An Evaluation Tool for Story-Relatedinteractive Features in Children App-Book

This study discusses existing analysis tools that evaluate the quality of interactive feature inside children app-book especially its correlation with the story in order to find a better app-book design to support story comprehension for young children. To implement the evaluation, a narrative review approach is used from selected studies and field. Five analysis tools related to e-book design were reviewed based on their purpose, coding, advantages and limitation. For knowledge base, the study seeks across interactive design field along with children literature and children education field to presents what it needs to produce coding for story-related interactive feature. The combination between existing analysis tool and literature studies are extracted into coding of story-related interactive feature. Finally, the result presents an evaluation tool with coding which can define the correlation function between interactive features in story inside children app-book, which also can improve users' story comprehension

Extensive Structural Variations Between Mitochondrial Genomes of CMS and Normal Peppers (Capsicum Annuum L.) Revealed by Complete Nucleotide Sequencing

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is an inability to produce functional pollen that is caused by mutation of the mitochondrial genome. Comparative analyses of mitochondrial genomes of lines with and without CMS in several species have revealed structural differences between genomes, including extensive rearrangements caused by recombination. However, the mitochondrial genome structure and the DNA rearrangements that may be related to CMS have not been characterized in Capsicum spp. Results: We obtained the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of the pepper CMS line FS4401 (507,452 bp) and the fertile line Jeju (511,530 bp). Comparative analysis between mitochondrial genomes of peppers and tobacco that are included in Solanaceae revealed extensive DNA rearrangements and poor conservation in non-coding DNA. In comparison between pepper lines, FS4401 and Jeju mitochondrial DNAs contained the same complement of protein coding genes except for one additional copy of an atp6 gene (psi atp6-2) in FS4401. In terms of genome structure, we found eighteen syntenic blocks in the two mitochondrial genomes, which have been rearranged in each genome. By contrast, sequences between syntenic blocks, which were specific to each line, accounted for 30,380 and 17,847 bp in FS4401 and Jeju, respectively. The previously-reported CMS candidate genes, orf507 and psi atp6-2, were located on the edges of the largest sequence segments that were specific to FS4401. In this region, large number of small sequence segments which were absent or found on different locations in Jeju mitochondrial genome were combined together. The incorporation of repeats and overlapping of connected sequence segments by a few nucleotides implied that extensive rearrangements by homologous recombination might be involved in evolution of this region. Further analysis using mtDNA pairs from other plant species revealed common features of DNA regions around CMS-associated genes. Conclusions: Although large portion of sequence context was shared by mitochondrial genomes of CMS and male-fertile pepper lines, extensive genome rearrangements were detected. CMS candidate genes located on the edges of highly-rearranged CMS-specific DNA regions and near to repeat sequences. These characteristics were detected among CMS-associated genes in other species, implying a common mechanism might be involved in the evolution of CMS-associated genes.Golden Seed ProjectMinistry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA)Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)Rural Development Administration (RDA)Korea Forest Service (KFS)Vegetable Breeding Research Center through the R&D Convergence Center Support Program, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) Republic of Korea 710001-07Molecular Bioscience

Homozygote CRIM1 variant is associated with thiopurine-induced neutropenia in leukemic patients with both wildtype NUDT15 and TPMT

Abstract Background NUDT15 and TPMT variants are strong genetic determinants of thiopurine-induced hematological toxicity that results in therapeutic failure in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, many patients with both wild-type (WT) NUDT15 and TPMT still suffer from thiopurine toxicity and therapeutic failure. Methods Whole-exome sequencing was done for discovery (N = 244) and replication (N = 76) cohorts. Age- and sex-adjusted multiple regression analyses of both WT patients were performed to identify (p < 0.01, N = 188 for discovery) and validate (p < 0.05, N = 52 for replication) candidate variants for the tolerated last-cycle 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) dose intensity percentage (DIP). Both independent and additive effects of the candidate variants on well-known NUDT15 and TPMT were evaluated by multigene prediction models. Results Among the 12 candidate variants from the discovery phase, the rs3821169 variant of the gene encoding Cysteine-Rich Transmembrane BMP Regulator 1 (CRIM1) was successfully replicated (p < 0.05). It showed high interethnic variability with an impressively high allele frequency in East Asians (T = 0.255) compared to Africans (0.001), Americans (0.02), Europeans (0.009), and South Asians (0.05). Homozygote carriers of the CRIM1 rs3821169 variant (N = 12, 5%) showed significantly lower last-cycle 6-MP DIPs in the discovery, replication, and combined cohorts (p = 0.025, 0.013, and 0.001, respectively). The traditional two-gene model (NUDT15 and TPMT) for predicting 6-MP DIP < 25% was outperformed by the three-gene model that included CRIM1, in terms of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.734 vs. 0.665), prediction accuracy (0.759 vs. 0.756), sensitivity (0.636 vs. 0.523), positive predictive value (0.315 vs. 0.288), and negative predictive value (0.931 vs. 0.913). Conclusions The CRIM1 rs3821169 variant is suggested to be an independent and/or additive genetic determinant of thiopurine toxicity beyond NUDT15 and TPMT in pediatric ALL

Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Korean Children: A Population-based Study in 2010

We performed this study to assess the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens and to analyze the difference between prevalence rates according to children's ages and residential areas. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, first grade students of 45 elementary schools and 40 middle schools were randomly selected, and skin prick tests were performed for 18 inhalant allergens between October and November 2010. Of 7,829 analyzed subjects, 3,753 (47.9%) were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen. Sensitization to Dermatophagoides farinae was found to be the most prevalent in elementary schoolchildren (32.4%), followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Japanese hop, and oak. In middle schoolchildren, D. pteronyssinus yielded the highest prevalence (42.7%), followed by D. farinae, T. putrescentiae, Japanese hop, and cat. In middle schoolchildren, the sensitization rate to aeroallergens in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas was 57.2%, 54.3%, and 49.8%, respectively (P = 0.019). In this age group, the sensitization rate in low, middle, high, and very high income groups was 53.8%, 51.8%, 59.0%, and 59.6%, respectively (P = 0.002). In conclusion, the sensitization rate is 47.9% and house dust mite is the most prevalent allergen in the pediatric population in Korea. The rate is higher in metropolitan areas and the highest income group than in rural areas and low income groups

Integrative and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas in East Asian Patients

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent type of lung cancer. Currently, no targeted therapeutics are approved for treatment of this cancer, largely because of a lack of systematic understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. To identify therapeutic targets and perform comparative analyses of lung SCC, we probed somatic genome alterations of lung SCC by using samples from Korean patients

Molecular diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis by multi-gene target sequencing in Korea: matching with osmotic fragility test and presence of spherocyte

Background Current diagnostic tests for hereditary spherocytosis (HS) focus on the detection of hemolysis or indirectly assessing defects of membrane protein, whereas direct methods to detect protein defects are complicated and difficult to implement. In the present study, we investigated the patterns of genetic variation associated with HS among patients clinically diagnosed with HS. Methods Multi-gene targeted sequencing of 43 genes (17 RBC membrane protein-encoding genes, 20 RBC enzyme-encoding genes, and six additional genes for the differential diagnosis) was performed using the Illumina HiSeq platform. Results Among 59 patients with HS, 50 (84.7%) had one or more significant variants in a RBC membrane protein-encoding genes. A total of 54 significant variants including 46 novel mutations were detected in six RBC membrane protein-encoding genes, with the highest number of variants found in SPTB (n = 28), and followed by ANK1 (n = 19), SLC4A1 (n = 3), SPTA1 (n = 2), EPB41 (n = 1), and EPB42 (n = 1). Concurrent mutations of genes encoding RBC enzymes (ALDOB, GAPDH, and GSR) were detected in three patients. UGT1A1 mutations were present in 24 patients (40.7%). Positive rate of osmotic fragility test was 86.8% among patients harboring HS-related gene mutations. Conclusions This constitutes the first large-scaled genetic study of Korean patients with HS. We demonstrated that multi-gene target sequencing is sensitive and feasible that can be used as a powerful tool for diagnosing HS. Considering the discrepancies of clinical and molecular diagnoses of HS, our findings suggest that molecular genetic analysis is required for accurate diagnosis of HS.Support was provided by: the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT) (NRF-2017R1A2A1A17069780) http://www.nrf.re.kr/

Teaching color theory to children with three-dimensional computer animation

Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-64).Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.Advances in computer technology have made it possible for educators to design and develop their own multimedia instructional materials using visuals such as animation. Although it is generally believed that the new attribute of computer animation facilitates student's learning, there is still relatively little research regarding the way in which students benefit from multimedia instruction using 3-D animation. The purpose of this research was to examine and determine whether the use of 3-D computer generated images is an effective teaching device for helping children to understand color theory, and enhancing the traditional methods. In this study, a 3-D computer generated presentation was created and it demonstrated the mixing of primary colors to obtain secondary colors. Three research hypotheses were developed in this research. The first hypothesis stated that 3-D computer generated presentation will be an effective device for teaching color theory. The second was that the presentation will be eye-catching and it will hold the children's attention. The third was presentation would enhance the children's memory of color. Results of this study show that visualization technology and the use of 3-D graphics tools can be employed in the field of art education to increases a child's understanding of color theory. Also, it was proved that teaching children through 3-D graphic is an highly effective teaching tool. Thus this research is a contribution to both children's art education and the relatively new field of computer animation

Association of the Vitamin D Level and Quality of School Life in Adolescents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

There is no treatment of choice for irritable bowel syndrome, which affects up to 20% of school-aged children. This cross-sectional study evaluated the difference in the average vitamin D level between subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome, and the relationship between the vitamin D level as well as the severity of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. We included 124 adolescents aged 10&#8315;17 years (68 boys, 56 girls; mean age 12.29 &#177; 1.92 years) from 2014 to 2016. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome were diagnosed by Rome III criteria and classified by clinical manifestation: irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (n = 29), irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (n = 63), and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and diarrhea (n = 32). The severity of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and school absence were evaluated. Vitamin D levels were measured by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The chi-square test and analysis of variance were used. The patients&#8217; average vitamin D level was 16.25 &#177; 6.58 ng/mL. There was a significant negative association of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level with symptom severity and school absence (p = 0.022 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Vitamin D supplementation could be considered as a choice of therapeutic method

Comparative Analysis of Human and Porcine derived Pancreatic Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Bioinks to Recapitulate Microenvironment of Human Pancreatic Tissue in vitro

To recapitulate the microenvironment of the target tissue in the 3D printed tissue construct, the selection of bioink is critical. In previous study, we suggested decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) bioink as an appropriate material for mimicking the native microenvironment. However, since the source of dECM is generally derived from porcine, it is questionable whether porcine tissue-derived dECM bioink can completely mimic the function of human tissue. In this study, we investigated the differences between human and porcine-derived dECM through a variety of methods to validate that porcine derived dECM provide a suitable microenvironmental cue as for cellular activities, particularly for pancreatic tissue. To evaluate the composition of ECM, we quantified major ECM components before and after decellularization using various biochemical assays. In human and porcine dECM bioinks, the quantity of major components such as collagen and GAGs were observed in similar level. In addition, we conducted comparative analysis of representative components of human and porcine tissue-derived pancreatic dECM using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence staining. The same types of collagen occupied the largest portion of both ECM in common, and other components also appeared in a similar ratio. In addition, we examined the differences of cell-matrix interactions by culturing human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in human and porcine pancreatic dECM (pdECM) bioinks. To assess the effects of the pdECM on cellular function, insulin secretion and gene expression level of IPCs encapsulated in both pdECM bioinks were conducted. These data confirmed that porcine-derived material can also provide beneficial effect under optimized microenvironment condition similar to human tissue. The developed pdECM bioink will be able to broaden the application of in vitro disease models of diabetes and pancreatic cancer and transplantable constructs for in vivo study.1