The dual nature of constraints on foreign worker participation in sports and physical activity in South Korea during COVID-19.

This study provides a different understanding of the constraints imposed by the pandemic and the official and unofficial restrictions that accompanied it. It is an empirical effort demonstrating that the pandemic's effects are not purely negative, but rather, also helped to produce positive and productive practices that draw upon both the inhibiting and enabling features of the constraints it triggered. Engaging with "productive power" in Foucault by considering constraints as practices that both inhibit and enable, the empirical goal of this paper is to explore how pandemic-related constraints on sports and physical activity prohibit foreign worker participation in sports and physical activity. It also examines how the constraints encourage them to pursue an active life in new and unique ways. To achieve this goal, the paper examines the South Korean context, particularly unskilled foreign workers with E-9 visas for non-professional employment in the fishing, farming, and manufacturing industries and their involvement in sports and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings address three "inhibitors" that specifically prevented foreign workers from getting actively involved, then demonstrate that explicit restrictions on sports and physical activity can be transformed into four "enablers" that encouraged foreign workers to participate. The conclusion offers critical reflections on Foucault's "ethical subject," followed by the limitations and implications of the study.

New Surgical Approach for Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation Using an Artificial Bag with Optic Capture in Patients with Intraocular Lens Dislocation.

PURPOSE: We present a newly developed approach to secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, which uses an artificial bag with optic capture (i.e., ABC technique) in patients with IOL dislocation. METHODS: This is a retrospective, noncomparative, and interventional case series that reveals the results of secondary IOL implantation using an artificial bag with optic capture in four cases of IOL dislocation. All patients underwent the abovementioned surgery and were followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: The best-corrected visual acuity of patients ranged from 20/30 to 20/20. The IOL of all patients showed no tilting or decentration with normal intraocular pressure. CONCLUSION: We believe that this method produces satisfactory results and will be especially beneficial to retinal surgeons for the management of patients with IOL dislocation.

The Brown Algae Ishige sinicola Extract Ameliorates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Rats and Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis through Downregulation of NFATc1/c-Fos.

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduction in bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of the bone, which causes bone fragility and fracture susceptibility. Ishige sinicola, a brown alga, reportedly affects osteoblast differentiation. However, its protective effect on estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss has not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of I. sinicola extract (ISE) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss in vivo and osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operated (SHAM) group and four OVX subgroups: SHAM, OVX, ISE20 (20 mg/kg), ISE200 (200 mg/kg), and estradiol (10 µg/kg). After 6 weeks of treatment, the bone mineral density (BMD), femur indices, and serum biomarker levels were measured. Furthermore, the effects of ISE on osteoclastogenesis and the expression of osteoclast-specific markers were measured. ISE administration improved the trabecular bone structure, bone biomechanical properties, BMD, and bone mineralization degree. In addition, the levels of serum bone turnover markers were decreased in the ISE group compared with those in the OVX group. Moreover, ISE inhibited osteoclast formation by downregulating NFATc1, TRAP, c-Src, c-Fos, and cathepsin K without any cytotoxic effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation. Therefore, we suggest that ISE has therapeutic potential in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

A Rare Case of Fatal Endobronchial Mucormycosis Masquerading as Endobronchial Tuberculosis.

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a relatively rare but often fatal opportunistic fungal infection that occurs mostly in immunocompromised patients. Endobronchial mucormycosis, a distinct clinical form of pulmonary mucormycosis, is very rare, and only a few cases have been reported. The most common bronchoscopic findings in patients with endobronchial mucormycosis are stenosis, erythematous mucosa and airway obstruction. Here, we present a case of fatal endobronchial mucormycosis mimicking actively caseating endobronchial tuberculosis in a young diabetic patient living in a country with an intermediate tuberculosis burden.

Life-Threatening Thrombocytopenia Following Intravenous Contrast Media Infusion.

Radiocontrast media-induced acute severe thrombocytopenia is a very rare complication and potentially life-threatening. Here, we report the case of a 63-year-old male patient with severe acute thrombocytopenia following first exposure to intravenous non-ionic contrast media without immediate allergic reactions. His platelet count dropped from 107000/µL to 2000/µL after six hours of radiocontrast infusion. After administration of corticosteroid and transfusion of platelet concentrates, the platelet count returned gradually to normal within 5 days. To the best of our knowledge, non-ionic contrast media-induced isolated acute severe thrombocytopenia following no signs or symptoms of immediate allergic reaction has never been described.

Gelidium amansii ethanol extract suppresses fat accumulation by down-regulating adipogenic transcription factors in ob/ob mice model.

The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-obesity effects of Gelidium amansii extract (GAE) in the C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice. The ob/ob mice were fed GAE at 0.5% for 4 weeks, after which body weight, epididymal adipose tissue weight, plasma triglycerides, and hepatic lipid accumulation were significantly reduced in GAE-fed mice compared with ob/ob control mice. Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly higher in GAE-fed mice than in ob/ob control mice. These findings were supported by the expression levels of enzymes and proteins related to lipid metabolism assessed by western blotting: protein expression levels of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and CCATT/enhancer binding protein α decreased significantly, while hormone-sensitive lipase and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase levels increased in the GAE-fed mice compared with ob/ob control mice. These findings demonstrate that GAE regulates plasma lipid profiles and increasing highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as by regulating the expression levels of lipid metabolic factors, resulting in reduced weight gain in ob/ob mice.

A Case of Endovascular Treatment of Severe Graft Limb Kinking after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been recommended as an alternative to open aneurysm repair. The risk of severe perioperative complications is lower than that in open surgical repair; however, late complications are more likely. After EVAR, regular yearly surveillance by duplex ultrasonography or computed tomography is recommended. We report the case of a 67-year-old man with a severely kinked left iliac branch of the stent graft 10 years after EVAR. He had not undergone regular follow-up during the last 4 years. We realigned the endograft kink by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

6,6'-Bieckol protects insulinoma cells against high glucose-induced glucotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Pancreatic ß cells are highly sensitive to oxidative stress, which might play an important role in ß cell death in diabetes. The protective effect of 6,6'-bieckol, a phlorotannin polyphenol compound purified from Ecklonia cava, against high glucose-induced glucotoxicity was investigated in rat insulinoma cells. High glucose (30 mM) treatment induced the death of rat insulinoma cells, but treatment with 10 or 50 µg/mL 6,6'-bieckol significantly inhibited the high glucose-induced glucotoxicity. Furthermore, treatment with 6,6'-bieckol dose-dependently reduced the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and the level of nitric oxide, all of which were increased by high glucose concentration. In addition, 6,6'-bieckol protected rat insulinoma cells from apoptosis under high-glucose conditions. These effects were associated with increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and reduced expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. These findings indicate that 6,6'-bieckol could be used as a potential nutraceutical agent offering protection against the glucotoxicity caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress associated with diabetes.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes according to Suturing Methods in Single Port Access Laparoscopic Myomectomy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to consider the clinical experience of surgical outcome of single port access (SPA) laparoscopic myomectomy according to suturing methods. METHODS: The authors operated with 2 suturing method in SPA laparoscopic myomectomy for 246 patients and compared the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The some significant difference of surgical outcome according to two suturing methods was demonstrated. Operating time was 100.50 minutes (± 42.09 minutes) in interrupted suture method group than 121.04 minutes (± 61.56 minutes) in continuous interlocking suture method group (P = 0.021). Estimated blood loss was less 222.59 mL (± 144.94 mL) in interrupted suture group than 340.11 mL (± 380.62 mL) in continuous interlocking suture method group (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: This experience suggests that interrupted suture method was effective for operating time and estimated blood loss than continuous interlocking method in SPA laparoscopic myomectomy.

Phlorofucofuroeckol A isolated from Ecklonia cava alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.

This study was designed to investigate whether phlorofucofuroeckol A inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and alleviated postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Phlorofucofuroeckol A that was isolated from Ecklonia cava (brown algae) demonstrated prominent inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. The IC50 values of phlorofucofuroeckol A against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 19.52 and 6.34µM, respectively. These inhibitory activities of phlorofucofuroeckol A were higher than those of acarbose, which was used as a positive control. Increases in postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly more suppressed in the group administered phlorofucofuroeckol A compared to the control group in both diabetic and normal mice. Moreover, the area under the curve was significantly lower after phlorofucofuroeckol A administration (2296 versus 2690mmolmin/l) in the diabetic mice. These results suggested that phlorofucofuroeckol A is a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor and can alleviate the postprandial hyperglycemia that is caused by starch.

6,6'-bieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava protects oxidative stress through inhibiting expression of ROS and proinflammatory enzymes in high-glucose-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress accelerates endothelial cell dysfunctions, which cause various complications of diabetes. The protective effects of 6,6'-bieckol (BEK), one of phlorotannin compound purified from Ecklonia cava against high-glucose-induced oxidative stress was investigated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which is susceptible to oxidative stress. High glucose (30 mM) treatment induced HUVECs' cell death, but BEK, at concentration 10 or 50 µg/ml, significantly inhibited the high-glucose-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, treatment with BEK dose-dependently decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and nitric oxide level increased by high glucose. In addition, high glucose levels induced the overexpressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) proteins in HUVECs, but BEK treatment reduced the overexpressions of these proteins. These findings indicate that BEK is a potential therapeutic agent that will prevent diabetic endothelial dysfunction and related complications.

Daidzein inhibits carbohydrate digestive enzymes in vitro and alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.

This study was designed to investigate whether daidzein inhibits α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Daidzein showed prominent inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The IC50 values of daidzein against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.048 and 0.301 mmol, respectively, which showed that daidzein was more effective than acarbose. The increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was more significantly suppressed in the daidzein-administered group than in the water group of both streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal mice. Moreover, the area under the curve was significantly lowered following daidzein administration (2043 versus 2475 mmol min l) in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. These results indicated that daidzein may be a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor and suppress the postprandial hyperglycemia caused by starch.

Dieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava protects against high-glucose induced damage to rat insulinoma cells by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Pancreatic ß cells are very sensitive to oxidative stress and this might play an important role in ß cell death with diabetes. The protective effect of dieckol, one of the phlorotannin polyphenol compounds purified from Ecklonia cava (E. cava), against high glucose-induced oxidative stress was investigated by using rat insulinoma cells. A high-glucose (30 mM) treatment induced the death of rat insulinoma cells, but dieckol, at a concentration 17.5 or 70 µM, significantly inhibited the high-glucose induced glucotoxicity. Treatment with dieckol also dose-dependently reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the nitric oxide level increased by a high glucose concentration. In addition, the dieckol treatment increased the activities of antioxidative enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in high glucose-pretreated rat insulinoma cells. Dieckol protected rat insulinoma cells damage under high glucose conditions. These effects were mediated by suppressing apoptosis and were associated with increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, and reduced pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3 expression. These findings indicate that dieckol might be useful as a potential pharmaceutical agent to protect against the glucotoxicity caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress associated with diabetes.

Bioactive compounds extracted from Ecklonia cava by using enzymatic hydrolysis protects high glucose-induced damage in INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells.

Pancreatic ß-cells are very sensitive to oxidative stress and this might play an important role in ß-cell death in diabetes. In the present study, we investigated whether the brown alga Ecklonia cava has protective effects against high glucose-induced damage in INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells. For that purpose, we prepared an enzymatic hydrolysate from E. cava (EHE) by using the carbohydrase, Celluclast. High-glucose (30 mM) treatment induced glucotoxicity, whereas EHE prevented cells from high glucose-induced damage then restoring cell viability was significantly increased. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were overproduced as the result of the treatment by high glucose; however, these lipid peroxidation, ROS and NO generations were effectively inhibited by addition of EHE in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, EHE treatment increased activities of antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in high glucose pretreated INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells. EHE slightly reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax induced by high glucose but increased the expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein. These findings indicate that EHE might be used as potential nutraceutical agent which will protect the glucotoxicity caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress associated with diabetes.

Mechanical and water barrier properties of starch/PVA composite films by adding nano-sized poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide) particles.

The aim of this work is to prepare starch/PVA composite films added nano-sized poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide) (PMMA-co-AAm) particles and to investigate the mechanical properties, water barrier properties, and soil burial degradation for the films. Composite films were prepared by using corn starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), nano-sized PMMA-co-AAm particles, and additives, i.e., glycerol (GL), xylitol (XL), and citric acid (CA). Nano-sized PMMA-co-AAm particles were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. The results of the evaluation of properties for prepared films indicated that compared with films without PMMA-co-AAm particles, the mechanical properties and water resistance were improved up to 70-400% by the addition of nano-sized PMMA-co-AAm. In addition, the results of the soil burial biodegradation revealed that films added PMMA-co-AAm particles were degraded by about 45-65% after 165 days.

Physical properties and characterization of biodegradable films using nano-sized TiO2/poly(acrylamide-co-methyl methacrylate) composite.

In this study, biodegradable films were prepared by using corn starch, PVA, nano-sized poly(acrylamide-co-methyl methacrylate) (PAAm-co-MMA), nano-sized TiO2(P-25)/PAAm-co-MMA composite, and additives which are harmless to the human body, that is, glycerol (GL) and citric acid (CA). Nano-sized PAAm-co-MMA was synthesized by the method of emulsion polymerization. Also, nano-sized TiO2/PAAm-co-MMA composites were synthesized by wet milling for 48 h. The morphology and crystallinty of nano-sized PAAm-co-MMA and TiO2/PAAm-co-MMA composite was observed by the SEM and XRD. The physical properties such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (%E), degree of swelling (DS), and solubility (S) of biodegradable films were investigated. The photocatalytic degradability of starch/PVA/nano-sized TiO2/PAAm-co-MMA composite blended films was evaluated using methylene blue as photodegradation target.

Treatment for gastric carcinoma in the oldest old patients.

BACKGROUND: The strategy for treating extremely aged patients with gastric carcinoma is controversial. This study reviews the prognoses of patients aged 85 years and older who were diagnosed with gastric carcinoma. METHODS: One hundred seventeen patients aged 85 years and older were diagnosed as having gastric carcinoma after 1969 in our institution. After excluding those at stage IV, 36 cases underwent curative resection and 30 cases received best supportive care (BSC), which we reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Surgical methods included distal gastrectomy for 28 cases, total gastrectomy for five cases, and other procedures for three cases. Postoperatively, pneumonia developed in four cases, anastomotic leakage in two cases, and pancreatic fistula in one case. Two patients died of pneumonia within 1 month of surgery. Univariate analysis demonstrated that age, surgery, performance status, and sodium level were statistically significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that surgery was the only independent prognostic factor. When patients with a performance status of 4 were excluded, the clinical characteristics of the surgery group (n = 36) and BSC group (n = 20) were statistically identical, and the overall survival was significantly better in the surgery group (p = 0.0078). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative outcomes were relatively acceptable. Surgery may be feasible and beneficial even for extremely aged patients 85 years and older, except for those with a performance status of 4.

Dieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava inhibits alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase in vitro and alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

This study was designed to investigate whether dieckol may inhibit α-glucosidase and alpha-amylase activities, and alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Dieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava, brown algae, evidenced prominent inhibitory effect against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase. The IC(50) values of dieckol against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase were 0.24 and 0.66 mM, respectively, which evidenced the higher activities than that of acarbose. Dieckol did not exert any cytotoxic effect in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at various concentrations (from 0.33 to 2.69 mM). The increase of postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly suppressed in the dieckol administered group than those in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic or normal mice. Moreover, the area under curve (AUC) was significantly reduced via dieckol administration (259 versus 483 mmol min/l) in the diabetic mice as well as it delays absorption of dietary carbohydrates. Therefore, these result indicated that dieckol might be a potent inhibitor for α-glucosidase and α-amylase.