Cloning and expression analysis of innate immune genes from red sea bream to assess different susceptibility to megalocytivirus infection

As suggested by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), fishes belonging to the genus Oplegnathus are more sensitive to megalocytivirus infection than other fish species including red sea bream (Pagrus major). To assess the roles of the innate immune response to these different susceptibilities, we cloned the genes encoding inflammatory factors including IL-8 and COX-2, and the antiviral factor like Mx from red sea bream for the first time and performed phylogenetic and structural analysis. Analysed expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and COX-2 and the antiviral factor like Mx genes performed with in vivo challenge experiment showed no difference in inflammatory gene expression or respiratory burst activity between red sea bream and rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). However, the Mx gene expression levels in red sea bream were markedly higher than those in rock bream, suggesting the importance of type I interferon (IFN)-induced proteins, particularly Mx, during megalocytivirus infection, rather than inflammation-related genes. The in vitro challenge experiments using embryonic primary cultures derived from both fish species showed no difference in cytopathic effects (CPE), viral replication profiles, and inflammatory and Mx gene expression pattern between the two fish species.

Distributions of persistent organic contaminants in sediments and their potential impact on macrobenthic faunal community of the Geum River Estuary and Saemangeum Coast, Korea

Over the last 30 years, the Geum River Estuary and Saemangeum Coast have been subject to major environmental changes, including dike construction, reclamation, and development of industrial complexes. This study aimed to: 1) investigate the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylphenols (APs), and styrene oligomers (SOs), 2) identify the sources of sedimentary organic matter, and 3) determine key environmental factors controlling the macrozoobenthos community structure. A total of 58 surface sediments were collected from the estuary and coastal area in 2014. Specific persistent organic contaminants (POCs), including 24 PAHs, 6 APs, and 10 SOs were measured. PAHs, APs, and SOs were detected in the sediments at all sites, with concentrations varying among sites. Although POCs concentrations were generally below the Canadian sediment quality guidelines, relatively greater concentrations of POCs were found at some sites adjacent to industrial complexes and the estuarine area. Sediment organic carbon, total nitrogen, and the stable carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C) were determined. Some sites near watergate had about 2-3‰ lighter δ¹³C values compared to other areas, indicating that these sites are affected by terrestrial organic matter. The number of species in the macrofaunal community was significantly correlated with δ¹³C values (p < 0.001), positively, suggesting that the origin of sedimentary organic matter is important for controlling the macrozoobenthos distribution. Overall, this research provides information about the level and sources of sediment pollution, the origins of organic matter, and the relationships with the macrofaunal community.

Ecogenomic responses of benthic communities under multiple stressors along the marine and adjacent riverine areas of northern Bohai Sea, China

Benthic communities in the aquatic ecosystem are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic stressors. To understand the ecogenomic responses of sediment communities to the multiple stressors of polluted environments, the bacteria, protistan and metazoan communities in sediments from marine and adjacent riverine areas of North Bohai Sea were characterized by environmental DNA meta-systematics, and their associations with environmental variables were assessed by multiple statistical approaches. The bacterial communities were dominated by Firmicutes (mean 22.4%), Proteobacteria (mean 21.6%) and Actinobacteria (mean 21.5%). The protistan communities were dominated by Ochrophyta (33.7%), Cercozoa (18.9%) and Ciliophora (17.9%). Arthropoda (71.1%) dominated the metazoan communities in sediments. The structures of communities in sediments were shaped by both natural variables (spatial variability and/or salinity (presented as Na and Ca)) and anthropogenic contaminants, including DDTs, PAHs or metals (Cu, Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni and Zn). Particularly, the correlation network of multiple communities was modulated by the concentrations of Na and DDTs at the family level. Overall, environmental DNA meta-systematics can provide a powerful tool for biomonitoring, sediment quality assessment, and key stressors identification.

Spatiotemporal distributions of butyltin compounds in various intertidal organisms along the Samcheok and Tongyeong coasts of Korea

Thirteen years ago, the Korean Government introduced a regulation prohibiting the use of tributyltin (TBT), which was a component of antifouling paints. A subsequent decline in the concentration of butyltins (BTs) was recorded in seawater and the sediment, however, the current concentration of BTs in biota has not been well documented. The spatiotemporal distribution and concentration of BTs was recorded in biota from 2013 to 2015 along the coasts of Samcheok and Tongyeong using GS/MSD analysis. Crustaceans contained the greatest concentrations of BTs, followed by gastropods, fishes, and bivalves. We found that the concentration of BTs was greater at Tongyeong compared to Samcheok, because of the geographical characteristics of the area. We also confirmed that the regulation has been effective by showing that the TBT concentration decreased over the 3-year study period. The TBT levels of gastropods and bivalves fell within the limits of the guidelines and/or the effective concentration of the toxicological endpoint reported previously. The concentration of BTs also varied among species, being dependent on the weight of the soft tissue. Furthermore, the greater quantities of BTs degradation products compared to TBT confirmed the absence of recent inputs of pollutants during the study periods. However, compared with other Asian countries, biota BTs were greater in Korea, with noticeably greater concentrations along the south coast. Thus, further investigation of the distribution of BTs along the Korean coasts is required in the future. In conclusion, our results provide useful information about the recent trends of BTs in Korea.

Inferring source attribution from a multiyear multisource data set of Salmonella in Minnesota

Salmonella enterica is a global health concern because of its widespread association with foodborne illness. Bayesian models have been developed to attribute the burden of human salmonellosis to specific sources with the ultimate objective of prioritizing intervention strategies. Important considerations of source attribution models include the evaluation of the quality of input data, assessment of whether attribution results logically reflect the data trends and identification of patterns within the data that might explain the detailed contribution of different sources to the disease burden. Here, more than 12,000 non-typhoidal Salmonella isolates from human, bovine, porcine, chicken and turkey sources that originated in Minnesota were analysed. A modified Bayesian source attribution model (available in a dedicated R package), accounting for non-sampled sources of infection, attributed 4,672 human cases to sources assessed here. Most (60%) cases were attributed to chicken, although there was a spike in cases attributed to a non-sampled source in the second half of the study period. Molecular epidemiological analysis methods were used to supplement risk modelling, and a visual attribution application was developed to facilitate data exploration and comprehension of the large multiyear data set assessed here. A large amount of within-source diversity and low similarity between sources was observed, and visual exploration of data provided clues into variations driving the attribution modelling results. Results from this pillared approach provided first attribution estimates for Salmonella in Minnesota and offer an understanding of current data gaps as well as key pathogen population features, such as serotype frequency, similarity and diversity across the sources. Results here will be used to inform policy and management strategies ultimately intended to prevent and control Salmonella infection in the state.

Impacts of environmental and anthropogenic stresses on macrozoobenthic communities in Jinhae Bay, Korea

In this study, spatiotemporal dynamics of macrofaunal assemblages and their associations with environmental conditions were examined in Jinhae Bay (10 sites), where the obvious sources of pollution including industries, oyster farms (hanging cultures), and municipal discharges has surrounded. The survey had performed over five consecutive seasons in 2013-2014. Target sedimentary variables included grain size, organic content, C/N ratio, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios, and some heavy metals. Five ecological quality indices (EcoQ) were calculated from the benthic community data to evaluate ecological qualities in site-specific manner. Jinhae Bay is a shallow (depths range, 11-24 m) and typical semi-enclosed bay. The benthic environments represented mud dominated bottoms (>70%) with fairly substantial organic content levels (>2%) over all five seasons. Seasonal patterns were observed with peak abundances in the spring and distinctive macrozoobenthos species shifts in the summer. The spring bloom could be explained by drastic increases of some polychaetes, mainly Capitella sp., at certain site, particularly near the shore. The oyster farms situated in the innermost locations seem to provide organic-rich bottoms being dominated by opportunistic species and/or organic pollution indicator species, such as Lumbrineris longifolia, Capitella sp., and Paraprionospio patiens. In general, the EcoQ indicators indicated that Jinhae Bay was moderately polluted, with exceptionally poor EcoQ in a few locations during the specific season(s). Overall, adverse effects on benthic community was broadly attributable to contaminations of heavy metals and nearby aquatic farm activities in Jinhae Bay, which requires a prompt action toward ecosystem-based management practice in the given area.

Abstract OT1-02-07: SOPHIA: A phase 3, randomized study of margetuximab plus chemotherapy vs trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer

Background: Despite significant advances in targeted therapy, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains incurable. Ideal treatment includes pertuzumab and trastuzumab in combination with a taxane in the first line setting, followed by ado-trastuzumab emtansine on progression. Optimal treatment regimens in the third and greater line of therapy are not defined, but continued anti-HER2 therapy is recommended. Margetuximab is a Fc-modified monoclonal antibody to HER2 that recognizes the same epitope on HER2 as does trastuzumab, with similar affinity. Margetuximab demonstrates increased affinity to the activating CD16A Fc-receptor found on NK cells and macrophages and decreased affinity to the inhibitory CD32B receptor compared to trastuzumab. In vitro studies showed enhanced antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity compared to trastuzumab. In a Phase 1 dose escalation and expansion trial, margetuximab showed single agent clinical activity against HER2+ tumors in patients previously treated with trastuzumab and other anti-HER2 agents. Methods: SOPHIA is a randomized, prospective study testing the hypothesis that margetuximab plus chemotherapy (CTX) is more effective than trastuzumab plus CTX in patients previously treated for HER2+ MBC. Sequential primary endpoints are centrally assessed progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The study size of 530 patients is determined to have 80% power to detect a hazard ratio for OS of 0.75. Secondary endpoints are investigator assessed PFS and centrally assessed overall response rate. Eligibility includes prior treatment with trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and ado-trastuzumab emtansine; no more than 3 prior lines of therapy in the metastatic setting; prior demonstration of HER2+ status at a local reference laboratory; and absence of active brain metastases. Eligible patients are randomized 1:1 to receive CTX (physician's choice: capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine or vinorelbine) plus either margetuximab or trastuzumab until disease progression or toxicity. Antibody may be continued after stopping CTX in patients with responding or stable disease. Progress to date: The trial was initiated July 2015 and is ongoing in the US and Europe with planned expansion to Korea and Israel. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02492711; Eudract 2015-000380-13.

Citation Format: Rugo HS, Pegram MD, Gradishar WJ, Cortes J, Curigliano G, Hong S, Wigginton JM, Lechleider RJ, Cardoso F. SOPHIA: A phase 3, randomized study of margetuximab plus chemotherapy vs trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-02-07.

A functional variant of miRNA-149 confers risk for allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma in Chinese children

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma has been increasing, and the comorbidity rates of these diseases are very high. Here, 176 AR patients, 124 patients with comorbid AR and asthma (AR-A) and 206 healthy Chinese children as controls were included in a case-control study. Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), miR-146a (rs2910164, rs57095329 and rs6864584), miR-196a2 (rs11614913), miR-499 (rs3746444) and miR-149 (rs2292832), were genotyped. The prevalence of homozygous miR-149 (rs2292832) CC genotype and C allele were considerably increased in AR and AR-A patients, compared with the controls. AR-A group showed higher frequencies of CC genotype and C allele of rs2292832 than AR group. No significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of other miRNA SNPs was found between the groups. MiR-149 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly lower in CC (variant type) cases compared with TT (wild-type) cases. In further experiments, PBMCs obtained from the healthy controls with CC, CT and TT genotypes were stimulated by house dust mite extracts, which led to a significant decrease in the levels of miR-149 in PBMCs obtained from CC and TT individuals. This decrease was more pronounced in CC compared with TT cases. Our results demonstrate that miR-149 rs2292832 variant is not only strongly associated with AR and AR-A, but it may lead to an increase in the susceptibility to allergies following the stimulation with an allergen, through the changes in miR149 expression. Additionally, AR patients with CC genotypes were shown to be more susceptible to asthma.

Reconnaissance of dioxin-like and estrogen-like toxicities in sediments of Taean, Korea-seven years after the Hebei Spirit oil spill

Oil spills near the coastlines may damage marine and intertidal ecosystem. Constituents of the oil have been reported to cause toxic consequences mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and estrogen receptor (ER). In the present study, AhR- and ER-mediated toxicities of coastal sediments of Taean were investigated seven years after Hebei Spirit oil spill (HSOS). Sediment samples were collected on June and October 2014 from seven locations along the Taean coastline, where signs of oil spill were detected. Sediment samples were extracted in Soxhlet extractors and further processed through activated silica gels to separate into four fractions; F1 (saturate hydrocarbons), F2 (aromatic hydrocarbons), F3 (resins and polar compounds), and F4 (residues). ER-mediated and AhR-mediated potencies (% E2_max and % TCDD_max) of each fraction were determined using MVLN cells and H4IIE-luc cells, respectively. F2 and F3 fractions of Sinduri 1, Sinduri 2, and Sogeunri 1 samples showed greater AhR-mediated potencies (up to 107% TCDD_max). Chemical analysis revealed that PAH components are correlated with AhR-binding activities. The % E2_max results varied by sample: While there was no noticeable induction of ER-dependent responses (<45%), some aromatics fractions (F2) exhibited the highest ER-mediated responses. Compared with previous reports from the same sites, both AhR-mediated and ER-mediated potencies have decreased over time. Nevertheless, AhR-mediated potencies could be identified in the environmental samples even after 7 years of the incident. Therefore, possible ecosystem implications of these findings should be further investigated.

Assessment of potential biological activities and distributions of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sediments of the west coast of South Korea

The west coast of Korea has experienced environmental deterioration for more than half a century. In the present study, we specifically aimed to: i) evaluate potential toxicities of contaminants in sediments that cause effects mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptor (ER); ii) determine spatio-temporal distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols (APs); and iii) identify causes of greater potencies of samples. From 2010 to 2014, sediments were collected from 12 major estuarine and coastal regions along the west coast of South Korea. In vitro cell bioassays were performed to determine AhR- and ER-mediated potencies using H4IIE-luc and MVLN cells, respectively. Fifteen PAHs and six APs in sediments were identified by GC/MSD. Results of bioassays generally showed a low-to-moderate degree of contamination, however, greater AhR- and ER-mediated potencies were measured at some locations. Concentrations of PAHs and APs varied among locations, which indicated that sources were independently affected by the surrounding environment (e.g., industrial complex and cities). Results of bioassays were generally well correlated with concentrations of putative causative chemicals. Benzo[k]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[b]fluoranthene were the major AhR agonists, explaining approximately 30% of the bioassay-derived benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaP-EQ). Unknown AhR and ER agonists and potential mixture effects remain in question. Overall, the present study provides baseline information on chemical contaminations and potential toxicity of sediments in a fairly wide geographical region of the west coast of South Korea.

Searching for novel modes of toxic actions of oil spill using E. coli live cell array reporter system - A Hebei Spirit oil spill study

Oil is a complex mixture of numerous compounds. Therefore, oil spills near shore can cause various adverse effects on coastal ecosystems. However, most toxicological assessments conducted on oil spill sites have focused on limited modes of toxic actions. In the present study, we utilized the Escherichia coli (E. coli) live cell array system (LCA) to identify novel modes of toxicities of the oil spill-affected sediments. For this purpose, sediment samples were collected from an area heavily polluted by Hebei Spirit oil spill (HSOS) incident of 2007. A total of 93 E. coli reporter genes were used to study responses to the chemicals in the mixture. E. coli K12 strains were exposed to extracts of oil or the sediment, and changes in gene expression were measured. Exposure to extracts of crude and weathered oil resulted in decreased expression in ∼30% of tested genes. However, changes in expression observed after exposure to sediment extracts varied. Sediment extracts containing large concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) caused down-regulation of >70% of the genes, while extracts containing lesser total concentrations of PAHs exhibited different trends: genes involved in drug resistance were generally up-regulated, while genes responsive to DNA damage were up-regulated in only two extracts. Results suggest that oil pollution can modulate several toxic response pathways related to DNA repair and antibiotic responses. Results from LCA obtained from the sediment and oil samples were different from those observed in the H4IIE-luc assay. Toxicological implications of such observations deserve further examination. Overall, LCA is a promising tool for screening samples and identifying potential modes of toxicities of environmental samples associated with oil spills.

Traditional and new POPs in environments along the Bohai and Yellow Seas: An overview of China and South Korea

Rapid economic growth during the past two decades in the region surrounding the Bohai and Yellow Seas has resulted in severe pollution. Large amounts of monitoring data on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in various environmental media have been accumulated, which allows us to conduct a fairly comprehensive assessment of the region around the Bohai and Yellow Seas to elucidate spatial patterns of pollution on a regional scale. This review summarized distributions of traditional and new POPs, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), in various environmental media. In general, due to their physico-chemical properties (poor solubility in water), OCPs and PCBs were mainly detected in sediments, PBDEs and HBCDs were mainly detected in sediments and soils. PFASs, which have greater solubility, were mainly detected in the hydrosphere. For conventional POPs, such as OCPs and PCBs, Bohai Bay and Haihe River in China, Gyeonggi Bay and Lake Sihwa in South Korea were found to be most polluted areas. While for new POPs, such as PBDEs, HBCDs and PFASs, some areas were heavily polluted due to local production and applications. Estuarine and coastal areas of the Bohai Sea were more severely contaminated by POPs than coastal regions of the Yellow Sea. Overall, the present review will guide identification of key areas for strengthening risk assessment of POPs and management practices.

Evaluating the mTOR Pathway in Physiological and Pharmacological Settings

Mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved genuine protein kinase, which phosphorylates serine/threonine in response to growth factors and nutrients. It functions as a catalytic core in two distinct multiprotein complexes: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). mTORC1 promotes cell growth and proliferation by positively regulating translation, transcription, and lipid biosynthesis in response to growth factors and amino acids, whereas it inhibits autophagy, an essential degradation and recycling pathway. mTORC2 regulates cell survival and cytoskeleton organization. Mechanistic insights into the function and regulation of mTOR complexes have been provided in various experimental settings and monitoring mTOR activity has been a most valuable way to judge whether levels of environmental cues such nutrients and growth factors can satisfy cellular needs for cell growth, proliferation, and autophagic response. Here, we describe useful methods to access mTOR activity in different experimental settings.

Asymptomatic Clostridium difficile colonization in two Australian tertiary hospitals, 2012-2014: prospective, repeated cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for asymptomatic toxigenic (TCD) and nontoxigenic Clostridium difficile (NTCD) colonization in a broad cross section of the general hospital population over a 3-year period.

METHODS

Patients without diarrhoea admitted to two Australian tertiary hospitals were randomly selected through six repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted between 2012 and 2014. Stool specimens were cultured under anaerobic conditions, and C. difficile isolates were tested for the presence of toxin genes and ribotyped. Patients were then grouped into noncolonized, TCD colonized or NTCD colonized for identifying risk factors using multinomial logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 1380 asymptomatic patients were enrolled; 76 patients (5.5%) were TCD colonized and 28 (2.0%) were NTCD colonized. There was a decreasing annual trend in TCD colonization, and asymptomatic colonization was more prevalent during the summer than winter months. TCD colonization was associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 2.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-4.14), higher number of admissions in the previous year (RRR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.10-1.39) and antimicrobial exposure during the current admission (RRR = 2.78; 95% CI 1.23-6.28). NTCD colonization was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RRR = 3.88; 95% CI 1.66-9.07) and chronic kidney failure (RRR = 5.78; 95% CI 2.29-14.59). Forty-eight different ribotypes were identified, with 014/020 (n = 23), 018 (n = 10) and 056 (n = 6) being the most commonly isolated.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors differ between patients with asymptomatic colonization by toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains. Given that morbidity is largely driven by toxigenic strains, this novel finding has important implications for disease control and prevention.

Lethal and sub-lethal effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on marine benthic invertebrates and fish

Concern about leakage of carbon dioxide (CO2) from deep-sea storage in geological reservoirs is increasing because of its possible adverse effects on marine organisms locally or at nearby coastal areas both in sediment and water column. In the present study, we examined how elevated CO2 affects various intertidal epibenthic (benthic copepod), intertidal endobenthic (Manila clam and Venus clam), sub-tidal benthic (brittle starfish), and free-living (marine medaka) organisms in areas expected to be impacted by leakage. Acute lethal and sub-lethal effects were detected in the adult stage of all test organisms exposed to varying concentrations of CO2, due to the associated decline in pH (8.3 to 5.2) during 96-h exposure. However, intertidal organisms (such as benthic copepods and clams) showed remarkable resistance to elevated CO2, with the Venus clam being the most tolerant (LpH50 = 5.45). Sub-tidal species (such as brittle starfish [LpH50 = 6.16] and marine medaka [LpH50 = 5.91]) were more sensitive to elevated CO2 compared to intertidal species, possibly because they have fewer defensive capabilities. Of note, the exposure duration might regulate the degree of acute sub-lethal effects, as evidenced by the Venus clam, which showed a time-dependent effect to elevated CO2. Finally, copper was chosen as a model toxic element to find out the synergistic or antagonistic effects between ocean acidification and metal pollution. Combination of CO2 and Cu exposure enhances the adverse effects to organisms, generally supporting a synergistic effect scenario. Overall, the significant variation in the degree to which CO2 adversely affected organisms (viz., working range and strength) was clearly observed, supporting the general concept of species-dependent effects of elevated CO2.

Arsenic speciation in water, suspended particles, and coastal organisms from the Taehwa River Estuary of South Korea

Water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and biota samples were collected from the Taehwa River Estuary to determine the distributions, partitioning, and bioaccumulation of arsenicals. Six forms of As were quantitated by the use of HPLC-ICP/MS. As was found mainly near urban and industrial areas, and inorganic As(V) was the predominant As form in both water and SPM. Particulate arsenicals were found at the greatest concentrations in coarse particles (>180μm), followed by medium (30-180μm) and fine (0.45-30μm) particles, in freshwater. Arsenical concentrations were similar across the three particle fractions in saltwater. Field-based distribution coefficient (Kd) values for As depended strongly on SPM, with a less robust dependence on salinity. Concentrations of As were greater in macroalgae than in marine animals, such as fishes, bivalves, crabs, shrimps, and gastropods. Overall, the results of the present study provide useful information on the behaviors and fate of arsenicals in an estuarine environment.

Are styrene oligomers in coastal sediments of an industrial area aryl hydrocarbon-receptor agonists?

Effect-directed analysis (EDA) was performed to identify the major aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists in sediments collected from a highly industrialized area (Lake Shihwa, Korea). Great AhR-mediated potencies were found in fractions containing aromatic compounds with log Kow values of 5-8, and relatively great concentrations of styrene oligomers (SOs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in those fractions. Until now, there was little information on occurrences and toxic relative potencies (RePs) of SOs in coastal environments. In the present study; i) distributions and compositions, ii) AhR binding affinities, and iii) contributions of SOs to total AhR-mediated potencies were determined in coastal sediments. Elevated concentrations of 10 SOs were detected in sediments of inland creeks ranging from 61 to 740 ng g(-1) dry mass (dm), while lesser concentrations were found in inner (mean = 33 ng g(-1) dm) and outer regions (mean = 25 ng g(-1) dm) of the lake. Concentrations of PAHs in sediments were comparable to those of SOs. 2,4-diphenyl-1-butene (SD3) was the predominant SO analogue in sediments. SOs and PAHs were accumulated in sediments near sources, and could not be transported to remote regions due to their hydrophobicity. RePs of 3 SOs could be derived, which were 1000- to 10,000-fold less than that of one representative potent AhR active PAH, benzo[a]pyrene. Although concentrations of SOs in sediments were comparable to those of PAHs, the collective contribution of SOs to total AhR-mediated potencies were rather small (<1%), primarily due to their smaller RePs. Overall, the present study provides information on distributions and AhR binding affinities for SOs as baseline data for degradation products of polystyrene plastic in the coastal environment.

High-Level Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Isolates Circulating in Humans and Animals in Incheon, Republic of Korea

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the major causative pathogens of outbreaks or sporadic cases of diarrhoeal diseases worldwide. In this study, we compared the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of C. jejuni isolates of human and food-producing animal origins in Korea and examined the genetic relatedness between these two groups of isolates. Regardless of isolation source, all C. jejuni isolates harboured four virulence genes, cadF, cdtB, ciaB and racR, whereas the wlaN and virB11 genes were more frequently observed in human isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the majority of C. jejuni isolates displayed high-level resistance to fluoroquinolone (95.2%) or tetracycline (76.2%) antibiotics, and 12.4% of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (more than three classes of antibiotics tested). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of all Campylobacter isolates revealed 51 different SmaI-PFGE patterns and six major clusters containing both human and animal isolates. These results indicate that genetically diverse strains of C. jejuni with antimicrobial drug-resistance and virulence properties have prevailed in Incheon. Nevertheless, some particular populations continue to circulate within the community, providing the evidence for an epidemiological link of C. jejuni infections between humans and food-producing animals. Therefore, the continued monitoring and surveillance of C. jejuni isolates of human and food-producing animal origins are required for public health and food safety.

Efficacy and safety of teneligliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24-week multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial

We assessed the 24-week efficacy and safety of teneligliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that was inadequately controlled with diet and exercise. The present study was designed as a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase III study. Patients (n = 142) were randomized 2 : 1 into two different treatment groups as follows: 99 received teneligliptin (20 mg) and 43 received placebo. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level from baseline to week 24. Teneligliptin significantly reduced the HbA1c level from baseline compared with placebo after 24 weeks. At week 24, the differences between changes in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FBG) in the teneligliptin and placebo groups were -0.94% [least-squares (LS) mean -1.22, -0.65] and -1.21 mmol/l (-1.72, -0.70), respectively (all p < 0.001). The incidence of hypoglycaemia and adverse events were not significantly different between the two groups. This phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled study provides evidence of the safety and efficacy of 24 weeks of treatment with teneligliptin as a monotherapy in Korean patients with T2DM.

KLF13 regulates the differentiation-dependent human papillomavirus life cycle in keratinocytes through STAT5 and IL-8

High-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are the causative agents of cervical and anogenital cancers and are associated with 5% of all human cancers. Although prophylactic vaccines targeting a subset of HPV types are available, they are ineffective in HPV-infected individuals. Elucidation of the mechanisms controlling HPV replication may allow development of novel anti-HPV therapeutics. Infectious HPV virions are produced during terminal differentiation of host cells. The process of viral maturation requires synergistic interactions between viral and cellular proteins that leads to amplification of the viral genome and expression of late viral genes. Here we show that the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 13 (KLF13) has a critical role in the HPV life cycle. KLF13 is overexpressed in HPV-positive keratinocytes and cervical cancer cell lines. Expression of KLF13 in normal cervical epithelium is low but increases significantly in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous cervical cancer. After HPV infection, the E7 protein suppresses ubiquitin ligase FBW7 expression leading to an increase in KLF13 expression. Reduction of KLF13 with short hairpin RNA in differentiating HPV-positive cells resulted in diminished levels of viral gene expression and genome amplification. Knockdown of KLF13 also reduced the level of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, which led to the downregulation of the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated DNA damage pathway and the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8). In addition, neutralization of IL-8 diminished viral genome amplification in differentiating HPV-positive cells. Thus, KLF13 is critical for the activation of the HPV productive life cycle and is likely involved in initiation and progression of cervical cancer.

Bioaccessibility of AhR-active PAHs in sediments contaminated by the Hebei Spirit oil spill: Application of Tenax extraction in effect-directed analysis

Bioaccessibility of toxic substances in sedimentary residual oil is a crucial factor that needs to be considered for accurate risk assessments posed by oil spills. However, information on oil weathering processes and bioaccessibility of residual oil is often not sufficient and clear. In the present study, bioaccessibility of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-active polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal sediments near the site of the Hebei Spirit oil spill (Korea, 2007) was assessed by Tenax extraction in effect-directed analysis (EDA). Sediment samples collected 6 years after the oil spill were extracted using Soxhlet or Tenax, and EDA was performed using a battery of H4IIE-luc bioassay and GC/MSD analysis. Concentrations of PAHs and alkyl-PAHs in Soxhlet extracts ranged from 210 to 53,000 μg kg(-1) dry mass. However, concentrations of PAHs and alkyl-PAHs in Tenax extracts were approximately 20-fold less compared to those in Soxhlet extracts. In Soxhlet and Tenax extracts, the major AhR-active PAHs were identified as C1-chrysene, C3-chrysene, and C4-phenanthrene. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents (TEQ(PAHs)) explained 31% and 60% of the bioassay-derived TCDD-EQ concentrations in Soxhlet and Tenax extracts, respectively. Overall, bioaccessibility of PAHs and alkyl-PAHs in sedimentary residual oils depended on hydrophobicity (log K(ow)) and degree of weathering of crude oil. The results of the present study provide further evidence in support of the biological and ecological recoveries of oil spill sites.

Performance evaluation and validation of ecological indices toward site-specific application for varying benthic conditions in Korean coasts

Although several ecological indices have been developed worldwide to assess the ecological quality (EcoQ) status of coastal environments, their applicability remains in question. The present study evaluated the performance of 14 univariate and multivariate indices selected to provide a good description of benthic EcoQ status. We specifically investigated on i) spatial and regional variability, ii) (dis)similarity between ecological indices, and iii) the association of selected indices against heavy metal pollution. Benthic community data were collected from six coastal regions of Korea (n=365) that have varying land-use activity in adjacent inland areas (municipal, industrial, and rural). Abiotic sedimentary parameters were also considered as possible pressures associated with benthic community responses, including grain size, organic carbon content, and heavy metal pollution. The macrozoobenthic biodiversity and EcoQ results generally well reflected the geographical settings and the pollution gradient of heavy metals between regions. Among the six selected indices (H', AMBI, BPI, BQI, EQR, and M-AMBI), BPI appeared to be the most tolerant index, with >90% of locations being classified as "High" to "Good" while EQR showed the clear classification across the EcoQ status range. Significant disagreement between BQI vs. AMBI, BPI vs. M-AMBI, and AMBI vs. M-AMBI were found. Overall, single or limited indices seemed to over- or underestimate the given benthic conditions, warranting the use of site-specific indices at specific areas and/or locations. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the utility of applying different ecological or multivariate indices to infer the general ecological status of specific sites to gauge the extent of sedimentary pollution.

Microfluidic devices to enrich and isolate circulating tumor cells

Given the potential clinical impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood as a clinical biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers, a myriad of detection methods for CTCs have been recently introduced. Among those, a series of microfluidic devices are particularly promising as they uniquely offer micro-scale analytical systems that are highlighted by low consumption of samples and reagents, high flexibility to accommodate other cutting-edge technologies, precise and well-defined flow behaviors, and automation capability, presenting significant advantages over conventional larger scale systems. In this review, we highlight the advantages of microfluidic devices and their potential for translation into CTC detection methods, categorized by miniaturization of bench-top analytical instruments, integration capability with nanotechnologies, and in situ or sequential analysis of captured CTCs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in CTC detection achieved through application of microfluidic devices and the challenges that these promising technologies must overcome to be clinically impactful.