Quantification of The Performance of CMIP6 Models for Dynamic Downscaling in The North Pacific and Northwest Pacific Oceans

Selecting a reliable global climate model as the driving forcing in simulations with dynamic downscaling is critical for obtaining a reliable regional ocean climate. With respect to their accuracy in providing physical quantities and long-term trends, we quantify the performances of 17 models from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) over the North Pacific (NP) and Northwest Pacific (NWP) oceans for 1979–2014. Based on normalized evaluation measures, each model’s performance for a physical quantity is mainly quantified by the performance score (PS), which ranges from 0 to 100. Overall, the CMIP6 models reasonably reproduce the physical quantities of the driving variables and the warming ocean heat content and temperature trends. However, their performances significantly depend on the variables and region analyzed. The EC-Earth-Veg and CNRM-CM6-1 models show the best performances for the NP and NWP oceans, respectively, with the highest PS values of 85.89 and 76.97, respectively. The EC-Earth3 model series are less sensitive to the driving variables in the NP ocean, as reflected in their PS. The model performance is significantly dependent on the driving variables in the NWP ocean. Nevertheless, providing a better physical quantity does not correlate with a better performance for trend. However, MRI-ESM2-0 model shows a high performance for the physical quantity in the NWP ocean with warming trends similar to references, and it could thus be used as an appropriate driving forcing in dynamic downscaling of this ocean. This study provides objective information for studies involving dynamic downscaling of the NP and NWP oceans

Quantitative prediction of oral bioavailability of a lipophilic antineoplastic drug bexarotene administered in lipidic formulation using a combined in vitro lipolysis/microsomal metabolism approach

For performance assessment of the lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS), in vitro lipolysis is commonly applied because traditional dissolution tests do not reflect the complicated in vivo micellar formation and solubilisation processes. Much of previous research on in vitro lipolysis have mostly focused on rank-ordering formulations for their predicted performances. In this study, we have incorporated in vitro lipolysis with microsomal stability to quantitatively predict the oral bioavailability of a lipophilic antineoplastic drug bexarotene (BEX) administered in LBDDS. Two types of LBDDS were applied: lipid solution and lipid suspension. The predicted oral bioavailability values (Foral,predicted) of BEX from linking in vitro lipolysis with microsomal stability for lipid solution and lipid suspension were 34.2 1.6% and 36.2 2.6%, respectively, while the in vivo oral bioavailability (Foral) of BEX was tested as 31.5 13.4% and 31.4 5.2%, respectively. The Foral,predicted corresponded well with the Foral for both formulations, demonstrating that the combination of in vitro lipolysis and microsomal stability can quantitatively predict oral bioavailability of BEX. In vivo intestinal lymphatic uptake was also assessed for the formulations and resulted in [less than] 1% of the dose, which confirmed that liver microsomal stability was necessary for correct prediction of the bioavailability

Do we need colonoscopy verification in patients with fundic gland polyp?

Background/AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in subjects with fundic gland polyps (FGPs) and the relationship between FGPs and colorectal neoplasia in Korea.MethodsWe analyzed 128 consecutive patients with FPGs who underwent colonoscopy between January 2009 and December 2013. For each case, age- (±5 years) and sex-matched controls were identified from among patients with hyperplastic polyps, gastric neoplasms, and healthy controls. Clinical characteristics were reviewed from medical records, colonoscopic findings, pathologic findings, and computed tomography images. The outcome was evaluated by comparison of advanced colonic neoplasia detection rates.ResultsOf the 128 patients, seven (5.1%) had colon cancers and seven (5.1%) had advanced adenomas. A case-control study revealed that the odds of detecting a colorectal cancer was 3.8 times greater in patients with FGPs than in the age- and sex-matched healthy controls (odds ratio [OR], 3.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–13.24; P =0.04) and 4.1 times greater in patients with FGPs than in healthy controls over 50 years of age (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.16–14.45; P =0.04). Among patients with FGPs over 50 years old, male sex (OR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.23–18.94; P =0.02), and age (OR, 9.90; 95% CI, 1.21–81.08; P =0.03) were associated with an increased prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms.ConclusionsThe yield of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer patients with FGPs was substantially higher than that in average-risk subjects. Colonoscopy verification is warranted in patients with FGPs, especially in those 50 years of age or older

North Korea: Fading Totalitarianism in the 'Hermit Kingdom'

North Korea is perceived by many as one of the most totalitarian societies of modern time. But in the wake of the economic collapse of the 1990s, North Korean totalitarianism has grappled with new conditions. This paper examines how the countrys totalitarian character has been upheld through the institutional changes instigated by the economic collapse and subsequent famine in the country. It strives to answer whether todays North Korea should still be characterized as a totalitarian society, and, if not, what system then governs the country

The effect of probiotics on gut microbiota during the helicobacter pylori eradication: Randomized controlled trial

Background: Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer, and has been treated with two antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarithromycin) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, antibiotic treatment alters the indigenous gut microbiota to cause side effects. Therefore, the effects of probiotic supplementation on therapy have been studied. Although several studies have covered the probiotics' effects, details about the gut microbiota changes after H. pylori eradication have not been evaluated. Therefore, we analyzed the influences of antibiotics and their combination with probiotics on the composition of the gut microbiota using high-throughput sequencing. Methods: Subjects were divided into two groups. The antibiotics group was treated with general therapy, and the probiotics group with general therapy and probiotic supplementation. Fecal samples were collected from all subjects during treatments, and the influences on gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing. Results: Three phyla, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, were predominant in the gut microbiota of all subjects. After treatment, the relative abundances of Firmicutes were reduced, whereas those of Proteobacteria were increased in both groups. However, the changed proportions of the gut microbiota in the antibiotics group were higher than those in the probiotics group. In addition, the increase in the levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was higher in the antibiotics group than in the probiotics one. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation can reduce the antibiotic-induced alteration and imbalance of the gut microbiota composition. This effect may restrict the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut and improve the H. pylori eradication success rate.

Circulating Ghrelin Levels and Obestatin/Ghrelin Ratio as a Marker of Activity in Ulcerative Colitis

Background/AimsGhrelin levels are known to increase in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), but serum obestatin levels in UC patients are not well elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum ghrelin and obestatin levels and disease activity in UC patients.MethodsThe serum ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured in 21 UC patients (12 with active disease and 9 in remission) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between the circulating levels of these 2 hormones and disease activity was analyzed. The colonic mucosal mRNA expression of ghrelin and obestatin was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe mean serum ghrelin values were significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients with remission (1370.6±404.3 vs. 783.5±235.3 pg/mL, P=0.001). Colonic mucosal mRNA expression of ghrelin was also significantly higher in patients with active disease than in patients in remission (0.805±0.214 vs. 0.481±0.356, P=0.018). However, the mean serum obestatin levels and colonic mucosal mRNA expression of obestatin were not significantly different between both groups. The circulating obestatin/ghrelin ratio was significantly lower in patients with active UC than in patients in remission (0.32±0.08 vs. 0.58±0.20, P=0.001).ConclusionsThe serum ghrelin levels and the obestatin/ghrelin ratio were related to the activity of UC, but serum obestatin was not related to activity of UC. The ghrelin levels and the obestatin/ghrelin ratio could serve as activity markers in patients with UC

Plasma ghrelin level and plasma ghrelin/obestatin ratio are related to intestinal metaplasia in elderly patients with functional dyspepsia

<div><p>Background</p><p>Whether plasma ghrelin/obestatin levels are associated with <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>) infection, subtypes of functional dyspepsia (FD), and gastric mucosal histology has not yet been established in elderly patients.</p><p>Objective</p><p>The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels are related to gastric mucosal histology, <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection, and FD subtypes in elderly patients with FD.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Ninety-two patients diagnosed with FD and older than 60 years (median age 69.4; range 60–88) were included. Clinical symptoms investigated included postprandial fullness, epigastric pain, epigastric soreness, nausea, and vomiting. According to the Rome III criteria, patients diagnosed with FD were divided into two subtypes: epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS). Plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay, and histological examination of gastric mucosa was performed. <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection was determined by histopathological examination of gastric mucosal biopsy and/or Campylobacter-like organism test.</p><p>Results</p><p>In our study, plasma ghrelin levels and plasma ghrelin/obestatin (G/O) ratio were significantly lower in subjects with intestinal metaplasia compared with those without intestinal metaplasia (ghrelin, p = 0.010; G/O ratio, p = 0.012). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels between <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>–positive and <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>–negative groups. (ghrelin, p = 0.130; obestatin, p = 0.888). Similarly, no significant differences were detected between the EPS and PDS groups (ghrelin, p = 0.238; obestatin, p = 0.710).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Patients with intestinal metaplasia, a known precursor of gastric cancer, had significantly less plasma ghrelin levels and G/O ratio than those without intestinal metaplasia.</p></div