Colloidal Multiscale Assembly via Photothermally Driven Convective Flow for Sensitive In-Solution Plasmonic Detections.

The assembly of metal nanoparticles and targets to be detected in a small light probe volume is essential for achieving sensitive in-solution surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Such assemblies generally require either chemical linkers or templates to overcome the random diffusion of the colloids unless the aqueous sample is dried. Here, a facile method is reported to produce 3D multiscale assemblies of various colloids ranging from molecules and nanoparticles to microparticles for sensitive in-solution SERS detection without chemical linkers and templates by exploiting photothermally driven convective flow.

Intracellular Nanomaterial Delivery Spiral Hydroporation.

In recent nanobiotechnology developments, a wide variety of functional nanomaterials and engineered biomolecules have been created, and these have numerous applications in cell biology. For these nanomaterials to fulfill their promises completely, they must be able to reach their biological targets at the subcellular level and with a high level of specificity. Traditionally, either nanocarrier- or membrane disruption-based method has been used to deliver nanomaterials inside cells; however, these methods are suboptimal due to their toxicity, inconsistent delivery, and low throughput, and they are also labor intensive and time-consuming, highlighting the need for development of a next-generation, intracellular delivery system.

Dual Mode Rapid Plasmonic Detections of Chemical Disinfectants (CMIT/MIT) Using Target-Mediated Selective Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles.

Chemical disinfectants such as 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT/MIT) have been widely used in commercial products and humidifiers to prevent the growth of microorganisms. However, as continuous inhalation of CMIT/MIT is a fatal health risk, the concentration of its commercially available form is strictly regulated. Nonetheless, there are limited reports on effective methods for the quick and easy detection of CMIT/MIT.

Photothermally Enhanced Molecular Delivery and Cellular Positioning on Patterned Plasmonic Interfaces.

Photothermal conversion effect of plasmonic nanostructures is considered as a promising technique for cellular and molecular manipulations owing to controllability of local temperature. Therefore, this technique has been extensively applied to biological studies such as controlling cellular behavior, delivery of biologics, and biomolecular detection. Herein, we propose a novel method for directed cell positioning and photothermally modulated molecular delivery to the cells using patterned plasmonic interfaces.

Natural Compound Licochalcone B Induced Extrinsic and Intrinsic Apoptosis in Human Skin Melanoma (A375) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (A431) Cells.

Licochalcone B (Lico B), which is normally isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata (Chinese Licorice), generally classified into organic compounds including retrochalcones. Potential pharmacological properties of Lico B include anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activities. However, its biological effects on melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are unknown.

Licochalcone A Suppresses Specificity Protein 1 as a Novel Target in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Licochalcone A (LCA), isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, are known to have medicinal effect such as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer. Though, as a pharmacological mechanism regulator, anti-cancer studies on LCA were not investigated in human breast cancer. We investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of LCA in human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 through MTS assay, PI staining, Annexin-V/7-AAD assay, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, multi-caspase assay, RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and anchorage-independent cell transformation assay.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting for severe stenosis of the intracranial extradural internal carotid artery causing transient ischemic attack or minor stroke.

The purpose of this study is to assess the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for symptomatic stenosis of the intracranial extradural (petrous and cavernous) internal carotid artery (ICA).Review of medical records identified 26 consecutive patients who underwent PTAS using a balloon-expandable coronary stent (n = 15, 57.7%) or a Wingspan self-expandable stent (n = 11, 42.

Functional outcome after recanalization for acute pure M1 occlusion of the middle cerebral artery as assessed by collateral CTA flow.

Objective: Collateral flow is important for ischemic brain tissue after an acute occlusion of the cerebral artery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate baseline collateral flow, on CT angiography (CTA), as a predictor of functional outcome in patients who had endovascular recanalization, after acute pure first segment (M1) occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods: Thirty patients with acute pure M1 occlusion treated by endovascular recanalization, who were ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis or resistant to intravenous thrombolysis, were reviewed.

Neuroanatomical correlation of urinary retention in lateral medullary infarction.

We prospectively recruited 10 patients who presented with urinary retention as a neurological deficit that was attributable to lateral medullary infarction. Of these, 9 patients underwent a urodynamic study, which demonstrated detrusor underactivity of the bladder in 7 patients. Urinary retention developed mainly when the lesions involved the lateral tegmentum of the middle or caudal medulla.

Short-term outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction using an implant or tissue expander after mastectomy in breast cancer patients.

Background: Mastectomy is an optional surgical management of breast cancer, but it can cause significant adverse reactions. Breast reconstruction is a concern in post-mastectomy recovery. We assessed the oncologic safety and patient satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction using an implant or tissue expander.

Effect of mild alkali pretreatment on structural changes of reed (Phragmites communis Trinius) straw.

The effect of dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on reed straw structural change at 105 degreeC temperature was evaluated in this study. Various concentrations of NaOH (1% to 2.5%) were used for pretreatment of reed straw at 105 degreeC for 10min.

Alkali pretreatment of wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) at boiling temperature for producing a bioethanol precursor.

We evaluated the effect of dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on wheat straw at boiling temperature for removing lignin and increasing the yield of reducing sugar. Various concentrations of NaOH (0.5% to 2%) were used for pretreating wheat straw at 105 °C for 10 min.

Activation of a casB gene encoding β-glucosidase of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum LY34.

Two cas genes were isolated from Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum LY34 (Pcc LY34). Sequence analysis of the 4873 bp cloned DNA fragment (accession number AY866383) revealed two open reading frames (casF and casB) that are predicted to encode 658 and 467 amino acid proteins, respectively.

Evidence showing duplication and recombination of cel genes in tandem from hyperthermophilic Thermotoga sp.

This study was conducted to assess the gene duplication and diversification of tandem cellulase genes in thermophilic bacteria. The tandem cellulase genes cel5C and cel5D were cloned from Thermotoga maritima MSB8, and a survey of the thermophilic bacterial genome for tandem cel genes from the databases was carried out. A clone having 2.

Cloning and identification of a new group esterase (Est5S) from noncultured rumen bacterium.

The gene encoding an esterase enzyme was cloned from a metagenomic library of cow rumen bacteria. The esterase gene (est5S) was 1,026 bp in length, encoding a protein of 366 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 40,168 Da. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 40,000 Da.

Cloning and biochemical analysis of β-glucoside utilization (bgl) operon without phosphotransferase system in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum LY34.

β-Glucosidases are widespread in bacteria and involved in the metabolism of various carbohydrate substrates. Studying of β-glucoside utilization (bgl) operons on operon of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum LY34 (Pcc LY34) will help us understanding how β-glucoside utilization (bgl) operon can cooperate with other systems in bacterium caused soft-rot disease.

Use of bottom ash of waste coal as an effective microbial carrier.

An experiment was done to determine the efficacy of waste bottom ash as an effective microbial carrier. Bottom ash found to be a suitable microbial carrier. The average of viable cells of Paenibacillus polymyxa GS01 (as a test biocontrol agent) in bottom ash samples was about 10(8) cfu/10 ± 2 mg.

Susceptibility-weighted imaging findings of subacute delayed carbon monoxide intoxication: a report of five cases.

Brain injury from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning occurs due to tissue hypoxia and direct CO-mediated histotoxicity. Recently developed susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is sensitive for the detection of accumulated hemosiderin and iron secondary to cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, we hypothesized that SWI may be helpful for identifying petechial hemorrhagic transformation secondary to acute hypoxic damage during subacute CO intoxication.

Borrmann type IV: an independent prognostic factor for survival in gastric cancer.

Background: Borrmann type IV gastric cancer has a poorer prognosis than other gastric carcinomas. This study compared the clinicopathological features of Borrmann type IV gastric cancer with those of other types of cancer and examined the significance of a Borrmann type IV carcinoma as a prognostic factor after gastrectomy.

Methods: The clinicopathological features, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and survival rates of 4,191 advanced gastric cancer patients, who had undergone a gastrectomy at the Samsung Medical Center between 1995 and 2005, were reviewed.

Nonwoven fabric active electrodes for biopotential measurement during normal daily activity.

Body movement is responsible for most of the interference during physiological data acquisition during normal daily activities. In this paper, we introduce nonwoven fabric active electrodes that provide the comfort required for clothing while robustly recording physiological data in the presence of body movement. The nonwoven fabric active electrodes were designed and fabricated using both hand- and screen-printing thick-film techniques.