Enhancing Clinical Applications by Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity in Whole Exome Sequencing.

The cost-effectiveness of whole exome sequencing (WES) remains controversial due to variant call variability, necessitating sensitivity and specificity evaluation. WES was performed by three companies (AA, BB, and CC) using reference standards composed of DNA from hydatidiform mole and individual blood at various ratios. Sensitivity was assessed by the detection rate of null-homozygote (N-H) alleles at expected variant allelic fractions, while false positive (FP) errors were counted for unexpected alleles.

Development of a Short-Term Embolic Agent Based on Cilastatin for Articular Microvessels.

: This study aimed to develop an embolic agent with short-term embolic effects using cilastatin as the basic material. : The particle size distribution of 25 mg cilastatin-based short-term embolic agents was evaluated microscopically under three different mixing conditions. A total of thirty-six healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups.

Analyses of the Chemical Composition of Plasma-Activated Water and Its Potential Applications for Vaginal Health.

This study aimed to elucidate the unique chemical compositions of plasma-activated water (PAW) and the potential antibacterial efficacy of PAW as a novel vaginal cleanser. We analyzed the ion compositions (four anions: F, Cl, NO, SO; five cations: Na, NH, K, Mg, Ca) of several formulations of PAW generated at different electrical powers (12 and 24 V) at various treatment time points (1, 10, and 20 min), and stay durations (immediate, 30, and 60 min). As treatment duration increased, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), Ca, and Mg concentrations increased and Cl concentration decreased.

CCL3L3-null status is associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus.

The correlation between copy number variation (CNV) and the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported for various immunity-related genes. However, the contribution of CNVs to SLE susceptibility awaits more investigation. To evaluate the copy numbers in immunity-related genes such as TNFAIP3, TNIP1, IL12B, TBX21 (T-bet), TLR7, C4A, C4B, CCL3L1, and CCL3L3, the modified real competitive polymerase chain reaction (mrcPCR) assay was employed, and the association between the copy numbers and SLE susceptibility was analyzed in 334 SLE patients and 338 controls.

-Copy-Gain Is a Predictive Marker for Sensitivity to FAK Inhibition in Breast Cancer.

Background: Cancers with copy-gain drug-target genes are excellent candidates for targeted therapy. In order to search for new predictive marker genes, we investigated the correlation between sensitivity to targeted drugs and the copy gain of candidate target genes in NCI-60 cells.

Methods: For eight candidate genes showing copy gains in NCI-60 cells identified in our previous study, sensitivity to corresponding target drugs was tested on cells showing copy gains of the candidate genes.

Olecranon Osteomyelitis due to Actinomyces meyeri: Report of a Culture-Proven Case.

Actinomyces meyeri is a Gram positive, strict anaerobic bacterium, which was first described by Meyer in 1911. Primary actinomycotic osteomyelitis is rare and primarily affects the cervicofacial region, including mandible. We present an unusual case of osteomyelitis of a long bone combined with myoabscess due to A.

Effect of jeju water on blood glucose levels in diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Jeju water is the groundwater of Jeju Island, a volcanic island located in Republic of Korea. We investigated whether Jeju water improved glycemic control in patients with diabetes. This was a 12-week single-center, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial.

Association between exercise and fear of falling in community-dwelling elderly Koreans: results of a cross-sectional public opinion survey.

Objective: To investigate the association between habitual exercise and fear of falling in an older Korean population.

Design: Cross-sectional study conducted in a population-based sample of an urban city.

Setting: Urban city in South Korea.

Eupafolin, a flavonoid isolated from Artemisia princeps, induced apoptosis in human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells.

Although eupafolin, a flavone found in Artemisia princeps Pampanini, has been shown to inhibit the growth of several human cancer cells, its mode of action is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic activities of eupafolin in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. It was found that eupafolin induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and the accumulation of positive cells for annexin V.

Determination of hexavalent chromium in cosmetic products by ion chromatography and postcolumn derivatization.

Chromium hydroxide green [Cr(2)O(OH)(4)] and chromium oxide green (Cr(2)O(3)) are colouring agents for use in cosmetic products. These colourants may contain chromium (VI), which cause skin allergies through percutaneous adsorption on the skin. Eye shadow is a representative cosmetic product in which significant colourants are used.

[Effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist on Fas-mediated apoptosis in HT-29 cells].

Background/aims: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) plays a critical role in adipocytes differentiation and insulin sensitivity and is also related to regulation of inflammation and cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate the PPAR-gamma agonist-induced apoptosis and effects of PPAR-gamma agonist on Fas-mediated apoptosis in a human colon cancer cell line.

Methods: Cell survival and apoptosis of HT-29 cells were measured by trypan blue exclusion method and FACScan after treatment with 15d-PGJ2, ciglitazone and IgM anti-Fas antibody (CH11), respectively or simultaneously.