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This study proposes a single-axis registration system based on monocular vision and CAD modelling without employing three-dimensional scanning or reconstruction techniques. The developed system use...

Liver cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are a highly prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths. Current treatments to combat liver cancer are limited. (−)-Agelasidine A, a compound isolated from the methanol extract of Agelasnakamurai, a sesquiterpene guanidine derived from sea sponge, has antibacterial activity. We demonstrated its anticancer capabilities by researching the associated mechanism of (−)-agelasidine A in human liver cancer cells. We found that (−)-agelasidine A significantly reduced viability in Hep3B and HepG2 cells, and we determined that apoptosis was involved in the (−)-agelasidine A-induced Hep3B cell deaths. (−)-Agelasidine A activated caspases 9, 8, and 3, as well as PARP. This effect was reversed by caspase inhibitors, suggesting caspase-mediated apoptosis in the (−)-agelasidine A-treated Hep3B cells. Moreover, the reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c indicated that the (−)-agelasidine A-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis was mechanistic. (−)-Agelasidine A also increased apoptosis-associated proteins (DR4, DR5, FAS), which are related to extrinsic pathways. These events were accompanied by an increase in Bim and Bax, proteins that promote apoptosis, and a decrease in the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Furthermore, our results presented that (−)-agelasidine A treatment bridged the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Western blot analysis of Hep3B cells treated with (−)-agelasidine A showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins (GRP78, phosphorylated PERK, phosphorylated eIF2α, ATF4, truncated ATF6, and CHOP) were upregulated. Moreover, 4-PBA, an ER stress inhibitor, could also abrogate (−)-agelasidine A-induced cell viability reduction, annexin V+ apoptosis, death receptor (DR4, DR5, FAS) expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cytochrome c release. In conclusion, by activating ER stress, (−)-agelasidine A induced the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways of human HCC.

With an increasing prevalence, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), cause by atherosclerosis is a new threat to public health beyond coronary artery disease and involves aberrant vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The degree of vascular remodeling is influenced by the processes described. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has been found to play a critical role in cellular functions, including angiogenesis. Nevertheless, the effect of miR-21 on endothelial cells in response to hypoxia is largely unknown. Using wild-type C57BL/6J and miR-21–/– mice, we compared the capability of angiogenesis in response to hindlimb hypoxic/ischemia. In an in vitro study, we further studied whether overexpression of miR-21 mitigates hypoxia-induced apoptosis and impaired angiogenesis. Also, we prospectively collected the sera of patients with limb ischemia and followed the clinical information, including major adverse limb events (MALEs). Using laser Doppler perfusion imaging and CD31 staining, compared with miR-21–/– mice, wild-type mice expressed a significantly higher capability of angiogenesis and less apoptosis following 28 days of hindlimb hypoxic/ischemic surgery. In our in vitro study, after 24 h of hypoxia, proliferation, migration, and tube formation were significantly impaired in cells treated with the miR-21 inhibitor but rescued by the miR-21 mimic. Mechanistically, by suppressing PTEN/PI3K/AKT, miR-21 promoted angiogenesis and suppressed apoptosis in endothelial cells post hypoxia. In patients with limb ischemia, the high expression of circulating miR-21 was associated with less subsequent MALE. Collectively, miR-21 could be a biomarker associated with the endogenous ability of angiogenesis and reflect subsequent MALE in patients. Additionally, abolishing miR-21 impairs angiogenesis and promotes apoptosis post limb ischemia. Further studies are required to elucidate the clinical applications of miR-21.

In this study, the microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of two kinds of copper alloy are demonstrated to be affected by both composition, annealing temperature, and phases present with a sliding block-on-ring test, where the ring is 316 stainless steel. With a higher content of Zn, the solubility of Mn and Si would decrease, resulting in increased volume fraction of the hard ω-Mn5Si3 phase (with a high nanoindentation hardness of 12.9 GPa). Moreover, the higher contents of Mn and Si lead to the formation of large primary polyhedron Pω-Mn5Si3 cylinders during solidification. With the help of two-stage forging, the primary polyhedron Pω-Mn5Si3 grow along [0001], enabling the large primary Mn5Si3 cylinders all parallel to each other. This special microstructure could significantly improve the wear resistance in comparison with the samples with a microstructure containing only small and randomly oriented precipitates. Such parallel primary polyhedron Pω-Mn5Si3 cylinders can act as reinforcements to grab the matrix, effectively improving the wear resistance.

A phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Solanum capsicoides resulted in the isolation and characterization of five new withanolide-type steroids, capsisteroids G–K (1–5), along with three kn...

Purpose Accurate diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO) remains challenging. The evidence of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound varies among studies, with reporting sensitivity ranging from 82 % to 100 % and specificity ranging from 54 % to 100 %. The aim of our study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the accuracy of ultrasound for diagnosing SBO. Method The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched from database inception to March 2020. Randomized controlled trials, quasi randomized studies, and prospective or retrospective cohort studies that evaluated the diagnostic performance of ultrasound for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction in adult patients (age ≥ 16 years) were eligible. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The pooled sensitivities, specificities were analyzed using a bivariate random-effects model. (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020170010). Results Fifteen studies, with most rating as a moderate risk of bias, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 92 % (95 % CI: 89%–95%) and 93 % (95 % CI: 85%–97%), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences in sensitivity when ultrasound was performed on different continents, in different settings, and under different reference standards. However, the specificity was significantly lower when ultrasound was performed in the North America, in the emergency department, and when computed tomography was used as the only reference standard. Conclusions Overall, ultrasound is a highly sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of SBO. Using ultrasound to rule in patients with SBO should be used with caution, as variations in the specificity were observed in different study setting, operators from different continents and reference standards used.

Further chemical investigation of the EtOAc extract of the soft coral Lobophytum varium resulted in the discovery of eleven new diterpenoids lobovarols F&ndash, P (1&ndash, 11) of lobane&ndash, and prenyleudesmane&ndash, types, along with two known metabolites (12 and 13). The structures of the new metabolites were established by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined using Mosher&rsquo, s method. The complete assignment of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data of 12 and 13 and the identification of pyran-derived moieties in the prenyleudesmanes were reported for the first time. Anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds in suppressing elastase release and superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils were disclosed for 1, 2, 4, 12, and 13. A stereospecific biosynthesis for lobanes and prenyleudesmanes from the related prenylgermacranes could explain the coexistence of lobanes and prenylgermacranes in L. varium.

BACKGROUND The trends in computed tomography (CT) scan uses in Taiwan were examined in different age and sex groups and compared between catastrophic illness and noncatastrophic illness groups. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan to analyze CT scan uses from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2013. The number, annual growth rate, and cumulative fold change ratio were estimated in different groups classified by sex, age, or disease category (catastrophic illness, noncatastrophic illness). RESULTS The number of CT scan uses per million people per year in Taiwan increased 2.5 times from 24 257 in 2000 to 60 351 in 2013, at the average annual growth rate of 7.4% ± 5.9%. The annual number of CT scan uses in different age groups and disease category groups was significantly higher in males than in females. However, the average annual growth rate and the cumulative fold change ratio were slightly higher in females than in males. The majority of CT scan uses were in middle age and young adult groups. The annual number of CT scan uses in the young adult, child/adolescent, and middle age groups increased 3.7-, 3.5-, and 2.7-fold from 2000 to 2013, but decreased 0.8-fold in the old-age group. The annual number of CT scan uses was highest in the noncatastrophic illness group, followed by the catastrophic illness cancer group and catastrophic illness others group. CONCLUSION CT scan uses in Taiwan increased continuously from 2000 to 2013, even in the groups with higher radiation-related cancer risk. Therefore, clinicians, radiologists, and medical policy makers should weigh diagnostic benefit against sex-specific and age-specific risks in the future.

This paper presents a novel high voltage-gain boost converter with coupled-inductors. The proposed converter consists of two pairs of coupled-inductors to collect energy in parallel and release ene...

This study draws a structured questionnaire survey on visitors to the National Xinhua Urban Forest Park, located in the southern part of Taiwan. Consequently, it deploys the Impact Range Performance Analysis (IPRA) and Impact-Asymmetry Analysis (IAA) in evaluating the service quality of the park under investigation, which shed some light on the service/management areas calling for amelioration. It shows that the dimensions measuring the service quality, touching on the natural resource (e.g., river water quality), management (e.g., appropriateness of designing trails), transportation convenience (e.g., external transportation and shuttle buses), price (e.g., entrance ticket and merchandise), and public facility (e.g., trash cans, toilets, gazebo, rest chairs, and barrier-free space) should be improved with priority, to increase the satisfaction of the visitors to the forest Park.

Summary Corticosteroids have been used for treating various musculoskeletal problems for more than five decades. They remain the drug of choice in rheumatology, orthopedics, and other areas. Most local corticosteroid injections are safe; however, complications may occasionally arise. Tendon rupture is uncommon after a local corticosteroid injection. We present two cases and review possible rupture mechanisms. In case 1, the patient presented with a painful swelling on the dorsal side of her right first metacarpophalangeal joint. An orthopedic surgeon prescribed three local corticosteroid injections over 4 weeks, and the patient experienced a sudden loss of extension on the distal phalanx of her thumb 3 weeks after the last injection. Two days later, the proximal phalanx of the thumb lost its extension. Surgical exploration revealed that the extensor-pollicis-longus and extensor-pollicis-brevis tendons were completely severed. Both tendon ends had edematous necrosis with collagen degeneration. In case 2, the patient presented with ruptures of the extensor-pollicis-brevis tendon and the radial collateral ligament of her first metacarpal joint after receiving a local corticosteroid injection. In case 1, functional recovery was achieved by repairing the extensor-pollicis-brevis tendon and by transferring the extensor indicis proprius tendon to the extensor pollicis longus. In case 2, the patient was lost to follow-up and did not undergo surgery. Most physicians overlook local-corticosteroid-injection-induced tendon injuries. We hope that such patients will alert all physicians to the risk of tendon rupture associated with corticosteroid injections.

Esophageal stricture after surgery or trauma is a major reason for poor oral nutrition, body-weight loss, and general damage to health. Patch esophagoplasty, after repeated failed dilation attempts, is recommended for focal esophageal strictures. In this report, we present a case in which a free proximal lateral leg flap was used for reconstruction of focal stricture of the cervical esophagus. A 62-year-old man developed progressive dysphagia after hypopharyngeal cancer ablation and adjuvant radiotherapy. He was referred for surgical interventions after repeated failed dilation attempts. Preoperative evaluation revealed a 3-cm segment stricture of the cervical esophagus without evidence of an additional distal stricture. Patch esophagoplasty with free tissue transfer was planned. After the stricture site had been explored, the fibrotic tissue was resected. A pathology report confirmed no evidence of malignancy. The resultant defect in an otherwise healthy posterior esophageal wall was reconstructed using a proximal lateral leg flap. Recovery was uneventful and the functional outcome was satisfactory at the 6-month follow-up. For the radiated patients with cervical esophageal focal strictures, we introduced a novel use of the proximal lateral leg flap in patch esophagoplasty because of its unnoticeable donor site morbidity and its thin and pliable nature. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:426-430, 2017.

A known withanolide steroid cilistol G (1) and six new withanolides, capsisteroids A–F (2–7), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the leaves of Solanum capsicoides. The structures of compounds 1–7 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR spectroscopy (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY). The structure of 1 was further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds were found not to be cytotoxic toward a limited panel of cancer cell lines. Further, the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1–7 was studied by measuring their ability to suppress superoxide anion generation and elastase release in fMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils.

Background First rib fractures and traumatic Horner's syndrome are both quite rare, which can make it difficult to properly diagnose the combination of these 2 conditions in the emergency department. These conditions may be associated with severe medical emergencies, such as ongoing carotid dissection. Case Report We present the case of a 33-year-old man who sustained fractures to his right second, third, and fourth ribs and a delay in the diagnosis of left Horner's syndrome after he was involved in a traffic accident. Left Horner's syndrome was caused by a left transverse fracture of the first rib. This fracture was not detected on chest radiographs and required a 3-dimensional reconstructed neck computed tomography scan for detection. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? In the diagnosis of carotid artery dissection, conventional angiography is the criterion standard but is considered invasive. CTA is less invasive, time-saving, and can show more anatomic structures in the neck in addition to the carotid arteries. It is a good screening diagnostic modality in the traumatology department. Although the treatments for Horner's syndrome and first rib fracture are conservative, the early diagnosis of both conditions can resolve the anxiety and uncertainty experienced by both doctors and patients.

Background Although clinical assessment remains the gold standard for monitoring the circulation of free flaps, several adjunct techniques promote timely salvage by detecting circulation compromise early. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of an implantable Doppler probe for postoperatively monitoring free flaps. Materials and methods English-language articles evaluating the efficacy of implantable Doppler probes compared with clinical assessment for postoperatively monitoring free flaps were analyzed. The outcome measures were total flap failure rates, salvage rates, sensitivity, false-positive rates, and positive likelihood ratios. Results Of the 504 citations identified, 6 comparative studies were included for meta-analysis. An implantable Doppler probe significantly lowered the flap failure rate (risk ratio: 0.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.75) and raised the successful salvage rate (risk ratio: 1.73; 95% confidence interval: 1.16-2.59). Pooled sensitivity was higher (1.00 vs 0.98), the positive likelihood ratio was lower (72.16 vs 220.48), and the false-positive rate was higher (0.01 vs 0) in the implantable Doppler probe group than in the clinical assessment group. Conclusion An implantable Doppler probe is significantly more efficacious than clinical assessment for postoperatively monitoring free flaps.

A novel sterol, sarcophytosterol (1), and four new cembranoids, sarcophytolins A–D (2–5), have been isolated from the soft coral Lobophytum sarcophytoides along with four known metabolites 6–9. The relative structures of new metabolites were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and X-ray diffraction analysis of 1, and the absolute configurations of 1 and 5 were determined by Mosher’s method and CD spectrum, respectively. Compound 1 is a steroid possessing an unusual (20R,23R,24R)-23,24-dimethyl-20-hydroxy side chain. Compounds 3, 6, 8, and 9 were shown to exhibit cytotoxicity toward a limited panel of cancer cell lines. Furthermore, while 1 could effectively enhance the expression of the pro-inflammatory iNOS protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells, compounds 2, 3, 5–7 and 9 were found to effectively inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory of iNOS.

This paper reports one-pot method toward the synthesis of CuInS 2 /ZnS hybrid nanoparticles. First, CuInS 2 quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in the noncoordinating solvent octadecene using copper chlorine, indium chlorine and dodecanethiol. Copper indium sulfide (CIS) quantum dots (QDs) for different Cu/In molar ratios of 1/1, 1/2, and 1/4 are synthesized. The band gap energy of CIS QDs is observed to be dependent for Cu/In ratio, exhibiting a higher band gap from more Cu-deficient QDs. The emission wavelengths of all CIS QDs belong to a deep red region (710–780 nm) with relatively low quantum yields (QYs) of 3.4–7.8%. Compared to respective original core QDs, the absorption peaks of CIS/ZnS QDs are blue-shifted, and their emission wavelengths move to a higher energy accordingly, showing a quite tunable emission from yellow to red. The effective surface passivation by a ZnS overlayer results in a dramatic increase in QY of CIS/ZnS QDs in the range of 38–48%. Finally, high luminescent CIS/ZnS QDs with high luminescent PL efficiency are used for white light emitting diode.

In today’s world, there has been an increase in the usage of domestic purpose robots for assisting human activities. Such robots are more effective for physically handicapped people. Sometimes during an accident, person may suffer from a stroke. A stroke occurs when there is a blood clot which blocks the flow of blood due to which a blood vessel breaks, interrupting flow to a particular area of the brain. Functions performed by that area of the brain are lost which include speech, movement, and memory. This paper deals with recovery of human arm movement loss. The wearable exoskeleton robot for upper extremity rehabilitation is taken as the research object. The virtual rehabilitation system was generated in Simulink to carry out dynamic simulation. Robotic rehabilitation has been an effective method since the early 1990’s and is proving to have a significant effect on the fast recovery of stroke affected patients.