Optical Imaging of Cancer-Related Proteases Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Matrix Metalloproteinase-Sensitive and Cathepsin B-Sensitive Probes

Cathepsin B and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) play key roles in tumor progression by controlled degradation of extracellular matrix. Consequently, these proteases have been attracted in cancer research, and many imaging probes utilizing these proteases have been developed. Our groups developed cathepsin B and MMP imaging nanoprobes based on polymer nanoparticle platform. Both cathepsin B and MMP imaging probes used near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) dye and dark-quencher to for high sensitivity, and protease-sensitive peptide sequence in each probe authorized high specificity of the probes. We compared the bioactivities of cathepsin B and MMP sensitive probes in cancer-related environments to investigate the biological property of the probes. As a result, cathepsin B probe showed fluorescence recovery after the probe entered the cytoplasm. This property could be useful to evaluate the cytoplasmic targeted delivery by using probe-conjugated nanoparticles in vivo. On the other hand, MMP probe was superior in specificity in vivo and tissue study. This comparative study will provide precise information about peptide-based optical probes, and allow their proper application to cancer diagnosis

Socioeconomic inequalities in obesity among Korean women aged 19-79 years: the 2016 Korean Study of Women’s Health-Related Issues

OBJECTIVES While the prevalence of obesity in Asian women has remained stagnant, studies of socioeconomic inequalities in obesity among Asian women are scarce. This study aimed to examine the recent prevalence of obesity in Korean women aged between 19 years and 79 years and to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in obesity. METHODS Data were derived from the 2016 Korean Study of Women’s Health-Related Issues. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the associations between socioeconomic factors and obesity using Asian standard body mass index (BMI) categories: low (<18.5 kg/m2 ), normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (23.0-24.9 kg/m2 ), and obese (≥25.0 kg/ m2 ). As inequality-specific indicators, the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated, with adjustment for age and self-reported health status. RESULTS Korean women were classified into the following BMI categories: underweight (5.3%), normal weight (59.1%), overweight (21.2%), and obese (14.4%). The SII and RII revealed substantial inequalities in obesity in favor of more urbanized women (SII, 4.5; RII, 1.4) and against of women who were highly educated (SII, -16.7; RII, 0.3). Subgroup analysis revealed inequalities in obesity according to household income among younger women and according to urbanization among women aged 65-79 years. CONCLUSIONS Clear educational inequalities in obesity existed in Korean women. Reverse inequalities in urbanization were also apparent in older women. Developing strategies to address the multiple observed inequalities in obesity among Korean women may prove essential for effectively reducing the burden of this disease

Determinants of penetrance and variable expressivity in monogenic metabolic conditions across 77,184 exomes

Penetrance of variants in monogenic disease and clinical utility of common polygenic variation has not been well explored on a large-scale. Here, the authors use exome sequencing data from 77,184 individuals to generate penetrance estimates and assess the utility of polygenic variation in risk prediction of monogenic variants

Engineering Lipid Droplets for Highly Improving the Production of Valuable Hydrophobic Biochemicals

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Sustainable Catalytic Synthesis of 2,5-Diformylfuran from Various Carbohydrates

Versatile homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts that convert carbohydrates to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) are essential for the development of sustainable processes for producing high-value chemicals from biomass-derived carbohydrates. An efficient catalytic system consisting of Br−, disulfide, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) promoted the sustainable and selective synthesis of DFF in modest-to-good yields from various carbohydrates, such as fructose, glucose, mannose, galactose, and sucrose. Heterogeneous catalysts containing Br− also facilitated this reaction with recyclable high yields

Colloidal Single-Layer Quantum Dots with Lateral Confinement Effects on 2D Exciton

Controlled lateral quantum confinement in single-layer transition-metal chalcogenides (TMCs) can potentially combine the unique properties of two-dimensional (2D) exciton with the size-tunability of exciton energy, creating the single-layer quantum dots (SQDs) of 2D TMC materials. However, exploring such opportunities has been challenging due to the limited ability to produce well-defined SQDs with sufficiently high quality and size control, in conjunction with the commonly observed inconsistency in the optical properties. Here, we report an effective method to synthesize high-quality and size-controlled SQDs of WSe2 via multilayer quantum dots (MQDs) precursors, which enables grasping a clear picture of the role of lateral confinement on the optical properties of the 2D exciton. From the single-particle optical spectra and polarization anisotropy of WSe2 SQDs of varying sizes in addition to their ensemble data, we reveal how the properties of 2D exciton in single-layer TMCs evolve with increasing lateral quantum confinement. © 2016 American Chemical Society110111sciescopu

Sustainable Catalytic Synthesis of 2,5-Diformylfuran from Various Carbohydrates

Versatile homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts that convert carbohydrates to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) are essential for the development of sustainable processes for producing high-value chemicals from biomass-derived carbohydrates. An efficient catalytic system consisting of Br−, disulfide, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) promoted the sustainable and selective synthesis of DFF in modest-to-good yields from various carbohydrates, such as fructose, glucose, mannose, galactose, and sucrose. Heterogeneous catalysts containing Br− also facilitated this reaction with recyclable high yields

Changes in the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction during a Decade: The Korean Internet Sexuality Survey (KISS), a 10-Year-Interval Web-Based Survey

Purpose: Although the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be affected by social changes, this association has not been well evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of ED through a 10-year-interval web-based sur-vey using the previous database of same group of panels, with same methodology. Materials and Methods: We sent e-mails and surveyed the panels registered in the Internet survey agency. Results: In total, 900 participants were recruited in 2016. The age-adjusted overall prevalences of self-reported ED (self-ED) and International Index of Erectile Function-5-assessed ED (IIEF-5-ED; score ≤21) in the 2016 study were 3.2% and 44.8%, respectively, which were lower than the prevalences of 8.1% (p=0.036) and 51.4% (p=0.323), respectively, in the 2006 study. The risk factors of IIEF-5-ED in their 20s and 30s in 2016 were psycho-social factors such as depression, low frequency of conversation about sex with sexual partner. The risk factors of IIEF-5-ED in their 40s to 60s in 2016 were organic factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol use, and self-reported premature ejaculation. Conclusions: Although the age-adjusted overall prevalence of self-ED has decreased during a decade, there was no differ-ence in the age-adjusted overall prevalence of IIEF-5-ED. Psycho-social support may be important for young men with ED and overall healthcare can be helpful for elderly men with ED

Cumulative sum analysis for experiences of a single-session retrograde intrarenal stone surgery and analysis of predictors for stone-free status.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the learning curve of a single-session retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in patients with mid-sized stones. Competence and trainee proficiency for RIRS was assessed using cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design and the use of patients' information stored in the hospital database were approved by the Institutional Review Board of our institution. A retrospective review was performed for 100 patients who underwent a single-session RIRS. Patients were included if the main stone had a maximal diameter between 10 and 30 mm. The presence of a residual stone was checked on postoperative day 1 and at one-month follow-up visit. Fragmentation efficacy was calculated "removed stone volume (mm(3)) divided by operative time (min)". CUSUM analysis was used for monitoring change in fragmentation efficacy, and we tested whether or not acceptable surgical outcomes were achieved. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.7±14.8 years. Serum creatinine level did not change significantly. Estimated GFR and hemoglobin were within normal limits postoperatively. The CUSUM curve tended to be flat until the 25th case and showed a rising pattern but declined again until the 56th case. After that point, the fragmentation efficacy reached a plateau. The acceptable level of fragmentation efficacy was 25 ml/min. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that stone-free rate was significantly lower for cases with multiple stones than those with a single stone (OR = 0.147, CI 0.032 - 0.674, P value  = 0.005) and for cases with higher number of sites (OR = 0.676, CI 0.517 - 0.882, P value  = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The statistical analysis of RIRS learning experience revealed that 56 cases were required for reaching a plateau in the learning curve. The number of stones and the number of sites were significant predictors for stone-free status

Performance of different gastric cancer screening methods in Korea: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of agreement on which gastric cancer screening method is the most effective in the general population. The present study compared the relative performance of upper-gastrointestinal series (UGIS) and endoscopy screening for gastric cancer. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted using the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) database. We analyzed data on 2,690,731 men and women in Korea who underwent either UGIS or endoscopy screening for gastric cancer between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2005. Final gastric cancer diagnosis was ascertained through linkage with the Korean Central Cancer Registry. We calculated positivity rate, gastric cancer detection rate, interval cancer rate, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of UGIS and endoscopy screening. RESULTS: The positivity rates for UGIS and endoscopy screening were 39.7 and 42.1 per 1,000 screenings, respectively. Gastric cancer detection rates were 0.68 and 2.61 per 1,000 screenings, respectively. In total, 2,067 interval cancers occurred within 1 year of a negative UGIS screening result (rate, 1.17/1,000) and 1,083 after a negative endoscopy screening result (rate, 1.17/1,000). The sensitivity of UGIS and endoscopy screening to detect gastric cancer was 36.7 and 69.0%, respectively, and specificity was 96.1 and 96.0%. The sensitivity of endoscopy screening to detect localized gastric cancer was 65.7%, which was statistically significantly higher than that of UGIS screening. CONCLUSION: Overall, endoscopy performed better than UGIS in the NCSP for gastric cancer. Further evaluation of the impact of these screening methods should take into account the corresponding costs and reduction in mortality