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Phase-selective growth of VO2 and V2O5 nanowires was realized via catalyst-free physical vapor deposition from bulk VO2 powder. Single nanowire Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze the distribution of the vanadium oxide phases within the reactor. VO2 (V2O5) nanowires were identified by characteristic peaks at 197, 224, and 620 cm-1 (149, 700, and 994 cm-1). Electron diffraction and polarization-dependent Raman spectra indicated that the growth directions of VO2 and V2O5 nanowires were [100] and [010]. Analysis of Raman spectra in two polarization configurations is sufficient to distinguish between low-index nanowire growth directions for the V2O5 phase. Single nanostructure Raman measurements thus provide a means to rapidly analyze the phase and growth direction of anisotropic nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 51-year-old man with a history of end-stage renal disease secondary to hypertension who received a living donor renal transplant in 1996. Topics include treatment received by the patient, finding on histopathology of biopsy specimen, and symptoms of tuberculous (TB) enteritis.

Abstract: Purpose: This research aimed to evaluate the students’ usage and perceptions of using smartphones in their general dental education and learning tooth preparation with the individually designed virtual 3D instructional models in the pre‐clinical removable partial denture course. Materials and Methods: Second‐year dental students were asked to voluntarily participate in a survey to investigate their demographic information, general usages of smartphones, perception of smartphones usage in dental education (construct 1) and perception of individually designed virtual 3D instructional models (construct 2). Students’ responses of general usages of the smartphones were compared with their demographic and educational backgrounds using nonparametric Kruskal‐Wallis test (for age) and Fisher's exact test (for sex, race and educational background). The sums of scores of the construct 1 and construct 2 were tested for associations with student's demographic and educational backgrounds using the Pearson product‐moment correlation (for age), t test (for sex and educational background) or one‐way ANOVA F test (for race) (α = .05). Results: A 75% response rate (N = 90) was achieved in this study, and all 90 participants owned smartphones. Students’ responses to general usages of the smartphones were not significantly influenced by their demographic background. For the construct 1, more than 73% of participants responded either agree or strongly agree to the usage of smartphones in general dental education and pre‐clinical setting; however, only 49% of participants responded the same way in the clinical setting. For the construct 2, 48 of 90 participants viewed the 3D models, and more than 73% of these 48 participants responded either agree or strongly agree to the usage of the 3D models in the pre‐clinical course. Student's demographic background did not have significant influence on the sums of scores of the construct 1 and construct 2. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, high usages and ownerships of smartphones were found amongst the students surveyed. The individually designed virtual 3D instructional models as supplemental teaching materials in the pre‐clinical course were perceived positively by the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quenching of highly excited vibrational states of NO2 in baths of CO2, N2O, and CO has been investigated. Dilute NO2 mixtures were excited by a pulse from an excimer pumped dye laser operating at 495 nm. The ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes of CO2 (2349 cm-1) and N2O (2223 cm-1) and the v=1 level of CO (2143 cm-1) were probed with continuous wave IR diode lasers. The amount of energy transferred from excited NO2 to the ν3 modes of both CO2 and N2O was found to be 3%±1% of the original excitation energy. On the other hand, a smaller amount of energy (0.9%±0.3%) was deposited into the CO vibrational mode for NO2 contained in a dilute CO bath. These results support a picture of very inefficient transfer from high energy states of donor molecules to the high-frequency vibrational modes of small bath molecules. Differences in the efficiency of energy reception by the high-frequency modes of these three molecules scale roughly as the infrared transition moments for the bath states indicating the importance of resonance effects in the energy transfer process, but a combination of short- and long-range force mechanisms is probably necessary to account for the observed differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in occlusal vertical dimension ( OVD) and age have been found to affect Smile Index ( SI, width/height of smile). Limited information is available regarding the aesthetic effects of these changes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the attractiveness of digitally manipulated smile images with differences in SI and incisal edge position ( IEP) judged by respondents in different age groups. A total of 12 smile images were generated with varying SI (3·5, 5·3, 7·2, 9·0) and IEP (High, Medium, Low). Fifty respondents each in four age groups (15-24, 25-39, 40-54, 55+) evaluated the attractiveness of the 12 images using a 0-10 visual analog scale ( VAS, 10 being most attractive). A repeated-measures three-factorial mixed model assessed differences. SI, IEP and age of respondents were found to significantly influence attractiveness score ( P < 0·01 for all). With all age groups combined, SI = 7·2/ IEP = Medium was most attractive ( VAS = 7·22), followed by SI = 9·0/ IEP = Medium, and SI = 5·3/ IEP = Medium ( VAS = 6·53 and 6·48, respectively). SI = 3·5/ IEP = High and SI = 3·5/ IEP = Low were least attractive ( VAS = 1·99 and VAS = 2·58, respectively). Age group significantly influenced aesthetic perception, with younger respondents more critical in differences in SI and IEP. SI and IEP significantly influenced attractiveness of the smile in all respondent age groups. Low SI (i.e. 3·5) combined with high or low IEP was unattractive. Medium SI to high SI (i.e. 5·3-9·0) combined with medium IEP were considered attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To achieve ideal functional and aesthetic requirements, ridge augmentation is often required before dental implant placement. Bone augmentation (especially vertical), which normally consists of complex and invasive surgeries, still remains challenge. This study seeks to investigate the feasibility of an injectable in situ gel-forming system containing strontium hydroxyapatite (Sr HA) and alginate for minimally invasive bone augmentation in a rat calvarial model. Material and methods SrHA-alginate solution was prepared by mixing SrHA powder with alginate solution (20 mg/mL) to the final concentration of 0.5% (w/v). Each animal received a 200-μL single subperiosteal injection of either SrHA-alginate solution or alginate solution. The new bone formation was assessed at 0, 4, and 8 weeks histologically and radiologically. Results The Sr HA-alginate solution materials could form solid gel once injected. As such, no sutures were required to close the injection site. Significantly greater amount of new bone formation was observed in the Sr HA-alginate group compared with the alginate group both by micro- CT and by histological section. The newly formed bone in the Sr HA-alginate group originated both from the underlying original bone and from the elevated periosteum. A 2.3-fold increase of the vertical bone height was observed in the Sr HA-alginate group compared with 1.3-fold increase in the alginate group. Conclusions Rat calvarial bone augmentation was achieved by a single subperiosteal injection of Sr HA-alginate solution without any administration of stem cells or growth factors. The in situ gel-forming material may hold potential therapeutic benefits for local bone augmentation in a minimally invasive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Si(111)2×2-In reconstruction can be considered as a precursor phase for the formation of the metallic √7×√3 phases of In overlayers on a Si(111) surface. Using the ab initio random structure searching method, comparison of simulated and experimental scanning tunneling microscopy images, and resemblance of the calculated band structure to the experimental angle-resolved photoelectron spectra, we examined various 2×2 structure models with 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 monolayer In coverage. The only model which fits well all the requirements is the one-monolayer model, where three In atoms in the T4 sites form a trimer centered in the H3 site and the fourth In atom occupies the on-top (T1) site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoptive immunotherapy of tumors with T cells specific for the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 has shown great promise in preclinical models and in early stage clinical trials. Tumor persistence or recurrence after NY-ESO-1-specific therapy occurs, however, and the mechanisms of recurrence remain poorly defined. In a murine xenograft model of NY-ESO-1+ multiple myeloma, we observed tumor recurrence after adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells genetically redirected to the prototypic NY-ESO-1157-165 peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01. Analysis of the myeloma cells that had escaped from T-cell control revealed intact expression of NY-ESO-1 and B2M, but selective, complete loss of HLA-A*02:01 expression from the cell surface. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) involving the HLA-A locus was identified in the tumor cells, and further analysis revealed selective loss of the allele encoding HLA-A*02:01. Although LOH involving the MHC has not been described in myeloma patients with persistent or recurrent disease after immune therapies such as allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), it has been described in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia who relapsed after allogeneic HCT. These results suggest that MHC loss should be evaluated in patients with myeloma and other cancers who relapse after adoptive NY-ESO-1-specific T-cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hepatic artery lymph node (HALN) is frequently sampled during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Data suggest that survival in the setting of HALN metastases is similar to that of stage IV pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The objectives of this study were to describe the prognostic significance of HALN metastases and to assess the predictive performance of HALN compared to peripancreatic lymph node status. Methods: Patients undergoing PD for PDAC from January 2000-October 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were included if during PD the HALN was submitted for pathologic evaluation. Patients were excluded if margins were macroscopically positive, if pathology was found to be consistent with a diagnosis other than PDAC. Overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: Of the 671 patients who underwent PD for PDAC, HALN status was analyzed for 147 patients. HALN was positive in 23 patients (16 %), 38 were peripancreatic lymph node (PPLN) and HALN negative, and 86 were PPLN+/HALN−. Median follow-up for survivors was 10 months. In a multivariable model, lymph node status and tumor differentiation predicted OS and DFS. Hazard of death and relapse/death were highest among the HALN+ patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2.94; p = 0.017 and HR 2.66; p = 0.011, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significant differences in OS ( p = 0.017) and DFS ( p = 0.013) based on lymph node status. Conclusions: OS and DFS are significantly reduced in patients with a positive HALN. Differentiation and lymph node status were predictors of OS and DFS. In the multivariate models, differentiation and lymph node status remain independent predictors of OS and DFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BART Transbay Tube (TBT) is an immersed cut-and-cover subway tunnel that runs from Oakland to San Francisco, California. The loose sand and gravel backfills placed around the tunnel are considered to be liquefiable, and the clays under the backfill are soft in some zones along the alignment. These conditions could potentially result in uplift of the tunnel during strong earthquake shaking. This paper describes centrifuge model tests performed to verify numerical methods used to assess the stability and to evaluate the potential uplift mechanisms of the TBT. The observed mechanisms of uplift were a ratcheting mechanism (sand migrating under the tunnel with each cycle of relative movement), a pore water migration mechanism (water flowing under the tunnel), and a bottom heave mechanism, involving soft soils below the base of the trench. A fourth potential mechanism, viscous flow of liquefied soil, was not observed. The volume of the tunnel relative to the volume of the trench and the densities and permeabilities of the nonhomogeneous backfill were important parameters affecting the uplift of the tunnel. From the experiments reported here and analyses reported by the designers, it was concluded that the magnitude of uplift is limited and, hence, that an expensive ground improvement project to densify the backfill was unwarranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we observed the catalyst/catalyst support interfaces of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) electrocatalysts by High-Resolution TEM. As the catalyst supports, various carbon nanofibers, including VGCF (Vapor-grown carbon fibers), Platelet type carbon nanofibers and Herringbone-type carbon nanofibers, were applied. We found larger Platinum particles in the Pt/VGCF. The interfacial structure was identified to be the (111)Pt//(0001)Graphite, so that its boundary is relatively stable, whereas particle growth could easily occur. On the contrary, in the Pt/Platelet and in the Pt/Herringbone, well-dispersed Platinum particles were observed, as the catalyst/catalyst support interface is rather unstable. Moreover, twin was observed in the Platinum particles supported on the Herringbone-type nanofibers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Real-time spectroscopy provides invaluable information about the evolution of dynamical processes, especially non-repetitive phenomena. Unfortunately, the continuous acquisition of rapidly varying spectra represents an extremely difficult challenge. One method, wavelength–time mapping, chirps the spectrum so that it can be measured using a single-shot oscilloscope. Here, we demonstrate a method that overcomes a fundamental problem that has previously plagued wavelength–time spectroscopy: fine spectral resolution requires large dispersion, which is accompanied by extreme optical loss. The present technique uses an optically amplified wavelength–time transformation to beat the dispersion-loss trade-off and facilitate high-resolution, broadband, real-time applications. We show that this distributed amplification process can even be pumped by broadband noise, generating a wide gain bandwidth using a single pump source. We apply these techniques to demonstrate real-time stimulated Raman spectroscopy. Amplified wavelength–time Raman spectroscopy creates new opportunities for the study of chemical and physical dynamics in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Methamphetamine (MA) is a drug of abuse as well as a dopaminergic neurotoxin. We have previously demonstrated that pretreatment with bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) reduced 6-hydroxydopamine-mediated neurodegeneration in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of BMP7 against MA-mediated toxicity in dopaminergic neurons. Primary dopaminergic neurons, prepared from rat embryonic ventral mesencephalic tissue, were treated with MA. High doses of MA decreased tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (THir) while increasing terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dNTP nick end labeling. These toxicities were significantly antagonized by BMP7. Interaction of BMP7 and MA in vivo was first examined in CD1 mice. High doses of MA (10 mg/kg×4 s.c.) significantly reduced locomotor activity and THir in striatum. I.c.v. administration of BMP7 antagonized these changes. In BMP7 +/− mice, MA suppressed locomotor activity and reduced TH immunoreactivity in nigra reticulata to a greater degree than in wild type BMP7 +/+ mice, suggesting that deficiency in BMP7 expression increases vulnerability to MA insults. Since BMP7 +/− mice also carry a LacZ-expressing reporter allele at the BMP7 locus, the expression of BMP7 was indirectly measured through the enzymatic activity of β-galactosidase (β-gal) in BMP7 +/− mice. High doses of MA significantly suppressed β-gal activity in striatum, suggesting that MA may inhibit BMP7 expression at the terminals of the nigrostriatal pathway. A similar effect was also found in CD1 mice in that high doses of MA suppressed BMP7 mRNA expression in nigra. In conclusion, our data indicate that MA can cause lesioning in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic terminals and that BMP7 is protective against MA-mediated neurotoxicity in central dopaminergic neurons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new method of four-dimensional data assimilation based on Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is proposed. In it, a set of atmospheric states is obtained by integrating a numerical weather prediction model and simulated observations are taken and calculated from the model variables. Then the SVD technique is used to create the base vectors from this coupled data set. Finally, the analysis is obtained by projecting actual observation data into a space spanned by the base vectors. Using this approach, the four-dimensional data assimilation becomes a simple linear inverse problem the linearization of the nonlinear forward model is avoided, and the developments of the adjoint and background error covariance matrix are no longer needed. Since the SVD technique is used here, the method is simply called 4DSVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An atmosphere-land coupled simple climate model is constructed and its climatic properties are analyzed by introducing a global analysis method, cell mapping. The simple model is a nonlinear six order simplified climate model featured with chaotic dynamics, dissipation, and forcing source, which are the main features of the real climate system. The cell mapping method is applied with this coupled system. Numerical experiments are carried out for investigating the interactions between the fast-changing atmospheric variables and slow-changing underlying surface variables. The predictability of the system is also investigated via the global analysis, with which the evolution of the system is translated to the evolution of probability transition on a Markov Chain. An effective scheme is proposed for computing the probability transition matrix for the coupled system. Predictions can be made based on the combination of dynamics and statistics. The importance of constructing the coupled model is shown by globally analyzing the predictability of the coupled system. The coupling mechanism prolongs the memorization of initial information, and then the predictability as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study has been conducted to investigate the effects of operating conditions, which include gas flowrate, tuyere size, tuyere number, and height of iron phase, on the extent of mixing between molten iron and molten slag in the direct iron ore smelting reduction process. A transparent acrylic water model, 30% of the size of the actual smelter, was constructed to study the mass transfer phenomena. In the water model, water and spindle oil were used to simulate molten iron and molten slag, respectively, while air was used to replace the bottom blown nitrogen gas. In addition, thymol (C[sub 10]H[sub 14]O[sub 6]) was used as a tracer material in the water model, added to the water at the beginning of the experiment. As mixing between water and spindle oil proceeded owing to stirring by the bottom blown gas, the concentration of thymol in the water decreased and that in the spindle oil increased. Water samples were taken from the bottom and 12 cm above the bottom of the water model at various operating times. Concentrations of thymol were then measured using a diode array ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. By analysing the concentration data, the mass transfer rate k[sub w]A, which is a direct index for evaluating the mixing efficiency, could be derived. The process conditions under investigation included 40-500 L min[sup -1] gas flowrate, 0·3[sup -1] cm tuyere size, four or five tuyeres, and 20-30 cm height of the water phase. The test results indicate that when the gas flowrate increases, the value of k[sub w]A increases, which indicates better mixing between oil and water phases. However, as the gas flowrate approaches 40 L min[sup -1], the improvement becomes less obvious. The smaller tuyere gives better mixing, and the design of five tuyeres results in better mixing compared with four tuyeres when they are blown with the same total gas flowrate. However, mixing efficiency decreases with increased height of the water phase. Also, as the gas flowrate of bottom blowing approaches 40 L min[sup -1], gas blowing from the top has little effect on the mixing behaviour in the liquid bath. For a four tuyere system, the process conditions of height of oil phase 5 cm, height of water phase 25 cm, diameter of tuyere 0·75 cm, and gas flowrate for each tuyere 40 L min[sup -1], appear to be the optimal design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Arsenic is found naturally in the environment. People may be exposed to arsenic by eating food, drinking water, breathing air, or by skin contact with soil or water that contains arsenic. In the U.S., the diet is a predominant source of exposure for the general population with smaller amounts coming from drinking water and air. Children may also be exposed to arsenic because of hand to mouth contact or eating dirt. In addition to the normal levels of arsenic in air, water, soil, and food, people could by exposed to higher levels in several ways such as in areas containing unusually high natural levels of arsenic in rocks which can lead to unusually high levels of arsenic in soil or water. People living in an area like this could take in elevated amounts of arsenic in drinking water. Workers in an occupation that involves arsenic production or use (for example, copper or lead smelting, wood treatment, pesticide application) could be exposed to elevated levels of arsenic at work. People who saw or sand arsenic-treated wood could inhale/ingest some of the sawdust which contains high levels of arsenic. Similarly, when pressure-treated wood is burned, high levels of arsenic could be released in the smoke. In agricultural areas where arsenic pesticides were used on crops the soil could contain high levels of arsenic. Some hazardous waste sites contain large quantities of arsenic. Arsenic ranks #1 on the ATSDR/EPA priority list of hazardous substances. Arsenic has been found in at least 1,014 current or former NPL sites. At the hazardous waster sites evaluated by ATSDR, exposure to arsenic in soil predominated over exposure to water, and no exposure to air had been recorded. However, there is no information on morbidity or mortality from exposure to arsenic in soil at hazardous waste sites. Exposure assessment, community and tribal involvement, and evaluation and surveillance of health effects are among the ATSDR future Superfund research program priority focus areas. Examples of exposures to arsenic in drinking water, diet and pesticide are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The robust stability problem of linear discrete singular time-delay systems with structured (elemental) parameter uncertainties is investigated. Under the assumptions that the nominal discrete singular time-delay system is regular, impulse-free and asymptotically stable, some new sufficient conditions are proposed to preserve the assumed properties when structured (elemental) parameter uncertainties are added into the nominal discrete singular time-delay system. Further new sufficient conditions are also proposed for guaranteeing that the linear discrete singular time-delay system with both structured (elemental) and unstructured (norm-bounded) parameter uncertainties has the properties of regularity, impulse-immunity and asymptotic stability. Four examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed sufficient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shooting and bouncing rays (SBR) is a numerical method based on geometric optics developed to compute the electromagnetic scattering from jet inlets and partially open cavity structures. This method is used to study the effects of shaping on the radar cross-section (RCS) of cavities. Two cylindrical cavity structures are analysed: one with a uniform circular cross-section, and the other with a non-uniform cross-section varying from a triangular shape to a circular shape. By bending the longitudinal axis of a cylindrical cavity, a significant reduction in RCS at near axial incidence can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizes the function of the gene designated gamma1 34.5 flanking the long unique sequence of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) DNA, which is not essential for viral growth in cell culture. Four genetic viruses engineered to test gene's function; Avirulent results after gene deletion; Other implications of virulence; Results.

Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare disease characterized by subcutaneous fat necrosis. It could be the result of an associated pancreatic tumor. Herein, we reported a 63-year-old man who presented with progressive bilateral lower limb edema accompanied with nodule-like lesions for 1 month. His serum lipase was 3,927 U/L (normal, 0–160 U/L). Histopathology of the skin specimen revealed lobular panniculitis, favoring a diagnosis of pancreatic panniculitis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast showed a huge mass in his left upper quadrant. Endoscopic ultrasound showed a mixed echoic tumor, measuring 11.9 × 7.8 cm in dimensions, originating from the pancreatic tail. Biopsy performed via an endoscopic ultrasound showed a poorly differentiated acinar cell carcinoma. Because of the unresectable status of the tumor, the patient underwent chemotherapy with paclitaxel and gemcitabine. After chemotherapy, his skin lesions improved progressively. It is important to treat pancreatic panniculitis with its underlying pancreatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note, a problem that must be paid attention to is highlighted here on using the sector non-linearity in the fuzzy model construction. The sector non-linearity approach can guarantee an exact fuzzy model construction. However, it needs carefully checking to prevent that the physical constraints are violated when the sector non-linearity approach is used. Based on the exact fuzzy model obtained from the sector non-linearity approach, an approach of designing static output feedback controller is presented in a recent study. However, it can be found that the designed control result is erroneous in that published study, owing to that a physical constraint is violated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact patch antenna suitable for mounting above a conducting plate for WLAN operation in the 2.4 GHz band is presented. It is demonstrated that, by introducing a supporting metal plate connected to the antenna ground below, the proposed antenna in free space can easily be mounted at the corner of a conducting plate of various dimensions without rapidly deteriorating the antenna bandwidth. With a compact size of 20×20×6 mm, the antenna can be placed very close to a conducting plate of side length varied from 20 to 200 mm for application in a PC peripheral device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of timely release of research study data by researchers. Topics discussed include publishing of results of a research by University of Wisconsin-Madison laboratory related to Zika virus during its outbreak, statement of the World Health Organisation related to timely and transparent pre-publication sharing of data during public health emergencies, and suggestion that data from clinical studies should reach the medical community in time.

The article presents a case study of a 64-year-old man with primary hepatic angiosarcoma. Capsule endoscopy revealed multiple small hemorrhagic spots in the small intestine. It informs that intermittent melena was present even after polypectomy was done to resect the tumor. The patient was prescribed thalidomide, but he died within 3 months.

The article describes the case of a 49-year-old female patient with a right invasive ductal breast cancer which has metastasized to the lymph nodes.

The article discusses the case of a patient who presented with abdominal pain due to appendiceal mucocele. Topics discussed include the results of abdominal computed tomography (CT) and colonoscopy, laparotomy performed on the patient, and the types of appendiceal mucoceles which include mucosal hyperplasia, malignant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and mucinous cystadenoma.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the presence of alteration of the tumor suppressor gene p16 and to correlate these changes with the clinical status of the patients in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Forty-eight oral squamous cell carcinomas were included in the analyses. Deletion analysis was performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mutation analysis was restricted to exon 1 and exon 2 of the p16 gene, previously shown to have a high incidence of mutations. The sequences containing exon 1 and exon 2 were amplified by PCR and screened with a single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique. Samples showing band shifts in SSCP were sequenced by PCR direct sequencing. Western blots were used to detect the protein expression of the p16 gene, and the results were evaluated with regard to their biological relevance in correlation with clinicopathological factors. Seven (14.6%) deletions were found: 5 (10.4%) mutations were discovered and located in different codons; 26 (54%) specimens had no p16 protein expression: in 11 specimens with p16 deletion or mutation, p16 protein could not be detected. One mutation was non- sense. The p16 gene alterations showed no relationship with location and clinical stage of cancer: however, a close relationship between p16 alterations and cancer metastasis to neck lymph node was found. The alteration rate gradually elevated from well to poorly differentiated grades. We perceive two results. First, the alterations of the p16 gene are common in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Second, the alterations of the p16 gene may attribute to the metastatic behavior or histological grade of cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent trials have demonstrated a benefit in biochemical free survival with focal ablative microboost (FAM) to the dominant intraprostatic lesion (DIL) in localized prostate cancer (LPC). Full DIL coverage was not always achieved due to prioritization of organs at risk. A dosimetric study was conducted to characterize the advantage of iodinated hydrogel (HG) spacer placement based on lesion location in both the IMRT and SBRT setting. Ten prostate patients with pre- and post- HG placement imaging were evaluated. A GU-radiologist delineated all DILs on post-HG placement MRIs. IMRT (77-95 Gy/35 fx) and SBRT (36.25-40-50 Gy/5 fx) plans were generated on both pre- and post-HG imaging, with and without urethral constraints. Normal tissue constraints were utilized from prior randomized trials. Full coverage of the DIL was defined as D95 and V95 ≥95% of volume. Additional plans with theoretical DILs in varying positions throughout the prostate were created to develop a generalized model of HG benefit for FAM radiotherapy. The model was then applied to 125 patients with biopsy-confirmed DILs from the Prostate-MRI-US-Biopsy (PMUB) dataset to better approximate the real-world benefit of HG placement. The mean prostate-rectal separation with HG placement at mid prostate was 12.8 mm (SD 2.85). The mean lesion size was 9 mm (range 4.3-14.8). There were no post-operative complications from HG placement. In the majority of patients both pre- and post-HG plans were able to achieve pre-specified dose-constraints for both SBRT and IMRT plans. In two patients (20%), full coverage of the DIL was not able to be achieved until after HG placement due to proximity of the rectum for both SBRT and IMRT. Post-HG plans had lower maximum rectal point dose, D0.1cc, and achieved significant reduction of D1cc to the rectum for SBRT (p =0.045) and IMRT (p =0.015). In the model, DIL coverage was compromised when the DIL was located within 1.5 mm of the urethra, 2.0 mm of the rectum or 1.5 mm of the bladder. In the PMUB dataset, an estimated 32 (25.6%) patients could potentially benefit from HG placement to improve DIL coverage if planned for FAM with either SBRT or IMRT. We developed a model to assess the benefit of HG spacer for FAM in LPC. Our data suggest HG spacer placement may provide benefit in improving DIL coverage for select patients, typically for LPC with DILs that are within 2.0 mm of the posterior prostate-rectum interface. The majority of prostate patients do not require HG placement to achieve both full DIL coverage and standard dose constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report a case of Behçet's disease in a 27-year-old female who suffered from generalized skin rashes for one week. After hospitalization, massive bloody stools accompanying hypovolemic shock occurred. Emergency abdominal computed tomography-angiography failed to detect the bleeding source. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy also demonstrated no definite bleeding points. Ileocolonoscopy showed multiple large and deep ulcers with some blood coating and mild oozing in the terminal ileum. We initially performed epinephrine injection and hemoclips for her intestinal bleeding. However, massive bloody stools still continued. Thus, we prescribed a loading dose of 160 mg adalimumab followed by weekly 80 mg adalimumab subcutaneous injections to the patient. Following this treatment, her gastrointestinal bleeding gradually subsided and completely stopped within a few days. After three-week therapy with adalimumab, capsule endoscopy showed several healing ulcers without bleeding in the distal to the terminal ileum. She continues to be treated with adalimumab, azathioprine, and mesalazine without recurrent bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY An effective device structure for thermal management of multifinger InGaP/GaAs collector-up heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), compelling active components in high-efficiency handset power amplifiers, is presented for the first time. From the unique 3-D thickness-adjusting numerical analysis, based on a finite element model, the miniaturized device can lead to a greater than 40% reduction in the thickness of plated gold layer. Above all, this is quite different from previous attempts, in which the thermal resistance was reduced by increasing the thickness of plated gold layer. Compared with literature works, the thermally stable design with an innovative heat-spread configuration shows a 50% reduction in thermal resistance and demonstrates favorable power performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) interacts genetically with the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) to suppress early-onset T-lineage lymphomas in the mouse, but the underlying mechanisms have remained unknown. To address this question, we analyzed a series of lymphomas arising in PARP1−/−/DNA-PKcs−/− (P1−/−/D−/−) mice. We found that, despite defective V(D)J recombination, P1−/−/D−/− lymphomas lacked clonal reciprocal translocations involving antigen-receptor loci. Instead, tumor cells were characterized by aneuploidy driven by two main mechanisms: p53 inactivation and abnormal chromosome disjunction due to telomere fusions (TFs). Aberrant accumulation of p53 was observed in 13/19 (68.4%) lymphomas. Sequence analysis revealed five p53 mutations: three missense point mutations (one transition in exon 8 and two transversions in exons 5 and 8, respectively), one in-frame 5-11 microindel in exon 7 and a 410-bp deletion encompassing exons 5-8, resulting in a truncated protein. Analysis of tumor metaphases using sequential telomere fluorescent in-situ hybridization and spectral karyotyping revealed that nine out of nine lymphomas contained TFs. Mutant but not wild-type p53 status was associated with frequent clonal and nonclonal TFs, suggesting that p53 normally limits the extent of telomere dysfunction during transformation. Chromosomes involved in TFs were more likely to be aneuploid than chromosomes not involved in TFs in the same metaphases, regardless of the p53 status, indicating that TFs promote aneuploidy via a mechanism that is distinct from p53 loss. Finally, analysis of radiation responses in P1−/−/D−/−, and control primary cells and tissues indicates that loss of PARP1 increases in vivo radiosensitivity and genomic instability in DNA-PKcs-deficient mice without impairing p53 stabilization and effector functions, suggesting a more severe defect in double-strand break (DSB) repair in double mutants. Together, our findings uncover defective DSB repair leading to tumor suppressor inactivation and abnormal segregation of fused chromosomes as two novel mechanisms promoting tumorigenesis in thymocytes lacking PARP1 and DNA-PKcs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]