Value of Computerized 3D Shape Analysis in Differentiating Encapsulated from Invasive Thymomas

ObjectivesTo retrospectively investigate the added value of quantitative 3D shape analysis in differentiating encapsulated from invasive thymomas.ResultsSignificant differences were observed between encapsulated and invasive thymomas, in terms of cystic changes (p=0.004), sphericity (p=0.016), and discrete compactness (p=0.001). Subsequent binary logistic regression analysis revealed that absence of cystic change (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 6.636; p=0.015) and higher discrete compactness (OR = 77.775; p=0.012) were significant differentiators of encapsulated from invasive thymomas. ROC analyses revealed that the addition of 3D shape analysis to clinical and CT features (AUC, 0.955; 95% CI, 0.935–0.975) provided significantly higher performance in differentiating encapsulated from invasive thymomas than clinical and CT features (AUC, 0.666; 95% CI, 0.626–0.707) (p<0.001).ConclusionAddition of 3D shape analysis, particularly discrete compactness, can improve differentiation of encapsulated thymomas from invasive thymomas.     

Selection of Drosophila genes encoding secreted and membrane proteins

With the use of a yeast-based signal sequence trap (YSST) method, we screened a Drosophila cDNA library to isolate genes encoding secreted and membrane proteins. Of the 136 unique cDNA clones sequenced, 11 clones (8.1%) are identical to previously known Drosophila genes, 18 clones (13.2%) are homologous to other genes identified in various organisms, and 91 clones (66.9%) are novel. Most of these genes are secreted or membrane proteins, or appear to contain putative signal sequences at their amino termini. This indicates that YSST is an effective tool for the isolation and analysis of Drosophila genes that play roles in intercellular communication.     

Alicyclobacillus tengchongensis sp. nov., a thermo-acidophilic bacterium isolated from hot spring soil

A thermo-acidophilic bacterium, designated strain ACK006^T, was isolated from the soil of a hot spring at Tengchong in China. Cells were Gram-staining-positive, motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, spore-forming rods. The isolate grew aerobically at 30–50°C (optimum at 45°C), pH 2.0–6.0 (optimum pH 3.2) and 0–5.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1% NaCl). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain ACK006^T belongs to the genus Alicyclobacillus with the sequence similarity of 92.3, 92.4, 92.5, and 92.8% to Alicyclobacillus cycloheptanicus SCH^T, Alicyclobacillus ferrooxydans TC-34^T, Alicyclobacillus contaminans 3-A191^T and Alicyclobacillus disulfidooxidans SD-11^T, respectively. Similarity to other species of the genus Alicyclobacillus was 90.3–92.8% and similarity to species of the genus Tumebacillus was 85.9–87.8%. The genomic DNA G+C content was 53.7 mol%. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Major fatty acids were ω-cycloheptane C_18:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was the A1γ type; containing meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of polyphasic analysis from this study, strain ACK006^T represents a novel species of the genus Alicyclobacillus for which the name Alicyclobacillus tengchongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ACK006^T (=KCTC 33022^T =DSM 25924^T).     

cDNA cloning and mRNA expression of LIM protein gene homologue from the silkworm, Bombyx mori

LIM protein cDNA, from Bombyx mori that contains an open reading frame of 622 bp encoding 94 amino acids, was identified and characterized. The B. mori LIM protein homologue is classified into group 2 LIM proteins that contain glycine-rich LIM domain. B. mori LIM protein mRNA is up-regulated at late embryogenesis and detected in the mid-gut of 5th instar larvae.     

Annexin A3 is a potential angiogenic mediator

Angiogenesis is a complex process that is regulated by a variety of angiogenic activators and inhibitors. Disruption of the balanced angiogenesis leads to the progress of diseases such as tumor growth, rheumatoid arthritis, and various blood vessel-related disorders. Even though a number of proteins involved in angiogenesis have been identified so far, more protein factors remain to be identified due to complexity of the process. Here we report that annexin A3 (ANXA3) induces migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. High level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a prominent angiogenic factor, is also detected in conditioned medium obtained from cells transfected with ANXA3 expression plasmid. Reporter assays show that ANXA3 enhances hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) transactivation activity. Taken together, our results suggest that ANXA3 is a novel angiogenic factor that induces VEGF production through the HIF-1 pathway.     

Role of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Non-Receptor Type 7 in the Regulation of TNF-α Production in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Protein tyrosine phosphatases play key roles in a diverse range of cellular processes such as differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, immunological signaling, and cytoskeletal function. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 7 (PTPN7), a member of the phosphatase family, specifically inactivates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Here, we report that PTPN7 acts as a regulator of pro-inflammatory TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells that are stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that acts as an endotoxin and elicits strong immune responses in animals. Stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with LPS leads to a transient decrease in the levels of PTPN7 mRNA and protein. The overexpression of PTPN7 inhibits LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) analysis showed that knock-down of PTPN7 in RAW 264.7 cells increased TNF-α production. PTPN7 has a negative regulatory function to extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 that increase LPS-induced TNF-α production in macrophages. Thus, our data presents PTPN7 as a negative regulator of TNF-α expression and the inflammatory response in macrophages.     

Comorbid Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Gastric and Duodenal Strongyloides stercoralis Infection: A Case Report

Strongyloides stercoralis can cause systemic infection, termed strongyloidiasis, and gastrointestinal ulcer disease in immunocompromised patients. However, to our knowledge, there are no reported cases of comorbid gastric adenocarcinoma and S. stercoralis infection. Here, we report a case of an 81-year-old Korean man who presented with S. stercoralis infection coexisting with early gastric adenocarcinoma (T1aN0M0). S. stercoralis eggs, rhabditiform larvae, and adult females were observed in normal gastric and duodenal crypts. They were also observed in atypical glands representative of adenocarcinoma and adenoma. Preliminary laboratory tests revealed mild neutrophilic and eosinophilic leukocytosis. A routine stool test failed to detect rhabditiform larvae in the patient’s fecal sample; however, S. stercoralis was identified by PCR amplification and 18S rRNA sequencing using genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Postoperatively, the patient had a persistent fever and was treated with albendazole for 7 days, which alleviated the fever. The patient was followed-up by monitoring and laboratory testing for 4 months postoperatively, and no abnormalities were observed thus far. The fact that S. stercoralis infection may be fatal in immunocompromised patients should be kept in mind when assessing high-risk patients.