Second-Line Irinotecan, Leucovorin, and 5-Fluorouracil for Gastric Cancer Patients after Failed Docetaxel and S-1

Background. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy and toxicities of second-line chemotherapy with irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients previously treated with docetaxel and S-1 with or without oxaliplatin (DS/DOS). Patients and Methods. We reviewed the data of patients who had previously been treated with first-line DS/DOS and received biweekly irinotecan-based chemotherapy (FOLFIRI/IFL) between October 2004 and November 2011. Results. A total of 209 cycles were administered to 35 patients, with a median of 4 (range, 1–22) cycles each. The overall response rate in 29 response-assessable patients was 17.2%, including 2 complete and 3 partial responses. The median progression-free and overall survivals were 3.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82–5.80) months and 6.24 (95% CI, 1.44–11.04) months, respectively. The major grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (8.6%). Conclusion. FOLFIRI/IFL chemotherapy showed modest antitumour activity and tolerable toxicities in DS/DOS-treated MGC patients

Second-Line Irinotecan, Leucovorin, and 5-Fluorouracil for Gastric Cancer Patients after Failed Docetaxel and S-1

Background. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy and toxicities of second-line chemotherapy with irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients previously treated with docetaxel and S-1 with or without oxaliplatin (DS/DOS). Patients and Methods. We reviewed the data of patients who had previously been treated with firstline DS/DOS and received biweekly irinotecan-based chemotherapy (FOLFIRI/IFL) between October 2004 and November 2011. Results. A total of 209 cycles were administered to 35 patients, with a median of 4 (range, 1-22) cycles each. The overall response rate in 29 response-assessable patients was 17.2%, including 2 complete and 3 partial responses. The median progression-free and overall survivals were 3.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82-5.80) months and 6.24 (95% CI, 1.44-11.04) months, respectively. The major grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (8.6%). Conclusion. FOLFIRI/IFL chemotherapy showed modest antitumour activity and tolerable toxicities in DS/DOS-treated MGC patients

A sound mind in a sound body?: the association of adolescents chronic illness with intrinsic life goals and the mediating role of self-esteem and peer relationship

This study examines the impact chronic physical illnesses, such as asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, have on the life goals of Korean adolescents, and evaluates the mediating effects self-esteem and peer relationship have in this regard. Data were sourced from the fifth wave of the Korea Child and Youth Panel Survey, which comprised 2,351 high-school adolescents, 42.5% of whom had a chronic physical illness. The major findings were: chronic physical illness has a positive association with adolescents' intrinsic life goals, and self-esteem and peer relationship mediate the relationship between adolescents' chronic physical illness and intrinsic life goals. Setting intrinsic life goals is essential for well-being, but the aspirations of adolescents with chronic physical illness are often constrained by their illness and treatment. This study revealed that, despite these constraints, adolescents with chronic physical illness who have higher self-esteem and high-quality friendships strive for positive and constructive life goals. Thus, the study suggests adolescents' well-being can be enhanced through improving their self-esteem and peer relationships.N

Antibodies to Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein in Patients with Chronic Relapsing Inflammatory Optic Neuropathy

We investigated the presence of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Ab) in patients with isolated optic neuritis (ON) and evaluated the features in chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (CRION) patients with MOG-Ab

Modeling of Triangular Sacrificial Layer Residue Effect in Nano-Electro-Mechanical Nonvolatile Memory

A modified modeling of residue effect on nano-electromechanical nonvolatile memory (NEMory) is presented for considering wet etching process. The effect of a residue under the cantilever is investigated for the optimization. The feasibility of the proposed model is investigated by finite element analysis simulations.N

Comparison of operator radiation exposure between C-arm and O-arm fluoroscopy for orthopaedic surgery

The O-arm system has recently been introduced and has the capability of combined two-dimensional (2-D) fluoroscopy imaging and three-dimensional computed tomography imaging. In this study, an orthopaedic surgical procedure using C-arm and O-arm systems in their 2-D fluoroscopy modes was simulated and the radiation doses to susceptible organs to which operators can be exposed were investigated. The experiments were performed in four configurations of the location of the X-ray source and detector. Shielding effects on the thyroid surface and the direct exposure delivered to the surgeons hands were also compared. The results obtained show that the O-arm delivered higher doses to the sensitive organs of the operator in all configurations. The thyroid shield cut-off 89 of the dose in the posteroanterior configuration of both imaging systems. Thus, the operators need to pay more attention to managing radiation exposure, especially when using the O-arm system.N

A Comparison Study of Posture and Fatigue of Neck According to Monitor Types (Moving and Fixed Monitor) by Using Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon (FRP) and Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)

This study quantified the neck posture and fatigue using the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) and craniovertebral angle (CVA); further, it compared the difference between the level of fatigue and neck posture induced by two types of monitors (regular fixed monitor and moving monitor). Twenty-three male participants were classified into two groups—the low-flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) group and the normal-FRR group, depending on the FRR value. All participants performed a document task for 50 min using both types of monitors. It was found that the FRR values significantly decreased after the documentation task. The CVA analysis showed that the moving monitor’s frequency of forward head posture (FHP) was lower than that for the fixed monitor. Overall, the moving monitor worked better than the fixed monitor; this can be interpreted as proof that such monitors can reduce neck fatigue

Natural polypeptide-based supramolecular nanogels for stable noncovalent encapsulation

Supramolecular nanogel, a physically cross-linked nanosize hydrogel, spontaneously self-assembles in aqueous solution via secondary interactions and is thus of great interest in nanomedicine as a drug carrier. We developed a versatile method for supramolecular nanogel self-assembled by electrostatic interaction between positive surfactant micelles and negative polypeptides. Core-shell-like structures of supramolecular nanogels provide stable hydrophobic pockets that prevent simple diffusion of hydrophobic guest molecules, resulting in high encapsulation stability. The size of the supramolecular nanogels can be systematically controlled by varying the size of the surfactant micelles. Furthermore, noncovalently encapsulated dye molecules can be released in response to matrix metalloproteinases highly overexpressed in tumor tissues, potentially providing tumor-triggered targeting.close2

Tension exerted on cells by magnetic nanoparticles regulates differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Cells can ???sense??? physical cues in the surrounding microenvironment and ???react??? by changing their function. Previous studies have focused on regulating the physical properties of the matrix, such as stiffness and topog-raphy, thus changing the tension ???felt??? by the cell as a result. In this study, by directly applying a quantified magnetic force to the cell, a correlation between differentiation and tension was shown. The magnetic force, quantified by magnetic tweezers, was applied by incorporating magnetotactic bacteria-isolated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in human mesenchymal stem cells. As the applied tension increased, the expression levels of osteogenic differentiation marker genes and proteins were proportionally upregulated. Additionally, the translocation of YAP and RUNX2, deformation of nucleus, and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway were observed in tension-based osteogenic differentiation. Our findings provide a platform for the quantitative control of tension, a key factor in stem cell differentiation, between cells and the matrix using MNPs. Furthermore, these findings improve the understanding of osteogenic differentiation by mechanotransduction.11Nsciescopu