SILAR deposited iron phosphate as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient water splitting.

The development of efficient and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is important but still challenging. Herein, iron phosphate (FePi) electrode is synthesized using a successive ionic layer deposition and reaction (SILAR) method on a nickel foam substrate at room temperature and is used as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting. The prepared FePi electrodes show excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The FePi electrode exhibits low overpotential of 230 mV and 157 mV towards the OER and HER, respectively, with superior long-term stability. As a result, an electrolyzer that exploits FePi as both the anode and the cathode is constructed, which requires a cell potential of 1.67 V to deliver a 10 mA cm-2 current density in 1 M KOH solution. The exceptional features of the catalyst lie in its structure and active metal sites, increasing surface area, accelerated electron transport and promoted reaction kinetics. This study may provide a facile and scalable approach to design a high-efficiency, earth-abundant electrocatalyst for water splitting.

Replication of results of genome-wide association studies on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility loci in a Korean population.

Two recent genome-wide association studies have identified that the rs2274223 single-nucleotide polymorphism inphospholipase C epsilon 1 and the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs13042395 in C20orf54 are involved in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Chinese populations. We hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms of phospholipase C epsilon 1 and C20orf54 are also associated with ESCC in a Korean population. The rs2274223 and rs13042395 genotyping was performed using high-resolution melting analysis. The rs2274223 GG genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of ESCC (odds ratio [OR]=1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.08-3.25) compared with the rs2274223 AA genotype. The rs13042395 G allele showed a significantly decreased risk of ESCC in the younger age group (OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.52-0.97) and no significant association in the older group (OR=1.19, 95% CI=0.87-1.62). We observed that the rs2274223 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of ESCC in this Korean case-control study and that age may modify the association between the rs13042395 polymorphism and the risk of ESCC.

Transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the lungs using a C-arm cone-beam CT system: diagnostic accuracy and post-procedural complications.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (TFNAB) using a C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) system and to assess risk factors for immediate post-procedural complications in patients with lung lesions. METHODS: From October 2007 to April 2009, 94 TFNAB procedures using a C-arm system were studied in 91 patients with pulmonary lesions a chest CT scans. We retrospectively reviewed the patients' radiological and histopathological findings. We evaluated the lesion size, lesion abutted to pleura and presence or absence of emphysema along the needle path, lesion depth, visibility of target lesion and patient's position. Pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were assessed after TFNAB. Overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were analysed. RESULTS: In 94 TFNAB procedures, 58 lesions were malignant and 36 were benign. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and overall diagnostic accuracy rate of TFNAB were 93.1%, 100%, 100%, 90% and 97.9%, respectively. Pneumothorax was developed in 24 procedures. None of the parameters showed significant impact on the frequency of the pneumothorax. Overall haemorrhage occurred in 43 procedures. The incidence of overall haemorrhage was higher in patients with smaller lesions, longer pleural distance and pleural abutted lesions (p<0.05). Differences in visibility at projection radiographs were statistically significant between patients with or without perilesional haemorrhage (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy using a C-arm CBCT system is feasible for imaging guidance of lung lesion and early detection of the procedural-related complications.

A pre- and postoperative bacteriological study of chronic suppurative otitis media.

BACKGROUND: Although many bacteriological studies on preoperative otorrhea in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) have been performed, there are few studies on postoperative otorrhea. In this study, we analyzed the pathogenic microorganisms, changes in the bacterial species before and after surgery, and the antibiotic sensitivity on preoperative and postoperative cultures. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 87 postoperative otorrhea patients who were part of a sample of 1,754 patients with CSOM who underwent tympanomastoidectomy; preoperative and postoperative otorrhea samples were obtained from January 2002 to April 2009. We analyzed patients with postoperative otorrhea divided into two groups: those with early onset (<3 months after surgery, n = 45) and those with late onset (>3 months after surgery, n = 42) otorrhea. RESULTS: Four species of organisms, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS), showed higher prevalence than others on both the preoperative and postoperative cultures. When we compared the early and late onset otorrhea groups, we found that 'no growth' was significantly higher in the early onset group (n = 19 vs. n = 5), whereas MSSA was significantly higher in the late onset group (n = 1 vs. n = 12). Of the 67 patients with positive preoperative cultures, 15 (22.4%) had the same bacteria after surgery, 34 (50.8%) had other bacteria, 2 (3.0%) had fungi, and 16 (23.8%) showed no growth on postoperative bacteriological testing. MSSA (9%) and MRSA (16.7%) were rarely recultured after surgery, whereas Pseudomonas was recultured frequently (61.5%). CONCLUSION: Unlike MSSA and MRSA, ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRP) occasionally causes early onset postoperative otorrhea due to the lack of highly potent antibiotics against this species. The success rate of infection control by surgery and antibiotics was low for CRP.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin in advanced esophageal cancer.

How best to manage advanced esophageal cancer remains unresolved, especially in palliative care. Here, in a pilot study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin in advanced esophageal cancer. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus received S-1 and cisplatin at doses of 70 mg/m(2)/day for 14 days and 70 mg/m(2) on day 1, respectively, every 3 weeks. Concurrently, radiotherapy was started at a dose of 200 cGy/day, up to a total of 5400 cGy. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, additive chemotherapy was repeated up to six cycles. Thirty patients were enrolled in this study; of the 27 in whom efficacy could be evaluated, an objective response rate was seen in 20 (74.1%), including five (18.5%) complete pathologic responses in primary lesions. Improvement of dysphagia was seen in 21 (76%) patients. In patients with stage II or III esophageal cancer, the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10.6 +/- 0.6 months (95% CI: 9.4-11.8) and 23.0 +/- 5.1 months (95% CI: 13.0-32.9), respectively. In patients with stage IV esophageal cancer, the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.4 +/- 1.6 months (95% CI: 2.2-8.6) and 11.6 +/- 1.6 months (95% CI: 8.4-14.8), respectively. The main hematological toxicity was neutropenia, but no neutropenic fever was observed. The major non-hematological toxicities were asthenia and vomiting, mostly of grades 1 and 2. Thus, concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin may be a promising nonsurgical treatment in advanced esophageal cancer.

Preparation of doxorubicin-containing chitosan microspheres for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A new form of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DRH)-containing chitosan microspheres (CMs) was prepared by employing an expanding-loading-shrinking (E-L-S) process. One hundred mg of pre-formed CMs were soaked in absolute ethanol and then placed in reduced pressure (the expanding process). Ten mg of DRH (2 mg ml(-1)) were added into the expanded CMs (the loading process). Next the microspheres were freeze-dried (the shrinking process). As a result of this E-L-S process, 10% (w/w) DRH-containing CMs (DRH-CM) were made. During 7 days, 22.6% of the DRH was observed to be released on the in vitro drug release study. In addition, these new DRH-CMs could be used for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) procedure in VX2 hepatic tumour models of rabbit and the anti-tumour effects of DRH-CMs were investigated. On the post-CT scan 7 days after the TACE, total infarctions of the VX2 tumour were observed in 5 rabbits among the 6 total rabbits.

Expression and characterization of a recombinant Cry1Ac crystal protein with enhanced green fluorescent protein in acrystalliferous Bacillus thuringiensis.

AIMS: To investigate fusion expression between Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein and a foreign protein, the expression of a fusion protein comprised of Cry1Ac, and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in B. thuringiensis Cry(-)B strain was examined. METHODS AND RESULTS: The N-terminal fusion expression of EGFP in Cry1Ac was attempted under the control of the native cry1Ac promoter. The EGFP gene was cloned into pProMu and named pProMu-EGFP. The transformant, ProMu-EGFP/CB produced parasporal inclusions that were of bipyramidal-shaped crystals in size ranging from 200 to 300 nm. The fusion protein was approximately 150 kDa and identified by the immunoblot analysis using a Cry1Ac antibody and also a GFP antibody. The LC(50) of the ProMu-EGFP/CB was twofold higher when compared with that by the ProAc/CB. However, the crystal protein produced by the ProMu-EGFP/CB was effective on Plutella xylostella larvae. CONCLUSIONS: The ProMu-EGFP/CB produced bipyramidal shaped and insecticidal crystals comprising fusion proteins. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Through the N-terminal fusion expression of EGFP and Cry1Ac, expression and crystallization between the B. thuringiensis crystal protein and a foreign protein were validated.

Subacute toxicities and toxicokinetics of a new erectogenic, DA-8159, after single and 4-week repeated oral administration in dogs.

The subacute toxicities and toxicokinetics of a new erectogenic, DA-8159, were evaluated after single (at the 1st day) and 4-week (at the 28th day) oral administration of the drug, in doses of 0 (to serve as a control), 12.5, 50 and 200 mg/kg/day, to male and female dogs (n=3 for male and female dogs for each dose). DA-8159 had an effect on the immune-related organs (or tissues), circulatory systems, liver, adrenal glands, ovaries and pancreas. The toxic dose was 200 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level was less than 50 mg/kg for male and female dogs. There were no significant gender differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of DA-8159 for each dose after both single and 4-week oral administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters of DA-8159 were dose-independent after single oral administration; the time to reach a peak plasma concentration (T(max)) and the dose-normalized area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 24 h in plasma (AUC(0-24 h)) were not significantly different among three doses. However, accumulation of DA-8159 after 4-week oral administration was considerable at toxic dose, 200 mg/kg/day. For example, after 4-week administration, the dose-normalized AUC(0-24 h) value at 200 mg/kg/day (4.71 and 15.3 microg h/ml) was significantly greater than that at 12.5 mg/kg/day. After 4-week oral administration, the dose-normalized C(max) and AUC(0-24 h) at 200 mg/kg/day were significantly higher and greater, respectively, than those after a single oral administration.

An experimental model of ischemia in rabbit hindlimb.

This study was performed to establish an experimental model of ischemia for the investigation of new treatment modality of limb-threatening ischemia. We produced ischemia in the hindlimbs of 8 New Zealand white rabbits. Under general anesthesia, the left femoral artery was exposed, freed, and excised from distal external iliac artery to proximal popliteal and saphenous arteries. And then both hindlimbs were serially examined to assess the ischemia according to the time table until postoperative 6 weeks. We assessed clinical observation, blood pressure, radioisotopic perfusion scan, and angiography. Clinical ischemic changes of the operated feet were observed in 63%. The blood pressure of left calves was measurable on postoperative day 3 (p<0.05, vs preoperative day 2) and then gradually increased to reach a plateau in postoperative week 6. Radioisotopic arterial perfusion showed similar profiles as in blood pressure. Angiography of ischemic hindlimbs demonstrated a few collateral vessels arising from the internal iliac artery with the reconstitution of the posterior tibial artery in postoperative week 2. In postoperative week 6, collaterals remained the same in number. However, these became dilated and tortuous and showed reconstitution in distal hindleg. In conclusion, this is a reproducible, measurable, and economical animal model of hind limb ischemia.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor level and degree of enhancement by multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a histopathological factor influencing contrast enhancement of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Twenty-two nodular HCCs underwent multiphase helical CT and surgery. Tumor size, histological grading of differentiation, and type of hepatitis were evaluated. Tumor attenuation was graded as hyperattenuated, isoattenuated, and hypoattenuated. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-VEGF antibody was performed and scored as weak, intermediate, or strong. Spearman's rank correlation test was used. RESULTS: Tumors ranged from 1.0 to 12.0 cm (mean 5.1 cm). The degree of enhancement during the hepatic arterial phase was significantly correlated with VEGF expression. Size was negatively correlated with VEGF expression and the degree of enhancement, but histological grade and type of hepatitis were not correlated with VEGF expression, tumor size, or degree of enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: In HCC, VEGF expression is correlated with the degree of contrast enhancement during arterial-phase CT.

Correlation of VEGF with contrast enhancement on dual-phase dynamic helical CT in liver tumors: preliminary study.

The purpose of this preliminary study is to elucidate that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) influences contrast enhancement of hepatic tumors on computed tomography (CT). Fourteen patients with hepatic tumors (11 hepatocellular carcinomas; 3 metastatic cancers) underwent a dual-phase dynamic helical CT or computed tomographic hepatic arteriography. The attenuation of each mass was determined as hyperattenuation, isoattenuation or hypoattenuation with respect to the adjacent nontumorous parenchyma. Gun-needle biopsy was done for each tumor, and paraffin sections were immunostained with anti- VEGF antibody by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The pathologic grade was made by intensity (1 +, 2+, 3+) and area (+/-, 1 +, 2+). The tumor ranged 2.0-14.0 cm in size (mean, 5.8 cm). In arterial phase, the intensity was not correlated with the degree of enhancement (p=0.086). However, the correlation between the attenuation value of hepatic arterial phase and the area of positive tumor cells was statistically significant (p=0.002). VEGF may be the factor that enhances the hepatic mass with water-soluble iodinated contrast agent in CT.

Tuberculous aneurysm of the abdominal aorta: endovascular repair using stent grafts in two cases.

Tuberculous aneurysm of the aorta is exceedingly rare. To date, the standard therapy for mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta has been surgery involving in-situ graft placement or extra-anatomic bypass surgery followed by effective anti-tuberculous medication. Only recently has the use of a stent graft in the treatment of tuberculous aortic aneurysm been described in the literature. We report two cases in which a tuberculous aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was successfully repaired using endovascular stent grafts. One case involved is a 42-year-old woman with a large suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and a right psoas abscess, and the other, a 41-year-old man in whom an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured during surgical drainage of a psoas abscess.

Factors influencing the protein binding of a new phosphodiesterase V inhibitor, DA-8159, using an equilibrium dialysis technique.

Various factors influencing the protein binding of DA-8159 to 4% human serum albumin (HSA) were evaluated using an equilibrium dialysis technique at an initial DA-8159 concentration of 5 microg/mL. It took approximately 8 h incubation to reach an equilibrium between 4% HSA and an isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 containing 3% of dextran ('the buffer') using a Spectra/Por 2 membrane (mol. wt. cut-off: 12,000--14,000) in a water bath shaker kept at 37 degrees C and at a rate of 50 oscillations per min. The extent of binding was dependent on DA-8159 concentrations, HSA concentrations, incubation temperature, buffer pH, and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations. The binding of DA-8159 in heparinized human plasma (93.9%) was significantly higher than in rats (81.4%), rabbits (80.4%), and dogs (82.2%), and this could be due to differences in AAG concentrations in plasma.

Pharmacokinetics, stability, and blood partition of DA-8159, a new phosphodiesterase V inhibitor.

The pharmacokinetics of DA-8159, a new phosphodiesterase V inhibitor, after 1 min intravenous, 30 mg/kg, and oral, 30 mg/kg, administration of the drug to rats, the stability of DA-8159 in various pH solutions ranging from 1 to 13, and human and rat plasma and urine, and the blood partition of DA-8159 between plasma and blood cells of rabbit were evaluated. After intravenous administration, DA-8159 was eliminated fast with the mean total body clearance of 126 ml/min/kg, and was almost completely metabolized in rats; 5.98% of intravenous dose of DA-8159 were excreted unchanged in 24-hr urine. The extent of absolute oral bioavailibility of DA-8159 was approximately 25%. The apparent volume of distribution at steady state was considerably large, 15048 ml/kg, suggesting that DA-8159 has a good affinity to rat tissues. DA-8159 was relatively stable in various pH solutions, and human and rat plasma and urine for up to 48 h incubation in a water-bath shaker kept at 37 degrees C and at a rate of 50 oscillations per min. DA-8159 reached equilibrium fast (within 30 sec mixing manually) between plasma and blood cells of rabbit blood and the plasma-to-blood cell concentration ratios were independent of initial blood concentrations of DA-8159, 1, 5, and 10 microg/ml, when the rabbit whole blood was incubated for up to 120 min; the ratios were in the range of 0.662-0.812. There was no in vitro 'blood storage effect' in the plasma concentration of DA-8159.

Percutaneously implantable catheter-port system for chemotherapeutic infusion through the hepatic artery.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility and outcomes of percutaneously implantable catheter-port system placement in the hepatic artery for the purpose of intraarterial chemotherapeutic infusion. CONCLUSION: Percutaneously implantable catheter-port system placement is safe and technically feasible for use in the hepatic artery. The implantation procedure is less invasive than surgical implantation of similar port systems.

Recanalization of obstructed Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter: wire/stylet manipulation combined with endoluminal electrocauterization.

We report the results of fluoroscopically guided wire/stylet manipulation combined with endoluminal electrocauterization in seven patients with obstructed Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheters. In preparation for clinical application, electrocauterization was performed using a stone basket to recanalize surgically removed Tenckhoff catheters obstructed with omental fat ingrowing through the side holes. All ingrowing omental fat was removed easily by electrocauterization with the rotating movement of a stone basket. The technique was then applied in vivo in seven cases with ingrowing omental fat and malpositioned catheter; six (86%) were successfully recanalized. Among those six cases with initial success, four maintained good catheter function with durable patency (mean 261.3 days). No significant complication was noted.

Phase I clinical trial: pharmacokinetics of a novel anthracycline, DA-125 and metabolites. Single dose study.

Single dose of DA-125, 20 (n = 3), 40 (n = 3), 60 (n = 3), 80 (n = 6), or 100 (n = 6) mg/m2 body surface area, was administered intravenously in 5 min to 21 patients with various types of cancer as phase I clinical trial. The main side-effects of DA-125 were nausea, vomiting, leukopenia (especially neutropenia), and thrombocytopenia. Among those, hematological side-effects increased with increased doses of DA-125. No patient developed side-effects equal to or higher than grade III up to DA-125 dose of 60 mg/m2. However, at DA-125 dose of 80 mg/m2, 1 out of 3 patients developed grade III leukopenia and grade IV neutropenia. Therefore, 3 additional patients participated taking the dose of 80 mg/m2; no patient developed side-effects equal to or higher than grade III. Hence, DA-125 dose increased to 100 mg/m2. At DA-125 dose of 100 mg/m2, 2 out of 3 patients developed side-effects equal to or higher than grade III and, therefore, 3 additional patients participated taking this dose. Among the 3 additional patients, 1 patient developed both grade III leukopenia and neutropenia. Therefore, further accrual was stopped at this dose (100 mg/m2). The maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of DA-125 was determined to be 100 mg/m2, and the dose-limiting factor for DA-125 was bone marrow suppression. DA-125 dose of 80 mg/m2, 80% of MTD of DA-125, was recommended as the dose for phase II clinical trial. Cardiotoxicity was not observed in any of the 21 patients according to the ECG and RVG. Neither fever, stomatitis, diarrhea, and renal and nervous system toxicity, nor abnormality in blood coagulation was observed in any of the patients, and death or life-threatening side-effects due to DA-125 were also not observed. Antitumor effects of DA-125 were evaluated from the 21 patients; 6 progressive disease, 14 stable disease, and 1 partial response. Pharmacokinetic parameters of M1, such as AUC, t1/2, CL, VSS, and MRT, seemed to be independent of i.v. doses of DA- 125, 20-100 mg/m2 and less than 0.75% of M1 were excreted in 96 h urine when expressed in terms of DA-125 i.v. dose. M2 was the main metabolite of DA-125 among M1-M4 excreted in urine; 10.1 approximately 22.3% of M2 was excreted in 96 h urine when expressed in terms of DA-125 i.v. dose. Bile was collected via the T-tube in 1 additional patient at the dose of 100 mg/m2. Biliary excretion of M1 and M2 was negligible; less than 0.320 and 4.76% of M1 and M2, respectively, were excreted in 96 h bile when expressed in terms of DA-125 i.v. dose.

Pharmacokinetics of a new carbapenem, DA-1131, after intravenous administration to rats with uranyl nitrate-induced acute renal failure.

Because the physiological changes that occur in patients with acute renal failure could alter the pharmacokinetics of the drugs used to treat the disease, the pharmacokinetics of DA-1131, a new carbapenem antibiotic, were investigated after 1-min intravenous administration of the drug (50 mg/kg of body weight) to control rats and rats with uranyl nitrate-induced acute renal failure (U-ARF rats). The impaired kidney function was observed in U-ARF rats on the basis of physiological parameters observed by microscopy of the kidney and obtained by chemical analysis of the plasma. After a 1-min intravenous infusion of DA-1131, the concentrations in plasma and the total area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity increased significantly in U-ARF rats compared with those in control rats (13,000 versus 4,400 microg x min/ml). This was due to the significantly slower total body clearance (CL) of DA-1131 (3.84 versus 11.4 ml/min/kg) from U-ARF rats than from control rats. The significantly slower CL of DA-1131 from U-ARF rats was due to both significantly slower renal clearance (0.000635 versus 4.95 ml/min/kg because of a significant decrease in the 8-h urinary excretion of unchanged DA-1131 [1.54 versus 43.8% of the intravenous dose] due to impaired kidney function, as proved by the significant decrease in creatinine clearance [0.0159 versus 4.29 ml/min/kg]) and significantly slower nonrenal clearance (3.80 versus 6.34 ml/min/kg because of a significant decrease in the metabolism of DA-1131 in the kidney) in U-ARF rats. The amounts of DA-1131 recovered from all tissues studied (except the kidneys) were significantly higher for U-ARF rats than for control rats; however, the ratios of the amount in tissue to the concentration in plasma (except those for the kidney, small intestine, and spleen) were not significantly different between the two groups of rats, indicating that the affinity of DA-1131 for rat tissues was not changed considerably in U-ARF rats.