Predictive and prognostic value of sphingosine kinase 1 expression in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) has been found to be upregulated in many different types of human malignancy and plays a crucial role in cancer development and progression. However, the potential of SPHK1 to act as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer remains to be clarified. In the present study, SPHK1 expression was evaluated in breast cancer cell lines and 224 breast cancer tissue samples using immunohistochemical staining.

Characteristics of Carotid Artery Structure and Mechanical Function and Their Relationships with Aortopathy in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valves.

Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) often have proximal aortic dilatation and systemic vascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that BAV patients would have different carotid artery structural and functional characteristics compared to tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients. In 28 patients with surgically confirmed BAV and 27 patients with TAV, intima media thickness (IMT), number of plaques, fractional area change (FAC), global circumferential strain (GCS), and standard deviation of CS (SD-CS) in both common carotid arteries were assessed using duplex ultrasound and velocity vector imaging (VVI).

Regulation of Microglia and Macrophage Polarization via Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 Silencing after Ischemic/Hypoxic Injury.

Inflammation is implicated in ischemic stroke and is involved in abnormal homeostasis. Activation of the immune system leads to breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and, thereby, infiltration of immune cells into the brain. Upon cerebral ischemia, infiltrated macrophages and microglia (resident CNS immune cell) are activated, change their phenotype to M1 or M2 based on the microenvironment, migrate toward damaged tissue, and are involved in repair or damage.

Structural Brain Connectivity Constrains within-a-Day Variability of Direct Functional Connectivity.

The idea that structural white matter connectivity constrains functional connectivity (interactions among brain regions) has widely been explored in studies of brain networks; studies have mostly focused on the "average" strength of functional connectivity. The question of how structural connectivity constrains the "variability" of functional connectivity remains unresolved. In this study, we investigated the variability of resting state functional connectivity that was acquired every 3 h within a single day from 12 participants (eight time sessions within a 24-h period, 165 scans per session).

Unique Chemokine Profiles of Lung Tissues Distinguish Post-chemotherapeutic Persistent and Chronic Tuberculosis in a Mouse Model.

There is a substantial need for biomarkers to distinguish latent stage from active infections, for predicting disease progression. To induce the reactivation of tuberculosis, we present a new experimental animal model modified based on the previous model established by our group. In the new model, the reactivation of tuberculosis is induced without administration of immunosuppressive agents, which might disturb immune responses.

Abl Tyrosine Kinase Regulates Hepatitis C Virus Entry.

Abl is a central regulator of multiple cellular processes controlling actin dynamics, proliferation, and differentiation. Here, we showed that knockdown of Abl impaired hepatitis C virus (HCV) propagation. Treatment of Abl tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitor, imatinib and dasatinib, also significantly decreased HCV RNA and protein levels in HCV-infected cells.

Optical Imaging of the Motor Cortex Following Antidromic Activation of the Corticospinal Tract after Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts neuronal networks of ascending and descending tracts at the site of injury, leading to a loss of motor function. Restoration and new circuit formation are important components of the recovery process, which involves collateral sprouting of injured and uninjured fibers. The present study was conducted to determine cortical responses to antidromic stimulation of the corticospinal tracts, to compare changes in the reorganization of neural pathways within normal and spinal cord-injured rats, and to elucidate differences in spatiotemporal activity patterns of the natural progression and reorganization of neural pathways in normal and SCI animals using optical imaging.

Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling in the Insular Cortex Alleviates Neuropathic Pain after Peripheral Nerve Injury.

Injury of peripheral nerves can trigger neuropathic pain, producing allodynia and hyperalgesia via peripheral and central sensitization. Recent studies have focused on the role of the insular cortex (IC) in neuropathic pain. Because the IC is thought to store pain-related memories, translational regulation in this structure may reveal novel targets for controlling chronic pain.

A Genetic Screen Reveals Novel Targets to Render Sensitive to Lysozyme and Cell Wall-Targeting Antibiotics.

is capable of establishing airway infections. Human airway mucus contains a large amount of lysozyme, which hydrolyzes bacterial cell walls. , however, is known to be resistant to lysozyme.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations in Korean melanoma patients.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the reverse transcriptase component of the telomeric complex, which synthesizes terminal DNA to protect chromosomal ends and to maintain genomic integrity. In melanoma, mutation in promoter region is a common event and theses promoter variants have been shown to be associated with increased gene expression, decreased telomere length and poorer outcome. In this study, we determined the frequency of promoter mutation in 88 Korean primary melanoma patients and aimed to see the association of promoter mutation status to other major molecular features, such as , , mutations and correlate with clinicopathological features.

Selective and Efficient Elimination of with a Chemical Modulator that Targets Glucose Metabolism.

, a Gram-negative bacterium, is the causative agent of pandemic cholera. Previous studies have shown that the survival of the pandemic El Tor biotype strain N16961 requires production of acetoin in a glucose-rich environment. The production of acetoin, a neutral fermentation end-product, allows to metabolize glucose without a pH drop, which is mediated by the production of organic acid.

Antifibrotic effects of magnesium lithospermate B on hepatic stellate cells and thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rats.

Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is one of the major active components of Salvia miltiorrhizae. The anti-oxidative effects of Salvia miltiorrhizae have been previously reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of purified MLB on hepatic fibrosis in rats and on the fibrogenic responses in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).