Light cold dark matter from non-thermal decay

We investigate the mass range and the corresponding free-streaming length scale of dark matter produced non-thermally from decay of heavy objects which can be either dominant or sub-dominant at the moment of decay. We show that the resulting dark matter could be very light well below keV scale with a free-streaming length satisfying the Lyman-{\alpha} constraints. We demonstrate two explicit examples for such light cold dark matter.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

CONTRIBUTION OF THE KNEE JOINT TO MECHANICAL ENERGY IN CROUCHING START ACCORDING TO THE BACKWARD BLOCK INCLINED ANGLE INCREASE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the contribution of the knee joint to mechanical energy in crouching start according to the backward block inclined angle increase(F, F1, F2). Using kinetic and kinematic data from 3 university sprinters participating in this study we calculated the energies absorbed and generated by the knee joints. The analysis is limited to a two-dimensional (sagittal plane) exercise. Comparing mean values of the energy absorbed and generated from lower extremity joints of each subjects according to backward block inclined angle increase (F, F1, F2). We generate a ratio of a total energy absorbed and generated from lower extremities to one from knee joints. The generated energy of knee joints during start was the highest for all subjects and the absorbed energy of those was the lowest at 55 degree of backward block angle, or F, for subject 1, 50 degree for subject 2, and 50 degree for subject 3

MicroRNA-143 and-145 modulate the phenotype of synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) constitute a major cell subset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovia. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been implicated in activation and proliferation of RA-FLSs. However, the functional association of various miRNAs with their targets that are characteristic of the RA-FLS phenotype has not been globally elucidated. In this study, we performed microarray analyses of miRNAs and mRNAs in RA-FLSs and osteoarthritis FLSs (OA-FLSs), simultaneously, to validate how dysregulated miRNAs may be associated with the RA-FLS phenotype. Global miRNA profiling revealed that miR-143 and miR-145 were differentially upregulated in RA-FLSs compared to OA-FLSs. miR-143 and miR-145 were highly expressed in independent RA-FLSs. The miRNA-target prediction and network model of the predicted targets identified insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) and semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) as potential target genes downregulated by miR-143 and miR-145, respectively. IGFBP5 level was inversely correlated with miR-143 expression, and its deficiency rendered RA-FLSs more sensitive to TNFα stimulation, promoting IL-6 production and NF-κB activity. Moreover, SEMA3A was a direct target of miR-145, as determined by a luciferase reporter assay, antagonizing VEGF165-induced increases in the survival, migration and invasion of RA-FLSs. Taken together, our data suggest that enhanced expression of miR-143 and miR-145 renders RA-FLSs susceptible to TNFα and VEGF165 stimuli by downregulating IGFBP5 and SEMA3A, respectively, and that these miRNAs could be therapeutic targets. © 2017 KSBMB4

Inter- and Intra-observer Reliability of MRI for Lumbar Lateral Disc Herniation

Background: The authors analyzed inter- and intra-observer agreement with respect to interpretation of simple magnetic resonance T1- and T2-weighted axial and sagittal images for the diagnosis of lumbar lateral disc herniation, including foraminal and extraforaminal disc herniations.Methods: Forty-two patients in whom lumbar lateral disc herniation was suspected or confirmed by simple magnetic resonance imaging at one institute between May 2003 and December 2004 were included. The magnetic resonance images consisting of T1- and T2-weighted axial and sagittal images, and these were reviewed blindly and independently by three orthopaedic spine surgeons in a random manner. The images were interpreted as positive or negative for lateral disc herniation on 2 different occasions 3 months apart. Results were analyzed using Cohens kappa statistic, and strengths of agreements were determined using the Landis and Koch criteria.Results: The kappa values for inter-observer agreement averaged 0.234 (0.282, 0.111, and 0.308 respectively) on the first occasion, and 0.166 (0.249, 0.111, and 0.137 respectively) on the second occasion, with an overall mean value of 0.200. Thus, the strength of agreement was only slight-to-fair according to the Landis and Koch criteria. Kappa values for intra-observer agreement averaged 0.479 (0.488, 0.491, and 0.459 respectively), indicating moderate agreement.Conclusions: The present study indicates that simple magnetic resonance imaging is not a reliable imaging modality for diagnosing lumbar lateral disc herniation. Another imaging study with improved diagnostic values should be developed to diagnose this pathologic finding.Keywords: Lumbar lateral disc herniation, Inter-observer reliability, Intra-observer reliability, Magnetic resonance imagingOAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2009-01/102/0000004226/1SEQ:1PERF_CD:SNU2009-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000004226EMP_ID:A076317DEPT_CD:801FILENAME:E019T_CiOS-2009_Kim_Inter-and Intra-observer Reliability of MRI for Lumbar.pdfDEPT_NM:의학과EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:NCONFIRM:YCONFIRM:

The Bilirubin Level is Negatively Correlated with the Incidence of Hypertension in Normotensive Korean Population

Reactive oxygen species have been known to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Bilirubin, one of the metabolites of heme degraded by heme oxygenase, is a potent anti-oxidant. We verified the effect of serum bilirubin level on the incidence of hypertension in normotensive subjects. We grouped 1,208 normotensive subjects by the criterion of the highest quintile value of serum bilirubin, 1.1 mg/dL. The incidence of hypertension was higher in group 1 with bilirubin less than 1.1 mg/dL than in group 2 with bilirubin 1.1 mg/dL or more (186/908 vs. 43/300, p=0.018). The relative risk for hypertension was 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.99), p=0.048 in group 2 compared to group 1 by Cox's proportional hazard model. Among the groups stratified by gender, smoking, and liver function status, the group 2 showed a lower risk of hypertension in females and in non-smokers. In conclusion, a mild increase within the physiological range of serum bilirubin concentration was negatively correlated with the incidence of hypertension. The effect of bilirubin on the development of hypertension was more evident in females and in non-smokers

Extraarticular Subtalar Arthrodesis for Pes Planovalgus: An Interim Result of 50 Feet in Patients with Spastic Diplegia

BACKGROUND: There are no reports of the pressure changes across the foot after extraarticular subtalar arthrodesis for a planovalgus foot deformity in cerebral palsy. This paper reviews our results of extraarticular subtalar arthrodesis using a cannulated screw and cancellous bone graft. METHODS: Fifty planovalgus feet in 30 patients with spastic diplegia were included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 9 years, and the mean follow-up period was 3 years. The radiographic, gait, and dynamic foot pressure changes after surgery were investigated. RESULTS: All patients showed union and no recurrence of the deformity. Correction of the abduction of the forefoot, subluxation of the talonavicular joint, and the hindfoot valgus was confirmed radiographically. However, the calcaneal pitch was not improved significantly after surgery. Peak dorsiflexion of the ankle during the stance phase was increased after surgery, and the peak plantarflexion at push off was decreased. The peak ankle plantar flexion moment and power were also decreased. Postoperative elevation of the medial longitudinal arch was expressed as a decreased relative vertical impulse of the medial midfoot and an increased relative vertical impulse (RVI) of the lateral midfoot. However, the lower than normal RVI of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal head after surgery suggested uncorrected forefoot supination. The anteroposterior and lateral paths of the center of pressure were improved postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that the index operation reliably corrects the hindfoot valgus in patients with spastic diplegia. Although the operation corrects the plantar flexion of the talus, it does not necessarily correct the plantarflexed calcaneus and forefoot supination. However, these findings are short-term and longer term observations will be needed.ope

Immunomodulatory Effects of Hypocrellin A on MHC-restricted Antigen Processing

Hypocrellin A has gained much attention in recent years due to its light-induced antitumor, antifungal and antiviral activities. Here we report that hypocrellin A exerts immunomodulatory effects on MHC-restricted presentation of antigen. Hypocrellin A inhibited class II-MHC restricted presentation of exogenous antigen, but not class I MHC-restricted presentation of exogenous antigen, in dendritic cells. Hypocrellin A also inhibited the cytosolic pathway of endogenous antigen presentation. However, hypocrellin A did not inhibit the expression of class I and class II MHC molecules on dendritic cells (DCs), the phagocytic activity of DCs, or the H-2Kb-restricted presentation of a synthetic peptide, SIINFEKL. These results show that hypocrellin A differentially modulates the MHC-restricted antigen presentation pathways

Limb Angular Deformity Correction Using Dyna-ATC: Surgical Technique, Calculation Method, and Clinical Outcome

PURPOSE: Dyna-ATC is a unilateral external fixator with angulator, lengthener, and translator, which allows for angular correction and compensation of the secondary displacement during angular correction. The purpose of this study is to introduce surgical technique and calculation methods and to evaluate the clinical outcome of angular deformity correction using Dyna-ATC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amounts of secondary displacement were calculated with the distances between axis of correction of angulation, Center of Rotational Angulation, and osteotomy and the amount of angular deformity. The rate of angular correction was determined to distract the corticotomy at 1 mm/day. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed on 13 patients who underwent deformity correction using Dyna-ATC. There were 8 proximal tibia vara, 1 tibia valga, 2 varus and 4 valgus deformities on distal femur. One patient underwent pelvic support femoral reconstruction. Concomitant lengthening was combined in all femur cases. Mean age at surgery was 17.5 years (7 to 64). RESULTS: All but one achieved bony healing and normal alignment with the index procedure. Mean mechanical axis deviation improved from 31.9 mm to 3.0 mm. The average amount of angular correction was 11.0° on tibiae and 10.0° on femora. The average length gain on femora was 6.4 cm, and the healing index averaged to 1.1 mo/cm. One patient underwent quadricepsplasty and one patient had three augmentation surgeries due to poor new bone formation. CONCLUSION: We believe that Dyna-ATC is a useful alternative to bulky ring fixators for selective patients with angular deformity less than 30 degrees in the coronal plane around the knee joint.ope