height without the necessity for supplementary reference measurements. Numerical tests have been conducted using synthetic and real radar images corresponding to various sea states to validate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed methodology. The results demonstrate that the proposed techniques consistently improve the estimation accuracy of significant wave heights for both synthetic and real radar images. Even though the measured real radar images used for validation are not exhaustive in terms of the amount of dataset and range of sea state severity, considering that the proposed technique is in its early development stage, it is inspiring that its effectiveness and physical validity have been demonstrated through the present study.

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) strives to preserve knee biomechanics and function after the meniscal rupture. However, patients undergoing APM experience long-term impacts like proprioceptive deficit and functional decline. This study aimed to examine and compare the effects of aquatic and leg cycling trainings on young athletes undergone APM. Ninety-seven male athletes with APM were assigned to aquatic training group (ATG, n = 49) and cycling training group (CTG, n = 48). Both intervention trainings were conducted three times a week for 6 weeks after 2 weeks of APM. The rehabilitation training was the same in each session. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire scores, knee joint position sense, Y-balance test, and isokinetic knee strength were measured before and after the interventions. Significant improvements were observed after the trainings regarding measured variables for both ATG and CTG groups. Comparison of the two groups found that ATG group had higher scores in IKDC and Y-balance test, greater muscle power, and lower absolute error in the joint position sense test compared to the CTG group. ATG and CTG are thus considered effective training interventions in early rehabilitation phase following the APM. Moreover, ATG may be more conducive than CTG in improving subjective knee symptoms, proprioception, and muscle power.

Ankle sprain is a highly observed injury in soccer due to repeated strenuous movements. Rehabilitation after injury leads to decreased physical strength and muscle-joint function. The ankle sprained patients need improved soccer specific fitness and ankle function simultaneously. Therefore, current study aimed to compare high-intensity sports specific training (HISST) with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to identify effective training for fitness and lower-extremity functions. A total of 56 high school male soccer players (HIIT: 28, HISST: 28) who survived the acute phase due to ankle sprain participated the study. In the intervention period of 4 weeks, the HISST and HIIT groups were randomly assigned. Physical fitness and lower-extremity function tests were performed before and after the intervention. Physical fitness measurements included Volume Oxygen peak (VO2peak), anaerobic power, isokinetic ankle eversion strength, while lower extremity function tests consisted of Y-balance and hop tests. In both groups, VO2peak, exercise time, peak power, and eversion strength improved after the intervention, with significant improvement in all Y-balance subtests and hop tests (p < 0.05). Regarding the posteromedial and posterolateral directions of the Y-balance test, and the crossover of the hop tests, HISST was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than HIIT in the post-intervention test. Concludingly, HIIT and HISST can simultaneously improve VO

Osteolytic bone lesion is a major cause of decreased quality of life and poor prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but molecular pathogenesis of the osteolytic process in MM remains elusive. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) was reported to be elevated in bone marrow and blood of patients with advanced MM who often show osteolysis. Here, we investigated a functional link of FLT3L to osteolytic process in MM. We recruited 86, 306 and 52 patients with MM, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), respectively. FLT3L levels of patients with hematologic malignancies were measured in bone marrow-derived plasma and found to be significantly elevated in MM than in AML or ALL that rarely show osteolysis. FLT3L levels were further elevated in MM patients with bone lesion compared with patients without bone lesion. In vitro cell-based assays showed that the administration of FLT3L to HEK293T, HeLa and U2OS cells led to an increase in the DKK1 transcript level through STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine 705. WNT reporter assay showed that FLT3L treatment reduced WNT signaling, and nuclear translocation of β-catenin. These results collectively show that FLT3L-STAT3-DKK1 pathway inhibits WNT signaling-mediated bone formation in MM, which can cause osteolytic bone lesion. Finally, transcriptomic profiles revealed that FLT3L and DKK1 were predominantly elevated in the hyperdiploidy subtype of MM. Taken together, FLT3L can serve as a promising biomarker for predicting osteolytic bone lesion and also a potential therapeutic target to prohibit the progression of osteolytic process in MM with hyperdiploidy.

Abstract Drug disposal and abuse are increasing every year, and the use of drugs has recently reached its peak due to COVID‐19. However, there still remains a lack of awareness regarding the proper disposal of waste medications, and if not properly disposed of, these complex chemical structures can have severe environmental impacts. Furthermore, as this waste contains chemically valuable substances, a recycling strategy is needed. To address this issue, the potential of reusing expired commercial acetaminophen tablets as freeze‐dried acetaminophen (FAP) for a lithium‐ion battery (LIB) anode material is investigated. The Li storage mechanism and electrochemical performance are investigated via density functional theory, ex situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, galvanostatic discharge/charge analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. The FAP anode exhibited the excellent electrochemical performances and cycle stability. This study will present a new recycling approach, and the results demonstrate the application potential of waste medications in LIBs, which can contribute to resource recovery and the circular economy.

Children with developmental disabilities may develop emotional and behavioral problems that arise from difficulties in social interaction, and therefore, a process of providing and testing intervention activities for emotional and behavioral issues in the early stages of development is required. This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week service-learning exercise program on children with developmental disabilities, contrasting it with a control group not engaged in specific physical activities. The participants included 18 children with developmental disabilities who participated in the service-learning exercise program (SLG) and 18 children with developmental disabilities (Non-SLG) who did not participate. The Korean Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 was used to evaluate children’s emotional and behavioral problems. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to verify the interaction effect between the group and period according to program participation. The results showed the positive internalization of problem behaviors in the emotional domain (F = 4.291, p = 0.011), attention deficit/hyperactivity (F = 4.761, p = 0.012), and personal adjustment (F = 4.116, p = 0.023) in the SLG group. These results suggest that participation in a service-learning exercise program positively affected emotional and behavioral problems in children with developmental disabilities. This could provide a basis for future research on service-learning exercise programs for children with developmental disabilities.

Asthma: Antioxidant-boosting protein improves stem cell treatment A cellular protein that promotes a key antioxidant will be a crucial component in stem cell therapies for allergic asthma. Stem cells derived from umbilical cords have been proposed as treatments for incurable allergic asthma, due to their ability to combat inflammation and regenerate damaged cells. Now, Dong-Myung Shin at University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, and co-workers have shown that the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) acts to maintain healthy levels of the antioxidant glutathione, which is essential for the effectiveness of stem cell therapy. Specifically, ATF2 interplays with a specific nuclear protein to activate genes involved in glutathione synthesis. The researchers showed that the ability of MSC treatments to reduce airway inflammation in asthmatic mouse models was greatly reduced by silencing ATF2, and enhanced by its over-expression.

Obesity has become a global health challenge linked to morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to compare metabolic health indicators according to obesity phenotypes and examine prevalence according to physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW). Data were obtained from 3242 men participating in the 7th and 8th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Participants were divided into four groups based on body phenotype and metabolic health status using obesity. Metabolic health was defined as metabolic syndrome. Representative statistical analyzes were one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple logistic regression analysis. Compared with MUNW, the MHO had higher obesity, but systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting glucose (FG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and total cholesterol (TC) were significantly lower. In comparison between MHO and metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), the same health group, there were no significant differences in SBP, FG, HbA1c, and LDLC. The odds ratio of MUNW in the normal weight group was 1.8 times higher than that of the high group in the low leisure PA group. The group with high sedentary time increased the MUNW odds ratio by 1.5 times compared to the low group. Meanwhile, in the obesity group, the high leisure PA group showed a 1.4-fold increase in the MHO odds ratio compared to the low group. In addition, the low sedentary group showed a 1.6-fold increase in the MHO odds ratio compared to the high sedentary group. In conclusion, MHO had higher adiposity than MUNW, but the metabolic health index was better. Low PA and high sedentary time increased the risk of MUNW even in normal weight. Conversely, high PA and low sedentary time increased the likelihood of MHO in the obesity group.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the risk of all-cause mortality and incidence of CVD according to metabolic health and body mass index (BMI) in Korean adults. This study was retrospectively designed using the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort data. Participants were divided into six groups according to two category of metabolic syndrome and three categories of BMI. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the composite outcome (all-cause mortality and incidence of CVDs) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. 151,706 participants aged ≥ 40 years were enrolled; median follow-up period was 9.7 years in the study. Compared to metabolically healthy normal weight, the fully adjusted HRs (95% CIs) of metabolically healthy overweight, metabolically healthy obese, metabolically unhealthy normal weight, metabolically unhealthy overweight, and metabolically unhealthy obese for composite outcome were 1.07 (1.03–1.12), 1.12 (1.07–1.17), 1.33 (1.25–1.41), 1.28 (1.22–1.34), and 1.31 (1.26–1.37), respectively, in men, and 1.10 (1.05–1.16), 1.22 (1.16–1.29), 1.34 (1.26–1.43), 1.27 (1.19–1.34), and, 1.40 (1.34–1.47), respectively, in women. High BMI and metabolic unhealthiness were associated with an increased risk on the composite of all-cause mortality and incidence of CVD in both sexes.

The non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have affected the epidemiology of other respiratory viruses. In South Korea, Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) typically occurs from winter to the following spring; however, it was not detected for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic and re-emerged in the fall of 2022, which is a non-epidemic season. To examine the molecular genetic characteristics of HMPV before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed 427 HMPV-positive samples collected in the Gwangju area from 2018 to 2022. Among these, 24 samples were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence rate of HMPV in 2022 increased by 2.5-fold. Especially in the age group of 6–10 years, the incidence rate increased by more than 4.5-fold. In the phylogenetic analysis results, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the A2.2.2 lineage was predominant, while in 2022, the A2.2.1 and B2 lineage were observed. The non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented after COVID-19, such as social distancing, have reduced opportunities for exposure to HMPV, subsequently leading to decreased acquisition of immunity. As a result, HMPV occurred during non-epidemic seasons, influencing the age distribution of its occurrences.

Cancer is a major cause of death in Korea. Improving dietary habits and encouraging physical activity (PA) are important in managing the quality of life and health of patients. Cancer survivors (CS) often exhibit a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) than non-cancer (NC) individuals. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of MetS according to dietary habits and PA in women who survived various cancers: stomach, colorectal, breast, cervical, lung, thyroid, and others. The participants (n = 12,676; NC: 11,673, CS: 1003) were analyzed cross-sectionally over a 6-year period. Caloric intake, eating-out frequency, breakfast frequency, dietary supplements, dietary therapy, nutritional education, participation in aerobic activity, strength training frequency, and sedentary lifestyle were evaluated. The prevalence of MetS was 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–1.39) times higher in CS than in NC, exhibiting a 1.77-fold (95%CI, 1.14–2.74) increase in colorectal cancer, 1.72-fold (95%CI, 1.29–2.30) in cervical cancer, and 3.07-fold (95%CI, 1.14–5.31) in lung cancer. A higher-than-recommended caloric intake and frequent eating out increased MetS 1.43-fold (95%CI, 1.09–1.79) and 1.11-fold (95%CI, 1.01–1.64), respectively, in NC, and 1.31-fold (95%CI, 1.03–1.75) and 2.65-fold (95%CI, 2.29–3.07), respectively, in CS. Aerobic activity below the recommended level resulted in a 1.37-fold (95%CI, 1.13–1.71) and 1.36-fold (95%CI, 1.10–1.87) increase in NC and CS, respectively, whereas muscle strength increased 1.36-fold (95%CI, 1.08–1.70) and 1.49-fold (95%CI, 1.07–2.57), respectively, at below recommended levels. MetS was more prevalent in CS than in NC; high caloric intake, frequent eating out, low PA, and more sedentary time increased the risk of MetS.

Environmental factors play a role in increasing or decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents. We analyzed the impact of physical activity (PA), dietary habits, and mental and socioeconomic status on MetS prevalence in 2143 (boys: 1113, girls: 1030, age: 13–18 years) Korean middle- and high-school students. Metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy normal weight were also evaluated. MetS occurred in 215 participants (10.0%), and boys had a higher MetS rate than girls. There was no significant difference in alcohol consumption and smoking experience between individuals with and those without MetS. The odds ratio (OR) for high-school students was 1.33 (95%CI, 1.001–1.789, p = 0.043) times that of middle-school students. Depression, low aerobic PA, and high sedentary time increased the ORs to 1.64 (95%CI, 1.059–2.539, p = 0.020), 1.52 (95%CI, 1.092–2.203, p = 0.003), and 1.86 (95%CI, 1.342–2.587, p < 0.001), respectively. Higher energy intake and low weekly breakfast consumption frequency yielded ORs of 1.46 (95%CI, 1.046–2.555, p = 0.025) and 1.70 (95%CI, 1.244–2.339, p = 0.011), respectively. Strength training, stress, suicidal ideation, dining out frequency, and household income did not impact MetS prevalence. Despite obesity, MetS decreased by 29.7% with high aerobic PA and 37.9% with high weekly breakfast consumption frequency. In conclusion, MetS risk was higher for men, individuals with depression, and high-school students. Low aerobic activity, high calorie intake, and low weekly breakfast consumption frequency increased MetS risk. Despite obesity, high aerobic activity, low sedentary time, and breakfast consumption was associated with lower MetS risk.

Abstract An 11-year-old Korean boy presented with short stature, hip dysplasia, radial head dislocation, carpal coalition, genu valgum, and fixed patellar dislocation and was clinically diagnosed with Steel syndrome. Scrutinizing the trio whole-exome sequencing data revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations of COL27A1 (c.[4229_4233dup]; [3718_5436del], p.[Gly1412Argfs*157];[Gly1240_Lys1812del]) in the proband, which were inherited from heterozygous parents. The maternal mutation was a large deletion encompassing exons 38–60, which was challenging to detect.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a system that comprehensively manages risk factors to reduce the recurrence rate after cardiovascular disease treatment. This study compared the effects of home-based low-frequency CR (1–2 times/week) and center-based high-frequency CR (3–5 times/week) for 12 weeks. This study was conducted as an observational case-control study. Ninety women, ages 45 to 60, who underwent coronary artery stenting were enrolled. Measurement variables were waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides (TG), glucose, VO2 peak, body composition, and quality of life. Significant changes were observed in systolic BP, TC, LDLC, TG, VO2 peak, exercise duration, and quality of life in both groups. However, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, HDLC, and blood glucose only exhibited significant changes with HFT. The interaction effects according to time and group were as follows: systolic BP, waist circumference, body fat, BMI, HDLC, and glucose (p < 0.05). Therefore, in CR participants, HFT improved more than LFT on obesity factors, HDLC, and glucose change. As well as center-based HFT, home-based LFT also improved risk factors for cardiovascular disease, fitness, and quality of life. For female patients who have difficulty visiting the CR center frequently, home-based LFT may be a CR program that can be presented as an alternative.

Abstract Many eusocial insects, including ants, show complex colony structures, distributions, and reproductive strategies. In the ant Vollenhovia emeryi Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae), queens and males are produced clonally, while sterile workers arise sexually, unlike other ant species and Hymenopteran insects in general. Furthermore, there is a wing length polymorphism in the queen caste. Despite its evolutionary remarkable traits, little is known about the population structure of this ant species, which may provide insight into its unique reproductive mode and polymorphic traits. We performed in‐depth analyses of ant populations from Korea, Japan, and North America using three mitochondrial genes (COI, COII, and Cytb). The long‐winged (L) morph is predominant in Korean populations, and the short‐winged (S) morph is very rare. Interestingly, all L morphs were infected with Wolbachia, while all Korean S morphs lacked Wolbachia, demonstrating a association between a symbiont and a phenotypic trait. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the S morph is derived from the L morph. We propose that the S morph is associated with potential resistance to Wolbachia infection and that Wolbachia infection does not influence clonal reproduction (as is the case in other ant species).

OBJECTIVES Opioids are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. We investigated recent trends in opioid (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and hydromorphone) prescriptions using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort between 2002 and 2015. METHODS The morphine milligram equivalent (MME) was calculated to standardize the relative potency of opioids. The number (cases) or amount (MME) of annual opioid prescriptions per 10,000 registrants was computed to analyze trends in opioid prescriptions after age standardization. Joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to calculate the annual percentage change and average annual percentage change (AAPC). RESULTS The number (cases) of prescriptions per 10,000 registrants increased from 0.07 in 2002 to 41.23 in 2015 (AAPC, 76.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 61.6 to 91.7). The MME per 10,000 registrants increased from 15.06 in 2002 to 40,727.80 in 2015 (AAPC, 103.0%; 95% CI, 78.2 to 131.3). The highest AAPC of prescriptions and MME per 10,000 registrants were observed in the elderly (60-69 years) and in patients treated at general hospitals. Fentanyl prescriptions increased most rapidly among the 4 opioids. CONCLUSIONS Consumption of opioids greatly increased in Korea over the 14-year study period.

A new method has been developed for the simple, fluorescence, turn-on detection of melamine, which utilizes DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) as a key component. In the sensor, melamine exhibits the dual functions: one is to enhance the fluorescence signal of DNA-AgNCs by its specific interaction with thymine residues in DNA template, and the other is to prevent Hg(II)-induced fluorescence quenching of DNA-AgNCs via its strong coordination with Hg(II). These consequently enable the sensitive and selective detection of melamine. By exploiting such novel features of melamine, we significantly increased the fluorescence response up to 360%, compared to the previous counterpart that relies on DNA-AgNCs only, and successfully determined melamine down to ca. 49 nM, a value that is 400 times lower than the safety level of 20 μM set by the US Food and Drug Administration. In addition, it was confirmed that the proposed approach works fine even in the real milk samples without any additional pre-treatment steps.

Summary: The desire toward decarbonization and renewable energy has sparked research interests in reactive CO2 separations, such as direct air capture that utilize electricity as opposed to conventional thermal and pressure swing processes, which are energy-intensive, cost-prohibitive, and fossil-fuel dependent. Although the electrochemical approaches in CO2 capture that support negative emissions technologies are promising in terms of modularity, smaller footprint, mild reaction conditions, and possibility to integrate into conversion processes, their practice depends on the wider availability of renewable electricity. This perspective discusses key advances made in electrolytes and electrodes with redox-active moieties that reversibly capture CO2 or facilitate its transport from a CO2-lean side to a CO2-rich side within the last decade. In support of the discovery of new heterogeneous electrode materials and electrolytes with redox carriers, the role of computational chemistry is also discussed.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood glucose, and dyslipidemia. Low fitness, muscle mass, and strength increase the risk of MetS. The characteristics of these variables are highly interrelated. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the prevalence of MetS by combining leg strength (LSTR), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) in elderly men and women. Methods: Participants included 1420 persons aged 65–79 years (men: 753, women: 667). An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure LSTR; CRF was evaluated by measuring maximum oxygen uptake; and ASM was assessed using bio-impedance analysis. The measured CRF, LSTR, and ASM were converted to relative values by dividing by body weight and grouped into ‘high’ and ‘low’ based on the median value. The diagnosis of MetS was based on five criteria: waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose. MetS was diagnosed when the participant fulfilled 3 or more of the criteria, and odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: MetS was diagnosed in 32.1% and 30.3% of men and women, respectively. The relative LSTR and ASM values were significantly higher in the non-MetS group compared to those of the MetS group in both sexes. The OR for MetS in men was 3.6-fold higher in the low LSTR group, 3.5-fold higher in the low CRF group, and 2.3-fold higher in the low ASM group than in the high groups. In women, the OR for MetS increased 1.3-fold in the group with low LSTR and 3.7-fold in the group with low CRF. The OR for MetS exhibited a 3.5-fold increase in men and a 2.4-fold increase in women for combined low LSTR and low ASM compared to those of the combined high LSTR and high ASM group. Despite high ASM, the OR for MetS was a 3.5-fold higher in men and a 3.9-fold in women for low LSTR and low CRF group. Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS increased in elderly with relatively decreased LSTR, ASM and decreased CRF. Furthermore, the prevalence of MetS is increased when both LSTR and ASM are low despite high CRF. In addition, even if ASM was low, the risk of metabolic syndrome did not increase when both CRF and LSTR were high. In conclusion, when two or more of the three variables CRF, LSTR, and ASM were low, the prevalence of MetS increased.

Abstract Molecular programs involved in embryogenesis are frequently upregulated in oncogenic dedifferentiation and metastasis. However, their precise roles and regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we showed that CDK1 phosphorylation of TFCP2L1, a pluripotency‐associated transcription factor, orchestrated pluripotency and cell‐cycling in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and was aberrantly activated in aggressive bladder cancers (BCs). In murine ESCs, the protein interactome and transcription targets of Tfcp2l1 indicated its involvement in cell cycle regulation. Tfcp2l1 was phosphorylated at Thr177 by Cdk1, which affected ESC cell cycle progression, pluripotency, and differentiation. The CDK1‐TFCP2L1 pathway was activated in human BC cells, stimulating their proliferation, self‐renewal, and invasion. Lack of TFCP2L1 phosphorylation impaired the tumorigenic potency of BC cells in a xenograft model. In patients with BC, high co‐expression of TFCP2L1 and CDK1 was associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics including tumor grade, lymphovascular and muscularis propria invasion, and distant metastasis and was an independent prognostic factor for cancer‐specific survival. These findings demonstrate the molecular and clinical significance of CDK1‐mediated TFCP2L1 phosphorylation in stem cell pluripotency and in the tumorigenic stemness features associated with BC progression.

Abstract Background X-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT-XL) is a skeletal disorder characterized by defective structures of vertebral bodies and/or of epiphyses of the long bones, resulting in moderately short stature and early joint degeneration. TRAPPC2 gene, which is important for collagen secretion, has been reported as causative for SEDT-XL. Case presentation Here, we report two variants of TRAPPC2 gene of SEDT-XL patients, a missense variant of start codon, c.1A > T, and a deletion variant, c.40delG. To understand molecular consequence of the variants, we establish an in vitro gene expression assay system and demonstrate that both mutated genes are transcribed, but are not properly translated, indicative of the pathogenic nature of those TRAPPC2 variants. Conclusions In the current study, we provide additional experimental data showing that loss-of-function TRAPPC2 variants are probably causative for SEDT-XL phenotype. These findings further contribute to the understanding the clinical picture related to TRAPPC2 gene.

Hip dysplasia (HD) is a typical developmental abnormality of the hip joint, and discomfort is often found in adulthood. This study compared patients with symptomatic HD in muscle strength, dynamic balance, and range of motion (ROM) with healthy individuals. Patients included those who complained of unilateral pain although the lateral center edge angle (LCEA) exhibited bilateral abnormality. Participants (n = 95; men: 46, women: 49) were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic sides, and a healthy group without a history of hip joint disease (n = 70; men: 30, women: 40) was compared. Hip flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction were performed at an angular velocity of 30°/s using an isokinetic strength test device. The Y-balance test was conducted to measure dynamic balance, and ROM was measured using an electronic goniometer to evaluate flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and internal and external rotations. In addition, the pain visual analog scale (VAS) and hip and groin outcome scale (HAGOS), a subjective evaluation of the hip joint, were evaluated. ROM (flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation) was significantly decreased in the HD symptomatic sides of men and women compared to those of the healthy group and the asymptomatic side, and the dynamic balance, flexion, and abduction muscle strength were also lower on the symptomatic sides. Although the LCEA of the HD asymptomatic side was lower than that of the healthy group, there were no significant differences in VAS, flexion, extension, abduction ROM, and extension strength compared to those of healthy individuals. In conclusion, patients with HD were mostly bilateral, and on the symptomatic side, there was a decrease in ROM, dynamic balance, and muscle strength; however, on the asymptomatic side, the function was relatively close to normal.

Bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Bi:YIG) films were prepared by using spin coating processes with metal-organic-decomposition-method-based solutions on crystalline silicon (Si) substrates, and their magneto-optic properties at the 1550-nm wavelength region were investigated by performing various thermal treatments. The maximum Verdet constant of the Bi1Y2Fe5O12 film on the Si substrate with a middle buffer layer of Bi2Y1 Fe5 O12 was measured to be 1 072 038°/T/m at 1550-nm wavelength in the unsaturated linear magnetization region by accounting for the negative Verdet constant of the silicon substrate. The optimum thermal treatment condition was observed at the maximum annealing temperature of 700 °C and the annealing speed of 3 °C/min. These spin coating enabled processes may be included to the conventional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor fabrication processes to demonstrate integrated optical waveguide-type isolators on silicon-on-insulator wafers.

TUSC3 resides on chromosome 8p which is frequently deleted in advanced stage tumors. Here, the authors show that TUSC3 loss mediated by miR-224/-520c promotes NSCLC metastasis where it enhances ATF-6α-dependent UPR and HRD-1 dependent ERAD, which in turn suppress p53-NM23H1/2 tumor suppressor pathway.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of exercise habit and body mass index(BMI) on once-a-week high intensity interval training (HIIT) in young females. 30 college-aged participants conducted a 60-minute exercise program for 12 weeks. METHODS Questionnaires on exercise habit, body composition analysis, physical fitness tests were conducted before and after 12 weeks. The training intensity was set to peak HR of 85% or more, and the program consisted muscular strengthening exercises using weight training tools, props, and a gymball. Time of exercise and rest between exercises were both 30 seconds. Participants were divided by BMI(lower BMI(n=15) and higher BMI(n=15)) and the groups were further divided into the lower and higher activity groups by the number of regularly performed exercise days per week(lower -activity(n=17) 0-2 days and higher-activity(n=13) =3 days. RESULTS As results, the lower BMI group showed a significant reduction in BMI(kg/m2) and the higher BMI group showed significant improvements in all body components including BMI(kg/m2), body fat(%), and percent body fat(%) after the intervention. In the case of physical fitness changes based on lower and higher BMI, both groups showed significant improvements in grip strength(kg), vertical jump(cm), and squat(sec). As for exercise frequency, BMI, body fat and body fat percentage were significantly decreased, and the muscle percentage was significantly increased in the higher-activity group. In the lower-activity group, body weight and BMI decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, young healthy females with higher BMI and activity level tend to show greater changes in body composition and physical fitness level.

Abstract Two dimensional layered organic-inorganic halide perovskites offer a wide variety of novel functionality such as solar cell and optoelectronics and magnetism. Self-assembly of these materials using solution process (ex. spin coating) makes crystalline thin films synthesized at ambient environment. However, flexibility of organic layer also poses a structure stability issue in perovskite thin films against environment factors (ex. moisture). In this study, we investigate the effect of solvents and moisture on structure and property in the (C6H5(CH2)2NH3)2(Cu, Mn)Cl4 (Cu-PEA, Mn-PEA) perovskite thin films spin-coated on Si wafer using three solvents (H2O, MeOH, MeOH + H2O). A combination of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) show that relative humidity (RH) has a profound effect on perovskite thin films during sample synthesis and storage, depending on the kind of solvent used. The ones prepared using water (Cu-PEA:H2O, Mn-PEA:H2O) show quite different behavior from the other cases. According to time-dependent XRD, reversible crystalline-amorphous transition takes place depending on RH in the former cases, whereas the latter cases relatively remain stable. It also turns out from XAS that Mn-PEA thin films prepared with solvents such as MeOH and MeOH + H2O are disordered to the depth of about 4 nm from surface.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents is increasing globally and the age of onset is gradually decreasing. MetS is associated with serious health problems and presents an early risk for adult morbidity and mortality. From 2014–2019, we investigated the relationship between MetS and health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and nutrition education in Korean adolescents (boys: 1235, girls: 1087, age: 13–18 years) based on household income; the relationship with hand grip strength was also evaluated. The prevalence of MetS was 8.8% in boys and 5.1% in girls; in the lowest income households, the risk increased ~1.5-fold for boys and ~4-fold for girls, whereas risks of smoking and alcohol use increased 1.81 vs. 2.34 times, and 2.34 vs. 2.37 times for boys and girls, respectively. In adolescents with the weakest grip strength, the risk of MetS increased 9.62 and 7.79 times in boys and girls, respectively. Girls lacking nutrition education exhibited a 1.67-fold increased risk of MetS, but this was not significant in boys. Low household income increased the risk of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption in both sexes, and together with low hand grip strength, was an important predictor for developing MetS.

Recently, many studies have been conducted on the materialization of spent batteries. In conventional cases, lithium is recovered from an acidic solution through the leaching and separation of valuable metals; however, it is difficult to remove impurities because lithium is recovered in the last step. Cathode active materials of lithium-ion batteries comprise oxides with lithium, such as LiNixCoyMnzO2 and LiCoO2. Thus, lithium should be converted into a compound that can be leached in deionized water for selective lithium leaching. Recent studies on the leaching and recovery of Li2CO3 through a carbon reduction reaction show low economic efficiency, due to the solubility of Li2CO3 at room temperature being as low as 13 g/L. This paper proposes a method of roasting after nitric acid deposition for selective lithium leaching and recovery to LiNO3. Based on experiments involving the varying of the amount of nitric acid, roasting temperature, and solid–liquid ratio, optimal values were found to be dipping in 10 M HNO3 2 mL/g, roasting at 275 °C, and deionized water with a solid–liquid ratio of 10 mL/g, respectively. Over 80% Li leaching was possible under these conditions. IC analysis confirmed that the purity was 97% lithium nitrate.

In this study, a modified two-time-scale model is proposed to overcome the limitations of the existing maneuvering analysis model. To this end, not only wave conditions but also all directions of ship operation velocities are considered in estimating wave drift force and moment. Subsequently, the increment of the drift force and moment induced by steady drift and yaw motion of a ship is imposed up to the first derivative of Taylor series expansion. By introducing this bilinear model, the burden of the drift force computation is reduced so that a more realistic and efficient seakeeping-maneuvering coupling analysis can be performed. A turning circle simulation in a regular short wave is carried out using the modified two-time-scale model. Then, the performance is validated by comparing its results with the direct coupling model. Moreover, quantitative improvement of the present numerical scheme and the influence of the operation velocities on ship maneuvering performance are discussed.

Embryonic stem cell (ESC) abnormalities in genome methylation hamper the utility of their therapeutic derivatives; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we show that the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase, Sirt1, selectively prevents abnormal DNA methylation of some developmental genes in murine ESCs by antagonizing Dnmt3l. Transcriptome and DNA methylome analyses demonstrated that Sirt1-null (Sirt1−/−) ESCs repress expression of a subset of imprinted and germline genes concomitant with increased DNA methylation of regulatory elements. Dnmt3l was highly expressed in Sirt1−/− ESCs, and knockdown partially rescued abnormal DNA methylation of the Sirt1 target genes. The Sirt1 protein suppressed transcription of Dnmt3l and physically interacted with the Dnmt3l protein, deacetylating and destabilizing Dnmt3l protein. Sirt1 deficiency delayed neurogenesis and spermatogenesis. These differentiation delays were significantly or partially abolished by reintroduction of Sirt1 cDNA or Dnmt3l knockdown. This study sheds light on mechanisms that restrain DNA methylation of developmentally vital genes operating in ESCs.

While Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and technological advances have been useful in identifying genetic profiles of tumorigenesis, novel target proteins and various clinical biomarkers, cancer continues to be a major global health threat. DNA replication, DNA damage response (DDR) and repair, and cell cycle regulation continue to be essential systems in targeted cancer therapies. Although many genes involved in DDR are known to be tumor suppressor genes, cancer cells are often dependent and addicted to these genes, making them excellent therapeutic targets. In this review, genes implicated in DNA replication, DDR, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation are discussed with reference to peptide or small molecule inhibitors which may prove therapeutic in cancer patients. Additionally, the potential of utilizing novel synthetic lethal genes in these pathways is examined, providing possible new targets for future therapeutics. Specifically, we evaluate the potential of TONSL as a novel gene for targeted therapy. Although it is a scaffold protein with no known enzymatic activity, the strategy used for developing PCNA inhibitors can also be utilized to target TONSL. This review summarizes current knowledge on non-oncogene addiction, and the utilization of synthetic lethality for developing novel inhibitors targeting non-oncogenic addiction for cancer therapy.

Recruiting DNA damage repair factors to the sites of DNA damage is critical for the maintenance of genome integrity. Here the authors identify that the TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP/RNF206) is required for normal recruitment of RAP80 to DNA lesions and the stimulation of homologous recombination.

We evaluated the characteristics of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and hematopoietic cells (HCs) from patients of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, n = 21) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n = 58), and compared the results with control BMSCs derived from healthy donors (n = 8). The patient BMSCs had lower proliferative activity than that of the controls due to increased senescence. This retarded proliferation induced failure to obtain enough metaphase cells for karyotyping in patient BMSCs (10%). Patient BMSCs were genetically altered which was demonstrated by chromosome abnormalities in 5% of the patients (one MDS and three AML), whereas no clonal abnormalities were detected in the controls. The most common abnormality of the BMSCs was an extra chromosome 5, followed by an extra chromosome 7 and balanced translocations. The proportion of the abnormal metaphase cells was low (17.8%). We also analyzed the epigenetic changes of long interspersed nucleotide element 1 (LINE-1) repetitive element and CDKN2B using pyrosequencing. The quantitative measurement of global LINE-1 methylation demonstrated that patient BMSCs revealed global hypomethylation (68.2 ± 3.8) compared with controls (72.9 ± 3.4, P

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a numerical analysis of slamming and whipping using a fully coupled hydroelastic model. The coupled model uses a 3-D Rankine panel method, a 1-D or 3-D finite element method, and a 2-D Generalized Wagner Model (GWM), which are strongly coupled in time domain. First, the GWM is validated against results of a free drop test of wedges. Second, the fully coupled method is validated against model test results for a 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containership. Slamming pressures and whipping responses to regular waves are compared. A spatial distribution of local slamming forces is measured using 14 force sensors in the model test, and it is compared with the integration of the pressure distribution by the computation. Furthermore, the pressure is decomposed into the added mass, impact, and hydrostatic components, in the computational results. The validity and characteristics of the numerical model are discussed. KEY WORDS: Slamming, Whipping, Hydroelasticity, Rankine panel method, Generalized wagner model (GWM)

ABSTRACT: In problems of global hydroelastic ship response in severe seas including the whipping problem, we need to know the hydrodynamic forces acting on the ship hull during almost arbitrary ship motions. In terms of ship sections, some of them can enter water but others exit from water. Computations of nonlinear free surface flows, pressure distributions and hydrodynamic forces in parallel with the computations of the ship motions including elastic vibrations of the ship hull are time consuming and are suitable only for research purposes but not for practical calculations. In this paper, it is shown that the slamming forces can be decomposed in two components within three semi-analytical models of water entry. Only heave motion is considered. The first component is proportional to the entry speed squared and the second one to the body acceleration. The coefficients in these two components are functions of the penetration depth only and can be precomputed for given shape of the body. During the exit stage the hydrodynamic force is proportional to the acceleration of the body and independent of the body shape for bodies with small deadrise angles. KEY WORDS: Semi-analytical models of slamming, Force decomposition, Water exit

Holliday junctions (HJs), the DNA intermediates of homologous recombination, need to be faithfully processed in order to preserve genome integrity. In human cells, the BLM helicase complex promotes nonnucleolytic dissolution of double HJs. In vitro, HJs may be nucleolytically processed by MUS81-EME1, GEN1, and SLX4-SLX1. Here, we exploit human SLX4-null cells to examine the requirements for HJ resolution in vivo. Lack of BLM and SLX4 or GEN1 and SLX4 is synthetically lethal in the absence of exogenous DNA damage, and lethality is a consequence of dysfunctional mitosis proceeding in the presence of unprocessed HJs. Thus, GEN1 activity cannot be substituted for the SLX4-associated nucleases, and one of the HJ resolvase activities, either of those associated with SLX4 or with GEN1, is required for cell viability, even in the presence of BLM. In vivo HJ resolution depends on both SLX4-associated MUS81-EME1 and SLX1, suggesting that they are acting in concert in the context of SLX4.