Association between Rapid Ventricular Response and Stroke Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation-Related Cardiac Embolic Stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with atrial fibrillation-related stroke (AF-stroke) are prone to developing rapid ventricular response (RVR). We investigated whether RVR is associated with initial stroke severity, early neurological deterioration (END) and poor outcome at 3 months. METHODS: We reviewed patients who had AF-stroke between January 2017 and March 2022. RVR was defined as having heart rate >100 beats per minute on initial electrocardiogram. Neurological deficit was evaluated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission. END was defined as increase of ≥2 in total NIHSS score or ≥1 in motor NIHSS score within first 72 h. Functional outcome was score on modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Mediation analysis was performed to examine potential causal chain in which initial stroke severity may mediate relationship between RVR and functional outcome. RESULTS: We studied 568 AF-stroke patients, among whom 86 (15.1%) had RVR. Patients with RVR had higher initial NIHSS score (p < 0.001) and poor outcome at 3 months (p = 0.004) than those without RVR. The presence of RVR [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.13; p = 0.013] was associated with initial stroke severity, but not with END and functional outcome. Otherwise, initial stroke severity [aOR = 1.27; p = <0.001] was significantly associated with functional outcome. Initial stroke severity as a mediator explained 58% of relationship between RVR and poor outcome at 3 months. CONCLUSION: In patients with AF-stroke, RVR was independently associated with initial stroke severity but not with END and functional outcome. Initial stroke severity mediated considerable proportion of association between RVR and functional outcome.

Survival differences between patients with de novo and relapsed/progressed advanced non-small cell lung cancer without epidermal growth factor receptor mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine whether patients with de novo and relapsed/progressed stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations have different prognoses. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the Health Insurance Review and Assessment claims data in South Korea from 2013 to 2020. Patients with stage IIIB-IV NSCLC without EGFR or ALK mutations who received first-line palliative therapy between 2015 and 2019 were identified. Overall survival (OS), time to first subsequent therapy (TFST), and time to second subsequent therapy (TSST) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to reveal the impact of de novo versus relapsed/progressed disease on OS. Treatment patterns, including treatment sequence, top five most frequent regimens, and time to treatment discontinuation, were described in both groups. RESULTS: Of 14,505 patients, 12,811 (88.3%) were de novo, and 1,694 (11.7%) were relapsed/progressed. The median OS in the de novo group was 11.0 versus 11.5 months in the relapsed/progressed group (P = 0.002). The ongoing treatment probability was higher in relapsed/progressed patients than in de novo patients from 6.4 months since the initiation of first-line treatment (P < 0.001). Median TSST was shorter in the de novo group than in the relapsed/progressed group (9.5 vs. 9.9 months, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, de novo disease was associated with shorter OS (hazard ratio 1.07; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.14). The overall treatment patterns for de novo and relapsed/progressed patients were similar. CONCLUSIONS: De novo patients had poorer OS and TSST after the initiation of palliative therapy than relapsed/progressed patients. These findings suggest that the stage of the disease at the time of initial diagnosis should be considered in observational studies and clinical trials as a prognostic factor.

Enlarged left atrium may be associated with laterality of anterior circulation cardioembolic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Propensity for lesion lateralization in atrial fibrillation-related cardiac embolic stroke (AF-stroke) remains controversial. In this study, we compared the hemispheric differences among patients with AF-stroke and identified factors associated with lesion laterality. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute AF-stroke admitted from January, 2017 to March, 2022. Patients were grouped based on whether lesions were right or left hemispheric in the anterior circulation territory, based on diffusion-weighted imaging. Factors associated with right-side propensity were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 385 patients, the mean age was 74±11 years and 52.5 % were male. Right and left hemispheric lesions were observed in 189 (49.1 %) and 196 (50.9%) patients, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, enlarged left atrium (LA) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.03, 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.007-1.061; p=0.013) and single confluent lesion pattern (aOR= 1.55, 95% CI, 1.012-2.381; p=0.044) were associated with right hemispheric lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Enlarged LA and single confluent lesion pattern were strongly related to right-sided propensity in patients with AF-stroke.

Does diabetes increase the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with negative treadmill stress echocardiography?

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates are considered to be high in patients with diabetes despite negative stress test results; however, little data are available to support this supposition. We compared the long-term cardiovascular events between patients with diabetes and those without diabetes with negative treadmill stress echocardiography and evaluated the predictors for cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. A total of 1,243 consecutive patients (mean age, 56 ± 10 years; non-diabetics: diabetics, 975:268; mean follow-up of 5 years) with negative treadmill stress echocardiography were evaluated. Clinical data were examined, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, a composite of coronary revascularization, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death) were compared between the non-diabetic and diabetic groups. In the population matched by clinical characteristics, the diabetic and non-diabetic groups had similar occurrence of MACEs (non-diabetics vs. diabetics = 5% versus 7%; p = 0.329) and event-free survival. MACEs in the diabetic group were associated with elevated early diastolic velocity of the mitral inflow/mitral annulus (E/e') ratio, indicative of diastolic dysfunction. The absence of statin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor use and use of sulfonylureas were also predictors of more MACEs. In conclusion, long-term cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and negative stress echocardiography were comparable to those in patients without diabetes. However, appropriate monitoring of diastolic dysfunction, statin use, and individualized antidiabetic drug selection are required to reduce the cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes.

Lactic acid bacteria starter in combination with sodium chloride controls pathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC, ETEC, and EHEC) in kimchi.

Kimchi is one of the primary sources of high sodium content in the Korean diet. Low-sodium kimchi is commercially manufactured to minimize the health effects of high salt. We investigated the influence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as starter culture in combination with 1% or 2.5% salt on the survival of pathogenic Escherichia coli and physicochemical properties of kimchi during fermentation at 10 °C and 25 °C. Among ten strains of LAB isolated from kimchi, Leuconostoc mesenteroides (KCTC 13374) and Lactobacillus plantarum (KCTC 33133) exhibited antimicrobial activities against pathogenic E. coli (EPEC, ETEC, and E. coli O157:H7) and strong tolerance to low pH (2 and 3) and 0.3% bile salts. Thus, L. mesenteroides and L. plantarum were used as starter cultures for kimchi that contained 1% and 2.5% salt. All pathogenic E. coli strains survived in kimchi regardless of starter cultures or salt concentration for over 15 days at 10 °C, but they died off within 4 days at 25 °C. Survival of pathogenic E. coli was better in naturally fermented kimchi (titratable acidity:0.65%) than kimchi fermented with starter cultures (titratable acidity:1.0%). At 10 °C, the average delta value of E. coli O157:H7 (16.15 d) was smaller than those of EPEC (20.76 d) and ETEC (20.20 d) in naturally fermented kimchi. Overall, survival ability of E. coli O157:H7 was lower than EPEC and ETEC, although differences were not significant. Reduced salt concentration from 2.5% to 1% in kimchi did not affect the growth of LAB and the fermentation period. Pathogenic E. coli died at a faster rate in kimchi fermented with starter cultures and 1% salt than in naturally fermented kimchi with 2.5% salt.

Development of Burdock Root Inulin/Chitosan Blend Films Containing Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils.

In this study, inulin (INU) extracted from burdock root was utilized as a new film base material and combined with chitosan (CHI) to prepare composite films. Oregano and thyme essential oils (OT) were incorporated into the INU-CHI film to confer the films with bioactivities. The physical and optical properties as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the films were evaluated. INU film alone showed poor physical properties. In contrast, the compatibility of INU and CHI demonstrated by the changes in attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transformation infrared spectrum of the INU-CHI film increased tensile strength and elongation at break of the INU film by 8.2- and 3.9-fold, respectively. In addition, water vapor permeability, water solubility, and moisture content of the films decreased proportionally with increasing OT concentration in the INU-CHI film. Incorporation of OT also increased the opacity of a and b values and decreased the L value of the INU-CHI films. All INU-CHI films containing OT exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Particularly, the INU-CHI film with 2.0% OT exhibited the highest 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, and antimicrobial activities against four pathogens. Thus, the INU-CHI film containing OT developed in this study might be utilized as an active packaging material in the food industry.

Differential Gene Expression in GPR40-Overexpressing Pancreatic ß-cells Treated with Linoleic Acid.

"G protein-coupled receptor 40" (GPR40), a receptor for long-chain fatty acids, mediates the stimulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion. We examined the profiles of differential gene expression in GPR40-activated cells treated with linoleic acid, and finally predicted the integral pathways of the cellular mechanism of GPR40-mediated insulinotropic effects. After constructing a GPR40-overexpressing stable cell line (RIN-40) from the rat pancreatic ß-cell line RIN-5f, we determined the gene expression profiles of RIN-5f and RIN-40. In total, 1004 genes, the expression of which was altered at least twofold, were selected in RIN-5f versus RIN-40. Moreover, the differential genetic profiles were investigated in RIN-40 cells treated with 30 µM linoleic acid, which resulted in selection of 93 genes in RIN-40 versus RIN-40 treated with linoleic acid. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway (KEGG, http://www.genome.jp/kegg/), sets of genes induced differentially by treatment with linoleic acid in RIN-40 cells were found to be related to mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase- and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. A gene ontology (GO) study revealed that more than 30% of the genes were associated with signal transduction and cell proliferation. Thus, this study elucidated a gene expression pattern relevant to the signal pathways that are regulated by GPR40 activation during the acute period. Together, these findings increase our mechanistic understanding of endogenous molecules associated with GPR40 function, and provide information useful for identification of a target for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Anesthetics influence the incidence of acute kidney injury following valvular heart surgery.

Propofol has been shown to provide protection against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury experimentally, but clinical evidence is lacking. Here we studied the effect of propofol anesthesia on the occurrence of acute kidney injury following heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. One hundred and twelve patients who underwent valvular heart surgery were randomized to receive either propofol or sevoflurane anesthesia, both with sufentanil. Using Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria, significantly fewer patients developed acute kidney injury postoperatively in the propofol group compared with the sevoflurane group (6 compared with 21 patients). The incidence of severe renal dysfunction was significantly higher in the sevoflurane group compared with the propofol group (5 compared with none). The postoperative cystatin C was significantly lower in the propofol group at 24 and 48 h. Serum interleukin-6 at 6 h after aorta cross-clamp removal, C-reactive protein at postoperative day 1, and segmented neutrophil counts at postoperative day 3 were also significantly lower in the propofol group. Thus, propofol anesthesia significantly reduced the incidence and severity of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass compared with sevoflurane. This beneficial effect of propofol may be related to its ability to attenuate the perioperative increase in proinflammatory mediators.

Shift of the reactive species in the Sb-SnO2-electrocatalyzed inactivation of e. coli and degradation of phenol: effects of nickel doping and electrolytes.

The electrocatalytic behavior and anodic performance of Sb-SnO2 and nickel-doped Sb-SnO2 (Ni-Sb-SnO2) in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride electrolytes were compared. Nickel-doping increased the service lifetime by a factor of 9 and decreased the charge transfer resistance of the Sb-SnO2 electrodes by 65%. More importantly, Ni doping improved the electrocatalytic performance of Sb-SnO2 for the remediation of aqueous phenol and the inactivation of E. coli by a factor of more than 600% and ∼20%, respectively. In the sulfate electrolyte, the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) identified were OH radicals (Faradaic efficiency η = 2.4%) with trace levels of ozone and hydrogen peroxide (η < 0.01%) at Sb-SnO2. In contrast, the primary ROS at Ni-Sb-SnO2 was ozone (η = 9.3%) followed by OH radicals (η = 3.7%). In the chloride electrolyte, the production of hypochlorite (OCl(-)) was higher (η = 0.73%) than that of ozone (η = 0.13%) at Sb-SnO2, whereas the level of ozone (η = 13.6%) was much higher than that of hypochlorite (η = 0.24%) at Ni-Sb-SnO2. Based on the shift of the reactive species, the primary effect of Ni doping is to catalyze the six-electron oxidation of water to ozone and inhibit the competing one or two-electron oxidation of water (generation of OH radicals, hydrogen peroxides, and hypochlorites). A range of electrochemical and surface analyses were performed, and a detailed mechanism was proposed.

Efficacy of perioperative oral triiodothyronine replacement therapy in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of oral triiodothyronine (T3) therapy on postoperative thyroid hormone concentrations, hemodynamic variables, and outcomes. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study. SETTING: Cardiac operating room at a single institution. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either 20 µg of oral T3 or placebo every 12 hours starting 20 minutes before anesthetic induction, for a total of 4 doses. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones were measured serially before surgery, upon arrival in the intensive care unit, and 12, 24, and 36 hours after surgery. Hemodynamic variables also were recorded serially. Postoperative inotrope requirement and major morbidity endpoints were assessed. Serum T3 concentrations were significantly higher with fewer patients having T3 concentrations below the normal range in the T3 group than the placebo group throughout the postoperative period. Hemodynamic variables, postoperative inotrope requirement, and outcome variables showed no differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral T3 therapy significantly attenuated the postoperative decline in T3 concentrations in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The lack of apparent clinical benefit merits further investigations in patients with reduced cardiac performance.

Association of the catechol-o-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms with Korean autism spectrum disorders.

This study evaluated the family-based genetic association between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the catechol-o-methyltransferase gene (COMT), which was found among 151 Korean ASDs family trios (dominant model Z = 2.598, P = 0.009, P FDR = 0.045). We found a statistically significant allele transmission or association in terms of the rs6269 SNP in the ASDs trios. Moreover, in the haplotype analysis, the haplotypes with rs6269 demonstrated significant evidence of an association with ASDs (additive model rs6269-rs4818-rs4680-rs769224 haplotype P = 0.004, P FDR = 0.040). Thus, an association may exist between the variants of the COMT gene and the occurrence of ASDs in Koreans.

5,8-Dimethoxy-2-Nonylamino-Naphthalene-1,4-Dione Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation by Blocking Autophosphorylation of PDGF-Receptor ß.

As the abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis and vascular restenosis, a candidate drug with antiproliferative properties is needed. We investigated the antiproliferative action and underlying mechanism of a newly synthesized naphthoquinone derivative, 5,8-dimethoxy-2-nonylamino-naphthalene-1,4-dione (2-nonylamino-DMNQ), using VSMCs treated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). 2-Nonylamino-DMNQ inhibited proliferation and cell number of VSMCs induced by PDGF, but not epidermal growth factor (EGF), in a concentration-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. This derivative suppressed PDGF-induced [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation, cell cycle progression from G0/G1 to S phase, and the phosphorylation of phosphor-retinoblastoma protein (pRb) as well as the expression of cyclin E/D, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2/4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Importantly, 2-nonylamino-DMNQ inhibited the phosphorylation of PDGF receptorß(PDGF-Rß) enhanced by PDGF at Tyr(579), Tyr(716), Tyr(751), and Tyr(1021) residues. Subsequently, 2-nonylamino-DMNQ inhibited PDGF-induced phosphorylation of STAT3, ERK1/2, Akt, and PLCγ1. Therefore, our results indicate that 2-nonylamino-DMNQ inhibits PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation by blocking PDGF-Rß autophosphorylation, and subsequently PDGF-Rß-mediated downstream signaling pathways.

Effect of tranexamic acid on transfusion requirement in dual antiplatelet-treated anemic patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is not rare in patients presenting for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and as these patients are frequently on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), the coexisting conditions could potentially increase the risk of bleeding and transfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TA) on blood loss and transfusion in preoperatively anemic patients who continued DAPT until within 5 days of off-pump CABG (OPCAB). METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-six anemic patients were randomized into 2 groups: TA group receiving TA (1g bolus followed by infusion at 200mg/h) and a Control group receiving the same volume of saline. The amount of blood loss and transfusion requirement during, and at 4 and 24h after the operation were assessed. Patients' characteristics and operative data were similar between the groups. During the perioperative period, which combined the intraoperative and postoperative 24h data, the TA group received significantly smaller amounts of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. Total amount of perioperative blood loss was similar between the groups, although the blood loss during the postoperative 4h was significantly less in the TA group. CONCLUSIONS: TA infusion could reduce the amount of transfusion during the perioperative period in patients with preoperative anemia who continue DAPT until within 5 days of OPCAB.

Synaptic vesicle protein 2b is expressed temporospatially in (pre)odontoblasts in developing molars.

The formation of dentin and enamel is initiated by the differentiation of odontogenic precursor cells into odontoblasts and ameloblasts, respectively. This study was performed to identify new molecules involved in the differentiation of odontogenic cells. The genes expressed differentially between the root stage (after the differentiation of odontogenic cells and dental hard-tissue formation) and the cap stage (before the differentiation of odontogenic cells and dental hard-tissue formation) were searched using differential display PCR. For the first time, synaptic vesicle protein (SV) 2b, an important transmembrane transporter of Ca(2+) -stimulated vesicle exocytosis, was identified as a differentially expressed molecule. Real-time PCR and western blotting revealed an increase in the transcriptional and translational levels of SV2b during or after the differentiation of odontogenic cells. Immunofluorescence revealed this molecule to be localized in not only fully differentiated odontoblasts but also in pre-odontoblasts before dentin matrix secretion. The expression pattern of the SV2a isoform was similar to that of the SV2b isoform, whereas the SV2c isoform showed a contrasting pattern of expression. After treatment with alendronate, an inhibitor of protein isoprenylation for the transport of secretory vesicles, the expression of SV2a and SV2b decreased, whereas that of SV2c increased. These results suggest that the SV2 isoforms are functional molecules of (pre)odontoblasts which may be involved in vesicle transport.

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Yogurt.

Listeria monocytogenes can survive in yogurt stored at a refrigeration temperature. Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has a strong acid resistance that can survive in the yogurt with a low pH. We estimated the risk of L. monocytogenes and EHEC due to yogurt consumption with @Risk. Predictive survival models for L. monocytogenes and EHEC in drinking and regular yogurt were developed at 4, 10, 17, 25, and 36 °C, and the survival of both pathogens in yogurt was predicted during distribution and storage at home. The average initial contamination level in drinking and regular yogurt was calculated to be -3.941 log CFU/g and -3.608 log CFU/g, respectively, and the contamination level of both LM and EHEC decreased in yogurt from the market to home. Mean values of the possibility of illness caused by EHEC were higher (drinking: 1.44 × 10-8; regular: 5.09 × 10-9) than L. monocytogenes (drinking: 1.91 × 10-15; regular: 2.87 × 10-16) in the susceptible population. Both pathogens had a positive correlation with the initial contamination level and consumption. These results show that the foodborne illness risk from L. monocytogenes and EHEC due to yogurt consumption is very low. However, controlling the initial contamination level of EHEC during yogurt manufacture should be emphasized.

Effect of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) on the Quality and Safety of Greek Yogurt.

Greek yogurt is a strained yogurt with a high protein content that brings nutritional benefits. To enhance the functional benefits of Greek yogurt, Greek yogurt was prepared with various combinations of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, and Lactobacillus plantarum HY7714). Effects of probiotic LAB on quality, sensory, and microbiological characteristics of Greek yogurt were then compared. Among samples, Greek yogurt fermented by S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus showed the highest changes of pH and titratable acidity during 21 d of storage at 4 °C. Greek yogurt fermented with L. plantarum HY7714 had a higher viscosity than other samples. Greek yogurt fermented with S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. gasseri BNR17, and L. plantarum HY7714 showed superior physicochemical properties and received the highest preference score from sensory evaluation among samples. Overall, the population of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) was more effectively reduced in Greek yogurt fermented with probiotic LAB than in commercial Greek yogurt during storage at 4, 10, and 25 °C. Thus, the addition of L. gasseri BNR17 and L. plantarum HY7714 as starter cultures could enhance the microbial safety of Greek yogurt and sensory acceptance by consumers.

Adherence is an optimal factor for maximizing the effective and safe use of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Few studies assessed the association between major adverse cardiovascular events and adherence to warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of adherence to oral anticoagulants (OACs) in patients with AF using claims data (July 2014-April 2019). Using the initial 3-month medication possession rate (MPR), patients were categorized into adherent (MPR ≥ 0.8) or non-adherent (MPR < 0.8) groups. Propensity score matching of non-adherent group to adherent group was conducted for warfarin (1:1) and DOAC (1:3), respectively. Incidence of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), intracranial hemorrhage, and all-cause death was assessed in the matched cohort (67,147 patients). The hazard ratio (HR) for adherence to OAC was estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model with adjusting covariate including age and sex. The risk for ischemic stroke, MI, and all-cause death was lower in the DOAC adherent group than in the DOAC non-adherent group (HR: 0.78; 95% confidence intervals: 0.73-0.84; 0.75, 0.60-0.94; 0.54, 0.51-0.57, respectively). Adherence to OAC was not associated with the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (1.01, 0.85-1.20). Commitment programs to improve adherence in patients with AF could maximize drug effectiveness and safety.

Relaxin is up-regulated in the rat ovary by orthodontic tooth movement.

Relaxin (Rln) is an ovarian hormone that stimulates osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities and connective tissue turnover. To investigate the expression of Rln during orthodontic tooth movement, rats were implanted with orthodontic appliances that connected a spring from the upper incisors to the first molar with a 70 cN force. Rats in each group were killed 6, 48, and 144 h after activating the appliance, and the levels of Rln1 and Rln3 expression in the ovary were determined by real-time RT-PCR, northern blots, western blots, and immunofluorescence analyses. The amount of tooth movement induced by the orthodontic force increased in a time-dependent manner. The levels of Rln1 mRNA increased by 12-, 41-, and 263-fold at 6, 48, and 144 h, respectively, after orthodontic tooth movement. The time-dependent increase in the concentration of Rln 1 protein in the ovary was also confirmed by western blotting. Rln 1 was localized in the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles, and the immunoreactivity against Rln 1 was increased by the movement. In contrast, the concentration of Rln 3 was below the level of detection. The results of this study suggest that local changes in periodontal tissues induced by orthodontic tooth movement may affect Rln1 expression in the ovary. However, further studies are needed to decipher the mechanisms involved and the possible contribution of the increased level of expression of Rln 1 to the tooth movement.

Control Measures of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Shelf-Life Extension of Fresh-Cut Vegetables.

We investigated the combined effect of using slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW), ultrasounds (US), and ultraviolet-C light-emitting diodes (UV-C LED; 275 nm) for decreasing pathogenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (SEA) in fresh-cut vegetables, including carrots, celery, paprika, and cabbage. Survival of pathogenic E. coli and SEA and quality properties of fresh-cut vegetables at 5 and 15 °C for 7 days were also investigated. When combined treatment (SAEW + US + UV-C LED) was applied to fresh-cut vegetables for 3 min, its microbial reduction effect was significantly higher (0.97~2.17 log CFU/g) than a single treatment (p < 0.05). Overall, the reduction effect was more significant for SEA than for pathogenic E. coli. At 5 °C, SAEW + US and SAEW + US + UV-C LED treatments reduced populations of pathogenic E. coli and SEA in all vegetables. At 15 °C, SAEW + US + UV-C LED treatment inhibited the growth of both pathogens in carrot and celery and extended the shelf life of fresh-cut vegetables by preventing color changes in all vegetables. Although the effects of treatments varied depending on the characteristics of the vegetables and pathogens, UV-C LED can be suggested as a new hurdle technology in fresh-cut vegetable industry.

Family-based association study of microsatellites in the 5' flanking region of AVPR1A with autism spectrum disorder in the Korean population.

This study evaluated the association between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and microsatellites (RS3 and RS1) in the 5' flanking region of AVPR1A in 148 Korean trios comprising children with ASDs. In the transmission equilibrium test and haplotype analysis, we found a statistically significant association between microsatellites and Korean ASDs.