Deconvolution of subcellular protrusion heterogeneity and the underlying actin regulator dynamics from live cell imaging.

Cell protrusion is morphodynamically heterogeneous at the subcellular level. However, the mechanism of cell protrusion has been understood based on the ensemble average of actin regulator dynamics. Here, we establish a computational framework called HACKS (deconvolution of heterogeneous activity in coordination of cytoskeleton at the subcellular level) to deconvolve the subcellular heterogeneity of lamellipodial protrusion from live cell imaging.

Pharmacokinetic interactions and tolerability of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe: an open-label, randomized, multiple-dose, crossover study in healthy male volunteers.

Purpose: Rosuvastatin is a synthetic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor that effectively reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, statin monotherapy does not always achieve acceptable low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. Ezetimibe, a selective cholesterol-absorption inhibitor, is approved for use as a monotherapy or combination therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors for patients with hypercholesterolemia.

The first whole transcriptomic exploration of pre-oviposited early chicken embryos using single and bulked embryonic RNA-sequencing.

Background: The chicken is a valuable model organism, especially in evolutionary and embryology research because its embryonic development occurs in the egg. However, despite its scientific importance, no transcriptome data have been generated for deciphering the early developmental stages of the chicken because of practical and technical constraints in accessing pre-oviposited embryos.

Findings: Here, we determine the entire transcriptome of pre-oviposited avian embryos, including oocyte, zygote, and intrauterine embryos from Eyal-giladi and Kochav stage I (EGK.

The effect of multidisciplinary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation team on clinical outcomes in patients with severe acute respiratory failure.

Background: The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) has suggested that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients should be managed by a multidisciplinary team. However, there are limited data on the impact of ECMO team on the outcomes of patients with severe acute respiratory failure.

Methods: All consecutive patients with severe acute respiratory failure who underwent ECMO for respiratory support from January 2012 through December 2016 were divided into the pre-ECMO team period (before January 2014, n = 70) and the post-ECMO team period (after January 2014, n = 46).

The transcriptome of early chicken embryos reveals signaling pathways governing rapid asymmetric cellularization and lineage segregation.

The phylogenomics and comparative functional genomics of avian species were investigated in the Bird 10,000 Genomes (B10K) project because of the important evolutionary position of birds and their value as a research model. However, the systematic profiling of transcriptional changes prior to oviposition has not been investigated in avian species because of the practical difficulties in obtaining pre-oviposited eggs. In this study, a total of 137 pre-oviposited embryos were collected from hen ovaries and oviducts and subjected to RNA-sequencing analyses.

Airway Improvement with Medium-Term Compression Duration after Right Pulmonary Artery Anterior Translocation.

Left main bronchus compression occasionally occurs in patients with cardiac disease. A 19-month-old female patient weighing 6.7 kg was admitted for recurrent pneumonia and desaturation.

Evaluation of extraction methods for methylated cell-free fetal DNA from maternal plasma.

Purpose: Recently, fetal placenta-specific epigenetic regions (FSERs) have been identified for quantification of cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiencies of a column-based kit and magnetic bead-based kit for quantification of methylated FSERs from maternal plasma.

Methods: Maternal plasma was extracted from normal pregnant women within the gestational age of 10~13 weeks (n = 24).

Emphysematous endocarditis caused by AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli: A case report.

Rationale: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease, mostly caused by gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were identified as a causative organism in relatively small number of cases. Although, antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli is common cause of gram-negative endocarditis, AmpC beta-lactamase (BL)-harboring E coli is very rare cause of IE.

Clinical Utility of Echocardiography for Early and Late Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Infants: Relation with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Background: We evaluated early and late pulmonary hypertension (PH) in preterm infants and its relation with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods: Sixty-seven preterm infants < 30 weeks' gestation underwent echocardiography within 14 days after birth for early PH and over 28 days after birth for late PH. We measured tricuspid regurgitation (TR) peak velocity, pulse Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (MPI) of right ventricle (RV) (RV MPI), eccentricity index (EI), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE).

Chicken NANOG self-associates via a novel folding-upon-binding mechanism.

NANOG plays a pivotal role in pluripotency acquisition and lineage specification in higher vertebrates, and its expression is restricted to primordial germ cells (PGCs) during early embryonic development. Mammalian NANOG self-associates via conserved tryptophan-repeat motifs in the C-terminal domain (CTD) to maintain pluripotency. Avian NANOG, however, lacks the conserved motifs, and the molecular mechanism underlying the biologic function is not clearly understood.

Role of Hyperintense Acute Reperfusion Marker for Classifying the Stroke Etiology.

Purpose: The hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM) is a delayed enhancement of the subarachnoid or subpial space observed on post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images and is associated with permeability changes to the blood-brain barrier in acute stroke. We investigated the relationship between HARM and stroke etiology based on the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between HARM and stroke locations with respect to vascular territories and anatomic compartments.

Isolated subcutaneous nontuberculous mycobacterial infection: a rare case initially mischaracterized as a soft tissue malignancy.

The occurrence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is rare, and the involvement of the musculoskeletal system is even less common. However, the incidence of soft tissue and skin NTM infection is increasing, particularly in patients who undergo injections and minor surgical procedures. Given the non-specific clinical manifestations of NTM infection, the lack of knowledge among physicians regarding this rare infection could lead to inaccurate and delayed diagnosis.

Potential silver nanoparticles migration from commercially available polymeric baby products into food simulants.

In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively employed in food packaging systems as a potential antibacterial agent. Although proven to be highly effective, the increased number of AgNP-containing products raises concerns among consumers regarding the migration of AgNPs from the packaging material into foods, which may exert toxic effects. To address this, five baby products were chosen (baby bottle A, baby bottle B, pacifier A, pacifier B and breastmilk storage bag) to investigate AgNPs migration into three food simulants (deionised water, 4% acetic acid (w/v) and 50% ethanol (v/v)) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Comparison between over-glasses patching and adhesive patching for children with moderate amblyopia: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To investigate efficacy of over-glasses patching treatment for amblyopic children using visual function improvement and Amblyopia Treatment Index (ATI) changes.

Methods: In a randomized multi-center controlled clinical trial, 107 children aged 3-7 years with moderate amblyopia (visual acuity in the range of 20/40 to 20/100) were included to receive treatment with either an adhesive skin patch or a fabric over-glasses patch. The patients were prescribed 2 h of patching per day for the sound eye.

Single-Cell Dissociation and Characterization in the Murine Retina and Optic Nerve.

Recent technological advances have extended the range of analytic tools to very small samples. It is now possible to assay the transcriptome, and in some cases even the proteome, of single cells reliably. This allows addressing novel questions, such as the genotype/phenotype relationships of single neurons, heterogeneity within individual cells of the same type, or the basis of differential vulnerability to injury.

Detection of resistance to fluoroquinolones and injectable drugs among antituberculosis drugs by allele-specific primer extension on a microsphere-based platform.

Molecular drug susceptibility testing (DST) for antituberculosis drugs is important for improving the efficacy of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) treatment. In this study, we developed a molecular high-throughput assay system based on allele-specific primer extension (ASPE) and MagPlex-TAG microspheres, referred to here as TAG-ASPE, which can detect mutations related to resistance to injectable second-line drugs and fluoroquinolones. Target genes were amplified by multiplex PCR using DNA from H37Rv and 190 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and extended by ASPE using 22 ASPE primers.

Comparison of cytokine expression profiles in infants with a rhinovirus induced lower respiratory tract infection with or without wheezing: a comparison with respiratory syncytial virus.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether infants with rhinovirus (RV) infection-induced wheezing and those with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection-induced wheezing have different cytokine profiles in the acute stage.

Methods: Of the infants with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) between September 2011 and May 2012, 88 were confirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and hospitalized. Systemic interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and Treg-type cytokine (IL-10) responses were examined with multiplex assay using acute phase serum samples.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Training for High-Risk Cardiac Patients.

Objective: To examine the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in high-risk cardiac patients and compare these results to those of control CR participants without high-risk criteria.

Methods: A total of 12 high-risk cardiac patients were recruited as subjects. The high-risk criteria were: advanced heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 30%, a recent history of cardiac arrest or dangerous arrhythmia, and cardiac device insertion.

Development of a Nomogram to Predict N2 or N3 Stage in T1-2 Invasive Breast Cancer Patients with No Palpable Lymphadenopathy.

Purpose: Subsequent to the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 and After Mapping of the Axilla: Radiotherapy or Surgery (AMAROS) trials, complete axillary lymph node dissection is not routinely performed, even in cases where metastatic sentinel lymph nodes are detected. We investigated the percentage of N2 or N3 stages in T1-2 invasive breast cancer patients with no lymphadenopathy and developed a nomogram to predict the possibility of N2 or N3 stages in these patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of invasive breast cancer patients who were clinically N0 stage, but had a positive sentinel or non-sentinel lymph node detected on sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Acquisition of resistance to avian leukosis virus subgroup B through mutations on tvb cysteine-rich domains in DF-1 chicken fibroblasts.

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is a retrovirus that causes tumors in avian species, and its vertical and horizontal transmission in poultry flocks results in enormous economic losses. Despite the discovery of specific host receptors, there have been few reports on the modulation of viral susceptibility via genetic modification. We therefore engineered acquired resistance to ALV subgroup B using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology in DF-1 chicken fibroblasts.

A novel antioxidant peptide, purified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, showed strong antioxidant potential via Nrf-2 mediated heme oxygenase-1 expression.

A novel antioxidant peptide YD1 (∼1.0kDa), purified from the strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CBSYD1, displayed activity in several in vitro assays and was also efficient against Gram-positive, Gram-negative as well as multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Strain growth was adapted to bile-salt conditions where a clear halos-zone was observed in a bile-salt plate assay and was viable in different digestive track conditions.

Regulation of autoimmune myocarditis by host responses to the microbiome.

The extensive, diverse communities that constitute the microbiome are increasingly appreciated as important regulators of human health and disease through inflammatory, immune, and metabolic pathways. We sought to elucidate pathways by which microbiota contribute to inflammatory, autoimmune cardiac disease. We employed an animal model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM), which results in inflammatory and autoimmune pathophysiology and subsequent maladaptive cardiac remodeling and heart failure.