Investigation of intake air temperature effect on co-combustion characteristics of NH3/gasoline in naturally aspirated high compression ratio engine with sub-chamber

Recently, ammonia (NH₃), which has a higher energy density than hydrogen, has gained attention for zero-carbon emission goals in the transportation sector. However, in a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE), NH₃ combustion mechanism is still under investigation. In this paper, to further expand the knowledge on the adoption of NH₃ in ICEs, authors conducted NH₃/gasoline co-combustion experiments in a modified, 17.7:1 compression ratio, naturally aspirated spark-assisted CI engine with sub-chamber. The sub-chamber was chosen in order to enhance the combustion speed of NH₃. In addition, the sub-chamber was equipped with glow and spark plugs to overcome the high auto-ignition temperature of NH₃. Engine performance and NO_X emissions were studied under three different intake air temperatures. During the experiments, NH₃ content was increased gradually where the engine was run under lean conditions. Although higher NH₃ content was achieved compared to our previous work, increasing the intake air temperature resulted in decreased charging efficiency. In addition, corrosion was found on the piston ring after 120 h of operation, negatively affecting the engine performance. Furthermore, NH₃/gasoline co-combustion duration was shortened drastically with the influence of the sub-chamber, where the longest combustion duration under the present conditions was found to be 17°CA.

Symblepharon in kittens: a retrospective study of 40 kittens and 54 eyes (2002-2022)

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the signalment, treatment, surgical technique and outcomes for feline symblepharon.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review and standardized grading of clinical descriptions and photographs was undertaken.

RESULTS

Forty kittens (54 eyes) aged 3-46 weeks had symblepharon of five types in various combinations: eyelid deformation (24 kittens; 32 eyes); ankyloblepharon (four kittens; four eyes); conjunctiva-to-conjunctiva (11 kittens; 12 eyes); third eyelid-to-conjunctiva (24 kittens; 29 eyes); and corneoconjunctival adhesions (14 kittens; 16 eyes). At initial presentation, 23 (43%) eyes were affected by one type of symblepharon, 25 (46%) eyes by two types and six (11%) eyes by three types; 11 (20%) corneas were ulcerated. Twenty-four (44%) eyes of 18 (45%) kittens were managed medically. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia/sedation (30 occasions) or topical anesthesia (21 occasions) on 30 (56%) eyes of 22 kittens; 12 eyes (40%) underwent multiple surgeries. Four techniques were commonly employed: separation of conjunctival-to-conjunctival adhesions ± eyelid margins (14 eyes); resection of third eyelid adhesions ± temporary tacking of the third eyelid (modified Arlt's pterygium technique; 18 eyes); en bloc resection of the third eyelid (two eyes); and separation of corneoconjunctival adhesions (14 eyes). Median duration of follow-up was 55 days (range 1-1051). Median symblepharon grade in kittens treated surgically improved for all types except corneoconjunctival symblepharon. Median symblepharon grade in kittens receiving medical management remained the same or improved. Corneoconjunctival symblepharon opacity decreased for eyes treated surgically but increased for eyes treated medically. Three eyes were enucleated due to complications of corneoconjunctival symblepharon. At final presentation, symblepharon persisted in 46 (85%) eyes; however, menace response was evident in 13/16 eyes and dazzle reflex in 23/23 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Symblepharon is a heterogeneous group of conditions with diverse anatomic involvement, clinical appearance and impact, optimal treatment and prognosis for vision.

Combination of CHARGE AF score and index of 24-hour electrocardiogram to predict incident atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular events

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks of stroke and heart failure. AF risk prediction can facilitate the efficient deployment of diagnosis or interventions to prevent AF.

Purpose

We sought to assess the combination prediction value of Holter electrocardiogram (Holter ECG) and the CHARGE-AF score (Cohorts for Aging and Research in Genomic Epidemiology-AF) for the new-onset of AF in a single center study. We also investigated the association between clinical findings and the new-onset of cerebral cardiovascular events.

Methods

From January 2008 and May 2014, 1246 patients with aged≥20 undergoing Holter ECG for palpitations, dizziness, or syncope were recruited. Among them, 350 patients were enrolled in this study after exclusion of 1) AF history at the time of inspection or before, 2) post cardiac device implantation, 3) follow-up duration <1 year, and 4) no 12-lead ECG records within 6 months around Holter ECG.

Results

During the 5.9-year follow-up, 40 patients (11.4%) developed AF incidence. Multivariate cox regression analysis revealed that CHARGE-AF score (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13–2.26, P<0.01), BMI (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83–0.99, P=0.03), frequent supraventricular extrasystoles (SVEs) ≥1000 beats/day (HR: 4.87, 95% CI: 2.59–9.13, P<0.001) and first-degree AV block (HR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.63–7.61, P<0.01) were significant independent predictors for newly AF. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the combination of the CHARGE-AF score and frequent SVEs (≥1000) was greater than the CHARGE-AF score alone (0.73, 95% CI: 0.64–0.82 vs 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56–0.75, respectively). On the ROC curve, the CHARGE-AF score of 12.9 was optimum cut-off value for newly AF. Patients with both the CHARGE-AF score≥12.9 and SVEs≥1000 developed AF at 129.0/1000 person-years, compared with those with the CHARGE-AF score<12.9 and SVEs≥1000 (48.9), the CHARGE-AF score≥12.9 and SVEs<1000 (40.0) and the CHARGE-AF score<12.9 and SVEs<1000 (7.4), respectively. In multivariate cox regression analysis, age, past history of congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction, and antihypertensive medication were significant predictors of cerebral cardiovascular events (n=43), all of which signifying the components of the CHARGE-AF score. The AUC of the combination of the CHARGE-AF score and frequent SVEs (≥1000) was not different from the CHARGE-AF score alone (0.73, 95% CI: 0.64–0.81 vs 0.73, 95% CI: 0.64–0.82, respectively).

Conclusion

CHARGE-AF score has higher predictive power of both the new incident AF and cerebral cardiovascular events. The combination of CHARGE-AF score and SVEs≥1000 beats/day in Holter ECG can demonstrate the additional effect of prediction ability for the new incident AF, but not for cerebral cardiovascular events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Evaluation of new-onset atrial fibrillation using continuous patch monitor in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an important therapeutic option among intermediate- and high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Heart rhythm disorders frequently complicate TAVR, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF), which can affect >40% patients undergoing the procedure. There is wide variation in rates of new-onset AF (NOAF) following TAVR across the initial pivotal randomized trials and observational studies, but burden of AF in each patient is not well known. The aim of this study is to evaluate AF burden detected by continuous patch ECG monitor (WR-100; Fukuda-Denshi, Tokyo,Japan) in patients after TAVR.

Method

Among KPUM-TAVR cohort, 58 consecutive patients (mean age:85.5±5.5, 44 females) kept recording continuous patch ECG monitor for 14 days after the procedure of TAVR. We excluded 11 patients with ECG indicating AF before procedure (paroxysmal AF 5, persistent AF 6). Finally, 47 eligible patients were selected according to the study criteria. AF was defined as a presence of AF more than 30sec on ECG monitor. The incidence and burden of NOAF was assessed.

Results

We identified 9 of 47 patients (19.1%) who developed NOAF (94% of transfemoral access patients, 6% of non- transfemoral access patients). Patients developing NOAF and had higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk scores (5.9±3.8 vs 9.9±6.3 p=0.0187). AF was first observed from day1 to day13. Despite having a median CHA2DS2-VASc score of 5 (25th and 75th percentile: 5 to 6), only 33% of patients with NOAF were given oral anticoagulation during the follow-up.

Conclusion

By using continuous patch ECG monitor, NOAF can be identified in 19.1% of patients after TAVR, with wide variety of first onset of AF. Given the clinical significance of post-TAVR AF, additional studies are necessary to describe the optimal management strategy in this high-risk population.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Quality control of hospital preparations: Establishment of a simple and rapid method for quantifying ulinastatin in vaginal suppositories

Ulinastatin vaginal suppositories, used to prevent threatened premature delivery, are frequently used in hospitals. However, there is no established method for quantifying ulinastatin contained in suppositories. Therefore, we investigated a simple and efficient method for quantifying ulinastatin contained in suppositories. Our analytical method involved removal of the base; optimising the enzyme inhibition reaction time and enzyme reaction time; and measuring the absorbance. The modified method was reproducible, operation time was significantly shortened, and cost was reduced to approximately 1/17 of that of the previously reported method. This simple and rapid quantitative method could contribute to the improvement of quality control of ulinastatin vaginal suppositories as an extemporaneous hospital preparation.

Safety and efficacy of nivolumab and standard chemotherapy drug combination in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a four arms phase Ib study

In this phase Ib study, four combination therapies of nivolumab 10 mg/kg and standard chemotherapy (cisplatin/gemcitabine, cisplatin/pemetrexed, carboplatin/paclitaxel/bevacizumab, or docetaxel) showed acceptable toxicity profiles in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Furthermore, these combination therapies presented encouraging antitumor activities.

Background

The human IgG4 monoclonal antibody nivolumab targets programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and promotes antitumor response by blocking the interaction of PD-1 with its ligands. This single-center phase Ib study investigated the tolerability, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nivolumab combined with standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and methods

Patients who had stage IIIB without indication for definitive radiotherapy, stage IV, or recurrent NSCLC were eligible. Regimens were nivolumab 10 mg/kg + gemcitabine/cisplatin (arm A), pemetrexed/cisplatin (arm B), paclitaxel/carboplatin/bevacizumab (arm C), or docetaxel (arm D). Regimens A, B, and D were repeated every 3 weeks for up to four cycles and regimen C was repeated for up to six cycles; nivolumab alone (arm A), with pemetrexed (arm B), bevacizumab (arm C), or docetaxel (arm D) was continued every 3 weeks as maintenance therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was evaluated during the first treatment cycle.

Results

As of March 2014, six patients were enrolled in each arm. The combination of nivolumab 10 mg/kg and chemotherapy was well tolerated. DLT was observed in only one patient in arm A (alanine aminotransferase increased). Select adverse events (those with a potential immunologic cause) of any grade were observed in six, four, six, and five patients in arms A, B, C, and D, respectively. Three, three, six, and one patient achieved partial response while median progression-free survival was 6.28, 9.63 months, not reached, and 3.15 months in arms A, B, C, and D, respectively.

Conclusions

Combination of nivolumab 10 mg/kg and chemotherapy showed an acceptable toxicity profile and encouraging antitumor activity in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Clinical trials number

Japanese Pharmaceutical Information Center Clinical Trials Information (JapicCTI)-132071.

Molecular genetic analysis of 30 families with Joubert syndrome

Joubert syndrome (JS) is rare recessive disorders characterized by the combination of hypoplasia/aplasia of the cerebellar vermis, thickened and elongated superior cerebellar peduncles, and a deep interpeduncular fossa which is defined by neuroimaging and is termed the 'molar tooth sign'. JS is genetically highly heterogeneous, with at least 29 disease genes being involved. To further understand the genetic causes of JS, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 24 newly recruited JS families. Together with six previously reported families, we identified causative mutations in 25 out of 30 (24 + 6) families (83.3%). We identified eight mutated genes in 27 (21 + 6) Japanese families, TMEM67 (7/27, 25.9%) and CEP290 (6/27, 22.2%) were the most commonly mutated. Interestingly, 9 of 12 CEP290 disease alleles were c.6012-12T>A (75.0%), an allele that has not been reported in non-Japanese populations. Therefore c.6012-12T>A is a common allele in the Japanese population. Importantly, one Japanese and one Omani families carried compound biallelic mutations in two distinct genes (TMEM67/RPGRIP1L and TMEM138/BBS1, respectively). BBS1 is the causative gene in Bardet-Biedl syndrome. These concomitant mutations led to severe and/or complex clinical features in the patients, suggesting combined effects of different mutant genes.

Juxtacortical Chondroma of the Hand: Treatment by Resection of the Tumour and the Adjacent Bone Cortex

A recurrence of a juxtacortical chondroma of the finger after marginal excision prompted us to review the treatment of this condition. Although the recommended treatment is simple curettage or marginal excision, the reported recurrence rate is significantly higher for lesions in the hand than those in other locations and recurrences only occurred in patients who had local treatments which did not include excision of the adjacent bone cortex.

We report five patients with juxtacortical chondroma of the fingers. The first patient underwent marginal excision without resection of the underlying bone cortex. The other four patients underwent intralesional, marginal or wide excisions of tumour with resection of the bone cortex underlying the lesion. Recurrence was only seen in the patient who did not undergo resection of the bone cortex. Resection of the underlying bone cortex after excision of this tumour may be advisable for the treatment of this tumour in the hand to reduce the rate of recurrence.

Verruciform xanthoma: report of three patients with comparative dermoscopic study

We report three cases of verruciform xanthoma (VX) in male patients aged 82, 88 and 39 years, respectively. The clinical appearance was of a mulberry-like area consisting of small papillae, which is typical of and specific to VX, and the diagnosis were histologically confirmed in all cases. Dermoscopy revealed that each surface papilla contained linear or hairpin vessels, which were surrounded by a marginal whitish rim. These structures are thought to correspond to dilated vessels in dermal papillae and papillated acanthotic epidermis, respectively. Furthermore, observation under compression (similar to diascopy) revealed yellow dots and debris, reflecting lipid-laden foam cells. In order to compare these findings with those of other disorders with similar findings, two patients with xanthogranuloma, six with sebaceous naevus, and three with senile sebaceous hyperplasia were examined. The dermoscopic findings in these patients were not similar to those of VX. Therefore, we believe that the above dermoscopic findings are specific to VX and could be helpful in diagnosis.

Thymus histology and concomitant autoimmune diseases in Japanese patients with muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase-antibody-positive myasthenia gravis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The differences in the characteristics of thymus histology, coexisting autoimmune diseases and related autoantibodies between anti-muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK)-antibody (Ab)-positive myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-Ab-positive MG patients are not clearly defined.

METHODS

The types of thymus histology, coexisting autoimmune diseases and associated Abs in 83 MuSK-Ab-positive patients nationwide were investigated and were compared with those in AChR-Ab-positive patients followed at our institute (n = 83). As for the autoantibodies associated with thymoma, titin Abs were measured.

RESULTS

Thymoma was not present in any of the MuSK-Ab-positive patients but presented in 21 patients (25.3%) amongst the AChR-Ab-positive patients. Titin Abs were absent in MuSK-Ab-positive patients but positive in 25 (30.1%) of the AChR-Ab-positive patients. Concomitant autoimmune diseases were present in eight MuSK-Ab-positive patients (9.6%) amongst whom Hashimoto's thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis predominated, whereas 22 AChR-Ab-positive patients (26.5%) had one or more concomitant autoimmune diseases of which Graves' disease predominated.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in frequency of thymoma and thymic hyperplasia, coexisting autoimmune diseases and autoantibody positivity between MuSK-Ab-positive and AChR-Ab-positive MG were indicated, suggesting that, in contrast with AChR-Ab-positive MG, thymus does not seem to be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of MuSK-Ab-positive MG.

Development of ecotoxicity QSAR models based on partial charge descriptors for acrylate and related compounds

Using Gasteiger's partial equalization of orbital electronegativity (PEOE) method, we constructed ecotoxicity prediction equations based on two-dimensional descriptors for α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. After examining electrostatic effects on the calculated ecotoxicities of 10 α,β-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes (A-group compounds) by using the Mulliken atomic charges on the carbonyl oxygen atoms, we investigated the efficacy of the PEOE descriptors for the same 10 compounds and the correlation between the PEOE descriptors and the Mulliken charge. We then constructed QSAR models for acute fish and Daphnia toxicities by using the PEOE descriptors for acrylic acids and compounds with acrylate-like substructures (CH-group compounds). In the constructed models, the adjusted squared correlation coefficients between measured and calculated toxicities with the lowest Akaike information criterion were 0.77 and 0.79, respectively. The applicability of the constructed models was then evaluated for various methacrylates and similar compounds (CH(3)-group compounds). Both the fish and the Daphnia toxicities of some of the CH(3)-group compounds were underestimated by these models. Nevertheless, we concluded that the QSAR models based on the PEOE descriptors were practical for predicting acute toxicity, especially for α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with an α-hydrogen. Combining hydrophobicity and PEOE descriptors led to accurate predictions for fish toxicity.

Consideration of reactivity to acute fish toxicity of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl ketones and aldehydes

To understand the key factor for fish toxicity of 11 α,β-unsaturated carbonyl aldehydes and ketones, we used quantum chemical calculations to investigate their Michael reactions with methanethiol or glutathione. We used two reaction schemes, with and without an explicit water molecule (Scheme-1wat and Scheme-0wat, respectively), to account for the effects of a catalytic water molecule on the reaction pathway. We determined the energies of the reactants, transition states (TS), and products, as well as the activation energies of the reactions. The acute fish toxicities of nine of the carbonyl compounds were evaluated to correlate with their hydrophobicities; no correlation was observed for acrolein and crotonaldehyde. The most toxic compound, acrolein, had the lowest activation energy. The activation energy of the reaction could be estimated with Scheme-1wat but not with Scheme-0wat. The complexity of the reaction pathways of the compounds was reflected in the difficulty of the TS structure searches when Scheme-1wat was used with the polarizable continuum model. The theoretical estimations of activation energies of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with catalytic molecules or groups including hydrogen-bond networks may complement traditional tools for predicting the acute aquatic toxicities of compounds that cannot be easily obtained experimentally.

Application of chemical reaction mechanistic domains to an ecotoxicity QSAR model, the KAshinhou Tool for Ecotoxicity (KATE)

The validity of chemical reaction mechanistic domains defined by skin sensitisation in the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) ecotoxicity system, KAshinhou Tools for Ecotoxicity (KATE), March 2009 version, has been assessed and an external validation of the current KATE system carried out. In the case of the fish end-point, the group of chemicals with substructures reactive to skin sensitisation always exhibited higher root mean square errors (RMSEs) than chemicals without reactive substructures under identical C- or log P-judgements in KATE. However, in the case of the Daphnia end-point this was not so, and the group of chemicals with reactive substructures did not always have higher RMSEs: the Schiff base mechanism did not function as a high error detector. In addition to the RMSE findings, the presence of outliers suggested that the KATE classification rules needs to be reconsidered, particularly for the amine group. Examination of the dependency of the organism on the toxic action of chemicals in fish and Daphnia revealed that some of the reactive substructures could be applied to the improvement of the KATE system. It was concluded that the reaction mechanistic domains of toxic action for skin sensitisation could provide useful complementary information in predicting acute aquatic ecotoxicity, especially at the fish end-point.

Foetal exposure to phthalate esters and anogenital distance in male newborns

Phthalate esters, commonly used as plasticizers, show anti-androgenic activity and cause male reproductive malformation in experimental animals. However, the effects of prenatal exposure to phthalate esters in humans have not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between prenatal exposure to phthalate esters and the anogenital distance (AGD) as a reproductive endpoint in human male newborns. Spot urine samples were collected from 111 Japanese pregnant women after obtaining their informed consent. Seven urinary phthalate ester metabolites were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary isoflavones concentrations were measured as possible covariates because their oestrogenicities and high exposure levels among Japanese have the potential to affect male genital development. Birth outcomes and AGD, the distance from the centre of the anus to external genitalia, were measured for their male newborns. In a multiple regression model, the log-transformed mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate concentration (specific gravity-corrected) was negatively significant, and maternal smoking status was positively significant, in explaining anogenital index (AGI) when potential covariates were controlled for. Urinary isoflavones did not significantly contribute to AGI in any models. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate affects reproductive development in human males.

Periostin, a matrix protein, is a novel biomarker for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are histopathologically classified into several types, including usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP). We investigated whether periostin, a matrix protein, could be used as a biomarker to assess histopathological types of IIPs. We performed immunohistochemical analyses in each histopathological type of IIP, examined serum levels of periostin in IIP patients and analysed the relationship between serum levels of periostin and the pulmonary functions in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Periostin was strongly expressed in lungs of UIP and fibrotic NSIP patients, whereas expression of periostin was weak in the lungs of cellular NSIP and COP patients, as well as in normal lungs. Serum levels of periostin in IPF were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects and COP patients. Furthermore, periostin levels in IPF patients were inversely correlated with their pulmonary functions. Thus, we have found that periostin is a novel component of fibrosis in IIP. Periostin may be a potential biomarker to distinguish IIP with fibrosis.

Development of an ecotoxicity QSAR model for the KAshinhou Tool for Ecotoxicity (KATE) system, March 2009 version

The KAshinhou Tool for Ecotoxicity (KATE) system, including ecotoxicity quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, was developed by the Japanese National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) using the database of aquatic toxicity results gathered by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment and the US EPA fathead minnow database. In this system chemicals can be entered according to their one-dimensional structures and classified by substructure. The QSAR equations for predicting the toxicity of a chemical compound assume a linear correlation between its log P value and its aquatic toxicity. KATE uses a structural domain called C-judgement, defined by the substructures of specified functional groups in the QSAR models. Internal validation by the leave-one-out method confirms that the QSAR equations, with r(2 )> 0.7, RMSE 5, give acceptable q(2) values. Such external validation indicates that a group of chemicals with an in-domain of KATE C-judgements exhibits a lower root mean square error (RMSE). These findings demonstrate that the KATE system has the potential to enable chemicals to be categorised as potential hazards.

The mechanism of mucus production in bronchial asthma

Mucus production is a cardinal feature of bronchial asthma, contributing to morbidity and mortality in the disease. Goblet cells are major mucus-producing cells, and goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) is one feature of airway remodeling, defined as structural changes occurring in the airway. A number of studies have demonstrated that Th2-type cells play critical roles in this process and that particularly interleukin-13 (IL-13), among Th2-type cytokines, is a central mediator for GCH. However, the mechanism underlying how Th2 cytokines induce mucus production or GCH is poorly understood. Mouse calcium-activated chloride channel-3 (mCLCA-3; gob-5)/human CLCA-1 acts as a downstream molecule of Th2 cytokines, IL-4/IL-9/IL-13 signals, playing an important role in mucus production. Moreover, we have recently found that pendrin, an anion transporter, is induced by IL-13 and causes mucus production in airway epithelial cells. It is hoped that if we can clarify how mucus is produced, this will lead to development of novel therapeutic reagents to suppress mucus production in bronchial asthma.

Limbic encephalitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

A 34-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with general fatigue, seizures and memory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a high signal area in the mesial temporal lobe bilaterally. Computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen and ultrasound of pelvis detected no malignancy and tumour marker, antibodies to antineuronal antibodies (anti-Hu, anti-Ta and anti-Ma) and antibodies to voltage-gated potassium channels were all negative. The present case is limbic encephalitis (LE) associated with SLE and the pathogenesis may include autoimmunity shared. Our experience indicates that the immunologic spectrum of LE will expand to include additional immune mechanisms. Lupus (2009) 18, 1316—1319.

Recent progress in understanding the diversity of the human ov-serpin/clade B serpin family

The inhibitory mechanism against proteases is important in the maintenance of homeostasis or health in the body. The human ovalbumin serpin (ov-serpin)/clade B serpin family is one group of the human serpins, a family of serine protease inhibitors. They have acquired diversity in the profiles of target proteases, inhibitory mechanisms, and localization patterns during their evolution. Most serpins target serine proteases, however, some ov-serpins target only cysteine proteases or both serine and cysteine proteases and furthermore, several ov-serpins do not possess inhibitory activities. Although the ov-serpins act primarily as intracellular serpins, some show extracellular and nuclear localizations. Such diversity enables the ov-serpins to play multiple physiological roles in the body. Recent analyses have revealed that the functions of human ov-serpins are more diversified than we previously knew. In this article, we describe recent progress in our understanding of how the human ov-serpin/clade B serpin family demonstrates diversity.

TAK1 represses transcription of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene

In human cells, telomerase activity is tightly regulated by the expression of its catalytic subunit, namely, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of hTERT expression have not been completely clarified. We have previously reported that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) represses the expression of the hTERT gene. In the present study, we demonstrated that TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), originally identified as a mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase, represses the hTERT core promoter activity in an E-box-independent manner, and it also represses the transcription of the hTERT gene in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549 cells. This TAK1-induced repression was found to be caused by the recruitment of histone deacetylase to Sp1 at the hTERT promoter and a consequent reduction in the amount of acetylated histone H4 at the hTERT promoter. Finally, we demonstrated that TAK1 induces cellular senescence programs in normal human diploid cells. Thus, we assume that TAK1 triggers the repression mechanisms of the hTERT gene as a result of evoking cellular senescence programs. Considered together, TAK1 is thought to play a causative role in the determination of a finite replicative lifespan of normal and cancer cells.

Luminescent yeast cells entrapped in hydrogels for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical biodetection

In the construction of luminescent yeast cell based fibre-optic biosensors, we demonstrate a novel approach for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) biodetection by entrapping genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, containing the estrogen receptor alpha-mediated expression of the luc reporter gene, in hydrogel matrices based on calcium alginate or PVA. In order to insure a significant signal, an optimal immobilization ratio of 1:2 alginate 3% (w/v): 5 x 10(6) [cells/ml], respectively, was used with the highest 17-beta-estradiol (beta-E2) induction factor after 2.5 h of incubation with 10[nM] beta-E2. It was shown that biocompatible alginate beads, 4.27-4.55 x 10(5) [CFU/bead], which were characterized by a detection limit of 0.08[microg l(-1)] and an EC50 of 0.64[microg l(-1)] for beta-E2, retained their viability for luminescence measurements after 1 month of storage at -80 degrees C slow freeze condition, and thus repeated cell cultivations were not required. The assay reproducibility for each tested EDC, represented by the coefficients of variation (CV), ranged from 4.35 to 18.47%. An alternative immobilization method, based on a room temperature partial drying of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution (LentiKat Liquid) and cell suspension mix, was investigated with only a slightly lower detection limit for beta-E2 than that reported with alginate beads. Alginate yeast based hydrogels may also be applicable to the analysis of environmental water samples since the trend of detected estrogenic activities with alginate beads roughly correlated with LC-MS-MS analytical results.

Loss of SOCS3 in the liver promotes fibrosis by enhancing STAT3-mediated TGF-beta1 production

Recently, DNA methylation and reduced expression of the suppressor of the cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have been reported. However, the roles of SOCS3 in HCC development in vivo have not been clarified. Using RT-PCR analysis and Western blotting, we confirmed that SOCS3 expression was reduced in HCC patients. However, reduced expression of SOCS3 occurred not only in HCC but also in nontumor regions, and this reduction was stronger as the fibrosis grade increased. Furthermore, SOCS3 levels were inversely correlated with signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) activation as well as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 levels in the non-HCC region. To define the molecular consequences of SOCS3 silencing/STAT3 hyperactivation and liver fibrosis, we examined liver-specific SOCS3-deficient mice. We demonstrated that SOCS3 deletion in the liver resulted in hyperactivation of STAT3 and promoted ConA- and chemical-induced liver fibrosis. The expression of TGF-beta1, a mediator of fibrosis, was enhanced by SOCS3 gene deletion, but suppressed by the overexpression of a dominant-negative STAT3 or SOCS3 both in vivo and in vitro. These data suggest that TGF-beta1 is a target gene of STAT3 and could be one of the mechanisms for enhanced fibrosis in SOCS3-deficient mice. Thus, our present study provides a novel role of SOCS3 and STAT3 in HCC development: in addition to the previously characterized oncogenic potentials, STAT3 enhances hepatic fibrosis through the upregulation of TGF-beta1 expression, and SOCS3 prevents this process.

The value of multichannel MEG and EEG in the presurgical evaluation of 70 epilepsy patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sensitivity of a simultaneous whole-head 306-channel magnetoencephalography (MEG)/70-electrode EEG recording to detect interictal epileptiform activity (IED) in a prospective, consecutive cohort of patients with medically refractory epilepsy that were considered candidates for epilepsy surgery.

METHODS

Seventy patients were prospectively evaluated by simultaneously recorded MEG/EEG. All patients were surgical candidates or were considered for invasive EEG monitoring and had undergone an extensive presurgical evaluation at a tertiary epilepsy center. MEG and EEG raw traces were analysed individually by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

MEG data could not be evaluated due to excessive magnetic artefacts in three patients (4%). In the remaining 67 patients, the overall sensitivity to detect IED was 72% (48/67 patients) for MEG and 61% for EEG (41/67 patients) analysing the raw data. In 13% (9/67 patients), MEG-only IED were recorded, whereas in 3% (2/67 patients) EEG-only IED were recorded. The combined sensitivity was 75% (50/67 patients).

CONCLUSION

Three hundred and six-channel MEG has a similarly high sensitivity to record IED as EEG and appears to be complementary. In one-third of the EEG-negative patients, MEG can be expected to record IED, especially in the case of lateral neocortical epilepsy and/or cortical dysplasia.