Childcare sharing and family happiness: analyzing parental and child well-being in the actor-partner interdependence model

Introduction

The exploration of the relationship between parental and child happiness, particularly in the context of shared childcare responsibilities, has not been examined in Korean families.

Methods

Using a two-wave longitudinal design and data from 1,403 families from the Panel Study on Korean Children, this study employed the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the dynamics of childcare sharing between mothers and fathers in South Korea.

Results

Mothers' childcare sharing was found to have no significant impact on their own and their partner's happiness, reflecting traditional gender norms that undervalue mothers' contributions. In contrast, fathers' childcare sharing had a positive impact on their own and their spouse's happiness, suggesting a growing recognition of fathers' involvement. Furthermore, fathers' active participation in childcare was found to promote their children's happiness through their own happiness.

Discussion

This study reflects the complexity of evolving family roles and the covert persistence of traditional gender roles in modern Korean parenting. It suggests the importance of work and family policies that support changes in family dynamics by providing a more nuanced understanding of how changing family roles and responsibilities can enhance overall family well-being.

Children's third-party punishment does not change depending on the prospect of future interaction

Children pay a cost to punish third parties for unfairness. However, theoretical debates highlight that such behaviors could reflect a strategic attempt to manipulate others in future interactions. The personal deterrence hypothesis claims that punishment is motivated to deter future unfairness toward punishers. Here we tested this hypothesis with a total of n = 248 five- to 10-year-olds. In two experiments, participants witnessed that a divider shared resources either fairly or selfishly with a third party. Participants learned that the same divider (same divider condition) or a new divider (different divider condition) would subsequently decide how to share resources with the participant. If children's punishment is motivated by personal deterrence, they should punish unfairness more often in the same divider condition (vs. different divider). Conversely, if children fear retaliation from dividers, they should punish dividers less often in the same divider condition (vs. different divider). Children intervened by taking resources away from the divider (Experiment 1) or by sending a disapproving or an approving verbal message (Experiment 2). Children were more likely to punish unfair than fair allocations through material punishment and disapproving messages, while being more likely to reward fair than unfair allocations by sending approving messages. However, children did so at the same level regardless of their future divider's identity. We discuss how these results speak to a children's emerging concern with fairness and how it challenges the notion that children punish for self-oriented reasons as suggested by the personal deterrence hypothesis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

One-Step Detection of Vancomycin in Whole Blood Using the Lateral Flow Immunoassay

Vancomycin (VAN) is an effective antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria and the first-line therapy to prevent and treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and severe infections. However, low concentrations of VAN can result in resistant strains. High doses of VAN can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity; thus, VAN is a representative drug for which drug monitoring is recommended. Several methods have been proposed to detect VAN. Among them, lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have advantages, such as simple and user-friendly operation, low sample volume requirement, and cost effectiveness. In this study, we developed an LFIA capable of rapid on-site detection such that the VAN concentration in plasma could be monitored within 20 min by a one-step detection process using whole blood without plasma separation. VAN can be detected in whole blood over a wide range of concentrations (20-10,000 ng/mL), and the LFIA reported here has a detection limit of 18 ng/mL. The applicability of the developed LFIA compared to the results of measuring VAN with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit showed a satisfactory correlation (Spearman's rho, ρ = 0.891). Therefore, the developed LFIA enables rapid and wide-range VAN detection in whole blood and can aid in drug monitoring to evaluate patients' responses to treatment.

Combination of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BEPC22 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BELP53 attenuates fat accumulation and alters the metabolome and gut microbiota in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity

This study evaluated the effects of formulations with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BEPC22 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BELP53 on adiposity, the alteration of microbiota, and the metabolome in high-fat diet-fed mice. The strains were selected based on their fat and glucose absorption inhibitory activities and potential metabolic interactions. The optimal ratio of the two strains in the probiotic formulation was determined based on their adipocyte differentiation inhibitory activities. Treatment of formulations with BEPC22 and BELP53 for 10 weeks decreased body weight gain at 6 weeks; it also decreased the food efficiency ratio, white adipose tissue volume, and adipocyte size. Moreover, it decreased the expression of the lipogenic gene Ppar-γ in the liver, while significantly increasing the expression of the fat oxidation gene Ppar-α in the white adipose tissue. Notably, treatment with a combination of the two strains significantly reduced the plasma levels of the obesity hormone leptin and altered the microbiota and metabolome. The omics data also indicated the alteration of anti-obesity microbes and metabolites such as Akkermansia and indolelactic acid, respectively. These findings suggest that treatment with a combination of BEPC22 and BELP53 exerts synergistic beneficial effects against obesity.

Bioecological profiles of preschool children's individual, familial, and educational characteristics, and their relations with school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function in first grade

This study investigates the relationships between distinct bioecological profiles of individual, familial, and educational characteristics of preschool children and their school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function in first grade. Data on 11 indicators of personal and environmental characteristics were collected from 1,016 five-year-old Korean preschoolers using a national-level open dataset. Latent profile analysis identified five profiles that were associated with different levels of school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function one year later when the preschoolers became first graders. The "Good Social Competence by Good Familial Environment" profile was the most associated with levels of school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function. The "Good Social Competence by Good Educational Environment" profile was more associated with levels of school adjustment and executive function than the "Moderate" profile but less associated with these levels than the "Good Social Competence by Good Familial Environment" profile. Findings indicate that the environment, rather than individual characteristics of preschoolers, plays a more significant role in their elementary school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function, and that their familial environment plays a more significant role than their educational environment. The study highlights the importance of creating supportive familial environments for preschool children to improve their school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function in elementary school, and provides a useful guide for practitioners and policymakers seeking to improve children's academic and socioemotional outcomes.

Why Do God and Humans Punish? Perceived Retributivist Punishment Motives Hinge on Views of the True Self

Laypeople often believe that God punishes transgressions; however, their inferences about God's punishment motives remain unclear. We addressed this topic by asking laypeople to indicate why God punishes. We also examined participants' inferences about why humans punish to contribute to scholarly conversations regarding the extent to which people may anthropomorphize God's mind. In Studies 1A to 1C, participants viewed God as less retributive than humans. In Study 2, participants expected God (vs. humans) to view humans' true selves more positively; this difference mediated participants' views of God as less retributive than humans. Study 3 manipulated agents' views of humans' true selves and examined how such information influenced each agent's perceived motives. Participants viewed a given agent as less retributive when that agent regarded the true self as good (versus bad). These findings extend scholarship on lay theories of punishment motives and highlight links between religious and moral cognition.

When not helping is nice: Children's changing evaluations of helping during COVID-19

A key aspect of children's moral and social understanding involves recognizing the value of helpful behaviors. COVID-19 has complicated this process; behaviors generally considered praiseworthy were considered problematic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examined whether 6- to 12-year-olds (N = 228; residing in the United States) adapt their evaluations of helpful behavior in response to shifting norms. Specifically, we presented children with scenarios featuring helpful and unhelpful actions that involved physical interaction (e.g., hugging) or nonphysical interaction (e.g., recruiting a teacher); although all children were tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, stories portrayed individuals either before or during COVID-19. While children generally judged helpfulness positively and unhelpfulness negatively, children exhibited a selective shift in their judgments for COVID-19 scenarios: children considered helpfulness negatively and unhelpfulness positively if helping required physical interaction. These findings demonstrate that children flexibly tune their social evaluations of helping to align with evolving norms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Risk factors based on myoma characteristics for predicting postoperative complications following cesarean myomectomy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the influence of myoma characteristics on cesarean myomectomy and to demonstrate its additional advantages.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected from 292 women with myomas who had undergone cesarean section at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital between 2007 and 2019. We performed subgroup analysis according to the type, weight, number, and size of myomas. Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, incidence of transfusion, uterine artery embolization, ligation, hysterectomy, and postoperative complications were compared among subgroups.

RESULTS

There were 119 patients who had cesarean myomectomy and 173 who had cesarean section only. An increase in postoperative hospitalization and operation time was observed in the cesarean myomectomy group compared to that in the caesarean section only group (mean difference, 0.7 days, p = 0.01, 13.5 minutes, p <0.001). Estimated blood loss, hemoglobin differences, and transfusion rates were higher in the cesarean myomectomy than in the cesarean section only group. There were no differences in postoperative complications (fever, bladder injury, and ileus) between the two groups. No hysterectomy cases were reported in the cesarean myomectomy group. In subgroup analysis, the larger and heavier the myoma, the higher the risk of bleeding that led to transfusion. Estimated blood loss, differences in hemoglobin, and transfusion rate increased depending on myoma size and weight. A significant increase in postoperative hospitalization was observed in women with larger and heavier myomas. However, there was no statistical difference among the three types of myomas.

CONCLUSION

In cesarean myomectomy, larger (≥ 10 cm), and heavier myomas (≥ 500 g), were associated with postoperative outcomes, but not the number or type of myoma. The safety of cesarean myomectomy is not inferior to that of caesarean section only, considering its positive effects such as gynecological symptom relief and avoidance of the next surgery.

The development of digital ownership in children

The current study examined whether, for children and adults, behaviors that are considered violations of property rights in the case of physical property are likewise viewed as violations in the case of digital property. In this preregistered study (N = 156), 5- to 10-year-old children and adults heard a story about a person who downloaded a digital file (e.g., an e-book that she did not own) onto her personal computer (digital) versus a person who put a physical item (e.g., a book that she did not own) into her bag (physical). Participants were asked to evaluate how okay each behavior is. We found that from 5 years of age children evaluated taking a physical object more negatively than downloading a digital file, which was also the pattern observed in adults. Furthermore, by 9 years of age children were equivalent to adults in their evaluation of downloading digital files. The current study has implications for the development of ownership in children.

2020 International brain-computer interface competition: A review

The brain-computer interface (BCI) has been investigated as a form of communication tool between the brain and external devices. BCIs have been extended beyond communication and control over the years. The 2020 international BCI competition aimed to provide high-quality neuroscientific data for open access that could be used to evaluate the current degree of technical advances in BCI. Although there are a variety of remaining challenges for future BCI advances, we discuss some of more recent application directions: (i) few-shot EEG learning, (ii) micro-sleep detection (iii) imagined speech decoding, (iv) cross-session classification, and (v) EEG(+ear-EEG) detection in an ambulatory environment. Not only did scientists from the BCI field compete, but scholars with a broad variety of backgrounds and nationalities participated in the competition to address these challenges. Each dataset was prepared and separated into three data that were released to the competitors in the form of training and validation sets followed by a test set. Remarkable BCI advances were identified through the 2020 competition and indicated some trends of interest to BCI researchers.

Canine discrimination of ovarian cancer through volatile organic compounds

Ovarian cancer has a high mortality rate due to its unclear symptomology and the lack of precise early detection tools. If detected in the first stage, over 90% of patients reach remission. As such, developing a reliable method of early detection is crucial in reducing the mortality rate of the disease. One potential method would be to identify specific biomarkers that are unique to ovarian cancer, which could be detected using a blood test. While this can be done using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying these biomarkers is an enormous task. One way to expedite the process is to utilize trained scent detection canines. In this study, dogs who were previously trained to respond to positive blood samples from ovarian cancer patients were then tested on their ability to recognize samples prepared by micro-preparative gas chromatography (MP-GC) techniques. MP-GC employed a gradient-cooled glass tube connected to the GC outlet to collect GC eluents containing the plasma-derived volatiles in positive blood samples. These post-column fractions were collected at the exit of the GC according to their eluent times (i.e., 0-15 min, 15-25 min and 25-35 min or 0-35 min) and these full or fractional collections were presented to the trained dogs to judge their responses. Dogs' time spent investigating the odor was used as an indication of odor recognition and was significantly longer on the early (0-15 min) and middle (15-25 min) fractions of the ovarian cancer than the late (25-35 min) fraction of plasma odorants or either the negative fractions or distractors odorants. These findings suggest that characteristic odor biomarkers of ovarian cancer for dogs may exist in the relatively small and more volatile compounds. Additionally, variation between dogs suggests that there may be a number of different biomarkers that can be used to identify ovarian cancer.

Does third-party punishment in children aim at equality?

Third-party punishment has been regarded as an important mechanism to promote fairness. Although previous research has shown that children aged 6 and older punish unfair behaviors at a personal cost, it is unknown whether they actually intend to establish equality or whether equality is a mere byproduct of punishment. In this preregistered study, N = 60 five- to 9-year-olds witnessed that an agent made unfair resource allocations to a peer. Children could then decide not only whether to punish but also how much to punish. We found that with age, children's intervention is more likely to equalize outcomes between third parties (e.g., turning 3:1 into 1:1). In conclusion, the egalitarian motive to reduce differences in payoffs could underlie children's punishment over development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Influence of Chewing Ability on Elderly Adults’ Cognitive Functioning: The Mediating Effects of the Ability to Perform Daily Life Activities and Nutritional Status

Chewing ability is also related to activities of daily living (ADLs) and nutritional status; however, these associations have not been firmly established. We examined chewing ability as a predictor variable and explored its relationship with cognitive functioning as mediated by ADLs and nutritional status data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Patients were receiving home healthcare service in Mun-gyeong city, Gyung-buk, Korea. Participants comprised 295 patients aged 81.35 ± 6.70 years. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The model fit was based on absolute fit index and incremental fit index. Data were collected to assess cognitive functioning (using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination for dementia screening (MMSE-DS)), ADL, a mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire, and a chewing ability test. Participants with better chewing ability had significantly better cognitive functioning, ADLs, and nutritional status (p < 0.001). Chewing ability directly affected cognitive functioning and indirectly affected how ADLs and MNA affected MMSE-DS. Chewing ability is an important factor influencing the cognitive functioning of elderly adults in Korea, both directly and indirectly through mediating variables such as nutritional status and ADLs. Efforts to help older adults maintain their chewing ability are necessary for preventing cognitive impairment.

Mobile BCI dataset of scalp- and ear-EEGs with ERP and SSVEP paradigms while standing, walking, and running

We present a mobile dataset obtained from electroencephalography (EEG) of the scalp and around the ear as well as from locomotion sensors by 24 participants moving at four different speeds while performing two brain-computer interface (BCI) tasks. The data were collected from 32-channel scalp-EEG, 14-channel ear-EEG, 4-channel electrooculography, and 9-channel inertial measurement units placed at the forehead, left ankle, and right ankle. The recording conditions were as follows: standing, slow walking, fast walking, and slight running at speeds of 0, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.0 m/s, respectively. For each speed, two different BCI paradigms, event-related potential and steady-state visual evoked potential, were recorded. To evaluate the signal quality, scalp- and ear-EEG data were qualitatively and quantitatively validated during each speed. We believe that the dataset will facilitate BCIs in diverse mobile environments to analyze brain activities and evaluate the performance quantitatively for expanding the use of practical BCIs.

Interparental Conflict and Korean Children's Inhibitory Control: Testing Emotional Insecurity as a Mediator

This study examined the association between interparental conflict and inhibitory control of Korean children, and it investigated whether this relationship is mediated by the single latent variable of emotional insecurity or by three dimensions of emotional insecurity (i.e., involvement, emotional reactivity, and avoidance). A total of 166 mother–father dyads with Korean children aged 3–5 years participated in a short-term longitudinal survey at two-time points. Both parents completed measures of interparental conflict and emotional insecurity, and, 6 months later, they completed a measure of the inhibitory control of children. The structural equation modeling results suggested that interparental conflict was related to poor inhibitory control in Korean children. Emotional insecurity did not mediate the association between interparental conflict and inhibitory control. Of the three emotional insecurity dimensions, the involvement partially mediated the relationship. Interestingly, although interparental conflict predicted poor inhibitory control, the involvement of children in the conflict, which was associated with a greater interparental conflict, predicted a subsequent increase in inhibitory control 6 months later. These findings were interpreted in terms of sensory processing patterns, the reformulation of emotional security theory, and the influence of Confucianism on Korean culture.

A Real-Time Movement Artifact Removal Method for Ambulatory Brain-Computer Interfaces

Recently, practical brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been widely investigated for detecting human intentions in real world. However, performance differences still exist between the laboratory and the real world environments. One of the main reasons for such differences comes from the user's unstable physical states (e.g., human movements are not strictly controlled), which produce unexpected signal artifacts. Hence, to minimize the performance degradation of electroencephalography (EEG)-based BCIs, we present a novel artifact removal method named constrained independent component analysis with online learning (cIOL). The cIOL can find and reject the noise-like components related to human body movements (i.e., movement artifacts) in the EEG signals. To obtain movement information, isolated electrodes are used to block electrical signals from the brain using high-resistance materials. We estimate artifacts with movement information using constrained independent component analysis from EEG signals and then extract artifact-free signals using online learning in each sample. In addition, the cIOL is evaluated by signal processing under 16 different experimental conditions (two types of EEG devices × two BCI paradigms × four different walking speeds). The experimental results show that the cIOL has the highest accuracy in both scalp- and ear-EEG, and has the highest signal-to-noise ratio in scalp-EEG among the state-of-the-art methods, except for the case of steady-state visual evoked potential at 2.0 m/s with superposition problem.

Changing the frequency and spectra of chromosomal aberrations in Korean patients with acute leukemia in a tertiary care hospital

Background

Chromosomal analysis is essential for the diagnosis and risk stratification of all leukemia patients. Not surprisingly, racial differences in chromosomal aberrations (CA) in hematological malignancies could be found, and CA incidence in leukemia might change over time, possibly due to environmental and lifestyle changes. Thus, we compared the frequency and range of CA in patients with acute leukemia (AL) during two time periods (2006‒2009 vs. 2010‒2015) and compared them with other prior studies.

Methods

We enrolled 717 patients with AL during a six-year period (2010‒2015). We compared the results to those of our earlier study (2006‒2009) [1]. Conventional cytogenetics, a multiplex reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR system, and fluorescence in situ hybridization were employed to assess bone marrow specimens or peripheral blood at the diagnostic stage in AL patients to detect CA.

Results

The incidence of CA changed in the leukemia subgroups during the two time periods. Notably, the most frequent CA of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was PML/RARA, and was followed by RUNX1/RUNX1T1 in the current study. In contrast, the most common CA was RUNX1/RUNX1T1 in a previous study [1] and was followed by PML/RARA. In this study, the most frequent CA of the mixed phenotype AL was BCR/ABL1, which was followed by KMT2A/MLLT3. In a previous report, [1] the most frequent CA was BCR/ABL1, which was followed by KMT2A/ELL.

Conclusion

The distribution of CA in Korean AL patients changed over time in a single institute. This change might be due to environmental and lifestyle changes.

A new quantification system for assessing the degree of acute cervical insufficiency based on physical and sonographic examination

OBJECTIVES

Acute cervical insufficiency accounts for 10-25 % of all mid-trimester pregnancy losses. However, the definition and description for the degree of acute cervical insufficiency were obscure and different among the many studies. The aim of this study was to suggest a new 4-digit quantification system and to evaluate the outcome according to the new system in women with acute cervical insufficiency.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with acute cervical insufficiency who underwent physical examination indicated cervical cerclage. Acute cervical insufficiency was defined as painless external os dilation with prolapsed and/or visible membranes on speculum examination. The status of fetal membranes was described using two values: 1) size of the prolapsed membrane (P, measured using ultrasound); and 2) size of visible fetal membranes (M, evaluated by speculum examination). The status of cervix was described using two values: 1) dilatation of the narrowest os (O, measured by ultrasound); and 2) functional cervical length (C, measured by ultrasound). The patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: Stage I, patients with visible fetal membranes (M > 0) but with a remaining functional cervix (C > 0) (N = 7); stage II, those with visible fetal membranes (M > 0) and a functional cervical length of 0 but without prolapsed membranes (P = 0) (N = 33); and stage III, those with prolapsed membranes (P > 0) (N = 40).

RESULTS

1) Patients who delivered before 34 weeks of gestation had a significantly lower median gestational age at cerclage operation and a significantly higher median P, M, C values than those who delivered at or beyond 34 weeks of gestation(P < 0.01 for gestational age at operation, P and M values; P < 0.05 for C value); 2) The higher the stage based on PMOC quantification system, the greater the risk of preterm delivery before <24, <32, <34, and <37 weeks of gestation (P < 0.001 for all); 3) The neonatal survival rate was 100 % (7/7) for stage I, 93.9 % (31/33) for stage II, and 60 % (24/40) for stage III.

CONCLUSION

The PMOC system was a simple method to describe the individualized conditions and to predict the risk of preterm births in all spectrums of acute cervical insufficiency.

EEG dataset and OpenBMI toolbox for three BCI paradigms: an investigation into BCI illiteracy

Background

Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are mainly divided into three major paradigms: motor imagery (MI), event-related potential (ERP), and steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP). Here, we present a BCI dataset that includes the three major BCI paradigms with a large number of subjects over multiple sessions. In addition, information about the psychological and physiological conditions of BCI users was obtained using a questionnaire, and task-unrelated parameters such as resting state, artifacts, and electromyography of both arms were also recorded. We evaluated the decoding accuracies for the individual paradigms and determined performance variations across both subjects and sessions. Furthermore, we looked for more general, severe cases of BCI illiteracy than have been previously reported in the literature.

Results

Average decoding accuracies across all subjects and sessions were 71.1% (± 0.15), 96.7% (± 0.05), and 95.1% (± 0.09), and rates of BCI illiteracy were 53.7%, 11.1%, and 10.2% for MI, ERP, and SSVEP, respectively. Compared to the ERP and SSVEP paradigms, the MI paradigm exhibited large performance variations between both subjects and sessions. Furthermore, we found that 27.8% (15 out of 54) of users were universally BCI literate, i.e., they were able to proficiently perform all three paradigms. Interestingly, we found no universally illiterate BCI user, i.e., all participants were able to control at least one type of BCI system.

Conclusions

Our EEG dataset can be utilized for a wide range of BCI-related research questions. All methods for the data analysis in this study are supported with fully open-source scripts that can aid in every step of BCI technology. Furthermore, our results support previous but disjointed findings on the phenomenon of BCI illiteracy.

Marine polysaccharides: therapeutic efficacy and biomedical applications

The ocean contains numerous marine organisms, including algae, animals, and plants, from which diverse marine polysaccharides with useful physicochemical and biological properties can be extracted. In particular, fucoidan, carrageenan, alginate, and chitosan have been extensively investigated in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields owing to their desirable characteristics, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Various therapeutic efficacies of marine polysaccharides have been elucidated, including the inhibition of cancer, inflammation, and viral infection. The therapeutic activities of these polysaccharides have been demonstrated in various settings, from in vitro laboratory-scale experiments to clinical trials. In addition, marine polysaccharides have been exploited for tissue engineering, the immobilization of biomolecules, and stent coating. Their ability to detect and respond to external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, and electric fields, has enabled their use in the design of novel drug delivery systems. Thus, along with the promising characteristics of marine polysaccharides, this review will comprehensively detail their various therapeutic, biomedical, and miscellaneous applications.

Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Acupuncture and Bee Venom Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture and bee venom acupuncture (BVA) for idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) through a sham-controlled trial. We also investigated whether there is a sustained therapeutic effect by completing follow-up assessments after treatment completion.

DESIGN

A single center, double-blind, three-armed randomized controlled trial.

SETTINGS/LOCATION

This study was performed at a university hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

SUBJECTS

Seventy-three (73) patients with IPD were the subjects. They were randomly assigned to the active treatment group, sham treatment group, or conventional treatment group.

INTERVENTIONS

The active treatment group received acupuncture and BVA and the sham group received sham acupuncture and normal saline injections, twice a week for 12 weeks. The conventional treatment group maintained anti-parkinsonian drugs without additional intervention.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part II and part III score, postural instability and gait disturbance (PIGD) score, gait speed and number, Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and postural stability at baseline and at 12, 16, and 20 weeks.

RESULTS

Sixty-three (63) patients provided a complete data of assessments, including a final follow-up. After 12 weeks of treatment, a significant difference was observed between the active treatment group and the conventional treatment group. After the end of the treatment, the treatment effects were maintained significantly in the active treatment group only.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that the combined treatment of acupuncture and BVA might be safe and useful adjunctive treatment for patients with IPD.

Effects of Pre-Existing Liver Disease on Acute Pain Management Using Patient-Controlled Analgesia Fentanyl With Parecoxib After Major Liver Resection: A Retrospective, Pragmatic Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of pain management with the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) fentanyl with IV parecoxib between patients with healthy liver with patients with diseased liver undergoing major liver resection.

METHODS

Patients with healthy liver undergoing partial hepatectomy as liver donors for liver transplantation (group 1) and patients with liver cirrhosis (Child's criteria A) undergoing major liver resection for hepatoma (group 2) were identified retrospectively. Both groups routinely received post-operative IV PCA fentanyl and a single dose of parecoxib 40 mg. They were followed up for 3 days or until PCA fentanyl was discontinued post-operatively. Daily Visual Analog Scale, PCA fentanyl usage, rescue attempts, and common drug side effects were collected and analyzed with the use of SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

One hundred one patients were included in the study: 54 in group 1, and 47 in group 2. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of the daily and total fentanyl usage, VAS resting, and incidence of itchiness. The rate of rescue analgesia on post-operative day (POD) 1 was lower in group 2, with a value of P = .045. VAS dynamics were better on POD 1 and 2 for group 2, with P = .05 and P = .012, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that combining a single dose of IV parecoxib 40 mg with PCA fentanyl is an easy and effective method of acute pain control after major liver resection. We propose the careful usage of post-operative fentanyl and parecoxib in patients with diseased liver, given the difference in effect as compared with healthy liver.

Correlation Between Changes in End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Concentration and Cardiac Output During Inferior Vena Cava Clamping and Unclamping in Living-donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

To test the hypothesis that low end-tidal carbon dioxide tension encountered during anhepatic phase in liver transplantation is related to hemodynamic status rather than ventilatory status, and can be used to predict the change in cardiac output during anhepatic phase.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed and compared data, included end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (ETCO2), arterial blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, and stroke volume, before and after inferior vena cava clamping, and 0, 5, 10, 30 minutes during the anhepatic, and 5 minutes after the release of IVC cross clamp during the reperfusion phase, with paired Student t test, repeated measurement, and linear regression. P < .05 was regarded as significant.

RESULTS

The cardiac output and ETCO2 decrease significantly after clamping the inferior vena cava and increase concomitantly after unclamping. There is a positive correlation between the changes in % in cardiac output and ETCO2 (Pearson coefficient r = 0.741).

CONCLUSION

The changes in ETCO2 can be used to predict the changes of the cardiac output in % when cardiac output monitoring is not available. Before unclamping of the IVC, mild hyperventilation is suggested to prevent excessive increase in PaCO2.

A systematic review of diagnostic accuracy of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) in postmenopausal women and elderly men

This systematic review was performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) with that of spinal radiography for identification of vertebral fractures (VFs). VFA appeared to have moderate sensitivity and high specificity for detecting VFs when compared with spinal radiography.

INTRODUCTION

VFs are recognized as the hallmark of osteoporosis, and a previous VF increases the risk of a future fracture. Therefore, the timely detection of VFs is important for prevention of further fractures. This systematic review examined the diagnostic accuracy of VFA using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to identify VFs.

METHODS

We searched for potentially relevant studies using electronic databases, including Ovid-Medline, Ovid-EMBASE, Cochrane library, and four Korean databases, from their inception to May 2013. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of VFA with that of spinal radiography for detection of VFs by analyzing the sensitivity and specificity using a 2 × 2 contingency table. Subgroup analyses were also performed on studies with a low risk of bias and applicability.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were analyzed for the diagnostic accuracy of VFA. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.70-0.93 and 0.95-1.00, respectively, analyzed on a per-vertebra basis, and 0.65-1.00 and 0.74-1.00 on a per-patient basis. The sensitivity and specificity of five studies in subgroups with a low risk of bias in the intervention test were 0.70-0.84 and 0.96-0.99, respectively. In studies with a low risk of bias in the patient selection, those based on a per-vertebra basis in three studies were 0.70-0.93 and 0.96-1.00, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

VFA had moderate sensitivity and high specificity for detecting VF when compared with spinal radiography. However, the present findings are insufficient to assess whether spinal radiography should be replaced by VFA.

Effects of exercise on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Koreans: the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V)

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise on glycemic control using data from fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and to provide appropriate exercise guidelines for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea. [Subjects and Methods] We selected 1,328 patients from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database who had type 2 diabetes and ranged in age from 30 to 90 years. Statistical analyses included χ(2) tests, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression. [Results] Factors found to be significantly related to glycemic control included income level, physical activity based on intensity of aerobic exercise, use of diabetes medicine, presence of hypertension, duration of diabetes, and waist circumference. In addition, engaging in combined low- and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise when adjusted for resistance exercise was found to lower the risk of glycemic control failure. [Conclusion] Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea should engage in combined low- and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise such as walking for 30 minutes or more five times a week. Physical activity is likely to improve glycemic control and thus prevent the acute and chronic complications of diabetes mellitus.

Polycan suppresses osteoclast differentiation and titanium particle-induced osteolysis in mice

Particle-induced osteolysis is a major issue, and it is most likely the result of enhanced osteoclast activation in the pathogenesis of various skeletal diseases. This study investigated whether the inhibitory effect that Polycan has on osteoclast differentiation can be used to treat osteolysis induced by titanium (Ti) particles. To this end, the effects of Polycan were examined in terms of the cytotoxicity, osteoclast differentiation, cytokine expression, and Ti-induced calvarial osteolysis. Polycan had no significant cytotoxic effects on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) but instead increased BMM proliferation. High levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were expressed in BMM cells in the presence of Polycan, suggesting that Polycan drives the differentiation of BMMs into M1 macrophages. Polycan significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation induced by M-CSF and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). The expression levels of the osteoclast marker genes significantly decreased, and Polycan induced and maintained the expression of IL-12, which suppressed osteoclast differentiation. In contrast, the RANKL signaling pathway was not inhibited by Polycan. An in vivo calvarial osteolysis model revealed that Polycan significantly decreased the osteoclast numbers and suppressed osteolysis. Our results suggest that the natural compound Polycan is a good candidate for therapeutic intervention against enhanced osteoclast differentiation and Ti particle-induced osteolysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1170-1175, 2016.

Chamaecyparis obtusa Essential Oil Inhibits Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation and Expression of Virulence Factors

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has caused difficulty in treating infectious diseases. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most commonly recognized antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Novel antibiotics are urgently required to treat these bacteria. Raw materials derived from natural sources can be used for the development of novel antibiotics, such as Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa), which has been traditionally used in treating asthmatic disease. In this study, the antibacterial activity of the essential oil (EO) extracted from C. obtusa leaves against MRSA was investigated. MRSA growth and acid production from glucose metabolism were inhibited at concentrations greater than 0.1 mg/mL C. obtusa EO. MRSA biofilm formation was observed using scanning electron microscopy and safranin staining. C. obtusa EO inhibited MRSA biofilm formation at concentrations greater than 0.1 mg/mL. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, mRNA expression of virulence factor genes, sea, agrA, and sarA, was observed. agrA expression was inhibited with C. obtusa EO concentrations greater than 0.2 mg/mL, whereas inhibition of sea and sarA expression was also observed at a concentration of 0.3 mg/mL. C. obtusa EO was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled for mass spectrometry, which identified 59 constituents, accounting to 98.99% of the total EO. These findings suggest that C. obtusa EO has antibacterial effects against MRSA, which might be associated with the major components of C. obtusa EO, such as sabinene (19.06%), α-terpinyl acetate (16.99%), bornyl acetate (10.48%), limonene (8.54%), elemol (7.47%), myrcene (5.86%), γ-terpinene (4.04%), and hibaene (3.01%).

Overexpression of malic enzyme in the larval stage extends Drosophila lifespan

Metabolic modifications during the developmental period can extend longevity. We found that malic enzyme (Men) overexpression during the larval period lengthened the lifespan of Drosophila. Men overexpression by S106-GeneSwitch-Gal4 driver increased pyruvate content and NADPH/NADP(+) ratio but reduced triglyceride, glycogen, and ATP levels in the larvae. ROS levels increased unexpectedly in Men-overexpressing larvae. Interestingly, adults exposed to larval Men-overexpression maintained ROS tolerance with enhanced expression levels of glutathione-S-transferase D2 and thioredoxin-2. Our results suggest that metabolic changes mediated by Men during development might be related to the control of ROS tolerance and the longevity of Drosophila.

Health benefits of kimchi (Korean fermented vegetables) as a probiotic food

Kimchi is a traditional Korean food manufactured by fermenting vegetables with probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Many bacteria are involved in the fermentation of kimchi, but LAB become dominant while the putrefactive bacteria are suppressed during salting of baechu cabbage and the fermentation. The addition of other subingredients and formation of fermentation byproducts of LAB promote the fermentation process of LAB to eventually lead to eradication of putrefactive- and pathogenic bacteria, and also increase the functionalities of kimchi. Accordingly, kimchi can be considered a vegetable probiotic food that contributes health benefits in a similar manner as yogurt as a dairy probiotic food. Further, the major ingredients of kimchi are cruciferous vegetables; and other healthy functional foods such as garlic, ginger, red pepper powder, and so on are added to kimchi as subingredients. As all of these ingredients undergo fermentation by LAB, kimchi is regarded as a source of LAB; and the fermentative byproducts from the functional ingredients significantly boost its functionality. Because kimchi is both tasty and highly functional, it is typically served with steamed rice at every Korean meal. Health functionality of kimchi, based upon our research and that of other, includes anticancer, antiobesity, anticonstipation, colorectal health promotion, probiotic properties, cholesterol reduction, fibrolytic effect, antioxidative and antiaging properties, brain health promotion, immune promotion, and skin health promotion. In this review we describe the method of kimchi manufacture, fermentation, health functionalities of kimchi and the probiotic properties of its LAB.

NTRK1 fusion in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain tumor, yet with no targeted therapy with substantial survival benefit. Recent studies on solid tumors showed that fusion genes often play driver roles and are promising targets for pharmaceutical intervention. To survey potential fusion genes in GBMs, we analysed RNA-Seq data from 162 GBM patients available through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and found that 3' exons of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 (NTRK1, encoding TrkA) are fused to 5' exons of the genes that are highly expressed in neuronal tissues, neurofascin (NFASC) and brevican (BCAN). The fusions preserved both the transmembrane and kinase domains of NTRK1 in frame. NTRK1 is a mediator of the pro-survival signaling of nerve growth factor (NGF) and is a known oncogene, found commonly altered in human cancer. While GBMs largely lacked NTRK1 expression, the fusion-positive GBMs expressed fusion transcripts in high abundance, and showed elevated NTRK1-pathway activity. Lentiviral transduction of the NFASC-NTRK1 fusion gene in NIH 3T3 cells increased proliferation in vitro, colony formation in soft agar, and tumor formation in mice, suggesting the possibility that the fusion contributed to the initiation or maintenance of the fusion-positive GBMs, and therefore may be a rational drug target.

Abstract C52: Gene silencing of c-met leads to brain metastasis inhibitory effects

An unfortunate consequence of improvements in the treatments of advanced primary cancers is the concurrent increase of metastatic brain tumors. Despite of unfavorable clinical prognosis, radiation therapy is still the only viable treatment option for brain metastases. Expression of c-Met induces cell migration and invasion in many cancers, which are indispensable steps for metastasis. Accordingly, we examined the effects of gene silencing of c-Met on brain metastasis to evaluate the possibility of c-Met as a potential target. MDA-MB-435 cells were transfected with c-Met targeting short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). Effects of c-Met shRNAs on the expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins, in vitro migration, and in vivo brain metastasis were examined. Expression of mesenchymal markers and in vitro migration of MDA-MB-435 cells were significantly inhibited by introduction of c-Met shRNAs. When c-Met-silenced MDA-MB-435 cells were stereotactically implanted into the brains of immune-compromised mice or injected into the right internal carotid arteries, c-Met-silenced MDA-MB-435 cells produced significantly smaller tumor masses or survival time was significantly prolonged, respectively, compared with MDA-MB-435 cells transfected with control shRNA. The data reveal the novel function of c-Met in the process of brain metastasis and its potential as a preventive and/or therapeutic target in this disease.

Citation Format: Se Jeong Lee, Hye Won Lee, Mi Young Song, Kee Hang Lee, Young-Eun Lee, Kyeung Min Joo. Gene silencing of c-met leads to brain metastasis inhibitory effects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr C52.

Chronic resveratrol treatment protects pancreatic islets against oxidative stress in db/db mice

Resveratrol (RSV) has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions which may contribute to its cardiovascular protective effects. We examined whether RSV has any beneficial effects on pancreatic islets in db/db mice, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. The db/db and db/dm mice (non-diabetic control) were treated with (db-RSV) or without RSV (db-control) (20 mg/kg daily) for 12 weeks. After performing an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test, mice were sacrificed, the pancreas was weighed, pancreatic β-cell mass was quantified by point count method, and the amount of islet fibrosis was determined. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative stress marker, was determined in 24 h urine and pancreatic islets. RSV treatment significantly improved glucose tolerance at 2 hrs in db/db mice (P = 0.036), but not in db/dm mice (P = 0.623). This was associated with a significant increase in both pancreas weight (P = 0.011) and β-cell mass (P = 0.016). Islet fibrosis was much less in RSV-treated mice (P = 0.048). RSV treatment also decreased urinary 8-OHdG levels (P = 0.03) and the percentage of islet nuclei that were positive for 8-OHdG immunostaining (P = 0.019). We conclude that RSV treatment improves glucose tolerance, attenuates β-cell loss, and reduces oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. These findings suggest that RSV may have a therapeutic implication in the prevention and management of diabetes.

Protective Effect of Heme Oxygenase-1 on High Glucose-Induced Pancreatic β-Cell Injury

BACKGROUND

Glucose toxicity that is caused by chronic exposure to a high glucose concentration leads to islet dysfunction and induces apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been identified as an anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective gene. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether HO-1 up-regulation when using metalloprotophyrin (cobalt protoporphyrin, CoPP) could protect pancreatic β-cells from high glucose-induced apoptosis.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the CoPP-induced mRNA expression of HO-1. Cell viability of INS-1 cells cultured in the presence of CoPP was examined by acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using flow cytometry. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was determined following incubation with CoPP in different glucose concentrations.

RESULTS

CoPP increased HO-1 mRNA expression in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. Overexpression of HO-1 inhibited caspase-3, and the number of dead cells in the presence of CoPP was significantly decreased when exposed to high glucose conditions (HG). CoPP also decreased the generation of intracellular ROS by 50% during 72 hours of culture with HG. However, decreased GSIS was not recovered even in the presence of CoPP.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that CoPP-induced HO-1 up-regulation results in protection from high glucose-induced apoptosis in INS-1 cells; however, glucose stimulated insulin secretion is not restored.

(2S)-2′-methoxykurarinone from Sophora flavescens suppresses cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine/CCL27 expression induced by interleukin-ß/tumor necrosis factor-α via heme oxygenase-1 in human keratinocytes

One of the CC chemokines, cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK/CCL27), is a skin-specific CC chemokine that is produced constitutively by keratinocytes and is highly up-regulated in inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. (2S)-2′-Methoxykurarinone (MOK) from Sophora flavescens has been demonstrated to have antioxidant effects. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 has recently emerged as an important cytoprotective enzyme against oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in many cell types. This study aimed to define whether and how MOK regulates skin specific CTACK/CCL27 chemokine production in human HaCaT keratinocytes. The level of CTACK/CCL27 and HO-1 expression was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and signaling was evaluated by western blot analysis. CTACK/CCL27 production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pretreatment with MOK suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)- and interleukin (IL)-1ß-induced CTACK/CCL27 production in human HaCaT keratinocytes. MOK inhibited TNF-α- and IL-1ß-induced nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. Interestingly, pretreatment with MOK significantly suppressed TNF-α- and IL-1ß-induced CTACK/CCL27 production through the induction of HO-1. This suppression was completely abolished by HO-1 small interfering RNA. Furthermore, carbon monoxide, but not other end products of HO-1 activity, also suppressed TNF-α- and IL-1ß-induced CTACK/CCL27 production. These results demonstrate that MOK attenuates TNF-α- and IL-1ß-induced production of CTACK/CCL27 in human HaCaT keratinocytes by inhibiting NF-κB activation and induction of HO-1.