Axial ratio bandwidth enhanced circularly polarized transmitarray antenna with a flat gain response.

In this paper, a novel broadband circularly polarized transmitarray antenna (CPTA) enabled by axial-ratio-improved receiver-transmitter metasurface loaded with parasitic patches is proposed. Split-ring-shaped parasitic patch is utilized to generate an additional resonant mode and significantly broaden the 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of proposed receiver/transmitter patches from 6.64% to 15.61%. By cascading the receiver and transmitter with the same polarization and then rotating the cell, Pancharatnam-Berry phase can be exploited for providing a 2π phase shift. As verification, a CPTA prototype integrated with a self-made circularly polarized patch antenna is designed, fabricated, and measured. Experimental results show that the proposed CPTA obtains a 3-dB AR bandwidth of 27.1% from 12.1 to 15.9 GHz and an impedance bandwidth of 20.6% from 12.5 to 15.2 GHz. Additionally, it has a flat gain with a 3-dB gain bandwidth of 18.8% from 12.5 to 15.1 GHz, and a maximum gain of 25.6 dBi at 13.1 GHz is achieved. With the advantages of simple design, wide AR bandwidth, and flat gain performance, the proposed CPTA presents great potential applications in wireless systems.

KRAS, NRAS, BRAF signatures, and MMR status in colorectal cancer patients in North China.

We assessed the clinicopathological features and prognostic values of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and DNA mismatch repair status in colorectal cancer (CRC) to provide real-world data in developing countries. We enrolled 369 CRC patients and analyzed the correlation between RAS/BRAF mutation, mismatch repair status with clinicopathological features, and their prognostic roles. The mutation frequencies of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF were 41.7%, 1.6%, and 3.8%, respectively. KRAS mutations and deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) status were associated with right-sided tumors, aggressive biological behaviors, and poor differentiation. BRAF (V600E) mutations are associated with well-differentiated and lymphovascular invasion. The dMMR status predominated in young and middle-aged patients and tumor node metastasis stage II patients. dMMR status predicted longer overall survival in all CRC patients. KRAS mutations indicated inferior overall survival in patients with CRC stage IV. Our study showed that KRAS mutations and dMMR status could be applied to CRC patients with different clinicopathological features.

[Phosphorus Adsorption Characteristics of Different Biochar Types and Its Influencing Factors].

In order to understand the resource utilization of plant biomass, five types of biomass materials were used to produce biochar to treat wastewater containing phosphorus. The phosphorus adsorption capacity of five materials was preliminarily compared through laboratory experiments, and two materials with strong phosphorus adsorption capacity were screened out. The physicochemical characteristics of the selected biochar were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and a BET specific surface area analyzer, and the effects of different pH values on phosphorus adsorption of the biochar were investigated. Furthermore, the phosphorus adsorption characteristics of the selected biochar were analyzed via isothermal adsorption and adsorption kinetics models. The results showed that among the five biochar materials, only rice straw and corn straw biochar had the ability to adsorb phosphorus. The Langmuir isothermal adsorption curve showed that the adsorption capacity of rice straw biochar for phosphorus in wastewater was stronger than that of corn straw biochar, and the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was as follows:rice straw biochar (9.78 mg·g-1)>corn straw biochar (0.39 mg·g-1). The specific surface area (148.30 m2·g-1) and total pore volume (0.11 cm3·g-1) of rice straw biochar were much higher than those of corn straw biochar (8.26 m2·g-1 and 0.03 cm3·g-1, respectively), and the contents of Mg, Ca, Fe, and Al were higher in rice straw biochar. The best pH for phosphorus adsorption of rice straw biochar and corn straw biochar was acidic. In different pH ranges (3.0-11.0), the phosphorus adsorption capacity of rice straw and corn straw biochar decreased with the increase in pH. These results indicated that rice straw biochar has strong phosphorus adsorption capacity and has a better application prospect in wastewater treatment.

Role of P-glycoprotein and the intestine in the excretion of DPC 333 [(2R)-2-{(3R)-3-amino-3-[4-(2-methylquinolin-4-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl}-N-hydroxy-4-methylpentanamide] in rodents.

The role of the intestine in the elimination of (2R)-2-{(3R)-3-amino-3-[4-(2-methylquinolin-4-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl}-N-hydroxy-4-methylpentanamide (DPC 333), a potent inhibitor of tissue necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme, was investigated in mice and rats in vivo and in vitro. In Madine-Darby canine kidney cells stably transfected with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and DPC 333, the transport from B-->A reservoirs exceeded the transport from A-->B by approximately 7-fold. In Caco-2 monolayers and isolated rat ileal mucosa, DPC 333 was transported from basolateral to apical reservoirs in a concentration-dependent, saturable manner, and transport was blocked by N-(4-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethoxy-2-isoquinolinyl)ethyl]-phenyl)-9,10-dihydro-5-methoxy-9-oxo-4-acridine carboxamide (GF120918), confirming the contribution of P-gp/breast cancer resistance protein in B-->A efflux of DPC 333. In quantitative whole body autoradiography studies with [(14)C]DPC 333 in mice and rats, radioactivity was distributed throughout the small intestine in both species. In GF120918-pretreated bile duct-cannulated rats, radioactivity in feces was reduced 60%. Using the in situ perfused rat intestine model, approximately 20% of an i.v. dose of [(14)C]DPC 333 was measured in the intestinal lumen within 3 h postdose, 12% as parent. Kinetic analysis of data suggested that excreted DPC 333 may be further metabolized in the gut. Intestinal clearance was 0.2 to 0.35 l/h/kg. The above data suggest that in the rodent the intestine serves as an organ of DPC 333 excretion, mediated in part by the transporter P-gp.

How carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. established in a newly constructed hospital.

Annually increasing rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. were observed in a Taiwan hospital since its establishment in November 1998 to March 2005. Increasing consumption of carbapenems was also noticed. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. from 33 patients carried a class 1 integron. Twenty-eight isolates were Acinetobacter baumannii harbouring both ISAba1 and an OXA-51-like gene. Twenty-four of the 28 A. baumannii isolates had ISAba1 upstream of the OXA-51-like gene. Four A. baumannii isolates harboured the OXA-24-like gene and one isolate had the VIM-11 gene. Regarding the five non-baumannii Acinetobacter spp., three Acinetobacter genomic species 3 isolates and one Acinetobacter radioresistens isolate had both IMP-1 and OXA-58-like genes. One A. radioresistens isolate had an OXA-23-like gene. One major clone of A. baumannii (25/28; 89.3%) was identified by ribotyping. Three ribotypes were identified as being brought into the hospital by patient transfer from other hospitals. In conclusion, an insidious clonal dissemination with various resistance mechanisms contributed to the spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. in a hospital setting, with increasing usage of carbapenems as the possible selection pressure. Notification of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. infection when patients are transferred between hospitals is important to control the spread of carbapenem resistance.

Violent head trauma in China: report of 2254 cases.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of violent trauma has recently increased, and it has become both a social and medical problem in China. We are the first to explore violent head trauma in China. METHODS: Patients with violent head trauma were taken from all hospitalized patients with head trauma from January 2001 to December 2006 admitted to 11 hospitals in China. The rate, causes, age, sex, injury severity (GCS score), CT findings, management, outcome, and complications of patients with violent head trauma were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred fifty-four (9.46%) patients with violent head trauma were found among a total of 23816 hospitalized patients with head trauma at 11 hospitals. Violent head trauma was caused by blunt objects (n = 1260, 55.90%), sharp/cutting instruments (n = 271, 12.02%), gunshots (n = 10, 0.44%), and others (n = 713, 31.63%). Violent head trauma was more likely to be found men (n = 1890, 83.85%) and in persons aged 21 to 40 years (n = 1216, 53.95%). In 2254 patients with violent head trauma, scalpel injury was seen in 1277 cases, skull fracture in 786 cases, cerebral contusion in 285 cases, and intracranial hematomas in 898 cases. Five hundred eighty-nine (26.13%) patients had body violent trauma besides violent head trauma. A GCS score of 13 to 15 was found in 1869 (82.92%) patients, 9 to 12 in 166 (7.36%), and 8 or less in 219 (9.72%). One thousand forty-two patients got surgical treatment, and another 1212 received medical management. One thousand nine hundred thirty-one (85.67%) patients had good recovery, 141 (6.47%) had moderate deficits, 36 (1.65%) had severe deficits, 7 (0.32%) had PVS, 63 (2.89%) died, and for the other 76, records were lost. CONCLUSIONS: Violent head trauma is certainly both a social and medical problem now, which indicates that violence should be controlled and that the human right of social safety needs to be improved in China.

Unique K-ras mutational pattern in pancreatic adenocarcinoma from Taiwanese patients.

To assess the prevalence and spectrum of K-ras mutations in Taiwanese patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we analyzed 20 patients of ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. The study included K-ras mutations that were detected using DNA direct sequencing analysis of the polymerase chain reaction products and confirmed by reverse sequencing primers. The results showed that K-ras codon 12 mutation was detected in 90% of the cancer tissues (18/20). Moreover, the results from direct sequencing indicated that missense mutations were found to be a GGT to GTT in 94.5% of the cases (17/18) and a GGT to TTT in 5.5% of the cases (1/18). All cases with K-ras codon 12 mutations were found to be G to T transversion. However, no alterations were found at codons 13 and 61. From these findings, the high prevalence of K-ras codon 12 mutation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and the predominant G to T transversion with the preferential substitution of glycine with valine might indicate an unusual sensitivity and specificity of this codon in genetic alterations for pancreatic carcinogenesis. The strikingly high mutational rate and the unique mutational spectrum of K-ras codon 12 in Taiwanese pancreatic adenocarcinoma can provide us with more information about the alternative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in Taiwan.

Morphologic change and elevation of cortisol secretion in cultured human normal adrenocortical cells caused by mutant p21K-ras protein.

In our previous study on the tumorigenesis of human functional adrenal tumors, we observed a high frequency of K-ras point mutations in clinical specimens. Furthermore, we cloned the mutated K-ras gene from the tumors and inserted it into vectors to transfect normal bovine adrenocortical cells to express the mutated K-ras gene. The mRNA level of steroidogenic enzymes such as cholesterol sidechain cleavage enzyme (P450SCC), 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450c17), and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) in the mutant K-ras stably transfected cells were elevated. Cultured normal adrenocortical cells from donors and patients with adrenocortical tumors were then transfected with mutant K-ras expression plasmids constructed from human adrenal tumors. Stable transfectants grew faster than normal cells. Additionally, morphologic change was observed in the transfected cells. Moreover, when the synthesis of hormones was analyzed, the mRNA of P450SCC, P450C17, and 3betaHSD was found to have increased, and the level of cortisol was 18 to 25 times that in control cells. The increased steroid hormone production in mutant K-ras-transfected cells was reversed by lovastatin, a pharmacologic inhibitor of p21ras function. These results, combined with previous reports of steroidogenic K-ras in bovine adrenocortical cells, suggest that the K-ras oncogene is involved in steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical cells.

X-ray repair cross-complementing group 4 (XRCC4) promoter -1394( *)T-related genotype, but not XRCC4 codon 247/intron 3 or xeroderma pigmentosum group D codon 312, 751/promoter -114, polymorphisms are correlated with higher susceptibility to myoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the DNA repair genes, X-ray repair cross-complementing group 4 (XRCC4) and xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD), could be useful markers for predicting leiomyoma susceptibility. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Departments of gynecology and genetics in medical center. PATIENT(S): Women were divided into leiomyoma (n = 120) and nonleiomyoma groups (n = 112). INTERVENTION(S): XRCC4 (codon 247, promoter -1394, intron 3) and XPD (codon 312, codon 751, promoter -114) polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction with restriction enzyme digestions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Genotypes and allelic frequencies in both groups were compared. RESULT(S): XRCC4 promoter -1394( *)T-related genotype/alleles were associated with higher susceptibility of leiomyoma. Proportions of XRCC4 promoter -1394( *)T homozygote/heterozygote/G homozygote and T/G alleles were [1] 91.7%/6.7%/1.7% and 95%/5% and [2] 79.4%/17.9%/2.7% and 88.4%/11.6%, respectively. Five other single nucleotide polymorphisms were not correlated with leiomyoma susceptibilities. Proportions of XRCC4 codon 247( *)CC/CA/AA and XRCC4 intron 3( *)II/ID/DD were [1] 95%/5%/0% and 72.5%/23.3%/4.2% and [2] 97.3%/2.7%/0 and 70.5%/24.1%/5.4%. Proportions of XPD codon 312( *)GG/GA/AA, XPD codon 751( *)TT/TG/GG, and XPD promoter -114( *)GG/GC/CC were [1] 65%/22.5%/12.5%, 92.5%/6.7%/0.8%, and 22.5%/46.7%/30.8%; and [2] 64.3%/22.3%/13.4%, 92%/7.1%/0.9%, and 23.2%/46.4%/30.4%. CONCLUSION(S): XRCC4 promoter -1394( *)T-related genotype/alleles are associated with higher susceptibility of leiomyoma, whereas XRCC4 codon 247, XRCC4 intron 3, XPD codon 312, XPD codon 751, and XPD promoter -114 polymorphisms are not correlated with its development.

Overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in gastric mucosa of rats with portal hypertension: correlation with gastric mucosal damage.

BACKGROUND: An increased biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the hyperdynamic circulation and development of collaterals of portal hypertension (PHT) because of its potent vasodilatory effects. NO is synthesized from L-arginine by three different isozymes of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, iNOS and eNOS). Thus, the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) might account for NO overproduction in PHT. However, in previous investigations, the role of iNOS in the pathogenesis of PHT gastropathy remained controversial. Our current study was in both molecular and protein levels to determine whether the expression of iNOS is responsible for PHT gastropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PHT was induced experimentally by partial ligation of the portal vein. Fourteen days after partial ligation of the portal vein, the rats were randomly assigned to receive either vehicle or L-NAME (NOS inhibitor) at doses of 5 mg/kg/day, 10 mg/kg/day, or 25 mg/kg/day by gastric lavage twice a day for 1 week. Sham operated rats served as controls. Northern hybridization and in situ hybridization are used to compare the expression of gastric mucosa iNOS mRNA in the PHT rats and the controls. NO was measured by the Griess method after reduction of nitrate to nitrite with nitrate reductase. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the iNOS protein. In addition, the severity of gross gastric mucosal lesions was evaluated macroscopically by a gross ulcer index. RESULTS: The iNOS expression at both mRNA and protein was prominently increased in PHT rats, accompanied with the enhanced NO production. The gastric mucosa iNOS mRNA and serum NO levels were significantly decreased after L-NAME administration (P < 0.05). However, the markedly reduced gastric mucosal damage in PHT rats was observed only at high does of L-NAME (25 mg/kg/day) administration. CONCLUSION: PHT triggers overexpression of iNOS mRNA and proteins in rat gastric mucosa, but that this alone does not account for PHT gastropathy.

Comparison of canine mandibular bone regeneration by distraction osteogenesis versus acute resection and rigid external fixation.

The present study was performed (1) to explore the mechanism of skeletal healing following distraction osteogenesis of the mandible and to evaluate whether the same process is involved following acute mandibular resection and rigid external fixation, and (2) to examine the role of the periosteum in skeletal healing in both models. The study was performed using 16 mongrel dogs divided into two equal groups. In the first group, distraction of 20 mm was performed at a rate of 1 mm/day. In the second group, bone resection of 20 mm was performed, followed by rigid external fixation. The buccal periosteum was stripped in four dogs from each group, and the periosteum was left intact in the remaining four dogs. Dogs were euthanized after a survival period of either 2 or 3 months, and the new bone regenerate was evaluated. Analysis consisted of three-dimensional computed tomography scanning, histometric analysis, and immunostaining. Analysis of bone mineral content in the residual gap was conducted. Bone mineral content was increased in 3- versus 2-month survival for all groups (p < 0.05). The distracted groups had greater bone mineral content than their acutely resected counterparts, with the difference achieving statistical significance by 3-month survival (p < 0.05). Although periosteal preservation resulted in increased bone mineral content over time for all groups (p = 0.044), periosteal preservation had no significant effect on bone mineral content in the distracted groups. After periosteal stripping, however, bone mineral content was significantly increased in dogs that underwent distraction rather than acute resection and rigid external fixation (p = 0.022). Regarding histometric analysis, analysis of fibrous tissue content in the bone regenerate demonstrated that by 3 months the distracted groups had significantly less fibrous tissue in the new bone regenerate than did the acutely resected groups (p < 0.001). Regarding immunostaining, diffuse localization of transforming growth factor-beta1 was observed in all groups at 2 months, returning to nearly baseline levels by 3 months. These data demonstrate that significant bone formation in a segmental gap can be achieved after acute mandibular resection and rigid external fixation if the periosteum is preserved. However, after periosteal injury or stripping, significant bone formation can only be achieved by distraction osteogenesis. In both processes, bone formation is preceded by up-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta1.