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Background: Modulators of LXRα are of high pharmacological interest as LXRα regulates fatty acid metabolism, inflammatory processes and cancer. We aim to identify new LXRα modulators and to recognize a distinguishable feature of agonists. Results&methodology: The ligand self-dock and largest-cavity-size searching purposely located two appropriate ligand-binding sites to reach the two aims. One is identifying the new modulators from Maybridge library. 20 new compounds are confirmed by the in vitro reporter gene assay. The other is denoting an agonist by at least one best docking pose having one hydrogen bond to LXRα Helix12 His421. Conclusion: Based on the quality x-ray binding pocket, we can identify new LXRα modulators and distinguish between agonists and antagonists by molecular docking.

Background/Purpose: To investigate the correlations among endothelial function assessment parameters, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-related biomarkers, and traditional risk factors in adipose children. Methods: We enrolled adipose children aged 7–18 years between July 2014 and August 2016 as well as normal-weight controls from the outpatient clinic. Vascular measurements including echocardiography, carotid intima media thickness, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured. Venous blood samples including traditional metabolic and endothelial dysfunction parameters were analyzed. Participants were grouped as adipose vs. normal-weight and as adipose with hypertension vs. adipose without hypertension. Clinical presentations, laboratory data, and cardiovascular measurement were compared. Results: Of the 105 enrolled children, 85 were adipose. Adipose children had higher systolic blood pressure, larger left ventricular (LV) mass, and adverse traditional metabolic biomarkers. FMD was significantly reduced (8.25 (5.32–12.06) % vs. 12.49 (7.18–16.58) %, p = 0.018) in the adipose group. PWV was markedly increased (4.65 (4.2–5.5) m/sec vs. 3.95 (3.38–4.35) m/sec, p

BACKGROUND: Coronary cameral fistula (CCF), a rare abnormal coronary communication to cardiac chambers, may lead to coronary steal phenomenon and increase cardiac overload. We investigated the clinical and cardiovascular characteristics in children before and after transcatheter closure. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients with CCFs diagnosed by echocardiography in a tertiary medical center between 1998 and 2019. Basic information, echocardiogram, catheterization and interventional procedures were obtained from medical charts. RESULTS: A total of 12 pediatric subjects were included. The median ages at diagnosis and catheterization were 0.2 and 2.8 years, respectively. All CCFs were unilateral and single with varying degrees of coronary artery dilatation and aneurysm formation and diagnosed by echocardiography. The median follow-up periods before and after catheterization were 2.5 and 7.3 years, respectively. Seven of the CCFs originated from the left side. The drainage sites were all right hearts. Before catheterization, the median size of the proximal end of the fistula was 3.1 mm, concomitant with enlargement of conduit coronary arteries. Eleven of the 12 patients underwent transcatheter closure using coils in six and vascular plugs in five. Only one patient had a significant increase in pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio. The size of conduit coronary artery gradually decreased and the size of ipsilateral coronary branch increased after closure. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter occlusion for CCFs in children is safe and effective. The morphology of CCFs varies with the degrees of dilation, tortuosity, and aneurysmal formation. After occlusion, alterations in the size of coronary arteries may be a prognostic indicator.

Treatment of cancer patients with chemotherapeutic drugs is often associated with the occurrence of tumors with a multidrug resistance (MDR). Furthermore, the relation between overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and resistant cancers has been well established. In this study, novel 2-aminobenzofuran derivatives were synthesized and tested for their ability to modulate P-gp mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in vitro. The most potent compound, 43, increased P-gp inhibitory activity at 5 μM by 11.12-fold and was 3.6-fold stronger than verapamil. Furthermore, 43 can sensitize Flp-In™-293/MDR cells toward vincristine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin by 17.95-fold, 13.68-fold and 26.43-fold at 2.5 μM, respectively. 43 also can sensitize the resistant cancer cell line KBvin toward vincristine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin by 246.43-fold, 38.72-fold and 5.16-fold at 2.5 μM, respectively. In conclusion, important aspects for developing potent P-gp inhibitors have been emphasized in this study, providing a starting point for the further structural optimization of P-gp inhibitors.

National Space Organization (NSPO) has actively promoted local space industry and tried a promising approach for the new remote sensing satellite mission in the upcoming 10 years space program. NSPO executes a Micro-satellites program which promote the cooperation with domestic academia and industry to develop the space components, subsystems, system, and forming space industry in Taiwan. Most of the satellite key components will be designed and made in Taiwan. That will be the first space program in Taiwan aiming to the promotion of space industry locally. Development of a high quality proto-type multi-spectral filter is reported in this paper. This optical filter will be installed in front of CMOS image sensor to record multi-spectral images of the earth surface. The optical spectral design composes of five band-pass filters on single substrate, including three bands in visible range, one panchromatic band including whole visible spectrum and one band in near infrared. MORRISON Opto-Electronics (MOE) Ltd is responsible for spectral design and multi-layer thin film deposition. The optical filter has been implemented optical spectrum measurement and cross cut adhesion test. The environmental test, including high temperature and humidity, thermal cycling, and radiation tests are also performed to verify the validation of this device. A positive result shows that thin film structure and optical transmittance are acceptable and qualified for the space applications. According to the proto-type development experience, the fabrication of a space qualified multi-spectral filter which could fulfil the requirement for Micro-satellites mission is expected in near future.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used in patients with potentially reversible acute cardiac and/or pulmonary failure who are unresponsive to conventional treatment. Patients with profound left ventricular (LV) dysfunction under venous-arterial (V-A) ECMO may experience LV distention, pulmonary edema, and thrombus formation. It is critical to unload the left ventricle to prevent such complications. The aim of this study was to identify the risks, timing and methods of LV decompression in pediatric peripheral ECMO. METHODS: Between August 2006 and November 2017, 51 patients received peripheral ECMO support in our pediatric intensive care unit. All of them were less than 18 years of age and non-cardiotomy surgery-related. We retrospectively reviewed the patients’ clinical presentations, decompression methods and outcomes. RESULTS: The overall success rate of ECMO removal was 76.5% (39/51), and the survival rate after discharge was 62.7% (32/51). The myocarditis group had the most favorable outcomes among the ECMO patients (100% survival). LV decompression was needed in 12 patients who had profound LV dysfunction under V-A ECMO. Five patients received medical treatment successfully, and the other 7 patients underwent intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) procedures. In the IABP group, 1 patient still needed further pigtail-decompression. All of our decompression patients survived with good neurological outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale 5). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with profound LV dysfunction under peripheral VA ECMO were at risk of thromboembolic events and LV decompress was needed. If medical decompression fails, IABP is a feasible approach for LV decompression in pediatric peripheral ECMO.

Due to increasing demands in parcel transportation, enhancing efficiency of parcel sortation operations in logistics distribution centers becomes more and more important. Facility and layout planning in logistics distribution center play an important role in saving time and money, and they have a significant impact on the performance of parcel sortation as well. Thus, this study proposes a simulation optimization approach to solve the sortation conveyor layout problem, especially the shortcuts design of the sortation system that can increase the processing capacity. The proposed simulation optimization approach consists of two parts which are genetic algorithm and simulation. Genetic algorithm helps to find the optimal layout design of sortation system, while simulation is used to evaluate the performance of algorithm results.

To investigate the cardiovascular features and endothelium in neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia.In this combined observational cohort and case-control study, neonates born to mothers with normotension and mothers with preeclampsia were recruited at a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary medical center. Cardiovascular measurements by echocardiography and the clinical measures upon admission were analyzed. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in umbilical arteries and in in vitro endothelial cell stimulation with plasma were examined. Continuous data were compared using nonparametric analysis, and their relationships were analyzed using linear regression. Binary logistic regression was performed in the model of adjustment of birth body weight and for multivariate analysis.In the cohort, almost all cardiovascular segments positively correlated to birth weight. Notably, neonates (n = 65) of mothers with preeclampsia had significantly larger coronary arteries at birth than neonates of mothers with normotension (n = 404) (median size of left main coronary artery 1.36 mm versus 1.08 mm, p0.001; median size of right coronary artery, RCA 1.25 mm versus 1.0 mm, p0.001). The size of the right coronary artery positively correlated to the maternal antepartum diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.298, P = .018) and was associated with in-hospital death (P .001). Meanwhile, endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression was significantly increased in the umbilical arteries of the preeclamptic group and following preeclamptic cord-plasma stimulation. The latter also correlated with their relative coronary sizes.Neonates of mothers with preeclampsia had distinctive coronary dilatation at birth. Coronary size might be useful as a severity index of neonatal endothelial inflammation as a result of maternal preeclampsia.

Background/purpose To investigate mid- to long-term outcomes in children with coronary artery fistula (CAF). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients seen between September 1996 and August 2011. We enrolled those diagnosed with CAF via echocardiography (Philips SONOS 7500 system and Philips IE33) or angiography. The mean follow time was 42.58 ± 3.4 months (range, 1–166 months). For comparative purposes, participants were grouped as acquired versus congenital, and symptomatic versus asymptomatic. We also measured the size of the coronary artery (CA) in patients with CA dilatation (CAD). Results Out of 122 CAF patients, spontaneous closure was detected in 37 patients at 21.59 ± 3.45 months after diagnosis. This timeframe did not differ between the acquired and congenital groups (21.64 ± 6.26 months vs. 21.57 ± 4.15 months; p = 0.991). Ninety patients were asymptomatic and remained so; their spontaneous closure rate was 28.89%. Moreover, 24 patients had CAD, including 17 with Kawasaki disease and seven with congenital CAF. The CAs of all congenital-CAF-plus-CAD patients were initially > 5 mm; these patients underwent percutaneous transcatheter intervention, and their CA sizes decreased significantly (6.11 ± 0.79 mm vs. 3.76 ± 0.36 mm; p = 0.002). Conclusion With the advanced sensitivity of echocardiography, CAF can be detected more easily than ever before. Most patients with small CAFs are asymptomatic and may experience spontaneous closure. Therefore, management of CAF depends on symptoms; if patients are asymptomatic and have small CAFs, intervention may not be necessary, especially in acquired cases. However, if patients present with symptoms or persistent dilatation of the proximal CA, surgical or percutaneous closure should be performed.

Objective Technical difficulties still exist for the catheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) in some of the morphological features of defects, or hemodynamic features in the population. The morphological or hemodynamic features are (1) large ASD, (2) wide rim deficiency, (3) multiple defects, (4) severe pulmonary hypertension, (5) ventricular dysfunction, and (6) restrictive left ventricular compliance. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of transcatheter closure of complex ASDs under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance in adolescents and adults, and figured out the predictors of atrial septum occluder (ASO) dislodgement. Methods From June 2003 to June 2014, 125 adults and 12 adolescents were diagnosed with secundum ASD and underwent a transcatheter closure of defects using an ASO. Among the above patients, 63 patients had morphological or hemodynamic features that made ASD closure difficult. Results No ASO dislodgement occurred in the non-complex ASD closure group, and an 88.9% success rate was observed in the complex ASD closure group. Higher Qp/Qs ratio, higher incidence of multiple ASDs, and larger ASD size in the complex ASD closure group were noted. 50.8% patients in complex ASD closure group had ASD ≧ 30 mm. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that an occurrence of eroded and IAS or aneurysm formation and arrhythmia during implantation were independent predictors for ASO dislodgement in complex ASD closure (p = 0.005; p = 0.037). Conclusion Eroded and floppy IAS or aneurysm formation post ASO implantation and peri-procedure arrhythmia could predict ASO dislodgement in complex ASD closure. Transcatheter closure of ASDs under TEE guidance is feasible in complex cases.

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression is a major mechanism by which cancer cells acquire the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype, and is associated with poor clinical outcome in patients. In an effort to develop MDR-reversal agents, we synthesized and evaluated a series of thiophenylbenzofuran derivatives (4–31) as P-gp inhibitors, among which compounds 4, 10, and 14 represented the optimal agent in reversing the MDR phenotype. These P-gp inhibitors were dramatically effective than verapamil in sensitizing the human ABCB1-overexpressing ABCB1/Flp-In™-293 cells and MDR KBvin cells to a series of chemotherapeutic agents, including vincristine and paclitaxel, as manifested by multi-fold decreases in the respective IC50 values to therapeutically attainable levels.

This paper proposes the use of undoped hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon oxide (μc-SiOx:H) deposited on the n-μc-Si:H layer of amorphous silicon single-junction superstrate configuration thin-film solar cells produced through 40 MHz very high frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Raman spectroscopy and optoelectronic analyses of the undoped μc-SiOx:H thin film revealed that adding a small amount of oxygen into a μc-network results in a low optical absorption, wide band gap, high optical band gap E04, high refractive index, reasonable conductivity, and crystalline volume fraction, which are advantageous properties in solar cells. Compared with a standard cell, the current density–voltage (J–V) characteristics of the cell with an undoped μc-SiOx:H/n-μc-Si:H structure showed an enhancement in short-circuit current density Jsc from 13.32 to 13.60 mA/cm2, and in conversion efficiency from 8.53% to 8.61%. The increased Jsc mechanism can be attributed to an improved light-trapping capability in the long wavelength range between 510 and 660 nm, as demonstrated by the external quantum efficiency.

Boron-doped ZnO (BZO) films were deposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) on glass substrates with tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) buffer layers varying from 0 to 100 nm in thickness. The effects of ITO thickness on the structural, optical and electrical properties of BZO/ITO stacks were investigated. The sheet resistances of BZO/ITO stacks were decreased with increasing of ITO thickness while haze factors for BZO/ITO stacks were saturated at an ITO thickness of 50 nm. X-ray diffraction spectra indicate that ITO (2 2 2) can promote the preferred orientation of BZO films changing from 〈1 1 0〉 to 〈1 0 0〉. The grain size of the BZO films with ITO buffer layers was larger than that of those without ITO buffer layers. The simulated short circuit current of the silicon thin film solar cell when using BZO/ITO stacks as the TCO layers can be increased by a factor of 1.06 at an ITO thickness of 100 nm.

Utilizing LED light source modules with 3 different RGB colors, the illumination effect of different wavelengths had been investigated on the growth curve of the same kind of micro algae. It was found that the best micro algae culturing status came out with long wavelength light such as red light (650~670 nm). Based on the same condition for a period of 3 weeks , the grown micro algae population density ratio represented by Optical Density (O.D.) ratio is 1：0.4：0.7 corresponding to growth with Red, Green, Blue light sources, respectively. Mixing 3 types and 2 types of LEDs with different parameters, the grown micro algae population densities were compared in terms of O.D. Interestingly enough, different light sources resulted in significant discoloration on micro algae growth, appearing yellow, brown, green, etc. Our experiments results showed such discoloration effect is reversible. Based on the same lighting condition, micro algae growth can be also affected by incubator size, nutrition supply, and temperature variation. In recent years, micro algae related technologies have been international wise a hot topic of energy and environmental protection for research and development institutes, and big energy companies among those developed countries. There will be an economically prosperous future. From this study of LED lighting to ideal algae cultivation, it was found that such built system would be capable of optimizing artificial cultivation system, leading to economic benefits for its continuous development. Since global warming causing weather change, accompanying with reducing energy sources and agriculture growth shortage are all threatening human being survival.

AlGaInP Ultra High Brightness LEDs (UHB-LEDs) are widely used as light sources in various applications. With their high efficiency, UHB-LEDs require a higher light output power at a higher current density to fulfill the cost requirements of its market. As a consequence, reliability at high current density is a major issue in promoting the use of optoelectronic devices for general lighting. The degradation of commercial HB-LED chips has been widely studied, and numerous accelerated tests of current, temperature, and humidity have been conducted. However, few researches on the degradation of AlGaInP UHB-LEDs with the chip’s ohmic metal structure design have been conducted. To understand the relationship between the ohmic metal percentage of the chip and its reliability, the chips were designed with an ohmic metal ratio which ranges from 2% to 50% and burn-in at 1 A for 6000 h. In addition, to determine the resulting temperature in relation to the ohmic metal design, the chips were examined via infrared image microscope. After 100 h burn-in, the aging results of the 10 μA current drives showed that varying designs had almost similar voltage degradations due to the same epitaxy quality within a wafer. Moreover, the aging results at 1 A current drives showed that the lower ohmic metal ratio resulted in higher power output and intensity degradations. The stress temperature which arises from the power output is the main mechanism that accelerated the diffusion of the doping into a multi-quantum well and generated non-recombination centers within 100 h aging; this temperature was examined by using an infrared imaging microscope. Slight degradations were observed after 100 to 6000 h aging. With an exponential regression of different designs based on regulations, a constructive design guideline was conceptualized for commercial use.

This study proposes a transient measurement method (TMM) for minimizing self-heating in AlGaInP Ultra-High-Brightness LEDs (UHB-LEDs) under low-to-high bias current. The TMM was validated by the wavelength shift method. The luminous intensity ratio measured by the TMM was similar to that in the ideal device under low-to-high current. The contribution of internal quantum efficiency loss to self-heating temperature and electrical efficiency loss affecting the efficiency droop of AlGaInP UHB-LEDs were determined by TMM because of the temperature dependence of injection efficiency and internal quantum efficiency. The analytical results showed 2.4% difference in wall-plug efficiency (WPE) droop at 1.6 A was contributed by internal quantum efficiency and injection efficiency loss. The remaining 10.1% difference was contributed by electrical efficiency loss. This study also discussed the main mechanism, the high contact and sheet resistance resulting in current crowding, that affects electrical efficiency loss, and a qualitative analysis and recommendations for AlGaInP UHB-LEDs design were demonstrated to eliminate efficiency droop.

Nitric oxide (NO) deficiency mediates oxidative stress in the kidney and is involved in the development of hypertension. NO synthesis occurs via 2 pathways: nitric oxide synthase (NOS) dependent and NOS-independent. We tested whether the development of hypertension is prevented by restoration of NO by dietary l-citrulline or nitrate supplementation in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Male SHRs and normotensive Wistar Kyoto control rats (WKYs)s age 4 weeks were assigned to 4 groups: untreated SHRs and WKYs, and SHRs and WKYs that received 0.25% l-citrulline for 8 weeks. In our second series of studies, we replaced l-citrulline with 1 mmol/kg/d sodium nitrate. All rats were sacrificed at age 12 weeks. We found an increase in the blood pressure of SHRs was prevented by dietary supplementation of l-citrulline or nitrate. Both treatments restored NO bioavailability and reduced oxidative stress in SHR kidneys. l-Citrulline therapy reduced levels of l-arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-an endogenous inhibitor of NOS-and increased the l-arginine-to-ADMA ratio in SHR kidneys. Nitrate treatment reduced plasma levels of l-arginine and ADMA concurrently in SHRs. Our findings suggest that both NOS-dependent and -independent approaches in the prehypertensive stage toward augmentation of NO can prevent the development of hypertension in young SHRs.

To investigate whether a palm-held ultrasonocardiographic scanner would be useful for screening and follow-up in congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the echocardiographic images from June 1, 2014 to November 1, 2014. All patients underwent two ultrasonographic examinations including palm-held scanner examination and standard echocardiography. To compare the quality of the two instruments, we developed a diagnostic scoring system ranging from 1 point to 10 points, with 10 points indicating the best quality. Two experienced echocardiographers retrospectively reviewed all recorded images blindedly and gave each examination a score. Comparisons of diagnostic score between two equipments were performed. Results: A total of 262 patients’ images were reviewed. All cardiac lesions could be detected with both instruments. The mean diagnostic score of palm-held scanner and standard echocardiography were 8.20±0.53 versus 9.64±0.37 (p

Rationale Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are uncommon heart lesions, but they are the most frequent significant hemodynamic congenital coronary anomaly. Transcatheter closure is an alternative treatment and a variety of techniques and devices were reported to use for the closure of congenital coronary fistulae. Patient concerns We reported a 5-year-10-month-old boy who was diagnosed as CAF at birth. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiography showed persistent CAF and progressed dilatation of the left coronary artery. Diagnoses Coronary angiography showed torturous coronary vessel and CAF at the distal segment of the left circumflex artery (LCX). Intervention Antegrade approach with Amplatzer Vascular Plug was used due to the retrograde approach failed and showed a good result. Outcomes During a 3-year follow-up period, the patient showed no symptoms and demonstrated good exercise ability. Follow-up coronary angiography showed the Amplatzer vascular plug was located at an adequate position without a residual shunt from the CAF, and the diameter of the left coronary artery regressed when compared to previous angiography results. Lessons The antegrade approach is a feasible method for closing CAF if torturous vessels are noted and fistulae occur at the distal portion of the coronary artery. A large randomized study or case series are needed to investigate the comparison of antegrade and retrograde method for the closure of CAF.

Microspheres can be prepared simply by the W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The glycerol density gradient method can be utilized with a homogenizer to produce and separate out homogenized microspheres, with the desired size. Flow cytometer is utilized to measure not only the uniformity of the size of microspheres but also analytical instruments are used to measure their release of drugs. The diameters of microsphere reached the 5 μm–10 μm range when they were prepared with 1% (w/v) P(3HB- co -5%3HV) at a homogenizer speed of 3000 rpm. The microspheres that were separated using the glycerin gradient method and extracted in the 25% concentration zone reveal the size homogeneity determined by flow cytometry analysis. The best microsphere degradation rates were approximately 80% after 72 h of enzyme degradation, as measured using a spectrophotometer, to elucidate the drug-releasing effect of the microspheres. The concentration of trypan blue in the supernatant fluid increased with the duration of the experiment. P(3HB- co -5%3HV)-prepared microspheres with diameters of around 10 μm were engulfed by cells in the cell culture experiments.

This paper demonstrates the growth of highly-textured boron-doped ZnO (ZnO:B) film by using low-pressure chemical-vapor-deposition (LPCVD) for efficient light harvesting and carrier collection in heterojunction silicon-based (HJS) solar cells. The optical and electrical characteristics have been optimized versus the substrate temperature and B2H6 flow rate for tradeoffs among the sheet resistance, free-carrier absorption, and optical transmission of blue/green wavelengths. A HJS solar cell with a 1.6-μm-thick ZnO:B film achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 16.30% and fill factor of 78.05%, compared to 15.64% and 72.17%, respectively, from a counterpart with a conventional 80-nm-thick indium tin oxide layer.

Nitric oxide (NO) deficiency contributes to hypertension and end-organ damage. Three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms have been identified: neuronal NOS (nNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and endothelial NOS (eNOS). Whether selective nNOS or iNOS inhibition exacerbates kidney damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) remains unclear. Seven-week-old SHRs were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=8 for each group): group 1, SHRs receiving no treatment; group 2 (SHR+7-NI), SHRs given7-nitroindazole (7-NI, nNOS inhibitor) in their drinking water (10 mg/kg/day); group 3 (SHR+salt), SHRs given 1% NaCl; and group 4 (SHR+AG), SHRs given0.1% aminoguanidine (AG; iNOS inhibitor) in drinking water. The mean arterial pressure of SHRs treated with salt was significantly elevated compared with untreated controls. While AG caused a decrease of mean arterial pressure at 8 and 12 weeks of age in SHRs, both 7-NI and salt exacerbated kidney injury. In addition, AG significantly increased l -arginine levels and the l -arginine-to-asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) ratio in the kidney. Salt treatment decreased renal nNOS-α protein levels and reduced dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity. Salt and AG treatment increased nNOS-β and l -citrulline levels in SHR kidneys. AG attenuates hypertension development by upregulation of l -citrulline-to- l -arginine conversion and an increase in the l -arginine-to-ADMA ratio in SHR kidneys. 7-NI impairs renal function but has no effect on blood pressure, suggesting reno-protective role for the nNOS. Salt exacerbates kidney damage mainly through decreasing renal nNOS-α protein levels and DDAH activity. Our findings highlight the protective role of the nNOS/NO pathway in the development of kidney damage in SHRs.

Trap generation under BTI/TDDB stress for extremely scaled NMOSFETs and PMOSFETs is investigated. Trap identification and localization using SILC Spectrum technique is demonstrated. It has been verified that BTI/TDDB stress leads to trap generation primarily at IL/HK intermix for PMOSFETs, and primarily at HK layer in case of NMOSFETs. The advantage of this technique is it requires minimal post measurement analysis and hence is ideal for quick screening of trap generation. Atomistic simulations close to operation regime and stress regime are performed on both NMOSFETs and PMOSFETs. Atomistic simulations indicate that the formation energy for hole traps in IL/HK intermix layer is the lowest in PMOSFETs whereas formation energy is the lowest for electron traps in HK layer for NMOSFETs. The results as verified by performing atomistic further validate the findings from SILC Spectrum technique.

Novel single-sided non-overlapped implantation (SNOI) nMOSFETs are characterized for their capability of multiple programmable memory functions. These devices can be operated as mask ROMs, EEPROMs or anti-fuses by using a pure logic processing. To function as mask ROMs, they can be mask-coded with the source drain extension (SDE) implantation. They can also be used as EEPROM devices by trapping charges in the side-wall nitride spacers. Furthermore, SNOI devices can be used as antifuses by introducing the punch-through stress at the drain side. The SNOI devices were successfully demonstrated for antifuse operations with an extremely high program/initial readout current ratio exceeding 109 and a program speed as high as 1 μs. These novel SNOI devices not only provide non-volatile memory solutions in standard CMOS processing but also give a flexible choice among mask ROM, antifuse and EEPROM functions.

Objective A transpulmonary arterial approach to repair type I ventricular septal defect is the standard. However, the possible adverse effect on the pulmonary valve by this technique has not been investigated. Methods A retrospective study reviewing type I ventricular septal defect repair from January 1991 to May 2010 was conducted. Of the 142 cases, the ventricular septal defect was repaired via the transpulmonary arterial route in 77 patients (54.2%, PA group) and via the subpulmonic route in 65 patients (45.8%, SP group). All patients received serial annual transthoracic color Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary valve function. Results The age at operation ranged from 1.2 to 272 months (median, 35.0 months; mean, 50.4 months). The mean follow-up period was 96.2 months (range, 2–234 months). Between the PA and SP groups, there was no significant difference in age, body weight, ventricular septal defect size, left to right shunt amount, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and preoperative pulmonary stenosis or regurgitation. Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in the ejection fraction or incidence of residual ventricular septal defect, right bundle branch block, and pulmonary stenosis. However, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary regurgitation of more than moderate and the total scale of postoperative pulmonary regurgitation were both significantly higher in the PA group (16.9% vs 4.6% and 1.7 ± 0.1 vs 1.4 ± 0.1, P = .031 and .019, respectively). Conclusions Although the transpulmonary arterial approach for type I ventricular septal defect repair has been advocated for decades, considering the adverse effect on pulmonary valve competency, the subpulmonic approach may be an alternative.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the estrogen receptor (ER)-α have been found to be associated with various diseases at significantly different frequencies. However, whether any relationship exists between ER-α polymorphisms and lung cancer remains to be determined. In this study, 84 non-smoking, female, non-small cell lung cancer patients with various stages of disease and 234 cancer-free reference controls were enrolled to examine the association of ER-α polymorphisms in lung cancer. Two restriction SNP sites, PvuII and XbaI, in the first intron of the ER-α gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequencies of the PvuII-XbaI haplotypes and genotypes in a Taiwanese population were revealed for the first time. Although the genotypic frequencies of two polymorphic sites of ER- α were in linkage disequilibrium for the lung cancer group (χ(2)=50.013, d.f.=4) and reference controls (χ(2)=60.797, d.f.=4); and 7 and 8 combined genotypes were present, respectively, the distribution and the major genotypes are different in the two groups (p

Diallyl disulfide (DADS), one of the major organosulfur compounds of garlic, is recognized as a group of potential chemopreventive compounds. In this study, we examines the early signaling effects of DADS on human colorectal cancer cells SW480 loaded with Ca(2+)-sensitive dye fura-2. It was found that DADS caused an immediate and sustained rise of [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner (EC(50) = 232 μM). DADS also induced a [Ca(2+)](i) elevation when extracellular Ca(2+) was removed, but the magnitude was reduced by 45%. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores with 2 μM carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, a mitochondrial uncoupler, didn't affect DADS's effect. In Ca(2+)-free medium, the DADS-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise was abolished by depleting stored Ca(2+) with 1 μM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor). DADS-caused [Ca(2+)](i) rise in Ca(2+)-containing medium was not affected by modulation of protein kinase C activity. The DADS-induced Ca(2+) influx was blocked by nicardipine (10 μM). U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, abolished ATP (but not DADS)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise. These findings suggest that DADS induced a significant rise in [Ca(2+)](i) in SW480 colon cancer cells by stimulating both extracellular Ca(2+) influx and thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) release via as yet unidentified mechanisms.

Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF1) consisting of p150, p60 and p48 is known to assemble histones onto newly synthesized DNA and thus maintain the chromatin structure. Here, we show that CAF1 expression was induced in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected cells, concomitantly with global chromatin decondensation. This apparent conflict was thought to result, in part, from CAF1 mislocalization to compartments of HCMV DNA synthesis through binding of its largest subunit p150 to viral immediate-early protein 2 (IE2). p150 interaction with p60 and IE2 facilitated HCMV DNA synthesis. The IE2Q548R mutation, previously reported to result in impaired HCMV growth with unknown mechanism, disrupted IE2/p150 and IE2/histones association in our study. Moreover, IE2 interaction with histones partly depends on p150, and the HCMV-induced chromatin decondensation was reduced in cells ectopically expressing the p150 mutant defective in IE2 binding. These results not only indicate that CAF1 was hijacked by IE2 to facilitate the replication of the HCMV genome, suggesting chromatin assembly plays an important role in herpesviral DNA synthesis, but also provide a model of the virus-induced chromatin instability through CAF1.