Entwicklung und Evaluierung einer qualitätskontrollierten 16S-rDNADatenbank zur Identifizierung von Vertretern der Unterordnung Micrococcineae (triv. Mikrokokken)

Anhand einer klinischen „Mikrokokken"-Stammsammlung wurde die molekulare Identifizierung basierend auf variablen Abschnitten des 16S-rRNA-Gens mit zwei auf phänotypischen Nachweismethoden beruhenden Identifizierungssystemen (API STAPH, VITEK 2) verglichen. Die 16-rDNA-Sequenzanalyse identifizierte 38 der 74 klinischen Isolate (51,4%) innerhalb einer Sequenzübereinstimmung von mindestens 99%. Die 16S-rDNA-Sequenzanalyse und API-STAPH kamen zu 31 (41,9%), Sequenzanalyse und VITEK 2 zu 28 übereinstimmmenden Identifizierungen (37,8%). Insgesamt gab es für 22 der 74 klinischen Isolate (29,7%) ein übereinstimmendes Ergebnis aller drei Nachweismethoden. Eine qualitätskontrollierte 16S-rDNA-Datenbank zur Identifizierung von Vertretern der Unterordnung Micrococcineae konnte erfolgreich etabliert werden. Im Gegensatz zu den in der Arbeit eingesetzten phänotypischen Nachweismethoden hat sich die 16S-rDNA-Sequenzanalyse als schnellere und exakte Methode zur Identifizierung von „Mikrokokken" bewährt und konnte Hinweise auf bisher nicht beschriebene Vertreter der Micrococcineae unter den klinischen Isolaten aufzeigen

Synergistic Effects of Simvastatin and Irinotecan against Colon Cancer Cells with or without Irinotecan Resistance

Aims. We here investigated whether the combination of simvastatin and irinotecan could induce the synergistic effect on colon cancer cells with or without resistance to irinotecan. Methods. We investigated cell proliferation assay and assessed cell death detection ELISA and caspase-3 activity assay of various concentrations of simvastatin and irinotecan to evaluate the efficacy of drug combination on colon cancer cells with or without irinotecan resistance. Results. The IC50 values of simvastatin alone and irinotecan alone were 115.4±0.14 μM (r=0.98) and 62.5±0.18 μM (r=0.98) in HT-29 cells without resistance to irinotecan. The IC50 values of these two drugs were 221.9±0.22 μM (r=0.98) and 195.9±0.16 μM (r=0.99), respectively, in HT-29 cell with resistance to irinotecan. The results of combinations of the various concentrations of two drugs showed that combined treatment with irinotecan and simvastatin more efficiently suppressed cell proliferation of HT-29 cells even with resistance to irinotecan as well as without resistance. Furthermore, the combination of simvastatin and irinotecan at 2:1 molar ratio showed the best synergistic interaction. Conclusion. Simvastatin could act synergistically with irinotecan to overcome irinotecan resistance of colon cancer

Potential of Lignin Valorization with Emphasis on Bioepoxy Production

Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer after cellulose. It has high molecular weight and poor dispersity, which lowers its compatibility with other polymeric materials. Accordingly, it is hard to integrate lignin into polymer-based applications in its native form. Recently, lignin valorization, which aims to boost lignin value and reactivity with other materials, has captured the interest of many researchers. The volatility of oil and gas prices is one strong incentive for them to consider lignin as a potential replacement for many petroleum-based materials. In this chapter, lignin valorization processes, namely hydrogenolysis, pyrolysis, hydro-thermal liquefaction, and hydro-thermal carbonization, are discussed in brief. The chapter also discusses the synthesis of lignin-based epoxy resin as an already existing example of a lignin-based product

Network Dynamics Caused by Genomic Alteration Determine the Therapeutic Response to FGFR Inhibitors for Lung Cancer

Recently, FGFR inhibitors have been highlighted as promising targeted drugs due to the high prevalence of FGFR1 amplification in cancer patients. Although various potential biomarkers for FGFR inhibitors have been suggested, their functional effects have been shown to be limited due to the complexity of the cancer signaling network and the heterogenous genomic conditions of patients. To overcome such limitations, we have reconstructed a lung cancer network model by integrating a cell line genomic database and analyzing the model in order to understand the underlying mechanism of heterogeneous drug responses. Here, we identify novel genomic context-specific candidates that can increase the efficacy of FGFR inhibitors. Furthermore, we suggest optimal targets that can induce more effective therapeutic responses than that of FGFR inhibitors in each of the FGFR-resistant lung cancer cells through computational simulations at a system level. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of differential responses to FGFR inhibitors for optimal therapeutic strategies in lung cancer

Properties of Extrusion Concrete Panel Using Waste Concrete Powder

There has been an increasing amount of waste concrete generated in recent years, which has made recycling more important. Waste concrete is generally recycled as recycled aggregates, and many studies have been conducted to seek ways to improve their quality. Such quality improvement processes has led to the generation of byproducts such as waste concrete powder, which needs to be recycled efficiently based on further research. Accordingly, this study was conducted with the aim to use waste concrete powder (WCP) to substitute silica powder in the manufacturing of the extrusion concrete panels in cases where high SiO2 content is not a requirement. The results of this study showed a negative correlation between flexural strength and silica powder-WCP substitution ratio. For example, 50% substitution resulted in a product that satisfied the required flexural strength over 14 MPa as stipulated by the Korean Industrials Standards, and it gave rise to properties such as specific gravity, absorption ratio, length change, thermal conductivity, and fire-resistance that were similar to those of plain specimens. Based on these results, it was deemed that it would be possible to use WCP as an alternative material in place of siliceous fillers in cases where high-purity is not required

Indication, Location of the Lesion, Diagnostic Yield, and Therapeutic Yield of Double-Balloon Enteroscopy: Seventeen Years of Experience

Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has become one of the standard methods in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel (SB) disease. However, previous studies for DBE have limitations due to heterogeneity of indications and operators. The aim was to investigate the indication, location of the lesion, diagnostic yield, and therapeutic yield of DBE based on long-term data from a single operator. A retrospective study was performed by reviewing medical records of subjects who had received DBE at our unit in the past 17 years. Overall diagnostic yield was 78.7% (210/267). The diagnostic yield for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) was 68.3% (84/123). The diagnostic yield for OGIB was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that for other indications. Therapeutic yield was 24.7% (66/267). Complications occurred in 7 (2.6%). Crohn’s disease, intestinal tuberculosis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug enteropathy, and diverticular lesions were mainly found in the ileum. Vascular lesions, non-specific inflammation, and neoplastic lesions were found more frequently in the jejunum. DBE is an excellent and safe endoscopic method for the diagnosis and treatment of SB lesions. DBE has a lower diagnostic rate for OGIB than for other indications. The location where a lesion is commonly found depends on the type of the lesion