Oligomer Formation Propensities of Dimeric Bundle Peptides Correlate with Cell Penetration Abilities

LK-3, an amphipathic dimeric peptide linked by two disulfide bonds, and related isomeric bundles were synthesized, and their cell penetrating abilities were investigated. The measurements using size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering show that LK-3 and its isomers form cell penetrating oligomers. Calculations, performed for various types of peptide isomers, elucidate a strong correlation between the amphipathic character of dimers and cell penetration ability. The results suggest that the amphipathicities of LK-3 and related bundle dimers are responsible for their oligomerization propensities which in turn determine their cell penetrating abilities. The observations made in this study provide detailed information about the mechanism of cell uptake of LK-3 and suggest a plausible insight of the early stage of nanoparticle formation of the cell penetrating amphipathic peptides.

Regulator of G-Protein Signaling 4 (RGS4) Controls Morphine Reward by Glutamate Receptor Activation in the Nucleus Accumbens of Mouse Brain

Crosstalk between G-protein signaling and glutamatergic transmission within the brain reward circuits is critical for long-term emotional effects (depression and anxiety), cravings, and negative withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction. A previous study showed that Regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) may be implicated in opiate action in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the mechanism of the NAc-specific RGS4 actions that induce the behavioral responses to opiates remains largely unknown. The present study used a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knock-down of RGS4 in the NAc of the mouse brain to investigate the relationship between the activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors and RGS4 in the NAc during morphine reward. Additionally, the shRNA-mediated RGS4 knock-down was implemented in NAc/striatal primary-cultured neurons to investigate the role that striatal neurons have in the morphine-induced activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The results of this study show that the NAc-specific knockdown of RGS4 significantly increased the behaviors associated with morphine and did so by phosphorylation of the GluR1 (Ser831) and NR2A (Tyr1325) glutamate receptors in the NAc. Furthermore, the knock-down of RGS4 enhanced the phosphorylation of the GluR1 and NR2A glutamate receptors in the primary NAc/striatal neurons during spontaneous morphine withdrawal. These findings show a novel molecular mechanism of RGS4 in glutamatergic transmission that underlies the negative symptoms associated with morphine administration.

Observation of New Properties of Secondary Cosmic Rays Lithium, Beryllium, and Boron by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report on the observation of new properties of secondary cosmic rays Li, Be, and B measured in the rigidity (momentum per unit charge) range 1.9 GV to 3.3 TV with a total of 5.4×10^{6} nuclei collected by AMS during the first five years of operation aboard the International Space Station. The Li and B fluxes have an identical rigidity dependence above 7 GV and all three fluxes have an identical rigidity dependence above 30 GV with the Li/Be flux ratio of 2.0±0.1. The three fluxes deviate from a single power law above 200 GV in an identical way. This behavior of secondary cosmic rays has also been observed in the AMS measurement of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O but the rigidity dependences of primary cosmic rays and of secondary cosmic rays are distinctly different. In particular, above 200 GV, the secondary cosmic rays harden more than the primary cosmic rays.

Observation of the Identical Rigidity Dependence of He, C, and O Cosmic Rays at High Rigidities by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report the observation of new properties of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O measured in the rigidity (momentum/charge) range 2 GV to 3 TV with 90×10^{6} helium, 8.4×10^{6} carbon, and 7.0×10^{6} oxygen nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) during the first five years of operation. Above 60 GV, these three spectra have identical rigidity dependence. They all deviate from a single power law above 200 GV and harden in an identical way.

Polyphenols journey through blood-brain barrier towards neuronal protection

Age-related complications such as neurodegenerative disorders are increasing and remain cureless. The possibility of altering the progression or the development of these multifactorial diseases through diet is an emerging and attractive approach with increasing experimental support. We examined the potential of known bioavailable phenolic sulfates, arising from colonic metabolism of berries, to influence hallmarks of neurodegenerative processes. In silico predictions and in vitro transport studies across blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells, at circulating concentrations, provided evidence for differential transport, likely related to chemical structure. Moreover, endothelial metabolism of these phenolic sulfates produced a plethora of novel chemical entities with further potential bioactivies. Pre-conditioning with phenolic sulfates improved cellular responses to oxidative, excitotoxicity and inflammatory injuries and this attenuation of neuroinflammation was achieved via modulation of NF-κB pathway. Our results support the hypothesis that these small molecules, derived from dietary (poly)phenols may cross the BBB, reach brain cells, modulate microglia-mediated inflammation and exert neuroprotective effects, with potential for alleviation of neurodegenerative diseases.

Brain Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells Cotransduced with Tyrosine Hydroxylase and GTP Cyclohydrolase 1 in Parkinsonian Rats

Neural stem cells (NSCs) of the central nervous system (CNS) recently have attracted a great deal of interest not only because of their importance in basic research on neural development, but also in terms of their therapeutic potential in neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). To examine if genetically modified NSCs are a suitable source for the cell and gene therapy of PD, an immortalized mouse NSC line, C17.2, was transduced with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and with GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH1) gene, which are important enzymes in dopamine biosynthesis. The expression of TH in transduced C17.2-THGC cells was confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry, and expression of GTPCH1 by RT-PCR. The level of L-DOPA released by C17.2-THGC cells, as determined by HPLC assay, was 3793 pmol/106 cells, which is 760-fold higher than that produced by C17.2-TH cells, indicating that GTPCH1 expression is important for L-DOPA production by transduced C17.2 cells. Following the implantation of C17.2-THGcC NSCs into the striata of parkinsonian rats, a marked improvement in amphetamine-induced turning behavior was observed in parkinsonian rats grafted with C17.2-THGC cells but not in the control rats grafted with C17.2 cells. These results indicate that genetically modified NSCs grafted into the brain of the parkinsonian rats are capable of survival, migration, and neuronal differentiation. Collectively, these results suggest that NSCs have great potential as a source of cells for cell therapy and an effective vehicle for therapeutic gene transfer in Parkinson's disease.

ROS-dependent HMGB1 secretion upregulates IL-8 in upper airway epithelial cells under hypoxic condition

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) mediates various functions according to the location. We tried to investigate the role of HMGB1 in upper airway under hypoxic conditions. We cultured primary normal human nasal epithelium (NHNE) cells under hypoxic conditions and evaluated the movement of HMGB1 by western blotting, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was evaluated to estimate the translocation mechanism of HMGB1. The role of secreted HMGB1 was evaluated by ELISA assay. Furthermore, we collected human nasal mucosa samples and nasal lavage fluids from patients conditioned under hypoxic and non-hypoxic environment, and compared the expression of HMGB1 in human nasal mucosa samples by immunohistochemistry and the levels of HMGB1 in lavage fluids using ELISA assay. Hypoxia induced translocation of HMGB1 into the extracellular area and it was dependent on ROS produced by dual oxidase 2. Secreted HMGB1 was involved in the upregulation of interleukin (IL)-8. In human samples, HMGB1 was translocated from nucleus to the cytoplasm in hypoxic-conditioned nasal mucosa. HMGB1 was increased in nasal lavage samples of chronic rhinosinusitis patients, whose sinus mucosa was supposed to be hypoxic as compared with controls. We suggest that HMGB1 is secreted in hypoxic condition via ROS-dependent mechanism and secreted HMGB1 participates in IL-8 upregulation mediating inflammatory response.

New role of human ribosomal protein S3: Regulation of cell cycle via phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 2

Human ribosomal protein S3 (hRpS3) is a component of the 40S ribosomal subunit that associated in protein synthesis. hRpS3 has additional ribosomal functions such as DNA repair, transcription, metastasis, and apoptosis via interaction with numerous signaling molecules and has different modifications. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are heterodimeric serine/threonine protein kinases that regulate cell cycle progression. Among its members, the Cdk1-cyclin B complex is known to control cell progression in the G2/M phase, while Cdk2-cyclin E/A complexes function in G1/S and S/G2 transition. In our previous study, we observed interaction between hRpS3 and Cdk1. The present study investigated the interaction between hRpS3 and Cdk2. Cdk2 phosphorylated hRps3 at amino acid residues S6 and T221 during the S-phase. Furthermore, hRpS3 knockdown delayed cell cycle progression by modulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins, including cyclin B1 and cyclin E1. These findings suggest that hRpS3 is involved in Cdk2-mediated cell cycle regulation.

Removal of solitary neurofibroma of the external nose by intranasal approach

INTRODUCTION

Solitary neurofibroma originating from the external nose is extremely rare, and to our knowledge, only 3 cases have been reported so far in English literatures. It may originate from the ophthalmic (V1) and maxillary (V2) branches of the trigeminal nerve.

CASE REPORT

We present a rare case of solitary neurofibroma arising from the external nose, which was successfully removed by intranasal approach with intercartilaginous incision.

CONCLUSION

This case emphasizes two important points. First, we should keep in mind that this clinical entity is included in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses arising from the external nose. Second, we should choose the best surgical approach for complete removal with the maintenance of cosmetic appearance.

Characteristic clinical features associated with aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity

PurposeTo identify the risk factors for, and clinical features and treatment outcomes of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP) in Korean infants.MethodsAmong 770 premature infants who underwent screening, 105 infants (198 eyes, 13.63%) received treatment for ROP. A total of 24 infants (48 eyes, 3.12%) developed APROP while 81 infants (150 eyes, 10.52%) developed non-APROP treatment-requiring type. The medical records of ROP-treated infants were reviewed retrospectively. The associated systemic and maternal risk factors were analyzed and anatomical outcomes were compared according to the severity of ROP and treatment modalities.ResultsThe mean gestational age and birth weight at birth in the APROP group were significantly lower than those in the non-APROP group (P=0.019, P<0.001, respectively). Infants who were born small for their GA developed APROP more frequently than non-APROP patients (P<0.001). Chorioamnionitis-positive infants also showed higher incidence rate of APROP (APROP vs non-APROP; P<0.001 and zone I APROP vs posterior zone II APROP; P=0.036, respectively). Infants with APROP required heavier laser treatment with a higher retreatment rate compared to infants with non-APROP. Favorable anatomical outcomes were achieved in 95.3% from treatment-requiring non-APROP group, 85.7% from zone I APROP and 84.6% from posterior zone II APROP group.ConclusionIntrauterine growth restriction and chorioamnionitis were associated with development of APROP. These findings suggest that perinatal maternal environment inhibiting normal retinal vascular growth in utero may contribute to increasing the risk of APROP in premature infants.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic rhinosinusitis in South Korea according to diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare the prevalence and risk factors of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using two different diagnostic criteria with the same statistical data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2009.

METHODS

Symptom-based CRS was defined as CRS diagnosed by questionnaires related to nasal symptoms. Endoscopy-based CRS was defined based on endoscopic findings and nasal symptoms of symptom-based CRS.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of CRS based on the different diagnostic criteria was as follows: symptom-based CRS was 10.78% (797 of 7,394) and endoscopy-based CRS was 1.20% (88 of 7,343). Comparing symptom-based CRS to endoscopy-based CRS showed slight agreement (kappa = 0.183 (0.150-0.216, 95% confidence interval)). Allergic rhinitis was identified as a common risk factor for CRS based on the two diagnostic criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence and risk factors of CRS were quite different from each other according to the different criteria, even in the same population. Therefore, it would be important to consider what specific diagnostic criteria have been adopted in the studies comparing the prevalence of CRS.

Effect of Histophilus somni on Heart and Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Histophilus somni is a pathogenic gram-negative bacterium responsible for pneumonia and septicemia in cattle. Sequelae include infectious thrombotic meningoencephalitis (ITME), myocarditis, arthritis, and abortion. These syndromes are associated with widespread vasculitis and thrombosis, implicating a role for endothelium in pathogenesis. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical investigation of 10 natural cases of bovine H. somni myocarditis and 1 case of ITME revealed intravascular H. somni in large biofilm-like aggregates adherent to the luminal surface of microvascular endothelium. Ultrastructurally, bacterial communities were extracellular and closely associated with degenerating or contracted endothelial cells. Histophilus somni was identified by bacterial culture and/or immunohistochemistry. Western blots of the bacterial isolates revealed that they expressed the immunodominant protective 40 kDa OMP and immunoglobulin-binding protein A (IbpA) antigens. The latter is a large surface antigen and shed fibrillar antigen with multiple domains. The cytotoxic DR2Fic domain of IbpA was conserved as demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction. Treatment of endothelial cells in vitro with IbpA in crude culture supernatants or purified recombinant GST-IbpA DR2Fic (rDR2) cytotoxin induced retraction of cultured bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells. By contrast, no retraction of bovine endothelium was induced by mutant rDR2H/A with an inactive Fic motif or by a GST control, indicating that the cytotoxic DR2Fic motif plays an important role in endothelial cell retraction in vasculitis. The formation of biofilm-like aggregates by H. somni on bovine microvascular endothelium may be fundamental to its pathogenesis in heart and brain.

KRT19 directly interacts with β-catenin/RAC1 complex to regulate NUMB-dependent NOTCH signaling pathway and breast cancer properties

Studies have reported that interactions between keratins (KRTs) and other proteins initiate signaling cascades that regulate cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. In the current study, we found that expression of KRT19 was specifically high in breast cancers and significantly correlated with their invasiveness. Moreover, knockdown of KRT19 led to increased proliferation, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and sphere formation in breast cancer cells via an upregulated NOTCH signaling pathway. This was owing to reduced expression of NUMB, an inhibitory protein of the NOTCH signaling pathway. In addition, we found that KRT19 interacts with β-catenin/RAC1 complex and enhances the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Concordantly, knockdown of KRT19 suppressed the nuclear translocation of β-catenin as well as β-catenin-mediated NUMB expression. Furthermore, modulation of KRT19-mediated regulation of NUMB and NOTCH1 expression led to the repression of the cancer stem cell properties of breast cancer patient-derived CD133high/CXCR4high/ALDH1high cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs), which showed very low KRT19 and high NOTCH1 expression. Taken together, our study suggests a novel function for KRT19 in the regulation of nuclear import of the β-catenin/RAC1 complex, thus modulating the NUMB-dependent NOTCH signaling pathway in breast cancers and CSLCs, which might bear potential clinical implications for cancer or CSLC treatment.

Precision Measurement of the Boron to Carbon Flux Ratio in Cosmic Rays from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the boron to carbon flux ratio (B/C) is important in understanding the propagation of cosmic rays. The precise measurement of the B/C ratio from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV, based on 2.3 million boron and 8.3 million carbon nuclei collected by AMS during the first 5 years of operation, is presented. The detailed variation with rigidity of the B/C spectral index is reported for the first time. The B/C ratio does not show any significant structures in contrast to many cosmic ray models that require such structures at high rigidities. Remarkably, above 65 GV, the B/C ratio is well described by a single power law R^{Δ} with index Δ=-0.333±0.014(fit)±0.005(syst), in good agreement with the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence which predicts Δ=-1/3 asymptotically.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered fish, the slender shiner Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa and cross-species amplification across five related species

The slender shiner Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa (Cypriniformes; Cyprinidae; Gobioninae) is an endangered freshwater fish species endemic to Korea. The current strategies for its conservation involve the study of population genetic characters and identification of management units. These strategies require suitable molecular markers to study genetic diversity and genetic structure. Here, we developed nine polymorphic microsatellite markers for P. tenuicorpa for the first time by applying an enrichment method from a size-selected genomic library. The developed microsatellite markers produced a total of 101 alleles (average 11.2). The observed and expected heterozygosities averaged 0.805 and 0.835, respectively. Among the nine identified markers, five markers showed successful amplification across five related Korean Gobioninae species. Thus, the microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful to establish conservation strategies for both P. tenuicorpa and other related species.

Antiproton Flux, Antiproton-to-Proton Flux Ratio, and Properties of Elementary Particle Fluxes in Primary Cosmic Rays Measured with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precision measurement by AMS of the antiproton flux and the antiproton-to-proton flux ratio in primary cosmic rays in the absolute rigidity range from 1 to 450 GV is presented based on 3.49×10^{5} antiproton events and 2.42×10^{9} proton events. The fluxes and flux ratios of charged elementary particles in cosmic rays are also presented. In the absolute rigidity range ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the antiproton p[over ¯], proton p, and positron e^{+} fluxes are found to have nearly identical rigidity dependence and the electron e^{-} flux exhibits a different rigidity dependence. Below 60 GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios each reaches a maximum. From ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios show no rigidity dependence. These are new observations of the properties of elementary particles in the cosmos.

Highly Efficient Phosphorescent Light-Emitting Diodes by Using New Host Material

An electron-transporting triazole (Tz) and hole transporting carbazole (Cz) moieties were introduced into the fluorene structure via a Suzuki coupling reaction. The resulting material, 9-(4'-(9-(4'-(4,5-diphenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-y)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-9H-fluoren-9-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-9H-carbazole (Tz-FL-Cz), was synthesized and can be used as the host layer in phosphorescent OLEDs. The synthesized material exhibits wide energy gap (3.46 eV). The absorption and emission maximum of the Tz-FL-Cz was observed at 300 nm and 389 nm, respectively. Blue phosphorescent devices using Tz-FL-Cz as host material exhibited maximum current efficiency of 3.2 cd/A and power efficiency of 1.3 lm/W, respectively.

Precision Measurement of the Helium Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays of Rigidities 1.9 GV to 3 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the precise rigidity dependence of the helium flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. A precise measurement of the helium flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1.9 GV to 3 TV based on 50 million events is presented and compared to the proton flux. The detailed variation with rigidity of the helium flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at rigidities larger than 100 GV. The rigidity dependence of the helium flux spectral index is similar to that of the proton spectral index though the magnitudes are different. Remarkably, the spectral index of the proton to helium flux ratio increases with rigidity up to 45 GV and then becomes constant; the flux ratio above 45 GV is well described by a single power law.

Optimal assessment of lymph node status in gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is an important prognostic factor in gallbladder cancer (GBCA). LN status has been adopted as a critical element of staging systems. However, the influence of total lymph node count (TLNC) remains unclear. We determined the optimal minimum TLNC and compared the prognostic significance of LN status indices in GBCA.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 128 patients with T2 or greater GBCA who underwent LN dissection. We analyzed overall survival (OS) and relevance of the number of metastatic LNs, ratio of metastatic LNs to retrieved LNs (LNR), and TLNC in predicting OS.

RESULTS

The median OS durations were 120, 35, and 18 months in T2, T3, and T4 GBCA. Five-year OS rates were 73%, 43%, and 0% in T2, T3, and T4 GBCA. LN status did not significantly impact OS in T2 or T4 GBCA. However, all LN indices were significantly correlated with OS in T3 GBCA. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that a metastatic LN count of more than four and a TLNC of more than eight were independent prognostic factors of OS in T3 GBCA.

CONCLUSIONS

TLNC and the number of positive LNs may be more important prognostic factors than LNR in T3 GBCA. Additionally, accurate staging may not be achieved in cases of T3 GBCA if the total number of retrieved LNs is less than eight. Thus, to ensure proper staging, we recommend that surgeons harvest more than eight LNs in patients with T3 GBCA.

3D reconstruction based on compressed-sensing (CS)-based framework by using a dental panoramic detector

In this work, we propose a practical method that can combine the two functionalities of dental panoramic and cone-beam CT (CBCT) features in one by using a single panoramic detector. We implemented a CS-based reconstruction algorithm for the proposed method and performed a systematic simulation to demonstrate its viability for 3D dental X-ray imaging. We successfully reconstructed volumetric images of considerably high accuracy by using a panoramic detector having an active area of 198.4 mm × 6.4 mm and evaluated the reconstruction quality as a function of the pitch (p) and the angle step (Δθ). Our simulation results indicate that the CS-based reconstruction almost completely recovered the phantom structures, as in CBCT, for p≤2.0 and θ≤6°, indicating that it seems very promising for accurate image reconstruction even for large-pitch and few-view data. We expect the proposed method to be applicable to developing a cost-effective, volumetric dental X-ray imaging system.