Whole genome sequencing analysis of enteropathogenic from human and companion animals in Korea.

Importance: This study is essential for comprehending the zoonotic transmission, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic diversity of enteropathogenic (EPEC).

Objective: To improve our understanding of EPEC, this study focused on analyzing and comparing the genomic characteristics of EPEC isolates from humans and companion animals in Korea.

Methods: The whole genome of 26 EPEC isolates from patients with diarrhea and 20 EPEC isolates from companion animals in Korea were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq X (Illumina, USA) and Oxford Nanopore MinION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, UK) platforms.

Inhibitory effect of vitamin C on intrinsic aging in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mice.

Vitamin C significantly reduced senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, with both the suppression of cell-cycle inhibitors (p53, p21, p16, and pRb) and stimulation of cell-cycle activators (E2F1 and E2F2). Vitamin C also effectively attenuated the hyperactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase-B (AKT) signaling pathway. The expression of the longevity marker, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), was down-regulated by vitamin C while the expressions of forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) were up-regulated by vitamin C.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Treatment Sequence Initiating With Etanercept Compared With Leflunomide in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Impact of Reduced Etanercept Cost With Patent Expiration in South Korea.

Purpose: In south Korea, the price of biologics has been decreasing owing to patent expiration and the availability of biosimilars. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a treatment strategy initiated with etanercept (ETN) compared with leflunomide (LFN) after a 30% reduction in the medication cost of ETN in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR).

Methods: A cohort-based Markov model was designed to evaluate the lifetime cost-effectiveness of treatment sequence initiated with ETN (A) compared with 2 sequences initiated with LFN: LFN-ETN sequence (B) and LFN sequence (C).

Peri-Transplant Change in AFP Level: a Useful Predictor of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence Following Liver Transplantation.

Pretransplant alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a useful tumor marker predicting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Little is known, however, about the relationship between changes in AFP concentration and prognosis. This study investigated the clinical significance of change in peri-transplant AFP level as a predictor of HCC recurrence.

Strength Development and Hydration Behavior of Self-Activation of Commercial Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag Mixed with Purified Water.

In this study, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) samples from Singapore, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates were hydrated with purified water to estimate the cementing capabilities without activators. Raw GGBFS samples and hardened pastes were characterized to provide rational explanations for the strengths and hydration products. The slag characteristics that influenced the best strength of raw GGBFS were identified.

Reappraisal of the Role of Portacaval Shunting in the Growth of Patients With Glycogen Storage Disease Type I in the Era of Liver Transplantation.

Background: Instead of dietary modification, surgical management is considered for correcting growth retardation, poor metabolic control, and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) in glycogen storage disease (GSD) type I.

Methods: The records of 55 GSD type I patients were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-two patients underwent only dietary management (group D) and 23 underwent surgical management (group S).

Synthesis of novel poly(amidoxime) grafted multiwall carbon nanotube gel and uranium adsorption.

This is the first report on the synthesis of a new functional nanocomposite gel containing amidoxime functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (AO-MWNT-FNC GEL). The surface morphology of AO-MWNT-FNC GEL was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The modification of gel with amidoxine groups was confirmed by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy.

The protective effect of Kaempferia parviflora extract on UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice.

Background: Chronic skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through c-Jun and c-Fos activation. These signaling cascades induce the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in photoaging.

Methods: This study evaluated the preventive effect of the ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora Wall.

Analysis of consumers' preferences and behavior with regard to horse meat using a structured survey questionnaire.

In this study, a structured survey questionnaire was used to determine consumers' preferences and behavior with regard to horse meat at a horse meat restaurant located in Jeju, Korea, from October 1 to December 24, 2005. The questionnaire employed in this study consisted of 20 questions designed to characterize six general attributes: horse meat sensory property, physical appearance, health condition, origin, price, and other attributes. Of the 1370 questionnaires distributed, 1126 completed questionnaires were retained based on the completeness of the answers, representing an 82.

Nutritional characteristics of horsemeat in comparison with those of beef and pork.

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional characteristics of horsemeat and bone meal in comparison with those of beef and pork presented by Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans. Longissimus muscle and large metacarpal bone samples were collected from 20 fattened Jeju horses. Muscle samples were subjected to proximate analysis, assays for fatty acid profile and minerals, and bone samples to mineral assays.

Interaction between liposomes and RBC in microvessels in vivo.

Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles that can serve as carriers of biologically active agents in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe the movement of liposomes suspended with blood flowing in capillaries. Liposomes were coated with a polymer to extend their lifespan in rat mesenteric blood vessels and detected by fluorescent staining.

Measurement of RBC deformation and velocity in capillaries in vivo.

Red blood cells (RBC) become deformed while flowing through capillaries. We captured images of blood flow in capillaries and of RBC in the rat mesentery using a high-speed camera at 2000 frames/s and then directly measured and estimated the deformation and velocity of RBC in a non-uniform capillary. The distribution of the capillary diameter was determined by image processing.