Lens of controllable optical field with thin film metallic glasses for UV-LEDs.

In the exposure process of photolithography, a free-form lens is designed and fabricated for UV-LED (Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode). Thin film metallic glasses (TFMG) are adopted as UV reflection layers to enhance the irradiance and uniformity. The Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with high transmittance is used as the lens material. The 3-D fast printing is attempted to make the mold of the lens. The results show that the average irradiance can be enhanced by 6.5~6.7%, and high uniformity of 85~86% can be obtained. Exposure on commercial thick photoresist using this UV-LED system shows 3~5% dimensional deviation, lower than the 6~8% deviation for commercial mercury lamp system. This current system shows promising potential to replace the conventional mercury exposure systems.

Eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol suppress LPS-induced iNOS expression by down-regulating NF-kappaB AND AP-1 through inhibition of MAPKS and AKT/IkappaBalpha signaling pathways in macrophages.

Eugenol and isoeugenol, two components of clover oil, have been reported to possess several biomedical properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. This study aims to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol, isoeugenol and four of their derivatives on expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7), and to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. We found that two derivatives, eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol, had potent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced upregulation of nitrite levels, iNOS protein and iNOS mRNA. In addition, they both suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced by LPS. Moreover, they both attenuated the DNA binding of NF-kB and AP-1, phosphorylation of inhibitory kB-alpha (IkB-alpha), and nuclear translocation of p65 protein induced by LPS. Finally, we demonstrated that glyceryl-isoeugenol suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK, whereas eugenolol suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Taken together, these results suggest that that eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol suppress LPS-induced iNOS expression by down-regulating NF-kB and AP-1 through inhibition of MAPKs and Akt/IkB-alpha signaling pathways. Thus, this study implies that eugenolol and glyceryl-isoeugenol may provide therapeutic benefits for inflammatory diseases.

BMI-1 suppresses contact inhibition and stabilizes YAP in Ewing sarcoma.

The polycomb group family protein BMI-1 is overexpressed by and functions as an oncogene in many different human cancers. We have previously shown that BMI-1 promotes the tumorigenicity of Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs) and that this is mediated independently of CDKN2A repression. In this study, we have discovered that high levels of BMI-1 confer resistance to contact inhibition in ESFT cells. Using stable retroviral transduction, we evaluated the consequences of BMI-1 knockdown on the growth of CDKN2A wild-type and mutant ESFT cells in subconfluent and confluent conditions. Although knockdown of BMI-1 had no effect on proliferation in low-density cultures, at high cell densities it resulted in cell cycle arrest and death. The normal cell contact inhibition response is mediated, in large part, by the recently described Hippo pathway which functions to inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell death by inactivating the Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Significantly, we found that YAP levels, activity and expression did not diminish in confluent ESFT cells that expressed high levels of BMI-1. In contrast, YAP expression and nuclear localization were reduced in confluent BMI-1 knockdown cells suggesting that silencing of BMI-1 restored contact inhibition by restoring normal activation of the Hippo-YAP growth-suppressor pathway. Importantly, knockdown of YAP in ESFT cells resulted in profound inhibition of cell proliferation and anchorage-independent colony formation suggesting that stabilization and continued expression of YAP is critical for ESFT growth and tumorigenicity. Together, these studies reveal a previously unrecognized link between BMI-1, contact inhibition and the Hippo-YAP pathway and suggest that resistance to contact inhibition in BMI-1 overexpressing cancer cells may be in part a result of Hippo inhibition and aberrant stabilization of YAP.

Contact behavior of focused ion beam deposited Pt on p-type Si nanowires.

Pt contact on p-Si nanowires (NWs) using Ga-ion-induced deposition by a focused ion beam was formed with a specific contact resistance (rho(c)) of 1.54 x 10(-6) Omega cm(2). Ohmic behavior is caused by Ga-ion-induced amorphization of Si NWs underneath the Pt contact. A very low Schottky barrier height associated with interface states raised from Pt-amorphized Si junction and with an image force induced by the applied bias can be implemented to elucidate ultralow rho(c). The value of rho(c) lower than that of any known contact to Si NWs demonstrates a practical method for integrating NWs in devices and circuits.

Optimal skin surface landmark for the SVC-RA junction in cancer patients requiring the implantation of permanent central venous catheters.

We compared four different skin surface landmarks, the lower margin of the right 2nd costo-sternal junction (point A); the upper margin of the right 3rd costo-sternal junction (point B); the lower margin of the right 3rd costo-sternal junction (point C); and a point 5 cm below the manubrio-sternal junction (point D), in 20 cancer patients undergoing insertion of permanent central venous catheters whose tips were placed near the superior vena cava - right atrium (SVC-RA) junction under transoesophageal echocardiography guidance. The landmark was satisfactory if it was located within 1 cm of the SVC-RA junction. Points C and D were closer to the SVC-RA junction than points A and B (p < 0.0001). However, point C had the highest incidence (C: 70%, A: 0%, B: 20%, D: 30%, p < 0.0001) of being within 1 cm of the SVC-RA junction.

Tumour lysis syndrome developing during an operation.

We describe an unusual case of tumour lysis syndrome in a child with a high-grade lymphoma undergoing a staging laparotomy. The patient presented with a refractory ventricular arrhythmia, which required continuous resuscitation in the operating room and continuous venous-venous haemodialysis in the intensive care unit. This case report suggests that surgery is a possible trigger for developing tumour lysis syndrome, so anaesthetists should be alert to this possibility during surgery in patients with pre-existing high tumour burdens.

Comparison of radiographic landmarks and the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction in the positioning of long-term central venous catheters.

BACKGROUND: When implanting a permanent central venous catheter, the usual aim is to place the tip at the superior vena cava/right atrial (SVC/RA) junction. However, data validating radiographic landmarks of the SVC/RA junction are limited. This investigation was undertaken to compare the radiographic landmarks with the SVC/RA junction as determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). METHODS: In 20 adult oncologic patients undergoing implantation of a permanent subcutaneous central venous catheter, the catheter tip was placed in the SVC/RA junction under TEE guidance. The position of the catheter tip on chest X-ray, which represented the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction, was then compared with a standard radiographic landmark of the SVC/RA junction and with thoracic vertebral levels. RESULTS: In all but two patients radiographic SVC/RA junctions were identified. The echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from 0.6 cm above to 2.8 cm below the radiographic SVC/RA junction. There was a significant difference between the distance from the carina to the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the distance from the carina to the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction. The thoracic vertebral body correlating with the echocardiographic SVC/RA junction ranged from the sixth to the ninth level. CONCLUSION: Both the radiographic SVC/RA junction and the thoracic vertebral bodies are not reliable landmarks for the SVC/RA junction defined by TEE. Physicians should be aware that using the radiographic SVC/RA junction to confirm proper positioning of permanent central venous catheters risks placing the catheter tip in the upper SVC, with subsequent potential long-term complications. More reliable radiographic landmarks for the SVC/RA junction should be investigated.

Influence of fertilizers applied to a paddy-upland rotation on characteristics of soil organic carbon and humic acids.

The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and related humic acids (HAs) extracted from the soils of field plots were investigated after 8 years of annual paddy (Oryza sativa L.) and upland maize (Zea mays L.) rotation with various fertilizations. Seven fertilization treatments were selected: Ck (no inputs); Chem (chemical fertilizer of NPK); Comp (swine compost); Comp + 33% of Chem N rate; Comp + 67% of Chem N rate; GM (legume green manure) + 33% of Chem N rate; and peat + 33% of Chem N rate. Organic and inorganic nitrogen inputs of six treatments were equivalent with respect of nitrogen content, but Comp, GM, and peat treatments were complemented with various amounts of inorganic N. After harvest of the eighth paddy crop, surface soil samples collected from the plots were subjected to soil characterizations and extraction of humic substances, which were used for chemical, spectroscopic (FTIR, 13C NMR, ESR, X-ray diffractometry), delta13C, and 14C dating analyses. The yields of HAs extracted from the seven treatments were significantly different. Treatment containing persistent organic compound such as the peat + 33% N treatment increased the humification process in topsoils and produced higher yield of HA. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that fertilization treatments changed the functional groups, alkyl C, crystalline characteristics, and delta13C ratios of HAs and turnover rate of SOC considerably. The SOC of the peat + 33% N treatment had the highest mean residence time of 3100 years. Various fertilizer treatments are correlated with turnover rate of SOC and related HAs, which are associated with concerned carbon sequestration as well as mitigation of CO2 emission in the soil environment.

A novel ultrahigh-resolution surface plasmon resonance biosensor with an Au nanocluster-embedded dielectric film.

The detection performance of conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors is limited to a 1 pg/mm(2) surface coverage of biomolecules, and consequently, such sensors struggle to detect the interaction of small molecules in low concentrations. The present study is attempted to propose the use of a novel SPR biosensor with Au nanoclusters embedded in a dielectric film to achieve a 10-fold improvement in the resolution performance. A co-sputtering method utilizing a multi-target sputtering system is used to fabricate the present dielectric films (SiO(2)) with embedded Au nanoclusters. It is shown that the sensitivity of the developed SPR biosensor can be improved by adjusting the size and volume fraction of the embedded Au nanoclusters in order to control the surface plasmon effect. The present gas detection and DNA hybridization experimental results confirm that the proposed Au nanocluster-enhanced SPR biosensor provides the potential to achieve an ultrahigh-resolution detection performance of approximately 0.1 pg/mm(2) surface coverage of biomolecules.

Method for producing coded micro-carrier and test method by using a novel type biochip.

This paper provides a method for producing a novel type coded micro-carrier. A simple and cost effective solution for bio-molecule applications was developed. Application relevant items such as manufacture process, biospecific interaction, and analysis method are discussed. For low cost fabrication, the use of LIGA-like process is suggested. LIGA-like process is used as a dry patterning process in which an intense beam of light from an excimer laser is used to pattern a material directly. This process has found extensive application in the microelectronics industry for patterning of polymer materials. The use of LIGA-like techniques offers two attractive features: first, we can cut the polymer into many tiny micro-carriers with micrometer precision. Second, LIGA-like process allows to encode with high precision spatial information onto the micro-carrier that can be used in the identification of the bio-molecule. This paper gives a description of the basic idea, describes the fabrication of the novel micro-carrier that we called "coded micro-carrier," and of the image processing algorithms used for the analysis of bio-molecules. This study also provides a test method for identifying a bio-molecule, which includes mixing several coded micro-carriers with the hybridized unknown bio-molecules; and identifying the codes on the micro-carrier via image recognition system. The numbers and types of the known micro-carrier can be flexibly adjusted according to the number of tested bio-molecules.

Correlation of pulmonary 99mTc-DTPA ventilation and 99mTc-MAA perfusion scans with pulmonary function tests in asymptomatic asthmatic children.

Our objective was to examine and correlate 99mTc-diethylenetriaminopentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) ventilation and 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) perfusion (V/Q) lung scans with spirometry in asymptomatic asthmatic children. We evaluated 89 subjects (age range, 6-15 years; mean age, 9.4 years), all with at least 70% predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). There were four V/Q scan patterns: normal in 38 (42.7%), inhomogeneous ventilation in 11 (12.4%), matched defects in 25 (28.3%) and mismatched perfusion defects in 13 (14.6%). The maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (MMEF) of the normal scan group was significantly different from that in the other groups. The MMEF of the inhomogeneous group was significantly different from that in the matched defect group and the mismatched perfusion defect group. No other significant differences in spirometric indices were found. In two children with perfusion defects, pulmonary arteriograms demonstrated no obstructive lesions. In conclusion, lung scans provide diagnostic information in asymptomatic asthmatic children, even when they are uncooperative. Abnormal scans are common in these children and are significantly correlated with reduced MMEF (% predicted), reflecting small airway flow obstruction. The pathophysiology of V/Q defects in asymptomatic asthmatic children warrants further investigation.

Nosocomial Exophiala jeanselmei pseudoinfection after sonography-guided aspiration of thoracic lesions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During the period from August 1994 to October 1998, a total of 19 isolates of Exophiala jeanselmei were recovered from 17 patients with various underlying thoracic diseases treated at National Taiwan University Hospital. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients and to determine the microbiologic relatedness of the E. jeanselmei. METHODS: Of the 19 isolates, 11 from nine patients were preserved and were identified based on their biotypes as determined by the API ID32C System, their cellular fatty acid profiles by gas-liquid chromatography, their antibiotypes to five antifungal agents by the E-test, and their random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns by arbitrarily primed PCR. Extensive environmental surveillance cultures and cultures from the skin of eight patients and hands of one physician were also performed. RESULTS: One of the 17 patients had E. jeanselmei isolated from cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis (3 isolates), and the other 16 patients had isolations from pleural effusion specimens (15 isolates) or lung mass (1 isolate) following sonography-guided aspiration. The latter 16 patients had no clinical or pathologic evidence of fungal infection. Isolates (clone 1) from aspirated specimens had identical biotypes, antibiotypes, and RAPD patterns, which were different from those of the three isolates (clone 2) from the patient with a cutaneous lesion. All specimens from environmental sources, patients' skin, and the hands of the physician were negative for E. jeanselmei. CONCLUSION: This series of patients demonstrates the difficulty in identifying the sources of a nosocomial pseudoinfection due to this slow-growing microorganism when isolated from pleural effusion specimens.

A methodology for evaluation of boundary detection algorithms on breast ultrasound images.

Image segmentation is the partition of an image into a set of non-overlapping regions that comprise the entire image. The image is decomposed into meaningful parts, which are uniform with respect to certain characteristics, such as grey level or texture. This study presents a novel methodology to evaluate ultrasound image segmentation algorithms. The sonographic features can differentiate between various sized malignant and benign breast tumours. The clinical experiment can determine whether a tumour is benign or not, based on contour, shape, echogenicity and echo texture. Further study of the standardized sonographic features, especially the tumour contour and shape, will improve the positive predictive value and accuracy rate in breast tumour detection. The effectiveness of using this methodology is illustrated by evaluating image segmentation on breast ultrasound images. Via definite segmentation, the appreciated tumour shape and contour can be ascertained. Furthermore, this method can enhance the ability of ultrasound to distinguish between benign and malignant breast lesions.

Application of three-dimensional orthogonal neural network to craniomaxillary reconstruction.

The purpose of this investigation is to establish a practical method to predict and create surface a profile of bone defects by a well-trained 3-D orthogonal neural network. First, the coordinates of the skeletal positions around the boundary of bone defects are input into the 3-D orthogonal neural network to train it to learn the scattering characteristic. The 3-D orthogonal neural network avoids local minima and converges rapidly. After the neural network has been well trained, the mathematic model of the bone defect surface is generated, and the pixel positions are derived. Herein, to verify its performance the proposed method is applied on a patient with a craniofacial defect.

Effect of composting on characterization and leaching of copper, manganese, and zinc from swine manure.

This research was conducted to study the influence of composting on the concentrations, water solubility, and phase association of Cu, Mn, and Zn from swine (Sus domesticus) feces. Composting of separated swine manure was performed in two piles for 122 days. The metal concentrations increased rapidly during the first 49 days and leveled off thereafter. All metal concentrations increased approximately 2.7-fold in the final compost due to decomposition of organic matter. A sequential extraction protocol was used to evaluate the humification process and partition metals into water-soluble, exchangeable, organically complexed, organically bound, solid particulate, and residual fractions. Temporal changes in the water-soluble fractions of Cu, Mn, and Zn were reflected by water-soluble organic C concentrations, which rapidly increased to a maximum at Day 18 and declined thereafter. An increase in the humic acid/fulvic acid ratio in Na4P2O7 or NaOH extracts at various stages of composting represented the humification process. During composting, the major portions of Cu, Mn, and Zn were in the organically-bound, solid particulate, and organically complexed fractions, respectively. Metal distributions in different chemical fractions were generally independent of composting age and, thus, independent of respective total metal concentrations in the composts.

Gastrointestinal metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma: radiological and endoscopic studies of 11 cases.

BACKGROUND: From October 1990 to January 1999, 11 of 2237 hepatoma patients at our hospital had gastrointestinal tract metastasis. We describe the radiological and endoscopic features, clinical course and prognoses of those patients. METHODS: All patients were male. Six patients were hepatitis B carriers, and cirrhosis was noted in eight patients on admission. We reviewed all available radiological, endoscopic and pathological features. RESULTS: The commonest clinical presentation was frank gastrointestinal bleeding. Histological proof of gastrointestinal involvement was seen in six patients. Endoscopic features included ulcerative tumours mimicking advanced gastric carcinoma (43%) and submucosal tumours (29%). The sites of organ involvement were stomach (five), duodenum (two), colon (three) and duodenum and colon (one). Direct invasion by a contiguous neoplasm was the major route of gastrointestinal tract metastasis. Portal vein thrombosis may be the key point of haematogenous spread to other sites. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis in these patients was extremely poor. Almost all patients died within 5 months if no further aggressive management was performed. Surgical intervention may be the optimal choice for palliative treatment of HCC with gastrointestinal tract involvement.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the development of MALT, gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia of the antrum.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection leads to the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), gland atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and in certain individuals, gastric lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. We conducted a prospective study to determine the effect of H pylori eradication on the development of MALT, gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. METHODS: From July 1995 to October 1996, 63 consecutive patients with H pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease were enrolled in a bacterial eradication trial. The grade of MALT and the degree of gastritis of the antrum were assessed using Wotherspoon's scale and the Sydney system before treatment, and at eight weeks and one year after H pylori eradication therapy. RESULTS: During the study period, 43 patients received complete follow-up. In the patient group with eradication failure (n = 22), MALT score was significantly decreased at the end of the eighth week (p < 0.05) but returned to the initial level by one year of follow-up. There were no changes in the scores for inflammation, neutrophil activity, gland atrophy or intestinal metaplasia at the end of the eighth week and at one year following H pylori eradication therapy. In contrast, there was a marked reduction in the MALT, inflammation, and activity scores at eight weeks (p < 0.01, < 0.05 and < 0.05, respectively) and one year after treatment (p < 0.05, < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively) in the patient group with successful eradication (n = 21). However, no significant changes in gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication of H pylori leads to regression of MALT in the stomach, but the degrees of gland atrophy and intestinal metaplasia remain unchanged, even after one-year of follow-up.

Molecular evidence for strain dissemination of Penicillium marneffei: an emerging pathogen in Taiwan.

From January 1987 through December 1998, Penicillium marneffei infection (23 patients) or colonization (1 patient) was diagnosed in a total of 24 patients in Taiwan. Of these 24 patients, 16 (67%) had AIDS and 20 (83%) had disseminated P. marneffei infection. The majority (63%) of the infections were considered indigenous. The number of cases has increased markedly in recent years, with 17 of the 24 cases diagnosed from 1996 through 1998. Twenty preserved isolates of P. marneffei, recovered from 11 patients treated at National Taiwan University Hospital during the period of January 1996 through December 1998, were studied to determine the epidemiology of P. marneffei infections. Among the 20 isolates, a total of 8 strains (highly related isolates) were identified on the basis of tests for susceptibility to 5 antifungal agents, for chromosomal DNA restriction fragment-length polymorphism types, and for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA patterns. One of the strains (6 isolates) was isolated from 4 patients treated in 1997 and 1998. Strain spreading of P. marneffei may partially contribute to the increased number of infections caused by this organism in immunosuppressed patients in Taiwan.