Expression and roles of NUPR1 in cholangiocarcinoma cells

Nuclear protein-1 (NUPR1) is a small nuclear protein that is responsive to various stress stimuli. Although NUPR1 has been associated with cancer development, its expression and roles in cholangiocarcinoma have not yet been described. In the present study, we found that NUPR1 was over-expressed in human cholangiocarcinoma tissues, using immunohistochemistry. The role of NUPR1 in cholangiocarcinoma was examined by its specific siRNA. NUPR1 siRNA decreased proliferation, migration and invasion of human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (HuCCT1 and SNU1196 cells). From these results, we conclude that NUPR1 is over-expressed in cholangiocarcinoma and regulates the proliferation and motility of cancer cells.

c-Ets1 inhibits the interaction of NF-κB and CREB, and downregulates IL-1β-induced MUC5AC overproduction during airway inflammation

Mucin hypersecretion is frequently observed in many inflammatory diseases of the human respiratory tract. As mucin hypersecretion refers to uncontrolled mucin expression and secretion during inflammation, studies examining the negative control mechanisms of mucin hypersecretion are vital in developing novel therapeutic medications. We hypothesized that the c-Ets1 induced by interleukin (IL)-1β would decrease MUC5AC overproduction by inhibiting the interaction of NF-κB with cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in vivo. Stimulation with IL-1β caused the direct binding of NF-κB and CREB to the MUC5AC promoter, thus increasing MUC5AC gene expression. However, IL-1β-induced MUC5AC messenger RNA levels were surprizingly downregulated by c-Ets1 (located -938 to -930). Interestingly, c-Ets1 also suppressed IL-1β-induced MUC5AC gene expression in vitro and in vivo by disrupting the interaction of NF-κB with CREB on the MUC5AC promoter. In addition, c-Ets1 also inhibited significant morphologic changes and inflammatory cell infiltration after IL-1β exposure in mouse lungs infected with either wild-type or shRNA-c-Ets1. Moreover, reactive oxygen species produced by NOX4 increased c-Ets1 gene expression and MUC5AC gene expression in alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These results suggest a molecular paradigm for the establishment of a novel mechanism underlying the negative regulation of mucin overproduction, thus enhancing our understanding of airway inflammation.

A cell-permeable fusion protein for the mineralization of human dental pulp stem cells

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are the only mesenchymal stem cells in pulp tissue that can differentiate into osteoblasts, odontoblasts, and adipose cells. The transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) protein has been reported to modulate osteogenic differentiation in mouse MSCs. Therefore, we examined whether the TAZ protein plays the same role in human pulp stem cells. In this study, TAZ was applied to cells directly with low-molecular-weight protamine (LMWP) as a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). The LMWP-TAZ fusion proteins were expressed in an E. coli system with a pET-21b vector and efficiently transferred into hDPSCs without producing toxicity in the cells. The efficient uptake of TAZ was shown by Western blot with an anti-TAZ antibody, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and confocal microscopy in live cells. The delivered TAZ protein increased osteogenic differentiation, as confirmed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. In addition, TAZ also inhibited adipogenic differentiation, regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2) mRNA levels. These in vitro studies suggest that cell-permeable TAZ may be used as a specific regulator of hard-tissue differentiation.

Novel system for detecting SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein using an ssDNA aptamer

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002 affected thousands of people and an efficient diagnostic system is needed for accurate detection of SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV) to prevent or limit future outbreaks. Of the several SARS CoV structural proteins, the nucleocapsid protein has been shown to be a good diagnostic marker. In this study, an ssDNA aptamer that specifically binds to SARS CoV nucleocapsid protein was isolated from a DNA library containing 45-nuceotide random sequences in the middle of an 88mer single-stranded DNA. After twelve cycles of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) procedure, 15 ssDNA aptamers were identified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis was then used to identify the aptamer with the highest binding affinity to the SARS CoV nucleocapsid protein. Using this approach, an ssDNA aptamer that binds to the nucleocapsid protein with a K(d) of 4.93±0.30nM was identified. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that this ssDNA aptamer could be used to efficiently detect the SARS CoV nucleocapsid protein when compared with a nucleocapsid antibody. Therefore, we believe that the selected ssDNA aptamer may be a good alternative detection probe for the rapid and sensitive detection of SARS.

Injectable hyaluronic acid-tyramine hydrogels for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading in turn to articular cartilage destruction. In this work, injectable tyramine modified hyaluronic acid (HA-Tyr) hydrogels were developed for the treatment of RA. HA-Tyr conjugate was synthesized by amide bond formation between carboxyl groups of HA and amine groups of tyramine. Then, HA-Tyr hydrogels were prepared by radical crosslinking reaction using H(2)O(2) and horse-radish peroxidase. Intra-articular injection of HA-Tyr hydrogels encapsulating dexamethasone (DMT) as a model drug resulted in successful treatment of RA with reduced interlukine-6, prostaglandin E2 and four types of cytokine levels in collagen-induced arthritis animal models. Histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining also confirmed the therapeutic effect of injectable HA-Tyr hydrogels with DMT. Taken together, the injectable HA-Tyr hydrogels were thought suitable to be developed as a therapeutically effective drug carrier for the treatment of RA.

Potency and recovery characteristics of rocuronium mixed with sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate may be added to rocuronium to decrease pain on injection. However, this mixture may result in the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles. We investigated whether the addition of sodium bicarbonate to rocuronium alters neuromuscular blockade, in 120 patients randomly assigned to receive rocuronium mixed with saline or bicarbonate 8.4%, either in varying doses (for dose-response measurements; 60 patients) or a fixed dose of 600 μg.kg(-1) (for time-course measurements; 60 patients). Sodium bicarbonate resulted in a left-shift of the rocuronium dose-response curve. The effective doses of rocuronium to produce 95% twitch depression were 331.6 (95% CI: 310.4-352.8) and 284.3 (95% CI: 262.0-306.6) μg.kg(-1) mixed with isotonic saline or sodium bicarbonate, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean (SD) onset times of rocuronium 600 μg.kg(-1) were 3.6 (0.6) and 2.7 (0.5) min in the corresponding groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean (SD) times to 95% recovery were 35.8 (5.8) and 47.9 (7.1) min, respectively (p < 0.001). We conclude that the mixing of sodium bicarbonate with rocuronium enhances the potency, shortens the onset and prolongs the duration of action.

A possible case of symptomatic hemicrania continua from an osteoid osteoma of the ethmoid sinus

We report a case of osteoid osteoma involving the ethmoid sinus, which presented as a unilateral fixed headache with some features suggestive of hemicrania continua.

The effects of mesenchymal stem cells injected via different routes on modified IL-12-mediated antitumor activity

Owing to its tumor tropism and prolonged transgene expression, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been considered as an ideal delivery vehicle for cancer gene therapies or therapeutic vaccines. In this study, we demonstrated that intratumoral (i.t.) injection of MSCs expressing modified interleukin-12 (MSCs/IL-12M) exhibited stronger tumor-specific T-cell responses and antitumor effects as well as more sustained expressions of IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ in both sera and tumor sites than did IL-12M-expressing adenovirus (rAd/IL-12M) in mice bearing both solid and metastatic tumors. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of MSCs/IL-12M at contralateral site of tumor exhibited similar levels of serum IL-12 and IFN-γ as i.t. injection, but much weaker antitumor effects in both B16F10 melanoma and TC-1 cervical cancer models than i.t. injection. Although intravenous (i.v.) injection elicited earlier peak serum levels of cytokines, it induced weaker tumor-specific T-cell responses and antitumor effects than i.t. injection, indicating that serum cytokine levels are not surrogate indicators of antitumor effects. Taken together, these results indicated that MSC is more efficient than adenovirus as a cytokine gene delivery vehicle and that i.t. injection of MSCs/IL-12M is the best approach to induce strong tumor-specific T-cell responses that correlate with anti-metastatic effects as well as inhibition of solid tumor growth, although MSCs themselves have an ability to migrate into the tumor site. In addition, MSCs/IL-12M embedded in Matrigel (MSCs/IL-12M/Matrigel) exhibited significant antitumor effects even in immunodeficient mice such as SCID and BNX mice lacking T, B and natural killer (NK) cells, but not in IFN-γ knockout mice. Our findings provide an optimal approach for designing an efficient clinical protocol of MSC-based cytokine gene therapy to induce strong tumor-specific T-cell responses and therapeutic anticancer efficacy.

Improvement of transmittance by fabricating broadband subwavelength anti-reflection structures for polycarbonate

We report on how to increase transmittance of a 0.2 mm thick polycarbonate (PC) film by periodic subwavelength anti-reflection structures in the visible spectral range. Subwavelength anti-reflection structures like moth-eyes are fabricated into the polycarbonate substrate itself by thermal nano-imprinting lithography (TH-NIL), which uses silicon stamps that have periodic structures such as gratings (lines and spaces) and pillared dots, and are fabricated by laser interference lithography (LIL) and transformer coupled plasma etching. To increase transmittance of a polycarbonate film, we control the periods and shapes of patterns, the number of patterned surfaces, and the overlapping direction of patterns that are fabricated into its surfaces. As a result of this, we show that average transmittance improves as the pattern period gets shorter and as both surfaces of the film are patterned. We also show that the spectrum range gets larger as the pattern period gets shorter and is determined by the longer pattern period in the case of designing a film to have different pattern period on its surfaces. The maximum average transmittance of a polycarbonate film increases up to approximately 6% compared to a bare sample in the 470-800 nm spectral range.

Seasonal changes in the feeding pattern of Culex pipiens pallens govern the transmission dynamics of multiple lineages of avian malaria parasites in Japanese wild bird community

Heterogeneity in the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens is determined largely by distribution patterns of mosquito bites among wild animal populations. Although mosquitoes are crucial for transmission of avian malaria parasites, little is known about the ecology of natural vectors. We examined bloodmeal and parasite incidence in Culex pipiens pallens by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based procedure to determine how the feeding pattern of mosquitoes govern transmission dynamics of avian malaria parasites in Japanese wild birds. We collected 881 unfed and 486 blood-fed Cx. pipiens pallens resting on vegetation in a park in Tokyo. The mosquitoes were separated into abdomen and thorax prior to PCR screening. Abdomens of unfed mosquitoes were combined into 95 pools. From these, we amplified Plasmodium DNA in 32 (33.7%) pools. Among blood-fed mosquitoes, 371 individuals were screened for blood-sources and Plasmodium parasites. Plasmodium DNA was amplified from mosquitoes fed on 6 of 13 avian species identified as blood-sources. Ten Plasmodium lineages were identified on the basis of 478 bp of the cytochrome b gene, with 0.2-10% sequence divergence. The three commonest Plasmodium lineages (CXPIP09, SGS1 and PADOM02) were detected in both the abdomens and thoraxes of mosquitoes, strongly suggesting transmission of these lineages. Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) served as a natural host for the three commonest Plasmodium lineages and made up 63.8% of blood-sources. As a significant increase in feeding of vector mosquitoes on jungle crows coincided with their breeding season, jungle crows were considered to be the primary reservoir of Plasmodium transmission in this study.

Arterial stiffness and proinflammatory cytokines in fibromyalgia syndrome

OBJECTIVES

We assessed arterial stiffness and inflammatory cytokine profiles in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients and analysed the association between them.

METHODS

Twenty-seven FMS patients and 29 age-matched premenopausal healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) from pulse waveform analysis. Levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and a colorimetric assay was used for measurement of serum nitric oxide (NO) metabolites (nitrate and nitrite, NOx) level. Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis.

RESULTS

Higher AIx and AIx@HR75 (aortic AIx at a heart rate of 75 beats/min) were noted in FMS compared to those in the controls after adjustment using covariants (p(adj)=0.023 and p(adj)<0.001). However, there were no differences between the three regional PWVs of the two groups at the aorta-femoral, femoral-dorsalis, and aorta-radialis arteries (p(adj)>0.05 for all). FMS subjects had significantly higher serum IL-8 levels than did the healthy controls (327.9±588.7 vs. 76.4±90.5, p(adj)=0.041). However, there were no significant differences in serum IL-1β, IL-6, VEGF, or NOx levels between the FMS patients and the controls (p(adj)>0.05 of all). Serum IL-8 level did not correlate with PWV and AIx in FMS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates higher AIx and IL-8 levels in FMS subjects compared to those of the controls. However, arterial stiffness including AIx in FMS was not determined by the serum IL-8 level.

Hatchery hygiene evaluation by microbiological examination of hatchery samples

This study was conducted to investigate the bacterial contamination of air and the surface of equipment and facilities in hatchery. In addition, the inhibitory effects of formaldehyde application methods on aerosol bacterial counts in the hatchers were also investigated. In the operating hatchers, the contamination of air by aerobic bacteria, coliform, and fungi was high, measuring over 300 cfu/63.6 cm(2). In the egg sorting room, contamination was moderate, whereas in the remaining sampling sites such as the setter room, candling-transfer room, and chick counting room, contamination was minimal, measuring less than 10 cfu/63.6 cm(2) for aerobic bacteria, 5 cfu/63.6 cm(2) for coliform, and 2 cfu/63.6 cm(2) for fungi. The bacterial contamination on the surface of the equipment and facilities showed similar tendencies with that of air. However, on the surfaces of the equipment and facilities in the hatcher room corridors and nonoperating hatchers where the bacterial contamination of the air was low, bacterial counts were high, measuring over 100 cfu/16 cm(2). Salmonella was mainly isolated from the hatcher rooms, chick counting room, and the related equipment and facilities but not from the areas used for the earlier processing step such as the egg receiving room, egg sorting room, setter rooms, and candling-transfer room. The Salmonella serotype that was most frequently isolated from the hatchery was Salmonella Senftenberg. The other occasional Salmonella serotypes such as Salmonella Schwarzengrund, Salmonella Madelia, Salmonella Montevideo, and Salmonella Enteritidis were isolated. The experimental group receiving formaldehyde by constant rate infusion during hatching had a significantly superior inhibitory effect on aerosol bacterial count 4 h before hatching as compared with the group receiving formaldehyde into a basin and the negative control group (P < 0.05).

Purification and properties of staphylococcal delta hemolysin

Large amounts (200 mg per liter of culture supernatant fluid) of highly purified staphylococcal soluble delta hemolysin were obtained by adsorption to and selective elution from hydroxyapatite followed by exhaustive dialysis against water, concentration by polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol 20,000 dialysis, and a final water dialysis. No carbohydrate, phosphorus, or inactive 280-nm absorbing material was detected in the preparation; however, analysis by density gradient centrifugation, gel filtration, analytical ultracentrifugation, carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography, polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and electron microscopy revealed that the lysin was molecularly heterogeneous. The preparation contained an acidic fibrous lysin (S(20,w) of 11.9) and a basic lysin component composed of a population of granular aggregates of various sizes, with a maximum S(20,w) of approximately 4.9. No other staphylococcal products were detected in the preparation. The lysin was active against erythrocytes from many animal species and acted synergistically with staphylococcal beta hemolysin against sheep erythrocytes. It was soluble in chloroform-methanol (2:1), was inactivated by various phospholipids, normal sera, and proteolytic enzymes, but was partially resistant to heat inactivation. Activity was not affected by Ca(2+), Mg(2+), citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, or cysteine. The lysin preparation also disrupted bacterial protoplasts and spheroplasts, erythrocyte membranes, lysosomes, and lipid spherules, was growth-inhibitory for certain bacteria, and clarified egg yolk-agar. Large amounts produced dermonecrosis in rabbits and guinea pigs. The minimum lethal intravenous dose for mice and guinea pigs was approximately 110 and 30 mg/kg, respectively.

Implementation and performance evaluation of mobile ad hoc network for Emergency Telemedicine System in disaster areas

So far we have developed Emergency Telemedicine System (ETS) which is a robust system using heterogeneous networks. In disaster areas, however, ETS cannot be used if the primary network channel is disabled due to damages on the network infrastructures. Thus we designed network management software for disaster communication network by combination of Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) and Wireless LAN (WLAN). This software maintains routes to a Backbone Gateway Node in dynamic network topologies. In this paper, we introduce the proposed disaster communication network with management software, and evaluate its performance using ETS between Medical Center and simulated disaster areas. We also present the results of network performance analysis which identifies the possibility of actual Telemedicine Service in disaster areas via MANET and mobile network (e.g. HSDPA, WiBro).

Pitx3-deficient aphakia mice display unique behavioral responses to psychostimulant and antipsychotic drugs

The dorsal (A9) and ventral striatum (A10) of the midbrain mediate many of the effects of psychoactive drugs that alter emotion, cognition, and motor activity within the contexts of therapy or abuse. Although transgenic and knockout technologies have enabled development of genetic models to dissect contributions of specific dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes to psychoactive drug effects, few models exist that can distinguish contributions of A9 versus A10 circuits. Pitx3 is a transcription factor enriched in DA neurons. Aphakia (ak) mice deficient in Pitx3 show selective loss of nigrostriatal DA, while other DA pathways are relatively spared, and therefore could be a useful tool for investigating the role of this subclass of DA projections. We investigated the effects of stimulants amphetamine, apomorphine, and MK-801 and the antipsychotic drug haloperidol on behavior in ak mice. Whereas wild-type mice showed the characteristic locomotor hyperactivity in response to amphetamine (5 mg/kg) and apomorphine (4 mg/kg), these drugs caused a paradoxical suppression of locomotor hyperactivity in ak mice. MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg) induced hyperactivity was maintained in both wt and ak mice. Additionally, mutant but not wild-type mice were insensitive to the cataleptic effects of haloperidol (1 mg/kg). These studies indicate that the nigrostriatal DA circuit plays a critical role in maintaining normal responsiveness to psychotropic drugs that either stimulate or block DA neurotransmission. We propose that ak mice may represent a valuable genetic model not only to study Parkinson's disease, but also to dissect the pathophysiologic and pharmacotherapuetic mechanisms of other DA-mediated disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, drug abuse and schizophrenia.

Source identification and concentration distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental media around industrial complexes

In order to grasp the concentration distribution and identify sources of PCBs, air and soil samples around Sihwa and Banwol industrial area in Korea were analyzed. In result, the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) concentration of air and soil was ranged from 2.08 to 5.82 ng/m3 (0.0686–1.01 pg WHO-TEQ/m3) and 2.43 to 274 ng/g dry (0.116–60.5 pg WHO-TEQ/g dry), respectively. Air and soil samples showed the very similar isomer composition pattern in each homologue by matrix, respectively. As a result of MLR for soil samples, the whole contribution rate of PCBs products (Aroclor) to soil was ~2 times higher than combustion.

Association between levels of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults: The Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2005

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between level of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 7,800 adults aged > or =19 years who completed the Health Interview and the Health Behavior Surveys, issued during the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005).

METHODS

The association between self-rated health and physical activity was tested using Chi-squared test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios of poor self-rated health for different levels of physical activity after adjusting for physical and chronic medical conditions.

RESULTS

The prevalence of poor self-rated health was significantly lower as the level of physical activity increased, and odds ratios for poor self-rated health were significantly lower for higher levels of physical activity after adjusting for age, marital status, educational status, smoking, alcohol consumption, and the number of physical impairments and chronic medical conditions. The association was similar in different age groups and among healthy respondents and respondents with physical impairments or chronic medical conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity was positively associated with self-rated health in Koreans. The independent association between a lower level of physical activity and poor self-rated health supports public health programmes that encourage regular physical activity.

Isolation and characterization of bacteriocin-producing bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens for probiotic use

AIMS

To isolate and characterize the bacteriocin-producing bacteria (BPB) from the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens for probiotic use.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In total, 291 bacterial strains were isolated from broilers and screened for bacteriocin-producing ability. The bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus faecium SH 528, Ent. faecium SH 632 and Pediococcus pentosaceus SH 740 displayed inhibitory activity against pathogens including Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes. Activity of the bacteriocins remained unchanged after 30 min of heat treatment at 60 degrees C or exposure to organic solvents, but diminished after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. PCR was used to detect the structural genes enterocin A and B in SH 528, enterocin L50 and P in SH 632, and pediocin PA-1 in SH 740. Most of them were resistant to 0.5% bile salts and remained viable after 2 h at pH 3.0. Ent. faecium SH 528 exhibited the highest amylase activity among the strains tested.

CONCLUSIONS

We selected Ent. faecium SH 528 and SH 632 and Ped. pentosaceus SH 740 by probiotic selection criteria including inhibition activity against pathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The isolated BPB could potentially be used in the poultry industry as probiotics to control pathogens.

New diagnostic and therapeutic options in bacterial meningitis in infants and children

Bacterial meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates and children through the world. Current strategies to prevention and therapy of bacterial meningitis are compromised by incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis, emergence of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms and lack of simple diagnostic tools in resource-limited settings. Successful prevention and treatment of bacterial meningitis requires the knowledge on epidemiology including prevalence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens, pathogenesis of meningitis, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobial agents. The introduction of the protein conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis has changed the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis. Suspected bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and requires empiric antimicrobial therapy without delay, but recognition of pathogens with increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents is an important factor in selection of empiric antimicrobial regimen. A more complete knowledge on the pathogenesis of meningitis is likely to help in development of new diagnostic and therapeutic options for infants and children with bacterial meningitis.