Adiabatic light transfer in titanium diffused lithium niobate waveguides.

We report on the realization of adiabatic light transfer in lithium niobate (LiNbO3) waveguides. This peculiar adiabatic tunneling scheme was implemented in a three-waveguide coupling configuration with the intermediate waveguide being inclined with respect to the outer waveguides to facilitate the adiabatic passage process. We have investigated and determined the adiabatic conditions of the LiNbO3 device in terms of the structure configuration of the waveguide system and found optimal structure parameters by both simulation and experimental approaches. Broadband adiabatic couplings of bandwidth ~456 and 185 nm and peak coupling efficiencies of >0.96 have been obtained with a 2-cm long device for TE- and TM-polarized fundamental modes, respectively. Longer (5 cm) devices were also studied and found to be useful in increasing the adiabaticity of the device, especially for the TM-polarized mode.

Distribution and clinical significance of tumour-associated macrophages in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a retrospective analysis in China.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to characterize the localization and prognostic significance of tumour-associated macrophages (tams) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (pdac). METHODS: Tumour specimens from 70 patients with pdac and inflammatory specimens from 13 patients with chronic pancreatitis were collected and analyzed for tam and M2 macrophage counts by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between tam distributions and clinicopathologic features were determined. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that tam and M2 macrophage counts were higher in tissues from pdac than from chronic pancreatitis. The tams and M2 macrophages both infiltrated more into peritumour. Both macrophage types were positively associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.041 for tams in peritumour, p = 0.013 for M2 macrophages in introtumour, p = 0.006 for M2 macrophage in peritumour). In addition, abdominal pain was significantly more frequent in pdac patients with a greater tams count. The survival rate was much lower in patients having high infiltration by M2 macrophages than in those having low infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The tam count might be associated with neural invasion in pdac, and M2 macrophages might play an important role in lymph node metastasis. Higher counts of either macrophage type were associated with increased risk of lymph node metastasis, and the M2 macrophage count could potentially be a marker for evaluating prognosis.

Clinical manifestations in patients with alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with alpha-fetoprotein (afp)-producing gastric cancer have a high incidence of liver metastasis and poor prognosis. There is some controversy about clinical manifestations in these patients. METHODS: Our study enrolled patients who, before surgery, had gastric cancer with serum afp exceeding 20 ng/mL [afp>20 (n = 58)] and with serum afp 20 ng/mL or less [afp≤20 (n = 1236)]. Clinical manifestations were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Early gastric cancer was more frequent (30.1% vs. 4%) and advanced gastric cancer was less frequent (69.9% vs. 96%) in the afp≤20 group than the afp>20 group (p < 0.001). Liver and lymph node metastasis occurred less frequently in the afp≤20 group (4.4% vs. 27.6%, p < 0.001, and 60.7% vs. 91.4%, p < 0.001, respectively). The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates of afp≤20 patients were 75.2%, 53.4%, 45.8%, and 34.6% respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates of patients with afp greater than 20 ng/mL, but 300 ng/mL or less, were 46.7%, 28.9%, 17.8%, and 13.3% respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients with serum afp greater than 300 ng/mL were 15.4%, 7.7%, and 0% respectively. The independent predictors for survival time were afp concentration, age, peritoneal seeding, liver metastasis, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, TNM stage, curative surgery, serosal invasion, and Lauren classification. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high serum afp had a high frequency of liver and lymph node metastasis and very poor prognosis. More aggressive management with multimodal therapy (for example, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) might be needed when treating such patients.

Identification and antibacterial characteristics of an endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum from Lilium lancifolium.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to isolate and identify an endophytic fungus with antibacterial activity from the Asian medicinal and culinary plant Lilium lancifolium and to study the characteristics of its major antibacterial fractions. METHODS AND RESULTS: After strict sample sterilization, an endophytic fungus BH-3 with great antibacterial activity against Leuconostoc mesenteroides was isolated from the bulbs of L. lancifolium and was identified as Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequence and morphological traits. After partial purification including superfiltration and gel filtration, the major antibacterial fractions were found to be the substances with the molecular mass ranging from 35 to 60kDa, mainly 55kDa. The partially purified antibacterial fractions were stable at thermal processes, with more than 80% of activity left at 60°C for 1h, and even 70·75% left at 121°C for 15min. 90·33-98·97% of activity was observed in the pH range of 4·0-7·0. But the fractions were sensitive to different proteases. CONCLUSIONS: Endophytic strain F. oxysporum BH-3 isolated from the bulbs of L. lancifolium produced protein-like antibacterial metabolites. The antibacterial assay against Leuc. mesenteroides indicated that the fractions were stable at thermal processes and wide pH conditions, but sensitive to proteolyses. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides an increasing understanding of endophytic F. oxysporum in L. lancifolium and its metabolites, which have a great potential in food industry as antibacterial agents.

Optimization of exopolysaccharide production and diesel oil emulsifying properties in root nodulating bacteria.

Bioremediation, a strategy mediated by microorganisms, is a promising way used in the degradation or removal of organic contaminants from soil or aquatic system. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) which was produced by a variety of Gram-negative bacteria has been demonstrated to be a potential bioemulsifier used in the degradation of hydrocarbons. In the present study, attempts were made to optimize the production of EPS from our newly isolates by adjusting the culture conditions and medium components. Besides, the performance of diesel oil emulsification using partially purified EPS derived from different conditions was also demonstrated. Out of 40 root nodulating bacteria the better emulsifying abilities were recorded from three strains namely Rhizobium miluonense CC-B-L1, Burkholderia seminalis CC-IDD2w and Ensifer adhaerens CC-GSB4, as can be seen from their emulsification index (E(24)) 66, 64 and 60%, respectively. These three strains produced 212, 203 and 198 mg l(-1) of EPS, respectively, in yeast extract mannitol (YEM) medium. After modifying culture conditions, better performances can be achieved from these three strains, with increases of 21.7, 21.4, 16.7% in the EPS production and 12.1, 10.9, 8.3% in E(24), respectively. When considered for strain CC-B-L1 and CC-IDD2w, the addition of 1.5% (v/v) of mannitol and 0.1% (v/v) of asparagine in YEM enhanced 42.9 and 34.7% in EPS production along with 28.8 and 37.5% higher in E(24). The supplement of 2.0% (v/v) glucose and 0.2% (v/v) asparagine in YEM increased 65.2% of EPS and 38.3% of E(24) in strain CC-GSB4. This is the first report demonstrating the optimization of diesel emulsification by EPS from root nodulating isolates, and these microbial agents might be used in the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils in a near future.

Prognosis and clinicopathologic features in patients with gastric stump cancer after curative surgery.

Background: Gastric stump ("remnant") cancer is the development of a malignancy related to previous gastric surgery. Prognosis in gastric stump cancer, compared with that in primary gastric cancer, is still controversial. Methods: From January 1988 to December 2012 at a single medical centre in Taiwan, 105 patients with gastric stump cancer, including 85 with previous peptic ulcer disease and 20 with previous gastric cancer, were analyzed for clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival (os). Results: The 5-year os rates for patients with gastric stump cancer and with primary gastric cancer were 51.2% and 54.5% respectively (p = 0.035). Analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics indicated that, compared with patients having primary gastric cancer, those with gastric stump cancer had more lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) and had been diagnosed at a more advanced stage (p = 0.047). Multivariate analysis with os as an endpoint showed that age [p = 0.015; hazard ratio (hr): 2.300; 95% confidence interval (ci): 1.173 to 4.509], tumour size (p = 0.037; hr: 1.700; 95% ci: 1.031 to 2.801), stromal reaction (p = 0.021; hr: 1.802; 95% ci: 1.094 to 2.969), and pathologic N category (p = 0.001; hr: 1.449; 95% ci: 1.161 to 1.807) were independent predictors in gastric stump cancer. The os rates for patients with gastric stump cancer who previously had gastric cancer or peptic ulcer disease were 72.9% and 50.0% respectively (p = 0.019). The Borrmann classification was more superficial (p = 0.005), lymph node metastases were fewer (p = 0.004), and staging was less advanced (p = 0.025) in patients with gastric stump cancer who previously had gastric cancer than in their counterparts who previously had peptic ulcer disease. Conclusions: Survival is poorer in patients with gastric stump cancer who previously had peptic ulcer disease than in those who previously had primary gastric cancer. Patients with gastric stump cancer who previously had gastric cancer and could receive curative gastrectomy tended to have a better prognosis because of a more superficial Borrmann classification. Regular follow-up in patients who have undergone gastric surgery is recommended for the early detection of gastric stump cancer.

Curcumin attenuates heat-stress-induced oxidant damage by simultaneous activation of GSH-related antioxidant enzymes and Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzyme systems in broiler chickens.

The object of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on modulating the glutathione (GSH)-related antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant responses via NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in heat-stressed broiler chickens. A total of 400 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks was reared in an environmentally controlled room. At 21 d, broiler chicks were divided into 5 treatment groups and were fed one of 4 diets under 2 temperature conditions: 22°C + a basal diet (CON treatment); 34°C for 8 h (0900-1700) + a basal diet supplemented with 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg curcumin (HS, CMN1, CMN2, and CMN3 treatments, respectively). The heat treatment lasted for 20 consecutive days. The results showed that heat stress significantly increased (P < 0.05) the weekly rectal temperature and average head and feet temperature. Compared to the HS treatment, feed conversion was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in CMN1 and CMN2 treatments. CMN1 administration significantly improved (P < 0.05) the pH24 of muscle. The abnormal changes of serum malonaldehyde and corticosterone concentrations were prevented (P < 0.05) by curcumin. Mitochondrial GSH concentration in the liver was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in CMN1 and CMN2 treatments compared with the HS treatment. The CMN1, CMN2, and CMN3 supplementations significantly increased (P < 0.05) γ-GCL, GSH-Px, and GST activities. Curcumin significantly increased (P < 0.05) the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and γ-GCLc in the liver as compared to the CON diet. The expression of Cu/ZnSOD and CAT were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding CMN2, respectively, as compared to the HS treatment. It was concluded that curcumin supplementation enhanced the resistance of broilers to heat stress, as evidenced by reversing the FC, increasing the GSH content and GSH-related enzyme activities, and inducing the expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzyme genes.

Comparison of apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of feed ingredients measured with broilers, layers, and roosters.

The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in 7 feed ingredients was determined using broilers, layers, and roosters. The ingredients included 3 cereals (wheat, sorghum, and corn), 3 oilseed meals (canola, cottonseed, and soybean meals), and 1 animal protein meal (meat and bone meal). Dietary protein in the assay diets was supplied solely by the test ingredient. All diets contained 20 g/kg of acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker, and each diet was offered ad libitum in mash form to 5 replicate pens of broilers and layers, and 4 replicate pens of roosters. The digestibility coefficients of individual amino acids for wheat, corn, and sorghum were higher (P < 0.05) in broilers than in layers and roosters. The digestibility of most amino acids for corn and sorghum was higher (P < 0.05) in roosters compared with those in layers, whereas the digestibility for wheat in layers and roosters was similar. In general, the digestibility of amino acids in canola meal, cottonseed meal, and meat and bone meal was similar among the 3 classes of chickens. The digestibility of amino acids in soybean meal was higher (P < 0.05) for layers compared with those for broilers and roosters but similar between broilers and roosters. These results suggest that the class of chickens significantly influenced the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in some feed ingredients.

Vortex-induced morphology on a two-fluid interface and the transitions.

We investigate experimentally the steady flows in a cylinder containing two immiscible liquids, with the primary fluid being driven by the upper boundary rotating at constant speeds. The system exhibits interesting interplays between the flow fields and the morphology of the interface, with evidence showing that the remarkable flattop structure is a consequence of the vortex breakdown discovered decades ago, and that the deformability of the interface also feedbacks positively to the development of the vortices. Monitoring the topological structure of the flow fields defines the base states and transitions behind the morphology, whereas our survey over different aspect ratios also reveals rich phenomena of surface instabilities accompanying these steady states.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions is a strong independent risk factor for osteoporosis and pathologic fractures: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions (COPD) is frequently associated with various comorbidities. This study examined the association between osteoporosis and pathologic fractures in a sample of patients with COPD. METHODS: In this cohort study, claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan were used to evaluate the risk between COPD and osteoporosis. Using data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000, we conducted a retrospective cohort study by investigating patients aged 20 years and older who were newly diagnosed with COPD and comparing them with controls without COPD during 2000-2010. In addition, we used univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to measure the association between COPD and the risk of osteoporosis. RESULTS: Our results revealed that COPD was significantly associated with a high risk of osteoporosis, regardless of whether the patients with COPD were corticosteroid users and irrespective of age and sex. After adjustment for covariates, the COPD patients exhibited a 1.54-fold higher risk of developing osteoporosis (hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.44-1.64). COPD was a stronger risk factor for osteoporosis in men. Moreover, patients with severe COPD had a higher risk of osteoporosis or pathologic fractures. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that COPD, which shares the characteristics of inflammatory diseases, is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis after adjustment for comorbidities.

DNA adduct level in lung tissue may act as a risk biomarker of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality in Taiwan. We hypothesised that high susceptibility to DNA damage in the target organ acts as a risk biomarker for the development of lung cancer. To verify this hypothesis, the aromatic/hydrophobic DNA adduct levels of non-tumorous adjacent lung tissues from 73 primary lung cancer patients and 33 non-cancer controls were evaluated by 32P-postlabelling assay. Wilcoxon rank sum test showed that DNA adduct levels in lung cancer patients (49.58+/-33.39 adducts/10(8) nucleotides) were significantly higher than those in non-cancer controls (18.00+/-15.33 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, P<0.001). The DNA adduct levels among lung cancer and non-cancer samples were not influenced by smoking behaviour and cigarette consumption. Our data also showed that the polymorphisms of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) Msp1, glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and the combination of both genetic polymorphisms were not related to the DNA adduct levels. Interestingly, positive association between CYP1A1 protein expression and DNA adduct levels was found when CYP1A1 protein expression in lung specimens from lung cancer patients was examined by immunohistochemistry. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that the DNA adduct level was not associated with gender, smoking behaviour, or genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that persons with high DNA adduct levels (>48.66 adducts/10(8) nucleotides) had an approximately 25-fold risk of lung cancer compared with persons with low DNA adduct levels (

Effects of single and simultaneous combined nanoinjections of Met-enkephalin into rat midbrain and medulla on activity of differentially nociresponsive ventral medullary neurons.

UNLABELLED: Neuronal activity classified by receptive field, adequate stimulus, and raphe-spinal (R-S) projection in 48 lightly anaesthetized rats was recorded from raphe magnus (RM) area. Effects of nanoinjections of Met-enkephalin in periaqueductal gray (PAG; 2 or 10 micrograms), nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis (PGC; 1 or 5 micrograms), and both sites (conjointly) were studied. Most of the 78 neurons studied responded to noxious stimulation, some with increased responses ('on-cells') and some with decreased responses ('off-cells'). MAJOR FINDINGS: (1) Met-enkephalin in PAG and PGC depressed the response of on-cells and enhanced the response of off-cells; (2) for a given RM or R-S cell, PAG and PGC effects were typically identical; and (3) conjoint injections tended to produce greater effects than single effects, whether enhancing or depressing.

Upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cytokine secretion in peripheral blood monocytes from pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

SETTING: Peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) are the main source of alveolar macrophages, which have an upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta are thought to be involved in the immune response to mycobacterial infection. OBJECTIVE: To identify whether iNOS expression and cytokine release of PBM are upregulated and have a connection in TB infection. DESIGN: The expression of iNOS immunoreactivity on PBM from TB patients and normal subjects was measured by loading with anti-macrophage iNOS polyclonal primary antibody analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of iNOS mRNA in PBM was detected by RT-PCR. The spontaneous generation of nitrite and cytokines (IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha) by cultured monocytes was also determined. RESULTS: Compared to normal subjects, iNOS immuno-reactivity, the capacity for spontaneous nitrite generation and the level of TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta secretion of PBM were significantly higher in TB patients. The amount of nitrite, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta released from PBM of TB patients was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NOS. The level of iNOS immunoreactivity on PBM was highly correlated with nitrite generation both in all the subjects studied and in TB patients alone. Spontaneous TNF-alpha production showed a stronger correlation with nitrite production than with IL-1 beta. CONCLUSION: The NO and cytokine synthase activities of monocytes appear to be concomitantly upregulated in response to mycobacterial infection. The enhanced NO generation by monocytes in TB patients may play an autoregulatory role in amplifying the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Behavioral and trigeminal neuronal effects of rat brainstem-nanoinjected opiates.

Single injections of Met-enkephalin (ME; 27 rats) and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACF; 9 rats) in nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis (PGC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG), and simultaneous conjoint PAG + PGC injections were made, and effects on facial responsiveness and caudal-trigeminal nuclear neuronal activity studied. It was found that all ME injections depressed the evoked excitatory neuronal and behavioral responses to noxious stimulation. Conjoint injections had apparently additive effects in comparison to single injection effects. Neither conjoint nor single injections had systematic effects on spontaneous neuronal activity. The ACF had no effects on any neuronal or behavioral activity.

Optimal treatment for distal ureteral calculi: extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy versus ureteroscopy.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for distal ureteral calculi remains controversial. We present data from our institution to compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy with different lithotripsy modalities (URSL). METHODS: From January 1994 to September 1997, 954 distal ureteral calculi were treated at our institution using in situ SWL (Siemens Lithostar) in 524 patients and ureteroscopy (Wolf 8.0F instrument and Swiss Lithoclast) in 430 patients. Stone sizes and patient ages were similar in these two groups. RESULTS: In the SWL group, the 3-month stone-free rate was 87%, and the effectiveness quotient (EQ) was 68.7%. In the URSL group, there was a 96% stone-free rate with an EQ of 92.1%. The SWL treatment was more expensive than URSL. CONCLUSION: At our institution, ureteroscopy is more efficacious than SWL for the treatment of distal ureteral calculi. In selected patients who had stones >10 mm with evidence of impaction and severe colic pain, we strongly suggest that URSL is the best choice.

Psychological assessment and AIDS research with intravenous drug users: challenges in measurement.

The instruments used for psychological assessment have been under close scrutiny for many years. In particular, ethnic and racial minorities have pointed out that misapplication of instruments standardized to White middle-class norms can result in incorrect assessments. An analogous situation exists with IVDUs. In the work of the present authors with IVDUs, they were found to be a very diverse group. Contrary to common wisdom, they differ by race, ethnicity, age, and drug use profiles. However, their economic circumstances and social stigma make them a special case in terms of psychological assessment. Given the unique characteristics of IVDUs, it behooves researchers to carefully examine the standardized instruments that are available for psychological evaluation. Too often, measures standardized on White middle-class samples lack the value neutrality that makes them applicable across disparate groups. In addition, many such measures are designed with certain presumptions that do not necessarily hold true with this population (e.g., willingness and/or ability to communicate intimate information about one's feelings and psychological states). This article briefly describes some of the challenges encountered in examining standardized instruments for use in the study of IVDUs, their health psychology and AIDS-related behavior. Concerns with self-report biases, literacy, attentional focus, measurement constructs, and drug states confounding psychological states all pose challenges to psychological research with this heterogeneous population. While the need for direct intervention on the sexual and needle-sharing behaviors of IVDUs remains paramount in the combat against the spread of AIDS, researchers must also continue with the further development of basic measurement tools.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recycling and reuse of industrial wastes in Taiwan.

Eighteen million metric tons of industrial wastes are produced every year in Taiwan. In order to properly handle the industrial wastes, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (Taiwan EPA) has set up strategic programs that include establishment of storage, treatment, and final disposal systems, establishment of a management center for industrial wastes, and promotion of recycling and reuse of industrial wastes. The Taiwan EPA has been actively promoting the recycling and reuse of industrial wastes over the years. In July 1995 the Taiwan EPA amended and promulgated the Criteria for the Industrial Waste Storage, Collection and Processing Facility, July, 1995 that added articles related to general industrial waste recycling and reuse. In June 1996 the Taiwan EPA promulgated the Non-listed General Industrial Waste Reuse Application Procedures, June, 1996, followed by the Regulations Governing the Permitting of Hazardous Industrial Waste Reuse, June 1996, setting up a full regulatory framework for governing industrial waste reuse. To broaden the recycling and reuse of general industrial wastes, the Taiwan EPA has listed 14 industrial waste items for recycling and reuse, including waste paper, waste iron, coal ash, tempered high furnace bricks (cinder), high furnace bricks (cinder), furnace transfer bricks (cinder), sweetening dregs, wood (whole/part), glass (whole/part), bleaching earth, ceramics (pottery, brick, tile and cast sand), individual metal scraps (copper, zinc, aluminum and tin), distillery grain (dregs) and plastics. As of June 1999, 99 applications for reuse of industrial wastes had been approved with 1.97 million metric tons of industrial wastes being reused.