Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea collect and treat not only domestic wastewater, but also discharge from industrial complexes. However, some industrial discharges contain a ...large amount of non-biodegradable organic matter, which cannot be treated properly in a conventional biological WWTP. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and biodegradability of the wastewater organic matter contained in the industrial discharges and to examine the fate of the industrial discharges in a biological WWTP. In contrast to most previous studies targeting a specific group of organic compounds or traditional water quality indices, such as biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), this study was purposed to quantify and characterize the biodegradable and nonbiodegradable fractions of the wastewater organic matter. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) fractionation tests and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the industrial discharge from dyeing or pulp mill factories contained more non-biodegradable soluble organic matter than did the domestic wastewater. Statistical analysis on the WWTPs’ monitoring data indicated that the industrial discharge containing non-biodegradable soluble organic matter was not treated effectively in a biological WWTP, but was escaping from the system. Thus, industrial discharge that contained non-biodegradable soluble organic matter was a major factor in the decrease in biodegradability of the discharge, affecting the ultimate fate of wastewater organic matter in a biological WWTP. Further application of COD fractionation and fluorescence spectroscopy to wastewaters, with various industrial discharges, will help scientists and engineers to better design and operate a biological WWTP, by understanding the fate of wastewater organic matter.
The domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, is a companion animal for humans as well as an animal model in cancer research due to similar spontaneous occurrence of cancers as humans. Despite the social ...and biological importance of dogs, the catalogue of genomic variations and transcripts for dogs is relatively incomplete. We developed CanISO, a new database to hold a large collection of transcriptome profiles and genomic variations for domestic dogs. CanISO provides 87,692 novel transcript isoforms and 60,992 known isoforms from whole transcriptome sequencing of canine tumors (N = 157) and their matched normal tissues (N = 64). CanISO also provides genomic variation information for 210,444 unique germline single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the whole exome sequencing of 183 dogs, with a query system that searches gene- and transcript-level information as well as covered SNPs. Transcriptome profiles can be compared with corresponding human transcript isoforms at a tissue level, or between sample groups to identify tumor-specific gene expression and alternative splicing patterns. CanISO is expected to increase understanding of the dog genome and transcriptome, as well as its functional associations with humans, such as shared/distinct mechanisms of cancer. CanISO is publicly available at https://www.kobic.re.kr/caniso/.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Among a variety of comorbidities of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the association between dementia and AS by using an extensive dataset from the Korean National Health Insurance System was evaluated ...in this study. We extracted 15,547 newly diagnosed AS subjects among the entire Korean population and excluded wash-out patients (n = 162) and patients that were inappropriate for cohort match (n = 1192). Finally, 14,193 subjects were chosen as the AS group, and through 1:5 age- and sex-stratified matching, 70,965 subjects were chosen as the control group. We evaluated patient demographics, household incomes, and comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of overall dementia (1.37%) and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) (0.99%) in the AS group was significantly higher than in the control group (0.87% and 0.63%), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio of the AS group for overall dementia (1.758) and AD (1.782) showed statistical significance also. On the other hand, the prevalence of vascular dementia did not differ significantly between the two groups. Subgroup analyses revealed the following risk factors for dementia in the AS group: male gender, greater than 65 years in age, fair income (household income greater than 20% of the median), urban residency, no diabetes, and no hypertension. From the nationwide, population-based, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, AS patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of overall dementia and Alzheimer's dementia. Comprehensive patient assessment using our subgroup analysis could help to prevent dementia in patients suffering from AS.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
IMPORTANCE: The potential association between breast implant–related anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and implant texture has raised concerns about the additional unexpected adverse effects ...of textured implants, including potentially adverse outcomes for other cancers. In addition to the risk of developing BIA-ALCL, breast cancer survivors may worry about whether the type of implant inserted is associated with recurrence of their original cancer—an issue for which little evidence currently exists. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of breast cancer according to the surface type of implants used for reconstruction and to identify the independent factors associated with breast cancer recurrence and survival, including implant surface type. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study was conducted at Samsung Medical Center, a single tertiary referral center in Seoul, South Korea. Patients with breast cancer who underwent total mastectomy and immediate 2-stage tissue expander/implant reconstruction between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the surface type of implant used for their reconstruction (smooth or textured implant). These patients were followed up for at least 2 years after insertion of the implant. Data analysis was performed from February 15, 2020, to March 5, 2020. EXPOSURES: Use of smooth implants vs textured implants at the second-stage operation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcomes of interest were local and regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates. Cumulative incidence of oncologic events in the smooth implant and textured implant groups and their respective hazard ratios (HRs) were collected and updated regularly. RESULTS: In total, 650 patients (all women, with a mean SD age of 43.5 7.4 years), representing 687 cases, met the inclusion criteria and were followed up for a median (range) duration of 52 (31-106) months. Of the 687 cases, 274 (39.9%) received a smooth implant and 413 (60.1%) received a textured implant. Patients in these 2 surface texture groups had similar characteristics, including tumor staging (stage I: 102 37.2% vs 173 41.9%; stage II: 93 33.9% vs 119 28.8%; stage III: 14 5.1% vs 20 4.8%; P = .50) and rates of adjuvant radiotherapy (42 15.3% vs 49 11.9%; P = .19) and chemotherapy (113 41.2% vs 171 41.4%; P = .97). The 5-year LRRFS was 96.7%, and the 5-year DFS was 95.2%. Compared with the use of a smooth implant, textured implant use was statistically significantly associated with lower DFS, and this difference remained significant after adjusting for estrogen receptor (ER) status and tumor stage (HR, 3.054; 95% CI, 1.158-8.051; P = .02). Similar statistically significant associations were observed on multivariable analysis of patients with ER-positive cancer (HR, 3.130; 95% CI, 1.053-9.307; P = .04) and those with invasive cancer (HR, 3.044; 95% CI, 1.152-8.039; P = .03). The association of textured implant use with recurrence (lower DFS) was more prominent in cases with late-stage (stage II or III) tumor (HR, 8.874; 95% CI, 1.146-68.748; P = .04). The LRRFS did not differ statistically significantly according to implant surface texture. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study found that use of textured implants in reconstruction appears to be associated with recurrence of breast cancer. Further investigation is required to verify these results.
A triggered vacuum switch (TVS) has been applied in high pulsed power systems. It is operated by using the plasma sequentially generated at a trigger device and a main electrode. Firstly, the initial ...plasma is ignited at the trigger device by surface flashover mechanism. Then, the main plasma, which is induced by the initial plasma, is generated at the main electrode. In general, the research on the characteristics of trigger jitter, main jitter, and delay is essential to develop a highperformance TVS. These characteristics are crucially affected by the trigger device. Accordingly, we have fabricated a trigger device with a ring electrode and measured the trigger jitter, main jitter and delay at voltage up to 20 kV. The measured values of delay are 4.3–9.6 µs, of the trigger jitter are 0.56–2.1 µs, and of the main jitter are 3.1–5.0 µs. As a next step, we plan to continue research of characteristics with a new trigger pulse generator having a rise time of hundreds of nanoseconds.
It is unclear whether sleep duration and quality are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and glomerular hyperfiltration. The aim of this study was to examine the association of sleep ...duration and quality with CKD and glomerular hyperfiltration in young and middle-aged adults.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of men and women who underwent a health checkup examination, including assessment of sleep duration and quality (n = 241,607). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and glomerular hyperfiltration was defined as eGFR above the age-/sex-specific 95th percentile.
In a multinomial logistic regression analysis adjusting for relevant confounders, the adjusted prevalence ratios for CKD (95% confidence interval) comparing sleep durations of ≤ 5, 6, 8, and 9 hours with 7 hours were 1.22 (0.95-1.55), 0.93 (0.75-1.14), 0.97 (0.75-1.26), and 1.56 (1.06-2.30) in men and 0.98 (0.68-1.43), 1.03 (0.72-1.46), 1.39 (0.97-2.00), and 1.31 (0.78-2.22) in women, respectively. The corresponding prevalence ratios (95% confidence interval) for glomerular hyperfiltration were 1.00 (0.93-1.08), 0.97 (0.91-1.03), 1.03 (0.94-1.13), and 1.39 (1.13-1.72) in men and 1.04 (0.95-1.14), 0.96 (0.90-1.04), 1.11 (1.02-1.20), and 1.28 (1.14-1.45) in women, respectively. Poor subjective sleep quality was associated with glomerular hyperfiltration in men and women.
In this large study of young and middle-aged adults, we found that long sleep duration was associated with CKD and glomerular hyperfiltration. Additionally, poor subjective sleep quality was associated with increased prevalence of glomerular hyperfiltration, suggesting the importance of adequate quantity and quality of sleep for kidney function.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The dissipation behaviors of acetamiprid and chlorantraniliprole in kimchi cabbages were studied under open-field conditions. A simple and rapid analytical method was developed using ultra-high ...performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) conditions of two pesticides were optimized to quantify and identify the pesticide residues. Sample preparation was performed by the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method. Average recovery rates at the different spiked levels (0.05 and 0.25 mg/kg) were in the range of 103.6-113.9% (acetamiprid) and 80.8-91.2% (chlorantraniliprole), and the relative standard deviations were ≤4.3% for all. The dissipation kinetics were assessed using first-order equations after spraying acetamiprid and chlorantraniliprole individually on kimchi cabbages. The biological half-lives in field 1 and 2 were 5.2 and 6.3 days (acetamiprid) and 10.0 and 15.2 days (chlorantraniliprole), respectively. Based on the dissipation equations, the pre-harvest residue limits (PHRLs) corresponding to each day before harvest were suggested as the guidelines to meet the MRL on harvest day. It was also predicted that the terminal residues observed after multiple sprayings (three and seven days) would be below the MRL when harvested, in compliance with the established pre-harvest intervals.
Purpose
In two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction, autologous fat graft (AFG) is often conducted simultaneously with the second-stage operation, which is usually performed shortly after ...mastectomy. There is a paucity of studies evaluating whether conducting AFG early, with a relatively short interval from the primary operation, is oncologically safe. This study aimed to evaluate potential associations of AFG with breast cancer prognosis, focusing on its timing.
Methods
Patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent immediate two-stage prosthetic reconstruction following mastectomy between 2011 and 2016 were identified. They were categorized into two groups by whether AFG was performed during the second-stage operation. Cumulative incidence of oncologic events was compared between the two groups, after stratifying patients by the time interval between mastectomy and the second-stage operation (≤ 12 months vs. > 12 months).
Results
Of 267 cases that met the selection criteria, 203 underwent the second-stage operation within 12 months of mastectomy. AFG was performed for 112 cases and was not performed in 91 cases. The two groups showed similar baseline characteristics including tumor stage and adjuvant treatments. Compared with the control, AFG was associated with lower locoregional recurrence-free survival and disease-free survival, and this difference remained significant after adjusting for other variables including tumor stage. In the 64 cases undergoing the operation after 12 months following mastectomy, oncologic outcomes did not differ between the two groups.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that AFG timing in relation to mastectomy may be associated with risks for breast cancer recurrence.
In two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction, two types of tissue expanders are used for the first stage: microtextured Siltex and macrotextured Biocell. Despite emerging concerns regarding the ...safety of macrotextured prostheses, the association between the use of macrotextured expanders and adverse outcomes remains unknown clinically. This study aimed to evaluate potential impacts of the type of tissue expander on the long-term outcomes of implant-based breast reconstruction.
Patients who underwent immediate two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated and categorized into two groups according to the expander type. Those two were propensity score matched for baseline characteristics and compared for complication rates after the first- and second-stage operations. The impacts of several variables, including type of tissue expander used, on outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Of the 1391 cases in 1294 patients, 276 pairs (552 cases) were successfully propensity score matched. In the first-stage operation, the macrotextured group showed a significantly shorter drain indwelling period and lower rate of seroma than the microtextured group. These differences retained influences after adjusting for other variables. Incidence rates of other complications were similar between the groups. Regarding the second-stage operation, the use of macrotextured expanders showed a significant association, with an increased rate of severe capsular contracture on the multivariable analyses in cases using textured implants. Development of other complications was not affected by the expander type.
The type of tissue expander might influence the outcomes of two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction, and generally acceptable safety of both microtextured and macrotextured expanders was shown.
Therapeutic, III.
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