Effect of initial carbon sources on the performance of microbial fuel cells containing Proteus vulgaris

Mediator-coupled microbial fuel cells containing Proteus vulgaris were constructed and the cell performance was tested. Fuel cell efficiency depended on the carbon source in the initial medium of the microorganism. Maltose and trehalose were not utilized substantially by P. vulgaris; however, their presence in the initial medium resulted in enhanced cell performance. In particular, galactose showed 63% coulombic efficiency in a biofuel cell after P. vulgaris was cultured in a trehalose-containing medium. This work demonstrates that optimum utilization of carbon sources by microorganisms, which leads to the maximization of fuel cell performance, is possible simply by adjusting initial carbon sources.

RAS transformation causes sustained activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and elevation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in human mammary epithelial cells

Activation of the ras oncogene is an important step in carcinogenesis. Human MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells were transformed with a point-mutated form of the Ha-ras oncogene. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation levels were chronically elevated after EGF induction and the EGFR ligand-driven internalization rate was slower in Ha-ras transformed MCF-10A cells. Additionally, basal levels of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression and enzyme activity were significantly higher in Ha-ras transformed cells, localized predominantly in the nucleus. The anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (MAb) 225 and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD153035 blocked anchorage-independent growth of Ha-ras transformed cells in soft agar and were more effective when used in combination. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 and anti-erbB-2 MAb L26 also suppressed colony formation of Ha-ras transformed cells in soft agar. Therefore, Ha-ras transformation leads to an augmentation in signaling through the EGFR as a result of an increase in ligand-dependent phosphorylation, a decrease in its internalization and an up-regulation in basal p44/42 MAPK levels. These effects may contribute to uncontrolled growth of Ha-ras-transformed human mammary epithelial cells.

Diverse roles of the tumor necrosis factor family member TRANCE in skeletal physiology revealed by TRANCE deficiency and partial rescue by a lymphocyte-expressed TRANCE transgene

Tumor necrosis factor-related, activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE), a tumor necrosis factor family member, mediates survival of dendritic cells in the immune system and is required for osteoclast differentiation and activation in the skeleton. We report the skeletal phenotype of TRANCE-deficient mice and its rescue by the TRANCE transgene specifically expressed in lymphocytes. TRANCE-deficient mice showed severe osteopetrosis, with no osteoclasts, marrow spaces, or tooth eruption, and exhibited profound growth retardation at several skeletal sites, including the limbs, skull, and vertebrae. These mice had marked chondrodysplasia, with thick, irregular growth plates and a relative increase in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Transgenic overexpression of TRANCE in lymphocytes of TRANCE-deficient mice rescued osteoclast development in two locations in growing long bones: excavation of marrow cavities permitting hematopoiesis in the marrow spaces, and remodeling of osteopetrotic woven bone in the shafts of long bones into histologically normal lamellar bone. However, osteoclasts in these mice failed to appear at the chondroosseous junction and the metaphyseal periosteum of long bones, nor were they present in tooth eruption pathways. These defects resulted in sclerotic metaphyses with persistence of club-shaped long bones and unerupted teeth, and the growth plate defects were largely unimproved by the TRANCE transgene. Thus, TRANCE-mediated regulation of the skeleton is complex, and impacts chondrocyte differentiation and osteoclast formation in a manner that likely requires local delivery of TRANCE.

RAS transformation causes sustained activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and elevation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in human mammary epithelial cells

Activation of the ras oncogene is an important step in carcinogenesis. Human MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells were transformed with a point-mutated form of the Ha-ras oncogene. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation levels were chronically elevated after EGF induction and the EGFR ligand-driven internalization rate was slower in Ha-ras transformed MCF-10A cells. Additionally, basal levels of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression and enzyme activity were significantly higher in Ha-ras transformed cells, localized predominantly in the nucleus. The anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (MAb) 225 and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD153035 blocked anchorage-independent growth of Ha-ras transformed cells in soft agar and were more effective when used in combination. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 and anti-erbB-2 MAb L26 also suppressed colony formation of Ha-ras transformed cells in soft agar. Therefore, Ha-ras transformation leads to an augmentation in signaling through the EGFR as a result of an increase in ligand-dependent phosphorylation, a decrease in its internalization and an up-regulation in basal p44/42 MAPK levels. These effects may contribute to uncontrolled growth of Ha-ras-transformed human mammary epithelial cells.

Immunohistochemical localization of telomerase hTERT protein and analysis of clonality in multifocal vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias (VINs) are potentially premalignant lesions of the squamous mucosa. The immunohistochemical distribution of the catalytic protein subunit of telomerase (hTERT) and the patterns of X chromosome inactivation were investigated as markers of neoplasia in samples from a patient with multifocal and diffuse VIN. hTERT nuclear staining in VIN correlated with squamous maturation and the degree of nuclear atypia. Normal mucosa revealed faint nuclear staining of parabasal cells and lower intermediate layer squamous cells. Monoclonal composition was demonstrated in 0 of 3 samples of VIN1, 2 of 3 samples of VIN2, and 13 of 13 samples of VIN3. The patterns of X chromosome inactivation indicated intramucosal extension and multifocal origin of individual lesions. Five samples of histologically normal vulvar squamous epithelium revealed a random pattern of X chromosome inactivation, consistent with polyclonal composition. All 19 samples from 9 lesions contained human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 sequences. Neither mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene or K-ras oncogenes nor loss of heterozygosity at 7 chromosomal loci were detected in any of the 19 samples of VIN. These results demonstrate that HPV-associated VIN may result from multifocal and diffuse 2-dimensional intraepithelial expansion of an immortalized monoclonal cell population.

Long-term effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on intestinal metaplasia in patients with duodenal and benign gastric ulcers

This study was conducted to investigate whether or not the eradication of H. pylori could lead to the regression of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in patients with either duodenal ulcer (DU) or benign gastric ulcer (BGU). The initial antral IM grade was 0.21 in the 72 patients of the H. pylori-eradicated DU group, this decreased to 0.17, 0.14, 0.13, and 0.09 after periods of four weeks, one year, two years, and four years, respectively, but without statistical significance. In the corpus of the DU group, where IM grade was low (0.02), there was no detectable change in IM. The initial antral IM grade of 0.69 in the 41 patients of the H. pylori-eradicated BGU group decreased substantially to 0.61, 0.44, and 0.39 after periods of four weeks and one and two years, respectively, but again without statistical significance. The initial corporal IM grade of the BGU group of 0.27 decreased to 0.20, 0.15, and 0.06 after periods of four weeks and one and two years, again without statistical significance. In contrast, the IM grades of the noneradicated DU group (N = 20) and the BGU group (N = 16) showed nearly no change in the antrum and corpus. Gastritis grades of antrum and corpus in the H. pylori-eradicated DU or BGU group significantly decreased with respect to time (P = 0.0001), but there were no significant changes in the corresponding noneradicated groups. Although there was no statistical significance, IM decreased in the antrum and corpus of the stomach with BGU and in antrum of those with DU over a two to four-year period after H. pylori eradication, suggesting the possible reversibility of IM.

Evaluation of a human bio-engineered skin equivalent for drug permeation studies

PURPOSE

To test the barrier function of a bio-engineered human skin (BHS) using three model drugs (caffeine, hydrocortisone, and tamoxifen) in vitro. To investigate the lipid composition and microscopic structure of the BHS.

METHODS

The human skin substitute was composed of both epidermal and dermal layers, the latter having a bovine collagen matrix. The permeability of the BHS to three model drugs was compared to that obtained in other percutaneous testing models (human cadaver skin, hairless mouse skin, and EpiDerm). Lipid analysis of the BHS was performed by high performance thin layered chromatography. Histological evaluation of the BHS was performed using routine H&E staining.

RESULTS

The BHS mimicked human skin in terms of lipid composition, gross ultrastructure, and the formation of a stratum corneum. However, the permeability of the BHS to caffeine, hydrocortisone, and tamoxifen was 3-4 fold higher than that of human cadaver skin.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the results indicate that the BHS may be an acceptable in vitro model for drug permeability testing.

Characterization and regulation of rat microglial Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel by protein kinases

We measured the activity of the Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel present in cultured rat microglia, using the whole-cell mode of patch clamp technique. When the concentration of divalent cations in external solution was reduced to the micromolar range, and Ca(2+) chelating agent BAPTA was included in the pipette solution, we were able to record Na(+) current through CRAC channels in single-channel levels. The unitary Na(+) conductance through CRAC channel was 42.5 pS, which was similar to that of Jurkat cell. The Na(+) current activated slowly, reaching the maximal current level in about 10 min after whole-cell patches were made. The time required for the half-maximal activation of the current was 205 s (+/-31), while it was reduced to 84.3 s (+/-17.7) by including IP(3) in the pipette solution as well. The peak currents ranged from 320 to 985 pA, which corresponded to 64-197 channels per cell. We studied the regulation of the current by protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC). The current was enhanced by the addition of membrane-permeant analogue of cAMP, dibutyryl cAMP. Pretreating cells with PKA inhibitor, H-89, prevented the effect of dibutyryl cAMP. By contrast, the addition of PKC activator, PDBu, reduced the current. Staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, prevented the effect of PDBu. These results suggest that CRAC channel in rat microglia is under the regulation of PKA and PKC in opposite directions.

Effect of formulation variables on the percutaneous permeation of ketoprofen from gel formulations

The objectives of our study were to evaluate the effect of four terpene enhancers, enhancer lipophilicity, and ethanol concentration using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and two Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) gel formulations on the percutaneous permeation of ketoprofen. All experiments were conducted using hairless mouse skin in vitro. Data recorded over 24 hr was compared with that for control gels (containing no terpene) using Franz diffusion cells. In the three gel formulations, the highest increase in the ketoprofen permeation was observed using limonene followed by nerolidol, fenchone, and thymol. Relationships were established between terpene lipophilicity, enhancement ratios for ketoprofen flux (ERflux), and the cumulative amount of ketoprofen after 24 hr (Q24) from the three gel formulations. However, no correlation was established between terpene lipophilicity and ketoprofen skin content values at 24 hr. Ethanol had a synergistic effect on the enhancing activity of the terpenes. Increasing the concentration of ethanol from 10% to 50% was associated with an increase in the permeation of ketoprofen. For example, use of PF-127 gel control (no terpene was included) containing 10% ethanol resulted in a ketoprofen flux of 19 +/- 2 microg/cm2 h and 481 +/- 131 microg/cm2 for Q24. Furthermore, for PF-127 containing 33% ethanol the flux was 34 +/- 3 microg/cm2 h and Q24 was 1,420 +/- 111 microg/cm2. However, HPC gel control that contained 50% ethanol resulted in a ketoprofen flux of 67 +/- 6 microg/cm2 h and 2,839 +/- 222 microg/cm2 for Q24.

The TATA binding protein, c-Myc and survivin genes are not somatically hypermutated, while Ig and BCL6 genes are hypermutated in human memory B cells

Immunoglobulin (IG:) genes are hypermutated in mature B cells after interaction with antigen and T cells in a germinal center reaction. We and others have recently shown that the human BCL6 gene is also hypermutated in human peripheral blood memory B cells and tonsils. A preliminary analysis of other non-Ig genes (c-MYC:, S14 and AFP) suggested that they were not mutated in memory B cells. We have now performed an in-depth analysis of three non-Ig genes that are expressed in germinal center B cells in two human donors in whom BCL6 is highly mutated. It was found that the TATA binding protein (TBP), c-MYC: and survivin genes are not hypermutated. This lack of targeting by the Ig hypermutation mechanism must be due to the lack of regulatory DNA elements, since the primary sequences of the three tested genes have at least as high intrinsic mutability indices as the BCL6 gene.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of saponin compounds in Bupleurum falcatum

A mixture of saponin compounds (saikosaponin c, a, and d) in the 70% ethanol extract of a powdered sample of Bupleuri radix are analyzed by an Inertsil ODS-3 C(18) column at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength of 203 nm. Well resolved chromatograms of saikosaponin c, a, and d are obtained with a gradient elution of acetonitrile-water from 40:60 (v/v) to 50:50 (v/v). The total time required for a single analysis is approximately 20 min. Calibration curves for saikosaponin c, a, and d are linear up to 2.5 mg/mL. The coefficient of variability values for saikosaponins in the extract are below 4%, and the recoveries for saikosaponin c, a, and d are 95.2 +/- 1.1, 96.5 +/- 0.9, and 96.2 +/- 1.0%, respectively. The changes in saikosaponin contents for a two-year growth of Bupleurum falcatum are measured by the established high-performance liquid chromatography method.

Operational characteristics of an antibody-immobilized QCM system detecting Salmonella spp

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) system detecting Salmonella spp. was developed by an anti-Salmonella antibody immobilization onto one gold surface of a piezoelectric quartz crystal surface with sulfosuccinimidyl 6-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionamido]hexanoate (sulfo-LC-SPDP) thiolation. The optimum temperature and pH for the antibody-immobilized sensor were 35 degrees C and 7.2, respectively. The frequency shifts obtained were correlated with the Salmonella concentrations in the range 3.2 x 10(6)-4.8 x 10(8) CFU per ml. The system was quite specific to Salmonella spp. and applicable for repetitive use after a regeneration step employing 1.2 M NaOH. A model sample measurement was done for a market milk spiked with Salmonella typhimurium.

Multi-valvular endocarditis

OBJECTIVE

Seventy-seven cases of native valve infective endocarditis as determined by the Duke criteria, were reviewed to determine the incidence and clinical features of multi-valvular endocarditis.

METHODS

Fourteen of 77 patients (18%) had multi-valvular endocarditis most commonly involving the mitral and aortic valves. Staphylococcus aureus (43%) and viridans streptococci (36%) were the most common organisms causing multi-valvular endocarditis.

RESULTS

Definite or probable vegetations were found in 50% of the patients by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiograph and/or transesophageal echocardiograph, and possible vegetations were detected in 21%. The overall mortality in our series was 21%; 29% underwent valve replacement and 50% were treated medically. The major complications of multi-valvular endocarditis were congestive heart failure (64%), acute renal failure (50%), embolic events (21%), and splenic abscess/infarcts (21%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests complications of multi-valvular endocarditis, compared with uni-valvular endocarditis are similar except for heart failure. Heart failure is statistically more common in multi-valvular endocarditis (P < or = 0.002).

The frequency of mutation in CCR5 gene among Koreans

To better understand a role of the delta32 allele of the CCR5 gene in HIV-1 transmission and disease progression, we determined the CCR5 genotypes within several groups of Koreans. Amplification of DNA from each subject was achieved with polymerase chain reaction, using the CCR5 specific primer pair, which flanks the 32 bp deletion. The 1.2 kb coding sequences of CCR5 were examined to see the possible effects of CCR5 polymorphism. All of the 339 healthy, HIV-uninfected individuals had no mutation in the CCR5 gene. All of the 115 HIV-1-infected patients including 11 long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and 18 discordant spouses were also wild homozygotes. No variation in the 1.2kb CCR5 coding sequence was found in 5 LTNPs and 5 discordant spouses. In conclusion, the 32 bp deletion mutant is rarely present in Koreans. Our data suggest that factors other than the CCR5 coding sequences may also play a role in the resistance to HIV infection.

Transsphenoidal supradiaphragmatic intradural approach: technical note

Presellar extension of the bone window combined with removal of the sellar floor results in the transsphenoidal supradiaphragmatic intradural approach. One tuberculum sella meningioma and another suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst confined to the pituitary stalk were removed via this approach. The presellar extension of the bone window was performed with the sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal technique. Furthermore, the dissection of the anterior intercavernous sinus, diaphragma sella, and arachnoid trabecula has allowed a wide surgical field of pre- and suprasellar areas and facilitates safe removal of lesions without significant surgical complications in selected cases.

Cripto-1 induces apoptosis in HC-11 mouse mammary epithelial cells

Cripto-1 (CR-1) is an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related protein. CR-1 can inhibit beta-casein and whey acidic protein expression in mouse mammary epithelial cells. The present study demonstrates that CR-1 can induce apoptosis in HC-11 mouse mammary epithelial cells, as measured by bis-benzimide stained nuclei, TUNEL assay and cell death ELISA. Apoptosis could be observed after 2 days of exposure of confluent HC-11 cells to CR-1 in the absence of the survival factors EGF and insulin, with maximum apoptosis occurring at 3 days. A reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression and an increase in beta-catenin cleavage was found after 18 h of exposure to CR-1 suggesting that apoptosis was preceded by the induction of a caspase activity since the caspase inhibitor ZFAD.FMK could block the CR-1-induced reduction in PARP expression and CR-1-induced apoptosis. CR-1 was found to increase the expression of caspase-3-like protease. Although, the levels of p27kip1 and p21Bax did not change after exposure to CR-1 for 18 h, the levels of Bcl-xL became undetectable. These studies suggest that CR-1 promotes apoptosis by mediating the induction of caspase-3-like protease and downregulating the expression of Bcl-xL.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography for the analysis of D-amygdalin and its epimer in apricot kernel

We have developed a simple, rapid and reproducible method for the determination of D-amygdalin and its epimer by using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). Separation of D-amygdalin was performed in a 20 mM sodium borate buffer (pH 8.5) containing 300 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate using a bare fused-silica capillary. The eluates were monitored by the absorbance at 210 nm. The applied electric field was 278 V/cm, and the time needed for the separation of D-amygdalin did not exceed 6 min. The calibration curve for D-amygdalin showed excellent linearity in the concentration range of 5-500 microg/ml. The migration time and the corrected peak area show relative standard deviations (n=6) of 0.86% and 1.48%, respectively. The limit of detection (S/N=3) for D-amygdalin was 2 microg/ml. Under acidic and neutral conditions, amygdalin exists only as the D-form; however, under basic conditions, it shows both the D- and L-forms with a concentration ratio of 1:1.3 (D-amygdalin/L-amygdalin). Results of HPLC, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and mass spectrometry reconfirmed the identification of D-amygdalin and its epimer. The number of theoretical plates of D-amygdalin is about 100,000 in MEKC, which is significantly higher than approximately 8,000 of HPLC. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of amygdalin epimers in various apricot kernel extracts and pharmaceutical products.

The evidence regarding the drugs used for ventricular rate control

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to determine what drugs are most efficacious for controlling the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We conducted a systematic review of the literature published before May 1998, beginning with searches of The Cochrane Collaboration's CENTRAL database and MEDLINE.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included English-language articles describing randomized controlled trials of drugs used for heart rate control in adults with atrial fibrillation.

DATA COLLECTION/ANALYSIS

Abstracts of trials were reviewed independently by 2 members of the study team. We reviewed English-language abstracts of non-English-language publications to assess qualitative consistency with our results.

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-five articles evaluating 17 drugs met our criteria for review. In the 5 trials of verapamil and 5 of diltiazem, heart rate was reduced significantly (P <.05), both at rest and with exercise, compared with placebo, with equivalent or improved exercise tolerance in 6 of 7 comparisons. In 7 of 12 comparisons of a beta-blocker with placebo, the beta-blocker was efficacious for control of resting heart rate, with evidence that the effect is drug specific, as nadolol and atenolol proved to be most efficacious. All 9 comparisons demonstrated good heart rate control with beta-blockers during exercise, although exercise tolerance was compromised in 3 of 9 comparisons. In 7 of 8 trials, digoxin administered alone slowed the resting heart rate more than placebo, but it did not significantly slow the rate during exercise in 4 studies. The trials evaluating other drugs yielded insufficient evidence to support their use, but those drugs may yet be promising.

CONCLUSIONS

The calcium-channel blockers verapamil or diltiazem, or select beta-blockers are efficacious for heart rate control at rest and during exercise for patients with atrial fibrillation without a clinically important decrease in exercise tolerance. Digoxin is useful when rate control during exercise is less a concern.

Prevention of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation. A meta-analysis of trials of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs

OBJECTIVE

Appropriate use of drugs to prevent thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) involves comparing the patient's risk of stroke and risk of hemorrhage. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the efficacy of these medications.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of drugs used to prevent thromboembolism in adults with nonpostoperative AF. Articles were identified through the Cochrane Collaboration's CENTRAL database and MEDLINE until May 1998.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven articles met criteria for inclusion in this review. Warfarin was more efficacious than placebo for primary stroke prevention (aggregate odds ratio [OR] of stroke = 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19, 0.48), with moderate evidence of more major bleeding (OR 1.90; 95% CI 0.89, 4.04). Aspirin was inconclusively more efficacious than placebo for stroke prevention (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.19, 1.65), with inconclusive evidence regarding more major bleeds (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.37, 1.77). For primary prevention, assuming a baseline risk of 45 strokes per 1,000 patient-years, warfarin could prevent 30 strokes at the expense of only 6 additional major bleeds. Aspirin could prevent 17 strokes, without increasing major hemorrhage. In direct comparison, there was evidence suggesting fewer strokes among patients on warfarin than among patients on aspirin (aggregate OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43, 0.96), with only suggestive evidence for more major hemorrhage (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.77,3.35). However, in younger patients, with a mean age of 65 years, the absolute reduction in stroke rate with warfarin compared with aspirin was low (5.5 per 1,000 person-years) compared with an older group (15 per 1,000 person-years).

CONCLUSION

In general, the evidence strongly supports warfarin for patients with AF at average or greater risk of stroke. Aspirin may prove to be useful in subgroups with a low risk of stroke, although this is not definitively supported by the evidence.

Difference in the distribution pattern of Helicobacter pylori and grade of gastritis in the antrum and in the body between duodenal ulcer and benign gastric ulcer patients

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization and the grade of gastritis in the antrum and in the body of patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) or benign gastric ulcer (BGU).

METHODS

This study was performed in H. pylori-positive 220 DU patients and 180 BGU patients. H. pylori density was evaluated by modified Giemsa staining and CLO test, and gastritis grade was graded by H&E staining in the antrum and in the body.

RESULTS

H. pylori grade by Giemsa staining was 1.24 in the antrum and 0.82 in the body for DU group (p < 0.01), and those of BGU group were slightly reversed, 0.83 and 0.87, respectively, but without statistical significance. Similarly H. pylori grade by CLO test was 3.1 in the antrum and 2.8 in the body for DU group (p < 0.01), and those of BGU group 2.3 and 2.6 (p < 0.05), respectively. In contrast, gastritis grade was 1.7 in the antrum and 1.2 in the body for DU group (p < 0.01), and those of BGU group 1.6 and 1.3 (p < 0.01), respectively, similar to those of DU. However, there was a correlation between H. pylori grade and gastritis grade in the antrum and in the body, not only in DU but also in BGU group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In spite of different distribution patterns of H. pylori between DU group and BGU group, gastritis grade of the antrum was significantly higher than that of the body in both DU and BGU. However, gastritis is correlated with H. pylori density not only in DU but also in BGU patients. It looks like the inflammatory reaction to H. pylori is stronger in the antrum than in the body.

Isolation of rice allergenic cDNA clones from a rice cDNA library by immunoscreening with a polyclonal antibody specific to 16 kD rice allergenic protein

Clinical cases of type-1 hypersensitive reaction to rice (Oryza sativa) have been reported in western countries as well as in Japan. Among rice proteins, 14-16 kD globulin proteins encoded by multiple gene family have been identified as major rice allergens. In this study, a rice cDNA library was constructed using lambda UniZap vector and screened with a rat anti-16 kD globulin protein polyclonal antibody in order to isolate Korean rice allergenic cDNA clones. Five independent cDNA clones, termed RAK1-5, were obtained after second rounds of plaque assay and immunoblot analysis. These clones encoded 13-19 kD recombinant proteins upon IPTG induction, which were identified by the polyclonal antibody in immunoblot analysis. DNA sequencing analysis showed that RAK1-4 have 99% sequence homology with RA5b, and RAK5 is closely related with RA14c. This result indicated that RA5b gene is widely distributed in our cDNA library among other possible rice allergenic genes, and more study is needed to isolate heterogeneous or novel rice allergen genes.

TRANCE, a TNF family member, activates Akt/PKB through a signaling complex involving TRAF6 and c-Src

TRANCE, a TNF family member, and its receptor, TRANCE-R, are critical regulators of dendritic cell and osteoclast function. Here, we demonstrate that TRANCE activates the antiapoptotic serine/threonine kinase Akt/PKB through a signaling complex involving c-Src and TRAF6. A deficiency in c-Src or addition of Src family kinase inhibitors blocks TRANCE-mediated PKB activation in osteoclasts. c-Src and TRAF6 interact with each other and with TRANCE-R upon receptor engagement. TRAF6, in turn, enhances the kinase activity of c-Src leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of downstream signaling molecules such as c-Cbl. These results define a mechanism by which TRANCE activates Src family kinases and PKB and provide evidence of cross-talk between TRAF proteins and Src family kinases.

Sequential priming in hierarchically organized figures: effects of target level and target resolution

Three experiments are reported in which participants identified target letters that appeared at either the global or local level of hierarchically organized stimuli. It has been previously reported that response time is facilitated when targets on successive trials appear at the same level (L. M. Ward, 1982; L. C. Robertson, 1996). Experiments 1 and 2 showed that this sequential priming effect can be mediated by target-level information alone, independent of the resolution, or actual physical size, of targets. Target level and resolution were unconfounded by manipulating total stimulus size, such that global elements of the smaller stimuli subtended the same amount of visual angle as local elements of the larger stimuli. Experiment 3, however, showed that when level information is less useful than resolution in parsing targets from distractors, resolution does become critical in intertrial priming. These data are discussed as they relate to the role of attention in local vs. global (part vs. whole) processing.

Percutaneous penetration enhancement activity of aromatic S, S-dimethyliminosulfuranes

The activity of three series of iminosulfuranes (classes I-III) as potential transdermal penetration enhancers was investigated. These dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) related compounds were synthesized from activated DMSO by trifluoroacetic anhydride. Structure confirmation was accomplished by 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis prior to in vitro testing. Hydrocortisone (HC) was used as a model drug, and the effect of the iminosulfuranes on the penetration of HC through hairless mouse skin was evaluated. All enhancers tested were applied to the skin as saturated suspensions in propylene glycol to ensure their maximum thermodynamic activity. Three compounds, S,S-dimethyl-N-(4-bromobenzoyl)iminosulfurane (9), S,S-dimethyl-N-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)iminosulfurane (13), and S, S-dimethyl-N-(4-phenylazaphenyl)iminosulfurane (16) showed statistically significant activity quantitated by amounts of model drug permeated through the skin in 24 h (Q(24)), and flux values, compared to control (propylene glycol without enhancer). Highest Q(24) and flux values were obtained for 9: 996.2+/-192.5 microg/cm(2) and 42.9+/-7.5 microg/cm(2) per h, respectively. All arylsulfonyl substituted compounds showed lower or similar enhancement activity when compared to control. S, S-dimethyl-N-(benzenesulfonyl)iminosulfurane (1), S, S-dimethyl-N-(2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonyl)iminosulfurane++ + ( 7) and S,S-dimethyl-N-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)iminosulfurane (8) decreased the permeation of HC significantly (P<0.05). It is possible that these agents work as retardants under these experimental conditions. None of the enhancers tested showed significant skin model drug retention, suggesting that these compounds could be useful for increasing systemic rather than local drug delivery.