Myocardial Rotation and Torsion in Child Growth

BACKGROUND: The speckle tracking echocardiography can benefit to assess the regional myocardial deformations. Although, previous reports suggested no significant change in left ventricular (LV) torsion with aging, there are certain differences in LV rotation at the base and apex. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change and relationship of LV rotation for torsion with aging in children. METHODS: Forty healthy children were recruited and divided into two groups of twenty based on whether the children were preschool-age (2-6 years of age) or school-age (7-12 years of age). After obtaining conventional echocardiographic data, apical and basal short axis rotation were assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography. LV rotation in the basal and apical short axis planes was determined using six myocardial segments along the central axis. RESULTS: Apical and basal LV rotation did not show the statistical difference with increased age between preschool- and school-age children. Apical radial strain showed significant higher values in preschool-age children, especially at the anterior (52.8 ± 17.4% vs. 34.7 ± 23.2%, p < 0.02), lateral (55.8 ± 20.4% vs. 36.1 ± 22.7%, p < 0.02), and posterior segments (57.1 ± 17.6% vs. 38.5 ± 21.7%, p < 0.01). The torsion values did not demonstrate the statistical difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the tendency of higher rotation values in preschool-age children than in school-age children. The lesser values of rotation and torsion with increased age during childhood warrant further investigation.ope

A Case of Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema Treated by Percutaneous Catheter Insertion in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant

The pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a life-threatening illness in premature infants with mechanical ventilation. While most are managed conservatively, decompression would be necessary. Here, we report the first case of PIE treated by percutaneous catheter insertion in an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infant in Korea. The patient, born with 660 g in 23+2 weeks of gestation, showed PIE in left lower lung on postnatal day 12. Percutaneous catheter insertion was performed on postnatal day 25. The size of PIE decreased, but didn't disappear completely. On postnatal day 42, we exchanged catheter and inserted additional catheter in pleural space. However, sudden desaturation and pneumothorax occurred on postnatal day 44. We changed catheter in pleural space, and pneumothorax and PIE improved. Finally, we successfully removed catheters, and weaned patient out. As in our case, percutaneous catheter insertion would be a useful option for ELBW infants with PIE.ope

Interannual variation of freshwater transport through the Korea Strait

The variability of freshwater transport in the Korea Strait (FTKS) affects the circulation and ecosystem of the East/Japan Sea. Numerical simulations using realistic surface forcing, Changjiang River discharge (CRD), and open boundary values were performed to quantify the interannual variation of FTKS and to investigate its underlying physical processes. The simulated salinity and volume transport, which determine the variability of FTKS, were verified by comparing with observations. Salinity played a more important role than volume transport in inducing the interannual variation of FTKS. FTKS has a positive correlation with CRD, the difference between precipitation and evaporation (P-E), southeasterly wind, and freshwater transport in the Taiwan Strait (FTTS). FTKS has its best correlation (0.62) with FTTS. The correlations with CRD (0.25) and P-E (0.37) are weaker, probably due to wind stress. The southeasterly wind that drives Changjiang diluted water toward the Korea Strait by Ekman flow in the East China Sea has good correlation (0.51) with FTKS. The vertical structures of FTKS and its variability are more effectively affected by CRD and P-E in the surface layer, FTTS in the middle layer, and the wind in the subsurface layer.s were performed to quantify the interannual variation of FTKS and to investigate its underlying physical processes. The simulated salinity and volume transport, which determine the variability of FTKS, were verified by comparing with observations. Salinity played a more important role than volume transport in inducing the interannual variation of FTKS. FTKS has a positive correlation with CRD, the difference between precipitation and evaporation (P-E), southeasterly wind, and freshwater transport in the Taiwan Strait (FTTS). FTKS has its best correlation (0.62) with FTTS. The correlations with CRD (0.25) and P-E (0.37) are weaker, probably due to wind stress. The southeasterly wind that drives Changjiang diluted water toward the Korea Strait by Ekman flow in the East China Sea has good correlation (0.51) with FTKS. The vertical structures of FTKS and its variability are more effectively affected by CRD and P-E in the surface layer, FTTS in the middle layer, and the wind in the subsurface layer.1

Effects of ocean warming on potential habitat distribution of Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonica) in the seas around Korea: A maximum entropy approach

Ocean warming is affecting marine fish and these effects will continue in the future. Korean waters are one of the most rapid warming areas. In Korea, Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonica) is commercially and biologically important small pelagic fish species sensitive to environmental changes. Thus, we try to investigate the effects of global warming on potential changes in habitat distribution of anchovy in the future by using a maximum entropy model (MaxEnt). The model was constructed based on seawater temperature at 10m depth, mixed layer depth (MLD), and sea surface height (SSH) in August 1983-2015, and predict spatial distribution in 2030, 2060, and 2090 by using the seawater temperature projections from the three climate change scenarios (RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5) in the NorESM1-M with keeping other environmental variables (SSH and MLD). Coastal regions from the eastern South Sea to the East Sea were within the range of optimal spawning temperature of anchovy during 1983-2015. However, in 2090, it moved to the north and located near the Vladivostok in Russia. Also, while the relatively high habitat suitability indices were limited to the South Sea in 1983-2015, it was extended prominent to the north in all the three scenarios in the future. We will apply several other CMIP5 models and consider primary production as an environmental factor.1

CPUE Standardization Considering Spatio-temporal and Environmental Variables of Chub Mackerel Scomber japonicus in Korean Waters

The chub mackerel Scomber japonicus is the most important commercial species caught primarily by large purse seine fisheries. The effective management of chub mackerel resources requires a thorough understanding of the current stock status and the factors driving its fluctuations. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) is a crucial index representing the relative abundance of resources, and CPUE standardization was applied using a generalized linear model and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). This study adopted various explanatory variables including spatiotemporal factors of Year, Month and Area (spatial clustering), and environmental factors of seawater temperature at a depth 50 m ((T50) and Tsushima Warm Current transport (TWC) and catch ratio of chub mackerel (Ratio). The GLMM, which incorporates random effects, was identified as the optimal model. Ratio had the most significant effect on the CPUE, and environmental and spatio-temporal factors had significant influences. Although the nominal CPUE showed an increasing trend across different areas, the standardized CPUE either decreased or exhibited a decreasing rate of increase. These findings serve as fundamental data for stock assessment and contribute to the spatiotemporal and environmentally informed management of chub mackerel resources in Korean waters.22Nkc