Evaluation of carbazole degradation by Pseudomonas rhodesiae strain KK1 isolated from soil contaminated with coal tar

In this study, strain KK1 isolated from coal tar-contaminated soil was found to be able to mineralize carbazole as a sole source of carbon by radiorespirometric analysis. KK1 cells pregrown on phenanthrene were able to mineralize carbazole much more rapidly than cells pregrown on naphthalene, suggesting a possible close linkage between the pathways for carbazole and phenanthrene catabolism. Also, Rieske-type iron sulfur center sequence of dioxygenase from KK1 was analyzed to evaluate carbazole catabolism by KK1. A gene cloned out from KK1 using a universal dioxygenase primer set was found a dioxygenase for initial catabolism of carbazole based on deduced amino acid sequences. Northern hybridization using the putative carbazole dixoygenase gene fragment as a probe provided the information that catabolism of carbazole might be greatly activated in phenanthrene-grown cells. Analysis of PLFAs extracted from KK1 cells exposed to carbazole revealed that lipids 10:0 3OH, 17:0 cyclo, and 18:0 were representatives produced or significantly increased in response to carbazole. Strain KK1 was identified as Pseudomonas species with 94% confidence when BIOLOG system was applied, as Pseudomonas sp. with over 90% confidence by total cellular compositions of fatty acid, and as Pseudomonas rhodesiae with 99% confidence by 16S rRNA sequence. Accordingly, strain KK1 was identified as Pseudomonas rhodesiae based on combination of the data, and designated Pseudomonas rhodesiae KK1. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA suggested that strain KK1 was far away in the phylogenetic distance from the strains that can degrade carbazole.     

Comparison of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide and target-controlled propofol with fentanyl anesthesia for hysteroscopy

A randomized prospective study was performed on the anesthetic induction, maintenance, and recovery characteristics of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide, compared to that of target- controlled propofol and fentanyl anesthesia, for forty day-case hysteroscopic surgery. The patients in the sevoflurane group (n = 20) received sevoflurane-nitrous oxide for both induction (8%) and maintenance (1 - 2%) of anesthesia, while the patients in the propofol group (n = 20) received target-controlled propofol (4 micro g/ml, 3-6 micro g/ml as occasion demanded) with fentanyl (1 micro g/kg). In both groups, the airway was maintained by a facemask with the patient breathing spontaneously during the surgery. The mean times to unconsciousness and readiness for surgery were similar in both groups, with those for the sevoflurane group, compared to the propofol group being 80.4 +/- 18.9 vs. 83.6 +/- 38.8 sec, and 220.1 +/- 76.9 vs. 231.0 +/- 95.4 sec, respectively. Propofol was associated with significantly higher incidences of involuntary movement (30% vs. 5%) and apnea (35% vs. 0%) during the induction period than with sevoflurane. Hemodynamic variables were similar with the exception of significantly lower blood pressures during the first 5 minutes of induction with propofol. Emergence times to eye opening, hand squeezing and orientation for sevoflurane compared to propofol were: 316.6 +/- 79.3 vs. 507.4 +/- 218.8 sec, 390.0 +/- 69.3 vs. 653.1 +/- 201.6 sec and 380.6 +/- 80.8 vs. 666.3 +/- 208.7 sec, respectively, all of these being significantly faster for sevoflurane than propofol. The postanesthetic Aldrete's recovery scores of the patients immediately after surgery were higher in the sevoflurane group. Propofol was associated with more drowsiness, with sevoflurane being associated with more nausea, in the recovery period; however, neither delayed the time to discharge (103.7 +/- 28.1 vs. 99.0 +/- 36.2 min). In conclusion, sevoflurane-nitrous oxide appears to be superior for day-case hysteroscopic surgery, than target-controlled propofol with fentanyl, with regards to the speed of recovery from anesthesia and the return to hemodynamic stability.     

A direct sandwich ELISA to detect antibodies against the C-terminal region of merozoite surface protein 1 could be a useful diagnostic method to identify Plasmodium vivax exposed persons

We expressed a C-terminal 108-aa region of the Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1c) excluding the C-end transmembrane region in Escherichia coli in order to evaluate the antibody level to MSP in Korean malaria patients. We optimized a direct sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to simultaneously determine the total antibody levels, including IgG and IgM, to PvMSP1c. If the cut-off for seropositivity was determined as the mean+3SD of the antibody levels of the negative control group, the antibody levels were positive in 99.5% of the patient group (sensitivity 199/200). The antibody levels were negative in 99.4% of the negative control group (specificity 504/507). The positive reactions in the negative control group came from non-specific reactions, as confirmed by a competition assay. This direct sandwich ELISA for PvMSP1c antibody could prove to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of malaria patients and for blood screening in blood banks.     

Coronary artery calcification and dietary cholesterol intake in Korean men

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the relationship between dietary cholesterol intake and coronary artery calcification (CAC) score in healthy men. METHODS: Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) was used to examine the CAC score in 135 Korean men aged 40-81 years who did not have clinical illness. Dietary cholesterol intake was assessed by a nutritionist using a semiquantitative food frequency method. Body mass index (BMI), serum lipid levels, cigarette use, alcohol intake, exercise, and a past history of cardiovascular disease were determined during interview and examination. RESULTS: The resultant median CAC score among those who experienced CAC was 22.5 (1-697) and average intakes of total fat and cholesterol were 22.4% (13.8-40.7) of total energy intake and 306.0 mg/day (84-1191). When the participants were classified into high (> or = 75 percentile) and low (< 75 percentile) CAC score groups, multiple logistic analysis showed that the cholesterol intake (per 10 mg/1000 kcal of energy) was significantly related to a high CAC score (OR 1.12: 95% CI 1.02-1.24), after adjustment for age, BMI, serum triglyceride level, past history of hypertension, past history of hyperlipidaemia, and energy intake. Also, when participants were classified into 2 groups (CAC score > or = 100 vs. < 100), cholesterol intake was found to be significantly related to CAC score. However, fatty acid intakes were not significantly related to the CAC score. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in a population with a relatively low risk of coronary heart disease, higher cholesterol intake may increase the level of CAC.     

Ultrasonographic evidence of phenotypic instability during hepatocarcinogenesis in N-nitrosomorpholine-treated rats

Carcinogen-induced hepatoma in immunocompetent animal models has shown a progress similar to the clinical course of human hepatoma. Ultrasonography (US) was used for consecutive evaluation of the phenotypic changes in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed for 8 weeks to N-nitrosomorpholine (NNM, 200 mg/L). Three distinctive US findings were ascites, coarseness (defined as small and heterogeneously widespread increased echogenecity), and nodularity (defined as a >0.6-cm-sized echogenic region and clearly showing a tumor-like mass). Abdominal ascites was observed in 5 of 26 rats at week 8 NNM posttreatment and the number of rats showing ascites gradually increased. Coarseness (22 of 26 rats) and nodularity (1 of 18) appeared at weeks 8 and 17 NNM posttreatment, respectively. The gross and histological findings indicated that coarseness and nodularity shown in US reflected fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiofibroma, respectively. The computer-aided quantification of coarseness and nodularity showed that the regression-linked phenotypic instability was present in coarseness but not in nodularity. We conclude that the heterogeneity of preneoplasia in NNM-treated rats might be induced by phenotypic instability rather than random initiating events of preneoplastic lesion.     

The emerging role of telomerase in cardiac muscle cell growth and survival

Most mammalian cells-excepting germ cells, tumor cells, and stem cells, that is-possess a finite replicative life span, manifested by the eventual cessation of cell proliferation. Clinically, this is germane not just to the overt derangements of cell growth in cancer, but also to organs such as the heart, in which the capacity for cell replacement and repair is insufficient to maintain organ function following cell death. Among the intrinsic mechanisms that control a conserved program of replicative senescence is the enzyme telomerase, which synthesizes the telomeric repeat for end-capping of each chromosome. The implications of telomerase for cardiac growth have recently begun to be defined. Other functions of telomerase, in maintaining genome integrity, also hold importance for cardiac muscle, as a novel means to suppress apoptosis and, thus, salvage myocardium following ischemic injury.     

Intramuscular neurilemoma

In this retrospective study, we analysed the clinical features of neurilemoma when it is located in muscle. Twelve patients had an intramuscular neurilemoma as shown on magnetic resonance (MR) scans and confirmed at operation. In six it was located in the upper limb, in five in the lower limb, and in one in the back. The mean age of the patients was 41 years (12 to 58). Nine complained only of a palpable mass and the other three of a mass with slight tenderness. None had neurological symptoms or signs, such as radicular pain, a positive Tinel sign, or motor weakness. There were no postoperative complications or recurrence of the tumour after a mean follow-up of two years (1 to 10).     

Effect of Scutellariae radix extract on the high glucose-induced apoptosis in cultured vascular endothelial cells

Endothelial cell apoptosis has been postulated as the initial trigger of the progression of microvascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. To investigate the role of Scutellariae radix extract, we examined its effect on the endothelial cell proliferation using the [3H]-thymidine incorporation method. Scutellariae radix extract significantly stimulated endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. We focused on the protective action of Scutellariae radix extract on the endothelial cell apoptosis induced by high glucose concentrations. Determination of endothelial cell apoptosis was performed using DNA gel electrophoresis, terminal deoxynuclotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and an ELISA kit. Exposure of vascular endothelial cell to high glucose (16.7 mM) for 72 h resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis, compared with the normal glucose concentrations (5.5 mM). Scutellariae radix extract inhibited high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. This result suggests that Scutellariae radix extract may contribute to antiapoptotic action against vascular endothelial cells, resulting in a beneficial effect in preventing diabetes-associated microvascular complications.     

Assessment of epidermal growth factor receptor with 99mTc-ethylenedicysteine-C225 monoclonal antibody

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in cell division and cancer progression, as well as angiogenesis and metastasis. Since many tumor cells exhibit the EGFR on their surface, functional imaging of EGFR provides not only a non-invasive, reproducible, quantifiable alternative to biopsies, but it also greatly complements pharmacokinetic studies by correlating clinical responses with biological effects. Moreover, molecular endpoints of anti-EGFR therapy could be assessed effectively. C225 is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets the human extracellular EGFR and inhibits the growth of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. Also, it has been demonstrated that C225, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs or radiotherapy, is effective in eradicating well-established tumors in nude mice. We have developed 99mTc-labeled C225 using ethylenedicysteine (EC) as a chelator. This study aimed at measuring uptake of 99mTc-EC-C225 in EGFR+ tumor-bearing animal models and preliminary feasibility of imaging patients with head and neck carcinomas. In vitro Western blot analysis and cytotoxicity assays were used to examine the integrity of EC-C225. Tissue distribution studies of 99mTc-EC-C225 were evaluated in tumor-bearing rodents at 0.5-4 h. In vivo biodistribution of 99mTc-EC-C225 in tumor-bearing rodents showed increased tumor-to-tissue ratios as a function of time. In vitro and biodistribution studies demonstrated the possibility of using 99mTc-EC-C225 to assess EGFR expression. SPECT images confirmed that the tumors could be visualized with 99mTc-EC-C225 from 0.5 to 4 h in tumor bearing rodents. We conclude that 99mTc-EC-C225 may be useful to assess tumor EGFR expression. This may be useful in the future for selecting patients for treatment with C225.