Vascular dementia (VaD) is characterized by a time-dependent memory deficit and essentially combined with evidence of neuroinflammation. Thus, polyphenol-rich natural plants, which possess ...anti-inflammatory properties, have received much scientific attention. This study investigated whether Perilla frutescens leaf extract (PFL) exerts therapeutic efficacy against VaD. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: SO, sham-operated and vehicle treatment; OP, operated and vehicle treatment; PFL-L, operated and low-dose (30 mg/kg) PFL treatment; PFL-M, operated and medium-dose (60 mg/kg) PFL treatment; and PFL-H, operated and high-dose (90 mg/kg) PFL treatment. Two-vessel occlusion and hypovolemia (2VO/H) were employed as a surgical model of VaD, and PFL was given orally perioperatively for 23 days. The rats underwent the Y-maze, Barnes maze, and passive avoidance tests and their brains were subjected to histologic studies. The OP group showed VaD-associated memory deficits, hippocampal neuronal death, and microglial activation; however, the PFL-treated groups showed significant attenuations in all of the above parameters. Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells, a murine microglial cell line, we measured PFL-mediated changes on the production of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-6, and the activities of their upstream MAP kinases (MAPKs)/NFκB/inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The LPS-induced upregulations of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 production and MAPKs/NFκB/iNOS activities were globally and significantly reversed by 12-h pretreatment of PFL. This suggests that PFL can counteract VaD-associated structural and functional deterioration through the attenuation of neuroinflammation.
Background
The number of elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery has recently increased. We therefore evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of elderly patients after curative ...gastrectomy.
Methods
Overall, 824 patients were included in this retrospective study, which comprised of a non-elderly group (60–64 years;
n
= 558), an early-elderly group (75–79 years;
n
= 198), and a late-elderly group (≥80 years;
n
= 68) who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between 2005 and 2009. Postoperative complications, according to the Clavien–Dindo classification, and survival of both elderly groups were compared with the non-elderly group. Postoperative life expectancy of the late-elderly group was compared with the corresponding aged general population.
Results
Overall and severe (grade III or higher) complications in the early-elderly group were comparable with the non-elderly group; however, those in the late-elderly group were significantly more common than in the non-elderly group (
p
= 0.013 and
p
= 0.043, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed that age ≥80 years was an independent risk factor for severe complications (hazard ratio 3.02, 95 % confidence interval 1.12–8.17;
p
= 0.029), and the disease-specific survivals of both elderly groups were comparable with the non-elderly group in all TNM stages. Postoperative life expectancy of late-elderly patients eliminating death from recurrence was comparable with the corresponding aged general population eliminating death from gastric cancer.
Conclusions
Gastric cancer surgery in elderly patients aged ≥80 years achieves reasonable long-term survival despite the increased risk of severe complications.
Many methods have been developed to recognize those progresses of technologies, and one of them is to analyze patent information. And visualization methods are considered to be proper for ...representing patent information and its analysis results. However, current visualization methods for patent analysis patent maps have some drawbacks. Therefore, we propose an alternative visualization method in this paper. With colleted keywords from patent documents of a target technology field, we cluster patent documents by the
k-Means algorithm. With the clustering results, we form a semantic network of keywords without respect of filing dates. And then we build up a patent map by rearranging each keyword node of the semantic network according to its earliest filing date and frequency in patent documents. Our approach contributes to establishing a patent map which considers both structured and unstructured items of a patent document. Besides, differently from previous visualization methods for patent analysis, ours is based on forming a semantic network of keywords from patent documents. And thereby it visualizes a clear overview of patent information in a more comprehensible way. And as a result of those contributions, it enables us to understand advances of emerging technologies and forecast its trend in the future.
Analysis of high-resolution seismic profiles and sediment data from the eastern Yellow Sea reveals that the late Quaternary deposits comprise six seismic units, interpreted as transgressive and ...highstand systems tracts formed since the LGM. Each unit was deposited during distinctive portions of the sea-level curve associated with hydrodynamic conditions. During the LGM (>19 ka BP), the study area was completely exposed, resulting in subaerial erosion associated with paleo-channel incision by the Huanghe and Korean Rivers. As the shelf was flooded, the incised channels were backfilled fluvial or coastal sediments, forming incised channel-fill deposits (SU1). The paleo-river may have supplied abundant terrigenous sediments to the study area around the paleo-river mouth and adjacent area. These sediments were trapped within the paleo-estuary and formed SU2, regarded as an estuarine deposit. Two types of serial sand ridges (SU3 and SU5) which correspond to transgressive deposits developed. SU3 on the southern part, west of Jeju Island (80–110 m deep) is regarded as a moribund-type mainly formed during the early to middle stage of transgression. These are thought to have ceased growing and remobilizing. In contrast, SU5 (occurring 30–50 m deep off the Korean Peninsula) is generally regarded as active sand ridges deposited during the late stage of transgression and is partly modified by modern tidal currents. As the transgression continued, the near-surface sediments were reworked and redistributed by shelf erosion, resulting in a thin veneer of transgressive sands (SU4). The uppermost unit (SU6) formed the Heuksan Mud Belt (HMB), which is one of the most prominent mud deposits in the Yellow Sea. The lower part of the HMD corresponds to shelf-mud deposited during the late stage of transgression, whereas the upper part consists of a recent shelf-delta developed after the highstand sea level at about 7 ka BP.
•Our research provides the results of late Quaternary sequence stratigraphy using seismic and core data.•The shelf deposits comprise six seismic units, interpreted as TST and HST formed since the LGM.•TST consists of paralic and marine unit bounded by the raviement surface.•Each unit was deposited during distinctive portions of the sea-level curve associated with hydrodynamic conditions.
Scrophularia takesimensis
is a critically endangered endemic species of Ulleung Island, Korea. A previous molecular phylogenetic study based on nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed ...spacer (ITS) sequences with very limited sampling suggested that it is most closely related to the clade comprising
S. alata
and
S. grayanoides
. To determine the origin of
S. takesimensis
, we sampled a total of 171 accessions including
S. takesimensis
(9 populations and 63 individuals) and two closely related species,
S. alata
(11 populations and 68 individuals) and
S. grayanoides
(5 populations and 40 individuals) from eastern Asia and sequenced ITS and two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) non-coding regions. Previously sequenced representative species of
Scrophularia
(109 taxa for ITS and 80 taxa for cpDNA) were combined with our data set and analyzed. While the global scale ITS phylogenetic tree suggests monophyly for each of the three eastern Asian species,
S. takesimensis
appears to be more closely related (albeit weakly) to a clade containing eastern North American/Caribbean species than to either
S. alata
or
S. grayanoides
. By contrast, the global scale cpDNA phylogenetic tree demonstrates that the eastern North America/Caribbean clade is sister to a clade comprising the three eastern Asian species. In addition, the monophyletic
S. takesimensis
is deeply embedded within paraphyletic
S. alata
, sharing its most recent common ancestor with populations from Japan/Sakhalin. Two divergent, geographically structured cp haplotype groups within
S. takesimensis
suggest at least two independent introductions from different source areas. A new and accurate chromosome number of
S. takesimensis
(2n = 94) is reported and some conservation strategies are discussed.
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured while restaging with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron ...emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to predict the 3-year post-recurrence survival (PRS) in patients with recurrent gastric cancer after curative surgical resection. Materials and Methods In total, 47 patients with recurrent gastric cancer after curative resection who underwent restaging with 18F-FDG PET/CT were included. For the semiquantitative analysis, SUVmax was measured over the visually discernable 18F-FDG-avid recurrent lesions. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to predict the 3-year PRS. Differences in 3-year PRS were assessed with the Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results Thirty-nine of the 47 patients (83%) expired within 3 years after recurrence in the median follow-up period of 30.3 months. In the multivariate analysis, SUVmax (p = 0.012), weight loss (p = 0.025), and neutrophil count (p = 0.006) were significant prognostic factors for 3-year PRS. The Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated significantly poor 3-year PRS in patients with SUVmax > 5.1 than in those with SUVmax ≤ 5.1 (3-year PRS rate, 3.5% vs. 38.9%, p Conclusion High SUVmax on restaging with 18F-FDG PET/CT is a poor prognostic factor for 3-year PRS. It may strengthen the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in further stratifying the prognosis of recurrent gastric cancer.
For low-power 8.5-Gbps operation, 4th-generation 10-nm 16-Gb LPDDR5x DRAM I/O circuits and control methods are proposed in this article. The proposed I/O improves signal integrity (SI) and power ...integrity (PI) by using a self-pre-emphasized stacked driver in transmitter (Tx), a supply voltage insensitive data receiver (Rx), and an optimized clock tree in write clock (WCK) clock paths. The measured eye widths of Tx and Rx, which are the indicators of the SI/PI, are 0.66 unit interval (UI) and 0.57 UI at 8.5 Gbps, respectively. Also, the measured power consumption is reduced by 20.0% compared to the previous LPDDR5 SDRAM product.
An amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc‐oxide (a‐IGZO) thin‐film transistor (TFT), which exhibits the best electrical stability (PBTS ≤ 0.009 V), is implemented to create quantum‐dot organic light‐emitting ...diode product. Electrical stability has been explained through various mechanisms involving defects related to oxygen and hydrogen. The defects of a‐IGZO are identified and the parameters of the deposition process are utilized to obtain Vo+ and VZn− values of 1.7 × 1017 and 2.4 × 1018 spins cm−3, respectively, which are quantified using electron spin resonance for the first time. The defects of the gate insulator (GI) in the upper and lower parts of the a‐IGZO TFT and the oxygen and hydrogen inflow/diffusion generated during the process are also controlled. From well‐controlled a‐IGZO and GI, the defect density at the top‐channel interface and near‐interface of the a‐IGZO TFT is reduced by 85% and 70%, respectively. The defects in the bottom‐channel are also reduced by 83% and 75% for the interface and near‐interface, respectively. Electrical stability is secured by controlling Vo+ and VZn− and reducing sub‐gap trap density among interface defects that are not directly observed until now. In this paper, it is reported that the best a‐IGZO TFT performance is achieved through defect engineering.
In this work, the defect of a‐IGZO thin‐film transistor (TFT) is quantified using electron spin resonance. In addition, using XPS and DSIMS, the effects of various defects such as Vo+, VZn−, and OAdsorp are observed. 3D trap density profiles are estimated using low‐frequency noise analysis. In dual‐gate a‐IGZO TFTs, it shows consistent results with DC characteristics and electrical stability of TFT.
Petersen's hernia, which occurs after Billroth-II (B-II) or Roux-en-Y (REY) anastomosis, can be reduced by defect closure. This study aims to compare the incidence of bowel obstruction above ...Clavien-Dindo classification grade III due to Petersen's hernia between the mesenteric fixation method and the conventional methods after laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy.
This study was designed as prospective, single-blind, non-inferiority randomized controlled multicenter trial in Korea. Patients with histologically diagnosed gastric cancer of clinical stages I, II, or III who underwent B-II or REY anastomosis after laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy are enrolled in this study. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria are randomly assigned to two groups: a CLOSURE group that underwent conventional Petersen's defect closure method and a MEFIX group that underwent the mesenteric fixation method. The primary endpoint is the number of patients who underwent surgery for bowel obstruction caused by Petersen's hernia within 3 years after laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy.
This trial is expected to provide high-level evidence showing that the MEFIX method can quickly and easily close Petersen's defect without increased postoperative complications compared to the conventional method.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05105360. Registered on November 3, 2021.
Functional gene transfer from organelles to the nucleus, known as intracellular gene transfer (IGT), is an ongoing process in flowering plants. The complete plastid genomes (plastomes) of two Ulleung ...island endemic violets,
Viola ulleungdoensis
and
V. woosanensis
, were characterized, revealing a lack of the plastid-encoded
infA
,
rpl32
, and
rps16
genes. In addition, functional replacement of the three plastid-encoded genes in the nucleus was confirmed within the genus
Viola
and the order Malpighiales. Three strategies for the acquisition of a novel transit peptide for successful IGT were identified in the genus
Viola
. Nuclear
INFA
acquired a novel transit peptide with very low identity between these proteins, whereas the nuclear
RPL32
gene acquired an existing transit peptide
via
fusion with the nuclear-encoded plastid-targeted
SOD
gene (Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase superfamily) as one exon, and translated both proteins in the cytosol using alternative mRNA splicing. Nuclear
RPS16
contains an internal transit peptide without an N-terminal extension. Gene loss or pseudogenization of the plastid-borne
rpl32
and
rps16
loci was inferred to occur in the common ancestor of the genus
Viola
based on an infrageneric phylogenetic framework in Korea. Although
infA
was lost in the common ancestor of the order Malpighiales, the
rpl32
and
rps16
genes were lost multiple times independently within the order. Our current study sheds additional light on plastid genome composition and IGT mechanisms in the violet genus and in the order Malpighiales.
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