Unique design of superior metal-organic framework for removal of toxic chemicals in humid environment via direct functionalization of the metal nodes.

Unique chemical and thermal stabilities of a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) and its functionalized analogues play a key role to efficiently remove chemical warfare agents (ex., cyanogen chloride, CNCl) and simulant (dimethyl methylphosphonate, DMMP) as well as industrial toxic gas, ammonia (NH). Herein, we for the first time demonstrate outstanding performance of MOF-808 for removal of toxic chemicals in humid environment via special design of functionalization of hydroxo species bridging Zr-nodes using a triethylenediamine (TEDA) to form ionic frameworks by gas phase acid-base reactions.

Magnesium Exchanged Zirconium Metal-Organic Frameworks with Improved Detoxification Properties of Nerve Agents.

, and metal-organic frameworks exhibit a differentiated reactivity toward [Mg(OMe)(MeOH)] related to their pore accessibility. Microporous remains unchanged while mesoporous and hierarchical micro/mesoporous materials yield doped systems containing exposed MgZrO(OH) clusters in the mesoporous cavities. This modification is responsible for a remarkable enhancement of the catalytic activity toward the hydrolytic degradation of P-F and P-S bonds of toxic nerve agents, at room temperature, in unbuffered aqueous solutions.

Effectiveness and reaction networks of H2O2 vapor with NH3 gas for decontamination of the toxic warfare nerve agent, VX on a solid surface.

The nerve agent, O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate (VX) must be promptly eliminated following its release into the environment because it is extremely toxic, can cause death within a few minutes after exposure, acts through direct skin contact as well as inhalation, and persists in the environment for several weeks after release. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide vapor and ammonia gas was examined as a decontaminant for the removal of VX on solid surfaces at ambient temperature, and the reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). All the VX on glass wool filter disks was found to be eliminated after 2 h of exposure to the decontaminant mixtures, and the primary decomposition product was determined to be non-toxic ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA); no toxic S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioic acid (EA-2192), which is usually produced in traditional basic hydrolysis systems, was found to be formed.

A polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane functionalized copper trimesate.

A metal-organic framework (MOF), copper trimesate (Cu3(BTC)2), was selectively functionalized with aminopropylisooctyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (O-POSS) to make the external surface of Cu3(BTC)2 hydrophobic and thereby enhance the stability of the material against humidity. POSS modification was also successfully applied to other MOFs such as MOF-74 and MIL-100.

Influence of hepatic dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics and safety of fimasartan.

This study was designed to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of fimasartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, in hepatic impairment patients as compared with healthy subjects. An open-label, single-dose, parallel study was conducted in 6 healthy male volunteers and 12 subjects with hepatic impairment. Healthy subjects were matched with hepatic dysfunction patients on the basis of age, gender, and body weight.

Study on evaporation characteristics of a sessile drop of sulfur mustard on glass.

The evaporation characteristics (evaporation rates and process) of a sessile drop of sulfur mustard on glass has been studied using a laboratory-sized wind tunnel, gas chromatograph mass spectrometry, and drop shape analysis. It showed that the evaporation rates of the droplet increased with temperature and air flow. The effect of temperature on the rates was more pronounced at lower air flow.

Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of lumbar hernia.

Lumbar hernia is a rare surgical entity without a standard method of repair. With advancements in laparoscopic techniques, successful lumbar herniorrhaphy can be achieved by the creation of a completely extraperitoneal working space and secure fixation of a wide posterior mesh. We present a total extraperitoneal laparoendoscopic repair of lumbar hernia, which allowed for minimal invasiveness while providing excellent anatomical identification, easy mobilization of contents and wide secure mesh fixation.

Predictable factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer-analysis of single institutional experience.

Introduction: Prediction of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer (EGC) is very important to decide treatment strategies preoperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that predict the presence of lymph node metastasis and to identify the differences between mucosal and submucosal gastric cancers.

Methods: A total of 376 patients with EGC who underwent gastrectomy from March 1999 through December 2007 were retrospectively identified.

Expression of bone morphogenic protein-4 is inversely related to prevalence of lymph node metastasis in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are the largest subfamily of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Initially characterized as factors that induce bone and cartilage formation, BMPs have been found to be critical during mesoderm formation, organogenesis, and cellular differentiation. Bone morphogenic proteins are also known to modulate the morphologic alteration, adhesion, motility, and invasion of carcinoma cells derived from several organs.

Prognostic significance of HLA class I expressing in gastric carcinoma defined by monoclonal anti-pan HLA class I antibody, EMR8-5.

Introduction: Downregulation or loss of HLA class I molecules has been demonstrated in human cancers. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of HLA class I expression in gastric cancer.

Methods: Gastric cancer tissues from 189 patients were examined for expression of HLA class I heavy chain antigens by immunohistochemical staining with EMR8-5.

Distal appendiceal dilatation in equivocal appendicitis may be a useful sign for prediction of normal appendix.

Despite many efforts to reduce unnecessary appendectomy for appendicitis, the negative appendectomy rate remains relatively high. Here, we investigated predisposing factors for normal appendix by analyzing the surgical outcomes for patients with equivocal appendicitis. Over a 3-year period, 1516 patients underwent treatment for appendicitis and 148 (10%) were prospectively diagnosed with equivocal appendicitis.

Association of the human leukocyte antigen class II alleles with chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric carcinoma in Koreans.

Objective: Gastric carcinogenesis is a multi-step process and is influenced by several etiological agents, including the host's genetic factors. Since whether a patient remains with chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) or progresses to either chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) or gastric carcinoma (GC) could be a genetic predisposition unique in each population, we hypothesized that host human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles could be discriminative in predicting the risk of CSG progression to precancerous CAG and GC in Koreans.

Methods: A total of 165 patients with gastric disorders (CSG, 62; CAG, 69 and GC, 34), were selected to investigate the association of HLA class II alleles with the progression of CSG to CAG or GC.

Phase I/II trial with docetaxel and S-1 for patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer with consideration to age.

Purpose: To determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and activity of combination with docetaxel and S-1 on unresectable gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: Docetaxel was administered intravenously on day 1 and S-1 was administered orally on days 1-14, every 3 weeks. Doses of each drug in phase I study were docetaxel 60-75 mg/m(2) and S-1 60-80 mg/m(2).

Expression of MUC2 in gastric carcinomas and background mucosae.

Background And Aim: Gastric carcinomas contain elements of both intestinal and diffuse types. Such heterogeneous components may distort the evaluation of the role of the mucin MUC2 in gastric carcinoma. The role of MUC2 expression in background mucosa is not yet clarified.

Laparoscopic assisted distal rectal cancer resection with preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: Anatomy of deep pelvis, narrow distal margin and tumor invasion into neighbor organ are obstacles for curative radical resection for advanced cancer of distal rectum. Technically, laparoscopic application after downstaging the tumor with preoperative concurrent chemotherapy (CCRT) may give a solution to overcome the anatomical difficulties. We compared the results of laparoscopic surgery in the patients who received CCRT with those of patients who had conventional surgery.

A clinicopathologic study of glomus tumor of the stomach.

Glomus tumors are benign lesions and originate from modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body. These tumors are commonly observed in the dermis or subcutis, but only rarely found in the stomach. Here we report a case of a 67-year-old patient in whom glomus tumor of the stomach was diagnosed after 10-day history of melena.

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis: Korean experience.

Background: Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a rare disorder that is characterized by abnormal adipose tissue growth mainly at the neck, abdominal wall, back, shoulder girdle, and arms. A suggested mechanism for accumulation of adipose tissue is a defect in the lipolytic pathway of fat cell.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical, morphologic, and biochemical findings in Korean patients.

Immunoreactivity of CD99 in stomach cancer.

CD99 is characteristically expressed in Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Recently its immunoreactivity has also been reported in other tumors. However, the significance of CD99 isoforms expressed in these tumors has not been elucidated.

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate up-regulates the transcription of MUC2 intestinal mucin via Ras, ERK, and NF-kappa B.

MUC2 is a secretory mucin normally expressed by goblet cells of the intestinal epithelium. It is overexpressed in mucinous type colorectal cancers but down-regulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment of colon cancer cell lines increases MUC2 expression, so we have undertaken a detailed analysis of the effects of PMA on the promoter activity of the 5'-flanking region of the MUC2 gene using stably and transiently transfected promoter reporter vectors.