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Different types of devices are used in our daily lives, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Cross-device interaction that involves multiple devices can potentially overcome each device's inherent disadvantages. Without a toolkit, it is time consuming to develop cross-device interaction. Focusing on a horizontal large display (called a tabletop), this paper proposes a generic toolkit for prototyping tabletop-centric cross-device applications that involve a large display and multiple smartphones. In our toolkit, a user uses a smartphone as a look-through lens for browsing and selecting objects on a tabletop, and remotely manipulates the selected object with multimodal feedback. Based on the above interaction style, our toolkit formalizes the development of cross-device interaction as defining a mobile interface on each tabletop interface object. Since our toolkit encapsulates the interface distribution and synchronization through message passing, interface developers can focus on developing cross-device interaction by designing a mobile interface in response to a selected tabletop interface object. In order to demonstrate the versatility and design space of our toolkit, six design issues, i.e., data transfer, personalization, user interface composition, authentication, localized & private feedback, and input expressiveness, were discussed through a set of sample applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the effects of the initial MLL-partial tandem duplication (PTD) expression levels on clinical outcomes in 36 MLL-PTD-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients between 2014 and 2016. ROC curves showed 1.0% MLL-PTD as the optimal diagnostic cutoff for complete remission (CR). Nineteen and 17 cases had MLL-PTD <1.0% (low-level group) and ≥1.0% (high-level group), respectively. The FAB type distribution (M2 incidence, 100% vs. 53%, p = .003) and double-CEBPA-mutation incidence (37% vs. 0%, p = .008) significantly differed between the groups, as did the CR rates after the first (78.9% vs. 35.3%, p = .008) and second chemotherapies (84.2% vs. 47.1%, p = .001). High MLL-PTD level was the only independent factor affecting the CR rate (odds ratio = 0.16, p = .024). The 24-month overall survival was significantly lower in the high-level group (52.6% vs. 29.4%, p = .043). In conclusion, AML patients with high initial MLL-PTD levels have lower induction CR and survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy of interferon-α (IFN-α) as maintenance therapy in patients with favorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML), this retrospective study enrolled 84 patients with favorable-risk AML: 42 patients who received IFN-α maintenance therapy and 42 patients who did not (control). The median follow-up time and duration of IFN-α treatment was 26 (6–54) months and 18 (2–24) months, respectively. The 4-year estimated relapse-free survival (RFS) after the last consolidation chemotherapy was 86.8% (95% confidence interval (CI), 75.8–97.8%) in the IFN-α group and 55.7% (95% CI, 37.2–74.3%) in the control group (p=.007). The 4-year estimated overall survival was 94.4% (95% CI, 86.8–102%) and 76.4% (95% CI, 61.9–90.9%) in IFN-α and control groups, respectively (p=.040). The Cox regression analysis showed that IFN-α treatment was the only independent factor affecting RFS (p=.004). Maintenance therapy with IFN-α may prevent relapse in favorable-risk AML after consolidation chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews grammatical formalisms that are capable of supporting spatial specification and reasoning, or spatial-enabled grammars, and their wide range of applications. The review takes two typical grammars, i.e., shape grammar and spatial graph grammar, as concrete representatives to consider connectivity and spatial relations in the parsing and generating processes. This article proposes four aspects as a set of criteria to compare the commonality and differences among spatial-enabled grammars, i.e., parsing and generation, granularity of spatial specification, form of spatial specification, and 2D and 3D modeling. Finally, further developments related to spatial-enabled grammars are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical trials using fetal retinal pigment epithelium (fRPE), human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE, or human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE for cell-based therapy for degenerative retinal diseases have been carried out. We investigated the culture-induced changes in passaged fRPE, hESC-RPE, and hiPSC-RPE cells and explored the differentiation and maturation effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cells for manufacturing and screening high-quality RPE cells for clinical transplantation. RPE cell lines were set up and the culture-induced changes in subsequent passages caused by manipulating plating density, dissociation method, and repeated passaging were studied by a microscope, real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescent assays. Gene and protein expression and functional characteristics of RPE cells incubated with ATRA were evaluated. Compared with fRPE, hESC-RPE, and hiPSC-RPE showed decreased gene and protein expression of RPE markers. RPE cells underwent mesenchymal changes showing increased expression of mesenchymal markers including a-SMA, N-cadherin, fibronectin and decreased expression of RPE markers including RPE65, E-cadherin, and ZO-1, as a subsequence of low plating density, inappropriate dissociated method, and repeated passaging. RPE cells treated by ATRA showed increased expression of RPE markers and increased expression of negative complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) and increased transepithelial resistance as well. Differences in protein and gene expression among three RPE types exist. ATRA can increase RPE markers, CRPs gene expression in fRPE, and stem cell-derived RPE. These can be used to guide the standard of screening RPE cells for clinical translational cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate anti-aging protein klotho levels in the aqueous humor and its association with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: Levels of klotho, oxidative, and antioxidative stress markers, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in the aqueous humor from 28 patients with exudative AMD and 35 age-matched controls were measured.Results: Patients with AMD had lower levels of klotho, which were negatively correlated with macular lesion size. Patients with AMD also exhibited increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and interleukin (IL)-6 but not tumor necrosis factor‑α, and decreased levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and IL-10. Moreover, levels of klotho were negatively correlated with levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6, but positively correlated with levels of TSA and IL-10.Conclusion: Klotho levels in the aqueous humor are decreased and associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with exudative AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the short- and long-term therapeutic effect and possibility of decompressive craniectomy (DC) for patients with poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Patients suffering from aSAH (Hunt–Hess grades IV, V) who underwent DC from January 2008 to April 2016 were enrolled in this study, and a sample-matched control group was set up. Information regarding participants' demography, clinical characteristics, and neuroimaging findings was systematically established. The outcome of a 6-month to 3-year follow-up was assessed according to the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI). Patients who had DC (21) experienced a statistically significant decrease in short-term mortality compared with those without DC (24, p < 0.05) and showed a decrease in intracranial pressure (ICP) after surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the long-term assessment (GOS/mRS/BI) between the two groups. Some critical patients who have refractory ICP after poor-grade aSAH would benefit from DC for prolonging life in the short term if performed early. Nevertheless, the overall outcome for the long term remains disappointing, larger and longer prospective studies are urgently needed to investigate this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) are known to have a poor prognosis. However, there is no standard treatment for PT. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of a novel recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in a cohort of patients with PT following allo-SCT. A total of 24 patients with PT (including delayed platelet engraftment and secondary failure of platelet recovery) were treated with rhTPO from July 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017. rhTPO injections were administered at 300 IU/kg/d for 28 consecutive days or until platelet counts were ≥ 50 × 109/L, independent of platelet transfusion. Response was defined as platelet recovery to ≥ 20 × 109/L for seven consecutive days without transfusion support during or within 7 days of the end of rhTPO treatment. All patients completed the 28 days of treatment, and none were withdrawn due to adverse effects. The overall response was 45.8%, which was significantly higher than historical data (12.2%, p < 0.001). The median response time was 12 (7–25) days from the initiation of rhTPO treatment. A response to rhTPO was associated with megakaryocytes in the bone marrow (positive vs. negative, 81.8 vs. 22.2%; p = 0.022). Among 11 patients exhibiting a response to rhTPO, the median number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow was increased significantly (10 vs. 2; p = 0.036) after rhTPO treatment. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study suggest that rhTPO may represent a therapeutic option, with a response of 45.8% for patients with PT after allo-SCT, and especially for those with megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. However, this should be further confirmed in randomized prospective clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantify potential relevant factors that affect the biocompatibility and functionality of intraocular lenses (IOLs) by analyzing the surface properties of various IOL materials.Methods: Eleven IOL models with the same dioptric power made by different manufacturers were studied. The IOLs were made of poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA), hydrophobic acrylate, hydrophilic acrylate, and silicone. The IOL surface topography was evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface potential was measured by electric force microscopy (EFM). Surface wettability was assessed with the water contact angle using the sessile drop method.Results: The PMMA IOLs had statistically significant surface irregularities with the highest surface roughness values while the silicone and hydrophilic acrylic IOLs had the lowest values. Surface potentials on IOLs revealed that all IOL models made of PMMA had positive charge. The hydrophobic acrylic IOL had a significantly higher positive charge (6.2v ± 0.1v), while the hydrophobic acrylic with blue blocker exhibited negative charge. Negative charge was also observed on hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (–72mv ± 5mv) and silicone IOLs (–5.06v ± 0.02v). Contact angle values of PMMA IOLs ranged from 49° to 64°. Heparin modification resulted in significant reduction of the contact angle value. IOL models made of hydrophobic acrylate had contact angle values between 78° and 89°. The silicone IOL appeared to be significantly hydrophobic with the highest mean value of 107°.Conclusions: The variance of the parameters of surface roughness, contact angle, and electrostatic charge on the surfaces of PMMA, hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, and silicone IOLs is useful to the interpretation of the differences in clinical behaviors of these materials. The negative surface charge of silicone and hydrophilic IOLs might account for the occurrence of IOL calcification. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]