DNA Modifications and Neurological Disorders

Mounting evidence has recently underscored the importance of DNA methylation in normal brain functions. DNA methylation machineries are responsible for dynamic regulation of methylation patterns in discrete brain regions. In addition to methylation of cytosines in genomic DNA (5-methylcytosine; 5mC), other forms of modified cytosines, such as 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine, can potentially act as epigenetic marks that regulate gene expression. Importantly, epigenetic modifications require cognate binding proteins to read and translate information into gene expression regulation. Abnormal or incorrect interpretation of DNA methylation patterns can cause devastating consequences, including mental illnesses and neurological disorders. Although DNA methylation was generally considered to be a stable epigenetic mark in post-mitotic cells, recent studies have revealed dynamic DNA modifications in neurons. Such reversibility of 5mC sheds light on potential mechanisms underlying some neurological disorders and suggests a new route to correct aberrant methylation patterns associated with these disorders.     

Dose — response relationship between noise exposure and the risk of occupational injury

Many workers worldwide experience fatality and disability caused by occupational injuries. This study examined the relationship between noise exposure and occupational injuries at factories in Korea. A total of 1790 factories located in northern Gyeonggi Province, Korea was evaluated. The time-weighted average levels of dust and noise exposure were taken from Workplace Exposure Assessment data. Apart occupational injuries, sports events, traffic accidents, and other accidents occurring outside workplaces were excluded. The incidences of occupational injury in each factory were calculated by data from the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Services. Workplaces were classified according to the incidence of any occupational injuries (incident or nonincident workplaces, respectively). Workplace dust exposure was classified as <1 or ≥1 mg/m³, and noise exposure as <80, 80-89, or >90 dB. Workplaces with high noise exposure were significantly associated with being incident workplaces, whereas workplaces with high dust exposure were not. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) derived from a logistic regression model were 1.68 (1.27-2.24) and 3.42 (2.26-5.17) at 80-89 dB and ≥90 dB versus <80 dB. These associations remained significant when in a separate analysis according to high or low dust exposure level. Noise exposure increases the risk of occupational injury in the workplace. Furthermore, the risk of occupational injury increases with noise exposure level in a dose-response relationship. Therefore, strategies for reducing noise exposure level are required to decrease the risk of occupational injury.     

Changes in Energy Intake and Diet Quality during an 18-Month Weight-Management Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Background

Previous research indicates that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are at risk for poor diet quality.

Allergic Diseases and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Korean Adults

Purpose

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a clinical syndrome representing multi-organ and psychological symptoms caused by chronic exposure to various chemicals in low concentrations. We evaluated the prevalence and related factors of MCS targeting Korean adults using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©).

Methods

A total of 446 participants were recruited from Severance Hospital. Participants underwent a questionnaire interview including questions on sociodemographic factors, occupational and environmental factors, allergic diseases, and the QEESI©. Among them, 379 participants completed the questionnaire and the QEESI©. According to the QEESI© interpretation results, participants were divided into very suggestive (VS) group and less suggestive (LS) group.

Results

The estimated prevalence of MCS was higher in allergic patients than non-allergic participants (19.7% and 11.3%, respectively, P=0.04). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ages of 30-39 (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.25-6.95) and those of 40-49 (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.02-6.21) were significantly related to MCS compared to those aged less than 30 years. Female sex (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.11-4.18), experience of dwelling in a new house (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.04-4.03), and atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04-3.69) were also significantly related to MCS. However, only age of 30-39 in the allergic group was significant in the stratified analysis.

Conclusions

The estimated prevalence of MCS was higher among allergic patients than non-allergic participants. People with experience of dwelling in a new house and atopic dermatitis were more at risk of being intolerant to chemicals. Further studies to provide the nationally representative prevalence data and clarify risk factors and mechanisms of MCS are required.     

A Case of Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Although idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome(IHES) commonly involves the lung, it is rarely associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here we describe a case of IHES presented in conjunction with ARDS. A 37-year-old male visited the emergency department at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, with a chief complaint of dyspnea. Blood tests showed profound peripheral eosinophilia and thrombocytopenia. Patchy areas of consolidation with ground-glass opacity were noticed in both lower lung zones on chest radiography. Rapid progression of dyspnea and hypoxia despite supplement of oxygen necessitated the use of mechanical ventilation. Eosinophilic airway inflammation was subsequently confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage, leading to a diagnosis of IHES. High-dose corticosteroids were administered, resulting in a dramatic clinical response.     

Integrated Machine Vision System for Evaluating Hole Expansion Ratio of Advanced High-Strength Steels

In this paper, we propose a new method to estimate the hole expansion ratio (HER) using an integrated analysis system. To precisely measure the HER, three kinds of analysis methods (computer vision, punch load, and acoustic emission) were utilized to detect edge cracks during a hole expansion test. Cracks can be recognized by employing both computer vision and a punch load analysis system to determine the moment of crack initiation. However, the acoustic emission analysis system has difficulty detecting the instant of crack appearance since the magnitude of the audio signal is drowned out by noise from the press, which interrupts the differentiation of crack configuration. To enhance the accuracy for determining the HER, an integrated analysis system that combines computer vision with punch load analysis, and improves on the shortcomings of each analysis system, is newly suggested.     

Evaluation of the performance of KOMPSAT-3 stereo images in terms of positioning and the generation of digital surface models

KOMPSAT-3 is an optical high-resolution earth observation satellite launched on 19 May 2012. It provides panchromatic optical images at a nominal ground sampling distance (GSD) of 70 cm. This letter provides geometric accuracy evaluation of KOMPSAT-3 stereo images, including position determination and automated digital surface model (DSM) generation. Bias-compensated KOMPSAT-3 stereo achieved positioning accuracy of 0.65 m and 0.70 m in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. Bias-compensated KOMPSAT-3 images were utilized for automated DSM generation. A DSM showed height errors of about 3.8 m (RMS) when all grids were compared with reference LIDAR data. Geometric performance of KOMPSAT-3 images was also compared with that of WorldView-1 images whose nominal GSD is 46 cm, over the same test area. The positioning accuracy and the accuracy of DSM generation from KOMPSAT-3 were slightly inferior to those of WorldView-1. However, overall performance of the two satellite images was comparable, when the difference of GSD is taken into account.