Molecular methods for genomic analyses of variant PML-RARA or other RARA-related chromosomal translocations in acute promyelocytic leukemia

TO THE EDITOR: We read an interesting paper by Palta et al. in a recent issue of the Korean Journal of Hematology titled, "ZBTB16-RARA variant of acute promyelocytic leukemia with tuberculosis: a case report and review of literature" [1]. We would like to add some comments to their article and suggest additional molecular methods to confirm variant translocations in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)...

Prediction of abundance of arthropods according to climate change scenario RCP 4.5 and 8.5 in South Korea

AbstractAbundance and diversity of arthropods were projected according to climate warming in South Korea. The taxa highly linked with temperature were selected for the projection. The values of abundance and richness were estimated using the mean values of abundance and richness in each temperature range. Temperature changes were based on the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) 4.5 and RCP 8.5, and the abundance and richness during two periods (2011 -2015, 2056 -2065) were projected. From these projected results, change of other common taxa (> 1% occurrence) were qualitatively predicted (i.e., decrease or increase). The projections showed that 45 of a total of 73 taxa will increase, 6 will change a little and 24 will decrease: the number of taxa that were expected to increase was two times more than the number of taxa that were expected to decrease. However, the overall abundance and diversity of arthropods were expected to decline as the temperature rises

TESTING OF ROTATIONAL EXERCISE EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE THE VESTIBULAR SYSTEM

The primary purpose of this study was to test the effect of training using the rotational exercise equipment developed in this study on the improvement of the vestibular system. In order to test the rotational exercise equipment developed in this study, 15 ordinary college students had trainings for 8 weeks and their nystagmus intensity was analyzed. The findings showed that the rotational training using the rotational exercise equipment affected vestibular balance, as it significantly decreased the slow phase velocity (SPV) immediately after rotational stimulation and reduced the recovery time of nystagmus to normal

Physical Activity and Immunity in the Elderly for the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Literature Review

OBJECTIVES This study aims to summarize previous studies on the relationship between regular physical activity and the immune system in the elderly, and discuss optimal exercise modes to maintain immunity in preparation for novel infectious diseases that may continue to appear. METHODS This study referred to the academic papers based on the electronic database, and they were searched using the following keywords: physical activity, immunity, elderly, and COVID-19. RESULTS The elderly are more vulnerable to infectious disease such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than other age groups because of lower physiological function and immune surveillance, consequently leading to higher severity of and mortality. Many studies on physical activity and immunity have confirmed that regular physical activity enhances immunity in the elderly population. Physical activity can delay immunosenescence and increase immune resilience by maintaining the function of the innate and acquired immune systems. Because the elderly have low physical fitness, physiological function, and immunity, exercise prescription for the elderly must be approached very carefully and in detail, considering various exercise modes such as exercise intensity and amount. As confirmed in previous studies, homebased light physical activity is a convenient, safe, and effective strategy for the health of the elderly. CONCLUSIONS In this study, balance training using body-weight is a good method of home-based physical activity for the elderly, because it not only improves immunity by increasing physical fitness but also prevents frequent falls by increasing the balance ability of the lower extremities. Future studies should be conducted on various exercise modes and optimal exercise training to improve immunity in the elderly

Physiological responses of two halophytic grass species under drought stress environment

The physiological responses of two halophytic grass species, Halopyrum mucronatum (L.) Staph. and Cenchrus ciliaris (L.), under drought stress were evaluated. Biomass accumulation, relative water content, free proline, H2O2 content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic performance and quantum yield (Fv/Fm ratio) were studied. Under drought conditions, these halophytic plants expressed differential responses to water defi cit. Stomatal conductance and free proline content were higher in H. mucronatum than in C. ciliaris, while H2O2 content in H. mucronatum was substantially lower than in C. ciliaris. Performance index showed considerable sensitivity to a water deficit condition, more so in C. ciliaris than in H. mucronatum. Results were discussed in relation to comparative physiological performance and antioxidant enzymes activity of both halophytic grasses under drought stress