CXCR4-STAT3 Axis Plays a Role in Tumor Cell Infiltration in an Orthotopic Mouse Glioblastoma Model.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fatal malignant tumor that is characterized by diffusive growth of tumor cells into the surrounding brain parenchyma. However, the diffusive nature of GBM and its relationship with the tumor microenvironment (TME) is still unknown. Here, we investigated the interactions of GBM with the surrounding microenvironment in orthotopic xenograft animal models using two human glioma cell lines, U87 and LN229. The GBM cells in our model showed different features on the aspects of cell growth rate during their development, dispersive nature of glioma tumor cells along blood vessels, and invasion into the brain parenchyma. Our results indicated that these differences in the two models are in part due to differences in the expression of CXCR4 and STAT3, both of which play an important role in tumor progression. In addition, the GBM shows considerable accumulation of resident microglia and peripheral macrophages, but polarizes differently into tumor-supporting cells. These results suggest that the intrinsic factors of GBM and their interaction with the TME determine the diffusive nature and probably the responsiveness to non-cancer cells in the TME.

Validation of the Korean Version of the 15-Item Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences in a College Population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences-15 item positive scale (CAPE-15) in college students. METHODS: This study had two stages: initial screening with self-report questionnaires including the CAPE-15, and semi-structured interviews to investigate the instrument's diagnostic validity. The initial screening involved 1,749 college students. The modified Korean version of Prodromal Questionnaire-16 item (mKPQ-16) was also administered. The criteria for ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis in the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) were the gold standard for diagnosis. RESULTS: Twelve of the interviewed subjects met the CAARMS criteria for UHR of psychosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was highest (0.936) for the CAPE-15 distress score (p<0.001). The use of 6 as the cutoff for the CAPE-15 distress score resulted in the best balance of sensitivity (91.7%) and specificity (85.2%), with a favorable positive predictive value of 32.4%. The coefficients of correlation between the CAPE-15 and mKPQ-16 were significant. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of the CAPE-15 is a good instrument for screening for psychosis risk in collegiate settings. The validation of this scale could contribute to the early identification of psychosis in the Korean community.

Utilizing a Spiro Core with Acridine- and Phenothiazine-Based New Hole Transporting Materials for Highly Efficient Green Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

Two new hole transporting materials, 2,7-bis(9,9-diphenylacridin-10(9H)-yl)-9,9' spirobi[fluorene] (SP1) and 2,7-di(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)-9,9'-spirobi[fluorene] (SP2), were designed and synthesized by using the Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reaction with a high yield percentage of over 84%. Both of the materials exhibited high glass transition temperatures of over 150 °C. In order to understand the device performances, we have fabricated green phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) with SP1 and SP2 as hole transporting materials. Both of the materials revealed improved device properties, in particular, the SP2-based device showed excellent power (34.47 lm/W) and current (38.41 cd/A) efficiencies when compare with the 4,4'-bis(N-phenyl-1-naphthylamino)biphenyl (NPB)-based reference device (30.33 lm/W and 32.83 cd/A). The external quantum efficiency (EQE) of SP2 was 13.43%, which was higher than SP1 (13.27%) and the reference material (11.45%) with a similar device structure. The SP2 hole transporting material provides an effective charge transporting path from anode to emission layer, which is explained by the device efficiencies.

Delayed Consecutive Contralateral Thalamic Hemorrhage after Spontaneous Thalamic Hemorrhage.

Simultaneous or subsequent bilateral thalamic hemorrhagic events have ranged from 12 to 19 in prior reports, with a time lag between bilateral thalamic hemorrhage of up to two days. Herein, we report the first case of delayed (17 days) consecutive contralateral thalamic hemorrhage after spontaneous first thalamic hemorrhage. A 65-year-old female initially presented with a drowsy mentality with a left-side motor weakness (grade II/III). Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated right side thalamic and intraventricular hemorrhage. She regained alertness with mild residual motor weakness (grade III/IV) under medical management. Seventeen days later, a sudden and generalized tonic-clonic seizure developed. Brain CT scans revealed a new contralateral thalamic hemorrhage coincident with microbleeds. Neurologic status remained unchanged, consisting of a stuporous mentality with quadriparesis of grade II/II. We report the first case of delayed consecutive contralateral thalamic hemorrhage up to 17 days after first thalamic hemorrhage. The case highlights the need for close monitoring of patients with thalamic hemorrhage who experience microbleeds on the contralateral side, due to the possibility of delayed hemorrhage.

Integrated Photoelectrolysis of Water Implemented On Organic Metal Halide Perovskite Photoelectrode.

Herein we report on integrated photoelectrolysis of water employing organic metal halide (OMH) perovskite material. Generic OMH perovskite material and device architecture are highly susceptible to degradation by moisture and water. We found that decomposition of perovskite devices proceeds by water ingress through pinholes in upper layers and is strongly affected by applied bias/light and electrolyte pH. It was also found that a pinhole-free hole transport layer (HTL) could significantly enhance the stability of the perovskite photoelectrode, thereby extending the photoelectrode lifetime to several tens of minutes, which is an unprecedented record-long operation. Furthermore, a carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composite layer was developed that can effectively protect the underlying perovskite layer from electrolyte molecules.