A yeast strain, designated as JAF-11 T , was isolated from flower ofPrunus mume Sieb. et Zucc. in Gwangyang, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain JAF-11 T was closely related to Neodothiora populina CPC 39399 T with 2.07 % sequence divergence (12 nucleotide substitutions and three gaps in 581 nucleotides) in the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and Rhizosphaera macrospora CBS 208.79 T with 4.66 % sequence divergence (25 nucleotide substitutions and five gaps in 535 nucleotides) in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Further analysis based on the concatenated sequen ces of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and the ITS region confirmed that strain JAF-11 T was well-separated from Neodothiora populina CPC 39399 T . In addition to the phylo genetic differences, strain JAF-11 T was distinguished from its closest species, Neodothiora populina CPC 39399 T and Rhizosphaera macrospora CBS 208.79 T belonging to the family Dothioraceae by its phenotypic characteristics, such as assimilation of carbon sources. Hence, the name Neodothiora pruni sp. nov. is proposed with type strain JAF-11 T (KACC 48808 T ; MB 850034).

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) is one of main strategies of cancer treatment. However, some cancer cells are resistant to radiation-induced cell death, including apoptosis. Therefore, alternative approaches targeting different anti-tumor mechanisms such as cell senescence are required. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on radiation-induced cell death and senescence in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The cells were divided into four groups depending on the cell treatment (control, ALA, RT, and ALA+RT). Cells were analyzed for morphology, apoptotic cell death, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, membrane potential, cellular senescence, and cell cycle. Results: Our data showed that ALA significantly promoted apoptotic cell death when combined with RT, as reflected by Annexin V staining, expression of apoptosis-related factors, mitochondrial damages as well as cell morphological changes and reduction of cell numbers. In addition, ALA significantly enhanced radiation-induced cellular senescence, which was shown by increased HMGB1 expression in the cytosol fraction compared to the control, increased p53 expression compared to the control, activation of p38 as well as nuclear factor кB, and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Conclusion The current study is the first report showing a new mode of action (senescence induction) of ALA beyond apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells known to be resistant to RT.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) is one of main strategies of cancer treatment. However, some cancer cells are resistant to radiation-induced cell death, including apoptosis. Therefore, alternative approaches targeting different anti-tumor mechanisms such as cell senescence are required. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on radiation-induced cell death and senescence in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The cells were divided into four groups depending on the cell treatment (control, ALA, RT, and ALA+RT). Cells were analyzed for morphology, apoptotic cell death, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, membrane potential, cellular senescence, and cell cycle. Results: Our data showed that ALA significantly promoted apoptotic cell death when combined with RT, as reflected by Annexin V staining, expression of apoptosis-related factors, mitochondrial damages as well as cell morphological changes and reduction of cell numbers. In addition, ALA significantly enhanced radiation-induced cellular senescence, which was shown by increased HMGB1 expression in the cytosol fraction compared to the control, increased p53 expression compared to the control, activation of p38 as well as nuclear factor кB, and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Conclusion The current study is the first report showing a new mode of action (senescence induction) of ALA beyond apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells known to be resistant to RT.

In our ongoing search for new secondary metabolites from fungal strains, one novel compound (1) and nine known compounds (2-10) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble layer of the culture broth of Panus rudis. The culture broth of P. rudis was extracted in acetone and fractionated by solvent partition; column chromatography using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and Sephadex G-10; MPLC; and HPLC. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR and LC-ESI-mass measurements. One new compound, panepoxydiol (1), and nine known compounds, (E)-3-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-en-1-yl)-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene-2,5-diol (2), isopanepoxydone (3), neopanepoxydone (4), panepoxydone (5), panepophenanthrin (6), 4-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychromane (7), 6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-3-chromen (8), 2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychroman-4-one (9), 3,4-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychromane (10), were isolated from the culture broth of P. rudis.This is the first report of isolation of a new compound panepoxydiol (1) and nine other chemical constituents (2-5, 7-10) from the culture broth of P. rudis.

In our ongoing search for new secondary metabolites from fungi, a basidiomycete fungus Irpex consors was selected for mycochemical investigation, and three new zwitterionic alkaloids (1-3) and five known compounds (4-8) were isolated from the culture broth (16 l) of I. consors. The culture filtrate was fractionated by a series of column chromatography including Diaion HP-20, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20, Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to yield eight compounds (1-8). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by the interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were examined. The zwitterionic structures of three new sesquiterpene alkaloids (1-3) were determined together with five known compounds identified as stereumamide E (4), stereumamide G (5), stereumamide H (6), stereumamide D (7), and sterostrein H (8). This is the first report of the zwitterionic alkaloids in the culture broth of I. consors. Three new zwitterionic alkaloids were named as consoramides A–C (1-3).

In our ongoing search for new secondary metabolites from fungi, a basidiomycete fungus Irpex consors was selected for mycochemical investigation, and three new zwitterionic alkaloids (1-3) and five known compounds (4-8) were isolated from the culture broth (16 l) of I. consors. The culture filtrate was fractionated by a series of column chromatography including Diaion HP-20, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20, Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to yield eight compounds (1-8). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by the interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were examined. The zwitterionic structures of three new sesquiterpene alkaloids (1-3) were determined together with five known compounds identified as stereumamide E (4), stereumamide G (5), stereumamide H (6), stereumamide D (7), and sterostrein H (8). This is the first report of the zwitterionic alkaloids in the culture broth of I. consors. Three new zwitterionic alkaloids were named as consoramides A–C (1-3).

BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence is essential after liver transplantation (LT) in HBV-associated recipients. We conducted real-world analysis of HBV prophylaxis after LT in the Korean population.METHODS: Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) database and additionally collected data (n = 326) were analyzed with special reference to types of HBV prophylaxis.RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 267 cases of living-donor LT and 59 cases of deceased-donor LT. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was diagnosed in 232 (71.2%) of these subjects. Antiviral agents were used in 255 patients (78.2%) prior to LT. HBV DNA was undetectable in 69 cases (21.2%) and detectable over wide concentrations in the other 257 patients (78.8%) prior to LT. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the store blood samples detected HBV DNA in all patients, with 159 patients (48.9%) showing concentrations > 100 IU/mL. Post-transplant HBV regimens during the first year included combination therapy in 196 (60.1%), hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) monotherapy in 121 (37.1%), and antiviral monotherapy in 9 (2.8%). In the second post-transplant year, these regimens had changed to combination therapy in 187 (57.4%), HBIG monotherapy in 112 (34.4%), and antiviral monotherapy in 27 (8.3%). Trough antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen titers > 500 IU/mL and >1,000 IU/mL were observed in 61.7% and 25.2%, respectively. The mean simulative half-life of HBIG was 21.6 ± 4.3 days with a median 17.7 days. Up to 2-year follow-up period, HCC recurrence and HBV recurrence developed in 18 (5.5%) and 6 (1.8%), respectively. HCC recurrence developed in 3 of 6 patients with HBV recurrence.CONCLUSION: Combination therapy is the mainstay of HBV prophylaxis protocols in a majority of Korean LT centers, but HBIG was often administered excessively. Individualized optimization of HBIG treatments using SHL is necessary to adjust the HBIG infusion interval.
Antiviral Agents ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cohort Studies ; DNA ; Follow-Up Studies ; Half-Life ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Organ Transplantation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence is essential after liver transplantation (LT) in HBV-associated recipients. We conducted real-world analysis of HBV prophylaxis after LT in the Korean population. METHODS: Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) database and additionally collected data (n = 326) were analyzed with special reference to types of HBV prophylaxis. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 267 cases of living-donor LT and 59 cases of deceased-donor LT. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was diagnosed in 232 (71.2%) of these subjects. Antiviral agents were used in 255 patients (78.2%) prior to LT. HBV DNA was undetectable in 69 cases (21.2%) and detectable over wide concentrations in the other 257 patients (78.8%) prior to LT. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the store blood samples detected HBV DNA in all patients, with 159 patients (48.9%) showing concentrations > 100 IU/mL. Post-transplant HBV regimens during the first year included combination therapy in 196 (60.1%), hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) monotherapy in 121 (37.1%), and antiviral monotherapy in 9 (2.8%). In the second post-transplant year, these regimens had changed to combination therapy in 187 (57.4%), HBIG monotherapy in 112 (34.4%), and antiviral monotherapy in 27 (8.3%). Trough antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen titers > 500 IU/mL and >1,000 IU/mL were observed in 61.7% and 25.2%, respectively. The mean simulative half-life of HBIG was 21.6 ± 4.3 days with a median 17.7 days. Up to 2-year follow-up period, HCC recurrence and HBV recurrence developed in 18 (5.5%) and 6 (1.8%), respectively. HCC recurrence developed in 3 of 6 patients with HBV recurrence. CONCLUSION Combination therapy is the mainstay of HBV prophylaxis protocols in a majority of Korean LT centers, but HBIG was often administered excessively. Individualized optimization of HBIG treatments using SHL is necessary to adjust the HBIG infusion interval.

PURPOSE: Transanal excision (TAE) is an alternative surgical procedure for early rectal cancer. This study compared long-term TAE outcomes, in terms of survival and local recurrence (LR), with total mesorectal excision (TME) in patients with pathologically confirmed T1 rectal cancer. METHODS: T1 rectal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgery from 1990 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients that were suspected to have preoperative lymph node metastasis were excluded. Demographics, recurrence, and survival were analyzed based on TAE and TME surgery. RESULTS: Of 268 individuals, 61 patients (26%) underwent TAE, which was characterized by proximity to the anus, submucosal invasion depth, and lesion infiltration, compared with TME patients (P < 0.001–0.033). During a median follow-up of 10.4 years, 12 patients had systemic and/or LR. Ten-year cancer-specific survival in the TAE and TME groups was not significantly different (98% vs. 100%). However, the 10-year LR rate in the TAE group was greater than that of TME group (10% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). Although 5 of the 6 TAE patients with LR underwent salvage surgery, one of the patients eventually died. The TAE surgical procedure (hazard ratio, 19.066; P = 0.007) was the only independent risk factor for LR. CONCLUSION: Although long-term survival after TAE was comparable to that after TME, TAE had a greater recurrence risk than TME. Thus, TAE should only be considered as an alternative surgical option for early rectal cancer in selected patients.
Adenocarcinoma ; Anal Canal ; Colorectal Surgery ; Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Fungi produce various secondary metabolites that have beneficial and harmful effects on other organisms. Those bioactive metabolites have been explored as potential medicinal and antimicrobial resources. However, the activities of the culture filtrate (CF) and metabolites of white-rot fungus (Schizophyllum commune) have been underexplored. In this study, we assayed the antimicrobial activities of CF obtained from white-rot fungus against various plant pathogens and evaluated its efficacy for controlling anthracnose and gray mold in pepper plants. The CF inhibited the mycelial growth of various fungal plant pathogens, but not of bacterial pathogens. Diluted concentrations of CF significantly suppressed the severity of anthracnose and gray mold in pepper fruits. Furthermore, the incidence of anthracnose in field conditions was reduced by treatment with a 12.5% dilution of CF. The active compound responsible for the antifungal and disease control activity was identified and verified as schizostatin. Our results indicate that the CF of white-rot fungus can be used as an eco-friendly natural product against fungal plant pathogens. Moreover, the compound, schizostatin could be used as a biochemical resource or precursor for development as a pesticide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the control of plant diseases using CF and active compound from white-rot fungus. We discussed the controversial antagonistic activity of schizostatin and believe that the CF of white-rot fungus or its active compound, schizostatin, could be used as a biochemical pesticide against fungal diseases such as anthracnose and gray mold in many vegetables.
Agaricales ; Fruit ; Fungi ; Incidence ; Plant Diseases ; Plants ; Vegetables