Let the Avatar Brighten Your Smile: Effects of Enhancing Facial Expressions in Virtual Environments.

Previous studies demonstrated the positive effects of smiling on interpersonal outcomes. The present research examined if enhancing one's smile in a virtual environment could lead to a more positive communication experience. In the current study, participants' facial expressions were tracked and mapped on a digital avatar during a real-time dyadic conversation.

Comparison of experimental mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial and involves immunological, environmental and genetic factors. Although there are no animal models that effectively mimic human IBD, experimental models allow us to analyze the mechanisms of chronic intestinal inflammation. IBD can be induced in mice by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or by a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)‑ethanol enema, which evoke immune responses and colitis.

Risk factors associated with head louse infestation in Korea.

Head louse infestation (HLI) is one of the most frequently occurring parasitic diseases in children. This study was conducted to investigate the socioeconomic and personal factors influencing HLI in the Republic of Korea. A total of 2,210 questionnaires about various factors related to HLI were obtained from children in 17 primary schools throughout the country.

The use of an in vitro adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay to predict chemotherapeutic response in breast cancer.

The adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA) has the advantages of standardization, evaluability, reproducibility, and accuracy, and can be performed on relatively small numbers of tumor cells. A total of 43 patients were enrolled in the present study, and chemosensitivity tests were successfully performed in 40 (93.0%) of these patients.

[Gene expression profiling using oligonucleotide microarray in atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia].

Background/aims: The atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa has been considered to be the major factor of carcinogenesis in the stomach. However, the key molecules are still poorly understood. To elucidate the molecular genetic basis, we report the results of our initial microarray data to analyze the genome pattern in patients with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia of the stomach.