Effect of glucose and lysine supplementation on myogenic and adipogenic gene expression in muscle satellite cells isolated from Hanwoo with different genotypes of PLAG1: Implications for cell-based food production.

Research on Hanwoo cattle has focused on the pleomorphic adenoma gene (PLAG) family, vital for traits like growth and carcass quality. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this gene family profoundly impact economic traits. At the cellular level, energy and protein sources, notably glucose and lysine, crucially regulate muscle satellite cell (MSC) growth and differentiation.

Structural atlas of human primary microRNAs generated by SHAPE-MaP.

MicroRNA (miRNA) maturation is critically dependent on structural features of primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs). However, the scarcity of determined pri-miRNA structures has limited our understanding of miRNA maturation. Here, we employed selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension and mutational profiling (SHAPE-MaP), a high-throughput RNA structure probing method, to unravel the secondary structures of 476 high-confidence human pri-miRNAs.

Multifunctional synthetic nano-chaperone for peptide folding and intracellular delivery.

Artificial, synthetic chaperones have attracted much attention in biomedical research due to their ability to control the folding of proteins and peptides. Here, we report bio-inspired multifunctional porous nanoparticles to modulate proper folding and intracellular delivery of therapeutic α-helical peptide. The Synthetic Nano-Chaperone for Peptide (SNCP) based on porous nanoparticles provides an internal hydrophobic environment which contributes in stabilizing secondary structure of encapsulated α-helical peptides due to the hydrophobic internal environments.

High-throughput chemical screening to discover new modulators of microRNA expression in living cells by using graphene-based biosensor.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulatory RNAs that control gene expression in various biological processes. Therefore, control over the disease-related miRNA expression is important both for basic research and for a new class of therapeutic modality to treat serious diseases such as cancer. Here, we present a high-throughput screening strategy to identify small molecules that modulate miRNA expression in living cells.

A robust and quantitative assay platform for multiplexed, high throughput screening of protein kinase inhibitors.

We present a new platform for multiplexed protein kinase activity assay using TiO decorated graphene oxide (GO), which is applicable to high throughput inhibitor screening. On the basis of the strong affinity of TiO for the phosphate group and the fluorescence quenching capability of GO, phosphorylation of substrates by protein kinases was quantitatively measured in a short time.

BSA as additive: A simple strategy for practical applications of PNA in bioanalysis.

Application of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) in bioanalysis has been limited due to its nonspecific adsorption onto hydrophobic surface in spite of favorable properties such as higher chemical/biological stability, specificity and binding affinity towards target nucleic acids compared to natural nucleic acid probes. Herein, we employed BSA in PNA application to enhance the stability of PNA in hydrophobic containers and improve the sensing performance of the DNA sensor based on graphene oxide (GO) and PNA. Addition of 0.

Direct, sequence-specific detection of dsDNA based on peptide nucleic acid and graphene oxide without requiring denaturation.

Sequence-specific detection of double stranded DNA (dsDNA) is important in various research fields. In general, denaturation of dsDNA into single strands is necessary for the sequence-specific recognition of probes to target DNA, posing several drawbacks which decrease the efficiency as a DNA sensor. Herein, we report a direct, sequence-specific dsDNA detection system without requiring any thermal denaturing step.

A graphene oxide-based platform for the assay of RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase using a fluorescent peptide nucleic acid probe.

We report a simple, direct fluorometric assay based on graphene oxide (GO) for RNA polymerase-mediated RNA synthesis. In principle, fluorescent peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes were designed, and annealed with RNA products and the resultant RNA-PNA hybrids induced the recovery of fluorescence intensity of the PNA probes adsorbed onto the GO surface.

Robot-assisted total preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerve with extended systematic lymphadenectomy as part of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

Objective: To evaluate our short-term clinical outcomes of robot-assisted autonomic nerve-sparing extended systematic lymphadenectomy as part of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy.

Methods: Between March 2011 and June 2012, we observed prospectively 28 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted autonomic nerve-sparing extended systematic lymphadenectomy, including the superior and inferior gluteal, presacral (subaortic), common iliac, and lower para-aortic nodes.

Results: The predominant International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was IB1 (15 patients), followed by IB2 (5 patients), IA2 (3 patients), IIA1 (3 patients), and IIA2 (2 patients).

Inverted Y incision and trans-sacral approach in retroperitoneal aggressive angiomyxoma: a case report.

Introduction: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare myxedematous mesenchymal tumor that mainly occurs in the female pelvis and perineum. The principle of treatment for aggressive angiomyxoma is surgical excision. The tumor can be removed by local excision alone when it occurs locally on the perineum.

Robot versus laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: a comparison of the intraoperative and perioperative results of a single surgeon's initial experience.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the initial surgical outcomes and learning curve of nerve-sparing robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) with nerve-sparing total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH) for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer in the first 50 cases.

Methods: Between January 2008 and March 2012, 50 consecutive patients underwent nerve-sparing RRH. These patients were compared with a historic cohort of the first 50 consecutive patients who underwent nerve-sparing TLRH.

Multivalent nanofibers of a controlled length: regulation of bacterial cell agglutination.

Control of the size and shape of molecular assemblies on the nanometer scale in aqueous solutions is very important for the regulation of biological functions. Among the well-defined supramolecular structures of organic amphiphiles, one-dimensional nanofibers have attracted much attention because of their potential applications in biocompatible materials. Although much progress has been made in the field of self-assembled nanofibers, the ability to control the fiber length remains limited.

Smart hydrogels from laterally-grafted peptide assembly.

Small peptides carrying laterally-grafted azobenzene units self-assemble into photo-responsive hydrogels which are applied as a smart matrix for controlling the dye molecules release. We demonstrate that a delicate balance among peptides interactions plays a pivotal role in the photo-responsive gel-sol transition.

Control of peptide assembly through directional interactions.

We demonstrate the self-assembly of tripeptide amphiphiles into spherical hollow capsules from linear nanoribbons via control of the molecular packing. We achieved a transition of arrangement from anisotropic to isotropic by an elaborate design of the molecular architecture.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of granulosa cell tumors of the ovary: a multicenter retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of ovarian granulosa cell tumors.

Methods: Medical records of 113 patients presenting between January 1995 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: One-hundred two patients had adult type disease, with a mean age of 46.

Prenatal diagnosis of scalp cyst with spontaneous regression.

Fetal scalp cysts are rare, and they may be easily misdiagnosed as meningoceles or encephaloceles. A 38-year-old pregnant woman was referred to our hospital for ultrasound examination, which revealed a small cyst above the skull with no defect in the skull. The cyst could not be seen on follow-up ultrasound examinations.

Laparoscopic second look operation for ovarian cancer: single center experiences.

We compared the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery with those of laparotomy in second-look operations for ovarian cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 patients treated between January 2000 and December 2005. They were categorized into two groups: Laparoscopy versus laparotomy group.

Robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy in early-stage cervical cancer.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy using the da Vinci surgical system.

Methods: Three patients who were diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer underwent robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with bilateral lymphadenectomy from January 2010 to March 2010. The data were compared with those of 4 cases of total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy that were performed from July 2004 to May 2005 and were previously reported.

Oncologic results and surgical morbidity of laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy in the treatment of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer: long-term follow-up.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a long-term follow-up data for oncologic results and surgical morbidity of a laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) in the treatment of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective study that comprised consecutive 125 patients with cervical cancer stage IB1 (n = 105) and IB2 (n = 20) who underwent a laparoscopic NSRH (Piver type III) by a gynecologic oncologist without selecting patients from January 1999 to December 2007.

Results: In regression analysis, the operating time (R linear = 0.

Cardiovascular risk factors for incident hypertension in the prehypertensive population.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors on progression from prehypertension (PreHTN) to hypertension (HTN) using an 8-yr prospective Korean Cancer Prevention Study (KCPS) by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) in Korea.

Methods: A total of 16,229 subjects, aged 30 to 54, with new onset preHTN at baseline (1994-1996) in a biennial national medical exam were selected and followed up till 2004 at 2-yr intervals. All subjects underwent a biennial health examination including biochemical measurements and behavior.

Progression rate from new-onset pre-hypertension to hypertension in Korean adults.

Background: There are limited studies conducted in Asia to investigate the progression rate to hypertension (HTN). This study was done to estimate the progression rate of new-onset pre-HTN (PreHTN) to HTN during an 8-year follow-up period, and to compare the impact of PreHTN on progression to HTN.

Methods And Results: A total of 49,228 participants, aged 30 to 54 years with new-onset PreHTN at baseline (1994-1996) from a biennial national medical exam were enrolled and followed up every 2 years until 2004.

Clinical significance of serum albumin level in pregnancy-related hypertension.

Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of serum albumin level as a marker of severity in pregnancy-related hypertension.

Methods: Of 454 patients with pregnancy-related hypertension who were admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital between May 1999 and April 2008, the medical records and laboratory tests of 354 patients who met the inclusion criteria for the current study were reviewed. A comparison of the characteristics of each hypertension group and the correlation between serum albumin levels and the time to delivery, 24-h urine protein, and/or pregnancy outcomes were statistically analyzed using SPSS 12.

Survival benefit of laparoscopic surgical staging-guided radiation therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the survival benefit of laparoscopic surgical staging (LSS)-guided tailored radiation therapy (RT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 89 LACC patients' medical records who primarily received non-surgical treatment, of which pretreatment LSS was performed in 20 (LSS group) and primary chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) without LSS (CCRT group) was carried out in 69 from January 2000 to January 2006. We analyzed clinical characteristics, pretreatment imaging study results and survival outcomes including disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) to compare them between the two groups.

Designer nanorings with functional cavities from self-assembling β-sheet peptides.

β-Barrel proteins that take the shape of a ring are common in many types of water-soluble enzymes and water-insoluble transmembrane pore-forming proteins. Since β-barrel proteins perform diverse functions in the cell, it would be a great step towards developing artificial proteins if we can control the polarity of artificial β-barrel proteins at will. Here, we describe a rational approach to construct β-barrel protein mimics from the self-assembly of peptide-based building blocks.

Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy.

Objective: Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is synthesized in cardiac ventricles in response to volume expansion. This study evaluated NT-proBNP levels to determine the clinical correlation with the severity of hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy.

Methods: NT-proBNP levels of 95 pregnant women (severe preeclampsia [n = 26], mild preeclampsia [n = 15], gestational hypertension [n = 9], and healthy controls [n = 45]) were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.