Angiomyofibroblastoma-Like Tumor of the Scrotum

Various tumors can occur in the scrotum. Of them, angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors are very rare mesenchymal tumors. Angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors cannot be easily differentially diagnosed from other malignant tumors invading the male genital tract on the basis of clinical characteristics and imaging study. Therefore, surgical removal and a histopathologic diagnosis must also be performed

Identification of Proteins Differentially Expressed in the Conventional Renal Cell Carcinoma by Proteomic Analysis

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most malignant tumors in urology, and due to its insidious onset patients frequently have advanced disease at the time of clinical presentation. Thus, early detection is crucial in management of RCC. To identify tumor specific proteins of RCC, we employed proteomic analysis. We prepared proteins from conventional RCC and the corresponding normal kidney tissues from seven patients with conventional RCC. The expression of proteins was determined by silver stain after two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). The overall protein expression patterns in the RCC and the normal kidney tissues were quite similar except some areas. Of 66 differentially expressed protein spots (p<0.05 by Student t-test), 8 different proteins from 11 spots were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. The expression of the following proteins was repressed (p<0.05); aminoacylase-1, enoyl-CoA hydratase, aldehyde reductase, tropomyosin α-4 chain, agmatinase and ketohexokinase. Two proteins, vimentin and α-1 antitrypsin precursor, were dominantly expressed in RCC (p<0.05)

Dimerization of Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein Is Essential For Its Cytokine-Like Activity

BACKGROUND:Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) found in nasal lavage fluids of allergic patients was named IgE-dependent histamine-releasing factor (HRF). Human recombinant HRF (HrHRF) has been recently reported to be much less effective than HRF produced from activated mononuclear cells (HRFmn). METHODS AND FINDINGS:We found that only NH(2)-terminal truncated, but not C-terminal truncated, TCTP shows cytokine releasing activity compared to full-length TCTP. Interestingly, only NH(2)-terminal truncated TCTP, unlike full-length TCTP, forms dimers through intermolecular disulfide bonds. We tested the activity of dimerized full-length TCTP generated by fusing it to rabbit Fc region. The untruncated-full length protein (Fc-HrTCTP) was more active than HrTCTP in BEAS-2B cells, suggesting that dimerization of TCTP, rather than truncation, is essential for the activation of TCTP in allergic responses. We used confocal microscopy to evaluate the affinity of TCTPs to its putative receptor. We detected stronger fluorescence in the plasma membrane of BEAS-2B cells incubated with Del-N11TCTP than those incubated with rat recombinant TCTP (RrTCTP). Allergenic activity of Del-N11TCTP prompted us to see whether the NH(2)-terminal truncated TCTP can induce allergic airway inflammation in vivo. While RrTCTP had no influence on airway inflammation, Del-N11TCTP increased goblet cell hyperplasia in both lung and rhinal cavity. The dimerized protein was found in sera from allergic patients, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from airway inflamed mice. CONCLUSIONS:Dimerization of TCTP seems to be essential for its cytokine-like activity. Our study has potential to enhance the understanding of pathogenesis of allergic disease and provide a target for allergic drug development

Friction characteristics of mechanically exfoliated and CVD-grown single-layer MoS2

Abstract In this work, the friction characteristics of single-layer MoS2 prepared with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at three different temperatures were quantitatively investigated and compared to those of single-layer MoS2 prepared using mechanical exfoliation. The surface and crystalline qualities of the MoS2 specimens were characterized using an optical microscope, atomic force microscope (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. The surfaces of the MoS2 specimens were generally flat and smooth. However, the Raman data showed that the crystalline qualities of CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 at 800 °C and 850 °C were relatively similar to those of mechanically exfoliated MoS2 whereas the crystalline quality of the CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 at 900 °C was lower. The CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 exhibited higher friction than mechanically exfoliated single-layer MoS2, which might be related to the crystalline imperfections in the CVD-grown MoS2. In addition, the friction of CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 increased as the CVD growth temperature increased. In terms of tribological properties, 800 °C was the optimal temperature for the CVD process used in this work. Furthermore, it was observed that the friction at the grain boundary was significantly larger than that at the grain, potentially due to defects at the grain boundary. This result indicates that the temperature used during CVD should be optimized considering the grain size to achieve low friction characteristics. The outcomes of this work will be useful for understanding the intrinsic friction characteristics of single-layer MoS2 and elucidating the feasibility of single-layer MoS2 as protective or lubricant layers for micro- and nano-devices

The Effect of Alcohol Administration on the Corpus Cavernosum

Purpose: We studied the effects of alcohol administration on the corpus cavernosum (CC) using an animal model. Materials and Methods: CC sections and the aortic ring of rabbits were used in an organ bath study. After acute alcohol administration, changes in blood alcohol concentration and electrical stimulation induced intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) percentage were compared in rats. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the CC were measured using immunoassays. After chronic alcohol administration, ICP/MAP percentage, cAMP and cGMP were compared in rats. Histological changes were examined using the Masson trichrome stain and the Sircol collagen assay. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: Alcohol relaxed the CC in a dose-dependent manner, and the relaxation response was suppressed when pretreated with propranolol, indomethacin, glibenclamide, and 4-aminopyridine. In rats with acute alcohol exposure, the cAMP level in the CC was significantly greater than was observed in the control group (p＜0.05). In rats with chronic alcohol exposure, however, changes in cAMP and cGMP levels were insignificant, and the CC showed markedly smaller areas of smooth muscle, greater amounts of dense collagen (p＜0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis of eNOS showed a less intense response, and western blotting showed that eNOS expression was significantly lower in this group (p＜0.05). Conclusions: Acute alcohol administration activated the cAMP pathway with positive effects on erectile function. In contrast, chronic alcohol administration changed the ultrastructures of the CC and suppressed eNOS expression, thereby leading to erectile dysfunction

Determination of S-(-)-lansoprazole in dexlansoprazole preparation by capillary zone electrophoresis

Capillary zone electrophoresis was successfully applied to the enantiomeric purity determination of dexlansoprazole using sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin and methyl-β-cyclodextrin as chiral selectors. Separations were carried out in a 50 μm, 64/56 cm fused-silica capillary. The optimized conditions included 90 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, containing 30 mM sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin, 20 mM methyl-β-cyclodextrin as background electrolyte, an applied voltage of 25 kV and a temperature of 16 °C, detection was at 280 nm. The assay was validated for the S-(−)-lansoprazole in the range of 0.2–1.0%. The limit of detection was 0.07%, the limit of quantitation was 0.20%, relative to a total concentration of 4.0 mg mL−1. Intra-day precision varied between 1.72 and 2.07%. Relative standard deviations of inter-day precision ranged between 1.62 and 1.96% for peak area ratio. The assay was applied for the determination of the chiral purity of dexlansoprazole capsules. Recovery in capsules was ranged between 101.7 and 103.1%.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors thank the Institute of New Drug Development Research and the Central Laboratory of Kangwon National University for the use of analytical instrument.OAIID:RECH_ACHV_DSTSH_NO:T201713897RECH_ACHV_FG:RR00200001ADJUST_YN:EMP_ID:A001568CITE_RATE:2.242FILENAME:Arch Pharm Res (2017) 40 (8) 962-971.pdfDEPT_NM:제약학과EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YFILEURL:https://srnd.snu.ac.kr/eXrepEIR/fws/file/9f246ee8-e3da-4b78-b64f-136dc6d6f697/linkCONFIRM:

Gene Transfer of TRPC6DN (Dominant Negative) Restores Erectile Function in Diabetic Rats

Introduction. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels play an important role in modulating intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i) ) levels. Aim. We examined the hypothesis that overexpression of TRPC6DN (dominant negative) may contribute to decreased [Ca2+](i) levels in corporal smooth muscle (CSM). We also investigated whether gene transfer of TRPC6DN could restore erectile function in diabetic rats. Methods. For the in vitro study, the K(Ca), K(ATP), and TRPC6DN channel genes were transferred using cDNA, into cultured human CSM cells and human embryonic kidney cells. For the in vivo study, young adult rats were divided into three groups: normal controls; diabetic controls transfected with vector only; and a diabetic group transfected with pcDNA of the TRPC6DN gene. Main Outcome Measures. After gene transfer, the effects of reducing [Ca2+](i) levels were assessed by Fura-2-based imaging analysis. The intracavernosal pressure (ICP) response to cavernosal nerve stimulation was assessed after intracorporal injection of TRPC6DN pcDNA. The transgene expression of the TRPC6DN was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in rats transfected with TRPC6DN pcDNA. Results. Gene transfer of ion channels effectively reduced [Ca2+](i) . Among these channels, transfer of the TRPC6DN gene resulted in the greatest reduction of [Ca2+](i) in human CSM. The mean (+/- standard error of the mean) ratio of ICP to mean arterial pressure (BP) in the gene-transfer rats was 79.4 +/- 2.4% (N = 8). This was significantly higher than that in control rats (55.6 +/- 3.7% [N = 8]), and similar to that in the young control rats (83 +/- 2.2% [N = 12]). The RT-PCR showed expression of TRPC6DN genes in the transfected rats. Conclusion. Gene transfer of TRPC6DN not only reduced [Ca2+](i) in human CSM but also restored erectile function in diabetic rats. These results suggest that pcDNA transfer of TRPC6DN may represent a promising new form of therapy for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction in the future. Jung JH, Kim BJ, Chae MR, Kam SC, Jeon J-H, So I, Chung KH, and Lee SW. Gene transfer of TRPC6DN (dominant negative) restores erectile function in diabetic rats. J Sex Med 2010;7:1126-1138.Hu GQ, 2009, MOL ENDOCRINOL, V23, P689, DOI 10.1210/me.2008-0350Xie DH, 2008, J SEX MED, V5, P2069, DOI 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00933.xLee M, 2008, J SEX MED, V5, P1355, DOI 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00771.xLiu DY, 2008, ARTERIOSCL THROM VAS, V28, P746, DOI 10.1161/ATVBAHA.108.162222Han DH, 2008, J SEX MED, V5, P822, DOI 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00732.xBivalacqua TJ, 2008, J SEX MED, V5, P268So I, 2007, BJU INT, V100, P1154, DOI 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2007.07050.xDIETRICH A, 2007, HANDB EXP PHARM, V179, P125Lau DHW, 2007, ASIAN J ANDROL, V9, P8, DOI 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2007.00224.xHAN DH, 2007, INT J IMPOT RES, V20, P53So I, 2005, INT J IMPOT RES, V17, P475, DOI 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901356Dietrich A, 2005, MOL CELL BIOL, V25, P6980, DOI 10.1128/MCB.25.16.6980-6989.2005Christ GJ, 2004, AM J PHYSIOL-HEART C, V287, pH1544, DOI 10.1152/ajpheart.00792.2003Bivalacqua TJ, 2004, P NATL ACAD SCI USA, V101, P9121, DOI 10.1073/pnas.0400520101CHRIST GJ, 2004, CURR UROL REP, V5, P52Clapham DE, 2003, NATURE, V426, P517, DOI 10.1038/nature02196Insuk SO, 2003, INT J IMPOT RES, V15, P258, DOI 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901013Bivalacqua TJ, 2003, J UROLOGY, V169, P1911, DOI 10.1097/01.ju.0000051881.14239.4aBIVALACQUA TJ, 2003, AM J PHYSIOL-HEART C, V284, P1408Chitaley K, 2002, BIOCHEM BIOPH RES CO, V298, P427MAGEE TR, 2002, SOC STUDY REPROD, V1, P20Tirney S, 2001, MOL UROL, V5, P37SCHENK G, 2001, CURR UROL REP, V2, P480BIVALACQUA TJ, 2001, SOC STUDY REPROD, V1, P1371INOUE R, 2001, AM HEART ASS, P325Yla-Herttuala S, 2000, LANCET, V355, P213Cellek S, 1999, BRIT J PHARMACOL, V128, P1804Melman A, 1999, J UROLOGY, V161, P5Christ GJ, 1998, AM J PHYSIOL-HEART C, V275, pH600Boulay G, 1997, J BIOL CHEM, V272, P29672Rehman J, 1997, AM J PHYSIOL-HEART C, V272, pH1960BRINK PR, 1996, AM J PHYSIOL-CELL PH, V271, P321CHANG MW, 1995, J CLIN INVEST, V96, P2260ZHAO WX, 1995, J UROLOGY, V154, P1571GARBAN H, 1995, AM J PHYSIOL, V268, P467PALMER LS, 1994, J UROLOGY, V152, P1308CARRIER S, 1993, UROLOGY, V42, P468CHRIST GJ, 1993, INT J IMPOT RES, V5, P77