RcsA is a positive activator of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis in the Enterobacteriaceae. The rcsA gene of the soft rot pathogen Pantoea sp. strain PPE7 in Pleurotus eryngii was cloned by PCR amplification, and its role in EPS synthesis and virulence was investigated. The RcsA protein contains 3 highly conserved domains, and the C-terminal end of the open reading frame shared significant amino acid homology to the helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif of bacterial activator proteins. The inactivation of rcsA by insertional mutagenesis created mutants that had decreased production of EPS compared to the wild-type strain and abolished the virulence of Pantoea sp. strain PPE7 in P. eryngii. The Pantoea sp. strain PPE7 rcsA gene was shown to strongly affect the formation of the disease symptoms of a mushroom pathogen and to act as the virulence factor to cause soft rot disease in P. eryngii.

Radioresistance in the tumor and radiotoxicity in the non‑tumorous liver significantly restrict efficient radiotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is therefore important to study the radioresistance mechanism and development of radiosensitization to optimize the effect of irradiation on cancer cells. Emodin (1, 3, 8‑trihydroxy‑6‑methylanthraquinone) is a plant‑derived polyphenol, possessing anticancer properties. It is known to act as a radiosensitizer in human HCC cell lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of emodin in radioresistance of human HCC cell lines as well as the underlying radiosensitization mechanism. The human HCC cell line (HepG2) was used in this study. Four different treatment groups, i.e., no treatment (control), irradiation (10 Gy, one fraction), emodin (10 µM), and a combination of irradiation and emodin (10 Gy+10 µM) were used for two environmental conditions: hypoxia (1% O2) and normoxia (20% O2). The cells were exposed to the respective treatments for 24 and 72 h. Following the treatment, the cell viability was determined by the 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the radiosensitization mechanism was evaluated by western blotting. The proliferation of HepG2 cells was significantly suppressed in the treatment groups under hypoxic and normoxic conditions in the following order: combination of irradiation and emodin>irradiation only >emodin only. The combination of irradiation and emodin induced apoptotic signaling activities such as cleavage of poly (ADP‑ribose) polymerase (PARP)‑1 as well as the downregulation of epigenetic signaling such as JMJD1A and JMJD2B. Emodin attenuated radioresistance in the HepG2 cells via upregulation of the apoptotic signals and down-regulation of the proliferative signals. These results suggested that emodin is a potential candidate for the radiosensitization of HCC cells and can aid in identifying novel therapeutic strategies for HCC radiotherapy.

It is known that common buckwheat sprouts contain several flavonoids, including orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, rutin, and quercetrin, whereas tartary buckwheat sprouts contain only rutin. In this study, we evaluated flavonoids present in buckwheat sprouts and identified a previously unreported flavonoid. Simultaneous detection by HPLC was used to separate rutin and a compound that was not separated in previous studies. We used a novel HPLC elution gradient method to successfully separate rutin and the previously unidentified compound, for which we performed structural analysis. The identification of six flavonoids by HPLC was confirmed using HPLC–ESI–MS/MS analysis. The newly identified compound, [M+H]+ =611.17, was identified by NMR as the rutin epimer quercetin-3-O-robinobioside. Unlike common buckwheat sprout, tartary buckwheat sprout contained rutin as a main flavonoid, whereas other flavonoids appeared only in trace amounts or were not detected. Quercetin-3-O-robinobioside was not detected in tartary buckwheat sprout.

Safflower sprouts were grown under different light frequencies and conditions, including fluorescent white light, red LED or blue LED light and darkness. The sprout extracts were tested for their inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis. Two compounds from safflower sprout extract were isolated and tested for their activities. Safflower seeds were sown in growth chambers set to lights and harvested at 9 days after sowing. Methanolic extracts of safflower sprouts were subjected to melanin synthesis inhibitory effect on MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetraxolium Bromide] and melanin bioassay methods with a dose dependent manner. Two compounds were identified by using open column chromatography and LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis. The MTT and melanin bioassays with the identified compounds were conducted. Darkness or fluorescent white light irradiation induced extracts with inhibitory effects on melanin synthesis (in a dose dependent manner). In contrast, blue light induced extracts to slightly increase melanin synthesis. It was found that 8-hydroxyarctigenin, a compound isolated from the safflower sprouts grown under fluorescent white light for 9 days after germination, induced inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis. The compound was contained more in the darkness or fluorescent white light treatment than others. Safflower sprouts grown under dark or fluorescent white light conditions were more effective on inhibiting melanin synthesis than conditions under red or blue light. An active compound, 8-hydroxyarctigenin, may be a useful whitening agent in cosmetic resources.

In this study, powder compaction of AZO (alumina doped zinc oxide) powder was performed with a MTS 810 test system using a cylindrical die having a diameter of 10mm. Pressure-density curves were measured based on the load cell and displacement of the punch. The AZO powder compacts with various densities were formed to investigate the mechanical properties such as fracture stress of the AZO powder as a function of the compact density. Two types of compression tests were conducted in order to estimate the fracture stress using different loading paths: a diameteral compression test and a uniaxial compression test. The pressure-density curves of the AZO powder were obtained and the fracture stress of the compacted powders with various densities was estimated. The results show that the compact pressure dramatically increases as the density increases. Based on the experimental results, calibration of the modified Drucker-Prager/Cap model of the AZO powder for use in FE simulations was developed.

Electronic structures of perovskite oxides of SrMn1-xMoxO3 (0 ≤x≤ 0.75) have been investigated by employing soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and photoemission spectroscopy (PES). It is found that the valence states of Mn ions change systematically from Mn4+ for x = 0, to nearly Mn3+ for x = 0.3, and Mn2+ for x = 0.5, and then remain as Mn2+ for x≥0.5. Both the Mo 3d core-level PES and Mo 3p XAS spectra show that the valence states of Mo ions remain unchanged as being hexavalent (Mo6+) for x≤0.5 but that they decrease for x>0.5 with increasing x. This study shows that Mo ions are mixed-valent for x>0.5 in SrMn1-xMoxO3, either with the Mo4+–Mo6+ configuration or with the Mo4+–Mo5+–Mo6+ configuration.

A 50-year-old female patient presented with anorexia and weight loss. Pelvic computed tomography revealed a 12.5 x 7.3 cm heterogeneous mass in the left ovary. About 30% of the tumor was occupied by a mature cystic teratoma. The remaining solid portion was composed of fibrous and histiocytic elements, arranged in storiform patterns admixed with bizarre giant cells. The mitotic index was 8 per 10 high power fields, including atypical mitoses. The only immunopositivity was for vimentin. The tumor was diagnosed as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third such case in the English language literature.

We report here on a case of a rare, complex bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (BPFM) that was composed of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration communicating with an esophageal duplication cyst. A 33-year-old female presented with an incidentally detected chest mass. The computed tomography revealed a 7.5 x 4.0 cm sized heterogeneous, solid and cystic lesion in the right superior mediastinum. Surgical resection demonstrated the solid portion to be isolated lung tissue invested in its own pleura. A unilocular cyst was communicating with the bronchus of the sequestrated lung, and microscopically the cyst was lined by squamous epithelium overlying the thick layers of smooth muscle. This case is important for understanding the spectrum of BPFMs and for differentiating a mediastinal mass, especially one at the unusual location.

Background:Thyroid cancer incidence in Korean women has increased radically and is the highest in all cancer types. However, the rate of cancer screening among women is very low. Objective:The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for thyroid cancer and to develop a predictive model based on these risk factors. Methods:The study design comprised a literature review and a case-control study. To construct a predictive model, the participants selected were 260 female outpatients diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland who had undergone thyroid removal surgery. A total of 259 people for the control group were selected by adopting a 5-year age-matching method. Results:From the literature review, 6 categories of risk factors were identified. Nine variables, including occupation, live(d) in coastal region, family history of thyroid cancer, history of benign thyroid tumor, menopause status and weight gain, number of full-term deliveries, abortion, exercise intensity, and stress, remained as statistically significant risk factors in the stepwise regression model. Regarding the predictive power of the model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was .79, accuracy was .77, sensitivity was .89, specificity was .65, positive predictive value was .72, and negative predictive value was .85. Conclusion:The predictive power of the model was relatively good, so it can be used to identify individuals at high risk for thyroid cancer. Implications for Practice:The predictive model can be used in promoting to participate in early cancer-screening tests. Thus, it will be possible to detect thyroid cancer in its earliest stage, diminish mortality, and improve quality of life.

To evaluate whether promoter methylation is related to responsiveness for chemotherapy or clinical outcome, we performed an association analysis between methylation and clinical outcomes. Patients with nodal diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) at a single institute (n=44) were studied for methylation of tumor‐related genes, MGMT, p15INK4B, p16INK4A, p16INK4A, Mad2, TMS1/ASC, CASP8, and GSTP1. The clinical behavior of DLBCL after chemotherapy was followed up and analyzed. Hypermethylation of promoters of MGMT, p15INK4B, p16INK4A, p16INK4A, Mad2, and TMS1/ASC genes was observed in 52.3%, 31.8%, 54.5%, 47.7%, 50%, and 2.3% of the cases, respectively. Methylation of CASP8 and GSTP1 genes was not observed. Promoter methylation was not related to chemo‐responsiveness, disease‐free survival, and progress of disease after chemotherapy. However, in overall survival analyses, MGMT methylation (p<0.05) and responsiveness to chemotherapy (p<0.01) were significant prognostic factors in patients with DLBCL. In the low‐risk group, patients with p57 methylation showed longer overall survival than patients without p57 methylation (p=0.02) and all patients with p57 methylation were alive during follow‐up. Our results demonstrate that aberrant promoter methylation of MGMT and p57 is an additional biological marker for predicting increased overall survival in patients with DLBCL.

Sir,Schwannomas are benign tumours arising from Schwann cells, which cover the peripheral nerve. The anatomical distribution of these tumours is wide, and the large majority of cases arise in the s...

BACKGROUND/AIMS:Dieulafoy lesions are an important cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of endoscopic treatment for these lesions and to identify the possible predictive factors for rebleeding associated with clinical and endoscopic characteristics.METHODS:Records from 44 patients admitted with Dieulafoy bleeding between January 2006 and December 2007 were reviewed. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and endoscopic findings and then correlated the rebleeding risk factors with Dieulafoy lesions.RESULTS:Primary hemostasis was achieved by endoscopic treatment in 39 patients (88.6%). There were no significant differences between the rebleeding and non-rebleeding groups with respect to age, gender, initial hemoglobin levels, presence of shock, concurrent disease, location of bleeding, or initial hemostatic treatment methods. However, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anticoagulants (p=0.02) and active stages in the Forrest classification (p<0.01) were risk factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy.CONCLUSIONS:Endoscopic therapy is effective and safe for treating Dieulafoy lesions, and it has both short- and long-term benefits. Early identification of risk factors such as the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anticoagulants and the Forrest classification of bleeding predict the outcome of Dieulafoy lesions.

된장제조 시 사용되는 소금의 종류(천일염, 정제염)를 달리하여 제조한 된장을 각각 2개월, 16개월 동안 숙성시켜 소금의 종류 및 발효기간에 따른 된장의 항암활성을 조사하였다. 소금의 종류를 달리한 2개월 숙성 된장의 물 추출물과 메탄올 추출물은 모두 정상세포 BJ에 대해 세포독성을 보이지 않고 오히려 세포성장효과를 지니는 반면 2종의 암세포에 대해서는 높은 성장억제효과를 나타내었다. 최대 처리 농도인 1 ㎎/mL에서 AGS의 경우 천일염된장의 물 추출물은 41%, 메탄올 추출물은 29%의 억제율을 보였고, 정제염된장은 물 추출물에서 29%, 메탄올 추출물은 32%의 억제율을 보였다. 동일 농도에서 HT-29의 경우 천일염된장의 물 추출물은 40%, 메탄올 추출물은 26%의 억제율을 보였고, 정제염 된장의 물, 메탄올 추출물은 각각 24%, 27%의 억제율을 보여 AGS와 HT-29에 대해 천일염된장의 물 추출물은 억제효과가 매우 뛰어남을 확인하였다. 천일염과 정제염을 첨가하여 제조한 16개월 숙성 된장의 각각의 추출물의 경우도 모두 정상세포 BJ에 대해 세포성장효과를 보였으며 특이적으로 암세포 AGS와 HT-29에 대해서는 성장억제효과가 높음을 확인하였다. 소금의 종류에 따른 된장추출물의 암세포 성장 억제효과를 비교해 보기 위하여 최대 처리 농도인 1 ㎎/mL로 비교해 보면 AGS의 경우 천일염된장의 물 추출물은 50%, 메탄올 추출물은 36%의 억제율을 보였고, 정제염된장의 물 추출물은 32%, 메탄올 추출물은 42%의 억제율을 보였다. 동일 농도에서 HT-29의 경우 천일염된장의 물, 메탄올 추출물은 각각 44%, 30%의 억제율을 보였고, 정제염된장의 물, 메탄올 추출물은 각각 32%, 35%의 억제율을 보여 16개월 숙성 된장의 경우 천일염된장의 물 추출물이 암세포 성장 억제효과가 더 높게 나타났으며, 2개월 숙성 된장에 비교해 16개월 숙성 된장의 추출물이 항암효과가 더 우수함을 확인하였다. 더 나아가 AGS에 각 된장의 물 추출물을 최대 1 ㎎/mL의 농도로 처리하여 apoptosis 유발 여부를 측정한 결과 대조구에 비교해 모든 실험구에서 apoptosis를 유발함을 확인하였다. 특히 천일염된장의 물 추출물(7.00±1.15 cells)이 정제염된장의 물 추출물(3.00±1.15 cells)보다 AGS에 대한 억제효과 및 apoptosis 유발이 더 높게 나타나 위 결과로 볼 때 천일염된장이 매우 뛰어난 항암효과를 지님을 알 수 있었다.