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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the factors associated with reactivation of the lesion during the first year in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) treated with intravitreal ranibizumab.Patients and methodsThis retrospective observational study included 84 eyes diagnosed with PCV and treated with 3-monthly ranibizumab injections. Only those patients who exhibited complete resolution of fluid after initial treatment and were followed up at least 12 months were included. The baseline characteristics of the patients, including their age and sex, location of the polyps, greatest linear dimensions of the lesions, largest polyp diameter, choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, submacular hemorrhages ≥1 disc area in size, presence of grape-like polyp clusters, central foveal thickness, and best-corrected visual acuity were compared between patients with and without reactivation of the lesion.ResultsDuring the 12-month follow-up period, reactivation of the lesion was observed in 60 patients (71.4%). The first reactivation was noted at a mean duration of 3.9±1.7 months after the third ranibizumab injection. Cox regression analysis revealed that the absence of submacular hemorrhages ≥1 disc area (P=0.009), presence of grape-like polyp clusters (P=0.002), and greatest linear dimension of the lesions (P=0.019) were associated with reactivation of the lesion.ConclusionThe absence of submacular hemorrhages, presence of grape-like polyp clusters, and large lesion size at diagnosis were associated with a high risk of reactivation of PCV in patients treated with intravitreal ranibizumab. Patients exhibiting these characteristics may require close monitoring.

ABSTRACTThe La1−xKxCo1−xNbxO3oxides were prepared by conventional solid state reaction technique. By using the GSAS programme a successful fit (Rp = 3.45%, Rwp = 2.77%, X2 = 1.28) was obtained, for x = 0.1. Refinements confirmed that K occupying the La sites and Nb for Co sites gave an acceptable occupancy factor for K and Nb. The valence state of all the ions in the system was determined by XPS analysis, and the lattice parameters were calculated according to the results of selected-area-diffraction (SAD) patterns and X-ray diffraction (XRD) identifications. The direction of the superlattice structure along [001] was found for x = 0.1 as identified from the SAD patterns.

The La1-xKxCo1-xNbxO3oxides were prepared by conventional solid state reaction technique. By using the GSAS programme a successful fit (Rp?=?3.45%, Rwp?=?2.77%, X2?=?1.28) was obtained, for x?=?0.1. Refinements confirmed that K occupying the La sites and Nb for Co sites gave an acceptable occupancy factor for K and Nb. The valence state of all the ions in the system was determined by XPS analysis, and the lattice parameters were calculated according to the results of selected-area-diffraction (SAD) patterns and X-ray diffraction (XRD) identifications. The direction of the superlattice structure along [001] was found for x?=?0.1 as identified from the SAD patterns.

The Imager for Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) was the first specifically dedicated instrument to observe lightning‐induced transient luminous events (TLE): sprites, elves, halos, and gigantic jets from space. The Imager is an intensified CCD system operating in the visible wavelength region with a filter wheel to select from six positions with filters. The Imager has a 5° × 20° (vertical times horizontal) field of view. The spectrophotometer (SP) is populated with six photometers with individual filters for emissions from the far ultraviolet to the near infrared. An array photometer with two channels operating in the blue and red provides altitude profiles of the emission over 16 altitude bins each. The Associated Electronics Package (AEP) controls instrument functions and interfaces with the spacecraft. ISUAL was launched 21 May 2004 into a Sun‐synchronous 890 km orbit on the Formosat‐2 satellite and has successfully been collecting data ever since. ISUAL is running on the nightside of the orbit and is pointed to the east of the orbit down toward the limb. The instrument runs continuously and writes data to a circular buffer. Whenever the SP detects a sudden signal increase above a preset threshold, a trigger signal is generated that commands the system to keep the data for about 400 ms starting from ~50 ms before the trigger. Over its lifetime of ~11 years the system recorded thousands of TLE and also successfully observed aurora and airglow. ISUAL is the first dedicated science instrument for comprehensive, long‐term, and global transient luminous event observations from spaceInstrument includes CCD Imager, spectrophotometer, and array photometer for spatial and spectral characterization of TLEOperations aim at separating pure lightning from lightning accompanied by TLE

Uncertainty in ocean analysis methods and deficiencies in the observing system are major obstacles for the reliable reconstruction of the past ocean climate. The variety of existing ocean reanalyses is exploited in a multi-reanalysis ensemble to improve the ocean state estimation and to gauge uncertainty levels. The ensemble-based analysis of signal-to-noise ratio allows the identification of ocean characteristics for which the estimation is robust (such as tropical mixed-layer-depth, upper ocean heat content), and where large uncertainty exists (deep ocean, Southern Ocean, sea ice thickness, salinity), providing guidance for future enhancement of the observing and data assimilation systems.

Human exposure to chloride ions in swimming pools has been recognized as a potential health concern. Although environmental monitoring is a useful technique to investigate chloride ions concentrations in indoor swimming-pool air, in practice, the interpretations of measured data would inevitably run into difficulties due to the complex interactions among the numerous variables, including environmental conditions and occupant activities. Consequently, the examination of chloride ions within swimming pool becomes an important test item for water quality control procedure. To effectively check the concentration of chloride ions in swimming pool, the evaluation process with an evaluation algorithm, indices of precision degree ( ), accuracy degree ( ) and the objective evaluation method with capability and concept of six sigma, proposed by Sung and Vännman are quoted in this paper to criticize examination tools for water quality in swimming pool. To ensure whether the evaluation method to measure chloride ion concentration in swimming pool holds precision, accuracy degrees and application functionality or not. The analysis results reveal that this method is suitable for examining the evaluation tool of chloride ions within swimming pool.

Wireless identification technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) or barcodes are becoming more critical tools for efficient data collection by managing products individually. However, in order to maximize the full advantage of those technologies, it is important to utilize the additional attributes of a product beside the unique identification number. This paper presents an RFID-based weedicide manufacturing process. The research was carried out using a case study in a manufacturing company that produces agricultural chemicals (i.e. weedicide). This paper provides a simulation analysis of a new process which shows improvement of the cycle time and reduction in the waste of boxes.

In this experiment, cotton fabrics were treated by padding, drying, and curing with an antiwrinkle finishing reagent, dimethylolethylene urea (DMEU), in combination with different concentrations of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and isopropanol (IPA) at various volumes. The treated fabrics were studied to determine the effects of adding TEOS and IPA. They were also analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to examine the binding between SiO2 and DMEU. The results showed that hydrogen bonds formed between SiO2 and DMEU. TEOS was found to improve the antiwrinkle properties, tensile strength retention, and yellowing of the treated fabrics, although their softness was slightly reduced. The solvent IPA was shown to decrease the tensile strength of treated fabrics, although it improved their antiwrinkle properties. We observed only one stage of pyrolysis in untreated cotton fabrics, whereas the treated fabrics showed two stages. In addition, the fabrics treated with TEOS showed improved heat resistance. Our findings demonstrated that cotton fabrics showed excellent antiwrinkle properties and high tensile strength, when treated with a finishing solution composed of DMEU, 3% TEOS, IPA and water, followed by predrying and curing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4136–4143, 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the properties and synthesis feasibility of water‐soluble hybrids of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) or a PVP copolymer. PVP was first mixed with different concentrations of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to produce PVP/SiO2 hybrids. Second, PVP/sodium polyacrylate (PAANa) copolymers were prepared and further developed into hybrids and then were analyzed and tested with methods such as Fourier transform infrared, NMR, X‐ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. According to the results of the experiments, the PVP polymer or its copolymer generated hydrogen bonding with the &bond;OH group in SiO2 with both PVP/SiO2 and PVP–PAANa/SiO2 hybrids. With an adequate concentration of TEOS, the hybrids exhibited increased heat resistance. Moreover, the roughness and holes in the hybrids increased with increasing TEOS concentration. However, when the TEOS concentration exceeded 6%, the roughness began to drop. Finally, all the hybrids were water‐soluble but possessed inferior solubility when used with organic solvents. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2164–2170, 2006

Prostate stromal sarcoma is quite rare, comprising only 0.1–0.2% of all prostate cancers. Here, we report one case of prostate stromal sarcoma in a 38-year-old man. Initially, the patient suffered from lower urinary tract symptoms, and intravenous pyelography showed a larger filling defect in the bladder. Transrectal ultrasound showed a huge heterogenous mass between the bladder and rectum. Abdominal computed tomography revealed prostate tumor with local invasion. Radical cystoprostatectomy with ileal conduit was performed; pathology revealed high-grade prostate stromal sarcoma with invasion to the right seminal vesicle and urethra. This article describes the pathology and immunohistrochemical features of this case and briefly reviews the literature.

¹⁸F-labeling of proteins and peptides is important for positron emission tomography (PET). Although there are many methods for the labeling of proteins with ¹⁸F, most of these are characterized by complicated procedures or low yields. Here, we report a novel and simple method which includes the preparation of [¹⁸F]fluorobenzaldehyde ([¹⁸F]FBA) and successive conjugation with hydrazinonicotinic acid−human serum albumin conjugate (HYNIC−HSA) via hydrazone formation. HYNIC−HSA, which can also be used for labeling with ^99mTc, was prepared via reaction with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) or tetrafluorophenyl (TFP) esters of HYNIC with HSA. No-carrier-added [¹⁸F]FBA was prepared by the nucleophilic substitution of [¹⁸F]fluoride to 4-trimethylammonium benzaldehyde triflate in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bicarbonate. [¹⁸F]FBA was purified by passing ion exchange cartridges (IC-H and QMA) and was adsorbed to a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. The adsorbed [¹⁸F]FBA was then eluted with 50% ethanol. HYNIC−HSA was added to the solution and conjugated with [¹⁸F]FBA via hydrazone formation. ¹⁸F-HSA was purified with a PD10 column. Biodistribution of ¹⁸F-HSA, ^99mTc-HSA, and [¹⁸F]FBA in mice were investigated at 10, 20, and 60 min after intravenous injection. The number of conjugated HYNIC molecules per HSA ranged from 5.2 to 23.2 depending on the reaction conditions. The labeling efficiency of ¹⁸F-FBA was 67 ± 15.7%. The radiochemical purity after purification was over 99%. The conjugation efficiency of HYNIC−HSA with [¹⁸F]FBA was between 25% and 90%. The conjugation efficiency was observed to increase with increases in the number of conjugated HYNIC, the HYNIC−HSA concentration, or temperature. ¹⁸F-HSA exhibited a biodistribution pattern similar to that of ^99mTc-HSA while [¹⁸F]FBA showed much lower blood activity than that of ¹⁸F-HSA and ^99mTc-HSA. We concluded that ¹⁸F-HSA was successfully labeled using a novel method which involves hydrazone formation between [¹⁸F]FBA and HYNIC−HSA. This method can be applied to the ¹⁸F-labeling of other proteins or peptides.

Three different extraction methods were evaluated: Soxhlet extraction, accelerated solvent extractor extraction and alkali digestion with high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, for the analysis of edible freshwater fish and frogs. The recovery efficiencies for the different extraction methods were also compared. Using these extraction methods, the concentrations and spatial distributions of these compounds in freshwater fish and frogs (n = 99), collected from 31 locations on four major river systems (Han, Nakdong, Kum and Youngsan) and two wetlands in South Korea, were examined. The concentrations of total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in all the freshwater fish and frog samples were analysed. The toxic equivalency (TEQ) concentration of PCDD/Fs in fish ranged from 0 (n.d.) to 1.309 pg I-TEQ g-1 wet weight. Detailed concentrations for different types of fish were as follows (pg I-TEQ g-1 wet weight): 0 (n.d.)-1.309 for crucian (mean 0.331, n = 28), 0.004-0.743 for carp (0.244, n = 10), 0.004-0.592 for dace (0.198, n = 8), 0.187-0.400 for cornet fish (0.287, n = 3), 0.164-0.410 for Korean piscivorous chub (0.303, n = 6), 0.105-0.516 for bass (0.310, n = 2), 0.451-0.812 for mullet (0.631, n = 2), 0.082 for long-nosed barbell, 0.100 for common Korean bitterling and 0.995 for dark chub. The total TEQ concentration ranged from 0 (n.d.) to 1.258 pg I-TEQ g-1 wet weight for the two kinds of frogs (n = 36) investigated: 0 (n.d.)-1.258 pg I-TEQ g-1 (mean 0.346, n = 29) for the bullfrog and from 0 (n.d.)-0.474 pg I-TEQ g-1 (0.185, n = 7) for the mountain frog.

Electrowetting and dielectrophoretic actuation are potentially important microfluidic mechanisms for the transport, dispensing, and manipulation of liquid using simple electrode structures patterned on a substrate. These two mechanisms are, respectively, the low- and high-frequency limits of the electromechanical response of an aqueous liquid to an electric field. The Maxwell stress tensor and an RC circuit model are used to develop a simple predictive model for these electromechanics. The model is tested by measuring electric-field-induced pressure changes within an aqueous droplet trapped between two parallel, disk-shaped electrodes immersed in a bath of immiscible, insulating oil. The experiment is an adaptation of Quincke's original bubble method for measuring the dielectric constant of a liquid. For AC voltages lower than ~100 V-rms, the pressure data largely conform to the square-law predictions of the model. At higher voltages, this square-law behavior is no longer evident, a result consistent with the well-known contact angle saturation effect. Pressure data obtained with DC electric fields are not consistent with either the lowest frequency data (10 Hz) or with the model.

Background Although Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common human bacterial infections worldwide, its mode of transmission is unclear.
Methods To investigate possible associations between H. pylori infection and demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors in a rural Chinese population, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 3288 adults (1994 seropositive, 1019 seronegative, 275 indeterminate) from 13 villages in Linqu County, Shandong Province, China.
Results Helicobacter pylori prevalence was elevated for: infrequent handwashing before meals (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-3.0), crowding (i.e. sharing a bed with >2 people [OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-4.2]), washing/bathing in a pond or ditch (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.4), and medium (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.3-2.0) and low (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.9-2.9) compared to high village education level, and reduced for never being married or divorced (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-1.0). There was also a suggestion that source of drinking water, especially water from a shallow village well might be related to H. pylori seropositivity. There was no evidence of an association between H. pylori prevalence and alcohol or tobacco use, raw fruit and vegetable intake, or individual social class measures.
Conclusions The results of this study suggest that person-to-person transmission is the most plausible route of H. pylori infection in this rural Chinese population, but waterborne exposures deserve further investigation.

In experimental animals and humans, hypothyroidism is associated with fluid retention and generalized oedema, increased antidiuretic hormone (ADH), decreased atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH), and decreased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which subsequently can be corrected by thyroid hormone replacement. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of thyroxine therapy on RAAS and neurohormones affecting water and electrolyte metabolism and the reason for these changes in patients with primary myxoedema.

In haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) vascular dysfunction has been observed in various organs, but the involvement of the intestine has not yet been reported. This study was performed to evaluate the association of intestinal protein loss in this disease with other clinical parameters reflecting vascular permeability or disease severity.

Investigation of the hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla resulted in isolation of six phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) inhibitors (1−6). The structures of these compounds were elucidated as pentacyclic triterpene esters by spectroscopic and chemical analysis. Three of them, namely uncarinic acids C (1), D (2), and E (3), are newly reported as natural products. All the compounds showed dose-dependent inhibitory activities against PLCγ1 in vitro with IC50 values of 9.5−44.6 μM and inhibited the proliferation of human cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.5−6.5 μg/mL.

Blunt chest trauma with flail chest is common. The mortality attributes initially to the associated pulmonary contusion, massive hemothorax and later to the occurrence of adult respiratory distress syndrome. We report a case of flail chest with segmental fractures near the costovertebral junction and delayed hemothorax attacked 14 h later. The final diagnosis of the penetrating aortic injury by detached rib fragment was appreciated by aortogram. Unfortunately, active aortic hemorrhage made prompt thoracotomy in vain for life salvage.

A new process of electrodeposition in saturated cupric sulphate aqueous solution was successfully developed for the formation of copper film on a high-Tc, three Cu-O layered Tl-(Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor substrate surface for the first time. Scanning electron microscopy and electron micro-probe analysis were used to investigate the morphology of the substrate surface and the composition of the copper superconductor interface. After the electrodeposition process, no evident changes in the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity were found by four-point probe measurement. The difference of magnetic properties before and after electrodeposition was investigated from magnetization measurements. Almost no degradation of the bulk properties was observed from the susceptibility data. The copper-superconductor contact was confirmed to show Ohmic behaviour by two-pointI–V characterization at liquid nitrogen boiling temperature.

The sperm penetration assay is an expensive, time-consuming test to assess male fertility in vitro. Although some investigators are enthusiastic in its application, others feel that it is not sensitive or specific enough to be used as part of the routine infertility evaluation. Indeed, this bioassay is not a faithful reproduction of in vivo conditions. However, if the SPA is abnormal, it is unlikely that sperm will fertilize a human ovum in vivo. Conversely, a normal SPA does not guarantee successful in vivo fertilization. No bioassay can be absolute in its predictive value, but false-negative results must be kept to a minimum for this bioassay to be of any clinical significance. Each laboratory performing the SPA should optimize the assay for sensitivity, reproducibility, and minimization of false-negative results and then establish normal and abnormal ranges of its own. If the limitations of the SPA are kept in mind, and if we employ it very selectively, it may still be useful.

A nonlinear least squares method of retrieving line intensities and half-widths from spectra degraded by a finite instrumental resolving power is discussed. Examples of the applications of this technique to obtain the parameters of a single isolated line and of an overlapping pair of lines are presented.

Three isoforms of equine luteinizing hormone (eLH-A, eLH-B and eLH-C) have been isolated from horse pituitary glands. Separation was achieved on the basis of charge heterogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography. These charge differences were apparent after final purification, as determined by electrophoretic mobility on polyacrylamide disc gels (RF= 0.14, 0.19 and 0.26 for eLH-A, -B and -C, respectively). Apparent size differences were also noted between the isohormones by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Ve/Vo ratios for eLH-A, -B and -C were 1.72, 1.54 and 1.47, respectively. All 3 isoforms were found to contain an equivalent amount of hexose (9.0–9.2%). Isohormones eLH-B and eLH-C, however, possess more sialic acid than eLH-A (6.6–6.7%, vs. 4.5%). The eLH-A and eLH-B preparations contain a similar amount of hexosamine, which is slightly lower than the amount of eLH-C (8.8–9.1% vs. 11.2%).No differences were noted between the isohormones by rat Leydig cell LH bioassay, equine testis LH radioreceptor assay (RRA) or calf testis follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) RRA. Slight, but nonsignificant, variations were noted between preparations in an eLH radioimmunoassay (RIA).Although chemical variations were detected between the eLH isoforms, no significant differences were observed in in vitro biological and immunological activities. The differences detected in sialic acid content raises the possibility that differences in in vivo clearance rates may exist.