A peptide derived from interleukin-10 exhibits potential anticancer activity and can facilitate cell targeting of gold nanoparticles loaded with anticancer therapeutics

Human interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory cytokine, and its expression is upregulated in tumor tissues and serum samples of patients with various cancers. Because of its immunosuppressive nature, IL-10 has also been suggested to be a factor leading to tumor cells' evasion of immune surveillance and clearance by the host immune system. In this study, we refined a peptide with 20 amino acids, named NK20a, derived from the binding region of IL-10 on the basis of in silico analysis of the complex structure of IL-10 with IL-10Ra, the ligand binding subunit of the IL-10 receptor. The binding ability of the peptide was confirmed through in vitro biophysical biolayer interferometry and cellular experiments. The IL-10 inhibitory peptide exerted anticancer effects on lymphoma B cells and could abolish the suppression effect of IL-10 on macrophages. NK20a was also conjugated with gold nanoparticles to target the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded nanoparticles to enhance the anticancer efficacy of 5-FU against the breast cancer cell line BT-474. Our study demonstrated that NK20a designed in silico with improved binding affinity to the IL-10 receptor can be used as a tool in developing anticancer strategies.

Neutron spectrum at the underground laboratory for the ultra low background experiment

We measured the background neutron spectrum using a Bonner sphere spectrometer at the YangYang underground laboratory, where the vertical earth overburden is approximately 700 m. The neutron fluence rate and the energy spectrum were determined through the unfolding procedure. The measured neutron fluence rate was (0.242 ± 0.008) n cm(-2)h(-1) for k=1, and most of the neutrons were below 20 MeV.

Location of the primary motor cortex in schizencephaly

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Functional reorganization of the brain can result from congenital brain disorders as well as from brain infarction. The purpose of our study was to use functional MR imaging to determine whether reorganization of brain function occurs in patients with schizencephaly.

METHODS

Four patients with schizencephaly (three right-handed, one ambidextrous) presented with seizures. Associated lesions included agenesis of the corpus callosum (n = 1) and absence of the septum pellucidum (n = 1). Functional MR imaging was performed in each patient using a single-section fast low-angle shot (FLASH) blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) technique at 1.5 T in a standard head coil. The motor cortex was initially identified on an axial T1-weighted anatomic image. Thirty consecutive images were obtained during a motor task consisting of repetitive finger-to-thumb opposition. The percentage of change in increased signal intensity was calculated for the primary motor area. An ipsilateral activation index was used to compare the affected with the unaffected hemisphere.

RESULTS

The percentage of change in increased signal intensity in the area of activation ranged from 4.8% +/- 0.9 to 9.2% +/- 1.2 (mean, 5.6% +/- 1.5). The ipsilateral activation index in the affected hemisphere was 0.00 to 0.38, whereas that in the unaffected hemisphere was 15.4 to infinity. The difference in the ipsilateral activation index between each hemisphere was considered significant.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed increased activation in the unaffected hemisphere in patients with schizencephaly, which may reflect functional reorganization of the motor area in patients with this congenital disorder.

Coxiella (Q fever)-associated myelopathy

We describe six men with a slowly progressive myelopathy characterized by asymmetric, incomplete spinal cord syndrome manifested with a thoracic sensory level, mild spastic paraparesis, and urinary incontinence. The spinal cord lesions were evident by MRI in four of them. Coxiella burnetii infection was confirmed in the blood of all patients by immunofluorescence microscopic assay (IFA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In two patients, we detected C burnetii by TEM and IFA using CSF from the patients inoculated onto fresh peripheral blood lymphocyte. Four patients, treated with appropriate antibiotics, responded either with partial resolution of symptoms or arrest of further neurologic progression. In three, the MRI lesions decreased in size.

Prolonged ictal amnesia with transient focal abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging

A previously healthy woman had a prolonged amnestic state caused by complex partial status epilepticus with bilateral mesiotemporal lobe involvement confirmed by EEG with nasopharyngeal electrodes. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan obtained shortly after recovery from the amnesia showed reversible focal abnormalities consisting of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted scan in the mesiotemporal lobe.

A case of herpes zoster myelitis: positive magnetic resonance imaging finding

A 33-year-old man developed a progressive myelopathy after a characteristic skin lesion of herpes zoster involving the right C3 and C4 dermatomes. The lesions were recognizable in the T2-weighted image of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as increased signal intensities throughout the long segments of the spinal cord with maximal in the cervical portion, which was compatible with the pathological findings reported in autopsy studies.

Comparison between electrophysiologic and morphologic changes in lead induced peripheral neuropathy in rats

Compound nerve action potential (CNAP) of the mixed peripheral nerve is composed of A alpha beta, A delta, and C potentials. All components of CNAPs in the sciatic nerve were recorded by stimulating the tibial nerve of both control and lead-poisoned rats. Marked decrease of nerve conduction velocity and prolonged duration were found in A alpha beta and A delta fibers especially in large myelinated A alpha beta fibers. The amplitude decreased in A alpha beta potential, but the area did not change. In C potential produced by activation of unmyelinated fibers, nerve conduction velocity slightly decreased, but the amplitude and area did not significantly change. Pathologic correlates revealed prominent segmental demyelination with significant decrease of large myelinated fiber densities. Minimal axonal degeneration of unmyelinated fibers was present. We can conclude that electrophysiologic changes in the lead-poisoned rats correlate with pathologic changes in them.