Melatonin Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Insulin Sensitivity by Mitigating Inflammation and Activating AMPK Signaling in a Mouse Model of Sleep Fragmentation.

Sleep fragmentation (SF) can increase inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to metabolic dysfunction. SF is associated with inflammation of adipose tissue and insulin resistance. Several studies have suggested that melatonin may have beneficial metabolic effects due to activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

Perturbation of the peptidoglycan network and utilization of the signal recognition particle-dependent pathway enhances the extracellular production of a truncational mutant of CelA in Escherichia coli.

Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is the most thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium known and has the native ability to utilize unpretreated plant biomass. Cellulase A (CelA) is the most abundant enzyme in the exoproteome of C. bescii and is primarily responsible for its cellulolytic ability.

Effect of Lateral Ligament Augmentation Using Suture-Tape on Functional Ankle Instability.

Background:: Although lateral ligament augmentation using suture-tape has been effective for restoration of mechanical ankle stability, few data are available regarding changes of peroneal strength, proprioception, and postural control. The aim of this study was to determine effects of suture-tape augmentation on functional ankle instability (FAI).

Methods:: Twenty-four patients who underwent suture-tape augmentation were eligible and were followed more than 2 years postoperatively.

Supracondylar process syndrome: two cases of median nerve neuropathy due to compression by the ligament of Struthers.

The supracondylar process is a beak-shaped bony process on the anteromedial aspect of the distal humerus. The ligament of Struthers is a fibrous band extending from the tip of the process to the medial epicondyle. The median nerve and brachial artery pass under the ligament of Struthers and consequently can be compressed, causing supracondylar process syndrome.

Hypothermia Presenting in Wernicke Encephalopathy: A Case Report.

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neurologic disorder characterized by clinical symptoms, such as nystagmus, ataxia, and mental confusion. Hypothermia in patients with WE is a rare complication, and its pathogenic mechanism and therapy are yet to be ascertained. Herein, we presented a case of a 61-year-old man who was diagnosed with WE 3 months earlier.

Heart Rate Variability for Quantification of Autonomic Dysfunction in Fibromyalgia.

Objective: To quantify autonomic dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy controls using heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods: Sixteen patients with fibromyalgia and 16 healthy controls were recruited in this case control study. HRV was measured using the time-domain method incorporating the following parameters: total heartbeats, the mean of intervals between consecutive heartbeats (R-R intervals), the standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD), ratio of SDNN to RMSSD (SDNN/RMSSD), and difference between the longest and shortest R-R interval under different three conditions including normal quiet breathing, rate controlled breathing, and Valsalva maneuver.

Development of Fok-I based nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for detection of hepatitis B virus X region V5M mutation.

Aim: To develop a Fok-I nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA) method for the detection of hepatitis B virus X region (HBx) V5M mutation.

Methods: Nested PCR was applied into DNAs from 198 chronic patients at 2 different stages [121 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 77 carrier patients]. To identify V5M mutants, digestion of nested PCR amplicons by the restriction enzyme Fok-I (GGA TGN9↓) was done.

Separation of Mycobacterium abscessus into subspecies or genotype level by direct application of peptide nucleic acid multi-probe- real-time PCR method into sputa samples.

Background: Recently, we introduced a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) multi-probe real time PCR method targeting the hsp65 gene (hsp65 PNA RT-PCR) to distinguish Mycobacterium abscessus groups.

Methods: Here, we evaluated the usefulness of the hsp65 PNA RT-PCR for the direct identification of the M. abscessus group at the subspecies and genotype levels from sputa samples.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for painful chronic neurogenic heterotopic ossification after traumatic brain injury: a case report.

Neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) is a process of benign bone formation and growth in soft tissues surrounding major synovial joints and is associated with central nervous system (CNS) injuries. It is a common complication in major CNS injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Here, we report the case of a 72-year-old male, who experienced a traumatic brain injury and painful chronic NHO around the left hip joint.

Development of a peptide nucleic acid-based multiprobe real-time PCR method targeting the hsp65 gene for differentiation among Mycobacterium abscessus strains.

Recently, the need to distinguish between members of the Mycobacterium abscessus group has gained increasing attention. Here, we introduced a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) real-time PCR method targeting the hsp65 gene in order to distinguish between four subspecies within the M. abscessus group (M.

Mycobacterium paragordonae sp. nov., a slowly growing, scotochromogenic species closely related to Mycobacterium gordonae.

A previously undescribed, slowly growing, scotochromogenic mycobacterial strain (49061(T)) was isolated from a patient with pulmonary infections during the hsp65-sequence-based identification of Korean clinical isolates. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence was unique and the phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence (1393 bp) placed the organism into the slow-growing Mycobacterium group close to Mycobacterium gordonae (99.0 % sequence similarity).

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium massiliense Clinical Strain Asan 50594, Belonging to the Type II Genotype.

We report the complete genome sequence of the Mycobacterium massiliense clinical strain Asan 50594, which was grouped into the M. massiliense type II genotype, isolated from a Korean patient. This genome sequence will serve as a valuable reference for understanding the disparity in virulence and epidemiological traits between strains belonging to the Mycobacterium abscessus complex.

Determination of dapoxetine in rat plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

In this study, we describe and validate a rapid and sensitive method for quantitation of dapoxetine in rat plasma by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI/MS/MS). Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile, and sildenafil was used as an internal standard (IS). The mobile phase consisted of 0.

Whole-Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium intracellulare Clinical Strain MOTT-H4Y, Belonging to INT5 Genotype.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the clinical strain MOTT-H4Y, grouped previously into the INT5 genotype of the 5 genotypes of .

Molecular evidence of lateral gene transfer in rpoB gene of Mycobacterium yongonense strains via multilocus sequence analysis.

Recently, a novel species, Mycobacterium yongonense (DSM 45126(T)), was introduced and while it is phylogenetically related to Mycobacterium intracellulare, it has a distinct RNA polymerase β-subunit gene (rpoB) sequence that is identical to that of Mycobacterium parascrofulaceum, which is a distantly related scotochromogen, which suggests the acquisition of the rpoB gene via a potential lateral gene transfer (LGT) event. The aims of this study are to prove the presence of the LGT event in the rpoB gene of the M. yongonense strains via multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA).

Mycobacterium parakoreense sp. nov., a slowly growing non-chromogenic species related to Mycobacterium koreense, isolated from a human clinical specimen.

A previously undescribed, slowly growing, non-chromogenic Mycobacterium strain (299(T)) was isolated from the sputum sample of a patient with a symptomatic pulmonary infection. Phenotypically, strain 299(T) was generally similar to Mycobacterium koreense DSM 45576(T) and Mycobacterium triviale ATCC 23292(T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 299(T) was similar to that of M.

Complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium intracellulare clinical strain MOTT-36Y, belonging to the INT5 genotype.

Here we report the complete genome sequence of the Mycobacterium intracellulare clinical strain MOTT-36Y, previously grouped into the INT5 genotype among the 5 genotypes of M. intracellulare. This genome sequence will serve as a valuable reference for understanding the disparity in virulence and epidemiologic traits between M.

Disposition, oral bioavailability, and tissue distribution of zearalenone in rats at various dose levels.

This study was conducted to characterize the disposition, oral bioavailability, and tissue distribution of zearalenone in rats. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of zearalenone were studied after intravenous (i.v.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetics of zearalenone.

The objectives of this study were to (1) develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for zearalenone following intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.

Determination of zearalenone by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and application to a pharmacokinetic study.

Zearalenone, a mycotoxin biosynthesized by various Fusarium fungi, is widely found as a contaminant in grains and animal feeds. This study describes a rapid and sensitive LC/MS/MS assay method for the quantification of zearalenone in rat serum. The assay was validated to demonstrate the specificity, linearity, recovery, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy and precision.

Prediction of drug bioavailability in humans using immobilized artificial membrane phosphatidylcholine column chromatography and in vitro hepatic metabolic clearance.

This study reports a rapid screening method for the prediction of oral drug bioavailability in humans based on combined immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) chromatographic capacity factor (k(IAM)) and in vitro stability in hepatic microsomes. The fraction of drug absorbed (F(a)) in humans was predicted for a set of 15 structurally diverse commercial drugs based on k(IAM) values using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline. The hepatic intrinsic clearance (CL'(int)) was calculated from in vitro disappearance half-life, and the oral bioavailability was predicted using in vitro hepatic clearance (CL(h)) and F(a).

Enhanced absorption and tissue distribution of paclitaxel following oral administration of DHP 107, a novel mucoadhesive lipid dosage form.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the absorption and tissue distribution characteristics of paclitaxel-loaded DHP 107, a Cremophor EL-free, mucoadhesive lipid oral dosage form.

Methods: DHP 107 was orally administered to mice at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg doses. For comparison purposes, Taxol was i.

Oral bioavailability and enterohepatic recirculation of otilonium bromide in rats.

This study was conducted to examine the oral bioavailability and the possibility of enterohepatic recirculation of otilonium bromide in rats. A sensitive LC/MS/MS assay (LLOQ 0.5 ng/mL) was developed for the determination of otilonium and applied to i.