Usefulness of multiphase computed tomography angiography in a patient with transient ischemic attack in the hyperacute phase: A case report.

Rationale: Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) have the possibility of developing stroke in the future. To prevent recurrent TIA or future stroke, identifying the cause of TIA is important. However, about two-third of patients with TIA have negative findings on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Characterization of recombinant β-glucosidase from Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus and biotransformation of ginsenosides Rb1, Rb 2, Rc, and Rd.

The focus of this study was the cloning, expression, and characterization of recombinant ginsenoside hydrolyzing β-glucosidase from Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus with an ultimate objective to more efficiently bio-transform ginsenosides. The gene bglAch, consisting of 1,260 bp (419 amino acid residues) was cloned and the recombinant enzyme, overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), was characterized. The GST-fused BglAch was purified using GST·Bind agarose resin and characterized.

Cryopreservation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells in dimethylsulfoxide and polyethylene glycol.

Assisted reproductive techniques involving isolation, culture, and transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have the potential to create transgenic livestock and to treat male infertility caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Because stem cells may need to be preserved for several years before reintroduction to the patients' testes, efficient SSC cryopreservation techniques need to be developed. SSCs can reinitiate spermatogenesis in recipient testes after freezing; however, optimal cryopreservation protocols have not been identified.

Dynamic sensor interrogation using wavelength-swept laser with a polygon-scanner-based wavelength filter.

We report a high-speed (~2 kHz) dynamic multiplexed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor interrogation using a wavelength-swept laser (WSL) with a polygon-scanner-based wavelength filter. The scanning frequency of the WSL is 18 kHz, and the 10 dB scanning bandwidth is more than 90 nm around a center wavelength of 1,540 nm. The output from the WSL is coupled into the multiplexed FBG array, which consists of five FBGs.

Novosphingobium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., with the ability to convert ginsenoside.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-sporeforming, and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated FW-6T was isolated from a freshwater sample and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain FW-6T grew optimally at 10-42 degrees C and at pH 7.0 on nutrient and R2A agar.

Treatment of fingertip amputation in adults by palmar pocketing of the amputated part.

Background: First suggested by Brent in 1979, the pocket principle is an alternative method for patients for whom a microsurgical replantation is not feasible. We report the successful results of a modified palmar pocket method in adults.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2008, we treated 10 patients by nonmicrosurgical replantation using palmar pocketing.

Down-regulation of mitochondrial F1F0-ATP synthase in human colon cancer cells with induced 5-fluorouracil resistance.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used for treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. However, it is common for such patients to develop resistance to 5-FU, and this drug resistance becomes a critical problem for chemotherapy. The mechanisms underlying this resistance are largely unknown.

Identification of genes with differential expression in acquired drug-resistant gastric cancer cells using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays.

Purpose: A major obstacle in chemotherapy is treatment failure due to anticancer drug resistance. The emergence of acquired resistance results from host factors and genetic or epigenetic changes in the cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes associated with acquisition of resistance in human gastric cancer cells.