The complete mitochondrial genome of a freshwater mussel Nodularia douglasiae (Bivalvia: Unionidae).

The circular F-type mitochondrial genome (15,761 bp) was completely sequenced for a Korean freshwater mussel Nodularia douglasiae (synonym Unio douglasiae; Unionidae, Unionida, Bivalvia). It contains 13 PCGs, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, as generally shown in metazoan mitochondrial genomes. Its gene order is identical to that of F-type mitochondrial genomes observed in other freshwater mussels. With nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the complete F-type mitochondrial genomes obtained from 38 unionid species reported so far, phylogenetic analyses were done and discussed. The present study may give valuable helps to explore genetic diversity and population structures of other freshwater mussels as well as N. douglasiae.

Echelle grating silicon multi/demultiplexers with single-reflection total internal reflectors.

We present a silicon-on-insulator Echelle grating 8-channel demutiplexer showing characteristic features, average insertion loss 2.4 dB measured at 1520~1570 nm, adjacent channel crosstalk 15-18 dB, and channel spacing 11.9 nm. Our Echelle grating is remarked by a total internal reflector (TIR) which reflects incident light by a single reflection in contrast to the double reflections of retro-reflector TIR Echelle gratings.

Expression, purification, and characterization of a dentin phosphoprotein produced by Escherichia coli, and its odontoblastic differentiation effects on human dental pulp cells.

To investigate the functions of recombinant human dentin phosphoprotein (rhDPP), we examined cell adhesion, viability and the odontoblastic differentiation activity of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Firstly, rhDPP was constructed using pBAD-HisA plasmid in Escherichia coli. Cell adhesion and viability of hDPCs by rhDPP was examined using a crystal violet assay and a MTT assay, ALP, mineralization activity and odontoblastic differentiation-related mRNA levels of hDPCs were measured to elucidate the odontoblastic differentiation effect of rhDPP on hDPCs. Initially, rhDPP significantly and dose-dependently increased hDPCs adhesion versus the untreated control (p < 0.05). Cell viability was also significantly increased by rhDPP at 5 days (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the odontoblastic differentiation effect of rhDPP was verified by measuring ALP activity, mineralization activity and the mRNA levels of odontoblastic differentiation markers. Taken together, rhDPP is expected to play an important role on hDPCs, thereby suggesting its potential use for tooth repair and regeneration.

LATG with extracorporeal esophagojejunostomy: is this minimal invasive surgery for gastric cancer?

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study determined whether extracorporeal esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) for gastric cancer can be considered minimally invasive surgery, compared to the conventional open total gastrectomy (OTG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved 60 patients seen between January 2004 and July 2006. Twenty-seven patients underwent LATG, and 33 patients had OTG. The surgical procedure included the use of five ports with an upper vertical midline incision. In all patients, reconstruction was performed by using a Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy through the minilaparotomy site. In all cases, the jejunojejunostomy was performed extracorporeally as the conventional method. In OTG, a Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was performed with an upper midline incision. RESULTS: The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was smaller and the mean operating time was longer in the LATG group. The postoperative hospital course was similar in both groups. In the LATG group, the mean length of the minilaparotomy incision was 8.0+/-1.2 cm (maximum length, 11 cm), and a direct relationship was observed between the distance from the xiphoid process to the esophageal hiatus (DisXE) and the minilaparotomy incision length (Spearman's correlation of rank coefficient: 0.386; P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: With the concept of minimal invasiveness, if the patient's DisXE exceeds 9 cm, the length of the minilaparotomy incision in laparoscopic surgery could be disadvantageous. Nevertheless, we consider LATG the treatment of choice for early gastric cancer. If the patient's DisXE exceeds 9 cm, we consider intracorporeal anastomosis with the laparoscopic total gastrectomy. The type of esophagojejunostomy may be determined preoperatively by using three-dimensional abdominal computed tomography.

Clinical aspects of rifampicin-associated pseudomembranous colitis.

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is known to develop after antibiotic administration, but antituberculosis agents are rarely associated with this disorder. We report 6 cases of PMC after rifampicin administration; the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, imaging findings, and clinical course are described. The median age of patients was 68 years (range, 54 to 82 y). All patients were diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis by sputum smear and culture, and 2 suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus. The average interval between initiation of antituberculosis therapy and the onset of diarrhea was 19.8 days. The anatomic distribution of PMC included the rectum and sigmoid colon in 5 cases and up to the hepatic flexure in 1 case. All patients were cured with medical treatment, which include discontinuation of rifampicin and oral metronidazole and vancomycin. PMC recurred in 1 patient after retreatment with rifampicin. Our findings suggest that patients who are treated with antituberculosis agents, who develop acute diarrhea during or after therapy, should be evaluated for PMC.

[A case of primary hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma mimicking metastatic carcinoma].

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular origin tumor which usually occurs in soft tissues, liver, and lung. It usually affects adult women and presents as multiple hepatic nodules with mainly peripheral distribution. It is difficult to diagnose and treat because of non-specific clinical manifestations and findings on the imaging study. Moreover, pathological misdiagnosis is common. We report a case of this rare tumor that was detected incidentally. Final diagnosis was based on histological evidence. A 52-years old man suffered from right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 3 months, and was initially misdiagnosed as a metastatic carcinoma. Physical examination revealed superior cervical lymphadenopathy with mild hepatomegaly. Finally, hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma was diagnosed on the basis of positive immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII, CD34, and VEGF. Our case highlights the importance of a histological diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis.