Search

The cases of non-obstetric traumatic vulvar haematomas are rare, and there is a lack of consensus statements for the necessity of surgical intervention. We retrospectively analysed the data of 33 cases (mean age: 25.7 years) of non-obstetric traumatic vulvar haematoma (mean haematoma size: 8.4 cm). Women who underwent surgery (surgery group) were compared to those who received conservative management (conservative group). Twenty-four patients underwent surgery; most cases were of haematoma removal and primary closure. Nine patients received conservative management, such as ice bag application, antibiotics, or analgesia. The rate of deviation of the contralateral vulva because of haematoma was higher (54.2% versus 11.1%, p =.047) and the mean haematoma size was larger (9.5 versus 5.2 cm, p =.004) in the surgical than in the conservative group. While conservative management affects cases of minor vulvar haematoma, surgical evacuation of haematoma can be performed in cases of large haematoma (mean size: 9.5 cm), severe pain, distorted vulvar anatomy, and invisible urethral opening for indwelling urinary catheter. What is already known on this subject? Cases of non-obstetric traumatic vulvar haematomas are rare. There are no consensus statements for the necessity of surgical intervention. What do the results of this study add? The study showed that surgical evacuation of haematoma can be performed in cases of large haematoma (mean size: 9.5 cm), severe pain, distorted vulvar anatomy, and invisible urethral opening for indwelling urinary catheter. Moreover, surgical management could hasten recovery. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results of this study can be used in counselling non-obstetric traumatic vulvar haematomas. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is rare and the treatment for recurrent or metastatic UTUC is unclear. We evaluated the outcomes of salvage and palliative radiotherapy (RT) and prognostic factors in UTUC patients and find implications for salvage and palliative RT.Methods: Between August 2006 and February 2021, 174 patients (median age, 68 years; range, 37-90) underwent salvage and palliative RT. Disease status at RT included initially diagnosed advanced disease (n = 8, 4.6%), local recurrence only (n = 56, 32.2%), distant metastasis only (n = 59, 33.9%), and local recurrence and distant metastasis (n = 51, 29.3%). The primary tumor location included the renal pelvis (n = 87, 50%), ureter (n = 77, 44.3%), and both (n = 10, 5.7%). Radical nephroureterectomy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy were used in 135 (77.6%), 101 (58%), and 19 (10.9%) patients, respectively. Survival outcomes and prognostic factors were analysed using Cox and logistic regression analysis.Results: Salvage RT and palliative RT was administered in 73 (42%) and 101 (58%) patients, respectively. The median radiation dose was 45 Gy (range, 15-65). Two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) RT and intensity modulated RT (IMRT) were used in 61 (35.1%) and 113 (64.9%) patients, respectively. The median follow-up was 7.8 months. The median duration of overall survival (OS) was 13.4 months, and the 1-year OS was 53.5%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.7 months, and the 6-month PFS was 41.9%. The 6-month infield PFS was 84%. In multivariate analysis, RT method (2D/3D vs. IMRT, p = 0.007) and RT response (p = 0.008) were independent prognostic factors for OS, and RT response correlated with PFS (p = 0.015). In subgroup analysis in patients with PD-L1 data, positive PD-L1 correlated with better PFS (p = 0.009). RT response-associated factors were concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.03) and higher radiation dose (p = 0.034). Of 145 patients, 10 (6.9%) developed grade 3 acute or late toxicity.Conclusions: Salvage and palliative RT for UTUC are feasible and effective. Patients with RT response using IMRT may have survival benefit from salvage and palliative RT. Positive PD-L1 status might be related to radiosensitivity. High-dose radiation with concurrent chemotherapy may improve RT response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a relatively safe and effective surgery compared with ablative surgeries, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious complication during DBS that could result in a fatal prognosis. We retrospectively investigated whether ICH incidence differed between patients who underwent DBS in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and in the globus pallidus interna (GPi), together with previously identified risk factors for ICH. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 275 patients (527 DBS targets) who received DBS for Parkinson's disease or dystonia from April 2001 to December 2020. In cases that developed intra- or postoperative ICH, patients were classified as asymptomatic, symptomatic with temporary neurological deficit or symptomatic with permanent neurological deficit, according to patient clinical status. Results: ICH occurred in 12 procedures (2.3%) among the 527 DBS procedures (275 patients) evaluated. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the risk factor for all cases of ICH was systolic blood pressure (BP) during surgery (cut-off value 129.4 mmHg) (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01–1.09, P = 0.023). In addition, for ICH with permanent neurological deficit, STN target site (P = 0.024) and systolic BP during surgery (cut-off value: 148.3 mmHg) (P = 0.004) were identified as risk factors in univariable analyses. Conclusion: Even though the risk factor for all ICH in DBS was BP during surgery, when focused on ICH evoking permanent neurological deficit, the target location as well as systolic BP during surgery proved to be related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of twin pregnancy with adenomyosis (AD) is increasing due to advanced maternal age and infertility treatment. We retrospectively analysed the data of 45 dichorionic twin pregnancies complicated with AD in contrast to a control group of dichorionic twin pregnancies without AD (n = 130). Compared with those in the control group, the AD group had a higher overall foetal loss rate (8.9% vs. 0.8%; adjusted p =.031; odds ratio (OR), 13.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27–146.3), higher early preterm delivery rate (20% vs. 6.9%; adjusted p =.007; OR, 4.22; 95% CI, 1.47–12.13) and higher rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (26.7% vs. 7.7%; adjusted p =.005; OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.5–10.2). Patients in the AD group were significantly more likely to require transfusion during or after delivery (17.8% vs. 5.4%; p =.026) and have smaller babies (2168 g vs. 2399 g; p =.004) compared with those in the control group. This is the first study to report that twin pregnancies with AD may be treated as high-risk for placental dysfunction and may need closer monitoring during pregnancy. What is already known on this subject? The incidence of twin pregnancy with adenomyosis (AD) is increasing due to advanced maternal age and infertility treatment. However, there are very few studies on the effect of AD on pregnancy outcomes. What the results of this study add? This is the first study to report that twin pregnancies with AD have higher rates of early preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and transfusion compared to controls. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results of this study can be used in counselling twin pregnancies with AD. Further research is needed to confirm the current findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidences have shown that noise could be a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Since periodontitis and CVD are characterized by inflammation, it is reasonable to doubt that occupational/environmental noise is a risk factor for periodontitis. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between occupational/environmental noise and periodontitis in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study sample included 8327 adults aged 40 to 80 years old. Noise exposure and the duration of the exposure were assessed with self-report questionnaires. The dependent variable was periodontitis. Age, gender, place of residence, income, marital status, smoking, frequency of daily tooth brushing, recent dental checkup, and diabetes were included as covariates. Logistic regression analyses estimated the association between noise exposure and periodontitis.Results: Those who were exposed to environmental noise during their lifetime had an increased prevalence of severe periodontitis (odds ratio [OR] 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 3.40), and this association was strengthened as the duration of the environmental noise exposure was longer (OR of > 120 months 2.35 and OR of ≤120 months 1.49). There was a combined relationship for severe periodontitis between occupational and environmental noise exposure (OR of both exposures 2.62, OR of occupational exposure only 1.12, and OR of environmental exposure only 1.57).Conclusion: Our study shows that noise exposure is associated with periodontitis, and the association was higher in the synergism between occupational and environmental interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent fetal loss, preterm delivery, and perinatal morbidity of multifetal pregnancies (MPs), fetal reduction (FR) is offered to some patients. We retrospectively analysed the data of 124 MPs that underwent transabdominal FR to twin (n = 63) and singleton (n = 61) pregnancies at a mean gestational age of 12 + 6 weeks between December 2006 and January 2018. FR was performed transabdominally with the injection of potassium chloride into the intracardiac or intrathoracic space of the fetus or fetuses after ultrasound screening for nuchal translucency and anatomical defects. The initial number of embryos were 48 twins, 63 triplets, 11 quadruplets, and 2 quintuplets. The procedure-related pregnancy loss rate was 0.8% (1/124), the overall pregnancy loss rate was 2.4% (3/124), the fetal loss rate was 1.6% (2/124), and the neonatal death rate was 0.8% (1/124). The baby take-home rates were 96% for twin pregnancies and 96.7% for singletons. This study shows that transabdominal FR is an effective and safe procedure with a pregnancy loss rate of 2.4%. What is already known on this subject? The incidence of multifetal pregnancies has increased over the years. Because multifetal pregnancies increase perinatal morbidity and mortality due to prematurity, fetal reduction is offed to some patients. What the results of this study add? The results of this study add to the growing body of research on fetal reduction. The study showed that transabdominal fetal reduction is a safe procedure with a pregnancy loss rate of 2.4%. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results of this study can be used in counselling couples with multifetal pregnancies who are considering fetal reduction. Further research is needed to confirm the current findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in human plasma and plays versatile biological role. HSA has been widely used to treat several diseases and develop biocompatible biomaterials for biomedical applications. However, pharmaceutical-grade HSA (p -HSA) showed the altered oxidative and ligand-binding properties compare to native HSA. To investigate the influences of the manufacturing process on the molecular state of HSA, we determined the first crystal structure of p -HSA using the commercial HSA solution without any defatting step and further purification and carried out mass spectrometry to identify bound ligands. The crystal structure of p -HSA revealed that medium- and long-chain fatty acids and tryptophan are bound to p -HSA and one free cysteine is oxidized to cysteine-sulfenic acid. The mass spectra of p -HSA also confirmed the existence of fatty acids and tryptophan in p -HSA. Our results enhance understanding of the molecular state of p -HSA and can be utilized to produce p -HSA solutions and HSA-based biomaterials that has a higher biorelevance. • The crystal structure of pharmaceutical-grade HSA (p -HSA) has been determined. • The influence of the manufacturing process on the molecular state of HSA was studied. • Medium- and long-chain fatty acids and tryptophan were bound to p -HSA. • One free cysteine (Cys34) of p -HSA was oxidized to sulfenic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), also called histamine releasing factor, is an evolutionarily conserved multifunctional protein in eukaryotes. We previously reported that extracellular TCTP acquires its cytokine-like function following dimerization. This study aims to identify the functional domain involved in the cytokine-like function of dimerized TCTP (dTCTP). We performed X-ray crystallographic studies and a deletion mutant of dTCTP which lacks the flexible loop domain. Synthetic peptides corresponding to TCTP domains and antibodies developed against them were examined for the anti-allergic effect. In an OVA-induced airway inflammation mouse model, inhibitory effect of synthetic peptides was evaluated. dTCTP was mediated by dimers between Cys172s of TCTP monomers. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the flexible loop and helix 2 domain of TCTP, and antibodies against them inhibited dTCTP-induced IL-8 release. In particular, the TCTP mutant lacking the flexible loop domain decreased the inflammatory cytokine activity of dTCTP. We conclude that the flexible loop and helix 2 domain of TCTP are the functional domains of dTCTP. They may have the potential to be therapeutic targets in the suppression of allergic reactions induced by dTCTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To prevent perinatal morbidity and mortality of high-order multiple pregnancy (HOMP), multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR) is offered to some patients. In this study, we investigated whether twin pregnancies derived from MPRs carry a higher adverse obstetrical outcome compared to non-reduced control group of twins.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from HOMPs on which transvaginal ER (n = 153) at a mean gestational age of 7.6 weeks or transabdominal FR (n = 59) at a mean gestational age of 12.4 weeks was performed between December 2006 and January 2018. The risk of each procedure was evaluated by comparing obstetrical outcome with that of a control population of 157 non-reduced twins conceived by infertility treatment.Results: The mean gestational ages at delivery were 35.2 weeks in the ER group, 35.7 weeks in the FR group, and 34.1 weeks in the control group (P = NS). Compared with those in the control group, the ER group had higher miscarriage (1.3% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.047; OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.45-0.898) and higher overall fetal loss (3.8% vs. 14.4%; P = 0.003; OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.09-0.60) rates. Differently compared with those in the control group, the FR group had no statistical difference in miscarriage (2.5% vs. 1.7%; P=NS) and overall fetal loss (3.8% vs. 6.8%; P=NS) rates.Conclusions: Compared with the control group, ER in twins had a higher miscarriage and fetal loss rate, whereas FR in twins was similar to the control group. So, the FR procedure is overall a better and safer approach of MPR in reducing morbidity and mortality in HOMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study investigates the procedure‐related fetal loss rate and obstetrical outcomes of selective feticide in dichorionic twins. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 44 cases of dichorionic twins. Two different indications for selective feticide were set: (i) the presence of genetic or congenital anomaly; and (ii) an obstetrical indication specified as a past maternal history of preterm delivery that caused fetal death or cerebral palsy of the child. Primarily, data on procedure‐related fetal loss and obstetrical outcomes were retrieved. Additionally, data on obstetrical outcomes by reduction time and by indication of SF were obtained. Results: Selective feticide was performed in 44 cases – specifically, in 23 cases with genetic or congenital anomaly and in 21 cases with obstetrical indications. The median gestational age at delivery was 38 + 4 weeks. One pregnancy loss (2.3%, 1/44) occurred within 4 weeks after the procedure. The overall pregnancy loss rate throughout the pregnancy term was 2.3% (1/44). When selective feticide was performed at 15 weeks and beyond, the birth weight was significantly decreased compared with when selective feticide was performed earlier than 15 weeks. Conclusion: Transabdominal ultrasound‐guided selective feticide in dichorionic twins is an effective and safe procedure. If a patient desires to maximize her chances of having a healthy child and decrease the risk of prematurity, the option of selective feticide should be considered in certain cases of twin pregnancies. Selective feticide may be a reasonable alternative to expectant management or termination of the whole twin pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An organoid is a complex, multi-cell three-dimensional (3D) structure that contains tissue-specific cells. Epithelial stem cells, which are marked by leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), have the potential for self-renewal and expansion as organoids. However, in the case of intestinal organoids from Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-CreERT2 transgenic mice, in vitro expansion of the Lgr5 expression is limited in a culture condition supplemented with essential proteins, such as epidermal growth factor (E), noggin (N), and R-spondin 1 (R). In this study, we hypothesized that self-renewal of Lgr5+ stem cells in a 3D culture system can be stimulated by defined compounds (CHIR99021, Valproic acid, Y-27632, and A83-01). Our results demonstrated that dissociated single cells from organoids were organized into a 3D structure in the four compounds containing the ENR culture medium in a 3D and two-dimensional (2D) culture system. Moreover, the Lgr5 expression level of organoids from the ENR- and compound-containing media increased. Furthermore, the conversion of cultured Lgr5+ stem cells from 2D to 3D was confirmed. Therefore, defined compounds promote the expansion of Lgr5+ stem cells in organoids. Highlights • Organoids are generated in 3D culture systems in defined medium containing CVYA. • CVYA containing the ENR culture medium promote the expansion of Lgr5+ stem cells in organoid. • The Lgr5+ enriched organoids are conversed from 2D to 3D culture system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To examine the current state of radiation safety education and its influence on nurses’ compliance with safety procedures. Background: Use of radiation in therapy and diagnosis has prolonged and improved millions of lives, but it presents potential hazards for healthcare professionals. Design: A cross‐sectional design. Methods: Participants included 1,672 female nurses of childbearing age who had recently been exposed to radiation‐emitting generators or radiation. Quantitative data were taken from the Korea Nurses’ Health Study, the Korean version of the Nurses’ Health Study conducted in the USA. Confounding variables included sociodemographic factors, duration of employment in a department where work involved radiation, hospital's geographical location, bed size and hospital safety climate. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficients and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Results: Half (50.3%) of nurses received no safety training, whereas the other half received some safety training as follows: only once (14.4%), irregularly (10.2%) and regularly (25.1%). Of the six radioactive safety compliance questionnaires, 29.4%, 20.2%, 30.7% and 19.7% complied to none, one, two and more than three, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, relative to that observed with no safety education, irregular education that occurred more than twice (OR = 1.597, CI = 1.177–2.164) and regular education (OR = 2.223, CI = 1.770–2.792) increased the likelihood that nurses would comply with safety procedures. Conclusions: Low levels of safety education and adherence raise critical concerns regarding nurses’ well‐being. As routine safety education increases safety adherence, healthcare managers and policymakers should emphasise regular safety education. Relevance to clinical practice: Radiation safety education for nurses and their compliance with safety procedures have seldom been discussed in South Korea. However, as nurses’ safety is directly related to the quality of patient care, additional safety education should be provided for hospital nurses to minimise their occupational exposure to harmful radioactive substances in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analyzed the crystal structure of the dimeric form of d - glycero - d - manno -heptose-1,7-bisphosphate phosphatase from Burkholderia thailandensis ( Bt GmhB), catalyzing the removal of the phosphate at the 7 position of d - glycero - d - manno -heptose-1,7-bisphosphate. The crystal structure of Bt GmhB revealed a dimeric form caused by a disruption of a short zinc-binding loop. The dimeric Bt GmhB structure was induced by triggering the loss of Zn 2 + via the protonation of cysteine residues at pH 4.8 of the crystallization condition. Similarly, the addition of EDTA also causes the dimerization of Bt GmhB. It appears there are two dimeric forms in solution with and without the disulfide bridge mediated by Cys95. The disulfide-free dimer produced by the loss of Zn 2 + in the short zinc-binding loop is further converted to a stable disulfide-bonded dimer in vitro . Though the two dimeric forms are reversible, both of them are inactive due to a deformation of the active site. Single and triple mutant experiments confirmed the presence of two dimeric forms in vitro . Phosphatase assay results showed that only a zinc-bound monomeric form contains catalytic activity in contrast to the inactive zinc-free dimeric forms. The monomer-to-dimer transition caused by the loss of Zn 2 + observed in this study is an example of reversal phenomenon caused by artificial proteins containing protein engineered zinc-finger motifs where the monomer-to-dimer transitions occurred in the presence of Zn 2 + . Therefore, this unusual dimerization process may be applicable to designing proteins possessing a short zinc-binding loop with a novel regulatory role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Risk factors of infection after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) have been controversial. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of infection after DBS surgery in PD patients. Methods We retrospectively investigated 246 consecutive DBS surgeries in 169 advanced PD patients. Clinical data were collected and analyzed to clarify the clinical characteristics associated with infection after DBS surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors for infection after DBS surgery. Results Infection occurred in 5% of all DBS surgeries and in 7% of all PD patients who received DBS surgery. Most infections (75%) occurred within 3 months after DBS surgery but it also occurred 21 months after DBS surgery. Gram-positive bacteria were the most common pathogens (75%). Infection after DBS surgery was associated with short period of prophylactic antibiotic therapy (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.45–0.85, P = 0.002) and intensive care unit (ICU) management immediate after DBS surgery (OR = 5.43, 95% CI = 1.12–26.45, P = 0.036). Conclusion Our study suggests that short period of prophylactic antibiotic therapy and ICU management after surgery may increase the risk of infection in PD patients who received DBS surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is one of the crucial parameters on anaerobic digestion (AD); however, key differences in the microbial community found in AD remain poorly understood. In this work, thermophilic and mesophilic AD fed with food waste were compared examining the relationship between the structure of the microbial community and methane (CH 4 ) production. The maximum CH 4 yield, 0.23 L CH 4 ·g COD added −1 , was observed under mesophilic condition at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 6.7 g COD·L −1 ·d −1 (HRT 30 d) using step feeding, while it failed under thermophilic condition at an OLR of 5.0 g COD·L −1 ·d −1 (HRT 40 d). A low concentration of propionate and acetate in the mesophilic condition was owing to the efficient acetogenesis and methanogenesis, while syntrophic acetogenesis was found to be the rate-limiting step in a sample collected on the day 110 under thermophilic condition (T1). In addition, hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis coupled with syntrophic acetate oxidation was mainly carried out in the sample collected on day 160 under mesophilic condition (M1) and in the sample T1. However, an increased OLR caused the accumulation of acetate resulting in the methanogenesis inhibition. The higher acetate concentration in the sample taken on day 240 under mesophilic condition (M2) was due to a more diverse and abundant syntrophic acetogenic bacteria indicating that methanogenesis became the rate-limiting step. Meanwhile, acetogenesis was found to be the rate-limiting step in the sample collected on day 130 under thermophilic condition (T2), resulting from that more lactate accumulation with shifting the microbial community to be favorable for lactate production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the characteristics of hydrogenotrophic methanogenic (HM, 4H 2 + CO 2 → CH 4 + 2H 2 O) mixed cultures, continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated at various H 2 loading rates (HLR, 2.8–14.0 m 3 H 2 /m 3 /d) and hydraulic retention times (HRTs, 5–30 d). The feeding gas was composed of H 2 /CO 2 (80:20 on volume basis), and HRT was controlled by the continuous pumping of a nutrient medium. At a fixed HLR of 4 kg COD/m 3 /d (1 kg COD = 1.4 m 3 H 2 ), complete H 2 conversion to CH 4 (> 98% on a COD basis) was observed up to the HRT decrease to 6 d. However, at HRT 5 d, the H 2 conversion gradually decreased, reaching 30% within 30 d, and the H 2 content in the head space increased to 70%, which triggered the production of acetate with an increased concentration to 3 g COD/L. When the HLR was increased at a fixed HRT of 10 d, the maximum CH 4 production rate of 2.75 m 3 CH 4 /m 3 /d was achieved at 8 kg COD/m 3 /d. A kinetic analysis conducted using the Monod equation showed that HM cultures had a maximum specific growth rate of 0.18 d −1 and a half-saturation coefficient of 1.73 g COD/L. Though, successful hydrogenotrophic CH 4 conversion was achieved, the broth contained soluble microbial products (SMPs) at a concentration of 80–250 mg/L, which exceeded the effluent regulation standard. Most of the organic matters in SMPs consisted of humic-like and fulvic-like organic matters with a low molecular weight (<1 kDa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salicylic acid has been used as an anti‐acne agent with its comedolytic property and antimicrobial activity. However, there is a limit to use for leave‐on cosmetics because of the transient skin irritation and low efficacy at neutral pH condition. We prepared a salicylic acid‐based ionic pair with L‐carnitine (we named, IP‐BHA) overcoming the limitation of salicylic acid. We examined the effect of IP‐BHA as well as the combination effect with magnolol, a bioactive organic lignan, in order to clarify their efficacy as anti‐acne agents. Methods: After verifying the structure of IP‐BHA, we confirmed anti‐acne activities including the regulation of exfoliation, lipogenesis, bacterial growth, and inflammation with IP‐BHA and/or magnolol. Results: The antibacterial activity of IP‐BHA and magnolol was evaluated by determining the minimum antibacterial inhibitory concentration. Magnolol showed strong activity against Cutibacterium acnes, which was better than a medical antibiotic acne drug, clindamycin. The combined application with IP‐BHA was more effective in antibacterial activity by 2.5 times. It was confirmed that testosterone‐induced lipogenesis was significantly inhibited by treatment with IP‐BHA and magnolol, while single treatment had no significant inhibitory effect. Interestingly, MMP‐1 and VEGF were induced by C. acnes lysate in human keratinocytes. We found that these inflammatory molecules were completely inhibited by combined application of IP‐BHA and magnolol. Through ex vivo test, the dose‐dependent exfoliation effect of IP‐BHA was confirmed at pH 5.5, and the synergic exfoliation effect was shown in the combined application of IP‐BHA and magnolol. When topically applied, the emulsion containing IP‐BHA and magnolol relieved the sodium dodecyl sulfate‐induced erythema and improved inflamed acne with papule and pustule. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that the ionic paired salicylic acid with L‐carnitine can overcome the limitations of salicylic acid at low concentration and natural skin pH. Based on the dual administration effects, we suggest that IP‐BHA and magnolol may be the potential agent for acne by improving inflammatory skin condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrasonic treatment of varicose veins uses high-intensity focused ultrasound, in which a blood vessel is contracted by converting acoustic energy into thermal energy. In this study, we propose a phantom of varicose veins that can be applied for the efficient evaluation of ultrasonic treatment in varicose veins. The proposed phantom consisted of glycerol base tissue equivalent material, vessel mimic tube, and blood mimic substances. The vessel mimic tube was placed inner glycerol phantom and it was filled with blood mimic substances. Blood-mimicked substances are prepared by adjusting the concentration of the glycerol solution to be similar to the acoustic properties of the blood, and vessel-mimicking materials are selected by measuring acoustic properties and thermal shrinkage of various materials in a heat-shrinkable tube. The blood vessels surrounding the tissue are replaced with the phantom similar to glycerol-based organization, and venous blood flow is implemented using a DC motor. The heating characteristics according to the ultrasonic wave using the manufactured varicose veins phantom were evaluated. As the sound wave irradiation time and power increased, the contractility of the vessel mimicking materials and the temperature of the surrounding tissues were increased. When the blood-mimicking material was circulated, the highest temperature in the focused region and the contractility of vessel mimicking materials were reduced under the same conditions as used for sonication. The manufactured phantom may contribute to the treatment of varicose veins and can be used to predict the ultrasonic therapeutic efficiency of varicose veins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty acids (FA) from organic wastes are environmentally friendly raw materials with high economic value ranging from fuels to oleo-chemicals for growing diversity of products. In this study, expanded graphite (EG) and isopropyl alcohol have been used to adsorb and concentrate the low content of FA in aqueous solution to replace the existing solid-phase extraction methods. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of EG was more than 8.2 g-FA/g due to the inter-latticed structure of graphene sheets, and subsequent coalescence of FA droplets. The extraction efficiency of isopropyl alcohol was always higher than those of dichloromethane and ethanol for the recovery of absorbed FA due to the lower surface tension and higher miscibility with water. After 5 times of recycle, although the specific FA adsorption was decreased 42% of raw EG, extraction efficiencies by isopropyl alcohol were not changed. In conclusion, our study suggested that the EG and isopropyl alcohol could achieve the efficient and environmentally friendly harvesting of low concentration of FA in aqueous solutions during the biological conversion of organic matters in food waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Despite the widespread use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to analyze the mortality of advanced PD patients who received DBS surgery. Methods We assessed the survival rate of 158 consecutive advanced PD patients who underwent DBS surgery between April 2002 and May 2014. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed using death as the endpoint. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association of clinical risk factors with survival. Results Twenty-seven (17.1%) PD patients (13 men and 14 women) died during the mean follow-up period of 5.3 ± 3.1 years. The survival rate was 97% at 3 years and 85% at 5 years after DBS surgery. Pneumonia (n = 7) was the most common specific cause of death. Orthostatic hypotension was more frequent in deceased patients than in survivors ( P = 0.026). In a step-wise Cox regression analysis, male sex (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35–6.65; P = 0.007), visual hallucination (HR = 3.95; 95% CI = 1.60–9.78; P = 0.003), and nursing home admission (HR = 2.81; 95% CI = 1.30–6.09; P = 0.009) predicted poor survival. Conclusion The poor survival of advanced PD patients who underwent DBS surgery was associated with male sex, orthostatic hypotension, visual hallucination, and nursing home admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the traditional technologies for treating organic solid wastes, but its economic benefit is sometimes questioned. To increase the economic feasibility of the treatment process, the aim of this study was to recover not only biogas from food waste but lactic acid (LA) as well. At first, LA fermentation of food waste (FW) was conducted using an indigenous mixed culture. During the operation, temperature was gradually increased from 35 °C to 55 °C, with the highest performance attained at 50 °C. At 50 °C and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.0 d, LA concentration in the broth was 40 kg LA/m 3 , corresponding to a yield of 1.6 mol LA/mol hexose added . Pyrosequencing results showed that Lactobacillus (97.6% of the total number of sequences) was the predominant species performing LA fermentation of FW. The fermented broth was then centrifuged and LA was extracted from the supernatant by the combined process of nanofiltration and water-splitting electrodialysis. The process could recover highly purified LA by removing 85% of mineral ions such as Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ and 90% of residual carbohydrates. Meanwhile, the solid residue remained after centrifugation was further fermented to biogas by AD. At HRT 40 d (organic loading rate of 7 kg COD/m 3 /d), the highest volumetric biogas production rate of 3.5 m 3 /m 3 /d was achieved with a CH 4 yield of 0.25 m 3 CH 4 /kg COD. The mass flow showed that 47 kg of LA and 54 m 3 of biogas could be recovered by the developed process from 1 ton of FW with COD removal efficiency of 70%. These products have a higher economic value 60 USD/ton FW compared to that of conventional AD (27 USD/ton FW). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amomum tsao-ko ( A. tsao-ko) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of infectious and digestive disorders. In the present study, we report the anti-inflammatory activity and molecular mechanism of 2,8-decadiene-1,10-diol (DDO) isolated from the extract of A. tsao-ko in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DDO treatment inhibited the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E by downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, respectively. Moreover, DDO suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. These inhibitory effects of DDO on the expression of inflammatory proteins were found to be mediated through the inactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase and p38, and inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways including degradation of inhibitor of κB-α and nuclear localization of NF-κB. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the pharmacological roles and molecular mechanisms of DDO in regulating inflammatory responses, and suggest further evaluation and development of DDO as a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the prevalence of depression and the relationship between shift work and depression severity among female nurses in South Korea. Background Shift work has been associated with higher risks of depressive symptoms, but there is a dearth of research on nurses, particularly investigating the severity of depressive symptoms. Methods Quantitative data including survey response from 9789 participants were analysed. Statistical analysis included descriptive, Spearman's correlation and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Results The numbers of nurses according to the severity of depressive symptoms were 35.2% ( n = 3445), 38.0% ( n = 3716), 16.1% ( n = 1578), 7.6% ( n = 747) and 3.1% ( n = 303) for normal, mild, moderate, severely moderate and severe level of depressive symptoms, respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health behavioural factors, nurses who worked shifts had 1.519-times greater odds of experiencing a higher severity of depressive symptoms ( OR = 1.519, CI = 1.380-1.674, P < 0.001). Conclusion This study shows a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among nurses who worked shifts and suggests that shift work may increase the severity of depressive symptoms among female nurses in South Korea. Implications for nursing management Nursing professionals, managers and health policy makers need to understand the factors influencing depressive symptoms and to use appropriate interventions based on the severity and not just the onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: In this study, we evaluated whether zoledronate could suppress the progression of external root resorption in rat due to delayed replantation by inhibiting osteoclastic activity. Also, we estimated the optimal dosage of zoledronate in root treatment of the rat model for a maximum effect of zoledronate.Material and Methods: Maxillary first molars in Sprague Dawley rats (N = 84) were extracted, dried for 60 min, and then replanted. The rats were divided into 6 groups (1 mM alendronate, and 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 μM zoledronate). At 4 and 8 weeks postreplantation, the animals were sacrificed and evaluated by radiographic and histological analysis.Results and Conclusion: There were no significant differences at 4 weeks. However, at 8 weeks, 10, 20, and 40 μM ZOL showed more increased radiopaque and smaller periapical lesion in radiographic analysis. In histological analysis, all groups showed similar inflammatory root resorption rate at 4 weeks. However, at 8 weeks, 20 and 40 μM ZOL showed lower rate than those of other groups (P < 0.05). In concerning of replacement resorption, there were no significant differences statistically. In this animal experiment, zoledronate was capable of limiting the occurrence of root resorption in delayed replantation model. In particular, 20 μM dosage of zoledronate solution showed the most effective dose in long-term follow up and might be suitable for inhibition of root resorption in delayed tooth replantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-stage thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion (TAcoD) of waste activated sludge (WAS) and food wastewater (FWW) was used to examine effects of increase of FWW mixing ratio on the organic matter removal and populations of methanogenic archaea species. The volume percent of FWW in the feedstock (mixture of WAS and FWW) increased gradually from 0% to 100% in increments of 25%. Organic matter removal efficiency increased with FWW mixing ratio, but declined when FWW was used as the sole substrate. The highest organic matter removal and biogas production (VS removal of 77%, TCOD removal of 65.5%, methane production rate of 1422.50 mL CH 4 /(L d), CH 4 content of 68.24%, CH 4 yield of 316.11 mL CH 4 /g COD removed ) was achieved when FWW mixing ratio was 75%. Quantitative real-time PCR results indicated that the populations of methanogenic archaea were highest when FWW mixing ratio was 75%. Pyrosequencing analysis revealed relatively high abundances of two methanogenic genera Methanothermobacter (order Methanobacteriales ) and Methanosarcina (order Methanosarcinales ) throughout digestion. The changes of key methanogenic archaea correlate with organic matter removal and biogas production, and are influenced strongly by organic acid concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is associated with skin sensitivity and mainly activated by capsaicin and heat. Interestingly, troxerutin can inhibit TRPV1 activation. However, its efficacy in reducing skin sensitivity remains undetermined.We evaluated the efficacy of troxerutin in alleviating skin sensitivity using clinical tests and in vitro experiments.For the in vitro experiment, HaCaT keratinocytes were pretreated with different concentrations of troxerutin, followed by incubation with 50 μM capsaicin for 1, 24, or 48 h. The gene and protein expressions of four inflammatory cytokines involved in skin irritation were determined. Among 35 Korean women with sensitive skin recruited for the clinical trial, 13 were involved in assessing the immediate soothing effects of 0.1% and 0.0095% troxerutin following capsaicin irritation, whereas 22 participated in evaluating the preventive soothing effect of 10% and 1% troxerutin over 4 weeks against capsaicin‐ and heat‐induced irritation. We evaluated the soothing rate using skin redness, visual analog scale, and high temperature sensitive index as evaluation indices.Troxerutin inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of cytokines in capsaicin‐treated keratinocytes. In the clinical study, 0.1% and 0.0095% troxerutin promptly alleviated capsaicin‐induced skin redness, whereas 10% troxerutin notably decreased both the visual analog scale and high temperature sensitive index for capsaicin‐ and heat‐related irritation. However, 1% troxerutin was only effective in reducing the visual analog scale in response to capsaicin irritation.Troxerutin can inhibit TRPV1 activation in clinical and in vitro tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), therapeutic decisions have varied from local therapy to systemic therapy, with radiotherapy (RT) playing only a palliative role. In this study, we investigated whether multimodality treatment involving RT could be effective in huge HCC. Results: This study was performed in 116 patients with HCC >10 cm. The number of patients in stage II, III and IV was 12, 54 and 50, respectively. RT was given as a combined modality in most patients. The median dose was 45 Gy, with 1.8 Gy per fraction. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 14.8 and 6.5 months, respectively. The median infield PFS was not reached. Infield failure, outfield intrahepatic and extrahepatic failure were observed in 8.6, 18.1, and 12.1% of patients, respectively. For OS and PFS, number of tumors, initial alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, treatment response, percent AFP decrement, and hepatic resection were significant prognostic factors. Tumor characteristics and treatment response were significantly different between long-term survivors and the other patients. Conclusion: Although huge HCC presents an aggressive clinical course, multimodality approaches involving RT can offer an opportunity for prolonged survival. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas ( HCCs) show dismal prognosis and only a limited number of cases are eligible for curative resection. We studied the therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy ( RT) in patients with huge unresectable HCCs. Methods Data from 283 patients with huge HCCs and preserved liver function who underwent non-surgical treatment from July 2001 to March 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the initial treatment: Group A ( N= 49), transarterial chemoembolization ( TACE); Group B ( N = 35), TACE + RT; Group C ( N = 50), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy; and Group D ( n = 149), concurrent chemoradiotherapy ( CCRT). Results and Conclusions The median follow-up period was 27.8 months (range, 12.9-121.9 months). The median overall survival (OS) was longer in Groups B (15.3 months) and D (12.8 months) than in Groups A (7.5 months) and C (8.2 months; Group B vs. A, Bonferroni corrected P [ P c] = 0.04; Group B vs. C, P c = 0.02; Group D vs. A, P c = 0.01; Group D vs. C, P c = 0.006). Groups B and D also showed superior progression-free survival (PFS) and intrahepatic control than Groups A and C. In multivariate analysis, tumour multiplicity, serum alpha-foetoprotein level (≥200 ng/ ml) and initial treatment were independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Patients with huge unresectable HCCs treated with RT, either as CCRT or in combination with TACE, showed excellent intrahepatic control and prolonged survival. RT could be considered a promising treatment modality in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dermal fibroblast is a primary cell type responsible for synthesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix in human skin. Type I collagen and hyaluronan are main components that have roles in skin fibrosis, wound healing, tissue remodeling as well as skin aging. Several studies have reported cytokine-dependent changes in collagen expression or hyaluronan production; however, the cytokines' effect was controversial in human dermal fibroblasts. Aims To clarify the role of various growth factors, cytokines or chemokines on the production of interstitial type I collagen and hyaluronan in dermal fibroblasts. Methods We confirmed the presence of various corresponding receptors and assessed the effects of 33 human recombinants on the production of type I collagen and hyaluronan using the assay system in dermal fibroblasts. Results Platelet-derived growth factor ( PDGF)- AA, PDGF- BB, epidermal growth factor ( EGF), transforming growth factor ( TGF)-β1, MCP-1, IP-10, interleukin ( IL)-1α, IL-1β, and IL-15 were effective on both type I collagen and hyaluronan production, as compared with no stimulated control. On the other hand, IL-10 and IFN- α caused a significant decrease in type I collagen production, and IL-8 and GM- CSF caused a decrease in hyaluronan production compared with no cytokine-treated control. Interestingly, some chemokines, such as MCP-1 ( CCL2), RANTES ( CCL5), eotaxin-2 ( CCL24), IP-10 ( CXCL10), or fractalkine ( CX3 CL1) significantly induced the type I collagen or hyaluronan production. Conclusions Various growth factors and cytokines on the regulation of type I collagen and hyaluronan in human dermal skin probably function as key factors in skin remodeling and skin aging. Our profile may help to apply to cosmeceutical area maintaining as young skin through the increase in extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nm23-H1/NDPK-A, a tumour metastasis suppressor, is a multifunctional housekeeping enzyme with nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity. Hexameric Nm23-H1 is required for suppression of tumour metastasis and it is dissociated into dimers under oxidative conditions. Here, the crystal structure of oxidized Nm23-H1 is presented. It reveals the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys4 and Cys145 that triggers a large conformational change that destabilizes the hexameric state. The dependence of the dissociation dynamics on the H2O2 concentration was determined using hydrogen/deuterium-exchange experiments. The quaternary conformational change provides a suitable environment for the oxidation of Cys109 to sulfonic acid, as demonstrated by peptide sequencing using nanoUPLC-ESI-q-TOF tandem MS. From these and other data, it is proposed that the molecular and cellular functions of Nm23-H1 are regulated by a series of oxidative modifications coupled to its oligomeric states and that the modified cysteines are resolvable by NADPH-dependent reduction systems. These findings broaden the understanding of the complicated enzyme-regulatory mechanisms that operate under oxidative conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ADP-L- glycero-D- manno-heptose 6-epimerase (AGME), the product of the rfaD gene, is the last enzyme in the heptose-biosynthesis pathway; it converts ADP-D- glycero-D- manno-heptose (ADP-D,D-Hep) to ADP-L- glycero-D- manno-heptose (ADP-L,D-Hep). AGME contains a catalytic triad involved in catalyzing hydride transfer with the aid of NADP+. Defective lipopolysaccharide is found in bacterial mutants lacking this gene. Therefore, it is an interesting target enzyme for a novel epimerase inhibitor for use as a co-therapy with antibiotics. The crystal structure of AGME from Burkholderia thailandensis ( BtAGME), a surrogate organism for studying the pathogenicity of melioidosis caused by B. pseudomallei, has been determined. The crystal structure determined with co-purified NADP+ revealed common as well as unique structural properties of the AGME family when compared with UDP-galactose 4-epimerase homologues. They form a similar architecture with conserved catalytic residues. Nevertheless, there are differences in the substrate- and cofactor-binding cavities and the oligomerization domains. Structural comparison of BtAGME with AGME from Escherichia coli indicates that they may recognize their substrate in a `lock-and-key' fashion. Unique structural features of BtAGME are found in two regions. The first region is the loop between β8 and β9, affecting the binding affinity of BtAGME for the ADP moiety of ADP-D,D-Hep. The second region is helix α8, which induces decamerization at low pH that is not found in other AGMEs. With the E210G mutant, it was observed that the resistance of the wild type to acid-induced denaturation is related to the decameric state. An in silico study was performed using the Surflex-Dock GeomX module of the SYBYL-X 1.3 software to predict the catalytic mechanism of BtAGME with its substrate, ADP-D,D-Hep. In the in silico study, the C7′′ hydroxymethyl group of ADP-D,D-Hep is predicted to form hydrogen bonds to Ser116 and Gln293. With the aid of these interactions, the hydroxyl of Tyr139 forms a hydrogen bond to O6″ of ADP-D,D-Hep and the proton at C6″ orients closely to C4 of NADP+. Therefore, the in silico study supports a one-base mechanism as a major catalytic pathway, in which Tyr139 solely functions as a catalytic acid/base residue. These results provide a new insight into the development of an epimerase inhibitor as an antibiotic adjuvant against melioidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about the contribution of ultraviolet (UBV)-induced mast cell activation on wrinkle formation.

Abstract: In this study, a novel three-stage (lactate-+photo-H2 +CH4) fermentation system was developed, which converts food waste to H2 and CH4, with an emphasis on achieving high H2 yield. The system begins by first fermenting food waste to lactate, rather than acetate and butyrate, using indigenous lactic acid bacteria. Lactate fermentation effluent was then centrifuged, and the supernatant was used for H2 production by photo-fermentation, while the residue was used for CH4 production by anaerobic digestion. Overall, via the three-stage fermentation system, 41% and 37% of the energy content in the food waste was converted to H2 and CH4, respectively, corresponding to the electrical energy yield of 1146MJ/ton-food waste, which is 1.4 times higher value than that of previous two-stage dark (H2 +CH4) fermentation system. The H2 yield based on hexose input was 8.35mol H2/mol hexoseadded, the highest value ever reported from actual organic waste. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamin-D3 upregulated protein-1 (VDUP1) is a stress response protein. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection is a leading cause of death. Mice infected with live P. aeruginosa exhibit significantly decreased VDUP1 expression. However, the function of VDUP1 during P. aeruginosa-induced mouse bacteremic shock is unknown. To address the function of VDUP1 in P. aeruginosa-infected mice, we constructed a bacteremic shock model wherein both wild-type and VDUP1-deficient mice were infected intra-peritoneally with live P. aeruginosa. We found that VDUP1-deficient mice were more resistant to P. aeruginosa-induced bacteremic shock than wild-type mice, as shown by the increased survival, accelerated bacterial clearance and suppression of cytokine overproduction of the VDUP1-deficient mice. VDUP1 promoted the recruitment of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavities of infected mice. VDUP1 impeded the phagocytosis of non-opsonized P. aeruginosa via phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in macrophages. P. aeruginosa infection induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the increased production of ROS by the peritoneal cells of VDUP1-deficient mice was advantageous in clearing the bacteria. Overall, VDUP1 aggravates bacteremic shock; thus, VDUP1 can be considered a target molecule for the inhibition of P. aeruginosa-induced bacteremic shock. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of culture conditions on photo-H2 production was investigated using the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides KD131. When the initial cell concentrations were either below or above a threshold of 0.56g-dcw/L, the H2 production decreased due to an imbalance between the biomass and the substrate. Malate- and succinate-fed cultures exhibited the highest substrate conversion to H2 production, whereas more than 85% of the substrate was utilized for cell growth in acetate- and butyrate-fed cultures. Compared with (NH4)2SO4, glutamate as a nitrogen source was more appropriate for the initial H2 production, but inhibited H2 evolution during extended cultivation due to released NH4 + ion. Even though the KD131 strain grew well under slightly acidic conditions, the pH value should be maintained in a neutral range in order to enhance H2 production. The highest H2 yield of 3.65mol-H2/mol-succinate was achieved when the KD131 strain grew in the succinate–glutamate medium with an initial cell concentration of 0.56g-dcw/L and the pH level controlled to 7.5. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During photo-fermentative H2 production, the effects of carbon and nitrogen sources on nitrogenase and hydrogenase activity, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate accumulation were investigated. In succinate/ammonium sulfate medium, H2 was not detected for the first 6h because high ammonium concentration considerably reduced the nitrogenase activity to below 5nmol/g-dcw/h. After 24h, 99% of the ammonium was consumed, and the nitrogenase activity increased to 296nmol/g-dcw/h, accelerating H2 production. In contrast, the ammonium in succinate/glutamate medium was much less, which led to rapid H2 production in the beginning. However, H2 evolution was repressed over time by increased ammonium. In the presence of H2, hydrogenase activity increased with time regardless of the nitrogen source, and consequently, H2 production was reduced. Compared with succinate, H2 production in acetate media was severely limited due to increased pH over 9. During extended cultivation, the PHB accumulated in acetate media was 7 times higher than in succinate media. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nimesulide is a selective COX-2 inhibitor that is as effective as the classical non-acidic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the relief of various pain and inflammatory conditions, but is better tolerated with lower incidences of adverse effects than other drugs. After oral dose of 100 mg nimesulide to western subjects, a mean maximal concentration (Cmax) of 2.86 ∼ 6.5 µg/mL was reached at 1.22 ∼ 2.75 h and mean t1/2β of 1.8 ∼ 4.74 h. This study developed a robust method for quantification of nimesulide for the pharmacokinetics and suitability of its dosage in Korea and compared its suitability with other racial populations. Nimesulide and internal standard were extracted from acidified samples with methyl tert-butyl ether and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). The 28 healthy volunteers took 2 tablets of 100 mg nimesulide and blood concentrations were analyzed during the 24 h post dose. Several pharmacokinetic parameters were represented: AUC0–infinity = 113.0 mg-h/mL, Cmax = 12.06 mg/mL, time for maximal concentrations (Tmax) = 3.19 h and t1/2β = 4.51 h. These were different from those of western populations as follows: AUC was 14.5% and Cmax was 28% that of of Korean subjects and Tmax and t1/2β were also different. The validated HPLC-UV method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic studies of nimesulide in Korean subjects. Because the pharmacokinetics of nimesulide were different from western populations, its dosage regimen needs to be adjusted for Koreans. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In the present work, various carbon sources, xylose, glucose, galactose, sucrose, cellobiose, and starch were tested for thermophilic (60 °C) fermentative hydrogen production (FHP) by using the anaerobic mixed culture. An inoculum was obtained from a continuously-stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operated at pH 5.5 and HRT 12 h, and fed with tofu processing waste. The dominant species in the CSTR were found to be Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum and Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum, which are well known thermophilic H2-producers in anaerobic-state, and have the ability to utilize a wide range of carbohydrates. When initial pH was adjusted to 6.8 ± 0.1 but not controlled during fermentation, vigorous pH drop began within 5 h, and finally reached 4.0–4.5 in all carbon sources. Although over 90% of substrate removal was achieved for all carbon sources except cellobiose (71.7%), the fermentation performances were profoundly different with each other. Glucose, galactose, and sucrose exhibited relatively higher H2 yields whereas lower H2 yields were observed for xylose, cellobiose, and starch. On the other hand, when pH was controlled (pH ≥ 5.5), the fermentation performance was enhanced in all carbon sources but to a different extent. A substantial increase in H2 production was observed for cellobiose, a 1.9-fold increase of H2 yield along with a substrate removal increase to 93.8%, but a negligible increase for xylose. H2 production capabilities of all carbon sources tested were as follows: sucrose > galactose > glucose > cellobiose > starch > xylose. The maximum H2 yield of 3.17 mol H2/mol hexoseadded achieved from sucrose is equivalent to a 26.5% conversion of energy content in sucrose to H2. Acetic and butyric acids were the main liquid-state metabolites of all carbon sources while lactic acid was detected only in cellobiose, starch and xylose exhibiting relatively lower H2 yields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The IL-22 NKp46+ innate lymphoid cells, NCR22 cells, are very important for the early host defense against microbial pathogens. We show here that NCR22 cells were differentiated from Lin−CD127+CD117+ cells that were derived from hematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs) of mouse bone marrow cells. The combination of low concentrations of IL-23 and IL-15 induced differentiation of NCR22 cells from Lin−CD127+CD117+ cells. NCR22 cells expressed a large amount of IL-22 and RORγt, and they had poor cytolytic activity and produced little IFN-γ. Lin−CD127+CD117+ cells were very similar to intestinal lamina propria LTi-like cells; both cells dominantly expressed RORγt and IL-22. Meanwhile, Lin−CD127−CD117+ cells that were also derived from HPCs did not express RORγt and IL-22, and they developed into conventional NK cells, not into NCR22 cells. These findings revealed that NCR22 cells can be differentiated from Lin−CD127+CD117+ cells which are derived from HPCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biohydrogen fermentation by the hyperthermophile Thermotoga neapolitana was conducted in a continuously stirred anaerobic bioreactor (CSABR). The production level of H2 from fermentation in a batch culture with pH control was much higher than without pH control from pentose (xylose) and hexose (glucose and sucrose) substrates. The respective H2 yield in the batch culture with pH control from xylose and glucose was 2.22 ± 0.11 mol-H2 mol−1 xyloseconsumed and 3.2 ± 0.16 mol-H2 mol−1 glucoseconsumed, which was nearly 1.2-fold greater for xylose and 1.6-fold greater for glucose than without pH control. In the case of sucrose, the H2 yield from fermentation increased by 40.63%, compared with fermentation in batch cultures without pH control, from 3.52 ± 0.171 to 4.95 ± 0.25 mol-H2 mol−1 sucroseconsumed. The effects of stirring speed and different pH levels on growth and H2 production were studied in the CSABR for highly efficient H2 production. Growth and H2 production of this bacterial strain in a batch culture with pH control or without pH control using a 3 L bioreactor was limited within 24 h due to substrate exhaustion and a decrease in the culture’s pH. The pH-controlled fed-batch culture with a xylose substrate added in doses was studied for the prevention of substrate-associated growth inhibition by controlling the nutrient supply. The highest H2 production rates were approximately 4.6, 4.1, 3.9, and 4.3 mmol-H2 L−1 h−1 at 32, 52, 67, and 86 h, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purple non-sulfur photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides KD131 wild type (wt) and its PHB synthase deleted-mutant P1 were evaluated for hydrogen (H2) production from acetate and butyrate, the most abundant liquid end products of dark fermentation. In the presence of glutamate (8mM), 60mM of acetate and 30mM of butyrate were degraded down to 41.5% and 24.0%, respectively, and achieved a H2 yield (HY) of 0.65mol H2/mol acetate- and 2.50mol H2/mol butyrate-consumed, while 30mM succinate exhibited an HY of 3.29mol H2/mol substrate-consumed. The order of HY observed was inversely related to poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) content and pH increase in the broth. When mutant P1 was used, in spite of depressed cell growth and lower substrate degradation compared to those observed in strain KD131 wt, higher H2 production was observed, achieving around two-fold increase of HY in both acetate and butyrate. A pH control to 7.0 during fermentation was effective in increasing substrate degradation and decreasing PHB content, thereby significantly increasing H2 production. When pH was controlled to 7.0, strain KD131 wt evolved more H2 by 2.36 and 1.70 folds in the acetate- and succinate-medium, respectively, compared to those observed in without pH control. The highest H2 production was observed when the mutant P1 was photo-fermented with a pH control to 7.0 in the medium containing acetate-(NH4)2SO4. It seemed that pH control had an effect not only on the depressed production of PHB but also on soluble microbial products and secondary metabolites, which would compete with H2 production in expending reducing power. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biological H2 production offers distinctive advantages for environmental protection over existing physico-chemical methods. This study focuses specifically on hydrogenases, a class of enzymes that serves to effectively catalyze H2 formation from protons or oxidation to protons. It reviews the classification schemes (i.e. [NiFe]-, [FeFe]-, and [Fe]-hydrogenases) and properties of these enzymes, which are essential to understand the mechanisms for H2 production, the control of cell metabolism, and subsequent increases in H2 production. There are five kinds of biological hydrogen production methods, categorized based upon the light energy requirement, and feedstock sources. The genetic engineering work on hydrogenase to enhance H2 production is reviewed here. Further discussions in this study include nitrogenase, an enzyme that normally catalyzes the reduction of N2 to ammonia but is also able to produce H2 under photo-heterotrophic conditions, as well as other applicable fields of hydrogenase other than H2 production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We carried out continuous fermentative H2 production from tofu (soybean curd)–processing waste (TPW) using anaerobic mixed microflora under thermophilic (60 °C) conditions and compared the rates and yields of H2 production in a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR), wherein the membrane filtration unit was coupled to the CSTR. The TPW was diluted with tap water and then hydrolyzed by blending for 5 min in the presence of 0.5% HCl, and it was found that this protocol significantly increased the amount of soluble material in the mixture. The soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD)–to–total COD (TCOD) ratio jumped from 14% to 60%, and the soluble carbohydrate concentration was increased threefold, from 2.4 g/L to 7.2 g/L. Accordingly, H2 production potential was increased 2.8-fold. In a CSTR operation using pretreated TPW as the substrate, a stable volumetric H2 production rate (VHPR) of 8.17 ± 0.32 L H2/L/d and a H2 yield of 1.20 ± 0.05 mol H2/mol hexoseadded at 8-h HRT were achieved. Substantial increases in the VHPR and H2 yield over those obtained with the CSTR were observed in the MBR operation. The role of the MBR was to increase the retention time of the solid substrate and the concentration of microorganisms, thereby enhancing the substrate utilization rate for H2 production. Acetic and butyric acids were the main liquid-state metabolites produced during the fermentation process, thus indicating that the thermophilic operation provided favorable conditions for H2 production from TPW. A maximum H2 yield of 1.87 mol H2/mol hexoseadded was achieved at 8-h HRT and then gradually decreased to 1.00 mol H2/mol hexose-equivalent at 2-h HRT. Meanwhile, the VHPR continuously increased to a maximum of 19.86 L H2/L/d at 4-h HRT and then decreased with a high dilution rate as the HRT was lowered to 2 h (minimum). At 2-h HRT, the degradation of soluble carbohydrate was limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficient conversion of glycerol waste from biodiesel manufacturing processes into biohydrogen by the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga neapolitana DSM 4359 was investigated. Biohydrogen production by T. neapolitana was examined using the batch cultivation mode in culture medium containing pure glycerol or glycerol waste as the sole substrate. Pre-treated glycerol waste showed higher hydrogen (H2) production than untreated waste. Nitrogen (N2) sparging and pH control were successfully implemented to maintain the culture pH and to reduce H2 partial pressure in the headspace for optimal growth rate and to enhance hydrogen production from the glycerol waste. It was found that hydrogen production increased from 1.24 ± 0.06 to 1.98 ± 0.1 mol-H2 mol−1 glycerolconsumed by optimising N2 sparging and pH control. We observed that in medium containing 0.05 M HEPES, with three cycles of N2 sparging, the H2 yield increased to 2.73 ± 0.14 mol-H2 mol−1 glycerolconsumed, which was 2.22-fold higher than the non-N2 sparged H2 yield (1.23 ± 0.06 mol-H2 mol−1 glycerolconsumed). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The promise of generating electricity from the oxidation of organic substances using metal-reducing bacteria is drawing attention as an alternate form of bio-technology with positive environmental implications. In this study, we examined various experimental factors to obtain the maximum power output in a dual-chamber mediator-less microbial fuel-cell (MFC) using Geobacter sulfurreducens and acetate as an electron donor in a semi-continuous mode. The G. sulfurreducens culture conditions were optimized in a nutrient buffer containing 20 mM of acetate and 50 mM of fumarate at pH 6.8 and 30 °C. For use in the MFC system, electrodes were made with carbon paper (area: 11.5 cm2) and spaced 1.5 cm apart. Once the MFC was inoculated with the pre-cultured G. sulfurreducens in the anode chamber and while air was continuously sparged to the cathode chamber, the cells produced electricity stably over 60 days with the regular addition of 20 mM acetate, generating the maximum power density of 7 mW/m2 with a 5000 Ω load. The current output was significantly increased, by 1.6 times after 20 days of incubation under the same experimental conditions, when the carbon-paper anode was coated with carbon nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Frondoside A is a sea cucumber extract which is well known for its anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Frondoside A application in the alveolar socket on inflammatory responses after delayed replantation in rat teeth. Materials and Methods: Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured and exposed to Frondoside A. Cell‐counting kit‐8 assay was performed to evaluate the cell viability and nitric oxide assay was performed to assess the anti‐inflammatory effect of Frondoside A. Molars were extracted from 32 Sprague–Dawley rats and randomly divided into control and Frondoside A groups. After 30 min of extra‐oral dry time, molars were replanted. In the Frondoside A group, Frondoside A solution was applied in the alveolar socket before replantation. The animals were sacrificed after 28 days and histologically and immunohistochemically evaluated. Results: 0.5 μM Frondoside A showed higher cellular viability at 6 h and lower production of nitric oxide compared with other Frondoside A solutions (p <.05). The Frondoside A group demonstrated lower inflammatory resorption scores in both middle 1/3 and apical 1/3 of root compared to the control group (p <.05). The Frondoside A group showed lower levels of expression in both cathepsin K and CD45 compared with the control group (p <.05). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, intra‐alveolar delivery of Frondoside A alleviates inflammatory root resorption in delayed replantation of rat teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rhodobacter sphaeroides KCTC 12085 is a natural isolate which shows a higher ability of photoheterotrophic H2 production compared with a laboratory strain R. sphaeroides 2.4.1. The H2 production by R. sphaeroides is observed only under light conditions. In order to render R. sphaeroides to produce H2 fermentatively as well, a 4.4-kb Rhodospirillum rubrum DNA encompassing a gene coding for pyruvate-formate lyase (PFL) with its putative maturation protein, and a 29.4-kb R. rubrum gene cluster including formate-hydrogen lyase (FHL) complex, its maturation proteins, a transcriptional activator for FHL, and Fe-only hydrogenase with its maturation proteins were cloned and mobilized into R. sphaeroides KCTC 12085. The recombinant R. sphaeroides evolved H2 during dark fermentative growth. The H2 production by the recombinant R. sphaeroides under photoheterotrophic conditions was elevated twofold to show 4mol H2/mol of glucose compared with 2mol H2/mol of glucose by its parental strain carrying empty vector. Interestingly, addition of hypophosphite, an inhibitor of PFL, to the recombinant R. sphaeroides under photoheterotrophic conditions still resulted in 3mol H2/mol of glucose, suggestive of active H2 production not only by nitrogenase but also by Fe-only hydrogenase, which are insensitive to hypophosphite. The results further suggest the photoheterotrophic H2 production by FHL unless hypophosphite is present. Thus, the H2 production by the recombinant R. sphaeroides under photoheterotrophic conditions appears to be mediated by the concerted actions of FHL, Fe-only hydrogenase, and nitrogenase. The H2-evolving activity by the recombinant R. sphaeroides containing Fe-only hydrogenase of R. rubrum appears to depend on the presence its maturation proteins, suggestive of lack of such proteins in R. sphaeroides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mast cells play a central role in the initiation of inflammatory responses associated with asthma and other allergic disorders. Receptor-mediated mast cell growth, differentiation, homing to their target tissues, survival and activation are all controlled, to varying degrees, by phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-driven pathways. It is not fully understood how such diverse responses can be differentially regulated by PI3K. However, recent studies have provided greater insight into the mechanisms that control, and those that are controlled by, different PI3K subunit isoforms in mast cells. In this review, we discuss how PI3K influences the mast cell processes described above. Furthermore, we describe how different mast cell receptors use alternative isoforms of PI3K for these functions and discuss potential downstream targets of these isoforms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogenase from a purple sulfur bacterium, Thiocapsa roseopersicina NCIB 8347, was purified, characterized and investigated for in vitro hydrogen production. The cell concentration and the specific hydrogenase activity were increased when T. roseopersicina NCIB 8347 was photo-autotropically cultivated with the addition of nutrients every 24h. Crude extracts of the cells were prepared by sonication and then subjected sequentially to ultra-centrifugation, ammonium sulfate fractionation and heat-treatment to remove the impurities. Four-step separation of chromatographic procedures utilizing Q-Sepharose, Phenyl Superose, Mono-Q and Superdex resulted in a 9.56-fold purification with a 0.25% yield of crude cell extract. The optimum pH and temperature for the evolution of the purified enzyme was 7.0 and 70°C, respectively, and those for optimum cell growth were 7.0 and 25°C, respectively. The maximum -evolution activity was exhibited at 70°C, and when the reaction temperature was decreased to 50°C, the manifest activity fell to 44%. Hydrogenase activities were initially increased in the course of the 50–70°C heat-treatment, whereas the remaining activities after 5-h heat-treatment at 50 and 70°C were 110% and 60% of the initial ones, respectively. The purified hydrogenase, at 50°C and pH 7.0, evolved gas for approximately 10 days under in vitro conditions, using sodium dithionite and methyl viologen as the electron donor and carrier, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]