Phase field modeling has emerged as a powerful tool in crystal growth simulation, but the description of the anisotropic function for three-dimensional (3D) interfacial free energy without ...miss-orientation remains quite difficult, especially for the multi-crystalline cases. In this paper, a simple function for keeping the convexity in the reciprocal surface free energy is proposed, and the simulated equilibrium shapes are in good agreement with the analytical ones. Some examples on the dendritic growth in a supercooled melt for mono- and multi-crystalline crystals are also illustrated.
► A new function with a single parameter n for the highly anisotropic interfacial energy without missing orientation. ► The value n varies with the anisotropic strength ε4 in two- and three-dimensions. ► Good agreement with the traditional model in the equilibrium shapes and dendritric growth. ► This new function makes the phase field simulation of multicrystalline growth with high anisotropy much easier.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Two series of podophyllotoxin derivatives were synthesized by addition of a 4
β
-sulfanilamide to or substitution of a 4
β
-amide into podophyllotoxin. Their cytotoxicities were evaluated against ...four human cancer cell lines (A549, HeLa, MCF-7, and PC-3). Investigations of the structure–activity relationship were generalized. Derivative
9f
(2-thienoylaminoepipodophyllotoxin) exhibited the highest activity against the cancer cells, inhibiting growth of MCF-7 cells with IC
50
0.67 ± 0.37 μM. A change in the morphology of MCF-7 cells treated with
9f
also confirmed its activity as a cytotoxic derivative against cancer cells.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Luminal mucus plugging in small airways is associated with lung function decline and death of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little attention has been paid to ...the possible role of mucus in large airways in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between the luminal mucus score of large airways and other physiological parameters of severe AECOPD.
A total of 74 AECOPD inpatients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent lung function tests and bronchoscopy, and their luminal mucus was observed and scored through bronchoscopy. Four questionnaires, including the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Exacerbation of Chronic pulmonary disease Tool (EXACT), were used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
The luminal mucus score of large airways was significantly correlated with spirometry parameters and HRQoL score. Both mMRC grade and SGRQ score were significantly positively correlated with luminal mucus score (
=0.527,
<0.001;
=0.441,
<0.001, respectively). Forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of the FVC (FEF
) and FEV
% predicted, as functional measures reflecting small airway disease, were significantly negatively correlated with luminal mucus score (
=-0.518,
<0.001;
=-0.498,
<0.001, respectively). The stepwise multiple linear regression model suggested that mMRC grade and FEV
% predicted could predict luminal mucus score (
=0.348,
=18.960,
<0.001).
For severe acute exacerbation of COPD, bronchoscopy-identified luminal mucus in large airways is associated with reduced lung function and worse health-related quality of life.
Purpose
By comparing surgical outcomes between primary and delayed resection, we addressed whether and how surgical strategies impacted prognosis of patients with left-sided colorectal cancer ...underwent emergency curative resection.
Methods
Between January 1980 and December 2002, a total of 143 patients were identified who presented with obstructive left-sided colorectal cancer and received emergency curative resection in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Patients were stratified according to the timing of tumor resection into two groups: primary resection and delayed resection. Demographic data of the patients, characteristics of the tumors, and short-term and long-term outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups.
Results
The demographic data and tumor characteristics did not differ between the two groups except for more rectal cancers in the delayed resection group (
P
= 0.021). Primary resection group had a higher anastomotic leakage rate (
P
= 0.017) and a trend toward a higher mortality rate, which did not reach statistical significance (
P
= 0.063). The median follow-up intervals were similar (60.4
vs
. 58.3 months;
P
= 0.79). The median survival tended to be longer in delayed resection group (66
vs
. 105 months;
P
= 0.088). Overall five-year and ten-year survival for primary resection were 43.7 and 31.9 percent, respectively, compared with 67.2 and 53.2 percent, respectively, for delayed resection.
Conclusions
Delayed resection seems to be a safer procedure and provided a better oncologic outcome compared with primary resection in obstructive left-sided colorectal cancer under emergency situations.
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KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Unconventional superconductivity often emerges at the border of long-range magnetic orders. Understanding the low-energy charge dynamics may provide crucial information on the formation of ...superconductivity. Here we report the unpolarized/polarized optical conductivity study of high quality MnP single crystals at ambient pressure. Our data reveal two types of charge carriers with very different lifetimes. In combination with the first-principles calculations, we show that the short-lifetime carriers have flat Fermi sheets which become gapped in the helimagnetic phase, causing a dramatic change in the low-frequency optical spectra, while the long-lifetime carriers are anisotropic three-dimensional like which are little affected by the magnetic transitions and provide major contributions to the transport properties. This orbital-dependent charge dynamics originates from the special crystal structure of MnP and may have an influence on the unconventional superconductivity and its interplay with helimagnetism at high pressures.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study sought to define key molecules and signals controlling major steps in vascular morphogenesis, and how these signals regulate pericyte recruitment and pericyte-induced basement membrane ...deposition. The morphogenic impact of endothelial cell (EC) expression of activating mutants of Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (kRas), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (Mek1), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), Akt serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) Janus kinase 2 (Jak2), or signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) expression versus controls was evaluated, along with EC signaling events, pharmacologic inhibitor assays, and siRNA suppression experiments. Primary stimulators of EC lumen formation included kRas, Akt1, and Mek1, whereas PIK3CA and Akt1 stimulated a specialized type of cystic lumen formation. In contrast, the key drivers of EC sprouting behavior were Jak2, Stat3, Mek1, PIK3CA, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor). These conclusions are further supported by pharmacologic inhibitor and siRNA suppression experiments. EC expression of active Akt1, kRas, and PIK3CA led to markedly dysregulated lumen formation coupled to strongly inhibited pericyte recruitment and basement membrane deposition. For example, activated Akt1 expression in ECs excessively stimulated lumen formation, decreased EC sprouting behavior, and showed minimal pericyte recruitment with reduced mRNA expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB, platelet-derived growth factor-DD, and endothelin-1, critical EC-derived factors known to stimulate pericyte invasion. The study identified key signals controlling fundamental steps in capillary morphogenesis and maturation and provided mechanistic details on why EC activating mutations induced a capillary deficiency state with abnormal lumens, impaired pericyte recruitment, and basement deposition: predisposing stimuli for the development of vascular malformations.
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ABSTRACT
This study examines the impact of tax policy uncertainty (TPU) on analysts' forecasts and managers' interim estimates of effective tax rates (ETRs). We adopt a broad definition of TPU that ...encompasses both the legislative and regulatory processes and perform tests to validate a news-based measure of TPU consistent with our definition. We document that (1) analysts' implied ETR forecasts are less accurate and more disperse during periods of high TPU, (2) managers' ETR estimates are less accurate during periods of high TPU, and (3) the presence of relatively inaccurate management ETR estimates strengthens the effects of TPU on analysts' ETR forecasts. We further find that firm-level tax-related complexity exacerbates the effects of TPU on analysts' and managers' ETR predictions. Overall, our results are consistent with uncertainty surrounding tax policy impairing analysts' and managers' ability to assess and predict future tax-related fundamentals, thus imposing real costs on managers and market participants.
JEL Classifications: H25; G17; M41; D72; D81.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Tea is a popular beverage. The consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, esophagus, and lung. The cancer chemopreventive effect of tea ...has been attributed to its major phytopolyphenols. The tea polyphenols comprise about one-third of the weight of the dried leaf, and they show profound biochemical and pharmacological activities including antioxidant activities, modulation of carcinogen metabolism, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. They intervene in the biochemical and molecular processes of multistep carcinogenesis, comprising tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Several studies demonstrate that most tea polyphenols exert their scavenging effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS); excessive production of ROS has been implicated for the development of cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Recently, we have found that the major tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) suppresses extracellular signals and cell proliferation through epidermal growth factor receptor binding in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells; EGCG also blocks the induction of nitric oxide synthase by down-regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced activity of the transcription factor NFκB in macrophages. Furthermore, EGCG blocks the cell cycle at the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells. We have demonstrated that EGCG inhibits the activities of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4; meanwhile, EGCG induces the expression of the Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27. These results suggest that tumor promotion can be enhanced by ROS and oxidative mitotic signal transduction, and this enhancement can be suppressed by EGCG or other tea polyphenols.
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IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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