Transboundary aerosol transport process and its impact on aerosol-radiation-cloud feedbacks in springtime over Northeast Asia.

Northeast Asia has been suffering from dramatic increases of particulate matter (PM) since the late 1990s, and it still continues to undergo haze despite various abating regulations. In this study, we investigated aerosol-cloud-precipitation (ACP) interactions with the varied PM, and the impact of long-range transport (LRT) process on ACP in springtime was assessed in Northeast Asia. Our long-term (1995-2019) analysis of PM10 exhibited the correlation with decreases of both sunshine duration and drizzle occurrences that can be interpreted as direct and indirect aerosol effects, while cloud cover induced by the varied PM10 was found only in more than 90% cloud cover (9/10-10/10 category). The online WRF-Chem with wind-blown dust simulation indicated that cloud water was affected by secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) formation near the surface in upwind areas dominantly, whereas, along the LRT pathway, cloud water perturbation altitudes were increased quasi-linearly toward downward between 1 and 3 km. The gas-to-particle conversion ratios of sulfur ([SO42-]/[SO2 + SO42-]) and nitrogen ([NO3-]/[NO2 + NO3-]) both remain aloft long at the same vertical levels of most perturbed cloud altitude enough to be transported over long distance in springtime. Formations of sulfate and nitrate showed different ACP interaction timing; distinctive shifts in the ratios observed at the exit (Shanghai-Yellow Sea) by nitrate, and entrance areas (Seoul-Tokyo) by sulfate along the LRT pathway, respectively, with higher ratios of 0.8 or more in springtime. Our results indicate that ACP processes have been enhanced at a LRT-related altitude with different SIA production timings that can be considered in species-specific springtime PM abatements over Northeast Asia.

Evaluation of Semen Quality of Jeju Black Cattle (JBC) to Select Bulls Optimal for Breeding and Establish Freezing Conditions Suitable for JBC Sperm.

To optimize the reproduction of Jeju black cattle (JBC), freezing conditions for sperm were established and sperm motility, vitality, morphology, and fertility were evaluated to select the optimal bull for breeding. Semen samples from five JBC bulls were individually mixed with freezing medium at a final concentration of 1 × 108 sperm/mL and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor at a height of 3 or 7 cm (referred to as 3 cm sperm and 7 cm sperm, respectively). When the freezing conditions were compared, the motility of 7 cm sperm was significantly higher than that of 3 cm sperm for the JBC-A bull. The motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and average path velocity of fresh and frozen-thawed sperm were the highest for the JBC-A bull. The vitalities of fresh and frozen-thawed sperm were the highest for the JBC-A/E and JBC-A bulls, respectively. The percentage of normal cells in fresh sperm was the highest for the JBC-D bull. The rates of the normal formation of two pronuclei and total sperm penetration were the highest in zygotes fertilized with sperm from the JBC-A bull. The sperm from the JBC-A bull had superior qualities and are thus the most appropriate choice for the preservation and reproduction of these endangered cattle.

Self-Assembled Hybrid Gate Dielectrics for Ultralow Voltage of Organic Thin-Film Transistors.

We developed self-assembled hybrid dielectric materials via a facile and low-temperature solution process. These dielectrics are used to facilitate ultralow operational voltage of organic thinfilm transistors. Self-assembly of bifunctional phosphonic acid and ultrathin hafnium oxide layers results in the self-assembled hybrid dielectrics. Additionally, the surface property of the top layer of hafnium oxide can be tuned by phosphonic acid-based self-assembled molecules to improve the function of the organic semiconductors. These novel hybrid dielectrics demonstrate great dielectric properties as low-level leakage current densities of <1.45×10-6 A/cm², large capacitances (up to 800 nF/cm²), thermal stability (up to 300 °C), and featureless morphology (root-mean-square roughness ˜0.3 nm). As a result, self-assembled gate dielectrics can be incorporated into thin-film transistors with p-type organic semiconductors functioning at ultralow voltages (<-2 V) to achieve enhanced performance (hole mobility: 0.88 cm²/V·s, and Ion/Ioff: > 105, threshold voltage: 0.5 V).

Cross-Linked Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Composite Films for One-Step Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Surfaces.

Despite the recent demands of bioinspired superhydrophobic surfaces with self-cleaning properties in various industrial applications, a low-cost fabrication method for superhydrophobic films with excellent stability has rarely been studied. Herein, we report a robust superhydrophobic organic- inorganic hybrid composites film produced via a facile one-step solution-process. As coating materials for the facile one-step fabrication of the robust superhydrophobic films, we included Al2O3 nanoparticles for micro/nano hierarchical dual-scale structures, alkylsilane for low surface energy, and organic cross-linkers for increasing the stability of the hybrid composite films. Based on the hydrophobicity and stability tests of the hybrid composite films, the optimized composition of the robust superhydrophobic hybrid composite films showed high water contact angles (>150°) and low sliding angles (<5°) as well as excellent mechanical and thermal stability (up to 350 °C).

Mesorhizobium denitrificans sp. nov., a novel denitrifying bacterium isolated from sludge.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, facultative, rod-shaped bacterium (designated LA-28T) was isolated from a sludge sample from a wastewater treatment plant in Hanam city, Republic of Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain LA-28T clustered with species of the genus Mesorhizobium and appeared closely related to M. jarvisii LMG 28313T (96.8%), M. waimense ICMP 19557T (96.7%), and M. huakuii LMG 14107T (96.7%). Growth occurs at 18-40°C on R2A medium in the presence of 1-4% NaCl (w/v) and at pH 6-8. The DNA G+C content was 61.2 mol%, and the predominant quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major cellular fatty acids (> 5%) were C16:0, C19:0ω8c cyclo, C18:1ω7c 11-methyl, and C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c (summed feature 8). Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl-N-methylethanolamine (PME), and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that strain LA-28T represents a novel species of the genus Mesorhizobium, for which the name Mesorhizobium denitrificans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LA-28T (= KACC 19675T = LMG 30806T).

Pleomorphic Adenoma with Sarcomatous Change in a Lacrimal Gland.

A 69-year-old man was referred with left exophthalmos. Computed tomographic (CT) findings detected a well-circumscribed mass in the left side of the intraorbital cavity. At that time, he refused the further evaluation and treatment. About three years later, the size of the mass had enlarged, and the patient's symptoms were getting worse. The mass was completely removed with frontotemporal craniotomy and superolateral orbitotomy. In operative findings, the mass had originated in the lacrimal gland and was well-encapsulated without invasion to the surrounding tissue. In the pathologic findings, the tumor consisted of pleomorphic adenoma with osteosarcomatous change of stromal components. Postoperatively, the adjuvant radiotherapy was done four weeks later. The patient's symptoms were improved. The pleomorphic adenoma with osteosarcomatous change is extremely rare and appropriate treatment is not clearly established. We would like to report this rare case with a review of the literature.

Expression Patterns of Gli-1, Pleckstrin Homology-Like Domain, Family A, Member 1, Transforming Growth Factor-ß1/ß2, and p63 in Sebaceous and Follicular Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Certain epidermal appendage tumors, including hyperplasias (hamartomas), adenomas, benign epitheliomas, primordial epitheliomas, and malignant tumors, can exhibit any stage of differentiation. Several molecules associated with tumorigenesis, such as Gli-1, pleckstrin homology-like domain, family A, member 1 (PHLDA-1), transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, TGF-ß2, and p63, are associated with tumor grade and aggressive behavior in follicular and sebaceous tumors in ways that are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression of Gli-1, PHLDA-1, TGF-ß1/ß2, and p63 in benign and malignant tumors of the hair and sebaceous glands and to determine their importance in the degree of tumor differentiation. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed in follicular and sebaceous tumors using antibodies against Gli-1 (sebaceous tumor marker), PHLDA-1 (hair follicle outer root sheath [ORS] cell marker), p63, TGF-ß1, and TGF-ß2. RESULTS: Gli-1 was expressed in basaloid cells, sebocytes, and sebaceous carcinoma cells, and expression levels decreased as differentiation progressed. PHLDA-1 was expressed in ORS cells and some follicular tumor cells. Expression of p63 was observed in the nuclei of the outermost basaloid cells (seboblasts), poorly differentiated sebaceous carcinoma cells, and tumor cells toward the direction of the hair. Remarkably, TGF-ß1 was expressed exclusively in the nuclei of benign and malignant follicular (hair) tumors, but not in sebaceous tumors, at levels that correlated with the degree of differentiation. CONCLUSION: We propose that p63 and/or TGF-ß1 are useful for predicting the degree of differentiation and malignant potential of sebaceous and follicular tumors and for distinguishing trichilemmal carcinoma from sebaceous carcinoma.

Oculomotor nerve schwannoma: a case report.

Schwannomas account for about 8% of intracranial tumors and 90% are vestibular schwannomas. Oculomotor schwannoma without neurofibromatosis is extremely rare. A 41-year-old female presented with complaints of blurred vision, and the neurologic examination revealed afferent pupillary defect and decreased visual acuity of the left side. Brain magnetic resonance image showed an extra axial mass in the left superior orbital fissure. The patient underwent major surgery via the fronto-temporal approach. The tumor originated from the oculomotor nerve and was subtotally removed under microscopic surgery. The pathological findings confirmed the tumor as a schwannoma. After surgery, ptosis and medial gaze limitation of the left eye was detected, but the symptoms improved gradually.

Prognostic and Clinicopathologic Associations of BRAF Mutation in Primary Acral Lentiginous Melanoma in Korean Patients: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: In the majority of melanomas, the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is constitutively activated, due to oncogenic mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes. The BRAF mutation has been mainly described in Caucasian melanomas. However, there is a lack of study evaluating the status, and the clinical significance, of BRAF mutation in the Asian population. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to determine the frequency of BRAF mutation, and to evaluate the correlation of BRAF status with clinicopathologic features and outcomes, in Korean primary acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) patients. METHODS: ALM samples (n=36) were analyzed for the BRAF V600E mutation, by dual-priming oligonucleotide (DPO) based real-time polymerase chain reaction. The clinicopathologic features and prognosis of the patients were analyzed with BRAF mutation status. RESULTS: The incidence of BRAF V600E mutation was 19.4% (7/36). The BRAF V600E mutations were not associated with clinicopathologic features, except for the age factor. All of the BRAF-mutant patients survived without recurrence or metastasis, and have a better clinical outcome than BRAF wild-type patients. CONCLUSION: In Korean primary ALM, a low frequency of BRAF mutation was shown; and BRAF mutation presented with a favorable prognosis. These results indicate that other distinctive genetic mechanisms may have more important roles in the development and progression of disease. Further multicenter study with large sample size is firmly needed, to confirm the results of our preliminary study.

Epidermal growth factor receptor is related to poor survival in glioblastomas: single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: There are conflicting results surrounding the prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Accordingly, we attempted to assess the influence of EGFR expression on the survival of GBM patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty three GBM patients who had received surgery and postoperative radiotherapy at our institute, between March 1997 and February 2006, were included. The evaluation of EGFR expression with immunohistochemistry was available for 30 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: EGFR was expressed in 23 patients (76.7%), and not expressed in seven (23.3%). Survival in EGFR expressing GBM patients was significantly less than that in non-expressing patients (median survival: 12.5 versus 17.5 months, p=0.013). Patients who received more than 60 Gy showed improved survival over those who received up to 60 Gy (median survival: 17.0 versus 9.0 months, p=0.000). Negative EGFR expression and a higher radiation dose were significantly correlated with improved survival on multivariate analysis. Survival rates showed no differences according to age, sex, and surgical extent. CONCLUSION: The expression of EGFR demonstrated a significantly deleterious effect on the survival of GBM patients. Therefore, approaches targeting EGFR should be considered in potential treatment methods for GBM patients, in addition to current management strategies.

Reliability of reconstructed breast flap after chemotherapy and radiotherapy in immediate breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Postmastectomy adjuvant therapy is used to prevent locoregional recurrence and improve overall breast cancer specific survival rates. However, it can adversely affect the cosmetic results of reconstruction. Therefore, the authors examined flap stability and patients' satisfaction with immediate breast reconstruction after adjuvant therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 204 patients from January 2006 to November 2011. For complication rates, the authors categorized the patients who underwent the immediate breast reconstruction into 4 groups: adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy group, adjuvant chemotherapy only group, adjuvant radiotherapy only group, and the group that did not undergo adjuvant therapy. For comparison of patients' satisfaction, the study was performed with an additional 16 patients who had undergone delayed breast reconstruction. RESULTS: Regarding complication rates, the group that had undergone adjuvant therapy showed no significant difference compared to the group that did not undergo adjuvant therapy. In evaluating the patients' satisfaction, there was no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Even after adjuvant therapy, immediate breast reconstruction showed good results with respect to flap stability and patients' satisfaction. Immediate breast reconstruction and adjuvant therapy is a safe and useful option for breast cancer patients.

Cytogenetic characterizations of central nervous system tumors: the first comprehensive report from a single institution in Korea.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors incorporates morphology, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and immunologic markers. Despite the relatively large number of CNS tumors with clonal chromosome abnormalities, only few studies have investigated cytogenetic abnormalities for CNS tumors in Korea. Thus, we investigated 119 CNS tumors by conventional G-banded karyotypes to characterize patterns of chromosomal abnormalities involving various CNS tumors, and 92.4% of them were cultured and karyotyped successfully. Totally, 51.8% of karyotypable CNS tumors showed abnormal cytogenetic results, including neuroepithelial tumors (75.0%), meningeal tumors (71.1%), pituitary adenomas (4.2%), schwannomas (44.4%), and metastatic tumors (100.0%). Glioblastomas had hyperdiploid, complex karyotypes, mainly involving chromosomes Y, 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, and 14. Monosomy 22 was observed in 56.4% of meningiomas. There was a significant increase in the frequencies of karyotypic complexity according to the increase of WHO grade between grades I and II (P=0.0422) or IV (P=0.0101). Abnormal karyotypes were more complex at high-grade tumors, suggesting that the karyotype reflects the biologic nature of the tumor. More detailed cytogenetic and molecular characterizations of CNS tumors contribute to better diagnostic criteria and deeper insights of tumorigenesis, eventually resulting in development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Prognostic value of ERCC1, thymidylate synthase, and glutathione S-transferase pi for 5-FU/oxaliplatin chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of the excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1), thymidylate synthase (TS) and glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTpi) predict clinical outcome in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with fluorouracil (5-FU)/oxaliplatin chemotherapy. METHODS: The study population consisted of 70 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (median age, 54 years). Patients were treated with oxaliplatin 85 mg/m as a 2-hour infusion on days 1 plus leucovorin (LV) 20 mg/m over 10 minutes, followed by 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m and a 22-hour continuous infusion of 600 mg/m from day 1 to 2. Treatment was repeated at 2-week intervals. The expression of ERCC1, TS, and GSTpi in primary tumors was examined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: ERCC1, TS, and GSTpi were positive in 55.7%, 68.6%, and 71.4% of cases, respectively. Patients without TS expression were more likely to respond to chemotherapy (P = 0.009). There were no significant differences between response to treatment and the ERCC1 or GSTpi expression pattern (P = 0.768, P = 0.589, respectively). The median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in patients without ERCC1 expression (P = 0.0474). Patients who were ERCC1 positive combined with TS positive, or those with ERCC1 positive combined with TS positive and GSTpi positive had a poor OS (P = 0.0017, P = 0.0323, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that both ERCC1 and TS expression significantly impacted OS (hazard ratio 1.72, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical study of ERCC1 and TS may be useful for the prediction of clinical outcome in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with 5-FU and oxaliplatin.

Phase II study of gemcitabine plus cisplatin in patients with anthracycline- and taxane- pretreated metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Metastatic breast cancer patients are usually exposed to taxane and anthracycline as neoadjuvant, adjuvant and palliative chemotherapeutic agents. This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of the use of a gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) combination treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer that were pretreated with anthracycline and taxane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the use of a GP regimen (1,000 mg/m(2) gemcitabine administered on days 1 and 8 plus 60 mg/m(2) cisplatin administered on day 1 every 3 weeks) in 38 breast cancer patients who had received prior chemotherapy with anthracycline and taxane as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, or as a palliative therapy. RESULTS: The median patient age was 49 years (age range, 35 approximately 69 years). The overall response rate was 28.9% in 11 patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 14 approximately 44%). The median time to progression was 5.2 months (95% CI, 3.6 approximately 6.8 months). Median survival was 19.5 months (95% CI, 11.2 approximately 27.8 months). Major grade 3/4 hematological toxicity was due to leukopenia (36 of 157 cycles, 23.1%). Non-hematological toxicity was rarely severe; grade 1/2 nausea and vomiting were observed in 37.8% of the patients. There were no treatment related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the use of gemcitabine plus cisplatin appears to be effective and has an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with advanced breast cancer that have been pretreated with anthracycline and taxane.

Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases and p21Waf1 in hydroxyurea-induced G1 arrest and senescence of McA-RH7777 rat hepatoma cell line.

Hydroxyurea is commonly used to treat hematologic disorders and some type of solid tumors, but the mechanism for its therapeutic effect is not clearly known. In this study, we examined the effect of hydroxyurea on rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells, specifically, on the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathways and p21(Waf1), p27(Kip1) and p53. Rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells treated with hydroxyurea for 7 days, caused the inhibition of cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. But, this growth inhibition was not caused by necrosis or apoptosis but instead was associated with cell senescence-like change as evidenced by senescence associated-beta-galactosidase staining, and cells arrest at G1 phase of cell cycle. Phosphorylation of MAP kinases, such as ERK, JNK, and p38, was found to be decreased after treatment of cells with hydroxyurea. But, the expression of p21(Waf1) was increased, while p27(Kip1) and p53 were not detected in hydroxyurea treated rat hepatoma cells. Hydroxyurea treatment induced G1 arrest and a senescence-like changes in rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells may be the likely results of signal disruption of MAP kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinase) and p21(Waf1) over-expression.