Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Structural Proteins of Hirame Novirhabdovirus

Hirame novirhabdovirus (HIRRV) is a significant viral pathogen of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). In this study, seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against HIRRV (isolate CA-9703) were produced and characterized. Three mAbs (1B3, 5G6, and 36D3) were able to recognize nucleoprotein (N) (42 kDa) and four mAbs (11-2D9, 15-1G9, 17F11, and 24-1C6) recognized matrix (M) protein (24 kDa) of HIRRV. Western blot, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) results indicated that the developed mAbs were specific to HIRRV without any cross-reactivity against other different fish viruses and epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells. All the mAbs comprised IgG1 heavy chain and κ light chain except 5G6, which has a heavy chain of IgG2a class. These mAbs can be very useful in development of immunodiagnosis of HIRRV infection.

Aqueous adsorption of bisphenol A over a porphyrinic porous organic polymer

A new porphyrinic porous organic polymer (PPOP) with high stability and excellent textural properties (929 m²/g surface area with 0.73 cm³/g pore volume) was made via the Friedel-Crafts reaction and applied for bisphenol A (BPA) adsorption in water. The material was examined by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and solid-state ¹³C CP-MAS nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. PPOP was proven highly effective for capturing BPA among the many adsorbent materials investigated. The Langmuir model could closely match the adsorption isotherm data with a high adsorption amount of ca. 653 mg/g at 25 °C. Approximately 95% of BPA was adsorbed in 50 min, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model satisfactorily described the adsorption behavior. This adsorption process was exothermic (ΔH° = -39.10 kJ/mol), and the capacity gradually decreased with increasing pH. Spectroscopic analyses indicated that the BPA adsorption on PPOP was affected by (1) π-π interaction between BPA and the aromatic constituents of PPOP, (2) hydrogen bonding between the N sites of porphyrin units in PPOP and the hydroxyl group of BPA and, and (3) hydrophobic interactions. PPOP was easily regenerated after acetone washing, and >98% efficiency was observed throughout the five repeated adsorption-desorption cycles.

Molecular characterization of Urosporidium tapetis sp. nov., a haplosporidian hyperparasite infecting metacercariae of Parvatrema duboisi (Dollfus 1923), a trematode parasite of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum on the west coast of Korea

Recently, a putative new hyperparasitic haplosporidian in the genus Urosporidium was identified from metacercariae of the trematode Parvatrema duboisi infecting Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum on the west coast of Korea. In this study, we applied small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences as a marker to substantiate the phylogenetic relationship of the unidentified Urosporidium within the Order Haplosporida. In our phylogenetic analysis, the 1890 bp of SSU rDNA sequences obtained were closely related to a haplosporidian parasite forming a sister clade to Urosporidium group, although the gene sequences were only 89.22-89.70% similar to Urosporidium spp. Such molecular phylogenetic distance within the genus suggested that the unidentified Urosporidium is a new member of the genus. Accordingly, we report the unidentified haplosporidian hyperparasite as Urosporidium tapetis sp. nov.

The relationship between clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis: analysis from the nationwide epidemiologic study for psoriasis in Korea (EPI-PSODE study)

BACKGROUND

Psychological aspect and quality of life should be considered in treating patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to ascertain which clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions are associated with impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

The EPI-PSODE study was a nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Korea that included 1260 adult patients with psoriasis. In addition to clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions, data were collected using the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Screening and Evaluation (PASE), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire Psoriasis (WPAI: PSO) and Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ).

RESULTS

Patients with a DLQI score > 5 (n = 990) were younger, had an earlier onset of psoriasis, scored higher on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), had higher body surface area (BSA) and had higher PASE scores than patients with DLQI ≤ 5 (n = 266). The group of patients with exposed lesions (n = 871) were younger and male predominance, earlier onset of psoriasis, longer disease duration, higher PASI/BSA score and a higher proportion with drinking and smoking history each than the group of patients without exposed lesions (n = 389). Presence of exposed lesions negatively influenced DLQI, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) (mental component), presenteeism, total work productivity impairment and total activity impairment in the WPAI: PSO. In multiple regression model, PASI score was the only variable which was significantly associated with all HRQoL measures. Presence of exposed lesions was a significant factor affecting DLQI and SF-36 (mental).

CONCLUSION

The presence of exposed lesions has a negative impact on quality of life, mental health and work productivity. Therefore, effective treatments are particularly needed for psoriasis patients with exposed lesions.

Nasal endoscopic evaluation and its impact on survival in patients with stage I/II extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic findings of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, are heterogeneous, but not fully understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of nasal endoscopic examination and its implications for treatment of stage I/II ENKTL.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 60 consecutive patients diagnosed with stage I/II ENKTL, nasal type, from 2000 to 2011.

RESULTS

The endoscopic findings were classified into early (45%) and advanced (55%) lesions. Furthermore, the primary tumor extent assessed by endoscopy was significantly correlated with the radiologic imaging (p < 0.001). The results of univariate analysis showed that the patients with advanced lesions had worse overall survival (p = 0.004) and disease-free survival (p = 0.001) than those with early lesions. In multivariate analysis, advanced lesions on nasal endoscopy was an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.024; hazard ratio 5.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-22.39).

CONCLUSION

We found that nasal endoscopic findings were important prognostic factors in stage I/II ENKTL, nasal type, suggesting that comprehensive endoscopic evaluation of primary tumor should be performed in this setting.

Predictive factors of subjective outcomes after septoplasty with and without turbinoplasty: can individual perceptual differences of the air passage be a main factor?

BACKGROUND

Although septoplasty provides adequate correction of septal deviation, patients are not always satisfied with the procedure. The degree of satisfaction after septal surgery may be affected by individual differences in the perception of one's nasal passage changes and emotional factors. The aim of this study is to identify the predictive factors that influence subjective septoplasty outcomes.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients with septal deviation and nasal obstruction were enrolled. Forty-three patients completed the study 3 months after surgery. Age, gender, allergies, smoking, and degree of septal deviation were evaluated. The differences in the visual analogue scale for nasal obstruction and nasal volume measured by acoustic rhinometry between pre-decongestant and post-decongestant states were analyzed. A stress questionnaire (SQ) and Beck's depression index (BDI) were also used to evaluate the emotional factors. Subjective satisfaction was evaluated as the difference in nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scores between baseline and 3 months postoperation.

RESULTS

Subjective satisfaction was not related to individual perceptual differences in nasal passage changes, depression index, age, gender, allergy status, smoking, or degree of septal deviation (p > 0.05 in all; univariate analysis). The baseline SQ and NOSE scores were significant predictive factors in univariate analysis. However, on multiple regression, only the baseline NOSE scores were related to subjective satisfaction after septoplasty.

CONCLUSION

Individual perceptual differences of air passage changes and emotional factors do not predict subjective symptom improvement after septoplasty. Baseline symptoms were the only predictive factor for patient satisfaction after septoplasty.

Prognostic Factors for Survival in Patients with Acute Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis

Background

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is an aggressive opportunistic infection with a high mortality rate. There are few reports that demonstrate an improvement in the overall prognosis. Furthermore, definite prognostic factors related to patient survival remain unclear.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the various clinical factors related to survival of patients with AIFR.

Methods

This is a retrospective case series with patients treated for AIFR between 1997 and 2013. A total of 45 patients with AIFR were enrolled for analysis. We evaluated demographics, clinical characteristics, and disease course.

Results

Mean age of patients was 59.6 years. AIFR developed most commonly in patients with immunocompromised host, such as diabetes (n = 23) or hematologic malignancy (n = 17). There were two main genera of fungus, Aspergillus (n = 30) and Mucor (n = 14). Headache, cranial neuropathy, visual loss, and orbital pain were the most common presenting symptoms. Overall survival was 53%. Underlying hematologic malignancy and diabetes were significantly associated with overall survival, and accompanying severe neutropenia and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) were also related to poor prognosis. Initial presentation with facial swelling, involvement of nasal septum, or shorter symptom duration was also associated with survival reduction. Multivariate analysis revealed that CRP more than 5.50 mg/dL (Hazard ratio [HR], 9.04; p = 003) was an independent prognostic factor in patients with AIFR.

Conclusions

Overall survival rate remained approximately 50% in patients with AIFR. The prognosis of AIFR is significantly influenced by underlying diseases, accompanying neutropenia, CRP levels, symptom duration, involvement of septum, and the presence of facial swelling. Elevation of CRP, in particular, was an independent predictor of poor outcomes and should be monitored appropriately.

Sinonasal evaluation and treatment before liver transplantation: a retrospective review of 982 patients

Immunosuppression after liver transplantation (LT) increases complications from infection. The usefulness of sinonasal evaluation before LT has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of routine sinonasal evaluation before LT and pre-transplant treatment of sinusitis. The clinical records of 982 adult patients (age ≥18 years) who underwent LT between January 1997 and June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. A total of 920 patients (93.7 %) underwent pre-LT sinonasal evaluation, including a sinonasal symptom questionnaire, nasal endoscopy and plain X-ray. Of these patients, 269 (29.2 %) had abnormal findings and underwent paranasal CT scans. Based on CT, 102 patients, including 21 with fungal ball, were diagnosed with sinusitis and 62 (60.8 %) underwent LT after medical or surgical treatment for sinusitis. Another 40 patients (33 with sinusitis and 7 with fungal ball) underwent LT without treatment for sinusitis. No difference in infectious complications was observed according to sinusitis treatment type. Among chronic rhinosinusitis patients, those who underwent LT (n = 48) after adequate treatment had a lower mortality rate than those who did not receive treatment (n = 33) (12.5 vs. 33.3 %; p = 0.024). Sinonasal evaluation preceding LT did not prevent infectious complications but untreated sinusitis might be correlated with increased mortality after LT. Routine pre-LT sinonasal evaluation would be considered for safer transplantation.

Compliance and efficacy of saline irrigation in pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate compliance with and effectiveness of nasal irrigation in children with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to assess its clinical course.

METHODS

Seventy-seven children with refractory CRS resistant to medical treatment including antibiotics and nasal corticosteroids were included. We evaluated patients' nasal symptom and Lund Mackay CT scores at baseline. All patients were educated about nasal irrigation and encouraged to perform nasal irrigation 1-3 times a day. After 1 month, patients were reevaluated regarding compliance with the protocol and improvement of CRS by assessing symptom score and endoscopic evaluation. The patients were followed up for at least two months to assess need for further treatment including surgery.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 8.3 years ranging from 4 to 13 years. Mean follow-up duration with nasal saline irrigation was 6.2 months (2-32 months). Forty nine patients (63.6%) successfully carried out nasal irrigation during follow-up (good compliance [GC] group) and 28 patients (36.4%) did not successfully carry out nasal irrigation (poor compliance [PC] group). There were no significant differences between GC and PC groups regarding clinical characteristics and baseline Lund-MacKay CT scores. Subjective and objective improvements were observed in 36 patients (73.5%) in the GC group and 14 patients (50.0%) in the PC group. Surgery including endoscopic sinus surgery and/or adenoidectomy was performed in 8 patients (16.3%) in the GC group and 12 patients (42.9%) in the PC group. The rate of surgical treatment was significantly different between the groups (p=0.019).

CONCLUSION

Nasal irrigation in children with long standing CRS is relatively well tolerated (63.6%) and effective. Nasal saline irrigation should be considered as a primary treatment tool in CRS even in pediatric age group.

Metastatic Lymph Node Metastasis Has Predictive Values for Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective: The authors aimed to evaluate the significance of absolute number of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and the metastatic lymph node ratio (the ratio between metastatic lymph node and harvested lymph nodes; MLNR) in the central neck for the prediction of locoregional recurrence.

Method: Through retrospective chart review between 2005 and 2009, 573 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection and were followed-up more than 36 months were enrolled. Regarding the risk of recurrence, multivariate analyses were performed with the following variables: multiplicity of tumor, extrathyroidal extension, number of harvested lymph nodes.

Results: Both the number of LNM and MLNR exhibited predictive significance toward locoregional recurrence ( P < .001). The lowest cutoff value of MLNR for a meaningful separation of disease recurrence was 0.44 (HR = 8.86, 95% CI = 1.49-52.58, P = .001) when 3 or more lymph nodes were harvested.

Conclusion: Both the number of LNM and MLNR in the central neck have predictive values for loco-regional recurrence. When MLNR is higher than 0.44, there is an increased risk of locoregional recurrence with a HR of 8.86. These findings will supplement in further risk-stratification of locoregional recurrence.

Efficacy of fibrin sealant for drainage reduction in total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of fibrin sealant (FS) for reducing postoperative drainage in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) with bilateral central neck dissection (CND) for papillary thyroid cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective randomized trial.

SETTING

Tertiary care institution.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with papillary thyroid cancer were enrolled and randomized to either the FS application group (FS+, 38 patients) or no FS application group (FS-, 40 patients). In both groups, postoperative drainage amounts were measured by a negative suction system until the criterion of drain removal was met. Drainage amounts as well as the time to drain removal, postoperative complications, and chemical profile assay of drain fluids between the 2 groups were performed.

RESULTS

Drainage amounts at the initial 24 hours as well as total amounts of the FS+ group tended to be lower than those of the FS- group; however, they were not statistically different (at initial 24 hours, 64.3 ± 17.5 mL vs 73.0 ± 18.0 mL, P = .06; total amounts, 93.5 ± 30.7 mL vs 105.7 ± 31.2 mL, P = .05). The FS application did not shorten the time to drain removal even when different criteria for drain removal were applied (criteria of <20 mL/d or <30 mL/d). When chemistry profiles of collected drain fluids were analyzed in patient subgroups, the level of triglycerides in the FS+ group was significantly lower than in the FS- group.

CONCLUSION

Fibrin sealant has no additional advantage in terms of drainage reduction and early discharge despite the additional medical cost.

Is asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation really innocuous?

OBJECTIVES

Asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is not associated with immediate deterioration of patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, it is unclear whether it is clinically innocuous with respect to long-term outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of asymptomatic HT on 3-month outcome.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 1,618 patients, hospitalized between January 2004 and August 2007 for ischemic stroke within 7 days from symptom onset were identified in a prospective stroke registry database. Those who had no evidence of acute cerebral ischemia on diffusion-weighted MRI, who did not undergo T2-weighted gradient echo MRI, whose modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months after stroke onset was not available, or who had symptomatic HT were excluded. The odds ratio (OR) of asymptomatic HT was calculated for the full distribution of mRS score and adjusted for variables with p < 0.25 with respect to their associations with asymptomatic HT or functional outcome.

RESULTS

Of 1,412 patients eligible for the study, 100 (7.1%) had asymptomatic HT. Patients who experienced asymptomatic HT were more likely to have cardioembolic stroke, to receive thrombolytic therapy, to receive anticoagulation with heparin, and to have a higher initial NIH Stroke Scale score. The crude and adjusted ORs of asymptomatic HT for an increment of mRS score at 3 months were 2.94 (95% confidence interval 2.05-4.24) and 1.90 (1.27-2.82), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that the odds of a worse outcome are increased by a factor of 2 in patients with asymptomatic HT compared with those without HT after acute ischemic stroke.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 regulates the fate of cultured spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells

OBJECTIVES

We have evaluated the physiological roles of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) on differentiation, migration, proliferation and anti-apoptosis characteristics of cultured spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells.

METHODS

We have used neural progenitor cells that had been isolated and cultured from mouse spinal cord tissue, and we also assessed the relevant reaction mechanisms using an activin-like kinase (ALK)-specific inhibitory system including an inhibitory RNA, and found that it involved potential signalling molecules such as phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Transforming growth factor-beta1-mediated cell population growth was activated after treatment and was also effectively blocked by an ALK41517-synthetic inhibitor (4-(5-benzo(1,3) dioxol-5-yl-4-pyridine-2-yl-1H-imidazole-2-yl) benzamide (SB431542) and ALK siRNA, thereby indicating the involvement of SMAD2 in the TGF-beta1-mediated growth and migration of these neural progenitors cells (NPC). In the present study, TGF-beta1 actively induced NPC migration in vitro. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 demonstrated extreme anti-apoptotic behaviour against hydrogen peroxide-mediated apoptotic cell death. At low dosages, TGF-beta1 enhanced (by approximately 76%) cell survival against hydrogen peroxide treatment via inactivation of caspase-3 and -9. TGF-beta1-treated NPCs down-regulated Bax expression and cytochrome c release; in addition, the cells showed up-regulated Bcl-2 and thioredoxin reductase 1. They also had increased p38, Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, showing the involvement of both the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways in the neuroprotective effects of TGF-beta1. Interestingly, these effects operate on specific subtypes of cells, including neurones, neural progenitor cells and astrocytes in cultured spinal cord tissue-derived cells. Lesion sites of spinal cord-overexpressing TGF-beta1-mediated prevention of cell death, cell growth and migration enhancement activity have been introduced as a possible new basis for therapeutic strategy in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including spinal cord injuries.

Protective effects of PG490-88 on chronic allograft rejection by changing intragraft gene expression profiles

Our previous study showed that PG490-88 effectively ameliorated both functional and histological changes of chronic rejection in the rat. In this experiment, we investigated the intragraft gene expression profiles of PG490-88 under successful prevention of chronic rejection in rat kidney allografts. Kidneys of F344 rats were transplanted into bilaterally nephrectomized LEW recipients. Recipients with a brief course of low-dose FK506 (1 mg/kg per day for 10 days) were dosed with PG490-88 0.5 mg/kg per day, which was predetermined and defined as the effective dose of preventing chronic allograft rejection in this model, for 90 days after grafting. Kidney grafts were harvested on day 90 after transplantation and subjected to gene expression analysis by real-time RT-PCR. Overall, the expression levels of all genes tested were upregulated in the brief course of low-dose FK506 control. PG490-88 treatment exhibited significant inhibition of intragraft m RNA levels of iNOS, IL-6, and perforin and marginal downregulation of IL-2, IFNgamma, IRF-1, TNFalpha, and TGFbeta. There was no change in IL-10, granzyme B, and PDGFalpha, when compared to the brief course of low-dose FK506 control. These results suggested that downregulation of multiple intragraft gene expression by mainly suppression of iNOS, IL-6, and perforin might be responsible for successful prevention of chronic kidney allograft nephropathy by PG490-88 in rats.

PG490-88, a new immunosuppressant, effectively prevents acute and chronic rejection in rat renal allografts

PG490-88 is a semisynthetic derivative of the novel compound PG490 (triptolide) purified from a Chinese herb. It has been shown to prolong acute allograft survival in multiple experimental organ transplant models. However, the effect of PG490-88 on prevention of acute and chronic renal allograft rejection has not been determined. Kidneys of ACI or F344 rats were transplanted into bilaterally nephrectomized LEW recipients as the acute or chronic allograft rejection models, respectively. Treatment of LEW recipients with PG490-88 significantly prolonged ACI kidney graft survival in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the untreated allograft controls. LEW recipients of F344 kidney grafts who received PG490-88 for 90 days with a brief course of low-dose FK506 showed normal serum creatinine levels and markedly reduced histological changes of chronic rejection at day 90 after transplantation. These results suggest that PG490-88 significantly prolongs kidney allograft survival in an acute rejection model and prevents chronic allograft rejection in rats.

Treatment of landfill leachate by a pilot-scale modified Ludzack-Ettinger and sulfur-utilizing denitrification process

Nitrogen removal efficiency of a pilot-scale system consisted of Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) followed by sulfur-utilizing denitrification (SUDNR) process was evaluated with a landfill leachate. For SUDNR, a down-flow mode sulfur packed bed reactor (SPBR) filled with sulfur and limestone particles was used. Although total nitrogen removal efficiency of the MLE process was about 80% at the recycle ratio of 4, effluent contained 350-450 mg/L NO(3-)-N. Up to a loading rate of 1.2 kg NO(3-)-N/m3-day, the SPBR could achieve complete removal of nitrate, and nitrate removal rate was kept to that level even at higher loading rate. When a COD/N ratio of MLE process was maintained at 2 instead of 4, more organics with molecular weight less than 500 were utilized for heterotrophic denitrification although denitrification was not complete with the lack of electron donors. Clogging in the SPBR, mainly by the accumulation of nitrogen gas in the pores, could easily be removed by introducing the effluent in an upward direction for 1 min at 1 hr intervals. The proposed treatment system could achieve nitrate free effluent with a slight increase in chemical cost. Furthermore, depending on further COD removal requirement after biological treatment, the proposed treatment system can be an economical solution.

Clinicopathological and genotypic aspects of anticonvulsant-induced pseudolymphoma syndrome

BACKGROUND

Pseudolymphoma syndrome (PLS) is relatively rare but can lead to death if there are extensive skin lesions, severe hepatitis, agranulocytosis and neutropenia. PLS may also give rise to harmful effects if misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma and patients with PLS are treated unnecessarily with chemotherapy, because it may mimic histologically other lymphomas, including mycosis fungoides (MF).

OBJECTIVES

To examine the clinicopathological and genotypic features of anticonvulsant-induced PLS. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical, laboratory and histological findings for eight cases of anticonvulsant-induced PLS, and performed T-cell receptor gene rearrangement using polymerase chain reaction with paraffin-embedded specimens from each case.

RESULTS

The causative agents were carbamazepine (four cases), phenytoin (two cases), phenobarbital (one case) and valproic acid (one case). A cross-reaction between phenobarbital and phenytoin was observed in one case. The duration from the start of anticonvulsant therapy to skin eruption was 3-24 weeks (mean 7 weeks). The skin lesions were generalized maculopapular eruptions in all cases, including one case accompanied by vesiculopustular lesions. The frequencies of the associated features were as follows: facial oedema (88%), fever (75%), lymphadenopathy (63%), and hepatomegaly (25%). Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis, atypical lymphocytes, eosinophilia, monocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and abnormal liver function. Histopathologically, there was similarity between PLS and MF in that epidermotrophism of atypical lymphocytes (100%) and Pautrier's microabscess-like structures (38%) were observed. However, PLS has some differences from MF that include moderate to marked spongiosis (75%), necrotic keratinocytes (63%), and infiltration of eosinophils (25%) in the epidermis and, in the dermis, papillary dermal oedema (100%), extravasated erythrocytes (100%), lymphocytes within the dermis larger than those within the epidermis (63%), and infiltration of various inflammatory cells including neutrophils (50%). Genotypic analysis demonstrated a rearrangement of the T-cell receptor-gamma gene in one of eight cases studied. There were no deaths and all cases were improved at 2-9 weeks (mean 6 weeks), after the cessation of causative agents, systemic and topical corticosteroid therapy, and symptomatic therapy. There were no significant differences in clinical, laboratory and histological findings between the causative agents.

CONCLUSIONS

PLS may show histopathological findings similar to MF and take a prolonged course even after the cessation of causative agents. Thus, a clear understanding and diagnosis of this disease is considered to have an important effect on treatment and prognosis.

Mycosis fungoides presenting as Ofuji's papuloerythroderma

We report three patients presented with clinical features of Ofuji's papuloerythroderma (pruritic erythematous papules and extensive erythema sparing all skin folds), however, showing histopathological findings of mycosis fungoides (Pautrier's microabscess, haloed lymphocytes, disproportionate epidermotropism, and wiry collagen bundles). One case was associated with plaque stage of mycosis fungoides and follicular mucinosis. T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement analysis in the lesional skin tissue demonstrated rearrangement of the gamma chain in all cases. HTLV-1 serology was negative for two patients who conducted HTLV-1 test. We think that Ofuji's papuloerythroderma might be a variant of early mycosis fungoides rather than secondary skin manifestations to certain cutaneous inflammatory diseases.

Narrowbore high-performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of sildenafil and its metabolite UK-103,320 in human plasma using column switching

A fully automated narrowbore high-performance liquid chromatography method with column switching was developed for the simultaneous determination of sildenafil and its active metabolite UK-103,320 in human plasma samples without pre-purification. Diluted plasma sample (100 microl) was directly introduced onto a Capcell Pak MF Ph-1 column (20x4 mm I.D.) where primary separation occurred to remove proteins and concentrate target substances using 15% acetonitrile in 20 mM phosphate solution (pH 7). The drug molecules eluted from the MF Ph-1 column were focused in an intermediate column (35x2 mm I.D.) by a valve switching step. The substances enriched in the intermediate column were eluted and separated on a phenyl-hexyl column (100x2 mm I.D.) using 36% acetonitrile in 10 mM phosphate solution (pH 4.5) when the valve status was switched back. The method showed excellent sensitivity (detection limit of 10 ng/ml), good precision (RSD < or = 2.3%) and accuracy (bias: +/-2.0%) and speed (total analysis time 17 min). The response was linear (r2 > or = 0.999) over the concentration range 10-1000 ng/ml.

Cryopreservation of Taxus chinensis suspension cell cultures

A simple cryopreservation method for suspension cells of Taxus chinensis was established. In this procedure 7 days old suspension cells were used without any pre-culture treatment. At first, cells were incubated in cryoprotectant solution (0.5M DMSO and 0.5M glycerol) on ice for 30 min and then frozen at a cooling rate of 1 degree C/min to -40 degrees C prior to immersion in liquid nitrogen. The average viability of frozen-thawed cells was between 30 to 40%. The recovery of cryopreserved cells in liquid nitrogen for 1 month was accomplished. After rapid thawing, cells were transferred to solid medium and cultivated for 4-6 weeks. The treatment of trehalose as a cryoprotectant enhanced re-growth of frozen-thawed cells. The stable maintenance of paclitaxel biosynthetic ability in cryopreserved cells was confirmed by comparing with that of regularly sub-cultured suspension cells.

Notch signaling as a target in multimodality cancer therapy

Notch signaling is an extremely conserved and widely used mechanism controlling cell fate determination. Recent evidence shows that Notch receptors regulate cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis in many cells, including neoplastic cells. In the context of cancer experimental immunotherapy and multimodality therapy, the Notch signaling network is acquiring increasing importance for its possible roles in both neoplastic cells and the immune system. In this review, we discuss: (i) the roles of Notch signaling in cancer cells and the immune system; and (ii) strategies through which Notch-targeting biologicals may be used to increase the effectiveness of multimodality cancer treatment, including cancer vaccines.

Evaluation of selected lichens from iceland for cancer chemopreventive and cytotoxic activity

Cancer chemopreventive effects of organic extracts from 29 species of lichens collected in Iceland were evaluated using a panel of in vitro bioassays whereby extracts were tested for potential to induce quinone reductase (QR) and differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells, inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), phorbol ester-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), aromatase and sulfatase, as well as for antioxidant, estrogenic/anti-estrogenic and antiproliferative activity. In addition, the extracts were tested for cytotoxicity against 12 cancer cell lines. The most significant results were exhibited by extracts from Xanthoria elegans and Alectoria nigricans , which respectively, induced QR activity (concentration to double activity = 4.8 µg/ml) and inhibited phorbol ester-induced ODC activity with mouse 308 cells in culture (IC 50 = 2.6 µg/ml). Moderate inhibition of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation with HL-60 cells was exhibited by the Peltigera leucophlebia extract. Several extracts prevented estrogen formation from estrogen precursors by inhibiting the enzymatic activities of aromatase ( Sphaerophorus globosus , Cetrariella delisei , Melanelia hepatizon ) and sulfatase ( Cladonia gracilis , Sphaerophorus fragilis , S. globosus ). None of the extracts demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects with selected cell lines.

Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the skin

We report a case of epithelioid leiomyosarcoma that developed on the nose of a 55-year-old Korean male over a one year period. The lesion was a pea sized, firm, erythematous, painless nodule with erosion in the center. Histologic examination revealed short spindled cells with blunt-ended nuclei and pleomorphic round to oval epithelioid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm that were perivascular and densely packed in the dermis. Immunostaining for desmin was negative, although stains for vimentin and smooth muscle actin were both strongly positive.