The Association between Apolipoprotein A-II and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults: A Comparison Study of Apolipoprotein A-I and Apolipoprotein B

BackgroundApolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) is the second-most abundant apolipoprotein in human high-density lipoprotein and its role in cardio metabolic risk is not entirely clear. It has been suggested to have poor anti-atherogenic or even pro-atherogenic properties, but there are few studies on the possible role of apoA-II in Asian populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of apoA-II in metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared with apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) in Korean adults.MethodsWe analyzed data from 244 adults who visited the Center for Health Promotion in Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital for routine health examinations.ResultsThe mean apoB level was significantly higher, and the mean apoA-I level was significantly lower, in MetS; however, there was no significant difference in apoA-II levels (30.5±4.6 mg/dL vs. 31.2±4.6 mg/dL, P=0.261). ApoA-II levels were more positively correlated with apoA-I levels than apoB levels. ApoA-II levels were less negatively correlated with homocysteine and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than apoA-I levels. The differences in MetS prevalence from the lowest to highest quartile of apoA-II were not significant (9.0%, 5.7%, 4.9%, and 6.6%, P=0.279). The relative risk of the highest quartile of apoA-II compared with the lowest quartile also was not significantly different (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.04; P=0.956).ConclusionCompared with apoA-I (negative association with MetS) and apoB (positive association with MetS) levels, apoA-II levels did not show any association with MetS in this study involving Korean adults. However, apoA-II may have both anti-atherogenic and pro-atherogenic properties

Potassium-doped BaFe2As2 superconducting thin films with a transition temperature of 40 K

We report the growth of potassium-doped BaFe2As2 thin films, where the major charge carriers are holes, on Al2O3 (0001) and LaAlO3 (001) substrates by using an ex-situ pulsed laser deposition technique. The measured Tc's are 40 and 39 K for the films grown on Al2O3 and LaAlO3, respectively and diamagnetism indicates that the films have good bulk superconducting properties below 36 and 30 K, respectively. The X-ray diffraction patterns for both films indicated a preferred c-axis orientation, regardless of the substrate structures of LaAlO3 and Al2O3. The upper critical field at zero temperature was estimated to be about 155 T.Comment: 6 pages including 3 figure

Dual Synergistic Modulation of Photo-Induced Electron Transfer Processes Between Molecules and Gold Nanopillars for Ultrasensitive Plasmon-Enhanced Raman Scattering.

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/25610 (Accepted version, pathway A)This work presents a synergistic approach to boost plasmon- or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by combining molecular and electrical modulators that fine-tune the electronic structure of metal−molecule interfaces, especially the charge transfer (CT) states, allowing molecular resonances. Paraquat (PQ2+) was interfaced with nanopillar SERS substrates whose surface excess of charge was modulated by intercalating anionic Au complexes (AuCl4−, Au(CN)2−) as well as by applying external electric potentials. Such concurrent dual modulation tuned the energy of the CT states of the substrate−anion−PQ2+ triads in resonance with the excitation laser, resulting in a large enhancement of the PQ2+ SERS bands. The results point to a novel coherent through-bond CT contribution of SERS, analogous to the superexchange mechanism for electron transfer in donor−bridge−acceptor systems. The large amplification enables high sensitivity for detecting PQ2+ and ultimately enables the on-site detection of PQ2+ in unprocessed real samples (coffee drink). This study account for new physicochemical variables affecting electron transfer processes in nanostructured metal-molecule interfaces and provides a path for further exploring chemical strategies for greater Raman enhancement and for developing ultrasensitive Raman platforms.Fundamental Research Program (PNK 7440) of the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (NRF- 2021R1C1C1010213) Junta de Andalucía/FEDER (UMA18-FEDERJA-049 and P18-RT-4592) Fundacion Ramon Areces (Madrid

THE EFFECTS OF WEARING SPANDEX WEAR WITH COMPRESSION BAND ON MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING A GOLF SWING

The purpose of this study was to determine how spandex wear with compressive band affects muscle activities during a golf swing. This study showed that average and maximum nEMG (normalized EMG) values of left AO (external abdominal oblique) were less in EG (experimental group) compared with CG (control group) during back swing, whereas those of left PM (pectoralis major) in EG were greater than CG. It is more likely that EG performed effectively golf swing without excess muscle activity. Thus, the spandex wear with compressive band played an important role in improving swing performance with injury prevention. This has led to suggestions of the need for further kinetic and kinematic analyses to evaluate its function

Prognosis of Stage IV Gastric Cancer Patients

Aim. This study evaluated the survival of gastric cancer patients with metastasis to the hepatoduodenal, retropancreatic, mesenteric, and para-aortic lymph nodes. Materials and methods. We analyzed the survival rate of 435 gastric cancer patients who underwent operation from 2001 to 2010 at the Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. There were 43, 25, 16, and 55 patients with metastasis to the hepatoduodenal, retropancreatic, mesenteric, and para-aortic nodes, respectively. Results. Based on tumor location, metastasis to the para-aortic lymph nodes was more common in upper-third cancer, and that to the hepatoduodenal lymph nodes was more common in lower-third cancer. The survival rate of patients with non-regional lymph node metastasis was better than that of patients with hepatic metastasis or peritoneal dissemination (p < 0.05). Conclusion. We recommend performing a more extended lymphadenectomy than a D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer those having metastasis to the hepatoduodenal nodes

Bioimaging of Nucleolin Aptamer-Containing 5-(N-benzylcarboxyamide)-2′-deoxyuridine More Capable of Specific Binding to Targets in Cancer Cells

Chemically modified nucleotides have been developed and applied into SELEX procedure to find a novel type of aptamers to fit with targets of interest. In this study, we directly performed chemical modification of 5-(N-benzylcarboxyamide)-2′-deoxyuridine (called 5-BzdU) in the AS1411 aptamer, which binds to the nucleolin protein expressed in cancer cells. Forty-seven compounds of AS1411-containing Cy3-labeled 5-BzdU (called Cy3-(5-BzdU)-modified-AS1411) were synthesized by randomly substituting thymidines one to twelve in AS1411 with Cy3-labeled 5-BzdU. Both statistically quantified fluorescence measurements and confocal imaging analysis demonstrated at least three potential compounds of interest: number 12, 29 and 41 that significantly increased the targeting affinity to cancer cells but no significant activity from normal healthy cells. These results suggest that the position and number of substituents in AS1411 are critical parameters to improve the aptamer function. In this study, we demonstrated that chemical modification of the existing aptamers enhanced the binding and targeting affinity to targets of interest without additional SELEX procedures

Necrotizing fasciitis involving the chest and abdominal wall caused by Raoultella planticola

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Raoultella planticola </it>was originally considered to be a member of environmental <it>Klebsiella</it>. The clinical significance of <it>R. planticola </it>is still not well known.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the first case of necrotizing fasciitis involving the chest and abdominal wall caused by <it>R. planticola</it>. The identity of the organism was confirmed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The patient was successfully treated with the appropriate antibiotics combined with operative drainage and debridement.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>R. planticola </it>had been described as environmental species, but should be suspected in extensive necrotizing fasciitis after minor trauma in mild to moderate immunocompromised patients.</p

The Defined TLR3 Agonist, Nexavant, Exhibits Anti-Cancer Efficacy and Potentiates Anti-PD-1 Antibody Therapy by Enhancing Immune Cell Infiltration

Nexavant was reported as an alternative to the TLR3 agonist of Poly(I:C) and its derivatives. The physicochemical properties, signaling pathways, anti-cancer effects, and mechanisms of Nexavant were investigated. The distinctive characteristics of Nexavant compared to that of Poly(I:C) were demonstrated by precise quantification, enhanced thermostability, and increased resistance to RNase A. Unlike Poly(I:C), which activates TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5, Nexavant stimulates signaling through TLR3 and RIG-I but not through MDA5. Compared to Poly(I:C), an intratumoral Nexavant treatment led to a unique immune response, immune cell infiltration, and suppression of tumor growth in various animal cancer models. Nexavant therapy outperformed anti-PD-1 antibody treatment in all the tested models and showed a synergistic effect in combinational therapy, especially in well-defined cold tumor models. The effect was similar to that of nivolumab in a humanized mouse model. Intranasal instillation of Nexavant led to the recruitment of immune cells (NK, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T) to the lungs, suppressing lung metastasis and improving animal survival. Our study highlighted Nexavant’s defined nature for clinical use and unique signaling pathways and its potential as a standalone anti-cancer agent or in combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies