Biological response of protists Haematococcus lacustris and Euglena gracilis to conductive polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate.

Improving the growth and pigment accumulation of microalgae by electrochemical approaches was considered a novel and promising method. In this research, we investigated the effect of conductive polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) dispersible in water on growth and pigment accumulation of Haematococcus lacustris and Euglena gracilis. The results revealed that effect of PEDOT:PSS was strongly cell-dependent and each cell type has its own peculiar response. For H. lacustris, the cell density in the 50 mg·l-1 treatment group increased by 50·27%, and the astaxanthin yield in the 10 mg·l-1 treatment group increased by 37·08%. However, under the high concentrations of PEDOT:PSS treatment, cell growth was significantly inhibited, and meanwhile, the smaller and more active zoospores were observed, which reflected the changes in cell life cycle and growth mode. Cell growth of E. gracilis in all the PEDOT:PSS treatment groups were notably inhibited. Chlorophyll a content in E. gracilis decreased while chlorophyll b content increased in response to the PEDOT:PSS treatment. The results laid a foundation for further development of electrochemical methods to promote microalgae growth and explore the interactions between conductive polymers and microalgae cells.

Nitrification of ammonium-rich sanitary landfill leachate.

The nitrification of ammonium-rich wastewater is considered challenging due to the substrate inhibition particularly in the form of free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) in ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The feasibility of the nitrifying activated sludge system to completely nitrify synthetic stabilized landfill leachate with N-NH(4)(+) concentration of 1452mg/L was tested in this study. The process started with 0.4kg N-NH(4)(+)/m(3)/day of nitrogen loading rate (NLR) in a fed-batch mode to avoid any accumulation of the FA and FNA in the system followed by increasing the nitrogen loading rate (NLR) gradually. Complete nitrification was achieved with a very high ammonium removal percentage (approximately 100%). The maximum specific and volumetric nitrification rate obtained were 0.49g N-NH(4)(+)/g VSS/day and 3.0kg N-NH(4)(+)/m(3)/day, respectively which were higher than those reported previously for ammonium-rich removal using activated sludge system. The nitrifying sludge exhibited good settling characteristics of up to 36mL/g VSS and a long SRT of more than 53 days which contributed to the success of the nitrification process. The coexistence and syntrophic association of the AOB and NOB was observed by using Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique which supported the results on complete nitrification obtained in the system. These findings would be of prominent importance for further treatment of actual sanitary landfill leachate.

Measuring organic carbon, nutrients and heavy metals in rivers receiving leachate from controlled and uncontrolled municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills.

Since landfilling is the common method of waste disposal in Malaysia, river water is greatly exposed to the risk of contamination from leachate unless proper leachate management is carried out. In this study, leachates from three different types of landfills, namely active uncontrolled, active controlled and closed controlled, were characterized, and their relationships with river water chemistry were examined monthly for a year. The influence of leachate on river water chemistry from each type of landfill depended on many factors, including the presence of a leachate control mechanism, leachate characteristics, precipitation, surface runoff and the applied treatment. The impact of leachate from an active uncontrolled landfill was the highest, as the organic content, NH(4)(+)-N, Cd and Mn levels appeared high in the river. At the same time, influences of leachate were also observed from both types of controlled landfills in the form of inorganic nitrogen (NH(4)(+)-N, NO(3)(-)-N and NO(2)(-)-N) and heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Ni and Mn). Improper treatment practice led to high levels of some contaminants in the stream near the closed controlled landfill. Meanwhile, the active controlled landfill, which was located near the coastline, was exposed to the risk of contamination resulting from the pyrite oxidation of the surrounding area.

Number of teeth and serum lipid peroxide in 85-year-olds.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate influence of dental status on systemic oxidative stress, we evaluated the association between number of teeth and serum lipid peroxide, an oxidative stress index, in 85-years old residents of Japan. METHODS: In October 2003, 207 subjects 85-years old agreed to participate in the present follow-up study after five years from the 8020 Data Bank Survey of Fukuoka prefecture in 1998. Dental health condition including number of teeth was examined by dentists. Data from 204 subjects (88 male, 116 female) who completed nonfasting venous blood examination including lipid peroxide and blood chemistry were analyzed. The examination included a medical questionnaire regarding smoking history, physical activity, alcohol consumption, educational duration, and regular dental care, anthropometric and manometric measurements. RESULTS: Albumin, lipids, and lipid peroxide in serum all were within the normal range. Number of teeth correlated positively with height and white blood cell count, and correlated negatively with lipid peroxide. In a multiple regression analysis to adjust for confounding factors, tooth number retained this correlation with lipid peroxide. By analysis of variance with a Bonferroni-Dunn correction, edentulous subjects showed significantly higher lipid peroxide than those retaining 20 teeth or more. CONCLUSION: The negative association between number of teeth and lipid peroxide links more teeth remaining with less oxidative stress in an 85-year-old population; this may decrease risk of atherosclerotic complications.

Relationship between the growth pattern of nasopharyngeal cancer and the cervical lymph nodes based on MRI findings: can the cervical radiation field be reduced in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer?

To identify patients with nasopharyngeal cancer in whom the cervical radiation field can be reduced, we classified the growth patterns of nasopharyngeal cancer based on MRI findings into 4 types and performed an evaluation. Based on MRI findings, we classified the growth patterns of primary cancer in 94 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer into Type 1 (superficial type), Type 2 (lateral invasive type), Type 3 (upward invasive type), and Type 4 (anterior extension type), and further classified Type 2, based upon nasopharyngoscopic findings, into Type 2a (unilateral invasive type) and Type 2b (bilateral invasive type). The cervical lymph node metastasis areas were evaluated according to these types. Type 2 showed a significantly higher incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis only on the ipsilateral side than the other types (p = 0.0024). In particular, all patients with Type 2a had cervical lymph node metastasis only on the ipsilateral side (p = 0.0212). This study suggests that the distribution of metastasised cervical lymph nodes depends on the pattern of tumour extent of the primary site.

Chewing ability and quality of life in an 80-year-old population.

As quality of life (QOL) could be influenced by oral status in the elderly, we examined whether chewing ability or number of teeth affected QOL in 80-year olds. A cross-sectional survey included dental examination, chewing self-assessment, and a QOL questionnaire. A total of 823 people who were 80 years old participated in this study. QOL was assessed in terms of satisfaction with physical condition, meals, daily living and social interactions, and with face-scale scores. After adjustment for gender, spouse and activities of daily living, dissatisfaction with social interactions was 3.9 times more prevalent in individuals able to chew four foods or fewer than in those chewing 15. Dissatisfaction with physical condition, meals and daily living, and poor face-scale scores, were 2.7, 2.4, 3.4, and 2.4 times more prevalent, respectively, in subjects chewing four foods or fewer. The number of teeth showed little effect. In conclusion, self-assessed chewing ability but not number of teeth was associated with QOL in 80-year-old subjects.

Activities of daily living and chewing ability in an 80-year-old population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether chewing ability or number of intact teeth was related to performance of activities of daily living in 80-year olds. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional survey including dental examinations, chewing self-assessment, and everyday function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 823 people (309 males, 514 females) who were 80 years of age and resident in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan participated in this study. RESULTS: The mean number of intact teeth was 7.5 +/- 8.7; of the 15 food items offered, the mean number of foods chewed was 11.2 +/- 3.8. Function was independent in 713 subjects, and dependent in 93. After adjustment for gender, we found the number of foods chewed being linked to independent function by the multiple regression analysis (beta = 0.223, P < 0.0001); the number of intact teeth was only weakly related (beta = 0.077, P = 0.03). By logistic regression analysis, functional dependency was 7.5 times more prevalent in individuals capable of chewing four foods or fewer, and 3.3 times more prevalent in those chewing five to nine, than in those chewing all 15 items. No significant functional difference was related to the number of intact teeth. CONCLUSION: Chewing ability may be independently related with functional status in 80-year olds.

Relationship of physical fitness to chewing in an 80-year-old population.

OBJECTIVE: Although tooth loss causes a decrease in masticatory ability, which may influence nutritional status, and impair an individual's general health including physical activity, little is known whether a decrease in chewing ability could result in deterioration in physical fitness in a very elderly population. Thus, the present study evaluated the relationship of chewing ability or teeth number with measures of physical fitness in a sample of 80-years-old in Japan. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1282 people who were 80-years old and resided in the Fukuoka Prefecture were approached. A total of 697 individuals (277 male, 420 female) agreed to participate. RESULTS: Chewing food number and teeth number were related positively with physical fitness measurements of hand grip strength, leg extensor strength, leg extensor power, stepping rate, and one-leg standing time. However, the significant relationship between the number of teeth and physical ability disappeared after adjustment for various confounders, using multiple regression analysis or logistic regression analysis. On the other hand, the relationship of chewing ability with physical fitness measurements of leg extensor strength, one-leg standing time, or isokinetic leg extensor power remained significant even after adjustment for these confounders. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between perceived chewing ability (number of foods considered chewable) and physical fitness in this 80-year-old population. Chewing ability may be an independent predictor of physical fitness, thus preventative dental care aimed at preserving chewing ability may be able to enhance activities of daily life and quality of life in very elderly individuals.

Resection surgery with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy improves outcomes of patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma.

The prognosis of patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma is poor, and thus an effective treatment needs to be established. The present study assessed the effect of chemoradiotherapy (CRT), postoperative morbidity and mortality, and survival time in 41 patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma. Of these, 24 received CRT followed by surgery (group A) and the remaining 17 were treated with CRT alone (group B). Postoperative complications in group A were compared with 251 patients (group C) who underwent surgery without CRT during the same period. Postoperative complications were more frequent in group A than group C (29.2% vs 8.4%, P < 0.05). The overall median survival of group A was statistically longer than that of group B (13.8 months and 3.3 months respectively, P < 0.001). Complete histologic response (grade 3) was documented in 4 group A patients (16.7%). The overall median survival of grade 3 patients was statistically longer than the rest of group A (38.9 months vs 8.8 months, P < 0.05). The data confirm that chemoradiotherapy creates tumor regression in some patients and allows resection surgery in T4 esophageal carcinoma. Moreover, surgery with CRT confers a survival advantage in T4 esophageal carcinoma.

Orthostatic hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence and clinical importance of orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in diabetic patients has not been elucidated, in contrast to orthostatic hypotension, which is occasionally found in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The prevalence and severity of orthostatic hypertension was investigated in 277 Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes, including 90 hypertensive patients and 128 nondiabetic age-matched male subjects. Patients treated with antihypertensive drugs were excluded from the study. OHT was defined as an increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from <90 to >or=90 mmHg and/or an increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from <140 to >or=140 mmHg after standing from supine position. Clinical profiles and several serum biochemical parameters were determined in addition to chest X-rays and electrocardiograms. RESULTS: The prevalence of OHT in normotensive and hypertensive diabetic patients was significantly higher than in control subjects (12.8 vs. 1.8%, P < 0.01, for normotensive patients; 12.6 vs. 11.1%, not significant, for hypertensive patients). Orthostasis induced a mean increase of 6.8 +/- 11.4 mmHg in SBP and 9.1 +/- 5.2 mmHg in DBP in diabetic patients with OHT compared with those without OHT (-1.0 +/- 9.0 and 3.8 +/- 6.6 mmHg, respectively). Vibration sensation in the lower limb was reduced in diabetic patients with OHT, but the percent coefficient of variation of RR interval, cardio-to-thoracic ratio on chest X-ray, and serum triglyceride levels were higher in these patients compared with normotensive diabetic patients without OHT. CONCLUSIONS: Orthostatic hypertension is a novel complication in normotensive diabetic patients and may associate with early stage neuropathy and development of sustained hypertension.

Sodium-coupled glucose transporter as a functional glucose sensor of retinal microvascular circulation.

To clarify the function of the Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter in the regulation of cellular tone of cultured retinal pericytes, we investigated the effects of extracellular glucose concentration on cell size. The surface area and diameter of cultured bovine retinal pericytes under different glucose concentrations were measured by using a light microscope with a digital camera. We also examined the effects of extracellular Na(+) and Ca(2+), inhibitors of the Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter and Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger, a Ca(2+) channel blocker, and nonmetabolizable sugars on cell size. The surface area and diameter of the cells changed according to extracellular glucose concentrations. alpha-Methyl glucoside, which enters the cell through the Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter, induced cellular contraction. However, the cells did not contract in response to 2-deoxyglucose, which enters the cell through a facilitated glucose transporter. Glucose-induced cellular contraction was abolished in the absence of extracellular Na(+) and Ca(2+). Moreover, phlorizin, an inhibitor of the Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter, and 2',4'-dichlorobenzamil-HCl, an inhibitor of the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger, also abolished glucose-induced cellular contraction, whereas nicardipine, a Ca(2+) channel blocker, did not. Our results indicate that high extracellular glucose concentrations induce contraction of bovine retinal pericytes via Na(+) entry through a Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter, suggesting that the Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter may act as a functional glucose sensor of retinal microvascular circulation.>

Ketoacidosis accompanied by epileptic seizures in a patient with diabetes mellitus and mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).

We herein report a rare case of MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) and diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis. An 18-year-old female patient was diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus and insulin therapy was thereafter initiated. At 26 years of age, she was hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis, soon followed by a loss of consciousness, left-sided dysmetria, and ataxic speech. MELAS was diagnosed because of the presence of ragged red fibers in a muscle biopsy. At 33 years of age, she was admitted to our hospital because of ketoacidosis and partial status epilepticus. A blood gas examination revealed as follows; arterial pH, 6.88; bicarbonate, 2.1 mmol/l; base excess - 29.8 mmol/l. The serum level of glucose had also increased to 30 mmol/l. The serum levels of lactate and B-hydroxybutyrate were elevated to 11.4 mmol/l and 1,990 micromol/l, respectively. Ketoacidosis improved by fluid replacement and continuous intravenous insulin infusion. A brain MRI demonstrated hyperintensity areas on FLAIR images in the bilateral temporal lobes and the cerebellum. A proton MRS demonstrated the abnormal lactate accumulation in the bilateral temporal and occipital lobes. Since epileptic seizures are rare in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, such seizures may indicate the existence of MELAS syndrome.

Role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in acetylcholine-induced dilatation of rat basilar artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that activation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is involved in dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine in vivo. METHODS: Responses of the basilar artery were measured by the cranial window technique in anesthetized rats. To examine the role of PI 3-kinase in acetylcholine-induced calcium signaling, we measured intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of cultured rat basilar arterial endothelial cells using a fluorescent calcium indicator, indo 1. RESULTS: -Topical application of acetylcholine (10(-6), 10(-5.5), and 10(-5) mol/L) increased the diameter of the basilar artery by 8+/-1%, 14+/-2%, and 24+/-3%, respectively. An inhibitor of PI 3-kinase, wortmannin (10(-8) mol/L), did not change the baseline diameter of the artery. In the presence of wortmannin, acetylcholine (10(-6), 10(-5.5), and 10(-5) mol/L) dilated the artery only by 3+/-2%, 6+/-2%, and 12+/-2%, respectively. Thus, wortmannin attenuated acetylcholine-induced dilatation of the basilar artery (P<0.05 versus control). Wortmannin had no effect on dilatation of the artery in response to a nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside. LY294002, another inhibitor of PI 3-kinase, also inhibited dilator response of the basilar artery to acetylcholine. Acetylcholine produced an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) of the endothelial cells. Genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, markedly attenuated acetylcholine-induced calcium influx to the cells; however, wortmannin had no effect on acetylcholine-induced calcium changes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that acetylcholine-induced dilatation of the basilar artery is mediated, at least in part, by activation of PI 3-kinase in vivo. Acetylcholine-induced [Ca(2+)](i) changes of the endothelial cells may not be mediated by activation of the kinase. PI 3-kinase as well as [Ca(2+)](i) may play an important role in the acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide production of the basilar arterial endothelial cells.

MR analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: correlation of the pattern of tumor extent at the primary site with the distribution of metastasized cervical lymph nodes. Preliminary results.

The purpose of this study was to correlate the pattern of tumor extent of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the primary site on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with the distribution of cervical lymph node metastasis. MR images of 32 patients with biopsy-proven nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reviewed and classified into five patterns of tumor extent in correlation with the distribution of cervical lymphadenopathy. The assessment of cervical lymph node metastasis was done on the basis of the computed tomography (CT) findings. The tumor volume was also correlated with the occurrence of contralateral lymphadenopathy. Of the 32 patients, five (16%) presented as type 1, tumor limited to the nasopharyngeal mucosa; 12 (38%) as type 2a, tumor which had invaded either lateral side but did not extend over the roof of nasopharynx; three (9%) as type 2b, tumor which had invaded bilaterally across the midline but did not extend over the roof of nasopharynx; three (9%) as type 2c, tumor which had invaded mainly the skull base but did not cross the midline; and nine (28%) as type 3, tumor which had extended anteriorly to the nasal cavity without invasion. Twenty-five patients (78%) demonstrated cervical lymphadenopathy. Patients with type 1, type 2b and type 3 spread had frequent bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy; those with type 2a had only ipsilateral lymphadenopathy. There was statistical significance (P < 0.005) regarding the existence of contralateral lymphadenopathy with midline tumors as well as the absence of contralateral cervical lymphadenopathy with non-midline tumors. This study therefore suggests that the distribution of metastasized lymph nodes depends on the pattern of tumor extent at the primary site.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma1 (PPARgamma1) expresses in rat mesangial cells and PPARgamma agonists modulate its differentiation.

Thiazolidinediones, synthetic ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), are reported to have direct beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy without lowering blood glucose levels in human and rat. We hypothesized these effects of thiazolidinediones might be derived from PPARgamma activation of kidney cells, and we examined the expression of PPARgamma and the effect of PPARgamma agonists, troglitazone and 15-deoxy-delta-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), on the proliferation and differentiation in rat mesangial cells. A single band of mRNA of PPARgamma with a predicted size was detected in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products (RT-PCR) using established PCR probes of PPARgamma. PPARgamma protein in rat mesangial cells was identified as PPARgamma1 by a Western blot. In a gel mobility shift assay to determine a binding activity of PPARgamma, the nuclear protein from rat mesangial cells bound to a (32)P-labeled oligonucleotide probe, including PPAR response elements. A synthetic and a natural ligand of PPARgamma, troglitazone and 15d-PGJ2, decreased thymidine incorporation in a dose dependent manner. After 7 days incubation with troglitazone and 15d-PGJ2, alpha-smooth muscle actin expression, a marker of mesangial cell de-differentiation, was decreased significantly compared to that of control. These results indicate that PPARgamma1 is expressing in rat mesangial cells, and PPARgamma1 activation with its agonists modulates the proliferation and differentiation of cultured rat mesangial cells.

Probucol reduces lysophosphatidylcholines in low-density lipoprotein.

OBJECTIVES: Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) comes into notice as an important atherogenic substance. METHODS: Since the effect of probucol, an antioxidative lipid-lowering drug, on LPC molecular species has not been elucidated, two LPC molecular species, stearoyl LPC (SLPC) and palmitoyl LPC (PLPC), were measured in LDL using high-pressure liquid chromatography. LDL was obtained from 11 hyperlipidemic patients, including 9 diabetic patients, in comparison with 11 age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemic patients showed nearly twofold higher levels of SLPC and PLPC per gram of LDL protein than those of controls. All hyperlipidemic patients were treated with oral administration of 500 mg/day of probucol for 3 months. Both LPCs in LDL were significantly reduced to control levels and were increased again up to the pretreatment levels 4 weeks after cessation of the treatment. Therefore, probucol has a potent effect in reducing LPC and may contribute to decreasing the atherogenicity of LDL.

Renal salvage procedure for synchronous bilateral Wilms' tumor.

This report describes a renal salvage procedure performed in a 2-year-old girl with bilateral renal tumors comprising a multilocular, cystic tumor of the right kidney and a solid and cystic nephroblastoma of the left kidney after chemotherapy. Surgery was performed because the right kidney became hydronephrotic due to compression by the enlarged cysts, while the left tumor showed only minimal shrinkage even after three courses of chemotherapy. The right-sided cysts were simply unroofed and the left-sided tumor was extirpated by partial nephrectomy. Her postoperative course was uneventful with considerable recovery of the function of each kidney. This procedure should be considered if the pathological features of the tumor are relatively favourable.

Troglitazone enhances glycolysis and improves intracellular glucose metabolism in rat mesangial cells.

To clarify the action of the new antidiabetic agent, troglitazone, on rat mesangial cells, we assessed its effect on the uptake and intracellular metabolism of glucose. Troglitazone increased the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2DOG) in a dose-dependent manner with an upregulation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) mRNA, whereas it had no effect on the uptake of alpha-methyl glucoside (AMG). This troglitazone-induced glucose uptake was not suppressed by phlorizin. In 5 mmol/L glucose, 2 microg/mL (4.5 micromol/L) troglitazone increased glucose consumption 2.9-fold, similar to that in 20 mmol/L glucose. Troglitazone increased the production of pyruvate and lactate as a consequence of the increase in glycolysis, but did not increase the cellular ATP content. Troglitazone improved the high-glucose-induced accumulation of intracellular sorbitol and fructose and elevation of the cellular redox potential. These data suggest that troglitazone enhances glucose uptake through GLUT1 with an acceleration of glycolysis, and improves the abnormal intracellular glucose metabolism under high-glucose conditions in rat mesangial cells.