Quadruple 9-mer-based protein binding microarray with DsRed fusion protein

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The interaction between a transcription factor and DNA motif (<it>cis</it>-acting element) is an important regulatory step in gene regulation. Comprehensive genome-wide methods have been developed to characterize protein-DNA interactions. Recently, the universal protein binding microarray (PBM) was introduced to determine if a DNA motif interacts with proteins in a genome-wide manner.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We facilitated the PBM technology using a DsRed fluorescent protein and a concatenated sequence of oligonucleotides. The PBM was designed in such a way that target probes were synthesized as quadruples of all possible 9-mer combinations, permitting unequivocal interpretation of the <it>cis</it>-acting elements. The complimentary DNA strands of the features were synthesized with a primer and DNA polymerase on microarray slides. Proteins were labeled via N-terminal fusion with DsRed fluorescent protein, which circumvents the need for a multi-step incubation. The PBM presented herein confirmed the well-known DNA binding sequences of Cbf1 and CBF1/DREB1B, and it was also applied to elucidate the unidentified <it>cis</it>-acting element of the OsNAC6 rice transcription factor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our method demonstrated PBM can be conveniently performed by adopting: (1) quadruple 9-mers may increase protein-DNA binding interactions in the microarray, and (2) a one-step incubation shortens the wash and hybridization steps. This technology will facilitate greater understanding of genome-wide interactions between proteins and DNA.</p

Surgical management of pilon fractures with large segmental bone defects using fibular strut allografts: a report of two cases

We present two patients with open pilon fractures with large bone defects treated successfully with fibular strut allografts. The patients were initially treated by massive irrigation, wound debridement, and temporary external fixation. After complete wound healing, the bone defects were managed. Because autologous iliac crest or fibular bone grafts were impossible to be harvested due to multiple fractures, the bone defects were reconstructed with fibular strut allografts. Fixation was performed with a periarticular distal tibia locking plate. At 2 months postoperatively, the patients ambulated with partial weight-bearing; at 6 months, they had full range of motion of the ankle joint and full weight-bearing

Potential impact of vegetation feedback on European heat waves in a 2 x CO 2 climate: Vegetation impact on European heat waves

Inclusion of the effects of vegetation feedback in a global climate change simulation suggests that the vegetation–climate feedback works to alleviate partially the summer surface warming and the associated heat waves over Europe induced by the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The projected warming of 4°C over most of Europe with static vegetation has been reduced by 1°C as the dynamic vegetation feedback effects are included.. Examination of the simulated surface energy fluxes suggests that additional greening in the presence of vegetation feedback effects enhances evapotranspiration and precipitation, thereby limiting the warming, particularly in the daily maximum temperature. The greening also tends to reduce the frequency and duration of heat waves. Results in this study strongly suggest that the inclusion of vegetation feedback within climate models is a crucial factor for improving the projection of warm season temperatures and heat waves over Europe

THE POSSIBILITY OF CLASSIFYING V1 AND V2 SUB-TECHNIQUES OF A SINGLE IMU SENSOR THROUGH COMPARISON OF MOTION-SPECIFIC DATA(PITCH, YAW AND ROLL ANGLE VALUES-ORIENTATION ANGLE VALUE) IN XC SKI

The purpose of this study is to confirm whether the single IMU sensor module(LGE developing and providing for the experiments) that attached to the pelvis can distinguish the motion of the sub-techniques (V1, V2, V2A) with the accuracy of commercial XSENS(equipment consisting of 17 sensors) in freestyle(skate) xc skiing. Therefore, one elite male xc skier with eleven years experience was investigated by measuring the three-directional rotation angle for each of the three sub-techniques used in XC ski freestyle. Through this method, we could found not only the difference of motion patterns of each sub-techniques but also the possibility for replacement of multiple sensor system by a single IMU sensor module from LGE. Thus, it is expected that a single LGE IMU sensor module could be applied to repetitive and periodic sports such as XC ski

Initial Experience with Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery by Use of a Homemade Transumbilical Port in Urology

Purpose: We present our initial experience with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) by a single surgeon in the urologic field. Materials and Methods: From May 2009 to April 2010, 30 consecutive patients underwent LESS including seven cases of nephrectomy, five cases of nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision, four cases of ureterolithotomy, eight cases of marsupialization, and six cases of varicocelectomy. We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of the above patients. The single port was made with a surgical glove and an Alexis?? wound retractor (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA). The wound retractor was put into the peritoneal space through an umbilical incision, and a laparoscopic triangle was secured by crossing both instruments. All operations were performed by the transperitoneal approach. Results: Mean patient age was 54.8 years. Mean operative time was 171.2??109.1 minutes. Mean estimated blood loss was 265.0??395.5 ml. Mean incision length was 3.2??1.4 cm. Mean length of hospitalization was 5.2??2.9 days. There was one laparoscopic conversion and two open conversions. There were two cases of transient ileus that improved with conservative treatment. Mean visual analogue pain scales on the operative day and first postoperative day were 6.3/10 and 3.1/10, respectively. Conclusions: In our experience, LESS for urologic surgery is feasible, safe, and clinically applicable. We consider the homemade single-port device to be a relatively cost-effective and convenient device. If surgical instruments for LESS and appropriate ports specified for LESS are developed, LESS would be a surgical treatment technique that could be used as an alternative to the conventional types of laparoscopic surgery. ?? The Korean Urological Association, 2010

Favorable effect of corticosteroids in treating acute-on-chronic liver failure underlying chronic hepatitis B

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) occurs in the presence of a chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, and often results from exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The efficacy of corticosteroid treatment in ACLF patients with underlying CHB remains unclear. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who experienced ACLF due to CHB exacerbation and was treated with a combination of corticosteroids and nucleot(s)ide analogue (NUC). The patient showed rapid decompensation due to CHB exacerbation. Three months of antiviral therapy produced no improvement in liver function. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and NUC was started, which did result in improvement of liver function. This case shows that the combined therapy of corticosteroids and NUC can be effective in treating ACLF due to CHB exacerbation

Influence of Donor's Renal Function on the Outcome of Living Kidney Transplantation: 10-Year Follow-up

Purpose: With the improved surgical techniques and immunosuppression available today, conventional prognostic factors have taken on less significance. Accordingly, the native renal function of the donor is thought to be more important. Thus, we analyzed the prognostic significance of the donor’s renal function as assessed by 24-hour urine creatinine clearance on kidney graft survival for 10 years after living kidney transplantation. Materials and Methods: From January 1998 to July 2000, 71 living kidney transplantations were performed at a single institution. From among these, 68 recipients were followed for more than 6 months and were included in the present analysis. We analyzed kidney graft survival according to clinical parameters of the donor and the recipient. Results: Mean follow-up duration of recipients after living kidney transplantation was 115.0±39.4 months (range, 10 to 157 months), and 31 recipients (45.6%) experienced kidney graft loss during this time period. Estimated mean kidney graft survival time was 131.8±6.2 months, and 5-year and 10-year kidney graft survival rates were estimated as 88.2 % and 61.0%, respectively. Donor’s mean 24-hour urine creatinine clearance (Ccr) before kidney transplantation was 122.8±21.2 ml/min/1.73 m 2 (range, 70.1 to 186.6 ml/min/1.73 m 2). The 10-year kidney graft survival rates for cases stratified by a donor’s Ccr lower and higher than 120 ml/min/1.73 m 2 were 39.0 % and 67.2%, respectively (p=0.005). In univariate and multivariate analysis, donor’s Ccr was retained as an independent prognostic factor of kidney graft survival (p=0.001 and 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Donor’s 24-hour urine Ccr before living kidney transplantation was an independent prognostic factor of kidney graft survival. Therefore, it should be considered before living kidney transplantation

Vulvar Skin Metastasis of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

In this study, we examined a case where lung cancer metastasized to the vulvar area. A 79-year-old woman that was a heavy smoker was referred to our department with a short (two-week) history of dyspnea, and with a painful nodule on her right labium majora, which she had noticed almost three years earlier. Histopathologically, the specimen appeared as a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The chest X-ray, chest computerized tomography scan, and percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy via bronchoscopy revealed squamous cell carcinoma in the right upper lobe of the lung. Based on these clinical and histopathological findings, we concluded that her condition was skin metastasis at the right labium majora from the lung cancer, which occurs very rarely