The effect of a Foley catheter balloon on cervical ripening

The Foley catheter balloon may affect cervical ripening through changes in biochemical mediators by immunoassay and immunohistochemistry, when it is used for pre-induction cervical ripening. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in the biochemical mediators from the extra-amniotic space and immunohistochemistry in ripened cervical tissue after the insertion of a Foley catheter balloon (FCB) for pre-induction cervical ripening. A total of 18 pregnant women with a Bishop's score < 6, who were undergoing labour induction, were evaluated in this prospective study. The FCB was irrigated with 10 ml of phosphate buffered saline and the irrigant was collected 0, 2, 4 and 8 h after placement of the FCB or until spontaneous expulsion of the FCB occurred. Irrigant specimens were also collected from 10 spontaneous labouring (SL) women in the active phase of labour. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and NO were measured. Cervical specimens were obtained from 12 women, including four undergoing induction; four SL and four non-pregnant (NP) women. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to localise hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS)-1, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-8, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS). Results showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-8 significantly increased over time in FCB group (p < 0.01). In the immunohistochemical analysis of cervical tissues, immunoreactivity of HAS-1 in the after FCB group was stronger than any of the other groups. The protein expressions of IL-6, IL-8, MMP-8, eNOS and iNOS were more prominent in the after FCB and SL groups than in the NP and the before FCB groups. iNOS was only observed in the after FCB and SL groups. It was concluded that FCB may affect cervical ripening through changes in biochemical mediators by immunoassay and immunohistochemistry, when it is used for pre-induction cervical ripening.

Cortical thickness and hippocampal shape in pure vascular mild cognitive impairment and dementia of subcortical type

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The progression pattern of brain structural changes in patients with isolated cerebrovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. To investigate the role of isolated CVD in cognitive impairment patients, patterns of cortical thinning and hippocampal atrophy in pure subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) and pure subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) patients were characterized.

METHODS

Forty-five patients with svMCI and 46 patients with SVaD who were negative on Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography imaging and 75 individuals with normal cognition (NC) were recruited.

RESULTS

Compared with NC, patients with PiB(-) svMCI exhibited frontal, language and retrieval type memory dysfunctions, which in patients with PiB(-) SVaD were further impaired and accompanied by visuospatial and recognition memory dysfunctions. Compared with NC, patients with PiB(-) svMCI exhibited cortical thinning in the frontal, perisylvian, basal temporal and posterior cingulate regions. This atrophy was more prominent and extended further toward the lateral parietal and medial temporal regions in patients with PiB(-) SVaD. Compared with NC subjects, patients with PiB(-) svMCI exhibited hippocampal shape deformities in the lateral body, whilst patients with PiB(-) SVaD exhibited additional deformities within the lateral head and inferior body.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that patients with CVD in the absence of Alzheimer's disease pathology can be demented, showing cognitive impairment in multiple domains, which is consistent with the topography of cortical thinning and hippocampal shape deformity.

Locally recurrent penile apocrine carcinoma initially diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma of colon

Apocrine carcinoma is a rare malignant adnexal neoplasm. The differential diagnosis between apocrine carcinoma and cutaneous metastasis is often difficult. Here, we report a case of locally recurrent penile apocrine carcinoma initially diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon. A 75-year-old man with a history of surgical resection due to sigmoid colon cancer and penile metastasis two years prior to this study presented with a nodule at the left penile base. He underwent a wide local resection of the penile mass under a suggested preoperative diagnosis of extra-mammary Paget's disease (EMPD) associated with previous sigmoid colon cancer. However, the previously and currently resected penile masses were identified as primary apocrine carcinoma upon hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical staining. Although the incidence is extremely rare, both clinicians and pathologists should be alert to the possibility of synchronous double primary apocrine carcinoma in cancer patients with malignant cutaneous lesions.

Lack of positive effect of intravitreal bevacizumab in central serous chorioretinopathy: meta-analysis and review

PURPOSE

To review and evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) in centralserous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by meta-analysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical controlled studies that evaluated the effect of IVB in CSC were identified through systematic searches of Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Data on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR and central macular thickness (CMT) in μm at baseline and 6 months after IVB were extracted and compared with those treated by simple observation.

RESULTS

Four clinical controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis. The IVB injection group achieved better BCVA at a follow-up of 6 months. However, the analysis showed that there were no significant differences of BCVA at 6 months after injection between IVB group and the observation group (-0.02 logMAR, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.11, P=0.80). The analysis of the reduction in CMT revealed that the difference between groups was not statistically significant (-8.37 μm, 95% CI -97.26 to 80.52, P=0.85). No report assessed severe complications or side effects of IVB in patients with CSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Meta-analysis failed to verify the positive effect of IVB in CSC based on the epidemiological literature published to date.

Genetic polymorphisms, growth performance, hematological parameters, serum enzymes, and reproductive characteristics in phenotypically normal Landrace boars produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Understanding the performances of cloned pigs and their offspring is critical to evaluate the practical applications of somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this study, genetic polymorphism, growth performance, hematological parameters, and reproduction characteristics of cloned Landrace boars were compared with those of controls. In addition, the growth performance of clone offspring was also evaluated. A total of 479 reconstructed embryos were transferred to five recipient pigs and resulted in the delivery of 14 piglets (overall cloning of 2.9%) from two litters. Analyses of microsatellite markers and polymorphisms of the specific genes confirmed that the 14 clones were genetically identical to the nuclear donor and maintained the desirable genotypes. Growth performance of five healthy, phenotypically normal cloned boars from one litter and eight of their male offspring did not differ from age, breed, and management-matched controls. Although some significant differences were observed between cloned and control boars in hematological and serum enzymes, most of these parameters were within the normal range. Cloned boars had less (P < 0.05) normal sperm in the ejaculated boars than in control boars (71.4% vs. 77.9%, respectively), but sperm production (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm) did not differ between these groups. In addition, use of frozen-thawed semen from cloned boars for insemination produced results that seemed comparable to a control. In conclusion, the present study reported that somatic cell nuclear transfer is effective in reproducing preferred genetic traits and has potential applications to conserve elite bloodlines in a routine pig breeding program.

Hitching the gallbladder in laparoscopic-assisted cholecysto-cholangiography: a simple technique

Neonatal cholestatic disorder in the late neonatal period requires often cholangiography to differentiate between biliary atresia and other causes of prolonged neonatal jaundice. A simplified method of a laparoscopic-assisted cholecysto-cholangiography is presented. Retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who from May 2002 to April 2012 underwent a laparoscopic-assisted cholecysto-cholangiography with routine fixation of the fundus of the gallbladder to the lateral aspect of the abdominal wall. A total of 18 infants (8 boys) aged 41-104 (median 64) days underwent laparoscopic-assisted cholecysto-cholangiography for prolonged jaundice. The technique identified ten cases of a patent bile duct system and eight biliary atresias. (Thirty-two cases of suspected biliary atresia were confirmed by laparoscopy alone.) Two cases required suturing of a bile leak at the puncture site. Hitching the gallbladder to the lateral abdominal wall is a simple method allowing an optimal radiographic assessment of the extra- and intra-hepatic bile duct anatomy.

Long-term results of simple hemiresection arthroplasty in the rheumatoid distal radio-ulnar joint

We retrospectively studied the radiological and clinical results of a simple hemiresection arthroplasty, a modification of previous oblique distal ulnar resections, in 62 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (68 wrists) over a mean follow-up of 103 (range 60-173) months. Fourteen wrists (20%) became fused at the radiocarpal joint and 28 wrists fused (41%) at the midcarpal joints during follow-up. Severe ulnar translocation of the carpus was observed in two wrists (3%), radio-ulnar convergence in five wrists (7%), as well as a significant decrease of carpal height ratio, without any radiological findings of stylocarpal impingement. Improvements in forearm pronation and supination, and reduction in pain were maintained at the last follow-up. Grip strength was not significantly improved. The Jebsen-Taylor hand function test showed improvements in writing, card turning, and simulated feeding. Fifty-two patients (58 wrists, 85%) were satisfied with the results at the last follow-up. Simple hemiresection arthroplasty showed good long-term results with few complications.

Prediction for human intelligence using morphometric characteristics of cortical surface: partial least square analysis

A number of imaging studies have reported neuroanatomical correlates of human intelligence with various morphological characteristics of the cerebral cortex. However, it is not yet clear whether these morphological properties of the cerebral cortex account for human intelligence. We assumed that the complex structure of the cerebral cortex could be explained effectively considering cortical thickness, surface area, sulcal depth and absolute mean curvature together. In 78 young healthy adults (age range: 17-27, male/female: 39/39), we used the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and the cortical measurements calculated in native space from each subject to determine how much combining various cortical measures explained human intelligence. Since each cortical measure is thought to be not independent but highly inter-related, we applied partial least square (PLS) regression, which is one of the most promising multivariate analysis approaches, to overcome multicollinearity among cortical measures. Our results showed that 30% of FSIQ was explained by the first latent variable extracted from PLS regression analysis. Although it is difficult to relate the first derived latent variable with specific anatomy, we found that cortical thickness measures had a substantial impact on the PLS model supporting the most significant factor accounting for FSIQ. Our results presented here strongly suggest that the new predictor combining different morphometric properties of complex cortical structure is well suited for predicting human intelligence.

Efficient analysis of mode profiles in elliptical microcavity using dynamic-thermal electron-quantum medium FDTD method

The dynamic-thermal electron-quantum medium finite-difference time-domain (DTEQM-FDTD) method is used for efficient analysis of mode profile in elliptical microcavity. The resonance peak of the elliptical microcavity is studied by varying the length ratio. It is observed that at some length ratios, cavity mode is excited instead of whispering gallery mode. This depicts that mode profiles are length ratio dependent. Through the implementation of the DTEQM-FDTD on graphic processing unit (GPU), the simulation time is reduced by 300 times as compared to the CPU. This leads to an efficient optimization approach to design microcavity lasers for wide range of applications in photonic integrated circuits.

Immune modulation effect of porcine placenta extracts in weaned the pig

In a previous study, we established a collection of appropriate porcine placental extracts using PBS at 80°C (PE-PBS80) as a food supplement to increase immune activities in a mice model. In this study, piglets were treated with 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% PE-PBS80 for 3 wk after weaning. Experiments were performed at 2 separate farms using 2 different pig varieties. Composition of white blood cells, lymphocyte activation, and cytokine concentrations were analyzed to assess the immune modulation effect. In Exp. 1, the number of white blood cells increased significantly in the PE-PBS80 treatment and T- and B-cell activation increased as well (P < 0.01). Interestingly, piglets in all treatments in Exp. 2 were naturally infected by a rotavirus at the third day of the experiment but recovered after d 10. Increased lymphocyte activation was observed in the PE-PBS80 treatment (P < 0.01) regardless of viral infection. Additionally, unlike in Exp. 1, the percentage of granulocytes and concentrations of interferon-γ, IL-1β, and IgG increased in the PE-PBS80 treatment (P < 0.01) and were more active in the 0.3% PE-PBS80 treatment compared with the control and the other treatment. In conclusion, 0.3% PE-PBS80 treatment modulated immune activities in antigen-infected piglets. Therefore, the PE-PBS80 pig placental extract, particularly the 0.3% supplement to the normal diet, could be useful as an alternative feed supplement to modulate immune activity during the early piglet period.

Both the sera of patients with Behçet's disease and Streptococcus sanguis stimulate membrane expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in endothelial cells

OBJECTIVES

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2/B1 has been identified as a target antigen of anti-endothelial cell immunglobulin (Ig)A antibodies in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). The aim was to investigate the effects of the sera from BD patients and Streptococcus sanguis on the subcellular expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs).

METHOD

The sera of BD patients and healthy controls (HC) as well as cultured S. sanguis were used to stimulate HDMECs. Subcellular fractions were obtained from stimulated HDMECs and were subjected to immunoblot analyses. The distribution of hnRNP A2/B1 was investigated by immunocytochemistry and direct immunofluorescence study was performed in biopsy specimens of mucosal ulcers from BD patients.

RESULTS

BD patients' sera increased the membrane expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in HDMECs after 12 and 24 h of incubation compared with HDMECs incubated with endothelial cell culture media and HC sera. S. sanguis also increased hnRNP A2/B1 in the cellular membrane. hnRNP A2/B1 mRNA level was also significantly upregulated in HDMECs incubated with BD patients' sera and S. sanguis. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated marked expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in the cytoplasm and cellular membrane of HDMECs incubated with BD patients' sera or S. sanguis. In addition, direct immunofluorescence experiments revealed the co-localization of serum IgA antibodies and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against hnRNP A2/B1 in tissue sections from ulcers of BD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that both the sera of BD patients with active disease and S. sanguis infection are inflammatory stimuli that can induce membranous hnRNP A2/B1 expression in HDMECs.

Gallbladder Metastasis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Presenting as Acute Cholecystitis

Although non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can metastasize to almost any organ, metastasis to the gallbladder with significant clinical manifestation is relatively rare. Here, we report a case of gallbladder metastasis of NSCLC presenting as acute cholecystitis. A 79-year-old man presented with pain in the right upper quadrant and fever. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen showed a cavitary mass in the right lower lobe of the lung and irregular wall thickening of the gallbladder. Open cholecystectomy and needle biopsy of the lung mass were performed. Histological examination of the gallbladder revealed a moderately-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma displaying the same morphology as the lung mass assessed by needle biopsy. Subsequent immunohistochemical examination of the gallbladder and lung tissue showed that the tumor cells were positive for P63 but negative for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20 and thyroid transcription factor-1. A second primary tumor of the gallbladder was excluded by immunohistochemical methods, and the final pathological diagnosis was gallbladder metastasis of NSCLC. Although the incidence is extremely rare, acute cholecystitis can occur in association with lung cancer metastasis to the gallbladder.

Effects of household detergent on anaerobic fermentation of kitchen wastewater from food waste disposer

This study examines the effects of household detergent on anaerobic methane fermentation of wastewater from food waste disposers (FWDs). Anaerobic toxicity assay (ATA) demonstrated that methane production substantially decreased at a higher detergent concentration. The Gompertz three-parameter model fitted well with the ATA results, and both the extent of methane production (M) and methane production rate (R(m)) obtained from the model were strongly affected by the concentration of the detergent. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of the detergent was 603 mg/L based on R(m). Results from fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) analysis of microbial culture revealed that deterioration of methane fermentation was attributed to impaired structure of anaerobic microbial membrane due to detergent. This study suggests that wastewater from FWD could be used for methane production, but it is necessary to reduce the concentration of detergent prior to anaerobic fermentation.

Spark erosion: a high production rate method for producing Bi(0.5)Sb(1.5)Te3 nanoparticles with enhanced thermoelectric performance

We report a new 'spark erosion' technique for producing high-quality thermoelectric nanoparticles at a remarkably high rate and with enhanced thermoelectric properties. The technique was utilized to synthesize p-type Bi(0.5)Sb(1.5)Te(3) nanoparticles with a production rate as high as 135 g h(-1), using a relatively small laboratory apparatus and low energy consumption. The compacted nanocomposite samples made from these nanoparticles exhibit a well-defined, 20-50 nm size nanograin microstructure, and show an enhanced figure of merit, ZT, of 1.36 at 360 K. Such a technique is essential for providing inexpensive, oxidation-free nanoparticles which are required for the fabrication of high performance thermoelectric devices for power generation from waste heat, and for refrigeration.

The critical role of catalase in prooxidant and antioxidant function of p53

The tumor suppressor p53 is an important regulator of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, although downstream mediators of p53 remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that p53 and its downstream targets, p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase (p53R2) and p53-inducible gene 3 (PIG3), physically and functionally interact with catalase for efficient regulation of intracellular ROS, depending on stress intensity. Under physiological conditions, the antioxidant functions of p53 are mediated by p53R2, which maintains increased catalase activity and thereby protects against endogenous ROS. After genotoxic stress, high levels of p53 and PIG3 cooperate to inhibit catalase activity, leading to a shift in the oxidant/antioxidant balance toward an oxidative status, which could augment apoptotic cell death. These results highlight the essential role of catalase in p53-mediated ROS regulation and suggest that the p53/p53R2-catalase and p53/PIG3-catalase pathways are critically involved in intracellular ROS regulation under physiological conditions and during the response to DNA damage, respectively.

Proteins involved in DNA damage response pathways and survival of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Biological complexity leads to significant variation in the survival of patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). DNA damage response (DDR) pathways play a critical role in maintaining genomic stability and in the progression of NSCLC. Therefore, the development of a prognostic biomarker focusing on DDR pathways is an intriguing issue.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression of several proteins (ATM, ATMpS1981, γH2AX, 53BP1, 53BP1pS25, Chk2, Chk2pT68, MDC1, MDC1pS964, BRCA1pS1423, and ERCC1) and overall survival were investigated in 889 pathological stage I NSCLC patients.

RESULTS

Low expression of BRCA1pS1423 or ERCC1 was significantly associated with worse survival in the whole cohort of patients. Analysis performed based on histology revealed that low expression of γH2AX, Chk2pT68, or ERCC1 was a poor prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma patients [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), Cox P: 1.544, 0.012 for γH2AX; 1.624, 0.010 for Chk2pT68; 1.569, 0.011 for ERCC1]. The analysis of the interaction between two proteins showed that this effect was more pronounced in squamous cell carcinoma patients. However, these effects were not detected in adenocarcinoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The proteins involved in DDR pathways exhibited differential expression between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and were important determinants of survival in stage I squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Synchronous bilateral male breast cancer: a case report

Synchronous bilateral breast cancer is extremely rare in men and has not, up to date, been reported in Korea. A 54-year-old man presented with a palpable mass in the right breast. The right nipple was retracted and bilateral axillary accessory breasts and nipples were present. On physical examination, a 2 cm-sized mass was palpated directly under the right nipple, and, with squeezing, bloody discharge developed in a single duct of the left nipple. There was no palpable mass in the left breast, and axillary lymph nodes were not palpable. Physical examination of external genitalia revealed a unilateral undescended testis on the left side. Synchronous bilateral breast cancer was diagnosed using mammography, ultrasonography, and core-needle biopsy. Histopathological examination revealed invasive ductal carcinoma in the right breast and ductal carcinoma in situ in the left breast. Bilateral total mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and excision of accessory breasts in the axilla were performed.