Characterisation of a novel [F]FDG brain PET database and combination with a second database for optimising detection of focal abnormalities, using focal cortical dysplasia as an example.

Background: Brain [F]FDG PET is used clinically mainly in the presurgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery and in the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders. While scans are usually interpreted visually on an individual basis, comparison against normative cohorts allows statistical assessment of abnormalities and potentially higher sensitivity for detecting abnormalities. Little work has been done on out-of-sample databases (acquired differently to the patient data).

Comparison of tailored eradication versus modified bismuth quadruple therapy in Korea: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the success rate, adverse drug events, and cost-effectiveness of tailored eradication and modified bismuth-containing quadruple therapy.

Methods: The diagnosis of infection was randomly based on either rapid urease test (RUT) or dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1:1 ratio. According to the presence of point mutations that cause clarithromycin resistance, patients in the tailored therapy (TT) group received standard triple therapy or classic bismuth quadruple therapy.

Clinical impact of serum exosomal microRNA in liver fibrosis.

Background/aim: We investigated alterations in the expression of serum exosomal miRNAs with the progression of liver fibrosis and evaluated their clinical applicability as biomarkers.

Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 71 patients who underwent liver biopsy at an academic hospital in Korea. Exosomes were extracted from serum samples, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of miRNAs and targeted real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Realization of Broad-Spectrum Using Chirped Multi-Quantum Well Structures in AlGaInP-Based Light-Emitting Diodes.

We studied broad-spectrum light emitting diodes appropriate for special lighting applications in terms of their optical behaviors and device performances according to the chirped multi-quantum well structures. As the well thickness from 1 st to 3rd well was changed from 6 nm to 15 nm and repeated three times, the electroluminescent spectrum was broadened by 65% and the light output power was increased by 8% in comparison to light emitting diodes having conventional multi-quantum well structures. In the case of the chirped multi-quantum well structures having sequentially decreasing the well thickness from 15 nm to 6 nm and repeating three times, the optical output power was decreased by 5% due to the carrier leakage out of the active region.

Eculizumab therapy on a patient with co-existent lupus nephritis and C3 mutation-related atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report.

Background: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), a rare but serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is associated with poor outcomes to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Recently, eculizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that blocks the complement factor 5, has been known to effectively treat atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Here, we report a case of aHUS co-existing with lupus nephritis that was successfully treated with eculizumab.

Differential transcriptional regulation of the NANOG gene in chicken primordial germ cells and embryonic stem cells.

Background: NANOG is a core transcription factor (TF) in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and primordial germ cells (PGCs). Regulation of the NANOG gene by TFs, epigenetic factors, and autoregulatory factors is well characterized in ESCs, and transcriptional regulation of NANOG is well established in these cells. Although NANOG plays a key role in germ cells, the molecular mechanism underlying its transcriptional regulation in PGCs has not been studied.

Efficacy of Lesion Specific Portals in Endoscopic Treatment of Calcaneal Bone Cyst: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Calcaneal bone cysts rarely occur and most of them are known to be benign. Among them, simple bone cysts (SBCs) third most commonly occur in the calcaneus and of the many surgical treatment options, endoscopic curettage is recently gaining popularity among surgeons due to its advantages of minimal invasiveness and optimal visualization. As for portal placement for endoscopy, two lateral portals are considered a standard technique, but no rationale has been established for SBCs with abnormal geometry.

Effects of various methods of dexmedetomidine administration for sedation in elderly patients undergoing spinal anesthesia: a randomized controlled study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of sedation and the incidence of adverse effects resulting from various methods of administering the initial dose followed by continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for sedation in elderly patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.

Methods: In total, 72 patients aged over 65 years who were to be administered spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into three groups. The initial doses were injected to the groups as follows: group DD, DEX 0.

Factors Affecting Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of Non-Obstetric Surgery and Anesthesia during Pregnancy: a Retrospective Review of Data at a Single Tertiary University Hospital.

Background: Anesthesia during pregnancy for non-obstetric surgery is generally known to have a negative impact on maternal and fetal outcomes. We assessed the risk of adverse outcomes in fetuses and mothers associated with non-obstetric surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed clinical data on pregnant women who received non-obstetric surgeries at a tertiary university hospital.

Relation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 expression to hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver resection.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver resection depends upon the stage and histological grade of the tumor and the expression of certain biomarkers. However, it remains unclear which of these factors has the highest predictive value regarding HCC recurrence after surgical resection.

Methods: This study investigated the associations among clinicopathological characteristics, expression of biomarkers, and HCC recurrence after liver resection.

Efficacy and Safety of Besifovir Dipivoxil Maleate Compared With Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Background & Aims: Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) has activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV). We performed a phase 3 study to compare the antiviral efficacy and safety of BSV vs tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in patients with chronic HBV infection in Korea.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, non-inferiority trial of 197 patients with chronic HBV infection at 22 sites in South Korea, from November 2013 through February 2016.

Differential feeding by common heterotrophic protists on 12 different Alexandrium species.

The genus Alexandrium often forms harmful algal blooms causing human illness and large-scale mortality of fish and shellfish. Thus, Alexandrium bloom dynamics are primary concerns for scientists, government officials, aquaculture farmers, and the public. To understand bloom dynamics, mortality due to predation needs to be assessed; however, interactions between many Alexandrium species and their potential predators have not previously been reported.

Non-destructive monitoring of apple ripeness using an aldehyde sensitive colorimetric sensor.

We developed an on-packaging colorimetric sensor label that can detect the aldehyde emission of apples based on Methyl Red. The sensor label was constructed using printable inks on paper medium and relied on the change in basicity caused by the nucleophilic addition reaction between aldehyde and hydroxide via the Cannizzaro reaction. The sensor can be used to detect aldehyde in solution and vapor.

Case report of a bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with Cushing disease.

Rationale: Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors, composed of a variable mixture of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic tissue. These tumors are frequently detected incidentally and are usually asymptomatic, and hormonally inactive.

Patient Concerns: During a routine health checkup, a 52-year-old man was found to have a tumor on the bilateral adrenal glands.

The Combined Use of Cardiac Output and Intracranial Pressure Monitoring to Maintain Optimal Cerebral Perfusion Pressure and Minimize Complications for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To show the effect of dual monitoring including cardiac output (CO) and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patiens. We hypothesized that meticulous treatment using dual monitoring is effective to sustain maintain minimal intensive care unit (ICU) complications and maintain optimal ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) for severe TBI patiens.

Methods: We included severe TBI, below Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 8 and head abbreviation injury scale (AIS) >4 and performed decompressive craniectomy at trauma ICU of our hospital.

A prospective comparative assessment of the accuracy of the FibroScan in evaluating liver steatosis.

Background/aims: Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of the FibroScan® device in diagnosing liver steatosis, but its usefulness has not been thoroughly appraised. We investigated the usefulness of the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in detecting and quantifying liver steatosis.

Methods: A prospective analysis was applied to 79 chronic liver disease patients who underwent a liver biopsy, a FibroScan investigation, ultrasonography, and hepatic steatosis index (HSI).

LAPAROSCOPIC OVARIECTOMY IN THE ASIATIC BLACK BEAR (URSUS THIBETANUS) WITH THE USE OF THE SONICISION™ DEVICE.

Laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed in two Asiatic black bears ( Ursus thibetanus ). Bears were placed in a 20° Trendelenburg position on a surgical table. A three-portal technique was used.

Regulatory elements and transcriptional control of chicken homologue () promoter in chicken primordial germ cells.

Background: Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of functional gametes, have distinct characteristics and exhibit several unique molecular mechanisms to maintain pluripotency and germness in comparison to somatic cells. They express germ cell-specific RNA binding proteins (RBPs) by modulating tissue-specific - and -regulatory elements. Studies on gene structures of chicken homologue (), a chicken RNA binding protein, involved in temporal and spatial regulation are thus important not only for understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate germ cell fate, but also for practical applications of primordial germ cells.

Tissue diagnosis of GI subepithelial tumor only through Trucut biopsy under a forward-viewing endoscope: applicability as newer diagnostic modality.

Background: Trucut biopsy (TCB) has been proposed to overcome the limitations of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration for the pathologic diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal (GI) subepithelial tumor (SET); however, it can be difficult to perform because the Trucut biopsy needle is very stiff. Although technical failures have been reported with the use of TCB, recently the forward-viewing echoendoscope showed a high diagnostic accuracy. We hypothesized that TCB under a conventional forward-viewing endoscope can be applied with higher yield of tissue diagnosis.

Energy Calibration of a CdTe Photon Counting Spectral Detector with Consideration of its Non-Convergent Behavior.

Fast and accurate energy calibration of photon counting spectral detectors (PCSDs) is essential for their biomedical applications to identify and characterize bio-components or contrast agents in tissues. Using the x-ray tube voltage as a reference for energy calibration is known to be an efficient method, but there has been no consideration in the energy calibration of non-convergent behavior of PCSDs. We observed that a single pixel mode (SPM) CdTe PCSD based on Medipix-2 shows some non-convergent behaviors in turning off the detector elements when a high enough threshold is applied to the comparator that produces a binary photon count pulse.

Surface Modification of Zirconia Substrate by Calcium Phosphate Particles Using Sol-Gel Method.

Surface modification with a biphasic composition of hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) was performed on a zirconia substrate using a sol-gel method. An initial calcium phosphate sol was prepared by mixing a solution of Ca(NO3)2 · 4H20 and (C2H5O)3P(O), while both porous and dense zirconia were used as substrates. The sol-gel coating was performed using a spin coater.

Hyaluronic acid-siRNA conjugate/reducible polyethylenimine complexes for targeted siRNA delivery.

The clinical applications of therapeutic siRNA remain as a challenge due to the lack of efficient delivery system. In the present study, hyaluronic acid-siRNA conjugate (HA-SS-siRNA)/reducible polyethylenimine (BPEI1.2k-SS) complexes were developed to efficiently deliver the siRNA to HA receptor abundant region with the improved siRNA stability.

The effects of unilateral tinnitus on auditory temporal resolution: gaps-in-noise performance.

Background And Objectives: The Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test is a measure to assess auditory temporal resolution, which is the ability to follow rapid changes in the envelope of a sound stimulus over time. We investigated whether unilateral tinnitus affects temporal resolution by the GIN performance.

Subjects And Methods: Hearing tests including the GIN test were performed in 120 ears of 60 patients with unilateral tinnitus who showed symmetric hearing within 20 dB HL difference up to 8 kHz (tinnitus-affected ears, 14.