Control of molecular rotors by selection of anchoring sites

We demonstrate a new method to switch on and off the rotational motion of a long-chain molecule by controlling the bonding geometry between the molecule and a substrate. An azobenzene derivative molecule adsorbed on a Au(111) surface is immobile only when its three rotation centers, comprised of two phenyl rings and a nitrogen-nitrogen bond, are located at hollow sites of the Au(111) surface, as observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Rotational motion can be activated by exciting the vibrational modes and inducing hopping motion away from the immobile site with a voltage pulse.

Comparative efficacy of commercial Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) vaccines in pigs experimentally infected with M. hyopneumoniae and PCV2

The efficacies of two commercial Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterins and porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) vaccines were compared in conventional pigs immunized at different ages based on humoral response, pathological observation, and growth performance from birth to finishing (175 days of age) using a M. hyopneumoniae and PCV2 co-infection challenge model. One-week-old pigs (n=110) were randomly assigned to five groups: three vaccinated and challenged (VC), and one each of non-vaccinated and challenged (NVC) and negative control. A significant difference was found in the number of genomic copies of M. hyopneumoniae in nasal swabs and PCV2 in serum samples, the average daily weight gain (gram/pig/day) between 63 and 133 dpi, gross and histopathological lung lesion scores, histopathological lymph node lesion scores, and the immunohistochemical analysis of PCV2 among the three VC groups. The single dose schedule for M. hyopneumoniae bacterins and PCV2 vaccines have the advantages of (i) improving daily weight gain (122.4%) and slaughter weight (120.5%), and (ii) reducing the incidence of clinical signs and lung and lymph node lesions.

Enhanced reduction of excess sludge and nutrient removal in a pilot-scale A2O-MBR-TAD system

In this study, a pilot scale anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2O) process with submerged membrane (MBR) in the oxic tank was coupled with thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) reactor and was operated for longer than 600 days to treat real domestic wastewater. Regardless of the varying conditions of the system, the A2O-MBR-TAD process removed MLSS, TCOD, BOD, TN, TP, and E. coli about 99%, 96%, 96%, 70%, 83%, and 99%, respectively. The additional TP removal of the system was due to the precipitating agent directly added in the oxic reactor, without which TP removal was about 56%. In the TAD reactor, receiving MLSS from the oxic tank (MBR), about 25% of TSS and VSS were solubilized during 2 days of retention. The effluent of the TAD reactor was recycled into the anoxic tank of A2O-MBR to provide organic carbon for denitrification and cryptic growth. By controlling the flowrate of wasting stream from the MBR, sludge production decreased to almost zero. From these results, it was concluded that the A2O-MBR-TAD process could be a reliable option for excellent effluent quality and near zero-sludge production.

Topical calcitriol restores the impairment of epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barriers induced by corticosteroids

BACKGROUND

The active form of vitamin D(3) , calcitriol, is widely used for the treatment of psoriasis, with or without topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids are known to disrupt permeability and antimicrobial barriers, even with short-term use. Yet, the effect of topical calcitriol on epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barriers disrupted by topical corticosteroids has not been determined.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of calcitriol on epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barrier function that has been impaired by corticosteroids, as well as to elucidate the mechanism of improvement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Topical calcitriol or the control vehicle was applied to each flank of hairless mice 20 min after treatment with topical clobetasol propionate and repeated every 12 h for 3·5 days. Barrier function assessment, Nile red staining, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies were performed 24 h after the last application.

RESULTS

Epidermis co-treated with topical calcitriol showed an improvement of stratum corneum integrity and barrier recovery, more intense fluorescence staining with Nile red, and an increase in lamellar body (LB) maturation and density, as well as upregulation of major epidermal lipid synthesis-related enzymes (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA, serine-palmitoyl transferase and fatty acid synthase), mouse beta-defensin 3, cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide and vitamin D receptor.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that topical calcitriol restored both the epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barrier that had been impaired by corticosteroids. This restoration was mediated by both an activation of the cutaneous vitamin D pathway and an increase of epidermal lipids and antimicrobial peptides, promoted by the formation of the LB and the activity of epidermal lipid synthesis-related enzymes.

Prevalence of porcine circovirus types 2a and b in pigs with and without post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of porcine circovirus (PCV) type 2 genotypes in pigs with post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and in pigs that that did not have the disease. Nested PCR was used to analyse tissue from 540 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymph nodes. The number of PCV2a-positive pigs that had (χ(trend)(2)=54.584, P<0.001) and did not have (χ(trend)(2)=70.066, P<0.001) PMWS decreased significantly between the years 2000 and 2008. However, over this time-period, there was a significant increase in the number of animals infected with PCV2b that had (χ(trend)(2)=31.356, P<0.001) and did not have (χ(trend)(2)=9.494, P<0.001) PMWS. The findings demonstrate a significant overall increase in PCV2b infection in pigs that both have and do not have PMWS. Further studies will be required to determine the potential relationship between PCV2b infection and the increasing incidence of PMWS in Korea.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 induces G1 cell cycle arrest with inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and 4 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 has been shown to potently inhibit proliferation of various cell types in an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-independent manner. We have previously shown that IGFBP-3 induces apoptosis in an IGF-independent manner through the activation of caspases involved in a death receptor-mediated pathway in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In the present study, we present further evidence that IGFBP-3 inhibits cell proliferation through the induction of cell cycle arrest in the same cell line. Induction of IGFBP-3 in MCF-7 cells inhibited cell proliferation whereas presence of small interfering RNA against IGFBP-3 abolished cell inhibitory effect of IGFBP-3, suggesting that the observed growth inhibition is specific. Flow cytometry analysis showed that induced expression of IGFBP-3 led to an arrest of the cell cycle in G1-S phase. Western immunoblot analysis showed a significant decrease in the levels of the cell cycle-regulated proteins such as cyclin D1, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, CDK4, retinoblastoma protein (pRB), and phosph-pRB, suggesting a possible mechanism for cell cycle arrest by IGFBP-3. Northern blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR demonstrated a significant decrease in gene expression of cyclin D1. Additional phosphorylation assay showed that IGFBP-3 decreased the phosphorylation activity of CDK2 and CDK4. These results show that cellular production of IGFBP-3 leads to G1 cell cycle arrest with inhibition of CDK2 and CDK4. Taken together, IGFBP-3 exerts its growth inhibitory action through not only induction of apoptosis but also the G1 cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cells.

Reporting 678 putative cSNPs from full-length enriched cDNA sequences of the Korean native pig

Sequences from the clones of full-length enriched cDNA libraries serve as valuable resources for functional genomic studies. We have analysed 1970 high-quality chromatograms (Phred value >or= 30) that were obtained from sequencing the 5' ends of brainstem, liver, neocortex and spleen clones derived from full-length enriched cDNA libraries from Korean native pigs. In addition, 50,000 pig expressed sequence tag (EST) sequence trace files were obtained from Genbank and combined with our sequencing information to facilitate SNP identification in silico. The process generated 8118 contigs, of which 239 included minimum one sequence from Korean native pig and contained 678 putative coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs). Of these, 33 putative cSNPs were randomly selected for confirmatory analysis and validated using 20 pigs from four different breeds (Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, Korean native pig). Of the 33 putative cSNPs, 20 were confirmed (61%), which was similar to the frequency reported in other studies. We also identified 15 new cSNPs from the validation process, which were not detected by our in silico analysis. Our study shows that analysing genetically diverse pig breeds including the Korean native pig could serve as a useful strategy for generating a large number of cSNPs.

EZH2 expression and correlation with Ki-67 and p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

e17018

Background: Polycomb group proteins are transcriptional repressors that silence specific sets of genes through chromatin modification. The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), considered a member of the polycomb group proteins, is overexpressed in aggressive forms of several malignancies. However, the role of EZH2 expression in head and neck cancer has not yet been fully determined. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical value of EZH2 expression in head and neck cancer and its correlation with Ki-67 and p53 expression. Methods: Expression of EZH2, Ki-67, and p53 was determined by immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays from specimens of 138 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results: High EZH2 expression was observed in 51.5%. 44.2% were positive for p53. The percentage of Ki-67 staining was significantly greater in the EZH2 positive group (12.37 ± 8.51) than in the EZH2 negative group (4.73 ± 6.06, p < 0.001). EZH2 expression was significantly correlated with p53 expression (p = 0.003) and smoking history (p = 0.021). However, we found no significant differences in other clinicopathological parameters (age, sex, primary tumor size, and lymph node metastasis) and survival between the EZH2 positive and negative groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that high EZH2 expression may be associated with tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation in head and neck cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Expression of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 protein and outcome in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer

6085

Background: We evaluated the prognostic significance of thymidylate synthase (TS), and Excision Repair Cross-Complementation Group 1 protein (ERCC1) in patients (pts) with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: Pretreatment tumor biopsy specimens from 41 pts with locally advanced NPC were analyzed for TS and ERCC1 expression by immunohistochemistry. All patients were treated with 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2/day and cisplatin 20 mg/m2/day, days 1–4) followed by CCRT starting on day 22. CCRT consisted of radiotherapy (70Gy/35 fractions for 7 weeks) with cisplatin 20mg/m2/day for 4 days on weeks 1, 4, 7 of radiotherapy. Results: Complete response and partial response were achieved in 34 pts (83%) and 6 pts (15%), respectively. Within median follow up duration of 101 months (26–147months) in survivors, 5-years overall survival (OS) of all pts was 50%. High expression of TS and ERCC1 was observed in 21 (51%) and 25 (60%) pts, respectively. High expression of ERCC1 was associated with WHO type 1 or 2 histology (p = 0.045). In univariate analysis, high expression of ERCC1 was associated with poor OS (5-year: 73% versus 35%; p = 0.005), while high expression of TS was not correlated with pts outcome (p = 0.867). In multivariate analysis, high expression of ERCC1 was a significant independent predictor of poor OS (p = 0.041) along with WHO type 1 or 2 histology (p = 0.004). Conclusions: High expression of ERCC1 protein may be useful for prediction of poor outcome in pts with NPC treated with CCRT.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of dasatinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

e19015

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Better systemic therapies are needed. One potential therapeutic target is c-Src which is expressed and activated in NSCLC patient tumors where it can mediate invasion, angiogenesis, and proliferation. Additionally, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-Src cooperate to promote NSCLC survival. We are conducting a phase II study of dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of c-Src, Abl, c-Kit, PDGFR, Btk, and EphA2. The primary objective is to determine the rate of progression free survival at 12 weeks in patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with dasatinib as front line therapy. Methods: Patients with metastatic NSCLC were treated with dasatinib (100 mg BID), with PET/CT scans every 6 weeks. KRAS and EGFR mutations, EGFR copy number, and pSrc expression were measured in pre-treatment biopsies. Blood was collected pretreatment and on day 21 to measure drug exposure (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and serum cytokine levels. Results: Twenty five patients have enrolled on study. Of the 16 patients evaluable for response: 1 had a partial response (PR) with no evidence of recurrence for at least 18 months (male smoker with adenocarcinoma and KRAS mutation); 6 patients had stable disease (SD) which includes 3 patients with prolonged stable disease for 4, 6, and 18 months; 9 had progressive disease (PD). Only 4 patients had a significant change in SUV (>25%): decreased in 2 with PR and SD and increased in 2 with PD and SD. There is currently no clear association between EGFR and KRAS mutational analysis and response, although the sample number is small. Only 2 patients have activating EGFR mutations: one with SD and one with PD. PK, PD, and cytokine data will be presented. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity is dyspnea/pleural effusion that has led to a reduced dasatinib starting dose in subsequent patients. Conclusions: Dasatinib as a single agent has activity in a subset of patients with NSCLC. Planned correlative studies may lead to the discovery of biomarkers that predict response. Toxicities observed were consistent with prior dasatinib phase I studies in solid tumor patients. Supported by NCI/CTEP (NIH contract N01-CM-62202), The Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

[Table: see text]

Cross sections and beam asymmetry for K;{+}Sigma;{*-} photoproduction from the deuteron at E_{gamma}=1.5-2.4 GeV

The Sigma(1385) resonance, or Sigma;{*}, is well known as part of the standard baryon decuplet with spin J=3/2. Measurements of the reaction gammap-->K;{+}Sigma;{*0} are difficult to extract due to overlap with the nearby Lambda(1405) resonance. However, the reaction gamman-->K;{+}Sigma;{*-} has no overlap with the Lambda(1405) due to its charge. Here we report the first measurement of cross sections and beam asymmetries for photoproduction of the Sigma;{*-} from a deuteron target. The cross sections at forward angles range from 0.4 to 1.2 mub, with a broad maximum near E_{gamma} approximately 1.8 GeV. The beam asymmetries are negative, in contrast with positive values for the gamman-->K;{+}Sigma;{-} reaction.

Isolated acute cellular rejection of the liver after simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation: a case report

Simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation (SLKT) is now considered the treatment of choice for patients with concurrent end-stage liver and kidney diseases. Even though the early postoperative mortality rate following SLKT is reported to be high compared to that of liver transplantation alone, the liver graft from the same donor has been argued to induce better kidney graft acceptance as evidenced by a low rate of acute renal rejection episodes. There have been many reports of a low incidence of acute renal rejection following SLKT; however, only a few cases were proven by simultaneous biopsies. The authors experienced a case of biopsy-proven isolated acute cellular rejection of the liver graft following SLKT.