Carbapenem non-susceptibility overcalling by BD phoenix NMIC-500 panel.

We aimed to assess the accuracy of BD Phoenix for determining carbapenem susceptibility because we observed a decline in carbapenem susceptibility rate from the biannual cumulative data, after we transitioned to the BD Phoenix form Vitek 2 system. Between October 2021 and May 2022, we collected 82 non-duplicated Enterobacterales showing non-susceptible to at least one of the three carbapenems by BD Phoenix. We performed the broth microdilution (BMD) and disk diffusion (DD) according to the CLSI guideline. Compared to BMD, the categorical agreements for ertapenem (ERT), imipenem (IPM) and meropenem (MEPM) was 58.8%, 56.8% and 91.5% for BD Phoenix and it was 85.4%, 89.0%, and 97.6%, respectively, for DD (p value; 0.0001 for ERT and IPM, p value; 0.17 for MEPM). The major errors/minor errors for ERT, IPM, and MEPM were 14.0%/31.7%, 2.94%/40.7%, and 2.56%/6.10%, respectively for BD Phoenix, compared to 0%/14.6%, 0%/9.8%, and 0%/2.5%, for DD. While errors in the BD Phoenix showed tendency towards resistance, those in DD displayed no tendency towards either resistance or susceptibility. With DD, 21 out of the 27 isolates showing susceptible/intermediate/susceptible pattern (ERT/IPM/MEPM) and 13 out of the 16 isolates showing intermediate/susceptible/susceptible pattern (ERT/IPM/MEPM), were correctly categorized by DD. However, for 22 isolates showing resistant/susceptible/susceptible pattern (ERT/IPM/MEPM), only 13 isolates were correctly categorized by DD. In conclusion, to mitigate the risk of overcalling carbapenem non-susceptibility with BD Phoenix, it will be helpful to perform a complementary test using DD and to provide comments on the DD results to clinicians.

Telomere integrated scoring system of myelodysplastic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, multigene target sequencing is widely performed for the purpose of prognostic prediction and application of targeted therapy. Here, we proposed a new scoring system that encompasses gene variations, telomere length, and Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) together in Asian myelodysplastic syndrome. METHODS: We developed a new scoring model of these variables: age ≥ 65 years + IPSS-R score + ASXL1 mutation + TP53 mutation + Telomere length (<5.37). According to this new scoring system, patients were divided into four groups: very good score cutoff (≤3.0), good (3.0-4.5), poor (4.5-7.0), and very poor (>7.0). RESULTS: The median OS was 170.1, 100.4, 46.0, and 12.0 months for very good, good, poor, and very poor, retrospectively (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, according to the conventional IPSS-R scoring system, the median OS was 141.3, 50.2, 93.0, 36.0, and 16.2 months for very low, low, intermediate, high, and very high, retrospectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed model incorporating molecular variations and TL yielded more clear separations of the survival curves. By adding the presence of gene mutation and telomere length to the existing IPSS-R, its predictive ability can be further improved in myelodysplastic syndrome.

Sleep Fragmentation Accelerates Carcinogenesis in a Chemical-Induced Colon Cancer Model.

Aims of this study were to test whether sleep fragmentation (SF) increased carcinogenesis and to investigate the possible mechanisms of carcinogenesis in a chemical-induced colon cancer model. In this study, eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were divided into Home cage (HC) and SF groups. After the azoxymethane (AOM) injection, the mice in the SF group were subjected to SF for 77 days. SF was accomplished in a sleep fragmentation chamber. In the second protocol, mice were divided into 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated, HC, and SF groups and were exposed to the HC or SF procedures. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent stainings were conducted to determine the level of 8-OHdG and reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the relative expression of inflammatory and ROS-generating genes. The number of tumors and average tumor size were significantly higher in the SF group than in the HC group. The intensity (%) of the 8-OHdG stained area was significantly higher in the SF group than in the HC group. The fluorescence intensity of ROS was significantly higher in the SF group than the HC group. SF accelerated cancer development in a murine AOM/DSS-induced model of colon cancer, and the increased carcinogenesis was associated with ROS- and oxidative stress-induced DNA damage.

Development of a Simple Direct and Hot-Start PCR Using Escherichia coli-Expressing Taq DNA Polymerase.

Taq DNA polymerases have played an important role in molecular biology for several years and are frequently used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR); hence, there is an increasing interest in developing a convenient method for preparing Taq DNA polymerase for routine use in laboratories. We developed a method using Escherichia coli (E. coli) that expresses thermostable Taq DNA polymerase directly in the PCR without purification. The Taq gene was transformed into E. coli and expressed. After overnight incubation and washing, E. coli-expressing Taq DNA polymerase (EcoliTaq) was used as the DNA polymerase without purification. EcoliTaq showed activity comparable to that of commercial DNA polymerase and remained stable for 3 months. With a high-pH buffer containing 2% Tween 20 and 0.4 M trehalose, EcoliTaq facilitated direct PCR amplification from anticoagulated whole blood samples. EcoliTaq exhibited good performance in allele-specific PCR using both purified DNA and whole blood samples. Furthermore, it proved to be useful as a DNA polymerase in hot-start PCR by effectively minimizing non-specific amplification. We developed a simple and cost-effective direct and hot-start PCR method in which EcoliTaq was used directly as a PCR enzyme, thus eliminating the laborious and time-consuming steps of polymerase purification.

Synergistic Effect of Saccharin and Caffeine on Antiproliferative Activity in Human Ovarian Carcinoma Ovcar-3 Cells.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the antiproliferative and apoptotic induction potential of a saccharin and caffeine combination in ovarian cancer cells. The cell line used was Ovcar-3, and the cell viability was measured through a WST-8 assay, while a Chou-Talalay assay was used to confirm the synergistic effect of saccharin and caffeine on the ovarian cancer cells. A clonogenic assay, annexin V-FITC/PI-PE double-staining, and RT-PCR were performed to confirm the expression of genes that induce colony formation, cell viability, and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells treated with the saccharin-caffeine combination. It was demonstrated that both saccharin and caffeine decreased the viability of Ovcar-3 cells, and the cell viability decreased even more significantly when the cells were treated with the combination of saccharin and caffeine. The clonogenic assay results showed that the number of colonies decreased the most when saccharin and caffeine were combined, and the number of colonies also significantly decreased compared to the single-treatment groups. Based on flow cytometry analysis using annexin V-FITC/PI-PE double-staining, it was confirmed that the decrease in cell viability caused by the combination of saccharin and caffeine was correlated with the induction of apoptosis. The results of the RT-PCR confirmed that the combined treatment of saccharin and caffeine promoted cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-inducing genes. These results demonstrate that the combination of saccharin and caffeine more efficiently inhibits the proliferation of Ovcar-3 cells and induces apoptosis in vitro.

Application of Interphase Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization: a Screening Tool for the Diagnosis of Microdeletion Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Most laboratories adopt the results of metaphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for the diagnosis of microdeletion syndromes. To investigate the discrepancy between the results of interphase and metaphase, we compared the quantitative results of FISH for 5 kinds of microdeletion syndrome and gender determination disorders (SDD). METHODS: A total of 282 (135 for DiGeorge syndrome, 20 for Kalmann syndrome, 7 for Miller-Dieker syndrome, 38 for Prader Willi/Angelman syndrome, 62 for Williams syndrome, and 20 for SDD (SRY FISH)) were enrolled. For SRY FISH, we artificially mixed fresh blood of male and female with various ratios and then compared the results of metaphase and interphase SRY FISH. Using a bio-cell chip, we performed interphase FISH in 168 patients with microdeletion syndromes and compared the results with manual interphase. RESULTS: The concordance rate between the results of metaphase and interphase was 100% in microdeletion syndrome. In the disorders of gender development, SRY FISH showed 100% concordance between interphase and metaphase when we counted 50 metaphase cells and 100 interphase cells. Comparison with mixtures of male and female blood at various ratios also showed 100% concordance. The results of bio-cell chip showed 100% concordance between previous interphase FISH results. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the complete concordance between interphase and metaphase in microdeletion syndrome, the application of interphase FISH without performing metaphase FISH can be a screening test for microdeletion syndrome. Confirmation by metaphase FISH can be performed only in cases with abnormal results by interphase FISH.

A relationship between unrecognized anaemia and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patient with cardiovascular risks.

Studies on anaemia in diabetic patients are well known. However, the data regarding association of anaemia on the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) are very limited. We aimed to evaluate the association of anaemia on the development of DM and major clinical outcomes in a series of the Korean population during 5-year clinical follow-up. The patients were retrospectively enrolled using the electronic database of Korea University Guro Hospital from January 2004 to February 2013. A total of 17 515 subjects without a history of DM were analysed. The World Health Organization definition of anaemia was used. Patients were divided into the anaemia group (n = 2907 patients) and the non-anaemia group (n = 14 608 patients). The primary endpoint was the development of DM. To adjust baseline potential confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. After PSM analysis, two matched groups (2731 pairs) were generated and their baselines characteristics were balanced. During 5-year follow-up, the anaemia group had a higher incidence of type 2 DM (10.7% vs 7.7%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.356; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.021-1.802; P = .035), and total death (2.6% vs 1.2%; HR, 2.449; 95% CI, 1.337-4.486; P = .004) compared to the non-anaemia group. In the present study, anaemia was associated with higher rate of the development of DM and mortality during 5-year clinical follow-up. A randomized trial is needed to determine whether this results can be reproducible or not for the final conclusion.

Development of a 68 Ga-labelled PET tracer for carbonic anhydrase IX-overexpressed tumors using the artificial sweetener saccharin.

In this study, we developed a saccharin (SAC)-based radiopharmaceutical (68 Ga-NOTA-SAC) and evaluated the possibility of its application as a PET tracer in the diagnosis of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX)-overexpressed tumors. We did a water-soluble tetrazolium assay and flow cytometry analysis to identify the cell viability decrease by SAC. The radiochemical purity and stability of 68 Ga- NOTA-SAC in human and mouse serum was greater than 98%. The small animal PET image-based radioactivity distribution of all organs decreased over time.68 Ga-NOTA-SAC presented the highest tumor-to-muscle ratio at 90 min post injection (p.i). The growth rates of tumor-to-muscle ratios of 68 Ga-NOTA-SAC were 88% at 60 min and 220% at 90 min, compared to 30 min p.i. The potential of 68 Ga-NOTA-SAC as a PET tracer is expected to contribute to the diagnostic research on CA IX-overexpressed tumors with the advantages of a relatively simple synthesis method.

Effects of Induced Exosomes from Endometrial Cancer Cells on Tumor Activity in the Presence of Aurea helianthus Extract.

Endometrial cancer (EC) cells metastasize to various regions, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, blood, liver, bone, and brain. Various carcinogens are known to cause EC. Exosomes are released from several types of cells and contain various cellular components. In this study, flow cytometry and quantitative PCR were used to evaluate marker levels, cell migration, cell invasion, and mitochondrial membrane potential, and cellular senescence tests were used to estimate cancer activity. The microRNAs were profiled using next-generation sequencing. Although tocopherol-α and rutin content in Aurea helianthus is high, A. helianthus extract was more useful in modulating tumor activity compared to the two aforementioned substances. Notably, we established that the extract induced bioactive exosomes in EC cells, and profiling of miRNAs in the extract-inducing exosomes (EIE) indicated their potency to be developed as a biological drug. The extract and EIE contributed to the following five biological process categories for EC cells: (1) cell migration and invasion suppression, (2) cellular senescence activation by attenuating mitochondrial membrane potential and enhancing autophagy, (3) reproductive cancer activity attenuation, (4) drug susceptibility activation, and (5) EIE containing miRNAs associated with decreasing inflammation.

Hyperuricaemia and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asian population.

Recently, meta-analysis studies reported that hyperuricaemia is associated with higher incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), however, there are limited data on the Asian population. The aim of this observational study is to estimate the long-term impact of hyperuricaemia on the new-onset T2DM and cardiovascular events. This study is based on a single-centre, all-comers, and large retrospective cohort. Subjects that visited from January 2004 to February 2014 were enrolled using the electronic database of Korea University Guro Hospital. A total of 10 505 patients without a history of T2DM were analyzed for uric acid, fasting glucose and haemoglobin (Hb) A1c level. Inclusion criteria included both Hb A1c <5.7% and fasting glucose level <100 mg/dL without T2DM. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a uric acid level ≥7.0 mg/dL in men, and ≥6.5 mg/dL in women. To adjust baseline confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. The impact of hyperuricaemia on the new-onset T2DM and cardiovascular events were compared with the non-hyperuricaemia during the 5-year clinical follow-up. After PSM, baseline characteristics of both groups were balanced. In a 5-year follow-up, the hyperuricaemia itself was a strong independent predictor of the incidence of new-onset T2DM (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.8). Hyperuricaemia was a strong independent predictor of new-onset T2DM, which suggests a substantial implication for a correlation between uric acid concentration and insulin resistance (or insulin sensitivity). Also, hyperuricaemia is substantially implicated in cardiovascular risks and the further long-term cardiovascular events in the crude population, but it is not an independent predictor of long-term cardiovascular mortality in the matched population.

Localization patterns of dopamine active transporter synthesizing cells during development of brine shrimp.

There have been many studies on dopamine active transporter (DAT) in humans and laboratory animals; however, there is a lack of information on DAT in brine shrimp. In this study, we demonstrated the neuronal and nonneuronal characteristics of DAT-synthesizing (DAT+ cells) during development of brine shrimp. In neuronal cells, the DAT+ neurons in the central body and lobes of a protocerebrum (PC) controlled the deutocerebrum. The sensory cells of nauplius eyes projected their decussated axons to the PC, and the DAT+ cells at the posterior region were associated with migration and control of the 10 posterior neurons during the early nauplius stage. In nonneuronal cells, the five types of glands, that is, the salt, antennal, mandible, and accessory glands and posterior gland1 and gland2 synthesized DAT protein. In addition, the gut and rectum dilator muscles and renal cells expressed DAT protein. Thus, DAT protein acts in the development of several types of cells during development of brine shrimp.

Air pollution and short-term clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Ambient air pollution is well-known to be a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and death. However, the association between air pollutants (AP) exposure and short-term clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients (pts) has not been elucidated well. In the present study, 37 880 AMI pts were enrolled from October 2005 to December 2013 in a nationwide large-scale, prospective, multicentre Korea AMI registry (KAMIR registry; http://www.kamir.or.kr). We obtained data on AP (e.g., NO2 , SO2 , CO, O3 and PM10 ) from the Korean National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER; http://www.nier.go.kr). Clinical endpoints included death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), any revascularization and composite of all-cause death and Re-MI. Exposure to AP is defined as the average exposure to AP within 24 hours before AMI admission. We observed that a 0.01 part per million (ppm) increase in NO2 concentration, 0.001 ppm increase in SO2 concentration, and 0.1 ppm increase in CO concentration each increased the risk of total death by 9.7% (95% CI, 6.2%-13.4%), 1.9% (95% CI, 0.3%-3.6%), and 2.1% (95% CI, 0.5%-3.9%), respectively. Exceptionally, O3 decreased the risk of total death by 0.6% (95% CI -0.2% to -1.0%) per 0.01 ppm increase. PM10 was not related to any cardiovascular events. AP were each stratified into five quintiles according to ranges of AP levels. After adjusting analysis for risk variables, only high quintiles (Q4, Q5) of NO2 were positively associated with total death, cardiac death and MI, while SO2 , CO, O3 and PM10 were shown to be not related to any cardiovascular events at all levels. In AMI patients, each AP and its concentration has shown a different effect to short-term mortality and cardiovascular events.

DISTINCTIVE LOCALIZATION OF GROUP 3 LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT SYNTHESIZING CELLS DURING BRINE SHRIMP DEVELOPMENT.

Despite numerous studies on late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, their functions, roles, and localizations during developmental stages in arthropods remain unknown. LEA proteins protect crucial proteins against osmotic stress during the development and growth of various organisms. Thus, in this study, fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to determine the crucial regions protected against osmotic stress as well as the distinctive localization of group 3 (G3) LEA(+) cells during brine shrimp development. Several cell types were found to synthesize G3 LEA RNA, including neurons, muscular cells, APH-1(+) cells, and renal cells. The G3 LEA(+) neuronal cell bodies outside of the mushroom body projected their axonal bundles to the central body, but those inside the mushroom body projected their axonal bundles toward the deutocerebrum without innervating the central body. The cell bodies inside the mushroom body received axons of the G3 LEA(+) sensory cells at the medial ventral cup of the nauplius eye. Several glands were found to synthesize G3 LEA RNA during the nauplius stages of brine shrimp, including the sinus, antennal I and II, salt, and three ectodermal glands. This study provides the first demonstration of the formation of G3 LEA(+) sinus glands at the emergence stages of brine shrimp. These results suggest that G3 LEA protein is synthesized in several cell types. In particular, specific glands play crucial roles during the emergence and nauplius stages of brine shrimp.

Decreased umbilical orexin-A level is associated with idiopathic polyhydramnios.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between orexin-A level and idiopathic polyhydramnios. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary-level university hospital. POPULATION: Ten term pregnant women with idiopathic polyhydramnios and, as the control group, 20 pregnant women with normal amniotic fluid levels. METHODS: Amniotic fluid level was measured at admission for delivery using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maternal blood was obtained from a cannulated vein immediately before delivery, and umbilical blood was collected at the time of delivery, before the separation of the placenta. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal and umbilical levels of orexin-A. RESULTS: Mean umbilical serum orexin-A level was significantly lower than maternal serum orexin-A level. Umbilical serum orexin-A level was positively correlated with maternal serum orexin-A level, but negatively correlated with amniotic fluid index and birthweight. Umbilical serum orexin-A level was lower in the idiopathic polyhydramnios group than in the control group. However, no difference in maternal serum orexin-A level was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic polyhydramnios was associated with decreased umbilical serum orexin-A levels. Our results provide evidence that orexin-A expression may be involved in amniotic fluid regulation, causing polyhydramnios by downregulation.

Effects of environmental temperature change on mercury absorption in aquatic organisms with respect to climate warming.

Because of global warming, the quantity of naturally generated mercury (Hg) will increase, subsequently methylation of Hg existing in seawater may be enhanced, and the content of metal in marine products rise which consequently results in harm to human health. Studies of the effects of temperatures on Hg absorption have not been adequate. In this study, in order to observe the effects of temperature changes on Hg absorption, inorganic Hg or methylmercury (MeHg) was added to water tanks containing loaches. Loach survival rates decreased with rising temperatures, duration, and exposure concentrations in individuals exposed to inorganic Hg and MeHg. The MeHg-treated group died sooner than the inorganic Hg-exposed group. The total Hg and MeHg content significantly increased with temperature and time in both metal-exposed groups. The MeHg-treated group had higher metal absorption rates than inorganic Hg-treated loaches. The correlation coefficients for temperature elevation and absorption were significant in both groups. The results of this study may be used as basic data for assessing in vivo hazards from environmental changes such as climate warming.

Efficient reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts to neuronal cells including dopaminergic neurons.

Somatic cells were directly converted to functional neurons through the use of a combination of transcription factors, including Ascl1, Brn2, and Myt1l. However, a major limitation is the lack of a reliable source of cell-replacement therapy for neurological diseases. Here, we show that a combination of the transcription factors Ascl1 and Nurr1 (AN) and neurotrophic factors including SHH and FGF8b directly reprogrammed embryonic mouse fibroblasts to induced neuronal (iN) cells: pan-neuronal cells and dopaminergic (DA) neurons under our systematic cell culture conditions. Reprogrammed cells showed the morphological properties of neuronal cells. Additionally, cells were analyzed using various markers, including Tuj1 and Map2 for neuronal cells and Lmx1a, Th, Aadc and Vmat2 for DA neurons in our immunostaining and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR experiments. We found that a combination of transcription factors and neurotrophic factors could directly reprogram fibroblasts to neuronal cells including DA neurons. Various types of reprogrammed cells are promising cell sources for cell-based therapy of neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury.

Effects of Taekkyon-based exercise program on balance, lower extremity strength, and gait parameters in community-dwelling older women: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: As individuals age, they experience a decline in muscle strength and balance, leading to diminished functional capacity and an increased risk of falls. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of the Taekkyon-based exercise program on balance, muscle strength, and gait ability in women aged over 65-year-old residing in the local community. METHODS: Forty-eight subjects were randomly allocated into the Taekkyon-based exercise program as an experimental group (EG = 25; mean age: 71.68 ±â€…3.26) or a fall prevention program as a control group (CG = 23; mean age: 73.65 ±â€…5.88). EG participants received 1-hour Taekkyon exercise sessions twice a week for 12 consecutive weeks. CG participants received a typical fall prevention program. The measurements in each group included assessments of balance levels (the timed up-and-go test, one-leg stance, and functional reach test), lower extremity strength (the 5-chair stand test and 30-second chair stand test), and gait parameters (cadence, step length, step width, stride length, stride time, and gait velocity) before and after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, balance (timed up-and-go test, one-leg stance, and functional reach test), lower extremity strength (5-chair stand test and 30-second chair stand test), and gait parameters (cadence, stride time, and gait velocity) showed a significant improvement in EG participants compared to CG participants (P < .05). Compared to the normal value of balance ability and strength of elderly women over 65 years of age, most outcomes were greater than average normal values for those receiving Taekkyon exercise. CONCLUSION: Taekkyon-based exercise program was more effective in improving balance, lower extremity strength, and gait capacity than the usual fall prevention program in elderly women over 65 years of age. Its effects can approach normal values for women in this age group. The 12-week Taekkyon-based exercise program could be useful as part of a fall prevention program to elderly people.

The effects of various stair-climbing exercises on functional mobility and trunk muscle activation in community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stair-climbing (SC) is an essential daily life skill, and stair-climbing exercise (SCE) serves as a valuable method for promoting physical activity in older adults. This study aimed to compare the impact of SCEs with heel contact (HC) and heel off (HO) during SC on functional mobility and trunk muscle (TM) activation amplitudes in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: In the pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated to either the HC group (n = 17; mean age 75.9 ± 6.3 years) or the HO group (n = 17; mean age 76.5 ± 4.6 years). The HC participants performed SCE with the heel of the ankle in contact with the ground, while the HO participants performed SCE with the heel of the ankle off the ground during SC. Both groups participated in progressive SCE for one hour per day, three days per week, over four consecutive weeks (totaling 12 sessions) at the community center. We measured timed stair-climbing (TSC), timed up and go (TUG), and electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of the TMs including rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominus and internal oblique abdominals (TrA-IO), and erector spinae (ES) during SC before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant improvement in TSC and TUG after the intervention (P < .01, respectively), with no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in the EMG activity of the TMs between the groups after the intervention. The amplitude of TMs significantly decreased after the intervention in both groups (P < .01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both SCE methods could improve balance and SC ability in older adults while reducing the recruitment of TMs during SC. Both SCE strategies are effective in improving functional mobility and promoting appropriate posture control during SC in older adults.

Long-term air pollution exposure is associated with higher incidence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction and in-hospital cardiogenic shock.

Previous studies have reported the association between myocardial infarction (MI) and air pollution (AP). However, limited information is available regarding the long-term effects of AP on the relative incidence rates of ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and Non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI). We investigated the association between long-term exposure to AP and the incidence of STEMI. Between January 2006 and December 2015, a total of 45,619 eligible patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) were enrolled in the Korea Acute MI Registry (KAMIR) and KAMIR-National Institutes of Health. Mixed-effect regression models were used to examine the association between the annual average ambient AP before MI onset and the incidence of STEMI, and to evaluate the association of AP with the incidence of in-hospital cardiogenic shock. After mixed-effect regression model analysis, particulate matter (PM) 10 µm or less in diameter (PM10) was associated with increased incidence of STEMI compared with NSTEMI (odds ratio [OR] 1.009, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.002-1.016; p = 0.012). For in-hospital cardiogenic shock complication, PM10 and SO2 were associated with increased risk, PM10 (OR 1.033, 95% CI 1.018-1.050; p < 0.001), SO2 (OR 1.104, 95% CI 1.006-1.212; p = 0.037), respectively. Policy-level strategies and clinical efforts to reduce AP exposure are necessary to prevent the incidence of STEMI and severe cardiovascular complications.

Involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse.

PURPOSE: Biomechanical weakness of the pelvic supportive structures has been proposed to be a cause of pelvic organ prolapse. However, the molecular mechanism involved in these changes is not completely understood. In this investigation we evaluated oxidative stress biomarkers in the uterosacral ligaments of women with pelvic organ prolapse and compared them with those of women with normal support. In addition, mitochondrial apoptosis was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were collected from 26 women with advanced stage pelvic organ prolapse and 29 age matched controls. The expression levels of 8-OHdG and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in the uterosacral ligaments were measured using immunohistochemistry. To assess mitochondrial apoptosis we performed TUNEL assay, immunohistochemistry for cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c, and Western blot analyses for cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9. RESULTS: The mean percentage of cells immunopositive for 8-OHdG, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, TUNEL, cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c in the uterosacral ligaments was significantly higher in patients with pelvic organ prolapse than in controls. Similarly, Western blot analysis revealed increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 in patients with pelvic organ prolapse. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive correlations between the percentage of cells immunopositive for 8-OHdG or 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and markers of mitochondrial apoptosis. Analyzing by pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stage according to C point, the mean percentage of cells immunopositive for 8-OHdG, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and cytochrome c was significantly higher in patients with pelvic organ prolapse compared to controls, regardless of stage. However, the mean percentage of TUNEL and cleaved caspase-3 positive cells was significantly higher only in patients with stage III or IV pelvic organ prolapse. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress and increased mitochondrial apoptosis may contribute to the pathological process of pelvic organ prolapse.