DTranNER: biomedical named entity recognition with deep learning-based label-label transition model.

BACKGROUND: Biomedical named-entity recognition (BioNER) is widely modeled with conditional random fields (CRF) by regarding it as a sequence labeling problem. The CRF-based methods yield structured outputs of labels by imposing connectivity between the labels. Recent studies for BioNER have reported state-of-the-art performance by combining deep learning-based models (e.g., bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory) and CRF. The deep learning-based models in the CRF-based methods are dedicated to estimating individual labels, whereas the relationships between connected labels are described as static numbers; thereby, it is not allowed to timely reflect the context in generating the most plausible label-label transitions for a given input sentence. Regardless, correctly segmenting entity mentions in biomedical texts is challenging because the biomedical terms are often descriptive and long compared with general terms. Therefore, limiting the label-label transitions as static numbers is a bottleneck in the performance improvement of BioNER. RESULTS: We introduce DTranNER, a novel CRF-based framework incorporating a deep learning-based label-label transition model into BioNER. DTranNER uses two separate deep learning-based networks: Unary-Network and Pairwise-Network. The former is to model the input for determining individual labels, and the latter is to explore the context of the input for describing the label-label transitions. We performed experiments on five benchmark BioNER corpora. Compared with current state-of-the-art methods, DTranNER achieves the best F1-score of 84.56% beyond 84.40% on the BioCreative II gene mention (BC2GM) corpus, the best F1-score of 91.99% beyond 91.41% on the BioCreative IV chemical and drug (BC4CHEMD) corpus, the best F1-score of 94.16% beyond 93.44% on the chemical NER, the best F1-score of 87.22% beyond 86.56% on the disease NER of the BioCreative V chemical disease relation (BC5CDR) corpus, and a near-best F1-score of 88.62% on the NCBI-Disease corpus. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the incorporation of the deep learning-based label-label transition model provides distinctive contextual clues to enhance BioNER over the static transition model. We demonstrate that the proposed framework enables the dynamic transition model to adaptively explore the contextual relations between adjacent labels in a fine-grained way. We expect that our study can be a stepping stone for further prosperity of biomedical literature mining.

Pure laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy: Focus on 55 donors undergoing right hepatectomy.

Although laparoscopic donor hepatectomy is increasingly common, few centers with substantial experience have reported the results of pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH). Here, we report the experiences of 60 consecutive liver donors undergoing pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH), with most undergoing right hepatectomy. None of the 60 donors who underwent PLDH had intraoperative complications and none required transfusions, reoperation, or conversion to open hepatectomy. Forty-five donors who underwent PLDRH between November 2015 and December 2016 were compared with 42 who underwent conventional donor right hepatectomy (CDRH) between May 2013 and February 2014. The total operation time was longer (330.7 vs 280.0 minutes; P < .001) and the percentage with multiple bile duct openings was higher (53.3% vs 26.2%; P = .010) in the PLDRH group. However, the length of postoperative hospital stay (8.4 vs 8.2 days; P = .495) and rate of complications (11.9% vs 8.9%; P = .733) and re-hospitalizations (4.8% vs 4.4%; P = 1.000) were similar in both groups. PLDH, including PLDRH, is feasible when performed by a highly experienced surgeon and transplant team. Further evaluation, including long-term results, may support these preliminary findings of comparative outcomes for donors undergoing PLDRH and CDRH.

Initial experience with purely laparoscopic living-donor right hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: There may be concerns about purely laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) compared with open donor right hepatectomy, especially when performed by surgeons accustomed to open surgery. This study aimed to describe technical tips and pitfalls in PLDRH. METHODS: Data from donors who underwent PLDRH at Seoul National University Hospital between December 2015 and July 2017 were analysed retrospectively. Endpoints analysed included intraoperative events and postoperative complications. All operations were performed by a single surgeon with considerable experience in open living donor hepatectomy. RESULTS: A total of 26 donors underwent purely laparoscopic right hepatectomy in the study interval. No donor required transfusion during surgery, whereas two underwent reoperation. In two donors, the dissection plane at the right upper deep portion of the midplane was not correct. One donor experienced portal vein injury during caudate lobe transection, and one developed remnant left hepatic duct stenosis. One donor experienced remnant portal vein angulation owing to a different approach angle, and one experienced arterial damage associated with the use of a laparoscopic energy device. One donor had postoperative bleeding due to masking of potential bleeding foci owing to intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy. Two donors experienced right liver surface damage caused by a xiphoid trocar. CONCLUSION: Purely laparoscopic donor hepatectomy differs from open donor hepatectomy in terms of angle and caudal view. Therefore, surgeons experienced in open donor hepatectomy must gain adequate experience in laparoscopic liver surgery and make adjustments when performing PLDRH.

Survival benefit of liver resection for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although transarterial chemoembolization is recommended as the standard treatment for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC-B HCC), other treatments including liver resection have been used. This study aimed to determine the survival benefit of treatment strategies including resection for BCLC-B HCC compared with non-surgical treatments. METHODS: The nationwide multicentre database of the Korean Liver Cancer Association was reviewed. Patients with BCLC-B HCC who underwent liver resection as a first or second treatment within 2 years of diagnosis and patients who received non-surgical treatment were selected randomly. Survival outcomes of propensity score-matched groups were compared. RESULTS: Among 887 randomly selected patients with BCLC-B HCC, 83 underwent liver resection as first or second treatment and 597 had non-surgical treatment. After propensity score matching, the two groups were well balanced (80 patients in each group). Overall median survival in the resection group was better than that for patients receiving non-surgical treatment (50·9 versus 22·1 months respectively; P < 0·001). The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates in the resection group were 90, 88, 75 and 63 per cent, compared with 79, 48, 35 and 22 per cent in the no-surgery group (P < 0·001). In multivariable analysis, non-surgical treatment only (hazard ratio (HR) 3·35, 95 per cent c.i. 2·16 to 5·19; P < 0·001), albumin level below 3·5 g/dl (HR 1·96, 1·22 to 3·15; P = 0·005) and largest tumour size greater than 5·0 cm (HR 1·81, 1·20 to 2·75; P = 0·005) were independent predictors of worse overall survival. CONCLUSION: Treatment strategies that include liver resection offer a survival benefit compared with non-surgical treatments for potentially resectable BCLC-B HCC.

Surgical treatment of central venous catheter related septic deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of catheter related central venous thrombosis and whether a surgical approach can be an effective treatment modality in selected cases that are refractory to conservative management. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of the 46 consecutive patients who were suspected of having central venous catheter related infected deep venous thrombosis and who met the eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Conservative management achieved clinical improvement in 26 (56.5%) patients and failed in 20 (43.5%), of whom surgical thrombectomy was performed in 13. The remaining seven patients died before surgery could be performed or their clinical condition was too poor. Apart from one case of wound hematoma (7.7%), post-operative complications that related to the surgical procedure were not observed. Patency of the involved vein was re-established in 12 of the 13 (92.3%) surgically treated patients, and clinical improvement was achieved in 11 (84.6%). In particular, the five patients whose blood cultures revealed Candida species exhibited prompt defervescence after surgical thrombectomy. CONCLUSION: Although conservative management is the first therapy of choice in patients with central venous catheter related infected thrombosis, surgical treatment that removes the septic material can be regarded as a last resort in critically ill patients with septic thrombophlebitis that is refractory to conservative management.

First Report of Fusarium succisae Causing Flower Rot on Thread-leaf Coreopsis.

In July 2010, flower rot of thread-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata) was found in a garden in the Icheon City, Korea. The disease affected about 20 to 50% of a 100 m2 area. The disease was characterized by the appearance of pinkish mycelia on the stigmata and inflorescences of flowers. In some cases, flowers failed to bloom or turned brown before opening fully. Fragments (each 5 × 5 mm) of the symptomatic tissue were surface-sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 1 min, and then rinsed twice in sterilized distilled water. The tissue pieces were placed on water agar (WA) and incubated at 25°C for 4 to 6 days. Twenty-two isolates of Fusarium species were obtained from the diseased flowers. All isolates were identified as Fusarium succisae based on their morphological characteristics on carnation leaf agar (CLA) medium and DNA sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (1). Macroconidia and sporodochia were sparsely produced on CLA medium. Microconidia were abundant, borne in false heads, oval or allantoid and sometimes pyriform, and measured 4.2 to 13 × 2.2 to 5.4 µm. Chlamydospores were absent. The EF-1α gene was amplified from three isolates by PCR assay and the amplification products were sequenced (2). The nucleotide sequences obtained were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers KF514658, KF514659, and KF514660. BLASTn analysis showed 99% homology with the EF-1α sequence of F. succisae NRRL13613 (GenBank Accession No. AF160291). Pathogenicity tests were conducted with inoculation of flowers on Coreopsis verticillata. Spore suspension was prepared by flooding 7-day-old cultures on potato dextrose agar with sterilized 2% (w/v) sugar solution. When the plants started to have buds, the isolates were inoculated by placing one drop (20 µl) of spore suspension (1 × 106 spores ml-1) into the buds. Fifteen buds of the plants were arranged into three replications. The control was treated with sterilized 2% sugar solution. Inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse at 25/20°C (12 h/12 h). Three weeks after inoculation, the symptoms were observed on buds with mycelial production. Control plants had no mycelia on buds. F. succisae was re-isolated from the inoculated flowers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of flower rot of thread-leaf coreopsis caused by F. succisae. References: (1) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (2) K. O'Donnell et al. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 95:2044, 1998.

Genome-wide Association Study for Warner-Bratzler Shear Force and Sensory Traits in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle).

Significant SNPs associated with Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear force and sensory traits were confirmed for Hanwoo beef (Korean cattle). A Bonferroni-corrected genome-wide significant association (p<1.3×10(-6)) was detected with only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on chromosome 5 for WB shear force. A slightly higher number of SNPs was significantly (p<0.001) associated with WB shear force than with other sensory traits. Further, 50, 25, 29, and 34 SNPs were significantly associated with WB shear force, tenderness, juiciness, and flavor likeness, respectively. The SNPs between p = 0.001 and p = 0.0001 thresholds explained 3% to 9% of the phenotypic variance, while the most significant SNPs accounted for 7% to 12% of the phenotypic variance. In conclusion, because WB shear force and sensory evaluation were moderately affected by a few loci and minimally affected by other loci, further studies are required by using a large sample size and high marker density.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Race 3 Causing Fusarium Wilt on Tomato in Korea.

In July 2010, fusarium wilt symptoms of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were found in two commercial greenhouses in the Damyang area of Korea. Approximately 1% of 7,000 to 8,000 tomato plants were wilted and chlorotic in each greenhouse. The vascular tissue was usually dark brown and the discoloration extended to the apex. Fragments (each 5 × 5 mm) of the symptomatic tissue were surface-sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 1 min, then rinsed twice in sterilized distilled water (SDW). The tissue pieces were placed on water agar and incubated at 25°C for 4 to 6 days. Nine Fusarium isolates were obtained from four diseased plants, of which three isolates were identified as F. oxysporum based on morphological characteristics on carnation leaf agar medium and DNA sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) gene (2). Macroconidia were mostly 3- to 5-septate, slightly curved, and 28 to 53 × 2.8 to 5.2 µm. Microconidia were abundant, borne in false heads or short monophialides, generally single-celled, oval to kidney shaped, and 5 to 23 × 3 to 5 µm. Chlamydospores were single or in short chains. The EF-1α gene was amplified from three isolates by PCR assay using ef1 and ef2 primers (3), and the amplification products were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences obtained were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. KC491844, KC491845, and KC491846). BLASTn analysis showed 99% homology with the EF-1α sequence of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici MN-24 (HM057331). Pathogenicity tests and race determination were conducted using root-dip inoculation (4) on seedlings of tomato differential cultivars: Ponderosa (susceptible to all races), Momotaro (resistant to race 1), Walter (resistant to races 1 and 2), and I3R-1 (resistant to all races). A spore suspension was prepared by flooding 5-day-old cultures on potato dextrose agar with SDW. Plants at the first true-leaf stage were inoculated by dipping the roots in the spore suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) for 10 min. Inoculated plants were transplanted into pots containing sterilized soil, and maintained in the greenhouse at 25/20°C (12/12 h). Twenty-four seedlings of each cultivar were arranged into three replications. An equal number of plants of each cultivar dipped in water were used as control treatments. Disease reaction was evaluated 3 weeks after inoculation, using a disease index on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = no symptoms, 1 = slightly swollen and/or bent hypocotyl, 2 = one or two brown vascular bundles in the hypocotyl, 3 = at least two brown vascular bundles and growth distortion, 4 = all vascular bundles brown and the plant either dead or very small and wilted). All isolates caused symptoms of fusarium wilt on all cultivars except I3R-1, indicating that the isolates were race 3. The pathogen was reisolated from the discolored vascular tissue of symptomatic plants. Control plants remained asymptomatic, and the pathogen was not reisolated from the vascular tissue. Fusarium wilt of tomato caused by isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici races 1 and 2 has been reported previously; however, race 3 has not been reported in Korea (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3 on tomato in Korea. References: (1) O. S. Hur et al. Res. Plant Dis. 18:304, 2012 (in Korean). (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) K. O'Donnell et al. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 95:2044, 1998. (4) M. Rep et al. Mol. Microbiol. 53:1373, 2004.

Phylogenetic Analysis of a Privately-owned Korean Native Chicken Population Using mtDNA D-loop Variations.

The use of Korean native chicken is increasing, and the discovery of new genetic resources is very important from both economic and genetic conservation points of view. In this study, mtDNA D-loop sequences from 272 privately-owned Korean native chickens from a Hyunin farm were investigated. Seventeen nucleotide substitutions were identified from the sequence analysis and they were classified as 6 haplotypes. Previously investigated haplotypes in five Korean native chicken populations have been compared with the Hyunin chicken population. The results indicated that two haplotypes, H10 and H15, in the Hyunin chicken population were not previously identified in other Korean native chicken populations, representing 33.09% (90/272) and 1.1% (3/272) of the Hyunin population, respectively. On the other hand, four other haplotypes were identical to those of a previous study of Korean native chicken populations. This result is indicative of conservation strategies of Hyunin chicken populations for expanding the genetic diversity in the Korean native chicken population.

Limiting Concentrate during Growing Period Affect Performance and Gene Expression of Hepatic Gluconeogenic Enzymes and Visfatin in Korean Native Beef Calves.

This study elucidated the effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth, plasma profile, and gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and visfatin in the liver of Hanwoo beef calves. The purpose of this study was to test that reducing the amount of concentrate would partially be compensated by increasing the intake of forage and by altering the metabolic status. The study utilized 20 Korean native beef calves (Hanwoo; 60 to 70 d of age) divided into two groups of 10 calves each for 158 d. Control group calves received the amount of concentrate as per the established Korean feeding standards for Hanwoo, whereas calves in the restricted group only received half the amount of concentrate as per standard requirements. Good quality forage (Timothy hay) was available for ad libitum consumption to both groups. Since calves were with their dam until 4 months of age in breeding pens before weaning, the intake of milk before weaning was not recorded, however, the concentrate and forage intakes were recorded daily. Body weights (BW) were recorded at start and on 10 d interval. Blood samples were collected at start and at 50 d interval. On the final day of the experiment, liver biopsies were collected from all animals in each group. The BW was not different between the groups at all times, but tended to be higher (p = 0.061) only at final BW in control than restricted group. Total BW gain in the control group was 116.2 kg as opposed to 84.1 kg in restricted group that led to average BW gain of 736 g/d and 532 g/d in respective groups, and the differences were significant (p<0.01). As planned, the calves in the control group had higher concentrate and lower forage intake than the restricted group. The plasma variables like total protein and urea were higher (p<0.05) in control than restricted group. The mRNA expressions for the gluconeogenic enzymes such as cytosolic phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1), and visfatin measured by quantitative real-time PCR in liver biopsies showed higher expression (p<0.05) in restricted group than control. Overall, restricting concentrate severely reduced the growth intensity and affected few plasma indices, and gene expression in liver was increased indicating that restricting concentrate in the feeding schemes during early growth for beef calves is not advocated.

Genetic Polymorphisms of the Bovine NOV Gene Are Significantly Associated with Carcass Traits in Korean Cattle.

The objective of this study was to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the bovine nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) gene and to evaluate whether these polymorphisms affect carcass traits in the Korean cattle population. We resequenced to detect SNPs from 24 unrelated individuals and identified 19 SNPs within the full 8.4-kb gene, including the 1.5-kb promoter region. Of these 19 SNPs, four were selected for genotyping based on linkage disequilibrium (LD). We genotyped 429 steers to assess the associations of these four SNPs with carcass traits. Statistical analysis revealed that g.7801T>C and g.8379A>C polymorphisms in the NOV gene were associated with carcass weight (p = 0.012 and 0.008, respectively), and the g.2005A>G polymorphism was associated with the back fat thickness (BF) trait (p = 0.0001). One haplotype of the four SNPs (GGTA) was significantly associated with BF (p = 0.0005). Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the NOV gene may be among the important genetic factors affecting carcass yield in beef cattle.

Protein Profile in Corpus Luteum during Pregnancy in Korean Native Cows.

Steroidogenesis requires coordination of the anabolic and catabolic pathways of lipid metabolism, but the profile of proteins associated with progesterone synthesis in cyclic and pregnant corpus luteum (CL) is not well-known in cattle. In Experiment 1, plasma progesterone level was monitored in cyclic cows (n = 5) and pregnant cows (n = 6; until d-90). A significant decline in the plasma progesterone level occurred at d-19 of cyclic cows. Progesterone level in abbatoir-derived luteal tissues was also determined at d 1 to 5, 6 to 13 and 14 to 20 of cyclic cows, and d-60 and -90 of pregnant cows (n = 5 each). Progesterone level in d-60 CL was not different from those in d 6 to 13 CL and d-90 CL, although the difference between d 6 to 13 and d-90 was significant. In Experiment 2, protein expression pattern in CL at d-90 (n = 4) was compared with that in CL of cyclic cows at d 6 to 13 (n = 5). Significant changes in the level of protein expression were detected in 32 protein spots by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE), and 23 of them were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Six proteins were found only in pregnant CL, while the other 17 proteins were found only in cyclic CL. Among the above 6 proteins, vimentin which is involved in the regulation of post-implantation development was included. Thus, the protein expression pattern in CL was disorientated from cyclic luteal phase to mid pregnancy, and alterations in specific CL protein expression may contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy in Korean native cows.

First Report of Internal Fruit Rot of Sweet Pepper in Korea Caused by Fusarium lactis.

In June 2010, an internal fruit rot of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit was found in a commercial greenhouse in Ilsan City, Korea. Disease incidence reached approximately 5% of 30 tons of harvested peppers. Affected fruits commonly did not show external symptoms. However, when the fruit was cut open, an internal rot and pinkish gray mycelium were observed on the seeds and the inner surface of fruit. Discolored soft patches, browning, and necrosis were observed on the outer surface of some fruits. Fragments (5 × 5 mm2) of the affected tissues were surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 30 s and then rinsed twice in sterile distilled water. The pieces were placed on water agar and incubated at 25°C for 4 to 6 days. Twenty-nine Fusarium isolates were obtained from 12 diseased fruits and maintained on synthetic low nutrient agar (SNA) at 10°C. The isolates were cultured on carnation leaf agar (CLA) and SNA at 23°C with 12 h of near-ultraviolet light per day for 14 days. Microconidia were abundant, borne in short, zig-zag chains or false heads, obovoid or clavate with a flattened base, and measured 4.3 to 7.1 × 2.2 to 3.3 µm. Macroconidia were sparse, thin walled, slender, straight to slightly curved, and measured 32 to 48 × 2.8 to 3.9 µm. Sporodochia were rare on CLA and chlamydospores were absent. The translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) gene was amplified from four isolates (SPF01, SPF09, SPF16, and SPF22) by PCR assay using ef1 and ef2 primers (2), and the 700-bp amplification products were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JF411956 to JF411959). BLAST analysis showed 98% homology with the EF-1α sequence of Fusarium lactis NRRL25200 (GenBank Accession No. AF160272). All isolates were identified as F. lactis based on morphological and molecular characteristics (1). Pathogenicity tests of the four isolates were conducted by inoculating flowers on plants of the orange pepper cv. Orange Glory (3). A spore suspension was prepared by flooding 5-day-old cultures on potato dextrose agar with sterile distilled water. When the plants started to flower, each flower was inoculated by placing 20 µl of spore suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml) on each flower. Four isolates of F. lactis were each inoculated onto three flowers on each of seven plants. Flowers from the same number of plants inoculated with sterile distilled water were used as the control treatment. Inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse at 25°C by day and 20°C by night. Sixty days after inoculation, mature fruits were harvested and cut open to check for internal rot. Approximately 70% of inoculated fruits showed internal rot and pinkish gray mycelial growth on the inner surface of the fruits. No symptoms were observed on the control fruits. Fungal cultures resembling F. lactis were reisolated from inoculated fruits for all four isolates, fulfilling Koch's postulates. F. lactis has been reported on sweet pepper in the Netherlands and Canada (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of internal fruit rot of sweet pepper caused by F. lactis in Korea. Although disease severity was low in this greenhouse, the economic impact on sweet pepper could be significant because the disease can reduce the quality, quantity, and market value of pepper fruits. References: (1) H. I. Nirenberg and K. O'Donnell. Mycologia 90:434, 1998. (2) K. O'Donnell et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:2044, 1998. (3) J. Yang et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 31:47, 2009.

Degradation of malic acid in wine by immobilized Issatchenkia orientalis cells with oriental oak charcoal and alginate.

AIMS: To test degradation of malic acid content in wine by immobilized Issatchenkia orientalis KMBL 5774 cells recently isolated from Korean wine pomace as a malic acid-degrading yeast. METHODS AND RESULTS: I. orientalis KMBL 5774 cells were immobilized using a mixture of oriental oak (Quercus variabilis) charcoal with sodium alginate. When the immobilized yeast cells were observed on a scanning electron microscope, cells were efficiently immobilized on the surface area of the charcoal. A Korean wine containing a high level of malic acid was treated with the immobilized yeast cells. The HPLC analysis of the malic acid content in the treated wine showed the malic acid content was reduced to 0.75 mg ml(-1) after treatment from the original content of 8.96 mg ml(-1), representing 91.6% of the malic acid was degraded during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The immobilization of the malic acid-degrading yeasts with oriental oak charcoal and sodium alginate is useful for degradation of malic acid in wines containing a high level of malic acid with no significant increase in other acids. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Malic acid is sometimes detrimental to the quality of wines when present at high concentrations in some varieties. The immobilized I. orientalis KMBL5774 cells appear to be a promising candidate in view of developing biotechnological methods for reduction of malic acid contents in wine.

Ultrastructural observation of electron irradiation damage of lamellar bone.

The ultrastructure of murine femoral lamellar bone and the effect of electron irradiation (200 kV) on collagen and mineral features were investigated using in situ high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Bands of collagen fibrils were mostly aligned parallel to the long axis of the bones, with some bands of fibrils inclined in longitudinal sections. The similarity of the ultrastructure between the longitudinal and transverse sections supports the rotated plywood structure of the lamellar bone. The collagen fibrils appeared damaged and the mineral crystals were coarsened after electron irradiation. Continuous diffraction rings became spotty and the contrast between rings and the background became sharper, further suggesting coarsening of apatite crystals and increased crystallinity after irradiation. No new phases were observed after irradiation. Both the damage to collagen and coarsening of apatite crystals can deteriorate the strength and integrity of bone, and may provide insight into fracture in patients who have undergone radiation therapy.

Improvement of the resolution in direct membrane integrity test by controlling solution surface tension.

Membrane-based treatment technologies have been introduced as a promising tool for the removal of water-borne pathogens. To ensure successful application of membrane processes, the integrity of the membrane system should be maintained. Related with evaluation of the membrane integrity, USEPA guidance recommends pressure-based membrane integrity (MIT). Based on the bubble point theory, the ability of detecting smallest integrity breakage during the MIT is defined as "Resolution". However, the response to remarkably small breach demands significantly high initial test pressure of the pressure decay test. In this study, the surface tension of the test liquid was controlled to improve the resolution without increasing the corresponding test pressure. Three common chemicals were chosen to control the solution surface tension. It is concluded that 0.1 M of the citric acid can decrease the initial test pressure significantly for the same pore size. Subsequently, the improvement of the resolution with controlled surface tension was confirmed by the results of pressure decay test and marker test.

Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin as a Biomarker for Renal Injury in Liver Transplant Recipients Using Calcineurin Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) is an early biomarker of renal injury. We examined the feasibility of using uNGAL as an early predictor of renal impairment in patients under calcineurin inhibitors in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: From urine samples obtained from liver transplant recipients, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at the time of urine sampling was compared with that at 5 to 7 months later. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to initial GFR and then divided into 2 groups according to the uNGAL level of 25 ng/mL. Progression of renal injury (PRI) was defined as a decrease in the GFR of more than 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the mild or moderate groups, or if a normal group patient shifted to the mild or moderate group. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled. The mean uNGAL level was higher in the moderate group than in the normal and mild groups (18.38 ± 14.31 vs 7.74 ± 8.13; P < .01). A proportion of uNGAL-high was also higher in the moderate group than in the mild group (40% vs 5%; P = .03). uNGAL-high was a risk factor for 6-month PRI (odds ratio, 60.375; 95% confidence interval, 1.283-4088.25; P = .037) and 1-year PRI (odds ratio, 21.311; % confidence interval, 0.947-479.578; P = .054). CONCLUSIONS: A uNGAL of >25 ng/mg can be a marker for moderate renal impairment (GFR of 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2) and a predictor of PRI at 6 months in patients using calcineurin inhibitors. Renal protection strategies should be considered in liver transplant recipients with a uNGAL of >25 ng/mg in spot urine sampling.

In vitro selection and characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 resistant to Zidovudine and tenofovir.

In this study, we undertook to generate HIV-1 resistance to PMPA by in vitro passage and to characterize the cross-resistance patterns and RT mutations in the generated resistant virus. The HIV-1 A102-resistant to AZT was serially passaged for 4 months in the presence of increasing concentrations of PMPA up to maximum of 40 microM on the fresh MT-2 cells. After 25 passages, HIV-1 developed decreased sensitivity to PMPA after long-term in vitro exposure. Selected HIV-1 mutants were characterized by decreased susceptibility to PMPA (4-fold). This decrease could be related to PMPA resistant caused by an amino acid change associated with a V148M substitution. From these results, additional studies will be needed to determine whether a similar mutation in HIV RT develops in patients receiving PMPA or its orally bioavailable prodrug, tenofovir dipivoxil fumarate.