Identification of Genes Associated with Sensitivity to Ultraviolet A (UVA) Irradiation by Transposon Mutagenesis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is used to disinfect water and food and can be classified as UVA (detected at wavelengths 320–400 nm), UVB (280–320 nm), and UVC (<280 nm). We developed a method for UVA sterilization of equipment with a UVA-light-emitting diode (LED); however, a high rate of fluence was needed to promote pathogen inactivation. The aim of this study was to identify genes associated with UVA sensitivity with the goal of improving UVA-LED-mediated bactericidal activity. We constructed a transposon-mutant library of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and selected six mutants with high sensitivity to UVA irradiation. Genes associated with this phenotype include F-type H+-transporting ATPases (atp), as well as those involved in general secretion (gsp), and ubiquinone and terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis (ubi). Gene complementation resulted in decreased sensitivity to UVA-LED. The atp mutants had lower intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations than the wild-type treatment, with 20 mM L-serine resulting in elevated ATP concentrations and decreased sensitivity to UVA-LED. The gsp mutants exhibited high levels of extracellular protein transport and the ubi mutants exhibited significantly different intracellular concentrations of ubiquinone-8. Taken together, our results suggest that the protein products of the atp, gsp, and ubi genes may regulate sensitivity to UVA irradiation

Potential of a Novel Chemical Compound Targeting Matrix Metalloprotease-13 for Early Osteoarthritis: An In Vitro Study

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease characterized by cartilage destruction in the joints. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) play key roles in osteoarthritis progression. In this study, we screened a chemical compound library to identify new drug candidates that target MMP and ADAMTS using a cytokine-stimulated OUMS-27 chondrosarcoma cells. By screening PCR-based mRNA expression, we selected 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide as a potential candidate. We found that 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide attenuated IL-1 beta-induced MMP13 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, without causing serious cytotoxicity. Signaling pathway analysis revealed that 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide attenuated ERK- and p-38-phosphorylation as well as JNK phosphorylation. We then examined the additive effect of 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide in combination with low-dose betamethasone on IL-1 beta-stimulated cells. Combined treatment with 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide and betamethasone significantly attenuated MMP13 and ADAMTS9 mRNA expression. In conclusion, we identified a potential compound of interest that may help attenuate matrix-degrading enzymes in the early osteoarthritis-affected joints

Infection risk in hemodialysis patient

Chronic care patients undergoing hemodialysis for treatment of end-stage renal failure experience higher rates of bloodstream-associated infection due to the patients' compromised immune system and management of the bloodstream through catheters. Staphylococcus species are a common cause of hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infections. We investigated environmental bacterial contamination of dialysis wards and contamination of hemodialysis devices to determine the source of bacteria for these infections. All bacterial samples were collected by the swab method and the agarose stamp method. And which bacterium were identified by BBL CRYSTAL Kit or 16s rRNA sequences. In our data, bacterial cell number of hemodialysis device was lower than environment of patient surrounds. But Staphylococcus spp. were found predominantly on the hemodialysis device (46.8%), especially on areas frequently touched by healthcare-workers (such as Touch screen). Among Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus epidermidis was most frequently observed (42.1% of Staphylococcus spp.), and more surprising, 48.2% of the Staphylococcus spp. indicated high resistance for methicillin. Our finding suggests that hemodialysis device highly contaminated with bloodstream infection associated bacteria. This study can be used as a source to assess the risk of contamination-related infection and to develop the cleaning system for the better prevention for bloodstream infections in patients with hemodialysis

Defect of Interferon γ Leads to Impaired Wound Healing through Prolonged Neutrophilic Inflammatory Response and Enhanced MMP-2 Activation.

Interferon (IFN)-&gamma; is mainly secreted by CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1), natural killer (NK) and NKT cells after skin injury. Although IFN-&gamma; is well known regarding its inhibitory effects on collagen synthesis by fibroblasts in vitro, information is limited regarding its role in wound healing in vivo. In the present study, we analyzed how the defect of IFN-&gamma; affects wound healing. Full-thickness wounds were created on the backs of wild type (WT) C57BL/6 and IFN-&gamma;-deficient (KO) mice. We analyzed the percent wound closure, wound breaking strength, accumulation of leukocytes, and expression levels of COL1A1, COL3A1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). IFN-&gamma;KO mice exhibited significant attenuation in wound closure on Day 10 and wound breaking strength on Day 14 after wound creation, characteristics that are associated with prolonged neutrophil accumulation. Expression levels of COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNA were lower in IFN-&gamma;KO than in WT mice, whereas expression levels of MMP-2 (gelatinase) mRNA were significantly greater in IFN-&gamma;KO than in WT mice. Moreover, under neutropenic conditions created with anti-Gr-1 monoclonal antibodies, wound closure in IFN-&gamma;KO mice was recovered through low MMP-2 expression levels. These results suggest that IFN-&gamma; may be involved in the proliferation and maturation stages of wound healing through the regulation of neutrophilic inflammatory responses

A case of robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy during pregnancy

Introduction Malignancy during pregnancy requires consideration of both the mother and fetus. We report a patient with renal cell carcinoma during pregnancy who was treated with robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy. Case presentation The patient was incidentally found to have a renal mass on abdominal ultrasonography. Definitive diagnosis of cT1aN0M0 RCC was made by enhanced computed tomography. Subsequently, pregnancy was discovered. RAPN was performed without complications. Pathologic examination revealed clear cell RCC. There were no postoperative complications, and the baby was born safely. Conclusion RAPN can be safe and effective even during pregnancy. Every pregnant patient requires individualized treatment involving the timing of surgery, the procedure used, and management based on the condition of the mother and fetus, tumor stage, and the experience of the surgical team

A case of abiraterone acetate withdrawal syndrome after initiation of upfront abiraterone therapy for high‐risk prostate cancer

Introduction Transient decrease in serum prostate‐specific antigen level can occur after abiraterone acetate withdrawal in male patient with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Here, we report a case of abiraterone acetate withdrawal syndrome with transient prostate‐specific antigen decrease after progression to castration‐resistant disease while using upfront abiraterone therapy for high‐risk prostate cancer. Case presentation A 73‐year‐old man with hormone‐sensitive high‐risk prostate cancer with multiple bone metastases (prostate‐specific antigen level, 294.109 ng/mL) received upfront abiraterone/prednisolone combination and androgen deprivation therapy. One year later, prostate‐specific antigen level decreased to 0.017 ng/mL (nadir) but it gradually rose by 15 months after treatment initiation. He was diagnosed as castration‐resistant and new bone metastases appeared. After abiraterone was discontinued, prostate‐specific antigen level decreased and stabilized at a low level for 5 months. Conclusion Abiraterone acetate withdrawal syndrome was observed when hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer with upfront abiraterone therapy progressed to castration‐resistant prostate cancer

Primary renal peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, treated with partial nephrectomy

Introduction Renal involvement by non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma is very rare, and the kidney as the primary site of this lymphoma is much more uncommon. We report a case of primary renal peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, treated with partial nephrectomy. Case presentation A 63‐year‐old man was hospitalized with coronavirus infectious disease, emerged in 2019 in the emergency department. Computed tomography examination showed a 2‐cm renal mass in the right kidney. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography examination revealed that the noted mass showed good enhancement in the corticomedullary phase and washout in the nephrogenic phase. No metastatic lesions were found. He was diagnosed as having cT1aN0M0 renal cell carcinoma, and robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy was carried out. The pathological diagnosis was peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. He has been followed for 20 months after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy without additional treatment and recurrence. Conclusion We experienced a primary renal peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified that was followed up without treatment after surgery