Prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands in asymptomatic health screen examinees.

Ectopic sebaceous glands in the esophagus have rarely been reported and, thus, represent an obscure medical condition. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of this lesion in an asymptomatic population. We prospectively enrolled health screen examinees who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for gastric cancer screening. An esophageal biopsy was performed in the cases in which esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands were suspected. The general characteristics of the examinees were analyzed based on their medical records. A total of 9989 examinees were enrolled, and five examinees were diagnosed with esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands between December 2012 and June 2014. The endoscopic findings of the esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands indicated multiple yellowish patches or papules, which varied in size. The histopathological findings indicated several lobulated sebaceous glands in the squamous epithelium with inflammatory infiltration. The follow-up endoscopic findings indicated that there was no grossly discernible change. In conclusion, esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands are present in 0.05% of asymptomatic subjects. This lesion is thought to be benign and is not related to clinical symptoms. Therefore, esophageal ectopic sebaceous glands do not require further treatment or follow-up, which makes endoscopists free from active efforts for differential diagnosis with other malignant diseases.

Conversion of succinic acid to 1,4-butanediol via dimethyl succinate over rhenium nano-catalyst supported on copper-containing mesoporous carbon.

Copper-containing mesoporous carbons (XCu-MC) with different copper content (X = 8.0, 12.7, 15.9, 23.3, and 26.8 wt%) were prepared by a single-step surfactant-templating method. Rhenium nano-catalysts supported on copper-containing mesoporous carbons (Re/XCu-MC) were then prepared by an incipient wetness method. Re/XCu-MC (X = 8.0, 12.7, 15.9, 23.3, and 26.8 wt%) catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, HR-TEM, FT-IR, and H2- TPR analyses. Liquid-phase hydrogenation of succinic acid to 1,4-butanediol (BDO) via dimethyl succinate (DMS) was carried out over Re/XCu-MC catalysts in a batch reactor. The effect of copper content on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of Re/XCu-MC catalysts in the hydrogenation of succinic acid to BDO was investigated. Re/XCu-MC catalysts retained different physicochemical properties depending on copper content. In the hydrogenation of succinic acid to BDO, yield for BDO showed a volcano-shaped trend with respect to copper content. Thus, an optimal copper content was required to achieve maximum catalytic performance of Re/XCu-MC. It was also observed that yield for BDO increased with increasing the amount of hydrogen consumption by copper in the Re/XCu-MC catalysts.

Cs(x)H(3.0-x)PW12O40 (X = 2.0-3.0) heteropolyacid nano-catalysts for catalytic decomposition of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran to aromatics.

Cesium-exchanged Cs(x)H(3.0-x)PW12O40 (X = 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, and 3.0) heteropolyacid nanocatalysts were prepared, and they were applied to the catalytic decomposition of lignin model compound to aromatics. Successful formation of cesium-exchanged Cs(x)H(3.0-x)PW12O40 (X = 2.0-3.0) catalysts was confirmed by FT-IR, ICP-AES, and XRD measurements. 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran was employed as a lignin model compound for representing ß-5 bond in lignin. Phenol, ethylbenzene, and 2-ethylphenol were mainly produced by the catalytic decomposition of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran. Conversion of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and total yield for main products (phenol, ethylbenzene, and 2-ethylphenol) were closely related to the surface acidity of Cs(x)H(3.0-x)PW12O40 (X = 2.0-3.0) catalysts. Conversion of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and total yield for main products increased with increasing surface acidity of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 with the largest surface acidity showed the highest conversion of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and the highest total yield for main products. These results indicate that surface acidity of Cs(x)H(3.0-x)PW12O40 (X = 2.0-3.0) catalysts served as an important factor determining the catalytic performance in the decomposition of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran to aromatics.

Etherification of n-butanol to di-n-butyl ether over Keggin-, Wells-Dawson-, and Preyssler-type heteropolyacid catalysts.

Etherification of n-butanol to di-n-butyl ether was carried out over various structural classes of heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts, including Keggin- (H3PW12O40), Wells-Dawson- (H6P2W18O62), and Preyssler-type (H14[NaP5W30O110]) HPA catalysts. Successful formation of HPA catalysts was well confirmed by FT-IR, 31P NMR, and ICP-AES analyses. Acid properties of HPA catalysts were determined by NH3-TPD (temperature-programmed desorption) measurements. Acid strength of the catalysts increased in the order of H14[NaP5W30O110] < H6P2W18O62 < H3PW12O40. The catalytic performance of HPA catalysts was closely related to the acid strength of the catalysts. In the etherification of n-butanol to di-n-butyl ether over various structural classes of HPA catalysts, Conversion of n-butanol and yield for di-n-butyl ether increased with increasing acid strength of HPA catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Keggin-type (H3PW12O40) HPA catalyst with the strongest acid strength showed the best catalytic performance. Acid strength of HPAs served as an important factor determining the catalytic performance in the etherification of n-butanol to di-n-butyl ether.

Significance of postbiopsy hemorrhage observed on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in performing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Due to lack of tactile feedback, dissection of surgical planes during delicate procedures of nerve-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) can be hampered more by postbiopsy hematomas or adhesions compared with open surgery. Thus, we investigated association between extent of postbiopsy hemorrhage observed via preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with surgical difficulty of RALRP. METHODS: We reviewed records of 154 men who received prostate biopsy, MR imaging, and subsequently, nerve-sparing RALRP for clinically localized prostate cancer within 2 weeks of MR imaging. We scored degree of postbiopsy hemorrhage as shown on T1-weighted MR imaging (hemorrhage score) and analyzed potential association of hemorrhage score with variables representative of surgical difficulty (operative time, estimated blood loss, and margin positivity) and functional outcomes (urinary continence and erectile function). RESULTS: Among our subjects, total hemorrhage score demonstrated no significant associations with interval from biopsy to MR imaging (p = 0.210). In multivariate analyses, prostate volume and total hemorrhage score were observed to be significantly associated with operative time (p = 0.004 and 0.039, respectively) and estimated blood loss (p = 0.009 and 0.023, respectively). Patients' age and total hemorrhage score was observed to be independent predictor of the return of erectile function sufficient for vaginal intercourse at 6 months following RALRP (p = 0.003 and 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Degree of postbiopsy hemorrhage observed in preoperative MR imaging may be predictive of surgical difficulty for RALRP. Such findings provide concrete evidences that aftereffects of prostate biopsy have significant impact on performing RALRP.

Meningiomas with Rhabdoid or Papillary Components : Prognosis and Comparison with Anaplastic Meningiomas.

Papillary and rhabdoid meningiomas are pathologically World Health Organization (WHO) grade III. Any correlation between clinical prognosis and pathologic component is not clear. We analyzed the prognoses of patients with meningiomas with a rhabdoid or papillary component compared to those of patients with anaplastic meningiomas. From 1994 to June 2013, 14 anaplastic meningiomas, 6 meningiomas with a rhabdoid component, and 5 meningiomas with papillary component were pathologically diagnosed. We analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, extent of removal, adjuvant treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and pathologic features of 14 anaplastic meningiomas (group A), 5 meningiomas with a predominant (≥50%) papillary or rhabdoid component (group B1), and 6 meningiomas without a predominant (<50%) rhabdoid or papillary component (group B2). Homogeneous enhancement on MRI was associated with improved PFS compared to heterogeneous enhancement (p=0.025). Depending on pathology, the mean PFS was 134.9±31.6 months for group A, 46.6±13.4 months for group B1, and 118.7±19.2 months for group B2. The mean OS was 138.5±24.6 months for group A and 59.7±16.8 months for group B1. All recurrent tumors were of the previously diagnosed pathology, except for one tumor from group B1, which recurred as an atypical meningioma without a papillary component. Group B1 tumors showed a more aggressive behavior than group B2 tumors. In group B2 cases, the pathologic findings of non-rhabdoid/papillary portion could be considered for further adjuvant treatment.

Direct Dehydrogenation of n-Butane Over Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 Catalyst: Effect of Hydrogen in the Feed.

Al2O3 was prepared by a sol-gel method for use as a support. Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst was then prepared by a sequential impregnation method, and it was applied to the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane to n-butenes and 1,3-butadiene. Physicochemical properties of Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), CO chemisorption, and temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) measurements. In order to improve the catalyst stability, the effect of hydrogen in the feed on the catalytic performance in the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane was studied. The catalyst stability and reusability in the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane was also investigated. Experimental results revealed that the addition of hydrogen in the feed decreased conversion of n-butane and yield for total dehydrogenation products but improved the stability of the catalyst. The catalytic activity and stability of regenerated Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst in the presence of hydrogen slightly decreased compared to those of fresh Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst due to the slight sintering of platinum particles.

Radiological Follow-up of a Cerebral Tuberculoma with a Paradoxical Response Mimicking a Brain Tumor.

We report a case of a paradoxical response of a tuberculoma in the brain mimicking a brain tumor. A 76-year-old woman presented with a 2 week history of headache, dysarthia, and orthopnea. Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed two rim-enhancing lesions on the pons and occipital lobe, and chest computed tomography showed randomly distributed miliary nodules. The tentative diagnosis was tuberculosis (TB) of the brain and lung. She complained of right hemiparesis and worsening general weakness after taking the anti-TB medication. On the monthly follow-up images, the enhanced lesions were enlarged with increased perfusion and choline/creatinine ratio, suggesting a high grade glioma. A surgical resection was completed to diagnose the occipital lesion, and the tuberculoma was pathologically confirmed by a positive TB-polymerase chain reaction. The anti-TB medication was continued for 13 months. A follow-up MRI showed decreased size of the brain lesions associated with perilesional edema, and the clinical symptoms had improved. Brain tuberculoma could be aggravated mimicking brain malignancy during administration of anti-TB medication. This paradoxical response can be effectively managed by continuing the anti-TB drugs.

Catalytic Decomposition of 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran to Monocyclic Compounds Over Palladium Catalysts Supported on Sulfonated Ordered Mesoporous Carbon.

Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) was sulfonated at different temperature (OMC-SO3H-X, X = 125, 150, 175, 200, and 225 degrees C) in order to provide acid sites to OMC. Palladium catalysts were then supported on OMC-SO3H-X by an incipient wetness impregnation method for use in the catalytic decomposition of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran to monocyclic compounds. 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran was used as a lignin model compound for representing ß-5 linkage of lignin. In the catalytic decomposition of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran over Pd/OMC-SO3H-X, ethylcyclohexane and 2-ethlyphenol were mainly produced. Conversion of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and total yield for main products (ethylcyclohexane and 2-ethylphenol) were closely related to the acidity of the catalysts. Conversion of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and total. yield for main products increased with increasing acidity of Pd/OMC-SO3H-X catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Pd/OMC-SO3H-150 with the largest acidity showed the highest conversion of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and the highest total yield for main products.

CO2 Activated Carbon Aerogel with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance as a Supercapacitor Electrode Material.

Carbon aerogel (CA) was prepared by a sol-gel polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde in ambient conditions. A series of activated carbon aerogels (ACA-X, X = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h) were then prepared by CO2 activation of CA with a variation of activation time (X) for use as an electrode material for supercapacitor. Specific capacitances of CA and ACA-X electrodes were measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge methods in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Among the samples, ACA-5 h showed the highest BET surface area (2574 m2/g) and the highest specific capacitance (100 F/g). It was found that CO2 activation was a very efficient method for enhancing physicochemical property and supercapacitive electrochemical performance of activated carbon aerogel.