Pro-inflammatory mediators and signaling proteins in the decidua of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of CD68+ macrophages and inflammatory/signaling proteins in the decidua of singleton pregnancies with late-onset pre-eclampsia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective case-control study. Decidual tissue samples were obtained from twenty healthy pregnant women as a control group and twenty pregnant women with late-onset pre-eclampsia showing severe symptoms as the study group. We examined the abundance of CD68+ macrophages in both groups using flow cytometry. Protein and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory/signaling proteins, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α, cyclooxygenase-2, and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, in the decidua of both groups were measured using Western blotting and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction, respectively. Student's t-tests were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The numbers of CD68+ macrophages were similar in the study and control groups (p=0.47). However, the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-κB, cyclooxygenase-2, and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase were significantly increased in the study group. Therefore, pro-inflammatory mediators and signaling proteins in the decidua during pre-eclampsia may be related to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-eclampsia-induced alterations in the expression of inflammatory/signaling proteins in the decidua during singleton pregnancies may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Analysis of efficacy and safety of core-needle biopsy versus fine-needle aspiration cytology in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy and salivary gland tumour.

In this study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy and safety of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core-needle biopsy in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy or salivary gland tumour, and provided a basis for selecting the appropriate diagnostic method in clinical situations. A total of 278 patients were included in this study. The sensitivities of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core-needle biopsy were 66.7% and 100%, respectively, and negative predictive values were 92.6% and 100%, respectively, for diagnosing malignancy. In diagnosing lymphoma, fine-needle aspiration cytology gave false-negative results in all patients. In diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenopathy, the sensitivities of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core-needle biopsy were 33.3% and 91.15%, respectively, and the negative predictive values were 90.0% and 95.1%, respectively. The sensitivities of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core-needle biopsy were 42.9% and 100% in diagnosing malignant salivary gland tumours, and the negative predictive values were 91% and 100%, respectively. The results of this study showed that core-needle biopsy was superior in diagnosing and distinguishing critical diseases such as malignant lymphadenopathy and tuberculosis in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy and salivary gland tumour.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided core needle gun biopsy in diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-FNA) is useful for diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy. However, FNA, has a high false negative rate, especially in patients with lymphoma. Ultrasound-guided core needle gun biopsy (US-CNB) has recently become important for diagnosing cancers, but its value remains undetermined. This study evaluates the efficacy of US-CNB, performed in an outpatient setting, in diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy and the spectrum of related diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 79 subjects who were not squamous cell carcinoma suspects and did not have a history of malignancy between January 2006 and July 2009. A US-CNB was performed on enlarged cervical lymph nodes (>1.0cm) in all subjects. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US-CNB in differentiating between malignant and benign lymphadenopathy were evaluated. All enrolled subjects underwent a planned US-FNA before the study US-CNB was performed. Results of US-CNB and US-FNA were compared. RESULTS: The correct histopathological diagnoses were made in 73 of 79 subjects (91.1%) using US-CNB samples. Of these, the most common diagnoses were reactive hyperplasia (26 subjects), Kikuchi's disease (17 subjects), tuberculous lymphadenitis (15 subjects), lymphoma (8 subjects), and metastatic carcinoma (3 subjects). The US-CNB was very good at differentiating between malignant and benign lymphadenopathy, with a diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 91.6%, 100%, and 98.6%, respectively. Additionally, US-CNB was more accurate than US-FNA in identifying lymphoma (88.8% vs. 11.1%) and Kikuchi's disease (89.4% vs. 29.4%). No US-CNB related-complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The US-CNB is safe, effective, and has a high diagnostic yield for cervical lymphadenopathy. The US-CNB may also be useful for diagnosing lymphoma and Kikuchi's disease.

Hybrid dielectric light trapping designs for thin-film CdZnTe/Si tandem cells.

Tandem solar cells consisting of high bandgap cadmium telluride alloys atop crystalline silicon have potential for high efficiencies exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit. However, experimental results have fallen well below this goal significantly because of non-ideal current matching and light trapping. In this work, we simulate cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) and crystalline silicon (c-Si) tandems as an exemplary system to show the role that a hybrid light trapping and bandgap engineering approach can play in improving performance and lowering materials costs for tandem solar cells incorporating crystalline silicon. This work consists of two steps. First, we optimize absorption in the crystalline silicon layer with front pyramidal texturing and asymmetric dielectric back gratings, which results in 121% absorption enhancement from a planar structure. Then, using this pre-optimized light trapping scheme, we model the dispersion of the CdxZn1-xTe alloys, and then adjust the bandgap to realize the best current matching for a range of CZT thicknesses. Using experimental parameters, the corresponding maximum efficiency is predicted to be 16.08 % for a total tandem cell thickness of only 2.2 µm.

Age- and sex-specific association of circulating osteocalcin with dynamic measures of glucose homeostasis.

SUMMARY: Our study showed that serum osteocalcin levels are closely related to glucose metabolism in men of all ages and younger women. This association disappeared in postmenopausal women in which increases bone turnover rates. The association between serum osteocalcin levels and glucose homeostasis should be interpreted according to age and sex. INTRODUCTION: Osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, appears to be associated with glucose homeostasis. We investigated the age- and sex-specific association of serum osteocalcin level with variables related to glucose metabolism. METHODS: This study was based on cross-sectional analysis from 719 participants aged 20-85 years after excluding patients taking antidiabetic or antiosteoporotic drugs. The subjects were divided into four groups according to age and sex as follows: men <50 years (n = 131), men ≥50 years (n = 191), women <50 years (n = 108), and women ≥50 years (n = 279). Anthropometric and biochemical variables including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ß cell function (HOMA-ß) from a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and serum 25-OH-vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were measured. RESULTS: The serum osteocalcin level was significantly higher in women aged ≥50 years compared with women <50 years (20.4 ± 7.8 vs. 17.9 ± 6.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001), but there was no difference between men aged ≥50 years and men <50 years (16.4 ± 5.9 vs. 16.8 ± 6.0 ng/ml, p = 0.905). The participants diagnosed with diabetes had lower serum osteocalcin levels than normal or prediabetic participants. Multivariable regression analyses including HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß indicated that serum osteocalcin levels had a negative and independent association with HbA1c levels in men and women aged <50 years, but not in women ≥50 years. CONCLUSIONS: Low osteocalcin levels are associated with impaired glucose metabolism in men and premenopausal women. The osteocalcin levels may be determined by factors related to bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. Our data suggest that the serum levels of osteocalcin associated with glucose homeostasis should be interpreted according to age and sex.

Three-dimensional efficient dispersive alternating-direction-implicit finite-difference time-domain algorithm using a quadratic complex rational function.

Efficient unconditionally stable FDTD method is developed for the electromagnetic analysis of dispersive media. Toward this purpose, a quadratic complex rational function (QCRF) dispersion model is applied to the alternating-direction-implicit finite-difference time-domain (ADI-FDTD) method. The 3-D update equations of QCRF-ADI-FDTD are derived using Maxwell's curl equations and the constitutive relation. The periodic boundary condition of QCRF-ADI-FDTD is discussed in detail. A 3-D numerical example shows that the time-step size can be increased by the proposed QCRF-ADI-FDTD beyond the Courant-Friedrich-Levy (CFL) number, without numerical instability. It is observed that, for refined computational cells, the computational time of QCRF-ADI-FDTD is reduced to 28.08 % of QCRF-FDTD, while the L2 relative error norm of a field distribution is 6.92 %.

Prognostic significance of tumour progression and human papillomavirus in advanced tonsillar cancer classified as stage IVa.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical factors that can explain the differences in treatment outcome, and examine the value of human papillomavirus infection as a prognostic biomarker in stage IVa tonsillar carcinomas. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with tonsillar carcinoma classified as stage IVa were retrospectively analysed for survival outcomes according to various clinical factors. Human papillomavirus infection was evaluated using a human papillomavirus DNA chip test and immunohistochemical staining for p16 and p53. RESULTS: Lower disease-free survival rates were associated with increasing local invasiveness and nodal status. Although human papillomavirus positivity and p16 expression was more common in locally advanced tonsillar carcinomas with advanced nodal status, the overall survival rate was better for patients with human papillomavirus positive, p16-positive tumours. CONCLUSION: The disease-free survival rate may differ according to local tumour invasiveness and nodal status, even for stage IVa tonsillar cancers. Human papillomavirus infection may be a useful biomarker for predicting treatment outcomes for stage VIa tumours.

Time domain simulation of tandem silicon solar cells with optimal textured light trapping enabled by the quadratic complex rational function.

Amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon (a-Si/c-Si) micromorph tandem cells, with best confirmed efficiency of 12.3%, have yet to fully approach their theoretical performance limits. In this work, we consider a strategy for improving the light trapping and charge collection of a-Si/c-Si micromorph tandem cells using random texturing with adjustable short-range correlations and long-range periodicity. In order to consider the full-spectrum absorption of a-Si and c-Si, a novel dispersion model known as a quadratic complex rational function (QCRF) is applied to photovoltaic materials (e.g., a-Si, c-Si and silver). It has the advantage of accurately modeling experimental semiconductor dielectric values over the entire relevant solar bandwidth from 300-1000 nm in a single simulation. This wide-band dispersion model is then used to model a silicon tandem cell stack (ITO/a-Si:H/c-Si:H/silver), as two parameters are varied: maximum texturing height h and correlation parameter f. Even without any other light trapping methods, our front texturing method demonstrates 12.37% stabilized cell efficiency and 12.79 mA/cm² in a 2 µm-thick active layer.

Effect of voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery for vocal polyps: a prospective, historically controlled, clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of post-operative voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery for vocal polyp removal. METHODS: The study retrospectively enrolled 55 consecutive patients who had undergone voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery for vocal polyp removal occurring between June 2010 and June 2011. A historical group of 63 similar patients not receiving voice therapy was used as an external control. We compared voice analysis parameters and Voice Handicap Index scores for the two groups. RESULTS: Most objective and subjective voice outcome parameters were significantly improved after surgical treatment. Although the study and control groups showed no significant difference regarding objective parameters (using acoustic and aerodynamic analysis) or the subjective parameters assessed using the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale, the study group had significantly better final Voice Handicap Index scores. CONCLUSION: Following surgery for vocal polyps, post-operative voice therapy can improve patients' vocal discomfort, emotional responses and everyday self-perception.

Chip- and board-level optical interconnections using rigid flexible optical electrical printed circuit boards.

A new optical interconnection scheme based on a rigid flexible optical electrical printed circuit board (RFOE-PCB) is suggested. The easily installed RFOE-PCB can be universally applied for both chip- and board-level optical interconnections. This letter describes the detailed fabrication process, optical properties, and heat-resisting property of the RFOE-PCB. The fabricated RFOE-PCB was also successfully demonstrated with a 2.5-Gb/s data transmission through a 45 degrees-ended optical waveguide embedded in the RFOE-PCB.

Tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance in multilayer-(Co/Pt)/AlO_(x)/Pt structures.

We report observations of tunneling anisotropic magnetoresitance (TAMR) in vertical tunnel devices with a ferromagnetic multilayer-(Co/Pt) electrode and a nonmagnetic Pt counterelectrode separated by an AlOx barrier. In stacks with the ferromagnetic electrode terminated by a Co film the TAMR magnitude saturates at 0.15% beyond which it shows only weak dependence on the magnetic field strength, bias voltage, and temperature. For ferromagnetic electrodes terminated by two monolayers of Pt we observe order(s) of magnitude enhancement of the TAMR and a strong dependence on field, temperature and bias. The discussion of experiments is based on relativistic ab initio calculations of magnetization orientation dependent densities of states of Co and Co/Pt model systems.

Thyroid hemiagenesis: clinical significance in the patient with thyroid nodule.

Thyroid hemiagenesis is a rare abnormality in which one thyroid lobe fails to develop. Most of the patients diagnosed have an associated thyroid disease. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with a left thyroid mass which had been gradually increasing in size over a period of two years. A thyroid scan revealed the absence of the right thyroid lobe and isthmus, and a hypoactive nodule was evident in the lower pole of the left lobe. Ultrasonography confirmed the right lobe and the isthmus agenesis. The operative findings confirmed hemiagenesis of the right lobe and nodular hyperplasia in the left lobe. The purpose of this report is to present a patient with hemiagenesis of the thyroid gland who concomitantly had nodular hyperplasia; we also stress the importance of pre-operative differentiation between benign lesions and malignancy in order to aid critical decision making and to facilitate preservation of thyroid function if possible.

Inhibitory effects of Cnidium officinale Makino and Tabanus fulvus Meigan on the high glucose-induced proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells.

This study describes a potent activity of Cnidium officinale Makino (Cnidii rhizoma) and Tabanus fulvus Meigan (Tabanus) as an inhibitor of high glucose-induced proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). Raising the ambient glucose concentration from 5.6 to 25 mM for 24 h caused a dramatic increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation, and these increases were attenuated by treatment of GMCs with the extracts of Cnidii rhizoma and Tabanus (2.5-20 microg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, extracts of Cnidii rhizoma or Tabanus (20 microg/ml) did not change the growth of GMCs cultured under normal glucose condition. To clarify the mechanism involved in anti-proliferative activity of these medicines, this study examined the effects of Cnidii rhizoma and Tabanus on high glucose-stimulated extracellular matrix (ECM) protein accumulation and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) production. Exposure of GMCs to high glucose significantly stimulated the ECM protein, collagen and fibronectin, accumulation and TGF-beta1 secretion, and these changes were dramatically diminished by treatment of GMCs with extracts of Cnidii rhizoma or Tabanus (10 microg/ml). Taken together, these results indicate that Cnidii rhizoma and Tabanus inhibit the high glucose-induced GMC proliferation partially through suppressing the ECM accumulation and TGF-beta1 production, suggesting that these medicines may be a promising agent for treating the development and progression of diabetic glomerulopathy.

Seungnoidan increases cerebrocortical ATP and acetylcholine contents in ovariectomized rats.

This study investigated the effects of Seungnoidan (SND), which has been widely used as a remedy for cerebroneuronal diseases in Korean folk medicine, on the cerebrocortical adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and acetylcholine (ACh) contents in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and maintained for 12 weeks to deplete ovarian steroid hormones, followed by oral administration of SND at 500 mg/kg/day for 14 weeks. SND markedly attenuated the high rate of body weight increase in OVX rats, and also reduced the decline of cerebral weight caused by ovariectomy (p < 0.05). Superfusion of SND at 50 mg/kg significantly increased the rate of cerebral blood fl ow, but did not change the mean arterial blood pressure. Deprivation of ovarian steroid hormones significantly decreased the cerebral ATP, choline and ACh contents, and these reductions were reduced by treatment of OVX rats with SND (p < 0.01). Additionally, SND also significantly elevated the cerebral choline acetyltransferase activities reduced by OVX (p < 0.01). Taken together, these results suggest that the pharmacological properties of SND may be implicated in the improvement of metabolic pathways of cerebral energy and cholinergic neurotransmitter function induced by deprivation of ovarian steroid hormones, and SND may be a promising herbal remedy for treatment of cerebral dysfunctions including dementia.

Effects of hwangryunjihwang-tang on in vitro ertilization and ovulation in mice fed a high-fat diet.

It has been generally accepted that hwangryunjihwang-tang (h-tang) is a useful prescription for treating polydipsia and to prevent obesity induced by a high-fat diet. The aim of this study was to clarify whether h-tang improved reproductive dysfunction caused by obesity in mice. Mice were fed a high density protein and lipid diet for 4 weeks, followed by administration of h-tang at 480 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 days. Thereafter, changes of body weight, ovulation rate, in vitro and in vivo fertilization, embryonic development and implantation rate were measured. H-tang markedly reduced the body weight of obese mice fed a high-fat diet, but not mice fed a normal diet. H-tang significantly improved ovulation rates, in vitro and in vivo fertilization rates and embryonic development. These results indicate pharmacological reversal of reproductive dysfunction caused by obesity, perhaps by adjusting internal secretions and metabolic functions.

Expression of mRNA of trefoil factor peptides in human nasal mucosa.

Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are typical secretory products of gastrointestinal mucus epithelia. Three TFF peptides exist in humans, TFF1 (formerly pS2), TFF2 (formerly hSP) and TFF3 (formerly hP1.B/hITF), acting as link peptides and influencing the rheological properties of mucous gels. The combined actions of TFF peptides and mucins have been shown to provide significant protection to mucosal surfaces. In this respect, TFF peptides may play a key role in the maintenance of the surface integrity of nasal mucosa. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of mRNA of TFF peptides in human inferior turbinate mucosa using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were detected in the human turbinate tissues examined. In contrast, TFF2 mRNA was not expressed in any samples. Using in situ hybridization, TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were predominantly localized in epithelial cells and submucosal glandular epithelium. These data suggest that nasal epithelia and submucosal glands may secrete TFF1 and TFF3, contributing to the stabilization of the mucous lining of human nasal mucosa.

Characterization of ochratoxin A transport by human organic anion transporters.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of ochratoxin A (OTA) transport by multispecific human organic anion transporters (hOAT1 and hOAT3, respectively) using the second segment of proximal tubule (S2) cells from mice stably expressing hOAT1 and hOAT3 (S2 hOAT1 and S2 hOAT3). S2 hOAT1 and S2 hOAT3 exhibited a time- and dose-dependent, and a saturable increase in uptake of [3H]-OTA, with apparent Km values of 0.42 microM (hOAT1) and 0.75 microM (hOAT3). These OTA uptakes were inhibited by several substrates for the OATs. Para-aminohippuric acid (PAH), probenecid, piroxicam, octanoate and citrinin inhibited [3H]-OTA uptake by hOAT1 and hOAT3 in a competitive manner (Ki = 4.29-3080 microM), with the following order of potency: probenecid > octanoate > PAH > piroxicam > citrinin for hOAT1; probenecid > piroxicam > octanoate> citrinin > PAH for hOAT3. These results indicate that hOAT1, as well as hOAT3, mediates a high-affinity transport of OTA on the basolateral side of the proximal tubule, but hOAT1- and hOAT3-mediated OTA transport are differently influenced by the substrates for the OATs. These pharmacological characteristics of hOAT1 and hOAT3 may be significantly related with the events in the development of OTA-induced nephrotoxicity in the human kidney.