Environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant Zoysia japonica

Herbicide-tolerant Zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) has been generated previously through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The genetically modified (GM) Zoysia grass survived Basta spraying and grew to maturity normally while the wild-type (WT) grass stopped growing and died. GM Zoysia grass will permit more efficient weed control for various turf grass plantings such as home lawns, golf courses, and parks. We examined the environmental/biodiversity risks of herbicide-tolerant GM Zoysia before applying to regulatory agencies for approval for commercial release. The GM and WT Zoysia grass' substantial trait equivalence, ability to cross-pollinate, and gene flow in confined and unconfined test fields were selectively analyzed for environmental/biodiversity effects. No difference between GM and WT Zoysia grass in substantial traits was found. To assess the potential for cross-pollination and gene flow, a non-selective herbicide, Basta, was used. Results showed that unintended cross-pollination with and gene flow from GM Zoysia grass were not detected in neighboring weed species examined, but were observed in WT Zoysia grass (on average, 6% at proximity, 1.2% at a distance of 0.5 m and 0.12% at a radius of 3 m, and 0% at distances over 3 m). On the basis of these initial studies, we conclude that the GM Zoysia grass generated in our laboratory and tested in the Nam Jeju County field does not appear to pose a significant risk when cultivated outside of test fields.

Evaluation of lipid oxidation and oxidative products as affected by pork meat cut, packaging method, and storage time during frozen storage (-10 degrees C)

Lipid oxidation and oxidative volatiles as affected by pork meat cut and packaging method during frozen storage at -10 degrees C were evaluated. Pork belly cut had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and pH values than did the loin, whereas the loin had higher free fatty acid (FFA) values than that of the belly cut. Peroxide values increased with increased storage time, but were not affected by pork meat cut and packaging method. Volatiles with carbon numbers less than 10 in the belly cut were higher than those in the loin cut, whereas those with carbon numbers greater than 10 in the loin cut were higher than those in belly cut. Most volatiles were decreased with increased storage time, except for propane. Both 4-pentenal and 4-methyl-2-hexanone in the belly cut showed a positive correlation with FFA, whereas 2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene and 9-octadecenal in the loin cut were positively correlated with TBARS and FFA, respectively, even though the values were not high enough to predict the degree of lipid oxidation.

Safety and immunogenicity of a vaccine targeting human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16 and 18: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 176 Korean subjects

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major causative agent of anogenital warts and a necessary cause of cervical cancer. This report will serve to assess the safety and immunogenicity of quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) HPV L1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine in the Korean population. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 176 volunteers aged 9-23 years. Using a 2:1 ratio for randomization, 117 women were assigned to quadrivalent HPV (20 mug type 6, 40 mug type 11, 40 mug type 16, and 20 mug type 18) vaccine and 59 women to placebo. Individuals received vaccine at day 1, month 2, and month 6 and provided blood samples for analysis at enrollment at month 7. Analyses were done as specified in the study protocol. Quadrivalent HPV vaccine was generally well tolerated, with no vaccine-related serious adverse experiences. Quadrivalent HPV vaccine induced seroconversion for each vaccine-related HPV type. At month 7, vaccine-induced type-specific antibody titer was high. In conclusion, administration of quadrivalent HPV VLP vaccine to Korean women aged 9-23 years was generally well tolerated and highly immunogenic.

Regulation of DR-5 protein and mitochondrial transmembrane potential by gemcitabine, a possible mechanism of gemcitabine-enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF family and a potent inducer of apoptosis. Gemcitabine, chemotherapeutic agent is well known to be involved in synergistic cytotoxic effect with TRAIL. But the mechanism of this synergistic effect is still unclear. To examine the effects and synergistic mechanism of gemcitabine on TRAIL-induced apoptosis, A549, HCT116 and SNU638 cells were pretreated with gemcitabine and treated with TRAIL protein. Gemcitabine significantly enhanced A549 cell death induced by TRAIL, but it was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk. The combined treatment of both induced the activation of caspase-8 and reduced the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and also translocated Bax protein and released the cytochrome-c in A549 cells when compared with that of negative control. In addition, the gemcitabine pretreatment up-regulated DR-5 and p53 protein expression in a time-dependent manner, which suggests the possible involvement of the p53 protein as a transcriptional factor for DR-5 up-regulation. Thus, we report our findings that gemcitabine enhanced the TRAIL-induced apoptosis and the apoptotic signals are mediated by DR-5-dependent pathway and mitochondrial pathway. Taken together, gemcitabine enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis via DR-5 up-regulation and lowering MTP, and suggest that gemcitabine may be used as a successful chemotherapeutic agent for ligand type tumor therapy combined with TRAIL.

The effect of chromosome 17 polysomy on HER-2/neu status in breast cancer

AIM

To investigate the effect of polysomy 17 on HER-2 status as evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), dual-colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH).

METHODS

Dual-probe FISH and single-probe CISH were performed to detect HER-2 gene amplification, and IHC to detect HER-2 expression, on 309 invasive breast cancers.

RESULTS

Polysomy 17 was detected in 32.0% of the total number of breast cancers; it was detected in 12.3% of the IHC 0 or 1+ cases, 42.8% of the IHC 2+ cases and 66.0% of the IHC 3+ cases (p<0.001). In addition, there was a substantially higher rate of polysomy 17 in the IHC 2+ or 3+/FISH-negative cases than in the IHC 0 or 1+ cases (40.8% vs 12.3%; p<0.001). The FISH and CISH results were concordant in 299 cases (96.8%). Of the 10 discordant cases, FISH suggested amplification in five with disomy 17 and one with monosomy 17, whereas CISH pointed to borderline copy numbers in each of these six cases. The remaining four cases had high polysomy 17; CISH, but not FISH, indicated amplification.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that an increase of HER-2 gene copy number secondary to polysomy 17 leads to HER-2 overexpression in some IHC 2+/3+ breast cancers, without gene amplification. The high level of concordance between FISH and CISH suggests that CISH is a valid alternative to FISH for assessing HER-2 gene amplification. However, cases in which CISH indicates the presence of borderline copy numbers or low levels of amplification may need FISH to rule out polysomy 17 and to determine HER-2 gene amplification status accurately.

Reactive oxygen species regulate Bax translocation and mitochondrial transmembrane potential, a possible mechanism for enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis by CCCP

TRAIL is a TNF family member that engages apoptosis via recruitment and rapid activation of caspase-8. Oxygen-free radicals, more generally known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) are well recognized for playing an important role in the regulation of tumor cell apoptosis. ROS within the cells act as secondary messengers in intracellular signalling cascades therefore function as anti-tumorigenic species. But very little is known about the effect of ROS on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In this study we investigated the effect of CCCP, a classic uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant MCF-7 cells. It was found that pretreatment with CCCP for 6 h and then treatment with TRAIL for additional 3 h markedly enhanced apoptosis by 2-fold as compared with TRAIL alone. The uncoupling effect enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis by ROS generation. Moreover, CCCP treatment also reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP, Delta Psi m) and induced Bax translocation to the mitochondria of its own account. This sensitization was inhibited with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) treatment by abrogating the ROS which was generated by the combined treatment of CCCP and TRAIL. Of interest, NAC also inhibited reduction of the Delta Psi m and Bax translocation after CCCP pretreatment which suggest that the generation of ROS may precede the loss in MTP. Thus, we demonstrated that CCCP-induced ROS generation enhanced TRAIL induced apoptosis by regulation of Bax translocation and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The enhancing effect by CCCP-induced ROS generation was restored after NAC treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that uncoupling the cells by CCCP can overcome the resistance to TRAIL protein and can be a very efficient treatment for the tumor cells especially resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

The optimal dose of remifentanil for intubation during sevoflurane induction without neuromuscular blockade in children

The optimal dose of remifentanil needed to produce successful intubating conditions following inhalation induction of anaesthesia using 5% sevoflurane without the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs, was investigated in 25 children aged 3-10 years. Sixty seconds after inhalation induction of anaesthesia using sevoflurane 5% in 100% oxygen, a predetermined dose of remifentanil was injected over 30 s. The dose of remifentanil was determined using the modified Dixon's up-and-down method (0.2 microg x kg(-1) as a step size). The first patient was tested at 1.0 microg x kg(-1) remifentanil. Ninety seconds following the bolus administration of remifentanil, the child's trachea was intubated. The optimal bolus dose of remifentanil required for successful tracheal intubation was 0.56 (0.15) microg x kg(-1) in 50% of children during inhalation induction using 5% sevoflurane in the absence of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Using probit analysis, the 95% effective dose (ED(95)) of remifentanil was 0.75 microg x kg(-1) (95% confidence limits 0.63-1.38 microg x kg(-1)).

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome due to concurrent corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secreted by malignant gastrinoma

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome due to various malignancies is not uncommon. However, a few cases of ectopic Cushing's syndrome caused by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), or CRH with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) have been reported. A 28-year-old woman presented with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by an active ulcer, located atypically in the 2nd portion of duodenum. Further work-up revealed high gastrin levels and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans showed a large pancreatic head mass with multiple liver metastases. The serum cortisol and ACTH levels were checked due to hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis and recent amenorrhea. Cortisol and ACTH were both highly elevated with pituitary hyperplasia and elevated CRH. The existence of ectopic ACTH and CRH in the liver biopsy was also demonstrated immunohistochemically. Since an operation was not feasible, chemotherapy was conducted using paclitaxel and etoposide. These two drugs were chosen according to the IN VITRO chemotherapy response assay to maximize the treatment. This report demonstrates concurrent ACTH- and CRH-related ectopic Cushing's syndrome caused by malignant gastrinoma with multiple liver metastases that was treated with marginal success using a multidisciplinary medical approach.

Modeling of particle removal in the first coarse media of direct horizontal-flow roughing filtration

Horizontal-Flow Roughing Filtration (HRF) is an alternative pretreatment method e.g. prior to Slow Sand Filtration (SSF). However, some of its limitations are that the effluent quality drops drastically at higher turbidity (>200NTU) and at higher filtration rate (>1 m h(-1)). To overcome these drawbacks, we suggested Direct Horizontal-Flow Roughing Filtration (DHRF), which is a modified system of Horizontal-Flow Roughing Filtration (HRF) by addition of a low dose of coagulant prior to filtration. To optimize the DHRF configuration, a conceptual and mathematical model for the coarse compartment has been developed in analogy with multi-plate settler. Data from simple column settling test can be used in the model to predict the filter performance. Furthermore, the model developed herein has been validated by successive experiments. The conventional column settling test has been found to be handy and useful to predict the performance of DHRF for different raw water characteristics (e.g. coagulated or uncoagulated water, different amounts of organic matter, etc.) and different initial process conditions (e.g. coagulant dose, mixing time and intensity, etc.). An optimum filter design for the coarse compartment (grain size 20 mm) has been found to be of 3m h(-1) filtration rate with filter length of 4-4.5 m.

Frequency and distribution of patellar luxation in dogs. 134 cases (2000 to 2005)

This study investigated the frequency and distribution of patellar luxation in the dogs presented to the Chonbuk National University Animal Medical Centre during January 2000 to September 2005. Patellar luxations were classified as medial or lateral, and unilateral or bilateral, were graded I to IV, and were subdivided according to age, sex and size of the dogs. The incidence of medial patellar luxation (MPL) was greater than the incidence of lateral patellar luxation (LPL) in both small and large dogs. Small-breed dogs were admitted almost exclusively with MPL. LPL was found uncommon; however it was observed more often in larger-breed dogs. Surgical correction was performed primarily in the dogs (165 stifles in 111 dogs) with grade II, III and IV patellar luxations following different surgical techniques. The combination of the surgical techniques was found to be more effective for the management of the disease. The prognosis was found to be favourable, because when the grade was low, the dog was younger, without cruciate ligament rupture, and as the surgical correction was performed with combination of more techniques.

Disinfection and oxidation of sewage effluent water using ozone and UV technologies

This study was aimed at exploring the reclamation of sewage treatment plant effluent water (SEW) as an alternative water resource. For the oxidation of SEW, an ozone-UV system, based on the results of the combined ozone/UV process performed in our previous study, was set up under practical conditions, including a series type, continuous mode, semi-pilot scale operation (1.5 m3/d). As a result, the serial contact of the ozone and UV reactors showed lower CODCr and TOC removal efficiencies. However, these were greatly enhanced by recycling the water flow of the ozone-UV system at 40Q, as a result of the improvements in the transferred ozone dose in the ozone reactor and the contact efficiency between photons and ozone in the UV reactor, which approached that achieved in the combined ozone/UV process. For the disinfection of SEW, carried out in a syringe-type batch reactor, the increase of instantaneous ozone demand (ozone ID) led to a higher inactivation efficiency, an increased UV transmittance due to ozonation, and an enhanced inactivation rate of E. coli in the UV reactor. Additionally, it was concluded that the ozone/UV process could overcome the limitations of the ozone alone and UV alone processes for the reclamation of sewage effluent water.

FDG uptake and glucose transporter type 1 expression in lymph nodes of non-small cell lung cancer

AIMS

FDG uptake in NSCLC is related to glucose transporter type 1 (Glut-1) expression. Here, we investigated the direct causal relationship between FDG uptake and Glut-1 expression to determine the role of Glut-1 in FDG uptake by malignant and benign lymph nodes (LNs).

METHODS

Fifty-five curative lung resections in 53 NSCLC patients (male:female=36:17, age=62.0+/-11.8 years) were included. Maximum standardized uptake values (maxSUVs) of LNs in preoperative whole body FDG-PET and Glut-1 immunostaining results were compared.

RESULTS

Of 316 pathologically confirmed LNs, 12.3% (39/316) were malignant, and in malignant LNs, FDG positive LNs were no different from FDG negative LNs in terms of size (15.0+/-6.7 mm vs 10.0+/-6.1mm, p>0.05), or in terms of the proportion of LNs occupied by tumor (60.0+/-28.8% vs 39.2+/-38.4%, p>0.05), but had greater percentages of Glut-1 positive cells in tumors (74.1+/-31.8% vs 22.7+/-18.7%, p<0.01), and Glut-1 staining intensities (3.4+/-0.9 vs 1.8+/-1.3, p<0.01). FDG negative malignant LNs featured cytoplasmic Glut-1 expression and adenocarcinoma. Glut-1 staining intensities were found to be significantly correlated with the maxSUVs of malignant LNs (rho=0.516, p<0.05), but the percentages of Glut-1 positive cells in tumors were not (r=0.2072, p>0.05). Analysis of FDG positive benign LNs showed that maxSUV was not correlated with degree of follicular hyperplasia, or Glut-1 expression (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intense Glut-1 immunoreactivity was found to be proportionally related to the degree of FDG uptake by malignant LNs in NSCLC. However, the finding that Glut-1 expression in lymphoid hyperplasia showed no correlation with FDG uptake in benign LNs requires further investigation.

The effects of apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside on reflux oesophagitis and gastritis in rats

1. This study evaluated the inhibitory action of apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (AGC), apigenin, and omeprazole on reflux oesophagitis and gastritis in rats. AGC was isolated from Clerodendron trichotomum leaves. 2. Oesophagitis and gastritis were induced by surgical procedure and the administration of indomethacin, respectively. The intraduodenal (i.d.) administration of AGC decreased the volume of gastric juice and increased the gastric pH compared with apigenin and omeprazole. The acid output was more inhibited by AGC in a dose-dependent manner than by apigenin and omeprazole. Compared with apigenin and omeprazole, AGC significantly decreased the size of gastric lesions, which were induced by exposure of the gastric mucosa to indomethacin. 3. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, which is the end product of lipid peroxidation, was increased significantly after the induction of reflux oesophagitis. The MDA content was decreased by AGC (i.d. 3 mg kg(-1)), but not by either apigenin or omeprazole. This suggests that AGC has an antioxidative effect. In the oesophagitis group, the mucosal levels of glutathione (GSH) were significantly lower than that in the normal group. However, the GSH levels were preserved after administering the AGC, suggesting that AGC possesses scavenging activity. 4. In summary, AGC is more potent than apigenin and omeprazole at inhibiting reflux oesophagitis and gastritis and may therefore be a promising drug for their treatment.

New cold-adapted lipase from Photobacterium lipolyticum sp. nov. that is closely related to filamentous fungal lipases

A Photobacterium strain, M37, showing lipolytic activity, was previously isolated from an intertidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea and identified as Photobacterium lipolyticum sp. nov. In the present study, the corresponding gene was cloned using the shotgun method. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence (1,023 bp) corresponded to a protein of 340 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 38,026. No sequence similarity was found with any known bacterial lipases/esterases; instead, the most similar enzymes were several filamentous fungal lipases. Although the similarity was very low (less than 16%), there were many conserved regions over the entire sequence and N-terminal oxyanion hole (RG) region, a signature sequence of filamentous fungal lipases. The novel protein M37 was produced in both a soluble and insoluble form when the Escherichia coli cells harboring the gene were cultured at 18 degrees C. The soluble protein exhibited lipase activity in a pH-stat assay using an olive oil emulsion. The M37 lipase also displayed a maximum activity at 25 degrees C and maintained its activity at a low temperature range (5-25 degrees C) with an activation energy (E(a)) of 2.07 kcal/mol. Accordingly, these results indicate that the M37 lipase from P. lipolyticum sp. nov. is a new cold-adapted enzyme.

Hyperhydricity in apple: ultrastructural and physiological aspects

We studied the effects of hyperhydricity on subcellular ultrastructure and physiology of leaves during in vitro regeneration of apple plants. Morphological, anatomical and ultrastructural differences between healthy leaf tissues obtained from greenhouse-grown plants and healthy and hyperhydric leaves obtained from shoots raised from nodal shoot explants in a bioreactor were investigated by electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Compared with healthy leaves, hyperhydric leaves showed abnormal, often discontinuous development of the epidermis and cuticle. Stomata were malformed. The leaf lamina appeared thickened and was characterized by poor differentiation between the palisade and spongy mesophyll tissue. Hyperhydric leaves had a significantly lower chloroplast number per cell and chloroplasts showed reduced thylakoid stacking compared with healthy leaves. Hyperhydricity resulted in a general decrease in concentrations of reduced and oxidized pyridine nucleotides, reflecting a reduction in metabolic activity. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were higher in hyperhydric leaves than in healthy leaves, indicating that hyperhydricity was associated with oxidative stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements provided evidence of oxidative damage to the photosynthetic machinery in hyperhydric leaves: photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, effective quantum efficiency and photochemical quenching were all lower in hyperhydric leaves compared with healthy leaves.

Induction of MMP-13 expression by soluble human glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor in fibroblast-like synovial cells

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that human glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (hGITR/TR11) expressed on the surface of activated CD4(+) T cells is responsible for up-regulating the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs).

METHODS

The level of MMP-13 was measured by Western blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expressions of hGITR ligand (hGITRL) on the surface of FLSs and hGITR on the surface of human CD4(+) T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Neutralizing antibodies (Abs) were used to block hGITRL and hGITR on the surface of FLSs and human CD4(+) T cells, respectively. Human CD4(+) T cells were cocultured with FLSs to facilitate interaction between hGITR on CD4(+) T cells and hGITRL on FLSs.

RESULTS

Soluble hGITR (shGITR) stimulated FLSs to produce MMP-13, and blockade of hGITRL reduced this effect. Direct contact between activated CD4(+) T and FLSs also induced the production of MMP-13, and neutralization of hGITR on activated CD4(+) T cells during coculture decreased the amount of MMP-13 produced by FLSs.

CONCLUSION

shGITR stimulated FLSs to produce MMP-13 via a signal through hGITRL. Direct contact between activated CD4(+) T cells and FLSs facilitated hGITR-hGITRL interaction, and resulted in inducing MMP-13. This effect may increase tissue destruction in chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Effect of leptin on insulin resistance of muscle – direct or indirect?

We examined the effect of leptin on the insulin resistance in skeletal muscles by measuring glucose transport. Male Wistar rats were fed rat chow or high-fat diets for 30 days. Before sacrifice, rats fed high-fat diet were subcutaneously injected with leptin (1 mg/kg b.w.) for 3 days. The glucose transport in epitrochlearis and soleus muscles did not differ in the experimental groups under basal conditions, however these values decreased significantly in the rats fed high-fat diet under insulin stimulation (p<0.01). Leptin treatment recovered the decreased glucose transport in epitrochlearis (p<0.05) and soleus muscles (p=0.08). Triglyceride concentrations in soleus muscles were increased significantly in the rats fed high-fat diet as compared to rats fed chow diet (p<0.01), and were decreased significantly by leptin treatment (p<0.01). The glucose transport was measured under basal conditions and after 60 microU/ml of insulin treatment with or without 50 ng/ml of leptin. Leptin had no direct stimulatory effect on glucose transport under both basal and insulin-stimulated conditions in vitro. These results demonstrate that leptin injection to rats fed high-fat diet recovered impaired insulin responsiveness of skeletal muscles and muscle triglyceride concentrations. However, there was no direct stimulatory effect of leptin on insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscles in vitro.

Technical Note: Improved Extraction Method with Hexane for Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Conjugated Linoleic Acids

Extraction properties of different solvents (chloroform/methanol, hexane/isopropanol, and hexane) were studied for the gas chromatographic analysis of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) from probiotic bacteria grown in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe medium. As compared with chloroform/methanol and hexane/isopropanol, hexane showed comparable extraction efficiency for CLA from unspent de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe medium, but showed minimal extraction of oleic acid originated from the emulsifier in broth. The extraction efficiency of CLA by hexane was influenced by the broth pH, showing the optimal pH of 7.0. Repeated extraction with hexane increased the yield. Extraction with hexane showed excellent recovery of spiked CLA from the spent broth with up to 97.2% (standard deviation of 1.74%). This represents the highest recovery of CLA from culture broth ever reported. The sample size was also successfully reduced to 0.5 mL to analyze CLA from the broth without impairment of analytical data. This smaller sample size in the 1.5-mL microcentrifuge tube using a small bench-top centrifuge reduced analytical time significantly.

Morphometric Studies on the Testis of Korean Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus karpowi) during the Breeding and Non-breeding Seasons

The purpose of this study was to obtain detailed quantitative information on all cell types in the testis interstitium of Korean ring-necked pheasants and to combine these data with changes in the steroidogenic function of the testis during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. For animals collected during the breeding season, their testis weights, sperm production, serum testosterone levels and leuteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated testosterone secretion were significantly (p < 0.01) increased compared to the non-breeding season. Testes of the pheasants during the non-breeding season displayed a 98% reduction in testis volume that was associated with a decrease in the absolute volume of seminiferous tubules (98% reduction), tubular lumen (100%), interstitium (90%), blood vessels (84%), lymphatic spaces (97%), Leydig cells (79%), mesenchymal cells (51%) and myoid cells (61%) compared to the breeding season. The numbers of Leydig cells, mesenchymal cells and myoid cells per testis in the breeding season were much higher than in the non-breeding season. Although the mean volume of a Leydig cell was 74% lower in the non-breeding season, the mean volumes of myoid and mesenchymal cells remained unchanged. These results demonstrate that there are striking differences in the testicular structure of the Korean ring-necked pheasant during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Every structural parameter of the Leydig cell was positively correlated with both testosterone serum levels and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion. The correlation of changes in hormonal status with the morphometric alterations of Leydig cells suggests that the Korean-ring necked pheasant may be used as a model to study structure-function relationships in the avian testis.

The effects of pulsatile versus non-pulsatile extracorporeal circulation on the pattern of coronary artery blood flow during cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

In sudden cardiac arrest, the effective maintenance of coronary artery blood flow is of paramount importance for myocardial preservation as well as cardiac recovery and patient survival. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the effects of pulsatile versus non-pulsatile circulation to coronary artery flow and myocardial preservation in a cardiac arrest condition.

METHODS

A cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was constructed in a ventricular fibrillation model using fourteen Yorkshire swine weighing 25-35 kg each. The animals were randomly assigned to group I (n=7, non-pulsatile centrifugal pump) or group II (n=7, pulsatile T-PLS pump). Extracorporeal circulation was maintained for two hours at a pump flow of 2 L/min. The left anterior descending coronary artery flow was measured with an ultrasonic coronary artery flow measurement system at baseline (before bypass) and at every 20 minutes after bypass. Serologic parameters were collected simultaneously at baseline, 1 hour, and 2 hours after bypass in the systemic arterial and coronary sinus venous blood. The Mann-Whitney U test of STATISTICA 6.0 was used to determine intergroup significances using a p value of <0.05.

RESULTS

The resistance index of the coronary artery was lower in group II and the difference was significant at 40 min, 80 min, 100 min and 120 min (p<0.05). The mean velocity of the coronary artery was higher in group II throughout the study, and the difference was significant from 20 min after starting the pump (p<0.05). The coronary artery blood flow was higher in group II throughout the study, and the difference was significant from 40 min to 120 min (p<0.05) except at 80 min. Serologic parameters showed no differences between the groups at 1 hour and 2 hours after bypass in the systemic and coronary sinus blood (p=NS).

CONCLUSION

In the cardiac arrest condition, pulsatile extracorporeal circulation provides more blood flow, higher flow velocity and less resistance to coronary artery than non-pulsatile circulation.

Awake nasotracheal intubation using fiberoptic bronchoscope in a pediatric patient with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome

The Freeman-Sheldon syndrome is a congenital disease primarily affecting the facial, limb and respiratory muscles that give rise to classical clinical features including typical whistling face and short webbed neck associated with difficult intubation. We present successful awake nasotracheal intubation in a 6-year-old patient with typical clinical features of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome by using fiberoptic bronchoscope on two separate occasions.

Wortmannin elevates tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand sensitivity in LNCaP cells through down-regulation of IAP-2 protein

BACKGROUND AND AIM

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, has been shown to effectively induce tumor apoptosis without any detectable cytotoxic side effects. But recent studies have shown that LNCaP cells are resistant to TRAIL, because LNCaP cells express the constitutively active Akt/protein kinase B. Therefore this study examined the effect of Wortmannin, a PI-3 kinase inhibitor, and the intracellular mechanisms to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

METHODS

LNCaP cells, which are resistant to apoptotic induction of TRAIL alone, were exposed to Wortmannin for 3 h and treated with the recombinant TRAIL protein for an additional 3 h.

RESULTS

TRAIL alone induced apoptosis in approximately 10% of the cells, whilst pretreatment with Wortmannin increased the TRAIL-induced apoptosis to 45%. Wortmannin alone had no effect on the tumor cell viability, but enhanced the TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and completely blocked Akt phosphorylation. The blocking of the Akt phosphorylation decreased the IAP-2 protein expression level, which is believed to mediate the enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Wortmannin elevates the TRAIL sensitivity in LNCaP cells by regulating the phosphorylation of Akt and IAP-2 protein expression.