Solubility and stability engineering of human VH domains.

Solubility and stability are amongst the factors contributing to the therapeutic efficacy of biologics. Human antibody heavy chain variable domains, VHs, are one class of biologics; improving VH biophysical properties is the focus of significant protein engineering efforts. Here, we describe an efficacy engineering approach which involves the introduction of a disulfide linkage in the VH core and which improves both VH solubility and stability.

The surgical experience for retroperitoneal, mesenteric and omental cyst in children.

Purpose: Intra-abdominal cystic masses originating from the retroperitoneum, mesentery or omentum are very rare and mostly benign tumors, but sometimes present as a complicated cyst encasing the major organs.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical findings, histologic diagnosis, and surgical outcomes in children who underwent operation for retroperitoneal, omental, and mesenteric cyst from 1998 to 2010, retrospectively.

Results: Twenty-three patients (male, 12; female, 11) underwent the operation at a median age of 46 months (range, 9 days to 16 years).

Comparison of hepatic venous pressure gradient and two models of end-stage liver disease for predicting the survival in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Goals: We evaluated the efficacy of initial and follow-up hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), models of end-stage liver disease (MELD), and MELD-Na for predicting the survival of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC).

Background: MELD with/without Na score and HVPG have been important predictors of mortality in patients with LC.

Study: Between January 2006 and 2011, a total of 57 patients with decompensated LC, all of whom underwent >2 HVPG measurements for the confirmation of propranolol dosing, were enrolled.

Wheat F-box protein recruits proteins and regulates their abundance during wheat spike development.

F-box proteins, components of the Skp1-Cullin1-F-box (SCF) protein E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, serve as the variable component responsible for substrate recognition and recruitment in SCF-mediated proteolysis. F-box proteins interact with Skp1 through the F-box motif and with ubiquitination substrates through C-terminal protein interaction domains. F-box proteins regulate plant development, various hormonal signal transduction processes, circadian rhythm, and cell cycle control.

Enantioselective Michael addition of 3-aryl-substituted oxindoles to methyl vinyl ketone catalyzed by a binaphthyl-modified bifunctional organocatalyst.

The enantioselective conjugate addition reaction of 3-aryl-substituted oxindoles with methyl vinyl ketone promoted by binaphthyl-modified bifunctional organocatalysts was investigated. The corresponding Michael adducts, containing a quaternary center at the C3-position of the oxindoles, were generally obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 91% ee).

SRY-positive 78, XY ovotesticular disorder of sex development in a wolf cloned by nuclear transfer.

Recently, we reported the three wolves cloning with normal karyotype from somatic cells of endangered male gray wolves (Canis lupus), but one wolf had female external genitalia. In this study, we conducted further clinical, histological, and genetic analyses. This cloned wolf had a normal uterus but developed ovotestis.

KRAS mutation status and clinical outcome of preoperative chemoradiation with cetuximab in locally advanced rectal cancer: a pooled analysis of 2 phase II trials.

Purpose: Cetuximab-containing chemotherapy is known to be effective for KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer; however, it is not clear whether cetuximab-based preoperative chemoradiation confers an additional benefit compared with chemoradiation without cetuximab in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: We analyzed EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutation status with direct sequencing and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression status with immunohistochemistry in tumor samples of 82 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were enrolled in the IRIX trial (preoperative chemoradiation with irinotecan and capecitabine; n=44) or the ERBIRIX trial (preoperative chemoradiation with irinotecan and capecitabine plus cetuximab; n=38). Both trials were similarly designed except for the administration of cetuximab; radiation therapy was administered at a dose of 50.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with udenafil.

We report a case of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with udenafil. A 54-year-old male presented with an acute onset visual field defect of the right eye after udenafil use. Examination revealed a relative afferent pupillary defect and a swollen disc.

Feasibility study of glass dosimeter for in vivo measurement: dosimetric characterization and clinical application in proton beams.

Purpose: To evaluate the suitability of the GD-301 glass dosimeter for in vivo dose verification in proton therapy.

Methods And Materials: The glass dosimeter was analyzed for its dosimetrics characteristic in proton beam. Dosimeters were calibrated in a water phantom using a stairlike holder specially designed for this study.

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme a synthase 2 expression is associated with chemoradiotherapy responses in colorectal cancer.

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy has become a standard treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer. Favorable long-term outcomes have been reported for patients with good responses to chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, predictive factors for chemoradiotherapy responses can be useful for their applicability to risk-adaptive therapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

Diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers measured in the hepatic vein and peripheral vein in the prediction of advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Objectives: The accuracies of biomarkers checked in the hepatic vein (HV) and peripheral vein (PV) were compared in the prediction of advanced fibrosis (AF) of liver.

Methods: Patients with chronic viral hepatitis (n=101) who underwent hepatic venous pressure gradient, liver biopsy, and paired HV-PV samples (6 biomarkers: hyaluronic acid [HA], haptoglobin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP2], tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 [TIMP1], procollagen III N-terminal peptide [PIIINP], and apolipoprotein-A1 [Apo-A1]) were enrolled.

Results: Differences were displayed between the HV and PV in the predictive logit-models for predicting AF (-3.

Neonatal neuroblastoma needs the aggressive treatment?

Background: Routine antenatal ultrasound scans increased the detection of the neuroblastoma (NB) in neonates. We reviewed the treatment outcome and clinical presentation of neonatal NB.

Methods: We included patients who had pathologically confirmed NB presented within 28 days after birth from January 1999 to December 2010.

Long-term follow-up of preoperative pelvic radiation therapy and concomitant boost irradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer patients: a multi-institutional phase II study (KROG 04-01).

Purpose: To perform a prospective phase II study to investigate the efficacy and safety of preoperative pelvic radiation therapy and concomitant small-field boost irradiation with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for 5 weeks in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.

Methods And Materials: Sixty-nine patients with locally advanced, nonmetastatic, mid-to-lower rectal cancer were prospectively enrolled. They had received preoperative chemoradiation therapy and total mesorectal excision.

Clinical outcomes of nonoperative management in emphysematous urinary tract infections.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes of nonoperative management of emphysematous urinary tract infections (EUTIs).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 28 consecutive cases of EUTI over a 5-year period, all of which were treated with urinary drainage and medical management without surgical intervention. EUTIs were classified as either emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) or emphysematous cystitis (EC).

Clinical outcomes of palliative self-expanding metallic stents in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction.

Objective: Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are useful palliative option and a bridge to surgery in malignant colorectal obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of SEMS to palliate colorectal malignant obstruction.

Methods: Malignant colorectal obstructive patients who underwent SEMS insertion at the National Cancer Center, Korea from January 2004 to June 2008 were enrolled in the study.

Adrenocortical tumors in children 18 years old and younger.

Purpose: Pediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACTs) are rare. We reviewed findings in 8 children, 18 years of age or younger, diagnosed with ACT in our institution over the past 15 years.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 8 children with ACTs treated between 1996 and 2010.

Scanometric microRNA array profiling of prostate cancer markers using spherical nucleic acid-gold nanoparticle conjugates.

We report the development of a novel Scanometric MicroRNA (Scano-miR) platform for the detection of relatively low abundance miRNAs with high specificity and reproducibility. The Scano-miR system was able to detect 1 fM concentrations of miRNA in serum with single nucleotide mismatch specificity. Indeed, it provides increased sensitivity for miRNA targets compared to molecular fluorophore-based detection systems, where 88% of the low abundance miRNA targets could not be detected under identical conditions.

Can the new American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system predict survival in rectal cancer patients treated with curative surgery following preoperative chemoradiotherapy?

Background: Although ypStage has been known as a strong prognosticator of recurrence and survival, the detailed interaction of ypT and ypN classification on a survival rate has never been evaluated.

Methods: Between October 2001 and December 2007, in total, 960 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were enrolled retrospectively at 3 centers. Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate were calculated for each ypTN classification.

Replacement of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with bone marrow stromal cells for use in establishing and maintaining embryonic stem cells in mice.

We have investigated the use of BMSC (bone marrow stromal cell) as a feeder cell for improving culture efficiency of ESC (embryonic stem cell). B6CBAF1 blastocysts or ESC stored after their establishment were seeded on to a feeder layer of either SCA-1+/CD45-/CD11b- BMSC or MEF (mouse embryonic fibroblast). Feeder cell activity in promoting ESC establishment from the blastocysts and in supporting ESC maintenance did not differ significantly between BMSC and MEF feeders.

Miniature swine model of phototoxicity testing.

Background/purpose: This study determined the threshold doses for 'solar erythema' and for phototoxic responses to 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in white skin Hanford and grey skin Yucatan miniature swine.

Methods: For threshold erythema determinations, the UVR exposures included both UVA (315-400 nm) and UVB (290-315 nm) radiation by positioning one fluorescent 'sunlamp' among 10 'PUVA' lamps. With this configuration the UVR exposures ranged from 0.

Drill and chop: modified vertical chop technique for hard cataract.

The authors describe a technique to improve the control and safety of vertical chopping during hard cataract surgery. Whereas the conventional vertical chop technique uses a sharp vertical chopper, the proposed technique uses a short blunt chopper. This requires complete engagement of the central nucleus by a phaco tip.

No correlation between pretreatment serum CEA levels and tumor volume in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.

Background: Although serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels reflect tumor volume in rectal cancer patients intrapersonally, it is unclear interpersonally. We determined the correlation between pretreatment serum CEA levels and tumor volume.

Methods: A total of 489 patients with locally advanced primary rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery between October 2001 and April 2007 were retrospectively evaluated.

Long-term results of spinal cord injury therapy using mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow in humans.

Background: Although the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after spinal cord injury (SCI) has shown promising results in animals, less is known about the effects of autologous MSCs in human SCI.

Objective: To describe the long-term results of 10 patients who underwent intramedullary direct MSCs transplantation into injured spinal cords.

Methods: Autologous MSCs were harvested from the iliac bone of each patient and expanded by culturing for 4 weeks.

Noninvasive imaging of the foveal avascular zone with high-speed, phase-variance optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To demonstrate the application of phase-variance optical coherence tomography (pvOCT) for contrast agent-free in vivo imaging of volumetric retinal microcirculation in the human foveal region and for extraction of foveal avascular zone dimensions.

Methods: A custom-built, high-speed Fourier-domain OCT retinal imaging system was used to image retinas of two healthy subjects and eight diabetic patients. Through the acquisition of multiple B-scans for each scan location, phase differences between consecutive scans were extracted and used for phase-variance contrast, identifying motion signals from within blood vessels and capillaries.

Successful liver transplantation following veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with fulminant Wilson disease and severe pulmonary hemorrhage: a case report.

Massive pulmonary hemorrhage and other serious cardiopulmonary diseases in patients with fulminant hepatitis result not only in graft failure but also mortality after LT. ECMO is used to treat children with cardiorespiratory failure refractory to conventional intensive care. We describe a five-yr-old girl with genetically confirmed fulminant Wilson disease and severe pulmonary hemorrhage who underwent successful primary LT following veno-arterial ECMO.