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We present a case of a 47-month-old female suffering from acute urinary bladder neck obstruction and bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to a fecaloma. Fecaloma is defined as an accumulation of inspissated feces in the colon or rectum giving the appearance of an abdominal mass. A fecaloma can be developed by diverse causes and the causes of the fecaloma in this case were septum reformation after the Duhamel procedure and long-term constipation. Chronic constipation is very common at outpatient clinic. However, acute urinary retention and voiding difficulty caused by fecaloma in the giant Duhamel pouch has never been reported in Korea. We would like to present our case with acute urinary retention due to a fecaloma and suggest that fecaloma might be considered as one of the causes for acute urinary retention, especially in cases with previous Duhamel operation for repair of Hischsprung disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cesium titanium silicate (CsTiSi2O6.5) is a titanium analogue of pollucite CsAlSi2O6 and a possible ceramic form for immobilization of short-lived fission products in radioactive waste. Through β decay, cesium (Cs) decays to barium. Therefore, not only the stability of Cs-loaded waste forms, but also that of a potential decay product series is of fundamental importance. Ba-substituted CsTiSi2O6.5 is a potential β decay product with the pollucite structure. Here, we report the effects of the reaction synthesis condition and the study of the thermodynamic stability of potential intermediates in the decay product series (1) with charge-balance in pollucite as two Cs ions are replaced by one Ba and a vacancy and (2) with one-to-one replacement of Cs by Ba. The enthalpies of formation of Ba-substituted CsTiSi2O6.5 were obtained from drop solution calorimetry in a molten lead borate solvent at 702°C. The enthalpies of formation, from constituent oxides, are exothermic and it decreases with increasing Ba content. The effect of vacancies in the pollucite structure is a more dominant factor in the energetics than that of Ba replacement. The thermodynamic effects of acetate and/or nitrate precursors and of adding acetic acid during synthesis of single phase Ba-substituted CsTiSi2O6.5 pollucite are insignificant except for the sample prepared from acetate precursors without acid treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strontium titanosilicate (Sr2TiSi2O8) is the Sr-analogue of fresnoite (Ba2TiSi2O8). It may provide useful properties due to the unusual five-coordinate titanium in its structure. Sr2TiSi2O8 is also a possible oxide form for the immobilization of short-lived fission products in radioactive waste. Through β decay, strontium decays to yttrium and then to zirconium. Therefore, not only the stability of Sr-loaded waste forms but also that of a potential decay product series with charge-balance in a naturally occurring mineral or ceramic is of fundamental importance. To incorporate the reaction 3Sr2+=2Y3++vacancy in the fresnoite composition, Y-substituted Sr-analogues of fresnoite, (Sr2− xY2/3 x)TiSi2O8 ( x=0, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5) were prepared by a high-temperature synthesis and were found to form glass upon cooling. The Y-end-member (Y1.33TiSi2O8, x=2) crystallized to a mixture of Y2TiSiO7, TiO2, and SiO2 upon quenching in air. The enthalpies of formation of Y-substituted Sr-fresnoite glasses were obtained from drop solution calorimetry in a molten lead borate (2PbO·B2O3) solvent at 702°C. The enthalpies of formation from constituent oxides were exothermic but become less so with increasing Y content. The enthalpy of vitrification of Sr2TiSi2O8 composition was measured to be 68.5 ± 6.2 kJ/mol. The thermodynamic stability of the Y-substituted Sr-analogue of crystalline fresnoite may become marginal with increasing yttrium content. Their ready glass formation, even in the absence of radiation, suggests that amorphous phases may dominate as the Sr- and Cs-containing waste forms decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report high efficiency red phosphorescent OLEDs with a simple organic bi-layered structure. A host material bis(10-hydroxybenzo[h] quinolinato)beryllium complex (Bebq2) having a good electron transporting and energy transfer characteristics and a good hole injection and transport material N,N'-di(4-(N,N'-diphenyl-amino)phenyl)-N,N'-diphenylbenzidine (DNTPD) lead to the fabrication of simplified high efficiency device. The driving voltage value of 3.5 V to reach luminance of 1000 cd/m2 is reported. The maximum current- and power-efficiency values of 9.38 cd/A and 11.72 lm/W with real true red color of (0.67, 0.32) are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barium titanosilicates are possible oxide forms for the immobilization of short-lived fission products in radioactive waste. Ba2TiSi2O8 (fresnoite) and BaTiSiO5 (Ba-titanite) samples were prepared by a solid-state synthesis. The enthalpies of formation of Ba2TiSi2O8 crystal and glass at 25°C and of BaTiSiO5 glass were obtained from drop solution calorimetry in a molten lead borate (2PbO–B2O3) solvent at 701°C. The enthalpy of formation for fresnoite composition samples from constituent oxides was exothermic and became more exothermic with increasing crystallinity. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the crystallization rate of the fresnoite glasses increased with increasing devitrification. A modified Product Consistency Test-Procedure B (PCT-B) was used to collect solubility data on the fresnoite and titanate phases. The tests suggest that both glassy and crystalline fresnoite exhibit favorable aqueous stability and should be explored further as radioactive waste forms for long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of white polymer light-emitting devices has been fabricated by using a spiropolyfluorene (SF) blue polymer with an orange Ir complex as a blend system. A SF single polymer host and mixed co-host with CBP (4,4-N,N-dicarbazolebiphenyl) or PBD (2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole) are investigated to get high efficiency white OLEDs. A good color coordination of (0.34, 0.36) with a good current efficiency of 1.52 cd/A at 2% doped condition in a CBP mixed co-host system is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As-prepared, single-crystalline bismuth ferrite nanoparticles show strong size-dependent magnetic properties that correlate with:  (a) increased suppression of the known spiral spin structure (period length of ∼62 nm) with decreasing nanoparticle size and (b) uncompensated spins and strain anisotropies at the surface. Zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization curves exhibit spin-glass freezing behavior due to a complex interplay between finite size effects, interparticle interactions, and a random distribution of anisotropy axes in our nanoparticle assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the multiple quantum well (MQW) structures with the charge control layers (CCLs) to produce highly efficient red phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Various triplet quantum well devices from a single to five quantum wells are realized using wide band-gap hole and electron transporting layers, narrow band-gap host and dopant materials, and CCLs. Triplet energies in such MQW devices are confined at the emitting layers. The maximum external quantum efficiency of 14.8% with a two quantum well device structure is obtained. The described MQW device concept has been proposed to be very useful to future OLED display and lighting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an Ir(ppy)3 metal complex doped in 4,4′4″-tris(N-carbazolyl)-triphenylamine hole and bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridine]beryllium electron transport host materials, simple three layer green phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices comprising double emissive layers have been fabricated. A low driving voltage value of 3.3 V to reach a luminance of 1000 cd/m2 and maximum current- and power-efficiency values of 58.7 cd/A and 65.1 lm/W, and maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) value of 18.6% are reported in this device. EQE exceeding 15% over a wide range of current density from 0.03 to 25 mA/cm2 is noticed. We demonstrate a low roll-off current efficiency value of 12% at a luminance of 10 000 cd/m2 in a highly efficient simple double emissive layer device, imperative to high brightness applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a narrow band-gap fluorescent host material, bis(10-hydroxybenzo[h] quinolinato)beryllium complex, efficient red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) comprising two layers have been reported. Significantly low driving voltage of 4.5 V to reach a luminance of 1000 cd/m2 is reported in this simple structure PHOLEDs. The current and power efficiencies of bilayered red PHOLED are 9.66 cd/A and 6.90 lm/W, respectively, promising for low power display and lighting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a highly efficient green phosphorescent device comprising only of two organic layers. A host material bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridine]beryllium having a good electron transporting and energy transfer characteristics, and a wide band gap hole transport material N,N′-di(4-(N,N′-diphenyl-amino)phenyl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine lead to the fabrication of a simplified high efficiency device. The driving voltage value of 3.3 V to reach a luminance of 1000 cd/m2 is reported. The maximum current- and power-efficiency values of 38.30 cd/A and 46.60 lm/W are demonstrated in this device. Results reveal a practical way to fabricate highly efficient truly bilayer organic devices for trouble-free manufacturing processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors studied the current-voltage characteristics of the organic superlattices of an ITO/1,3,5-tris-(3-methylphenylphenylamino) triphenylamine (m-MTDATA) (5 nm)/[m-MTDATAand 4,7diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen)]4/Bphen (5 nm)/LiF/Al. The thickness of m-MTDATA was varied from 3 to 7 nm with the fixed Bphen thickness at 3 nm. The current-voltage characteristics of the organic superlattice show a peak and a valley between 3 and 8 V when the thickness of m-MTDATA is 7 nm, which is due to the resonant tunneling currents. It is found that there is no luminance by the resonant tunneling currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EGb 761, a standardized form of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, was recently reported to increase pancreatic beta-cell function. However, the detailed effect of EGb 761 on insulin resistance has not been examined. In this study, we investigated the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the protective effect of EGb 761 on palmitate-induced insulin resistance and found that EGb 761 prevented palmitate-induced insulin resistance. We used differentiated L6 myotubes as an in vitro skeletal muscle model with glucose deprivation for 3 days. A 12-h exposure of L6 myotubes to palmitate reduced the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by 67%, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 tyrosine phosphorylation by 72%, and protein kinase B phosphorylation by 70%, and increased IRS-1 serine phosphorylation by 169%. To determine the effect of EGb 761 on insulin resistance, before palmitate treatment, we pretreated differentiated L6 myotubes with EGb 761 and then measured the insulin-stimulate glucose uptake and insulin signaling. EGb 761 prevented the palmitate-induced reduction of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and protein kinase B phosphorylation in dose-dependent manners. To elucidate the mechanism of the EGb 761-prevented palmitate-induced reduction of insulin resistance, we monitored the activation of stress kinases, NF-κB, and PK θ. Palmitate stimulated the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 by 2- and 1.9-fold, respectively, the degradation of I κB α and I κB β by 1.9-and 1.6-fold, respectively, and the translocation of protein kinase θ by 2.2-fold. Treatment with EGb 761 reduced the activation of stress kinases, NF-κB, and protein kinase θ by palmitate, suggesting that EGb 761 prevents palmitate-induced insulin resistance in L6 myotubes via the inhibition of stress kinases, NF-κB, and PK θ. Our data suggest that EGb 761-prevented palmitate-induced insulin resistance is mediated by the inhibition of stress kinases, NF-κB, and protein kinase θ and the subsequent restoration of insulin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a selective coating technology for large-area polymer light-emitting devices (PLEDs). This can be done by using the different surface energy on the anode electrode. Teflon thin film can be used to make a hydrophobic surface (low surface energy) on the hydrophilic surface (high surface energy) of ITO for patterning of polymer film. Contact angle of ITO surface and Teflon coated one were 3 and 130°, respectively. In order to demonstrate PLED by spontaneous patterning of polymer film we have fabricated PLED consist of 4 and 8 elements in series on the same substrate. The voltage of the devices required to achieve a particular brightness scales approximately with the number of elements in series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titania and titania–silica aerogels were prepared by alkoxide or non-alkoxide sol–gel route and subsequent supercritical drying with carbon dioxide at low temperature. The resulting aerogels having high surface area and mesoporosity were used as photocatalysts for gas phase methanol degradation reaction. Photocatalytic degradation reactions were carried out on titania and titania–silica aerogels, and commercial Degussa P-25 titania. The photocatalytic activities of titania and titania–silica aerogels were higher than that of the P-25. While the conversion of methanol degradation over the P-25 catalyst was only 50–60%, that for the titania aerogel was observed to be above 98% due to the higher specific surface area and the well developed mesoporous structure. In spite of lower titania contents, much higher surface area and high dispersion of titania of titania–silica aerogel gave rise to the high photocatalytic activity in comparison to those of titania aerogels. Moreover, titania–silica aerogel was also used for the photodegradation and adsorption hybrid system. It was observed that the high removal efficiency for methanol was caused by the combination of higher catalytic activity and adsorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated white polymeric light-emitting devices (WPLEDs) from polyfluorene-based (PFO) blue and MEH-PPV polymer blending systems. A device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/Blending polymer/Blue polymer/LiF/Al was employed. This double emissive structure results in the significant improvement of white color shift phenomenon. A current efficiency of 4.67 cd/A (3,900 cd/m2, 6.4 V) and a brightness value of 17,600 cd/m2 at 9.4 V with (0.34, 0.35) CIE coordinates at 5 V and (0.29, 0.29) at 9 V were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated white polymer light-emitting devices (WPLEDs) from RGB polymer blending systems using ITO/PEDOT:PSS/blended polymers/LiF/Al structure. The highest current efficiency reached 5.34 cd/A and the maximum brightness value of 27,000 cd/m2 at 11.4 V was obtained. As the green dopant concentration increased, the spectrum deviated from the white because of more energy transfer from host to guest. As a result, the 450 nm blue peak was reduced by increasing green dopant ratio. On the other hand, 600 nm red shoulder peaks were slightly increased at the same conditions. Therefore, red-orange and green electroluminescence emissions are promoted by excitation energy and charge transfer from the blue host polymer to the dopants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the sensitivity and specificity of parental overweight from self-reported height and weight to identify families with overweight school age children. A cross sectional study was conducted among 3059 parents and their children (1558 boys and 1501 girls) aged 7-12 years in five primary schools of Busan, Korea. BMI was calculated from parental reported height and weight and from children's measured height and weight. Parents were considered overweight when their BMI was >25 kg/m² (WHO, 2000). Children were considered overweight when their BMI was >95th percentile (CDC, 2000). Prevalence of overweight was calculated and logistic regressions were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of parental overweight were calculated. A total of 26% (805/3059) parents were overweight. Of the families with one overweight parent, 15% (N = 109) had an overweight child. When both parents were overweight, 17% (N = 9) had an overweight child. After adjusting for child's age and gender, parental education, family income, and spouse's BMI as required, the odds of having an overweight child were 2.5 [1.8, 3.3] for one overweight parent, and 3.2 [1.4, 7.1] for both overweight parents. While the sensitivity of one overweight parent to identify families with overweight school age children was 44%, specificity was 75%. The presence of both overweight parents provided a 3% sensitivity and 98% specificity for the identification of an overweight school age child. Although parental overweight was obtained from self-reported weight and height in Busan (Korea), it is a practical indicator to identify families with an overweight school age child, it has poor sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The death of endothelial cells may play a critical role in the development of various vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. While free fatty acids (FFAs) may stimulate endothelial apoptosis, the detailed molecular and cellular mechanisms of this effect have not been studied. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in FFA-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, we investigated the effects of different pharmacological inhibitors on palmitate-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells. Interestingly, 4-PBA (4-phenylbutyrate), a chemical chaperone, had a strong protective effect. To examine endothelial cell apoptosis, endothelial cells were first treated with different concentrations of palmirate, and then endothelial cell apoptosis was measured using a Cell Death ELISA assay kit. Palmitate dramatically increased endothelial cell apoptosis in a mitochondria- and caspase-dependent manner. To examine the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in palmitate-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in response to palmitate treatment was monitored using immunoblotting and RT-PCR. Endothelial cells exposed to palmitate for 12 h increased the protein levels of phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2alpha), X box-binding protein 1 (XBP-1), and C/EBP homologous transcription factor (CHOP) compared to control cells. In addition, palmitate treatment markedly increased the levels of the ER chaperone proteins Grp78 and BIP, suggesting that palmitate highly regulates the unfolded protein response (UPR). Interestingly, pretreatment with a chemical chaperone, such as 4-PBA, reduced palmitate-induced CHOP and BIP expression and had significant protective effects against palmitate-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. ER-stress is involved in palmitate-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and risk scorings that could have an impact on the in-hospital mortality of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). Methods: Forty consecutive patients received an operation due to AMI between January 2001 and June 2009. The hospital medical charts and clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical features, laboratory findings, operative findings, surgical procedure, and prognostic scoring system were collected and assessed as possible the prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality. Results: The overall hospital mortality rate was 32.5% (13/40). In a univariate analysis, significant predictorsof in-hospital mortality were decreased mentality (P=0.029), shock at admission (P=0.006), symptom duration (P=0.011), blood urea nitrogen (P=0.029), serum creatinine (P<0.001), glucose (P=0.004), total bilirubin (P=0.044), aspartate aminotransferase (P=0.001), lipase (P=0.039), pH (P=0.014), bicarbonate (P=0.027), prothrombintime-international normalized ratio (P=0.006), activated partial thromboplastin time (P=0.004), length of remnant bowel (P=0.008), postoperative inotropics (P=0.007), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (P=0.009), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading (P=0.005). In a multivariate analysis, the variables hyperglycemia (P=0.013) and higher ASA (>II) (P=0.02) were identified as independent prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prognostic factors in AMI who have hyperglycemia (>200 mg/dL) and high ASA grading (>II) are truly associated with very high in-hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an expensive chronic metabolic disorder and its prevalence has been increasing rapidly in South Korea, owing to a Westernized lifestyle. We analyzed the annual direct medical costs attributable to type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications in Korea retrospectively. This work was a pilot study for a prospective, longitudinal study to analyze the cost-effectiveness of interventions for type 2 diabetes over the next 9 years. We randomly selected 1,051 patients with type 2 diabetes who had attended Ajou University Hospital in 2005. Clinical characteristics, duration of diabetes, and microvascular and macrovascular complications were assessed from a medical chart review. The annual direct medical costs included inpatient, outpatient, laboratory, and pharmacy utilization for each subject. Of the 1,051 patients with type 2 diabetes, 56.1% had at least one microvascular complication, 16.7% had at least one macrovascular complication, and 11.2% of the patients had both microvascular and macrovascular complications. The average annual direct medical cost was found to he $ 3,627 per patient. In patients with both microvascular and macrovascular complications, the total cost of management was increased by 210% compared to those without complications. Chronic complications have a substantial impact on the direct medical costs of type 2 diabetes. The prevention of chronic diabetic complications will not only influence the mortality and morbidity of patients with type 2 diabetes, but also potentially reduce medical costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesized a cDNA library from the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus, converted it to phagemids and sequenced expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Of these, Tigriopus translationally controlled tumor protein/histamine releasing factor (TCTP/HRF) was further characterized. The Tigriopus TCTP/HRF gene encoded 172 amino acid residues and showed high similarity to Drosophila but moderate similarity to other annelids (e.g. Brugia, Wuchereria and C. elegans). The Tigriopus TCTP/HRF gene appeared in the same clade as the annelids. Here, we describe the analysis of the Tigriopus TCTP/HRF gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of flexible diquaternary alkylammonium ions (C2H5)3N+(CH2)nN+(C2H5)3 (Et6-diquat-n with n=3–10) as structure-directing agents for zeolite synthesis in the presence of alkali metal cation is described. Among the organic structure-directing agents studied here, a considerable diversity in the phase selectivity was observed only for the Et6-diquat-5 ion: this cation can produce five different zeolite structures (i.e., P1, SSZ-16, SUZ-4, ZSM-57, and mordenite), depending on the oxide composition of synthesis mixtures. Analysis of the variable-temperature 1H CRAMPS NMR spectra obtained from the Et6-diquat-5 molecules in these five zeolites reveals that the host–guest interactions occurring within the respective materials maintain in a manner different from one another even at 160 °C at which the zeolite hosts crystallize. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]