Factors contributing to the duration of untreated prodromal positive symptoms in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis.

Individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis experience a considerable delay before appropriate clinical attention is provided. Therefore, we investigated the correlates of this delay by examining clinical, socio-demographic and neuropsychological contributors to the duration of untreated prodromal positive symptoms (DUPP) in them (n=73). The slowly progressive mode of functional decline, defined as a small percentage drop in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score within the past year, and male gender, explained a considerable portion of the DUPP in the multivariate regression model (F=9.

A rapid amplification/detection assay for analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using an isothermal and silicon bio-photonic sensor complex.

Global tuberculosis (TB) control is hampered by cost and slow or insensitive diagnostic methods to be used for TB diagnosis in clinic. Thus, TB still remains a major global health problem. The failure to rapidly and accurately diagnose of TB has posed significant challenges with consequent secondary resistance and ongoing transmission.

Guanidine modified polyethyleneimine-g-polyethylene glycol nanocarriers for long interfering RNA (liRNA) based advanced anticancer therapy.

Combination therapy involving the synergism between different therapeutic approaches seems to be a promising strategy in anticancer treatment. Immunostimulatory long interfering RNA (liRNA) structures capable of executing specific RNA interference (RNAi) mediated gene silencing tasks seem to be potential candidates for a combination approach. Apart from their therapeutic efficacy, the unique structural format of liRNA candidates facilitates better association with cationic polymers and significantly improves their intra-cellular delivery.

Anisotropic microparticles created by phase separation of polymer blends confined in monodisperse emulsion drops.

Anisotropic microparticles are promising as a new class of colloidal or granular materials due to their advanced functionalities which are difficult to achieve with isotropic particles. However, synthesis of the anisotropic microparticles with a highly controlled size and shape still remains challenging, despite their intense demands. Here, we report a microfluidic approach to create uniform anisotropic microparticles using phase separation of polymer blends confined in emulsion drops.

Comparison of the thickness of the lamina cribrosa and vascular factors in early normal-tension glaucoma with low and high intraocular pressures.

Purpose: To compare the thickness of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and vascular factors of early normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with high and low intraocular pressure (IOP) that are expected to be associated with the development of glaucoma.

Methods: Seventy-one Korean NTG patients with low IOP (the highest IOP <15 mmHg, 40 patients) and high IOP (the lowest IOP >15 mmHg, 31 patients) were included in this study. The thickness of LC and vascular factors were compared.

Vigna angularis water extracts protect against ultraviolet b-exposed skin aging in vitro and in vivo.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces various pathological changes, such as thickened skin and wrinkle formation. In particular, UVB irradiation increases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 production and collagen degradation, leading to premature aging, termed photoaging. The azuki bean (Vigna angularis; VA) has been widely used as a food product as well as a traditional medicine.

Efficient intracellular delivery and multiple-target gene silencing triggered by tripodal RNA based nanoparticles: a promising approach in liver-specific RNAi delivery.

RNA interference (RNAi) triggering oligonucleotides in unconventional structural format can offer advantages over conventional small interfering RNA (siRNA), enhanced cellular delivery and improved target gene silencing. With this concept, we present a well-defined tripodal-interfering RNA (tiRNA) structure that can induce simultaneous silencing of multiple target genes with improved potency. The tiRNA structure, formed by the complementary association of three single-stranded RNA units, was optimized for improved gene silencing efficacy.

Effects of Galla chinensis extracts on UVB-irradiated MMP-1 production in hairless mice.

Galla chinensis (GAC) is a natural traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in folk medicine. Although GAC compounds (mainly gallic acid and methyl gallate) possess strong antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities, there is no report regarding topical or oral administration of GAC compounds on UVB irradiation-induced photoaging in hairless mice (SKH: HR-1). In the present study, we examined cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes induced by UVB in vitro.

A simple, low-cost, and rapid device for a DNA methylation-specific amplification/detection system using a flexible plastic and silicon complex.

Abnormal DNA methylation has been associated with the development and progression of several human cancers and is a potential target for treatment. Thus, myriad technologies for the analysis of DNA methylation have been developed over the past few decades. However, most of these technologies are still far from ideal because they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and complex, and there is the risk of contamination of samples.

Gallic acid regulates skin photoaging in UVB-exposed fibroblast and hairless mice.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary factor in skin photoaging, which is characterized by wrinkle formation, dryness, and thickening. The mechanisms underlying skin photoaging are closely associated with degradation of collagen via upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Gallic acid (GA), a phenolic compound, possesses a variety of biological activities including antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities.

Two-stage microfluidic chip for selective isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

Over the past few decades, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been studied as a means of overcoming cancer. However, the rarity and heterogeneity of CTCs have been the most significant hurdles in CTC research. Many techniques for CTC isolation have been developed and can be classified into positive enrichment (i.

Long-term outcome of photodynamic therapy with systemic chemotherapy compared to photodynamic therapy alone in patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aims: Patients with cholangiocarcinoma usually present at an advanced stage, and more than 50% of cases are not resectable at the time of diagnosis. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as a palliative and neoadjuvant modality. We evaluated whether combination of PDT and chemotherapy is more effective than PDT alone.

Symptomatic and functional remission of subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis: a 2-year naturalistic observational study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and predictors of symptomatic and functional remission in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis at 1-2 years of follow-up.

Methods: Help-seeking CHR individuals with symptomatic (Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS) positive scores <3) and functional (Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score >60) (CHR-R) remission at 12-24 months were compared to non-remitted individuals (CHR-NR) regarding baseline and treatment characteristics, symptom changes and predictors. Time to full remission was compared with that of symptomatic remission only.

Elevated hemoglobin A1c levels are associated with worse survival in advanced pancreatic cancer patients with diabetes.

Background/aims: Pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) has been identified as an adverse prognostic variable associated with increased mortality in various cancers. Although DM and hyperglycemia are considered risk factors for pancreatic cancer (PC), antidiabetic treatments for patients with advanced PC have been overlooked. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels on PC survival.

Neurocognitive function as a possible marker for remission from clinical high risk for psychosis.

Background: Recent studies revealed that nonconverters at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis comprise those who later remit from initial CHR state and those who do not remit and continue to have attenuated positive symptoms. CHR subjects who remit symptomatically are comparable to healthy controls for both baseline and longitudinal symptoms. However, the neurocognitive characteristics of this population are still obscure.

Long dsRNA-mediated RNA interference and immunostimulation: a targeted delivery approach using polyethyleneimine based nano-carriers.

RNA oligonucleotides capable of inducing controlled immunostimulation combined with specific oncogene silencing via an RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism provide synergistic inhibition of cancer cell growth. With this concept, we previously designed a potent immunostimulatory long double stranded RNA, referred to as liRNA, capable of executing RNAi mediated specific target gene silencing. In this study, we developed a highly effective liRNA based targeted delivery system to apply in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

Osmocapsules for direct measurement of osmotic strength.

Monodisperse microcapsules with ultra-thin membranes are microfluidically designed to be highly sensitive to osmotic pressure, thereby providing a tool for the direct measurement of the osmotic strength. To make such osmocapsules, water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion drops with ultra-thin shells are prepared as templates through emulsification of core-sheath biphasic flow in a capillary microfluidic device. When photocurable monomers are used as the oil phase, the osmocapsules are prepared by in-situ photopolymerization of the monomers, resulting in semipermeable membranes with a relatively large ratio of membrane thickness to capsule radius, approximately 0.

Socioeconomic burden of influenza in the Republic of Korea, 2007-2010.

Background: Although the socioeconomic burden of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) was considerable, no reliable estimates have been reported. Our aim was to compared medical costs and socioeconomic burden resulting from pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 with that of previous seasonal influenza.

Methods: We estimated the medical costs and socioeconomic burden of influenza from May 2007 to April 2010.

Ultrasonographic indications for conservative treatment in pregnancy-related uterine arteriovenous malformations.

Background: Uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are known to spontaneously regress.

Purpose: To assess the predictive value of ultrasonography for patients requiring conservative treatment for pregnancy related to AVMs.

Material And Methods: Our prospective study included 75 patients (conservative management:therapeutic management = 45:30) with vaginal bleeding from pregnancy-related AVM.

Synchronous occurrence of primary malignant mixed müllerian tumor in ovary and uterus.

Malignant mixed müllerian tumor (MMMT) arising from female internal genitalia is rare with the uterine corpus being the most prevalently affected site. It is even more rare when it occurs on both uterus and ovary at the same time. We describe a case of synchronized occurrence of MMMT on ovary and uterine adenosarcoma with review of literature.

Promising treatment results of adjuvant chemotherapy following radical hysterectomy for intermediate risk stage 1B cervical cancer.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy following radical hysterectomy for intermediate risk stage IB cervical cancer.

Methods: From January 1993 to December 2007, a total of 100 patients of stage IB were enrolled in this study who had at least two of the following three intermediate risk factors (deep stromal invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, and large tumor size) after radical hysterectomy and all patients had no high risk factors and no radiotherapy. Of these patients, 22 patients had surgery only and 78 patients had cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy postoperatively to improve survival.

Peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenopathy masquerading as pancreatic malignancy: a single-center experience.

Background And Aim: Peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenopathy is very rare and can be misdiagnosed with pancreatic or peripancreatic malignancies. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcome have not been well known. Herein, we investigated the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), clinical features, and treatment outcomes.

Studies on the characteristics and durability of a vertical type organic transistor using indenofluorenedione derivatives as an N-type active material.

We have fabricated a vertical type organic field effect transistor (OFET) using indenofluorenedione derivatives (IF-dione-F) as an n-type organic active material and dimethyldicyanoquinonediimine (DMDCNQI) as an n-type buffer layer. The configuration of the vertical type OFET was ITO (drain)/ IF-dione-F/Metal (gate)/IF-dione-F/DMDCNQI/Metal (source). The characteristics of the vertical type OFET were investigated from the measurements of current-voltage characteristics, contact resistance and device durability.