Analysis and Development of Antigen-specific T Cells Derived from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Healthy Donors.

Background/aim: Adoptive cell therapy using antigen-specific T cells is a promising treatment modality for cancer patients. Various methods to isolate specific T cells and identify corresponding T cell receptor (TCR) sequences are known. This study aimed to identify antigen-specific TCR from T cells isolated using carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE), which marks proliferating activated T cells.

The Effects of Depression and Sleep Quality on Somatic Symptoms in Middle-Aged Women with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Background: This descriptive study investigated the effects of sleep quality and depression on somatization symptoms in middle-aged women with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: Data were collected from outpatients who visited three general hospitals and one private hospital in Korea between May 2017 and December 2018. Questionnaires and anthropometric data were used to analyze 144 middle-aged women (45-65 years) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor.

Effects of Grape Seed Extract Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Endurance Performance in Basketball Players.

While dietary polyphenols supplements can improve endothelial function and blood flow to exercise, the effects of chronic supplementation with grape seed extract (GSE) containing a high dose of polyphenols on endurance performance are not known. Accordingly, in 12 elite athletes, we compared the effects of both GSE and placebo (PL) on submaximal VO, time to exhaustion performance, and endothelial function during progressive cycling exercise for 14 days. Endothelial function was evaluated from the brachial artery via flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Factors Associated with the 4-Year Estimated Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Sex in Korean Adults: Secondary Data Analysis.

It is important to prevent the increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) worldwide by efficiently managing its controllable risk factors. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the 4-year estimated incidence of type 2 DM (T2DM) by sex and provide basic data for a sex-specific strategic approach to lifestyle modification. We performed a secondary data analysis using raw data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2016-2018).

Effects of Somatic, Depression Symptoms, and Sedentary Time on Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged Women with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second leading cause of death among Korean women, and its incidence is dramatically elevated in middle-aged women. This study aimed to identify the predictors of sleep quality, a CVD risk factor, in middle-aged women with CVD risk factors to provide foundational data for developing intervention strategies for the prevention of CVD. The subjects, 203 middle-aged women (40-65 years old) with one or more CVD risk factors were selected through convenience sampling and included in this descriptive correlational study.

Factors Affecting the Intention to Modify Lifestyle in the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Group in Korea.

This study aimed to identify people at risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) using the Framingham risk score (FRS) and to examine their willingness to modify their lifestyle. A descriptive correlational study with 1229 participants, aged 30-74 years, without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases who visited a health examination center in South Korea was conducted. Of 1229 participants, 455 were identified as high risk for CVD with an FRS of 10 or higher.

A putative exosporium lipoprotein GBAA0190 of Bacillus anthracis as a potential anthrax vaccine candidate.

Background: Bacillus ancthracis causes cutaneous, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal forms of anthrax. B. anthracis is a pathogenic bacterium that is potentially to be used in bioterrorism because it can be produced in the form of spores.

Predictive Factors on the Incidence of Heart Failure in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease: Using a 10-Year Population-Based Korea National Health Insurance Cohort Data.

Early risk stratification and preventative strategies are required in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) to prevent heart failure (HF). We aimed to investigate the rate of progression to HF and to investigate the factors predicting the development of HF in a population with IHD for 10 years. A descriptive study was conducted using Korea National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHI-NSC) data (2005-2015).

Monitoring Culicine Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) as a Vector of Flavivirus in Incheon Metropolitan City and Hwaseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea, during 2019.

The flaviviruses are small single-stranded RNA viruses that are typically transmitted by mosquitoes or tick vectors and are etiological agents of acute zoonotic infections. The viruses are found around the world and account for significant cases of human diseases. We investigated population of culicine mosquitoes in central region of Korean Peninsula, Incheon Metropolitan City and Hwaseong-si.

Augmented Hemodynamic Responses in Obese Young Men during Dynamic Exercise: Role of the Muscle Metaboreflex.

Studies found that cardiovascular responses to exercise are enhanced in individuals with obesity and are associated with a greater cardiac output (CO) response compared to normal weight controls. However, the mechanisms underlying these altered responses during dynamic exercise are not clear. We investigated whether the cardiovascular responses mediated by the muscle metaboreflex (MMR) activation are augmented in obese men during both static and dynamic exercise.

Pure Laparoscopic Versus Open Left Hepatectomy Including the Middle Hepatic Vein for Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH) has become increasingly accepted in the era of minimally invasive surgeries. However, the outcomes of pure laparoscopic donor left hepatectomy (PLDLH) are relatively less known than for left lateral sectionectomy or right hepatectomy. This study aimed to report our experience with and the outcomes of PLDLH including the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and to compare these outcomes with conventional donor left hepatectomy (CDLH).

[Effects of a Daily Life-Based Physical Activity Enhancement Program for Middle-Aged Women at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a daily life-based physical activity enhancement program performed by middle-aged women at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Methods: This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. Middle-aged women aged 45 to 64 were recruited from two outpatient cardiology departments, and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=28) and a control group (n=30).

Grape Seed Extract Supplementation Attenuates the Blood Pressure Response to Exercise in Prehypertensive Men.

We tested the hypothesis that exaggerated pressor responses observed in prehypertensive males (N = 9) during dynamic exercise are attenuated following acute dietary supplementation with grape seed extract (GSE) (i.e., a single dose).

CD44-shRNA recombinant adenovirus inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and promotes apoptosis in HCT116 colon cancer cells.

The cell-surface glycoprotein CD44 is closely associated with cell proliferation, tumor invasion, and metastasis. Previous studies have reported that knockdown of CD44 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) reduced cell proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis. However, more efficient means of delivering small interference RNA are still necessary.

The role of metaboreceptor on exercise in hyperthermic environment with college basketball players.

The objective of this study is to review physiological differences of college basketball players cardiovascular responses and group IV metaboreceptor interactions appearing post muscular ischemia exercise (PEMI) caused by a static handgrip exercise (SHE). The subjects were placed in a temperature and moisture stabilized indoor environment for 2 h in order to measure blood pressure. For the SHE, maximal voluntary contraction of arms with a relative strength of 50 % of the maximum muscular strength was put into isometric training for 2 min.

Clinical Application of the Threshold Equalizing Noise Test in Patients with Hearing Loss of Various Etiologies: A Preliminary Study.

Background And Objectives: We aimed to make a preliminary assessment of the prevalence of cochlear dead regions (DRs) and the factors affecting the results of the threshold-equalizing noise (TEN) test in patients with hearing loss of various etiologies.

Subjects And Methods: Between May and July 2014, 109 patients (191 ears) with hearing loss who visited our outpatient clinic were prospectively enrolled. Pure tone audiometry and TEN (HL) test were performed for all the patients.

Bacillus anthracis genomic DNA enhances lethal toxin-induced cytotoxicity through TNF-α production.

Background: Bacillus anthracis is the etiological agent of anthrax. Lethal toxin (LT) produced by B. anthracis is a well-known key virulence factor for anthrax because of its strong cytotoxic activity.

Mechanisms Underlying Exaggerated Metaboreflex Activation in Prehypertensive Men.

Purpose: Previously, we found that the pressor response to muscle metaboreflex activation is enhanced in prehypertension and associated with peripheral vasoconstriction. However, mechanisms underlying this exaggerated response are not clear. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that activation of this reflex is augmented owing to increased production of muscle metabolites (i.

Immunoproteomically identified GBAA_0345, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C is a potential target for multivalent anthrax vaccine.

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which has been used as a weapon for bioterrorism. Although current vaccines are effective, they involve prolonged dose regimens and often cause adverse reactions. High rates of mortality associated with anthrax have made the development of an improved vaccine a top priority.

Augmentation of the exercise pressor reflex in prehypertension: roles of the muscle metaboreflex and mechanoreflex.

This study investigated the hemodynamic mechanisms underlying the exaggerated blood pressure response to muscle contraction in prehypertensive humans and the potential role of skeletal muscle metabo- and mechanoreceptors in this response. To accomplish this, changes in peak mean arterial blood pressure (ΔMAP), cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance (ΔTPR) were compared between prehypertensive (n = 23) and normotensive (n = 19) male subjects during 2 min of static contraction (at 50% of maximal tension), 2 min of postexercise muscle ischemia (metaboreflex), and 1 min of passive dorsiflexion of the foot (tendon stretch, mechanoreceptor reflex). These variables were assessed before and during the interventions.

Skeletal muscle metaboreflex is enhanced in postmenopausal women.

This study determined whether an elevated muscle metaboreflex contributes to the excessive blood pressure response to exercise in postmenopausal women. Thirty healthy female volunteers were studied (15 postmenopausal and 15 premenopausal). Stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and total vascular conductance (TVC) were continuously assessed throughout the experiment.

Tumor suppressor BRCA1 epigenetically controls oncogenic microRNA-155.

BRCA1, a well-known tumor suppressor with multiple interacting partners, is predicted to have diverse biological functions. However, so far its only well-established role is in the repair of damaged DNA and cell cycle regulation. In this regard, the etiopathological study of low-penetrant variants of BRCA1 provides an opportunity to uncover its other physiologically important functions.

Functional characterization of DEAD-box RNA helicases in Arabidopsis thaliana under abiotic stress conditions.

DEAD-box RNA helicases have been implicated to have a function during stress adaptation processes, but their functional roles in plant stress responses remain to be clearly elucidated. Here, we assessed the expression patterns and functional roles of two RNA helicases, AtRH9 and AtRH25, in Arabidopsis thaliana under abiotic stress conditions. The transcript levels of AtRH9 and AtRH25 were up-regulated markedly in response to cold stress, whereas their transcript levels were down-regulated by salt or drought stress.

Glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 7 affects abiotic stress responses by regulating stomata opening and closing in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Despite the fact that glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs) have been implicated in the responses of plants to environmental stresses, their physiological functions and mechanisms of action in stress responses remain largely unknown. Here, we assessed the functional roles of GRP7, one of the eight GRP family members in Arabidopsis thaliana, on seed germination, seedling growth, and stress tolerance under high salinity, drought, or cold stress conditions. The transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing GRP7 under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter displayed retarded germination and poorer seedling growth compared with the wild-type plants and T-DNA insertional mutant lines under high salinity or dehydration stress conditions.