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Background Oncologic impact of genetic alteration across synchronous colorectal cancer (CRC) still remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the oncologic relevance according to genetic alteration between synchronous and solitary CRC with performing systematic review. Methods Multicenter retrospective analysis was performed for CRC patients with curative resection. Genetic profiling was consisted of microsatellite instability (MSI) testing, RAS (K-ras, and N-ras), and BRAF (v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1) V600E mutation. Multivariate analyses were conducted using logistic regression for synchronicity,and Cox proportional hazard model with stage-adjusting for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results It was identified synchronous (n = 36) and solitary (n = 579) CRC with similar base line characteristics. RAS mutation was associated to synchronous CRC with no relations of MSI and BRAF. During median follow up of 77.8 month, Kaplan-meier curves showed significant differences according to MSI-high for OS, and in RAS, and BRAF mutation for DFS, respectively. In multivariable analyses, RAS and BRAFmutation were independent factors (RAS, HR = 1.808, 95% CI = 1.18–2.77, p = 0.007; BRAF, HR = 2.417, 95% CI = 1.32–4.41, p = 0.004). Old age was independent factor for OS (HR = 3.626, 95% CI = 1.09–12.00, p = 0.035). Conclusion This study showed that oncologic outcomes might differ according to mutation burden characterized by RAS, BRAF, and MSI between synchronous CRC and solitary CRC. In addition, our systematic review highlighted a lack of data and much heterogeneity in genetic characteristics and survival outcomes of synchronous CRC relative to that of solitary CRC.

Figure S1. Fluorescence compensation of mock transfected, GFP- and ATTO 550-fluorescing cells. Figure S2. Representative images used for time course analysis. Figure S3. In vitro cleavage reaction of wildtype and R34G-mutated NRF2 amplicons with varying concentrations of the R34G RNP.

The insertion of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has been proposed as an alternative to emergent surgery (ES) for obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to evaluate the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of SEMS as a bridge to surgery in obstructive CRC, as compared with ES. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent curative resection of obstructive CRC at four Hallym University-affiliated hospitals between January 2010 and December 2019. All patients were analyzed overall colon, then according to the side of obstruction (overall, right or left). Of 167 patients, 52 patients underwent ES and 115 underwent SEMS insertion and surgery (SEMS group). The postoperative hospital stay and time to soft diet were shorter in the SEMS group than in the ES group for overall and both sided cancer. The SEMS group had lower rates of stoma formation and severe complications for overall and for left-sided cancer. The 5-year overall survival (P = 0.682) and disease-free survival (P = 0.233) rates were similar in both groups. SEMS insertion as a bridge to surgery was associated with faster recovery, a lower rate of stoma formation with similar oncologic outcomes to those of ES.

Understanding the local cation order in the crystal structure and its correlation with electrochemical performances has advanced the development of high-energy Mn-rich cathode materials for Li-ion batteries, notably Li- and Mn-rich layered cathodes (LMR, e.g., Li

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinicopathologic features of young patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to compare their prognosis with those of older patients Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent surgery for stage 0–III CRC at four university-affiliated hospitals between January 2011 and December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups, the young adult group (≤45 years) and the older group (>45 years). Results: Of 1992 patients, 93 (4.6%) were young adults and 1899 (95.3%) were older patients. Young patients showed more symptoms (p = 0.014) and more poorly or undifferentiated adenocarcinoma (p = 0.047) than older patients. The young adult patients were more likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.001) and multidrug agents (p = 0.029), and less likely to cease chemotherapy (p = 0.037). The five-year RFS (recurrence-free survival) rate was better in the young adults than in the older patients (p = 0.009). In the multivariable analysis, young age was a significant prognostic factor for better RFS (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Young patients with CRC had more symptoms, aggressive histological features than older patients. They received more multidrug agents and discontinued chemotherapy less often, resulting in better prognosis.

Floral fragrance is a vital factor for the marketability of ornamental flowers, and it may also influence flower longevity. Despite several studies on the relationship between floral fragrance and flower longevity, a scientific consensus about this relationship has not been established to date. To investigate the influence of floral scent level on ethylene sensitivity and flower longevity, we determined the relationship between the mRNA levels of ethylene biosynthesis genes and senescence characteristics of low- and high-scent carnation cultivars after ethylene treatment. In this study, we demonstrated that high floral scent is related to increased sensitivity to ethylene as a consequence of transcriptional accumulation of the ethylene biosynthesis genes DcACS1 and DcACO1 in carnations. Flower senescence symptoms responsible for vase life termination following ethylene exposure differed depending on the floral scent level; while low-scent flowers terminated their vase life due to brown edges and wilting, high-scent flowers terminated their vase life earlier due to petal inrolling, which resulted from their rapid tissue response to ethylene. The results revealed that the longevity of carnation flowers is strongly negatively correlated with floral scent level and ethylene sensitivity and that the initial transcript level of DcACO1 contributed the most to the vase life of high-scent flowers. This result suggested that floral scent intensity is closely related to ethylene sensitivity in carnation flowers. High floral scent is correlated with a rapid tissue response to exogenous ethylene and consequently shortens the vase life of carnation flowers.

The classical Harer conjecture is about the stable homology triviality of the obvious embedding $\phi : B_{2g+2} \hookrightarrow \Gamma_{g}$, which was proved by Song and Tillmann. The main part of the proof is to show that $\B\phi^{+} : \B B_{\infty}^{+} \rightarrow \B \Gamma_{\infty}^{+}$ induced from $\phi$ is a double loop space map. In this paper, we give a proof of the generalized Harer conjecture which is about the homology triviality for an $arbitrary$ embedding $\phi : B_{n} \hookrightarrow \Gamma_{g,k}$. We first show that it suffices to prove it for a $regular$ embedding in which all atomic surfaces are regarded as identical and each atomic twist is a {\it simple twist} interchanging two identical sub-parts of atomic surfaces. The main strategy of the proof is to show that the map $\Phi : \mathcal{C} \rightarrow \mathcal{S}$ induced by $\B\phi:\conf_n(D)\rightarrow\mathcal{M}_{g,k}$ preserves the actions of the framed little 2-disks operad.

The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is a worldwide non-interventional study of stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular AF.52,080 patients with newly diagnosed AF were prospectively enrolled from 2010 to 2016. 4121 (7.9%) of these patients were recruited in DACH [Germany (n = 3567), Austria (n = 465) and Switzerland (n = 89) combined], and 47,959 patients were from 32 countries in other regions worldwide (ORW). Hypertension was most prevalent in DACH and ORW (85.3% and 75.6%, respectively). Diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, carotid occlusive disease and vascular disease were more prevalent in DACH patients vs ORW (27.6%, 49.4%, 5.8% and 29.0% vs 21.7%, 40.9%, 2.8% and 24.5%). The use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) increased more in DACH over time. Management of vitamin K antagonists was suboptimal in DACH and ORW (time in therapeutic range of INR ≥ 65% in 44.6% and 44.4% of patients or ≥ 70% in 36.9% and 36.0% of patients, respectively). Adjusted rates of cardiovascular mortality and MI/ACS were higher in DACH while non-haemorrhagic stroke/systemic embolism was lower after 2-year follow-up.Similarities and dissimilarities in AF management and clinical outcomes are seen in DACH and ORW. The increased use of NOAC was associated with a mismatch of risk-adapted anticoagulation (over-and-undertreatment) in DACH. Suboptimal control of INR requires educational activities in both regional groups. Higher rates of cardiovascular death in DACH may reflect the higher risk profile of these patients and lower rates of non-haemorrhagic stroke could be associated with increased NOAC use.

In this article, the name of the GLORIA-AF investigator Anastasios Kollias was given incorrectly as Athanasios Kollias in the Acknowledgements. The original article has been corrected.

Ethylene-mediated premature floral senescence influences the postharvest quality and longevity of rose flowers. In recent years, studies have unveiled the action of ethylene during the development and senescence of rose flowers. However, despite the evidence that ethylene is highly produced in ethylene-sensitive roses, there is not always a direct interrelationship between ethylene sensitivity and rose flower longevity. In addition, ethylene sensitivity and ethylene-related gene expressions in roses are still not clearly understood. In this review, we summarized and discussed ethylene synthesis and sensitivity, role of ethylene-related genes, and impacts of ethylene on the postharvest quality of cut roses. By combining the mechanism of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling with ethylene sensitivity, we also highlighted the potential use of ethylene inhibitors for ethylene control and to improve the postharvest quality of cut rose flowers. We believe that this review will provide sufficient information about ethylene biology in rose flowers and contribute in developing effective methods to extend the postharvest life of roses by preventing ethylene damage.

The piezochromic fluorescence (FL) of a distyrylpyrazine derivative, 2,3-diisocyano-5,6-distyrylpyrazine (DSP), was investigated in this study. Depending on the recrystallization method, DSP afforded two different crystals with green and orange FL emission. The orange color FL emission crystal (O-form) was easily converted to the green color FL emission one (G-form) by manual grinding. The G-form was also converted to a slightly different orange color FL emission crystal (RO-form) by a weak UV irradiation. When the RO-form was ground again, the G-form was regenerated. The FL colors changed between the G- and RO-forms over several ten times by repeated mechanical grinding and UV irradiation. The FL, UV–visible, 1H-NMR and XRD results showed that the O (or RO)-to-G transformation induced by mechanical stress results from the change of degree of molecular stacking from dense molecular stacking structure to relatively loose molecular stacking structure, whereas the G-to-RO reconversion by UV irradiation results from return to dense molecular stacking structure again due to lattice movement (lattice slipping) allowed by photocycloaddition in solid-state.

During CRISPR-directed gene editing, multiple gene repair mechanisms interact to produce a wide and largely unpredictable variety of sequence changes across an edited population of cells. Shortcomings inherent to previously available proposal-based insertion and deletion (indel) analysis software necessitated the development of a more comprehensive tool that could detect a larger range and variety of indels while maintaining the ease of use of tools currently available. To that end, we developed Deconvolution of Complex DNA Repair (DECODR). DECODR can detect indels formed from single or multi-guide CRISPR experiments without a limit on indel size. The software is accurate in determining the identities and positions of inserted and deleted bases in DNA extracts from both clonally expanded and bulk cell populations. The accurate identification and output of any potential indel allows for DECODR analysis to be executed in experiments utilizing potentially any configuration of donor DNA sequences, CRISPR-Cas, and endogenous DNA repair pathways.

Solving the shuttle effect caused by lithium polysulfide (LPS) dissolution is important in lithium−sulfur batteries. The anchoring of LPSs to carbon combined with sulfur is a method of suppressing the shuttle effect. This first-principles study is the first to report that amorphous carbon offers the best ability to anchor LPSs. The adsorption energies of LPSs on amorphous carbon are at least six times higher than those on graphene and at least two times higher than those on pyridinic-N doped graphene. The LPSs adsorbed on amorphous carbon undergo significant molecular distortion and/or partial dissociation due to the S-to-C electron transfer of 1.2–1.8 e per molecule, as well as the formation of strong bonds between both the Li and S atoms and the sp- and sp2-site C atoms. We propose an amorphous carbon−graphite hybrid anchoring material, because amorphous carbon can strongly capture LPSs and graphite can act as an electron channel.

Through a solid-phase reaction technique, Sm3+ and Bi3+ co-doped La3BWO9 phosphors with high emission intensity and sensitive temperature sensing properties have been successfully synthesized. Based on XRD Rietveld refinement, the optimized crystal structure was used as the original model to calculate the band structure and partial density of states (PDOS) by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The luminescence characteristics of Sm3+ and Bi3+ co-doped La3BWO9 phosphors were measured and analyzed. In addition, the optimal doping concentrations of Sm3+ and Bi3+ were investigated. The luminescence properties of Sm3+ doped phosphors were optimized by introducing Bi3+ ions. Efficient energy transfer from Bi3+ to Sm3+ ions was observed in La3BWO9:Sm3+, Bi3+ phosphors. An optical temperature sensor with high sensitivity was designed based on the different thermal quenching properties of Sm3+ and Bi3+ ions. In the temperature range of 293–498 K, the optimum absolute sensitivity (Sa) and maximum relative sensitivity (Sr) were 2.88 %K−1 and 1.32 %K−1, respectively. These results indicated that the prepared La3BWO9:Bi3+, Sm3+ phosphors have wide application prospects as solid state lighting materials and optical temperature sensors.

Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic pathogen that significantly reduced the postharvest quality and longevity of cut roses. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of nano silver, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and salicylic acid on B. cinerea infection in cut rose flowers. Cut ‘Revival’ roses were treated with nano silver, NaOCl, salicylic acid, and distilled water, and simultaneously held in the solutions. Subsequently, the cut flowers were sprayed with B. cinerea solution and held under export conditions for 4 days. The results showed that nano silver was the most effective treatment in suppressing B. cinerea growth in cut roses during vase life. Nano silver effectively extended the vase life of cut roses by 2.3 days, compared with non-treated flowers. The addition of nano silver also enhanced water uptake and sustained the water balance and fresh weight of the cut rose flowers. Our results indicated that nano silver is an effective treatment solution to inhibit B. cinerea infection and improve postharvest quality and longevity of cut rose flowers for export.

Several studies suggest that probiotics might be useful in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the efficacy and comparison between both the administration of viable and non-viable probiotics on alleviation of AD is not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of L. sakei proBio65 live and dead cells when administered (1 × 1010 cells/day) for 12 weeks to children and adolescents (aged 3 to 18) with atopic dermatitis. In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ninety patients were recruited and randomly allocated to either the L. sakei proBio65 live cells, L. sakei proBio65 dead cells, or placebo groups. Assessment of efficacy was based on the change in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score, Investigators Global Assessment (IGA) score, serum inflammatory markers such as the serum eosinophil (count), IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), CCL17 (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine [TARC]), and CCL27 (cutaneous T cell–attracting chemokine [CTACK]), and changes in skin condition (moisture and sebum) at baseline, week 6 and week 12. The SCORAD total score decreased in the live cells (p = 0.0015) and dead cell group (p = 0.0017) from the baseline after 12 weeks, whereas there were no significant changes in the placebo group when compared with baseline. The skin sebum content increased in both the live cell (p

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)–directed gene editing is approaching clinical implementation in cancer. Thus, it is imperative to define the molecular framework upon which safe and efficacious therapeutic strategies can be built. Two important reaction parameters include the biological time frame within which the CRISPR/Cas complex enters the nucleus and executes gene editing, and the method of discrimination that the CRISPR/Cas complex utilizes to target tumor cell, but not normal cell, genomes. We are developing CRISPR-directed gene editing for the treatment of non–small cell lung carcinoma focusing on disabling Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor-Like (NRF2), a transcription factor that regulates chemoresistance and whose genetic disruption would enhance chemosensitivity. In this report, we define the time frame of cellular events that surround the initialization of CRISPR-directed gene editing as a function of the nuclear penetration and the execution of NRF2 gene disruption. We also identify a unique protospacer adjacent motif that facilitates site-specific cleavage of the NRF2 gene present only in tumor genomes. Implications: Our results begin to set a scientifically meritorious foundation for the exploitation of CRISPR-directed gene editing as an augmentative therapy for lung cancer and other solid tumors. Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/18/6/891/F1.large.jpg.

Background Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) can provide an enhanced possibility to detect atrial fibrillation (AF), but the accuracy, especially the positive predictive value (PPV), is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of ILRs for detecting AF through a comparison with Holter. Method and results Thirteen patients who underwent AF ablation were enrolled. ILRs were implanted in all patients, who were scheduled to have Holter monitorings after the procedure. The incidence of AF was compared between the two modalities and analyzed for any correlations. A total of 51 Holters (67,985.5 min) and concomitant ILRs were available for the comparison. The judgment of the presence of AF did not perfectly correlate between the ILR and Holter (Kappa = 0.866, P P P Conclusion The ILR had a low false positive value and high PPV for AF events. However, it was limited in identifying AT.

Iron oxides have been intensively studied owing to potential applications related to energy conversion and storage systems. In this paper, we investigated crystal structures and optical properties of iron oxide thin films deposited at various oxygen partial pressures and temperatures using pulsed laser deposition. The iron oxide thin films were epitaxially grown on Al2O3 (0001) substrates confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements. With increasing the growth temperature from 450 K to 800 K, the films exhibited better crystalline hematite phase, alpha-Fe2O3. When the pressure was decreased to 0.5 mTorr, the magnetite phase, Fe3O4, was formed. We found that the optical band gaps of iron oxides mainly originated from O 2p to Fe 3d could be modulated from 2.18 eV to 2.42 eV, applicable for energy conversion systems.

영화 속 특수효과는 그 어느 때보다 화려해지고 표현영역과 대상이 무한대로 넓어졌다. 하지만 작가주의적인 예술성과 예술적 가치 및 구현 범위에 중점을 둔 스타일은 확장되지 않았다. 이 연구는 지나친 상업주의에 예술적인 깊이가 퇴색되는 시점에 현실 사회의 모순을 드러내어 이를 성찰 하게하고, 공상과학 영화에서의 특수효과 연구 및 분석을 통해 창의적인 표현 방법과 예술적인 깊이와 더불어 예술적 가치 상승을 위한 영화 속에 짙은 잔영과 특수효과, 그리고 서사를 이해하는데 논리적인 시각을 제공하는 하는 것이 목적이다. 이를 위해, 첫째, 공상과학 영화의 이론적 고찰을 통해 공상과학 영화의 표현 기법과 영상예술 매체로서의 특수효과의 특성에 대해 알아보았다. 둘째, 영화 속의 연출된 장면을 중심으로 특수효과의 특성을 분석하고자 한다. 셋째, 이론적 배경에 대한 문헌을 조사 및 분석을 하고, 가상의 특수효과 실험을 통해 예술적 깊이를 더한 장면 디자인을 실행한 방식으로 연구하였다.

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) regression models are mathematical ones which relate the structural properties of chemicals to the potencies of the biological activities of the chemicals. In QSAR models, the physical and chemical information of the molecules is encoded into quantitative numbers called descriptors. Recently, experimental test results (profiles) have been used as descriptors of chemicals. Profile QSAR 2.0 (pQSAR) model suggested by Martin et al. , is a multitask, two step machine learning prediction method with a combination of random forest regressions (RFRs) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). In pQSAR model, one fills the profile table’s missing values with RFRs and then builds PLSR using the profile predictions. Note that in the second step of the pQSAR method, PLSR’s predictor variables are profiles; so activity values, and the response variables are also activity values. Thus we can use the PLSRs to update the profile table and then repeat the second step. In this work, we propose an extended model of pQSAR generated by RFRs and PLSRs. Experiment of updating the given full initially predicted profile table by two kinds of prediction models, RFRs and PLSRs, has been conducted iteratively for the PKIS and ChEMBL data sets. Even though prediction performance of individual combination of RFRs and PLSRs varies, the average of the all possible predicted profile tables for given iteration shows better performance. This ensemble model has better prediction performance in sense of Pearson’s $R^{2}$ compared to that of the pQSAR model.

Lateral roots originate from initial cells deep within the main root and must emerge through several overlying layers. Lateral root emergence requires the outgrowth of the new primordium (LRP) to coincide with the timely separation of overlying root cells, a developmental program coordinated by the hormone auxin. Here, we report that in Arabidopsis thaliana roots, auxin controls the spatiotemporal expression of the plasmodesmal regulator PDLP5 in cells overlying LRP, creating a negative feedback loop. PDLP5, which functions to restrict the cell-to-cell movement of signals via plasmodesmata, is induced by auxin in cells overlying LRP in a progressive manner. PDLP5 localizes to plasmodesmata in these cells and negatively impacts organ emergence as well as overall root branching. We present a model, incorporating the spatiotemporal expression of PDLP5 in LRP-overlying cells into known auxin-regulated LRP-overlying cell separation pathways, and speculate how PDLP5 may function to negatively regulate the lateral root emergence process., Auxin promotes lateral root emergence from pericycle cells in the root vasculature. Here the authors show that induction of the plasmodesmal regulator PDLP5 during lateral root emergence restricts the spatial scope of auxin signaling to the cells overlying the primordia.

Transumbilical laparoscopic appendectomy (TULA) may be a feasible alternative to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy. However, a transumbilical incision may increase incisional surgical site infections (SSIs) compared to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the morphology of the umbilicus and the incidence of SSIs in patients who underwent TULA.This retrospective study analysed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis at our institution from June 2016 to October 2020. The patients were assigned to the SSI group (those with an SSI) or the non-SSI group. The morphology of the umbilicus was calculated by measuring its width and depth on preoperative computed tomography images and was compared between the SSI and non-SSI groups.The SSI group included 23 patients, while the non-SSI group included 252 patients. The width of the umbilicus was significantly shorter in the SSI group than in the non-SSI group (29 ± 10 mm vs. 34 ± 9 mm, P = 0.027). The umbilicus was slightly deeper in the SSI group than in the non-SSI group; however, the difference was not significant (16 mm vs. 15 mm, P = 0.384).This was the first study investigating the correlation between the morphology of the umbilicus and SSI development in TULA. SSIs tended to occur more commonly in a narrow and deep umbilicus. An extension of the umbilical incision may help prevent SSI in patients with this umbilical morphology.

Jae Hyun Kang,1 Il Tae Son,2 Byung Chun Kim,3 Jun Ho Park,4 Jeong Yeon Kim,1 Jong Wan Kim1 1Department of Surgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi, 445-170, Republic of Korea; 2Department of Surgery, Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, 445-907, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Surgery, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, 150-950, Republic of Korea; 4Department of Surgery, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, 134-701, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Jong Wan Kim, Department of Surgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 40, Sukwoo-Dong, Hwaseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 445-170, Republic of Korea, Tel +82 31-8086-2430, Fax +82 31-8086-2709, Email kjw0153@hanmail.netBackground: T4 tumor, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) are regarded as one of risk factors and associated with poor outcomes in colorectal cancer. The relationship between these three combined risk factors and the prognosis for colon cancer is not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of combining the risk factors T4 tumor, LVI, and PNI in stage II–III colon cancer.Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2019, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent curative resection for stage II–III colon cancer at four Hallym University-affiliated hospitals. These patients are categorized into three groups based on T4, LVI and PNI: no-risk group (no risk factors), low-risk group (one risk factor), and high-risk group (two or more risk factors).Results: Of 1684 patients, the incidence of no-, low-, and high-risk group were 49.3%, 32.6%, 18.0%, respectively. The median follow-up period was 48.9 months, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate decreased from 78.5% to 58.7% as the number of risk factors increased (P < 0.001). Cox’s proportional hazard regression models showed that T4 (P < 0.001), LVI (P = 0.043), and PNI (P = 0.018) were independent prognostic factors for poor RFS. In subgroup analysis in stage II colon cancer, patients with one or more risk factors showed the better 5-year RFS rate when they received adjuvant chemotherapy than in those who did not (P < 0.001). Poor/mucinous differentiation, obstruction, and lymph-node positivity were independent predictors in the high risk group.Conclusion: The present study showed the histological combination of LVI, PNI, and T4 indicates a poor prognosis for RFS in patients with stage II–III colon cancer. Therefore, patients with one of these risk factors should be considered for chemotherapy and have close follow-up.Keywords: colon cancer, T4 tumor, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion

Recent studies on quantum computing algorithms focus on excavating features of quantum computers which have potential for contributing to computational model enhancements. Among various approaches, quantum annealing methods effectively parallelize quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) formulations of systems of linear equations. In this paper, we simplify these formulations by exploiting congruence of real symmetric matrices to diagonal matrices. We further exhibit computational merits of the proposed QUBO models, which can outperform classical algorithms such as QR and SVD decomposition.

Growing interest in quantum machine learning has resulted into very innovative algorithms and vigorous studies that demonstrate their power. These studies, although very useful, are often designed for fault-tolerant quantum computers that are far from reality of today's noise-prone quantum computers. While companies such as IBM have ushered in a new era of quantum computing by allowing public access to their quantum computers, quantum noise as well as decoherence are daunting obstacles that not only degrade the performance of quantum algorithms, but also make them infeasible for running on current-era quantum processors. We address the feasibility of a quantum machine learning algorithm on IBM quantum processors to shed light on their efficacy and weaknesses to design noise-aware algorithms that work around these limitations. We compare and discuss the results by implementing a quantum convolutional filter on a real quantum processor as well as a simulator.

This paper explores the migration motives and the integration experiences of recent Korean immigrants in the Toronto CMA, who are significantly different from their previous cohorts in terms of migration motives, socio-economic status, and settlement experiences. These differences can be attributed to changes in social transformation and economic development in Korea as well as to accelerated globalization and global migration trends. Recent Korean immigrants are characterized as middle-income earners who possess higher levels of education, skills, and wealth, with a strong desire to educate their children in developed Western countries where English is an official language. Despite recent Korean immigrants' increased human capital, their labour market integration has experienced great difficulties mainly due to a lack of Canadian official language skills. In addition, since the end of the twentieth Century, Korean migrants have increasingly been choosing Canada over the United States as their destination of migration. This shift indicates that Koreans are looking for new answers in search of better lives for their futures.

We have been developing CRISPR-directed gene editing as an augmentative therapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) by genetic disruption of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2). NRF2 promotes tumor cell survival in response to therapeutic intervention and thus its disablement should restore or enhance effective drug action. Here, we report how NRF2 disruption leads to collateral damage in the form of CRISPR-mediated exon skipping. Heterogeneous populations of transcripts and truncated proteins produce a variable response to chemotherapy, dependent on which functional domain is missing. We identify and characterize predicted and unpredicted transcript populations and discover that several types of transcripts arise through exon skipping; wherein one or two NRF2 exons are missing. In one specific case, the presence or absence of a single nucleotide determines whether an exon is skipped or not by reorganizing Exonic Splicing Enhancers (ESEs). We isolate and characterize the diversity of clones induced by CRISPR activity in a NSCLC tumor cell population, a critical and often overlooked genetic byproduct of this exciting technology. Finally, gRNAs must be designed with care to avoid altering gene expression patterns that can account for variable responses to solid tumor therapy.

Over the past few decades, the application of new novel materials in energy storage system has seen excellent development. We report a novel MnCo2O4/NiO nanostructure prepared by a simplistic chemical bath deposition method and employed it as a binder free electrode in the supercapacitor. The synergistic attraction from a high density of active sites, better transportation of ion diffusion and super-most electrical transportation, which deliver boost electrochemical activities. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to investigate the crystallinity, morphology, and elemental composition of the as-synthesized precursors, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electron impedance spectroscopy have been employed to investigate the electrochemical properties. The unique nanoparticle structures delivered additional well-organized pathways for the swift mobility of electrons and ions. The as-prepared binder-free MnCo2O4/NiO nanocomposite electrode has a high specific capacity of 453.3 C g−1 at 1 Ag−1, and an excellent cycling reliability of 91.89 percent even after 4000 cycles, which are significantly higher than bare MnCo2O4 and NiO electrodes. Finally, these results disclose that the as-fabricated MnCo2O4/NiO electrode could be a favored-like electrode material holds substantial potential and supreme option for efficient supercapacitor and their energy storage-related applications.

Single-phased [(1 − x) NBT-xBMO, x = 0.01 (NBTBM1), (1 − x) NBT-xBMO, x = 0.02 (NBTBM2), (1 − x) NBT-xBMO, x = 0.03 (NBTBM3), and (1 − x) NBT-xBMO, x = 0.04 (NBTBM4)] ceramic samples were prepared by using a solid-state method. X-ray diffraction analysis of the (1 − x) NBT-xBMO sample showed a rhombohedral structure and space group of R3c symmetry and confirmed the Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data. The micro-strain and the crystal sizes were calculated by using Williamson-Hall plots and experimentally verified with microstructural analyses. The in band-gap energy Eg varied from 3.28 to 3.17 eV for the (1 − x) NBT-xBMO ceramic samples. Furthermore, Raman spectra measured in the range from 100 to 1000 nm for the NBT-BMO powder samples showed new phonon modes and shifts to lower frequencies, which may be attributed to the incorporation of BMO into the NBT lattice.

Our study intends to delay the onset of rigor mortis and prolong the freshness by damaging the spinal cord of the olive flounder. The initial pH of nondamaged and damaged meat of the spinal cord was 7.07±0.05 and 7.10±0.12, respectively, but the pH at 20 hours postmortem dropped to 6.11±0.04 and 6.52±0.08, respectively. The initial TVB-N contents of the olive flounder meat with and without spinal cord damage were 2.0±0.1 and 2.5±0.3 mg/100 g, respectively. TVB-N contents at 20 hours postmortem were 10.4±0.6 mg/100 g in nondamaged meat and 8.4±0.8 mg/100 g in damaged meat. In the initial hour postmortem, the contents of APT in the meat were 5.80 and 5.65 mg/100 g in the control and spinal cord-damaged sample, but their contents decreased to 3.02 and 4.12 mg/100 g at 20 hours postmortem, respectively. The K-value of the control of the initial postmortem time was 0.5, but it increased to 16.8 at 20 hours postmortem. However, the K-value of the spinal cord-damaged samples increased from 0.6 to 9.6 during the postmortem time. The rigor mortis of the control started at 6 hours after death, and the rigor index rapidly increased to reach the maximum of 90.0% at 20 hours postmortem. In the spinal cord-damaged samples, the onset of rigor mortis was 12 hours postmortem, and the rigor index reached 74.3% at 20 hours postmortem. The breaking strength in meat without spinal cord damage reached its maximum value at 4 hours postmortem and sharply decreased until the end of the experiment. However, the breaking strength in meat with spinal cord damage recorded a maximum value at 8 hours postmortem, and its value was somewhat lower than that without spinal cord damage. Our results indicated that the freshness of the spinal cord-damaged sample extended approximately 4-8 hours beyond that of the nondamaged control.

Purpose Surgeons may be uncertain about the optimal timing of appendectomy to decrease complications, especially for complicated appendicitis. The aim of the study was to compare clinical outcomes between early and late surgery for complicated appendicitis. Methods A prospectively maintained database of complicated appendicitis was queried. Elective interval surgery (EIS) group and early surgery (ES) were matched with propensity score and marked with a prefix 'p.' Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared. Results The propensity score-matched EIS group had a lower chance to underwent ileo-cecectomy or right hemicolectomy (1.5% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.031), a tendency of lower rate of postoperative complication (6.9% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.067), a lower rate of wound infection (1.5% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.010), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (3.72 days vs. 5.82 days, P < 0.001) than the propensity score-matched ES group. Multivariate analysis showed that delayed surgery for more than 48 hours or urgent surgery due to failure of EIS and open conversion were independent risk factors for postoperative complications (P = 0.001 and P = 0.025, respectively). In subgroup analysis, high American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification and distant abscess or generalized ascites in initial CT increased the risk of failure of EIS. Conclusion EIS can be a useful option for selected adult patients with complicated appendicitis.

The primary factors that determine the longevity of cut roses are variable and depend on a cultivar’s sensitivity to ethylene. The vase life of ethylene-sensitive cultivars (SENS) is shortened by ethylene synthesis, while for ethylene-insensitive cultivars (INSENS) it is strongly related to water stress. In this study, we determined the effect of ethylene binding on the change in ethylene sensitivity in two rose cultivars with different sensitivities to the hormone. In addition, we determined the effects of ethylene binding and synthesis inhibition on flower senescence and gene expression using 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG). The relationship between the mRNA levels of ethylene biosynthesis, receptor, and signaling genes and the degree of ethylene sensitivity was determined during flower development and senescence. The results showed that simultaneous treatment with AVG and 1-MCP effectively improved water balance, maintained leaf chlorophyll fluorescence ratios, and consequently extended the vase life of cut flowers for both SENS and INSENS cultivars. The results also revealed that the expression of the ethylene biosynthesis (RhACS2 and RhACO1) genes in cut roses was effectively suppressed by simultaneous treatments with both AVG and 1-MCP. The ethylene-induced induction of RhETR1-5 transcript levels and the degradation of RhCTR1-2 were both repressed by AVG and 1-MCP treatments; consequently, RhEIN3s transcripts were greatly inhibited in both SENS and INSENS cultivars. The findings from the current study revealed that a simultaneous inhibition of ethylene binding and synthesis suppressed plant responses to ethylene and consequently extended the vase life for cut rose flowers in both ethylene-sensitive and ethylene-insensitive cultivars.

Various theoretical methods were comprehensively applied in (Li, Na, K) LaMgWO6: Eu3+ phosphors to achieve the rational design of phosphors. The detailed structural characteristics were analyzed by using geometric optimization and Rietveld analysis for the first time. The plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) was used for all electronic structure, electronic distribution, and phonon dispersion calculations. The evolution of the octahedral tilting in the (Li, Na, K) LaMgWO6 crystal structures was studied in detail. The relationship between crystal structure, environmental factors, Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters and fluorescence properties were analyzed. Combined with experimental results and theoretical calculations, the detailed luminescence process is deduced starting from the different ionic radius of Li+, Na+, and K+. Notably, the redshift of CTB can be ascribed to the value variation of environmental factors, which can represent the ionic radius, coordination number, covalency, and polyhedral tilting to qualify comparison and even quantify analysis.

The Er3+/Yb3+-codoped NaLaMgWO6 phosphors were synthesized via a traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The temperature sensing performance was thoroughly investigated by studying the temperature-dependent up-conversion (UC) emission intensity ratio in the range of 293-533 K. A remarkable enhancement of green UC emission, as well as enhanced temperature sensitivity, were observed by increasing the Yb3+ concentration. The maximum absolute sensor sensitivity was 2.29% K-1 at 533 K. When the pump power of the 980 nm laser increased from 200 to 1000 mW, a slightly elevated temperature from 293-307 K was achieved in the compounds. Using the prepared phosphors and a 940 nm NIR chip, a green-emitting LED device was developed to confirm the applicability of our prepared phosphors for solid-state lighting. As a temperature probe, the prepared phosphor detected that the temperature increased from 286 K to 315 K when the drive current was increased from 90 mA to 300 mA. These results suggest that the Er3+/Yb3+-codoped NaLaMgWO6 phosphors have a potential application in solid-state lighting and optical thermometry.

Stable and efficient inorganic single-doped (Ca1−xSrx)9La(PO4)7:Eu2+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) phosphors were demonstrated. Color-tunable photoluminescence behavior dependent on the bimodal-cation was approached by adjusting the A site. With the incorporation of Sr2+ into Ca9La(PO4)7:Eu2+, the phase transition occurred from R3c to Rm. Thus, the relationships between the structural and photoluminescence properties are studied. The emission color changed from yellowish-green to blue across the white light region at an excitation wavelength of 360 nm. The internal quantum efficiency (QE) was found to reach 36%, 28%, 35%, 30% and 100% at 360 nm excitation. The thermal stability of the photoluminescence of CLP:Eu2+ and SLP:Eu2+ achieved 38% and 90% at 150 °C, respectively. Single-emitting component phosphors for a new white LED system with perfect stability and color reproducibility were achieved. Stable and efficient SCLP:Eu2+ phosphor systems for white LEDs are believed to be a very important material in the application of pc-LEDs beyond the technical limitations of traditional lighting technologies.

A full-color tunable phosphor by co-substituting Sr2+ and P5+ for La3+ and Si4+ in the single phased oxy-apatite Sr8-xLa2+x (PO4)6-x (SiO4)xO2: Eu2+ (SLPSiO; x = 0, 2, 4, 6) phosphor were prepared via solid state reaction method from powder based precursors. The crystal structure information of cell parameters and average bond lengths from luminescence centers to its ligands was analyzed using Rietveld refinement. All the crystal structure of series of phosphors include two different sites of Eu2+, the 7-coordinated Sr1 sites and the 9-coordinated Sr2 sites. The different behaviors of luminescence evolution were due to the Eu2+ ions prefer higher energy sites in the Sr8La2(PO4)6O2 (for x = 0) host, but lower energy sites in the Sr2La8(SiO4)6O2 host (for x = 6). Also, the red PL originating from the trivalent europium ions appeared due to the increase in the La3+/Sr2+ ratio with increasing x. The blue point (0.2016, 0.1144), bluish white (5000–8300 K CCT), and yellowish white point (2600–3700 K CCT) in the CIE coordination through red colors are included in the ‘Fabricated LED’ curve, which are suitable for the application of these blends in white-light near UV LEDs. Moreover, the internal quantum efficiency of the x = 0 phosphor approached up to 90%.