Thin transparent W-doped indium-zinc oxide (WIZO) layer on glass.

Annealing effect on structural and electrical properties of W-doped IZO (WIZO) films for thin film transistors (TFT) was studied under different process conditions. Thin WIZO films were deposited on glass substrates by RF magnetron co-sputtering technique using indium zinc oxide (10 wt.% ZnO-doped In2O3) and WO3 targets in room temperature.

Hepatoprotective and anti-hepatitis C viral activity of Platycodon grandiflorum extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic injury in mice.

The present study aims to evaluate the anti-HCV activity of hotwater extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (BC703) with HCV genotype 1b subgenomic replicon system and investigate its hepatoprotective activity on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced acute liver damage in mice. BC703 produced significant hepatoprotective effects against CCl(4)-induced acute hepatic injury by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation. Histopathological studies further substantiated the protective effect of BC703.

Phase 2 study of everolimus monotherapy in patients with nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumors or pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas.

Background: The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of everolimus in the treatment of patients with nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) or pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas.

Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed nonfunctioning NETs or pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas and with documented disease progression before study enrollment were eligible for the current study. Everolimus was administered daily at a dose of 10 mg for 4 weeks.

Prospective efficacy and safety study of neoadjuvant gemcitabine with capecitabine combination chemotherapy for borderline-resectable or unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: To determine the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant gemcitabine/capecitabine followed by surgery for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC).

Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed LAPC were given 3-6 cycles of fixed-dose rate gemcitabine/capecitabine every 3 weeks. At the end of chemotherapy, patients were restaged and underwent surgery if the disease was not classified as unresectable.

Mucoid degeneration of both ACL and PCL.

Unlike meniscal tears and chondral defects, the mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a rare cause of knee pain and there have been no case reports of mucoid degeneration of both the ACL and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). A 48-year-old-male patient presented with knee pain and limitation of motion. The patient's magnetic resonance imaging, arthroscopic findings, and pathologic diagnosis confirmed a clinical diagnosis of mucoid degeneration of both the ACL and the PCL.

Platycodin D, a triterpenoid sapoinin from Platycodon grandiflorum, ameliorates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.

Platycodin D (PD) is well known as a potent triterpenoid saponin having various pharmacological activities isolated from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.

Protective Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum Aqueous Extract on Thioacetamide-induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure in Mice.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (BC703) on thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. We found that BC703 significantly decreased mortality and the change in serum transaminase following TA administration. The group treated with BC703 at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg produced significant hepatoprotective effects against TA-induced liver damage by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manners.

Effect of orange oil on the oral absorption of enrofloxacin in rats.

This study was conducted to evaluate the oral absorption of enrofloxacin (ENFX) in rats when administered with orange oil or its main component, limonene. Compared with the group administered ENFX alone, the ENFX + limonene group did not show any significant difference in the absorption of ENFX, whereas the extent and rate of absorption of ENFX were significantly decreased in the ENFX + orange oil group (C(max), -43%; T(max), 129%). In addition, t(1/2λz) and MRT of ENFX were prolonged by the concomitant administration of orange oil.

Efficacy and safety of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and poor risk features.

Background: Temsirolimus is a standard of care in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) with poor risk factors. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) remains poorly defined in this setting.

Methods: Records of our center were examined to identify patients with mRCC and 3 or more poor prognosis factors, as determined in the Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (ARCC) trial, who had been treated with VEGFR TKIs.

Iris Nertschinskia ethanol extract differentially induces cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells depending on AKT1/2 activity.

Recently, we reported that an ethanol extract of Iris nertschinskia induces p53-dependent apoptosis in the MCF7 human breast cancer cell line. However, the detailed mechanisms were not fully explored. Here, we demonstrate another aspect of the activity of I.

Comparative analysis of summary scoring systems in measuring fecal incontinence.

Purpose: For measuring symptoms of fecal incontinence, summary scoring systems are widely used, but rigorous psychometric validation or assessment of such systems in terms of patients' subjective perception has rarely been done to date. This study was designed to assess the correlation between each severity measure and patients' subjective perception or clinicians' clinical assessment. We attempted to compare summary scoring systems of severity measures and searched for which of them showed higher validity among them.

A highly Lewis acidic triarylborane bearing peripheral o-carborane cages.

A triarylborane (2) bearing three o-carborane cages at peripheral positions on the aryl groups was prepared and its crystal structure was determined from X-ray diffraction study. Treatment of 2 with KF in the presence of 18-crown-6 led to the potassium salt, [2F](-). A UV-vis titration experiment carried out in THF/H(2)O (9/1 v/v) showed that 2 binds fluoride ions with a binding constant (K) of 4.

p34 (SEI-1) inhibits ROS-induced cell death through suppression of ASK1.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a key factor for controlling several cellular events including the cell cycle, senescence and apoptosis, in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the mechanisms that regulate ASK1 protein levels remain largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that p34 (SEI-1) , a positive cell cycle regulator with an oncogenic potential, inhibits ROS-induced cell death by suppressing ASK1.

Randomized trial of postoperative adjuvant therapy in Stage II and III rectal cancer to define the optimal sequence of chemotherapy and radiotherapy: 10-year follow-up.

Purpose: To determine the optimal sequence of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with Stage II or III rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: A total of 308 patients were randomized to early (n = 155) or late (n = 153) radiotherapy (RT). Treatment included eight cycles of chemotherapy, consisting of fluorouracil 375 mg/m(2)/day and leucovorin 20 mg/m(2)/day, at 4-week intervals, and pelvic radiotherapy of 45 Gy in 25 fractions.

Finite element analysis of the effects of pedicle screw fixation nut loosening on lumbar interbody fusion based on the elasto-plateau plasticity of bone characteristics.

Study Design: Cylindrical cages and pedicle screw fixation (PSF) have been used for the setting of a lumbar interbody fusion.

Objective: To investigate the effects of PSF-nut loosening on lumbar interbody fusion based on the elasto-plateau plasticity of bone characteristics.

Summary Of Background Data: The stress-strain curves of bone materials beneath the cages show linear elastic behavior before yielding and then seem to be plateau plastic deformation with further compression strain until opposing cell walls contact.

The sweet potato ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene (ibAGP1) promoter confers high-level expression of the GUS reporter gene in the potato tuber.

Molecular farming refers to the process of creating bioengineered plants with the capability of producing potentially valuable products, such as drugs, vaccines, and chemicals. We have investigated the potential of the sweet potato ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene (ibAGP1) promoter and its transit peptide (TP) as an expression system for the mass production of foreign proteins in potato. The ibAGP1 promoter and its TP sequence were transformed into potato along with beta-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter gene, and GUS activity was subsequently analyzed in the transgenic potato plants.

Phase I/II and pharmacokinetic study of S-1 and oxaliplatin in previously untreated advanced gastric cancer.

Background: We aimed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of S-1 when given with oxaliplatin, to evaluate S-1 pharmacokinetics, and to determine the efficacy and safety of this regimen as a first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods: Oxaliplatin was fixed at a dose of 130 mg/m2 on day 1 (D1). S-1 was administered from D1 to D14 of a 3-week cycle, and escalated by 10 mg/m2 per day from 70 mg/m2 per day up to 100 mg/m2 per day.

Prognostic factors and predictive model in patients with advanced biliary tract adenocarcinoma receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy.

Background: Advanced biliary tract adenocarcinoma (BTA) has been a rare but fatal cancer. If unresectable, palliative chemotherapy improved the quality and length of life, but to the authors' knowledge, prognostic factors in such patients have not been well established to date. In the current study, prognostic factors were investigated in patients with advanced BTA receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy.

Preparation of phosphorus doped hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon thin films by inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition and their characteristics for solar cell applications.

Intrinsic and phosphorus-doped hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (microc-Si:H) films were prepared using inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD) method. Structural, electrical and optical properties of these films were studied as a function of silane concentration, ICP source power and PH3/SiH4 gas ratio. Characterization of these films from Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that the conductive film exists in microcrystalline phase embedded in an amorphous network.

Controlling the surface morphology of ZnO films grown on glass substrates by hydrothermal method at 90 degrees C: effects of Na-citrate on the shape of ZnO nano-crystallites.

The effects of Na-citrate on the morphology change of ZnO films, grown on ZnO buffered glass substrates by hydrothermal synthesis at 90 degrees C and at pH 10.9, have been investigated. Dense and smooth ZnO film consists of ZnO nano-rods that have flat ends was grown with Na citrate.

Efficacy and safety of S-1 monotherapy in patients with advanced biliary tract adenocarcinoma: retrospective analysis of 162 patients.

Aim: We investigated the efficacy and safety of S-1 monotherapy for the treatment of advanced biliary tract adenocarcinoma (BTA) in a clinical practice setting.

Methods: We reviewed clinical data from 217 patients with advanced BTA who were treated with S-1 monotherapy between August 2004 and September 2007.

Results: 162 eligible patients were identified.

Relationships between dental roots and surrounding tissues for orthodontic miniscrew installation.

Objective: To elucidate relationships between the dental roots and surrounding tissues in order to prevent complications after placement of a miniscrew.

Materials And Methods: Twenty human mandibles and maxillas were used for this study. In the 200 sections of each mandible and maxilla, nine items were measured to investigate the relationships between the dental roots.

Investigation on the surface passivation of intrinsic a-Si:H thin films prepared by inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition for heterojunction solar cell applications.

Intrinsic a-Si:H thin films, which can have passivation functions on the surface of crystalline Si, were deposited by inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD). The properties of the films were investigated at deposition temperatures ranging from 50 to 400 degrees C. The Si--H stretching mode at 2000 cm(-1), which indicates good film quality, was found in the range of 150-400 degrees C, but the film quality was not good at deposition temperatures below 150 degrees C.