Incipient piezoelectrics and electrostriction behavior in Sn-doped Bi-1/2( Na0.82K0.18)(1/2) TiO3 lead-free ceramics

Dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and strain properties of lead-free Sn-doped Bi-1/2(Na0.82K0.18)(1/2)TiO3 (BNKT) were investigated. A crossover from a nonergodic relaxor to an ergodic relaxor state at room temperature, accompanied by a giant electric-field-induced strain, was observed at 5 at. % Sn doping. Switching dynamics monitored during a bipolar poling cycle manifested that the observed giant strain originates from incipient piezoelectricity. When Sn doping level reached 8 at. %, BNKT exhibited an electrostrictive behavior with a highly temperature-insensitive electrostrictive coefficient of Q(11) = 0.023 m(4)open3

韓国スポーツ社会学の研究動向と課題

This study reviewed and evaluated trends and outcomes in research in Korean sociology of sport. In particular, the authors felt it is necessary to conduct research in developmental subjects to cultivate a more substantial qualitative approach to this field. Results were as follows : 1) Research in the develpoment of Korean sociology of sport requires a variety of paradigms having the capacity to create distinctive concepts and theories. 2) There is a need to carry out basic research and applied study in Korean sociology of sport through the acquirement of both international knowledge and knowledge specific to Korea on the subject and to strive for various social advances in specialties in the field. 3) Although research on Korean sociology of sport that fits the natural features of korea is necessary immediately, a critical introduction on how America has influenced this field cannot be forgotten

Optical repumping of triplet PP-states enhances magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium atoms

Radiative decay from the excited $^1P_1$ state to metastable $^3P_2$ and $^3P_0$ states is expected to limit attainable trapped atomic population in a magneto-optic trap of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. In experiments we have carried out with optical repumping of $^3P_{0,2}$ states to $^3P_1$, we observe enhancement of trapped atoms yield in the excited $^1P_1$ state. The individual decay rate to each metastable state is measured and the results show an excellent agreement with the theoretical values.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Idiopathic severe hypermagnesemia in an extremely low birth weight infant on the first day of life

A preterm female infant born at 27 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 990 g developed acute hypotonia, apnea, hypotension and bradycardia mimicking septic shock syndrome at 14h after birth. Laboratory tests indicated a severe hypermagnesemia of 45 mg/dL. The renal function, complete blood count and maternal blood concentrations of magnesium were normal, and the blood cultures were negative. The patient recovered with treatment including exchange transfusion. However, the etiology of the severe hypermagnesemia remains unknown

Selection of internal reference genes for SYBR green qRT-PCR studies of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) tissues

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rhesus monkey (<it>Macaca mulatta</it>) is a valuable and widely used model animal for biomedical research. However, quantitative analyses of rhesus gene expression profiles under diverse experimental conditions are limited by a shortage of suitable internal controls for the normalization of mRNA levels. In this study, we used a systematic approach for the selection of potential reference genes in the rhesus monkey and compared their suitability to that of the corresponding genes in humans.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eight housekeeping genes (HKGs) (<it>GAPDH, SDHA, ACTB, RPL13A, RPL32, UBA52, PGK1Y</it>, and <it>YWHAZ</it>) from rhesus monkeys and humans were selected to test for normalization of expression levels in six different tissue types (brain, colon, kidney, liver, lung, and stomach). Their stability and suitability as reference genes were validated by <it>geNorm</it>, <it>NormFinder </it>and <it>BestKeeper </it>programs. Intriguingly, <it>RPL13A </it>and <it>RPL32 </it>were selected as ideal reference genes only in rhesus monkeys.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results clearly indicated the necessity of using different reference genes for normalization of expression levels between rhesus monkeys and humans in various tissues.</p

The role of adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy in rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastasis: a retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Synchronous liver metastases are detected in approximately 25% of colorectal cancer patients at diagnosis. The rates of local failure and distant metastasis are substantial in these patients, even after undergoing aggressive treatments including resection of primary and metastatic liver tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy is beneficial for pelvic control and overall survival in rectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis after primary tumor resection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Among rectal cancer patients who received total mesorectal excision (TME) between 1997 and 2006 at Yonsei University Health System, eighty-nine patients diagnosed with synchronous liver metastasis were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients received adjuvant pelvic RT (group S + R), and sixty-two patients were managed without RT (group S). Thirty-six patients (58%) in group S and twenty patients (74%) in group S+R received local treatment for liver metastasis. Failure patterns and survival outcomes were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pelvic failure was observed in twenty-five patients; twenty-one patients in group S (34%), and four patients in group S+R (15%) (<it>p </it>= 0.066). The two-year pelvic failure-free survival rates (PFFS) of group S and group S+R were 64.8% and 80.8% (<it>p </it>= 0.028), respectively, and the two-year overall survival rates (OS) were 49.1% and 70.4% (<it>p </it>= 0.116), respectively. In a subgroup analysis of fifty-six patients who received local treatment for liver metastasis, the two-year PFFS were 64.9% and 82.9% (<it>p </it>= 0.05), respectively; the two-year OS were 74.1% and 80.0% (<it>p </it>= 0.616) in group S (n = 36) and group S+R (n = 20), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Adjuvant pelvic RT significantly reduced the pelvic failure rate but its influence on overall survival was unclear. Rectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis may benefit from adjuvant pelvic RT through an increased pelvic control rate and improved quality of life.</p

Endovascular Stenting as a First Choice for the Palliation of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

To assess the effectiveness of endovascular stenting for the palliation of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, endovascular stent insertion was attempted in 10 patients with symptomatic occlusion of the SVC. All the patients had known malignant disease of the thorax. Eight patients had been treated previously with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=5), chemotherapy alone (n=2), or pneumonectomy and radiotherapy (n=1). After developing SVC syndrome, all the patients were stented before receiving any other treatment. After single or multiple endovascular stents were inserted, five of eight patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=2) or chemotherapy alone (n=3). Resolution of symptoms was achieved in nine patients within 72 hr (90%). In one patient, the symptoms did not disappear until a second intervention. At follow up, symptoms had recurred in two of ten patients (20%) after intervals of 15 and 60 days. Five patients have died from their cancers, although they remained free of symptoms of SVC occlusion until death. In conclusion, endovascular stent insertion is an effective treatment for palliation of SVC syndrome. Endovascular stent insertion can be considered the first choice of treatment, due to the immediate relief of symptoms and excellent sustained symptomatic relief

Clinical Usefulness of Preoperative and Postoperative Chest Computed Tomography for Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: This research sought to identify the utility value of chest computed tomography (CT) when it comes to the diagnosis of lung metastasis in cases of colorectal cancer. Methods: From September 2004 to January 2008, 266 patients who were treated for colorectal cancer at Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, were divided into two groups: one that underwent preoperative and postoperative periodical chest CT (periodical inspection group, PIG; May 2006 to January 2008, 135 patients) and one that did not undergo periodical chest CT (non-periodical inspection group, NPIG; September 2004 to April 2006, 131 patients) for comparison. Results: The overall lung metastasis diagnosis rates did not manifest any significant difference. The times to diagnose lung metastasis patients were 6.3 months and 15.7 months for the PIG and the NPIG, respectively (P = 0.022). The size of the metastatic lung nodule was smaller in the PIG than in the NPIG (< 1 cm in 9/9 patients vs. < 1 cm in 6/9 patients in the PIG and the NPIG, respectively; P = 0.02). A solitary lung metastasis was more frequently found in the PIG (5/9 patients) than in the NPIG (1/11 patients) (P = 0.024). During the follow-up period, 100% (2/2 patients) and 60% (3/5 patients) of the patients in the PIG and the NPIG, respectively, with stage III cancer underwent a lung metastasectomy (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Chest CT enables early diagnosis with a smaller size and a lower number of lung metastases in patients with colorectal cancer. Moreover, pulmonary the rate of the pulmonary resection for selected patients may be improved. However, the contribution of chest CT to increasing the survival rate must be investigated in a prospective randomized study. ?? 2010 The Korean Society of Coloproctology

Dose-specific effect of simvastatin on hypoxia-induced HIF-1α and BACE expression in Alzheimers disease cybrid cells

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited.Abstract Background Alzheimers disease (AD) is associated with vascular risk factors; brain ischemia facilitates the pathogenesis of AD. Recent studies have suggested that the reduction of AD risk with statin was achieved by decreased amyloidogenic amyloid precursor protein. Methods We used mitochondrial transgenic neuronal cell (cybrid) models to investigate changes in the levels of intracellular hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) in the presence of simvastatin. Sporadic AD (SAD) and age-matched control (CTL) cybrids were exposed to 2 % O2 and incubated with 1 μM or 10 μM simvastatin. Results There was no significant difference between cell survival by 1 or 10 μM simvastatin in both SAD and CTL cybrids. In the presence of 1 μM simvastatin, intracellular levels of HIF-1α and BACE decreased by 40–70 % in SAD, but not CTL cybrids. However, 10 μM simvastatin increased HIF-1α and BACE expression in both cybrid models. Conclusion Our results suggest demonstrate differential dose-dependent effects of simvastatin on HIF-1α and BACE in cultured Alzheimers disease cybrid cells