Diagnostic usefulness of a T cell-based assay for latent tuberculosis infection in kidney transplant candidates before transplantation

Kim, S.-H.,Lee, S.-O.,Park, I.-A.,Park, S.J.,Choi, S.-H.,Kim, Y.S.,Woo, J.H.,Park, S.-K.,Park, J.S.,Kim, S.C.,Han, D.J. Blackwell Publishing Inc 2010 Transplant infectious disease Vol.12 No.2

<P>S.-H. Kim, S.-O. Lee, I.-A. Park, S.J. Park, S.-H. Choi, Y.S. Kim, J.H. Woo, S.-K. Park, J.S. Park, S.C. Kim, D.J. Han. Diagnostic usefulness of a T cell-based assay for latent tuberculosis infection in kidney transplant candidates before transplantation.Transpl Infect Dis 2010: <B>12:</B> 113–119. All rights reserved</P><P>Background</P><P>The presence of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) should be evaluated before kidney transplantation. Although a new T cell-based assay for diagnosing LTBI gave promising results, this assay has not yet been compared with the tuberculin skin test (TST) for diagnosing LTBI in renal transplant candidates before transplantation.</P><P>Patients and methods</P><P>All adult patients admitted to a single institute for renal transplantation over a 1-year period were prospectively enrolled. A clinically predictive risk of LTBI was defined as: (i) recent close contact with a person with pulmonary TB; (ii) abnormal chest radiography; (iii) a history of untreated or inadequately treated TB; or (iv) a new infection (i.e., a recent conversion of TST).</P><P>Results</P><P>Of 209 renal recipients, 47 (22%) had a positive TST≥5 mm, 21 (10%) had a positive TST≥10 mm, 65 (30%) had a positive T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test, and 25 (12%) had an indeterminate T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test. The induration size of TST was significantly associated with a high positivity rate on T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> (<I>P</I><0.001). Agreement between T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test and TST≥10 mm was fair (<I>k</I>=0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.11–0.36). However, neither univariate nor multivariate analysis showed any association between the clinical risk for LTBI and positivity on T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> or TST.</P><P>Conclusion</P><P>T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test was more frequently positive than TST in renal transplant candidates. However, further longitudinal studies are awaited to determine whether the ability of T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> assay to detect LTBI in renal transplant recipients can better predict the development of TB than can TST after transplantation.</P>

<i>CYP2A6</i> and <i>ERCC1</i> polymorphisms correlate with efficacy of S-1 plus cisplatin in metastatic gastric cancer patients

Park, S R,Kong, S-Y,Nam, B-H,Choi, I J,Kim, C G,Lee, J Y,Cho, S J,Kim, Y W,Ryu, K W,Lee, J H,Rhee, J,Park, Y-I,Kim, N K Nature Publishing Group 2011 The British journal of cancer Vol.104 No.7

<P><B>Background:</B></P><P>We evaluated the association between polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2A6 (<I>CYP2A6</I>)/excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (<I>ERCC1</I>)/X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1(<I>XRCC1</I>) and treatment outcomes of metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients treated with S-1/cisplatin.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>Among MGC patients (<I>n</I>=108), who received S-1 (40 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> b.i.d., days 1–14) and cisplatin (60 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP>, day 1) every 3 weeks, we analysed the wild-type allele (<I>W</I>) and variants (<I>V</I>) of <I>CYP2A6</I> (<I>*4</I>, <I>*7, *9, *10</I>), and the polymorphisms of <I>ERCC1</I> (rs11615, rs3212986) and <I>XRCC1</I> (rs25487).</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>Patients having fewer <I>CYP2A6</I> variants had better response rates (<I>W</I>/<I>W vs W</I>/<I>V</I> other than <I>*1/*4 vs V</I>/<I>V</I> or <I>*1/*4</I>=66.7 <I>vs</I> 58.3 <I>vs</I> 32.3% <I>P</I>=0.008), time to progression (TTP) (7.2 <I>vs</I> 6.1 <I>vs</I> 3.5 months, <I>P</I>=0.021), and overall survival (23.2 <I>vs</I> 15.4 <I>vs</I> 12.0 months, <I>P</I>=0.004). <I>ERCC1 19442C</I>><I>A</I> (rs3212986) was also associated with response rate (<I>C/C</I>, 46.7% <I>vs C/A</I>, 55.3% <I>vs A/A</I>, 87.5%) (<I>P</I>=0.048) and TTP (4.4 <I>vs</I> 7.6 <I>vs</I> 7.9 months) (<I>P</I>=0.012). Patients carrying both risk genotypes of <I>CYP2A6</I> (<I>V</I>/<I>V</I> or <I>1/*4</I>) and <I>ERCC1 19442C</I>><I>A</I> (<I>C/C</I>) <I>vs</I> those carrying none showed an adjusted odds ratio of 0.113 (<I>P</I>=0.004) for response, and adjusted hazard ratios of 3.748 (<I>P</I>=0.0001) for TTP and 2.961 (<I>P</I>=0.006) for death.</P><P><B>Conclusion:</B></P><P>Polymorphisms of <I>CYP2A6</I> and <I>ERCC1 19442C</I>><I>A</I> correlated with the efficacy of S-1/cisplatin.</P>

A systematic investigation of the thermoelectric stability of Pt–Rh thermocouples between 1300 °C and 1500 °C

Pearce, J V,Edler, F,Elliott, C J,Greenen, A,Harris, P M,Izquierdo, C Garcia,Kim, Y-G,Martin, M J,Smith, I M,Tucker, D,Veltcheva, R I BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES POIDS ET MESURES 2018 METROLOGIA -BERLIN- Vol.55 No.4

<P>By using a simple model to relate the electromotive force drift rate of Pt–Rh thermoelements to d<I>S</I>/d<I>c</I>, i.e. the sensitivity of the Seebeck coefficient, <I>S</I>, to rhodium mass fraction, <I>c</I>, the composition of the optimal pair of Pt–Rh wires that minimizes thermoelectric drift can be determined. The model has been applied to four multi-wire thermocouples each comprising 5 or 7 Pt–Rh wires of different composition. Two thermocouples were exposed to a temperature of around 1324 °C, one thermocouple to around 1492 °C, i.e. the melting points of the Co–C and Pd–C high temperature fixed points, respectively, and one thermocouple to a series of temperatures between 1315 °C and 1450 °C. The duration of exposure at each temperature was several thousand hours. By performing repeated calibrations <I>in situ</I> with the appropriate fixed point during the high temperature exposure, the drift performance has been quantified with high accuracy, entirely free from errors associated with thermoelectric homogeneity. By combining these results it is concluded that the Pt-40%Rh versus Pt-6%Rh is the most stable at the temperatures investigated. A preliminary reference function was determined and is presented.</P>

Mechanical properties of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl₃ cermet consolidated by the high-frequency induction-heating method

Kim, W.,Suh, C.Y.,Roh, K.M.,Cho, S.W.,Na, K.I.,Shon, I.J. Elsevier Sequoia 2013 Journal of alloys and compounds Vol.568 No.-

In the case of cemented (W,Ti)C, Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost of Co and the low corrosion resistance of the (W,Ti)C-Co cermet have generated interest in recent years for alternative binder phases. In this study, NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> was used as a binder and consolidated by the high-frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. The densification of both monolithic (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> cermet was accomplished within 3min. Highly dense (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> with a relative density of upto 99% were obtained within 3min by HFIHS under a pressure of 80MPa. The method was found to enable not only the rapid densification but also the prohibition of grain growth preserving the nano-scale microstructure. The average grain sizes of the sintered (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> were lower than 100nm. The addition of NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> to (W,Ti)C enhanced the toughness at the expense of the slight decrease in hardness. The hardness of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> was significantly higher than that of (W,Ti)C-Co or (W,Ti)C-Ni. The fracture toughness and hardness values of (W,Ti)C, (W,Ti)C-5vol.%NiAl<SUB>3</SUB>, and (W,Ti)C-10vol.%NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> consolidated by HFIHS with a pressure of 80MPa and a induced current were 7.6+/-0.4MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2850+/-35kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, 8.5+/-0.3MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2610+/-37kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, 9.7+/-0.5MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2520+/-26kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, respectively.

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.

Induction of bone formation by <i>Escherichia coli</i>‐expressed recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 using block‐type macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate in orthotopic and ectopic rat models

Park, J‐,C.,So, S‐,S.,Jung, I‐,H.,Yun, J‐,H.,Choi, S‐,H.,Cho, K‐,S.,Kim, C‐,S. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Journal of periodontal research Vol.46 No.6

<P><I>Park J‐C, So S‐S, Jung I‐H, Yun J‐H, Choi S‐H, Cho K‐S, Kim C‐S. Induction of bone formation by</I> Escherichia coli<I>‐expressed recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 using block‐type macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate in orthotopic and ectopic rat models. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 682–690. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S</I></P><P><B>Background and Objective: </B> The potential of the <I>Escherichia coli</I>‐expressed recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (ErhBMP‐2) to support new bone formation/maturation using a block‐type of macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (bMBCP) carrier was evaluated in an orthotopic and ectopic rat model.</P><P><B>Material and Methods: </B> Critical‐size (Φ 8 mm) calvarial defects and subcutaneous pockets in 32 Sprague–Dawley rats received implants of rhBMP‐2 (2.5 μg) in a bMBCP carrier or bMBCP alone (control). Implant sites were evaluated using histological and histometric analysis following 2‐ and 8‐wk healing intervals (eight animals/group/interval).</P><P><B>Results: </B> ErhBMP‐2/bMBCP supported significantly greater bone formation at 2 and 8 wk (10.8% and 25.4%, respectively) than the control at 2 and 8 wk (5.3% and 14.0%, respectively) in calvarial defects (<I>p</I> < 0.01). Bone formation was only observed for the ErhBMP‐2/bMBCP ectopic sites and was significantly greater at 8 wk (7.5%) than at 2 wk (4.5%) (<I>p</I> < 0.01). Appositional and endochondral bone formation was usually associated with a significant increase in fatty marrow at 8 wk. The bMBCP carrier showed no evidence of bioresorption.</P><P><B>Conclusion: </B> ErhBMP‐2/bMBCP induced significant bone formation in both calvarial and ectopic sites. Further study appears to be required to evaluate the relevance of the bMBCP carrier.</P>

ApoA-I mutants V156K and R173C promote anti-inflammatory function and antioxidant activities

Cho, K. H.,Park, S. H.,Han, J. M.,Kim, H. C.,Choi, Y. K.,Choi, I. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2006 European journal of clinical investigation Vol.36 No.12

<P>Abstract</P><P>Background </P><P>Two mutants of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, V156K and A158E, showed markedly different structural and functional properties in lipid-free and lipid-bound states in the authors’ earlier report. The physiological activities of these mutants were compared with the wild-type (WT) and R173C mutant using <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> experiments.</P><P>Materials and methods </P><P>A reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) with palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC), combined with each of the apoA-I variants, was injected into the tail-veins of hypercholesterolaemic mice (C57BL6/J), which had been fed a high cholesterol and high fat (HCHF; 0·5% cholesterol, 15% lard, 0·1% sodium cholate) diet for 23 weeks, once at 0 h and then every 24 h, at a dosage of 30 mg apoA-I kg<SUP>−1</SUP> of body-weight.</P><P>Results </P><P>The V156K-rHDL and R173C-rHDL exhibited significantly stronger anti-oxidant activity against copper-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation than did A158E in an apolipoprotein state. The mice injected with WT-rHDL or A158E-rHDL showed abrupt increases in total cholesterol concentrations (47% and 38%, respectively) as compared with the levels before injection, whereas the mice injected with V156K-rHDL and R173C-rHDL did not. Injection with V156K-rHDL improved serum lipids and anti-oxidative activities compared with the injection of WT-rHDL. Injection of WT-rHDL or A158E-rHDL increased serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) to 90–110 pg mL<SUP>−1</SUP>, whereas the injection of V156K-rHDL or R173C-rHDL increased serum IL-6 to 17–25 pg mL<SUP>−1</SUP> only.</P><P>Conclusion </P><P>The V156K-rHDL and R173C-rHDL displayed potent beneficial effects, including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from both <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> evaluations, whereas the WT-rHDL and A158E-rHDL did not.</P>

Asymmetric dibenzoylated monobenzotetraazacyclo[15]annulenenickel(II) complexes

Kim, E. H.,Kim, D. I.,Park, I. J.,Bae, Z. U.,Byun, J. C.,Na, H. G.,Park, Y. C. Gordon and Breach Science Pub 2007 Journal of coordination chemistry Vol.60 No.4

<P> The 15-membered asymmetric complexes, 3,11-di(p-Xbenzoyl)-2,4,10,12-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-monobenzotetraazacyclo[15]annulenenickel(II), X = CH3, H, Cl, NO2 and OCH3, were synthesized and characterized. IR spectra of the benzoylated complexes showed an intense C=O stretching mode in the range 1630-1640 cm-1. Hammett plots of [image omitted]of π → π* and LMCT were linear with slopes of +0.379 and +0.339, respectively. 1H NMR signals of methyl groups showed shielding effects due to magnetic anisotropy of benzoyl groups, while other proton signals exhibited deshielding effects. 13C NMR spectra were consistent with 1H NMR. Voltammograms of complexes showed two irreversible oxidation peaks due to the ligands in the ranges +0.35 to +0.44 V and +0.74 to +0.86 V, respectively. A reduction wave involving nickel(II) was found in the range -2.50 to -2.70 V, depending on substituents on the benzoyl group. Hammett plots of the first and second oxidation potentials had linear slopes of +0.071 and +0.104, respectively. The structures of 2,4,10,12-tetramethyl-1,5,9, 13-monobenzotetraazacyclo[15]annulenenickel(II) (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 22.883(6), b = 10.358(3), c = 14.755(4) Å, &bgr; = 102.704(4)°, Z = 8, R1 [I > 2σ(I)] = 0.0295, wR2 [I > 2σ(I)] = 0.0744) and 3,11-di(p-methylbenzoyl)-2,4,10,12-tetramethyl-1,5,9,13-monobenzotetraazacyclo[15]annulenenickel(II) (orthorhombic, Pca21, a = 27.829(3), b = 10.3904(11), c = 10.4664(11) Å, Z = 4, R1 [I > 2σ(I)] = 0.0387, wR2 [I > 2σ(I)] = 0.0840) were determined using single-crystal X-ray methods.</P>

Enhanced adipogenic differentiation and reduced collagen synthesis induced by human periodontal ligament stem cells might underlie the negative effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on periodontal regeneration

Song, D‐,S.,Park, J‐,C.,Jung, I‐,H.,Choi, S‐,H.,Cho, K‐,S.,Kim, C‐,K.,Kim, C‐,S. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Journal of periodontal research Vol.46 No.2

<P> <I>Song D‐S, Park J‐C, Jung I‐H, Choi S‐H, Cho K‐S, Kim C‐K, Kim C‐S. Enhanced adipogenic differentiation and reduced collagen synthesis induced by human periodontal ligament stem cells might underlie the negative effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on periodontal regeneration. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 193–203. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S</I> </P><P><B>Background and Objective: </B> Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) is a potent inducer for the regeneration of mineralized tissue, but has a limited effect on the regeneration of cementum and periodontal ligament (PDL). The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of rhBMP‐2 on the <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> biologic activity of well‐characterized human PDL stem cells (hPDLSCs) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of minimal periodontal regeneration by rhBMP‐2.</P><P><B>Material and Methods: </B> hPDLSCs were isolated and cultured, and then transplanted into an ectopic subcutaneous mouse model using a carrier treated either with or without rhBMP‐2. Comprehensive histologic, histometric and immunohistochemical analyses were performed after an 8‐wk healing period. The effects of rhBMP‐2 on the adipogenic and osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs were also evaluated. The effect of rhBMP‐2 on both soluble and insoluble collagen synthesis was analyzed, and the expression of mRNA and protein for collagen types I, II, III and V was assessed.</P><P><B>Results: </B> In the present study, rhBMP‐2 promoted both adipogenic and osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs <I>in vitro</I>, and the <I>in vivo</I> potential of hPDLSCs to form mineralized cementum and organized PDL tissue was down‐regulated following treatment with rhBMP‐2. Collagen synthesis, which plays a crucial role in the regeneration of cementum and the periodontal attachment, was significantly reduced, with associated modification of the relevant mRNA and protein expression profiles.</P><P><B>Conclusion: </B> In summary, the findings of the present study suggest that enhanced adipogenic differentiation and inhibition of collagen synthesis by hPDLSCs appear to be partly responsible for the minimal effect of rhBMP‐2 on cementum and PDL tissue regeneration by hPDLSCs.</P>

Identification and characterization of a carboxypeptidase N1 from red lip mullet (<i>Liza haematocheila</i>); revealing its immune relevance

Perera, N.C.N.,Godahewa, G.I.,Jung, Sumi,Kim, Myoung-Jin,Nam, Bo-Hye,Lee, Jehee ACADEMIC PRESS LTD 2019 FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY Vol.84 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Complement system orchestrates the innate and adaptive immunity <I>via</I> the activation, recruitment, and regulation of immune molecules to destroy pathogens. However, regulation of the complement is essential to avoid injuries to the autologous tissues. The present study unveils the characteristic features of an important complement component, anaphylatoxin inactivator from red lip mullet at its molecular and functional level. Mullet carboxypeptidase N1 (MuCPN1) cDNA sequence possessed an open reading frame of 1347 bp, which encoded a protein of 449 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 51 kDa. <I>In silico</I> analysis discovered two domains of PM14-Zn carboxypeptidase and a C-terminal domain of M14 N/E carboxypeptidase, two zinc-binding signature motifs, and an N-glycosylation site in the MuCPN1 sequence. Homology analysis revealed that most of the residues in the sequence are conserved among the other selected homologs. Phylogeny analysis showed that MuCPN1 closely cladded with the <I>Maylandia zebra</I> CPN1 and clustered together with the teleostean counterparts. A challenge experiment showed modulated expression of MuCPN1 upon polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and <I>Lactococcus garviae</I> in head kidney, spleen, gill, and liver tissues. The highest upregulation of MuCPN1 was observed 24 h post infection against poly I:C in each tissue. Moreover, the highest relative expressions upon <I>L. garviae</I> challenge were observed at 24 h post infection in head kidney tissue and 48 h post infection in spleen, gill, and liver tissues. MuCPN1 transfected cells triggered a 2.2-fold increase of nitric oxide (NO) production upon LPS stimulation compared to the un-transfected controls suggesting that MuCPN1 is an active protease which releases arginine from complement C3a, C4a, and C5a. These results have driven certain way towards enhancing the understanding of immune role of MuCPN1 in the complement defense mechanism of red lip mullet.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Carboxypeptidase N1 complement component was identified from the red lip mullet. </LI> <LI> Ubiquitous expression of MuCPN1 was observed in healthy mullet tissues. </LI> <LI> Modulated transcriptions of MuCPN1 revealed the importance in the immune responses. </LI> <LI> MuCPN1 was enhanced the nitric oxide production at an inflammatory condition. </LI> </UL> </P>