A Preclinical Cadaver Fitting Study of Implantable Biventricular Assist Device - AnyHeart™

A multifunctional, Korean-made artificial heart (AnyHeart™) was developed, and prior to its clinical application, a cadaver-fitting study was performed. The study proposed to determine the optimal cannulation approach, implantation technique and route of the cannula to minimize the organ compression of AnyHeart™. The anatomical feasibility and a variety of surgical techniques were evaluated using ten preserved, human cadavers. Implanting AnyHeart™ with ease is possible using various approaches, including a median sternotomy, and a right or left lateral thoracotomy. The lateral thoracotomy approach is shown to be safe and reproducible, especially in patients who have already undergone an operation that used a median sternotomy. The results of this study will guide improvements in the designs of cannulae and AnyHeart™ for future clinical applications.

Dietary whole and cracked linseed increases the proportion of oleic and α-linolenic acids in adipose tissues and decreases stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase gene expression in the longissimus thoracis muscle of Yanbian Yellow cattle

We hypothesized that supplementation of linseed in a beef cattle fattening diet would increase PUFA concentrations in intramuscular adipose tissue and depress (), (), and () gene expression by decreasing () expression. Conversely, supplemental linseed would upregulate expression of () and () in muscle of Yanbian Yellow steers. Thirty steers were assigned at random to 3 groups of 10 steers fed either the basal diet (corn grain and corn silage-based commercial concentrate [CON]), the CON diet plus 8% whole linseed (WLS; DM basis), or the CON diet plus 8% cracked linseed (CLS; DM basis) for 6 mo. The WLS and CLS supplements did not affect carcass weight, backfat thickness, or marbling scores ( > 0.10) but increased rib eye area and fat color (more yellow; < 0.05). The WLS and CLS diets decreased the proportions of 16:0 and 18:0 and increased the proportions of 18:1-9, 18:3-3, -9, -11 conjugated linoleic acid, total MUFA, and total PUFA in intramuscular, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissues. The WLS and CLS diets increased and gene expression whereas the supplements depressed , , , and gene expression in longissimus thoracis muscle, relative to CON muscle, consistent with our hypothesis. Because the WLS and CLS treatments did not affect any measure of carcass adiposity, these results indicated that linseed supplements promoted uptake of dietary lipids while concurrently depressing de novo fatty acid biosynthesis in adipose tissue.

IGF-1 Mediates EphrinB1 Activation in Regulating Tertiary Dentin Formation

Eph receptors belong to a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases that are activated by membrane-spanning ligands called ephrins. Previously, we demonstrated that the ephrinB1-EphB2 interaction regulates odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation from dental pulp cells (DPCs) in vitro. The goal of this study was to identify the molecular mechanisms regulated by the EphB2/ephrinB1 system that govern tertiary dentin formation in vitro and in vivo. During tooth development, ephrinB1, and EphB2 were expressed in preodontoblast and odontoblasts at postnatal day 4. EphrinB1 was continuously expressed in odontoblasts and odontoblastic processes until the completion of tooth eruption. In addition, ephrinB1 was expressed in odontoblastic processes 2 wk following tooth injury without pulp exposure, whereas EphB2 was expressed in the center of pulp niches but not odontoblasts. In a model of tooth injury with pulp exposure, ephrinB1 was strongly expressed in odontoblasts 4 wk postinjury. In vitro studies with human and mouse DPCs treated with calcium hydroxide (CH) or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) showed an increased expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Experiments using several inhibitors of IGF-1 receptor signaling revealed that inhibiting the Ras/Raf-1/MAPK pathway inhibited EphB2 expression, and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway specifically inhibited ephrinB1 gene expression. Tooth injury in mice with odontoblast-specific IGF-1 receptor ablation exhibited a reduced tertiary dentin volume, mineral density, and ephrinB1 expression 4 wk following injury. We conclude that the IGF-1/ephrinB1 axis plays significant roles in the early stages of tooth injury. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of targeting ephrinB1 as a regenerative pulp therapy.

Dietary linseed oil with or without malate increases conjugated linoleic acid and oleic acid in milk fat and and gene expression in mammary gland and milk somatic cells of lactating goats

Supplementary dietary plant oils have the potential to alter milk fatty acid composition in ruminants as a result of changes in the amount and kind of fatty acid precursors. We hypothesized that linseed oil in combination with malate (a key propionate precursor in the rumen) would increase ∆9 unsaturated fatty acids and specific gene expression in somatic cells and mammary glands of lactating goats. Twelve lactating goats were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments included the basal diet (CON), the CON plus 4% linseed oil (LO), and the CON plus 4% linseed oil and 2% -malate (LOM). Relative to CON, the LO and LOM supplements increased the daily intake of palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1-9), linoleic (18:2-6), α-linolenic (18:3-3), and γ-linolenic acids (18:2-6); α-linolenic acid intake was increased over 9-fold, from 6.77 to over 51 g/d ( < 0.02). The LO and LOM supplements increased daily milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk fat percentage ( < 0.05). The LOM supplement also increased milk lactose percentage and daily yield ( = 0.03). Both the LO and LOM supplements increased plasma glucose and total cholesterol and decreased plasma β-hydroxbutyrate concentrations ( = 0.03). The LO and LOM supplements increased concentrations of stearic acid; -vaccenic acid (TVA; 18:1-11); -9, -11 CLA; -10 -12 CLA; and α-linolenic acid in rumen fluid and increased the concentrations of oleic acid; TVA; -9, -11 CLA; -10, -12 CLA; and α-linolenic acid in plasma lipids and milk fat ( < 0.05). Conversely, the LO and LOM supplements decreased short- and medium-chain SFA, including lauric (12:0), myristic (14:0), and palmitic acids, in plasma and milk fat ( < 0.05). Relative mRNA levels for and () gene expression were increased in somatic cells and mammary gland tissue by LO and LOM ( < 0.05). We conclude that the higher intake and ruminal production of stearic acid promoted SCD gene expression in somatic cells and mammary tissue. Furthermore, milk somatic cells are a suitable substitute for documenting treatment effects of dietary oils on gene expression in goat mammary tissue.

Plasmacytoma with Aberrant Expression of Myeloid Markers, T-cell Markers, and Cytokeratin

Plasmacytomas are localized neoplastic proliferations of monoclonal plasma cells. When multifocal, the process is referred to as multiple myeloma. These lesions exhibit a pattern of antigen expression and cytomorphology that usually leads to a ready diagnosis. However, potentially troublesome variations in immunophenotype occur. We describe a case of a plasmacytoma from a patient who presented with sudden onset of pain and a lytic lesion of the left proximal humerus. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections showed a lymphoproliferative lesion composed of large lymphoid cells, some with plasmacytoid and immunoblastic features. The lesion also showed significant mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD45 (LCA), CD56 (N-CAM), CD43 (MT1), and cytokeratin CAM5.2. There was also clonal staining for λ light chains. In addition, flow cytometric analysis showed positivity for myeloid markers such as CD13, CD33, CD38, and CD138. Significant negative markers include CD20 (L26), CD45RO (UCHL-1), and CD79α. The unusual phenotypic features of this plasmacytoma illustrate potential diagnostic pitfalls. It is important to fully study such lesions to correctly classify them, because this has significant impact on prognosis and management.

Corrigendum. Platelet-rich plasma for arthroscopic repair of medium to large rotator cuff tears: a randomized controlled trial

Jo CH, Shin JS, Shin WH, Lee SY, Yoon KS, Shin S. Platelet-rich plasma for arthroscopic repair of medium to large rotator cuff tears: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2015 43(9):2102-2110. (Original DOI: 10.1177/0363546515587081 )

Long-term control of diabetes in immunosuppressed nonhuman primates (NHP) by the transplantation of adult porcine islets

Pig islets are an alternative source for islet transplantation to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D), but reproducible curative potential in the pig-to-nonhuman primate (NHP) model has not been demonstrated. Here, we report that pig islet grafts survived and maintained normoglycemia for >6 months in four of five consecutive immunosuppressed NHPs. Pig islets were isolated from designated pathogen-free (DPF) miniature pigs and infused intraportally into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rhesus monkeys under pretreatment with cobra venom factor (CVF), anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and maintenance with anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody and low-dose sirolimus. Ex vivo expanded autologous regulatory T cells were adoptively transferred in three recipients. Blood glucose levels were promptly normalized in all five monkeys and normoglycemia (90-110 mg/dL) was maintained for >6 months in four cases, the longest currently up to 603 days. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests during the follow-up period showed excellent glucose disposal capacity and porcine C-peptide responses. Adoptive transfer of autologous regulatory T cells was likely to be associated with more stable and durable normoglycemia. Importantly, the recipients showed no serious adverse effects. Taken together, our results confirm the clinical feasibility of pig islet transplantation to treat T1D patients without the need for excessive immunosuppressive therapy.

Association between information provision and decisional conflict in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to identify demographic and clinical variables that correlate with perceived information provision among cancer patients and determine the association of information provision with decisional conflict (DC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled a total of 625 patients with cancer from two Korean hospitals in 2012. We used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ-INFO26) to assess patients' perception of the information received from their doctors and the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) to assess DC. To identify predictive sociodemographic and clinical variables for adequate information provision, backward selective logistic regression analyses were conducted. In addition, adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify clinically meaningful differences of perceived level of information subscales associated with high DC.

RESULTS

More than half of patients with cancer showed insufficient satisfaction with medical information about disease (56%), treatment (73%), other services (83%), and global score (80%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, lower income and education, female, unmarried status, type of cancer with good prognosis, and early stage of treatment process were associated with patients' perception of inadequate information provision. In addition, Information about the medical tests with high DCS values clarity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.97] and support (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI 0.33-0.85) showed negative significance. For inadequate information perception about treatments and other services, all 5 DCS scales (uncertainty, informed, values clarity, support, and effective decision) were negatively related. Global score of inadequate information provision also showed negative association with high DCS effective decision (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI 0.26-0.71) and DCS uncertainty (aOR, 0.46; 95% CI 0.27-0.77).

CONCLUSION

This study found that inadequate levels of perceived information correlated with several demographic and clinical characteristics. In addition, sufficient perceived information levels may be related to low levels of DC.

Upregulated Polo-Like Kinase 1 Expression Correlates with Inferior Survival Outcomes in Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Human polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) expression has been associated with inferior outcomes in colorectal cancer. Our aims were to analyse PLK1 in rectal cancer, and its association with clinicopathological variables, overall survival as well as tumour regression to neoadjuvant treatment.

METHODS

PLK1 expression was quantified with immunohistochemistry in the centre and periphery (invasive front) of rectal cancers, as well as in the involved regional lymph nodes from 286 patients. Scores were based on staining intensity and percentage of positive cells, multiplied to give weighted scores from 1-12, dichotomised into low (0-5) or high (6-12).

RESULTS

PLK1 scores in the tumour periphery were significantly different to adjacent normal mucosa. Survival analysis revealed that low PLK1 score in the tumour periphery had a hazard ratio of death of 0.59 in multivariate analysis. Other predictors of survival included age, tumour depth, metastatic status, vascular and perineural invasion and adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no statistically significant correlation between PLK1 score and histological tumour regression in the neoadjuvant cohort.

CONCLUSION

Low PLK1 score was an independent predictor of superior overall survival, adjusting for multiple clinicopathological variables including treatment.

The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of oral doses of ilaprazole 10, 20 and 40 mg and esomeprazole 40 mg in healthy subjects: a randomised, open-label crossover study

BACKGROUND

Ilaprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) currently in clinical use, may provide improved acid suppression vs. other PPIs.

AIM

To compare the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of ilaprazole and esomeprazole.

METHODS

A phase 1, randomised, open-label, single-centre, 4-period crossover study was conducted in 40 healthy volunteers. Ilaprazole 10, 20 or 40 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg was administered once daily for 5 days with ≥5-day washout intervals. Pharmacokinetic blood samples and intragastric pH measurements were collected at scheduled timepoints for 24 h after dosing on Days 1 and 5.

RESULTS

Esomeprazole 40 mg provided significantly better pH control during the initial hours (0-4 h) after a single dose, but ilaprazole (particularly 20 and 40 mg) provided significantly better pH control for the entire 24-h period and during evening and overnight hours after single and multiple doses. Increasing ilaprazole doses resulted in dose-proportional increases in peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve following single and multiple doses. Ilaprazole was safe and generally well tolerated; an unexpectedly high incidence of allergic eye and skin reactions were observed but were not specific to any dosing regimen. Plasma gastrin concentrations did not increase proportionately with increasing ilaprazole dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Ilaprazole provided significantly better pH control over 24 h and during evening and overnight hours compared with esomeprazole in healthy volunteers, which may translate to greater relief of night-time heartburn in the clinical setting for patients with gastric acid-related disorders.

Effect of alcohol fermented feed on lactating performance, blood metabolites, milk Fatty Acid profile and cholesterol content in holstein lactating cows

A feeding experiment with 40 lactating Holstein cows and 4 dietary treatments was conducted to investigate supplementation with different levels of alcohol fermented feed to the TMR on lactating performance, blood metabolites, milk fatty acid profile and cholesterol concentration of blood and milk. Forty Holstein lactating cows (106±24 d post-partum; mean±SD) were distributed into four groups and randomly assigned to one of four treatments with each containing 10 cows per treatment. The treatment supplemented with TMR (DM basis) as the control (CON), and CON mixed with alcohol-fermented feeds (AFF) at a level of 5%, 10% and 15% of the TMR as T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not affected by supplementation of AFF. An increased 4% FCM in the milk occurred in cows fed T3 diet compared with CON, while T1 and T2 diets decreased 4% FCM in a dose dependent manner. Supplementation of AFF increased the concentration of albumin, total protein (TP), ammonia, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in serum compared with CON. In contrast, supplementation with AFF clearly decreased concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total cholesterol (TC) compare with CON. AFF supplementation increased the proportion of C18:1n9 and C18:2n6 compared to CON. A decrease in the concentration of saturated fatty acid (SFA) for T1, T2 and T3 resulted in an increased unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) to SFA ratio compared to CON. Concentration of cholesterol in milk fat was reduced in proportion to the supplemental level of AFF. Feeding a diet supplemented with a moderate level AFF to lactating cows could be a way to alter the feed efficiency and fatty acid profile of milk by increasing potentially human consumer healthy fatty acid without detrimental effects on feed intake and milk production. A substantially decreased cholesterol proportion in milk induced by supplementation AFF suggests that alcohol fermented feed may improve milk cholesterol levels without any negative effects in lactating cows.

INCB018424 induces apoptotic cell death through the suppression of pJAK1 in human colon cancer cells

Janus kinase (JAK) is one of the main upstream activators of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) that are constitutively activated in various malignancies and are associated with cell growth, survival, and carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated the role of JAKs in colorectal cancer in order to develop effective therapeutic targets for INCB018424, which is the first JAK1/2 inhibitor to be approved by FDA. After examining the basal expression levels of phospho-JAK1 and phospho-JAK2, we measured the effects of INCB018424 on the phosphorylation of JAK1/2 using western blot analysis. Cell viability was determined using the trypan blue exclusion assay. The cell death mechanism was identified by the activation of caspase 3 using western blot and annexin V staining. The basal levels of phospho-JAK1 and phospho-JAK2 were cancer cell type dependent. Colorectal cancer cell lines that phosphorylate both JAK1 and JAK2 include DLD-1 and RKO. INCB018424 inactivates both JAK1 and JAK2 in DLD-1 cells but inactivates only JAK1 in RKO cells. Cell death was proportional to the inactivation of JAK1 but not JAK2. INCB018424 causes caspase-dependent cell death, which is prevented by treatment with z-VAD. The inhibition of JAK1 phosphorylation seemed sufficient to allow INCB018424-mediated apoptosis. JAK1 is a key molecule that is involved in colon cancer cell survival and the inhibition of JAK1 by INCB01424 results in caspase-dependent apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. The use of selective JAK1 inhibitors could be an attractive therapy against colorectal cancer, but further clinical investigations are needed to test this possibility.

Indirect Estimation of CH4 from Livestock Feeds through TOCs Evaluation

Thirty-five available feeds were fermented in vitro in order to investigate their soluble total organic carbon (TOCs) and methane (CH₄) production rate. A fermentation reactor was designed to capture the CH₄ gas emitted and to collect liquor from the reactor during in vitro fermentation. The results showed that CH₄ production rate greatly varied among feeds with different ingredients. The lowest CH₄-producing feeds were corn gluten feed, brewer’s grain, and orchard grass among the energy, protein, and forage feed groups, respectively. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in digestibility, soluble total organic carbon (TOCs), and CH₄ emissions among feeds, during 48 h of in vitro fermentation. Digestibility and TOCs was not found to be related due to different fermentation pattern of each but TOCs production was directly proportional to CH₄ production (y = 0.0076x, r² = 0.83). From this in vitro study, TOCs production could be used as an indirect index for estimation of CH₄ emission from feed ingredients.

Rectal culture screening for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus in chronic haemodialysis patients: false-negative rates and duration of colonisation

Infection or colonisation with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is common in chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, there is limited information on the duration of VRE colonisation or on the reliability of consecutive negative rectal cultures to determine the clearance of VRE in chronic HD patients. Chronic HD patients from whom VRE was isolated were examined retrospectively. Rectal cultures were collected more than three times, at least one week apart, between 1 June 2003 and 1 March 2010. The results of the sequential VRE cultures and patients' data were analysed. Among 812 patients from whom VRE was isolated, 89 were chronic HD patients and 92 had three consecutive negative cultures. It took 60.7 ± 183.9 and 111.4 ± 155.4 days to collect three consecutive negative cultures in the 83 non-chronic haemodialysis patients and nine chronic HD patients, respectively (P = 0.011). The independent risk factors for more than three negative sequential rectal cultures were glycopeptide usage [odds ratio (OR): 2.155; P = 0.003] and length of hospital stay (OR: 1.009; P = 0.001). After three consecutive negative rectal cultures, two of six chronic HD patients and 10 of 36 non-HD patients were culture positive again. In conclusion, a significant proportion of patients colonised with VRE cannot be detected by three-weekly rectal cultures, and the duration of VRE colonisation in chronic haemodialysis patients tends to be prolonged. These results may be contributing to the continued increase in the prevalence of VRE.

Probing the continuous radio frequency spectrum of water relaxation using a carbon nanotube

We have obtained the continuous radio frequency spectrum of water molecule relaxation using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as a high-speed nanoprobe. Three sets of characteristic time scales are clearly identified. Two sets are attributed to the electric-field-driven polarization of water molecules bound to CNTs and the collective relaxation of water layers in the vicinity of CNTs, respectively. The third set is appreciable only in air, and can be related to triplet oxygen relaxation.

Vitamin D effects on pregnancy and the placenta

Vitamin D is a pleiotropic secosteroid hormone important for health and disease prevention. The actions of vitamin D are mediated by the vitamin D receptor that binds the active form of vitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] to induce both transcriptional and non-genomic responses. Vitamin D has well known classical functions in calcium uptake and bone metabolism, but more recent work highlights the importance of the nonclassical actions of vitamin D in a variety of cell types. These actions include modulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems and regulation of cell proliferation. Adequate vitamin D intake is essential for maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, and epidemiological data indicate that many pregnant women have sub-optimal vitamin D levels. Notably, vitamin D deficiency correlates with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and bacterial vaginosis, and an increased risk for C-section delivery. Recent work emphasizes the importance of nonclassical roles of vitamin D in pregnancy and the placenta. The placenta produces and responds to vitamin D where vitamin D functions as a modulator of implantation, cytokine production and the immune response to infection. We describe vitamin D metabolism and the cellular responses to vitamin D, and then summarize the role of vitamin D in placental trophoblast, pregnancy and the fetus.

Vitamin D effects on pregnancy and the placenta

Vitamin D is a pleiotropic secosteroid hormone important for health and disease prevention. The actions of vitamin D are mediated by the vitamin D receptor that binds the active form of vitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] to induce both transcriptional and non-genomic responses. Vitamin D has well known classical functions in calcium uptake and bone metabolism, but more recent work highlights the importance of the nonclassical actions of vitamin D in a variety of cell types. These actions include modulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems and regulation of cell proliferation. Adequate vitamin D intake is essential for maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, and epidemiological data indicate that many pregnant women have sub-optimal vitamin D levels. Notably, vitamin D deficiency correlates with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and bacterial vaginosis, and an increased risk for C-section delivery. Recent work emphasizes the importance of nonclassical roles of vitamin D in pregnancy and the placenta. The placenta produces and responds to vitamin D where vitamin D functions as a modulator of implantation, cytokine production and the immune response to infection. We describe vitamin D metabolism and the cellular responses to vitamin D, and then summarize the role of vitamin D in placental trophoblast, pregnancy and the fetus.

Kinetic resolution of alpha-methylbenzylamine with omicron-transaminase screened from soil microorganisms: application of a biphasic system to overcome product inhibition

Two microorganisms showing high omicron-transaminase activity (Klebsiella pneumoniae JS2F and Bacillus thuringiensis JS64) were screened by the enrichment method using (S)-alpha-methylbenzylamine (alpha-MBA) as a sole nitrogen source. Optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for enzyme induction and the properties of omicron-transaminases were investigated. omicron-Transaminase from B. thuringiensis JS64 was highly enantioselective (E = 75.3) for (S)-enantiomer of alpha-MBA and showed remarkable stability. However, omicron-transaminase showed severe product inhibition by acetophenone. An aqueous/organic two-phase system was introduced to overcome this problem. Through solvent screening, cyclohexanone and ethyl acetate were selected as the best organic phases. The acetophenone-extracting capacity of the solvent and the biocompatibility of the solvent to the cell were important determinants in the reaction rate at high concentrations of alpha-MBA. The reaction rate of omicron-transamination was strongly influenced by the volume ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase as well as agitation speed in the biphasic mixture. Using the optimal volume ratio (Vorg:Vaq = 1:4) in the biphasic system with cyclohexanone, the reaction rate of omicron-transaminase under vigorous mixing conditions increased ninefold compared with that in the monophasic aqueous system. At the same optimal conditions, using whole cells, 500 mM alpha-MBA could be resolved successfully to above 95% enantiomeric excess of (R)-alpha-MBA with ca. 51% conversion. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 348-358, 1997.

Reorganisation of cortical motor and language distribution in human brain

BACKGROUND

The locations of cortex controlling motor, sensory, or language functions can change in adult humans under some circumstances, such as expanding tumours, trauma or continuous focal seizures. It is not clear what other circumstances might result in changes in cortical functional maps.

METHODS

The results of extraoperative cortical mappings of motor, sensory, and language functions were compared in two epilepsy patients who underwent cortical resections on two separate occasions and who did not have brain tumours.

RESULTS

It was found that the locations of motor functions could differ between the first and second procedures, but the locations of language functions were quite similar. The changes were not necessarily in or adjacent to epileptogenic regions or adjacent to resection boundaries.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support previous evidence indicating that cortical functional representations can change over time in humans, and suggest that these changes cannot be explained solely by lesion effects.

Increased serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) increase in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and also correlate with other inflammatory indices.

METHODS

Serum samples from 10 patients with KD, 15 normal healthy subjects, and seven febrile control subjects were assayed for MIF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the serum levels of MIF in the acute stage of KD [113.06 (range 20.6-157.36) ng/mL] compared with those in the subacute stage [28.11 (8.57-143.48) ng/mL, p<0.01], normal controls [12.95 (8.40-18.67) ng/mL, p<0.001], and febrile controls [36.58 (21.31-59.67) ng/mL, p = 0.01]. The increase in MIF correlated with an increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) (r = 0.52, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

MIF may be a useful marker in the acute stage of KD and may provide important clues to the pathogenesis of this disease.

Glucocorticoid receptor represses the Dex-mediated induction of human androgen response element-linked Luc activity

A human androgen response element (hARE), identified within intron 8 of the human sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein, interacts with both glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and androgen receptors (AR). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that human GR (hGR) might modulate the expression of a hARE-linked reporter gene by dexamethasone (Dex). The hypothesis was tested by: a) co-transfecting HepG2 cells with a hGR and a luciferase (Luc)-reporter gene for performing in vitro investigations and b) by their co-injection into the tail vein of mice for in vivo investigation. In vitro co-transfected cells and the in vivo co-injected mice were then treated with Dex. Our results have led us to concluded that both transfection and injection of the hGR leads to a repression in the Dex-mediated induction of hARE-linked Luc activity both in vitro and in vivo settings. These findings suggest that this assay system allows screening of drug candidates affecting to a signal transduction pathway of the GR and AR and may help in the future discovery and analysis of novel and selection of GR and AR agonists.

Analysis of differentially expressed transcripts from planthopper-infested wild rice (Oryza minuta)

A subtracted library was constructed from planthopper-infested wild rice (Oryza minuta) by suppression subtractive hybridization in combination with mirror orientation selection. To screen the differentially expressed transcripts in the library, we applied a cDNA microarray containing 960 random clones in a reverse Northern blot analysis using cDNA probes prepared from the mRNAs of control and planthopper-infested samples. On the basis of the signal intensities and expression ratios obtained from experiments performed in triplicate, we selected 383 clones. The elevated expression levels and overall profiles over time were verified by Northern blot analysis. Although Southern blot analysis showed similar copy numbers of the screened genes in O. minuta and O. sativa, it also revealed that the expression profiles had a different pattern. Functional categorization placed the identified transcripts in the categories of subcellular localization, metabolism, and protein fate. The presence of these expressed sequence tags implies that resistance of O. minuta to insect infestation can be achieved not only by an elevated expression of defense-related genes but also by enhanced metabolic activities.

Comparative analysis of 5,211 leaf ESTs of wild rice (Oryza minuta)

The expressed sequence tags (ESTs) presented in this report are the first transcriptomes of wild rice. A cDNA library was constructed from 4-week-old leaf samples of greenhouse-grown Oryza minuta. The 5,211 cDNA clones of O. minuta represent 3,401 unique sequences, consisting of 2,787 singletons and 614 assembled sequences. Database comparisons of the cDNAs in GenBank's non-redundant databases using BLAST revealed that 4,957 of the 5,211 cDNAs (95.1%) showed a high degree of sequence homology to genes from other organisms. Most of the transcripts identified were genes related to metabolism, energy, protein biosynthesis and subcellular localization. The metabolism and energy categories of the O. minuta ESTs showed a considerably higher gene expression level than those of O. sativa ESTs. These data and genes can be utilized in rice breeding.

Overexpression of LIM Kinase 1 Renders Resistance to Apoptosis in PC12 Cells by Inhibition of Caspase Activation

LIM kinases (LIMKs) regulate actin polymerization by phosphorylating cofilin and are predominantly expressed in neural tissue. In this study, the effect of LIMK1 overexpression in PC12 cell apoptosis was investigated. PC12 cells overexpressing the wild-type LIMK1 were more resistant to serum-withdrawal-induced cell death and the level of caspase 3 activation in these cells was lower than in the control PC12 cells or than in the PC12 cells expressing a mutant LIMK1 lacking the kinase domain. The inhibition of JNK activation was observed in the PC12 cells overexpressing the wild-type LIMK1 after serum withdrawal. These results suggest that the LIMK1 might allow resistance to apoptosis in PC12 cells by inhibiting JNK activation.

Identification of fungal ( Magnaporthe grisea) stress-induced genes in wild rice ( Oryza minuta)

To identify fungal stress-related genes in wild rice, Oryza minuta, we constructed a subtracted library using suppression subtractive hybridization in combination with mirror orientation selection. DNA chips containing 960 randomly selected cDNA clones were applied by reverse Northern analysis to eliminate false positive clones from the library and to prescreen differentially expressed genes. In total, 377 cDNA clones were selected on the basis of their signal intensities and expression ratios. Sequence analyses of these 377 cDNA fragments revealed that 180 of them (47.7%) represented unique genes. Of these 180 cDNAs, 89 clones (49.6%) showed significant homologies to previously known genes, while the remaining 91 did not match any known sequences. The putative functions of the 180 unique ESTs were categorized by aligning them with MIPS data. They were classified into seven different groups using microarray data-derived expression patterns and verified by Northern blotting.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel low temperature-induced gene, blti2, from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) was used to isolate large numbers of low temperature-induced genes from the cold-treated winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Dongbori). One hundred and sixty blti (barley low temperature-induced) cDNA clones were obtained. Northern blot analyses showed that several blti clones were differentially expressed by treatment of low temperature, NaCl, dehydration and ABA. One of the clones, blti2, was induced from 3 to 72 h after cold treatment while its transcript was detected only at 12 h after ABA treatment, indicating that the expression of blti2 by low temperature was regulated by an ABA-independent pathway. The full-length cDNA sequences were 944 nucleotides long and the open reading frame consisted of 492 nucleotides encoding 164 amino acids. Nucleotide sequences showed no sequence homology with the previously reported low temperature-responsive (LTR) barley genes, and the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the blti2 contains three membrane-spanning regions. These results suggest that blti2 is a novel transmembrane protein induced by low temperature.

A simple and secure technique for tracheal T-tube insertion

We describe a simple and secure technique for the insertion of a long Montgomery type T-tube in patients with tracheal stenosis. An endotracheal tube is placed into the lumen of the T-tube and by maintaining the airway during insertion, the technique has been found to be safe and it can prevent the kind of tracheal damage occurring with blind techniques.

Metal release from simulated fixed orthodontic appliances

Most orthodontic appliances and archwires are stainless steel or nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys that can release metal ions, with saliva as the medium. To measure metal released from the fixed orthodontic appliances currently in use, we fabricated simulated fixed orthodontic appliances that corresponded to half of the maxillary arch and soaked them in 50 mL of artificial saliva (pH 6.75 +/- 0.15, 37 degrees C) for 3 months. We used brackets, tubes, and bands made by Tomy (Tokyo, Japan). Four groups were established according to the appliance manufacturer and the type of metal in the .016 x .022-in archwires. Groups A and B were stainless steel archwires from Ormco (Glendora, Calif) and Dentaurum (Ispringen, Germany), respectively, and groups C and D were both NiTi archwires with Ormco's copper NiTi and Tomy's Bioforce sentalloy, respectively. Stainless steel archwires were heat treated in an electric furnace at 500 degrees C for 1 minute and quenched in water. We measured the amount of metal released from each group by immersion time. Our conclusions were as follows: (1) there was no increase in the amount of chromium released after 4 weeks in group A, 2 weeks in group B, 3 weeks in group C, and 8 weeks in group D; (2) there was no increase in the amount of nickel released after 2 weeks in group A, 3 days in group B, 7 days in group C, and 3 weeks in group D; and (3) there was no increase in the amount of iron released after 2 weeks in group A, 3 days in group B, and 1 day in groups C and D. In our 3-month-long investigation, we saw a decrease in metal released as immersion time increased.

Effects of hydrastine derivatives on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells

The effects of hydrastine derivatives on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells were investigated. Treatments of PC12 cells with (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride [(+)-beta-hydrastine HCl] and (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine [(-)-beta-hydrastine] showed 50.6 % and 33.1 % inhibition of dopamine content at a concentration of 10 microM for 48 h. However, (1S,9R)-beta-hydrastine [(+)-beta-hydrastine] and hydrastinine hydrochloride did not reduce dopamine content. The IC(50) values of (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride and (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine were 9.3 microM and 20.7 microM , respectively. Next, the intracellular mechanisms of (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride in PC12 cells were investigated. Dopamine content decreased at 6 h and reached a minimal level at 24 h after the exposure of PC12 cells to 20 microM (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity was inhibited at 6 h following the treatment with (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride, and was maintained at a reduced level for up to 36 h in PC12 cells (17 - 27 % inhibition at 20 microM), whereas TH mRNA level was not found to alter for 24 h. However, the level of intracellular Ca++ concentration decreased by treatment with (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride at 20 microM by 18.4 % inhibition relative to the control level in PC12 cells. These results suggest that (1R,9S)-beta-hydrastine hydrochloride contributes partially to the decrease in dopamine content by the inhibition of TH activity in PC12 cells.

Comparison of the omega-transaminases from different microorganisms and application to production of chiral amines

Microorganisms that are capable of (S)-enantioselective transamination of chiral amines were isolated from soil samples by selective enrichment using (S)-alpha-methyl-benzylamine ((S)-alpha-MBA) as a sole nitrogen source. Among them, Klebsiella pneumoniae JS2F, Bacillus thuringiensis JS64, and Vibrio fluvialis JS17 showed good omega-transaminase (omega-TA) activities and the properties of the omega-TAs were investigated. The induction level of the enzyme was strongly dependent on the nitrogen source for the strains, except for V. fluvialis JS17. All the omega-TAs showed high enantioselectivity (E>50) toward (S)-alpha-MBA and broad amino donor specificities for arylic and aliphatic chiral amines. Besides pyruvate, aldehydes such as propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde showed good amino acceptor reactivities. All the omega-TAs showed substrate inhibition by (S)-alpha-MBA above 200 mm. Moreover, substrate inhibition by pyruvate above 10 mm was observed for omega-TA from V. fluvialis JS17. In the case of product inhibition, acetophenone showed much greater inhibitions than L-alanine for all omega-TAs. Comparison of the enzyme properties indicates that omega-transaminase from V. fluvialis JS17 is the best one for both kinetic resolution and asymmetric synthesis to produce enantiomerically pure chiral amines. Kinetic resolution of sec-butylamine (20 mM) was done under reduced pressure (150 Torr) to selectively remove an inhibitory product (2-butanone) using the enzyme from V. fluvialis JS17. Enantiomeric excess of (R)-sec-butylamine reached 94.7% after 12 h of reaction.

Caveolae as portals of entry for microbes

Many pathogens, including many traditionally extracellular microbes, now appear capable of entry into host cells with limited loss of viability. A portal of entry shared by some bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses and parasites are caveolae (or lipid rafts), which are involved in the import and intracellular translocation of macromolecules in host cells. A requirement for caveolae-mediated endocytosis of microbes appears to be that the respective receptor is a constituent of caveolae or must move to caveolae following ligation.

In vitro model using mouse hepatocytes for study of alcohol stress

In this study, the effects of ethanol and allyl alcohol on primary mouse hepatocytes were investigated. No cytotoxicity was observed by ethanol treatments, but more toxicity to cells was found in the response to allyl alcohol treatment. The expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), phase I enzyme was examined in response to ethanol and allyl alcohol. Both xenobiotics induced CYP2E1 up to 1.5 to approximately 5 fold at the protein level. The effects of insulin on CYP2E1 expression were also measured. Insulin, which has been regarded as an essential hormone for primary hepatocytes, was shown to decrease the level of CYP2E1 protein, and did not affect cell viability. These results on CYP2E1 induction demonstrate that primary mouse hepatocytes, when using ethanol and allyl alcohol as substrates and in insulin-free medium, provide a suitable system for the studies of the role of CYP2E1 in xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity.

Homozygous VN (677C to T) and d/D (2756G to A) variants in the methylenetetrahydrofolate and methionine synthase genes in a case of hyperhomocysteinemia with stroke at young age

Hyperhomocysteinemia is known to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and venous thrombosis. Gene polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MS) may account for reduced enzyme activity and hyperhomocysteinemia. A recent study has documented evidence of polygenic regulation of plasma homocyteine. We report here on a case of occlusive stroke at young age and hyperhomocysteinemia with homozygous VN (677C to T) variant in the MTHFR gene as well as homozygous D/D (2756G to A) variant in the MS gene.

Primary endobronchial leiomyosarcoma. Diagnosis following expectoration of tumor fragment

A case is presented with spontaneous expectoration of a small piece of solid tissue. Pathologic examination of the expectorated tissue was found to be consistent with leiomyosarcoma. After further work-up, there was no evidence of another primary site of leiomyosarcoma except for the right lower lobe. Right lower lobectomy was performed. The surgical specimen showed a tumor that was histologically identical to the patient's previous expectorated tissue. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of partial expectoration of a primary endobronchial leiomyosarcoma.

Kinetic resolution of chiral amines with omega-transaminase using an enzyme-membrane reactor

A kinetic resolution process for the production of chiral amines was developed using an enzyme-membrane reactor (EMR) and a hollow-fiber membrane contactor with (S)-specific omega-transaminases (omega-TA) from Vibrio fluvialis JS17 and Bacillus thuringiensis JS64. The substrate solution containing racemic amine and pyruvate was recirculated through the EMR and inhibitory ketone product was selectively extracted by the membrane contactor until enantiomeric excess of (R)-amine exceeded 95%. Using the reactor set-up with flat membrane reactor (10-mL working volume), kinetic resolutions of alpha-methylbenzylamine (alpha-MBA) and 1-aminotetralin (200 mM, 50 mL) were carried out. During the operation, concentration of ketone product, i.e., acetophenone or alpha-tetralone, in a substrate reservoir was maintained below 0.1 mM, suggesting efficient removal of the inhibitory ketone by the membrane contactor. After 47 and 32.5 h of operation using 5 U/mL of enzyme, 98.0 and 95.5% ee of (R)-alpha-MBA and (R)-1-aminotetralin were obtained at 49.5 and 48.8% of conversion, respectively. A hollow-fiber membrane reactor (39-mL working volume) was used for a preparative-scale kinetic resolution of 1-aminotetralin (200 mM, 1 L). After 133 h of operation, enantiomeric excess reached 95.6% and 14.3 g of (R)-1-aminotetralin was recovered (97.4% of yield). Mathematical modeling of the EMR process including the membrane contactor was performed to evaluate the effect of residence time. The simulation results suggest that residence time should be short to maintain the concentration of the ketone product in EMR sufficiently low so as to decrease conversion per cycle and, in turn, reduce the inhibition of the omega-TA activity.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide and their peptide mimotopes

From five mice immunized with Escherichia coli K1 bacteria, we produced 12 immunoglobulin M hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bind to Neisseria meningitidis group B (NMGB). The 12 MAbs also bound the capsular polysaccharide (PS) of E. coli K1 [which, like NMGB, is alpha(2-8)-linked polysialic acid (PSA)] and bound to EV36, a nonpathogenic E. coli K-12 strain producing alpha(2-8) PSA. Except for HmenB5, which cross-reacted with N. meningitidis group C, none of the MAbs bound to N. meningitidis groups A, C, and Y. Of the 12 MAbs, 6 were autoantibodies as defined by binding to CHP-134, a neuroblastoma cell line expressing short-chain alpha(2-8) PSA; five of these MAbs killed NMGB in the presence of rabbit complement, and two also killed NMGB with human complement. The other six MAbs, however, were nonautoreactive; all killed NMGB with rabbit complement, and five killed NMGB with human complement. To obtain peptide mimotopes of NMGB PS, four of the nonautoreactive MAbs (HmenB2, HmenB3, HmenB13, and HmenB14) were used to screen two types of phage libraries, one with a linear peptide of 7 amino acids and the other with a circular peptide of 7 amino acids inserted between two linked cysteines. We obtained 86 phage clones that bound to the screening MAb in the absence but not in the presence of E. coli K1 PSA in solution. The clones contained 31 linear and 4 circular mimotopes expressing unique sequences. These mimotopes nonrandomly expressed amino acids and were different from previously described mimotopes for NMGB PS. The new mimotopes may be useful in producing a vaccine(s) capable of eliciting anti-NMGB antibodies not reactive with neuronal tissue.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored receptor-mediated bacterial endocytosis

An increasing number of pathogens or their toxins appear to utilize glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchored receptors to trigger entry into immune and other host cells. Since these receptors have no transmembrane and intracellular moieties, how endocytosis is initiated is unclear. Recently, CD48 on mast cell membranes was shown to trigger endocytosis of bacteria via a route that avoids fusion with lysosomes and by a mechanism involving discrete cellular entities called caveolae. The localization of CD48 within caveolae appears to be a prerequisite for caveolae-mediated bacterial entry.

Effects of nonylphenol, bisphenol A, and their mixture on the viviparous swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri)

A number of fish species have been used for studies on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, despite the widespread use of oviparous fish, relatively little attention has been given to viviparous species. This study investigated the effects of EDCs in a viviparous fish and examined the possible usefulness of the fish as an alternative model for the studies on EDCs. Swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri) were exposed to nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA), and their mixture. Both short-term (3-d) and relatively long-term (60-d) exposures were carried out using adult male and 30-d-old juvenile fish, respectively. Following the short-term exposure, both NP and BPA caused vitellogenin mRNA expression. Flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assay on the testes of treated fish indicated reproductive damage. Histopathological analysis found degenerative and necrotic cells in seminiferous tubules following the exposure to 100 ppb NP. The testes with lesions were also associated with highly suppressed spermatogenesis. Following the long-term exposure, both NP and BPA exposures significantly affected the growth of swordtails. In all cases, the results showed that the mixture was always more potent than a single chemical and that swordtail fish can be a useful model for the study of endocrine disruptors.

Differences in sensitivity of vanilloid receptor 1 transfected to human embryonic kidney cells and capsaicin-activated channels in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons to capsaicin receptor agonists

Heterologously expressed vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1), a cloned cDNA encoding for capsaicin (CAP)-sensitive currents, resembles the native CAP channels in cultured sensory neurons in channel property. But, the pharmacological profile of VR1 to various CAP analogs is not known. The stable expression of VR1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells was generated and confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots. VR1 expressed in HEK cells retained single-channel properties similar to those of the native channels. When concentration-response relationships were compared, CAP and DA-5018.HCl, a synthetic analog of CAP, exhibited a greater potency in activating VR1 than the native channels in sensory neurons. In contrast, resiniferatoxin and its analog, phorbol 12-phenylacetate 13-acetate 20-homovanillate, was more potent in activating the CAP-activated channels in cultured sensory neurons than VR1. Thus, the difference in pharmacological profiles of VR1 and the native channels suggests the possible presence of subtypes of the CAP receptor or regulatory mechanisms associated with VR1.

Inhibitory effects of ethaverine, a homologue of papaverine, on dopamine content in PC12 cells

The inhibitory effects of ethaverine on dopamine content in PC12 cells were investigated. Ethaverine decreased dopamine content in a concentration-dependent manner in PC12 cells and showed 33.6% inhibition of dopamine content at a concentration of 1.0 microM for 24-48 h. The IC50 value of ethaverine was 1.4 microM. Dopamine content was lowered at 6h and reached a minimal level at 12h after exposure to ethaverine at 2.0 microM. The decreased dopamine level was maintained up to 48 h and then recovered to the control level at about 72 h. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was inhibited at 6 h following treatment with ethaverine in PC12 cells and the activity was maintained at a reduced level up to 36 h (12-22% inhibition at 2.0 microM). These results indicate that ethaverine leads to a decrease in dopamine content by inhibition of TH activity.

Co-option of endocytic functions of cellular caveolae by pathogens

It is increasingly becoming clear that various immune cells are infected by the very pathogens that they are supposed to attack. Although many mechanisms for microbial entry exist, it appears that a common route of entry shared by certain bacteria, viruses and parasites involves cellular lipid-rich microdomains sometimes called caveolae. These cellular entities, which are characterized by their preferential accumulation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecules, cholesterol and various glycolipids, and a distinct protein (caveolin), are present in many effector cells of the immune system including neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells and dendritic cells. These structures have an innate capacity to endocytoze various ligands and traffic them to different intracellular sites and sometimes, back to the extracellular cell surface. Because caveolae do not typically fuse with lysosomes, the ligands borne by caveolar vesicles are essentially intact, which is in marked contrast to ligands endocytozed via the classical endosome-lysosome pathway. A number of microbes or their exotoxins co-opt the unique features of caveolae to enter and traffic, without any apparent loss of viability and function, to different sites within immune and other host cells. In spite of their wide disparity in size and other structural attributes, we predict that a common feature among caveolae-utilizing pathogens and toxins is that their cognate receptor(s) are localized within plasmalemmal caveolae of the host cell.