Edge profile measurements using Thomson scattering on the KSTAR tokamak

In the KSTAR Tokamak, a "Tangential Thomson Scattering" (TTS) diagnostic system has been designed and installed to measure electron density and temperature profiles. In the edge system, TTS has 12 optical fiber bundles to measure the edge profiles with 10-15 mm spatial resolution. These 12 optical fibers and their spatial resolution are not enough to measure the pedestal width with a high accuracy but allow observations of L-H transition or H-L transitions at the edge. For these measurements, the prototype ITER edge Thomson Nd:YAG laser system manufactured by JAEA in Japan is installed. In this paper, the KSTAR TTS system is briefly described and some TTS edge profiles are presented and compared against the KSTAR Charge Exchange Spectroscopy and other diagnostics. The future upgrade plan of the system is also discussed in this paper.

Test of prototype ITER vacuum ultraviolet spectrometer and its application to impurity study in KSTAR plasmas

To optimize the design of ITER vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectrometer, a prototype VUV spectrometer was developed. The sensitivity calibration curve of the spectrometer was calculated from the mirror reflectivity, the grating efficiency, and the detector efficiency. The calibration curve was consistent with the calibration points derived in the experiment using the calibrated hollow cathode lamp. For the application of the prototype ITER VUV spectrometer, the prototype spectrometer was installed at KSTAR, and various impurity emission lines could be measured. By analyzing about 100 shots, strong positive correlation between the O VI and the C IV emission intensities could be found.

The role of each compartment in a two-compartment vertical flow reactor for ferruginous mine water treatment

A vertical flow reactor (VFR) has been suggested for remediation of ferruginous mine drainage that passes down through an accreting bed of ochre. However, a VFR has a limited operation time until the system begins to overflow. In this study, a mathematical model was developed as a part of the effort to explore the operation of a VFR, showing dynamic changes in the head differences, ochre depths, and Fe(II)/Fe(III) concentrations in the effluent flow. The analysis showed that VFR operation time extended from 148.5 days to 163 days in an equally divided and to 168.4 days in asymmetrically (0.72:0.28) divided two-compartment VFR, suggesting that an optimum compartment ratio exists that maximizes the VFR operation time. A constant head filtration in the first compartment maximized filtration efficiency and thus prolonged VFR longevity in the two-compartment VFR. Fe(II) oxidation and ochre formation should be balanced with the permeability of the ochre bed to maximize the VFR operation time and minimize the residual Fe(II) in the effluent. Accelerated Fe(II) oxidation affected the optimum ratio of the compartment area and reduced the residual Fe(II) in the effluent. The VFR operation time can be prolonged significantly from 764 days to 3620 days by increasing the rate of ochre formation, much more than by accelerating the Fe(II) oxidation. During the prolonged VFR operation, ochre formed largely in the first compartment, while overflowing mine water with reduced iron content was effectively filtered in the second compartment. These results not only provide a better understanding of VFR operation but also suggest the direction of evolution of two-compartment VFR toward a compact and highly efficient facility integrated with an aerated cascade and with automatic coagulant feeding.

Localization of coherent sources by simultaneous MEG and EEG beamformer

Simultaneous magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis is known generally to yield better localization performance than a single modality only. For simultaneous analysis, MEG and EEG data should be combined to maximize synergistic effects. Recently, beamformer for simultaneous MEG/EEG analysis was proposed to localize both radial and tangential components well, while single modality analyses could not detect them, or had relatively higher location bias. In practice, most interesting brain sources are likely to be activated coherently; however, conventional beamformer may not work properly for such coherent sources. To overcome this difficulty, a linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer may be used with a source suppression strategy. In this work, simultaneous MEG/EEG LCMV beamformer using source suppression was formulated firstly to investigate its capability over various suppression strategies. The localization performance of our proposed approach was examined mainly for coherent sources and compared thoroughly with the conventional simultaneous and single modality approaches, over various suppression strategies. For this purpose, we used numerous simulated data, as well as empirical auditory stimulation data. In addition, some strategic issues of simultaneous MEG/EEG analysis were discussed. Overall, we found that our simultaneous MEG/EEG LCMV beamformer using a source suppression strategy is greatly beneficial in localizing coherent sources.

TM-25659 enhances osteogenic differentiation and suppresses adipogenic differentiation by modulating the transcriptional co-activator TAZ

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is characterized as a transcriptional modulator of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Moreover, increased TAZ activity in the nucleus enhances osteoblast differentiation and suppresses adipocyte development by interacting with runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and PPARγ, respectively. Therefore, it would be of interest to identify low MW compounds that modulate nuclear TAZ activity.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

High-throughput screening was performed using a library of low MW compounds in order to identify TAZ modulators that enhance nuclear TAZ localization. The effects and molecular mechanisms of a TAZ modulator have been characterized in osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation.

KEY RESULTS

We identified 2-butyl-5-methyl-6-(pyridine-3-yl)-3-[2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine] (TM-25659) as a TAZ modulator. TM-25659 enhanced nuclear TAZ localization in a dose-dependent manner and attenuated PPARγ-mediated adipocyte differentiation by facilitating PPARγ suppression activity of TAZ. In addition, TAZ-induced RUNX2 activity activation was further increased in osteoblasts, causing increased osteoblast differentiation. Accordingly, TM-25659 suppressed bone loss in vivo and decreased weight gain in an obesity model. After oral administration, TM-25659 had a favourable pharmacokinetic profile.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

TM-25659 stimulated nuclear TAZ localization and thus caused TAZ to suppress PPARγ-dependent adipogenesis and enhance RUNX2-induced osteoblast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that TM-25659 could be beneficial in the control of obesity and bone loss.

Multicenter phase II study of sunitinib in patients with non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Retrospective and molecular biologic data suggest that sunitinib may be effective in patients with non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligibility criteria included advanced nccRCC except for collecting duct carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma without identifiable renal cell carcinoma subtypes. Patients were treated with 50 mg/day oral sunitinib for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest. The primary end point was overall response rate (RR).

RESULTS

Thirty-one eligible patients were enrolled. Twenty-four patients (77%) had prior nephrectomy. By Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center criteria, 8 patients (26%) had poor risk and 14 (45%) had intermediate risk. Twenty-two patients had papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and three had chromophobe RCC. Eleven patients had partial response with a RR of 36% (95% confidence interval (CI) 19% to 52%) and an additional 17 patients (55%) had stable disease. Median duration of response was 12.7 months (95% CI 6.3-19.1 months), and median progression-free survival was 6.4 months (95% CI 4.2-8.6 months). At a median follow-up duration of 18.7 months (95% CI 13.7-23.7 months), 13 patients (42%) had died, resulting in an estimated median survival of 25.6 months (95% CI 8.4-42.9 months). Toxicity profiles were commensurate with prior reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Sunitinib has promising activity in patients with nccRCC (NCT01219751).

The closing and opening of TRPC channels by Homer1 and STIM1

Influx of Ca(2+) is a central component of the receptor-evoked Ca(2+) signal. A ubiquitous form of Ca(2+) influx comes from Ca(2+) channels that are activated in response to depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores and are thus named the store-operated Ca(2+) -influx channels (SOCs). One form of SOC is the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. A major question in the field of Ca(2+) signalling is the molecular mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of these channels. All TRPC channels have a Homer-binding ligand and two conserved negative charges that interact with two terminal lysines of the stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1). The Homer and STIM1 sites are separated by only four amino acid residues. Based on available results, we propose a molecular mechanism by which Homer couples TRPC channels to IP(3) receptors (IP(3) Rs) to keep these channels in the closed state. Dissociation of the TRPCs-Homer-IP(3) Rs complex allows STIM1 access to the TRPC channels negative charges to gate open these channels.

Design, synthesis, and antiproliferative activity of 3,4-diarylpyrazole-1-carboxamide derivatives against melanoma cell line

Synthesis of a new series of 3,4-diarylpyrazole-1-carboxamide derivatives is described. Their antiproliferative activity against A375P human melanoma cell line was tested and the effect of substituents on the diarylpyrazole scaffold was investigated. The biological results indicated that five synthesized compounds (Ig, Ii, IIc, IIg, and IIh) exhibited similar activity to Sorafenib. In addition, three compounds (IIa, IIb, and IIi) were more potent than Sorafenib. Among all of these derivatives, compound IIa which has dimethylamino and phenolic moieties showed the most potent antiproliferative activity against A375P human melanoma cell line. Virtual screening was carried out through docking of the most potent compound IIa into the domain of V600E-b-Raf and the binding mode was studied.

Anatomic location and somatotopic arrangement of the corticospinal tract at the cerebral peduncle in the human brain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Little is known about the detailed anatomic location and somatotopic arrangement at the CP. Using DTT with FSL tools, we conducted an investigation of the anatomic location and somatotopic arrangement of the CST at the CP in the human brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recruited 43 healthy volunteers for this study. DTI was obtained by using 1.5T, and CSTs for the hand and leg were obtained by using the FSL tool. The somatotopic location of the CST was evaluated as the highest probabilistic location at the upper and lower midbrain. The posterior boundary was determined as the line between the interpeduncular fossa and the lateral sulcus; we then drew a rectangle on the basis of the boundary of the CP.

RESULTS

In the mediolateral direction, the highest probabilistic locations for the hand and leg were an average of 60.46% and 69.98% from the medial boundary at the upper midbrain level and 53.44% and 62.76% at the lower midbrain level, respectively. As for the anteroposterior direction, the highest probabilistic locations for the hand and leg were an average of 28.26% and 32.03% from the anterior boundary at the upper midbrain level and 30.19% and 33.59% at the lower midbrain level, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the hand somatotopy for the CST is located at the middle portion of the CP and the leg somatotopy is located lateral to the hand somatotopy.

Probabilistic somatotopy of the spinothalamic pathway at the ventroposterolateral nucleus of the thalamus in the human brain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The STP has been regarded as the most plausible neural tract responsible for pathogenesis of central poststroke pain. The VPL nucleus has been a target for neurosurgical procedures for control of central poststroke pain. However, to our knowledge, no DTI studies have been conducted to investigate the somatotopic location of the STP at the VPL nucleus of the thalamus. In the current study, we attempted to investigate this location in the human brain by using a probabilistic tractography technique of DTI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTI was performed at 1.5T by using a Synergy-L SENSE head coil. STPs for both the hand and leg were obtained by selection of fibers passing through 2 regions of interest (the area of the spinothalamic tract in the posterolateral medulla and the postcentral gyrus) for 41 healthy volunteers. Somatotopic mapping was obtained from the highest probabilistic location at the ACPC level.

RESULTS

The highest probabilistic locations for the hand and leg were an average of 16.86 and 16.37 mm lateral to the ACPC line and 7.53 and 8.71 mm posterior to the midpoint of the ACPC line, respectively. Somatotopic locations for the hand and leg were different in the anteroposterior direction (P < .05); however, no difference was observed in the mediolateral direction (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found the somatotopic locations for hand and leg of the STP at the VPL nucleus; these somatotopies were arranged in the anteroposterior direction.

Sensory characteristics and cross-cultural consumer acceptability of Bulgogi (Korean traditional barbecued beef)

Bulgogi (Korean traditional barbecued beef) is the most well-known Korean food to foreigners. There are, however, few studies on its sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability. This study was performed to identify the sensory attributes of Bulgogi samples prepared with different formulation and to compare the consumer acceptability in Korea and the United States. Bulgogi samples were prepared with varying levels of sugar and soy sauce with/without garlic or sesame oil. Descriptive analysis was conducted by 8 trained panelists. In consumer tests, 42 consumers in Seoul, Korea, 53 consumers in Davis (Calif., U.S.A.), and 39 consumers in St. Paul (Minn., U.S.A.) participated. Higher levels of sugar and soy sauce (SSS) significantly increased sweetness, saltiness, MSG taste, and soy sauce odor/flavor compared to the control made with the standard formula (CON). Elimination of sesame oil (ESO) significantly decreased sesame oil odor/flavor and oiliness, but increased green onion flavor. Elimination of garlic (EGC) significantly increased grilled beef odor/flavor, sesame oil odor/flavor, and oiliness, but decreased intensities of all the other attributes except bitterness. The consumers in Korea and the United States rated their overall liking for all samples similarly, preferring SSS to CON, EGC, and ESO. However Korean consumers seemed to detect the differences caused by formulation changes better than the U.S. consumers and these perceived differences seemed to impact the hedonic and the just-about-right ratings. Increase in soy sauce and sugar increased both Korean and the U.S. consumers' acceptability of Bulgogi, whereas eliminating garlic did not influence the consumer acceptability despite of its significant impact on sensory attributes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The food industry is increasingly interested in ethnic foods that satisfy sophisticated appetite of today's consumers. Korean cuisine is recently gaining popularity and perceived as "adventurous and spicy," appealing to researchers and marketers in the food industry worldwide. However, it is not easy to develop a new product based on ethnic cuisine because nonsensory factors, such as food neophobia and openness to new culture, can evoke adverse responses from the consumers. A systematic sensory approach can guide the product development by identifying both sensory and nonsensory factors affecting consumer acceptability. This study investigated sensory attributes of Bulgogi (Korean traditional barbecued beef), one of the most famous Korean foods, and compared consumer acceptability between Korea and the United States. The outcomes of this study, such as flavor profiles, consumer responses, evaluation procedure, and approaches taken for cross-cultural comparison, will provide the food industries with valuable information that will help to develop effective strategies for commercializing ethnic foods including recipe development for Bulgogi marinades.

Glass-type wireless PPG measuring system

This paper is about a glass-type wireless bio-signal transmitter that can monitor the user's health state in daily life. The device implemented in this study consists of the transmission part and the receiving part. The transmission part includes a photoplethysmography(PPG) sensor for detecting pulse wave signals, accelerometer for detecting kinetic signals, and a wireless controller for transmitting acquired bio-information. The receiving part is designed to check and process transmitted data through interoperation with a PC. In the experiments, we collected data during a sitting posture and repeated sit-to-stand motion in laboratory environment, and analyzed the data. As to accuracy, the correlation between the peak-to-peak intervals in the signals of the Biopac equipment and the developed device measured in a sitting posture was 97.5%, and that measured in sit-to-stand motion was 87%. In addition, when bio-signals were transmitted through wireless communication, the transmission was successful 100% without any error. When pulse wave signals and kinetic signals were obtained and compared, the results proved the accuracy and daily applicability of the developed device, and the glass-type wireless bio-signal transmission system is expected to be applicable to unobtrusive health monitoring for the user.

Diffuse intraabdominal fibrosis and inflammation mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis recurred after surgery for borderline ovarian tumor misdiagnosed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography

BACKGROUND

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) adds to conventional imaging in the detection and staging of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

CASE REPORT

Herein we report a 27-year-old woman with multiple intraperitoneal masses detected by 18F-FDG-PET, suggesting peritoneal carcinomatosis. She had undergone laparoscopic unilateral oophorectomy for a left ovarian mucinous borderline tumor approximately five years before. Based on imaging and intraoperative findings, multiple intraabdominal masses strongly suggested peritoneal recurrence from a previous ovarian borderline tumor, but it finally proved to be inflammation and fibrosis on histopathologic examination.

CONCLUSION

Although 18F-FDG-PET is well known to be a highly sensitive imaging tool for identification of peritoneal carcinomatosis, FDG uptake is not tumor-specific. Therefore, the possibility of a false-positive diagnosis due to benign conditions, such as inflammation, should always be taken into consideration.

Metastatic cervical adenocarcinoma mimicking retroperitoneal sarcoma of the psoas muscle on imaging

BACKGROUND

The incidence of bone metastasis is low in metastatic cervical cancer, especially in the case of adenocarcinoma. Incidental finding of a mass located in an unusual metastatic site in the absence of identifiable primary tumor often results in a difficult diagnostic problem.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 59-year-old woman presenting left-sided foot drop as her initial symptom. At first, after performing lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a huge paravertebral mass with ipsilateral psoas muscle involvement suggesting retroperitoneal sarcoma was identified. However, cervical punch biopsy and sono-guided paravertebral mass biopsy revealed cervical adenocarcinoma with lumbar spinal metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, a neurological symptom such as foot drop, not vaginal symptoms, in a woman may be a first manifestation of metastatic cervical cancer, especially in spinal metastasis. Furthermore, any abnormal lesion should not be ignored because of the possibility of metastasis from the primary malignancy, especially in the current case of cervical adenocarcinoma, so a complete evaluation is always mandatory.

Successful salvage treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer with multiple lung and abdominal metastases

The prognosis of recurrent endometrial carcinoma is generally poor except for isolated vaginal or pelvic relapse without previous radiation. Recurrences associated with infield failure or distant metastasis carry a poor prognosis. We report a case of recurrent endometrial carcinoma treated with cytoreductive surgery, targeted radiation to lung metastasis defined by CT and PET and adjuvant chemo-hormone therapy followed by maintenance progestin therapy with a good outcome. This case implied that chemo-hormone therapy with targeted radiation should be evaluated in recurrent endometrial cancer with positive progesterone receptor for salvage treatment.

Synthesis of 1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide derivatives and their antiproliferative activity against melanoma cell line

Synthesis of a new series of 1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide derivatives is described. Their antiproliferative activity against A375 human melanoma cell line was tested and the effect of substituents on the diarylpyrazole scaffold was investigated. The pharmacological results indicated that most of the newly synthesized compounds showed moderate activity against A375, compared with sorafenib. Among all of these derivatives, compound IIe which has N-methylpiperazinyl and phenolic moieties showed the most potent antiproliferative activity against A375 human melanoma cell line.

Curcumin interrupts the interaction between the androgen receptor and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Recently, studies have investigated the significance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer. The transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor (AR) is modulated by interaction with coregulators, one of which is β-catenin. Curcumin, a dietary yellow pigment of Curcuma longa, has emerged as having a chemopreventive role. Although curcumin has been shown to inhibit AR expression, its molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, whether curcumin mediates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway with regard to AR/β-catenin interactions was studied. Curcumin was shown to induce significant inhibition of AR expression in a dose-dependent manner. Marked curcumin-induced suppression of β-catenin was shown in the nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts as well as whole cell lysates. Further analysis revealed that phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β were attenuated, but phosphorylated β-catenin was increased after curcumin treatment. Finally, cyclin D1 and c-myc, the target gene of the β-catenin/T-cell factor transcriptional complex, were also decreased. These findings suggest that curcumin modulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and might have a significant role in mediating inhibitory effects on LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of A20 through targeting ASK1 to suppress TNF-induced JNK activation

The zinc-finger protein A20 has crucial physiological functions as a dual inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and apoptosis in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1 signaling pathway. Although the molecular basis for the anti-NF-κB function of A20 has been well elucidated, the anti-apoptotic function of A20 is largely unknown. Here, we report a novel mechanism underlying the anti-apoptotic function of A20: A20 blocks TNF-induced apoptosis through suppression of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by targeting apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1). First, the ectopic expression of A20 drastically inhibits TNF-induced JNK activation and apoptosis in multiple cell types including those deficient of NF-κB activation. Unexpectedly, the blunting effect of A20 on TNF-induced JNK activation is not mediated by affecting the TNFR1 signaling complex formation. Instead, A20 interacts with ASK1, an important MAPKK kinase in the JNK signaling cascade. More importantly, overexpression of wild-type A20, but not of mutant A20 (ZnF4; C624A, C627A), promotes degradation of the ASK1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Taken together, the results from this study reveal a novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of A20 in TNF signaling pathway: A20 binds to ASK1 and mediates ASK1 degradation, leading to suppression of JNK activation and eventually blockage of apoptosis.

Evaluation of the potential use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: a pilot study

Stem cells and their potential therapeutic uses in human and veterinary medicine have generated considerable interest. These cells have a number of potentially unique immunologic properties; most notable are their reported regenerative and antiinflammatory capabilities. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenously administered autogenous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. AD-MSCs administered intravenously at a dose of 1.3 million cells/kg did not significantly reduce the clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis or the owner-assessed pruritus level.

Caspase-8 has an essential role in resveratrol-induced apoptosis of rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes

OBJECTIVE

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol, which possesses chemotherapeutic potential through its ability to trigger apoptosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the major determinant for the apoptotic cell death induction by resveratrol in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) derived from patients with RA.

METHODS

The effect of resveratrol on apoptotic cell death was quantified in a population of subG1 in RA FLS by flow cytometry. The underlying signalling mechanism for apoptotic death was examined by analysing mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of the caspase cascade and translocation of Bid.

RESULTS

We show that activation of caspase-8 is essential for triggering resveratrol-induced apoptotic signalling via the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway in RA FLS. Our findings also suggest that this enhanced apoptosis caused by resveratrol occurred in RA FLS irrespective of p53 status. Exposure to resveratrol caused extensive apoptotic cell death, along with a caspase-dependent (activation of caspase-9 and -3, poly ADPribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and mitochondrial cytochrome c release) or caspase-independent [translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus] signalling pathway. Analysis of upstream signalling events affected by resveratrol revealed that the activated caspase-8 triggered mitochondrial apoptotic events by inducing Bid cleavage without any alteration in the levels of Bax, Bcl-xL or Bcl2. The caspase-8 inhibitor or over-expression of crmA abrogated cell death induced by resveratrol and prevented processing of the downstream cascade.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that resveratrol causes activation of caspase-8, which in turn results in modulation of mitochondrial apoptotic machinery to promote apoptosis of RA FLS.

Respiratory rate detection algorithms by photoplethysmography signal processing

Photoplethysmography (PPG) offers the clinically meaningful parameters, such as, heart rate, and respiratory rate. In this study, we presented three respiratory signal detection algorithms using photoplethysmography raw data generated from commercial PPG sensor: (1)Min-Max (2)Peak-to-Peak (3)Pulse Shape. As reference signal, nasal sensor signal was acquired simultaneously and compared and analyzed. We used two types of moving average filtering technique to process three PPG parameters. In laboratory experiment, 6 subjects' PPG signals were measured when they respire ten and fifteen, and arbitrary times per minute. From the results, following conclusions were drawn. Min-Max and Peak-to-Peak algorithms perform better than Pulse shape algorithm. They can be used to detect respiratory rate. But, Pulse Shape algorithm was accurate for subject 4 only. More experimental data is necessary to improve the accuracy and reliability.

Effect of postnatal catch-up growth on blood pressure in children at 3 years of age

Size at birth and early postnatal growth rates appear to be important determinants of cardiovascular diseases. We examined whether intrauterine growth restriction or the subsequent catch-up postnatal weight gain leads to higher blood pressure in early life to confirm that size at birth and early postnatal growth rates appear to be important determinants of blood pressure changes in early life. Of 407 children born between December 2001 and November 2002 in hospital based-birth cohorts, 102 were followed up at 3 years of age (24.2%) at Ewha Womans University Hospital in Seoul, Korea. At 3 years of age, those who had a low birth weight still belonged in the lower-weight group than the others. The subjects' systolic blood pressure was correlated with their current weight (r=0.41) and weight gain (r=0.39), but not with their birth weight. Those with a higher current weight and higher weight gain based on birth weight (conditional weight gain) had the highest blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure increased by 0.2 mm Hg for every 100-g increase in weight at 3 years and, independently, by 1.5 mm Hg for every 100-unit increase in conditional weight gain. This study suggests that birth weight is not directly associated with blood pressure, but accelerated growth, which occurs mostly in those born with a low birth weight, seems to affect blood pressure in early life.