Diagnosis of osteochondral lesions of the talus on Dual-layer spectral detector CT arthrography: clinical feasibility of virtual noncontrast images

AIM

To compare the image quality of virtual noncontrast (VNC) and true noncontrast (TNC) CT images and to evaluate the clinical feasibility of VNC CT images for assessing osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five OLT patients who underwent ankle CT arthrography (CTA) using dual-layer spectral detector CT were enrolled. Reconstruction of VNC and three-dimensional volume rendering images was performed. Afterward, image noise, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured. For the subjective evaluation, two board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists [R2-1] assessed spatial resolution, overall image quality, and lesion conspicuity. The accuracy rate for OLT grading was determined in 23 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery.

RESULTS

While VNC images showed significantly less noise than TNC images, TNC images showed better SNRs and CNRs (p<.01). In the subjective analysis, TNC images showed better overall image quality (p<.001). For the 3D volume rendering images, VNC images scored significantly higher for lesion conspicuity (p<.001). The accuracy rates of CTA and CTA with VNC images for OLT grading were 79.2% and 83.3%, respectively. Regarding confidence level, when CTA and VNC images were evaluated together, the confidence level was significantly higher than that when only CTA images were evaluated (p<.001).

CONCLUSION

VNC imaging can provide better confidence level of OLT grading and evaluation of the integrity of the subchondral bone plate when combined with conventional CTA without additional radiation dose to the patient. In addition, VNC images-based 3D volume rendering reconstruction would be helpful for preoperative planning in OLT patients.

Anti-diabetic effect of quercetin in type 2 diabetes mellitus by regulating the microRNA-92b-3p/EGR1 axis

Insulin resistance (IR) is predominantly causal for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To solve this problem, this study particularly determined the role of quercetin (Que) in controlling IR in T2DM mice. The T2DM mouse model was established, and given 20 mg/kg/d Que by gavage for 6 weeks, and the lentiviral vector that interfered with microRNA-92b-3p (miR-92b-3p) or early growth response 1 (EGR1) expression was injected into the tail vein of T2DM mice. Blood glucose homeostasis and histopathological changes in the pancreas were observed after the corresponding treatment. miR-92b-3p and EGR1 expressions were assessed in T2DM mice, as well as their interlink. In results we found that Que could improve IR and pancreatic histopathological changes in T2DM mice. Low miR-92b-3p and high EGR1 were expressed in T2DM mice, while Que could upregulate miR-92b-3p to target EGR1. Enhancing miR-92b-3p or reducing EGR1 could further improve IR and pancreatic histopathological changes in T2DM mice after Que administration. Nevertheless, silencing miR-92b-3p or overexpressing EGR1 contributed to the opposite results. We concluded that Que exerted anti-diabetic effects in T2DM mice by regulating the miR-92b-3p/EGR1 axis.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer

The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer was published in 2022. It was therefore decided, by both the ESMO and the Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO), to convene a virtual meeting in July 2022 to adapt the ESMO 2022 guidelines to take into account the variations in the management of endometrial cancer in Asia. These guidelines represent the consensus opinion of a panel of Asian experts representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), India (ISMPO), Indonesia (ISHMO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO). Voting was based on scientific evidence and was conducted independently of the current treatment practices and treatment access constraints in the different Asian countries, which were discussed when appropriate. The aim of this guideline manuscript is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with endometrial cancer across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by Western and Asian trials whilst respecting the variations in clinical presentation, diagnostic practices including molecular profiling and disparities in access to therapeutic options, including drug approvals and reimbursement strategies.

Automorphism Faithfulness Metrics for Symmetric Graph Drawings

In this paper, we present new quality metrics for symmetric graph drawing based on group theory. Roughly speaking, the new metrics are faithfulness metrics, i.e., they measure how faithfully a drawing of a graph displays the ground truth (i.e., geometric automorphisms) of the graph as symmetries. More specifically, we introduce two types of automorphism faithfulness metrics for displaying: (1) a single geometric automorphism as a symmetry (axial or rotational), and (2) a group of geometric automorphisms (cyclic or dihedral). We present algorithms to compute the automorphism faithfulness metrics in O(n logn) time. Moreover, we also present efficient algorithms to detect exact symmetries in a graph drawing. We then validate our automorphism faithfulness metrics using deformation experiments. Finally, we use the metrics to evaluate existing graph drawing algorithms to compare how faithfully they display geometric automorphisms of a graph as symmetries.

COVID-19 susceptibility and clinical outcomes in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs): a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aims to assess the susceptibility to and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (AIRD) and following AIRD drug use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included observational and case-controlled studies assessing susceptibility and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with AIRD as well as the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 with or without use of steroids and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

RESULTS

Meta-analysis including three studies showed that patients with AIRD are not more susceptible to COVID-19 compared to patients without AIRD or the general population (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.58 to 2.14). Incidence of severe outcomes of COVID-19 (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.76 to 2.35) and COVID-19 related death (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.68 to 2.16) also did not show significant difference. The clinical outcomes of COVID-19 among AIRD patients with and without csDMARD or steroid showed that both use of steroid (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.96 to 2.98) or csDMARD (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.63 to 3.08) had no effect on clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

AIRD does not increase susceptibility to COVID-19, not affecting the clinical outcome of COVID-19. Similarly, the use of steroids or csDMARDs for AIRD does not worsen the clinical outcome.

Continuing perioperative estrogen therapy does not increase venous thromboembolic events in transgender patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) between patients suspending and continuing estrogen therapy perioperatively, in male to female gender-affirming surgery (vaginoplasty).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research on male to female gender-affirming study, which compared the risk of VTE among the usage of estrogen perioperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 209 studies were identified as potentially eligible among PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases. Among the studies, 191 studies were excluded due to their abstract inappropriateness. Out of the remaining 18 studies, only 3 articles were eligible and were finally included. Meta-analysis was performed and showed odds ratio of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.04, 14.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative estrogen therapy does not increase VTE risk on male to female gender-affirming surgery. Therefore, estrogen therapy may be continued perioperatively in vaginoplasty. More prospective studies are needed.

Suicide associated with COVID-19 infection: an immunological point of view

OBJECTIVE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic and leading cause of death. Beyond the deaths directly caused by the virus and the suicides related to the psychological response to the dramatic changes as socioeconomic related to the pandemic, there might also be suicides related to the inflammatory responses of the infection. Infection induces inflammation as a cytokine storm, and there is an increasing number of studies that report a relationship between infection and suicide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the World Health Organization status report and the PubMed database for keywords (COVID-19, suicide, infection, inflammation, cytokines), and reviewed five cytokine pathways between suicide and inflammation using two meta-analyses and two observational studies starting from November 31, 2020, focusing on the relationship between suicide and inflammation by infection. First, we discussed existing evidence explaining the relationship between suicidal behaviors and inflammation. Second, we summarized the inflammatory features found in COVID-19 patients. Finally, we highlight the potential for these factors to affect the risk of suicide in COVID-19 patients.

RESULTS

Patients infected with COVID-19 have high amounts of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IP10, and MCP1, which may lead to Th1 cell response activation. Also, Th2 cytokines (e.g., IL-4 and IL-10) were increased in COVID-19 infection. In COVID-19 patients, neurological conditions, like headache, dizziness, ataxia, seizures, and others have been observed.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 pandemic can serve as a significant environmental factor contributing directly to increased suicide risk; the role of inflammation by an infection should not be overlooked.

Efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) monotherapy for advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

It is controversial whether there is efficacy or safety benefit of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) in advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to standard chemotherapy. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKIs compared to other chemotherapeutics in EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Up to April 27th, 2020, PubMed, Embase, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for articles or trials meeting the inclusion criteria. After filtering, 230 eligible studies were initially identified. Data extraction followed PRISMA and included outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and severe adverse events (SAEs). Direct and indirect meta-analyses were generated in the context of log-linear mixed-effects models, with fixed effects for each relative comparison and random effects for each study.

RESULTS

The results showed that EGFR-TKI therapy had improved PFS with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.36-0.44, p<0.001) compared to standard chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the EGFR-TKIs showed no benefit on OS (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.83-1.10, p=0.556). In the analysis of adverse events, EGFR-TKIs had fewer SAEs than standard chemotherapy (HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.26-0.33, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our systemic review indicates that EGFR-TKI therapy has improved PFS, and reduced SAEs compared to standard chemotherapy in advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

Empirical assessment of biases in cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: an umbrella review and re-analysis of data from meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of years lived with disability in older age, and several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers have been proposed in individual meta-analyses to be associated with AD but field-wide evaluation and scrutiny of the literature is not available.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed an umbrella review for the reported associations between CSF biomarkers and AD. Data from available meta-analyses were reanalyzed using both random and fixed effects models. We also estimated between-study heterogeneity, small-study effects, excess significance, and prediction interval.

RESULTS

A total of 38 meta-analyses on CSF markers from 11 eligible articles were identified and reanalyzed. In 14 (36%) of the meta-analyses, the summary estimate and the results of the largest study showed non-concordant results in terms of statistical significance. Large heterogeneity (I2≥75%) was observed in 73% and small-study effects under Egger's test were shown in 28% of CSF biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that there is an excess of statistically significant results and significant biases in the literature of CSF biomarkers for AD. Therefore, the results of CSF biomarkers should be interpreted with caution.

Body mass index and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: an umbrella review of meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

Although many previous meta-analyses of epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality, inconsistent findings among cardiovascular disease patients have been observed. Thus, we performed an umbrella review to understand the strength of evidence and validity of claimed associations between BMI and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We comprehensively re-analyzed the data of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials on associations between BMI and mortality among patients with cardiovascular diseases. We also assessed the strength of evidence of the re-analyzed outcomes, which were determined from the criteria including statistical significance of the p-value of random-effects, as well as fixed-effects meta-analyses, small-study effects, between-study heterogeneity, and a 95% prediction interval.

RESULTS

We ran comprehensive re-analysis of the data from the 21 selected studies, which contained a total of 108 meta-analyses; 23 were graded as convincing evidence and 12 were suggestive, 42 were weak, and 23 were non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Underweight increased mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure, and after therapeutic intervention for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Overweight, on the other hand decreased mortality in patient's ACS, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure with convincing evidence.

Data analysis scheme for correcting general misalignments of an optics configuration for a voltage measurement system based on the Pockels electro-optic effect

Having a sub-ns response time and not requiring physical contacts to the measurement points, a voltage measurement system based on the Pockels electro-optic effect, referred to as a PE (Pockels effect)-based voltmeter, is widely used for pulsed high voltage devices such as accelerators and X-pinch systems. To correct for the misalignment of a Pockels cell and the transmittance ratio of a beam splitter, a polar-coordinate-based data analysis scheme has been proposed. This scheme also overcomes a limitation on the measurable range of a PE-based voltmeter without ambiguity and can measure the half-wave voltage of a Pockels cell. We present an improved polar-coordinate-based data analysis scheme using an ellipse fitting method, which can correct for misalignments of all the optics components of a PE-based voltmeter while keeping the advantages of the previous scheme. We show the results of the improved data analysis scheme for measuring a slowly modulated voltage up to approximately 5 kV in about 30 s and a pulsed high voltage up to 7 kV with a rise time of less than 20 ns.

Risk factors of COVID-19 mortality: a systematic review of current literature and lessons from recent retracted articles

OBJECTIVE

Recently, two influential articles that reported the association of (hydroxy)chloroquine or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality were retracted due to significant methodological issues. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the same clinical issues through an improved research method and to find out the differences from the retracted papers. We systematically reviewed pre-existing literature, and compared the results with those of the retracted papers to gain a novel insight.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We extracted common risk factors identified in two retracted papers, and conducted relevant publication search until June 26, 2020 in PubMed. Then, we analyzed the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality and compared them to those of the retracted papers.

RESULTS

Our systematic review demonstrated that most demographic and clinical risk factors for COVID-19 mortality were similar to those of the retracted papers. However, while the retracted paper indicated that both (hydroxy)chloroquine monotherapy and combination therapy with macrolide were associated with higher risk of mortality, our study showed that only combination therapy of hydroxychloroquine and macrolide was associated with higher risk of mortality (odds ratio 2.33; 95% confidence interval 1.63-3.34). In addition, our study demonstrated that use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) was associated with reduced risk of mortality (0.77; 0.65-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

When analyzing the same clinical issues with the two retracted papers through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and relevant cohort studies, we found out that (hydroxy)chloroquine monotherapy was not associated with higher risk of mortality, and that the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs was associated with reduced risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Clinical characteristics and mortality of patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Hematologic cancer patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) tend to have a more serious disease course than observed in the general population. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed existing literature and analyzed clinical characteristics and mortality of patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Through searching PubMed until June 03, 2020, we identified 16 relevant case studies (33 cases) from a total of 45 studies that have reported on patients with COVID-19 and hematologic malignancies. We investigated the clinical and laboratory characteristics including type of hematologic malignancies, initial symptoms, laboratory findings, and clinical outcomes. Then, we compared those characteristics and outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 to the general population infected with COVID-19.

RESULTS

The median age was 66-year-old. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia was the most common type of hematologic malignancy (39.4%). Fever was the most common symptom (75.9%). Most patients had normal leukocyte counts (55.6%), lymphocytosis (45.4%), and normal platelet counts (68.8%). In comparison to patients with COVID-19 without underlying hematologic malignancies, dyspnea was more prevalent (45.0 vs. 24.9%, p=0.025). Leukocytosis (38.9 vs. 9.8%, p=0.001), lymphocytosis (45.4 vs. 8.2%, p=0.001), and thrombocytopenia (31.3 vs. 11.4%, p=0.036) were significantly more prevalent and lymphopenia (18.2 vs. 57.4%, p=0.012) less prevalent in patients with hematologic malignancies. There were no clinical and laboratory characteristics predicting mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies. Mortality was much higher in patients with hematologic malignancies compared to those without this condition (40.0 vs. 3.6%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Co-occurrence of hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 is rare. However, due to the high mortality rate from COVID-19 in this vulnerable population, further investigation on tailored treatment and management is required.

Psychoacoustics and neurophysiological auditory processing in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease types 1A and 2A

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hidden hearing loss has been reported in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease; however, the auditory-processing deficits have not been widely explored. We investigated the psychoacoustic and neurophysiological aspects of auditory processing in patients with CMT disease type 1A (CMT1A) and type 2A (CMT2A).

METHODS

A total of 43 patients with CMT1A and 15 patients with CMT2A were prospectively enrolled. All patients with CMT disease had normal sound-detection ability by using pure-tone audiometry. Spectral-ripple discrimination, temporal modulation detection and auditory frequency-following response were compared between CMT1A, CMT2A and control groups.

RESULTS

Although all participants had normal audiograms, patients with CMT disease had difficulty understanding speech in noise. The psychoacoustic auditory processing was somewhat different depending on the underlying pathophysiology of CMT disease. Patients with CMT1A had degraded auditory temporal and spectral processing. Patients with CMT2A had no reduced spectral resolution, but they showed further reduced temporal resolution than the patients with CMT1A. The amplitudes of the frequency-following response were reduced in patients with CMT1A and CMT2A, but the neural timing remained relatively intact.

CONCLUSIONS

When we first assessed the neural representation to speech at the brainstem level, the grand average brainstem responses were reduced in both patients with CMT1A and CMT2A compared with healthy controls. As the psychoacoustic aspects of auditory dysfunctions in CMT1A and CMT2A were somewhat different, it is necessary to consider future auditory rehabilitation methods based on their pathophysiology.

Intraoperative Management to Prevent Cardiac Collapse in a Patient With a Recurrent, Large-volume Pericardial Effusion and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation During Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Pericardial effusion is a common feature of end-stage liver disease. In this case report we describe the intraoperative management of recurrent pericardial effusion, without re-pericardiocentesis, to prevent circulatory collapse during a critical surgical time-point; that is, during manipulation of the major vessels and graft reperfusion.

METHODS

A 47-year-old woman with hepatitis B was scheduled to undergo deceased donor liver transplantation (LT). A large pericardial effusion was preoperatively identified using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The patient also had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Two days before surgery, preemptive pericardiocentesis was performed and the 1150-mL effusion was drained. Intraoperatively, recurrence of the large pericardial effusion was identified using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). During inferior vena cava manipulation, the surgeon consulted the anesthesiologist to evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the patient. After 3 attempts, the transplant team was able to determine the most appropriate anastomosis site, defined as that with the least impact on cardiac function. To prevent the development of severe postreperfusion syndrome, 10% MgSO₄ (2 g) was gradually infused 20 minutes before portal vein declamping, and immediately before graft reperfusion a 100-μg bolus of epinephrine was administered.

RESULTS

During graft reperfusion, there was no evidence of heart chamber collapse or flow disturbance, as seen on the TEE findings. Postoperatively, the patient recovered completely and was discharged from the hospital. Six months after surgery, there was no sign of pericardial effusion on follow-up TTE.

CONCLUSION

Our intraoperative strategy may prevent cardiac collapse in patients with pericardial effusion detected during LT. Intraoperative TEE plays an important role in guiding hemodynamic management.

Intraoperative Management of a Patient With Impaired Cardiac Function Undergoing Simultaneous ABO-Compatible Liver and ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant From 2 Living Donors: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Combined liver and kidney transplant is a very complex surgery. To date, there has been no report on the intraoperative management of patients with impaired cardiac function undergoing simultaneous ABO-compatible liver and ABO-incompatible kidney transplant from 2 living donors.

CASE REPORT

A 60-year-old man underwent simultaneous ABO-compatible liver and ABO-incompatible kidney transplant from 2 living donors because of IgA nephropathy and alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The preoperative cardiac findings revealed continuous aggravation, shown by large left atrial enlargement, severe left ventricular hypertrophy, a very prolonged QT interval, and a calcified left anterior descending coronary artery. Severe hypotension with very weak pulsation and severe bradycardia developed, with an irregular junctional rhythm noted immediately after the liver graft was reperfused. Although epinephrine was administered as a rescue drug, hemodynamics did not improve, and central venous pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure increased to potentially fatal levels. Emergency phlebotomy via the central line was performed. Thereafter, hypotension and bradycardia recovered gradually as the central venous pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased. The irregular junctional rhythm returned to a sinus rhythm, but the QTc interval was slightly more prolonged. Because of poor cardiac capacity, the volume and rate of fluid infusion were increased aggressively to maintain appropriate kidney graft perfusion after confirming vigorous urine production of the graft.

CONCLUSIONS

A heart with impaired function due to both end-stage liver and kidney diseases may be less able to withstand surgical stress. Further study on cardiac dysfunction will be helpful for the management of patients undergoing complex transplant surgery.

Canavalia ensiformis-derived lectin inhibits biofilm formation of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes

AIM

A lectin Concanavalin A (ConA) derived from Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) exhibits high-binding affinity to carbohydrates on bacterial cell surfaces. The objective of this study was to inhibit the biofilm formation of the foodborne pathogens enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes using ConA prepared by a membrane-based extraction method.

METHODS AND RESULTS

ConA was extracted using a simple and inexpensive membrane method instead of a chromatography approach. The extracted ConA was effective in inhibiting biofilms of E. coli by 30-fold and L. monocytogenes by 140-fold. In addition, ConA decreased the swimming motility of enterohemorrhagic E. coli EDL933 (EHEC) by 37%, resulting in low biofilm formation, as ConA binding to the bacterial cell surfaces might cause a reduced capability to adhere due to low cellular motility. We confirmed that the extracted ConA contains active components at less than 10 kDa as well as ConA multimers (>30 kDa) that repress EHEC biofilms. Additionally, noncell-based mannose reduced the activity of ConA in inhibiting biofilms.

CONCLUSIONS

ConA extracted using the membrane-based method is active in inhibiting the biofilm formation by E. coli and L. monocytogenes via the mannose-binding affinity of ConA.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

ConA can be used as a promising anti-adherent and antibiofilm agent in inhibiting biofilm formation by enterohemorrhagic E. coli and L. monocytogenes. The membrane-based extraction approach may be applied for the economic production of biologically active lectins.

Highly-Sensitive Refractive Index Sensing by Near-infrared Metatronic Nanocircuits

In this work, we present a highly-sensitive refractive index sensor based on metatronic nanocircuits operating at near-infrared spectral range. The structure is designed based on simple nanorod geometry and fabricated by nanopatterning of transparent conducting oxides. The functionality of these polarization dependent metatronic nanocircuits is enhanced by applying tunable response. This feature is investigated by depositing NH₂ (Amine) groups via plasma polymerization technique on top of indium-tin-oxide nanorods. The dielectric constant of Amine groups is a function of their thickness, which can be controlled by the RF power and the time duration of the applied plasma polymerization process. The resonance wavelengths of nanocircuits shift to higher wavelength, as the dielectric constant of the deposited material increases. An excellent agreement between the design and experimental results are obtained. Our metatronic based nanosensor offers a high-sensitive performance of 1587 nm/RIU with a satisfactory figure of merit for this class of sensors.

[A cohort study on body mass index and risk of all-cause mortality among hypertensive population]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hypertensive population. Methods: All participants were selected from a prospective cohort study based on a rural population from Henan province, China. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the associations of different levels of BMI stratification with all-cause mortality. Restricted cubic spline models were used to detect the dose-response relation. Results: Among the 5 461 hypertensive patients, a total of 31 048.38 person-years follow-up was conducted. The median of follow-up time was 6 years, and 589 deaths occurred during the follow-up period. Compared to normal weight group (18.5 kg/m(2)<BMI<24.0 kg/m(2)) the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality associated with BMI levels (<18.5 kg/m(2), 24-28 kg/m(2), and ≥28 kg/m(2)) were 0.83 (95%CI: 0.37-1.87), 0.81 (95%CI: 0.67-0.97), and 0.72 (95%CI: 0.56-0.91), respectively. The dose-response analysis showed a nonlinear, reverse "S" shaped relationship (non-linearity P<0.001). Conclusion: Overweight or obese might have a protective effect on all-cause mortality in hypertensive population, which supports the "obesity paradox" phenomenon.

Epigenetic regulation of RNA polymerase III transcription in early breast tumorigenesis

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcribes medium-sized non-coding RNAs (collectively termed Pol III genes). Emerging diverse roles of Pol III genes suggest that individual Pol III genes are exquisitely regulated by transcription and epigenetic factors. Here we report global Pol III expression/methylation profiles and molecular mechanisms of Pol III regulation that have not been as extensively studied, using nc886 as a representative Pol III gene. In a human mammary epithelial cell system that recapitulates early breast tumorigenesis, the fraction of actively transcribed Pol III genes increases reaching a plateau during immortalization. Hyper-methylation of Pol III genes inhibits Pol III binding to DNA via inducing repressed chromatin and is a determinant for the Pol III repertoire. When Pol III genes are hypo-methylated, MYC amplifies their transcription, regardless of its recognition DNA motif. Thus, Pol III expression during tumorigenesis is delineated by methylation and magnified by MYC.

Ossicular chain reconstruction improves bone conduction threshold in chronic otitis media

This study aimed to assess the elevation of bone conduction threshold in patients with chronic otitis media and to investigate the mechanism of this phenomenon. One hundred and six patients with unilateral chronic otitis media who had undergone a tympanomastoidectomy were reviewed retrospectively. The differences in the bone conduction thresholds between the diseased and normal sides were assessed and compared according to the duration of the disease and the presence of cholesteatoma. Post-operative changes in the bone conduction threshold were also assessed. The mean bone conduction thresholds were significantly elevated on the diseased side, ranging from 3.4 to 11.6 dB across frequencies, with a maximal elevation at 2000 Hz. The duration of disease and the presence of cholesteatoma did not affect the degree of the bone conduction elevation. After ossicular reconstruction, bone conduction thresholds improved significantly at all frequencies, with the greatest improvement being observed at 2000 Hz. These results suggest that the elevation in the bone conduction threshold in chronic otitis media is mainly caused by a change in the conductive mechanism in the middle ear.

Deformation mechanisms to ameliorate the mechanical properties of novel TRIP/TWIP Co-Cr-Mo-(Cu) ultrafine eutectic alloys

In the present study, the microstructural evolution and the modulation of the mechanical properties have been investigated for a Co-Cr-Mo (CCM) ternary eutectic alloy by addition of a small amount of copper (0.5 and 1 at.%). The microstructural observations reveal a distinct dissimilarity in the eutectic structure such as a broken lamellar structure and a well-aligned lamellar structure and an increasing volume fraction of Co lamellae as increasing amount of copper addition. This microstructural evolution leads to improved plasticity from 1% to 10% without the typical tradeoff between the overall strength and compressive plasticity. Moreover, investigation of the fractured samples indicates that the CCMCu alloy exhibits higher plastic deformability and combinatorial mechanisms for improved plastic behavior. The improved plasticity of CCMCu alloys originates from several deformation mechanisms; i) slip, ii) deformation twinning, iii) strain-induced transformation and iv) shear banding. These results reveal that the mechanical properties of eutectic alloys in the Co-Cr-Mo system can be ameliorated by micro-alloying such as Cu addition.

Secretable Small RNAs via Outer Membrane Vesicles in Periodontal Pathogens

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be major regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. However, bacterial RNAs comparable in size to eukaryotic miRNAs (18-22 nucleotides) have received little attention. Recently, a novel class of small RNAs similar in size to miRNAs (miRNA-size, small RNAs or msRNAs) have also been found in several bacteria. Like miRNAs, msRNAs are approximately 15 to 25 nucleotides in length, and their precursors are predicted to form a hairpin loop secondary structure. Here, we identified msRNAs in the periodontal pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola. We examined these msRNAs using a deep sequencing method and characterized dozens of msRNAs through bioinformatic analysis. Highly expressed msRNAs were selected for further validation. The findings suggest that this class of small RNAs is well conserved across the domains of life. Indeed, msRNAs secreted via bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were detected. The ability of bacterial OMVs to deliver RNAs into eukaryotic cells was also observed. These msRNAs in OMVs allowed us to identify their potential human immune-related target genes. Furthermore, we found that exogenous msRNAs could suppress expression of certain cytokines in Jurkat T cells. We propose msRNAs may function as novel bacterial signaling molecules that mediate bacteria-to-human interactions. Furthermore, this study may provide fresh insight into bacterial pathogenic mechanisms of periodontal diseases.

Hepatic differentiation of porcine embryonic stem cells for translational research of hepatocyte transplantation

Porcine embryonic stem cells (ES) are considered attractive preclinical research tools for human liver diseases. Although several studies previously reported generation of porcine ES, none of these studies has described hepatic differentiation from porcine ES. The aim of this study was to generate hepatocytes from porcine ES and analyze their characteristics. We optimized conditions for definitive endoderm induction and developed a 4-step hepatic differentiation protocol. A brief serum-free condition with activin A efficiently induced definitive endoderm differentiation from porcine ES. The porcine ES-derived hepatocyte-like cells highly expressed hepatic markers including albumin and α-fetoprotein, and displayed liver characteristics such as glycogen storage, lipid production, and low-density lipoprotein uptake. For the first time, we describe a highly efficient protocol for hepatic differentiation from porcine ES. Our findings provide valuable information for translational liver research using porcine models, including hepatic regeneration and transplant studies, drug screening, and toxicology.

Diagnostic profiling of salivary exosomal microRNAs in oral lichen planus patients

OBJECTIVE

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disease whose exact cause is unclear and which requires efficient diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Identification of disease-specific biomarkers in saliva is an easy, quick, and non-invasive approach for molecular diagnosis. This study was designed to examine salivary exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) that could be candidates for diagnosing and elucidating the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We compared miRNA profiles of salivary exosomes of patients with oral lichen planus with those of healthy controls. Saliva samples from 16 patients with oral lichen planus and eight healthy controls were divided into two sets and examined using miRNA microarray analysis and TaqMan quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

The three miRNAs identified (miR-4484, miR-1246, and miR-1290) were further validated. Of these, miR-4484 was significantly upregulated in the salivary exosomes of patients with oral lichen planus.

CONCLUSIONS

This study thus identifies a potential miRNA biomarker for oral lichen planus and provides insight into the functions of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of oral inflammatory diseases.

Tumour volume changes assessed with high-quality KVCT in lung cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated tumour volume changes in patients with lung cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy using image-guided radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

The kilovoltage image was obtained using CT on rail at every five fractions. The gross tumour volumes (GTVs), including the primary tumour and lymph nodes (LNs), were contoured to analyse the time and degree of tumour regression.

RESULTS

46 patients [32, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 14, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC)] were included in this study. In total, 281 CT scans and 82 sites of GTVs were evaluated. Significant volume changes occurred in both the NSCLC and SCLC groups (p < 0.001 and 0.002), and the average GTV change compared with baseline was 49.85 ± 3.65 [standard error (SE)]% and 65.95 ± 4.60 (SE)% for the NSCLC and SCLC groups, respectively. A significant difference in the degree of volume reduction between the primary tumour and LNs was observed in only the NSCLC group (p < 0.0001) but not in the SCLC group (p = 0.735). The greatest volume regression compared with the volume before the five fractions occurred between the 15 and 20 fractions in the NSCLC group and between the 5 and 10 fractions in the SCLC group.

CONCLUSION

Both primary tumour and LNs were well defined using CT on rail. Significant volume changes occurred during RT, and there was a difference in volume reduction between the NSCLC and SCLC groups, regarding the degree and timing of the tumour reduction in the primary tumour and LNs.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

NSCLC and SCLC groups showed differences in the degree and timing of volume reduction. The primary tumour and LNs in NSCLC regressed differently.

The MRI appearances of cancellous allograft bone chips after the excision of bone tumours

Cancellous allograft bone chips are commonly used in the reconstruction of defects in bone after removal of benign tumours. We investigated the MRI features of grafted bone chips and their change over time, and compared them with those with recurrent tumour. We retrospectively reviewed 66 post-operative MRIs from 34 patients who had undergone curettage and grafting with cancellous bone chips to fill the defect after excision of a tumour. All grafts showed consistent features at least six months after grafting: homogeneous intermediate or low signal intensities with or without scattered hyperintense foci (speckled hyperintensities) on T1 images; high signal intensities with scattered hypointense foci (speckled hypointensities) on T2 images, and peripheral rim enhancement with or without central heterogeneous enhancements on enhanced images. Incorporation of the graft occurred from the periphery to the centre, and was completed within three years. Recurrent lesions consistently showed the same signal intensities as those of pre-operative MRIs of the primary lesions. There were four misdiagnoses, three of which were chondroid tumours. We identified typical MRI features and clarified the incorporation process of grafted cancellous allograft bone chips. The most important characteristics of recurrent tumours were that they showed the same signal intensities as the primary tumours. It might sometimes be difficult to differentiate grafted cancellous allograft bone chips from a recurrent chondroid tumour.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Peucedanum japonicum in Korea

Peucedanum japonicum Thunb., belonging to the family Apiaceae, is distributed in many Asian countries, including Korea. This plant was recently developed as an edible green and is cultivated under organic farming in Korea. In June 2013, plants showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew were found with approximately 50% disease incidence in polyethylene-film-covered greenhouses in Iksan City, Korea. Symptoms first appeared as circular white colonies, which subsequently showed abundant mycelial growth on the leaves, often covering the whole surface. Infected plants were unmarketable mainly due to signs of white fungal growths and reddish discoloration on the leaves. The same symptoms were found on P. japonicum in poly-tunnels in Iksan City and Jinan County of Korea in 2014. Voucher specimens (n = 3) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria were lobed, and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were cylindrical, 80 to 145 × 8 to 10 μm, and composed of three to four cells. Foot-cells of conidiophores were straight to substraight, cylindrical, and 25 to 63 μm long. Singly produced conidia were oblong-elliptical to oblong, occasionally ovate, 35 to 50 × 13 to 16 μm with a length/width ratio of 2.3:3.1, with angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer walls, and lacked distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were produced on the perihilar position of conidia. Primary conidia were apically conical, basally truncate, and generally smaller than the secondary conidia. No chasmothecia were found. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Pseudoidium anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. The specific measurements and morphological characteristics were consistent with those of E. heraclei DC. (2). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from KUS-F27872 was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The resulting 560-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KM491178). The obtained ITS sequence shared >99% similarity with those of E. heraclei from apiaceous hosts, e.g., Daucus carota (KC480605), Pimpinella affinis (AB104513), and Petroselinum crispum (KF931139). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently dusting conidia onto leaves of five healthy potted plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 6 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical in morphology to those observed in the field. Powdery mildew of P. japonicum caused by E. heraclei has been reported in Japan (4), and numerous reports of E. heraclei on various species of Peucedanum plants have been made in most part of Europe and East Asia (Japan and far eastern Russia) (1,3). However, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. heraclei on P. japonicum in Korea. Occurrence of powdery mildews is a threat to the quality and marketability of this plant, especially in organic farming. References: (1) K. Amano. Host Range and Geographical Distribution of the Powdery Mildew Fungi. Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, 1986. (2) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., online publication. ARS, USDA. Retrieved August 18, 2014. (4) S. Tanda and C. Nakashima. J. Agric. Sci., Tokyo Univ. Agric. 47:54, 2002.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces biocellatus on Agastache rugosa in Korea

Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Kuntze, known as Korean mint, is an aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae. It is widely distributed in East Asian countries and is used as a Chinese traditional medicine. In Korea, fresh leaves are commonly added to fish soups and stews (3). In November 2008, several dozen Korean mints plants growing outdoors in Gimhae City, Korea, were found to be severely infected with a powdery mildew. The same symptoms had been observed in Korean mint plots in Busan and Miryang cities from 2008 to 2013. Symptoms first appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed into abundant hyphal growth on stems and both sides of the leaves. Severe disease pressure caused withering and senescence of the leaves. Voucher specimens (n = 5) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores were 105 to 188 × 10 to 13 μm and produced 2 to 4 immature conidia in chains with a sinuate outline, followed by 2 to 3 cells. Foot-cells of the conidiophores were straight, cylindrical, slightly constricted at the base, and 37 to 58 μm long. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to barrel-shaped, measured 25 to 40 × 15 to 23 μm (length/width ratio = 1.4 to 2.1), lacked distinct fibrosin bodies, and showed reticulate wrinkling of the outer walls. Primary conidia were obconically rounded at the apex and subtruncate at the base. Germ tubes were produced at the perihilar position of conidia. No chasmothecia were observed. The structures described above were typical of the Oidium subgenus Reticuloidium anamorph of the genus Golovinomyces. The measurements and morphological characteristics were compatible with those of G. biocellatus (Ehrenb.) V.P. Heluta (1). To confirm the identification, molecular analysis of the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of isolate KUS-F27200 was conducted. The complete ITS rDNA sequence was amplified using primers ITS5 and P3 (4). The resulting 514-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KJ585415). A GenBank BLAST search of the Korean isolate sequence showed >99% similarity with the ITS sequence of many G. biocellatus isolates on plants in the Lamiaceae (e.g., Accession Nos. AB307669, AB769437, and JQ340358). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaf onto leaves of five healthy, potted Korean mint plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as a control treatment. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 7 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that observed on the original diseased plants. The pathogenicity test was repeated with identical results. A powdery mildew on A. rugosa caused by G. biocellatus was reported from Romania (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by G. biocellatus on A. rugosa in Korea. The plant is mostly grown using organic farming methods with limited chemical control options. Therefore, alternative control measures should be considered. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., online publication, USDA ARS, retrieved 17 February 2014. (3) T. H. Kim et al. J. Sci. Food Agric. 81:569, 2001. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009.

Neuropeptide Y receptor Y5 as an inducible pro-survival factor in neuroblastoma: implications for tumor chemoresistance

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor of neural crest origin with heterogeneous phenotypes. While low stage tumors carry a favorable prognosis, over 50% of high risk NB relapses after treatment with a fatal outcome. Thus, developing therapies targeting refractory NB remains an unsolved clinical problem. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its TrkB receptor are known to protect NB cells from chemotherapy-induced cell death, while neuropeptide Y (NPY), acting via its Y2 receptor (Y2R), is an autocrine proliferative and angiogenic factor crucial for maintaining NB tumor growth. Here, we show that in NB cells, BDNF stimulates the synthesis of NPY and induces expression of another one of its receptors, Y5R. In human NB tissues, the expression of NPY and Y5R positively correlated with the expression of BDNF and TrkB. Functionally, BDNF triggered Y5R internalization in NB cells, while Y5R antagonist inhibited BDNF-induced p44/42-MAPK activation and its pro-survival activity. These observations suggested TrkB-Y5R transactivation that resulted in cross-talk between their signaling pathways. Additionally, NPY and Y5R were up-regulated in a BDNF-independent manner in NB cells under pro-apoptotic conditions, such as serum deprivation and chemotherapy, as well as in cell lines and tissues derived from post-treatment NB tumors. Blocking Y5R in chemoresistant NB cells rich in this receptor sensitized them to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and inhibited their growth in vivo by augmenting cell death. In summary, the NPY/Y5R axis is an inducible survival pathway activated in NB by BDNF or cellular stress. Upon such activation, Y5R augments the pro-survival effect of BDNF via its interactions with TrkB receptor and exerts an additional BDNF-independent anti-apoptotic effect, both of which contribute to NB chemoresistance. Therefore, the NPY/Y5R pathway may become a novel therapeutic target for patients with refractory NB, thus far an incurable form of this disease.

Rubi Fructus (Rubus coreanus) activates the expression of thermogenic genes in vivo and in vitro

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anti-obesity effect of Rubi Fructus (RF) extract using brown adipose tissue (BAT) and primary brown preadipocytes in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 J mice (n=5 per group) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks with or without RF. Brown preadipocytes from the interscapular BAT of mice (age, post-natal days 1-3) were cultured with differentiation media (DM) including isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, T3, indomethacin and insulin with or without RF.

RESULTS

In HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 J mice, long-term RF treatment significantly reduced weight gain as well as the weights of the white adipose tissue, liver and spleen. Serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also reduced in the HFD group which received RF treatment. Furthermore, RF induced thermogenic-, adipogenic- and mitochondria-related gene expressions in BAT. In primary brown adipocytes, RF effectively stimulated the expressions of thermogenic- and mitochondria-related genes. In addition, to examine whether LIPIN1, a regulator of adipocyte differentiation, is regulated by RF, Lipin1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and RF were pretreated in primary brown adipocytes. Pretreatment with Lipin1 siRNA and RF downregulated the DM-induced expression levels of thermogenic- and mitochondria-related genes. Moreover, RF markedly upregulated AMP-activated protein kinase. Our study shows that RF is capable of stimulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes through the modulation of thermogenic genes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that RF prevents the development of obesity in mice fed with a HFD and that it is also capable of stimulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes through the modulation of thermogenic genes, which suggests that RF has potential as a therapeutic application for the treatment or prevention of obesity.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii on Verbena brasiliensis in Korea

Verbena brasiliensis Vell., commonly known as Brazilian verbena, is native to South America and has been introduced into North America, coastal Europe, southern Africa, and Australasia. Though partly cultivated for garden use, it is invasive in riverine areas and also on roadsides, forest margins, pastures, and waste areas (4). In Korea, this plant was first reported in 1998 in Jeju Island and has become widely naturalized by replacing indigenous plants and disrupting native ecosystems in most of southern part of Korea (3). Since 2009, powdery mildew on Brazilian verbena has been consistently found in several locations of Busan City, Korea. Symptoms appeared as circular to irregular white patches, which subsequently showed abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves and on stems. High disease severity caused poor growth of the plants, resulting in premature senescence and reduced flowering. Specimens (n = 5) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores were 140 to 190 × 11 to 12.5 μm and produced 2 to 7 immature conidia in chains with a crenate outline. Foot-cells in conidiophores were straight, cylindric, relatively short, 50 to 65 μm long, and constricted at the very base of branching point from the hypha. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to ovate, measured 28 to 38 × 18.5 to 22 μm (length/width ratio of 1.2 to 1.8), and contained distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were produced from the lateral position of conidia. No chasmothecia were observed. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Euoidium anamorph of the genus Podosphaera. The morphological characteristics and measurements were consistent with those of P. xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff (1). To confirm the identity, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of the isolate KUS-F27220 was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4, and sequenced. The resulting 477-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KJ472787). A GenBank BLAST search of this sequence revealed 100% identity with Podosphaera sp. on V. bonariensis and V.× hybrida from Japan (AB462804 and AB040347). The Podosphaera sp. isolates listed above are now placed in P. xanthii (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto leaves of three healthy, potted 2-month-old Brazilian verbena plants. Three non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed signs and symptoms after 6 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated leaves was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants. Powdery mildew of Verbena spp. associated with Podosphaera sp. (including Sphaerotheca sp.) has been globally reported, but not on V. brasiliensis (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew disease caused by P. xanthii on V. brasiliensis globally. Our field observations suggest that the powdery mildew could limit expansion of V. brasiliensis in Korea. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, ARS, USDA, Retrieved February 18, 2014. (3) C. G. Song and Y. H. Yang. The Naturalized Plants in Jeju Island. Nam-Jeju County, Jeju, Korea, 2005. (4) P. F. Yao. Kew Bull. 45:101, 1990.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces sonchicola on Ixeris chinensis in Korea

Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai, known as Chinese ixeris, is distributed from Siberia to Japan, including Korea, Taiwan, and China. The whole plant has been used in folk medicine in Asia (4). In Korea, the plants of Chinese ixeris have been gathered and used as a wild root vegetable. During summer to autumn of 2011, Chinese ixeris leaves were found to be heavily infected with a powdery mildew in several locations of Korea. Symptoms first appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed into abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves, leading to drying of the leaves. The same symptoms on Chinese ixeris leaves were continuously observed in 2012 and 2013. Voucher specimens (n = 10) were deposited at Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Hyphal appressoria were moderately lobed or nipple-shaped. Conidiophores arose from the lateral part of the hyphae, measured 100 to 270 × 10 to 12.5 μm, and produced 2 to 6 immature conidia in chains with a sinuate outline. Basal parts of foot-cells in conidiophores were curved. Conidia were barrel-shaped to ellipsoid, measured 26 to 36 × 13 to 19 μm (length/width ratio = 1.7 to 2.4), lacked fibrosin bodies, and showed reticulate wrinkling of the outer walls. Primary conidia were ovate with conical-obtuse apex and subtruncate base. Germ tubes were produced on the perihilar position of conidia. Chasmothecia were not observed. The morphological characteristics were typical of the Euoidium type anamorph of the genus Golovinomyces, and the fungus measurements and structures were consistent with those of G. sonchicola U. Braun & R.T.A. Cook (1). To confirm the identification, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA sequences from a representative material (KUS-F26212) was amplified using primers ITS5/P3 and sequenced (3). The resulting 416-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KF819857). A GenBank BLAST search revealed that the isolate showed >99% sequence similarity with those of G. cichoracearum from Sonchus spp. (e.g., AB453762, AF011296, JQ010848, etc.). G. sonchicola is currently confined to G. cichoracearum s. lat. on Sonchus spp., based on molecular sequence analyses (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto leaves of five healthy potted Chinese ixeris. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 6 days, whereas the controls remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants. Powdery mildew infections of I. chinensis associated with Golovinomyces have been known in China (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew disease caused by G. sonchicola on I. chinensis in Korea. Farming of Chinese ixeris has recently started on a commercial scale in Korea. Though no statistical data are available, we postulate the cultivation area in Korea to be approximately 200 ha, mostly growing without chemical controls. Occurrence of powdery mildews poses a potential threat to safe production of this vegetable, especially in organic farming. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) F. L. Tai. Bull. Chinese Bot. Sci. 2:16, 1936. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009. (4) S. J. Zhang et al. J. Nat. Prod. 69:1425, 2006.

Acupuncture modulates the neuro-endocrine-immune network

As a nonspecific physical stimulation, the effect of acupuncture on diseases is produced by motivating the inherent regulatory system in the body, having the characteristics of whole regulation, dual directional regulation, etc. Modern scientific researches show that body's inherent regulatory system is neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network. Hence, we speculate that the regulatory effect of acupuncture may be produced through its regulation of NEI network. In this article, we reviewed the recent researches about acupuncture's effect on the NEI network, to find out the evidence of acupuncture adjusting NEI network and provide some evidences for revealing the mechanism of acupuncture.

Current status of standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in China

With the wide-spread and application of acupuncture and moxibustion, the demand of its standardization construction is increasingly prominent. On the basis of further investigation into the standards of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, this article summarize the research status of Chinese standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion, analyse some problems existing in current construction of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization, and put forward several strategies for moving forward, in order to show an overall and objective understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization.

Tagging endogenous loci for live-cell fluorescence imaging and molecule counting using ZFNs, TALENs, and Cas9

The programmable ZFN, TALEN, and Cas9 nucleases allow genome editing of any cell line or organism. In this chapter, we describe methods to create gene fusions at endogenous loci in mammalian cells to express fluorescent fusions of proteins of interest at endogenous levels. The donor DNA, which includes the sequence encoding a fluorescent protein, is provided to the cell to repair a double-strand break induced by a nuclease. The engineered donor sequence is integrated by homology-directed repair into the genome in frame with the coding region of the gene of interest, resulting in expression of a fusion protein at physiological levels. We further describe techniques to study protein dynamics and numbers using the genome-edited cell lines. In contrast to cell lines stably overexpressing fusion proteins from modified cDNAs, genes encoding fluorescent proteins are targeted to the endogenous genetic locus, avoiding perturbation of alternative splicing and expression levels.

Prediction of newly developed acute renal failure using serum phosphorus concentrations after living-donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study investigated the predictive role of serum phosphorus concentration for acute renal failure (ARF), defined by the Risk Injury Failure Loss End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria, after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODS

Perioperative factors, including serum phosphorus concentrations, in LDLT recipients without pre-existing renal dysfunction were retrospectively analysed and compared between patients with or without post-LDLT ARF.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients out of 350 (12.9%) met the RIFLE ARF criteria and experienced significantly higher postoperative mortality, longer intensive care unit stay and more frequent graft dysfunction than those patients without post-LDLT ARF. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that a serum phosphorus concentration ≥ 4.5 mg/dl on postoperative day 1 (relative risk [RR] 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.56, 11.03), a preoperative model for end-stage liver disease score 20 points (RR 4.17, 95% CI 2.04, 8.52), and packed red blood cell transfusion 10 units (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.13, 5.88) were independent risk factors for post-LDLT ARF.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperphosphataemia on postoperative day 1 could be an early and simple indicator of ARF occurrence after LDLT.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii on the Invasive Weed, Bidens pilosa, in Korea

Bidens pilosa L., known as Spanish needle or cobbler's peg, is a cosmopolitan weed, originating from South America and common in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Korea, this plant was first reported in 1992 (3), and has become naturalized widely by replacing indigenous plants and disrupting native ecosystems. In the autumn of 2012, hundreds of Spanish needles growing around an industrial complex in Milyang in southern Korea were observed to be severely infected with a powdery mildew. Symptoms first appeared as circular to irregular white patches, which subsequently showed abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves, and on young stems and inflorescences. Red-purplish discoloration and crinkling of the leaves were also observed. Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores measured 100 to 190 × 11 to 13 μm, and produced 2 to 5 immature conidia in chains with a crenate outline, at the end of 2 to 3 straight cells of the conidiophore. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to barrel-shaped, measured 28 to 42 × 16.5 to 21 μm (length/width ratio of 1.4 to 2.0), and had distinct fibrosin bodies. Dark brown chasmothecia were found partly embedded in the mycelial felt on leaves and stems, were spherical, gregarious to scattered, and 80 to 100 μm in diameter. Each contained a single ascus and had a terminal oculus 17 to 23 μm wide. Asci were sessile, 70 to 90 × 52 to 65 μm, and contained eight ascospores, each 22 to 28 × 16 to 20 μm. The structures and measurements were consistent with those of Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff (1). Specimens were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). To confirm identity of the causal fungus, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of isolate KUS-F27201 was amplified with primers ITS5 and P3 (4), and sequenced directly. The resulting 476-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KC484700). A GenBank BLAST search of this sequence revealed >99% similarity with those of many P. xanthii isolates on plants in the Asteraceae. Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaf onto leaves of five healthy, potted, young Spanish needle plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as a control treatment. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 8 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Powdery mildews of B. pilosa caused by Podosphaera species have been reported in North America, Africa, and Asia (India and China), but not from Korea (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by P. xanthii on Spanish needles in Korea. The field observations suggest that the powdery mildew could limit expansion of this invasive weed in Korea. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, USDA ARS, retrieved 28 February 2013. (3) S. H. Park. Colored Illustrations of Naturalized Plants of Korea. Ilchokak Publishers, Seoul, Korea, 1995. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces asterum var. solidaginis on Invasive Weed Solidago gigantea in Korea

Solidago gigantea Aiton (syn. S. serotina Aiton), known as giant goldenrod, is native to North America and has been invasive in Europe and Asia. In Korea, this plant was accidentally introduced around the 1960s and has become widely naturalized by replacing indigenous plants and disrupting the native ecosystem (3). In October 2012, hundreds of giant goldenrod plants growing wild in riverine areas and roadsides were found affected by a powdery mildew in Busan, Korea. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Symptoms first appeared as circular to irregular white patches, which subsequently showed abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves. Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped to moderately lobed. Conidiophores measured 120 to 240 × 10 to 12.5 μm, were arising laterally from hyphal mother cells, and produced 2 to 6 immature conidia in chains with a sinuate outline, followed by 2 to 3 cells. Foot-cells in conidiophores were 42 to 70 μm long and characterized by a distinctly curved base. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to ovate, measured 28 to 42 × 17 to 24 μm (length/width ratio = 1.4 to 2.1), contained small oil drops, lacked distinct fibrosin bodies, and produced germ tubes on the subterminal position. No chasmothecia were observed. The morphological characteristics described above were typical of the Euoidium type anamorph of the genus Golovinomyces, and the fungus measurements and structures were consistent with those of G. asterum var. solidaginis U. Braun (1). To confirm the identity of the causal fungus, the complete ITS region of rDNA from isolate KUS-F27219 was amplified with primers ITS5 and P3 (4) and sequenced. The resulting 508-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KC513763). A GenBank BLAST search of this sequence revealed >99% similarity with the ITS sequences of G. cichoracearum from Australia (GQ183940 ex Solidago sp.) and Japan (AB077625 ex S. altissima L. and AB077627 ex S. virgaurea subsp. asiatica Kitam. ex Hara). The G. cichoracearum isolates on Solidago spp. listed above are now placed in G. asterum var. solidaginis (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of five healthy potted giant goldenrods. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 24 to 30°C. Inoculated plants developed signs and symptoms after 7 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Association of S. gigantea with Golovinomyces powdery mildews has been known in North America, South America, Europe, New Zealand, Central Asia (Iran, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan), and Japan (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by G. asterum var. solidaginis on S. gigantea in Korea. Our field observations suggest that the powdery mildew could be a limiting factor to suppress the expansion of this invasive weed in Korea. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, ARS, USDA, retrieved January 22, 2013. (3) S. M. Oh et al. Kor. J. Weed Sci. 22:280, 2002. (4) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009.

First Report of Zonate Leaf Spot Caused by Hinomyces moricola on Japanese Hop in Korea

Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. = H. scandens (Lour.) Merr.), native to East Asia, is an annual, climbing or trailing vine. The vines can spread to cover large areas of open ground or low vegetation, eventually blanketing the land and vegetation. Pollen of H. japonicus is allergenic, and this species is considered as one of the important causes of pollinosis in Korea and China. It is a notorious invasive weed in the United States and also in France, Hungary, and Italy (1). In September 2012, zonate leaf spots were observed on Japanese hops growing in wetlands in Yeongdong County of Korea. A voucher specimen was preserved in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F26901). Initial symptoms included grayish-green to grayish-brown spots without border lines. As the lesions enlarged, they coalesced, leading to leaf blight. Sporophores on the leaf lesions were dominantly hypophyllous, rarely epiphyllous, solitary, erect, easily detachable, and as long as 700 μm. The upper portion of the sporophores consisted of a pyramidal head was ventricose, 320 to 520 μm long and 110 to 150 μm wide. The fungus was isolated from leaf lesions and maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Sclerotia were produced on PDA after 4 to 5 weeks at 18°C without light, but conidia were not observed in culture. These morphological and cultural characteristics were consistent with those of Hinomyces moricola (I. Hino) Narumi-Saito & Y. Harada (= Cristulariella moricola (I. Hino) Redhead) (3,4). An isolate was preserved in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession No. KACC46955). Genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The resulting sequence of 452 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KC460209). A BLAST search in GenBank revealed that the sequence showed an exact match with those of C. moricola (JQ036181 ex Acer negundo and JQ036182 ex Glycine max). To determine the pathogenicity of the fungus, according to the procedure of Cho et al. (2), sporophores with the pyramidal head were carefully detached from a lesion on the naturally infected leaf using a needle. Each sporophore was transferred individually onto five places of four detached healthy leaves. The leaves were placed in dew chambers and incubated at 16°C. Symptoms were observed after 2 days on all inoculated leaves. A number of sporophores and immature sclerotia which were morphologically identical to the ones observed in the field were formed on the abaxial surface of the leaf 2 weeks after inoculation. The pathogen was reisolated from lesions on the inoculated leaves, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on the control leaves kept in humid chambers for 2 weeks. H. moricola was known to cause zonate leaf spots and defoliation on a wide range of woody and annual plants (3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Hinomyces infection on Japanese hops in Korea. References: (1) Anonymous. Humulus japonicus (Cannabaceae): Japanese hop. Eur. Medit. Plant Prot. Org. (EPPO). 2012. (2) S. E. Cho et al. Plant Dis. 96:906, 2012. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, ARS, USDA, Retrieved December 8, 2012. (4) S. A. Redhead. Can. J. Bot. 53:700, 1975.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Septoria erigerontis on Erigeron strigosus in Korea

Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd., known as daisy fleabane, is native to North America and was accidently introduced to Korea in the 1990s (2). It is increasingly invasive in natural and managed ecosystems throughout Korea. In June 2011, a leaf spot was first observed on daisy fleabanes growing wild in Hongcheon County of Korea. A voucher specimen was deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F25759). Symptoms developed on lower leaves as small, distinct, reddish brown lesions, which enlarged progressively and turned into pale, dull brown spots surrounded by dark purplish-brown margins. Black pycnidia became visible in the lesions. Pycnidia were epigenous, occasionally hypogenous, scattered, dark brown to rusty brown, globose, embedded in host tissue or partly erumpent, 60 to 160 μm in diameter, with ostioles measuring 10 to 30 μm in diameter. Conidia were straight to mildly curved or even flexuous, guttulate, hyaline, 30 to 75 × 1.5 to 2 μm, and one- to seven-septate. Based on the morphological characteristics, the fungus was consistent with Septoria erigerontis Peck (3,4). Conidia were harvested from cirrhi of pycnidia on leaf lesions with a drop of sterile water and then directly streaked onto water agar media using a bacterial loop. Isolates were incubated at 24°C for 48 h. Germinating conidia were individually transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. An isolate was deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession No. KACC46120). Genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the ITS1/ITS4 primers and sequenced. The resulting sequence of 505 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JX480493). A GenBank BLAST search was conducted with the 505-bp sequence showing 100% identity with the sequences of S. erigerontis ex Erigeron annuus (EF535638, GU269862). Pathogenicity was tested by spraying leaves of three potted plants with a conidial suspension (2 × 10⁵ conidia/ml) harvested from a 4-week-old PDA culture. Control leaves were sprayed with sterile distilled water. The plants were placed in a dew chamber at 26°C in darkness and continuous dew for the first 24 h and then moved to a greenhouse bench. After 7 days, leaf spot symptoms identical to those observed in the field developed on the leaves inoculated with the fungus. No symptoms were observed on control plants. S. erigerontis was reisolated from the lesions of inoculated plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. A leaf spot disease of E. strigosus associated with S. erigerontis has been reported in the United States and Canada (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot on E. strigosus caused by S. erigerontis outside of North America as well as in Korea. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication. ARS, USDA, Retrieved June 2, 2012. (2) S. H. Park. Colored Illustrations of Naturalized Plants of Korea. Ilchokak Publishers, Seoul, Korea, 1995. (3) M. J. Priest. Fungi of Australia: Septoria. ABRS/CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Australia, 1997. (4) E. Radulescu et al. Septoriozele din Romania. Ed. Acad. Rep. Soc. Romania, Bucuresti, Romania, 1973.

A comparison of intra-operative blood loss and acid-base balance between vasopressor and inotrope strategy during living donor liver transplantation: a randomised, controlled study

Administration of vasopressors or inotropes during liver transplant surgery is almost universal, as this procedure is often accompanied by massive haemorrhage, acid-base imbalance, and cardiovascular instability. However, the actual agents that should be used and the choice between a vasopressor and an inotrope strategy are not clear from existing published evidence. In this prospective, randomised, controlled and single-blinded study, we compared the effects of a vasopressor strategy on intra-operative blood loss and acid-base status with those of an inotrope strategy during living donor liver transplantation. Seventy-six adult liver recipients with decompensated cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive a continuous infusion of either phenylephrine at a dose of 0.3-0.4 μg.kg(-1).min(-1) or dopamine and/or dobutamine at 2-8 μg.kg(-1).min(-1) during surgery. Vascular resistance was higher over time in the phenylephrine group than in the dopamine/dobutamine group. Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the phenylephrine group than in the dopamine/dobutamine group (mean (SD) 4.5 (1.8) l vs 6.1 (3.4) l, respectively, p=0.011). Patients in the phenylephrine group had lower lactate levels in the late pre-anhepatic and the early anhepatic phase and needed less bicarbonate administration than those in the dopamine/dobutamine group (median (IQR [range]) 40 (0-100 [0-160]) mEq vs 70 (40-163 [0-260]) mEq, respectively, p=0.018). Postoperative clinical outcomes and laboratory-measured hepatic and renal function did not differ between the groups. Increased vascular resistance and reduction of portal blood flow by intra-operative phenylephrine infusion is assumed to decrease the amount of intra-operative bleeding and thereby ameliorate the progression of lactic acidosis during liver transplant surgery.

First Asian Report of Leaf Spot of Ambrosia trifida Caused by Septoria epambrosiae

Ambrosia trifida L., known as giant ragweed, is native to North America and was introduced in Korea in the 1970s (4). It is now widely naturalized, and since 1999, has been designated as one of 11 most 'harmful nonindigenous plants' by the Korean Ministry of Environment because of its adverse effects on native plants. Various strategies to eradicate this noxious weed have been unsuccessful (4). In June 2008, leaf spot symptoms on this weed were found in Inje, Korea. Hundreds of giant ragweed growing along stream banks contained leaf spots with leaf yellowing and premature defoliation. Leaf lesions were 1 to 5 mm in diameter, angular to irregular, dark brown without a distinct margin, later becoming pallid with a brown margin. Between 2008 and 2011, the authors observed the same symptoms in Dongducheon, Yangku, Namyangju, and Pocheon, Korea. Voucher specimens have been housed in the herbarium of Korea University. Numerous black pycnidia were formed on the lesion. Pycnidia were amphigenous, globose, dark brown, ostiolate, and measured 80 to 130 μm in diameter. Conidia were filiform, straight to mildly curved, eguttulate, hyaline, 18 to 36 × 1.5 to 2.5 μm, one to three septate, subtruncate at the base, and tapering to a rounded apex. Single-conidial isolations onto potato dextrose agar formed dark grayish colonies. Pycnidia matured after 5 weeks when plates were incubated under fluorescent illumination for 12-h photoperiods at 25°C. On the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics, the fungus was identified as Septoria epambrosiae D.F. Farr (2). Three isolates were deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC). Preliminary morphological identification of the fungal isolates was confirmed by molecular data. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the ITS1/ITS4 primers and sequenced. The resulting sequences of 449 bp obtained from the three isolates were identical to each other. They showed 100% similarity when compared with a sequence of S. epambrosiae (GenBank No. AF279582). The nucleotide sequence of a representative isolate (KACC43850) was deposited in GenBank (No. JN695498). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating the leaves of three seedlings with a conidial suspension (~2 × 10⁵ conidia/ml). Three noninoculated seedlings served as controls. Plants were maintained in a glasshouse at 100% relative humidity for 48 h. After 6 days, typical leaf spots, identical to the one observed in the field, started to develop on the leaves of the inoculated plants. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. The fungus was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. A leaf spot disease associated with S. epambrosiae has previously been recorded on A. artemisiifolia in Hungary (1-3) and A. trifida in North America (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. epambrosiae on giant ragweed in Asia. Because of its potential as a biocontrol agent, further studies are needed. References: (1) G. Bohar and I. Schwarczinger. Plant Dis. 83:696, 1999. (2) D. F. Farr and L. A. Castlebury. Sydowia 53:81, 2001. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , September 20, 2011. (4) S. M. Oh et al. Impacts of Invasive Alien Weeds and Control Strategies of Noxious Weeds in Korea. National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Suwon, Korea, 2007.

Perioperative Assessment of Terlipressin Infusion during Living Donor Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of infusion of terlipressin during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Patients undergoing LDLT with low systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) ( n = 41) were randomly allocated into control ( n = 20) and terlipressin groups ( n = 21). Terlipressin was infused at 1.0 – 4.0 μg/kg per h in the terlipressin group during surgery. Controls received generally accepted inotropic and vasopressor agents. RESULTS: Terlipressin infusion induced significantly higher SVRI and PVRI at 60 min after drug infusion, produced significantly greater hourly urine output during the anhepatic phase, and was related to significantly shorter stays in the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) compared with control treatment (mean ± SD ICU stay 5.7 ± 1.5 versus 6.9 ± 1.5 days, respectively). Patients given a terlipressin infusion > 2.0 μg/kg per h during the preanhepatic phase had a median ICU stay of < 6 days (sensitivity 90.0%; specificity 89.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Terlipressin infusion improved low SVRI and PVRI during LDLT and may have contributed to better renal function and shorter ICU stays.

Intraoperative calcium-related risk factors for biochemical acute pancreatitis after living-donor liver transplantation

Laboratory-based biochemical acute pancreatitis (BAP) is considered to be a benign but common complication after liver transplantation (LT), which to compensate for transfusion-related hypocalcemia, usually demands a large quantity of exogenous calcium which may be associated with pancreatic injury. We sought to investigate the relationship between intraoperative calcium-related factors and BAP occurrence after living-donor LT. Perioperative data, including intraoperative calcium chloride administration and serum calcium levels, were reviewed from 217 patients who underwent living-donor LT. Hyperamylasemia (≥ 458 U/L) was used to define posttransplantation BAP according to previous reports. Posttransplantation BAP was identified among 37 patients (17.3%), who showed a greater death rate than those in the non-BAP group (21.6% vs 8.6%; P = .013). Compared to with calcium-related parameters, the 2 groups showed differences in the amount of calcium chloride administered during the preanhepatic phase, the serum calcium surge during the initial 2 h after the liver graft reperfusion, the last serum calcium level, and the amount of transfused pack red blood cells (P < .05). However, after multivariate adjustment, only the amount of administered calcium chloride during the preanhepatic phase (odds ratios, 2.11-5.87, depending an amount) and the serum calcium surge during the initial 2 hours after liver graft reperfusion (odds ratio, 2.34) were selected as risk factors for posttransplantation BAP. The risk ratio of posttransplantation BAP increased in proportion to the administered amount of calcium chloride. In conclusion, limiting excessive calcium administration during the preanhepatic phase and close monitoring of the serum calcium surge after reperfusion may be required to prevent posttransplantation BAP in living-donor LT.

Reversed halo sign on thin-section CT in a patient with non-specific interstitial pneumonia

We present a case of non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) with reversed halo sign on thin-section CT. A 52-year-old female presented with a cough and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2 dyspnoea of 4 months duration. A chest radiograph showed poorly defined, patchy ground-glass opacities in both lungs. Thin-section CT demonstrated the reversed halo sign, which is a central ground-glass opacity surrounded by crescent or ring-shaped areas of consolidation in multifocal areas. Multifocal patchy ground-glass opacity and consolidation and enlarged paratracheal, hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes were also shown. Video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) lung biopsy was performed, and histopathology revealed cellular NSIP.

Nanostructures of liquid crystal phases in mixtures of bent-core and rod-shaped molecules

We report small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of isotropic, nematic, and smectic mesophases formed by binary mixtures of bent-core (BC) and rod-shaped (RS) molecules. While optical studies indicate that the components are fully miscible, SAXS reveals fascinating structures that are consistent with segregation on a nanoscopic scale. We find that tilted smectic clusters, which have been previously reported in both the nematic and isotropic states of the pure BC materials, are also present in mixtures with up to 50 wt% of the RS compound; this is consistent with previous dielectric and flexoelectric studies on such mixtures. Unexpectedly in this concentration range the clusters are present in the isotropic and in the induced smectic phase range, as well as throughout the nematic phase. The results in the smectic phase also reveal complex layering phenomena, providing important insight into the interaction between bent and rod-shaped molecules. These studies will be crucial in the design of promising new functional nanomaterials.

Evidence for the transmission of neoplastic properties from transformed to normal human stem cells

The in vivo relationship between human tumor cells and interacting normal cells in their local environment is poorly understood. Here, using a uniquely developed in vitro co-culture system for human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), we examined the interactions between transformed and normal human stem cells. Co-culture of transformed-hESCs (t-hESCs) with normal hESCs led to enhanced self-renewal and niche independence in normal hESCs. Global gene expression analysis of normal hESCs after timed exposure to t-hESCs indicated a transition of the molecular network controlling the hESC state, which included epigenetic changes, towards neoplastic features. These included enhanced pluripotent marker expression and a differentiation blockade as major hallmark changes. Functional studies revealed a loss in normal terminal differentiation programs for both hematopoiesis and neural lineages after normal stem cell co-culture with transformed variants. This transmission of neoplastic properties from t-hESCs to normal hESCs was dependent on direct cell-cell contact. Our study indicates that normal human stem cells can co-opt neoplastic cancer stem cell properties, raising the possibility that assimilation of healthy cells towards neoplastic behavior maybe a contributing feature of sustained tumorigenesis in vivo.

Steroid withdrawal in adult liver transplantation: occurrence at a single center

BACKGROUNDS

Steroids are the predominant immunosuppressive agent used after liver transplantation even though patients may experience steroid-related side effects.

AIMS

The objective of this study was to determine whether steroid use influenced the outcomes of liver transplantations.

METHODS

Three hundred forty-four adult patients underwent liver transplantation between May 2002 and December 2007. We reviewed the medical records of these patients, excluding those younger than 18 years old or those who died within the first month. The protocol withdrawal group (group 1) ceased steroid use within 5 months after transplantation, while the late withdrawal group (group 2) continued steroid use beyond this 5-month posttransplantation period.

RESULTS

All patients were classified according to the onset of steroid withdrawal (group 1: n = 243; group 2: n = 99). The incidences of biopsy-confirmed and treated acute rejection episodes (ARE) at 12 and 24 months posttransplantation were 7.8% and 12.3% in group 1, but 25.3% and 27.3% in group 2, respectively (P = .001). The incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence in group 2 was higher than that in group 1 (P = .007). The HBV-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years posttransplantation were 99.0% and 97.1% in group 1 and 96.1% and 92.1% in group 2, respectively. New-onset diabetes, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, corticosteroid-resistant ARE, hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, as well as graft and patient survivals did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute rejection episodes and HBV recurrence occurred less frequently when steroids were discontinued within 5 months after liver transplantation.