Objectives
To estimate the prevalence of fluoroquinolone‐resistant rectal flora in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate needle biopsy and to identify the high‐risk groups.
...Methods
From January 2015 to March 2016, rectal swabs of 557 men who underwent transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate needle biopsy were obtained from five institutions. Clinical variables, including demographics, rectal swab culture results and infectious complications, were evaluated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance of rectal flora and infectious complications.
Results
The incidence of fluoroquinolone‐resistant and extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase production was 48.1 and 11.8%, respectively. The most common fluoroquinolone‐resistant bacteria was Escherichia coli (81% of total fluoroquinolone‐resistant bacteria, 39% of total rectal flora), and 16 (2.9%) patients had infectious complications. Univariable and multivariable analysis of clinical parameters affecting fluoroquinolone resistance showed no factor associated with fluoroquinolone resistance of rectal flora. The clinical parameter related to infectious complications after prostate biopsy was a history of operation within 6 months (relative risk 6.60; 95% confidence interval 1.99–21.8, P = 0.002).
Conclusions
These findings suggest that a risk‐based approach by history taking cannot predict antibiotic resistance of rectal flora, and physicians should consider targeted antibiotic prophylaxis or extended antibiotic prophylaxis for Korean patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy because of high antibiotic resistance of rectal flora.
•(0.6−x)Re–xRu/MC catalysts with different Ru content (x, mol%) were prepared.•Liquid-phase hydrogenation of succinic acid to 1,4-butanediol (BDO) was conducted.•Yield for BDO showed a volcano-shaped ...trend with respect to Ru content.•TOFBDO increased with increasing the amount of weak hydrogen-binding sites.
A series of Re–Ru bimetallic catalysts supported on mesoporous carbon (denoted as (0.6−x)Re–xRu/MC) were prepared by a single-step surfactant-templating method and a subsequent incipient wetness impregnation method with a variation of ruthenium loading (x, mol%), and they were applied to the liquid-phase hydrogenation of succinic acid to 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The effect of metal content on the catalytic activities and physicochemical properties of (0.6−x)Re–xRu/MC catalysts was investigated. It was found that a Re–Ru miscible phase was formed in the catalysts during the reduction process, and it was responsible for strong interaction between rhenium and ruthenium. It was also revealed that reducibility, metal dispersion, and oxidation state of (0.6−x)Re–xRu/MC catalysts were affected by Re:Ru molar ratio. In particular, the oxidation state was closely related to the hydrogen adsorption behavior of the catalysts. The amount of weak hydrogen-binding sites increased with increasing the ratios of metallic rhenium (Re0) and ruthenium (Ru0) with respect to total metallic species in the reduced (0.6−x)Re–xRu/MC catalysts. Catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of succinic acid to BDO over (0.6−x)Re–xRu/MC showed a volcano-shaped trend with respect to Re:Ru molar ratio. This result was well correlated with the amount of weak hydrogen-binding sites of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, 0.3Re–0.3Ru/MC with the largest amount of weak hydrogen-binding sites showed the best catalytic performance in the BDO production by hydrogenation of succinic acid.
Purpose We aimed to investigate the effects of dupilumab on 1) the permeability and antimicrobial barrier, 2) the composition of the skin microbiome, and 3) the correlation between changes in skin ...barrier properties and microbiota in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Methods Ten patients with severe AD were treated with dupilumab for 12 weeks. Disease severity was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Skin barrier function was evaluated by measuring transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum (SC) hydration, and pH. The following parameters were analyzed in the pre- and post-treatment SC samples; 1) skin microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, 2) lipid composition using mass spectrometry, and 3) human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2) expression using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results SC hydration levels in the lesional and non-lesional skin increased after 12-week dupilumab therapy (24.2%, P < 0.001 and 59.9%, P < 0.001, respectively, vs. baseline) and correlated with EASI improvement (r = 0.90, P < 0.001 and r = 0.85, P = 0.003, respectively). Dupilumab increased the long-chain ceramide levels in atopic skin (118.4%, P = 0.028 vs. baseline) that correlated with changes in SC hydration (r = 0.81, P = 0.007) and reduced the elevated hBD-2 messenger RNA levels (−15.4%, P = 0.005 vs. baseline) in the lesional skin. Dupilumab decreased the abundance of Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, the microbial diversity and the abundance of Cutibacterium and Corynebacterium species increased, which were correlated with an increase in SC hydration levels (Shannon diversity, r = 0.71, P = 0.027; Cutibacterium, r = 0.73, P = 0.017; Corynebacterium, r = 0.75, P = 0.012). Increased abundance of Cutibacterium species was also correlated with EASI improvement (r = 0.68, P = 0.032). Conclusions Th2 blockade-induced normalization of skin microbiome in AD patients is associated with increased SC hydration.
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•A mesoporous Ni–Al2O3 aerogel catalyst (NAA) was prepared.•A mesoporous Ni–Al2O3 xerogel catalyst (NAX) was prepared.•Hydrogen was produced by tri-reforming of methane.•NAA catalyst ...showed better catalytic performance than NAX catalyst.
A mesoporous nickel–alumina aerogel catalyst (NAA) was prepared by an epoxide-initiated gelation method and a subsequent supercritical carbon dioxide drying method. For comparison, a mesoporous nickel–alumina xerogel catalyst (NAX) was also prepared by an epoxide-initiated gelation method without supercritical carbon dioxide drying. Both catalysts were applied to the hydrogen production by tri-reforming of methane. The effect of preparation method on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of the catalysts was investigated. Although both catalysts exhibited a well-developed mesoporous structure, NAA catalyst retained higher surface area and larger pore volume than NAX catalyst. It was also revealed that NAA catalyst retained higher nickel dispersion and larger methane adsorption capacity than NAX catalyst. In the hydrogen production by tri-reforming of methane, both catalysts exhibited a stable catalytic performance. However, NAA catalyst showed higher hydrogen yield and higher CH4 conversion than NAX catalyst. High nickel dispersion and strong affinity with methane of NAA catalyst was responsible for its high catalytic performance.
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•Ni–X/Al2O3–ZrO2 (AZ) (X=Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) catalysts were prepared.•Hydrogen was produced by steam reforming of ethanol.•Hydrogen yield increased with increasing ethanol adsorption ...capacity of the catalysts.•Hydrogen yield increased with increasing nickel surface area of the catalysts.
A series of alkaline earth metal-promoted nickel catalysts supported on Al2O3–ZrO2 (Ni–X/AZ, X=Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) were prepared by an epoxide-driven sol-gel method and a subsequent co-impregnation method. For comparison and reference, promoter-free Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 catalyst (Ni/AZ) was also prepared by an epoxide-driven sol-gel method and a subsequent impregnation method. The effect of alkaline earth metal addition on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of Ni–X/Al2O3–ZrO2 catalysts in the steam reforming of ethanol was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption, ICP-AES, XRD, TPR, TEM, H2-TPD, NH3-TPD, and EtOH-TPD analyses. It was revealed that addition of alkaline earth metal promoters reduced acidity of the catalysts and positively influenced catalytic activity in the steam reforming of ethanol. Hydrogen yield increased with the introduction of promoter, which was attributed to enhanced nickel dispersion. Nickel surface area and ethanol adsorption capacity of the catalysts were well correlated with hydrogen yield. Hydrogen yield increased with increasing nickel surface area and with increasing ethanol adsorption capacity of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Ni–Sr/AZ catalyst showed the most promising result. It was concluded that addition of alkaline earth metal promoters increased nickel surface area by acting as a spacer, leading to higher ethanol adsorption capacity and hydrogen yield.
Cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-like effector A (CIDEA) is a lipid droplet-associated protein and is a known marker of the thermogenic capacity of brown/beige adipocytes. To monitor the ...expression of CIDEA in live mice in a non-invasive manner, we generated CIDEA reporter mice expressing multicistronic mRNAs encoding CIDEA, luciferase 2, and tdTomato proteins under the control of the Cidea promoter. The expression level of endogenous CIDEA protein in adipose tissue was not affected by the expression of polycistronic reporters. The two CIDEA reporters, luciferase 2 and tdTomato, correctly reflected CIDEA protein levels. Importantly, luciferase activity was induced by cold exposure and the treatment with β3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL316,243 in interscapular and inguinal adipose tissue, which was detectable by in vivo bioluminescence imaging. We further evaluated the effects of candidate brown adipogenic agents using this CIDEA reporter system and demonstrated a positive correlation between drug-induced luciferase activity and thermogenic gene expression levels both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, we established a dual CIDEA reporter mouse model in which fluorescence and luminescence signals correctly reflect CIDEA expression, and therefore, suggested that this reporter system can be used to evaluate the thermogenic efficacy of candidate molecules.
KML001 is sodium metaarsenite, and has shown cytotoxic activity in human tumor cell lines. The anti-cancer mechanism of KML001 involves cancer cell destruction due to DNA damage at the telomeres of ...cancer cell chromosomes. In this study, we assessed the vascular disrupting properties of KML001 and investigated whether KML001 as VDA is able to increase anti-tumor activity in irinotecan combined treatment. We used a murine model of the CT26 colon carcinoma cell line. CT26 isograft mice treated intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg KML001 displayed extensive central necrosis of tumor by 24 h. The vascular disrupting effects of KML001 were assessed by dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Gadopentetic acid-diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid contrast enhancement was markedly decreased in KML001-treated mice one day after treatment, whereas persistently high signal enhancement was observed in mice injected with saline. Rate constant K(ep) value representing capillary permeability was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in mice treated with KML001. Cytoskeletal changes of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with 10 uM KML001 were assessed by immune blotting and confocal imaging. KML001 degraded tubulin protein in HUVECs, which may be related to vascular disrupting properties of KML001. Finally, in the mouse CT26 isograft model, KML001 combined with irinotecan significantly delayed tumor growth as compared to control and irinotecan alone. These results suggest that KML001 is a novel vascular disrupting agent, which exhibits significant vascular shut-down activity and enhances anti-tumor activity in combination with chemotherapy. These data further suggest an avenue for effective combination therapy in treating solid tumors.
•Nano-structured MgO–Al2O3 aerogel adsorbents were prepared.•Prepared adsorbents showed better CO2 capacity than commercial adsorbents.•CO2 adsorptive performance increased with increasing basicity ...of adsorbent.•Medium basicity is the key factor in determining CO2 adsorptive performance.
Nano-structured MgO–Al2O3 aerogel adsorbents (denoted as MgAl-AE-X) with different Mg/Al molar ratio (X) were prepared by a single-step epoxide-driven sol–gel method and a subsequent CO2 supercritical drying method. The effect of Mg/Al molar ratio of nano-structured MgO–Al2O3 aerogel adsorbents on their physicochemical properties and CO2 adsorptive performance at elevated temperature (200°C) was investigated. Successful formation of flower-like nano-structured MgAl-AE-X adsorbents was confirmed by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and SEM analyses. The crystalline structure of MgAl-AE-X adsorbents was transformed in the sequence of Al2O3→MgAl2O4→MgO-MgAl2O4 with increasing Mg/Al molar ratio from 0 to 3. All the MgAl-AE-X adsorbents were found to possess weak base site and medium base site except for strong base site. In the dynamic CO2 adsorption, both the total CO2 capacity and the 90% breakthrough CO2 capacity showed volcano-shaped curves with respect to Mg/Al molar ratio, and they were decreased in the order of MgAl-AE-0.5>MgAl-AE-1.0>MgAl-AE-2.0>MgAl-AE-3.0>MgAl-AE-0. It was found that the 90% breakthrough CO2 capacity increased with increasing medium basicity of the adsorbents. Among the adsorbents tested, MgAl-AE-0.5 (Mg/Al=0.5) adsorbent with the highest medium basicity showed the best CO2 adsorptive performance. Thus, medium basicity of nano-structured MgO–Al2O3 aerogel adsorbents served as a crucial factor in determining CO2 adsorptive performance at elevated flue gas temperature (200°C).
Hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol over mesoporous Ni–Al2O3–ZrO2 xerogel catalysts (denoted as XNiAZ) with different nickel content (X, wt%) was studied. A single-step epoxide-driven ...sol–gel method was employed for the preparation of the catalysts. The effect of nickel content of XNiAZ catalysts on their physicochemical properties and catalytic activities was investigated. All the XNiAZ catalysts exhibited a well-developed mesoporous structure and they dominantly showed an amorphous NiO–Al2O3–ZrO2 composite phase, leading to high dispersion of NiO. Nickel surface area and reducibility of XNiAZ catalysts showed volcano-shaped trends with respect to nickel content. Nickel surface area of XNiAZ catalysts played a key role in determining the catalytic performance in the steam reforming of ethanol; an optimal nickel content was required for maximum production of hydrogen. Among the catalysts tested, 15NiAZ catalyst with the highest nickel surface area exhibited the best catalytic performance in the steam reforming of ethanol. In addition, 15NiAZ catalyst showed high and stable hydrogen yields under different total feed rate, demonstrating its potential applicability in large-scale hydrogen production.
In the hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol over Ni–Al2O3–ZrO2 (XNiAZ) xerogel catalysts with different nickel content (X, wt%), hydrogen yield increased with increasing nickel surface area. Display omitted
•Hydrogen was produced by steam reforming of ethanol.•Ni–Al2O3–ZrO2 (XNiAZ) catalysts with different Ni content (X, wt%) were prepared.•An optimal Ni content was required for maximum production of hydrogen.•Hydrogen yield increased with increasing Ni surface area.
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