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A crucial tradeoff between material efficacy and environmental impact is often encountered in the development of high‐performance sensors. The use of rare‐earth elements or intricate fabrication techniques is sometimes needed for conventional sensing materials, posing concerns regarding sustainability. Exploring the potential of tomato peel (TP) as a dual‐purpose sensing dielectric layer for pressure and humidity monitoring is a paradigm shift, capitalizing on its porous structure and hygroscopic nature. TP‐based humidity sensor (TP‐HS) exhibits impressive results, with a wide humidity sensing range (5%–95%), fast response/recovery time (6.5/9 s), a high sensitivity (12 500 pF %RH−1), and a high stability (30 days). Additionally, TP‐based pressure sensor (TP‐PS) also shows excellent performance in accurately sensing pressure changes in a wide range (0–196 kPa). TP‐HS can easily distinguish between breathing rates (normal, fast, and slow) and moisture content present in different moisturizers (aloe vera and sanitizer) along with its successful use for proximity sensing. Alternatively, TP‐PS demonstrates weight measurement (490 and 980 N), grip recognition (measuring the pressure exerted by each finger), and gesture detection (by monitoring multiple bending angles 0°, 30°, 50°, and 80°). A wearable, biocompatible dual sensor based on a promising sustainable material for environmental, robotic, and health monitoring applications is successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustained water repellency of interconnected micropatterned surfaces is explored over an extended duration, with a focus on their resilience during a 90‐day water‐immersion test. Initially, the microstructure surfaces exhibit high water repellency, a characteristic of the Cassie–Baxter state. However, subsequent detailed temporal analyses reveal varying responses depending on the structural topology. The interconnected micropatterned surfaces exhibit remarkable long‐term resistance to water; this is attributed to the formation of large and stable air pockets enabled by their unique microcavity structures. In comparison, hierarchical microcavity surfaces with micropillars exhibit a notable decrease in water repellency, as evidenced by reduced contact angles, suggesting a transition to a wetting state owing to the emergence of surface hydrophilicity during long‐term water exposure. This study demonstrates the importance of stable air‐pocket effects, particularly in applications where the long‐term stability of liquid repellency is critical, and suggests the role of interconnected structures in maintaining water repellency over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study about field emission properties of commercially available graphene flowers cloth is reported. Material characterization by means of X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy confirms the formation of high quality vertical few‐layers graphene nanosheets. A tip‐anode setup is exploited in which nanomanipulated tungsten tip is used as the anode at controlled distance from the emitter in order to reduce the effective emitting area below 1 µm2, giving access to local characterization. A turn‐on field as low as 0.07 V nm−1 and field enhancement factor up to 32 for very small cathode–anode separation distances is demonstrated, in the range 400–700 nm. It is also shown that the turn‐on field increases for increasing distances, while the field enhancement factor decreases. Finally, time stability of the field emission current is reported, evidencing a reduction of the fluctuations for lower current levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms, and factors associated with the recurrence of PTs are poorly understood. This study sought to identify clinicopathological factors associated with the recurrence of PTs. Method. From January 2009 to December 2019, we identified 100 patients who underwent definitive surgery for PT. Clinicopathological risk factors associated with the recurrence of PT were assessed. Results. The median age of the patients was 44 y (range, 19–62 y), and the median tumor size was 4 cm (0.8–30 cm). At a median follow-up of 26.7 mo (0–103 mo), 22 of the 100 patients experienced local recurrence. In the univariate and multivariate analyses, body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2 (P = 0.042 in the univariate analysis; P = 0.039 in the multivariate analysis), tumor size ≥ 5 cm (P = 0.006 in the univariate analysis; P = 0.036 in the multivariate analysis), and the presence of stromal overgrowth (P = 0.032 in the univariate analysis; P = 0.040 in the multivariate analysis) were associated with an increased risk of local recurrence. Resection margins and grade were not associated with local recurrence. Conclusion. Normal- or underweight patients and those with larger tumor sizes were more prone to local recurrence. Further larger, multicenter studies with a long-term follow-up are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recycling of waste resources is not optional but rather essential to achieve a sustainable human future. In this study, the feasibility of carbonized wood flour (CWF) as a conductive filler was evaluated for improving the electrical conductivity of polymer composites because wood flour is a sustainable and promising precursor for CWF filler, as a naturally abundant and industrially steady resource. The optimized electrical conductivity of the composite with 25 wt% CWF post‐treated by the inductively coupled plasma (ICP), proposed in this study, was 71 S/m, exceeding that of the carbon black (CB)‐filled composite (12 S/m). In addition, the estimated production cost of ICP treated CWF ($1.35–1.55/kg) was about 22.5%–32.5% lower than that of commercial CB ($2/kg). Therefore, the CWF was an effective, economical, and eco‐friendly conductive filler to enhance the electrical conductivity of polymer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) is an enzyme that plays an important role in the regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)–mediated intracellular signaling in cardiac myocytes and platelets. PDE3A hydrolyzes cAMP, which results in a decrease in intracellular cAMP levels and leads to platelet activation. Whole‐exome sequencing of 50 DNA samples from a healthy Korean population revealed a total of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms including five missense variants, D12N, Y497C, H504Q, C707R, and A980V. Recombinant proteins for the five variants of PDE3A (and wild‐type protein) were expressed in a FreeStyle 293 expression system with site‐directed mutagenesis. The expression of the recombinant PDE3A proteins was confirmed with Western blotting. Catalytic activity of the PDE3A missense variants and wild‐type enzyme was measured with a PDE‐based assay. Effects of the missense variants on the inhibition of PDE3A activity by cilostazol were also investigated. All variant proteins showed reduced activity (33–53%; p <.0001) compared to the wild‐type protein. In addition, PDE3A activity was inhibited by cilostazol in a dose‐dependent manner and was further suppressed in the missense variants. Specifically, the PDE3A Y497C showed significantly reduced activity, consistent with the predictions of in silico analyses. The present study provides evidence that individuals carrying the PDE3A Y497C variant may have lower enzyme activity for cAMP hydrolysis, which could cause interindividual variation in cAMP‐mediated physiological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: We aimed to evaluate the impact of topical hemostatic sealants and bipolar coagulation during laparoscopic ovarian endometriotic cyst resection on ovarian reserve by comparing the rates of decrease in anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH). Methods: A randomized prospective data collection was made on women aged 19–45 years who planned to have laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy at one of two institutions (n = 80), Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea or National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea, from January 2014 to April 2016. Patients were randomly divided into two groups treated with either a topical hemostatic sealant or bipolar coagulation for hemostasis. The hemostatic group was randomized to the FloSeal or TachoSil subgroups. Preoperative and 3‐month postoperative AMH levels were checked and the rates of decrease of AMH were compared. All patients enrolled were treated with dienogest (Visanne) for 6–12 months. None were lost to follow‐up at postoperative 3 months, but about one‐third of the patients had been lost to follow‐up by 6–12 months. Results: AMH was significantly decreased in both groups 3 months postoperatively; however, the rate of decrease in the bipolar coagulation group was greater than that in the hemostatic sealant group, 41.9% (interquartile range [IQR], 22.29–65.24) versus 18.1% (IQR, 10.94–29.90), P = 0.007. Between the two hemostatic subgroups, there was no significant difference in AMH decrease rate, 14.95% (IQR, 11.34–21.21) versus 18.1% (IQR 9.76–40.70), P = 0.204. Conclusion: Hemostatic sealants may be an alternative to bipolar coagulation for preservation of ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fibrin sealant in decreasing postoperative lymphatic drainage in women after pelvic lymphadenectomy and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy during gynecologic cancer surgery. Methods. This study is a retrospective case-control study. Forty-five patients who underwent staging surgery were enrolled. Twenty-seven patients were in the fibrin sealant group (group A) and 18 in the control group (group B). The two groups were compared for the total volume of drain, hospital stay, harvested lymph node, and incidence of asymptomatic lymphocele. Lymphocele formation was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) on 3 months after surgery. Results. There were no significant differences in patient demographics between group A and B with respect to age, BMI, and harvested lymph nodes. Patients who received fibrin sealants had reduced total volume of drainage from postoperative days 2 to 5 compared to the control group (group A versus group B: 994.819±745.85 ml versus 1847.89±1241.41 ml; P=0.015). However no differences were observed in hospital stay (P=0.282), duration of drain (P=0.207), and incidence of asymptomatic lymphocele at 3 months (P=0.126). Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that the application of fibrin sealants after pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy may reduce lymphatic drainage in gynecologic malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of external thermal stress on blue OLEDs annealed various temperature to compare their properties to those of pristine device. Current density-voltage-luminance and lifetime decrease due to thermal stress, and we also used impedance spectroscopy, to obtain detailed measurements to determine the degradation mechanisms of the devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case report of several women patients with breast carcinoma with tuberculous lymphadenopathy with increased fluoro‐D‐glucose (FDG) uptake. It discussed Tuberculosis as a serious health concern in South Korea and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

Arabidopsis thaliana homeobox 12 ( ATHB12), a homeodomain-leucine zipper class I ( HD- Zip I) gene, is highly expressed in leaves and stems, and induced by abiotic stresses, but its role in development remains obscure., To understand its function during plant development, we studied the effects of loss and gain of function. Expression of ATHB12 fused to the EAR-motif repression domain (SRDX) - P 35 S :: ATHB12 SRDX ( A12 SRDX) and P ATHB 12 :: ATHB12 SRDX - slowed both leaf and root growth, while the growth of ATHB12-overexpressing seedlings ( A12 OX) was accelerated., Microscopic examination revealed changes in the size and number of leaf cells. Ploidy was reduced in A12 SRDX plants, accompanied by decreased cell expansion and increased cell numbers. By contrast, cell size was increased in A12 OX plants, along with increased ploidy and elevated expression of cell cycle switch 52s ( CCS52s), which are positive regulators of endoreduplication, indicating that ATHB12 promotes leaf cell expansion and endoreduplication. Overexpression of ATHB12 led to decreased phosphorylation of Arabidopsis thaliana ribosomal protein S6 ( At RPS6), a regulator of cell growth. In addition, induction of ATHB12 in the presence of cycloheximide increased the expression of several genes related to cell expansion, such as EXPANSIN A10 ( EXPA10) and DWARF4 ( DWF4)., Our findings strongly suggest that ATHB12 acts as a positive regulator of endoreduplication and cell growth during leaf development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue phosphorescence organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with interfacial mixed layer (IML) were fabricated to observe their electrical characteristics. The IML was composed of mCP as host material in the emissive layer (EML) and 3TPYMB as material for the electron transport layer (ETL) with the blue phosphorescent dopant FIrpic. PHOLEDs with IML were improved by 41% of current density and 35% of luminous efficiency compared to PHOLEDs without IML. The electron and energy transition mechanisms between EML and ETL in the presence of IML were confirmed through I-V-L characteristics and blue color coordinates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green phosphorescent top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes (TOLEDs) based on a single ultrathin non-doped emissive layer (EML) are investigated for utilizing the cavity standing wave effect to enhance device performance. Furthermore, double ultrathin non-doped EMLs separated by a bi-layer structure is introduced to balance charges and further improve the efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated white phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with the primary color(Red, Green and Blue) in single emissive layer using NPB, TCTA and TAPC as hole transporting layer (HTL) having different triplet energy level to observe triplet exciton's behavior. White PHOLED with TAPC having higher triplet energy level shows 51cd/A of luminous efficiency, and CIEXY color coordinate of (0.35, 0.40) at 10V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Most patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have responded poorly to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The authors investigated the involvement of insulinlike growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling in primary resistance to EGFR TKIs and the molecular determinants of resistance to IGF-1R TKIs. METHODS: Phosphorylated IGF-1R/insulin receptor (pIGF-1R/IR) was immunohistochemically evaluated in an NSCLC tissue microarray. The authors analyzed the antitumor effects of an IGF-1R TKI (PQIP or OSI-906), either alone or in combination with a small-molecular inhibitor (PD98059 or U0126) or with siRNA targeting K-Ras or mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK), in vitro and in vivo in NSCLC cells with variable histologic features and EGFR or K-Ras mutations. RESULTS: pIGF-1R/IR expression in NSCLC specimens was associated with a history of tobacco smoking, squamous cell carcinoma histology, mutant K-Ras, and wild-type (WT) EGFR, all of which have been strongly associated with poor response to EGFR TKIs. IGF-1R TKIs exhibited significant antitumor activity in NSCLC cells with WT EGFR and WT K-Ras but not in those with mutations in these genes. Introduction of mutant K-Ras attenuated the effects of IGF-1R TKIs on NSCLC cells expressing WT K-Ras. Conversely, inactivation of MEK restored sensitivity to IGF-TKIs in cells carrying mutant K-Ras. CONCLUSIONS: The mutation status of both EGFR and K-Ras could be a predictive marker of response to IGF-1R TKIs. Also, MEK antagonism can abrogate primary resistance of NSCLC cells to IGF-1R TKIs. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels are recruited to existing ones, is essential for tumor development. Insulin-like growth factor ( IGF) binding protein-3 ( IGFBP-3), which modulates bioavailability of IGF, has been studied for its potential role in angiogenesis during tissue regeneration and cancer development. In this study, we assessed the role of IGFBP-3 in tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ( HNSCC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) using adenoviral (Ad-BP3) and recombinant ( rBP3) IGFBP-3. Using an in vivo orthotopic tongue tumor model, we confirmed that both Ad-BP3 and rBP3 suppress the growth of UMSCC38 HNSCC cells in vivo. Ad-BP3 inhibited vascularization in tongue tumors and chorio-allantoic membrane, and suppressed angiogenesis-stimulating activities in UMSCC38 cells. In HUVECs, Ad-BP3 decreased migration, invasion, and tube formation. rBP3 also suppressed production of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) in HUVECs and UMSCC38 cells. IGFBP-3- GGG, a mutant IGFBP-3 with loss of IGF binding capacity, suppressed VEGF production. In addition, we found that IGFBP-3 suppressed VEGF expression, even in mouse embryonic fibroblasts from an IGF-1R-null mouse. Finally, we demonstrated that IGFBP-3- GGG inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth to the same degree as wild-type IGFBP-3. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that IGFBP-3 has anti-angiogenic activity in HNSCC, at least in part due to IGF-independent suppression of VEGF production from vascular endothelial cells and cancer cells. ( Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1259-1266) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the long-term outcome and ovarian function in premenarchal and adolescent patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors after fertility-preserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Design. Retrospective review of medical records. Setting. Ajou University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in South Korea. Population. Forty-five patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors was conducted and a statistical analysis was performed. Main outcome measures. There were 9 premenarchal and 16 adolescent patients; the median ages at diagnosis were 7 and 18 years, respectively. All patients were treated with fertility-preserving surgery. Seventeen of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (68.0%). There were no disease recurrences or deaths. Of the nine premenarchal patients, eight (88.9%) subsequently had normal menarche. Among the 16 adolescent patients, 15 (93.8%) resumed normal menstruation and 1 had premature ovarian failure. Conclusion. Premenarchal and adolescent patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors have excellent survival with fertility-preserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The majority of these patients can have normal menarche and menstruation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether gene expression profiling of primary cervical tumor tissue could be used to predict lymph node (LN) metastasis and compared this with conventional magnetic resonance imaging. We obtained 43 primary cervical cancer samples (16 with LN metastasis and 27 without LN metastasis) for microarray analysis. A prediction model for LN metastasis from the training set was developed by support vector machine methods using a 10-fold cross-validation. The ‘LN prediction model’ derived from the signature of 156 distinctive genes ( P < 0.01) had a prediction accuracy of 77%. Correlation between mRNA expressions measured by microarray and semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was ascertained in four ( RBM8A, SDHB, SERPINB13, and γ-interferon) out of 10 genes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed accuracy (69%) for the prediction of LN metastasis. These results suggest that gene expression profiling allows reliable prediction of LN metastasis in cervical cancer. ( Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 31–38) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied whether total gastrectomy for gastric cancer would affect the pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its degradation products, such as dihydrouracil (FUH2) and α-fluoro-β-alanine (FBAL), after oral administration of the fluorouracil derivative S-1, composed of tegafur, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine (CDHP; a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitor) and potassium oxonate. Blood and urine samples were obtained, both preoperatively and at least 2 weeks postoperatively, from six patients with advanced gastric cancers who were undergoing total gastrectomy. Plasma levels of tegafur, 5-FU, CDHP, potassium oxonate, FUH2 and FBAL were measured prior to and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 h after oral administration of 40 mg/m2 S-1. The total amounts of 5-FU, FUH2 and FBAL excreted into urine during the 24-h period after S-1 administration were also measured. Total gastrectomy significantly increased the maximum concentration and the area under the curve until 10 h after administration (AUC1–10h) of plasma 5-FU. The plasma AUC1–10h of CDHP was significantly higher than the preoperative value. In terms of clinical efficacy, the higher AUC1–10h of 5-FU after total gastrectomy may be beneficial to S-1 administered as adjuvant chemotherapy, and might be caused by the higher postoperative AUC1–10h of CDHP relative to preoperative values. However, the dose of S-1 for patients who have undergone total gastrectomy might be diminished to avoid severe adverse events and to continue the treatment for a long period. ( Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1604–1608) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factors Ets-1 and AML1 (the αBl subunit of PEBP2/CBF) play critical roles in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, and cooperate in the trans-activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) β chain enhancer. The DNA binding capacity of both factors is blocked intramolecularly but can be activated by the removal of negative regulatory domains. These include the exon VII domain for Ets-1 and the negative regulatory domain for DNA binding (NRDB) for αB1. Here we report that the direct interaction between the two factors leads to a reciprocal stimulation of their DNA binding activity and activation of their transactivation function. Detailed mapping revealed two independent contact points involving the exon VII and NRDB regions as well as the two DNA binding domains. Using deletion variants and dominant interfering mutants, we demonstrate that the interaction between exon VII and NRDB is necessary and sufficient for cooperative DNA binding. The exon VII and NRDB motifs are highly conserved in evolution yet deleted in natural variants, suggesting that the mechanism described is of biological relevance. The mutual activation of DNA binding of Ets and AML1 through the intermolecular interaction of autoinhibitory domains may represent a novel principle for the regulation of transcription factor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue PHOLEDs with interfacial mixed layer (IML) were fabricated to observe their electrical characteristics. IML was composed of mCP as host material in EML and 3TPYMB as electron transport material with phosphorescent blue dopant of FIrpic. PHOLED with IML were improved 41% of current density and 35% of luminous efficiency comparing to PHOLED without IML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cold knife conization with electrocauterization and the feasibility of conservative management in patients with stage IA1 carcinoma of the cervix according to margin status after conization.Methods: Medical and histopathological records of 108 patients with stage IA1 cervical carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Patients underwent cold knife conization with electrocauterization or conization followed by hysterectomy. Disease recurrence was defined as a histologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or higher grade lesion.Results: Forty patients underwent conization followed by hysterectomy; of 27 women with positive margins, 14 (35%) had a residual lesion. Sixty-eight patients underwent conization without further surgical intervention. Forty patients had a negative resection margin without recurrence, while 28 had a positive resection margin: positive exocervical (n=11), positive endocervical (n=17). Among these, there were 7 cases of recurrence: positive exocervical (n=1); positive endocervical (n=6).Conclusion: Cold knife conization with electrocauterization appears to be a safe treatment option for patients with stage IA1 cervical carcinoma if careful follow-up is guaranteed for patients with CIN 3 exocervical resection margins. However, patients with CIN 3 endocervical resection margins should be managed surgically with repeat conization or hysterectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 63-year-old woman with a palpable mass at the right breast was treated with breast sparganosis. It also presents a case study of a 67-year-old woman with mastalgia of the left breast. A case study of 63-year-old woman presented with a palpable right breast lump is also presented. It mentions that sera tests from the three patients were conducted to detect levels of anti-sparganum IgG antibody by microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the decreasing prevalence of breast sparganosis infection in developing countries.