Synthesis of Sulfonation Poly(N-propylsulfonicacid isatin biphenylene) for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Containing SiO2 Nanocomposite Membrane.

Polymer containing isatin was synthesized by super acid-catalyzed carbon-carbon coupling reaction. Propylsulfonic acid was grafted on isatin unit by substitution reaction with potassium salt of 3-bromo-1-propanesulfonic acid. The sulfonic acid composition was regulated at 25~80 mol% of propylsulfonic acid in order to achieve expected ion exchange capacity of maximum 2.0 meq/g. The copolymers were of high molecular weight (inherent viscosity, ηinh = 1.2 dL/g) to afford a tough membrane by solution casting. Composite membranes were prepared by sulfonated polymer and SiO2 nanoparticles (20 nm, 4~10% wt). All these composite membranes were casted from the solution of sulfonated polymer in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to afford 25 µm. The structural properties of the synthesized polymers were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The membranes were studied by ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, dimensional stability and proton conductivity assessment by comparing with Nafion®. As increasing the IEC values, the small hydrophobic components induced high proton conductivities and proton diffusion coefficients. These kinds of membranes without ether linkages showed low water swelling as well.

Novosphingobium humi sp. nov., isolated from soil of a military shooting range.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated R1-4T, was isolated from soil from a military shooting range in the Republic of Korea. Cells were non-motile short rods, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Growth of R1-4T was observed at 15-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). R1-4T contained summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), cyclo-C19 : 0ω8c and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids and ubiquinone-10 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, an unknown glycolipid and four unknown lipids were detected as polar lipids. The major polyamine was spermidine. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 64.4 mol%. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that R1-4T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Novosphingobium sediminicola HU1-AH51T within the genus Novosphingobium. R1-4T was most closely related to N. sediminicola HU1-AH51T with a 98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The DNA-DNA relatedness between R1-4T and the type strain of N. sediminicola was 37.8±4.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, it is clear that R1-4T represents a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium, for which the name Novosphingobium humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R1-4T (=KACC 19094T=JCM 31879T).

Is Pulmonary non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Disease Linked with a High Burden of Latent Cytomegalovirus?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes lifelong infections with episodes of active replication. We hypothesized that recurrent CMV replication in older individuals may suppress protective immune responses to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and so potentiate pulmonary disease. Accordingly, levels of antibodies to three CMV antigen preparations were higher in NTM patients than in age-matched controls. This did not reflect broad-spectrum B cell activation as total immunoglobulin levels were not equivalently increased.

Levels of anti-cytokine antibodies may be elevated in patients with pulmonary disease associated with non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Pulmonary disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is caused by several species (particularly Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare) that are abundant in the environment. Th1 cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ are important in the control of mycobacteria, but in vitro production of IFN-γ is not deficient in adult patients with pulmonary NTM disease. Antibodies reactive with IFN-γ have been described in patients with disseminated NTM disease, but it is not clear whether they are common in pulmonary disease. Here we show that patients with pulmonary NTM have a higher level of anti-IFN-γ and anti-GM-CSF antibodies than healthy controls, although some controls also have high levels. Levels of anti-IFN-γ antibodies did not correlate with levels of total immunoglobulin. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether anti-cytokine autoantibodies are consequence rather than a cause of pulmonary NTM disease.

Changes in DNA methylation after 6-week exercise training in colorectal cancer survivors: A preliminary study.

AIM: Behavioral interventions such as exercise may induce epigenetic changes. Only few studies investigated the effects of exercise on epigenetic alterations in colorectal cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to explore the changes of genome-wide DNA methylation after 6-week exercise training in colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: This preliminary study used a subset of data from a randomized controlled trial in 15 colorectal cancer survivors. Participants were randomized either to the 6-week exercise group or control group. The exercise intervention consisted of a weekly, group-based, supervised resistance exercise program and a home-based same resistance exercise plus walking six times per week. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention and data from eight subjects were analyzed for genome-wide DNA methylation on 865,918 CpG sites. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the exercise group shows notable methylation changes in 756 CpG sites (22.7-25.2%). Gene ontology and disease annotation analysis showed that the genes targeting 81 CpG sites in promoter region with significant group-difference were linked in biological process such as immune response and transcription and related to metabolic and immune diseases. Also, hypermethylation on genes related to disease prevention seemed to be inhibited in the exercise group compared to the control group, indicating a likelihood of transcriptional activity of these genes. CONCLUSION: We found a preliminary evidence of the positive effects of exercise intervention on epigenetic markers in colorectal cancer survivors. Larger scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to further investigate our findings.

Risk factors associated with surveillance loss after endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with gastric neoplasm.

BACKGROUND: After endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric neoplasms, surveillance endoscopy is required for patients with synchronous or metachronous neoplasms. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with surveillance loss in patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection. METHODS: Ninety-five patients treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasms between May 2015 and June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic factors, sociodemographic factors, psychiatric measures, and associated risk factors for surveillance loss were evaluated. The chi-square or Fisher exact test, t-test, and logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-five (26.3%) patients were identified as having surveillance loss. Compared to the surveillance group, the surveillance loss group was old and had dysplasia, and a healthy American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status. Similarly, surveillance loss was related to low symptom perception, low incidence of alexithymia, mindful awareness, and high trait forgiveness. Logistic regression analysis showed that dysplasia (odds ratio, 15.23; 95% CI, 1.56-149.09, P=0.019), old age (odds ratio, 7.14; 95% CI, 1.90-26.88, P=0.004), and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 (odds ratio, 3.99; 95% CI, 1.09-14.60, P=0.037) were associated with surveillance loss. CONCLUSIONS: Dysplasia, old age, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 were associated with surveillance loss in patients who underwent gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. It could be helpful to proactively monitor patients with such conditions after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Application of Impulse Oscillometry in Adult Asthmatic Patients With Preserved Lung Function.

PURPOSE: It is difficult to assess airway obstruction using spirometry in adult asthmatic patients with preserved lung function. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) can detect not only airway resistance but also reactance. Therefore, IOS may be useful in assessing pulmonary function in such patients. We investigated the applicability of IOS for asthma patients with preserved lung function. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2018, 1,248 adult asthmatic patients suspected of having asthma who visited the Allergy and Asthma Center of Severance Hospital underwent both spirometry and IOS. Consequently, 784 patients had asthma, 111 had chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or asthma-COPD overlap, and 7 had parenchymal lung disease. The remaining 346 patients had chronic cough without underlying lung or airway disease. Among the 784 asthmatic patients, 191 with decreased lung function (predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] < 80%) were excluded. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust baseline characteristics between 346 non-asthmatic and 593 asthmatic patients with preserved lung function. Subsequently, we compared the spirometry and IOS parameters between the 329 asthmatic and 329 non-asthmatic patients. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the area of reactance (AX) was associated with asthma with preserved lung function. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of AX (AUC = 0.6823) for asthma was not significantly different from that of FEV1 (AUC = 0.6758). However, the AUC of a combination of AX and FEV1 (AUC = 0.7437) for asthma was significantly higher than that of FEV1 alone. The cutoff value of AX was 0.51 kPa/L in univariate ROC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: AX is associated with adult asthma with preserved lung function. Performing spirometry together with IOS is more beneficial than performing spirometry alone for diagnosing asthma in adult patients with preserved lung function.

Oligo- and dsDNA-mediated genome editing using a tetA dual selection system in Escherichia coli.

The ability to precisely and seamlessly modify a target genome is needed for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology techniques aimed at creating potent biosystems. Herein, we report on a promising method in Escherichia coli that relies on the insertion of an optimized tetA dual selection cassette followed by replacement of the same cassette with short, single-stranded DNA (oligos) or long, double-stranded DNA and the isolation of recombinant strains by negative selection using NiCl2. This method could be rapidly and successfully used for genome engineering, including deletions, insertions, replacements, and point mutations, without inactivation of the methyl-directed mismatch repair (MMR) system and plasmid cloning. The method we describe here facilitates positive genome-edited recombinants with selection efficiencies ranging from 57 to 92%. Using our method, we increased lycopene production (3.4-fold) by replacing the ribosome binding site (RBS) of the rate-limiting gene (dxs) in the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate (DXP) biosynthesis pathway with a strong RBS. Thus, this method could be used to achieve scarless, proficient, and targeted genome editing for engineering E. coli strains.

Synthesis and Characterization of Imidazolium Linear Bisphenol Polycarbonate Hydroxides for Anion Exchange Membrane.

A novel anion exchange membrane of imidazolium functionalized bisphenol polycarbonate was prepared for application in alkaline fuel cell. Di-imidazolium polycarbonate anionic membrane was synthesized by sequential interfacial polymerization, chloromethylation, substitution with 1-methylimidazole and ion exchange with 1.0 M KOH. Chloromethylation reaction was quantitative to achieve a high content of hydroxide ions. Introduction of conjugated imidazole ring in polymer plays an important role to improve both thermal and chemical stability. Bisphenol polycarbonate is a flexible polymer and shows a good solubility in polar organic solvent. The alkaline imidazolium bisphenol polycarbonate rendered an elevated molecular weight with excellent solubility in polar aprotic solvent. Different levels of substitution and ion exchange were investigated; the resulting membranes showed high ion exchange capacities (IECs) of up to 2.15 mmol g(-1). The imidazolium-functionalized copolymer membranes showed lower water affinity (14.2-42.8% at 30 degrees C) that satisfied an essential criterion for fuel cell application. The chemical structure of the imidazolium functionalized polycarbonate membrane was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, and also the membrane properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and water uptake (WU), IEC and conductivity assessment. They exhibited hydroxide conductivity above 10(-2) S cm(-1) at room temperature and good chemical stability for up to five days without significant losses of ion conductivity.

Induction of Angiogenesis by Matrigel Coating of VEGF-Loaded PEG/PCL-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds for hBMSC Transplantation.

hBMSCs are multipotent cells that are useful for tissue regeneration to treat degenerative diseases and others for their differentiation ability into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, adipocytes, hepatocytes and neuronal cells. In this study, biodegradable elastic hydrogels consisting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were evaluated for tissue engineering because of its biocompatibility and the ability to control the release of bioactive peptides. The primary cultured cells from human bone marrow are confirmed as hBMSC by immunohistochemical analysis. Mesenchymal stem cell markers (collagen type I, fibronectin, CD54, integrin1ß, and Hu protein) were shown to be positive, while hematopoietic stem cell markers (CD14 and CD45) were shown to be negative. Three different hydrogel scaffolds with different block compositions (PEG:PCL=6:14 and 14:6 by weight) were fabricated using the salt leaching method. The hBMSCs were expanded, seeded on the scaffolds, and cultured up to 8 days under static conditions in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Media (IMDM). The growth of MSCs cultured on the hydrogel with PEG/PCL= 6/14 was faster than that of the others. In addition, the morphology of MSCs seemed to be normal and no cytotoxicity was found. The coating of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) containing scaffold with Matrigel slowed down the release of VEGF in vitro and promoted the angiogenesis when transplanted into BALB/c nude mice. These results suggest that hBMSCs can be supported by a biode gradable hydrogel scaffold for effective cell growth, and enhance the angiogenesis by Matrigel coating.

Cuffless and noninvasive measurement of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure using radial artery tonometry pressure sensor with concept of Korean traditional medicine.

Parameters for noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular disease. We developed a new method to measure blood pressure (BP) noninvasively without cuff. In Korean traditional medicine, the degree of the pulse depth is one of the important criteria to diagnosis. We combined this concept with pulse wave analysis. With clinical data obtained from 163 subjects, we selected APm (applied pressure which has a maximum value of pulse wave), elasticity of wrist tissue, depth of blood vessel, cardiac output and h1 as parameters to estimate blood pressure. And with the parameters, we induced multi regression equation of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP). And the probabilities of these parameters to explain SBP, DBP, and MAP were 89.5%, 91.1% and 94.6%, respectively. To estimate PP, we added h1 to the parameters to explain PP was 97.5%. We compared the estimated SBP, DBP, MAP and PP through the multiple regression equations to the actual measured SBP, DBP, MAP and PP through the wrist type BP meter. Differences were (+/- SD) 0.38 +/- 9.95, -1.0 +/- 8.2, 0.02 +/- 6.9 and 0.05 +/- 5.9mmHg for SBP, DBP, MAP and PP, respectively. According to the American National Standard for Electronic or Automated Sphygmomanometers, the mean difference (MD) should be +/- 5mmHg or less with a standard deviation (SD) of +/- 8mmHg or less. Hence, the results of MAP and PP were within the limits for the AAMI SP 10 criteria and the results of SBP and DBP were not within the limits for the AAMI SP 10 criteria. The preliminary results indicate the results are quite reliable and promising.

A retrospective analysis of 154 arterialized venous flaps for hand reconstruction: an 11-year experience.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present the authors' 11-year clinical experience involving 154 cases of arterialized venous flaps for hand reconstruction. METHODS: The authors classified the venous flaps based on their size and composition. According to their size, flaps smaller than 10 cm were classified as small (n = 48), flaps larger than 25 cm were classified as large (n = 42), and those in between were classified as medium (n = 64). Classified according to their composition, there were 88 cases (57.1 percent) of venous skin flaps, 28 cases (18.2 percent) of innervated venous flaps, 15 cases (9.7 percent) of tendocutaneous venous flaps, and 17 cases (11 percent) of conduit venous flaps to repair arterial defects. There were six cases (3.9 percent) of composite venous flaps. RESULTS: The success rate of the flap transfer was 98.1 percent. The incidence of partial flap necrosis was 5.2 percent. The mean number of included veins was 2.17 for a small flap, 2.60 for a medium-sized flap, and 4.07 for a large flap (p < 0.01). The mean area of flap necrosis was 45.0 percent, 31.67 percent, and 18.75 percent for small, medium, and large flaps, respectively (p = 0.807). In eight cases of innervated venous flaps, the average static two-point discrimination was 10 mm (range, 8 to 15 mm). In 12 cases of tendocutaneous venous flaps, active range of motion at the proximal interphalangeal, distal interphalangeal, and metacarpophalangeal joints was 60, 20, and 75 degrees, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that the arterialized venous flap is a valuable and effective tool for reconstructing complex hand injuries and may have a more comprehensive set of indications.

Cuffless and noninvasive tonometry mean arterial pressure measurement by physiological characteristics and applied pressure.

We developed a cuffless and noninvasive measurement technique of blood pressure using tonometric pressure sensor. With observation that the maximum value of a pulse pressure is not obtained at mean arterial pressure (MAP), we have figured out MAP based on the physiological characteristic including the elasticity of wrist tissue, the depth of blood vessel. Through an analysis of 198 clinic data, we have induced the regression equation of the MAP. The probability of the elasticity, depth and AP(M) to explain MAP was 92.1%. The mean difference and the standard deviation between the MAP predicted from the regression equation and the MAP measured by commercial cuff type BP meter were Z-3.183 mmHg and 5.133 mmHg respectively. Comparing the results with the American national standard for electronic or automated sphygmomanometers, we can conclude that the results are quite reliable and promising. Detecting only one part of the body and using only one device are quite advantageous over other BP measurement technique. Our technique makes new way for the cuffless BP measurement.

Immediate partial great toe transfer for the reconstruction of composite defects of the distal thumb.

BACKGROUND: Thumb defects distal to the interphalangeal joint do not cause any disability; therefore, any consideration to reconstruct the thumb is governed by the lifestyle and cultural background of the patient. This study presents the excellent results achieved by immediate partial great toe-to-hand transfer to reconstruct acute composite defects of the distal thumb. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with amputation or crush injury of the distal thumb who underwent partial great toe-to-hand transfer at the authors' institute over an 11-year period were reviewed. Based on the amputation level of the distal thumb, the authors classified the injuries into three groups. Operative techniques used were osteo-onychocutaneous flap with partial or whole toenail from the great toe and partial great toe transfer with arthrodesis of the interphalangeal joint. Overall results were evaluated in terms of success rate, incidence of emergency reexploration, and number and type of secondary operation. Static two-point discrimination, range of motion, pinch strength, and subjective satisfaction were also evaluated. RESULTS: The success rate of immediate partial great toe-to-hand transfer was 100 percent. The incidence of inflammation and the reexploration rate were not significantly different from those in previously reported articles. In 35 cases where postoperative follow-up was possible, static two-point discrimination, total active range of motion, and pinch strength were generally excellent and the majority of the patients were satisfied with the final outcome. CONCLUSION: Immediate reconstruction with partial great toe transfer is an excellent option for reconstruction of composite defects of the distal thumb, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for functional purposes.

Cosmetic reconstruction of distal finger absence with partial second toe transfer.

The authors successfully performed a series of 32 distal finger reconstructions using partial second toe-to-finger transfers solely for aesthetic indications. The resulting hand function shows an average static 2-point discrimination of 8 mm. Total active range of motion was 205 degrees. Key-pinch strength and grip strength averaged 65 and 90% of the normal contralateral side, respectively. Patient satisfaction, as reflected by the average subjective satisfaction scores for aesthetic appearance and function (SSSAF) of the reconstructed distal finger, was high at 82 and 78, respectively. The SSSAF for the donor site averaged 88 for function and 75-80 for aesthetic appearance, which is statistically significant (p<0.05). The authors modified the technique of distal finger reconstruction using second toe transfers in three ways. One is to skeletonize the neurovascular bundle of the harvested toe and pass it through a subcutaneous tunnel between the distal finger incision and the web space incision to avoid lengthy and unsightly scars on the reconstructed finger. Another is to defat the skin flaps developed at the amputated stump and to use a zigzag incision on the toe flap to create a smoother skin junction between the stump and the transferred toe. The third refinement is to perform the arterial microanastomosis at the level of the web space to take advantage of the larger diameter of the vessels in this area. Cosmetic reconstruction of the distal finger with a partial second toe-to-hand transfer provides a high degree of patient satisfaction, both aesthetically and functionally.

Significance of non-erosive minimal esophageal lesions in gastro-esophageal reflux disorder.

BACKGROUND: Non-erosive reflux disorder, which represents more than 60% of gastro-esophageal reflux disorders, lacks objective parameters for diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between non-erosive minimal lesions at the lower esophagus and gastro-esophageal reflux disorder. METHODS: Patients were asked to answer a symptom questionnaire. The endoscopic findings were either graded by LA classification or recorded as non-erosive minimal lesions. Patients with minimal lesions were treated with rabeprazole or a placebo and responses were evaluated at weeks 1 and 4. RESULTS: In 8 centers, 3454 patients were screened. In patients with heartburn or acid regurgitation as the most bothersome symptom, 23.7% had endoscopy negative reflux disorder, 40.1% showed minimal lesions, and 36.20% had mucosal break esophagitis. Thirty-four percent of patients with minimal lesions and 39.1% of patients with LA 'grade A' mild esophagitis reported typical reflux symptoms as their main symptom. In patients with minimal lesions, medication with rabeprazole reduced symptoms significantly at weeks 1 and 4, but not with the placebo. CONCLUSION: Patients with non-erosive minimal esophageal lesions had similar reflux symptoms comparable to those with mild erosive reflux esophagitis, and reflux symptoms were improved with a short-term proton pump inhibitor. Thus, non-erosive minimal esophageal lesion constitutes a great part of gastro-esophageal reflux disorder.