Simultaneous VLBI Astrometry of H2O and SiO Masers toward the Semiregular Variable R Crateris

We obtained, for the first time, astrometrically registered maps of the 22.2 GHz H2O and 42.8, 43.1, and 86.2 GHz SiO maser emission toward the semiregular b-type variable (SRb) R Crateris, at three epochs (2015 May 21, and 2016 January 7 and 26) using the Korean Very-long-baseline Interferometry Network. The SiO masers show a ring-like spatial structure, while the H2O maser shows a very asymmetric one-side outflow structure, which is located at the southern part of the ring-like SiO maser feature. We also found that the 86.2 GHz SiO maser spots are distributed in an inner region, compared to those of the 43.1 GHz SiO maser, which is different from all previously known distributions of the 86.2 GHz SiO masers in variable stars. The different distribution of the 86.2 GHz SiO maser seems to be related to the complex dynamics caused by the overtone pulsation mode of the SRb R Crateris. Furthermore, we estimated the position of the central star based on the ring fitting of the SiO masers, which is essential for interpreting the morphology and kinematics of a circumstellar envelope. The estimated stellar coordinate corresponds well to the position measured by Gaia

Transcriptomic Analysis of High Fat Diet Fed Mouse Brain Cortex

High fat diet can lead to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes known to be chronic inflammatory diseases with high prevalence worldwide. Recent studies have reported cognitive dysfunction in obese patients is caused by a high fat diet. Accordingly, such dysfunction is called “type 3 diabetes” or “diabetic dementia.” Although dysregulation of protein-coding genes has been extensively studied, profiling of non-coding RNAs including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) has not been reported yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to obtain profiles of diverse RNAs and determine their patterns of alteration in high fat fed brain cortex compared to normal brain cortex. To investigate regulatory roles of both coding and non-coding RNAs in high fat diet brain, we performed RNA sequencing of ribosomal RNA-depleted RNAs and identified genome-wide lncRNAs and circRNAs expression and co-expression patterns of mRNAs in high fat diet mouse brain cortex. Our results showed expression levels of mRNAs related to neurogenesis, synapse, and calcium signaling were highly changed in high fat diet fed cortex. In addition, numerous differentially expressed lncRNAs and circRNAs were identified. Our study provides valuable expression profiles and potential function of both coding and non-coding RNAs in high fat diet fed brain cortex

DNA methylome signatures as epigenetic biomarkers of hexanal associated with lung toxicity

Background Numerous studies have investigated the relationship of environmental exposure, epigenetic effects, and human diseases. These linkages may contribute to the potential toxicity mechanisms of environmental chemicals. Here, we investigated the epigenetic pulmonary response of hexanal, a major indoor irritant, following inhalation exposure in F-344 rats. Methods Based on DNA methylation profiling in gene promoter regions, we identified hexanal-characterized methylated sites and target genes using an unpaired t-test with a fold-change cutoff of ≥ 3.0 and a p-value < 0.05. We also conducted an integrated analysis of DNA methylation and mRNA expression data to identify core anti-correlated target genes of hexanal exposure. To further investigate the potential key biological processes and pathways of core DNA methylated target genes, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Results Thirty-six dose-dependent methylated genes and anti-correlated target genes of DNA methylation and mRNA in lung tissue of hexanal exposed F-344 rats were identified. These genes were involved in diverse biological processes such as neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, protein kinase cascade, and intracellular signaling cascade associated with pulmonary toxicity. These results suggest that novel DNA methylation-based epigenetic biomarkers of exposure to hexanal and elucidate the potential pulmonary toxicological mechanisms of action of hexanal

Staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization in a community-based population : a potential role in adult-onset asthma

Background: Recent studies suggest that Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin sensitization is a risk factor for asthma. However, there is a paucity of epidemiologic evidence on adult-onset asthma in community-based populations. Objective: We sought to evaluate the epidemiology and the clinical significance of staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization in community-based adult populations. Methods: The present analyses were performed using the baseline data set of Korean adult population surveys, consisting of 1080 adults (mean age=60.2years) recruited from an urban and a rural community. Questionnaires, methacholine challenge tests, and allergen skin tests were performed for defining clinical phenotypes. Sera were analysed for total IgE and enterotoxin-specific IgE using ImmunoCAP. Results: Staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization (0.35kU/L) had a prevalence of 27.0%. Risk factors were identified as male sex, current smoking, advanced age (61years), and inhalant allergen sensitization. Current asthma was mostly adult onset (18years old) and showed independent associations with high enterotoxin-specific IgE levels in multivariate logistic regression tests. In multivariate linear regressions, staphylococcal enterotoxin-specific IgE level was identified as the major determinant factor for total IgE level. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization was independently associated with adult-onset asthma in adult community populations. Strong correlations between the enterotoxin-specific IgE and total IgE levels support the clinical significance. The present findings warrant further studies for the precise roles of staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization in the asthma pathogenesis

A case of idiopathic isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy in a Korean child

Hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) is an uncommon neurological abnormality that can provoke characteristic clinical signs, including unilateral atrophy of the tongue musculature. We present the case of a healthy 11-year-old Korean male who was admitted to the outpatient department of our institution with acute onset dysarthria, tongue fasciculations, and right-sided tongue weakness upon awakening. His evaluation included a virology work-up, neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain MRI, and otorhinolaryngological physical examination; all tests were normal and showed no evidence of inflammation. Fifteen days after the onset of symptoms, the patient recovered completely. Herein, we report a case of idiopathic isolated HNP in a Korean male

Developing the Korean Educational Needs Assessment Tool (Korean ENAT) in rheumatoid arthritis: Cross-cultural validation using Rasch analysis

Background/aims: This study was performed to undertake cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for use in Korea.Methods: The study involved two main phases: cross-cultural adaptation of the ENAT from English into Korean, and validation of the Korean ENAT. The first phase followed the established process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures, and in the second phase, the Korean ENAT data were analyzed using the Rasch measurement model. Fit to the model was determined using the observed data infit and outfit statistics. Additional tests of validity included unidimensionality and internal consistency.Results: Adequate conceptual equivalence was achieved following the adaptation process. A total of 123 patients completed the Korean ENAT. The mean age was 46.7 ± 12.3 years and the majority of patients (81.3%) were female. Thirty-five of the 39 items gave good fit to the model. The four items deviating from the model had infit and outfit > 1.50. The item separation index (5.26) and item reliability index (0.97) provided evidence for good reliability of items. All seven domains of the Korean ENAT fit the Rasch model. The internal consistency of the Korean ENAT was high, and unidimensionality was confirmed (person separation index, 3.41; reliability index, 0.92; item separation index, 16.82; reliability index, 1.00).Conclusions: Using the standard procedure for cross-cultural adaptation, the ENAT has been adapted into Korean, and Rasch analysis has confirmed the construct validity, reliability, and unidimensionality of the Korean ENAT