Effects of Polyethylene Glycol-Induced Water Stress on the Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Different Sorghum Genotypes

Globally, abiotic stress is the primary cause of crop loss, reducing the average yields of most major crop plants by more than 50% (Bray et. al., 2000). Drought stress is one of the most widespread environmental stresses when the total area of arable land is classified according to the occurrence of various stress factors (Arora et al., 2002). Drought and other abiotic stresses limit the photosynthetic activity of various crops, which in turn reduces the production of photosynthetic assimilates. Almost every developmental stage of the plant is affected by water stress. However, it has been observed that drought stress is more damaging to plants at the growth and germination stages, affecting seedling shoot length, flowering, and root length (Khayatnezhad, et al., 2010

Electro-deposition and re-oxidation of carbon in carbonate containing molten salts

The electrochemical deposition and re-oxidation of solid carbon were studied in CO32− ion-containing molten salts (e.g. CaCl2–CaCO3–LiCl–KCl and Li2CO3–K2CO3) at temperatures between 500 and 800 °C under Ar, CO2 or N2–CO2 atmospheres. The electrode reactions were investigated by thermodynamic analysis, cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry in a three-electrode cell under various conditions. The findings suggest that the electro-reduction of CO32− is dominated by carbon deposition on all three tested working electrodes (Ni, Pt and mild steel), but partial reduction to CO can also occur. Electro-re-oxidation of the deposited carbon in the same molten salts was investigated for potential applications in, for example, direct carbon fuel cells. A brief energy and cost analysis is given based on results from constant voltage electrolysis in a two-electrode cell.</p

Type and cause of liver disease in Korea: single-center experience, 2005-2010

Background/AimsThe aim of this study was to describe the types and causes of liver disease in patients from a single community hospital in Korea between April 2005 and May 2010.MethodsA cohort of patients who visited the liver clinic of the hospital during the aforementioned time period were consecutively enrolled (n=6,307). Consistent diagnostic criteria for each liver disease were set by a single, experienced hepatologist, and the diagnosis of all of the enrolled patients was confirmed by retrospective review of their medical records.ResultsAmong the 6,307 patients, 528 (8.4%) were classified as acute hepatitis, 3,957 (62.7%) as chronic hepatitis, 767 (12.2%) as liver cirrhosis, 509 (8.1%) as primary liver cancer, and 546 (8.7%) as a benign liver mass or other diseases. The etiologies in the acute hepatitis group in decreasing order of prevalence were hepatitis A (44.3%), toxic hepatitis (32.4%), other hepatitis viruses (13.8%), and cryptogenic hepatitis (9.1%). In the chronic hepatitis group, 51.2% of cases were attributed to viral hepatitis, 33.3% to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and 13.0% to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Of the cirrhoses, 73.4% were attributable to viral causes and 18.1% to alcohol. Of the hepatocellular carcinoma cases, 86.6% were attributed to viral hepatitis and 11.6% to ALD. Among the benign tumors, hemangioma comprised 52.2% and cystic liver disease comprised 33.7%.ConclusionsKnowledge of the current status of the type and cause of liver disease in Korea may be valuable as a basis for evaluating changing trends in liver disease in that country

Electro-deposition and re-oxidation of carbon in carbonate containing molten salts

The electrochemical deposition and re-oxidation of solid carbon were studied in CO3(2-) ion-containing molten salts (e.g. CaCl2-CaCO3-LiCl-KCl and Li2CO3-K2CO3) at temperatures between 500 and 800 °C under Ar, CO2 or N2-CO2 atmospheres. The electrode reactions were investigated by thermodynamic analysis, cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry in a three-electrode cell under various conditions. The findings suggest that the electro-reduction of CO3(2-) is dominated by carbon deposition on all three tested working electrodes (Ni, Pt and mild steel), but partial reduction to CO can also occur. Electro-re-oxidation of the deposited carbon in the same molten salts was investigated for potential applications in, for example, direct carbon fuel cells. A brief energy and cost analysis is given based on results from constant voltage electrolysis in a two-electrode cell

Defining the Optimal Time of Adaptive Replanning in Prostate Cancer Patients with Weight Change during Volumetric Arc Radiotherapy: A Dosimetric and Mathematical Analysis Using the Gamma Index

We evaluated the changes in the dose distribution of radiation during volumetric arc radiotherapy (VMAT), to determine the right time for adaptive replanning in prostate cancer patients with progressive weight (WT) changes. Five prostate cancer patients treated with VMAT were selected for dosimetric analysis. On the original computed tomography images, nine artificial body contours were created to reflect progressive WT changes. Combined with three different photon energies (6, 10, and 15-MV), 27 comparable virtual VMAT plans were created per patient. The dosimetric analysis included evaluation of target coverage (D95%,Dmax), conformity index, homogeneity index, and organs at risk doses. The dose differences among the plans were determined using the gamma index analysis and were compared with the dosimetric analysis. Mean D95% became lower than 98% when body contour expanded by 2.0 cm or more and Dmax became higher than 107% when body contour contracted by 1.5 cm or more in 10-MV plans. This cut-off values correlated well with gamma index analysis results. Adaptive replanning should, therefore, be considered if the depth of body contour becomes 1.5 cm smaller (WT loss) or 2.0 cm larger (WT gain) in patients treated by VMAT with 10-MV photons

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Korean patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6

Background/AimsThe distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2.MethodsThis was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared.ResultsThe patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2.ConclusionsThe epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring