Lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites containing various nanoparticles as additives

In this study, we show the effect of various nanoparticle additives on phase separation behavior of a lattice-patterned liquid crystal [LC]-polymer composite system and on interfacial properties between the LC and polymer. Lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites were fabricated by exposing to UV light a mixture of a prepolymer, an LC, and SiO2 nanoparticles positioned under a patterned photomask. This resulted in the formation of an LC and prepolymer region through phase separation. We found that the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles significantly affected the electro-optical properties of the lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites. This effect is a fundamental characteristic of flexible displays. The electro-optical properties depend on the size and surface functional groups of the SiO2 nanoparticles. Compared with untreated pristine SiO2 nanoparticles, which adversely affect the performance of LC molecules surrounded by polymer walls, SiO2 nanoparticles with surface functional groups were found to improve the electro-optical properties of the lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites by increasing the quantity of SiO2 nanoparticles. The surface functional groups of the SiO2 nanoparticles were closely related to the distribution of SiO2 nanoparticles in the LC-polymer composites, and they influenced the electro-optical properties of the LC molecules. It is clear from our work that the introduction of nanoparticles into a lattice-patterned LC-polymer composite provides a method for controlling and improving the composite's electro-optical properties. This technique can be used to produce flexible substrates for various flexible electronic devices

LAVA HyperSense and deep-learning reconstruction for near-isotropic (3D) enhanced magnetic resonance enterography in patients with Crohn’s disease: utility in noise reduction and image quality improvement

PURPOSEThis study aimed to compare near-isotropic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1W) magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) images reconstructed with vendor-supplied deep-learning reconstruction (DLR) with those reconstructed conventionally in terms of image quality.METHODSA total of 35 patients who underwent MRE for Crohn’s disease between August 2021 and February 2022 were included in this retrospective study. The enteric phase CE-T1W MRE images of each patient were reconstructed with conventional reconstruction and no image filter (original), with conventional reconstruction and image filter (filtered), and with a prototype version of AIRTM Recon DL 3D (DLR), which were then reformatted into the axial plane to generate six image sets per patient. Two radiologists independently assessed the images for overall image quality, contrast, sharpness, presence of motion artifacts, blurring, and synthetic appearance for qualitative analysis, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured for quantitative analysis.RESULTSThe mean scores of the DLR image set with respect to overall image quality, contrast, sharpness, motion artifacts, and blurring in the coronal and axial images were significantly superior to those of both the filtered and original images (P 0.05). In the quantitative analysis, the SNR was significantly increased in the order of original, filtered, and DLR images (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONUsing DLR for near-isotropic CE-T1W MRE improved the image quality and increased the SNR

Anticancer Efficacy of Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris is used widely as a traditional medicine in East Asia. Although a few studies have attempted to elucidate the anticancer activities of C. militaris, the precise mechanism of C. militaris therapeutic effects is not fully understood. We examined the anticancer activities of C. militaris ethanolic extract (Cm-EE) and its cellular and molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, a xenograft mouse model bearing murine T cell lymphoma (RMA) cell-derived cancers was established to investigate in vivo anticancer mechanisms. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, immunoblotting analysis, and flow cytometric assay were employed to check in vitro cytotoxicity, molecular targets, and proapoptotic action of Cm-EE. Interestingly, cancer sizes and mass were reduced in a C. militaris-administered group. Levels of the phosphorylated forms of p85 and AKT were clearly decreased in the group administered with Cm-EE. This result indicated that levels of phosphoglycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and cleaved caspase-3 were increased with orally administered Cm-EE. In addition, Cm-EE directly inhibited the viability of cultured RMA cells and C6 glioma cells. The number of proapoptotic cells was significantly increased in a Cm-EE treated group compared with a control group. Our results suggested that C. militaris might be able to inhibit cancer growth through regulation of p85/AKT-dependent or GSK3β-related caspase-3-dependent apoptosis

Rocuronium bromide induced anaphylaxis in a child -A case report-

Anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reaction in pediatric patient during anesthesia is rare. We report a rocuronium induced anaphylactic reaction in a 33-month-old female. The patient was scheduled to undergo escharectomy due to injuries suffered from a major burn. Shortly after administration of rocuronium, the patient developed severe hypotension, tachycardia, and hypoxia. A similar reaction occurred after administration of rocuronium on subsequent anesthesia. She underwent uneventful anesthesia with volatile induction and maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane on her next 7 operations without using of muscle relaxant

First molecular and isotopic evidence of millet processing in prehistoric pottery vessels

Analysis of organic residues in pottery vessels has been successful in detecting a range of animal and plant products as indicators of food preparation and consumption in the past. However, the identification of plant remains, especially grain crops in pottery, has proved elusive. Extending the spectrum is highly desirable, not only to strengthen our understanding of the dispersal of crops from centres of domestication but also to determine modes of food processing, artefact function and the culinary significance of the crop. Here, we propose a new approach to identify millet in pottery vessels, a crop that spread throughout much of Eurasia during prehistory following its domestication, most likely in northern China. We report the successful identification of miliacin (olean-18-en-3β-ol methyl ether), a pentacyclic triterpene methyl ether that is enriched in grains of common/broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum), in Bronze Age pottery vessels from the Korean Peninsula and northern Europe. The presence of millet is supported by enriched carbon stable isotope values of bulk charred organic matter sampled from pottery vessel surfaces and extracted n-alkanoic acids, consistent with a C4 plant origin. These data represent the first identification of millet in archaeological ceramic vessels, providing a means to track the introduction, spread and consumption of this important crop

Pixel-isolation liquid crystals formed by polarization-selective UV-curing of a prepolymer containing cinnamate oligomer

A pixel isolated liquid crystal display was fabricated by polarization-selective anisotropic photoreaction of a prepolymer containing a cinnamate oligomer. The cinnamate oligomer was mainly distributed on the surface region of a UV-cured polymer wall. Anisotropic photo-dimerization of cinnamate moiety was achieved by polarized UV exposure. It was found that the polymer walls containing cinnamate dimers formed by polarized UV exposure showed ordered orientation of LC molecules at the boundary of the polymer walls resulting in electro-optic performance improvement. © 2010 Optical Society of America.1

Incidence and risk factors of subsyndromal delirium after curative resection of gastric cancer

Background: Subsyndromal delirium, a condition in which patients exhibit some, but not all, of the symptoms of delirium, can negatively affect the outcomes of patients with cancer. However, the incidence of subsyndromal delirium in patients with gastric cancer is unknown. Here, we investigated the incidence and risk factors of subsyndromal delirium after curative resection of gastric cancer. Methods: We recruited consecutive patients with gastric cancer who were scheduled for curative resection at a tertiary hospital. Patients&apos; subsyndromal delirium symptoms were serially assessed preoperatively and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days postoperatively using the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98). A DRS-R-98 score of 8-14 at any postoperative assessment was considered to indicate subsyndromal delirium. Sociodemographic and pre-/intraoperative clinical data were also assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associated risk factors. Results: Data were analysed from 163 out of 217 eligible patients. Postoperative delirium occurred in one patient (0.6%) and subsyndromal delirium occurred in 19 patients (11.7%). Age &gt;= 70 years (odds ratio, [OR] 3.85; 95% confidence interval [0], 136-10.92; p = 0.011) and education level &lt;= 9 years (OR, 3.98; 95% CI, 139-11.41; p= 0.010) were independent risk factors of subsyndromal delirium after adjusting for preoperative cognitive function. Other pre-/intra-operative variables including anxiety/depression, poor sleep quality, and anaesthesia duration were not associated with subsyndromal delirium. Conclusions: In contrast to the low incidence of delirium among patients undergoing curative resection of gastric cancer, a substantial proportion of such patients experienced subsyndromal delirium. Considering the prognostic implications, more careful detection and management of subsyndromal delirium may be warranted in patients with gastric cance

A Case of Postprandial Hypotension in the Intensive Care Unit Treated With Acarbose

Postprandial hypotension (PPH) has not been described as a cause of hypotension after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the intensive care unit (ICU). A 74 year old man underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) due to monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. After the ROSC, inotropic agents were not reduced but increased. PPH had occurred, according to the flow sheet, so a provocation test was performed. We noted hypotension but no serum hypoglycemia or tachycardia. The hypotension was diagnosed as PPH. We chose acarbose for treatment; thus, the inotropic agents were discontinued. This is the first case in which hypotension occurred in a patient recovering after CPR in the ICU and that the PPH was treated with acarbose. PPH should be considered and treated to manage hypotension in elderly patients in the ICU

Reliable Early Prediction for Different Types of Post-Thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia

ObjectivesHigh incidence of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy is a major determinant in delay of discharge. Even though many studies have focused on the search for reliable early predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia, definitions of hypocalcemia are diverse; therefore, interpretation and application of previously reported findings may not be easy. We aimed to elucidate diverse patterns of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia and to provide reliable early predictors for these different types of hypocalcemia.MethodsRetrospective chart review was performed and eligible 112 patients of thyroidectomy were categorized into four groups according to symptomatic and/or biochemical hypocalcemic criteria. A mismatch of occurrence and the timing of symptomatic or biochemical abnormalities were evaluated. Predictive values of commonly used biomarkers were compared in each group; levels of serum total calcium and ionized calcium, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH).ResultsAmong 62 hypocalcemic patients, 45 patients (72.5%) experienced both symptomatic and biochemical abnormalities during hospitalization. A mismatch on the timing of initial detection of symptomatic and biochemical hypocalcemia was observed in 21 patients (46.6%). Intact PTH level measured at 1 hour was a useful indicator in prediction of symptomatic hypocalcemia with 79.7-87.4% of diagnostic accuracy. Serum ionized calcium measured next morning after surgery was a reliable predictor of biochemical hypocalcemia with 77.9-94.8% of diagnostic accuracy.ConclusionFor the safety of patients, the possibility of both symptomatic and biochemical hypocalcemia should be considered together before deciding early discharge. Using intact PTH for symptomatic hypocalcemia and day-1 ionized serum calcium level for biochemical hypocalcemia will be helpful for the reliable prediction of heterogeneous nature of postoperative hypocalcemia

Empagliflozin Contributes to Polyuria via Regulation of Sodium Transporters and Water Channels in Diabetic Rat Kidneys

Besides lowering glucose, empagliflozin, a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, have been known to provide cardiovascular and renal protection due to effects on diuresis and natriuresis. However, the natriuretic effect of SGLT2 inhibitors has been reported to be transient, and long-term data related to diuretic change are sparse. This study was performed to assess the renal effects of a 12-week treatment with empagliflozin (3 mg/kg) in diabetic OLETF rats by comparing it with other antihyperglycemic agents including lixisenatide (10 μg/kg), a glucagon-like peptide receptor-1 agonist, and voglibose (0.6 mg/kg), an α-glucosidase inhibitor. At 12 weeks of treatment, empagliflozin-treated diabetic rats produced still high urine volume and glycosuria, and showed significantly higher electrolyte-free water clearance than lixisenatide or voglibose-treated diabetic rats without significant change of serum sodium level and fractional excretion of sodium. In empagliflozin-treated rats, renal expression of Na+-Cl- cotransporter was unaltered, and expressions of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter, and epithelial Na+ channel were decreased compared with control diabetic rats. Empagliflozin increased an expression of aquaporin (AQP)7 but did not affect AQP3 and AQP1 protein expressions in diabetic kidneys. Despite the increased expression in vasopressin V2 receptor, protein and mRNA levels of AQP2 in empagliflozin-treated diabetic kidneys were significantly decreased compared to control diabetic kidneys. In addition, empagliflozin resulted in the increased phosphorylation of AQP2 at S261 through the increased cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 5 and protein phosphatase 2B. These results suggest that empagliflozin may contribute in part to polyuria via its regulation of sodium channels and AQP2 in diabetic kidneys