Design and Optimization of Composite Cathodes for Solid-State Batteries Using Hybrid Carbon Networks with Facile Electronic and Ionic Percolation Pathways.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional liquid electrolyte batteries due to their potential for higher energy density and improved safety. However, achieving high performance in SSBs is difficult because of inadequate contact and interfacial reactions that generate high interfacial resistance, as well as inadequate solid-solid contact between electrodes. These chronic issues are associated with inhomogeneous ion and electron transport networks owing to imperfect solid-solid interfacial contact. This study developed an optimal interfacial engineering strategy to facilitate an ion-electron transport network by designing an active material (NCM622) uniformly filled with a thin layer of a solid electrolyte (garnet-type Li6.25Ga0.25La3Zr2O12) and conductive additives. The optimal composite electrode architecture enhanced the high capacity, high rate capability, and long-term cycle stability, even at room temperature, owing to the percolating network for facile ionic conduction that assured a homogeneous reaction. In addition to mitigating the mechanical degradation of the cathode electrode, it also reduced the crosstalk effects on the anode-solid electrolyte interface. Effectively optimizing the selection and use of conductive additives in composite electrodes offers a promising approach to addressing key performance-limiting factors in SSBs, including interfacial resistance and solid-solid contact issues. This study underscores the critical importance of cathode architecture design for achieving high-performance SSBs by ensuring that the interfaces are intact with solid electrolytes at both the cathode and anode interfaces while promoting uniform reactions. This study provides valuable insights into the development of SSBs with improved performance, which could have significant implications for a wide range of applications.

Superlubricity with Graphitization in Ti-Doped DLC/Steel Tribopair: Response on Humidity and Temperature.

The anti-friction of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is achieved by a well-developed carbonaceous transfer layer, and Ti-doped DLC is developed into a robustly built-up carbonaceous transfer layer. The friction performance of DLC depends on the operating environment, e.g., ambient gas, humidity, temperature, lubricants, and mating material. In this study, we aimed to reveal the environmental sensitivities of Ti-DLC on friction characteristics. To this end, a Ti-DLC was rubbed against a steel ball, and friction behaviors were evaluated with different gas compositions, humidity, and temperature. Finally, we identified that fractional coverage of water on surfaces affected the anti-graphitization on Ti-DLC, leading to avoiding friction reduction.

Environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and large stokes shift-emitting ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS core/shell quantum dots for luminescent solar concentrators.

In this study, heavy-metal-free orange light-emitting ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS doped-core/shell (d-C/S) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized using a nucleation doping strategy. To synthesize high quality d-C/S QDs with high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY), the Mn2+ concentration was optimized. The resulting ZnSe:Mn2+(5%)/ZnS d-C/S QDs showed a high PL QY of 83.3%. The optical properties of the synthesized QDs were characterized by absorption and PL spectroscopy. Their structural and compositional properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. After doping Mn2+ into a ZnSe core, the ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS d-C/S QDs showed a large Stokes shift of 170 nm. The ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS d-C/S QDs were embedded in a poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) polymer matrix and the ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS-based polymer film was fabricated. The fabricated ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS-PLMA film was highly transparent in the visible spectral region (transmittance > 83.8% for λ ≥ 450 nm) and it exhibited bright orange light under air mass (AM) 1.5G illumination using a solar simulator. The optical path-dependent PL measurement of the ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS-PLMA film showed no PL band shift and minimal PL decrease under variation of excitation position. These results indicate that the highly efficient and large Stokes shift-emitting ZnSe:Mn2+/ZnS QDs are promising for application to luminescent solar concentrators.

Early and Long-Term Outcomes after Propofol-and Sevoflurane-Based Anesthesia in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Propofol is considered to protect against immunosuppression and has lower inflammatory responses in the perioperative period than volatile agents. We evaluated whether the anesthetic agent is associated with cancer outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2616 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery under general anesthesia between 2016 and 2018 (follow-up closure: July 2021) at a single institution. Patients received propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia or sevoflurane-based inhalational anesthesia. After propensity score matching, the postoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was compared as primary outcome, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: After 1:2 propensity matching, 717 patients were given propofol anesthesia and 1410 patients were given sevoflurane anesthesia. In the matched cohort, preoperative NLR was not significantly different between propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia (mean (95% CI)2.3 (1.8 to 2.8) and 2.2 (1.9 to 3.2); p = 0.72). NLR was significantly lower in propofol anesthesia at postoperative day two and five (mean difference (95% CI) 0.71 (0.43 to 0.98); p = 0.000 and 0.52 (0.30 to 0.74); p = 0.000). Urinary retention showed a higher incidence after propofol anesthesia (4.9% vs. 2.6%; p = 0.008). Other postoperative complications and overall/recurrence-free survival were not different in the two groups. DISCUSSION: Although propofol anesthesia showed lower postoperative NLR than sevoflurane anesthesia, there was no association with clinical outcomes.

Deep learning-based automated detection algorithm for active pulmonary tuberculosis on chest radiographs: diagnostic performance in systematic screening of asymptomatic individuals.

OBJECTIVES: Performance of deep learning-based automated detection (DLAD) algorithms in systematic screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis is unknown. We aimed to validate DLAD algorithm for detection of active pulmonary tuberculosis and any radiologically identifiable relevant abnormality on chest radiographs (CRs) in this setting. METHODS: We performed out-of-sample testing of a pre-trained DLAD algorithm, using CRs from 19.686 asymptomatic individuals (ages, 21.3 ± 1.9 years) as part of systematic screening for tuberculosis between January 2013 and July 2018. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) for diagnosis of tuberculosis and any relevant abnormalities were measured. Accuracy measures including sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated at pre-defined operating thresholds (high sensitivity threshold, 0.16; high specificity threshold, 0.46). RESULTS: All five CRs from four individuals with active pulmonary tuberculosis were correctly classified as having abnormal findings by DLAD with specificities of 0.959 and 0.997, PPVs of 0.006 and 0.068, and NPVs of both 1.000 at high sensitivity and high specificity thresholds, respectively. With high specificity thresholds, DLAD showed comparable diagnostic measures with the pooled radiologists (p values > 0.05). For the radiologically identifiable relevant abnormality (n = 28), DLAD showed an AUC value of 0.967 (95% confidence interval, 0.938-0.996) with sensitivities of 0.821 and 0.679, specificities of 0.960 and 0.997, PPVs of 0.028 and 0.257, and NPVs of both 0.999 at high sensitivity and high specificity thresholds, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In systematic screening for tuberculosis in a low-prevalence setting, DLAD algorithm demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance, comparable with the radiologists in the detection of active pulmonary tuberculosis. KEY POINTS: • Deep learning-based automated detection algorithm detected all chest radiographs with active pulmonary tuberculosis with high specificities and negative predictive values in systematic screening. • Deep learning-based automated detection algorithm had comparable diagnostic measures with the radiologists for detection of active pulmonary tuberculosis on chest radiographs. • For the detection of radiologically identifiable relevant abnormalities on chest radiographs, deep learning-based automated detection algorithm showed excellent diagnostic performance in systematic screening.

Neutrophils Recirculate through Lymph Nodes to Survey Tissues for Pathogens.

The adaptive immune function of lymph nodes is dependent on constant recirculation of lymphocytes. In this article, we identify neutrophils present in the lymph node at steady state, exhibiting the same capacity for recirculation. In germ-free mice, neutrophils still recirculate through lymph nodes, and in mice cohoused with wild microbiome mice, the level of neutrophils in lymph nodes increases significantly. We found that at steady state, neutrophils enter the lymph node entirely via L-selectin and actively exit via efferent lymphatics via an S1P dependent mechanism. The small population of neutrophils in the lymph node can act as reconnaissance cells to recruit additional neutrophils in the event of bacterial dissemination to the lymph node. Without these reconnaissance cells, there is a delay in neutrophil recruitment to the lymph node and a reduction in swarm formation following Staphylococcus aureus infection. This ability to recruit additional neutrophils by lymph node neutrophils is initiated by LTB4. This study establishes the capacity of neutrophils to recirculate, much like lymphocytes via L-selectin and high endothelial venules in lymph nodes and demonstrates how the presence of neutrophils at steady state fortifies the lymph node in case of an infection disseminating through lymphatics.

Light modulation of top emission organic light emitting diodes showing strong microcavity effect by applying multilayered scattering film.

In order to suppress the viewing angle dependence of top emission organic light emitting diodes (TEOEDs) on a strong microcavity structure, we prepared multi-layered nano scattering film which was consisted with transparent planarizing layer and hazy crosslinked scattering layer. Through such an approach, we could obtain not only a stable color shift and luminance distribution with viewing angle but also a negligible pixel blur level. Meanwhile, we investigated a black tint level of TEOLEDs after attachment of circular polarizer (CP) on various nano scattering films because nano scattering film deteriorates a black level. We found that the black level could be improved from the black tint by reducing the refractive index difference between planarizing layer and scattering layer.

Change of the airway space in mandibular prognathism after bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to develop a two- and three-dimensional analysis of the airway using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine whether the airway space would be changed in mandibular prognathism after bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction. METHODS: Patients requiring orthognathic surgery from 2012 to 2014 were recruited for this study. CBCT scans were obtained at three points: preoperatively (T0), immediate postoperatively (T1), and after 6 months postoperatively (T2). The nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were measured on the CBCT scan for each patient in a repeatable manner. With the midsagittal plane, linear measurements in the middle of each were obtained. For the CBCT, volumetric measurements of each and total airway were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 22 consecutive patients (11 men and 11 women) were included in the present study. The total volume was significantly reduced (p < .001). However, the change of the diameter and volume of the nasopharynx was not statistically significant (p = .160, p = .137, respectively). In the oropharynx, the change of both the diameter and volume showed statistical significance between preoperatively and immediate postoperatively (p < .001, p = .001, respectively) and also preoperatively and after 6 months postoperatively (p = .001, p = .010, respectively). In the hypopharynx, the change of both the diameter and volume showed statistical significance between preoperatively and immediate postoperatively (p = .001, p < .001, respectively) and also preoperatively and after 6 months postoperatively (p = .001, p < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction can reduce the volume of airway in the patients of mandibular prognathism. Although total airway volume was reduced significantly, the changes in the volume and diameter of the nasopharynx were not statistically significant. The maxillary posterior impaction affects on the nasopharyngeal airway minimally.

Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and condylectomy for mandibular condyle osteochondroma: a case report.

Osteochondroma is rarely reported in the maxillofacial region; however, it is prevalent in the mandibular condyle. This slowly growing tumor may lead to malocclusion and facial asymmetry. A 39-year-old woman complained of gradual development of anterior and posterior unilateral crossbite, which resulted in facial asymmetry. A radiological study disclosed a large tumor mass on the top of the left mandibular condyle. This bony tumor was surgically removed through condylectomy and the remaining condyle head was secured. Subsequently, bimaxillary orthognathic surgery was performed to correct facial asymmetry and malocclusion. Pathological diagnosis was osteochondroma; immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor exhibited a conspicuous expression of BMP-4 and BMP-2 but rarely expression of PCNA. There was no recurrence at least for 1 year after the operation. Patient's functional and esthetic rehabilitation was uneventful.

Comparison of Costochondral Graft and Customized Total Joint Reconstruction for Treatments of Temporomandibular Joint Replacement.

PURPOSE: We review published research on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) total replacement that compares costochondral graft and customized total joint reconstruction (especially TMJ concepts), focusing on effectiveness. METHODS: We searched PubMed databases, including prospective, retrospective, case-control or longitudinal studies and significant statistical analysis. In data analysis, we divided outcomes into 'Acceptable' or 'Non-acceptable'. RESULTS: There were seven articles found dealing with costochondral graft and 180 patients. The majority of patients had satisfactory treatment outcomes (n=109, 61%). There were six articles including 275 patients using the alloplastic material TMJ concepts. Almost all patients had satisfactory treatment outcomes (n=261, 95%). CONCLUSION: Comparing customized total joint reconstruction with costochondral graft, use of TMJ concepts resulted in increased quality of life and fewer complications. In conclusion, we judged that alloplastic material such as TMJ concepts is more effective device in total joint replacement than costochondral graft.

Effectiveness of Woven Silk Dressing Materials on Full-skin Thickness Burn Wounds in Rat Model.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated woven silk textile for burn wound dressing materials in an animal model. METHODS: Ten rats were used in this experiment. Full-thickness 2×2 cm burn wounds were created on the back of the rats under anesthesia. In the experimental group, the wounds were treated with three different dressing materials from woven silk textile. In the control group, natural healing without any dressing material was set as control. The wound surface area was measured at five days, seven days, and 14 days. Wound healing was evaluated by histologic analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among groups at five days post injury. The mean defect size at seven days was largest in Group 3 (462.87 mm(2)), and smallest in Group 1 (410.89 mm(2)), not a significant difference (P =0.341). The mean defect size at 14 days was smallest at the Group 3 (308.28 mm(2)) and largest in the control group (388.18 mm(2)), not a significant difference (P =0.190). The denuded area was smaller in Group 1 (84.57 mm(2)) and Group 2 (82.50 mm(2)) compared with the control group (195.93 mm(2)), not statistically significant differences (P =0.066, 0.062). The difference between Group 3 and control was also not statistically significant (P =0.136). In histologic analysis, the experimental groups re-epithelialized more than control groups. No evidence was found of severe inflammation. CONCLUSION: The healing of burn wounds was faster with silk weave textile more than the control group. There was no atypical inflammation with silk dressing materials. In conclusion, silk dressing materials could be used to treat burn wounds.

Evaluation of the effect of a chicken comb extract-containing supplement on cartilage and bone metabolism in athletes.

In a previous study, we revealed that a commercially available product of dietary supplement containing a chicken comb extract (CCE), which is rich in hyaluronan, not only relieves joint pain and other symptoms, but also potentially improves the balance of type II collagen degradation/synthesis in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Since soccer is one of the sports most likely to cause knee osteoarthritis (OA), we evaluated the effect of a CCE-containing supplement on cartilage and bone metabolism in athletes. Fourteen and 15 subjects (all midfielders) were randomly assigned to receive the test product (test group) and the dummy placebo containing only vehicle (placebo group), respectively, for 12 weeks. The daily oral intake of the CCE-containing test product clearly decreased the urinary levels of both C-terminal crosslinked telopeptides of cartilage-specific type II collagen (CTX-II) as a type II collagen degradation marker and the N-terminal telopeptides of bone-specific type I collagen (NTx) as a marker of bone resorption at 12 weeks after the initiation of the intervention. By contrast, no significant reduction was detected in the placebo group at any timepoint during the intervention. These observations indicate that the test product is effective in inhibiting, not only cartilage degradation, but also bone remodeling. Thus, the CCE-containing supplement may be useful for the management of joint health in athletes.

Enhanced light output from the nano-patterned InP semiconductor substrate through the nanoporous alumina mask.

A significant enhancement in the light output from nano-patterned InP substrate covered with a nanoporous alumina mask was observed. A uniform nanohole array on an InP semiconductor substrate was fabricated by inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE), using the nanoporous alumina mask as a shadow mask. The light output property of the semiconductor substrate was investigated via photoluminescence (PL) intensity measurement. The InP substrate with a nanohole array showed a more enhanced PL intensity compared with the raw InP substrate without a nanohole structure. After ICP-RIE etching, the light output from the nanoporous InP substrate covered with a nanoporous alumina mask showed fourfold enhanced PL intensity compared with the raw InP substrate. These results can be used as a prospective method for increasing the light output efficiency of optoelectronic devices.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: incidence and treatment outcome in a single institution in Korea.

AIM: We studied to identify the clinicopathological features, treatment outcome, and prognostic factors for patients with gastrointestinal and hepatopancreaticobiliary neuroendocrine tumor (NET). METHOD: Between February 2001 and May 2006, a total of 470 patients were diagnosed with NET arising from the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and hepatobiliary system. The retrospective patient cohort was obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1.5:1, and the median age was 55 years (range, 16-81). The most common primary site was the rectum (55.8%). Overall 29 (6.2%) originated from the hepatobiliary system. At initial presentation, 60 patients (12.8%) showed distant metastases. Curative surgery or endoscopic resection was performed in 401 patients. Histopathological distributions were as follows: well differentiated tumor (82.1%), well differentiated carcinoma (10.2%) and poorly differentiated carcinoma (7.7%). The frequency of the poorly differentiated type was somewhat higher in the hepatobiliary system than in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract (44.8, 15.4 and 2.8%, respectively, P < 0.05). The estimated 5-year overall survival rate for all patients was 89.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that distant metastases (P = 0.018), origin from the hepatobiliary system (P < 0.001) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (P < 0.001) were independent predictors for poor survival outcome. CONCLUSION: Patients with locoregional NET had a favorable long-term survival after curative resection. Distant metastases, hepatobiliary localization and a poor degree of tumor cell differentiation were poor prognostic factors. Further investigational approaches for treatment of advanced disease are needed.

Effects of personality and gender on fantasy sports game participation: the moderating role of perceived knowledge.

Although 30 million individuals are engaged in fantasy sports games in the United States, little is known about the personality, attitudes, and intentions of fantasy sports game participants. This study (N = 244) explored the role of gender, sensation seeking (SS), locus of control (LOC), and need for cognition (NFC) in predicting attitudes and intentions relative to participating in fantasy football league. A domain-specific construct (e.g., perceived football knowledge: PK) was employed as a moderator to control the potential attenuating effects of personality and related human behavior. A moderated multiple regression technique (MMR) examined the first-order and lower-order interaction effects on attitudes and behavioral intentions toward fantasy games. For males (n = 123), SS, LOC, and PK were related to both attitudes and intentions toward participating and PK acted as a moderator between LOC and intentions. For females (n = 121), none of the personality traits was associated with attitudes or intentions. The applied and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed along with future directions for research.

Otosclerosis: incidence of positive findings on temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) and audiometric correlation in Korean patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of otosclerotic foci identified by temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) in Korean and to determine the correlation between the extent of otosclerotic foci and audiometric findings. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (37 ears) who were surgically confirmed otosclerosis and underwent preoperative TBCT scan were included. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative audiometric evaluation and TBCT. The mean air conduction (AC) thresholds and bone conduction (BC) thresholds, air-bone gap (ABG), and the difference between pre- and postoperative ABGs were determined. Otosclerotic foci were identified by the presence of hypodense lesions near the fissula ante fenestram and the otic capsule in the TBCT. The areas with hypodense lesions and the density ratio of the otosclerotic foci were compared by pre- and postoperative audiometric parameters. RESULTS: Hypodense lesions were identified by the TBCT in 27 out of 37 cases (73%). Fenestral types were found in 23 cases and combined fenestral and cochlear types in 4 cases. There was a significant correlation between the density ratio of the otospongiotic foci and the postoperative mean ABG (P=0.03). However, there was no correlation between the size of the hypodense area and any of the audiometric parameters tested (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The rate of positive TBCT findings for otosclerosis in our series was 73%. The extent of the hypodense lesion did not correlate with the preoperative hearing levels. However, the density ratio of the hypodense lesion influenced the surgical outcomes.

Pelvic inflammatory disease with Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging.

The clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is inexact. There are multiple potential symptoms and signs ascribable to PID as predicted by areas of inflammatory involvement. No symptoms or signs are pathognomonic for PID. The authors describe single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images of technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) ciprofloxacin imaging of patients with PID that showed foci of significantly increased uptake in the regions corresponding to the areas of clinical symptoms. We report two such cases of PID. We undertook physical exams, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Gram stains, wet smears, cultures, Mycoplasma genetic studies, Chlamydia cultures, and SPECT before treatment. During treatment we took laparoscopies, hysteroscopies, biopsies, and cultures. After the treatment, we repeated the same exams. (99m)Tc ciprofloxacin imaging is considered valuable in persons with symptoms of PID in whom diagnosis is difficult.

Hypermethylation of E-cadherin in endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Hypermethylation of CpG island is a common mechanism for the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Hypermethylation of the E-cadherin promoter region has been rarely studied in endometrial carcinoma of Korean women. The purpose of this study is to investigate methylation status of E-cadherin promoter region in endometrial carcinomas and endometrial hyperplasias, and analyze the correlation with clinicopathologic variables in endometrial carcinomas. METHODS: We examined the methylation status of the E-cadherin promoter region using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical expression (IHC) of E-cadherin in 30 endometrioid endometrial carcinomas and 20 endometrial hyperplasias, and correlated these results with various clinicopathological factors of endometrial carcinomas. RESULTS: Decreased expression of E-cadherin was detected in 13 of 30 (43.3%) endometrial carcinomas and in 1 of 20 (5%) endometrial hyperplasias (p=0.009). Promoter hypermethylation was detected in 12 of 30 (40%) endometrial carcinomas and 2 of 20 (10%) endometrial hyperplasias (p=0.015). Methylation status did not have a significant influence on the tumor grade and lymph node metastasis. However, the hypermethylation rate was significantly higher in stage above Ic (p=0.025). Decreased expression of E-cadherin was associated with tumor grade, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis in endometrial carcinomas (p=0.01, p=0.02, p=0.03). There was no correlation between DNA hypermethylation and decreased expression of E-cadherin in endometrial carcinomas (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that hypermethylation of E-cadherin promoter region is a frequent event in endometrial carcinoma, which may play an important role in the progression of carcinogenesis. Also, the promoter methylation of E-cadherin in endometrial carcinoma was found to be significantly associated with higher stage above Ic.

An ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma with para-aortic lymph node metastasis: a case report.

Malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is an uncommon complication. The most common form of malignant transformation of a MCT is squamous cell carcinoma, representing 75% of malignant transformations. The frequency of malignant transformation of MCT to adenocarcinoma is just 6.8%. To the best of our knowledge, no case of para-aortic lymph node metastasis in mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from MCT has been reported before. The prognosis of malignant transformation of the MCT is very poor. Here, we report an unusual case of a 41-year-old woman with mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from MCT with para-aortic lymph node metastasis.

Changes in serum and prostatic zinc concentrations in rats after intraprostatic injection of zinc: Comparison of two forms of zinc delivery.

BACKGROUND: We investigated changes in zinc concentrations in serum and prostatic tissue after an intraprostatic injection of zinc, and compared two forms of zinc delivery: solution and liposome. METHODS: Ninety-six male Wistar rats were used in the study (24 controls, 72 test rats). The test animals were randomly divided into two groups and were injected intraprostatically with 2 mL of 0.04 mol/L zinc sulfate according to the form of zinc delivery. Nine rats in each test group were sacrificed 1 day, 7, 14 and 28 days after injection, and 24 normal rats were injected intraprostatically with 2 mL of distilled water as controls. Serum and prostatic zinc concentrations of each group were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Blood chemistries, routine urinalysis, urine culture and histopathologic examination were also performed. RESULTS: Serum zinc concentrations did not change significantly after the intraprostatic injection of zinc. Prostatic zinc concentrations were found to be significantly greater (P < 0.05) in zinc-injected groups than in the control group. The intraprostatic injection of zinc solution and zinc liposome increased zinc levels in both ventral and dorsolateral lobes significantly. Prostatic zinc levels increased progressively following injection, reaching a peak level in 7 days and maintaining a high value throughout the experimental period. The prostatic zinc level of the 1-day zinc liposome group was higher than that of the 1-day zinc solution group, while no significant difference was observed between the solution and liposome group in 7, 14, 28 days. No abnormal findings were observed in any of the laboratory and histopathologic examinations; however, an acute inflammatory response was observed in the 1-day groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an intraprostatic injection of zinc in normal rats increases and maintains the prostatic zinc level for at least 4 weeks without causing any systemic or local toxicities. These findings suggest the potentially important clinical applicability of local zinc to the treatment of chronic prostatitis.