Intrahospital transmission and infection control of Candida auris originating from a severely infected COVID-19 patient transferred abroad

BACKGROUND

Intrahospital spread of Candida auris, which survives tenaciously in many environments, can cause sustained colonization and infection. A large outbreak of C. auris was experienced in the intensive care units (ICUs) at the study hospital during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

The index patient with severe COVID-19, who was transferred from Vietnam in January 2022, developed C. auris candidaemia 10 days after hospitalization. From mid-June 2022 to January 2023, strengthened infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were implemented in three ICUs: (1) contact precautions and isolation (CPI) for C. auris-positive cases; (2) surveillance cultures including point-prevalence (N=718) for patients or close contacts or ICU-resident healthcare workers (HCWs); (3) intensive environmental disinfection with 10-fold diluted bleach; and (4) 2% chlorhexidine bathing for all ICU patients. Environmental cultures (ECx) on surfaces and shared objects (N=276) were conducted until early September 2022, when all ECx were negative.

RESULTS

Among 53 C. auris-positive patients between February 2022 and January 2023, invasive infections resulted in seven cases of candidaemia and one case of pneumonia. C. auris was isolated from reusable tympanic thermometers (TTMs) contaminated with earwax. The isolation rate of C. auris in ECx decreased from 6.8% in June 2022 to 2.0% in August 2022, and was no longer detected in TTMs. Colonization in HCWs was remarkably rare (0.5%). The number of C. auris-positive patients peaked in July (N=10) then decreased gradually. By January 2023, no C. auris were isolated in the ICU.

CONCLUSION

Aggressive IPC measures with CPI, ECx and surveillance, decontamination of TTMs, and bathing were effective in successfully controlling this C. auris outbreak.

Initial phase establishment of an in vitro method for developmental neurotoxicity test using Ki-67 in human neural progenitor cells

Building a precise alternative neurotoxicological test is of great importance to respond to societal and ethical requirements. In this study, a new developmental neurotoxicity test (DNT) was established with the human neural progenitor cell line. ReNcell CX cells were exposed to neurotoxic chemicals (aphidicolin, hydroxyurea, cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluorouracil, and ochratoxin A) or non-neurotoxic chemicals (sodium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, penicillin G, and saccharin). Propidium iodide (PI) was used to evaluate cell viability. BrdU and Ki-76 were employed to determine cell proliferation. Based on the cell viability and proliferation, mathematical models were built by linear discriminant analysis. Furthermore, the neurotoxic-considered chemicals inhibited cell cycle progression at the protein level, supporting the biomolecular rationale for the predictive model. Overall, these results show that the new test method can be used to determine the potential developmental neurotoxicants or new drug candidates.

Clinical features and prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) share common risk factors. They could therefore be expressed in a single patient. However, the prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of individuals with comorbid IPF and COPD are not known. </sec> <sec> <title>METHOD</title> From 2003 to 2007, the Korean Interstitial Lung Disease Study Group created a register for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia using 2002 ATS/ERS (American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society) criteria. Of the 1546 IPF patients assessed, 143 had decreased lung function consistent with COPD (IPF-COPD). COPD was diagnosed based on age (≥40 years) and pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV₁]/forced vital capacity [FVC] ratio < 0.7). </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> The median age of the IPF-COPD group was 71.0 years (interquartile range 66.0-76.0); most patients were male (88.1%). FVC (%) was significantly higher in the IPF-COPD group; however, FEV₁ (%) was significantly lower in the IPF-COPD group (P < 0.001). Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) was not significantly different between the two groups. In survival analysis, age and FVC (%), but not COPD, were significantly associated with prognosis (respectively P = 0.003, 0.001 and 0.401). COPD severity was also not related to prognosis (P = 0.935). </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSION</title> The prevalence of IPF-COPD was estimated to be ∼9.2% among all IPF patients; prognosis of patients with IPF-COPD was not worse than those with IPF alone. </sec>.

Silver nanoparticles induce Egr-1-dependent psoriasin expression via the ERK and p38 pathways

BACKGROUND

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) can prevent bacterial infection and improve cutaneous wound healing owing to their antimicrobial activity. However, the mechanism of their antimicrobial activity is poorly understood.

AIM

To determine the mechanistic relationship between Ag-NP treatment and expression of psoriasin.

METHODS

Human epidermal keratinocytes, neonatal (HEKn) were used. Psoriasin mRNA expression was measured by reverse transcription PCR and real-time PCR. Western blotting was performed to verify expression of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and psoriasin, and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Psoriasin promoter activity by Egr-1 was detected by a luciferase assay.

RESULTS

Treatment of HEKn with Ag-NPs induced psoriasin mRNA and protein expression. Upregulation of psoriasin promoter activity was also observed in the luciferase assay. Ag-NPs increased Egr-1 expression, promoter activity and nuclear translocation in HEKn. Psoriasin luciferase activity was increased in HEKn transfected with Egr-1 pcDNA 3.1. Ag-NPs activated MAPK pathways including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. The upregulation of Egr-1 expression by Ag-NP stimulation was inhibited by ERK and p38 inhibitors, but not by a JNK inhibitor. Psoriasin expression was reduced in Egr-1 small interfering RNA-transfected HEKn.

CONCLUSIONS

Ag-NP treatment induces upregulation of psoriasin expression through Egr-1 expression. We suggest that the ERK and p38 pathways are involved in Egr-1-dependent psoriasin expression.

Acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery: 164 consecutive cases treated at a referral center in South Korea

PurposeTo identify prognostic factors in patients referred with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery, and to evaluate the efficacy of primary vitrectomy as an initial management.MethodsOver an eight-year study period, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 164 patients who were referred with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Treatment generally conformed to standard guidelines, although primary vitrectomy was performed in several eyes with a visual acuity of hand motion or better, depending on the patient's status. Using multivariate analysis, we analyzed outcomes to determine the effect on final visual outcome.ResultsA final visual acuity of ≥20/40 was achieved in 92/164 (56.1%) cases after treatment. Bacterial cultures showed bacterial growth in 89/164 cases (54.3%). Among the various baseline characteristics, old age (P=0.028), poor visual acuity at presentation (P=0.004), gram-negative bacterial infection (P=0.030), and short time between cataract surgery and signs of endophthalmitis (P=0.021) were associated with poor visual outcome. The visual outcome showed no significant difference, in terms of initial treatment feature, between the primary vitrectomy with intraocular antibiotics injection (IOAI) and IOAI-only groups. However, reintervention was significantly less frequent in the primary vitrectomy group than in the IOAI group (12.5 and 32.7%, respectively; P=0.002).ConclusionOld age, poor visual acuity at presentation, type of cultured organism (gram-negative bacteria), and early onset of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery were significantly related to poor visual outcome after endophthalmitis treatment. Primary vitrectomy may decrease the need for reintervention to control infection, although the treatment showed no benefits with regard to visual outcome.

A phase 3b study of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced Korean patients chronically infected with genotype 2 hepatitis C virus

In Korea, patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are typically treated with pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin, but interferons are contraindicated in many patients and are often poorly tolerated, particularly by the elderly and those with advanced liver disease. No interferon-free treatment regimens are approved in Korea. Sofosbuvir is an oral nucleotide analog inhibitor of the HCV nonstructural 5B RNA polymerase. It is approved in the USA, European Union and Japan for treating a number of HCV genotypes, including genotype 2. Genotype 2 has a seroprevalence of 38-46% in Korea. This single-arm, phase 3b study (NCT02021643) examined the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin (12-week duration) in chronic genotype 2 HCV-infected treatment-naive and treatment-experienced Korean patients with and without cirrhosis. The proportion of patients with sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation (SVR12) was 97% (125/129), with 96% (101/105) of treatment-naive and 100% (24/24) of treatment-experienced patients achieving SVR12. Two patients experienced virologic failure (n = 1, on-treatment failure; n = 1, relapse). No patient discontinued study treatment due to an adverse event (AE). The most common treatment-emergent AEs were headache (18%, 23/129) and pruritus (15%, 19/129). Few patients had grade 3 AEs (5%, 6/129) or grade 3 laboratory abnormalities (12%, 15/129). No grade 4 AE was reported. These data suggest that 12 weeks of treatment with the all-oral, interferon-free regimen of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin is effective and well tolerated in Korean patients with chronic genotype 2 HCV infection.

Modification to the accelerator of the NBI-1B ion source for improving the injection efficiency

Minimizing power loss of a neutral beam imposes modification of the accelerator of the ion source for further improvement of the beam optics. The beam optics can be improved by focusing beamlets. The injection efficiencies by the steering of ion beamlets are investigated numerically to find the optimum modification of the accelerator design of the NBI-1B ion source. The beam power loss was reduced by aperture displacement of three edge beamlets arrays considering power loadings on the beamline components. Successful testing and operation of the ion source at 60 keV/84% of injection efficiency led to the possibility of enhancing the system capability to a 2.4 MW power level at 100 keV/1.9 μP.

Role of protein kinase C-η in cigarette smoke extract-induced apoptosis in MRC-5-cells

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor for emphysema, which causes cell death in structural cells of the lung by mechanisms that are still not completely understood. We demonstrated previously that CS extract (CSE) induces caspase activation in MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts, activated protein kinase C-η (PKC-η), and translocated PKC-η from the cytosol to the membrane. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of PKC-η activation in a CSE-induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway. We determined that CSE increases expression of caspase 3 and 8 cleavage in MRC-5 cells and overexpression of PKC-η significantly increased expression of caspase 3 and 8 cleavage compared with control LacZ-infected cells. In contrast, dominant negative (dn) PKC-η inhibited apoptosis in MRC-5 cells exposed to CSE and decreased expression of caspase 3 and 8 compared with control cells. Exposure to 10% CSE for >8 h significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase release in PKC-η-infected cells compared with LacZ-infected cells. Additionally, PKC-η-infected cells had an increased number of Hoechst 33342 stained nuclei compared with LacZ-infected cells, while dn PKC-η-infected cells exhibited fewer morphological changes than LacZ-infected cells under phase-contrast microscopy. In conclusion, PKC-η activation plays a pro-apoptotic role in CSE-induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway in MRC-5 cells. These results suggest that modulation of PKC-η may be a useful tool for regulating the extrinsic apoptosis of MRC-5 cells by CSE and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of CS-induced lung injury.

Analysis of RAS mutation and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements in follicular-derived thyroid neoplasms in a Korean population: frequency and ultrasound findings

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the frequency and ultrasonography (US) findings of RAS mutations and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements between follicular thyroid adenomas (FTAs) and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) in a Korean population.

METHODS

RAS mutations and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements in 56 FTAs and 35 FTCs were analyzed. We also analyzed the US findings of FTCs and FTAs.

RESULTS

16 nodules of 35 FTCs (45.7 %) and 19 nodules of 56 FTAs (33.9 %) harbored RAS mutations. Three FTCs and three FTAs showed two point mutations simultaneously. K-RAS codon 12-13 (n = 6, 31.6 %), N-RAS codon 61 (n = 5, 26.3 %), H-RAS codon 61 (n = 4, 21.1 %), K-RAS codon 61 (n = 3, 15.8 %), and N-RAS codon 12-13 (n = 1, 5.3 %) were found in FTCs, and N-RAS codon 61 (n = 10, 45 %), K-RAS codon 12-13 (n = 5, 22.7 %), H-RAS codon 61 (n = 5, 22.7 %), K-RAS codon 61 (n = 1, 4.5 %), and N-RAS codon 12-13 (n = 1, 4.5 %) were observed in FTAs. 4 of 56 (7.1 %) FTAs and 1 of 35 (2.9 %) FTCs represented PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements, respectively (P = 0.645). The absence of a hypoechoic rim (P = 0.021) and presence of calcifications (P = 0.049) were significantly associated with FTCs compared with FTAs.

CONCLUSIONS

RAS mutation frequency targeting the Korean population showed a 45.7 % in FTCs and 35.7 % in FTAs, and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements were more frequently showed in FTAs. K-RAS codon 12-13 was the most common RAS mutation in FTCs, whereas N-RAS codon 61 was more frequent in FTAs. The presence of calcifications and absence of a hypoechoic rim showed more frequently in FTCs.

Corrigendum to: Ursolic Acid-Induced Elevation of Serum Irisin Augments Muscle Strength During Resistance Training in Men

[This corrects the article on p. 441 in vol. 18, PMID: 25352765.].

Ursolic Acid-induced elevation of serum irisin augments muscle strength during resistance training in men

Ursolic acid (UA), a type of pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid purified from natural plants, can promote skeletal muscle development. We measured the effect of resistance training (RT) with/without UA on skeletal muscle development and related factors in men. Sixteen healthy male participants (age, 29.37±5.14 years; body mass index=27.13±2.16 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to RT (n=7) or RT with UA (RT+UA, n=9) groups. Both groups completed 8 weeks of intervention consisting of 5 sets of 26 exercises, with 10~15 repetitions at 60~80% of 1 repetition maximum and a 60~90-s rest interval between sets, performed 6 times/week. UA or placebo was orally ingested as 1 capsule 3 times/day for 8 weeks. The following factors were measured pre-and post-intervention: body composition, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), irisin, and skeletal muscle strength. Body fat percentage was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in the RT+UA group, despite body weight, body mass index, lean body mass, glucose, and insulin levels remaining unchanged. IGF-1 and irisin were significantly increased compared with baseline levels in the RT+UA group (p<0.05). Maximal right and left extension (p<0.01), right flexion (p<0.05), and left flexion (p<0.001) were significantly increased compared with baseline levels in the RT+UA group. These findings suggest that UA-induced elevation of serum irisin may be useful as an agent for the enhancement of skeletal muscle strength during RT.

Comparison of the effects of normal saline versus Plasmalyte on acid-base balance during living donor kidney transplantation using the Stewart and base excess methods

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is an inevitable consequence of kidney transplantation, leading to metabolic acidosis. This study compared the effects of normal saline (NS) and Plasmalyte on acid-base balance and electrolytes during living donor kidney transplantation using the Stewart and base excess (BE) methods.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to an NS group (n = 30) or a Plasmalyte group (n = 30). Arterial blood samples were collected for acid-base analysis after induction of anesthesia (T0), prior to clamping the iliac vein (T1), 10 minutes after reperfusion of the donated kidney (T2), and at the end of surgery (T3). In addition serum creatinine and 24-hour urine output were recorded on postoperative days 1,2, and 7. Over the first postoperative 7 days we recorded episodes of graft failure requiring dialysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the Plasmalyte group, the NS group showed significantly lower values of pH, BE, and effective strong ion differences during the postreperfusion period (T2 and T3). Chloride-related values (chloride [Cl(-)], free-water corrected Cl(-), BEcl) were significantly higher at T1, T2, and T3, indicating hyperchloremic rather than dilutional metabolic acidosis. Early postoperative graft functions in terms of serum creatinine, urine output, and graft failure requiring dialysis were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both NS and Plamalyte can be used safely during uncomplicated living donor kidney transplantation. However, Plasmalyte more stably maintains acid-base and electrolyte balance compared with NS especially during the postreperfusion period.

Development progresses of radio frequency ion source for neutral beam injector in fusion devices

A large-area RF (radio frequency)-driven ion source is being developed in Germany for the heating and current drive of an ITER device. Negative hydrogen ion sources are the major components of neutral beam injection systems in future large-scale fusion experiments such as ITER and DEMO. RF ion sources for the production of positive hydrogen (deuterium) ions have been successfully developed for the neutral beam heating systems at IPP (Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics) in Germany. The first long-pulse ion source has been developed successfully with a magnetic bucket plasma generator including a filament heating structure for the first NBI system of the KSTAR tokamak. There is a development plan for an RF ion source at KAERI to extract the positive ions, which can be applied for the KSTAR NBI system and to extract the negative ions for future fusion devices such as the Fusion Neutron Source and Korea-DEMO. The characteristics of RF-driven plasmas and the uniformity of the plasma parameters in the test-RF ion source were investigated initially using an electrostatic probe.

Improvement of a plasma uniformity of the 2nd ion source of KSTAR neutral beam injector

The 2nd ion source of KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) NBI (Neutral Beam Injector) had been developed and operated since last year. A calorimetric analysis revealed that the heat load of the back plate of the ion source is relatively higher than that of the 1st ion source of KSTAR NBI. The spatial plasma uniformity of the ion source is not good. Therefore, we intended to identify factors affecting the uniformity of a plasma density and improve it. We estimated the effects of a direction of filament current and a magnetic field configuration of the plasma generator on the plasma uniformity. We also verified that the operation conditions of an ion source could change a uniformity of the plasma density of an ion source.

Mitochondrial modulation decreases the bortezomib-resistance in multiple myeloma cells

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy that causes most patients to eventually relapse and die from their disease. The 20S proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has emerged as an effective drug for MM treatment; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to bortezomib has already been observed in MM patients. We evaluated the involvement of mitochondria in resistance to bortezomib-induced cell death in two different MM cell lines (bortezomib-resistant KMS20 cells and bortezomib-sensitive KMS28BM cells). Indices of mitochondrial function, including membrane potential, oxygen consumption rate and adenosine-5'-triphosphate and mitochondrial Ca(2+) concentrations, were positively correlated with drug resistance of KMS cell lines. Mitochondrial genes including CYPD, SOD2 and MCU were differentially expressed in KMS cells. Thus, changes in the expression of these genes lead to changes in mitochondrial activity and in bortezomib susceptibility or resistance, and their combined effect contributes to differential sensitivity or resistance of MM cells to bortezomib. In support of this finding, coadministration of bortezomib and 2-methoxyestradiol, a SOD inhibitor, rendered KMS20 cells sensitive to apoptosis. Our results provide new insight into therapeutic modalities for MM patients. Studying mitochondrial activity and specific mitochondrial gene expression in fresh MM specimens might help predict resistance to proapoptotic chemotherapies and inform clinical decision-making.

Glucocorticoids and their receptors: insights into specific roles in mitochondria

Glucocorticoids (GCs) affect most physiological systems and are the most frequently used drugs for multiple disorders and organ transplantation. GC functions depend on a balance between circulating GC and cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor II (GR). Mitochondria individually enclose circular, double-stranded DNA that is expressed and replicated in response to nuclear-encoded factors imported from the cytoplasm. Fine-tuning and response to cellular demands should be coordinately regulated by the nucleus and mitochondria; thus mitochondrial-nuclear interaction is vital to optimal mitochondrial function. Elucidation of the direct and indirect effects of steroids, including GCs, on mitochondria is an important and emerging field of research. Mitochondria may also be under GC control because GRs are present in mitochondria, and glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) reside in the mitochondrial genome. Therefore, mitochondrial gene expression can be regulated by GCs via at least two different mechanisms: direct action on mitochondrial DNA and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes, or by an indirect effect through interaction with nuclear genes. In this review, we outline possible mechanisms of regulation of mitochondrial genes in response to GCs in view of translocation of the GR into mitochondria and the possible regulation of OXPHOS genes by GREs in the mitochondrial genome.

Comparison of cystatin C- and creatinine-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate according to glycaemic status in Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

The influence of hyperglycaemia on the performance of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equations remains to be determined. We compared the performance of creatinine-based GFR with cystatin C-based GFR in patients with Type 2 diabetes according to glycaemic status.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study of 210 patients with Type 2 diabetes, we staged glycaemic status by HbA(1c) tertiles [HbA(1c) ≤ 75 mmol/mol (9.0%) (n = 70), HbA(1c) 76-95 mmol/mol (9.1-10.8%) (n = 70), HbA(1c) >95 mmol/mol (10.8%) (n = 70)] and measured GFR. Isotopic GFR was measured using renal dynamic imaging with (99m) Tc-diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was measured using creatinine-based formulae (Cockcroft-Gault-eGFR, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation-eGFR and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula-eGFR) and a cystatin C-based formula (cystatin C-eGFR).

RESULTS

The isotopic GFR of all patients was 93.1 ± 34.1 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2). All methods for estimating GFR underestimated isotopic GFR [Cockcroft-Gault-eGFR (68.8 ± 38.6 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) ) (P < 0.05), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-eGFR (74.8 ± 31.3 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) ) (P < 0.05), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration-eGFR (72.9 ± 26.6 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)) (P < 0.05) and cystatin C-eGFR (83.5 ± 33.2 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)) (P < 0.05)]. In all patient groups, cystatin C-eGFR was less biased and more accurate than the creatinine-based formulae, especially in the group with HbA(1c) > 95 mmol/mol (10.8%) where there was no difference between cystatin C-eGFR and isotopic GFR.

CONCLUSIONS

Performance of cystatin C-eGFR was superior to creatinine-based GFR in patients with Type 2 diabetes with HbA(1c) >95 mmol/mol (10.8%).

Modification of fullerene nanocolumn structure by accelerated C60 ions

Crystalline C60 and amorphous graphite-like films of nanocolumn arrays fabricated by glancing angle deposition of C60 fullerene at substrate temperatures of -425 K were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic-force microscopy (AFM). Characteristic dimension of columns is 200-400 nm. We used co-deposition of C60 molecules and accelerated C60 ions to modify the structure and properties of nanocolumn arrays. Influence of incidence angle for C60 ions on formation of film morphology was revealed. Raman spectrum analysis showed that amorphous carbon nanocolumns consist of nanographite areas with average size of -1.5 nm. The films have high conductivity (close to graphite) and have no mechanical stresses. The carbon films were applied in all-solid-state rechargeable thin-film battery as an anode layer. The nanocolumn amorphous carbon film as anode electrode showed the discharge capacity of about 50 microAh cm(-2)microm(-1) and good cycling ability over 100 times in full cell system.

Dissemination of ceftazidime-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal complex 92 in Korea

AIMS

This study was performed to describe the epidemiological traits of ceftazidime-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from Korea.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by disk diffusion assay. PCR experiments were performed to detect genes encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases and metallo-β-lactamases. Detection of ISAba1 upstream of the bla(ADC) gene was also performed by PCR amplification. The genetic organization of the bla(PER-1) gene was investigated by PCR mapping and sequencing of the regions surrounding the gene. Multilocus sequence typing was performed using seven housekeeping genes. A. baumannii isolates of clonal complex (CC) 92 exhibited a higher resistance rate (286/289, 99%) against ceftazidime compared to A. baumannii isolates of non-CC92 (7/87, 8%). Amongst 286 ceftazidime-resistant isolates of CC92, 100 (35%) isolates carried the bla(PER-1) gene, while none of the 87 isolates of non-CC92 carried the gene. The bla(ADC) gene associated with an ISAba1 element was detected in 98% (281/286) of ceftazidime-resistant isolates of CC92 and in all seven ceftazidime-resistant isolates of non-CC92. The bla(PER-1) gene was located on a transposon, Tn1213 (ISPa12-bla(PER-1) -Δgst-ISPa13), in 95 isolates and on a complex class 1 integron (orf513-bla(PER-1) -putative ABC transporter gene) in five isolates. Southern blot experiments confirmed the chromosomal location of the bla(PER-1) gene.

CONCLUSIONS

Acinetobacter baumannii CC92 which has acquired ceftazidime resistance by the production of PER-1 extended-spectrum β-lactamases and/or the overproduction of Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase is widely disseminated in Korea.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study shows the mechanisms of acquiring ceftazidime resistance in A. baumannii and the epidemiological traits of ceftazidime-resistant A. baumannii isolates from Korea.

First neutral beam injection experiments on KSTAR tokamak

The first neutral beam (NB) injection system of the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) tokamak was partially completed in 2010 with only 1∕3 of its full design capability, and NB heating experiments were carried out during the 2010 KSTAR operation campaign. The ion source is composed of a JAEA bucket plasma generator and a KAERI large multi-aperture accelerator assembly, which is designed to deliver a 1.5 MW, NB power of deuterium at 95 keV. Before the beam injection experiments, discharge, and beam extraction characteristics of the ion source were investigated. The ion source has good beam optics in a broad range of beam perveance. The optimum perveance is 1.1-1.3 μP, and the minimum beam divergence angle measured by the Doppler shift spectroscopy is 0.8°. The ion species ratio is D(+):D(2)(+):D(3)(+) = 75:20:5 at beam current density of 85 mA/cm(2). The arc efficiency is more than 1.0 A∕kW. In the 2010 KSTAR campaign, a deuterium NB power of 0.7-1.5 MW was successfully injected into the KSTAR plasma with a beam energy of 70-90 keV. L-H transitions were observed within a wide range of beam powers relative to a threshold value. The edge pedestal formation in the T(i) and T(e) profiles was verified through CES and electron cyclotron emission diagnostics. In every deuterium NB injection, a burst of D-D neutrons was recorded, and increases in the ion temperature and plasma stored energy were found.

Mitochondrial peroxiredoxin III is a potential target for cancer therapy

Mitochondria are involved either directly or indirectly in oncogenesis and the alteration of metabolism in cancer cells. Cancer cells contain large numbers of abnormal mitochondria and produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of ROS and the antioxidant capacity of the cell. Several cancer therapies, such as chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation, disrupt mitochondrial homeostasis and release cytochrome c, leading to apoptosome formation, which activates the intrinsic pathway. This is modulated by the extent of mitochondrial oxidative stress. The peroxiredoxin (Prx) system is a cellular defense system against oxidative stress, and mitochondria in cancer cells are known to contain high levels of Prx III. Here, we review accumulating evidence suggesting that mitochondrial oxidative stress is involved in cancer, and discuss the role of the mitochondrial Prx III antioxidant system as a potential target for cancer therapy. We hope that this review will provide the basis for new strategic approaches in the development of effective cancer treatments.

Development of a plasma generator for a long pulse ion source for neutral beam injectors

A plasma generator for a long pulse H(+)/D(+) ion source has been developed. The plasma generator was designed to produce 65 A H(+)/D(+) beams at an energy of 120 keV from an ion extraction area of 12 cm in width and 45 cm in length. Configuration of the plasma generator is a multi-cusp bucket type with SmCo permanent magnets. Dimension of a plasma chamber is 25 cm in width, 59 cm in length, and 32.5 cm in depth. The plasma generator was designed and fabricated at Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Source plasma generation and beam extraction tests for hydrogen coupling with an accelerator of the KSTAR ion source have been performed at the KSTAR neutral beam test stand under the agreement of Japan-Korea collaborative experiment. Spatial uniformity of the source plasma at the extraction region was measured using Langmuir probes and ±7% of the deviation from an averaged ion saturation current density was obtained. A long pulse test of the plasma generation up to 200 s with an arc discharge power of 70 kW has been successfully demonstrated. The arc discharge power satisfies the requirement of the beam production for the KSTAR NBI. A 70 keV, 41 A, 5 s hydrogen ion beam has been extracted with a high arc efficiency of 0.9 -1.1 A/kW at a beam extraction experiment. A deuteron yield of 77% was measured even at a low beam current density of 73 mA/cm(2).

Relatively scaled ECE temperature profiles of KSTAR plasmas

A scheme to obtain relatively scaled profiles of electron cyclotron emission (ECE) temperature directly from uncalibrated raw radiometer data is proposed and has been tested for the 2009 campaign KSTAR plasmas. The proposed method utilizes a position controlled system to move the plasma adiabatically and compares ECE radiometer channels at the same relative radial positions assuming the profile consistency during the adiabatic change. This scaling method is an alternative solution when an absolute calibration is unreliable or too time consuming. The application to the two dimensional ECE imaging data, wherein calibration is extremely difficult, may also prove to be useful.

Calibration of electron cyclotron emission radiometer for KSTAR

We developed and installed an electron cyclotron emission radiometer for taking measurements of Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) plasma. In order to precisely measure the absolute value of electron temperatures, a calibration measurement of the whole radiometer system was performed, which confirmed that the radiometer has an acceptably linear output signal for changes in input temperature. It was also found that the output power level predicted by a theoretical calculation agrees with that obtained by the calibration measurement. We also showed that the system displays acceptable noise-temperature performance around 0.23 eV.

Electron cyclotron emission diagnostics on KSTAR tokamak

A new electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostics system was installed for the Second Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) campaign. The new ECE system consists of an ECE collecting optics system, an overmode circular corrugated waveguide system, and 48 channel heterodyne radiometer with the frequency range of 110-162 GHz. During the 2 T operation of the KSTAR tokamak, the electron temperatures as well as its radial profiles at the high field side were measured and sawtooth phenomena were also observed. We also discuss the effect of a window on in situ calibration.

Diagnostics for first plasma and development plan on KSTAR

The first plasma with target values of the plasma current and the pulse duration was finally achieved on June 13, 2008 in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR). The diagnostic systems played an important role in achieving successful first plasma operation for the KSTAR tokamak. The employed plasma diagnostic systems for the KSTAR first plasma including the magnetic diagnostics, millimeter-wave interferometer, inspection illuminator, H(alpha), visible spectrometer, filterscope, and electron cyclotron emission (ECE) radiometer have provided the main plasma parameters, which are essential for the plasma generation, control, and physics understanding. Improvements to the first diagnostic systems and additional diagnostics including an x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer, reflectometer, ECE radiometer, resistive bolometer, and soft x-ray array are scheduled to be added for the next KSTAR experimental campaign in 2009.

Comparison of risk factors and clinical responses to proton pump inhibitors in patients with erosive oesophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease

BACKGROUND

There has been no report on the response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and on-demand or the relapse rate of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive oesophagitis in Korea.

AIM

To compare the risk factors, clinical symptoms and PPI responses between patients with erosive oesophagitis and NERD patients.

METHODS

A survey was performed prospectively in the erosive oesophagitis (205 patients) and NERD group (200 patients). Clinical symptoms, risk factors and PPI responses were analysed. On-demand therapy and the relapse rate of GERD symptoms were investigated during a one-year follow-up.

RESULTS

BMI > or = 25 (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.3), alcohol use (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.0-8.3), hiatal hernia (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.2-20) and triglyceride > or =150 mg/dL (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.7-10) were more common in the erosive oesophagitis group than in the NERD group by multivariate analysis. The ratio of oesophageal to extra-oesophageal symptoms was higher in the erosive oesophagitis group compared with the NERD group (P < 0.001). The PPI response rates at 8 weeks were different (P = 0.02); refractory rates were higher in the NERD group (16.7%) compared with the erosive oesophagitis group (6.0%). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in on-demand therapy or the relapse rate.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of erosive oesophagitis and NERD are distinct.

The rapid growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes using laser heating

Growth of densely packed vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) using laser-induced chemical vapor deposition with visible laser (lambda = 532 nm) irradiation at room temperature is reported. Using a multiple-catalyst layer (Fe/Al/Cr) on quartz as the substrate and an acetylene-hydrogen mixture as the precursor gas, VA-CNT pillars with 60 microm height and 4 microm diameter were grown at a high rate of around 1 microm s(-1) with good reproducibility. It is demonstrated that the fabrication of uniform pillar arrays of VA-CNTs can be achieved with a single irradiation for each pillar using LCVD with no annealing or preprocessing of the substrate. Here, laser fast heating is considered the primary mechanism facilitating the growth of VA-CNT pillars. Field emission characteristics of an array of VA-CNT pillars were then examined to investigate their potential application in vacuum electronic devices.

Arc plasma simulation of the KAERI large ion source

The KAERI large ion source, developed for the KSTAR NBI system, recently produced ion beams of 100 keV, 50 A levels in the first half campaign of 2007. These results seem to be the best performance of the present ion source at a maximum available input power of 145 kW. A slight improvement in the ion source is certainly necessary to attain the final goal of an 8 MW ion beam. Firstly, the experimental results were analyzed to differentiate the cause and effect for the insufficient beam currents. Secondly, a zero dimensional simulation was carried out on the ion source plasma to identify which factors control the arc plasma and to find out what improvements can be expected.

An ion optics study for KSTAR neutral beam injector development

Ion optics of three accelerator geometries was studied in terms of an analytic linear optics analysis, a numerical simulation using the IGUN program, an optical multichannel measurement of Doppler-shifted H(alpha) lines, and a water-flow calorimetry on the beam absorbing target. In general, there was a reasonable agreement observed between the four analysis methods and thus the theoretical analyses can be utilized with confidence for design iteration.

Dysbindin gene variants are associated with bipolar I disorder in a Korean population

The dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) has been associated with schizophrenia in several populations. Because the clinical characteristics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder overlap in many respects and findings from genetic studies have suggested common genes between them, we conducted a case control association study of bipolar disorder in Korea to investigate the genetic association between DTNBP1 and bipolar disorder. In total, 163 patients with bipolar disorder and 350 controls were evaluated. We genotyped three single nucleotide polymorphisms of DTNBP1 (SNP A, P1763, and P1320) and analyzed the allele, genotype, and haplotype associations with bipolar disorder. We found significant genotypic associations with P1763 and P1320, but no association with SNP A in the bipolar I group. When we included bipolar II and schizoaffective disorder in the affected phenotype, the significance decreased. A positive association was observed between the SNP A-P1763 haplotype and the bipolar I phenotype. This haplotype association was lost when we either broadened our phenotype or included P1320 in a haplotype. The positive results of the present study lost significance after a Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. These findings are consistent with previous findings that showed a positive association of DTNBP1 with bipolar disorders. Moreover, our results suggest that DTNBP1 may contribute more to bipolar I disorder than bipolar II disorder or schizoaffective disorder. Further comprehensive studies will be required to clarify these association, however, it seems likely that DTNBP1 is a susceptibility gene for bipolar disorder.

Emergence of Escherichia coli isolates producing conjugative plasmid-mediated DHA-1 β-lactamase in a Korean university hospital

Seven isolates of cefoxitin-resistant Escherichia coli with an inducible phenotype were detected between November 2002 and July 2003 in a Korean hospital. Conjugations were tested by the filter mating method using azide-resistant E. coli J53 as the recipient. All isolates and their transconjugants were tested for broth microdilution minimum inhibitory concentrations, isoelectric focusing (IEF), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SHV, TEM, CTX-M and DHA-derived beta-lactamases, and DNA sequencing. XbaI-digested genomic DNA bands of the seven isolates were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). IEF, PCR and sequence analysis revealed that all isolates possessed a blaTEM-1-like and a blaDHA-1 gene. Two isolates also carried the blaCTX-M-14 gene. Transfer of the resistance by conjugation experiments of all seven isolates was successful, suggesting that the blaDHA-1-containing plasmids in the E. coli isolates were self-transmissible. The isolates were recovered from patients in wards or an intensive care unit, all of which had been exposed to beta-lactams before isolation of the DHA-1 producers. Five patterns among the seven isolates were demonstrated by PFGE; sporadic infections with E. coli possessing an inducible beta-lactam resistance phenotype were found. DHA-1 encoded by conjugative plasmids conferred the resistance phenotype. The spread of the DHA-1 producers was due to both clonal spread and horizontal transfer of the resistance gene.

Dissemination of transferable CTX-M-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Korea

AIMS

Among 365 Escherichia coli isolated in 2003, 31 cefotaxime-resistant isolates were obtained from clinical specimens taken from adults hospitalized in Busan, Korea. Six extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates were investigated further to determine the mechanism of resistance.

METHODS AND RESULTS

These isolates were analysed by antibiotic susceptibility testing, pI determination, plasmid profiles, transconjugation test, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), enterobacterial repetitive consensus (ERIC)-PCR and DNA sequencing. All six of these isolates were found to contain the CTX-M-type ESBL genes. Five clinical isolates and their transconjugants produced CTX-M-3. One clinical isolate (K17391) and its transconjugant (trcK17391) produced CTX-M-15. Five clinical isolates also produced another TEM-1. One clinical isolate (K12776) also contained another TEM-52. CTX-M-3 ESBL gene was responsible for the resistance to piperacillin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, cefepime and aztreonam. CTX-M-15 or TEM-52 was especially responsible for the resistance to ceftazidime.

CONCLUSIONS

These results appear to represent the in vivo evolution of CTX-M-type beta-lactamase genes (bla(CTX-M-3) --> bla(CTX-M-15)) under the selective pressure of antimicrobial therapy (especially ceftazidime). PCR-RFLP is a reliable method to discriminate CTX-M-15 gene from CTX-M-3 gene. ERIC-PCR analysis revealed that dissemination of CTX-M-3 was not due to a clonal outbreak of a resistant strain but to the intra-species spread of resistance to piperacillin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, cefepime and aztreonam in Korea.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report of the occurrence of CTX-M-1 cluster ESBLs in Korea. A more comprehensive survey of these ESBL types from Korea is urgently needed because of the in vivo evolution of CTX-M-15 from CTX-M-3. The emergence of these CTX-M-type ESBLs suggests that diagnostic laboratories should screen for ESBLs with ceftazidime as well as cefotaxime; they should still perform clavulanate synergy tests on resistant isolates.

Investigation of a nosocomial outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii producing PER-1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase in an intensive care unit

We investigated an outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii in an adult intensive care unit of Kosin University Gospel Hospital in Busan, Republic of Korea. The outbreak involved 10 cases of infection by A. baumannii producing PER-1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase over a seven-month period, and was caused by a single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clone. The epidemic isolates were characterized by slight synergy between clavulanic acid and cefepime. Isoelectric focusing of crude bacterial extracts detected two nitrocefin-positive bands with pI values of 8.0 and 5.3. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and characterization of the amplicons by restriction analysis and direct sequencing indicated that the epidemic isolates carried a bla(PER-1) determinant. The epidemic isolates were characterized by a multidrug-resistant phenotype that remained unchanged over the outbreak, including penicillins, beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor, extended-spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams. Isolation of infected patients and appropriate carbapenem therapy were successful in ending the outbreak. Our report indicates that the bla(PER-1) resistance determinant may become an emerging therapeutic problem.

Improvement of the thickening and dewatering characteristics of activated sludge by electroflotation (EF)

The performances of electroflotation (EF) on the thickening of activated sludge were investigated using laboratory scale batch flotation reactors. Four activated sludges including bulking sludges were tested. After 30 minutes of EF operation, 57-84% of sludge volume reduction could be achieved by EF, while only about 1.5-14% could be obtained by gravity thickening for the same period. After thickening the effluent water quality in terms of TCOD, SS, and turbidity was improved by EF operation for all sludge samples. In addition, the EF thickened sludge showed much better dewaterability both in SRF and cake solid content. It is induced that the air bubbles entrapped in the thickened sludge play a key role in the observed dewaterbility improvement.

Investigation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases produced by clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Korea

AIMS

Isolates obtained from various regions in Korea in 2002 were identified and their susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, monobactams and/or cephamycins was studied along with any production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bacteria identified by the conventional techniques and Vitek GNI card were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Using disk diffusion and double-disk synergy tests, we found that 39.2% of strains produced ESBLs. About 52% of isolates transferred resistance to ceftazidime by conjugation. Banding patterns of PCR amplification with the designed primers showed that 837- and 259-bp fragments specific to bla(TEM) genes were amplified in 63.3% of strains. 929- and 231-bp fragments (bla(SHV)), 847- and 520-bp fragments (bla(CMY)), 597- and 858-bp fragments (bla(CTX-M)) were amplified in 61.5, 17.3 and 7.7% of strains respectively. About 51.9% of strains contained more than two types of beta-lactamase genes. Especially, one strain contained bla(TEM), bla(CMY) and bla(CTX-M) genes.

SIGNIFICANCE

Resistance mechanisms to beta-lactams, comprising mostly ESBL production, lead to the resistance against even recently developed beta-lactams in enterobacteria, which is now a serious threat to antibiotic therapy. The high prevalence of bla(CMY) genes and multidrug-resistant genes may also make therapeutic failure and lack of eradiation of these strains by extended-spectrum cephalosporins or cephamycins.

Characterization of blaCMY-10 a novel, plasmid-encoded AmpC-type beta-lactamase gene in a clinical isolate of Enterobacter aerogenes

AIMS

We report the description of a novel plasmid-encoded AmpC beta-lactamase gene (blaCMY-10) from Enterobacter aerogenes K9911729 that was isolated from a patient suffering from pneumonia in South Korea.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using antibiotic susceptibility testing, plasmid analysis, transconjugation and Southern blot analysis, the cefoxitin resistance phenotype reflects the presence of a large plasmid [pYMG-1 (130 kb)] in Ent. aerogenes K9911729. One beta-lactamase with the pI of 8.0 from transconjugant of Ent. aerogenes K9911729 was identified by isoelectric focusing on a gel. A 1475 bp DNA fragment containing the blaCMY-10 gene, identified on pYMG-1 of Ent. aerogenes K9911729, was sequenced and an open reading frame coding for 382 amino acid, CMY-10, was found. The 37 class C beta-lactamases were subclassified into 1a to 1j and CMY-10 into 1a by phylogenetic analysis. A sequence identical to the common regions in In6, In7 and a novel integron from pSAL-1 was found upstream from blaCMY-10 gene at nucleotide 1-71.

CONCLUSIONS

These results clearly show that blaCMY-10 gene belongs to the group of ampC-related bla genes. Homology analysis among AmpC enzymes or ampC genes implied that integration of the chromosomal ampC gene into a large resident plasmid, followed by transconjugation, was involved in the evolution of blaCMY-10 gene.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The first identification of the blaCMY-10 gene is of concern as chromosomal beta-lactamases may cause serious therapeutic problems if their genes are translocated onto plasmids.

Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains isolated from patients with various infections

AIMS

Isolates from various samples obtained during 1998 and 1999 were identified and their susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins, monobactams and/or cephamycins studied along with any production of ESBLs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of these samples, bacteria most frequently isolated by the conventional techniques and Vitek GNI card were Escherichia coli (37%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (27%) and Enterobacter cloacae (16%). Using disk diffusion and double-disk synergy tests, we found that 71% strains produced ESBLs and 18% strains produced ESBLs and cephamycinases. Banding patterns of PCR amplification with the designed primers showed that 57% strains were capable of harbouring bla(SHV) genes. The bla(TEM), bla(CMY) and bla(AmpC) genes were harboured by 55%, 31% and 12% strains, respectively. Forty-five percent of strains contained more than two types of beta-lactamase genes. In particular, one strain contained bla(TEM), bla(SHV), bla(CMY) and bla(AmpC) genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of ESBL-producing strains was high. The most prevalent beta-lactamase gene was bla(SHV) gene. The bla(CMY) genes have been prevalent in cephamycin-resistant strains. The multidrug-resistant strains resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and cephamycins were detected in high percentage.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Resistance mechanisms to beta-lactams, comprising mostly extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production, lead to the resistance against even recently developed beta-lactams in enterobacteria, which is now a serious threat to antibiotic therapy. The high prevalence of bla(CMY) genes and multidrug-resistant genes may also cause therapeutic failure and lack of eradication of these strains by third-generation cephalosporins or cephamycins.

Dependence of Threshold Switching Power on the Control-Light Wavelength in a Nonlinear Distributed-Feedback GaInAsP Waveguide

We demonstrate all-optical bistable switching by using orthogonally and parallelly polarized control light in a nonlinear distributed feedback GaInAsP waveguide. When the control light that is orthogonally polarized to the signal light is within its stopband, it is possible to extract the signal without using any external devices. Also, we investigate theoretically and experimentally the dependence of threshold switching power on the wavelength and polarization of control light.

Antinociceptive effects of bee venom acupuncture (apipuncture) in rodent animal models: a comparative study of acupoint versus non-acupoint stimulation

From a clinical perspective, the alternative forms of acupoint stimulation including electroacupuncture, moxibustion and acupressure appear to have more potent analgesic effects than manual needle acupuncture. Bee venom (BV) injection has also been reported to produce persistent nociceptive stimulation and to cause neuronal activation in the spinal cord. In previous study, we observed that BV stimulation into acupoint, namely BV acupuncture or Apipuncture, produced more potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potency in rodent arthritis model as comparing with that of non-acupoint injection. Based on previous report, we decided to further investigate that BV injection into an acupoint produces antinociception as a result of its potent chemical stimulatory effect in both abdominal stretch assay and formalin test. Different doses of BV were injected into an acupoint or a non-acupoint 30 min prior to intraplantar formalin injection or intraperitoneal acetic acid injection. Using the abdominal stretch assay, we found that the high dose of BV (1:100 diluted in 20microl saline) produced a potent antinociceptive effect irrespective of the site of BV injection. In contrast the antinociceptive effect observed in both the writhing and formalin tests following administration of a low dose of BV (1:1000 diluted in 20microl saline) was significantly different between acupoint and non-acupoint sites. BV injection into an acupoint (Zhongwan, Cv. 12) was found to produce significantly greater antinociception than non-acupoint injection (10 mm from Zhongwan, Cv. 12) in the abdominal stretch assay. Similarly, in the formalin test, acupoint (Zusanli, St. 36) injection of BV produced more potent antinociception than non-acupoint injection (gluteal muscle). In contrast, BV injection into an arbitrary non-acupoint site on the back did not produce antinociception in either the writhing or formalin test. These results indicate that BV injection directly into an acupoint can produce a potent antinociceptive effect and suggest that this alternative form of acupoint stimulation (Apipuncture) may be a promising method for the relief of pain.

Neonatal intensive care unit outbreak caused by a strain of Klebsiella oxytoca resistant to aztreonam due to overproduction of chromosomal beta-lactamase

Klebsiella oxytoca strains resistant to both aztreonam and ceftriaxone were isolated from six neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit and water reservoirs of two humidifiers attached to the neonatal incubators. These isolates were assumed to be of the same clone because they were characterized by the same antimicrobial susceptibility and pulsed field gel electrophoresis patterns. It was established that the drug resistance was attributed to overproduction of chromosomally encoded Kl beta-lactamase. It was determined that an isolate (K. oxytoca H1) contained a high enzyme concentration (27microg/100microg of protein in enzyme extracts), at least 27 times higher than the control K. oxytoca N1. It was also demonstrated that isolates had a point mutation in the - 35 concensus region of the promotor gene of bla(OXY-2)leading to enzyme overproduction. Outbreaks caused by K1 hyperproducers have not previously been described.

Reciprocal expressions of cyclin E and cyclin D1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Deregulation of the cell cycle by overexpression of G1 cyclins, cyclin E and cyclin D1 genes, has been demonstrated to be a prerequisite for the development of human cancer. Recently, cyclin E is proposed to be sufficient for the progression of the G1 cell cycle without cyclin D1. Here we show that the proposed model system was specifically present in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unlike other human cancers. Of 31 HCC tissues analyzed, 21 (67.7%) exhibited an overexpression of cyclin E protein. In contrast to cyclin E gene expression, cyclin D1 expression was strongly downregulated in 19 (61.2%) HCCs. Interestingly, 65% of HCC tissues with overexpression of the cyclin E gene exhibited downregulation of cyclin D1, suggesting reciprocal deregulation of these cyclins in the G1 progression of the cell cycle. Southern blot analysis proved the amplification of cyclin E gene in HCC with a high level of overexpression. The present findings suggest that the reciprocal deregulation of cyclin E lacking cyclin D1 expression might play a role in G1 progression and the development of HCC.

Cadmium decreases gap junctional intercellular communication in mouse liver

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant of increasing importance, due to industrialization, smoking, and the lack of effective therapy for Cd poisoning. The general population is exposed to Cd principally through food and water. The metal accumulates slowly in the liver and kidney, the target organs of acute and chronic Cd toxicity, respectively. We showed recently that liver is also a target organ for chronic Cd toxicity. Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a means of maintaining cellular homeostasis in multicellular organisms. It involves the transfer of small, water-soluble molecules through intercellular channels (gap junctions), composed of proteins called connexins. The major connexins of liver (hepatocytes) are connexin 32 (Cx32) and connexin 26 (Cx26). Cd disrupts cellular homeostasis in the liver through its induction of necrosis, apoptosis, and cellular proliferation. It is to be expected, therefore, that Cd must exert some effect on GJIC. This study investigates Cd-induced alterations in GJIC, Cx32, and Cx26 expression, and in cytoskeletal actin, and relates the changes to apoptosis and cell proliferation induced by Cd in vivo. Mice were injected ip with 30 micromol Cd/kg, and were observed for up to 48 h. Other groups of mice were injected with 5-60 micromol Cd/kg and observed for 9 h. Blood and liver were harvested and used for analysis of GJIC, connexin expression, cytoskeletal actin, serum enzymes, and liver pathology. Cd produced a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of GJIC in liver, along with parallel decreases in the expression of Cx32 and Cx26. Cd also produced disruption and loss of cytoskeletal actin in liver in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These observations are discussed in relation to the toxicity of Cd, and possible mechanisms of induction of the GJIC-related alterations are presented.

Gap measurement by position-sensitive detectors

A system for measuring the gap in a proximity exposure tool of a plasma display panel (PDP) is developed that uses single or dual position-sensitive detectors (PSD's). The resolution of the gap distance is 0.5 mum, with a capture range of 500 mum. Signal processing is simple and fast and easy because analogous PSD's are used as the position sensors. One PSD is used to detect the position of the reference beam, which is reflected from the upper surface of the gap; the other PSD is used to detect the position of the signal beam, which is reflected from the lower surface of the gap. A charge-coupled-device sensor is also employed to monitor the reflected beams and the region of measurement. In the gap-measurement system that uses a single PSD, first the reference beam is incident upon the PSD and then the signal beam is incident upon the same PSD. Then the separation between the two beams is calculated from the position of the reference beam and from the average beam position.

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.