Altered expression of microRNA during fracture healing in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to impair fracture healing. Increasing evidence suggests that some microRNA (miRNA) is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications. We hypothesized that the functions of miRNA and changes to their patterns of expression may be implicated in the pathogenesis of impaired fracture healing in DM.

METHODS

Closed transverse fractures were created in the femurs of 116 rats, with half assigned to the DM group and half assigned to the control group. Rats with DM were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. At post-fracture days five, seven, 11, 14, 21, and 28, miRNA was extracted from the newly generated tissue at the fracture site. Microarray analysis was performed with miRNA samples from each group on post-fracture days five and 11. For further analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed at each timepoint.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis showed that there were 14 miRNAs at day five and 17 miRNAs at day 11, with a greater than twofold change in the DM group compared with the control group. Among these types of miRNA, five were selected based on a comparative and extended literature review. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that five types of miRNA (miR-140-3p, miR-140-5p, miR-181a-1-3p, miR-210-3p, and miR-222-3p) were differentially expressed with changing patterns of expression during fracture healing in diabetic rats compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide information to further understand the pathology of impaired fracture healing in a diabetic rat model. These results may allow the potential development of molecular therapy using miRNA for the treatment of impaired fracture healing in patients with DM.Cite this article: S. Takahara, S. Y. Lee, T. Iwakura, K. Oe, T. Fukui, E. Okumachi, T. Waki, M. Arakura, Y. Sakai, K. Nishida, R. Kuroda, T. Niikura. Altered expression of microRNA during fracture healing in diabetic rats. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:139-147. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.72.BJR-2017-0082.R1.

Longitudinal thermal heterogeneity in rivers and refugia for coldwater species: effects of scale and climate change

Climate-change driven increases in water temperature pose challenges for aquatic organisms. Predictions of impacts typically do not account for fine-grained spatiotemporal thermal patterns in rivers. Patches of cooler water could serve as refuges for anadromous species like salmon that migrate during summer. We used high-resolution remotely sensed water temperature data to characterize summer thermal heterogeneity patterns for 11,308 km of 2^nd- to 7^th-order rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California (USA). We evaluated (1) water temperature patterns at different spatial resolutions, (2) the frequency, size, and spacing of cool thermal patches suitable for Pacific salmon (i.e., contiguous stretches ≥0.25 km, ≤15°C and ≥2°C cooler than adjacent water), and (3) potential influences of climate change on availability of cool patches. Thermal heterogeneity was nonlinearly related to the spatial resolution of water temperature data, and heterogeneity at fine resolution (<1 km) would have been difficult to quantify without spatially continuous data. Cool patches were generally >2.7 and <13.0 km long, and spacing among patches was generally >5.7 and <49.4 km. Thermal heterogeneity varied among rivers, some of which had long uninterrupted stretches of warm water ≥20°C, and others had many smaller cool patches. Our models predicted little change in future thermal heterogeneity among rivers, but within-river patterns sometimes changed markedly compared to contemporary patterns. These results can inform long-term monitoring programs as well as near-term climate-adaptation strategies.

Effect of roflumilast on airway remodelling in a murine model of chronic asthma

BACKGROUND

Airway remodelling is associated with irreversible, or partially reversible, airflow obstruction and ultimately unresponsiveness to asthma therapies such as corticosteroids. Roflumilast is a selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that has an anti-inflammatory effect in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to study the effect of roflumilast on airway inflammation and remodelling in a murine model of chronic asthma.

METHODS

BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) were chronically exposed to intranasal OVA administration twice a week for additional 3 months. Roflumilast was administered orally during the intranasal OVA challenge. A lung fibroblast cell line was used in the proliferation assay.

RESULTS

Compared with control mice, mice chronically exposed to OVA developed eosinophilic airway inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), and exhibited features of airway remodelling. Administration of roflumilast significantly inhibited airway inflammation and AHR. Roflumilast also significantly decreased goblet cell hyperplasia and pulmonary fibrosis, which are parameters of airway remodelling. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were significantly lower in the roflumilast group. In vitro, roflumilast significantly inhibited stem cell factor (SCF)-induced cell proliferation of fibroblasts. The SCF concentration and mRNA expression in a murine model also significantly decreased with roflumilast treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the administration of roflumilast regulates airway inflammation, AHR, and airway remodelling in a model of chronic asthma. The beneficial effects from roflumilast may be related to the SCF/c-kit pathway.

Incidence, prevalence, and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Korea: a nationwide, population-based study (2006-2015)

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease varies among ethnic populations worldwide. Trends in the incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease have not been investigated based on the Korean National Health Insurance database.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the incidence and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease by age using nationwide population data in Korea.

METHODS

A nationwide population-based cohort study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease was calculated by age, sex, calendar year and habitat. And comorbid metabolic diseases were also analysed in patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease per 100 000 person-years was 3.976 (2.587 for males and 5.373 for females) from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease peaked among people in their 40s (6.561 per 100 000 person-years). Incidence was significantly higher in subjects with comorbid metabolic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The mortality rate per 1000 person-years increased with age in patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the incidence, prevalence and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease. Metabolic conditions increased the risk of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease among Koreans.

Reduced metallic artefacts in 3 T knee MRI using fast spin-echo multi-point Dixon compared to fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences

AIM

To compare multi-point Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted imaging (WI) with regard to the size of metallic artefacts when imaging the knee joint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 42 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and follow-up imaging with 3 T MRI using the multi-point Dixon technique was included in this retrospective study. The maximal distance of the image distortion area around the metallic artefact was measured (interference screw of femoral tunnel area) on sagittal images of both FSE T2WI (T2WI and fat-suppressed [FS] T2WI) and multi-point Dixon (water only image and in-phase image) sequences. The maximal distance of the image distortion were compared using paired t-tests across the image sequences (multi-point Dixon water only image versus FS T2WI and multi-point Dixon in-phase image versus T2WI).

RESULTS

The mean distance of the image distortion from metallic artefacts regardless of the image sequence ranged from 16.6 mm to 24.5 mm (Table 2). The mean distances measured by two readers on multi-point Dixon (water only image) sequences were significantly shorter than those in FS T2WI sequences (p<0.001). In contrast, the mean distances measured by two readers on multi-point Dixon (in-phase image) sequences did not differ from those of T2WI (p>0.05) sequences.

CONCLUSION

The water-only image of multi-point Dixon technique reduces the amount of metallic artefacts compared to that in FS FSE T2WI sequences; however, the metallic artefacts were not significantly different between in-phase images of multi-point Dixon and FSE T2WI.

Prognostic impact of the length of the longitudinal resection margin in colon cancer

AIM

Although several guidelines recommend a longitudinal resection margin (LRM) of at least 5 cm, the impact of the LRM on survival is still unknown. The study assessed the prognostic significance of the LRM in patients with colon cancer.

METHOD

We retrospectively reviewed 1343 primary colon cancer patients without distant metastasis who underwent curative resection between January 2004 and December 2012. Patients were classified into three groups: LRM < 3 cm (n = 186), LRM ≥ 3 and <5 cm (n = 376) and LRM ≥5 cm (n = 781). Clinicopathological characteristics and the oncological outcome in the three groups were compared.

RESULTS

The median LRM length was 5.0 cm (range 0.5-26.0 cm). With increasing LRM, the number of retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) tended to increase (19.5 ± 12.0, 22.1 ± 12.8 and 30.0 ± 16.2; P < 0.001). After a median follow-up period of 45 (1-128) months, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (89.2%, 89.0% and 87.0%; P = 0.629) and 5-year overall survival (OS) (89.0%, 92.1% and 91.8%; P = 0.679) were not significantly different between the three groups. When confounders were adjusted, LRM was not significantly associated with either DFS or OS, but the number of retrieved LNs (< 12) was an independent risk factor for both DFS (hazard ratio 1.748, 95% confidence interval 1.048-2.917) and OS (hazard ratio 1.929, 95% confidence interval 1.046-3.559).

CONCLUSION

LRM was not associated with oncological outcome, but care should be taken to obtain an adequate number of LNs for better survival.

A CASE OF ADRENAL MYELOLIPOMA A PATIENT WITH BREAST CANCER

Background

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor composed of adipose tissue and hematopoetic elements resembling bone marrow. The majority of myelolipoma do not produce adrenal hormones and are only found as a result of evaluation for another disorder. With the widespread use of non-invasive abdominal imaging for various reason, its incidental detection has become more common. There are a few cases of breast cancer with concomitant adrenal myelolipoma in the literature.

Case

A 43-year-old woman presented to endocrine clinic due to presurgical assessment of adrenal mass prior breast cancer surgery. Abdominal CT showed a 9 x 8 cm sized, lobulated contour heterogeneous fatty density mass with peripheral calcification in right adrenal gland. Hormonal studies for adrenal incidentaloma revealed: Aldosterone/Renin ratio, 0.70 ([normal range < 30]; normal DHEA-S, 85.0 µg/dL ([normal range, 80 -560 µg/dL]), ACTH 25 pg/mL ([normal range, 10 - 60 pg/mL]), morning serum cortisol 8.9 µg/dL ([normal range, 5 - 12 µg/dL]). In 24-hour urine, there revealed free cortisol 21.6 µg/day ([normal range, 10 - 50 µg/day); metanephrine 0.19 mg/day ([normal range < 0.8 mg/day]); 17-ketosteroid 14.06 mg/day ([normal range, 7 - 20 mg/day]). The hormonal results of adrenal mass revealed as nonfunctioning. The adrenal mass was surgically resected in order to rule out malignancy. Pathology report showed myelolipoma.

Conclusion

We reported a case of adrenal myelolipoma coexisting with breast cancer where the diagnosis was made incidentally based on radiological features, treated with surgical resection.

Protective Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is an A2A receptor agonist that induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production during the pathological condition of low tissue perfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major problem after renal transplantation. In the present study, we investigated whether PDRN exhibits reno-protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in mice.

METHODS

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by bilateral renal pedicle occlusion for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 48 hours. PDRN (8 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) was administered 30 minutes before IRI.

RESULTS

Treatment with PDRN significantly decreased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in the urine, blood urea nitrogen level, and serum creatinine levels as well as kidney tubular injury. Western blotting showed that PDRN significantly increased the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and B-cell lymphoma protein and attenuated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Bcl-2-associated X protein levels 48 hours after IRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that PDRN is a potential therapeutic agent for acute ischemia-induced renal damage.

Protective Effect of Eupatilin Pretreatment Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from Artemisia species, is known to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major critical event that commonly occurs after liver transplantation and resection. Furthermore, inflammatory responses to IRI exacerbate the resultant hepatic injury. In this study, we investigated whether eupatilin protects against IR-induced acute liver injury in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Partial (70%) hepatic IRI was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by portal triad pedicle occlusion for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for 6 hours. Eupatilin (10 mg/kg body weight, oral) was administered 4 days before the IRI.

RESULTS

Treatment with eupatilin significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase as well as liver histologic changes. Eupatilin also prevented hepatic glutathione depletion and increased malondialdehyde levels induced by IRI. Western blotting indicated that eupatilin significantly increased the levels of heat shock protein and B-cell lymphoma 2 protein, attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cleaved caspase-3 levels 6 hours after IRI. The expression of the Toll-like receptor 2/4, and phosphorylated nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor was significantly decreased in the eupatilin pretreatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Eupatilin improved the acute hepatic IRI by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. These findings suggest that eupatilin is a promising therapeutic agent against acute IR-induced hepatic damage.

Red Ginseng Administration Before Islet Isolation Attenuates Apoptosis and Improves Islet Function and Transplant Outcome in a Syngeneic Mouse Marginal Islet Mass Model

BACKGROUND

Transplantation of isolated islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. Red ginseng (RG) is steamed ginseng and has been reported to enhance insulin secretion-stimulating and anti-apoptotic activities in pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that pre-operative RG treatment enhances islet cell function and anti-apoptosis and investigated whether RG improves islet engraftment by transplant of a marginal mass of syngeneic islets pretreated with RG in diabetic mice.

METHODS

Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and 1 group was administered RG (400 mg/kg/day orally) for 7 days before islet isolation. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After cytokine treatment, cell viability, function, and apoptosis of islet cells were analyzed. Furthermore, we studied the effects of RG in a syngeneic islet graft model. A marginal mass of syngeneic mouse islets was transplanted into diabetic hosts.

RESULTS

Islet pretreatment with RG showed 1.4-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than did control islets. RG pretreatment upregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression and downregulated Bcl-associated X protein (BAX), caspase-3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Glucose-induced insulin release, NO, and apoptosis were significantly improved in RG-pretreated islets compared with cytokine-treated islets. RG-pretreated mice exhibited improved marginal mass islet graft survival compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that pre-operative RG administration enhanced islet function before transplantation and attenuated cytokine-induced damage associated with apoptosis. These studies indicate that inhibition of apoptosis by RG significantly improved islet cell and graft function after isolation and transplantation, respectively.

Multilayering of Calcium Aerosol-OT at the Mica/Water Interface Studied with Neutron Reflection: Formation of a Condensed Lamellar Phase at the CMC

Using specular neutron reflection, the adsorption of sodium and calcium salts of the surfactant bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (Aerosol-OT or AOT) has been studied at the mica/water interface at concentrations between 0.1 and 2 CMC. The pH dependence of the adsorption was also probed. No evidence of the adsorption of Na(AOT) was found even at the critical micelle concentration (CMC) while the calcium salt was found to adsorb significantly at concentrations of 0.5 CMC and above. This interesting and somewhat unexpected finding demonstrates that counterion identity may be used to tune the adsorption of anionic surfactants on anionic surfaces. At the CMC, three condensed bilayers of Ca(AOT)₂ were adsorbed at pH 7 and 9 and four bilayers adsorbed at pH 4. Multilayering at the CMC of Ca(AOT)₂ on the mica surface is an unusual feature of this surfactant/surface combination. Only single bilayer adsorption has been observed at other surfaces at the CMC. We suggest this arises from the high charge density of mica which must provide an excellent template for the surfactant.

Two different phase-change origins with chemical- and structural-phase-changes in C doped (1.5 wt.%) In3Sb1Te2

We fabricated C-doped (1.5 wt.%) In₃Sb₁Te₂ (CIST) thin films with amorphous phase (a-CIST) using a sputter method. Two electrical-phase-changes at 250 and 275 °C were observed in the sheet resistance measurement. In order to understand the origin of these electrical-phase-changes, all samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, and HRXPS with synchrotron radiation. In a-CIST, only weak Sb-C bonding was observed. In the first electrical-phase-change at 250 °C, strong Sb-C bonding occurred without an accompanying structural/phase change (still amorphous). On the other hand, the second electrical-phase-change at 275 °C was due to the structural/phase change from amorphous to crystalline without a chemical state change.

Assessing the suitability of a non-lethal biopsy punch for sampling fish muscle tissue

Samples for the analysis of stable isotopes, genetics and other tissue sampling methods of small fish are often taken via lethal techniques. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of a non-lethal sampling method for removing muscle tissue from fish under 30 cm total length (TL). A 4-mm biopsy punch was used to remove muscle tissue from two different species, Lutjanus russelli (Lutjanidae) and Lethrinus laticaudis (Lethrinidae). Several scales were removed from the sampling location, and then the biopsy punch was inserted to remove the muscle tissue. Immediately following this, a mixture of Fish Bandage™ and three drops of Betadine™ antiseptic solution was applied to the wound to reduce the chance of infection. The biopsy punch removes an average of 8 mg of muscle tissue from the fish, more than is required for stable isotope and genetic analyses (1 mg). The condition of fish subjected to our three treatments, biopsied fish, a handling controls and a tank control, was compared via gill beat counts at the time of biopsy and 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h after treatment. Overall, no instances of mortality were recorded across the study for all species and all treatments. This method has been found to be a suitable non-lethal method in the removal of muscle tissue from these two fish species, potentially also other species under 30 cm TL, by eliminating mortality and minimising stress responses in sampled fishes.

3D isotropic T2-weighted fast spin echo (VISTA) versus 2D T2-weighted fast spin echo in evaluation of the calcaneofibular ligament in the oblique coronal plane

AIM

To investigate whether the image quality of three-dimensional (3D) volume isotropic fast spin echo acquisition (VISTA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) view is comparable to that of 2D fast spin echo T2-weighted images (2D T2 FSE) for the evaluation of the CFL, and whether 3D VISTA can replace 2D T2 FSE for the evaluation of CFL injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 76 patients who underwent ankle MRI with CFL views of both 2D T2 FSE MRI and 3D VISTA. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of both techniques were measured. The anatomical identification score and diagnostic performances were evaluated by two readers independently. The diagnostic performances of 3D VISTA and 2D T2 FSE were analysed by sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing CFL injury with reference standards of surgically or clinically confirmed diagnoses. Surgical correlation was performed in 29% of the patients, and clinical examination was used in those who did not have surgery (71%).

RESULTS

The SNRs and CNRs of 3D VISTA were significantly higher than those of 2D T2 FSE. The anatomical identification scores on 3D VISTA were inferior to those on 2D T2 FSE, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in diagnostic performance between the two sequences when diagnoses were classified as normal or abnormal.

CONCLUSION

Although the image quality of 3D VISTA MRI of the CFL view is not equal to that of 2D T2 FSE for the anatomical evaluation of CFL, 3D VISTA has a diagnostic performance comparable to that of 2D T2 FSE for the diagnosis of CFL injuries.

Multiplexed and spatiotemporal measurements of glutamate secreted by neurons and bacteria

By applying an in vivo biotinylation platform, glutamate-sensing protein can be easily immobilized on streptavidin-functionalized magnetic microbeads, which expands the detection modality for the spatiotemporal measurements of glutamate secreted by adherent neuronal cells and suspension microbial cells using fluorescence microscopy and microplate photometers.

The association between perceived unmet medical need and mental health among the Republic of Korea Armed Forces

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the effect of unmet medical need on the mental health of Republic of Korea (ROK) Armed Forces personnel, as most of the service members work in remote areas and often experience such unmet needs.

METHODS

This study used secondary data from the 2014 Military Health Survey (MHS), conducted by the ROK School of Military Medicine and designed to collect military health determinants. Descriptive statistics showed the general characteristics of the study populations by variable. We specifically compared the population after stratifying participants by suicide ideation. An analysis of variance was also carried out to compare Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 10 Scores. Additionally, dependent spouses and children of both active-duty service members and retirees are included among those entitled to Military Health System healthcare.

RESULTS

Among the 4967 military personnel, 681 (13.7%) individuals reported an experience of unmet medical need within the past 12 months and gave reasons of 'no time (5.15%)', 'long office wait (2.6%)', 'no money (0.22%)', 'long distance from base (1.19%)', 'illness but not very serious (1.65%)', 'mistrust in doctors (1.95%)' and 'pressure due to performance appraisal (0.95%)'. Regression analysis revealed that unmet medical need was significantly associated with negative mental health (β=1.753, p<0.0001) and increased suicide ideation (OR=2.649, 95% CI 1.84 to 3.82). Also, soldiers reporting unmet medical need due to 'no money', 'no time' or 'pressure due to performance appraisal' were significantly more likely to experience similar negative mental health effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that unmet medical need is significantly associated with soldiers' mental health decline and suicide ideation, highlighting the importance of providing military personnel with timely, affordable and sufficient medical care.

From blue to black: Anthropogenic forcing of carbon and nitrogen influx to mangrove-lined estuaries in the South China Sea

Southeast Asia is the global centre of mangrove development but human activities have dramatically reduced mangrove area in the region. An analysis is made of the shift in carbon and nitrogen influxes into the South China Sea (SCS) resulting from three anthropogenic nutrient sources: domestic sewage discharge, fertilizer use in rice agriculture and environmental loss from mariculture, between 1997 and 2010. Anthropogenic C and N influxes were, respectively, 1.81× and 1.43× those in 1997, with coastal aquaculture contributing most to the increase. In contrast, fringing mangroves provided ~44% of the C but only ~3% of the N from anthropogenic sources in 2010. In 1997, influx from mangroves was 113% and 6% of anthropogenic influx for C and N, respectively. This dominance by relatively labile anthropogenic nutrients over mangrove sources would change nearshore trophodynamics, with negative implications for the resilience of mangroves and nutrient-intolerant systems such as corals.

Protein stability changes of the novel p.Arg180Cys mutant A glycosyltransferase resulted in a weak A phenotype

A novel A subgroup allele (c.538C>T p.Arg180Cys) showing weak A phenotype was found in a 30-year-old Korean woman with ABO discrepancy. Using 3D structural analysis, protein stability prediction and flow cytometric analysis of ABO antigen expression on HeLa cells transfected with plasmids containing the p.Arg180Cys mutant, we found that the Arg180 residue in the loop region of the A glycosyltransferases (GTA) structure plays significant role in stabilizing its closed conformation, which is required for substrate binding and catalysis study.

Low Adherence to Immunosuppressants Is Associated With Symptom Experience Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between immunosuppressant-related symptom experience (SE) and adherence to immunosuppressant regimens among kidney transplant (KT) recipients.

METHODS

A total of 239 KT recipients on an immunosuppressant regimen who were followed up after transplantation participated in this study. Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire survey (medication adherence, SE, and quality of life) and medical record review.

RESULTS

Low adherence in the immunosuppressant group was associated with longer time since KT, less comorbidity (<3), and a higher rehospitalization rate. Low adherence among KT recipients showed significantly greater overall symptom occurrence (P = .001) and symptom distress (P = .002) levels than patients with high or medium adherence after adjusting for a number of covariates. The most common symptom both in terms of occurrence (96.4%) and distress (91.1%) among poorly adherent KT recipients was tiredness.

CONCLUSION

Low adherence to an immunosuppressant regimen was significantly associated with high SE among KT recipients. Strategies to decrease immunosuppressant-related SE are needed to improve adherence to immunosuppressants.

Allele-specific duplex polymerase chain reaction to differentiate Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies and to detect highly clarithromycin-resistant isolates

On the basis of the structural differences of erm, we used a duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to differentiate Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus and subsp. massiliense isolates and to detect the point mutations of 23S rRNA gene that confer a high level of resistance to clarithromycin. Subsp. massiliense strains occupying almost half of the clinical isolates can be simply identified, and their clarithromycin susceptibility can be rapidly determined.

PIN1 Suppresses the Hepatic Differentiation of Pulp Stem Cells via Wnt3a

This study aimed to investigate the role of PIN1 on the hepatic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and its signaling pathway, as well as the potential therapeutic effects of hDPSC transplantation and PIN1 inhibition on CCl₄ (carbon tetrachloride)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. The in vitro results showed that hepatic differentiation was suppressed by infection with adenovirus-PIN1 and promoted by PIN1 inhibitor juglone via the downregulation of Wnt3a and β-catenin. Compared with treatment with either hDPSC transplantation or juglone alone, the combination of hDPSCs and juglone into CCl₄-injured mice significantly suppressed liver fibrosis and restored serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and ammonia. Collectively, the present study shows for the first time that PIN1 inhibition promotes hepatic differentiation of hDPSCs through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, juglone in combination with hDPSC transplantation effectively treats liver fibrosis, suggesting that hDPSC transplantation with PIN1 inhibition may be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of liver injury.

Osteosarcoma in Pre-adolescent Patients

The medical records of 38 pre-adolescent (aged ≤ 10 years) and 43 adolescent (aged 11-15 years) patients with primary osteosarcoma treated using the same protocol were reviewed in order to determine whether the clinical features and prognosis differed between these two groups. Gender, tumour location, tumour size, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and lactic dehydrogenase before treatment, and chemotherapy-induced tumour necrosis were recorded, together with survival data. These parameters were compared in the two groups, and their prognostic significance was evaluated in the pre-adolescent patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical parameters between pre-adolescent and adolescent patients. Only a poor level of chemotherapy-induced tumour necrosis was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in pre-adolescent patients. This study indicates that osteosarcoma behaviour is similar in pre-adolescent and adolescent patients, and there appears to be little justification for adopting different therapies in these two groups.

Do family meals affect childhood overweight or obesity?: nationwide survey 2008-2012

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide and this trend is no exception for South Korea. A multidisciplinary approach is needed for the prevention and management of childhood obesity. To do so, among many other strategies, managing the family unit can be a very effective strategy.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between frequency of family meals and overweight/obesity in elementary students and to suggest the management and prevention strategies of childhood obesity.

METHODS

Data from a total of 2904 elementary students were analyzed from the 2008-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between overweight/obesity and family meals.

RESULTS

Of the total 2904 elementary students, 573 (19.4%) were overweight or obese. The odds ratio of overweight or obese students who had family dinner only was 1.21 (95% CI: 0.89-1.64), that of those who had family breakfast only was 3.20 (95% CI: 1.70-6.02), and that of those who had neither family breakfast nor family dinner was 4.17 (95% CI: 1.98-8.78) compared with those who had both family breakfast and family dinner.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of family meals was strongly an inverse association with childhood overweight or obesity. Therefore, we suggest that the intervention of childhood obesity should include family meals.

Reliability of classification of ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations: a comparison between two-dimensional computed tomography and three-dimensional computed tomography classifications

The aims of this study were to develop a classification for ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations based on three-dimensional computed tomography images and evaluate the inter- and intraobserver reliability of the three-dimensional computed tomography classification. A retrospective review was performed of 30 cases of ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations from 2005 to 2013. We classified ring and little finger carpometacarpal joint fracture subluxations into three types based on three-dimensional computed tomography images. An orthopaedic surgeon with 2 years of experience, a consultant hand surgeon with 8 years of experience, and a consultant radiologist with 9 years of experience, who were completely blind to the treatment algorithm, evaluated 30 cases twice at a 2-week interval using our new classification based on three-dimensional computed tomography images and the other classification based on two-dimensional computed tomography images. Our three-dimensional computed tomography classification showed almost perfect interobserver and intraobserver reliability and resulted in a better level of agreement than two-dimensional computed tomography classification.

Association between interleukin-27 polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of interleukin (IL) 27 -964A/G, 2095T/G, 4603G/A and 4730T/C gene polymorphisms on the development of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), radiographic characteristics and severity.

DESIGN

Differences in the allele and genotype distributions of the -964A/G, 2095T/G, 4603G/A and 4730T/C polymorphisms between 224 PTB patients and 233 healthy controls, between patients with single- and multi-lobe involvement, and between patients with and without cavitation, were investigated. Serum IL-27 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the allele or genotype distributions between PTB patients and healthy controls. However, the -964A/A genotype was more prevalent in patients with single-lobe involvement than the -964A/G or -964G/G genotype in patients with multi-lobe involvement (50.0% vs. 31.3%, P = 0.01). There was no difference between patients with and without cavitation (P > 0.05). Serum median IL-27 concentration was significantly higher in patients with single-lobe involvement than in those with multi-lobe involvement (P = 0.03) and in those with -964A/A genotypes than in those with -964A/G or -964G/G genotypes (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of serum IL-27 levels, the -964 A/A genotype may be associated with a protective role that prevents the intrapulmonary spread of PTB rather than its development.

Identification of germline alterations in breast cancer predisposition genes among Malaysian breast cancer patients using panel testing

Although an association between protein-truncating variants and breast cancer risk has been established for 11 genes, only alterations in BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and PALB2 have been reported in Asian populations. Given that the age of onset of breast cancer is lower in Asians, it is estimated that inherited predisposition to breast cancer may be more significant. To determine the potential utility of panel testing, we investigated the prevalence of germline alterations in 11 established and 4 likely breast cancer genes in a cross-sectional hospital-based cohort of 108 moderate to high-risk breast cancer patients using targeted next generation sequencing. Twenty patients (19%) were identified to carry deleterious mutations, of whom 13 (12%) were in the BRCA1 or BRCA2, 6 (6%) were in five other known breast cancer predisposition genes and 1 patient had a mutation in both BRCA2 and BARD1. Our study shows that BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for the majority of genetic predisposition to breast cancer in our cohort of Asian women. Although mutations in other known breast cancer genes are found, the functional significance and breast cancer risk have not yet been determined, thus limiting the clinical utility of panel testing in Asian populations.

Three-dimensional isotropic T2-weighted fast spin-echo (VISTA) ankle MRI versus two-dimensional fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences for the evaluation of anterior talofibular ligament injury

AIM

To compare the performance of axial images of the ankle joint on three-dimensional (3D) volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) with that of two-dimensional (2D) fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted images for the diagnosis of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 101 patients who underwent both 2D FSE T2-weighted and 3D VISTA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ankle. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of both sequences were measured. The anatomical identification score and diagnostic performances of both sequences were evaluated by two radiologists. The diagnostic performances of 3D VISTA and 2D FSE images were analysed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing ATFL injury. Surgically or clinically confirmed diagnoses were used as reference standards.

RESULTS

The margin sharpness scores on 3D VISTA were significantly inferior to those of 2D FSE (p<0.001). Other scores (entire length, entire width) were not significantly different between the two imaging methods. The SNRs and CNRs of 3D VISTA were significantly higher than those of 2D FSE (p<0.001). When diagnoses were classified as normal and abnormal, the specificity of the 3D VISTA images for the diagnosis of ATFL injury was 95.7%, significantly superior to 2D FSE (84.3-85.7%). There were no significant differences between 3D VISTA and 2D FSE images in sensitivity or accuracy for diagnosis (p=0.227-1.000), with the exception of accuracy by reader 1 (p=0.039).

CONCLUSION

3D VISTA imaging has a diagnostic performance comparable to that of 2D FSE for the diagnosis of ATFL injury, although 3D VISTA is inferior to 2D FSE for the evaluation of margin sharpness. Replacing axial and coronal images with 3D VISTA can save imaging time without negatively impacting the diagnostic ability for ATFL injury.

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

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

Leptin protects rat articular chondrocytes from cytotoxicity induced by TNF-α in the presence of cyclohexamide

OBJECTIVE

Although leptin appears to be an important local and systemic factor influencing cartilage homeostasis, the role of leptin in chondrocyte death is largely unknown. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the pathogenesis of articular diseases. This study examines whether leptin modulates TNF-α-induced articular chondrocyte death.

METHODS

Primary rat articular chondrocytes were isolated from knee joint cartilage slices. To induce cell death, the chondrocytes were treated with TNF-α. To examine whether leptin modulates the extent of TNF-α-mediated chondrocyte death, the cells were pretreated with leptin for 3 h before TNF-α treatment followed by viability analysis. To examine the mechanism by which leptin modulates the extent of TNF-α-mediated chondrocyte death, we utilized mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurements, flow cytometry, nuclear morphology observation, co-immunoprecipitation, western blot analysis and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that leptin suppresses TNF-α induced chondrocyte death. We further found that apoptosis partially contributes to TNF-α induced chondrocyte death while necroptosis primarily contributes to TNF-α induced chondrocyte death. In addition, we observed that leptin exerts anti-TNF-α toxicity via c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in rat articular chondrocytes.

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, we suggest that the leptin present in the articular joint fluid protects articular chondrocytes against cumulative mechanical load and detrimental stresses throughout a lifetime, delaying the onset of degenerative changes in chondrocytes. We can further hypothesize that leptin protects articular chondrocytes against destructive stimuli even in the joints of osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Low serum magnesium is associated with coronary artery calcification in a Korean population at low risk for cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous studies suggested an association between low serum magnesium levels and metabolic or cardiovascular disease. Additionally, several studies have shown that low serum magnesium is associated with vascular calcification, but there are no studies exploring its relation to coronary artery calcification (CAC). We investigated the relationship between low serum magnesium and CAC by using health examination data.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We cross-sectionally analyzed 34,553 participants who underwent coronary multi-detector computed tomography and serum magnesium level measurement in 2010-2012 as part of a health examination program at a tertiary hospital in Korea. CAC was defined as a coronary artery calcium score > 100. Participants were divided into three groups according to their serum magnesium level as follows: low < 1.9 mg/dL (n = 931), normal = 1.9-2.3 mg/dL (n = 32,341), and high > 2.3 mg/dL (n = 1281). The percentages of participants with CAC were 3.7, 1.5, and 2.3 in each group, respectively. According to multivariate analysis, low serum magnesium was associated with CAC after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, systolic BP, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, eGFR, serum calcium and phosphorus, hsCRP, current smoking status, alcohol intake and vigorous exercise frequency. The odds ratio for CAC in the low serum magnesium group compared to the normal group was 2.10 (1.40-3.15, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Low serum magnesium level is associated with CAC in a Korean population at low risk for cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to generalize this finding and to verify the causal relationship between low serum magnesium and CAC.

Profiling microRNA expression in fracture nonunions: Potential role of microRNAs in nonunion formation studied in a rat model

MicroRNAs (miRNAs ) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. We hypothesised that the functions of certain miRNAs and changes to their patterns of expression may be crucial in the pathogenesis of nonunion. Healing fractures and atrophic nonunions produced by periosteal cauterisation were created in the femora of 94 rats, with 1:1 group allocation. At post-fracture days three, seven, ten, 14, 21 and 28, miRNAs were extracted from the newly generated tissue at the fracture site. Microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of day 14 samples revealed that five miRNAs, miR-31a-3p, miR-31a-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-146b-5p and miR-223-3p, were highly upregulated in nonunion. Real-time PCR analysis further revealed that, in nonunion, the expression levels of all five of these miRNAs peaked on day 14 and declined thereafter. Our results suggest that miR-31a-3p, miR-31a-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-146b-5p and miR-223-3p may play an important role in the development of nonunion. These findings add to the understanding of the molecular mechanism for nonunion formation and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for its treatment.

Gluconacetobacter sp. gel_SEA623-2, bacterial cellulose producing bacterium isolated from citrus fruit juice

Cellulose producing bacterial strain was isolated from citrus fruit juice fungus. The isolated strain was identified as Gluconacetobacter sp. gel_SEA623-2 based on several morphological characteristics, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA conducted. Culture conditions for bacterial cellulose production by SEA623-2 were screened in static trays. Conditions were extensively optimized by varying the kind of fruit juice, pH, sugar concentration, and temperature for maximum cellulose production. SEA623-2 has a high productive capacity in citrus processing medium, but not in other fruits. The optimal combination of the media constituents for bacterial cellulose production is as follows: 10% citrus juice, 10% sucrose, 1% acetic acid, and 1% ethanol at 30 °C, pH 3.5. Bacterial cellulose produced by SEA623-2 has soft physical properties, high tensile strength, and high water retention value. The cellulose produced by the selected bacteria is suitable as a cosmetic and medical material.

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.

Delayed diagnosis of cholestatic drug-induced liver injury treated with corticosteroid for adrenal insufficiency secondary to miliary tuberculosis

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in a patient with multiple comorbidities is often challenging to diagnose because liver injury can be attributed to multiple disease processes. Delayed treatment of DILI could have fatal consequences and, therefore, understanding the features and risks of DILI is crucial. We report a unique case of a patient who was admitted for severe sepsis of unknown etiology. This patient was later found to have miliary tuberculosis (TB) with associated adrenal insufficiency, complicated by acute cholestatic liver injury. Liver injury fully improved after initiation of corticosteroid for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency. The most likely pathophysiology of acute liver injury was DILI, given the clinical course of liver injury and the liver biopsy result of non-caseating granulomas. Although five different antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, vancomycin, imipenem/cilastatin, and cefepime were provided, the timing of liver injury and pharmacology of each drug imply that ciprofloxacin was the most likely antibiotic causing DILI, given the pharmacology of each antibiotics. This case is unique because miliary TB was complicated by adrenal insufficiency and drug-induced cholestatic liver injury, but acute liver injury was fully reversed after corticosteroid treatment. This implies an immune-mediated etiology of DILI, especially ciprofloxacin-induced cholestatic liver injury. DILI is challenging to diagnose in the setting of multiple comorbidities. Therefore, it is crucial that clinicians are to be aware of signs and symptoms of DILI, in that delayed diagnose and treatment may have fatal consequences.

A genetic variation in microRNA target site of KRT81 gene is associated with survival in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a key role in carcinogenesis through negative regulation of their target genes. Therefore, genetic variations in miRNAs or their target sites may affect miRNA-mRNA interactions, thereby result in altered expression of target genes. This study was conducted to investigate the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located in the miRNA target sites (poly-miRTSs) and survival of patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Using public SNP database and miRNA target sites prediction program, 354 poly-miRTSs were selected for genotyping. Among these, 154 SNPs applicable to Sequenom's MassARRAY platform were investigated in 357 patients. A replication study was carried out on an independent patient population (n = 479). Renilla luciferase assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were conducted to examine functional relevance of potentially functional poly-miRTSs.

RESULTS

Of the 154 SNPs analyzed in a discovery set, 14 SNPs were significantly associated with survival outcomes. Among these, KRT81 rs3660G>C was found to be associated with survival outcomes in the validation cohort. In the combined analysis, patients with the rs3660 GC + CC genotype had a significantly better overall survival compared with those with GG genotype [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for OS, 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.85; P = 0.001]. An increased expression of the reporter gene for the C allele of rs3660 compared with the G allele was observed by luciferase assay. Consistently, the C allele was associated with higher relative expression level of KRT81 in tumor tissues.

CONCLUSION

The rs3660G>C affects KRT81 expression and thus influences survival in early-stage NSCLC. The analysis of the rs3660G>C polymorphism may be useful to identify patients at high risk of a poor disease outcome.

Lower serum zinc levels are associated with unhealthy metabolic status in normal-weight adults: The 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

AIM

This study investigated whether serum zinc concentration is associated with glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and metabolic health status in Korean adults.

METHODS

Subjects with available serum zinc levels were recruited from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANESV) cohort. Those in the highest quartile on homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-25kg/m(2) were classified as metabolically obese and normal weight (MONW).

RESULTS

A total of 1813 subjects with a mean age of 45.2±0.5 years and a mean BMI of 24.01±0.11kg/m(2) were enrolled. Those in the lower serum zinc quartiles exhibited higher levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance indices compared with those in the higher quartiles. However, these associations were positive only in normal-weight subjects. Those categorized as MONW exhibited significantly lower serum zinc levels than the metabolically healthy and normal weight (MHNW) subjects (131.6±3.0μg/dL vs 141.7±2.8μg/dL, respectively; P=0.0026), whereas serum zinc levels did not differ according to metabolic health in obese subjects. The odds ratio for being categorized as MONW was 4.12 (95% CI: 1.75, 9.72) among those in the lowest serum zinc quartile compared with those in the highest quartile even after adjusting for possible confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

Lower serum zinc levels were associated with unhealthy metabolic status in normal-weight adults. Further prospective studies are required to define the role of zinc in metabolic health.

Reliability and validity of lower extremity computed tomography as a screening tool for osteoporosis

We evaluated the correlation between central bone mineral density (BMD) and peripheral bone attenuation using lower extremity computed tomography (CT). A good correlation was found between lower extremity CT and central BMD suggesting that CT is useful for screening osteoporosis, and that peripheral bone attenuation adequately reflects central BMD.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of CT as a screening tool for osteoporosis and to estimate the correlation between central BMD and peripheral bone attenuation using lower extremity CT.

METHODS

In total, 292 patients who underwent a lower extremity, lumbar spine, or abdomen and pelvic CT scan within a 3-month interval of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) examination were included. Following reliability testing, bone attenuation of the L1, L2, L3, L4, femoral head, femoral neck, greater trochanter, distal femur, proximal tibia, distal tibia, and talus was measured by placing a circular region of interest on the central part of each bony region on a coronal CT image. Partial correlation was used to assess the correlation between CT and DEXA after adjusting for age and body mass index.

RESULTS

In terms of reliability, all bone attenuation measurements, except the femoral neck, showed good to excellent interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.691-0.941). In terms of validity, bone attenuation of the L1 to L4, femoral neck, and greater trochanter on CT showed significant correlations with BMD of each area on DEXA (correlation coefficients, 0.399-0.613). Bone attenuation of the distal tibia and talus on CT showed significant correlations with BMD of all parts on DEXA (correlation coefficients, 0.493-0.581 for distal tibia, 0.396-0.579 for talus).

CONCLUSION

Lower extremity CT is a useful screening tool for osteoporosis, and peripheral bone attenuation on lower extremity CT adequately reflects central BMD on DEXA.

Strain elastography features of epidermoid tumours in superficial soft tissue: differences from other benign soft-tissue tumours and malignant tumours

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated ultrasonographic features of superficial epidermoid tumour with a focus on strain elastography (SE) features that will help in the differential diagnosis of epidermoid tumour from other benign and malignant soft-tissue tumours.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated ultrasonographic and SE data of 103 surgically confirmed superficial soft-tissue tumours and tumour-like lesions: 29 cases of epidermoid tumour, 46 cases of other benign tumours and 28 cases of malignant tumour. SE and B-mode imaging were performed at the same time. SE characteristics were assigned into four grades (1-4) according to their elasticity. Interobserver agreement for the four SE scores between the two radiologists was analysed using kappa statistics. We classified each SE finding as a hard lesion (SE Score 3-4) or soft lesion (SE Score 1-2) and compared these findings using the χ(2) test to identify whether a significant difference in mass hardness existed among epidermoid tumour, other benign tumour and malignant tumour.

RESULTS

Overall interobserver agreement according to the four SE scores was moderate (κ = 0.540), and overall agreement for the hardness [soft (Score 1-2) or hard (Score 3-4)] was almost perfect (κ = 0.825). Malignant tumours showed higher SE scores (3-4, hard nature) than did epidermoid tumour or other benign soft-tissue tumours. There were no differences in SE score between epidermoid tumour and other benign tumours.

CONCLUSION

Superficial epidermoid tumour exhibits a softer nature than does malignant tumour but does not have a different SE pattern from other benign tumours.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

SE features of epidermoid tumour might be helpful in differentiating from other benign and malignant tumours.

Short-term effect of gastric resection on circulating levels of ghrelin, peptide YY3-36 and obestatin in patients with early gastric cancer

The short-term responses of gut hormones and the compensative interaction during a one-week period after subtotal gastrectomy in early gastric cancer (EGC) patients were assessed. Previous studies have reported gut hormonal changes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Blood samples were collected from 40 patients with EGC preoperatively, at 1 h after gastric resection, and on postoperative day (POD) 1, 3, and 7. Levels of active ghrelin, total ghrelin, obestatin, and PYY3-36 were measured. Total ghrelin level rapidly reached a nadir of 69.1%, while active ghrelin level had increased to 135.5% at 1 h after resection. Then, both returned to preoperative level. On the contrary, active/total ghrelin reached its nadir quickly at 1 h after resection and had returned to the preoperative level by POD 3. The nadir PYY3-36 level was 71.4% on POD 1, followed by a gradual recovery, and had increased to 116.5% by POD 7. The same pattern was observed for obestatin. Active ghrelin/obestatin showed an increase on POD 1 while total ghrelin/obestatin showed a decrease on POD 3. Then, both returned to preoperative level. These results suggest that a rapid interactive compensatory mechanism of gut hormones does exist in the remnant gastrointestinal tract after abrupt changes in the production reservoir in nonobese people.

Seed dormancy and germination in Jeffersonia dubia (Berberidaceae) as affected by temperature and gibberellic acid

The genus Jeffersonia, which contains only two species, has a trans-Atlantic disjunct distribution. The aims of this study were to determine the requirements for breaking dormancy and germination of J. dubia seeds and to compare its dormancy characteristics with those of the congener in eastern North America. Ripe seeds of J. dubia contain an underdeveloped embryo and were permeable to water. In nature, seeds were dispersed in May, while embryos began to grow in September, and were fully elongated by late November. Germination started in March of the next year, and seeds emerged as seedlings soon after germination. In laboratory experiments, incubation at high temperatures (25 °C, 25/15 °C) for at least 8 weeks was required to initiate embryo growth, while a transfer to moderate temperatures (20/10 °C, 15/6 °C) was needed for the completion of embryo growth. At least 8 weeks at 5 °C was effective in overcoming physiological dormancy and for germination in seeds after the embryos had fully elongated. Thus, both high and low temperatures were essential to break dormancy. Gibberellic acid (GA3 ) treatment could substitute for the high temperature requirement, but not for the low temperature requirement. Based on the dormancy-breaking requirements, it is confirmed that the seeds have deep simple morphophysiological dormancy. This dormancy type is similar to that of seeds of the eastern North American species J. diphylla. Although seeds require 10-11 months from seed dispersal to germination in nature, under controlled conditions they required only 3 months after treatment with 1000 mg·l(-1) GA3 , followed by incubation at 15/6 °C. This represents practical knowledge for propagation of these plants from seed.

Comparison of the treatment performance of hybrid constructed wetlands treating stormwater runoff

This study was conducted to compare the treatment performance of two hybrid constructed wetlands (CWs) in treating stormwater runoff. The hybrid CWs were composed of a combination of free water surface (FWS) and horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) CWs. Based on the results, strong correlation exists between potential runoff impacts and stormwater characteristics; however, the low correlations also suggest that not only the monitored parameters contribute to stormwater event mean concentrations (EMC) of pollutants, but other factors should also be considered as well. In the hydraulic and treatment performance of the hybrid CWs, a small surface area to catchment area (SA/CA) ratio, receiving a high concentration of influent EMC, will find it hard to achieve great removal efficiency; also a large SA/CA ratio, receiving low concentration of influent EMC, will find it hard to achieve great removal efficiency. With this, SA/CA ratio and influent characteristics such as EMC or load should be considered among the design factors of CWs. The performance data of the two CWs were used to consider the most cost-effective design of a hybrid CW. The optimum facility capacity (ratio of total runoff volume to storage volume) that is applicable for a target volume reduction and removal efficiency was provided in this study.