Mdivi-1: Effective but complex mitochondrial fission inhibitor

Mdivi-1, Mitochondrial DIVIsion inhibitor 1, has been widely employed in research under the assumption that it exclusively influences mitochondrial fusion, but effects other than mitochondrial dynamics have been underinvestigated. This paper provides transcriptome and DNA methylome-wide analysis for Mdivi-1 treated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and methyl capture sequencing (MC-seq) methods. Gene ontology analysis of RNA sequences revealed that p53 transcriptional gene network and DNA replication initiation-related genes were significantly up and down-regulated, respectively, showing the correlation with the arrest cell cycle in the G1 phase. MC-seq, a powerful sequencing method for capturing DNA methylation status in CpG sites, revealed that although Mdivi-1 does not induce dramatic DNA methylation change, the subtle alterations were concentrated within the CpG island. Integrative analysis of both sequencing data disclosed that the p53 transcriptional network was activated while the Parkinson's disease pathway was halted. Next, we investigated several changes in mitochondria in response to Mdivi-1. Copy number and transcription of mitochondrial DNA were suppressed. ROS levels increased, and elevated ROS triggered mitochondrial retrograde signaling rather than inducing direct DNA damage. In this study, we could better understand the molecular network of Mdivi-1 by analyzing DNA methylation and mRNA transcription in the nucleus and further investigating various changes in mitochondria, providing inspiration for studying nuclear-mitochondrial communications.

Epigenetic landscape analysis reveals the significance of early reduced chromatin accessibility in osteoclastogenesis

Recently improved techniques could provide snapshots of chromatin structure generated based on chromatin accessibility. Since chromatin accessibility determines transcriptional potential, it has been attempted in a variety of cell systems. However, there has been no genome-wide analysis of chromatin accessibility for the entire murine osteoclast (OC) differentiation process. We performed an Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin (ATAC)-sequencing (seq) during RANKL-induced OC differentiation and found that global chromatin accessibility decreased, especially early in OC differentiation. The global histone H3K27Ac level, an active histone modification mark, was diminished during OC differentiation by western blot and histone extract experiments. Its genomic enrichment was also reduced based on publicly available H3K27Ac chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data. ATAC-seq and H3K27Ac ChIP-seq data demonstrated that RANKL induced a less accessible chromatin state during OC differentiation. Restoration of reduced H3K27Ac, presumably representing accessible states upon acetate treatment, suppresses OC differentiation by provoking immune-related gene expression. Subsequential integrative analysis of ATAC-seq, RNA-seq after acetate treatment, and H3K27Ac ChIP-seq reveals that Irf8 and its downstream targets are the most vulnerable to chromatin accessibility changes and acetate supplementation. Taken together, our study generated chromatin accessibility maps during the whole OC differentiation and suggested perturbation of chromatin accessibility might be a potential therapeutic strategy for excessive OC diseases.

Physicochemical and sensory properties of milk supplemented with dispersible nanopowdered oyster shell during storage

The current study was carried out to investigate the dispersibility of powdered oyster shell (POS), nanopowdered oyster shell (NPOS), and Zn-activated nanopowdered oyster shell (Zn-NPOS) in milk and to determine effects of adding oyster shell on the physicochemical and sensory properties of milk during storage at 4°C for 16 d. To ensure dispersibility, 10% (wt/vol) oyster shell was added to distilled water and stirred at 800 rpm for 2 h, and then the emulsifier 0.5% polyglycerol monostearate (PGMS) was added and stirred continually for 24 h. The particle sizes of POS, NPOS, and Zn-NPOS were 180μm, 389 nm, and 257 nm, respectively. The pH values of all milk samples ranged from 6.62 to 6.88 during storage, and the zeta-potential of milks with NPOS and Zn-NPOS added were more stable than that of milk with POS in low concentrations (0.5 and 1.0%, vol/vol) during storage. The L and a color values of the milks were not significantly influenced by treatment; however, the b value (yellow-blue color) significantly increased during storage after adding POS, NPOS, or Zn-NPOS. Sensory analysis revealed that sedimentation score significantly increased with POS-supplemented milk, but the NPOS- and Zn-NPOS-supplemented milks did not show sedimentation until after 8 d of storage. Based on the data obtained, we conclude that dispersible nanosized oyster shell at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0% (vol/vol) could be supplemented to milk without significant adverse effects on physicochemical and sensory properties.

Detectivity enhancement in quantum well infrared photodetectors utilizing a photonic crystal slab resonator

We characterize the performance of a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP), which is fabricated as a photonic crystal slab (PCS) resonator. The strongest resonance of the PCS is designed to coincide with the absorption peak frequency at 7.6 µm of the QWIP. To accurately characterize the detector performance, it is illuminated by using single mode mid-infrared lasers. The strong resonant absorption enhancement yields a detectivity increase of up to 20 times. This enhancement is a combined effect of increased responsivity and noise current reduction. With increasing temperature, we observe a red shift of the PCS-QWIP resonance peak of -0.055 cm(-1)/K. We attribute this effect to a refractive index change and present a model based on the revised plane wave method.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with lung metastasis in a 9-year-old-boy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains chemoresistant and, therefore, the principal treatment of HCC is surgical resection. After a 9-year-old boy with huge HCC with lung metastasis received the 5 cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and Adriamycin), the lung metastasis had been resolved completely and the size of HCC in liver had decreased. Right hepatic trisegmentectomy was performed, and then the additional 3 cycles of chemotherapy was given. Currently, the patient shows no recurrence of HCC 42 months after surgical extirpation.

A case of hemorrhagic gallbladder paraganglioma causing acute cholecystitis

Gallbladder paraganglioma is a very rare tumor and so far only a few cases have been reported. Most of these were asymptomatic and were found incidentally during operation. Recently, we experienced a gallbladder paraganglioma that gave rise to hemorrhage, which in turn caused acute cholecystitis. Our case involved a 45 year-old female patient complaining of an intermittent right upper abdominal pain. After a preoperative evaluation, cholecystectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed under the impression of gallbladder cancer with acute cholecystitis. Postoperative pathologic examination revealed a hemorrhagic gallbladder paraganglioma accompanied by acute cholecystitis. Immunohistochemical staining of the chief cells for neuron specific enolase, chromogranin and synaptophysin were positive. Sustentacular cells also stained positively for S100 protein.

A case of epidermoid cyst of the intrapancreatic accessory spleen

A 54-year-old woman presented with a huge palpable mass on left upper quadrant of the abdomen. After preoperative work-up, a cystic disease of pancreatic tail or accessory spleen was initially suspected. We performed exploratory laparotomy and resected both the spleen and a 15 x 11 cm-sized huge cystic mass containing a part of solid component which extended continuously to the pancreatic tail. The solid component, comprising the upper portion of the resected cyst, was reddish brown and granular like as normal splenic tissue. The inner surface of the cyst was smooth and was filled with yellowish white material. Histologic examination showed an epidermoid cyst originating in the accessory spleen of the pancreatic tail lacking hair or skin appendages.

Pneumatic colonic rupture accompanied by tension pneumoperitoneum

Rupture of the colon caused by high pressure compressed air is a rare, unique and traumatic intra-abdominal injury. As the use of compressed air in industrial work has increased, so has the risk of associated pneumatic injuries from its improper use. Recently we experienced a case of pneumatic rupture of the sigmoid colon accompanied by tension pneumoperitoneum, which caused respiratory distress. The patient's respiration was very rapid with the rate of 44 breaths per minute. On arterial blood gas analysis, pH was 7.40, pO2 68 mmHg, pCO2 44 mmHg, and SaO2 90%. Chest X-ray film showed marked pneumoperitoneum and an elevated diaphragm. The respiratory distress was severe and required immediate relief by emergency decompression peritoneocentesis before surgical intervention consisting of the serosal tear repair, colonic rupture colostomy and abdominal cavity irrigation. A follow up operation 2 months later for colostomy repair completed the patient's recovery.

Infestation status of head louse and treatment with lindane shampoo in children of primary school and kindergarten in Chinju-shi, Kyongsangnam-do, Korea

The infestation status of head louse among children attending primary schools and kindergartens in Chinju-shi, Kyongsangnam-do, Korea, was investigated between June and July 1999. Out of 2,288 children examined, 3.9% of boys (48/1,242) and 23.5% of girls (246/1,046) were infested with nits or adult/nymphs of lice. The effectiveness of lindane shampoo (1% gamma benzene hexachloride solution) was evaluated after one or two time applications to all the children infested. The negative conversion rate of pediculosis was 93.5%. Effective control measures are needed to control and prevent such ectoparasite infestation amongst children.

Short-course chemotherapy for pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii

Forty patients with pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii were treated initially with rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol daily for 12 months, and with streptomycin twice weekly for the first 3 months. Postchemotherapy follow-up examinations have ranged from 6 to 68 months, with an average of 31 months. One of the 40 patients (2.5%) relapsed 6 months after completion of chemotherapy. In vitro susceptibility of the mycobacteria to the drugs used, extent of disease, and/or the coexistence of other diseases did not seem to influence the outcome. This 12-month chemotherapy regimen is considered to be sufficient for the initial treatment of pulmonary disease caused by M. kansasii.

Diagnostic criteria for pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium intracellulare

A study of 271 patients infected with Mycobacterium kansasii and 226 patients with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex has led to the proposal of new diagnostic criteria. These criteria, based on the presence or absence of cavitation and on the duration of sputum positivity after initiation of therapy, are proposed to more accurately distinguish colonizations from active invasion of tissue than the current diagnostic criteria.