Percutaneous cryoablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Local ablation therapy is considered as a conventional treatment option for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although radiofrequency (RF) ablation is widely used for HCC, the use of cryoablation has been increasing as newer and safer cryoablation systems have developed. The thermodynamic mechanism of freezing and thawing used in cryoablation is the Joule-Thomson effect. Cryoablation destroys tissue via direct tissue destruction and vascular-related injury. A few recent comparative studies have shown that percutaneous cryoablation for HCCs is comparable to percutaneous RF ablation in terms of long term therapeutic outcomes and complications. Cryoablation has several advantages over RF ablation such as well visualization of iceball, no causation of severe pain, and lack of severe damage to great vessels and gallbladder. It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of cryoablation compared with RF ablation for improvement of therapeutic efficacy and safety

The MR imaging diagnosis of liver diseases using gadoxetic acid: Emphasis on hepatobiliary phase

Hepatocyte specific contrast agents including gadoxetic acid and gadobenate dimeglumine are very useful to diagnose various benign and malignant focal hepatic lesions and even helpful to estimate hepatic functional reservoir. The far delayed phase image referred to as the hepatobiliary phase makes the sensitivity of detection for malignant focal hepatic lesions increased, but specificity of malignant diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma, metastasis and cholangiocarcinoma, characterization remained to be undetermined

Extreme Drug Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in Intensive Care Units, South Korea

BACKGROUND: Difference in adaptability responses to stress has been observed amongst bird species, strains, and individuals. Components of the HPA axis, one of the internal systems involved in homeostasis re-establishment following stress, could play a role in this variability of responses. The aim of the present study was 1) to identify genes involved in the regulation of adrenal activity following ACTH stimulation and 2) to examine adrenal genes differentially expressed in individuals with high and low plasma corticosterone response following ACTH treatment. RESULTS: Analysis with 21 K poultry oligo microarrays indicated that ACTH treatment affected the expression of 134 genes. Several transcripts assigned to genes involved in the adrenal ACTH signaling pathway and steroidogenic enzymes were identified as differentially expressed by ACTH treatment. Real-time PCR on 18 selected genes confirmed changes in transcript levels of 11 genes, including MC2R, CREM, Cry, Bmal1, Sqle, Prax1, and StAR. Only 4 genes revealed to be differentially expressed between higher and lower adrenal responders to ACTH treatment. CONCLUSION: The results from the present study reveal putative candidate genes; their role in regulation of adrenal functions and adaptability to stress should be further investigated

The Relationship between Lewis/Secretor Genotypes and Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Levels in a Korean Population

Background : The Lewis histo-blood group system consists of 2 major antigens-Le(a) and Le(b)-and a sialyl Lewis antigen-carbohyd rate antigen (CA) 19-9. We investigated the distribution of Lewis genotypes and evaluated the relationship between the Lewis/Secretor genotypes and the serum level of CA 19-9 in a Korean population to identify whether the serum CA 19-9 levels are influenced by the Lewis/Secretor genotypes. Methods : The study included 242 individuals who had no malignancies. Lewis genotyping was performed for the 59T>G, 508G>A and 1067T>A polymorphic sites. The Secretor genotype was determined through analysis of the 357C>T and 385A>T polymorphic sites and the fusion gene. Serum CA 19-9 level was analyzed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results : Individuals carrying the 3 common genotypes-Le/Le, Le/le(59,508), and Le/le(59,1067)-accounted for 95% of the study population. In the Korean population, the allelic frequencies of Le, Le(59)le(59,508) and le(59,1067) were 0.731, 0.010, 0.223, and 0.035, respectiveiy. We found a significant difference in serum CA 19-9 concentrations among the 9 LewislSecretor genotype groups (P<0.001). The serum CA 19-9 levels in subjects with genotype groups 1 and 2 (Le/- and se/se) were higher than those with genotype groups 3-6 (Le/- and Se/-; 15.63 vs 6.64 kU/L, P<0.001). Conclusions : Le/Le(59,508), and Le/le(59,1067) are frequent Lewis genotypes in Koreans. Because serum CA 19-9 levels are significantly influenced by the LewislSecretor genotypes, caution is suggested when interpreting the serum CA 19-9 levels. (Korean J Lab Med 2010;30:51-7)SONG SY, 2008, KOREAN J HEMATOL, V43, P34Park KU, 2005, ANN HEMATOL, V84, P656, DOI 10.1007/s00277-005-1041-5Hayashi N, 2004, PATHOBIOLOGY, V71, P26, DOI 10.1159/000072959Hamajima N, 2002, J MOL DIAGN, V4, P103HAMAJIMA N, 2002, GASTRIC CANCER, V5, P194Liu TC, 2000, ANN HEMATOL, V79, P599Lamerz R, 1999, ANN ONCOL, V10, P145Vestergaard EM, 1999, CLIN CHEM, V45, P54Liu YH, 1999, J HUM GENET, V44, P181Kim MJ, 2002, YONSEI MED J, V43, P427SHIBATA A, 2003, GASTRIC CANCER, V6, P8Liu YH, 1999, J FORENSIC SCI, V44, P82Liu YH, 1998, HUM GENET, V103, P204Pang H, 1998, HUM GENET, V102, P675Narimatsu H, 1998, CANCER RES, V58, P512Liu YH, 1996, J FORENSIC SCI, V41, P1018Koda Y, 1996, AM J HUM GENET, V59, P343Kudo T, 1996, J BIOL CHEM, V271, P9830ROUQUIER S, 1995, J BIOL CHEM, V270, P4632KELLY RJ, 1995, J BIOL CHEM, V270, P4640NISHIHARA S, 1994, J BIOL CHEM, V269, P29271MOLLICONE R, 1994, J BIOL CHEM, V269, P20987

Association of the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene polymorphism with ankylosing spondylitis in the Korean population

The PD-1 (programmed death 1) molecule is a negative regulator of T cells. PDCD1 (programmed cell death 1) has been reported to have a genetic association in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in Caucasians. However, there are no reports on the association between this gene and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The present study investigated the association of the PD-1 polymorphisms and the haplotypes with AS in a Korean population sample. In a case-control association study, two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, PD-1.5 C/T and PD-1.9 T/C, were genotyped in 95 AS patients and 130 healthy controls. The T allele of the PD-1.9 polymorphism was more frequent in the Korean male population with AS than in the Korean male controls (21.0% versus 6.9%, odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.483 to 2.408). The frequency of the CT haplotype (PD-1.5 C/T and PD-1.9 T/C) was higher in the AS patients (19%) than the controls (5.4%) (odds ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.559 to 2.521). The PD-1 polymorphism was demonstrated in Korean AS patients. The results suggest a genetic association between the PD-1 polymorphism and susceptibility to AS

Radiofrequency ablation of very-early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode US: value of fusion imaging with contrast-enhanced US

Background/AimsTo determine the value of fusion imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) images for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of very-early-stage hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that are inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode ultrasound (US) and CT/MR images.MethodsThis retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Fusion imaging with CEUS using Sonazoid contrast agent and CT/MR imaging was performed on HCCs (<2 cm) that were inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode US. We evaluated the number of cases that became conspicuous on fusion imaging with CEUS. Percutaneous RFA was performed under the guidance of fusion imaging with CEUS. Technical success and major complication rates were assessed.ResultsIn total, 30 patients with 30 HCCs (mean, 1.2 cm; range, 0.6-1.7 cm) were included, among which 25 (83.3%) became conspicuous on fusion imaging with CEUS at the time of the planning US and/or RFA procedure. Of those 25 HCCs, RFA was considered feasible for 23 (92.0%), which were thus treated. The technical success and major complication rates were 91.3% (21/23) and 4.3% (1/23), respectively.ConclusionsFusion imaging with CEUS and CT/MR imaging is highly effective for percutaneous RFA of very-early-stage HCCs inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode US and CT/MR imaging

Enhanced efficiency of crystalline Si solar cells based on kerfless-thin wafers with nanohole arrays

Several techniques have been proposed for kerfless wafering of thin Si wafers, which is one of the most essential techniques for reducing Si material loss in conventional wafering methods to lower cell cost. Proton induced exfoliation is one of promising kerfless techniques due to the simplicity of the process of implantation and cleaving. However, for application to high efficiency solar cells, it is necessary to cope with some problems such as implantation damage removal and texturing of (111) oriented wafers. This study analyzes the end-of-range defects at both kerfless and donor wafers and ion cutting sites. Thermal treatment and isotropic etching processes allow nearly complete removal of implantation damages in the cleaved-thin wafers. Combining laser interference lithography and a reactive ion etch process, a facile nanoscale texturing process for the kerfless thin wafers of a (111) crystal orientation has been developed. We demonstrate that the introduction of nanohole array textures with an optimal design and complete damage removal lead to an improved efficiency of 15.2% based on the kerfless wafer of a 48 mu m thickness using the standard architecture of the Al back surface field

The effect of alpha lipoic acid in a porcine in-stent restenosis model

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha lipoic acid (α-LA) on a porcine in-stent restenosis (ISR) model.MethodsIn protocol 1, porcine vascular smooth muscle cells (PVSMC) were stimulated by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the presence or absence of α-LA. MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl] 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and western blotting were used to determine the cell growth inhibitory rate and anti-inflammatory effect associated with nuclear factor-κb (NF-κb) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In protocol 2, 28 days after balloon overdilation injuries, 24 bare metal stents were placed in coronary artery of 12 pigs. The pigs were randomly divided to receive control diet with or without α-LA (100mg/kg). In protocol 3, 8 control stents and 8 α-LA coated stents were randomly implanted in 2 coronary arteries of 8 pigs and follow-up coronary angiogram and histopathologic assessment were performed 4 weeks after stenting.ResultsProtocol 1. The proliferation of PVSMC was inhibited and protein expression of NF-κb and ERK were attenuated by α-LA pretreatment. Protocol 2. On histopathologic analysis, the neointimal area (4.0±1.0mm2 vs. 1.5±0.7mm2, p<0.001) and histopathologic area of stenosis (66.7±10.7% vs. 24.2±9.7%, p<0.001) were reduced in the α-LA feeding group compared to controls. Protocol 3. On histopathologic analysis, the neointimal area (3.9±0.8mm2 vs. 1.0±0.4mm2, p<0.001), and the histopathologic area of stenosis (67.1±8.8% vs. 17.4±10.0%, p<0.001) were reduced in the α-LA coated stent group compared to the control stent group.Conclusionsα-LA feeding and α-LA coated stents inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in porcine ISR, possibly through inhibiting the activation of NF-κb pathway and proliferation of PVSMC