Catalytic oxidation of benzene with ozone over nanoporous Mn/MCM-48 catalyst.

The catalytic oxidation of a representative volatile organic compound, benzene, with ozone at a low temperature was investigated. A nanoporous MCM-48 material with a high specific surface area was used as the support for the catalytic oxidation for the first time. Mn, which has high activity at a low temperature, was used as the metal catalyst.

Anti-inflammatory effects of bangpungtongsung-san, a traditional herbal prescription.

Bangpungtongsung-san (BPTS), a traditional oriental herbal prescription, is widely used for expelling wind, draining heat, and providing general improvement to the immune system. In this study, we investigated the effects of BPTS on induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS- ) stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, and on paw edema in rats.

A clinical observational study analysing the factors associated with hyperventilation during actual cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency department.

Aim: This is the first study to identify the factors associated with hyperventilation during actual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: All CPR events in the ED were recorded by video from April 2011 to December 2011. The following variables were analysed using review of the recorded CPR data: ventilation rate (VR) during each minute and its associated factors including provider factors (experience, advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) certification), clinical factors (auscultation to confirm successful intubation, suctioning, and comments by the team leader) and time factors (time or day of CPR).

Identification of a radiosensitivity signature using integrative metaanalysis of published microarray data for NCI-60 cancer cells.

Background: In the postgenome era, a prediction of response to treatment could lead to better dose selection for patients in radiotherapy. To identify a radiosensitive gene signature and elucidate related signaling pathways, four different microarray experiments were reanalyzed before radiotherapy.

Results: Radiosensitivity profiling data using clonogenic assay and gene expression profiling data from four published microarray platforms applied to NCI-60 cancer cell panel were used.

A simple audio-visual prompt device can improve CPR performance.

Background: An adjunct to assist cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) might improve the quality of CPR performance.

Study Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate whether a simple audio-visual prompt device improves CPR performance by emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Methods: From June 2008 to October 2008, 55 EMTs (39 men, mean age 34.

Genome-wide profiles of H2AX and γ-H2AX differentiate endogenous and exogenous DNA damage hotspots in human cells.

Phosphorylation of the histone variant H2AX forms γ-H2AX that marks DNA double-strand break (DSB). Here, we generated the sequencing-based maps of H2AX and γ-H2AX positioning in resting and proliferating cells before and after ionizing irradiation. Genome-wide locations of possible endogenous and exogenous DSBs were identified based on γ-H2AX distribution in dividing cancer cells without irradiation and that in resting cells upon irradiation, respectively.

Vitamin A deficiency induces fluid hyposecretion from the airway submucosal glands of mice.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) alters the phenotype of airway epithelium and attenuates the epithelial defense system, and many studies have reported the association of VAD with respiratory disease. In this study, we investigated changes in submucosal glands (SMG) in a mouse model of VAD. C57BL/6 mice were fed a vitamin A-devoid diet and the others were fed a control diet (1.

Vitamin B12-mediated restoration of defective anaerobic growth leads to reduced biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa undergoes cell elongation and forms robust biofilms during anaerobic respiratory growth using nitrate (NO(3)(-)) as an alternative electron acceptor. Understanding the mechanism of cell shape change induced upon anaerobiosis is crucial to the development of effective treatments against P. aeruginosa biofilm infection.

Catalytic ozone oxidation of benzene at low temperature over MnOx/Al-SBA-16 catalyst.

The low-temperature catalytic ozone oxidation of benzene was investigated. In this study, Al-SBA-16 (Si/Al = 20) that has a three-dimensional cubic Im3m structure and a high specific surface area was used for catalytic ozone oxidation for the first time. Two different Mn precursors, i.

Protease-activated receptor 2-dependent fluid secretion from airway submucosal glands by house dust mite extract.

Background: The submucosal gland (SMG) is important in the control of airway surface fluid. Protease-activated receptor (PAR) 2 contributes to the pathophysiology of allergies in response to nonspecific allergens bearing proteases and anion secretion. House dust mites (HDMs) have abundant proteases that can activate PAR2, but little is known about the direct effect of HDM on SMG secretion.

Determination of bioactive compounds in fermented soybean products using GC/MS and further investigation of correlation of their bioactivities.

The active ingredients and bioactivities (anti-oxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-proliferative and estrogenic activities) of soybean and soybean products (Cheonggukjang, Meju, Makjang, Doenjang and soy sauce) produced by different fermentation processes were compared. There were high correlations between active ingredients and bioactivities. Free phenolic acids extracted from soybean products were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Sixty-five gene-based risk score classifier predicts overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Clinical application of the prognostic gene expression signature has been delayed due to the large number of genes and complexity of prediction algorithms. In the current study we aimed to develop an easy-to-use risk score with a limited number of genes that can robustly predict prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The risk score was developed using Cox coefficient values of 65 genes in the training set (n = 139) and its robustness was validated in test sets (n = 292).

Preparation of platinum nanoparticle and its catalytic activity for toluene oxidation.

Colloidal Pt nanoparticles are prepared using H2PtCl6 as a precursor, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP: molecular weight = 10,000 and 40,000) and hydrogen as a stabilizing agent and a reducing agent, respectively. The amounts of the precursor and the stabilizing agent and the molecular weight of PVP have an effect on the formation of Pt nanoparticles. Supported Pt catalyst (CSPt) is prepared from colloidal Pt nanoparticles and y-Al2O3.

Effect of Mn precursors on benzene oxidation with ozone over MnOx/MCM-41 at low temperature.

Low temperature benzene oxidation in the presence of ozone on MnOx/MCM-41 catalysts has been studied. MnOx/MCM-41 catalysts were prepared from two different precursors, Mn(NO3)2 and Mn(CH3COO)2, and these samples were characterized by N2 sorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction. The characterization results showed that the MnOx/MCM-41 prepared from Mn(CH3COO)2 had higher oxygen mobility and dispersion than the MnOx/MCM-41 from Mn(NO3)2.

Prognostic gene expression signature associated with two molecularly distinct subtypes of colorectal cancer.

Aims: Despite continual efforts to develop prognostic and predictive models of colorectal cancer by using clinicopathological and genetic parameters, a clinical test that can discriminate between patients with good or poor outcome after treatment has not been established. Thus, the authors aim to uncover subtypes of colorectal cancer that have distinct biological characteristics associated with prognosis and identify potential biomarkers that best reflect the biological and clinical characteristics of subtypes.

Methods: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was applied to gene expression data from 177 patients with colorectal cancer to determine a prognostic gene expression signature.

Hemorrhage in the endolymphatic sac: a cause of hearing fluctuation in enlarged vestibular aqueduct.

Objective: Most of the patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) experience sudden hearing deterioration, but the exact mechanism is unclear. We analyzed magnetic resonance (MR) images and the cellular components of endolymph obtained from the endolymphatic sac in patients with EVA, in order to demonstrate the cause of sudden hearing loss.

Methods: A total of 25 patients (50 ears) with EVA, who had severe to profound hearing loss, were included in this retrospective clinical study.

Properties and performance of silver-based catalysts on the catalytic oxidation of toluene.

Catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds such as toluene over a range of silver-based catalysts has been carried out to assess their performance. The properties of the catalysts were determined by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, X-ray diffraction, and temperature-programmed reduction. The experimental results revealed that the catalytic activity of an Ag/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst is closely related to the silver loading, and the optimum loading for the complete oxidation of toluene was found to be 11 wt%.

Acupuncture Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behavior by Normalizing Amygdaloid Catecholamines during Ethanol Withdrawal in Rats.

Previously, we demonstrated acupuncture at acupoint HT7 (Shen-Men) attenuated ethanol withdrawal syndrome by normalizing the dopamine release in nucleus accumbens shell. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture on anxiety-like behavior in rats and its relevant mechanism by studying neuro-endocrine parameters during ethanol withdrawal. Rats were treated with 3 g kg(-1)day(-1) of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by intraperitoneal injections for 28 days.

The cochleovestibular nerve identified during auditory brainstem implantation in patients with narrow internal auditory canals: can preoperative evaluation predict cochleovestibular nerve deficiency?

Objectives/hypothesis: To analyze the value of preoperative diagnostic tools in predicting the status of the cochleovestibular nerve (CVN) in patients with narrow internal auditory canals (IAC).

Study Design: Retrospective case series at a tertiary hospital.

Methods: Eight profoundly deaf patients with narrow IACs who received auditory brainstem implantation were included in this study.

Genetic and metabolic characterization of insomnia.

Insomnia is reported to chronically affect 10∼15% of the adult population. However, very little is known about the genetics and metabolism of insomnia. Here we surveyed 10,038 Korean subjects whose genotypes have been previously profiled on a genome-wide scale.

Third windows as a cause of failure in hearing gain after exploratory tympanotomy.

Objective: Exploratory tympanotomy (ET) can be performed selectively on patients who have air-bone gaps (ABGs) without any apparent external or middle ear abnormalities for diagnosis and treatment of their conductive hearing loss. However, surgeons cannot always find middle ear problems. It has recently been reported that pathologic third windows in inner ears can cause ABGs.

Clinical outcomes on real-time telemetry system in developing emergency medical service system.

Objective: With the development of information technology, real-time telemetry has been invented for checking patients' physiologic parameters during their transport, via an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system. We developed a Real-Time Telemetry System (RTS), which sends physiologic parameters including electrocardiogram (ECG), vital signs, and pulse asymmetry in real-time from the ambulance to a hospital through the Emergency Medical Information Center, a kind of central control unit. Therefore, we asked whether the RTS monitoring affects the use of medical direction in EMS system.

Effect of controlling nano-sized copper by silver in copper-based catalyst on catalytic oxidation of toluene.

Catalytic oxidation of VOC (toluene) over a copper based catalyst was carried out to assess its properties and performance. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), N2O pulse titration and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize a series of 5 wt% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts modified with silver. The experimental results revealed that the addition of silver to 5 wt% Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst highly enhanced its catalytic activity.

Aged nano-structured platinum based catalyst: effect of chemical treatment on adsorption and catalytic activity.

To examine the effect of chemical treatment on the adsorption and catalytic activity of nanostructured platinum based catalyst, the aged commercial Pt/AC catalyst was pretreated with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and a cleaning agent (Hexane). Several reliable methods such as nitrogen adsorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) were employed to characterize the aged Pt/AC catalyst and its chemically pretreated Pt/AC catalysts. The catalytic and adsorption activities of nano-structured heterogeneous Pt/AC catalyst were investigated on the basis of toluene oxidation and adsorption isotherm data.

Adsorption and thermo desorption characteristics of hydrocarbons on single walled carbon nanotubes.

We investigated the heterogeneous adsorption and thermal desorption behaviors of acetone, n-hexane and trichloroethylene (TCE) on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Adsorption isotherms for selected molecules on SWCNTs were measured using a quartz spring balance at temperatures ranging from 303.15 to 323.