Novel Biomimatic Synthesis of ZnO Nanorods Using Egg White (Albumen) and Their Antibacterial Studies.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is well-recognized as a biocompatible multifunctional material with outstanding properties as well as low toxicity and biodegradability. In this work, a simple and versatile technique was developed to prepare highly crystalline ZnO nanorods by introducing egg white to a bio-inspired approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern results indicated that the ZnO nanorods have single phase nature with the wurtzite structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed the nanometer dimension of the nanorods. Raman, FTIR, and TGA/DTA analyses revealed the formation of wurtzite ZnO. The antibacterial properties of ZnO nanorods were investigated using both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. These studies demonstrate that ZnO nanorods have a wide range of antibacterial activities toward various microorganisms that are commonly found in environmental settings. Survival ratio of bacteria decreased with increasing powder concentration, i.e., increase in antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of the ZnO nanorods toward Pseudomonas aeruginosa was stronger than that of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Surprisingly, the antibacterial activity did not require specific UV activation using artificial lamps, rather activation was achieved under ambient lighting conditions. Overall, the experimental results suggest that ZnO nanorods could be developed as antibacterial agents against a wide range of microorganisms to control and prevent the spreading and persistence of bacterial infections. This research introduces a new concept to synthesize ZnO nanorods by using egg white as a biological template for various applications including food science, animal science, biochemistry, microbiology and medicine.

Aeromonas sobria infection in farmed mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis) in Korea, a bacteriological survey.

A disease outbreak occurred in June 2012 among mud loach cultured on pond farms in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea. Mortality rates reached up to 1.2% in the farm per day. Typical clinical signs were bleeding ulcer at the middle portion of head and haemorrhagic erosion of the operculum. Based on biochemical characteristics, the causative bacterium isolated from diseased fish was identified as Aeromonas sobria. The isolate expressed two haemolytic genes, aerolysin (sob) and haemolysin (asa1) genes. Histopathologically, liver showed hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration and congestion in sinusoids. The spleen exhibited necrotized splenocytes and haemorrhagic pulps. In the kidney, glomerular destruction, renal tubular necrosis and haemorrhage were observed. Experimental infection (infectious dose of 10(6), 10(7), and 10(8) cfu fish(-1)) of healthy mud loach with the isolate resulted in the development of clinical signs similar to those seen in the farm. By injection with an infectious dose of 10(6) cfu fish(-1), the mortality rate was 10.3% within 7 days post infection. A mortality rate of 60.9% was reached within 2 days when an infectious dose of 10(7) cfu fish(-1) was used. Otherwise, all fish died within 1 day when injected with 10(8) cfu fish(-1). The results demonstrated that A. sobria is involved in the morbidity and mortality of the farmed mud loach.

Morphological studies of SnO2 thin films fabricated by using e-beam method.

This paper studies the variations in morphology of SnO2 nanostructures thin films deposited by using e-beam technique with the substrate temperature, oxygen partial pressure and the film thickness. The e-beam conditions were optimized to get crystalline nanosheets of SnO2. The films of 100-700 nm thickness were deposited on quartz substrates at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to 300 degrees C and oxygen partial pressure ranging from 0 to 200 sccm. The nanostructured films have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements. XRD results show that the films deposited at RT and 100 degrees C were amorphous, however, for 200 degrees C and 300 degrees C, the films showed crystalline nature with rutile structure. Also, the crystallinity increased with the increase of oxygen partial pressure. FE-SEM images revealed that at RT and 100 degrees C of substrate temperature, the film consist of spherical particles, whereas, the films deposited at 200 degrees C and 300 degrees C consist of sheet like morphology having thickness -40 nm and lateral dimension of 1 microm, respectively. The size of the nanosheets increased with the increase of substrate temperature and oxygen partial pressure due to the enhancement in the crystallinity of the films. A possible growth mechanism of the formation of SnO2 nanosheets is discussed.

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of the Ni0.2Cd0.3Fe(2.5-x)A1(x)O4 (0 < or = x < or = 0.4) ferrite nanoparticles.

The structural, magnetic, and electronic structural properties of Ni0.2Cd0.3Fe(2.5-x)Al(x)O4 ferrite nanoparticles were studied via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DC magnetization, and near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) measurements. Nanoparticles of Ni0.2Cd0.3Fe(2.5x)Al(x)O4 (0 < or = x < or = 0.4) ferrite were synthesized using the sol-gel method. The XRD and TEM measurements showed that all the samples had a single-phase nature with a cubic structure, and had nanocrystalline behavior. From the XRD and TEM analysis, it was found that the particle size increases with Al doping. The DC magnetization measurements revealed that the blocking temperature increases with increased Al doping. It was observed that the magnetic moment decreases with Al doping, which may be due to the dilution of the sublattice by the doping of the Al ions. The NEXAFS measurements performed at room temperature indicated that Fe exists in a mixed-valence state.

Structural and magnetic study of a diluted magnetic semiconductor: Fe-doped CeO2 nanoparticles.

This paper reports the effect of Fe doping on the structure and room temperature ferromagnetism of CeO2 nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction and the selective area electron diffraction measurements performed on the Ce(1-x)Fe(x)O2 (0 < or = x < or = 0.07) nanoparticles showed a single-phase nature with a cubic structure, and none of the samples showed the presence of any secondary phase. The mean particle size, which was calculated using transmission electron microscopy, increased with the increase in the Fe content. The DC magnetization measurements that were performed at room temperature showed that all the samples exhibited ferromagnetism. The saturation magnetic moment increased with the increase in the Fe content.

Structural and magnetic properties of Ni doped CeO2 nanoparticles.

We report room temperature ferromagnetism in Ni doped CeO2 nanoparticles using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and dc magnetization measurements. Nanoparticles of Ce(1-x)Ni(x)O2 (0.0 < or = x < or = 0.10) were prepared by using a co-precipitation method. XRD measurements indicate that all samples exhibit single phase nature with cubic structure and ruled out the presence of any secondary phase. Lattice parameters, strain and particle size calculated from XRD data have been found to decrease with increase in Ni doping. Inter-planner distance measured from HR-TEM images for different Ni doped samples indicate that Ni ions are substituting Ce ions in CeO2 matrix. Magnetization measurements performed at room temperature display weak ferromagnetic behavior of Ce(1-x)Ni(x)O2 (0.0 < or = x < or = 0.10) nanoparticles. Magnetic moment calculated from magnetic hysteresis loop was found to increases with Ni doping up to 7% and then start decreasing with further doping.

Adenoviral gene transfer of acetylcholinesterase T subunit in the hypothalamus potentiates electroacupuncture analgesia in rats.

Our previous studies, using cDNA microarray and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, showed that acetylcholinesterase T subunit (AChET) gene was more abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus of the responder rats that were sensitive to electroacupuncture (EA) in the tail flick latency (TFL) test than in that of the non-responder rats that were insensitive to EA. In this study, we hypothesized that the expression of the AChET gene in the hypothalamus modulates EA analgesia in rats. To explore the hypothesis, we constructed an AChET-encoding adenovirus and a control virus expressing only green fluorescence protein, either of which was then injected into the hypothalamus of Sprague-Dawley rats. The hypothalamic activity of acetylcholinesterase was significantly higher in rats that were injected with the AChET virus than in rats that were injected with the control virus. The basal pain threshold measured by a TFL test was not changed by microinjection of AChET or control virus into the hypothalamus when EA treatment was not conducted. However, the analgesic effect of EA was significantly enhanced from 7 days after microinjection of the AChET virus into the hypothalamus but not after injection of the control virus. Furthermore, expression of the AChET in the hypothalamus did not affect body core temperature, body weight, motor function or learning and memory ability. Taken together, these results suggest that adenoviral expression of the AChET gene in the hypothalamus potentiates EA analgesia in rats without apparent side-effects.

A giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the breast: CT and pathological findings.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. In particular, primary MPNST of the breast is extremely rare. We report a case of a giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour involving the entire right breast, which was not associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) or previous radiation therapy. A CT scan showed a huge heterogeneous soft tissue mass with well-enhanced nodules at its periphery and low-density internal necrosis, which was confirmed by modified radical mastectomy.

T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with AJCC stage III gastric cancer during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. American Joint Committee on Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Advanced neoplastic diseases alter the immune response in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and the relationship between T-lymphocyte subsets and tumor recurrence in AJCC stage III gastric cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets was performed in 39 patients with stage III gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone a curative gastric resection and postoperative chemotherapy. CirculatingT-lymphocyte subsets were measured on venous blood by using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies on preoperative day 1, and postoperative months 1, 3, and 6. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with stage 3a and 3b gastric cancer were 57.1% and 33.3%, respectively (p = 0.06). Values of CD3+ and CD4+ T-cells, and CD4+/CD8+ ratios were consistently lower in the recurrence group throughout the observation period. CD4+ T-cell counts were significantly lower in the recurrence group on preoperative day 1, and postoperative months 1 and 6. However, most values of the T-lymphocyte subsets showed no statistically significant difference when comparing the stage 3a and 3b disease patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that immunosuppression associated with CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell depression is a risk factor for postoperative recurrence in patients with stage III gastric cancer.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast. Experience at an outpatient breast clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast at our institution and to perform quality assurance. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred forty-six cases with pathologic confirmation were selected and reviewed. A pathologist performed most of the aspirations at an outpatient breast clinic. We correlated cytologic and histologic findings and evaluated the influence of the size, location, grade, and pathologic subtypes and fibrosis in breast lesions on diagnostic results. RESULTS: The likelihood ratios for malignant, suspicious, atypical, benign and unsatisfactory cytologic diagnoses were 98.71, 5.48, 1.09, 0.07 and 0.55, respectively. The absolute and complete sensitivities for malignant lesions were 64.5% and 90.3%, respectively. The specificity was 71.9%. False negative and positive rates were 4.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The predictive value for a malignant cytologic diagnosis was 98.4%. The rate of unsatisfactory samples was 9.3%. The rate of concordance between cytologic and histologic diagnosis was lower for large and diffusely growing lesions (benign and malignant), for malignancies with abundant fibrosis and of unusual types and for carcinomas of low grade. All axillary and recurrent chest wall lesions were diagnosed cytologically. Cell block sections were useful in a small number of cases. CONCLUSION: Understanding the performance and limitations of FNAC can enhance its value as a diagnostic technique in the management of breast disease.

A new method for arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence fractures with eyed Steinmann pins.

This report describes a new and simple method to treat tibial eminence fractures. We treated these fractures arthroscopically by using eyed Steinmann pins and pullout sutures of 1-0 polydioxane or 1-0 polypropylene monofilament under local anesthesia. From March 1993 to February 1997, we treated 16 patients with tibial eminence fractures. There were 12 cases of type II and 4 cases of type III fractures, according to the classification of Meyers and McKeever. All of the patients had good results according to the International Knee Documentation Committee and Müller's knee scoring systems, and had good stability by anterior stress radiographs compared with the uninjured side. Advantages of this method are minimal arthrotomy, simple technique, short operation and hospitalization times, early rehabilitation, no need for metal fixation removal, and, this procedure can be done under local anesthesia.

Laparoscopic resection of gastric diverticulum.

Gastric diverticulum is a rare disorder. The laparoscopic approach may be ideal for the resection of gastric diverticulum in some cases. The authors believe this to be the first reported case of gastric diverticulum resected laparoscopically. A 59-year-old woman was admitted with indigestion and epigastric pain. Upper gastrointestinal series showed a single diverticulum (3 x 2 cm) on the posterior wall of the upper part of the stomach. The neck of the diverticulum was relatively narrow. Gastroduodenoscopy revealed that food residues were impacted within the diverticular pouch. Other areas of the stomach and the duodenum were normal. Abdominal ultrasonography showed no other pathologic conditions in the upper part of abdomen. On operation, the lesser sac was entered by division of the greater omentum along the avascular plane of the transverse colonic attachment. The location of the diverticulum was confirmed by intraoperative gastroscopy. Using a 5-cannula techniques, the diverticulum was resected with an endoscopic linear stapler device. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen demonstrated chronic superficial gastritis. Flatus was passed out on the first postoperative day, diet was started from the second day, and the patient was discharged on the fifth day without problems.

Amplification of c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene in cancer foci, adjacent normal, metastatic and normal tissues of human primary gastric adenocarcinomas.

Genetic damages are frequently found in both tumor and normal cells at carcinogen exposed areas in the patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer. These phenomena are explained by the multistage process and/or field cancerization theories. The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene has been amplified in many human tumors including breast, stomach, kidney and lung cancers. To study the possible evidence of multistage process and/or field cancerization in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma, the amplification statuses of c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene using the Southern hybridization technique were evaluated at the 45 gastric adenocarcinoma specimen sets consisting of tumor tissue, adjacent normal tissue (within 2 cm of the primary tumor), metastatic tissue and normal stomach tissue (at least 5 cm away from primary tumor). As a result, c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene at 2 specimen sets (4.4%) was amplified 2- to 4-fold to normal control status. In these 2 cases, c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene at histologically normal tissue adjacent to tumor tissue was amplified. And, the metastatic tissue of 1 case also exhibited c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene amplification of which the degree was less than that of tumor tissue. From these results, we were able to suspect that c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene amplification in the normal tissue adjacent to tumor tissue could be a biomarker of premalignant changes in a small proportion of gastric adenocarcinoma patients. And, this result might suggest the possible role of multistage process and/or field cancerization in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma.