Therapeutic Effect of Pericytes for Diabetic Wound Healing.

Objective: Numerous attempts have been made to devise treatments for ischemic foot ulcer (IFU), which is one of the most severe and fatal consequences of diabetes mellitus (DM). Pericytes, which are perivascular multipotent cells, are of interest as a treatment option for IFU because they play a critical role in forming and repairing various tissues. In this study, we want to clarify the angiogenic potential of pericytes in DM-induced wounds. Methods: We evaluated pericyte stimulation capability for tube formation, angiogenesis, and wound healing (cell migration) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with in-vivo and in-vitro models of high glucose conditions. Results: When HUVECs were co-cultured with pericytes, their tube-forming capacity and cell migration were enhanced. Our diabetic mouse model showed that pericytes promote wound healing via increased vascularization. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that pericytes may enhance wound healing in high glucose conditions, consequently making pericyte transplantation suitable for treating IFUs.

Epidemiology of pediatric fractures before versus during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Several studies have reported changes in the prevalence of childhood fractures between the prepandemic and coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic periods considering the overall decrease in activity during the latter. This review aimed to organize and summarize the global trends in pediatric fracture incidence. Our findings should help predict fracture patterns in the postpandemic period by identifying changes in the past and present, thus aiding patient management.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Micractinium singularis MM0003 (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae).

The mitochondrial genome of Micractinium singularis MM0003 was completely sequenced. This mitogenome has 75,931 bp in length and consists of 62 genes including 32 protein-coding, 3 rRNA, and 27 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 27.5%.

Complete chloroplast genome of Micractinium singularis MM0003 (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae).

The chloroplast genome of Micractinium singularis MM0003 was completely sequenced. This plastome has 139,597 bp in length and consists of 106 genes including 77 protein-coding, 3 rRNA, and 26 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 34.0%.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Micractinium pusillum CCAP 231/1 (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae).

The mitochondrial genome of Micractinium pusillum CCAP 231/1 was completely sequenced. This mitogenome has 70,061 bp in length and consists of 62 genes including 32 protein-coding, 3 rRNA, and 27 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 31.3%.

Complete chloroplast of Micractinium pusillum CCAP 231/1 (chlorellaceae, trebouxiophyceae).

The chloroplast genome of Micractinium pusillum CCAP 231/1 was completely sequenced. This chloroplast genome has 115,638 bp in length and consists of 111 genes including 81 protein-coding, 4 rRNA, and 26 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 35.3%.

Plastid genome analysis of three Nemaliophycidae red algal species suggests environmental adaptation for iron limited habitats.

The red algal subclass Nemaliophycidae includes both marine and freshwater taxa that contribute to more than half of the freshwater species in Rhodophyta. Given that these taxa inhabit diverse habitats, the Nemaliophycidae is a suitable model for studying environmental adaptation. For this purpose, we characterized plastid genomes of two freshwater species, Kumanoa americana (Batrachospermales) and Thorea hispida (Thoreales), and one marine species Palmaria palmata (Palmariales). Comparative genome analysis identified seven genes (ycf34, ycf35, ycf37, ycf46, ycf91, grx, and pbsA) that were different among marine and freshwater species. Among currently available red algal plastid genomes (127), four genes (pbsA, ycf34, ycf35, ycf37) were retained in most of the marine species. Among these, the pbsA gene, known for encoding heme oxygenase, had two additional copies (HMOX1 and HMOX2) that were newly discovered and were reported from previously red algal nuclear genomes. Each type of heme oxygenase had a different evolutionary history and special modifications (e.g., plastid targeting signal peptide). Based on this observation, we suggest that the plastid-encoded pbsA contributes to the iron controlling system in iron-deprived conditions. Thus, we highlight that this functional requirement may have prevented gene loss during the long evolutionary history of red algal plastid genomes.

Analysis of the Draft Genome of the Red Seaweed Gracilariopsis chorda Provides Insights into Genome Size Evolution in Rhodophyta.

Red algae (Rhodophyta) underwent two phases of large-scale genome reduction during their early evolution. The red seaweeds did not attain genome sizes or gene inventories typical of other multicellular eukaryotes. We generated a high-quality 92.1 Mb draft genome assembly from the red seaweed Gracilariopsis chorda, including methylation and small (s)RNA data. We analyzed these and other Archaeplastida genomes to address three questions: 1) What is the role of repeats and transposable elements (TEs) in explaining Rhodophyta genome size variation, 2) what is the history of genome duplication and gene family expansion/reduction in these taxa, and 3) is there evidence for TE suppression in red algae? We find that the number of predicted genes in red algae is relatively small (4,803-13,125 genes), particularly when compared with land plants, with no evidence of polyploidization. Genome size variation is primarily explained by TE expansion with the red seaweeds having the largest genomes. Long terminal repeat elements and DNA repeats are the major contributors to genome size growth. About 8.3% of the G. chorda genome undergoes cytosine methylation among gene bodies, promoters, and TEs, and 71.5% of TEs contain methylated-DNA with 57% of these regions associated with sRNAs. These latter results suggest a role for TE-associated sRNAs in RNA-dependent DNA methylation to facilitate silencing. We postulate that the evolution of genome size in red algae is the result of the combined action of TE spread and the concomitant emergence of its epigenetic suppression, together with other important factors such as changes in population size.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Sargassum yezoense (Sargassaceae, Phaeophyceae).

The mitochondrial genome of Sargassum yezoense (Yamada) Yoshida & T. Konno from Uljin, Korea was completely sequenced. This mitochondrial genome has 34,787 bp in length and consists of 65 genes including 37 protein-coding, three rRNA, and 25 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 36.5%.

Quality comparison of umbilical cord blood cryopreserved with conventional versus automated systems.

Umbilical cord blood (CB) banks usually freeze and store CB for clinical transplantation using conventional controlled-rate freezer or the automated BioArchive system. The aim of this study is to compare the quality of CB cryopreserved with conventional and automated methods and to make clear the cause of the quality difference between the two methods. The experiment used 80 CB units: 40 were conventionally cryopreserved and the remainder were cryopreserved with a BioArchive. After thawing, the following measures of CB quality were compared: recovery rates of cell count, cell viability of total nucleated cells (TNCs), mononuclear cells (MNCs), and CD34+ cells, as well as colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) content. Additionally, processing and storage records were reviewed to quantify the number of exposures of CB units at room temperature (transient warming event, TWE), which was analyzed in relation to CB quality. MNC and CD34+ cell viability were as follows: MNC, 78.2% ± 6.8% (conventional), 81.7% ± 7.2% (automated); CD34+ cell, 90.6% ± 6.9% (conventional), 94.7% ± 3.5% (automated). The absolute CFU-GM content per CB unit was 7.1 × 105 ± 5.9 × 105 with conventional cryopreservation and 12.3 × 105 ± 12.0 × 105 with automated cryopreservation. CBs cryopreserved with BioArchive showed significantly higher MNC and CD34+ cell viability, and CFU-GM content than those conventionally cryopreserved. The CB quality comparison depending on the amount of TWEs showed no significant quality difference between groups that were more exposed to TWEs and groups that were less exposed. CBs cryopreserved with BioArchive were of higher quality than conventionally cryopreserved CBs, and the cause of quality difference might be due to the difference of freezing conditions rather than the TWE effect.

Effects of observation of hand movements reflected in a mirror on cortical activation in patients with stroke.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine what changes occur in brain waves when patients with stroke receive mirror therapy intervention. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 14 patients with stroke (6 females and 8 males). The subjects were assessed by measuring the alpha and beta waves of the EEG (QEEG-32 system CANS 3000). The mirror therapy intervention was delivered over the course of four weeks (a total of 20 sessions). [Results] Relative alpha power showed statistically significant differences in the F3, F4, O1, and O2 channels in the situation comparison and higher for hand observation than for mirror observation. Relative beta power showed statistically significant differences in the F3, F4, C3, and C4 channels. [Conclusion] This study analyzed activity of the brain in each area when patients with stroke observed movements reflected in a mirror, and future research on diverse tasks and stimuli to heighten activity of the brain should be carried out.

The correlation between proprioception and handwriting legibility in children.

[Purpose] This study investigated the association between proprioception, including joint position sense and kinetic sense, and handwriting legibility in healthy children. [Subjects and Methods] Assessment of joint position sense, kinetic sense, and handwriting legibility was conducted for 19 healthy children. Joint position sense was assessed by asking the children to flex their right elbow between 30° to 110° while blindfolded. The range of elbow movement was analyzed with Compact Measuring System 10 for 3D motion Analysis. Kinetic sense was assessed using the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. The children were directed to write 30 words from the Korean alphabet, and the legibility of their handwriting was scored for form, alignment, space, size, and shape. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0. [Results] There was significant negative correlation between handwriting legibility and Kinetic sense. A significant correlation between handwriting legibility and Joint position sense was not found. [Conclusion] This study showed that a higher Kinetic sense was associated with better legibility of handwriting. Further work is needed to determine the association of handwriting legibility and speed with Joint position sense of the elbow, wrist, and fingers.

Reconstructing the complex evolutionary history of mobile plasmids in red algal genomes.

The integration of foreign DNA into algal and plant plastid genomes is a rare event, with only a few known examples of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Plasmids, which are well-studied drivers of HGT in prokaryotes, have been reported previously in red algae (Rhodophyta). However, the distribution of these mobile DNA elements and their sites of integration into the plastid (ptDNA), mitochondrial (mtDNA), and nuclear genomes of Rhodophyta remain unknown. Here we reconstructed the complex evolutionary history of plasmid-derived DNAs in red algae. Comparative analysis of 21 rhodophyte ptDNAs, including new genome data for 5 species, turned up 22 plasmid-derived open reading frames (ORFs) that showed syntenic and copy number variation among species, but were conserved within different individuals in three lineages. Several plasmid-derived homologs were found not only in ptDNA but also in mtDNA and in the nuclear genome of green plants, stramenopiles, and rhizarians. Phylogenetic and plasmid-derived ORF analyses showed that the majority of plasmid DNAs originated within red algae, whereas others were derived from cyanobacteria, other bacteria, and viruses. Our results elucidate the evolution of plasmid DNAs in red algae and suggest that they spread as parasitic genetic elements. This hypothesis is consistent with their sporadic distribution within Rhodophyta.

Immediate effects of Kinesio Taping on the movement of the hyoid bone and epiglottis during swallowing by stroke patients with dysphagia.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the swallowing function of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups; an experimental group which received KT, and a control group which received no taping intervention. Two-dimensional kinematic analysis was used to determine the displacement of the hyoid bone and the angular variation of the epiglottis using human anatomy-based coordinates. The functional dysphagia scale (FDS) was determined by a videofluoroscopic study (VFSS). [Results] The experimental group presented statistically significant improvements in kinematic changes of the vertical excursion of the hyoid bone and epiglottal rotation. [Conclusion] Clinical use of KT for dysphagia patients should be considered as a treatment approach. In future research, more subjects and more diverse patterns should be studied to accumulate further evidence.

Highly Conserved Mitochondrial Genomes among Multicellular Red Algae of the Florideophyceae.

Two red algal classes, the Florideophyceae (approximately 7,100 spp.) and Bangiophyceae (approximately 193 spp.), comprise 98% of red algal diversity in marine and freshwater habitats. These two classes form well-supported monophyletic groups in most phylogenetic analyses. Nonetheless, the interordinal relationships remain largely unresolved, in particular in the largest subclass Rhodymeniophycidae that includes 70% of all species. To elucidate red algal phylogenetic relationships and study organelle evolution, we determined the sequence of 11 mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) from 5 florideophycean subclasses. These mtDNAs were combined with existing data, resulting in a database of 25 florideophytes and 12 bangiophytes (including cyanidiophycean species). A concatenated alignment of mt proteins was used to resolve ordinal relationships in the Rhodymeniophycidae. Red algal mtDNA genome comparisons showed 47 instances of gene rearrangement including 12 that distinguish Bangiophyceae from Hildenbrandiophycidae, and 5 that distinguish Hildenbrandiophycidae from Nemaliophycidae. These organelle data support a rapid radiation and surprisingly high conservation of mtDNA gene syntheny among the morphologically divergent multicellular lineages of Rhodymeniophycidae. In contrast, we find extensive mitochondrial gene rearrangements when comparing Bangiophyceae and Florideophyceae and multiple examples of gene loss among the different red algal lineages.

The effect of mirror therapy on upper-extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mirror therapy on upper-extremity function and activities of daily living in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen subjects were each assigned to a mirror therapy group and a sham therapy group. The Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Assessment and the Box and Block Test were performed to compare paretic upper-extremity function and hand coordination abilities. The functional independence measurement was conducted to compare abilities to perform activities of daily living. [Results] Paretic upper-extremity function and hand coordination abilities were significantly different between the mirror therapy and sham therapy groups. Intervention in the mirror therapy group was more effective than in the sham therapy group for improving the ability to perform activities of daily living. Self-care showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. [Conclusion] Mirror therapy is effective in improving paretic upper-extremity function and activities of daily living in chronic stroke patients.

The effects of mirror therapy with tasks on upper extremity function and self-care in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mirror therapy with tasks on upper extremity unction and self-care in stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). [Methods] Subjects in the experimental group received mirror therapy with tasks, and those in the control group received a sham therapy; both therapies were administered, five times per week for six weeks. The main outcome measures were the Manual Function Test for the paralyzed upper limb and the Functional Independence Measure for self-care performance. [Results] The experimental group had more significant gains in change scores compared with the control group after the intervention. [Conclusion] We consider mirror therapy with tasks to be an effective form of intervention for upper extremity function and self-care in stroke patients.

Assessment of cell viability, early apoptosis, and hematopoietic potential in umbilical cord blood units after storage.

BACKGROUND: Successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using stored umbilical cord blood (CB) largely depends on cell dose and quality of CB units. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of early apoptosis, in addition to cell viability and hematopoietic potential, in umbilical CB units after storage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty CB units that had been cryopreserved for up to 8 years in a single public CB bank were investigated. After the CB units were thawed, cell viability and early apoptosis of total nucleated cells (TNCs), mononuclear cells (MNCs), and CD34+ cells were determined using flow cytometric method based on 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) and annexin V staining. Next, clonogenic assays to predict graft potency were performed. RESULTS: Postthawing cell viability values determined by 7-AAD were as follows: TNCs, 78.8% ± 5.8%; MNCs, 88.4% ± 5.8%; and CD34+ cells, 94.1% ± 3.2%. Cell viability values using 7-AAD and annexin V dual staining were as follows: TNCs, 71.2% ± 11.3%; MNCs, 83.1% ± 7.0%; and CD34+ cells, 88.8% ± 6.0%. Early apoptotic cells (7-AAD-negative and annexin V-positive cells) in TNCs, MNCs, and CD34+ cells were 6.4% ± 3.5%, 5.4% ± 3.1%, and 5.3% ± 4.1%, respectively. The corrected colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage content per 100 CD34+ cells was 67.5 ± 48.7. CONCLUSIONS: Postthawing cell viability determined by flow cytometric methods was in the following order: TNCs < MNCs < CD34+ cells. CD34+ cell viability was nearly identical to that of fresh CB 48 hours after collection. Necrosis or apoptosis in cryopreserved CB units did not accelerate during storage.

Effects of spiral taping applied to the neck and ankle on the body balance index.

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the changes in the body balance index when spiral taping is applied to the neck and ankle. The findings are expected to serve as evidence of the usefulness of taping the neck instead of the ankle when ankle taping is not feasible in clinical practice. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy male students at A university were enrolled in this study. Balance measurements were made under three conditions: no intervention, ankle intervention and neck intervention. Static balance was measured with subjects' eyes open and closed, and dynamic balance was measured with subjects' eyes closed. [Results] There were significant differences in dynamic balance assessed by the Overall Balance Index (OBI), and the Anteroposterior Balance Index (ABI) with subjects' eyes open when ankle or neck taping was applied compared to no intervention. The static balance (OBI) of subjects with eyes open showed significant differences from the no intervention condition in both the ankle and neck intervention. The static balance (OBI) with subjects' eyes closed also showed significant differences in both the ankle and neck interventions compared to the no intervention condition. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that neck taping stimulates the somatic senses around the neck and increase proprioception, resulting in balance improvement similar to that elicited by ankle taping. Further studies with larger sample sizes various experimental conditions should be performed to more systematically and objectively elucidate the effects of neck taping.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a rhodolith, Sporolithon durum (Sporolithales, Rhodophyta).

We present the first mitochondrial genome of the nongeniculate coralline red alga, Sporolithon durum (Sporolithales). The genome consists of 45 genes, including 24 protein-coding, 2 rRNA and 19 tRNA genes in a circular molecule of 26,202 bp with overall 28.4% GC content.