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Purpose This study sought to identify potential candidates for adjuvant radiotherapy and patterns of regional failure in patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for gallbladder cancer. Materials and Methods Records for 70 patients with gallbladder cancer who underwent curative resection at a single institution between 2000 and 2016 were analysed retrospectively. No patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Initial patterns of failure were evaluated. Regional recurrence was categorized according to the definitions of lymph node stations suggested by the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery. Results Median follow-up was 23 months. Locoregional recurrence as any component of first failure occurred in 29 patients (41.4%), with isolated locoregional recurrence in 13 (18.6%). Regional recurrence occurred in 23 patients, and 77 regional recurrences were identified. Commonly involved regional stations were #13, #12a2, #12p2, #12b2, #16a2, #16b1, #9, and #8. Independent prognostic factors for locoregional recurrence were ≥pT2 disease (hazard ratio [HR], 5.510; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.260–24.094; p = 0.023) and R1 resection (HR, 6.981; 95% CI, 2.378–20.491; p < 0.001). Conclusion Patients with pT2 disease or R1 resection after curative surgery for gallbladder cancer may benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy. Our findings on regional recurrence may help physicians construct a target volume for adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background Recently, Cervi Parvum Cornu pharmacopuncture has been widely used. But no studies on the indicator materials for Cervi Parvum Cornu pharmacopuncture have been conducted. The aim of this study was to select indicator materials that would aid in the uniform preparation of standardized Cervi Parvum Cornu pharmacopuncture. Methods Three lots of Cervi Parvum Cornu pharmacopuncture were analysed. Each lot was prepared using the same methods and materials. Chondroitin sulfate, alanine, and leucine were selected as the indicator materials for Cervi Parvum Cornu. For standardization, chondroitin sulfate analysis was performed using the colorimetric method, while alanine and leucine were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results Analysis of the three lots of Cervi Parvum Cornu pharmacopuncture found chondroitin sulfate levels of 108.9 ± 17.3 ug/ml, 118.8 ± 5.0 ug/ml and 112.3 ± 11.9 ug/ml. Alanine levels were 44.9 ± 2.8 ug/ml, 44.6 ± 0.3 ug/ml, and 43.9 ± 0.2 ug/ml. Leucine levels were 29.6 ± 0.7 ug/ml, 29.0 ± 0.1 ug/ml, and 29.4 ± 0.1 ug/ml. Conclusions These results suggest that chondroitin sulfate, alanine, and leucine may be useful for the standardization of Cervi Parvum Cornu pharmacopuncture.

Background: Lesions in distal target arteries hinder surgical bypass procedures in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Methods: Between April 2012 and October 2015, 16 patients (18 limbs) with lifestyle- limiting claudication (n=12) or chronic critical limb ischemia (n=6) underwent femoral–above-knee (AK) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass grafts with a bridging stent graft placement between the distal target popliteal artery and the PTFE graft. Ring-supported PTFE grafts were used in all patients with no available vein for graft material. Follow-up evaluations assessed clinical symptoms, the ankle-brachial index, ultrasonographic imaging and/or computed tomography angiography, the primary patency rate, and complications. Results: All procedures were successful. The mean follow-up was 12.6 months (range, 11 to 14 months), and there were no major complications. The median baseline ankle-brachial index of 0.4 (range, 0.2 to 0.55) significantly increased to 0.8 (range, 0.5 to 1.0) at 12 months (p＜0.01). The primary patency rate at 12 months was 83.3%. The presenting symptoms resolved within 2 weeks. Conclusion: In AK bypasses with a diffusely diseased distal target popliteal artery or when below-knee (BK) bypass surgery is impossible, this procedure could be clinically effective and safe when used as an alternative to femoral-BK bypass surgery.

Purpose Hematotoxicity following anti-cancer treatment is known to be related to treatment efficacy in several malignancies. The purpose of this study was to examine the hematologic parameters related to the tumor response and survival in patients treated with curative surgery following preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer. Materials and Methods Four hundred eighteen patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative CRT and curative surgery were analyzed, retrospectively. The main clinical factors and blood cell counts before and after CRT were investigated with respect to their relationships with tumor downstaging and patient survival. Results The post-CRT leukocyte count was significantly different between the tumor downstaging group and the nondownstaging group (median, 4740/uL vs. 5130/uL; p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis showed that histological grade, circumferential extent, and post-CRT leukocyte count were related to tumor downstaging. In addition, histological grade, post-CRT leukocyte count, and tumor downstaging were related to disease-free survival. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with post-CRT leukocyte count ≤3730/uL, which is the cut-off value derived from the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, were significantly higher than those with higher counts (88.0% vs. 71.6%, p = 0.001; 94.4% vs. 84.1%, p = 0.024). Conclusion Post-CRT leukocyte count of ≤3730/uL could be regarded as a good prognostic factor for tumor response and survival in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative CRT.

Evaluating the biomechanical and performance factors of the knee joint during golf swing can provide objective and quantitative information about improving the performance and development of efficient physical training, as the legs are important for achieving an efficient swing and maximum speed of the club head in golf. In the present study, kinematic movements of the knee joint were identified during the downswing by using 3-dimensional motion analysis, and isokinetic strength was measured with driver and 5-iron clubs in 15 professional (PRO) golfers and 10 amateur (AMA) golfers. Results showed that PRO golfers had a narrower minimal angle between the thigh and lower leg in the trail knee than the AMA golfers, regardless of the club used, and the angular velocity of the lead knee was faster during the downswing with a 5-iron club in the AMA golfers than in the PRO golfers. The PRO and AMA golfers had a wider minimal angle between the thigh and lower leg, smaller total range of movement, and slower angular velocity of the trail knee when swinging a 5-iron club than when swinging a driver club. These results are expected to provide useful information to prevent golf-related injuries that usually arise in the knee joint and help improve the golf performance of amateur golfers.

Objective: Conservative parotidectomy is known to reduce morbidity, but has been rarely examined in patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) parotid cancers. We evaluated the clinicopathological variables influencing the outcomes of these patients and the efficacy of conservative parotidectomy. Methods: We reviewed the clinical and pathological data of 256 patients with cN0 parotid carcinomas who underwent curative surgery at our institution. Of these, 110 and 146 underwent conservative and total parotidectomy, respectively, with 83 undergoing elective neck dissection and 135 receiving postoperative radiotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses of variables predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed. Morbidity, survival, and recurrence rates were compared between the conservative and total parotidectomy groups. Results: The 5-year RFS and OS rates in all patients were 85.7 and 91.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced T classification, positive resection margin, and high-histologic grade were independent prognostic factors for both RFS and OS. Among the 201 patients with low- or intermediate-grade parotid cancers, those who underwent total parotidectomy had a greater chance of facial nerve paralysis than those who underwent conservative parotidectomy (p < 0.001). The 5-year RFS and OS after conservative parotidectomy (93.7 and 100%, respectively) were not worse than those after total parotidectomy (85.5 and 90.9%, respectively). Conclusion: Patients with cN0 parotid cancers may be stratified by histological grade and T classification. Conservative parotidectomy may be suitable for early T1–2 low- or intermediate-grade tumors if a resection margin is secured.

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a molecular chaperone, plays critical roles in cellular protection against various stressful stimuli and in the regulation of cellular growth and apoptosis. HSP90 has four human isoforms; HSP90α, HSP90β, glucose related protein 94 (GRP94), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1). We evaluated the differential expression of these HSP90 isoforms in colorectal cancer (CRC) and correlated their expression levels with clinicopathological factors and patient survival rates. We performed immunohistochemical staining for HSP90α, HSP90β, GRP94, and TRAP1 in 129 CRC tumor samples and found that HSP90α expression was significantly associated with advanced pT stage (P = 0.011) and shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.010), whereas GRP94 expression was correlated with low grade (P = 0.029) and better RFS (P < 0.001). HSP90β and TRAP1 had no prognostic impact, although HSP90β expression was positively correlated with tumor size (P = 0.008). Based on our results, HSP90α and GRP94 are potential prognostic biomarkers of CRC. In addition, the differences in expression and functional activities among four HSP90 isoforms imply that isoform selectivity should be seriously considered when HSP90 inhibitors are studied or adopted for the treatment of CRC.

In this study, we developed a nanoscale emitter having a multi-layer thin-film nanostructure in an effort to maximize the field-emission effect with a low voltage difference. The emitter was a sapphire board on which tungsten–DLC multi-player thin film was deposited using PVD and CVD processes. This multi-layer thin-film emitter was examined in a high-vacuum X-ray tube system. Its field-emission efficiency according to the applied voltage was then analyzed.

In this study, a DLC pattern was fabricated through a photolithography process that constitutes a part of the semiconductor process, to investigate the frictional wear characteristics. The photolithography was used to produce negative patterns with a pattern width of 10 [Formula: see text]m or 20 [Formula: see text]m and a pattern depth of 500 nm on the DLC surface. The change in the coefficient of friction of the surface was investigated through a ball-on-disk tribology test on the fabricated micro/nano-sized DLC pattern. The DLC pattern fabricated by the photolithography process showed a superior coefficient of friction to that of the general DLC sample. These results show that the decrease in the surface friction coefficient of the patterned DLC thin film is due to the reduction in the surface contact area owing to the modification of the micro/nano-texture of the surface as well as the low friction characteristics of the DLC.

In general, MgF2, which is a low-reflective coating material, has a refractive index of 1.38. The refractive index of a single layer of MgF2 is not sufficient for industrial applications. In this study, an anti-reflection MgF2 coating film with low reflectivity and high wear resistance was synthesized to be used as a single layer with a TEOS binder. The prepared anti-reflection coating film was coated in the form of nanoparticles on a curvature lens having an aspherical surface coefficient by spin coating, and the correlation with optical properties was confirmed through particle size measurement. The MgF2 nanoparticle AR coating film was characterized by LDPSA, UV-Vis, SEM and ellipsometry. Mechanical and optical properties were confirmed with a minimum reflectance of 0.1% or less and a low refractive index of 1.24–1.25.

This study grew nitrogen doped ultrananocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD) conductive layer on InGaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) using the concave nanopattern (CNP) enhanced nucleation. The low nucleation density of the N-UNCD on bare LEDs (Br-LED) resulted in an island morphology. The nucleation density of the N-UNCD increased significantly from 1.8 × 108 cm−2 for Br-LED to 3.6 × 109 cm−2 for LEDs with a CNP density of 6.1 × 109 cm−2 (CNP-LED). The N-UNCD preferred to nucleate inside the CNP during the initial growth stage. The N-UNCD islands then merged and grew laterally to form a continuous thin film within a thickness of 300 nm. The N-UNCD/CNP-LED exhibited a stable electroluminescence peak wavelength of ~447.1 nm in the injection current range of 10–100 mA. The decrease in the compressive stress due to removing the p-GaN layer (i.e. the CNP structure) resulted in a quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) mitigation in the multi-quantum wells (MQWs). In addition, the lower turn on voltage caused a lower electric field in the MQWs and diminished the screen of the QCSE. The N-UNCD prepared by the proposed nucleation technique demonstrated a promising conductive layer for InGaN-based LEDs.

The association between anemia and body mass index (BMI) in Koreans, considering kidney function, has not been clarified. Thus, we aimed to examine the association between anemia and BMI among Korean adults aged ≥19 years.This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated male and female Korean adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted between 2010 and 2017 were used. The participants were classified as underweight, normal weight, and overweight according to their BMI. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels of

Injuries to the lower extremities were common in female field hockey players. This study aimed to determine the potential association between in-game performance parameters recorded via global positioning system (GPS) and non-contact knee and ankle injuries in elite female field hockey players. Thirty two elite female field hockey players free from sports injuries of the knee and ankle joint were participated in this study. GPS tracking was used to record the distance covered while running at various speeds, time spent sprinting, and maximum speed during the international competitions (December 2015–June 2016). And all injury events were also recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, and binary logistic regression. Low-intensity running distance was significantly higher in players who did not experience injury throughout the duration of the study ( $$t = 2.182,\, p = 0.037$$ ). The risk for in-game knee injury decreased with increasing distance covered while running at low speed (odds ratio = 0.8; 95% confidence interval = 0.6–1.0; $$\chi ^{2} = 3.964;\, p = 0.046$$ ). Our findings can be applied to develop strategies for preventing sports-related injuries during field hockey competitions, and confirm the utility of GPS technology for real-time monitoring of fast and complex movement.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene polymorphisms and human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical neoplasia in Korean women. MATERIAL AND METHODS Peripheral blood samples collected from 127 patients with HPV-related cervical neoplasia and 175 healthy women were genotyped for the TLR2 -16934, +1350, intron1, and 3' untranslated region (UTR) polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS The TLR2 -16934 A/A, intron1 A/A, and +1350 T/C genotypes were more frequent in patients than in controls [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.302-3.475, p = 0.002; OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.168-3.169, p = 0.010; and OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.211-3.123, p = 0.006, respectively]. The frequencies of the TLR2 + 1350 C and 3'UTR G alleles were also higher in patients (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.236-3.121, p = 0.004 and OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.005-3.076, p = 0.046, respectively). The genotype frequencies of TLR2 -16934 A/A and intron1 A/A increased with increasing oncogenic risk of the HPV genotype, as follows. low-risk type < high-risk type < HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 type (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides the first evidence that TLR2 gene polymorphisms are associated with high-risk type HPV-related cervical neoplasia and may play an important role in susceptibility to HPV infection. Further large-scale and functional studies are needed to confirm the role of TLR2 gene polymorphisms in HPV-related cervical neoplasia.

// Byung Do Park 1 , Tae Gyu Kim 1 , Jong Eon Kim 2 1 Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea 2 Department of Radiological Science, Kaya University, Gimhae, Korea Correspondence to: Jong Eon Kim, e-mail: kjepk@kaya.ac.kr Keywords: intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), intermediate dose calculation, anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) Received: January 12, 2016 Accepted: February 11, 2016 Published: February 26, 2016 ABSTRACT Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) provides the protection of the normal organs and a precise treatment plan through its optimization process. However, the final dose-volume histogram (DVH) obtained by this technique differs from the optimal DVH, owing to optimization convergence errors. Herein, intermediate dose calculation was applied to IMRT plans during the optimization process to solve these issues. Homogeneous and heterogeneous targets were delineated on a virtual phantom, and the final DVH for the target volume was assessed on the target coverage. The IMRT plans of 30 patients were established to evaluate the usefulness of intermediate dose calculation. The target coverage results were analogous in the three plans with homogeneous targets. Conversely, conformity indices (conformity index [CI], heterogeneity index [HI], and uniformity index [UI]) of plans with intermediate dose calculation were estimated to be more homogenous than plans without this option for heterogeneous targets (CI, 0.371 vs. 1.000; HI, 0.104 vs. 0.036; UI, 1.099 vs. 1.031 for Phantom B; and CI, 0.318 vs. 0.956; HI, 0.167 vs. 0.076; UI, 1.165 vs. 1.057 for Phantom C). In brain and prostate cancers, a slight difference between plans calculated with anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) was observed (HI, p = 0.043, UI, p = 0.043 for brain; HI, p = 0.042, UI, p = 0.043 for prostate). All target coverage indices were improved by intermediate dose calculation in lung cancer cases ( p = 0.043). In conclusion, intermediate dose calculation in IMRT plans improves the target coverage in the target volume around heterogeneous materials. Moreover, the optimization time can be reduced.

Graphene, a two-dimensional engineered nanomaterial, is now being used in many applications, such as electronics, biological engineering, filtration, lightweight and strong nanocomposite materials, and energy storage. However, there is a lack of information on the potential health effects of graphene in humans based on inhalation, the primary engineered nanomaterial exposure pathway in workplaces. Thus, an inhalation toxicology study of graphene was conducted using a nose-only inhalation system for 28 days (6 h/day and 5 days/week) with male Sprague-Dawley rats that were then allowed to recover for 1-, 28-, and 90-day post-exposure period. Animals were separated into 4 groups (control, low, moderate, and high) with 15 male rats (5 rats per time point) in each group. The measured mass concentrations for the low, moderate, and high exposure groups were 0.12, 0.47, and 1.88 mg/m3, respectively, very close to target concentrations of 0.125, 0.5, and 2 mg/m3. Airborne graphene exposure was monitored using several real-time instrumentation over 10 nm to 20 μm for size distribution and number concentration. The total and respirable elemental carbon concentrations were also measured using filter sampling. Graphene in the air and biological media was traced using transmission electron microscopy. In addition to mortality and clinical observations, the body weights and food consumption were recorded weekly. At the end of the study, the rats were subjected to a full necropsy, blood samples were collected for blood biochemical tests, and the organ weights were measured. No dose-dependent effects were recorded for the body weights, organ weights, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid inflammatory markers, and blood biochemical parameters at 1-day post-exposure and 28-day post-exposure. The inhaled graphenes were mostly ingested by macrophages. No distinct lung pathology was observed at the 1-, 28- and 90-day post-exposure. The inhaled graphene was translocated to lung lymph nodes. The results of this 28-day graphene inhalation study suggest low toxicity and a NOAEL of no less than 1.88 mg/m3.

In this research, catalyst-free vertically aligned boron doped carbon nanowalls films were fabricated on silicon (100) substrates by MPECVD using feeding gases CH4, H2 and B2H6 (diluted with H2 to 5% vol) as precursors. The substrates were pre-seeded with nanodiamond colloid. The fabricated CNWs films were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy. The data obtained from SEM confirms that the CNWs films have different density and wall thickness. From Raman spectrum, a G peak around 1588 cm(-1) and a D band peak at 1362 cm(-1) were observed, which indicates a successful fabrication of CNWs films. The EDX spectrum of boron doped CNWs film shows the existence of boron and carbon. Furthermore, field emission properties of boron doped carbon nanowalls films were measured and field enhancement factor was calculated using Fowler-Nordheim plot. The result indicates that boron doped CNWs films could be potential electron emitting materials.

Multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and diamond are renowned as superlative material due to their relatively high thermal conductivity and hardness while comparing with any bulk materials. In this research, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution incorporated with MWCNTs at an alteration of mass fractions (0 wt%, 0.6 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%) were fabricated via electrospinning under optimized parameters. Dried composite nanofibers were stabilized and carbonized, after which water base polytrafluorethylene (PTFE) mixed with nano diamond powder solution was spin coated on them. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray scattering and Laserflash thermal conductivity were used to characterize the composite nanofiber sheets. The result shows that the thermal conductivity increased to 4.825 W/m K from 2.061 W/mK. The improvement of thermal conductivities is suggesting the incorporation of MWCNTs.

Background: Various surgical techniques have been introduced and developed for the reduction of wide zygomatic bone. However, the previous methods have several disadvantages, including the following: potential cheek droop, a limited amount of possible volume reduction, an unfavorable contour due to nonunion, and limited inward repositioning of the zygomatic arch. Thus, the authors introduce an effective method to overcome the limitations and disadvantages of other previous reduction malarplasty techniques. Methods: From March of 2010 to May of 2014, 532 women and 152 men underwent reduction malarplasty using a double trapezoid-shaped osteotomy. This method was created by making both 1 trapezoid-shaped osteotomy line that consisted of 2 oblique and 1 transverse line in the frontal view, and a second trapezoid-shaped osteotomy line, which consisted of 2 oblique osteotomies made to be slightly broader in the cross-sectional view. Results: Reduction malarplasty with double trapezoid-shaped osteotomy was successfully performed in all patients. No severe complications were observed. There were some minor complications. In most patients, a wide midface with prominent malar eminences was reshaped into a slender contour. Conclusions: A double trapezoid-shaped osteotomy for reduction malarplasty might be a more effective method to overcome the limitations of other previous techniques. The prominent malar eminences can be reduced effectively without major complications, and moreover, the cheek area can be induced to have an upward lifting and a 3-dimensional convexity of the midface.

The purpose of the current in silico planning study is to compare radiation doses of whole-breast irradiation (WBI) and whole-breast plus regional lymph node irradiation (WBI+RNI) administered to the regional lymph nodes (RLN) in pN1 breast cancer. Twenty-four participating institutions were asked to create plans of WBI and WBI+RNI for two dummy cases. To compare target coverage between the participants, an isodose line equal to 90% of the prescribed dose was converted to an isodose contour (contour90% iso). The relative nodal dose (RND) was obtained using the ratio of RLN dose to the target dose. The Fleiss&rsquo, s kappa values which represent inter-observer agreement of contour90% iso were over 0.68. For RNI, 6 institutions included axillary lymph node (ALN), supraclavicular lymph node (SCN), and internal mammary lymph node (IMN), while 18 hospitals included only ALN and SCN. The median RND between the WBI and WBI+RNI were as follows: 0.64 vs. 1.05 (ALN level I), 0.27 vs. 1.08 (ALN level II), 0.02 vs. 1.12 (ALN level III), 0.01 vs. 1.12 (SCN), and 0.54 vs. 0.82 (IMN). In all nodal regions, the RND was significantly lower in WBI than in WBI+RNI (p &lt, 0.01). In this study, we could identify the nodal dose difference between WBI and WBI+RNI.

We recently found that lactoferrin (LF), like TGF-β1, enhanced Ag non-specific Foxp3+ iTreg differentiation and the two molecules synergized to express Foxp3. In the present study, we investigated effect of LF and TGF-β1 on Ag-specific Foxp3+ iTreg differentiation. Naïve CD4+ T cells isolated from OT-II mice were co-cultured with OVA323–339-loaded T cell-depleted splenocytes as APCs. OVA-specific Foxp3+ Treg population was increased by LF and TGF-β1 alone, and synergistically increased by combination of the two molecules. However, these increases were diminished by additional CD28 stimulation using anti-CD28 Ab. In parallel, blockade of B7 molecules using CTLA4-Ig markedly increased the Foxp3 expression. These results imply that lactoferrin alone or particularly along with TGF-β1 can cause naïve T cells to differentiate into Foxp3+ Tregs, greater under weak co-stimulatory signals.

DCs are professional APCs for initiating both immune response and immune tolerance. Tolerogenic DCs are generally known as regulatory DCs that suppress immune responses through regulation of T cells such as induction of T cell anergy/apoptosis and Treg. Since we have demonstrated that lactoferrin (LF) induces functional Tregs and has a protective effect against IBD, we explored the tolerogenic effect of LF on mouse bone marrow-derived DC (BMDC) and its underlying mechanisms. LF enabled BMDCs to suppress the proliferation of allogenic CD4+ T cells, and elevated levels of Arg-1, IDO-1, and CD39/73 (known as key T cell suppressor molecules). Consistently, the suppressive activity of LF-treated DCs (LF-DCs) was disappeared by inhibitors of Arg-1 and CD39. Finally, LF-DCs enhanced TGFβ1-induced OVA-specific Foxp3+ T cell population. Collectively, these results suggest that lactoferrin effectively causes DCs to be tolerogenic by both direct suppression of T cell proliferation and indirect enhancement of Treg differentiation.

We used hot filament chemical vapor deposition to synthesize conductive diamond layers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to explore how boron affected diamond formation in terms of structural chemistry, surface appearance, and growth rate. As the boron/carbon (B/C) ratio increased, thin boron-doped diamonds (BDDs) exhibited increased levels of amorphous carbon. We used a high-temperature furnace to explore the heat resistance of BDDs.

High strength low alloy steel has excellent heat resistance and high strength. As it is commonly used as gun barrel material, a long service life and superior wear resistance are necessary for steel components. Here we investigated the wear characteristics of high strength low alloy steel surfaces under various environmental conditions, using a pin-on-disk wear test. Oxidation and wear debris effects on the coefficient of friction (COF) of the alloy steel were examined under air and argon (Ar) gas flow at atmospheric conditions.

High chrome steel (12 Cr-steel) is the material found in engine blade which required high durability and long service life at high temperatures. Therefore, it is important to produce durable and high strength 12 Cr-steel. In this study, effect of different tempering temperature on microstructure of 12 Cr-steel specimens were investigated. First, the specimens were heat treated to 1070[Formula: see text]C and quenched in an acidic solution. Then they were tempered at different temperature at 470[Formula: see text]C and 690[Formula: see text]C. Analyses on mechanical properties such as hardness, yield strength, tensile stress were performed. It is found that specimen at lower temperature (470[Formula: see text]C) has improved mechanical properties.

Despite many attempts to improve the patency rate of biliary stents in patients with inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinomas, the longevity of these stents has not been satisfactory. The purpose of the present study is to report technical outcomes and clinical efficacy of the placement of compound tri-metal stent in patients with malignant perihilar biliary obstruction.Retrospective analysis was performed of the medical records of 26 consecutive patients with inoperable malignant perihilar biliary obstruction who underwent compound tri-metal stent placement through a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube from January 2012 to April 2017.Placement of the compound tri-metal stent was successfully completed in all 26 patients (technical success, 100%). There was neither procedure-related mortality nor 30-day mortality. None of these patients underwent additional metallic stent placement within 60 days secondary to recurrent cholangitis or stent occlusion. Successful drainage was achieved in 25 (96.2%) of 26 patients who received a compound tri-metal stent. Patients treated with compound tri-metal stent placement had a median stent patency of 145 days (range, 24-426 weeks) and a median survival time of 188 days (range, 37-1732 days).Placement of compound tri-metal stent in patients with malignant perihilar biliary obstruction may offer a safe and effective alternate technique to improve biliary drainage and stent patency.

In recent decades, the rapid development of nanoscience and nanotechnology has accelerated materials with high thermal conductivity, such as composite carbon nanomaterials, since heat removal has become a crucial issue. In this work polyacrilonitrile (PAN) incorporated with alteration of mass fraction (0.3 wt%, 0.62 wt%, 0.92 wt%, 2.74 wt%) of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to fabricate composite fibers via electrospinning. The stabilizing and carbonization reactions of composite nanofibers are conducted in tube furnace at 280 °C and 1000 °C. The structural features of flexible composite carbon nanofiber papers were characterized under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Special attention of composite carbon nanofiber papers is given to cross-plane thermal conductivity and in-plane thermal conductivity and were measured via Flash Line Analyzer. The results proved that flexible composite carbon nanofiber papers are promising heat sink radiator for a variety of applications including flexible optical and electronic devices.

Background The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and setting proper RT target volumes have not been clearly demonstrated for extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) cancer, due to the rarity of the disease and the lack of randomized trials. This study was conducted to evaluate the indication and treatment volume for adjuvant RT in EHBD cancer patients by identifying the prognostic factors for loco-regional (LR) failure, and analyze the patterns of LR failure. Methods Ninety-three patients with EHBD cancer, who underwent resection without adjuvant RT, at 2 medical centers, between 2001 and 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to find the prognostic factors for LR recurrence. The initial patterns of failure were recorded, especially those of LR recurrence, and categorized according to the Japanese classification. Results The median follow-up duration was 30 months, and 38 (40.9%) patients experienced LR recurrence during this period. With regards to LR recurrence, close or positive resection margin (RM) status (p

This paper describes modification of catalyst surface from interaction between catalysts and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. Ru/γ–Al₂O₃ catalyst was exposed to DBD plasma for CO₂ methanation and CH₄ direct conversion reactions. Parameters related to the modification of catalyst surface were investigated by SEM and EDS analysis.

Three compact microwave radiometers are developed for a lightweight solar-powered HALE UAV (High-Altitude, Long Endurance; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or pseudo-satellite. The platform aims to operate at UTLS, i.e. altitude of 16~20 km, where air becomes thin enough to prevent operation of a conventional fossil fuel engines. Despite atmospheric science community has long been attracted in its potential scientific and operational value as an observation platform, only limited opportunities were available. The payload aims to obtain vertical temperature profiles and column-averaged water vapour for entire troposphere where most weather system takes place. Given total weight (< 3 kg) and maximum power (< 50 W) constraints are not the only challenges for design of the CHAISR. It requires nominal operation in thermal range between −75 and +43 °C and from 1013 to 50 hPa. Along with optical cameras and in situ sensors in the CHASIR, three microwave radiometers with 16 channels from 18 to 60 GHz are to fit in 130 mm diameter and 290 mm length with total weight less than 1.5 kg for cross-track scan unit. Maximum power consumption of less than 15 W does not allow conventional internal blackbody calibration facility onboard, and alternative methods has been developed. This study represents calibration of miniature microwave radiometer followed by preliminary results of a series of test flights conducted in 2017. While CHAISR has reached 2/3 of its target altitude, data from test flight showed effective performance of tipping curve calibration with altitude as expected. On the contrary, pre-flight calibration with liquid nitrogen indicates there are rooms to improve method of lab-based characterisation of the CHAISR. The result suggests feasibility of in situ cold reference for microwave radiometer and better than 1°K of total RMSE can be achievable once accuracy of warm reference is available from noise diode or ambient temperature readings. Continuous improvement of quality of instrument is currently explored at the same time, researching way of improving current specification of microwave radiometer in CHAISR.

The purpose of this study was to investigating the effect of taping knee by testing the difference on kinetic variables of lower extremity when speed skating athletes jump on one leg. The results were as follows. The height of jumping after taping was higher, but the vertical height was not different according to taping. On take-off(TO), the horizontal and anterior-posterior maximum impulse force were decreased while the vertical maximum impact force was increased after taping. On landing(LD), the anterior-posterior maximum impulse force was decreased but the horizontal and vertical maximum impulse force were increased. TO, the impulse showed low after taping and the impulse dropped largely LD. The knee’s moment of extension, eversion were reduced after tapping TO. LD, the flection moment of knee was decreased, but the inversion moment was increased after tapping. This study implies that the knee tapping helps injury prevention and performance enhancement, sports medicine convergence are needed.

Smartphone is popularized, it is a lot of development of the mobile advertising industry, is born many types of mobile advertising. Many developers in the mobile game is the advertised profitable by using the SDK of service companies that service the advertising the launch of free games. Mobile IGA banner, front advertising, we use the ad in the three forms of the front video advertising, each of advertising, have advantages and disadvantages. Although many of the games currently use a full-page ad and front video ads, these ads profitable model is use the user game play time. In order to improve the disadvantage of this method, Commonly used to analyze the three ad revenue model, looking for the element, by using the research result of the previous studies, we have proposed a new advertising Convergence profitable models.

The linear contribution of total energy release rate for fracture of ferroelectric materials was studied based on the linear theoretic framework of piezoelectricity using the double-torsion technique. It was found that three linear contributions of the total energy release rate for piezoelectric material are definitely associated with pure mechanical compliance, electromechanical compliance, and pure electrical capacitance. To confirm the entity of contributions, mechanical and electromechanical compliances were analyzed obtained from result of load vs. displacement measured on each electric field, and electrical capacitance was obtained from property and geometry of samples.

Mileage system in some online media, I have a lot of use. In addition, there are a lot of companies that are making money by using the mileage system. A mileage system is the first airline in such a way that the service in the late 1980s, many states now listed sungineung and features. In addition, there are many industries that reported good results using a mileage system used by carriers in other industries. However, mileage of the current game industry has not been introduced, it is not the service by using the concept of point returning to the user is purely a function of mileage. So a lot of developed payment systems in the mobile industry since 2010, proposed a better and more current online payment systems industry has an easy hybrid revenue model for mobile games service convergence mileage using this system.

Color glasses are fabricated with Titanium target by RF magnetron sputtering. The physical properties of the Ti thin films are investigated according to preparation conditions, such as argon and oxygen gas flow ratio, RF power and Working pressure. The results indicate that it is possible to deposits various Ti thin film’s of different colors on glass substrate, such as yellow, orange, brown, purple. The thickness according to the color was analyzed using Veeco's Stylus profiler (model: dektak 6M).

This study is done to analyze the social function of social games, propose a development model, and demonstrate predisposing factors and consequences on the model. Therefore, the predisposing variables on social functions of social games are explored through related theory and previous studies to propose the social function developing model of social games. Social function model of social games are classified in detail in terms of emotional ties, open communication, sense of belonging to a community and interaction to derive a measure for social function improvement, to prove social function improvement elements through various social network services and social game theories and to propose a social game development model. Key Words : social game, social function, development model, SFI model, social network service Received 31 October 2014, Revised 1 December 2014Accepted 20 January 2015Corresponding Author: Tae-Gyu KimEmail: game@kw.ac.krⒸ The Society of Digital Policy & Management. All rights reserved. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.otg/licenses/by-nc/3.0), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is ISSN: 1738-1916 properly cited.

while the mobile game is the publishing of KakaoTalk, mobile game industry, became the opportunity for more growth. However, after two years in service, this time in a number of games has a service Kakaogame, but out Profitable game is out steadily, as compared to the service game was in early Kakaogame many I was reduced. Everyone hurried game of in feature If you get a good game is depending of course also Profitable model. Although domestic mobile game is a lot of publishing of KakaoTalk, in order to the competition between the same kind of game because it is similar to everyone game, profit structure in the game is important. Under the paper to find a direction that can be maximized through the previous study the benefits of typical Profitable model used Kakaogame has been presented in the direction of a new Profitable model.Key Words : Kakaotalk, Kakaogame, ProfitableModel, MoblieGame Received 30 October 2014, Revised 1 December 2014Accepted 20 January 2015Corresponding Author:Kim Tae-Gyu(KwangWoon University, Graduate School of Information & Contents professor)Email: game@kw.ac.krⒸ The Society of Digital Policy & Management. All rights reserved. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is ISSN: 1738-1916 properly cited.

To accomplish long-term use of specific parts of steel, welding technology is widely applied. In this study, to compare the efficiency in improving mechanical properties, rolled steel (SS400) was welded with stainless steel (STS304) by both CO2 welding method and MIG (metal inert gas) welding method, respectively. Multi-tests were conducted on the welded specimen, such as X-ray irradiation, Vickers’ Hardness, tensile test, fatigue test and fatigue crack growth test. Based on the fatigue crack growth test performed by two different methods, the relationship of da/dN was analyzed. Although the hardness by the two methods was similar, tensile test and fatigue properties of MIG welded specimen are superior to CO2 welded one.

Background A hook wire has been most widely used for computed tomography (CT)‐guided localization before video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, microcoils have been suggested to replace wires. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, VATS procedure time, and excised volume of specimens of CT‐guided localization using a hook wire and microcoil. Methods The medical records of 106 patients with 110 pulmonary nodules who underwent CT‐guided localization using a hook wire (group A) or microcoil (group B) before VATS performed between March 2013 and January 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Results The procedure success rate was 100% in both groups. Dislodgement occurred in four patients in group A and not in group B. Patient pain score was significantly lower for group B than group A (4.0 vs. 6.3; P

AIM Leptomeningeal enhancement (LME) on preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not always indicate leptomeningeal seeding (LMS). With Stupp's regimen, authors have treated glioblastoma patients with LME on preoperative brain MRI but here we tried to find the clinical impact of LME. METHODS From 2005 to 2015, 290 patients with glioblastoma have been treated with Stupp's regimen at Samsung Medical Center. Among these, 33 patients showed LME on preoperative brain MRI. We compared the clinical outcomes between the patients with or without LME on preoperative brain MRI and analyzed the clinical results according to changes of LME at following MRI. RESULTS The median survival was 23 months, and 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 46.3% and 19.6%, respectively. Prognostic factors for OS and DFS were Karnofsky performance status, extent of resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. MGMT promoter methylation status was a significant prognostic factor for DFS. However, LME was not a significant prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.156) or DFS (P = 0.193). Among the 33 patients with LME on preoperative MRI, 21 (63.6%) showed persistent LME at the next MRI. A statistically significant difference in 2-year survival was evident between patients with and without persistent LME (OS, 17.3% and 70.1%, respectively, P = 0.044; DFS, 5.3% and 54.0%, respectively, P = 0.006). The most common pattern of failure was local recurrence. However, patients with persistent LME displayed a higher incidence of LMS than patients without LME. CONCLUSION LME on preoperative brain MRI did not affect the clinical results in glioblastoma patients treated with the Stupp's regimen. However, persistence of LME was associated with poor survival and high possibility of LMS. For these patients, the postoperative adjuvant treatment should focus on palliative aim or more aggressive treatment scheme should be followed to overcome the disastrous results.

Objective: Histological grade is the most important factor for defining treatment strategies and predicting prognosis for salivary gland carcinoma (SGC). We examined factors affecting long-term recurrence and survival among intermediate-grade SGC (IGSGC) patients to define optimal treatment modalities and outcomes. Methods: We reviewed the clinical and pathological data on 108 IGSGC patients who underwent definitive surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy. We compared treatment outcomes by treatment strategies such as surgical extent for the primary tumor, neck dissection, or postoperative radiotherapy. Results: During a 103-month median follow-up, local, regional, and distant recurrences were detected in 14 (13.0%), 3 (2.8%), and 21 (19.4%) patients, respectively. The 10-year locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 83.1, 76.0, and 80.1%, respectively. Multivariate analyses identified a nonparotid primary site as an independent prognostic factor for LRC (p = 0.018). Adenoid cystic carcinoma and a positive pN classification were significantly unfavorable prognostic factors for DMFS (p = 0.025 and p = 0.030, respectively); overall advanced stage was an independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.020). Surgical extent, elective neck dissection, and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy did not significantly affect treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with early-stage IGSGC of parotid origin can achieve favorable treatment outcomes with conservative surgery alone.