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Cerebrospinal fluid leak and pneumocephalus are rare but potentially devastating complications associated with translabyrinthine resection of cerebellopontine angle masses. Persistent pneumocephalus despite proximal eustachian tube (ET) obliteration is rare. We describe, to our knowledge, the first report of successful management of tension pneumocephalus by endoscopic endonasal ET obliteration using a novel V-loc (Covidien; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) suture technique.A 63-year-old man presented with altered mental status 10 months after translabyrinthine excision of a left cerebellopontine angle vestibular schwannoma measuring 2.8 × 2.9 × 3.3 cm. Computed tomography demonstrated diffuse ventriculomegaly and new pneumocephalus along the right frontal lobe, lateral ventricles, and third ventricle, and air within the left translabyrinthine resection cavity.The patient underwent left-sided endoscopic endonasal ET obliteration using 2-0, 9-inch V-loc suture.Postoperatively, the patient's mental status improved with a decrease in size of the lateral and third ventricles on computed tomography.Endoscopic endonasal ET obliteration, a technique previously applied to recalcitrant cerebrospinal fluid leaks, is a safe and reasonable alternative to reentering the original surgical site for patients with pneumocephalus after lateral skull base surgery. Utilizing a V-loc suture for this technique instead of a traditional suture may improve procedural ease and speed.

InGaN epitaxial layers were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates using the metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) system at 760 °C. By varying the total flow rate of group-III sources (TMI+TEG) with a fixed molar ratio of group-III sources [TMI/(TMI+TEG)], the influence of V/III ratio were investigated from 4500 to 20000. The grown N-polar InGaN layers were investigated by atomic force microscopy and it is found that the surface roughness decreases with increasing the V/III ratios. High resolution X-ray diffraction analyses show that the phase separation decreases with increasing the V/III ratios. Photoluminescence measurements reveal that the peak position of the band-edge emission shifted toward the shorter wavelength with increasing the V/III ratios. Reciprocal space mapping (RSM) analyses were carried out on InGaN films. At low V/III ratio, the phase separation can be detected in InGaN films.

Background The adoptive and engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated remarkable success in treating hematologic cancers; however, this success has yet to be extrapolated to solid tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival efficacy using advanced CAR-T cells in orthotopic GBM mouse model. Material and Methods Advanced CAR-T cell, which reprograms the patient’s T-cells with a transgene encoding part of interleukin-7 receptor-α (ΔIL7Rα) domain in addition to the CD3ζ signaling domain and 4-1BB costimulatory domain in the advanced CAR gene to exhibit excellent in vivo persistence and anti-tumor effect of advanced CAR-T cells. In addition to the advanced CAR gene, TGF-beta converter is introduced, which converts the inhibitory signal of TGF-beta, an immunosuppressive cytokine overexpressed in the hostile tumor microenvironment, into the activation signal of the cytokine IL-18 in advanced CAR-T cells.DAY9 NSG mice bearing orthotopically xenografted GBM cell lines (1 × 105 U251MG expressing IL13Rα2) were randomized to 8 experimental groups. Each experimental group was intravenously injected with only once with different subtype advanced CAR-T cells (Td ~ 47.3% of 5 × 106) and monitored for survival. Results Among treatment groups, mice treated with advanced CAR-T cells of TGF-β converter subtype demonstrated a statistically significant increase in survival (p=0.042, 95%CI, 0.375-0.981) compared with other subtypes. In DAY9 orthotopic GBM mouse model, we showed that a single I.V. injection of advanced CAR-T cells targeting IL13Rα2-specific tumor achieved survival benefit. Conclusion This study is the first report to show statistically significant survival benefit in DAY9 orthotopic GBM mouse model using a single I.V. injection of advanced CAR-T cells, yet merits further clinical trials in real world of clinical setting.

SEM analysis shows that trace amounts of La in Zn–Cu–Ti alloy can eliminate dendritic segregation and produce uniform organization. Analyses of Tafel polarization curves and EIS show that La can obviously improve the corrosion resistance of Zn–Cu–Ti alloy by two features: (i) La oxide film has strong barrier properties; (ii) with an increase in La content, the thick skeletal dendrite ϵprimary crystal phase disappears and the more refined and dispersed ϵII phase is generated, leading to a decrease in the active cathode area. Zn–Cu–Ti–0.5La alloy has the best corrosion resistance. The corrosion of the investigated alloys is mainly selective.

Global positioning system (GPS) has been widely used to investigate the ionosphere through the estimation of the total electron content (TEC) and its distributions in space. One of the important factors affecting the ionosphere TEC estimation accuracy is the hardware differential code biases (DCBs) inherited in both GPS satellites and receivers. This paper investigates various factors affecting GPS receiver instrumental bias estimation accuracy. Through a number of designed tests, we concluded that the most important factor is the ionosphere model accuracy. Some of large daily bias variations of receiver DCB detected by other studies, such as receivers in low latitude regions, are not due to the DCB changes, but the estimation errors. The DCB estimation values can vary significantly for different ionospheric models and different sizes of networks. For example, the receiver DCB values obtained from the global and the station- specific models exhibit difference from 22? 5t o 14?3 TEC unit (TECU) for different stations. Different data processing methods also contribute to DCB estimation errors. The results from smoothing and non-smoothing GPS observation show that the difference of DCB reaches up to 6?8 TECU for some stations, with the mean difference of 3 TECU. On the other hand, the elevation cut-off angle does not play an import role in ionospheric delay estimation. For elevation cut-off angles from 10 to 30u, our tests show that the DCB estimation differences are ,0?4 TECU.

As a novel substrate with a lattice-mismatch of only 0.8% along the a-axis to InN thin films, we propose LaBGeO5 (LBGO) with a trigonal symmetry for the first time. A single crystal growth of LBGO by Czochralski (Cz)-pulling was investigated, and c-axis-oriented LBGO single crystals with high crystallinity were successfully grown with a pulling rate of 0.5 mm/h in O2-atomosphere. c-axis oriented InN film was subsequently grown on the obtained LBGO {001} substrate by metalorganic vapor epitaxy (MOVPE), and it was verified that InN film on LBGO was less-strained as compared with that on {001} sapphire substrate. It is stressed to say that LBGO can be expected as a lattice-matching substrate for the epitaxial growth of InN.

We report the characteristics of AlN:Er films that were co-deposited by using AlN, Er, and SiO 2 targets. The PL emission spectra show strong green emissions of Er 3+ ions in AlN:Er films annealed at an optimal temperature of 750 °C, which is attributed to the intra-4 f Er 3+ transitions of 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 and 4 F 7/2 → 4 I 15/2 . This optimal temperature can activate Er species as an efficient visible luminescence center. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) observations showed that the AlN:Er film annealed at 750 °C exhibits the microstructure of AlN nanocrystallites embedded in the amorphous matrix. The occurrence of strong Er 3+ emissions in the amorphous–nanocrystalline AlN:Er films by thermal annealing might contribute to an increased number of excitation Er 3+ centers and the presence of oxygen related to Er 3+ excitation and recombination processes. A distinct visible bluish green emission is also confirmed from the EL device with an amorphous–nanocrystalline AlN:Er active layer.

β-Iron disilicide (FeSi 2 ) single crystals were grown by the chemical vapor transport (CVT) with iodine (I 2 ) as a transport agent. The optical and electrical properties of the crystals were then studied. Raman spectrum shows a set of strong A g -mode peaks and photoluminescence (PL) spectra show a very broad emission band. In order to study the effect of annealing on the electrical properties, β-FeSi 2 single crystals were annealed in the range of 1073–1213 K for 48 h. The electrical properties of as-grown and annealed crystals were then evaluated by measuring their Hall effects in the temperature range of 10–300 K. The results show that both of the as-grown and annealed single crystals are of the n-type conductivity. The dependences of the temperature indicate that carrier concentration decreases and Hall mobility increases with the increase of measuring temperature. When the annealing temperature reaches above 1223 K, these changes tend to saturation. Furthermore, the donor ionization energies were estimated and the scattering mechanisms of carrier were discussed.

We report a visible luminescence of Er 3+ ions in an amorphous-nanocrystalline AlN:Er thin film prepared by co-deposition using AlN, Er, and SiO 2 targets. A PL emission spectrum of Er 3+ in the AlN:Er film annealed at 750 °C showed a strong bluish green emission of Er 3+ in the amorphous-nanocrystalline AlN:Er thin film, which is attributed to the intra-4 f Er 3+ transitions of 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 and 4 F 7/2 → 4 I 15/2 . It was found that crystallite diameters were between 3 and 5 nm by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The occurrence of the strong Er 3+ emission in the annealed AlN:Er thin film with a mixture of amorphous and nanocrystalline phases may be contributed to an increase in the number of excitation Er 3+ centers and a presence of oxygen related to Er 3+ excitation and recombination process in the AlN:Er thin film.

This study showed that substrate rotation plays an important role in the growth of high-quality β -FeSi 2 epitaxial film on hydrogen terminated Si (1 1 1) substrate using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The present work elucidated the substrate rotation effects on morphology, thickness, and purity. Results verified that substrate rotation is essential to grow thicker epilayers with better morphology and compositional uniformity. In addition, purity analyses indicated that substrate rotation increases the concentration of non-metallic impurities (H, C, and O), but does not further introduce metallic impurities into β -FeSi 2 films.

In order to grow β-FeSi2 single crystals by the chemical vapor transport (CVT) method, the growth conditions, including density of iodine transport agent and growth duration, were examined. An iodine density of 8.9 mg cm–3 was thought to be optimum in the present experiment. It was found that the growth duration should be over 4 weeks for growing β-FeSi2 single crystals. X-ray structural analysis revealed that the growth direction of the β-FeSi2 crystals was The growth rate along the directions with lower Miller indexes was slower than that along the directions with higher Miller indexes. The measured lattice constants were a = 0.986 nm, b = 0.780 nm, and c = 0.781 nm. These values are consistent with the previously reported values. Hall measurements showed that the electron mobility was over 350 cm2 V–1 s–1 at 10 K. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The effect of the growth temperature on InN films grown at 500-725 °C by the pressurized–reactor metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (PR-MOVPE), which is designed to apply high nitrogen pressure to the reactor, has been studied. The growth temperature is found to greatly influence the surface morphology. The columnar islands appear at the growth temperature lower than and equal to 575 °C while the coalescence of islands occurs and forms continuous films at the growth temperature higher than 575 °C. Step-flow-like morphology is actually observed in the growth temperature range as high as 600-650 °C.However, at this high growth temperature range, the diffraction peak of metallic indium appears in XRD spectra. Therefore, it is in a dilemma to enhance the surface migration and prevent the precipitation of metallic indium. Our experimental results indicate that the growth temperature of InN can be increased using the pressurized growth conditions and the epitaxial temperature around 575 °C is best to obtain a good crystalline quality InN films without the precipitation of metallic indium at present growth pressure. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

An experiment was conducted to measure DE and ME in copra (Cocos nucifera) meal (CM), palm kernel meal (PKM), and cassava (Manihot esculenta) root (CR) in growing pigs. Eight boars with an initial BW of 67.3 ± 5.8 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates that were equipped with a feeder and a nipple drinker. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used with 4 dietary treatments, 4 periods, and 8 animals. A basal diet mainly contained corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) meal. Three additional diets were formulated to contain 30% of CM, PKM, and CR. All diets contained the same proportion of corn:soybean meal ratio at 4.14:1. The apparent total tract digestibility of energy was 89.5, 84.1, 82.4, and 87.9% (P0.001) in the basal, CM, PKM, and CR diets, respectively. The DE in CM and PKM were greater (P0.05) than in CR (3440 and 3238 vs. 2966 kcal/kg as-fed). The ME in CM was greater (P0.05) than in CR (3340 vs. 2935 kcal/kg as-fed) but not different from the ME in PKM (3168 kcal/kg as-fed). In conclusion, CM and PKM have a higher DE value than CR, and CM has a higher ME value than CR.

Asthma incidence has climbed markedly in the past two decades despite an increased use of medications that suppress airway inflammation and repress contraction of smooth muscle that encircles the airways. Asthmatics exhibit episodes of airway inflammation that potentiates reversible airway smooth muscle spasm. A hallmark diagnostic symptom of asthma is airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled non-allergic stimuli, such as methacholine, that directly induce airway smooth muscle contraction. Inhaled gluccocorticoids are used for first-line prevention of airway inflammation, and are frequently combined with inhaled beta2-adrenoceptor agonists that can effectively relax airway smooth muscle and restore airway conductance. Leukotriene receptor antagonists and anti-cholinergics can also be used in many patients to ensure optimal control of symptoms. With increasing disease duration irreversible airway restriction develops from inflammation-driven fibro-proliferative airway remodeling that includes increased deposition of extracellular matrix, the accumulation of airway smooth muscle, and increased numbers of myofibroblasts. Mature airway smooth muscle cells are phenotypically plastic, enabling them to subserve contractile, proliferative, migratory and secretory functional responses that contribute to airway remodeling and persistent hyperresponsiveness. This review assesses current understanding of acute and chronic effects of common anti-asthma medications on the diverse phenotype and functional characteristics of airway smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we describe the significance of these effects in the treatment of asthma symptoms and pathogenesis.

The signs of the off-angle toward +c-direction of the miscut m-GaN substrates indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and in the text should be reversed. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

During induced hypothermia with cardiopulmonary bypass, acid-base management usually follows one of two strategies: the so-called ectothermic or alpha-stat strategy, in which the pH of the arterial blood increases 0.015 pH units for every degree Celsius decrease in body temperature, or the pH-stat strategy, in which pH remains 7.4 at all temperatures. It has been assumed that oxygen consumption decreases approximately equally during hypothermia with either strategy, although there are biochemical reasons to hypothesize that oxygen consumption would be better maintained with the alpha-stat strategy. We also hypothesized that venous oxygen tension would be lower with the more alkaline alpha-stat strategy than with the pH-stat acid-base strategy, because of the Bohr effect. We tested these hypotheses by placing 10 anesthetized immature domestic pigs on cardiopulmonary bypass. We measured whole body oxygen consumption and myocardial oxygen consumption. Control measurements were made at 37 degrees C. Then the animals were cooled to 27 degrees C and the measurements were repeated. The alpha-stat strategy (pH 7.554 +/- 0.020 at 27 degrees C) was used in five animals and five animals received pH-stat management (pH 7.409 +/- 0.012 at 27 degrees C). Whole body and myocardial oxygen consumption rate decreased in both groups, but more so in the alpha-stat animals than in the pH-stat animals. The unexpectedly high oxygen consumption in the pH-stat animals also resulted in a lower than expected venous oxygen tension. Thus the effect of hypothermia in reducing oxygen consumption was less pronounced with pH-stat acid-base management.