Inter-rater reliability between experienced and inexperienced otolaryngologists using Koo's drug-induced sleep endoscopy classification system.

Purpose: An ideal, drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) classification system should cover all the upper airways, be simple and practical, and quantify the severity of any obstruction. Excellent validity and reliability are essential. We explored the inter-rater reliability of Koo's DISE classification system in the hands of experienced and inexperienced otolaryngologists.

Simple Evaluation of Pathogenesis Using Animal Model.

is a major cause of serious foodborne illness in the dairy foods. Although model is well established as a virulence model of pathogenic bacteria, its application on is critically unclear. The objective of this study was to carry out an evaluation of toxicity using nematode as a simple host model.

Fermented Extract Ameliorates Hepatosteatosis via Activation of Fatty Acid Oxidation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a progressive disease involving the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. In this study, we investigated the anti-hepatosteatosis effects of fermented extract (CME) in AML-12 hepatocytes. Although the levels of adenosine and cordycepin were reduced in the extracts of CM grown on germinated soybean (GSCE) and fermented CM grown on germinated soybean (GSC) by ON188 (ON188E), the expression of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) genes were upregulated only by GSC-ON188E treatment in a dose-dependent manner.

Shrinkage of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: Analysis of contributing factors.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate tumor shrinkage and influencing factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from radiofrequency (RF) ablation following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: A total of 222 patients underwent combined sequential treatment of TACE and RF ablation for HCC at our institution between 2008 and 2014. Of those, 86 patients (men, 68; women, 18) who achieved compact iodized oil tagging and complete ablation were included for this retrospective study.

Antioxidant activity and contents of leaf extracts obtained from LEV are dependent on the collecting season and extraction conditions.

This study compared the antioxidant activity of extracts from () Levillis leaves. The concentrations of flavonoids and polyphenols were measured in extracts of leaves. The antioxidant activities were examined by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).

LB-9, Novel Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria, Ameliorates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice by Inhibiting TNF-α-Mediated Apoptosis of Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease, is a group of chronic and relapsing inflammatory conditions within the gastrointestinal tract. An increase in intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis is a major characteristic of UC. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays an essential role in the regulation of apoptosis.

Inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase A suppresses inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Lactate is an important metabolite in cellular metabolism and fluctuates in certain disease conditions including cancer and immune diseases. It was hypothesized that a decrease in lactate would modulate the inflammatory response elicited by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in macrophages. When RAW 264.

Graphene-Based Nanomaterials and Their Applications in Biosensors.

Recently graphene has been drawing tremendous attention mainly due to its potential contributions to applications in biology, information technology and energy. Among these applications graphene-based biosensors have been particularly progressed caused in part by development of diverse derivatives of graphene such as graphene oxides (GOs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). In this chapter preparation and functionalization of the graphene and GOQs are described together with their optoelectronic properties.

Magnetically Responsive Drug Delivery Using Doxorubicin and Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Incorporated Lipocomplexes.

Bacterial iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles and doxorubicin (DOX) were complexed with lipid materials (magnetic lipocomplexes) for stimuli-sensitive drug targeting. DOX-incorporated magnetic lipocomplexes showed spherical core-shell structure with small diameter less than 300 nm, i.e.

Twist1 Suppresses Cementoblast Differentiation.

The transcription factor Twist1 is known to be closely associated with the formation of bone by mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts; however, the role of Twist1 in cementogenesis has not yet been determined. This study was undertaken to elucidate the roles of Twist1 in cementoblast differentiation by means of the gain- or loss-of-function method. We used alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red S staining and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine whether the forced transient expression or knock-down of Twist1 in a mouse cementoblast cell line, OCCM-30, could affect cementogenic differentiation.

Facile Mn Surface Doping of Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries.

A facile Mn surface doping process is proposed to improve the thermal and structural stabilities of Ni-rich layered cathode materials (Ni ≥ 80%) for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Herein, we demonstrate that the surface structure of the Ni-rich layered cathode materials can be stabilized by the introduction of a thin Mn-rich surface layer. This layer effectively reduces the direct exposure of the highly reactive Ni on the surface of the cathode materials, thus enhancing thermal stability and mitigating side reactions associated with highly reactive Ni that causes the loss of reversible capacity.

Cytopathological Study of the Circulating Tumor Cells filtered from the Cancer Patients' Blood using Hydrogel-based Cell Block Formation.

Circulating tumor cells have emerged as biomarkers for estimating the tumor burden and metastatic potential of cancer patients. However, to date, most of studies and applications of circulating tumor cells have been conducted and applied to epithelial cancers such as breast, colorectal, and prostate tumor. The only FDA-cleared method, CellSearch, makes use of antibody against epithelial surface protein expressed on CTCs, thus obstructing wide application for various cancers with non-epithelial and semi-epithelial characteristics including renal cell carcinoma.

Characterization and storage stability of chlorophylls microencapsulated in different combination of gum Arabic and maltodextrin.

Detailed investigations on the physicochemical and structural characterization of chlorophyll loaded microcapsules and their storage stability have not previously been conducted. Therefore, our objective was to encapsulate unstable chlorophylls using different blends of gum Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) (GA-MD ratios of 5:5, 3:7, and 0:10) by spray-drying to improve storage stability of chlorophylls. An increase in concentration of MD in wall materials was associated with lower moisture content (0.

Does the severity or cause of preoperative stiffness affect the clinical results and range of motion after total knee arthroplasty?

The purpose of this study was to assess the overall clinical results and range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with preoperative stiffness. We also aimed to determine whether the severity or cause of the stiffness can affect the clinical outcome after surgery. This retrospective study included 122 knees (117 patients) with follow-up of more than 2 years (mean age, 64.

Nakai: A Preliminary Study on Nutrients and Chemical Compounds That May Impact Sensory Properties.

In this study, the nutritional, functional, and chemical measurements of sensory attributes of different parts of wasabi, namely, leaf, petiole, and rhizome, were investigated. Proximate composition analysis showed the presence of high amounts of carbohydrates in the rhizome and amino acid composition analysis confirmed high proportions of glutamic acid and aspartic acid in all three parts. While proximate composition showed low lipid content in wasabi, ω-3 fatty acids accounted for a high proportion (>44%) of the total lipids.

Distal Pullout Strengths of the Biceps Long Head Tendon for Different Adjacent Tissue and Tendon Pathologies during Rotator Cuff Repair.

Pathologies of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) are frequently recognized in cases of rotator cuff tear. Recommendations for managing such pathologies remain debatable, and distal migration of tenotomized biceps is always a concern when only tenotomy is performed. Seventy patients of mean age 60.

Effects of Orally-Administered subsp. Strain BB12 on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronically relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) constitute barrier surfaces and play a critical role in maintaining gut health. Dysregulated immune responses and destruction of IECs disrupt intestinal balance.

Dendrite-Free Li Metal Anode for Rechargeable Li-SO Batteries Employing Surface Modification with a NaAlCl-2SO Electrolyte.

Dendritic growth of a Li metal anode during cycling is one of major issues to be addressed for practical application of Li metal rechargeable batteries. Herein, we demonstrate that surface modification of Li metal with a Na-containing SO electrolyte can be an effective way to prevent dendritic Li growth during cell operation. The surface-modified Li metal anode exhibited no dendritic deposits even under a high areal capacity (5 mA h cm) and a high current density (3 mA cm), whereas the unmodified anode showed typical filamentary Li deposition.

Ankle Arthrodesis: A Comparison of Anterior Approach and Transfibular Approach.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological results of arthrodesis performed by the anterior approach and by the transfibular approach in ankle osteoarthritis.

Methods: Sixty patients underwent open arthrodesis (38 by the anterior approach and 22 by the transfibular approach). The visual analogue scale score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were examined clinically, and radiological examination was performed on the alignment of the lower extremity and bone union.

Effect of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Linné on Blood Pressure and Electroencephalogram.

This study identified the volatile organic compounds in the essential oils that are extracted from Linné ( Linné) and investigated the effects of the inhalation of these compounds. We detected a total of 41 volatile organic compounds, including 32 hydrocarbons, four acids, three alcohols, two ketones, and one aldehyde. In a sniffing test, seven types of volatile organic compounds were identified.

Revision surgery for failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with extension deficiency.

Background: Some patients with recurrent symptomatic instability after primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have an extension deficiency (ED). This study (a) compared preoperative clinical conditions between the ED and non-ED groups undergoing revision ACL reconstruction, (b) documented clinical and arthroscopic findings in ACL-reconstructed patients with reinstability and ED, and (c) determined whether the ED could be resolved and whether the clinical results of revision surgery differed between the ED and non-ED groups.

Methods: This study included 58 patients who underwent revision ACL reconstruction.

Antibody-mediated oral delivery of therapeutic DNA for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disease that involves uncontrolled elevation of blood glucose levels. Among various therapeutic approaches, GLP-1 prevents type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from experiencing hyperglycemic episodes. However, the short half-life (< 5 min) and rapid clearance of GLP-1 often limits its therapeutic use.

The effect of nanoemulsified methionine and cysteine on the in vitro expression of casein in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Objective: Dairy cattle nutrient requirement systems acknowledge amino acid (AAs) requirements in aggregate as metabolizable protein (MP) and assume fixed efficiencies of MP used for milk protein. Regulation of mammary protein synthesis may be associated with AA input and milk protein output. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanoemulsified methionine and cysteine on the in-vitro expression of milk protein (casein) in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T cells).

Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC 5273 isolated from Kimchi ameliorates diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in C57BL/6 mice.

This study was designed to select potent cholesterol-lowering probiotic strains on HepG2 cell and investigate the effect of selected strain, Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC 5273 and LRCC 5279 in hypercholesterolemic mice. In the results, LP5273 group showed significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol compared to HCD group. In addition to significantly up-regulated hepatic mRNA expression of LXR-α and CYP7A1, intestinal LXR-α and ABCG5 were significantly up-regulated in LP5273 group.

Polybenzimidazole/Nafion hybrid membrane with improved chemical stability for vanadium redox flow battery application.

In order to increase the chemical stability of polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane against the highly oxidizing environment of a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), PBI/Nafion hybrid membrane was developed by spray coating a Nafion ionomer onto one surface of the PBI membrane. The acid-base interaction between the sulfonic acid of the Nafion and the benzimidazole of the PBI created a stable interfacial adhesion between the Nafion layer and the PBI layer. The hybrid membrane showed an area resistance of 0.