OBJECTIVES: Due to the genetic feature of high diversity than other DNA markers, short tandem repeat (STR) plays key roles in forensic, anthropology, and population genetics. Newly introduced multiple STR kit is more valuable because of the greatly improved discriminatory power with the increase in the number of STR loci. The genetic polymorphic data are essential for the application and research in specific population. This study aims to investigate the genetic polymorphism of Han population residing in Yuncheng district, Shanxi Province, to evaluate the application of 23 STR loci in forensic personal identification and paternity test, and to explore the genetic relationship of Han population between Yuncheng and other populations. METHODS: A total of 23 STR loci were amplified from 525 healthy unrelated individuals from the Han nationality in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province using the AGCU EX25 amplification kit. The products were detected and separated by ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer. Alleles were genotyped by GeneMapper ID (Version 3.2) software, and corresponding frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated. We calculated the genetic distance and plotted the neighboring-joining tree with other 13 population. RESULTS: The allele frequency of the 23 STRs ranged from 0.0010 to 0.5090. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ( CONCLUSIONS These 23 STRs are highly genetic polymorphic and informative in the Han population of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, which can provide basic data for forensic personal identification, paternity testing, and population genetic research.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics* ; China ; Ethnic Groups/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Loci ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Animals ; Continental Population Groups ; Diet ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Sex Characteristics

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, characterized by a complex pathophysiology and a variety of clinical phenotypes. However, heterogeneous clinical phenotypes are generally not considered in treating AD. To date, phenotypes and endotypes have been proposed to classify AD mainly based on differences in age, IgE, severity, race, skin barrier dysfunction, immune (Th2/Th17/Th22) polarization, and skin microbiome. Various biologics to target polarized immune pathways, including dupilumab, have been newly developed for the personalized treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. Further understanding of AD pathophysiology and identification of novel biomarkers will not only allow clinically useful stratification of AD and but also achieve precision medicine for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Biological Products ; Biomarkers ; Continental Population Groups ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Microbiota ; Phenotype ; Precision Medicine ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Racing thought, when patients incessantly shift from one word or sentence to another while pending previous ones unfinished, is a symptom of (hypo)mania in bipolar disorders received less attention hitherto. Here, based on few evidence, we aim to unfold our hypothetical viewpoint that the frontopolar cortex that is believed to play a part in multitasking and management of competing goals might be dysfunctional in bipolar patients and may contribute in induction of flight of ideas. We then address new avenues for future research and try to encourage researchers to design more comprehensive studies to either accept or decline this proposed conjecture.
Bipolar Disorder ; Continental Population Groups ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PURPOSE: Glioblastoma (GBM) carries a high propensity for in-field failure despite trimodality management. Past studies have failed to show outcome improvements with dose-escalation. Herein, we examined trends and outcomes associated with dose-escalation for GBM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for GBM patients who underwent surgical resection and external-beam radiation with chemotherapy. Patients were excluded if doses were less than 59.4 Gy; dose-escalation referred to doses ≥66 Gy. Odds ratios identified predictors of dose-escalation. Univariable and multivariable Cox regressions determined potential predictors of overall survival (OS). Propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis better accounted for indication biases. RESULTS: Of 33,991 patients, 1,223 patients received dose-escalation. Median dose in the escalation group was 70 Gy (range, 66 to 89.4 Gy). The use of dose-escalation decreased from 8% in 2004 to 2% in 2014. Predictors of escalated dose were African American race, lower comorbidity score, treatment at community centers, decreased income, and more remote treatment year. Median OS was 16.2 months and 15.8 months for the standard and dose-escalated cohorts, respectively (p = 0.35). On multivariable analysis, age >60 years, higher comorbidity score, treatment at community centers, decreased education, lower income, government insurance, Caucasian race, male gender, and more remote year of treatment predicted for worse OS. On propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis, age >60 years, distance from center >12 miles, decreased education, government insurance, and male gender predicted for worse outcome. CONCLUSION: Dose-escalated radiotherapy for GBM has decreased over time across the United States, in concordance with guidelines and the available evidence. Similarly, this large study did not discern survival improvements with dose-escalation.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Continental Population Groups ; Drug Therapy ; Education ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Glioblastoma ; Humans ; Insurance ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Radiotherapy ; United States

This case report describes a technique in which endodontic treatment and permanent indirect restoration were completed in the same clinical appointment with the aid of a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. Two patients were diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis of the mandibular first molar. After access preparation, root canals were located, irrigation was performed until bleeding ceased, and the coronal tooth structure was prepared for indirect restoration. Then, utilizing an interim 3-mm build-up of the endodontic access cavity, a hemi-arch digital scan was performed with an intraoral scanner. Subsequent to digital scanning, restoration design was performed simultaneously with the endodontic procedure. The root canals were shaped using the Race system under irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite followed by root canal filling. The pulp chamber was subsequently filled with a 3-mm-thick composite resin restoration mimicking the interim build-up previously utilized to facilitate block milling in the CAD/CAM system. Clinical try-in of the permanent onlay restoration was followed by acid etching, application of a 5th generation adhesive, and cementation of the indirect restoration. Once the restoration was cemented, rubber dam isolation was removed, followed by occlusal adjustment and polishing. After 2 years of follow-up, the restorations were esthetically and functionally satisfactory, without complications.
Adhesives ; Cementation ; Computer-Aided Design ; Continental Population Groups ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Endodontics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inlays ; Molar ; Occlusal Adjustment ; Pulpitis ; Rubber Dams ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: To compare the flexural cyclic fatigue resistance and the length of the fractured segments (FLs) of recently introduced M-Pro rotary files with that of RaCe rotary files in curved canals and to evaluate the fracture surface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six endodontic files with the same tip size and taper (size 25, 0.06 taper) were used. The samples were classified into 2 groups (n = 18): the M-Pro group (M-Pro IMD) and the RaCe group (FKG). A custom-made simulated canal model was fabricated to evaluate the total number of cycles to failure and the FL. SEM was used to examine the fracture surfaces of the fragmented segments. The data were statistically analyzed and comparisons between the 2 groups for normally distributed numerical variables were carried out using the independent Student's t-test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The M-Pro group showed significantly higher resistance to flexural cyclic fatigue than the RaCe group (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the FLs between the 2 groups (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thermal treatment of nickel-titanium instruments can improve the flexural cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary endodontic files, and the M-Pro rotary system seems to be a promising rotary endodontic file.
Continental Population Groups ; Fatigue ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

The Korean clinical practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was originally enacted in 2004 by the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA)-National Cancer Center (NCC) Korea in order to provide medical practitioners with specific medical information regarding HCC to help them facilitate their understanding of the disease and treatment of the patients. KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of HCC have been revised entirely two times in 2009, and 2014. Although several major international liver association have established and revised clinical practice guidelines, since the medical environment in each country is somewhat different depending on race, region, institution, and economic conditions, it is necessary to revise the Korean guidelines to that reflect our medical environments and own research results. In this review, major change and its background will be summarized about 2018 updated clinical practice guidelines for the management of HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Continental Population Groups ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver

The clinical practice guideline for the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was originally enacted in 2004 by the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver in order to provide medical practitioners with specific medical information regarding CHB to help them facilitate their understanding of the disease and treatment of the infected patients. Other than an update on the treatment of antiviral resistance in 2014, which is a partial revision, the guidelines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B have been revised entirely three times in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Although several major international liver association have established and revised clinical practice guidelines, since the medical environment in each country is somewhat different depending on race, region, institution, and economic conditions, it is necessary to revise the Korean guidelines to that reflect our medical environment and own research results. In this review, major change and its background will be summarized about 2018 updated clinical practice guidelines for the management of CHB.
Continental Population Groups ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Liver

The creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation can be calculated according to race, sex, and creatinine concentration (subgroup equation) or in the form expressed by one equation (single equation). Minor differences in the constants used in the CKD-EPI equations (subgroup vs single equations) could result in a significant difference in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We evaluated the impact of this difference in 79,709 Korean patients. The eGFR was calculated as an integer using the single and subgroup CKD-EPI equations. The differences in eGFR and GFR categories between the equations were analyzed. eGFR was higher in the subgroup equation than the single equation by 1 mL/min/1.73 m² for 12,476 (27.4%) Korean females. The GFR category based on the subgroup equation was reclassified using the single equation for 352 (0.77%) females. Based on the results, the constant of the single equation was optimized. There was no difference in eGFR values between equations using a multiplier of 1.0213 instead of 1.018 for the “white or other” females constant in the single CKD-EPI equation. Clinicians should carefully apply the CKD-EPI equation because eGFR values may differ by 1 mL/min/1.73 m² depending on the manner of calculation. To minimize these differences, the constants of the single equation should be revised.
Continental Population Groups ; Cooperative Behavior ; Creatinine ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic