Image capture using integrated 3D SoftChip technology

Mobile multimedia communication has rapidly become a significant area of research and development. The processing requirements for the capture, conversion, compression, decompression, enhancement, display, etc. of high quality multimedia content places heavy demands even on current ULSI (ultra large scale integration) systems, particularly for mobile applications where area and power are primary considerations. The system presented is designed as a vertically integrated (3D) system comprising two distinct layers bonded together using indium bump technology. The top layer is a CMOS imaging array containing analog-to-digital converters, and a buffer memory. The bottom layer takes the form of a configurable array processor (CAP), a highly parallel array of soft programmable processors capable of carrying out complex processing tasks directly on data stored in the top plane. Until recently, the dominant format of data in imaging devices has been analog. The analog photocurrent or sampled voltage is transferred to the ADC via a column or a column/row bus. In the proposed system, an array of analog-to-digital converters is distributed, so that a one-bit cell is associated with one sensor. The analog-to-digital converters are algorithmic current-mode converters. Eight such cells are cascaded to form an 8-bit converter. Additionally, each photosensor is equipped with a current memory cell, and multiple conversions are performed with scaled values of the photocurrent for colour processing

One-step fabrication of surface-decorated inorganic nanowires via single-nozzle electrospinning

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1A6A3A03004416) and (NRF-2015M1A2A2056833).One-dimensional heterostructured nanomaterials represent key building blocks for nanotechnologies due to a large number of applications such as electronics, catalysis, drug delivery, and energy storage and conversion devices. Electrospinning has been considered a straightforward and versatile method to prepare inorganic nanowires, but the heterostructured nanowires have been only fabricated by using dual-nozzle or by introducing additional encapsulating step. Here we report one-step fabrication of surface-decorated inorganic nanowires via single-nozzle electrospinning. Although the electrospinning precursor uses one mixed solution containing nickel salt, ceria nanoparticles, and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP), the nanowires show a core/shell-like shape. The surface-decorated nanowires consist of nickel shell and ceria core, which exhibits 95.52% of methane conversion at 600 °C whereas conventional particle-type catalysts have only 60% at the same temperature in steam reforming.PostprintPeer reviewe

Hepatitis B Virus Infection Rate among Koreans

To explore the overall infection state of Hepatitis B virus(HBV) in Korea during the 1980's, the standard valuesl weighted mean values) of infection ratelllt), the acute infection rate(AIR), and the chronic carrier ratelCCR) of HBV were estimated through summerizing the serological data from previous articles. The data used in this analysis include some cross sectional and a few follow-up studies, and were limited to those tested by the methods of radio immunoassay(RIA), reverse passive hemagglutiuation( RPHA), passive hemagglutination(PHA), or enzyme immunoassay(EIA) in order to maximize the validity. Using the sensitivity and specificity of each test method, we corrected the serological positivities from all data as if they were tested by RIA only. The age and sex specific IRs, AIRs, and CCRs of HBV were estimated, and the age adjusted rate for each sex was also estimated on the basis of the age structure of the 1985 population census. The IRs for men and women are 61.3% and 52.8%, the AIRs are 3.3% and 2.9%, and the CCRs are 4.7% and 3.3%, respectively

Generalized Lichen Nitidus Successfully Treated with Narrow-band UVB Phototherapy : Two Cases Report

Lichen nitidus (LN) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory skin disease composed of numerous, tiny, shiny, flesh-colored papules that are predominantly observed on the chest, abdomen, glans penis and upper extremities. The distribution of LN is most often localized, but in some cases it can become generalized. Because LN tends to be asymptomatic and presents spontaneous resolution within several years, it usually does not require treatment except in symptomatic, persistent and generalized cases. We describe a 28-yr-old man and a 7-yr-old boy with generalized LN where both cases improved with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy plus topical steroid ointment. Both patients noted improvement within the first three treatments and showed almost complete resolution after 18 and 20 treatments, respectively. NB-UVB phototherapy may be an effective alternative therapy for the treatment of generalized LN, even for those patients in their childhood

A mutual activation loop between breast cancer cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells facilitates spontaneous metastasis through IL-6 trans-signaling in a murine model

Introduction : Tumor cell interactions with the microenvironment, especially those of bone-marrow-derived myeloid cells, are important in various aspects of tumor metastasis. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been suggested to constitute tumor-favoring microenvironments. In this study, we elucidated a novel mechanism by which the MDSCs can mediate spontaneous distant metastasis of breast cancer cells. Methods : Murine breast cancer cells, 4T1 and EMT6, were orthotopically grafted into the mammary fat pads of syngeneic BALB/c mice. CD11b+Gr-1+ MDSCs in the spleen, liver, lung and primary tumor mass were analyzed. To evaluate the role of MDSCs in the distant metastasis, MDSCs were depleted or reconstituted in tumor-bearing mice. To evaluate whether MDSCs in the metastasizing tumor microenvironment affect breast cancer cell behavior, MDSCs and cancer cells were co-cultivated. To investigate the role of MDSCs in in vivo metastasis, we blocked the interactions between MDSCs and cancer cells. Results : Using a murine breast cancer cell model, we showed that murine breast cancer cells with high IL-6 expression recruited more MDSCs and that the metastasizing capacity of cancer cells paralleled MDSC recruitment in tumor-bearing mice. Metastasizing, but not non-metastasizing, tumor-derived factors induced MDSCs to increase IL-6 production and full activation of recruited MDSCs occurred in the primary tumor site and metastatic organ in the vicinity of metastasizing cancer cells, but not in lymphoid organs. In addition, tumor-expanded MDSCs expressed Adam-family proteases, which facilitated shedding of IL-6 receptor, thereby contributing to breast cancer cell invasiveness and distant metastasis through IL-6 trans-signaling. The critical role of IL-6 trans-signaling was confirmed in both the afferent and efferent pathways of metastasis. Conclusion : In this study, we showed that metastasizing cancer cells induced higher MDSCs infiltration and prompted them to secret exaggerated IL-6 as well as soluble IL-6Rα, which, in turn, triggered a persistent increase of pSTAT3 in tumor cells. This potential tumor-MDSC axis involving IL-6 trans-signaling directly affected breast cancer cell aggressiveness, leading to spontaneous metastasis.This work was supported by grants from the National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health & Welfare (12202001), Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2012008122), and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (2012014152).Peer Reviewe

Airway epithelial cells initiate the allergen response through transglutaminase 2 by inducing IL-33 expression and a subsequent Th2 response

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a post-translational protein-modifying enzyme that catalyzes the transamidation reaction, producing crosslinked or polyaminated proteins. Increased TG2 expression and activity have been reported in various inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation-associated pulmonary fibrosis, and autoimmune encephalitis. In particular, TG2 from epithelial cells is important during the initial inflammatory response in the lung. In this study, we evaluated the role of TG2 in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma, particularly whether TG2 affects initial activation signaling leading to Th2 differentiation against antigens. Methods We induced allergic asthma by ovalbumin sensitization and intranasal challenge in wild-type (WT) BALB/c and TG2-deficient mice. Broncheoalveolar lavage fluid cells and intracellular cytokine production were analyzed by flow cytometry. Interleukin (IL)-33 and TG2 expression in lung epithelial cells was detected by confocal microscopy. Results Airway responsiveness was attenuated in TG2-deficient mice compared to that in the WT control. In addition, recruitment of eosinophils and Th2 and Th17 differentiation decreased in TG2-deficient mice. Treatment with cysteamine, a transglutaminase inhibitor, also reduced airway hypersensitivity, inflammatory cell recruitment, and T helper cell differentiation. TG2-deficient mice showed reduced IL-33 expression following induction of allergic asthma compared to those in the WT control. Conclusions We found that pulmonary epithelial cells damaged by allergens triggered TG2-mediated IL-33 expression leading to type 2 responses by recruiting both innate and adaptive arms of the immune system.Peer Reviewe

Effects of Bladder Training and/or Tolterodine in Female Patients with Overactive Bladder Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized Study

We compared the effects of bladder training and/or tolterodine as first line treatment in female patients with overactive bladder (OAB). One hundred and thirty-nine female patients with OAB were randomized to treatment with bladder training (BT), tolterodine (To, 2 mg twice daily) or both (Co) for 12 weeks. Treatment efficacy was measured by micturition diary, urgency scores and patients' subjective assessment of their bladder condition. Mean frequency and nocturia significantly decreased in all treatment groups, declining 25.9% and 56.1%, respectively, in the BT group; 30.2% and 65.4%, respectively, in the To group; and 33.5% and 66.3%, respectively in the Co group (p<0.05 for each). The decrease in frequency was significantly greater in the Co group than in the BT group (p<0.05). Mean urgency score decreased by 44.8%, 62.2% and 60.2% in the BT, To, and Co groups, respectively, and the improvement was significantly greater in the To and Co groups than in the BT group (p<0.05 for each). Although BT, To and their combination were all effective in controlling OAB symptoms, combination therapy was more effective than either method alone. Tolterodine alone may be instituted as a first-line therapy, but may be more effective when combined with bladder training

Characteristics of Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3-δ nano-powders synthesized by different wet-chemical methods for solid oxide fuel cells

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1A6A3A03004416) and (NRF-2015M1A2A2056833).Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3-δ nano-particles were prepared by different wet-chemical synthesis, Pechini (BZCY(P)) and co-precipitation (BZCY(C)), respectively. The BZCY(C) powders have a particle size in range of about 50~150 nm, which is smaller than the BZCY(P) powders with about 500~900 nm. Both the BZCY materials show perovskite structures, but there are impurities in the BZCY (P). Moreover, the electrolyte density was higher in the BZCY (C) than the BZCY (P). The single cells with BZCY (C) electrolytes exhibited about 0.23 W cm−2 at 600 °C and about 0.31 W cm−2 at the same temperature were obtained when the anode-functional layer was introduced between the anode and electrolyte. Thus, the BZCY prepared by carbonate-derived co-precipitation method can be more favorable for high-purity and dense electrolytes in the solid oxide fuel cells than the BZCY prepared by Pechini method.PostprintPeer reviewe

Comparison of Clinico-Radiological Features between Congenital Cystic Neuroblastoma and Neonatal Adrenal Hemorrhagic Pseudocyst

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the radiological and clinical findings of congenital cystic neuroblastomas as compared with those of the cystic presentation of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the US (n = 52), CT (n = 24), and MR (n = 4) images as well as the medical records of 28 patients harboring congenital cystic neuroblastomas (n = 16) and neonatal adrenal hemorrhagic pseudocysts (n = 14). The history of prenatal detection, location, size, presence of outer wall enhancement, internal septations, solid portion, calcification, turbidity, vascular flow on a Doppler examination, and evolution patterns were compared in two groups of cystic lesions, by Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: All (100%) neuroblastomas and three (21%) of the 14 hemorrhagic pseudocysts were detected prenatally. Both groups of cystic lesions occurred more frequently on the right side; 11 of 16 (69%) for neuroblastomas and 11 of 14 (79%) for hemorrhagic pseudocysts. The size, presence of solid portion, septum, enhancement, and turbidity did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the two groups of cystic lesions. However, tiny calcifications (n = 3) and vascular flow on color Doppler US (n = 3) were noted in only neuroblastomas. The cystic neuroblastomas became complex solid and cystic masses, and did not disappear for up to 90 days in the three following cases, whereas 11 of the 14 (79%) hemorrhagic pseudocysts disappeared completely and the three remaining (27%) evolved to calcifications only. CONCLUSION: Although the imaging findings of two groups of cystic lesions were similar, prenatal detection, the presence of calcification on initial images, vascularity on color Doppler US, and evolution to a more complex mass may all favor neuroblastomasope