Treatment of Fordyce spots with 5-aminolaevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
Y C Kim
Publications and source records attributed to Y C Kim.
Mutation in the edd gene encoding the 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase of Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 impairs root colonization and is correlated with reduced induction of systemic resistance.
AIMS: The primary objective of this study was to determine the role of 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase in root colonization and the induction of systemic resistance by the rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6. METHODS AND RESULTS: The edd gene encoding for 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase, which is one of the key enzymes in glucose utilization, was cloned. Transcription of the gene was higher in medium containing sugars than with organic acids. An edd mutant failed to grow on glucose but grew on organic acids. The edd mutant colonized tobacco roots at wild-type levels early after inoculation, but levels were lower by 12 days. The edd mutant failed to induce the systemic resistance in tobacco to a soft-rot pathogen at wild-type level. CONCLUSIONS: 6-Phosphogluconate dehydratase in P. chlororaphis O6 contributes to root colonization and induction of systemic resistance presumably as the consequence of its essential role in the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Metabolism of sugars through the ED pathway in P. chlororaphis O6 may be important because it facilitates the production of inducers of systemic resistance including butanediol.
Genes, Bacterial↗
Pinusolide and 15-methoxypinusolidic acid attenuate the neurotoxic effect of staurosporine in primary cultures of rat cortical cells.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Apoptosis is a fundamental process required for neuronal development but also occurs in most of the common neurodegenerative disorders. In an attempt to obtain an anti-apoptotic neuroprotective compound from natural products, we isolated the diterpenoids, pinusolide and 15-MPA, from B. orientalis and investigated their neuroprotective activity against staurosporine (STS) -induced neuronal apoptosis. In addition, we determined the anti-apoptotic mechanism of these compounds in rat cortical cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Primary cultures of rat cortical cells injured by STS were used as an in vitro assay system. Cells were pretreated with pinusolide or 15-MPA before exposure to STS. Anti-apoptotic activities were evaluated by the measurement of cytoplasmic condensation and nuclear fragmentation. The levels of cellular peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA) and [Ca(2+)]i, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and caspase-3/7, were measured. KEY RESULTS: Pinusolide and 15-MPA, at a concentration of 5.0 ìM, reduced the condensed nuclei and rise in [Ca(2+)]i that accompanies apoptosis induced by 100 nM STS. Pinusolide and 15-MPA also protected the cellular activity of SOD, an antioxidative enzyme reduced by STS insult. Furthermore, the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation induced by STS was significantly reduced in pinusolide and 15-MPA treated cells. In addition, pinusolide and 15-MPA inhibited STS-induced caspase-3/7 activation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results show that pinusolide and 15-MPA protect neuronal cells from STS-induced apoptosis, probably by preventing the increase in [Ca(2+)]i and cellular oxidation caused by STS, and indicate that they could be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Animals↗
Effect of beta-alanine administration on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity.
Mice were supplemented with beta-alanine (3%) in drinking water for one week. beta-Alanine intake reduced hepatic taurine levels, but elevated cysteine levels significantly. Hepatotoxicity of CCl4 in mice fed with beta-alanine was decreased as determined by changes in serum enzyme activities. Hepatic glutathione and taurine concentrations after CCl4 challenge were increased markedly by beta-alanine intake. The enhanced availability of cysteine for synthesis of glutathione and/or taurine appears to account for the hepatoprotective effects of beta-alanine against CCl4-induced liver injury.
Alanine Transaminase↗
Quantification and thickness correction of EFTEM phosphorus maps.
We describe a method for correcting plural inelastic scattering effects in elemental maps that are acquired in the energy filtering transmission electron microscope (EFTEM) using just two energy windows, one above and one below a core edge in the electron energy loss spectrum (EELS). The technique is demonstrated for mapping low concentrations of phosphorus in biological samples. First, the single-scattering EELS distributions are obtained from specimens of pure carbon and plastic embedding material. Then, spectra are calculated for different specimen thicknesses t, expressed in units of the inelastic mean free path lambda. In this way, standard curves are generated for the ratio k0 of post-edge to pre-edge intensities at the phosphorus L2,3 excitation energy, as a function of relative specimen thickness t/lambda. Thickness effects in a two-window phosphorus map are corrected by successive acquisition of zero-loss and unfiltered images, from which it is possible to determine a t/lambda image and hence a background k0-ratio image. Knowledge of the thickness-dependent k0-ratio at each pixel thus enables a more accurate determination of the phosphorus distribution in the specimen. Systematic and statistical errors are calculated as a function of specimen thickness, and elemental maps are quantified in terms of the number of phosphorus atoms per pixel. Further analysis of the k0-curve shows that the EFTEM can be used to obtain reliable two-window phosphorus maps from specimens that are considerably thicker than previously possible.
Animals↗
A case of cutaneous ciliated cyst on the umbilicus mimicking omphalomesenteric duct cyst and urachal cyst.
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Adult↗
Production of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine from chitin by Aeromonas sp. GJ-18 crude enzyme.
A bacterium, GJ-18, having strong chitinolytic activity was isolated from coastal soil. The isolated strain was identified as Aeromonas sp. by morphological and biochemical properties along with 16S rRNA gene sequence. The crude chitinolytic activity of culture supernatants was maximal on the 5th day of culture. Below 45 degrees C, chitin was effectively hydrolyzed to N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) by Aeromonas sp. GJ-18 crude enzymes, but hydrolysis decreased markedly above 50 degrees C. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was 5.0. TLC and HPLC analysis revealed that, below 45 degrees C, the major reaction product was GlcNAc with a small amount of (GlcNAc)(2) and (GlcNAc)(3), whereas above 50 degrees C the major product was (GlcNAc)(2). When swollen chitin (100 mg) was incubated with crude enzyme preparations (10 U) at 40 degrees C, chitin was hydrolyzed to 83.0 and 94.9% yield of GlcNAc within 5 and 9 days, respectively.
Acetylglucosamine↗
Flavonol glycosides with free radical-scavenging activity of Saururus chinensis.
An activity-guided fractionation procedure was used to identify the antioxidative components of the aerial parts of Saururus chinensis. The antioxidant activity was investigated with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical- and superoxide anion-scavenging assays. Three active compounds (flavonol glycosides) were identified.
Biphenyl Compounds↗
Caveolin-1 is down-regulated and inversely correlated with HER2 and EGFR expression status in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.
AIMS: To evaluate the caveolin-1 status of invasive ductal carcinoma and its correlation with other important parameters of breast carcinogenesis. Caveolin-1, the main structural protein of caveolae, is involved in the regulation of several intracellular signalling pathways and also functions as a tumour suppressor in breast carcinogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty cases of invasive ductal carcinomas with matched normal breast tissue were evaluated immunohistochemically for caveolin-1 expression. Using a tissue microarray, caveolin-1 expression was also correlated with the expression of other antigens such as eostrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, beta-catenin, E-cadherin, p53, Ki67 and with clinicopathological parameters. Immunohistochemical results showed strong expression of caveolin-1 in all normal breast epithelial cells, but a reduction of caveolin-1 expression in 56 cases (43.1%) of invasive ductal carcinoma. Furthermore, a statistically significant inverse correlation between caveolin-1 and EGFR and HER2 was noted (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a reduction in caveolin-1 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, which supports in vitro studies of its role as a tumour suppressor. Caveolin-1 also shows an inverse correlation with EGFR and HER2, which fits with its function as a negative regulator of signal transduction.
Adult↗
Intrathecal clonidine does not reduce post-spinal shivering.
BACKGROUND: After general or epidural anesthesia, clonidine is known to be effective in suppressing established shivering. The aim of this study was to assess the preventive effect of intrathecal clonidine on post-spinal shivering compared with intravenous (i.v.) clonidine. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery were randomly allocated into three groups to receive either 1 microg/kg clonidine i.v. (IV group) or the same volume of isotonic saline (control and IT groups) at 5 min before spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 12-15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% plus either 1 ml of saline (control and IV groups) or 150 microg clonidine (IT group). Shivering was evaluated for a period of 90 min and graded as none, mild, moderate, and severe. RESULTS: Twenty patients (40%) in the control group and 17 patients (34%) in the IT group showed shivering compared with four (8%) in the IV group. Patients with moderate-to-severe shivering were only seen in the control and IT group, and the maximal intensity of shivering was not different between the two groups. Patients in the IV group were significantly more sedated than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intrathecal administration of clonidine 150 microg fails to prevent post-spinal shivering; by contrast, we have confirmed that i.v. clonidine 1 microg/kg is an effective method to prevent shivering in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for orthopedic surgery.
Adolescent↗
Sequence variation in the gene encoding the major capsid protein of Korean fish iridoviruses.
Ten iridoviruses were isolated from cultured fish from various regions in Korea; 7 from rock bream, 1 from red sea bream, 1 from sea bass, and 1 from rockfish. The full open-reading frame (ORF) encoding the major capsid protein (MCP) (1362 bp) from ten iridoviruses were sequenced and the nucleotide sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ten Korean isolates were classified into one cluster. However, their sequences were not identical and, based on the nucleotide sequence variation, they could be further divided into two subgroups. While nine Korean isolates were similar to the Japanese isolate red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), one isolate was distinct from other iridovirus isolates. These results suggest that a diversity of iridoviruses exist in Korea and that a new variant strain has emerged.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Mycelial culture of Phellinus linteus protects primary cultured rat hepatocytes against hepatotoxins.
Hepatoprotective activity of Phellinus linteus was studied using H(2)O(2)- or galactosamine-injured primary cultures of rat hepatocytes as screening systems. The methanolic extract of the mycelial culture of Phellinus linteus significantly protected against hepatotoxins-induced toxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes as seen from the decreased level of glutamic pyruvic transaminase released from the injured hepatocytes. The methanolic extract of the mycelial culture of Phellinus linteus was subsequently fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. Among these fractions, 100 microg/mL of the ethyl acetate fraction was the most active one. The relative protections were 68.9 +/- 5.3% in H(2)O(2)-injured hepatocytes and 46.8 +/- 3.9% in galactosamine-injured hepatocytes, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction appeared to maintain the glutathione level which was decreased by the treatment of H(2)O(2) or galactosamine and restored the level of RNA synthesis more than two times compared to galactosamine-injured hepatocytes. These results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of the mycelial culture of Phellinus linteus protects hepatocytes from H(2)O(2)- or galactosamine-induced injury by maintaining hepatic glutathione level and RNA synthesis as well.
Animals↗
The effects of cryoanalgesia combined with thoracic epidural analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy.
This study was performed to evaluate the effects of cryoanalgesia combined with thoracic epidural analgesia on pain and respiratory complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy. Ninety patients were prospectively randomised to epidural analgesia alone (n = 45) or epidural analgesia and cryoanalgesia combined (n = 45). We monitored the use of rescue pain medication and changes in forced vital capacity and forced expired volume in 1 s, and recorded pain and opioid-related side-effects during the immediate postoperative period. The incidence of post-thoracotomy pain and numbness were also assessed up to the sixth month after surgery. Cryoanalgesia combined with thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with earlier recovery in pulmonary function, less pain during movement and a lower daily requirement for rescue analgesia one week after surgery. However, the combination of cryoanalgesia and epidural analgesia failed to decrease the incidence of long-term pain and numbness. In view of its associated long-term morbidity, cryoanalgesia combined with thoracic epidural analgesia is not recommended for patients undergoing thoracotomy.
Adult↗
The differential flow of epidural local anaesthetic via needle or catheter: a prospective randomized double-blind study.
The extent of epidural anaesthesia and pattern of spread of contrast medium, using different injection techniques, has not been well documented. Therefore, in this prospective, randomized double-blind study, the extent of anaesthesia and pattern of spread of contrast medium following an epidural bolus injection, via either a Tuohy needle or an epidural catheter, were compared. The study had two parts. In the first, 59 of 79 patients scheduled for a lower extremity operation under epidural anaesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. Anaesthesia was achieved with an epidural injection of 10 to 15 ml (including a 3 ml test dose) of 0.75% ropivacaine and fentanyl 25 microg via either a Tuohy needle (Group N, n=31) or a catheter (Group C, n=28). The level of sensory anaesthesia was recorded. In the second part, the remaining 20 patients were randomized to initially receive 5 ml of contrast medium via either a Tuohy needle (Group NE, n= 10) or a catheter (Group CE, n = 10). The extent of spread was recorded radiologically. Unilateral or missed blocks and additional dose requirement were absent in Groups N and C. No differences were found in the extent of sensory anaesthesia or the spread of contrast medium. Twenty per cent of catheter tips lay outside the lateral margins of the vertebral bodies. We found that an epidural bolus injection, via either a Tuohy needle or a catheter, made no difference in regard to spread of local anaesthetic or contrast medium in the epidural space.
Adult↗
Alterations in hepatic metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids induced by ethanol in rats.
Alterations in hepatic metabolism of S-amino acids were monitored over one week in male rats treated with a single dose of ethanol (3 g/kg, ip). Methionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine concentrations were increased rapidly, but S-adenosylmethionine, cysteine, and glutathione (GSH) decreased following ethanol administration. Activities of methionine adenosyltransferase, cystathionine gamma-lyase and cystathionine beta-synthase were all inhibited. gamma-Glutamylcysteine synthetase activity was increased from t = 8 hr, but GSH level did not return to control for 24 hr. Hepatic hypotaurine and taurine levels were elevated immediately, but reduced below control in 18 hr. Changes in serum and urinary taurine levels were consistent with results observed in liver. Cysteine dioxygenase activity was increased rapidly, but declined from t = 24 hr. The results show that a single dose of ethanol induces profound changes in hepatic S-amino acid metabolism, some of which persist for several days. Ethanol not only inhibits the cysteine synthesis but suppresses the cysteine availability further by enhancing its irreversible catabolism to taurine, which would play a significant role in the depletion of hepatic GSH.
Amino Acids, Sulfur↗
Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging effects of Nelumbo nucifera.
Ethanol extracts from Nelumbo nucifera (ENN) seeds were studied for possible antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects. Antioxidative effects were measured spectrophotometrically by reduction of 2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Hepatoprotective effects were tested using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocyte toxicity models. ENN showed potent free radical scavenging effects with a median inhibition concentration of 6.49 microg/ml. Treatment of hepatocytes with ENN inhibited both the production of serum enzymes and cytotoxicity by CCl4. The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of AFB1 were also inhibited by ENN in dose-dependent manners. These hepatoprotective effects of ENN against CCl4 and AFB1 might result from its potent antioxidative properties.
Aflatoxin B1↗
Hepatoprotective effect of baicalin, a major flavone from Scutellaria radix, on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.
The protective effects of baicalin (BA), a major flavone from Scutellaria radix, on acetaminophen (AP)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanism(s) of its protective action were investigated in mice. Treatment with BA (300 mg/kg, p.o.) 0.5 h after AP administration significantly prevented an increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities and AP-induced hepatic necrosis, and also reduced AP-induced mortality from 43% to 0%. In addition, oral treatment with BA significantly prevented AP-induced depletion of glutathione (GSH) contents. However, BA treatment, by itself, did not affect hepatic GSH contents. The effect of BA on the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), the major isozyme involved in AP bioactivation, was investigated. Oral treatment of mice with BA resulted in a significant decrease in AP-induced CYP2E1 activity together with its inhibition of AP-induced CYP2EI expression. These results show that the hepatoprotective effects of BA against AP overdose may be due to its ability to block the bioactivation of AP by inhibiting CYP2E1 expression.
Acetaminophen↗