[Use of indocyanine green fluorescence navigation in laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy].

Objective: To examine the clinical value of fluorescence-guided indocyanine green (ICG) laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy with ICG fluorescence navigation in the Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center of West China Hospital between September 2020 and May 2022 were retrospectively collected. There were 53 males and 19 females, with an age of (55.5±12.9)years(range:42.6 to 68.4 years). Among them, 13 of the cases underwent laparoscopic anatomical liver resection(LALR) guided by tans-arterial ICG,43 of the cases received LAIR guided by portal vein negative ICG, and 16 of the cases received LALR positive by portal vein. Comparison among the three groups was performed by one-way ANOVA; and the rank sum test was used for comparison between groups. The counting data was expressed as percentage,and the χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability method was used for comparison between groups. Results: (1) Postoperative pathology: Resection R0 was achieved in all operations. The maximum tumor diameter of the patients in the arterial staining group, the reverse staining group, and the positive staining group(M (IQR)) was 2.5 (2.4) cm, 3.0 (2.5) cm and 3.0(2.4) cm,respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the maximum tumor diameter between the three groups (P=0.364). The minimum tumor margin was 1.1 (1.1) cm, 1.0 (1.0) cm, 1.1 (1.6) cm in the the arterial staining group, reverse staining group and the positive staining group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the margin among the three groups (P=0.878). (2) Operation conditions: the operation time of the arterial staining group, the negative staining group, and the positive portal staining group was (348±93)minutes,(277±112)minutes,and (295±116)minutes,respectively. There were no significant differences in operation time among the three groups (P=0.134). The intraoperative blood loss of the three groups was 80(150)ml,200(350)ml,and 100(150)ml,respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in intraoperative bleeding volume between the three groups(P=0.743). All cases were not transfused during the operation and were not converted to laparotomy. ALT in the arterial staining group was higher than in the negative staining group in the first two days after the operation ((559±398)IU/L307(257) IU/L, q=235.5,P=0.004;(611±389)IU/L(331±242) IU/L, q=265.2, P=0.002). There was only one case of a grade III complication (Clavien-Dindo grading system) postoperative complication in the negative and positive staining group of the portal vein, respectively. Tumor markers in all patients decreased to the normal range after 2 months of operation. Conclusion: Laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy guided by ICG fluorescence through arterial staining and portal vein staining is safe and feasible for primary hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Blood transcriptome analysis and identification of genes associated with supernumerary teats in Chinese Holstein cows.

In dairy cows, supernumerary teats (SNT) are not desired as they are considered a repository for bacteria; thus, SNT are a risk factor for mastitis. Supernumerary teats are a heritable oligo- or polygenic trait. The incidence of SNT in offspring must be reduced by genomic selection. However, in modern dairy farming, farmers often ignore the effects of SNT on cows. The study aimed to elucidate the effects of SNT on dairy cows from the blood transcriptome level and identify genes associated with SNT in Chinese Holstein cows. We selected 6 SNT cows (Yes) and 6 non-SNT cows (No). In the 6 SNT cows, 3 cows had 1 SNT (One) and 3 cows had 2 SNT (Two). They were divided into 3 comparison groups (One vs. No; Two vs. No; and Yes vs. No). RNA was extracted from blood white membrane cells of 12 cows, and RNA sequencing was performed. Differential gene expression analysis based on the negative binomial distribution was used to detect differentially expressed genes in the One versus No and Two versus No comparison groups. Genes that were significantly upregulated or downregulated both in the One versus No and Two versus No groups (shared genes, SG) were obtained for further analysis. We also performed gene set enrichment analysis for all genes expressed in the Yes versus No group, correlation analysis between SG and the hematological parameters, protein-protein interaction network analysis of SG to select hub genes, and alternative splicing analysis for Yes versus No group to explore the functions of differentially spliced genes. We detected 289 SG. Gene set enrichment analysis, gene ontology, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis results showed that SNT affect immunity, inflammation, and lactation-related pathways in dairy cows. Correlation analysis showed that LOC104968484, SLC25A6, GADD45G, BAX, APAF1, ATM, XIAP, MDM4, BDP1, CEP350, MED13, TAOK1, SMG1, and RIF1 are associated with white blood cell count and absolute value of lymphocytes in SNT cows only, so they might be genes associated with SNT in Chinese Holstein cows. We found 2 genes (BAX and MDM4) were also differentially spliced genes. However, the causal relationship between these genes and the SNT phenotype needs to be further studied. This study is the first to reveal the adverse effects of SNT on dairy cows at a transcriptional level, and the genes we found can be used as a reference for further searching for candidate genes for the SNT phenotype.

Genetic parameters and weighted single-step genome-wide association study for supernumerary teats in Holstein cattle.

Supernumerary teats (SNT) are a common epidermal abnormality of udders in mammals. The SNT negatively affect machine milking ability, udder health, and animal welfare and sometimes act as reservoirs for undesirable bacteria, resulting in economic losses on calves and lactating cows due to the cost of SNT removal surgery, early culling, and low milk yield. This study aimed to analyze the incidence and genetic parameter of SNT and detect SNT-related genes in Chinese Holstein cattle. In this study, the incidence of SNT was recorded in 4,670 Chinese Holstein cattle (born between 2008 and 2017) from 2 farms, including 734 genotyped cows with 114,485 SNPs. The SNT had a total frequency of 9.8% and estimated heritability of 0.22 (SE = 0.07), which were obtained using a threshold model in the studied Chinese Holstein population. Furthermore, we calculated approximate genetic correlations between SNT and the following indicator traits: 12 milk production, 28 body conformation, 5 fertility and reproduction, 5 health, and 9 longevity. Generally, the estimated correlations, such as 305-d milk yield for third parity (-0.55; SE = 0.02) and age at first calving in heifer (0.19; SE = 0.03), were low to moderate. A single-step GWAS was implemented, and 10 genes associated with SNT located in BTA4 were identified. The region (112.70-112.90 Mb) on BTA4 showed the highest genetic variance for SNT. The quantitative trait loci on BTA4 was mapped into the RARRES2 gene, which was previously shown to affect adipogenesis and hormone secretion. The WIF1 gene, which was located in BTA5, was also considered as a candidate gene for SNT. Overall, these findings provide useful information for breeders who are interested in reducing SNT.

[Hemodynamic response in cirrhotic patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt].

Objective: To discuss the effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure on hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients. Methods: A total of 23 cirrhotic patients for TIPS insertion were enrolled from January 2018 to October 2018. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), transthoracic echocardiography and non-invasive cardiac output measurement based on impedance cardiogram were carried out before and 24h, 1 month, 6 months after TIPS in order to observe cardiac function and hemodynamic changes after TIPS. Results: Significant increases in right atrial area [(17.2±4.0) cm(2) vs. (15.0±3.4) cm(2), P<0.05], right ventricular area [(15.1±3.8) cm(2) vs. (13.7±3.5) cm(2), P<0.05] and left ventricular volume [(97.4±21.5) ml vs. (91.1±22.7) ml, P<0.05] were observed 24 h after TIPS. These changes were accompanied with significant reduction in collapsible index of inferior vena cava [(20.7± 8.1)% vs. (28.6±11.3)%, P<0.01] and elevation in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure [(36.0±8.4) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (31.8±5.4) mmHg, P<0.01]. There also existed significantly elevated serum NT-proBNP [(551.2±325.1) ng/L vs. (124.2±94.4) ng/L, P<0.01], cardiac output [(5.82±0.96) L/min vs. (5.12±1.28) L/min, P<0.01], cardiac index [(3.47±0.64) L·min(-1)·m(-2) vs. (3.05±0.78) L·min(-1)·m(-2), P<0.01], early diastolic filling rate [(59.0±14.3)% vs. (54.5±11.0)%, P<0.05], and reduced systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi) [(1 798.4±357.3) dyne·s·cm(-5)·m(-2) vs. (2 195.7±508.7) dyne·s·cm(-5)·m(-2), P<0.01] 24 h after TIPS. At the end of 6-month follow-up, all these parameters, but not SVRi, returned towards baseline values. Moreover, peak early to late diastolic tissue velocity ratio at the level of lateral mitral annulus (E'/A') was significantly higher at the end of 6-month follow-up than that at baseline (1.06±0.32 vs. 0.90±0.45, P<0.05). Neither the right ventricular fractional area changes nor the left ventricular ejection fractions during the follow-up period were different from those at baseline (P>0.05). Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients who had no cardiovascular pathologies had adequate adaptation and good compensation ability to reach a new hemodynamic homeostasis for the increased volume load after TIPS insertion.

Obstetrical outcomes after first-trimester chorionic villus sampling in twin pregnancies: A retrospective case-control study.

AIM: Prenatal diagnostic testing by chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is sometimes recommended for women with twin pregnancies. However, few studies have compared the outcomes between twins with CVS and control twins without intervention. This study aimed to compare the obstetrical outcomes of CVS in twin pregnancies and those in non-intervention twin pregnancies. METHODS: First-trimester transabdominal CVS was performed on dichorionic-diamniotic twins (n = 54; Group 1) between December 2006 and January 2017 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at our hospital, and the data were retrospectively analyzed. CVS risks were evaluated by comparing obstetrical outcomes with those of a control population of 155 dichorionic-diamniotic twins without intervention (Group 2). RESULTS: The difference in the overall fetal loss rate (Group 1, 7.4% vs Group 2, 3.9%; P = 0.287) between the two groups was not statistically significant. The miscarriage rate, defined as delivery at <24 gestational weeks, and early preterm delivery, defined as delivery at <34 gestational weeks, were not significant between the groups (miscarriage: Group 1, 5.6% vs Group 2, 3.2%; P = 0.428; early preterm delivery: Group 1, 11.1% vs Group 2, 9.0%; P = 0.788). The mean gestational age at delivery, birth weights and neonatal intensive care unit admission rate were not statistically significant between the groups. Thus, the overall fetal loss rate and obstetrical outcomes of Group 1 were comparable with those of Group 2. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the overall obstetrical outcomes were not significantly different between twins with CVS and control twins with the advantage of enabling early decision-making about selective feticide in twins with CVS.

Improvement in postoperative pain control by combined use of intravenous dexamethasone with intravenous dexmedetomidine after interscalene brachial plexus block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine is reported to prolong the duration of analgesia after single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB). However, the effect of co-administration of these agents on the duration of analgesia has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the difference in time to first rescue analgesic request between patients receiving co-administered intravenous dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine and patients receiving intravenous dexamethasone alone after single-shot ISBPB for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. DESIGN: A randomised controlled study. SETTING: A single tertiary care centre, study period from August 2017 to January 2018. PATIENTS: Sixty-six patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery with ISBPB with 15 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 1 : 200 000 epinephrine. INTERVENTIONS: We randomly assigned the patients to one of three groups: intravenous 0.9% saline (control), intravenous dexamethasone 0.11 mg kg (D1 group), or co-administered intravenous dexamethasone 0.11 mg kg and intravenous dexmedetomidine 1.0 µg kg (D2 group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the time to first rescue analgesic request. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] time to first rescue analgesic request was significantly longer for the D2 group (66.3 h [23.3 to 72]) than the D1 (17.4 h [14.9 to 36], P = 0.002) and control (10.9 h [10.1 to 12.2], P < 0.001) groups. The D1 and D2 groups both had reduced pain scores, reduced postoperative opioid consumption, less sleep disruption and improved patient satisfaction compared with the control group. There were no significant elevations in blood glucose concentrations in patients receiving dexamethasone (D1 and D2 groups) compared with the control group at postoperative day 1. CONCLUSION: Co-administration of intravenous dexamethasone (0.11 mg kg) with dexmedetomidine (1.0 µg kg) significantly prolonged the time to first rescue analgesic request after single-shot ISBPB in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry of Korea; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp and identifier: KCT0002569.

[Effect of oxygen tubing connection site on percutaneous oxygen partial pressure and percutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during noninvasive positive pressure ventilation].

Objective: We evaluated the effects of administering oxygen through nasal catheters inside the mask or through the mask on percutaneous oxygen partial pressure (PcO(2))and percutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure (PcCO(2)) during noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) to find a better way of administering oxygen, which could increase PcO(2) by increasing the inspired oxygen concentration. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers and 9 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by type Ⅱ respiratory failure were included in this study. Oxygen was administered through a nasal catheter inside the mask or through the mask (oxygen flow was 3 and 5 L/min) during NPPV. PcO(2) and PcCO(2) were measured to evaluate the effects of administering oxygen through a nasal catheter inside the mask or through the mask, indirectly reflecting the effects of administering oxygen through nasal catheter inside the mask or through the mask on inspired oxygen concentration. Results: Compared to administering oxygen through the mask during NPPV, elevated PcO(2) was measured in administering oxygen through the nasal catheter inside the mask, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). At the same time, there was no significant change in PcCO(2) (P>0.05). Conclusion: Administering oxygen through a nasal catheter inside the mask during NPPV increased PcO(2) by increasing the inspired oxygen concentration but did not increase PcCO(2). This method of administering oxygen could conserve oxygen and be suitable for family NPPV. Our results also provided theoretical basis for the development of new masks.

Determination of the 3D shape of a nanoscale crystal with atomic resolution from a single image.

Although the overall atomic structure of a nanoscale crystal is in principle accessible by modern transmission electron microscopy, the precise determination of its surface structure is an intricate problem. Here, we show that aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, combined with dedicated numerical evaluation procedures, allows the three-dimensional shape of a thin MgO crystal to be determined from only one single high-resolution image. The sensitivity of the reconstruction procedure is not only sufficient to reveal the surface morphology of the crystal with atomic resolution, but also to detect the presence of adsorbed impurity atoms. The single-image approach that we introduce offers important advantages for three-dimensional studies of radiation-sensitive crystals.

Molecular characterization of the Tobacco rattle virus RNA2 genome isolated from Gladiolus.

Tobacco rattle virus (TRV-K) was first identified in a symptomatic Gladiolus plant cultivated in Korea. We analyzed the TRV-K genome and compared its phylogeny with other TRV isolates. After constructing of a full-length genomic RNA2 strand clone, a complete sequence was generated from several overlapping clones. The cloned genome was 3261 bases in length, identical to TRV-K, and had three open reading frames. TRV-K had the highest sequence identity with the American isolate TRV-ORY. Sequence analysis of the RNA2 genome showed that TRV-K contains an intact 2a, 2b, and 2c coding sequence and an RNA1-related 3' terminus, which is typical of TRV RNA2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TRV-K is in the same cluster as the American isolates and another Korean isolate, TRV-SK; however, it was in a different cluster than the European isolates.

[Associations of circulating leptin levels with colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer: a case-control and Mendelian randomization study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causal association between circulating leptin levels and the risk of colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer. METHODS: We collected demographic and clinical data and serum samples from 497 patients with colorectal adenoma, 955 patients with colorectal cancer, and 911 healthy individuals from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Zhuji People's Hospital, and Lin'an District First People's Hospital. Instrumental variables of leptin were selected and genotyping tests were performed. A logistic regression model and stratified analysis were used to evaluate the association of serum leptin levels with colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, and the progression of colorectal adenoma to colorectal cancer. Genetic risk score (GRS) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were further used as instrumental variables in one-sample and two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses leveraging two-stage least squares and inverse-variance weighted methods to estimate the causal association of leptin levels with the risk of colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, and progression of colorectal adenoma to colorectal cancer. RESULTS: High levels of leptin, compared with its lowest quartile, were positively correlated with colorectal adenoma (P=0.005) and negatively with colorectal cancer (P < 0.001) and the risk of progression of colorectal adenoma to colorectal cancer (P < 0.001). Mendelian randomization analysis showed that GRS of leptin, either weighted or not, was not significantly correlated with the risk of colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, or the progression of colorectal adenoma to colorectal cancer, nor did the two-sample Mendelian randomization study support an association between leptin and the risk of colorectal cancer (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the case-control study suggests probable correlations of leptin with the risk of colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, and colorectal adenoma progression to colorectal cancer, Mendelian randomization studies did not support a causal association of leptin with the risks of colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, or colorectal adenoma progression to colorectal cancer.

Incidence and predictors of post-reperfusion syndrome in living donor liver transplantation.

A characteristic pattern of hemodynamic changes that may occur in reperfusion phase of liver transplantation (LT) is known as post-reperfusion syndrome (PRS). In this study, we determined the frequency of PRS and evaluated possible predictors of PRS. The medical records of 152 patients who underwent living donor LT were reviewed. PRS was defined as a decrease in mean arterial pressure of more than 30% from the baseline value for more than one min during the first five min after reperfusion. The frequency of PRS was determined, and patients were divided into two groups: PRS group and non-PRS group. Donor factors, preoperative and intraoperative recipient factors, and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. PRS occurred in 58 recipients (34.2%). Preoperative model for end-stage liver disease scores of recipients and percentage of graft steatotic changes were higher in PRS group. PRS group showed higher heart rates and lower hemoglobin values preoperatively. Before reperfusion, PRS group received more transfusion and their urine output was less than that of non-PRS group. Postoperatively, peak bilirubin during the first five d after LT was higher in PRS group. In conclusion, both severity of liver disease and graft steatosis may increase risk for PRS in LT. Further prospective studies of PRS in its relationship to outcome are indicated.

Control of lateral organ development and flowering time by the Arabidopsis thaliana MADS-box Gene AGAMOUS-LIKE6.

MADS-domain transcription factors play pivotal roles in various developmental processes. The lack of simple loss-of-function phenotypes provides impediments to understand the biological function of some of the MADS-box transcription factors. Here we have characterized the potential role of the Arabidopsis thaliana AGAMOUS-LIKE6 (AGL6) gene by fusing full-length coding sequence with transcriptional activator and repressor domains and suggest a role for AGL6 in lateral organ development and flowering. Upon photoperiodic induction of flowering, AGL6 becomes expressed in abaxial and proximal regions of cauline leaf primordia, as well as the cryptic bracts subtending flowers. In developing flowers, AGL6 is detected in the proximal regions of all floral organs and in developing ovules. Converting AGL6 into a strong activator through fusion to the VP16 domain triggers bract outgrowth, implicating AGL6 in the development of bractless flowers in Arabidopsis. In addition, ectopic reproductive structures form on both bracts and flowers in gAGL6::VP16 transgenic plants, which is dependent on B and C class homeotic genes, but independent of LEAFY. Overexpression of both AGL6 and its transcriptional repressor form, AGL6::EAR, causes precocious flowering and terminal flower formation, suggesting that AGL6 suppresses the function of a floral repressor.

Atomic structure, tensile property, and dislocation behavior of Fe-W interfaces from molecular dynamics simulation.

Molecular dynamic simulations based on a recently constructed potential reveal that quasi-repeating patterns could appear in both Fe(110)/W(110) and W(110)/Fe(110) interfaces, and that three kinds of atomic displacements of Fe atoms because of the Fe-W interaction intrinsically bring about the interesting quasi-repeating patterns of the Fe-W interfaces. It is also found that the Fe-W interface becomes more brittle with less critical strains under tensile loading than pure Fe or W, which is fundamentally attributed to the movement of the interface dislocations as a result of the lattice mismatch between Fe and W. Interestingly, the dislocation loops could be formed in the Fe-W interface under tensile loading due to the pinning of the100edge dislocations by the edge dislocations of1/2111, whereas no dislocation loop would be generated in pure Fe or W.

Modified dynamic high-frequency ultrasound-guided needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's contracture.

The aim of this report was to introduce the use of modified dynamic high-frequency ultrasound-guided needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's contracture. From January 2014 to February 2019, the technique was used in 42 consecutive patients who suffered from Dupuytren's contracture: 38 male and 4 female; mean age, 57 years (range, 32-80 years). Assessments comprised total active extension deficit and total active flexion of the fingers, active range of motion, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and EQ-5D index. Recurrence was defined as ≥20° flexion contracture. Compared to the opposite hand, preoperative total active extension deficit and total active flexion were 105° ± 32° and 221° ± 33°, respectively. The mean active range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints was 42° ± 24°, 37° ± 26° and 62° ± 14°, respectively. Mean follow-up was 27 months (range, 24-35 months). There were no cases of tendon rupture or neurovascular injury. Total active extension deficit and total active flexion at the final follow-up were 17° ± 11° and 225° ± 32°, respectively. The mean active range of motion of metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints was 73° ± 28°, 89° ± 24° and 63° ± 16°, respectively. The pre- and post-operative DASH scores were 18 ± 10 and 5 ± 2, respectively. Health-related quality of life on EQ-5D index improved from 0.72 ± 0.28 pre-operatively to 0.88 ± 0.72 post-operatively (p < 0.05). Recurrence rates in the metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal interphalangeal joint were 7% and 11%, respectively. The modified dynamic high-frequency ultrasound-guided needle aponeurotomy is a safe and effective way to treat Dupuytren's contractures. Ultrasound visualization ensures that the cords can be completely transected. Dynamic ultrasound decreases the risk of iatrogenic injury to the neurovascular bundles and tendons, and decreases the recurrence rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

Heritable and non-genetic factors as variables of pharmacologic phenotypes in lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Publicly available genetic and expression data on lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) make them a unique resource for understanding the genetic underpinnings of pharmacological outcomes and disease. LCLs have been used for pharmacogenomic discovery and validation of clinical findings associated with drug response. However, variation in cellular growth rate, baseline Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) copy number and ATP levels can all be confounders in such studies. Our objective is to better define confounding variables that affect pharmacological end points in LCLs. To this end, we evaluated the effect of these three variables on drug-induced cytotoxicity in LCLs. The drugs evaluated included daunorubicin, etoposide, carboplatin, cisplatin, cytarabine, pemetrexed, 5'-deoxyfluorouridine, vorinostat, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, and 5-fluorouracil. Baseline ATP or EBV copy number were not significantly correlated with cellular growth rate or drug-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, cellular growth rate and drug-induced cytotoxicity were significantly, directly related for all drugs except vorinostat. Importantly, cellular growth rate is under appreciable genetic influence (h²=0.30-0.39) with five suggestive linkage regions across the genome. Not surprisingly, a percentage of SNPs that significantly associate with drug-induced cytotoxicity also associate with cellular growth rate (P ≤ 0.0001). Studies using LCLs for pharmacologic outcomes should therefore consider that a portion of the genetic variation explaining drug-induced cytotoxicity is mediated via heritable effects on growth rate.

The effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on hepatic and renal functions after right hepatectomy in living donors*.

We compared postoperative hepatic and renal functions between the two inhalational anesthetics, desflurane and sevoflurane in living donors undergoing right hepatectomy. Seventy-four adult donors were randomly allocated into Des group (n = 37) and sevo group (n = 37). Before the induction of anesthesia, morphine sulfate 400 microg was injected intrathecally. Anesthesia was maintained with one minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of deflurane or sevoflurane plus continuous intravenous remifentanil. Liver and renal function tests were performed and analysed at preoperative period, immediately after operation, and on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 30th postoperative days (PODs). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed significant elevations from the day of surgery to POD 3 and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly elevated on POD 1 and POD 3 in the sevo group. Albumin level was significantly lower on POD 2 in the sevo group. Creatinine was significantly higher on POD 3 and POD 30 and estimated glomerular filtration ratio was significantly lower on POD 3 and POD 30 in the sevo group. No patient developed hepatic or renal failures. The results of our study showed better postoperative hepatic and renal function test with desflurane than sevoflurane at equivalent dose of 1 MAC in living donors undergoing right hepatectomy, but further study is required to evaluate clinical importance.

Projection of future climate change impacts on nonpoint source pollution loads for a forest dominant dam watershed by reflecting future vegetation canopy in a Soil and Water Assessment Tool model.

This study is to assess the future impact of climate change on hydrological behavior considering future vegetation canopy prediction and its propagation to nonpoint source pollution (NPS) loads. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model was used for the assessment. For a forest dominant ChungjuDam watershed of South Korea, the MIROC3.2hires climate data of SRES A1B and B1 scenarios were adopted and downscaled for the watershed. The future vegetation canopy information was projected by the monthly relationship between Terra MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) LAI (Leaf Area Index) and temperature. The future predicted LAI increased up to 1.9 in 2080s April and October because of the temperature increase 3.6 degrees C and 5.3 degrees C respectively. By reflecting the future LAI changes, the future estimated percent changes of maximum annual dam inflow, SS, T-N, and T-P were + 42.5% in 2080s A1B,-35.6% in 2020s A1B,+73.7% in 2080s A1B and-21.0% in 2080s B1 scenario respectively. The increase of T-N load was from the increase of subsurface lateral flows and the groundwater recharges by the future rainfall increase. The decrease of T-P load was by decrease of sediment load during wet days because the effect of LAI increase is greater than the increase of rainfall.

Ozone Degradation of Prometryn in Ruditapes philippinarum: Response Surface Methodology Optimization and Toxicity Assessment.

ABSTRACT: This study optimized the method for ozone (O3) degradation of prometryn in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum and evaluated toxicity changes during ozone degradation. The gas chromatography method for the detection of prometryn was appropriately improved. The linear range was 5 to 500 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9964. The addition concentration of prometryn was 0.025 to 0.100 mg/kg, the recovery was 77.97 to 85.00%, the relative standard deviation (n = 6) was 2.36 to 7.86%, and the limit of detection was 0.3 µg/kg. Using the central composite design in two experiments, ozone as gas and ozone dissolved in water, the effect of degradation rate was studied on three variables: ozone concentration, temperature, and exposure time. Ozone as gas and ozone dissolved in water have the same degradation effect on prometryn. The O3 concentration was 4.2 mg/L, the temperature was 40°C, the exposure time was 10 min, and the maximum degradation rate was 89.94 and 89.69% for the two experiments, respectively. In addition, the toxicity of ozone degradation products was evaluated using buffalo rat liver cells. After ozone treatment for 30 min, the toxicity of the ozone degradation products was reduced to 52.15% compared with that of prometryn itself. The toxicity of the ozone degradation products increased slightly when the ozonation time was prolonged; the toxicity at 180 min was greater than that of the parent compound prometryn. Overall, the application of ozone degradation of pesticide residues is a promising new technology. This study determined better degradation conditions for prometryn in R. philippinarum and also provided a theoretical basis for the widespread use of ozone technology in the future.

Prediction of the effect of injected ethanol on pulmonary arterial pressure during sclerotherapy of arteriovenous malformations: relationship with dose of ethanol.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the effect of injected ethanol on pulmonary artery pressure during embolosclerotherapy of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 16 male and 14 female patients (37 sessions; mean age, 34 years; age range, 17-67 years) with AVMs during a 2-year period. The authors measured pulmonary artery pressure via a pulmonary artery catheter and ethanol levels from the pulmonary and radial arteries simultaneously within 3 minutes after each ethanol injection. The authors analyzed the relationship between pulmonary artery pressure and ethanol levels obtained from pulmonary and radial arteries with respect to both single and cumulative doses of ethanol injected. Retrospectively, patients were divided into two groups-those treated with and those treated without vascular occlusion techniques. RESULTS: The radial arterial ethanol level showed good correlation with the pulmonary arterial ethanol level (r = 0.7). Single dose per injection was statistically related with pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.5 vs 0.1 and P < .05 vs .29, respectively, in patients treated without and patients treated with vascular occlusion techniques), and the correlation coefficient between cumulative dose and pulmonary artery pressure was 0.2 and 0.3 in respective cases (P < .05 for both). The mean pulmonary artery pressure correlated with pulmonary arterial ethanol level irrespective of the use of vascular occlusion (r = 0.6 for both groups). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary artery pressure reflected the pulmonary arterial ethanol level and was positively related to the dose of ethanol. Single dose per injection was predictive of pulmonary artery pressure only in patients treated without vascular occlusion techniques.

Feasible atomic-resolution electron tomography for general crystal surfaces by quantitative reconstruction from a high-resolution image.

Whether or not the 3-dimensional surface morphologies of a crystal sample can be reconstructed at atomic-scale from a single 2-dimensional image becomes an interesting issue in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, after the work by Jia et al. [1]. Here we propose an improved and self-validated algorithm to enhance such an electron tomography method and to make it applicable to more general crystal surfaces even with thin amorphous layers. Our study shows that a resolution in the beam (z) direction and a confidence level have to be defined and estimated after performing tomographic reconstruction in order to evaluate the quality and the reliability of its result. Applying the proposed procedure to the Si[110] image to recover the surface morphologies of a silicon crystal with amorphous contamination, the obtained results show that an atomic-resolution of 0.384 nm in the z-direction and a high confidence level of 95% are achieved for imaging the Si-surface structures, quantitatively described by tomographic parameters, i.e., the height (defocus) and the thickness (atom number) of Si-atomic columns.