Background/Aims: We evaluated the usefulness in kidney transplant (KT) candidates of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays for predicting the development of post-transplant CMV infections. Methods: All adult recipients admitted for living-donor KT between March 2014 and March 2015 were prospectively enrolled except donor CMV-seropositive and recipient seronegative (D+/R–) recipients. All the enrolled patients underwent CMV-specific ELISPOT assays before transplant, and a researcher blinded to the results of these assays examined the patients for CMV infection at least 6 months post-transplant. Results: Of 133 KT recipients, 44 (33%) developed CMV infections. When we used the cut-off determined by receiver operator characteristic curve, 16 of the 34 patients (47%) with negative pp65-specific ELISPOT results (< 11 spots/200,000 cells) developed CMV infections, whereas 28 of the 99 patients (39%) with positive pp65-specific ELISPOT results at baseline (≥ 11 spots/200,000 cells) developed CMV infections after KT (p = 0.02). Based on the multivariable Cox regression model, negative pp65-specific ELISPOT assay results was an independent risk factor for CMV infection (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 3.46; p = 0.047) as well as age (AHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.08; p = 0.007). Conclusions Pre-transplant CMV-specific ELISPOT assay appears to predict the development of CMV infections after KT in recipients at moderate risk such as CMV-seropositive recipients (Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT 02025335).

BACKGROUND: Despite the many advantages of recombinant subunit vaccines, they have critical weaknesses that include a low efficacy for promoting cellular and humoral immune responses against antigens because of their poor immunogenicity, and a rapidly cleared properties as a result of proteolytic enzymes in the body. To circumvent these problems, we developed mannan-decorated inulin acetate microparticles (M-IA MPs) that functioned as carriers and adjuvants for immunization with the recombinant foot-and-mouth disease multi-epitope subunit vaccine (M5BT). METHODS: The M5BT-loaded M-IA MPs were obtained by a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method. Their properties including morphology, size and release ability were determined by field emission scanning electron microscope, dynamic light-scattering spectrophotometer and spectrophotometer. To assess the immunization efficacy of the MPs, mice were immunized with MPs and their sera were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: The M-IA MPs obtained by a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method were spherical and approximately 2–3 µm, and M5BT was encapsulated in the M-IA MPs. The M5BT-loaded M-IA MPs showed higher antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and anti-FMDV antibodies than the M5BT-loaded IA MPs and the Freund’s adjuvant as a control. CONCLUSION The M-IA MPs showed a powerful and multifunctional polymeric system that combined two toll-like receptor agonists compared to the conventional adjuvant.

BACKGROUND: Despite the many advantages of recombinant subunit vaccines, they have critical weaknesses that include a low efficacy for promoting cellular and humoral immune responses against antigens because of their poor immunogenicity, and a rapidly cleared properties as a result of proteolytic enzymes in the body. To circumvent these problems, we developed mannan-decorated inulin acetate microparticles (M-IA MPs) that functioned as carriers and adjuvants for immunization with the recombinant foot-and-mouth disease multi-epitope subunit vaccine (M5BT). METHODS: The M5BT-loaded M-IA MPs were obtained by a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method. Their properties including morphology, size and release ability were determined by field emission scanning electron microscope, dynamic light-scattering spectrophotometer and spectrophotometer. To assess the immunization efficacy of the MPs, mice were immunized with MPs and their sera were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: The M-IA MPs obtained by a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method were spherical and approximately 2–3 µm, and M5BT was encapsulated in the M-IA MPs. The M5BT-loaded M-IA MPs showed higher antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and anti-FMDV antibodies than the M5BT-loaded IA MPs and the Freund’s adjuvant as a control. CONCLUSION The M-IA MPs showed a powerful and multifunctional polymeric system that combined two toll-like receptor agonists compared to the conventional adjuvant.

No abstract available.
Chordoma

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with an incidence of 0.5~3% of the worldwide population. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is related to dysregulated keratinocyte function and immune reactions. Notably, genetic factors are considered important etiological contributors. Globally, several researchers have recently performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify the genes related with psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the expression pattern of 2 candidate genes that were identified by GWAS. These include interleukin 28 receptor alpha (IL28RA) and CUB and Sushi multiple domains 1 (CSMD1). METHODS: We applied imiquimod cream to develop a psoriasis-like mouse model and obtained skin tissue. We performed immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of IL-28A and CSMD1. RESULTS: IL28RA expression increased at an early time point such as 1 day after the topical application of 5% imiquimod cream. However, its expression returned to baseline levels 2 weeks after the topical application of imiquimod cream. CSMD1 expression also increased after the topical application of imiquimod, with increased expression particularly observed in the upper epidermal layer. Notably, CSMD1 expression decreased 7 days after imiquimod cream application. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IL28RA and CSMD1 may play key roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Animals ; Gene Expression* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Interleukins ; Keratinocytes ; Mice* ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis is predominantly associated with invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of disseminated mycetoma caused by N. pseudobrasiliensis in a 57-yr-old woman with microscopic polyangiitis, who was treated for 3 months with corticosteroids. The same organism was isolated from mycetoma cultures on the patient's scalp, right arm, and right leg. The phenotypic characteristics of the isolate were consistent with both Nocardia brasiliensis and N. pseudobrasiliensis, i.e., catalase and urease positivity, hydrolysis of esculin, gelatin, casein, hypoxanthine, and tyrosine, but no hydrolysis of xanthine. The isolate was identified as N. pseudobrasiliensis based on 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequencing. The patient was treated for 5 days with intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam, at which time both the mycetomas and fever had subsided and discharged on amoxicillin/clavulanate. This case highlights a very rare presentation of mainly cutaneous mycetoma caused by N. pseudobrasiliensis. This is the first reported case of N. pseudobrasiliensis infection in Korea.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/*therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopic Polyangiitis/complications/*drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Mycetoma/complications/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Nocardia/genetics/*isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics ; Republic of Korea ; Scalp/microbiology/pathology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Skin/microbiology

Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis is predominantly associated with invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of disseminated mycetoma caused by N. pseudobrasiliensis in a 57-yr-old woman with microscopic polyangiitis, who was treated for 3 months with corticosteroids. The same organism was isolated from mycetoma cultures on the patient's scalp, right arm, and right leg. The phenotypic characteristics of the isolate were consistent with both Nocardia brasiliensis and N. pseudobrasiliensis, i.e., catalase and urease positivity, hydrolysis of esculin, gelatin, casein, hypoxanthine, and tyrosine, but no hydrolysis of xanthine. The isolate was identified as N. pseudobrasiliensis based on 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequencing. The patient was treated for 5 days with intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam, at which time both the mycetomas and fever had subsided and discharged on amoxicillin/clavulanate. This case highlights a very rare presentation of mainly cutaneous mycetoma caused by N. pseudobrasiliensis. This is the first reported case of N. pseudobrasiliensis infection in Korea.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/*therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopic Polyangiitis/complications/*drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Mycetoma/complications/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Nocardia/genetics/*isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics ; Republic of Korea ; Scalp/microbiology/pathology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Skin/microbiology

BACKGROUND: We introduce a new, simple portable inhalational induction device (PD) that provides co-operative inhalational induction of anaesthesia using N2O and subsequent sevoflurane in the preanaesthetic induction area in children. METHODS: Forty-five children (30 to 94 months old age, <35 kg) who were scheduled to undergo simple operations were assigned randomly to one of three regimens. Patients were encouraged by their parents to inhale N2O followed by sevoflurane (PD N2O-sevo group) or sevoflurane (PD sevo group) using a portable inhalational induction device in the preanaesthetic induction area until they were unable to respond to their names. They were then transferred to the operating room while maintaining inhalation of sevoflurane via the device. The control group underwent conventional inhalational induction in the operating room with the parents in attendance. RESULTS: Patients in the PD N2O-sevo group had a higher co-operative inhalation frequency than the patients in the PD sevo or the control group. Anaesthesia induction in the PD N2O-sevo and the PD sevo groups were faster than in the control group. Parent satisfaction score (0-100) was higher for the PD N2O-sevo group than for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A new portable inhalational induction device allows faster induction in co-operation with parents present in the preanaesthetic induction area compared to conventional inhalational induction in the unfamiliar operating room with the parents in attendance.
Child ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Methyl Ethers ; Nitrous Oxide ; Operating Rooms ; Parents

OBJECTIVE: To know the effect of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on intracellular calcium level and cell proliferation in cervical cancer cells. METHODS: Study design: Four different human cervical cancer cell lines (Caski, C33A, HeLaS3 and SiHa) were used in this study. The change of intracellular calcium level, cell proliferation and the activity of proliferation- and calcium-related transcription factors by extracellular ATP were examined in these cell lines. RESULTS: Extracellular ATP induced calcium mobilization, cell proliferation and the activation of NF-kappa B in all cell lines used. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that calcium mobilization and NF-kappa B dependent signaling pathway play an important role in the cell proliferation by ATP in cervical cancer.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adenosine* ; Calcium* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; NF-kappa B* ; Transcription Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*