Enhancing Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification through Nonpowered Nanoelectric Preconcentration.

The global threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the development of point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostics. While loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) stands out as a promising technique among FDA-approved methods, it is occasionally susceptible to a high risk of false positives due to nonspecific amplification of a primer dimer. In this work, we report an enhancing LAMP technique in terms of assay sensitivity and reliability through streamlined integration with a nonpowered nanoelectric preconcentration (NPP).

Results of Eustachian tube balloon dilation measured using the nine-step test.

Suggested several decades ago, the nine-step test is an intuitive test of Eustachian tube function. However, studies employing the nine-step test to assess the results of Eustachian tube balloon dilation (EBD) are limited. We aimed to objectively evaluate the efficacy of EBD in opening failure patients with decreased maximal peak pressure difference (MPD) using the nine-step test.

Clinical Factors Associated With Prognosis of Tinnitus and Aural Fullness After Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives: We evaluated the long-term prognosis and risk factors associated with tinnitus and aural fullness, which occurred with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Origami paper-based sample preconcentration using sequentially driven ion concentration polarization.

Ion concentration polarization (ICP) is one of the preconcentration techniques which can acquire a high preconcentration factor. Still, the main hurdles of ICP are its instability and low efficiency under physiological conditions with high ionic strength and abundant biomolecules. Here, we suggested a sequentially driven ICP process, which enhanced the electrokinetic force required for preconcentration, enabling enrichment of highly ionic raw samples without increasing the electric field.

Paper-Based Preconcentration and Isolation of Microvesicles and Exosomes.

Microvesicles and exosomes are small membranous vesicles released to the extracellular environment and circulated throughout the body. Because they contain various parental cell-derived biomolecules such as DNA, mRNA, miRNA, proteins, and lipids, their enrichment and isolation are critical steps for their exploitation as potential biomarkers for clinical applications. However, conventional isolation methods (e.

Nanofluidic sustainable energy conversion using a 1D nanofluidic network.

We propose a 1-dimensional (1D) nanofluidic energy conversion device by implementing a surface-patterned Nafion membrane for the direct energy conversion of the pressure to electrical power. By implementing a -200-nm-thick nano-bridge with a 5-nm pore size between two microfluidic channels, we acquired an effective streaming potential of 307 mV and output power of 94 pW with 0.1 mM KCI under pressure difference of 45 MPa.

Erlotinib induced trichomegaly of the eyelashes.

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been widely used for non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Its untoward cutaneous effects are largely well known and developed in many patients treated with EGFR TKIs. However trichomegaly of eyelash is rarely reported.

Gender differences in susceptibility to smoking among patients with lung cancer.

Background/aims: To determine whether female smokers are more or less susceptible to the detrimental pulmonary-function effects of smoking when compared to male smokers among patients with lung cancer.

Methods: Pack-years and pulmonary function indices were compared between 1,594 men and women with lung cancer who were smokers or had a history of smoking. Differences in individual susceptibility to smoking were estimated using a susceptibility index formula.

Effect of BRCA1 haplotype on survival of non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: To determine whether germ-line variations in BRCA1 affect outcome in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with platinum combination chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated the associations of four tagging BRCA1 polymorphisms and their haplotypes with treatment outcome in 300 NSCLC patients at stages IIIA (16%), IIIB (31%), and IV (53%).

Results: The median age was 63 years (range, 28 to 89 years).

[The effect of smoking status upon occurrence of impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes in Korean men].

Objectives: To investigate whether smoking and the smoking status are predictors of the incident impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes in Korean men.

Methods: A cohort of 1,717 Korean men without IFG or diabetes, who underwent annual periodic health examinations for 4 years (2002-2006), were retrospectively investigated. IFG and diabetes were defined as a serum fasting glucose concentration of 100-125 mg/dL and more than 126 mg/dL, respectively.

Effect of ERCC1 polymorphisms and the modification by smoking on the survival of non-small cell lung cancer patients.

A few reports for ERCC1 SNPs were conducted in patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to determine whether the SNPs are a prognostic factor related to the treatment or not and if smoking level of the patients have any relationship to the SNPs' effect on the survival. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of 423 consecutive non-small cell lung cancer patients were examined: 245 of the patients received cisplatin combination chemotherapy and 178 received only conservative care.

Natural history and therapeutic implications of patients with catamenial hemoptysis.

Evidence as to whether clinician has to give specific treatment in all patients of catamenial hemoptysis is unclear. We considered that the current treatment such as long-term usage of hormonal agent or surgery might be excessive for the catamenial hemoptysis. Therefore, we developed prospective observation study with observation strategy and follow-up for the patients.

A case of pulmonary cryptococcosis with non-small cell lung cancer in idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia.

Cryptococcus neoformans commonly causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in patients with AIDS. CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia in AIDS indicates an increased risk of opportunistic infection and a decline in immunological function. Idiopathic CD4 T-lymphocytopenia (ICL) is characterized by depletions in the CD4+ T-cell subsets, without evidence of HIV infection.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by adenovirus in an otherwise healthy woman.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by adenovirus is a rare event in healthy adults, especially in non- military settings. Although treatment with intravenous ribavirin has been reported, supportive care, including mechanical ventilation, is known to be the main stay in the treatment of ARDS caused by adenovirus, with high-dose steroid treatment having rarely been reported. We report our experience with a 41-year-old, otherwise healthy, woman with ARDS, treated with high-dose steroid and mechanical ventilatory support.