Increased hepatic Fatty Acid uptake and esterification contribute to tetracycline-induced steatosis in mice

Tetracycline induces microvesicular steatosis, which has a poor long-term prognosis and a higher risk of steatohepatitis development compared with macrovesicular steatosis. Recent gene expression studies indicated that tetracycline treatment affects the expression of many genes associated with fatty acid transport and esterification. In this study, we investigated the role of fatty acid transport and esterification in tetracycline-induced steatosis. Intracellular lipid accumulation and the protein expression of fatty acid translocase (FAT or CD36) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 2 were increased in both mouse liver and HepG2 cells treated with tetracycline at 50 mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection, i.p.) and 100 μM, respectively. Tetracycline increased the cellular uptake of boron-dipyrromethene-labeled C16 fatty acid, which was abolished by CD36 RNA interference. Oleate-induced cellular lipid accumulation was further enhanced by co-incubation with tetracycline. Tetracycline downregulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, which negatively regulated DGAT2 expression. U0126, a specific ERK inhibitor, also increased DGAT2 expression and cellular lipid accumulation. DGAT1 and 2 knock-down with specific small interfering (si)-RNA completely abrogated the steatogenic effect of tetracycline in HepG2 cells. Taken together, our data showed that tetracycline induces lipid accumulation by facilitating fatty acid transport and triglyceride esterification by upregulating CD36 and DGAT2, respectively.

Protected organic Acid blends as an alternative to antibiotics in finishing pigs

A total of 120 finishing pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) with an average body weight (BW) of 49.72 ±1.72 kg were used in 12-wk trial to evaluate the effects of protected organic acids on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal micro flora, meat quality and fecal gas emission. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments (10 replication pens with 4 pigs per pen) in a randomly complete block design based on their initial BW. Each dietary treatment consisted of: Control (CON/basal diet), OA1 (basal diet+0.1% organic acids) and OA2 (basal diet+0.2% organic acids). Dietary treatment with protected organic acid blends linearly improved (p<0.001) average daily gain during 0 to 6 week, 6 to 12 week as well as overall with the increase in their inclusion level in the diet. The dry matter, N, and energy digestibility was higher (linear effect, p<0.001) with the increase in the dose of protected organic acid blends during 12 week. During week 6, a decrease (linear effect, p = 0.01) in fecal ammonia contents was observed with the increase in the level of protected organic acid blends on d 3 and d 5 of fermentation. Moreover, acetic acid emission decreased linearly (p = 0.02) on d7 of fermentation with the increase in the level of protected organic acid blends. During 12 weeks, linear decrease (p<0.001) in fecal ammonia on d 3 and d 5 and acetic acid content on d 5 of fermentation was observed with the increase in the level of protected organic acid blends. Supplementation of protected organic acid blends linearly increased the longissimus muscle area with the increasing concentration of organic acids. Moreover, color of meat increased (linear effect, quadratic effect, p<0.001, p<0.002 respectively) and firmness of meat showed quadratic effect (p = 0.003) with the inclusion of increasing level of protected organic acid in the diet. During the 6 week, increment in the level of protected organic acid blends decreased (linear effect, p = 0.01) Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts and increased (linear effect, p = 0.004) Lactobacillus counts. During 12-wk of experimental trial, feces from pigs fed diet supplemented with organic acid blends showed linear reduction (p<0.001) of E. coli counts and the tendency of linear increase (p = 0.06) in Lactobacillus count with the increase in the level of organic acid blends. In conclusion, 0.2% protected organic acids blends positively affected growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs without any adverse effects on blood parameters.

Uric acid induces fat accumulation via generation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and SREBP-1c activation in hepatocytes

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently one of the most common types of chronic liver injury. Elevated serum uric acid is a strong predictor of the development of fatty liver as well as metabolic syndrome. Here we demonstrate that uric acid induces triglyceride accumulation by SREBP-1c activation via induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in hepatocytes. Uric acid-induced ER stress resulted in an increase of glucose-regulated protein (GRP78/94), splicing of the X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), the phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2α (eIF-2α) in cultured hepatocytes. Uric acid promoted hepatic lipogenesis through overexpression of the lipogenic enzyme, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) via activation of SREBP-1c, which was blocked by probenecid, an organic anion transport blocker in HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes. A blocker of ER stress, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), and an inhibitor of SREBP-1c, metformin, blocked hepatic fat accumulation, suggesting that uric acid promoted fat synthesis in hepatocytes via ER stress-induced activation of SREBP-1c. Uric acid-induced activation of NADPH oxidase preceded ER stress, which further induced mitochondrial ROS production in hepatocytes. These studies provide new insights into the mechanisms by which uric acid stimulates fat accumulation in the liver.

Effect of indigenous herbs on growth, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics in the late fattening period of hanwoo steers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of indigenous herbal supplements on growth, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. In a 6 month feeding trial, thirty Hanwoo steers (647±32 kg) were allotted to one of 5 treatment groups, control (basal diet contained lasalocid), licorice, clove, turmeric and silymarin, with six steers per pen. All groups received ad libitum concentrate and 1 kg rice straw/animal/d throughout the feeding trial. Blood samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and the end of the experiment and the steers were slaughtered at the end. Blood glucose, triglyceride, total protein, and albumin concentrations were higher in the turmeric treatment compared with other treatments. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were highest (p<0.003 and p = 0.071, respectively) in steers treated with silymarin. Alanine aminotransferase activity was lower (p<0.06) for licorice and silymarin compared with the control group. There were no alterations in serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase activities as a consequence of herb treatments (p = 0.203 and 0.135, respectively). Final body weight, body weight gain, average dairy gain and dry matter intake were not significantly different among treatments. Yield grade, marbling score and quality grade were higher for silymarin group than those of the control group (p<0.05). Therefore, the results suggest that silymarin can be used an effective dietary supplement as an alternative to antibiotic feed additive and a productivity enhancer, providing safe and more consumer acceptable alternative to synthetic compounds during the late fattening period of steers.

Accuracy of lung nodule volumetry in low-dose CT with iterative reconstruction: an anthropomorphic thoracic phantom study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess accuracy of lung nodule volumetry in low-dose CT with application of iterative reconstruction (IR) according to nodule size, nodule density and CT tube currents, using artificial lung nodules within an anthropomorphic thoracic phantom.

METHODS

Eight artificial nodules (four diameters: 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm; two CT densities: -630 HU that represents ground-glass nodule and +100 HU that represents solid nodule) were randomly placed inside a thoracic phantom. Scans were performed with tube current-time product to 10, 20, 30 and 50 mAs. Images were reconstructed with IR and filtered back projection (FBP). We compared volume estimates to a reference standard and calculated the absolute percentage error (APE).

RESULTS

The APE of all nodules was significantly lower when IR was used than with FBP (7.5 ± 4.7% compared with 9.0 ±6.9%; p < 0.001). The effect of IR was more pronounced for smaller nodules (p < 0.001). IR showed a significantly lower APE than FBP in ground-glass nodules (p < 0.0001), and the difference was more pronounced at the lowest tube current (11.8 ± 5.9% compared with 21.3 ± 6.1%; p < 0.0001). The effect of IR was most pronounced for ground-glass nodules in the lowest CT tube current.

CONCLUSION

Lung nodule volumetry in low-dose CT by application of IR showed reliable accuracy in a phantom study. Lung nodule volumetry can be reliably applicable to all lung nodules including small, ground-glass nodules even in ultra-low-dose CT with application of IR.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

IR significantly improved the accuracy of lung nodule volumetry compared with FBP particularly for ground-glass (-630 HU) nodules. Volumetry in low-dose CT can be utilized in patient with lung nodule work-up, and IR has benefit for small, ground-glass lung nodules in low-dose CT.

LXR-α antagonist meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid attenuates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver

Collaborative regulation of liver X receptor (LXR) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1 are main determinants in hepatic steatosis, as shown in both animal models and human patients. Recent studies indicate that selective intervention of overly functional LXRα in the liver shows promise in treatment of fatty liver disease. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA) on LXRα activation and its ability to attenuate fatty liver in mice. MDGA inhibited activation of the LXRα ligand-binding domain by competitively binding to the pocket for agonist T0901317 and decreased the luciferase activity in LXRE-tk-Luc-transfected cells. MDGA significantly attenuated hepatic neutral lipid accumulation in T0901317- and high fat diet (HFD)-induced fatty liver. The effect of MDGA was so potent that treatment with 1mg/kg for 2 weeks completely reversed the lipid accumulation induced by HFD feeding. MDGA reduced the expression of LXRα co-activator protein RIP140 and LXRα target gene products associated with lipogenesis in HFD-fed mice. These results demonstrate that MDGA has the potential to attenuate nonalcoholic steatosis mediated by selective inhibition of LXRα in the liver in mice.

Biosorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution by biomass of brown algae Laminaria japonica

The uranium(VI) adsorption efficiency of non-living biomass of brown algae was evaluated in various adsorption experimental conditions. Several different sizes of biomass were prepared using pretreatment and surface-modification steps. The kinetics of uranium uptake were mainly dependent on the particle size of the prepared Laminaria japonica biosorbent. The optimal particle size, contact time, and injection amount for the stable operation of the wastewater treatment process were determined. Spectroscopic analyses showed that uranium was adsorbed in the porous inside structure of the biosorbent. The ionic diffusivity in the biomass was the dominant rate-limiting factor; therefore, the adsorption rate was significantly increased with decrease of particle size. From the results of comparative experiments using the biosorbents and other chemical adsorbents/precipitants, such as activated carbons, zeolites, and limes, it was demonstrated that the brown algae biosorbent could replace the conventional chemicals for uranium removal. As a post-treatment for the final solid waste reduction, the ignition treatment could significantly reduce the weight of waste biosorbents. In conclusion, the brown algae biosorbent is shown to be a favorable adsorbent for uranium(VI) removal from radioactive wastewater.

Activation of autophagy rescues amiodarone-induced apoptosis of lung epithelial cells and pulmonary toxicity in rats

Amiodarone, bi-iodinated benzofuran derivative, is one of the most frequently prescribed and efficacious antiarrhythmic drugs. Despite its low incidence, amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity is of great concern and the leading cause of discontinuation. Autophagy is an essential homeostatic process that mediates continuous recycling of intracellular materials when nutrients are scarce. It either leads to a survival advantage or initiates death processes in cells under stress. In the present study, we investigated the role of autophagy in amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity. Amiodarone treatment-induced autophagy in H460 human lung epithelial cells and BEAS-2B normal human bronchial epithelial cells was demonstrated by increased LC3-II conversion, Atg7 upregulation, and autophagosome formation. Autophagic flux, as determined by the lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin A1, was also increased following amiodarone treatment. To determine the role of autophagy in amiodarone toxicity, amiodarone-induced cell death was evaluated in the presence of 3-methyladenine or by knocking down the autophagy-related genes Atg7. Inhibition of autophagy decreased cellular viability and significantly increased apoptosis. Intratracheal instillation of amiodarone in rats increased the number of inflammatory cells recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and periodic acid-Schiff-positive staining in bronchiolar epithelial cells. However, induction of autophagy by rapamycin treatment inhibited amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity. In conclusion, amiodarone treatment induced autophagy, which is involved in protection against cell death and pulmonary toxicity.

Proliferating effect of orotic acid through mTORC1 activation mediated by negative regulation of AMPK in SK-Hep1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Orotic acid (OA) is a tumor promoter of experimental liver carcinogenesis initiated by DNA reactive carcinogens, the molecular mechanisms of which have not been fully elucidated. OA increases cell proliferation and decreases apoptosis in serum-starved SK-Hep1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which may ascribe to the inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and thus activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). The effects of OA on mTORC1 activation, cell proliferation, and cell-cycle progression to S and G2/M phases were completely reversed by rapamycin. Activation of AMPK by a constitutively active mutant or aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) rescued the effects of OA. In conclusion, OA increases the proliferation and decreases the starvation-induced apoptosis of SK-Hep1 cells via mTORC1 activation mediated by negative regulation of AMPK.

Blood-brain barrier disruption after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

CNS complications are often seen after heart surgery, and postsurgical disruption of the BBB may play an etiologic role. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MR imaging-detected BBB disruption (HARM) and DWI lesions after cardiac surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients had an MRI after cardiac surgery. For half the patients (group 1), we administered gadolinium 24 hours after surgery and obtained high-resolution DWI and FLAIR images 24-48 hours later. We administered gadolinium to the other half (group 2) at the time of the postoperative scan, 2-4 days after surgery. Two stroke neurologists evaluated the images.

RESULTS

Of the 19 patients we studied, none had clinical evidence of a stroke or delirium at the time of the gadolinium administration or the scan, but 9 patients (47%) had HARM (67% in group 1; 30% in group 2; P = .18) and 14 patients (74%) had DWI lesions (70% in group 1; 78% in group 2; P = 1.0). Not all patients with DWI lesions had HARM, and not all patients with HARM had DWI lesions (P = .56).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half the patients undergoing cardiac surgery have evidence of HARM, and three-quarters have acute lesions on DWI after surgery. BBB disruption is more prevalent in the first 24 hours after surgery. These findings suggest that MR imaging can be used as an imaging biomarker to assess therapies that may protect the BBB in patients undergoing heart surgery.

Endothelin-1 enhances the proliferation of normal human melanocytes in a paradoxical manner from the TNF-α-inhibited condition, but tacrolimus promotes exclusively the cellular migration without proliferation: a proposed action mechanism for combination therapy of phototherapy and topical tacrolimus in vitiligo treatment

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder caused by the destruction of melanocytes. Two of the major theories regarding the pathogenesis of vitiligo are the autoimmune theory and autocytotoxicity theory, but, the precise pathogenetic mechanism is still not clarified.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of ET-1, tacrolimus and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on proliferation and migration of cultured normal human melanocytes (NHMs). We also sought to clarify the theoretical rationale underlying the topical tacrolimus monotherapy or tacrolimus-UV combination therapy as tools for vitiligo treatment.

METHODS

The effects of ET-1, tacrolimus and TNF-α on proliferation/migration of cultured NHMs were investigated by MTT assay/Boyden chamber transwell migration assay. We also examined roles of CXC-chemokine receptor II (CXCR II) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in such conditions.

RESULTS

ET-1 exerted a stimulatory effect on melanocyte proliferation and migration, but, tacrolimus exerted a stimulatory effect only on melanocyte migration higher than ET-1. TNF-α inhibited melanocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Paradoxically, TNF-α-pretreated NHMs exhibited an enhanced proliferative efficiency after being switched to ET-1. We found CXCRII was highly expressed in TNF-α-incubated melanocytes than the agents-free control, and ET-1 treatment after TNF-α preincubation showed the higher levels of CXCRII expression than the condition incubated with TNF-α alone. Moreover, the greater activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by tacrolimus than ET-1, reflected tacrolimus would enhance migration stimulatory effect in cultured NHMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical tacrolimus can be used an effective agent for vitiligo treatment as monotherapy, maybe due to its migration stimulatory action or TNF-α inhibitory property, and also as a component in combination therapy with UV treatment, considering the more upregulated MMPs activities are induced and the more effective migrations are feasible by itself than ET-1.

Upregulation of high-affinity GABA(A) receptors in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Despite evidence that high-affinity GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNA and protein are present in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), low-affinity currents dominate those detected in acutely dissociated DRG neurons in vitro. This observation raises the possibility that high-affinity receptors are normally trafficked out of the DRG toward central and peripheral terminals. We therefore hypothesized that with time in culture, there would be an increase in high-affinity GABA(A) currents in DRG neurons. To test this hypothesis, we studied dissociated DRG neurons 2 h (acute) and 24 h (cultured) after plating with whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, Western blot, and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR) analysis. GABA(A) current density increases dramatically with time in culture in association with the emergence of two persistent currents with EC50's of 0.25±0.01 μM and 3.2±0.02 μM for GABA activation. In a subpopulation of neurons, there was also an increase in the potency of GABA activation of the transient current from an EC50 of 78.16±10.1 μM to 9.56±1.3 μM with time in culture. A fraction of the high-affinity current was potentiated by δ-subunit agonist 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-3-ol (THIP). δ-subunit immunoreactivity was largely restricted to the cytosolic fraction in acute, but the membrane fraction in cultured, DRG neurons, with no detectable change in δ-subunit mRNA. However, the emergence of a high-affinity current blocked by THIP and insensitive to bicuculline was detected in a subpopulation of cultured neurons as well in association with an increase in ρ2- and ρ3-subunit mRNA in cultured DRG neurons. Our results suggest that high-affinity δ-subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors are normally trafficked out of the DRG where they are targeted to peripheral and central processes. They also highlight that the interpretation of data obtained from cultured DRG neurons should be made with caution.

Adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay-guided chemotherapy in unresectable colorectal liver metastasis

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA)-guided neoadjuvant chemotherapy for increasing resectability in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomised into two groups: Group A was treated by conventional chemotherapy regimen and Group B was treated by chemotherapy regimen according to the ATP-CRA. Three chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan) were tested by ATP-CRA and more sensitive agents were selected. Either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI was administered. Between Group A and B, treatment response and resectability were compared.

RESULTS

Between November 2008 and October 2010, a total 63 patients were randomised to Group A (N=32) or Group B (N=31). FOLFOX was more preferred in Group A than in Group B (26 out of 32 (81.3%) vs 20 out of 31 (64.5%)). Group B showed better treatment response than Group A (48.4% vs 21.9%, P=0.027). The resectability of hepatic lesion was higher in Group B (35.5% vs 12.5%, P=0.032). Mean duration from chemotherapy onset to the time of liver resection was 11 cycles (range 4-12) in Group A and 8 cycles (range 8-16) in Group B.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that tailored-chemotherapy based on ATP-CRA could improve the treatment response and resectability in initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis.

Time-resolved measurements of PM2.5 carbonaceous aerosols at Gosan, Korea

In order to better understand the characteristics of atmospheric carbonaceous aerosol at a background site in Northeast Asia, semicontinuous organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), and time-resolved water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were measured by a Sunset OC/ EC and a PILS-TOC (particle-into-liquid sampler coupled with an online total organic carbon) analyzer, respectively, at the Gosan supersite on Jeju Island, Korea, in the summer (May 28-June 17) and fall (August 24-September 30) of 2009. Hourly average OC concentration varied in the range of approximately 0.87-28.38 microgC m-3, with a mean of 4.07+/- 2.60 microgC m-3, while the hourly average EC concentration ranged approximately from 0.04 to 8.19 .microgC m-3, with a mean of 1.35 +/- 0.71 microgC m-3, from May 28 to June 17, 2009. During the fall season, OC varied in the approximate range 0.9-9.6 microgC m-3, with a mean of 2.30 +/-0.80 microgC m-3, whereas EC ranged approximately from 0.01 to 5.40 microgC m-3, with a mean of 0.66 +/- 0.38 microgC m-3. Average contributions of EC to TC and WSOC to OC were 26.0% +/- 9.7% and 20.6% +/-7.4%, and 37.6% +/- 23.5% and 57.2% +/- 22.2% during summer and fall seasons, respectively. As expected, clear diurnal variation of WSOC/OC was found in summer, varying from 0.22 during the nighttime up to 0.72 during the daytime, mainly due to the photo-oxidation process. In order to investigate the effect of air mass pathway on the characteristics of carbonaceous aerosol, 5-day back-trajectory analysis was conducted using the HYSPLIT model. The air mass pathways were classified into four types: Continental (CC), Marine (M), East Sea (ES) and Korean Peninsula (KP). The highest OC/EC ratio of 3.63 was observed when air mass originated from the Continental area (CC). The lowest OC/EC ratio of 0.79 was measured when air mass originated from the Marine area (M). A high OC concentration was occasionally observed at Gosan due to local biomass burning activities. The contribution of secondary OC to total OC varied approximately between 8.4% and 32.2% and depended on air mass type.

Transanal specimen extraction in robotic rectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify the benefits of robotic transanal specimen extraction (RTSE) compared with minilaparotomy specimen extraction (MSE).

METHODS

Patients who underwent totally robotic surgery with curative intent for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the rectum below 12 cm from the anal verge were selected from the authors' database. Patients were divided into RTSE and MSE groups according to the method of specimen delivery. Clinicopathological features and perioperative surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were 53 patients in the RTSE group and 66 in the MSE group. No differences were observed in overall complications. Postoperative recovery was faster in the RTSE group in terms of resumption of a soft diet (mean(s.d.) 3·5(1·5) versus 4·6(1·7) days; P < 0·001) and length of hospital stay (9·0(4·8) versus 11·3(5·3) days; P = 0·016). Pain scores on a visual analogue scale were significantly lower in the RTSE group than in the MSE group from day 2 to day 5 after surgery (P = 0·021 to P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

RTSE in robotic rectal cancer surgery was associated with less pain and a faster recovery than MSE.

Preparation and characterization of iridium dioxide-carbon nanotube nanocomposites for supercapacitors

A thin film of novel hierarchical structure, suitable for supercapacitor applications, has been developed through combining conductive multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and square IrO(2) nanotubes (IrO(2)NT) of nanometer size. Synthesis of this hierarchical structure with open porosity is performed by depositing IrO(2) short tubes densely along the long wires of carbon nanotube on a substrate of stainless steel. A IrO(2) tube of rutile structure grows in the [001] direction, with an opening at its top, surrounded by very thin walls. The IrO(2) addition on the MWCNT template increases the capacitance of the CNT thin film effectively, because of pseudocapacitance of the IrO(2) surface. For this particular composite, featured with two tubular nanostructures, the specific capacitance increases from 15 F g(-1) (MWCNT) to 69 F g(-1) (IrO(2)NT/MWCNT), measured using the galvanostatic discharge experiment. Its property of fast retrieval of the stored charge is assured in the impedance measurement, showing that the internal resistance of the IrO(2)NT/MWCNT nanocomposite electrode is lower than that of the bare MWCNTs.

CT characteristics of a uterus-like mass in the sigmoid mesocolon

A uterus-like mass is a rare, benign extra-uterine tumour composed of smooth muscle and endometrium. The majority of uterus-like masses occur in the ovary. Rarely, uterus-like masses occur in the broad ligament, small bowel, small bowel mesentery or uterine cervix. Here, we report a case of a uterus-like mass in the sigmoid mesocolon. A well-defined, markedly enhanced soft-tissue mass with central cystic change and haemorrhage was observed on CT. The current report describes the CT characteristics of this sigmoid mesocolon uterus-like mass together with the differential diagnoses.

Light extraction efficiency enhancement of GaN-based light emitting diodes on n-GaN layer using a SiO2 photonic quasi-crystal overgrowth

In this paper, GaN-based LEDs with a SiO2 photonic quasi-crystal (PQC) pattern on an n-GaN layer by nano-imprint lithography (NIL) are fabricated and investigated. At a driving current of 20 mA on Transistor Outline (TO)-can package, the better light output power of LED III (d = 1.2 microm) was enhanced by a factor of 1.20. After 1000 h life test (55 degrees C/50 mA) condition, Normalized output power of LED with a SiO2 PQC pattern (LED III (d = 1.2 microm)) on an n-GaN layer only decreased by 5%. This results offer promising potential to enhance the light output power of commercial light-emitting devices using the technique of nano-imprint lithography.

Increased incidence of colorectal malignancies in renal transplant recipients: a case control study

This study was to evaluate the frequency of colorectal neoplasia in renal transplant recipients and to investigate the association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. We compared the frequency of colorectal neoplasia among renal transplant recipients with that of the healthy subjects. Specimens of colorectal neoplasia were examined for EBV and CMV using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Of 796 renal transplantation cohorts, 315 were enrolled. The frequency of colorectal neoplasia among the patients was 22.9%. Compared with the healthy subjects, the odds ratio (OR) for advanced adenoma was 3.32 (95% CI, 1.81-6.10). The frequency of cancer among the patients was 1.9% (OR, 12.0; 95% CI, 1.45-99.7). A long interval between transplantation and colonoscopy was a significant factor in the development of advanced colorectal neoplasia. EBV positivity was detected in 30.6% of colorectal neoplasia specimens from renal transplant recipients, which was higher than that for the controls (p = 0.002). CMV was not detected in any lesions of patients or controls. In conclusion, renal transplant recipients have a significantly increased risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia. EBV was more frequently found in specimens of advanced colorectal neoplasm obtained from the renal transplant recipients.

Wear performance of self-mating contact pairs of TiN and TiAlN coatings on orthopedic grade Ti-6Al-4V

Both titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) have shown great wear resistance potential in metallic medical devices as protective, hard thin film coatings. In the present study, the effects of TiN and TiAlN coating layers on the wear performance of Ti-6Al-4V were compared and analyzed. TiN and TiAlN coatings with a thickness of 3 microm were deposited by a cathodic vacuum arc ion plating technique on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V. Wear tests were conducted by using a pin-on-disk-type tribotester with a point contact self-mating pair in a linear reciprocal motion. A sliding distance of 20 mm per cycle at 1 Hz was used under a load of 15 N under ambient conditions with no lubricant. The wear resistance of TiN and TiAlN coatings is superior to that of uncoated Ti-6Al-4V at the early stage of sliding contact. Until a measurable amount of wear was detected, the number of sliding cycles of the TiAlN coating pair was longer than TiN. After the first detection of wear from the coating layers, the rate of wear of the TiN coating pairs was significantly higher than that of TiAlN (p < 0.05), and it was close to that of the uncoated pairs. In conclusion, the TiAlN coating is superior to TiN from the viewpoint of wear resistance under the test conditions used in this study.