Structural characteristics of ternary In(x)Ga(1-x)As nanowires on Si (111) grown via Au-catalyzed VLS.

We have characterized the structural properties of the ternary In(x)Ga(1-x)As nanowires (NWs) grown on silicon (Si) substrates using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Au catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mode was used for the NW growth. The density of the In(x)Ga(1-x)As NW array grown under optimized condition exceeds 1 x 10(8)/cm2.

Post oxygen treatment characteristics of coke as an anode material for Li-ion batteries.

The effect of a oxygen treatment on the electrochemical characteristics of a soft carbon anode material for Li-ion batteries was investigated. After a coke carbonization process at 1000 degrees C in an argon atmosphere, the samples were treated under a flow of oxygen gas to obtain a mild oxidation effect. After this oxygen treatment, the coke samples exhibited an improved initial coulombic efficiency and cycle performance as compared to the carbonized sample.

Effect of gamma irradiation on mistletoe (Viscum album) lectin-mediated toxicity and immunomodulatory activity.

This study evaluated the effect of gamma irradiation on the reduction of the toxicity of mistletoe lectin using both in vitro and in vivo models. To extract the lectin from mistletoe, an (NH4)2SO4 precipitation method was employed and the precipitant purified using a Sepharose 4B column to obtain the pure lectin fraction. Purified lectin was then gamma-irradiated at doses of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kGy, or heated at 100 °C for 30 min.

Propulsion and navigation within the advancing monolayer sheet.

As a wound heals, or a body plan forms, or a tumour invades, observed cellular motions within the advancing cell swarm are thought to stem from yet to be observed physical stresses that act in some direct and causal mechanical fashion. Here we show that such a relationship between motion and stress is far from direct. Using monolayer stress microscopy, we probed migration velocities, cellular tractions and intercellular stresses in an epithelial cell sheet advancing towards an island on which cells cannot adhere.

The procyanidin trimer C1 induces macrophage activation via NF-κB and MAPK pathways, leading to Th1 polarization in murine splenocytes.

Numerous studies have shown various relationships between foods with a high nutritional value and a robust immune response, particularly studies that have focused on host protection and cytokine networks. This study aimed to clarify the role played by the procyanidin trimer C1 in innate and adaptive immunity. Procyanidin C1 did not exert cytotoxicity at concentrations ranging from 7.

Wafer-scale production of uniform InAs(y)P(1-y) nanowire array on silicon for heterogeneous integration.

One-dimensional crystal growth allows the epitaxial integration of compound semiconductors on silicon (Si), as the large lattice-mismatch strain arising from heterointerfaces can be laterally relieved. Here, we report the direct heteroepitaxial growth of a mixed anion ternary InAsyP1-y nanowire array across an entire 2 in. Si wafer with unprecedented spatial, structural, and special uniformity across the entire 2 in.

A Randomized Controlled Trial about the Levels of Radiation Exposure Depends on the Use of Collimation C-arm Fluoroscopic-guided Medial Branch Block.

Background: C-arm fluoroscope has been widely used to promote more effective pain management; however, unwanted radiation exposure for operators is inevitable. We prospectively investigated the differences in radiation exposure related to collimation in Medial Branch Block (MBB).

Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial of 62 MBBs at L3, 4 and 5.

The Survey about the Degree of Damage of Radiation-Protective Shields in Operation Room.

Background: Medical doctors who perform C-arm fluoroscopy-guided procedures are exposed to X-ray radiation. Therefore, radiation-protective shields are recommended to protect these doctors from radiation. For the past several years, these protective shields have sometimes been used without regular inspection.

Monolayer stress microscopy: limitations, artifacts, and accuracy of recovered intercellular stresses.

In wound healing, tissue growth, and certain cancers, the epithelial or the endothelial monolayer sheet expands. Within the expanding monolayer sheet, migration of the individual cell is strongly guided by physical forces imposed by adjacent cells. This process is called plithotaxis and was discovered using Monolayer Stress Microscopy (MSM).

Pattern recognition for selective odor detection with gas sensor arrays.

This paper presents a new pattern recognition approach for enhancing the selectivity of gas sensor arrays for clustering intelligent odor detection. The aim of this approach was to accurately classify an odor using pattern recognition in order to enhance the selectivity of gas sensor arrays. This was achieved using an odor monitoring system with a newly developed neural-genetic classification algorithm (NGCA).

Pulsed and conventional radiofrequency treatment: which is effective for dental procedure-related symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia?

Objectives: Many patients develop dental treatment-related symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. However, the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment and conventional radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) for treatment of this disorder has not been determined. This retrospective study was conducted to compare the effectiveness and complications of PRF and RFTC in these patients.

Long-term follow-up may be needed for pancreaticobiliary reflux in healthy adults.

Purpose: The reflux of pancreatic enzymes into the biliary tract is associated with chronic inflammation and increases cellular proliferation of the biliary epithelium, leading to biliary carcinoma. The aim of this study is to detect the incidence of occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) in patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with symptomatic gallstones who underwent cholecystectomy were recruited for this study.

Radiation Exposure of the Hand and Chest during C-arm Fluoroscopy-Guided Procedures.

Background: The C-arm fluoroscope is an essential tool for the intervention of pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiation exposure experienced by the hand and chest of pain physicians during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided procedures.

Methods: This is a prospective study about radiation exposure to physicians during transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) and medial branch block (MBB).

The procyanidin trimer C1 inhibits LPS-induced MAPK and NF-κB signaling through TLR4 in macrophages.

Natural products and dietary components rich in polyphenols have been shown to reduce inflammation; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this anti-inflammatory activity are not completely characterized, and many features remain to be elucidated. This research was carried out to clarify the potential role of procyanidin trimer C1 in the anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols. Procyanidin C1 inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide production and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages.

Magnetic resonance imaging of amyloid plaques using hollow manganese oxide nanoparticles conjugated with antibody aβ1-40 in a transgenic mouse model.

In this study, we have shown the feasibility of hollow manganese oxide nanoparticles (HMON) conjugated with an antibody of Aβ1-40 peptide (abAβ40) (HMON-abAβ40) for MRI of amyloid plaques in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. MR brain images in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and their nontransgenic littermates were acquired using a 7.0 T MRI system before, and 24 and 72 h after an injection of HMON-abAβ40.

Neural correlates of altered response inhibition and dysfunctional connectivity at rest in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: Functional imaging studies of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have reported altered fronto-striatal activity during executive tasks. Additionally, altered connectivity of these regions during resting state was found. However, the relationship between brain activity during tasks and resting state remains poorly understood.

Double primary aortoenteric fistulae: a case report of two simultaneous primary aortoenteric fistulae in one patient.

Aortoenteric fistula is a rare but potentially fatal condition causing massive gastrointestinal bleeding. In particular, double primary aortoenteric fistulae are vanishingly rare. We encountered a 75-year-old male patient suffering from abdominal pain, hematochezia, hematemesis, and hypotension.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for assessing therapeutic response of choroidal neovascularization in a rat model.

Purpose: We evaluated the potential of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) as a noninvasive biomarker of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and its utility as a tool for monitoring therapeutic response in laser-induced rat CNV models.

Methods: CNV was induced in the right eyes of 14 rats using a laser. Rats (n = 7) were treated daily for 14 days with a candidate drug (KR-31831, 50 mg/kg of body weight) having antiangiogenic effects, whereas control rats (n = 7) were treated with the vehicle alone (10% cremophor, 10% absolute ethyl alcohol, and 80% saline).

An intrathecally located broken catheter used for an intrathecal drug delivery system.

The intrathecal drug delivery system (ITDDS), an effective treatment tool for intractable spasticity and pain, is associated with various complications but breakage of the catheter is rare. We report the case of a 50-yr-old man with ITDDS, in whom an intrathecal catheter was severed, resulting in a 28.6-cm-long intrathecal fragment.

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.

Relationship between complex regional pain syndrome and working life: a Korean study.

Complex regional pain syndrome affects the quality of life of the patient. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features of this syndrome and evaluate its effect on the patient's working life. We demonstrated that the disease has a male preponderance and is 3 times more likely to affect the lower extremities.

Solitary pulmonary nodular lung adenocarcinoma: correlation of histopathologic scoring and patient survival with imaging biomarkers.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of histopathologic scoring for survival prediction in patients with solitary pulmonary nodular (SPN) lung adenocarcinomas and to correlate the histopathologic scoring with the results of computed tomography (CT) and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was institutional review board approved and the requirement for informed consent was waived. A total of 148 patients with SPN lung adenocarcinoma underwent PET/CT and CT.

Imaging-based tumor treatment response evaluation: review of conventional, new, and emerging concepts.

Tumor response may be assessed readily by the use of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor version 1.1. However, the criteria mainly depend on tumor size changes.