Lung lobe torsion associated with chest wall defects in a dog.

An 8-year-old, spayed, female poodle presented with exercise intolerance, lethargy, respiratory distress, retching, hyporexia and diarrhoea. Thoracic radiographs revealed increased opacity in the left cranial thoracic region. The fifth and sixth ribs appeared to be bulging cranially to caudally, and CT and surgical exploration confirmed the presence of a thoracic wall defect in that area. CT showed abrupt occlusion of the bronchus that branches into the left cranial lobe and consolidation of the caudal segment of left cranial lung lobe, which led to the diagnosis of lung lobe torsion. A thoracotomy was performed, the twisted lung lobe was surgically excised, and the defect in the thoracic wall was repaired. Respiratory distress gradually improved after the surgery, and there were no identified complications within the 2-year period following the procedure. Based on our literature search, this is the first reported case of lung lobe torsion caused by a thoracic wall defect in a dog.

Stalled replication forks within heterochromatin require ATRX for protection.

Expansive growth of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is a prerequisite to the temporal waves of neuronal differentiation that generate the six-layered neocortex, while also placing a heavy burden on proteins that regulate chromatin packaging and genome integrity. This problem is further reflected by the growing number of developmental disorders caused by mutations in chromatin regulators. ATRX gene mutations cause a severe intellectual disability disorder (α-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) syndrome; OMIM no. 301040), characterized by microcephaly, urogenital abnormalities and α-thalassemia. Although the ATRX protein is required for the maintenance of repetitive DNA within heterochromatin, how this translates to disease pathogenesis remain poorly understood and was a focus of this study. We demonstrate that Atrx(FoxG1Cre) forebrain-specific conditional knockout mice display poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1) hyperactivation during neurogenesis and generate fewer late-born Cux1- and Brn2-positive neurons that accounts for the reduced cortical size. Moreover, DNA damage, induced Parp-1 and Atm activation is elevated in progenitor cells and contributes to their increased level of cell death. ATRX-null HeLa cells are similarly sensitive to hydroxyurea-induced replication stress, accumulate DNA damage and proliferate poorly. Impaired BRCA1-RAD51 colocalization and PARP-1 hyperactivation indicated that stalled replication forks are not efficiently protected. DNA fiber assays confirmed that MRE11 degradation of stalled replication forks was rampant in the absence of ATRX or DAXX. Indeed, fork degradation in ATRX-null cells could be attenuated by treatment with the MRE11 inhibitor mirin, or exacerbated by inhibiting PARP-1 activity. Taken together, these results suggest that ATRX is required to limit replication stress during cellular proliferation, whereas upregulation of PARP-1 activity functions as a compensatory mechanism to protect stalled forks, limiting genomic damage, and facilitating late-born neuron production.

High-Level Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Isolates Circulating in Humans and Animals in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the major causative pathogens of outbreaks or sporadic cases of diarrhoeal diseases worldwide. In this study, we compared the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of C. jejuni isolates of human and food-producing animal origins in Korea and examined the genetic relatedness between these two groups of isolates. Regardless of isolation source, all C. jejuni isolates harboured four virulence genes, cadF, cdtB, ciaB and racR, whereas the wlaN and virB11 genes were more frequently observed in human isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the majority of C. jejuni isolates displayed high-level resistance to fluoroquinolone (95.2%) or tetracycline (76.2%) antibiotics, and 12.4% of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (more than three classes of antibiotics tested). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of all Campylobacter isolates revealed 51 different SmaI-PFGE patterns and six major clusters containing both human and animal isolates. These results indicate that genetically diverse strains of C. jejuni with antimicrobial drug-resistance and virulence properties have prevailed in Incheon. Nevertheless, some particular populations continue to circulate within the community, providing the evidence for an epidemiological link of C. jejuni infections between humans and food-producing animals. Therefore, the continued monitoring and surveillance of C. jejuni isolates of human and food-producing animal origins are required for public health and food safety.

Correlation between mammographic and sonographic findings and prognostic factors in patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate sonographic and mammographic findings with prognostic factors in patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer. METHODS: Sonographic and mammographic findings in 710 consecutive patients (age range 21-81 years; mean age 49 years) with 715 node-negative invasive breast cancers were retrospectively evaluated. Pathology reports relating to tumour size, histological grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), extensive intraductal component (EIC), oestrogen receptor (ER) status and HER-2/neu status were reviewed and correlated with the imaging findings. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: On mammography, non-spiculated masses with calcifications were associated with all poor prognostic factors: high histological grade, positive LVI, EIC, HER-2/neu status and negative ER. Other lesions were associated with none of these poor prognostic factors. Hyperdense masses on mammography, the presence of mixed echogenicity, posterior enhancement, calcifications in-or-out of masses and diffusely increased vascularity on sonography were associated with high histological grade and negative ER. Associated calcifications on both mammograms and sonograms were correlated with EIC and HER-2/neu overexpression. The ICC value for the disease extent was 0.60 on mammography and 0.70 on sonography. CONCLUSION: Several sonographic and mammographic features can have a prognostic value in the subsequent treatment of patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer. Radiologists should pay more attention to masses that are associated with calcifications because on both mammography and sonography associated calcifications were predictors of positive EIC and HER-2/neu overexpression.

Extended criteria donor and severe intraoperative glucose variability: association with reoperation for hemorrhage in liver transplantation.

Reoperations for hemorrhage following liver transplantation (OLT) are commonly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine the incidence and risk factors for reoperation for hemorrhage among adult liver transplantations. We retrospectively analyzed 668 patients transplanted between January 2004 and November 2007. Within 30 days following transplantation one hundred eleven patients (16.6%) underwent 156 reoperations for hemorrhage, averaging 1.4 reoperations per patient. More than half of the reoperations occurred during the first 2 postoperative days. One-third of patients required 2 or more reoperations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed 4 independent risk factors: grafts from donors with multiple extended criteria, severe intraoperative glucose variability, intraoperative use of vasopressors, and red blood cell transfusion requirement. In conclusion, we identified several independent risk factors for reoperation due to hemorrhage following OLT. Avoidance of severe intraoperative glucose variability and careful evaluation of the benefits and risks of utilizing extended criteria donors must be considered before transplantation.

In vitro inhibition of food spoilage and foodborne pathogenic bacteria by essential oil and leaf extracts of Magnolia liliflora Desr.

The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from the floral parts of Magnolia liliflora Desr. by hydrodistillation, and to test the efficacy of essential oil and various leaf extracts against a diverse range of microorganisms comprising food spoilage and foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The chemical composition of essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS. It was determined that 52 compounds, which represented 78.07% of total oil, were present in the oil. The oil contained mainly levoxine (15.59%), methylcyclopropane (24.26%), 2-beta-pinene (5.3%), caryophyllene oxide (4.01%), and beta-caryophyllene (1.7%). The oil (1000 ppm/disc) and leaf extracts (1500 ppm/disc) exhibited promising antibacterial effects against the tested pathogens as a diameter of zones of inhibition (9 to 18 and 7 to 12 mm) and MIC values (125 to 1000 and 500 to 3000 microg/mL), respectively. Also, the oil had a potent detrimental effect on the viable count of the tested bacteria. The results obtained in this study support the role of essential oil and the leaf extracts derived from M. liliflora as a remarkable approach to inhibit the growth of food spoilage and foodborne pathogens.

Covered stent application of a repeatedly regrowing iatrogenic subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm at the origin of the vertebral artery.

SUMMARY: Formation of an iatrogenic subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm while attempting central venous access through the internal jugular vein is relatively uncommon. However, management of a subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm remains a challenge because of its growing tendency and its relation to the origin of the vertebral artery (VA). We report a strategy for using a covered stent as for the endovascular treatment of a patient with a repeatedly regrowing subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm at the origin of the VA.

New tetrahydrofuran-type sesquilignans of Saururus chinensis root.

Three new tetrahydrofuran-type sesquilignans, called saucerneol A, saucerneol B and saucerneol C were isolated from the underground parts of Saururus chinensis (Saururaceae), together with known lignans, di-O-methyltetrahydrofuriguaiacin B, machilin D and machilin D 4-methyl ether. Their structures were established from several spectral data.

Allozyme diversity and population structure of Japanese and Korean populations of wild radish, Raphanus sativus var. hortensis f. raphanistroides (Brassicaceae).

Raphanus satiuus var. hortensis f. raphanistroides (wild radish: Brassicaceae) is an insect-pollinated wild plant that grows mainly on beaches in East Asia. Starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the allozyme diversity and genetic structure of 25 Japanese and 9 Korean populations of this plant. Although the Korean populations were small, isolated, and patchily distributed, they maintained a high level of genetic diversity; the average percentage of polymorphic loci was 63.1%, the mean number of alleles per locus was 2.27, and the average heterozygosity was 0.278. The corresponding estimates for these parameters in the Japanese populations were 53.3%, 2.26, and 0.278. These estimates are considerably higher than those from species with similar life history and ecological characteristics, but they are lower than those from R. raphanistrum, the wild radish that grows in Europe and the U.S.A. The combination of an insect-pollinated, outcrossing breeding system, large population sizes, gene flow from cultivated radish population, and a propensity for high fecundity may explain the high level of genetic diversity within wild populations.

Scrub typhus pneumonitis acquired through the respiratory tract in a laboratory worker.

We report a case of scrub typhus pneumonitis in a laboratory worker who apparently acquired it through the respiratory tract. The patient was suffering from fever, cough and dyspnea. He had both cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy, and hepatomegaly. A chest X-ray showed interstitial infiltrates. A diagnosis of scrub typhus was established upon isolation of Orientia tsutsugamushi. 12 days before the patient showed symptoms, he had purified O. tsutsugamushi proteins from infected cells using an ultrasonication method which could generate aerosols containing O. tsutsugamushi.

TCDD-up-regulation of IGFBP-6 and IL-5R alpha subunit genes in vivo and in vitro.

Although the potent environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been well known for its immunosuppressive activity, the mechanisms of its action have been difficult to elucidate. This is partly due to its inability to exert its effects in vitro. To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of TCDD effects, we screened for genes that are regulated by the in vivo TCDD treatment of mice that are challenged with allogeneic tumor cells. RNA, collected from lymphoid organs including the thymus, draining lymph nodes, and bone marrow, was reverse-transcribed to cDNA and hybridized to DNA arrays that consisted of 588 genes (ClonTech, USA). The expression of the NF-kappaB p65, c-jun, and p27(Kip1) genes was increased by the TCDD treatment, as previously reported. In addition, we found that the expression of several genes, which were not reported as regulated by TCDD, were modulated by TCDD. Some genes, including insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6) and IL-5R alpha, were upregulated; while other genes, including CD14, were down-regulated. The expression of the IGFBP-6 and IL-5R alpha subunit genes by TCDD in the thymus was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Furthermore, TCDD effects on the expression of the IGFBP-6 gene was also observed with EL4 mouse thymoma cells. This suggests that IGFBP-6 may be involved in thymic atrophy, and EL4 cells may be used as an in vitro model for studying molecular mechanisms of thymic atrophy.

Interaction of blood components with heparin-immobilized polyurethanes prepared by plasma glow discharge.

The blood compatibility of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-grafted and heparin (Hep) immobilized polyurethanes was investigated using in vitro plasma recalcification time (PRT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), platelet adhesion and activation, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) adhesion and activation. In the experiment with plasma proteins, the PRT of the polyurethane (PU) surface was prolonged by PEO grafting and further prolonged by heparin immobilization. The APTT was prolonged on PU-Hep, suggesting the binding of immobilized heparin to antithrombin III. The percentage of platelet adhesion on PU was not much different from that on acrylic acid- and PEO-grafted PUs (PU-C, PU-6, PU-33), yet was substantially decreased by heparin immobilization (PU-6-Hep, PU-33-Hep). The release of serotonin from adhering platelets was slightly suppressed on PEO-grafted PUs yet significantly suppressed on heparin-immobilized PUs. In the PBMC experiments, the adhesion and activation of the cells were significantly suppressed on heparin-immobilized PUs, and the amount of interleukin-6 (IL-6) released from PBMCs stimulated with surface-modified PUs decreased with a decrease in PBMC adhesion.

Establishment of a biological indicator for the radiation and safety of diagnostic ultrasound using apoptosis.

We have studied, by a nonisotopic in situ end-labeling (ISEL) technique, the frequency of apoptosis in the intestinal crypt cell of adult mice and in the external granular layer(EGL) of the cerebellum of fetuses by gamma-ray irradiation from 60Co or diagnostic ultrasound exposure. The extent of changes following 200 cGy(1090 cGy/min) was studied at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 hours after exposure. The maximal frequency was found 4-8 hours after exposure. The mice that received 18, 36, 54, 108, 198, 396 cGy of gamma-rays or diagnostic ultrasound (7.5 MHz, 4.2 mW, ISPTA = 7.9 mW/cm2, IsppA = 114.3 W/cm2) for 10 or 30 minutes were examined 6 hours after irradiation. Measurements performed after gamma-ray irradiation showed a dose-related increase in apoptotic cells in each of the mice studied. The dose-response curves were analyzed with alpha linear-quadratic model: the frequency (number per crypt) of apoptotic cells in the intestinal crypt of adult mice was y = (0.0386 +/- 0.004204)D + (-0.0000535 +/- 0.00001120)D2 + 0.15475(r2 = 0.952, y = apoptotic cell per crypt cell, D = dose in cGy), and the frequency (percentage of apoptotic cell in the EGL) of apoptotic cell in the EGL of fetus was y = (0.1349 +/- 1.175)D + (-0.001522 +/- 0.334)D2 + 0.0477(r2 = 0.981, y = % of apoptotic cell in the EGL, D = dose in cGy). In the experiment of ultrasound exposure, the frequencies of apoptosis were 0.181 +/- 0.055(10 minutes exposure) and 0.325 +/- 0.294 (30 minutes exposure) in the crypt cells and 0.106 +/- 0.130% (10 minutes exposure) and 0.167 +/- 0.220%(30 minutes exposure) in the EGL. We estimated the relative dose of the yield from the experiment with ultrasound by substituting the yield from ultrasound exposure into the curue from the gamma-irradiation. The relative doses of ultrasound exposure compared with gamma-irradiation were 0.692 cGy(10 minutes exposure) and 1.334 cGy(30 minutes exposure) in the experiment for crypt cells and 0.432 cGy(10 minutes exposure) and 0.885 cGy(30 minutes exposure) in the experiment for EGL. Although there is presently no evidence to indicate that diagnostic ultrasound involves a significant risk, it is not wise to use diagnostic ultrasound indiscriminately.

Cellular invasion of Orientia tsutsugamushi requires initial interaction with cell surface heparan sulfate.

Role of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans on invasion of Orientia tsutsugamushi into host cells was investigated. Pretreatment with heparan sulfate and heparin inhibited the infection of O. tsutsugamushi for L cell, mouse fibroblast, whereas other glycosaminoglycans had little effect. These same treatments were also shown to reduce the infection in a dose-dependent manner, and enzymatic treatment of cells with heparitinase, but not chondroitinase ABC, inhibited the infection. In addition, mutant cell lines of Chinese hamster ovarian cell defective in heparan sulfate synthesis but not chondrotin sulfate synthesis and defective in all glycosaminoglycan synthesis showed marked reduction in susceptibility to infection by O. tsutsugamushi. Also mutant cell lines, which express heparan sulfate proteoglycans at low level, showed intermediate level of infectivity. Finally O. tsutsugamushi bind to(35)S-labelled heparin. Collectively, these findings provide strong evidence that heparan sulfate proteoglycans contribute to the attachment of O. tsutsugamushi to the cells.

Surface characterization and in vitro blood compatibility of poly(ethylene terephthalate) immobilized with insulin and/or heparin using plasma glow discharge.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) film was exposed to oxygen plasma glow discharge to produce peroxides on its surfaces. These peroxides were then used as catalysts for the polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in order to prepare a carboxylic acid group-introduced PET (PET-AA). Insulin and heparin co-immobilized PET (PET-I-H) was prepared by the grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) on to PET-AA, followed by reaction first with insulin and then heparin. These surface-modified PETs were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and a contact angle goniometer. The concentration of the heparin (1.23 microg/cm2) bound to the PEO-grafted PET (PET-PEO) was higher than that (0.77 microg/cm2) on the insulin-immobilized PET (PET-In). The blood compatibilities of the surface-modified PETs were examined using in vitro thrombus formation, plasma recalcification time (PRT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and platelet adhesion and activation. In the experiment with plasma proteins, the PRT and APTT were significantly prolonged for both the heparin-immobilized PET (PET-He) and the PET-I-H, suggesting the binding of immobilized heparin to antithrombin III. The percentage of platelet adhesion slightly increased with the introduction of AA on the PET surfaces, decreased with the introduction of PEO and insulin, and decreased further with the immobilization of heparin. The release of serotonin was highly suppressed on PET-He and PET-I-H, and on surface-modified PETs the percentage of its release increased with an increase in platelet adhesion.

Expression of chemokine genes in murine macrophages infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi.

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection, is characterized by local as well as systemic inflammatory manifestations. Inflammation is initiated by O. tsutsugamushi-infected macrophages and endothelial cells in the dermis. We investigated the regulation of chemokine induction in macrophage cell line J774A.1 in response to O. tsutsugamushi infection. The mRNAs for macrophage inflammatory proteins 1alpha/beta (MIP-1alpha/beta), MIP-2, and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 were induced within 30 min, and their levels showed a transitory peak for 3 to 12 h. However, the lymphotactin, eotaxin, gamma interferon-inducible protein 10, and T-cell activation gene 3 mRNAs were not detected by RNase protection assays. Heat-killed O. tsutsugamushi induced a similar extent of chemokine responses. Induction of the chemokine genes was not blocked by the eukaryotic protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, suggesting that de novo synthesis of host cell protein is not required for these transcriptional responses. The induction of chemokine mRNAs by O. tsutsugamushi was blocked by the inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation. Furthermore, O. tsutsugamushi induced the nuclear translocation and activation of NF-kappaB. These results demonstrate that heat-stable molecules of O. tsutsugamushi induce a subset of chemokine genes and that induction involves activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB.

Effect of dietary linoleate/alpha-linolenate balance on the brain lipid composition, reproductive outcome and behavior of rats during their prenatal and postnatal development.

The effect of the dietary linoleate (LA)/alpha-linolenate (LNA) balance during development on the brain lipid composition, reproductive outcome and behavior of rats was studied. Female rats were fed on experimental diets during pregnancy and the resulting pups for 16 weeks. The dietary LA/LNA ratios were 1.07 (LA1), 2.64 (LA2), 4.45 (LA3), 7.68 (LA4) and 10.35 (LA5). The relative content of docosahexaenoate (DHA) in the brain of pups tended to increase with decreasing LA/LNA ratio at 0 and 3 weeks, while the level of DHA was maintained constant at 16 weeks regardless of the dietary LA/LNA ratio. The learning ability was measured at 12 weeks of age, and there was no difference among the groups. In an open field test, the exploratory index was significantly lower in the LA1 group than in the LA2 group. The LA1 group had a smaller litter size and lower survival rate than the other groups. We conclude that if the diet contained appropriate amounts and balance of LA and LNA, it was possible for rats to synthesize an appropriate amount of DHA and have normal behavioral activity without DHA supplementation.