Identification of tetramine, a toxin in whelks, as the cause of a poisoning incident in Korea and the distribution of tetramine in fresh and boiled whelk (Neptunea intersculpta).

An investigation was conducted into the clinical symptoms and causative agent associated with a whelk poisoning incident that occurred in March 2005 in Korea. The whelk consumed in the poisoning incident was identified as Neptunea intersculpta. All of the 17 patients suffered from eyeball pain, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and nausea but no diarrhea.

Three-dimensional imaging for hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases: Emphasis on clinical utility.

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging allows disease processes and anatomy to be better understood, both by radiologists as well as physicians and surgeons. 3D imaging can be performed with USG, CT scan and MRI, using different modes or rendering that include surface-shaded display, volume-based rendering, multiplanar imaging, etc. All these techniques are used variably depending on the indications.

Differential CT features of intraductal biliary metastasis and double primary intraductal polypoid cholangiocarcinoma in patients with a history of extrabiliary malignancy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to discern clinical and imaging features for differentiating intraductal metastasis from double primary intraductal cholangiocarcinoma in patients with a history of extrabiliary malignant disease.

Materials And Methods: Over a 10-year period, the cases of 14 patients with histopathologically proven intraductal metastasis (n = 8) or double primary intraductal cholangiocarcinoma (n = 6) who had a history of extrabiliary malignancy were identified. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed CT (n = 14) and MR (n = 6) images for the size and appearance of the intraductal lesion, presence of a parenchymal mass, multiplicity, attenuation on arterial and portal phase images, and presence of calcification.

MRI features of pancreatic colloid carcinoma.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to retrospectively investigate the MRI findings (diameter, location, contour and margin, signal intensity characteristics, and enhancement patterns) in a series of eight patients with pathologically proven colloid carcinoma of the pancreas.

Conclusion: Colloid carcinomas of the pancreas appear as masses with lobulating contours, indiscrete margins, and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (n = 8). In addition, all patients who underwent dynamic studies (n = 4) showed peripheral and internal sponge-like or mesh-like progressive delayed contrast enhancement.

Value of dual contrast liver MRI at 3.0 T in differentiating well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas from dysplastic nodules: preliminary results of multivariate analysis.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic value of dual contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DC-MRI) in the differentiation of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (WD-HCCs) from dysplastic nodules (DNs) and to determine the significant MRI predictors using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two WD-HCCs and 33 DNs in 28 patients who underwent liver transplantation with available histopathology as a gold standard were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent DC-MRI using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and gadolinium (Gd) agents on a 3 T MRI unit.

Down syndrome candidate region-1 protein interacts with Tollip and positively modulates interleukin-1 receptor-mediated signaling.

Background: The Down syndrome candidate region-1 gene (DSCR1, also known as RCAN1) is situated close to the Down Syndrome Critical Region (DSCR), which contains genes responsible for many features of Down syndrome. DSCR1 modulates calcineurin phosphatase activity, though its functional role is incompletely understood.

Methods: Here we investigated the role of DSCR1-1S isoform in IL-1 receptor (IL-1R)-mediated signaling by analyzing interaction between DSCR1-1S and the IL-1R pathway components Tollip, IRAK-1, and TRAF6.

Design, synthesis, screening, and molecular modeling study of a new series of ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

A series of rationally designed ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors was synthesized and screened. Compound 12b has showed good potency with IC50 value of 209 nM, which is comparable with that of the reference lead compound 1. Molecular modeling studies have been performed, that is, a homology model for ROS1 was built, and the screened inhibitors were docked into its major identified binding site.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new potent and highly selective ROS1-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

ROS1 protein is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has been reported mainly in meningiomas and astrocytomas, and until now, there is no selective inhibitor for this kinase. In this study, we illustrate for the synthesis of a highly potent and selective inhibitor for ROS1 kinase. The synthesized compound 1 was tested initially at a single dose concentration of 10 microM over 45 different kinases.

Comparison of Conventional Excision via a Sublabial Approach and Transnasal Marsupialization for the Treatment of Nasolabial Cysts: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Objectives: Surgical excision via a sublabial approach is considered the standard treatment for nasolabial cysts. Although transnasal marsupialization has been proposed as an alternative method, no prospective study has compared the effectiveness of these techniques. We thus compared the surgical procedure, operating time, postoperative pain, complications, and recurrence rate between the two surgical methods.

Ectopic pancreas: CT findings with emphasis on differentiation from small gastrointestinal stromal tumor and leiomyoma.

Purpose: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings of ectopic pancreas and to identify the features that differentiate it from other similarly manifesting gastric submucosal tumors such as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyoma, which are the most common gastrointestinal submucosal tumors.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and did not require informed consent. CT images of pathologically proved ectopic pancreases (n = 14), GISTs (n = 33), and leiomyomas (n = 7) in the stomach and duodenum were retrospectively reviewed.

Detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions by T2-weighted imaging: comparison of navigator-triggered turbo spin-echo, breath-hold turbo spin-echo, and HASTE sequences.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of T(2)-weighted (T(2)-w) images obtained using navigator-triggered turbo spin-echo (TSE), breath-hold TSE (BH-TSE), and BH haft-Fourier single-shot TSE sequences for the detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions. Two blinded reviewers independently analyzed three types of T(2)-w image sets totaling 86 solid and 75 nonsolid lesions in 59 patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were established to analyze reviewer and sequence results.

Typical and atypical manifestations of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: imaging findings with pathologic correlation.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to present the typical and atypical manifestations of serous cystadenoma, which can be visualized with cross-sectional imaging.

Conclusion: Serous cystadenomas of the pancreas have various distinguishing imaging features. Typically, a serous cystadenoma is morphologically classified as having either a polycystic, honeycomb, or oligocystic pattern.

Polypyrrole-coated electrospun PLGA nanofibers for neural tissue applications.

Electrospinning is a promising approach to create nanofiber structures that are capable of supporting adhesion and guiding extension of neurons for nerve regeneration. Concurrently, electrical stimulation of neurons in the absence of topographical features also has been shown to guide axonal extension. Therefore, the goal of this study was to form electrically conductive nanofiber structures and to examine the combined effect of nanofiber structures and electrical stimulation.

Diagnostic performance of multidetector row computed tomography, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and dual-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in predicting the appropriateness of a transplant recipient based on milan criteria: correlation with histopathological findings.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of multidetector row CT (MDCT), superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MRI (S-MRI), and dual-contrast MRI (DC-MRI) in predicting the appropriateness of recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for liver transplantation (LT), based on Milan criteria.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study received Institutional Review Board approval. Requirement for patient informed consent was waived.

Enhanced polarization of embryonic hippocampal neurons on micron scale electrospun fibers.

Electrospun fibers have been fabricated for wide use as artificial tissue engineering scaffolds. In particular, fibers smaller than a cell body have been extensively employed to mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and to explore specific responses by various cell types. We investigated the effects of various poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fiber features on embryonic hippocampal neurons in the early developmental stages in terms of initial axon formation (i.

High throughput screening assay of alpha(1G) T-type Ca2+ channels and comparison with patch-clamp studies.

Whole-cell patch-clamp-based electrophysiological techniques are powerful tools for examining the biophysical and pharmacological properties of ion channels. However, the recent validation of ion channels as novel drug targets necessitates the development of a faster screening method for ion channels. Therefore, we have developed a rapid, reliable, and sensitive cell-based high throughput screening (HTS) assay for T-type Ca2+ channels.

Quantitative CT color mapping of the arterial enhancement fraction of the liver to detect hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative determination and three-dimensional color mapping of the arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) of the liver for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was waived. Eighty-two patients (mean age, 56.

Proteomic analysis of normal human nasal mucosa: establishment of a two-dimensional electrophoresis reference map.

Objective: To construct a partial two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) reference map of the proteins that compose normal human nasal mucosa.

Design And Methods: Normal inferior turbinate mucosa samples were subjected to 2-DE, the protein spots were visualized by silver staining, and 78 spots were selected for analysis by mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical techniques were performed for validation and localization analysis.

Comparison of the surgical outcome between primary and revision endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Background And Objectives: Many studies have examined the prognostic factors affecting the success of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and a history of previous ESS is generally regarded as a factor contributing to a poor surgical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether previous ESS with polypectomy is really associated with poor surgical outcomes after revision ESS (RESS) by comparing the postoperative results between primary ESS (PESS) and RESS groups for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed on 2 groups with a minimum 1-year follow-up: patients who underwent PESS with polypectomy (101 patients) and those who required RESS with polypectomy (24 patients).

Continuous-wave 532 nm pumped MgO:PPLN optical parametric oscillator with external power regulation and spatial mode filtering.

We report a continuous-wave (CW) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a MgO-doped periodically poled LiNbO(3) (MgO:PPLN) crystal. The 532 nm pump generates coherent radiation that is tunable from 800 to 920 nm for the signal and from 1250 to 1580 nm for the idler, respectively. The OPO output power exhibits a slowly varying instability that we attribute to a thermal effect induced by the pump.

Generation of super-resolution atomic state density distribution based on temporally-cascaded multiple light exposures.

We propose a novel approach to optical generation of superresolution atomic state density distribution based on interaction between Lambda- type atoms and temporally-cascaded driving fields. The scheme effectively inscribes multiplication of optical intensity profiles on atomic state density distribution, which can produce arbitrary patterns beyond the diffraction limit. The degree of resolution enhancement can be increased, not depending on the intrinsic nonlinearity of the photographic medium or the number of simultaneously interacting fields unlike the previous schemes.

Comparison of polyp distance on CT colonography between supine and prone scans using an automated path-distance measurement tool: correlation with colonoscopy.

Objective: To investigate the proximity of polyp distance on CT colonography (CTC) between supine and prone scans using an automated path-distance measurement tool and to correlate the path distance of polyps with that of colonoscopy.

Methods: Of 196 polyps in 85 patients, 98 polyps (25 <6 mm, 42 6-9.9 mm, 31 > or =10 mm) detected on supine and prone positions in 72 patients, were included.

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectral interferometry with large spectral phase gradient induced by highly dispersive optical elements.

In a conventional coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscope system, we generate a local oscillator CARS field and a sample CARS field successively along a single-beam path. A large gradient of relative spectral phase between the two fields is naturally induced by highly dispersive microscope elements. The resulting spectral interferogram is a form of fast varying sinusoidal fringes modulated by the amplitude and phase of the sample CARS field.

Neuroactive conducting scaffolds: nerve growth factor conjugation on active ester-functionalized polypyrrole.

Electrically conductive and biologically active scaffolds are desirable for enhancing adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of a number of cell types such as neurons. Hence, the incorporation of neuroactive molecules into electroconductive polymers via a specific and stable method is essential for neuronal tissue engineering applications. Traditional conjugation approaches dramatically impair conductivities and/or stabilities of the scaffolds and ligands.