The Role of Hyaluronan/Receptor for Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility Interactions in the Modulation of Macrophage Polarization and Cartilage Repair.

Hyaluronan (HA), a negatively charged linear glycosaminoglycan, is a key macromolecular component of the articular cartilage extracellular matrix. The differential effects of HA are determined by a spatially/temporally regulated display of HA receptors, such as CD44 and receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM). HA signaling through CD44 with RHAMM has been shown to stimulate inflammation and fibrotic processes. This study shows an increased expression of RHAMM in proinflammatory macrophages. Interfering with HA/RHAMM interactions using a 15-mer RHAMM-mimetic, HA-binding peptide, together with high-molecular-weight (HMW) HA reduced the expression and release of inflammatory markers and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory markers in proinflammatory macrophages. HA/RHAMM interactions were interfered in vivo during the regeneration of a full-thickness cartilage defect after microfracture surgery in rabbits using three intra-articular injections of 15-mer RHAMM-mimetic. HA-binding peptide together with HMWHA reduced the number of proinflammatory macrophages and increased the number of anti-inflammatory macrophages in the injured knee joint and greatly improved the repair of the cartilage defect compared with intra-articular injections of HMWHA alone. These findings suggest that HA/RHAMM interactions play a key role in cartilage repair/regeneration via stimulating inflammatory and fibrotic events, including increasing the ratio of proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory macrophages. Interfering with these interactions reduced inflammation and greatly improved cartilage repair.

The Efficacy and Safety of an Indocyanine Green-Macroaggregated Albumin-Hyaluronic Acid Mixture (LuminoMark™) for Surgical Localization of Recurrent Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The recurrence of thyroid cancer poses challenges compounded by postoperative fibrosis and anatomic changes. By overcoming the limitations of current localizing dye techniques, indocyanine green-macroaggregated albumin-hyaluronic acid (ICG-MAA-HA) mixture dye promises improved localization. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dye for recurrent thyroid cancer. METHODS: The nine patients in this study underwent surgery and postoperative ultrasonography. The dye was injected into recurrent lesions in all the patients preoperatively. During surgery, the lesions were confirmed with an imaging system before and after excision. If the lesion was unidentifiable with the naked eye, surgical excision was performed under the corresponding fluorescent guide. Side effects related to the dye injection and completeness of the surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: No side effects such as bleeding, skin tattooing, or pain during or after the dye injection were reported, and no discoloration occurred that interfered with the surgical field of view during surgery. In three cases (33.3 %), because it was difficult to localize metastatic lesions with the naked eye, the operation was successfully completed using an imaging system. The completeness of the surgical resection was confirmed by ultrasonography after an average of 5 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The study found that ICG-MAA-HA dye effectively located metastatic and recurrent thyroid cancer and had favorable results in terms of minimal procedural side effects and potential for assisting the surgeon. A large-scale multi-institutional study is necessary to prove the clinical significance regarding patient survival and disease control.

Multimodal Capturing of Polysulfides by Phosphorus-Doped Carbon Composites for Flexible High-Energy-Density Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The widespread adoption of Li-ion batteries is currently limited by their unstable electrochemical performance and high flammability under mechanical deformation conditions and a relatively low energy density. Herein, high-energy-density lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are developed for applications in next-generation flexible electronics and electric vehicles with long cruising distances. Freestanding high-S-loading carbon nanotubes cathodes are assembled with a phosphorus (P)-doped carbon interlayer coated on commercial separators. Strategies for the active materials and structural design of both the electrodes and separators are highly efficient for immobilizing the lithium polysulfides via multimodal capturing effects; they significantly improve the electrochemical performance in terms of the redox kinetics and cycling stability. The foldable Li-S cells show stable specific capacities of 850 mAh g-1 over 100 cycles, achieving high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities of 387 Wh kgcell -1 and 395 Wh Lcell -1 , respectively. The Li-S cells show highly durable mechanical flexibilities under severe deformation conditions without short circuit or failure. Finally, the Li-S battery is explored as a light-weight and flexible energy storage device aboard airplane drones to ensure at least fivefold longer flight times than traditional Li-ion batteries. Nanocarbon-based S cathodes and P-doped carbon interlayers offer a promising solution for commercializing rechargeable Li-S batteries.

Cooperative Friendly Jamming Techniques for Drone-Based Mobile Secure Zone.

Threats of eavesdropping and information leakages have increased sharply owing to advancements in wireless communication technology. In particular, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become vulnerable to sniffing or jamming attacks because broadcast communication is usually conducted in open-network environments. Although improved security protocols have been proposed to overcome the limitations of wireless-communication technology and to secure safe communication channels, they are difficult to apply to mobile communication networks and IoT because complex hardware is required. Hence, a novel security model with a lighter weight and greater mobility is needed. In this paper, we propose a security model applying cooperative friendly jamming using artificial noise and drone mobility, which are autonomous moving objects, and we demonstrate the prevention of eavesdropping and improved security through simulations and field tests. The Cooperative Friendly Jamming Techniques for Drone-based Mobile Secure Zone (CFJ-DMZ) can set a secure zone in a target area to support a safe wireless mobile communication network through friendly jamming, which can effectively reduce eavesdropping threats. According to the experimental results, the average information leakage rate of the eavesdroppers in CFJ-DMZ-applied scenarios was less than or equal to 3%, an average improvement of 92% over conventional methods.

Efficiency of a 24-hour on-call system for early recompression therapy for acute decompression sickness.

Background: Early recompression therapy is suggested for a better clinical outcome of decompression sickness (DCS) patients. This study analyzed the efficacy of our 24-hour on-call system for early recompression therapy. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study. They were classified into DCS Type I versus Type II, duty time versus non-duty time groups based on the time of emergency department (ED) admission, and hospitalization versus discharge groups according to clinical outcomes. Baseline characteristics, diving variables, and in-hospital course were analyzed. Results: This study investigated 341 acute DCS patients. A total of 81 and 260 patients had Type I and Type II DCS, respectively. While 198 patients accessed the center during duty time, 143 presented during non-duty time. Fifty patients were admitted, and 291 patients were discharged. Total median time from symptom onset to HBO2 therapy was 259 minutes: 240 minutes for the duty group and 292 minutes for the non-duty group (p=0.16); 251 minutes for the discharged group and 291 minutes for the hospitalized group (p<0.001). The median time from ED admission to HBO2 therapy was 65 minutes: 60 minutes for the duty group and 69 minutes for the non-duty group (p=0.23); 63.4 minutes for the discharged group and 92 minutes for the hospitalized group (p=0.05). Conclusion: The 24-hour on-call system was able to provide acute DCS patients with early recompression therapy even during non-duty time. However, in terms of the outcome of treatment of patients, quicker arrival at the hospital and swifter recompression therapy are needed.

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in early colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine factors predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with T1 or T2 colon cancer. METHODS: A total of 906 patients with T1 or T2 colon cancer who underwent colon resection with regional lymphadenectomy in a tertiary hospital, from January 2008 to December 2013, were analyzed. The prognostic factors for LN metastasis and the risk factors for survival were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 728 patients (80.4%) without lymph node metastasis (LN-negative group) and 178 patients (19.6%) with lymph node metastasis (LN-positive group). Tumor invasion depth (P < 0.001), lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001), and perineural invasion (P = 0.008) were significantly different between the two groups. During the median follow-up period of 69 months, the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 98.6% for the LN-negative group and 92.8% for the LN-positive group (P ≤ 0.001). In multivariate analysis, influencing factors associated with disease-free survival rate were LN metastasis (P = 0.001) and perineural invasion (P = 0.040). Female, depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.001), and lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001) were significant independent predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Positive LN status predicted poor disease-free survival in patients with early cancer. This suggests that depth of tumor invasion ≥ sm2 and the presence of lymphatic invasion in early colon cancer provide useful information to determine which patients would benefit from radical surgery.

Secondary signs on preoperative CT as predictive factors for febrile urinary tract infection after ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND: Febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common complications after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS). We evaluated the effect of secondary signs on preoperative computed tomography (CT) for febrile UTI after URS. METHODS: In total, 182 patients who underwent URS for ureteral stones from January 2013 to December 2015 were retrospectively included in this study. These patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of postoperative febrile UTI after URS. We compared the clinical factors, stone factors, and secondary signs between the groups. Predictive factors for febrile UTI after URS were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Febrile UTI occurred in 26 of the 182 patients. In univariate analysis, presence of comorbid chronic kidney disease (CKD) and stone size were significantly different between UTI and non-UTI groups. Among secondary signs, presence of hydroureter, perinephric fat stranding, periureteral fat stranding, and tissue rim sign were significantly different between the groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, comorbid CKD, stone size, perinephric fat stranding, and tissue rim sign were independent predictive factors for febrile UTI after URS. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that secondary signs including perinephric fat stranding and tissue rim sign on preoperative CT, CKD, and stone size are independent predictive factors for febrile UTI after URS.

Toxicological assessments of an ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia and Peucedanum praeruptorum: Subacute oral toxicity and genotoxicity studies.

An ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia seeds and Peucedanum praeruptorum roots, called BP10A, has antitumor potential against colorectal cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the 28-day oral toxicity and the genotoxicity of BP10A. The subacute toxicity test was done through oral administration to mice. ICR mice (n = 10) received daily oral BP10A doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. During administration, general clinical signs, food consumption, organ weights, and hematologic, biochemical and histopathological parameters in male and female mice were assessed. No significant adverse effects up to the highest dose (2000 mg/kg) were found. The genotoxicity was evaluated using a battery of tests, including an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test, an in vivo micronucleus test using bone marrow cells in ICR mice and a chromosomal aberration test using CHL/IU cells. BP10A did not show any genotoxic signs in the Ames (up to 5000 µg/plate), micronucleus (up to 5000 mg/kg) and the chromosomal aberration tests (550-1750 µg/mL). Therefore, BP10A was considered safe based on the subacute toxicity and genotoxicity results, indicating that it is a useful pharmaceutical material with no adverse toxicity.

Tumor doubling time predicts response to sorafenib in radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.

Sorafenib has emerged as an effective therapeutic option for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory, locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We investigated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib treatment in a real-world setting and unveil predictive markers of responsiveness to sorafenib. The treatment response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and adverse events (AEs) of sorafenib-treated RAI-refractory, locally advanced or metastatic DTC patients at three institutes were retrospectively reviewed, and their tumor doubling time was calculated by three investigators. Total eighty-five patients were treated with sorafenib, and seven patients discontinued sorafenib due to AEs before the first tumor assessment. The median PFS was 14.4 months, and the objective response rate was 10.3% in 78 patients who were able to evaluate the tumor response. Age, sex, histologic type, tumor location, RAI avidity, or the presence of FDG-PET uptake did not affect PFS. However, smaller tumor size (≤1.5 cm) of the target lesions in lung showed better PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.39, p = 0.01), and tumors with the shortest doubling time (≤6 months) had worse outcome (HR 2.70, p < 0.01). Because of AEs, dose reductions or drug interruptions were required in 64% of patients, and eventually, 23% of patients discontinued sorafenib permanently. The most common AE was hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR). Patients with severe HFSR showed better PFS, but there were no statistical significance (HR 0.65, p = 0.05). In conclusion, small tumor size and long doubling time of each target lesion can be a prognostic marker to predict the responsiveness to sorafenib in RAI-refractory DTC patients.

Low Positive Predictive Value of Bone Scan to Predict Impending Complete Fracture among Incomplete Atypical Femoral Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Although bone scan might be useful to detect incomplete atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) earlier than radiographs, there is no study on predicting further progression to a complete fracture among incomplete AFFs. Our purposes are to determine whether bone scan detects impending complete fracture among incomplete AFFs. METHODS: We reviewed 18 patients (20 AFFs) who underwent bone scan at the diagnosis of incomplete AFF and were not treated with prophylactic fixation. A diagnosis of impending complete fracture was made, when the femur completely fractured within 6 months after the scan. We correlated radioisotope uptake with the impending complete fracture to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of bone scan. RESULTS: Thirteen AFFs (65%, 13/20) showed a positive uptake in bone scan. Among the 13, only one femur was completely fractured within 6 months. None of the 7 femurs without uptake in bone scan fractured. In diagnosing impending complete fracture, the sensitivity of bone scan was 100% and negative predictive value was 100%. However, the specificity (36.8%) and positive predictive value (7.7%) were quite low. CONCLUSION: Bone scan has no significant role in detecting the impending complete fracture, and a positive uptake does not mean the necessity of prophylactic fixation of incomplete AFF.

Birefringence-dependent linearly-polarized emission in a liquid crystalline organic light emitting polymer.

We investigated the linearly polarized emission of uniformly aligned poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-(benzo[2,1,3]thia-diazol-4,8-diyl) (F8BT) with a liquid crystalline phase on a rubbed alignment layer. The polarization ratio, defined by the ratio of luminous intensities polarized parallel and perpendicular to the rubbed direction, gradually decreased with increasing thickness of the F8BT film. In the photoluminescence (PL) process, the polarized light is emitted throughout the whole F8BT film, while in the electroluminescence (EL) process, the polarized light is emitted at a certain region within the F8BT film. The thickness-dependent polarization ratios in both PL and EL processes were successfully described based on a simple model wherein the mean optical birefringence was expressed as a function of the thickness of the F8BT film.

Reduction of the operating voltage of a nanoencapsulated liquid crystal display by using a half-wall structure.

We proposed a half-wall structure in the in-plane switching (IPS) configuration of the nanoencapsulated liquid crystal (LC) display for reducing a driving voltage. The IPS electrodes were fabricated on top of the half-walls to enhance electric field strength through the whole LC layer. In addition, we demonstrated a self-masking process for the half-wall structure and the IPS electrodes without any additional mask-aligning process.

Aqueous extract of Phragmitis rhizoma ameliorates myelotoxicity of docetaxel in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: A variety of anticancer chemotherapeutics induce adverse side effects including myelotoxicity. Dried roots of Phragmites communis Trinius, Phragmitis rhizoma, have been clinically used in traditional folk medicine to relieve various symptoms like fever. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Phragmitis rhizoma (EPR) against docetaxel-induced myelotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The in vitro myelo-protective effect of EPR was evaluated using the colony forming unit (CFU) assay with hematopoietic progenitor cells. The in vivo efficacy of EPR was evaluated in myelosuppressed C57BL/6 male mice which were induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg docetaxel for 3 times. EPR was orally administered for 4 days to docetaxel-induced myelosuppressed C57BL/6 male mice which were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg docetaxel for 3 times: Group 1 (vehicle control, n = 10), Group 2 (docetaxel plus vehicle, n = 10), Group 3 (docetaxel plus EPR 30 mg/kg, n = 10), Group 4 (docetaxel plus EPR 100 mg/kg, n = 10) and Group 5 (docetaxel plus EPR 300 mg/kg, n = 10). Whole blood counts were measured automatically, and immune organs were histologically examined. Expression of immunomodulatory cytokines was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The toxicity of EPR itself was evaluated in normal human cell lines including IMR-90, foreskin fibroblast and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The hepatotoxicity of EPR was predicted by multi-parametric assays involving cell viability, caspase 3/7 activity, GSH contents and LDH leakage using the HepaRG hepatic cell line. RESULTS: Co-treatment of EPR or its major component, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, increased the numbers of hematopoietic CFU counts in the docetaxel-induced in vitro myelotoxicity assay system. The in vitro protective effect of EPR against docetaxel toxicity was replicated in a myelosuppressed animal model: white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and red blood cells rebounded; bone marrow niche and structural integrity of the thymus were preserved; and the expression of immune-stimulating cytokines including IL3, IL6, SCF and GM-CSF was enhanced. Furthermore, EPR and p-hydroxycinnamic acid promoted the proliferation of primary splenocytes and thymocytes. In the toxicity assays, no remarkable signs related with toxicity were observed in all tested normal human cells and HepaRG. CONCLUSIONS: EPR has the potential to ameliorate docetaxel-mediated myelotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models. However, the identification of the responsible active components and the precise underlying myelo-protective mechanism of EPR need to be elucidated before novel drug development using EPR can precede.

XIAP inhibitor embelin induces autophagic and apoptotic cell death in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Embelin is an active ingredient of traditional herbal remedies for cancer and other diseases. Recently, it has been suggested that autophagy may play an important role in cancer therapy. However, little data are available regarding the role of autophagy in oral cancers. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine whether Embelin modulates autophagy in Ca9-22. Our results showed that Embelin had anticancer activity against the Ca9-22 human tongue squamous cell, and we observed that autophagic vacuoles were formed by MDC and AO. We also analyzed Embelin-treated Ca9-22 cells for the presence of biochemical markers and found that it directly affected the conversion of LC3-II, the degradation of p62/SQSTM1, full-length cleavage formation of ATG5-ATG12 complex and Beline-1, and caspase activation. Rescue experiments using an autophagy inhibitor showed Embelin-induced cell death in Ca9-22, confirming that autophagy acts as a pro-death signal. Furthermore, Embelin exhibited anticancer activity against Ca9-22 via both autophagy and apoptosis. These findings suggest that Embelin may potentially contribute to oral cancer treatment and provide useful information for the development of a new therapeutic agent.

Selective Ring Opening of 1-Methylnaphthalene Over NiW-Supported Catalyst Using Dealuminated Beta Zeolite.

Nanoporous Beta zeolite was dealuminated by weak acid treatment for reducing the acidity. Bi-functional catalysts were prepared using commercial Beta zeolites and the dealuminated zeolites for acidic function, NiW for metallic function. 1-Methylnaphthalene was selected as a model compound for multi-ring aromatics in heavy oil, and its selective ring opening reaction has been investigated using the prepared bi-functional catalysts with different acidity in fixed bed reaction system. The dealuminated Beta zeolites, which crystal structure and nanoporosity were maintained, showed the higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and smaller acidity than their original zeolite. NiW-supported catalyst using the dealuminated Beta zeolite with SiO2/Al203 mole ratio of 55 showed the highest performance for the selective ring opening. The acidity of catalyst seemed to play an important role as active sites for the selective ring opening of 1-methylnaphthalene but there should be some optimum catalyst acidity for the reaction. The acidity of Beta zeolite could be controlled by the acid treatment and the catalyst with the optimum acidity for the selective ring opening could be prepared.

The Effect of K and Acidity of NiW-Loaded HY Zeolite Catalyst for Selective Ring Opening of 1-Methylnaphthalene.

Bi-functional catalysts were prepared using HY zeolites with various SiO2/Al2O3 ratios for acidic function, NiW for metallic function, and K for acidity control. 1-Methylnaphthalene was selected as a model compound for multi-ring aromatics in heavy oil, and its selective ring opening reaction was investigated using the prepared bi-functional catalysts with different levels of acidity in a fixed bed reactor system. In NiW/HY catalysts without K addition, the acidity decreased with the SiO2/Al2O3 mole ratio of the HY zeolite. Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) catalyst showed the highest acidity but slightly lower yields for the selective ring opening than Ni1.1W1.1/HY(30) catalyst. The acidity of the catalyst seemed to play an important role as the active site for the selective ring opening of 1-methylnaphthalene but there should be some optimum catalyst acidity for the reaction. Catalyst acidity could be controlled between Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) and Ni1.1W1.1/HY(30) by adding a moderate amount of K to Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) catalyst. K0.3Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) catalyst should have the optimum acidity for the selective ring opening. The addition of a moderate amount of K to the NiW/HY catalyst must improve the catalytic performance due to the optimization of catalyst acidity.

Acquired Bilateral Dyspigmentation on Face and Neck: Clinically Appropriate Approaches.

Facial dyspigmentation in Asian women often poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Recently, a distinctive bilateral hyperpigmentation of face and neck has occasionally been observed. This study was performed to investigate the clinico-pathological features of this dyspigmentation as well as proper treatment approaches. We retrospectively investigated the medical records including photographs, routine laboratory tests, histopathologic studies of both lesional and peri-lesional normal skin and patch test of thirty-one patients presented acquired bizarre hyperpigmentation on face and neck. The mean age of patients was 52.3 years and the mean duration of dyspigmentation was 24.2 months. In histologic evaluations of lesional skin, a significantly increased liquefactive degeneration of basal layer, pigmentary incontinence and lymphocytic infiltration were noted, whereas epidermal melanin or solar elastosis showed no statistical differences. Among 19 patients managed with a step-by-step approach, seven improved with using only topical anti-inflammatory agents and moisturizer, and 12 patients gained clinical benefit after laser therapy without clinical aggravation. Both clinical and histopathologic findings of the cases suggest a distinctive acquired hyperpigmentary disorder related with subclinical inflammation. Proper step-by-step evaluation and management of underlying subclinical inflammation would provide clinical benefit.

Aqueous extract of Lithospermi radix attenuates oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin can induce peripheral neuropathy (OXIPN) as an adverse side effect in cancer patients. Until now, no effective preventive or therapeutic drug has been developed; therefore, the dose-limiting factor of OXIPN is still an obstacle in the use of oxaliplatin to treat cancer patients. In the present study, we report for the first time that the aqueous extract of Lithospermi radix (WLR) can attenuate the OXIPN in both in vitro and in vivo neuropathic models. METHODS: The protective effect of WLR on OXIPN was evaluated in vitro by quantifying nerve growth factor (NGF)-stimulated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells treated with a combination of oxaliplatin and WLR. The neuroprotective potential of WLR was further confirmed by measuring the changes in nociceptive sensitivities to external mechanical stimuli in neuropathic animals induced by oxaliplatin. Histological and immunohistochemical studies were further done to examine the effect of WLR in mouse spinal cords and footpads. RESULTS: Oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity in NGF-stimulated PC12 cells. It could reduce the lengths and branching numbers of neuritis in NGF-stimulated PC12 cells. Co-treatment of WLR rescued the differentiated PC12 cells from the neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin. In a chronic OXIPN animal model, administration of oxaliplatin i.p. induced enhanced nociceptive sensitivity to mechanical stimuli (25.0 to 72.5 % of response rate) along with spinal activation of microglias and astrocytes and loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers in footpads, which is remarkably suppressed by oral administration of WLR (67.5 to 35 % of response rate at the end of experiment). Cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin determined in human cancer cells was not affected irrespective of the presence of WLR. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we demonstrated that WLR can attenuate OXIPN in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models, which may be in part attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity in the spinal cord and its neuroprotective potential in the peripheral nerve system without affecting the anti-tumor potential of oxaliplatin. Therefore, WLR could be considered as a good starting material to develop a novel therapeutic agent targeting OXIPN. However, further studies should be done to elucidate the underlying mechanism such as molecular targets and active constituent(s) in WLR with neuroprotective potential.

Polarizer-free liquid crystal display with double microlens array layers and polarization-controlling liquid crystal layer.

We propose a polarizer-free liquid crystal display (LCD) consisting of two microlens array (MLA) layers, a twisted nematic (TN) LC layer, and two light-blocking masks. By changing the polarization state, focal length of the LCD can be controlled. Since two light-blocking masks have a circular stop pattern and a complementary open pattern, entire gray-scale spectrum may be realized by controlling the intensity of light passing through masks. Ultimately, fast response time characteristics could be achieved due to the alignment of LC molecules on the flat MLA surface.

In Vivo Anti-tumor Effects of the Ethanol Extract of Gleditsia sinensis Thorns and Its Active Constituent, Cytochalasin H.

Angiogenesis is the process of new vessel formation from pre-existing blood vasculature and is critical for continuous tumor growth. We previously reported that an ethanolic extract of Gleditsia sinensis thorns (EEGS) and its active constituent, cytochalasin H, have anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo via suppression of endothelial cell functions. In the present study, EEGS and cytochalasin H were observed to efficiently inhibit tumor growth in an in ovo xenograft model without significant toxicity. We repeatedly observed the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of EEGS in representative animal models. These results suggest that EEGS and its active constituent, cytochalasin H, are potential candidates for the development of anti-angiogenic cancer drugs.