Phosphorylation-Driven Epichaperome Assembly: A Critical Regulator of Cellular Adaptability and Proliferation

The intricate protein-chaperone network is vital for cellular function. Recent discoveries have unveiled the existence of specialized chaperone complexes called epichaperomes, protein assemblies orchestrating the reconfiguration of protein-protein interaction networks, enhancing cellular adaptability and proliferation. This study delves into the structural and regulatory aspects of epichaperomes, with a particular emphasis on the significance of post-translational modifications in shaping their formation and function. A central finding of this investigation is the identification of specific PTMs on HSP90, particularly at residues Ser226 and Ser255 situated within an intrinsically disordered region, as critical determinants in epichaperome assembly. Our data demonstrate that the phosphorylation of these serine residues enhances HSP90's interaction with other chaperones and co-chaperones, creating a microenvironment conducive to epichaperome formation. Furthermore, this study establishes a direct link between epichaperome function and cellular physiology, especially in contexts where robust proliferation and adaptive behavior are essential, such as cancer and stem cell maintenance. These findings not only provide mechanistic insights but also hold promise for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting chaperone complexes in diseases characterized by epichaperome dysregulation, bridging the gap between fundamental research and precision medicine.

Screening, Assessment, and Pharmacologic Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease: The Role for Monoclonal Antibodies

The Psychiatric Consultation Service at Massachusetts General Hospital sees medical and surgical inpatients with comorbid psychiatric symptoms and conditions. During their twice-weekly rounds, Dr Stern and other members of the Consultation Service discuss diagnosis and management of hospitalized patients with complex medical or surgical problems who also demonstrate psychiatric symptoms or conditions. These discussions have given rise to rounds reports that will prove useful for clinicians practicing at the interface of medicine and psychiatry.

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2023;25(6):23f03544.

Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

Identifying novel age-modulating compounds and quantifying cellular aging using novel computational framework for evaluating transcriptional age

The differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides access to most cell types and tissues. However, hPSC-derived lineages capture a fetal-stage of development and methods to accelerate progression to an aged identity are limited. Understanding the factors driving cellular age and rejuvenation is also essential for efforts aimed at extending human life and health span. A prerequisite for such studies is the development of methods to score cellular age and simple readouts to assess the relative impact of various age modifying strategies. Here we established a transcriptional score (RNAge) in young versus old primary fibroblasts, frontal cortex and substantia nigra tissue. We validated the score in independent RNA-seq datasets and demonstrated a strong cell and tissue specificity. In fibroblasts we observed a reset of RNAge during iPSC reprogramming while direct reprogramming of aged fibroblasts to induced neurons (iN) resulted in the maintenance of both a neuronal and a fibroblast aging signature. Increased RNAge in hPSC-derived neurons was confirmed for several age-inducing strategies such as SATB1 loss, progerin expression or chemical induction of senescence (SLO). Using RNAge as a probe set, we next performed an in-silico screen using the LINCS L1000 dataset. We identified and validated several novel age-inducing and rejuvenating compounds, and we observed that RNAage captures age-related changes associated with distinct cellular hallmarks of age. Our study presents a simple tool to score age manipulations and identifies compounds that greatly expand the toolset of age-modifying strategies in hPSC derived lineages.

Association of BCG Vaccine Treatment With Death and Dementia in Patients With Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Importance

The BCG vaccine-used worldwide to prevent tuberculosis-confers multiple nonspecific beneficial effects, and intravesical BCG vaccine is currently the recommended treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Moreover, BCG vaccine has been hypothesized to reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD), but previous studies have been limited by sample size, study design, or analyses.

Objective

To evaluate whether intravesical BCG vaccine exposure is associated with a decreased incidence of ADRD in a cohort of patients with NMIBC while accounting for death as a competing event.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study was performed in patients aged 50 years or older initially diagnosed with NMIBC between May 28, 1987, and May 6, 2021, treated within the Mass General Brigham health care system. The study included a 15-year follow-up of individuals (BCG vaccine treated or controls) whose condition did not clinically progress to muscle-invasive cancer within 8 weeks and did not have an ADRD diagnosis within the first year after the NMIBC diagnosis. Data analysis was conducted from April 18, 2021, to March 28, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was time to ADRD onset identified using diagnosis codes and medications. Cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression after adjusting for confounders (age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index) using inverse probability scores weighting.

Results

In this cohort study including 6467 individuals initially diagnosed with NMIBC between 1987 and 2021, 3388 patients underwent BCG vaccine treatment (mean [SD] age, 69.89 [9.28] years; 2605 [76.9%] men) and 3079 served as controls (mean [SD] age, 70.73 [10.00] years; 2176 [70.7%] men). Treatment with BCG vaccine was associated with a lower rate of ADRD (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.99), with an even lower rate of ADRD in patients aged 70 years or older at the time of BCG vaccine treatment (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60-0.91). In competing risks analysis, BCG vaccine was associated with a lower risk of ADRD (5-year risk difference, -0.011; 95% CI, -0.019 to -0.003) and a decreased risk of death in patients without an earlier diagnosis of ADRD (5-year risk difference, -0.056; 95% CI, -0.075 to -0.037).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, BCG vaccine was associated with a significantly lower rate and risk of ADRD in a cohort of patients with bladder cancer when accounting for death as a competing event. However, the risk differences varied with time.

Submarine groundwater discharge and associated nutrient influx in surroundings of the estuary region at Gulf of Mannar coast, Indian Ocean

The influx of fresh groundwater and re-circulated sea water into coastal ecosystem occurs through the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). Measurement of salinity, radium tracers (²²⁴Ra, and ²²⁶Ra isotopes) and nutrients in estuarine water, coastal surface water and groundwater during December 2019 estimated the SGD and associated nutrient fluxes near the Karameniyar estuary (Gulf of Mannar) and surroundings of the Manapad region at southern part of Tamil Nadu state in India. The presence of excessive radium tracers revealed that the SGD was contributing to Ra desorption from the sediments and enrichment in the coastal waters. We estimated SGD of approximately 0.03-0.59 m³ m^-2 d^-1 for the Manapad region and relatively more homogeneous but comparatively less values in the Karameniyar estuary (0.03-0.34 m³ m^-2 d^-1). Higher average values of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; 43.62 μmol L^-1) and soluble reactive phosphate (SRP; 1.848 μmol L^-1) suggested greater influence of SGD on the overall coastal water nutrient budget. This study also indicated simultaneous occurrence of fresh and saline SGD in this region.

Characteristics of microplastics in the beach sediments of Marina tourist beach, Chennai, India

Marina beach in Chennai metropolitan city attracts numerous tourists from all around the world, and it is an important ecological habitat for many life forms. Rapid urbanisation and industrial developments have led to excessive use of plastics and increased the amount of plastic waste generated in the natural environment. This first baseline study evaluates the microplastic (MP) accumulation in beach surface sediments of Marina and Pattinapakkam beaches through FTIR, AFM and SEM analyses. Sediment samples were collected from 40 stations and different types of MP polymers were identified. On average, 459 (60.8%) and 297 (39.2%) MP particles were found in the samples from Marina and Pattinapakkam beaches, respectively. We found that polyethylene types and additives are the dominant MPs in both areas. This study provided us with new insights into the human activities and natural processes in these marine environments. To solve the problem of plastic accumulation in the marine environment, the government should first play an active role in addressing the problem of plastic waste by introducing laws to control the sources of plastic waste and the use of plastic additives.

Pulmonary artery pulsatility index by echocardiography predicts mortality in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disorder with an elevated mortality risk due to right ventricular failure. Pulmonary arterial pulsatility index (PAPi) based on invasively acquired parameters has emerged as a potentially valuable hemodynamic risk predictor. Whether non-invasively derived PAPi (PA pulse pressure/ RA pressure) is valuable is unclear.

Purpose

To assess whether PAPi measured non-invasively by transthoracic echocardiography acts as a prognostic hemodynamic biomarker of patient risk.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiography for known or suspected PH over a one year period were included. PA systolic and diastolic pressure were estimated in standard fashion from peak tricuspid and end-pulmonary regurgitant Doppler profiles. Right atrial pressure was estimated based on 2D & Doppler assessment of the inferior vena cava  hepatic vein. In those patients with PH (mean PA pressure > 20 mm Hg), PAPi was divided into 3 groups based on prior publications with invasive data as <1.5, 1.5 to 3 and >3. Mortality was assessed over 5 years.

Results

Of 1,045 patients enrolled 64% had PH. Patients with the lowest PAPi (table) had higher NT-proBNP levels, larger right ventricles, worse right heart systolic function (cardiac output, TAPSE, systolic annular velocity, free wall systolic strain) and greater degrees of tricuspid regurgitation (Table). In patients with PH, PAPi was inversely associated with death (figure, p < 0.0001) with each group of PAPi correlating with incrementally worse survival. Patients with a PAPi of <1.5 had worst right heart size and dysfunction on echo (table) and worst survival (figure).

Conclusions

In patients with PH, low PAPi derived non-invasively by transthoracic echocardiography is associated with markers of right heart failure, right ventricular dysfunction and worse survival. PAPi could be incorporated into the conventional echo parameters reported in patients with known or suspected PH and maybe a useful predictor of outcome. Abstract Table  Abstract Figure

Measurement of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into Tiruchendur coast at southeast India using 222Rn as a naturally occurring tracer

Application of natural tracers such as radon isotope mass balance has been useful in estimating the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). This study used ²²²Rn and evaluated the magnitude of SGD at Tiruchendur coast of southeast India in the Gulf of Mannar (Indian Ocean). Higher magnitudes of ²²²Rn in the porewater and seawater in comparison with the groundwater suggest simultaneous SGD with fluxes of 0.1-0.25 m³ m^-2 d^-1 at offshore and 0.4-0.20 m³ m^-2 d^-1 at the near shore. These baseline data would contribute to the management and protection of the Gulf of Mannar region in near future.

Microplastics and trace metals in fish species of the Gulf of Mannar (Indian Ocean) and evaluation of human health

The importance of microplastic (MPs) contamination in marine environments is reflected by increasing number of studies in fish species. Some even dedicated to the toxicological effects from the ingestion. Microplastics (MPs) and their trace metal composition were examined in the muscle and intestine of five commercially important fish species (i.e., Sufflamen fraenatus, Heniochus acuminatus, Atropus atropos, Pseudotriacanthus and Leiognathus brevirostris) from Thoothukudi at the Gulf of Mannar coast in south India. The abundance and morphology of MPs (size, shape, and texture) in muscle and intestinal were investigated by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FT-IR) and atomic force microscope (AFM). ICP-OES was used to investigate the adsorption/leaching of trace metals in microplastics in order to assess health risk for adults and children. Particles of 100-250 μm and white color dominated, and the mean abundances (items/100 g) of total MPs were more in Pseudotriacanthus (muscle: 51.2; intestine: 50.1) compared to Heniochus acuminatus (muscle: 9.6; intestine: 15), Leiognathus brevirostris (muscle: 12; intestine: 13.2) and Atropus atropus (muscle: 15.2; intestine: 44.1). Polyethylene (35.3%), polypropylene (27.2%), polyamide (nylon) (22.2%) and fiber (15.3%) represented the MPs present in muscles, and polyamide (nylon) (30.2%), polyethylene (28.1%), polypropylene (25.9%), and fiber (15.8%) composed the intestine MPs. We estimated possible consumption of 121-456 items of MPs/week by adults and about 19-68 items of MPs/week by children by considering the sizes of safe meals. Zn, Cu, Mn and Cr in these fish species reflected influence of the sewage waste. However, the non-carcinogenic risk evaluated through EDI, THQ, HI, and CR did not suggest any immediate health problem for the consumers.

Assessment of groundwater from an industrial coastal area of south India for human health risk from consumption and irrigation suitability

We assessed the groundwater quality in an industrial area (Tiruchendur Taluk) of Tamil Nadu state in coastal south India for human health risk from drinking as well as irrigation suitability by using the drinking water quality index (DWQI), irrigation factors (sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate and permeability index) and health hazard valuation (THQI- by consuming NO₃^- and F^-). About 57% of the samples represented Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-Cl^--SO₄^2- facies and the anthropological unhygienic inputs elevated the salinity. Our results indicated that all the samples are unsuitable for drinking (DWQI up to 1063) and almost half of them are also unsuitable for irrigation due to sodium risk. Total hazard quotient index (THQI; HQ _nitrate and HQ _fluoride) suggested the order of health risk as children > women > men with about 64%, 70% and 79% of the samples posing non-carcinogenic risks for men, women and children, respectively. Different mitigation measures and sustainable development should be enforced to minimize the health issues from contamination caused by industries, fertilizers in agro-fields and natural processes and reduce the sodium dominance in groundwater. The spatial distribution maps of this study could also be helpful in organization of proper treatment plans to provide safe and hygienic groundwater to the community.

Biphasic Activation of WNT Signaling Facilitates the Derivation of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons from hESCs for Translational Use

Human pluripotent stem cells show considerable promise for applications in regenerative medicine, including the development of cell replacement paradigms for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Protocols have been developed to generate authentic midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons capable of reversing dopamine-related deficits in animal models of Parkinson's disease. However, the generation of mDA neurons at clinical scale suitable for human application remains an important challenge. Here, we present an mDA neuron derivation protocol based on a two-step WNT signaling activation strategy that improves expression of midbrain markers, such as Engrailed-1 (EN1), while minimizing expression of contaminating posterior (hindbrain) and anterior (diencephalic) lineage markers. The resulting neurons exhibit molecular, biochemical, and electrophysiological properties of mDA neurons. Cryopreserved mDA neuron precursors can be successfully transplanted into 6-hydroxydopamine (6OHDA) lesioned rats to induce recovery of amphetamine-induced rotation behavior. The protocol presented here is the basis for clinical-grade mDA neuron production and preclinical safety and efficacy studies.

A Multiplex Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Platform Defines Molecular and Functional Subclasses of Autism-Related Genes

Autism is a clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Despite significant advances in the genetics of autism, understanding how genetic changes perturb brain development and affect clinical symptoms remains elusive. Here, we present a multiplex human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) platform, in which 30 isogenic disease lines are pooled in a single dish and differentiated into prefrontal cortex (PFC) lineages to efficiently test early-developmental hypotheses of autism. We define subgroups of autism mutations that perturb PFC neurogenesis and are correlated to abnormal WNT/βcatenin responses. Class 1 mutations (8 of 27) inhibit while class 2 mutations (5 of 27) enhance PFC neurogenesis. Remarkably, autism patient data reveal that individuals carrying subclass-specific mutations differ clinically in their corresponding language acquisition profiles. Our study provides a framework to disentangle genetic heterogeneity associated with autism and points toward converging molecular and developmental pathways of diverse autism-associated mutations.

Imprints of pandemic lockdown on subsurface water quality in the coastal industrial city of Tuticorin, South India: A revival perspective

Globally, the incidences of environmental improvements owing to seizing the anthropogenic activities during the lockdown have been reported through news articles and photographs, yet a formal scholarly study has been lacking to substantiate the imprints of lockdown. We hereby present the imprints of lockdown on water quality (both chemical and biological) parameters during the nationwide lockdown (COVID-19 epidemic) in India between 25th March to 30th May 2020. The present study describes the changes in chemical and biological water quality parameters based on twenty-two groundwater samples from the coastal industrial city of Tuticorin in Southern India, taken before (10 and 11th February 2020) and during the lockdown (19 and 20th April 2020) periods. The physico-chemical parameters compared are pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate (NO₃), fluoride (F), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and selenium (Se), and the bacterial parameters are total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, and fecal streptococci. Among the metals, the significant reductions in Se (42%), As (51%), Fe (60%) and Pb (50%) were noticed probably owing to no or very less wastewater discharges from metal-based industries, seafood-based industries and thermal power plants during the lockdown. Reduction in NO₃ (56%), total coliform (52%) and fecal coliforms (48%) indicated less organic sewage from the fishing industries. Contents of Cr, Cu, Zn and Cd, however, remained similar and fluoride did not show any change, probably as they were sourced from rock-water interactions. Similarly, we did not observe alterations in E. coli and fecal streptococci due to no significant change in domestic sewage production during the lockdown. The multivariate analyses aptly illustrated this and the principal component analyses helped to identify the sources that controlled water qualities of the lockdown compared to the pre-lockdown period. Our observation implies that groundwater is definitely under active interaction with surface waters and thus a quick revival could be observed following the seizing of anthropogenic activities.

Microplastic presence in commercial marine sea salts: A baseline study along Tuticorin Coastal salt pan stations, Gulf of Mannar, South India

The present baseline research infers that the salts present in the sea may contain microplastics (MPs), as the seawater is contaminated due to a number of anthropogenic activities. Herein, 25 types of sea salt samples were collected from salt pans located in the Tuticorin coastal region. The MPs present in the samples were separated and identified by various methods such as handpicking, visual classification, and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FT-IR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The MPs that measured less than 100 μm formed the major part of the salts, accounting to 60% of the MPs among the total pollutants. The MPs that were found in abundance in the sea salts were polypropylene, followed by polyethylene, nylon, and cellulose. This study was conducted in salt pan areas and demarcated the percentage of MPs present in sea salts. Table salt, which is a prime edible commodity, was found to be contaminated with MPs through polluted seawater, which poses a threat to public health.

Lipid Deprivation Induces a Stable, Naive-to-Primed Intermediate State of Pluripotency in Human PSCs

Current challenges in capturing naive human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) suggest that the factors regulating human naive versus primed pluripotency remain incompletely defined. Here we demonstrate that the widely used Essential 8 minimal medium (E8) captures hPSCs at a naive-to-primed intermediate state of pluripotency expressing several naive-like developmental, bioenergetic, and epigenomic features despite providing primed-state-sustaining growth factor conditions. Transcriptionally, E8 hPSCs are marked by activated lipid biosynthesis and suppressed MAPK/TGF-β gene expression, resulting in endogenous ERK inhibition. These features are dependent on lipid-free culture conditions and are lost upon lipid exposure, whereas short-term pharmacological ERK inhibition restores naive-to-primed intermediate traits even in the presence of lipids. Finally, we identify de novo lipogenesis as a common transcriptional signature of E8 hPSCs and the pre-implantation human epiblast in vivo. These findings implicate exogenous lipid availability in regulating human pluripotency and define E8 hPSCs as a stable, naive-to-primed intermediate (NPI) pluripotent state.

HSP90-incorporating chaperome networks as biosensor for disease-related pathways in patient-specific midbrain dopamine neurons

Environmental and genetic risk factors contribute to Parkinson’s Disease (PD) pathogenesis and the associated midbrain dopamine (mDA) neuron loss. Here, we identify early PD pathogenic events by developing methodology that utilizes recent innovations in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) and chemical sensors of HSP90-incorporating chaperome networks. We show that events triggered by PD-related genetic or toxic stimuli alter the neuronal proteome, thereby altering the stress-specific chaperome networks, which produce changes detected by chemical sensors. Through this method we identify STAT3 and NF-κB signaling activation as examples of genetic stress, and phospho-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activation as an example of toxic stress-induced pathways in PD neurons. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of the stress chaperome network reversed abnormal phospho-STAT3 signaling and phospho-TH-related dopamine levels and rescued PD neuron viability. The use of chemical sensors of chaperome networks on hPSC-derived lineages may present a general strategy to identify molecular events associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

The early molecular events that ultimately lead to neuronal cell death in pathologies such as Parkinson’s disease are poorly understood. Here the authors use pluripotent stem-cell-derived human midbrain neurons and chemical biology tools to gain molecular level insight into the events induced by toxic and genetic stresses that mimic those occurring during neurodegeneration.

Tacrolimus-Induced Apoptosis is Mediated by Endoplasmic Reticulum-derived Calcium-dependent Caspases-3,-12 in Jurkat Cells

Apoptotic signal pathways are delivered to caspase-3, caspase-9, or both in different cells via the death receptor pathway, mitochondrial pathway, or by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathway through initiators of caspase-3, -8, -9, or -12. Tacrolimus (Tac)-induced apoptosis was characterized by nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3 activation. We examined the effect of tacrolimus on ER-derived calcium and caspase-3,-12-mediated apoptosis on Jurkat human T lymphocyte. Tac decreased the viability of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner. Tac also increased continuously intracellular concentration of calcium from 24 hours to 72 hours. We did not find intracellular calcium changes on the treatment of calcium ionorpore (A23187) regardless of 1 nmol/L Tac concentration level. However, calcium adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor (thapsigargin) increased intracellular calcium accumulation and co-treating 1 nmol/L Tac further induced intracellular calcium accumulation. Interestingly, we found that 1 nmol/L Tac treatment induced activation of caspase-12 protease as well as the catalytic activity of caspase-3 but not catalytic activation of caspase-6, -8, and -9 proteases in Jurkat cells. These data advance our understanding of Tac-induced apoptosis is ER-derived calcium and caspases-3,-12- mediated apoptosis in human Jurkat cell line.

Parkin and PINK1 Patient iPSC-Derived Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Exhibit Mitochondrial Dysfunction and α-Synuclein Accumulation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the selective loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra; however, the mechanism of neurodegeneration in PD remains unclear. A subset of familial PD is linked to mutations in PARK2 and PINK1, which lead to dysfunctional mitochondria-related proteins Parkin and PINK1, suggesting that pathways implicated in these monogenic forms could play a more general role in PD. We demonstrate that the identification of disease-related phenotypes in PD-patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons depends on the type of differentiation protocol utilized. In a floor-plate-based but not a neural-rosette-based directed differentiation strategy, iPSC-derived mDA neurons recapitulate PD phenotypes, including pathogenic protein accumulation, cell-type-specific vulnerability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and abnormal neurotransmitter homeostasis. We propose that these form a pathogenic loop that contributes to disease. Our study illustrates the promise of iPSC technology for examining PD pathogenesis and identifying therapeutic targets.

Comprehensive studies of hydrogeochemical processes and quality status of groundwater with tools of cluster, grouping analysis, and fuzzy set method using GIS platform: a case study of Dalcheon in Ulsan City, Korea

This research aimed at developing comprehensive assessments of physicochemical quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes at Dalcheon in Ulsan City, Korea. The mean concentration of major ions represented as follows: Ca (94.3 mg/L) > Mg (41.7 mg/L) > Na (19.2 mg/L) > K (3.2 mg/L) for cations and SO4 (351 mg/L) > HCO3 (169 mg/L) > Cl (19 mg/L) for anions. Thematic maps for physicochemical parameters of groundwater were prepared, classified, weighted, and integrated in GIS method with fuzzy logic. The maps exhibited that suitable zone of drinking and irrigation purpose occupied in SE, NE, and NW sectors. The undesirable zone of drinking purpose was observed in SW and central parts and that of irrigation was in the western part of the study area. This was influenced by improperly treated effluents from an abandoned iron ore mine, irrigation, and domestic fields. By grouping analysis, groundwater types were classified into Ca(HCO3)2, (Ca,Mg)Cl2, and CaCl2, and CaHCO3 was the most predominant type. Grouping analysis also showed three types of irrigation water such as C1S1, C1S2, and C1S3. C1S3 type of high salinity to low sodium hazard was the most dominant in the study area. Equilibrium processes elucidated the groundwater samples were in the saturated to undersaturated condition with respect to aragonite, calcite, dolomite, and gypsum due to precipitation and deposition processes. Cluster analysis suggested that high contents of SO4 and HCO3 with low Cl was related with water-rock interactions and along with mining impact. This study showed that the effluents discharged from mining waste was the main sources of groundwater quality deterioration.

Environmental monitoring and assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments at Coleroon River Estuary in Tamil Nadu, India

The combined studies on grain size distribution, organic matter contents of sediments, sequential extraction and bulk concentration of heavy metals, statistical analysis, and ecological risk assessments were carried out to investigate the contamination sources and ecological risks of surface sediments at Coleroon River Estuary in Tamil Nadu, India. The sequential extraction of metals showed that a larger portion of the metals was associated with the residual phase and also in other fractions. The low concentrations of heavy metals were found in exchangeable and carbonate bounds (bioavailable phases). It revealed that sediments of Coleroon River Estuary were relatively unpolluted and were influenced mainly by natural sources. The observed order of bulk concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments was as follows: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co. Factor analyses represented that the enrichment of heavy metals was mostly resulted from lithogenic origins associated with anthropogenic sources. These sources were reconfirmed by cluster analysis. Risk assessment code (RAC) suggested that all metals were not harmful in monsoon season. However, Fe was in medium risk, and Mn and Cu were in low risk in summer. According to pollution load index (PLI) of sediments, all heavy metals were toxic. Cu might be related with adverse biological effects on the basis of sediment quality guidelines (SQG) in both seasons. These integrated approaches were very useful to identify the contamination sources and ecological risks of sediments in estuarine environment. It is expected that this research can give a useful information for the remediation of heavy metals in sediments.

Cytomorphological characteristics of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma for differential diagnosis from benign papillary urothelial lesions: logistic regression analysis in SurePath(™) liquid-based voided urine cytology

OBJECTIVE

The diagnosis of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (LGPUC) in urine cytology specimens is challenging because of its subtle, minimally atypical findings. Furthermore, as SurePath(™) liquid-based cytology (LBC) is becoming a widely used method in urine cytology, the inevitable cytomorphological alterations resulting from this technique call for new morphological diagnostic criteria in LGPUC.

METHODS

Logistic regression analysis was carried out on SurePath slides from surgically proven voided urine specimens. The study was designed to include a test set (n = 141) and a validation set (n = 61), and evaluated significant discriminative parameters between LGPUC and benign papillary urothelial neoplasm (BPUN).

RESULTS

Of the seven cytological findings that were found to have statistical significance in univariate analysis, five were found to be independent variables: loss of polarity of papillaroid clusters, irregular contours, absence of columnar cells, hobnail features and hyperchromasia. These independent variables had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.781.

CONCLUSIONS

The distinctive cytological criteria identified above may prove to be helpful in cases in which other conventional criteria for LGPUC are insufficient for diagnosis.

An assessment of selected hydrochemical parameter trend of the Nakdong River water in South Korea, using time series analyses and PCA

Time series analyses (autocorrelation, spectral density, and cross-correlation) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to understand the characteristics of the selected hydrochemical parameters pH, turbidity, alkalinity, Cl, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and metals Fe and Mn in the Nakdong River, South Korea. Autocorrelation and spectral density for pH, alkalinity, hardness, and Cl were very similar to TDS, whereas Fe, Mn, and turbidity showed different trends from TDS. Cross-correlograms of pH, alkalinity, hardness, and Cl versus TDS were very similar to each other. Those of Fe and turbidity represented the opposite relations with other components. Cross-correlation coefficients had the highest values at zero lag, indicating that pH, alkalinity, hardness, and Cl are controlling factors for TDS. On the other hand, Fe and turbidity showed the highest values at 6-month lag and Mn at a month lag. PCA indicated that TDS had very close relation with hardness, pH, and Cl and very small relation with Mn. Turbidity and Fe had relatively opposite relations with TDS. It was concluded that the geostatistical methods were very useful for evaluating the hydrochemical characteristics of the Nakdong River water in South Korea.

Impact of chronically street homeless tenants in congregate supportive housing

New initiatives to house chronically street homeless (CSH) adults have led to increasing proportions of this population living in congregate supportive housing, but little is known about the impact of this shift on supportive housing programs. The present multisite, mixed-methods study examined service utilization and lease compliance among 52 chronically street homeless and 46 long-term shelter stayer (LTSS) adults during their first 12 months in congregate supportive housing. Quantitative analysis of administrative data revealed that CSH tenants used significantly more service resources than LTSS tenants, including more advocacy, escorting, and psychiatric treatment and more assistance with financial, housing, and mental and physical health issues. The 2 groups did not differ significantly on measures of lease compliance. Qualitative focus groups with CSH tenants, service provider staff, and property management staff all indicated that existing supportive housing services are suitable for this population, although some adjustments, additional resources, or both, may be indicated.

The time-dependent alteration of anti-diuretic hormone system in hindlimb unloaded rats

It is important to understand the mechanism on the fluid shift and volume regulation occurring in astronauts after spaceflight for future life in space. In the present study, we examined the time-dependent alteration of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) concentrating on the water reabsorption system in hindlimb unloaded rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were hindlimb unloaded for 1 (HU1), 7(HU7), 14 days (HU14) or rested in the ground for 3 days after HU14 (HU14+3). The plasma ADH and angiotensin II level showed peak value at HU7, and the alterations were restored at HU14. However, several serum electrolytes (Na, K, Cl) were not changed regardless of HU period. In the immunohistochemical study, we examined that ADH and c-Fos immunoreactivities (IR) were maximized at HU7 in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON). Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) IR also was increased in the renal collecting duct for water re-absorption at HU7 showing a similar pattern with ADH. These results present a series of physiological ADH system alteration following to period of hindlimb unloading stimulus, indicating that ADH system is activated significantly at HU7. In addition, our results suggest that ADH system activation may be involved in anti-diuretic phenomenon in early spaceflight period. Furthermore, it is speculated that ADH system may require 14 days for adaptation to microgravity.

Use of self-expanding stents for the treatment of vertebral artery ostial stenosis: a single center experience

Objective

To evaluate our early experience using self-expanding stents to treat atherosclerotic vertebral artery ostial stenosis (VAOS), with respect to technical feasibility and clinical and imaging follow-up results.

Materials and Methods

A total of 20 lesions in 20 patients underwent stenting of the VAOS using a self-expanding stent (Precise RX; Cordis Neurovascular, Miami Lakes, FL). Two patients were asymptomatic. We analyzed the technical success rate, causes of technical failure, occurrence of any vascular or neurological event, and the occurrence of any neurological abnormality or in-stent restenosis (ISR) seen on follow-up. The imaging follow-up was performed with Doppler ultrasound (DUS) as a primary screening modality.

Results

One instance of technical failure was caused by failure of the guidewire passage. The stent diameter was 5 mm, and post-stenting balloon dilatations were necessary in all cases. Stent misplacement requiring placement of an additional stent occurred in four cases. Following a 14.8 month average clinical follow-up time, two patients showed anterior circulation ischemia, which was not attributed to the VAOS we treated. Following a 13.7 month average DUS follow-up, five patients showed a mild degree of diffuse or focal intimal thickening in the stent lumen; however, none of the stenosis showed luminal loss of more than 50% and no stent fracture was noted.

Conclusion

The use of self-expanding stents for treating VAOS was technically feasible and helped to improve artery patency during our limited follow-up interval.

Clinical outcomes of multicenter domino kidney paired donation

Domino kidney paired donation (KPD) is a method by which an altruistic living nondirected donor (LND) is allocated to a pool of incompatible donor-recipient pairs (DRP) and a series of KPDs is initiated. To evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of multicenter domino KPD, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of DRPs who underwent domino KPD between February 2001 and July 2007 at one of 16 transplant centers. One hundred seventy-nine kidney transplants were performed, with 70 domino chains initiated by altruistic LND. There were 45 two-pair chains, 15 three-pair chains, 7 four-pair chains, 2 five-pair chains and 1 six-pair chain. A majority of donors were spouses (47.5%) or altruistic LNDs (39.1%). DRPs with a blood type O recipient or an AB donor comprised 45.9% of transplanted DRPs. HLA mismatch improved in transplanted donors compared to intended donors in pairs enrolled to improve HLA mismatch (3.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.0, p < 0.001). One-year and 5-year graft survival rates were 98.3% and 87.7%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 46 months. One-year and 5-year patient survival rates were 97.2% and 90.8%, respectively. In conclusion, multicenter domino KPD could multiply the benefits of donation from LNDs, with patients and graft survival rates comparable to those seen with conventional KPD.

Identification of a new HLA-A*11 allele, HLA-A*1135, by sequence-based typing in Korean individual

A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A allele has been identified in the cord blood of a Korean baby. New HLA-A*1135 allele was different from HLA-A*1131 by three nucleotide substitution at codon 142 (ATC-->ACC) and codon 163 (CGG-->ACG), resulting in two amino acid change, Ile 142 Thr and Arg 163 Thr.

Identification of a new HLA-DRB1*14 variant, HLA-DRB1*1478, in a Korean individual

We report the identification of novel allele HLA-DRB1*1478 that was found during routine high-resolution sequence-based typing of the cord blood unit in Korean population. The DRB1*1478 allele shows two nucleotide differences from DRB1*1463 in exon 2 at nucleotide position 344 (G-->T) and 345 (T-->G), resulting in an amino acid change, Gly86Val.

Tacrolimus-induced apoptotic signal transduction pathway

Tacrolimus (FK506) has been widely used as an immunosuppressant. We examined the effects of FK506 on expression of apoptotic signal transduction pathway proteins of Jurkat human T lymphocytes. We investigated the effects of FK506 on apoptosis, cell viability, caspase family protein activity, Western blotts of Bcl-2, Bak, Fas, Fas-L, CDK4, and cyclin D1, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential transition. Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of FK506. Flow cytometric analysis was performed after staining with propidium iodide. Viability of Jurkat cells was decreased by the addition of FK506 in dose- and time- dependent manner. FK506-induced cytotoxicity was characterized by G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. FK506-induced cell death was confirmed by apoptosis characterized by nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3 protease activation. FK506 induced no change in catalytic activity of caspase-6, -8, and -9 proteases. No change in expression of Bcl-2 protein was noted but we confirmed increased expression of Bak protein. No changes of expressions of Fas and Fas-L were seen. Increased expressions of CDK4 and cyclin D1 were identified. In addition, pharmacological scavenging study of ROS, including H2O2, revealed that cytotoxicity was achieved by generation of ROS, which might modulate Bak protein expression and mitochondrial dysfunction. In conclusion, FK506-induced cell death was apoptotic, characterized by nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3 activation. FK506 induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest via expression of CDK4 and cyclin D1. Apoptosis was also achieved by generation of H2O2, which modulated Bak protein expression and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Effect of a DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program on the quality of life in patients with kidney transplants

This quasi-experimental study attempted to show that nursing intervention using the DanJeon Breathing Exercise Program (DJBEP) improved the quality of life of recipients after kidney transplantation. DJBEP progressed in three steps. We prospectively included 29 outpatient volunteers: experimental group: n = 15; control group: n = 14. DJBEP derived from the Roy's adaptation model decreased both the stress and the uncertainty of kidney transplantation recipients. It has also been shown to restore serum cholesterol and serum creatinine levels and enhance strength and flexibility. Simultaneously, self-esteem was enhanced, and eventually adaptation was promoted both physiologically and psychologically. The quality of life of kidney transplantation recipients was enhanced. DJBEP played an effective role as a nursing intervention to promote the quality of life of kidney transplant patients by increasing their physiological and psychological status.

Radiofrequency ablation in pig lungs: in vivo comparison of internally cooled, perfusion and multitined expandable electrodes

The purpose of this study was to compare the amounts of in vivo coagulation obtained by radiofrequency (RF) ablation in porcine lung, using three types of electrodes. 15 in vivo ablation procedures were performed in the lungs of five pigs using three kinds of currently available RF devices under CT guidance. After placing an electrode in the lung, three ablation zones were created at each of three different regimens: Group A: RF ablation with an internally cooled electrode; Group B: RF ablation with a perfusion electrode, with instillation of 0.9% NaCl solution at a rate of 1.5 ml min(-1); Group C: RF ablation with a multitined expandable electrode. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, RF application times were 12 min in group A and 20 min in group B. In group C, RF energy was delivered for 7 min after a mean temperature of 110 degrees C was reached at 5 cm deployment. 36 min after the procedures, contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained to evaluate the volume of zone of coagulation, and lungs were harvested for gross measurements. After macroscopic and histopathological analyses of 5 mm-thick lung sections, diameters, volumes and variation coefficients of regions of central coagulation were assessed. During RF ablation, the perfusion electrode allowed a larger energy delivery than the internally cooled or the multitined expandable electrodes, i.e. 33.6+/-4.7 kJ in group A, 40.0+/-8.2 kJ in group B and 23.5+/-6.1 kJ in group C (p<0.05). On gross observation, the cut surface of the gross specimen containing RF-induced coagulation showed that the ablated tissue appeared to be a central, firm, dark-brown area surrounded by an irregular outer margin (approximately 3-10 mm thick) of bright red tissue. In vivo studies showed that RF ablation using the perfusion electrode achieved larger coagulation volume than RF ablation using the other electrodes (p<0.05): 7.2+/-4.1 cm3 in group A; 16.9+/-5.5 cm3 in group B; 7.5+/-3.3 cm3 in group C. The corresponding variation coefficients were 0.55, 0.31, and 0.45, respectively. Our study shows that RF ablation using a perfusion electrode achieves a larger coagulation volume with an irregular margin than RF ablation using internally cooled or multitined expandable electrodes in the porcine lung.

Cloning, purification, and characterization of chitosanase from Bacillus sp. DAU101

A chitosanase-producing Bacillus sp. DAU101 was isolated from Korean traditional food. This strain was identified on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence, gyrA gene, and phenotypic analysis. The gene encoding chitosanase (csn) was cloned and sequenced. The csn gene consisted of an open reading frame of 837 nucleotides and encodes 279 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 31,420 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of the chitosanase from Bacillus sp. DAU101 exhibits 88 and 30 % similarity to those from Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas sp., respectively. The chitosanase was purified by glutathione S-transferase fusion purification system. The molecular weight of purified enzyme was about 27 kDa, which suggests the deletion of a signal peptide by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 7.5 and 50 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme activity was increased by about 1.6-fold by the addition of 5 or 10 mM Ca(2+). However, Hg(2+) and Ni(+) ions strongly inhibited the enzyme. The enzyme produced, GlcN(2-4), were the major products from a soluble chitosan.

Synthesis of diacetoxy acetal derivatives of santonin and their enhancing effects on HL-60 leukemia cell differentiation

Several diacetoxy acetal analogues have been synthesized from santonin and assessed for their ability of inducing or enhancing the differentiation of human HL-60 leukemia cells. The compounds themselves had little effect on HL-60 cell differentiation. However, three analogues, 2a, 3a, and 5b, synergistically enhanced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]-induced HL-60 cell differentiation when combined with 5 nM of dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], a well-known differentiation inducer. Especially, the compound 5b profoundly enhanced the 1,25-(OH)2D3]-induced HL-60 cell differentiation.

Biodegradation of long-chain n-paraffins from waste oil of car engine by Acinetobacter sp

Microorganisms that degrade long-chain n-paraffins from used car engine oil were isolated from soil. For the screening, a fraction of n-paraffin prepared from car engine oil was applied as the sole carbon source. The strain was identified as Acinetobacter sp. The ability of the strain to assimilate long-chain n-paraffins was assessed and characterized. The strain mineralized long-chain n-paraffins (0.1% w/v) in the minimal medium after cultivation for 96 h and also reduced the weight of the waste oil added (1% w/v) by 20% after 72 h without an extracellular biosurfactant. When n-hexadecane was fed as substrate, 1-hexadecanol and 1-hexadecanoic acid were detected as the intermediates by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This indicates that the long-chain n-paraffins were metabolized via the terminal oxidation pathway of n-alkane.

Mizoribine-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in human T-Cell line

Mizoribine (MZR), an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which depletes cellular guanadine triphosphate, is an immunosuppressive drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism by which MZR exerts cytotoxic effects on human Jurkat T cells. Our study showed that MZR-induced apoptotic death of human Jurkat T cells is dose-dependent and time-dependent, as revealed by chromatin condensation and H2AX phosphorylation. Furthermore, MZR increased the catalytic activity of caspase family cysteine proteases, including caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, in human Jurkat T cells. In conclusion, MZR induces the apoptotic death of human Jurkat T cells via activation of caspase family proteases as well as by mitochondrial dysfunction.

Hypercalcemia and status epilepticus relates to salmon calcitonin administration in breast cancer

Calcitonin is currently used to treat hypercalcemia of many clinical types. However, we encountered a woman who suffered severe hypercalcemia and status epilepticus, both of which developed 8 days after the administration of salmon calcitonin for the treatment of breast cancer. When the patient first presented her serum calcium level was 15.5mg/dl, intact parathyroid hormone level 118 pg/ml, calcitonin <2 pg/ml, magnesium 1.2mg/dl, and phosphate 1mg/dl. Her serum calcium level returned to the reference range within 48 h after correction. At follow-up no hypercalcemia had developed, although the patient had received no further treatment for her breast cancer and multiple metastases were subsequently detected. Her hypercalcemia is ascribed to exogenous calcitonin supplementation. These conflicting events may be due to functionally heterogeneous calcitonin receptors or to activation of 1 alpha-hydroxylase by exogenous calcitonin.

Effects of aging on the bioavailability and sorption/desorption behavior of biphenyl in soils

The effects of aging (soil-chemical contact time) on bioavailability, one of the main variables for determining the persistence of organic chemicals in the environment, is poorly understood. There are few studies that have tested the effects of long-term aging on chemical dynamics in soils and have related these effects to bioavailability tests of these aged compounds. In this study, sorption/desorption behavior of biphenyl (BP) on two soil types (Capac A and Capac B) was evaluated for aging times of 24 hours and 8 months. Then bioavailability experiments of BP on the same soils were performed after aging times of 24 hours to 6 months. Sorption isotherms and desorption kinetic profiles were prepared to analyze changes in uptake and release, respectively, due to aging of BP. Mineralization kinetics of BP to 14CO2 by a strain of Pseudomonas putida was used to assess changes in bioavailability due to aging. Data indicates that there was an increase in sorption with aging time for BP on both soil types. The rate of BP desorption did not much change with increased aging time. The extent of BP mineralization was found to decrease with aging time.

Sorption of hydrophobic organic compounds onto organoclays

The behavior and fate of nonionic hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in the environment are mainly controlled by their interactions with various components of soils and sediments. Due to their large surface area and abundance in many soils, smectites may greatly influence the fate and transport of the contaminants in the environment. In our experiments, HOC sorption by hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA)-modified smectite linearly increased with the amount of HDTMA added to the clay. However, tetramethylammonium (TMA)- and dodecyltrimethylammonium (DTMA)-modified smectites showed not only inferiority in their sorption of HOC compared with the HDTMA-smectite, but also a partially decreased HOC sorption at specific surfactant loading levels. This means that the sorption of organoclays for organic contaminants was significantly influenced by the amount and size of the surfactants added on the clay. In addition, it seems that the interlayer structure (e.g., pore size) formed at each surfactant loading level plays an important role to adsorb HOC in different amount.

Degradation pathways of cyclic alkanes in Rhodococcus sp. NDKK48

The degradation pathways for cyclic alkanes (c-alkanes) in Rhodococcus sp. NDKK48 were investigated. Strain NDKK48 used dodecylcyclohexane as a sole carbon and energy source, and five metabolites in the dodecylcyclohexane degradation pathway were detected by gas-chromatography/mass spectra. The metabolites were identified as cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, cyclohexylacetic acid, 1-cyclohexene-1-acetic acid, 4-dodecylcyclohexanol, and 4-dodecylcyclohexanone. The strain degrades dodecylcyclohexane via a ring oxidation pathway and an alkyl side chain oxidation pathway. Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid was further oxidized to muconic acid via 1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid and benzoic acid, and the muconic acid was finally used by strain NDKK48 for growth. Methylcyclohexane and cyclohexane were co-oxidized with hexadecane by strain NDKK48. Methylcyclohexane was degraded via a ring oxidation pathway, and the degradation pathway contained part of the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation for ring cleavage. Cyclohexane was also degraded by the same pathway as methylcyclohexane. Thus, strain NDKK48 has two pathways for the complete degradation of c-alkanes.

Survey of nitrate and nitrite contents of vegetables grown in Korea

A scientific basis for the evaluation of the risk to public health arising from excessive dietary intake of nitrate in Korea is provided. The nitrate () and nitrite () contents of various vegetables (Chinese cabbage, radish, lettuce, spinach, soybean sprouts, onion, pumpkin, green onion, cucumber, potato, carrot, garlic, green pepper, cabbage and Allium tuberosum Roth known as Crown daisy) are reported. Six hundred samples of 15 vegetables cultivated during different seasons were analysed for nitrate and nitrite by ion chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, respectively. No significant variance in nitrate levels was found for most vegetables cultivated during the summer and winter harvests. The mean nitrates level was higher in A. tuberosum Roth (5150 mg kg(-1)) and spinach (4259 mg kg(-1)), intermediate in radish (1878 mg kg(-1)) and Chinese cabbage (1740 mg kg(-1)), and lower in onion (23 mg kg(-1)), soybean sprouts (56 mg kg(-1)) and green pepper (76 mg kg(-1)) compared with those in other vegetables. The average nitrite contents in various vegetables were about 0.6 mg kg(-1), and the values were not significantly different among most vegetables. It was observed that nitrate contents in vegetables varied depending on the type of vegetables and were similar to those in vegetables grown in other countries. From the results of our studies and other information from foreign sources, it can be concluded that it is not necessary to establish limits of nitrates contents of vegetables cultivated in Korea due to the co-presence of beneficial elements such as ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol which are known to inhibit the formation of nitrosamine.

Acquired activated protein C resistance, high tissue factor expression, and hyper-homocysteinemia in systemic lupus erythematosus

Activated protein C resistance (APCR), high tissue factor (TF) expression, and hyper-homocysteinemia are associated with thromboembolic diseases. Thromboembolism is a frequent complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of APCR, high TF, and homocysteine with correlation of the thrombotic tendency in SLE. Ninety-four SLE patients and 28 normal controls were included. APC ratio and TF antigen were measured using commercial kits. Plasma homocysteine level was measured using HPLC. The prevalence of APCR, high TF antigen level, and hyper-homocysteinemia in our SLE patients were 21.3%, 66.0%, and 23.4%, respectively. The median plasma level of TF antigen in SLE patients was 145.23 pg/mL (range, 31.00-778.50 pg/mL), which was significantly higher than the control value of 39.83 pg/mL (range, 1.55-168.50 pg/mL). The median APC ratio in SLE patients was 2.76 (range, 1.48-13.47), which was significantly lower than the control value of 3.59 (range, 0.26-5.66). The plasma level of homocysteine was not significantly different from that of control. A significant association was observed between the presence of APCR (OR = 8.59, P < 0.0001) but not with the presence of high plasma TF antigen level (OR = 1.24, P = 0.67) and thrombotic complications in SLE patients. In conclusion, APCR and high plasma TF levels are common in SLE, but a significant association was observed only between the presence of APCR and thrombosis in SLE patients.