Environmental drivers of increased ecosystem respiration in a warming tundra.

Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems are large reservoirs of organic carbon1,2. Climate warming may stimulate ecosystem respiration and release carbon into the atmosphere3,4. The magnitude and persistency of this stimulation and the environmental mechanisms that drive its variation remain uncertain5-7. This hampers the accuracy of global land carbon-climate feedback projections7,8. Here we synthesize 136 datasets from 56 open-top chamber in situ warming experiments located at 28 arctic and alpine tundra sites which have been running for less than 1 year up to 25 years. We show that a mean rise of 1.4 °C [confidence interval (CI) 0.9-2.0 °C] in air and 0.4 °C [CI 0.2-0.7 °C] in soil temperature results in an increase in growing season ecosystem respiration by 30% [CI 22-38%] (n = 136). Our findings indicate that the stimulation of ecosystem respiration was due to increases in both plant-related and microbial respiration (n = 9) and continued for at least 25 years (n = 136). The magnitude of the warming effects on respiration was driven by variation in warming-induced changes in local soil conditions, that is, changes in total nitrogen concentration and pH and by context-dependent spatial variation in these conditions, in particular total nitrogen concentration and the carbon:nitrogen ratio. Tundra sites with stronger nitrogen limitations and sites in which warming had stimulated plant and microbial nutrient turnover seemed particularly sensitive in their respiration response to warming. The results highlight the importance of local soil conditions and warming-induced changes therein for future climatic impacts on respiration.

Optimization of a solid culture medium based on Monochamus alternatus for Cordyceps militaris fruiting body formation.

Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae; M. alternatus), popularly known as the Japanese pine sawyer, is a vector of pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) that causes pine wilt disease. A solid medium culture with M. alternatus produced Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies with the longest strips and the highest biological efficiency. Supplementing the original form of M. alternatus with oats resulted in slightly enhanced fruiting body production. The original form of M. alternatus showed higher production than its powder form. The solid culture medium was optimized using a response surface methodology, and the optimal medium contained the following: 8·5 g per bottle of M. alternatus and 11·5 g per bottle of oats mixed with 22·4 ml of water in a 300-ml cylindrical plastic bottle. The optimal culturing period for the fruiting body formation was 37·1 days. Under these conditions, a fruiting body dry weight of 38·0 g per bottle (actual value) was attained. The fruiting body produced using a solid culture medium based on M. alternatus had a cordycepin content of about 25 µg g-1 . The solid culture medium containing M. alternatus is highly efficient and eco-friendly, and its effectiveness in large-scale fruiting body production from C. militaris has been demonstrated.

IgE blockade with omalizumab reduces pruritus related to immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-HER2 therapies.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) blockade with omalizumab has demonstrated clinical benefit in pruritus-associated dermatoses (e.g. atopic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, urticaria). In oncology, pruritus-associated cutaneous adverse events (paCAEs) are frequent with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) and targeted anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapies. Thus, we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IgE blockade with omalizumab in cancer patients with refractory paCAEs related to CPIs and anti-HER2 agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients included in this multicenter retrospective analysis received monthly subcutaneous injections of omalizumab for CPI or anti-HER2 therapy-related grade 2/3 pruritus that was refractory to topical corticosteroids plus at least one additional systemic intervention. To assess clinical response to omalizumab, we used the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The primary endpoint was defined as reduction in the severity of paCAEs to grade 1/0. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (50% female, median age 67.5 years) received omalizumab for cancer therapy-related paCAEs (71% CPIs; 29% anti-HER2). All had solid tumors (29% breast, 29% genitourinary, 15% lung, 26% other), and most (n = 18, 64%) presented with an urticarial phenotype. In total 28 of 34 (82%) patients responded to omalizumab. The proportion of patients receiving oral corticosteroids as supportive treatment for management of paCAEs decreased with IgE blockade, from 50% to 9% (P < 0.001). Ten of 32 (31%) patients had interruption of oncologic therapy due to skin toxicity; four of six (67%) were successfully rechallenged following omalizumab. There were no reports of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity reactions related to omalizumab. CONCLUSIONS: IgE blockade with omalizumab demonstrated clinical efficacy and was well tolerated in cancer patients with pruritus related to CPIs and anti-HER2 therapies.

Association of left ventricular hypertrophy with the level of thyroid hormone in euthyroid state.

PURPOSE: It has been demonstrated that variation in thyroid hormone levels even within normal range was associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, available data are still insufficient on association between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and thyroid hormone levels within euthyroid state. METHODS: In 69,298 Koreans with euthyroid function, we evaluated association between echocardiographically detected LVH and thyroid hormone levels within the normal range. Study participants were categorized into elderly (age ≥ 40) and younger (age < 40) groups, where subjects were divided into four groups according to quartile levels of thyroxine (FT4), triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for LVH (adjusted ORs [95% CI]) across quartile levels of thyroid hormones. RESULTS: In elderly group, adjusted ORs for LVH generally higher in the first quartile group than other quartile groups, despite no statistical significance in some cases (first quartile: reference, second quartile: 0.86 [0.67-1.11] in TSH, 0.75 [0.58-0.95] in FT4 and 0.63 [0.49-0.81] in FT3, third quartile: 0.70 [0.54-0.92] in TSH, 0.79 [0.61-1.02] in FT4 and 0.72 [0.55-0.93] in FT3, fourth quartile: 0.81 [0.65-1.04] in TSH, 0.85 [0.65-1.10] in FT4 and 0.58 [0.44-0.77] in FT3). This finding was similarly found in the younger group, despite discrepancy in some cases. CONCLUSION: In euthyroid state, low normal levels in FT4, FT3 and TSH were more strongly associated with LVH.

Outcome of pregnancies after onset of the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data on the pregnancy outcome of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remain limited, especially for woman who had received immunosuppressive treatment before becoming pregnant. The aim was to evaluate the outcome of pregnancy amongst patients with NMOSD who attempted to become pregnant after NMOSD onset and to identify risk factors that predict pregnancy-related attack. METHODS: Medical records from 29 patients who attempted to become pregnant after NMOSD onset were retrospectively evaluated and the patients were interviewed for pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancy-related attack was defined as an attack that occurred during pregnancy or within 1 year of delivery. RESULTS: Amongst the 29 patients, 26 had 33 pregnancies after NMOSD symptom onset. The 33 pregnancies after NMOSD onset resulted in 24 live births (healthy neonates except one with low birth weight), six miscarriages and three elective abortions. Pregnancy-related attack occurred in nine (75%) of 12 pregnancies before initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, but in only five (24%) of 21 pregnancies after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy (P = 0.009). Multivariable analysis indicated that pregnancy-related attack was negatively associated with pregnancy after initiation of rituximab (odds ratio 0.048, 95% confidence interval 0.004-0.546). CONCLUSION: Successful pregnancy without maternal and neonatal complications may be feasible in patients with NMOSD. Rituximab treatment before pregnancy might help to prevent pregnancy-related attack in patients with NMOSD.

Trabecular bone score value is associated with new bone formation independently of fat metaplasia on spinal magnetic resonance imaging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between trabecular bone score (TBS) and new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and to investigate whether TBS is independently associated with new bone formation. METHOD: Sixty-eight patients with AS underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine to measure TBS and bone mineral density at baseline. Lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine (baseline and 2 years) were assessed for new bone formation (syndesmophyte formation and/or growth combined), and spinal MRIs were assessed for the presence or absence of fat metaplasia (FM) at the first to fourth lumbar vertebrae. The factors associated with new bone formation were analysed at the patient level and the vertebral level. RESULTS: New bone formation had developed in 17 patients (25%) at 2 year follow-up. Patients with new bone formation had a higher prevalence of FM and lower TBS at baseline than patients without new bone formation (p = 0.013 and p = 0.041). At the patient level, FM on MRI and low TBS (< 1.23) were significantly associated with new bone formation. At the vertebral level, new bone formation had developed in 25 out of 231 vertebrae (11%) after 2 years. Vertebrae with both FM on MRI and low TBS tended to have more new bone formation (p < 0.001). Syndesmophytes and low TBS (< 1.23) independently increased the risk of new bone formation at the level of individual vertebrae. CONCLUSION: At both patient and individual vertebral levels, low TBS was associated with new bone formation independently of FM on MRI.

The effect of cricoid and paralaryngeal force on upper oesophageal occlusion during induction of anaesthesia: a randomised, crossover study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cricoid and paralaryngeal force for oesophageal entrance occlusion during induction of anaesthesia. Seventy-four patients were included in this randomised, crossover study. The relative position of the glottis and outer anteroposterior diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance were assessed at baseline, after the application of 30 N cricoid and paralaryngeal force, and after induction of anaesthesia. The occlusion rate of the oesophageal entrance with cricoid and paralaryngeal force was assessed during direct laryngoscopy. The relative position of the upper oesophageal entrance to the glottis changed in 45 out of 74 patients after induction of anaesthesia and during direct laryngoscopy compared with the awake state. The application of cricoid and paralaryngeal force decreased the mean (SD) diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance to a similar degree in awake (8.5 (2.1) mm to 6.4 (1.7) mm and 6.5 (1.6) mm, respectively; p < 0.001) and anaesthetised (8.7 (2.2) mm to 6.5 (1.7) mm and (6.7 (1.9) mm, respectively; p < 0.001) states. During direct laryngoscopy, the occlusion rate of the oesophageal entrance was greater with cricoid compared with paralaryngeal force (46/74 vs. 26/74, respectively; p = 0.002). The relative position of the upper oesophageal entrance to the glottis may change after induction of anaesthesia and during direct laryngoscopy. Cricoid and paralaryngeal force both decrease the diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance in awake and anaesthetised states. Occlusion of the oesophageal entrance is achieved more frequently with cricoid force compared with paralaryngeal force during direct laryngoscopy.

Comparison of a 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet picosecond laser using a diffractive optical element vs. a nonablative 1550-nm erbium-glass laser for the treatment of facial acne scarring in Asian patients: a 17-week prospective, randomized, split-face, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Novel picosecond lasers using a diffractive optical element (P-DOE) have been available for skin resurfacing with distinct mechanisms. However, there are limited data directly comparing P-DOE and conventional fractional lasers for the treatment of atrophic acne scarring. OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of a 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet P-DOE and a non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) in the treatment of acne scarring. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, split-face, controlled trial was performed. One randomly assigned half-side of each patient's face (n = 25) was treated with four consecutive sessions of P-DOE at 3-week intervals and the other side with NAFL, with subsequent follow-up for 8 weeks after the final sessions. The efficacy and safety of the two lasers were determined by the Echelle d'Evaluation Clinique des Cicatrices d'acné (Scale of Clinical Evaluation of Acne Scars; ECCA) grading scale, Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score and patients' reports at the final visit. Histologic analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The P-DOE-treated side achieved a significantly better improvement in acne appearance (ECCA per cent reduction: 55% vs. 42%) with less severe pain (4.3 vs. 5.6) (P < 0.05). The IGA score and subjective satisfaction were consistent with ECCA score results. Occurrences of treatment-related side-effects were also lower in the group treated with P-DOE (P < 0.05). Histologic analysis revealed elongation and increased density of neocollagen fibres, elastic fibres and mucin throughout the dermis from both sides. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with NAFL, P-DOE afforded better clinical outcomes and fewer side-effects in the treatment of acne scarring in Asian patients.

Partitioning heritability analysis reveals a shared genetic basis of brain anatomy and schizophrenia.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.42.

Polyamine patterns in plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and fever.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with various clinical manifestations and serologic markers. In this study, we analyzed nine polyamine (PA) profiles of plasma from patients with SLE and healthy controls (HCs), and the relationship between the PA profiles and disease activity. PA alterations in plasma of 44 patients with SLE and fever were investigated using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring mode using N-ethoxycarbonyl/ N-pentafluoropropionyl derivatives, and compared with those of 43 HCs. Patients with SLE and HCs showed differences in five of nine PA profiles. Among five changed PA levels, four PAs, namely N1-acetylcadaverine, spermidine, N1-acetylspermidine, and spermine, were dramatically decreased. However, the level of cadaverine was increased in patients with SLE. In the partial correlation with PA profiles and disease activity markers of SLE, several disease activity markers and nutritional markers were correlated with cadaverine, spermidine, and N 8-acetylspermidine. Thus, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between PA metabolomics and disease activity markers in patients with SLE.

Novel device-based acne treatments: comparison of a 1450-nm diode laser and microneedling radiofrequency on mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris and seborrhoea in Korean patients through a 20-week prospective, randomized, split-face study.

BACKGROUND: While device-based acne treatments are widely applied for patients not tolerating conventional medications, related controlled studies have been still limited. Recently, non-ablative 1450-nm diode laser (DL) and fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) have been effectively used for acne, in addition to well-recognized dermal remodelling effects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical course of acne treatment between DL and FMR. METHODS: Twenty-five Korean patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne completed treatments with DL and FMR through a 20-week, randomized split-face study. One randomly assigned half side of each patient's face received DL and the other side by FMR. Treatments were scheduled to receive three consecutive sessions at 4-week intervals. Objective assessments including revised Leeds grades, lesion counts, sebum output measurements, and patients' subjective satisfaction were investigated. RESULTS: Both DL and FMR demonstrated steady improvement of acne and seborrhoea during treatment sessions. While results between two devices were similar during treatment sessions, FMR was superior to DL in the 12-week follow-up. Patients' subjective assessments for seborrhoea improvement were similar between two devices, while those for acne, skin texture, and acne scars were more satisfactory for FMR. For safety profile, no significant difference was observed between two regimens, while mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed only in DL side. CONCLUSION: Both DL and FMR demonstrated efficacies for acne and seborrhoea, with reasonable safety profile. FMR was more effective than DL for the long-term maintenance, and subjective assessments for texture and scar improvements. Therefore, a few sessions of these devices would be a viable option for acne treatments.

NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 silencing aggravates hormone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in mice.

NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a highly inducible flavoprotein known to involve in various cellular defence mechanisms. In this study, we explored whether NQO1 deletion affects hormone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. Testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg, IP) was injected into wild-type (WT) and NOQ1 knockout C57BL/6 mice (NQO1-/- ) for 14 consecutive days, and the samples were collected for biological and histochemical studies. The testosterone-treated NQO1-/- showed about 140% higher prostate weight than the testosterone-treated WT, with enhanced connective tissue and hyperplastic glands formations. However, increased dihydrotestosterone level after testosterone treatment was not significantly different between the WT and NQO1-/- . In contrast, the enhanced nuclear expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in NQO1-/- prostate confirmed aggravated prostatic hyperplasia in NQO1-/- . Moreover, the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 90-α was markedly increased in the NQO1-/- , and this was supported by increased testosterone-induced nuclear androgen receptor expression in NQO1-silenced LNCaP cells. Testosterone-induced prostate-specific antigen expression was not reversed in NOQ1-silenced cells after finasteride treatment. Although the exact role of NQO1 in prostatic hyperplasia remains unclear, the hyperplasia exacerbation due to NQO1 deletion might be independent of type 2 5α-reductase and might be related to enhanced androgen receptor affinity due to enhanced HSP90-α expression.

Partitioning heritability analysis reveals a shared genetic basis of brain anatomy and schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex genetic etiology. Widespread cortical gray matter loss has been observed in patients and prodromal samples. However, it remains unresolved whether schizophrenia-associated cortical structure variations arise due to disease etiology or secondary to the illness. Here we address this question using a partitioning-based heritability analysis of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and neuroimaging data from 1750 healthy individuals. We find that schizophrenia-associated genetic variants explain a significantly enriched proportion of trait heritability in eight brain phenotypes (false discovery rate=10%). In particular, intracranial volume and left superior frontal gyrus thickness exhibit significant and robust associations with schizophrenia genetic risk under varying SNP selection conditions. Cross-disorder comparison suggests that the neurogenetic architecture of schizophrenia-associated brain regions is, at least in part, shared with other psychiatric disorders. Our study highlights key neuroanatomical correlates of schizophrenia genetic risk in the general population. These may provide fundamental insights into the complex pathophysiology of the illness, and a potential link to neurocognitive deficits shaping the disorder.

Nitric oxide-induced autophagy and the activation of activated protein kinase pathway protect against apoptosis in human dental pulp cells.

AIM: To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO)-induced autophagy in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) and the involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. METHODOLOGY: The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in HDPCs. Apoptosis was detected by means of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay, and apoptosis- or autophagy-related signal molecules were observed by Western blot analysis. Acidic autophagolysosomal vacuoles were stained with acridine orange to detect autophagy in the presence of 3-methyladenine (3MA) used to inhibit autophagy. To explore the mechanism underlying autophagy and its protective role against apoptosis, compound C, the chemical AMPK inhibitor, was used. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test or analysis of variance (anova) followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: SNP decreased viability of the HDPCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Exposing the HDPCs to SNP increased the levels of p62 and LC3-II, the typical markers of autophagy, and increased the number of acidic autophagolysosomal vacuoles, indicating the appearance of autophagy as detected by acridine orange staining (P < 0.05). Pre-treatment with 3MA decreased cell viability but increased cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3, apoptosis indicators, in the SNP-treated HDPCs (P < 0.05). SNP activated AMPK/ULK signalling, whilst the inhibition of AMPK by compound C enhanced apoptotic cell death induced by SNP in the HDPCs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NO induced autophagy with AMPK activation, which plays a role in the survival of HDPCs against NO-induced apoptosis.

Simvastatin inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules induced by LPS in human dental pulp cells.

AIM: To investigate the effect of simvastatin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). METHODOLOGY: The effect of LPS and simvastatin on human dental pulp cell (HDPCs) viability was measured using a 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules was evaluated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. NF-κB transcription factors were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance (anova). RESULTS: The viability of cells exposed to different concentrations of E. coli LPS, P. gingivalis LPS and simvastatin was not significantly different compared with that of control cells (P > 0.05). LPS significantly increased interleukin (IL)-1ß (P < 0.05) and IL-6 mRNA expression (P < 0.05) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (P < 0.05) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression (P < 0.05) in HDPCs. Treatment with simvastatin significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated production of IL-1ß, IL-6, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (P < 0.05). Treatment with simvastatin decreased LPS-induced expression of p65 and phosphorylation of IκB and also significantly decreased the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB in the cytoplasm and the level of p65 in the nucleus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin has a suppressing effect on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine, cell adhesion molecules and NF-κB transcription factors in HDPCs. Therefore, simvastatin might be a useful candidate as a pulp-capping agent in vital pulp therapy.

Association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Although many factors have been found to be involved in recovery from Bell's palsy, no study has investigated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and obesity. This study therefore evaluated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Subjects were classified into five groups based on BMI (kg/m2 ). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among these groups. Assessed factors included sex, age, time from paralysis to visiting a hospital, the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, degree of initial facial nerve paralysis by House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and neurophysiological testing, and final recovery rate. RESULTS: Based on BMI, 37 subjects were classified as underweight, 169 as normal weight, 140 as overweight, 155 as obese and 42 as severely obese. Classification of the degree of initial facial nerve paralysis as moderate or severe, according to H-B grade and electroneurography, showed no difference in severity of initial facial paralysis among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, the final recovery rate was significantly higher in the normal weight than in the underweight or obese group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity or underweight had no effect on the severity of initial facial paralysis, but the final recovery rate was lower in the obese and underweight groups than in the normal group.

Mesenteric vasculitis after G-CSF administration in a severe neutropenic patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used with neutropenic patients to accelerate recovery. G-CSF is a hematopoietic cytokine that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of neutrophil precursors, and is known as a safe and effective treatment for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. However, we encountered a case in which a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed mesenteric vasculitis after G-CSF administration. The patient was a 36-year-old female admitted with fever, arthralgia, and generalized erythematous rash. Despite symptomatic improvement with a high-dose steroid, severe neutropenia persisted for three weeks, precipitating a decision to use G-CSF to enhance recovery. Mesenteric vasculitis developed 15 hours after administration of G-CSF injection. Because the response of immune cells such as neutrophils and T cells is uncontrolled and dysfunctional in patients with lupus, G-CSF therapy should be used with caution.

Concordance between the tuberculin skin test and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and patient characteristics associated with an indeterminate IGRA.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the agreement between the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB gold (QFT-G) assay in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Furthermore, we evaluated the factors associated with indeterminate results in the QFT-G assay in patients with SLE. METHODS: We enrolled 136 patients with SLE prospectively, and compared them to 66 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition to the TST, QFT-G assay, patients' medications, and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination status were also investigated. A positive TST or QFT-G assay result without an active tuberculosis lesion on chest x-ray was considered to indicate a diagnosis of LTBI. RESULTS: The prevalence of LTBI was 26.5% in patients with SLE and 30.3% in patients with RA. The agreement between the TST and QFT-G assay was fair in SLE patients, but poor in RA patients. BCG vaccination was one factor associated with discordance between TST and QFT-G. Older age and higher SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score were associated with a negative TST/positive QFT-G result in patients with SLE. Higher SLEDAI score and increased glucocorticoid dose were associated with an indeterminate result in the QFT-G assay for patients with SLE. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between the QFT-G assay and TST in patients with SLE was found to be fair. However, BCG vaccination status, age, and SLEDAI score are all factors that could result in discordance between the two tests. Indeterminate results from the QFT-G assay may be caused by a higher SLEDAI score or increased glucocorticoid dose.

Exopolysaccharide fraction from Pediococcus pentosaceus KFT18 induces immunostimulatory activity in macrophages and immunosuppressed mice.

AIMS: Exopolysaccharide fraction from Pediococcus pentosaceus KFT18 (PE-EPS), a lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi (a Korean fermented vegetable product), was preliminary characterized and its immunostimulating effects were analysed. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we used interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-primed RAW 264·7 macrophages and CD3/CD28-stimulated splenocytes to determine the immunotimulatory activities of PE-EPS. Upon exposure to PE-EPS, IFN-γ-primed RAW 264·7 macrophages showed significant increases in the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß. Molecular data using reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that PE-EPS upregulated transcriptional activity, DNA binding and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, PE-EPS enhanced anti-CD3/CD28-specific proliferation and the productions of IL-2 and IFN-γ in primary splenocytes. In cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice, pretreatment with PE-EPS (5, 15 or 45 mg kg(-1) day(-1), p.o.) increased thymus and spleen indices, and improved lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. CONCLUSION: PE-EPS stimulated the IFN-γ-primed macrophages and primary splenocytes to induce immune responses and improved the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results in this study improved our understanding of immunostimulating activity of PE-EPS and supported its potential treatment option as a natural immunostimulant.

A superhydrophilic nitinol shape memory alloy with enhanced anti-biofouling and anti-corrosion properties.

This work reports on a nitinol (NiTi) surface modification scheme based on a chemical oxidation method, and characterizes its effects on wetting, biofouling and corrosion. The scheme developed is also compared with selected previous oxidation methods. The proposed method turns NiTi into superhydrophilic in ~5 min, and the static contact angle and contact angle hysteresis were measured to be ~7° and ~12°, respectively. In the PRP (platelet rich plasma) test, platelet adhesion was reduced by ~89% and ~77% respectively, compared with the original NiTi and the NiTi treated with the previous chemical oxidation scheme. The method developed provides a high (~1.1 V) breakdown voltage, which surpasses the ASTM standard for intervascular medical devices. It also provides higher superhydrophilicity, hemo-compatibility and anti-corrosion resistance than previous oxidation schemes, with a significantly reduced process time (~5 min), and will help the development of high performance NiTi devices.