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To compare the diagnostic performance between diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) parameters and mono-exponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for determination of clinically significant cancer (CSC, Gleason score (GS) ≥ 7) in patients with histologically proven prostate cancer (PCa). A total of 92 patients (mean age: 71.5 years, range: 47–89 years) who had been diagnosed as PCa and undergone 3 T-MRI including DWI (b values, 0, 100, 1000, 2000s/mm2) were included in this study. The DKI parameters, namely apparent diffusion for non-Gaussian distribution (Dapp) and apparent kurtosis coefficient (Kapp), were calculated by dedicated software using mono-exponential and diffusion kurtosis models for quantitation. The measurement was performed for a whole tumor after segmentation, and pathologic topographic maps or systemic biopsy results served as the reference standard for segmentation. To compare the diagnostic performance of each parameter for determination of CSC, pair-wise comparison of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was performed. The study population consisted of GS 6 (n = 18), GS 7 (n = 31), GS 8 (n = 25), GS 9 (n = 15) and GS 10 (n = 3) patients. The area under the ROC curve of Kapp (0.707, 95% CI 0.603–0.798) for discriminating CSC from non-CSC was not significantly different from those of mono-exponential ADC (0.725, 0.622–0.813, P = 0.2175) or Dapp (0.726, 0.623–0.814, P = 0.9628). Diagnostic predictive values of Kapp were estimated to a maximum accuracy of 78%, a sensitivity of 86%, and a specificity of 47%, while those of mono-exponential ADC were 75, 81, and 53%, respectively. The DKI parameters showed a diagnostic performance comparable to mono-exponential ADC for determination of CSC in patients with PCa.

To evaluate the association between texture parameters based on bi-parametric MRI and Gleason score (GS) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and to evaluate diagnostic performance of any significant parameter for discriminating clinically significant cancer (CSC, GS ≥ 7) from non-CSC. A total of 116 patients who had been confirmed as prostate adenocarcinoma by radical prostatectomy or biopsy were divided into a training (n = 65) and a validation dataset (n = 51). All of the patients underwent preoperative 3T-MRI. Texture analysis was performed on axial T2WI and ADC maps (generated from b values, 0 and 1000 s/mm2) using dedicated software to cover the whole tumor volume. The correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the association between texture parameters and GS, and subsequent multiple regression analyses were applied for the significant parameters. To extract an optimal cut-off value for prediction of CSC, ROC curve analysis was performed. In the training dataset, gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) entropy on ADC map was the only significant indicator for GS (coefficient of determination R2, 0.4227, P = 0.0034). The AUC of GLCM entropy on ADC map was 0.825 (95% CI 0.711–0.907) with a maximum accuracy of 82%, a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 71%. When a cut-off value of 2.92 was applied to the validation dataset, it showed an accuracy of 92%, a sensitivity of 98%, and a specificity of 70%. GLCM entropy on ADC map was associated with GS in patients with PCa and its estimated accuracy for discriminating CSC from non-CSC was 82%.

The continuous down-scaling of transistors has been the key to the successful development of current information technology. However, with Moore's law reaching its limits, the development of alternative transistor architectures is urgently needed. Transistors require a switching voltage of at least 60 mV for each tenfold increase in current, that is, a subthreshold swing (SS) of 60 mV per decade (dec). Alternative tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) are widely studied to achieve a sub-thermionic SS and high I60 (the current where SS becomes 60 mV/dec). Heterojunction (HJ) TFETs show promise for delivering a high I60, but experimental results do not meet theoretical expectations due to interface problems in the HJs constructed from different materials. Here, we report a natural HJ-TFET with spatially varying layer thickness in black phosphorus without interface problems. We achieved record-low average SS values over 4-5 dec of current (SSave_4dec = ~22.9 mV/dec and SSave_5dec = ~26.0 mV/dec) with record-high I60 (I60 = 0.65-1 uA/um), paving the way for application in low-power switches., 18 pages, 3 figures, accepted by Nature Nanotechnology

To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of gallbladder polyp measurements using transabdominal US and the factors that affect reliability. From November 2017 to February 2018, two radiologists measured the maximum diameter of 91 gallbladder polyps using transabdominal US. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were determined using 95% Bland-Altman limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The effects of image settings, polyp location, and polyp size were evaluated by comparing ICCs using z tests. The intraobserver agreement rates were 0.960 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.939–0.973) for observer 1 and 0.962 (95% CI, 0.943–0.975) for observer 2. The ICCs between the two observers were 0.963 (95% CI, 0.926–0.979) for the first measurement and 0.973 (95% CI, 0.950–0.984) for the second measurement. The 95% limits of agreement on repeated measurements were 22.3–25.2% of the mean, and those between the two observers were 25.5–34.2% of the mean. ICCs for large polyps (≥ 5 mm) were significantly higher than those for small polyps (

Objectives To develop guidelines describing a standardised approach to patient preparation and acquisition protocols for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) of the small bowel and colon, with an emphasis on imaging inflammatory bowel disease. Methods An expert consensus committee of 13 members from the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) and European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) undertook a six-stage modified Delphi process, including a detailed literature review, to create a series of consensus statements concerning patient preparation, imaging hardware and image acquisition protocols. Results One hundred and fifty-seven statements were scored for agreement by the panel of which 129 statements (82 %) achieved immediate consensus with a further 19 (12 %) achieving consensus after appropriate modification. Nine (6 %) statements were rejected as consensus could not be reached. Conclusions These expert consensus recommendations can be used to help guide cross-sectional radiological practice for imaging the small bowel and colon. Key points • Cross-sectional imaging is increasingly used to evaluate the bowel • Image quality is paramount to achieving high diagnostic accuracy • Guidelines concerning patient preparation and image acquisition protocols are provided

Previously, three extracellular proteases, Vpr, PepT, and subtilisin were identified from Bacillus subtilis KCTC 3014. To confirm the activity of Vpr, two recombinant Vpr proteins, full Vpr with TTG (pGST-fTTG-Vpr) and full Vpr with ATG (pGST-fATG-Vpr) as an initiation codon were expressed using a pGEX-2T vector encoding glutathione S-transferase (GST) in Escherichia coli. Vpr was produced in two forms, occurring as four spots on a 2-DE gel, 68 and 75 kDa proteins with similar pI values (4.0 ∼ 4.5). Activity was detected in a fibrin zymography at the expected molecular size of 68 kDa (mature form) processed from full Vpr. However, the recombinant 75 kDa of GST-fVpr did not exhibit activity. Replacement of the TTG codon with ATG led to 1.9-fold increased enzyme activity in 68 kDa. Interestingly, the expression of GSTVpr resulted in the proteolytic degradation of the protein and no GST fusion Vpr protein was detected.

A novel Allium tuberosum fibrinolytic enzyme (ATFE) was purified from the leaf of chive by ion exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration. The molecular mass and iso-electric point (pI) of ATFE were 90 kDa and 4.0 by using 1- or 2-D fibrin zymography, respectively. ATFE was optimally active at pH 4.0 and 40°C. ATFE had a high degrading activity for the Aα-chain of human fibrinogen and hydrolyzed the Bβ-chain slowly, but did not affect the γ-chain, indicating that it is a α-fibrinogenase. The proteolytic activity of ATFE was inhibited completely by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), indicating that this enzyme belongs to the serine protease class. ATFE was also inhibited by the 1 mM of Cu2+. ATFE exhibited high specificity for Meo-Suc-Arg-Pro-Tyr-pNA (S-2586), a synthetic chromogenic substrate for chymotrypsin. The first 20 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence of ATFE were determined as TTKSWNFIGFDETSKXTTYE, which is 60% identical with subtilisin-like serine protease from Narcissus pseudonarcissus.

To update the 2012 ESGAR consensus guidelines on the acquisition, interpretation and reporting of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for clinical staging and restaging of rectal cancer.Fourteen abdominal imaging experts from the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) participated in a consensus meeting, organised according to an adaptation of the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method. Two independent (non-voting) Chairs facilitated the meeting. 246 items were scored (comprising 229 items from the previous 2012 consensus and 17 additional items) and classified as 'appropriate' or 'inappropriate' (defined by ≥ 80 % consensus) or uncertain (defined by 80 % consensus).Consensus was reached for 226 (92 %) of items. From these recommendations regarding hardware, patient preparation, imaging sequences and acquisition, criteria for MR imaging evaluation and reporting structure were constructed. The main additions to the 2012 consensus include recommendations regarding use of diffusion-weighted imaging, criteria for nodal staging and a recommended structured report template.These updated expert consensus recommendations should be used as clinical guidelines for primary staging and restaging of rectal cancer using MRI.• These guidelines present recommendations for staging and reporting of rectal cancer. • The guidelines were constructed through consensus amongst 14 pelvic imaging experts. • Consensus was reached by the experts for 92 % of the 246 items discussed. • Practical guidelines for nodal staging are proposed. • A structured reporting template is presented.

Thrombospondin receptor (CD36) has been recently identified in platelets and various cell lines as the receptor for thrombospondin, an adhesive protein required for irreversible aggregation of platelets as well as other adhesive processes. Thrombospondin receptor, one of major glycosylated platelet membrane proteins, is thought to play an important role as a cell adhesion molecule in blood coagulation system as well as intercellular signaling. In this work, thrombospondin receptor was purified to homogeneity from human platelet by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography on Ultrogel-AcA44. The molecular weight of the purified thrombospondin receptor was about 88 kDa on SDS-PAGE and its identity was confirmed by immunoblot analysis and immunodiffusion assay.

The culture time for maximal enzyme production by bacteria was determined by SDS-fibrin zymography. Bacillus subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens secreted several extracellular proteases during the cellular lysis after 40 h and 30 h, respectively. Using this technique, we determined which protein possessed activity and would be isolated before the process of purification began. This proposed method offers an effective harvesting time in which to obtain the proteins having maximal activity.