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The bilayer-based Antiferroelectric Tunneling Junction (AFTJ) with ferroelectric (FE) HfZrO2 (HZO) and dielectric (DE) Al2O3 demonstrates a current ratio of $> 100\times $ , a TER (tunneling electroresistance) of $> 50\times $ , multilevel states, $> 10^{4}$ sec retention, and a cycling endurance as high as 108. The concept of tunneling current through DE in an antiferroelectric (AFE) system enhances the capacity to modulate the current/TER ratio and makes the AFTJ feasible for low-power crossbar eNVM (embedded nonvolatile memory) applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The voltage amplification of a ferroelectric layer was studied for advanced complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) applications. To match the capacitance for negative-capacitance field-effect transistors (NC-FETs), a method of adjusting the MOS capacitance is proposed by optimizing the width (W) and height/depth (H) in two types of ferroelectric gate-stack 2D metal-oxide semiconductor capacitor (MOSCAP) structures: a fin-like structure and a trench structure. The capacitance of the semiconductor was modeled to match that of the ferroelectric films to obtain hysteresis-free operation (ΔVT = VT, for –VT,rev ~ 0) and achieve voltage amplification (AV). The optimized conditions are found to be H = 19.3 nm and 24.3 nm to achieve the criterion with AV > 50 for the fin-like and trench structure, respectively. Subsequently, the structure was extended to a three-dimensional (3D) fin-shaped field-effect transistor (FinFET) to evaluate the effects of varying geometrical parameters such as the fin spacing (FS). Tuning FS can not only enhance the on-current but also decrease the subthreshold swing in the off-current region. For the FET, the use of the optimum FS value of 30 nm helps the FinFETs achieve capacitance matching with AV > 30. The subthreshold swing of the NC-FinFET is improved by about 47% for HFinFET/WFinFET ~ 3 and Fs/HFinFET ~ 1.2 as compared with the conventional FinFET. The concept of coupling the polarized Hf-based oxide in NC-FETs that is demonstrated to be feasible herein is thus practicable using current CMOS architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double-HZO (HfZrO2) FeFET (ferroelectric FET) with nonidentical ferroelectric thicknesses is experimentally demonstrated with as low as |VP/E| = 5 V, 2-bit endurance > 105 cycles and retention > 104 s. Inserting an insulator to separate the ferroelectric layers and avoid the monoclinic formation of a thick Fe-HZO (ferroelectric-HZO) is a useful method to enhance the MW (memory window) for MLC (multilevel cell) applications. Double-HZO has a lower ER (error rate) and shows a 600X improvement compared to single-HZO. The stacked HZO FeFET has potential as an MLC for high-density NVM (nonvolatile memory) applications. [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]

Nhp6 is a small yeast protein that binds DNA nonspecifically. It has been shown that Nhp6 is a component of several protein complexes (including the FACT complex) and is present on many yeast promoters and transcribed regions of genes in vivo. It also participates in the process of destabilizing the structure of nucleosomes in vitro. In our laboratory, we studied the FACT complex and showed its role in transcription by eukaryotic RNA polymerase 2 in vitro. However, the role of the Nhp6 protein in transcription has not been studied previously. In this paper, we describe the effect of the Nhp6 protein on transcription through the nucleosome by eukaryotic RNA polymerase 2 and show that the Nhp6 protein increases the transcription efficiency at several positions on nucleosomal DNA, primarily the transcription at positions +(11-17) in the nucleosome. We proposed a model of the Nhp6 action during transcription through chromatin. The model suggests the stabilization of transient DNA uncoiling from the octamer during this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

A promising and reliable method for the analysis of macromolecule structures is capturing images using cryo-electron transmission microscopy and consequently performing three-dimensional reconstructions. In this study, using cryo-electron microscopy, we analyzed the structure of the complex, formed by RNA polymerase stalled at position +42 during its transcription through the nucleosome. We obtained both projection images and a three-dimensional structure of the EC-42 complex at 2.5 nm resolution. This allowed us to confirm the conformational integrity of the nucleosome during the passage of the RNA polymerase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peripheral arterial vessel often appears as an elliptic shape under the constraints of the surrounding tissues. In this study, the gradient-based Hough transform was used to detect the central location of the ellipse and the lumen area of the arterial vessel non-invasively using power Doppler imaging. Sequential ultrasound images were used to construct arterial distension waveforms in both the major- and minor-axis directions for a few cardiac cycles. The common carotid arteries (CCAs) for nine healthy male volunteers (mean age 24 years), in the sitting position, were investigated in vivo. The CCAs (n = 9) had a mean diameter of 5.83mm, and the pulsatile diameter distension was 13.7+/-1.9%. The brachial artery and dorsalis pedis artery for five healthy male volunteers (mean age 26 years), in the supine position, had mean diameters of 4.03mm and 2.83mm and distensions of 16.7+/-4.6% and 15.5+/-5.4%, respectively. The movement of the arterial centre location during the cardiac cycle reflected the asymmetry of the reaction forces produced by the surrounding soft tissues. The present method can obtain the response of vessel distension to pulse pressure, as well as the constrained conditions of the arteries. [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]

Sixty-seven pairs of mothers with hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) and their infants were divided into two study groups to determine the effect of amniocentesis on intrauterine HBV infection. In the first study group (35 pairs), the infant's HBsAg status in cord blood was studied and the results were compared with those obtained in the cord blood from 65 infants born to HBsAg-positive women who did not have an amniocentesis. In the second study group (32 pairs), the HBV status of the infants was studied at the age of three months to five years and compared with the HBV status of 3,454 infants in the National HBV Prevention Program. In the first study group, one sample (2.9%) was weakly positive for HBsAg; while in the first control group, two (3.1%) were positive. In the second study group, three (10%) infants were positive for HBsAg. The failure rates of immunoprophylaxis in the second study and control groups were similar (9.4% vs 11% for HBsAg carrier mothers; 30% vs 14% for HBe antigen-positive carrier mothers). This suggested that genetic amniocentesis did not increase the risk of intrauterine HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

Diaphragmatic eventration is the upward displacement of the abdominal viscera secondary to a thin or paralytic diaphragm. Its clinical presentations and radiographic pictures are similar to those of diaphragmatic hernia. Prenatal diagnosis of diaphragmatic eventration is extremely rare. A pregnant woman was referred to us because of abnormal cardiac findings noted at 20 weeks of gestation. A diagnosis of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection was made on the basis of our findings of right atrial enlargement with an abnormal vascular channel drainage to it. The infant was born via cesarean section at 40 weeks and developed complications of cyanosis immediately after birth. Postnatal imaging studies and surgical findings disclosed right side diaphragmatic eventration with liver and associated vasculature upward displacement into the right pleural cavity. The cardiac structure was otherwise normal. We conclude that when an abnormal vessel tracing and unexplainable cardiac chamber asymmetry is encountered, diaphragmatic eventration should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses. Correct recognition and transferral to the hospital for neonatal assistance may lead to timely and appropriate management of these fetuses. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the influence of hypoxia and molecular events in endothelial and embryonic stem cells. Materials and Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse embryoid body (EB) cells were subjected to hypoxic conditions for different time courses. DNA fragmentation assay, quantification of apoptotic cells by TUNEL assay measured by flowcytometry, and Western blot analysis for the molecular events of apoptosis were performed. Results: DNA fragmentation could be identified under hypoxic conditions in HUVECs and mouse EBs. The DNA fragmentation increased when the hypoxic interval was extended. In situ internucleosomal DNA fragmentation-TUNEL assay also found that the percentages of apoptotic cells increased gradually in HUVECs and mouse EBs when the hypoxic interval was extended. Furthermore, the levels of expression of p53 and Bax both increased in hypoxic conditions. Conclusions: Hypoxia increases both HUVEC and mouse EB apoptosis, which is associated with increase in p53/Bax expression. [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]

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 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]