Inactivation of influenza A virus via exposure to silver nanoparticle-decorated silica hybrid composites.

Influenza A virus (IFV-A) is one of the main cause of seasonal flu and can infect various of host species via the reassortment of segmented RNA genomes. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been known as excellent antiviral agent against IFV. However, the use of free AgNPs has several major drawbacks, including the inherent aggregation among AgNPs and unwanted cytotoxic or genotoxic damages for human body via inhalation or ingestion.

Diagnostic value of peripheral blood immune profiling in colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Little is known about the clinical value of peripheral blood immune profiling. Here, we aimed to identify colorectal cancer (CRC)-related peripheral blood immune cells and develop liquid biopsy-based immune profiling models for CRC diagnosis.

Methods: Peripheral blood from 131 preoperative patients with CRC and 174 healthy controls was analyzed by flow cytometry and automated hematology.

PRP4 kinase induces actin rearrangement and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through modulation of the actin-binding protein cofilin.

Cell actin cytoskeleton is primarily modulated by Rho family proteins. RhoA regulates several downstream targets, including Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), LIM-Kinase (LIMK), and cofilin. Pre-mRNA processing factor 4B (PRP4) modulates the actin cytoskeleton of cancer cells via RhoA activity inhibition.

c-MET Overexpression in Colorectal Cancer: A Poor Prognostic Factor for Survival.

Introduction: Increased mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor gene (c-MET) expression in several human malignancies is related to increased tumor progression and is a new potential drug target for several types of cancers. In the present study, we investigated the incidence of c-MET overexpression and its prognostic significance in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 255 stage IV CRC patients who had results from a c-MET immunohistochemical test at Samsung Medical Center.

Synthesis of avenanthramides using engineered Escherichia coli.

Background: Hydroxycinnamoyl anthranilates, also known as avenanthramides (avns), are a group of phenolic alkaloids with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-itch, anti-irritant, and antiatherogenic activities. Some avenanthramides (avn A-H and avn K) are conjugates of hydroxycinnamic acids (HC), including p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, and anthranilate derivatives, including anthranilate, 4-hydroxyanthranilate, and 5-hydroxyanthranilate. Avns are primarily found in oat grain, in which they were originally designated as phytoalexins.

A Novel Glycosyl Hydrolase Family 16 β-Agarase from the Agar-Utilizing Marine Bacterium JEA5: the First Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Agarase in Genus .

The agarase gene was identified from a draft genome sequence of JEA5, an agar-utilizing marine bacterium. Recently, three agarase-producing bacteria, , , and , in the genus were reported. However, there have been no reports of the molecular characteristics and biochemical properties of these agarases.

Effects of bilateral swing-away grab bars on the biomechanics of stand-to-sit and sit-to-stand toilet transfers.

Purpose: Kinetic characteristics of transfers to and from a toilet performed using bilateral grab bars are not fully quantified to inform grab bar design and configuration. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine effects of bilateral swing-away grab bars on peaks of ankle, knee and hip joint moments during grab bar assisted stand-to-sit and sit-to-stand transfers; and (2) determine effects of three different heights and widths of swing-away grab bars on the same kinetic characteristics.

Methods: Healthy subjects (N = 11, age 25-58 years) performed stand-to-sit and sit-to-stand transfers with and without grab bars.

MCT4 Expression Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) are transmembrane proteins that control the lactate metabolism and are associated with poor prognosis in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the biological and clinical role of MCTs in colorectal cancer and to assess the potential of therapeutic application. A total of 16 human colorectal cancer cell lines, 11 patient-derived cells from malignant ascites [patient-derived cells (PDC)], and 39 matched pairs of primary colorectal cancer and normal colorectal tissues were used to assess the role of MCT and siRNA methodology was used to determine the effect of MCT inhibition and molecular mechanism of hypoxia- and angiogenesis-related factors in addition to MCT4.

Predictors of postoperative infectious complications in liver transplant recipients: experience of 185 consecutive cases.

Background/aims: Infections following liver transplant (LT) remain a major cause of mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate risk factors for infection and to review clinical characteristics.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent LT from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.

Corallibacterium pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov., a Novel Bacterium of the Family Vibrionaceae Isolated from Hard Coral.

A gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-pigmented marine bacterium, designated strain OS-11M-2, was isolated from a coral sample collected from the Osakura coastal area in Micronesia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences indicated that strain OS-11M-2 is a member of the family Vibrionaceae, its closest neighbors being Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida NCIMB 2058 (94.

The Correlation Between Serum Chemokines and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer.

Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are known to have a dismal prognosis. A number of chemokines play important roles in the progress of BTCs. However, the serum levels of chemokines in BTCs have not yet been explored.

Hemacytotoxicity and natural killer lytic index: New parameters to evaluate natural killer cell immunity for clinical use in cancer.

Cytotoxicity assays with patient peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived natural killer (NK) cells are useful in evaluating the innate immunity of patients with cancer. However, the size of the NK cell population in PBMC preparations may have significant effects on the assay outcome. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of NK cell frequency in a cytotoxicity system to investigate NK cell immunity in post-surgical colorectal cancer patients.

Prognostic utility of FDG PET/CT and bone scintigraphy in breast cancer patients with bone-only metastasis.

We performed this retrospective clinical study to examine the prognostic power of bone scintigraphy (BS) and F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in terms of overall survival (OS) of breast cancer with bone-only metastasis.We retrospectively evaluated 100 female invasive ductal breast cancer patients (mean age 48.1 years) with bone-only metastasis.

Changes in bone mineral density and bone turnover markers during treatment with teriparatide in pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis.

Context: Teriparatide (TPTD) therapy has been proposed as a potential treatment strategy in severe cases of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) characterized by the occurrence of fragility fractures in the third trimester or early postpartum.

Objective: To investigate the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in patients with PLO with and without TPTD treatment.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Associations Between PET Textural Features and GLUT1 Expression, and the Prognostic Significance of Textural Features in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Background/aim: We evaluated the association between positron emission tomography (PET) textural features and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression level and further investigated the prognostic significance of textural features in lung adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 105 adenocarcinoma patients. We extracted texture-based PET parameters of primary tumors.

Flocculation Effect of Alkaline Electrolyzed Water (AEW) on Harvesting of Marine Microalga sp.

Microalgae hold promise as a renewable energy source for the production of biofuel, as they can convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. However, cost-efficient harvest of microalgae remains a major challenge to commercial-scale algal biofuel production. We first investigated the potential of electrolytic water as a flocculant for harvesting sp.

Radiolabeled Anti-Adenosine Triphosphate Synthase Monoclonal Antibody as a Theragnostic Agent Targeting Angiogenesis.

Introduction: The potential of a radioiodine-labeled, anti-adenosine triphosphate synthase monoclonal antibody (ATPS mAb) as a theragnostic agent for simultaneous cancer imaging and treatment was evaluated.

Methods: Adenosine triphosphate synthase monoclonal antibody was labeled with radioiodine, then radiotracer uptake was measured in 6 different cancer cell lines. In vivo biodistribution was evaluated 24 and 48 hours after intravenous injection of I-ATPS mAb into MKN-45 tumor-bearing mice (n = 3).

Pazopanib monotherapy in the treatment of pretreated, metastatic uterine sarcoma: a single-center retrospective study.

Objective: In the treatment of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS), pazopanib is considered a standard treatment after failure of chemotherapy. We retrospectively investigated outcomes of pazopanib in patients with metastatic uterine STS.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 35 consecutive patients with uterine STS treated with oral pazopanib 800 mg daily as salvage therapy for metastatic disease between September 2013 and December 2015.

Clinical benefit and residual kidney function of en bloc nephrectomy for perirenal retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of en bloc nephrectomy for perirenal retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) with respect to postoperative kidney function and oncological benefits.

Methods: We performed a comparative study of 114 patients undergoing surgery for primary RPS, classifying cases as nephrectomy (NPX, n = 65) versus no nephrectomy (no-NPX, n = 49). The Δ and % change between preoperative and postoperative estimated glomerulus filtration rate (eGFR) were analyzed to compare renal function changes after surgery.

Reliability and validity of a dual-probe personal computer-based muscle viewer for measuring the pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius muscle in patients who have had a stroke.

Background A dual-probe personal computer-based muscle viewer (DPC-BMW) is advantageous in that it is relatively lightweight and easy to apply. Objective To investigate the reliability and validity of the DPC-BMW in comparison with those of a portable ultrasonography (P-US) device for measuring the pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle at rest and during contraction. Methods Twenty-four patients who had a stroke (18 men and 6 women) participated in this study.

One-Year Outcomes After Minor Stroke or High-Risk Transient Ischemic Attack: Korean Multicenter Stroke Registry Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Patients with minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk of recurrent stroke and vascular events, which are potentially disabling or fatal. This study aimed to evaluate contemporary subsequent vascular event risk after minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in Korea.

Methods: Patients with minor ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack admitted within 7 days of symptom onset were identified from a Korean multicenter stroke registry database.

Beyond ADA Accessibility Requirements: Meeting Seniors' Needs for Toilet Transfers.

Purpose: To identify the optimal spatial and dimensional requirements of grab bars that support independent and assisted transfers by older adults and their care providers.

Background: Although research has demonstrated that toilet grab bars based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Standards do not meet the needs of older adults, the specific dimensional requirements for alternative configurations are unknown.

Methods: A two-phased study with older adults and care providers in residential facilities was conducted to determine the optimal requirements for grab bars.

The Impact of Microsatellite Instability Status and Sidedness of the Primary Tumor on the Effect of Cetuximab-Containing Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reconsidered as a heterogeneous disease. Among advances of genomic analysis in CRC, the sidedness of tumors (left-sided colon vs. right-sided colon) and microsatellite instability (MSI)-high (H) tumors have been highlighted.

A retrospective feasibility study of biweekly, reduced-dose docetaxel in Asian patients with castrate-resistant, metastatic prostate cancer.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of reduced dose, biweekly docetaxel chemotherapy for Korean patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 48 patients with metastatic CRPC who were treated with a biweekly regimen (intravenous docetaxel 40 mg/m on day 1 plus prednisolone 5 mg twice daily) between 2012 and 2015 at Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea). Prior to the adoption of a biweekly regimen in Oct 2013, our institutional standard chemotherapy was docetaxel 75 mg/m every 3 weeks for patients with CRPC (n = 24).

Engineering of Escherichia coli for the synthesis of N-hydroxycinnamoyl tryptamine and serotonin.

Plants synthesize various phenol amides. Among them, hydroxycinnamoyl (HC) tryptamines and serotonins exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic activities. We synthesized HC-tryptamines and HC-serotonin from several HCs and either tryptamine or serotonin using Escherichia coli harboring the 4CL (4-coumaroyl CoA ligase) and CaHCTT [hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A:serotonin N-(hydroxycinnamoyl)transferase] genes.