A Fas-associated via death domain promoter polymorphism (rs10898853, -16C/T) as a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer

PURPOSE

To determine whether a Fas-associated via death domain (FADD) promoter single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is associated with susceptibility to papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and clinicopathological features of PTC.

METHODS

To identify a possible association with PTC, 94 patients with PTC and 346 healthy controls were recruited. One promoter SNP (rs10898853, -16C/T) was analyzed by direct sequencing. Multiple logistic regression models (co-dominant, dominant, recessive, and log-additive models) were applied, and odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p values were calculated.

RESULTS

The genotype of the promoter SNP (rs10898853) of FADD was found to be significantly associated with PTC in the co-dominant model 2 (T/T vs. C/C; p = 0.002, OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.39-5.65), the recessive model (p = 0.003, OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.31-3.71), and the log-additive model (p = 0.002, OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.20-2.44). Allele frequency analysis showed that the C allele of rs10898853 was significantly associated with an increased risk of PTC (p = 0.002, OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.21-2.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the FADD promoter polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to PTC.

Cordycepin-mediated transcriptional regulation of human GD3 synthase (hST8Sia I) in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)-C cells

In the present study, we firstly found that cordycepin elevated the gene expression of the human GD3 synthase (hST8Sia I) in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)-C cells. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the upregulation of hST8Sia I gene expression in cordycepin-treated SK-N-BE(2)-C cells, functional characterization of the promoter region of the hST8Sia I gene was performed. Analysis of promoter activity using varying lengths of 5'-flanking region showed a dramatic increase by cordycepin in the -1146 to -646 region, which contains putative binding sites for transcription factors c-Ets-1, CREB, AP-1, and NF-κB. Site-directed mutagenesis for these binding sites and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that the NF-κB binding site at -731 to -722 is essential for the cordycepin-induced expression of the hST8Sia I in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells. Moreover, the hST8Sia I expression induced by cordycepin was significantly repressed by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of NF-κB. These results suggested that cordycepin induces upregulation of hST8Sia I gene expression through NF-κB activation in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells.

Dendropanoxide induces autophagy through ERK1/2 activation in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells and autophagy inhibition enhances dendropanoxide-induced apoptosis

Anticancer effects of dendropanoxide (DP) newly isolated from leaves and stem of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille were firstly investigated in this study. DP inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells, which was dependent on the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and the activation of caspases. Moreover, the DP-treated cells exhibited autophagy, as characterized by the punctuate patterns of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) by confocal microscopy and the appearance of autophagic vacuoles by MDC staining. The expression levels of ATG7, Beclin-1 and LC3-II were also increased by DP treatment. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and wortmannin (Wort) significantly enhanced DP-induced apoptosis. DP treatment also caused a time-dependent increase in protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with U0126 resulted in a decreased DP-induced autophagy that was accompanied by an increased apoptosis and a decreased cell viability. These results indicate a cytoprotective function of autophagy against DP-induced apoptosis and suggest that the combination of DP treatment with autophagy inhibition may be a promising strategy for human osteosarcoma control. Taken together, this study demonstrated for the first time that DP could induce autophagy through ERK1/2 activation in human osteosarcoma cells and autophagy inhibition enhanced DP-induced apoptosis.

Triptolide induces apoptosis through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in human osteosarcoma U2OS cells

Triptolide, a diterpene derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f., a Chinese medicinal herb, has been reported to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various human cancer cells, but its anticancer effects on human osteosarcoma cells have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether triptolide induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We firstly demonstrated that triptolide inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in U2OS cells. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of procaspase-8, -9, Bcl-2, Bid and mitochondrial cytochrome c were downregulated in triptolide-treated U2OS cells, whereas the levels of Fas, FasL, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP were upregulated. These results suggest that triptolide induces apoptosis in U2OS cells by activating both death receptor and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.

Routine computerised tomography in patients with acute supraglottitis for the diagnosis of epiglottic abscess: is it necessary?--a prospective, multicentre study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the predictive factor of epiglottic abscess and to investigate whether routine computerised tomography (CT) in patients with acute supraglottitis are necessary.

DESIGN

A prospective and multicentre study.

SETTINGS

Tertiary care referral medical centre.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 202 patients with suspected acute supraglottitis were enrolled. All patients underwent CT to confirm the presence of abscess.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients' characteristics, symptoms at presentation, laryngoscopic findings of epiglottic swelling and arytenoid swelling by scope classification and initial laboratory finding were analysed.

RESULTS

Of 202 patients, 158 (78%) had acute supraglottitis and 44 (22%) had epiglottic abscess. There was no significant difference in age between the acute supraglottitis group and the epiglottic abscess group. Men were significantly more frequent in the epiglottic abscess group than females (P = 0.042). When comparing the symptom at presentation, the patients with epiglottic abscess complained of voice change more frequently (P = 0.003). Moderate or severe epiglottic swelling in scope classification was significantly associated with epiglottic abscess (P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, voice change [OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.29-5.40, P = 0.008] and moderate or severe epiglottic swelling in laryngoscopic findings [OR = 3.94, 95% CI = 1.63-9.53, P = 0.002] were independent predictive factors for epiglottic abscess. The positive predictive values of voice change and moderate or severe epiglottic swelling were 33% and 30%, respectively. The negative predictive values of voice change and moderate or severe epiglottic swelling were 15% and 9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine CT might be suggested for diagnosis of epiglottic abscess in the patients with acute supraglottitis, because of the poor predictive values of symptoms and signs.

Oleifolioside B-mediated autophagy promotes apoptosis in A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells

The biochemical mechanisms of cell death by oleifolioside B (OB), a cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside isolated from Dendropanax morbifera Leveille, were investigated in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. Our data indicated that exposure to OB led to caspase activation and typical features of apoptosis; however, apoptotic cell death was not prevented by z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, demonstrating that OB-induced apoptosis was independent of caspase activation. Subsequently, we found that OB increased autophagy, as indicated by an increase in monodansylcadaverine fluorescent dye-labeled autophagosome formation and in the levels of the autophagic form of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 and Atg3, an autophagy-specific gene, which is associated with inhibiting phospho-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression. However, pretreatment with bafilomycin A1, an autophagy inhibitor, attenuated OB-induced apoptosis and dephosphorylation of Nrf2. The data suggest that OB-induced autophagy functions as a death mechanism in A549 cells and OB has potential as a novel anticancer agent capable of targeting apoptotic and autophagic cell death and the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

The effects of statins on the clinical outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalised patients

BACKGROUND

An association between exposure to statin drugs and favourable treatment outcomes for various types of infections has been established.

AIM

To determine the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among hospitalised patients taking statin drugs.

METHODS

The medical records were reviewed for consecutive in-patients with CDI confirmed by positive toxin assay (A or B), C. difficile culture, or the presence of pseudomembrane on endoscopy. Treatment success was defined as the resolution of diarrhoea within 6 days of therapy. The primary end points were assessed by average symptom recovery time and treatment response (success or failure).

RESULTS

Among 949 patients, the overall response to metronidazole was 91.9%. The baseline characteristics showed some differences between statin users and statin non-users with respect to mean disease severity score. In the multivariate analysis, successful treatment response was significantly associated with the absence of exposure to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR = 0.690, 95% CI = 0.513-0.929, P = 0.014) and with exposure to statins (OR = 1.449, 95% CI = 1.015-2.070, P = 0.041). Contrary to the treatment response, univariate and multivariate analyses failed to show that exposure to PPIs or statins affected symptom recovery times. Sixty-day CDI recurrence rates for those patients with statin exposure were significantly lower compared with those patients without statin exposure (3% vs. 7.3%, respectively; RR = 0.393, 95% CI = 0.167-0.926, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Prior statin exposure in patients with C. difficile infection is associated with a successful response to treatment.

Interleukin 22 polymorphisms and papillary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

IL22RA1 (Interleukin 22 receptor-alpha 1), a member of the class II cytokine receptor family, mediates diverse biologic activities and appears to be important in pathogen defense, wound healing, and tissue reorganization. Polymorphisms in genes encoding inflammatory cytokines are associated with increased cancer risk.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the IL22 and IL22RA1 and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and to assess the relationship between the SNP in the IL22 and IL22RA1 and the clinical parameters of PTC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study enrolled experimental group of 94 PTC patients and 213 controls. PTC patients were grouped and compared for clinical PTC parameters. One promoter SNP of IL22, -429C/T (rs2227485), and one SNP of IL22RA1, Arg518Gly (rs3795299) were analyzed using direct sequencing. Genetic data were analyzed using Helixtree, SNPAnalyzer Pro, SNPStats, and Haploview.

RESULTS

A SNP in IL22 (rs2227485) was significantly associated with PTC (codominant2 model [C/C vs T/T], odds ratio (OR) 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-4.71, p=0.012; dominant model, OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.08-3.31, p=0.022). The allele T frequency of rs2227485 in IL22 was also associated with PTC (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.13-2.25, p=0.009). According to clinical parameters, rs2227485 of IL22 was associated with number of cancers (dominant model, OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.02-9.01, p=0.035). By haplotype analysis, TG was associated with PTC (codominant model, OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.07-2.16, p=0.019; dominant model, OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.13- 3.24, p=0.015). Genotype and allele analysis of rs3795299 in IL22RA1 showed no significant differences between PTC patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

The rs2227485 SNP in IL22 might be associated with the risk and the multifocality of PTC.

Outcomes associated with concordance of oral antidiabetic drug treatments to prescribing information in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study aims to examine the association between prescribing information (PI)-concordant oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) treatment and clinical and economic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and stages 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

The study used a large, national administrative claims database with laboratory findings to identify patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and indication of stages 3-5 CKD (first observed indication as the index date) between 1/1/2005 and 30/06/2009. OADs prescribed during 6 months following the index date (baseline period) were evaluated and patients were considered non-PI-concordant if any did not meet the recommendations regarding patients with renal impairment. Glycemic control and measures of healthcare costs (standardized to 2010 US dollars using the Consumer Price Index) and resource utilization were assessed during the 12 months following the baseline period. Severe hypoglycemic events were assessed after the baseline period until lost to follow-up. Regression analyses were performed after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Among the 3300 patients included in the study, 2454 (74.4%) were non-PI-concordant. The non-PI-concordant patients had higher risk of severe hypoglycemic events identified in all settings (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10-1.67) and events identified in inpatient hospital setting (HR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.49-4.22), were more likely to have inpatient hospital admissions (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02-1.57), and were less likely to have glycemic control (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.44-0.71). Annual diabetes-related cost was $1638 higher in the non-PI-concordant cohort (p = 0.0048).

LIMITATION

The retrospective cohort design does not allow for conclusions to be drawn on the causal effect of PI-concordant use based on the associations observed.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest PI-concordant treatment to be associated with better clinical and diabetes-associated economic outcomes. Future research is warranted to confirm the associations found in this study.

Longitudinal patterns of analgesic and central acting drug use and associated effectiveness in fibromyalgia

BACKGROUND

We describe the changing pattern of analgesic and new central acting drug (NCAD) use (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) in fibromyalgia and measure NCAD effectiveness in clinical practice.

METHODS

About 3123 US adult patients with fibromyalgia participated in an 11-year longitudinal study of fibromyalgia outcomes. We assessed severity-adjusted treatment prevalence and measured the effect of any use of NCAD on pain and fatigue, and functional status using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index.

RESULTS

In 2010, 46.7% of patients used opioids, including 12.5% who used strong opioids. During the 11 years, severity-adjusted strong opioid use increased from 6.3% to 11.7% and any opioid use from 40.0% to 46.6%. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use decreased from 74% to 44%. Tricyclic use dropped in half, from 27% to 15%, while NCAD use increased from less than 10% to 39%. The estimated 25th and 50th percentiles for NCAD discontinuation time were 1 and 2.5 years. Overall pain, fatigue and HAQ scores were unchanged over the 11 years. For patients treated with NCAD, pain scores were reduced significantly by 0.17 (0.03, 0.30) units following the start of NCAD, an improvement of 2.8%. Some sensitivity analyses showed improvements of up to 4.3%. There was no significant improvement in fatigue or functional status.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a changing pattern of drug treatment in fibromyalgia, consisting mostly of decreased NSAID and amitriptyline use and an increase in NCAD. Drug costs are substantially higher because of NCAD use, but we found no evidence of clinical benefit for NCAD compared with prior therapy.

Initial Experience With the Wavelight Refractive Suite for Myopic Laser In Situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to describe our initial experience with the newest refractive platform, the Wavelight Refractive Suite.

DESIGN

This was a consecutive case series of first 50 eyes that underwent myopic laser in situ keratomileusis.

METHODS

A total of 50 myopic eyes (28 patients) were included in this study. Uncorrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, and keratometry readings were taken preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Emmetropia was targeted with an optical zone of 6.5 mm, and flap dimensions were of 130-μm thickness and 9-mm diameter with a superior hinge in all eyes. Flap thickness was measured with optical coherence tomography postoperatively.

RESULTS

At 3 months postoperatively, 82% (41/50) of eyes achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 6/6 or better, 98% (49/50) achieved 6/9 or better, and all eyes achieved 6/12 or better. Eighty-four percent of eyes were within 0.5 diopter (D) of target of emmetropia, and 98% of eyes were within 1 D. Mean postoperative flap thickness was 124 ± 7.8 μm.

CONCLUSIONS

The Wavelight Refractive Suite consisting of the femtosecond laser FS200 and Excimer laser EX500 is the newest integrated refractive surgical platform available and can offer good refractive predictability as shown by the results in our initial 50 myopic eyes.

Oleifolioside A mediates caspase-independent human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell apoptosis involving nuclear relocation of mitochondrial apoptogenic factors AIF and EndoG

Apoptosis, the main type of programmed cell death, plays an essential role in a variety of biological events. Whereas "classical" apoptosis is dependent on caspase activation, caspase-independent death is increasingly recognized as an alternative pathway. To develop new anticancer agents, oleifolioside A was isolated from Dendropanax morbifera Leveille and the biochemical mechanisms of oleifolioside A-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells were investigated. Exposure to oleifolioside A resulted in caspase activation and typical features of apoptosis, although cell death was not prevented by caspase inhibition. Oleifolioside A treatment induced up-regulation of Bad, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear relocation of mitochondrial factors, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), endonuclease G (EndoG), and apoptosis induction. This is the first report of anticancer activity of oleifolioside A, and nuclear translocation of AIF and EndoG in oleifolioside A-treated HeLa cells might represent an alternative death signaling pathway in the absence of caspase activity.

Perilipin polymorphism interacts with saturated fat and carbohydrates to modulate insulin resistance

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Macronutrient intakes and genetic variants have been shown to interact to alter insulin resistance, but replications of gene-nutrient interactions across independent populations are rare, despite their critical importance in establishing credibility. We aimed to investigate a previously demonstrated saturated fat and carbohydrate interaction for insulin resistance for perilipin (PLIN1), a regulator of adipocyte metabolism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated the previously shown interaction for PLIN1 11482G > A (rs894160) on insulin resistance in US men (n = 462) and women (n = 508) (mean ± SD, 49 ± 16 years). In multivariable linear regression models, we found an interaction (P < 0.05) between the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate intake as a continuous variable and PLIN1 11482G > A for HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) in women. For carriers of the minor allele but not for non-carriers, as the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate intake increased, predicted HOMA-IR increased (P = 0.002). By dichotomizing the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate intake into high and low, we found significant interaction terms for insulin and HOMA-IR (P < 0.05). When the ratio of saturated fat to carbohydrate was high, insulin and HOMA-IR were higher in minor allele carriers (P = 0.004 and P = 0.003, respectively), but did not differ when the ratio was low. Similar patterns or trends were observed when saturated fat and carbohydrate were dichotomized into high and low as individual macronutrients.

CONCLUSIONS

Replication of the previously reported interaction between macronutrient intakes and PLIN1 genotype for insulin resistance reinforces the potential usefulness of applying genotype information in the dietary management of insulin resistance.

Inhibition effects of isolated compounds from Artemisia rubripes Nakai of the classical pathway on the complement system

The study evaluated the anticomplement activity from isolated compounds from Artemisia rubripes Nakai from South Korea on the classical pathway. In the previous works, Artemisia rubripes chloroform extracts showed inhibitory activity against complement system. The chromatographic separation of a chloroform chloride extract of Artemisia rubripes led to the isolation of three compounds. Their structures were characterized to be scopoletin (1), 11,(13)-triene-6,12-olide (2), and 1β,6α-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (3) by spectroscopic data. This is the first report of anticomplement activity of isolated compounds from Artemisia rubripes.

Cordycepin induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)-C and melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells

In this study, the effect of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), a major component of Cordyceps militaris, an ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine was investigated for the first time on apoptotsis in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)-C and melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells. Cordycepin significantly inhibited the proliferation of human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)-C and human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells with IC50 values of 120 microM and 80 microM, respectively. Cordycepin treatment at 120 microM and 80 microM, respectively, induced apoptosis in both cells and caused the increase of cell accumulation in a time-dependent manner at the apoptotic sub-G1 phase, as evidenced by the flow cytometry (FCM) and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) analyses. Western blot analysis revealed the induction of active caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage by cordycepin treatment. These results suggest that cordycepin is a potential candidate for cancer therapy of neuroblastoma and melanoma.

Isolated compounds from Sorghum bicolor L. inhibit the classical pathway of the complement

The present study evaluated the anticomplement effects from isolated compounds of Sorghum bicolor in classical pathway complement system. Using column chromatograph, three compounds; Sorgoleone-362 (1), Sorgoleone-360 (2) and Sorgoleone-386 (3) were isolated and evaluated for in vitro anticomplement activity. Sorgoleone-386 showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) values of 148.3μg/ml. This is the first report of anticomplement activity of isolated compounds from Sorghum bicolor.

Efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist for erosive esophagitis: a preliminary retrospective comparative study

While diagnostic overlap exists between gastroesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic esophagitis especially on histological findings, therapeutic approaches for the two disease entities are very different. Recently, anti-inflammatory treatment, in addition to acid suppressants, has been investigated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. This study investigated whether the incidence of endoscopic erosive esophagitis was lower in recipients of long-term leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) treatment. This retrospective comparative study included 207 recipients of an LTRA and an equal number of controls who underwent screening upper endoscopic examination. Twenty-two (10.6%) and 51 (24.6%) cases of erosive esophagitis were detected in the LTRA and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). A significantly higher incidence of minimal change esophagitis was also found in the controls compared with the LTRA group (14.5% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LTRA treatment was significantly and inversely associated with erosive esophagitis (odds ratio [OR], 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.46). Within the LTRA treatment group, an increased risk of erosive esophagitis was strongly associated with the presence of hiatal hernia (OR, 5.89; 95% CI, 2.20-15.73, P < 0.001) and short duration of LTRA treatment (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.37-0.89, P= 0.022). In conclusion, this preliminary retrospective analysis demonstrated that patients who underwent long-term treatment with a LTRA had low incidence of endoscopic minimal change esophagitis.

Al2O3 and TiO2 atomic layer deposition on copper for water corrosion resistance

Al(2)O(3) and TiO(2) atomic layer deposition (ALD) were employed to develop an ultrathin barrier film on copper to prevent water corrosion. The strategy was to utilize Al(2)O(3) ALD as a pinhole-free barrier and to protect the Al(2)O(3) ALD using TiO(2) ALD. An initial set of experiments was performed at 177 °C to establish that Al(2)O(3) ALD could nucleate on copper and produce a high-quality Al(2)O(3) film. In situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements verified that Al(2)O(3) ALD nucleated and grew efficiently on copper-plated quartz crystals at 177 °C using trimethylaluminum (TMA) and water as the reactants. An electroplating technique also established that the Al(2)O(3) ALD films had a low defect density. A second set of experiments was performed for ALD at 120 °C to study the ability of ALD films to prevent copper corrosion. These experiments revealed that an Al(2)O(3) ALD film alone was insufficient to prevent copper corrosion because of the dissolution of the Al(2)O(3) film in water. Subsequently, TiO(2) ALD was explored on copper at 120 °C using TiCl(4) and water as the reactants. The resulting TiO(2) films also did not prevent the water corrosion of copper. Fortunately, Al(2)O(3) films with a TiO(2) capping layer were much more resilient to dissolution in water and prevented the water corrosion of copper. Optical microscopy images revealed that TiO(2) capping layers as thin as 200 Å on Al(2)O(3) adhesion layers could prevent copper corrosion in water at 90 °C for ~80 days. In contrast, the copper corroded almost immediately in water at 90 °C for Al(2)O(3) and ZnO films by themselves on copper. Ellipsometer measurements revealed that Al(2)O(3) films with a thickness of ~200 Å and ZnO films with a thickness of ~250 Å dissolved in water at 90 °C in ~10 days. In contrast, the ellipsometer measurements confirmed that the TiO(2) capping layers with thicknesses of ~200 Å on the Al(2)O(3) adhesion layers protected the copper for ~80 days in water at 90 °C. The TiO(2) ALD coatings were also hydrophilic and facilitated H(2)O wetting to copper wire mesh substrates.

Use of Laryngeal Mask Airway and Its Removal in a Deeply Anaesthetized State Reduces Emergence Agitation after Sevoflurane Anaesthesia in Children

This study investigated the effect of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and removal while in a deeply anaesthetized state (deep removal) compared with endotracheal tube and extubation when awake or deeply anaesthetized on the incidence of emergence agitation in children after sevoflurane anaesthesia for subumbilical surgery. Patients (2 – 7 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: ET-A group ( n = 56, endotracheal tube and extubation whilst awake); ET-D group ( n = 56, endotracheal tube and deep extubation); LMA-D group (n = 56, experienced LMA and deep removal). The incidence of postoperative emergence agitation was significantly lower in the LMA-D patients compared with patients in the ET-A group (21.4% and 41.1%, respectively). Patients in the LMA-D group required a significantly shorter stay in the postanaesthetic care unit (PACU) than ET-A patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative emergence agitation or length of stay in the PACU between the ETA and ET-D groups, or between the ET-D and LMA-D groups. In conclusion, using an LMA and deep removal decreased postoperative emergence agitation compared with using an endotracheal tube and awake extubation after paediatric sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Femtosecond high-power spontaneous mode-locked operation in vertical-external cavity surface-emitting laser with gigahertz oscillation

We realize a femtosecond high-power spontaneous mode-locked operation with gigahertz oscillation in a vertical-external cavity surface-emitting laser under the condition of eliminating the internal and external unwanted reflection. We find that the reflectivity of the output coupler has a significant influence not only on the output power but also on the output pulse duration. With an incident pump power of 20 W, we have achieved 2.35 W of average output power with 778 fs pulse duration at a repetition rate of 2.17 GHz. The shortest pulse duration was 654 fs at an average output power of 0.45 W.

Isolated compounds from black bean inhibit the classical pathway of the complement

The present study evaluated the anticomplement effects from isolated compounds of black bean in classical pathway complement system. Using column chromatograph, four compounds kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), kaempferol 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1-2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl]olean-12-en-3β,22β,24-triol (3) and 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1-2)-β-D-galactopyranosyl(1-2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl]olean-12-en-3β,22β,24-triol (4) were isolated and evaluated for in vitro anticomplement activity. 3 showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) values of 98.2 μg/ml. This is the first report of anticomplement activity of isolated compounds from black bean.