Structural characterization and fatty acid epoxidation of CYP184A1 from Streptomyces avermitilis.

The genome of Streptomyces avermitilis contains 33 cytochrome P450 genes. Among the P450 gene products of S. avermitilis, we characterized the biochemical function and structural aspects of CYP184A1. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that CYP184A1 induced an epoxidation reaction to produce 9,10-epoxystearic acid. Steady-state kinetic analysis yielded a kcat value of 0.0067 min-1 and a Km value 10 µM. The analysis of its crystal structures illustrated that the overall CYP184A1 structure adopts the canonical scaffold of cytochrome P450 and possesses a narrow and deep substrate pocket architecture that is required for binding to linear chain fatty acids. In the structure of the CYP184A1 oleic acid complex (CYP184A1-OA), C9-C10 of oleic acid was bound to heme for the productive epoxidation reaction. This study elucidates the roles of P450 enzymes in the oxidative metabolism of fatty acids in Streptomyces species.

Contribution of the Sub-Surface to Electrocatalytic Activity in Atomically Precise La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 Heterostructures.

Electrocatalytic reactions are known to take place at the catalyst/electrolyte interface. Whereas recent studies of size-dependent activity in nanoparticles and thickness-dependent activity of thin films imply that the sub-surface layers of a catalyst can contribute to the catalytic activity as well, most of these studies consider actual modification of the surfaces. In this study, the role of catalytically active sub-surface layers was investigated by employing atomic-scale thickness control of the La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 (LSMO) films and heterostructures, without altering the catalyst/electrolyte interface. The activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) shows a non-monotonic thickness dependence in the LSMO films and a continuous screening effect in LSMO/SrRuO3 heterostructures. The observation leads to the definition of an "electrochemically-relevant depth" on the order of 10 unit cells. This study on the electrocatalytic activity of epitaxial heterostructures provides new insight in designing efficient electrocatalytic nanomaterials and core-shell architectures.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Digital Storytelling Intervention for Smoking Cessation in Women Living With HIV.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV in the USA smoke at a rate nearly three times that of the general population, and Black women are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to test the preliminary efficacy of a digital storytelling intervention for smoking cessation in U.S. women living with HIV. METHODS: Participants in the treatment arm viewed a film in which women living with HIV talk about quitting smoking, and those in the control arm viewed an attention-control film in which women talk about living with HIV infection. Participants in both arms received eight weekly video-call counseling sessions focused on smoking cessation and nicotine patches or gum during the same period. Participants were followed on a monthly basis from quit day for 3 months. RESULTS: Of the 53 participants randomized, four withdrew before receiving any intervention, one dropped out during the intervention, and 48 (90.6%) completed the study. No difference was found in the baseline characteristics between the two arms with the exception that the treatment arm had higher nicotine dependence scores [t(1.51) = 2.30, p = .03] than the control arm. Seven day point-prevalence abstinence rates at 3 month follow-up were not found to differ between the two arms. However, the odds of achieving 3 month prolonged abstinence were four times greater (odds ratio = 4.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.10, 16.23) in the treatment arm than the control arm when the analysis was performed with those (n = 49, 92.5%) who received any part of the allotted intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A digital storytelling intervention seems to be a valuable strategy to enhance the effect of conventional tobacco dependence treatment for women living with HIV. However, the underlying mechanism of the effect of digital storytelling necessitates further investigations in a large RCT.Clinical Trials Registration No. NCT03289676.

Extent of Pedigree Required to Screen for and Diagnose Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: Comparison of Simplified and Extended Pedigrees.

BACKGROUND: Obtaining an accurate pedigree is the first step in recognizing a patient with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, or Lynch syndrome. However, lack of standardization of the degree of relationship included in the pedigrees generally limits obtaining a complete and/or accurate pedigree. DESIGN: This study analyzed the extent of pedigree required to screen for colorectal cancer and to diagnose Lynch syndrome. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at 2 tertiary care centers. PATIENTS: A detailed family history was obtained from patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer from 2003 to 2016. A simplified pedigree that included only first-degree relatives was obtained and compared with the extended pedigree. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The eligibility of the 2 pedigrees was assessed for each proband. The proportion of patients who would be missed using a simplified rather than an extended pedigree was calculated based on the American Cancer Society guidelines for recommending screening for colorectal cancer, on the revised Bethesda guidelines and the revised suspected hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer criteria for screening for hereditary colorectal cancer, and on the Amsterdam II criteria for diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. RESULTS: The study examined 2015 families, including 41,826 individuals. Use of simplified and extended pedigrees was comparable in screening for colorectal cancer, with ratios of 183 of 185 (98.9%) for American Cancer Society guidelines, 295 of 295 (100%) for revised Bethesda guidelines, and 60 of 60 (100%) for revised suspected hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer criteria. However, the use of simplified pedigrees missed a definitive diagnosis of Lynch syndrome in 6 of 10 patients fulfilling Amsterdam II criteria based on extended pedigrees. The mean ages at diagnosis of the 4 probands included and the 6 missed using simplified pedigrees differed significantly (60.8 vs 38.2 y). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its recall bias, cross-sectional nature, lack of germline testing, and potential inapplicability to the general population. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified pedigree is acceptable for selecting candidates to screen for hereditary colorectal cancer, whereas an extended pedigree is still required for a more precise diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, especially in younger patients. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B97. EXTENSIÓN DE PEDIGREE REQUERIDO EN LA DETECCIÓN Y DIAGNÓSTICO DE CÁNCER COLORRECTAL HEREDITARIO SIN POLIPOSIS: COMPARACIÓN DE LOS PEDIGREES SIMPLIFICADO Y EL EXTENDIDO: La obtención de un Pedigree exacto es el primer paso para reconocer un paciente con cáncer colorrectal hereditario sin poliposis o síndrome de Lynch. Sin embargo, la falta de estandarización del grado de relación incluido en los Pedigrees generalmente limita la obtención de un Pedigree completo y / o preciso.Este estudio analizó el grado de Pedigree requerido para detectar el cáncer colorrectal y diagnosticar el síndrome de Lynch.Se obtuvo una historia familiar detallada de pacientes sometidos a cirugía por cáncer colorrectal desde 2003 hasta 2016. Se obtuvo también un Pedigree simplificado que incluía solo familiares de primer grado y se comparó con el Pedigree extendido.La elegibilidad de los dos Pedigrees se evaluó para cada sujeto de prueba (proband). La proporción de pacientes que se perderían usando un Pedigree simplificado en lugar de extendido se calculó en base a las guías de la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer y sus recomendaciones en la detección de cáncer colorrectal, en las pautas revisadas de Bethesda y en los criterios revisados de cáncer colorrectal hereditario sin poliposis para la detección hereditaria de cáncer colorrectal y según las normas de Amsterdam II para el diagnóstico del síndrome de Lynch.El estudio examinó a 2.015 familias, incluidas 41.826 personas. El uso de Pedigree simplificado y extendido fue comparable en la detección del cáncer colorrectal, con proporciones de 183/185 (98,9%) comparadas con las recomendaciones de la American Cancer Society, 295/295 (100%) para las pautas revisadas de Bethesda y 60/60 (100%) para los criterios revisados de sospecha de cáncer colorrectal hereditario sin poliposis. Sin embargo, el uso de Pedigree simplificado omitió un diagnóstico definitivo del síndrome de Lynch en 6 de diez pacientes que cumplían las normas de Amsterdam II basados en Pedigrees extendidos. Las edades medias al diagnóstico de los cuatro sujetos de prueba incluidos y los seis perdidos usando el Pedigree simplificado diferían significativamente (60.8 vs. 38.2 años).Un Pedigre simplificado es aceptable en la selección de candidatos para la detección de cáncer colorrectal hereditario, mientras que aún se requiere un Pedigree extendido para un diagnóstico más preciso de síndrome de Lynch, especialmente en pacientes más jóvenes. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B97. (Traducción-Dr. Edgar Xavier Delgadillo).

Intravenous Lidocaine for the Prevention of Postoperative Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in Male Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Male patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) are prone to suffer from catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). Lidocaine administration has been widely performed to reduce postoperative pain. Here, the effect of intravenous lidocaine administration on moderate-to-severe CRBD was evaluated in male patients undergoing TURBT. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg bolus dose followed by a 2 mg/kg/h continuous infusion during the intraoperative period, which was continued for 1 hour postsurgery; group L) or placebo (normal saline; group C). The primary outcome was moderate-to-severe CRBD at 0 hour postsurgery (on admission to the postanesthetic care unit), analyzed using the χ test. The secondary outcome was opioid requirement during the 24-hour postoperative period. None, mild, and moderate-to-severe CRBD at 1, 2, and 6 hours postsurgery, postoperative pain, patient satisfaction, side effects of lidocaine and rescue medications (tramadol and fentanyl), and surgical complications were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included in the study (66 patients in each group). The incidence of moderate-to-severe CRBD at 0 hour postsurgery was significantly lower in group L than in group C (25.8% vs 66.7%, P < .001, relative risk: 0.386, 95% confidence interval: 0.248-0.602). Opioid requirements during the 24-hour postoperative period were significantly lower in group L than in group C (10.0 mg [interquartile range (IQR), 5.0-15.0 mg] vs 13.8 mg [IQR, 10.0-20.0 mg], P = .005). At 1 and 2 hours postsurgery (but not at 6 hours), the incidence of moderate-to-severe CRBD was significantly lower in group L than in group C (1 hour: 10.6% vs 27.3%, P = .026; 2 hours: 0.0% vs 15.2%, P = .003). Patient satisfaction was significantly greater in group L than in group C (5.0 [IQR, 4.8-6.0] vs 4.0 [IQR, 4.0-5.0], P < .001). No lidocaine-related side effects were reported. Rescue medication-related side effects and surgical complications did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous lidocaine administration resulted in lower incidence of moderate-to-severe CRBD, lower opioid requirement, and higher patient satisfaction in male patients undergoing TURBT without evidence of significant side effects.

Prediction of Smoking Abstinence in Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

BACKGROUND: This study examined whether baseline negative emotional states (depression and anxiety) would predict craving for cigarettes and other nicotine withdrawal symptoms in early abstinence and whether those emotional states and withdrawal symptoms would predict failure in quitting smoking at 3 months postquit among U.S. women living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHOD: The study is a secondary analysis of data from two smoking cessation studies of women living with HIV. Craving for cigarettes and other withdrawal symptoms were assessed weekly with a total of 229 observations during the first 4 weeks following quit day. Descriptive statistics were used to examine baseline characteristics of the participants. A random growth curve model was used to estimate between-person differences in a within-person trend of changes in the withdrawal symptoms. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of short-term smoking abstinence. RESULTS: Baseline anxiety was a predictor of postquit nicotine withdrawal symptoms but baseline depression was not. Neither baseline anxiety nor depression predicted postquit craving for cigarettes. Participants who received an HIV-tailored smoking cessation intervention showed a greater decline in craving symptom than those who received an attention-controlled intervention. HIV-tailored intervention and less craving predicted smoking abstinence at 3-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: Compared to an attention-controlled intervention, an HIV-tailored intervention effectively decreased craving for cigarette smoking after quitting-which effectively increased the rate of short-term smoking abstinence in women living with HIV.

Asymmetric Fullerene Nanosurfactant: Interface Engineering for Automatic Molecular Alignments.

Since the molecular self-assembly of nanomaterials is sensitive to their surface properties, the molecular packing structure on the surface is essential to build the desired chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials. Here, a new nanosurfactant is proposed for the automatic construction of macroscopic surface alignment layer for liquid crystal (LC) molecules. An asymmetric nanosurfactant (C60 NS) consisted of mesogenic cyanobiphenyl moieties with flexible alkyl chains and a [60]fullerene nanoatom is newly designed and precisely synthesized. The C60 NS directly introduced in the anisotropic LC medium is self-assembled into the monolayered protrusions on the surface because of its amphiphilic nature originated by asymmetrically programmed structural motif of LC-favoring moieties and LC-repelling groups. The monolayered protrusions constructed by the phase-separation and self-assembly of asymmetric C60 NS nanosurfactant in the anisotropic LC media amplify and transfer the molecular orientational order from surface to bulk, and finally create the automatic vertical molecular alignment on the macroscopic length scale. The asymmetric C60 NS nanosurfactant and its self-assembly described herein can offer the direct guideline of interface engineering for the automatic molecular alignments.

Effective behavioral intervention strategies using mobile health applications for chronic disease management: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) has continuously been used as a method in behavioral research to improve self-management in patients with chronic diseases. However, the evidence of its effectiveness in chronic disease management in the adult population is still lacking. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on process measures as well as health outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to improve chronic disease management. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled studies that were published between January 2005 and March 2016 were searched in six databases: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were RCTs that conducted an intervention using mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets for adult patients with chronic diseases to examine disease management or health promotion. RESULTS: Of the 12 RCTs reviewed, 10 of the mHealth interventions demonstrated statistically significant improvement in some health outcomes. The most common features of mHealth systems used in the reviewed RCTs were real-time or regular basis symptom assessments, pre-programed reminders, or feedbacks tailored specifically to the data provided by participants via mHealth devices. Most studies developed their own mHealth systems including mobile apps. Training of mHealth systems was provided to participants in person or through paper-based instructions. None of the studies reported the relationship between health outcomes and patient engagement levels on the mHealth system. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from mHealth intervention studies for chronic disease management have shown promising aspects, particularly in improving self-management and some health outcomes.

Regulation of c-Myc Expression by Ahnak Promotes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation.

We have previously reported that Ahnak-mediated TGFß signaling leads to down-regulation of c-Myc expression. Here, we show that inhibition of Ahnak can promote generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) via up-regulation of endogenous c-Myc. Consistent with the c-Myc inhibitory role of Ahnak, mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Ahnak-deficient mouse (Ahnak(-/-) MEF) show an increased level of c-Myc expression compared with wild type MEF. Generation of iPSC with just three of the four Yamanaka factors, Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 (hereafter 3F), was significantly enhanced in Ahnak(-/-) MEF. Similar results were obtained when Ahnak-specific shRNA was applied to wild type MEF. Of note, expressionof Ahnak was significantly induced during the formation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells, suggesting that Ahnak-mediated c-Myc inhibition is involved in embryoid body formation and the initial differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. The iPSC from 3F-infected Ahnak(-/-) MEF cells (Ahnak(-/-)-iPSC-3F) showed expression of all stem cell markers examined and the capability to form three primary germ layers. Moreover, injection of Ahnak(-/-)-iPSC-3F into athymic nude mice led to development of teratoma containing tissues from all three primary germ layers, indicating that iPSC from Ahnak(-/-) MEF are bona fide pluripotent stem cells. Taken together, these data provide evidence for a new role for Ahnak in cell fate determination during development and suggest that manipulation of Ahnak and the associated signaling pathway may provide a means to regulate iPSC generation.

Topochemical polymerization of dumbbell-shaped diacetylene monomers: relationship between chemical structure, molecular packing structure, and gelation property.

Herein, we have synthesized novel photopolymerizable dumbbell-shaped diacetylene liquid crystal (LC) monomers by locating a diacetylene dicarboxylic acid group at the center and chemically connecting swallow-tails, such as hydrophobic alkyl chains (abbreviated as AT3DI) and amphiphilic biphenyl mesogens (abbreviated as BP3DI), with bisamide groups. Major phase transitions of dumbbell-shaped diacetylene monomers were identified using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT IR). Molecular packing structures were studied based on structure-sensitive wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses. Mainly, due to nanophase separations and strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding, AT3DI formed a low-ordered lamellar LC phase at room temperature. BP3DI self-assembled into highly-ordered crystal phases (K1 and K2) at lower temperatures below a low-ordered lamellar LC phase, in which BP3DI were intercalated with each other to compensate the mutual volume differences. From the photopolymerization of AT3DI and BP3DI, it was realized that the topochemical reactions of dumbbell-shaped diacetylene monomers were closely related to their chemical structures as well as molecular packing structures.

Graphene quantum dots as a highly efficient solution-processed charge trapping medium for organic nano-floating gate memory.

A highly efficient solution-processible charge trapping medium is a prerequisite to developing high-performance organic nano-floating gate memory (NFGM) devices. Although several candidates for the charge trapping layer have been proposed for organic memory, a method for significantly increasing the density of stored charges in nanoscale layers remains a considerable challenge. Here, solution-processible graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were prepared by a modified thermal plasma jet method; the GQDs were mostly composed of carbon without any serious oxidation, which was confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These GQDs have multiple energy levels because of their size distribution, and they can be effectively utilized as charge trapping media for organic NFGM applications. The NFGM device exhibited excellent reversible switching characteristics, with an on/off current ratio greater than 10(6), a stable retention time of 10(4) s and reliable cycling endurance over 100 cycles. In particular, we estimated that the GQDs layer trapped ∼7.2 × 10(12) cm(-2) charges per unit area, which is a much higher density than those of other solution-processible nanomaterials, suggesting that the GQDs layer holds promise as a highly efficient nanoscale charge trapping material.

Dual photo-functionalized amphiphile for photo-reversible liquid crystal alignments.

Without the conventional polymer-based liquid crystal (LC) alignment process, a newly synthesized dual photo-functionalized amphiphile (abbreviated as ADMA1 ) was successfully applied as a robust photo-reversible LC alignment layer by self-assembly and photo-polymerization. The LC alignment layer constructed by directly adding dual photo-functionalized amphiphiles into LC media significantly cuts the manufacturing cost as well as opens new doors for the fabrication of novel electro-optical devices.

Multi-responsible chameleon molecule with chiral naphthyl and azobenzene moieties.

A photochromic chiral molecule with azobenzene mesogens and a (R)-configuration naphthyl moiety (abbreviated as NCA2M) was specifically designed and synthesized for the demonstration of chameleon-like color changes responding to multitudinous external stimuli, such as temperature, light and electric field. The basic phase transition behaviors of NCA2M were first studied by the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Based on the structure-sensitive X-ray diffraction results obtained at different temperatures, it was comprehended that the NCA2M molecule exhibited the tilted version of highly ordered smectic crystal phase with 5.45 nm layer thickness. Chiral nematic (N*) liquid crystals (LC) with helical superstructures were formed by doping the NCA2M photochromic chiral molecule in an achiral nematic (N) LC medium. By controlling the helical pitch length of N*-LC with respect to temperature, light and electric field, the wavelength of selectively reflected light from the N* photonic crystal was finely tuned. The light-induced color change of N*-LC film was the most efficient method for covering the whole visible region from blue to green and to red, which allowed us to fabricate remote-controllable photo-responsive devices.

Hierarchical superstructures from a star-shaped molecule consisting of a cyclic oligosiloxane with cyanobiphenyl moieties.

Unconventional star-shaped liquid crystals (abbreviated as SiLCs) were successfully synthesized by chemically connecting four cyanobiphenyl anisotropic mesogens to the periphery of a super-hydrophobic and ultra-flexible cyclic tetramethyltetrasiloxane ring with flexible hexyl chains. Based on the combined experimental techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), cross-polarized optical microscopy (POM), solid-state carbon-13 ((13)C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and one-dimensional (1D) wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), it was found that the SiLC molecule exhibited the monotropic phase transition from a LC phase to a crystalline phase. The crystalline phase was only detected during slow heating processes above its glass transition temperature, while a LC phase was formed both during cooling and during heating processes. The hierarchical superstructures were identified from the structure-sensitive 2D WAXD of the macroscopically oriented SiLC film and confirmed by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) of the SiLC single crystals. The molecular packing symmetry in the monoclinic unit cell was further investigated by computer simulations on the real and reciprocal spaces. Macroscopically oriented SiLC hierarchical superstructures on the different length scales may provide the targeted physical properties, which can allow us to apply SiLC molecules in the fields of electro-optical devices and nonlinear optics.

Thermal- and photo-induced phase-transition behaviors of a tapered dendritic liquid crystal with photochromic azobenzene mesogens and a bicyclic chiral center.

A ribbon-shaped chiral liquid crystalline (LC) dendrimer with photochromic azobenzene mesogens and an isosorbide chiral center (abbreviated as AZ3 DLC) was successfully synthesized and its major phase transitions were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and linear polarized optical microscopy (POM). Its ordered structures at different temperatures were further identified through structure-sensitive diffraction techniques. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the AZ3 DLC molecule exhibited the low-ordered chiral smectic (Sm*) LC phase with 6.31 nm periodicity at a high-temperature phase region. AZ3 DLC showed the reversible photoisomerization in both organic solvents and nematic (N) LC media. As a chiral-inducing agent, it exhibited a good solubility, a high helical-twisting power, and a large change in the helical-twisting power due to its photochemical isomerization in the commercially available N LC hosts. Therefore, we were able to reversibly "remote-control" the colors in the whole visible region by finely tuning the helical pitch of the spontaneously formed helical superstructures.

Factors associated with quality of life measured by EQ-5D in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: The impact of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (pNTM) disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not received significant attention in the literature. In this study, we compared the HRQoL in patients with pNTM disease and healthy subjects and identified influencing factors using EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D) data. METHODS: The present study used an age- and sex-matched case-control analysis from a cohort of 85 pNTM patients and 340 participants from a national survey. Baseline EQ-5D utility scores and EQ-5D visual analog scale (VAS) scores were measured in both groups. In patients with pNTM disease, the factors affecting EQ-5D were identified using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: While the median EQ-5D VAS scores were lower in pNTM patients than in the control subjects (pNTM, 70; control, 80; P < 0.001), the median EQ-5D utility scores were similar in two groups (both, 1.000, P = 0.878). Interestingly, the percentage of subjects reporting problems on the anxiety/depression dimension was higher for patients with pNTM disease (18.8 %) compared with the control subjects (11.5 %, P = 0.07). In multivariate analysis, increasing severity of forced expired volume in one second (FEV1) decline was associated with a significant decrease in EQ-5D scores of pNTM patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested the EQ-5D may not be useful instrument in pNTM patients due to ceiling effect of EQ-5D and mild disease activity. Patients with pNTM disease tended to report more reduced health status and more problems with anxiety/depression than the healthy controls. Lung function, measured by FEV1, was independently associated with EQ-5D scores in patients with pNTM disease.

Non-spine bone metastasis as an initial manifestation of cancer in Korea.

Non-spine bone metastasis accounts for approximately 20% of all skeletal metastases, but little data have been published that focused on bone metastasis to the pelvis and extremities as an initial manifestation of cancer. We determined 1) clinicopathologic characteristics of patients who presented with non-spine bone metastasis of unknown primary malignancy, and 2) process by which the diagnosis of primary cancer was made. We retrospectively reviewed 84 patients with bone metastasis of unknown primary cancer site at the time of presentation. The study population consisted of 56 men and 28 women, with a mean age of 59.1 yr (17.5-85.6 yr). The average follow-up period was 20.8 months (1-120 mo). Primary cancer site was identified in 79 patients (94.0%), and was determined to be the lung (46.4%), kidney (13.1%), liver (9.5%), thyroid (8.3%), and prostate (4.8%). Five-year overall survival rate was 28.0%. Multiple bone metastases, distant organ metastasis, and multiple bone with organ metastases were the significant prognostic factors in univariate analysis. Multiple bone metastases remained significant after multivariate analysis (P = 0.008). Lung cancer is the most common site of primary cancer, and patients with multiple bone metastases have a poor prognosis, possibly due to disseminated cancer and a greater tumor burden.

Natronomonas gomsonensis sp. nov., isolated from a solar saltern.

A halophilic archaeal strain, SA3(T), was isolated from sediment of a solar saltern in Gomso Bay, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain SA3(T) were observed to be coccoid-shaped, to lyse in distilled water, Gram stain-negative and to form red-pigmented colonies. Strain SA3(T) was found to require at least 18 % (w/v) NaCl for growth. Optimal growth was observed at 24 % (w/v) NaCl and 6 % (w/v) MgCl2. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were determined to be pH 7.0 and 40 °C, respectively, while the strain was found to grow within pH and temperature ranges of 5.5-8.0 and 20-45 °C, respectively. The polar lipids were determined to consist of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, unidentified phosphoglycolipids and unidentified phospholipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SA3(T) was most closely related to the members of the genus Natronomonas, Natronomonas moolapensis JCM 14361(T) (95.2 %) and Natronomonas pharaonis JCM 8858(T) (95.1 %). The genomic DNA G+C content (61.8 mol%) determined for strain SA3(T) was slightly lower than those of N. moolapensis JCM 14361(T) (63.4 mol%) and N. pharaonis JCM 8858(T) (64.3 mol%). DNA-DNA hybridization values between N. moolapensis JCM 14361(T) and N. pharaonis JCM 8858(T) and strain SA3(T) were <20 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, we describe a new species of the genus Natronomonas, represented by strain SA3(T) (=JCM 17867(T) = KCTC 4088(T)), for which we propose the name Natronomonas gomsonensis sp. nov.

Functional Characterization of Drosophila melanogaster CYP6A8 Fatty Acid Hydroxylase.

Genomic analysis indicated that the genome of Drosophila melanogaster contains more than 80 cytochrome P450 genes. To date, the enzymatic activity of these P450s has not been extensively studied. Here, the biochemical properties of CYP6A8 were characterized. CYP6A8 was cloned into the pCW vector, and its recombinant enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using Ni2+-nitrilotriacetate affinity chromatography. Its expression level was approximately 130 nmol per liter of culture. Purified CYP6A8 exhibited a low-spin state in the absolute spectra of the ferric forms. Binding titration analysis indicated that lauric acid and capric acid produced type І spectral changes, with Kd values 28 ± 4 and 144 ± 20 µM, respectively. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the oxidation reaction of lauric acid produced (ω-1)-hydroxylated lauric acid as a major product and ω-hydroxy-lauric acid as a minor product. Steady-state kinetic analysis of lauric acid hydroxylation yielded a kcat value of 0.038 ± 0.002 min-1 and a Km value of 10 ± 2 µM. In addition, capric acid hydroxylation of CYP6A8 yielded kinetic parameters with a kcat value of 0.135 ± 0.007 min-1 and a Km value of 21 ± 4 µM. Because of the importance of various lipids as carbon sources, the metabolic analysis of fatty acids using CYP6A8 in this study can provide an understanding of the biochemical roles of P450 enzymes in many insects, including Drosophila melanogaster.

Wet-chemical synthesis of palladium nanosprings.

We report a methodology for synthesis of palladium (Pd) nanospring structures using an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane template and facile electrochemical deposition. The hydroxyl-terminated surfaces of alumina nanochannels and localized hydrogen evolution contribute to the growth of Pd atoms at peripheral positions of the alumina nanochannels in the presence of an effectual electric potential and a plating solution consisting of PdCl(2), CuCl(2), and HCl. Structural characterization including EDS line analysis and element mapping revealed Pd nanodomains curling up on the Cu nanorods. A clear Pd nanospring shape was observed after selectively removing Cu. The lengths of the nanosprings were dictated by the charges transported through electrodeposition, and the diameters of the nanosprings were tunable by altering the diameter of the alumina nanochannels. Screw dislocation is the most probable crystallographic defect responsible for the formation of coiled Pd nanostructures. Pd nanosprings have potential applications in nanomachines, nanosensors, nanoinductors, and metamaterials. We anticipate that our synthesis method will motivate and inform the synthesis of more advanced nanomaterials.