Viral protein 2 (VP2), which is the structural protein of parvovirus, can produce virus-like particles (VLPs) by a self-assembly process in vitro, making VLPs attractive vaccine candidates. VP2 of canine parvovirus (CPV) is responsible for neutralizing antibodies in immunized animals. In this study, VP2 protein of canine parvovirus-2c was expressed using a baculovirus expression system and assembled into parvovirus-like particles in insect cells. The results show that VP2 proteins assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) with antigenic properties similar to those of natural CPV and a high hemagglutination (HA) titer (1:27). The recombinant 6-His-tagged VP2 protein with a molecular mass of about 65 kDa was detected by anti-His antibody and anti-PPV serum. This study provides a foundation for the application of VP2 protein in the clinical diagnosis of CPV and in the vaccination against CPV.

Osteoarthritis is a disorder characterized by a loss of cartilage as common aging-associated disease in humans and animals. However, unlike human clinical trials, investigational studies in pet animals are constrained by a lack of interest and funds. In addition, pet owners would often prefer the lowest cost method to treat arthritis of pet animals. Here, we report the outstanding and inexpensive way to prepare chondrocytes for cartilage repair using rabbit adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study focused on the development and enhancement of pre-chondrogenic condensation under external electric fields even without additional growth factors. We found that highly compact structures were formed within 3 days in micromass cultures of rabbit MSCs under electrical stimulation (ES), showing increased COL2A1 gene expression compared with their control 3D micromass cultures and 2D monolayer cultures. We further found that ES enhanced the production of proteoglycan, a highly produced extracellular matrix component in chondrocytes. Collectively, these results provide the commercial potential of electrical stimulation driving chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells for repair of cartilage, which is a budget-friendly regimen.

Thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry, is being increasingly utilized in cardiac surgery of late. However, it is an indirect test and is not available in all centers. Low fibrinogen levels before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have been described to be associated with postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery. This study explored the usefulness of reduction ratio of the fibrinogen levels before CPB (preCPB) and after CPB (postCPB) in predicting postoperative hemorrhage. A retrospective, observational study of adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB between February 2014 and January 2016 was conducted, which included a total of 264 patients. The fibrinogen levels were measured twice, preCPB and postCPB, and the fibrinogen reduction ratio was acquired [(preCPB − postCPB)/preCPB]. Postoperative blood loss, which was defined as the blood collected from the chest drain for 12 hours following arrival at the intensive care unit, was considered severe if it was more than 1,000 mL. A multivariate analysis showed that fibrinogen reduction ratio, sex, and postCPB platelet count were significantly associated with severe postoperative bleeding. However, the pre- and postCPB fibrinogen levels were not significantly associated with severe bleeding. Furthermore, a fibrinogen reduction ratio of > 41.3% was independently associated with postoperative severe bleeding, with an odds ratio of 3.472 (1.483–8.162). These results suggest that the reduction ratio of pre- and postCPB fibrinogen levels may be utilized in predicting postoperative bleeding.

In this study, thirty-eight lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from Kimchi (Korean traditional fermented food) and screened for probiotic characterization in a series of in vitro tests, including resistance to low pH, tolerance to bile salts, hydrophobicity, antibiotic resistance and antioxidant activity. Firstly, twenty-two strains displayed survival in acid and bile passage conditions. Secondly, the strains KCCP 11349 and KCCP 11356 were observed to have high cell surface hydrophobicity with 63.9 and 98.8 %, respectively. Functionality of these potential probiotic isolates was supported by their antioxidant activity. Altogether, the strain KCCP 11349 showed characteristics similar to or even better than reference strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Finally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted to identify potential probiotic strains and KCCP 11349 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of a web-based cost management competency enhancement program (Web-CMCEP) on nursing students. Medical services are limited and essential for maintenance of human basic life. In order to improve the quality of human life, cost management competency that enable efficient allocation of medical resources are essential. This study adopts a randomized controlled pre/post repeated measure design. The sample comprised 39 nursing students in the web-group and 35 in the textbook-group. Experimental group and control group learned respectively with Web- CMCEP and textbook for 4 weeks. The research variables were measured at 4 times: pre, post, after 4 weeks of intervention, and after 8 weeks of intervention. Data were analyzed using χ2 -test, t-test, paired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Friedman test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Significant differences were found in cost management knowledge. The web-group showed higher cost management knowledge than the text-group. At different measuring points, the Web-CMCEP led to significant increases in the following: cost management knowledge, cost management attitude, cost management behavior, cost management self-efficacy, and entrepreneurship. Based on the findings, we suggested utilizing the Web-CMCEP as a prototype in developing education programs to improve nursing students’ cost management competency and to support nursing start-ups.