Temporal characterization of a two-color laser field using tunneling ionization.

The superposition of a fundamental laser pulse and its second harmonic can form an asymmetric laser field that is useful in many applications. The temporal characterization of the two-color laser field becomes necessary. However, the temporal characterization of the two-color laser pulse is a challenging task due to its broad bandwidth and a spectral gap between the two frequency components. Here we demonstrate the temporal characterization of the two-color laser field using multiple ionization yield measurements near the laser focus. This new approach enables the complete temporal characterization of the two-color laser field, including the relative phase between the two frequency components.

Simplified Synthetic Approach to Tetrabrominated Spiro-Cyclopentadithiophene and the Following Derivation to A-D-A Type Acceptor Molecules for Use in Polymer Solar Cells.

4,4'-Spiro-bis[cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene] (SCT) is a versatile building block for constructing three-dimensional (3D) π-conjugated molecules for use in organic electronics. In this paper, we report a more convenient synthetic route to SCT and its derivatives, where a structurally symmetric 3,3'-dibromo-5,5'-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,2'-bithiophene (2) serves as the precursor for both the synthesis of 4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b']dithiophen-4-one (4) and 4-(5,5'-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,2'-bithiophen-3-yl)-2,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-4-hydroxy-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene (5). The later one is the key intermediate for the final brominated SCT building block. Such a "two birds with one stone" strategy simplifies the synthetic approach to the SCT core. Functionalization on the SCT core with different terminal electron-deficient groups, including 1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione (ID), 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (IC), and 2-(5,6-difluoro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (FIC), was carried out, yielding three spiro-conjugated A-D-A type molecules, SCT-(TID)4, SCT-(TIC)4, SCT-(TFIC)4, respectively. The optical spectroscopy and electrochemical properties of these three compounds were investigated and compared to the corresponding linear oligomers. Results revealed that the IC and TFIC terminated compounds showed low-lying HOMO/LUMO energy levels with reduced optical bandgap, making them more suitable for use in polymer solar cells. A power conversion efficiency of 3.73% was achieved for the SCT-(TFIC)4 based cell, demonstrating the application perspective of 3D molecules.

Successful combination therapy using adalimumab and 5-aminosalicylic acid for a resistant case of intestinal Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a recurrent, multisystemic, inflammatory blood vessel disorder that can result in mouth, genital, and skin ulcers; arthritis; and eye and intestinal inflammation. We describe a 21-year-old Korean female patient with intestinal BD refractory to conventional medical treatment and biologic drugs. The patient was initially treated with high-dose steroids and sulfasalazine. Two months later, a skin rash occurred as a side effect of sulfasalazine. Therefore, infliximab (IFX) was administered, and disease activity decreased. However, IFX also induced a skin rash; hence, the patient was switched to adalimumab. After 12 months, the patient experienced a relapse of intestinal BD. Hence, treatment was initiated using a combination of methotrexate and adalimumab; however, this treatment was ineffective. Methotrexate was discontinued and replaced with 5­aminosalicylic acid while maintaining adalimumab, and no recurrence has been observed to date. We report this novel strategy involving the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor­α agents for patients with resistant BD; however, further large cohort studies are required to verify its usefulness.

Inspiratory respiratory mechanics estimation by using expiratory data for reverse-triggered breathing cycles.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Model-based lung mechanics monitoring can provide clinically useful information for guiding mechanical ventilator treatment in intensive care. However, many methods of measuring lung mechanics are not appropriate for both fully and partially sedated patients, and are unable provide lung mechanics metrics in real-time. This study proposes a novel method of using lung mechanics identified during passive expiration to estimate inspiratory lung mechanics for spontaneously breathing patients. METHODS: Relationships between inspiratory and expiratory modeled lung mechanics were identified from clinical data from 4 fully sedated patients. The validity of these relationships were assessed using data from a further 4 spontaneously breathing patients. RESULTS: For the fully sedated patients, a linear relationship was identified between inspiratory and expiratory elastance, with slope 1.04 and intercept 1.66. The r value of this correlation was 0.94. No cohort-wide relationship was determined for airway resistance. Expiratory elastance measurements in spontaneously breathing patients were able to produce reasonable estimates of inspiratory elastance after adjusting for the identified difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that when conventional methods fail, typically ignored expiratory data may be able to provide clinicians with the information needed about patient condition to guide MV therapy.

Solution-Processed Organic Photodetector Using Hafnium Oxide as an Electron Blocking Layer.

Organic photodetector (OPD) performance is affected significantly by leakage current. In this study, to decrease OPD leakage current, we introduced hafnium oxide as an electron blocking material, using a solution fabrication process. We fabricated an OPD consisting of ITO/HfO2/PCHT:PC60BM/Yb/Al, and measured its J-V characteristics, external quantum efficiency, and transient photocurrents. We found that the thickness of the hafnium oxide layer affected the detectivity of the prepared OPD. In particular, a device having an ultrathin hafnium oxide film (5.5 nm thick) exhibited a high on-off current ratio of up to 2.26 × 105 at -1 V, which is two times higher than that of a device having a PEDOT:PSS electron blocking layer.

Betulinic acid inhibits high-fat diet-induced obesity and improves energy balance by activating AMPK.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metabolic syndromes are prevalent worldwide and result in various complications including obesity, cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid that has anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that treatment with BA may result in decreased body weight gain, adiposity and hepatic steatosis in a diet-induced mouse model of obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with BA showed less weight gain and tissue adiposity without any change in calorie intake. Gene expression profiling of mouse tissues and cell lines revealed that BA treatment increased expression of lipid oxidative genes and decreased that of lipogenesis-related genes. This modulation was mediated by increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, which facilitates energy expenditure, lipid oxidation and thermogenic capacity and exerts protective effects against obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Overall, BA markedly inhibited the development of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed a high-fat diet, and AMPK activation in various tissues and enhanced thermogenesis are two possible mechanisms underlying the antiobesity and antisteatogenic effects of BA. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that treatment with BA is a potential dietary strategy for preventing obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Sensory quality characteristics with different beef quality grades and surface texture features assessed by dented area and firmness, and the relation to muscle fiber and bundle characteristics.

The main objective of this study was to compare the eating quality among the groups categorized by the Korean beef quality grade and texture feature of exposed muscle surface assessed by extent of dented areas and firmness. Additionally, this study also investigated the effects of fiber and bundle characteristics on texture feature to establish the cause of differences in muscle surface texture. Significant differences were observed in the sensory quality characteristics among the quality grades mainly determined by marbling score (P < 0.05). However, the coarse texture group with a dented surface required a higher initial force to penetrate meat (P < 0.001), was more difficult to break meat into fragments (P < 0.001), and had a higher amount of perceptible residue in the mouth (P < 0.01) compared to the fine texture group. These differences in the surface texture features between the fine and coarse groups could be explained by bundle area and fiber number per each bundle.

High-detectivity perovskite-based photodetector using a Zr-doped TiO x cathode interlayer.

We investigated the incorporation of Zr into TiO x cathode interlayers used as hole-blocking layers in an organometallic halide perovskite-based photodetector. The device configuration is ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CH3NH3PbI x Cl3-x /PC60BM/Zr-TiO x /Al. The use of Zr-TiO x in the perovskite photodetector reduces the leakage current and improves carrier extraction. The performance of the perovskite photodetector was confirmed by analyzing the current-voltage characteristics, impedance behaviors, and dynamic characteristics. The device with a Zr-TiO x layer has a high specific detectivity of 1.37 × 1013 Jones and a bandwidth of 2.1 MHz at a relatively low reverse bias and light intensity. Therefore, it can be effectively applied to devices such as image and optical sensors.

Short communication: Antioxidative and antibacterial activities on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H4 in milk with added ginseng marc extract fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11613P.

Ginseng marc, a by-product of the extraction of fresh ginseng, is known to have bioactive compounds, but is frequently discarded as agriculture waste. The objectives of our study were to assess the antioxidative activity of fermented ginseng marc extract using Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11613P and to evaluate antibacterial activity of fermented milk with added ginseng marc extract during fermentation. After 24 h of fermentation of ginseng marc extract, the viable cell number was increased to 7.7 ± 0.1 log cfu/mL, and the pH and total titratable acidity were 4.2 ± 0.4 and 0.6% lactic acid, respectively. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of fermented ginseng marc extract increased by 32.4 and 23.3%, respectively. Higher antioxidative activity of fermented ginseng marc extract was obtained in the ß-carotene bleaching, ferric-reducing ability of plasma, and ferric thiocyanate assays than the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy assay. However, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy scavenging effect decreased due to lowered pH. During production of fermented milk with ginseng, inhibition rate of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 9.7 and 2.3%, respectively. The present study shows the possibilities of Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11613P used as a fermentation strain and ginseng marc used as a functional supplement in milk.

NAMPT suppresses glucose deprivation-induced oxidative stress by increasing NADPH levels in breast cancer.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a rate-limiting enzyme involved in NAD+ biosynthesis. Although NAMPT has emerged as a critical regulator of metabolic stress, the underlying mechanisms by which it regulates metabolic stress in cancer cells have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we determined that breast cancer cells expressing a high level of NAMPT were resistant to cell death induced by glucose depletion. Furthermore, NAMPT inhibition suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft model. Under glucose deprivation conditions, NAMPT inhibition was found to increase the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, leading to cell death. This cell death was rescued by treatment with antioxidants or NAD+. Finally, we showed that NAMPT increased the pool of NAD+ that could be converted to NADPH through the pentose phosphate pathway and inhibited the depletion of reduced glutathione under glucose deprivation. Collectively, our results suggest a novel mechanism by which tumor cells protect themselves against glucose deprivation-induced oxidative stress by utilizing NAMPT to maintain NADPH levels.

Second to fourth digit ratio: a predictor of adult testicular volume.

It has been suggested that second to fourth digit ratio (digit ratio) may correlate with male reproductive system function or disorders. This hypothesis is based on finding that the Hox genes control finger development and differentiation of the genital bud during embryogenesis. Thus, we investigated the association between digit ratio and adult testicular volume. A total of 172 Korean men (aged 20-69 years) hospitalized for urological surgery were prospectively enrolled. Patients with conditions known to strongly influence testicular volume were excluded. Before determining testicular volume, the lengths of the second and fourth digits of the right hand were measured by a single investigator using a digital vernier calliper. Using orchidometry, the testes were measured by an experienced urologist who had no information about the patient's digit ratio. To identify the independent predictive factors influencing testicular volume, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using linear regression models. Age, height, serum testosterone and free testosterone level were not correlated with testicular volume. Digit ratio, along with weight, was significantly correlated with testicular volume (right testicular volume: r = -0.185, p = 0.015; left testicular volume: r = -0.193, p = 0.011; total testicular volume: r = -0.198, p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that only digit ratio was the independent factor to predict all (right, left and total) testicular volumes (right testicular volume: ß = -0.174, p = 0.023; left testicular volume: ß = -0.181, p = 0.017; total testicular volume: ß = -0.185, p = 0.014). Our findings demonstrated that digit ratio is negatively associated with adult testicular volume. This means that men with a higher digit ratio may be more likely to have smaller testis compared to those with a lower digit ratio.

PATHOME: an algorithm for accurately detecting differentially expressed subpathways.

The translation of high-throughput gene expression data into biologically meaningful information remains a bottleneck. We developed a novel computational algorithm, PATHOME, for detecting differentially expressed biological pathways. This algorithm employs straightforward statistical tests to evaluate the significance of differential expression patterns along subpathways. Applying it to gene expression data sets of gastric cancer (GC), we compared its performance with those of other leading programs. Based on a literature-driven reference set, PATHOME showed greater consistency in identifying known cancer-related pathways. For the WNT pathway uniquely identified by PATHOME, we validated its involvement in gastric carcinogenesis through experimental perturbation of both cell lines and animal models. We identified HNF4α-WNT5A regulation in the cross-talk between the AMPK metabolic pathway and the WNT signaling pathway, and further identified WNT5A as a potential therapeutic target for GC. We have demonstrated PATHOME to be a powerful tool, with improved sensitivity for identifying disease-related dysregulated pathways.

The use of collagen content as determined by spectral domain polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography to assess colon anastomosis healing in a rat model.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Many studies have been undertaken to prevent anastomosis leakage of the colon, and several methods have been used to assess anastomosis healing, such as measurement of bursting pressure or hydroxyproline (a marker of collagen) content at the anastomosis site. However, these methods are inappropriate for comparing anastomosis healing at two time points in the same animals. In the present study, we measured the collagen level by spectral domain polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (SD-PS-OCT) to assess anastomosis healing. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups C (saline-administered controls; study group) and M [a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-administered experimental group]. Immediately after end-to-end anastomosis of the colon, SD-PS-OCT images of anastomoses were taken (baseline). Animals were administered saline or 5-FU for 7 days. On the 7th postoperative day, SD-PS-OCT images were acquired, a histopathologic exam was performed, and hydroxyproline levels as well as mRNA expressions of collagen-1 and collagen-3 were measured at the anastomosis site. RESULTS: Fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration were greater in group C than in group M. The mRNA expressions of collagen-1 and collagen-3 were substantially higher in group C. Hydroxyproline levels were higher in group M than in group C. Though collagen levels measured by SD-PS-OCT at 7 days were elevated compared with baseline in group C, no such changes were observed for group M. CONCLUSION: Collagen levels at the colon anastomosis site, measured with SD-PS-OCT, were not increased at 7 days postoperatively versus baseline when 5-FU was injected, but were increased in saline-treated controls. The measurement of collagen content by SD-PS-OCT was found to provide a good means of assessing anastomosis healing, because it allows in situ assessment of collagen contents at baseline and during the postoperative period.

Reference intervals for whole blood viscosity using the analytical performance-evaluated scanning capillary tube viscometer.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to establish the reference intervals for whole blood viscosity (WBV) using the analytical performance-evaluated scanning capillary tube viscometer (SCTV). DESIGN AND METHODS: The analytical performance of the SCTV was evaluated using three different levels of QC materials and sixty human EDTA-blood samples. To establish the reference intervals for WBV, 297 healthy individuals (123 men and 174 women) were selected from 1083 subjects. RESULTS: Within-day precisions with QC materials and human whole blood and between-day precisions with QC materials were below 5.0%, 6.6% and 8.0% in CVs at all shear rates, respectively. Comparison tests between the SCTV and the Brookfield viscometer showed a significant correlation (R(2)=0.972, p<0.001). The reference intervals for WBV in healthy men were 3.66-5.41cP at 300s(-1) and 23.15-36.45cP at 1s(-1) while those in women were 3.27-4.32cP at 300s(-1) and 18.20-27.36cP at 1s(-1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using the analytical performance-evaluated SCTV, the reference intervals for WBV were established in healthy adults, which could be beneficial to the clinical utility of WBV in the aspect of appropriate modalities for the improvement of blood viscosity.

Decrease in bispectral index prior to cardiovascular collapse during Caesarean sections.

We report a case of significant reduction in bispectral index (BIS) associated with suspected amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) that occurred prior to change in haemodynamic variables. The patient was a 29-year-old nulliparous, who was admitted for Caesarean section under general anaesthesia in the 33rd week of pregnancy. After the baby was born, the BIS value suddenly decreased to 0, with suppression ratio of 100. One minute later, saturation decreased abruptly to 85%, end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) decreased to 5 mmHg, peak inspiratory pressure increased to 35 cm H2O, and non-invasive blood pressure (BP) failed to obtain a reading. After administration of vasoactive drugs, the systolic BP was maintained at 100 mmHg or higher, the BIS value rose to 10-20, and the EtCO2 increased to 24-33 mmHg. In this case, the BIS monitoring may provide an earlier warning of impending cardiovascular collapse in the case of AFE.

Intermediate-risk grouping of cervical cancer patients treated with radical hysterectomy: a Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we sought to identify a criterion for the intermediate-risk grouping of patients with cervical cancer who exhibit any intermediate-risk factor after radical hysterectomy. METHODS: In total, 2158 patients with pathologically proven stage IB-IIA cervical cancer with any intermediate-risk factor after radical hysterectomy were randomly assigned to two groups, a development group and a validation group, at a ratio of 3 : 1 (1620 patients:538 patients). To predict recurrence, multivariate models were developed using the development group. The ability of the models to discriminate between groups was validated using the log-rank test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Four factors (histology, tumour size, deep stromal invasion (DSI), and lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI)) were significantly associated with disease recurrence and included in the models. Among the nine possible combinations of the four variables, models consisting of any two of the four intermediate-risk factors (tumour size ≥3 cm, DSI of the outer third of the cervix, LVSI, and adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma histology) demonstrated the best performance for predicting recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study identified a 'four-factor model' in which the presence of any two factors may be useful for predicting recurrence in patients with cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy.

hnRNP Q regulates translation of p53 in normal and stress conditions.

The responses to numerous stress signals are important for cellular growth and survival. The p53 tumor-suppressor protein is stabilized under stress conditions and induces transcription of several genes to regulate cell cycle and apoptosis. Regarding p53 protein accumulation, inhibition of proteasomal degradation of p53 protein, which is mainly mediated by Mdm2, has received much attention. Here, we demonstrate that regulation of translation initiation is also crucial for p53 protein accumulation. Furthermore, we report that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) Q binds to the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of mouse p53 mRNA and regulates translation efficiency of p53 and apoptosis progression. We also suggest that changes in cytosolic hnRNP Q levels contribute to cell cycle-dependent translational differences in p53 mRNA.

Evidence for direct CP violation in B±â†’ηh± and observation of B0→ηK0.

We report measurements of the branching fractions and CP asymmetries for B(±)→ηh(±) (h=K or π) and the observation of the decay B(0)→ηK(0) from the final data sample of 772×10(6) B ̅B pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. The measured branching fractions are B(B(±)→ηK(±))=(2.12±0.23±0.11)×10(-6), B(B(±)→ηπ(±))=(4.07±0.26±0.21)×10(-6), and B(B(0)→ηK(0))=(1.27(-0.29)(+0.33)±0.08)×10(-6), where the last decay is observed for the first time with a significance of 5.4 standard deviations (σ). We also find evidence for CP violation in the charged B modes, A(CP)(B(±)→ηK(±))=-0.38±0.11±0.01 and A(CP)(B(±)→ηπ(±))=-0.19±0.06±0.01 with significances of 3.8 σ and 3.0 σ, respectively. For all measurements, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Search for CP violation in D± meson decays to ϕπ±.

We search for CP violation in Cabibbo-suppressed charged D meson decays by measuring the difference between the CP-violating asymmetries for the Cabibbo-suppressed decays D(±)→K(+)K(-)π(±) and the Cabibbo-favored decays D(s)(±)→K(+)K(-)π(±) in the K(+)K(-) mass region of the ϕ resonance. Using 955 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector, we obtain A(CP)(D+→ϕπ+)=(+0.51±0.28±0.05)%. The measurement improves the sensitivity of previous searches by more than a factor of 5. We find no evidence for direct CP violation.

The time-dependent alteration of anti-diuretic hormone system in hindlimb unloaded rats.

It is important to understand the mechanism on the fluid shift and volume regulation occurring in astronauts after spaceflight for future life in space. In the present study, we examined the time-dependent alteration of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) concentrating on the water reabsorption system in hindlimb unloaded rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were hindlimb unloaded for 1 (HU1), 7(HU7), 14 days (HU14) or rested in the ground for 3 days after HU14 (HU14+3). The plasma ADH and angiotensin II level showed peak value at HU7, and the alterations were restored at HU14. However, several serum electrolytes (Na, K, Cl) were not changed regardless of HU period. In the immunohistochemical study, we examined that ADH and c-Fos immunoreactivities (IR) were maximized at HU7 in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON). Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) IR also was increased in the renal collecting duct for water re-absorption at HU7 showing a similar pattern with ADH. These results present a series of physiological ADH system alteration following to period of hindlimb unloading stimulus, indicating that ADH system is activated significantly at HU7. In addition, our results suggest that ADH system activation may be involved in anti-diuretic phenomenon in early spaceflight period. Furthermore, it is speculated that ADH system may require 14 days for adaptation to microgravity.