Are we less beautiful than we think? Illusion about self-physical attractiveness

Individual perceived self-attractiveness is one of the most widely studied constructs in fashion consumer behavior study. A great deal of research has examined selfevaluation of physical attractiveness in relation to diverse explicit measures from one’s appearance management behavior (e.g. dieting, surgical procedures, and apparel selection) to upward social comparison

Optimal Harvesting for an Age-Spatial-Structured Population Dynamic Model with External Mortality

We study an optimal harvesting for a nonlinear age-spatial-structured population dynamic model, where the dynamic system contains an external mortality rate depending on the total population size. The total mortality consists of two types: the natural, and external mortality and the external mortality reflects the effects of external environmental causes. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the population dynamic model. We also derive a sufficient condition for optimal harvesting and some necessary conditions for optimality in an optimal control problem relating to the population dynamic model. The results may be applied to an optimal harvesting for some realistic biological models

Effect of rhBMP-2 applied with a 3D-printed titanium implant on new bone formation in rabbit calvarium

Objective: This study sought to compare the biocompatibility of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium implant with a conventional machined titanium product, as well as the effect of such implant applied with recombinant human Bone Morphogenetic Protein Type 2 (rhBMP-2) for guided bone regeneration. Methodology: Disk-shaped titanium specimens fabricated either by the conventional machining technique or by the 3D-printing technique were compared by MC3T3-E1 cells cytotoxicity assay. New bone formation was evaluated using a rapid prototype titanium cap applied to the calvaria of 10 rabbits, which were divided into two groups: one including an atelopeptide collagen plug on one side of the cap (group I) and the other including a plug with rhBMP-2 on the other side (group II). At six and 12 weeks after euthanasia, rabbits calvaria underwent morphometric analysis through radiological and histological examination. Results: Through the cytotoxicity assay, we identified a significantly higher number of MC3T3-E1 cells in the 3D-printed specimen when compared to the machined specimen after 48 hours of culture. Moreover, morphometric analysis indicated significantly greater bone formation at week 12 on the side where rhBMP-2 was applied when evaluating the upper portion immediately below the ca p. Conclusion: The results suggest that 3D-printed titanium implant applied with rhBMP-2 enables new bone formation

In vivo and in vitro studies of Mgs1 suggest a link between genome instability and Okazaki fragment processing

The non-essential MGS1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is highly conserved in eukaryotes and encodes an enzyme containing both DNA-dependent ATPase and DNA annealing activities. MGS1 appears to function in post-replicational repair processes that contribute to genome stability. In this study, we identified MGS1 as a multicopy suppressor of the temperature-sensitive dna2Δ405N mutation, a DNA2 allele lacking the N-terminal 405 amino acid residues. Mgs1 stimulates the structure-specific nuclease activity of Rad27 (yeast Fen1 or yFen1) in an ATP-dependent manner. ATP binding but not hydrolysis was sufficient for the stimulatory effect of Mgs1, since non-hydrolyzable ATP analogs are as effective as ATP. Suppression of the temperature-sensitive growth defect of dna2Δ405N required the presence of a functional copy of RAD27, indicating that Mgs1 suppressed the dna2Δ405N mutation by increasing the activity of yFen1 (Rad27) in vivo. Our results provide in vivo and in vitro evidence that Mgs1 is involved in Okazaki fragment processing by modulating Fen1 activity. The data presented raise the possibility that the absence of MGS1 may impair the processing of Okazaki fragments, leading to genomic instability

Optimal Harvesting for an Age-Spatial-Structured Population Dynamic Model with External Mortality

We study an optimal harvesting for a nonlinear age-spatial-structured population dynamic model, where the dynamic system contains an external mortality rate depending on the total population size. The total mortality consists of two types: the natural, and external mortality and the external mortality reflects the effects of external environmental causes. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the population dynamic model. We also derive a sufficient condition for optimal harvesting and some necessary conditions for optimality in an optimal control problem relating to the population dynamic model. The results may be applied to an optimal harvesting for some realistic biological models

Genetic and Metabolic Characterization of Insomnia

Insomnia is reported to chronically affect 10∼15% of the adult population. However, very little is known about the genetics and metabolism of insomnia. Here we surveyed 10,038 Korean subjects whose genotypes have been previously profiled on a genome-wide scale. About 16.5% reported insomnia and displayed distinct metabolic changes reflecting an increase in insulin secretion, a higher risk of diabetes, and disrupted calcium signaling. Insomnia-associated genotypic differences were highly concentrated within genes involved in neural function. The most significant SNPs resided in ROR1 and PLCB1, genes known to be involved in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. Putative enhancers, as indicated by the histone mark H3K4me1, were discovered within both genes near the significant SNPs. In neuronal cells, the enhancers were bound by PAX6, a neural transcription factor that is essential for central nervous system development. Open chromatin signatures were found on the enhancers in human pancreas, a tissue where PAX6 is known to play a role in insulin secretion. In PLCB1, CTCF was found to bind downstream of the enhancer and interact with PAX6, suggesting that it can probably inhibit gene activation by PAX6. PLCB4, a circadian gene that is closely located downstream of PLCB1, was identified as a candidate target gene. Hence, dysregulation of ROR1, PLCB1, or PLCB4 by PAX6 and CTCF may be one mechanism that links neural and pancreatic dysfunction not only in insomnia but also in the relevant psychiatric disorders that are accompanied with circadian rhythm disruption and metabolic syndrome

A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of intracoronary cell infusion mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and darbepoetin after acute myocardial infarction: study design and rationale of the 'MAGIC cell-5-combination cytokine trial'

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bone marrow derived stem/progenitor cell transplantation after acute myocardial infarction is safe and effective for improving left ventricular systolic function. However, the improvement of left ventricular systolic function is limited. This study will evaluate novel stem/progenitor cell therapy with combination cytokine treatment of the long-acting erythropoietin analogue, darbepoetin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The 'MAGIC Cell-5-Combination Cytokine Trial' is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, 3-arm, controlled trial with blind evaluation of the endpoints. A total of 116 patients will randomly receive one of the following three treatments: an intravenous darbepoetin infusion and intracoronary infusion of peripheral blood stem cells mobilized with G-CSF (n = 58), an intracoronary infusion of peripheral blood stem cells mobilized with G-CSF alone (n = 29), or conventional therapy (n = 29) at phase I. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% at 6 months, in the patients who received stem cell therapy at phase I, will receive repeated cell therapy at phase II. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination cytokine therapy with erythropoietin and G-CSF (phase I) and repeated progenitor/stem cell treatment (phase II).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This is the first study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination cytokine based progenitor/stem cell treatment.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><url>http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov</url> identifier: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00501917">NCT00501917</a>.</p

Correlation of the Korean Version of Falls Efficacy Scale-International With Quantitative Balance and Gait Parameters Through Exercise Program in Elderly Men

Objective To determine correlation of the Korean version of Falls Efficacy Scale-International (KFES-I) with other gait and balance parameters through exercise program in older men. Methods Between July 2015 and April 2018, 50 men of 103 participants in an exercise program for preventing falls who aged over 60 years, completed the evaluation before and after the program, had fear of falling (FOF), and could walk independently as an outpatient were enrolled retrospectively. The program comprised lower extremities and core muscle strengthening exercises following stretching exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. FOF using the KFES-I, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), stair up and gait categories in MBI (MBI-gait), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were evaluated. Quantitative gait and balance parameters were measured by gait analysis, posturography, and isokinetic dynamometer. They were compared before and after the program. Moreover, correlations of KFES-I with other parameters were examined. Results Fifty participants were enrolled. After the program, significant improvements were noted in right stride length (p=0.013) in gait analysis, MBI (p=0.012), BBS (p<0.000), TUG test (p<0.000), and KFES-I (p<0.000) scores. KFES-I was significantly correlated with MBI (r=-0.35, p=0.013), and MBI-gait (r=-0.341, p=0.015). Conclusion Risk of falls could be significantly improved through exercise. KFES-I had significant correlations with MBI-gait parameters. Participants showed increases in gait and balancing ability on quantitative measurements through exercises. Therefore, regular stretching, strengthening, and balancing exercises may help prevent falls in older people

ZHO-1, an intrinsic MBL from the environmental Gram-negative species Zhongshania aliphaticivorans

Objectives: Our aim was to characterize the putative MBL of the environmental strain Zhongshania aliphaticivorans isolated from a marine environment.Methods: The putative MBL was identified in silico using the NCBI database. The β-lactamase gene was cloned into different Escherichia coli backgrounds. Kinetic parameters were determined using the purified enzyme.Results: The enzyme named ZHO-1 shared 51% amino acid identity with the acquired class B carbapenemases IMP-1, KHM-1 and DIM-1. Expression of the blaZHO-1 gene in a susceptible E. coli resulted in a carbapenemase phenotype. Kinetic parameters determined from purified ZHO-1 enzyme showed that it had significant hydrolytic activity against most β-lactams including penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems, with the exception of aztreonam and cefepime.Conclusions: This study adds to the knowledge regarding environmental species as a reservoir of possible clinically relevant MBLs