Compact optical curvature sensor with a flexible microdisk laser on a polymer substrate

We demonstrate a chip-scale compact optical curvature sensor. It consists of a low threshold InGaAsP microdisk laser on a flexible polydimethylsiloxane polymer substrate. The curvature dependence of lasing wavelength was characterized by bending the cavity at different bending radii. The measurements showed that the lasing wavelength decreases monotonously with an increasing bending curvature. A good agreement between experiment and three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulation was also obtained. The sensitivity of the compact device to the bending curvature is -23.7 nm/mm from the experiment.

Flexible compact microdisk lasers on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate

Compact microdisk cavities were fabricated on a polydimethylsiloxane substrate. The lasing of the flexible compact cavity was achieved with a low threshold power. The whispering-gallery mode of the microdisk was also characterized with three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulation. The curvature dependence in output power and threshold was also demonstrated by bending the microdisk cavity.

Persistent dizziness and nausea in patients receiving postoperative epidural pain control after living donor liver transplantation: case reports

Dizziness and nausea are frequent problems among patients receiving patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after major surgery. It is important to consider the various etiologies that might cause these adverse events, especially among patients who have undergone massive hepatic resection for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We have described 2 LDLT cases with persistent dizziness and nausea postoperatively despite several adjustments in PCEA management. Their symptoms were quickly relieved after suspension of PCEA medication. Our 2 cases of LDLT represented a unique setting for this type of complication.

Effects of silymarin on the resolution of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

Silymarin, a standardized extract of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum), has a long tradition as a herbal remedy, and was introduced as a hepatoprotective agent a few years ago. However, the therapeutic effects of silymarin remain undefined. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a xenobiotic used extensively to induce oxidative stress and is one of the most widely used hepatic toxins for experimental induction of liver fibrosis in the laboratory. In this study, we investigated the restoration of the CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis by high dose of silymarin in rats. After treatment with oil (as normal group; n = 6) or CCl4 [as model (n = 7) and therapeutic (n = 7) groups] by intragastric delivery for 8 weeks for the induction of liver fibrosis, the rats in the normal and model group were administered orally normal saline four times a week for 3 weeks whilst the therapeutic group received silymarin (200 mg/kg). The histopathological changes were observed with Masson staining. The results showed that the restoration of the CCl4-induced damage of liver fibrosis in the therapeutic group was significantly increased as compared to that in the model group. Moreover, silymarin significantly decreased the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in serum, and also reversed the altered expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin in liver tissue. Therefore, these findings indicated that silymarin may have the potential to increase the resolution of the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Preparation and visible emission of Er-doped 12CaO x 7Al2O3 powder

Er(3+)-doped 12CaO x 7Al2O3 (C12A7:Er3+) powders were prepared using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectra and absorption spectra showed that C12A7:Er3+ powder had been obtained. Sharp and intense Er(3+)-related emission from C12A7:Er3+ powder with different Er3+ concentrations in the visible region at room temperature was investigated by analyzing the local structure of Ca atoms in C12A7, and it revealed that cation sites with low symmetry of the host were beneficial to the photoluminescence of Er3+ ions. The emission lines were attributed to two types of Er3+ centers, isolated Er3+ ions and complex centers formed by aggregation of Er3+ ions. The PL intensity might be affected by free oxygen species relative to Er3+ ions formed by charge compensation. The inverse temperature dependent luminescence from the upper level of 2H11/2 state and that from the lower level of 4S3/2 state implied that the thermalization or thermal equilibrium of electrons between the two closely emission states occurred.

Photoluminescence of ZnO nanocrystals embedded in BaF2 matrices by magnetron sputtering

This paper describes ZnO nanocrystals embedded in BaF2 matrices by the magnetron sputtering method in an attempt to use fluoride as a shell layer to embed ZnO nanocrystals core. BaF2 is a wide-band gap material, and can confine carriers in the ZnO films. As a result, the exciton emission intensity should be enhanced. The sample was annealed at 773 K, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that ZnO nanocrystals with wurtzite structure were embedded in BaF2 matrices. Raman-scattering spectra also confirmed the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. Abnormal longitudinal-optical (LO) phonon-dominant multiphonon Raman scattering was observed in the sample. Room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed an ultraviolet emission peak at 374 nm. The origin of the ultraviolet emission is discussed here with the help of temperature-dependent PL spectra. The ultraviolet emission band was a mixture of free exciton and bound exciton recombination observed in the low temperature PL spectra (at 77 K). Abnormal temperature dependence of ultraviolet near-band-edge emission-integrated intensity of the sample was observed. The band tail state was observed in the absorption spectra, illustrating that the impurity-related defects were caused by the shell of the BaF2 grain layer. For comparison, ZnO films on BaF2 substrates were also fabricated by the magnetron sputtering method, and the same measurement methods were used.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma metastasis to the breast

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare female neoplasm with a high recurrent and metastatic rate. However, only a few cases have been reported on metastasis to the breast. The purpose of this work is to stress the role of follow-up and to increase physicians' awareness of such lesion. case: A 62-year-old female suffered from a breast nodule and multiple metastases six years after resection for uterine leiomyosarcoma. Pathology revealed a rare condition of uterine leiomyosarcoma with breast metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The case highlights the important role of long-term follow-up in uterine leiomyosarcoma and implies the necessity of tissue proof in patients with the disease.

The expression of chicken NOV, a member of the CCN gene family, in early stage development

The nephroblastoma overexpressed gene, NOV, is a member of the CCN gene family. We investigated the NOV gene expression pattern in the chicken during early stage embryogenesis. Several embryonic structures showed a distinct expression pattern. The initial expression was detected in Hensen's node (Hamburger and Hamilton stage (HH) 5). The expression was noted in the presumptive notochord and floor plate forming cells. The expression on the left side was more elongated posteriorly, a type of left-right asymmetry. Chicken NOV gene expression in the forming notochord and floor plate was observed until HH 18. The expression was also detected in the ventral area of the mesencephalon and isthmus at HH 14-16.

Radiofrequency ablation after transarterial embolization as therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as combined treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six consecutive patients (cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class A or B) with solitary or oligonodular HCC were treated (41 lesions; mean size, 58.9 mm; range, 30-120 mm). RFA was performed after one TAE treatment. Local efficacy was evaluated with multiphasic computed tomography (CT) performed an average of two months after RFA and once during later follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 16 months (range, 2-45 months). Technical success (namely, complete tumor devascularization during the arterial phase) was achieved for 59% of lesions at the first CT evaluation and for 46% at the second evaluation. Among prognostic factors included in the analysis, only lesion diameter (< 50 mm versus > or = 50 mm) was statistically significant in terms of predicting local success (Fisher's exact test: 85% versus 43% at first CT, p<0.01; 70% versus 36% during follow-up, p=0.05). There were no major periprocedural complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed survival rates of 84% at 12 months and 57% at 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined therapy--TAE then RFA--for unresectable HCC lesions in patients with cirrhosis produces a relatively high complete local response rate compared with TAE or RFA alone. Our results, considered with those from other case series, may help design prospective, randomized clinical trials to test combination therapy versus single-modality therapy in terms of risks and benefits.

Comparison of clinical staging systems in predicting survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving major or minor hepatectomy

AIM

To compare the utility of seven commonly used staging systems in the prediction of survival among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing major or minor hepatectomy.

METHODS

All patients were classified by the Okuda, the TNM, the CLIP, the BCLC, the CUPI, the JIS and the MELD classifications to estimate the probabilities of survival. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and were examined using log-rank testing. The overall predictive power for patient survival with each staging system was evaluated using linear trend chi(2) tests and from the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

In our patient cohort, the log-rank test and the linear trend chi(2) test of the CLIP and JIS systems gave better results than did the other staging systems. The discriminatory ability of the CLIP and JIS staging for death, evaluated by ROC curve areas, was also better. In the subgroups of major hepatectomy patients with a non-cirrhotic liver or minor hepatectomy patients with a cirrhotic liver, the CLIP and JIS systems showed similar better performances in these three tests. The discriminatory ability of the CLIP system was the best in major hepatectomy patients with a non-cirrhotic liver while JIS score discriminated best in minor hepatectomy patients with a cirrhotic liver.

CONCLUSION

Among the seven staging systems, the CLIP and JIS systems perform better than do the others. While the CLIP system should be considered to stage major hepatectomy patients, the JIS system could be chosen to stage minor hepatectomy patients.

Upregulation of endothelial heme oxygenase-1 expression through the activation of the JNK pathway by sublethal concentrations of acrolein

Acrolein is a highly electrophilic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde that is present in cigarette smoke. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective enzyme activated by various such electrophilic compounds. In this study, the regulatory effects of acrolein upon the expression of HO-1 were investigated in endothelial cells (ECs). We demonstrate that acrolein induces the elevation of HO-1 protein levels, and subsequent enzyme activity, at non-cytotoxic concentrations. An additional alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, was also found to increase HO-1 expression and have less cytotoxicity than acrolein. Moreover, acrolein-mediated HO-1 induction is abrogated in the presence of actinomycin D and cycloheximide. Nrf2 is a transcription factor involved in the induction of HO-1 through an antioxidant response element (ARE) in the promoter region of the HO-1 gene. We show that acrolein induces Nrf2 translocation and ARE-luciferase reporter activity. Acrolein was also found to induce the production of both superoxide and H2O2 at levels greater than 100 microM. However, with the exception of NAC, no antioxidant generated any effect upon acrolein-dependent HO-1 expression in ECs. Our present findings suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may not be a major modulator for HO-1 induction. Using buthionine sulfoximine to deplete the intracellular GSH levels further enhanced the effects of acrolein. We also found that cellular GSH level was rapidly reduced after both 10 and 100 microM acrolein treatment. However, after 6 h of exposure to ECs, only 10 microM acrolein treatment increases GSH level. In addition, only the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein had any significant inhibitory impact upon the upregulation of HO-1 by acrolein. Pretreatment with a range of other PI3 kinase inhibitors, including wortmannin and LY294002, showed no effects. Hence, we show in our current experiments that a sublethal concentration of acrolein is in fact a novel HO-1 inducer, and we further identify the principal underlying mechanisms involved in this process.

Association of serum protein levels with egg productivity in Taiwan red-feathered country chickens

This study investigated the relationship between serum protein levels and egg productivity in Taiwan red-feathered country chickens (TRFCC). The total egg numbers of TRFCC (n=157) were recorded from 25 to 48 weeks of age. Serum samples were collected at 24 and 35 weeks of age, then classified by total egg number into four groups according to mean+/-1S.D. Serum X protein levels were evaluated by protein chip technology and with an insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) immunoassay. Other serum proteins (apolipoprotein A-I, ovotransferrin and vitellogenin) were found at different levels between the most productive and the least productive groups of TRFCC, were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and were quantified by age. The results showed that levels of vitellogenin were positively correlated with total egg number at 24 and at 35 weeks old (p<0.01). Levels of apolipoprotein A-I and an IGF-1-related marker (termed X protein) in serum at 35 weeks old were correlated with total egg number (p<0.01). Serum ovotransferrin levels remained constant regardless of total egg number. To investigate the concentration differences among the four groups of TRFCC, serum protein levels of each group were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The results showed that those protein levels, except for ovotransferrin, in the least productive group significantly differed from the other three groups (p<0.05). Although the correlation between those protein levels and the total egg number was not significant at the time of initial egg production, the selection strategy of those protein levels at later stages of egg production should provide a screening model to improve selection.

Preparation of ZnO colloids by aggregation of the nanocrystal subunits

Colloidal ZnO particles with narrow size distribution were prepared via a sol-gel process by base-catalyzed hydrolysis of zinc acetate. The morphology of ordered arrays of the particles was recorded by SEM. SEM also reveals that these uniform particles were composed of tiny ZnO subunits (singlets) sized of several nanometers. The size of the singlets, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and UV-vis absorption spectra, increases as the aging time is prolonged. The size-selective formation of colloids by aggregation of nanosized subunits is proposed to consist of two-stage growth by nucleation of nanosized crystalline primary particles and their subsequent aggregation into polycrystalline secondary colloids. The aggregates are all spherical because the internal rearrangement processes are fast enough. The ZnO colloids, i.e., the aggregates, tend to self-assemble into well-ordered hexagonal close-packed structures. Room-temperature photoluminescence was characterized for green and aged ZnO.

The impact of lesion length on angiographic restenosis after vertebral artery origin stenting

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of lesion length on in-stent restenosis (ISR) of vertebral artery (VA) origin stenting.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the medical and radiological records of patients receiving VA origin stenting from March 1999 to June 2005. They were subdivided according to lesion length. ISR was defined as >50% diameter narrowing in stent.

RESULTS

Eighty symptomatic patients (64 male, mean age 72 years) with 90 lesions treated with balloon expandable tubular coronary stents were enrolled. There were 34 patients with 38 short lesions (length<or=5 mm, group 1), 37 patients with 42 medium lesions (length>5 mm, <10 mm, group 2) and 9 patients with 10 long lesions (length>or=10 mm, group 3). Eighty seven bare-metal stents and 3 drug-eluting stents were implanted. Repeat angiography was done in 40 lesions (44%) at 11.7+/-9.6 months. The ISR rate in group 1, 2, 3 is 21%, 29%, and 50% (p=0.486). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed lesion length was the only significant independent predictor of ISR (hazard ratio: 1.19, p=0.039).

CONCLUSION

ISR of VA origin stenting is common. Lesion length is an important predictor of ISR in VA origin stenting.

Structural, optical, and magnetic properties of Mn-doped ZnO thin film

The Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O (x = 0, 0.16, and 0.25) thin films were grown on fused quartz substrates by reactive magnetron cosputtering. X-ray-diffraction measurement revealed that all the films were single phase and had wurtzite structure with c-axis orientation. As Mn concentration increased in the Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O films, the c-axis lattice constant and band-gap energy increased gradually. In Raman-scattering studies, an additional Mn-related vibration mode appeared at 520 cm(-1). E(2H) phonon line of Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O alloy was broadened asymmetrically and redshifted as a result of microscopic structural disorder induced by Mn(2+) random substitution. The Zn(0.84)Mn(0.16)O film exhibited a ferromagnetic characteristic with a Curie temperature of approximately 62 K. However, with increasing Mn concentration to 25 at. %, ferromagnetism disappeared due to the enhanced antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions between neighboring Mn(2+) ions.

An alternative technique for totally implantable central venous access devices. A retrospective study of 1311 cases

AIM

The aim of the present study was to report our experience of totally implantable central venous access devices (TICVAD) implantation using two techniques and attempt to define the better technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1998 to September 2003, 1131 patients were reviewed and divided into two groups with implantation by cephalic vein cut-down (group A) done by general surgeons and subclavian vein puncture with the Seldinger technique (group B) done by vascular surgeons. The operative time, early and late complications of these two groups were compared. Data were analysed by Student's t-test.

RESULTS

The average of operative time was 43 min in group A (35-70 min) and 40 min in group B (35-60 min) (P>0.05). No post-operative pneumothorax, hemothorax and fragmentation occurred in group A; the incidence of peri-operative complication was higher in group B. The overall and early complications of group A were significantly lower than that of group B (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study showed that the cephalic vein cut-down approach for TICVAD placement avoided the risks of pneumothorax, hemothorax and catheter fragmentation.

Prediction of the risk of hepatic failure in patients with portal vein invasion hepatoma after hepatic resection

AIM

Hepatic failure can develop after curative hepatectomy in patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invading the portal vein, because of cirrhosis and excessive tissue loss. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for hepatic failure in such patients.

METHOD

Forty patients with an HCC invading the portal vein underwent curative hepatectomy from January 1995 to June 2003. Eight patients developed hepatic failure and died within 3 months. Possible risk factors for this were analysed using univariate and multivariate regression. These included the liver function index, surgical blood loss, tumour pattern, portal hypertension, estimated residual liver volume measured by computed tomography (ERLV(CT)) and estimated residual liver volume using the indocyanine green (ICG) retention rate at 15 min (ERLV(ICG15)).

RESULTS

The ERLV(CT) smaller than the ERLV(ICG15) and presence of portal hypertension were independent risk factors for post-hepatectomy hepatic failure.

CONCLUSION

Having portal vein invasion HCC with portal hypertension or an ERLV(CT) less than an ERLV(ICG15) are significant predictors of post-hepatectomy hepatic failure. These factors are important considerations for patients with portal vein invasion HCC who could undergo curative hepatic resection.

Optical properties of ZnO and ZnO:In nanorods assembled by sol-gel method

Self-assembled zinc oxide (ZnO) and indium-doping zinc oxide (ZnO:In) nanorod thin films were synthesized on quartz substrates without catalyst in aqueous solution by sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman-scattering spectroscopy, room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and temperature-dependent PL spectra measurements. XRD and Raman spectra illustrated that there were no single In2O3 phase in ZnO lattice after indium doping. The PL spectra of ZnO showed a strong UV emission band located at 394 nm and a very weak visible emission associated with deep-level defects. Indium incorporation induced the shift of optical band gap, quenching of the near-band-edge photoluminescence and enhanced LO mode multiphonon resonant Raman scattering in ZnO crystals at different temperatures. Abnormal temperature dependence of UV emission integrated intensity of ZnO and ZnO:In samples is observed. The local state emission peak of ZnO:In samples at 3.37 eV is observed in low-temperature PL spectra. The near-band-edge emission peak at room temperature was a mixture of excitons and impurity-related transitions for both of two samples.

The optical properties of ZnO hexagonal prisms grown from poly (vinylpyrrolidone)-assisted electrochemical assembly onto Si (111) substrate

ZnO hexagonal prisms have been grown from poly (vinylpyrrolidone)-assisted electrochemical assembly onto p-type Si (111) substrate. These ZnO prisms arrays are highly (0002) orientated. The (0001) end facets and {1010} side facets of the hexagonal prisms are well defined. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of these ZnO prisms shows an intense ultraviolet near band-gap emission with a full width at half maximum of 86 meV at room temperature. The low-temperature PL spectrum is split into well-resolved free and bound exciton emission lines. The temperature dependence of the exciton emission intensities shows a nonmonotonic decaying behavior, which can be explained by the existence of interfacial states.

Effects of thermal annealing on the structural and optical properties of MgxZn1−xO nanocrystals

Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O ternary alloy nanocrystals with hexagonal wurtzite structures were fabricated by using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns, UV-vis absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the structural and optical properties of the nanocrystals. For as-prepared nanocrystals, the band gap increases with increasing Mg content. Weak excitonic emission with strong deep-level emission related to oxygen vacancy and interface defects is observed in the photoluminescence spectra at room temperature. Thermal annealing in oxygen was used to decrease the number of defects and to improve the quality of the nanocrystals. In terms of XRD results, the grain sizes of nanocrystals increase with increasing annealing temperature and the lattice constants of alloy are smaller than those of pure ZnO. The band gap becomes narrower with increasing annealing temperature. For Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals (x=0.03-0.15) annealed at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1000 degrees C, intense near-band-edge (NBE) emissions and weak deep-level (DL) emissions are observed. Consequently, the quality of Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals can be improved by thermal annealing.

The effect of surface properties on visible luminescence of nanosized colloidal ZnO membranes

Luminescence properties of nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO) colloids depend greatly on their surface properties, which are in turn largely determined by the method of preparation. ZnO nanoparticles in the size range from 3 to 9 nm were prepared by addition of tetramethylammonium hydroxide ((CH3)4NOH) to an ethanolic zinc acetate solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates nanocrystalline ZnO membranes with polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. The ZnO membranes have a strong visible-emission intensity and the intensity depends upon hydrolysis time. The infrared spectra imply a variety of forms of zinc acetate complexes present on the surface of ZnO particles. The effect of the ZnO membrane surface properties on photoluminescence is discussed.