Selection of Silica Type and Amount for Flowability Enhancements via Dry Coating: Contact Mechanics Based Predictive Approach

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of dry coating the amount and type of silica on powder flowability enhancement using a comprehensive set of 19 pharmaceutical powders having different sizes, surface roughness, morphology, and aspect ratios, as well as assess flow predictability via Bond number estimated using a mechanistic multi-asperity particle contact model.

METHOD

Particle size, shape, density, surface energy and area, SEM-based morphology, and FFC were assessed for all powders. Hydrophobic (R972P) or hydrophilic (A200) nano-silica were dry coated for each powder at 25%, 50%, and 100% surface area coverage (SAC). Flow predictability was assessed via particle size and Bond number.

RESULTS

Nearly maximal flow enhancement, one or more flow category, was observed for all powders at 50% SAC of either type of silica, equivalent to 1 wt% or less for both the hydrophobic R972P or hydrophilic A200, while R972P generally performed slightly better. Silica amount as SAC better helped understand the relative performance. The power-law relation between FFC and Bond number was observed.

CONCLUSION

Significant flow enhancements were achieved at 50% SAC, validating previous models. Most uncoated very cohesive powders improved by two flow categories, attaining easy flow. Flowability could not be predicted for both the uncoated and dry coated powders via particle size alone. Prediction was significantly better using Bond number computed via the mechanistic multi-asperity particle contact model accounting for the particle size, surface energy, roughness, and the amount and type of silica. The widely accepted 200 nm surface roughness was not valid for most pharmaceutical powders.

Impact of Silica Dry Coprocessing with API and Blend Mixing Time on Blend Flowability and Drug Content Uniformity

This paper considers two fine-sized (d50 ∼10 µm) model drugs, acetaminophen (mAPAP) and ibuprofen (Ibu), to examine the effect of API dry coprocessing on their multi-component medium DL (30 wt%) blends with fine excipients. The impact of blend mixing time on the bulk properties such as flowability, bulk density, and agglomeration was studied. The hypothesis tested is that blends with fine APIs at medium DL require good blend flowability to have good blend uniformity (BU). Moreover, the good flowability could be achieved through dry coating with hydrophobic (R972P) silica, which reduces agglomeration of not only fine API, but also of its blends while using fine excipients. For uncoated APIs, the blend flowability was poor, i.e. cohesive regime at all mixing times, and the blends failed to achieve acceptable BU. In contrast, for dry coated APIs, their blend flowability improved to easy-flow regime or better, improving with mixing time, and as hypothesized, all blends consequently achieved desired BU. All dry coated API blends exhibited improved bulk density and reduced agglomeration, attributed to mixing induced synergistic property enhancements, likely due to silica transfer. Despite coating with hydrophobic silica, tablet dissolution was improved, attributed to the reduced agglomeration of fine API.

Enhanced blend uniformity and flowability of low drug loaded fine API blends via dry coating: The effect of mixing time and excipient size

Although previous research demonstrated improved flowability, packing, fluidization, etc. of individual powders via nanoparticle dry coating, none considered its impact on very low drug loaded blends. Here, fine ibuprofen at 1, 3, and 5 wt% drug loadings (DL) was used in multi-component blends to examine the impact of the excipients size, dry coating with hydrophilic or hydrophobic silica, and mixing times on the blend uniformity, flowability and drug release rates. For uncoated active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), the blend uniformity (BU) was poor for all blends regardless of the excipient size and mixing time. In contrast, for dry coated API having low agglomerate ratio (AR), BU was dramatically improved, more so for the fine excipient blends, at lesser mixing times. For dry coated API, the fine excipient blends mixed for 30 min had enhanced flowability and lower AR; better for the lowest DL having lesser silica, likely due to mixing induced synergy of silica redistribution. For the fine excipient tablets, dry coating led to fast API release rates even with hydrophobic silica coating. Remarkably, the low AR of the dry coated API even at very low DL and amounts of silica in the blend led to the enhanced blend uniformity, flow, and API release rate.

Reduced Fine API Agglomeration After Dry Coating for Enhanced Blend Uniformity and Processability of Low Drug Loaded Blends

PURPOSE

The impact of dry coating on reduced API agglomeration remains underexplored. Therefore, this work quantified fine cohesive API agglomeration reduction through dry coating and its impact on enhanced blend uniformity and processability, i.e., flowability and bulk density of multi-component blends API loading as low as 1 wt%.

METHODS

The impact of dry coating with two different types and amounts of silica was assessed on cohesion, agglomeration, flowability, bulk density, wettability, and surface energy of fine milled ibuprofen (~ 10 µm). API agglomeration, measured using Gradis/QicPic employing gentler gravity-based dispersion, resulted in excellent size resolution. Multi-component blends with fine-sized excipients, selected for reduced segregation potential, were tested for bulk density, cohesion, flowability, and blend content uniformity. Tablets formed using these blends were tested for tensile strength and dissolution.

RESULT

All dry coated ibuprofen powders exhibited dramatic agglomeration reduction, corroborated by corresponding decreased cohesion, unconfined yield strength, and improved flowability, regardless of the type and amount of silica coating. Their blends exhibited profound enhancement in flowability and bulk density even at low API loadings, as well as the content uniformity for the lowest drug loading. Moreover, hydrophobic silica coating improved drug dissolution rate without appreciably reducing tablet tensile strength.

CONCLUSION

The dry coating based reduced agglomeration of fine APIs for all three low drug loadings improved overall blend properties (uniformity, flowability, API release rate) due to the synergistic impact of a minute amount of silica (0.007 wt %), potentially enabling direct compression tableting and aiding manufacturing of other forms of solid dosing.

Paradoxical effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease

BACKGROUND

How cigarette smoke (CS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and severity is controversial. We investigated the effects of COPD and CS on the expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 in vivo in COPD patients and controls and in CS-exposed mice, and the effects of CS on SARS-CoV-2 infection in human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro.

METHODS

We quantified: (1) pulmonary ACE2 protein levels by immunostaining and ELISA, and both ACE2 and/or TMPRSS2 mRNA levels by RT-qPCR in two independent human cohorts; and (2) pulmonary ACE2 protein levels by immunostaining and ELISA in C57BL/6 WT mice exposed to air or CS for up to 6 months. The effects of CS exposure on SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated after in vitro infection of Calu-3 cells and differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), respectively.

RESULTS

ACE2 protein and mRNA levels were decreased in peripheral airways from COPD patients versus controls but similar in central airways. Mice exposed to CS had decreased ACE2 protein levels in their bronchial and alveolar epithelia versus air-exposed mice. CS treatment decreased viral replication in Calu-3 cells, as determined by immunofluorescence staining for replicative double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and western blot for viral N protein. Acute CS exposure decreased in vitro SARS-CoV-2 replication in HBECs, as determined by plaque assay and RT-qPCR.

CONCLUSIONS

ACE2 levels were decreased in both bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells from COPD patients versus controls, and from CS-exposed versus air-exposed mice. CS-pre-exposure potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. These findings urge to investigate further the controversial effects of CS and COPD on SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Paradoxical effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV2 infection and disease

Introduction

How cigarette smoke (CS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severity is controversial. We investigated the protein and mRNA expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 and proteinase TMPRSS2 in lungs from COPD patients and controls, and lung tissue from mice exposed acutely and chronically to CS. Also, we investigated the effects of CS exposure on SARS-CoV-2 infection in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Methods

In Cohort 1, ACE2-positive cells were quantified by immunostaining in FFPE sections from both central and peripheral airways. In Cohort 2, we quantified pulmonary ACE2 protein levels by immunostaining and ELISA, and both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA levels by RT-qPCR. In C57BL/6 WT mice exposed to air or CS for up to 6 months, pulmonary ACE2 protein levels were quantified by triple immunofluorescence staining and ELISA. The effects of CS exposure on SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated after 72hr in vitro infection of Calu-3 cells. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, the cells were fixed for IF staining with dsRNA-specific J2 monoclonal Ab, and cell lysates were harvested for WB of viral nucleocapsid (N) protein. Supernatants (SN) and cytoplasmic lysates were obtained to measure ACE2 levels by ELISA.

Results

In both human cohorts, ACE2 protein and mRNA levels were decreased in peripheral airways from COPD patients versus both smoker and NS controls, but similar in central airways. TMPRSS2 levels were similar across groups. Mice exposed to CS had decreased ACE2 protein levels in their bronchial and alveolar epithelia versus air-exposed mice exposed to 3 and 6 months of CS. In Calu3 cells in vitro, CS-treatment abrogated infection to levels below the limit of detection. Similar results were seen with WB for viral N protein, showing peak viral protein synthesis at 72hr.

Conclusions

ACE2 levels were decreased in both bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells from uninfected COPD patients versus controls, and from CS-exposed versus air-exposed mice. CS-pre-treatment did not affect ACE2 levels but potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in this in vitro model. These findings urge to further investigate the controversial effects of CS and COPD on SARS-CoV2 infection.

Quercetin Enhances the Function and Reduces Apoptosis of Mouse Islets

BACKGROUND

Quercetin (QE) is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, flavonoid compound. It was shown that islets are susceptible to oxidative stress due to their inherent low antioxidant capacity. In the present study, we investigated whether treatment of mouse islets with QE could enhance their function before transplantation.

METHODS

Balb/c mouse islets were treated with various concentrations of QE and their viability, function, and nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were determined before and after cytokine treatment. The expression of antioxidant genes was determined. Apoptosis and apoptosis-associated gene expression was measured using INS-1 cells with or without QE treatment before and after cytokine treatment.

RESULTS

The QE-treated islets and INS-1 cells showed higher cell function compared to untreated control. The expression of heme oxygenase-1, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were enhanced, and the expression of NO, iNOS, and Bcl-2-associated X protein were reduced before and after cytokine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that QE could enhance the viability and reduce apoptosis of mouse islets and improve their function before transplantation.

Abstract OT2-04-02: A phase 3 study of post-lumpectomy radiotherapy to whole breast + regional lymph nodes vs whole breast alone for patients with pN1 breast cancer treated with taxane-based chemotherapy (KROG 1701): Trial in progress

Background

In patients with early stage breast cancer, regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is added to whole breast irradiation (WBI) in order to control microscopic regional disease and to prevent systemic spread of cancer. According to recent randomized trials (MA.20 and EORTC 22922-10925), prophylactic RNI was associated with improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) in the patients with high-risk node negative or pN1 breast cancer. However, systemic agents now known to improve loco-regional control, such as taxane or endocrine therapy, were prescribed to a small percentage of patients in the studies. The benefit of RNI found in the previous studies might be attributed to incorporation of less effective systemic treatments. The impact of prophylactic RNI in pN1 breast cancer should be evaluated in the patients receiving modern systemic treatment. The current study was conducted to compare the effect of post-lumpectomy WBI vs WBI plus RNI on DFS in pN1 breast cancer patients who received adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy.

Methods

This study is a multicenter, phase 3, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial (NCT03269981). Eligibility criteria are ≥ 20 years female; pathologically proven invasive carcinoma of the breast; one to three positive axillary lymph nodes (pN1) in pathologic specimen; receiving breast-conserving surgery followed by taxane-based chemotherapy; having adjuvant endocrine therapy or anti-HER2 treatment according to molecular subtype of tumor. Patients are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive WBI or WBI plus RNI. Patient randomization was stratified by molecular subtype of tumor (i.e. luminal A/luminal B/luminal HER2/HER2-enriched/triple-negative) and methods of axillary management (i.e. sentinel lymph node biopsy/axillary lymph node dissection). The primary outcome is DFS. The secondary outcomes include DFS according to molecular subtype, treatment-related toxicity, and patient's quality of life per EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. Patients will be followed for survival and disease recurrence for seven years. A total of 1,926 patients are planned to be enrolled, with recruitment initiated in April 2017. As of June 2018, a total of 236 patients were enrolled.

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by a grant from the National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HA17C0043010018).

Citation Format: Kim H, Park W, Choi DH, Ahn SJ, Kim SS, Kim ES, Lee JH, Lee KC, Kim JH, Lee H-S, Kim JH, Kim MY, Park HJ, Kim K, Song SH, Kwon J, Lee IJ, Kim TH, Kim TG, Chang AR, Cho O, Jeong BK, Ha B, Lee J, Ki Y. A phase 3 study of post-lumpectomy radiotherapy to whole breast + regional lymph nodes vs whole breast alone for patients with pN1 breast cancer treated with taxane-based chemotherapy (KROG 1701): Trial in progress [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-04-02.

Abstract P3-12-12: Impact of regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer patients with supraclavicular and/or internal mammary lymph node involvement: A multicenter, retrospective study (KROG 16-14)

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular (SCL) and/or internal mammary (IMN) lymph node involvement.

Methods: A total of 353 patients from 11 institutions were included. One hundred and thirty-six patients had SCL involvement, 148 had IMN involvement, and 69 had both. All patients received neoadjvant systemic therapy followed by breast conserving surgery or mastectomy, and postoperative RT to whole breast/chest wall. As for regional lymph node irradiation, SCL RT was given to 344 patients, and IMN RT to 236 patients. The median RT dose was 50.4 Gy.

Results: The median follow-up duration was 61 months (range, 7-173). In-field progression was present in SCL (n=20) and/or IMN (n=7). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival rates were 57.8% and 75.1%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, both SCL/IMN involvement, number of axillary lymph node ≥4, triple negative subtype, and mastectomy were significant adverse prognosticators for DFS (p = 0.022, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.004, respectively). Regarding the impact of regional nodal irradiation, SCL RT dose ≥54 Gy was not associated with DFS (5-yr rate, 52.9% vs. 50.9%, p = 0.696) in SCL-involved patients, and the receipt of IMN RT was not associated with DFS (5-yr rate, 56.1% vs. 78.1%, p = 0.099) in IMN-involved patients.

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and postoperative RT achieved an acceptable in-field regional control rate in patients with SCL and/or IMN involvement. However, a higher RT dose to SCL or IMN RT was not associated with the improved DFS in these patients.

Citation Format: Kim K, Jeong Y, Shin KH, Kim JH, Ahn SD, Kim SS, Suh C-O, Kim YB, Choi DH, Park W, Cha J, Chun M, Lee DS, Lee SY, Kim JH, Park HJ. Impact of regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer patients with supraclavicular and/or internal mammary lymph node involvement: A multicenter, retrospective study (KROG 16-14) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-12.

The efficacy of a nested polymerase chain reaction in detecting the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis for diagnosing scabies

BACKGROUND

A widespread scabies infestation, associated with long-term residence in nursing homes, is becoming an issue in high-income countries. Mineral oil examination is regarded as the gold standard in diagnosing scabies, but the sensitivity of this method is generally low - approximately 50%. Molecular techniques may contribute to enhancing the sensitivity of current tests for laboratory diagnosis of human scabies.

OBJECTIVES

To develop new primers for a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis to increase the sensitivity of a previously developed conventional PCR.

METHODS

Patients with clinically suspected scabies underwent dermoscopy-guided skin scraping with microscopic examination. The diagnosis was positive for scabies when mites or eggs were found under the microscope, and patients were then designated as 'microscopy positive'. Patients who presented with negative microscopic results were placed in the 'microscopy-negative' group. Skin scrapings were collected from both groups for PCR.

RESULTS

Of the total 63 samples, 28 were microscopy positive and 35 were negative with no differences in sex and age between the two groups. All microscopically proven cases of scabies were positive using the cox1 nested PCR. Among microscopy-negative samples, S. scabieiDNA was detected in nine. If sensitivity of the cox1 nested PCR is considered 100% [95% confidence interval (CI) 90·5-100], then sensitivity of microscopy is 75·7% (95% CI 58·8-88·2; P = 0·004).

CONCLUSIONS

Nested PCR can be successfully used as an alternative method for diagnosing suspected scabies. Therefore, infection control measures and treatments can be initiated before significant transmission occurs, minimizing the risk of outbreaks.

Antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae recovered from companion animal and livestock environments

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria represent an important concern impacting both veterinary medicine and public health. The rising prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC beta-lactamase, carbapenemase (CRE) and fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae continually decreases the efficiency of clinically important antibiotics. Moreover, the potential for zoonotic transmission of antibiotic-resistant enteric bacteria increases the risk to public health. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria on human contact surfaces in various animal environments. Environmental surface samples were collected from companion animal shelters, private equine facilities, dairy farms, livestock auction markets and livestock areas of county fairs using electrostatic cloths. Samples were screened for Enterobacteriaceae expressing AmpC, ESBL, CRE or fluoroquinolone resistance using selective media. Livestock auction markets and county fairs had higher levels of bacteria expressing both cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone resistance than did equine, dairy, and companion animal environments. Equine facilities harboured more bacteria expressing cephalosporin resistance than companion animal shelters, but less fluoroquinolone resistance. The regular use of extended-spectrum cephalosporins in livestock populations could account for the increased levels of cephalosporin resistance in livestock environments compared to companion animal and equine facilities. Human surfaces, as well as shared human and animal surfaces, were contaminated with resistant bacteria regardless of species environment. Detecting these bacteria on common human contact surfaces suggests that the environment can serve as a reservoir for the zoonotic transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Identifying interventions to lower the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animal environments will protect both animal and public health.

Tetrahydrocurcumin Enhances Islet Cell Function and Attenuates Apoptosis in Mouse Islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated pancreatic islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. Curcumin has been used for its pharmacologic effects, such as antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the major metabolites of curcumin, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examines the hypothesis that preoperative THC treatment can attenuate ischemic damage and apoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Islets isolated from Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups and cultured in medium supplemented with or without THC. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail consisting of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-β, and interleukin-1β, islet cell viability, function, and apoptotic status were determined. Proteins related to apoptosis were analyzed using INS-1 cell after streptozocin treatment.

RESULTS

There was no difference in cell viability between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in the medium supplemented with THC showed 1.3-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than the islets cultured in the medium without THC. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release, and NO of the islets were significantly improved in THC-treated islets compared with islets not treated with THC. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and B-cell lymphoma-2 was elevated in the THC-treated group. The streptozocin-treated INS-1 cell produced significantly higher levels of and B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein, caspase-3, and caspase-9 than INS-1 treated with THC.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative THC administration enhances islet function before transplantation and attenuates the cytokine-induced damage associated with apoptosis.

Methyl jasmonate inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production via mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB pathways in RAW 264.7 cells

Methyl jasmonate is an important signaling molecule involved in plant defense as well as in the regulation of plant growth and development. Despite its various functions in plants, its effects on animal cells have not been widely studied and no report has been issued on the molecular aspects of its anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory properties of methyl jasmonate in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methyl jasmonate treatment effectively inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, it attenuated the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by suppressing the degradation of the inhibitor of κB-α (IκB-α). Additionally, methyl jasmonate dose-dependently blocked the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), i.e., p38 kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), in these cells. These results suggest that methyl jasmonate attenuated the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines by suppressing the activation of MAPK (JNK, ERK and p38) and NF-κB signaling. This study not only demonstrated that methyl jasmonate exerts anti-inflammatory activities in macrophages but also revealed its potential as a candidate for the treatment of various inflammation-associated diseases.

Implementing health promotion activities using community-engaged approaches in Asian American faith-based organizations in New York City and New Jersey

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) (e.g., churches, mosques, and gurdwaras) can play a vital role in health promotion. The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health for Asian Americans (REACH FAR) Project is implementing a multi-level and evidence-based health promotion and hypertension (HTN) control program in faith-based organizations serving Asian American (AA) communities (Bangladeshi, Filipino, Korean, Asian Indian) across multiple denominations (Christian, Muslim, and Sikh) in New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ). This paper presents baseline results and describes the cultural adaptation and implementation process of the REACH FAR program across diverse FBOs and religious denominations serving AA subgroups. Working with 12 FBOs, informed by implementation research and guided by a cultural adaptation framework and community-engaged approaches, REACH FAR strategies included (1) implementing healthy food policies for communal meals and (2) delivering a culturally-linguistically adapted HTN management coaching program. Using the Ecological Validity Model (EVM), the program was culturally adapted across congregation and faith settings. Baseline measures include (i) Congregant surveys assessing social norms and diet (n = 946), (ii) HTN participant program surveys (n = 725), (iii) FBO environmental strategy checklists (n = 13), and (iv) community partner in-depth interviews assessing project feasibility (n = 5). We describe the adaptation process and baseline assessments of FBOs. In year 1, we reached 3790 (nutritional strategies) and 725 (HTN program) via AA FBO sites. Most AA FBOs lack nutrition policies and present prime opportunities for evidence-based multi-level interventions. REACH FAR presents a promising health promotion implementation program that may result in significant community reach.

Strain and Bond Length Dynamics upon Growth and Transfer of Graphene by NEXAFS Spectroscopy from First-Principles and Experiment

As the quest toward novel materials proceeds, improved characterization technologies are needed. In particular, the atomic thickness in graphene and other 2D materials renders some conventional technologies obsolete. Characterization technologies at wafer level are needed with enough sensitivity to detect strain in order to inform fabrication. In this work, NEXAFS spectroscopy was combined with simulations to predict lattice parameters of graphene grown on copper and further transferred to a variety of substrates. The strains associated with the predicted lattice parameters are in agreement with experimental findings. The approach presented here holds promise to effectively measure strain in graphene and other 2D systems at wafer levels to inform manufacturing environments.

Morphometric analysis of the maxillary root apex positions according to crowding severity

OBJECTIVES

To determine differences in arch forms derived from the root apices locations between individuals with <2 mm maxillary crowding and controls.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

The Department of Orthodontics, Pusan National University. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 102 patients in the control group and 95 patients in the crowding group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

X, Y and Z coordinates of the tip of the crowns and the apex of the root of the maxillary teeth (except second molars) were determined on the CBCT images. The acquired three-dimensional (3D) coordinates were converted into two-dimensional (2D) coordinates via projection on the palatal plane, and the Procrustes analysis was employed to process the converted 2D coordinates. The mean shape of the arch form derived from the location of the tip of the crowns and the apex of the root was compared between groups using the statistical shape analysis.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference (P = .046) between the groups for the mean shape of the root apex arch form, but the difference was small and clinically irrelevant as it is minor compared to the degree of crowding.

CONCLUSIONS

Maxillary arch from at the level of the maxillary apices only shows minor differences between crowded and non-crowded dentitions.

Spontaneous and indicated preterm delivery risk is increased among overweight and obese women without prepregnancy chronic disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the independent impact of prepregnancy obesity on preterm delivery among women without chronic diseases by gestational age, preterm category and parity.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Data from the Consortium on Safe Labor (CSL) in the USA (2002-08).

POPULATION

Singleton deliveries at ≥23 weeks of gestation in the CSL (43 200 nulliparas and 63 129 multiparas) with a prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m² and without chronic diseases.

METHODS

Association of prepregnancy BMI and the risk of preterm delivery was examined using Poisson regression with normal weight as reference.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Preterm deliveries were categorised by gestational age (extremely, very, moderate to late) and category (spontaneous, indicated, no recorded indication).

RESULTS

Relative risk of spontaneous preterm delivery was increased for extremely preterm among obese nulliparas (1.26, 95% CI: 0.94-1.70 for overweight; 1.88, 95% CI: 1.30-2.71 for obese class I; 1.99, 95% CI: 1.32-3.01 for obese class II/III) and decreased for moderate to late preterm delivery among overweight and obese multiparas (0.90, 95% CI: 0.83-0.97 for overweight; 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.97 for obese class I; 0.79, 95% CI: 0.69-0.90 for obese class II/III). Indicated preterm delivery risk was increased with prepregnancy BMI in a dose-response manner for extremely preterm and moderate to late preterm among nulliparas, as it was for moderate to late preterm delivery among multiparas.

CONCLUSIONS

Prepregnancy BMI was associated with increased risk of preterm delivery even in the absence of chronic diseases, but the association was heterogeneous by preterm categories, gestational age and parity.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Obese nulliparas without chronic disease had higher risk for spontaneous delivery <28 weeks of gestation.

Protective Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is an A2A receptor agonist that induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production during the pathological condition of low tissue perfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major problem after renal transplantation. In the present study, we investigated whether PDRN exhibits reno-protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in mice.

METHODS

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by bilateral renal pedicle occlusion for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 48 hours. PDRN (8 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) was administered 30 minutes before IRI.

RESULTS

Treatment with PDRN significantly decreased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in the urine, blood urea nitrogen level, and serum creatinine levels as well as kidney tubular injury. Western blotting showed that PDRN significantly increased the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and B-cell lymphoma protein and attenuated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Bcl-2-associated X protein levels 48 hours after IRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that PDRN is a potential therapeutic agent for acute ischemia-induced renal damage.

Protective Effect of Eupatilin Pretreatment Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from Artemisia species, is known to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major critical event that commonly occurs after liver transplantation and resection. Furthermore, inflammatory responses to IRI exacerbate the resultant hepatic injury. In this study, we investigated whether eupatilin protects against IR-induced acute liver injury in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Partial (70%) hepatic IRI was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by portal triad pedicle occlusion for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for 6 hours. Eupatilin (10 mg/kg body weight, oral) was administered 4 days before the IRI.

RESULTS

Treatment with eupatilin significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase as well as liver histologic changes. Eupatilin also prevented hepatic glutathione depletion and increased malondialdehyde levels induced by IRI. Western blotting indicated that eupatilin significantly increased the levels of heat shock protein and B-cell lymphoma 2 protein, attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cleaved caspase-3 levels 6 hours after IRI. The expression of the Toll-like receptor 2/4, and phosphorylated nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor was significantly decreased in the eupatilin pretreatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Eupatilin improved the acute hepatic IRI by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. These findings suggest that eupatilin is a promising therapeutic agent against acute IR-induced hepatic damage.

Red Ginseng Administration Before Islet Isolation Attenuates Apoptosis and Improves Islet Function and Transplant Outcome in a Syngeneic Mouse Marginal Islet Mass Model

BACKGROUND

Transplantation of isolated islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. Red ginseng (RG) is steamed ginseng and has been reported to enhance insulin secretion-stimulating and anti-apoptotic activities in pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that pre-operative RG treatment enhances islet cell function and anti-apoptosis and investigated whether RG improves islet engraftment by transplant of a marginal mass of syngeneic islets pretreated with RG in diabetic mice.

METHODS

Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and 1 group was administered RG (400 mg/kg/day orally) for 7 days before islet isolation. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After cytokine treatment, cell viability, function, and apoptosis of islet cells were analyzed. Furthermore, we studied the effects of RG in a syngeneic islet graft model. A marginal mass of syngeneic mouse islets was transplanted into diabetic hosts.

RESULTS

Islet pretreatment with RG showed 1.4-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than did control islets. RG pretreatment upregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression and downregulated Bcl-associated X protein (BAX), caspase-3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Glucose-induced insulin release, NO, and apoptosis were significantly improved in RG-pretreated islets compared with cytokine-treated islets. RG-pretreated mice exhibited improved marginal mass islet graft survival compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that pre-operative RG administration enhanced islet function before transplantation and attenuated cytokine-induced damage associated with apoptosis. These studies indicate that inhibition of apoptosis by RG significantly improved islet cell and graft function after isolation and transplantation, respectively.

Advanced remediation of uranium-contaminated soil

The existing decontamination method using electrokinetic equipment after acidic washing for uranium-contaminated soil requires a long decontamination time and a significant amount of electric power. However, after soil washing, with a sulfuric acid solution and an oxidant at 65 °C, the removal of the muddy solution using a 100 mesh sieve can decrease the radioactivity of the remaining coarse soil to the clearance level. Therefore, only a small amount of fine soil collected from the muddy solution requires the electrokinetic process for its decontamination. Furthermore, it is found that the selective removal of uranium from the sulfuric washing solution is not obtained using an anion exchanger but rather using a cation exchanger, unexpectedly. More than 90% of the uranium in the soil washing solutions is adsorbed on the S-950 resin, and 87% of the uranium adsorbed on S-950 is desorbed by washing with a 0.5 M Na₂CO₃ solution at 60 °C.

Radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolisation as first-line treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma or isolated intrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in transplanted livers

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) as a first-line treatment for isolated intrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (IIR-HCC) after liver transplantation (LT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. Between January 2005 and January 2015, 588 consecutive patients underwent LT for the treatment of HCC. Among them, 27 patients with IIR-HCCs after LT who were treated with RFA (n=6) or TACE (n=21) as a first-line treatment were retrospectively included in this study. Disease-free and overall survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors affecting these outcomes were assessed with Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Except for the total number of recurrent tumours and time-to-tumour recurrence after LT, baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the groups. The 2-year disease-free survival rates for RFA and TACE (20% versus 14%, respectively; p=0.180) and 4-year overall survival rates (33% versus 25%, respectively; p=0.065) were not significantly different between groups. In addition, the types of treatment were not associated with disease-free or overall survival in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

TACE may be an effective treatment comparable to RFA in patients with IIR-HCC after LT when RFA is not feasible.

Applicability of the Sparse Temporal Acquisition Technique in Resting-State Brain Network Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The ability of sparse temporal acquisition to minimize the effect of scanner background noise is of utmost importance in auditory fMRI; however, it has considerably lower temporal efficiency and resolution than the conventional continuous acquisition method. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sparse sampling could be applied to resting-state research by comparing its results with those obtained by using continuous acquisition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified resting-state networks by using independent component analysis and measured their functional connectivity strength in 14 healthy subjects who underwent two 6-minute sparse (60 volumes) and continuous (360 volumes) imaging sessions. To account for the sample size difference, an additional continuous dataset was generated by temporally matching the continuous dataset to 60 volumes of the sparse dataset.

RESULTS

Consistent resting-state network maps were produced through all 3 datasets. Scanner background noise did not appear to affect the spatial constitution of the networks, whereas a larger sample size influenced it substantially. The strength of the intranetwork connectivity was similar through the 3 datasets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that continuous acquisition is a recommended technique that should be applied in most of the resting-state studies due to its superior temporal efficiency and increased statistical power. The use of sparse temporal acquisition should be restricted to very particular conditions when continuous scanner noise is unacceptable.

Tumefactive gallbladder sludge: the MRI findings

AIM

To evaluate the conventional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of tumefactive gallbladder sludge.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The institutional review board approved this retrospective study. Between January 2006 and January 2015, 3478 patients were diagnosed with gallbladder sludge by ultrasonography (US). Of them, 12 patients (eight male, four female; mean age, 63.6 years) with 12 tumefactive gallbladder sludge lesions, who underwent subsequent MRI for further evaluation within 1 month, were included in this study. Data regarding the clinical features, presence of enhancement, and signal intensities of the T2-, T1-, and diffusion-weighted images were collected.

RESULTS

All cases of tumefactive sludge were detected incidentally. None of the patients had any predisposing factors for biliary sludge. The tumefactive gallbladder sludge was predominantly seen as a well-defined mass-like lesion. It showed hyperintensity on T1-weighted images (91.7%, 11/12), and variable signal intensities on T2-weighted images. Most of the tumefactive sludge lesions showed no enhancement on the dynamic phases (90%, 9/10). There were no cases with diffusion restriction. Among the patients with follow-up US data (n=7), all the lesions were found to have either disappeared or decreased in size.

CONCLUSION

Although tumefactive gallbladder sludge on US can mimic gallbladder cancer, its hyperintensity on a T1-weighted image, and the absence of enhancement and diffusion restriction on MRI images can be helpful for differentiating it from a tumorous condition.

Retinal vessel structure measurement using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To assess the reliability and validity of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements of retinal vessel lumen diameters and wall thicknesses.

METHODS

SD-OCT was used to characterize the circular region around the optic disc of 40 eyes (20 subjects). The inner and outer sides (vitreal and choroidal sides) of the vessel wall and the luminal diameter were measured using intensity graphs.

RESULTS

Mean arterial and venous luminal diameters were 95.1±16.1 and 132.6±17.8 μm, respectively. The wall thicknesses of inner and outer sides of the artery were 23.9±4.9 and 21.2±3.5 μm, respectively. The wall thicknesses of the inner and outer sides of the vein were 20.7±4.2 and 16.3±4.3 μm, respectively. There were significant differences between the inner and outer wall thicknesses in both the artery and vein (P<0.01). Intra- and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for lumen measurements were >0.95, and for wall thicknesses were >0.85, except for the outer wall thickness measurements. The mean value of outer and inner wall thicknesses showed good reproducibility, with ICCs of >0.85.

CONCLUSION

Intensity graph-assisted measurements using SD-OCT provided more objective information in finding boundaries of vessels. Luminal diameters and wall thicknesses obtained with OCT showed good overall reproducibility, with inner wall thicknesses being thicker, and with better reproducibility compared with outer wall thicknesses, where ICC values were the lowest among the inner wall thicknesses, mean thicknesses of inner and outer walls, and luminal diameters. When using SD-OCT measurements, caution is therefore advised when using only the outer wall as representative of the wall thicknesses.

Presentation of available CTL epitopes that induction of cell-mediated immune response against HIV-1 Koran clade B strain using computational technology

OBJECTIVE

Theoretical predicting cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes are an important tool in vaccine design and CTL therapy for enhancing our understanding of the cellular immune system. We would like to identify available CTL epitopes against HIV-1 Korean clade B. CTL activity was assessed in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Korean HIV patients in order to assess whether these CTL epitopes induce a cell-mediated immune response (CMI).

METHODS

NetCTLpan1.1 software, which is the most popular prediction computer software package, and full atom-based simulation (FABS), which is a 3D modelling system for binding activity between epitopes and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, were used to predict the peptide-spanning Env region binding to HLA-A*24:02, HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-B*15:01, which are frequently found in the Korean population. Granzyme B and interferon-γ ELISPOT assays were used to determine whether identified CTL epitopes induce CMI.

RESULTS

Three HIV-1 Korean clade B-specific Env CTL epitopes were identified: Gp41-RYL and Gp41-RQG are localized within gp41, and Gp120-LLQ within gp120. In in vitro assays using granzyme B ELISPOT, Gp120-LLQ and Gp41-RQG induced epitope-specific CTL responses in HLA-restricted cells. In ex vivo assay using IFN-γ ELISPOT, cell-mediated immune responses to Gp41-RYL were present in 50% of HLA-matched patients, and responses to Gp120-LLQ and Gp41-RQG were found in 33% of HLA-matched patients.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that a prediction pipeline for CTL epitopes might be based on the most popular computer prediction software and FABS methods. Our results suggest that these CTL epitopes may provide useful tools and information for the development of a therapeutic vaccine against HIV-1 Korean clade B.

Gluconacetobacter sp. gel_SEA623-2, bacterial cellulose producing bacterium isolated from citrus fruit juice

Cellulose producing bacterial strain was isolated from citrus fruit juice fungus. The isolated strain was identified as Gluconacetobacter sp. gel_SEA623-2 based on several morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA conducted. Culture conditions for bacterial cellulose production by SEA623-2 were screened in static trays. Conditions were extensively optimized by varying the kind of fruit juice, pH, sugar concentration, and temperature for maximum cellulose production. SEA623-2 has a high productive capacity in citrus processing medium, but not in other fruits. The optimal combination of the media constituents for bacterial cellulose production is as follows: 10% citrus juice, 10% sucrose, 1% acetic acid, and 1% ethanol at 30 °C, pH 3.5. Bacterial cellulose produced by SEA623-2 has soft physical properties, high tensile strength, and high water retention value. The cellulose produced by the selected bacteria is suitable as a cosmetic and medical material.

Low pulmonary function is related with a high risk of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2011

Sarcopenia is the age-related reduction of skeletal muscle mass in older individuals. Respiratory muscle strength may be related to skeletal muscle mass and, thus, the present study attempted to estimate the risk of sarcopenia relative to decreased pulmonary function. The present findings demonstrated that low pulmonary function was associated with low muscle mass in community-dwelling older adults.

INTRODUCTION

Lean body mass is related to pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the relationship between muscle mass and pulmonary function in healthy older adults has yet to be clarified. Thus, the present study investigated the association of pulmonary function with muscle mass in an older community-dwelling Korean population.

METHODS

This study included 463 disease-free subjects over 65 years of age who underwent anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, spirometry, and the estimation of appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) mass in the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Low muscle mass was defined as the value of ASM divided by height squared (ASM/height(2)) that was less than two standard deviations (SD) below the sex-specific mean of the young reference group.

RESULTS

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1[L]) and forced vital capacity (FVC[L]) were positively correlated with ASM/height(2) in males (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) but not in females (p = 0.360 and p = 0.779, respectively). A univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that males with low FEV1 or FVC were more likely to have low muscle mass (odds ratio [OR] = 3.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62-5.99 for FEV1; OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.13-3.53 for FVC); similar results were found for females, but the significance was lower (OR = 11.37, 95% CI 0.97-132.91 for FEV1; OR = 7.31, 95% CI 1.25-42.74 for FVC). After adjusting for age, smoking, and moderate physical activity, a low FEV1 value was associated with low muscle mass in both males (OR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.50-5.63) and females (OR = 9.15, 95% CI 1.53-54.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Using nationally representative data from the 2008-2011 KNHANES, low pulmonary function was found to be associated with low muscle mass in community-dwelling older Korean adults.

Dynamic modulation of electronic properties of graphene by localized carbon doping using focused electron beam induced deposition

We report on the first demonstration of controllable carbon doping of graphene to engineer local electronic properties of a graphene conduction channel using focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID). Electrical measurements indicate that an "n-p-n" junction on graphene conduction channel is formed by partial carbon deposition near the source and drain metal contacts by low energy (<50 eV) secondary electrons due to inelastic collisions of long range backscattered primary electrons generated from a low dose of high energy (25 keV) electron beam (1 × 10(18) e(-) per cm(2)). Detailed AFM imaging provides direct evidence of the new mechanism responsible for dynamic evolution of the locally varying graphene doping. The FEBID carbon atoms, which are physisorbed and weakly bound to graphene, diffuse towards the middle of graphene conduction channel due to their surface chemical potential gradient, resulting in negative shift of Dirac voltage. Increasing a primary electron dose to 1 × 10(19) e(-) per cm(2) results in a significant increase of carbon deposition, such that it covers the entire graphene conduction channel at high surface density, leading to n-doping of graphene channel. Collectively, these findings establish a unique capability of FEBID technique to dynamically modulate the doping state of graphene, thus enabling a new route to resist-free, "direct-write" functional patterning of graphene-based electronic devices with potential for on-demand re-configurability.

The dangerous gamble of heparinization within two weeks of nonoperative traumatic acute subdural hematoma in patients with increased stroke risk: a case series

BACKGROUND

In traumatic acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) management, systemic anticoagulation is contraindicated, particularly during the first 2 weeks. We present two cases of patients with nonoperative aSDH whose stroke risk led to heparinization within 2 weeks of the initial hemorrhage and examine their outcomes to illustrate the risks and benefits associated with systemic anticoagulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two elderly males, on warfarin at baseline who developed traumatic nonoperative aSDH were heparinized within 2 weeks of aSDH onset.

RESULTS

One patient showed a decreased SDH volume on Day 19. The second patient developed sudden onset headache with fixed/dilated pupils on Day 5. In this patient, a CT scan of the brain revealed marked enlargement of the aSDH from 0.9 to 2.4 cm with midline shift of 1.5 cm, and uncal herniation that was incompatible with life.

CONCLUSION

Heparinization within two weeks of aSDH may cause SDH enlargement resulting in rapidly fatal neurologic deterioration. Further study is needed to more definitively address this issue.

5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone attenuates ischemic damage and apoptosis in mouse islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated pancreatic islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. 5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone (Eupatilin), a pharmacologically active flavone derived from the Artemisia plant species, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examines the hypothesis that preoperative eupatilin treatment can attenuate ischemic damage and apoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Islets isolated from Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and cultured in medium supplemented with or without eupatilin. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail consisting of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (INF)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β, islet cell viability, function, and apoptotic status were determined. The glutathione (GSH) and nitrous oxide (NO) levels were also measured. Proteins related to apoptosis were analyzed using Western blotting.

RESULTS

There was no difference in cell viability between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in the medium supplemented with eupatilin showed 1.4-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than the islets cultured in the medium without eupatilin. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release and the total insulin content of the islets were significantly improved in eupatilin-pretreated islets compared with islets not treated with eupatilin. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and GSH levels were elevated in the eupatilin-pretreated group. Cytokine-only treated islets produced significantly higher levels of NO, iNOS, and caspase-3 than islets pretreated with eupatilin before cytokine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative eupatilin administration enhances islet function before transplantation and attenuates the cytokine-induced damage associated with NO production and apoptosis.

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.

Social capital: a novel platform for understanding social determinants of health in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to introduce the concept of social capital as a unique and distinct entity from the traditional psychosocial factors of social support, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and to evaluate how social capital varies in an SLE sample according to demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, SLE patients completed the Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool (A-SCAT), which measures cognitive and structural social capital. Patients also completed measures of social support, depressive symptoms, and SLE self-efficacy. Correlations were evaluated between social capital scores and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.

RESULTS

We recruited 89 patients (mean age: 39 ± 15 years old, 83 (93): female; mean SLEDAI: 4; mean SLICC 1). The mean A-SCAT score was 34 ± 15 (normal: 0-71); higher scores were associated with female sex, older age, higher education, Caucasian race, and non-Medicaid insurance (p ≤ 0.03 for all); associations were attributable to structural social capital. Social capital was not associated with depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, or affectionate and interaction social support, but was associated with informational and tangible social support (r = 0.39, r = 0.26, respectively, p ≤ 0.02). There were no associations between SLEDAI and SLICC and social capital, social support, and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Social capital is a novel construct that, like other traditional psychosocial measures, addresses aspects of SLE not reflected by markers of disease activity. Social capital, however, is distinct from traditional psychosocial measures and offers a new platform on which ideas of social connectedness can broaden our understanding of health and chronic illness.

Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract with N-butyl cyanoacrylate

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (N-BCA) embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract and to establish an appropriate technique.

METHODS

40 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal venous intervention for various reasons. Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract was performed after the procedure in all of the patients using N-BCA and Lipiodol® (Lipiodol Ultra Fluide; Laboratoire Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France) mixture. Immediate ultrasonography and fluoroscopy were performed to evaluate perihepatic haematoma formation and unintended embolization of more than one segmental portal vein. Follow-up CT was performed, and haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were checked to evaluate the presence of bleeding.

RESULTS

Immediate haemostasis was achieved in all of the patients, without development of perihepatic haematoma or unintended embolization of more than one segmental portal vein. Complete embolization of percutaneous access tract was confirmed in 39 out of 40 patients by CT. Seven patients showed decreased haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Other complications included mild pain at the site of embolization and mild fever, which resolved after conservative management. 16 patients died during the follow-up period owing to progression of the underlying disease.

CONCLUSION

Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein access tract with N-BCA is feasible and technically safe. With the appropriate technique, N-BCA can be safely used as an alternate embolic material since it is easy to use and inexpensive compared with other embolic materials.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of N-BCA for percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract embolization.

The relationship between pulmonary function and bone mineral density in healthy nonsmoking women: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the association between pulmonary function and bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects who had never smoked. Pulmonary function was associated with BMD in premenopausal, but not postmenopausal, women.

INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that low bone mass is common in patients with pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, in healthy nonsmoking women, the relationship between bone mass and pulmonary function has yet to be clarified. The object of this study was to determine whether pulmonary function is related to BMD in healthy nonsmoking women based on menopausal status.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a nationwide representative survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2010. This study included 456 subjects who had never smoked and analyzed data concerning pulmonary function and BMD.

RESULTS

Functional vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were correlated with BMD at lumbar spine, femur neck (FN), and total hip in premenopausal women (p = 0.030, p = 0.003, p = 0.019, respectively, for FVC; p = 0.015, p = 0.006, p = 0.059, respectively, for FEV1). However, FVC and FEV1 were only correlated with BMD at FN in postmenopausal women (p = 0.003 for FVC; p = 0.006 for FEV1). Body mass index (BMI), FVC, and FEV1 were significantly related with BMD at FN, even after adjusting for age and other confounding factors (β = 0.334, p < 0.001; β = 0.145, p = 0.017; and β = 0.129, p = 0.037, respectively) in premenopausal women. However, only age and BMI were correlated with BMD at FN (β = -0.268, p = 0.001 and β = 0.384, p > 0.001) in postmenopausal women after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary function, including FVC and FEV1 are associated with BMD at FN in healthy nonsmoking premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women.

Relevance of hepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes in resectional surgery for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Hepatoduodenal lymph node (HDLN) positivity is considered distant metastasis in gastric cancer according to the seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. In contrast, the International Union Against Cancer seventh edition and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association both consider HDLN as a regional lymph node that can be included in the context of a curative resection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was justification for considering HDLN involvement as a distant metastasis for which resectional surgery could not have survival benefit.

METHODS

This study enrolled consecutive patients with gastric cancer having D2 or greater resections, with removal and pathological assessment of the HDLN, between 1989 and 2009. The pathological stage of all patients was determined based on the seventh AJCC criteria, with HDLN included as a regional lymph node.

RESULTS

A total of 1872 patients had their HDLN removed, of whom 68 had a metastatic lymph node in the hepatoduodenal ligament. The 5-year survival rate of these 68 patients was 30 per cent, compared with 47·7 per cent for those with stage III (P < 0·001) and 9·8 per cent for those with stage IV (P = 0·007) HDLN-negative tumours. The 5-year survival rate of 41 patients with HDLN metastasis and no evidence of distant metastasis at any other site was significantly higher than that among 120 patients with stage IV disease without HDLN metastasis (P < 0·001), whereas 5-year survival did not differ between the 41 patients with stage I-III disease with HDLN metastasis and 568 patients with stage III tumours without HDLN metastasis (P = 0·184). HDLN metastasis was not a significant factor for survival in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

It is inappropriate to include the HDLN in the distant metastatic lymph node group in gastric cancer. The seventh AJCC criteria for node grouping should be revised.

Is elective nodal irradiation beneficial in patients with pathologically negative lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and breast-conserving surgery for clinical stage II-III breast cancer? A multicentre retrospective study (KROG 12-05)

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effects of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) in clinical stage II-III breast cancer patients with pathologically negative lymph nodes (LNs) (ypN0) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 260 patients with ypN0 who received NAC followed by BCS and RT. Elective nodal irradiation was delivered to 136 (52.3%) patients. The effects of ENI on survival outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up period of 66.2 months (range, 15.6-127.4 months), 26 patients (10.0%) developed disease recurrence. The 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival and disease-free survival (DFS) for all patients were 95.5% and 90.5%, respectively. Pathologic T classification (0-is vs 1 vs 2-4) and the number of LNs sampled (<13 vs ≥13) were associated with DFS (P=0.0086 and 0.0012, respectively). There was no significant difference in survival outcomes according to ENI. Elective nodal irradiation also did not affect survival outcomes in any of the subgroups according to pathologic T classification or the number of LNs sampled.

CONCLUSIONS

ENI may be omitted in patients with ypN0 breast cancer after NAC and BCS. But until the results of the randomised trials are available, patients should be put on these trials.

Effects of longitudinal baffles on particles settling in a sedimentation basin

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of longitudinal baffles on particles settling performance within a full-scale sedimentation basin with a flow rate of 1,000 m(3)/hr. Comparative experiments on turbidity removal efficiency and sludge deposit distribution were performed in longitudinally baffled and non-baffled sedimentation basins. The turbidity removal rate in the baffled sedimentation basin was observed to be higher than that in the non-baffled basin. In addition, the depth of the sludge deposit in the baffled sedimentation basin was approximately 20% less than that in the non-baffled sedimentation basin, and the sludge concentration was 10% higher. To explain these results and to further investigate the effects of longitudinal baffles, the authors performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation for both basin types. The results of this CFD simulation indicated that the flow, particularly near the outlet orifice, was more stable in the longitudinally baffled sedimentation basin. Moreover, it could be concluded that the longitudinal baffle enables a fully developed flow and is thus more effective for sedimentation.

Cyclophilin B is involved in p300-mediated degradation of CHOP in tumor cell adaptation to hypoxia

The regulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-response factor, is key to cellular survival. Hypoxia is a physiologically important stress that induces cell death in the context of the ER, especially in solid tumors. Although our previous studies have suggested that Cyclophilin B (CypB), a molecular chaperone, has a role in ER stress, currently, there is no direct information supporting its mechanism under hypoxia. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that CypB is associated with p300 E4 ligase, induces ubiquitination and regulates the proteasomal turnover of CHOP, one of the well-known pro-apoptotic molecules under hypoxia. Our findings show that CypB physically interacts with the N-terminal α-helix domain of CHOP under hypoxia and cooperates with p300 to modulate the ubiquitination of CHOP. We also show that CypB is transcriptionally induced through ATF6 under hypoxia. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CypB prevents hypoxia-induced cell death through modulation of ubiquitin-mediated CHOP protein degradation, suggesting that CypB may have an important role in the tight regulation of CHOP under hypoxia.

Nifedipine induces periostin expression in gingival fibroblasts through TGF-beta

Gingival enlargement is a fibrotic condition that can arise from systemic administration of the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nifedipine. Periostin, a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-inducible matricellular protein, has been associated with fibrosis in numerous tissues, but its expression has never been examined in nifedipine-influenced gingival enlargement (NIGE). The objective of this study was to assess if periostin up-regulation is associated with NIGE and whether nifedipine induces periostin expression in gingival fibroblasts. In NIGE tissue (n = 6), periostin is overexpressed in the gingival connective tissue compared with healthy control tissue (n = 6). The transcription factor p-SMAD2/3, which is associated with canonical TGF-β signaling, localizes to the nuclei in both HGFs and oral epithelial cells in NIGE tissues, but not in control healthy tissue. In vitro culture of HGFs with 30 and 100 ng/mL of nifedipine significantly increased periostin mRNA and protein levels, which correlated with increased levels of active TGF-β and increased phosphorylation and nuclear localization of SMAD3. Blocking of canonical TGF-β signaling through inhibition of the TGF-β receptor I with SB431542 significantly reduced nifedipine-induced SMAD3 phosphorylation and periostin expression. Our results demonstrate that nifedipine up-regulates periostin in HGFs in a TGF-β-dependent manner.

Comparison of polyvinyl alcohol coated nasal packing with non-absorbable nasal packing

BACKGROUND

A number of different nasal packing materials are available for prevention of nasal bleeding after endoscopic sinus surgery. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated nasal packing is an expandable packing for use in rhinological surgery. This innovative surf- ace treatment helps to reduce the possibility of adherence to tissue and of blood clotting within the sponge. The present study investigated the effects of PVA coated packing and non-absorbable packing with respect to pain, healing site and postoperative bleeding following endoscopic sinus surgery.

METHODOLOGY

Patients between 18-80 years of age undergoing sinus surgery were enrolled. Each patient`s ethmoid cavities were randomised to receive PVA coated packing material or the standard non-absorbable sinus packs. The remaining nasal packing material was removed on the 2nd day in the clinic. We determined visual analog scale score, bleeding time and wound healing status. A single rhinologist graded postoperative endoscopic appearance. Length of follow-up was 3 months.

RESULTS

Thirty three patients were recruited. There was a significant difference in the bleeding time between the two groups, but pain and wound healing were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

PVA-coated nasal packing presents comparable characteristics with traditional nasal packing.

[Recovery from parkinsonism with N-acetylcysteine-differentiated neurons]

The upregulation of dopaminergic neuronal differentiation is necessary for stem cell therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, neuronal differentiation efficiency increased by more than 2 times in P19 embryonic stem cells (ESCs) induced by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and retinoic acid (RA) as compared to RA alone, with suppressed glial differentiation. The majority of NAC-treated stem cells grafted into brains of PD mice differentiated into dopaminergic neurons and persisted well for 6 weeks. Parkinsonism was also greatly improved after grafting NAC-treated cells in comparison to cells treated with only RA. Our results strongly suggest that NAC treatment may be an effective strategy for generating stem cells fated to become dopaminergic neurons for PD clinical therapy.

Salmonella septic arthritis of the knees in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Hematogenous Salmonella osteomyelitis is uncommon in immunocompetent hosts, but occurs with some regularity in immunosuppressed patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Surgical debridement with resection of compromised tissue is central to the surgical management of osteomyelitis. Persistence of septic arthropathy may result from inadequate debridement, areas of osteonecrosis (ON), and an abnormal cellular and humoral dysregulation characteristic of SLE. We describe a 53-year-old Hispanic female with SLE on immunosuppressive therapy, who developed acute salmonella-induced septic arthritis and osteomyelitis of both knees associated with ON and recurrent SLE synovitis. She received prolonged antibiotic therapy and an extensive surgical debridement as part of a successful two-stage bilateral total knee replacement. This report illustrates the significance of Salmonella enterica infection in SLE patients, and the role of underlying bone and joint pathology such as bone infarcts, sub-acute osteomyelitis, and SLE synovitis.