[en] Methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MsrB3), which is primarily found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is an important protein repair enzyme that stereospecifically reduces methionine-R-sulfoxide residues. We previously found that MsrB3 deficiency arrests the cell cycle at the G_1/S stage through up-regulation of p21 and p27. In this study, we report a critical role of MsrB3 in gene expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which has an anti-proliferative effect associated with p21 up-regulation. Depletion of MsrB3 elevated HO-1 expression in mammalian cells, whereas MsrB3 overexpression had no effect. MsrB3 deficiency increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly in the mitochondria. ER stress, which is associated with up-regulation of HO-1, was also induced by depletion of MsrB3. Treatment with N-acetylcysteine as an ROS scavenger reduced augmented HO-1 levels in MsrB3-depleted cells. MsrB3 deficiency activated Nrf2 transcription factor by enhancing its expression and nuclear import. The activation of Nrf2 induced by MsrB3 depletion was confirmed by increased expression levels of its other target genes, such as γ-glutamylcysteine ligase. Taken together, these data suggest that MsrB3 attenuates HO-1 induction by inhibiting ROS production, ER stress, and Nrf2 activation. -- Highlights: •MsrB3 depletion induces HO-1 expression. •MsrB3 deficiency increases cellular ROS and ER stress. •MsrB3 deficiency activates Nrf2 by increasing its expression and nuclear import. •MsrB3 attenuates HO-1 induction by inhibiting ROS production and Nrf2 activation.

[en] In this paper a new modeling method for an eddy current sensor is presented using geometric and electromagnetic data of a sensor and a measuring target It can predict not only sensor output but also medium behavior related to sensor output. The geometric data of a sensor coil and the eddy current generated on a measuring target are simplified to an array of circular loops. And to perform computations of the network circuit between sensor coil loops and eddy current loops using the geometric and electromagnetic data in order to consider all possible interactions, the equivalent network circuit of eddy current sensor's behavior has been drawn. Because the sensor's initial value, medium behavior, and final value can be shown quantitatively by the proposed modeling method as the geometric and electromagnetic data varies, it can precisely predict the sensor output depending on the measuring goal and application field. Thus the model can be utilized to improve accuracy, eliminate the need for calibration before use, and produce the best design for any given purpose

[en] We report a rare case of expansile leiomyoma arising from the ilium of a 12-year-old girl. A plain radiograph and CT both showed a lesion consisting of a well-defined area of expansile soft tissue mass with a thin sclerotic rim and septae, surrounded by thin overlying cortex. MRI revealed a well-defined area of inhomogeneously higher signal intensity than that of surrounding muscle but of similar signal intensity than that of the red marrow of the opposite ilium on proton and T2WI. Inhomogeneous but intense enhancement was noted on Gd-enhanced T1WI. Angiography revealed hypervascularity and tumor staining. Microscopic examination on immunochemical staining with actin revealed a spindle cell tumor supporting the smooth muscle cell origin of the mass

[en] SPECT/CT improves localization of single photon-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. To determine the utility of SPECT/CT in children with papillary thyroid carcinoma. 20 SPECT/CT and planar studies were reviewed in 13 children with papillary thyroid carcinoma after total thyroidectomy. Seven studies used I-123 and 13 used I-131, after elevating TSH by T4 deprivation or intramuscular thyrotropin alfa. Eight children had one study and five children had two to four studies. Studies were performed at initial post-total thyroidectomy evaluation, follow-up and after I-131 treatment doses. SPECT/CT was performed with a diagnostic-quality CT unit in 13 studies and a localization-only CT unit in 7. Stimulated thyroglobulin was measured (except in 2 cases with anti-thyroglobulin antibodies). In 13 studies, neck activity was present but poorly localized on planar imaging; all foci of uptake were precisely localized by SPECT/CT. Two additional foci of neck uptake were found on SPECT/CT. SPECT/CT differentiated high neck uptake from facial activity. In six studies (four children), neck uptake was identified as benign by SPECT/CT (three thyroglossal duct remnants, one skin contamination, two by precise anatomical CT localization). In two children, SPECT/CT supported a decision not to treat with I-131. When SPECT/CT was unable to identify focal uptake as benign, stimulated thyroglobulin measurements were valuable. In three of 13 studies with neck uptake, SPECT/CT provided no useful additional information. SPECT/CT precisely localizes neck iodine uptake. In small numbers of patients, treatment is affected. SPECT/CT should be used when available in thyroid carcinoma patients. (orig.)

[en] The purpose of this study was to analyze the enhancement pattern of the spinal cord for patients with medulloblastoma, and to correlate the enhancement pattern with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor seeding. We retrospectively reviewed 84 MR images, including the initial and follow-up studies after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, of 25 patients with medulloblastoma who were aged from 2 to 13 years. We analyzed the spinal leptomeningeal enhancement pattern on the MR images. The leptomeningeal enhancement patterns were categorized into three types: Type, I, fine or discontinuous linear enhancement, and type II, continuous linear or nodular enhancement, and type III, intradural mass formation. We correlated the enhancement pattern on MRI with the results of CSF cytology at the initial and follow-up examinations after treatment. Of total 25 patients, type I enhancement was observed for 14 patients. Twelve patients were negative on the initial CSF cytology and 2 patients were positive. On the follow-up MR studies, 14 patients showed no change or only a slight decrease of enhancement, and all were negative on the follow-up CSF cytology. Type II enhancement patterns were observed in seven patients, and all of them were positive on the initial CSF cytology. On follow-up MR study, one patient revealed an increased enhancement with the positive result on the follow-up CSF cytology, and six patients had decreased enhancement on the follow-up MR studies with negative conversion on the follow-up CSF cytology. Type III enhancement patterns were observed in four patients and all of them were positive on the initial CSF cytology. All four patients with tradural mass formations revealed progression of the lesions on follow-up MR studies, and all of them were positive on the follow-up CSF cytology. Type II and III enhancement patterns always represented CSF seeding and a type I enhancement pattern had a low probability of metastasis

[en] The immogilzer for control the patient movement during the radiation beam on was made of the polyurethane foam. The time consumption is abut 8 minutes for completely making the immobilizer. In this experimental study, the effects of using the individual immobilizer have shown that the patients have had always a same position with comfortable and high reproducibilities. Furthermore, it has shown the time for patient setup was decreased by using the individual patient immobilizer.

[en] Apocrine carcinoma is a rare breast cancer and its frequency is about 0.4% of all breast cancers. Little is known about its clinical behavior and prognosis. To our knowledge, few studies have reported the radiologic appearances of apocrine carcinoma in the breast and there has been no such report from Korea. We describe the sonographic findings of a case of apocrine carcinoma in the breast. The sonographic findings are microlobulated heterogeneous hypoechoic lesion that has a central markedly hypoechoic portion and a peripheral mixture of iso and hypoechgenecity

[en] Highlights: ► Down-regulation of MsrA inhibits normal cell proliferation. ► MsrA deficiency leads to an increase in p21 by enhanced p53 acetylation. ► Down-regulation of MsrA causes cell cycle arrest at the G₂/M stage. ► MsrA is a regulator of cell growth that mediates the p53–p21 pathway. -- Abstract: MsrA is an oxidoreductase that catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of methionine-S-sulfoxide to methionine. Although MsrA is well-characterized as an antioxidant and has been implicated in the aging process and cellular senescence, its roles in cell proliferation are poorly understood. Here, we report a critical role of MsrA in normal cell proliferation and describe the regulation mechanism of cell growth by this protein. Down-regulation of MsrA inhibited cell proliferation, but MsrA overexpression did not promote it. MsrA deficiency led to an increase in p21, a major cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, thereby causing cell cycle arrest at the G₂/M stage. While protein levels of p53 were not altered upon MsrA deficiency, its acetylation level was significantly elevated, which subsequently activated p21 transcription. The data suggest that MsrA is a regulator of cell growth that mediates the p53–p21 pathway.

[en] Tip positioning of a wire-driven catheter tube is a great challenge during surgeries and it is a significant problem. In order to successfully position the tip to the desired location, a reliable simulation has to be developed. With simulation, determining the required tension force to accurately position the tip of the tube is possible. We examined the general structure of a wire-driven catheter tube. The equations for analyzing the nonlinear large deformation of the tube were derived based on the Euler-Bernoulli law. The Matlab simulation of the deflected catheter tube was developed according to the derived equations. An experiment capturing the actual shape of deflected catheter under various pull wire tensions of up to about 11 N involved measuring the displacement of the pre-selected five points along the catheter tube. The location of the points was compared to the location of the corresponding points of the simulation results. Both shapes resulted in similar curve shapes with maximum error around 3 mm, which corresponds to 1 % error. Thus, the simulation reliability was verified.

[en] Methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MsrB3) is a protein repair enzyme that specifically catalyzes the reduction of methionine-R-sulfoxide residues and has an antioxidant function. We have previously shown that depletion of MsrB3 suppresses the proliferation of normal mammalian cells by arresting cell cycle. In this study, we report the crucial role of MsrB3 in cancer cell death. Deficiency of MsrB3 induced cancer cell death, while MsrB3 overexpression stimulated cancer cell proliferation. MsrB3 depletion resulted in apoptotic cancer cell death through the activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. MsrB3 deficiency increased the levels of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and led to redox imbalance, and also increased the Bax to Bcl-2 ratio and cytochrome c release, leading to caspase activation. Treatment of MsrB3-depleted cells with N-acetylcysteine, an ROS scavenger, prevented cell death, suggesting that MsrB3 deficiency-induced cell death is associated with increased ROS production. In addition, MsrB3 depletion activated poly(ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and led to the translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus. Taken together, our results suggest that MsrB3 plays an important role in cancer cell survival through the modulation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. - Highlights: • MsrB3 deficiency induces apoptotic cancer cell death. • MsrB3 depletion increases cellular ROS and redox imbalance. • MsrB3 down-regulation activates the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.