This study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of multi-channel switching RFA using a separable cluster electrode in patients with HCC.
From November 2011 to July 2013, 79 patients with 98 HCCs < ...5 cm were enrolled and treated with RFA using a multi-channel switching radiofrequency system and a separable cluster electrode under the guidance of a real-time fusion imaging system. The primary and secondary endpoints were the 3-year local tumor progression (LTP) rate and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate, respectively. For post hoc analyses, LTP, RFS, and major complication rates were retrospectively compared with a historical control group treated with RFA using the same radiofrequency system but with multiple internally-cooled electrodes.
The technique success rate of the 98 tumors was 100%. Cumulative 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year LTP rates were 3.4%, 6.9%, and 12.4%, respectively. For patient-level data, cumulative 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year RFS rates were 83.9%, 68.6%, and 45.4%, respectively. On post hoc analyses, none of the baseline characteristics showed a significant difference between the separable cluster electrode and multiple internally-cooled electrodes group. Cumulative LTP and RFS rates of the two groups also showed no significant difference (p = 0.401 and p = 0.881, respectively). Finally, major complication rates of the separable cluster electrode group (5.0%, 4/79) and multiple internally-cooled electrodes group (5.9%, 4/74) were also comparable (p = 1.000).
Switching monopolar RFA using a separable cluster electrode is a feasible and efficient technique for the treatment of HCCs smaller than 5 cm, providing comparable local tumor control to multiple internally-cooled electrodes.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02745483.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract Highly conducting nanomaterials have garnered significant attention owing to their potential application in Li‐ion batteries for stable electrodes. However, concerns persist regarding their ...dispersion and effective hybridization with active materials. This study reports a novel approach to enhance Si‐based anode materials using less defective graphene oxide (C‐GO) and highly oxidized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (C‐SWCNTs) fabricated using chlorate‐based oxidation. The method involves encapsulating Si alloy (SiA) particles with C‐GO and C‐SWCNTs, eliminating the need for additional additives. Composite structures with lithiophilic N‐doped SWCNTs and highly crystalline reduced C‐GO coatings on SiA surfaces are created through spray drying and subsequent chemical reduction. This unique combination yields high capacities, stable retention behaviors, and remarkable initial capacities (1224 mAh g −1 ) with excellent retention rates (82.3% at 100 cycles, 0.1 C). A LIB full‐cell with a SiA/nanocarbon anode exhibited a high energy density of 350 Wh kg −1 , while maintaining 65% capacity retention after 200 cycles. The findings demonstrate the potential of this hybrid approach, which eliminates the need for other conducting additives while maintaining a minimal binder content (5 wt.%). This study presents a promising approach for enhancing Si‐based anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries, addressing the dispersion and hybridization challenges in nanomaterial‐enabled electrode design.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum), one of the oldest domesticated crops in the Americas, is the most widely grown spice crop in the world. We report whole-genome sequencing and assembly of the hot pepper ...(Mexican landrace of Capsicum annuum cv. CM334) at 186.6× coverage. We also report resequencing of two cultivated peppers and de novo sequencing of the wild species Capsicum chinense. The genome size of the hot pepper was approximately fourfold larger than that of its close relative tomato, and the genome showed an accumulation of Gypsy and Caulimoviridae family elements. Integrative genomic and transcriptomic analyses suggested that change in gene expression and neofunctionalization of capsaicin synthase have shaped capsaicinoid biosynthesis. We found differential molecular patterns of ripening regulators and ethylene synthesis in hot pepper and tomato. The reference genome will serve as a platform for improving the nutritional and medicinal values of Capsicum species.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Microalgae cultivation has gained much interest in terms of the production of foods, biofuels, and bioactive compounds and offers a great potential option for cleaning the environment through CO₂ ...sequestration and wastewater treatment. Although open pond cultivation is most affordable option, there tends to be insufficient control on growth conditions and the risk of contamination. In contrast, while providing minimal risk of contamination, closed photobioreactors offer better control on culture conditions, such as: CO₂ supply, water supply, optimal temperatures, efficient exposure to light, culture density, pH levels, and mixing rates. For a large scale production of biomass, efficient photobioreactors are required. This review paper describes general design considerations pertaining to photobioreactor systems, in order to cultivate microalgae for biomass production. It also discusses the current challenges in designing of photobioreactors for the production of low-cost biomass.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Long‐chain aliphatic amines such as (S,Z)‐heptadec‐9‐en‐7‐amine and 9‐aminoheptadecane were synthesized from ricinoleic acid and oleic acid, respectively, by whole‐cell cascade reactions using the ...combination of an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Micrococcus luteus, an engineered amine transaminase from Vibrio fluvialis (Vf‐ATA), and a photoactivated decarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis NC64A (Cv‐FAP) in a one‐pot process. In addition, long chain aliphatic esters such as 10‐(heptanoyloxy)dec‐8‐ene and octylnonanoate were prepared from ricinoleic acid and oleic acid, respectively, by using the combination of the ADH, a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase variant from Pseudomonas putida KT2440, and the Cv‐FAP. The target compounds were produced at rates of up to 37 U g−1 dry cells with conversions up to 90 %. Therefore, this study contributes to the preparation of industrially relevant long‐chain aliphatic chiral amines and esters from renewable fatty acid resources.
Playing the long game: Long‐chain aliphatic amines such as (S,Z)‐heptadec‐9‐en‐7‐amine and 9‐aminoheptadecane, as well as long‐chain aliphatic esters such as 10‐(heptanoyloxy)dec‐8‐ene and octylnonanoate, were prepared in high yields from ricinoleic acid and oleic acid by whole‐cell biocatalytic cascades using a photoactivated decarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis NC64A (Cv‐FAP) as a key enzyme in a one‐pot process. TA=transaminase, DH=dehydrogenase.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Aim
The purpose of this study was to determine whether regionally distributed medial temporal cortex thickness (or hippocampal volume) and frontal lobe volume are independently associated with the ...onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with psychosis.
Methods
We identified 26 AD patients with psychosis (AD+P) and 48 AD patients without psychosis (AD−P) from the Memory Impairment Clinic at Pusan National University Hospital in South Korea. They were matched for age, gender, duration of AD, and Clinical Dementia Rating sum of box score. All participants met the National Institute of Neurological and Communication Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for probable AD. Psychosis was diagnosed according to Jeste and Finkel's proposed diagnostic criteria for psychosis of AD. All participants underwent 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging, and 3‐D magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient echo sequence was acquired for each. The FreeSurfer version 5.1 software package was used to analyze cortical thickness and volume on 3‐D T1‐weighted images. anova was used to investigate the differences in cortical thickness and the volume of the total frontal cortex, total temporal cortex, and subregions of the medial temporal cortex between groups after age, gender, years of education, Clinical Dementia Rating sum of box score, duration of AD, and total intracranial volume were controlled for. Furthermore, we added the total frontal volume as an additional variable to investigate whether the association between the medial temporal cortex and AD+P is independent of the frontal cortex.
Results
We found that both left and right hippocampal volume were smaller in AD+P than in AD−P. In particular, there was a significant difference in right hippocampal volume between the AD+P and AD−P groups after total frontal volume was added as an additional variable.
Conclusion
We found that more severe hippocampal atrophy is associated with AD+P than with AD−P. In addition, atrophy of the right hippocampus remained significant among AD+P after adjustment for frontal volume. These findings suggest that right hippocampal atrophy is independently associated with AD+P.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The relative abundance of nitrate (N) over phosphorus (P) has increased over the period since 1980 in the marginal seas bordering the northwestern Pacific Ocean, located downstream of the populated ...and industrialized Asian continent. The increase in N availability within the study area was mainly driven by increasing N concentrations and was most likely due to deposition of pollutant nitrogen from atmospheric sources. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition had a high temporal correlation with N availability in the study area (r = 0.74 to 0.88), except in selected areas wherein riverine nitrogen load may be of equal importance. The increase in N availability caused by atmospheric deposition and riverine input has switched extensive parts of the study area from being N-limited to P-limited.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Osteoarthritis afflicts millions of individuals across the world resulting in impaired quality of life and increased health costs. To understand this disease, physicians have been studying risk ...factors, such as genetic predisposition, aging, obesity, and joint malalignment; however have been unable to conclusively determine the direct etiology. Current treatment options are short-term or ineffective and fail to address pathophysiological and biochemical mechanisms involved with cartilage degeneration and the induction of pain in arthritic joints. OA pain involves a complex integration of sensory, affective, and cognitive processes that integrate a variety of abnormal cellular mechanisms at both peripheral and central (spinal and supraspinal) levels of the nervous system Through studies examined by investigators, the role of growth factors and cytokines has increasingly become more relevant in examining their effects on articular cartilage homeostasis and the development of osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis-associated pain. Catabolic factors involved in both cartilage degradation in vitro and nociceptive stimulation include IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE2, FGF-2 and PKCδ, and pharmacologic inhibitors to these mediators, as well as compounds such as RSV and LfcinB, may potentially be used as biological treatments in the future. This review explores several biochemical mediators involved in OA and pain, and provides a framework for the understanding of potential biologic therapies in the treatment of degenerative joint disease in the future.
•We explore biochemical mediators involved in osteoarthritis and pain.•Current treatment options are ineffective and fail to address pathophysiological and biochemical mechanisms of osteoarthritis.•The role of growth factors and cytokines are increasingly more relevant in their effects on articular cartilage homeostasis.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The bicarbonate ion has a fundamental role in vital systems. Impaired bicarbonate transport leads to various diseases, including immune disorders, cystic fibrosis, tumorigenesis, kidney diseases, ...brain dysfunction, tooth fracture, ischemic reperfusion injury, hypertension, impaired reproductive system, and systemic acidosis. Carbonic anhydrases are involved in the mechanism of bicarbonate movement and consist of complex of bicarbonate transport systems including bicarbonate transporters. This review focused on the convergent regulation of ion homeostasis through various ion transporters including bicarbonate transporters, their regulatory enzymes, such as carbonic anhydrases, pH regulatory role, and the expression pattern of ion transporters in non-secretory systems throughout the body. Understanding the correlation between these systems will be helpful in order to obtain new insights and design potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of pH-related disorders. In this review, we have discussed the broad prospects and challenges that remain in elucidation of bicarbonate-transport-related biological and developmental systems.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK