Long-term mortality of patients with tuberculosis in Korea

BACKGROUND: Long-term mortality following tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Korea remains unclear.METHODS: The present study used data from the National Health Insurance Service database, an extensive health-related database including most Korean residents. TB patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision coding (A15-19, U88.0-88.1) and the type of anti-TB drug(s) between 2003 and 2016. Long-term mortality and causes of death in TB patients were analysed.RESULTS: A total of 357 211 individuals had TB over the period from 2003 to 2016 and 103 682 died. The mean age of the cohort was 54.7 ± 20.7 years, and 59.8% were male. The survival probability of TB patients at 1, 5, and 10 years after diagnosis was 87.8%, 75.3%, and 63.3%, respectively. High mortality and TB-related death rates were especially prominent in the early stages after TB diagnosis. The overall standardized mortality ratio of TB patients to the general Korean population was 3.23 (95% confidence interval 3.21-3.25).CONCLUSION: Mortality in TB patients was especially high in the early stages of disease after TB diagnosis, and mostly due to TB. This figure was approximately three-times higher than the mortality rate in the general population.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-adhesive activities of biosurfactants isolated from Bacillus strains

Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds that display a range of physiological functions. The present study investigated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-adhesive or anti-biofilm potential of biosurfactants isolated from Bacillus subtilis VSG4 and Bacillus licheniformis VS16. The antioxidant activity of the biosurfactants was studied in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals. At 5 mg/mL of the biosurfactant concentration, the scavenging of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals was found to be between 69.1-73.5% and 63.3-69.8%, respectively. The biosurfactants also displayed significant antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The anti-adhesive activities of the biosurfactants were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29523, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 19430, and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778. The biosurfactants exhibited anti-adhesive activity, even at concentrations of 3-5 mg/mL. Moreover, both biosurfactants displayed notable anti-biofilm activities with a biofilm eradication percentage ranging from 63.9 to 80.03% for VSG4 biosurfactant, and from 61.1-68.4% for VS16 biosurfactant. Furthermore, VSG4 biosurfactant exhibited emulsification and surface tension stability over a wide range of pH (4-10) and temperature up to 100 °C. These results show that VSG4 and VS16 biosurfactants can be potentially used as natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and/or anti-adhesive agents for food and biomedical applications.

Analysis of Pre-transplant Resuscitation Factors Influencing Immediate Graft Function After Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

The management of a deceased donor in the intensive care unit before organ transplantation is important for the outcome of the recipient. Herein, we analyze the pre-transplant resuscitation factors managed before procurement that could influence graft function immediately after deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT).

METHODS

A total of 271 DDKTs performed at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea, from January 2009 to March 2016 were reviewed. We divided the patients into a delayed graft function (DGF) group and a non-DGF group, and compared postoperative outcomes between the 2 groups. We also analyzed the predisposing factors of DGF using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 36 cases developed DGF while 235 patients did not, and the demographic characteristics of the recipients in the two groups had no significant difference. Of the pre-transplant resuscitation factors, preoperative polyuria, the maximal levels of serum sodium and BUN, and transfer times were significantly higher in the DGF group (P < .001). In a multivariable analysis, preoperative polyuria (odds ratio 4.835, P = .036), elevated preoperative level of sodium (odds ratio 1.227, P = .001), and extended transfer times (odds ratio 1.001, P < .001) were the independent risk factors of the donor in pre-transplant resuscitation management associated with DGF.

CONCLUSIONS

Polyuria, high levels of sodium before procurement, and prolonged transfer times are independent risk factors for DGF after a DDKT. Active intervention and early implementation of the intensivist can help in managing these factors effectively and thus ultimately improve graft function.

Kidney Transplantation Using Expanded-Criteria Deceased Donors: A Comparison With Ideal Deceased Donors and Non-Expanded-Criteria Deceased Donors

PURPOSE

The use of expanded-criteria deceased-donor (ECD) kidneys must be evaluated within the objective perspective of critical organ shortage and graft function and survival. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of ECD reliance with concurrent use of ideal-criteria deceased donors (IDDs) and non-ECDs in adult renal transplantation.

METHODS

Between February 2000 and December 2015, we analyzed 405 deceased-donor renal transplants, specifically 129 grafts (31.9%) from ECDs, 233 grafts (57.5%) from non-ECDs, and 43 grafts (10.6%) from IDDs. ECDs were classified according to the United Network for Organ Sharing guidelines, while an IDD was defined as a younger person (10-39 years of age) with no medical risk factors who died from a traumatic head injury. Donor and recipient risk factors were separately analyzed and correlated with recipient graft function, and survival was evaluated.

RESULTS

ECDs were older (56.8 ± 6.3 years); showed increased incidence of hypertension, diabetes, and cerebrovascular brain death; and had a higher pre-retrieval serum creatinine level than the other groups. ECD kidney recipients were also older (50.6 ± 9.8 years), had a shorter waiting time (P = .031), and demonstrated a low frequency of re-transplantation (P = .028). Long-term renal function followed longitudinally was lower in ECD kidney recipients until five years after transplantation, while the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) level at 7 and 10 years did not differ significantly among the groups (P = .074 and .262, respectively). There were no significant differences in terms of graft survival (P = .394) or patient survival (P = .737) among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the long-term renal function followed longitudinally was lower in ECD kidney recipients, the use of renal grafts from ECDs is an acceptable method to resolve the disparity of critical organ shortage. However, the classification of the high-risk group should be updated with consideration given to differences in regional characteristics.

Comparative lipidomic profiling of the human commensal bacterium Propionibacterium acnes and its extracellular vesicles

Propionibacterium acnes is a lipophilic commensal bacterium mainly found on the skin and in the gastrointestinal tract. Pathophysiological effects of P. acnes have recently been reported not only in acne progression but in various diseases. As an emerging mode of bacterial communication, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated to conduct critical pathophysiological functions. To provide information on P. acnes lipid composition for the first time, we conducted a comparative lipidomic analysis of P. acnes and P. acnes EVs and identified 214 lipids with high confidence using triplicated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. P. acnes EVs contained substantially more PCs, DGs, PAs, PEs, LPAs, LPCs, and MGs than P. acnes, and contained fewer PSs, SO1Ps, SA1Ps, LPGs, LPIs, and LPSs. Distinctively, P. acnes EVs possessed a markedly reduced amount of TG. These findings will provide useful clues for understanding the biological and pathophysiological mechanisms of P. acnes and for clinical applications such as vaccine development, diagnostics and therapeutics.

First report of carp oedema virus infection of koi (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) in the Republic of Korea

Twenty-five koi (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) bought from a wholesale fish market in Korea, showed lethargic behaviour and 100% mortality within 20 days. Carp oedema virus (CEV) was detected by PCR in all 25 koi. Results of detailed histopathological and clinical examinations of 17 koi indicated loss of body balance, severe infiltration of inflammatory cells into the inter-lamellar spaces of the gills and vacuolization and inclusion bodies in gill epithelial cells. Sequence analysis of PCR products of these koi showed up to 99% identity to the previously reported sequences, suggesting that the observed mass mortality resulted from koi sleepy disease (KSD) due to CEV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of KSD in the Republic of Korea. Partial sequences of 4a protein from the virus indicated that the present CEV detected in koi from Korea is more closely related to that from the UK and Poland than from Japan. The present findings indicate that the prevalence and spread of KSD must be closely monitored in both European and Asian countries to avoid potential economic losses to the global koi industry.

The association between season of birth, age at onset, and clozapine use in schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether the rate of clozapine use, an indicator of refractoriness in schizophrenia, is associated with the season of birth and age at onset in patients with schizophrenia based on nationwide data.

METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia (n = 114 749) who received prescriptions for antipsychotic medication between 2008 and 2014 were retrospectively identified from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The study population was divided into three groups based on their age at the onset of schizophrenia (early, middle, and late onset). We assessed differences in the month of birth between patients and the general population. In addition, the cumulative clozapine use was calculated.

RESULTS

Compared to the late-onset schizophrenia group, the early- and middle-onset groups showed a higher probability of birth during the winter season. In addition, the early-onset group showed the highest cumulative clozapine use rate. In the middle-onset group, the initiation of clozapine use was significantly earlier for patients born in winter compared to those born in summer.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the age at onset is an important factor in predicting the prognosis of schizophrenia patients. The season of birth also affects the prognosis, but with less robustness. Specifically, it appears that early disease onset and winter birth might be associated with poor outcomes in Korean patients with schizophrenia.

Triazolium cyclodextrin click cluster-resin conjugate: an enrichment material for phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate

UltraLink was functionalized with a triazolium cyclodextrin click cluster (CCC) which provides a well-oriented, multivalent, positively charged binding site for PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃. MALDI TOF MS and LC ESI MS/MS MRM analysis of spiked PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ in lipid extract suggest that triazolium CCC-UltraLink conjugate can be used as an enrichment material for PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃.

4-n-butylresorcinol enhances proteolytic degradation of tyrosinase in B16F10 melanoma cells

OBJECTIVE

4-n-butylresorcinol is a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase and has been used as an antimelanogenic agent. However, its inhibition mechanism in intact cells is not fully understood. To elucidate the cellular mechanism, we compared in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of 4-n-butylresorcinol on tyrosinase activity.

METHODS

B16F10 melanoma cells were cultured in media containing α-MSH in the presence or absence of 4-n-butylresorcinol. Tyrosinase mRNA levels, protein levels and activity in B16F10 cells were compared by real-time PCR, immunostaining combined with western blot and colorimetric analysis, respectively. Melanin concentration was measured by colorimetry both in the cells and in the media. Tyrosinase glycosylation and proteolytic degradation were analysed by immunoblotting after cells were treated with Endo H/PNGase F and E64/proteasome inhibitors, respectively.

RESULTS

4-n-butylresorcinol inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis more effectively in intact cells than in cell lysates. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR showed that 4-n-butylresorcinol reduced protein levels, but not mRNA levels, of tyrosinase in B16F10 cells. 4-n-butylresorcinol showed no effect on the processing of tyrosinase glycosylation or on trafficking to melanosomes. However, treatment of B16F10 cells with E64 or proteasome inhibitor abrogated the 4-n-butylresorcinol-induced decrease of tyrosinase. Moreover, 4-n-butylresorcinol activated p38 MAPK, resulting in increased ubiquitination of tyrosinase.

CONCLUSION

4-n-butylresorcinol inhibits melanogenesis by enhancing proteolytic degradation of tyrosinase as well as competitive binding to tyrosinase. These findings will help to develop new, effective and safe chemicals for the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders.

Long-term outcomes of locally or radically resected T1 colorectal cancer

AIM

Little is known about the long-term outcome of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) following curative resection. The present study addressed the long-term outcome of locally or radically resected T1 CRCs.

METHOD

A total of 430 patients with T1 CRC who underwent local or radical resection were considered. Unfavourable histological factors were defined as positive resection margin, deep submucosal invasion, vascular invasion, Grade 3 and budding. The patients were classified as low-risk (unfavourable histological factor negative, n = 65) or high-risk (unfavourable histological factor positive, n = 365).

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 78.4 months, disease recurred in 16 (3.7%) patients in the high-risk group, and no recurrence in the low-risk group. Resection type and vascular invasion were significantly associated with recurrence. In the vascular invasion (+) high-risk group, both 5-year disease-free survival rate and 5-year overall survival rate were significantly associated with resection type (radical 94.6%, local 43.8%, P < 0.001, and radical 99.1%, local 66.7%, P < 0.001). In the vascular invasion (-) high-risk group, 5-year disease-free survival rate was also significantly associated with resection type (radical 98.9%, local 84.7%, P = 0.001). However, 5-year overall survival rate was not associated with resection type (radical 98.9%, local 95.2%, P = 0.816).

CONCLUSION

Local resection may be effective and oncologically safe in low-risk T1 CRC. Although additional surgery should be recommended for the locally resected high-risk T1 CRC cases, intensive surveillance without additional surgery and timely salvage operation may offer another treatment option, if vascular invasion is negative.

The prevalence of causative organisms of community-acquired urethritis in an age group at high risk for sexually transmitted infections in Korean Soldiers

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the causative organisms in young male soldiers with clinical signs and symptoms after sexual contact that suggests a diagnosis of urethritis.

METHODS

Between June 2012 and January 2015, male patients with urethritis symptoms that had resulted from sexual contact within 3 months participated in this study. All patients were evaluated using urinalysis and were screened for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), herpes simplex virus (HSV) type II and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay in order to detect sexually transmitted infections (STI) or pathogens.

RESULTS

A total of 436 male patients aged 18-28 years were included in the study. The median age was 22.0 years. The prevalence of STI pathogens were as follows: NG in 19.0%, CT in 36.6%, UU in 24.0%, MG in 21.5%, MH in 6.1%, HSV type II in 1.6%, TV in 0.2% and indeterminate STI pathogens in 9.4%. Coinfection of NG with non-NG was detected in 5.7% of the participants, while the coinfection rates for STI pathogens were: with CT in 3.4%, with UU in 2.7%, with MG in 0.2% and with MH in 0.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

CT was the most prevalent STI pathogen and coinfections of NG with non-NG appeared less frequently. The young male soldiers with urethritis should be administered suitable antibiotics for STI pathogens that were found by mPCR results, rather than an experimental combination of antibiotics for coinfections.

Small polyanion recognition of a triazolium cyclodextrin click cluster in water

In order to detect small polyanions (sPAs), which play important roles in many biological systems, a triazolium cyclodextrin click cluster was synthesized and its sPA binding properties were characterized.

The early protective effect of glutamine pretreatment and ischemia preconditioning in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat

BACKGROUND

Heat shock proteins (HSP) play an important role in protecting cells against stress.

METHODS

Using a rat model, we tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with glutamine (Gln) and ischemia preconditioning (IPC) increase the expression of HSP resulting in attenuation of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups [group I, Gln injection (+), IPC (+); group II, Gln injection (+), IPC (-); group III, saline injection (+), IPC (+); group IV, saline injection (+), IPC (-)]. Renal HSP70 expression was determined by Western blotting and kidney function was assessed by blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. Renal cross-sections were microscopically examined for tubular necrosis, exfoliation of tubular epithelial cells, cast formation, and monocyte infiltration.

RESULTS

Gln pretreatment increased intrarenal HSP expression (P = .031). In group I, tubulointerstitial abnormalities were clearly slighter compared with the other groups (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Our experiments suggest that (1) a single dose of Gln could induce HSP expression and (2) IPC could relieve renal I/R injury. In addition, IPC combined with Gln pretreatment had a synergic protective effect against renal I/R injury.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in the early period after kidney transplantation

Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3-D) contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to assess renal parenchyma, arterial inflow stenosis, and peritransplant fluid collections in the early period after kidney transplantation (KT). Between January 2010 and April 2011, we examined a consecutive series of 144 renal transplants using 3-D CE MRA at 14 days after KT. MRA showed parenchyma infarctions (n = 17, 11.8%), arterial inflow stenoses (n = 23, 16%), lymphoceles (n = 14, 9.7%), and hematomas (n = 6, 4.2%). The degree of renal transplant artery inflow stenosis was graded qualitatively based on diameter criterion; <50% = mild, 50% to 70% = moderate, and >70% = severe in 10 (6.9%), 5 (3.5%), and 8 (5.6%) subjects, respectively. The study recipients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of renal artery inflow stenosis (group I: normal; group II: mild and moderate, <70%; group III: severe, >70%). Among group III patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography, 5 had percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stenting performed after 1 month. Their mean resume creatinine levels at 1, 6, and 12 months after transplantation were not significantly different from those in the other groups (P = .391, .447, .110). The prevalence of graft loss (n = 2) was high in group III (P = .012), although the frequency of acute rejection episodes was not different among the groups (P = .890). The incidences of renal parenchyma infarction, peritransplant fluid collection and arterial inflow stenosis were unexpectedly high in the early period after KT. Thus, 3-D CE MRA provided a rapid global assessment of the renal parenchyma, transplant arterial system, and peritransplant fluid collection that can be helpful to detect or exclude many causes of renal transplant dysfunction.

The natural history of arteriovenous access and risk factors associated with access thrombosis after successful kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of arteriovenous (AV) access after successful kidney transplantation (KT) and to identify the risk factors of spontaneous access closure in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 115 patients who underwent KT with functioning access from June 2010 to July 2012. AV access patency was checked and recorded daily during the hospital stay and at every visit to the outpatient clinic. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the patency of access, and risk factors of access thrombosis were assessed. Access patency was followed up until patency was lost or the study was closed.

RESULTS

At the end of follow-up, 18 (15.7%) AV accesses had spontaneously closed. Mean time to closure was 119 ± 163 days, and 12 of 18 were closed within 90 days after KT. AV access spontaneously closed in 8.5% of male patients, compared with 27.3% of female patients (P = .007), 12.2% of cases with native access compared with 35.3% of cases with artificial access (P = .016), and 11.3% of cases with wrist access compared with 25.7% of cases with elbow access (P = .049). Spontaneously closed AV accesses tended to have a lower mean access flow compared with functioning accesses (P = .019). On multivariate analysis, female sex and AV access flow volume affected spontaneous AV access closure (odds ratio 4.749, 95% confidence interval 1.919-35.383, P = .008; odds ratio 0.998, 95% confidence interval 0.996-0.999, P = .010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that AV access thrombosis occurs more frequently during the early postoperative period, particularly in female patients or patients with low flow access, whereas it is a rare event in male patients or patients with high access flow, especially in the late postoperative period.

Validation of a scoring tool to predict drug-resistant pathogens in hospitalised pneumonia patients

BACKGROUND

Health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) affects a heterogeneous group of patients in frequent contact with health care systems. However, HCAP criteria poorly predict infection with drug-resistant (DR) pathogens.

OBJECTIVE

To validate our previously reported risk-scoring model (predictive of DR pathogen infection) in patients admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

DESIGN

We evaluated 580 patients admitted with culture-positive bacterial pneumonia. We identified risk factors, evaluated the risk-scoring model's capacity to predict infection by DR pathogens and compared the model's diagnostic accuracy with that of current HCAP criteria.

RESULTS

DR pathogens were observed in 227/580 patients (39.1%). Of 269 HCAP patients, 153 (56.9%) were infected with DR pathogens. Overtreatment was more common in HCAP than in community-acquired pneumonia (58.7% vs. 41.2%, P < 0.001). Recent hospitalisation, admission from a long-term care facility, recent antibiotic treatment and tube feeding were independently associated with DR pathogens. For pathogen prediction, the risk-scoring model showed better diagnostic accuracy than HCAP criteria (area under receiver operating-characteristic curve = 0.723 vs. 0.673, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

According to current HCAP criteria, half of the HCAP patients were treated unnecessarily with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Risk scoring by stratifying risk factors could improve the identification of patients likely to be infected with DR pathogens.

Isolation and characterization of a lytic Myoviridae bacteriophage PAS-1 with broad infectivity in Aeromonas salmonicida

To search for candidate control agents against Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida infections in aquaculture, one bacteriophage (phage), designated as PAS-1, was isolated from the sediment samples of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) culture farm in Korea. The PAS-1 was morphologically classified as Myoviridae and possessed approximately 48 kb of double-strand genomic DNA. The phage showed broad host ranges to other subspecies of A. salmonicida as well as A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida including antibiotic-resistant strains. Its latent period and burst size were estimated to be approximately 40 min and 116.7 PFU/cell, respectively. Furthermore, genomic and structural proteomic analysis of PAS-1 revealed that the phage was closely related to other Myoviridae phages infecting enterobacteria or Aeromonas species. The bacteriolytic activity of phage PAS-1 was evaluated using three subspecies of A. salmonicida strain at different doses of multiplicity of infection, and the results proved to be efficient for the reduction of bacterial growth. Based on these results, PAS-1 could be considered as a novel Aeromonas phage and might have potentiality to reduce the impacts of A. salmonicida infections in aquaculture.

Predictors for lymph node metastasis in T1 colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

It is critical that the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is evaluated for determining the suitability of endoscopic resection for T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). Reported risk factors for LNM in completely resected T1 CRC are deep submucosal invasion, grade 3, angiolymphatic invasion, and budding. The aim of the present study was to identify the histopathologic factors associated with LNM in T1 CRC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study involved 435 patients with T1 CRC treated by endoscopic or surgical resection between January 2001 and April 2010 at the National Cancer Center, Korea. The 435 patients were classified into two groups - those undergoing surgical resection (n = 324) and those undergoing endoscopic resection (n = 111). In the surgically resected group, details regarding depth of submucosal invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, tumor grade, budding, and background adenoma (BGA) were evaluated with respect to presence or absence of LNM. In the endoscopically resected group, the results of follow-ups and additional salvage surgeries were studied.

RESULTS

In the surgically resected group, LNM was detected in 42 patients (13.0 %). Grade 3, angiolymphatic invasion, budding, and the absence of BGA were identified as factors associated with LNM in univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.05). Among the 50 patients in the endoscopically resected group with high risk, three were diagnosed as being LNM-positive during the follow-up period. There was no LNM in the endoscopically resected group with low risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Grade 3, angiolymphatic invasion, budding, and the absence of BGA are the risk factors that predict LNM in patients with T1 CRC. In cases where endoscopically resected T1 CRC has no risk factor, cautious follow-up could be recommended. However, if the tumor has any risk factor, additional surgical resection should be considered.

Does donor kidney to recipient body weight ratio influence long-term outcomes of living-donor kidney transplantation?

This study evaluated the effect of the donor kidney to recipient body weight (Kw/Rw) ratio on long-term graft function and survival. We investigated retrospectively whether there was any association between Kw/Rw ratio and long-term graft survival and function after a follow-up of >10 years. We studied a consecutive series of 123 adult-to-adult living kidney transplants. According to the Kw/Rw ratio, patients were divided into 3 groups: "low" (Kw/Rw <2.85; n = 29), "medium" (2.85 ≤ Kw/Rw < 4.04; n = 63), and "high" (≥4.04; n = 31). Among the 3 groups, the mean serum creatinine levels at 1 and 6 months as well as 1 year after transplantation were significantly lower among patients with a high Kw/Rw ratio than in those with a medium or low ratio, but serum creatinine levels at 3 and 5 years did not differ significantly (P = .394 and 0.620, respectively). Graft survival rates at 5 and 10 years after transplantation were significantly lower in the "low" group. We observed a significant association between Kw/Rw ratio and graft survival (P = .018). The Kw/Rw ratio is an important factor for long-term graft survival and early graft function. However, it did not significantly affect subsequent renal function.

Lymph node ratio is an independent prognostic factor in patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative resection

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic effect of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with curative resection after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

METHODS

Between October 2001 and December 2007, 519 patients who had undergone curative resection of primary rectal cancer after preoperative CRT were enrolled. Of these, 154 patients were positive for lymph node (LN) metastasis and were divided into three groups according to the LNR (≤ 0.15 [n=80], 0.16-0.3 [n=44], >0.3 [n=30]) to evaluate the prognostic effect on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

LNR (≤ 0.15, 0.16-0.3, and >0.3) was significantly associated with 5-year OS (90.3%, 75.1%, and 45.1%; p<0.001) and DFS (66.7%, 55.8%, and 21.9%; p<0.001) rates. In a multivariate analysis, LNR (≤ 0.15, 0.16-0.3, and >0.3) was a significant independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratios [HRs], 1, 3.609, and 8.197; p<0.001) and DFS (HRs, 1, 1.699, and 3.960; p<0.001). LNR had a prognostic impact on OS and DFS in patients with <12 harvested LNs, as well as in those with ≥ 12 harvested LNs (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

LNR was a significant independent prognostic predictor for OS and DFS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with curative resection after preoperative CRT.

Gene expression profiling of a cold-shocked earthworm Eisenia andrei

To identify genes that are modulated under cold-stress conditions in the earthworm Eisenia andrei, we performed a genome-wide analysis of gene expression in cold-shocked earthworms by using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE). We identified 5,977 and 5,407 unique SAGE tags under normal and cold-stressed conditions, respectively. The majority of the SAGE tags did not match to any known expressed sequences, due to a paucity of expression data in earthworms. We converted the statistically significant SAGE tags for the cold-stressed condition into expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and the results showed that particular genes associated with energy homeostasis, cellular defense mechanisms, and ion balance were up-regulated or down-regulated. We constructed a regulatory network of some of these genes and identified rps-6 as a core gene in the cold-response regulatory-gene network. Our data provide a baseline for gene expression studies of cold shock in the Lumbricidae.

Genomic sequence of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) KLV-2010-01 originating from the first Korean outbreak in cultured Litopenaeus vannamei

Due to the need to track and monitor genetic diversity, the genome of the infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) strain KLV-2010-01 in cultured Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp that originated from the first Korean outbreak in 2010 was sequenced and analyzed. The genome, with a length of 3914 nucleotides, was sequenced from the Korean IHHNV. The genome encoded three large and overlapping open reading frames: ORF1 (NS-1) of 2001 bp, ORF2 (NS-2) of 1092 bp and ORF3 (capsid protein) of 990 bp. The overall organization, size and predicted amino acid sequence of the three ORFs in Korean IHHNV were highly similar to those of members of the infectious IHHNV group, and the most closely related strains were IHHNVs described from Ecuador and Hawaii. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis showed that the Korean IHHNV was clustered with lineage III in the infectious IHHNV group and was most similar to IHHNV isolates from Ecuador, China and Taiwan.

Prevalence and different characteristics of two serotypes of Streptococcus parauberis isolated from the farmed olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck and Schlegel), in Korea

The prevalence of two serotypes of Streptococcus parauberis isolated from the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, was evaluated in a total of 29 isolates between 2003 and 2010 in Korea. Streptococcus parauberis isolates were divided into two serologically distinct types (serotype 1 and serotype 2), except for one strain (S1091), using an agglutination assay with rabbit antiserum, and serotype 1 was identified as the dominant type (24 of 29 isolates) in this study. To identify the characteristics of the two serotypes of S. parauberis, we conducted a biochemical test using the API 20 Strep kit, a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assay, sequence analysis of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) and a pathogenicity test. In TEM, both serotypes possessed polysaccharide capsule layers around the cell surface when bacterial cells were treated with a homologous serotype of rabbit antiserum. However, we were unable to discriminate serotype-specific biochemical characteristics and genetic characteristics of 16S-23S rRNA ISR between the two serotypes. In the pathogenicity test, the serotype 1 strains induced significantly higher mortality than the serotype 2 strains in olive flounder when experimentally inoculated via the intraperitoneal route.

Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on cell cycle synchronization of goldfish caudal fin derived fibroblasts cells

Several studies have previously been conducted regarding cell cycle synchronization in mammalian somatic cells. However, limited work has been performed on the control of cell cycle stages in the somatic cells of fish. The aim of this study was to determine the cell cycle arresting effects of several dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentrations for different times on different cell cycle stages of goldfish caudal fin-derived fibroblasts. Results demonstrated that the cycling cells or control group (68.29%) yields significantly higher (p < 0.05) arrest in G0/G1 phase compared with the group treated for 24 h with different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5%) of DMSO (64.88%, 65.70%, 64.22% respectively). The cell cycle synchronization in the treatment of cells with 1.0% DMSO at 48 h (81.14%) was significantly higher than that in the groups treated for 24 h (76.82%) and the control group (77.90%). Observations showed that treatment of DMSO resulted in an increase in the proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase for 48 h of culture. However, high levels of apoptotic cells can be detected after 48 h of culture treated with 1% concentration of DMSO.

Antimicrobial activity of the constituents of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaves against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been a serious problem as its infection is associated with higher mortality and increase cost worldwide. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of enhydrin, polymatin B, allo-schkuhriolide from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius was investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Enhydrin, polymatin B, allo-schkuhriolide from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius were tested for antimicrobial activity using micro dilution broth method against 2 strains of ATCC 33591, ATCC 25923 and 15 strains of clinical isolates MRSA.

RESULTS

The antibacterial activity of Smallanthus sonchifolius can safely be attributed to enhydrin as polymatin B, and allo-schkuhriolide are not showing any activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains. The enhydrin showed good antibacterial activity against all tested strains (MIC = 125-500 microg/ml).

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that only enhydrin can be considered as an antibacterial drug against MRSA.

Effect of probiotic-, bacteriophage-, or organic acid-supplemented feeds or fermented soybean meal on the growth performance, acute-phase response, and bacterial shedding of grower pigs challenged with Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium

A 28-d experiment evaluated the growth performance, acute-phase response, and bacterial shedding patterns in pigs (n = 108; initially, 38.7 ± 6.7 kg) fed 6 treatment diets, including a control diet with no antimicrobial agents (CON), a positive control diet containing chlortetracycline, 100 mg/kg (CT), a diet containing anti-Salmonella Typhimurium bacteriophage, 3 × 10(9) plaque-forming units/kg of feed (ASB), Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP56, 6.5 × 10(8) cfu/kg of feed (LP), 0.2% microencapsulated organic acids (MOA), or 5% fermented soybean meal (FSM). Pigs were fed the diets for 2 wk before and 2 wk after challenging orally with Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (SalT). Before bacterial challenge, ADFI was similar in all groups. After SalT challenge, ADFI of CON pigs was less (P < 0.05) than all other groups. Before challenge, pigs on MOA, FSM, and CT diets had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F than CON pigs. After challenge (wk 3 to 4) and during the overall experimental period (wk 1 to 4), ADG of all treatment groups and G:F of all treatment groups except the LP group were greater (P < 0.05) than those of CON pigs. Relative to all other treatments, CON and LP pigs had greater (P < 0.05) bacterial shedding scores on d 7 after SalT challenge. At d 14 postchallenge, shedding scores declined (P < 0.05) in all treatment groups compared with CON pigs. Serum haptoglobin for all treatment groups increased from d 0 concentrations on d 6 postchallenge and declined to prechallenge concentrations on d 13 (P < 0.05). Circulating IGF-I concentrations declined from 2 to 6 d postchallenge and increased again by d 13 in ASB and LP groups, did not decline in FSM and CT groups, and continuously declined through d 13 in CON and LP groups (P < 0.05). However, in MOA group, IGF-I concentrations declined from preinfection concentrations on d 2, increased on d 4, and declined again until d 13 (P < 0.05). The serum concentrations of the cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β were not generally affected by SalT challenge. In conclusion, acute infection of growing pigs with SalT was associated with short-term febrile responses in most pigs and reductions in ADFI and ADG of CON pigs. Compared with the CON diet, ASB, FSM, and MOA diets had a similar benefit to the antibiotic-supplemented diet in improving the performance of growing pigs, especially after bacterial challenge. However, further work needs to be done to better understand their mode of action in this class of pigs.

Shewanella fodinae sp. nov., isolated from a coal mine and from a marine lagoon

Strains JC15(T) and JC19 were isolated from samples collected from different locations in India, including a coal mine and a marine lagoon. Both strains were Gram-stain-negative rods, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, catalase- and oxidase-positive, and hydrolysed casein, produced H(2)S and showed beta-haemolysis. Strain JC15(T) grew optimally at pH 6 (range pH 5-8) while strain JC19 grew optimally at pH 7 (range pH 6-9) and both had a growth temperature optimum of 30-37 degrees C (range 22-40 degrees C). Both strains could grow chemo-organoheterotrophically and chemolithoautotrophically. Neither strain required NaCl for growth and both could tolerate up to 9 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 5 % NaCl. Vitamin B(12) was required as a growth factor by both strains. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), C(17 : 1)omega8c and iso-C(13 : 0) 3-OH. The DNA G+C contents of strains JC15(T) and JC19 were 53.6 and 54.3 mol%, respectively. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains JC15(T) and JC19 were most closely related to Shewanella haliotis DW01(T) (approximately 94 % sequence similarity) and to other members of the genus Shewanella. Genomic relatedness (DNA-DNA hybridization) between strains JC15(T) and JC19 is 88 %. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, strain JC15(T) represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella fodinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC15(T) (=CCUG 57102(T) =NBRC 105216(T) =KCTC 22506(T)).

Shewanella chilikensis sp. nov., a moderately alkaliphilic gammaproteobacterium isolated from a lagoon

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium was isolated from sediment of Chilika Lagoon, a brackish water lagoon in India. The strain, designated JC5(T), was able to grow in the presence of 0-8.0 % NaCl and at pH 7.0-10.0. The isolate was positive for oxidase and catalase and exhibited alpha-haemolysis. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) (18.3 %), C(16 : 0) (11.3 %), C(17 : 1)omega8c (13.1 %) and a summed feature, C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or C(16 : 1)omega6c (15.1 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 54.6 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JC5(T) forms a lineage within the genus Shewanella and is closely related to Shewanella haliotis DW01(T) (98.0 %), Shewanella algae ATCC 51192(T) (97.6 %) and Shewanella marina C4(T) (95.8 %). Further, genomic DNA-DNA hybridization of strain JC5(T) with S. haliotis DW01(T) and S. algae ATCC 51192(T) showed relatedness of only 42 and 23 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, strain JC5(T) represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella chilikensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC5(T) (=CCUG 57101(T) =NBRC 105217(T) =KCTC 22540(T)).

Lupus-associated pancreatitis complicated by pancreatic pseudocyst and central nervous system vasculitis

Pancreatitis is an uncommon manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but this can occasionally cause major complications. We report in this article, a case of 33-year-old female patient who developed lupus-associated pancreatitis that was subsequently complicated by pancreatic pseudocyst and central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed an oedematous swelling of the pancreas and a pseudocyst measuring 4 x 3 cm2. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple high-signal intensity lesions in both cerebral hemispheres. The pseudocyst did not completely resolve with high-dose steroid therapy, and it was later complicated by infection and rupture. After a surgical drainage for the complicated pseudocyst, her clinical symptoms and signs were markedly improved. This case shows the importance of performing early drainage rather than conservative treatment for a pancreatic pseudocyst in a patient with lupus-associated pancreatitis.

Reconstruction of three right hepatic veins using cadaveric iliac vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation: case report

In various right hepatic vein anatomies, reconstruction is a surgically challenging technique in right lobe living donor liver transplantation. The right inferior hepatic vein is the most common hepatic vein abnormality in right lobe living-donor liver transplantation. Three accessory right hepatic veins is a rare right hepatic vein variation. We experienced one case of three right hepatic vein reconstruction among 300 partial liver transplantations using the right lobe in our center over 10 years. The donor right lobe had one main right hepatic vein and three accessory hepatic veins at the lower border of the liver. Restoration of accessory hepatic veins to the inferior vena cava was performed after construction of one conduit from the three accessory hepatic veins using a cadaveric donor iliac vein.

Evaluation of Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity of Dimethyl Disulfide in Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the potential subchronic inhalation toxicity of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) via whole-body exposure in F344 rats. Groups of 10 rats of each sex were exposed to DMDS vapor by whole-body exposure at concentrations of 0, 5, 25, or 125 ppm for 6 h/day, 5 days/wk for 13 wk. All the rats were sacrificed at the end of treatment period. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weights, and histopathology were examined. At 25 ppm, a decrease in the body weight gain, food intake, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was observed in the males, but not in the females. However, at 125 ppm, a decrease in the body weight gain, food intake, and thymus weight and an increase in the weights of adrenal glands were observed in both genders. Serum biochemical investigations revealed a decrease in the AST, ALT, BUN, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and triglyceride levels and an increase in the glucose level. In contrast, no treatment-related effects were observed in the 5 ppm group. The toxic potency of DMDS was slightly higher in males than that in females. In these experimental conditions, the target organ was not determined in rats. The no-observed-adverse-effect concentration (NOAEC) was found to be 5 ppm, 6 h/day for male rats and 25 ppm, 6 h/day for female rats.

Development of distant stereoacuity in visually normal children as measured by the Frisby-Davis distance stereotest

AIMS

To establish the range of normal distance stereoacuity and evaluate its development in visually normal children by using the Frisby-Davis distance stereotest (FD2).

METHODS

The distance stereoacuity of visually normal children aged less than 11 years and of adults was measured with FD2 using a standard testing protocol.

RESULT

This study involved 94 visually normal children aged 36-131 months and 46 visually normal adults aged 20-49 years. The distance stereoacuity of the children aged 36-59 months was 40.61 (SD 9.823) seconds of arc; that of the children aged 60-119 months, 14.18 (8.152) seconds of arc; and that of the adults, 12.50 (4.802) seconds of arc. The FD2 distance stereoacuity of the children aged 36-59 months differed significantly from that of the older subjects (p = 0.000), and the FD2 distance stereoacuity of the children aged more than 59 months did not differ significantly from that of the adults (p = 0.813).

CONCLUSION

Distance stereoacuity reaches adult levels at approximately 5 years of age. These data of the age-related normal values could represent a reference frame for the comparison of data obtained for clinical populations.

A potential role for skeletal muscle caveolin-1 as an insulin sensitivity modulator in ageing-dependent non-obese type 2 diabetes: studies in a new mouse model

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common age-dependent disease. We discovered that male offspring of non-diabetic C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice, called JYD mice, develop type 2 diabetes when they grow old. JYD mice show characteristics of insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in old age without obesity. We postulated that the mechanism of age-dependent type 2 diabetes in this model relates to caveolin-1 status in skeletal muscle, which appears to regulate insulin sensitivity in the mice.

METHODS

We compared insulin sensitivity in aged C57BL/6 and JYD mice using glucose and insulin tolerance tests and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. We also determined insulin signalling molecules and caveolin proteins using western blotting, and altered caveolin-1 levels in skeletal muscle of C57BL/6 and JYD mice using viral vector systems, to examine the effect of this on insulin sensitivity.

RESULTS

In 30-week-old C57BL/6 and JYD mice, the basal levels of IRS-1, Akt and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma decreased, as did insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and insulin receptor beta. However, caveolin-1 was only increased about twofold in 30-week-old JYD mice as compared with 3-week-old mice, whereas an eightfold increase was seen in C57BL/6 mice. Downregulation of caveolin-1 production in C57BL/6 mice caused severe impairment of glucose and insulin tolerance. Upregulation of caveolin-1 in aged diabetic JYD mice significantly improved insulin sensitivity with a concomitant increase of glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The level of skeletal muscle caveolin-1 is correlated with the progression of age-dependent type 2 diabetes in JYD mice.

Memory-efficient iterative process on a two-dimensional first-order regular graph

We present a parallel and memory-efficient iterative algorithm based on 2D first-order regular graphs. For an M x N regular graph with L iterations, a carefully chosen computation order can reduce the memory resources from O(MN) to O(ML). This scheme can achieve a memory reduction of 4 to 27 times in typical computation-intensive problems such as stereo and motion.

Effects of tert-butyl acetate on maternal toxicity and embryo-fetal development in Sprague-Dawley rats

This study investigated the potential adverse effects of tert-butyl acetate (TBAc) on maternal toxicity and embryo-fetal development after maternal exposure of pregnant rats from gestational days 6 through 19. TBAc was administered to pregnant rats by gavage at 0, 400, 800, and 1,600 mg/kg/day. All dams were subjected to a Caesarean section on day 20 of gestation, and their fetuses were examined for any morphological abnormalities. At 1,600 mg/kg, maternal toxicity manifested as increases in the incidence of clinical signs and death, lower body weight gain and food intake, increases in the weights of adrenal glands and liver, and a decrease in thymus weight. Developmental toxicity included a decrease in fetal weight, an increase in the incidence of skeletal variation, and a delay in fetal ossification. At 800 mg/kg, only a minimal developmental toxicity, including an increase in the incidence of skeletal variation and a delay in fetal ossification, were observed. In contrast, no adverse maternal or developmental effects were observed at 400 mg/kg. These results show that a 14-day repeated oral dose of TBAc is embryotoxic at a maternally toxic dose (i.e., 1,600 mg/kg/day) and is minimally embryotoxic at a nonmaternally toxic dose (i.e., 800 mg/kg/day) in rats. However, no evidence for the teratogenicity of TBAc was noted in rats. It is concluded that the developmental findings observed in the present study are secondary effects to maternal toxicity. Under these experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of TBAc is considered to be 800 mg/kg/day for dams and 400 mg/kg/day for embryo-fetal development.

Failure of stress-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 contributes to apoptosis resistance in senescent human diploid fibroblasts

We previously reported that senescent human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) are resistant to apoptosis induced by H(2)O(2) and staurosporine. We report here that senescent HDFs are resistant to thapsigargin-induced apoptosis as well. These agonists caused the reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and in the apoptosis inhibitory protein (B-cell lymphoma) only in young HDFs but not in senescent HDFs. In addition, downregulation of Bcl-2 increased the sensitivity of senescent HDFs to apoptosis induction, suggesting the significant role of Bcl-2 in apoptosis resistance of the senescent HDFs. We further found that P-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a positive regulator of Bcl-2, decreased in stress-induced apoptosis of young HDFs but not in senescent HDFs, and that Bcl-2 was markedly reduced in CREB small interfering RNA (siRNA), transfected senescent HDFs. In addition, activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which dephosphorylates p-CREB, significantly increased in young HDFs but not in senescent HDFs treated with H(2)O(2), staurosporine or thapsigargin. Taken together, these results suggest that failure of stress-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 underlies resistance of senescent HDFs to apoptosis.

Immunoproteomic analysis of capsulate and non-capsulate strains of Lactococcus garvieae

A comparative immunoproteomic study was carried out to investigate the immunogenicity of capsulate (KG9408) and non-capsulate (NSS9310) strains of Lactococcus garvieae. Immunoblot assays, following two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) for L. garvieae strains, revealed a significant difference between anti-capsulate and anti-non-capsulate rabbit sera with respect to the number and antigenicity of antigenic spots. Anti-capsulate and anti-non-capsulate rabbit sera reacted with an average of 72 and 127 antigenic spots, respectively. The strong reaction of anti-non-capsulate sera with elongation factor (EF)-G and -Tu, and GMP synthase, of the L. garvieae strains identifies these as specific major antigens. This study clearly demonstrates the differences in 2-DE immunoblot profiles between the capsulate and non-capsulate strains of L. garvieae. These differences may be the reason for variations in immunogenicity between capsulate and non-capsulate strains. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, arginine deaminase and ornithine carbamoyltransferase were identified from the 2-DE immunoblot profiles of both strains. Therefore, these common antigens are potential markers for the development of vaccines against L. garvieae, irrespective of strain. Immunoproteomics, a powerful tool for studying antigens at the proteomic level, allowed a comparative investigation of the immunogenicity of capsulate and non-capsulate strains of L. garvieae for vaccine development.

Evaluation of developmental toxicity of amitraz in Sprague-Dawley rats

This study investigated the potential adverse effects of amitraz on the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy in Sprague-Dawley rats as well as its effects on embryo-fetal development after maternal exposure during the entire pregnancy period. Amitraz was administered to pregnant rats by gavage from days 1 to 19 of gestation at dose levels of 0, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day. All dams underwent a caesarean section on day 20 of gestation and their fetuses were examined for any external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. At 30 mg/kg, maternal toxicity manifested as an increase in the incidence of abnormal clinical signs and a lower body weight gain and food intake. Developmental toxicity included an increase in the fetal death rate, a decrease in the litter size, and a reduction in the fetal body weight. In addition, there was an increase in the incidence of fetal external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. At 10 mg/kg, maternal toxicity observed included a decrease in the body weight gain and a decrease in food intake. In addition, minimal developmental toxicity, including a decrease in the fetal body weight, an increase in the visceral and skeletal aberrations, and a delay in fetal ossification. There were no signs of either maternal toxicity or developmental toxicity at 3 mg/kg. These results show that amitraz administered during the entire pregnancy period in rats is embryotoxic and teratogenic at the maternally toxic dose (i.e., 30 mg/kg/day) and is minimally embryotoxic at a minimally maternally toxic dose (i.e., 10 mg/kg/day). Under these experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of amitraz for both dams and embryo-fetal development is estimated to be 3 mg/kg/day.

Role of Src-specific phosphorylation site on focal adhesion kinase for senescence-associated apoptosis resistance

A decreased apoptotic response toward noxious stress is an issuing characteristic of the aging phenotype. Hydrogen peroxide or staurosporine induced apoptosis readily in young cells but not in senescent cells. We showed that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression and its phosphorylation at Tyr397, autophosphorylation site for focal adhesion formation, and Tyr577, Src-dependent phosphorylation site, were both increased in senescent cells. Moreover, FAK was inactivated proteolytically by apoptotic stimuli in young cells, but not in senescent cells. In addition, senescent cells whose FAK expression was downregulated by siRNA showed the increased level of apoptosis by staurosporine treatment via caspase-3 activation but not by hydrogen peroxide treatment. Interestingly dephosphorylation at Tyr577 of FAK by PP2 treatment, Src-family kinase inhibitor, induced the apoptosis by staurosporine in senescent cells but dephosphorylation at Tyr397 by downregulation of caveolin-1 was not affected. These data suggest that FAK might differently regulate apoptosis and focal adhesion formation through site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation in senescent cells.

Detection of Donor-Specific Anti-HLA Class I and II Antibodies Using Antibody Monitoring System

The antibody monitoring system (AMS, GTI Inc) is a solid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) crossmatch test for the detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to donor-specific solubilized HLA class I and class II antigens. The objective of this study was to compare the results of the AMS assay with donor-specific anti-HLA IgG antibodies (DS-HLA Abs), as determined by ELISA panel reactive antibody (PRA) and the flow cytometric crossmatch test (FCXM). A total of 107 sera were screened for the presence of HLA Abs by ELISA PRA (LAT-M, One-Lambda Inc), the DS-HLA Abs were determined in 34 serum samples (31.8%) by an ELISA panel (LAT class I and class II, One-Lambda Inc) and FCXM. The FCXM and AMS assays were performed with matched lymphocytes from 56 donors. There was a significant degree of concordance (89.7%) between the two tests (P < .001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of AMS assay to detect DS-HLA Abs was 88.2%, 94.5%, 88.2%, and 94.5%, respectively. The AMS is a simple, objective test, which has several advantages over the cell-based crossmatch test, such as elimination of non-HLA antibody reactivity, elimination of non-donor-specific antibody reactivity, no need for viable cells, and preparation of the donor's HLA antigens in advance. In summary, this study suggested that AMS may be useful as a supportive crossmatch test or as a monitoring test after transplantation to detect class I or class II DS-HLA Abs.

A case of benign retroperitoneal cyst of Müllerian type in kidney transplant patient

Müllerian cysts of the retroperitoneum, which considered to be a subtype of urogenital cysts, are extremely rare disease entities. Herein we have presented successful excision from a second kidney transplantation from a brain-dead donor to a 38-year-old woman with previous kidney graft failure. During the second cadaveric kidney transplantation operation, two fist-sized cysts were found in the left retroperitoneal pelvic space extending from the left common iliac artery to the prevesical region, which compromised the iliac vessels for vascular anastomosis. After complete cyst excision, vascular anastomoses were performed. Histologically, the cysts were lined with benign Müllerian-type epithelium. We report a rare case of benign retroperitoneal cyst of the Müllerian type, which was incidentally found during kidney transplant surgery.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Renal transplant recipients currently survive many years with a consequent increase in the risk of presentation with vascular diseases. So aortic reconstruction in transplant patients has been increasingly reported the most common procedures involving abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAAs). The most important problem during the operation is ischemic injury to the transplanted kidney during aortic clamping. Protection for the grafted kidney from ischemic or reperfusion injury may be achieved by permanent or temporary axillo-femoral, femoro-femoral, aorto-iliac bypass, cold perfusion, local cold preservation, or autotransplantation. Some authors have reported protection of the transplanted kidney function without any other procedures. We had experience with four AAA cases in kidney transplant patients, including two cases of direct reconstruction of the AAA without any other surgical protection, one autotransplantation, and one AAA excision with using temporary aortofemoral bypass with good results. Herein, we report two cases of successful AAA excision without a surgical procedure for graft protection.

Second and Third Kidney Transplantations

We reviewed the results of second and third kidney transplantations at our center. Among 1500 patients who had undergone kidney transplantation from 1968 to October 2005, we discovered 77 (male 55 and female 22 of overall mean age = 48.9 years) second transplantations and 5 (male 4, female 1; mean age = 46.8 years) third transplantations. The 82 kidneys were derived from living donors in 67 patients and from cadaveric donors in 15 patients. The mean duration from the first to the second transplantation was 89 months, and from the second to the third transplantation, 32.7 months. Among the second and third transplantations and graft nephrectomies, we failed to observe additional surgical complications compared with first transplants and over 80% graft survival at 1 year.