Earticle

Objective : The anti-tumor effect of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol in breast cancer is well known; however, its activity in glioblastoma is not well-evaluated. The Notch-Hes pathway is known to regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. We investigated the effect of propranolol to human glioblastoma cell lines, and the role of Notch and Hes signaling in this process. Methods : We performed immunohistochemical staining on 31 surgically resected primary human glioblastoma tissues. We also used glioblastoma cell lines of U87-MG, LN229, and neuroblastoma cell line of SH-SY5Y in this study. The effect of propranolol and isoproterenol on cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay (absorbance 570 nm). The impact of propranolol on gene expression (Notch and Hes) was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, whereas protein levels of Notch1 and Hes1 were measured using Western blotting (WB), simultaneously. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to suppress the Notch gene to investigate its role in the proliferation of glioblastoma. Results : Propranolol and isoproterenol caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation (MTT assay). RT-PCR showed an increase in Notch1 and Hes1 expression by propranolol, whereas WB demonstrated increase in Notch1 protein, but a decrease in Hes1 by propranolol. The proliferation of U87-MG and LN229 was not significantly suppressed after transfection with Notch siRNA. Conclusion : These results demonstrated that propranolol suppressed the proliferation of glioblastoma cell lines and neuroblastoma cell line, and Hes1 was more closely involved than Notch1 was in glioblastoma proliferation.

Objective : Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is challenging in case of wide-necked aneurysms because coils are prone to herniate into the parent artery, causing thromboembolic events or vessel occlusion. This study aims to compare long-term angiographic results of wide-necked aneurysms treated by stent-assisted, double-microcatheter, or single-microcatheter groups. Methods : Between January 2003 and October 2016, 108 aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coil embolization with a neck size wider than 4 mm and a follow-up period of more than 3 years were selected. We performed coil embolization with single-microcatheter, double-microcatheter, and stent-assisted techniques. Angiographic results were evaluated using the Raymond-Roy occlusion classification (RROC). All medical and angiographic records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Clinical and angiographic analyses were conducted in 108 wide-necked aneurysms. The immediate post-procedural results revealed RROC class I (complete occlusion) in 66 cases (61.1%), class II (residual neck) in 36 cases (33.3%), and class III (residual sac) in six cases (5.6%). The final follow-up results revealed class I in 48 cases (44.4%), class II in 49 cases (45.4%), and class III in 11 cases (10.2%). Of a total of 45 (41.6%) radiologic recurrences, there were 21 cases (19.4%) of major recurrence that required additional treatment, and 24 cases (22.2%) of minor recurrence. The final follow-up angiographic results showed statistically significant differences between the stent-assisted group and the others (p<0.01). Conclusion : Long-term follow-up angiography demonstrated that the stent-assisted technique had a better complete occlusion rate than the other two techniques.

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) involving the external carotid artery are exceedingly rare in young adults. Since an AVF is the most common life-threatening cause for pulsatile tinnitus (PT), meticulous evaluation and treatment of patients with PT is crucial. Here, we present two traumatic AVF cases treated with coil embolization leading to no residual fistulous connections followed by an immediate and complete resolution of PT. A 20-year-old man developed left ear tinnitus three months after a traumatic brain injury involving the right temporal bone fracture. Cerebral angiography demonstrated an enlarged left middle meningeal artery (MMA) and a fistular point at the posterior branch of the MMA draining to the middle meningeal vein (MMV) and the left pterygoid plexus, suggesting an AVF. Another 18-year-old girl developed left tinnitus, left exophthalmos, and conjunctival injection 6 months after a traffic accident involving no demonstrable abnormal findings in the radiologic exam. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated a markedly dilated left MMA draining to the MMV, left cavernous sinus, and left superior ophthalmic vein. In both cases, coil embolization was performed with total obliteration of the fistular point.

Recently, we demonstrated that human serum amyloid P component (SAP) specifically recognizes exposed bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) of wall teichoic acid (WTA)-deficient Staphylococcus aureus ${\Delta}$tagO mutant cells and then induces complement-independent phagocytosis. In our preliminary experiments, we found the existence of human serum immunoglobulins that recognize S. aureus PGN (anti-PGNIgGs), which may be involved in complement-dependent opsonophagocytosis against infected S. aureus cells. We assumed that purified serum anti-PGN-IgGs and S. aureus ${\Delta}$tagO mutant cells are good tools to study the molecular mechanism of anti-PGN-IgG-mediated phagocytosis. Therefore, we tried to identify the intracellular molecule(s) that is involved in the anti-PGN-IgG-mediated phagocytosis using purified human serum anti-PGN-IgGs and different S. aureus mutant cells. Here, we show that anti-PGN-IgG-mediated phagocytosis in phorbol myristate acetate-treated U937 cells is mediated by $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores and anti-PGN-IgGdependent $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization is controlled via a phospholipase C${\gamma}$-2-mediated pathway.

Objective: Temperament can be defined as a type of behavioral tendency that appears in a relatively stable manner in responses to various external stimuli over time. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for the records of temperament testing that are used to improve the temperament of Jeju crossbred (Jeju${\times}$Thoroughbred) horses. Methods: This study was conducted using 205 horses (101 females and 104 males) produced between 2010 and 2015. The experimental animals were imprinted and tamed according to the Manual for Horse Taming and Evaluation for Therapeutic Riding Horses and evaluated according to the categories for temperament testing (gentleness, patience, aggressiveness, sensitivity, and friendliness) between 15 months and 18 months of age. Each category was scored on a five-point linear scale. Genetic parameters for the test categories were analyzed using a multi-trait mixed model with repeated records. The ASReml program was used to analyze the data. Results: The heritability of gentleness, patience, aggressiveness, sensitivity and friendliness ranged from 0.08 to 0.53. The standard errors of estimated heritability ranged from 0.13 to 0.17. The test categories showed high genetic correlations with each other, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 and high repeatability, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the test categories had moderate heritability and high genetic correlations, but additional studies may be necessary to use the results for the improvement programs of the temperament of Jeju crossbred horses.

The design and implementation aspects of a new single-balanced mixer for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications are presented in this study. The proposed mixer utilizes a miniaturized UWB ring coupler as a balun, consisting of a pair of in-phase and inverted-phase transitional structures. The well-balanced UWB performance of the ring coupler, aside from the optimized diode matching, results in improved conversion loss and inter-port isolations for a wide bandwidth. The size of the implemented single-balanced diode mixer is reduced to about 60% of the area of the conventional single-balanced ring diode mixer. The measured results of the proposed mixer exhibit an average conversion loss of 7.5 dB (minimum 6.7 dB) and a port-to-port isolation of greater than 18 dB over a UWB frequency range of 3.1-10.6 GHz. The measured results agree well with the simulated results.

This study was performed to evaluate antioxidant activity of tomato powder extracted by various concentrations of ethanol (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) and to evaluate the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of pork patties with ethanol extracted tomato (EET) powder. No differences in the contents of total of individual phenolic compounds including gallic acid and catechin, were observed among the treatments (p>0.05). Among the various concentrations, 50% and 75% EET powder showed the highest free radical scavenging and iron chelating activities (p<0.05). Lipid peroxidation was retarded in linoleic acid emulsion with the addition of 50% and 75% EET powder (0.1%). Based on the model study, five pork patties were actually manufactured; control patty, reference patty with 0.01% of butylated hydroxytoluene, patty with 1% of water extracted tomato (WET), and patties with 0.5 and 1.0% of EET. Addition of 1% WET and EET decreased pH value, and increased redness values of pork patties, as compared to the control (p<0.05). Pork patties with WET (1.0%) and EET (0.5% and 1.0%) had lower 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values compared with control patties after 7 d of storage (p<0.05). Pork patties containing EET powder showed lower total bacterial and Enterobacteriaceae counts than control patties (p<0.05). In conclusion, WET and EET (50%) could be used as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in meat products.

This study investigated the effects of a flavonoid-rich ethanol extract of persimmon leaf (PL), an ethanol extract of Citrus junos Sieb (CJS), and a PL-CJS mixture (MPC) on mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We sought to elucidate the mechanisms of biological activity of these substances using measurements of blood coagulation indices and lipid metabolism parameters. C57BL/6J mice were fed a HFD with PL (0.5% (w/w)), CJS (0.1% (w/w)), or MPC (PL 0.5%, CJS 0.1% (w/w)) for 10 weeks. In comparison with data obtained for mice in the untreated HFD group, consumption of MPC remarkably prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT), whereas exposure to PL prolonged aPTT only. Lower levels of plasma total cholesterol, hepatic cholesterol, and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, and decreased SREBP-1c gene expression were observed in mice that received PL and MPC supplements compared with the respective values detected in the untreated HFD animals. Our results indicate that PL and MPC may have beneficial effects on blood circulation and lipid metabolism in obese mice.

A transformer feedback low-noise amplifier (LNA) is implemented in a standard $0.18{\mu}m$ CMOS process, which exploits drain-to-gate transformer feedback technique for wideband input matching and operates across entire 3~5 GHz ultra-wideband (UWB). The proposed LNA achieves power gain above 9.5 dB, input return loss less than 15.0 dB, and noise figure below 4.8 dB, while consuming 8.1 mW from a 1.8-V supply. To the authors' knowledge, drain-to-gate transformer feedback for wideband input matching cascode LNA is the first adopted technique for UWB application.

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of oven-dried tomato powder (OTP) as affected by drying temperature and the effect of OTP on the product quality of pork patties. Three OTP products were obtained by drying of fresh tomato at 60, 80 and 100℃ oven until constant weight was obtained. Total phenolic content of three kinds of OTPs ranged from 1.95 to 5.94 g/100 g. The highest amount of total phenolic compound was observed in OTP dried at 100℃. Antioxidant activity of three kinds of OTPs was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical scavenging activity, iron chelating ability, reducing power and measurement of lipid peroxide in linoleic acid emulsion system. In all parameters, OTP at 100℃ showed the higher antioxidant activity than other temperatures (p<0.05). Based on the model study, the physicochemical properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of pork patties containing 1% OTP were measured. Redness of pork patties were increased with the addition of OTPs (p<0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values of raw pork patties containing OTPs were lower than those of control (CTL) until 7 d of storage, regardless of drying temperatures (p<0.05). Peroxide values of pork patties made with OTP (1%) were lower than those of CTL until the end of storage time (p<0.05). However, no antimicrobial activities were observed among the treatments (p>0.05). Therefore, OTPs could be used as a natural antioxidant in meat products.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mixed starter cultures isolated from kimchi on physicochemical properties, functionality and flavors of fermented ham. Physicochemical properties, microbial counts, shear force, cholesterol contents and volatile compounds of fermented ham were investigated during processing (curing and ripening time). Curing process for 7 d increased saltiness, however, decreased hunter color values (L, a, and b values). Ripening process for 21 d increased most parameters, such as saltiness, color values, weight loss, shear force and cholesterol content due to the drying process. The mixed starter culture had higher lactic acid bacteria than the commercial one. While eight volatile compounds were identified from fermented hams during curing process, total fiftyeight volatile compounds were identified from fermented hams during ripening process. The main volatile compounds were alcohols, esters and furans. However, no differences in volatile compounds were observed between two batches. Fermented hams (batch B) manufactured with probiotic starter culture (LPP) had higher sensory score in texture, color and overall acceptability than counterparts (batch A), while the opposite trend was observed in flavor. Therefore, mixed probiotic starter culture isolated from kimchi might be used as a starter culture to be able to replace with commercial starter culture (LK-30 plus) for the manufacture of fermented ham.

Fermented foods with probiotics having functional properties may provide beneficial effects on health. These effects are varied, depending on the type of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Different probiotic LAB might have different functional properties. Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the quality of fermented sausages manufactured with functional starter cultures (Lactobacillus plantarum 115 and 167, and Pediococcus damnosus L12) and different fat levels, and to determine the optimum condition for the manufacture of these products. Medium-fat (~15%) fermented sausages reduced the drying time and cholesterol contents, as compared to regular-fat counterparts. In proximate analysis, the contents of moisture and protein of regular-fat products were lower than medium-fat with reduced fat content. The regular-fat products also had a lighter color and less redness, due to reduced fat content. Approximately 35 volatile compounds were identified in functional fermented sausages, and hexanal, trans-caryophyllene, and tetradecanal were the major volatile compounds. Selected mixed starter culture showed the potential possibility of replacing the commercial starter culture (LK30 plus) in flavor profiles. However, medium-fat fermented sausage containing selected mixed starter culture tended to be less acceptable than their high-fat counterparts, due to excess dry ring developed in the surface. These results indicate that the use of combinations of L. plantarum 115 and 167, and P. damnosus L12 as a starter culture, will prove useful for manufacturing the fermented sausage.

This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of oven-dried ($60^{\circ}C$) tomato powder (TP) as affected by water solubility and to evaluate the effects of TP on the physico-chemical properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of emulsified pork sausages with two levels of TP (1% and 2 %). After fresh tomatoes were homogenized and dried at $60^{\circ}C$ oven, they were extracted by stirring with water. Then, the aqueous solution was filtered, and water soluble and insoluble tomato powders were obtained with freeze drying. In experiment I, total phenolic contents in oven-dried tomato powder, water soluble and insoluble powder were more than 2 g/100 g. The radical scavenging activity and iron-chelation ability of the water-insoluble extracts were higher than those of dried TP and water-soluble extracts. In experiment II, pH values and Hunter L values of pork sausages formulated with TP were reduced. However, hunter a and b values were higher than those of the control, and those effects were increased with increased levels of TP. 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of pork sausages containing TP were lower than that of the control during refrigerated storage, regardless of the TP level. These results indicated that TP could be used as a natural color agent and antioxidant in meat products without defects.

Two unrecorded species of the snapper, Lutjanus malabaricus (296.0 mm standard length [SL]) and L. stellatus (350.0 mm SL) belonging to the family Lutjanidae, were first collected from the western coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea. L. malabaricus is characterized by having a dark marking on the upper half of the caudal peduncle, a band of vomerine teeth that does not protrude posteriorly at the middle, and nine anal soft rays. Compared to its Korean relative, L. malabaricus is distinguishable by having rows of scales that run obliquely in the dorsal-posterior direction above the lateral line (vs. parallel to the lateral line in L. argentimaculatus). L. stellatus can be identified by the absence of wavy blue lines on the head (vs. many blue lines in L. rivulatus) and presence of a white spot above the lateral line (vs. a black blotch on the lateral line in L. rivulatus). We propose new Korean names, "Jin-hong-tung-dom" and "Huin-jeom-tung-dom," for L. malabaricus and L. stellatus, respectively.

Background : Patients with frozen shoulder have pain and limited range of motion (ROM) at the affected shoulder. Shoulder pain of these patients usually decreases with recovery of range of motion. The aim of this study is to identify effects of static stretching and hold-relax on recovering ROM and reducing pain of patients with frozen shoulder. Methods : In this study, 15 patients with frozen shoulder who were only treated with physical therapy were recruited. Patients who received any surgical procedure or hydrotherapy were excluded. The subjects were divided randomly into 3 groups; control(n=5), static stretching(n=5) and hold-relax(n=5) groups. Patients were treated with stretching and the total number of treatments was 12 times. The ROM was measured at baseline, after fourth, eighth and final treatments. Shoulder pain and disability index(SPADI) scores were assessed before and after doing all treatments. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze ROM change within each group. Changes of ROM between groups was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by post hot analysis(Tukey's HSD). SPADI score within each group analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Study Design : Repeated measures design. Result : There were significant differences of ROM in both treatment groups except internal rotation of static stretching group. ROM was significantly increased in treatment groups compared with control group, but the difference of ROM change between two treatment groups did not differ significantly. SPADI scores for treatment groups significantly decreased compared with pre-SPADI score. Conclusion : The result suggests that hold-relax can be more effective than static stretching to recover range of motion and alleviate shoulder pain on patients with frozen shoulder.