Effects of weaning and castration ages on growth performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers.

Background: Recently, as production costs have been increasing owing to rising feed prices worldwide, shortening the age of slaughter has been recognized as a way to increase farm income. In Korea, the raising period for Hanwoo steers is over 31 months with the delay of weaning and castration stated as one of the reasons for the increase in the raising period. Thus far, studies on age of weaning and castration have been conducted individually, and there have been no studies on the combined effects of weaning and castration ages on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers.

Tuning store-operated calcium entry to modulate Ca-dependent physiological processes.

The intracellular calcium signaling processes are tightly regulated to ensure the generation of calcium signals with the specific spatiotemporal characteristics required for regulating various cell functions. Compartmentalization of the molecular components involved in the generation of these signals at discrete intracellular sites ensures the signaling specificity and transduction fidelity of the signal for regulating downstream effector processes. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is ubiquitously present in cells and is critical for essential cell functions in a variety of tissues.

Prognostic Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Repeat Cerclage in Women with Prolapsed Membranes.

Objective: Cerclage is a surgical option for preventing preterm birth (PTB). Repeat cerclage (RC) could prevent impending PTB in women with prolapsed membrane who already had primary cerclage. PTB is associated with a state of inflammation.

Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of Sarcophaga peregrina, a forensically important fly species.

Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) is a frequently found fly species in Palaearctic, Oriental, and Australasian regions that can be used to estimate minimal postmortem intervals important for forensic investigations. Despite its forensic importance, the genome information of S. peregrina has not been fully described.

COMBINED VITRECTOMY WITH INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT FOR REFRACTORY MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION, AND NONINFECTIOUS POSTERIOR UVEITIS.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of intraoperative intravitreal dexamethasone implant for macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DME), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and noninfectious posterior uveitis.

Methods: A retrospective review of 62 patients (29 men and 33 women; mean age 51.19 ± 14.

Roles of mitochondria in neuronal development.

Mitochondria are ubiquitous and multi-functional organelles involved in diverse metabolic processes, namely energy production and biomolecule synthesis. The intracellular mitochondrial morphology and distribution change dynamically, which reflect the metabolic state of a given cell type. A dramatic change of the mitochondrial dynamics has been observed in early development that led to further investigations on the relationship between mitochondria and the process of development.

BRAF somatic mutation contributes to intrinsic epileptogenicity in pediatric brain tumors.

Pediatric brain tumors are highly associated with epileptic seizures. However, their epileptogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that the oncogenic BRAF somatic mutation p.

Quantitative analysis of colon perfusion pattern using indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Purpose: This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate colon perfusion patterns using indocyanine green (ICG) angiography to find the most reliable predictive factor of anastomotic complications after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods: Laparoscopic fluorescence imaging was applied to colorectal cancer patients (n = 86) from July 2015 to December 2017. ICG (0.

Thioflavin T-Amyloid Hybrid Nanostructure for Biocatalytic Photosynthesis.

Amyloidogenic peptides can self-assemble into highly ordered nanostructures consisting of cross β-sheet-rich networks that exhibit unique physicochemical properties and high stability. Light-harvesting amyloid nanofibrils are constructed by employing insulin as a building block and thioflavin T (ThT) as a amyloid-specific photosensitizer. The ability of the self-assembled amyloid scaffold to accommodate and align ThT in high density on its surface allows for efficient energy transfer from the chromophores to the catalytic units in a similar way to natural photosystems.

Exogenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide regulates energy metabolism via hypothalamic connexin 43.

Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 is an important regulator of hypothalamic neuronal function. Thus, an adequate hypothalamic NAD content is critical for maintaining normal energy homeostasis.

Methods: We investigated whether NAD supplementation increases hypothalamic NAD levels and affects energy metabolism in mice.

The use of fermented buckwheat to produce L-carnitine enriched oyster mushroom.

L-Carnitine is an essential compound that shuttles long chain fatty acids into mitochondria. The objective of this study was to produce L-carnitine enriched oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) using common buckwheat fermented by Rhizopus oligosporus. Mushroom grown on common buckwheat medium contained 9.

Diagnostic accuracy of F-18 FDG PET/CT for characterization of colorectal focal FDG uptake: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: We aimed to explore the role of the diagnostic accuracy of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for characterization of incidental colorectal focal FDG uptake through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library database, from the earliest available date of indexing through April 30, 2018, were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of F-18 FDG PET/CT for characterization of incidental colorectal focal FDG uptake. We determined the sensitivities and specificities across studies, calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-), and constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves.

Abrogation of the Circadian Nuclear Receptor REV-ERBα Exacerbates 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra (SN). Although circadian dysfunction has been suggested as one of the pathophysiological risk factors for PD, the exact molecular link between the circadian clock and PD remains largely unclear. We have recently demonstrated that REV-ERBα, a circadian nuclear receptor, serves as a key molecular link between the circadian and DAergic systems.

Appendiceal intussusception requiring an ileocecectomy: a case report and comment on the optimal surgery.

Background: Appendiceal intussusception is very rare condition with an estimated incidence of 0.01%. Therefore, it is likely to be overlooked.

Perineal squamous cell carcinoma arising from an epidermal cyst: a case report.

Background: Epidermal cysts and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common skin lesions. However, a malignant change in an epidermal cyst is very rare. The incidence of a malignant change from an epidermal cyst to cutaneous SCC is 0.

The expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 and estrogen receptor as prognostic factor on breast cancer patient.

Background: Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) has been known to be an associated factor with breast cancer progression. However, there has been little study with respect to the relationship between the expression of IRS-1 and breast cancer prognosis in clinical practice. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the estrogen receptor (ER) and IRS-1 on the recurrence and survival of breast cancer patients.

Lymph node ratio as an alternative to pN staging for predicting prognosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

Axillary nodal status is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. The lymph node ratio (LNR) has been suggested as an independent prognostic factor because the number of dissected and involved lymph nodes might differ across institutions. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been the preferred treatment method for reducing tumor mass in the breast and axillary area.

Korean Society of Coloproctology (KSCP) trial of cONsolidation Chemotherapy for Locally advanced mid or low rectal cancer after neoadjUvant concurrent chemoraDiothErapy: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (KONCLUDE).

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) has been a standard treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer with improved local control. However, systemic recurrence despite neoadjuvant CRT remained unchanged. The only significant prognostic factor proven to be important was pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant CRT.

Extent of central lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma in the isthmus.

Purpose: The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) arising from the isthmus is low; however, these tumors have aggressive clinical and pathological features. Moreover, the existing guidelines regarding the extent of surgery for this type of tumor are unclear.

Methods: This study enrolled 282 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node dissection.

Multimodal Regulation of Circadian Glucocorticoid Rhythm by Central and Adrenal Clocks.

Adrenal glucocorticoids (GCs) control a wide range of physiological processes, including metabolism, cardiovascular and pulmonary activities, immune and inflammatory responses, and various brain functions. During stress responses, GCs are secreted through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, whereas circulating GC levels in unstressed states follow a robust circadian oscillation with a peak around the onset of the active period of a day. A recent advance in chronobiological research has revealed that multiple regulatory mechanisms, along with classical neuroendocrine regulation, underlie this GC circadian rhythm.

STIM2 Induces Activated Conformation of STIM1 to Control Orai1 Function in ER-PM Junctions.

Ca entry mediated by the calcium channel, Orai1, provides critical Ca signals that regulate cell function. The ER-Ca sensor protein, STIM1, recruits and strongly activates Orai1 within ER-PM junctions. STIM2 is a poor activator of Orai1, and its physiological role is not well understood.

Specific and Sensitive Primers Developed by Comparative Genomics to Detect Bacterial Pathogens in Grains.

Accurate and rapid detection of bacterial plant pathogen is the first step toward disease management and prevention of pathogen spread. Bacterial plant pathogens subsp. (), subsp.

The cryptochrome inhibitor KS15 enhances E-box-mediated transcription by disrupting the feedback action of a circadian transcription-repressor complex.

Aims: We have previously identified a chemical scaffold possessing 2-ethoxypropanoic acid (designated as KS15) that directly binds to the C-terminal region of cryptochromes (CRYs: CRY1 and CRY2) and enhances E-box-mediated transcription. However, it is still unclear how KS15 impairs the feedback actions of the CRYs and which chemical moieties are functionally important for its actions.

Main Methods: The E-box-mediated transcriptional activities were mainly used to examine the effects of KS15 and its derivatives.

On the Deployment and Noise Filtering of Vehicular Radar Application for Detection Enhancement in Roads and Tunnels.

Recently, radar technology has attracted attention for the realization of an intelligent transportation system (ITS) to monitor, track, and manage vehicle traffic on the roads as well as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) for driving assistance of vehicles. However, when radar is installed on roads or in tunnels, the detection performance is significantly dependent on the deployment conditions and environment around the radar. In particular, in the case of tunnels, the detection accuracy for a moving vehicle drops sharply owing to the diffuse reflection of radio frequency (RF) signals.

Enhanced Photosensing and Photodynamic Treatment of Colon Cancer Cells Using Methoxy Poly(ethylene glycol)-Conjugated Chlorin e6.

Nanophotosensitizer composed of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MePEG) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) (abbreviated as Pe6) was synthesized for efficient delivery of Ce6 to the colon cancer cells. Pe6 nanophotosensitizer has small diameter less than 100 nm with spherical shape and core-shell structure. They were activated in aqueous solution while Ce6 was quenched due to its poor aqueous solubility.