Low household income increases the risk of tuberculosis recurrence: a retrospective nationwide cohort study in South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the impact of household income on tuberculosis (TB) recurrence and the long-term impact of TB on household income. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective nationwide cohort study of patients with drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) and TB recurrence. METHODS: Using the South Korean national TB cohort database, we identified a sub-set cohort of patients with newly diagnosed drug-susceptible TB between 2013 and 2016 and tracked their TB recurrence and longitudinal income data from 2007 to 2018. Income levels were evaluated as 'Medical aid' and quintile categories. To assess risk factors associated with TB recurrence, we used a sub-distribution hazard model, adjusting for the competing risks of death. RESULTS: Of 66,690 patients successfully treated with DS-TB, 2095 (3.1 %) experienced recurrence during a median follow-up of 39 months. The incidence of TB recurrence was 982.1/100,000 person-years, with 50.3 % of the recurrences occurring within 1 year of treatment completion. The risk of TB recurrence increased with decreasing income levels, with the highest risk observed in the lowest income group. The effect of income on TB recurrence was prominent in males but not in females. Overall, patients with TB recurrence experienced a linear decline in income levels, compared with those without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Household income during the initial TB episode was an important risk factor for TB recurrence, particularly in males.

Particulate suspension coating of capillary tubes.

The displacement of a suspension of particles by an immiscible fluid in a capillary tube or in porous media is a canonical configuration that finds application in a large number of natural and industrial applications, including water purification, dispersion of colloids and microplastics, coating and functionalization of tubings. The influence of particles dispersed in the fluid on the interfacial dynamics and on the properties of the liquid film left behind remain poorly understood. Here, we study the deposition of a coating film on the walls of a capillary tube induced by the translation of a suspension plug pushed by air. We identify the different deposition regimes as a function of the translation speed of the plug, the particle size, and the volume fraction of the suspension. The thickness of the coating film is characterized, and we show that similarly to dip coating, three coating regimes are observed, liquid only, heterogeneous, and thick films. We also show that, at first order, the thickness of films thicker than the particle diameter can be predicted using the effective viscosity of the suspension. Nevertheless, we also report that for large particles and concentrated suspensions, a shear-induced migration mechanism leads to local variations in volume fraction and modifies the deposited film thickness and composition.

Nanoscale heat transport through the hetero-interface of SrRuO3 thin films.

A SrRuO3 thin film has been widely used as a metal electrode in electronic devices based on transition metal oxides, and hence it is important to understand its thermal transport properties to minimize a thermal degradation problem during the device operation. Using the time-domain thermoreflectance measurement technique, we investigate the cross-plane thermal conductivity of the SrRuO3 thin films with a thickness variation from 1 µm to 8 nm. We find that the thermal conductivity is reduced from about 6 W m-1 K-1 for the 1 µm thick film to about 1.2 W m-1 K-1 for the 8 nm thick film, and attribute this behavior to the boundary scattering of thermal carriers which originally have the mean free path of about 20 nm in a bulk state. Also, we observe a clear dip behavior of the thermal conductivity in the intermediate thickness around 30 nm which suggests an existence of a strong scattering source other than the film boundary. We explain this result by considering an additional interfacial scattering at the tetragonal-orthorhombic phase boundary which is formed during the strain relaxation with an increase of the film thickness.

Image quality of CT angiography in young children with congenital heart disease: a comparison between the sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) and advanced modelled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) algorithms.

AIM: To compare the image quality of computed tomography angiography (CTA) reconstructed by sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) with that of advanced modelled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one children (8.23±13.92 months) with CHD who underwent CTA were enrolled. Images were reconstructed using SAFIRE (strength 5) and ADMIRE (strength 5). Objective image qualities (attenuation, noise) were measured in the great vessels and heart chambers. Two radiologists independently calculated the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) by measuring the intensity and noise of the myocardial walls. Subjective noise, diagnostic confidence, and sharpness at the level prior to the first branch of the main pulmonary artery were also graded by the two radiologists independently. RESULTS: The objective image noise of ADMIRE was significantly lower than that of SAFIRE in the right atrium, right ventricle, and myocardial wall (p<0.05); however, there were no significant differences observed in the attenuations among the four chambers and great vessels, except in the pulmonary arteries (p>0.05). The mean CNR values were 21.56±10.80 for ADMIRE and 18.21±6.98 for SAFIRE, which were significantly different (p<0.05). In addition, the diagnostic confidence of ADMIRE was significantly lower than that of SAFIRE (p<0.05), while the subjective image noise and sharpness of ADMIRE were not significantly different (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: CTA using ADMIRE was superior to SAFIRE when comparing the objective and subjective image quality in children with CHD.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit Kv1.4 by interacting with positively charged extracellular pore residues.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modulate voltage-gated K(+) channel inactivation by an unknown site and mechanism. The effects of ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs were investigated on the heterologously expressed Kv1.4 channel. PUFAs inhibited wild-type Kv1.4 during repetitive pulsing as a result of slowing of recovery from inactivation. In a mutant Kv1.4 channel lacking N-type inactivation, PUFAs reversibly enhanced C-type inactivation (Kd, 15-43 µM). C-type inactivation was affected by extracellular H(+) and K(+) as well as PUFAs and there was an interaction among the three: the effect of PUFAs was reversed during acidosis and abolished on raising K(+) Replacement of two positively charged residues in the extracellular pore (H508 and K532) abolished the effects of the PUFAs (and extracellular H(+) and K(+)) on C-type inactivation but had no effect on the lipoelectric modulation of voltage sensor activation, suggesting two separable interaction sites/mechanisms of action of PUFAs. Charge calculations suggest that the acidic head group of the PUFAs raises the pKa of H508 and this reduces the K(+) occupancy of the selectivity filter, stabilizing the C-type inactivated state.

Role of Arabidopsis AtPI4Kγ3, a type II phosphoinositide 4-kinase, in abiotic stress responses and floral transition.

Phosphoinositides (PIs) are essential metabolites which are generated by various lipid kinases and rapidly respond to a variety of environmental stimuli in eukaryotes. One of the precursors of important regulatory PIs, phosphatidylinositol (PtdIn) 4-phosphate, is synthesized by PtdIns 4-kinases (PI4K). Despite its wide distribution in eukaryotes, its role in plants remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the activity of AtPI4Kγ3 gene, an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) type II PtdIn 4-kinase, is regulated by DNA demethylation and some abiotic stresses. AtPI4Kγ3 is targeted to the nucleus and selectively bounds to a few PtdIns. It possessed autophosphorylation activity but unexpectedly had no detectable lipid kinase activity. Overexpression of AtPI4Kγ3 revealed enhanced tolerance to high salinity or ABA along with inducible expression of a host of stress-responsive genes and an optimal accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, overexpressed AtPI4Kγ3 augmented the salt tolerance of bzip60 mutants. The ubiquitin-like domain of AtPI4Kγ3 is demonstrated to be essential for salt stress tolerance. Besides, AtPI4Kγ3-overexpressed plants showed a late-flowering phenotype, which was caused by the regulation of some flowering pathway integrators. In all, our results indicate that AtPI4Kγ3 is necessary for reinforcement of plant response to abiotic stresses and delay of the floral transition.

Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 cashew allergens share cross-reactive CD4(+) T cell epitopes with other tree nuts.

BACKGROUND: Allergies to cashew are increasing in prevalence, with clinical symptoms ranging from oral pruritus to fatal anaphylactic reaction. Yet, cashew-specific T cell epitopes and T cell cross-reactivity amongst cashew and other tree nut allergens in humans remain uncharacterized. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we characterized cashew-specific T cell responses in cashew-allergic subjects and examined cross-reactivity of these cashew-specific cells towards other tree nut allergens. METHODS: CD154 up-regulation assay was used to determine immunodominance hierarchy among cashew major allergens at the T cell level. The phenotype, magnitude and functionality of cashew-specific T cells were determined by utilizing ex vivo staining with MHC class II tetramers. Dual tetramer staining and proliferation experiments were used to determine cross-reactivity to other tree nuts. RESULTS: CD4(+) T cell responses were directed towards cashew allergens Ana o 1 and Ana o 2. Multiple Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 T cell epitopes were then identified. These epitopes elicited either TH 2 or TH 2/TH 17 responses in allergic subjects, which were either cashew unique epitope or cross-reactive epitopes. For clones that recognized the cross-reactive epitope, T cell clones responded robustly to cashew, hazelnut and/or pistachio but not to walnut. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetically diverse tree nut allergens can activate cashew-reactive T cells and elicit a TH 2-type response at an epitope-specific level. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lack of cross-reactivity between walnut and cashew suggests that cashew peptide immunotherapy approach may not be most effective for walnut.

Mutational characteristics of ANK1 and SPTB genes in hereditary spherocytosis.

The aim of this study was to describe the mutational characteristics in Korean hereditary spherocytosis (HS) patients. Relevant literatures including genetically confirmed cases with well-documented clinical summaries and relevant information were also reviewed to investigate the mutational gene- or domain-specific laboratory and clinical association. Twenty-five HS patients carried one heterozygous mutation of ANK1 (n = 13) or SPTB (n = 12) but not in SPTA1, SLC4A1, or EPB42. Deleterious mutations including frameshift, nonsense, and splice site mutations were identified in 91% (21/23), and non-hotspot mutations were dispersed across multiple exons. Genotype-phenotype correlation was clarified after combined analysis of the cases and the literature review; anemia was most severe in HS patients with mutations on the ANK1 spectrin-binding domain (p < 0.05), and SPTB mutations in HS patients spared the tetramerization domain in which mutations of hereditary elliptocytosis and pyropoikilocytosis are located. Splenectomy (17/75) was more frequent in ANK1 mutant HS (32%) than in HS with SPTB mutation (10%) (p = 0.028). Aplastic crisis occurred in 32.0% of the patients (8/25; 3 ANK1 and 5 SPTB), and parvovirus B19 was detected in 88%. The study clarifies ANK1 or SPTB mutational characteristics in HS Korean patients. The genetic association of laboratory and clinical aspects suggests comprehensive considerations for genetic-based management of HS.

Evaluation of body growth and immunity-related differentially expressed genes through deep RNA sequencing in the piglets of Jeju native pig and Berkshire.

This study was carried out with the objective to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Jeju native pig (JNP) and Berkshire piglets. The RNA-Seq technique was used to investigate the transcriptomes in the fat, liver and longissimus dorsi muscle from these two breeds. Paired-end reads of the sequences that passed the quality filters were aligned to the Sus scrofa genome using tophat2 (v2.0.2). In this study, 65% of muscle, 20% of fat and 54% of liver genes showed higher expression in the piglets of JNP than in Berkshire. Gene Ontology and signaling pathways showed that immune response and lipid metabolisms were commonly enriched pathways in all three tissues. It was found that the genes pertaining to body growth and immune system are significantly (P < 0.01) more highly expressed in Berkshire piglets. DEGs explored between the piglets of the two breeds might influence the identification of the genetic markers for further breed improvement programs. Our findings provide a new perspective for understanding and identifying candidate genes that are involved in various biological functions. Moreover, transcriptome analysis makes it easier to understand the differences between genetic mechanisms of breeds.

Serial transrectal ultrasonography for monitoring the reproductive activity of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus ussuricus).

This study evaluated the structural changes in the reproductive tract of Asiatic black bears using serial transrectal ultrasonography. In addition, the ultrasonographic observations were compared with the results of vaginal cytology and hormonal analyses. The collection of blood for hormonal analysis, vaginal cytology and transrectal ultrasonography was performed in two bears (Bears 1 and 2) from June 2011 to August 2013 without mating and in a third bear (Bear 3) from April to December 2012, allowing natural mating. Serial ultrasonographic observations showed cyclic changes in ovarian structures (e.g. emergence of small follicles, growth and ovulation of dominant follicles and corpus luteum (CL) formation) during the reproductive cycles of the three bears. The diameter of the uterine horns remained similar throughout the reproductive cycle in Bears 1 and 2, and it remained similar from April until October, but an enlargement containing foetuses was observed in Bear 3 in December. The ultrasonographic observations were consistent with the data obtained through vaginal cytology and progesterone analysis during the reproductive cycle. An average of 4.0 (±0.4) dominant follicles was observed during the oestrous stage (May-August), during which the superficial cells accounted for >90% of the total vaginal cells. In addition, the detection of an average of 2.6 (±0.2) CL was associated with increased plasma progesterone concentrations (3.0 ± 0.4 ng/ml) between June and December (near hibernation). In conclusion, serial transrectal ultrasonography demonstrated yearly oestrous (ovulation) cycles via follicular dynamics and CL formation on ovaries, accordingly with vaginal cytology and hormonal level in the Asiatic black bear.

Study on Growth Curves of Longissimus dorsi Muscle Area, Backfat Thickness and Body Conformation for Hanwoo (Korean Native) Cows.

The objective of this study was to estimate the parameters of Gompertz growth curves with the measurements of body conformation, real-time ultrasound longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA) and backfat thickness (BFT) in Hanwoo cows. The Hanwoo cows (n = 3,373) were born in 97 Hanwoo commercial farms in the 17 cities or counties of Gyeongbuk province, Korea, between 2000 and 2007. A total of 5,504 ultrasound measurements were collected for the cows at the age of 13 to 165 months in 2007 and 2008. Wither height (HW), rump height (HR), the horizontal distance between the top of the hips (WH), and girth of chest (GC) were also measured. Analysis of variance was conducted to investigate variables affecting LMA and BFT. The effect of farm nested in location was included in the statistical model, as well as the effects of HW, HR, WH, and GC as covariates. All of the effects were significant in the analysis of variance for LMA and BFT (p<0.01), except for the HR effect for LMA. The two ultrasound measures and the four body conformation traits were fitted to a Gompertz growth curve function to estimate parameters. Upper asymptotic weights were estimated as 54.0 cm(2), 7.67 mm, 125.6 cm, 126.4 cm, 29.3 cm, and 184.1 cm, for LMA, BFT, HW, HR, WH, and GC, respectively. Results of ultrasound measurements showed that Hanwoo cows had smaller LMA and greater BFT than other western cattle breeds, suggesting that care must be taken to select for thick BFT rather than an increase of only beef yield. More ultrasound records per cow are needed to get accurate estimates of growth curve, which, thus, helps producers select animals with high accuracy.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Real-time Ultrasound Measurements for Hanwoo Cows at Different Ages and Pregnancy Status.

The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of ultrasound measurements for longissimus dorsi muscle area (LMA), backfat thickness (BFT), and marbling score (MS) in Hanwoo cows (N = 3,062) at the ages between 18 and 42 months. Data were collected from 100 Hanwoo breeding farms in Gyeongbuk province, Korea, in 2007 and 2008. The cows were classified into four different age groups, i.e. 18 to 22 months (the first pregnancy period), 23 to 27 (the first parturition), 28 to 32 (the second pregnancy), and 33 to 42 (the second parturition), respectively. For each age group, a multi-trait animal model was used to estimate variance components and heritabilities of the three traits. The averages of LMA, BFT, and MS measurements across the cows of all age groups were 50.1 cm(2), 4.62 mm, and 3.04, respectively and heritability estimates were 0.09, 0.10, and 0.08 for the respective traits. However, when the data were analyzed in different age groups, heritability estimates of LMA and BFT were 0.24 and 0.47, respectively, for the cows of 18 to 22 months of age, and 0.21 for MS in the 28 to 32 months old cows. When the cows of all age groups were used, the estimates of genetic (phenotypic) correlations were 0.43 (0.35), -0.06 (0.34) and 0.21 (0.32) between LMA and BFT, LMA and MS, and BFT and MS, respectively. However, in the cow age group between 28 and 32 (18 and 22) months, the estimates of genetic (phenotypic) correlations were 0.05 (0.29), -0.15 (0.24) and 0.38 (0.24), for the respective pairs of traits. These results suggest that genetic, environmental, and phenotypic variations differ depending on cow age, such that care must be taken when ultrasound measurements are applied to selection of cows for meat quality.

FANCA and FANCG are the major Fanconi anemia genes in the Korean population.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare disorder characterized by physical abnormalities, bone marrow failure (BMF), increased risk of malignancies, and cellular hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents. This study evaluated the genetic alterations in three major Fanconi genes (FANCA, FANCC, and FANCG) in 30 FA patients using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and direct sequencing. Thirteen BMF patients were genetically classified as FA-A (n = 6, 46%) and FA-G (n = 7, 54%). Four common founder mutations were identified and included two FANCA mutations (c.2546delC and c.3720_3724delAAACA) and two FANCG mutations (c.307+1G>C and c.1066C>T), which had previously been commonly observed in a Japanese FA population. We also detected four novel deleterious mutations: c.2778+1G>C and c.3627-1G>A of FANCA, and c.1589_1591delATA and c.1761-1G>A of FANCG. This study shows that mutations in FANCA and FANCG are common in Korean FA patients and the existence of four common founder mutations in an East Asian FA population. Mutation screening workflow that includes these common mutations may be useful in the creation of an international database, and to better understand the ethnic characteristics of FA.

Evolution of the domain topology in a ferroelectric.

Topological materials, including topological insulators, magnets with Skyrmions and ferroelectrics with topological vortices, have recently attracted phenomenal attention in the materials science community. Complex patterns of ferroelectric domains in hexagonal REMnO(3) (RE: rare earths) turn out to be associated with the macroscopic emergence of Z(2)×Z(3) symmetry. The results of our depth profiling of crystals with a self-poling tendency near surfaces reveal that the partial dislocation (i.e., wall-wall) interaction, not the interaction between vortices and antivortices, is primarily responsible for topological condensation through the macroscopic breaking of the Z(2) symmetry.

Temperature evolution of itinerant ferromagnetism in SrRuO3 probed by optical spectroscopy.

The temperature (T) dependence of the optical conductivity spectra σ(ω) of a single crystal SrRuO(3) thin film is studied over a T range from 5 to 450 K. We observed significant T dependence of the spectral weights of the charge transfer and interband d-d transitions across the ferromagnetic Curie temperature (T(c) ∼ 150 K). Such T dependence was attributed to the increase in the Ru spin moment, which is consistent with the results of density functional theory calculations. T scans of σ(Ω,T) at fixed frequencies Ω reveal a clear T(2) dependence below T(c), demonstrating that the Stoner mechanism is involved in the evolution of the electronic structure. In addition, σ(Ω,T) continues to evolve at temperatures above T(c), indicating that the local spin moment persists in the paramagnetic state. This suggests that SrRuO(3) is an intriguing oxide system with itinerant ferromagnetism.

Clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of viridans streptococcal bacteremia in children with febrile neutropenia.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was performed in order to investigate the clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of viridans streptococcal bacteremia (VSB) in febrile neutropenic children in the context of the increase in incidence and antibiotic resistance of VSB. METHODS: We conducted this study among neutropenic children with underlying hematology/oncology diseases who were diagnosed with VSB at a single institution from April 2009 to June 2012. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of the children as well as antibiotic susceptibility of the causative viridans streptococci were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-seven episodes of VSB were diagnosed in 50 children. Severe complications occurred in four children (7.0%), and a death of one child (1.8%) was attributable to VSB. Acute myeloid leukemia was the most common underlying disease (70.2% of all cases), and 71.9% of all cases received chemotherapy including high-dose cytarabine. VSB occurred at a median of 13 days (range 8-21 days) after the beginning of chemotherapy, and fever lasted for a median of 4 days (range 1-21 days). The C-reactive protein level significantly increased within a week after the occurrence of VSB (p < 0.001) and the maximum C-reactive protein level showed a positive correlation with fever duration (r = 0.362, p = 0.007). Second blood cultures were done before the use of glycopeptides in 33 children, and negative results were observed in 30 children (90.9%). Susceptibilities to cefotaxime, cefepime, and vancomycin were 58.9, 69.1, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Severe complications of VSB in neutropenic febrile children were rare. We suggest glycopeptide use according to the results of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility tests based on the susceptibility to cefepime and the microbiologic response to empirical antibiotic treatment not including glycopeptides in this study.

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the akirin 2 gene with economically important traits in Korean native cattle.

The akirin 2 gene, located on chromosome 9 in cattle, was previously reported to be associated with nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), involved in immune reactions and marbling of meat. To determine whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in akirin 2 is associated with economically important traits of Korean native cattle, the c.*188G>A SNP DNA marker in the 3'-UTR region of akirin 2 was analyzed for its association with carcass weight, longissimus muscle area and marbling. The c.*188G>A SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the frequency of the AA, AG, and GG genotypes were 6.82%, 71.29% and 21.88% respectively. This SNP was significantly associated with longissimus muscle area (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05), and marbling score (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.01). These results suggest that the c.*188G>A SNP of akirin 2 might be useful as a DNA marker for longissimus muscle area and marbling scores in Korean native cattle.