Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in university hospital nurses.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal symptom prevalence in university hospital nurses and explore the relation between musculoskeletal symptom prevalence and work related factors.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was conducted with 620 nurses in a university hospital to look into the characters of responsibility and musculoskeletal symptom prevalence. The questionnaire respondents numbered 534, so the response rate was 86.

[Posttraumatic growth, dyadic adjustment, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors and their husbands].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify whether the couple perceived breast cancer as a traumatic event, to evaluate the association among posttraumatic growth, dyadic adjustment, and quality of life and to explore the predictors affecting quality of life of the couple.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative survey design was utilized. Participants were 57 couples recruited from a national cancer center in Korea.

Development of a security system for assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Purpose: In the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), medical accidents can result in serious legal and social consequences. This study was conducted to develop a security system (called IVF-guardian; IG) that could prevent mismatching or mix-ups in ART.

Materials And Methods: A software program was developed in collaboration with outside computer programmers.

A new class of peptidomimetics targeting the polo-box domain of Polo-like kinase 1.

Recent progress in the development of peptide-derived Polo-like kinase (Plk1) polo-box domain (PBD) inhibitors has led to the synthesis of multiple peptide ligands with high binding affinity and selectivity. However, few systematic analyses have been conducted to identify key Plk1 residues and characterize their interactions with potent Plk1 peptide inhibitors. We performed systematic deletion analysis using the most potent 4j peptide and studied N-terminal capping of the minimal peptide with diverse organic moieties, leading to the identification of the peptidomimetic 8 (AB-103) series with high binding affinity and selectivity.

Feedback regulation via AMPK and HIF-1 mediates ROS-dependent longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Mild inhibition of mitochondrial respiration extends the lifespan of many species. In Caenorhabditis elegans, reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote longevity by activating hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) in response to reduced mitochondrial respiration. However, the physiological role and mechanism of ROS-induced longevity are poorly understood.

Down-regulation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling underlies anti-inflammatory response induced by transduced PEP-1-Prx2 proteins in LPS-induced Raw 264.7 and TPA-induced mouse ear edema model.

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production plays a crucial role in causing various diseases, including inflammatory disorders. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling is implicated in stimulating inflammatory response and cytokines. Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) is a 2-cysteine (Cys) peroxiredoxin capable of removing endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Design and synthesis of a cell-permeable, drug-like small molecule inhibitor targeting the polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1.

Background: Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and the inhibition of Plk1 has been considered as a potential target for specific inhibitory drugs in anti-cancer therapy. Several research groups have identified peptide-based inhibitors that target the polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1 and bind to the protein with high affinity in in vitro assays. However, inadequate proteolytic resistance and cell permeability of the peptides hinder the development of these peptide-based inhibitors into novel therapeutic compounds.

Enhanced cellular uptake of a TAT-conjugated peptide inhibitor targeting the polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1.

In the last decade, drug delivery systems using biologically active molecules for cellular uptake of therapeutic targets have been studied for application and testing in clinical trials. For instance, the transactivator of transcription (TAT) peptide, or cell-penetrating peptide, was shown to deliver a variety of cargoes, including proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) plays key roles in the regulation of cell cycle events (e.

Comparative analysis of online health queries originating from personal computers and smart devices on a consumer health information portal.

Background: The number of people using the Internet and mobile/smart devices for health information seeking is increasing rapidly. Although the user experience for online health information seeking varies with the device used, for example, smart devices (SDs) like smartphones/tablets versus personal computers (PCs) like desktops/laptops, very few studies have investigated how online health information seeking behavior (OHISB) may differ by device.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine differences in OHISB between PCs and SDs through a comparative analysis of large-scale health search queries submitted through Web search engines from both types of devices.

Poly-lysine peptidomimetics having potent antimicrobial activity without hemolytic activity.

Diversity of sequence and structure in naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) limits their intensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. In contrast, peptidomimetics have several advantages compared to naturally occurring peptide in terms of simple structure, convenient to analog synthesis, rapid elucidation of optimal physiochemical properties and low-cost synthesis. In search of short antimicrobial peptides using peptidomimetics, which provide facile access to identify the key factors involving in the destruction of pathogens through SAR study, a series of simple and short peptidomimetics consisting of multi-Lys residues and lipophilic moiety have been prepared and found to be active against several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria containing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) without hemolytic activity.

Practice guideline for the performance of breast ultrasound elastography.

Ultrasound (US) elastography is a valuable imaging technique for tissue characterization. Two main types of elastography, strain and shear-wave, are commonly used to image breast tissue. The use of elastography is expected to increase, particularly with the increased use of US for breast screening.

Multiple-group analysis approach to testing group difference in indirect effects.

This article introduces five methods that take a multiple-group analysis approach to testing a group difference in indirect effects. Unlike the general frameworks for testing moderated indirect effects, the five methods provide direct tests for equality of indirect effects between groups. A simulation study was conducted to examine the performance of the methods in terms of the empirical type I error rate, statistical power, and coverage of 95 % confidence intervals.

Both α2,3- and α2,6-linked sialic acids on O-linked glycoproteins act as functional receptors for porcine Sapovirus.

Sapovirus, a member of the Caliciviridae family, is an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans and pigs. Currently, the porcine sapovirus (PSaV) Cowden strain remains the only cultivable member of the Sapovirus genus. While some caliciviruses are known to utilize carbohydrate receptors for entry and infection, a functional receptor for sapovirus is unknown.

Tumour volume doubling time of molecular breast cancer subtypes assessed by serial breast ultrasound.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the tumour volume doubling time (TVDT) of molecular breast cancer subtypes by serial ultrasound (US).

Methods: Sixty-six patients (mean age, 50 years; range, 29-78 years) with invasive breast cancer underwent initial and follow-up breast US examinations (at least three months apart) with no intervention. TVDT was determined using the tumours' greatest dimensions in two orthogonal planes.

Comparison of pathogenicities and nucleotide changes between porcine and bovine reassortant rotavirus strains possessing the same genotype constellation in piglets and calves.

Although reassortment is one of the most important characteristics of group A rotavirus (RVA) evolution, the host range restriction and/or virulence of reassortant RVAs remain largely unknown. The porcine 174-1 strain isolated from a diarrheic piglet was identified as a reassortant strain, harboring the same genotype constellation as the previously characterized bovine strain KJ56-1. Owing to its same genotype constellation, the pathogenicity of the porcine strain 174-1 in piglets and calves was examined for comparison with that of the bovine reassortant KJ56-1 strain, whose pathogenicity has already been demonstrated in piglets and calves.

Purification and characterization of antifungal compounds from Lactobacillus plantarum HD1 isolated from kimchi.

Strain HD1 with antifungal activity was isolated from kimchi and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. Antifungal compounds from Lb. plantarum HD1 were active against food- and feed-borne filamentous fungi and yeasts in a spot-on-the-lawn assay.

Biobanks and personalized medicine.

We provide a mini-review of how biobanks can support clinical genetics in the era of personalized medicine. We discuss types of biobanks, including disease specific and general biobanks not focused on one disease. We present considerations in setting up a biobank, including consenting and governance, biospecimens, risk factor and related data, informatics, and linkage to electronic health records for phenotyping.

Model fit evaluation in multilevel structural equation models.

Assessing goodness of model fit is one of the key questions in structural equation modeling (SEM). Goodness of fit is the extent to which the hypothesized model reproduces the multivariate structure underlying the set of variables. During the earlier development of multilevel structural equation models, the "standard" approach was to evaluate the goodness of fit for the entire model across all levels simultaneously.

Breast cancer detected with screening US: reasons for nondetection at mammography.

Purpose: To retrospectively review the mammograms of women with breast cancers detected at screening ultrasonography (US) to determine the reasons for nondetection at mammography.

Materials And Methods: This study received institutional review board approval, and informed consent was waived. Between 2003 and 2011, a retrospective database review revealed 335 US-depicted cancers in 329 women (median age, 47 years; age range, 29-69 years) with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System breast density type 2-4.

Neuroprotective effects of PEP-1-carbonyl reductase 1 against oxidative-stress-induced ischemic neuronal cell damage.

Human carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) is a member of the NADPH-dependent short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily that is known to play an important role in neuronal cell survival via its antioxidant function. Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of degenerative disorders including ischemia. However, the role CBR1 plays with regard to ischemic injury is as yet poorly understood.

Preemptive genotyping for personalized medicine: design of the right drug, right dose, right time-using genomic data to individualize treatment protocol.

Objective: To report the design and implementation of the Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time-Using Genomic Data to Individualize Treatment protocol that was developed to test the concept that prescribers can deliver genome-guided therapy at the point of care by using preemptive pharmacogenomics (PGx) data and clinical decision support (CDS) integrated into the electronic medical record (EMR).

Patients And Methods: We used a multivariate prediction model to identify patients with a high risk of initiating statin therapy within 3 years. The model was used to target a study cohort most likely to benefit from preemptive PGx testing among the Mayo Clinic Biobank participants, with a recruitment goal of 1000 patients.

Molecular epidemiology of Korean porcine sapeloviruses.

To evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of porcine sapeloviruses (PSVs) in Korea, a total of 100 diarrhea fecal samples from pigs were analyzed by RT-PCR and nested PCR assays with primer pairs specific for the VP1 gene. Overall, 34 % of the diarrhea samples tested positive for PSV, and a high proportion of infections occurred along with a variety of other enteric viruses and bacteria. Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 genes revealed pronounced genetic diversities between PSVs from Korean and elsewhere.

Characterization of oleanolic acid derivative for colon cancer targeting with positron emission tomography.

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in various plant species. Triterpenoid compounds have been shown to inhibit tumor proliferation and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. We synthesized an OA derivative and evaluated its inhibitory effects on cell proliferation in human colon cancer.

Background parenchymal signal enhancement ratio at preoperative MR imaging: association with subsequent local recurrence in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ after breast conservation surgery.

Purpose: To retrospectively investigate whether the background parenchymal features around a tumor at preoperative dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are associated with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR)-free survival in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) after breast conservation surgery.

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved this study, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Between 2004 and 2009, 215 consecutive women with pure DCIS who had undergone preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and curative breast conservation surgery were identified.

Different virulence of porcine and porcine-like bovine rotavirus strains with genetically nearly identical genomes in piglets and calves.

Direct interspecies transmissions of group A rotaviruses (RVA) have been reported under natural conditions. However, the pathogenicity of RVA has never been directly compared in homologous and heterologous hosts. The bovine RVA/Cow-tc/KOR/K5/2004/G5P[7] strain, which was shown to possess a typical porcine-like genotype constellation similar to that of the G5P[7] prototype RVA/Pig-tc/USA/OSU/1977/G5P9[7] strain, was examined for its pathogenicity and compared with the porcine G5P[7] RVA/Pig-tc/KOR/K71/2006/G5P[7] strain possessing the same genotype constellation.