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5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a valuable nonproteinogenic amino acid, has received increasing attention in various fields including medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. Here, we developed metabolically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum to enhance ALA production. To achieve this object, we focused on the flux redistribution of the TCA cycle toward l-glutamate and introduction of the heterogenous ALA transporter in C. glutamicum. First, the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase inhibitor (OdhI) was mutated by site-directed mutagenesis to prevent the phosphorylation that abolishes the capability of OdhI protein to inhibit oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex activity. The overexpression of the double-mutated OdhI, T14A/T15A, showed the highest l-glutamate and ALA production compared with that of the native and single-mutated OdhI. To increase ALA secretion from the engineered strain, the ALA exporter RhtA from Escherichia coli was introduced and allowed 2.46 ± 0.11 g/L of ALA production, representing a 1.28-fold increase in extracellular ALA production. In the final strain, the induction of triggers, including Tween 40 and ethambutol, was performed to amplify the effect of the flux redistribution toward ALA. A significant increase in ALA production was observed in the induction of triggers. In particular, ethambutol induction showed the best result, corresponding to 2.9 ± 0.15 g/L of ALA production. Therefore, this biotechnological model enables the efficient extracellular production of ALA from glucose in C. glutamicum.

Background Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is known to increase blood flow to the innervations area of the stellate ganglion. Near infrared spectroscopy reflects an increased blood volume and allows continuous, non-invasive, and bedside monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2). We investigated the influence of SGB on bilateral cerebral oxygenation using a near infrared spectroscopy. Methods SGB was performed on 30 patients with 1% lidocaine 10 ml using a paratracheal technique at the C6 level and confirmed by the presence of Horner's syndrome. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and rSO2 were measured before SGB and 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after SGB. Tympanic temperature of each ear was measured prior to SGB and 20 minutes after SGB. Results The increments of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline were statistically significant at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The rSO2 on the non-block side compared with the baseline, however, decreased at 15 and 20 minutes. The difference between the block and the non-block sides was significant at 15 and 20 minutes. The BP at 10, 15 and 20 minutes was increased and the HR was increased at 10 and 15 minutes. Conclusions We observed an increment of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline; however, the rSO2 on the non-block side decreased.

(46.2%) for CCI and 0.09 ± 0.60 L/min/m 2 (44.0%) for SCI, compared with ICI measurements. Conclusions: We found that the agreement of CCI, SCI, and ICI was poor. This disagreement increased during periods of open thorax and open pericardium when compared to the period of closed thorax. Continuous CO measurements through pulmonary artery catheter should be interpreted with caution during OPCAB. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2008; 54: 603∼8)

Facet joint is an important structure not only contributing to the stability of the lumbar motion segments but also causing low back pain. Hypothetically, the more lumbar lordosis decreases, the more corresponding facet joints orient axially and asymmetrically. Furthermore, the increased incidence of common diseases possessed of low back pain and radiologic findings such as wedging of vertebral body and spondylolisthesis were reported in the patients with asymmetric orientation of the facet joints and loss of lumbar lordosis at the same time. The purpose of our study is to define the relationship of asymmetry of the facet joints and loss of lumbar lordosis. Methods: The asymmetry and average angle of facet joints with respect to sagittal plane were measured on the magnetic resonance images. The lumbar lordosis was measured on the lateral X-ray. The relevance of lumbar lordosis and facet orientation was analyzed through linear regression. Results: There were no significant relationships between lumbar lordosis and asymmetrical orientation of facet joint. Conclusions: The loss of lumbar lordosis did not suggest asymmetrical and axial orientation of facet joints. Further investigation into pathology and consideration into individual differences of range of motion, body mass index, age, sex might be needed.