Organic semiconductors demonstrate several advantages over conventional inorganic materials for novel electronic and optoelectronic applications, including molecularly tunable properties, ...flexibility, low‐cost, and facile device integration. However, before organic semiconductors can be used for the next‐generation devices, such as ultrafast photodetectors (PDs), it is necessary to develop new materials that feature both high mobility and ambient stability. Toward this goal, a highly stable PD based on the organic single crystal PtBr2(5,5′‐bis(CF3CH2OCH2)‐2,2′‐bpy) (or “Pt complex (1o)”) is demonstrated as the active semiconductor channel—a material that features a lamellar molecular structure and high‐quality, intraligand charge transfer. Benefitting from its unique crystal structure, the Pt‐complex (1o) device exhibits a field‐effect mobility of ≈0.45 cm2 V−1 s−1 without loss of significant performance under ambient conditions even after 40 days without encapsulation, as well as immersion in distilled water for a period of 24 h. Furthermore, the device features a maximum photoresponsivity of 1 × 103 A W−1, a detectivity of 1.1 × 1012 cm Hz1/2 W−1, and a record fast response/recovery time of 80/90 µs, which has never been previously achieved in other organic PDs. These findings strongly support and promote the use of the single‐crystal Pt complex (1o) in next‐generation organic optoelectronic devices.
A Pt‐complex‐based organic semiconductor is developed as the active channel and/or photoabsorption layer for high‐performance organic device applications. The Pt‐complex device displays a stable mobility (0.45 cm2 V−1 s−1), a remarkable photoresponsivity (1000 A W−1), and a record fast response/fall time (80/90 µs), demonstrating the highest combined efficiency and stability reported for an organic semiconductor.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play fundamental roles in diverse biological and pathological processes by targeting the expression of specific genes. Here, we identified 38 ...methylation‐associated miRNAs, the expression of which could be epigenetically restored by cotreatment with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine and trichostatin A. Among these 38 miRNAs, we further analyzed miR‐34b, miR‐127‐3p, miR‐129‐3p and miR‐409 because CpG islands are predicted adjacent to them. The methylation‐silenced expression of these miRNAs could be reactivated in gastric cancer cells by treatment with demethylating drugs in a time‐dependent manner. Analysis of the methylation status of these miRNAs showed that the upstream CpG‐rich regions of mir‐34b and mir‐129‐2 are frequently methylated in gastric cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and their methylation status correlated inversely with their expression patterns. The expression of miR‐34b and miR‐129‐3p was downregulated by DNA hypermethylation in primary gastric cancers, and the low expression was associated with poor clinicopathological features. In summary, our study shows that tumor‐specific methylation silences miR‐34b and miR‐129 in gastric cancer cells.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
3.
Fecal microbiota transplantation: Review and update Wang, Jiunn-Wei; Kuo, Chao-Hung; Kuo, Fu-Chen ...
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association,
March 2019, 2019-Mar, 2019-03-00, 20190301, 2019-03-01, Volume:
118
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a method to directly change the recipient's gut microbiota to normalize the composition and gain a therapeutic benefit. The history of FMT has been traced ...back to the 4th century and has been highly regarded since 2013, when the United States Food and Drug Administration approved FMT for treating recurrent and refractory Clostridium difficile infection. Since then, the range of FMT applications extended rapidly and broadly not only in gastrointestinal disorders, but also in extra-gastrointestinal diseases. Donor selection with questionnaire, interview, blood tests, and stool examinations should be strictly performed before FMT to reduce and prevent occurrence of any adverse events. Step-by-step cautious fecal and recipient preparation along with adequately choosing delivery methods based on individual clinical situations are key points of the FMT process. Although current evidence deems FMT as a generally safe therapeutic method with few adverse effects, the long-term outcomes of FMT have not been completely elucidated. Therefore, establishing periodicity and length of regular follow-up after FMT to monitor the clinical efficacy and long-term adverse events are other essential issues. In the future, we will look forward to personalized FMT for different patients and conditions according to varied hosts and diseases.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Curcumin (Cur) is a polyphenolic compound extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa), and exhibits several biological activities like antitumor, antioxidant, inhibiting cardiovascular diseases and ...inducing apoptosis. However, because of extremely low solubility and sensitivity to pH values, Cur is easily degradable in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in reduced bioavailability. In this study, we developed pH-sensitive O-carboxymethyl chitosan/fucoidan (O-CMC/F) nanoparticles (NPs) for Cur delivery, and evaluated their physicochemical properties and influence on cells. Our results suggest that O-CMC and F reacted with calcium ions to obtain ionic crosslinked NPs of 100–200 nm. At a weight ratio of O-CMC to F of 1:1, the O-CMC/F NPs exhibited pH-sensitive properties. The Cur-loaded O-CMC/F NPs was 270 nm and encapsulated 92.8% Cur. Encapsulated Cur was stable in a simulated limosis pH environment (pH 2.5). However, in a simulated intestinal pH environment (pH 7.4), Cur was released from the O-CMC/F NPs. Encapsulated Cur was associated with considerably lower cytotoxicity to mouse fibroblasts cells (L929) than free Cur. When we used Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model to evaluate cellular uptake, we observed that the Cur-loaded O-CMC/F NPs were internalized by the cells through energy-dependent endocytic pathways. In conclusion, pH-sensitive O-CMC/F NPs effectively increase the cellular uptake of Cur and can potentially be used as carriers in oral delivery systems.
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•O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC) and fucoidan (F) formed pH-sensitive nanoparticles (NPs).•The O-CMC/F NP was 100–200 nm and encapsulated curcumin (Cur) effectively.•Cur was 92.8% encapsulated in O-CMC/F NPs which were stable under pH 2.5 and disrupted under pH 7.4.•The encapsulated Cur considerably reduced its cytotoxicity and enhanced cellular uptake.•Cur-loaded NPs have been internalized by Caco-2 cells via energy-dependent endocytosis.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK, ZRSKP
Background
Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is a histological classification based on the WHO classification. The presence of this specific histological type is associated with a worse pathological ...appearance. The prognosis of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma in gastric cancer patients after curative surgery is still under debate.
Methods
From January 1988 to December 2012, a total of 2971 patients, including 819 early and 2152 advanced gastric cancer patients underwent curative resection for gastric cancer. Among them, there were 185 cases of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma in early gastric cancer patients, while there were 570 cases in advanced gastric cancer patients.
Results
The overall incidence of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma was 25.4%. Our results showed that the 5-year overall survival rates of early gastric cancer patients with signet ring cell adenocarcinoma and non-signet ring cell adenocarcinoma were 90.7 and 83.2%, respectively (
P
= 0.001). The 5-year disease-free survival rates of early gastric cancer patients with signet ring cell adenocarcinoma and non-signet ring cell adenocarcinoma were 87.4 and 81.6%, respectively (
P
= 0.003). The 5-year overall survival rates of advanced gastric cancer patients with signet ring cell adenocarcinoma and non-signet ring cell adenocarcinoma were 32.1 and 37.9%, respectively (
P
= 0.041). The 5-year disease-free survival rates of advanced gastric cancer patients with signet ring cell adenocarcinoma and non-signet ring cell adenocarcinoma were 28.6 and 35.2%, respectively (
P
= 0.037). Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor for overall survival in advanced gastric cancer (
P
= 0.017).
Conclusion
The clinical features and prognosis of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma are different between early and advanced gastric cancer. Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is a poor prognostic factor in advanced gastric cancer after curative resection.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Gastric carcinoma is highly prevalent throughout the world. Understanding the pathogenesis of this disease will benefit diagnosis and resolution. Studies show that miRNAs are involved in the ...tumorigenesis of gastric carcinoma. An initial screening followed by subsequent validation identified that miR-376c is up-regulated in gastric carcinoma tissue and the plasma of patients with the disease. In addition, the urinary level of miR-376c is also significantly increased in gastric carcinoma patients. The plasma miR-376c level was validated as a biomarker for gastric carcinoma, including early stage tumors. The induction of miR-376c was found to enrich the proliferation, migration and anchorage-independent growth of carcinoma cells and, furthermore, the repression of the expression of endogenous miR-376c was able to reduce such oncogenic phenotypes. ARID4A gene is a direct target of miR-376c. Knockdown of endogenous ARID4A increased the oncogenicity of carcinoma cells, while ARID4A was found to be drastically down-regulated in tumor tissue. Thus, expression levels of miR-376c and ARID4A mRNA tended to be opposing in tumor tissue. Our results demonstrate that miR-376c functions by suppressing ARID4A expression, which in turn enhances the oncogenicity of gastric carcinoma cells. It seems likely that the level of miR-376c in plasma and urine could act as invaluable markers for the detection of gastric carcinoma.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is a crucial part in the effective management of many gastroduodenal diseases. Several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests are ...available for the detection of H. pylori and each test has its usefulness and limitations in different clinical situations. Although none can be considered as a single gold standard in clinical practice,several techniques have been developed to give the more reliable results. Invasive tests are performed via endoscopic biopsy specimens and these tests include histology,culture,rapid urease test as well as molecular methods. Developments of endoscopic equipment also contribute to the real-time diagnosis of H. pylori during endoscopy. Urea breathingtest and stool antigen test are most widely used noninvasive tests,whereas serology is useful in screening and epidemiological studies. Molecular methods have been used in variable specimens other than gastric mucosa. More than detection of H. pylori infection,several tests are introduced into the evaluation of virulence factors and antibiotic sensitivity of H. pylori,as well as screening precancerous lesions and gastric cancer. The aim of this article is to review the current options and novel developments of diagnostic tests and their applications in different clinical conditions or for specific purposes.
Gastric neoplasm is a high‐mortality cancer worldwide. Chemoresistance is the obstacle against gastric cancer treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed to promote malignant progression. ...However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The mitokine growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a significant biomarker for mitochondrial disorder and is activated by the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway. The serum level of GDF15 was found to be correlated with the poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In this study, we found that high GDF15 protein expression might increase disease recurrence in adjuvant chemotherapy‐treated gastric cancer patients. Moreover, treatment with mitochondrial inhibitors, especially oligomycin (a complex V inhibitor) and salubrinal (an ISR activator), respectively, was found to upregulate GDF15 and enhance cisplatin insensitivity of human gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, it was found that the activating transcription factor 4‐C/EBP homologous protein pathway has a crucial function in the heightened manifestation of GDF15. In addition, reactive oxygen species‐activated general control nonderepressible 2 mediates the oligomycin‐induced ISR, and upregulates GDF15. The GDF15–glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor a‐like–ISR–cystine/glutamate transporter‐enhanced glutathione production was found to be involved in cisplatin resistance. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction might enhance cisplatin insensitivity through GDF15 upregulation, and targeting mitokine GDF15–ISR regulation might be a strategy against cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer.
Gastric cancer is one of the most fatal and treatment‐resistant malignancies. The mitokine Growth Differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a marker for gastric cancer progression, as elevated GDF15 expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes for patients receiving cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. Treating human gastric cancer cells with the mitochondrial poisons oligomycin (a complex V inhibitor) and salubrinal (an integrated stress response activator) upregulated GDF15 and enhanced cisplatin resistance. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction might enhance cisplatin insensitivity through GDF15 upregulation, and that targeting this mitokine might be a strategy against cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Metal workpieces are indispensable in the manufacturing industry. Surface defects affect the appearance and efficiency of a workpiece and reduce the safety of manufactured products. Therefore, ...products must be inspected for surface defects, such as scratches, dirt, and chips. The traditional manual inspection method is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and human error is unavoidable when thousands of products require inspection. Therefore, an automated optical inspection method is often adopted. Traditional automated optical inspection algorithms are insufficient in the detection of defects on metal surfaces, but a convolutional neural network (CNN) may aid in the inspection. However, considerable time is required to select the optimal hyperparameters for a CNN through training and testing. First, we compared the ability of three CNNs, namely VGG-16, ResNet-50, and MobileNet v1, to detect defects on metal surfaces. These models were hypothetically implemented for transfer learning (TL). However, in deploying TL, the phenomenon of apparent convergence in prediction accuracy, followed by divergence in validation accuracy, may create a problem when the image pattern is not known in advance. Second, our developed automated machine-learning (AutoML) model was trained through a random search with the core layers of the network architecture of the three TL models. We developed a retraining criterion for scenarios in which the model exhibited poor training results such that a new neural network architecture and new hyperparameters could be selected for retraining when the defect accuracy criterion in the first TL was not met. Third, we used AutoKeras to execute AutoML and identify a model suitable for a metal-surface-defect dataset. The performance of TL, AutoKeras, and our designed AutoML model was compared. The results of this study were obtained using a small number of metal defect samples. Based on TL, the detection accuracy of VGG-16, ResNet-50, and MobileNet v1 was 91%, 59.00%, and 50%, respectively. Moreover, the AutoKeras model exhibited the highest accuracy of 99.83%. The accuracy of the self-designed AutoML model reached 95.50% when using a core layer module, obtained by combining the modules of VGG-16, ResNet-50, and MobileNet v1. The designed AutoML model effectively and accurately recognized defective and low-quality samples despite low training costs. The defect accuracy of the developed model was close to that of the existing AutoKeras model and thus can contribute to the development of new diagnostic technologies for smart manufacturing.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
With the progression of molecular techniques, the detection of circulating plasma DNA (cpDNA) is clinically feasible. However, the role of the cpDNA levels in gastric cancer is not well understood. ...This study assessed the mutational profile in primary tumors and clarified the clinical utility of quantitative and qualitative cpDNA alterations in 277 patients with advanced gastric cancer. The concentrations of cpDNA were measured by TaqMan qPCR, and 68 mutations in 8 genes were studied for cpDNA mutations. The median cpDNA concentrations in patients with stages I, II, and III gastric cancer were 3979, 3390 and 4278 copies/mL, respectively, and increased to 11,380 copies/mL in patients with Stage IV gastric cancer (p < 0.001). Among the 35 patients harboring cpDNA mutations, Stage IV patients (100%) were more likely to display high cpDNA levels than were Stage I (33.3%), II (75%) and III patients (66.7%) (p = 0.037). Patients displaying high cpDNA levels were more likely to experience peritoneal recurrence and exhibited significantly lower 5‐year overall survival rates (39.2% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.039) than did patients displaying low cpDNA levels. Only for late stage (Stages III or IV) gastric cancer, patients harboring cpDNA mutations were more likely to experience vascular invasion (20% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.036) and exhibited a lower 5‐year overall survival rate than did those lacking cpDNA mutations (5.6% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.028). High cpDNA levels are associated with peritoneal recurrence and poor prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer; harboring cpDNA mutations is associated with poor prognosis among patients with late stage gastric cancer.
What's new?
Patients whose gastric cancer returns despite curative surgery tend to suffer poor prognosis. According to the authors of this study; however, it may be possible to catch recurrent disease before it reaches advanced stages using circulating plasma (cp) DNA, a blood‐based biomarker. In advanced gastric cancer patients, cpDNA levels were associated with tumor recurrence and initial recurrence pattern, with high cpDNA levels signaling an increased likelihood of peritoneal recurrence versus locoregional or distant recurrence. Primary tumor mutations in cpDNA were linked to reductions in 5‐year survival, suggesting that cpDNA mutational status can predict poor prognosis in late‐stage disease.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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