Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites have gained considerable attention for next-generation photovoltaic cells due to rapid improvement in power conversion efficiencies. However, fundamental ...understanding of underlying mechanisms related to light- and bias-induced effects at the nanoscale is still required. Here, structural variations of the perovskites induced by light and bias are systematically investigated using scanning probe microscopy techniques. We show that periodically striped ferroelastic domains, spacing between 40 to 350 nm, exist within grains and can be modulated significantly under illumination as well as by electric bias. Williamson-Hall analysis of X-ray diffraction results shows that strain disorder is induced by these applied external stimuli. We show evidence that the structural emergence of domains can provide transfer pathways for holes to a hole transport layer with positive bias. Our findings point to potential origins of I-V hysteresis in halide perovskite solar cells.
Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a clinically heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis, requiring risk-stratified management in affected patients. Recently, tumor ...microenvironment including regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been implicated as a prognostic marker in certain types of lymphoma.
We collected 64 NKTCL cases and numerically quantified the amount of tumor-infiltrating FOXP3-positive Tregs by automated slide scanning and image analysis program after immunohistochemical staining using anti-FOXP3 antibody.
Patients were able to be classified into two end groups by their level of Tregs. Twenty-eight (44%) patients had Tregs <50/0.40 mm2, while 36 (56%) had Tregs ≥50/0.40 mm2 within the tumor. The decreased number of Tregs (<50/0.40 mm2) was more common in patients with poor performance status or in those presented in non-upper aerodigestive tract. However, the level of Tregs was not associated with other prognostic factors, including stage, lactate dehydrogenase level, International Prognostic Index, and NKTCL Prognostic Index. Importantly, patients with increased numbers of Tregs (≥50/0.40 mm2) showed prolonged overall and progression-free survival (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.0079, respectively). The number of FOXP3-positive Tregs was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.001) by multivariate analysis.
Increased quantity of tumor-infiltrating Tregs predicted improved clinical outcome in NKTCL patients.
Emerging molecular studies have identified a subgroup of patients with unfavorable core-binding factor-positive (CBF)-AML who should be treated by intensified post-remission treatments. We analyzed ...264 adults with CBF-AML from 2002 to 2011, and focused on 206 patients who achieved CR after standard '3+7' induction chemotherapy. Patients who achieved CR with an available donor were treated with allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT, n=115) and the rest were treated with autologous (auto) HSCT (n=72) or chemotherapy alone (n=19). OS was not significantly different between CBFβ/MYH11 (n=62) and RUNX1/RUNX1T1 (n=144), and auto-HSCT showed favorable OS compared with allo-HSCT or chemotherapy alone. Cytogenetic analysis identified that inv(16) without trisomy had a favorable OS and t(8;21) with additional chromosomes had an unfavorable OS, but multivariate analysis revealed those were NS. Patients with c-kit mutation showed inferior OS. For transplanted patients, residual post-transplant CBF-minimal residual disease quantitative PCR with higher WT1 expression at D+60 showed the worst OS with a higher incidence of relapse. Conclusively, we found that unfavorable CBF-AML can be defined with risk stratification using cytogenetic and molecular studies, and a careful risk-adapted treatment approach using frontline transplantation with novel therapies should be evaluated for this particular risk subgroup.
Summary
Background
Helicobacter pylori eradication is recommended for early gastric cancer (GC) patients after resection.
Aim
To evaluate whether H. pylori eradication improves glandular atrophy and ...intestinal metaplasia (IM) in GC patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy.
Methods
This randomised, double‐blind trial was performed in tertiary care setting. Distal GC patients with H. pylori infection were randomised to receive proton pump inhibitor‐based triple therapy or placebo. The histology was evaluated using the updated Sydney system before and at 36 months after surgery. The endpoints were the comparison of atrophy and IM score changes between the allocated groups and according to final H. pylori status.
Results
Overall, 190 patients were randomised to the treatment and placebo groups. For lesser curvature of the corpus, mean atrophy and IM scores did not differ between the treatment and placebo groups. However, the H. pylori‐eradicated patients had significantly lower mean scores than the H. pylori‐persistent patients regarding atrophy (0.55 ± 0.95 vs. 1.05 ± 1.10 respectively; P = 0.0046) and IM (0.66 ± 0.99 vs. 1.05 ± 1.16 respectively; P = 0.0284). The percentage change from baseline was more marked in the H. pylori‐negative than in the H. pylori‐positive groups (−58.6% vs. −11.0% for atrophy and −60.5% vs. −35.6% for IM respectively). For greater curvature, mean atrophy score was lower in the H. pylori‐negative group than in the H. pylori‐positive group (0.14 ± 0.50 vs. 0.41 ± 0.75 respectively; P = 0.0281). The percentage change was −36.4% vs. 86.3%.
Conclusion
Helicobacter pylori eradication in GC patients is beneficial, as reflected by lower scores of atrophy and IM at 36 months after subtotal gastrectomy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01002443).
The mechanism of superconductivity in cuprates remains one of the big challenges of condensed matter physics. High-Tc
cuprates crystallize into a layered perovskite structure featuring copper oxygen ...octahedral coordination. Due to the Jahn Teller effect in combination with the strong static Coulomb interaction, the octahedra in high-Tc
cuprates are elongated along the c axis, leading to a 3dx²-y² orbital at the top of the band structure wherein the doped holes reside. This scenario gives rise to 2D characteristics in high-Tc
cuprates that favor d-wave pairing symmetry. Here, we report superconductivity in a cuprate Ba₂CuO4-y, wherein the local octahedron is in a very exceptional compressed version. The Ba₂CuO4-y compound was synthesized at high pressure at high temperatures and shows bulk superconductivity with critical temperature (Tc
) above 70 K at ambient conditions. This superconducting transition temperature is more than 30 K higher than the Tc
for the isostructural counterparts based on classical La₂CuO₄. X-ray absorption measurements indicate the heavily doped nature of the Ba₂CuO4-y superconductor. In compressed octahedron, the 3d3z²-r² orbital will be lifted above the 3dx²-y² orbital, leading to significant 3D nature in addition to the conventional 3dx²-y² orbital. This work sheds important light on advancing our comprehensive understanding of the superconducting mechanism of high Tc
in cuprate materials.
Summary
What is known and objective
Sarpogrelate is a selective 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype 2A antagonist that inhibits platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. The aim of this study was ...to compare the pharmacokinetics of a sarpogrelate controlled‐release formulation (CR) with those of the immediate‐release formulation (IR). The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of CR sarpogrelate was also evaluated.
Methods
A randomized, open‐label, 3‐period, 3‐treatment crossover study was conducted in 50 healthy male subjects. Subjects were allocated into one of six sequence groups. In one period, a 100‐mg IR formulation was administered three times at 6‐h intervals, and in the other two periods, a 300‐mg CR formulation was administered once to fasting and once to fed subjects. Each period was separated by a 7‐day washout period. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 h after the first drug administration in each period. The plasma concentrations of sarpogrelate were analysed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non‐compartmental methods.
Results and discussion
After the administration of the IR formulation, the plasma concentration reached a peak at 0·48 h and the drug was eliminated with a half‐life (t1/2) of 0·7 h. After administration of the CR formulation, the plasma concentration reached a peak at 0·5 h and the drug was eliminated with a t1/2 of 3·23 h. The geometric mean ratios (CR/IR) for sarpogrelate area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and the maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) were 1·2040 (90% confidence interval (CI): 1·0992–1·3188) and 0·9462 (90% CI: 0·8504–1·0529). When CR was administered to fed subjects, the time to peak concentration was prolonged to 3·97 h and t1/2 was shortened to 1·45 h. The geometric mean ratios (fasting/fed) for sarpogrelate AUC and Cmax were 0·8573 (90% CI: 0·7687–0·9561) and 0·6452 (90% CI: 0·5671–0·7341).
What is new and conclusion
After the administration of CR and IR formulations of the same daily dose of sarpogrelate hydrochloride, the overall systemic exposure was slightly higher for the CR than for the IR formulation, whereas peak concentration was comparable between the two formulations. Food reduced the bioavailability of sarpogrelate CR.
The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of a sarpogrelate controlled‐release formulation (CR) with those of the immediate‐release formulation (IR). The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of CR sarpogrelate was also evaluated. After the administration of CR and IR formulations of the same daily dose of sarpogrelate hydrochloride, the overall systemic exposure was slightly higher for the CR than the IR formulation, while peak concentration was comparable between the two formulations. Food reduced the bioavailability of sarpogrelate CR.
Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer, and metastasis is the main cause of high mortality in lung cancer patients. However, mechanisms underlying the development of lung cancer metastasis ...remain unknown. Using genome-wide transcriptional analysis in an experimental metastasis model, we identified laminin γ2 (LAMC2), an epithelial basement membrane protein, to be significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma metastatic cells. Elevated LAMC2 increased traction force, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells accompanied by the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). LAMC2 knockdown decreased traction force, migration, and invasion accompanied by EMT reduction in vitro, and attenuated metastasis in mice. LAMC2 promoted migration and invasion via EMT that was integrin β1- and ZEB1-dependent. High LAMC2 was significantly correlated with the mesenchymal marker vimentin expression in lung adenocarcinomas, and with higher risk of recurrence or death in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We suggest that LAMC2 promotes metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma via EMT and may be a potential therapeutic target.
Psychological factors are thought to drive inter-patient variations in anaesthetic and analgesic requirements. This cross-sectional study investigated whether preoperative psychological factors can ...predict anaesthetic requirements and postoperative pain.
Before total thyroidectomy, 100 consecutive women completed the Spielberger's State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ). Target-controlled propofol was administered for induction of anaesthesia, and sevoflurane–oxygen–air was given to maintain equal depths of anaesthesia, as determined by bispectral index (BIS) monitoring.
Patients with higher anxiety scores (state and trait) required greater amounts of propofol to reach light (BIS=85) and moderate (BIS=75) levels of sedation, but only trait anxiety was significantly associated with propofol requirements in reaching a deep level of sedation (BIS=65). The MAC-hour of sevoflurane was significantly correlated only with PSQ scores. The postoperative pain intensity was significantly correlated with both STAI and PSQ.
Preoperative anxiety and pain sensitivity are independent predictors of propofol and sevoflurane requirements in general anaesthesia. Anaesthetic and analgesic doses could be modified based on the patient's preoperative anxiety and pain sensitivity.
Background
The aim of this study was to compare the results of laparoscopy‐assisted total gastrectomy with those of open total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.
Methods
Patients with gastric ...cancer who underwent total gastrectomy with curative intent in three Korean tertiary hospitals between January 2003 and December 2010 were included in this multicentre, retrospective, propensity score‐matched cohort study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between operation method and survival.
Results
A total of 753 patients with early gastric cancer were included in the study. There were no significant differences in the matched cohort for overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) for laparoscopy‐assisted versus open total gastrectomy 0·96, 95 per cent c.i. 0·57 to 1·65) or recurrence‐free survival (HR 2·20, 0·51 to 9·52). The patterns of recurrence were no different between the two groups. The severity of complications, according to the Clavien–Dindo classification, was similar in both groups. The most common complications were anastomosis‐related in the laparoscopy‐assisted group (8·0 per cent versus 4·2 per cent in the open group; P = 0·015) and wound‐related in the open group (1·6 versus 5·6 per cent respectively; P = 0·003). Postoperative death was more common in the laparoscopy‐assisted group (1·6 versus 0·2 per cent; P = 0·045).
Conclusion
Laparoscopy‐assisted total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer is feasible in terms of long‐term results, including survival and recurrence. However, a higher postoperative mortality rate and an increased risk of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic‐assisted total gastrectomy are of concern.
Feasible but high risk of anastomotic complication
Summary
Low phase angle, a non-invasive bioimpedance marker, is associated with elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome and its components. Phase angle (estimated cutoffs: < 4.8° in men; < 4.5° in ...women) can be used to detect dysmobility syndrome in community-dwelling older adults as a simple, integrative screening tool.
Introduction
Dysmobility syndrome uses a score-based approach to predict fracture risk that incorporates the concepts of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and obesity. Low phase angle (PhA), a simple, non-invasive bioelectrical impedance marker, was associated with low lean mass, high fat mass, and poor muscle function. We aimed to investigate the association between PhA and dysmobility syndrome, with the exploration of the diagnostic cutoffs.
Methods
In a community-dwelling Korean older adult cohort, dysmobility syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 of the following components: osteoporosis, low lean mass, falls in the preceding year, low grip strength, high fat mass, and poor timed up and go performance.
Results
Among the 1825 participants (mean age 71.6, women 66.7%), subjects were classified into sex-stratified PhA tertiles. The prevalence of dysmobility syndrome increased from the highest PhA tertile group to the lowest (15.50 to 2.45% in men; 33.41 to 12.25% in women,
P
for trend < 0.001). The mean PhA values decreased as the dysmobility score increased (5.33° to 4.65° in men; 4.76° to 4.39° in women,
P
for trend < 0.001). Low PhA (cutoff: < 4.8° in men; < 4.5° in women) was associated with twofold elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome after adjusting for age, sex, and conventional risk factors. Low PhA improved the identification of individuals with dysmobility syndrome when added to the conventional risk model (area under the curve, 0.73 to 0.75,
P
= 0.002).
Conclusion
Low PhA was associated with dysmobility syndrome and its components, independent of age, sex, body mass index, nutritional status, and inflammation.
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