Search

Introduction A pericardial effusion (PE) has a variable etiology and the primary role is diagnosis of metastatic malignancy. We analyzed the PE cytology in a large cohort in accordance with the international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology (ISRSFC) and evaluated the long‐term patient outcomes. Methods PE specimens from 2010 to 2014 with an available clinical history, cytologic data, and pericardial biopsy results were collected. Results A total of 574 PE specimens were obtained from 486 patients, representing 1.5% (574/38,589) of all body fluid specimens. Three hundred and eighty‐two (66.6%) cases were “negative,” 54 (9.4%) cases were “atypia of undetermined significance,” 10 (1.7%) cases were “suspicious for malignancy,” and 128 (22.3%) cases were “malignancy”. The most common origin for malignant PE was the lung (82.1%), in both men (70.5%) and women (50.6%). Breast cancer (20%) in women and gastric cancer (4.9%) in men were the second most common malignant PE, respectively. The mean interval from the occurrence of malignant PE to death was 10.06 months (range; 0–116.03 months, median 3.5 months), and the 1‐year survival rate was 16.7%. In addition, the 1‐year survival rates after malignant PE onset were 0% for gastric cancer, 13.9% for lung cancer, 19.8% for breast cancer, and 21.1% for the other cancers (p = 0.011). Conclusion Our present study is the first to our knowledge to classify the pericardial fluid from 574 cases in accordance with the recently published ISRSFC, and to present the long‐term outcomes of patients with malignant PE at the same time. Moreover, we report for the first time that it is gastric and not lung cancer patients that have the poorest prognosis after the occurrence of malignant PE., Our study report the long‐term outcomes of patients with malignant pericardial effusion. In addition, most common malignant pericardial effusion was lung cancer and gastric cancer showed the poorest survival prognosis after the occurrence of malignant pericardial effusion.

Since 2000, craft practitioners have increasingly adopted digital fabrication technologies. Simultaneously, the public’s engagement in making through various means has escalated, disrupting the makers’ ecosystem. This study explores craft practitioners’ motivation to acquire new digital skills in the context of informal learning and professional development in Hong Kong and how they perceive potential changes in the maker culture and creative industries. This study’s methods consisted of two rounds of semi-structured interviews with 18 craft practitioners as well as participant observations during a short-term workshop in which they learned the basics of digital fabrication technologies. The findings revealed that external variables, such as social influence and facilitating conditions, are as important as personal motivations for craftspeople’s acceptance of technology. Additionally, the study found that technology has not advanced sufficiently to meet craftspeople’s expectations, and understanding of traditional craft skills is essential to take advantage of these technologies. The participants envisioned that technologies would enhance productivity and creativity in their practice and that their digital craftspeople identity would thrive due to the rise of the maker culture. For more effective incorporation of technologies into craft practices, it is suggested that a new curriculum design customized for various types of craft makers be constructed and implemented.

Hepatoid thymic carcinoma is an extremely rare subtype of primary thymus tumor resembling “pure” hepatoid adenocarcinomas with hepatocyte paraffin 1 (Hep-Par-1) expression. A 53-year-old man presented with voice change and a neck mass. Multiple masses involving the thyroid, cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, and lung were detected on computed tomography. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was confirmed by biopsy, and the patient underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. However, the anterior mediastinal mass was enlarged after the treatment whereas the multiple masses in the thyroid and neck decreased in size. Microscopically, polygonal tumor cells formed solid sheets or trabeculae resembling hepatocytes and infiltrated remnant thymus. The tumor cells showed immunopositivity for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 19, and Hep-Par-1 and negativity for α-fetoprotein. Possibilities of germ cell tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, and metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma were excluded by immunohistochemistry. This report on the new subtype of thymic carcinoma is the third in English literature thus far.

Anions are molecules that have gained one or more extra electrons, and oxygen anions are the anions most commonly present in the atmosphere. Several studies have reported an improvement in plant respiration and growth through the application of air anions in several plants. In this study, the effect of air anions on the growth of lettuce was explored, and further, the economic feasibility of this technique was analyzed in a plant factory. Two cultivars of lettuce were cultivated for 4 weeks with the application of negatively ionized air in a commercial plant factory. The exposure to air anions improved the growth of the lettuce plants in the plant factory. A profitability analysis of applying air anions revealed that the annual net profit per 1500 m2 cultivation area was about USD 60,000 and USD 70,000 for red leaf lettuce and Lollo bionda lettuce, respectively. Therefore, the application of air anions to lettuce in plant factories or greenhouses could increase crop production and has high economic feasibility.

Introduction: Myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) is a common lipogenic sarcoma, which is difficult to diagnose in small specimens. New York oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1) is a cancer-testis antigen expressed in neoplastic tissue. In this study, NY-ESO-1 expression was assessed in various soft tissue tumors (STTs), and we also evaluated its diagnostic utility. Methods: We included 434 cases of STTs for collection of clinicopathological data. Tissue microarrays were designed, and immunostaining for NY-ESO-1 was examined. We investigated the correlation between NY-ESO-1 expression and various clinicopathological parameters. We also evaluated the role of NY-ESO-1 as a diagnostic marker for MLS and its possible use in prognostication. Results: Sixty-four of the 434 STTs (14.75%) were immunoreactive for NY-ESO-1, and the most frequent type of tumor in the NY-ESO-1 positive group was MLS (70.3%, 45/64), followed by synovial sarcoma (17.2%, 11/64). MLS showed 72.6% (45/62) immunopositivity for NY-ESO-1. The sensitivity and specificity of NY-ESO-1 expression for the diagnosis of MLS were 84.4% and 100%, respectively, compared to DDIT3 fluorescence in situ hybridization. When restricting analysis to the MLS (n=62), the NY-ESO-1 positive group had a poor overall survival (OS) rate (P=0.039). Conclusion: NY-ESO-1 was substantially and widely expressed in the majority of MLS cases. NY-ESO-1 positivity by IHC staining was also a predictor of a poor OS in patients with MLS. It is possible to use NY-ESO-1 for diagnosis and for predicting a prognosis in patients with MLS, and it may be used as a therapeutic target.

Many pheochromocytoma and extra-adrenal paraganglioma are benign, but some are malignant. Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score analyzed the histological characteristics of the tumor. Tumors with a Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score of 4 or higher have a higher risk of recurrence. This pattern is thought to be applicable to paraganglioma as well, and to future patient follow-up efforts. We report a recurrent and metastatic paraganglioma of the urinary bladder.

In recent 5 years, digital fabrication technologies have not only advanced rapidly but have also become more user-friendly and affordable, especially regarding their educational uses. Due to these technologies’ capability to link virtual and physical making, educators have extensively discussed their potential impact on fostering a learning-by-doing constructionist approach to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at all levels of education. However, in K-12 art and design education, the uptake of digital fabrication technologies is lagging, and few studies have measured its potential benefits and how to equip preservice teachers with relevant knowledge and skills for technology-infused classrooms. This exploratory case study investigated how creative processes using digital fabrication technologies can benefit art and design education in the pre-service teacher program and K-12 education context. The data were collected via class observation, artifact analysis and questionnaire. The results showed that digital fabrication technologies had positive overall effects on preservice teachers’ learning in the following areas: problem-solving skills, accuracy in engineering, communicating ideas using effective visual presentation methods, collaborative learning, and understanding the implications of integrating technology into traditional art and design media and educational processes. Additionally, shortfalls were identified and suggestions made for further improvements for design education in teacher training programs.

CIC-DUX4 fusion gene associated sarcoma is a new emerging subgroup of round cell sarcoma with Ewing sarcoma-like morphology. Distinguishing these tumors from Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) is critical because of the clinical impact but is still challenging due to the overlapped histological and immunohistochemical phenotypes of each subtype. The present study investigated small round cell sarcoma to identify CIC-DUX4 fusion positive sarcoma, examined clinical, histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of CIC-DUX4 sarcoma, and evaluated parameters to differentiate Ewing sarcoma family tumors. Seventy patients with undifferentiated round cell sarcoma or Ewing-like sarcoma were retrieved. Molecular tests including EWSR1, CIC break apart FISH, and RT-PCR for CIC-DUX4 gene fusion were performed and immunohistochemistry was performed. Six cases (8.6%) of CIC-DUX4 sarcomas were detected. Histologically, CIC-DUX4 sarcomas composed of heterogeneous round, plasmacytoid, and spindle cells and more commonly showed cytologic pleomorphism with bizarre nuclei and multinucleated cells and myxoid stoma unlike ESFT. CIC-DUX4 sarcomas didn't show overall survival differences (p = 0.325) compared to ESFT but they demonstrated short disease-free survival (p = 0.034) and poor response to treatment (p = 0.007). Therefore, molecular analysis to detect the distinctive genetic alteration is mandatory in tumors with atypical histologic, immunohistochemical and/or clinical presentation for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Oxaliplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Understanding the cellular mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance is important for developing new strategies to overcome drug resistance in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we performed a stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative proteomic analysis of oxaliplatin-resistant and sensitive pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells. We identified 107 proteins whose expression levels changed between oxaliplatin-resistant and sensitive cells, which were involved in multiple biological processes, including DNA repair, drug response, apoptotic signalling, and the type 1 interferon signalling pathway. Notably, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) and wntless homolog protein (WLS) were upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant cells compared to sensitive cells, as confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. We further demonstrated the activation of AKT and β-catenin signalling (downstream targets of MARCKS and WLS, respectively) in oxaliplatin-resistant PANC-1 cells. Additionally, we show that the siRNA-mediated suppression of both MARCKS and WLS enhanced oxaliplatin sensitivity in oxaliplatin-resistant PANC-1 cells. Taken together, our results provide insights into multiple mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer cells and reveal that MARCKS and WLS might be involved in the chemotherapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Background Autophagy, which is stimulated by cellular or environmental stresses, is involved in several distinct biological processes, and the regulation mechanism is complex. Autophagy has been reported to modulate immune system components. In the present study, the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3, an autophagy-related proteins, and its relationship with FOXP3 expression were investigated in gastric adenocarcinoma cells and FOXP3+T cells (regulatory T cells). Methods Tissue samples were acquired from 182 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma that were surgically resected at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from 2006 to 2012. Immunohistochemical staining for Beclin-1, LC3, FOXP3, and CD8 was performed. Results Consequently, positive Beclin-1 expression was significantly associated with a smaller tumor size, mixed histologic type, better histologic grade, lower T category, lower N category, lower recurrence rate, less lymphatic invasion, less vascular invasion, and less neural invasion. Positive tumoral FOXP3 expression was significantly associated with a lower T category, lower N category, lower recurrence rate, and less lymphatic invasion. The cases of more infiltrated Tregs (≥ 25/high power field, HPF) significantly correlated with a lower N category, lower recurrence rate, less lymphatic invasion, more infiltrated CD8+T cells, and a higher number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Beclin-1 and LC3 expression were positively correlated with tumoral FOXP3 overexpression. In addition, Beclin-1 expression was significantly associated with a greater number of infiltrated Tregs in gastric adenocarcinoma. Both the positive Beclin-1 expression and positive tumoral FOXP3 expression cases showed significantly better disease-free and overall survival. In addition, the patients with an increased number of infiltrated Tregs (≥ 25/HPF) showed better disease-free and overall survival rates. Conclusion In conclusion, the autophagic function of Beclin-1 in gastric adenocarcinoma cells was associated with an increased number of infiltrated Tregs and tumoral FOXP3 containing tumor suppressor function. Therefore, the favorable effects of Beclin-1 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with the regulation of Tregs and tumoral FOXP3 expression.

3D printing implementation in educational contexts has gained considerable attention in recent years. However, research shows that both in-service and pre-service teachers lack digital literacy and...

This article describes how the implementation of 3D printing in classrooms has brought many opportunities to educators as it provides affordability and accessibility in creating and customizing teaching aids. The study reports on the process of fabricating teaching aids for architecture education using 3D printing technologies. The practice-based research intended to illustrate the making process from initial planning, 3D modeling to 3D printing with practical examples, and addresses the potential induced by the technologies. Based on the investigation into the current state of 3D printing technologies in education, limitations were identified before the making process. The researchers created 3D models in both digital and tangible forms and the process was documented in textual and pictorial formats. It is expected that the research findings will serve as a guideline for other educators to create 3D printed teaching aids, particularly architectural forms.

Distinguishing dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) from other high-grade spindle and pleomorphic sarcomas is important because of better prognosis in case of DDLPS. MDM2 amplification, a genetic abnormality of well-differentiated liposarcoma, is known to be present not only in DDLPS, but also in some other sarcomas. To differentiate DDLPS, we investigated MDM2 amplification and expression in high-grade spindle sarcomas. Eighty-five cases of nonlipogenic high-grade sarcomas, diagnosed between 2008 and 2011, were investigated. Tissue microarray, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence in situ hybridization for MDM2 were performed. Forty-one of 85 cases (48.2%) showed MDM2 amplification and expression. Cases of MDM2 amplification were reclassified based on histology, immunophenotype, and clinical data. Thirty-nine of 41 cases, including those originally diagnosed as DDLPS (n=30), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (n=7), myxofibrosarcoma (n=1), and pleomorphic liposarcoma (n=1) could be reclassified as DDLPS. In addition, MDM2 immunohistochemistry and MDM2 fluorescence in situ hybridization showed an excellent correlation (P

Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) status is stabilized by a balance of ROS generation and elimination called redox homeostasis. ROS is increased by activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase family members and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis of mitochondria. Increased ROS is detoxified by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxiredoxins. ROS has a role as a secondary messenger in signal transduction. Cancer cells induce fluctuations of redox homeostasis by variation of ROS regulated machinery, leading to increased tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Redox-mediated mechanisms of chemoresistance include endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy, increased cell cycle progression, and increased conversion to metastasis or cancer stem-like cells. This review discusses changes of the redox state in tumorigenesis and redox-mediated mechanisms involved in tolerance to chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer.

Background/aim Colon cancer is prone to distant metastases to other sites and the risk of recurrence is relatively high. Therefore, the identification of liver metastasis-related factors is important for the diagnosis or treatment of colon cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the metastasis-related factors that are differentially expressed in synchronous solitary liver metastasis compared to primary colon cancer. Materials and methods Tissues of primary colon cancer and associated with liver metastases of five patients were used for mass spectrometry. Identified proteins were validated by western blotting. The in silico analysis was performed using the STRING database and GeneMANIA. Results We identified 58 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including 51 under-expressed and 7 over-expressed proteins among a total of 164 identified proteins. Major hubs of protein-protein networks were ACTC1, PRDX6, TPI1, and ALDH1A1. DEPs were located in the extracellular region and cytoplasm and were involved in the regulation of enzymatic activity. The metabolic process was significantly enriched in biological processes and an involvement in the KEGG pathway. Conclusion These DEPs can potentially be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of liver metastasis and they may provide a new strategy for developing anti-metastatic liver drugs in colon cancer patients.

This article describes how the implementation of 3D printing in classrooms has brought many opportunities to educators as it provides affordability and accessibility in creating and customizing teaching aids. The study reports on the process of fabricating teaching aids for architecture education using 3D printing technologies. The practice-based research intended to illustrate the making process from initial planning, 3D modeling to 3D printing with practical examples, and addresses the potential induced by the technologies. Based on the investigation into the current state of 3D printing technologies in education, limitations were identified before the making process. The researchers created 3D models in both digital and tangible forms and the process was documented in textual and pictorial formats. It is expected that the research findings will serve as a guideline for other educators to create 3D printed teaching aids, particularly architectural forms.

Simple Summary Resistance to oxaliplatin remains a major challenge in pancreatic cancer therapy. However, molecular mechanisms underlying oxaliplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify global changes of proteins involved in oxaliplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer cells, thereby elucidating the multiple mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer. We presented the quantitative proteomic profiling of oxaliplatin-resistant pancreatic cancer cells via a stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based shotgun proteomic approach. Multiple biological processes including DNA repair, cell cycle process, and type I interferon signaling pathway were enriched in oxaliplatin-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that both Wntless homolog protein (WLS) and myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) could participate in oxaliplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. Abstract Oxaliplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Understanding the cellular mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance is important for developing new strategies to overcome drug resistance in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we performed a stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative proteomics analysis of oxaliplatin-resistant and sensitive pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells. We identified 107 proteins whose expression levels changed (thresholds of 2-fold changes and p-value ≤ 0.05) between oxaliplatin-resistant and sensitive cells, which were involved in multiple biological processes, including DNA repair, cell cycle process, and type I interferon signaling pathway. Notably, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) and Wntless homolog protein (WLS) were upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant cells compared to sensitive cells, as confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. We further demonstrated the activation of AKT and β-catenin signaling (downstream targets of MARCKS and WLS, respectively) in oxaliplatin-resistant PANC-1 cells. Additionally, we show that the siRNA-mediated suppression of both MARCKS and WLS enhanced oxaliplatin sensitivity in oxaliplatin-resistant PANC-1 cells. Taken together, our results provide insights into multiple mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer cells and reveal that MARCKS and WLS might be involved in the oxaliplatin resistance.

Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) is a highly aggressive small round cell tumor that mainly occurs in the bone or soft tissue of children or young adults but is extremely rare in the stomach. A 55-year-old man presented with melena and anemia. On endoscopy, an ulcerofungating mass was observed in the high body and total gastrectomy was performed. Histologically, the mass consisted of small round cells with scanty cytoplasm and inconspicuous nucleoli. They often formed perivascular pseudorosettes and multinucleated giant cells were frequently observed. The tumor cells strongly expressed CD99, FLI1, and chromogranin and weakly expressed synaptophysin and CD56. EWS-FLI1 fusion transcript was confirmed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. ES/PNET is frequently misdiagnosed because of its similarity with small cell carcinoma. Although gastric ES/PNET is very rare, it should be included in differential diagnoses of small round cell tumor in the stomach.

This research aims to identify innovative companies' attention to the emotion and sensibility and its application by analyzing the contents of the corporate annual reports. Annual report is a good reference data because it describes not only various current products and services' annual activities and business performance but also corporate future direction. Sensibility is interpreted and used with various words internationally: various related terms such as sensibility, sense, emotion, feeling and affection are analyzed not only by the definition but also the interrelationship among them, and included for the contents analysis. To select the innovative companies, the researcher used ‘Fast company’ that is the economic journal and deducted the companies list via ‘The world’s 50 most innovative companies’ in 2009 and 2014. Listed companies' 2009 and 2014 annual reports' contents were analyzed to identify the rate of the recognition and the application of sensibility to their business. Even though the quantitative result of the content analysis indicates not a strong relationship between corporate innovativeness and 'sensibility' qualitative result identifies companies are paying more attention to the 'sense' and ‘feeling’ during five years. In conclusion, the innovation that company pursues strategically is shifting from differentiation and the technological leadership to satisfying user experiences and the number of companies which express and measure user feeling and emotions are increasing.

This is the fundamental research on restoring damaged vegetation areas in the vicinity of DMZ using local native plant species. This research is aimed at identifying effective plant growth regulators (PGR) for seed germination and seedling growth of mountain mulberry, and developing effective methods for managing its germination and growth. Mountain mulberry seeds were collected from the regions in the DMZ vicinity, and tests with seven treatments using four PGRs including , kinetin, ABA and NAA, were conducted. The germination rate was calculated in two different ways of both in a growth chamber and in a greenhouse after seven days observation, and the growth characters such as leaf width/length, seedling width/length and fresh/dry weight, have been surveyed in a greenhouse for three months. Although in the growth chamber the highest germination rate was shown at a group with the kinetin treatment, it was not significantly different to that of the control group. Groups with ABA or NAA presented relatively low germination rates. As for the greenhouse test, the germination rates of all groups ranged 20~30% without significant difference each other, the reason of which might be due to low absorption by the effect of a soil drench method used in this study. The entire growth characters with the treatments of of kinetin and of were significantly different to the control. NAA treatment only showed better growth of seedling width compared to the control. Consequently, the most effective PGRs for the germination and growth of mountain mulberry near the DMZ was kinetin. Further research on examining the most effective concentration of them was needed.

In the food industry, overall discrimination tests are used with untrained/naive consumer subjects to compare multiple test stimuli against a fixed reference, such as a company’s gold standard or a stimulus familiar to the consumer. Such tests are used for various objectives, including reformulation and cost reduction. Yet, studies on relative discrimination power and efficiency have been limited to experimental designs with a fixed pair of stimuli and method comparisons based on the same numbers of tests. In the present study, two reminder methods, A-Not A with Reminder (A-Not AR) and 2-AFC with Reminder (2-AFCR), were investigated as potentially better methods for experimental designs including comparisons of multiple pairs of stimuli for consumer discrimination. 2-AFCR is procedurally equivalent to a constant-reference duo-trio test with the reference presented first (DTF) and thus this test is referred to as the constant-ref. DTF/2-AFCR test in this paper. The practical efficiency of these two reminder methods, attributed to their effective stimulus configurations in replicated tests (i.e. using a fixed reference and lower number of different stimuli required in a test), was tested in comparison with the two most commonly used balanced reference classification methods, the triangle test and the unspecified tetrad test, by equalizing the number of stimuli required for the different methods. Namely the relative operational discrimination power was studied based on the same number of stimuli rather than the same number of tests. 180 naive consumers performed a set of 12 replicated triangle tests and, based on the results, were divided into one of three equally-performing groups. A related-samples design was implemented for comparison between the triangle and the other three methods. An independent-samples design was implemented across the three groups to compare the A-Not AR, constant-ref. DTF/2-AFCR, and unspecified tetrad methods. Statistical ratio comparisons of d′ estimates obtained from different methods revealed that discrimination performance in the reminder methods was better than in both the tetrad and triangle methods. No discrimination difference was found between the triangle and tetrad tests having all possible test sequences, although the triangle test considering only the optimal test sequences, which were the same as those in the constant-ref. DTF/2-AFCR, resulted in superior discrimination than the tetrad test. Collectively, these results suggest that when assessing the discriminability of multiple stimuli from a fixed reference, the reminder scheme is the superior research design.