Single-crystal growth, structure and thermal transport properties of the metallic antiferromagnet Zintl-phase ß-EuIn2As2.

Zintl-phase materials have attracted significant research interest owing to the interplay of magnetism and strong spin-orbit coupling, providing a prominent material platform for axion electrodynamics. Here, we report the single-crystal growth, structure, magnetic and electrical/thermal transport properties of the antiferromagnet layer Zintl-phase compound ß-EuIn2As2. Importantly, the new layered structure of ß-EuIn2As2, in rhombohedral (R3̄m) symmetry, contains triangular layers of Eu2+ ions. The in-plane resistivity ρ(H, T) measurements reveal metal behavior with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition (TN ∼ 23.5 K), which is consistent with the heat capacity Cp(H, T) and magnetic susceptibility χ(H, T) measurements. Negative MR was observed in the temperature range from 2 K to 20 K with a maximum MR ratio of 0.06. Unique 4f7J = S = 7/2 Eu2+ spins were supposed magnetically order along the c-axis. The Seebeck coefficient shows a maximum thermopower |Smax| of about 40 µV K-1. The kink around 23 K in the Seebeck coefficient originates from the effect of the antiferromagnetic phase on the electron band structure, while the pronounced thermal conductivity peak at around 10 K is attributed to the phonon-phonon Umklapp scattering. The results suggest that the Eu2+ spin arrangement plays an important role in the magnetic, electrical, and thermal transport properties in ß-EuIn2As2, which might be helpful for future potential technical applications.

Vaginal compared with intramuscular progestogen for preventing preterm birth in high-risk pregnant women (VICTORIA study): a multicentre, open-label randomised trial and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of two types of progestogen therapy for preventing preterm birth (PTB) and to review the relevant literature. DESIGN: A multicentre, randomised, open-label, equivalence trial and a meta-analysis. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea. POPULATION: Pregnant women with a history of spontaneous PTB or short cervical length (<25 mm). METHODS: Eligible women were screened and randomised at 16-22 weeks of gestation to receive either 200 mg of vaginal micronised progesterone daily (vaginal group) or an intramuscular injection of 250 mg 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate weekly (IM group). Stratified randomisation was carried out according to participating centres and indications for progestogen therapy. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02304237). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Preterm birth (PTB) before 37 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: A total of 266 women were randomly assigned and a total of 247 women (119 and 128 women in the vaginal and IM groups, respectively) were available for the intention-to-treat analysis. Risks of PTB before 37 weeks of gestation did not significantly differ between the two groups (22.7 versus 25.8%, P = 0.571). The difference in PTB risk between the two groups was 3.1% (95% CI -7.6 to 13.8%), which was within the equivalence margin of 15%. The meta-analysis results showed no significant differences in the risk of PTB between the vaginal and IM progestogen treatments. CONCLUSION: Compared with vaginal progesterone, treatment with intramuscular progestin might increase the risk of PTB before 37 weeks of gestation by as much as 13.8%, or reduce the risk by as much as 7.6%, in women with a history of spontaneous PTB or with short cervical length. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Vaginal and intramuscular progestogen showed equivalent efficacy for preventing preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation.

[Pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine according to theory of preventive treatment of disease].

"Preventive treatment of disease" is one of the characteristics and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine. It is the most influential theory of traditional Chinese medicine. The core of the theory is "pre-prevention before disease", "prevention of disease from progress" and "prevention of recovery after disease", and the prevention concepts are "prevention of disease from deve-lopment" and "blockage and reversal". Based on the analysis of large numbers of ancient books, we put forward the overall pharmacovigilance theoretical frame that is composed of toxicity cognition, application, prevention and detoxification. With rich prospective prevention, the pharmacovigilance theory of traditional Chinese medicine was the essence of drug use experience in China for thousands of years. It coincides with the idea of preventing disease with precautions and preventing the occurrence of drug-induced diseases. This article intends to consider the theory and practice of pharmacovigilance of Chinese medicine from the "preventive treatment of disease", in order to provide reference for clinical safety medication. It has puts forward the practical measures of pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine, such as giving medical advice, paying attention to monitoring, preventing biological change, planning for the long term, preventing disease from changing, delaying the disease progress, protecting vital Qi, controlling internal disorder and preventing recurrence. It also indicated that pharmacovigilance of traditional Chinese medicine is an important part of the "preventive treatment of disease", and an important guarantee for the safe and rational use of medicines in clinical practice, which is conducive to protecting and promoting people's health and improving people's quality of life.

Plumbagin-mediating GLUT1 suppresses the growth of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of GLUT1 in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and the role of plumbagin (PLB)-mediating GLUT1 in the growth of TSCC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five cases of TSCC samples were collected and the expression and location of GLUT1 was analyzed. The role and mechanism of PLB meditating GLUT1 in the inhibitory growth of human TSCC cell line CAL27 were investigated in vitro and vivo. RESULTS: The expression of GLUT1 was observed in all samples of human TSCC by immunohistochemical staining. GLUT1 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage in TSCC. PLB treatment decreased cell viability and colony formation, and increased cell apoptosis in association with the downregulation of GLUT1 via inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway in vitro and PLB suppressed tumor growth in correlation with downregulation of GLUT1, compared with control group in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated a novel anti-cancer mechanism of PLB, inhibitory TSCC growth via suppressing PI3K/Akt/GLUT1 pathway, which will supply a theoretical basis for PLB to treat TSCC.

Association between 24-hour combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring and symptoms or quality of life in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the parameters of 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH monitoring and the symptoms or quality of life (QoL) in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study without controls. SETTING: University teaching hospital. METHODS: Forty-five LPR patients were selected from subjects who underwent 24-hour MII-pH monitoring and were diagnosed with LPR from September 2014 to May 2015. Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL), Short Form 12 (SF-12) Survey questionnaires were surveyed. Spearman's correlation was used to analyse the association between the symptoms or QoL and 24-hour MII-pH monitoring. RESULTS: Most parameters in 24-hour MII-pH monitoring showed weak or no correlation with RSI, HRQoL and SF-12. Only number of non-acid reflux events that reached the larynx and pharynx (LPR-non-acid) and number of total reflux events that reached the larynx and pharynx (LPR-total) parameters showed strong correlation with heartburn in RSI (R = 0.520, P < 0.001, R = 0.478, P = 0.001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that there was only one significant regression coefficient between LPR-non-acid and voice/hoarseness portion of HRQoL (b = 1.719, P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Most parameters of 24-hour MII-pH monitoring did not reflect subjective symptoms or QoL in patients with LPR.

Risk factors for peri-anaesthetic dental injury.

In this retrospective case-control study, we evaluated peri-operative dental injury risk factors following tracheal intubation. Ninety-four of 290,415 patients experienced dental injury following tracheal intubation over a 10-y period. A control group was matched for surgery type and intubating anaesthetist. The incidence of dental injury was 0.03%. Univariate analysis revealed that previous and current difficult intubation, male gender, hepatitis, neurological disease, anticonvulsant use, pre-existing poor dentition and the use of airway devices (other than a laryngoscope) were associated with dental injury. Multivariate analysis revealed that predictors of dental injury were: history of hepatitis, odds ratio (95% CI) 10.1 (1.02-100.3); poor dentition, 8.8 (3.9-20.0); alternative airway device use, 3.1 (1.2-8.0); and intubation difficulty, 3.7 (1.0-13.3). As well as confirming previously reported risk factors for dental injury during tracheal intubation, this study also suggests hepatitis and the use of alternative airway devices as additional risk factors.

Effect of postoperative proton pump inhibitor therapy on voice outcomes following phonomicrosurgery for vocal fold polyp: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a postoperative proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on voice outcomes after phonomicrosurgery in patients with vocal fold polyp. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective, randomized controlled study. SETTINGS: This study was carried out in a tertiary care referral medical centre. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 48 patients underwent phonomicrosurgery for vocal fold polyps. After surgery, patients were randomized to the PPI group (lansoprazole 15 mg twice daily for 2 months) and the non-PPI group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Voice handicap index (VHI) and perceptual and acoustic voice analysis were evaluated at baseline and 2 months after surgery. RESULTS: Among 48 enrolled patients, a total of 42 patients [non-PPI group (n = 23), PPI group (n = 19)] completed the study. The VHI, perceptual and most acoustic parameters significantly improved in both groups after surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the per cent of change in those parameters. CONCLUSION: Postoperative PPI treatment did not significantly influence voice outcomes after phonomicrosurgery in patients with vocal fold polyp.

Evaluation of salivary function in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate salivary function in patients with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS) compared with control and to evaluate salivary hypofunction using salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS). METHODS: A total of 33 patients with primary BMS and 30 control subjects were enrolled in our study. The severity of the pain and the burning sensation on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) were assessed. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates (SFRs) were measured. (99m) Tc pertechnetate SGS was used to evaluate salivary gland function. RESULTS: Unstimulated SFR in patients with BMS was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.11 ± 0.15 vs 0.21 ± 0.16 ml min(-1) , P = 0.014). There was no significant difference in stimulated SFR between the two groups. The VAS scores for oral pain and burning sensation, the total OHIP-14 score, and salivary gland function by salivary scintigraphy were not significantly different between BMS patients with normal flow rate and hyposalivation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary BMS exhibited a significant decrease in unstimulated SFR compared with control group. In addition, we could not find any difference in salivary gland function between BMS patients with or without hyposalivation.

The mechanical response of hIAPP nanowires based on different bending direction simulations.

Amyloid proteins, implicated in numerous aging-related diseases, possess remarkable mechanical properties. Polymorphism leads to different arrangements of ß sheets in amyloid fibrils, which changes the characteristics of the hydrogen bond network that determines their mechanical properties and structural characteristics. We performed bending simulations using molecular dynamics methods under constant-velocity conditions in different bending directions. Two different fibril structures, parallel/homo and parallel/hetero, of hIAPP amyloids were considered. Though the bending configuration influences the toughness of the material, our results indicate that the basic material behavior is affected by the ß-sheet arrangement that is determined by the type of polymorphism in amyloid fibrils.

Application of IFN-γ releasing assay for the diagnosis of erythema induratum of Bazin.

BACKGROUND: Erythema induratum of Bazin (EIB) is regarded to be a hypersensitive reaction to the concomitant tuberculosis. Recently, interferon-γ releasing assay (IGRA) has been focused as a promising tool in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis. However, there has been no large scale study to investigate the usefulness of IGRA in the diagnosis of EIB. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic performance for the detection of EIB. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with EIB, in the Department of Dermatology, at the Seoul National University Hospital, between April 2009 and September 2011. We analysed clinicopathological features, responses to IGRA and the treatment courses. In addition, we compared positive rate of IGRA in patients with other diseases during the same period. RESULTS: All of the 22 patients demonstrated a positive response to IGRA (100%) and showed a good response to anti-tuberculosis treatment. In contrast, positive rate was 63.64% and 66.67% in patients with psoriasis and other vasculitis respectively. We observed complete resolution of skin lesions in 14 patients. Partial resolution was attained in one patient and the other seven patients are currently on the medication and are showing good responses. CONCLUSION: We verified that IGRA has an excellent diagnostic performance in EIB, through this observational study. It is strongly suggested that if EIB is clinicopathologically suspected, IGRA should be performed.

Rac1 mediates load-driven attenuation of mRNA expression of nerve growth factor beta in cartilage and chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine effect of gentle loads applied to the knee on mRNA expression of nerve growth factor, particularly, the active beta subunit (NGFß) in cartilage and chondrocyte. METHODS: Cyclic compressive loads in vivo and fluid flow in vitro were used to determine the mRNA levels. Alteration of Rac1 GTPase as well as effect of salubrinal, a specific inhibitor of eIF2α phosphatase was assessed using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Rac1 biosensor. RESULTS: Knee loading at 1 N reduced mRNA levels of NGFß and its low affinity receptor, p75 in cartilage and subchondral bone. In cartilage, knee loading at 1 N reduced the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK (p38-p) and activity of Rac1 GTPase. Consistent with in vivo results, fluid flow at 5 and 10 dyn/cm(2) reduced mRNA levels of NGFß and p75 in C28/I2 human chondrocytes. SB203580, which decreases p38-p, reduced the mRNA levels of NGFß and p75. Silencing Rac1 by siRNA decreased the levels of p38-p and NGFß mRNA but not p75. Furthermore, administration of salubrinal reduced FRET-based activity of Rac1 as well as the mRNA levels of NGFß and p75. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that mechanical stimulation and salubrinal may attenuate pain perception-linked NGFß signaling through Rac1-mediated p38 MAPK.

Could colorimetric method replace the individual minimal erythemal dose (MED) measurements in determining the initial dose of narrow-band UVB treatment for psoriasis patients with skin phototype III-V?

BACKGROUND: Assessment of minimal erythemal dose (MED) for individual patients has been used to guide the narrowband Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy, which sometimes causes discomfort and additional time. The L* value (the lightness of color in Commission Internationlale de l'Eclairge L*a*b* color scale) measured by colorimeter was shown to be useful for predicting sensitivity to NB-UVB irradiation. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of NB-UVB phototherapy between 50% of MED and colorimetric L* value starting dose regimens for skin phototype III-V Korean patients with psoriasis. METHOD: Twenty seven patients determined starting doses based on colorimetric L* value, and 27 patients based on 50% of MED. Since correlation analysis showed that L* value had the most significant association with MED compared with skin phototypes, a*, and b* values, we designated starting doses of L* value regimen as follows: 300 mJ/cm(2) (L* >66), 400 mJ/cm(2) (62 < L* ≤ 66), and 500 mJ/cm(2) (L* ≤ 62). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in clinical efficacy including response rate, mean number of sessions, duration of treatment, maximum dose and cumulative dose until achieving the state of near clearance. The proportion of adverse effects was not also significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: NB-UVB starting dose determination based on colorimetric L* value was comparable with conventional MED based regimen in efficacy and safety for skin phototype III-V patients. Since it provides much convenience and ease for both patients and physicians, colorimetric L* value could partly substitute the MED checking methods in NB-UVB phototherapy.

Fusarium sp. infection in a patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

In the past two decades, Fusarium species have been increasingly recognized as serious pathogens in immunocompromised patients. The outcome of fusariosis in the context of severe persistent neutropaenia has been almost universally fatal. The treatment of fusariosis in immunocompromised patients remains a challenge and the prognosis of systemic fusariosis in this population remains poor. This report presents a case of fatal fusariosis in a 37- year-old patient who was diagnosed with precursor-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

Effects of genomic estimated breeding value and dietary energy to protein ratio on growth performance, carcass trait, and lipogenic gene expression in Hanwoo steer.

"Genome-based precision feeding" is a concept that involves the application of customised diets to different genetic groups of cattle. We investigated the effects of the genomic estimated breeding value (gEBV) and dietary energy to protein ratio (DEP) on growth performance, carcass traits, and lipogenic gene expression in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) steers. Forty-four Hanwoo steers (BW = 636 kg, age = 26.9 months) were genotyped using the Illumina Bovine 50 K BeadChip. The gEBV was calculated using genomic best linear unbiased prediction. Animals were separated into high gEBV of marbling score or low-gMS groups based on the upper and lower 50% groupings of the reference population, respectively. Animals were assigned to one of four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: high gMS/high DEP (0.084 MJ/g), high gMS/low DEP (0.079 MJ/g), low gMS/high DEP, and low gMS/low DEP. Steers were fed concentrate with a high or low DEP for 31 weeks. The BW tended to be higher (0.05 < P < 0.1) in the high-gMS groups compared to the low-gMS groups at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 20 weeks. The average daily gain (ADG) tended to be lower (P = 0.08) in the high-gMS group than in the low-gMS group. Final BW and measured carcass weight (CW) were positively correlated with the gEBV of carcass weight (gCW). The DEP did not affect ADG. Neither the gMS nor the DEP affected the MS and beef quality grade. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the longissimus thoracis (LT) tended to be higher (P = 0.08) in the high-gMS groups than in the low-gMS groups. The mRNA levels of lipogenic acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid binding protein 4 genes in the LT were higher (P < 0.05) in the high-gMS group than in the low-gMS group. Overall, the IMF content tended to be affected by the gMS, and the genetic potential (i.e., gMS) was associated with the functional activity of lipogenic gene expression. The gCW was associated with the measured BW and CW. The results demonstrated that the gMS and the gCW may be used as early prediction indexes for meat quality and growth potential of beef cattle.

Enterococcus avium bacteremia: a 12-year clinical experience with 53 patients.

Because Enterococcus avium is rarely isolated from blood cultures, little is known about the clinical features and outcomes of bacteremia caused by this organism, formerly called "group Q streptococcus". We retrospectively evaluated the clinical features and outcomes of patients with clinically significant bacteremia caused by E. avium presenting at a tertiary-care hospital in Korea between February 1997 and February 2009. We identified 53 patients over the 12-year period; of these, 27 (50.9%) had biliary and 13 (24.5%) had intra-abdominal E. avium infections. Thirty-six (67.9%) of the episodes were polymicrobial. Thirty-three (62.3%) episodes were nosocomial bloodstream infections and resistance to vancomycin was not observed. The crude mortality rate was 24.5% (13/53), and the E. avium bacteremia-related mortality rate was 11.3% (6/53). Multivariate analysis showed that underlying rapidly fatal or ultimately fatal disease (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-30.65; P = 0.011) and inadequate antimicrobial therapy (AOR, 7.29; CI, 1.27-41.93; P = 0.026) were independent risk factors for mortality. In summary, bacteremia due to E. avium was commonly of biliary or intraabdominal origin and was often associated with polymicrobial bacteremia. The crude mortality rate was considerable. Severe underlying conditions and inadequate antimicrobial therapy were significant and independent risk factors for crude patient mortality.

Long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser: does it give clinical benefit on the treatment of resistant telangiectasia?

BACKGROUND: Long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser has been used in treating larger and deep-seated leg veins. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser to treat alae nasae and nasal tip telangiectasia. METHODS: Twelve patients were evaluated in a prospective IRB approved study. They had a history of previous unsatisfactory treatments with pulsed dye laser and/or intense pulsed light for their telangiectases on alae nasae and tip (4-12 times, average 5.8 times). All patients underwent a single treatment session using long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser. Photographic images were taken. At 12-week follow-up, two independent physicians evaluated the percentage of vessels cleared, and patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: Five men and seven women were enrolled (aged 43 ± 5.8 years). Total clearance of vessels was 78.3%. The number of vessels in diameter of 0.1 mm was reduced by 61.1% and that of vessels in diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm decreased by 92.2% on the average at 12-week follow-up. Eleven of 12 patients were very satisfied with the clinical results. One patient rated as 'satisfied' due to hyperpigmentation after the treatment, which improved at 12-week follow-up. CONCLUSION: Long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser can be considered as another effective and safe treatment modality for stubborn telangeictasia even on face, if applied cautiously.

Dose-dependent attenuation by fentanyl on cough during emergence from general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Although fentanyl suppresses tracheal tube-induced cough during anesthetic recovery, it has not been proven if its antitussive effect is dose dependent and complication free. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between fentanyl doses and cough suppression during emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly allocated to one of four groups (F0, F1, F1.5, and F2) according to the fentanyl dose (0 mcg/kg, 1 mcg/kg, 1.5 mcg/kg, or 2 mcg/kg). Fentanyl was administered immediately after sevoflurane discontinuation. Coughing was assessed throughout the periextubation period. The relationship between fentanyl dose and incidence of cough was analyzed using Cochran-Armitage trend test. Incidence of more than 30% elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), awakening time, extubation time, and respiratory rate after extubation were recorded and compared using Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Fentanyl suppressed emergence cough in a dose-related manner (P = 0.002), and the ED(50) and ED(90) were 1.1 mcg/kg and 2.1 mcg/kg, respectively. The higher dose of fentanyl further reduced the number of patient with MAP and HR elevation (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). Awakening time (8.4 ± 1.9 min) in F2 was comparable with that in F1 and F1.5. Respiratory rate (9 ± 2 bpm) and extubation time (11.9 ± 1.8 min) in F2 were only different from those in F0 (13 ± 3 bpm and 10.4 ± 1.1 min, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl suppressed cough in a dose-related manner during recovery from general sevoflurane anesthesia, and 2 mcg/kg may be considered as a proper dose.