INS(GFP/w) human embryonic stem cells facilitate isolation of in vitro derived insulin-producing cells.

Aims/hypothesis: We aimed to generate human embryonic stem cell (hESC) reporter lines that would facilitate the characterisation of insulin-producing (INS⁺) cells derived in vitro.

Methods: Homologous recombination was used to insert sequences encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the INS locus, to create reporter cell lines enabling the prospective isolation of viable INS⁺ cells.

Results: Differentiation of INS(GFP/w) hESCs using published protocols demonstrated that all GFP⁺ cells co-produced insulin, confirming the fidelity of the reporter gene.

Assessment of participant satisfaction with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in South Korea.

Aim: To measure the perceived satisfaction with gastric cancer screening as part of the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in South Korea.

Methods: Data were derived from the participants in a satisfaction survey of the Quality Evaluation of National Cancer Screening in 2009. This is a population-based nationwide telephone survey of participants who were screened by the NCSP between May and October 2009.

Temporal restriction of pancreatic branching competence during embryogenesis is mirrored in differentiating embryonic stem cells.

To develop methods for the generation of insulin-producing β-cells for the treatment of diabetes, we have used GFP-tagged embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to elucidate the process of pancreas development. Using the reporter Pdx1(GFP/w) ESC line, we have previously described a serum-free differentiation protocol in which Pdx1-GFP(+) cells formed GFP bright (GFP(br)) epithelial buds that resembled those present in the developing mouse pancreas. In this study we extend these findings to demonstrate that these cells can undergo a process of branching morphogenesis, similar to that seen during pancreatic development of the mid-gestation embryo.

Fever-induced QTc prolongation and ventricular fibrillation in a healthy young man.

Long QT syndrome is associated with lethal tachyarrhythmia that can lead to syncope, seizure, and sudden death. Congenital long QT syndrome is a genetic disorder, characterized by delayed cardiac repolarization and prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Type 2 congenital long QT is linked to mutations in the human ether a go-go-related gene (HERG).

NKX2-5(eGFP/w) hESCs for isolation of human cardiac progenitors and cardiomyocytes.

NKX2-5 is expressed in the heart throughout life. We targeted eGFP sequences to the NKX2-5 locus of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs); NKX2-5(eGFP/w) hESCs facilitate quantification of cardiac differentiation, purification of hESC-derived committed cardiac progenitor cells (hESC-CPCs) and cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) and the standardization of differentiation protocols. We used NKX2-5 eGFP(+) cells to identify VCAM1 and SIRPA as cell-surface markers expressed in cardiac lineages.

West Nile virus: immunity and pathogenesis.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic, arthropod-borne flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds, but can also infect and cause disease in horses and humans. WNV is endemic in parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and since 1999 has spread to North America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. WNV infects the central nervous system (CNS) and can cause severe disease in a small minority of infected humans, mostly immunocompromised or the elderly.

Gamma camera and optical imaging with a fusion reporter gene using human sodium/iodide symporter and monomeric red fluorescent protein in mouse model.

Purpose: Multimodality imaging contributes to the activation of translational research by compensating for its weak points. Herein, we developed a noninvasive dual-reporter gene system for nuclear and optical imaging.

Materials And Methods: We constructed a fusion reporter vector concurrently expressing the human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) and monomeric red fluorescent protein (mCherry), and evaluated the function of this fusion reporter system under in vitro and in vivo conditions.

BACE1 inhibitory activity of fungal endophytic extracts from Malaysian medicinal plants.

Background: BACE1 was found to be the major β-secretase in neurons and its appearance and activity were found to be elevated in the brains of AD patients. Fungal endophytic extracts for BACE1 inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity against PC-12 (a rat pheochromocytoma with neuronal properties) and WRL68 (a non-tumorigenic human hepatic) were investigated.

Methods: Endophytes were isolated from plants collected from Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan and the National Park, Pahang and the extracts were tested for BACE1 inhibition.

Effect of Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate on Sphingolipid Metabolic Enzymes in Rat Liver.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), the most widely utilized industrial plastizer and a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, can act on peroxisome proliferators-activated nuclear hormone receptor family (PPAR) isoforms. To understand the contribution of sphingolipid metabolism to DEHP-induced hepatotoxicity, effect of DEHP exposure on activities of sphingolipid metabolic enzymes in rat liver was investigated. DEHP (250, 500 or 750 mg/kg) was administered to the rats through oral gavage daily for 28 days.

Reticular infiltrations alone without mass in the mesentery and omentum identified at contrast-enhanced CT: efficacy of US-guided percutaneous core biopsy.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonographically (US) guided percutaneous core biopsy of reticular infiltrations alone without mass in the mesentery and omentum at contrast material-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and the need for obtaining signed informed consent was waived for this retrospective analysis. From March 2004 to May 2009, 45 patients (mean age, 52.

Spinal arteriovenous fistulas of the filum terminale.

The filum terminale is an anatomic structure at the end of the spinal cord. Only a few cases of AVFs of the filum terminale have been reported. These AVFs usually consist of a single communication between the anterior spinal artery and a single draining vein.

Development of a monoclonal antibody against glucosyltransferase D of Streptococcus mutans GS 5.

Glucosyltransferases GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD of Streptococcus mutans are virulent factors involved in dental caries. Consequently, they are considered to be target molecules in the development of vaccines against dental caries. Among them, GtfD plays a significant role in the sucrose-dependent cellular adhesion of S.

Transthoracic needle biopsy using a C-arm cone-beam CT system: diagnostic accuracy and safety.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of performing transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) under combined fluoroscopy and CT guidance using a C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) system.

Methods: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and safety of performing TNB using a C-arm CBCT system. We retrospectively evaluated 99 TNB cases performed in 98 patients using a C-arm CBCT system with an 18-gauge automated cutting needle.

Non-invasive monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma in transgenic mouse with bioluminescent imaging.

A small animal imaging system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-specific reporter gene expression will enable monitoring of carcinogenesis or therapeutic intervention in vivo. Transgenic mouse was developed in which firefly luciferase (fLuc) expression was controlled by the AFP enhancer/promoter. The bioluminescent signals of the transgenic neonates were strong at their liver region and decreased after birth.

Radioimmunotherapy with (131)I-rituximab for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with radioiodinated human/murine chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab ((131)I-rituximab) for treating Korean patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL).

Methods: All patients received unlabeled rituximab 70 mg immediately prior to the administration of a therapeutic dose (median dose: 7.3 GBq) of (131)I-rituximab.

A targeted NKX2.1 human embryonic stem cell reporter line enables identification of human basal forebrain derivatives.

We have used homologous recombination in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to insert sequences encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the NKX2.1 locus, a gene required for normal development of the basal forebrain. Generation of NKX2.

Evaluation of Adrenal Masses in Lung Cancer Patients Using F-18 FDG PET/CT.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of PET/CT using various parameters for the characterization of adrenal nodules in lung cancer patients.

Methods: Sixty-one adrenal nodules in 51 lung cancer patients were evaluated. The final diagnosis was based on histology (n = 2) or imaging follow-up (n = 59, range of follow-up: 7-57 months, median 27 months).

Improved biological half-life and anti-tumor activity of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) using PEG-exposed nanoparticles.

TRAIL has received considerable attention as a potential anti-cancer agent due to its specific ability to target tumors. However, recombinant TRAIL has several limitations, such as, its short biological half-life, its inherent instability, and its potential hepatotoxicity. In this study, we developed a sustained release nanoparticle formulation of TRAIL and investigated its therapeutic effects in tumor-bearing mice.

Considerations for occupational therapy assessment for Indigenous children in Australia.

Background: To date, the literature specifically relating to occupational therapy assessment of Australian Indigenous children is lacking. This article aims to present occupational therapists with practice guidelines for conducting assessments with primary school-aged Indigenous children in Australia. It highlights key considerations to be made prior to assessment, reviews potentially culturally relevant assessment tools and discusses key principles to guide assessment practice.

Trends of mammography use in a national breast cancer screening program, 2004-2008.

Purpose: Korea started breast cancer screening as part of the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in 1999. In order to identify under-served groups, we investigated mammography uptake in the National Breast Cancer Screening Program.

Materials And Methods: The study population was participants in the National Breast Cancer Screening Program from 2004 to 2008.

Combined fluoroscopy- and CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy using a C-arm cone-beam CT system: comparison with fluoroscopy-guided biopsy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of combined fluoroscopy- and CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (FC-TNB) using a cone beam CT system in comparison to fluoroscopy-guided TNB (F-TNB).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 74 FC-TNB cases (group A) and 97 F-TNB cases (group B) to compare their respective diagnostic accuracies according to the size and depth of the lesion, as well as complications, procedure time, and radiation dose.

Results: The sensitivity for malignancy and diagnostic accuracy for small (< 30 mm in size) and deep (≥ 50 mm in depth) lesions were higher in group A (91% and 94%, 92% and 94%) than in group B (73% and 81%, 84% and 88%), however not statistically significant (p > 0.

Cancer stem cells: problems for therapy?

Many, if not all, tumours contain a sub-population of self-renewing and expanding stem cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). The symmetric division of CSCs is one mechanism enabling expansion in their numbers as tumours grow, while epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an increasingly recognized mechanism to generate further CSCs endowed with a more invasive and metastatic phenotype. Putative CSCs are prospectively isolated using methods based on either a surface marker or an intracellular enzyme activity and then assessed by a 'sphere-forming' assay in non-adherent culture and/or by their ability to initiate new tumour growth when xenotransplanted into immunocompromised mice-hence, these cells are often referred to as tumour-propagating cells (TPCs).

Live cell response to mechanical stimulation studied by integrated optical and atomic force microscopy.

To understand the mechanism by which living cells sense mechanical forces, and how they respond and adapt to their environment, a new technology able to investigate cells behavior at sub-cellular level with high spatial and temporal resolution was developed. Thus, an atomic force microscope (AFM) was integrated with total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and fast-spinning disk (FSD) confocal microscopy. The integrated system is broadly applicable across a wide range of molecular dynamic studies in any adherent live cells, allowing direct optical imaging of cell responses to mechanical stimulation in real-time.