Evaluation of the use of the tobacco PR-1a promoter to monitor defense gene expression by the luciferase bioluminescence reporter system.

Because of their marked responsiveness to induction signals, genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins are used as markers to monitor defense gene expression in plants. To develop a non-invasive bioluminescence reporter assay system, we tested acidic PR-1 gene promoters from tobacco and Arabidopsis. These two promoters share common regulatory elements and are believed to show similar responsiveness to various stimuli but the results of transient expression assays by microprojectile bombardment of various plant cells and npr1 mutant Arabidopsis suggest that the tobacco PR-1a promoter is superior to its Arabidopsis counterpart in terms of responsiveness to salicylic acid treatment. Transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings harboring the tobacco PR-1a promoter fused to firefly luciferase showed marked induction in response to treatment with chemicals that induce defense gene expression in plants. These results suggest that the tobacco PR-1a promoter is applicable in monitoring defense-gene expression in various plant species.

A randomized prospective trial comparing unsedated endoscopy via transnasal and transoral routes using 5.5-mm video endoscopy.

We performed a randomized prospective trial to compare unsedated endoscopy via transnasal and transoral routes using a small-caliber endoscope. Two hundred patients referred for diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were randomly allocated to two groups: those undergoing transnasal (TN) and transoral (TO) endoscopy. We examined the insertion rate, examination duration, nasal pain, pharyngeal pain, number of occurrences of pharyngeal reflex, severity of discomfort throughout the examination, and rate of adverse events. Patients were asked to rate the severity of their pain or discomfort on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). We identified statistically significant differences between the TN and TO groups in rate of insertion (95% versus 100%, respectively, P < 0.05) and examination duration (9.7 +/- 3.0 min versus 8.4 +/- 2.7 min, respectively, P < 0.005). Severity of discomfort throughout the examination was comparable in the TN and TO groups (3.0 +/- 1.8 versus 2.9 +/- 2.3, NS). Nasal bleeding occurred as an adverse event in 4.1% of patients in the TN group. Patients in the TO group were more likely than those in the TN group to prefer the present method in the subsequent endoscopic examination (99.0% versus 82.1%, P < 0.00005). These results indicated that transoral insertion is superior to transnasal insertion in endoscopy procedures performed with small-caliber endoscope.

PBS buffer solutions with different pH values can change porosity of DNA-chitosan complexes.

We examined the effect of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution with different pH values on the formation of porosity in the DNA/chitosan complexes, and evaluated the intercalation behavior of the complexes. Four different PBS solutions with pH = 6.0, 7.0, 7.4, and 7.8 were used for rinsing water-insoluble DNA-chitosan complexes. All complexes showed high porosities ranging from 83 to 95%. Rinsing with PBS at pH 7.0, 7.4, and 7.8 reduced the porosity of the DNA-chitosan complexes. Re-rinsing with PBS at pH 7.4 reduced the porosity of the DNA-chitosan complex rinsed with PBS at pH 6.0. The appearances for porous formation were influenced by the differences in pH of PBS. Daunorubicin hydrochloride intercalated and bound in the grooves of DNA within all of the DNA-chitosan complexes, indicating that DNA in the complexes maintained its double-stranded helical structure. These results suggested that PBS-rinsed DNA-chitosan complex is promising as a scaffold material in tissue engineering.

Antibacterial activities and bonding of MMSA/TBB resin containing amphiphilic lipids.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of MMA/TBB resin containing newly developed amphiphilic lipids. The amphiphilic lipids, C10-L-Ala/pts and C12-L-Ala/pts, synthesized from the reaction of n-alkyl alcohol and L-alanine were dissolved in MMA at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mol%. Resin mixtures of PMMA powder and each MMA liquid containing lipid and TBB were prepared for all tests. Both lipids gave antibacterial effect to MMA/ TBB resin. The addition of C12-L-Ala/pts to MMA resulted in a significantly higher antibacterial activity than the addition of C10-L-Ala/pts. In terms of bond strength, the bond strength of MMA/TBB resin to bovine dentin was significantly decreased by the addition of amphiphilic lipids. But for enamel, the bond strength of MMA/TBB resin with amphiphilic lipids was clinically acceptable for orthodontic brackets. In conclusion, amphiphilic lipids will be useful as a component of adhesive resin to give the latter an antibacterial effect.

Total intraoperative enteroscopy using a colonoscope for detecting the bleeding point.

We report a case of bleeding in the small intestine of a 59-year-old man that was successfully diagnosed and treated by total intraoperative enteroscopy. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and mesenteric arteriography could not identify the bleeding point. Technetium-99m-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy suggested bleeding from the small intestine but could not reveal the precise lesion. As the patient presented melena and went into a state of shock, we performed emergency laparotomy with total intraoperative enteroscopy using a colonoscope. A small ulceration was found at the jejunum, and subsequently partial resection of the jejunum was performed. The lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as angiodysplasia. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the 24th postoperative day. Bleeding in the small intestine is rare and difficult to diagnose but it sometimes induces a severe condition. Total intraoperative enteroscopy using a colonoscope is effective for detecting the bleeding point in the small intestine and can be performed at most centers without special fiberscopes and techniques.