Discrimination of cultivation ages and cultivars of ginseng leaves using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis

AbstractTo determine whether Fourier transform (FT)-IR spectral analysis combined with multivariate analysis of whole-cell extracts from ginseng leaves can be applied as a high-throughput discrimination system of cultivation ages and cultivars, a total of total 480 leaf samples belonging to 12 categories corresponding to four different cultivars (Yunpung, Kumpung, Chunpung, and an open-pollinated variety) and three different cultivation ages (1 yr, 2 yr, and 3 yr) were subjected to FT-IR. The spectral data were analyzed by principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis. A dendrogram based on hierarchical clustering analysis of the FT-IR spectral data on ginseng leaves showed that leaf samples were initially segregated into three groups in a cultivation age-dependent manner. Then, within the same cultivation age group, leaf samples were clustered into four subgroups in a cultivar-dependent manner. The overall prediction accuracy for discrimination of cultivars and cultivation ages was 94.8% in a cross-validation test. These results clearly show that the FT-IR spectra combined with multivariate analysis from ginseng leaves can be applied as an alternative tool for discriminating of ginseng cultivars and cultivation ages. Therefore, we suggest that this result could be used as a rapid and reliable F1 hybrid seed-screening tool for accelerating the conventional breeding of ginseng

Atrophic Gastritis: A Related Factor for Osteoporosis in Elderly Women

Purpose Osteoporosis poses a great threat to the aging society. Hypochlorhydric or achlorhydric conditions are risk factors for osteoporosis. Atrophic gastritis also decreases gastric acid production; however, the role of atrophic gastritis as a related factor for osteoporosis is unclear. We investigated the relationship between atrophic gastritis and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 60 years of age. Subjects and Methods A total of 401 postmenopausal women were included in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted during their medical check-ups. Bone mineral densitometry was measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Atrophic gastritis was defined endoscopically if gastric mucosa in the antrum and the body were found to be atrophied and thinned and submucosal vessels could be well visualized. Results: The proportion of people with atrophic gastritis was higher in the osteoporotic group than in the group without osteoporosis. A linear relationship was observed in the proportion of atrophic gastritis according to the categories of normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis at the lumbar spine (p for trend = 0.039) and femur (p for trend = 0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of atrophic gastritis was associated with an increased odds of osteoporosis after adjusting for age, body mass index, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and smoking status (odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.15–3.11). Conclusions: Atrophic gastritis is associated with an increased likelihood of osteoporosis in Korean elderly women

In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatoprotective Effects of Geranium koreanum

Geranium koreanum (GK) is an indigenous Chinese herbal medicine widely used for the treatment of various inflammation and liver disorders. However, the exact mechanism of action of GK remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and related molecular mechanism of GK on NaAsO2-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and liver damage in mice. The cytoprotective role of GK was assessed on HepG2 cells using MTT assay. Oxidative stress and lactate dehydrogenase levels were measured with ROS and LDH assay. Histopathology and serum enzymes levels were estimated. The molecular mechanism was evaluated by qPCR and immunoblotting to ensure the hepatoprotective role of GK against NaAsO2 intoxication in mice. We found cotreatment with GK significantly attenuated NaAsO2-induced cell viability loss, intracellular ROS, and LDH release. Hepatic histopathology and serum biochemical parameters, ALT, and AST were notably improved by cotreatment with GK. Beside, GK markedly altered both mRNA and protein expression level of MAPK. The proapoptotic and antiapoptotic protein Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly regulated by GK. Moreover, GK remarkably suppressed the postapoptotic transcription protein cleaved caspase-3 expression. The present study reveals that GK possesses hepatoprotective activity which is probably involved in the modulation of the MAPK/caspase-3 pathway

Multilevel Percutaneous Fenestrated Screw Fixation with Bone Cement Augmentation in Adult Lumbar Spinal Deformity

Objective Fenestrated screw fixation with bone cement augmentation has been demonstrated to increase the pullout strength. Bone cement augmentation is performed to prevent screw failure. The study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of multilevel percutaneous fenestrated screw fixation with bone cement augmentation in the adult lumbar spinal deformity. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 15 patients who underwent multilevel percutaneous fenestrated screw fixation (PFSF) with bone cement augmentation between January 2018 and December 2020. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were investigated in the patients. Results Mean BMD was -2.0. The mean percutaneous fenestrated screw fixation level was 6. The mean VAS score changed from 7.14 preoperatively to 4.57 postoperatively, to 3.71 at the last follow-up. The mean ODI changed from 45.21 preoperatively to 32.5 postoperatively, to 27.0 at the last follow-up. The mean LL changed from 23.6 preoperatively to 32.96 postoperatively, to 31.67 at the last follow-up. The mean SVA changed from 76.65 preoperatively to 46.15 postoperatively, to 48.46 at the last follow-up. The bony fusion rate was 73.3%. There were screw loosening in 4 patients and screw fracture in 3 patients. Cement leakage occurred towards the anterior body of the vertebrae in 2 patients but no symptoms were observed. Conclusion Our study results demonstrate that multilevel PFSF with bone cement augmentation can result in good clinical and radiological outcomes for lumbar spinal deformity. However, larger size screws or smaller through-hole screws are required to prevent screw fracture

The role of adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy in rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastasis: a retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Synchronous liver metastases are detected in approximately 25% of colorectal cancer patients at diagnosis. The rates of local failure and distant metastasis are substantial in these patients, even after undergoing aggressive treatments including resection of primary and metastatic liver tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy is beneficial for pelvic control and overall survival in rectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis after primary tumor resection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Among rectal cancer patients who received total mesorectal excision (TME) between 1997 and 2006 at Yonsei University Health System, eighty-nine patients diagnosed with synchronous liver metastasis were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients received adjuvant pelvic RT (group S + R), and sixty-two patients were managed without RT (group S). Thirty-six patients (58%) in group S and twenty patients (74%) in group S+R received local treatment for liver metastasis. Failure patterns and survival outcomes were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pelvic failure was observed in twenty-five patients; twenty-one patients in group S (34%), and four patients in group S+R (15%) (<it>p </it>= 0.066). The two-year pelvic failure-free survival rates (PFFS) of group S and group S+R were 64.8% and 80.8% (<it>p </it>= 0.028), respectively, and the two-year overall survival rates (OS) were 49.1% and 70.4% (<it>p </it>= 0.116), respectively. In a subgroup analysis of fifty-six patients who received local treatment for liver metastasis, the two-year PFFS were 64.9% and 82.9% (<it>p </it>= 0.05), respectively; the two-year OS were 74.1% and 80.0% (<it>p </it>= 0.616) in group S (n = 36) and group S+R (n = 20), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Adjuvant pelvic RT significantly reduced the pelvic failure rate but its influence on overall survival was unclear. Rectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis may benefit from adjuvant pelvic RT through an increased pelvic control rate and improved quality of life.</p

Stemness Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Placentas According to Developmental Stage: Comparison to Those from Adult Bone Marrow

This study was done to evaluate the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) derived from placenta according to the development stage and to compare the results to those from adult bone marrow (BM). Based on the source of hMSCs, three groups were defined: group I included term placentas, group II included first-trimester placentas, and group III included adult BM samples. The stemness was evaluated by the proliferation capacity, immunophenotypic expression, mesoderm differentiation, expression of pluripotency markers including telomerase activity. The cumulative population doubling, indicating the proliferation capacity, was significantly higher in group II (P<0.001, 31.7±5.8 vs. 15.7±6.2 with group I, 9.2±4.9 with group III). The pattern of immunophenotypic expression and mesoderm differentiation into adipocytes and osteocytes were similar in all three groups. The expression of pluripotency markers including ALP, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, Oct-4, and telomerase were strongly positive in group II, but very faint positive in the other groups. In conclusions, hMSCs from placentas have different characteristics according to their developmental stage and express mesenchymal stemness potentials similar to those from adult human BMs

Intramuscular fat formation in fetuses and the effect of increased protein intake during pregnancy in Hanwoo cattle

Understanding adipocyte development in fetus during bovine pregnancy is important for strengthening fattening technology. Additionally, nutritional level of dams during pregnancy has the potential to improve offspring growth and fat development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intramuscular adipocyte development and expression level of related genes in bovine fetus, and the effect of increased crude protein (CP) intake during pregnancy on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of male offspring. Eighty six pregnant Hanwoo cows (average body weight, 551.5 ± 51.3 kg, age 5.29 ± 0.61 y) were used. Fetuses were collected at 90, 180 and 270 d of gestation from 18 pregnant Hanwoo cows. The remaining 68 pregnant cows were randomly assigned to 2 feeding groups. The control (CON) group was provided the standard protein diet (n = 34), and treatment (TRT) group was provided a diet with a 5% increase in CP intake (n = 34). Male offspring were divided into two groups according to protein treatment of the pregnant cows: CON male offspring (CON-O) and TRT male offspring (TRT-O). Intramuscular adipocytes were found in the fetal skeletal muscle after 180 days of gestation. Male calf’s birth weight increased in the TRT group compared to that in the CON group (p &lt; 0.002). The final body weight (p &lt; 0.003) and average daily gain (p &lt; 0.019) of male offspring were significantly higher in TRT-O than in CON-O. The feed conversion ratio was also improved by 10.5% in TRT-O compared to that in CON-O (p &lt; 0.026). Carcass weight was significantly higher in the TRT-O group than that in the CON-O group (p &lt; 0.003), and back fat was thicker in the TRT-O group (p = 0.07). The gross receipts and net income were higher in TRT-O than in CON-O (p &lt; 0.04). Thus, fetal intramuscular fat can be formed from the mid-gestation period, and increased CP intake during pregnancy can increase net income by improving the growth and carcass weight of male offspring rather than intramuscular fat

Effect of heat treatment and drawing on high-manganese steel pipe welded by gas tungsten arc

This study investigated the effect of post-weld processes including annealing and drawing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-Mn steel pipes welded by gas tungsten arc welding. The weld metal showed a solidified microstructure having coarse and elongated grains due to coalescence of columnar dendrite into welding heat direction. After post-annealing, the solidified microstructure changed into equiaxed grains due to recrystallization and grain growth. Mn segregation occurred during welding solidification and caused lower stacking fault energy (SFE) in the Mn-depleted region. Although epsilon-martensite formation in the as-welded state and during deformation was expected due to decreased SFE of the Mn-depleted zone, all regions showed a fully austenitic phase. The annealing process decreased strength due to grain coarsening but increased ductility. The drawing process increased strength of weld metal through work hardening. All pipes showed decreasing strain rate sensitivity (SRS) with deformation and negative SRS after certain strain levels. It was confirmed that negative SRS is related to less formation of mechanical twinning at a higher strain rate. This work provides fundamental insights into manufacturing a high-Mn steel pipe and manipulating its properties with annealing and drawing processes

Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease with V180I Mutation

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is an uncommon neurodegenerative disorder with an incidence of 1 per 1000,000 per year typically characterized by rapidly progressive dementia, ataxia, myoclonus and behavioral changes. Genetic prion diseases, which develop due to a mutations in the prion protein gene (PRNP), account for an estimated 10 to 15% of all CJD cases. We report a 75-yr-old woman with familial CJD carrying a V180I mutation which features late onset, slow progression, no periodic sharp wave complexes on electroencephalography, and extensive cortical ribboning with spared the cerebellum and the medial occipital lobes posterior to the parieto-occipital sulcus on MRI. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a point mutation at codon 180 in South Korea