PURPOSE: Genes involved in liver cancer cell growth have been identified using an antisense library of large circular (LC-) genomic DNA of a recombinant M13 phage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A subtracted cDNA library was constructed by combining procedures of suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and unidirectional cloning of the subtracted cDNA into an M13 phagemid vector. Utilizing the life cycle of M13 bacteriophages, LC-antisense molecules derived from 1, 200 random cDNA clones selected by size were prepared from the culture supernatant of bacterial transformants. The antisense molecules were arrayed for transfection on 96-well plates preseeded with HepG2. RESULTS: When examined for growth inhibition after antisense transfection, 153 out of 1, 200 LC-antisense molecules showed varying degrees of growth inhibitory effect to HepG2 cells. Sequence comparison of the 153 clones identified 58 unique genes. The observations were further extended by other cell-based assays. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the LC-antisense library offers potential for unique high-throughput screening to find genes involved in a specific biological function, and may prove to be an effective target validation system for gene-based drug discovery.
Bacteriophage M13 ; Bacteriophages* ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA* ; DNA, Complementary ; Drug Discovery ; Gene Library ; Hep G2 Cells ; Life Cycle Stages ; Liver Neoplasms* ; Liver* ; Mass Screening ; Transfection

Objective: The goal of the present study was to identify factors related to the growth and growth patterns of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2018, a total of 275 patients were diagnosed with UIAs in our institution. Of them, 91 patients were evaluated using computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography. Aneurysm size, morphology, location, and its changes were investigated. Patient factors, including gender, history of stroke, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and excessive alcohol consumption, were studied to identify factors associated with aneurysm growth. Results: A total of 91 patients (121 aneurysms) with a mean follow-up duration of 37.2±23.9 months and a mean age of 64.0±11.4 years were included. The growth of unruptured aneurysms was identified in 23 patients (27 aneurysms, 22.3%). Regarding morphology, the diffuse growth pattern was the most common (12 aneurysms in 10 patients, 44.4%). Univariate analysis showed that patients with multiple aneurysms (p=0.010), history of stroke (p=0.021), and aneurysm location in the posterior circulation (p=0.029) were significantly associated with aneurysm growth. Conclusion The growth of an UIA is associated with the history of stroke, posterior location, and multiplicity. Considering the risk of unruptured aneurysm growth, patients with such risk factors should receive additional attention during follow-up.

Eleven cohorts of miners occupationally exposed to relatively high concentrations of radon showed a statistically significantly high risk of lung cancer, while three cohorts from the general population showed a relatively low concentration, but the results were not statistically significant. However, the risk of lung cancer tended to increase with increased radon exposure. The risk is likely to have been underestimated due to low statistical power. Therefore, additional well-designed studies on the risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers in the general population with relatively low concentrations of radon exposure are needed in the future. In addition, country-specific preventive policies are needed in order to actively reduce radon exposure and lung cancer incidence in nonsmokers.
Cohort Studies* ; Incidence ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Miners ; Occupations ; Radon*