Search

Uterine rupture during labor is a serious complication resulting in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We present the extremely rare case of a 38-year-old gravid woman admitted with labor pain at term, about to experience a uterine rupture during labor. She had previously twice delivered vaginally, and during her third pregnancy had a low transverse Cesarean section. Prior to arriving at the hospital with labor pains, she had routine prenatal care with normal prenatal laboratory tests. One day the woman reported to having sudden epigastric pain, and 40 minutes after her admission a pelvic exam was completed. The unborn baby had a persistent revealed, and a live neonate was promptly delivered with an Apgar score of 1 at one minute and 5 at five minutes. On the fifth postoperative day the woman and her baby were discharged home with no maternal and neonatal complications.

The original version of this article contained error in Figure 2e. In Figure 2e, the 6th colony image of T47D cells treated with shMSI2 was inadvertently replaced with a duplicate of 7th colony image. However, the conclusions reported in the manuscript are not affected by figure replacement. The authors regret that these errors were made and apologize for the confusion and inconvenience. The correct version of this figure panel appears in the Author Correction associated with this Article.

Background The aim of this study to assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA), a monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and to explore predictors of response in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods We conducted a prospective observational multicenter study over 56 weeks in adult patients with moderately to severely active UC. Clinical response and remission were assessed by Mayo score. Mucosal healing was defined as Mayo subscore 0 or 1. Faecal calprotectin (FC) were assessed at baseline, week 8 and 56. Adalimumab drug levels were checked at week 8 and at loss of response. Missing or incomplete data were handled using the nonresponder imputation method. Results A total of 146 patients were enrolled and included in the analysis. Clinical response rates were 52.1% (76/146) and 37.7% (55/146) at week 8 and 56, respectively. Clinical remission was achieved in 24.0% (35/146) and 21.9% (32/146) of patients at week 8 and 56. Steroid-free remission rates were 21.2% (31/146) at week 56. Mucosal healing rates were 39.0% (57/146) and 30.1% (44/146) at week 8 and 56. Prior use of anti-TNF-α did not affect the clinical and endoscopic responses. Treatment persistence was achieved in 57.5% (84/146) of patients at week 56. Adalimumab drug level was significantly higher in patients with clinical response (10.8 vs. 8.0, p = 0.004), clinical remission (11.7 vs. 8.8, p = 0.007) and mucosal healing (11.0 vs. 8.5, p = 0.010) at week 8. Adalimumab dose was escalated to 40 mg weekly in 25 (17.1%) patients, and clinical response and remission were achieved in 40% and 20% of patients at week 56, respectively. Mean faecal calprotectin levels were significantly more decreased in clinical responders compared with non-responders at week 8 (336.3 mg/kg vs. 628.8 mg/kg, p < 0.001). The Fecal calprotectin levels are well correlated with endoscopic severity, and the best cut-off value to predict mucosal healing was 274 mg/kg. The lower endoscopic severity, higher body mass index and higher serum albumin level at baseline were associated with a clinical response at week 8. The lower Mayo score, lower C-reactive protein level, clinical response (74.5% vs. 38.5%, p < 0.001) and mucosal healing (52.7% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.008) at week 8 were associated with clinical response at week 56. Serious adverse drug reactions were identified in 2.7% (4/146) of patients including 1 case of pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion Adalimumab is safe and effective for induction and maintenance in Korean patients with UC, regardless of prior anti-TNF therapy. Adalimumab drug level is associated with the efficacy of induction therapy. A better response to induction therapy can predict a better long-term response.

Plants have adapted to environmental changes and stresses over generations. The decision of transition from the vegetative to reproductive stage is critical, particularly under unfavorable conditions. Thus, plants appear to have developed mechanisms by which environmental factors or inputs are transmitted to stress response signaling pathways to confer tolerance and are simultaneously integrated into flowering regulation pathways (photoperiod, vernalization, autonomous, and gibberellic acid signaling) to propagate the next generation. In this review, we summarize how abiotic stresses influence, induce, or delay flowering time, particularly in the long-day plant Arabidopsis. Four major modes including FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), CONSTANS (CO), DELLA, and GIGANTEA (GI), which serve as hubs that integrate stress signals for regulating flowering time, are introduced. GI, a mediator of the photoperiod floral pathway and circadian clock, is involved in various biological processes and thus controls stress response directly through interaction with stress-responsive components and indirectly through association with circadian clock components.

Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 (MSI2) has important roles in human cancer. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which MSI2 alters breast cancer pathophysiology have not been clearly identified. Here we demonstrate that MSI2 directly regulates estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), which is a well-known therapeutic target and has been shown to reflect clinical outcomes in breast cancer. Based on gene expression data analysis, we found that MSI2 expression was highly enriched in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer and that MSI2 expression was significantly correlated with ESR1 expression, including expression of ESR1 downstream target genes. In addition, MSI2 levels were associated with clinical outcomes. MSI2 influenced breast cancer cell growth by altering ESR1 function. MSI2 alters ESR1 by binding specific sites in ESR1 RNA and by increasing ESR1 protein stability. Taken together, our findings identified a novel regulatory mechanism of MSI2 as an upstream regulator of ESR1 and revealed the clinical relevance of the RNA-binding protein MSI2 in breast cancer.

AbstractA freeze–gel casting method has been proposed to fabricate porous mullite–alumina composite with controlled ‘designer’ pore structure and improved compressive strength. In this work, a tertiary butyl alcohol–coal fly ash slurry system with appropriate addition of Al2O3 was used. Unidirectional aligned macropore channels were developed by controlling the solidification direction of the tertiary butyl alcohol solvent. Simultaneously, microsized pores formed in the walls of the pore channels; consequently, the inner section of the walls of the pore channels exhibited a more porous structure than the outer walls. The compressive strength of the sintered porous composite increased as the porosity decreased, i.e. the low porosity gave a high compressive strength. After sintering at 1500°C with 40 wt-% solid loading, the mullite–alumina composite with a porosity of 61·2% exhibited a compressive strength of ∼64·3 MPa.

The microstructure of an Al-Mg-Cr alloy tube fabricated through indirect extrusion at 673 K showed elongated grains with a mean size of ∼26 μm. The strain rate-stress relationship at high temperatures (753 K to 793 K) revealed that dislocation climb creep was the rate-controlling deformation mechanism. The hot-air forming process was successful at a pressure of 70 bar. The Zener-Hollomon parameter based failure criterion was 3602+, and was used to explain the failure behavior of a deforming body. The forming and fracture behavior of the Al-Mg-Cr alloy tube was analyzed with the aid of finite element (FE) simulation, into which the failure criterion was incorporated. Comparison of the simulation and the experimental results indicated that the proposed fracture criterion was useful in predicting the fracture behavior of aluminum tube deforming by means of gas pressure.

Compression and stirring tests were performed to investigate the rheological behaviour of wrought aluminium alloys with varying processing parameters, such as liquid fraction, strain rate, shear rate and materials. The present paper shows the results of an experimental investigation using Al2024, Al6061 and Al7075. Specimens of each aluminium alloy were characterised by their rheological behaviour during partial melting and holding in the semisolid state. The compression and stirring tests allow the apparent viscosity of the alloys to be determined as a function of the liquid fraction and shear rate. Moreover, the change of grain size and shape was examined by considering shear rate, stirring time and liquid fraction during stirring. These experimental results could be used in flow and solidification analyses and could be useful for manufacturing good rheological products by observing the microstructures according to changes in solid fraction and compression rates.

Background: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a clinically heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis, requiring risk-stratified management in affected patients. Recently, tumor microenvironment including regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been implicated as a prognostic marker in certain types of lymphoma. Patients and methods: We collected 64 NKTCL cases and numerically quantified the amount of tumor-infiltrating FOXP3-positive Tregs by automated slide scanning and image analysis program after immunohistochemical staining using anti-FOXP3 antibody. Results: Patients were able to be classified into two end groups by their level of Tregs. Twenty-eight (44%) patients had Tregs

To evaluate the prognostic significance of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer.Patients with cervical cancer in FIGO Stages IB1 to IVB were imaged with PET/CT prior to treatment during one of the staging work-ups. The patients were observed for a median of 31.4 months (range, six to 89 months) after the initial treatment. The standardized uptake value (SUV) max of the primary cervical tumor mass was compared with the prognostic factors. RESULTs: A total of 81 patients who were primarily treated with radical hysterectomy (RH, n = 45) or concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT, n = 36) were analyzed. Multivariate analysis indicated that larger tumor size (4 cm, OR 8.694, 95% CI, 1.638-46.146), deep stromal invasion (≥ 1 cm, OR 7.249, 95% CI, 1.141-46.039) by the primary tumor, and pathologically confirmed pelvic lymph node involvement (positive, OR 14.586, 95% CI, 2.072-102.674) were significantly associated with recurrence after treatment. However, pretreatment SUVmax was not a significant independent predictor of disease recurrence (OR 1.058, 95% CI, 0.255-4.398).[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake by the primary tumor showed a significant association with several risk factors that have been identified as treatment predictors. However, a high pretreatment SUVmax was not predictive of recurrence in uter- ine cervical cancer patients.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental copper (Cu) chelates (methionine, chitosan and yeast) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, serum IgG level, gizzard erosion, Cu content in the liver and excreta and the level of total cholesterol in breast muscle and serum of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty hatched broiler chickens (Ross 208) were assigned to 4 treatments: control, 100 ppm Cu in methionine chelate (Met-Cu), 100 ppm Cu in chitosan chelate (Chitosan-Cu) and 100 ppm Cu in yeast chelate (Yeast-Cu). Each treatment had six replicates of 10 (5 males+5 females) birds each. Weight gain and feed intake tended to be higher in Cu chelate treatments than the control; weight gain was significantly higher in the Met-Cu chelate treatment and feed intake was significantly higher in the Yeast -Cu chelate treatment than the control (p

Al:SiO cermet thin films were synthesized by thermal coevaporation. Physical properties of these thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, current–voltage, and optical absorption measurement. The data show that the Al:SiO films consist of crystalline Al islands embedded in an amorphous network of mixed Si, SiO2, and Al2O3 as Al weight percentage exceeds ∼50%. It is found that the size of Al islands increases with increasing Al concentration, which leads to a dramatic reduction in resisitivity and optical transmittance. A multilayered SiO:Al/Al/LiF structure has been utilized as a cathode for top-emission organic light-emitting diode (TOLED). A model based on Fabry–Perot cavity has been used to simulate the TOLED light emission spectra. The results indicate that Al:SiO films can also be used as a semitransparent mirror for a half-wavelength planar microcavity light-emitting diode.

Ruminal digestion of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of processed (ensiled, deepstacked or composted) broiler litter (BL) was determined in situ and in vitro, and compared with rice straw (RS). DM disappearances at 24 and 48 h and digestion of differently processed BL were higher than those of RS. Compared with RS, processed BL was low in NDF disappearance at 72 h incubation, digestion rate (KdB) and digestibility at 0.025 of passage rate; however, deepstacked BL was similar in these NDF characteristics. Processing of BL affected ruminal digestion of nutrients such as DM and NDF adversely. NDF of composted BL, especially, was the most indigestible. This in situ nutritional evaluation indicated that deepstacked BL, the most widely used form of BL, was superior in DM characteristics (fractions, ruminal disappearance and digestibility) and similar in NDF characteristics (ruminal disappearance and digestibility) to RS. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 2 : 207-212)

The phase fields of the Laves phase in the Cr–Zr–Nb and Cr–Zr–Hf alloy systems were investigated at 1573 K. The Laves phase formed in the Cr–Zr–Nb alloy system had a broad off-stoichiometric range in the center of ZrCr2–NbCr2 pseudo-binary line, while the Laves phase formed in the Cr–Zr–Hf alloy system had a uniform and limited off-stoichiometric range along ZrCr2–HfCr2 pseudo-binary line. The results are discussed, in terms of geometric concept of atomic sizes of the constituent atoms.

Hot electrons have been created in the plug section of the Hanbit tandem mirror in order to allow a test of high-m ballooning stability provided by a high-β hot-electron plasma in a tandem mirror. A rectangular microwave cavity was built to confine the energy from a 2-kW 14-GHz klystron. The cavity was equipped with a diamagnetic loop, a skimmer probe, and bremsstrahlung windows. An end-loss probe has been added in the cusp section in order to study the hot-electron mirror losses from the plug. The end-loss probe contains a Silicon PIN diode that is used to detect the x-rays from fast electrons striking a tantalum radiator. The end-loss probe was scanned radially to determine the radius and radial width of the hot-electron distribution ring for two different magnetic fields. A clear ring is observed for both magnetic fields. Bremsstrahlung measurements have shown the presence of a hot-electron plasma in the plug with an electron temperature in the range of 60 to 120 keV. The temperature with the optimum magnetic field is ∼ 100 keV. Diamagnetic measurements give the total stored energy. Stored-energy measurements combined with the radial dimensions determined by the end-loss detector were used to give the value of beta with assumptions on the plasma length. The average beta value is much less than 1% due to the low power and short heating time.

High temperature compressive strength at 1773 K and room temperature fracture toughness have been studied in terms of microstructure, phase stability and solid solution hardening in Nb-Si-Mo in situ composites consisting of niobium solid solution and Nb5Si3. Molybdenum addition stabilizes the β-Nb5Si3 phase and makes unstable Nb3Si phase in the in situ composite. It is found that molybdenum has a strong effect to increase the yield stress of the present in situ composite at 1773 K due to solid solution hardening. Yield strength depends not only on chemical composition and volume fraction but also the Nb5Si3 phase itself. Room temperature fracture toughness is very sensitive to microstructure and the content of ternary alloying element, but not to the volume fraction of constituent phases within the composition ranges investigated. It is suggested that plastic deformation of Nb solid solution and interface decohesion is responsible for high fracture toughness in this alloy system. Details are discussed in relation to microstructural features and Molybdenum alloying.

To present the authors' experience with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) surgery for large benign adnexal tumors and to compare the removal time of resected specimen with that of conventional laparoscopy.Ten consecutive patients underwent LESS for huge adnexal tumors at Myongjil Hospital, Korea between March 2011 and July 2012. A modified open Hasson technique was used to gain access to the abdominal cavity. The single-port device was inserted trans-umbilically into the wound opening. After suction of large amount of fluid content, LESS salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. The resected adnexal specimen was placed into a LapBag for removal out of the abdominal cavity. The authors compared the removal time of resected specimen between LESS and previously performed conventional laparoscopy for large benign adnexal tumors.The adnexal tumors in this study were all very large cystic tumors reaching near or over the umbilicus. It took less than ten minutes for the removal of the resected adnexal tumors in all LESS cases (three to ten minutes), much less time than that of the conventional laparoscopy (usually ten to 17 minutes).LESS for large benign adnexal tumors is feasible and removal of resected adnexal tumor is easier than conventional laparoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVESTo quantify the short term haemodynamic effects of biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block by using three dimensional echocardiography.DESIGNThree dimensional echocardiography was performed in 15 consecutive heart failure patients (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV) with an implanted biventricular pacing system. Six minute walk tests were performed to investigate the effect of biventricular pacing on exercise capacity. Data were acquired at sinus rhythm and after short term (2–7 days) biventricular pacing.RESULTSCompared with baseline values, biventricular pacing significantly reduced left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV) by mean (SD) 4.0 (5.1)% (p r2 = 0.73, p CONCLUSIONSIn five of 15 consecutive patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block, biventricular pacing induced a more than 15% increase in FSV, which predicted a more than 25% increase in walking distance and was accompanied by an immediate reduction in left ventricular chamber size and mitral regurgitation.

Off-stoichiometric Fe 3 Si single crystals with compositions of Fe–14at%Si and Fe–18at%Si were tensile tested at 973–1223 K and at various strain rates in order to investigate a mechanism for large elongation in coarse-grained Fe 3 Si polycrystals at elevated temperatures. Maximum elongation over 150% is attained for both the single crystals. 〈111〉 slip is dominantly operative in Fe–14at%Si with B2-ordered structure, while 〈001〉 is in Fe–18at%Si with D0 3 -ordered structure. The m values indicating strain rate sensitivity are between 0.33 and 0.23 depending on orientation and temperature. Dynamic recrystallization is not occurring on large uniform elongation. The large elongation in the single crystals is attributable to a large m value around 0.3, which is not necessarily related to a solute-drag controlled creep mechanism, but to dislocation interactions accompanied with subgrain formation.

Superplastic deformation hehavior and microstructural evolution were investigated using typical monolithic intermetallics, L1 2 ordered Co 3 Ti (Co-22mol%Ti), B2 ordered Fe 3 Si (Fe-14mol%Si) and Fe 3 Al (Fe-28mol%Al), and D0 3 ordered Fe 3 Si (Fe-18mol%Si). Superplastic elongation in Co 3 Ti polycrystals increases with decreasing initial grain size. A grain boundary sliding-based mechanism is found to be responsible for the superplastic deformation. B2 ordered Fe 3 Si and D0 3 ordered Fe 3 Si polycrystals, which deform by and slip, respectively, exhibit superplasticity even though their initial grains are coarse. Dynamically recrystallized (DRX) grains with an appropriate size (e.g., of about 40 μm for Fe-18Si), which contain subgrains, are evolved during superplastic deformation. The formation of finer DRX grains less than 10 μm in deformation at low temperatures and high strain rates does not lead to large elongation because of high flow stress. Fe 3 Si single crystals also exhibit superplasticity, and subgrain structure is evolved without inducing DRX. Thus, superplasticity in Fe 3 Si polycrystals is closely related to the formation of subgrain structures. It is found that there are two types of superplasticity in monolithic intermetallics. At a temperature range where superplasticity appears, Fe 3 Si and Fe 3 Al single crystals have low yield stress due to easy glide and climb motion of dislocations, while Co 3 Ti single crystals have high yield stress due to positive temperature dependence of flow stress. Among intermetallics which have been found to show supcrplasticity, FeAl and Fe 3 (Al, Si) belong to the former type, and Ni 3 Al and Ni 3 (Si, Ti) do to the latter type. Based on the obtained results on superplasticity in monolithic intcrmctallics together with reported references, superplastic deformation mechanisms will be discussed.

A large tensile elongation reaching 180% is observed in Fe 3 Si single crystal with the B2 structure at temperatures of 0.65–0.74 T m , and at initial strain rates of 10 −4 –10 −3 /s. The large tensile elongation takes place at a steadily increased flow stress with increasing strain. The mechanical parameters evaluated for a constitutive equation show that the strain rate sensitivity is as large as 0.38 and the apparent activation energy ranges from 230 to 280 kJ/mol. The deformation microstructure responsible for the large tensile elongation consists of subgrain microstructure, and indicates that glide and climb motions of the 〈111〉-type dislocations are concomitantly operating. It is suggested that comparable work hardening (by the glide motion of dislocations) with the dynamic recovery (by the climb motion of dislocations) takes place, and leads to a steadily increased flow stress and a favorable value of strain rate sensitivity, resulting in large plastic elongation and high fracture resistance.

Superplastic deformation behavior of boron doped Fe–18at.%Si alloy with D0 3 structure was investigated in tension at strain rates from 2.34×10 −5 to 2.34×10 −3 s −1 and at temperatures from 973 to 1223 K. The samples with a large initial grain size of 72 μm were H 2 gas-quenched immediately after high temperature deformation for microstructural observation and discussion of the mechanism of superplastic deformation. The stress–strain curves are classified into the following two types: continuous work softening and fracture following a sharp stress peak, and steady-state flow following rapid work softening just after yielding. In the continuous work softening type, fine grains less than 10 μm are produced by dynamic recrystallization (DRX) taking place only near prior grain boundaries, followed by fracture occurring along prior grain boundaries. In the steady-state flow type, relatively coarse DRX grains ranging from 28 to 155 μm are developed in entire gage area. A large elongation over 200% is obtained when the DRX grain size is 38 μm. It is concluded from the microstructural observations that superplastic deformation of boron doped Fe–18at.%Si is not associated with grain boundary sliding of DRX grains, but with repeated formation of relatively coarse DRX grains containing subgrain structures, and so retardation of cavity formation and growth.

The superplastic deformation of the L1 2 -type Co 3 Ti alloy was observed as functions of temperature, strain rate and initial grain size, and then characterized by the flow behavior, the constitutive equation and the deformation microstructure. In the region of higher strain rate (also lower temperature and larger initial grain size), the flow curve exhibited a stress peak followed by a rapid stress decrease, and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurred. The activation energy of deformation in this region was estimated to be Q =158 kJ/mol, similar to that for the bulk diffusion. It is suggested that the mechanism associated with DRX is responsible for the deformation in this region. In the region of lower strain rate, (also higher temperature and smaller initial grain size), the flow curve exhibited continuous work hardening until fracture, and the concomitant motion of grain boundary sliding and grain growth occurred. The activation energy of deformation in this region was estimated to be Q =80 kJ/mol suggestive of that of grain boundary diffusion. Large tensile elongation, i.e. superplastic deformation beyond 200% was observed in the latter region. It is suggested that the grain boundary sliding-based mechanism is responsible for the deformation in this region.

Excessive acetabular cover secondary to a retroverted acetabulum causes pincer impingement, which may cause early osteoarthritis of the hip. Our aim was to determine if there was a relationship between acetabular version and osteoarthritis of the hip. Using image processing and analysis software we studied 117 CT images of the hip in patients aged less than 65 years who had undergone a CT virtual colonoscopy. The mean CT joint space of the 18 hips with acetabular retroversion was narrower compared with the 99 hips with normal acetabular alignment (p < 0.0001). A correlation of r = 0.46 (p < 0.01) was found between right hip acetabular version and the mean right hip joint space and of r = 0.31 (p = 0.02) between left hip acetabular version and the mean left hip joint space. Acetabular retroversion is associated with radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip. An understanding of the mechanical basis of osteoarthritis of the hip allows early treatment of the underlying structural abnormality and prevents progression of the degenerative condition.

The ABG I uncemented hip prosthesis has demonstrated an unacceptably high failure rate and poor functional outcome in our patients. A prospective review was performed of 38 implanted hips with a mean follow-up of 11 years. Sixteen hips have been revised or are candidates for revision hip surgery, due principally to polyethylene wear and pelvic osteolysis. Contributing factors were likely to be the poor wear characteristics of the polyethylene liners—which were gamma irradiated in air—and the thinness of these liners. Of further concern were the poor pain and function scores in the remaining hips [mean Harris Hip Scores (HHS) of 70 (SD 22) at 11-year follow-up]. The influence of the surgical learning curve on clinical results may have been an important factor. Undersized femoral components were associated with poor pain and functional scores in five patients with HHS < 60. All ABG I hip implants must remain under careful, long-term review.

Equiaxed Ni 3 Al polycrystals at different impurity levels were prepared via isothermal forging and ductility at ambient temperature was measured in oxygen as a function of alloy composition and impurity content. Microstructures of single phase Ni 3 Al with stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric compositions were controlled by dynamic recrystallization occurring during isothermal forging. Dynamically recrystallized grain size increases with increasing deformation temperature and with decreasing strain rate. Grain boundary sliding takes place between dynamically recrystallized grains with a small grain size. Binary Ni 3 Al polycrystals exhibit appreciable ductilities even at the stoichiometric composition. Ductility is further increased by a deviation from the stoichiometric composition to the Ni-rich compositions. Ductilities of the Ni-rich Ni 3 Al polycrystals are increased by zone-refining starting material in UHV. It is concluded that polycrystalline Ni 3 Al is intrinsically ductile and its ductility is increased at Ni-rich compositions.

The high temperature deformation of Co{sub 3}Ti alloy consisting of L1{sub 2} single phase was observed at temperatures of 1,173 K to 1,273 K and at initial strain rates of 3.2 {times} 10{sup {minus}5} to 7.9 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} s{sup {minus}1}. The obtained results were summarized as follows. The high temperature flow behavior of Co{sub 3}Ti alloy was divided into two regions. In the region of higher strain rate (also at lower temperature and large grain size), the stress vs. strain curves exhibited a stress peak followed by a rapid work softening while in the region of lower strain rate (also higher temperature and small grain size), the stress vs. strain curves exhibited a gradual work hardening followed by a steady state flow. The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurred in the higher strain rate (or the lower temperature) region while the grain coarsening occurred in the lower strain rate (or the higher temperature) region. The large tensile elongation, i.e. superplastic deformation occurred in the latter region. The high temperature deformation of Co{sub 3}Ti alloy characterized by the constitutive equation was divided into two regions; in the higher strain rate (or the lower temperature) region, n = 2.7 and Q = 154 more » kJ/mol were estimated while in the lower strain rate (or the higher temperature) region, n = 1.7 and Q = 80 kJ/mol were estimated. Based on mechanical behavior and microstructural observation, it is suggested that the grain boundary sliding-based mechanism is responsible for the superplastic deformation of Co{sub 3}Ti alloy observed in this work. « less

Mutations in the gene for desmoplakin (DSP) may cause arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and Carvajal syndrome (CS). Desmoplakin is part of all desmosomes, which are abundantly expressed in both myocardial and epidermal tissue and serve as intercellular mechanical junctions. This study aimed to investigate protein expression in myocardial and epidermal tissue of ARVC and CS patients carrying DSP mutations in order to elucidate potential molecular disease mechanisms. Genetic investigations identified three ARVC patients carrying different heterozygous DSP mutations in addition to a homozygous DSP mutation in a CS patient. The protein expression of DSP in mutation carriers was evaluated in biopsies from myocardial and epidermal tissue by immunohistochemistry. Keratinocyte cultures were established from skin biopsies of mutation carriers and characterized by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and protein mass spectrometry. The results showed that the mutation carriers had abnormal DSP expression in both myocardial and epidermal tissue. The investigations revealed that the disease mechanisms varied accordingly to the specific types of DSP mutation identified and included haploinsufficiency, dominant-negative effects, or a combination hereof. Furthermore, the results suggest that the keratinocytes cultured from patients are a valuable and easily accessible resource to elucidate the effects of desmosomal gene mutations in humans.

In this paper 3.3 kW on-board charger is proposed for electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Considering the life time of charger, new topology which is not using the high-voltage electrolytic capacitors is proposed. This charger is comprised of two stages that one is boost converter stage for PFC control and the other is uncontrolled LLC resonant converter for galvanic isolation and step-down of voltage. Proposed charger is implemented and it is 7.1 liters in volume and 6.8kg in weight. The experimental result indicates 92.5% of the efficiency at input voltage 220V ac and 88.3% at input voltage 110V ac under 3.3kW of output power. And the output voltage ranges is from 150V to 450V.

This study sought to study the effect of high intensity aerobic interval endurance training on peak stroke volume and maximal strength training on mechanical efficiency in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. 8 CAD patients (age 61.4 ± 3.7 years) trained 30 interval training sessions with 4 × 4 min intervals at 85-95% of peak heart rate while 10 CAD patients (age 66.5 ± 5.5 years) trained 24 sessions of maximal horizontal leg press. In the interval training group peak stroke volume increased significantly by 23% from 94.1 ± 23.0 mL · beat (-1) to 115.8 ± 22.4 mL · beat (-1) (p

The purpose of this study was to determine if HPV DNA testing improves the accuracy of detecting possible high-grade cervical lesions in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US).Cervical cytology and Hybrid Capture II (HCII) assay for HPV DNA detection was performed in 10,526 women from July 2005 to July 2007. Two hundred and sixty women with ASC-US underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy to determine the final histologic diagnosis. They were divided into two groups according to the positivity of the HPV DNA test, and the respective biopsy results were compared.Positive HCII was significantly more associated with CIN 2, CIN 3, and invasive cancer than negative HCII (p0.001). The odds ratio of positive HPV DNA testing in detecting high-grade lesions was 7.0 (95% CI; 2.8-17.7).The HPV DNA test is useful for predicting the severity of lesions of the uterine cervix and formulating decisions with regard to treatment plans.

Our aim was to know preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) and deep myometrial invasion (DMI,or = 50%) in patients with uterine cancer.From January 1997 to December 2006, 99 patients who were diagnosed with uterine cancer and surgically staged at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative clinicopathologic characteristics and MRI findings were reviewed and compared with LNM status and DMI observed in the final pathology.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) for MRI in determination of pelvic LNM were 77.7%, 85.6%, 35.0%, and 94.7%, respectively. MRI failed to detect the presence of paraaortic LNM in all of the three patients with positive paraaortic lymph nodes. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for MRI in determining DMI were 46.6%, 84.5%, 35%, and 89.8%, respectively.Preoperative evaluation of uterine cancer by MRI does not accurately predict the LNM and DMI.

The transcription-translation feedback loops that form our current view of how the core mechanism of the clock operates is being challenged, as more and more posttranslational events are seen as essential to a full understanding of oscillator function. But in addition to phosphorylation, other processes may be involved. Here, a novel mechanism of posttranslational photomodulation of circadian amplitude is described that uniquely ties together light perception, protein stabilization, and proteolysis. In the process, the waveform of a core clock component is sharpened or "sculpted," resulting in appropriately high amplitude and proper phasing to obtain normal clock function.