The Ecological Design of Marine Urban Green Space Plant Landscaping Based on the Concept of Sustainability

With global climate change and accelerating urbanization, marine cities face unique environmental challenges. Ecological landscape creation is a form of design planning guided by the disciplines of landscape ecology and ecological aesthetics in the process of urban planning and construction. It seeks a design that can maintain the virtuous cycle of the ecosystem and at the same time maintain the spatial equilibrium of the dynamic development of urban landscapes, so as to make them have good ecological functions and corridor functions. The aim of this study is to explore the ecological design methods of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces under the concept of sustainability. We first reviewed the concept of sustainable development and its application to urban green space design, especially the special requirements in the marine urban environment. This research focuses on how to select plant species that are adapted to the marine climate and how to promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and improve the quality of life of urban residents through eco-design approaches. Through the analysis of a number of domestic and international cases of green spaces in marine cities, we found that effective eco-design is not only about choosing the right plant species but also includes the rational management of water resources, soil protection, and ecosystem restoration, among other aspects. This study also points out that public participation and interdisciplinary cooperation play a crucial role in the ecological design process. Finally, this paper carries out a specific analysis of the landscape model landscape evaluation system for the ecological design of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces and experimentally verifies that, compared with other styles, the experience of the European-style landscape is good overall. However, the view openness rating of the European style landscape is only about 0.42, and the best plant landscaping is the mixed mode of alkali poncho and salt poncho. This study aims to provide a practical reference and guidance for urban planners, landscape architects, and environmentalists.

Midwave resonant cavity infrared detectors (RCIDs) with suppressed background noise

We report a resonant cavity infrared detector (RCID) with an InAsSb/InAs superlattice absorber with a thickness of only ≈ 100 nm, a 33-period GaAs/Al0.92Ga0.08As distributed Bragg reflector bottom mirror, and a Ge/SiO2/Ge top mirror. At a low bias voltage of 150 mV, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) reaches 58% at the resonance wavelength λres ≈ 4.6 µm, with linewidth δλ = 19-27 nm. The thermal background current for a realistic system scenario with f/4 optic that views a 300 K scene is estimated by integrating the photocurrent generated by background spanning the entire mid-IR spectral band (3-5 µm). The resulting specific detectivity is a factor of 3 lower than for a state-of-the-art broadband HgCdTe device at 300 K, where dark current dominates the noise. However, at 125 K where the suppression of background noise becomes critical, the estimated specific detectivity D* of 5.5 × 1012 cm Hz½/W is more than 3× higher. This occurs despite a non-optimal absorber cut-off that causes the EQE to decrease rapidly with decreasing temperature, e.g., to 33% at 125 K. The present RCID's advantage over the broadband device depends critically on its low EQE at non-resonance wavelengths: ≤ 1% in the range 3.9-5.5 µm. Simulations using NRL MULTIBANDS indicate that impact ionization in the bottom contact and absorber layers dominates the dark current at near ambient temperatures. We expect future design modifications to substantially enhance D* throughout the investigated temperature range of 100-300 K.

Long-term follow-up results of cytarabine-containing chemotherapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We evaluated the feasibility and long-term efficacy of the combination of cytarabine, idarubicin, and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for treating patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

METHODS

We included 87 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia and a t(15;17) or promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML-RARα) mutation. Patients received 12 mg/m2/day idarubicin intravenously for 3 days and 100 mg/m2/day cytarabine for 7 days, plus 45 mg/m2/day ATRA. Clinical outcomes included complete remission (CR), relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and the secondary malignancy incidence during a 20-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The CR, 10-year RFS, and 10-year OS rates were 89.7%, 94.1%, and 73.8%, respectively, for all patients. The 10-year OS rate was 100% for patients that achieved CR. Subjects were classified according to the white blood cell (WBC) count in peripheral blood at diagnosis (low-risk, WBC < 10,000/mm3; high-risk, WBC ≥ 10,000/mm3). The low-risk group had significantly higher RFS and OS rates than the high-risk group, but the outcomes were not superior to the current standard treatment (arsenic trioxide plus ATRA). Toxicities were similar to those observed with anthracycline plus ATRA, and higher than those observed with arsenic trioxide plus ATRA. The secondary malignancy incidence after APL treatment was 2.7%, among the 75 patients that achieved CR, and 5.0% among the 40 patients that survived more than 5 years after the APL diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Adding cytarabine to anthracycline plus ATRA was not inferior to anthracycline plus ATRA alone, but it was not comparable to arsenic trioxide plus ATRA. The probability of secondary malignancy was low.

Mid-infrared interband cascade light emitting devices grown on off-axis silicon substrates

The high-quality growth of midwave infrared light emitters on silicon substrates will advance their incorporation into photonic integrated circuits, and also introduce manufacturing advantages over conventional devices grown on lattice-matched GaSb. Here we report interband cascade light emitting devices (ICLEDs) grown on 4 degree offcut silicon with 12% lattice mismatch. Four wafers produced functioning devices, with variations from wafer to wafer but uniform performance of devices from a given wafer. The full width at half maxima for the (004) GaSb rocking curves were as narrow as ∼ 163 arc seconds, and the root mean square surface roughness as small as 3.2 nm. Devices from the four wafers, as well as from a control structure grown to the same design on GaSb, were mounted epitaxial-side-up (epi-up). While core heating severely limited continuous wave (cw) emission from the control devices at relatively modest currents, efficient heat dissipation via the substrate allowed output from the devices on silicon to increase up to much higher currents. Although the devices on silicon had higher leakage currents, probably occurring primarily at dislocations resulting from the lattice-mismatched growth, accounting for differences in architecture the efficiency at high cw current was approximately 75% of that of our previous best-performing standard epi-down ICLEDs grown on GaSb. At 100 mA injection current, 200-µm-diameter mesas produced 184 µW of cw output power when operated at T = 25 °C, and 140 µW at 85°C. Epi-up mid-IR light emitters grown on silicon will be far simpler to process and much less expensive to manufacture than conventional devices grown on GaSb and mounted epi-down.

Methane detection using an interband-cascade LED coupled to a hollow-core fiber

Midwave infrared interband-cascade light-emitting devices (ICLEDs) have the potential to improve the selectivity, stability, and sensitivity of low-cost gas sensors. We demonstrate a broadband direct absorption CH₄ sensor with an ICLED coupled to a plastic hollow-core fiber (1 m length, 1500 µm inner diameter). The sensor achieves a 1σ noise equivalent absorption of approximately 0.2 ppmv CH₄ at 1 Hz, while operating at a low drive power of 0.5 mW. A low-cost sub-ppmv CH₄ sensor would make monitoring emissions more affordable and more accessible for many relevant industries, such as the petroleum, agriculture, and waste industries.

Interband Cascade Photonic Integrated Circuits on Native III-V Chip

We describe how a midwave infrared photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that combines lasers, detectors, passive waveguides, and other optical elements may be constructed on the native GaSb substrate of an interband cascade laser (ICL) structure. The active and passive building blocks may be used, for example, to fabricate an on-chip chemical detection system with a passive sensing waveguide that evanescently couples to an ambient sample gas. A variety of highly compact architectures are described, some of which incorporate both the sensing waveguide and detector into a laser cavity defined by two high-reflectivity cleaved facets. We also describe an edge-emitting laser configuration that optimizes stability by minimizing parasitic feedback from external optical elements, and which can potentially operate with lower drive power than any mid-IR laser now available. While ICL-based PICs processed on GaSb serve to illustrate the various configurations, many of the proposed concepts apply equally to quantum-cascade-laser (QCL)-based PICs processed on InP, and PICs that integrate III-V lasers and detectors on silicon. With mature processing, it should become possible to mass-produce hundreds of individual PICs on the same chip which, when singulated, will realize chemical sensing by an extremely compact and inexpensive package.

Near-infrared frequency comb generation in mid-infrared interband cascade lasers

The interband cascade laser (ICL) is an ideal candidate for low-power mid-infrared frequency comb spectroscopy. In this work, we demonstrate that its intracavity second-order optical nonlinearity induces a coherent up-conversion of the generated mid-infrared light to the near-infrared through second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation. At 1.8 µm, 10 mW of light at 3.6 µm convert into sub-nanowatt levels of optical power, spread across 30 nm of spectral coverage. The observed linear-to-nonlinear conversion efficiency exceeds ${3\;{\unicode{x00B5} {\rm W/W}}^2}$3µW/W² in continuous wave operation. We use a dual-band ICL frequency comb source to characterize water vapor absorption in both spectral bands.

Determination of Ginsenosides (Ginseng Saponins) in Dry Root Powder from Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Selected Commercial Products by Liquid Chromatography: Interlaboratory Study

Twelve collaborating laboratories assayed 4 products, namely, Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and 2 ginseng products, for 6 ginsenosides: Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, andRg1. Collaborators also received a negative control for the recovery study. Pure ginsenosides were provided as reference standards for the liquid chromatography (LC) analysis and the system suitability tests. The LC analyses were performed on the methanol extract using UV detection at 203 nm. For P. ginseng, individual ginsenosides were consistent in their means; repeatability standard deviations (RSDr)rangedfrom4.17to5.09% and reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 7.27 to 11.3%. For P. quinquefolius, the Rb1 and Rb2 ginsenosides were higher and lower in concentration than P. ginseng, with RSDr values of 3.44 and 6.60% and RSDR values of 5.91 and 12.6% respectively, and other analytes at intermediate precisions. For ginseng commercial products, RSDr values ranged from 3.39 to 8.12%, andRSDR values ranged from 7.65 to 16.5%. A recovery study was also conducted for 3 ginsenosides: Rg1, Re, andRb1. The average recoveries were 99.9, 96.2, and 92.3%, respectively. The method is not applicable for the determination of Rg1 and Re in ginseng product at levels &lt;300 mg/kg.

Tunable Coupling of a Double Quantum Dot Spin System to a Mechanical Resonator

The interaction of quantum systems with mechanical resonators is of practical interest for applications in quantum information and sensing and also of fundamental interest as hybrid quantum systems. Achieving a large and tunable interaction strength is of great importance in this field as it enables controlled access to the quantum limit of motion and coherent interactions between different quantum systems. This has been challenging with solid state spins, where typically the coupling is weak and cannot be tuned. Here we use pairs of coupled quantum dots embedded within cantilevers to achieve a high coupling strength of the singlet-triplet spin system to mechanical motion through strain. Two methods of achieving strong, tunable coupling are demonstrated. The first is through different strain-induced energy shifts for the two QDs when the cantilever vibrates, resulting in changes to the exchange interaction. The second is through a laser-driven AC Stark shift that is sensitive to strain-induced shifts of the optical transitions. Both of these mechanisms can be tuned to zero with electrical bias or laser power, respectively, and give large spin-mechanical coupling strengths.

Scalable in operando strain tuning in nanophotonic waveguides enabling three-quantum-dot superradiance

The quest for an integrated quantum optics platform has motivated the field of semiconductor quantum dot research for two decades. Demonstrations of quantum light sources, single photon switches, transistors and spin-photon interfaces have become very advanced. Yet the fundamental problem that every quantum dot is different prevents integration and scaling beyond a few quantum dots. Here, we address this challenge by patterning strain via local phase transitions to selectively tune individual quantum dots that are embedded in a photonic architecture. The patterning is implemented with in operando laser crystallization of a thin HfO₂ film 'sheath' on the surface of a GaAs waveguide. Using this approach, we tune InAs quantum dot emission energies over the full inhomogeneous distribution with a step size down to the homogeneous linewidth and a spatial resolution better than 1 µm. Using these capabilities, we tune multiple quantum dots into resonance within the same waveguide and demonstrate a quantum interaction via superradiant emission from three quantum dots.

Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with interband cascade lasers

Two semiconductor optical frequency combs, consuming less than 1 W of electrical power, are used to demonstrate high-sensitivity mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy in the important 3-4 μm spectral region. The devices are 4 mm long by 4 μm wide, and each emits 8 mW of average optical power. The spectroscopic sensing performance is demonstrated by measurements of methane and hydrogen chloride with optical multi-pass cell sensitivity enhancement. The system provides a spectral coverage of 33  cm^-1 (1 THz), 0.32  cm^-1 (9.7 GHz) frequency sampling interval, and peak signal-to-noise ratio of ∼100 at 100 μs integration time. The monolithic design, low drive power, and direct generation of mid-infrared radiation are highly attractive for portable broadband spectroscopic instrumentation in future terrestrial and space applications.

Resonant-cavity infrared detector with five-quantum-well absorber and 34% external quantum efficiency at 4 μm

We report resonant-cavity infrared detectors with 34% external quantum efficiency at room temperature at the resonant wavelength of 4.0 μm, even though the absorber consists of only five quantum wells with a total thickness of 50 nm. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) linewidth is 46 nm, and the peak absorption is enhanced by nearly a factor of 30 over that for a single pass through the absorber. In spite of an unfavorable Shockley-Read lifetime in the current material, the dark current density is at the level of state-of-the-art HgCdTe detectors as quantified by "Rule 07." The Johnson-noise limited detectivity (D*) at 21°C is 7 × 10⁹ cm Hz^½/W. We expect that future improvements in the device design and material quality will lead to higher quantum efficiency, as well as a significant reduction of the dark current density consistent with the very thin absorber.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a risk factor for cancer: a nationwide population-based study in Korea

OBJECTIVE

Specific differences in cancer risk have been observed between systemic lupus erythematosus patients and the general population. Although meta-analyses have estimated cancer incidence in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, results have been inconclusive. Hence, we aimed to assess malignancy risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, compared to the risk in the general population.

METHODS

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 21,016; mean age 41.67 ± 13.14 years; female 90.22%) were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2008 and 2014. Age- and sex-matched controls were randomly sampled in a 5:1 ratio ( n = 105,080).

RESULTS

During the 7 years of follow up, malignancy was detected in 763 (3.63%) systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 2667 (2.54%) controls. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a higher risk of malignancy than controls (odds ratio 1.44; 95% confidence interval 1.327-1.559), after multivariate adjustment. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a higher odds ratio for developing cervical, thyroid, ovarian, and oral cancer, as well as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma than controls. Based on subgroup analysis, male systemic lupus erythematosus patients and patients younger than 40 years showed the highest lymphoma risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic lupus erythematosus might be an independent risk factor for cancer. Therefore, the importance of cancer screening programs should be emphasized in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Our study is the first large nationwide cohort study for evaluating the risk of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Remifentanil vs. Lignocaine for Attenuating the Haemodynamic Response during Rapid Sequence Induction Using Propofol: Double-Blind Randomised Clinical Trial

This study was conducted to determine whether lignocaine or remifentanil effectively attenuate the response to endotracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction. Forty-eight patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group NS (n=16) received normal saline 0.1 ml/kg, Group L (n=16) received lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg, and Group R (n=16) received remifentanil 1 /μg/kg. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg after glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg IV. Each study drug was given intravenously over 30 seconds after loss of consciousness. Cricoid pressure was applied until intubation. Succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg was administered to facilitate tracheal intubation. After intubation, the patient's lungs were ventilated with sevoflurane 1% and nitrous oxide 50% in oxygen. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction, at loss of consciousness, immediately before laryngoscopy and every minute after intubation for 10 minutes. Mean arterial pressure fell following propofol in all groups. The maximum increase in mean arterial pressure in Group NS and Group L were 46% and 38% respectively above the baseline value one minute after intubation, whereas the mean arterial pressure in Group R increased only back to the baseline value. Heart rate in Group NS and Group L were increased by 27% and 33% above baseline value respectively one minute after intubation, while that in Group R was increased only to the baseline value. The results indicate that remifentanil 1 μg/kg, but not lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg, effectively attenuates the haemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction using propofol.

Survival outcome differences based on treatments used and knowledge of the primary tumour site for patients with cancer of unknown and known primary in Ontario

Introduction

Patients with cancer of unknown primary (cup) have pathologically confirmed metastatic tumours with unidentifiable primary tumours. Currently, very little is known about the relationship between the treatment of patients with cup and their survival outcomes. Thus, we compared oncologic treatment and survival outcomes for patients in Ontario with cup against those for a cohort of patients with metastatic cancer of known primary site.

Methods

Using the Ontario Cancer Registry and the Same-Day Surgery and Discharge Abstract databases maintained by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, we identified all Ontario patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2005. Ontario Health Insurance Plan treatment records were linked to identify codes for surgery, chemotherapy, or therapeutic radiation related to oncology. Multivariable Cox regression models were constructed, adjusting for histology, age, sex, and comorbidities.

Results

In 45,347 patients (96.3%), the primary tumour site was identifiable, and in 1743 patients (3.7%), cup was diagnosed. Among the main tumour sites, cup ranked as the 6th largest. The mean Charlson score was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in patients with cup (1.88) than in those with a known primary (1.42). Overall median survival was 1.9 months for patients with cup compared with 11.9 months for all patients with a known-primary cancer. Receipt of treatment was more likely for patients with a known primary site (n= 35,012, 77.2%) than for those with cup (n = 891, 51.1%). Among patients with a known primary site, median survival was significantly higher for treated than for untreated patients (19.0 months vs. 2.2 months, p < 0.0001). Among patients with cup, median survival was also higher for treated than for untreated patients (3.6 months vs. 1.1 months, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In Ontario, patients with cup experience significantly lower survival than do patients with metastatic cancer of a known primary site. Treatment is associated with significantly increased survival both for patients with cup and for those with metastatic cancer of a known primary site.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease: a nationwide, population-based study in Korea

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

METHODS

We included systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 18,575) without previous cardiovascular disease and age- and sex-matched individuals without systemic lupus erythematosus (controls; n = 92,875) from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2008-2014). Both cohorts were followed up for incident cardiovascular disease and death until 2015.

RESULTS

During follow up, myocardial infarction occurred in 203 systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 325 controls (incidence rate: 1.76 and 0.56 per 1000 person-years, respectively), stroke occurred in 289 patients and 403 controls (incidence rate: 2.51 and 0.70 per 1000 person-years, respectively), heart failure occurred in 358 patients and 354 controls (incidence rate 3.11 and 0.61 per 1000 person-years, respectively), and death occurred in 744 patients and 948 controls (incidence rate 6.54 and 1.64 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had higher risks for myocardial infarction (hazard ratio: 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 2.28-3.37), stroke (hazard ratio: 3.31, 95% confidence interval: 2.84-3.86), heart failure (hazard ratio: 4.60, 95% confidence interval: 3.96-5.35), and cardiac death (hazard ratio: 3.98, 95% confidence interval: 3.61-4.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Here, systemic lupus erythematosus was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, thus cardiac assessment and management are critical in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Gemigliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor, exerts a synergistic cytotoxicity with the histone deacetylase inhibitor PXD101 in thyroid carcinoma cells

PURPOSE

The influence of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor gemigliptin alone or in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor PXD101 on survival of thyroid carcinoma cells was investigated.

METHODS

SW1736, TPC-1, 8505C and BCPAP human thyroid carcinoma cells were used. To assess cell survival, cell viability, the percentage of viable cells and dead cells, cytotoxic activity, ATP levels and FACS analysis were measured. To validate the impact of gemigliptin combined with PXD101, the interactions were estimated by obtaining combination index in cells treated with two agents.

RESULTS

In cells treated with gemigliptin or PXD101, cell viability, the percentage of viable cells and ATP levels were reduced, and the percentage of dead cells and cytotoxic activity were elevated. In cells treated with both gemigliptin and PXD101, compared with PXD101 alone, cell death was augmented, and all of the combination index values were lower than 1.0, suggesting the synergism between gemigliptin and PXD101. The percentage of apoptotic cells, and the protein levels of Bcl2 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were elevated, and the protein levels of xIAP and survivin were reduced. The protein levels of phospho-Akt and phospho-AMPK were elevated, and cell migration was reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that gemigliptin induces cytotoxicity in thyroid carcinoma cells. Moreover, gemigliptin has a synergistic activity with PXD101 in the induction of cell death through involvement of Bcl2 family proteins, xIAP and survivin as well as mediation of Akt and AMPK in thyroid carcinoma cells.

Two-dimensional plasmonic grating for increased quantum efficiency in midwave infrared nBn detectors with thin absorbers

We demonstrate a strategy for increasing the operating temperatures of nBn midwave infrared (MWIR) focal plane arrays, based on the use of two-dimensional plasmonic gratings to enhance the quantum efficiency (QE) of structures with very thin absorbers. Reducing the absorber volume correspondingly reduces the dark current in a diffusion-limited photodiode, while light trapping mediated by the plasmonic grating increases the net absorbance to maintain high QE. The plasmonically enhanced nBn MWIR sensors with absorber thicknesses of only 0.5 μm exhibit peak internal QEs as high as 57%, which enables a 5-fold reduction in dark current. Numerical simulations indicate the potential for further improvement.

Perisomatic changes in h-channels regulate depressive behaviors following chronic unpredictable stress

Chronic stress can be a precipitating factor in the onset of depression. Lentiviral-mediated knockdown of HCN1 protein expression and reduction of functional I_h produce antidepressant behavior. However, whether h-channels are altered in an animal model of depression is not known. We found that perisomatic HCN1 protein expression and I_h-sensitive physiological measurements were significantly increased in dorsal but not in ventral CA1 region/neurons following chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), a widely accepted model for major depressive disorder. Cell-attached patch clamp recordings confirmed that perisomatic I_h was increased in dorsal CA1 neurons following CUS. Furthermore, when dorsal CA1 I_h was reduced by shRNA-HCN1, the CUS-induced behavioral deficits were prevented. Finally, rats infused in the dorsal CA1 region with thapsigargin, an irreversible inhibitor of the SERCA pump, exhibited anxiogenic-like behaviors and increased I_h, similar to that observed following CUS. Our results suggest that CUS, but not acute stress, leads to an increase in perisomatic I_h in dorsal CA1 neurons and that HCN channels represent a potential target for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Evaluation of abundance of artificial radionuclides in food products in South Korea and sources

Food samples are collected nationwide from January 2016 to February 2017 and their contents of artificial radionuclides are measured to address the growing concerns regarding the radioactive contamination of food products in Korea. Specifically, 900 food samples are collected for this study and their contents of representative artificial radionuclides ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs, ^239,240Pu, and ⁹⁰Sr are analyzed. The analysis shows that the activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in fish range from minimum detectable activity (MDA) to 340 mBq/kg of fresh weight. The concentration factor (CF) determined for ¹³⁷Cs as a measure of its bioavailability is calculated to be ca. 74 and found to be very similar to that (100) recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency. With an MDA of <0.221 mBq/kg, the results reveal that ^239,240Pu values in fish are below the MDA. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr are lower than the MDA in both shellfish and seaweed, while the activity concentrations of ^239,240Pu in shellfish range from 0.26 to 2.18 mBq/kg, and for seaweed samples range from 2.07 to 3.38 mBq/kg. The atom ratios of ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu in shellfish caught at the Korean coast vary from 0.209 to 0.237, with a mean of 0.227. The higher ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratio determined in shellfish is thought to be caused by the plutonium transported from the Pacific Proving Grounds rather than other sources such as the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in mushrooms are found to vary from 1.0 to 21.4 Bq/kg, with the highest concentrations observed in the Oak (shiitake) and Sarcodon asparatus. ¹³⁴Cs is detected in three mushroom specimens collected from Jeju Island and about 3-3.6% of ¹³⁷Cs present in the wild mushrooms native to the Jeju Island are introduced as a result of the Fukushima nuclear plant accident. The annual effective doses of ¹³⁷Cs received through consumption of mushrooms and fish are 2.0 × 10^-4 mSv yr^-1 and 3.9 × 10^-5 mSv yr^-1, and those values are negligible compared to the annual effective doses limit of 1 mSv yr^-1.

Passively mode-locked interband cascade optical frequency combs

Since their inception, optical frequency combs have transformed a broad range of technical and scientific disciplines, spanning time keeping to navigation. Recently, dual comb spectroscopy has emerged as an attractive alternative to traditional Fourier transform spectroscopy, since it offers higher measurement sensitivity in a fraction of the time. Midwave infrared (mid-IR) frequency combs are especially promising as an effective means for probing the strong fundamental absorption lines of numerous chemical and biological agents. Mid-IR combs have been realized via frequency down-conversion of a near-IR comb, by optical pumping of a micro-resonator, and beyond 7 μm by four-wave mixing in a quantum cascade laser. In this work, we demonstrate an electrically-driven frequency comb source that spans more than 1 THz of bandwidth centered near 3.6 μm. This is achieved by passively mode-locking an interband cascade laser (ICL) with gain and saturable absorber sections monolithically integrated on the same chip. The new source will significantly enhance the capabilities of mid-IR multi-heterodyne frequency comb spectroscopy systems.

Compact photoacoustic module for methane detection incorporating interband cascade light emitting device

A photoacoustic module (PAM) for methane detection was developed by combining a novel 3.2 μm interband cascade light emitting device (ICLED) with a compact differential photoacoustic cell. The ICLED with a 22-stage interband cascade active core emitted a collimated power of ~700 μW. A concave Al-coat reflector was positioned adjacent to the photoacoustic cell to enhance the gas absorption length. Assembly of the ICLED and reflector with the photoacoustic cell resulted in a robust and portable PAM without any moving parts. The PAM performance was evaluated in terms of operating pressure, sensitivity and linearity. A 1σ detection limit of 3.6 ppmv was achieved with a 1-s integration time.

Prognostic Value of the Pretreatment Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index (ALI) in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated with R-CHOP Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index (ALI, body mass index × albumin/neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) has been demonstrated to be a prognostic factor of survival in some solid cancers. We retrospectively investigated the usefulness of the ALI to predict chemotherapy response and survival in 212 patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients were allocated to a low ALI group (n = 82, 38.7%) or a high ALI group (n = 130, 61.3%) according to an optimal pretreatment ALI cut-off value of 15.5 as determined by receiver operating curve analysis.

RESULTS

The low ALI group displayed more adverse clinical characteristics, lower rates of complete remission (54.9 vs. 75.4%, p = 0.008), and poorer 5-year progression-free (PFS, 58.1 vs. 77.3%, p = 0.006) and overall (OS, 64.2 vs. 80.2%, p = 0.008) survival. Multivariate analysis showed that low ALI was found to independently predict shorter PFS and OS. Interestingly, a low ALI reverted to a high ALI during treatment in 58 patients (27.4%), and the 5-year OS of these patients was better than that of patients whose ALI remained low (n = 24, 72.5 vs. 24%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

ALI might be an easily available marker for predicting clinical outcomes in DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP chemotherapy.

Increase in resting heart rate over 2 years predicts incidence of diabetes: A 10-year prospective study

OBJECTIVE

The association between resting heart rate (RHR) and the development of diabetes has yet to be fully elucidated, and the relationship between changes in RHR and incidence of diabetes also remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the association between changes in RHR over 2 years and the risk of diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 7416 adults without diabetes were included. All had participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, a community-based, 10-year prospective study in which RHR was measured at baseline and 2 years later. Incident diabetes was defined as fasting blood glucose ≥126mg/dL, 2-h post-load glucose ≥200mg/dL during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test or current use of diabetes medication. The relative risk of diabetes associated with the 2-year change in RHR was calculated using Cox models.

RESULTS

During the 10-year follow-up, 1444 (19.5%) developed diabetes. Compared with RHR increases <5 beats per minute (bpm) over 2 years, increases >10bpm were significantly associated with development of diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.60), even after adjusting for glycometabolic parameters and baseline RHR. This significant association was attenuated in people who exercised regularly (P=0.650), but remained significant in those not doing any regular exercise (P=0.010).

CONCLUSION

An increase in RHR over a 2-year follow-up period is significantly associated with a risk of diabetes, independently of baseline RHR and glycometabolic parameters. Further investigations into ways to control RHR as a potential preventative measure against the development of diabetes are now needed.

An Open-Label, Randomized, Parallel, Phase III Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Polymeric Micelle-Formulated Paclitaxel Compared to Conventional Cremophor EL-Based Paclitaxel for Recurrent or Metastatic HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

Purpose

Genexol-PM is a Cremophor EL–free formulation of low-molecular-weight, non-toxic, and biodegradable polymeric micelle-bound paclitaxel. We conducted a phase III study comparing the clinical efficacy and toxicity of Genexol-PM with conventional paclitaxel (Genexol).

Materials and Methods

Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive Genexol-PM 260 mg/m² or Genexol 175 mg/m² intravenously every 3 weeks. The primary outcome was the objective response rate (ORR).

Results

The study enrolled 212 patients, of whom 105 were allocated to receive Genexol-PM. The mean received dose intensity of Genexol-PM was 246.8±21.3 mg/m² (95.0%), and that of Genexol was 168.3±10.6 mg/m² (96.2%). After a median follow-up of 24.5 months (range, 0.0 to 48.7 months), the ORR of Genexol-PM was 39.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.2 to 46.9) and the ORR of Genexol was 24.3% (95% CI, 17.5 to 31.1) (p_{non-inferiority}=0.021, p_superiority=0.016). The two groups did not differ significantly in overall survival (28.8 months for Genexol-PM vs. 23.8 months for Genexol; p=0.52) or progression-free survival (8.0 months for Genexol-PM vs. 6.7 months for Genexol; p=0.26). In both groups, the most common toxicities were neutropenia, with 68.6% occurrence in the Genexol-PM group versus 40.2% in the Genexol group (p < 0.01). The incidences of peripheral neuropathy of greater than grade 2 did not differ significantly between study treatments.

Conclusion

Compared with standard paclitaxel, Genexol-PM demonstrated non-inferior and even superior clinical efficacy with a manageable safety profile in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Distribution of bisphenol A in the neuroendocrine organs of female rats

The distribution of 14C-bisphenol A (BPA) in plasma and neuroendocrine organs was determined in Fischer 344 female rats following three oral doses (0.1, 10 or 100 mg/kg). Plasma and tissue maximum concentrations (Cmax) were reached within 15-30 min of dosing. Plasma areas-under-the-curve (AUC) ranged from 0.06 to 53.9 mg-h/mL. The AUCs of the pituitary gland and uterus/gonads were 16-21% higher than that of plasma. The AUCs of hypothalamus and the rest of the brain were 43.7% and 77% of the plasma AUCs, respectively. In the brain tissue, the exposure increased linearly with the oral dose, as the dose was increased from 0.1 to 10 and 100 mg/kg; the exposure in the brain relative to the plasma increased by factors of 1, 1.19 and 1.24. This indicates that the brain barrier systems do not limit the access of the lipophilic BPA to the brain. The increases of the uterus/gonads relative to the plasma were 1, 1.07 and 1.04. Tissue partitioning was also examined in vitro by the uptake of 14C-BPA. The BPA tissue/blood partition coefficients were as follows: heart, 7.5; liver, 6.1; kidney, 6.4; fat, 3.6; muscle, 2.6; breast, 3.6; ovaries, 9.1; uterus, 5.9; stomach, 5.1; and small intestine, 6.7. The tissue/cerebrospinal fluid partition coefficients were as follows: pituitary gland, 12.8; brain stem, 6.1; cerebellum, 6.4; hippocampus, 7.1; hypothalamus, 6.1; frontal cortex, 4.9; and caudate nucleus, 6.8.

BK virus-hemorrhagic cystitis following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: Clinical characteristics and utility of leflunomide treatment

BK virus-hemorrhagic cystitis (BKV-HC) is a potential cause of morbidity and mortality in patients having undergone allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). We analyzed the clinical features of BKV-HC following Allo-SCT and reported the utility of leflunomide therapy for BKV-HC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2005 to June 2014, among the 69 patients underwent Allo-SCT in our institution, the patients who experienced BKV-HC were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) was observed in 30 patients (43.5%), and among them, 18 patients (26.1%) were identified as BKV-HC. The median age of the patients (12 males and 6 females) was 45 years (range, 13-63). Patients received Allo-SCT from acute myeloid leukemia (n=11), aplastic anemia (n=4), myelodysplastic syndrome (n=2), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n=1).The donor types were a HLA-matched sibling donor for 6 patients, HLA-matched unrelated donor for 9, and a haploidentical familial donor for 2. The median onset and duration of BKV-HC was on day 21 (range, 7-97) after transplantation and 22 days (range, 6-107). Eleven patients (62.1%) had grade I-II HC and seven patients (38.9%) had grade III-IV (high-grade) HC. Among the seven patients who had high-grade HC, one had complete response (CR), one partial response (PR), and five no response (NR). Among the five non-responders, one died of BKV-HC associated complications. The remaining four patients were treated with leflunomide, with achieving CR (n=2) and PR (n=2). The median duration from the start of leflunomide therapy to response was 13 days (range, 8-17 days). All patients tolerated the leflunomide treatment well, with three patients having mild gastrointestinal symptoms, including anorexia and abdominal bloating.

CONCLUSION

BKV-HC was commonly observed in patients with HC following Allo-SCT. In high-grade BKV-HC patients who fail supportive care, leflunomide may be a feasible option without significant toxicity.

Peritoneal lymphomatosis confused with peritoneal carcinomatosis due to the previous history of gastric cancer: a case report

Peritoneal lymphomatosis is a very rare disease of extranodal involvement of malignant lymphoma that is occasionally confounded with other peritoneal diseases. Herein, we reported the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with massive ascites with prior history of stomach perforation during endoscopic procedure to treat early gastric cancer. Imaging studies showed massive ascites and tumor infiltration in the omentum and peritoneal wall. Initially, relapsed gastric cancer with peritoneal seeding was suspected based on the patient's history and imaging findings. However, final diagnosis was confirmed by ascites cytology as peritoneal lymphomatosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma unlike prior clinical information.

Factor V Deficiency in Korean Patients: Clinical and Laboratory Features, Treatment, and Outcome

Due to rarity of factor V (FV) deficiency, there have been only a few case reports in Korea. We retrospectively analysed the clinical-laboratory features of FV deficiency in 10 Korean patients. Between January 1987 and December 2013, 10 case reports published in a Korean journal or proceedings of Korea Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis were reviewed. Severity is defined as mild (> 5% of factor activity), moderate (1%-5%), and severe (< 1%). The median age at diagnosis, six males and four females, was 26 years (range, 1 month-73 years). Six of 10 patients were classified as moderate, three as mild, and one as severe disease. Eight patients were diagnosed as inherited FV deficiency. The most frequent symptoms were mucosal tract bleedings (40%) such as epistaxis, and menorrhagia in female. Hemarthroses and postoperative bleeding occurred in one and four patients, respectively. Life-threatening bleeding episodes occurred in the peritoneal cavity (n = 2), central nerve system (n = 1), and retroperitoneal space (n = 1). No lethal haemorrhages happened to patients with mild disease. The majority of bleeding episodes were controlled with local measures and fresh-frozen plasma replacement. Two acquired FV deficient-patients showing life-threatening haemorrhages received the immunosuppressive therapy, but one of them died from postoperative bleeding complications. Despite the small sample size of this study due to rarity of the disease, we found that Korean patients with FV deficiency had similar clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes shown in previous studies.

Clinical Outcome and Predictive Factors in the Response to Splenectomy in Elderly Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Because many physicians seem reluctant to recommend splenectomy for elderly patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), we investigated the safety and efficacy of splenectomy and the predictive factors for response in these patients.

METHODS

184 patients with primary ITP were retrospectively analyzed based on age at splenectomy: an elderly group (≥60 years, n = 52) and a younger group (<60 years, n = 132).

RESULTS

There was no difference in the response rate of elderly versus younger patients (80.7 vs. 80.3%, p = 0.466). Relapse (45.2 vs. 22.6%, p = 0.006), complications, and median postoperative stay (9.5 vs. 7 days, p = 0.019) were significantly higher in the elderly group. The 5-year relapse-free survival of responders was 51.8% in the elderly group and 76.3% in the younger group (p = 0.002). Response to any treatment before splenectomy (HR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.24-6.80, p = 0.014) and platelet count on postoperative day 14 ≥200 × 109/l (HR 31.43, 95% CI: 4.15-238.28, p = 0.001) were independent factors for a favorable response.

CONCLUSIONS

Age ≥60 years did not influence the response to splenectomy but was associated with increased relapse and postoperative complications. Splenectomy could provide a durable long-term response for elderly ITP patients.

Prevalence and Relationships of Iron Deficiency Anemia with Blood Cadmium and Vitamin D Levels in Korean Women

Anemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are common disorders. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA in Korean females. We examined the associations between IDA, heavy metals in blood, vitamin D level and nutritional intakes. The study was performed using on data collected from 10,169 women (aged ≥ 10 yr), including 1,232 with anemia, 2,030 with ID, and 690 with IDA during the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V; 2010-2012). Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and path analysis was performed to identify a multivariate regression model incorporating IDA, heavy metals in blood, vitamin D level, and nutritional intakes. The overall prevalence of anemia, ID and IDA was 12.4%, 23.11%, and 7.7%, respectively. ID and IDA were more prevalent among adolescents (aged 15-18 yr; 36.5% for ID; 10.7% for IDA) and women aged 19-49 yr (32.7% for ID; 11.3% for IDA). The proposed path model showed that IDA was associated with an elevated cadmium level after adjusting for age and body mass index (β=0.46, P<0.001). Vitamin D levels were found to affect IDA negatively (β=-0.002, P<0.001). This study shows that the prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA are relatively high in late adolescents and women of reproductive age. Path analysis showed that depressed vitamin D levels increase the risk of IDA, and that IDA increases cadmium concentrations in blood. Our findings indicate that systematic health surveillance systems including educational campaigns and well-balanced nutrition are needed to control anemia, ID, and IDA.

Spectral narrowing and stabilization of interband cascade laser by volume Bragg grating

A volume Bragg grating recorded in photo-thermo-refractive glass was used to spectrally lock the emission from an 18-μm-wide interband cascade laser ridge to a wavelength of 3.12 μm. The spectral width of emission into the resonant mode is narrowed by more than 300 times, and the thermal wavelength shift is reduced by 60 times. While the power loss penalty is about 30%, the spectral brightness increases by 200 times.

Allogeneic clonal mesenchymal stem cell therapy for refractory graft-versus-host disease to standard treatment: a phase I study

Severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an often lethal complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The safety of clinical-grade mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been validated, but mixed results have been obtained due to heterogeneity of the MSCs. In this phase I study, the safety of bone marrow-derived homogeneous clonal MSCs (cMSCs) isolated by a new subfractionation culturing method was evaluated. cMSCs were produced in a GMP facility and intravenously administered to patients who had refractory GVHD to standard treatment resulting after allogeneic HSCT for hematologic malignancies. After administration of a single dose (1×10⁶ cells/kg), 11 patients were evaluated for cMSC treatment safety and efficacy. During the trial, nine patients had 85 total adverse events and the rate of serious adverse events was 27.3% (3/11 patients). The only one adverse drug reaction related to cMSC administration was grade 2 myalgia in one patient. Treatment response was observed in four patients: one with acute GVHD (partial response) and three with chronic GVHD. The other chronic patients maintained stable disease during the observation period. This study demonstrates single cMSC infusion to have an acceptable safety profile and promising efficacy, suggesting that we can proceed with the next stage of the clinical trial.

Clinical efficacy and tolerability of vincristine in splenectomized patients with refractory or relapsed immune thrombocytopenia: a retrospective single-center study

Therapeutic options for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients after splenectomy failure are limited. In the present study, we evaluated the role of vincristine in patients who relapsed after or were refractory to splenectomy for ITP. Sixty-two ITP patients treated with vincristine after splenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Vincristine was administered in doses of 1.5 or 2 mg by 2-h intravenous infusion every 7 days for 4 weeks. Twenty-six (41.9 %) and 36 (58.1 %) patients were in the persistent and chronic phases of ITP, respectively. Most patients (67.7 %) received four doses of vincristine. Two months after starting vincristine, 47 (75.8 %) patients had achieved an overall response, at a median time to response of 9 days after the first dose. There was no difference in the response rate for different ITP phases, vincristine dose received, or response to splenectomy. Thirty-two (68 %) and 24 (51.1 %) of the responders maintained the response for 6 months and 1 year, respectively. Relapse occurred mostly within 6 months, with a median relapse-free survival of 12.5 months; thereafter, a durable response was observed. The administration of vincristine was well tolerated in all patients, with grade 1 peripheral neuropathy being the most common adverse event. Our study suggests that vincristine may be an effective therapeutic option, with acceptable toxicity, for salvage treatment of ITP after splenectomy.

Interband cascade lasers with long lifetimes

Narrow-ridge interband cascade lasers were subjected to accelerated aging. The aging curves were statistically evaluated by a log-normal distribution of the failure time, and by the mixed effects of the degradation parameters. Based on 10,000 h of output power trend data for lasers operating at 90°C and the maximum cw power, an unexpectedly long lifetime is predicted. The projected lifetimes range from about 500,000 h (57 years) for the linear degradation model to 183,000 h (21 years) for the exponential one.

Generation of Charged Nanoparticles During Thermal Evaporation of Silver at Atmospheric Pressure

The generation of charged silver nanoparticles in the gas phase during thermal evaporation of silver at atmospheric pressure was confirmed by the nano-differential mobility analyzer (DMA). Effects of the evaporation temperature, the nitrogen gas flow rate and the amount of silver to be evaporated on the size distribution of charged nanoparticles (CNPs) were examined. Both positively and negatively-charged nanoparticles were generated under all processing conditions adopted in this study. The deposition behavior of CNPs was affected by the gas flow, which is affected by the temperature gradient in the reactor and by the applied electric bias. The electric bias, which not only enhanced the film growth rate but also produced a much denser film surface, turned out to be an important process parameter under the condition where an appreciable amount of CNPs is generated.

Gain and loss as a function of current density and temperature in interband cascade lasers

We characterize the internal efficiency, internal loss, and optical gain versus current density in 7-stage interband cascade lasers operating at λ=3.1 and 3.45 μm using a cavity-length study of the external differential quantum efficiency (EDQE) and threshold current density at temperatures between 300 and 345 K. We find that the pronounced efficiency droop of the EDQE at high current densities is primarily due to an increase in the internal loss rather than a reduction in the internal efficiency. On the other hand, if the current density J is fixed, the temperature variation of the EDQE at that J is due primarily to a decrease of the internal efficiency. The gain versus current density is fit well by a logarithmic relationship, although the magnitude of the experimental gain is >20% below the theoretical estimate.

Mid-infrared multi-mode absorption spectroscopy using interband cascade lasers for multi-species sensing

An interband cascade laser (ICL) operating at 3.7 μm has been used to perform multimode absorption spectroscopy, MUMAS, at scan rates up to 10 kHz. Line widths of individual modes in the range 10-80 MHz were derived from isolated lines in the MUMAS signatures of HCl. MUMAS data for methane covering a spectral range of 30 nm yielded a detection level of 30 μbar·m for 1 s measurement time at 100 Hz. Simultaneous detection of methane, acetylene, and formaldehyde in a gas mixture containing all three species is reported.

Spin-cavity interactions between a quantum dot molecule and a photonic crystal cavity

The integration of InAs/GaAs quantum dots into nanophotonic cavities has led to impressive demonstrations of cavity quantum electrodynamics. However, these demonstrations are primarily based on two-level excitonic systems. Efforts to couple long-lived quantum dot electron spin states with a cavity are only now succeeding. Here we report a two-spin–cavity system, achieved by embedding an InAs quantum dot molecule within a photonic crystal cavity. With this system we obtain a spin singlet–triplet Λ-system where the ground-state spin splitting exceeds the cavity linewidth by an order of magnitude. This allows us to observe cavity-stimulated Raman emission that is highly spin-selective. Moreover, we demonstrate the first cases of cavity-enhanced optical nonlinearities in a solid-state Λ-system. This provides an all-optical, local method to control the spin exchange splitting. Incorporation of a highly engineerable quantum dot molecule into the photonic crystal architecture advances prospects for a quantum network.

Optical cavities enhance light–matter interactions, and have been used to strongly couple a photon to a single spin. Here, the authors take this a step further by coupling a photon to a two-spin system by embedding an indium arsenide quantum-dot molecule in a photonic crystal cavity.

Abstract P3-10-04: A open-label, randomized, parallel, phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Genexol®-PM compared to Genexol®(conventional paclitaxel with cremorphor EL) in recurrent or metastatic breast cancer patients

Background: The rationale for developing an alternative paclitaxel formulation concerns Cremophor EL-related side effects, and a novel paclitaxel delivery system might augment its therapeutic efficacy. Genexol-PM is a novel polymeric micelle formulated paclitaxel free of Cremophor. The polymeric micelle formulation is composed of hundreds of low molecular weight, non-toxic, and biodegradable amphiphilic diblock copolymers which include monomethoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (D,L-lactide). This multicenter phase III study was designed to evaluate the non-inferiority of efficacy of Genexol-PM compared to conventional CrEL-based paclitaxel.

Methods: In this phase III study, 213 patients were enrolled onto the study and randomly assigned (1:1) to treatment group according to prior recurrent or metastatic breast cancer chemotherapy. The study evaluated the objective response rate for the primary objective, and others including overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), time to tumor progression (TTP), duration of overall response and adverse events. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive either Genexol-PM or standard paclitaxel. Genexol-PM or standard paclitaxel was administered on the first day of every 3 weeks. Measurable disease was assessed by imaging using the RECIST 1.0 criteria.

Results: The objective response rate (ORR) was higher by the administration of the study drug (39.05% v 24.30% in ITT, 56.92% v 39.29% in PP). One-sided 95% upper confidence limit was -4.36%, which is lower than the non-inferiority threshold (7%), indicating that the study group is not inferior to the control group. OS, PFS, TTP and duration of overall response were analyzed in the ITT population. The analysis of OS showed no significant difference (p=0.5878) (859 days, 95% CI : 732.00∼1,025.00 v 726 days, 95% CI : 553.00∼ -). Median PFS periods were 232 days (95% CI: 164.00∼274.00) vs. 191 days (95% CI: 159.00∼237.00). Median TTPs were 233 days (95% CI: 165.00∼286.00) vs. 191 days (95% CI: 159.00∼241.00) between the groups. Difference in PFSs and TTPs between the groups were not statistically significant. (p=0.2407, 0.2076, respectively) Genexol-PM was not significantly different from the comparator in terms of safety.

Conclusion: Genexol-PM demonstrated non-inferior efficacy and comparable safety profile compared with standard paclitaxel in this patient population. Of note, Genexol-PM permits the delivery of a higher paclitaxel dose without additional toxicity achieved with CrEL-based formulation. In the absence of CrEL, no filter or special tubing is required that conventional PVC infusion sets can be used.

Citation Format: Jung Sil Ro, Joo Hyuk Sohn, Sung Bae Kim, Keun Seok Lee, Joo Seop Chung, Jae Hoo Park, Soo Hyeon Lee, Tae You Kim, Kyung Hae Jung, Eun Kyung Cho, Yang Soo Kim, Hong Suk Song, Jae Hong Seo, Hun Mo Ryoo, Sun Ah Lee, So Young Yoon, Chul Soo Kim, Yong Tai Kim, Hwa Jung Sung, Si Young Kim, Yong Jin Lee. A open-label, randomized, parallel, phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Genexol®-PM compared to Genexol®(conventional paclitaxel with cremorphor EL) in recurrent or metastatic breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-04.

High-power continuous-wave interband cascade lasers with 10 active stages

We report the pulsed and continuous wave (cw) performance of 10-stage interband cascade lasers (ICLs) emitting at both λ ≈3.2 μm and λ ≈3.45 μm. The slope efficiency is higher while the external differential quantum efficiency per stage remains about the same when comparison is made to earlier results for 7-stage ICLs with similar carrier-rebalanced designs. At T = 25°C, an 18-μm-wide ridge with 4.5 mm cavity length and high-reflection/anti-reflection coatings emits up to 464 mW of cw output power with beam quality factor M(2) = 1.9, for higher brightness than has ever been reported previously for an ICL. When the cavity length is reduced to 1 mm, both the 10-stage and 7-stage devices reach 18% cw wallplug efficiency at T = 25°C.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients in Korea: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

The clinical characteristics of elderly patients with AML differ from those of younger patients, resulting in poorer survival and treatment outcomes. We analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of AML patients 65 years old and above to describe patients' characteristics and treatment patterns, and to define meaningful prognostic factors of survival in the Korean population.

METHODS

Basic patients' characteristics, clinical outcomes according to treatments, and prognostic factors associated with survival and treatment intensity were examined in a total of 168 patients diagnosed in 5 institutes between 1996 and 2012 as having AML.

RESULTS

Herein, 84 patients (50.0%) received high-intensity regimens (HIR), 18 (10.7%) received low-intensity regimens (LIR), and 66 (39.3%) received supportive care (SC) only. The median survival of all patients was 4.5 months; and median survival times with HIR, LIR, and SC were 6.8 months, 10.2 months, and 1.6 months, respectively. Median survival times with HIR and LIR were significantly longer than that with SC (P<0.0001 and P=0.006, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-performance status (ECOG-PS), hemoglobin (Hb) level, and serum creatinine (Cr) level as statistically significant prognostic factors for survival. In the HIR group, prognostic factors for survival were ECOG-PS, Hb level, and C-reactive protein level.

CONCLUSION

Even in elderly AML patients, an intensive treatment regimen could be beneficial with careful patient selection. Further prospective studies designed to identify specific prognostic factors are required to establish an optimal treatment strategy for elderly AML patients.