Transcriptome and epigenome dynamics of the clonal heterogeneity of human induced pluripotent stem cells for cardiac differentiation.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) generate multiple clones with inherent heterogeneity, leading to variations in their differentiation capacity. Previous studies have primarily addressed line-to-line variations in differentiation capacity, leaving a gap in the comprehensive understanding of clonal heterogeneity. Here, we aimed to profile the heterogeneity of hiPSC clones and identify predictive biomarkers for cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation capacity by integrating transcriptomic, epigenomic, endogenous retroelement, and protein kinase phosphorylation profiles.

Platform Design and Preliminary Test Result of an Insect-like Flapping MAV with Direct Motor-Driven Resonant Wings Utilizing Extension Springs.

In this paper, we propose a platform for an insect-like flapping winged micro aerial vehicle with a resonant wing-driving system using extension springs (FMAVRES). The resonant wing-driving system is constructed using an extension spring instead of the conventional helical or torsion spring. The extension spring can be mounted more easily, compared with a torsion spring.

Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Insomnia in Depressive Disorders: The CRESCEND Study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and clinical correlates of insomnia in a large cohort of Korean patients with depressive disorders.

Methods: We recruited 944 patients with depressive disorders from the Clinical Research Center for Depression of South Korea (CRESCEND) study. Psychometric scales were used to assess depression (HAMD), anxiety (HAMA), psychotic symptoms (BPRS), global severity (CGI-S), and functioning (SOFAS).

Understanding interfacial charge transfer between metallic PEDOT counter electrodes and a cobalt redox shuttle in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with iron(III) tris-p-toluenesulfonate (PEDOT:Tos) having metallic conductivity was coated onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass and plain glass substrates and used as a counter electrode (CE) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) with a [Co(bpy)3](3+/2+) complex redox shuttle. DSCs with PEDOT:Tos/glass CE yielded power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 6.3%, similar to that of DSCs with platinized FTO glass CE (6.

Does comorbid subthreshold anxiety predict treatment response in depression? Results from a naturalistic cohort study (the CRESCEND study).

Objective: To investigate whether the anxious depression defined as depression with clinically significant anxiety but not comorbid anxiety disorder predicts poor outcomes of depression treatment in naturalistic clinical setting.

Method: From nationwide sample of 18 hospitals, 674 patients with moderate to severe depression who completed the DSM-IV-based Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) were recruited. Anxious depression was defined as not having comorbid anxiety disorder by SCID and having a Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) total score ≥ 20.

Family history influences the early onset of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between a positive family history of primary liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in Korean HCC patients.

Methods: We studied a total of 2242 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 1990 and July 2008, whose family history of primary liver cancer was clearly described in the medical records.

Results: Of the 2242 patients, 165 (7.

Secretome analysis of Magnaporthe oryzae using in vitro systems.

Magnaporthe oryzae is a devastating blast fungal pathogen of rice (Oryza sativa L.) that causes dramatic decreases in seed yield and quality. During the early stages of infection by this pathogen, the fungal spore senses the rice leaf surface, germinates, and penetrates the cell via an infectious structure known as an appressorium.

The Symptom Frequency Characteristics of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Possible Symptom Clusters of Depressive Disorders in Korea: The CRESCEND Study.

Objective: This study analyzed the symptom frequencies of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) to understand the characteristics of each item and to propose the possible symptoms clusters.

Methods: From psychiatric clinics of 18 Hospitals in Korea, 1,183 patients, diagnosed with major depressive disorder (psychotic or non-psychotic), dysthymia or depressive disorder not otherwise specified. according to DSM-IV criteria, participated in this study from January 2006 to August 2008.

Does therapeutic hypothermia benefit adult cardiac arrest patients presenting with non-shockable initial rhythms?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized studies.

Background: The benefit of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for comatose adult patients with return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest (CA) with non-shockable initial rhythms is uncertain. We evaluated whether TH reduces mortality and improves neurological outcome in comatose adults resuscitated from non-shockable CA.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and BIOSIS through March 2010, to identify studies using TH after non-shockable CA.

Gender differences in 12-week antidepressant treatment outcomes for a naturalistic secondary care cohort: the CRESCEND study.

This study aimed to determine whether men and women with depression differ in socio-demographic, treatment-related characteristics, and in their responses to treatment with antidepressants, as well as to explore differences in treatment outcomes by menopausal status. From a nationwide sample of 18 hospitals in South Korea, 723 depressive patients were recruited. After baseline evaluation, they received naturalistic clinician-determined antidepressant interventions.

Direct versus video laryngoscopic intubation by novice prehospital intubators with and without chest compressions: A pilot manikin study.

Objectives: To evaluate whether chest compressions affect the time taken for intubation (TTI) using the Macintosh laryngoscope and two portable video laryngoscopes (VLs) (GlideScope Ranger and Airway Scope) when used by novice prehospital caregivers, and to compare the TTIs and rates of successful intubation among the three laryngoscopes with and without chest compressions in a manikin model.

Methods: This was a pilot randomized crossover study. Twenty paramedic students and paramedics who had no clinical experience with tracheal intubation and had never used any of two VLs participated in the study.

Tracheal intubation using Macintosh and 2 video laryngoscopes with and without chest compressions.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the time taken for intubation (TTI) using the Macintosh and 2 video laryngoscopes (VLs) (GlideScope [GVL]; Saturn Biomedical System, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, and Airway Scope [AWS]; Pentax, Tokyo, Japan) with and without chest compressions by experienced intubators in a mannequin model.

Methods: This was a randomized crossover study. Twenty-two experienced physicians who have limited experience in the VLs participated in the study.

Rice OsACDR1 (Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1) is a potential positive regulator of fungal disease resistance.

Rice Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1 (OsACDR1) encodes a putative Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). We had previously reported upregulation of the OsACDR1 transcript by a range of environmental stimuli involved in eliciting defense-related pathways. Here we apply biochemical, gain and loss-of-function approaches to characterize OsACDR1 function in rice.

Systematic secretome analyses of rice leaf and seed callus suspension-cultured cells: workflow development and establishment of high-density two-dimensional gel reference maps.

Secreted proteins control a multitude of biological and physiological processes in multicellular organisms such as plants. Identification of secreted proteins in reference plants like Arabidopsis and rice under normal growth conditions and adverse environmental conditions will help better understand the secretory pathways. Here, we have performed a systematic in planta and in vitro analyses of proteins secreted by rice leaves (in planta) and seed callus suspension-cultured cells (SCCs; in vitro), respectively, using a combination of biochemical and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) coupled with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analyses.

Novel rice OsSIPK is a multiple stress responsive MAPK family member showing rhythmic expression at mRNA level.

We report isolation and transcriptional profiling of rice (Oryza sativa L.) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), OsSIPK (salicylic acid-induced protein kinase). OsSIPK gene is located on chromosome 6 most probably existing as a single copy in the rice genome, and encodes 398 amino acid polypeptide having the MAPK family signature and phosphorylation activation motif TEY.