Change in gene expression of mouse embryonic stem cells derived from parthenogenetic activation

BACKGROUND We previously established parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and this study was subsequently conducted for elucidating the influence of oocyte parthenogenesis on gene expression profile of ESCs. METHODS Gene expression of parthenogenetic ESC (pESC)-1 or pESC-2 was separately compared with that of two normally fertilized ESC (nfESC) lines (B6D2F1 and R1 strains), and quantification of mRNA expression was conducted for validating microarray data. RESULTS In two sets of comparison, reaction of 11 347 and 15 454 gene probes were altered by parthenogenesis, while strain difference changed the expression of 15 750 and 14 944 probes. Level of correlation coefficient was higher in the comparisons between normal fertilization and parthenogenesis (0.974-0.985) than in the comparisons between strains of nfESCs (0.97-0.971). Overall, the expression of 3276-3329 genes was changed after parthenogenesis, and 88% (96/109) of major functional genes differentially (P < 0.01) expressed in one comparison set showed the same change in the other. When we monitored imprinted genes, expression of nine paternal and eight maternal genes were altered after parthenogenesis and 88% (14/16) of these was confirmed by mRNA quantification. CONCLUSIONS The change in gene expression after parthenogenesis was similar to, or less than, the change induced by a strain difference under a certain genetic background. These results may suggest the clinical feasibility of parthenogenesis-derived, pluripotent cell

Complications and Management of Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

In the past, the use of endoscopic spine surgery was limited to intervertebral discectomy; however, it has recently become possible to treat various spinal degenerative diseases, such as spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis, and the treatment range has also expanded from the lumbar spine to the cervical and thoracic regions. However, as endoscopic spine surgery develops and its indications widen, more diverse and advanced surgical techniques are being introduced, and the complications of endoscopic spine surgery are also increasing accordingly. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE databases to identify articles on endoscopic spinal surgery, and key words were set as “endoscopic spinal surgery,” “endoscopic cervical foramoinotomy,” “PECD,” “percutaneous transforaminal discectomy,” “percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy,” “PELD,” “PETD,” “PEID,” “YESS” and “TESSYS.” We analyzed the evidence level and classified the prescribed complications according to the literature. Endoscopic lumbar surgery was divided into full endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal approaches and a unilateral biportal approach. We performed a comprehensive review of available literature on complications of endoscopic spinal surgery. This study particularly focused on the prevention of complications. Regardless of the surgical methods, the most common complications related to endoscopic spinal surgery include dural tears and perioperative hematoma. transient dysesthesia, nerve root injury and recurrence. However, Endoscopic spinal surgery, including full endoscopic transforaminal and interlaminar and unilateral biportal approaches, is a safe and effective a treatment for lumbar as well as cervical and thoracic spinal diseases such as disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis and recurrent disc herniation

Hydraulic and ecological changes under drainage gate operations with coupled model SCHISM-CoSiNE in Saemangeum basin, Korea

The drainage gates have been controlled for desalination under normal conditions and flood defense in&nbsp; Saemangeum basin, Korea. Recently, it became an issue that the gates have been opened not to deteriorate water quality in the lake. It is, thus, necessary to precisely estimate the changes of water quality characteristics, especially DO, phosphate and nitrate, in the lake according to various gate operations. In this study, Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model and Carbon, Silicate, Nitrogen Ecosystem model (SCHISM-CoSiNE) which is cable to simulate dynamic exchange such as gate operation conditions was utilized to obtain reliable and reasonable results including hydrodyanamic and environmental variables. For the verification, the measured data at 6 locations in Saemangeum basin was used to compare&nbsp; incluidng temperatue and salintiy from 2016 and each relative error became small enough to show high accurary. Also, under various scenarios by changing the designated water surface elevation on flood seasons, this model has been applied to present the best designated water surface elevation in terms of both water quality and water supply in the Saemangeum basin. It becomes possbile to show reliable guidance for dynamic operations and environmental changes with this model as requested in near future

Selection of Elevation Models for Flood Inundation Map Generation in Small Urban Stream: Case Study of Anyang Stream

To reduce flood damages, the Ministry of Environment in Korea has provided a flood inundation map so that people can expediently identify flood-prone areas. However, the current flood inundation maps have been produced based on the DEM which makes it difficult to represent realistic situations due to the lack of reproduction of land surface conditions. This study aims to provide more accurate and detailed flood inundation maps for flooding events due to river overflow in small urban areas. In this study, flood inundation analysis is performed using the river analysis system, HEC-RAS 2D, with the DSM and the DEM of urban areas in the Anyang Stream Basin, Korea to examine the differences in terms of terrain data and flooded area. Finally, for urban areas with dense buildings and congested road networks, the flood inundation analysis based on DSM can represent a more realistic flood situation and create an appropriate flood inundation map

Regulatory gaps between LNG carriers and LNG fuelled ships

Given a number of marine vessels treating the liquefied natural gas either as cargo or fuel, this paper examined the regulatory gaps of two different international Codes – the InternationalCodeof the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk and the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels – from the regulatory standpoint. Results of the gap analysis have identified and discussed the key areas encountered with regulatory discrepancies or ambiguities that might interrupt the proper design, construction and operation of LNG carrier and LNG fuelled ship. A systematic investigation and harmonisation process across the Codes was proposed to mitigate the potential issues that may arise from the discordant regulations. Also, the International Maritime Organization was suggested to take proactive action to improve such dissonances while a general insight into the importance of filling those gaps was provided for rule-makers and stakeholders