Haplotype-resolved genome assembly and resequencing analysis provide insights into genome evolution and allelic imbalance in Pinus densiflora.

Haplotype-level allelic characterization facilitates research on the functional, evolutionary and breeding-related features of extremely large and complex plant genomes. We report a 21.7-Gb chromosome-level haplotype-resolved assembly in Pinus densiflora.

Comparative and expression analyses of AP2/ERF genes reveal copy number expansion and potential functions of ERF genes in Solanaceae.

Background: The AP2/ERF gene family is a superfamily of transcription factors that are important in the response of plants to abiotic stress and development. However, comprehensive research of the AP2/ERF genes in the Solanaceae family is lacking.

Results: Here, we updated the annotation of AP2/ERF genes in the genomes of eight Solanaceae species, as well as Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa.

Factors affecting bone mineral density in children and adolescents with secondary osteoporosis.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical factors associated with bone mineral density (BMD) among children and adolescents with osteoporosis secondary to treatment for underlying clinical conditions.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients aged 10-18 years and evaluated them for lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) after treatment for underlying diseases, including hemato-oncologic, rheumatologic system, and inflammator y bowel diseases. LSBMD measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) performed from March 2019 to March 2021 was evaluated.

Short-term effect of growth hormone treatment in childhood leukemia survivors with growth hormone deficiency.

Purpose: Survivors of childhood leukemia are at risk of growth impairment due to intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments. This study investigated the auxological and biochemical characteristics of childhood leukemia survivors diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and the changes in these parameters after 1 year of growth hormone (GH) treatment.

Methods: A total of 24 children diagnosed with GHD after leukemia treatment was analyzed.

Effect of Growth Hormone Therapy on a 4-Year-Old Girl with Pfeiffer Syndrome and Short Stature: A Case Report.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (s) are expressed in epiphyseal cartilage cells of developing bones and regulate endochondral bone formation with interdependent signaling pathways. Gene mutation in s disrupts the formation of endochondral bony structure by reducing the number of proliferating chondrocytes. Among the syndromes caused by mutation in the gene, Pfeiffer syndrome is a rare inherited disease characterized by acrocephalosyndactyly related to hypertelorism, broad pollex, and hallux.

Identification of novel PHD-finger genes in pepper by genomic re-annotation and comparative analyses.

Background: The plant homeodomain (PHD)-finger gene family that belongs to zinc-finger genes, plays an important role in epigenetics by regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. However, inaccurate annotation of PHD-finger genes hinders further downstream comparative, evolutionary, and functional studies.

Results: We performed genome-wide re-annotation in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), Oryza sativa (rice), Capsicum annuum (pepper), Solanum tuberosum (potato), and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) to better understand the role of PHD-finger genes in these species.

Mortality Rate and Major Causes of Death by Gestational Age in Korean Children under 5 Years of Age.

Background: Preterm birth is associated with increased infant mortality. However, it is not clear whether prematurity is associated with mortality after 1 year of age. There is a lack of research on mortality rate and causes of death after infancy in preterm babies in Korea.

TGFam-Finder: a novel solution for target-gene family annotation in plants.

Whole-genome annotation error that omits essential protein-coding genes hinders further research. We developed Target Gene Family Finder (TGFam-Finder), an alternative tool for the structural annotation of protein-coding genes containing target domain(s) of interest in plant genomes. TGFam-Finder took considerably reduced annotation run-time and improved accuracy compared to conventional annotation tools.

Positive association of breastfeeding on respiratory syncytial virus infection in hospitalized infants: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Breastfeeding reportedly reduces the overall frequency of infections. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common respiratory pathogen in infants, involves recurrent wheezing and has a pathogenic mechanism related to airway structural damage.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether breastfeeding has a beneficial effect against RSV-induced respiratory infection compared to formula feeding among infants in Korea.

Staggered Rather Than Staged or Simultaneous Surgical Strategy May Reduce the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Bilateral TKA.

Background: The strategy for bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) depends on the timing of surgery for each knee. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of surgical strategy for bilateral TKA (staggered, staged, or simultaneous) influences the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and related complications.

Methods: Enrolled patients from a single tertiary teaching hospital were divided into 3 groups according to the surgical strategy for bilateral TKA: staggered (≤7 days between the first and second procedure; n = 368), staged (8 days to 1 year between the first and second procedure; n = 265), or simultaneous (n = 820).

Predicting massive transfusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing corrective surgery: Association of preoperative radiographic findings.

Corrective surgery with a posterior approach for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is often accompanied by considerable bleeding. Massive transfusion after excessive hemorrhage is associated with complications such as hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acid-base imbalance. Therefore, prediction and prevention of massive transfusion are necessary to improve the clinical outcome of AIS patients.

Sensitization of vascular smooth muscle cell to TNF-alpha-mediated death in the presence of palmitate.

Saturated free fatty acids (FFAs), including palmitate, can activate the intrinsic death pathway in cells. However, the relationship between FFAs and receptor-mediated death pathway is still unknown. In this study, we have investigated whether FFAs are able to trigger receptor-mediated death.