Factors controlling the distribution of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in the coastal waters off Jeju Island

The composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the coastal waters off Jeju Island, Korea, originates from a complex mixture of organic sources. This study examined the dynamics and sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in the coastal waters off Jeju Island. Seasonal variation in the DOC and DON concentrations was observed, with significantly higher levels during summer (DOC: 82 ± 15 µM and DON: 6.8 ± 2.0 µM) than during the other seasons. In 2017, the Kuroshio Intermediate Water had a greater impact on the coastal waters off Jeju Island during winter (79%) and spring (69%) than during the other seasons, while the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) (12%) and the Kuroshio Surface Water (47%) had a stronger impact during summer and the Yellow Sea Cold Water (10%) had a stronger impact during autumn. Although water mass analysis provides valuable insights, certain aspects of the DOM distribution in coastal seawater remain unexplained. During summer, while the mixing of the CDW influenced the concentrations of DOC and DON, a distinct pulse in these concentrations was observed within a specific salinity range, suggesting microbial activity as a source. The relationship between dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and salinity also exhibited the opposite trend to that between DON and salinity, indicating the conversion of DON into DIN through microbial activity. These findings suggest that microbial activity plays a key role in the observed DOM pulse, transforming particulate organic matter into DOM and then converting it into DIN during the long transportation from Changjiang River to Jeju Island. This organic matter cycle could thus serve as a source of DIN in oligotrophic regions. However, further research on the sources and distribution of organic matter using biogeochemical parameters is required to gain a better understanding of the intricate processes involved

The effect of sucrose on infants during a painful procedure

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of treating the pain among newborn infants associated with a medical procedure with sucrose with regard to overall physiological and behavioral stability.Methods103 newborn infants were enrolled in this study. The control group (n=63) did not receive any treatment. The experimental group (n=40) received 2 mL of 24% sucrose solution two minutes before a routine heel stick. The pain was assessed by measurements of physiological changes [e.g. pulse rate, oxygen saturation, salivary cortisol (hydrocortisone)] and behavioral changes [e.g. crying time, and the neonatal infant pain scale (NIPS) for neonates].ResultsThere were no differences among the groups with respect to physiological changes associated with the pain from the procedure. However, there were significant group differences in behavioral changes to the pain. In the control group, the median crying time was 13 seconds, while in the experimental group, the median crying time was 3.5 seconds (P=.000). In the control group the median NIPS score was 4, while in the experimental group the median NIPS score was 2 (P=.000).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that sucrose can be an effective method for the management of stress responses in infants with regard to behavior. However, this treatment had no significant physiological effects

Stress Responses of Neonates Related to Maternal Characteristics

∙ The authors have no financial conflicts of interest. Purpose: To investigate the pre- and post-heelstick stress response patterns of infants and to identify related maternal factors. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two mothers and their 57 infants were studied. Stress response patterns in neonates were collected by measurements of pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and salivary cortisol. Maternal demographic factors and awakening saliva were collected. Results: Median level of pulse rate of infant increased from 132.1 to 140.4 beats per minute and salivary cortisol was elevated from 0.41 µg/dL to 0.70 µg/dL during the periods of discomfort, while oxygen saturation decreased from 97 % to 95%. Infant’s pulse rate change was negatively correlated with gestational age (GA) (r =- 0.37, p < 0.05), whereas the change of infants ’ salivary cortisol was correlated positively with maternal age (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). GA was the only independently significant predictor of pulse rate responses (R 2 = 0.15, p < 0.05). Influence of maternal age on infants ’ salivary cortisol changes (R 2 = 0.09, p < 0.05) was observed in a stepwis

Effects of Dose Titration on Dipyridamole-Induced Headache: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel. All rights reserved.Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of gradual dipyridamole titration and the incidence of dipyridamole-induced headache in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods: A randomized, double-blind, double-placebo, parallel group, phase 4 clinical trial (KCT0005457) was conducted between July 1, 2019, and February 25, 2020, at 15 medical centers in South Korea. The study included patients aged >19 years diagnosed with a noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA within the previous 3 weeks. The participants were randomized 1:1:1 to receive Adinox® (aspirin 25 mg/dipyridamole 200 mg) and aspirin (100 mg) once daily for the first 2 weeks followed by Adinox® twice daily for 2 weeks (titration group), Adinox® twice daily for 4 weeks (standard group), and aspirin 100 mg once daily for 4 weeks (control group). The primary endpoint was incidence of headache over 4 weeks. The key secondary endpoint was mean cumulative headache. Results: Ninety-six patients were randomized into the titration (n = 31), standard (n = 32), and control (n = 33) groups. The titration and standard groups (74.1% vs. 74.2%, respectively) showed no difference in the primary endpoint. However, the mean cumulated headache was significantly lower in the titration group than in the standard group (0.31 ± 0.46 vs. 0.58 ± 0.51, p = 0.023). Further, adverse drug reactions were more common in the standard group than in the titration group (28.1% vs. 9.7%, respectively, p = 0.054), although not significantly different. Conclusion: The titration strategy was effective in lowering the incidence of cumulative dipyridamole-induced headache.N