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In this study, an automatic control technology for liquid-hydrogen zero boil-off was developed to improve the long-term storage capability of small-scale liquefaction systems. An innovative system capable of monitoring both the pressure within the heat pipe and the pressure within the LH 2 vessel was developed. This innovative approach ensures continuous efficiency and reduces downtime, significantly improving the overall performance of the hydrogen liquefaction process. The optimal conditions for automatic control were obtained through a cycle test in ON/OFF mode. In addition, experimental investigations were conducted sequentially to investigate the effect of the water level of liquid hydrogen such as 1st section, 2nd section and 3rd section of LH 2. As a result, these experiments successfully demonstrated zero boil-off of liquid hydrogen for long-term storage in the vessel, corresponding to a constant value in the liquid level meter in each section. The velocity of stabilization from the temperature and pressure perspectives in the vessel increased, and the entire cryocooler cycle time was significantly influenced by the amount of liquid hydrogen produced. • An automatic control technology for liquid-hydrogen zero boil-off was developed. • The pressure data on the liquid hydrogen vessel and heat exchanger were determined. • The effect of the water level of liquid hydrogen was investigated. • Experiments demonstrated zero boil-off of liquid hydrogen for long-term storage. • The entire cryocooler cycle time was influenced by the amount of liquid hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the experimental investigations for production of liquid hydrogen were conducted using a manufactured condensing-type hydrogen liquefaction device. A direct-cooling type hydrogen liquefier was designed, fabricated, and tested using a commercially available cryo-coolers, heat pipe, ortho-para converter, LN 2 shield, and LN 2 pre-cooler. In order to effectively carry out the experimental investigations in the presence of two cryo-coolers and LN 2 shield in addition to the small-scale liquefaction system, this study introduced the new experimental system based on the cryogenic techniques. The production of liquid hydrogen could be achieved just by controlling the temperature and pressure inside the storage vessel. The cooling time of the vessel was reduced by approximately 100 min using new experimental system. The total time required to produce the same amount of liquid hydrogen, around 20L, was reduced by approximately 200 min. The experiments successfully demonstrated the liquefaction of hydrogen gas in the vessel at a rate of approximately 3.5L/h, corresponding to a level meter reading of 14.5 cm (6.95 % of the vessel's height). Therefore, the cooling time of the vessel and the total time required for liquid hydrogen production were found to be significantly influenced by the gas used to cool the initial container and the presence of LN 2 shield. [Display omitted] • A simple and safe condensing-type hydrogen liquefaction system was developed. • A condensing type liquefaction system with a rate of 3.5L/h was designed. • Two cryo-coolers and liquid nitrogen shield were considered. • Liquid hydrogen production was achieved by controlling the temperature and pressure. • The experiments successfully demonstrated the liquefaction of hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are fabricated by combining blue LED chips with yellow phosphors. When fabricating white LEDs, the phosphor is typically mixed with an organic resin and applied to the LED chips as a paste. A phosphor-in-glass (PiG) plate can alternatively be used to address the poor high-temperature reliability of the paste method. However, because pores form in the PiG plate during the sintering process, this method results in a loss of optical efficiency. Accordingly, we aimed to improve the fluidity of glass and light efficiency by optimizing the sintering temperature of the glass powder and the phosphor content respectively for reducing internal porosity in the PiG. In this study, glass powder was sintered at different temperatures to produce glass plates, while also varying the phosphor content to fabricate PiG plates. The optimal light characteristics were realized with a glass sintering temperature of 640 °C and a phosphor content of 20 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare survival and complications between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery and evaluate related risk factors in patients with non-endometrioid endometrial cancer. Clinicopathologic characteristics; survival outcomes; complications; and prognostic factors associated with progression-free survival and overall survival were compared among patients with non-endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent primary staging surgery using laparoscopic, robotic, or open abdominal surgery (2004–2017). In total, 91 patients were included: 41 and 50 underwent minimally invasive surgery and open surgery, respectively. The minimally invasive surgery and open surgery groups showed similar progression-free survival (5-year progression-free survival rate, 58.7 % vs. 58.5 %; P =.925) and overall survival (5-year overall survival rate, 73.6 % vs. 80.3 %; P =.834). Intraoperative (7.2 % vs. 6.0 %; P =.111) and postoperative surgical complications (14.6 % vs. 26.0 %; P =.165) were similar between the groups. However, blood loss was lower (mean, 305.1 vs. 561.2 ml, P <.001) and hospital stay was shorter (mean, 8.2 vs. 15.4 days, P <.001) in the minimally invasive surgery group. Using multivariate analysis, lymphovascular space invasion was identified as poor prognostic factor for progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 3.054; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.521–6.132; P =.002) and overall survival (adjusted HR, 3.918; 95 % CI, 1.455–10.551; P =.007), whereas age ≥ 60 years was poor prognostic factor for only overall survival (adjusted HR, 5.0953; 95 % CI, 1.660–15.378; P =.004). Surgical outcomes did not differ between the minimally invasive and open surgery group in patients with non-endometrioid endometrial cancer. Lymphovascular space invasion was a significant survival factor in this context. • Compared outcomes between MIS and open-staging surgery for nonendometrioid endometrial cancer. • Estimated blood loss and length of hospital stay were lower in the MIS group. • Intraoperative transfusions were higher in the open surgery group. • MIS for nonendometrioid EC has no difference in survivals compared to open surgery. • MIS reduces the risk of complications and enhances cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we designed a metal-organic framework (MOF) derived cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated nitrogen-rich carbon with nickel iron-layered double hydroxide (Co-NC@NiFe-LDH) for real time electrochemical analysis of the antioxidant flavonoid-rutin (RUT). The prepared composite was examined by various analytical techniques, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Co-NC@NiFe-LDH (Co-NC@NiFe-LDH/GCE) exhibited superior response for RUT along with excellent reproducibility, sensitivity, and selectivity which is attributed to the synergistic effects between the Co-NC and NiFe-LDH, and enable excellent electron transfer across the electrode-electrolyte interface. The Co-NC@NiFe-LDH/GCE responds linearly to RUT concentrations of 0.01 − 20.10 µM and 20.10 − 267.31 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) and higher sensitivity of 5 nM and 11.898 µA µM–1 cm−2, respectively. These exceptional features of Co-NC@NiFe-LDH arise from its significant active sites, substantial surface area, and excellent electrolyte accessibility. The Co-NC@NiFe-LDH/GCE offers improved stability, with the initial oxidation peak current decreasing by ≤ 5% over 25 days of air exposure. The sensor demonstrated substantial recovery levels of 96.99 − 98.70%, 96.15 − 99.76%, and 97.86 − 99.74% for real-time analyses of serum, urine, and medicinal samples. This study paves the way for advanced sensing platforms in biomedicine and clinical applications, capitalizing on nanohybrid design. [Display omitted] • Co-NC@NiFe-LDH/GCE was successfully developed for electrochemical sensing. • Voltammetry measurements confirmed the core-shell synergism of Co-NC@NiFe-LDH. • Glass carbon electrode modified with Co-NC@NiFe-LDH for sensing biological species. • Co-NC@NiFe-LDH/GCE detects rutin with a limit of detection of 5 nM. • The electrochemical sensor has superb reproducibility, repeatability, and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In South Korea, on-line medical direction using voice calls has been implemented to improve the quality of the emergency medical system. However, in the same, short time span, video will be able to convey more information than by voice. The purpose of this study is to find out if videotelephony-assisted medical direction (VAMD) can change the intervention of the emergency medical technician compared to using conventional voice calls.Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 312 patients with online medical direction from November 2017 to November 2018. We assisted patients with direct medical direction using conventional voice calls from October to November 2017, and then VAMD was implemented from October to November 2018.Results: From the total number of conventional voice calls, 131 were used for this study, and of the total number of VAMD interventions, 181 were included. There were differences between conventional voice call and VAMD interventions in such types of medical direction as hospital selection (7.6% vs. 36.6%), ECG interpretation (0% vs. 3.4%), and advice on medical techniques (0% vs. 25.1%). The effectiveness of VAMD by survey is greater compared to conventional direct medical direction using voice calls (median value, 3.0 vs. 1.5).Conclusions: The number of instances of medical direction for some interventions, such as interpretation of ECG and advice on medical techniques that did not perform well in conventional voice calls, increased in VAMD. VAMD may play an important role in the prehospital emergency care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review mainly concerns the use of bioethanol in advanced compression ignition (CI) engines. Various advanced CI engines are in existence, and this review discusses, homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion, partially premixed combustion (PPC) and gasoline compression ignition (GCI) combustion for discussion. Four different experimental configurations were adopted to measure the autoignition or ignition delay time for ethanol in HCCI combustion mode. The mixture formation strategies in bioethanol HCCI combustion can be categorized into three groups: external, internal and combined mixture preparations. The external mixture preparation is subdivided into port fuel injection and a vaporizer, and the internal mixture preparation into early, late and multiple direct injections. A numerical simulation for ethanol HCCI combustion was recently carried out with a direct numerical simulation and large eddy simulation. The different reduced chemical kinetic mechanisms for ethanol oxidation models present in the literature are summarized in detail. Detailed mechanisms including 57 species and 383 reactions were employed in numerical simulations of ethanol HCCI combustion. The pressure rise rate, ringing intensity and noise meter calculation for the knock limit and coefficient of variation of indicated mean effective pressure for misfire limit were used. The pressure rise rate has been extensively adopted for the upper limit of the HCCI and PPC combustion, and the acceptable limit for the maximum pressure rise rate is found to be subjective. Studies related to PPC and GCI modes fueled with ethanol makes use of – fueling configuration that are divided into single and double injections. A double injection strategy was preferred for ethanol PPC with a combination of 50% EGR and relative equivalence ratio of 0.67. The review of the literature on ethanol PPC and ECI provides an overview of the fueling configuration. Further studies on GCI combustion with ethanol, i.e. ethanol-fueled compression ignition (ECI) are required in the future. In all advanced combustion modes, NOx and soot emissions are low compared to those of conventional diesel engines, and HC and CO emissions are still high in all advanced combustion concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel powder-form combination adjuvant system containing two immunostimulatory compounds was firstly developed and evaluated as a therapeutic intervention for cancer immunotherapy. With the help of hyaluronic acid (HA), water insoluble monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), QS21 and imiquimod (R837), could be easily dispersed in aqueous solution and lyophilized as powder-form, which have an advantage in room-temperature storage stability compared with those conventional liquid formulation that requires cold storage. Two kinds of HA-based combination vaccine adjuvants (HA/MPL/QS21, HMQ and HA/MPL/R837, HMR) contributed to the increase of both humoral and cellular immunity, which is very important for efficient cancer immunotherapy. Through the challenge experiments in EG7-OVA (mouse lymphoma-expressing OVA) tumor-bearing mice model, we found out that the immunostimulatory effects of HMQ and HMR were successful in the inhibition of tumor proliferation. Taken together, both HA-based powder-form combination adjuvant systems are expected to be used as potent prophylactic and therapeutic cancer vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first fabric-based, single-stream microfluidic fuel cell is developed. • The performance depends on the fabric properties and the electrode configuration. • Fuel cell performance is better in acidic rather than alkaline electrolytes. • The proposed fabric-based fuel cell shows better durability than paper-based fuel cells. A membraneless microfluidic fuel cell micromachined with a fabric substrate is proposed to enhance the longevity of self-pumping microfluidic fuel cells. The fabric substrate of the fuel cell provides good longevity as well as passive pumping. A stenciling technique is used for patterning the hydrophilic microchannel of the proposed single-stream fuel cell to retain the flexibility of the fabric. The effects of the fabric properties and the electrode configuration on the novel single-layer fuel cell are investigated. The performance of the fuel cell with different fuels (H 2 O 2 , HCOOH, KCOOH, CH 3 OH) in either alkaline or acidic electrolytes is experimentally measured and compared. The peak power density (1.43 mW cm−2), the maximum current density (6.16 mA cm−2), and the open circuit voltage (0.98 V) are highest with the flannel substrate when the fuel is H 2 O 2 and the electrolyte is HCl. Compared to the paper-based, single-stream microfluidic fuel cells, the fuel cell performance is favorable and the duration time (618 min) is the best. This study provides valuable information to develop this easy-to-use power source for portable electronic devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We sought to identify the clinical outcome and predictors for ischemic stroke recurrence in adults with symptomatic moyamoya disease (MMD). Methods We analyzed 104 adult MMD patients with ischemic stroke or TIA registered at our institution. All patients underwent digital subtraction angiography and single photon emission computed tomography to measure disease severity and cerebral vascular reserve (CVR). A Cox regression model was used to identify predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke. Results Fifty-nine patients were non-surgically treated and 45 patients were surgically treated. In the non-surgical group, the Kaplan–Meier estimate of ischemic stroke recurrence was 1.6% in the first year and 11.8% in the 5th year. Hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01–0.99), diabetes (HR = 35.16, 95% CI 2.61–474.16), presence of steno-occlusive lesion in posterior cerebral arteries (HR = 17.53, 95% CI 2.02–152.43), and extended or global decreased CVR (HR = 13.62, 95% CI 1.55–119.84) were independent predictors of recurrence. In the surgical group, the Kaplan–Meier estimate of ischemic stroke recurrence was 24.4% in the first year and 24.4% in the 5th year. Half of the recurred patients experienced recurrent ischemic strokes postoperatively. Diabetes was the only predictor of recurrent ischemic stroke (HR = 6.17, 95% CI 1.31–29.14). Conclusions In non-surgically treated MMD, PCA stenosis and CVR were identified as predictors of ischemic stroke recurrence. Diabetes was an independent predictor of recurrent ischemic stroke in both non-surgical and surgically treated MMD groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the associations of pre- and intra-operative variables including comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) with surgical complications in elderly patients who underwent primary surgery for gynecologic cancer. Methods Sixty consecutive patients ≥ 70 years of age who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery for the treatment of gynecologic cancer were preoperatively assessed by CGA. Every category of CGA, performance status (PS), and brief fatigue inventory (BFI) as well as surgical complexity were evaluated for 30-day surgical complications. Results The overall postoperative complication rate was 30.0% (18/60) including 9 (15.0%) major and 8 (13.3%) multiple complications. Univariate analysis revealed that dependent instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) was associated with any ( p = 0.023) and multiple complications ( p = 0.019). Poor PS was associated with major ( p = 0.021) and multiple complications ( p = 0.014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high surgical complexity was the most independent predictor of any, major, and multiple complications, whereas poor PS was the independent predictor only for multiple complications (odds ratio 10.7, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 90.2, p = 0.043). There was no CGA component which could independently predict postoperative complications. Conclusion Surgical complexity can predict any, major, and multiple postoperative complications, while PS seems to be useful in predicting multiple complications in elderly patients with gynecologic cancer. In this small study, a CGA was not useful in predicting postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) is a common form of dementia, attributed to ischemic small-vessel disease. Blood viscosity (BV) may contribute to the pathophysiology of SVaD. However, SVaD patients with coexisting amyloid deposition may not show differences in BV because their small-vessel disease may result from amyloid angiopathy independently of BV. We, therefore, hypothesized that BV might show different changes compared with control subjects in subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) that refers to the prodromal stage of SVaD according to cerebral amyloid burden detected by the [11C] Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET (positron emission tomography), and apolipoprotein 4 (ApoE4) genotype (a known risk factor for vascular and parenchymal amyloid). Methods: Our subjects consisted of 33 healthy normal controls (NC), 28 patients with PiB(−) svMCI, and 12 with PiB(+) svMCI. They underwent scanning capillary tube viscometer measuring BV during systolic and diastolic phases. Results: Compared with the NC group, the PiB(−) svMCI group showed increased diastolic blood viscosity (DBV) but no difference in systolic blood viscosity (SBV). By contrast, there was no significant difference in SBV and DBV between the NC and PiB(+) svMCI groups. Within the PiB(+) svMCI group, ApoE4(−) subgroup showed increased DBV compared with the ApoE4(+) subgroup. Conclusions: Increased DBV is an important contributor to the development of “pure” svMCI (ie, without cerebral amyloid deposition). The relationship between BV and PiB(+) svMCI differed according to ApoE genotype, suggesting that the pathogenesis of PiB(+) svMCI might also be heterogeneous. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Sr and Ca added to BaTiO3 in order to shift transition temperature near room temperature. The donor (Yb2O3) and acceptor (MnCO3) impurities were added to the (Ba,Sr,Ca)TiO3 powder for the improvement of structural and electrical properties. The (Ba,Sr,Ca)TiO3 powder was made by sol–gel method and the thick films were fabricated by screen-printing. We fabricated array type thick films. The 1mm×3mm array thick films were arranged 2×8. Relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss of Yb2O3 0.1mol% doped (Ba,Sr,Ca)TiO3 array thick film were 1068 and 2.8%, respectively at Curie temperature, 44°C. Pyroelectric coefficient and F.M.D* showed 21.7×10−9 C/cm2 K and 3.2×10−9 Ccm/J, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The vanadium tungsten oxide thin films deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by RF sputtering exhibited good TCR and dielectric properties. The dependence of crystallization and electrical properties are related to the grain size of V1.85W0.15O5 thin films with different annealing temperatures. It was found that the dielectric properties and TCR properties of V1.85W0.15O5 thin films were strongly dependent upon the annealing temperature. The dielectric constants of the V1.85W0.15O5 thin films annealed at 400°C were 44, with a dielectric loss of 0.83%. The TCR values of the V1.85W0.15O5 thin films annealed at 400°C were about −3.45%/K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the protective activity of radicicol, an antifungal antibiotic, against inflammation-induced neurotoxicity in neuron–glia cultures. Radicicol potently prevented the loss of neuronal cell bodies and neurites from LPS/IFN-γ-induced neurotoxicity in rat cortical neuron–glia cultures with an EC50 value of 0.09 μM. Radicicol inhibited the LPS/IFN-γ-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and production of nitric oxide (NO) in microglia. Additionally, radicicol decreased the LPS/IFN-γ-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cultures. The inhibitory potency of radicicol against the production of NO and TNF-α was well correlated with the protection of neurons. These results suggest that the protective effect of radicicol against LPS/IFN-γ-induced neuronal cell death in neuron–glia cultures is mediated via the inhibition of TNF-α release, as well as the suppression of iNOS expression in microglia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chlorophyll fluorescence is a promising technique for postharvest quality research, and reported studies were mainly based on the fluorescence kinetic analysis method, which has not been quite satisfactory for measuring fruit quality. This paper reports on using a hyperspectral imaging technique for measurement of laser-induced fluorescence from apple fruit for predicting multiple fruit quality parameters. A continuous wave blue laser (408nm) was used as an excitation source for inducing fluorescence in apples. Fluorescence scattering images were acquired from ‘Golden Delicious’ apples by a hyperspectral imaging system at the instance of laser illumination (0min) and after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5min of illumination. The hyperspectral fluorescence image data were represented by mean, maximum, and standard deviation spectra. Standard tests were performed on measuring fruit skin and flesh color, firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acid. A hybrid method of combining principal component analysis and neural network modeling was used for developing prediction models to predict fruit quality parameters for each of the six illumination time periods. Fluorescence emission decreased steadily during the first 3min of illumination and was stable within 5min. The 0-min fluorescence prediction models had somewhat poorer prediction results for individual quality parameters except skin hue than did the models of longer illumination time. The differences were minimal in the model prediction results from the fluorescence data at 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5min of illumination. Overall, excellent predictions were obtained for apple skin hue with the correlation coefficient of prediction of 0.94. Relatively good predictions were obtained for fruit firmness, skin chroma, and flesh hue with values for the correlation coefficient being equal to or greater than 0.74 for 1min of illumination or longer times, and poorer correlations were found for soluble solids content, titratable acid, and flesh chroma. Hyperspectral laser-induced fluorescence imaging is potentially useful for assessing selected quality parameters of apple fruit and further research is needed to improve fluorescence measurement for better prediction of fruit quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Credit scoring is one of the most successful applications of quantitative analysis that helps organizations decide whether or not to grant credit to consumers who apply to them. However, standard credit risk models based on binary classifying approaches appear to have missed several important time-varying factors and censoring information. This paper looks at the extensions of the survival analysis model to analyze personal credit risk. Survival analysis has mainly been used in the clinical domain, which can handle the above issues. This paper investigates the ability of the survival-based approach to predict the probability of personal default. The proposed method can give a prediction of ‘time’ as well as ‘probability’ of personal default. We develop a survival-based credit risk model and assess the relative importance of different variables in predicting default. Standard binary classifying models are also developed for assessing a new way in the context of classifying power. These models are applied to personal credit card accounts dataset. According to the experiment results, survival-based credit risk modeling is a more useful approach for classifying risky customers than others. The survival-based approach is a useful alternative and a complement in view of personal credit risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Randomized clinical trials comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery with initial surgery in cervical cancer reported conflicting results. We provided a hypothesis explaining the different outcomes between trials. NAC was reported to make a lymph node metastasis smaller. Smaller tumors are hard to detect and potentially undetected at pathologic examination. Undetected metastasis would lead to an erroneous exclusion of high-risk patients from adjuvant therapy. An erroneous exclusion would lead to a recurrence. This harmful concealing effect of NAC could negate the potentially beneficial effect of NAC and the conflicting results of trials could be the result of the balance between harmful and beneficial effect of NAC. Because the concealing effect of NAC can be reversed by adjuvant therapy, trials comparing NAC followed by surgery with initial surgery in which all patients in both arms received adjuvant therapy reported positive result. However, in a trial in which only patients with lymph node or parametrial involvements received adjuvant therapy, the concealing effect was not reversed by adjuvant therapy and reported negative result. Our empirical data showed that patients who underwent NAC followed by surgery and were classified as low-risk based on pathologic parameters had unexpectedly high recurrence rate. To evaluate our hypothesis, a trial comparing a conventional pathologic examination with a more sophisticated examination such as ultrastaging in patients with cervical cancer who received NAC followed by surgery would be necessary. If our hypothesis is proven, trials considering the concealing effect of NAC should be performed to accurately evaluate the role of NAC in cervical cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to assess the correlation between glycemic status (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus) and the risk of gastric cancer according to menopausal status. A total of 982,559 pre/peri-menopausal and 1445,419 postmenopausal women aged ≥ 40, who underwent the Korean national health screening in 2009, were included and followed up until 2018. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for development of gastric cancers according to hyperglycemic status in both groups using Cox proportional hazards models. Over a mean follow-up period of 8.3 years, 3259 (0.33%) pre/peri-menopausal women and 13,245 (0.92%) postmenopausal women were diagnosed with gastric cancer. In postmenopausal women, only diabetes mellitus conferred a higher risk of gastric cancer compared to normal glycemic status (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09–1.20), with an increasing trend of gastric cancers from prediabetes to diabetes (P for trend < 0.001) observed regardless of menopausal status. Obesity, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption was associated with increased gastric cancer risk mainly in the postmenopausal period. The risk of gastric cancer escalates with deteriorating glycemic status in a dose-response manner. Diabetes mellitus is linked with an elevated risk of gastric cancer in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flower of Pueraria lobata (family Fabaceae) has been clinically used in traditional Chinese medicine to counteract symptoms associated with drinking alcohol and liver injury and to alleviate inflammatory diseases. Its major constituent kakkalide is metabolized to irisolidone by gut microbiota. This research study was undertaken to understand the anti-colitis mechanism of kakkalide and irisolidone in vitro and in vivo. Kakkalide and its metabolite irisolidone inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NF-κB activation and TNF-α expression in macrophages. They also inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of IRAK1 and TAK1 and activation of NF-κB by inhibiting the binding of Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated LPS in vitro. Orally administered irisolidone or kakkalide alleviated colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Their treatments also protected epithelial cell disruption and infiltration of CD11b+/CD11c+ cells in the colon. Furthermore, they suppressed TNBS-induced expression of M1 macrophage markers TNF-α, CD80, CD86, and Arg2 expression while the expression of M2 macrophage markers Arg1, CD163, CD206, and IL-10 was induced. They also suppressed the fecal Proteobacteria population. Overall, the anti-colitic effects of irisolidone were superior to those of kakkalide. Kakkalide and its metabolite irisolidone inhibited inflammation in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting LPS binding to toll-like receptor 4 and gut proteobacteria population. Unlabelled Image • Kakkalide and irisolidone suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation in macrophages. • Kakkalide and irisolidone suppressed TNBS-induced colitis in mice. • Kakkalide and irisolidone inhibited TNBS-induced NF-κB activation in the colon of mice. • Kakkalide and irisolidone inhibited M1 macrophage polarization marker expression in mouse colon. • Kakkalide and irisolidone restored gut Proteobacteria population in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caveolae are invaginated, Ω-shaped membrane structures. They are now recognized as portals for signal transduction of multiple chemical and mechanical stimuli. Notably, the contribution of caveolae has been reported to be receptor-specific. However, details of how they differentially contribute to receptor signaling remain unclear. Using isometric tension measurements, patch-clamping, and western blotting, we examined the contribution of caveolae and their related signaling pathways to serotonergic (5-HT 2A receptor-mediated) and adrenergic (α1-adrenoceptor-mediated) signaling in rat mesenteric arteries. Disruption of caveolae by methyl-β-cyclodextrin effectively blocked vasoconstriction mediated by the 5-HT 2A receptor (5-HT 2A R), but not by the α1-adrenoceptor. Caveolar disruption selectively impaired 5-HT 2A R-mediated voltage-dependent K+ channel (Kv) inhibition, but not α1-adrenoceptor-mediated Kv inhibition. In contrast, both serotonergic and α1-adrenergic effects on vasoconstriction, as well as Kv currents, were similarly blocked by the Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP 2. However, inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by either GO6976 or chelerythrine selectively attenuated the effects mediated by the α1-adrenoceptor, but not by 5-HT 2A R. Disruption of caveolae decreased 5-HT 2A R-mediated Src phosphorylation, but not α1-adrenoceptor-mediated Src phosphorylation. Finally, the PKC inhibitor GO6976 blocked Src phosphorylation by the α1-adrenoceptor, but not by 5-HT 2A R. 5-HT 2A R-mediated Kv inhibition and vasoconstriction are dependent on caveolar integrity and Src tyrosine kinase, but not on PKC. In contrast, α1-adrenoceptor-mediated Kv inhibition and vasoconstriction are not dependent on caveolar integrity, but rather on PKC and Src tyrosine kinase. Caveolae-independent PKC is upstream of Src activation for α1-adrenoceptor-mediated Kv inhibition and vasoconstriction. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the preoperative detection of lymph node metastases in patients with uterine cervical cancer. Study Design: This retrospective study reviewed patients with cervical cancer who had undergone both preoperative MRI and PET/CT before radical surgery, including lymphadenectomy between 2004–2008. Results: Eighty-three patients were identified, of whom 28 (33.7%) had pelvic lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting lymph node metastasis were 64.3%, 69.1%, and 67.5% for MRI, and 28.6%, 83.6%, and 65.1% for PET/CT, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics for the MRI and PET/CT were 0.667 and 0.561, respectively (P = .013). MRI showed significantly higher sensitivity for detecting metastatic lymph nodes than PET/CT (P = .006). Conclusion: MRI was more sensitive than PET/CT for detecting metastatic lymph node in patients with cervical cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to estimate whether the Ile184Arg polymorphism of the Interferon, alpha 17 (IFNA17) gene might be correlated with the risk and prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). Genomic DNA from 173 patients with invasive cervical SCCA and from 198 non-cancer controls (NCC) was examined for the Ile184Arg polymorphism with a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-based assay. All P values are from two-sided tests. The distribution of IFNA17 Ile184Arg genotype among SCCA cases (Ile/Ile, 21%; Arg/Ile, 57%; and Arg/Arg, 22%) was different significantly from that among NCC (Ile/Ile, 32%; Arg/Ile, 56%; and Arg/Arg, 12%) (P=0.0345). A significant increase in 184Ile homozygote frequency was found in the SCCA patients compared with the NCC group (odds ratio 2.96; 95% confidence interval 1.53–5.73; P=0.001). However, differences in clinicopathologic prognostic factors and in the 5 year survival rate were not significant among the subjects of each genotype group (P>0.05). The results of this study suggest that the 184Ile homozygote of the IFNA17 gene may represent an important susceptibility biomarker for cervical cancer risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Currently, phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes offer low energy consumption, good environmental stability, and a long lifetime. Hence, they are widely utilized in high-power light-emitting diode (LED) applications such as those in the automotive headlamp industries. However, obtaining high luminous efficiency of such diodes is challenging because of their internal structural properties such as micropores. Herein, we developed phosphor-in-glass (PiG) plates by mixing a blue LED chip and yellow phosphor to create high-power white LEDs (w-LEDs). In addition, the influence of post-annealing on the prepared PiG plates at different temperatures (350°C-550 °C) was investigated. Post-annealing, a treatment that facilitates the mobility of the ceramic matrix encapsulating the phosphor powder, decreases an LED's porosity, thereby enhancing its overall luminous efficiency. Results show that PiG plates post-annealed at 450 °C exhibit superior optical performance and effective color properties than PiG plates that were non-annealed or post-annealed at 350 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C. Therefore, post-annealed PiG plates are more suitable potential materials for application in the high-power LED industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The majority of biogeographic studies in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems have focused on macroscopic eukaryote taxa. In contrast, microbial taxa have been almost neglected or examined without sufficient spatial coverage. Here, we examined the spatial distribution of soil bacterial communities and their relation to local environmental gradients in ice-free regions of the maritime Antarctic. Soils in this region were dominated by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria , which are typically found in Antarctic soils. Notably, candidate divisions AD3 and WPS-2, which rarely occur in other biomes, were found in high abundance in acidic surface soils. Soil pH and total organic carbon (TOC) were the primary drivers of the bacterial community structure and various geochemical variables also played important roles in structuring bacterial community composition. Bacterial communities were significantly correlated to measured environmental variables, most of which are spatially structured at the local spatial scale (0.5–8 km). This suggests that spatial heterogeneity of environmental factors is an important driver of shifts in bacterial communities. Although various sets of environmental variables were related to bacterial communities, a large proportion of community variation remained unexplained. This indicates that bacterial communities in Antarctic soils may be governed by other biotic or abiotic factors which are not typically measured in other biome studies. Highlights • Spatial heterogeneity of environmental factors is the major driver of shifts in bacterial communities. • Soil pH and TOC were the primary drivers of bacterial community structure. • A high percentage of the bacterial diversity is unexplained by the measured environmental variables. • Candidate divisions AD3 and WPS-2 were found in high abundance in acidic surface soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether the visceral slide test is an effective screening method for the prediction of intra-abdominal adhesions.Study Design: A prospective, observational study was conducted assessing a cohort of women undergoing benign gynaecologic surgery between April 2015 and June 2015. At the patient's preoperative visit, they underwent the ultrasound-based visceral slide test in five zones of the abdomen. The ultrasound assessments were validated against direct visualization during surgery. The effectiveness of the slide test as a screening technique was examined by recording the presence, extent, and severity of adhesions observed intraoperatively; this was scored using a modified version of the American Fertility Society (mAFS) system.Results: In total, 144 women completed the study, 33 (22.9%) of whom had previously undergone intra-abdominal surgery. The median time to perform the visceral slide test was 2min, and using our methodology, 48 patients (33.3%) were diagnosed with adhesions. We found that the visceral slide test had a sensitivity of 97.2%, specificity of 68.6%, positive predictive value of 90.6%, negative predictive value of 88.9%, and diagnostic accuracy of 90.3%. Further, the number of negative visceral slide tests was positively correlated with the mAFS scores.Conclusion: Our data suggest that the visceral slide test is a simple, fast, reliable assay for detecting intra-abdominal adhesions in patients undergoing gynaecologic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the correlation of pre-operative systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers with lymph node (LN) metastasis compared with serum CA-125 in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. Study design: Retrospective review of 319 patients who were pathologically proven to have endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma after staging operations. Serum CA-125 and pre-operative SIR markers [neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, platelets and fibrinogen] were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for each SIR marker and serum CA-125. Results: NLR, PLR and serum CA-125 were higher in the LN-positive group compared with the LN-negative group (p =0.003, 0.012 and 0.025, respectively). Serum albumin was significantly lower in the LN-positive group compared with the LN-negative group (p <0.001). ROC curves demonstrated the best cut-off values for NLR (≥1.97), PLR (≥9.14), albumin (≤4.15g/dl) and serum CA-125 (≥32.50U/ml) for pre-operative diagnosis of LN metastasis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of serum CA-125 were 63.3%, 87.6%, 37.3%, 95.4% and 85.1%, respectively. No pre-operative SIR markers were superior to serum CA-125 in terms of sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV or accuracy, with the exception of the slightly higher sensitivity of PLR (64.5%). Conclusions: Pre-operative SIR markers do not appear to be more effective in predicting LN metastasis than serum CA-125 in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: We compared the efficacy between low anterior resection with primary anastomosis (LARA) and Hartmann''s procedure (HP) in advanced primary or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Study design: We reviewed medical records of 61 patients with advanced primary or recurrent EOC who underwent LARA or HP between January 1998 and August 2008. In 37 patients with primary FIGO stage III–IV EOC, 22 and 15 received LARA and HP, whereas 10 and 14 underwent LARA and HP in 24 patients with recurrent EOC. Results: Postoperative complications (recto-vaginal fistula, leakage at the anastomotic site, postoperative ileus for ≥7 days, wound dehiscence, angina pectoris, acute renal failure, febrile illness, reoperation within 30 days and postoperative death), surgical outcomes (time of operation, estimated blood loss, transfusion, postoperative hospitalization and time to normal diet) were not different between LARA and HP. Progression-free survival (median, 20 vs. 17 months) and overall survivals (median, 70 vs. 36 months) in advanced primary EOC, and surgery-specific survival (median, 32 vs. 17 months) and overall survivals (median, 52 vs. 61 months) in recurrent EOC were also not different between LARA and HP (p >0.05). Moreover, the recto-sigmoid obstruction after LARA was developed in 9.1% in advanced primary EOC and 10% in recurrent EOC, and the stoma-free rates were high in LARA (90.9% in advanced primary EOC; 90% in recurrent EOC). Conclusions: LARA may be an optimal procedure for bowel surgery without differences in postoperative complication, surgical outcomes and survival when compared with Hartmann''s procedure in advanced primary or recurrent EOC. Furthermore, the high stoma-free rate after LARA can improve postoperative quality of life by avoiding the permanent stoma formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL12B polymorphisms might be associated with increased risk and invasiveness of cervical cancer in Korean women. Study design: Peripheral blood samples from patients with invasive cervical cancer (n =154) and non-cancer controls (n =191) were used to detect three biallelic IL12B polymorphisms at IVS2 −912, IVS4 +314, 3′UTR +1188 sites by performing SNaPshot assay. Allelic frequencies, genotype distributions, and haplotype patterns in the case group were compared with those in the control group. The relationships between these polymorphisms and cancer invasiveness were also evaluated by collating the clinicopathologic parameters including FIGO stage, lymph node status, histologic type, and parametrial invasion. The used analytic methods are chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Allelic frequencies of cases (G, 0.853; A, 0.147) were not significantly different from controls (G, 0.796; A, 0.204) in IVS2 −912G/A SNP (P =0.054). GG genotype of IVS2 −912G/A SNP showed increased risk for cervical cancer compared with AA genotype (P =0.040). The IVS2 −912G:IVS4+314A haplotype, IVS2 −912G:IVS4 +314A:3′UTR +1188A haplotype, and IVS2 −912G:IVS4 +314A:3′UTR +1188C haplotype were also significantly associated with increased risk for cervical cancer. A subgroup analysis of the clinicopathologic parameters in cancer group also showed that there is no significant association between IL12B polymorphisms and cervical cancer invasiveness. Conclusions: This study suggests that IVS2 −912GG genotype and IVS2 −912G:IVS4 +314A haplotype of IL12B gene are associated with increased risk for cervical cancer in Korean women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]