The Use of Collagen Content as Determined by Spectral Domain Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography to Assess Colon Anastomosis Healing in a Rat Model

Son, K.H.,Jeong, H.-W.,Jung, W.-W.,Kim, H.-S.,Lee, S.K.,Kim, K.T.,Ahn, C.B.,Park, K.Y.,Kim, B.-M.,Lee, S.H. S. Karger AG 2014 European surgical research Vol.52 No.1

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Background/Purpose:</I></B> Many studies have been undertaken to prevent anastomosis leakage of the colon, and several methods have been used to assess anastomosis healing, such as measurement of bursting pressure or hydroxyproline (a marker of collagen) content at the anastomosis site. However, these methods are inappropriate for comparing anastomosis healing at two time points in the same animals. In the present study, we measured the collagen level by spectral domain polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (SD-PS-OCT) to assess anastomosis healing. <B><I>Methods:</I></B> Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups C (saline-administered controls; study group) and M [a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-administered experimental group]. Immediately after end-to-end anastomosis of the colon, SD-PS-OCT images of anastomoses were taken (baseline). Animals were administered saline or 5-FU for 7 days. On the 7th postoperative day, SD-PS-OCT images were acquired, a histopathologic exam was performed, and hydroxyproline levels as well as mRNA expressions of collagen-1 and collagen-3 were measured at the anastomosis site. <B><I>Results:</I></B> Fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration were greater in group C than in group M. The mRNA expressions of collagen-1 and collagen-3 were substantially higher in group C. Hydroxyproline levels were higher in group M than in group C. Though collagen levels measured by SD-PS-OCT at 7 days were elevated compared with baseline in group C, no such changes were observed for group M. <B><I>Conclusion:</I></B> Collagen levels at the colon anastomosis site, measured with SD-PS-OCT, were not increased at 7 days postoperatively versus baseline when 5-FU was injected, but were increased in saline-treated controls. The measurement of collagen content by SD-PS-OCT was found to provide a good means of assessing anastomosis healing, because it allows in situ assessment of collagen contents at baseline and during the postoperative period.</P><P>© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

TmSR-C, scavenger receptor class C, plays a pivotal role in antifungal and antibacterial immunity in the coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor

Kim, S.G.,Jo, Y.H.,Seong, J.H.,Park, K.B.,Noh, M.Y.,Cho, J.H.,Ko, H.J.,Kim, C.E.,Tindwa, H.,Patnaik, B.B.,Bang, I.S.,Lee, Y.S.,Han, Y.S. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2017 Insect biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.89 No.-

Scavenger receptors (SRs) constitute a family of membrane-bound receptors that bind to multiple ligands. The SR family of proteins is involved in removing cellular debris, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and pathogens. Specifically, class C scavenger receptors (SR-C) have also been reported to be involved in phagocytosis of gram-positive and -negative bacteria in Drosophila and viruses in shrimp. However, reports are unavailable regarding the role of SR-C in antifungal immune mechanisms in insects. In this study, a full-length Tenebrio molitor SR-C (TmSR-C) sequence was obtained by 5'- and 3'-Rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The TmSR-C full-length cDNA comprised 1671 bp with 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of 23- and 107-bp, respectively. TmSR-C encodes a putative protein of 556 amino acid residues that is constitutively expressed in all tissues of late instar larvae and 2-day-old adults, with the highest transcript levels observed in hemocytes of larvae and adults. TmSR-C mRNA showed a 2.5-fold and 3-fold increase at 24 and 6 h after infection with Candida albicans and β-glucan, respectively. Immunoassay with TmSR-C polyclonal antibody showed induction of the putative protein in the cytosols of hemocytes at 3 h after inoculation of C. albicans. RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene silencing and phagocytosis assays were used to understand the role of TmSR-C in antifungal immunity. Silencing of TmSR-C transcripts reduced the survivability of late instar larvae at 2 days post-inoculation of C. albicans, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, in TmSR-C-silenced larvae, there was a decline in the rate of microorganism phagocytosis. Taken together, results of this study suggest that TmSR-C plays a pivotal role in phagocytosing not only fungi but also gram-negative and -positive bacteria in T. molitor.

Multiple heterologous M2 extracellular domains presented on virus-like particles confer broader and stronger M2 immunity than live influenza A virus infection

Kim, M.C.,Lee, J.S.,Kwon, Y.M.,O, E.,Lee, Y.J.,Choi, J.G.,Wang, B.Z.,Compans, R.W.,Kang, S.M. Elsevier/North-Holland 2013 Antiviral research Vol.99 No.3

The influenza M2 ectodomain (M2e) is poorly immunogenic and has some amino acid changes among isolates from different host species. We expressed a tandem repeat construct of heterologous M2e sequences (M2e5x) derived from human, swine, and avian origin influenza A viruses on virus-like particles (M2e5x VLPs) in a membrane-anchored form. Immunization of mice with M2e5x VLPs induced protective antibodies cross-reactive to antigenically different influenza A viruses and conferred cross protection. Anti-M2e antibodies induced by heterologous M2e5x VLPs showed a wider range of cross reactivity to influenza A viruses at higher levels than those by live virus infection, homologous M2e VLPs, or M2e monoclonal antibody 14C2. Fc receptors were found to be important for mediating protection by immune sera from M2e5x VLP vaccination. The present study provides evidence that heterologous recombinant M2e5x VLPs can be more effective in inducing protective M2e immunity than natural virus infection and further supports an approach for developing an effective universal influenza vaccine.

First observation ofγγ→pp¯K+K−and search for exotic baryons inpKsystems

Shen, C. P.,Yuan, C. Z.,Adachi, I.,Aihara, H.,Asner, D. M.,Aulchenko, V.,Aushev, T.,Ayad, R.,Babu, V.,Badhrees, I.,Bakich, A. M.,Barberio, E.,Behera, P.,Bhardwaj, V.,Bhuyan, B.,Biswal, J.,Bobrov, A.,B American Physical Society 2016 Physical review. D Vol.93 No.11

<P>The process gamma gamma -> p (p) over barK(+)K(-) and its intermediate processes are measured for the first time using a 980 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. The production of p (p) over barK(+)K(-) and a Lambda(1520)(0) ((Lambda) over bar (1520)(0)) signal in the pK(-) ((p) over barK(+)) invariant mass spectrum are clearly observed. However, no evidence for an exotic baryon near 1540 MeV/c(2), denoted as Theta(1540)(0) ((Theta) over bar (1540)(0)) or Theta(1540)(++) (Theta(1540)(--)), is seen in the pK(-) ((p) over barK(+)) or pK(+) ((p) over barK(-)) invariant mass spectra. Cross sections for gamma gamma -> p (p) over barK(+)K(-), Lambda(1520)(0)(p) over barK(+) + c.c. and the products sigma(gamma gamma -> Theta(1540)(0)(p) over barK(+) + c.c.)B(Theta(1540)(0) -> pK(-)) and sigma(gamma gamma -> Theta(1540)(++)(p) over barK(-) + c.c.)B(Theta(1540)(++) -> pK(+)) are measured. We also determine upper limits on the products of the chi(c0) and chi(c2) two-photon decay widths and their branching fractions to p (p) over barK(+)K(-) at the 90% credibility level.</P>

OH (1720 MHz) MASERS: A MULTIWAVELENGTH STUDY OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE W51C SUPERNOVA REMNANT AND THE W51B STAR FORMING REGION

Brogan, C. L.,Goss, W. M.,Hunter, T. R.,Richards, A. M. S.,Chandler, C. J.,Lazendic, J. S.,Koo, B.-C.,Hoffman, I. M.,Claussen, M. J. IOP Publishing 2013 The Astrophysical journal Vol.771 No.2

<P>We present a comprehensive view of the W51B H II region complex and the W51C supernova remnant (SNR) using new radio observations from the VLA, VLBA, MERLIN, JCMT, and CSO along with archival data from Spitzer, ROSAT, ASCA, and Chandra. Our VLA data include the first lambda = 400 cm (74 MHz) continuum image of W51 at high resolution (88 ''). The 400 cm image shows non-thermal emission surrounding the G49.2-0.3 H II region, and a compact source of non-thermal emission (W51B_NT) coincident with the previously-identified OH (1720 MHz) maser spots, non-thermal 21 and 90 cm emission, and a hard X-ray source. W51B_NT falls within the region of high likelihood for the position of TeV gamma-ray emission. Using the VLBA, three OH (1720 MHz) maser spots are detected in the vicinity of W51B_NT with sizes of 60-300 AU and Zeeman effect magnetic field strengths of 1.5-2.2 mG. The multiwavelength data demonstrate that the northern end of the W51B HII region complex has been partly enveloped by the advancing W51C SNR and this interaction explains the presence of W51B_NT and the OH masers. This interaction also appears in the thermal molecular gas which partially encircles W51B_NT and exhibits narrow pre-shock (Delta v similar to 5 km s(-1)) and broad post-shock (Delta v similar to 20 km s(-1)) velocity components. RADEX radiative transfer modeling of these two components yield physical conditions consistent with the passage of a non-dissociative C-type shock. Confirmation of the W51B/W51C interaction provides additional evidence in favor of this region being one of the best candidates for hadronic particle acceleration known thus far.</P>

Moracin M inhibits airway inflammation by interrupting the JNK/c-Jun and NF-κB pathways in vitro and in vivo

Lee, J.H.,Ko, H.J.,Woo, E.R.,Lee, S.K.,Moon, B.S.,Lee, C.W.,Mandava, S.,Samala, M.,Lee, J.,Kim, H.P. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 european journal of pharmacology Vol.783 No.-

<P>The therapeutic effectiveness of moracins as 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives against airway inflammation was examined. Moracin M, O, and R were isolated from the root barks of Morus alba, and they inhibited interleukin (IL)-6 production from IL-1 beta-treated lung epithelial cells (A549) at 101-00 mu M. Among them, moracin M showed the strongest inhibitory effect (IC50=8.1 mu M). Downregulation of IL-6 expression by moracin M was mediated by interrupting the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Jun pathway. Moracin derivatives inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-catalyzed NO production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated alveolar macrophages (MH-S) at 50-100 mu M. In particular, moracin M inhibited NO production by downregulating iNOS. When orally administered, moracin M (20-60mg/kg) showed comparable inhibitory action with dexamethasone (30mg/kg) against LPS-induced lung inflammation, acute lung injury, in mice with that of dexamethasone (30mg/kg). The action mechanism included interfering with the activation of nuclear transcription factor-kB in inflamed lungs. Therefore, it is concluded that moracin M inhibited airway inflammation in vitro and in vivo, and it has therapeutic potential for treating lung inflammatory disorders. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Paenibacillus harenae sp. nov., isolated from desert sand in China

Jeon, C. O.,Lim, J.-M.,Lee, S. S.,Chung, B. S.,Park, D.-J.,Xu, L.-H.,Jiang, C.-L.,Kim, C.-J. Microbiology Society 2009 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.59 No.1

<P>A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain B519T, was isolated from a desert sand sample of Gansu Province, China. Strain B519T was strictly aerobic and cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella. The strain grew optimally at 32-35 degrees C and pH 6.5-7.0. Chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of the new isolate to the genus Paenibacillus, including menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the major isoprenoid quinone, DNA G+C content of 49.9 mol%, cell-wall type A1gamma (meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid) and anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain B519T was most closely related to Paenibacillus alkaliterrae KSL-134T (98.0 % similarity). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain B519T and P. alkaliterrae KSL-134T was about 12.3 %. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and molecular properties, strain B519T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus harenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B519T (=KCTC 3951T =DSM 16969T).</P>

Supplemented vaccination with tandem repeat M2e virus-like particles enhances protection against homologous and heterologous HPAI H5 viruses in chickens

Song, B.M.,Kang, H.M.,Lee, E.K.,Jung, S.C.,Kim, M.C.,Lee, Y.N.,Kang, S.M.,Lee, Y.J. Butterworths ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Vaccine Vol.34 No.5

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 viruses derived from A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 have been continuously circulating globally, severely affecting the public health and poultry industries. The matrix 2 protein ectodomain (M2e) is considered a promising candidate for a universal cross-protective influenza vaccine that provides more effective control over HPAI H5 viruses harboring variant hemagglutinin (HA)-antigens. Here, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a tandem repeat construct of heterologous M2e presented on virus-like particles (M2e5x VLPs) either alone or as a supplement against HPAI H5 viruses in a chicken model. Chickens immunized with M2e5x VLPs alone induced M2e-specific antibodies but were not protected against HPAI H5. The homo- and cross-protective efficacy of M2e5x VLP-supplemented vaccination of chickens was also examined. Importantly, supplementation with M2e5x VLPs induced significantly higher levels of antibodies specific for M2e and different viruses as well as provided improved protection against homologous and heterologous HPAI H5 viruses. Considering the limited efficacy of inactivated vaccines, supplement vaccination with M2e5x VLPs may be an effective measure for preventing outbreaks of HPAI viruses that have the ability to constantly change their antigenic properties in poultry.

Development of additive [¹¹C]CO₂ target system in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron and its application for [¹¹C]radiopharmaceutical production

Moon, B.S.,Lee, H.J.,Lee, W.K.,Hur, M.G.,Yang, S.D.,Lee, B.C.,Kim, S.E. North-Holland Physics Pub 2015 Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Vol.356 No.-

The KOTRON-13 cyclotron, which was developed in South Korea for the production of medical radioisotopes, has the structural limitation of only one beam-output port, restricting the production of the carbon-11 isotope. In the present study, we investigate the design of a switchable target system and develop an effective carbon-11 target in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron, for combination with the fluorine-18 target. The target system was designed by introducing a sliding-type element between the fluorine-18 and carbon-11 targets, a tailor-made C-11 target and its cooling system. For the efficient production of [<SUP>11</SUP>C]CO<SUB>2</SUB>, the desirable target shape and internal volume were determined by a Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation program, and the target grid was modified to resist the cavity pressure during beam irradiation. We evaluated the [<SUP>11</SUP>C]CO<SUB>2</SUB> production while varying the material and thickness of the target foil, oxygen content of the nitrogen gas, and target loading pressure. Using sliding-type equipment including an additional gate valve and a high vacuum in a beam line, the bi-directional conversion between the fluorine-18 and carbon-11 targets was efficient regarding the accurate beam irradiation on both targets. The optimal [<SUP>11</SUP>C]CO<SUB>2</SUB> production for 30min irradiation at 60μA (86.6+/-1.7GBq in the target at EOB) was observed at a thickness of 19μm with HAVAR® material as a target foil and a target loading pressure of 24bar with nitrogen plus 300ppb of oxygen gas. Additionally, the coolant cavity system in the target grid and target chamber is useful to remove the heat transferred to the target body by the internal convection of water and thereby ensure the stability of the [<SUP>11</SUP>C]CO<SUB>2</SUB> production under a high beam current. In the application of C-11 labeled radiopharmaceuticals such as [<SUP>11</SUP>C]PIB, [<SUP>11</SUP>C]DASB, [<SUP>11</SUP>C]PBR28, [<SUP>11</SUP>C]Methionine and [<SUP>11</SUP>C]Clozapine, the radiochemical yields were shown to be 25-38% (decay corrected) with over 166GBq/μmol of specific activity. Consequently, the additive carbon-11 target system was successfully developed in only one output port of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron and exhibited the stable production of C-11 labeled radiopharmaceuticals.

Directly comparing GW150914 with numerical solutions of Einstein’s equations for binary black hole coalescence

Abbott, B. P.,Abbott, R.,Abbott, T. D.,Abernathy, M. R.,Acernese, F.,Ackley, K.,Adams, C.,Adams, T.,Addesso, P.,Adhikari, R. X.,Adya, V. B.,Affeldt, C.,Agathos, M.,Agatsuma, K.,Aggarwal, N.,Aguiar, O. American Physical Society 2016 Physical Review D Vol.94 No.6

<P>We compare GW150914 directly to simulations of coalescing binary black holes in full general relativity, including several performed specifically to reproduce this event. Our calculations go beyond existing semianalytic models, because for all simulations-including sources with two independent, precessing spins - we perform comparisons which account for all the spin-weighted quadrupolar modes, and separately which account for all the quadrupolar and octopolar modes. Consistent with the posterior distributions reported by Abbott et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 241102 (2016)] (at the 90% credible level), we find the data are compatible with a wide range of nonprecessing and precessing simulations. Follow-up simulations performed using previously estimated binary parameters most resemble the data, even when all quadrupolar and octopolar modes are included. Comparisons including only the quadrupolar modes constrain the total redshifted mass M-z epsilon [64 M-circle dot - 82 M-circle dot], mass ratio 1/q = m(2)/m(1) epsilon [0.6; 1], and effective aligned spin chi(eff) epsilon [-0.3, 0.2] where chi(eff) = (S-1/m(1)+S-2/m(2)). (L) over cap /M. Including both quadrupolar and octopolar modes, we find the mass ratio is even more tightly constrained. Even accounting for precession, simulations with extreme mass ratios and effective spins are highly inconsistent with the data, at any mass. Several nonprecessing and precessing simulations with similar mass ratio and chi(eff) are consistent with the data. Though correlated, the components' spins (both in magnitude and directions) are not significantly constrained by the data: the data is consistent with simulations with component spin magnitudes a(1,2) up to at least 0.8, with random orientations. Further detailed follow-up calculations are needed to determine if the data contain a weak imprint from transverse (precessing) spins. For nonprecessing binaries, interpolating between simulations, we reconstruct a posterior distribution consistent with previous results. The final black hole's redshifted mass is consistent with M-f,M-z in the range 64.0 M-circle dot - 73.5 M-circle dot and the final black hole's dimensionless spin parameter is consistent with a(f) = 0.62-0.73. As our approach invokes no intermediate approximations to general relativity and can strongly reject binaries whose radiation is inconsistent with the data, our analysis provides a valuable complement to Abbott et al.</P>