Clinical Efficacy of Primary Tumor Volume Measurements: Comparison of Different Primary Sites

ObjectivesThe purpose of study was to determine the clinical efficacy of primary tumor volume measurements of different primary sites in the oropharynx compared to the oral cavity.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 85 patients with oral cavity or oropharynx cancer. The tumor area was manually outlined from axial magnetic resonance (MR) series. The software calculated the tumor volumes, automatically. The values of the primary tumor volumes were then subdivided into separate groups (≤3,500 mm3, >3,500 mm3).ResultsThe prognostic indicators were the cT and cN (oral cavity); age, primary site, cT, cN, and primary tumor volume (oropharynx) on the univariate analysis. There was no significant prognostic factor for oral cavity cancer on the multivariate analysis. Primary site, cN, and primary tumor volume were independent prognostic indicators for oropharynx cancer by multivariate analysis.ConclusionPrimary tumor volume measurement is a reliable way to stratify outcome, and make up for the weak points in the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system with oropharynx cancer

Characteristics of Soil Heavy Metal Contamination in the Intensive Livestock Farming Watersheds

Soil contamination of agricultural watersheds can increase to deteriorate water quality, human health, crop production and aquatic ecology. In particular, it is important to understand the impacts of soil heavy metal contamination from livestock excretion because the excretion has been gradually increasing due to the rapid growth of the livestock industry. In this study, to analyze the characteristics of soil heavy metal contamination in intensive livestock farming watersheds, we selected intensive livestock farming watersheds where livestock heads and amount of livestock excretion by species were spatiotemporally surveyed. We also investigated the characteristics of five soil heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) contamination. The Cheongmi Stream watershed in Anseong, Kyungi-do and Gwangcheon Stream watershed in Hongseong, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea were one of the most intensive livestock rearing regions where there were very large amounts of livestock excretion. It was also found that Cu and Zn among heavy metals exceeded the soil contamination concern standard at two of the sampling points in the Gwangcheon Stream watershed. Compared to the national soil measurement network data, it was showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn in the intensive livestock farming areas such as both Cheongmi Stream and Gwangcheon Stream watersheds were higher than in other areas. Thus, we suggested that the soil in intensive farming watersheds was contaminated by heavy metals compared to other areas. Therefore, it is necessary to manage not only livestock excretion, but also animals’ welfare, humans, and the environment to use less heavy metals in their feeds. We also believed that various impacts of livestock excretion on the environment need to be studied soon

Effect of rutin from tartary buckwheat sprout on serum glucose-lowering in animal model of type 2 diabetes

This study investigates the anti-diabetic effects of rutin from tartary buckwheat sprout in type 2 diabetes mouse model. The rutin content in tartary buckwheat sprout (TBS) is five times higher than that found in common buckwheat sprout (CBS) as evident from high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Administration of either rutin or TBS ethanolic extract to diabetes mice decreased the serum glucose level significantly. Rutin down-regulated the expression levels of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B; negative regulator of insulin pathway, both transcriptionally and translationally in myocyte C2C12 in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, rutin can play a critical role in down-regulation of serum glucose level in type 2 diabetes

A Method for Assaying Deubiquitinating Enzymes

A general method for the assay of deubiquitinating enzymes was described in detail using (125)I-labeled ubiquitin-fused αNH-MHISPPEPESEEEEEHYC (referred to as Ub-PESTc) as a substrate. Since the tyrosine residue in the PESTc portion of the fusion protein was almost exclusively radioiodinated under a mild labeling condition, such as using IODO-BEADS, the enzymes could be assayed directly by simple measurement of the radioactivity released into acid soluble products. Using this assay protocol, we could purify six deubiquitinating enzymes from chick skeletal muscle and yeast and compare their specific activities. Since the extracts of E. coli showed little or no activity against the substrate, the assay protocol should be useful for identification and purification of eukaryotic deubiquitinating enzymes cloned and expressed in the cells

Overexpression of arabidopsis YUCCA6 in potato results in high-auxin developmental phenotypes and enhance

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a major plant auxin, is produced in both tryptophan-dependent and tryptophanindependent pathways. A major pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana generates IAA in two reactions from tryptophan. Step one converts tryptophan to indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPA) by tryptophan aminotransferases followed by a rate-limiting step converting IPA to IAA catalyzed by YUCCA proteins. We identified eight putative StYUC (Solanum tuberosum YUCCA) genes whose deduced amino acid sequences share 50%-70% identity with those of Arabidopsis YUCCA proteins. All include canonical, conserved YUCCA sequences: FATGY motif, FMO signature sequence, and FAD-binding and NADPbinding sequences. In addition, five genes were found with ~50% amino acid sequence identity to Arabidopsis tryptophan aminotransferases. Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Jowon) constitutively overexpressing Arabidopsis AtYUC6 displayed high-auxin phenotypes such as narrow downward-curled leaves, increased height, erect stature, and longevity. Transgenic potato plants overexpressing AtYUC6 showed enhanced drought tolerance based on reduced water loss. The phenotype was correlated with reduced levels of reactive oxygen species in leaves. The results suggest a functional YUCCA pathway of auxin biosynthesis in potato that may be exploited to alter plant responses to the environment. © 2012 The Author

Age-Related Changes in Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 and Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondrial Structure in the Tongues of Fischer 344 Rats

Objectives Previously the authors reported age-related changes in the activities of anti-oxidative enzyme activities and protein expressions in the tongues of rats. Because more information is required about relations between aging and oxidative stress and anti-oxidative enzyme efficiency, the authors investigated differences between the expression of master regulator of anti-oxidative enzymes (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2]), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial structures in the tongues of young and aged Fischer 344 rats. Methods Age-dependent changes in Nrf2 protein and ROS were determined by Western blotting and using chemical kits, respectively. Tongue specimens were examined by electron microscopy. The study was conducted using rats aged 7 months (young, n=8) or 22 months (old, n=8). Results Nrf2 protein levels in the tongues of aged rats were lower than in young rats. ROS levels were higher in older rats and mitochondrial structural deficits were observed their tongues. Three young rats showed moderate mitochondrial degeneration, whereas profound degeneration with mitochondrial cristae disruption, swelling, rupture, or intramitochondrial vacuole formation was observed in all 8 old rats. Notably, mitochondrial rupture was observed in 5 old rats. Conclusion Antioxidant defense systems of old rats were compromised by Nrf2 deficiency, which could lead to the deleterious accumulation and release of ROS and probably mitochondrial structural deficits in aged tongue tissues