Upregulation of human GD3 synthase (hST8Sia I) gene expression during serum starvation-induced osteoblastic differentiation of MG-63 cells.

In this study, we have firstly elucidated that serum starvation augmented the levels of human GD3 synthase (hST8Sia I) gene and ganglioside GD3 expression as well as bone morphogenic protein-2 and osteocalcin expression during MG-63 cell differentiation using RT-PCR, qPCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy. To evaluate upregulation of hST8Sia I gene during MG-63 cell differentiation by serum starvation, promoter area of the hST8Sia I gene was functionally analyzed. Promoter analysis using luciferase reporter assay system harboring various constructs of the hST8Sia I gene proved that the cis-acting region at -1146/-646, which includes binding sites of the known transcription factors AP-1, CREB, c-Ets-1 and NF-κB, displays the highest level of promoter activity in response to serum starvation in MG-63 cells.

Tetracosanoic acids produced by 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 17 are required for synthesizing seed coat suberin in Arabidopsis.

Very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are precursors for the synthesis of membrane lipids, cuticular waxes, suberins, and storage oils in plants. 3-Ketoacyl CoA synthase (KCS) catalyzes the condensation of C2 units from malonyl-CoA to acyl-CoA, the first rate-limiting step in VLCFA synthesis. In this study, we revealed that Arabidopsis KCS17 catalyzes the elongation of C22-C24 VLCFAs required for synthesizing seed coat suberin.

Simple Ge/Si bilayer junction-based doping-less tunnel field-effect transistor.

Tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) have garnered great interest as an option for the replacement of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors owing to their extremely low off-current and fast switching suitable for low-power-consumption applications. However, conventional doped TFETs have the disadvantage of introducing undesirable random dopant fluctuation (RDF) events, which cause a large variance in the threshold voltage and ambipolar leakage current at negative gate voltages. In this study, a simple approach for charge plasma-based doping-less TFETs (DL-TFETs), including the Ge/Si bilayer frame, which affects the RDF and low on-current issues, was developed by the commercially available Silvaco Atlas device simulator.

Constitutive expression of cytochrome P450 1B1 endows testicular Leydig cells with susceptibility to 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced cell death.

Testicular Leydig cells produce testosterone through the participation of steroidogenic proteins. The CYP1B1 enzyme has been shown to catalyze 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. We hypothesized that exposure to DMBA causes Leydig cell cytotoxicity through activation of CYP1B1.

Low QRS Voltage in Limb Leads Indicates Accompanying Precordial Voltage Attenuation Resulting in Underestimation of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Low QRS voltage (LQRSV) in electrocardiography (ECG) often occurs in limb leads without apparent cause. However, its clinical significance is obscure in healthy populations. We reviewed patients aged over 60 who were scheduled for non-cardiac surgery in two hospitals.

Regulation of human β-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase (hST6Gal I) gene expression during differentiation of human osteoblastic MG-63 cells.

In this study, we found that gene expression of the human β-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase (hST6Gal I) was specifically increased during differentiation of human MG-63 osteoblastic cells by serum starvation (SS). In parallel, a distinct increase in binding to SNA, the α2,6-sialyl-specific lectin, was observed in serum-starved cells, as demonstrated by FACS analysis. 5'-Rapid amplification of cDNA ends analysis demonstrated that the increase of hST6Gal I transcript by SS is mediated by P1 promoter.

Clinical outcomes of PFNA-II in the Asian intertrochanteric fracture patients: Comparison of clinical results according to proximal nail protrusion.

Purpose: This study intended to explore the clinical outcomes of PFNA-II, one of the commonly used fixation devices for intertrochanteric fractures and the association of clinical results with the extent of proximal nail protrusion.

Materials And Methods: Of 315 cases that underwent internal fixation using PFNA-II between September 2010 and June 2018 among intertrochanteric fracture patients aged over 65 years, a total of 86 patients with an ability to communicate clearly and a minimum follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively reviewed. We classified the subjects according to PFNA-II protrusion over the greater trochanter area on anteroposterior radiographs.

Sequential Bilateral Rapid Destructive Inflammatory Coxarthrosis in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The diagnostic criteria for sequential rapidly destructive coxarthrosis remain unclear and this condition is rarely reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here, we report a case of an HIV-infected 73-year old female who experienced hip joint destruction. The patient was diagnosed with HIV in 2012 (at age 68 years) and began continuous treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors.

Effectiveness of Hip Arthroscopy Performed Simultaneously before Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Acetabular Fracture and Fracture-dislocation of the Hip.

Purpose: This study is performed to evaluate the usefulness of arthroscopic surgery prior to open reduction and fixation surgery to treat acetabular fractures and hip fractures-dislocation.

Materials And Methods: From January 2010 to March 2014, a total of 54 patients with acetabular fractures or hip fractures with dislocation were treated arthroscopically via fracture surface before open reduction and fixation (group 1, n=11), and without hip arthroscopy prior to open reduction and fixation (group 2; n=43). Clinical results were evaluated using Harris hip score (HHS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores.

Visual Pattern and Serial Quantitation of F-Sodium Fluoride PET/CT in Asymptomatic Patients After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Purpose: We investigated the visual tracer distribution pattern and serial changes in uptake ratio in different anatomical zones during the natural postoperative course in order to establish a reference for evaluation of patients with complications.

Methods: A total of 36 patients without symptoms after hip or knee arthroplasty were grouped according to the interval between surgery and the scan. The serial changes in SUVmean in each periprosthetic zone were quantified using the volume of interest isocontour method.

Treatment of Late-Onset Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease by Arthrodiastasis.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of arthrodiastasis for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

Methods: Arthrodiastasis was conducted using external fixator devices (Orthofix) in 7 patients at least 8 years of age with a diagnosis of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The average follow-up was 80 months (range, 32 to 149 months), and their average age was 9.

Changes in Tip-Apex Distance by Position and Film Distance Measured by Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

Purpose: The tip-apex distance (TAD) is used to predict the clinical outcome of intertrochanteric fracture fixation. We aimed to measure the changes in TAD by position and film distance using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

Materials And Methods: We used a femur replica with a 10° femoral neck anteversion and a 130° neck shaft angle.

Relationship of postoperative recatheterization and intraoperative bladder distention volume in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for recatheterization after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Materials And Methods: A total of 166 consecutive patients treated with HoLEP by a single surgeon from January 2010 to June 2011 were enrolled in this study. We collected data on preoperative and intraoperative parameters, including intraoperative bladder distention volume.

Short-term effects of systematized behavioral modification program for nocturia: a prospective study.

Aims: This study is to investigate whether a repetitive education program for behavioral modification is necessary for the patients with nocturnal polyuria (NPU).

Materials And Methods: A prospective single-arm study was carried out and 82 patients with NPU were analyzed. We developed a 30-min systematized behavioral modification program (SBMP), which consisted of (1) watching videos about normal physiology of storing and emptying function of urine, (2) regulation of fluid intake, (3) explanation by giving specific examples, and (4) discussion with a specialized nurse practitioner.