Endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 regulates epithelial cell integrity during the mesenchymal-epithelial transition in breast cancer cells

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) correlates with disruption of cell-cell adhesion, loss of cell polarity and development of epithelial cell malignancy. Identifying novel molecules that inhibit EMT has profound potential for developing mechanism-based therapeutics. We previously demonstrated that the endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERp29) is a novel factor that can drive mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) and induce cell growth arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells. Here, we show that ERp29 is an important molecule in establishing epithelial cell integrity during the MET. We demonstrate that ERp29 regulates MET in a cell context-dependent manner. ERp29 overexpression induced a complete MET in mesenchymal MDA-MB-231 cells through downregulating the expression of transcriptional repressors (for example, Slug, Snai1, ZEB2 and Twist) of E-cadherin. In contrast, overexpression of ERp29 induces incomplete MET in basal-like BT549 cells in which the expression of EMT-related markers (for example, vimentin; cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and E-cadherin) and the transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin were not altered. However, ERp29 overexpression in both cell-types resulted in loss of filamentous stress fibers, formation of cortical actin and restoration of an epithelial phenotype. Mechanistic studies revealed that overexpression of ERp29 in both cell-types upregulated the expression of TJ proteins (zonula-occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin) and the core apical-basal polarity proteins (Par3 and Scribble) at the membrane to enhance cell-cell contact and cell polarization. Knockdown of ERp29 in the epithelial MCF-7 cells decreased the expression of these proteins, leading to the disruption of cell-cell adhesion. Taken together, ERp29 is a novel molecule that regulates MET and epithelial cell integrity in breast cancer cells.

Pulmonary artery pressure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease without resting hypoxaemia

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale, which are predictors of mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in COPD patients without resting hypoxaemia, and to characterise COPD patients with increased PAP.

DESIGN

A study of 117 COPD patients from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease (KOLD) cohort who had measurable tricuspid regurgitant flow under transthoracic Doppler echocardiography and no resting hypoxaemia.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 67 years. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) was 47% predicted, mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentration was 145 g/l and mean systolic PAP (sPAP) was 33 mmHg. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Hb was the only factor independently associated with sPAP (beta = -1.752, P = 0.005). Cluster analysis using FEV(1)% predicted, sPAP and Hb concentration as variables indicated three patient clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 36; mean FEV(1) 44% predicted, mean sPAP 39 mmHg, mean Hb 132 g/l), Cluster 2 (n = 45; FEV(1) 35% predicted, sPAP 31 mmHg, Hb 154 g/l), and Cluster 3 (n = 36; FEV(1) 65% predicted, sPAP 29 mmHg, Hb 148 g/l).

CONCLUSION

Elevated PAP was linked to low haemoglobin levels in COPD without resting hypoxaemia.

First Report of Internal Fruit Rot of Sweet Pepper in Korea Caused by Fusarium lactis

In June 2010, an internal fruit rot of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit was found in a commercial greenhouse in Ilsan City, Korea. Disease incidence reached approximately 5% of 30 tons of harvested peppers. Affected fruits commonly did not show external symptoms. However, when the fruit was cut open, an internal rot and pinkish gray mycelium were observed on the seeds and the inner surface of fruit. Discolored soft patches, browning, and necrosis were observed on the outer surface of some fruits. Fragments (5 × 5 mm²) of the affected tissues were surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 30 s and then rinsed twice in sterile distilled water. The pieces were placed on water agar and incubated at 25°C for 4 to 6 days. Twenty-nine Fusarium isolates were obtained from 12 diseased fruits and maintained on synthetic low nutrient agar (SNA) at 10°C. The isolates were cultured on carnation leaf agar (CLA) and SNA at 23°C with 12 h of near-ultraviolet light per day for 14 days. Microconidia were abundant, borne in short, zig-zag chains or false heads, obovoid or clavate with a flattened base, and measured 4.3 to 7.1 × 2.2 to 3.3 μm. Macroconidia were sparse, thin walled, slender, straight to slightly curved, and measured 32 to 48 × 2.8 to 3.9 μm. Sporodochia were rare on CLA and chlamydospores were absent. The translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) gene was amplified from four isolates (SPF01, SPF09, SPF16, and SPF22) by PCR assay using ef1 and ef2 primers (2), and the 700-bp amplification products were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JF411956 to JF411959). BLAST analysis showed 98% homology with the EF-1α sequence of Fusarium lactis NRRL25200 (GenBank Accession No. AF160272). All isolates were identified as F. lactis based on morphological and molecular characteristics (1). Pathogenicity tests of the four isolates were conducted by inoculating flowers on plants of the orange pepper cv. Orange Glory (3). A spore suspension was prepared by flooding 5-day-old cultures on potato dextrose agar with sterile distilled water. When the plants started to flower, each flower was inoculated by placing 20 μl of spore suspension (1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) on each flower. Four isolates of F. lactis were each inoculated onto three flowers on each of seven plants. Flowers from the same number of plants inoculated with sterile distilled water were used as the control treatment. Inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse at 25°C by day and 20°C by night. Sixty days after inoculation, mature fruits were harvested and cut open to check for internal rot. Approximately 70% of inoculated fruits showed internal rot and pinkish gray mycelial growth on the inner surface of the fruits. No symptoms were observed on the control fruits. Fungal cultures resembling F. lactis were reisolated from inoculated fruits for all four isolates, fulfilling Koch's postulates. F. lactis has been reported on sweet pepper in the Netherlands and Canada (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of internal fruit rot of sweet pepper caused by F. lactis in Korea. Although disease severity was low in this greenhouse, the economic impact on sweet pepper could be significant because the disease can reduce the quality, quantity, and market value of pepper fruits. References: (1) H. I. Nirenberg and K. O'Donnell. Mycologia 90:434, 1998. (2) K. O'Donnell et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:2044, 1998. (3) J. Yang et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 31:47, 2009.

Different therapeutic responses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subgroups

SETTING

Eleven referring hospitals in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To compare therapeutic responses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subgroups, classified by diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL(CO)) and lung volume.

DESIGN

A total of 130 stable male COPD patients were classified into four subgroups according to baseline DL(CO) and residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) ratio. We compared therapeutic responses to short acting β(2)-agonist (SABA) and 3-month combined inhalation of long-acting β(2)-agonist (LABA) and corticosteroid among patients with these subgroups.

RESULTS

Among the 130 COPD patients, 41 (31.5%) had normal DL(CO) and RV/TLC, 28 (21.5%) low DL(CO) and normal RV/TLC, 31 (23.8%) normal DL(CO) and high RV/TLC, and 30 (23.1%) low DL(CO) and high RV/TLC. The normal DL(CO)/high RV/TLC subgroup showed a significantly larger flow response (changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s) to salbutamol than the normal DL(CO)/RV/TLC subgroups, and a larger volume response (changes in forced vital capacity) than the two normal RV/TLC subgroups. The normal DL(CO)/high RV/TLC subgroup also showed significantly larger flow and volume response to 3-month combined inhalation of LABA and corticosteroid than the two normal RV/TLC subgroups.

CONCLUSION

COPD subgroups classified by DL(CO) and RV/TLC may have different pulmonary function responses to pharmacological treatment.

Transcultural adaptation and testing of psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS)

OBJECTIVE

Translation and transcultural adaptation of the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS LK 2.0) into Korean language was performed, followed by test of psychometric properties.

DESIGN

A Korean version of the HOOS was produced according to internationally recommended guidelines, which included forward translation, reconciliation, back translation, harmonization, cognitive debriefing and proof reading. The psychometric properties including reliability and validity were evaluated. The reliability, including the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, was then evaluated in a hip osteoarthritis population (OA group, n=75). The validity, including the convergent validity was assessed comparing HOOS with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) scale. Responsiveness was evaluated in a population scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA group, n=35).

RESULTS

All subscales of the HOOS showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha>0.7) without floor and ceiling effects. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) spanned from 0.78 to 0.93. In terms of convergent validity, Activity of Daily Living (ADL) subscale showed the strongest correlations with Physical Function (PF) (r=0.801) and Bodily Pain (BP) (r=0.810) in the subscales of SF-36. For responsiveness, all HOOS subscale scores improved significantly (P<0.05) postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Korean version of HOOS showed satisfactory internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and responsiveness. This study shows that the HOOS questionnaire developed in West is, with transcultural adaptation, relevant for use among patients in East Asia.

Performance of Combined Support Vector Machine and Principal Component Analysis in recognizing infant cry with asphyxia

Combined Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to recognize the infant cries with asphyxia. SVM classifier based on features selected by the PCA was trained to differentiate between pathological and healthy cries. The PCA was applied to reduce dimensionality of the vectors that serve as inputs to the SVM. The performance of the SVM utilizing linear and RBF kernel was examined. Experimental results showed that SVM with RBF kernel yields good performance. The classification accuracy in classifying infant cry with asphyxia using the SVM-PCA is 95.86%.

Antenatal magnesium sulfate and the postnatal response of the ductus arteriosus to indomethacin in extremely preterm neonates

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4)) treatment on the clinical responsiveness of the ductus arteriosus to indomethacin prophylaxis and on that of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) to indomethacin treatment in premature neonates.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective study of 160 consecutively admitted neonates with a gestational age of <28 weeks (41 MgSO(4) exposed and 119 controls) who received indomethacin prophylaxis.

RESULT

Incidence of early closure of the ductus arteriosus was lower in the MgSO(4)-exposed neonates than in the control group (59 vs 84%, respectively; P=0.002), whereas incidence of an sPDA was higher (46 vs 24%, respectively; P=0.006). Response to indomethacin treatment was similar between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis indicated increased risk of failure of early ductus arteriosus closure following antenatal MgSO(4) treatment (odds ratio, 4.03; P=0.002).

CONCLUSION

In extremely preterm neonates, antenatal MgSO(4) treatment reduces clinical responsiveness of the ductus arteriosus to indomethacin prophylaxis but not that of sPDA to indomethacin treatment.

Three phenotypes of obstructive lung disease in the elderly

SETTING

Eleven referring hospitals in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To classify the phenotypes in elderly subjects with obstructive lung disease (OLD).

METHODS

We analysed 191 subjects aged ≥ 60 years with chronic respiratory symptoms and either obstructive spirometry or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Factor analysis was performed using commonly measured variables and revealed four significant variables: 1) the ratio of inspiratory capacity to total lung capacity, 2) the total score on the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, 3) the volume fraction of the lung less than 950 Hounsfield Unit at full inspiration on volumetric computed tomography and 4) post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) changes. We performed a cluster analysis on these four variables.

RESULTS

The mean age was 68.5 (± 5.2 SD) years and the mean post-bronchodilator FEV(1) was 52.4% (± 16.5) predicted. Three clusters with the following phenotypes were identified: Cluster 1 included subjects with moderate to severe airflow obstruction and bronchodilator reversibility; Cluster 2 subjects had moderate airflow obstruction without bronchodilator reversibility, and Cluster 3 subjects had severe airflow obstruction without bronchodilator reversibility.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified three phenotypes in elderly subjects with OLD. Follow-up studies are needed to explore the clinical significance of each phenotype.

The detection and discrimination of malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions: T2 weighted vs diffusion-weighted MRI

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the detection and characterisation of focal hepatic lesions compared with the use of T(2) weighted imaging.

METHOD

45 patients with 97 hepatic lesions (51 malignant lesions and 46 benign lesions) were included in this retrospective study. Malignant hepatic lesions included 12 hepatocellular carcinomas, 26 metastases and 13 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Benign hepatic lesions included 19 haemangiomas and 27 cysts. The MRI protocol for the upper abdomen included T(2) weighted images, in- and opposed-phase T(1) weighted images and dynamic T(1) weighted images. Breath-hold fat-suppressed single-shot echo planar DWI was performed with the following parameters: 1338/66; b factors, 0, 50 and 800 s mm(-2). Two independent observers reviewed the T(2) weighted images and the DWI to detect and to characterise the hepatic lesions.

RESULTS

For detection of malignant hepatic lesions, the use of DWI showed a significantly higher detection rate than the use of T(2) weighted images (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the use of DWI and T(2) weighted images for benign hepatic lesions. For the differentiation between malignant and benign hepatic lesions, there was no significant difference in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the use of T(2) weighted images and the use of DWI.

CONCLUSION

The use of DWI was better for the detection of malignant hepatic lesions than the use of T(2) weighted images. However, for detection of benign hepatic lesions and characterisation of hepatic lesions, the use of DWI was equivalent to the use of T(2) weighted images.

A study into salivary-based measurement of human stress subjected to Ellestad stress test protocol

Previous works on the effects of salivary alpha amylase in respond to various stressors report encouraging findings on it being a good indicator of stress. Ellestad protocol is a clinical procedure to screen for coronary artery disease by introducing exercise induced physical stress. If a salivary based biomarker profile in accordance to a stress test protocol could be established, the critical stress state which disable rational decision making could be ascertained in a standardized procedure. This technique would serve to aid human resource management in times of critical events such as rescue, firefighting or even military, that would potentially prevent unnecessary sacrifice of human lives. In this pilot study with five healthy volunteers performing the Ellestad protocol treadmill, a measurement profile with physiologic and salivary based biomarker is obtained. It is found that the alpha amylase levels or the changes in it as workload changes from resting-walking-running at ease-exhaustive running, is relatively more significant in reflecting the stress state than heart rate and blood pressure. Moreover, it is strongly associated with mood state with correlation coefficient of 0.8 and significance of 0.01.

Artemisia fukudo essential oil attenuates LPS-induced inflammation by suppressing NF-kappaB and MAPK activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages

In the present study, the chemical constituents of Artemisia fukudo essential oil (AFE) were investigated using GC-MS. The major constituents were alpha-thujone (48.28%), beta-thujone (12.69%), camphor (6.95%) and caryophyllene (6.01%). We also examined the effects of AFE on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Western blotting and RT-PCR tests indicated that AFE has potent dose-dependent inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators. We investigated the mechanism by which AFE inhibits NO and PGE(2) by examining the level of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is an inflammation-induced signal pathway in RAW 264.7 cells. AFE inhibited LPS-induced ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation. Furthermore, AFE inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation and degradation of Ikappa-B-alpha, which is required for the nuclear translocations of the p50 and p65 NF-kappaB subunits in RAW 264.7 cells. Our results suggest that AFE might exert an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such an effect is mediated by a blocking of NF-kappaB activation which consequently inhibits the generation of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 cells. AFE may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

Effects of embedded sub-micron pillar arrays in microfluidic channels on large DNA electrophoresis

A study of the influences of embedding artificial structures in a microfluidic device for CE with a free buffer solution is presented. Compared with conventional slab-gel electrophoresis, three major additional effects on the overall system performance are identified when sub-micron pillar arrays are integrated into a standard CE microsystem. Since DNA molecules have to migrate in-between and interact with the pillars, pillar geometry is first demonstrated to have a direct impact on the DNA motion pattern. Electric field re-distribution is another inevitable outcome when features of sub-micron dimensions are placed inside a microchannel. This effect is verified by a numerical simulation tool. Furthermore, the integration of the closely packed sub-micron structures dramatically increases the surface to volume ratios in the microfluidic device and therefore generates a large EOF. The consequence of these additional influences implies a complexity in the measured DNA velocity and indicates that careful considerations have to be taken when these devices are used for DNA electrokinetics study or electrophoresis theory re-examination.

Accelerometer signal-based human activity recognition using augmented autoregressive model coefficients and artificial neural nets

Automatic recognition of human activities is one of the important and challenging research areas in proactive and ubiquitous computing. In this work, we present some preliminary results of recognizing human activities using augmented features extracted from the activity signals measured using a single triaxial accelerometer sensor and artificial neural nets. The features include autoregressive (AR) modeling coefficients of activity signals, signal magnitude areas (SMA), and title angles (TA). We have recognized four human activities using AR coefficients (ARC) only, ARC with SMA, and ARC with SMA and TA. With the last augmented features, we have achieved the recognition rate above 99% for all four activities including lying, standing, walking, and running. With our proposed technique, real time recognition of some human activities is possible.

Assessment of computerized analysis algorithms for one dimension physiologic data with multiple databases

Software technology enables computerized analysis to offer second opinion in various screening and diagnostic tasks to assist the clinicians. Yet, the performance of these computerized methods for medical images is questioned by experts in CAD research, owing to the use of different databases and criteria for evaluating the computer results for comparison. This paper intends to substantiate this statement by illustrating the effects of such issues with the use of 1D physiologic data and multiple databases. For this purpose, the detection of desaturation events in Sp02 and spike events in EEG are used. This is the first time that comparison between different algorithms on a common basis is carried out on an individual effort. The appraisal for all the algorithms is made on the same databases and criteria. It is surprising to find that issues for 2/3D images concur with those found in 1D data here. In evaluating the accuracy of a new algorithm, a single independent database gives results fast. This paper reveals weaknesses of such an approach. It is hoped that the supportive evidence shown here is enough for researchers to innovate a better platform for credibility in reporting performance comparison of computerized analysis algorithms.

Clinical and genetic analysis of a Korean patient with late-onset X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: identification of a novel mutation in the NR0B1 gene

Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is caused by mutations in the NR0B1 gene on chromosome Xp21.3-p21.2. It manifests as X-linked primary adrenal failure in early infancy or childhood and as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG) at puberty. Although studies of AHC patients and mutations in the NR0B1 gene have been reported throughout the world, there has previously been only one other case report from Korea. We encountered a 23-year old Korean male with delayed-onset AHC/HHG who had been previously diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency of unknown aetiology at age 13 years. Delayed puberty and incomplete HHG were observed. Direct sequencing of the NR0B1 gene revealed the patient to have a novel insertion mutation (c.959_960insT; Leu321ProfsX68). Although AHC is believed to be rare, it should be considered in a differential diagnosis of patients showing late-onset primary adrenal insufficiency.

An efficient liposomal gene delivery vehicle using Sendai F/HN proteins and protamine

By means of a simple mixing procedure, we have constructed cationic Sendai virosomes consisting of fusogenic viral F/HN proteins and cationic lipids. Sendai virus F/HN proteins were purified by Triton X-100 treatment and sequential centrifugation, and then quantitatively added to cationic liposomes. The presence of HN proteins is essential for hemolytic activity of Sendai virus as well as efficient gene transfection. The amount of detergent added for purification of F/HN proteins was also crucial for hemolytic activity. The relevance of F/HN proteins in the gene-transfer capability of the cationic Sendai F/HN virosomes (CSVs) was verified by heat inactivation of the F/HN proteins, and cell-binding competition. DNA condensation by protamine sulfate was able to further enhance the transfection efficiency and serum resistance of CSV. The enhanced transfection efficiency of protamine-condensed DNA-encapsulating cationic Sendai F/HN virosomes (PCSVs) may result from specific and efficient cell binding mediated by F/HN proteins and efficient DNA encapsulation by protamine. The DNA condensation by protamine was crucial for systemic in vivo gene transfer by CSVs. The PCSVs exhibited a higher gene expression in various organs, especially the liver, compared to DOTAP/Chol lipoplexes. These results demonstrate the potential for the use of PCSV as gene delivery vehicles for systemic gene transfer.

Is it safe to perform laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh in elderly patients?

BACKGROUND

Ventral hernia is a common surgical condition occurring most often as a complication following abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic repair of a ventral hernia has been shown to be safe with low rates of complications, shortened length of stay, and low rates of early recurrence as compared to open surgery. Few studies have documented long-term outcomes of laparoscopic repair in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to report the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh in elderly patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This is a retrospective study in a university setting with IRB approval. Between the years 2000 and 2006, 117 patients underwent laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia with synthetic mesh. Data were collected using patient charts and radiographic reports. Patient variables included age, sex, size and content of hernia, size of mesh used, length of hospital stay (LHS), estimated blood loss (EBL), follow-up duration, and post-operative complications (PC) including infection, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding, and pulmonary embolism. The comparison was done between two different age groups (A <55 years old; B >or= 55 years old).

RESULTS

Current median (range) follow-up periods for group A (<55 years) and B (>or=55 years) were 57.5 and 53 months, respectively. Group A (63 patients) and B (54 patients) had same median LHS (1 day) and size of mesh utilized (285 cm(2)). For groups A and B, the percent female, and the percentages of recurrence, minimal EBL (<50 ml), and PC were 61.9 and 44.4; 1.6 and 3.7; 96.8 and 92.6; 4.8 and 12.9, respectively. Median hernia sizes for groups A and B were 55.1 and 54 cm(2). No significant differences were found for any of the above variables.

CONCLUSION

No significant difference was found in outcomes between younger versus older patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. Laparoscopic repair provides a durable and effective method of repairing a ventral hernia with low morbidity and mortality in the elderly population.

Production of a polyclonal anti-myostatin antibody and the effects of in ovo administration of the antibody on posthatch broiler growth and muscle mass

In this study, we produced a polyclonal antibody against unprocessed chicken myostatin and examined the effect of in ovo administration of the antibody on posthatch chicken growth and muscle mass. A PCR-amplified unprocessed chicken myostatin cDNA was cloned into an Escherichia coli expression vector, and myostatin proteins were expressed. Recombinant myostatin purified by electro-elution of the SDS-PAGE fractionated myostatin band was used as an immunogen to produce rabbit polyclonal antimyostatin antibody (pAb-AVM46). In Western blot analysis, the pAb-AVM46 showed high affinity to the myostatin propeptide, but little affinity to the mature myostatin. Two experiments examined the effect of in ovo administration of the pAb-AVM46 on posthatch chicken growth and skeletal muscle mass. In experiment 1, broilers from eggs injected once with 35 microg of the antibody into the yolk on d 3 of incubation had significantly lower combined thigh and leg weight at 4 wk posthatch than the controls that received no injection, or the broilers from eggs received the same dose of antibody into the albumen. In experiment 2, 2 different doses of the antibody (9 or 70 microg) were injected into the yolk, and the effects on body and muscle weight were examined at 5 wk posthatch. Birds from eggs injected with 70 microg of the antibody had significantly lighter (11.6%) combined thigh and leg weight than the control birds. The percentage of the combined thigh and leg weight to BW of the 70-microg group was also significantly lower than that of the control group (20.95 vs. 23.08%). The results of this study indicate that unprocessed full-length myostatin as an immunogen produced antibody populations having affinity mostly to the propeptide with little to the mature form. The decreased muscle weight observed in broilers injected with the antibody in the yolk indicates that myostatin activity was probably elevated by the binding of the antibody to the propeptide, and provides evidence that myostatin propeptide inhibits the biological activity of myostatin in broilers.

Comparison of conventional laparoscopic and hand-assisted oncologic segmental colonic resection

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopically assisted colon resection has evolved to be a viable option for the treatment of colorectal cancer. This study evaluates the efficacy of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) as compared with totally laparoscopic surgery (LAP) for segmental oncologic colon resection with regard to lymph node harvest, operative times, intraoperative blood loss, pedicle length, incision length, and length of hospital stay in an attempt to help delineate the role of each in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed to acquire data for this evaluation. Between June 2001 and July 2005, 40 patients underwent elective oncologic segmental colon resection (22 HALS and 18 LAP). The main outcome measures included lymph node harvest, operative times, intraoperative blood loss, pedicle length, incision length, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable in terms of demographics. The tumor margins were clear in all the patients. The HALS resection resulted in a significantly higher lymph node yield than the LAP resection (HALS: 16 nodes; range, 5-35 nodes vs LAP: 8 nodes; range, 5-22 nodes; p < 0.05) and significantly shorter operative times (HALS: 120 min; range, 78-181 min vs LAP: 156 min; range, 74-300 min; p < 0.05). Both groups were comparable with regard to length of hospital stay, pedicle length, and intraoperative blood loss. However, the LAP group yielded a significantly smaller incision for specimen extraction (LAP: 7 cm; range, 6-8 cm vs HALS: 5.5 cm; range, 5-7 cm; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that hand-assisted laparoscopic oncologic segmental colonic resection is associated with shorter operative times, more lymph nodes harvested, and equivalent hospital stays, pedicle lengths, and intraoperative blood losses as compared with the totally laparoscopic approach. The totally laparoscopic technique was completed with a smaller incision. However, this less than 1 cm reduction in incision length has doubtful clinical significance.

Using a micro electroporation chip to determine the optimal physical parameters in the uptake of biomolecules in HeLa cells

In this study, a new micro electroporation (EP) cell chip with three-dimensional (3D) electrodes was fabricated by means of MEMS technology, and tested on cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Extensive statistical data of the threshold electric field and pulse duration were determined to construct an EP "phase diagram", which delineates the boundaries for 1) effective EP of five different size molecules and 2) electric cell lysis at the single-cell level. In addition, these boundary curves (i.e., electric field versus pulse duration) were fitted successfully with an exponential function with three constants. We found that, when the molecular size increases, the corresponding electroporation boundary becomes closer to the electric cell lysis boundary. Based on more than 2000 single-cell measurements on five different size molecules, the critical size of molecule was found to be approximately 40 kDa. Comparing to the traditional instrument, MEMS-based micro electroporation chip can greatly shorten the experimental time.

Automated detection of obstructive apnea and hypopnea events from oxygen saturation signal

Our objective is to automate the detection of apnea and hypopnea events in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea (OSAH) syndrome based on analysis of arterial oxygen saturation signal alone. This is the first attempt where wavelet is used to detect OSAH events. Detection of OSAH events through wavelet depends on the fluctuations in the magnitude of the transformed coefficients, thus circumventing the problem of variability in the criteria on the magnitude and duration of the signal. Our work evaluates the performance of the wavelet transform to detect OSAH events against three conventional amplitude and duration algorithms. High performance in the detection of OSAH events can be achieved through the wavelet algorithm (score 96.55%, sensitivity 95.74% and specificity 97.02%) if the threshold on wavelet coefficients is individually tuned for each study. However, this is impossible in clinical practice. It is interesting to observe that the conventional methods based on amplitude and duration are able to attain a performance as close as this. The Nervus algorithm obtains the best result (score 96.66%, sensitivity 95.26% and specificity 97.46%) compared to the amplitude duration algorithm, the drop duration algorithm and the wavelet algorithm with global threshold, in descending order of performance.

Effect of amplitude criteria on operating characteristic of detection for OSAH events with oxygen saturation

Effect of amplitude criteria on the operating characteristics of algorithms for detecting OSAH events based on the analysis of oxygen saturation alone is investigated. The objective is to establish that there exists an oxygen desaturation level that leverages these algorithms to be more sensitive or more specific, irrespective of the differences in detection mechanism and database, a first ever attempt. Linear classification of algorithms from previous studies discovered that a drop in oxygen saturation of 3% or less makes the detection algorithms more sensitive while a drop of 4% or more makes it more specific. Results from two algorithms developed here also supported this. This finding explains the contradiction cited in the performance of algorithms from the different authors, which casts doubts on their detection ability. It could lead to the establishment of standard oxygen desaturation levels for screening and diagnosis of moderate/severe OSA, thus providing a more credible comparison basis for automated detection algorithms or even clinical tests.

Distinct Pattern of Commensal Gut Microbiota in Toddlers with Eczema

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated differences in the composition of gut microbiota in infants with and without allergic diseases, particularly eczema.

METHODS

A case-control study involving 21 toddlers (age 3.0 +/- 0.5 years) with and 28 age-matched toddlers without eczema was conducted. Four groups of aerobic gut microbiota were identified and quantitated in stool samples grown on selective media. Three groups of anaerobes were enumerated by fluorescent in situ hybridization followed by quantitative flow cytometry. We also performed molecular typing of lactic-acid-producing bacteria (LAB) and enterococcal isolates to facilitate detailed analysis at species level by bacterial 16S rDNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Toddlers with eczema harbored significantly lower counts of Bifidobacterium [(median 0.14 (25th and 75th percentile: 0.04 and 0.47) vs. 0.71% (0.16, 1.79) of cells acquired, p = 0.003)] and Clostridium [(0.28 (0.09, 0.78) vs. 0.83% (0.35, 1.82) of cells acquired, p = 0.012)] but significantly higher counts of total LAB [7.3 (6.1, 8.5) vs. 5.7 (4.4, 7.3) log CFU/g, p = 0.006] in particular enterococci [6.3 (4.8, 7.4) vs. 5.0 (3.4, 6.4) log CFU/g, p = 0.018]. There was no significant correlation between eczema severity score and bifidobacterial counts.

CONCLUSION

The results further confirm previous reports that the gut microecosystem differs between children with and without eczema and extend them beyond infancy.

Emergency management of epidural haematoma through burr hole evacuation and drainage. A preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Blood clot evacuation through an osteoplastic craniotomy, a procedure requiring neurosurgical expertise and modern medical facilities, is the accepted method for treatment of a pure traumatic epidural haematoma following closed head injury. In certain emergency situations and/or in less sophisticated settings, however, use of this procedure may not be feasible. The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether placement of a burr hole and drainage under negative pressure constituted a rapid, effective and safe approach to manage patients with simple epidural haematomas.

METHODS

Thirteen patients suffering from a traumatic epidural haematoma were treated from January, 1999 to October, 2002. Twelve patients presented with skull fracture but no fracture was depressed. Placement of flexible tubes through a burr hole, followed by continuous suction under negative pressure, enabled aspiration of the clot and drainage of the cavity. In 8 cases, the procedure was performed under local anaesthesia with 2% Xylocaine and with intravenous sedation with propofol as needed. The operative procedure was accomplished within 30 min, and the drainage tube was left in place for 3-5 days. CT scans were performed daily from days 1 to 5.

RESULTS

In 11 of 13 cases, clots were evacuated successfully and patients regained consciousness within 2 hours. Recoveries occurred without significant sequelae. In the remaining 2 cases, the drainage tube was found to be obstructed by a blood clot such that the haematoma was unaffected. A traditional craniotomy was performed within 8-12 hours, and these 2 patients recovered consciousness within the subsequent 6 hours.

CONCLUSION

Burr hole evacuation followed by drainage under negative pressure is a safe and effective method for emergency management of a pure traumatic epidural haematoma. To assure safety patients given this procedure should be monitored by daily CT scans. Decompressive craniotomy should be performed if consciousness does not improve within several hours.

Two-dimensional micro-bubble actuator array to enhance the efficiency of molecular beacon based DNA micro-biosensors

Two-dimensional micro-bubble actuator arrays were developed and studied in detail to enhance the hybridization kinetics of a DNA micro-biosensor. The hybridization between a molecular beacon, a kind of oligonucleotide probe, and its complement was investigated in a millimeter-sized PDMS based reaction chamber, where various 2D micro-heater arrays were distributed on the bottom for micro-bubble generation. The hybridization assay without the micro-bubble actuation revealed that the fluorescence increased fast at the beginning and slowed down after that. However, a uniform fluorescence increase was observed when periodic micro-bubble agitation was introduced in the static hybridization solution. A comparison of hybridization assays with and without micro-bubble agitation revealed that the hybridization time could be effectively shortened by 33% with 10 cycles of micro-bubble agitation from a 2 x 1 bubble actuator array, and by 43% with 10 cycles of micro-bubble agitation from a 2 x 2 bubble actuator array.

Micro pulsed radio-frequency electroporation chips

Electroporation (EP) is one of the most important physical methods in biotechnology, which employs electrical pulses to transiently permeabilize cell membranes. In this study, a new micro pulsed radio-frequency electroporation cell (microPREP) chip was fabricated using a lift-off technique and SU-8 photolithography. The biological tests were carried out using three different plant protoplasts (cabbage, spinach and oil rape) on the micro EP chip and a pulsed RF electric field was applied to the microchip. The variations of fluorescent intensity and cell viability as functions of the electric pulse amplitude and duration time during the electroporation process were studied in detail at the single-cell level. Using such chip design and test method, one can easily optimize the efficiency and cell viability. Also, a large amount of statistical data can be quickly obtained. Finally, results of this parametric study were presented in the "phase diagram", from which the critical electric field for inducing single-cell electroporation under different conditions can be clearly determined.

Clinical effects of oral green tea extracts in four patients with low grade B-cell malignancies

Green tea or its constituents have long been touted as a health promoting substance including claims it may have cancer prevention properties. We previously reported the in vitro ability of one tea polyphenol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), to induce apoptotic cell death in the leukemic B-cells from a majority of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). After the publication of our findings many patients with CLL and other low grade lymphomas began using over-the-counter products containing tea polyphenols despite the absence of evidence to suggest clinical benefit, definition of possible toxicities, or information on optimal dose and schedule. We have become aware of four patients with low grade B-cell malignancies seen in our clinical practice at Mayo Clinic who began, on their own initiative, oral ingestion of EGCG containing products and subsequently appeared to have an objective clinical response. Three of these four patients met criteria for partial response (PR) by standard response criteria. Although spontaneous remission/regression is occasionally observed in individuals with low grade B-cell malignancies, such events are rare. Several patients presented here had documented steady clinical, laboratory, and/or radiographic evidence of progression immediately prior to initiation of over-the-counter green tea products and then developed objective responses shortly after self-initiating this therapy. Such anecdotes highlight the need for clinical trials of tea polyphenols to define the optimal dosing, schedule, toxicities, and clinical efficacy before widespread use can be recommended. An NCI sponsored phase I/II trial of de-caffeinated green tea extracts for patients with asymptomatic, early stage CLL opened at Mayo Clinic in August 2005.

The 1926 General Hospital, Singapore

This article mentions briefly the history of the early General Hospitals of Singapore, and the events leading to the opening of the 1926 General Hospital (the predecessor of the present General Hospital). There is a detailed description of this hospital. During the next four decades there were many changes (alterations and additions) to cater to changing circumstances. The hospital also underwent an upheaval caused by the war with Japan and the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. The Japanese Armed Forces used the General Hospital for their own patients. The British General Hospital with its Maternity Wards were transferred to Kandang Kerbau Hospital which became the main Civil General Hospital for Singaporeans during the Japanese Occupation. There are brief descriptions of these alterations and additions as well as those made after the rehabilitation of the General Hospital after the war. The Obstetric and Gynaecological Service remained at Kandang Kerbau Hospital and did not return to the General Hospital. From 1975, with the commencement of the construction of the present General Hospital, the third to be built in the same locality, the 1926 General Hospital was demolished in stages. Some parts still stand, e.g., the porch of Bowyer Block, and the shell of Mistri Wing (now the National Heart Centre).

The early years of pathology as a specialty in Singapore

During the first 86 years of Singapore's medical history (1819 to 1905), nobody was officially designated a "pathologist" although pathology was practised. All pathological work (purely medical or forensic) was done by non-specialist doctors. Representative cases are quoted so that conclusions can be drawn regarding what pathological practice was like and the problems faced. In 1905, the Governor, concerned about the high death rate in Singapore, consulted the Principal Civil Medical Officer, who advised that the most effective means to reduce the death rate was the establishment of a Department of Pathology with a full-time specialist pathologist in charge. Dr GA Finlayson was appointed the first Government Pathologist, responsible for all the hospitals in Singapore. He was also appointed Lecturer in Pathology in the Medical School. Work in the Pathology Department increased by leaps and bounds, and no research was possible. The first Annual Report of the Department (1907) is quoted in some detail to show the scope of the work done, reflecting the public health conditions of Singapore a hundred years ago. The Department gradually expanded and more staff were recruited. The new position of Government Bacteriologist was created. This officer served under the Government Pathologist in the Pathology Department.

The founding of the medical school in Singapore in 1905

This article traces briefly the origins of medical education in the early years of the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Penang and Malacca), which culminated in the founding of Medical School in Singapore in 1905. The first attempt was made in the early 19th century, when boys were recruited from local schools as Medical Apprentices to be trained as "assistant doctors". They were to assist the British doctors and doctors from India in running the medical services. This scheme was not successful. There are 3 landmark years in the evolution of medical education in the Straits Settlements, namely 1852, 1867 and 1904. In 1852, the Governor, to relieve the shortage of staff in the Medical Department, instructed the Principal Civil Medical Officer to organise a proper course of training for Medical Apprentices and to establish a local Medical Service. This scheme was also unsuccessful and the Straits Settlements continued to rely on doctors recruited from India. In 1867, the Straits Settlements were transferred from the India Office to the Colonial Office and became a Crown Colony. The Indian Government requested that all its doctors be sent back. This would have led to the collapse of the Straits Settlements Medical Service. As a stop-gap measure, the Governor offered the Indian doctors appointment in the new Straits Settlements Medical Service, and at the same time arranged with the Madras Government for boys from the Straits Settlements to be trained in its Medical Colleges. The first 2 boys were sent in 1869. In 1889, the Principal Civil Medical Officer proposed to the Governor that a Medical School should be founded in Singapore, but not enough candidates passed the preliminary entrance examination. The plan was shelved and boys continued to be sent to Madras for training. In 1902, the Committee on English Education proposed that a Medical School should be started in Singapore, but senior British doctors opposed this. On 8 September 1904, Mr Tan Jiak Kim and other local community leaders petitioned the Governor to start a Medical School, raised enough funds to establish the School and the Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School (predecessor of the King Edward VII College of Medicine, and the Faculties of Medicine, University of Singapore and University of Malaya) was founded on 3 July 1905.

VEGF receptors on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells interact with STAT 1 and 3: implication for apoptosis resistance

We have previously shown that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitro, have constitutively active VEGF receptors R1 and R2, and respond to exogenous VEGF by specifically upregulating Mcl-1 and XIAP in association with decreased cell death. We found that epigallocatechin (EGCG) decreases VEGF receptor phosphorylation and induces apoptosis in CLL B cells. The mechanism(s) by which VEGF receptor activation increases Mcl-1 and XIAP and promotes survival remains unknown. To further define the signaling pathway mediating VEGF induction of antiapoptotic proteins in CLL B-cells, we investigated downstream effects of VEGF-VEGF receptor binding on the STAT signaling pathway. We find that CLL B cells abundantly express cytoplasmic serine phosphorylated (p)-STAT-1 and p-STAT-3, VEGF-R1/2 are physically associated with p-STAT-1 and p-STAT-3, and p-STAT-3 (but not p-STAT-1) is found in the CLL nucleus. VEGF receptor ligation selectively induces activation and perinuclear translocation of STAT 3 through receptor-mediated endocytosis. The inhibition of VEGF receptor activation with either tyrosine kinase inhibitors or VEGF neutralizing antibodies inhibit VEGF receptor phosphorylation, decrease p-STAT-3 (serine 727), Mcl-1, and induces cell death in CLL B cells. Thus, a VEGF-VEGF receptor pathway in CLL B cells can be linked to activation of STAT proteins that are able to enhance their apoptotic resistance.

Probiotic research in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region

Although the epicentres of probiotic research in the past decade have been Japan and Europe, researchers in the Asia-Pacific region have actively contributed to the growing understanding of the intestinal microbial ecosystem, and interactions between gut bacteria, diet and health of the human host. A number of new probiotic strains have been developed in the region that have been demonstrated to have beneficial impacts on health in animal and human trials, including improved protection against intestinal pathogens and modulation of the immune system. Probiotics targeted to animals, including aquaculture, feature heavily in many Asian countries. Developments in probiotic technologies have included microencapsulation techniques, antimicrobial production in fermented meats, and synbiotic combinations. In particular, the impact of resistant starch on the intestinal environment and fermentation by intestinal bacteria has been intensively studied and new probiotic strains selected specifically for synbiotic combinations with resistant starch. This paper provides an overview of probiotic research within Australia, New Zealand and a number of Asian countries, and lists scientists in the Asia-Pacific region involved in various aspects of probiotic research and development.

Charged meson rapidity distributions in central Au+Au collisions at square root(sNN) = 200 GeV

We have measured rapidity densities dN/dy of pi+/- and K+/- over a broad rapidity range (-0.1 < y < 3.5) for central Au + Au collisions at square root(sNN) = 200 GeV. These data have significant implications for the chemistry and dynamics of the dense system that is initially created in the collisions. The full phase-space yields are 1660 +/- 15 +/- 133 (pi+), 1683 +/- 16 +/- 135 (pi-), 286 +/- 5 +/- 23 (K+), and 242 +/- 4 +/- 19 (K-). The systematics of the strange to nonstrange meson ratios are found to track the variation of the baryochemical potential with rapidity and energy. Landau-Carruthers hydrodynamics is found to describe the bulk transport of the pions in the longitudinal direction.