Label-free shotgun proteomics and metabolite analysis reveal a significant metabolic shift during citrus fruit development.

Label-free LC-MS/MS-based shot-gun proteomics was used to quantify the differential protein synthesis and metabolite profiling in order to assess metabolic changes during the development of citrus fruits. Our results suggested the occurrence of a metabolic change during citrus fruit maturation, where the organic acid and amino acid accumulation seen during the early stages of development shifted into sugar synthesis during the later stage of citrus fruit development. The expression of invertases remained unchanged, while an invertase inhibitor was up-regulated towards maturation. The increased expression of sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose-6-phosphate phosphatase and the rapid sugar accumulation suggest that sucrose is also being synthesized in citrus juice sac cells during the later stage of fruit development

Demineralized Bone Matrix, as a Graft Enhancer of Auto-Local Bone in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study DesignA case controlled study with prospective data collection.PurposeTo evaluate the early influence and the final consequence of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) on auto-local bone as a graft enhancer in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Overview of LiteratureDBM is known as an osteoinductive material; however, it has not been clearly recognized to enhance auto-local bone with a small amount.MethodsPatients who had a PLIF were allocated into two groups. Group I (70 cases) used auto-local bone chips and group II (44 cases) used DBM as an additive to auto-local bone, 1 mL per a segment. Group selection was alternated. Early assessment was performed by computed tomography at 6 months and final assessment was done by simple radiography after 24 months at least. The degree of bone formation was assessed by 4 grade scale.ResultsThe subjects of both groups were homogenous and had similar Oswestry Disability Index at final assessment. The ratio of auto-local bone chips and DBM was 6:1. The degree of bone formation at 6 months after surgery was superior in group II. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the final assessment.ConclusionsDBM was not recognized to enhance auto-local bone with small amount

Anti-viral activity of Hydnellum concrescens, a medicinal mushroom

Trafficking of viral glycoprotein to the surface of infected-cells results in syncytium formation in Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-infected baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. Hydnellum concrescens, known as a medicinal mushroom, inhibited not only syncytium formation, but also trafficking of glycoprotein, hemagglutinin-neuramidase (HN) to the cell-surface. Viral glycoprotein is processed within the endoplasmic reticulum during routing into surface. Fungal extracts showed inhibitory activities (IC50 15µg/ml) against α-glucosidase. This suggested that H. concrescens extracts inhibited the cell-surface expression of NDV-HN glycoprotein without significantly affecting HN glycoprotein synthesis in NDV-infected BHK cells.Key words: α-Glucosidase inhibitor, Hydnellum concrescens, trafficking inhibitor

Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum is a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy. It develops in East Asians more frequently than in people from other areas. The exact pathophysiology has not been elucidated yet; however, it largely depends on biomechanical alterations, especially changes in the tensile force. Because the spinal cord is compressed from the posterior side, the first and most common clinical manifestation is usually loss of functional gait and spastic paralysis, which develop as the spinal cord compression progresses. The choice of diagnostic imaging is T2 sagittal magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Whole spine scanning is mandatory to identify multiple areas of compression and any associated distal lumbar diseases. Fine computed tomography imaging is necessary to make a differential diagnosis and set up a precise surgical plan. Conservative treatment does not work in this disorder. Decompression surgery is the only option and prognosis after surgical treatment is better with this disorder than with other causes of thoracic myelopathy. The severity of preoperative symptoms and the time interval before surgical treatment are the most important prognostic factors

TRAIL Enhances Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Sensitized by Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Therapeutic Implications

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic liver diseases leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver failure. We have previously shown that HCV sensitizes hepatocytes to mitochondrial apoptosis via the TRAIL death receptors DR4 and DR5. Although TRAIL and its receptors are selective targets for cancer therapy, their potential against HCC with chronic HCV infection has not been explored yet. Here we show that HCV induces DR4/DR5-dependent activation of caspase-8 leading to elevation of apoptotic signaling in infected cells and also present TRAIL effect in HCV-induced apoptotic signaling. HCV induced proteolytic cleavage of caspase-9 by stimulating DR4 and DR5, resulting in subsequent cleavage of caspase-3. Further, HCV-induced proteolytic cleavage in caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 was enhanced in the presence of recombinant TRAIL. HCV-induced cleavage in caspase-9 and increase in caspase-3/7 activity was completely suppressed by silencing of either DR4 or DR5. Perturbing DR4/DR5-caspase-8 signaling complex by silencing DR4 and DR5 or by chemical inhibitor specific to caspase-8 led to decrease of HCV-induced cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3 during apoptosis, indicating the functional role of caspase-8 in HCV-induced apoptotic signaling network. Furthermore, TRAIL enhanced PARP cleavage in apoptotic response induced by HCV infection, indicating the effect of TRAIL for the induction of selective apoptosis of HCC cells infected with HCV. Given the importance of apoptosis in HCC development, our data suggest that HCV-induced DR4 and DR5 may be considered as an attractive target for TRAIL therapy against HCC with chronic HCV infection

Repellency of Veratraldehyde (3,4-Dimethoxy Benzaldehyde) against Mosquito Females and Tick Nymphs

Arthropod-borne infectious diseases cause many deaths and a major economic burden worldwide. Repellents play an important role in protecting people from infectious biting arthropods. The repellency of veratraldehyde, a known food additive, and the WJ-1041 formulation containing 10% veratraldehyde was tested against Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens pallens females and Haemaphysalis longicornis nymphs using arm-in-cage, indoor or filter paper tests. Veratraldehyde exhibited repellency similar to or lower than that of n,n-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) against A. albopictus, but in H. longicornis, the activity of veratraldehyde was better than that of DEET. The repellency of the 10% veratraldehyde solution was comparable to that of 20% DEET against the two mosquitoes. When comparing repellency between the WJ-1041 formulation (10% veratraldehyde) and 10% DEET against C. pipiens pallens, A. Albopictus and H. longicornis, the two showed similar repellency and complete protection time (CPT) values. However, there was a small difference depending on the tested insects. The absorption of veratraldehyde via skin was minimal, if at all. The pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax and Tmax) of veratraldehyde in blood samples of rats were not different from those of the control group. Based on these results, veratraldehyde has high potential to be commercialized as a repellent agent against infectious disease-borne pests in the near future

Adhesion Strength Analysis of Synthetic Polymer Rubberized Gel on Diversely Wetted Concrete Surfaces

In this study, the relationship between viscosity of synthetic polymer rubberized gel (SPRG) used for waterproofing and adhesive strength on varying degrees of wetted surfaces is examined. First, SPRG specimens of different ratios of viscosity modifiers were prepared (3% to 10%, interval of 1% per specimen type). These specimens were installed onto substrate surfaces of varying degrees of humidity ratio (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100%). Upon following the standard installation procedure of the SPRG specimens, standard pull-off tests were conducted. Results of the test showed that a consistent relationship exists between the viscosity of synthetic polymer rubberized gel (SPRG) and its adhesive strength on different degrees of wetted surfaces. Linear regression analysis and subsequent calculation of the respective coefficient of determination leads to the result that viscosity is a relevant factor for achieving stable adhesion when it comes to the usage of SPRG waterproofing. The findings of this study could have significant implications for the development and application of adhesive gel waterproofing materials in various industries

A REVIEW ON THE ODSCC OF STEAM GENERATOR TUBES IN KOREAN NPPS

The ODSCC detected in the TSP position of Ulchin 3&4 SGs are typical ODSCC of Alloy 600MA tubes. The causative chemical environment is formed by concentration of impurities inside the occluded region formed by the tube surface, egg crate strips, and sludge deposit there. Most cracks are detected at or near the line contacts between the tube surface and the egg crate strips. The region of dense crack population, as defined as between 4th and 9th TSPs, and near the center of hot leg hemisphere plane, coincided well with the region of preferential sludge deposition as defined by thermal hydraulics calculation using SGAP computer code. The cracks developed homogeneously in a wide range of SGs, so that the number of cracks detected each outage increased very rapidly since the first detection in the 8th refueling outage. The root cause assessment focused on investigation of the difference in microstructure and manufacturing residual stress in order to reveal the cause of different susceptibilities to ODSCC among identical six units. The manufacturing residual stress as measured by XRD on OD surface and by split tube method indicated that the high residual stress of Alloy 600MA tube played a critical role in developing ODSCC. The level of residual stress showed substantial variations among the six units depending on details of straightening and OD grinding processes. Youngwang 3&4 tubes are less susceptible to ODSCC than U3 and U4 tubes because semi-continuous coarse chromium carbides are formed along the grain boundary of Y3&4 tubes, while there are finer less continuous chromium carbides in U3 and U4. The different carbide morphology is caused by the difference in cooling rate after mill anneal. There is a possibility that high chromium content in the Y3&4 tubes, still within the allowable range of Alloy 600, has made some contribution to the improved resistance to ODSCC. It is anticipated that ODSCC in Y5&6 SGs will be retarded more considerably than U3 SGs since the manufacturing residual stress in Y5&6 tubes is substantially lower than in U3 tubes, while the microstructure is similar with each other

Label-free shotgun proteomics and metabolite analysis reveal a significant metabolic shift during citrus fruit development

Label-free LC-MS/MS-based shot-gun proteomics was used to quantify the differential protein synthesis and metabolite profiling in order to assess metabolic changes during the development of citrus fruits. Our results suggested the occurrence of a metabolic change during citrus fruit maturation, where the organic acid and amino acid accumulation seen during the early stages of development shifted into sugar synthesis during the later stage of citrus fruit development. The expression of invertases remained unchanged, while an invertase inhibitor was up-regulated towards maturation. The increased expression of sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose-6-phosphate phosphatase and the rapid sugar accumulation suggest that sucrose is also being synthesized in citrus juice sac cells during the later stage of fruit development