Integrating Deep Learning into CAD/CAE System: Generative Design and Evaluation of 3D Conceptual Wheel

Engineering design research integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) is actively being conducted. This study proposes a deep learning-based CAD/CAE framework in the conceptual design phase that automatically generates 3D CAD designs and evaluates their engineering performance. The proposed framework comprises seven stages: (1) 2D generative design, (2) dimensionality reduction, (3) design of experiment in latent space, (4) CAD automation, (5) CAE automation, (6) transfer learning, and (7) visualization and analysis. The proposed framework is demonstrated through a road wheel design case study and indicates that AI can be practically incorporated into an end-use product design project. Engineers and industrial designers can jointly review a large number of generated 3D CAD models by using this framework along with the engineering performance results estimated by AI and find conceptual design candidates for the subsequent detailed design stage

Use of Magnetic Nanoparticles to Visualize Threadlike Structures Inside Lymphatic Vessels of Rats

A novel application of fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles was made to visualize a new tissue which had not been detectable by using simple stereomicroscopes. This unfamiliar threadlike structure inside the lymphatic vessels of rats was demonstrated in vivo by injecting nanoparticles into lymph nodes and applying magnetic fields on the collecting lymph vessels so that the nanoparticles were taken up by the threadlike structures. Confocal laser scanning microscope images of cryosectioned specimens exhibited that the nanoparticles were absorbed more strongly by the threadlike structure than by the lymphatic vessels. Further examination using a transmission electron microscope revealed that the nanoparticles had been captured between the reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix of the threadlike structures. The emerging technology of nanoparticles not only allows the extremely elusive threadlike structures to be visualized but also is expected to provide a magnetically controllable means to investigate their physiological functions

Clinical Experiences of Cardiac Myxoma

Although cardiac myxoma is rare, it is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Seventy-four cases of cardiac myxoma that were surgically treated in our center between August 1980 and February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean patient age was 50.4 ± 15.0 (range 7-80) years, and 53 patients (71.6%) were female. The most common preoperative symptom, occurring in 44 patients, was dyspnea. The interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 9 months. Seventy cases were located in the left atrium, 3 in the right atrium and 1 in the right ventricle. The myxoma in the right ventricle could not be resected completely, due to severe infiltration. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp times were 100.4 ± 37.1 and 64.8 ± 29.8 minutes, respectively. There were no hospital deaths, and 7 patients suffered from postoperative complications including atrial fibrillation in 2 cases. During the follow up period (mean 105.7 ± 73.6 months), there was no tumor recurrence and 6 late deaths that were not related to the underlying tumor. There was no evidence of tumor growth in the cases with incomplete resection during the 14-month follow-up. In conclusion, in this study there was no recurrence of tumors after complete resection and surgical resection is considered to be the curative method of treatment for cardiac myxoma

Quantitative prediction of oral bioavailability of a lipophilic antineoplastic drug bexarotene administered in lipidic formulation using a combined in vitro lipolysis/microsomal metabolism approach

For performance assessment of the lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS), in vitro lipolysis is commonly applied because traditional dissolution tests do not reflect the complicated in vivo micellar formation and solubilisation processes. Much of previous research on in vitro lipolysis have mostly focused on rank-ordering formulations for their predicted performances. In this study, we have incorporated in vitro lipolysis with microsomal stability to quantitatively predict the oral bioavailability of a lipophilic antineoplastic drug bexarotene (BEX) administered in LBDDS. Two types of LBDDS were applied: lipid solution and lipid suspension. The predicted oral bioavailability values (Foral,predicted) of BEX from linking in vitro lipolysis with microsomal stability for lipid solution and lipid suspension were 34.2 1.6% and 36.2 2.6%, respectively, while the in vivo oral bioavailability (Foral) of BEX was tested as 31.5 13.4% and 31.4 5.2%, respectively. The Foral,predicted corresponded well with the Foral for both formulations, demonstrating that the combination of in vitro lipolysis and microsomal stability can quantitatively predict oral bioavailability of BEX. In vivo intestinal lymphatic uptake was also assessed for the formulations and resulted in [less than] 1% of the dose, which confirmed that liver microsomal stability was necessary for correct prediction of the bioavailability

Roles of Arrest-Defective Protein 1225 and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α in Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), a critical mediator of tumor angiogenesis, is a well-characterized target of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Murine arrest-defective protein 1A (mARD1A225) acetylates HIF-1??, triggering its degradation, and thus may play a role in decreased expression of VEGFA.Methods We generated ApcMin/+/mARD1A225 transgenic mice and quantified growth of intestinal polyps. Human gastric MKN74 and murine melanoma B16F10 cells overexpressing mARD1A225 were injected into mice, and tumor growth and metastasis were measured. VEGFA expression and microvessel density in tumors were assessed using immunohistochemistry. To evaluate the role of mARD1A 225 acetylation of Lys532 in HIF-1??, we injected B16F10-mARD1A225 cell lines stably expressing mutant HIF-1??/K532R into mice and measured metastasis. All statistical tests were two-sided, and P values less than. 05 were considered statistically significant.Results ApcMin/+/mARD1A225 transgenic mice (n = 25) had statistically significantly fewer intestinal polyps than Apc Min/+ mice (n = 21) (number of intestinal polyps per mouse: Apc Min/+ mice vs ApcMin/+/mARD1A225 transgenic mice, mean = 83.4 vs 38.0 polyps, difference = 45.4 polyps, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 41.8 to 48.6; P <. 001). The growth and metastases of transplanted tumors were also statistically significantly reduced in mice injected with mARD1A225-overexpressing cells than in mice injected with control cells (P <. 01). Moreover, overexpression of mARD1A 225 decreased VEGFA expression and microvessel density in tumor xenografts (P <. 04) and ApcMin/+ intestinal polyps (P =. 001). Mutation of lysine 532 of HIF-1?? in B16F10-mARD1A225 cells prevented HIF-1?? degradation and inhibited the antimetastatic effect of mARD1A225 (P <. 001).Conclusion mARD1A225 may be a novel upstream target that blocks VEGFA expression and tumor-related angiogenesis

Survey of Helicobacter infection in domestic and feral cats in Korea

Discovery of Helicobacter (H.) pylori has led to a fundamental change in our understanding of gastric diseases in humans. Previous studies have found various Helicobacter spp. in dogs and cats, and pets have been questioned as a zoonotic carrier. The present study surveyed the Helicobacter infections and investigated the presence of H. felis and H. pylori infections in domestic and feral cats in Korea. Sixty-four domestic cats and 101 feral cats were selected from an animal shelter. Saliva and feces were evaluated by Helicobacter genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genus-specific PCR positive samples were further evaluated for H. felis and H. pylori using specific primer pairs. Thirty-six of 64 (56.3%) samples from domestic cats and 92 of 101 (91.1%) samples from feral cats were PCR positive; the positive rate of feces samples was higher than that of saliva samples in both groups. H. felis and H. pylori species-specific PCR was uniformly negative. The prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in feral cats was approximately two-fold higher than that of domestic cats. The fecal-oral route may be more a common transmission route not only between cats but also in humans

Efficacy of High-dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Relapsed Medulloblastoma: A Report on The Korean Society for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (KSPNO)-S-053 Study

The efficacy and toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/ASCT) were investigated for improving the outcomes of patients with relapsed medulloblastoma. A total of 15 patients with relapsed medulloblastoma were enrolled in the KSPNO-S-053 study from May 2005 to May 2007. All patients received approximately 4 cycles of salvage chemotherapy after relapse. Thirteen underwent HDCT/ASCT; CTE and CM regimen were employed for the first HDCT (HDCT1) and second HDCT (HDCT2), respectively, and 7 underwent HDCT2. One transplant related mortality (TRM) due to veno-occlusive disease (VOD) occurred during HDCT1 but HDCT2 was tolerable with no further TRM. The 3-yr overall survival probability and event-free survival rates ±95% confidence intervals (CI) were 33.3±12.2% and 26.7% ±11.4%, respectively. When analysis was confined to only patients who had a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) prior to HDCT, the probability of 3-yr overall survival rates ±95% CI was 40.0±15.5%. No patients with stable disease (SD) or progressive disease (PD) survived. Survival rates from protocol KSPNO-S-053 are encouraging and show that tumor status prior to HDCT/ASCT is an important factor to consider for improving survival rates of patients with relapsed medulloblastoma

Idarubicin Plus Behenoyl Cytarabine and 6-thioguanine Compares Favorably with Idarubicin Plus Cytarabine-based Regimen for Children with Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia: 10-Year Retrospective, Multicenter Study in Korea

We investigated the outcome of idarubicin plus N4-behenoyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine (BHAC)-based chemotherapy (BHAC group, n=149) compared to idarubicin plus cytarabine-based chemotherapy (cytarabine group, n=191) for childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Between January 1996 and December 2005, 340 children with AML from 5 university hospitals in Korea received the BHAC-based or cytarabine-based chemotherapy, with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. After induction therapy, 264 (77.6%) of 340 children achieved a complete remission (CR) and 43 (12%) achieved a partial remission (PR). The CR rate in the BHAC group was higher than in the cytarabine group (85.2% vs. 71.7%, P=0.004). However, the overall response rate (CR+PR) was not different between the two groups (93.3% vs. 87.9%, P=0.139). The 5-yr estimates of overall survival (OS) of children in the two groups were similar (54.9% for the BHAC group vs. 52.4% for the cytarabine group, P=0.281). Although the results were analyzed according to the treatment type and cytogenetic risk, the OS showed no significant difference between the BHAC group and the cytarabine group. In the present study, the clinical outcomes of the BHAC-based chemotherapy, consisting of BHAC, idarubicin, and 6-TG, are comparable to that of the cytarabine-based chemotherapy for childhood AML