Search

γδ T cells are a distinct subgroup of T cells that bridge the innate and adaptive immune system and can attack cancer cells in an MHC-unrestricted manner. Trials of adoptive γδ T cell transfer in solid tumors have had limited success. Here, we show that DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) upregulate surface molecules on cancer cells related to γδ T cell activation using quantitative surface proteomics. DNMTi treatment of human lung cancer potentiates tumor lysis by ex vivo-expanded Vδ1-enriched γδ T cells. Mechanistically, DNMTi enhances immune synapse formation and mediates cytoskeletal reorganization via coordinated alterations of DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility. Genetic depletion of adhesion molecules or pharmacological inhibition of actin polymerization abolishes the potentiating effect of DNMTi. Clinically, the DNMTi-associated cytoskeleton signature stratifies lung cancer patients prognostically. These results support a combinatorial strategy of DNMTis and γδ T cell-based immunotherapy in lung cancer management., Gamma delta (γδ) T cells have potential for use in immunotherapy against tumours. Here, the authors demonstrate that treatment of tumours with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors modulates cytoskeleton arrangements, upregulates adhesion molecules and increases tumour killing by γδ T cells.

Schottky junctions, formed by high work function metals and semiconductors, are important devices in electronics and optoelectronics. The metal deposition in traditional Schottky interfaces usually damages the semiconductor surface and causes defect states, which reduces the Schottky barrier height and device performance. This can be avoided in the atomically smooth interface formed by two-dimensional (2D) metals and semiconductors. For better interface tailoring engineering, it is particularly important to understand various interface effects in such 2D Schottky devices under critical or boundary conditions. Here we report the fabrication and testing of three types of MoS

Two-dimensional (2D) materials attached with flexible substrates enable possibilities to apply their superior properties to the rapidly increasing demand for foldable displays and wearable biosensors in the internet-of-things technology. However, previous two-step strategy to construct the flexible devices, namely first obtaining 2D materials elsewhere and then transferring them onto flexible substrates, can cause huge problems, including irreversibly undermining the device performance and limiting the material size. Here we propose a new one-step strategy (other than the liquid phase processing and low temperature synthesis methods), namely directly depositing appropriate 2D materials onto flexible substrates, which involves no transferring and can maintain the crystal quality and properties to the greatest extent. More importantly, this strategy in principle has no limit in the film size, hence removing a main obstacle for the practical use of flexible films, such as complex logic operations and large-area optoelectronic applications. Using this strategy, a centimeter-scale SnSe

Context Present studies suggested that cultural and religious factors, as well as law and policy, may have impeded the advancement of palliative care in the Middle East. Little is known about health care providers' perceptions of palliative care and the barriers to its development in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Objectives To understand health care professionals' attitudes and beliefs regarding palliative care and highlight current practice barriers in Bahrain. Methods Semistructured interviews with 16 health care providers (physicians and nurses) were conducted. Thematic analysis was then performed after interviews were transcribed verbatim. Results Health care professionals perceived palliative care as a service only delivered to patients at the end of life. Palliative care was only offered to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and had exhausted all curative treatments. Do-not-resuscitate orders and code status discussions are not currently practiced. Palliative care decisions are usually decided by patients' families. Middle Eastern culture, health care law and policy, conservative interpretations of Islam, and a lack of professional expertise were identified as barriers. Conclusion This study unveiled the perceptions of palliative care among health care professionals in a Gulf Cooperation Council country. Six major barriers that hindered palliative care practice were identified. Future health care policy in the region needs to address these barriers within the current health care system while taking culture, religion, and social factors into consideration.

Quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) materials are a newly arising topic in low-dimensional researches. As a result of reduced dimensionality and enhanced anisotropy, the quasi-1D structure gives rise to novel properties and promising applications such as photodetectors. However, it remains an open question whether performance crossover will occur when the channel material is downsized. Here we report on the fabrication and testing of photodetectors based on exfoliated quasi-1D BiSeI thin wires. Compared with the device on bulk crystal, a significantly enhanced photoresponse is observed, which is manifested by a series of performance parameters, including ultrahigh responsivity (7 x 10$^4$ A W$^{-1}$), specific detectivity (2.5 x 10$^{14}$ Jones) and external quantum efficiency (1.8 x 10$^7$%) when $V_{\textrm {ds}}$ = 3 V, $\lambda$ = 515 nm and $P$ = 0.01 mW cm$^{-2}$. The conventional photoconductive effect is unlikely to account for such a superior photoresponse, which is ultimately understood in terms of the increased specific surface area and the photogating effect caused by trapping states. This work provides a perspective for the modulation of optoelectronic properties and performance in quasi-1D materials., Comment: 23 pages, 4 figures and SI

Schottky junctions, formed by high work function metals and semiconductors, are important devices in electronics and optoelectronics. The metal deposition in traditional Schottky interfaces usually damages the semiconductor surface and causes defect states, which reduces the Schottky barrier height and device performance. This can be avoided in the atomically smooth interface formed by two-dimensional (2D) metals and semiconductors. For better interface tailoring engineering, it is particularly important to understand various interface effects in such 2D Schottky devices under critical or boundary conditions. Here we report the fabrication and testing of three types of MoS2 devices, i.e., using PtTe2, Cr and Au as contact materials. While the Cr/MoS2 contact is an ohmic contact, the other two are Schottky contacts. The van-der-Waals interface of PtTe2–MoS2 results in a well-defined OFF state and a significant rectification ratio of 104. This parameter, together with an ideality factor 2.1, outperforms the device based on evaporated Au. Moreover, a device in the intermediate condition is also presented. An abrupt increase in the reverse current is observed and understood based on the enhanced tunneling current. Our work manifests the essential role of doping concentration and provides another example for 2D Schottky interface design.

To clarify the role of LINC00702 in the progression of ovarian cancer (OC) and the potential mechanism.Expression level of LINC00702 in OC tissues and matched normal tissues was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). LINC00702 level in OC cell lines was determined as well. The potential influences of LINC00702 on cellular behaviors of A2780 and HEY cells were evaluated. The subcellular distribution of LINC00702 in A2780 cells was examined. Through RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, the interaction among LINC00702, EZH2, and KLF2 was verified. The rescue experiments were conducted to elucidate the biological function of LINC00702/KLF2 axis in the progression of OC.LINC00702 was upregulated in OC tissues and cell lines. Its level was much higher in OC with worse tumor stage and larger tumor size. The knockdown of LINC00702 attenuated the proliferative ability of A2780 and HEY cells. LINC00702 was mainly distributed in the cell nucleus. The knockdown of LINC00702 or EZH2 downregulated the KLF2 level in the OC cells. The transfection of LINC00702 markedly reduced the occupancy of KLF2 promoter on EZH2 and H3K27me3 relative to IgG. Finally, the knockdown of KLF2 could reverse the regulatory effect of LINC00702 in the proliferative ability of A2780 cells.LINC00702 is upregulated in OC. It accelerates the progression of OC via interacting with EZH2 to inhibit the transcription of KLF2.

Background Schwannomas are rare tumours that pose a significant management challenge in the abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvis. No data are available to inform management strategy. Methods A collaborative international cohort study, across specialist sarcoma units, was conducted to include adults presenting between 2000 and 2017 with histopathologically confirmed schwannomas within the abdomen, retroperitoneum or pelvis. Results Of 485 patients across 12 centres, 38 (7·8 per cent) were discharged without follow-up, 199 (41·0 per cent) underwent early resection and 248 (51·1 per cent) had radiological monitoring. Of these 248 patients, 96 (38·7 per cent) eventually had surgery, giving an overall resection rate of 60·8 per cent (295 of 485). At baseline, median tumour volume was 90·1 (i.q.r. 26·5–262·0) cm3. The estimated growth rate was 10·5 (95 per cent c.i. 9·4 to 11·6) per cent per year, and was consistent in the short term (within 2 years of diagnosis) and long term (beyond 2 years) (ρ = 0·405, P = 0·021). A decision to operate was more common in symptomatic patients (P < 0·001) and for rapidly growing tumours (growth rate more than 20 per cent per year) (P = 0·025). R0/R1 resection was achieved in 91·6 per cent of patients (263 of 287). Kaplan–Meier long-term recurrence rates after R0/R1 resection were 2·3 and 6·7 per cent at 3 and 5 years respectively. Conclusion Specific recommendations include: indications for early surgery, prediction of growth from radiological monitoring, promotion of selective submacroscopic resection and cessation of postoperative imaging surveillance.

A giant planar Hall effect (PHE) and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) is observed in TaP, a nonmagnetic Weyl semimetal with ultrahigh mobility. The perpendicular resistivity (i.e., the planar magnetic field applied normal to the current) far exceeds the zero-field resistivity, which thus rules out the possible origin of negative longitudinal magnetoresistance. The giant PHE/AMR is finally attributed to the large anisotropic orbital magnetoresistance that stems from the ultrahigh mobility. Furthermore, the mobility-enhanced current jetting effects are found to strongly deform the line shape of the curves, and their evolution with the changing magnetic field and temperature is also studied. Although the giant PHE/AMR suggests promising applications in spintronics, the enhanced current jetting shows the other side of the coin, which needs to be considered in the future device design., Physical Review Materials

Purpose A case study of mycophenolate mofetil-induced oral ulcers in a renal transplant patient is reported. Summary A 23-year-old Hispanic man who received a renal transplant from a living relative secondary to end-stage renal disease due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis arrived at an outpatient clinic with gum swelling and pain. He had been on a maintenance immunosuppressive regimen consisting of cyclosporine 150 mg twice daily, mycophenolate mofetil 1 g twice daily, and prednisone 12.5 mg daily for approximately four months. Routine laboratory tests revealed an elevated serum creatinine concentration (2.2 mg/ dL) and a decreased white blood cell count (2.3 × 103/μL). All other laboratory test values were within normal limits. Initially, cyclosporine-induced gingival hyperplasia was suspected. However, despite reduction of the cyclosporine dosage, the gum pain and swelling did not improve, and the patient began to complain of odynophagia and worsening of symptoms. On physical examination, scattered ulcerations on the gums and lips were noted. The diagnosis of oral ulcerations secondary to mycophenolate mofetil therapy was suspected when other etiologies, such as hematologic disorders, malignancies, and viral infections, were eliminated. Mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued. One week later, the patient’s ulcers had regressed and odynophagia improved, as did his renal function and leukopenia. Mycophenolate mofetil was not restarted, and the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms six weeks after discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil. Conclusion After five months of therapy, a 23-year-old renal transplant recipient developed mycophenolate mofetil toxicity manifested as oral ulcers. Discontinuation of therapy resulted in rapid resolution of oral ulcers.

Certain members of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) family of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonists, such as troglitazone and ciglitazone, exhibit antitumor activities; however, the underlying mechanism remains inconclusive. Substantial evidence suggests that the antiproliferative effect of these TZD members in cancer cells is independent of PPARgamma activation. To discern the role of PPARgamma in the antitumor effects of TZDs, we have synthesized PPARgamma-inactive TZD analogs which, although devoid of PPARgamma activity, retain the ability to induce apoptosis with a potency equal to that of their parental TZDs in cancer cell lines with varying PPARgamma expression status. Mechanistic studies from this and other laboratories have further suggested that troglitazone and ciglitazone mediate antiproliferative effects through a complexity of PPARgamma-independent mechanisms. Evidence indicates that troglitazone and ciglitazone block BH3 domain-mediated interactions between the anti apoptotic Bcl-2 (B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2) members Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and proapoptotic Bcl-2 members. Moreover, these TZDs facilitate the degradation of cyclin D1 and caspase-8-related FADD-like IL-l-converting enzyme (FLICE)-inhibitory protein through proteasome-mediated proteolysis, and down-regulate the gene expression of prostate-specific antigen gene expression by inhibiting androgen activation of the androgen response elements in the promoter region. More importantly, dissociation of the effects of TZDs on apoptosis from their original pharmacological activity (i.e. PPARgamma activation) provides a molecular basis for the exploitation of these compounds to develop different types of molecularly targeted anticancer agents. These TZD-derived novel therapeutic agents, alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs, have translational relevance in fostering effective strategies for cancer treatment.

A recording density of 130 Gb/in/sup 2/ was achieved using thermally stable conventional CoCrPtB longitudinal media. The high in-plane orientation ratio (OR) of the media resulted in an excellent recording performance due to a narrow switching field distribution as well as a high thermal stability caused by narrow energy barrier distribution. The low noise is attributed to the fully isolated fine grains with a narrow size distribution. A good in-plane c axis crystallographic texture was achieved by using an optimum multilayered structure of underlayer and magnetic layers. A detailed study of high OR media is reported by characterizing the magnetic, microstructural, and read/write properties.

The importance of spike bursts in thalamo-cortical processing of sensory information has received an increasing amount of interest over the past several years. Previously it has been reported that short high-frequency spike trains (3-8 action potentials occurring at 67-167 Hz), or spike bursts, are increased in both human and non-human primate thalamus following deafferentation. Here we examine the effects of lesion of the ventral spinal quadrant alone versus combined lesion of the ventral and dorsal spinal quadrants on the evoked and spontaneous spike trains in thalamic neurons. A total of 1175 neurons were sampled from 13 animals, three intact, six with ventral quadrant lesions (three with prolonged survival and three with short-term survival after spinal lesion) and four with combined ventral and dorsal quadrant lesions. Detailed analysis was conducted on 256 of these neurons, which revealed that thalamic neurons of animals with ventral quadrant lesions had elevated burst and non-burst spike rates while neurons from animals with combined ventral-dorsal lesions showed two types of change. Neurons in the forelimb areas showed increased bursts without a change in non-burst activity, while neurons in lateral VPL without receptive fields showed very low non-burst activity, but high burst spike rates. The magnitude of the effects produced by ventral-lateral spinal lesions was more pronounced in the short-term survival animals than in the long-term survival animals. These results show that the effects of deafferentation on the physiological properties of thalamic neurons are dependent on the afferent tract or tracts that are lesioned and the time after lesion.

BACKGROUND: Complex perianal fistulizing disease is difficult to manage and can lead to significant morbidity. When it occurs in the absence of luminal inflammation, isolated perianal fistulizing disease (IPD) may represent an early manifestation of Crohn’s disease (CD) or idiopathic cryptoglandular fistulas, referred to as fistula in ano. Currently, there are no diagnostic tests to distinguish between these etiologies, which make treatment decisions difficult. AIMS: Our objectives are to 1) investigate if there is an incremental benefit of capsule endoscopy (CE) above and beyond CTE/MRE for detecting small bowel inflammation, and 2) identify the percentage of patients with positive serologic markers for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Consecutive patients referred to a tertiary IBD center with recurrent IPD were included in this observational study. Recurrent IPD was defined as 2 or more episodes of perianal abscesses or persistent perianal fistula drainage for 3 or more months. Patients required complex fistula anatomy by MRI, and a normal luminal evaluation by ileocolonoscopy and CTE/MRE. Patients exposed to non-steroidal inflammatory drugs within 1 month or immunosuppressive medications within 1 year before CE were excluded. Patients underwent CE using PillCam® SB2 and IBD serology from Prometheus Laboratories. CE results were analyzed by Rapid Reader version 2.0 using a predefined data extraction sheet. Diagnosis of luminal CD required one of the following in 1 or more segment(s) of small bowel: diffuse erythema, linear/circumferential ulcers, 3 or more aphthous ulcers, or stenosis. RESULTS: Nineteen patients; 11 males and 8 females, with a median age of 46 years (range 26–80) were included. The fistula anatomy included trans-sphincteric (n=7, 39%) and inter-sphincteric (n=5, 28%). Fistula hyperenhancement was present in 14 patients (78%); and an abscess in 7 (39%). IBD serology was available for 17 patients; 9 (53%) with at least 1 positive marker, 5 (29%) with 2 or more positives, and 2 (12%) with 3 or more positives. Anti-FlaX IgG was the most frequent positive marker. All 19 patients underwent CE without complication. Overall, 3 patients (16%) met our criteria for luminal CD based on presence of 3 or more apthous ulcers. The median Lewis score was 450 (range 17–1518). Two of these patients had IBD serology testing; one had 3 positives, and the other had 0 positives. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this observational study in patients with IPD, IBD serological markers are frequently positive, and CE appears to add a small incremental benefit over CTE/MRE for identifying small bowel inflammation. FUNDING AGENCIES: None

Functional plasticity in receptive field properties underlies the mechanism whereby spinal dorsal horn neurons encode changes in pain sensitivity following peripheral injury. Activation of "silent" or subliminal excitatory synapses was hypothesized to account for this injury-induced neural plasticity. To better characterize the mechanisms governing subliminal inputs, we adapted whole-cell patch clamp to the study of dorsal horn neurons in intact, anesthetized rats. In this report we show that the membrane properties of spinal cells correlate to functional class defined by action potential responses to cutaneous stimuli. In addition, we report the discovery of a novel "silent" population of neurons with solely subliminal excitatory inputs at rest that can be activated by membrane depolarization. Finally, an induced change in baseline membrane potential to a level nearer that of a different functional class results in a corresponding change in the responses to cutaneous stimuli of a given cell to that of the new functional class. In summary our findings suggest that biophysical membrane properties are key factors determining the functional profile of spinal neurons. The rapid change of such properties may regulate the function of silent synapses in spinal neurons and underlie rapid development of neural plasticity.

The long-term consequences of thoracic spinothalamic tract lesion on the physiological properties of neurons in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus in monkeys were assessed. Neurons responding to both compressive and phasic brush stimuli (multireceptive neurons), but not brush-specific (low-threshold) neurons, in the partially deafferented thalamus showed increased spontaneous activity, increased responses evoked by cutaneous stimuli and larger mean receptive field size than the same types of cells in the thalamus with intact innervation. The spike train properties of both the spontaneous and evoked discharges of cells were also altered so that there was an increased incidence of spike-bursts in cells of deafferented thalamus. These changes were widespread in the thalamus, and included cells in both the fully innervated forelimb representation and the partially denervated hindlimb representation ipsilateral to the lesion. The spontaneous and evoked spike trains in the ipsilateral thalamus also show increased frequency of both spike-burst and non-burst events compared to the intact thalamus. These results indicate that chronic spinothalamic tract lesion produces widespread changes in the physiological properties of a discrete cell population of the thalamus.The findings in this study indicate that the thalamic processing of somatosensory information conveyed by the lemniscal system is altered by transection of the spinothalamic tract. This change in sensory processing in the thalamus would result in altered cortical processing of innocuous somatosensory inputs following deafferentation and so possibly contribute to the generation of the central pain syndrome.

With the rapid development of the fire power plant, an extra-large air-cooling tower (1000MW grade) will be designed and constructed in the high seismic risk areas of China such as mid-north and west-north regions. The dimension of the huge tower structure can reach up to 220 meters high and 188 meters in diameter. It's constructed with hyperboloid shell supported by X type R/C columns and the X column's length-width ratio can reach up to 1:40. It's really a challenge, but very necessary and urgent to know the seismic behavior and design weak points of the huge tower under strong earthquake attacks. This paper provides procedures and results about the modal analyses and nonlinear dynamic finite element analyses for a 220-m-high super cooling tower and its small scale (1:30) model for shaking table test under design earthquakes. The vibration modal and the seismic performance of the cooling tower, as well as the seismic damage pattern of its critical element of the support leg columns (X-pillar), were studied preliminarily. In the three-dimensional, nonlinear, dynamic time history analyses, a kind of failure criterion is adopted to simulate the possible collapse by using the LS-DYNA program. This paper provides useful reference to the seismic design practice for the extra-large tower structures.

For understanding the seismic behaviour of extra-large scale cooling tower with dimension of 220 meters high and 188 meters in diameter, the shake table tests for its’ 1:30 (length ratio) tower model were carried out to simulate the structural response to potential earthquake impacts. The model structure was excited by three dimensional white noise and different intensity of earthquake motions from PGA=0.04g to PGA=0.40g in considering of four different site conditions from soft soil to hard rock (I~IV). Through the tests, the dynamic responses and damage patterns of the cooling tower under different three-dimensional seismic excitations were studied.

Write pole-tip protrusion (PTP) effect on the overwrite performance at high recording data rate is discussed. It is shown that the head thermal expansion during the write process may lead to the degradation of overwrite value at high recording data rate. Overwrite degradation is caused by head-disk interactions when a high-frequency pattern is written. Appropriate selection of the disk lubricant can reduce the effect of the write PTP and increase the write current setting margin. At elevated drive temperatures, excessive PTP can cause head-disk interface failure. A write timing method allowing for the recording head to cool between the write cycles is proposed. A method of head-disk interface testing and a method of mapping the head-disk interactions are further described.

Recent experimental studies suggest that the nociceptive withdrawal reflex system essentially has a "modular" organization, with each module concerned with the control of a single or a small group of muscles. This organizational principle appears to apply also to some spinoolivocerebellar pathways.

Primary small cell carcinoma of esophagus (SCCE) is a relatively rare and highly aggressive tumor characterized by early dissemination and poor prognosis. The optimal treatment has not yet been established, and the role of surgery has remained controversial. Most of the limited diseases were treated conventionally by surgery, but the five-year survival rate was still very low. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of limited disease SCCE. Clinical data of 40 SCCE patients with clinically limited disease who received transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy at the Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College from November 1990 to December 2009 were reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment impacted on the survival. Twenty-five cases of the 40 patients were treated with surgery alone, eight cases were treated with surgery + postoperative chemotherapy, four cases were treated with surgery + postoperative radiotherapy, and the other three were treated with surgery + postoperative radiochemotherapy. The Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods were used to estimate and compare survival rates. Cox's hazard regression model was used to identify the prognostic factors with the entry factors of gender, age (≤ 60 years versus60 years), length of the primary lesion (≤ 5 cm versus5 cm), location of the primary lesion, macroscopic tumor type, pT, pN, pTNM stage, operation (radical/palliative), and chemotherapy (yes/no). The mean follow-up duration of this series was 24.7 months (1-121 months). Thirty-four patients died of the disease during the follow-up, five were still alive, and one was lost of follow-up. The median survival time of the 40 patients was 13.0 months (95% confidence interval 4.7-21.3), and the 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, and 60-month overall survival rates (OS) were 77.5%, 56.4%, 28.9%, 23.7%, 10.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, age (≤ 60 years versus60 years) (P=0.049), operation (radical/palliative) (P=0.008), and chemotherapy (yes/no) (P= 0.013) significantly influenced the OS of the SCCE patients. In multivariate analysis, operation (P=0.015) and chemotherapy (P=0.031) were independent prognostic factors. The patients who received radical surgery and postoperative chemotherapy had relatively better survival. Surgical resection combined with chemotherapy should be recommended to patients with limited disease SCCE.

Most impedance measurement instruments usually measure the impedance of a component or device under no-load condition. Therefore, any non-linear behaviour and other on board circuit components or parasitic are not detected or taken into consideration. Based on a novel two-probe measurement technique, the impedance of any in-circuit component can be measured with ease. Using the resistor characterization as a preliminary study, the proposed technique is able to accurately determine the impedance of the in-circuit resistor at the intended operating condition up to 1 GHz. Published version

As printed circuit boards are steadily becoming faster, existing test technologies leave significant holes in coverage. In 2007 we presented a new approach to detecting power and ground defects using "network parameter measurements". This paper analyses the effectiveness of this technique in a high volume manufacturing environment.

Power plane has been used commonly for high-speed PCB design to delivery stable power for the circuits as well as to provide low impedance paths for the power delivery currents. Using an experimental approach, the impacts of placement of decoupling capacitors and plane separation on radiated emission from high-speed board are carefully investigated and studied. Published version

Background In an effort to improve our transplant program’s dead-donor kidney acceptance criteria, we compared 2 different consecutive time periods in our transplant program. Period I, in which the program used more-restrictive criteria in accepting dead-donor kidneys for our patients, and period II, when the program used less-restrictive criteria for the dead-donor kidneys that were accepted. The less-restrictive criteria resulted in an increase in the number of renal transplants performed. Methods A retrospective database analysis was performed of all organ-donor offers to a single kidney transplant program from July 1, 2004, to September 30, 2006 (period I = July 1, 2004, through July 10, 2005, and period II = July 11, 2005 through September 30, 2006). Kidney acceptance rates were compared between 2 consecutive time periods during which the program used different organ acceptance criteria. Data analysis included a comparison of donor characteristics, reason for organ refusal, creatinine clearance, and graft survival. Graft survival was obtained for both kidneys associated with each offer, even if 1 or both of the organs were transplanted at a different center. Results Donor age and kidney quality were the most common reasons for refusal during both transplant periods. The organ acceptance rate improved markedly during period II. There was a marked increase in the number of kidney transplants performed during a 12-month period when comparing the 2 periods: 16 transplants during period I versus 46 transplants during period II. Graft survival was not significantly different between the 2 periods. Calculated creatinine clearance, which we used as a marker of organ quality, was statistically lower during period II. Conclusions Increased acceptance rate was not associated with statistically significant decreased graft survival. Although an increase in delayed graft function was associated with broader acceptance criteria, this factor did not affect overall graft survival. By increasing our kidney acceptance rate, we were able to successfully transplant more patients.

Pain arises from numerous causes in cancer patients. Well known to cancer care providers, but perhaps less well so to others, is that the main causes of pain in cancer patients in fact arise due to cancer treatments more so than the disease itself. In this paper clinical and laboratory findings on the characteristics of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain are reviewed and a scheme for the underlying mechanisms is outlined.

Summary form only given. Currently interest in spin-stand testing of magnetic hard disk media at elevated temperatures is mainly motivated by thermal decay issues. A temperature of 60-70/spl deg/C inside a typical disk drive can affect the stability of the medium. Other key performance parameters, such as overwrite and signal amplitude, can also be affected by the rise in temperature and should therefore be evaluated at both room and disk drive temperatures.

A new method for chromatographic peak identification by means of peak shape analysis is presented in this paper. Directly measurable parameters, i.e. peak width and asymmetry factor are first utilized for peak shape analysis. It is showed from theoretical and experimental results that for a component having almost the same retention time with the standard, an overlapped peak can be obtained by injecting the mixture of analyte and standard. In comparing the peak shape of overlapped peak with the standard one, the component can be identified whether it is the same with the standard or not.

Tool portfolio planning is an ongoing task in wafer fabs, as process, tool and product technologies evolve constantly and production in most times undergoes ramping-up. Precision and soundness of portfolio planning are therefore a crucial capability of wafer fab operation. This paper describes a tool portfolio planning methodology developed in a joint university-industry project. An improved static capacity model is first presented, in which an empirical formula is used to estimate the efficiency of batch tools. A portfolio planning procedure based on static capacity estimation and queueing analysis is next described. This procedure enables the portfolio solution space to be explored easily and has demonstrated superior performance in preliminary benchmarking in an industry case study.

AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells are typically characterized as having relatively high interface recombination velocities at the heteroface. Some of the factors influencing the design of solar cell window layers are examined, and the effect of substituting InAlAs/GaAs superlattice alloys and InAlAs bulk alloys in place of AlGaAs is considered. Potential advantages are reduced surface recombination at the heterojunction, reduced thermionic emission into the window layer, thinner window layers, and reduced absorption in the window layer. Theoretical models predict a lower effective surface recombination velocity and a smaller acceptor activation energy for superlattice alloys. Experimental absorption data show that superlattice alloys have a lower absorption coefficient at short wavelengths near the UV roll off. >

To investigate the factors which affect the development of COPD.88 patients with mPAP less than 20 mm Hg were followed up by 5 - 20 years. Pulmonary ventilation, blood gas analysis, ECG, pulmonary hemodynamic parameters and oxygen saturation at night were performed one time every 5 years.The results showed that: 5 year, 10 year and 20 year's mortality is 6%, 25% and 43% respectively; MVV%, FEV(1)% and PaO(2) declined accompanied by the increase of PaCO(2); among 41 patients with mPAP 16 - 20 mm Hg, 20 patients' mPAP were more than 20 mm Hg and 15 patients died after 10 years' follow up. Among 16 patients with the declination of oxygen saturation, 8 patients' mPAP were more than 20 mm Hg and 6 patients died. 57 strains of infectious bacteria were found in 88 patients' sputum with 43 strains in the death group.These results demonstrated that COPD is a kind of chronic diseases with high death rate; infection, decline of oxygen saturation at night and mPAP more than 16 mm Hg were high risk factors in COPD.

A new prenyl chalcone, gemichalcone C (1), was isolated from the heartwood and root of Hypericum geminiflorum. Three new xanthones-6, 7-dihyroxy-1,3-dimethoxyxanthone (2), 4-hydroxy-1, 2-dimethoxyxanthone (3), and gemixanthone A (4)-and four known xanthones were isolated from the leaves and stems of the same plant.

In this paper, we report the fabrication and characterization of magnetic silica nanospheres covalently bonded with near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) luminescent lanthanide complexes [denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2@Ln–PABI/SiO2 (Ln = Nd, Eu)]. Fe3O4@SiO2@Ln–PABI/SiO2 (Ln = Nd, Eu) nanospheres with an average size of 150–200 nm were synthesized via incorporation of the chelate ligand PABI (N-(4-benzoic acid-yl)-N′-(propyltriethoxysilyl) urea) with Ln (Nd, Eu) into a framework of magnetic silica (denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2), followed by a modified Stober method and a layer-by-layer assembly technique. The morphological, structural, textural, magnetic, NIR luminescence and UV luminescence properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These multifunctional nanocomposites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior, and the characteristic NIR emission and UV emission of Nd3+ and Eu3+, respectively. Such materials with superparamagnetic and lanthanide-based near-infrared and UV luminescence properties have several advantages for potential applications in optical imaging or as biological luminescent labels.

1. The inhibitory cutaneous input to the withdrawal reflex pathways to single hindlimb muscles was investigated in decerebrate spinal rats (n = 53) using electromyography. 2. Withdrawal reflexes in the peronei, extensor digitorum longus and tibialis anterior muscles of the leg were strongly inhibited by conditioning mechanical, thermal (CO2 laser) and intracutaneous electrical stimulation of specific skin areas. By contrast, withdrawal reflexes in the biceps posterior-semitendinosus muscles of the thigh could only be weakly inhibited by conditioning skin stimulation. 3. Powerful inhibition of withdrawal reflexes in single lower leg muscles was elicited from the ipsilateral hindpaw plantar area, which would move towards the stimulation on contraction in the respective muscle. In addition, weak nociceptive inhibition was evoked from the corresponding skin areas on the contralateral hindlimb and, in some muscles, the tail. 4. The ipsilateral inhibitory and excitatory receptive fields of the withdrawal reflexes in single muscles overlapped somewhat. On stimulation of these transitional areas the reflex responses were preceded by a short-lasting inhibition. 5. Graded mechanical and thermal stimulation demonstrated prominent inhibitors effects from nociceptive receptors. Weak inhibitory effects were elicited by innocuous mechanical stimulation, suggesting a weak contribution from low threshold mechanoreceptors. Latency measurements indicated an inhibitory input from both myelinated and unmyelinated fibres. 6. In conclusion, the withdrawal reflex pathways receive a powerful nociceptive inhibitory input through spinal pathways. The movement-related organization of this input suggests that it serves to prevent inappropriate withdrawal reflexes.

We report on the recording performance and thermal stability of antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) media with varying top and bottom layer thickness as compared with those of highly oriented conventional longitudinal recording media. AFC media offers the expected merit of low Mrt designs such as narrow pulse width (PW50), while maintaining good thermal stability. However, the magnetostatic field resulting from thicker total magnetic thickness in AFC media results in poor overwrite (OW) and a degradation in nonlinear transition shifts (NLTS). Thermal stability of AFC media is mainly determined by intrinsic coercivity of the top layer plus the AF exchange field and the magnetostatic field acting on the top layer through a Ru layer. Low noise conventional media with high orientation ratio (OR) can be produced with an acceptable thermal decay equivalent to AFC media at Mrt values above 0.25 memu/cm2.

Straight isolated stripe domains pinned at both ends are stable in a range of bias field from bubble stripout threshold to 4πMs, exceeding the bubble stability range at the high‐field end. This makes it possible to use such domains in the guiding structures of self‐structured multilayered bubble domain devices. When such domains are propagated by translating their pinned ends, they assume a curved shape determined by the balance of the domain walls’ surface tension and the viscous and inertial forces due to coercivity, dynamic damping, and effective wall mass. The wall curvature restricts the ’’track width’’ of self‐structured devices using guiding stripe domains. This bound has been estimated, assuming circular deformation, in the quasi‐static limit where coercivity is dominant. We have calculated the shape of a uniformly propagating stripe domain as a function of bias field, propagation velocity, coercivity, and damping parameter. The results of the calculation can be used to estimate maximum device tra...

We studied the pulmonary function and ventilatory response to carbon dioxide and hypoxia in three sisters aged 16, 13, and 10 years who presented with droopy eyelids, external ophthalmoplegia, hearing loss, speech difficulty, and truncal muscular weakness. Pulmonary function test results showed decreased maximum static pressure, reduced vital capacity and total lung capacity, normal functional residual capacity, elevated residual volume, and reduced dynamic pulmonary volumes. The degree of functional abnormality paralleled the severity of clinical manifestations. The characteristic picture of pulmonary functional abnormality was distinct from either restrictive disorders of pulmonary origin or obstructive pulmonary diseases. The ventilatory response to hypoxia was markedly diminished and hypercapnic response was moderately diminished in all three patients.