Seismic strategy of non-seismically designed reinforced concrete columns retrofitted with steel rods.

This paper presents experimental results of combined cyclic load testing on a reinforced concrete (RC) column that was retrofitted with newly designed steel rods. The steel rods were installed around the column longitudinally and then anchored. The proposed steel rods utilize simple components and installation to enhance both the strength and ductility of RC columns.

Improved Shear Strength Equation for Reinforced Concrete Columns Retrofitted with Hybrid Concrete Jackets.

The adequacy of retrofitting with concrete jacketing is influenced by the bonding between the old section and jacketing section. In this study, five specimens were fabricated, and cyclic loading tests were performed to investigate the integration behavior of the hybrid concrete jacketing method under combined loads. The experimental results showed that the strength of the proposed retrofitting method increased approximately three times compared to the old column, and bonding capacity was also improved.

Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam Retrofitted with Modularized Steel Plates.

This paper presents the results of a shear test on a reinforced concrete beam retrofitted with modularized steel plates. A total of five retrofitted concrete beams with various span-depth ratios as a variable were fabricated and tested. A companion beam without retrofitting was used as the control specimen.

An Experimental Study on Torsional Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Columns Retrofitted with Hybrid Concrete Jackets.

The concrete jacketing method for retrofitting old reinforced concrete (RC) columns should secure confinement and seismic performance under torsion as well as unidirectional later loads. In a previous study, a hybrid concrete jacketing method was proposed using steel wire mesh (SWM), steel grid reinforcement (SGR), which can replace reinforcement of existing concrete jacketing method, and using steel fiber non-shrinkage mortar (SFNM). These details can simplify the retrofitting process of the existing concrete jacketing method, and seismic performance was evaluated by conducting a cyclic loading test under unidirectional loading.

Seismic Behavior of Concrete Columns Retrofitted with a Brace-Type Replaceable Steel Link.

This paper presents the results of a combined cyclic loading test on a single reinforced concrete column which was retrofitted with a newly proposed brace-type replaceable steel link. A total of four retrofitted reinforced concrete columns, with the length of the brace as a variable, were fabricated and tested. A companion column without retrofitting was used as the control specimen.

Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Columns Retrofitted with Hybrid Concrete Jackets Subjected to Combined Loadings.

In the existing reinforced concrete columns where they are insufficient seismic details, critical failure mode such as shear failure can be observed under seismic loads. One strategy for the retrofitting of existing concrete columns is to use concrete jacketing. Concrete jacketing consists of a new concrete layer with longitudinal and transverse reinforcements, and can improve seismic resistance capacity.

Establishment and characterization of two human cutaneous angiosarcoma cell lines, KU-CAS3 and KU-CAS5.

Background: Cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS) is a rare but fatal cancer. Established CAS cell lines are necessary for the investigation of their properties and treatment options.

Methods: Two cell lines, KU-CAS3 and KU-CAS5, were established from human angiosarcoma specimens obtained from the scalp.

Cartilage tissue engineering for craniofacial reconstruction.

Severe cartilage defects and congenital anomalies affect millions of people and involve considerable medical expenses. Tissue engineering offers many advantages over conventional treatments, as therapy can be tailored to specific defects using abundant bioengineered resources. This article introduces the basic concepts of cartilage tissue engineering and reviews recent progress in the field, with a focus on craniofacial reconstruction and facial aesthetics.

Galuteolin, identified in the extract of thymus quinquecostatus flowers, is involved in inhibiting melanin biosynthesis in B16/F10 melanoma cells.

To enhance the skin whitening effect, tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis needs to be suppressed in the skin. To achieve this goal, we examined the extract of flowers, and identified a functional ingredient, galuteolin. Galuteolin effectively inhibited melanin biosynthesis in B16/F10 cells, partially suppressing tyrosinase activity.

Effects of vasopressors on circulation in the porcine abdominal island flap model.

Background: During reconstructive surgical procedures, systemic vasopressors are frequently used to maintain normal blood pressure. However, questions have arisen regarding the pharmacologic effects of vasopressors on flap circulation. Many plastic surgeons have expressed concern about the possibility of impaired flap circulation caused by the vasoconstrictive effect of the drugs.

Protective Effect of Botulinum Toxin against Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Pigmentation.

Background: Hyperpigmentation following ultraviolet irradiation has cosmetic concerns. Botulinum toxin type A can favorably affect skin pigmentation. However, the mechanism of skin pigmentation is unclear.

Protective effects of adipose-derived stem cells against UVB-induced skin pigmentation.

Background: Hyperpigmentation, mainly following UV-irradiation, can cause major cosmetic concerns. Human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been reported to serve as whitening agents through a paracrine effect. However, there have been few reports on the direct effects of ASCs on skin pigmentation following UVB-irradiation.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaf extract inhibits the growth of MDA-MB-231 tumors in nude mouse xenografts and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells.

Background/objectives: The present study was conducted to examine the inhibitory effect of loquat leaves on MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and invasion.

Materials/methods: Female athymic nude mice were given a subcutaneous (s.c.

Inhibitory effect of Erythronium japonicum on the human breast cancer cell metastasis.

Background/objectives: In this study, the inhibitory effect of Erythronium japonicum extracts on the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line was determined.

Materials/methods: Cells were cultured with DMSO or with 50, 75, 100 or 250 µg/ml of Erythronium japonicum methanol or ethanol extract.

Results: Both methanol and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Adipose-derived stem cells inhibit epidermal melanocytes through an interleukin-6-mediated mechanism.

Background: Several investigators have postulated that human adipose-derived stem cells can be used for skin rejuvenation, but there have been few reports about their direct effects on human epidermal melanocytes. The authors studied the effects on melanocytes, and the causative agent of those effects was further investigated in this study.

Methods: Human epidermal melanocytes were divided into three groups and cultured in adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium, human dermal fibroblast-conditioned medium, or control medium.

Influence of smartphone Wi-Fi signals on adipose-derived stem cells.

The use of smartphones is expanding rapidly around the world, thus raising the concern of possible harmful effects of radiofrequency generated by smartphones. We hypothesized that Wi-Fi signals from smartphones may have harmful influence on adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). An in vitro study was performed to assess the influence of Wi-Fi signals from smartphones.

Pear pomace water extract inhibits adipogenesis and induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity occurs when a person's calorie intake exceeds the amount of energy burns, which may lead to pathologic growth of adipocytes and the accumulation of fat in the tissues. In this study, the effect and mechanism of pear pomace extracts on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and apoptosis of mature adipocytes were investigated. The effects of pear pomace extract on cell viability and the anti-adipogenic and proapoptotic effects were investigated via MTT assay, Oil red O staining, western blot analysis and apoptosis assay.

Pepper seed extract suppresses invasion and migration of human breast cancer cells.

This study was performed to determine the antimetastatic activities of chili pepper seed on human breast cancer cells. The water extract of chili pepper seeds was prepared and it contained a substantial amount of phenols (131.12 mg%) and no capsaicinoids.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) extracts suppress the adhesion, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cell line.

We examined the inhibitory effects of loquat methanol extract on the adhesion, migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Cells were cultured with DMSO or with 10, 25, or 50 microg/ml of loquat methanol extract. Both leaf and seed extracts significantly inhibited growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner, although leaf extract was more effective.

Epigenetic changes induced by reactive oxygen species in hepatocellular carcinoma: methylation of the E-cadherin promoter.

Background & Aims: In addition to genetic alterations, epigenetic changes underlie tumor progression and metastasis. Promoter methylation can silence tumor suppressor genes, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote DNA damage, although the relationship between ROS and epigenetic changes in cancer cells is not clear. We sought to determine whether ROS promote hypermethylation of the promoter region of E-cadherin, a regulator of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Naturally occurring radionuclides in community water supplies of New York state.

During a 2-y study, drinking-water samples were analyzed for gross-alpha and gross-beta activity in 1,869 community water supplies in New York State. Among these, 87 and 14 samples were further analyzed for radium and uranium activity, respectively. The results showed that concentrations in drinking water samples met regulatory limits for gross-alpha, gross-beta, and combined radium in over 99% of the community water supplies tested.