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High moisture extrusion has been used to produce vegetable meat analogues that resemble real animal meat and can provide significant health benefits. Since visual and textural properties are key factors for consumer acceptance, assessing fiber formation in the extruded products is important for quality control purpose. Recently, we developed a nondestructive photon migration method to quantify fiber formation in meat analogues. In this study, we implemented this technique in a real-time optical scanning system. This system can scan the entire sample area in real-time and provide 2-dimensional maps to visualize the degree of fiber formation and fiber orientation in the sample. The new system has a potential to provide a fast, nondestructive means for online monitoring of the fiber formation in meat analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle sideslip angle can be estimated using either dynamic or kinematic models. The dynamic model requires vehicle parameters, which might have uncertainties due to different load conditions, vehicle motions, and road frictions. Parameter uncertainties might result in estimation errors. Thus system identifications are required to estimate those parameters online. On the other hand, the kinematic model does not require these parameters. A closed-loop estimator can be formulated to estimate the sideslip angle using the kinematic model. Since the system matrix which consists of the yaw rate is time varying, the required input vector and output contain process and measurement noises, respectively, and the disturbance input matrix contains estimated states, extended Kalman filter is used to obtain the estimation gain in this paper. CarSim is used to evaluate the proposed approach under different driving scenarios and road frictions in Matlab/Simulink. The preliminary results show promising improvement of the sideslip angle estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of air temperature and sample thickness on drying kinetics of strawberry fruit leather were investigated. The mathematical modeling was performed by using three thin-layer drying models. The independent variables were sample thickness (1.8, 2.7, and 3.6 mm) and air temperature (50°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C). Drying took place in the falling rate period. The values of effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) varied from 2.40 x 10-9 to 12.1 x 10-9 m² s-1 depending on drying conditions. The values of activation energy (Ea) were 35.57, 33.14, and 30.46 kJ mol-1 for 1.8, 2.7, and 3.6 mm sample thickness, respectively. The two-term exponential model was found to satisfactorily describe the thin-layer drying kinetics of strawberry leather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common paediatric soft-tissue sarcoma including two major subtypes, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS). Increasing evidence suggests that oncogenesis of RMS involves multiple stages of signalling protein dysregulation which may include prolonged activation of serine/threonine kinases such as phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) and AKT. To date, whether PDK-1/AKT pathway is activated in RMS is unknown. This study was to examine phosphorylation status of AKT and to evaluate a novel small molecular inhibitor, OSU-03012 targeting PDK-1 in RMS. We examined phosphorylation levels of AKT using ARMS and ERMS tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry staining. Our results showed phospho-AKT(Thr308) level is elevated 42 and 35% in ARMS and ERMS, respectively. Phospho-AKT(Ser473) level is also increased 43% in ARMS and 55% in ERMS. Furthermore, we showed that OSU-03012 inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis in ARMS and ERMS cell lines (RH30, SMS-CTR), which express elevated phospho-AKT levels. Normal cells are much less sensitive to OSU-03012 and in which no detectable apoptosis was observed. This study showed, for the first time, that PDK-1/AKT pathway is activated in RMS and may play an important role in survival of RMS. PDK-1/AKT pathway may be an attractive therapeutic target for cancer intervention in RMS using OSU-03012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An active snubber dc/dc converter to achieve zero voltage switching (ZVS) on power switch is presented. In the proposed converter, the primary windings of two transformers are connected in series so that the primary currents of the two transformers are equal. The secondary sides of the isolated zeta converters are connected in the parallel to share the load current and reduce the current stresses on the secondary windings of the two transformers. A boost type of active snubber is connected in parallel with the main switch to recycle the energy stored in transformer leakage and magnetizing inductors and to limit voltage stress of the main switch. During the transition interval between the active switch and the auxiliary switch, the resonance based on the resonant inductor and the output capacitor of the power switch will allow the switch to turn on at ZVS. The principle of operation, steady-state analysis and design consideration of the proposed converter are provided. Finally, experimental results for a 360 W (12 V/30 A) prototype circuit with 150 kHz switching frequency were given to demonstrate the circuit performance and verify the feasibility of the proposed converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) has been implicated in the oncogenesis of cancer and is regarded as a novel target for cancer therapy. Stat3 is classified as a proto-oncogene, because an activated form of Stat3 can mediate oncogenic transformation in cultured cells and tumour formation in nude mice. The constitutive activation of Stat3 has been frequently detected in various types of human cancers. However, the constitutive activation of Stat3 in endometrial and cervical cancers has not been studied. We examined tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3 (activated form of Stat3) in multiple endometrial and cervical cancer tissues using tissue microarray slides as well as cancer cell lines to explore the possible activation of Stat3. Our results indicated that elevated phosphorylation of Stat3 was detected in cervical and endometrial cancer cell lines. Our results also showed that elevated levels of phosphorylation of Stat3 protein were detected in the endometrial and cervical cancer specimens. This is the first study to demonstrate that Stat3 is activated in human endometrial and cervical cancer tissues. Immunohistochemical staining showed that activated Stat3 is associated with increased expression of downstream antiapoptotic genes, Bcl-xL, survivin, and Mcl-1 in these tissues. Expression of a dominant-negative Stat3 mutant using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cell lines expressing elevated levels of Stat3 phosphorylation. Further, a JAK/Stat3 small molecular inhibitor, JSI-124, induced apoptosis more selectively in HeLa and SiHa cancer cell lines than Ishikawa cell line without elevated levels of Stat3 phosphorylation. These results indicate that Stat3 is activated in human endometrial and cervical cancers and the inhibition of constitutive Stat3 signaling may be an effective target for cancer intervention in these two cancers.British Journal of Cancer (2007) 96, 591–599. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603597 www.bjcancer.com [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system analysis and circuit implementation of an active clamp converter with current doubler rectifier to reduce the voltage stress of the switching device and the current stress of the transformer secondary winding is presented. An active clamp circuit based on one auxiliary switch and one clamp capacitor is used to recycle the energy stored in the transformer leakage in order to minimise the spike voltage at the transformer primary side and reduce the voltage stress of the switching devices. The resonant behaviour, based on the output capacitance and leakage inductance of the transformer during the transition interval between the main and auxiliary switches in the proposed converter, is used to achieve zero voltage switching. Therefore the switching losses of the switching devices are reduced. For the output stage, the current doubler rectifier offers ripple current cancellation at the output capacitor and reduces the current stress of the transformer secondary winding. The winding turns of the current doubler rectifier are also reduced compared with the center-tapped rectifier. The circuit configuration and operating principle of the proposed converter are analysed and discussed. The design considerations of the circuit are presented. Finally experimental results for a 150 W (5 V/30 A) prototype are presented to verify the theoretical analysis and circuit performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: Meat analogs produced by high-moisture extrusion of soy proteins are good alternatives to animal meat and have many health benefits. In addition to textural properties, an abundant fibrous structure in such extrudates is a key factor for consumer acceptance. Although several techniques have been developed for quantifying fiber formation in extrudates, their applications for real-time quality control in manufacturing process have been challenging. In this study, we developed a nondestructive imaging technique to quantify fibrous structures in soy protein extrudates. The spatial distribution of light reflectance on sample surface was imaged and a fiber formation index was derived based on the random-walk theory of light transport in anisotropic media. This method has a potential to be used as a nondestructive, real-time quality control tool for products with fibrous structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of kinases signalling pathways contributes to various malignant phenotypes in human cancers, including breast tumour. To examine the possible activation of these signalling molecules, we examined the phosphorylation status in 12 protein kinases and transcription factors in normal primary human mammary epithelial cells, telomerase-immortalised human breast epithelial cell line, and two breast cancer lines, MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7, using Kinexus phosphorylated protein screening assays. The phosphorylation of FAK, mTOR, p70S6K, and PDK-1 were elevated in both breast cancer cell lines, whereas the phosphorylation of AKT, EGFR, ErbB2/Her2, PDGFR, Shc, and Stat3 were elevated in only one breast cancer line compared to normal primary mammary epithelial cells and telomerase-immortalised breast epithelial cells. The same findings were confirmed by Western blotting and by kinase assays. We further substantiated the phosphorylation status of these molecules in tissue microarray slides containing 89 invasive breast cancer tissues as well as six normal mammary tissues with immunohistochemistry staining using phospho-specific antibodies. Consistent findings were obtained as greater than 70% of invasive breast carcinomas expressed moderate to high levels of phosphorylated PDK-1, AKT, p70S6K, and EGFR. In sharp contrast, phosphorylation of the same proteins was nearly undetectable or was at low levels in normal mammary tissues under the same assay. Elevated phosphorylation of PDK-1, AKT, mTOR, p70S6K, S6, EGFR, and Stat3 were highly associated with invasive breast tumours (P<0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that activation of these kinase pathways by phosphorylation may in part account for molecular pathogenesis of human breast carcinoma. Particularly, moderate to high level of PDK-1 phosphorylation was found in 86% of high-grade metastasised breast tumours. This is the first report demonstrating phosphorylation of PDK-1 is frequently elevated in breast cancer with concomitantly increased phosphorylation of downstream kinases, including AKT, mTOR, p70S6K, S6, and Stat3. This finding thus suggested PDK-1 may promote oncogenesis in part through the activation of AKT and p70S6K and rationalised that PDK-1 as well as downstream components of PDK-1 signalling pathway may be promising therapeutic targets to treat breast cancer.British Journal of Cancer (2005) 93, 1372–1381. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602862 www.bjcancer.com Published online 15 November 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mast cells (MCs) are found in increased numbers at airway mucosal surfaces in asthmatic patients. Because human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) actively participate in airway inflammatory responses and are in direct contact with MCs in the mucosa, we hypothesized that HAEC-MC interactions may contribute to the differentiation and survival of MCs in the airway mucosa. Here, we show that HAECs express mRNA and protein for soluble and membrane-bound stem cell factor, releasing soluble stem cell factor into the cell culture supernatant at a concentration of 5.9 ± 0.1 ng per 106 HAEC. HAECs were able to support MC survival in coculture in the absence of any exogenous cytokines for at least 4 d. Before the initiation of coculture, MCs were uniformly tryptase and chymase (MCTC) double positive, but by 2 d of coculture the majority of MCs expressed tryptase (MCT) alone. MCs supported in coculture generated low amounts of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LT) after FcϵRI- dependent activation (0.2 ± 0.1 ng of cys-LT per 106 cells) and required priming with IL-4 and IL-3 during coculture to achieve a quantity of cys-LT generation within the range expected for human lung mucosal MC (26.5 ± 16 ng of cys-LT per 106 cells). In these culture conditions, HAECs were able to direct mucosal MC protease phenotype, but T cell-derived Th2 cytokines were required for the expression of a functional airway MC eicosanoid phenotype. Thus, distinct cell types may direct unique aspects of reactive mucosal MC phenotype in the airways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of processing variables, including screw speed (200, 300, and 400 rpm), moisture content (18, 19.5, and 21%}, and four different percentages (55, 70, 85, and 100%) of oat flour, on the extrudate physical properties (expansion, bulk density, and texture profiles) and sensory properties were studied, increasing the percentage of oat flour resulted in extrudates with a lower specific length, higher bulk density, lower lightness, higher redness, lower yellowness, higher hardness, and lower springiness, gumminess, and chewiness. Higher moisture content reduced expansion, except for the 100% oat flour puffs. Screw speed had no significant effect on the bulk density, specific length, and expansion ratio. Principal Component Analysis showed that decreasing moisture content and increasing screw speed resulted in increased product temperature, which was highly correlated with attributes of a more expanded product such as lightness, crispness, shininess, and an open cell structure. With a higher screw speed and a higher product temperature, corn-related flavors were more likely to develop. High correlations between physical and sensory properties were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic amines from cigarette smoking or occupational exposure, recognized risk factors for bladder cancer, are metabolized by N-acetyltransferases (NAT). This study examined the association of (NAT) 1 and 2 genotypes with the risk of smoking-related bladder cancer. A total of 74 pathologically confirmed bladder cancer patients and 184 controls were serially recruited from the National Taiwan University Hospital. History of cigarette smoking and other risk factors for bladder cancer was obtained through standardized questionnaire interview. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from each subject and genotyped for NAT1 and NAT2 by DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Allele frequency distributions of NAT1 and NAT2 were similar between cases and controls. There was a significant dose-response relationship between the risk of bladder cancer and the quantity and duration of cigarette smoking. The biological gradients were significant among subjects carrying NAT1*10 allele or NAT2 slow acetylators, but not among NAT2 rapid acetylators without NAT1*10 allele. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that NAT1 and NAT2 might modulate the susceptibility to bladder cancer associated with cigarette smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which determined the effects of extrusion temperature on separation of fat, and addition of soy protein isolate (SPI) to defatted pork, on chemical and physical properties of fat-reduced pork sausage links. Materials and methods used in the study; Results and discussion.

Studies the effects of a barrel-valve assembly on extrusion system dynamics and product properties with various screw speeds and specific feeding loads (SFL) during corn meal processing. Use of an APV Baker twin-screw extruder; Motor torque and die pressure; Product temperature and specific energy; Expansion; Density and breaking strength.

Puffing of rice cakes using both long-grain and medium-grain brown rice was studied. The effects of tempering moisture, heating temperature, and heating time on various rice cake quality attributes were investigated. A greater specific cake volume was obtained at a lower tempering moisture, higher heating temperature, and longer heating time for long-grain brown rice. For medium-grain rice, a higher tempering moisture yielded a larger specific cake volume. The lightness of rice cakes correlated well with their expansion; the less expanded cake always had a lighter color. Medium-grain brown rice also produced cakes that were much more fragile than those produced from long-grain brown rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The best operational conditions for puffing dent corn grits with a rice cake machine were 14% grit moisture, 215°C and 9 sec. Salting and steaming, low pH soaking medium, larger corn grit sizes, 2% glycerin, and 2% corn oil tended to increase puffed volume of the corn cakes. Smaller grit sizes, 3% alcohol and high pH soaking medium had negative effects on corn cake volume. Acid-modification of corn starch, 1% or 3% corn oii, and up to 10% sugar had no effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT The effects of screw speed and additives (sugar and salt) on processing and product variables of corn meal extruded with a twin-screw extruder were studied. Higher salt (0-3%) and sugar concentrations (0-4%) in the feed decreased the die pressure, % torque and specific energy. But at 6 and 8%, sugar increased the three processing parameters. Higher screw speed (250 vs 200 rpm) decreased die pressure and % torque, but increased specific energy. The addition of salt and sugar enhanced extrudate radial and axial expansions, but reduced product bulk density and breaking strength. An increase in screw speed decreased radial expansion and bulk density, but increased axial expansion and breaking strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puffed rice cakes were produced from long grain brown rice by a pressure-drop puffing method. Effects of raw rice tempering conditions (time and moisture level) and heating conditions (temperature and time) immediately before puffing on rice cake volume were investigated. In general, a lower moisture level (14% vs 16-20%) in raw rice and longer tempering time (5 hr vs 1-3 hr) resulted in higher specific volumes in rice cakes. Higher heating temperature (230°C vs 200-220°C) and 8 set heating produced rice cakes with higher specific volumes. Darker cakes were obtained with the high temperature and long time combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents photographs showing pyoderma gangrenosum complicated by ecthyma gangrenosum.

Two 28-d experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of extrusion of ground yellow corn, solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM), and cracked whole soybeans (CWS) individually or as corn-soybean product blends on growth performance of weanling pigs. For Exp. 1, ground corn, SBM, and the corn-SBM blend were extruded at 137.5°C, 131.5°C, and 135.0°C, respectively, in a twin-screw extruder. Transit time was 60 s. Water was injected at 125 g/min during extrusion. The 5 treatments were the corn-SBM control diet and the diets with extruded (EX) corn + SBM, EX-SBM + corn, EX-corn + EX-SBM, and the EX-blend of corn-SBM. Ninety crossbred pigs with an initial average BW of 5.98 kg were allotted to 9 treatment replications with a barrow and gilt per pen. For Exp. 2, ground corn was preconditioned with water (10.0% of corn weight), and SBM was preconditioned with water and soybean oil (each at 20.0% of SBM weight) before extrusion. Raw CWS were not preconditioned. The corn, SBM, CWS, corn-SBM blend, and corn-CWS blend were extruded at 113.0°C, 132.0°C, 132.0°C, 88.0°C, and 102°C, respectively, with a single-screw extruder. Transit time was 30 s. The 8 isocaloric treatments were the corn- SBM control diet and the diets with EX-corn + SBM, EX-SBM + corn, EX-corn + EX-SBM, the EX-blend of corn-SBM, EX-CWS + corn, EX-CWS + EX-corn, and the EX-blend of corn-CWS. A total of 296 crossbred pigs with an initial average BW of 6.56 kg were allotted to 10 treatment replications. Sex and pigs per pen (3 or 4) were equalized within replication. Results for both experiments indicate that single- or twin- screw extrusion of ground corn or SBM as individual ingredients or as corn-SBM blends in diets for weanling pigs did not improve 28-d growth performance. However, for Exp. 2 weanling pigs fed the diets with EX-CWS + corn and EX-CWS + EX-corn had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and G:F, respectively, than pigs fed the corn-SBM control diet. The extrusion temperature of 102°C for the corn-CWS blend did not inactivate adequate protease inhibitors in CWS, and pigs fed that diet had poor growth performance. In conclusion, single-screw extrusion of CWS (132°C for 30 s) in diets for weanling pigs improved growth performance compared with pigs fed the corn-SBM control diet. However, twin- or single-screw extrusion of ground yellow corn or solvent-extracted SBM as individual ingredients or as corn-SBM blends in diets for weanling pigs did not improve growth performance compared with pigs fed the corn-SBM control diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okara is the insoluble byproduct of soymilk and tofu manufactures. It is cheap, high in nutrients, and possesses great potential to be applied to functional human foods. In this study, a puffed okara/rice cake product was developed with blends of okara pellets and parboiled rice. Consumer preference and acceptance tests were conducted for the product. Okara pellets were prepared by grinding the strands obtained from extruding a mixture of dried okara and rice flour (3:2, w/w) with a twin-screw extruder. Okara pellets and parboiled rice were blended in 4 ratios, 90:10, 70:30, 40:60, and 0:100 (w/w), and tempered to 14% and 17% moisture. The blends were puffed at 221, 232, and 243 °C for 4, 5, or 6 s. The okara/rice cakes were evaluated for specific volume (SPV), texture, color, and percent weight loss after tumbling. Overall, the decrease in okara content and increase in moisture, heating temperature and time led to greater specific volume (SPV) and hardness, lighter color, and lower percent weight loss after tumbling. The consumer tests indicated that the okara/rice cake containing 70% okara pellets was preferred and the 90% one was liked the least. The possible drivers of liking for the puffed okara/rice cakes could be the okara content, hardness, SPV, bright color, and percent weight loss after tumbling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of flaxseed meal (0, 5, 10 and 15%) in flaxseed meal/corn meal blend and processing variables, including moisture content (16, 18 and 20%), and screw speed (200, 300 and 400 rpm), on extrudate chemical property (lignan residue) and physical properties (specific volume, hardness and color) were studied. The lignan compounds in the flaxseed and corn meals were 2.27 and 0 mg/g, respectively, before extrusion. A higher flaxseed meal level and a higher screw speed favored the retention of lignan compounds, but higher feed moisture showed the opposite effect. About 25–52% lignan compounds were lost after extrusion. Increasing flaxseed meal level, increasing feed moisture or decreasing screw speed significantly reduced the expansion and resulted in harder extrudate that was darker, more reddish and less yellow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study on a noninvasive technique to calculate the fiber formation of extruded meat analogs. The method, based on flourescence polarization spectroscopy, used a mixture of soy protein, wheat gluten, and wheat starch squeezed at conditions with high moisture to produce meat analogs. The method, a texture analyzer, and samples from various extruder sections and cooling die from a dead-stop operation were utilized to examine the formation of fiber of extruded products.

The article evaluates the energy consumption and efficiency of a twin-screw extruder using the results from twin-screw extrusion of corn meal. Findings showed the significant correlation of extruder efficiency with screw speed, feed rate and specific feeding load (SFL) and its effects on torque, die pressure, product temperature, total specific mechanical energy (SME) and its distribution. Results revealed the SMEs for shearing or viscous dissipation and pumping during extrusion of corn meal.

Soy protein isolate and wheat starch at 9:1 ratio were extruded at 60%, 65%, and 70% moisture contents and 138, 149 and 160 °C cooking temperatures. The results indicated that moisture content was a more important factor than cooking temperature for both extrusion process parameters and product sensory characteristics. Extrusion at a lower moisture content resulted in a higher product temperature and higher die pressure. The resultant products were tougher, chewier, and more cohesive and had a more layered and fibrous structure. Water absorption capacity increased with both higher extrusion moisture and higher cooking temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A catfish feed was extruded to determine how particle size, moisture content and screw speed affected the pellet durability, water stability index, and buoyancy. Increasing moisture content from 250 to 300 g/kg required less die pressure, specific mechanical energy and product temprature to produce durable pellets that were stable in water. Increasing screw speed from 200 to 400 rpm also lowered die pressure, due to a lower filled length of the extruder screw channels, but increased specific mechanical energy and product temperature; the resulting pellets had a lower apparent bulk density, but a higher degree of starch gelatinization and water stability index. Reducing particle size from 1200 to 700 m decreased die pressure and apparent bulk density, but increased product temperature, degree of scratch gelatinization, pellet durability index and water stability index. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Neuronal nuclear volumes (NNVs) were measured in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) and arcuate nucleus (ARN) of young adult, middle-aged, and old rats of both sexes. The NNVs in the darkly stained sexual-dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) and the lighter staining surrounding area (non-SDN-POA) within the MPN were measured separately. Intact young and middle-aged female rats had larger NNVs than those of the males in SDN-POA, non-SDN-POA and AHA but not in ARN. During aging, only intact old female rats manifested significant NNV shrinkage in all the measured areas. Long-term treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB) caused a significant enlargement of the NNVs in non-SDN-POA and ARN of middle-aged and old male rats as well as the NNVs in SDN-POA, non-SDN-POA and ARN of old female rats. The enlarging effect of EB on NNVs in both SDN-POA and non-SDN-POA of female rats could be prevented by ovariectomy. Furthermore, NNVs in SDN-POA and non-SDN-POA of ovariectomized female rats were even smaller than those of the age-matched intact female rats. These results indicate that: (1) the NNVs of MPN and ARN in male and female rats were enlarged after long-term exposure of physiological dose of estradiol; (2) the enlarging effects of EB on NNV in MPN can explain why the NNV of intact female rats is larger than that of males, and (3) during aging, the sex-specific shrinkage of NNVs in MPN, AHA and ARN of female rats may be due to an intrinsic aging process rather than long-term effects of EB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first order lag with time delay was used to model dynamic responses of product temperature, torque, and mass pressure to step changes in screw speed. Transportation lag was evident in the mass temperature at the die, while the time constants generally decreased with increased magnitude of the step input. Dynamic responses indicated a more stable response to larger magnitude of step inputs: Product attributes and process variables were shown to be a function of the magnitude of the step input when final screw speed set points were identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Device dimension scaling down to be comparable to the domain size of polycrystalline ferroelectric HfZrO2 (HZO) is evaluated for subthreshold swing (SS) and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) by numerical simulation. The proposed multi-domain modeling involves polarization random location in HZO and probability with Gaussian distribution, as well as being integrated with the Landau–Khalatnikov equation. A small device with a few domains exhibits steep SS compared with large dimension with many domains. The N-DIBL (negative-DIBL) is also estimated by using this model, and the negative capacitance effect retards the short-channel effects significantly. The trend of the experimental data and simulation results of fin field-effect transistors and planar field-effect transistors is consistent with nano-scale and micro-scale devices, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the sterilization effects of a brush-shaped plasma created at one atmospheric pressure. A population of 1.0×104–1.0×105 Escherichia coli or Micrococcus luteus bacteria was seeded in filter paper media and then subjected to Ar and/or Ar+O2 plasmas. A complete kill of the Micrococcus luteus required about 3 min argon plasma exposures. With oxygen addition into the argon plasma gas streams, a complete kill of the bacteria needed only less than 1 min plasma exposure for Micrococcus luteus and about 2 min exposure for Escherichia coli. The plasma treatment effects on the different bacteria cell structures were examined using scanning electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT Thermal properties, specific heat, and thermal conductivity of three beef/corn meal blends extruded to reach end product temperatures of = 91°C and 109°C were analyzed. Density was also measured and used to calculate thermal diffusivity. The extruded products had densities of 1,054 to 1,091 kg/m3; specific heat was 2.944 to 3.055 kJ/ kgK; and thermal conductivity, 0.26 to 0.39 W/mK. Calculated values of thermal diffusivity were 0.831 to 1.200 (xl0-7m7sec). With the exception of specific heat, extrusion conditions and formulation affected some of the products physical characteristics and thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT Comparison of the heating process and determination of the critical heating point was studied for homogeneous and nonhomogeneous products in 211 × 214 retortable plastic containers and metal cans. The fh, j, and Fo values for bentonite dispersions (4-10%), were significantly different at α= 0.05 for the metal cans versus the plastic containers with metal lid oriented up or down. The slowest heating point was mathematically determined and found to be influenced by the container material and the lid orientation for the plastic containers. Results indicated the design of thermal processes in plastic containers must take into account nonsymmetrical external heat transfer due to the presence of the metal lid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Traumatic diaphragm rupture is a rare trauma that is easily overlooked. A missed diagnosis would result in chronic traumatic diaphragmatic herniation (CTDH). Surgical repair is the standard treatment that is conventionally performed by laparotomy or thoracotomy. Laparoscopic repair has been reported, but its efficacy remains controversial. In this study, we present our novel technique and experience of laparoscopic repair of CTDH and analyze the feasibility and effectiveness of this procedure.Methods: We conducted a prospective collection with retrospective review of patients with CTDH treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from 2000 to 2013. The demographic characteristics, surgical procedure, perioperative results, length of hospital stay (HLOS) and follow-up were record and analyzed.Results: There were 114 patients with traumatic diaphragm hernia, and 24 of them had CTDH with a mean age of 54.9 ± 13.3 years. The HLOS was 15.08 ± 8.17 days. Regarding the surgical method used, 19 patients had open surgery, and 5 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. The demographic distribution, trauma mechanism, location and size of CTDH were comparable. In the laparoscopic group, the patients had a shorter median HLOS (6 days) than in the open surgery group (16 days; p = 0.002). There was no mortality or recurrence in both groups.Conclusions: In this study and literature review, patients had laparoscopic repair with a smooth recovery. Laparoscopy provides good surgical exposure, allowing easy repositioning of the herniated content and a smooth repair of the defect without the morbidity of laparotomy. For CTDH, with caution, we can apply this technique with an acceptable result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is well known to involve in tumor invasion and metastasis. Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) functions as a potent tumor suppressor and also acts as a negative regulator of p-STAT3Tyr705 oncogenic signaling. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) through which SHP-1 regulates EMT during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Here we first reported that endogenous SHP-1 protein levels were significantly downregulated in cells with mesenchymal characteristics and negatively correlated with p-STAT3Tyr705 and vimentin but positively correlated with E-cadherin. SHP-1 overexpression abolished transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced p-STAT3Tyr705 and EMT, as well inhibited migration and invasion but further rescued by signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) overexpression. Depletion of SHP-1 could induce a more increase in TGF-β1-induced p-STAT3Tyr-705 and EMT characteristics, further supporting the mechanism that suppression of TGF-β1-induced EMT is dependent on SHP-1-mediated STAT3 inactivation. Constitutively overexpressed SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase activity by D61A-mutated SHP-1 markedly reduced TGF-β1-induced p-STAT3Tyr705 and EMT features but was not altered by C453S catalytic-dead mutant SHP-1. Consequently, SHP-1 acted as a powerful suppressor in preventing EMT by exerting its tyrosine phosphatase activity that directly downregulated p-STAT3Tyr705. Most notably, we discovered a novel SHP-1 agonist SC-43 better than sorafenib to exert more potent anti-EMT effects in vitro as well as anti-metastatic growth in vivo. In conclusion, SHP-1 is a potent suppressor of HCC EMT and metastasis, thus highlighting that SC-43-SHP-1 axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target that antagonized p-STAT3Tyr705 and thereby prevented HCC EMT and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast (MCB) is a poorly understood subtype of breast cancer. It is generally characterized by the coexistence of ductal carcinomatous and transdifferentiated sarcomatous components, but the underlying molecular alterations, possibly related to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), remain elusive. We performed transcriptional profiling using half-a-genome oligonucleotide microarrays to elucidate genetic profiles of MCBs and their differences to those of ductal carcinoma of breasts (DCBs) using discarded specimens of four MCBs and 34 DCBs. Unsupervised clustering disclosed distinctive expression profiles between MCBs and DCBs. Supervised analysis identified gene signatures discriminating MCBs from DCBs and between MCB subclasses. Notably, many of the discriminator genes were associated with downregulation of epithelial phenotypes and with synthesis, remodeling and adhesion of extracellular matrix, with some of them have known or inferred roles related to EMT. Importantly, several of the discriminator genes were upregulated in a mutant Snail-transfected MCF7 cell known to exhibit features of EMT, thereby indicating a crucial role for EMT in the pathogenesis of MCBs. Finally, the identification of SPARC and vimentin as poor prognostic factors reinforced the role of EMT in cancer progression. These data advance our understanding of MCB and offer clues to the molecular alterations underlying EMT.Oncogene (2007) 26, 7859–7871; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210593; published online 2 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the putative role in the modulation of inflammation of a soluble form of Flt-1 (sFlt), a potent vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist, in experimental endotoxemia and sepsis. DESIGN: Randomized prospective experimental study. SETTING: University medical laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male C56BL/6 strain mice. INTERVENTIONS: We investigated the expression patterns and the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and soluble Flt-1 in experimental endotoxic shock and sepsis. The possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of soluble Flt-1 was also evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both vascular endothelial growth factor and sFlt-1 were rapidly released from macrophages activated in vitro by lipopolysaccharide and in the plasma of endotoxemic mice. Administration of vascular endothelial growth factor enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production and mediated a dramatic increase in mortality in endotoxemic mice. Treatment with sFlt-1 attenuated inflammatory responses, inhibited recruitment of inflammatory cells into the peritoneal cavity, and improved survival in a lethal endotoxemia and cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model, even when administered as late as 24 hrs after the onset of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a critical protective role of sFlt-1 in endotoxic shock and sepsis. sFlt-1 may therefore have utility as an adjunctive agent for the treatment of sepsis syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) correlates with vascularity, metastasis, and proliferation in colorectal cancer but the role of its homologue, placenta growth factor (PIGF), is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression and clinical implications of PIGF in colorectal cancer. Methods: We investigated 74 tumour/non-tumour pairs of colorectal cryosections. Clinical staging was based on the UICC-TNM classification. Expression levels of mRNA for PIGF and VEGF were analysed with quantitative real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Proteins were analysed by immunohistochemical staining and enzyme linked immunoabsorbant assay. Analysis of the differences in PIGF and VEGF levels between tumour and non-tumour tissues in the same patient were performed by paired a' test; differences between localised and advanced disease patients by the Mann-Whitney, x² and Fisher's exact tests and survival curves by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Expression levels for both growth factors were significantly higher in tumour than in non-tumour tissues (p&les; 0.001). The ratio of PIGF expression in tumour to non-tumour in the advanced disease group was significantly higher than for the localised disease group (p=0.009). Patients with more tumour PIGF mRNA had shorter survival (p = 0.028). The majority of PIGF was expressed in tumour cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PIGF expression correlates with disease progression and patient survival and may be used as a prognostic indicator for colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent attempts at predelivery management of obstructed fetal airways have focused on the EXIT (ex-utero Intrapartum treatment) procedure, which allows sufficient time to secure the fetal airway through preservation of utero placental gas exchange. We report a fetus with an exophytic oral tumor noted at 34 weeks of gestation. In this case, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound allowed a complete and interactive evaluation of the tumor and related facial anatomy, and confirmed that access to the fetal airway was unlikely during delivery. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) further demonstrated that the upper originated in the nasopharynx and obstructed the upper airway. Both imaging results led to a final decision to offer an EXIT procedure for the neonate. At 36 weeks' gestation, a successful EXIT procedure was performed to reduce the risk of respiratory distress immediately after birth. This report highlights the value of 3D ultrasound and MRI as essential prerequisites for optimization of the triage process in selecting EXIT candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship of large and vascularized chorioangiomas to adverse pregnancy outcome is well recognized. We present a patient with a large placental tumor and signs of impending fetal cardiac failure. The angioarchitecture of the tumor depicted by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound enabled us to accurately diagnose a placental chorioangioma. During the follow-up period, quantitative flow data obtained using 3D power Doppler indicated altered hemodynamics in the tumor and concomitant improvement in the condition of the fetus, enabling us to manage the mother conservatively. Spontaneous delivery occurred at 38 weeks without any complications. This report demonstrates the potential value of 3D power Doppler in prenatal diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancies complicated by large, vascularized chorioangioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larsen syndrome consists of skeletal dysplasia with multiple joint dislocations and a characteristic facies. The basis of this abnormality is a generalized mesenchymal disorder involving connective tissues. We describe our findings in a woman who was referred at 28 weeks' gestation due to multiple fetal anomalies suspected initially at an 18-week ultrasound examination. On three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound we found the fetus had bilateral genu recurvatum. Further 3D examination at 36 weeks confirmed the lower limb anomaly and revealed facial anomalies that led to the diagnosis of Larsen syndrome. An elective Cesarean section was performed at 38 weeks' gestation to minimize neurological sequelae. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed postnatally and showed pachygyria, colpocephaly and agenesis of the corpus callosum. In this case, 3D ultrasound facilitated the prenatal diagnosis of Larsen syndrome. A careful prenatal investigation for other associated anomalies such as those of the cardiovascular or neurological systems is warranted with this diagnosis. These associated lesions are likely to have a greater impact on prognosis than the classic symptoms of Larsen syndrome and a collaborative approach is necessary to optimize delivery and postnatal management of an affected fetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]