Comparison of 90‐day case‐fatality after ischemic stroke between two different stroke outcome registries using propensity score matching analysis

Yu, K‐,H.,Hong, K‐,S.,Lee, B‐,C.,Oh, M‐,S.,Cho, Y‐,J.,Koo, J‐,S.,Park, J‐,M.,Bae, H‐,J.,Han, M‐,K.,Ju, Y‐,S.,Kang, D‐,W.,Appelros, P. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Acta neurologica Scandinavica Vol.123 No.5

<P>Yu K‐H, Hong K‐S, Lee B‐C, Oh M‐S, Cho Y‐J, Koo J‐S, Park J‐M, Bae H‐J, Han M‐K, Ju Y‐S, Kang D‐W, Appelros P, Norrving B, Terent A. Comparison of 90‐day case‐fatality after ischemic stroke between two different stroke outcome registries using propensity score matching analysis. 
Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 123: 325–331. 
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.</P><P><B>Background – </B> It has not been clarified whether the disparity in ischemic stroke outcome between populations is caused by ethnic and geographic differences or by variations in case mix. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis can overcome some analytical problems but is rarely used in stroke outcome research. This study was to compare the ischemic stroke case‐fatality between two PSM cohorts of Sweden and Korea.</P><P><B>Methods – </B> Prognostic variables related to baseline characteristics and stroke care were included in our PSM model. Then, we selected 7675 Swedish and 1220 Korean patients with ischemic stroke from each stroke registers and performed one‐to‐one matching based on propensity scores of each patient.</P><P><B>Results – </B> After PSM, all measured variables were well balanced in 1163 matched subjects, and the 90‐day case‐fatality was identical 6.2% (HR 0.997, 95%CI 0.905–1.099) in Sweden and Korea.</P><P><B>Conclusions – </B> No difference is found in the 90‐day case‐fatality in propensity score‐matched Swedish and Korean patients with ischemic stroke.</P>

Incidence, predictors, and outcomes of distal vessel expansion on follow‐up intravascular ultrasound after recanalization of chronic total occlusions using new‐generation drug‐eluting stents: Data from the CTO‐IVUS randomized

Hong, Sung‐,Jin,Kim, Byeong‐,Keuk,Kim, Young‐,Joo,Rha, Seung‐,Woon,Lee, Seung‐,Jin,Kim, Hee‐,Yeol,Choi, Jin‐,Ho,Ahn, Chul‐,Min,Kim, Jung‐,Sun,Ko, John WileySons, Inc. 2020 Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions Vol.95 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Objectives</B></P><P>To evaluate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of distal vessel expansion on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) after recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) particularly using new‐generation drug‐eluting stent (DES).</P><P><B>Background</B></P><P>The luminal changes of narrowed vessels distal to CTO segments after recanalization using new‐generation DES have rarely been studied.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>This substudy of the CTO‐IVUS (Chronic Total Occlusion InterVention with drUg‐eluting Stents) trial included a total of 69 new‐generation DES‐treated CTOs with serial matched IVUS analyses at index percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and at 1‐year follow‐up. The predictors of distal vessel expansion, any increase of lumen area at the distal reference (LA<SUB>distal</SUB>) on 1‐year follow‐up IVUS, were evaluated by multivariable binary logistic analyses.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Distal vessel expansion was identified in 46 (67%). Independent determinants of distal vessel expansion were proximal CTO, a smaller LA<SUB>distal</SUB> at the index PCI, a greater minimal stent area‐to‐LA<SUB>distal</SUB> (MSA‐to‐LA<SUB>distal</SUB>) ratio, and a greater lumen area at the distal stent edge‐to‐LA<SUB>distal</SUB> (LA<SUB>edge</SUB>‐to‐LA<SUB>distal</SUB>) ratio. The cut‐off values of a MSA‐to‐LA<SUB>distal</SUB> ratio and a LA<SUB>edge</SUB>‐to‐LA<SUB>distal</SUB> ratio predicting the distal vessel expansion by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were 1.0 and 1.1, respectively. During the median 5.1 years, rates of target vessel revascularization, cardiac death, and stent thrombosis were similar in the distal vessel‐expanded and nonexpanded groups.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>After opening CTO with new‐generation DES, two‐thirds of patients exhibited distal vessel expansion on 1‐year follow‐up IVUS. Expansion determinants were a proximal CTO, lower LA<SUB>distal</SUB>, and larger stent areas relative to the LA<SUB>distal</SUB> (modifiable procedural predictors).</P>

Vitamin C deficiency attenuates liver fibrosis by way of up‐regulated peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma expression in senescence marker protein 30 knockout mice

Park, Jin‐,Kyu,Ki, Mi‐,Ran,Lee, Hye‐,Rim,Hong, Il‐,Hwa,Ji, Ae‐,Ri,Ishigami, Akihito,Park, Se‐,Il,Kim, Ji‐,Min,Chung, Hae‐,Young,Yoo, Sung‐,Eun,Jeo Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2010 Hepatology Vol.51 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30), an important aging marker molecule that is highly expressed in the liver, has been known to protect hepatocytes from apoptosis by the synthesis of vitamin C. To explore the function of SMP30 in liver fibrosis, the effect of SMP30 deficiency on liver fibrosis was investigated in SMP30 knockout (KO) mice. Moreover, the <I>in vivo</I> results were further confirmed by way of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) isolation. We demonstrated that carbon tetrachloride (CCl<SUB>4</SUB>)‐induced liver fibrosis and the nuclear translocation of p‐Smad2/3, the immediate downstream of transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β), were significantly inhibited in the liver of SMP30 KO mice compared with wildtype (WT) mice. We also confirmed that both WT and SMP30 KO HSCs did not express SMP30. Finally, we further confirmed that up‐regulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPAR‐γ) caused by a lack of vitamin C was the pivotal factor in the mechanisms for attenuated liver fibrosis of SMP30 KO mice, and feeding with vitamin C restored CCl<SUB>4</SUB>‐induced liver fibrosis in SMP30 KO mice. <I>Conclusion:</I> Vitamin C deficiency by SMP30 depletion attenuated liver fibrosis by way of up‐regulated PPAR‐γ expression in SMP30 KO mice. Our results provide, for the first time, the possible mechanisms underlying inhibition of HSC activation associated with vitamin C and PPAR‐γ up‐regulation in liver fibrosis of SMP30 KO mice. (H<SMALL>EPATOLOGY</SMALL> 2010.)</P>

Anti‐inflammatory mechanism of ginsenoside Rh1 in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated microglia: critical role of the protein kinase A pathway and hemeoxygenase‐1 expression

Jung, Ji‐,Sun,Shin, Jin A.,Park, Eun‐,Mi,Lee, Jung‐,Eun,Kang, Young‐,Sook,Min, Sung‐,Won,Kim, Dong‐,Hyun,Hyun, Jin‐,Won,Shin, Chan‐,Young,Kim, Hee&#x201 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 Journal of Neurochemistry Vol.115 No.6

<P> <I>J. Neurochem.</I> (2010) <B>115,</B> 1668–1680.</P><P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Microglia activation plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, and thus controlling microglial activation has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we showed that ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated microglia, while Rh1 increased anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 and hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression. Suppression of microglial activation by Rh1 was also observed in the mouse brain following treatment with LPS. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that Rh1 inhibited LPS‐induced MAPK phosphorylation and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐mediated transcription without affecting NF‐κB DNA binding. As the increase of pCREB (cAMP responsive element‐binding protein) is known to result in suppression of NF‐κB‐mediated transcription, we examined whether Rh1 increased pCREB levels. As expected, Rh1 increased pCREB, which was shown to be related to the anti‐inflammatory effect of Rh1 because pre‐treatment with protein kinase A inhibitors attenuated the Rh1‐mediated inhibition of nitric oxide production and the up‐regulation of IL‐10 and HO‐1. Furthermore, treatment of HO‐1 shRNA attenuated Rh1‐mediated inhibition of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Through this study, we have demonstrated that protein kinase A and its downstream effector, HO‐1, play a critical role in the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of Rh1 by modulating pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory molecules in activated microglia.</P>

Compressive mechanical force augments osteoclastogenesis by bone marrow macrophages through activation of c‐Fms‐mediated signaling

Cho, Eui‐,Sic,Lee, Keun‐,Soo,Son, Young‐,Ok,Jang, Yong‐,Suk,Lee, Seung‐,Youp,Kwak, So‐,Yeong,Yang, Yeon‐,Mi,Park, Seung‐,Moon,Lee, Jeong‐,Chae Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2010 Journal of cellular biochemistry Vol.111 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Little is known about the effects of mechanical forces on osteoclastogenesis by bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in the absence of mechanosensitive cells, including osteoblasts and fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical force on osteoclastogenesis by applying centrifugal force to BMMs using a horizontal microplate rotor. Our findings, as measured by an in vitro model system, show that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is capable of inducing osteoclast differentiation from BMMs and bone resorption in the presence of macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF) and is further facilitated by receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) ligand (RANKL). Application of force to BMMs accelerated TNF‐α‐induced osteoclastogenesis; this was inhibited either by anti‐TNF‐α or anti‐TNF‐α receptor but not by OPG. TNF‐α also increased c‐Fms expression at both mRNA and protein levels in BMMs. An anti‐c‐Fms antibody completely inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption induced by TNF‐α but partially blocked osteoclastogenesis stimulated in combination with RANKL. These results suggest that TNF‐α (in the presence of M‐CSF) is capable of inducing osteoclastogenesis from BMMs, and that osteoclastogenesis is significantly stimulated by force application through the activation of c‐Fms‐mediated signaling. Overall, the present study reveals the facilitating effect of mechanical force on osteoclastic differentiation from BMMs without the addition of mechanosensitive cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 1260–1269, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.</P>

Methiozolin [5‐(2,6‐difluorobenzyl)oxymethyl‐5‐methyl‐3,3(3‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,2‐isoxazoline], a new annual bluegrass (<i>Poa annua</i> L.) herbicide for turfgrasses

Koo, Suk‐,Jin,Hwang, Ki‐,Hwan,Jeon, Man‐,Seok,Kim, Sung‐,Hun,Lim, Jongsoo,Lee, Dong‐,Guk,Cho, Nam‐,Gyu John Wiley Sons, Ltd 2014 Pest Management Science Vol.70 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>BACKGROUND</B></P><P><B>Selective control of annual bluegrass (<I>Poa annual</I> L.) has been difficult in turfgrasses. The potential of methiozolin in this area was investigated.</B></P><P><B>RESULTS</B></P><P><B>Methiozolin was safe on established zoysiagrass (<I>Zoysia japonica</I> Steud.), creeping bentgrass (<I>Agrostis palustris</I> Huds.), Kentucky bluegrass (<I>Poa pratensis</I> L.), and perennial ryegrass (<I>Lolium perenne</I> L.) at 1000 g ha<SUP>−1</SUP>, and controlled annual bluegrass with GR<SUB>50</SUB> values of 23, 52, 104, and 218 g ha<SUP>−1</SUP> at PRE, two‐, four‐ and eight‐leaf stage, respectively, in the greenhouse. When applied at early flowering, methiozolin suppressed >80% of annual bluegrass seed heads at 2000 g ha<SUP>−1</SUP>. <SUP>14</SUP>C‐Methiozolin was readily absorbed by both leaves and roots, but translocation was mainly acropetal. No herbicidal activity resulted from application to the leaf only; however, application to the soil surface only showed equivalent herbicidal activity to that of broadcast application to the leaf and soil. Methiozolin at 500 to 1000 g ha<SUP>−1</SUP> provided 80 to 100% control of annual bluegrass when applied in the fall with acceptable and temporary injury to creeping bentgrass, and about 60% control when applied in the spring with no bentgrass injury in the field.</B></P><P><B>CONCLUSION</B></P><P><B>Methiozolin is an excellent candidate for annual bluegrass management in turfgrasses. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry</B></P>

Enhanced Performance of Solution‐Processed TESPE‐ADT Thin‐Film Transistors

Chen, Liang‐,Hsiang,Hu, Tarng‐,Shiang,Huang, Peng‐,Yi,Kim, Choongik,Yang, Ching‐,Hao,Wang, Juin‐,Jie,Yan, Jing‐,Yi,Ho, Jia‐,Chong,Lee, Cheng‐,Chung,Chen WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2013 Chemphyschem Vol.14 No.12

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A solution‐processed anthradithiophene derivative, 5,11‐bis(4‐triethylsilylphenylethynyl)anthradithiophene (TESPE‐ADT), is studied for use as the semiconducting material in thin‐film transistors (TFTs). To enhance the electrical performance of the devices, two different kinds of solution processing (spin‐coating and drop‐casting) on various gate dielectrics as well as additional post‐treatment are employed on thin films of TESPE‐ADT, and <I>p</I>‐channel OTFT transport with hole mobilities as high as ∼0.12 cm<SUP>2</SUP> V<SUP>−1</SUP> s<SUP>−1</SUP> are achieved. The film morphologies and formed microstructures of the semiconductor films are characterized in terms of film processing conditions and are correlated with variations in device performance.</P>

Molecular genetic diversity and population structure of a selected core set in garlic and its relatives using novel SSR markers

Zhao, W.‐,G.,Chung, J.‐,W.,Lee, G.‐,A.,Ma, K.‐,H.,Kim, H.‐,H.,Kim, K.‐,T.,Chung, I.‐,M.,Lee, J.‐,K.,Kim, N.‐,S.,Kim, S.‐,M.,Park, Y.‐ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Plant breeding Vol.130 No.1

<P> <I>With 7 figures and 6 tables</I> </P><P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Garlic is widely consumed for its culinary and medical benefits. Six hundred and thirteen accessions of garlic and its relatives with diverse origin were evaluated for genetic diversity at eight recently novel simple sequence repeat loci in this study. A total of 113 alleles were detected, the average allelic richness was 14.1 alleles per locus. Using a heuristic approach, a core set of 95 accessions was successfully developed, which showed 100% coverage of alleles with minimum redundancy. The model‐based structure analysis here revealed the presence of four subpopulations in the selected core set, which was basically consistent with clustering based on the genetic distance. The analysis of molecular variance based on this core set showed that between‐population component of genetic variance is <15.6% in contrast to 84.4% for the within population component. Overall <I>F</I><SUB>ST</SUB> value was 0.1560, indicating a moderate differentiation among the four groups. These results will provide an effective aid for future allele mining, association genetics, mapping and cloning gene(s), germplasm conservation, and improvement programs.</P>

Identification and metabolite profiling of alkaloids in aerial parts of <i>Papaver rhoeas</i> by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

Oh, Jae‐,Hyeon,Ha, In Jin,Lee, Min Young,Kim, Eun‐,Ok,Park, Dain,Lee, Jun‐,Hee,Lee, Seok‐,Geun,Kim, Do‐,Wan,Lee, Tae‐,Ho,Lee, Eui‐,Ju,Kim, Chang‐,Kug John Wiley and Sons Inc. 2018 Journal of Separation Science Vol.41 No.12

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><I>Papaver</I> plants can produce diverse bioactive alkaloids. <I>Papaver rhoeas</I> Linnaeus (common poppy or corn poppy) is an annual flowering medicinal plant used for treating cough, sleep disorder, and as a sedative, pain reliever, and food. It contains various powerful alkaloids like rhoeadine, benzylisoquinoline, and proaporphine. To investigate and identify alkaloids in the aerial parts of <I>P. rhoeas</I>, samples were collected at different growth stages and analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry. A liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the identification and metabolite profiling of alkaloids for <I>P. rhoeas</I> by comparing with <I>Papaver somniferum</I>. Eighteen alkaloids involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis were used to optimize the liquid chromatography gradient and mass spectrometry conditions. Fifty‐five alkaloids, including protoberberine, benzylisoquinoline, aporphine, benzophenanthridine, and rhoeadine‐type alkaloids, were identified authentically or tentatively by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry in samples taken during various growth stages. Rhoeadine alkaloids were observed only in <I>P. rhoeas</I> samples, and codeine and morphine were tentatively identified in <I>P. somniferum</I>. The liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry method can be a powerful tool for the identification of diverse metabolites in the genus <I>Papaver</I>. These results may help understand the biosynthesis of alkaloids in <I>P. rhoeas</I> and evaluate the quality of this plant for possible medicinal applications.</P>

Regulation of inflammatory responses and fibroblast‐like synoviocyte apoptosis by calcineurin‐binding protein 1 in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis

Yi, Jun‐,Koo,Kim, Hei‐,Jung,Yu, Dong‐,Hoon,Park, Seo‐,Jin,Shin, Mi‐,Jung,Yuh, Hyung‐,Soo,Bae, Ki‐,Beom,Ji, Young‐,Rae,Kim, Na‐,Ri,Park, Si‐ Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2012 Vol.64 No.7

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Objective</B></P><P>Calcineurin‐binding protein 1 (CABIN‐1) regulates calcineurin phosphatase activity as well as the activation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS), which actively participate in the chronic inflammatory responses in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism of action of CABIN‐1 in FLS apoptosis is not clear. This study was undertaken to define the regulatory role of CABIN‐1 in FLS from mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA).</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Transgenic mice overexpressing human CABIN‐1 in joint tissue under the control of a type II collagen promoter were generated. Expression of human CABIN‐1 (hCABIN‐1) in joints and FLS was determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis. The expression of cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and apoptosis‐related genes in FLS was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, gelatin zymography, and RT‐PCR, respectively. Joints were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and with tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase for histologic analysis.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Human CABIN‐1–transgenic mice with CIA had less severe arthritis than wild‐type mice with CIA, as assessed according to hind paw thickness and histologic features. The milder arthritis was accompanied by significantly enhanced apoptosis in transgenic mice, evidenced by a significantly greater number of TUNEL‐positive cells in synovial tissue. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs in the transgenic mice with CIA was reduced, and they exhibited decreased Akt activation and increased expression of p53, caspase 3, caspase 9, and Bax.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Our findings demonstrate that hCABIN‐1 plays a critical role in promoting apoptosis of FLS and in attenuating inflammation and cartilage and bone destruction in RA. These results help elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of RA and suggest that CABIN‐1 is a potential target for treatment of this disease.</P>