We investigated the effect of the growth temperature on the microstructures and superconducting properties of GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (GdBCO) coated conductors (CCs) deposited by the Reactive ...Co-Evaporation Deposition and Reaction process on the LaMnO 3 -buffered IBAD MgO template. For the growth of GdBCO films with ~1.5μm thickness at the oxygen pressure of 150 mtorr, we employed three different growth temperatures of 840, 860, and 880 °C. By decreasing the growth temperature, the critical current densities Jc at 65 and 77 K were improved due to enhanced pinning properties, which are attributable to refined Gd 2 O 3 particles trapped in the GdBCO matrix. Analyses by transmission electron microscopy revealed that the average particle size of Gd 2 O 3 is 126.5 nm in the 840 °C sample, which is smaller than that of 171.4 nm in the 860 °C sample and 217.8 nm in the 880 °C sample. Interestingly, although (103)-misoriented GdBCO grains existed together with biaxially textured grains in the film grown at 840 °C, they exhibited higher J c values in magnetic fields compared with other films composed of only biaxially textured grains, suggesting that the increase in J c due to pinning by refined Gd 2 O 3 particles surpasses the degradation of Jc by (103)-oriented grains present at the film surface.
To determine whether the genotypes of virulent genes in Helicobacter pylori isolates and mucosal biopsy specimens differ in individuals, and to investigate whether different isolates from single ...hosts show strain differences.
Sixty-one Korean patients with H. pylori infection were enrolled. PCR and DNA sequencing for cagA, vacA, iceA, and oipA were performed using DNA extracted from H. pylori isolates cultured (2.6 H. pylori isolates per host) directly from antral mucosal biopsy specimens. Strain diversities were analyzed in 234 H. pylori isolates obtained from 43 hosts with at least two H. pylori isolates from antrum and body, respectively, and random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting was carried out on isolates obtained from patients who showed genotype diversity.
The patients with inconsistent genotyping results between H. pylori isolates and mucosal biopsies were as follows: 16.4% for cagA, 19.7% for vacA m, 47.5% for vacA s1, 6.6% for vacA i-region, 34.4% for iceA, and 21.3% for oipA. Genotyping of H. pylori isolates from same hosts showed diversity in 58.1% (25/43 patients). When random amplified polymorphic DNA -PCR fingerprinting was carried out on 104 H. pylori isolates from 19 patients who showed genotype diversity among their isolates, 68.4% (13 of 19 patients) of patients were found to be colonized by multiple H. pylori strains.
This study shows that the genotypes of virulent genes from biopsy samples produced different results when compared with those obtained from H. pylori isolates, especially for vacA s1, and iceA. In addition, about 60% of our patients were infected by multiple H. pylori strains.
We have identified novel 1,2,4-triazole-containing diarylpyrazolyl carboxamide series of small molecule cannabinoid-1 ligands that show improvement for CB1 receptor binding affinity. Importantly, ...these analogues also exhibited excellent selectivity for CB1 receptor over CB2 receptor.
Numerous research groups have been engaged in searching for novel CB1 receptor antagonists, since SR141716A (rimonabant), a CB1 receptor antagonist, proved to be efficacious in human for the treatment of obesity. In the present study, a series of 1,2,4-triazole-containing diarylpyrazolyl carboxamides based on the 1,5-diarylpyrazole template of rimonabant, was synthesized and tested for CB1 receptor binding affinity. The structure–activity relationship studies demonstrated that incorporation of 1,2,4-triazole ring onto the pyrazole scaffold via a methylene linker led to a significant improvement for CB1 receptor binding affinity. Importantly, these analogues also exhibited excellent selectivity for CB1 receptor over CB2 receptor.
Volume overload results in higher mortality rates in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The ratio of bioimpedance (RBI) might be a helpful parameter in adjusting dry body ...weight in CAPD patients. This study examined whether it is possible to distinguish between non-hypervolemic status and hypervolemic status in CAPD patients by using only RBI.
RBI was calculated as follows: RBI = impedance at 50 kHz/impedance at 500 kHz. Based on the experts' judgements, a total of 64 CAPD patients were divided into two groups, a non-hypervolemic group and a hypervolemic group. The RBI was measured from right wrist to right ankle (rw-raRBI) by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BCM
, Fresenius Medical Care) before and after the peritosol was emptied. Other RBIs were measured from the right side of the anterior superior iliac spine to the ipsilateral ankle (rasis-raRBI) to control for the electro-physiological effects of peritoneal dialysate.
The mean rw-raRBI of non-hypervolemic patients was higher than that of hypervolemic patients in the presence (1.141 ± 0.022 vs. 1.121 ± 0.021,
< 0.001) of a peritosol. Likewise, the mean rasis-raRBI of non-hypervolemic patients was higher than that of hypervolemic patients (presence of peritosol: 1.136 ± 0.026 vs. 1.109 ± 0.022,
< 0.001; absence of peritosol: 1.131 ± 0.022 vs. 1.107 ± 0.022,
< 0.001).
The volume status of CAPD patients was able to be simply expressed by RBI. Therefore, this study suggests that when patients cannot be analyzed using BCM, RBI could be an alternative.
T cells play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of multiple sclerosis. We have found that 1,4-aryl-2-mercaptoimidazole (KRM-III) inhibited T-cell antigen receptor- and phorbol myristate ...acetate/ionomycin-induced activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and T-cell proliferation with an IC(50) of 5 microM. The KRM-III-mediated inhibitory effect was specific for NFAT activation but not for nuclear factor kappaB. Oral administration of 90 mg/kg KRM-III resulted in complete abrogation of anti-CD3 antibody-induced T-cell activation and a 45.8% reduction in footpad swelling in bovine serum albumin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity. In the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, oral administration of KRM-III significantly attenuated the severity of disease when given before or after disease onset. Draining lymph node cells from KRM-III-treated mice showed markedly reduced proliferation in response to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide. Histological analysis indicated that KRM-III reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells to the white matter of spinal lumbar cords. These results demonstrate that KRM-III efficiently inhibits T-cell activation and inflammatory responses and lessens EAE clinical signs, which suggest KRM-III as a potential lead compound for the treatment of T-cell-driven autoimmune diseases.
The Chinese government has published an official guide specifying the aims for reading in Chinese and the expected comprehension levels for different proficiency learners, with regard to teaching and ...learning Chinese as a second or foreign language. However, due to lack of teacher training for its implementation, this guide has rarely been used for teaching reading to Chinese language learners and has rarely been used for evaluating their reading ability. Therefore, it appears that teaching and assessing reading comprehension have not been based on a theoretical background of reading ability. The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to provide validity evidence of a Chinese reading test developed based on a theoretical model of reading ability; and (2) to examine reading test performance of Chinese learners with various reading ability levels. For the purpose of this study, reading ability was defined based on a meaning-based model that included three layers of reading comprehension: literal, intended, and implied meanings of a reading text. A total of 248 Korean university students were divided into three levels, and their test performances were analyzed and compared for the three meaning types using structural equation modeling and regression analysis. The results suggest that the test performance structure represented the meaning-based model in general, thereby providing validity evidence of the test. Further analyses revealed that the three groups differed from one another with respect to their understanding of literal, intended, and implied meanings. The findings provide pedagogical implications for teaching Chinese language learners with different reading proficiency levels.
Structure-activity relationship studies in a series of diarylpyrazolyl thiadiazoles identified cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonists with excellent potency and selectivity. Based on its exceptional in ...vivo efficacy in animal models and its favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles, 2-(4-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-tert-butyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (GCC2680) was selected as a preclinical candidate for the treatment of obesity.
Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved clinical outcomes in various malignant cancers, only a small proportion of patients reap benefits, likely due to the low number of T ...cells and high number of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of patients with advanced disease. We developed a cancer vaccine adjuvanted with nanoemulsion (NE) loaded with TLR7/8 agonist (R848) and analyzed its therapeutic effect alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, on antitumor immune responses and the reprogramming of suppressive immune cells in the TME. NE (R848) demonstrated robust local and systemic antitumor immune responses in both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse lung cancer models, inducing tumor-specific T cell activation and mitigating T cell exhaustion. Combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies showed synergistic effects with respect to therapeutic efficacy and survival rate. Thus, NE (R848)-based cancer vaccines could prevent tumor recurrence and prolong survival by activating antitumor immunity and reprogramming immunosuppression.
Schematic illustration of the cancer immunotherapy based on cancer vaccines adjuvanted with nanoemulsion (NE) loaded with a TLR7/8 agonist (R848) (NE R848) in subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse lung cancer models. NE (R848) stimulates dendritic cells (DCs), proliferates T cells, and converts pro-tumoral immune cells into antitumoral ones, resulting in synergistic antitumor immune responses with immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-programmed-death-1 anti-PD-1). Display omitted
Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze optic density of dummy lesions in breast phantom by mammography and understand whether the objectivity of visual inspections on dummy ...lesions upon appropriate and inappropriate decisions was correct quantitatively.Methods/Statistical analysis: Study subjects were 165 phantom images in 74 hospitals nationwide that passed the test of special medical equipment by Korean Institute for Accreditation of Medical Image from May 2016 to April 2017. Min (A), Max (B), Mean (C), and StdDev (D) were measured using color level information. Fibers, specks, and masses divided dummy lesions determined as appropriate or inappropriate in 165 images. For each divided dummy lesion, Min, Max, Mean concentration, and concentration difference summarized it.Findings: There was a significant difference in Max concentration (B) between dummy lesions of 9 (specks 3) and 10 (specks 4). In dummy lesion 12 (mass 1), there was no significant difference by each step, although the deviation between black and white was high since the scope of lesion was big. Upon analysis of optic density divided by appropriate and inappropriate decisions, there were significant differences in concentration difference (D) for fibers, Min (A) and Max (B) concentrations as well as concentration difference (D) for specks, and Max (B) and Mean (C) concentrations with concentration difference (D) for masses.Improvements/Applications: Visual inspections appeared to have difficulty in analyzing lesions due to the ambiguity of quantitative differences. Further developments of quantitative programs are needed to replace visual inspection for breast phantom lesions in mammography.
Abstract Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant and shows neurotoxicity to central nerve system (CNS) or neuronal cells. It has been known that MeHg has more influence to ...developing or differentiating CNS/neuronal cells than adult or differentiated CNS/neuronal cells. This study examined the effect of MeHg on differentiation of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells induced by all- trans -retinoic acid (RA). MeHg caused the impairment of the RA-induced G1/0 phase arrest; it was induced the reduction of G1/0 phase and S phase arrest. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase C (PKC) are involved in the RA-mediated differentiation and cell cycle progression. Activation of ERK1/2 by RA was increased more in MeHg-treated differentiating cells, comparing with only RA-treated groups. Furthermore, in both cases of inhibition of ERK1/2 with PD98059 or inhibition of PKC with GF109203X, RA/MeHg-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was reduced and G1/0 phase arrest was induced. Thus, it indicates that the neuronal differentiation with RA was mediated by the ERK1/2 and PKC related pathway and MeHg resulted in neurotoxic influences through the disturbance in steps of differentiation by this pathway. These results suggest that MeHg inhibits RA-induced differentiation in SH-SY5Y cells by a pathway dependent ERK1/2 and PKC.
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