Effect of GNWs/NiO-WO/GNWs Heterostructure for NO Gas Sensing at Room Temperature.

Recently, as air pollution and particulate matter worsen, the importance of a platform that can monitor the air environment is emerging. Especially, among air pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO) is a toxic gas that can not only generate secondary particulate matter, but can also derive numerous toxic gases. To detect such NO gas at low concentration, we fabricated a GNWs/NiO-WO/GNWs heterostructure-based gas sensor using microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPECVD) and sputter, and we confirmed the NO detection characteristics between 10 and 50 ppm at room temperature.

Identification of Monoallelically Expressed Genes Associated with Economic Traits in Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle).

Hanwoo, an indigenous Korean cattle breed, has been genetically improved by selecting superior sires called Korean-proven bulls. However, cows still contribute half of the genetic stock of their offspring, and allelic-specific expressed genes have potential, as selective targets of cows, to enhance genetic gain. The aim of this study is to identify genes that have MAEs based on both the genome and transcriptome and to estimate their effects on breeding values (BVs) for economically important traits in Hanwoo.

Structure-Based Design and Preclinical Characterization of Selective and Orally Bioavailable Factor XIa Inhibitors: Demonstrating the Power of an Integrated S1 Protease Family Approach.

The serine protease factor XI (FXI) is a prominent drug target as it holds promise to deliver efficacious anticoagulation without an enhanced risk of major bleeds. Several efforts have been described targeting the active form of the enzyme, FXIa. Herein, we disclose our efforts to identify potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitors of FXIa.

Prediction of ARA/PPI Drug-Drug Interactions at the Drug Discovery and Development Interface.

Advances in understanding of human disease have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to classify certain molecules as "break-through therapies," providing an accelerated review that may potentially enhance the quality of patient lives.

Artificial selection increased body weight but induced increase of runs of homozygosity in Hanwoo cattle.

Artificial selection has been demonstrated to have a rapid and significant effect on the phenotype and genome of an organism. However, most previous studies on artificial selection have focused solely on genomic sequences modified by artificial selection or genomic sequences associated with a specific trait. In this study, we generated whole genome sequencing data of 126 cattle under artificial selection, and 24,973,862 single nucleotide variants to investigate the relationship among artificial selection, genomic sequences and trait.

Alteration of Inflammatory Mediators in the Upper and Lower Airways under Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia: Preliminary Animal Study.

Purpose: We hypothesized that CIH may affect the upper airway immune system and aimed to verify whether CIH can induce airway inflammation in a murine obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) model.

Methods: C57BL6 male mice were exposed to intermittent hypoxia (CIH group; 5 ~ 21% FiO, 120 sec cycles, 12 h/d, = 6) or room air (Sham group, = 6) for up to 4 weeks in identical chambers. Nasal and lung tissues and lavage fluid were collected and analyzed by multiplex assay.

Evolutionary Analyses of Hanwoo (Korean Cattle)-Specific Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Genes Using Whole-Genome Resequencing Data of a Hanwoo Population.

Advances in next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled population-level studies for many animals to unravel the relationships between genotypic differences and traits of specific populations. The objective of this study was to perform evolutionary analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes of Korean native cattle Hanwoo in comparison to SNP data from four other cattle breeds (Jersey, Simmental, Angus, and Holstein) and four related species (pig, horse, human, and mouse) obtained from public databases through NGS-based resequencing. We analyzed population structures and differentiation levels for the five cattle breeds and estimated species-specific SNPs with their origins and phylogenetic relationships among species.

Experimental investigation of defect-assisted and intrinsic water vapor permeation through ultrabarrier films.

In the development of ultrabarrier films for packaging electronics, the effective water vapor transmission rate is a combination of permeation through pinhole defects and the intrinsic permeation through the actual barrier film. While it is possible to measure the effective permeation rate through barriers, it is important to develop a better understanding of the contribution from defects to the overall effective barrier performance. Here, we demonstrate a method to investigate independently defect-assisted permeation and intrinsic permeation rates by observing the degradation of a calcium layer encapsulated with a hybrid barrier film, that is, prepared using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and plasma enhanced deposition (PECVD).

Spectroscopy and control of near-surface defects in conductive thin film ZnO.

The electronic structure of inorganic semiconductor interfaces functionalized with extended π-conjugated organic molecules can be strongly influenced by localized gap states or point defects, often present at low concentrations and hard to identify spectroscopically. At the same time, in transparent conductive oxides such as ZnO, the presence of these gap states conveys the desirable high conductivity necessary for function as electron-selective interlayer or electron collection electrode in organic optoelectronic devices. Here, we report on the direct spectroscopic detection of a donor state within the band gap of highly conductive zinc oxide by two-photon photoemission spectroscopy.

Hybridization-Induced Carrier Localization at the C60 /ZnO Interface.

Electronic coupling and ground-state charge transfer at the C60 /ZnO hybrid interface is shown to localize carriers in the C60 phase. This effect, revealed by resonant X-ray photoemission, arises from interfacial hybridization between C60 and ZnO. Such localization at carrier-selective electrodes and interlayers may lead to severely reduced carrier harvesting efficiencies and increased recombination rates in organic electronic devices.

Evaluation of Malnutrition Risk after Liver Transplantation Using the Nutritional Screening Tools.

Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with end-stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional status by using nutritional screening tools [Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA)] in patients before and after liver transplantation. We analyzed medical record, blood test, nutrient intake and malnutrition rate just before transplantation and at discharge, and at 3, 6, 12 months after transplantation respectively.

Disrupted Attosecond Charge Carrier Delocalization at a Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Semiconductor Interface.

Despite significant interest in hybrid organic/inorganic semiconductor interfaces, little is known regarding the fate of charge carriers at metal oxide interfaces, particularly on ultrafast time scales. Using core-hole clock spectroscopy, we investigate the ultrafast charge carrier dynamics of conductive ZnO films at a hybrid interface with an organic semiconductor. The adsorption of C60 on the ZnO surface strongly suppresses the ultrafast carrier delocalization and increases the charge carrier residence time from 400 attoseconds to nearly 30 fs.

Perigastric lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma in a patient with early gastric cancer: the first case report.

Distant metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), particularly from papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, is rare. We present a case of perigastric lymph node metastasis from PTC in a patient with early gastric cancer and breast cancer. During post-surgical follow-up for breast cancer, a 56-year-old woman was diagnosed incidentally with early gastric cancer and synchronous left thyroid cancer.

Systematic reliability study of top-gate p- and n-channel organic field-effect transistors.

We report on a systematic investigation on the performance and stability of p-channel and n-channel top-gate OFETs, with a CYTOP/Al2O3 bilayer gate dielectric, exposed to controlled dry oxygen and humid atmospheres. Despite the severe conditions of environmental exposure, p-channel and n-channel top-gate OFETs show only minor changes of their performance parameters without undergoing irreversible damage. When correlated with the conditions of environmental exposure, these changes provide new insight into the possible physical mechanisms in the presence of oxygen and water.

Investigation of the flatband voltage (V(FB)) shift of Al2O3 on N2 plasma treated Si substrate.

The relationships between the physical and electrical characteristics of films treated with N2 plasma followed by forming gas annealing (FGA) were investigated. The Si substrates were treated with various radio frequency (RF) power levels under a N2 ambient. Al2O3 films were then deposited on Si substrates via remote plasma atomic-layer deposition.

Quantification of protonation in organic solvents using solution NMR spectroscopy: implication in salt formation.

Purpose: Investigate the use of solution NMR spectroscopy to evaluate whether the general ΔpKa rule is valid in organic solvents. Such information may be useful in evaluation of acid-base reactions and solvent selection for salt formation.

Methods: (1)H NMR chemical shift changes in model bases during titration with acids, and separately, on the addition of acids at a molar ratio of 1:1 were determined in water, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methanol.

The effects of radio frequency plasma power on Ai2O3 films deposited at room-temperature by remote plasma atomic layer deposition.

Al2O3 films were deposited by a remote plasma atomic layer deposition (RPALD) method at room temperature (25 degrees C) in a reactor using alternating exposures of Al(CH3)3 and O2 plasma. Oxygen plasma was used as a reactant gas to decompose the trimethylaluminum [TMA, Al(CH3)3] precursor at room temperature. The RF plasma power was increased to produce enough radicals for the deposition of the Al2O3 films at room temperature.

Liver function alterations after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer and its clinical significance.

Aim: To evaluate the factors associated with liver function alterations after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) for gastric cancer.

Methods: We collected the data of gastrectomy patients with gastric cancer and divided them into 2 groups: open gastrectomy (OG) and LAG. We also collected the data of patients with colon cancer to evaluate the effect of liver manipulations during surgery on liver function alterations.

Modeling the effects of constructed wetland on nonpoint source pollution control and reservoir water quality improvement.

This article describes the integrated modeling approach for planning the size and the operation of constructed wetlands for maximizing retention of nonpoint source pollutant loads and reservoir water-quality improvement at a catchment scale. The experimental field-scale wetland systems (four sets, 0.88 ha each) have been in operation since 2002, where water depth was maintained at 30-50 cm and hydraulic loading rate was at 6.

Modified right lobe graft with bovine pericardium for middle hepatic vein reconstruction.

Modified right lobe graft with middle hepatic vein reconstruction is commonly carried out in living donor liver transplantation these days. Cadaveric vascular graft has been widely used to maintain good outflow in middle hepatic vein tributaries. However, cadaveric donors are limited in Korea.

Ante-situm liver resection in recurrent liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Surgical resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer can offer long-term survival and cure in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer isolated to the liver. We present a case of a recurrent liver metastasis from rectal cancer, managed with ante-situm liver resection under total vascular exclusion and venovenous bypass with hypothermic perfusion. A 58-year-old man, who was diagnosed with liver metastasis from rectal cancer underwent a left lateral sectionectomy in January 2006.

Evaluation of solvent effects on protonation using NMR spectroscopy: implication in salt formation.

Investigation of the use of solution NMR spectroscopy to determine the effect of organic solvents on chemical shift changes in bases on addition of acids is reported. This information can be useful in the evaluation of solvents and counterion selection for salt formation. (1)H and (15)N chemical shift changes in three bases (pyrazine, phthalazine, and pyridine) on the addition of acids (1:1 ratio) were determined in various solvents.

Laparoscopic repair of paraduodenal hernia: comparison with conventional open repair.

Paraduodenal hernia is a congenital internal hernia caused by abnormal retroperitoneal fixation of the intestinal mesentery. The management of paraduodenal hernia consists of reduction of the herniated intestine and repair of the defect. Recently, laparoscopic surgery has been increasingly performed in abdominal procedures.

Negative regulation of SEK1 signaling by serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase 1.

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase 1 (SGK1) has been implicated in diverse cellular activities including the promotion of cell survival. The molecular mechanism of the role of SGK1 in protection against cellular stress has remained unclear, however. We have now shown that SGK1 inhibits the activation of SEK1 and thereby negatively regulates the JNK signaling pathway.

Patient dose measurements in diagnostic radiology procedures in Korea.

This study is the first nationwide investigation aimed at estimating the patient dose for radiographic examinations in Korea including gastrointestinal studies, computed tomography and mammography. The survey data from 161 hospitals and the dose data from 32 hospitals were analysed. The third quartile entrance surface dose, dose area product (DAP), weighted CT dose index (CTDIw) and mean glandular dose (MGD) were reported.