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In conclusion, abdominal actinomycosis may mimic fistulizing CD, and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CD. Moreover, actinomycete infection is characterized by significant fibrosis, formation of granulomas, and transmural and suppurative inflammation with abscess and fistula, which may mimic CD. [Extracted from the article]

In this reported work, novel microstrip lowpass filters featuring wide stopband and high attenuation have been developed. These filters are composed of multiple open stubs and short-end coupled lines. By properly selecting the electrical lengths of the open stubs and short-end coupled lines, transmission zeros can be generated in the vicinity of harmonics and a wide stopband can be obtained. Detailed design procedures are provided; moreover, agreement between measured and theoretically predicted results demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report that the performance of indium tin oxide/molybdenum oxide/fullerene (ITO/MoOx/C60) photovoltaic cells is highly sensitive to the method of depositing MoOx film. The highest open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are obtained using thermally evaporated MoOx. In contrast, sputtered MoOx produces lower efficiencies. X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission analyses indicate that pristine thermally evaporated MoOx has a high work function of 6.8 eV and Mo6+ oxidation state, whereas argon-sputtered MoOx is characterized by lower work function and coexistence of both Mo6+ and Mo5+ states. The photovoltaic performance of the ITO/MoOx/C60 cells is consistent with MoOx functioning as the Schottky barrier contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have systematically investigated the effect of layer structures on the current efficiency of prototypical hole-injection layer (HIL)/hole-transport layer (HTL)/electron-transport layer (ETL) organic light-emitting diodes based on 4,4′,4″-tris[N-(3-methylphenyl)-N-phenylamino]triphenylamine (MTDATA) as the HIL, 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (NPB) as the HTL, and tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum (Alq) as the ETL. With bilayer devices, the current efficiency is limited by exciplex emissions in the case of MTDATA/Alq and quenching of Alq emissions by NPB+ radical cations in NPB/Alq. The improved current efficiency in trilayer MTDATA/NPB/Alq devices can be attributed to a reduction in NPB+ radical cations at the NPB/Alq interface and a strong electric field in the NPB layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thin-film, two-layer organic photovoltaic cell has been fabricated from copper phthalocyanine and a perylene tetracarboxylic derivative. A power conversion efficiency of about 1% has been achieved under simulated AM2 illumination. A novel feature of the device is that the charge-generation efficiency is relatively independent of the bias voltage, resulting in cells with fill factor values as high as 0.65. The interface between the two organic materials, rather than the electrode/organic contacts, is crucial in determining the photovoltaic properties of the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel electroluminescent device is constructed using organic materials as the emitting elements. The diode has a double-layer structure of organic thin films, prepared by vapor deposition. Efficient injection of holes and electrons is provided from an indium-tin-oxide anode and an alloyed Mg:Ag cathode. Electron-hole recombination and green electroluminescent emission are confined near the organic interface region. High external quantum efficiency (1% photon/electron), luminous efficiency (1.5 lm/W), and brightness (>1000 cd/m2) are achievable at a driving voltage below 10 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 21-year-old male patient with progressive jaundice along with vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. The diagnosis was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and highlights the detection of lymphadenopathy, retroperitoneal lymphadenitis, and enlarged liver. Also discussed is the use of Voriconazole to treat Trichosporon asahii.

A novel microstrip bandpass filter with compact size is proposed. With two short-circuited stubs, one open-circuited coupled line using symmetrical feeding, and two spur lines, a wide passband can be obtained. Detailed design and synthesis procedures are provided for filter development. Moreover, the electromagnetic simulator IE3D is used; the prototype of the bandpass filter is consequently fabricated and measured. Agreement between measured results and the theoretical prediction validates the proposed structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A triple-passband bandpass filter is proposed. With the interdigital resonators embedded into the open-loop resonators, the bandpass filter with multiple passbands can be obtained. Moreover, by adopting the method of interdigital resonators, the passband with broader bandwidth on the higher frequency band can be obtained. The measured results of the fabricated filter match well with the electromagnetic simulation, therefore the feasibility of the proposed filter is approved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aid of depth-resolved confocal microscopy, the optical crosstalk phenomenon in GaN-based micro-pixel light-emitting diodes (μ-LEDs) on Si substrates are thoroughly investigated and compared with its counterpart on sapphire substrate. Noticeable optical crosstalk is invariably present in GaN-on-sapphire devices as the thick transparent sapphires beneath the μ-LEDs serve as optical waveguides to favor lateral propagation of the emitted light, eventually causing unwanted noise signals. μ-LEDs adopting the GaN-on-Si platform can effectively suppress unwanted optical crosstalk and sustain superior performance at different injection currents, which are well-suited for a wide range of μ-LED applications. Light intensity maps illustrating crosstalk performances of GaN-on-sapphire μ-LEDs with backsides coated with (left) Al mirror and (middle) black paint, and (right) GaN-on-Si μ-LED, captured by confocal microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous calcium polyphosphate (CPP) scaffolds with different polymerization degree and crystalline phases were prepared, and then analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermmogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Number average polymerization degree was calculated by analyzing the calcining process of raw material Ca(H2PO4)2, as a polycondensation reaction. Amorphous CPP were prepared by the quenching from the melt of Ca(H2PO4)2 after calcining, and CPP with different polymerization degree was prepared by controlling the calcining time. Meanwhile, CPP with the same polymerization degree was prepared to amorphous or different crystalline phases CPP which was made from crystallization of amorphous CPP . In vitro degradation studies using 0.1 M of tris-buffered solution were performed to assess the effect of polymerization degree or crystalline phases on mechanical properties and weight loss of the samples. With the increase of polymerization degree, the weight loss during the degradation decreased, contrarily the strength of CPP increased. The degradation velocity of amorphous CPP, α-CPP, β-CPP and γ-CPP with the same polymerization degree decreased in turn at the same period. The full weight loss period of CPP can be controlled between 17 days and more than 1 year. The results of this study suggest that CPP ceramics have potential applications for bone tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report that the performance of indium tin oxide/molybdenum oxide/fullerene (ITO/MoOx/C60) photovoltaic cells is highly sensitive to the method of depositing MoOx film. The highest open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are obtained using thermally evaporated MoOx. In contrast, sputtered MoOx produces lower efficiencies. X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission analyses indicate that pristine thermally evaporated MoOx has a high work function of 6.8 eV and Mo6+ oxidation state, whereas argon-sputtered MoOx is characterized by lower work function and coexistence of both Mo6+ and Mo5+ states. The photovoltaic performance of the ITO/MoOx/C60 cells is consistent with MoOx functioning as the Schottky barrier contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a 49-year-old woman presented with 40 days of epigastric pain, abdominal distension, and vomiting. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy in another hospital, and it was observed that the horizontal part of the duodenum and partial jejunum was slightly dilated and edematous. Biopsy showed mucosa edema, congestion, and infiltration of lymphocytes. laboratory results showed slight decreased hemoglobin, and diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome was confirmed.

Portal hypertension, as a common and complex hepatic vascular disease, is a key pathophysiological link in many events of acute cirrhosis decompensation and the progression of multiple organ failure. The most effective measure to reduce portal hypertension is a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Maintaining liver function, reducing complications, and improving patients' quality of life and survival time are positively impacted by early TIPS insertion. Patients with cirrhosis have a risk of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) that is 1 000 times higher than that of the normal population. Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome has a severe clinical course and a high mortality risk. The primary treatment approaches for PVT and HSOS are anticoagulation and TIPS. The innovative magnetic anastomosis vascular technique significantly shortens the anhepatic time and restores normal liver function in patients following liver transplantation.

Thrombocytopenia is the main clinical manifestation or common complication of multiple diseases, but there is still a lack of systematic understanding of pathogenesis, underlying diseases and treatment strategies of thrombocytopenia. Based on evidence-based medicine, this consensus summarizes seven aspects related to thrombocytopenia, including definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, diagnosis and treatment. This consensus provides an important reference for the diagnosis and treatment of thrombocytopenia.

An important goal of vaccination against viruses and virus-driven cancers is to elicit cytotoxic CD8 + T cells specific for virus-derived peptides. CD8 + T cell responses can be enhanced by engaging help from natural killer T (NKT) cells. We have produced synthetic vaccines that induce strong peptide-specific CD8 + T cell responses in vivo by incorporating an NKT cell-activating glycolipid. Here we examine the effect of a glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccine incorporating an NKT cell-activating glycolipid linked to an MHC class I-restricted peptide from a viral antigen in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The vaccine induces CD1d-dependent activation of human NKT cells following enzymatic cleavage, activates human dendritic cells in an NKT-cell dependent manner, and generates a pool of activated antigen-specific CD8 + T cells with cytotoxic potential. Compared to unconjugated peptide, the vaccine upregulates expression of genes encoding interferon-γ, CD137 and granzyme B. A similar vaccine incorporating a peptide from the clinically-relevant human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E7 oncoprotein induces cytotoxicity against peptide-expressing targets in vivo, and elicits a better antitumor response in a model of E7-expressing lung cancer than its unconjugated components. Glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccines may prove useful for the prevention or treatment of viral infections and tumors that express viral antigens.

Objective: N1-guanyl-1, 7-diaminoheptane (GC7), an inhibitor of deoxyhypusine synthase has been shown to exhibit significant anti-cancer activity. However, the biological role of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2 activation (EIF5A2) and GC7 on drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of GC7 combined with cetuximab in NSCLC therapy., Materials and Methods: The current study used cell viability assays, EdU incorporation assays, and western blot to detect that the GC7 exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity with cetuximab in NSCLC., Results: CCK-8 assays showed that combined treatment with GC7 and cetuximab significantly inhibited the viabilities in three NSCLC cell lines. In addition, EdU incorporation assays also indicated that GC7 co-treatment remarkably enhanced the cetuximab sensitivity in NSCLC cells. Nevertheless, down-regulation of EIF5A2 diminished the regulatory role of GC7 in cetuximab cytotoxicity. Western blot showed that transfection of EIF5A2 siRNA significantly suppressed the protein expression of EIF5A2 in NSCLC cells., Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that combined treatment with GC7 could enhance cetuximab sensitivity by inhibiting EIF5A2 in NSCLC cells, implying the potential clinical application of GC7 in cetuximab-based chemotherapy for NSCLC patients.

The physiology of hepatic hematopoiesis is largely unknown, although studies have indicated that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is involved in this disease. To validate this hypothesis, we assessed the effects of VIP on human cord blood CD34+ cells. We also measured VIP levels and the capacity of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor (VIPR) to bind to VIP in the rat liver during different developmental phases. VIP inhibited the proliferation of cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells from concentrations of 10-7-10-12 M. The highest suppression was achieved with 10-8 M VIP at day 10. Intracellular levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in CD34(+) cells treated with VIP were increased by 50.70 and 43.46%, respectively. Variations in VIP levels in the rat fetal liver generally increased rapidly with the stage of fetal development. In addition, the affinity of VIPR for VIP increased from relatively low levels in the rat fetal liver and peaked at birth, after which it gradually decreased. VIP had a suppressive effect on the proliferation of human cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells, partially by increasing the production of TNF-α and TGF-β. Low VIP levels in the fetal liver and gradually increasing levels after birth may in part be responsible for suppressing hematopoietic stem cell and progenitor proliferation in the liver.

The mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa is a rapidly self-renewing tissue in the body, and its integrity is preserved through the strict regulation of epithelial cell proliferation, growth arrest, and apoptosis. Polyamines are shown to play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal mucosal growth and healing after injury under physiological and various pathological conditions. In this review, we highlight the importance of cellular polyamines in the control GI mucosal proliferation, migration, apoptosis, angiogenesis and GI barrier function during mucosal repair after injury.