Visualization of transfection of hepatocytes by galactosylated chitosan-graft-poly(ethylene glycol)/DNA complexes by confocal laser scanning microscopy

Dual-labeled galactosylated chitosan-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (GCP)/DNA complexes were prepared and their hepatocyte-specific delivery and cellular distribution were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The complexes were transfected into hepatocyte through specific interaction of galactose moiety of the GCP and asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) of the hepatocytes. The GCP/DNA complexes taken up by the hepatocytes were rapidly released into the cytoplasm, but nuclear trafficking of the released complexes was slow and rate-limiting process. The more efficient transfection of the complex occurred in the human-derived HepG2 cells than in primary hepatocytes.

Circumcision practice patterns in South Korea: community based survey

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of circumcision in South Korean young men dwelling in the community, investigate attitudes and perspectives about circumcision, and how they perceive physician involvement in the decision process.

METHODS

Between May and November 2001, this cross sectional survey was performed. Of 27 202 men aged 20 years dwelling in the community of Choong-chung South Province, 2700 were randomly selected at a 10.0% sampling fraction after a sampling process by census district and a total of 1742 (64.5%) agreed to participate in the study. These subjects completed self administered questionnaires and we included 1674 men (a response rate 62.0%) in the study.

RESULTS

The overall proportion of circumcised was 1306 (78.0%) and an additional 192 (11.5%) wished to be circumcised later. Circumcision was carried out mostly during their elementary and middle school years. Of men circumcised, the decision whether to circumcise was most often made by their parents. Of the subjects, 75.0% believed that circumcision is necessary, while 2.9% believed it to be unnecessary. Among those who believed circumcision to be necessary, the most common reason was to improve penile hygiene (89.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a positive attitude toward circumcision in South Korean men, linking it with hygienic practices. Circumcision in South Korea depends on the perpetuation of cultural beliefs that support it.

Galactosylated chitosan (GC)-graft-poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as hepatocyte-targeting DNA carrier. Preparation and physicochemical characterization of GC-graft-PVP/DNA complex (1)

Galactosylated chitosan was conjugated with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a hydrophilic group. The complex formation of GC-graft-PVP (GCPVP)/DNA complexes was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The morphology of the complex observed by atomic force microscopy had a compact and spherical shape, around 40 nm particle sizes at a charge ratio of 3. The binding strength of GCPVP 10K/DNA complex measured by ethidium bromide binding assay was superior to that of the GCPVP 50K/DNA one, probably attributable to its higher flexibility due to the smaller size, whereas the DNase I protection of GCPVP 10K/DNA complex was inferior to that of the GCPVP 50K/DNA one. This indicated that effective complex formation required both higher binding strength and minimal molecular weight of polycation enough to induce the condensation of DNA. The DNA-binding property of GCPVP mainly depended on the molecular weight of chitosan and composition of PVP.

Successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using triple agent immunosuppression in severe aplastic anemia patients

Graft rejection in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is strongly associated with a large number of prior transfusions and with prolonged disease duration before transplant. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes and the factor affecting these multitransfused SAA patients, who had received triple agent immunosuppression and high doses of stem cells to overcome rejection. In total, 113 patients with SAA who had a median 16 months (range 1-216) of disease duration were transplanted using HLA-matched sibling donors after conditioning with cyclophosphamide (CY), procarbazine (PCB), and ATG. Graft failure occurred in 16 of the eligible 113 patients, and with a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 1-80), probability of overall rejection was 15%. Specifically, the multitransfused patients who received high doses of stem cells with T-cell depletion showed the lowest rejection rate, 5.6%, compared with 30.3% in multitransfused patients with bone marrow stem cells alone (P=0.0310). Disease duration (P=0.0338) and the number of infused CD34+cells (P=0.0101) were associated with a high risk of graft rejection on multivariate analysis. ABO mismatch and the number of CD34+ cells were significant factors in the incidence of acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). The incidence of chronic GVHD among patients with sustained engraftment was 13/109 (11.9%). With the same follow-up period, probability of disease-free survival for the entire group of patients at 6 years was 89% and the only factor associated with long-term survival was rejection (P=0.0241). These results suggest that allogeneic HSCT conditioned with triple agent immunosuppression, and specifically with high-dose stem cell return is probably an effective treatment for successful engraftment in SAA patients with a high risk of rejection.

Psychological problems in young men with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To take a different perspective in assessing young men with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms, this study was designed since few prospective studies are available to survey a population of young men.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and fifty men aged 20 years dwelling in the community were randomly selected. Chronic prostatitis-like symptoms were measured by the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index and the selfreported scores for pain and urinary symptoms were used to identify chronic prostatitis-like symptoms. The psychological methods used were the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Bem Sex Role Inventory. A total of 87 men (a response rate 58%) completed self-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

As the scores for pain and urinary symptoms increased, those for depression increased (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). However, the mean scores for state and trait anxiety were not different according to the scores for pain and urinary symptoms. The mean masculinity scores were not different according to the scores for pain but those were significantly different according to the scores of urinary symptoms (p = 0.042). The mean femininity scores were not different according to the scores of pain and urinary symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that psychological factors, especially depression and weak masculine identity may be associated with an early stage of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms. Young men with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms also have psychological problems.

Geobacillus toebii sp. nov., a novel thermophilic bacterium isolated from hay compost

A thermophilic, spore-forming rod isolated from hay compost in Korea was subjected to a taxonomic study. The micro-organism, designated strain SK-1(T), was identified as being aerobic, Gram-positive, motile and rod-shaped. Growth of the isolate was observed at 45-70 degrees C (optimum 60 degrees C) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.9 mol%. Chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolate included the presence of mesodiaminopimelic acid in the cell wall and iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 as the major cellular fatty acids. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain SK-1(T) were the same as those of the genus Geobacillus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain SK-1(T) is most closely related to Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius. However, the phenotypic properties of strain SK-1(T) were clearly different from those of G. thermoglucosidasius. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SK-1(T) and the type strain of G. thermoglucosidasius was 27%. On the basis of the phenotypic traits and molecular systematic data, strain SK-1(T) represents a novel species within the genus Geobacillus, for which the name Geobacillus toebii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain SK-1(T) (= KCTC 0306BP(T) - DSM 14590(T)).

Cloning of bovine CD69

CD69 is rapidly inducible on various hematopoietic cells upon stimulation and is detectable as an early activation antigen. Although CD69 is well characterized in human and mouse, no information is available on bovine CD69. We report here that, bovine CD69 was cloned from a cDNA expression library prepared from activated peripheral blood lymphocytes. The full-length cDNA contained an 80bp 5' untranslated region, followed by a 600bp coding region and AU-rich motifs in a 3' untranslated region (GenBank accession number AF272828). Comparison of the bovine CD69 coding sequence reveals 69.4 and 78.2% nucleotide sequence identities with mouse and human CD69, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of bovine CD69 shares 56.3 and 62.3% sequence identity when compared with mouse and human CD69, respectively. Bovine CD69 has the highly conserved amino acid sequences found in the C-type lectin family, suggesting that the conserved residues may be important for conformation and binding to the, as yet unidentified ligand. In addition, the cytoplasmic tail of bovine CD69 has two casein kinase-2 (CK-2) phosphorylation sites. These data suggest that bovine CD69 plays an important role in the activation of lymphocytes.

Factors influencing testicular volume in young men: results of a community-based survey

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the factors influencing testicular volume in young men in the community.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Between May and November 2001, 2700 men aged 20 years and dwelling in the community were randomly selected at a 10% sampling fraction after a sampling process by census district; 2080 men agreed to participate in the study. All volunteers underwent a standard evaluation, including a detailed medical history and physical examination. After excluding those with testicular diseases the study comprised 1792 men.

RESULTS

There were significant but weak correlations between testicular volumes and height, body weight and body mass index. In a multivariate model, high environmental temperature was associated with a decreased likelihood (odds ratio, OR, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.29-0.60; P < 0.001) of a paired testicular volume being below the 25th percentile of all participants. The likelihood of a low paired testicular volume varied by area, with a 1.6-fold greater risk in men dwelling in large rural areas than in those in major towns. Increasing height was associated with a decreased likelihood (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.38-0.96; P = 0.032) and low body weight with an increased likelihood of a low paired testicular volume (OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.57-4.12; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

These results establish that demographic and environmental factors have an effect on testicular size and suggest that body size may be important in determining testicular size in late adolescents.

Scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domains 9 and 11 of WC1 are receptors for the WC1 counter receptor

Workshop cluster 1 (WC1) is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily that includes CD5, CD6, CD163, and M160. Bovine WC1 consists of 11 SRCR domains, a unique domain 1, and two homologous 5 SRCR domain cassettes, WC1 domains 2-6 and 7-11. The porcine orthologue of WC1 contains five SRCR domains with a different domain arrangement. Although the function of WC1 is unknown, WC1 is proposed to be an accessory or homing molecule. Thus, identification of cells that express the counter receptor for WC1 (WC1-CR) is critical to understanding the function of WC1. For this reason, we constructed WC1-human immunoglobulin G1 fusion proteins to identify the binding domain of WC1 and cells that express the WC1-CR. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed WC1 domains 9 and 11 bind cells with macrophage and dendritic cell morphology and cells in ellipsoids in the spleen. These results and the finding of conserved signaling motifs in the cytoplasmic tail suggest WC1 may be an accessory molecule.

Ramosetron for the prevention of cisplatin-induced acute emesis: a prospective randomized comparison with granisetron

Control of nausea and vomiting is very important in determining patient compliance with cisplatin chemotherapy. A multicentre, randomized, single-blind study was conducted to compare the tolerability and efficacy of ramosetron with those of granisetron over 24 h following cisplatin administration to cancer patients. In eight study centres, a total of 194 adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous ramosetron 0.3 mg or intravenous granisetron 3.0 mg. The anti-emetic effect of ramosetron determined from the no-vomiting rate lasted longer, but there was no significant difference in the number of acute vomiting episodes or the severity of nausea between the two groups. In the tolerability evaluation, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, except for a higher incidence of dull headache in the granisetron group. Ramosetron and granisetron appear to have equivalent efficacy and tolerability profiles, but the effects of ramosetron on the prevention of acute vomiting in patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy were longer lasting.

Effects of angiotensin II on the renal antioxidant activities of borderline hypertensive rats

This study was aimed to study the angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced antioxidant changes in the kidney of borderline-hypertensive rats (BHR). We measured renal antioxidant enzyme activities, and glutathione (GSH) contents and lipid peroxide levels in relation to the age of subjects. In the antioxidant enzyme assays, consistent changes were not observed in relation to age. However, in the assay for reduced GSH, nonenzymatic antioxidant, contents of adult and aged rats were much greater than those of weanling rats. Subcutaneous injection of pressor dose of human Ang II (200 microg/kg over 90 min) significantly reduced enzymatic activities in the weanling (4-week-aged) and adult (10-week-aged) BHR. However, in the relatively aged (16-week-aged) rats, Ang II did not alter enzymatic activities. Renal GSH contents of aged BHR, were highly increased by Ang II. Renal lipid peroxide levels of weanling and adult BHR were increased by Ang II, but decreased in the aged rats. However, these characteristic changes of renal antioxidant due to Ang II of the BHR could not be observed in the age-matched control, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKR). From these results, it can be concluded that impacts of oxidative stress on the kidney of BHR may be greater in the young rats.

The effect of phenylephrine and norepinephrine in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension*

In this study the effect of phenylephrine and norepinephrine for the treatment of systemic hypotension were evaluated in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension. When systemic hypotension (systolic arterial pressure < 100 mmHg) occurred following induction of anaesthesia, either phenylephrine or norepinephrine were infused in a random manner to raise the systolic blood pressure by 30% and 50% above baseline values. Norepinephrine decreased the ratio of pulmonary arterial pressure to systemic blood pressure without a change in cardiac index. However, phenylephrine did not increase arterial blood pressure by more than 30% from baseline in one-third of patients and decreased cardiac index without a significant decrease in ratio of pulmonary arterial pressure to systemic blood pressure. These vasoconstrictors showed different systemic and pulmonary haemodynamic effects in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension as compared to acute pulmonary hypertension. Norepinephrine was considered to be preferable to phenylephrine for the treatment of hypotension in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension.

Diagnosing and optimizing water treatment processes by using particle counter: a case study in Korea

The goal of the flocculation process is to change the particle size distribution to best suit the subsequent processes. Although several methods exist to evaluate the flocculation process, no single universally accepted method has yet to be developed. The purpose of this paper is to present experiences whereby particle counting was used in the diagnosis and optimization of the flocculation process. A commercially available on-line continuous particle counter has been used in evaluating the design and the operation of this process at two conventional Water Treatment Plants. The evaluation is based on particle dynamics, i.e., the change of the number of small and large particles. Some design deficiencies in the distribution channel and flocculation process have been identified from this method, and thus some operational parameters are suggested for optimum performance. Because the optimum condition may be site-specific, the method presented in this paper will be beneficial in the evaluation of the flocculation process at other water treatment plants.

Unique properties of four lactobacilli in amino acid production and symbiotic mixed culture for lactic acid biosynthesis

With four Lactobacilli--L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis (ATCC 12315), L. casei (NRRL-B1445), L. delbrueckii (NRRL-B445), and L. heveticus (NRRL-B1937)--the characteristics of cell growth and production of lactate and amino acids were investigated. Especially, the time-course variation in concentration of amino acids (classified into alanine, serine, aspartate, glutamate, aromatic amino acid, and histidine families) was estimated in detail, and the results were systematically compared. It was elucidated that L. delbrueckii (NRRL-B445) and L. helveticus (NRRL-B1937) had quite different characteristics in growth, lactic acid synthesis, and amino acid production. L. helveticus (NRRL-B1937) was superior in the production of amino acids as well as in cell growth, but showed very poor ability in lactic acid production. However, L. delbrueckii (NRRL-B445) showed higher yield of lactic acid despite repressed cell growth, but suffered from severe amino acid deficiency in culture. By modulating the initial concentration of each strain in the mixed culture containing both L. delbrueckii (NRRL-B445) and L. helveticus (NRRL-B1937), the lactic acid production (i.e., the amount of lactic acid produced and lactic acid yield to glucose consumed) was significantly improved, presumably via symbiotic interaction between the two strains.

Influence of environmental factors on chronic prostatitis-like symptoms in young men: results of a community-based survey

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the influence of environmental factors on chronic prostatitis-like symptoms among young men in a community.

METHODS

Of 28,841 men aged 20 years dwelling in the community, a total of 16,321 men (response rate 56.6%) were included in this study. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index was used to identify men with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms. The questionnaire also queried sociodemographic characteristics. The Korean Meteorological Administration provided information on the weather of the community. We determined the risk factors of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms among these environmental factors using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Six percent of the men were identified as having significant prostatitis-like symptoms (perineal and/or ejaculatory pain and a total pain score of 4 or greater). The univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that education level, average duration of sunlight, and average temperature were risk factors for chronic prostatitis-like symptoms. As these variables increased, the scores of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms decreased. In the multivariate model used, the likelihood of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms varied by the final educational level, with middle school and high school graduates having 1.8 and 1.4-fold higher odds, respectively, than men attending college. In the same model, the average duration of sunlight was also an independent risk factor of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms (odds ratio 0.85; 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.95; P = 0.003), but the average temperature lost statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the community-based prevalence of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms may be high in young men. Higher education and a longer time in sunlight were associated with a decreased likelihood of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms.

A case of primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver presented with liver abscess

Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver is a very rare type of cholangiocarcinoma and is defined as a cancer containing both squamous and adenomatous components in the same lesion. Recently, we experienced a primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver presented as liver abscess. A 63-year-old man was presented with a 4-day history of fever and chill. The radiologic study showed a 4 cm-sized, central hypoattenuated mass with peripheral rim enhancement in the left lobe of the liver. Ultrasonography-guided aspiration and biopsy suggested an adenocarcinoma with abscess in the liver. At laparotomy, the tumor occupied the left lobe of the liver and invaded the right diaphragm. An extended left lobectomy and a partial excision of the involved diaphragm were done. Grossly, the tumor was 6 x 5 x 5 cm in size and had an eccentric necrosis. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with a transitional area.

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis identified by multiplex PCR from animals

Antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enteritidis and S. typhimurium, one of most frequent etiologic pathogens of food-borne bacterial gastroenteritidis in humans, is a serious health problem worldwide. Fifteen and 22 each of S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium were isolated from animals from 1983 to 1999 in Korea and tested for their antibiotic resistance patterns and phage types. S. enteritides isolates were highly resistant to sulfonamides (86.7%) and four of them (26.6%) showed multiple antibiotic resistance. The most frequent phage type (PT) of S. enteritids was PT1 (33.3%) even though none of them had multiple antibiotic resistance. S. typhimurium isolates were highly resistant to streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline, 100%, 95.5%, and 86.4% respectively. The incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance of S. typhimurium isolates was extremely high (100%) comparing to S. enteritidis isolates (26.7%). Two of the five ACSSuT type S. typhimurium isolates, resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline, were phage type DT104. All S. typhimurium isolates were sensitive to florfenicol. For the rapid detection of multiple antibiotic resistant S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium isolates, particularly ACSSuT type S. typhimurium DT104, antibiotic resistance genes, cmlA/tetR, PSE-1, and TEM, and Salmonella spp. Specific gene, SipB/C, were amplified using four pairs of primers in hot-started multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Two Korean isolates of S. typhimurium DT104 showed TEM amplicons instead of PSE-1 for the ampicillin resistance. The multiplex PCR used in this study was useful in rapid detection of ACSSuT type S. typhimurium and identification of b-lactamase gene distribution among Salmonella isolates.

Analysis of polymorphic region of GAM-1 gene in Plasmodium vivax Korean isolates

The identification, characterization and quantification of Plasmodium sp. genetic polymorphism are becoming increasingly important in the vaccine development. We investigated polymorphism of Plasmodium vivax GAM-1 (PvGAM-1) gene in 30 Korean isolates. The polymorphic region of the PvGAM-1 gene, corresponding to nt 3792-4029, was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. All of the P. vivax Korean isolates were one type of GAM-1 gene, which were identical to that of the Belem strain. It is suggested that PvGAM-1 could not be used as a genetic marker for identifying or classifying P. vivax Korean isolates. It revealed that the polymorphic pattern was acquired basically by duplication and modification or deletion event of a 33 bp-motif fragment ended by poly guanine (G) and that there were at least three complete and one partial 33 bp-motif sequences within the polymorphic region in the longest cases such as those of South Korean and Belem isolates. In addition, we clustered P. vivax isolates with parsimonious criteria on the basis of PvGAM-1 polymorphic patterns (insertion/deletion patterns).

Prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine parvovirus from aborted fetuses and pigs with respiratory problems in Korea

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV)0, porcine circovirus type 2(PCV-2) and porcine parvovirus (PPV)0 infections were investigated as possible causes of the postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome(PMWS). Specific primers for RT-PCR and PCR were designed for the differential detection of PRRSV, PCV-2 and PPV. Using PCR, these viruses were detected in homogenized tissue samples from pigs that had respiratory of reproductive problems in the time period between 1998 and 2000; the overall prevalences were: PRRSV 31.4%, PCV-2 46.5%, and PPV 8.1%. PCV-2 was also detected in aborted fetal tissues.

Fetal surgery for congenital heart disease

Certain congenital heart defects, which present at birth as complex morphologic defects, are actually the result of a relatively simple primary lesion and the subsequent acquired development of a complex secondary lesion during gestation. Moreover, fetal heart approach during gestation can prevent simple cardiac lesions from such development. Specific structural lesions can be diagnosed before 12 weeks of gestation by transvaginal fetal echocardiography, and animal experiments have shown that direct or indirect fetal cardiac approach and fetal cardiac bypass are technically feasible. A number of fetal bypass models have resulted in long-term survivors, with for example, the delivery of normal lambs at full-term gestation. Also, successful full-term delivery has been obtained after fetal cardiac intervention. The success of fetal cardiac bypass was accomplished by the use of total spinal anesthesia and the administration of indomethacin. Moreover, a 42 % long-term survival after fetal cardiopulmonary bypass in a fetal lamb model has been reported. Maternal risk related to fetal bypass should be considered carefully alongside fetal risks and benefits. Most fetal malformations do not directly threaten maternal health, yet the procedures required to address fetal malformations can produce significant maternal risk and discomfort and subsequent pregnancies may be jeopardized. Further investigation of maternal outcome is required. Deep exploration of fetal and maternal pathophysiologic responses to intervention and comprehensive investigation is required to overcome current limitations, and should precede clinical trials as many problems remain to be solved before these techniques can be applied to human beings.