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This study investigated the flow characteristics of the high-flow path of a two-dimensional supersonic intake in a turbine-based combined-cycle engine utilizing Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and detached eddy simulation (DES) turbulence schemes with a moving mesh in ANSYS to analyze the flow effects of varying rotational cowl angles. In addition, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) was employed to analyze the flow modes. This study revealed that the mass flow rate and pressure recovery increased linearly with an increasing cowl opening angle, and fluctuations were observed when the cowl was positioned parallel to the ramp surface in DES transient solutions. Conversely, a significant decrease in mass flow rate and pressure recovery ratio occurred when the cowl angle was located at fixed − 4.78° in steady solutions. POD utilizing snapshots derived from RANS k-wSST and DES indicated that the first to fourth modes were dominant, accurately representing the original velocity field with a cumulative mode energy ratio of over 80 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although EBDs are essential for minimally invasive surgery, well-established prospective randomized studies comparing EBDs are scarce. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative inflammatory response and short-term surgical outcomes among different energy-based devices (EBDs) in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). Methods: Patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer scheduled for LDG at two different medical centers were prospectively randomized into three groups: ultrasonic shears (US), advanced bipolar (BP) and ultrasonic-bipolar hybrid (HB). The C-reactive protein (CRP) level, operation time, intraoperative blood loss (IBL), laboratory tests, cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10), hospital stay, and complication rate were analyzed. A novel semiquantitative measurement method using indocyanine green (ICG) and a near-infrared camera measured the amount of lymphatic leakage. Results: The primary endpoint, the CRP level, was significantly lower in the BP (n = 60) group than in the US (n = 57) or HB (n = 57) group [9.03 ± 5.55 vs. 11.12 ± 5.02 vs. 12.67 ± 6.14, p = 0.001, on postoperative day (POD) 2 and 7.48 vs. 9.62 vs. 9.48, p = 0.026, on POD 4]. IBL was significantly lower in BP than in US or HB (26.3 ± 25.3 vs. 43.7 ± 42.0 vs. 34.9 ± 37.0, p = 0.032). Jackson–Pratt drainage triglycerides were significantly lower in BP than in US (53.6 ± 33.7 vs. 84.2 ± 59.0, p = 0.11; HB: 71.3 ± 51.4). ICG fluorescence intensity, operation time, laboratory results, cytokines, hospital stay, and complication rate were not significantly different among the 3 groups. Conclusion: BP showed a lower postoperative CRP level and less IBL than US and HB, suggesting less collateral thermal damage and better sealing function. Surgeons may consider this when selecting EBDs for laparoscopic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate whether insertion of self-biodegradable stent into the pylorus to prevent delayed-gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is feasible and safe through porcine experiment. Methods: Self-biodegradable dumbbell-shaped pyloric stents were designed from absorbable suture materials: poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (PGCL) or poly-p-dioxanone (PPDO). After gastrotomy on ten pigs, each stent was inserted: two shams, four PGCL stents, and four PPDO stents. Body weight (Bwt), body temperature (BT), complete blood cell (CBC) count, and plain X-ray were evaluated. On postoperative day (POD) 13, euthanasia was performed for histologic evaluation. Results: Operation was successfully performed in all ten pigs. Without tagging suture, both stents migrated before POD 3. The migration was delayed up to POD 13, when the tagging sutures (-t) were applied between stent and stomach wall. Self-degradation of PGCL started from POD 3, and stents were completely excreted from the abdomen by POD 8. Although PPDO were also weakened as self-degradation progressed, its shape was maintained in gastrointestinal tract for 13 days. Unexpected sudden death occurred in the pig with PPDO-t2 on POD 10, which is more likely due to acute volvulus rather than stent-related complication. There was no significant difference between three groups in terms of Bwt, BT, CBC, and histology (sham vs. PGCL vs. PPDO, all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The concept of biodegradable stents made of absorbent suture material seems feasible in porcine experiment. Among them, PGCL which has shown rapid absorption, appears to be a more suitable material for transient pyloric absorbable stent when considering safety aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous polymers that report damage prior to loss of function and simultaneously self-heal are highly relevant for preventing catastrophic failures and extending the lifetimes of materials. Here, we demonstrate mechanochromic and thermally reprocessable thermosets that can be used for autonomic damage reporting and self-healing coatings. A mechanochromic molecule, spiropyran (SP), is covalently incorporated into thermoreversible Diels–Alder (DA) cross-linking networks. Mechanical activation of SPs in DA networks is confirmed by computational simulations and mechanical testing. The damaged areas of the polymers change colour, emit fluorescence signals, and completely recover after heat treatment. Because of the thermoreversible covalent networks, these polymers can be recycled up to fifteen times without degrading their mechanical, damage-reporting, or self-healing properties. Our autonomic material systems provide a new way to enhance the lifespans and reliabilities of thermosetting coatings, which also expands the range for practical applications of force-induced chemical reactions in polymers.We first show through computational simulations and experiments that mechanochromic molecules, spiropyrans (SPs), were activated by force in Diels–Alder (DA) reaction-based CANs. Owing to the mechanochromic SP molecules and thermally reversible DA networks, these thermosets indicated damage with colour and fluorescence signals and autonomously repaired it with thermal treatment. While maintaining high solvent resistivity and good mechanical performance, they were reprocessed up to fifteen times without degrading the mechanical, damage-reporting, and self-healing properties.Polymers: Self-healing coatings A material that both sends a message that it is damaged and starts to heal itself has been made by researchers in South Korea. A thermoset, which consists of long polymer chains, initially starts in a malleable state. On heating, these chains cross-link, and the material hardens into a permanent arbitrary shape. While this permanence is usually beneficial, it makes repairing damage or recycling difficult. Thermosets have a wide variety of applications, including as coatings and adhesives. Tae Ann Kim from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, and co-workers have created reprocessable and self-healing thermosets. By careful selection of the chemical cross-link, the team were able to create a thermoset that can be reset using heat. When the thermoset is deformed, the affected area changes colour, making the damage instantly visible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have previously reported that laparoscopic surgery using an energy sealing device generates hazardous surgical smoke. However, the droplets appearing on the surface of peritoneal fluid irrigated with saline, after dissection phase of laparoscopic gastrectomy were ignored for a long time. This study aimed to investigate the composition and clinical significance of these droplet particles. Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 15 patients with early gastric cancer (cT1NanyM0) who were scheduled for laparoscopic gastrectomy. Floating phases of peritoneal irrigation fluid containing droplets in dissected area were retrieved before and after surgical dissection. Using gas chromatography analysis, the areas under the peak were compared between the samples retrieved before and after surgical dissection. We also analyzed if the area value with significant change was related to the inflammatory response. Results: In gas chromatography, the area values after laparoscopic surgical dissection were significantly increased in 10 out of 37 kinds of fatty acids, compared to those before surgical dissection. The significant increase in area value of α-linoleic and eicosadienoic acids were positively correlated with the elevated level of C-reactive protein at postoperative day 2 (Spearman's ρ = 0.843, P < 0.001; Spearman's ρ = 0.785, P = 0.001). Conclusions: The lipid droplets, generated after laparoscopic lymphadenectomy during gastric cancer surgery, contained various types of fatty acids, and some of them have been found to be associated with inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although FDG-PET is widely used in cancer, its role in gastric cancer (GC) is still controversial due to variable [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake. Here, we sought to develop a genetic signature to predict high FDG-avid GC to plan individualized PET and investigate the molecular landscape of GC and its association with glucose metabolic profiles noninvasively evaluated by [18F]FDG-PET. Methods: Based on a genetic signature, PETscore, representing [18F]FDG avidity, was developed by imaging data acquired from thirty patient-derived xenografts (PDX). The PETscore was validated by [18F]FDG-PET data and gene expression data of human GC. The PETscore was associated with genomic and transcriptomic profiles of GC using The Cancer Genome Atlas. Results: Five genes, PLS1, PYY, HBQ1, SLC6A5, and NAT16, were identified for the predictive model for [18F]FDG uptake of GC. The PETscore was validated in independent PET data of human GC with qRT-PCR and RNA-sequencing. By applying PETscore on TCGA, a significant association between glucose uptake and tumor mutational burden as well as genomic alterations were identified. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that molecular characteristics are underlying the diverse metabolic profiles of GC. Diverse glucose metabolic profiles may apply to precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcome and quality of life (QoL) of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) compared with laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) in patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer.Methods: From 2012 to 2018, EGC patients who underwent TLTG (n = 223), including the first case with intracorporeal hemi-double stapling, were matched to those who underwent LATG (n = 114) with extracorporeal circular stapling, using 2:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Prospectively collected morbidity was compared between the TLTG and LATG groups in conjunction with the learning curve. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL questionnaires QLQ-C30, STO22, and OG25 were prospectively surveyed during postoperative 1 year for patient subgroups.Results: After PSM, grade I pulmonary complication rate was lower in the TLTG group (n = 213) than in the LATG group (n = 111) (0.5% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.007). Other complications were not different between the groups. The learning curve of TLTG was overcome at the 26th case in terms of the comprehensive complication index. The TLTG group after learning curve showed lower grade I pulmonary complication rate than the matched LATG group (0.5% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.024). Regarding postoperative QoL, the TLTG group (n = 63) revealed less dysphagia (P = 0.028), pain (P = 0.028), eating restriction (P = 0.006), eating (P = 0.004), odynophagia (P = 0.023) than the LATG group (n = 21). Multivariate analyses for each QoL item demonstrated that TLTG was the only common independent factor for better QoL.Conclusions: TLTG reduced grade I pulmonary complications and provided better QoL in dysphagia, pain, eating, odynophagia than LATG for patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition after gastrectomy is associated with a poor prognosis; however, no accurate model for predicting post-gastrectomy malnutrition exists. Hence, we conducted a retrospective study to develop a prediction model identifying gastric cancer patients at high risk of malnutrition after gastrectomy. Method: Gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with more than one weight measurement during a 3-year follow-up period were included. Malnutrition was defined as body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2 according to the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism diagnostic criteria. BMI-loss pattern was analyzed using a group-based trajectory model. A prediction model for malnutrition 6 months after gastrectomy was developed based on significant risk factors, and then validated. Results: Overall, 1421 patients were examined. The BMI-loss trajectory model showed significant BMI loss at 6 months after gastrectomy. Severe BMI loss (mean 21.5%; n = 109) was significantly associated with the elderly, female sex, higher preoperative BMI, advanced cancer stage, open surgery, total gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction, chemotherapy, and postoperative complications (all p < 0.05). Malnutrition 6 months after gastrectomy was observed in 152 (11.9%) of 1281 patients. Preoperative BMI, sex, and type of operation were included in the final prediction model as predictive factors (p < 0.05). The C-index of the developmental set and bootstrap validation of the prediction model was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.89–0.94) and 0.91, respectively. Conclusion: The prediction model for the risk of malnutrition 6 months after gastrectomy was accurately developed, with three independent risk factors: low preoperative BMI, female sex, and total or proximal gastrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the association between the fibrinogen level and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients who have undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patients and methods: A total of 676 patients who underwent LDLT were analyzed retrospectively. Exclusion criteria included a history of severe kidney dysfunction, emergency operation, deceased donor, ABO-incompatible transplantation, and missing data. The study population was divided into low and normal fibrinogen groups. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching analysis was used to evaluate the association between a low fibrinogen level (< 160 mg/dL) and postoperative development of AKI. Results: In total, 142 patients (23.1%) developed AKI after LDLT. The PS matching analysis showed that the probability of AKI was two-fold higher in the low fibrinogen group than in the normal fibrinogen group. In addition, patients with AKI had poorer postoperative outcomes such as longer hospitalization, longer ICU stay, and higher mortality than patients without AKI. Conclusions: The preoperative fibrinogen level may be useful for risk stratification of patients undergoing LDLT in terms postoperative development of AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to investigate pre and intraoperative clinical factors, including platelet count, which could inform risk stratification of early acute kidney injury (AKI) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Additionally, the impact of severe thrombocytopenia on AKI risk was assessed using a propensity score (PS)-matched analysis. In total, 591 adult patients who underwent LDLT between January 2009 and December 2018 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Early postoperative AKI was determined based on the KDIGO criteria, and 149 patients (25.2%) developed AKI immediately after surgery. In a multivariate analysis, a lower preoperative platelet count was significantly associated with early postoperative AKI, together with diabetes mellitus, lower hourly urine output, and longer graft ischemic time; furthermore, a decrease in platelet count was correlated with AKI severity. After adjusting for the PS, the probability of AKI was significantly (1.9-fold) higher in patients with severe thrombocytopenia than in those without severe thrombocytopenia. Patients with thrombocytopenia showed a higher postoperative incidence of AKI and a higher requirement for dialysis than those without thrombocytopenia. The platelet count can easily be obtained via regular blood analysis of patients scheduled for LDLT and can be used to identify patients at risk for AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor localization during totally laparoscopic gastrectomy is challenging owing to the invisibility of tumors on the serosal surface. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of intra-operative gastroscopy in totally laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. Methods: We reviewed 1084 gastric cancer patients who underwent either intra- or extracorporeal partial gastrectomy between 2014 and 2018. The intracorporeal group with intra-operative gastroscopy (intra-operative gastroscopy group, n = 187), the intracorporeal group without intra-operative gastroscopy (non-intra-operative gastroscopy group, n = 267), and the extracorporeal group (n = 630) were evaluated for the adequacy of surgical resection margins. We assessed whether total gastrectomy could be avoided according to the performance of intra-operative gastroscopy if the tumor was located within 3–5 cm away from the gastroesophageal junction. Results: The proximal margin positivity was lesser in the intra-operative gastroscopy group than in the non-intra-operative gastroscopy group (0% versus 2.2%; P = 0.045) but similar to that in the extracorporeal group (0% versus 0.6%; P = 0.579). The number of cases with proximal resection margins < 1 cm was lower in the intra-operative gastroscopy group than in the non-intra-operative gastroscopy group (3.7% versus 9.4%; P = 0.025) but comparable with that in the extracorporeal group (3.7% versus 4.1%; P = 0.815). Among 94 patients with lesions located within 3–5 cm apart from the gastroesophageal junction, the intra-operative gastroscopy group (n = 47) had fewer patients who underwent total gastrectomy than the non-intra-operative gastroscopy group (n = 47) (12.8% versus 44.7%; P = 0.001). Intra-operative gastroscopy was the only independent factor that prevented total gastrectomy (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Intra-operative gastroscopy can provide margin safety during intracorporeal partial gastrectomy, avoiding unnecessary total gastrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared, for the first time, carbon aerogels support on Pd–WO3 nanorods (CAs/Pd–WO3) hybrid nanocomposite via sol-gel and microwave-assisted methods. The as-prepared CAs/Pd–WO3-modified electrode was used as effective electrocatalyst for nanomolar level detection of mesalazine (MSA). The typical porous nature of carbon aerogels effectively prevented the aggregation of Pd-doped WO3 nanorods and increased the electrochemically active surface area. In addition, the Pd–WO3 nanointerface provides intrinsic improvement of the electrocatalytic activity and stability for the electrochemical oxidation process, and the interconnected conducting network of the porous surfaces of CAs accelerated rapid electron transport at the working electrode. The synergistic effect of the CAs/Pd–WO3 architecture has excellent electrocatalytic activity for the detection of MSA with high sensitivity of 2.403 ± 0.004 μA μM−1 cm−2, low detection limit of 0.8 ± 0.3 nM and wide linear response from 0.003–350 μM at a low applied potential of 0.30 V vs. Ag|AgCl. Satisfactory results were observed for its analytical performance in detecting MSA in human blood serum and urine samples, and recoveries ranged from 98.8 to 100.4%. We believe that the architecture of the modified CAs/Pd–WO3 electrocatalysts can be effectively used in clinical applications for the detection of MSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important roles in gastric cancer. Most studies have focused on the functions and influence of ncRNAs, but seldom on their maturation. DEAD box genes are a family of RNA-binding proteins that may influence the development of ncRNAs, which attracted our attention. By combining a small sample for high-throughput gene microarray screening with large samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and our cohort, we aimed to find some gastric cancer-related genes. We evaluated the clinical significance and prognostic value of candidate gene DDX18, which is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues. To provide a theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of gastric cancer, we investigated its effect on the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo , and also discuss its mechanism of action. Methods: (i) The differential profiling of mRNA expression in five pairs of gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues was studied by Arraystar Human mRNA Microarray. By combining this with TCGA data and our cohort, we finally filtered out DDX18, which was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues, for further investigation. (ii) The protein expression of DDX18 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Then the relationship between the DDX18 expression level and the clinicopathological data and prognosis was analyzed. (iii) A CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluate the effect of DDX18 on cell growth and proliferation in vitro. A transwell assay was also performed to examine the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by using a fluorescein isothiocyanate–annexin V/propidium iodide double-staining assay. To identify the role of DDX18 in the tumorigenic ability of gastric cancer cells in vivo , we also established a subcutaneous gastric cancer xenograft model. Coimmunoprecipitation, small RNAseq, and western blotting were performed to explore the mechanism of action of DDX18 in gastric cancer. A patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model was used to confirm the effect of DDX18 in gastric cancer tissues. Result: (i) DDX18 was upregulated in gastric cancer tumor tissues from a TCGA database and our cohort. The expression of DDX18 was also closely related to tumor volume, Borrmann classification, degree of tumor differentiation, cancer embolus, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. (ii) DDX18 could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibit cell apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. (iii) DDX18 could promote the maturation of microRNA-21 through direct interaction with Drosha, decreasing PTEN, which could upregulate the AKT signaling pathway. (iv) The PDX model showed that DDX18 could promote the proliferation of gastric cancer tissues by means of the PTEN–AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions: (i) DDX18 can be treated as a molecular marker to assess the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. (ii) DDX18 could be a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Injury to the vagus nerve has been proposed to be associated with occurrence of gallstones after gastrectomy. We investigated the effect of preservation of hepatic branch of the vagus nerve on prevention of gallstones during laparoscopic distal (LDG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG). Methods: Preservation of the vagus nerve was reviewed of cT1N0M0 gastric cancer patients underwent LDG (n = 323) and LPPG (n = 144) during 2016–2017. Presence of gallstones was evaluated by ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). Incidences of gallstones were compared between the nerve preserved (h-DG, h-PPG) group and sacrificed (s-DG, s-PPG) group. Clinicopathological features were also compared. Results: The 3-year cumulative incidence of gallstones was lower in the h-DG (2.7%, n = 85) than the s-DG (14.6%, n = 238) (p = 0.017) and lower in the h-PPG (1.6%, n = 123) than the s-PPG (12.9%, n = 21) (p = 0.004). Overall postoperative complication rate was similar between the h-DG and s-DG (p = 0.861) as well as between the h-PPG and s-PPG (p = 0.768). The number of retrieved lymph nodes station #1 and 3-year recurrence-free survival were not significantly different between the preserved group and sacrificed group. Injury to the vagus nerve (p = 0.001) and high body mass index (BMI) (≥ 27.5 kg/m2) (p = 0.040) were found to be independent risk factors of gallstone formation in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Preservation of hepatic branch of the vagus nerve can be recommended for LDG as well as LPPG of early gastric cancer patients to reduce postoperative gallstone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated the impact of postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) on hyperglycemia occurrence and connecting (C) peptide release, which acts as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance, during the intraoperative period after graft reperfusion in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using propensity score (PS)-matching analysis. Patients and methods: Medical records from 324 adult patients who underwent elective LDLT were retrospectively reviewed, and their data were analyzed according to PRS occurrence (PRS vs. non-PRS groups) using the PS-matching method. Intraoperative levels of blood glucose and C-peptide were measured through the arterial or venous line at each surgical phase. Hyperglycemia was defined as a peak glucose level >200 mg/dL, and normal plasma concentrations of C-peptide in the fasting state were taken to range between 0.5 and 2.0 ng/mL. Results: After PS matching, there were no significant differences in pre- and intra-operative recipient findings and donor-graft findings between groups. Although glucose and C-peptide levels continuously increased through the surgical phases in both groups, glucose and C-peptide levels during the neohepatic phase were significantly higher in the PRS group than in the non-PRS group, and larger changes in levels were observed between the preanhepatic and neohepatic phases. There were higher incidences of C-peptide levels >2.0 ng/mL and peak glucose levels >200 mg/dL in the neohepatic phase in patients with PRS than in those without. PRS adjusted for PS with or without exogenous insulin infusion was significantly associated with hyperglycemia occurrence during the neohepatic phase. Conclusions: Elucidating the association between PRS and hyperglycemia occurrence will help with establishing a standard protocol for intraoperative glycemic control in patients undergoing LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas-phase reaction dynamics of ground-state atomic oxygen [O(3P) from the photo-dissociation of NO2] with vinyl radicals [C2H3 from the supersonic flash pyrolysis of vinyl iodide, C2H3I] has been investigated using a combination of high-resolution laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a crossed-beam configuration and ab initio calculations. Unlike the previous gas-phase bulk kinetic experiments by Baulch et al. [J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 34, 757 (2005)], a new exothermic channel of O(3P) + C2H3 → C2H2 + OH (X 2Π: υ″ = 0) has been identified for the first time, and the population analysis shows bimodal nascent rotational distributions of OH products with low- and high-N″ components with a ratio of 2.4:1. No spin-orbit propensities were observed, and the averaged ratios of Π(A′)/Π(A″) were determined to be 1.66 ± 0.27. On the basis of computations at the CBS-QB3 theory level and comparison with prior theory, the microscopic mechanisms responsible for the nascent populations can be understood in terms of two competing dynamical pathways: a direct abstraction process in the low-N″ regime as the major pathway and an addition-complex forming process in the high-N″ regime as the minor pathway. Particularly, during the bond cleavage process of the weakly bound van der Waals complex C2H2-OH, the characteristic pathway from the low dihedral-angle geometry was consistent with the observed preferential population of the Π(A′) component in the nascent OH products. A molecular-level discussion of the reactivity, mechanism, and dynamical features of the title reaction are presented together with a comparison to gas-phase oxidation reactions of a series of prototypical hydrocarbon radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the liver has a regenerative capacity, hepatic failure is a severe and irreversible chronic disease. Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) have distinctive features, such as recycling of the placenta waste after birth, ease of accessibility, abundant cell numbers, and strong immunosuppressive properties. Previously, we reported that PD-MSCs can regenerate the liver in hepatic failure through antifibrotic and autophagic mechanisms. Many reports have investigated whether exosomes, which are formed by the budding of vesicular bodies and are emitted into the blood, from stem cells have therapeutic potential in various diseases. C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced in hepatocytes and secreted via vessels. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare the expression of CRP in exosomes of a hepatic failure rat model (bile duct ligation, BDL) and to evaluate the therapeutic effect by their correlation between CRP and angiogenesis depending on PD-MSC transplantation. The exosomes were analyzed in a BDL rat model with transplantation of PD-MSCs through LC-MS analysis and precipitation solution. The exosomes, CRP, and factors related to these molecules were evaluated and quantified in exosomes as well as investigated by real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence (IF) in vivo and in vitro. CRP was present in exosomes from serum of a rat model and increased by PD-MSC transplantation. In the exosomes, CRP upregulated the factors related to the Wnt signaling pathway and angiogenesis in the BDL rat liver-transplanted PD-MSCs. Also, CRP regulated the Wnt pathway and vascularization in rat hepatocytes by interacting with endothelial cells. Therefore, our findings indicate that CRP in exosomes excreted by PD-MSCs functions in angiogenesis via the Wnt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the usefulness of near-infrared indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence guidance for infrapyloric LN dissection in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Methods: This study enrolled patients with early gastric cancer scheduled for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. After intraoperative submucosal injection of ICG (0.1 mg/mL), LN dissection was conducted under near-infrared ICG fluorescence guidance. The operation time, bleeding events during infrapyloric LN dissection were analyzed. Cases were retrospectively 1:3 propensity-score matched to patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy without ICG injection. Results: The mean time from midline omentectomy to exposure of the right gastroepiploic vein was significantly shorter in the ICG group (n = 20) than in the non-ICG group (n = 60) (13.05 ± 5.77 vs 18.68 ± 7.92 min; p = 0.001), and the incidence of bleeding during infrapyloric LN dissection was lower in the ICG group (20% vs 68.3%, p < 0.001). The two groups did not differ significantly regarding the number of LNs retrieved from the infrapyloric area (p = 0.434). Conclusions: Near-infrared ICG fluorescence guidance facilitates safe and fast infrapyloric LN dissection in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal accumulation of β‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide aggregates in the brain is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ aggregates interfere with neuronal communications, ultimately causing neuronal damage and brain atrophy. Much effort has been made to develop AD treatments that suppress Aβ aggregate formation, thereby attenuating Aβ‐induced neurotoxicity. Here, the design of Aβ nanodepletors consisting of ultralarge mesoporous silica nanostructures and anti‐Aβ single‐chain variable fragments, with the goal of targeting and eliminating aggregative Aβ monomers, is reported. The Aβ nanodepletors impart a notable decline in Aβ aggregate formation, resulting in significant mitigation of Aβ‐induced neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, stereotaxic injections of Aβ nanodepletors into the brain of an AD mouse model system successfully suppress Aβ plaque formation in vivo up to ≈30%, suggesting that Aβ nanodepletors can serve as a promising antiamylodoisis material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-solution processing of large-area organic electronics requires multiple steps of patterning and stacking of various device components. Here, we report the fabrication of highly integrated arrays of polymer thin-film transistors and logic gates entirely through a series of solution processes. The fabrication is done using a three-dimensional crosslinker in tetrahedral geometry containing four photocrosslinkable azide moieties, referred to as 4Bx. 4Bx can be mixed with a variety of solution-processable electronic materials (polymer semiconductors, polymer insulators, and metal nanoparticles) and generate crosslinked network under exposure to UV. Fully crosslinked network film can be formed even at an unprecedentedly small loading, which enables preserving the inherent electrical and structural characteristics of host material. Because the crosslinked electronic component layers are strongly resistant to chemical solvents, micropatterning the layers at high resolution as well as stacking the layers on top of each other by series of solution processing steps is possible. To enable the large-area manufacture of solution-processed organic electronics, direct photocrosslinking processes has emerged as a promising technology solution. Here, the authors report an efficient universal crosslinking agent for micropatterning of stacked multi-layered organic electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated perioperative clinical risk factors for early post-transplant bacteremia in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Additionally, postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with and without early post-transplant bacteremia.Methods: Clinical data of 610 adult patients who underwent elective LDLT between January 2009 and December 2018 at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital were retrospectively collected. The exclusion criteria included overt signs of infection within 1 month before surgery. A total of 596 adult patients were enrolled in this study. Based on the occurrence of a systemic bacterial infection after surgery, patients were classified into non-infected and infected groups.Results: The incidence of bacteremia at 1 month after LDLT was 9.7% (57 patients) and Enterococcus faecium (31.6%) was the most commonly cultured bacterium in the blood samples. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative psoas muscle index (PMI), model for end-stage disease score, utility of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), ascites, C-reactive protein to albumin ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio, and sodium level, as well as intraoperative post-reperfusion syndrome, mean central venous pressure, requirement for packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma, hourly fluid infusion and urine output, and short-term postoperative early allograft dysfunction (EAD) were associated with the risk of early post-transplant bacteremia. Multivariate analysis revealed that PMI, the CRRT requirement, the NLR, and EAD were independently associated with the risk of early post-transplant bacteremia (area under the curve: 0.707; 95% confidence interval: 0.667-0.745; p < 0.001). The overall survival rate was better in the non-infected patient group. Among patients with bacteremia, anti-bacterial treatment was unable to resolve infection in 34 patients, resulting in an increased risk of patient mortality. Among the factors included in the model, EAD was significantly correlated with non-resolving infection.Conclusions: We propose a prognostic model to identify patients at high risk for a bloodstream bacterial infection; furthermore, our findings support the notion that skeletal muscle depletion, CRRT requirement, systemic inflammatory response, and delayed liver graft function are associated with a pathogenic vulnerability in cirrhotic patients who undergo LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was performed to determine the association between the ratio of C-reactive protein to albumin (CRP/ALB) and the risk of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patients and methods: A total of 588 adult patients undergoing LDLT were retrospectively investigated, after 22 were excluded because of signs of overt infection or history of ALB infusion. The study population was classified into high and low CRP/ALB ratio groups according to EAD. All laboratory variables, including CRP and ALB, had been collected on the day before surgery. A percentage value for the CRP/ALB ratio (%) was calculated as CRP/ALB × 100. Results: After LDLT, 83 patients (14.1%) suffered EAD occurrence. A higher CRP/ALB ratio was independently associated with risk of EAD, Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, fresh frozen plasma transfusion, and donor age. Based on a cutoff CRP/ALB ratio (i.e., > 20%), the probability of EAD was significantly (2-fold) higher in the high versus low CRP/ALB group. The predictive utility of CRP/ALB ratio for EAD was greater than those of other inflammatory markers. In addition, patients with a high CRP/ALB ratio had poorer survival than those with a low CRP/ALB ratio during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The easily calculated CRP/ALB ratio may allow estimation of the risk of EAD after LDLT and can provide additional information that may facilitate the estimation of a patient's overall condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of two different SiO2 and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) gate dielectrics on the performance of single-layered organic field-effect transistors and bi-layered organic light-emitting field-effect transistors was examined. Organic active layers of p-type α,ω-dihexylsexithiophene and n-type N,N′-ditridecylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide were prepared using the neutral cluster beam deposition method. Characterization of surface morphology, contact angles, structural properties and temperature dependence of field-effect mobilities measured over the temperature range of 10-300 K revealed that compared to the SiO2 dielectrics, the hydroxyl-free PMMA dielectrics provided better conditions for crystalline film growth. The PMMA-based device characteristics exhibited excellent field-effect mobilities, stress-free operational stability, and electroluminescence through efficient carrier transport and well-balanced ambipolarity under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas-phase radical–radical reaction dynamics of O(3P)+C3H5→H(2S)+C3H4O was studied at an average collision energy of 6.4 kcal/mol in a crossed beam configuration. The ground-state atomic oxygen [O(3P)] and allyl radicals (C3H5) were generated by the photolysis of NO2 and the supersonic flash pyrolysis of allyl iodide, respectively. Nascent hydrogen atom products were probed by the vacuum-ultraviolet–laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy in the Lyman-α region centered at 121.6 nm. With the aid of the CBS–QB3 level of ab initio theory, it has been found that the barrierless addition of O(3P) to C3H5 forms the energy-rich addition complexes on the lowest doublet potential energy surface, which are predicted to undergo a subsequent direct decomposition step leading to the reaction products H+C3H4O. The major counterpart C3H4O of the probed hydrogen atom is calculated to be acrolein after taking into account the factors of barrier height, reaction enthalpy, and the number of intermediates involved along the reaction pathway. The nascent H-atom Doppler profile analysis shows that the average center-of-mass translational energy of the H+C3H4O products and the fraction of the total available energy released as the translational energy were determined to be 3.83 kcal/mol and 0.054, respectively. On the basis of comparison with statistical calculations, the reaction proceeds through the formation of short-lived addition complexes rather than statistical, long-lived intermediates, and the polyatomic acrolein product is significantly internally excited at the moment of the decomposition. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radical–radical reaction dynamics of ground-state atomic oxygen [O([sup 3]P)] with propargyl radicals (C[sub 3]H[sub 3]) has first been investigated in a crossed beam configuration. The radical reactants O([sup 3]P) and C[sub 3]H[sub 3] were produced by the photodissociation of NO[sub 2] and the supersonic flash pyrolysis of precursor propargyl bromide, respectively. A new exothermic channel of O([sup 3]P)+C[sub 3]H[sub 3]→C[sub 3]H[sub 2]+OH was identified and the nascent distributions of the product OH in the ground vibrational state (X [sup 2]Π:ν[sup ″]=0) showed bimodal rotational excitations composed of the low- and high-N[sup ″] components without spin–orbit propensities. The averaged ratios of Π(A[sup ′])/Π(A[sup ″]) were determined to be 0.60±0.28. With the aid of ab initio theory it is predicted that on the lowest doublet potential energy surface, the reaction proceeds via the addition complexes formed through the barrierless addition of O([sup 3]P) to C[sub 3]H[sub 3]. The common direct abstraction pathway through a collinear geometry does not occur due to the high entrance barrier in our low collision energy regime. In addition, the major reaction channel is calculated to be the formation of propynal (CHCCHO)+H, and the counterpart C[sub 3]H[sub 2] of the probed OH product in the title reaction is cyclopropenylidene ([sup 1]c-C[sub 3]H[sub 2]) after considering the factors of barrier height, reaction enthalpy and structural features of the intermediates formed along the reaction coordinate. On the basis of the statistical prior and rotational surprisal analyses, the ratio of population partitioning for the low- and high-N[sup ″] is found to be about 1:2, and the reaction is described in terms of two competing addition-complex mechanisms: a major short-lived dynamic complex and a minor long-lived statistical complex. The observed unusual reaction mechanism stands in sharp contrast with the reaction of O([sup 3]P) with allyl radical (C[sub 3]H[sub 5]), a second significant conjugated hydrocarbon radical, which shows totally dynamic processes [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 2017 (2002)], and should be understood based upon the characteristic electronic structures and reactivity of the intermediates on the potential energy surface. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radical–radical reaction dynamics of ground-state atomic oxygen [O([sup 3]P)] with propargyl radicals (C[sub 3]H[sub 3]) has first been investigated by applying laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a crossed beam configuration, together with ab initio calculations. A new exothermic channel of O([sup 3]P)+C[sub 3]H[sub 3]→C[sub 3]H[sub 2]+OH was identified and the nascent distributions of OH reaction product in the ground vibrational state (X [sup 2]Π:υ[sup ″]=0) showed substantial rotational excitations with an unusual bimodal feature composed of the low- and high-N[sup ″] components. No spin–orbit propensities were observed, whereas the averaged ratios of Π(A[sup ′])/Π(A[sup ″]) were determined to be 0.60±0.28. With the aid of the CBS-QB3 level of ab initio theory it is predicted that on the lowest doublet potential energy surface the reaction proceeds through the addition complexes formed through the barrierless addition of O([sup 3]P) to C[sub 3]H[sub 3], and that the counterpart of C[sub 3]H[sub 2] of the probed OH product is cyclopropenylidene ([sup 1]c-C[sub 3]H[sub 2]). On the basis of the comparison with statistical prior and rotational surprisal analyses, the ratio of population partitioning for the low- and high-N[sup ″] regimes is estimated to be about 1:2 and the reaction is described in terms of two competing addition-complex mechanisms: a major short-lived dynamic complex in the high-N[sup ″] regime and a minor long-lived statistical complex in the low-N[sup ″] regime. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction dynamics of ground-state atomic oxygen [O(³P)] with allyl radicals (C[sub 3]H[sub 5]) has been investigated by applying a combination of crossed beams and laser induced fluorescence techniques. The reactants O(³P) and C[sub 3]H[sub 5] were produced by the photodissociation of NO[sub 2] and the supersonic flash pyrolysis of precursor allyl iodide, respectively. A new exothermic channel of O(³P) + C[sub 3]H[sub 5] → C[sub 3]H[sub 4] + OH was observed and the nascent internal state distributions of the product OH (X²Π:υ' = 0,1) showed substantial bimodal internal excitations of the low- and high-N' components without Λ-doublet and spin-orbit propensities in the ground and first excited vibrational states. With the aid of the CBS-QB3 level of ab initio theory and Rice-RamspergerKassel-Marcus calculations, it is predicted that on the lowest doublet potential energy surface the major reaction channel of O(³P) with C[sub 3]H[sub 5] is the formation of acrolein (CH[sub 2]CHCHO)+ H, which is consistent with the previous bulk kinetic experiments performed by Gutman et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 94, 3652 (1990)]. The counterpart C[sub 3]H[sub 4] of the probed OH product in the title reaction is calculated to be allene after taking into account the factors of reaction enthalpy, barrier height and the number of intermediates involved along the reaction pathway. On the basis of population analyses and comparison with prior calculations, the statistical picture is not suitable to describe the reactive atom-radical scattering processes, and the dynamics of the title reaction is believed to proceed through two competing dynamical pathways. The major low N'-components with significant vibrational excitation may be described by the direct abstraction process, while the minor but extraordinarily hot rotational distribution of high N'-components implies that some fraction of reactants is sampled to proceed through the indirect... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of ground-state atomic oxygen (O([sup 3]P)) with allyl radical (C[sub 3]H[sub 5]) was investigated in the crossed beam configuration. O([sup 3]P) and C[sub 3]H[sub 5] were generated by the photodissociation of NO[sub 2] and the supersonic flash pyrolysis of allyl iodide, respectively. The nascent internal distributions of the OH(X[sup 2]Π : v[sup ″]=0,1) reaction product from the newly observed channel of O([sup 3]P)+C[sub 3]H[sub 5]→C[sub 3]H[sub 4]+OH were probed by laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. The distributions showed significant excitations with an unusual bimodal feature: the low and high rotational components without spin-orbit and Λ-doublet propensities in the ground and first excited vibrational states. On the basis of population analysis and comparison with the ab initio and statistical calculations, the experimental distributions are estimated to be totally non-statistical and suggest that the dynamics of the reaction might be described by two competing mechanisms: a major direct abstraction process and an indirect short-lived addition-complex forming process. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated and characterized double-layer-type electroluminescent devices with the structure of indium-tin-oxide-coated glass/poly[2-(N-carbazolyl)-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene] (CzEH-PPV)/tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq[sub 3])/Li:Al, in which CzEH-PPV was used as a hole transport medium, and neutral and ionized cluster beam deposition (NCBD and ICBD) methods were applied to deposit Alq[sub 3]. The surface morphology observed by atomic force microscopy shows that NCBD and especially ICBD methods are more efficient in producing flat and smooth thin film surfaces in comparison to the conventional physical vapor deposition method. Studies of photoluminescence, electroluminescence (EL), and device characteristics demonstrate that the polymeric thin film is susceptible to ion radiation damage and the NCBD-based devices show better device performance, including lower threshold and turn-on voltages, improved EL intensity-voltage, current density-voltage, and external quantum efficiency (EQE)-current characteristics. In addition, the doping effect of the highly fluorescent dye molecule 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran into the Alq[sub 3] layer reveals a complete energy transfer, color-tuning capability and enhanced EQEs. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction between the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and 2009 ASE/European Association of Echocardiography recommendations in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patients and methods: A total of 312 adult patients who underwent LDLT at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion criteria were systolic dysfunction, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, and mitral or aortic valvular insufficiency. Results: The study population was largely male (68.3%), and the median age was 54 (49–59) years. The median model for end-stage liver disease score was 12 (6–22) points. A predominant difference in the prevalence rates of diastolic dysfunction was observed between the two recommendations. The prevalence rates of diastolic dysfunction and indeterminate diastolic function were lower according to the 2016 recommendations than the 2009 recommendations. The level of concordance between the two recommendations was poor. The proportion of patients with a high brain natriuretic peptide level (> 100 pg/mL) decreased significantly during surgery in the normal and indeterminate groups according to the 2009 recommendations; however, only the normal group showed an intraoperative decrease in the proportion according to the 2016 recommendations. Patients with diastolic dysfunction showed a poorer overall-survival rate than those with normal function according to both recommendations. However, there was a difference in the survival rate in the indeterminate group between the two recommendations. A significant difference in patient survival rate was observed between the dysfunction and indeterminate groups according to the 2009 recommendations; however, the difference was not significant in the 2016 recommendations. Conclusions: The 2016 classification may be better able to identify patients with a risk for diastolic dysfunction. Particularly, patients in the 2016 indeterminate group seemed to require a cardiac diastolic functional evaluation more frequently during and after surgery than those in the 2009 indeterminate group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolator flows downstream of the scoop model inlet were visualized by using a planar laser Rayleigh scattering imaging technique. The scoop model was designed for a cruise Mach number of 6. The isolator flows were visualized for two contraction ratios of the scoop inlet (4 and 5) and various freestream Reynolds number conditions. Two freestream Mach numbers were tested to study the flows at the on-design (Mach number 6) and off-design (Mach number 4.5) conditions. Pseudo-cross-sectional flow structures of the isolator were constructed by using averaged planar images from multiple planar imaging planes. The flow visualization found that there exist curved shockwaves and localized flow separation, and three-dimensional shockwave–boundary layer interaction occurs locally affecting boundary layer growth. The visualization showed that Reynolds number determines the thickness of the boundary layer and the size of eddies. Similar overall flow and shockwave structures were observed for different freestream Mach number and Reynolds number conditions. Differences in shockwave angles, impinging shock location, the size of the core flow, and the size of the flow structure were discussed for various flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with end-stage liver disease frequently experience acute kidney injury (AKI) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have increasingly been accepted as a predictor of AKI in clinical settings. This study investigated the predictive role of intraoperative BNP levels in the early development of AKI after LDLT. Patients and methods: Adult patients (≥19 years old) who had undergone elective LDLT from January 2011 to December 2017 were classified into the non-AKI and AKI groups according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Serum levels of BNP were measured three times in the preanhepatic, anhepatic, and neohepatic phases. Perioperative data in recipients and donors were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Sixty-one patients (22.4%) suffered from AKI immediately after LDLT. Severity according to AKI stage was as follows: 28 patients in stage 1 (10.3%), 18 patients in stage 2 (6.6%), and 15 patients in stage 3 (5.5%). In the neohepatic phase, both BNP levels and proportions of patients with high BNP levels (≥100 pg/mL) were higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. Only BNP levels in the non-AKI and AKI stage 1 groups significantly decreased from the preanhepatic phase to the neohepatic phase; those in AKI stages 2 and 3 groups did not. In particular, BNP levels of all AKI stage 3 patients increased to more than 100 pg/mL, and the proportion of patients with high levels also increased significantly through the surgical phases in the AKI stage 3 group. In multivariate analyses, BNP levels in the neohepatic phase were significantly associated with early development of AKI after LDLT, as well as the total amount of packed red blood cells in transfusions and total duration of graft ischemia. Conclusions: Monitoring serum levels of BNP is useful for predicting the early development of AKI after LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared spectra of mass-selected clusters NO+(H2O)n for n=1 to 5 were recorded from 2700 to 3800 cm-1 by vibrational predissociation spectroscopy. Vibrational frequencies and intensities were also calculated for n=1 and 2 at the second-order Mo\ller–Plesset (MP2) level, to aid in the interpretation of the spectra, and at the singles and doubles coupled cluster (CCSD) level energies of n=1 isomers were computed at the MP2 geometries. The smaller clusters (n=1 to 3) were complexes of H2O ligands bound to a nitrosonium ion NO+ core. They possessed perturbed H2O stretch bands and dissociated by loss of H2O. The H2O antisymmetric stretch was absent in n=1 and gradually increased in intensity with n. In the n=4 clusters, we found evidence for the beginning of a second solvation shell as well as the onset of an intracluster reaction that formed HONO. These clusters exhibited additional weak, broad bands between 3200 and 3400 cm-1 and two new minor photodissociation channels, loss of HONO and loss of two H2O molecules. The reaction appeared to go to completion within the n=5 clusters. The primary dissociation channel was loss of HONO, and seven vibrational bands were observed. From an analysis of the spectrum, we concluded that the n=5 cluster rearranged to form H3O+(H2O)3(HONO), i.e., an adduct of the reaction products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and preoperative prediction model in gastric cancer is controversial, while postoperative prognostic models are available. This study investigated NLR as a preoperative prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.Methods: We reviewed patients with primary gastric cancer who underwent surgery during 2007-2010. Preoperative clinicopathologic factors were analyzed with their interaction and used to develop a prognosis prediction nomogram. That preoperative prediction nomogram was compared to a nomogram using pTNM or a historical postoperative prediction nomogram. The contribution of NLR to a preoperative nomogram was evaluated with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).Results: Using 2539 records, multivariable analysis revealed that NLR was one of the independent prognostic factors and had a significant interaction with only age among other preoperative factors (especially significant in patients < 50 years old). NLR was constantly significant between 1.1 and 3.1 without any distinctive cutoff value. Preoperative prediction nomogram using NLR showed a Harrell’s C-index of 0.79 and an R2 of 25.2%, which was comparable to the C-index of 0.78 and 0.82 and R2 of 26.6 and 25.8% from nomogram using pTNM and a historical postoperative prediction nomogram, respectively. IDI of NLR to nomogram in the overall population was 0.65%, and that of patients < 50 years old was 2.72%.Conclusions: NLR is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer, especially in patients < 50 years old. A preoperative prediction nomogram using NLR can predict prognosis of gastric cancer as effectively as pTNM and a historical postoperative prediction nomogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver graft regeneration is orchestrated by specific and sequential stimuli, including hepatocyte growth factors, cytokines, and catecholamines. We evaluated the association between preoperative serum cytokines and early liver graft regeneration in human living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of adult patients who underwent LDLT from January 2010 to December 2014. Serum cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, 6, 10, 12, 17, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured in the recipients 1 day before surgery and on postoperative day (POD) 7. Liver graft volume was estimated using abdominal computed tomography images of the donors and recipients. Results: In total, 226 patients were analyzed in this study. Median preoperative levels of serum cytokines were as follows: IL-2, 0.1 (0.1–1.6) pg/mL; IL-6, 7.3 (0.1–30.2) pg/mL; IL-10, 0.5 (0.1–11.0) pg/mL; IL-12, 0.1 (0.1–0.1) pg/mL; IL-17, 2.0 (0.1–16.4) pg/mL; IFN-γ, 3.2 (0.1–16.0) pg/mL; and TNF-α, 9.8 (5.4–17.9) pg/mL. Higher preoperative serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, dichotomized at the median, were associated with increased relative liver volumes by POD 7. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were independently associated with increased graft volume during the first 1 week after LDLT, based on the lower levels of those cytokines. Conclusions: IL-6 and TNF-α were important mediators of the success of early graft regeneration in patients who underwent LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Previous studies have shown that a higher serum interleukin- (IL-) 6 level is associated with a higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) development after major nontransplant surgery. Our study investigated the potential association of preoperative serum cytokine profiles with new AKI development in patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods. Serum levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α were measured in 226 LDLT recipients preoperatively and analyzed retrospectively. Recipients with a preoperative functional impairment of the kidney were excluded. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Results. In a univariate regression model, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α levels showed an association with AKI development after LDLT. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association of the preoperative serum IL-6 level with AKI development after LDLT and a significant relationship between higher serum IL-6 levels and a greater likelihood of developing AKI. Serum IL-6 levels were higher in patients with stage 3 AKI than in patients who did not develop AKI. Conclusions. Our results support the need for further investigations of IL-6 as a predictor of AKI development in patients undergoing LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cholestatic liver diseases, impaired bile excretion disrupts lipid homeostasis. We investigated changes of lipid metabolism, including mitochondrial β-oxidation, in a rat model of bile duct ligation (BDL) in which chorionic plate-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CP-MSCs) were transplanted. Serum cholesterol level, which was elevated after BDL, was significantly decreased following CP-MSC transplantation. The expression levels of genes involved in intracellular lipid uptake, including long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetases and fatty acid transport proteins, were decreased in rats after BDL; however, they were not significantly changed by subsequent CP-MSC transplantation. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), a rate-limiting enzyme in mitochondrial β-oxidation, was upregulated after BDL and then was downregulated after CP-MSC transplantation. CPT1A expression was changed via microRNA-33—a posttranscriptional regulator of CPT1A—in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α-independent manner. Cellular adenosine triphosphate production—an indicator of mitochondrial function—was reduced after BDL and was restored by CP-MSC transplantation. Expression levels of heme oxygenases also were significantly affected following BDL and CP-MSC transplantation. Lipid metabolism is altered in response to chronic cholestatic liver injury and can be restored by CP-MSC transplantation. Our study findings support the therapeutic potential of CP-MSCs in cholestatic liver diseases and help in understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which CP-MSCs affect energy metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes are considered as next-generation membranes for desalination. Among the various types of CNT membranes, vertically aligned (VA) CNT membranes provide rapid water transport. However, when the water permeability of VA CNT membranes are compared with those of the commercial membrane, the VA CNT membranes only showed slightly higher water permeability due to their low pore densities. Additionally, the applicability of VA CNT membranes for desalination has been limited due to their larger pore sizes. Herein, we improved VA CNT membranes in terms of the desalination potential, flux enhancement, and scale-up. For the desalination potential, graphene oxide (GO) or polyamide (PA) were coated on a VA CNT membrane as a selective layer, which showed approximately 40–65% NaCl rejection, respectively. A pretreatment polyelectrolyte coating for a GO-coated VA CNT membrane increased the water permeability by approximately 50%. For the flux enhancement, the water permeability of a VA CNT membrane was nearly doubled when the VA CNT forest was mechanically densified by half. Finally, an enlarged VA CNT forest (2 × 2 cm2), sequential VA CNT forests (1 × 1 cm2) in a large cast, and an assembly of the VA CNT membrane were suggested as scale-up approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Infrared spectra of clusters of protonated nitric acid and water exhibit a marked change with cluster size, indicating that an intracluster reaction occurs with sufficient solvation. In small clusters, H2O binds to a nitronium ion core, but at a critical cluster size the NO+2 reacts. A lower bound of 174 kcal/mol is found for the proton affinity of HNO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-voltage organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverters based on pentacene and N,N′-ditridecylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C13) were fabricated on HfTiOx gate dielectrics. Both pristine dielectrics and substrates passivated with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-dodecylphosphonic acid (PA-C12) were employed. The high capacitance and low leakage current of the HfTiOx-based dielectrics enabled the devices to operate at ☋V☋ ＜ 3 V. Passivation with PA-C12 was highly effective in improving the device characteristics. In particular, an electron mobility of 0.72 cm2 V−1 s−1 was measured for the device fabricated with the passivated HfTiOx dielectric, which represents the best performance reported to date for perylene-based OFETs prepared with thin, high-k gate dielectrics. The CMOS inverters exhibited fast switching and high gain characteristics, which were attributed to good coupling between the optimized p- and n-type OFETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance pentacene thin-film transistors operating at low voltages were fabricated using hafnium (Hf)-based blend gate dielectrics. Crosslinked HfOx/1,6-bis(trimethoxysilyl)hexane blend (CLHB) dielectric films were prepared by varying the ratio of HfOx and 1,6-bis(trimethoxysilyl)hexane (BTMH), and the resulting films were deposited by solution-processed sol–gel chemistry. p-Type pentacene was deposited on the dielectric films using the neutral cluster beam deposition method. The dielectric properties and morphologies of the films were systematically investigated with respect to the relationship between the compositions of blend dielectrics and device performance. In comparison to the pristine HfOx-based OFETs, as the BTMH molar ratio increased, the leakage current, capacitance, dielectric constant and trap density of the interface states decreased, leading to an increase in the CLHB-based transistor performance such as increased hole-carrier mobility and current on/off ratio and a decrease in subthreshold swing. The OFETs demonstrated similar device performance at high HfCl4 : BTMH molar ratios of 1 : 0.5 and 1 : 0.8. At the molar ratio of 1 : 0.5, the OFETs operating under −4 V had μh,avgeff = 1.6 cm2 V−1 s−1 and Ion/Ioff = 2 × 105 with the corresponding leakage current and capacitance of ∼2 × 10−7 A cm−2 at 2 MV cm−1 and ∼137 nF cm−2. The performance enhancement was found to be closely correlated with the blend dielectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hypoxic environments have been known to regulate the migratory ability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), which is a critical factor for maximizing the therapeutic effect, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to confirm the effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) on the migration of BM-MSCs and to analyze the interaction between HIF-1α and integrin-mediated signals. Hypoxia-activated HIF-1α significantly increased BM-MSC migration. The expression of integrin α4 was decreased in BM-MSCs by increased HIF-1α under hypoxia, whereas the expression of Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) and Rac1/2/3 was increased. After downregulation of HIF-1α by YC-1, which is an inhibitor of HIF-1α, BM-MSC migration was decreased via upregulation of integrin α4 and downregulation of ROCK1 and Rac1/2/3. Knockdown of integrin α4 by integrin α4 siRNA (siITGA4) treatment increased BM-MSC migration by upregulation of ROCK1, Rac1/2/3, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 regardless of oxygen tension. Moreover, siITGA4 treatment increased HIF-1α expression and augmented the translocation of HIF-1α into the nucleus under hypoxia. Taken together, the alternative expression of HIF-1α induced by microenvironment factors, such as hypoxia and integrin α4, may regulate the migration of BM-MSCs. These findings may provide insights to the underlying mechanisms of BM-MSC migration for successful stem cell-based therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]