Identification of small droplets of photosynthetic squalene in engineered Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 using TEM and selective fluorescent Nile red analysis

To identify microbial squalene that has been widely used in various industrial applications, intracellular formation of photosynthetic squalene was investigated using the previously engineered Synechococcus elongatusPCC 7942 strain. Unlike the proposed localization of squalene in the membrane bilayer, small droplets were identified in the cytoplasm of S. elongatusPCC 7942 as squalene using transmission electron microscopy analysis. Determination of the diameters of the squalene droplets with manual examination of 1016 droplets in different squalene-producing strains indicated larger squalene droplets in larger cells. Based on the observation of a sole droplet of squalene in a cyanobacterium, fluorescent Nile red was used for the selective staining of squalene. The fluorescent intensities were correlated with squalene contents determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Photosynthetic squalene was identified as a small droplet in S. elongatusPCC 7942, and this noninvasive quantitative method could be useful to promote high-throughput strain development for squalene production.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Engineering of Cyanobacteria has focused on sustainable production of squalene by converting CO₂ . Before improving the photosynthetic squalene production, we characterized formation of squalene, showing small droplets in the cytoplasm instead of single granule. Based on the finding and the analysis, this study has provided valuable evidences how further metabolic engineering strategies should apply to enhance the production yield.

The Use of Patient Education Video in Improving Patient Satisfaction in the Accident and Emergency Department

Objective

To study the impact of patient education video in improving patient satisfaction in the accident and emergency department (AED).

Methods

This was a descriptive questionnaire study. A 20-minute patient education video in Cantonese was produced. The video was shown in the waiting hall from 9 am to 5 pm during the weekdays of a week in January 2008. All category 4 (semi-urgent) and category 5 (non-urgent) patients were invited to fill in an evaluation questionnaire after watching the video. The demographics of the patients were collected. There were two parts in the questionnaire. Part 1 contained four questions to test patients' knowledge retention after watching the video. These included questions on pharmacy location, triage system, use of patient identification slip and scope of the AED service. Part 2 contained six evaluation items (based on the 5-point Likert scale) to assess patients' opinion on the education video, understanding of the AED workflow and level of satisfaction after watching. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the knowledge retention scores and the Likert responses between different age and education level subgroups.

Results

Altogether 177 questionnaires were returned; 72 were excluded due to incomplete answers or absent patient gum label; and 105 completed questionnaires were analysed. Of the latter, 83 (79%) respondents scored 75% or more in the questions on knowledge retention, 79 (75%) respondents agreed that they understood the workflow of the AED better, 63 (60%) respondents thought that the video covered most frequently asked questions, and 69 (66%) respondents agreed that their level of satisfaction had improved after watching the video. There was no statistically significant difference on comparing the knowledge retention scores between different age and education level subgroups. Respondents more than 60 years old stated a better understanding about the location of consultation rooms after watching the video.

Conclusion

A patient education video is useful in providing information about operation and improving patient satisfaction in the accident and emergency department.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas with liver metastasis initially misinterpreted as benign haemorrhagic cyst

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is considered a low-malignant neoplasm with a good prognosis. However, 5% to 15% of patients with SPNs develop metastatic disease, most commonly in the liver. Metastatic hepatic malignancies that show pseudocystic features are rare. Here we describe the case of a middle-aged female with a cystic liver metastasis from SPN. To the best of our knowledge, SPN with a single cystic liver metastasis has not been described, although these tumours frequently undergo haemorrhagic-cystic degeneration. Thus, in these patients the marked cystic change could be misinterpreted as a benign lesion.

Efficacy and safety of non-invasive body tightening with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive skin-tightening devices have become increasingly popular in response to increasing demand for improvements in skin laxity and tightening with minimal risk and recovery time.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of HIFU for skin tightening in the face and body.

METHODS

A total of 32 Korean subjects enrolled in this prospective clinical trial. The subjects were treated with HIFU to both cheeks, lower abdomen, and thigh. Skin elasticity was measured before and after treatment using a Cutometer (CT575, Courage and Khazaka^® , Cologne, Germany). Three blinded, experienced dermatologists evaluated paired pre- and post-treatment (week 4 and 12) photographs according to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Participants also completed self-assessments using GAIS. Subjects rated their pain on a numeric rating scale (NRS) immediately, 7 days, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

Skin elasticity measured via a Cutometer was significantly improved 12 weeks after treatment at all treated sites (P<.05). Both IGAIS and SGAIS showed significant improvements 12 weeks after treatment. Immediately after treatment the mean NRS score was 3.00±1.586, but no pain was reported at 4 and 12 weeks post-treatment. No serious adverse effects were observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

HIFU safely and effectively improves skin elasticity and clinical contouring of the face and body.

Mechanical thrombolysis as an adjunct therapy to management of portal vein thrombosis following Radio Frequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has evolved to become the treatment of choice for non-resectable recurrent colorectal liver metastasis. It is however, not without complications. Portal vein thrombosis following RFA is rare but can be fatal to the outcome of the patient. Here, we present a case of a 66-year-old man who developed portal vein thrombosis following RFA. CT scan revealed a left portal vein thrombosis. This case report highlights the challenges and multimodal treatment of portal vein thrombosis following Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in a cirrhotic patient.

Depression, Impulse Control Disorder, and Life Style According to Smartphone Addiction

We examined depression, impulse control disorder, and life style by degree of smartphone addiction. Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to identify significant variables. CART was used to generate a decision making diagram of variables affecting smartphone addiction. The severe smartphone addiction group had rates of depression and impulse control disorder than the initial smartphone group.

Passive Q-switching of microchip lasers based on Ho:YAG ceramics

A Ho:YAG ceramic microchip laser pumped by a Tm fiber laser at 1910 nm is passively Q-switched by single- and multi-layer graphene, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and Cr²⁺:ZnSe saturable absorbers (SAs). Employing SWCNTs, this laser generated an average power of 810 mW at 2090 nm with a slope efficiency of 68% and continuous wave to Q-switching conversion efficiency of 70%. The shortest pulse duration was 85 ns at a repetition rate of 165 kHz, and the pulse energy reached 4.9 μJ. The laser performance and pulse stability were superior compared to graphene SAs even for a different number of graphene layers (n=1 to 4). A model for the description of the Ho:YAG laser Q-switched by carbon nanostructures is presented. This modeling allowed us to estimate the saturation intensity for multi-layered graphene and SWCNT SAs to be 1.2±0.2 and 7±1  MW/cm², respectively. When using Cr²⁺:ZnSe, the Ho:YAG microchip laser generated 11 ns/25 μJ pulses at a repetition rate of 14.8 kHz.

Heterotopic ossification in appendiceal mucinous neoplasms: clinicopathological characteristics of 3 cases

Heterotopic bone formation is a very rare event in the gastrointestinal tract including in the appendix. Here we report three cases of heterotopic ossification in appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, one occurring in an appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma, another in a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, and the third occurring in an appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma. The clinicopathologic characteristics of these three present cases and two previously reported cases are discussed in detail. The mechanism of heterotopic ossification in appendiceal mucinous neoplasm is still unclear, but mucin extravasation and subsequent calcification may be predisposing events.

Osteogenic cell response to 3-D hydroxyapatite scaffolds developed via replication of natural marine sponges

Bone tissue engineering may provide an alternative to autograft, however scaffold optimisation is required to maximize bone ingrowth. In designing scaffolds, pore architecture is important and there is evidence that cells prefer a degree of non-uniformity. The aim of this study was to compare scaffolds derived from a natural porous marine sponge (Spongia agaricina) with unique architecture to those derived from a synthetic polyurethane foam. Hydroxyapatite scaffolds of 1 cm(3) were prepared via ceramic infiltration of a marine sponge and a polyurethane (PU) foam. Human foetal osteoblasts (hFOB) were seeded at 1 × 10(5) cells/scaffold for up to 14 days. Cytotoxicity, cell number, morphology and differentiation were investigated. PU-derived scaffolds had 84-91% porosity and 99.99% pore interconnectivity. In comparison marine sponge-derived scaffolds had 56-61% porosity and 99.9% pore interconnectivity. hFOB studies showed that a greater number of cells were found on marine sponge-derived scaffolds at than on the PU scaffold but there was no significant difference in cell differentiation. X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry showed that Si ions were released from the marine-derived scaffold. In summary, three dimensional porous constructs have been manufactured that support cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation but significantly more cells were seen on marine-derived scaffolds. This could be due both to the chemistry and pore architecture of the scaffolds with an additional biological stimulus from presence of Si ions. Further in vivo tests in orthotopic models are required but this marine-derived scaffold shows promise for applications in bone tissue engineering.

Malignant mesonephric tumor of the cervix with an initial manifestation as pulmonary metastasis: case report and review of the literature

Malignant mesonephric tumor (MMT) is a relatively uncommon malignancy of the female genital tract. The diagnosis of metastatic MMT is difficult because cytological, pathological, immunohistochemical characteristics of MMT are under-recognized. The authors present a 55-year-old female with metastatic pulmonary nodules. The bronchial washing cytology revealed three dimensional clusters of bland epithelial cells with slight nuclear grooves. A corresponding lung histology had ductal or tubular clusters of epithelial cells with intraglandular eosinophilic materials. These epithelial cells were positive for immunohistochemical stain of CD10, suggesting metastasis from MMT. The cervical smear showed clusters of bland, gland-forming epithelial cells with intraglandular eosinophilic materials. On histologic examination, mesonephric adenocarcinoma with papillary and solid proliferation was identified in the uterine cervix. A review of the literature for 72 cases of MMT is also included. Clinical and cytopathological features of MMT are herein made available.

High intensity focused ultrasound as a potential new modality for the treatment of pigmentary skin disorder

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The clinical skin tightening benefits of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have been established, but its mechanism of action in pigmented skin disorders remains unknown. We macroscopically and histopathologically investigated dermatological changes after HIFU at different exposure doses in a UVB-induced guinea pig model of hyperpigmentation.

METHODS

We applied HIFU irradiation at 0.1 and 0.2 J/cm(2) to UVB-induced spotty hyperpigmentation in guinea pig skin. The therapeutic effects of HIFU were judged based on gross appearance using photography, dermoscopy, and chromametry during a period of 3 weeks after HIFU irradiation. Histological assessments were performed using Fontana-Masson staining 1 day before and 3 weeks after HIFU irradiation.

RESULTS

Macroscopically, UVB-induced hyperpigmentation was significantly reduced 2 weeks after HIFU with 0.2 J/cm(2) , and 3 weeks after HIFU with 0.1 J/cm(2) . Histopathologically, the heavy deposition of melanin in the epidermis induced by UVB exposure was reduced 3 weeks after HIFU irradiation.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed that HIFU has a positive effect on UVB-induced hyperpigmentation as well as mechanical destructive activity. We suggest that HIFU may be useful as an alternative modality for human patients suffering from skin pigmentary conditions.

Antioxidative effects of ethyl 2-(3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)ureido)acetate against amyloid β-induced oxidative cell death via NF-κB, GSK-3β and β-catenin signaling pathways in cultured cortical neurons

We have previously shown that 2-(3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)ureido)acetate (KHG21834) attenuates amyloid beta(Aβ)25-35-induced apoptotic death and shows anti-inflammatory activity against Aβ25-35-induced microglial activation. However, antioxidative effects of KHG21834 against Aβ-induced oxidative stress have not yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative function of KHG21834 in primary cultured cortical neurons, to expand the potential therapeutic efficacy of KHG21834. Pretreatment with KHG21834 protected against Aβ-induced neuronal cell death and mitochondrial damage, and significantly restored GSH levels and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and also suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species and protein oxidation. These results imply that KHG21834 may play a role in cellular defense mechanisms against Aβ-induced oxidative stress in cultured cortical neurons. Furthermore, KHG21834 significantly attenuated the effects of Aβ treatment on levels of NF-κB, β-catenin, and GSK-3β proteins in cortical neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that the antioxidant effects of KHG21834 may result at least in part from its ability to regulate the NF-κB, β-catenin, and GSK-3β signaling pathways. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that KHG21834 significantly attenuates Aβ25-35-induced oxidative stress in primary cortical neurons, and provides novel insights into KHG21834 as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity involving oxidative stress.

Ginsenoside Rg3 enhances islet cell function and attenuates apoptosis in mouse islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated islets is thought to be an attractive approach for curative treatment of diabetes mellitus. Panax ginseng has been used in oriental countries for its pharmacologic effects, such as antidiabetic and antiinflammatory activities. 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), an active ingredient of ginseng saponins, has been reported to enhance insulin secretion-stimulating and antiapoptotic activities in pancreatic beta cells. We performed this study to examine the hypothesis that preoperative Rg3 administration can enhance islet cell function and antiapoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the administration of Rg3 after islet isolation. Mouse islets were cultured in medium supplemented with or without Rg3. In vitro, islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment of islets with a cytokine cocktail (tumor necrosis factor α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-1β), cell viability, function, and apoptosis were assessed.

RESULTS

Cell viability was similar between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in medium supplemented with Rg3 showed 2.3-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than islets cultured in medium without Rg3. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release, total insulin content of islets, and apoptosis were significantly improved in Rg3-treated islets compared with cytokine-treated islets. Cytokine-treated islets produced significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (NO) than islets treated with Rg3.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative Rg3 administration enhanced islet function before islet transplantation and attenuated both cytokine-induced damage associated with NO production and apoptosis. Rg3 administration might be a prospective management to enhanced islet function and ameliorate early inflammation after transplantation.

Incidental renal cell carcinoma originating from a native kidney after en-bloc resection for adrenal carcinoma in a kidney transplant recipient

BACKGROUND

Renal transplantation is the best treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Although there is significantly increased risk of malignancy after renal transplantation, carcinoma of the native kidney is very rare, and moreover, the risk of endocrinologic malignancy after renal transplantation is lower than in the general population and adrenal cortical carcinoma extremely rare. We report a case of incidental renal cell carcinoma originating from a native kidney after en-bloc resection for adrenal carcinoma in a kidney transplant recipient.

CASE REPORT

A 57 year-old male patient had undergone living-donor kidney transplantation for chronic renal failure from hypertension 15 years earlier and had a right adrenal tumor diagnosed on surveillance abdomen-pelvis computerized tomography. Based on 24-hour catecholamine laboratory findings, nonfunctioning tumor was suspected. The planned en-bloc resection of right adrenal gland and right native kidney combining the perirenal tissue and Gerota fascia was performed, because the tumor was suspicious for malignancy and could possibly invade the perirenal tissue or right kidney. On the final pathology, combined adrenal cortical carcinoma and incidental renal cell carcinoma was confirmed. Renal cell carcinoma was papillary, type I, and stage T1N0M0. Adrenal cortical carcinoma was 7.6 × 6.5 cm in size, had marked nuclear atypia, and was grade IV/IV. Mitotic counts were >10 per high-power field, but it had no capsular invasion or vascular invasion, and free resection margin was confirmed. In the preoperative period, he had taken immunosuppressants FK506 and mycophenolate sodium, but after combined carcinomas were confirmed, the regimen of combination of immunosuppressants was changed to sirolimus with low-dose FK506 and half-dose mycophenolate sodium.

Does procurement technique affect posttransplant graft function in deceased donor liver transplantation?

INTRODUCTION

Various techniques have been described deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) procurement. One is a technique whereby almost total dissection is done in the porta hepatis and perihepatic detachment is carried out before cross-clamping the donor aorta. In another approach, after the donor aorta is cross-clamped, rapid and minimal en bloc dissection is performed with minimal manipulation. We evaluated early posttransplant graft function among liver procurement techniques.

METHOD

Between January 2008 and August 2012, we performed 45 consecutive adult DDLTs. One patient was excluded from this analysis due to early death from sepsis after transplantation. The 44 included patients were divided into two cohorts according to the procurement technique: A warm dissection (n = 23; 52%) and a cold dissection group (n = 21; 48%). We compared early posttransplant graft function using the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (T-bil), and prothrombin time (PT) values of the two groups from the first to seventh postoperative day.

RESULT

The AST values in the warm group were significantly greater than those in the cold group on postoperative days 3 and 5. In addition, the ALT values in the warm group were greater than those in the cold group on postoperative days 4, 5, and 6. Moreover, the T-bil values in the warm group were greater than those in the cold group on postoperative days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. However, there were no differences in PT values.

CONCLUSION

During liver procurement for DDLT, rapid en bloc procurement with minimal manipulation after clamping the donor aorta achieved better early graft function posttransplantation.

S100A9 and EGFR gene signatures predict disease progression in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients after chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

In our previous gene expression profile analysis, IL1B, S100A8, S100A9, and EGFR were shown to be important mediators of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of these gene signatures to predict disease progression after chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locally advanced MIBC who received chemotherapy were enrolled. The expression signatures of four genes were measured and carried out further functional analysis to confirm our findings.

RESULTS

Two of the four genes, S100A9 and EGFR, were determined to significantly influence disease progression (P = 0.023, 0.045, respectively). Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off value for disease progression was determined. Patients with the good-prognostic signature group had a significantly longer time to progression and cancer-specific survival time than those with the poor-prognostic signature group (P < 0.001, 0.042, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, gene signature was the only factor that significantly influenced disease progression [hazard ratio: 4.726, confidence interval: 1.623-13.763, P = 0.004]. In immunohistochemical analysis, S100A9 and EGFR positivity were associated with disease progression after chemotherapy. Protein expression of S100A9/EGFR showed modest correlation with gene expression of S100A9/EGFR (r = 0.395, P = 0.014 and r = 0.453, P = 0.004). Our functional analysis provided the evidence demonstrating that expression of S100A9 and EGFR closely associated chemoresistance, and that inhibition of S100A9 and EGFR may sensitize bladder tumor cells to the cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The S100A9/EGFR level is a novel prognostic marker to predict the chemoresponsiveness of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC.

Carbon nanotube mode-locked optically-pumped semiconductor disk laser

An optically pumped semiconductor disk laser was mode-locked for the first time by employing a single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber. Stable passive fundamental mode-locking was obtained at a repetition rate of 613 MHz with a pulse length of 1.23 ps. The mode-locked semiconductor disk laser in a compact geometry delivered a maximum average output power of 136 mW at 1074 nm.