Deciphering proteomic mechanisms explaining the role of glutathione as an aid in improving plant fitness and tolerance against cadmium-toxicity in Brassica napus L

Cadmium (Cd) hazard is a serious limitation to plants, soils and environments. Cd-toxicity causes stunted growth, chlorosis, necrosis, and plant yield loss. Thus, ecofriendly strategies with understanding of molecular mechanisms of Cd-tolerance in plants is highly demandable. The Cd-toxicity caused plant growth retardation, leaf chlorosis and cellular damages, where the glutathione (GSH) enhanced plant fitness and Cd-toxicity in Brassica through Cd accumulation and antioxidant defense. A high-throughput proteome approach screened 4947 proteins, wherein 370 were differently abundant, 164 were upregulated and 206 were downregulated. These proteins involved in energy and carbohydrate metabolism, CO2 assimilation and photosynthesis, signal transduction and protein metabolism, antioxidant defense response, heavy metal detoxification, cytoskeleton and cell wall structure, and plant development in Brassica. Interestingly, several key proteins including glutathione S-transferase F9 (A0A078GBY1), ATP sulfurylase 2 (A0A078GW82), cystine lyase CORI3 (A0A078FC13), ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase 1 (A0A078HXC0), glutaredoxin-C5 (A0A078ILU9), glutaredoxin-C2 (A0A078HHH4) actively involved in antioxidant defense and sulfur assimilation-mediated Cd detoxification process confirmed by their interactome analyses. These candidate proteins shared common gene networks associated with plant fitness, Cd-detoxification and tolerance in Brassica. The proteome insights may encourage breeders for enhancing multi-omics assisted Cd-tolerance in Brassica, and GSH-mediated hazard free oil seed crop production for global food security.

Proteome insights of citric acid-mediated cadmium toxicity tolerance in Brassica napus L

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic substance that is uptake by plants from soils, Cd easily transfers into the food chain. Considering global food security, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and metal detoxification strategies are highly demandable for sustainable food crop production. The purpose of this study was to investigate how citric acid (CA) alleviates or tolerates Cd toxicity in Brassica using a proteome approach. In this study, the global proteome level was significantly altered under Cd toxicity with or without CA supplementation in Brassica. A total of 4947 proteins were identified using the gel-free proteome approach. Out of these, 476 proteins showed differential abundance between the treatment groups, wherein 316 were upregulated and 160 were downregulated. The gene ontology analysis reveals that differentially abundant proteins were involved in different biological processes including energy and carbohydrate metabolism, CO2 assimilation and photosynthesis, signal transduction and protein metabolism, antioxidant defense, heavy metal detoxification, plant development, and cytoskeleton and cell wall structure in Brassica leaves. Interestingly, several candidate proteins such as superoxide dismutase (A0A078GZ68) L-ascorbate peroxidase 3 (A0A078HSG4), glutamine synthetase (A0A078HLB2), glutathione S-transferase DHAR1 (A0A078HPN8), glutamine synthetase (A0A078HLB2), cysteine synthase (A0A078GAD3), S-adenosylmethionine synthase 2 (A0A078JDL6), and thiosulfate/3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase 2 (A0A078H905) were involved in antioxidant defense system and sulfur assimilation-involving Cd-detoxification process in Brassica. These findings provide new proteome insights into CA-mediated Cd-toxicity alleviation in Brassica, which might be useful to oilseed crop breeders for enhancing heavy metal tolerance in Brassica using the breeding program, with sustainable and smart Brassica production in a metal-toxic environment.

A mucin-responsive hybrid two-component system controls Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron colonization and gut homeostasis

The mammalian intestinal tract contains trillions of bacteria. However, the genetic factors that allow gut symbiotic bacteria to occupy intestinal niches remain poorly understood. Here, we identified genetic determinants required for Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron colonization in the gut using transposon sequencing analysis. Transposon insertion in BT2391, which encodes a hybrid two-component system, increased the competitive fitness of B. thetaiotaomicron. The BT2391 mutant showed a growth advantage in a mucin-dependent manner and had an increased ability to adhere to mucus-producing cell lines. The increased competitive advantage of the BT2391 mutant was dependent on the BT2392-2395 locus containing susCD homologs. Deletion of BT2391 led to changes in the expression levels of B. thetaiotaomicron genes during gut colonization. However, colonization of the BT2391 mutant promoted DSS colitis in low-fiber diet-fed mice. These results indicate that BT2391 contributes to a sustainable symbiotic relationship by maintaining a balance between mucosal colonization and gut homeostasis.

Chemical and genetic diversity of high-seed-yield sorghum (Sorghum bicolor M.) germplasms

This study evaluated the chemical and genetic diversity of high-seed-yield sorghum germplasms from Korea, the United States, and South Africa. We identified significant differences in the chemical contents of whole plants at the heading stage in all cultivars, including differences in crude protein, fat, fiber, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, mineral, and fatty acid contents. Our results suggest that Banwoldang is the most appropriate cultivar for roughage because of its high protein yield. We identified significant differences in the tannin, flavonoid, amylose, mineral, crude fat, fatty acid, and 3-deoxyanthocyanin contents in the whole grain from all cultivars, but not in the mineral or crude fat contents. Tannin levels were generally low. IS645 contained the highest levels of flavonoids and linolenic acid compounds, and Moktak had the highest amylose and deoxyanthocyanidin content in the grain. To assess genetic diversity, we used 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer sets to identify 38 alleles with 3-8 alleles per locus. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the SSR markers, the sorghum cultivars were divided into three major groups. Comparison of clusters based on chemical compositions with those based on SSRs showed that the groups formed by the three native Korean cultivars clustered similarly in molecular dendrograms. Association analysis was conducted for the 10 SSR marker; 48 chemical and growth traits were present for two marker traits (seed color and whole plant fatty acid content) with significant marker-trait associations. These markers could be used to select sorghum cultivars for breeding programs.

Perioperative predictors for refractory hyperglycemia during the neohepatic phase of liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia in the neohepatic phase of liver transplantation (LT) tends to decrease toward completion of the surgical procedure. Refractory hyperglycemia in the neohepatic phase (RH) is influenced by multiple perioperative factors and may be connected to posttransplant outcomes. We attempted to demonstrate the relationship of RH to posttransplant outcomes and to establish a predictive model for RH in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODS

Perioperative data of 211 patients who underwent LDLT from 2009 and 2012 were reviewed, including declines in the blood glucose levels during the neohepatic phase. Perioperative variables including the posttransplant model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score until day 30 were compared between patients with normal declines in blood glucose and patients with RH. Selected variables after intergroup comparisons were examined by means of multivariate logistic regression to establish a predictive model for RH occurrence.

RESULTS

The mean blood glucose decline was 22.3 ± 31.5 mg/dL during the neohepatic phase, and 84 of 203 patients (41.4%) had no decline in blood glucose. In intergroup comparisons, preoperative factors associated with RH included sex, Child-Pugh-Turcotte class, MELD score, emergency, liver enzymes, and graft-to-recipient weight ratio. During surgery, surgical time, serum lactate, and arterial pH were associated with RH. After surgery, the RH group showed slower recovery of the MELD score (15.2 versus 11.9 days) and higher MELD scores until day 10 (P < .05). After the multivariate analysis, recipient sex, emergency, surgical time (≤9 h), and the final intraoperative serum lactate level (≥5.0 mmol/L) were included in the predictive model for RH.

CONCLUSIONS

RH was associated with delayed functional recovery of the liver graft in LT. Recipient sex, emergency, surgical time, and the final intraoperative serum lactate level were identified as predictors of RH. Close monitoring of intraoperative blood glucose in LDLT may be an early prognostic indicator.

Effect of an organic buffer layer on the stability of zinc oxide thin-film transistors

Compared with other materials, zinc oxide (ZnO) exhibits stability in air, high-electron mobility, transparency and low light sensitivity. We investigated these properties in ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) containing a cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (C-PVA) (1:3) buffer layer stacked between the semiconductor and gate dielectric. We measured the impact of this C-PVA layer on gate bias stress. We measured the transfer characteristics of the saturation region to determine the threshold voltage and the field-effect mobility of the transistors. We recorded a threshold voltage of 11.53 V in the ZnO TFTs with the C-PVA buffer layer, the field-effect mobility was 0.2 cm2/Vs. There was a positive shift in the threshold voltage of deltaV(TH) approximately 10 V in response to the application of a gate bias stress of 20 V. The positive shift in the threshold voltage was lower than that in pristine ZnO TFTs. This finding suggests that the shift in threshold voltage was due to reduced charge trapping at the semiconductor-gate dielectric interface. Our report indicates that the organic buffer layer enhanced the stability of ZnO TFTs.

Protein Profiling Reveals Novel Proteins in Pollen and Pistil of W22 (ga1; Ga1) in Maize

Gametophytic factors mediate pollen-pistil interactions in maize (Zea mays L.) and play active roles in limiting gene flow among maize populations and between maize and teosinte. This study was carried out to identify proteins and investigate the mechanism of gametophytic factors using protein analysis. W22 (ga1); which did not carry a gametophytic factor and W22 (Ga1), a near iso-genic line, were used for the proteome investigation. SDS-PAGE was executed to investigate proteins in the pollen and pistil of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). A total of 44 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the pollen and pistil on SDS-PAGE using LTQ-FTICR MS. Among the 44 proteins, a total of 24 proteins were identified in the pollen of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1) whereas 20 differentially expressed proteins were identified from the pistil of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). However, in pollen, 2 proteins were identified only in the W22 (ga1) and 12 proteins only in the W22 (Ga1) whereas 10 proteins were confirmed from the both of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). In contrary, 10 proteins were appeared only in the pistil of W22 (ga1) and 7 proteins from W22 (Ga1) while 3 proteins confirmed in the both of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). Moreover, the identified proteins were generally involved in hydrolase activity, nucleic acid binding and nucleotide binding. These results help to reveal the mechanism of gametophytic factors and provide a valuable clue for the pollen and pistil research in maize.

Fall detection algorithm for the elderly using acceleration sensors on the shoes

The rate of increase in the number of aging population in Korea is very rapid among OECD-member countries. And fall accident is one of the most common factors that threaten the health of the elderly. Therefore, it is needed to develop a fall detection system for the elderly. Most fall detection systems use accelerometers attached on the torso. And in various studies, it was verified that these systems have high sensitivity and high specificity. However, the elderly would feel uncomfortable when banding a sensor on the chest every day. Therefore, in this study, we attached an accelerometer on the shoes to detect fall in the elderly. This prototype system would be improved as a smaller, low-power system in the next study. Also, applying energy harvesting device to this shoe system is being developed to reduce the weight of battery.

Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells are a potential source for uterine stem cell therapy

OBJECTIVES

Human amnion is an easy-to-obtain novel source of human mesenchymal stem cells, which poses little or no ethical dilemmas. We have previously shown that human amnion-derived mesenchymal (HAM) cells exhibit certain mesenchymal stem cell-like characteristics with respect to expression of stem cell markers and differentiation potentials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we further characterized HAM cells' potential for in vivo therapeutic application.

RESULTS

Flow cytometric analyses of HAM cells show that they express several stem cell-related cell surface markers, including CD90, CD105, CD59, CD49d, CD44 and HLA-ABC, but not CD45, CD34, CD31, CD106 or HLA-DR. HAM cells at the 10th passage showed normal karyotype. More interestingly, the AbdB-like HOXA genes HOXA9, HOXA10 and HOXA11 that are expressed in the mesenchyme of the developing female reproductive tract and pregnant uteri are also expressed in HAM cells, suggesting similarities between these two mesenchymal cell types. Progesterone receptor is also highly expressed in HAM cells and expression of genes or proteins in HAM cells could be manipulated with the aid of lentivirus technology or cell-permeable peptides. To test potentials of HAM cells for in vivo application, we introduced enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-expressing HAM cells to mice by intrauterine infusion (into uteri) or by intravenous injection (into the circulation). Presence of EGFP-expressing cells within the uterine mesenchyme after intrauterine infusion or in lungs after intravenous injection was noted within 1-4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these results suggest that HAM cells are a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells with therapeutic potential.

Cerebral microbleeds are regionally associated with intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) may be indicative of a hemorrhage-prone microangiopathy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if increased numbers of these lesions are predictive of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), especially in terms of a distributional association.

METHODS

The authors examined consecutively 227 patients with acute stroke. CMB were counted using T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI data, and old lacunes and leukoaraiosis were also evaluated. The associations between the vascular risk factors and ICH were analyzed. With use of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the locations of the CMB or the old lacunes, which were categorized as being in the corticosubcortical area, the deep gray matter area, or the infratentorial area, were examined with regard to their relationships to the locations of the ICH.

RESULTS

The degrees of the CMB (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and leukoaraiosis (r = 0.20, p < 0.01) were well correlated with the presence of ICH. Multivariate analysis revealed that the grades of the CMB were associated with the presence of ICH (p < 0.01, odds ratio [OR] = 2.67). CMB in the corticosubcortical area (p < 0.01, OR = 5.50) or deep gray matter (p < 0.01, OR = 2.55) were strongly associated with the presence of ICH in the same area, but no such association was observed in the case of CMB in the infratentorial area or in the case of old lacunes in any area.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral microbleeds are strongly associated with the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage, and the distributional associations are also quite strong.

Papyriflavonol A, a new prenylated flavonol from Broussonetia papyrifera

A new prenylated flavonol, papyriflavonol A, was isolated from the root barks of Broussonetia papyrifera. The structure of this compound was elucidated as 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,5'-di-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-flavonol (1) by spectroscopic analysis.

Two imported cases of cutaneous larva migrans

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a rare serpiginous cutaneous eruption caused by accidental penetration and migration in the skin with infective larvae of nematode that normally do not have the human as their host. Although CLM has a worldwide distribution, the infection is most frequent in warmer climates. More recently, they have been increasingly imported from the tropics or subtropics by travelers. We experienced two patients who had pruritic serpiginous linear eruption in their skin for a few weeks after traveling to the endemic areas (Brazil and Thailand, respectively). After the treatment with albendazole, the skin lesions resolved with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We report herein two cases of cutaneous larva migrans successfully treated with albendazole.

Surgery and prognostic factors for gastric stromal tumor

Morphologic studies of gastric stromal tumors (GSTs) indicate that mitotic counts (MCs) and tumor size are major discriminants predictive of biologic behavior. The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of GST behavior, including the prognostic factors and surgical treatment of GSTs. A retrospective analysis (1990--1997) of the clinical course for 116 patients with GSTs was completed, with a median follow-up of 43 months. Tumors were categorized as malignant GSTs (n = 17) when the MC was > 5/50 high-power fields (HPF) and the size > 5 cm or as benign GSTs (n = 99) when the MC was < or = 5/50 HPF and the size < or = 5 cm, MC < or = 5/50 HPF and size > 5 cm, or MC > 5/50 HPF and size < or = 5 cm. None of 99 benign tumors recurred or metastasized, whereas 7 of 17 malignant tumors recurred. MCs had a close correlation with tumor size. Immunohistochemical studies using CD34, smooth muscle actin, S-100 protein, and synaptophysin have shown positive rates of 61%, 33%, 14%, and 3%, respectively. Smooth muscle actin reactivity was more common in the benign tumors (p = 0.046) and synaptophysin reactivity in the malignant tumors (p = 0.010). Univariate analysis showed that the following clinicopathologic factors were potentially related to poor survival of patients: (1) MC > 5/50 HPF (p = 0.0001); (2) severe pleomorphism (p = 0.0062); (3) necrosis (p = 0.0173); (4) marked cellularity (p = 0.0112); (5) presence of ulceration of overlying gastric mucosa (p = 0.0091); (6) tumor size > 5 cm (p = 0.0195); and (7) exogastric growth pattern (p = 0.0344). Tumors with MC > 5/50 HPF and size > 5 cm were found to be strong indicators of an unfavorable prognosis. The type of surgery and tumor site did not affect the prognosis of the patients.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 protects H9c2 cardiac myoblasts from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in cardiac injuries during ischemia/reperfusion. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes cell survival in a number of cell types, but the effect of IGF-1 on the oxidative stress has not been elucidated in cardiac muscle cells. Therefore, we examined the role of IGF-1 signaling pathway in cell survival against H2O2-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac myoblasts. H2O2 treatment induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells, and pretreatment of cells with IGF-1 suppressed apoptotic cell death. The antiapoptotic effect of IGF-1 was blocked by LY294002 (an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) and by PD98059 (an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)). The protective effect of IGF-1 was also blocked by rapamycin (an inhibitor of p70 S6 kinase). Furthermore, H9c2 cells stably transfected with constitutively active PI 3-kinase (H9c2-p110*) and Akt (H9c2-Gag-Akt) constructs were more resistant to H2O2 cytotoxicity than control cells. Although H2O2 activates both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), IGF-1 inhibited only JNK activation. Activated PI 3-kinase (H9c2-p110*) and pretreatment of cells with IGF-1 down-regulated Bax protein levels compared to control cells. Taken together, our results suggest that IGF-1 transmits a survival signal against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells via PI 3-kinase and ERK-dependent pathways and the protective effect of IGF-1 is associated with the inhibition of JNK activation and Bax expression.

Localized multiple glomus tumors of the face and oral mucosa

We describe a 54-year-old patient with an unusual localization of localized multiple glomus tumors. She had several nodules on the left mandibular area, lower lip, and anterior part of the buccal mucosa. A biopsy taken from the left mandibular area showed cystically dilated vessels lined by endothelial cells and a few outer layers of glomus cells in the dermis to subcutis. Localized multiple glomus tumors are rare, and both their facial and oral mucocal localization are extremely rare.

High thoracic midline dorsal column myelotomy for severe visceral pain due to advanced stomach cancer

OBJECTIVE

To report the results of high thoracic midline dorsal column myelotomy in eight consecutive patients who experienced severe visceral pain caused by advanced stomach cancer.

METHODS

Eight patients were transferred from the department of general surgery because of failed pain control after an operation and chemotherapy for advanced stomach cancer. Preoperatively, the pain was not controlled with strong opiates. The patients' neurological status was normal. Their general conditions varied from 50 to 80 on the Karnofsky scale. Under general anesthesia, patients received high thoracic midline dorsal column myelotomies after T1 or T2 laminectomy.

RESULTS

Five of the eight patients exhibited favorable outcomes after surgery. The remaining three did not experience preoperative pain but developed new pain at a different site. One patient exhibited a posterior column sign and paresthesia below the level of the myelotomy without motor deficit and analgesia. Two patients exhibited transient paresthesia below the T6 level, but the paresthesia improved after administration of corticosteroids. There was no mortality related to the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Controlling visceral pain resulting from advanced cancer is very difficult, although various surgical procedures have been tried. Poorly localized, deep and diffuse visceral pain is more difficult to manage than well-localized somatic pain. Dorsal column myelotomy at a high thoracic cord level effectively controls severe abdominal pain and should be considered as a new palliative operation for patients with severe visceral pain.

The influence of gastrectomy on the change of bone metabolism and bone density

OBJECTIVES

Abnormalities of bone metabolism could be followed in gastrectomized patients as a late complication. Nowadays, many biochemical and radiologic measurements are applied to detect these abnormalities. The aim of our study is to determine the valuable parameter as an appropriate screening test during long-term follow-up periods and define the usefulness of new biochemical markers for bone metabolism by comparing with traditional markers.

METHODS

Fifteen patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy were chosen randomly and fifteen healthy controls were compared. Then, several biochemical and radiologic tests were measured. We excluded subjects who proved to have other causes of bone metabolism abnormalities. Ten patients and 10 controls were finally selected.

RESULTS

Comparing the data with those of a corresponding control group, the lumbar bone density measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was statistically significantly lower in the patient group (p < 0.01). The urinary deoxypyridinoline, a biochemical marker for bone resorption, was statistically higher in the patient group (p < 0.025). Osteocalcin, Procollagen I C-terminal peptide (PICP) and Type I collagen C-terminal telopeptide (ICTP) were slightly but not significantly higher in the patient group. The serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

We could suggest that urinary deoxypyridinoline and QCT are appropriate parameters as screening tests for the detection of bone metabolism abnormalities in gastrectomized patients during long-term follow-up. Urinary deoxypyridinoline may be a simple and rapid test which could replace cumbersome 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline.

Realization of sinc waves in ultrasound imaging systems

It is known that the transmit pulse waveforms of a limited-diffraction beam in a linear array transducer should be varied according to transducer element location, dictating the use of sophisticated hardware. In order to overcome this disadvantage while achieving the same field response, we propose a method of synthesizing limited-diffraction beams by combined signal processing of pulsed plane waves propagating in distinct directions over several consecutive insonification time intervals. The method is capable of achieving both higher transmit power and better lateral resolution over a larger depth of field. Although its field response is not uniform throughout the imaging points, this is not a major problem since the response is quite uniform within a region of interest. The proposed method requires the use of multiple insonifications for transmit focusing, and, therefore, can be applied in imaging slowly-moving or still objects. Both simulation and experimental results corroborate its superiority in terms of the lateral resolution at all imaging depths.

Purification and characterization of a second type thioredoxin peroxidase (type II TPx) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A yeast peroxidase that reduces H2O2 and alkyl hydroperoxides with the use of reducing equivalents provided by thioredoxin was identified previously and named thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) [Chae, H. Z., Chung, S. J., and Rhee, S. G. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 27670-27678]. A second type thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase, named type II TPx, has now been purified from yeast, and several peptide sequences have been obtained. Using those sequences, the corresponding cDNA has been identified from the GenBank database. Comparison of the predicted sequence of 176 amino acids of type II TPx with that of the 195 residues of TPx, now renamed type I TPx, revealed no substantial homology except for a short segment preceding Cys62 of type II TPx. Kinetic characterization of the reactions catalyzed by type I and II TPxs revealed that type I preferentially reduces H2O2 rather than alkyl hydroperoxides, whereas type II shows the reverse specificity. Type II TPx contains three cysteine residues at positions 31, 62, and 120. Experiments with mutant proteins in which these three cysteine residues were replaced individually with serine suggest that Cys62-SH constitutes the site of oxidation by peroxides and that the oxidized Cys62 reacts with the Cys120-SH group of another type II TPx molecule to form an intermolecular disulfide linkage. The formed disulfide can then be reduced by thioredoxin, but not by glutathione. Thus, type II TPx mutants lacking Cys62 or Cys120 showed no detectable TPx activity, whereas mutation of Cys31 had no effect on TPx activity. An antioxidant function of type II TPx in intact cells was demonstrated by the observation that Escherichia coli cells overexpressing wild-type protein were less sensitive to inhibition of growth by alkyl hydroperoxides than were control cells or cells overexpressing the mutant protein lacking Cys62.

A case of leukemia cutis

We report a case of leukemia cutis with atypical skin manifestations, presented with generalized various sized dark brownish to erythematous patches with plaques on the whole body of a 42-year-old man. Skin lesions developed 6 months ago and had no signs of itching or tenderness. He complained of sustaining fevers with abdominal discomfort. Laboratory findings showed elevation of leukocyte count and peripheral blood smear revealed 86% of lymphocyte. Histologic examination showed diffuse infiltration of abnormal cells that appeared to be leukemic in nature.

Figurate purpuric eruptions on the trunk: acetaminophen-induced rashes

A 23-year-old man had recurrent erythematous purpuric patches in a transverse-linear arrangement on his back and arms. One week prior to a recent episode, he took acetaminophen for 3 days. Four months earlier, he developed the same purpuric lesions at/around the same anatomical site when he took acetaminophen for pain-relief. A biopsy specimen showed capillaritis and extravasation of erythrocytes in the papillary dermis. A provocation test with acetaminophen confirmed these lesions as drug-induced rashes. The uncommon topographic and morphologic features of the purpuric lesion in this patient might be considered as an unusual expression of pigmented purpuric dermatosis caused by acetaminophen.

High-Tc superconductors in the two-dimensional limit:

The free modulation of interlayer distance in a layered high-transition temperature (high-Tc) superconductor is of crucial importance not only for the study of the superconducting mechanism but also for the practical application of high-Tc superconducting materials. Two-dimensional (2D) superconductors were achieved by intercalating a long-chain organic compound into bismuth-based high-Tc cuprates. Although the intercalation of the organic chain increased the interlayer distance remarkably, to tens of angstroms, the superconducting transition temperature of the intercalate was nearly the same as that of the pristine material, suggesting the 2D nature of the high-Tc superconductivity.

Prognostic impact of splenectomy on gastric cancer: results of the Korean Gastric Cancer Study Group

The relation between splenectomy and survival time after curative total gastrectomy for gastric cancer was reviewed retrospectively on 492 patients treated at nine hospitals between 1989 and 1993. Altogether 260 patients underwent splenectomy, and 232 patients did not. A univariate analysis revealed that the survival time of patients with splenectomy was significantly less than those without splenectomy (p = 0.0265). In a subgroup of our patients stratified to adjust for the stage of disease, there was no significant difference between the survival rates. Splenectomy remained insignificant according to the multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional-hazard regression. The splenectomy group was associated with more risk factors (e.g., T3/T4 tumors, positive nodes, stage greater than III, large tumor size) that are powerful predictors of death due to gastric cancer. In a separate multivariate analysis after eliminating those who had a T4 tumor invasion or a N2 nodal positivity from the analysis (or both), splenectomy again remained insignificant. In conclusion, we could not find any beneficial effect of splenectomy in gastric cancer patients in this retrospective multivariate analysis. We can presume that splenectomy cannot increase the survival rate so long as the splenectomy group has more risk factors than the nonsplenectomy group. Therefore randomized prospective clinical trials using more precise criteria to indicate the need for splenectomy are needed to assess whether splenectomy is beneficial.

Prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis in advanced carcinoma of the stomach

This study attempted to clarify the prognostic factors in advanced gastric cancer, with special reference to lymph node metastasis. It was a retrospective study of 401 patients with stage III and IV gastric cancer operated on during the 5 years from 1988 to 1993. A significant relationship was found between the 5-year survival rate and (1) the ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the total number of dissected lymph nodes (ratios of 1-15, 16-30 and 31 per cent or more were associated with a 5-year survival rate of 81, 23 and 17 per cent respectively), (2) stage N1 or N2 of the Union International Contra la Cancrum tumour node metastasis classification (58 and 27 per cent respectively) and (3) the number of metastatic lymph nodes (1-3, 4-7 and 8 or more were associated with a 5-year survival rate of 67, 49 and 32 per cent respectively). Multivariate survival analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model was applied to these three forms of lymph node status. Among these three variables, the ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the total number of dissected lymph nodes was the most meaningful prognostic factor.

Inhibition of metal-catalyzed oxidation systems by a yeast protector protein in the presence of thioredoxin

A protector protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae specifically prevents the inactivation of enzymes caused by a thiol/Fe3+/O2 metal-catalyzed oxidation system but not by an ascorbate/Fe3+/O2 system. Ascorbate/Fe3+/O2-mediated damage of enzymes could be prevented by the protector protein only in the presence of reduced thiol. We demonstrate that two proteins from yeast, thioredoxin plus another protein having properties similar to that expected to thioredoxin reductase, when presented with NADPH and the yeast protector protein prevented inactivation of E. coli glutamine synthetase by the ascorbate/Fe3+/O2 system. This system also removes hydrogen peroxide effectively. We also demonstrate evidence suggesting that the NADPH-dependent thioredoxin system reactivates protector protein by reversible disulfide-dithiols exchange.

Inhibition of metal-catalyzed oxidation systems by a yeast protector protein in the presence of thiol

A protector protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae prevented the inactivation of enzyme and oxidative damage to protein and DNA caused by a thiol/Fe3+/O2 metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system but not when thiol was replaced by ascorbate. In the presence of a reduced thiol such as dithiothreitol and reduced glutathione, however, the protector protein prevented inactivation of E. coli glutamine synthetase against a MCO system comprised of ascorbate and Fe3+. The protector protein also inhibited the fragmentation of protein, incorporation of carbonyl groups into protein, strand breaks in pBluescript plasmid DNA, and the formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in calf thymus DNA when induced by either the thiol/Fe3+ system or the ascorbate/Fe3+ system supplemented with dithiothreitol. These results suggest that antioxidant activity of protector protein against a MCO system requires thiol as a reducing equivalent to restore its catalytic activity.

Strand breaks in DNA induced by a thiol/Fe(III)/O2 mixed-function oxidase system and its protection by a yeast antioxidant protein

Strand breaks can be produced in pBluescript plasmid DNA and calf thymus DNA by a mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system comprised of Fe3+, O2, and dithiothreitol as an electron donor. Superoxide dismutase does not block this damage whereas a 27-KDa yeast antioxidant protein specifically inhibits strand breaks in DNA induced by the dithiothreitol MFO system. In contrast, this protein does not inhibit strand breaks in DNA induced by an ascorbate MFO system although catalase inhibits damage in DNA caused by both MFO systems. Based on the specificity of this protein, we propose that the antioxidant protein functions as a sulfur radical scavenger.