Virus-Mimetic Fusogenic Exosomes for Direct Delivery of Integral Membrane Proteins to Target Cell Membranes.

An efficient system for direct delivery of integral membrane proteins is successfully developed using a new biocompatible exosome-based platform. Fusogenic exosomes harboring viral fusogen, vascular stomatitis virus (VSV)-G protein, can fuse with and modify plasma membranes in a process called "membrane editing." This can facilitate the transfer of biologically active membrane proteins into the target cell membranes both in vitro and in vivo.

Heterologous expression and enzymatic characterization of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) catalyzes the cleavage of γ-glutamyl compounds and the transfer of γ-glutamyl moiety to water or to amino acid/peptide acceptors. GGT can be utilized for the generation of γ-glutamyl peptides or glutamic acid, which are used as food taste enhancers. In the present study, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SMB469 with high GGT activity was isolated from Doenjang, a traditional fermented soy food of Korea.

Improved Reversibility of Fe /Fe Redox Couple in Sodium Super Ion Conductor Type Na Fe (PO ) for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The methodology employed here utilizes the sodium super ion conductor type sodium iron phosphate wrapped with conducting carbon network to generate a stable Fe /Fe redox   couple, thereby exhibiting higher operating voltage and energy density of sodium-ion batteries. This new class of sodium iron phosphate wrapped by carbon also displays a cycling stability with >96% capacity retention after 200 cycles.

Exosome-SIRPα, a CD47 blockade increases cancer cell phagocytosis.

CD47, a "don't eat me" signal, is over-expressed on the surface of most tumors that interacts with signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) on phagocytic cells. By engaging SIRPα, CD47 limits the ability of macrophages to engulf tumor cells, which acts as a major phagocytic barrier. In this study, we developed an exosome-based immune checkpoint blockade that antagonizes the interaction between CD47 and SIRPα.

Incidence of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Early Repolarization Syndrome.

Atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) occur in a significant proportion of Brugada syndrome (BrS) patients and are often an important cause of inappropriate shocks. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of ATAs and ATA-induced inappropriate shocks in early repolarization syndrome (ERS) patients as compared to BrS patients.We analyzed data from 20 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with ERS and compared them with patients diagnosed with BrS (n = 31).

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Targeting the Vein of Marshall in Difficult Mitral Isthmus Ablation or Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Introduction: The ligament of Marshall may hinder the creation of mitral isthmus (MI) block or pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) in radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess the benefit of RF ablation targeting the vein of Marshall (VOM) in failed cases of MI block or PVI.

Methods And Results: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent RF ablation targeting the VOM after failed MI ablation or left PVI using the conventional method, which included circumferential point-by-point ablation around the PV antrum and carina for PVI, and endocardial MI and epicardial distal coronary sinus (CS) ablation for MI block.

Variants of Brugada Syndrome and Early Repolarization Syndrome: An Expanded Concept of J-Wave Syndrome.

Background: The role of J-waves in the pathogenesis of ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurring in structurally normal hearts is important.

Methods: We evaluated 127 patients who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for Brugada syndrome (BS, n = 53), early repolarization syndrome (ERS, n = 24), and patients with unknown or deferred diagnosis (n = 50). Electrocardiography (ECG), clinical characteristics, and ICD data were analyzed.

Association between sleep duration and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in young adults.

Background: Sleep duration affects allergic diseases; however, this association requires further investigation.

Objective: To evaluate the association between sleep duration and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in young Korean adults.

Method: We analyzed data of 10,148 subjects (4,239 men; 5,909 women) aged 19-39 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.

Association between pterygium and obesity status in a South Korean population.

This study examined the association between pterygium and obesity status by examining a nationally representative sample of South Korean adults.This population-based, cross-sectional study comprised 16,234 adults (aged ≥19 years) who had participated in the fifth annual Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2012. The enrolled subjects underwent interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory investigations.

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of cordycepin-enriched WIB-801CE from Cordyceps militaris ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro.

Background: A species of the fungal genus Cordyceps has been used as a complementary and alternative medicine of traditional Chinese medicine, and its major component cordycepin and cordycepin-enriched WIB-801CE are known to have antiplatelet effects in vitro. However, it is unknown whether they have also endogenous antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects. In this study, to resolve these doubts, we prepared cordycepin-enriched WIB-801CE, an ethanol extract from Cordyceps militaris-hypha, then evaluated its ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects.

Flavobacterium inkyongense sp. nov., isolated from an artificial freshwater pond.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain IMCC27201T, was isolated from an artificial freshwater pond (Inkyong) in Korea. Growth of strain IMCC27201T occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 7.0-8.

Cell death mechanistic study of photodynamic therapy against breast cancer cells utilizing liposomal delivery of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(benzo[b]thiophene) porphyrin.

5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(benzo[b]thiophene) porphyrin (BTP) is a newly synthesized hydrophobic photosensitizer with fluorescence quantum yield in toluene: Φ=0.062. Previously, its limitations in solubility had hindered scientific experimentation regarding its photodynamic effects on cancer cells.

Obesity in relation to oral health behaviors: An analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.

Obesity is reported to be associated with an increased incidence and prevalence of periodontal disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between oral health behaviors and obesity in South Korean adults. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2008 and 2010 was used to assess this and a total of 15,666 participants were included in the analysis performed.

Characteristics of early repolarization parameters and prognostic implications in the general ambulatory Korean population.

Background: We tested a hypothesis that the 2 fundamental components of early repolarization (ER), J wave and ST elevation (STE) might have different prevalence and prognostic implications.

Methods: The study population comprised 26,345 general ambulatory Korean subjects (mean 48.0±10.

Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Safety during Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background And Objectives: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have become recently available, non-MRI conditional devices and the presence of epicardial and abandoned leads remain a contraindication for MRIs.

Subjects And Methods: This was a single center retrospective study, evaluating the clinical outcomes and device parameter changes in patients with CIEDs who underwent an MRI from June 1992 to March 2015. Clinical and device related information was acquired by a thorough chart review.

Emticiciafontis sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater pond.

A bacterial strain, designated IMCC1731T, was isolated from an eutrophic freshwater pond and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cellular growth occurred at pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 8.0), at 10-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C) and with 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %).

Real-world comparison of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and warfarin in Asian octogenarian patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin in Asian octogenarian atrial fibrillation (AF) patients have not been established in a real-world setting. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NOACs and warfarin in Korean octogenarian patients.

Methods: A total of 293 consecutive patients aged ≥ 80 years with non-valvular AF who had taken either NOACs (148 cases, 50.

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-pyrazoylamido-3N-substituted azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane derivatives as T-type calcium channel inhibitors for treatment of neuropathic pain.

A new series of aryls, including benzo[d]imidazole/isoxazole/pyrazole, conjugated to 3N-substituted-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives were designed and synthesized as inhibitors of T-type calcium channels.

Burden of Respiratory Disease in Korea: An Observational Study on Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, COPD, and Rhinosinusitis.

Purpose: The Asia-Pacific Burden of Respiratory Diseases (APBORD) study is a cross-sectional, observational one which has used a standard protocol to examine the disease and economic burden of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and rhinosinusitis across the Asia-Pacific region. Here, we report on symptoms, healthcare resource use, work impairment, and associated costs in Korea.

Methods: Consecutive participants aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma, AR, COPD, or rhinosinusitis were enrolled.

Highly Sensitive, Transparent, and Durable Pressure Sensors Based on Sea-Urchin Shaped Metal Nanoparticles.

Highly sensitive, transparent, and durable pressure sensors are fabricated using sea-urchin-shaped metal nanoparticles and insulating polyurethane elastomer. The pressure sensors exhibit outstanding sensitivity (2.46 kPa ), superior optical transmittance (84.

Prediction of Ventricular Tachycardia One Hour before Occurrence Using Artificial Neural Networks.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a potentially fatal tachyarrhythmia, which causes a rapid heartbeat as a result of improper electrical activity of the heart. This is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it can cause low blood pressure and may lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden cardiac death. To prevent VT, we developed an early prediction model that can predict this event one hour before its onset using an artificial neural network (ANN) generated using 14 parameters obtained from heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory rate variability (RRV) analysis.

Pullout Fixation of Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Tears: Correlation Between Meniscus Extrusion and Midterm Clinical Results.

Background: Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) lead to extrusion of the meniscus during weightbearing as well as loss of the ability of the meniscus to generate hoop stress. This loss of load-sharing ability leads to progressive arthritic changes. However, there have been no studies that correlate the correction of meniscus extrusion with clinical outcomes.

Pb2 BO3 Cl: A Tailor-Made Polar Lead Borate Chloride with Very Strong Second Harmonic Generation.

A meticulously designed, polar, non-centrosymmetric lead borate chloride, Pb2 BO3 Cl, was synthesized using KBe2 BO3 F2 (KBBF) as a model. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the structure of Pb2 BO3 Cl consists of cationic [Pb2 (BO3 )](+) honeycomb layers and Cl(-) anions. Powder second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements on graded polycrystalline Pb2 BO3 Cl indicated that the title compound is phase-matchable (type I) and exhibits a remarkably strong SHG response, which is approximately nine times stronger than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and the largest efficiency observed in materials with structures similar to KBBF.