Combination of Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG4231 and MG4244 attenuates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed obese mice.

We investigated the anti-obesity effect and the underlying mechanisms of action of human-derived Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG4231, MG4244, and their combination, in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Administration of the Limosilactobacillus strains decreased body weight gain, liver and adipose tissue weight, and glucose tolerance. Serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin were reduced, while adiponectin increased. The administration of Limosilactobacillus strains improved the histopathological features of liver tissue, such as hepatic atrophy and inflammatory penetration, and significantly reduced the content of triglyceride in the liver. Limosilactobacillus administration discovered a significant reduction in the size of the adipocytes in the epididymal tissue. Limosilactobacillus treatment significantly reduced the expression of important regulators in lipid metabolism, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, fatty acid synthase (FAS), adipocyte-protein 2, and lipoprotein lipase in the epididymal tissue. Also, Limosilactobacillus lowered sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1-c and FAS in the liver tissue. Such changes in the expression of these regulators in both liver and epididymis tissue were caused by Limosilactobacillus upregulating phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Therefore, we suggest that the use of the combination of L. fermentum MG4231 and MG4244, as probiotics could effectively inhibit adipogenesis and lipogenesis from preventing obesity.

Metabolic syndrome and quality of life (QOL) using generalised and obesity-specific QOL scales.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessed using generalised and obesity-specific QOL instruments. METHODS: We recruited 456 outpatients [age: 19-81 years, body mass index (BMI): 16.3-36.7 kg/m2] in the primary care division from 12 general hospitals in Korea. HRQOL was measured using EuroQol comprising the health states descriptive system (EQ-5D) and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) as a general instrument. The Korean Obesity-related QOL scale (KOQOL) composed of six domains was used as a disease-specific QOL instrument. MS was defined on the basis of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria with Korean-specific waist circumference cutoffs (men: 90 cm, women: 85 cm). RESULTS: Subjects with MS displayed significantly higher impairment of EQ-5D and KOQOL. Binary logistic regression analysis of MS patients with controls for age, gender, smoking, alcohol, exercise, education, income, marital status and medication history disclosed odds ratio (OR) values of 2.13 (1.33-3.41) for impaired total KOQOL, 2.07 (1.31-3.27) for impaired physical health, 1.63 (1.03-2.60) for impaired work-related health, 2.42 (1.45-4.04) for impaired routine life, 2.08 (1.27-3.40) for impaired sexual life and 2.56 (1.59-4.11) for diet distress. Among the EQ-5D dimensions, only pain/discomfort displayed a significantly increased OR of 1.60 (1.01-2.56) in MS group. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with MS displayed a significantly impaired HRQOL compared with those without MS. MS and HRQOL were more strongly associated in obesity-specific QOL than in generalised QOL.

Feasibility of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic hernia repair in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal peritoneal (TEP) repair has become increasingly popular since its introduction. The purpose of this study is to establish the safety and feasibility of TEP in elderly patients compared to that in younger patients. METHODS: The clinical records of patients who received TEP hernia repair from August 2007 to September 2016 were reviewed. The patients were categorized into two groups: younger than 70 and 70 years or older. The patient demographics, operative time, estimated blood loss, rate of open conversion, complications, length of hospital stay, rate of readmission, rate of recurrence were compared. RESULTS: A total of 425 cases were documented. 317 (74.6%) patients were younger than 70 years and 108 (25.4%) were 70 years or older. The mean ages were 51.6 years in the younger group and 75.3 years in the older group. Co-morbidities (34.0% vs 72.2%, p = 0.000) and ASA score III and IV (4.1% vs. 6.5%, p value = 0.000) were more common in the elderly group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the percentage of history of previous surgery in the lower abdominal region (23.9% vs 29.6%, p = 0.292), overall complications (7.2% vs 12.7%, p value = 0.177), and anesthesia-related complications (0% vs 1%, p value = 0.617). The operative time was similar between the two groups (54.3 vs 57.1 p = 0.220). The length of hospital stay (2.7 vs 3.0, p = 0.022) was longer in the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic TEP hernia repair can be performed safely in elderly patients without differences in perioperative complications and recurrence rate compared to that in a younger population despite a longer hospital stay.

FeSe quantum dots for in vivo multiphoton biomedical imaging.

An immense demand in biomedical imaging is to develop efficient photoluminescent probes with high biocompatibility and quantum yield, as well as multiphoton absorption performance to improve penetration depth and spatial resolution. Here, iron selenide (FeSe) quantum dots (QDs) are reported to meet these criteria. The synthesized QDs exhibit two- and three-photon excitation property at 800- and 1080-nm wavelengths and high quantum yield (ca. 40%), which are suitable for second-window imaging. To verify their biosuitability, poly(ethylene glycol)-conjugated QDs were linked with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibodies for in vitro/in vivo two-photon imaging in HER2-overexpressed MCF7 cells and a xenograft breast tumor model in mice. Imaging was successfully carried out at a depth of up to 500 µm from the skin using a nonlinear femtosecond laser at an excitation wavelength of 800 nm. These findings may open up a way to apply biocompatible FeSe QDs to multiphoton cancer imaging.

Applicability of reused industrial dry sanding powder for adsorption of arsenic.

This study examined the potential reuse of powdered wastes (PW) generated during the sanding and sawing process in a local chemical company in Korea with the viewpoint of the recycling these wastes and minimizing the level of contamination. As the aluminium hydroxide inside the PW could be thermally converted to various types of aluminium oxides depending on the calcination temperature, the adsorptive properties could be changed and it may affect on adsorption ability. Calcination of the PW was performed for 3 h at 550 degrees C, 750 degrees C, and 950 degrees C. From the results, amorphous aluminium oxide was thermally generated by calcinating the PW at 550 degrees C and with further increase of temperature to 950 degrees C, the crystallinity of amorphous aluminium oxide was gradually increased. The physicochemical analysis of calcined powdered wastes (CPW) at various temperatures showed that more developed porosity was noted in the CPW as the calcinations temperature increased, whereas surface area was significantly decreased from 175.5 m2 g(-1) to 46.5 m2 g(-1). The removal efficiency of arsenate on the CPW decreased as the calcinations temperature increased from 550 degrees C to 950 degrees C. The CPW550 exhibited the highest adsorption capacities toward arsenate over pH range of 2-8 and showed a complete removal of the arsenate (10.0 mg L(-1)) within the first 10 min. Adsorption kinetic studies showed that the rate of arsenic adsorption on the CPW decreased with the increase of the calcination temperature. When the maximum adsorption capacity of arsenic onto the CPW was calculated by Langmuir equation, the CPW550 has the highest value as 43.9 mg g(-1).

Inhibition of TGFBIp expression reduces lymphangiogenesis and tumor metastasis.

Transforming growth factor-ß-induced protein (TGFBIp) is an extracellular matrix protein that has a role in a wide range of pathological conditions. However, the role of TGFBIp signaling in lymphangiogenesis is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was therefore to analyze the effects of TGFBIp on lymphangiogenesis and determine whether TGFBIp-related lymphangiogenesis is important for the metastasis of tumor cells. TGFBIp increased adhesion, migration, and morphologic differentiation of human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), consistent with an increase in lymphatic vessel sprouting in a three-dimensional lymphatic ring assay. TGFBIp also induced phosphorylation of intracellular signaling molecules SRC, FAK, AKT, JNK and ERK. TGFBIp-induced lymphatic vessel sprouting was inhibited by addition of anti-integrin ß3 antibody and pharmacologic inhibitors of FAK, AKT, JNK or ERK. TGFBIp increased both CCL21 expression in LECs, a chemokine that actively recruits tumor cells expressing the cognate chemokine receptors to lymphatic vessels and LEC permeability by inducing the dissociation of VE-cadherin junctions between LECs via the activation of SRC signaling. In vivo, inhibition of TGFBIp expression in SW620 cancer cells dramatically reduced tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastasis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that TGFBIp is a lymphangiogenic factor contributing to tumor dissemination and represents a potential target to inhibit metastasis.

Silane grafted chitosan for the efficient remediation of aquatic environment contaminated with arsenic(V).

HYPOTHESIS: Chitosan, naturally abundant biomaterial showed an insignificant affinity toward arsenate. The incorporation of organosilane could improve the physical and chemical properties of chitosan for the efficient removal of arsenate from aquatic environment. EXPERIMENT: The hybrid materials were obtained by grafting the natural biopolymer chitosan with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (CHMS) and trimethoxy-octylsilane (CHTS). The hybrid materials along with bare chitosan were characterized with SEM-EDX, FT-IR and BET specific surface area analyses and the solid materials were further employed in the efficient remediation of aqueous solutions contaminated with As(V) under batch and column reactor operations. FINDINGS: The hybrid materials showed an extremely high percentage of As(V) removal compared to bare chitosan within a wide range of pH. As(V) was aggregated rapidly onto the solid surfaces and relatively high percent removal of As(V) was achieved in a wide range of As(V) initial concentrations. Moreover, As(V) was bound with, relatively, weaker forces and forming an 'outer sphere complexes' at the surface of solids. The presence of co-existing ions could not significantly affect the removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, breakthrough data confirmed that these two hybrid materials possessed significantly high loading capacity of As(V) even under dynamic conditions.

Relative atrophy of the flocculus and ocular motor dysfunction in SCA2 and SCA6.

Two hereditary ataxia syndromes show distinct profiles of region-specific atrophy and ocular motor deficits. Selective pontine atrophy is associated with slowed saccades in ataxin-2 mutations, and selective floccular atrophy is associated with impaired pursuit and gaze-holding abnormalities in Ca(V)2.1 mutations. Although the flocculus seems to be spared relative to the pons in ataxin-2 mutations, and pursuit and gaze-holding appear to be relatively normal, these can be difficult to assess at the bedside, as corrective saccades are also slow and hard to discern. Here, we show the presence of significant floccular atrophy compared with controls in both ataxin-2 and Ca(V)2.1 mutations, which raises the possibility that abnormalities of smooth pursuit or gaze-holding are present in both conditions.

A case of 49,XXXXX in which the extra X chromosomes were maternal in origin.

This report describes an 11 month old female baby with features of pentasomy X. A molecular and cytogenetic evaluation revealed that her karyotype was 49,XXXXX and her extra X chromosomes were of maternal origin. She has muscular hypotonia, mental retardation, a cleft palate, mild hydrocephalus as a result of dilatation of both lateral ventricles, hyperextensible elbow joints, proximal radioulnar synostosis, clinodactyly of the fifth finger, valgus of the feet, and small hands and feet. In addition, she has a persistent pupillary membrane and congenital chorioretinal atrophy. The pathogenesis of pentasomy X is not clear at present, but it is thought to be caused by successive maternal non-dysjunctions.

Oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in prion diseases.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also termed prion diseases, are a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases that affect humans and a number of other animal species. The etiology of these diseases is thought to be associated with the conversion of a normal protein, PrPC, into an infectious, pathogenic form, PrPSc. The PrPSc form shows greater protease resistance than PrPC and accumulates in affected individuals, often in the form of extracellular plaques. The pathogenesis and the molecular basis of neuronal cell death in these diseases are not well understood. Oxidative stress has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. In the present study, evidence of oxidative stress in scrapie, the archetype disease of the TSEs, is discussed. In addition, the mechanisms whereby oxidative stress could lead to neuronal degeneration are described.

Differential expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the brains of hamsters infected with 263K scrapie agent.

To study the mechanism(s) of neuronal cell death during scrapie infection, we investigated the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in brains of hamsters infected with 263K scrapie agent. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly decreased in the brains of 263K scrapie-infected hamsters compared with controls, whereas the expression levels of Bax mRNA were significantly increased in scrapie-infected brain. The levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in brains of scrapie and control animals reflected the difference in mRNA levels. Immunoreactivity for Bax and Bcl-2 were found predominantly within neurons. In scrapie-infected brains, the number of neuronal cells positive for Bcl-2 was significantly lower in the hippocampal CA3 region and was decreased in the cerebral cortex, whereas the number of neuronal cells positive for Bax was significantly increased in both regions. The possibility that differential regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expression may play an important role in neuronal cell death induced by scrapie infection is discussed.

Novel secretion system of recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae using an N-terminus residue of human IL-1 beta as secretion enhancer.

An N-terminus sequence of human interleukin 1beta (hIL-1beta) was used as a fusion expression partner for the production of two recombinant therapeutic proteins, human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) and human growth hormone (hGH), using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a host. The expression cassette comprised the leader sequence of killer toxin of Kluyveromyces lactis, the N-terminus 24 amino acids (Ser5-Ala28) of mature hIL-1beta, the KEX2 dibasic endopeptidase cleavage site, and the target protein (hG-CSF or hGH). The gene expression was controlled by the inducible UAS(gal)/MF-alpha1 promoter. With the expression vector above, both recombinant proteins were well secreted into culture medium with high secretion efficiencies, and especially, the recombinant hGH was accumulated up to around 1.3 g/L in the culture broth. This is due presumably to the significant role of fused hIL-1beta as secretion enhancer in the yeast secretory pathway. In our recent report, various immunoblotting analyses have shown that the presence of a core N-glycosylation resident in the hIL-1beta fragment is likely to be of crucial importance in the high-level secretion of hG-CSF from the recombinant S. cerevisiae. When the N-glycosylation was completely blocked with the addition of tunicamycin to the culture, the secretion of hG-CSF and hGH was decreased to a negligible level although the other host-derived proteins were well secreted to the culture broth regardless of the presence of tunicamycin. The N-terminal sequencing of the purified hG-CSF verified that the hIL-1beta fusion peptide was correctly removed by in vivo KEX2 protease upon the exit of fusion protein from Golgi complex. From the results presented in this article, it is strongly suggested that the N-terminus fusion of the hIL-1beta peptide could be utilized as a potent secretion enhancer in the expression systems designed for the secretory production of other heterologous proteins from S. cerevisiae.

Evaluation by contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the lateral border zone in reperfused myocardial infarction in a cat model.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate the lateral border zone by comparing the size and distribution of the abnormal signal area demonstrated by MR imaging with the infarct area revealed by pathological examination in a reperfused myocardial infarction cat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In eight cats, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 90 minutes, and this was followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. ECG-triggered breath-hold turbo spin-echo T2-weighted MR images were initially obtained along the short axis of the heart before the administration of contrast media. After the injection of Gadomer-17 and Gadophrin-2, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images were obtained for three hours. The size of the abnormal signal area seen on each image was compared with that of the infarct area after TTC staining. To assess ultrastructural changes in the myocardium at the infarct area, lateral border zone and normal myocardium, electron microscopic examination was performed. RESULTS: The high signal area seen on T2-weighted images and the enhanced area seen on Gadomer-17-enhanced T1WI were larger than the enhanced area on Gadophrin-2-enhanced T1WI and the infarct area revealed by TTC staining; the difference was expressed as a percentage of the size of the total left ventricle mass (T2= 39.2 %; Gadomer-17 =37.25 % vs Gadophrin-2 = 29.6 %; TTC staining = 28.2 %; p < 0.05). The ultrastructural changes seen at the lateral border zone were compatible with reversible myocardial damage. CONCLUSION: In a reperfused myocardial infarction cat model, the presence and size of the lateral border zone can be determined by means of Gadomer-17- and Gadophrin-2-enhanced MR imaging.

Congenital giant pigmented nevus associated with angiolipoma.

We report a 20-year-old-Korean woman with a congenital giant pigmented nevus and angiolipoma. She was admitted our department with a large, dark, pigmented lesion on the right flank and abdomen and a slowly growing mass on the right flank area since birth. On biopsy, the specimen taken from the giant pigmented patch showed typical findings of compound nevus. The right flank mass was surgically removed. The specimen was composed of mature fat cells with an increased vascular component. These findings are compatible with angiolipoma.

Immunostimulatory effects of anionic alkali mineral complex solution Barodon in porcine lymphocytes.

The anionic alkali mineral complex solution, Barodon (Barodon-S.F. Corp., Korea), was evaluated for its effectiveness as a nonspecific immunostimulator in pigs. The effects of Barodon were determined by analysis of feed efficiency, growth rate, and phenotype of leukocyte subpopulations using monoclonal antibodies specific to porcine leukocyte differentiation antigens and flow cytometry (FC). The study was focused to investigate the change in proportion of the CD4+CD8+ double positive T lymphocyte subpopulation (dpp) which exists uniquely in pigs. In addition, the mitogen-stimulated lymphoproliferative response, tissue distribution in lymphoid organs and the adjuvant effect of Barodon on hog cholera vaccine efficiency were determined. The study has revealed the average daily gain rates and feed conversion rates were significantly (p<0.05) improved in either group of pigs fed with 0.05% Barodon-spray feed (Tx-1) or pigs fed with 3% Barodon-fermented feed (Tx-2) in comparison with group of pigs fed with feed containing no Barodon (control). The proportion of cells expressing CD4+ antigen in Barodon-treated group increased from 3 weeks posttreatment and was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of control at 8 weeks posttreatment. Particularly, the significantly higher proportion was maintained from 8 weeks through 13 weeks posttreatment in Tx-1 group (p<0.05). The proportion of cells expressing CD8+ antigen was significantly higher at 3 weeks posttreatment in Tx-2 (p<0.01). Proportion of MHC class II-expressing cells was significantly higher in Tx-1 and Tx-2 group at 11 weeks and 8 weeks posttreatment (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the proportion of Non T/Non B (N) cells was also significantly higher in Tx-2 at 3 weeks posttreatment (p<0.01) and maintained to 13 weeks posttreatment (p<0.1). Between Barodon-treated groups, the proportion of MHC class II-expressing cells was observed to be larger in Tx-2 than Tx-1 from 3 weeks to 8 weeks posttreatment (p<0.05). However, there were no significant difference in the proportions of CD2+ cells, B cells, monocytes and granulocytes between Barodon-treated and control group during the experiment. Dual-color FC analysis, study has revealed an increased proportion of dpp present in lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood (PB) and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) of Barodon-treated group at 8 and 11 weeks posttreatment. The proportion of dpp in PB was 27.5% and 32.1% in Tx-1 and Tx-2, respectively, but only 2.2% in control group at 8 weeks posttreatment. In MLN, the proportion was 45.1% and 52.1% in Tx-1 and Tx-2, respectively, otherwise 16.5% in control group at 8 weeks posttreatment. The mitogen-stimulated activity was significantly higher in Tx-1 than in the control group at 11 weeks posttreatment when cells were stimulated with Con A and PHA, respectively (p<0.01). Also, Con A-, PHA and PWM-stimulated activity was significantly higher in Tx-2 than in the control group at the same time (p<0.05). The tissue distribution of CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+CD8+ dpp in MLN and spleen was significantly larger in Tx-1 and Tx-2 than in the control group (p<0.01). Also, a larger proportion of dpp was observed in Tx-2 than Tx-1 in spleen between Barodon-treated groups (p<0.01). In conclusion, the study has demonstrated that Barodon had an immunostimulatory effect on pigs through proliferation and activation of porcine immune cells, specially CD4+CD8+ dpp lymphocytes.

Gas analysis reveals novel aerobic deammonification in thermophilic aerobic digestion.

A laboratory-scale thermophilic aerobic digester was operated with piggery wastewater. The operating temperature varied from 50-70 degrees C. It has been found that excessive nitrogen removal occurred in the laboratory-scale thermophilic system at various HRTs. Nitrite and nitrate were not observed in the effluent. Gas measurement reveals the presence of significant amount of N2O along with NH3 gas. The rational production of N2O gas in accordance with temperature and HRT suggests that biologically mediated deammonification processes significantly contribute to the N removal. Although further microbiological investigation is required to clarify the exact nitrogen removal mechanism, the large production of N2O gas seems to be a result of the existence of a rapid growing heterotrophic deammonification process in the thermophilic system.

Nitrogen removal characteristics analyzed with gas and microbial community in thermophilic aerobic digestion for piggery waste treatment.

In order to characterize the nitrogen conversion characteristics in a thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) system, a laboratory study has been conducted with the analysis of effluent gas and microbial community in the sludge samples. The lab TAD system was operated with HRT of 3 days and 60 degrees C. Based on the nitrogen mass balance, it has been found that about 2/3 of the daily load of nitrogen was converted to the gaseous form of nitrogen whereas cellular transformation and unmetabolized nitrogen accounted for about 1/3. Among the gaseous nitrogen transformation, significant amount of influent nitrogen had been converted to N2 gas (29% of influent N) and N2O (9% of influent N). Ammonia conversion was only 28% of influent N. The detection of N2O gas is a clear indication of the biological nitrogen reduction process in the thermophilic aerobic digester. No conclusive evidence for the existence of aerobic deammonification has been found. The microbial community analysis showed that thermophilic bacteria such as Bacillus thermocloacae, Bacillus sp. and Clostridial groups dominated in this TAD reactor. The diverse microbial community in TAD sludge may play an important role in removing both strong organics and nitrogen from piggery waste.

Fibulin-3-mediated inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and self-renewal of ALDH+ lung cancer stem cells through IGF1R signaling.

Fibulins (FBLNs), a family of extracellular matrix proteins, have recently been shown to act as tumor suppressors or activators in different cancers, and the underlying molecular mechanisms of their action in cancer remain unclear. We have previously shown that the expression of FBLN3 is suppressed by promoter hypermethylation and is associated with invasiveness in aggressive non-small cell lung cancer. In this study, we evaluated the roles and signaling mechanism of FBLN3 in lung cancer stem cells (CSCs). Forced expression of FBLN3 suppressed invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells and decreased the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activators, including N-cadherin and Snail. Stemness activities of lung adenocarcinoma cells were also suppressed by FBLN3 as indicated by a decrease in spheroid formation and the levels of stemness markers such as Sox2 and ß-catenin. These effects of FBLN3 were mediated by the glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, GSK3ß/ß-catenin pathway, and the upstream regulators of GSK3ß, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R), were inactivated by FBLN3. Moreover, IGF1R was shown to be a direct target of FBLN3, which competitively inhibited insulin-like growth factor (IGF) action. To confirm the effect of FBLN3 on lung CSCs, aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive (ALDH+) A549 lung CSCs were sorted and treated with recombinant FBLN3 protein. FBLN3 clearly suppressed EMT, stemness activity and the over-activated IGF1R/PI3K/AKT/GSK3ß pathway of the ALDH+ CSC subpopulation. In addition, injection of recombinant FBLN3 protein around subcutaneous xenografts established with ALDH+ CSCs in athymic nude mice significantly suppressed tumor growth and progression. Overall, our results show that FBLN3 suppresses both EMT and self-renewal of the lung CSCs by modulating the IGF1R/PI3K/AKT/GSK3ß pathway and that FBLN3 would be useful as an alternative CSC therapy.

Reference intervals for whole blood viscosity using the analytical performance-evaluated scanning capillary tube viscometer.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to establish the reference intervals for whole blood viscosity (WBV) using the analytical performance-evaluated scanning capillary tube viscometer (SCTV). DESIGN AND METHODS: The analytical performance of the SCTV was evaluated using three different levels of QC materials and sixty human EDTA-blood samples. To establish the reference intervals for WBV, 297 healthy individuals (123 men and 174 women) were selected from 1083 subjects. RESULTS: Within-day precisions with QC materials and human whole blood and between-day precisions with QC materials were below 5.0%, 6.6% and 8.0% in CVs at all shear rates, respectively. Comparison tests between the SCTV and the Brookfield viscometer showed a significant correlation (R(2)=0.972, p<0.001). The reference intervals for WBV in healthy men were 3.66-5.41cP at 300s(-1) and 23.15-36.45cP at 1s(-1) while those in women were 3.27-4.32cP at 300s(-1) and 18.20-27.36cP at 1s(-1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using the analytical performance-evaluated SCTV, the reference intervals for WBV were established in healthy adults, which could be beneficial to the clinical utility of WBV in the aspect of appropriate modalities for the improvement of blood viscosity.