ABSTRACT
Semisulcospira libertina, a species of freshwater snail, is widespread in East Asia. It is important as a food source. Additionally, it is a vector of clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis, metagonimiasis, and other parasites. Although S. libertina has ecological, commercial, and clinical importance, its whole-genome has not been reported yet. Here, we revealed the genome of S. libertina through de novo assembly. We assembled the whole-genome of S. libertina and determined its transcriptome for the first time using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. According to the k-mer analysis, the genome size of S. libertina was estimated to be 3.04 Gb. Using RepeatMasker, a total of 53.68% of repeats were identified in the genome assembly. Genome data of S. libertina reported in this study will be useful for identification and conservation of S. libertina in East Asia.
ABSTRACT
Sarcopenia leads to loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength due to aging; it was recently given a disease code (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification, M62.84). As a result, in recent years, sarcopenia-related research has increased. In addition, various studies seeking to prevent and treat sarcopenia by identifying the various mechanisms related to the reduction of skeletal muscle properties have been conducted. Previous studies have identified muscle synthesis and breakdown; investigating them has generated evidence for preventing and treating sarcopenia. Mouse models are still the most useful ones for determining mechanisms underlying sarcopenia through correlations and interventions involving specific genes and their phenotypes. Mouse models used to study sarcopenia often induce muscle atrophy by hindlimb unloading, denervation, or immobilization. Though it is less frequently used, the senescence-accelerated mouse can also be useful for sarcopenia research. Herein, we discuss cases where senescence-accelerated and genetically engineered mouse models were used in sarcopenia research and different perspectives to use them.
ABSTRACT
Sarcopenia leads to loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength due to aging; it was recently given a disease code (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification, M62.84). As a result, in recent years, sarcopenia-related research has increased. In addition, various studies seeking to prevent and treat sarcopenia by identifying the various mechanisms related to the reduction of skeletal muscle properties have been conducted. Previous studies have identified muscle synthesis and breakdown; investigating them has generated evidence for preventing and treating sarcopenia. Mouse models are still the most useful ones for determining mechanisms underlying sarcopenia through correlations and interventions involving specific genes and their phenotypes. Mouse models used to study sarcopenia often induce muscle atrophy by hindlimb unloading, denervation, or immobilization. Though it is less frequently used, the senescence-accelerated mouse can also be useful for sarcopenia research. Herein, we discuss cases where senescence-accelerated and genetically engineered mouse models were used in sarcopenia research and different perspectives to use them.
ABSTRACT
The hallmark symptom of sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength without the loss of overall body weight. Sarcopenia patients are likely to have worse clinical outcomes and higher mortality than do healthy individuals. The sarcopenia population shows an annual increase of ~0.8% in the population after age 50, and the prevalence rate is rapidly increasing with the recent worldwide aging trend. Based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, a global classification of disease published by the World Health Organization, issued the disease code (M62.84) given to sarcopenia in 2016. Therefore, it is expected that the study of sarcopenia will be further activated based on the classification of disease codes in the aging society. Several epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have looked at the correlation between the prevalence of sarcopenia and several environmental factors. In addition, studies using cell lines and rodents have been done to understand the biological mechanism of sarcopenia. Laboratory rodent models are widely applicable in sarcopenia studies because of the advantages of time savings, cost saving, and various analytical applications that could not be used for human subjects. The rodent models that can be applied to the sarcopenia research are diverse, but a simple and fast method that can cause atrophy or aging is preferred. Therefore, we will introduce various methods of inducing muscular atrophy in rodent models to be applied to the study of sarcopenia.
ABSTRACT
Background@#As an instrument for measuring body composition in experimental animals, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is ideal for accuracy, cost, and measurement efficiency. However, there is too little insight into the effectiveness of the various aspects of applying DXA to experimental animals. We investigated whether to compare and verify the precision and accuracy of DXA and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) animal body composition analyzers. @*Methods@#We used 30 Institution of Cancer Research mice in the study. First, in order to evaluate the reproducibility of DXA and NMR, we did repeated measurements by repositioning each mouse in anesthesia and euthanasia states. Subsequently, the accuracy of each device was evaluated by comparing the weight measured before the experiment, the weight of the tissue extracted from the mice after the experiment, and the measured DXA and NMR. In addition, when measuring the body composition of animals, we compared the time and the measurable body composition parameters and summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 devices. @*Results@#Compared to NMR, DXA had the advantage of a fast measurement of bone composition and rapid image analysis. In addition, DXA showed a higher correlation (>95%) with fat mass, lean mass baseline than did NMR (>85%). @*Conclusions@#In conclusion, DXA was confirmed to have higher precision and measurement accuracy than did NMR. Therefore, DXA is an effective method for evaluating the body composition of experimental animals.
ABSTRACT
Background@#As an instrument for measuring body composition in experimental animals, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is ideal for accuracy, cost, and measurement efficiency. However, there is too little insight into the effectiveness of the various aspects of applying DXA to experimental animals. We investigated whether to compare and verify the precision and accuracy of DXA and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) animal body composition analyzers. @*Methods@#We used 30 Institution of Cancer Research mice in the study. First, in order to evaluate the reproducibility of DXA and NMR, we did repeated measurements by repositioning each mouse in anesthesia and euthanasia states. Subsequently, the accuracy of each device was evaluated by comparing the weight measured before the experiment, the weight of the tissue extracted from the mice after the experiment, and the measured DXA and NMR. In addition, when measuring the body composition of animals, we compared the time and the measurable body composition parameters and summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 devices. @*Results@#Compared to NMR, DXA had the advantage of a fast measurement of bone composition and rapid image analysis. In addition, DXA showed a higher correlation (>95%) with fat mass, lean mass baseline than did NMR (>85%). @*Conclusions@#In conclusion, DXA was confirmed to have higher precision and measurement accuracy than did NMR. Therefore, DXA is an effective method for evaluating the body composition of experimental animals.
ABSTRACT
Reconstruction of defects on the lower third of the nose is always a challenge, as dissection of tissues in this area is not simple due to both a lack of elasticity and the structural complexity of the mid-facial area. When the defect size is less than 1.5 cm on the nose, primary closure or a bilobed flap is widely-used, while a skin graft is required for reconstruction of larger defects. Here we present two cases of a nasalis myocutaneous island pedicle flap with bilevel undermining with a relatively large nasal dorsum defect (>2 cm). The nasalis myocutaneous island pedicle flap with bilevel undermining was performed in order to maximize the movement of skin flaps and minimize the secondary movement of flaps after surgery. The nasal tip showed a slight upward movement immediately after surgery that subsequently moved down to a normal level. This technique can be utilized for reconstruction of the lower part of the nose for defects 2 cm or larger in size by maximizing the movement of the flap within the nasal structure. A major advantage is a higher flap survival rate due to proper arterial supply and the procedure results in relatively reduced secondary motion of the flap after the surgery.
Subject(s)
Elasticity , Nose , Skin , Survival Rate , TransplantsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Low-fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been widely used for the treatment of melasma. Although new Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers with photoacoustic twin pulse (PTP) mode have been recently developed for high-efficiency, there is limited information available for the new technique. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects after few sessions of repeated low fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment with PTP mode in Asian women with melasma. METHODS: Twenty-two Korean women were treated with a total of five sessions of low-fluence PTP mode Nd:YAG laser treatment (Pastelle®) at 2 weeks interval. Responses to treatments were evaluated by using Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scoring, colorimeter measurement, and the investigators' and patients' overall assessments. Adverse events were recorded at each visit. RESULTS: Investigators' and patients' overall assessment showed that 'significantly improved' was assessed by 13 (59.1%) and 19 of 22 patients (86.4%), respectively. MASI scores were significantly reduced by 20.4%. The lightness, measured by using a colorimeter, was significantly increased by 1.3 point. Notable adverse events were not observed. CONCLUSION: After 5 sessions of laser therapy alone, about 60% of the subjects showed significant improvement. Few sessions of repeated laser toning treatment using the PTP mode is a safe and effective way to treat facial melasma.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Asian People , Laser Therapy , Melanosis , TwinsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer is increasing, there are no effective practical preventive measures other than avoiding sun exposure. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the protective effect of topical application of biologically active vitamin D3 (calcitriol) on skin cancer development caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV). METHODS: Groups of hairless mice were topically treated with either calcitriol or vehicle immediately after exposure to UVB and UVA three times weekly for the initial 20 weeks, and without UV exposure in the following 6 weeks. Tumor number was counted and biopsies were done for histopathologic analysis. The changes of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) were evaluated 1 hour and 11 hours after short term of UV exposure and application of calcitriol. For safety evaluation, blood test and body weights were evaluated at 23rd and 25th week. RESULTS: Total tumor count and number of tumors less than 3 mm in size tended to be fewer in calcitriol group, and tumors more than 3 mm in size showed significantly lower tumor formation rate in calcitriol group. Single application of calcitriol reduced CPD at 1 hour and 11 hours after UV exposure. Histopathologic analysis showed tumors with lower grade malignancy in calcitriol group which suggested a delay in tumor progression. However, serum levels of calcium and phosphate in calcitriol group were above normal range, and weight loss was found. CONCLUSION: Topical calcitriol may suppress the formation and progression of UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancer by enhancing the repair mechanism of UV damage.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Biopsy , Body Weight , Calcitriol , Calcium , Carcinogenesis , Cholecalciferol , Hematologic Tests , Incidence , Mice, Hairless , Reference Values , Skin Neoplasms , Solar System , Vitamins , Weight LossABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Injections, Intralesional , Sarcoma, Kaposi/drug therapy , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. The main symptoms of scrub typhus are fever, eschar, generalized rash, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Complications include pneumonia, myocarditis, meningitis, hepatitis, acute renal failure, and hearing loss. We report a rare case of Tsutsugamushi disease with acute bilateral hearing loss in a 65-year-old woman. The antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi were detected which led to the diagnosis of scrub typhus. She was treated immediately with oral doxycycline for 9 days and had a rapid and complete recovery. Scrub typhus can be associated with hearing loss, which is present in approximately one-third of the cases, but it is rare in Korea, therefore it is easy to misdiagnose scrub typhus as any other otological abnormalities. When patients present with fever, rash, and sensorineural hearing loss, clinicians should suspect scrub typhus and consider empirical antibiotic therapy.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Acute Kidney Injury , Antibodies , Diagnosis , Doxycycline , Exanthema , Fever , Hearing Loss , Hearing Loss, Bilateral , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural , Hepatitis , Korea , Lymph Nodes , Meningitis , Myocarditis , Orientia tsutsugamushi , Pneumonia , Scrub TyphusABSTRACT
Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFHT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm of intermediate malignancy and possibly of myofibroblast origin. It is morphologically divided into 3 groups: cellular, fibrous, and mixed. A 4-year-old girl presented with an irregular shaped subcutaneous mass on her left popliteal fossa for 6 months. The biopsy specimen showed multinodular tumor islands extending from dermis to subcutaneous layer, composed of histiocytes and osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells, and circumscribed by fibrous tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD68 in giant cells and histiocyte-like cells within tumor islands and faintly positive for smooth muscle actin around nodules. A cellular variant of PFHT was eventually diagnosed. Although PFHT comprises morphologically normal cells, it has the biological potential for malignant change and distal metastasis. Therefore, PFHT is categorized as a neoplasm of intermediate malignancy, and wide total excision with close follow-up is crucial.
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Actins , Biopsy , Dermis , Giant Cells , Histiocytes , Islands , Muscle, Smooth , Myofibroblasts , Neoplasm MetastasisABSTRACT
Diseases associated with immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody include linear IgA dermatosis, IgA nephropathy, Celiac disease, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, etc. Although usually idiopathic, IgA antibody is occasionally induced by drugs (e.g., vancomycin, carbamazepine, ceftriaxone, and cyclosporine), malignancies, infections, and other causes. So far, only a few cases of IgA bullous dermatosis coexisting with IgA nephropathy have been reported. A 64-year-old female receiving intravenous ceftriaxone and metronidazole for liver abscess had purpuric macules and papules on her extremities. One week later, she had generalized edema and skin rash with bullae and was diagnosed with concurrent linear IgA dermatosis and IgA nephropathy. After steroid treatment, the skin lesion subsided within two weeks, and kidney function slowly returned to normal. As both diseases occurred after a common possible cause, we predict their pathogeneses are associated.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Carbamazepine , Ceftriaxone , Celiac Disease , Drug Eruptions , Edema , Exanthema , Extremities , Glomerulonephritis , Glomerulonephritis, IGA , Immunoglobulin A , Kidney , Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis , Liver Abscess , Metronidazole , IgA Vasculitis , Skin , Skin Diseases , VancomycinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Triple advancement flap has been recently introduced to close the skin defect after Mohs microscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical advantage of the modified triple advancement flap compared with rhomboid excision and closure. METHODS: The modified triple advancement flap was performed on nine patients with skin cancer. We observed the clinical course after surgery and compared the scar length and the amount of removed normal skin in triple advancement flap with those in rhomboid excision and primary closure, by using an image-analyzing program. RESULTS: The overall cosmetic and functional result was good. Partial flap necrosis was detected in one of nine patients, and hypertrophic scar developed in one of nine patients. The average scar length from the modified triple advancement flap was 102.1 mm, whereas it was 95.0 and 111.0 mm in 1:3 and 1:3.5 rhomboid excision with closure. The amount of removed skin was 716.3 mm2 in modified triple advancement flap, whereas it was 794.0 mm2 (1:3) and 1116.9 mm2 (1:3.5) in rhomboid excision with closure. CONCLUSION: The triple advancement flap might be used to close a defect in the area of trifurcation or bifurcation of skin tension lines, to spare the normal surrounding tissue as much as possible.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cicatrix , Cicatrix, Hypertrophic , Necrosis , Skin Neoplasms , SkinABSTRACT
No abstract available.