Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. Strain KICET-1, Isolated from Soybean Paste (Doenjang).

Bacillus sp. strain KICET-1, a bacterium isolated from traditional Korean soybean paste (Doenjang) at Osong, has one 4,099,652-bp DNA chromosome. The G+C content is 46.1%, and KICET-1 shares 99.64% similarity with Bacillus velezensis CR-502T (AY603658), according to phylogenetic classification based on 16S rRNA gene sequences.

A life where concealment and exposure coexist-The antiretroviral therapy adherence of people living with HIV infection: A phenomenological study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to identify the nature and structure of the real world experiences of people living with HIV infection and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). DESIGN: Giorgi's phenomenological method was applied. METHODS: Data collection was conducted from 1 November 2016-1 September 2017. A total of six participants participated in the study. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was used to report this study. RESULTS: The findings show that the structure of the experience of people living with HIV and adhering to ART is composed of six essential common constituents: (a) ART adherence has become a prerequisite for a normal life; (b) Endless adjustments responding to a sensitive body; (c) Dosing Time becomes the framework of the day; (d) Dosing time needing to coincide with the availability of confidential dosing space; (e) Classification of Relationships-those who know of my taking antiretroviral drugs and those who do not; and (f) Recognition of the multiple relationships affecting ART. CONCLUSION: Adhering to ART is experienced by people infected with HIV not only as a process they want to hide, but also a critical lifeline that stabilizes their lives. That is, their day-to-day living is split into a double life reflecting their coexisting need for concealment and exposure. IMPACT: Although much existing literature focuses on the adherence to medication, this study reveals the meaning of ART in the context of viewing the patient as an independent subject. Contrary with what people living with HIV want, they are at risk of external exposure during the process of treatment. This study highlights the need for nurses to communicate with patients about the strategies they need to meet the challenges they face.

Cochlear Glucocorticoid Receptor and Serum Corticosterone Expression in a Rodent Model of Noise-induced Hearing Loss: Comparison of Timing of Dexamethasone Administration.

Glucocorticoid (GC) is a steroid hormone secreted from the adrenal cortex in response to stress, which acts by binding to cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). Dexamethasone (DEX) is a synthetic GC exhibiting immunosuppressive effects in both human and rodent models of hearing loss. While clinical evidence has shown the effectiveness of DEX for treatment of various inner ear diseases, its mechanisms of action and the optimal timing of treatment are not well understood. In the present study, intergroup comparisons were conducted based on the time point of treatment with DEX: (1) pretreatment; (2) posttreatment; and (3) pre&post-noise. The pre&post DEX treatment group showed a significant improvement in threshold shift at 1 day post-noise exposure as compared to the TTS (transient threshold shift)-only group at 8 and 16 kHz. Both TTS and PTS (permanent threshold shift) significantly reduced cochlear GR mRNA expression and increased serum corticosterone and cochlear inflammatory cytokines. The pre&post DEX treatment group showed a significant decrease in serum corticosterone level as compared to other DEX treatment groups and TTS-treated group at 3 days after acoustic trauma. Our results suggest that the timing of DEX administration differentially modulates systemic steroid levels, GR expression and cochlear cytokine expression.

High variability of teicoplanin concentration in patients with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) may alter teicoplanin pharmacokinetics and increase the risk of incorrect dosing. The objective of this prospective observational study was to assess the effect of CVVHDF on the pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin as maintenance therapy. METHODS: Blood, urine, and dialysate samples were collected to measure teicoplanin levels. CVVHDF clearance (CLCVVHDF ), total clearance (CLTOTAL ), and volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated by simplex-linear modeling. The influence of CVVHDF dose on teicoplanin pharmacokinetics was assessed. FINDINGS: Ten samples from eight patients were studied. Creatinine clearance was 3.4 ± 5.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 . Three patients were anuria. The dose for CVVHDF was 32.1 ± 7.0 mL/kg/h. Vd was 1.6 ± 0.7 L/kg. T1/2 was 100.1 ± 42.7 hours. CLTOTAL of teicoplanin was 11.9 ± 5.4 mL/min and CLCVVHDF was 5.8 ± 4.2 mL/min. Contribution of CLCVVHDF to CLTOTAL was 51.2% ± 23.6%. CLCVVHDF of individual teicoplanin varied widely. Large intra-occasion differences were also observed. Dose of CLCVVHDF did not influence overall CLTOTAL , Vd, or half-life. The proportion of CLTOTAL due to CLCVVHDF varied widely. It was high in some cases. DISCUSSION: In patients receiving CVVHDF, there is great variability in teicoplanin pharmacokinetics which complicates empiric approach to dosing, suggesting the need for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Changes in the Contents of Prosapogenin in the Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Depending on Steaming Batches.

This study compared the contents of ginsenosides depending on steaming conditions of red ginsengs to provide basic information for developing functional foods using red ginsengs. The red ginseng steamed eight times at 98℃ ranked atop the amounts of prosapogenins ever detected in red ginsengs (ginsenoside Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rg6, Rh1, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, F1, F4, 1.15%) among red ginsengs steamed more than twice. When steamed eight times at 98℃, 2.7 times as much prosapogenins such as ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rg6, Rh1, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, F1, and F4 as those steamed just once at 98℃ was collected. In addition, the red ginsengs steamed eight times at 98℃ contained more amounting ginsenoside Rg3 (0.28%) than that in the red ginseng steamed several times at random. Accordingly, it is recommendable that red ginsengs steamed 8 times, which proved to be the optimal steaming condition, be used rather than those steamed 9 times (black ginsengs), in order to develop red ginseng products of high prosapogenin concentration and high functions.

Polyneuropathy and cerebral infarction complicating scrub typhus.

We describe a 64-year-old man with scrub typhus who presented with both polyneuropathy and cerebral infarction. A eurological examination revealed a confused mental state, stiff neck, hearing impairment, symmetric weakness, sensory loss, and ataxia. Electrophysiologic studies showed demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy and sensorineural hearing loss. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple infarctions. Brain involvement or polyneuropathy associated with scrub typhus has been rarely reported, and the pathogenic mechanism underlying the multiple neurological complications remains to be elucidated.

Detection of hepatitis B virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Korean dental patients.

This study examined the detection rate of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in serum and saliva samples, respectively, from 120 dental patients who were unaware if they have or had either hepatitis or tuberculosis. The frequencies of HBsAg and anti-HBs were determined using an immunochromatic assay. Mtb positivity was determined by the PCR method. Of the 120 patients, 7 (5.8%) were HBV positive and 30 (25.0%) were Mtb positive. This highlights the fact that dental health care workers (DHCWs) can be exposed to the risk of infection from blood- or saliva-borne pathogens as a consequence of their work. Therefore, it is very important to prevent cross infection between patients and dental personnel. Accordingly, laboratory tests prior to surgical treatment are needed to determine the infectious state of dental patients in order to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases in dental clinics.

Sensitive mother-to-adolescent disclosures after divorce: is the experience of sons different from that of daughters?

This study addressed two main questions: (a) Are adolescent sons and daughters exposed to sensitive maternal disclosures after divorce with similar frequency and in similar detail? and (b) Does gender act as a moderator in the association between maternal disclosures and adolescent adjustment difficulties? Forced-choice and open-ended data were collected from 194 adolescents within 2 years after their parents' divorce. Quantitative analyses revealed that although the majority of adolescents experience some level of maternal disclosure, neither frequency nor detail of maternal disclosure differed as a function of adolescent gender. Frequent and detailed maternal disclosures were associated with adolescent adjustment difficulties, primarily psychological distress. Gender did not moderate that significant association. Qualitative analysis shed light on the link between maternal disclosures and adolescent distress, suggested the importance of how disclosures are made, and revealed several gender differences in reactions to maternal disclosures. Implications of the findings are discussed.