Search

Key Clinical Message: In this case, a patient experienced rare uterine torsion during pregnancy, detected by MRI. Diagnosis before Cesarean is helpful to achieve better outcomes, highlighting the importance of attention in high‐risk groups. Uterine torsion during pregnancy is a rare complication and its risk factors and diagnostic modalities have not yet been clearly defined. Here we present a case of uterine torsion due to unexpected pelvic adhesion. A 34‐years‐old primigravida patient underwent an emergency cesarean section for aggravated maternal preeclampsia symptoms at 34 + 0 weeks of gestation. Intraoperatively, after the baby was out, it was found that the uterus was rotated about 90 degrees to the right by dense pelvic adhesion in posterior uterine wall. In this patient, a rightward vaginal stretch was represented through a retrospective review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before childbirth. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of uterine torsion during pregnancy with MRI. Diagnosing uterine torsion in advance or paying attention to incisions during operative delivery will lead to better management in this condition and good perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, yet little is known about how consumers experience medical AI and make decisions about using these providers for follow‐up care. We take an interdisciplinary approach that combines behavioral and neuroimaging experiments to determine how anthropomorphism and personalization influence consumers' well‐being and their decisions about a provider for follow‐up care. Study 1 finds that, regardless of the type of medical provider used, consumers are likely to experience a heightened sense of well‐being after a highly personalized medical consultation. However, regardless of whether the first interaction is highly personalized or not, they prefer follow‐up visits with a human doctor, as mediated through empathy. Study 2 finds that, regardless of the type of medical provider used, the anterior cingulate cortex shows greater activation in a highly (vs. low) personalized interaction, the activation of which is also correlated with consumers' willingness to revisit that provider. Furthermore, the temporal occipital fusiform cortex shows greater activation in consultations with a human doctor (vs. medical AI), regardless of the interaction's level of personalization. The level of activation is also correlated with consumers' willingness to revisit with the initial provider. The findings suggest that medical AI cannot currently replace human doctors and that human doctors remain consumers' choice for medical consultations and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in throughfall plays a vital role in providing carbon and energy to organisms in forests. We utilized carbon isotope analysis to allocate the sources of throughfall DOC, including leaching from plant tissues, PM2.5 deposition on plant foliage, and precipitation. Rainwater, PM2.5, and throughfall samples were collected from pine and oak forests between March and November 2021. The mean concentration of throughfall DOC was 7.9 mg L−1, approximately six times higher than that of rainfall. The mean Δ14C of throughfall DOC was −38.2‰, ∼200‰ higher than that of rainwater or PM2.5. Mass balance estimates revealed that canopy leaching contributed to ∼83% of throughfall DOC, while desorption of PM2.5 and rainwater accounted for only ∼3% and ∼14% of throughfall DOC, respectively. These results clearly highlight canopy leaching as the primary source of carbon input to the forest floor, with a relatively minor contribution from PM2.5 desorption on leaves. Plain Language Summary: Canopy leaching occurs when raindrops hit leaves and branches before falling to the ground. This brings dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into forest ecosystems, providing carbon and energy for organisms. The wash‐off of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from tree leaves can also contribute to throughfall DOC. Both canopy leaching and PM2.5 contain organic carbon showing humic‐like fluorescence spectra, making it difficult to quantify how much throughfall DOC comes from canopy leaching or desorption of PM2.5 from leaves. Here, we employed carbon isotope analysis to differentiate three sources of throughfall DOC: leaching from plant tissues, PM2.5 deposition on plant foliage, and precipitation. Rainwater, atmospheric PM2.5, and throughfall samples were collected from pine and oak forests in South Korea between March and November 2021. The mean concentration of throughfall DOC was six times larger than that of rainfall, and the mean Δ14C of throughfall DOC exceeded those of rainwater or PM2.5. Mass balance estimates indicated canopy leaching accounted for roughly 83% of throughfall DOC, while desorption of PM2.5 from leaves and rainwater contributed only 3% and 14% to throughfall DOC, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that leaching from plant tissues, not PM2.5 on plants, predominantly controls throughfall DOC composition. Key Points: Isotopic ratios of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in throughfall differed from those in rainwater and atmospheric fine particlesAbout 83% of DOC in throughfall was due to leaching of tree canopyDesorption of PM2.5 from plant foliage accounted for only ∼3% of DOC in throughfall [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: About 50% of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients respond to rituximab induction, but most relapse. The effectiveness of rituximab maintenance remains untested. This study included autoimmune cytopenia patients who had previously responded to rituximab induction but subsequently relapsed. After re‐induction, patients received rituximab maintenance regimen consisting of a single 375 mg/m2 dose administered at 4 month intervals, with a maximum of 6 doses. Primary endpoints were duration of response and safety. Sixteen patients: ITP (9), autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (2), and Evans syndrome (5) received rituximab maintenance. 15/16 achieved complete response (CR); 8/15 CR + 1 partial reponse remain in remission. Median response: 43 months; estimated 5‐year relapse‐free >50%. Three developed hypogammaglobulinemia. Rituximab maintenance led to prolonged remissions in patients with autoimmune cytopenias who had previously responded to rituximab induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for study discontinuation (other than study termination) were AE in 1 patient (avatrombopag) and inadequate therapeutic effect in 1 (avatrombopag) and 5 (eltrombopag) patients. PATIENT CONSENT STATEMENT All patients provided written informed consent prior to study enrollment. Michael D. Tarantino, James B. Bussel and Eun-Ju Lee served as study investigators. [Extracted from the article]

Gastrin, gastrin-17, gastritis, thrombopoietin receptor agonist Keywords: gastrin; gastrin-17; gastritis; thrombopoietin receptor agonist EN gastrin gastrin-17 gastritis thrombopoietin receptor agonist 890 892 3 08/18/23 20230815 NES 230815 AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS Michael Tarantino, James B. Bussel and Eun-Ju Lee served as study investigators. [Extracted from the article]

(D) TGF 1 promoter-driven mouse TIF1 turned on in the presence of TGF 1 protein at a similar level to cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-driven mouse TIF1 , leading to an expression of TIF1 and suppression of fibrosis genes. TGF 1-promoter-driven TIF1 gene therapy significantly reduced liver fibrosis as much as CMV promoter-driven TIF1 gene therapy did (Figure S5A,B). Dear Editor, Recently, we reported the role of transcriptional intermediary factor-1 (TIF1 ) from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in preventing liver fibrosis.1 Therefore, an effective strategy to supply I TIF1 i during liver injury offers significant therapeutic promise. (B and C) TGF 1 promoter-driven human TIF1 turned on in the presence of TGF 1 protein, leading to the expression of TIF1 and suppression of fibrosis genes. [Extracted from the article]

Aims: There is no clear pathophysiologic evidence determining how long overactive bladder (OAB) medication should be continued. We, therefore, investigated the effect of mirabegron using cessation (CES) or continuation (CON) treatment in an OAB animal model. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (N = 8 each): Sham, OAB, CES, and CON groups. The OAB‐like condition was induced by three times weekly intravesical instillations of KCl mixture with hyaluronidase. After the last intravesical instillation for inducing OAB, mirabegron (2 mg/kg/day) was administered in CES and CON groups for 10 and 20 days, respectively. Final experiments were carried out on 20 days from the last intravesical instillation in all groups. After cystometry, mRNA levels of bladder muscarinic, β‐adrenergic, and P2X purinergic receptors were measured to investigate bladder efferent and afferent activity. In addition, mRNA levels of CCL2 and CCR2 in L6‐S1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were measured to assess afferent sensitization. Immunofluorescent staining of CX3CR1, GFAP, and CCR2 in the L6 spinal cord was also conducted to investigate glial activation and central sensitization. Results: OAB mice showed bladder overactivity evidenced by decreased intercontraction interval (3.56 ± 0.51 vs. 5.76 ± 0.95 min in sham mice), increased non‐voiding contractions (0.39 ± 0.11 vs. 0.13 ± 0.07/min in sham mice), and inefficient voiding (72.1 ± 8.6% vs. 87.1 ± 9.5% in sham mice). Increased M2, M3, β2, β3, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7 levels in the bladder and increased CCL2 and CCR2 in DRG indicate bladder efferent and afferent hyperexcitability. In addition, CX3CR1, GFAP, and CCR2 in the L6 spinal cord were upregulated in OAB mice. However, the CON group exhibited reduced β2, β3, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7 levels in the bladder, reduced CCL2 and CCR2 in DRG, which are markers of afferent hyperexcitability, and reduced immunoreactivities of CX3CR1, GFAP, and CCR2 in the L6 spinal cord, which are markers of the central sensitization. Moreover, the CON group showed better improvements in nonvoiding contractions (0.16 ± 0.09 vs. 0.44 ± 0.17/min) and voiding efficiency (93.9 ± 7.4% vs. 76.5 ± 13.1%) and reductions in bladder β3 receptors and CCL2 of L6‐S1 DRG, and immunoreactivities of CX3CR1 and GFAP in the L6 spinal cord compared to the CES group. Conclusions: Continuous mirabegron treatment seems to prevent central sensitization and, thus, might be desirable for long‐term disease control of OAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable safety behaviors among frontline employees. Drawing on social identity and social exchange theories, this study hypothesized that frontline employees' organization‐based self‐esteem (OBSE) and work engagement mediate the relationship between CSR perceptions and sustainable safety behaviors. Using data collected from 222 flight attendants in South Korea, structural equation modeling was conducted to test the research hypotheses. The results showed that CSR perceptions were positively related to extra‐role safety behaviors. Further, OBSE mediated the positive relationship between CSR perceptions and extra‐role safety behaviors, and work engagement mediated the positive relationship between CSR perceptions and in‐role safety behaviors. The theoretical and managerial implications as well as the study limitations are articulated. Additionally, future research directions for promoting sustainable safety practices in high‐contact service settings are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ELISA-based validation of (C) urine ORM1, (D) urine SERPINC1, (E) urine CP, (F) urine HBB, and (G) urine HBD, normalised to urine creatinine. Lupus nephritis (LN) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).1 Noninvasively obtainable biomarkers for LN could greatly improve early LN detection. GRAPH: SUPPORTING INFORMATIONSupporting Figure S1 ELISA of (A) urine ORM1, (B) urine SERPINC1, (C) urine CP, (D) urine HBB, and (E) urine HBD, not normalised to urine creatinine. Two composite parameters were assessed: combination of all four urine biomarkers (ORM1 + SERPINC1 + CP + HBD) and combination of factors selected using logistic regression analysis with stepwise forward selection (C3 + urine ORM1). [Extracted from the article]

Current restoration protocols for roadside cut slopes in South Korea involve hydroseeding with exotic species to achieve early greening and soil stabilization. However, exotic species can negatively affect adjacent native ecosystems. This study investigated the functional traits of early colonizers in slope restoration and surrounding environments to inform restoration methods that generate similar communities as those of native ecosystems. Slope vegetation (species density, species cover, upperstory species, canopy cover) and environment (aspect, angle, soil properties) were surveyed from the road edge to the forest boundary, and were classified as three distinct zones: a hydroseeded slope, a transition zone, and the forest edge. Naturally occurring species were classified into functional groups to examine dominant traits during early colonization. Hemicryptophyte or geophyte forest species and forest interior woody species were well established and dominant in transition zones and cut slopes. Potential native species for slope restoration can be identified by examining functional group species in the adjacent forest. These native species can achieve restoration goals and block invasive species in the same functional group. Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue), which is reported as an invasive alien species, rapidly spread after introduction for restoration. Thus, continuous monitoring for impact on native communities is required after sowing invasive alien species. Future slope restoration should consider native woody species and perennial forest sedge species that develop rhizomes, and reconsider the use of tall fescue. This study indicates that cut slopes can be appropriately managed to enhance the quality of habitats for native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Spinal cord injury (SCI) above the sacral level causes bladder dysfunction and remodeling with fibrosis. This study examined the antifibrotic effects using nintedanib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and platelet‐derived growth factor receptors, on detrusor overactivity (DO) and bladder fibrosis, as well as the modulation mechanisms of C‐fiber afferent pathways. Methods: Thirty female C57BL/6 mice were divided into group A (spinal intact), group B (SCI with vehicle), and group C (SCI with nintedanib). At 2 weeks after SCI, vehicle or 50 mg/kg nintedanib was administered subcutaneously for 2 weeks. Then, cystometry was conducted, followed by RT‐PCR measurements of fibrosis‐related molecules, muscarinic, β‐adrenergic, TRP and purinergic receptors in the bladder or L6‐S1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Trichrome stain and Western blot analysis of transforming growth factor‐beta and fibronectin were performed in the bladder. TRPV1 expression in L6 DRG was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: In cystometry, intercontraction intervals, nonvoiding contractions, voided volume, and voiding efficiency were significantly improved in group C versus group B. RT‐PCR, Western blotting, and trichrome staining revealed the fibrotic changes in the bladder of group B, which was improved in group C. Increased messenger RNA levels of TRPV1, TRPA1, P2X2, and P2X3 in DRG of group B were significantly decreased in group C. TRPV1 immunoreactivity in DRG was increased in group B, but decreased in group C. Conclusions: Nintedanib improves storage and voiding dysfunctions and bladder fibrosis in SCI mice. Also, nintedanib‐induced improvement of DO is associated with reduced expression of C‐fiber afferent markers, suggesting the modulation of bladder C‐fiber afferent activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) reportedly develops from endometriosis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its malignant progression to OCCC remains elusive. This study aimed to identify an essential gene in the malignant transformation of endometriosis to OCCC. We performed RNA sequencing in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues of endometriosis (n = 9), atypical endometriosis (AtyEm) (n = 18), adjacent endometriosis to OCCC (AdjEm) (n = 7), and OCCC (n = 17). We found that tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) mRNA level was significantly increased by 2.4‐ (DESeq2) and 3.4‐fold (edgeR) in AtyEm and by 80.7‐ (DESeq2) and 101‐fold (edgeR) in OCCC relative to endometriosis. We confirmed that TSPAN1 protein level was similarly overexpressed in OCCC tissues and cell lines. In immortalized endometriosis cell lines, TSPAN1 overexpression enhanced cell growth and invasion. Mechanistically, TSPAN1 triggered AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, promoting endometriosis and cell growth. Upregulated levels of TSPAN1 are considered an early event in the development of high‐risk endometriosis that could progress to ovarian cancer. Our study suggests the potential of TSPAN1 as a screening candidate for high‐risk endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Will consumers accept artificial intelligence (AI) as a medical care provider? On the basis of evolution theory, we investigate the implicit psychological mechanisms that underlie consumers' interactions with medical AI and a human doctor. In a behavioral investigation (Study 1), consumers expressed a positive intention to use medical AI's healthcare services when it used personalized rather than mechanical conversation. However, neural investigation (Study 2) using functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that some consumers' implicit attitudes toward medical AI differed from their expressed behavioral intentions. The brain areas linked with implicitly apathetic emotions were activated even when medical AI used a personalized conversation, whereas consumers' brains were activated in areas associated with prosociality when they interacted with a human doctor who used a personalized conversation. On the basis of our neural evidence, consumers perceive an identical personalized conversation differently when it is offered by a medical AI versus a human doctor. These findings have implications for the area of human–AI interactions and medical decision‐making and suggest that replacing human doctors with medical AI is still an unrealistic proposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird assemblages are sensitive to changes in landscape composition and the environment, such as those that result from drought. In this study, the relationship between landscape composition and avian functional diversity in traditional agricultural ecosystems in the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) of Korea was examined. In addition, the resilience of biodiversity to changes in landscape elements resulting from drought conditions was investigated. The traditional agricultural landscape (TAL) of the sites studied was divided into three types: TAL 1 had a high proportion of rice paddies, TAL 2 included large forest areas, and TAL 3 represented areas with drylands. Of these, TAL 1 showed the highest species richness and functional richness, but these measures were most vulnerable to drought. Meanwhile, TAL 2 showed that the bird communities were more tolerant under drought event. This study shows that to conserve and enhance the diversity of birds in traditional agricultural landscapes of Northeast Asia, active management of forest areas is needed to protect bird populations. In addition, commercial pressures to develop this area will require urgent biodiversity conservation plans to protect the unique biodiversity of the Korean CCZ. This study thus provides landscape management guidance for conservation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inherited factor VII deficiency is the most common autosomal recessive inherited bleeding disorder, with an estimated incidence of one per 500 000 cases in the general population. Bleeding manifestations correlate poorly with circulating FVII levels. During pregnancy, increases in FVII levels can occur in women with mild‐moderate FVII deficiencies but not in those with severe deficiency. Aim: We present five pregnant patients with FVII deficiency and describe the management during their pregnancies and peripartum periods. Methods: Retrospective analysis of six pregnancies in five women with FVII deficiency followed during pregnancy and delivery at an academic medical centre between January 2013 and December 2019. Results: Of the five patients, two had severe, one with moderate and two with mild FVII deficiency. Early postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) occurred in two patients. One of the two severe FVII‐deficient patients had PPH with a laceration at delivery despite replacement therapy with recombinant factor VII. The other PPH occurred in a patient with mild FVII deficiency who delivered twins by caesarean section under general anaesthesia. Neuraxial anaesthesia was utilized in only one woman with mild deficiency whose FVII level normalized at the end of the pregnancy. Conclusions: Management of delivery for women with FVII deficiency should be addressed on a case‐by‐case basis at centres with expertise in rare bleeding disorders, maternal foetal medicine and obstetric anaesthesiology. These management discussions should factor the patient's bleeding history, third trimester PT, FVII level, multiple gestation and mode of delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Increased protein phosphatase magnesium‐dependent 1A (PPM1A) levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis regulate osteoblast differentiation in bony ankylosis; however, the potential mechanisms that regulate osteoclast differentiation in relation to abnormal bone formation remain unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship of PPM1A to osteoclast differentiation by generating conditional gene‐knockout (PPM1Afl/fl;LysM‐Cre) mice and evaluating their bone phenotype. Methods: The bone phenotypes of LysM‐Cre mice (n = 6) and PPM1Afl/fl;LysM‐Cre mice (n = 6) were assessed by micro–computed tomography. Osteoclast differentiation was induced by culturing bone marrow–derived macrophages in the presence of RANKL and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), and was evaluated by counting tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase–positive multinucleated cells. Levels of messenger RNA for PPM1A,RANK, and osteoclast‐specific genes were examined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels were determined by Western blotting. Surface RANK expression was analyzed by fluorescence flow cytometry. Results: The PPM1Afl/fl;LysM‐Cre mice displayed reduced bone mass (P < 0.001) and increased osteoclast differentiation (P < 0.001) and osteoclast‐specific gene expression (P < 0.05) compared with their LysM‐Cre littermates. Mechanistically, reduced PPM1A function in osteoclast precursors in PPM1Afl/fl;LysM‐Cre mice induced osteoclast lineage commitment by up‐regulating RANK expression (P < 0.01) via p38 MAPK activation in response to M‐CSF. PPM1A expression in macrophages was decreased by Toll‐like receptor 4 activation (P < 0.05). The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score was negatively correlated with the expression of PPM1A in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) (γ = −0.7072, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The loss of PPM1A function in osteoclast precursors driven by inflammatory signals contributes to osteoclast lineage commitment and differentiation by elevating RANK expression, reflecting a potential role of PPM1A in dynamic bone metabolism in axial SpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Care of patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who are refractory to available treatments can be quite challenging. Fostamatinib, an oral Syk inhibitor, is the newest FDA‐approved agent for ITP. Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated an overall response in 43% of patients treated with fostamatinib and use for two years has been reported. Herein, we report two patients with long histories of ITP without lasting responses to numerous first‐, second‐ and third‐line therapies with prolonged responses to ongoing fostamatinib. This shows that patients unresponsive to other agents may respond to fostamatinib and can have sustained benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During active COVID-19, five patients required ITP treatment for platelet nadirs of 8-33 × 10 SP 9 sp /l. Patient 7 received platelet transfusion, steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Given past experience with widespread viral infections, for example influenza, we expected that SARS-CoV-2 would create a large number of I de novo i cases of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Patient 4's platelets dropped from a baseline of 60-70 to 26 × 10 SP 9 sp /l. She received dexamethasone 40 mg for four days with platelets rising to 105 × 10 SP 9 sp /l. Five patients (Patients 2, 3, 5, 6, 12) did not modify their ITP treatment despite COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Growing evidence suggests that interleukin (IL)‐32 is a cytokine involved in various autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate whether IL‐32γ is involved in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Method: Sera from SLE patients without LN (n = 47), LN patients (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 10) were collected. The serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐18, and IL‐32γ, were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical parameters at the time of sampling were obtained from medical records, and correlations between IL‐32γ and clinical parameters were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Immunohistochemistry evaluating IL‐32 expression was performed in renal tissues of LN patients and healthy controls. Results: Among the cytokines measured in sera, the level of IL‐32γ was higher in LN patients than in SLE patients without LN and in healthy controls. Among clinical parameters, concentrations of C3/C4 were lower and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‐reactive protein, anti‐double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) antibodies, and SLE Disease Activity Index‐2000 (SLEDAI‐2K) were higher in LN patients than in SLE patients without LN. IL‐32γ level was negatively correlated with C3/C4 and positively correlated with anti‐dsDNA antibodies and the renal component of SLEDAI‐2K. In LN patients, IL‐32γ level was positively correlated with the activity and chronicity indices. IL‐32 expression was significantly higher in renal tissues of LN patients than in healthy controls. Conclusion: IL‐32γ could be associated with the activity and development of LN in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ethylene- co-vinyl alcohol)/carbon black (EVOH/CB) composites were prepared by a solvent-casting saponification (-D) and precipitation saponification (-P) methods with a poly(ethylene- co-vinyl acetate)/CB (EVA/CB) toluene suspension. The effects of the CB content and saponification time on the morphology, electrical resistivity, thermal, and mechanical properties of EVA/CB composites were examined. The volume resistivity ( ρv) of the EVA/CB-D and EVA/CB-P samples decreased significantly with increasing CB content and the percolation threshold of such composites was determined about 10 wt%. At 10 wt% of CB content, the ρv of EVA/CB-D composite decreased significantly with the saponification time, whereas ρv of EVA/CB-P composites did not change. As the saponification time increased, EVA/CB25wt% composites form cavity structure which CB is usually located in oval cavities larger than the particles themselves. This oval cavity structure almost resembles extruded high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/CB composites. The morphology and PTC behavior of prepared composites were compared with those of HDPE/CB and the mechanism of PTC and NTC effects was discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1462-1473, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotic resistance is the ability of species in a community to limit the invasion of other species. However, biotic resistance is not widely used to control invasive plants. Experimental, functional, and modeling approaches were combined to investigate the processes of invasion by Ageratina altissima (white snakeroot) , a model invasive species in South Korea. We hypothesized that (1) functional group identity would be a good predictor of biotic resistance to A. altissima, whereas a species identity effect would be redundant within a functional group, and (2) mixtures of species would be more resistant to invasion than monocultures. We classified 37 species of native plants into three functional groups based on seven functional traits. The classification of functional groups was based primarily on differences in life longevity and woodiness. A competition experiment was conducted based on an additive competition design with A. altissima and monocultures or mixtures of resident plants. As an indicator of biotic resistance, we calculated a relative competition index ( RCIavg) based on the average performance of A. altissima in a competition treatment compared with that of the control where only seeds of A. altissima were sown. To further explain the effect of diversity, we tested several diversity-interaction models. In monoculture treatments, RCIavg of resident plants was significantly different among functional groups but not within each functional group. Fast-growing annuals ( FG1) had the highest RCIavg, suggesting priority effects (niche pre-emption). RCIavg of resident plants was significantly greater in a mixture than in a monoculture. According to the diversity-interaction models, species interaction patterns in mixtures were best described by interactions between functional groups, which implied niche partitioning. Functional group identity and diversity of resident plant communities were good indicators of biotic resistance to invasion by introduced A. altissima, with the underlying mechanisms likely niche pre-emption and niche partitioning. This method has most potential in assisted restoration contexts, where there is a desire to reintroduce natives or boost their population size due to some previous level of degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transfusion of blood products is a key component of the supportive management in patients with acute leukemia (AL). However high-quality trial evidence and clinical outcome data to support specific transfusion goals for blood products for patients with AL remain limited leading to diverse transfusion practices. The primary objective of this study was to determine the spectrum of transfusion patterns in a variety of care settings among providers who treat AL patients.Study Design and Methods: A 31-question survey queried providers caring for AL patients about the existence of institutional guidelines for transfusion of blood products, transfusion triggers for hemoglobin (Hb), platelets (PLTs), and fibrinogen in various settings including inpatient and outpatient and before procedures.Results: We analyzed 130 responses and identified divergent transfusion Hb goals in hospitalized and ambulatory patients, fibrinogen goals for cryoprecipitate transfusions, and variation in practice for use of certain PLTs and red blood cell products. The least variable transfusion patterns were reported for PLT goals in thrombocytopenia and in the setting of invasive procedures such as bone marrow biopsy and lumbar punctures.Conclusions: This survey confirmed wide variations in blood product transfusion practices across several clinical scenarios in patients with AL. The findings emphasized the need for large prospective randomized trials to develop standardized evidence-based guidelines for blood product transfusions in patients with AL with the goal of limiting unnecessary transfusions without compromising outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbivorous insects use plant metabolites to inform their host plant selection for oviposition. These host-selection behaviours are often consistent with the preference-performance hypothesis; females oviposit on hosts that maximize the performance of their offspring. However, the metabolites used for these oviposition choices and those responsible for differences in offspring performance remain unknown for ecologically relevant interactions. Here, we examined the host-selection behaviours of two sympatric weevils, the Datura ( Trichobaris compacta) and tobacco ( T. mucorea) weevils in field and glasshouse experiments with transgenic host plants specifically altered in different components of their secondary metabolism. Adult females of both species strongly preferred to feed on D. wrightii rather than on N. attenuata leaves, but T. mucorea preferred to oviposit on N. attenuata, while T. compacta oviposited only on D. wrightii. These oviposition behaviours increased offspring performance: T. compacta larvae only survived in D. wrightii stems and T. mucorea larvae survived better in N. attenuata than in D. wrightii stems. Choice assays with nicotine-free, JA-impaired, and sesquiterpene-over-produced isogenic N. attenuata plants revealed that although half of the T. compacta larvae survived in nicotine-free N. attenuata lines, nicotine did not influence the oviposition behaviours of both the nicotine-adapted and nicotine-sensitive species. JA-induced sesquiterpene volatiles are key compounds influencing T. mucorea females' oviposition choices, but these sesquiterpenes had no effect on larval performance. We conclude that adult females are able to choose the best host plant for their offspring and use chemicals different from those that influence larval performance to inform their oviposition decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study investigates the pattern of disease recurrence and identifies the clinicopathologic prognostic factors for patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB and IIA cervical carcinoma treated with laparoscopic/robotic radical hysterectomy (LRH/RRH). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 128 patients with FIGO stage IB and IIA cervical cancer. Preoperative examination did not uncover definitive evidence of parametrial invasion or lymph node metastasis in any of the patients; therefore, all patients underwent LRH/RRH with retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy between April 2006 and December 2013. Sites of disease recurrence and all possible clinicopathologic factors related to the risk of disease recurrence were determined. Results Multivariate analysis demonstrated that laparoscopic intracorporeal colpotomy ( P < 0.041, odds ratio 7.038, 95% confidence interval 1.059-15.183) represented a strong prognostic factor related to disease recurrence. We categorized the minimally invasive surgery group into LRH through vaginal colpotomy (LRH-VC; 79 patients) and LRH/RRH through intracorporeal colpotomy (LRH/RRH-IC; 49 patients) according to the colpotomic approaches. Disease recurrence was higher in the LRH/RRH-IC group than in the LRH-VC group (16.3% vs 5.1%, P = 0.057), with five patients in the LRH/RRH-IC group experiencing intraperitoneal spreads. Conclusions Total laparoscopic/robotic intracorporeal colpotomy under CO2 pneumoperitoneum may carry a risk of positive vaginal cuff margin, as well as intraperitoneal tumor spreads in patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated with LRH/RRH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Although patients found to have atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) on Papanicolaou (Pap) testing are treated conservatively, 5.2% to 18.8% of them progress to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). The objective of the current study was to identify predictors of progression to HSIL and determine what percentage of ASC-US/LSIL cases harbor cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or higher. METHODS The current study included 381 consecutive cases with ASC-US/LSIL. After the exclusion of 87 cases because of a history of dysplasia or loss to follow-up, 165 cases with follow-up cytology were used to analyze predictive factors of progression to HSIL, and 129 cases that underwent immediate tissue biopsy were subjected to correlation analysis between cytology and histology. Disease regression was defined as a reversion to normal or benign cellular changes, disease persistence as maintenance at ASC-US/LSIL, and disease progression as progression to HSIL. Data regarding clinical parameters were obtained from medical records. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was performed using cytology samples to evaluate methylation of the p16 promoter. RESULTS Of 165 cases, 131 (79.4%) regressed, 23 (13.9%) were persistent, and 11 cases (6.7%) progressed. Human papillomavirus infection was more common in women with disease progression than in those with disease regression or persistence ( P = .033). Promoter methylation of p16 in the cytology sample was more common in cases that progressed (5 of 6 cases) than in cases that regressed (0 of 8 cases). Twenty-three of 129 cases (17.8%) were found to harbor cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or higher on immediate tissue biopsy. CONCLUSIONS Human papillomavirus infection and p16 promoter methylation might be valuable surrogate markers of disease progression from ASC-US/LSIL to HSIL. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2016;124:58-65. © 2015 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both groups had a median baseline platelet count of 14-5 × 10 SP 9 sp /l. Seventy-five percent (36/48) of patients in the rhTPO group achieved the primary end-point, a platelet count >=50 × 10 SP 9 sp /l at day 15, as compared with 44% (21/48) of those in the eltrombopag group. Keywords: recombinant human thrombopoietin; eltrombopag; thrombopoietin receptor agonist; immune thrombocytopenia; East Asian ethnicity EN recombinant human thrombopoietin eltrombopag thrombopoietin receptor agonist immune thrombocytopenia East Asian ethnicity 653 654 2 11/30/21 20211201 NES 211201 The first-generation thrombopoietic agents, recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) and pegylated human recombinant megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF), were developed following identification and cloning of human thrombopoietin (TPO) in 1994.1,2 Unfortunately, formation of cross-reactive antibodies to PEG-rHuMGDF capable of neutralising endogenous TPO in a minority of patients halted clinical development of these agents in the West.2,3 However, the clinical promise of these first-generation agents4,5 led to the development of second-generation thrombopoietic growth factors, the thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs). While on treatment, 11/48 (23%) of patients on eltrombopag reported any adverse event vs 5/48 (10%) of the rhTPO group; however, no patient in either arm developed any serious adverse events. [Extracted from the article]

A 31-year-old multigravida woman at 27 weeks' gestation was admitted with vaginal bleeding and a hypervascular mass near the cervix on ultrasonography. After discharge with improvement, she was readmitted the next day for uncontrolled, heavy vaginal bleeding and underwent emergency cesarean section at 29 weeks' gestation. A 3-cm friable mass found near the cervix was removed surgically; this lesion was shown to be primary cervical choriocarcinoma. On the 17th postoperative day the patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with preservation of both ovaries and biopsy was performed on the right ovary. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage was I and her World Health Organization prognostic score was 9, representing high risk. The patient received three rounds of chemotherapy until achieving three consecutive normal human chorionic gonadotropin levels with two additional courses to address risk of relapse. DNA genotyping on short tandem repeat polymorphism confirmed the gestational choriocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) may act as a tumor suppressor as it is down-regulated in various types of cancer. This study assessed the DKK3 protein expression in gastric cancer and its potential value as a prognostic marker. Methods: DKK3 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 158 gastric cancer samples from patients who underwent gastrectomy from 2002 to 2008. Clinicopathological parameters and survival data were analyzed. Results: Loss of DKK3 expression was found in 64 of 158 (40.5 %) samples, and it was associated with advanced T stage ( p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis ( p < 0.001), UICC TNM stage ( p < 0.001), tumor location ( p = 0.029), lymphovascular invasion ( p = 0.035), and perineural invasion ( p = 0.032). Patients without DKK3 expression in tumor cells had a significantly worse disease-free and overall survival than those with DKK3 expression ( p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). TNM stage ( p = 0.028 and p < 0.001, respectively) and residual tumor ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively) were independent predictors of disease-free and overall survival. Based on the preoperative clinical stage assessed by computed tomography (CT), loss of DKK3 expression was predominantly associated with worse prognosis in patients with clinically node-negative advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The combination of DKK3 expression status and CT increased the accuracy of CT staging for predicting lymph node involvement from 71.5 to 80.0 % in AGC patients. Conclusion: Loss of DKK3 protein expression was significantly associated with poor survival in patients with gastric cancer and was strongly correlated with the TNM stage. DKK3 might be a potential biomarker of lymph node involvement that can improve the predictive power of CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glycation end-products comprise a complex and heterogeneous group of compounds that have been implicated in diabetes-related complications. The importance of the Maillard reaction is depicted by the formation of reactive intermediate products known as α-oxoaldehydes, such as 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG). This product has been found to be involved in accelerated vascular damage in diabetes. In the present study, calf thymus histone H2A was reacted with 3-DG, and the generation of advanced glycation end products was investigated by determining the degree of side chain modifications (lysine and arginine residues), Amadori products, carbonyl content, Nε-carboxymethyl lysine, and pentosidine using various physicochemical techniques. Moreover, fluorescence, absorbance as well as structural characteristics of glycated-H2A were comprehensively investigated. Overall, this study demonstrates structural perturbation, formation of different intermediates, and AGEs that are believed to hamper the normal functioning of H2A histone, compromising the integrity of chromatin structures and function in secondary complications of diabetes. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(10):686-693, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The aims of this study are to estimate the hysterectomy rate for benign disease and determine recent trends in laparoscopic surgery for hysterectomies, including subtotal, total, and radical hysterectomy, in Korea. Material and Methods Computerized discharge summaries from private and public hospitals for 2007-2009 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. All records listing subtotal and total hysterectomies for benign disease and radical hysterectomies in women aged ≥ 16 years in each period were selected ( n = 99 388). All women living in Korea aged ≥ 16 years were the denominator population. Laparoscopic surgery was identified when the code for laparoscopic materials was used. Statistical analysis included a trend test. Results The hysterectomy rates for benign disease were 1.48, 1.49, and 1.52/1000 women aged ≥ 16 years in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, and the overall rate was 1.49/1000 women. The trend increased ( P for trend <0.001). The use of laparoscopy for subtotal and total hysterectomies accounted for 43.1% in 2007, 47.7% in 2008, and 52.0% in 2009, which showed a clear increasing trend ( P for trend <0.001). The use of laparoscopy for radical hysterectomies comprised 26.7%, 28.7%, and 38.2% of cases in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, an increased trend ( P for trend <0.001). Conclusion The hysterectomy rate for benign disease increased between 2007 and 2009 in Korea. Application of laparoscopy during subtotal, total, and radical hysterectomies has increased significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For most people, investing in stocks is a stressful experience, and this is particularly true in a loss situation. The emotional stress from a significant loss is quite likely to hamper effective decision making with respect to future investments. In three separate studies, with a combined sample of 60 professional investors and 154 lay investors, the authors compare differences in the magnitude of gain and loss affect felt by experts and lay investors as well as differences in affect regulation strategies employed. The findings demonstrate that professional investors are more effective than lay investors in coping with ups and downs of investing. In particular, professional investors show a lesser degree of gain and loss affect than lay investors with regard to both anticipated and experienced affect. Additionally, professional investors demonstrate a pronounced tendency to reappraise a loss situation as a positive learning experience, and to attribute failure in investment to themselves rather than blaming the market or blaming others. These types of affect regulation strategies result in a lower loss affect experienced by professional investors, which in turn leads to greater loss realization and better investment performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine with a chondroprotective effect that is elevated in cartilage and synovium in patients with osteoarthritis. However, the role of IL-10 during endochondral bone formation and its mechanism of action have not been elucidated. Methods IL-10-/- mice and IL-10-treated tibial organ cultures were used to study loss and gain of IL-10 functions, respectively, during endochondral bone formation. Primary chondrocytes from the long bones of mouse embryos were cultured with and without IL-10. To assess the role of IL-10 in chondrogenic differentiation, we conducted mesenchymal cell micromass cultures. Results The lengths of whole skeletons from IL-10-/- mice were similar to those of their wild-type littermates, although their skull diameters were smaller. The tibial growth plates of IL-10-/- mice showed shortening of the proliferating zone. Treatment with IL-10 significantly increased tibial lengths in organ culture. IL-10 also induced chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation in primary chondrocytes in vitro. Mechanistically, IL-10 activated STAT-3 and the Smad1/5/8 and ERK-1/2 MAP kinase pathways and induced the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and BMP-6 in primary chondrocytes. Furthermore, the blocking of BMP signaling attenuated the IL-10-mediated induction of cyclin D1 and RUNX-2 in primary chondrocytes and suppressed Alcian blue and alkaline phosphatase staining in mesenchymal cell micromass cultures. Conclusion These results indicate that IL-10 acts as a stimulator of chondrocyte proliferation and chondrogenic or hypertrophic differentiation via activation of the BMP signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Replication protein A (RPA) is a eukaryotic single-stranded DNA binding protein that is essential for DNA replication, repair, and recombination, and human RPA interacting protein α (hRIPα) is the nuclear transporter of RPA. Here, we report the regulatory role of hRIPα protein in cell proliferation. Western blot analysis revealed that the level of hRIPα was frequently elevated in cervical tumors tissues and hRIPα knockdown by siRNA inhibited cellular proliferation through deregulation of the cell cycle. In addition, overexpression of hRIPα resulted in increased clonogenicity. These results indicate that hRIPα is involved in cell proliferation through regulation of RPA transport. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hypoxic microenvironment plays an important role in determining stem cell fates. However, it is controversial to which direction between self-renewal and differentiation the hypoxia drives the stem cells. Here, we investigated whether a short exposure to hypoxia (termed 'hypoxic-priming') efficiently directed and promoted mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to differentiate into vascular-lineage. During spontaneous differentiation of embryoid bodies (EBs), hypoxic region was observed inside EB spheroids even under normoxic conditions. Indeed, hypoxia-primed EBs more efficiently differentiated into cells of vascular-lineage, than normoxic EBs did. We found that hypoxia suppressed Oct4 expression via direct binding of HIF-1 to reverse hypoxia-responsive elements (rHREs) in the Oct4 promoter. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was highly upregulated in hypoxia-primed EBs, which differentiated towards endothelial cells in the absence of exogenous VEGF. Interestingly, this differentiation was abolished by the HIF-1 or VEGF blocking. In vivo transplantation of hypoxia-primed EBs into mice ischemic limb elicited enhanced vessel differentiation. Collectively, our findings identify that hypoxia enhanced ESC differentiation by HIF-1-mediated inverse regulation of Oct4 and VEGF, which is a novel pathway to promote vascular-lineage differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized by electron-beam (EB) irradiation in air at room temperature. As the EB dose was increased to 1000 kGy, Fourier transform infrared analysis detected the formation of carbonyl groups in the irradiated MWNTs. Poly(ethylene- co-vinyl alcohol)/MWNT nanocomposite particles were prepared by the incorporation of EB-irradiated MWNTs in a poly(ethylene- co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)/toluene solution and saponification in an ethanol/KOH solution. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that the nanocomposite particles had a highly porous, spongelike structure of connected matrix polymers and MWNTs. At low EVA/MWNT concentrations, the particles were less porous, and the precipitated polymer phase had a granular structure. At high concentrations, the porosity increased, and the precipitated polymer phase became spongelike. The thermal and mechanical properties and the electrical resistivity change of the prepared nanocomposites were investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 21st century will see improvements in the quality of human life. The development of new therapeutic technologies will prevent prevalent diseases and enable recovery from currently incurable diseases. The development of cell and tissue replacement therapies using stem cells and their progenitors will accelerate the development of causative treatments. The effort expended thus far in developing cell therapies has revealed many technical limitations. Thus, we must explore conceptual changes in the feasibility of stem cell therapy. This paper introduces the current limitations to stem cell engineering and ways to overcome these limitations, which will provide new insight into their clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are characterized by a marked propensity for local invasion, so the identification of agents inhibiting the onset and progression of OSCC has recently gained interest. Here, we found that curcumin inhibited cell proliferation and motility with decreased activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and decreased mRNA expressions of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor uPAR in the highly invasive human YD-10B OSCC cells. Western blot analysis showed that curcumin inhibited the activation of MAP kinases (especially ERK) and NF-κB, which are involved in the transcriptional regulation of proteolytic enzymes. In conclusion, curcumin is one of the strong phytochemicals with antimotility activity of OSCC; the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the motility of YD-10B cells could result from its potential to inhibit the activation of ERK/MAP kinase and NF-κB that consequently down-regulate the mRNA expressions and activities of proteolytic enzymes such as uPA and MMP-2/9. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background and aim: The deregulation of transforming growth factor β ( TGF-β) action and its signaling function has been a widely accepted concept in carcinogenesis. However, its dual roles, as a tumor suppressor gene and oncogene, have interfered in applying TGF-β signaling to cancer therapeutics. To evaluate its role in the carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we performed mutational analysis of the TGF-β type II receptor ( TβRII). Methods: Eighteen cases of OSCC were used for mutational analysis of TβRII. Normal surgical margin, dysplastic lesion, invasive carcinoma and metastatic cancer cells into lymph node tissue were used. Exon-specific spanning primers of exon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of TβRII were used for the mutational analysis. Results: A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the codon 191 was found in 8 cases. The genetic mutations were mainly found in exon 4 through dysplastic areas, carcinoma and metastatic areas, which induced the structural change or the alteration of hydrophobicity of the amino acid. Conclusions: TβRII mutations occur frequently in exon 4 in OSCC and their functional significance should be proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to examine gender-based determinants of consumer trust towards computer agents. Employing multiple literatures, we propose a contextual gender influence theory (CGIT) which has direct bearing on trust in online exchange relationships. A set of studies is presented that begin to demonstrate how the effects of gender identity on human-to-computer interaction are not the same for person-to-person interaction. Indeed, employing both gaming and shopping exchange environments, the results reveal that while biological gender identity appears in a person-to-person interaction as concerns trust, psychological gender identity (specifically femininity) and not biological gender identity, influences relationship trust online. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is activated during the malignant transformation of keratinocytes that originate from the human uterine cervix. Dkk1, 2 and 4 have been shown to modulate the Wnt-induced stabilization of the β-catenin signaling pathway. However, the function of Dkk3 in this pathway is unknown. Comparison of the Dkk3 gene expression profiles in cervical cancer and normal cervical tissue by cDNA microarray and subsequent real-time PCR revealed that the Dkk3 gene is frequently downregulated in the cancer. Methylation studies showed that the promoter of Dkk3 was methylated in cervical cancer cell lines and 22 (31.4%) of 70 cervical cancer tissue specimens. This promoter methylation was associated with reduced expression of Dkk3 mRNA in the paired normal and tumor tissue samples. Further, the reintroduction of Dkk3 into HeLa cervical cancer cells resulted in reduced colony formation and retarded cell growth. The forced expression of Dkk3 markedly attenuated β-catenin-responsive luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the β-catenin levels. By utilizing a yeast two-hybrid screen, βTrCP, a negative regulator of β-catenin was identified as a novel Dkk3-interacting partner. Coexpression with βTrCP synergistically enhanced the inhibitory function of Dkk3 on β-catenin. The stable expression of Dkk3 blocks the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, resulting in downregulation of its downstream targets (VEGF and cylcin D), whereas knockdown of Dkk3 abrogates this blocking. We conclude from our finding that Dkk3 is a negative regulator of β-catenin and its downregulation contribute to an activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients remains very poor, which is partially due to a high rate of recurrence. This study was aimed at identifying a recurrence-associated epigenetic prognostic marker in patients with ESCC. We retrospectively analyzed the CpG island hypermethylation of the p16, Wif-1, sFRP1, integrin α 4, CDH1, DAP kinase and RARβ2 genes in 251 ESCCs. The methylation status was determined by methylation-specific PCR. Hypermethylation was detected in 52% for p16, 25% for RARβ 2, 43% for CDH1, 21% for integrin α 4, 57% for sFRP1, 38% for DAP kinase and 35% for Wif-1. Recurrence was observed in 131 (52%) of the 251 cases. For stage I cancers, CDH1 methylation was associated with a high risk of recurrence (OR = 5.26, 95% CI = 1.48-18.67; p = 0.01) and a poor recurrence-free survival after surgery (HR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.21-8.09; p = 0.02). The hazard of failure after recurrence was about 13.17 (95% CI = 2.46-70.41; p = 0.003) times higher in patients with Wif-1 methylation than in those without. For stage II cancers, integrin α 4 methylation was associated with an increased risk of recurrence (OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.09-8.37; p = 0.03) and a poor recurrence-free survival (HR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.13-3.98; p = 0.03). In conclusion, the present study suggests that hypermethylation of CDH1 and integrin α 4 genes may be used as recurrence-associated prognostic indicators in stage I and stage II ESCCs, respectively. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth development occurs through a complex and intricate set of gene-expression cascades. Although its early events have been examined extensively, there are fewer reports on the late events, such as dental hard-tissue formation. This study searched for genes involved in the late stages of tooth development. Differential display–polymerase chain reaction revealed myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNA to be expressed differentially in the second molar root stage germs compared with the third molar cap/early bell stage germs. The MBP expressed during hard tissue formation was confirmed to be a 21.5 kDa molecule by Western blotting. Immunoreactivity of MBP in the third molar (cap/early bell stage) germs was barely detectable in the dental papilla and inner enamel epithelia, whereas strong reactivity was noted in the differentiating and differentiated ameloblasts and odontoblasts in a temporospatial pattern. However, after complete formation of the full-thickness enamel, no reactivity was observed in the maturation-stage and protection stage ameloblasts. Myelin basic protein immunoreactive nerve fibers were also observed near the developing molar germs. This is the first report showing the presence of MBP in dental hard tissue cells, and its functional implications should be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]