Search

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) incorporating chemical-bath-deposited (CBD) SnO2 layers have garnered considerable attention because they combine high electron mobility and low-temperature processing, affording remarkable photovoltaic performance. However, the acidic conditions of CBD limit its compatibility with front transparent electrodes (FTEs). Herein, cost-effective, thermally stable, and highly transparent nitrogen-doped SnO2 (NTO) FTEs tailored to integrate with CBD-SnO2-based PSCs are developed. By precisely controlling the N dopant content in the magnetron sputtering process, a NTO FTE with a sheet resistance of 38.64 /square, an optical transmittance of 86.17%, a smooth surface morphology (1.2 nm), and mechanical flexibility is obtained. Furthermore, doping N in SnO2 imparts thermal and chemical stability superior to those of conventional Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) electrodes. Additionally, a well-matched energy band of NTO with a SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) and homogeneous interfaces is a critical advantage. By implementing this multifaceted strategy using a novel low-cost NTO FTE, CBD-SnO2-based PSCs with elevated open-circuit voltages and energy-barrier-free characteristics are fabricated. A champion power conversion efficiency of 20.43% is achieved, and 93.30% of the initial efficiency is retained even after 3 000 h without encapsulation. This integration of a NTO FTE with a SnO2 ETL paves the way for robust and long-lasting high-performance PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcriptome profiling of tubulointerstitial tissue in glomerulonephritis may reveal a potential tubulointerstitial injury-related biomarker. We profiled manually microdissected tubulointerstitial tissue from biopsy cores of 65 glomerulonephritis cases, including 43 patients with IgA nephropathy, 3 with diabetes mellitus nephropathy, 3 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 3 with lupus nephritis, 4 with membranous nephropathy and 9 with minimal change disease, and additional 22 nephrectomy controls by RNA sequencing. A potential biomarker was selected based on the false discovery rate, and experiments were performed in TNF-a-stimulated primary cultured human tubular epithelial cells (hTECs). We identified 3037 genes with low expression and 2852 genes with high expression in the disease samples compared to the controls. Dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) exhibited universal low expression in various diseases (log2 fold change, -3.87), with the lowest false discovery rate (7.03E-132). In further experimental validation study, DUSP1 overexpression ameliorated inflammatory markers related to MAP kinase pathways in hTECs, while pharmacologic inhibition of DUSP1 increased these markers. The combination of DUSP1 overexpression with low-concentration corticosteroid treatment resulted in more potent suppression of inflammation than high-concentration corticosteroid treatment alone. The profiled transcriptomes provide insights into the pathophysiology of tubulointerstitial injury in kidney diseases and may reveal a potential therapeutic biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an approach using taxonomic relatedness for answer-type recognition and type coercion in a question-answering system. We introduce a question analysis method for a lexical answer type (LAT) and semantic answer type (SAT) and describe the construction of a taxonomy linking them. We also analyze the effectiveness of type coercion based on the taxonomic relatedness of both ATs. Compared with the rule-based approach of IBM's Watson, our LAT detector, which combines rule-based and machine-learning approaches, achieves an 11.04% recall improvement without a sharp decline in precision. Our SAT classifier with a relatedness-based validation method achieves a precision of 73.55%. For type coercion using the taxonomic relatedness between both ATs and answer candidates, we construct an answer-type taxonomy that has a semantic relationship between the two ATs. In this paper, we introduce how to link heterogeneous lexical knowledge bases. We propose three strategies for type coercion based on the relatedness between the two ATs and answer candidates in this taxonomy. Finally, we demonstrate that this combination of individual type coercion creates a synergistic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Cationic photopolymerization has become increasingly important in thin-film applications for advantages including no oxygen inhibition and rapid polymerization rates. Photocurable cationic thin film properties are often modulated by incorporation of oligomeric and prepolymer materials, but little work has directly examined the effect of prepolymer structure and reactive group placement on the thermomechanical properties of the final material. To explore the role of molecular architecture, epoxy functionalized butyl acrylate gradient copolymers were synthesized with reactive groups in end segments or randomly distributed along the prepolymer chain. Polymerized end functionalized formulations exhibit moduli almost double that of random functionalized oligomer formulations. In addition, inclusion of end functionalized prepolymers decreases creep of resulting thin films by a factor of 10. Furthermore, decreasing the concentration of the cross-linking diluent in end functionalized prepolymer systems results in amorphous networks with significantly lower mechanical strength. Increasing reactive groups at the ends of prepolymers produces stronger materials without affecting tensile elongation at break. These properties indicate that the structured oligomers facilitate the formation of continuous hard domains with high cross-link density with inclusions of soft, flexible domains of low cross-link density. This study demonstrates that the prepolymer architecture governs network formation and ultimate properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 144-154 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. To understand the molecular features of the tumor phenotype, we aimed to clarify the overall landscape of genetic aberrations accumulated in NAFLD-related HCC. Of 247 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy during 2010 to 2014 at a single center in Japan, 10 were diagnosed with NAFLD-HCC based on strict clinical and pathologic criteria. We analyzed the genetic aberrations of 11 NAFLD-HCC tumor samples from these 10 patients by whole-exome sequencing, targeted sequencing of the selected genes, and copy number variation studies. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a mean somatic mutation rate of 1.86 per megabase, and 12 genes were recurrently mutated in NAFLD-HCCs. Targeted sequencing of the 26 selected genes (12 recurrently mutated genes in whole-exome sequencing and 14 representative HCC-associated genes) revealed that TERT promoter mutations occurred in 9 of 11 HCCs (82%), followed by CTNNB1 (45%) and TP53 (36%) mutations. Array-based copy number variation studies identified recurrent gains at 1q and 8q, and recurrent losses at 1p, 4q, 6q, 8p, 13q, 16p, 17p, and 18q. Notably, chromosome 8p loss occurred in all of the NAFLD-HCC samples. The current study provided the characteristics of genetic aberrations in NAFLD-HCC and suggested that TERT promoter mutations and chromosome 8p loss mainly contribute to NAFLD-related liver carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable artificial kidney (WAK) has been considered an alternative to standard hemodialysis (HD) for many years. Although various novel WAK systems have been recently developed for use in clinical applications, the target performance or standard dose of dialysis has not yet been determined. To calculate the appropriate clearance for a HD-based WAK system for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease with various dialysis conditions, a classic variable--volume two-compartment kinetic model was used to simulate an anuric patient with variable target time-averaged creatinine concentration (TAC), daily water intake volume, daily dialysis pause time, and patient body weight. A 70-kg anuric patient with a HD-based WAK system operating for 24 h required dialysis clearances of creatinine of at least 100, 50, and 25 mL/min to achieve TACs of 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/dL, respectively. The daily water intake volume did not affect the clearance required for dialysis under various conditions. As the pause time per day for the dialysis increased, higher dialysis clearances were required to maintain the target TAC. The present study provided theoretical dialysis doses for an HD-based WAK system to achieve various target TACs through relevant mathematical kinetic modeling. The theoretical results may contribute to the determination of the technical specifications required for the development of a WAK system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of a dry-cured ham during storage, according to the level of diet processed sulfur (0%; CON, 0.1%; T1 and 0.3%; T2). The results showed that the moisture content of T1 and T2 had higher, whereas crude fat of T1 and T2 had lower than that of CON during storage (P < 0.05). T1 and T2 had significantly retarded lipid oxidation compared with CON during storage (P < 0.05). The number of lactic acid bacteria in T1 and T2 were higher than that of CON at 8 months. Linoleic acid content in CON was significantly higher than those in both sulfur groups (P < 0.05). In sensory test, T1 showed positive overall score than T2 and CON. The feeding processed sulfur can suppress lipid oxidation, improve of meat quality and sensory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to assess the changes between the observed (or historical) and future projected daily rainfall extremes for 59 stations throughout Korea have been made with descriptive statistics and extreme value analysis. For the comparison, three different periods and four different data sets are considered: observation and historical data from 1976 to 2005 (period 0), simulation from 2021 to 2050 (period 1) and from 2066 to 2095 (period 2). The historical and projected rainfalls are obtained from RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, which are based on a regional climate model HadGEM3-RA. For the comparison of extreme values, the 20- and 50-year return levels and the return period estimates are obtained by using the best one between two extreme value distributions, the method of L-moments and the regional frequency analysis. From the descriptive statistics, we find that the numbers of heavy rainfall events will increase in the future. The total precipitation is projected to remain unchanged or slightly increased, compared to the observation. From the extreme value analysis, we realize that a 1-in-20 year and a 1-in-50 year annual maximum daily precipitation will likely become a 1-in-10 year and a 1-in-16 year event, respectively, when compared to the observation (a 1-in-5 year and a 1-in-7 year event, compared to the historical data), by the end of the 21st century. But this finding is based on only one simulation model, which confines the confidence of the result and suggests an ensemble approach based on multiple models to get more reliable result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in vitro enzyme assay using radioisotope-labeled 3H-castasterone (3H-CS) or 32P-ATP showed that CS can be phosphorylated by ATP in Arabidopsis and tomato plants. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis using non-isotope-labeled CS and ATP revealed that the phosphorylation of CS occurs at the side chain, most likely at the C-23 hydroxyl. The polar fractions than free brassinosteroids (BRs) obtained from extracts of Arabidopsis and tomato showed almost no BRs activity in a rice lamina inclination bioassay. However, the fractions showed increased bioactivity after treatment with wheat germ acidic phosphatase (WGAP). Additionally, CS was identified from the hydrolysate by WGAP using GC-MS analysis in both plants. In contrast, the polar fractions obtained from BR-deficient mutants, Arabidopsis cyp85a2 and tomato dx, did not show an increase in biological activity with WGAP treatment, and no free BRs, including CS, were detected in the hydrolysate. This suggests that CS phosphate is a naturally occurring biologically inactive conjugate that is generated when CS is normally synthesized in Arabidopsis and tomato plants. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of CS is an important conjugation process for the maintenance of the homeostatic level of an active BR and thus the regulation of the growth and development of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitous service environment based on DSN (distributed sensor networks) is poor in reliability of connection and has a high probability that the intrusion and the system failure may occur. In this paper, we propose an intrusion-tolerant Jini service architecture for integrating security and survivability support in order to provide end users with Jini services having a persistent state in ubiquitous environments. The proposed architecture is able to protect Jini service delivery not only from faults such as network partitioning or server crash but also from attacks exploiting flaws. It is designed to provide performance enough to show a low response latency so as to support seamless service usage. Through the experiment on a testbed, we have confirmed that the architecture is able to provide high security and availability at the level that the degradation of services quality is ignorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional electronic acupuncture can stimulate only one acupuncture point, and patients have to decide the time and the strength by themselves. In order to solve these problems, intelligent electronic acupuncture using biometric sensors and fuzzy technology was developed in this paper. And wireless electronic acupuncture system using sensor modules was developed in this paper. We used the sensor modules to obtain a patient's diagnosis signals. These sensor modules consist of 5 parts. The signals were analyzed to make instructions for the treatment, and the sensing pad for electronic acupuncture was designed. In addition, adaptive wireless acupuncture system was developed to adjust strength and time of acupuncture and several acupuncture points of patients by using fuzzy technology. We implemented efficient wireless electronic acupuncture system to get acupuncture easily using intelligent diagnosis system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data aggregation techniques have been proposed for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to address the problems presented by the limited resources of sensor nodes. The provision of efficient data aggregation to preserve data privacy is a challenging issue in WSNs. Some existing data aggregation methods for preserving data privacy are CPDA, SMART, the Twin-Key based method, and GP2S. These methods, however, have two limitations. First, the communication cost for network construction is considerably high. Second, they do not support data integrity. There are two methods for supporting data integrity, iCPDA and iPDA. But they have high communication cost due to additional integrity checking messages. To resolve this problem, we propose a novel Hilbert-curve based data aggregation scheme that enforces data privacy and data integrity for WSNs. To minimize communication cost, we utilize a tree-based network structure for constructing networks and aggregating data. To preserve data privacy, we make use of both a seed exchange algorithm and Hilbert-curve based data encryption. To support data integrity, we use an integrity checking algorithm based on the PIR technique by directly communicating between parent and child nodes. Finally, through a performance analysis, we show that our scheme outperforms the existing methods in terms of both energy efficiency and privacy preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates the adaptive unfolded protein response, allowing cells to recover folding capacity in the organelle. However, the overwhelming response to severe damage results in apoptotic cell death. Because of the physical proximity between ER and mitochondria, a functional interrelationship between these two organelles, including mitochondrial ATP production and apoptosis, has been suggested. The adaptive response to ER stress includes the maintenance of cellular energetics, which eventually determines cell fate. We previously demonstrated that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity protects cells against ER stress in a protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-dependent pathway. Here, we provide evidence that PERK-mediated induction of HO-1 in murine macrophages, RAW264.7, relays ER stress to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication and function. ER stress induced by thapsigargin treatments (10-100 nM) resulted in a 2-fold increase in mtDNA contents compared with that in the untreated control. HO-1 activity on ER stress is proven to be critical for mitochondrial integrity because chemical inhibition (zinc protoporphyrin, 5-20 µM) and genetic depletion of HO-1 by small interference RNA transfection suppress the activation of transcription factors for mitochondrial biogenesis. Carbon monoxide (CO), an enzymatic by-product of HO-1 activity is responsible for the function of HO-1. Limited bioavailability of CO by hemoglobin treatment triggers cell death with a concomitant decline in ATP production. Approximately 78.1% of RAW264.7 cells were damaged in the presence of hemoglobin compared with the percentage of injured cells (26.9%) under ER stress alone. Mitochondrial generation of ATP levels significantly declined when CO availability was limited under prolonged ER stress. Taken together, these results suggest that the cellular HO-1/CO system conveys ER stress to cell survival signals from mitochondria via both the activation of transcriptional factors and functional integrity of mtDNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the effects of ethylene on the expression of Arabidopsis expansins (AtEXPs). Among the AtEXPs tested, transcription of the AtEXPA5 gene was reduced most by exogenous ethylene. 2-Aminoethoxyvinylglycine, an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, increased AtEXPA5 transcription. Ethylene insensitive (ein7) and constitutive (ctr1) mutants resulted in increased and decreased transcription, respectively, thereby suggesting that ethylene endogenously downregulates AtEXPA5 expression. Hypocotyl elongation followed the same trend as AtEXPA5 expression, implying that changes in hypocotyl elongation reflect changes in AtEXPA5 expression. A transgenic plant line that overexpresses AtEXPA5, 35S-EXPA5, showed a reduced response to exogenous ethylene in terms of hypocotyl lengths when compared to wild-type and expA5-1, a knockout mutant. These results and the dose-dependent effect of aminocyclopropane-1-carboxyl acid on hypocotyl elongation implicate AtEXPA5 overexpression in making tissues more sensitive to high doses of ethylene. In summary, AtEXPA5 appears to respond to ethylene and play a role in ethylene regulating hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Aim: Organ shortages lead end stage renal disease patients to seek overseas kidney transplantations (OTs), but the long-term outcomes of OTs have not been evaluated extensively. Methods: Patients who received OT and were followed at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) from 2000 to 2009 ( n = 87) were compared with patients who received kidneys from local donors (LTs) and were followed at SNUH ( n = 577). Furthermore, we matched OT patients and LT patients via a propensity score using operation date, age, renal replacement therapy duration, and donor sources ( n = 87 vs 87). Results: The recipient age was older in the OT group (48 vs 41 years), and donor age was younger in the OT group (29 vs 39 years). The estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) of functioning grafts between the groups were not different throughout the follow-up period. Biopsy-proven acute rejection, infectious disease, and hospitalization were more frequent in the OT group (27/87 vs 141/577, log-rank P < 0.001; 39/87 vs 28/577, log-rank P < 0.001; 66/87 vs 99/577, log-rank P < 0.001). The graft survival rate was lower in the OT group (82/87 vs 542/577, log-rank P = 0.003). Patient survival rate, however, was similar between the groups. After propensity score matching, the donor age was still younger in the OT group (29 vs 38 years). The risks of biopsy-proven acute rejection, infectious disease, and hospitalization were still higher in the OT group (27/87 vs 36/87, log-rank P = 0.04; 39/87 vs 3/87, log-rank P < 0.001; 66/87 vs 19/87, log-rank P < 0.001). Conclusion: Overseas kidney transplantation connotes risk factors that may negatively affect the long-term graft outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the clinical significance of immediate urine cytology (IUC) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We reviewed the records of 174 patients who underwent IUC after TURBT for NMIBC. IUC was obtained just before Foley catheter removal after TURBT. The relationship between IUC and tumor stage, grade, size and multiplicity, as well as preoperative urine cytology and immediate intravesical epirubicin therapy, were assessed. The relationship between a positive IUC and cancer recurrence was also assessed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was carried out, including IUC, tumor stage, tumor grade, tumor size, tumor multiplicity, preoperative urine cytology and immediate intravesical epirubicin therapy. IUC was positive in 76 patients (43.7%) and negative in 98 patients (56.3%). In the positive IUC group, tumor stage and grade were higher ( P = 0.001, <0.001), tumor size was larger ( P = 0.001), tumor multiplicity was higher ( P = 0.002) and positive preoperative cytology was more likely ( P = 0.006) than in the negative IUC group. In the positive IUC group, the cancer recurrence rate was 72.3% and that of the negative IUC group was 30.6% ( P < 0.001). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, positive IUC (HR 1.83, P = 0.019), tumor size (HR 1.72, P = 0.045), tumor multiplicity (HR 3.63, P = 0.015), preoperative urine cytology (HR 1.23, P = 0.043) and immediate intravesical epirubicin therapy (HR 0.171, P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for cancer recurrence. These data suggest that IUC after TURBT for NMIBC can be an independent prognostic factor to predict cancer recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzed blood lipids, blood cholesterol (blood-C) and infection among Tsimane, forager farmers of the Bolivian Amazon. The study used sample data from the Tsimane Life History and Health Project, which examined health conditions in 2002. Analyses of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and inflammation are performed.

To determine the chemical composition of surgical smoke produced during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and vaporization. A total of 12 smoke samples were collected from a continuous irrigation suction drainage system to a Tenax absorber at a 0.05 L/min flow rate during TURP and vaporization. The gases were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) equipped with a purge and trap sample injector. The main chemical constituents of surgical smoke produced during TURP and vaporization include propylene, allene, isobutylene, 1,3-butadiene, vinyl acetylene, mecaptomethane, ethyl acetylene, diacetylene, 1-pentene, EtOH, piperylene, propenylacetylene, 1,4-pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, acrylnitrile and butyrolactone. Three of the constituents are very toxic and carcinogenic (1,3-butadiene, vinyl acetylene and acrylonitrile). The amount (mean ± standard deviation) of chemical components in the 45 L of gas and room air mixture produced during TURP and vaporization were as follows: propylene, 0.80 ± 0.52 mg; isobutylene, 212.85 ± 75.65 mg; 1,3-butadiene, 0.93 ± 0.34 mg; ethyl acetylene, 0.09 ± 0.05 mg; 1-pentene, 6.75 ± 1.62 mg; 1,4-pentadiene, 0.06 ± 0.02 mg; and acrylonitrile, 1.62 ± 1.19 mg. Three of the toxic gases generated during TURP and vaporization are carcinogens (1,3-butadiene, vinyl acetylene and acrylonitrile). Therefore, higher quality filter masks, smoke evacuation devices and/or smoke filters should be developed for the safety of the operating room personnel and patients during TURP and vaporization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and fabrication model of a touchpad based on a contact-resistance-type force sensor. The touchpad works as a touch input device, which can sense contact location and contact force simultaneously. The touchpad is 40 mm wide and 40 mm long. The touchpad is fabricated by using a simple screen printing technique. The contact location is evaluated by the calibration setup, which has a load cell and three-axis stages. The location error is approximately 4 mm with respect to x-axis and y-axis directions. The force response of the fabricated touchpad is obtained at three points by loading and unloading of the probe. The touchpad can detect loads from 0 N to 2 N. The touchpad shows a hysteresis error rate of about 11% and uniformity error rate of about 3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to suggest a systematic framework to evaluate design concepts for a new product at the concept-development phase. It focuses especially on evaluating design concepts based on user requirements and implicit tasks, defining trends in technology alternatives, and relating users' perceived value to product functionality. The potential user needs and functional requirements were identified through scenario-based analysis and hierarchical task analysis. Technology alternatives were also investigated to support users in performing the required tasks effectively and efficiently. For a quantifiable evaluation measure, customer-perceived value (CPV) attributes were used to evaluate the benefits and costs of the current design concept as compared to perceived alternatives. A case study was conducted to evaluate the design concepts of a new computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW)-based system with a tangible user interface, which was designed to support group decision-making activities, such as business meetings. At the concept-development phase, engineering specifications are not determined, and cost cannot be precisely estimated. Thus, while we dealt with design-concept evaluation, we had no choice but to exclude cost attributes, such as monetary expenditure. It is still expected that our framework would be effective in incorporating user-centered design perspectives early in the process of new product development. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yoon HS, Im HJ, Moon HN, Lee JH, Kim H-J, Yoo KH, Sung KW, Koo HH, Kang HJ, Shin HY, Ahn HS, Cho B, Kim HK, Lyu CJ, Lee MJ, Kook H, Hwang TJ, Seo JJ. The outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Korean children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:735–740. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Chemoimmunotherapy-based treatments have improved the survival of patients with HLH, but outcomes of the patients are still unsatisfactory. We report here the outcome of Korean children with HLH who underwent HSCT, which was analyzed from the data of a nation-wide HLH registry. Retrospective nation-wide data recruitment for the pediatric HLH patients diagnosed between 1996 and 2008 was carried out by the Histiocytosis Working Party of the Korean Society of Hematology. Nineteen patients who received HSCT among the total of 148 enrolled children with HLH were analyzed for the transplant-related variables and events. The probability of five-yr survival after HSCT was 73.3% with a median follow-up of 57. Two months compared to 54.3% for the patients who were treated with chemoimmunotherapy only (p = 0.05). The reasons for HSCT were active disease after eight wk of initial treatment (n = 9), relapsed disease (n = 5), and FHL (n = 5). Fourteen patients are currently alive without disease after HSCT, four patients died of treatment-related events (infection in two and graft failure in two) at early post-transplant period, and one patient died of relapse at one yr post transplantation. The survival of patients who were transplanted because of active disease after eight wk of initial treatment was worse compared to those patients who had inactive state at that time (60.6% vs. 100%, respectively, p = 0.06). Of the four patients who received transplants using cord blood, three died of graft failure (n = 2) and relapse (n = 1). The five-yr probability of survival after HSCT according to the donor type was 85.7% for the MRDs (n = 6), 87.5% for the MUDs (n = 8), and 40% for the MMUDs (n = 5) (p = 0.03). Other variables such as age, CNS involvement at the time of diagnosis, the etiology of HLH (familial or secondary), and the conditioning regimens had no influence on the five-yr OS of the HLH patients who underwent HSCT. HSCT improved the survival of the patients who had familial, relapsed, or severe and persistent SHLH in the Korean nation-wide HLH registry. Although numbers were small, these results are similar to other reports in the literature. The disease state after initial treatment, the stem cell source of the transplant, and the donor type were the important prognostic factors that affected the OS of the HLH patients who underwent HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoflavone reductase is an enzyme involved in isoflavonoid biosynthesis in plants. However, rice isoflavone reductase-like gene ( OsIRL, accession no. AY071920) has not been unraveled so far. Here, we have characterized its behavior in response to oxidizing agents. Using Northern and Western blot analyses, the OsIRL gene and protein were shown to be down-regulated in young seedling roots treated with reduced glutathione (GSH) and diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), known quenchers of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The OsIRL transcript level in rice suspension-cultured cells was also found to be induced by oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ferric chloride (FeCl3), methyl viologen (MV) and glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO), but down-regulated when co-treated with GSH. Furthermore, to investigate whether overexpression of OsIRL in transgenic rice plants promotes resistance to ROS, we generated transgenic rice lines overexpressing the OsIRL gene under an abscisic acid (ABA) inducible promoter. Results showed that the OsIRL transgenic rice line activated by ABA treatment was tolerant against MV and G/GO-induced stress in rice leave and suspension-cultured cells. Our results strongly suggest the involvement of OsIRL in homeostasis of ROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Serum calcitonin is the most useful tumor marker for the diagnosis and follow-up of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Spurious hypercalcitoninemia caused by heterophilic antibody interference (HAI) is rarely found in patients without MTC. Methods We studied 2 patients with hypercalcitoninemia and thyroid nodules, but no evidence of MTC on fine-needle aspiration cytology. We performed calcium stimulation tests, measured serum calcitonin with another calcitonin kit, performed dilution tests, and remeasured serum calcitonin after applying heterophilic blocking tubes. Results In a 31-year-old woman with no response to the calcium stimulation test, serum calcitonin was <5 pg/mL using another kit. After we applied heterophilic blocking tubes, the serum calcitonin level decreased to normal range. We concluded that patient had spurious hypercalcitoninemia. In a 63-year-old woman, all tests revealed that the patient had true hypercalcitoninemia. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy that revealed MTC. Conclusions We suggest that patients suspected for spurious hypercalcitoninemia should undergo further investigation due to HAI. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzes the long-term surgical outcomes of tumor-related temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and assesses its corresponding surgical practice. The clinical data assessment of 87 TLE-diagnosed patients and its surgical outcome evaluation based on seizure control, tumor control and discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) via electroencephalogram (EEG) was used. It recommends maximal tumor removal as it manifests 79% postoperative occurrence of acturial seizure.

Aim: A low-protein diet (LPD) is a conservative treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to improve uremic symptoms and slow the progression of renal dysfunction. However, the deleterious effects of protein restriction on nutritional status have raised concern. We investigated whether ketoanalogs supplementation in CKD patients who had training on LPD retards the progression of CKD and maintains nutritional status. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 120 consecutive patients in the CKD stages III and IV. Firstly all patients were restricted to LPD alone for 6 months (LPD alone), and then ketoanalogs of essential amino acids (KA) were supplemented for 6 months. Results: The adequate LPD had not achieved in both periods. The declining slopes of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during the LPD + KA period were significantly lower than those during the LPD alone period. This improvement in GFR was apparent in both subjects with diabetics and non-diabetic patients. Mean serum total cholesterol levels decreased in LPD + KA compared with LPD alone period. However, serum albumin levels did not change. Responders showed a higher prevalence of diabetes and higher serum albumin levels during the LPD alone period. Multivariate analysis revealed that responsiveness to LPD + KA was independently related to diabetes (p = 0.006) and high serum albumin levels (p = 0.011) in the LPD alone period. Conclusion: KA supplementation on over LPD delayed the progression of CKD without deteriorating nutritional status, and initial serum albumin levels could be an independent factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioneuronal tumors are a group of brain tumors that consist of both neuronal and glial cells. The spectrum of glioneuronal tumors is currently expanding, and many atypical glioneuronal tumors require further characterization. Two patients are described who had an atypical glioneuronal tumor with peculiar pathological features. One patient was a 7-year-old girl with a tumor in the right cerebellar hemisphere. This patient had no recurrence after total resection. The other was a 37-year-old man with a tumor in the spinal cord. He suffered incessant recurrence and received operative treatment four times. Although the clinical features (age at diagnosis, tumor location, and recurrence) were very different in these patients, the tumors had a characteristic common feature of atypical cell clusters. Intriguingly, the tumor cells in the clusters expressed both neuronal and oligodendroglial markers, indicating aberrant differentiation. Furthermore, the cluster-forming cells had modest proliferative indices and CD133 expression, indicating their role in the growth of the tumor. It is believed that these atypical cell clusters are a novel pattern of differentiation of glioneuronal tumors and that they need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some lymph nodes (upper para-esophageal lymph nodes) that exist between the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and the esophagus should be involved in central-compartment lymph node dissection (CLND) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer, the procedure can cause some injury to the nerve. We set out to assess the incidence of right upper para-esophageal lymph node metastasis after routine CLND. Records from 123 patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with CLND were reviewed. Fourteen of 123 patients exhibited nodal metastasis in right upper para-esophageal lymph nodes. Metastasis of right upper para-esophageal lymph nodes was usually associated with lesions of the right thyroid, comparatively large tumor size (more than 1 cm), and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis ( p < 0.05). Right upper para-esophageal lymph nodes should be removed during operation for PTC in patients with lesions of the right thyroid gland, large tumor size, and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild ducks are the main reservoir of influenza A viruses that can be transmitted to domestic poultry and mammals, including humans. Of the 16 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of influenza A viruses, only the H5 and H7 subtypes cause highly pathogenic (HP) influenza in the natural hosts. Several duck species are naturally resistant to HP Asian H5N1 influenza viruses. These duck species can shed and spread virus from both the respiratory and intestinal tracts while showing few or no disease signs. While the HP Asian H5N1 viruses are 100% lethal for chickens and other gallinaceous poultry, the absence of disease signs in some duck species has led to the concept that ducks are the “Trojan horses” of H5N1 in their surreptitious spread of virus. An important unresolved issue is whether the HP H5N1 viruses are maintained in the wild duck population of the world. Here, we review the ecology and pathobiology of ducks infected with influenza A viruses and ducks’ role in the maintenance and spread of HP H5N1 viruses. We also identify the key questions about the role of ducks that must be resolved in order to understand the emergence and control of pandemic influenza. It is generally accepted that wild duck species can spread HP H5N1 viruses, but there is insufficient evidence to show that ducks maintain these viruses and transfer them from one generation to the next. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively investigated the outcomes of HLA-matched unrelated BMT (MU-BMT, n = 13) and HLA-identical sibling donor BMT (MS-BMT, n = 17) for childhood AML in CR1 between June 2002 and August 2005. Engraftment of neutrophil and platelet did not differ between the two transplant groups. The cumulative incidence of grade II–IV acute GVHD and any chronic GVHD at three yr was not different between MS-BMT and MU-BMT. Of the 30 patients, four patients experienced relapses (three with MS-BMT, one with MU-BMT) and four patients died of transplant-related complications (two with MS-BMT, two with MU-BMT). A total of 23 patients survived with a median follow-up of 43.2 months. The Kaplan–Meier estimates for EFS rates at three yr were 71% and 77% for MS-BMT and MU-BMT, respectively, and the OS rates were 76% and 77% for MS-BMT and MU-BMT, respectively. The outcome of HLA-matched unrelated BMT is comparable to that of HLA-identical sibling BMT for childhood AML in CR1. HLA-matched unrelated BMT may be recommended for patients who have AML in CR1 without an HLA-matched sibling donor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gibberellins (GAs) and brassinosteroids (BRs), two growth-promoting phytohormones, regulate many common physiological processes. Their interactions at the molecular level remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that OsGSR1, a member of the GAST (GA-stimulated transcript) gene family, is induced by GA and repressed by BR. RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic rice plants with reduced OsGSR1 expression show phenotypes similar to plants deficient in BR, including short primary roots, erect leaves and reduced fertility. The OsGSR1 RNAi transgenic rice shows a reduced level of endogenous BR, and the dwarf phenotype could be rescued by the application of brassinolide. The yeast two-hybrid assay revealed that OsGSR1 interacts with DIM/DWF1, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion from 24-methylenecholesterol to campesterol in BR biosynthesis. These results suggest that OsGSR1 activates BR synthesis by directly regulating a BR biosynthetic enzyme at the post-translational level. Furthermore, OsGSR1 RNAi plants show a reduced sensitivity to GA treatment, an increased expression of the GA biosynthetic gene OsGA20ox2, which is feedback inhibited by GA signaling, and an elevated level of endogenous GA: together, these suggest that OsGSR1 is a positive regulator of GA signaling. These results demonstrate that OsGSR1 plays important roles in both BR and GA pathways, and also mediates an interaction between the two signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. has long been used as a crude drug. In this paper, we investigate the effects of E. alatus on cultured hepatocyte cell system and lipid peroxidation in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment conditions. The study covers the physiological activity (the antioxidative activity and the nitrite-scavenging effect) of E. alatus. H2O2 that can produce intracellular free radical was used for inducer of the peroxidation of cellular lipids. Treatment of E. alatus attenuated in cell killing enhanced by increasing concentrations of H2O2. The increased malondialdehyde level induced by H2O2 treatment was reduced by pre-treatment of E. alatus. Furthermore, addition of E. alatus in cell culture medium significantly reduced cell killing and content of intracellular antioxidants. Changes in nitrite-scavenging effect of E. alatus at various concentrations (5–25 mg/ml) and various pH levels (pH 1.2, 4.2 and 6.0) were also observed. The present study was also done to investigate the effects of E. alatus on cultured hepatocyte cell system, H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and antioxidative enzyme activities, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase in H2O2 treatment conditions. E. alatus treatment had significant protective or elevating activities on these antioxidative enzyme activities compared to a normal group. The results indicate that E. alatus provides a strong antioxidant protection of cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is essential for viral replication and plays an important role in viral pathogenesis. HBx transactivates many viral and cellular genes and participates in cellular signal transduction pathways, proliferation, and apoptosis. In the present study, we report that HBx induces apoptosis by enhancing the translocation of Bax to mitochondria, followed by inducing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome C. In addition, Bcl-2, inhibitor of Bax, rescues the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation induced by serum starvation in HepG2-X cells expressing HBx. We also found that HBx binds directly to Bax and interferes with the interaction between Bax and 14-3-3ℇ to enhance the translocation of Bax to mitochondria. Taken together, our data suggest that HBx induces apoptosis by interacting with Bax and enhancing its translocation to mitochondria. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(7): 473–480, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current era of transplantation and therapeutic endoscopy, the role of the distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) for portal hypertension (PH) has diminished. We reviewed the outcome of the use of DSRS in children to determine the usefulness of this operation. In the follow-up course for PH from 1987 to 2006, 15 patients who developed severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50 × 103/mm3) and/or leukopenia (WBC count < 3000/mm3) with normal liver function were referred for DSRS. Primary diagnosis was portal vein thrombosis ( N = 10) and congenital hepatic fibrosis ( N = 5). Platelet, WBC count, liver function test, and spleen size were checked before and after DSRS. Shunt patency was accessed postoperatively. Operative morbidity, mortality, and long-term outcomes were measured. Platelet count and WBC count increased in individual patients. Mean value of each count increased significantly after DSRS ( p = 0.002, .004, respectively). Spleen size decreased significantly ( N = 7, p = 0.018). Shunt patency rate was 100%. There was one postoperative complication and no postoperative mortality. Two patients developed portopulmonary hypertension. No patients underwent subsequent transplantation or endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices after DSRS. DSRS is an effective and reliable procedure for children with PH and is still useful for selected pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between glioma grade and angiogenesis suggests that antiangiogenic therapies are potentially therapeutically effective for these tumors. However, to achieve tumor suppression, antiangiogenic therapies need to be administered daily using high systemic quantities. We designed a biodegradable polymeric device that overcomes those barriers by providing sustained local delivery of a C-terminal fragment of platelet factor 4 (PF-4/CTF), an antiangiogenic agent. Fluorescent-labeled microspheres composed of poly lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) were loaded with rhodamine-labeled PF-4/CTF and formulated to release their contents over time. Fluorescent labeling enabled the correlation between the in vitro to the in vivo kinetic and release studies. PF4/CTF microspheres were injected into established intracranial human glioma tumors in nude mice. Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess the therapeutic response. Tumor size, microvessel density, proliferation, and apoptosis rate were measured by histological analysis. Intracranially, the microspheres were located throughout the tumor bed and continuously released PF-4/CTF during the entire experimental period. MRI and histological studies showed that a single injection of microspheres containing PF-4/CTF caused a 65.2% and 72% reduction in tumor volume, respectively, with a significant decrease in angiogenesis and an increase in apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that polymeric microspheres are an effective therapeutic approach for delivering antiangiogenic agents that result in the inhibition of glioma tumor growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to find the mechanism that causes urethral stricture with a view to preventing its occurrence after implantation of a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis. Methods: When implanting a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis, we draw two longitudinal lines parallel to the long axis of the proximal cylinder and the tubing leading from each cylinder into the cavernosal space, to prevent 360 degree rotation of the cylinder. Results: From September 1993 to February 2007, a total 86 three-piece penile prosthesis implantations were carried out in 70 patients. Urethral stricture occurred in 5.8% (5/86) of the prosthesis operations. Fifteen three-piece penile prosthesis reinsertions were carried out in 17.4% (15/86) of the prosthesis recipients. Conclusions: A successful outcome was achieved in the patients who received penile implantation with the three-piece penile prosthesis that were marked with longitudinal lines. The rotation of the cylinder may cause compression on the urethra from the tubing leading from the cylinder or pump crossing over the urethra and resulting in urethral stricture. The drawing of longitudinal lines at the proximal cylinder and tubing leading from the cylinder could prevent the urethral stricture induced by tubes that are twisted by rotation of the cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a multi-band internal monopole type antenna for mobile station. We design and implement the multi-band internal monopole type antenna for cellular (824–894 MHz), GPS (Global Positioning System: 1575.42 MHz), K-PCS (Korea-Personal Communication Service: 1750–1870 MHz), and S-DMB (Satellite-Digital Multimedia Broadcasting: 2630–2655 MHz) frequency bands with three branch lines. The antenna size of example design is 42.5 mm × 7 mm × 6.5 mm. Ground size is 67 mm × 42 mm, and the proposed antenna is located at 3 mm away from the top portion of ground plane. The proposed antenna shows a monopole-like radiation pattern. Measured peak gains are -1.63 dBi at 0.859 GHz, 1.76 dBi at 1.575 GHz, 3.89 dBi at 1.810 GHz, and 5.57 dBi at 2.642 GHz. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 241–244, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary adenoma is a rare neoplasm in childhood, with prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting adenomas predominating in this age group. Herein is reported a case of an ACTH-producing macroadenoma with an unusual histology that occurred in a 2-year-old girl. Because of the patient's age and the macroadenoma's suprasellar location and large size (up to 4 cm in diameter), radical surgery was performed under the suspicion of craniopharyngioma or germ-cell tumor. Pathologically, it was a unique pituitary adenoma composed of monotonous ACTH-producing cells, smaller folliculo-stellate cells (FSC), and mucin-producing cells. The FSC, non-hormone-secreting pituitary cells of uncertain function, were confirmed by their S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin expression immunoprofiles. The abrupt transition between the prominent gland-forming mucin-producing epithelia and the FSC component suggested that the mucin-producing epithelia might be derived from the FSC. This association might represent so-called ‘retrodifferentiation’ of adenoma cells to the FSC and the precursor cells of Rathke's pouch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a seasonal forecast of regional climate in Korea from preceding large-scale climate indices. A seasonal forecasting model was developed based on a multivariate linear regression with an adaptive choice of predictors utilizing regularly updated climate indices. Available sets of predictors with a lead time of 2 months were applied to Korea on a monthly basis, and cross-validation was applied to acquire forecasting skill at the 1% significance level. Analysis of the monthly anomaly correlation coefficient skill for temperature and precipitation, as well as the coefficient for determination, is discussed.

We investigated the neuroprotective property of analogs of dextromethorphan (DM) in lipopoly-saccharide (LPS) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) models to identify neuroprotective drugs for Parkinson's disease (PD). In vivo studies showed that daily injections with DM analogs protected dopamine (DA) neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta and restored DA levels in striatum using two different models for PD. Of the five analogs studied, 3-hydroxymorphinan (3-HM), a metabolite of DM, was the most potent, and restored DA neuronal loss and DA depletion up to 90% of the controls. Behavioral studies showed an excellent correlation between potency for preventing toxin-induced decrease in motor activities and neuroprotective effects among the DM analogs studied, of which 3-HM was the most potent in attenuating behavioral damage. In vitro studies revealed two glia-dependent mechanisms for the neuroprotection by 3-HM. First, astroglia mediated the 3-HM-induced neurotrophic effect by increasing the gene expression of neurotrophic factors, which was associated with the increased acetylation of histone H3. Second, microglia participated in 3-HM-mediated neuroprotection by reducing MPTP-elicited reactive microgliosis as evidenced by the decreased production of reactive oxygen species. In summary, we show the potent neuroprotection by 3-HM in LPS and MPTP PD models investigated. With its high efficacy and low toxicity, 3-HM may be a novel therapy for PD.--Zhang, W., Shin, E-J., Wang, T., Lee, P. H., Pang, H., Wie, M-B., Kim, W-IL, Kim, S-J., Huang, W-H., Wang, Y., Zhang, W., Hong, J-S., Kim, H-C. 3-Hydroxymorphinan, a metabolite of dextromethorphan, protects nigrostriatal pathway against MPTP-elicited damage both in vivo and in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to unravel a mechanism for the gravitropic curvature response in oat ( Avena sativa) shoot pulvini. For this purpose, we examined the downward movement of starch-filled chloroplast gravisensors, differential changes in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) levels, transport of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gravitropic curvature. Upon gravistimulation, the ratio for IAA levels in lower halves versus those in upper halves (L/U) increased from 1.0 at 0 h and reached a maximum value of 1.45 at 8 h. When shoots were grown in the dark for 10 d, to deplete starch in the chloroplast, the gravity-induced L/U of IAA was reduced to 1.0. N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), both auxin transport inhibitors, significantly reduced the amount of gravitropic curvature and gravity-induced lateral IAA transport, but did not reduce the gravity-induced late change in the L/U ratio of IP3 levels. U73122, a specific phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, decreased gravity-induced curvature. Because U73122 reduced the ratio of L/U of IAA imposed by gravistimulation, it is clear that IAA transport is correlated with changes in IP3 levels upon gravistimulation. These results indicate that gravistimulation-induced differential lateral IAA transport may result from the onset of graviperception in the chloroplast gravisensors coupled with gravity-induced asymmetric changes in IP3 levels in oat shoot pulvini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) synthesized by micro-organisms. Despite the essential requirement for TLRs in prokaryotic infection, the pattern and regulation of TLR gene expression by Trichomonas vaginalis in the mucocutaneous barrier are still unknown. Our hypothesis is that T. vaginalis-infected epithelial cells are major effector cells in the skin barrier. These cells function as a central regulator of TLR gene expression, thus accelerating the process of barrier dysfunction via increased release of chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. To test this hypothesis, RT-PCR was performed on TLRs, interleukin ( IL)-8 and tumour necrosis factor ( TNF)-α. Stimulation of HeLa cells by T. vaginalis was observed to up-regulate TLR2, 4 and 9 mRNA expression as well as that of IL-8 and TNF-α. To further clarify the molecular mechanism of barrier devastation triggered by these up-regulatory stimuli, we examined the profiles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in HeLa cells using specific inhibitors. Interestingly, pretreatment of HeLa cells with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 demonstrated inhibition of T. vaginalis-induced up-regulation of TLR2, 4, and 9 mRNA expression. By contrast, inhibition of ERK or NF-κB activation failed to block T. vaginalis-induced up-regulation of TLR9 mRNA expression or TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression, respectively. In addition, pretreatment with SB203580 reduced epithelium-derived IL-8 and TNF-α release evoked by T. vaginalis. Our results show that T. vaginalis infection of the mucocutaneous barrier could up-regulate TLR2, 4 and 9 gene expression via the p38 MAPK signalling pathway in epithelial cells; this process then leads to modulation of p38 MAPK-dependent IL-8 and TNF-α release from the epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]