Description of Streptococcus dentalis sp. nov., Streptococcus gingivalis sp. nov., and Streptococcus lingualis sp. nov., Isolated from Human Oral Cavities.

We isolated three novel strains, S1, S2, and S5, from human oral cavities and identified them as distinct novel species. All these strains are facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, and non-flagellated bacteria. Their optimal growth conditions for these strains were observed in Columbia broth (CB) at 37 °C, pH 7.

Optimization-informed Rule Extraction for HVAC system: A Case Study of Dedicated Outdoor Air System Control in a Mixed-Humid Climate Zone.

In the era of post-Coronavirus Disease 2019, the dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), which provides 100% outdoor air for the building, is widely acknowledged as it can ensure acceptable indoor air quality by delivering fresh outdoor air to occupied space. The DOAS with a proper design and operation can provide sufficient ventilation and dehumidification while achieving energy efficiency. Nonetheless, there is limited guidance in determining the optimal control sequence of the DOAS for the designers and operators to implement in practice.

Protective Effects of Melatonin in High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis via Decreased Intestinal Lipid Absorption and Hepatic Cholesterol Synthesis.

Backgruound: The preventative effect of melatonin on the development of obesity and the progression of fatty liver under a high-fat diet (HFD) has been well elucidated through previous studies. We investigated the mechanism behind this effect regarding cholesterol biosynthesis and regulation of cholesterol levels.

Methods: Mice were divided into three groups: normal chow diet (NCD); HFD; and HFD and melatonin administration group (HFD+M).

(bitter melon) efficacy and safety on glucose metabolism in Korean prediabetes participants: a 12-week, randomized clinical study.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of bitter melon extract (BME) on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and various metabolic parameters of participants with prediabetes. A 12-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted with prediabetic patients. A total of 76 participants were randomly assigned to initiate the study.

Melatonin Protects Bone Microarchitecture against Deterioration due to High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity.

Background: We evaluated the protective effects of melatonin against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced deterioration of bone microarchitecture using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Methods: Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control (chow diet group), HFD, and HFD + melatonin-administered groups. Mice were sacrificed after 14 weeks, and the right femur was extracted.

Growth, solvent effects, and thermal desorption behavior of octylthiocyanate self-assembled monolayers on Au(111).

The growth process, solvent effects, and thermal desorption behavior of octylthiocyanate [OTC, CH(3)(CH(2))(7)S-CN] self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) were characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). To investigate their growth processes, octanethiol [OT, CH(3)(CH(2))(7)S-H] and OTC SAMs were prepared in 0.5 μM ethanol solution at room temperature as a function of immersion time: 10 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 24 h.

Highly sensitive turn-on detection of Ag+ in aqueous solution and live cells with a symmetric fluorescent peptide.

This communication presents a symmetric fluorescent peptide (K(d) = 17.4 nM) for hypersensitively detecting Ag(+) in 100% aqueous solution by turn-on response. The peptide penetrated live HeLa cells and detected intracellular Ag(+) by turn-on response.

Experience and analysis of level VII cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: Papillary thyroid cancer with level VII (anterior superior mediastinal lymph nodes) lymph node metastasis belongs to Stage IV a according to the Americal Joint Committee on Cancer cancer staging. The aim of our study was to identify clinicopathologic factors that are related to level VII cervical lymph node metastasis and to suggest recommendations for level VII dissection.

Methods: We reviewed 195 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who had their initial operation containing level VII dissection from April 2006 to June 2007.

Fast displacement and structural transition of cyclohexanethiol self-assembled monolayers by octanethiols on Au (111).

Displacement of cyclohexanethiols (CHTs) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by octanethiols on Au (111) (OTs) was examined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and contact angle measurements. We revealed that the fast displacement of CHT by OT takes place within a few minutes, and then displacement proceeds slowly to form the closely packed OT SAMs. The main driving force for the unusual fast displacement is due to the large increase of chemical interactions between the sulfur and gold atoms, and the van der Waals interactions between alkyl chains after displacement of CHT by OT.

Formation of ordered self-assembled monolayers by adsorption of octylthiocyanates on Au(111).

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were formed by the spontaneous adsorption of octythiocyanate (OTC) on Au(111) using both solution and ambient-pressure vapor deposition methods at room temperature and 50 degrees C. The surface structures and adsorption characteristics of the OTC SAMs on Au(111) were characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The STM observation showed that OTC SAMs formed in solution at room temperature have unique surface structures including the formation of ordered and disordered domains, vacancy islands, and structural defects.

Three novel VHL germline mutations in Korean patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and pheochromocytomas.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant inherited tumor syndrome associated with germline mutations in the VHL gene. VHL disease, as well as several other cancer syndromes, has been associated with an increased risk of pheochromocytomas, which are catecholamine-secreting tumors of the adrenal gland. VHL disease genotype-phenotype correlations have been well established based on the type of mutations in the VHL gene.