High performance gas sensor platform based on integrated sensing mechanisms

We introduce a gas sensor platform consisting of resistive sensor, thin film transistor (TFT) type sensor, and Si-based field effect transistor (FET) type sensor fabricated on the same wafer. The FET type sensor has a horizontal floating gate interdigitated with the control gate. The schematic structures of these gas sensors are shown in Fig. 1. These gas sensors can be fabricated using only 5 masks. The sensing layer of these sensors is a 15nm thick n-type ZnO film prepared using atomic layer deposition (ALD) in the final process step. Although these sensors have the same sensing material, they have different sensing characteristics because of different sensing mechanisms. Our group has reported the studies of resistive- and FET-type gas sensors having ALD ZnO sensing layer previously [1], [2]. Fig. 2 shows the transfer (I-V) characteristics of these sensors. These sensors have different sensing characteristics when exposed to 500 ppb of oxidizing gas, NO2. When exposed to NO2 gas, the currents of resistive- and TFT-type gas sensors are decreased [2]. On the other hand, the drain current of the FET-type gas sensor increases when exposed to NO2 gas [1], [2]. As a result, the difference in response of these sensors can be used as a fingerprint to more accurately detect the target gas in the gas sensor platform composed of three types of gas sensors. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

第870回千葉医学会例会・第10回千葉精神科集談会

CpGs differentially methylated in blood DNA in relation to current and former smoking compared to never smoking, 104 probes (FDR* <0.05, ordered by chromosomal location). (DOC 177 kb

Changes in the Characteristics and Long-term Mortality Rates of Intensive Care Unit Patients from 2003 to 2010: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study Performed in the Republic of Korea

Background There are few studies on intensive care unit (ICU) patients in the Republic of Korea. We analyzed the characteristics and mortality changes of all ICU patients over the last 8 years. Methods This study used the cohort of the National Health Insurance Corporation, which provides medical care to all residents of the Republic of Korea. The cohort consists of patients aged 20 years or older between 2003 and 2010 with a history of ICU admission. We analyzed changes in sex, age, household income, number of hospital beds, emergency admissions, and reasons for admission using the Cochran–Armitage trend test. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of mortality according to these variables and year of admission were calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression. Results The proportion of patients aged ≥70 years increased over that period, as did their average age (by 3.6 years). During the 8-year study period, the 3-year mortality rate was 32.91%–35.83%. The overall mortality was higher in males and older patients, in those with a lower household income and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, those admitted to a hospital with a smaller number of beds, and those admitted via the emergency room. There was no significant change in crude mortality rate over the 8-year study period; however, the adjusted HR showed a decreasing trend. Conclusions Patients admitted to the ICU were older and had higher CCI score. Nevertheless, there was a temporal trend toward a decrease in the HR of long-term mortality

Comparison of Clinico-Physiologic and CT Imaging Risk Factors for COPD Exacerbation

To date, clinico-physiologic indices have not been compared with quantitative CT imaging indices in determining the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. We therefore compared clinico-physiologic and CT imaging indices as risk factors for COPD exacerbation in patients with COPD. We retrospectively analyzed 260 COPD patients from pulmonary clinics at 11 hospitals in Korea from June 2005 to November 2009 and followed-up for at least one year. At the time of enrollment, none of these patients had COPD exacerbations for at least 2 months. All underwent clinico-physiologic and radiological evaluation for risk factors of COPD exacerbation. After 1 yr, 106 of the 260 patients had at least one exacerbation of COPD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that old age, high Charlson Index, and low FEV1 were significant in a clinico-physiologic model, with C-statistics of 0.69, and that increased age and emphysema index were significant in a radiologic model, with C-statistics of 0.64. The difference between the two models was statistically significant (P = 0.04 by bootstrap analysis). Combinations of clinico-physiologic risk factors may be better than those of imaging risk factors in predicting COPD exacerbation

Improved performance of microwave assisted thermal processing system and processes

Computer-aided simulation and modeling are effective tools to optimize processing systems and conditions for improved food quality and safety. The main goal of this research was to improve the system design of Microwave assisted pasteurization system (MAPS) and Microwave assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) system for better heating uniformity and processing efficiency using computer simulation and modeling. Analytic methods based on the Maxwell’s equations are also useful in estimating heating rates during microwave assisted heating. The objectives of this research were: 1) using three-dimensional (3D) model based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to investigate the effect of metal carrier structures on the electric field distribution inside food in the pilot-scale MAPS processing and 2) to understand the influence of dimension and the electric field distribution and heating patterns in commercial MATS systems; and 3) using analytic solutions to develop simplified chart for estimation of temperature increase in microwave heating as influenced by food formulation and product package thickness. The results of FDTD simulation provided better understanding of the electric field distribution inside cavity as influenced by carrier design, cavity dimensions, and the dielectric properties of food. The developed chart based on the analytical model was validated using pilot plant experiments. The chart allows rapid prediction of temperature increases in microwave assisted thermal processing as influenced by food dielectric properties and package thickness. the results of this research can be used to design industrial microwave assisted thermal processing systems and guide product development for desired heating uniformity and throughputs

The Role of Transbronchial Lung Biopsy in Diagnosing Pulmonary Mucormycosis in a Critical Care Unit

Background Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is an emerging infectious disease and a life-threatening infection with high mortality. The clinical outcomes of PM have not improved significantly over the last decade because early diagnosis of PM is difficult and antifungal agents show limited activity. We evaluated the clinical manifestations of PM in a Korean tertiary hospital and identified the role of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in diagnosing PM in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods The medical records of adult patients (aged 16 years and older) who met the criteria for proven or probable PM in a Korean tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed from January 2003 to December 2013. The clinical features, computed tomographic findings, diagnostic methods, treatment, and outcomes in patients with PM were evaluated. Results Of the nine patients, four were male. The median age was 64 years (range, 12 to 73 years). PM was proven and probable in seven and two cases, respectively. Computed tomography findings of PM were unilateral involvement in eight cases (89%), consolidation in eight (89%), ground glass opacity in four (44%), and reverse halo sign in one (11%). Six of nine cases (67%) were diagnosed as PM from TBLB via portable bronchoscopy. There were no complications after TBLB. Mortality rate was 56% (five of nine cases). Conclusions TBLB can be an easy and useful technique for diagnosing PM in the intensive care unit

Gender Differences in Antitussive Prescriptions for Chronic Cough in Korea

Background: We investigated the differences in the characteristics and prognoses between the sexes of patients with chronic cough who were prescribed antitussive agents, using a Korean population-based database. Methods: Claims data from South Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) service were analyzed. This retrospective observational cohort study considered chronic cough patients aged 18 years and older who were consistently prescribed antitussive agents for more than 2 months between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2019. Results: Among the 207,989 patients treated for chronic cough, the prevalence of unexplained cough was higher in women (men: 6.2% vs. women: 9.7%) and the prevalence of persistent cough was higher in men (men: 16.8% vs. women: 14.3%). The gap in the proportion of COPD, lung cancer, ILD, GERD, and TB between women and men were largest around the age range of 60–70 years. With the exception of those in their 60s and 70s, women were more likely to have chronic cough and persistent cough than men. Women were more likely to discontinue medication after treatment completion than men. Only 53.9% of patients discontinued cough medication for more than 6 months after treatment completion. Within 12 and 18 months, respectively, 8.9% and 11.9% of them revisited the hospital for chronic cough. Via Cox regression analysis, an age in the 60s or 70s and explained cough were independently associated with a higher risk of revisit for treatment. Conclusions: Among patients treated for chronic cough, there were distinct differences in cough characteristics and prescription status between men and women. Our data highlight the need for a new personalized treatment approach to chronic cough, taking into account the gender, age, and underlying diseases of patients. Further research is needed to determine whether appropriate underlying disease control and gender-specific treatment are effective for managing chronic cough

Association between the Respiratory Microbiome and Plasma Microbial Extracellular Vesicles in Intubated Patients

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) regulate various cellular and immunological functions in human diseases. There is growing interest in the clinical role of microbial EVs in pneumonia. However, there is a lack of research on the correlation between lung microbiome with microbial EVs and the microbiome of other body sites in pneumonia. We investigated the co-occurrence of lung microbiome and plasma microbe-derived EVs (mEVs) in 111 samples obtained from 60 mechanically ventilated patients (41 pneumonia and 19 non-pneumonia cases). The microbial correlation between the two samples was compared between the pneumonia and non-pneumonia cases. Bacterial composition of the plasma mEVs was distinct from that of the lung microbiome. There was a significantly higher correlation between lung microbiome and plasma mEVs in non-pneumonia individuals compared to pneumonia patients. In particular, Acinetobacter and Lactobacillus genera had high correlation coefficients in non-pneumonia patients. This indicates a beneficial effect of mEVs in modulating host lung immune response through EV component transfer