Consistent Individual Tendencies in Motor Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off

The literature on speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) in motor control has evidenced individuality in how individuals trade moments (e.g., mean and variance) of spatial and temporal errors. These individual tendencies could grasp tendencies of the system given previous experiences and constraints of the organism, a signature of the system control. Nonetheless, such tendency must be robust to small perturbations. Thirty participants performed nine conditions with different time and spatial criteria over 2 days (scanning). In between these scanning conditions, individuals performed a practice condition that required modifications of the individuals' preferred spatial and temporal tendency in the SAT. Our results demonstrated that there were no systematic effects of practice in SAT preferences. However, individual analyses demonstrated significant changes for 25 out of 30 individuals. The latter either attests against a consistent preference or to a more complex characterization of individual SAT tendencies.

Low-glucose culture environment can enhance the wound healing capability of diabetic adipose-derived stem cells

BACKGROUND

Application of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) for diabetic chronic wounds has become an emerging treatment option. However, ASCs from diabetic individuals showed impaired cell function and suboptimal wound healing effects. We proposed that adopting a low-glucose level in the culture medium for diabetic ASCs may restore their pro-healing capabilities.

METHODS

ASCs from diabetic humans and mice were retrieved and cultured in high-glucose (HG, 4.5 g/L) or low-glucose (LG, 1.0 g/L) conditions. Cell characteristics and functions were investigated in vitro. Moreover, we applied diabetic murine ASCs cultured in HG or LG condition to a wound healing model in diabetic mice to compare their healing capabilities in vivo.

RESULTS

Human ASCs exhibited decreased cell proliferation and migration with enhanced senescence when cultured in HG condition in vitro. Similar findings were noted in ASCs derived from diabetic mice. The inferior cellular functions could be partially recovered when they were cultured in LG condition. In the animal study, wounds healed faster when treated with HG- or LG-cultured diabetic ASCs relative to the control group. Moreover, higher collagen density, more angiogenesis and cellular retention of applied ASCs were found in wound tissues treated with diabetic ASCs cultured in LG condition.

CONCLUSIONS

In line with the literature, our study showed that a diabetic milieu exerts an adverse effect on ASCs. Adopting LG culture condition is a simple and effective approach to enhance the wound healing capabilities of diabetic ASCs, which is valuable for the clinical application of autologous ASCs from diabetic patients.

The Reciprocal Nature of Fitts' Law in Space and Time

Human movement takes place in both space and time so that measures of movement accuracy in space are made with respect to time, and vice-versa providing a foundation to the proposal of the complementarity of spatial and temporal error in aiming movements. We examined this hypothesis in both the standard Fitts and Peterson discrete movement speed-accuracy protocol that requires moving to stop within a fixed spatial target (distance (D) with target bandwidth (W_D) in an emergent movement time (T) and, also in the reciprocal and novel space-time protocol introduced here that required moving for a fixed temporal target goal T with bandwidth of W_T with an emergent D. Experiment 1 examined a range of D conditions (45, 100, 180, 280, and 405 mm with bandwidth W_D ±5 mm) within the Fitts' Law discrete spatial accuracy protocol to provide compatible spacetime boundary conditions for the reciprocal spacetime protocol in Experiment 2 that examined the effect of target time (T - 250, 460, 670, and 880 ms each with bandwidth W_T ±50 ms) on the emergent D. The findings showed that the spatial and temporal error profiles in Experiment 2 were consistent with exchanging D and T in Fitts' Law Equation. This provides evidence for the reciprocal nature of the spacetime error functions in Fitts' type movement aiming protocols and is compatible with the reciprocal profiles of spatial and temporal errors in other classes of movement aiming tasks.

Shift work is significantly and positively associated with possible gastro-esophageal reflux disease: A meta-analysis study

Background

One of the health issues related to shift work patterns is possible gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. However, the association between shift work and possible GERD symptoms through meta-analysis has not been developed in the current literature field. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the association between shift work and possible GERD symptoms through meta-analysis.

Methods

Studies containing target keywords were found in three datasets, and four articles were selected for further analysis after examining the title, abstract, and text. All prevalence odds ratios (ORs) among different groups of the population and the standard error (SE) from each included study were calculated for conducting meta-analysis.

Result

The pooled OR has shown a significant positive association between shift work and possible GERD (OR 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-1.77, p-value 0.003). Compared to non-shift workers, the subgroup analysis indicates there are positive associations between possible GERD and the night shift (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.16-1.66), and the rotating shift (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.44-2.33). The subgroup analysis has also shown similar trends in shift working men (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.03-1.60) and shift workers of both genders (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.45-2.11).

Conclusion

This study has shown a positive association between shift work and possible GERD.

Are Sub-Movements Induced Visually in Discrete Aiming Tasks?

There is a long-held view that discrete movements aimed to a target are composed of a sequence of movement units (sub-movements) that have different roles in motor control (e.g., initial impulse, error correction and movement termination) depending on the task constraints (e.g., spatial-temporal requirements). Here we report findings from the manipulation of vision/no-vision on the prevalence and type of sub-movements in discrete movement tasks over a range of space-time task criteria. The presence of vison resulted in longer movement times compared to the no-vision counterpart in time-matching tasks. A similar vision effect was observed in the highest Index of Difficulty for time-minimization tasks. Conditions that resulted/required longer movement times demonstrated more pre-velocity-peak and post-velocity-peak types of sub-movements whereas short movement times increased the likelihood of overshooting sub-movements. The present study results are consistent with the idea that movement time is the variable associated with changes in sub-movement profiles.

High Solar-to-Hydrogen Conversion Efficiency at pH 7 Based on a PV-EC Cell with an Oligomeric Molecular Anode

In the urgent quest for green energy vectors, the generation of hydrogen by water splitting with sunlight occupies a preeminent standpoint. The highest solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiencies have been achieved with photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) systems. However, most PV-EC water-splitting devices are required to work at extreme conditions, such as in concentrated solutions of HClO₄ or KOH or under highly concentrated solar illumination. In this work, a molecular catalyst-based anode is incorporated for the first time in a PV-EC configuration, achieving an impressive 21.2% STH efficiency at neutral pH. Moreover, as opposed to metal oxide-based anodes, the molecular catalyst-based anode allows us to work with extremely small catalyst loadings (<16 nmol/cm²) due to a well-defined metallic center, which is responsible for the fast catalysis of the reaction in the anodic compartment. This work paves the way for integrating molecular materials in efficient PV-EC water-splitting systems.

Combination immunosuppressant therapy and lupus nephritis outcome: a hospital-based study

Lupus nephritis (LN) is the leading cause of mortality in lupus patients. This study aimed to investigate the treatment outcome and renal histological risk factors of LN in a tertiary referral center. Between 2006 and 2017, a retrospective observational study enrolled 148 biopsy-proven LN patients. After propensity score matching, 75 cases were included for further analysis. The classification and scoring of LN were assessed according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society. Treatment response was evaluated by daily urine protein and urinalysis at two years after commencing induction treatment and the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In total, 50.7% patients achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR), while 49.3% patients were categorized as nonresponders. Therapeutic responses in terms of CR/PR rates were associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores (odds ratio (OR): 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-1.60, p = 0.001). Moreover, higher baseline creatinine levels (hazard ratio (HR): 2.10, 95% CI: 1.29-3.40, p = 0.003), higher renal activity index (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07-1.58, p = 0.008) and chronicity index (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.06-1.85, p = 0.017) predicted ESRD. Among pathological scores, cellular crescents (HR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.01-19.38, p = 0.049) and fibrous crescents (HR: 5.93, 95% CI: 1.41-24.92, p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for ESRD. In conclusion, higher lupus activity was a good prognostic marker for renal remission. Renal histology was predictive of ESRD. Large-scale prospective studies are required to verify the efficacy of mycophenolate in combination with azathioprine or cyclosporine in LN patients.

Min-redundancy and max-relevance multi-view feature selection for predicting ovarian cancer survival using multi-omics data

BACKGROUND

Large-scale collaborative precision medicine initiatives (e.g., The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)) are yielding rich multi-omics data. Integrative analyses of the resulting multi-omics data, such as somatic mutation, copy number alteration (CNA), DNA methylation, miRNA, gene expression, and protein expression, offer tantalizing possibilities for realizing the promise and potential of precision medicine in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment by substantially improving our understanding of underlying mechanisms as well as the discovery of novel biomarkers for different types of cancers. However, such analyses present a number of challenges, including heterogeneity, and high-dimensionality of omics data.

METHODS

We propose a novel framework for multi-omics data integration using multi-view feature selection. We introduce a novel multi-view feature selection algorithm, MRMR-mv, an adaptation of the well-known Min-Redundancy and Maximum-Relevance (MRMR) single-view feature selection algorithm to the multi-view setting.

RESULTS

We report results of experiments using an ovarian cancer multi-omics dataset derived from the TCGA database on the task of predicting ovarian cancer survival. Our results suggest that multi-view models outperform both view-specific models (i.e., models trained and tested using a single type of omics data) and models based on two baseline data fusion methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the potential of multi-view feature selection in integrative analyses and predictive modeling from multi-omics data.

Movement Speed and Accuracy in Space and Time: The Complementarity of Error Distributions

Movement speed-accuracy trade-off is a function of the space-time constraints of the task. We investigated the space-time account of Hancock and Newell (1985) and the hypothesis of complementarity between the four moments of the error distribution in space and time. Twelve participants performed 15 conditions in a line drawing task composed of different spatial (10, 20, and 30 cm) and temporal (250 to 2,500 ms) criteria. The results showed that all moments of distributions changed systematically between conditions but there were some departures from the Hancock and Newell predictions. In contrast, individual analysis revealed the complementarity of the spatial and temporal error including a trade-off between the four moments of error. These findings support a complementary space-time account of movement speed and accuracy.

Submovement control processes in discrete aiming as a function of space-time constraints

There is preliminary evidence that there are several types of submovements in movement aiming that reflect different processes of control and can result from particular task constraints. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of movement space and time task criteria on the prevalence of different submovement control characteristics in discrete aiming. Twelve participants completed 3 distance x 5 time conditions each with 100 trials in a target-aiming movement task. The kinematic structure of the trajectory determined the prevalence of 5 submovement types (none; pre-peak, post-peak movement velocity; undershoot, overshoot). The findings showed that the overall number of submovements increased in the slower space-time conditions and was predominantly characterized by post-peak trajectory submovements rather than discrete overshoot submovements. Overshoot submovements were more frequent in the high average movement velocity and short time duration conditions. We concluded that there are qualitatively different distributional patterns of submovement types in discrete aiming tasks that are organized by the quantitative scaling of the average movement velocity arising from multiple control processes to meet the specific space-time task constraints.

Crystal Growth and Dissolution of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite in Sequential Deposition: Correlation between Morphology Evolution and Photovoltaic Performance

Crystal morphology and structure are important for improving the organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite semiconductor property in optoelectronic, electronic, and photovoltaic devices. In particular, crystal growth and dissolution are two major phenomena in determining the morphology of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite in the sequential deposition method for fabricating a perovskite solar cell. In this report, the effect of immersion time in the second step, i.e., methlyammonium iodide immersion in the morphological, structural, optical, and photovoltaic evolution, is extensively investigated. Supported by experimental evidence, a five-staged, time-dependent evolution of the morphology of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite crystals is established and is well connected to the photovoltaic performance. This result is beneficial for engineering optimal time for methylammonium iodide immersion and converging the solar cell performance in the sequential deposition route. Meanwhile, our result suggests that large, well-faceted methylammonium lead iodide perovskite single crystal may be incubated by solution process. This offers a low cost route for synthesizing perovskite single crystal.

High glucose-induced reactive oxygen species generation promotes stemness in human adipose-derived stem cells

BACKGROUND AIMS

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) represent an important source of cell therapy to treat diabetic complications. However, hyperglycemia may alter several cellular functions, so the present study aimed to investigate the influence of a diabetic environment on the stemness and differentiation capabilities of ASCs.

METHODS

Human ASCs were obtained from subcutaneous adipose tissues of diabetic (dASCs) and nondiabetic donors (nASCs) and characterized. To reproduce an in vitro hyperglycemia environment, the nASCs were also cultured under prolonged high-glucose (HG; 4.5 g/L) or low-glucose (LG; 1.0 g/L) conditions.

RESULTS

The expression of cell surface markers in dASCs and nASC was similar and characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells. Although dASCs or HG-treated nASCs exhibited decreased proliferation, enhanced expression of the pluripotent markers Sox-2, Oct-4, and Nanog was observed. Moreover, HG-treated nASCs exhibited decreased cell migration, enhanced senescence, and significantly higher intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas their adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacities remained comparable to LG-treated cells. With antioxidant treatment, HG-treated nASCs showed improved cell proliferative activity without stemness enhancement. This HG-induced biological response was associated with ROS-mediated AKT attenuation. When cultured in an appropriate induction medium, the HG-treated nASCs and dASCs exhibited enhanced potential of transdifferentiation into neuron-like cells.

DISCUSSION

Despite lower proliferative activity and higher senescence in a diabetic environment, ASCs also exhibit enhanced stemness and neurogenic transdifferentiation potential via a ROS-mediated mechanism. The information is important for future application of autologous ASCs in diabetic patients.

Role of phase transformation of barium perborates in the effective removal of boron from aqueous solution via chemical oxo-precipitation

This work developed a chemical oxo-precipitation (COP) process for the removal of boron from aqueous solution.

Palliative enteral feeding for patients with malignant esophageal obstruction: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Malignant esophageal obstruction leads to dysphagia, deterioration in quality of life, and malnutrition. Traditional bedside nasogastric (NG) tube placement is very difficult under these circumstances. However, endoscopically assisted NG tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance could be an alternative option for establishing palliative enteral nutrition. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of enteral tube feeding and esophageal stenting for patients with malignant esophageal obstruction and a short life expectancy.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients were divided into 3 groups according to their treatment modality: NG tube (n = 12), esophageal stent group (n = 10), and supportive care with nil per os (NPO) (n = 9). Enteral nutrition, clinical outcomes, length of hospital stay, and median survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no significant baseline differences among the groups, except in age. The tube and stent groups had significantly higher enteral calorie intake (p = 0.01), higher serum albumin (p < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.01), and longer median survival (p < 0.01) than the NPO group. The incidence of dislodgement in the tube group was significantly higher than in the stent group (58% vs. 20%, respectively; p = 0.01). However, stenting costs more than NG tube placement.

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative enteral feeding by NG tube is safe, inexpensive, and has a low complication rate. Endoscopically assisted NG tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance could be a feasible palliative option for malignant esophageal obstruction for patients who have a short life expectancy.

Force-Time Entropy of Isometric Impulse

The relation between force and temporal variability in discrete impulse production has been viewed as independent (R. A. Schmidt, H. Zelaznik, B. Hawkins, J. S. Frank, & J. T. Quinn, 1979 ) or dependent on the rate of force (L. G. Carlton & K. M. Newell, 1993 ). Two experiments in an isometric single finger force task investigated the joint force-time entropy with (a) fixed time to peak force and different percentages of force level and (b) fixed percentage of force level and different times to peak force. The results showed that the peak force variability increased either with the increment of force level or through a shorter time to peak force that also reduced timing error variability. The peak force entropy and entropy of time to peak force increased on the respective dimension as the parameter conditions approached either maximum force or a minimum rate of force production. The findings show that force error and timing error are dependent but complementary when considered in the same framework with the joint force-time entropy at a minimum in the middle parameter range of discrete impulse.

Effects of indirect actions and oxygen on relative biological effectiveness: estimate of DSB induction and conversion induced by gamma rays and helium ions

Clustered DNA damage other than double-strand breaks (DSBs) can be detrimental to cells and can lead to mutagenesis or cell death. In addition to DSBs induced by ionizing radiation, misrepair of non-DSB clustered damage contributes extra DSBs converted from DNA misrepair via pathways for base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair. This study aimed to quantify the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) when DSB induction and conversion from non-DSB clustered damage misrepair were used as biological endpoints. The results showed that both linear energy transfer (LET) and indirect action had a strong impact on the yields for DSB induction and conversion. RBE values for DSB induction and maximum DSB conversion of helium ions (LET = 120 keV/μm) to (60)Co gamma rays were 3.0 and 3.2, respectively. These RBE values increased to 5.8 and 5.6 in the absence of interference of indirect action initiated by addition of 2-M dimethylsulfoxide. DSB conversion was ∼1-4% of the total non-DSB damage due to gamma rays, which was lower than the 10% estimate by experimental measurement. Five to twenty percent of total non-DSB damage due to helium ions was converted into DSBs. Hence, it may be possible to increase the yields of DSBs in cancerous cells through DNA repair pathways, ultimately enhancing cell killing.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with colonic metastasis

Hepatocellular carcinoma with colonic metastasis is rare. It mainly occurs by direct invasion and presents with bloody stools. We describe a patient with haematogenous metastasis to the rectum who presented with tenesmus. To our knowledge, such an association has not been reported previously. Colonic metastasis should be considered when patients with hepatocellular carcinoma present with bloody stools or tenesmus.

Efficient perovskite solar cells fabricated using an aqueous lead nitrate precursor

A novel, aqueous precursor system (Pb(NO₃)₂ + water) is developed to replace conventional (PbI₂ + DMF) for fabricating methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃) perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

Outcome of excision of oral erythroplakia

Oral erythroplakia is a precancerous lesion with high malignant potential, and resection is the recommended treatment. We designed a retrospective study to analyse the outcome of treatment in patients who had operations for oral erythroplakia. A total of 84 patients (74 men and 10 women, mean (SD) age 54 (12) years, range 29-83) were enrolled. Histopathologically the diagnoses were invasive carcinoma (n=3), dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (n=61), and squamous hyperplasia (n=20), and all patients were treated by carbon dioxide laser excision. There was no postoperative malignant transformation, but invasive carcinoma found after initial excision (n=3) was treated by further radical excision. The mean (SD) follow-up period was 46 (29) months (range 1-124), The postoperative recurrent rate was 14/84 (16.7%). The area of oral erythroplakia was the only factor associated with postoperative recurrence on univariate analysis, and was also the only independent factor that predicted postoperative recurrence in multivariate logistic regression analysis. An area exceeding 80 mm2 had the best predictive value (sensitivity=0.71, specificity=0.67) with a 5.1 times increased risk (odds ratio=5.1, CI 95% 1.45 to 18.05, p=0.01) of recurrence. Laser excision is effective for oral erythroplakia that is still confined to dysplasia of any degree, with low morbidity. The area of oral erythroplakia is a predictive factor for postoperative recurrence.

Analog differential-phase detection in optical coherence reflectometer

A novel differential-phase optical coherence reflectometer (DP-OCR) was proposed using a low-coherence source, integrating it with an analog differential-phase decoding method. In the experiment, the DP-OCR performed a localized surface profile measurement of an optical grating (1200 lp/mm) and demonstrated its ability to measure the translation speed of a tilted mirror. Experimentally, the resolution of the axial displacement of proposed DP-OCR at 185 pm was demonstrated.

Predominance of Th1 cytokine in peripheral blood and pathological tissues of patients with active untreated adult onset Still's disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the type 1 T helper (Th1)/type 2 T helper (Th2) balance in the peripheral blood (PB) and pathological tissues of patients with active untreated adult onset Still's disease (AOSD).

METHODS

The percentages of interferon gamma (IFNgamma)- and interleukin (IL)4-producing Th cells in the PB of 20 patients with active untreated AOSD, 20 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 20 healthy controls were determined by intracellular staining and flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL18 and soluble IL2 receptor were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of IFNgamma and IL4 messenger (m) RNA expression were examined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in biopsy specimens of evanescent rash and synovitis from 8 patients with AOSD.

RESULTS

Significantly higher IFNgamma-producing Th cells and Th1/Th2 ratio in PB were found in patients with AOSD than in healthy controls. Percentages of IFNgamma-producing Th cells and Th1/Th2 ratio in PB correlated significantly with clinical activity score and serum IL18 levels in patients with AOSD. Increased ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokine transcripts was seen in the biopsy specimens of evanescent rash and synovitis from patients with AOSD compared with normal skin controls and patients with OA. Th cell cytokine pattern in PB and cytokine mRNA expression in synovium were similar for patients with AOSD and with RA. After 3 months' treatment, clinical remission was associated with a marked decrease in the percentages of cytokine-producing Th1 cells, but not of the Th2 cells.

CONCLUSION

A predominance of Th1 cytokine may precipitate the pathogenesis of AOSD.

Aspirin differentially regulates endotoxin-induced IL-12 and TNF-alpha production in human dendritic cells

OBJECTIVE

In the development of autoimmune diseases, dendritic cells (DC) play critical roles. Here, we examined the effect of aspirin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DC activation.

METHODS

The monocyte-derived DC were established. The cytokine production was measured by ELISA, reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction, or intracellular staining analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cell surface molecules was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Aspirin inhibited LPS-induced DC maturation and costimulatory molecules expression. Aspirin, at therapeutic concentrations, also decreased LPS-induced IL-12 and IL-10 production. In contrast, the LPS-induced TNF-alpha production was enhanced by aspirin. The differential effects of aspirin on IL-12 and TNF-alpha production may not be due to down-regulation of cyclooxygenase activities.

CONCLUSION

The various effects of aspirin on LPS-stimulated DC may influence the understanding of the diverse immunomodulatory mechanisms of this anti-inflammatory drug.

Effects of cisapride on oesophageal transit of solids in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis

In most patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) the oesophagus is affected. Reflux symptoms are most frequent, whilst dysphagia also occurs. Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, may enhance motility along the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of cisapride on oesophageal transit were evaluated in 12 PSS patient using a solid-phase radionuclide oesophageal transit study. Each PSS patient was given cisapride 10 mg or placebo orally three times a day in a random, double-blind, crossover fashion. The results show that cisapride does not seem to have any impact on oesophageal transit in patients with PSS.

Colonic transit disorders in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SS) alters smooth muscle function throughout the gastrointestinal tract, the oesophagus being the segment most often involved. Involvement of the colon, though less common, may lead to life-threatening complications. We studied 23 unselected patients with SS and 20 age-matched healthy controls using radionuclide colon transit studies. The geometric centre (GC) at 4 and 24 hours was used to summarise overall transit in the colon. In patients with SS, colon transit was delayed (GC4: 0.39 +/- 0.36 vs 0.85 +/- 0.45; P=0.001) (GC24: 1.68 +/- 0.9 vs 2.58 +/- 1.08; P=0.006). These findings suggest that delayed colon transit is common in patients with SS.

Solid phase radionuclide esophageal transit in mixed connective tissue disease

Esophageal motility was studied in 24 patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and 20 control subjects by the solid phase radionuclide esophageal transit study. A computer routine modified from Klein and Russel was used. Total mean transit time, regional mean transit time, residual fraction after first swallow, and retrograde index increased significantly in MCTD patients compared with normal control subjects. An abnormal total mean transit time occurred in 84% (20 of 24) of the patients with MCTD. Our results confirmed that delayed esophageal transit is common in patients with MCTD.

Chinese alcoholic patients with esophageal cancer are genetically different from alcoholics with acute pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

It is a mystery why some alcoholic patients acquire certain organ-specific complications of alcoholism, whereas other alcoholic patients acquire different ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences among Chinese alcoholic patients with esophageal cancer, acute pancreatitis, and liver cirrhosis by studying the genetic polymorphisms of ADH2, ADH3, ALDH2, and P4502E1.

METHODS

Liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and cytochrome P4502E1 (P4502E1) are polymorphic at the ADH2, ADH3, and ALDH2 loci and the 5'-flanking region of the P4502E1. Using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, we determined the polymorphism of the above-mentioned alcohol metabolizing genes in 59 alcoholics with carcinoma of the esophagus (alcoholic esophageal Ca), 87 acute alcoholic pancreatitis patients, 116 alcoholics with liver cirrhosis (alcoholic cirrhosis), 19 alcoholics with both liver cirrhosis and acute pancreatitis (alcoholic P plus C), and 241 nonalcoholic patients.

RESULTS

The results showed that the allele frequency of ALDH2*2 was significantly higher in the alcoholic esophageal Ca group than in the alcoholic pancreatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis groups. The allele frequency of ADH2*1 was significantly higher in the alcoholic esophageal Ca patients than in nonalcoholic control groups. The ALDH2*2 was significantly lower in alcoholic groups (except the alcoholic esophageal Ca group) than in nonalcoholic control groups. The allele frequencies of ADH2*1 and ALDH2*2 are higher in alcoholic patients with esophageal Ca than alcoholic patients without it. The genotype distribution of P4502E1, detected by RsaI and PstI, was not different among alcoholic patients with different organ diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

The allele frequency of ADH2*1 and ALDH2*1 are different among subpopulations of alcoholics, suggesting that alcoholic patients with different specific types of organ damage are genetically different. The Chinese alcoholic patients with the ADH2*1 and ALDH2*2 allele are more susceptible to esophageal Ca.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins as regulators of gene expression through interactions with the human thymidine kinase promoter

In search for nuclear proteins that interact with the human thymidine kinase (htk) promoter, we discovered that p37AUF, a hnRNP C-like protein, and hnRNP A1, both members of the heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein family, can bind with high affinity to an ATTT sequence motif contained within the cell cycle regulatory unit (CCRU). We report here that over-expression of p37AUF stimulates gene expression mediated by the htk promoter in a promoter-sequence specific manner, whereas hnRNP A1 suppresses it. Both recombinant p37AUF and hnRNP A1 can bind the htk CCRU, suggesting that their binding to the DNA target does not require additional cellular components. We further discovered that hnRNP K is a potent suppressor of htk mediated gene activity. However, its mechanism of action is mediated through protein-protein interaction, since hnRNP K itself cannot bind the htk CCRU but can competitively inhibit the binding of other hnRNPs. The binding site for the hnRNPs on the htk CCRU is not required for S-phase induction of the htk promoter. However, in stable but not transient transfectants, the mutation of the hnRNP binding site results in 5- to 10-fold reduction of htk mediated gene activity in synchronized and exponentially growing cells. Collectively, these findings support emerging evidence that hnRNPs, in addition to their traditional role in RNA biogenesis, could be regulators of gene expression through direct DNA binding or interaction with other proteins.

Interleukin-8 secretion by cultured oral epidermoid carcinoma cells induced with nicotine and/or arecoline treatments

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is one of the multifunctional cytokines that can play a role on immune and inflammatory activities. Other in vitro observations indicated that IL-8 is a growth factor for keratinocytes. However, as the role of IL-8 in oral cancer cells is unclear, this study is thus designed to examine IL-8 secretion in cultured oral epidermoid carcinoma KB CCL17 cells treated with nicotine and/or arecoline. The cultures were treated with nicotine (1 or 100 microM) and arecoline (1 or 100 microM), alone or both, for 72 hrs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine IL-8 concentrations in culture supernatants. A repeated measure analysis of variance was used to identify differences among the treatments. Nicotine and arecoline, single or combined treatment, increased IL-8 secretion in KB CCL17 cells. When monoclonal 1 microgram/ml of antibody was added against IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta in the treatment, IL-8 concentration significantly decreased compared with the non-added one. Exposure of cells to antibody against IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta showed no significant increase in cell growth as compared with the control (medium alone). However, incubation of cells for 72 hrs in the presence of nicotine and/or arecoline treatments and antibody against IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta significantly increased cell growth as compared with the antibody free one. It was concluded that IL-8 secretion by KB CCL17 cells may be partially mediated by IL-1 which could inhibit the KB CCL17 cell growth. Thus, IL-8 may be a vital participant in the cascade of interacting cytokines during smoking and areca quid chewing, inducing inflammation in oral cancer.

The multifunctional herpes simplex virus IE63 protein interacts with heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K and with casein kinase 2

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the prototype alpha-herpesvirus, causes several prominent diseases. The HSV-1 immediate early (IE) protein IE63 (ICP27) is the only regulatory gene with a homologue in every mammalian and avian herpesvirus sequenced so far. IE63 is a multifunctional protein affecting transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes, and it can shuttle from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. To identify interacting cellular proteins, a HeLa cDNA library was screened in the yeast two-hybrid system using IE63 as bait. Several interacting proteins were identified including heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), a multifunctional protein like IE63, and the beta subunit of casein kinase 2 (CK2), a protein kinase, and interacting regions were mapped. Confirmation of interactions was provided by fusion protein binding assays, co-immunoprecipitation from infected cells, and CK2 activity assays. hnRNP K co-immunoprecipitated from infected cells with anti-IE63 serum was a more rapidly migrating subfraction than hnRNP K immunoprecipitated by anti-hnRNP K serum. Using anti-IE63 serum, both IE63 and hnRNP K were phosphorylated in vitro by CK2, while in immunoprecipitates using anti-hnRNP K serum, IE63 but not hnRNP K was phosphorylated by CK2. These data provide important new insights into how this key viral regulatory protein exerts its functions.

Hepatitis C virus core protein interacts with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein, a component of viral nucleocapsid, has been shown to modulate cellular and viral promoter activities. To identify potential cellular targets for HCV core protein, a human liver cDNA library was screened for core-interacting proteins using the yeast two-hybrid system. Among the proteins identified was heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), which has been demonstrated to be a transcriptional regulator. The interaction of HCV core protein with hnRNP K was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase fusion protein binding assay, protein-protein blotting assay, and coimmunoprecipitation in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, these two proteins were shown to be partially colocalized in the nucleus. The hnRNP K-binding site in HCV core protein was mapped to the region from amino acid residues 25-91, a hydrophilic area near the N terminus. The HCV core protein-binding domain was located within amino acid residues 250 to 392, which contain the three proline-rich domains, of hnRNP K. Furthermore, HCV core protein relieved the suppression effect of hnRNP K on the activity of the human thymidine kinase gene promoter. The specific binding of HCV core protein to hnRNP K suggests that multiple functions of hnRNP K may be disrupted by the core protein during HCV infection and thus explains, in part, the pathogenesis of HCV.

Hepatitis delta antigen mediates the nuclear import of hepatitis delta virus RNA

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA replicates in the nuclei of virus-infected cells. The mechanism of nuclear import of HDV RNA is so far unknown. Using a fluorescein-labeled HDV RNA introduced into partially permeabilized HeLa cells, we found that HDV RNA accumulated only in the cytoplasm. However, in the presence of hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg), which is the only protein encoded by HDV RNA, the HDV RNA was translocated into the nucleus, suggesting that nuclear import of HDV RNA is mediated by HDAg. Deletion of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) or RNA-binding motifs of HDAg resulted in the failure of nuclear import of HDV RNA, indicating that both the NLS and an RNA-binding motif of HDAg are required for the RNA-transporting activity of HDAg. Surprisingly, any one of the three previously identified RNA-binding motifs was sufficient to confer the RNA-transporting activity. We have further shown that HDAg, via its NLS, interacts with karyopherin alpha2 in vitro, suggesting that nuclear import of the HDAg-HDV RNA complex is mediated by the karyopherin alpha2beta heterodimer. The nuclear import of HDV RNA may be the first biological function of HDAg in the HDV life cycle.

Hepatitis C virus core protein interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of lymphotoxin-beta receptor

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a multifunctional protein. We examined whether it can interact with cellular proteins, thus contributing to viral pathogenesis. Using the HCV core protein as a bait to screen a human liver cDNA library in a yeast two-hybrid screening system, we have isolated several positive clones encoding cellular proteins that interact with the HCV core protein. Interestingly, more than half of these clones encode the cytoplasmic domain of lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LT betaR), which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Their binding was confirmed by in vitro glutathione S-transferase fusion protein binding assay and protein-protein blotting assay to be direct and specific. The binding sites were mapped within a 58-amino-acid region of the cytoplasmic tail of LT betaR. The binding site in the HCV core protein was localized within amino acid residues 36 to 91 from the N terminus, corresponding to the hydrophilic region of the protein. In mammalian cells, the core protein was found to be associated with the membrane-bound LT betaR. Since the LT betaR is involved in germinal center formation and developmental regulation of peripheral lymphoid organs, lymph node development, and apoptotic signaling, the binding of HCV core protein to LT betaR suggests the possibility that this viral protein has an immunomodulating function and may explain the mechanism of viral persistence and pathogenesis of HCV.

Regulation of growth, PSA/PAP and androgen receptor expression by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the androgen-dependent LNCaP cells

The involvement of vitamin D in prostate carcinogenesis was investigated using the human prostatic LNCaP cells. Incubation of the LNCaP with 100 nM 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for 2 days resulted in a 30-40% suppression of cell growth, which was accompanied by a greater than 70% down-regulated expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The intracellular and secreted forms of PSA showed a 2-fold increase following a 48 h culture in the presence of vitamin D3. The vitamin D3-elicited PSA increases were preceded by an induction of androgen receptor (AR) expression, as measured by Western blot analysis and by binding assays using [3H]R1881 as the ligand. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the growth inhibitory effects of vitamin D3 is partially mediated through its ability to modulate PCNA expression. Moreover, vitamin D3 may effect increases in PSA expression indirectly by up-regulating androgen receptors.

Hydatid cysts in the liver

A 67-year-old Taiwanese woman with multilocular hydatid cysts of the liver presented with a 5-month history of intermittent right upper abdominal discomfort. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed multiple cysts in both lobes of the liver. Subsequent selective celiac angiography revealed an avascular space-occupying lesion in the right lobe. She underwent a radical excision of the cyst by total closed (without opening the wall) cystopericystectomy over segments 4, 5 and 6. Histologic study of the lesions showed three structural components: 1) an outer acellular laminated membrane, 2) a thin nucleated germinal membrane and 3) several protoscolices with Echinococcus granulosus suckers. The patient has been well for 5 years since her discharge. Although hydatid cysts of the liver are extremely rare in Taiwan, they may cause life-threatening complications and mortality. Making a preoperative diagnosis is important and is only possible if this rare disease is kept in mind.