Genetic diversity and structure of Persicaria amphibia (Polygonaceae) in South Korea using genotyping by sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Persicaria amphibia, a member of the Polygonaceae family, exists both aquatic and terrestrial forms. It is native to North America, Asia, Europe, and some parts of Africa. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity within and among populations of P. amphibia and the distribution characteristics of each population to investigate insights into the genetic structure and conservation of P. amphibia. METHODS: In this study, the genetic diversity and structure of 84 P. amphibia individuals from 7 populations in South Korea were analyzed using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). We used 2,469 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to analyze genetic diversity, principal components, structure, and phylogeny. RESULTS: Our results showed a mean observed heterozygosity and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.34409 and 0.34082, respectively. Genetic diversity analysis indicated that the variation among populations (60.08%) was greater than that within populations (39.92%). Fixation index values, principal components analysis, structure, and phylogeny analyses showed that the population in Gyodongdo, Ganghwa Island was highly different. CONCLUSION: These results provide important insights for better understand the population history and genetic structure of P. amphibia.

High Mobility, Low Off-Current, and Flexible Fiber-Based a-InGaZnO Thin-Film Transistors toward Wearable Textile OLED Displays.

Fiber-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are gaining attention as promising candidates to achieve truly wearable textile displays because of their favorable electrical and mechanical characteristics. However, although fiber OLEDs have been developed into passive-matrix displays, it has not been possible to achieve active OLED operation because of the difficulty of realizing fiber-based thin film transistors (TFTs) with the proper electrical and mechanical performance at the same time. Here, 1D cylindrical fiber-based IGZO TFTs, which simultaneously exhibit a high electrical performance and flexibility, are reported. To address this trade-off relationship, four key stages of a novel fabrication process and unique device structures that suitable for the thermal properties and cylindrical structure of the fiber were applied: (I) prethermal treatment, (II) partially patterned layers, (III) coplanar structure, and (IV) continuous postannealing (CPA) process. As a result, the fabricated fiber-based IGZO TFTs showed high mobility (8.6 cm2/(V s)) and low off-current (∼10-12 A), comparable to that glass-based TFTs, as well as flexibility. Furthermore, based on these valid performances, it was demonstrated that fiber phOLEDs could be driven by fiber-based IGZO TFTs using a wiring connection with Cu wire and Ag paste. The results suggest that this may allow the potential fabrication of fully textile AMOLED displays, integrated with TFTs.

Similarity analyses of causative viruses for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma exacerbations : Author.

BACKGROUND: The representativeness of cohort studies compared to nationwide data is a major concern. This study evaluated the similarity and seasonality of causative respiratory viruses for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma exacerbations between retrospective multicenter cohort study and nationwide data. METHODS: We compared data from the retrospective multicenter cohort study with Korean Influenza and Respiratory Surveillance System data between 2015 and 2018. Correlation, dynamic time warping (DTW), and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) analyses were performed. RESULTS: Spearman correlation coefficients [ρ] indicated very strong (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] [ρ = 0.8458] and influenza virus [IFV] [ρ = 0.8272]), strong (human metapneumovirus [HMPV] [ρ = 0.7177] and parainfluenza virus [PIV] [ρ = 0.6742]), and moderate (rhinovirus [RV] [ρ = 0.5850] and human coronavirus [HCoV] [ρ = 0.5158]) correlations. DTW analyses showed moderate (PIV) and high (IFV, RSV, and HMPV) synchronicity between the two datasets, while RV and HCoV showed low synchronicity. SARIMA analyses revealed 12-month seasonality for IFV, RSV, PIV, and HMPV. The peak season was winter for RSV and IFV, spring to summer for PIV, and spring for HMPV. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to report the synchronicity between a retrospective multicenter cohort study of viruses that can cause COPD or asthma exacerbations and nationwide surveillance system data.

The effect of nebulized N-acetylcysteine on the phlegm of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the NEWEST study.

BACKGROUND: Phlegm is prevalent symptom in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) nebulizer therapy in COPD patients. We evaluated the effect of nebulized NAC on the improvement of phlegm symptom in COPD patients. METHODS: This was a 12-week, prospective, single-arm, open-label, phase IV multi-center trial (NCT05102305, Registration Date: 20-October-2021). We enrolled patients aged ≥ 40 years with post bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) < 0.7 and COPD assessment test (CAT) phlegm score ≥ 2; the patients were current or ex-smoker with smoking pack-years ≥ 10. The primary endpoint was to determine the change in CAT phlegm score at 12 weeks compared to the baseline. Patients were assessed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment using the CAT score. RESULTS: In total, 100 COPD patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals. The mean age of the patients was 71.42 ± 8.20 years, with 19.78% being current-smokers and 80.22% being ex-smokers. The mean smoking pack-years was 40.32 ± 35.18. The mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were 3.94 L (75.44%), 2.22 L (58.50%), and 0.53, respectively. The CAT phlegm score at baseline was 3.47 ± 1.06, whereas after 12 weeks of nebulized NAC it significantly decreased to 2.62 ± 1.30 (p < 0.01). More than half (53.5%) of the patients expressed satisfaction with the effects of nebulized NAC therapy. Adverse events occurred in 8 (8.0%) patients. Notably, no serious adverse drug reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have established the effectiveness and safety of nebulized NAC over 12 weeks.

Development of a multi-channel visible bremsstrahlung measurement system for the effective charge in the versatile experiment spherical torus (VEST).

A diagnostic system for measuring the effective charge in the versatile experiment spherical torus (VEST) has been developed. The system utilizes a toroidal array to observe the plasma radius on the low magnetic field side, providing a spatially resolved Zeff. The target wavelength of visible bremsstrahlung (VB) was carefully selected to avoid contamination by line emissions. The detector signal was calibrated using a halogen light source and an integrating sphere to obtain an absolute value of the radiative power from each chord. The local emissivity profile was reconstructed from the line-integrated VB emission using the Abel inversion method. Reconstruction tests were performed on various shapes of phantom profiles to effectively reconstruct the local emissivity from the measurements. We found that the initial measurements of the multi-channel VB system were consistent with the results of other independent measurements, supporting the validity of the new measurements. Finally, we obtained the initial result of Zeff in the VEST.

Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Fiber Toward All-In-One Clothing-Type Health Monitoring.

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as the connection between objects and people becomes increasingly important, interest in wearable optoelectronic device-based medical diagnosis is on the rise. Pulse oximetry sensors based on a fiber platform, which is the smallest unit of clothing, could be considered an attractive candidate for this application. In this study, red and green quantum-dot light-emitting fibers (QDLEFs) based on a 250 µm-diameter 1-dimensional fiber were successfully implemented, achieving high current efficiencies of approximately 22.46 mW/sr/A and 23.6 mW/sr/A and narrow full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of about 33 nm, respectively. In addition, its omnidirectional flexibility was confirmed through a vertical and lateral bending test with 0.92% strain. By employing a transparent and flexible elastomer, a wearable pulse oximeter incorporating QDLEFs was successfully demonstrated for oxygen saturation level (SpO2) monitoring on finger and wrist. It was demonstrated to be washable, and could be operated for up to about 18 h. Due to the elastomer and bottom emission, it exhibited excellent wear resistance characteristics in a 50 cycle reciprocating test conducted at about 2180.43 kPa with 220-grit abrasive paper sheet. A theoretical investigation based on modified photon diffusion analysis (MPDA) modeling also determined that using narrow FWHM light sources, such as QDLEFs, improves the resolution and accuracy of SpO2 monitoring. Accordingly, the proposed QDLEF showed distinguished potential as an all-in-one clothing type pulse oximetry.

Complicated calcified alloplastic implants in the nasal dorsum: A clinical analysis.

BACKGROUND: In rhinoplasty, calcification around silicone implants is frequently observed in the tip dorsum (TD) area. Additionally, based on a review of various literature, it is presumed that calcification in silicone implants occurs due to both inflammatory chemical reactions and physical friction against the tissue. The calcification of nasal silicone implants not only results in the functional loss of the implants, but also leads to material deformation. However, there is a lack of research on calcification of nasal silicone implants in the current literature. AIM: To elucidate various clinical characteristics of calcification around nasal silicone implants, using histological and radiological analysis. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 16 patients of calcified nasal implants, who underwent revision rhinoplasty for various reasons after undergoing augmentation rhinoplasty with silicone implants. The collected data included information on implant duration, implant types, location of calcification, presence of inflammatory reactions, and computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: The most common location of calcification, as visually analyzed, was in the TD area, accounting for 56%. Additionally, the analysis of CT scans revealed a trend of increasing Hounsfield Unit values for calcification with the duration of implantation, although this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.139). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that reducing the frequency of calcification may be achievable by using softer silicone implants and by minimizing the damage to perioperative tissues.

Comparing Costs and Healthcare Resource Utilization (HCRU) Using LAMA versus LABA/ICS at Treatment Initiation for COPD: Findings from CITRUS (Comparing the Incidence of Tiotropium and ICS/LABA in Real-World Use in South Korea) Study.

Background: COPD causes substantial economic burden on healthcare. Alternative treatment strategies for COPD can be associated with different costs dependent upon their relative safety and effectiveness. We compared costs and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) associated with LAMA or LABA/ICS initiation. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we enrolled COPD patients initiating treatment with LAMA or LABA/ICS between January 2005 and April 2015. Propensity score matched individuals were compared on all-cause and COPD-related medical costs and HCRU over a three-year follow-up period. Results: A total of 2444 patients were enrolled in each treatment group. LAMA group was associated with significantly lower costs than LABA/ICS group, both in all-cause (403.08 vs 474.50 USD per patient per month [PPPM], cost ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.10-1.26, p<0.0001) and COPD-related (216.37 vs 267.32 USD PPPM, cost ratio 1.24, 95% CI=1.13-1.35, p<0.0001) medical costs. All-cause HCRU was not significantly different between groups, while COPD-related HRCU was higher in LAMA group (0.66 vs 0.60 medical visits PPPM, p<0.0001). Conclusion: COPD patients initiating treatment with LAMA were associated with lower all-cause and COPD-related medical costs than those starting with LABA/ICS despite the similar all-cause HCRU and higher COPD-related HCRU. Initiation with LAMA is a cost-efficient option for the treatment of COPD.

Efficacy and safety of mixture of ivy leaf extract and coptidis rhizome in the treatment of acute bronchitis: multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, active-controlled, parallel, therapeutic confirmatory clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute bronchitis is the most common respiratory disease. Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome syrup has shown good treatment efficacy against chronic bronchitis and acute respiratory infections. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome compared with those of Pelargonium sidoides extract, for the treatment of acute bronchitis. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel phase III study in 220 patients with acute bronchitis. The participants were offered either Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome syrup (AGS) and placebo of P. sidoides tablet or placebo syrup and active tablet of P. sidoides (AGU) for 7 days. The primary endpoint was the change in the Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) from the baseline visit (visit 2) to day 7 (visit 3). RESULTS: For the primary outcome, there was no significant difference in the change of total BSS between visits 2 and 3 (-4.10 ± 1.93 vs. -4.24 ± 1.85, p = 0.5125), and since the upper limit of the confidence interval (1.00) was smaller than the predetermined non-inferiority margin (1.17), it was confirmed that the AGS group was non-inferior to the AGU group. The changes in each symptom in the BSS between visits 2 and 3 also showed no significant differences. The overall improvement rate measured by the investigator (91.7 vs. 89.7%; p = 0.3506) and the satisfaction rate of the participants at visit 3 also showed no significant differences (97.2 vs. 94.4%; p = 0.4388). Regarding safety issues, adverse reactions were noted in both groups similarly, with no serious adverse events (4.55 vs. 3.64%, p > 0.999). CONCLUSION: Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome syrup is as effective and safe as P. sidoides in controlling symptoms of acute bronchitis.

Association between asthma and cardiovascular diseases: A longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort.

Background: Asthma has been suggested to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), although the evidence supporting this relationship is inconclusive. This study aimed to explore the long-term associations between asthma and asthma exacerbations with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), and cerebral stroke, utilizing data from a nationwide cohort. Materials and methods: This study utilized data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort database (2002-2015), including information on 111,316 asthma patients and an equal number of 1:1 matched control participants. A propensity score overlap-weighted Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the overlap-weighted hazard ratios (HRs) of asthma and exacerbated asthma for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) within this cohort. Results: During the follow-up period, the incidence rate (IR) of IHD per 1000 person-years (PYs) was 7.82 in patients with asthma and 5.79 in controls. The IR of HF was 2.53 in asthmatic patients and 1.36 in controls. After adjustment for covariates, asthmatic patients exhibited 1.27-fold and 1.56-fold higher HRs for IHD (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23-1.37, P < 0.001) and HF (95% CI = 1.36-1.63, P < 0.001) than the controls, respectively. In addition, there was an increased HR for IHD and HF in the asthma exacerbation group compared with the nonexacerbated asthma group (adjusted HR, 1.29, 95% CI = 1.24-1.34, P < 0.001 for IHD and aHR 1.68, 95% CI = 1.58-1.79, P < 0.001 for HF). However, the occurrence of stroke was decreased in asthmatic patients compared with controls (aHR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93-0.99, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Adults with asthma are more likely to develop CVDs. Additionally, severe asthma exacerbations are significantly associated with an increased occurrence of CVDs.

Application of the Lancet Commission COPD classification to COPD Cohort Population in South Korea.

The Lancet Commissions on COPD recommended a new classification based on five main risk factors. Patients with COPD were prospectively enrolled in a Korean COPD subgroup study cohort between April 2012 and June 2022. Patients were classified according to the etiologies (Type 1: Genetically determined (COPD-G), Type 2: Abnormal lung development (COPD-D), Type 3: Infections (COPD-I), Type 4: Cigarette smoking (COPD-C), Type 5: Biomass and pollution (COPD-P)). The database enrolled 3476 patients. Among 3392 patients, 52 (2 %), 1339 (39 %), 2930 (86 %), and 2221 (65 %) were compatible with type 2 (COPD-D), 3 (COPD-I), 4 (COPD-C), and 5 (COPD-P), respectively. Most patients (71 %, 2405) had multiple risk factors contributing to their COPD. However, 93, 712, and 182 patients had only type 3 (COPD-I), 4 (COPD-C), and 5 (COPD-P), respectively. Type 3 (COPD-I) only patients were significantly younger, more often female, and had lower lung function. Both the rate and frequency of severe exacerbations were significantly higher in type 3 (COPD-I) only patients (p = 0.038 and p = 0.048, respectively). Compared with type 5 (COPD-P) only, type 3 (COPD-I) only was significantly associated with the risk of severe exacerbation (Odds ratio, 5.7 [95 % CI, 1.0-32.4]; P = 0.049, incident rate ratio, 8.7 [95 % CI, 1.7-44.0]; P = 0.009). Many patients were affected by multiple factors. Therefore, it is important to consider not only smoking history, but also other potential risk factors when evaluating patients with COPD. Further research is needed to explore the implications of this new COPD classification system for clinical practice and treatment strategies.

Synthesis mechanism from graphene quantum dots to carbon nanotubes by ion-sputtering assisted chemical vapor deposition.

We present the first work of the synthesis mechanism from graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by an ion-sputtering assisted chemical vapor deposition. During the annealing process, a Pt thin film deposited by the ion-sputtering was dewetted and agglomerated to form many nanometer-sized particles, leading to Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) that can act as catalysts for creating carbon allotropes. The shape of the allotropes can be effectively tailored from GQDs to CNTs by controlling three key parameters such as the dose of catalytic ions (D), amounts of carbon source (S), and thermal energy (T). In our work, it was clearly proved that the growth control from GQDs to CNTs has a comparably proportional relationship with D and S, but has a reverse proportional relationship with T. Furthermore, high-purity GQDs without any other by-products and the CNTs with the cap of PtNPs were generated. Their shapes were appropriately controlled, respectively, based on the established synthesis mechanism.

Differential decline of lung function in COPD patients according to structural abnormality in chest CT.

Background: Different progressions or prognoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported according to structural abnormalities based on chest computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to investigate whether different structural abnormalities independently affect annual lung function changes and clinical prognosis in patients with COPD. Methods: This longitudinal multicenter observational study was conducted using the KOCOSS cohort (NCT02800499) database in Korea from January 2012 to December 2019. For COPD patients with chest CT findings at baseline enrolment and longitudinal spirometric data, annual forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline rate (mL/year) and clinical outcomes were compared according to structural abnormalities, including emphysema, bronchiectasis (BE), and tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL). We estimated the adjusted annual FEV1 changes using a mixed-effect linear regression model. Results: Among the enrolled 237 patients, 152 showed structural abnormalities. Emphysema, BE, and TDL were observed in 119 (78.3%), 28 (18.4%), and 27 (17.8%) patients, respectively. The annual decline in FEV1 was faster in COPD patients with structural abnormalities than those without (ß = -70.6 mL/year, P-value = 0.039). BE/TDL-dominant or emphysema-dominant structural abnormality contributed to an accelerated annual FEV1 decline compared to no structural abnormality (BE/TDL-dominant, ß = -103.7 mL/year, P-value = 0.043; emphysema-dominant, ß = -84.1 mL/year, P-value = 0.018). Structural abnormalities made no significant differences in acute exacerbation rate and mortality. Conclusion: The lung function decline rate in COPD differed according to structural abnormalities on CT. These findings may suggest that more focus should be placed on earlier intervention or regular follow-up with spirometry in COPD patients with BE or TDL on chest CT.

Components of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test Associated with the Exacerbation of Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) score is widely used for evaluating the health status of patients diagnosed with COPD. The aim of this study was to identify which components of the CAT are associated with exacerbations in severe COPD patients. METHODS: Using data from the Korean COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS), we identified 3,440 COPD patients, among which 1,027 patients are classified as having severe COPD based on spirometry results. The CAT scores on 8 items were evaluated and classified into respiratory and non-respiratory categories. We analyzed the association between CAT item scores and moderate-to-severe exacerbations during study enrollment and the following years. RESULTS: Patients with a history of moderate-to-severe exacerbations had higher scores on non-respiratory CAT components. Longitudinal CAT scores on all items after enrollment were higher in the moderate-to-severe exacerbation group. Additionally, the frequency of severe exacerbations was associated with specific CAT components related to limited activities, confidence leaving home, sleeplessness, and energy. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the non-respiratory CAT component scores were statistically significant factors for predicting the moderate-to-severe exacerbation of severe COPD patients. Non-respiratory symptoms and functional limitations should be considered in patients with severe COPD. Interventions, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, may be needed to improve patients' overall well-being and prevent exacerbations.

Whey Peptide Alleviates Muscle Atrophy by Strongly Regulating Myocyte Differentiation in Mice.

Background and Objectives: Muscle atrophy occurs when protein degradation exceeds protein synthesis, resulting in imbalanced protein homeostasis, compromised muscle contraction, and a reduction in muscle mass. The incidence of muscle atrophy is increasingly recognized as a significant worldwide public health problem. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of whey peptide (WP) on muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone (DEX) in mice. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups, each consisting of nine individuals. WPs were orally administered to C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks. DEX was administered for 5-6 weeks to induce muscle atrophy (intraperitoneal injection, i.p.). Results: Microcomputer tomography (CT) analysis confirmed that WP significantly increased calf muscle volume and surface area in mice with DEX-induced muscle atrophy, as evidenced by tissue staining. Furthermore, it increased the area of muscle fibers and facilitated greater collagen deposition. Moreover, WP significantly decreased the levels of serum biomarkers associated with muscle damage, kidney function, and inflammatory cytokines. WP increased p-mTOR and p-p70S6K levels through the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, while concurrently decreasing protein catabolism via the FOXO pathway. Furthermore, the expression of proteins associated with myocyte differentiation increased noticeably. Conclusions: These results confirm that WP reduces muscle atrophy by regulating muscle protein homeostasis. Additionally, it is believed that it helps to relieve muscle atrophy by regulating the expression of myocyte differentiation factors. Therefore, we propose that WP plays a significant role in preventing and treating muscle wasting by functioning as a supplement to counteract muscle atrophy.

Tongue-in-Groove: A Novel Implant Design for a Blow-Out Fracture.

Background: During blow-out fracture surgery, restoration of the orbital volume and rigid implant fixation are essential. The migration of an implant is a concern of most surgeons. The purpose of this study was to introduce a simple idea of molding and fixing an orbital implant. Methods: In the tongue-in-groove method, an incision of about 2 mm was made on the edge of the implant and it was bent to form a slot. A hole was made in the center of the implant for fitting a bone hook, and the implant was firmly fit into the remaining intact bone. Before and after surgery, computed tomography (CT) was used to evaluate changes in the orbital volume and the location of the implant. Statistically significant restoration of the orbital volume was confirmed on postoperative CT. Results: Compared with the unaffected orbital volume, the affected orbital volume was increased from 87.06 ± 7.92% before surgery to 96.14 ± 6.11% after surgery (p < 0.001). There was one case of implant migration during follow-up. However, the degree of movement was not severe, and there were no events during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The tongue-in-groove technique offers advantages, such as easy fixation of the implant, with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues. In addition, the method offers advantages, such as being easy to learn, requiring little time for trimming the implant, and being relatively low cost. Therefore, it can be one of the options for implant fixation.

Isolated respiratory tract microorganisms and clinical characteristics in asthma exacerbation of obese patients: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Viral infection is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation (AE). However, bacterial infections related to AE in adults are poorly known. On the other hand, obese patients with asthma have their own clinical and biological characteristics compared with non-obese patients. METHODS: We investigated the differences in isolated pathogens for AE between obese and non-obese patients with asthma. We included 407 patients with AE from 24 medical centers in Korea. Microorganisms isolated from culture, RT-PCR or serologic tests using lower respiratory tract specimens were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: A total of 171 obese and 236 non-obese patients with asthma were included for analysis. Compared to non-obese patients, obese patients were associated with women (77.2% vs. 63.6%), never smoker (82.5% vs. 73.9%), shorter duration of asthma (7.9 ± 8.4 vs. 10.5 ± 10.1 years), less history of pulmonary tuberculosis (8.8% vs. 17.4%), and more comorbidity of allergic rhinitis (48.5% vs. 0.8%). Viral and/or bacterial infections were detected in 205 patients (50.4%) with AE. The numbers of patients with viral only, bacterial only, or both infections were 119, 49, and 37, respectively. The most commonly isolated bacterium was Streptococcus pneumoniae, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Obese patients showed a lower incidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. In the non-obese group, bacterial infection, especially Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, was significantly associated with the duration of systemic corticosteroid use (13.6 ± 19.8 vs. 9.7 ± 6.7 days, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Bacterial infection was associated with a longer period of corticosteroid use in the non-obese group. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was less associated with obese patients with AE. Further well-designed studies are needed to evaluate microorganisms and the efficacy of antibiotics in patients with AE.

Spirometric Interpretation and Clinical Relevance According to Different Reference Equations.

BACKGROUND: Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-2012 reference equation is currently suggested for interpretation of spirometry results and a new local reference equation has been developed in South Korea. However, lung function profiles according to the different reference equations and their clinical relevance have not been identified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study evaluated Choi's, Korean National Health and National Examination Survey (KNHANES)-VI, and GLI-2012 reference equations. We estimated the percentages of predictive forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and airflow limitation severity according to reference equations and analyzed their associations with patient reported outcomes (PROs): COPD assessment test (CAT) score, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD patients (SGRQ-C) score, and six minute walk distance (6MWD). RESULTS: In the eligible 2,180 COPD patients, lower predicted values of FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) were found in GLI-2012 compared to Choi's and KNHANES-VI equations. GLI-2012 equation resulted in a lower proportion of patients being classified as FEV1 < 80% or FVC < 80% compared to the other equations. However, the Z-scores of FEV1 and FVC were similar between the KNHANES-VI and GLI-2012 equations. Three reference equations exhibited significant associations between FEV1 (%) and patient-reported outcomes (CAT score, SGRQ-C score, and 6MWD). CONCLUSION: GLI-2012 reference equation may not accurately reflect FEV1 (%) in the Korean population, but the Z-score using GLI-2012 equation can be a viable option for assessing FEV1 and airflow limitation in COPD patients. Similar to the other two equations, the GLI-2012 equation demonstrated significant associations with PROs.

OsbZIP38/87-mediated activation of OsHXK7 improves the viability of rice cells under hypoxic conditions.

Maintenance of energy metabolism is critical for rice (Oryza sativa) tolerance under submerged cultivation. Here, OsHXK7 was the most actively induced hexokinase gene in the embryos of hypoxically germinating rice seeds. Suspension-cultured cells established from seeds of T-DNA null mutants for the OsHXK7 locus did not regrow after 3-d-hypoxic stress and showed increased susceptibility to low-oxygen stress-in terms of viability-and decreased alcoholic fermentation activities compared to those of the wild-type. The promoter element containing the TGACG-motif, a well-known target site for the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors, was responsible for sugar regulation of the OsHXK7 promoter activity. Systematic screening of the OsbZIP genes showing the similar expression patterns to that of OsHXK7 in the transcriptomic datasets produced two bZIP genes, OsbZIP38 and 87, belonging to the S1 bZIP subfamily as the candidate for the activator for this gene expression. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments through transient expression assays have demonstrated that these two bZIP proteins are indeed involved in the induction of OsHXK7 expression under starvation or low-energy conditions. Our finding suggests that C/S1 bZIP network-mediated hypoxic deregulation of sugar-responsive genes may work in concert for the molecular adaptation of rice cells to submergence.

Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid Absorbable Plate Graft for Secondary Rhinoplasty in Asian Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip Nose Deformity.

INTRODUCTION: In secondary cleft lip and nasal deformity (CLND) correction, structural grafts are commonly used to control the nasal tip and restore the symmetry of the ala. However, the septal cartilage in Asians often weak and small. Biocompatible absorbable materials are alternatives to autologous grafts. This study assessed the surgical outcomes and complications of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) plate grafts in secondary CLND correction. METHODS: This study was retrospectively analyzed for patients who underwent secondary rhinoplasty for unilateral CLND correction between March 2015 and November 2020. Using open rhinoplasty, the PLGA plate was grafted as a columellar strut. Clinical photographs taken at the initial (T0) and follow-up visits (T1: short-term, T2: long-term) were analyzed and anthropometric parameters, such as nostril height and width, dome height, and tip height, were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included in this study. The mean T1 and T2 periods were 1.0 ± 0.4 and 15.5 ± 3.1 months, respectively. The nostril height ratio increased from 0.78 ± 0.12 at T0 to 0.88 ± 0.08 at T1 and 0.86 ± 0.09 at T2 (p < 0.001; Relapse ratio -2.6 ± 6.7%). The tip height ratio increased from 0.60 ± 0.07 (T0) to 0.66 ± 0.05 (T2) (Relapse ratio -3.7 ± 3.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The PLGA plate graft provided stable nasal tip projection and alar symmetry without major complications. It can be a good option for patients lacking available septal and concha cartilages or apprehensive of additional scarring.