Nesprin 4 is an outer nuclear membrane protein that can induce kinesin-mediated cell polarization.

Nucleocytoplasmic coupling is mediated by outer nuclear membrane (ONM) nesprin proteins and inner nuclear membrane Sun proteins. Interactions spanning the perinuclear space create nesprin-Sun complexes connecting the cytoskeleton to nuclear components. A search for proteins displaying a conserved C-terminal sequence present in nesprins 1-3 identified nesprin 4 (Nesp4), a new member of this family. Nesp4 is a kinesin-1-binding protein that displays Sun-dependent localization to the ONM. Expression of Nesp4 is associated with dramatic changes in cellular organization involving relocation of the centrosome and Golgi apparatus relative to the nucleus. These effects can be accounted for entirely by Nesp4's kinesin-binding function. The implication is that Nesp4 may contribute to microtubule-dependent nuclear positioning.

The establishment of ecological conservation for herpetofauna species in hotspot areas of South Korea.

Understanding the geographic distribution of species is crucial for establishing protected areas. This study aimed to identify the preferred habitat environment of South Korean herpetofauna using distribution point information, providing the information necessary to protect their habitat by establishing a species distribution model. We found that climate variables in the region where 19 amphibians and 20 reptiles were distributed correlated with the altitude, suggesting that altitude had a major influence on their distribution. The species distribution modeling indicated that 10-12 amphibian and 13-16 reptile species inhabit the Gangwon-do region, forming hotspot areas in the eastern and western regions around the Taebaek Mountains. Some of these hotspot areas occurred in the Demilitarized Zone and national parks, which are government-managed ecological conservation areas. However, some hotspot areas are vulnerable to habitat destruction due to development and deforestation as they are not designated conservation areas. Therefore, it is necessary to establish new conservation areas with a focus on herpetofauna after confirming the actual inhabitation of species through precise monitoring in predicted hotspot areas and designating them as protected areas. Our results can serve as important basic data for establishing protection measures and designating protected areas for herpetofauna species.

Feasibility of Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring on Dual-Energy Chest Computed Tomography: A Prospective Comparison with Electrocardiogram-Gated Calcium Score Computed Tomography.

Rationale and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of assessment using the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in dual-energy chest computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 patients (19 male, 11 female; mean age, 63.73 ± 9.40 years) who clinically required contrast-enhanced chest CT. The patients underwent electrocardiogram-gated cardiac calcium-scoring CT with a slice thickness of 2.5 mm followed by a sequentially non-gated contrast-enhanced dual-energy chest CT using 140/80 fast kVp switching technology with slice thicknesses of 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm. Virtual unenhanced (VUE) images were then reconstructed from the dual-energy CT using the material suppressed iodine (MSI) technique. Results: The mean heart rates were 63.33 ± 12.01 beats per minute. The mean CACS on the coronary calcium-scoring CT was 361.1 ± 435.5, and CACSs of the VUE images were 76.8 ± 128.6 (2.5 mm slice) and 108.7 ± 165.1 (1.25 mm slice). The correlation coefficients of CACS between the coronary calcium-scoring CT with the VUE 2.5 mm and 1.25 mm images were 0.888 and 0.904, respectively. The inter-observer agreements for the calcium score measurement between the calcium-scoring CT, VUE 2.5 mm, and VUE 1.25 mm were 1.000, 0.999, and 1.000, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, assessment of CACS using dual-energy chest CT might be feasible when using MSI virtual unenhanced dual-energy chest CT images with a slice thickness of 1.25 mm.

Spring and summer microhabitat use by Schlegel's Japanese gecko, Gekko japonicus (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae), in urban areas.

Differential microhabitat use may be beneficial to achieving fitness in seasonally variable environmental conditions. To explore whether the microhabitat use of the nocturnal Schlegel's Japanese gecko, Gekko japonicus, varies seasonally and depends on juvenile, male, and female reproductive groups, we investigated five categorical and five quantitative measure variables of microhabitat use in a wild population both in spring and summer. Most geckos were found on white, vertical planes of concrete and plastered brick walls. None of the categorical variables (type of location, substrate, substrate color, light source, and refuge) significantly differed according to season or group, while substrate temperature and irradiance at the location where geckos were observed and the distance from the nearest potential refuge were significantly greater in summer than in spring. The quantitative measure variables did not differ among the reproductive groups. These results suggest that G. japonicus seasonally adjusts its microhabitat use mainly in terms of quantitative measure variables rather than categorical variables.

Impact of Time Interval between Trauma Onset and Burr Hole Surgery on Recurrence of Late Subacute or Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

OBJECTIVE: Although subdural hematoma (SDH) is commonly treatable by burr hole surgery in the late subacute or chronic stage, there is no clear consensus regarding appropriate management and exact predictive factors for postoperative recurrence also remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with recurrence of SDH that requires burr hole surgery in the late subacute or chronic stage. We also identified the appropriate timing of surgery for reducing the recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 274 patients with SDH in the late subacute or chronic stage treated with burr hole surgery in our hospital between January 2007 and December 2014. Excluding patients with acute intracranial complications or unknown time of trauma onset left 216 patients included in the study. RESULTS: Of 216 patients with SDH in the late subacute or chronic stage, recurrence was observed in 36 patients (16.7%). The timing of the operation in patients with late subacute stage (15-28 days) resulted in a significant decrease in recurrence (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.65; p=0.001) compared to chronic stage (>28 days). Otherwise, no significant risk factors were associated with recurrences including comorbidities and surgical details. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that time from trauma onset to burr hole surgery may be important for decreasing the risk of recurrence. Therefore, unless patients can be treated conservatively without surgery, prompt surgical management is recommended in patients diagnosed as having late subacute or chronic subdural hematoma treatable by burr hole surgery, even when neurological deficits are unclear.

Cancers with Higher Density of Tumor-Associated Macrophages Were Associated with Poor Survival Rates.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages are a component of a tumor's microenvironment and have various roles in tumor progression and metastasis. This study evaluated the relationships between tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) density and clinical outcomes in 14 different types of human cancers. METHODS: We investigated TAM density in human tissue microarray sections from 14 different types of human cancers (n = 266) and normal thyroid, lung, and breast tissues (n = 22). The five-year survival rates of each cancer were obtained from the 2011 Korea Central Cancer Registry. RESULTS: Among 13 human cancers, excluding thyroid cancer, pancreas, lung, and gallbladder cancers had the highest density of CD163-positive macrophages (7.0±3.5%, 6.9±7.4%, and 6.9 ± 5.5%, respectively). The five-year relative survival rates of these cancers (pancreas, 8.7%; lung, 20.7%; gallbladder, 27.5%) were lower than those of other cancers. The histological subtypes in thyroid cancer exhibited significantly different CD163-positive macrophages densities (papillary, 1.8 ± 1.6% vs anaplastic, 22.9 ± 17.1%; p < .001), but no significant difference between histological subtypes was detected in lung and breast cancers. Moreover, there was no significant difference in CD163-positive macrophages densities among the TNM stages in lung, breast, and thyroid cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Cancers with higher TAM densities (pancreas, lung, anaplastic thyroid, and gallbladder) were associated with poor survival rate.