Rational Perturbation of the Fluorescence Quantum Yield in Emission‐Tunable and Predictable Fluorophores (Seoul‐Fluors) by a Facile Synthetic Method Involving C—H Activation†

Abstract Fluorescence imaging enables the uniquely sensitive observation of functional‐ and molecular‐recognition events in living cells. However, only a limited range of biological processes have been subjected to imaging because of the lack of a design strategy and difficulties in the synthesis of biosensors. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of emission‐tunable and predictable Seoul‐Fluors, 9‐aryl‐1,2‐dihydrolopyrrolo[3,4‐b]indolizin‐3‐ones, with various R1 and R2 substituents by coinage‐metal‐catalyzed intramolecular 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and subsequent palladium‐mediated C—H activation. We also showed that the quantum yields of Seoul‐Fluors are controlled by the electronic nature of the substituents, which influences the extent of photoinduced electron transfer. On the basis of this understanding, we demonstrated our design strategy by the development of a Seoul‐Fluor‐based chemosensor 20 for reactive oxygen species that was not accessible by a previous synthetic route

Clinical features and surgical outcomes of complete transposition of the great arteries

PurposeThis single-center study aimed to assess the clinical features and surgical approaches and outcomes of complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA).MethodsTGA patients who had undergone surgical correction at the Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2010, were retrospectively evaluated for patient characteristics, clinical manifestation, preoperative management, intraoperative findings, postoperative progress, and follow-up status.ResultsTwenty-eight patients (17 boys and 11 girls, mean age=10.6±21.5 days) were included and were categorized as follows: group I, TGA with intact ventricular septum (n=13); group II, TGA with ventricular septal defect (VSD, n=12); and group III, TGA/VSD with pulmonary stenosis (n=3). Group I underwent the most intensive preoperative management (balloon atrial septostomy and prostaglandin E1 medication). Group II showed the highest incidence of heart failure (P<0.05). Usual and unusual coronary anatomy patterns were observed in 20 (71%) and 8 patients, respectively. Arterial and half-turned truncal switch operations were performed in 25 and 3 patients (Group III), respectively. Postoperative complications included cardiac arrhythmias (8 patients), central nervous system complications (3 patients), acute renal failure (1 patient), infections (3 patients), and cardiac tamponade (1 patient), and no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups. Group II showed the mildest aortic regurgitation on follow-up echocardiograms (P<0.05). One patient underwent reoperation, and 1 died. The overall mortality rate was 4%.ConclusionOur study showed favorable results in all the groups and no significant difference in postoperative complication, reoperation, and mortality among the groups. However, our results were inadequate to evaluate the risk factors for reoperation and mortality owing to the small number of patients and short follow-up duration

Serum Levels of Advanced Glycation End Products Are Associated with In-Stent Restenosis in Diabetic Patients

The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), in various tissues has been known to enhance immunoinflammatory reactions and local oxidant stresses in long standing diabetes. Recently, AGEs have been reported to play a role in neointimal formation in animal models of arterial injury. We attempted to determine whether the serum levels of AGEs are associated with coronary restenosis in diabetic patients. Blood samples were collected from diabetic patients with coronary artery disease undergoing stent implantation and the serum levels of AGEs were analyzed by the fluorescent intensity method. The development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) was evaluated by a 6-month follow-up coronary angiography. A total of 263 target lesions were evaluated, in 203 patients. The ISR rate in the high-AGE (>170 U/ml) group (40.1%) was significantly higher than in the low-AGE group (≤170 U/ml) (19.6%) (p<0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that a high level of serum AGEs is an independent risk factor for the development of ISR (odds ratio, 2.659; 95% CI, 1.431-4.940; p=0.002). The serum levels of AGEs constitute an excellent predictive factor for ISR, and should be one of the guidelines for medical therapy and interventional strategy to prevent ISR in diabetic patients

The Incidence and Risk Factors of Medial and Inferior Orbital Wall Fractures in Korea: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Purpose: We aimed to investigate orbital wall fracture incidence and risk factors in the general Korean population. Method: The Korea National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort dataset was analyzed to find subjects with an orbital wall fracture between 2011 and 2015 (based on the diagnosis code) and to identify incident cases involving a preceding disease-free period of 8 years. The incidence of orbital wall fracture in the general population was estimated, and the type of orbital wall fracture was categorized. Sociodemographic risk factors were also examined using Cox regression analysis. Results: Among 1,080,309 cohort subjects, 2415 individuals with newly diagnosed orbital wall fractures were identified. The overall incidence of orbital wall fractures was estimated as 46.19 (95% CI: 44.37–48.06) per 100,000 person-years. The incidence was high at 10–29 and 80+ years old and showed a male predominance with an average male-to-female ratio of 3.33. The most common type was isolated inferior orbital wall fracture (59.4%), followed by isolated medial orbital wall fracture (23.7%), combination fracture (15.0%), and naso-orbito-ethmoid fracture (1.5%). Of the fracture patients, 648 subjects (26.8%) underwent orbital wall fracture repair surgeries. Male sex, rural residence, and low income were associated with an increased risk of orbital wall fractures. Conclusions: The incidence of orbital wall fractures in Korea varied according to age groups and was positively associated with male sex, rural residency, and low economic income. The most common fracture type was an isolated inferior orbital wall fracture

Measures to Promote Rural Healthcare Tourism with a Scientific Evidence-Based Approach

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical activities on human health in forests in countryside and rural areas. The test experiment was conducted in a countryside forest, whereas the controlled experiment was conducted in an urban area where the study participants resided. A total of 22 participants (aged 20.9 &plusmn; 1.3 years) were evaluated in this study. Heart rate variability and salivary cortisol level were used as indices of physiological conditions, and semantic differential method, profile of mood states (POMS), and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) were used to evaluate the participants&rsquo; emotional states. The participants were asked to walk around forest and urban areas for 15 min. The results were as follows. As compared to the urban area, in the forest area, (1) the power of the high-frequency (HF) component of the heart rate variability (HRV) was significantly higher; (2) low-frequency (LF)/(LF + HF) was significantly lower; (3) salivary cortisol level was significantly lower; (4) the participants felt more comfortable, natural, relaxed, and less anxious and showed higher levels of positive emotions and lower levels of negative emotions. Consequently, walking in the forest area induces relaxing short-term physiological and psychological effects on young people living in urban areas

The relation of functional states of dendritic spines with contents of micro-RNA

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Case Study on the Changes in the Physical Environment in Forest Healing Spaces

This study was conducted to investigate changes in the physical environment in forest healing spaces by examining each of two tree species in a space within the Kasuya Research Forest, Kyushu University. At the study site, culmination and sunset showed high TNVOCs, low concentrations of particulate matter, and low PPD. Of the NVOCs, camphor was detected with the highest concentrations, 0.359 ng/m^3 and 0.142 ng/m^3, in C. camphora and M. thunbergii, respectively. Coniferous trees are generally used when creating an environment for healing purposes, as they are known to emit a large amount of NVOCs. However, according to our results, deciduous trees also emit NVOCs of sufficient concentrations. Therefore, if forest healing spaces are created with the appropriate components, it can have effective results