Rapid Identification of Thrombocytopenia-Associated Multiple Organ Failure Using Red Blood Cell Parameters and a Volume/Hemoglobin Concentration Cytogram

Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure (TAMOF) has a high mortality rate when not treated, and early detection of TAMOF is very important diagnostically and therapeutically. We describe herein our experience of early detection of TAMOF, using an automated hematology analyzer. From 498,390 inpatients, we selected 12 patients suspected of having peripheral schistocytosis, based on the results of red blood cell (RBC) parameters and a volume/hemoglobin concentration (V/HC) cytogram. We promptly evaluated whether the individual patients had clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were consistent with TAMOF. Plasma exchanges were then performed for each patient. All 12 patients had TAMOF. The mean values of RBC parameters were significantly higher in all of the patients than with the reference range, however, 3 patients had % RBC fragments within the reference range. The mean value of ADAMTS-13 activity was slightly lower in patients compared with the reference range. Of the 12 patients, remission was obtained in 9 patients (75%) within 4 to 5 weeks using plasma exchanges. Three patients died. An increased percentage of microcytic hyperchromic cells with anisocytosis and anisochromia indicated the presence of schistocytes, making it an excellent screening marker for TAMOF. Identification of TAMOF with RBC parameters and a V/HC cytogram is a facile and rapid method along with an automated hematology analyzer already in use for routine complete blood cell counting test

Self-esteem as a Moderator of the Effects of Happiness, Depression, and Hostility on Suicidality Among Early Adolescents in Korea

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of self-esteem as a moderator of the factors influencing suicidality among middle-schoolers. Methods Moderated multiple regression analysis was applied to assess the influence of happiness, depression, and hostility on suicidality and to determine the degree to which self-esteem served as a moderator of those relationships. Data were collected from 268 students at a middle school in Busan, Korea, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Results Happiness, depression, and hostility had significant direct effects on suicidality. Self-esteem showed no direct effect, but had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between hostility and suicidal behavior. Conclusions These results suggest that various interventions, such as counseling programs, should be designed to alleviate hostility and depression and to enhance happiness and self-esteem among early adolescents

Emerging techniques in the isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles and their roles in cancer diagnostics and prognostics

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanovesicles, present in almost all types of body fluids, which play an important role in intercellular communication and are involved in the transport of biological signals for regulating diverse cellular functions. Due to the increasing clinical interest in the role of EVs in tumor promotion, various techniques for their isolation, detection, and characterization are being developed. In this review, we present an overview of the current EV isolation and characterization methods in addition to their applications and limitations. Furthermore, EVs as the potential emerging biomarkers in cancer management and their clinical implementation are briefly discussed.clos

Applicability of TiO2 Penetration Method to Reduce Particulate Matter Precursor for Hardened Concrete Road Structures

Recently, air pollution is increasing sharply in Korea, caused by fine particulate matter. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are particulate matter precursors that significantly contribute to air pollution. They are transmitted into the atmosphere by a large amount, especially in high-volume traffic areas. This pollutant is particularly harmful. Therefore, there are increasing efforts focused on NOx removal from the air. As the photocatalytic reaction of titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the mechanism that eliminates NOx, the ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight and TiO2 in existing concrete structure need to be contacted for reaction process. Generally, TiO2 concrete is produced by mixing the concrete binder with TiO2. However, a significant amount of TiO2 in the concrete cannot be exposed to air pollutants or UV. Additionally, this technique may not be applicable to existing structures. Therefore, an alternative method that utilizes surface penetration agents is used to add TiO2 to the concrete surface of the structures. This proposed method may not only be economical but also applicable to various types of structures. The applicability of the TiO2 penetration application method to existing concrete road structures for reducing NOx is the purpose of this study. The penetration depth of TiO2 particles was measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). Additionally, the NOx removal efficiency was evaluated using the NOx analyzing system. The results of this study showed that the TiO2 penetration method was advantageous in removing NOx effectively and securing economic feasibility

Effects of feeding level on nutrient digestibility and enteric methane production in growing goats () and Sika deer ()

Objective Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding level on nutrient digestibility and enteric methane (CH4) emissions in growing goats and Sika deer. Methods Three growing male goats (initial body weight [BW] of 22.4±0.9 kg) and three growing male deer (initial BW of 20.2±4.8 kg) were each allotted to a respiration-metabolism chamber for an adaptation period of 7 d and a data collection period of 3 d. An experimental diet was offered to each animal at one of three feeding levels (1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% of BW) in a 3×3 Latin square design. The chambers were used for measuring enteric CH4 emission. Results Nutrient digestibility decreased linearly in goats as feeding level increased, whereas Sika deer digestibility was not affected by feeding level. The enteric production of CH4 expressed as g/kg dry matter intake (DMI), g/kg organic matter intake, and % of gross energy intake decreased linearly with increased feeding level in goats; however, that of Sika deer was not affected by feeding level. Six equations were estimated for predicting the enteric CH4 emission from goats and Sika deer. For goat, equation 1 was found to be of the highest accuracy: CH4 (g/d) = 6.2 (±14.1)+10.2 (±7.01)×DMI (kg/d)+0.0048 (±0.0275)×dry matter digestibility (DMD, g/kg)–0.0070 (±0.0187)×neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD; g/kg). For Sika deer, equation 4 was found to be of the highest accuracy: CH4 (g/d) = −13.0 (±30.8)+29.4 (±3.93)×DMI (kg/d)+0.046 (0.094)×DMD (g/kg)–0.0363 (±0.0636)×NDFD (g/kg). Conclusion Increasing the feeding level increased CH4 production in both goats and Sika deer, and predictive models of enteric CH4 production by goats and Sika deer were estimated

Relationship between serum bilirubin levels and cardiovascular disease.

We tested the hypothesis that higher levels of bilirubin, a bile pigment with antioxidant properties, are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study analyzed data from the Korean Health and Genome Study to examine the association between serum total bilirubin (TB) on CVD and CVD death. Serum TB was measured in a total of 8,844 subjects (4,196 males and 4,648 females) and evaluated for the development of new onset CVD from 2001 to 2012 (mean 8.1 years of follow-up). During the follow-up period, 689 cases of incident CVD (7.8%) were identified, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) at baseline was 26.1%. The prevalence of MetS decreased across bilirubin tertile categories. In addition to MetS itself, individual components of MetS significantly decreased with increased bilirubin tertiles. Moreover, the incidence of CVD decreased across bilirubin tertile categories. The hazard ratios (HRs) for developing coronary heart disease (CHD, HR 0.769, 95% CI 0.655-1.000) and CVD death (HR 0.513, 95% CI 0.267-0.985) was significantly lower in the highest tertile group (> 0.63 mg/dL) in comparison to the lowest tertile group (< 0.44 mg/dL) after adjusting for all confounding variables. In the present longitudinal study, a significant negative relationship was demonstrated between baseline bilirubin levels and incident CHD and CVD death