Spatio-Temporal Variability of Atmospheric CO2 as Observed from In-Situ Measurements over North America during NASA Field Campaigns (2004-2008)

Regional-scale measurements were made over the eastern United States (Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - North America (INTEX-NA), summer 2004); Mexico (Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations (MILAGRO), March 2006); the eastern North Pacific and Alaska (INTEX-B May 2006); and the Canadian Arctic (Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS), spring and summer 2008). For these field campaigns, instrumentation for the in situ measurement of CO2 was integrated on the NASA DC-8 research aircraft providing high-resolution (1 second) data traceable to the WMO CO2 mole fraction scale. These observations provide unique and definitive data sets via their intermediate-scale coverage and frequent vertical profiles (0.1 - 12 km) for examining the variability CO2 exhibits above the Earth s surface. A bottom-up anthropogenic CO2 emissions inventory (1deg 1deg) and processing methodology has also been developed for North America in support of these airborne science missions. In this presentation, the spatio-temporal distributions of CO2 and CO column values derived from the campaign measurements will be examined in conjunction with the emissions inventory and transport histories to aid in the interpretation of the CO2 observations

Efficacy and Tolerability of GCSB-5 for Hand Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of GCSB-5, a mixture of 6 purified herbal extracts, in treating hand osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 220 patients with hand OA who had baseline a visual analog scale joint pain score of >30 of 100 mm at 3 hospitals between September 2013 and November 2014. After randomization, patients were allocated to receive oral GCSB-5 600 mg or placebo, bid for 12 weeks. The primary end point was the change in the Australian/Canadian OA Hand Index (AUSCAN)-defined pain score at 4 weeks relative to baseline. Secondary end points included the frequency Outcome Measures in Rheumatology–OA Research Society International (OMERACT-OARSI)-defined response at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after randomization.FindingsThe allocated treatment was received by 109 and 106 patients in the GCSB-5 and placebo groups, respectively. At 4 weeks, the median (interquartile range) change in AUSCAN pain score relative to baseline was significantly greater in the GCSB-5 group than in the placebo group (–9.0 [–23.8 to –0.4] vs –2.2 [–16.7 to 6.0]; P = 0.014), with sustained improvement at 8, 12, and 16 weeks (P = 0.039). The GCSB-5 group also had a significantly greater OMERACT-OARSI–defined response rate than did the placebo group at 4 weeks (44.0% vs 30.2%), 8 weeks (51.4% vs 35.9%), 12 weeks (56.9% vs 40.6%), and 16 weeks (50.5% vs 37.7%) (P = 0.0074). The 2 treatments exhibited comparable safety profiles.ImplicationsGCSB-5 was associated with improved symptoms of hand OA, with good tolerability, in these patients. GCSB-5 may be a well-tolerated alternative of, or addition to, the treatment of hand OA. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01910116

Long-term efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis continuing on an etanercept biosimilar (LBEC0101) or switching from reference etanercept to LBEC0101: an open-label extension of a phase III multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study

Background To evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of continuing LBEC0101; the etanercept (ETN) biosimilar; or switching from the ETN reference product (RP) to LBEC0101 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods This multicentre, single-arm, open-label extension study enrolled patients who had completed a 52-week randomised, double-blind, parallel phase III trial of LBEC0101 vs ETN-RP. Patients treated with ETN-RP during the randomised controlled trial switched to LBEC0101; those treated with LBEC0101 continued to receive LBEC0101 in this study. LBEC0101 (50 mg) was administered subcutaneously once per week for 48 weeks with a stable dose of methotrexate. Efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of LBEC0101 were assessed up to week 100. Results A total of 148 patients entered this extension study (70 in the maintenance group and 78 in the switch group). The 28-joint disease activity scores (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were maintained in both groups from week 52 to week 100 (from 3.068 to 3.103 in the maintenance group vs. from 3.161 to 3.079 in the switch group). ACR response rates at week 100 for the maintenance vs. switch groups were 79.7% vs. 83.3% for ACR20, 65.2% vs. 66.7% for ACR50 and 44.9% vs. 42.3% for ACR70. The incidence of adverse events and the proportion of patients with newly developed antidrug antibodies were similar in the maintenance and switch groups (70.0% and 70.5%, 1.4% and 1.3%, respectively). Conclusions Administration of LBEC0101 showed sustained efficacy and acceptable safety in patients with RA after continued therapy or after switching from ETN-RP to LBEC0101. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02715908. Registered 22 March 2016.This extension study was funded by LG Chem, Ltd. (formerly, LG Life Sciences, Ltd), Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Korea Health Industry Development Institute

Cardiovascular Risks in Korean Patients with Gout: Analysis Using a National Health Insurance Service Database

Although several epidemiologic studies have shown the association between gout and cardiovascular outcomes, specific risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases in Asian patients with gout are undisclosed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate risks of cardiovascular outcomes and its related factors in Korean patients with gout. This retrospective clinical study used sampled cohort data from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. Patients with gout were defined as subjects enlisted with an ICD-10 code (M10). Control patients were selected by frequency matching for age, sex, and index year. Primary outcomes included ischemic heart disease (IHD), congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), or transient ischemic attack. We calculated the hazard ratio (HR) using Cox regression, adjusting potential confounders including age, sex, lifestyle habits, laboratory results, and medication. We identified 3306 patients with gout and an equal number of matched controls. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that gout patients had increased risks of IHD (HR: 1.860, 95% CI: 1.446–2.392), acute myocardial infarction (HR: 3.246, 95% CI: 1.460–7.217), and CVD (HR: 1.552, 95% CI: 1.177–2.036). Old age, current smoking, frequent alcohol intake, high low-density lipoprotein, and diabetes mellitus increased the risk of cardiovascular outcomes, yet hypouricemic agents decreased the risk of cerebrovascular diseases. Our data corroborate that it is crucial to identify and manage traditional cardiovascular risk factors alongside lowering urate levels in patients with gout

Description and Characterization of the <i>Odontella aurita</i> OAOSH22, a Marine Diatom Rich in Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Fucoxanthin, Isolated from Osan Harbor, Korea

Third-generation biomass production utilizing microalgae exhibits sustainable and environmentally friendly attributes, along with significant potential as a source of physiologically active compounds. However, the process of screening and localizing strains that are capable of producing high-value-added substances necessitates a significant amount of effort. In the present study, we have successfully isolated the indigenous marine diatom Odontella aurita OAOSH22 from the east coast of Korea. Afterwards, comprehensive analysis was conducted on its morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. In addition, a series of experiments was conducted to analyze the effects of various environmental factors that should be considered during cultivation, such as water temperature, salinity, irradiance, and nutrients (particularly nitrate, silicate, phosphate, and iron). The morphological characteristics of the isolate were observed using optical and electron microscopes, and it exhibited features typical of O. aurita. Additionally, the molecular phylogenetic inference derived from the sequence of the small-subunit 18S rDNA confirmed the classification of the microalgal strain as O. aurita. This isolate has been confirmed to contain 7.1 mg g−1 dry cell weight (DCW) of fucoxanthin, a powerful antioxidant substance. In addition, this isolate contains 11.1 mg g−1 DCW of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is one of the nutritionally essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, this indigenous isolate exhibits significant potential as a valuable source of bioactive substances for various bio-industrial applications

Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosed Before Age 50 Years According to Tumor Location

© 2022Background &amp; Aims: The increasing prevalence of obesity at younger ages is concurrent with an increased earlier-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) (before age 50 years) incidence, particularly left-sided colon cancer. We investigated whether obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with increased earlier-onset CRC risk according to tumor location. Methods: Our nationwide population-based cohort study enrolled 9,774,081 individuals who underwent health checkups under the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2010, with follow-up until 2019. We collected data on age, sex, lifestyle factors, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and laboratory findings. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 8320 earlier-onset and 57,257 later-onset CRC cases developed during follow-up. MetS was associated with increased earlier-onset CRC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.14–1.27), similar to later-onset CRC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.17–1.21). The adjusted hazard ratios for earlier-onset CRC with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MetS components were 1.07 (95% CI, 1.01–1.13), 1.13 (95% CI, 1.06–1.21), 1.25 (95% CI, 1.16–1.35), 1.27 (95% CI, 1.15–1.41), and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.26–1.79), respectively (P for trend &lt; .0001). We found that higher body mass index and larger waist circumference were significantly associated with increased earlier-onset CRC (P for trend &lt; .0001). These dose–response associations were significant in distal colon and rectal cancers, although not in proximal colon cancers. Conclusions: MetS and obesity are positively associated with CRC before age 50 years with a similar magnitude of association as people diagnosed after age 50 years. Thus, people younger than 50 years with MetS require effective preventive interventions to help reduce CRC risk.N

Taxonomic and Biochemical Characterization of Microalga Graesiella emersonii GEGS21 for Its Potential to Become Feedstock for Biofuels and Bioproducts

Graesiella emersonii is a commercially exploitable source of bioactive compounds and biofuels with potential applications in microalgae-based industries. Despite this, little taxonomical information is available. Therefore, proper identification and characterization are needed for the sustainable utilization of isolated microalgae. In this study, an axenically isolated unicellular green alga from the Geumgang Estuary, Korea was investigated for its morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. The morphological characteristics were typical of G. emersonii. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequence verified that the isolate belonged to G. emersonii and was subsequently named G. emersonii GEGS21. It was isolated from brackish water, and its optimal growth temperature, salinity, and light intensity were at 28&ndash;32 &deg;C, 0 M NaCl, and 130&ndash;160 &micro;mol m&minus;2 s&minus;1, respectively. The strain thrived over a range of temperatures (5&ndash;40 &deg;C) and withstood up to 0.5 M NaCl. The isolate was rich in omega-6 linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6, 26.3%) and palmitic acid (C16:0, 27.5%). The fuel quality properties were determined, and biodiesel from GEGS21 could be used as a biodiesel blend. Value-added carotenoids lutein (1.5 mg g&minus;1 dry cell weight, DCW) and neoxanthin (1.2 mg g&minus;1 DCW) were biosynthesized as accessory pigments by this microalga. The biomass of this microalga may serve as feedstock for biodiesel production as well as producing valuable &omega;-6 and carotenoids

Taxonomic and Biochemical Characterization of Microalga <i>Graesiella emersonii</i> GEGS21 for Its Potential to Become Feedstock for Biofuels and Bioproducts

Graesiella emersonii is a commercially exploitable source of bioactive compounds and biofuels with potential applications in microalgae-based industries. Despite this, little taxonomical information is available. Therefore, proper identification and characterization are needed for the sustainable utilization of isolated microalgae. In this study, an axenically isolated unicellular green alga from the Geumgang Estuary, Korea was investigated for its morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. The morphological characteristics were typical of G. emersonii. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequence verified that the isolate belonged to G. emersonii and was subsequently named G. emersonii GEGS21. It was isolated from brackish water, and its optimal growth temperature, salinity, and light intensity were at 28–32 °C, 0 M NaCl, and 130–160 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively. The strain thrived over a range of temperatures (5–40 °C) and withstood up to 0.5 M NaCl. The isolate was rich in omega-6 linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6, 26.3%) and palmitic acid (C16:0, 27.5%). The fuel quality properties were determined, and biodiesel from GEGS21 could be used as a biodiesel blend. Value-added carotenoids lutein (1.5 mg g−1 dry cell weight, DCW) and neoxanthin (1.2 mg g−1 DCW) were biosynthesized as accessory pigments by this microalga. The biomass of this microalga may serve as feedstock for biodiesel production as well as producing valuable ω-6 and carotenoids

Characterization of the Proteolytic Activity of a Halophilic Aspergillus reticulatus Strain SK1-1 Isolated from a Solar Saltern

Salterns are hypersaline environments that are inhabited by diverse halophilic microorganisms, including fungi. In this study, we isolated a fungal strain SK1-1 from a saltern in the Republic of Korea, which was identified as Asperillus reticulatus. This is the first reported saline-environment-derived A. reticulatus that belongs to the Aspergillus penicillioides clade and encompasses xerophilic fungi. SK1-1 was halophilic, obligately requiring NaCl for growth, with a maximum radial growth of 6%&ndash;9% (w/v) NaCl. To facilitate the biotechnological application of halophilic fungi, we screened the SK1-1 strain for proteolytic activity. Proteases have widespread applications in food processing, detergents, textiles, and waste treatment, and halophilic proteases can enable protein degradation in high salt environments. We assessed the proteolytic activity of the extracellular crude enzyme of SK1-1 using azocasein as a substrate. The crude protease exhibited maximum activity at 40&ndash;50 &deg;C, pH 9.5&ndash;10.5, and in the absence of NaCl. It was also able to retain up to 69% of its maximum activity until 7% NaCl. Protease inhibitor assays showed complete inhibition of the proteolytic activity of crude enzymes by Pefabloc&reg; SC. Our data suggest that the halophilic A. reticulatus strain SK1-1 produces an extracellular alkaline serine protease

Risk of cancer in patients with insomnia: Nationwide retrospective cohort study (2009-2018).

PurposeTo investigate the association between insomnia and the risk of various cancers using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database.Materials and methodsPatients who underwent a national health examination in 2009 were followed-up until 2018. Newly-diagnosed cancers were collected one year after the baseline. Insomnia was defined as having a diagnosis of F510 or G470 within one year prior to enrollment. The incidence of various cancers was compared between patients with and without insomnia.ResultsIn the overall study population (N = 3,982,012), the risk for any type of cancer was not different between controls and insomnia patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.990). However, it was different by age; insomnia increased the risk of any cancer in younger age groups (20-39y and 40-59y, aHR:1.310 and 1.139, respectively) but it significantly decreased the risk in the 60-79y age group (aHR: 0.939). In cancer type, colorectal cancer risk was lower (aHR: 0.872, P ConclusionInsomnia is associated with an increased or decreased risk of some cancers, depending on age, cancer type and sex