Lipid profile in patients with androgenetic alopecia: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have reported that androgenetic alopecia (AGA) might be a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, and the association of AGA with dyslipidaemia has been studied. However, the results were controversial and previous meta-analyses had several critical limitations. OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis to clarify whether AGA patients have abnormal lipid profiles. METHODS: A literature search was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and KOREA MED databases. RESULTS: We pooled 19 observational studies and performed a meta-analysis to compare serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the cholesterol levels between AGA and control groups. The serum total cholesterol, TG and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the AGA group than in the control group, and the standardized mean differences were 0.377 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.182-0.572, P < 0.001), 0.426 (95% CI: 0.164-0.688, P = 0.001) and 0.450 (95% CI: 0.171-0.728, P = 0.002) respectively. In addition, HDL cholesterol level was significantly lower in the AGA group than in the control group, and the standardized mean difference was -0.248 (95% CI: -0.472 to -0.023, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: AGA patients showed statistically significant abnormal lipid profiles, and this might partly explain the association between AGA and cardiovascular diseases.

Direct correlation of structural and electrical properties of electron-doped individual VO2 nanowires on devised TEM grids.

Nano-scale VO2 wires with controlled parameters such as electron-doping have attracted intense interest due to their capability of suppressing the temperature of the metal-insulator transition (MIT). However, because their diameters are smaller than the spatial resolutions of the conventional measuring equipment, the ability to perform a thorough examination of the wires has been hindered. Here, we report the fabrication of a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid with an optimum design of Si3N4 windows on which the photolithography for individual electron-doped VO2 nanowire devices can be safely accomplished, allowing the cross-examination of the structural and electrical properties. TEM dark-field imaging was used to quantitatively investigate the fractions of rutile and M1 phases, and their lattice alignments were observed using high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) with small area diffraction. Moreover, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) revealed that the rutile domain would be created by the strain induced by oxygen vacancies. Importantly, we successfully tuned the transition temperature by changing the rutile fraction while maintaining a high level of resistivity change. The resistivity at room temperature linearly decreased with the rutile fraction, following a simple model. Furthermore, the T dependence of the threshold voltage can be attributed to the Joule heating, exhibiting an identical thermal dependence, irrespective of the rutile fraction.

Highest fusion performance without harmful edge energy bursts in tokamak.

The path of tokamak fusion and International thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER) is maintaining high-performance plasma to produce sufficient fusion power. This effort is hindered by the transient energy burst arising from the instabilities at the boundary of plasmas. Conventional 3D magnetic perturbations used to suppress these instabilities often degrade fusion performance and increase the risk of other instabilities. This study presents an innovative 3D field optimization approach that leverages machine learning and real-time adaptability to overcome these challenges. Implemented in the DIII-D and KSTAR tokamaks, this method has consistently achieved reactor-relevant core confinement and the highest fusion performance without triggering damaging bursts. This is enabled by advances in the physics understanding of self-organized transport in the plasma edge and machine learning techniques to optimize the 3D field spectrum. The success of automated, real-time adaptive control of such complex systems paves the way for maximizing fusion efficiency in ITER and beyond while minimizing damage to device components.

Potential overestimation of cognitive impairment because of hearing loss: impact of test modalities on cognitive test scores.

OBJECTIVE: Hearing impairment in older adults may affect cognitive function and increase the risk of dementia. Most cognitive tests are delivered auditorily, and individuals with hearing loss may fail to hear verbal instructions. Greater listening difficulty and fatigue in acoustic conditions may impact test performance. This study aimed to examine the effect of decreased audibility on cognitive screening test performance in older adults. METHOD: Older adults (n = 63) with different levels of hearing loss completed a standard auditory Mini-Mental State Examination test and a written version of the test. RESULTS: Individuals with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss (41-70 dB) performed significantly better on the written (24.34 ± 4.90) than on the standard test (22.55 ± 6.25), whereas scores were not impacted for mild hearing loss (less than 40 dB). CONCLUSION: Hearing evaluations should be included in cognitive assessment, and test performance should be carefully interpreted in individuals with hearing loss to avoid overestimating cognitive decline.

Homocysteine, folate and pregnancy outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between maternal and/or cord blood folate/homocysteine concentrations and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study population included a random sample of singleton pregnant women in whom we measured total homocysteine and folic acid in maternal or cord blood at deliveries. A total of 227 pregnant women were enrolled. The concentration of folate in maternal blood tended to be significantly lower in pre-term birth than in full-term delivery group (median (95% CI), 14.4 (3.6-73) vs 25 (7.3-105.5) p < 0.01). The total homocysteine in maternal and cord blood was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia than in the normotensive group (7.9 (1.7-28.2) vs 5.9 (1.8-14.6) µmol/ml, p < 0.05; and 5.8 (2.6-14.4) vs 4.2 (0.7-7.9) ng/ml, p < 0.05, respectively). Lower maternal serum folate concentration is associated with pre-term delivery and higher maternal plasma homocysteine concentration with pre-eclampsia.

A survey of enteric organisms detected by real-time PCR assay in faeces of dogs in Western Australia.

This retrospective observational study reports the enteric organisms detected in dogs in Western Australia that had a faecal PCR (fPCR) submitted to a commercial veterinary laboratory. Of 2025 fPCR results, Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin gene was most frequently detected (87.2%), followed by Campylobacter spp. (37.8%), canine parvovirus (10.5%), Giardia spp. (9.7%), Salmonella spp. (7.0%), canine enteric coronavirus (2.3%), and canine distemper virus (0.3%). C.perfringens alpha toxin gene and Campylobacter spp. were the most common organisms co-detected. There was no statistically significant seasonal variation. Further studies are required to elucidate the role these organisms play in gastrointestinal disease in dogs.

Monte carlo simulations of tau proteins: effect of phosphorylation.

We perform Monte Carlo simulations of tau proteins bound to a cylinder that mimics a microtubule (MT), and then study them in solution. Tau protein binds to a highly anionic MT surface to stabilize the cylindrical structure of MT. The negatively charged tail domain floats away from the anionic MT surface while positively charged tau segments localize near the MT surface. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that, in 3RS tau isoform (which has three imperfect repeats (R) short (S) isoform), amino acids are more condensed near a highly charged interface compared to 4RL isoform (which has four imperfect repeats (R) long (L) isoform). In 4RL isoform, amino acids in tail domain stay mostly apart from the MT surface. In the bulk solution, dephosphorylated taus are separated due to Coulomb repulsion between similarly charged isoforms. Moderate phosphorylation of 3RS isoform decreases average intermolecular distance between dephosphorylated and phosphorylated taus and lead to their overlap. Further phosphorylation does not change noticeably the intermolecular distances.

Electrophysiological evidence for endogenous control of attention in switching between languages in overt picture naming.

Language switching in bilingual speakers requires attentional control to select the appropriate language, for example, in picture naming. Previous language-switch studies used the color of pictures to indicate the required language thereby confounding endogenous and exogenous control. To investigate endogenous language control, our language cues preceded picture stimuli by 750 msec. Cue-locked event-related potentials (ERPs) were measured while Dutch-English bilingual speakers overtly named pictures. The response language on consecutive trials could be the same (repeat trials) or different (switch trials). Naming latencies were longer on switch than on repeat trials, independent of the response language. Cue-locked ERPs showed an early posterior negativity for switch compared to repeat trials for L2 but not for L1, and a late anterior negativity for switch compared to repeat trials for both languages. The early switch-repeat effect might reflect disengaging from the nontarget native language, whereas the late switch-repeat effect reflects engaging in the target language. Implications for models of bilingual word production are discussed.

Lamellar phase coexistence induced by electrostatic interactions.

Membranes containing highly charged biomolecules can have a minimal free-energy state at small separations that originates in the strongly correlated electrostatic interactions mediated by counterions. This phenomenon can lead to a condensed, lamellar phase of charged membranes that coexists in thermodynamic equilibrium with a very dilute membrane phase. Although the dilute phase is mostly water, entropy dictates that this phase must contain some membranes and counterions. Thus, electrostatics alone can give rise to the coexistence of a condensed and an unbound lamellar phase. We use numerical simulations to predict the nature of this coexistence when the charge density of the membrane is large, for the case of multivalent counterions and for a membrane charge that is characteristic of biomolecules. We also investigate the effects of counterion size and salt on the two coexisting phases. With increasing salt concentration, we predict that electrostatic screening by salt can destroy the phase separation.

Faecal PCR panel results and clinical findings in Western Australian dogs with diarrhoea.

AIM: To describe faecal PCR (fPCR) results and clinical findings of dogs seen at a university teaching hospital for diarrhoea. DESIGN: Retrospective case series (April 2015 to July 2018). PROCEDURE: Data were collected from the hospital electronic medical records. Data extracted included signalment, history, clinical signs, treatment, fPCR panel results, other faecal diagnostic test results and antimicrobial use. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight dogs with diarrhoea had a fPCR panel submitted. Most dogs (115, 68.5%) had diarrhoea of 3 days or less duration. Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin gene was most frequently detected (156, 92.9%) by fPCR, followed by Campylobacter spp. (55, 32.7%), canine parvovirus (CPV) (29, 17.3%), Salmonella spp. (14, 8.3%) and Giardia spp. (9, 5.4%). For the 45 dogs that had a negative point-of-care CPV test, 13 were CPV fPCR positive; some of which were adult dogs with current vaccination status. A total of 94/168 (56%) dogs received antimicrobials at some time during the treatment of diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: Faecal PCR panels can identify dogs with enteric organisms in their faeces that traditional faecal diagnostics may miss, thus contributing additional information to the diagnostic process. Nonetheless, fPCR results should be interpreted in light of the clinical findings, and particular consideration given to avoiding inappropriate use of antimicrobials. This study highlights that testing for C. perfringens alpha toxin gene is not likely to be diagnostically helpful, and that adult dogs with diarrhoea might be identified as CPV positive with PCR testing, despite a negative point-of-care CPV test result and a current vaccination status.

Human microtubule-associated-protein tau regulates the number of protofilaments in microtubules: a synchrotron x-ray scattering study.

Microtubules (MTs), a major component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton, are 25 nm protein nanotubes with walls comprised of assembled protofilaments built from alphabeta heterodimeric tubulin. In neural cells, different isoforms of the microtubule-associated-protein (MAP) tau regulate tubulin assembly and MT stability. Using synchrotron small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), we have examined the effects of all six naturally occurring central nervous system tau isoforms on the assembly structure of taxol-stabilized MTs. Most notably, we found that tau regulates the distribution of protofilament numbers in MTs as reflected in the observed increase in the average radius R(MT) of MTs with increasing Phi, the tau/tubulin-dimer molar ratio. Within experimental scatter, the change in R(MT) seems to be isoform independent. Significantly, R(MT) was observed to rapidly increase for 0 < Phi < 0.2 and saturate for Phi between 0.2-0.5. Thus, a local shape distortion of the tubulin dimer on tau binding, at coverages much less than a monolayer, is spread collectively over many dimers on the scale of protofilaments. This implies that tau regulates the shape of protofilaments and thus the spontaneous curvature C(o)(MT) of MTs leading to changes in the curvature C(MT) (=1/R(MT)). An important biological implication of these findings is a possible allosteric role for tau where the tau-induced shape changes of the MT surface may effect the MT binding activity of other MAPs present in neurons. Furthermore, the results, which provide insight into the regulation of the elastic properties of MTs by tau, may also impact biomaterials applications requiring radial size-controlled nanotubes.

Surface tension measurements of surface freezing in liquid normal alkanes.

Surface tension measurements reveal surface freezing in liquid n-alkanes. A solid monolayer of molecules is found to exist up to 30 degrees C above the bulk freezing point. This surface phase exists only for carbon numbers 14 n

A numerical study of the electrostatic properties of two finite-width charged dielectric slabs in water.

A numerical algorithm based on the image charge method is introduced to calculate the electrostatic potential, energy, and forces present in systems involving multiple point charges embedded in an inhomogeneous dielectric environment composed of five parallel dielectric slabs. The methodology is implemented within Monte Carlo simulations to calculate the thermal properties of two charged dielectric plates of finite thickness immersed in water.

Auxiliary partial orthotopic living donor liver transplantation in a patient with Wilson's disease: a case report.

A patient with end-stage liver cirrhosis and neurological disorder due to Wilson's disease (WD) underwent auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) using a living donor. He first visited our institute complaining of hand tremor, which was diagnosed as WD. Despite medical therapy, hepatic impairment progressed toward portal hypertensive complications. He was considered a suitable candidate for living donor-related liver transplantation. However, because of the impossibility of mobilization of the lateral section due to severe splenomegaly at the time of the recipient operation, we performed an APOLT using a right lobe graft. After transplantation, he suffered hepatic vein stenosis and biliary stenosis, receiving interventional therapy. The remnant native liver volume decreased, and the volume of the graft increased serially after transplantation. At the time of reporting, the patient had a normal working life with normal serum ceruloplasmin level and without neurologic problems at 26 months posttransplantation. APOLT may be a therapeutic option for patients with WD.

Salvage liver transplantation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection: feasibility of the Milan criteria and operative risk.

INTRODUCTION: Although the Milan criteria are widely accepted for liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), they have not been fully evaluated as feasible for salvage liver transplantation (SLT) of recurrent HCC after hepatic resection. The operative difficulties of SLT increase the operative risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the Milan criteria for SLT and its operative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2005 to November 2007, 46 HCC patients received OLT including 15 SLTs after prior partial hepatectomy (SLT group) and 31 primary OLTs (PLT group). RESULTS: There was no postsurgical hospital mortality among the SLT group but one case in the PLT group due to pneumonia followed by sepsis. There was no difference in the incidence of surgical complications between the two groups. Overall survival rates of SLT group patients were similar to those of the PLT group (P = .14), especially comparing both groups of patients within the Milan criteria (P = .89). There was no recurrence of HCC among the patients within the Milan criteria. CONCLUSIONS: SLT is a feasible procedure for recurrent HCC meeting the Milan criteria; the operative risk of the SLT is also acceptable.

Effects and problems of adult ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation using protocol of plasma exchange, intra-arterial infusion therapy, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody without splenectomy: case reports of initial experiences and results in Korea.

INTRODUCTION: Adult ABO-incompatible liver transplantation is associated with a high risk of graft failure due to antibody-mediated humoral rejection (AMR). We evaluated the effects of a protocol using preoperative removal of isohemagglutinin, rituximab prophylaxis, and intrahepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy for ABO-incompatible adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2005 and September 2007, we performed 94 adult LDLTs, including 3 ABO-incompatible cases. All ABO-incompatible LDLT patients underwent administration of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab on preoperative days 15 and 8 without splenectomy, as well as preoperative removal of isohemagglutinin using plasma exchange, and HAI therapy for postoperative 21 days. RESULTS: Postoperative anti-donor blood-type antibody titer and B-cell level were effectively suppressed by early rituximab prophylaxis in all patients. HAI therapy was effective to prevent AMR and even resolved mild AMR. However, all patients suffered bacterial infections, and 1 died of septicemia with good graft function. Another subject died of late-onset AMR that occurred after discontinuation of HAI therapy. CONCLUSION: An ABO-incompatible LDLT protocol using plasma exchange, rituximab prophylaxis, and intra-HAI therapy effectively suppressed anti-A/B antibody and prevented AMR. But this protocol should be further improved to reduce infectious complications and late onset of AMR.

Effects of dielectric discontinuities on two charged plates.

Counterions in a biological system are charged in water and interact with charged macroions, which are generally made up of hydrocarbons. The dielectric difference between water and the hydrocarbon substrates occurs naturally, and may greatly affect the electrostatic properties of biological systems. Particularly for a slab geometry, bulk counterions that are dissolved in water are driven to the midplane of the slab because of their repulsive interaction with their image charges. The pressure between two charged plates becomes less repulsive since the low dielectric constant of the hydrocarbon substrate creates stronger association between counterions and surface charges as compared to the case of no dielectric discontinuity.

Effective anatomic reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein in modified right lobe graft living donor liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Adult liver transplantation using the right lobe graft without a middle hepatic vein (MHV; modified right lobe graft) has widely been used to compensate for the cadaveric organ shortage. To provide appropriate functional graft volume in the right lobe graft used for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), successful reconstruction of the MHV is required. We have described herein the effectiveness of an anatomic MHV reconstruction technique with tailoring donor hepatectomy and uniformed MHV reconstruction for modified right lobe grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2005 to August 2006, 15 adult patients received modified right lobe graft LDLT using a donor hepatectomy technique that exposed the right side of the MHV combined with a bench procedure that reconstructed the modified right lobe graft into the shape of extended right lobe graft, and a modified piggyback anastomosis. RESULTS: A total of 42 V5/V8s were reconstructed with 15 newly formed MHVs. The mean estimated congestion area was 4.2+/-2.7% of the total graft volume on computed tomography. The mean pressure gradient between the reconstructed MHV and the recipient inferior vena cava was 2.1+/-1.6 mmHg on postoperative day (POD) 7. None of the patients required any procedure for an outflow problem. The patency rates of the reconstructed MHV and its tributaries were 100% (15/15) and 95.2% (40/42), respectively, at POD 30; 100% (15/15) and 73.8% (31/42) at POD 60; and 86.7% (13/15) and 54.8% (23/42) at POD 90. All recipients are currently alive with good liver function. CONCLUSION: Our procedure seems to be effective for the reconstruction of MHV and its tributaries, and could make modified right lobe graft into the anatomic figure of extended right lobe graft as well as achieve the physiologic advantages of an extended right lobe graft.

Interaction between two inhomogeneously charged parallel surfaces in the strong coupling regime.

The counterion density profile and pressure between two inhomogenously charged parallel plates are analyzed analytically and numerically in the strong-coupling regime. Point charges are used and the surface charges are immobile. It is found that when the surface charge distribution is inhomogeneous, the charge coupling effect becomes stronger, the counterion spatial distribution is more localized toward the plate surfaces, and, thus, the pressure between two plates becomes lower than in the case when the surface charge distribution is homogeneous.

Intraarterial thrombolytic treatment for hepatic artery thrombosis immediately after living donor liver transplantation.

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains one of the major causes of graft failure and mortality in liver transplant recipients. This complication requires early diagnosis and revascularization to avoid graft loss. We have reported herein two cases of successful urokinase intraarterial thrombolytic treatment for HAT in the immediate postoperative period after LDLT. Significant elevation of liver transaminases was noted 6 and 4 hours after LDLT and HAT confirmed by three-dimensional computed tomogram and angiogram. Both patients were treated successfully with intraarterial thrombolysis using an urokinase infusion (a total dose of 200,000 to 250,000 IU over 20 to 25 minutes) immediately after HAT was confirmed. One patient underwent laparotomy and bleeder ligation owing to hepatic arterial anastomotic site bleeding after thrombolysis. These two patients remain in good condition without any ischemic graft sequelae at 7 and 8 months follow-up. In conclusion, intraarterial thrombolysis using an urokinase infusion could be considered as one of the treatment modalities of acute HAT following LDLT even in the immediate postoperative period.