Effects of Intermittent Fasting on the Circulating Levels and Circadian Rhythms of Hormones.

Intermittent fasting has become an increasingly popular strategy in losing weight and associated reduction in obesity-related medical complications. Overwhelming studies support metabolic improvements from intermittent fasting in blood glucose levels, cardiac and brain function, and other health benefits, in addition to weight loss. However, concerns have also been raised on side effects including muscle loss, ketosis, and electrolyte imbalance.

Evaluation of Elafin as a Prognostic Biomarker in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of mortality in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematologic malignancies. The skin is the most commonly involved organ in GVHD. Elafin, a protease inhibitor overexpressed in inflamed epidermis, was previously identified as a diagnostic biomarker of skin GVHD; however, this finding was restricted to a subset of patients with isolated skin GVHD.

Pathological features in 'humanized' neonatal pig.

Cytidine monophosphate-Nacetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) hydroxylase () and glycoprotein, alpha1, 3-galactosyltransferase () double knockout (DKO) pig models were produced to reduce immune reaction for xenotransplantation. However, the role of Neu5Gc and α-Gal in pigs has not been fully elucidated and it is necessary to consider the after-effect of inactivation of and in pigs. Hematological profiles of DKO pigs were analyzed through complete blood count (CBC).

Acute toxicity of the insecticide EPN upon zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and its related adverse effects: Verification of abnormal cardiac development and seizure-like events.

Toxicological studies of O-ethyl-O-(4-nitrophenyl) phenylphosphonothioate (EPN) to aquatic vertebrates have been reported, but no reports on toxic mechanism was reported. As zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to EPN, no changes in their survival and hatching rates were observed until 96 h post fertilization (hpf), even at the highest treated concentration of 500 μg/L. In both 250 μg/L and 500 μg/L, edemas were observed in the heart and yolk sac, and a blood pool was also found.

Association of myostatin deficiency with collagen related disease-umbilical hernia and tippy toe standing in pigs.

Herein, we investigate the high incidence of umbilical hernia and tippy-toe standing and their underlying changes in gene expression and proliferation in myostatin knockout (MSTN) pigs. Thirty-six male MSTN pigs were generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). These pigs presented a considerably high incidence of tippy-toe standing and umbilical hernia (69.

Impact of focal apex angle on postoperative decompression status of the spinal cord and neurological recovery after cervical laminoplasty.

Objective: Although anterior compression factors and cervical alignment affect neural decompression, cervical laminoplasty may be used to achieve indirect posterior decompression. The focal apex (FA) angle of the anterior compression factor of the spine represents the degree of anterior prominence toward the spinal cord. The authors investigated the mechanism underlying the influence of FA angle and cervical alignment on spinal cord alignment (SCA) after laminoplasty, including how high-intensity signal cord change (HISCC) on preoperative T2-weighted MRI (T2-MRI) may affect neurological improvement.

sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from .

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, weak-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated JBR3-12, was isolated from halophyte plants, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain produced a pink pigment on tryptic soy agar and grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 8 and in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JBR3-12 formed a lineage within the genus and was most closely related to DS-27 (98.

Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov., radiation resistant bacterium isolated from coastal sand dune.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and light pink-colored bacterial strain, designated TS19, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal sand dune after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Hymenobacter and was most closely related to H. wooponensis WM78 (98.

Impact of the Interval between Previous Endoscopic Exam and Diagnosis on the Mortality and Treatment Modality of Undifferentiated-Type Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: The impact of the interval between previous endoscopy and diagnosis on the treatment modality or mortality of undifferentiated (UD)-type gastric cancer is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of endoscopic screening interval on the stage, cancer-related mortality, and treatment methods of UD-type gastric cancer.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of newly diagnosed patients with UD gastric cancer in 2013, in whom the interval between previous endoscopy and diagnosis could be determined.

Soluble Cytoplasmic Expression and Purification of Immunotoxin HER2(scFv)-PE24B as a Maltose Binding Protein Fusion.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is overexpressed in many malignant tumors. The anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab has been approved for treating HER2-positive early and metastatic breast cancers. exotoxin A (PE), a bacterial toxin of , consists of an A-domain with enzymatic activity and a B-domain with cell binding activity.

Outcomes of Bone Marrow Compared to Peripheral Blood for Haploidentical Transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) from a haploidentical (haplo) donor has emerged as a suitable alternative in the absence of a matched donor. However, haplo-HCT patients have a higher risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Hence, bone marrow (BM) stem cell source and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) have been routinely used to help mitigate this.

Novel Bacterial Production of Two Different Bioactive Forms of Human Stem-Cell Factor.

Human stem-cell factor (hSCF) stimulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells by binding to the c-Kit receptor. Various applications of hSCF require the efficient and reliable production of hSCF. hSCF exists in three forms: as two membrane-spanning proteins hSCF248 and hSCF229 and truncated soluble -terminal protein hSCF164.

Impact of kidney transplantation on the risk of retinal vein occlusion in end-stage renal disease.

It has been known that retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is associated with chronic kidney disease, especially end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, little is known about the effect of kidney transplantation (KT) on RVO incidence in ESRD patients. This study aimed to compare the incidence of RVO in KT recipients (n = 10,498), matched ESRD patients (n = 10,498), and healthy controls (HCs, n = 10,498), using a long-term population-based cohort.

Proprioception, the regulator of motor function.

In animals, proper locomotion is crucial to find mates and foods and avoid predators or dangers. Multiple sensory systems detect external and internal cues and integrate them to modulate motor outputs. Proprioception is the internal sense of body position, and proprioceptive control of locomotion is essential to generate and maintain precise patterns of movement or gaits.

DJ-1 Can Replace FGF-2 for Long-Term Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Defined Media and Feeder-Free Condition.

Conventional human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) cultures require high concentrations of expensive human fibroblast growth factor 2 (hFGF-2) for hPSC self-renewal and pluripotency in defined media for long-term culture. The thermal instability of the hFGF-2 mandates media change every day, which makes hPSC culture costly and cumbersome. Human DJ-1 (hDJ-1) can bind to and stimulate FGF receptor-1.

Soluble Prokaryotic Overexpression and Purification of Human GM-CSF Using the Protein Disulfide Isomerase b'a' Domain.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a member of the colony-stimulating factor (CSF) family, which functions to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic lineages such as neutrophils, dendritic cells, or macrophages. These proteins have thus generated considerable interest in clinical therapy research. A current obstacle to the prokaryotic production of human GM-CSF (hGM-CSF) is its low solubility when overexpressed and subsequent complex refolding processes.

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Performance of Cu Nanofoams Processed by Dealloying.

Cu nanofoams are promising materials for a variety of applications, including anodes in high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The high specific surface area of these materials supports a high capacity and porous structure that helps accommodate volume expansion which occurs as batteries are charged. One of the most efficient methods to produce Cu nanofoams is the dealloying of Cu alloy precursors.

Prediction of pelvic mobility using whole-spinal and pelvic alignment in standing and sitting position in total hip arthroplasty patients.

Purpose: Dislocation is a major complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), and pelvic stiffness is reportedly a significant risk factor for dislocation. This study aimed to investigate spinopelvic alignment, and identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative pelvic mobility.

Methods: We enrolled 78 THA patients with unilateral osteoarthritis.

Effects of tip-manipulated stylet angle on intubation using the GlideScope videolaryngoscope in children: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: An optimal endotracheal tube curve can be a key factor in successful intubation using the GlideScope videolaryngoscope.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tube tip-modified stylet curve on the intubation time in children.

Methods: Children aged 1-5 years were randomly assigned to either the standard curve (group S, n = 60) or tip-modified curve (group T, n = 60) groups.

Anaerococcus faecalis sp. nov., Isolated from Swine Faeces.

An obligate anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore forming, non-motile, catalase and oxidase-negative, coccoid-shaped bacterium designated AGMB00486 was isolated from swine faeces. The optimal growth of the isolate occurred at pH 8.0 and 37 ℃.

Effect of Decreasing the Anterior Pelvic Tilt on Range of Motion in Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Computer-Simulation Study.

Background: The influence of pelvic tilt mobility, which can be reproduced in computer-simulation models, is an important subject to be addressed in the understanding of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) pathophysiology.

Purpose: To use computer-simulation models of FAI cases to evaluate the optimum improvement in hip range of motion (ROM) achieved by decreasing the anterior pelvic tilt and compare the results with the improvement in ROM achieved after cam resection surgery.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections.

Background: Culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) can complicate diagnosis and management of PJI. This study aimed to identify risk factors for culture-negative PJI and differences in clinical characteristics between culture-positive and culture-negative PJI group.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated PJI cases obtained between January 2013 and October 2019 at our institution.