Overexpression of p53, Mutation of hMLH1 and Microsatellite Instability in Gastric Carcinomas: Clinicopathologic Implications and Prognosis

Purpose: Mutated p53 is a tumor suppressor gene, hMLH1 is a mismatch repair gene, and hypermethylation of hMLH1 follows microsatellite instability (MSI). This research`s aim is to investigate mutated p53, inactivated hMLH1 and MSI in gastric cancer and their clinicopathologic implications. Methods: Between 2003 and 2007, 618 patients underwent curative radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Korea. We reviewed their medical charts and the pathologic reports with immunohistochemistry for p53, hMLH1 and polymerase chain reaction for MSI in 509, 499, and 561 cases, respectively. These genetic markers were statistically compared with clinicopathologic features and postoperative survival. Results: The expression ratios of mutated p53, inactivated hMLH1, and MSI were 32.8%, 8.4%, and 8.7%, respectively. Mutation of p53 occurred more frequently in aged group (over 40), differentiated group (against the non-differentiated group), intestinal type, infiltrative type and positive lymph node metastasis group. Inactivated hMLH1 occurred more frequently in aged group, differentiated group, intestinal type and expanding growth type group. MSI was found more frequently in aged group, intestinal type and expanding growth type group. All three genetic markers had no significant associations with the 5-year survival. Conclusion: We identified significant relationships between mutated p53, inactivated hMLH1, and MSI with some clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer. However, there were no apparent relationships between p53, hMLH1, and MSI and prognosis.KU KB, 2007, J KOREAN SURG SOC, V72, P283WOERNER SM, 2006, CANCER BIOMARK, V2, P69LIU P, 2005, WORLD J GASTROENTERO, V11, P4904Lee HS, 2002, MODERN PATHOL, V15, P632Nakajima T, 2001, INT J CANCER, V94, P208Samowitz WS, 2001, AM J PATHOL, V158, P1517Rugge M, 2000, J CLIN PATHOL-MOL PA, V53, P207Wu MS, 2000, GENE CHROMOSOME CANC, V27, P403OH SH, 2000, J KOREAN SURG SOC, V59, P206Fleisher AS, 1999, CANCER RES, V59, P1090Leung SY, 1999, CANCER RES, V59, P159Monig SP, 1997, DIGEST DIS SCI, V42, P2463Thibodeau SN, 1996, CANCER RES, V56, P4836Starzynska T, 1996, CANCER, V77, P2005DosSantos NR, 1996, GASTROENTEROLOGY, V110, P38Peddanna N, 1995, ANTICANCER RES, V15, P2055TAMURA G, 1995, CANCER RES, V55, P1933SERUCA R, 1995, INT J CANCER, V64, P32CORREA P, 1994, CANCER RES, V54, pS1941BODMER W, 1994, NAT GENET, V6, P217RHYU MG, 1994, ONCOGENE, V9, P29UCHINO S, 1993, INT J CANCER, V54, P759TAHARA E, 1993, J CANCER RES CLIN, V119, P265CORREA P, 1992, CANCER RES, V52, P6735MARTIN HM, 1992, INT J CANCER, V50, P859HOLLSTEIN MC, 1991, CANCER RES, V51, P4102YONISHROUACH E, 1991, NATURE, V352, P345HARRIS AL, 1990, J PATHOL, V162, P5

Neuroprotective Effects of Cuscutae Semen in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder that is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic (DA) pathway. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) causes damage to the DA neurons, and 1-4-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) causes cell death in differentiated PC12 cells that is similar to the degeneration that occurs in PD. Moreover, MPTP treatment increases the activity of the brain’s immune cells, reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) generating processes, and glutathione peroxidase. We recently reported that Cuscutae Semen (CS), a widely used traditional herbal medicine, increases cell viability in a yeast model of PD. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effect of CS on the neurotoxicity of MPTP in mice and on the MPP+-induced cell death in differentiated PC12 cells. The MPTP-induced loss of nigral DA neurons was partly inhibited by CS-mediated decreases in ROS generation. The activation of microglia was slightly inhibited by CS, although this effect did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, CS may reduce the MPP+ toxicity in PC12 cells by suppressing glutathione peroxidase activation. These results suggest that CS may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as PD

Photometric Selection of Unobscured QSOs in the Ecliptic Poles: KMTNet in the South Field and Pan-STARRS in the North Field

We search for quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) in a wide area of the south ecliptic pole (SEP) field, which has been and will continue to be intensively explored through various space missions. For this purpose, we obtain deep broadband optical images of the SEP field covering an area of $\sim$$14.5\times14.5$ deg$^2$ with the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network. The 5$\sigma$ detection limits for point sources in the $BVRI$ bands are estimated to be $\sim$22.59, 22.60, 22.98, and 21.85 mag, respectively. Utilizing data from Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, unobscured QSO candidates are selected among the optically point-like sources using the mid-infrared (MIR) and optical-MIR colors. To further refine our selection and eliminate any contamination not adequately removed by the color-based selection, we perform the spectral energy distribution fitting with archival photometric data ranging from optical to MIR. As a result, we identify a total of 2,383 unobscured QSO candidates in the SEP field. We also apply a similar method to the north ecliptic pole field using the Pan-STARRS data and obtain a similar result of identifying 2,427 candidates. The differential number count per area of our QSO candidates is in good agreement with those measured from spectroscopically confirmed ones in other fields. Finally, we compare the results with the literature and discuss how this work will be implicated in future studies, especially with the upcoming space missions.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

Genetic Variants in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: A Bayesian Approach and Systematic Review.

A number of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and meta-analyses of genetic variants have been performed in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. We reinterpreted previous studies using false-positive report probability (FPRP) and Bayesian false discovery probability (BFDP). This study searched publications in PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) up to February 2018. Identification of noteworthy associations were analyzed using FPRP and BFDP, and data (i.e., odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), p-value) related to significant associations were separately extracted. Using filtered gene variants, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and protein⁻protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed. Overall, 241 articles were identified, and 7 were selected for analysis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered by GWASs were shown to be noteworthy, whereas only 27% of significant results from meta-analyses of observational studies were noteworthy. Eighty-five percent of SNPs with borderline p-values (5.0 × 10-8 < p < 0.05) in GWASs were found to be noteworthy. No overlapping SNPs were found between PR3-ANCA and MPO-ANCA vasculitis. GO analysis revealed immune-related GO terms, including "antigen processing and presentation of peptide or polysaccharide antigen via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II", "interferon-gamma-mediated (IFN-γ) signaling pathway". By using FPRP and BFDP, network analysis of noteworthy genetic variants discovered genetic risk factors associated with the IFN-γ pathway as novel mechanisms potentially implicated in the complex pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Model Verification and Justification Study of Spirally Corrugated Pipes in a Ground-Air Heat Exchanger Application

Ground-air heat exchangers have become an important topic in recent years due to their contributions to the market growth of the ground source heat pump industry. This paper provides a comprehensive study and recommends suggestions on the selection process of a suitable pipe for an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP). Parametric studies including material, turbulent plate quantity, and pipe type were performed to identify an optimal pipe design for high-performance AWHP. Both numerical and experimental studies were carried out to validate current pipe models. Overall, there was good agreement between the numerical model and experimental results. It was determined that a spirally corrugated pipe exhibited excellent thermal power generation with little compromising pressure drop. Finally, a pipe selection example was demonstrated as a design guideline to size an optimal pipe for AWHP application

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Orientation-Dependent Image Dipole Interaction for the Tuning of the Excitonic Properties of CdSe Nanoplatelets

The fundamental characteristics of semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) have been intensively studied with a view to their use in various optoelectronic devices. In particular, the assembly of highly anisotropic NPLs into stacks allows their optical properties to be easily controlled. Here, we systematically investigate the radiative decay processes of NPL assemblies for two distinct configurations, face-down and edge-up, and find a new way of manipulating their excitonic properties by introducing metamaterial structures. While the exciton lifetime for face-down NPLs is not strongly affected by the metamaterials, a significant reduction in the exciton lifetime for edge-up NPLs is observed. We account for this interesting result in terms of orientation-dependent image dipole interactions by showing that the net transition dipole moments for the two NPL configurations can be affected inversely by metamaterials. These results will facilitate the development of optoelectronic applications requiring the active manipulation of exciton lifetimes. © 2023 American Chemical Society.11Nsciescopu