EFFECTS OF CONTACT SURFACE PROPERTIES ON MULTI-FINGER FORCE PRODUCTION TASKS IN HUMANS

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of contact surface properties, which presumably determine the level of stimulation on the cutaneous receptors, on multifinger force production and synergic actions of finger forces. The framework of the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis was used to quantify indices of multi-finger synergies stabilizing total force in normal and tangent directions as well as the direction of resultant force (i.e., force angle) during steady-state force production. There was significant effect of contact surface on the magnitude of maximal voluntary contraction force. Also, there was a significant effect of the contact surface on the indices of force-direction (i.e., force angle) stabilizing synergies meaning that the stimulation on the cutaneous receptors could be an effective way to enhance the abili to organize the direction of finger forces

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction test for the diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis A

Background/AimsThe early diagnosis of acute hepatitis A (AHA) is hindered because serum IgM against hepatitis A virus (HAV) can yield false-negative results during the window period. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit for HAV RNA for the diagnosis of AHA.MethodsSamples were collected from 136 patients with acute severe hepatitis at their admission to Asan Medical Center between June 2010 and July 2010. Samples were analyzed for serum IgM anti-HAV using an immunoassay test and for qualitative HAV RNA using the Magicplex HepaTrio PCR test kit. The diagnostic accuracies of these methods were tested on the basis of clinical and laboratory diagnoses of AHA.ResultsThe concordance rate and kappa value between IgM anti-HAV and HAV RNA PCR were 88.2% and 0.707, respectively. For the diagnosis of AHA, the sensitivity and specificity of IgM anti-HAV were 90.7% and 100%, respectively, when an "equivocal" result was regarded as positive; and 79.1% and 100%, respectively, when an "equivocal" result was regarded as negative. The sensitivity and specificity of HAV RNA PCR were 81.4% and 100%, respectively. All four patients with negative IgM anti-HAV and positive HAV RNA PCR results and all four patients with equivocal IgM anti-HAV RNA and positive HAV RNA PCR results were eventually diagnosed with AHA.ConclusionsThe qualitative HAV RNA PCR test has an equivalent diagnostic accuracy for AHA compared to IgM anti-HAV and may be more sensitive during the window period

Cellular and Tissue Selectivity of AAV Serotypes for Gene Delivery to Chondrocytes and Cartilage

Background: Despite several studies on the effect of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based therapeutics on osteoarthritis (OA), information on the transduction efficiency and applicable profiles of different AAV serotypes to chondrocytes in hard cartilage tissue is still limited. Moreover, the recent discovery of additional AAV serotypes makes it necessary to screen for more suitable AAV serotypes for specific tissues. Here, we compared the transduction efficiencies of 14 conventional AAV serotypes in human chondrocytes, mouse OA models, and human cartilage explants obtained from OA patients. Methods: To compare the transduction efficiency of individual AAV serotypes, green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was detected by fluorescence microscopy or western blotting. Likewise, to compare the transduction efficiencies of individual AAV serotypes in cartilage tissues, GFP expression was determined using fluorescence microscopy or immunohistochemistry, and GFP-positive cells were counted. Results: Only AAV2, 5, 6, and 6.2 exhibited substantial transduction efficiencies in both normal and OA chondrocytes. All AAV serotypes except AAV6 and rh43 could effectively transduce human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. In human and mouse OA cartilage tissues, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6.2, AAV8, and AAV rh39 showed excellent tissue specificity based on transduction efficiency. These results indicate the differences in transduction efficiencies of AAV serotypes between cellular and tissue models. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that AAV2 and AAV6.2 may be the best choices for AAV-mediated gene delivery into intra-articular cartilage tissue. These AAV vectors hold the potential to be of use in clinical applications to prevent OA progression if appropriate therapeutic genes are inserted into the vector

Altered gut microbiome plays an important role in AKI to CKD transition in aged mice

IntroductionThis study investigated the role of renal-intestinal crosstalk in the transition from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in elderly individuals.MethodsUsing young and aged mice, we induced bilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and compared intestinal and kidney inflammation over 28 days. To determine the role of the microbiome in gut–kidney crosstalk, we analyzed the microbiome of fecal samples of the young vs. aged mice and examined the effects of probiotic supplementation.ResultsIn the post-IRI recovery phase, prolonged intestinal and renal inflammation along with dysbiosis were evident in aged vs. younger mice that was associated with severe renal dysfunction and fibrosis progression in aged mice. Probiotic supplementation with Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 and Bifidobacterium longum BORI alleviated intestinal inflammation but not intestinal leakage, characterized by decreased inflammatory cytokine levels and decreased infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, and Th17 cells. This was associated with improved M1-dominant renal inflammation and ultimately improved renal function and fibrosis, suggesting that renal–intestinal crosstalk in aged mice contributes to the transition from AKI to CKD.DiscussionOur study findings suggest that exacerbation of chronic inflammation through the gut–kidney axis might be an important mechanism in the transition from AKI to CKD in the elderly

Bioinformatics services for analyzing massive genomic datasets

The explosive growth of next-generation sequencing data has resulted in ultra-large-scale datasets and ensuing computational problems. In Korea, the amount of genomic data has been increasing rapidly in the recent years. Leveraging these big data requires researchers to use large-scale computational resources and analysis pipelines. A promising solution for addressing this computational challenge is cloud computing, where CPUs, memory, storage, and programs are accessible in the form of virtual machines. Here, we present a cloud computing-based system, Bio-Express, that provides user-friendly, cost-effective analysis of massive genomic datasets. Bio-Express is loaded with predefined multi-omics data analysis pipelines, which are divided into genome, transcriptome, epigenome, and metagenome pipelines. Users can employ predefined pipelines or create a new pipeline for analyzing their own omics data. We also developed several web-based services for facilitating down-stream analysis of genome data. Bio-Express web service is freely available at https://www. bioexpress.re.kr/. ?? 2020, Korea Genome Organization

운전자 생체 신호 및 차량 주행 정보를 활용한 실차 주행 중 운전자 피로도 분석

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Flow structure around an actual willow patch under different depth conditions

Vegetation is one of the key factors in river management where environmental aspects as well as flood protection should be taken into consideration. Because of this, numerous studies have been done including experiments and hydrodynamic modelling. Because most of experimental studies were made in indoor laboratory flumes with artificial trees, there are still limitations in transfer of their result to actual channels. REC (River Experiment Center) of Korea has been operating three real-scale, nature-like outdoor experimental channels. In a straight channel, several 4x2 m actual willow patches were planted and have been grown last three years for studies on flow vegetation interaction. A set of intensive flow measurement was made around the first upstream willow patch using ADVs together with measurement of vegetation properties. The experiments were made under several different depth conditions simulating snow-melt and flash-flood. Distribution of flow around and through the patch was characterized along with vertical profiles. The results of the experiment enhance understanding on interaction of flow and actual vegetation in a natural channel and may also provide information on flow resistance used for hydrodynamic modelling and validation