Enhanced genome editing efficiency of CRISPR PLUS: Cas9 chimeric fusion proteins.

Efforts to improve CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing systems for lower off-target effects are mostly at the cost of its robust on-target efficiency. To enhance both accuracy and efficiency, we created chimeric SpyCas9 proteins fused with the 5'-to-3' exonuclease Recombination J (RecJ) or with GFP and demonstrated that transfection of the pre-assembled ribonucleoprotein of the two chimeric proteins into human or plant cells resulted in greater targeted mutagenesis efficiency up to 600% without noticeable increase in off-target effects. Improved activity of the two fusion proteins should enable editing of the previously hard-to-edit genes and thus readily obtaining the cells with designer traits.

Combinatorial Strategies for Long-term Control of HIV Infection.

AIDS is a disease caused by a chronic infection of HIV. Recently, long-term control of HIV infection has been demonstrated through the bone marrow transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), in which the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) gene is mutated innately. However, it is very difficult to obtain CCR5 mutant HSC that match human leukocyte antigen between donor and recipient.

Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Pseudo-Homozygous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are an important type of cell that are highly recognized for their safety and efficacy as a cell therapy agent. In order to obtain MSC, primary tissues (adipose tissue, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood) must be used; however, these tissues, especially umbilical cord blood, are difficult to obtain due to various reasons, such as the low birth rate trend. In addition, to maximize the safety and efficacy of MSC as allogenic cell therapeutic agents, it is desirable to minimize the possibility of an immune rejection reaction after in vivo transplantation.

Generation of Genetically Stable Human Direct-Conversion-Derived Neural Stem Cells Using Quantity Control of Proto-oncogene Expression.

As the human lifespan has increased due to developments in medical technology, the number of patients with neurological diseases has rapidly increased. Therefore, studies on effective treatments for neurological diseases are becoming increasingly important. To perform these studies, it is essential to obtain a large number of patient-derived neural cells.

Dual growth factor-immobilized bioactive injection material for enhanced treatment of glottal insufficiency.

With increasing demand for treatment of glottal insufficiency, several injection materials have been examined. However, biological resorption, degradation of injected materials, and the subsequent need to perform multiple injections still remain major clinical problems. In this study, we fabricated two different growth factor (GF) [single basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), single hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), or dual bFGF/HGF]-immobilized polycaprolactone (PCL)/Pluronic F127 microspheres.

Prevention of polydimethylsiloxane microsphere migration using a mussel-inspired polydopamine coating for potential application in injection therapy.

The use of injectable bulking agents is a feasible alternative procedure for conventional surgical therapy. In this study, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microspheres coated with polydopamine (PDA) were developed as a potential injection agent to prevent migration in vocal fold. Uniform PDMS microspheres are fabricated using a simple fluidic device and then coated with PDA.

Hydrogel-laden paper scaffold system for origami-based tissue engineering.

In this study, we present a method for assembling biofunctionalized paper into a multiform structured scaffold system for reliable tissue regeneration using an origami-based approach. The surface of a paper was conformally modified with a poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) layer via initiated chemical vapor deposition followed by the immobilization of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and deposition of Ca(2+). This procedure ensures the formation of alginate hydrogel on the paper due to Ca(2+) diffusion.

Comparing Nutrition Knowledge, Eating Habits, and Neonatal Health Status of Primipara for Pregnant Women of Advanced Maternal Age Compared to Those of Younger Ages.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine differences in nutrition knowledge, eating habits during pregnancy, and neonatal health status between primipara for pregnant women of advanced maternal age in comparison to those under the age of 35.

Methods: This study used a comparative survey design. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires and patients medical records.

Postpartum Depressive Score and Related Factors Pre- and Post-delivery.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the scores of postpartum depression(PPD) on the first day, 1st week, and 6th week after the delivery and to explore their related factors before and after delivery in postpartum women.

Methods: With a survey design, 293 postpartum women were recruited from a postpartum unit, Ilsin Christian hospital in Pusan via convenience sampling and were followed at 1st week and 6th week in the outpatient clinic.

Results: Results showed that the scores of PPD(EPDS score) were low at postpartum 1st day, 1st week and 6th week but prevalence of PPD(EPDS > or =13) was 3.

Should we consider the ethnic difference in selecting size of intraaortic balloon by commercial guideline?

To evaluate the appropriateness of commercial guideline in selecting the size of balloon for intraaortic counterpulsation in Asian patients, we analyzed the relationship between aortic dimensions measured from computed tomography and body indexes. There were 125 patients who underwent the computed tomography. They were divided into three height groups [<152 cm (I), 152-162 cm (II), and 163-183 cm (III)].

Clinical observation of 12 farmers who believe themselves to have suffered from chronic pesticide intoxication.

Background/aim: We assessed twelve cases of suspected chronic pesticide intoxication, with medically unexplained physical symptoms.

Methods: Complete blood cell count (CBC), blood chemistry, routine urinalysis, chest X-ray, ECG, gastrofiberscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, neuroselective sensory nerve conduction threshold, and psychological assessment were performed on 12 farmers who believe themselves to have suffered from chronic pesticide intoxication.

Results: No specific abnormalities were observed on CBC, routine urinalysis, chest X-ray, ECG, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, or peripheral nerve conduction velocity test.

Effects of the early administration of heparin in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary angioplasty.

Background: The effect of adjunctive heparin for primary angioplasty in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not well established, so the authors investigated the effect of early heparin administration in the emergency room (ER) on initial patency of the infarct-related artery (IRA) and on the clinical outcome in STEMI patients.

Methods And Results: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients who presented with STEMI less than 12 h from pain onset and who were eligible for primary percutaneous coronary intervention were allocated to an early heparin group (heparin administered in ER) or a late heparin group (heparin administered after angiography). In the early heparin group, unfractionated heparin (60 U/kg bolus IV, then 14 U .

Pesticide-initiated idiopathic environmental intolerance in South Korean farmers.

This study was designed to study patients with intolerance to pesticide smells. Ten subjects chosen were complaining of vague symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, myalgia, flu-like symptoms, etc., whenever exposed to the pesticide smells even at low intensity.

Nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by Ixeris dentata in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined the mechanism by which Ixeris dentata (IXD) regulates nitric oxide (NO) production. When IXD was used in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. However, IXD had no effect on NO production by itself.