Accurate and standardized descriptions of organs at risk (OARs) are essential in radiation therapy for treatment planning and evaluation. Traditionally, physicians have contoured patient images ...manually, which, is time-consuming and subject to inter-observer variability. This study aims to a) investigate whether customized, deep-learning-based auto-segmentation could overcome the limitations of manual contouring and b) compare its performance against a typical, atlas-based auto-segmentation method organ structures in liver cancer.
On-contrast computer tomography image sets of 70 liver cancer patients were used, and four OARs (heart, liver, kidney, and stomach) were manually delineated by three experienced physicians as reference structures. Atlas and deep learning auto-segmentations were respectively performed with MIM Maestro 6.5 (MIM Software Inc., Cleveland, OH) and, with a deep convolution neural network (DCNN). The Hausdorff distance (HD) and, dice similarity coefficient (DSC), volume overlap error (VOE), and relative volume difference (RVD) were used to quantitatively evaluate the four different methods in the case of the reference set of the four OAR structures.
The atlas-based method yielded the following average DSC and standard deviation values (SD) for the heart, liver, right kidney, left kidney, and stomach: 0.92 ± 0.04 (DSC ± SD), 0.93 ± 0.02, 0.86 ± 0.07, 0.85 ± 0.11, and 0.60 ± 0.13 respectively. The deep-learning-based method yielded corresponding values for the OARs of 0.94 ± 0.01, 0.93 ± 0.01, 0.88 ± 0.03, 0.86 ± 0.03, and 0.73 ± 0.09. The segmentation results show that the deep learning framework is superior to the atlas-based framwork except in the case of the liver. Specifically, in the case of the stomach, the DSC, VOE, and RVD showed a maximum difference of 21.67, 25.11, 28.80% respectively.
In this study, we demonstrated that a deep learning framework could be used more effectively and efficiently compared to atlas-based auto-segmentation for most OARs in human liver cancer. Extended use of the deep-learning-based framework is anticipated for auto-segmentations of other body sites.
This letter presents a thin-film transistor architecture, in which a "trench" is introduced between the source and drain electrode to enhance current flow. The top-gate top-contact oxide Trench ...thin-film transistor has a superior on-current per width of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">27.7~\mu \text{A}/ \mu \text{m} </tex-math></inline-formula> at a drain voltage of 4.1 V. It also has a good subthreshold swing of 0.122 V/dec and turn-on voltage of −0.4 V. This study explores the operating mechanism of the high-current-driving Trench oxide thin-film transistor.
The pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is maintained by intracellular networks of many pluripotency‐associated (PA) proteins such as OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. However, the mechanisms underlying ...the regulation of protein homeostasis for pluripotency remain elusive. Here, we first demonstrate that autophagy acts together with the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) to modulate the levels of PA proteins in human ESCs (hESCs). Autophagy inhibition impaired the pluripotency despite increment of PA proteins in hESCs. Immunogold‐electron microscopy confirmed localization of OCT4 molecules within autophagosomes. Also, knockdown of LC3 expression led to accumulation of PA proteins and reduction of pluripotency in hESCs. Interestingly, autophagy and the UPS showed differential kinetics in the degradation of PA proteins. Autophagy inhibition caused enhanced accumulation of both cytoplasmic and nuclear PA proteins, whereas the UPS inhibition led to preferentially degrade nuclear PA proteins. Our findings suggest that autophagy modulates homeostasis of PA proteins, providing a new insight in the regulation of pluripotency in hESCs. Stem Cells 2014;32:424–435
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is known to induce cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and antiapoptosis through activation of RAS/RAF/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways, which are also known as ...major molecular bases of colon cancer carcinogenesis related with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. However, the interaction between FGFR4 and EGFR signaling in regard to colon cancer progression is unclear. Here, we investigated a potential cross‐talk between FGFR4 and EGFR, and the effect of anti‐EGFR therapy in colon cancer treatment. To explore the biological roles of FGFR4 in cancer progression, RNA sequencing was carried out using FGFR4 transfected colon cell lines. Gene ontology data showed the upregulation of genes related to EGFR signaling, and we identified that FGFR4 overexpression secretes EGFR ligands such as amphiregulin (AREG) with consequent activation of EGFR and ErbB3. This result was also shown in in vivo study and the cooperative interaction between EGFR and FGFR4 promoted tumor growth. In addition, FGFR4 overexpression reduced cetuximab‐induced cytotoxicity and the combination of FGFR4 inhibitor (BLU9931) and cetuximab showed profound antitumor effect compared to cetuximab alone. Clinically, we found the positive correlation between FGFR4 and AREG expression in tumor tissue, but not in normal tissue, from colon cancer patients and these expressions were significantly correlated with poor overall survival in patients treated with cetuximab. Therefore, our results provide the novel mechanism of FGFR4 in connection with EGFR activation and the combination of FGFR4 inhibitor and cetuximab could be a promising therapeutic option to achieve the optimal response to anti‐EGFR therapy in colon cancer.
Our study has characterized the cross‐talk between fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ErbB3 signaling by the contribution of EGFR ligands secreted from FGFR4. These findings provide experimental evidence for combined treatment with FGFR4 inhibitor and anti‐EGFR therapy in colon cancer.
We report on a new technique that incorporates silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto polyamide (PA) thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis membranes via arc plasma deposition (APD) to impart ...antibacterial properties and simultaneously improve membrane performance. APD allows the direct deposition of AgNPs under vacuum dry condition, overcoming the drawbacks of the conventional wet-chemical methods. AgNPs (~7.6nm in diameter) were uniformly distributed without aggregation throughout the PA selective layer with some partially implanted into the PA matrix. Ag loading could be tuned by simply adjusting the number of APD purse shots. The deposited AgNPs exhibited good leaching stability, presumably due to the strong Ag-PA chemical interaction and partially buried AgNP morphology. The resulting Ag-incorporated TFC (Ag-TFC) membrane showed the strong and long-lasting antibacterial properties for both gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Simultaneously, the Ag-TFC membrane exhibited an enhancement in water flux of approximately 40% without deterioration in NaCl rejection. These performance changes were tentatively attributed to the partial destruction of the PA layer under the high energetic APD condition along with the increased membrane hydrophilicity. Hence, the APD process provides a simple and effective route to modify membranes with functional NPs.
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•AgNPs are directly incorporated onto TFC RO membranes via arc plasma deposition.•AgNPs are uniformly deposited over the membrane surface with some partially buried.•The deposited AgNPs exhibited the relatively good leaching stability.•AgNP-incorporated membrane had 40% increased flux while maintaining salt rejection.•AgNP-incorporated membranes showed strong and long-lasting antibacterial activity.
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•Amphiphilic block copolymer (BC) plays a role as a strong pore forming agent.•BC is strongly attached on porous PVDF membrane by the hydrophobic interaction.•The PVDF membranes ...modified with BC and LiCl significantly enhanced water flux.
Well-defined methacrylate based amphiphilic block copolymers (BCs) consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PPEGMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and used as additives in DMAc casting solution to fabricate poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ultra-filtration (UF) membranes in non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process, where the amphiphilic BC additives hydrophilically altered PVDF with PPEGMA block segment by strong interaction with the other PMMA block segment, which reduced water resistance to the PVDF polymer solution during phase separation. FT-IR and XPS studies showed carbonyl groups of BCs in the PVDF membranes, which were not changed even after IPA treatment, indicating that BCs in the membrane were very stable. Obtained PVDF membranes with BCs showed porous surface layer and finger-like pore structures with macrovoids on the sublayers, of which sizes were increased with the increase of BC contents, which were then compared to the pristine PVDF membranes and the PVDF membrane with corresponding other additives such as hydrophobic PMMA, hydrophilic PPEGMA, LiCl and BC/LiCl. Obtained PVDF membranes showed MWCO with 100 K PEO and the best water flux (140 LMH) was achieved in the PVDF membrane with BC/LiCl additive, which was almost 4 times higher than the pristine PVDF membrane. In addition, the PVDF membranes with BC and BC/LiCl additives improved the anti-fouling property for BSA protein, of which reversible fouling resistance ratio was ca. 7 times higher than that of the pristine PVDF membrane.
•The effect of oxygen plasma time during PEALD of gate insulator on top-gate oxide TFT was explained systemically.•The subcutaneous reaction and atomic incorporation according to oxygen plasma time ...during PEALD were clarified.•The mechanism of PBTS stability according to oxygen plasma time was interpreted by atomic surface view point.•Remarkably stable (0.016 V under PBTS) high mobility (31.1 cm2/Vs) self-aligned oxide TFT was fabricated successfully.
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Oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) should be manufactured with high mobility and stability based on a self-aligned top-gate structure to drive high-end displays. In this study, the effect of oxygen plasma time over one cycle of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) SiO2 on the properties of top-gate oxide TFTs was investigated systemically. The subsurface reaction of oxygen plasma causes a difference in oxygen vacancy (Vo). In addition, hydrogen incorporation also differs according to plasma time. Considering Vo and hydrogen are donors, tendency of electric properties could be explained. These surface reactions and atomic incorporation also induce differences in the positive bias temperature stress (PBTS) stability. Based on oxygen plasma time of 2.0 s, a positive shift in threshold voltage (Vth) due to interfacial degradation was observed when the plasma was longer, while an abnormal negative shift due to H+ drift was observed when it was shorter. When the oxygen plasma time is 2.0 s, the TFT was free from the deterioration of the interface and SiO2. Based on this condition, a self-aligned TFT with superior performance including a high mobility of 31.1 cm2/Vs, positive Vth and high stability of 0.016 V shifting during the PBTS was fabricated successfully.
Ginseng has been used as a traditional herb in Asian countries for thousands of years. It contains a large number of active ingredients including steroidal saponins, protopanaxadiols, and ...protopanaxatriols, collectively known as ginsenosides. In the last few decades, the antioxidative and anticancer effects of ginseng, in addition to its effects on improving immunity, energy and sexuality, and combating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and neurological diseases, have been studied in both basic and clinical research. Ginseng could be a valuable resource for future drug development; however, further higher quality evidence is required. Moreover, ginseng may have drug interactions although the available evidence suggests it is a relatively safe product. This article reviews the bioactive compounds, global distribution, and therapeutic potential of plants in the genus Panax.
The "enhanced intracellular survival" (eis) gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is involved in the intracellular survival of M. smegmatis. However, its exact effects on host cell function remain ...elusive. We herein report that Mtb Eis plays essential roles in modulating macrophage autophagy, inflammatory responses, and cell death via a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent pathway. Macrophages infected with an Mtb eis-deletion mutant H37Rv (Mtb-Δeis) displayed markedly increased accumulation of massive autophagic vacuoles and formation of autophagosomes in vitro and in vivo. Infection of macrophages with Mtb-Δeis increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 over the levels produced by infection with wild-type or complemented strains. Elevated ROS generation in macrophages infected with Mtb-Δeis (for which NADPH oxidase and mitochondria were largely responsible) rendered the cells highly sensitive to autophagy activation and cytokine production. Despite considerable activation of autophagy and proinflammatory responses, macrophages infected with Mtb-Δeis underwent caspase-independent cell death. This cell death was significantly inhibited by blockade of autophagy and c-Jun N-terminal kinase-ROS signaling, suggesting that excessive autophagy and oxidative stress are detrimental to cell survival. Finally, artificial over-expression of Eis or pretreatment with recombinant Eis abrogated production of both ROS and proinflammatory cytokines, which depends on the N-acetyltransferase domain of the Eis protein. Collectively, these data indicate that Mtb Eis suppresses host innate immune defenses by modulating autophagy, inflammation, and cell death in a redox-dependent manner.
Highly moisture permeation resistive and transparent single layer thin films for the encapsulation of hydrogenated silicon oxynitrides (H:SiON) were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor ...deposition (PECVD) using silane (SiH
4
), nitrous oxide (N
2
O), ammonia (NH
3
), and hydrogen (H
2
) at 100 °C for applications to a top-emission organic light-emitting diode (TEOLED). Addition of H
2
into the PECVD process of SiON film deposition afforded the hydrogenated SiON film, which showed not only improved optical properties such as transmittance and reflectance but also better barrier property to water permeation than PECVD SiON and even SiN
x
. The H:SiON film with thickness of only 80 nm exhibited water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) lower than 5 × 10
−5
g per m
2
per day in the test conditions of 38 °C and 100% humidity, where this WVTR is the measurement limit of the MOCON equipment. An additional coating of UV curable polymer enabled the H:SiON films to be flexible and to have very stable barrier property lower than 5 × 10
−5
g per m
2
per day even after a number of 10k times bending tests at a curvature radius of 1
R
. The mild H:SiON film process improved the electrical properties of top-emission OLEDs without generating any dark spots. Furthermore, single H:SiON films having high water vapor barrier could maintain the original illumination features of TEOLED longer than 720 hours. These excellent properties of the H:SiON thin films originated from the structural changes of the SiON material by the introduction of hydrogen.
High-performance H:SiON single layer thin film encapsulation (TFE) was deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. To control the characteristics of the SiON thin films, hydrogen gas was introduced during PECVD process.
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