Search

The double-spin-polarization observable E for γ → p → → p π 0 has been measured with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at photon beam energies E γ from 0.367 to 2.173 GeV (corresponding to center-of-mass energies from 1.240 to 2.200 GeV ) for pion center-of-mass angles, cos θ π 0 c. m. , between - 0.86 and 0.82. These new CLAS measurements cover a broader energy range and have smaller uncertainties compared to previous CBELSA data and provide an important independent check on systematics. These measurements are compared to predictions as well as new global fits from The George Washington University, Mainz, and Bonn-Gatchina groups. Their inclusion in multipole analyses will allow us to refine our understanding of the single-pion production contribution to the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rule and improve the determination of resonance properties, which will be presented in a future publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used pyridine and a number of related molecules to lower the workfunction of thin Ag films so as to compare the effects of various molecular properties on the photoemission process and on surface electronic modes. We find that a nitrogen lone pair electronic orbital is essential for a large threshold shift. Other molecular properties, such as dipole moment and polarizability have a very small effect. The films are rough, therefore we see strong photoyields at the energy of the surface plasma mode, 3.6 eV. There is also a peak in the photoyield at 3.85 eV, the energy of the bulk plasmon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To evaluate the association between sleep duration and the risk of progression to diabetes among people with prediabetes, defined by HbA1c values. Methods We conducted a cohort study in 17 983 adults who underwent health check-up examinations, including assessments of sleep duration and quality. Diabetes was defined as either HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%), or the use of antidiabetic medication. Time-dependent proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between sleep duration and the risk of progression to diabetes. Results During 31,582 person-years of follow-up, 664 incident cases of diabetes were identified; the incidence rate was 21.0 per 1000 person-years. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios for progression to diabetes in people with sleep durations of ≤5, 6 and ≥8 h compared with 7 h were 1.68 (95% CI 1.30-2.16), 1.44 (95% CI 1.17-1.76) and 1.23 (95% CI 0.85-1.78), respectively ( P for quadratic trend <0.001). This association was partially mediated by biomarkers of adiposity, fatty liver and insulin resistance. Conclusion In this large study in young and middle-aged adults with prediabetes, we found an association between short sleep duration and the risk of progression to diabetes. Our findings suggest that sufficient sleep duration is important for delaying or preventing the progression of prediabetes to diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated dynamic responses of steel monorail bridges incorporating train-bridge interaction under strong earthquakes. Two types of steel monorail bridges were considered in the study: a conventional type with steel track-girder; an advanced type with composite track-girder and simplified lateral bracing system. During strong earthquakes, monorail train was assumed standing on the track-girder of monorail bridges. Observations through the analytical study showed that considering the monorail train as additional mass rather than a dynamic system in numerical modeling overestimated effect of the train load on seismic performance of monorail bridges. Earlier plastic deformations at the end bracing of the girder system absorbed seismic energy and reduced the stress at the pier base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is intended to investigate the feasibility of health monitoring of short span bridges based on modal parameter identification using the vibration data of the bridge induced by a moving vehicle. The idea of this study using the traffic-induced vibration of short span bridges which is a kind of non-stationary process is that the modal parameters identified repeatedly under a given moving vehicle provide a pattern which may provide useful information to decide current health condition of bridges. The autoregressive (AR) model is adopted for identifying modal parameters such as frequency and damping characteristics of the bridges. Mode shapes of bridges are obtained using multivariate AR model. Feasibility of the modal parameter identification for health monitoring of short span bridges is observed through a moving vehicle laboratory experiment. Pattern changes of identified parameters are observable by comparing the identification results between intact and damaged girders, which encourages the use of the method for long term health monitoring even for short span bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study is intended to investigate the seismic response of a highway viaduct under vehicle loadings during moderate earthquakes of high probability occurrence. The highway bridge design code of the Japan Road Association (JRA code) does not consider the live load in the seismic design of highway bridges because of the low possibility that both heavy traffic and an earthquake occur at the same time. However, frequent traffic jams in urban areas involve a high possibility of encountering an earthquake during a traffic jam. To clarify the effect of traffic to seismic responses of highway viaducts, heavy vehicles are considered as dynamic system in a three-dimensional dynamic response analysis. The design live load of the JRA code is assumed to be a critical traffic condition for the highway bridges, even during earthquakes. Observations through numerical analyses demonstrate that considering heavy vehicles as a dynamic system reduces seismic responses of the highway viaduct compared with those responses disregarding vehicular loadings and considering vehicles as additional mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new antenna design method is proposed for radio frequency identification tags on metallic surfaces, using a low-cost, high-loss substrate such as FR4. The proposed method significantly reduces the dielectric loss of the substrate and so improves the radiation efficiency of the tag antenna by almost double compared with a conventional planar inverted-F antenna. The equivalent circuit model of the antenna designed is established and its characteristics analysed systematically. The superiority of the proposed design method is demonstrated and verified by fabricating a prototype antenna and presenting experimental results of the measurements obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and personal or family history of atopic dermatitis in school children in 3 areas of Korea: urban (Seoul), industrial (Ulsan) and rural (Chunchon). On the basis of dermatologists' physical examinations and the questionnaires completed by parents or guardians, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was estimated to be 3.3% in the industrial area, 6.6% in the rural area and 7.8% in the urban area. The frequency of atopic dermatitis decreased with age and was significantly lower in the industrial area than in the rural and urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case report of clear cell acanthoma presenting as nipple eczema in a patient with atopic dermatitis. Patient's medical history; Skin biopsy findings; Absence of a definitive clinical presentation of clear cell acanthoma; Clinical differential diagnosis.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "association between moderate alcohol consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease."

The combination space concept had its origin in the theory of subspace and combinatorics. The combination space may be treated as the space reconstruction through combination, as well as the subspace one. Several new analytical methods are proposed based on combination principles applied to some operations. Under progressing structural damage, simple raw data cannot adequately characterize continuously changing processes and provide early prevention of considerable damage or loss of resistance to hazardous failure. Therefore, the data need to be further processed to find new criteria and factors of damage assessment. Three evaluation methods were experimentally established with the combination space. For the damage assessment and its early prevention, some factors are also proposed such that the combination space method can find the structural change earlier than the original data space. In the case of the the disparity between different conditions and the initial state, this method can contribute to the structure recovery, preventing its failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technique to improve the linearity of the frequency–voltage (f–V) characteristic and to reduce the differential tuning sensitivity, KVCO, of voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) is proposed. The VCO designed using the linearisation technique is tunable from 806 to 1113 MHz with a 34% tuning range and exhibits a nearly constant KVCO of 62 MHz/V over the entire frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented discussing the postoperative drainage using a vacutainer tube after excision of the preauricular sinus.

A two-stage ultra-wideband CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) is proposed. The first stage is optimised for wideband input matching and low noise figure, while the second stage is optimised to extend the -3 dB bandwidth of the overall amplifier. The combination of stages can provide lower noise figure and wider bandwidth simultaneously over that of previously reported feedback-based CMOS amplifiers. The implemented LNA shows a peak gain of 13.5 dB, more than 8.5 dB of input return loss, and a noise figure of 2.5 7.4 dB over a -3 dB bandwidth from 2 to 9 GHz with DC power consumption of 25.2 mW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The purpose was to examine the clinical characteristics and predisposing factors of late anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Method We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathological features of patients who experienced anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Patients were divided into two groups according to the time to leakage: early leakage (within 30 days postoperatively) and late leakage (after 30 days postoperatively). Clinicopathological characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results Anastomotic leakage occurred in 141 patients. Anastomotic leakage was diagnosed at a median of 17 (range 0-886) days postoperatively; 85 (60.3%) and 56 (39.7%) were categorized as the early and late leakage groups, respectively. Radiotherapy (hazard ratio 5.007; 95% CI 2.208-11.354; P < 0.0001) was the only significant independent predisposing factor for late leakage. Diverting stoma did not protect against late leakage. The late leakage group more frequently had the fistula type (46.4% vs 10.6%; P < 0.001) and less frequently needed laparotomy (55.4% vs 78.8%; P = 0.001). The rate of long-term stoma over 1 year was greater in the late leakage than the early leakage group (51.8% vs 29.4%; P = 0.009). Conclusion Late anastomotic leakages that develop after 30 days following low anterior resection are not uncommon and may be associated with the use of radiotherapy. Late leakage should be a different entity from early leakage in terms of the type of leakage, methods of management and subsequent sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 415–423 Background Long-term results after downstaging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prior to liver transplantation (LT) remain unknown. Aims To investigate dropouts and post-transplant outcome among patients with downstaged HCC by transarterial chemo-lipiodolization (TACL). Methods Between 2000 and 2007, 386 patients with HCC initially exceeding Milan criteria underwent TACL for tumour downstaging and were consecutively enrolled. Results Overall, 160 (41.5%) patients achieved successful downstaging of HCC to within Milan criteria. During the follow-up, 82 eventually dropped off the waiting list for LT, with estimated dropout rates at 1, 2 and 5 years of 46.7%, 70.2%, and 87.2%, respectively. The overall post-transplant survival rates at 1, 2 and 5 years were 89.2%, 70.3% and 54.6% and the corresponding rates for recurrence-free survival were 74.7%, 71.8% and 66.3% respectively. Multivariate analysis indentified alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels ≥100 ng/mL at LT ( P = 0.003), maximum tumour size ≥7 cm ( P = 0.002) and the lack of complete necrosis by TACL ( P = 0.048) as independent predictors of HCC recurrence after LT. Patients with none of these risk factors had an excellent post-transplant outcome, with an 87.5% probability of recurrence-free survival up to 6 years. Conclusions These long-term results may contribute to the database for optimizing management of LT candidates with downstaged HCC. Based on our data, patients with a maximum tumour size <7 cm who achieve complete necrosis together with AFP levels <100 ng/mL at LT may be the best candidates for LT following downstaging using TACL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3-D gradient-echo (GRE) sequence allows thinner sections and better resolution of biliary obstruction. When the presence of biliary obstruction is identified using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, the addition of the 3-D GRE sequence may be helpful for diagnosing biliary obstruction. By showing the changes in the bile duct wall, within the duct lumen and around the bile duct, this technique can be helpful for distinguishing benign from malignant stricture as well as a stone from an enhancing intraluminal mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in the colour and colour change of dental resin composites over commonly used two backgrounds. Colour of five uncured and cured resin composites before and after polishing with 600-, 1000- or 1500-grit SiC paper was measured according to the CIELAB colour scale relative to the illuminant D65 over a white background (WB; reflectance = 91·57%) and a light trap (LT; reflectance = 0·01%) on a reflection spectrophotometer with the SCE geometry. Colour difference (Δ E* ab) by the background, and by the specimen conditions over each of two backgrounds was calculated.Δ E* ab values between the same specimen by the background were 2·38–11·60.Δ E* ab values by the specimen condition were varied by the background, andΔ E* ab between cured/polished specimens over WB were significantly higher than those over LT (P < 0·05) except a few cases. Background influenced three-colour coordinates of CIE L*, a*, and b* values differently depending on the material and the specimen condition. Background significantly influenced the colour coordinates and colour difference by the specimen conditions. As the light trap can eliminate the influence of variations at the background, measured colour over the light trap can be the colour of material itself. Correlation between the measured colour and varied shades of background should be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many reports of patients with a severe hydroa vacciniforme (HV)-like eruption in which cutaneous lesions occur in both sun-exposed and non-exposed areas, unlike in true HV. Several patients have died from a malignant haematological neoplasm. In most cases, a latent Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection has been detected in the skin lesions. To describe the clinical and laboratory features of six additional patients with an EBV-associated HV-like eruption. The clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features were reviewed. T-cell receptor γ gene rearrangements were studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and heteroduplex analysis. In-situ hybridization was performed to detect mRNA for EBV in skin biopsy specimens. PCR was performed to screen for EBV infection in the skin lesions of three patients and blood of two patients. Photoprovocation with repeated ultraviolet (UV) A exposure was performed in three patients. The severity of the skin lesions and the clinical course varied among the patients. Skin lesions were induced by repeated UVA exposure in three patients and a latent EBV infection was demonstrated in the photoprovoked lesions. Three different clinical courses were found in six patients with an HV-like eruption associated with chronic EBV infection: (i) spontaneous remission; (ii) clearing after photoprotection; and (iii) continuous recurrence irrespective of sun exposure. It is possible that there are two patterns of HV-like eruption associated with chronic EBV infection. One is characterized by recurrent necrotic papulovesicles of the face and the other by nodules and facial swelling. It was demonstrated that the skin lesions could be triggered by repeated UVA exposure in the patients showing recurrent necrotic papulovesicles of the face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

summary The objective of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of calcium phosphate cements (CPC) for possible dental applications with varied liquid and powder compositions under the same testing condition. Cements studied in this experiment were divided into two groups of CPC not containing polymer and polymeric CPC (PCPC). Cement powder was formed by combining equimolar amounts of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and tetracalcium phosphate, or acrylic resin polymer powder mixture. The CPC specimens for the compressive strength (CS) and diametral tensile strength (DTS) measurements were prepared by mixing powder and liquid for 30 s with a powder/liquid ratio of 3:1, and subsequently packing the paste into a brass mould. The specimens were kept at 37 °C and 100% relative humidity for 24 h before measurements were conducted on a Universal Testing Machine with a cross-head speed of 1 mm min–1 . The CS of CPC was 0&bdot;14–10&bdot;29 MPa and that of PCPC was 0&bdot;26–117&bdot;58 MPa. The DTS of CPC was 0&bdot;10–4&bdot;56 MPa and that of PCPC was 0&bdot;07–22&bdot;54 MPa. The CS and DTS were very diverse depending on the composition of powder and liquid. Some compositions showed higher values than commercial liners. Thus compositions of 2% carboxymethyl cellulose + 35% citric acid in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 20% gelatin in PBS, 2% sodium alginate in PBS, 20–40% aqueous acrylic-maleic copolymer solution, and some of the HPMC and PMVE-Ma solutions exhibited promising formulae for dentine regenerating materials. Acrylic resin-PCPC group showed generally higher CS and DTS values. Based on this study, further studies on the reaction with odontoblast and resultant dentine regeneration should be performed using promising compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Buckwheat (BW) has been recognized as a common food allergen in Korea, Japan, and other countries. Until now, serologic findings of BW food-allergic patients and its major allergenic components have not been clarified. In this study, we analyzed the serologic findings of BW food allergy and characterized its major allergenic components. Methods: Nineteen BW-allergic subjects with symptoms after BW ingestion and 15 asymptomatic control subjects with positive skin prick test to BW were recruited. BW-specific IgE was measured with the Pharmacia CAP kit. Allergenic components of BW were analyzed by IgE immunoblotting, periodate oxidation, two-dimensonal PAGE, and sequencing of N-terminal amino acids. Results: From the BW-allergic patients and asymptomatic controls, the sensitivity (100%), specificity (53%), and negative (100%) and positive predictive values (73%) of Pharmacia CAP specific IgE for diagnosis were estimated. The prevalence of IgE binding to 24-kDa (pI 8.3), 16-kDa (pI 5.6), and 9-kDa (pI 5.0/6.0) allergens was higher than 50% in BW-allergic and asymptomatic subjects. However, the specific IgE to split 19-kDa (pI 6.5/7.0) allergens were more specifically found in BW-allergic patients than in asymptomatic subjects (78% vs 7%). N-terminal amino-acid sequences of 19-kDa and 16-kDa allergens showed moderate and weak homology to the 19-kDa globulin protein of rice and α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor of millet, respectively. The N-terminus of the 9-kDa isoallergens were not different from each other and were identified as the reported trypsin inhibitors of BW. Attenuation of the IgE binding to the 9-kDa allergen was found with periodate oxidation. Conclusions: The allergens of 24, 19, 16, and 9 kDa are strong candidates to be major allergens, and the 19-kDa allergen was relatively specific for BW-allergic patients. Moreover, measurement of BW-specific IgE and the features of immunoblotting should be very useful tools in the diagnosis of BW allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To clarify the relationship between the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) in Koreans, and to characterize the EBV-positive GCLS. Methods and results EBV infection was examined using EBER in-situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction in 45 cases of GCLS among Koreans, and in 292 consecutive cases of gastric carcinomas without lymphoid stroma (non-GCLS) as controls. EBV infection was found in 30 tumours (67%) of GCLS and 10 tumours (3.4%) of non-GCLS (P < 0.05). EBV-positive GCLS was more prevalent in males, poorly differentiated histological type and diffuse type in Lauren's classification, and tended to be located more in the middle third of the stomach than EBV-negative GCLS (P < 0.05). p53 overexpression was observed in 22% of GCLS (17% of EBV-positive GCLS and 33% of EBV-negative GCLS), and 34% of non-GCLS (EBV-positive GCLS vs. non-GCLS: P = 0.056). The survival of the patient with GCLS was not correlated with EBV infection or p53 immunoexpression (follow-up period: 11–97 months). Conclusions GCLS in Koreans is strongly associated with EBV infection. The prognosis in GCLS is not dependent upon either the status of EBV infection or the status of p53 immunoexpression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present status of the problem of neutrino mass, mixing and neutrino oscillations is briefly summarized. The evidence for oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos found recently in the Super-Kamiokande experiment is discussed. Indications in favor of neutrino oscillations obtained in solar neutrino experiments and in the accelerator LSND experiment are also considered. Implications of existing neutrino oscillation data for neutrino masses and mixing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atomic structure of amorphous and crystalline hafnium oxide (HfO2) films was examined using x-ray diffractometry and Hf edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy. According to the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and band data calculated by the density functional method, we found that the valence band of HfO2 consists of three subbands separated by ionic gaps. The upper subband is formed by O 2p, Hf 4f, and Hf 5d states; the intermediate subband is formed by O 2s and Hf 4f states, whereas the lower narrow subband is mainly formed by Hf 5p states. The energy gap of amorphous HfO2 is 5.7 eV as determined by electron energy loss spectroscopy. The band calculation results indicate the existence of light (0.3m0) and heavy (8.3m0) holes in the HfO2 film and the effective mass of electron lies in the interval of 0.7m0–2.0m0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charge transport in the amorphous Si3N4 is studied experimentally and theoretically. We have found, that widely accepted Frenkel model of the trap ionization gives the unphysical low value of the attempt to escape factor, and the enormously high value of the electron tunnel mass. Experimental data are well described by theory of the two-bands conduction and the phonon-assisted trap ionization in Si3N4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Entecavir 0.5 mg (ETV) is widely used among treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, 10%‐30% of patients show partial virologic response (PVR) to the drug. If the hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to replicate, the underlying liver disease may progress. Herein, we compared the efficacy of switching to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) with that of continuing ETV in CHB patients with PVR to ETV. This was an open‐label randomized controlled trial including CHB patients who had been receiving 0.5 mg of ETV for >12 months, but who still had detectable HBV DNA levels of >60 IU/mL without known resistance to ETV. Sixty patients were enrolled and 45 qualified for the study: Twenty‐two patients were randomly assigned into the TDF group and 23 into the ETV group. After 12 months of treatment, the virologic response rate (HBV DNA <20 IU/mL) was significantly higher in the TDF group than in the ETV group, as measured using per‐protocol analysis (55% vs 20%; P = .022) and intention‐to‐treat analysis (50% vs 17.4%; P = .020). The reduction in HBV DNA was greater (−1.13 vs −0.67 log10IU/mL; P = .024), and the mean HBV DNA level was lower (1.54 vs 2.01 log10IU/mL; P = .011) in the TDF group than in the ETV group. In conclusion, to achieve optimal response in CHB patients with PVR to ETV, switching to TDF would be a better strategy than continuing ETV. Appropriate modification of therapy would further improve the outcome of chronic HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Patients with chronic hepatitis C who achieve a sustained viral response after pegylated interferon therapy have a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the risk after treatment with direct‐acting antivirals is unclear. We compared the rates of early development of hepatocellular carcinoma after direct‐acting antivirals and after pegylated interferon therapy. We retrospectively analysed 785 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had no history of hepatocellular carcinoma (211 treated with pegylated interferon, 574 with direct‐acting antivirals) and were followed up for at least 24 weeks after antiviral treatment. De novo hepatocellular carcinoma developed in 6 of 574 patients receiving direct‐acting antivirals and in 1 of 211 patients receiving pegylated interferon. The cumulative incidence of early hepatocellular carcinoma development did not differ between the treatment groups either for the whole cohort (1.05% vs 0.47%, P = .298) or for those patients with Child‐Pugh Class A cirrhosis (3.73% vs 2.94%, P = .827). Multivariate analysis indicated that alpha‐fetoprotein level >9.5 ng/mL at the time of end‐of‐treatment response was the only independent risk factor for early development of hepatocellular carcinoma in all patients (P < .0001, hazard ratio 176.174, 95% confidence interval 10.768‐2882.473) and in patients treated with direct‐acting agents (P < .0001, hazard ratio 128.402, 95% confidence interval 8.417‐1958.680). In conclusion, the rate of early development of hepatocellular carcinoma did not differ between patients treated with pegylated interferon and those treated with direct‐acting antivirals and was associated with the serum alpha‐fetoprotein level at the time of end‐of‐treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Given that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia may share clinical symptoms as well as functional brain abnormalities, this study was designed to clarify common and different morphological abnormalities in OCD and schizophrenia.Methods: Volumes of the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the thalamus were measured in three age and sex matched groups of 22 patients with OCD, 22 patients with schizophrenia, and 22 normal subjects using three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Volume tracing was performed manually on serial coronal slices with the references of sagittal or axial planes using internal landmarks.Results: Hippocampal volume was bilaterally reduced in both OCD and schizophrenic patients versus the normal controls. Left amygdala volume was significantly enlarged in patients with OCD but not in patients with schizophrenia versus the normal controls. The thalamus did not show any volumetric group differences.Conclusions: Non-specific hippocampal reduction in both the OCD and schizophrenic groups is likely to link to a clinical overlap between the two illnesses, whereas the left amygdala enlargement observed only in the OCD patients seems to be suggestive of a unique role for the amygdala in the pathophysiology of OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the features of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) as agrins of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and circulating anti–heparan sulfate (HS) antibodies in lupus nephritis, comparing titers among the following groups: lupus nephritis (LN), non-renal lupus, non-lupus nephritis, and healthy controls. Methods The stage of nephritis was determined based on the kidney biopsy. Alcian blue staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for agrin were performed for histological evaluation of GBM HSPGs in normal glomeruli, non-lupus membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), and lupus MGN. The results were used for measurement of the serum anti-HS antibody titers using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the following groups: 38 healthy controls, 38 non-lupus nephritis, 37 non-renal lupus, and 38 LN. Results Glomerulus HSPGs were stained bluish-green along the GBM with Alcian blue. However, IHC staining against agrin was almost completely negative in the lupus MGN group compared with the normal and non-lupus MGN groups, which showed brown staining of GBM. A higher level of anti-HS IgG was detected in LN compared with other groups, respectively. Higher titers were associated with the presence of SLE and nephritis. A higher degree of proteinuria normalized to glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was observed in association with higher anti-HS antibody titers in LN. Conclusion This study demonstrated a functional loss of GBM HSPGs and higher levels of circulating anti-HS antibodies as a characteristic feature of lupus nephritis, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and proteinuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Colorectal cancer ( CRC) with microsatellite instability ( MSI) is characterized by frequent poor differentiation or mucinous histology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of MSI with clinicopathological features and the oncological outcome in patients with a mucinous component. Method CRC tissue samples were analysed for histology and MSI. Patients were grouped according to the mucinous content of the tumour, as follows: > 50%, mucinous adenocarcinoma ( MA); ≤ 50%, adenocarcinoma with mucinous component ( AMC); none, nonmucinous adenocarcinoma ( NMA). Clinicopathological parameters and survival were compared between patient groups. Results Of 2025 patients, 84 (4%) had MA and 124 (6%) had AMC. In addition, 202 (10%) had MSI. Patients with MA and AMC tended to have a younger age of onset, right-colon predilection, large-sized tumour and high frequency of MSI compared with those with NMA ( P < 0.001). MA and AMC patients with MSI showed a trend towards right-colon predilection and infrequent lymph-node metastasis compared with those with microsatellite stability ( MSS; P = 0.005-0.03). There were no survival differences between the three groups, but patients with MSI- MA demonstrated lower 4-year recurrence and better overall survival rates than those with MSS- MA ( P = 0.018 and P = 0.046, respectively). Conclusion Clinicopathological features of AMC and MA were similar and closely associated with MSI status. Although the prognoses of AMC and MA were no different from that of NMA, survival of patients with an MSI- MA tumour was significantly better than for those with MSS- MA tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This is the first study investigating scabies treatment since 1992 to involve examination of patients with microscopically confirmed scabies. Aim To assess the efficacy of 1% lindane cream in treating microscopically confirmed scabies, and to determine the utility of dermoscopy-guided skin scraping with microscopic examination ( DSGSS- ME) in evaluating the efficacy of scabies treatment. Methods This retrospective study analysed patients treated for scabies between January 2012 and December 2013. From the hospital database, 287 cases of scabies were identified and 50 were enrolled in the study. Patients were treated with 1% lindane cream twice weekly (days 0 and 1) and were evaluated with DSGSS- ME on day 7. Treatment and evaluations were repeated once weekly until a negative DSGSS- ME result was obtained. Results The cumulative efficacy of lindane 1% cream was 40% (20/50) after 1 week, 88% (44/50) after 2 weeks and 98% (49/50) after 3 weeks of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference between the 1- and 2-week ( P = 0.03), and 1- and 3-week ( P = 0.02) treatments. A total of 90 post-treatment DSGSS- MEs were performed, with a sensitivity of 97.3% (95% CI 85.8-99.9) and a negative predictive value of 98.2% (95% CI 90.1-100). Specificity and positive predictive value were 100%, as this procedure cannot yield false-positive results, because it relies on finding mites, eggs or faeces. Conclusions We suggest that a twice-weekly schedule (on consecutive days) of 1% lindane treatment lasting at least 2 weeks is required to clear scabies. DSGSS- ME appears to be a good method to evaluate the efficacy of scabies treatment. This study introduces a safe and effective method to treat scabies, and to accurately monitor infestation status in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central venous catheter (CVC) placement plays an important role in clinical practice; however, optimal positioning of the CVC tip remains a controversial issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of vertebral body unit (VBUs), to locate the cavoatrial junction (CAJ), for optimal CVC tip placement based on chest radiography (CXR) using the carina as a landmark. Methods: 524 patients who underwent coronary computed to mographic angiography (CTA) and CXR were included. The position of the CAJ was identified using VBUs, and the efficacy of VBUs for locating the CAJ with the carina as a landmark was analysed using multiple regression analysis. AVBU was defined as the distance between two adjacent vertebral bodies, including the inter-vertebral disk space. Results: The mean (SD) distance from the carina to the superior CAJ was 54.3 (9.7)mmon CTA; the mean distance in VBUs at the level of the carina was 21.4 (1.7) mmon CTA and 22.6 (2.1)mmon CXR. The mean CAJ position was 2.5 VBUs below the carina on CTA and 2.4 VBUs below on CXR with 95% limits of agreement between -0.6 and +0.3. Conclusions: The position of the CVC tip in relation to the carina can be described using the thoracic spine as an internal ruler, and the position of the CAJ in adults was reliably estimated to be 2.4 VBUs below the carina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A frequency-agile load modulation scheme is proposed for reliable near-field magnetic communication with a magnetic resonance wireless power transfer system. A working prototype of the system to realise concurrent power and data transfer in the high-frequency band has been fabricated to verify that demodulation of the load modulation signal state detected on the transmitter side is stable over the distance ranges covering the near-field coupling region. This scheme can be a simple and efficient solution against potential issues such as noncommunication and envelope inversion arising from strong magnetic resonance coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A frequency‐agile load modulation scheme is proposed for reliable near‐field magnetic communication with a magnetic resonance wireless power transfer system. A working prototype of the system to realise concurrent power and data transfer in the high‐frequency band has been fabricated to verify that demodulation of the load modulation signal state detected on the transmitter side is stable over the distance ranges covering the near‐field coupling region. This scheme can be a simple and efficient solution against potential issues such as non‐communication and envelope inversion arising from strong magnetic resonance coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene therapy using RNA interference can be directed against tumors through various strategies, but has been hindered owing to the inefficiency of non-viral delivery. To evaluate the antitumor effects of adenine nucleotide translocase-2 (ANT2) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) by intraperitoneal injection using the polyethylenimine (PEI) and an ultrasound gene delivery method, human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells were injected subcutaneously into NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rγnull) mice. The results showed greater tumor regression (*P<0.05) as well as an increased survival rate in the group receiving ANT2 shRNA+two types of enhancer relative to the groups receiving ANT2 shRNA without enhancer. These findings demonstrate that the introduction of PEI and ultrasound with SonoVue exerted enhanced antitumor effects in vivo. Although the combination of jet-PEI and ultrasound provided the best results with respect to tumor regression, the antitumor effects from the individual enhancers were approximately equivalent. In addition, we confirmed that there was no toxicity on aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in the liver and albumin, blood urea nitrogen or creatine kinase levels in the kidney following the various gene delivery methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Alopecia areata ( AA) is characterized by rapid and complete hair loss in one or multiple areas of the scalp. Stress is an important triggering factor in AA. Aim To identify the inhibitory effect of tianeptine on catagen induction in C57 BL/6 mice with AA-like lesions induced by ultrasonic wave stress ( UWS). Methods The mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 received oral tianeptine before and after UWS; group 2 received oral tianeptine only after UWS; group 3 was given UWS treatment only; and group 4 (negative control group) was not given any treatment. Phototrichigraphy and dermatoscopy were used for assessment. Histological analysis was performed using haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Masson trichrome and Verhoeff-van Gieson stains. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed. The level of apoptosis and expression of neuropeptides in the skin were assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and immunofluorescence assays. Results Mice in group 1 had an increased rate of hair growth and greater hair-shaft thickness compared with mice in groups 2 and 3. In addition, mice in group 1 had a higher number of anagen hair follicles, increased synthesis of collagen and elastic fibres, decreased mast-cell degranulation, reduction in cell apoptosis in hair follicles, and recovery of vitamin D receptor expression. Expression of neuropeptides (substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide) was not altered. Conclusions Tianeptine might play a role in suppressing catagen induction in a stress-induced AA mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article on the outcomes of allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for peripheral T-cell lymphomas with central review of pathology.

Objectives:Although the existence of metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals has been recognized, little is known regarding metabolic health status in these subjects over time. Thus, we evaluated longitudinal changes in metabolic parameters among MHO subjects compared with metabolically healthy, normal-weight (MHNW) subjects.Methods:A cohort study was performed on 2599 Korean men, 30-59 years of age, with no evidence of fatty liver disease on ultrasound and no traits of metabolic syndrome at baseline. BMI was categorized based on criteria for Asian population. Study participants were followed annually or biennially between 2002 and 2009. At each visit, the fatty liver on ultrasound was assessed and metabolic abnormalities were measured. Parametric Cox models and a pooled logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationships of BMI with incident metabolic abnormalities.Results:During 9647.1 person-years of follow-up, 1673 participants developed metabolic abnormalities. After adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol intake and exercise, higher baseline BMI categories predicted increased incidences of metabolic abnormalities in a dose-response manner. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for hypertriglyceridemia, prediabetes, pre-hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fatty liver, elevated high sensitivity-C reactive protein, elevated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, any metabolic abnormality and metabolic syndrome among the MHO subjects compared with the MHNW subjects were 1.51 (1.23-1.85), 1.43 (1.19-1.72), 1.79 (1.45-2.22), 1.80 (1.30-2.49), 2.69 (2.19-3.31), 1.39 (1.16-1.67), 2.90 (2.31-3.62), 1.68 (1.45-1.93) and 1.84(1.02-3.30), respectively.Conclusion:In this study, MHO individuals showed higher incidences of metabolic abnormalities compared with MHNW individuals. This suggests that initially MHO individuals undergo adverse metabolic changes associated with obesity over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the hyper-glycosylated transmembrane protein Mucin 1 (MUC1) is aberrantly overexpressed in human breast carcinoma, the biological significance of MUC1 overexpression is unclear. This study showed that MUC1 expression promoted the synthesis and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through the AKT signaling pathway. Increase VEGF production through MUC1 expression had a number of effect. First, MUC1 transfection increased expression of VEGF in breast cancer cells. Second, MUC1-mediated VEGF induction was attenuated by a chemical inhibitor of AKT or MUC1 knock-down by MUC1 siRNA. Third, MUC1 expression led to the activation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, which correlated with VEGF expression. In addition, when MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were directly injected into NOD/SCID mice, MUC1 expression accelerated xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Finally, MUC1 expression enhanced tumor growth and angiogenesis in a PyMT-MMTV/hMUC1 transgenic mouse model. Concurrent with these results, analysis of a human tissue microarray identified a high correlation between MUC1 and VEGF expression in human breast carcinoma. The current report is the first to demonstrate that MUC1 expression promotes angiogenesis in human breast cancer in vivo and in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Currently, serum biomarkers, which are sufficiently sensitive and specific for early detection and risk classification of gastric adenocarcinoma do not exist. Therefore, this study identified a panel of serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma.Methods:A 29-plex array platform with 29 biomarkers, consisting of 11 proteins discovered through proteomics and 18 previously known to be cancer-associated, was constructed. A test/training set consisting of 120 gastric adenocarcinoma and 120 control samples were examined. After 13 proteins were selected as candidate biomarkers, multivariate classification analyses were used to identify algorithms for diagnostic biomarker combinations. These algorithms were independently validated using a set of 95 gastric adenocarcinoma and 51 control samples.Results:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), pro-apolipoprotein A1 (proApoA1), apolipoprotein A1, transthyretin (TTR), regulated upon activation, normally T-expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES), D-dimer, vitronectin (VN), interleukin-6, α-2 macroglobulin, C-reactive protein and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were selected as classifiers in the two algorithms. These algorithms differentiated between the majority of gastric adenocarcinoma and control serum samples in the training/test set with high accuracy (>88%). These algorithms also accurately classified in the validation set (>85%).Conclusion:Two panels of combinatorial biomarkers, including EGFR, TTR, RANTES, and VN, are developed, which are less invasive method for the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. They could supplement clinical gastroscopic evaluation of symptomatic patients to enhance diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for automation & measurement technologies to detect the process state has been a driving force in the development of various measurements at wastewater treatment plants. While the number of applications of automation & measurement technologies to the field is increasing, there have only been a few cases where they have been applied to the area of sludge settling. This is because it is not easy to develop an automated operation support system for the detection of sludge settleability due to its site-specific characteristics. To automate the human operator's daily test and diagnosis works on sludge settling, an on-line SV30 measurement was developed and an automated detection algorithm on settleability was developed that imitated heuristics to detect settleability faults. The automated SV30 measurement is based on automatic pumping with a predefined schedule, the image capture of the settling test with a digital camera, and an analysis of the images to detect the settled sludge height. A sludge settleability detection method was developed and its applicability was investigated by field application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Lipid rafts and caveolae are membrane microdomains with important roles in cell survival signalling involving the Akt pathway. Cholesterol is important for the structure and function of these microdomains. The ginsenoside Rh2 exhibits anti-tumour activity. Because Rh2 is structurally similar to cholesterol, we investigated the possibility that Rh2 exerted its anti-tumour effect by modulating rafts and caveolae.Experimental Approach: A431 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma cell line) were treated with Rh2 and the effects on cell apoptosis, raft localization and Akt activation measured. We also examined the effects of over-expression of Akt and active-Akt on Rh2-induced cell death.Key Results: Rh2 induced apoptosis concentration- and time-dependently. Rh2 reduced the levels of rafts and caveolae in the plasma membrane and increased their internalization. Furthermore, Akt activity was decreased and consequently, Akt-dependent phosphorylation of Bad, a pro-survival protein, was decreased whereas the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bim and Bax, were increased upon Rh2 treatment. Unlike microdomain internalization induce by cholesterol depletion, Rh2-mediated internalization of rafts and caveolae was not reversed by cholesterol addition. Also, cholesterol addition did not restore Akt activation or rescue cells from Rh2-induced cell death. Rh2-induced cell death was attenuated in MDA-MB-231 cells over-expressing either wild-type or dominant-active Akt.Conclusions and Implications: Rh2 induced internalization of rafts and caveolae, leading to Akt inactivation, and ultimately apoptosis. Because elevated levels of membrane rafts and caveolae, and Akt activation have been correlated with cancer development, internalization of these microdomains by Rh2 could potentially be used as an anti-cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 482–487 Using a questionnaire, we assessed the current status of the quality management systems at HIV screening laboratories in Korea. The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention HIV external quality assurance scheme (EQAS) questionnaire includes 18 items divided into five groups related to HIV testing: personnel, HIV test processes, participation in the Quality Assurance programme and HIV testing equipment. Five hundred and sixty-one HIV screening laboratories participated in this questionnaire investigation; data were collected from 233 public health centres, 309 hospitals or clinics, eight blood centres and 11 commercial laboratories. The total number of HIV screening tests was about 5.5 million in 2005. The average number of HIV tests per institution was highest in blood centres (308 561), followed by commercial laboratories (56 084), hospital or clinic laboratories (6756), and public health centres (1751). Equipment and HIV test methods varied between HIV screening laboratories, and, to manage the quality of their HIV testing, most laboratories participated in several evaluation programmes such as EQAS or a laboratory accreditation programme. This study is the first questionnaire survey of HIV testing laboratories in Korea. The results could be used to evaluate and promote the quality management of HIV testing laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) correlates with poor clinical outcomes and confers resistance to the apoptosis of the tumor cells that are exposed to hypoxia. Presently, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is poorly understood. In this study we provide evidence that transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme that catalyses protein crosslinking reactions, is a transcriptional target of HIF-1 to enhance the survival of hypoxic cells. We found that hypoxia induces TG2 expression through an HIF-1 dependent pathway and concurrently activates intracellular TG2. The hypoxic cells overexpressing TG2 showed resistance to apoptosis. Conversely, the hypoxic cells treated with either TG2 inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) became sensitive to apoptosis. Activation of TG2 in response to hypoxic stress inhibited caspase-3 activity by forming crosslinked multimer, resulting in insoluble aggregates. TG2 also activates nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway after hypoxic stress, and thereby induces the expression of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2. The anti-apoptotic role of TG2 was further confirmed in vivo using xenografts in athymic mice. Our results indicate that TG2 is an anti-apoptotic mediator of HIF-1 through modulating both apoptosis and survival pathways and may confer a selective growth advantage to tumor cells. These findings suggest that the inhibition of TG2 may offer a novel strategy for anticancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a clinically heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis, requiring risk-stratified management in affected patients. Recently, tumor microenvironment including regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been implicated as a prognostic marker in certain types of lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]