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Background/Aims: The effects of probiotic supplementation on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of continuous probiotic administration on eradication rates, recrudescence, and symptom response following completion of a course of H. pylori therapy.Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed between June 2018 and 2020. Twohundred seventy patients who received a standard triple regimen for H. pylori eradication, were included in the study. Participants were randomized to receive a probiotic as adjunctive therapy (Enterococcus faecium 4.5×108 and Bacillus subtilis 5.0×107; Medilac-S®, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Seoul, Korea) or a placebo (one tablet thrice daily) for 28 days, following H. pylori eradication. Participants who showed successful eradication underwent a repeat 13C-urea breath test after 6 months.Results: Eradication rates in the probiotic and placebo groups were 77.1% and 72.4%, respectively (P=0.48) using per-protocol analysis. Using intention-to-treat analysis, eradication rates were 67.4% and 65.9%, respectively (P=0.43). Of 149 patients who were followed-up after 6 months, four patients had recrudescence (2.7%). Recrudescence rates did not differ between the probiotic and placebo groups. Of the 76 patients who had non-ulcer dyspepsia, 60 (78.9%) showed symptom resolution after 6 months. This beneficial effect was most pronounced in patients with postprandial distress syndrome (P=0.02).Conclusions: Consecutive probiotic supplementation following H. pylori eradication therapy did not increase eradication rates or decrease recrudescence rates.

Background Low sensitivity of the PCR assay for diagnosing scabies has been noted because of the difficulty in obtaining tissue containing Sarcoptes scabiei DNA. Aim To evaluate nested real-time quantitative PCR (nRT-qPCR) with nonexpert-dependent standardized cotton swab sampling (CSW) as a tool for diagnosing scabies. Methods All patients underwent dermoscopic and microscopic examination (MS) with scraped sampling (Sc). Patient samples were acquired with a single, dry swab rubbed across the flexor areas of both wrists as well as the eight interdigital spaces and on any suspected scabies lesions. nRT-qPCRs were performed with Sc and CSW samples. Results Out of 125 patients with suspected scabies, 120 patients were sampled, and 57 were positive (positive with: MS n = 53; nRT-qPCR with Sc n = 52; nRT-qPCR with CSW n = 46) and 63 were negative for scabies. The sensitivities of these tests were 93.0%, 91.2% and 80.7%, respectively, which were not different statistically (P > 0.05). However, upon subsequent monitoring after treatment, the sensitivity of nRT-qPCR with CSW was only 36.6%, which was significantly lower than 83.0% for MS and 92.7% for nRT-qPCR with Sc (P < 0.001). The obtained sequences showed 97%–100% homology with scabies sequences deposited in GenBank. Conclusion CSW with nRT-qPCR shows sensitivity close to MS with scraping performed by experts for diagnosing scabies in an outpatient setting, but not for post-treatment monitoring. CSW with nRT-qPCR may be useful for physicians unfamiliar with a traditional diagnostic method, and for screening an outbreak in community facilities.

Background Brain age is a popular brain-based biomarker that offers a powerful strategy for using neuroscience in clinical practice. We investigated the brain-predicted age difference (PAD) in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FE-SSDs), and treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) using structural magnetic resonance imaging data. The association between brain-PAD and clinical parameters was also assessed. Methods We developed brain age prediction models for the association between 77 average structural brain measures and age in a training sample of controls (HCs) using ridge regression, support vector regression, and relevance vector regression. The trained models in the controls were applied to the test samples of the controls and 3 patient groups to obtain brain-based age estimates. The correlations were tested between the brain PAD and clinical measures in the patient groups. Results Model performance indicated that, regardless of the type of regression metric, the best model was support vector regression and the worst model was relevance vector regression for the training HCs. Accelerated brain aging was identified in patients with SCZ, FE-SSDs, and TRS compared with the HCs. A significant difference in brain PAD was observed between FE-SSDs and TRS using the ridge regression algorithm. Symptom severity, the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, chlorpromazine equivalents, and cognitive function were correlated with the brain PAD in the patient groups. Conclusions These findings suggest additional progressive neuronal changes in the brain after SCZ onset. Therefore, pharmacological or psychosocial interventions targeting brain health should be developed and provided during the early course of SCZ.

The Korean Society of Gastroenterology (KSG) and the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (KSGE) have tried to promote high-quality patient care, and safety in the field of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. In 2017, the training guidelines for GI fellows have been made, and the education board of KSGE revised 2 year- program of GI fellows. The guideline includes the total number of assigned patients, the number of GI endoscopy procedures, attendance of academic conferences, and research presentations. The traditional training model of GI fellowship is known as an "apprenticeship". Unfortunately, it might increase confusion between what trainees are observing and prior information. Now, practical hands-on training system using simulator helps to provide a support program for GI fellowship education. In order to facilitate training program, trainers will need to carefully plan the teaching. Therefore, it improves knowledge and performance for trainers. What we should keep in mind is that this hands-on program has the goal of making a good gastroenterologist, not just making an endoscopist. At same time, the application of cognitive education in GI fellow training must be performed. On the other side, the privileging and credentialing for endoscopic subspecialty should be made. The provision of benefits could serve as an important foundation for maintaining GI specialist board system.

This study investigates the long-term outcomes of clival chordoma patients treated with the endonasal transclival approach (ETCA) and early adjuvant radiation therapy. A retrospective review of 17 patients (2002–2013) showed a 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 67.4%, with the ETCA group showing fewer progressions and cranial neuropathies than those treated with combined approaches. The ETCA, a minimally invasive technique, provided a similar extent of resection compared to conventional skull-base approaches and enabled safe delivery of high-dose adjuvant radiotherapy. The findings suggest that ETCA is an effective treatment for centrally located clival chordomas.

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, has rapidly increased in Asian countries over several decades. To overcome the limitations of conventional drug therapies, including biologics for UC management, the development of herbal medicine-derived products has received continuous attention. In this study, we evaluated the beneficial effects of a hydroethanolic extract of Fritillariae thunbergii Bulbus (FTB) in a mouse model of DSS-induced UC. The DSS treatment successfully induced severe colonic inflammation and ulceration. However, the severity of colitis was reduced by the oral administration of FTB. Histopathological examination showed that FTB alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells (e.g., neutrophils and macrophages), damage to epithelial and goblet cells in the colonic mucosal layer, and fibrotic lesions. Additionally, FTB markedly reduced the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix remodeling. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that FTB alleviated the decrease in occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression induced by DSS. In a Caco-2 monolayer system, FTB treatment improved intestinal barrier permeability in a dose-dependent manner and increased tight junction expression. Overall, FTB has potential as a therapeutic agent through the improvement of tissue damage and inflammation severity through the modulation of intestinal barrier integrity.

Genetics have nominated many schizophrenia risk genes and identified convergent signals between schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, functional interpretation of the nominated genes in the relevant brain cell types is often lacking. We executed interaction proteomics for six schizophrenia risk genes that have also been implicated in neurodevelopment in human induced cortical neurons. The resulting protein network is enriched for common variant risk of schizophrenia in Europeans and East Asians, is down-regulated in layer 5/6 cortical neurons of individuals affected by schizophrenia, and can complement fine-mapping and eQTL data to prioritize additional genes in GWAS loci. A sub-network centered on HCN1 is enriched for common variant risk and contains proteins (HCN4 and AKAP11) enriched for rare protein-truncating mutations in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our findings showcase brain cell-type-specific interactomes as an organizing framework to facilitate interpretation of genetic and transcriptomic data in schizophrenia and its related disorders.

Background/Aims: Helicobacter pylori eradication may prevent the recurrence of gastric epithelial neoplasia after endoscopic treatment. However, H. pylori eradication therapy is unlikely to prevent gastric cancer. This study determined the longterm results and clinical outcomes of patients with gastric epithelial neoplasia based on H. pylori infection status and microsatellite stability (MSS).Methods: Patients diagnosed with gastric epithelial neoplasia who underwent an endoscopic mucosal resection or submucosal dissection between 2004 and 2010 were included in this retrospective study. During the follow-up period (range, 4 to 14 years), disease recurrence was monitored, and tissue examinations were conducted for seven sets of microsatellite loci initially linked to the tumour suppressor gene locus. When H. pylori infection was identified, patients underwent eradication therapy.Results: The patients (n = 120) were divided into three groups: H. pylori-negative with MSS, H. pylori-positive with MSS, and microsatellite instability (MSI). After H. pylori eradication, the rate of metachronous recurrence was significantly different in the MSI (28.2%) and MSS groups (3.7%, p < 0.01). The mean duration of recurrence was 77 months (range, 24 to 139) in the MSI group. There was no recurrence after eradication therapy in patients who were positive for H. pylori in the MSS group.Conclusion: H. pylori eradication could help prevent gastric cancer recurrence in patients with stable microsatellite loci. Careful, long-term monitoring is required in patients with unstable microsatellite loci.

Contains fulltext : 291574.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Left-right asymmetry is an important organizing feature of the healthy brain that may be altered in schizophrenia, but most studies have used relatively small samples and heterogeneous approaches, resulting in equivocal findings. We carried out the largest case-control study of structural brain asymmetries in schizophrenia, with MRI data from 5,080 affected individuals and 6,015 controls across 46 datasets, using a single image analysis protocol. Asymmetry indexes were calculated for global and regional cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume measures. Differences of asymmetry were calculated between affected individuals and controls per dataset, and effect sizes were meta-analyzed across datasets. Small average case-control differences were observed for thickness asymmetries of the rostral anterior cingulate and the middle temporal gyrus, both driven by thinner left-hemispheric cortices in schizophrenia. Analyses of these asymmetries with respect to the use of antipsychotic medication and other clinical variables did not show any significant associations. Assessment of age- and sex-specific effects revealed a stronger average leftward asymmetry of pallidum volume between older cases and controls. Case-control differences in a multivariate context were assessed in a subset of the data (N = 2,029), which revealed that 7% of the variance across all structural asymmetries was explained by case-control status. Subtle case-control differences of brain macrostructural asymmetry may reflect differences at the molecular, cytoarchitectonic, or circuit levels that have functional relevance for the disorder. Reduced left middle temporal cortical thickness is consistent with altered left-hemisphere language network organization in schizophrenia.

Supplementary Table 1, Supplementary Figure 1 from Systematic Error in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry–Based Quantification of Hydrolyzed Urinary Steroids

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry–based metabolite profiling can lead to an understanding of various disease mechanisms as well as to identifying new diagnostic biomarkers by comparing the metabolites related in quantification. However, the unexpected transformation of urinary steroids during enzymatic hydrolysis with Helix pomatia could result in an underestimation or overestimation of their concentrations. A comparison of β-glucurondase extracted from Escherichia coli revealed 18 conversions of 84 steroids tested as an unexpected transformation under hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase extracted from Helix pomatia. In addition to the conversion of 3β-hydroxy-5-ene steroids into 3-oxo-4-ene steroids, which has been reported, the transformation of 3β-hydroxy-5α–reduced and 3β-hydroxy-5β–reduced steroids to 3-oxo-5α–reduced and 3-oxo-5β–reduced steroids, respectively, was newly observed. The formation of by-products was in proportion to the concentration of substrates becoming saturated against the enzyme. The substances belonging to these three steroid groups were undetectable at low concentrations, whereas the corresponding by-products were overestimated. These results indicate that the systematic error in the quantification of urinary steroids hydrolyzed with Helix pomatia can lead to a misreading of the clinical implications. All these hydrolysis procedures are suitable for study purposes, and the information can help prevent false evaluations of urinary steroids in clinical studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(2); 388–97

We investigate the effects of free trade agreements (FTAs), focusing on the impact of cumulative rules of origin (ROO) on trade costs. Using a gravity regression model, we estimate the effect of various cumulative ROO systems on the measured trade costs. We apply these estimates to static and capital accumulation computable general equilibrium models to compare the effects of mega-regional FTAs in the Asia-Pacific region—namely, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Free Trade Areas in the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). We find that mega-regional FTAs may not be a viable alternative to a multilateral trading system or bilateral FTAs unless less restrictive cumulative ROO are adopted. Successful FTAs depend on an appropriate cumulative ROO provision system rather than their membership expansion.

Background: With growing incidence of early gastric cancer (EGC), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely performed as a standard treatment for mucosal cancer. Due to the increasing application of ESD, the number of non-curative resection after ESD is also growing, leading to escalating number of patients who require additional gastrectomy with lymph node dissection after non-curative ESD. However, effects of ESD prior to surgery on technical difficulties during operation for EGC remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of non-curative ESD on short-term surgical outcomes in patients who underwent additional surgical treatment using propensity score matching method. Methods: To evaluate the effect of ESD on short-term surgical outcomes in patients who underwent additional surgical treatment after a non-curative ESD procedure, patients were divided into two groups: (1) those who underwent additional gastrectomy after non-curative resection of ESD [ESD + Surgery (ES) Group], and (2) those who underwent gastrectomy as the initial treatment [Surgery Only (SO) Group]. To minimize differences in baseline demographic features that could potentially be associated with short-term outcomes, propensity-scored matching analysis was performed. Results: After propensity-scored matching (1:1 matching), 140 patients altogether were selected and analyzed in this study. Complications were experienced by 18 (25.7%) patients in the ES group and 13 (18.6%) patients in the SO group, showing no significant (p

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly population and is caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. PD has been predominantly attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction. The structural alteration of α-synuclein triggers toxic oligomer formation in the neurons, which greatly contributes to PD. In this article, we discuss the role of several familial PD-related proteins, such as α-synuclein, DJ-1, LRRK2, PINK1, and parkin in mitophagy, which entails a selective degradation of mitochondria via autophagy. Defective changes in mitochondrial dynamics and their biochemical and functional interaction induce the formation of toxic α-synuclein-containing protein aggregates in PD. In addition, these gene products play an essential role in ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS)-mediated proteolysis as well as mitophagy. Interestingly, a few deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) additionally modulate these two pathways negatively or positively. Based on these findings, we summarize the close relationship between several DUBs and the precise modulation of mitophagy. For example, the USP8, USP10, and USP15, among many DUBs are reported to specifically regulate the K48- or K63-linked de-ubiquitination reactions of several target proteins associated with the mitophagic process, in turn upregulating the mitophagy and protecting neuronal cells from α-synuclein-derived toxicity. In contrast, USP30 inhibits mitophagy by opposing parkin-mediated ubiquitination of target proteins. Furthermore, the association between these changes and PD pathogenesis will be discussed. Taken together, although the functional roles of several PD-related genes have yet to be fully understood, they are substantially associated with mitochondrial quality control as well as UPS. Therefore, a better understanding of their relationship provides valuable therapeutic clues for appropriate management strategies.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the possibility of in situ diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection during endoscopic examination. The predictive infection value was estimated using the endoscopic Kyoto scoring system (EKSS), and specific endoscopic findings were evaluated for diagnosing H. pylori infection in H. pylori naïve patients and those with a eradication history.Materials and Methods: A total of 836 patients with H. pylori infection were analyzed. The state of the infection was predicted using the EKSS and specific endoscopic findings.Results: Patients were classified into two groups: the H. pylori naïve group and the group with a the bacterial eradication history. The area under the curve (AUC) on receiver operating characteristics analysis was 0.90 for EKSS in H. pylori naïve patients and 0.83 for the other group patients. For patients with open type atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia, EKSS (24.4%; 95% CI, 12.4~0.3%) and regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) (46.3%; 95% CI, 30.7~62.9%) showed low specificities. Mucosal swelling (66.2%; 95% CI, 62.5~69.7%) and sticky mucus (80.5%; 95% CI, 74.8~85.2%) presented relatively high positive predictive values for H. pylori infection in naïve patients, whereas reflux esophagitis, hematin, red streak, and duodenitis exhibited high negative predictive values in patients with a H. pylori eradication history (98.0%; 95% CI, 96.4~99.1%).Conclusions: EKSS and RAC are excellent tools for predicting H. pylori infection. However, they have a limited role in patients with open type atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia. Specific endoscopic findings could help predict the infection state.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Durable biliary drainage is essential in patients with pancreatic cancer in the era of effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Plastic stent (PS) tends to occlude easily, and current metal stents are designed for nonresectable cancer. We evaluated the efficacy of a modified non-flared fully covered self-expandable metal stent (M-FCSEMS) during the perioperative period in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS Consecutive patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma had a 12-mm M-FCSEMS (M-FCSEMS group) or 7-Fr PS (PS group) placed for biliary decompression before NACT or curative-intent surgery. The primary outcome was the re-intervention rate, and secondary outcomes were technical success, stent patency, and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS Endoscopic stent placement was technically successful in all 60 patients. Twenty-three patients underwent surgery and 37 NACT before surgery. Re-intervention was performed in 10.0% (3/30) of patients in the M-FCSEMS group and 36.7% (11/30) of patients in the PS group (P = 0.030). The stent patency at 180 days was 89.8% (95% confidence interval, 77.3-100.0%) in the M-FCSEMS group and 30.2% (95% confidence interval, 11.4-80.0%) in the PS group (P

Objectives: Childhood trauma (ChT) is a risk factor for psychosis. Negative lifestyle factors such as rumination, negative schemas, and poor diet and exercise are common in psychosis. The present study aimed to perform a network analysis of interactions between ChT and negative lifestyle in patients and controls.Methods: We used data of patients with early-stage psychosis (n = 500) and healthy controls (n = 202). Networks were constructed using 12 nodes from five scales: the Brief Core Schema Scale (BCSS), Brooding Scale (BS), Dietary Habits Questionnaire, Physical Activity Rating, and Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETI). Graph metrics were calculated.Results: The nodes with the highest predictability and expected influence in both patients and controls were cognitive (Co) and emotional domains (Em) of the BS and emotional abuse (EMO) of the ETI. The EMO was a mediator in the shortest pathway connecting the ETI and negative lifestyle for both groups. The negative other (NO) and negative self (NS) of the BCSS mediated EMO to other BCSS or BS for patients and controls, respectively.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that rumination and EMO were central symptoms in both groups and that NO and NS played important mediating roles for patients and controls, respectively.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: CUH201411002

Background/Aims: The treatment of gastric cancer remains unsatisfactory. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of immunohistochemical staining in gastric cancer.Methods: We analyzed 505 (279 early staged, 226 advanced-staged) gastric cancer tissues from patients who underwent radical gastric resection between January 2014 and December 2016. Available surgical specimens immunohistochemically stained for p53, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human EGFR 2 (HER-2), E-cadherin, and Ki-67 were reviewed. We evaluated the association between positivity to various biomarkers and disease recurrence, disease-free survival, lymph node metastasis, and microscopic lymphovascular invasion.Results: The median follow-up duration was 32.5 months (range, 7 to 70). Advanced gastric cancer cases showed high Ki-67 expression; other cases showed unremarkable expression. Concerning disease recurrence, lymphatic invasion, and disease-free interval, all biomarkers had no prognostic effects. HER-2-positive stage I gastric cancer tended to occur in old patients and in the upper one-third of the stomach (p = 0.01). HER-2 positivity was significantly correlated with disease recurrence (p = 0.01), lymphatic invasion (p = 0.03), and vascular invasion (p = 0.03) in stage I cases.Conclusions: Only HER-2 was associated with the recurrence of stage I gastric cancer. HER-2-positive stage I gastric cancer requires additional therapy despite curative resection.

Among the five members of the dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase (DYRK) family, the cellular functions of DYRK3 have not been fully elucidated. Some studies have indicated limited physiological roles and substrates of DYRK3, including promotion of glioblastoma, requirement in influenza virus replication, and coupling of stress granule condensation with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling. Here, we demonstrate that serum deprivation causes a decrease in intracellular DYRK3 levels via the proteolytic autophagy pathway, as well as the suppression of DYRK3 gene expression. To further demonstrate how DYRK3 affects cell viability, especially in neurons, we used a yeast two-hybrid assay and identified multiple DYRK3-binding proteins, including SNAPIN, a SNARE-associated protein implicated in synaptic transmission. We also found that DYRK3 directly phosphorylates SNAPIN at the threonine (Thr) 14 residue, increasing the interaction of SNAPIN with other proteins such as dynein and synaptotagmin-1. In central nervous system neurons, SNAPIN is associated with and mediate the retrograde axonal transport of diverse cellular products from the distal axon terminal to the soma and the synaptic release of neurotransmitters, respectively. Moreover, phosphorylation of SNAPIN at Thr-14 was found to positively modulate mitochondrial retrograde transport in mouse cortical neurons and the recycling pool size of synaptic vesicles, contributing to neuronal viability. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that DYRK3 phosphorylates SNAPIN, positively regulating the dynein-mediated retrograde transport of mitochondria and SNARE complex-mediated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles within the neurons. This finding further suggests that DYRK3 affects cell viability and provides a novel neuroprotective mechanism.

This study examined whether the oral administration of low-molecular-weight collagen peptide (LMCP) containing 3% Gly-Pro-Hyp with >15% tripeptide (Gly-X-Y) content could ameliorate osteoarthritis (OA) progression using a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model of induced OA and chondrocytes isolated from a patient with OA. Oral LMCP administration (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks ameliorated cartilage damage and reduced the loss of proteoglycan compared to the findings in the ACLT control group, resulting in dose-dependent (p < 0.05) improvements of the OARSI score in hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Safranin O staining. In microcomputed tomography analysis, LMCP also significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the deterioration of the microstructure in tibial subchondral bone during OA progression. The elevation of IL-1βand IL-6 concentrations in synovial fluid following OA induction was dose-dependently (p < 0.05) reduced by LMCP treatment. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry illustrated that LMCP significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated type II collagen and downregulated matrix metalloproteinase-13 in cartilage tissue. Consistent with the in vivo results, LMCP significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression of COL2A1 and ACAN in chondrocytes isolated from a patient with OA regardless of the conditions for IL-1βinduction. These findings suggest that LMCP has potential as a therapeutic treatment for OA that stimulates cartilage regeneration.

In this study, micro-defects on/in carbon fibers were modified by irradiation with an electron beam, which improved the mechanical strength of single carbon fibers. The electron beam irradiation was 10 kGy (using a 1.5 MeV accelerator in the air). The total doses ranged from 100 to 500 kGy. The tensile strength of the single carbon fiber was measured using a universal testing machine. The micro-defects on the fiber surface were observed with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and those in the fiber were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, the electron beam treatment produced changes in the micro-defects on/in the carbon fibers, resulting in up to 14% improvement in the tensile strength of single carbon fiber.

Slurry-phase hydrocracking for heavy oil upgrading is a challenging technology in the petroleum refining industry. We prepared various P-containing Mo precursors to elucidate the effect of their ligand structures on the slurry-phase hydrocracking of vacuum residue. Characteristic analyses of the Mo precursors were performed by first determining their dispersibility and decomposition patterns, followed by evaluating the sulfidation degree and morphology of the resulting MoS2 catalyst. The dispersibility of the Mo precursors was evaluated by a method of measuring the solubility parameter based on the oil compatibility model. The slurry-phase hydrocracking results revealed that the H2 consumption rate, residue conversion, hydrodesulfurization , and asphaltene conversion were dependent on the Mo precursor. The Mo triethylphosphite species, which had the largest number of active sites, was found to be the most efficient precursor for improving product distribution and product quality.

BACKGROUND Previous research has not evaluated the potential effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on quality of recovery following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Therefore, we investigated whether addition of the bilateral subcostal and lateral TAP (bilateral dual TAP [BD-TAP]) blocks to multimodal analgesia would improve the quality of recovery as assessed with the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40). METHODS Patients age 18 to 60 years who were scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to the BD-TAP or control group. The BD-TAP group received the BD-TAP block with multimodal analgesia under general anesthesia, using 0.25% ropivacaine, and the control group was treated with the same method, except that they received the sham block using 0.9% normal saline. Both groups had the same multimodal analgesia regimen, consisting of intravenous dexamethasone, propacetamol, ibuprofen, and oxycodone. The primary outcome was the QoR-40 score at 24 hours after surgery. Data were analyzed using the independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, and Fisher exact test. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients in each group were recruited. The mean QoR-40 score decreased by 13.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.3-18.8) in the BD-TAP group and 15.6 (95% CI, 6.7-24.5) in the control group. The postoperative QoR-40 score at 24 hours after surgery did not differ between the 2 groups (BD-TAP group, median [interquartile range], 170.5 [152-178]; control group, 161 [148-175]; median difference, 3 [95% CI, -5 to 13]; P = .427). There were no differences between the 2 groups in the pain dimension of the QoR-40: 30.5 (95% CI, 27-33) in the BD-TAP group and 31 (95% CI, 26-32) in the control group; median difference was 0 (95% CI, -2 to 2); P = .77. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the BD-TAP block does not improve the quality of recovery or analgesic outcomes following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our results do not support the routine use of the BD-TAP block for this surgery.

Mooring systems are among the most important elements employed to control the motion of floating offshore structures on the sea. Considering the use of polymer material, a new method is proposed to address the creep characteristics rather than the method of using a tension load cell for measuring the tension of the mooring line. This study uses a synthetic mooring rope made from a polymer material, which usually consists of three parts: center, eye, and splice, and which makes a joint for two successive ropes. We integrate the optical sensor into the synthetic mooring ropes to measure the rope tension. The different structure of the mooring line in the longitudinal direction can be used to measure the loads with the entire mooring configuration in series, which can be defined as SMART (Smart Mooring and Riser Truncation) mooring. To determine the characteristics of the basic SMART mooring, a SMART mooring with a diameter of 3 mm made of three different polymer materials is observed to change the wavelength that responds as the length changes. By performing the longitudinal tension experiment using three different SMART moorings, it was confirmed that there were linear wavelength changes in the response characteristics of the 3-mm-diameter SMART moorings. A 54-mm-diameter SMART mooring is produced to measure the response of longitudinal tension on the center, eye, and splice of the mooring, and a longitudinal tension of 100 t in step-by-step applied for the Maintained Test and Fatigue Cycle Test is conducted. By performing a longitudinal tension experiment, wavelength changes were detected in the center, eye, and splice position of the SMART moorings. The results obtained from each part of the installed sensors indicated a different strain measurement depending on the position of the SMART moorings. The variation of the strain measurement with the position was more than twice the result of the difference measurement, while the applied external load increased step-by-step. It appears that there is a correlation with an externally generated longitudinal tensional force depending on the cross-sectional area of each part of the SMART mooring.

Aim In the present study, the prevalence and predictors of symptomatic and full remission were investigated in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) at the 12-month follow-up. Methods A total of 308 participants aged 18-45 years fulfilled the study inclusion criteria and 214 completed the 12-month follow-up. Results At the 12-month follow-up, 67.3% (142) and 25.9% (55) of the FEP patients met the criteria for symptomatic and full remission, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed a shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), no family history, lower Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative symptom scores at baseline and higher familial support predicted symptomatic remission at the 12-month follow-up. A higher educational level, shorter DUP, lower PANSS general symptoms scores at baseline and higher subjective well-being under neuroleptics emotional regulation scores predicted full remission. Conclusions Our findings regarding the rates of symptomatic and full remission are consistent with previous studies. The results indicate a large discrepancy between symptomatic versus full remission rates at a 12-month follow-up in patients with FEP. Effective psychosocial interventions are necessary to improve the outcomes of FEP patients.