Source signatures from combined isotopic analyses of PM2.5 carbonaceous and nitrogen aerosols at the peri-urban Taehwa Research Forest, South Korea in summer and fall.

Isotopes are essential tools to apportion major sources of aerosols. We measured the radiocarbon, stable carbon, and stable nitrogen isotopic composition of PM2.5 at Taehwa Research Forest (TRF) near Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) during August-October 2014. PM2.5, TC, and TN concentrations were 19.4 ± 10.1 μg m-3, 2.6 ± 0.8 μg C m-3, and 1.4 ± 1.4 μg N m-3, respectively. The δ13C of TC and the δ15N of TN were - 25.4 ± 0.7‰ and 14.6 ± 3.8‰, respectively. EC was dominated by fossil-fuel sources with Fff (EC) of 78 ± 7%. In contrast, contemporary sources were dominant for TC with Fc (TC) of 76 ± 7%, revealing the significant contribution of contemporary sources to OC during the growing season. The isotopic signature carries more detailed information on sources depending on air mass trajectories. The urban influence was dominant under stagnant condition, which was in reasonable agreement with the estimated δ15N of NH4+. The low δ15N (7.0 ± 0.2‰) with high TN concentration was apparent in air masses from Shandong province, indicating fossil fuel combustion as major emission source. In contrast, the high δ15N (16.1 ± 3.2‰) with enhanced TC/TN ratio reveals the impact of biomass burning in the air transported from the far eastern border region of China and Russia. Our findings highlight that the multi-isotopic composition is a useful tool to identify emission sources and to trace regional sources of carbonaceous and nitrogen aerosols

Methylsulfonylmethane Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth by Down-Regulating STAT3 and STAT5b Pathways

Breast cancer is the most aggressive form of all cancers, with high incidence and mortality rates. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanism by which methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) inhibits breast cancer growth in mice xenografts. MSM is an organic sulfur-containing natural compound without any toxicity. In this study, we demonstrated that MSM substantially decreased the viability of human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. MSM also suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT5b, expression of IGF-1R, HIF-1α, VEGF, BrK, and p-IGF-1R and inhibited triple-negative receptor expression in receptor-positive cell lines. Moreover, MSM decreased the DNA-binding activities of STAT5b and STAT3, to the target gene promoters in MDA-MB 231 or co-transfected COS-7 cells. We confirmed that MSM significantly decreased the relative luciferase activities indicating crosstalk between STAT5b/IGF-1R, STAT5b/HSP90α, and STAT3/VEGF. To confirm these findings in vivo, xenografts were established in Balb/c athymic nude mice with MDA-MB 231 cells and MSM was administered for 30 days. Concurring to our in vitro analysis, these xenografts showed decreased expression of STAT3, STAT5b, IGF-1R and VEGF. Through in vitro and in vivo analysis, we confirmed that MSM can effectively regulate multiple targets including STAT3/VEGF and STAT5b/IGF-1R. These are the major molecules involved in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Thus, we strongly recommend the use of MSM as a trial drug for treating all types of breast cancers including triple-negative cancers

Development of Higher order rotating-mode generator using dielectric rod waveguide at W-band

We propose a novel method to generate a higher order rotating-mode by using of a dielectric rod waveguide (DRW) without quasi-optical (QO) mirror. Unlike a quasioptical mode generator, the DRW mode generator is relatively simple to align. We present the simulation and experiment results of the DRW mode generating system, and analysis for alignment issue

Long-Term Response of Pembrolizumab in a Patient with Metastatic Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer on Hemodialysis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

In patients with renal failure and hemodialysis, there are difficulties in drug selection and dose adjustment for cancer treatment. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including pembrolizumab, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2015, has become an important option for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC. However, data regarding the dosage and schedule for long-term use of ICIs, especially pembrolizumab, in hemodialysis patients are limited. We present the case of a patient with metastatic squamous NSCLC who demonstrated a long-term partial response to pembrolizumab monotherapy for 45 months during hemodialysis and showed no immune-related adverse events (irAEs). To our knowledge, this is the longest remission to be reported without irAEs after discontinuation of pembrolizumab in a NSCLC patient undergoing HD. In addition, we reviewed previously reported lung cancer patients who used ICI during dialysis, comparing them with our case in clinical aspect. We believe that this report will provide clinical insights into the long-term efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in lung cancer patients undergoing hemodialysis

Clinical application of both amniotic membranes and adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells in a cat with a large skin defect

Surgical procedures on large skin defects can be challenging in the short term due to the size of the lesion, infection, and tissue defect. A regenerative therapy for skin wounds has been applied to promote the healing process. An 8-month-old, Korean domestic short-haired female cat, weighing 3 kg, was rescued with extensive defects on the right flank to right inguinal region caused by bite wounds. In this case, amniotic membranes and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were used as the regenerative therapy to treat the large skin defect rather than a surgical intervention alone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case with of a large skin defect treated by applying allogeneic amniotic membranes and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to a cat.N