Utility of combining PIVKA-II and AFP in the surveillance and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region.

Even though the combined use of ultrasound (US) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is recommended for the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the utilization of AFP has its challenges, including accuracy dependent on its cut-off levels, degree of liver necroinflammation, and etiology of liver disease. Though various studies have demonstrated the utility of protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) in surveillance, treatment monitoring, and predicting recurrence, it is still not recommended as a routine biomarker test. A panel of 17 experts from Asia-Pacific, gathered to discuss and reach a consensus on the clinical usefulness and value of PIVKA-II for the surveillance and treatment monitoring of HCC, based on six predetermined statements.

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) dispensing of nanoliter DNA droplets for microarrays.

In the present paper, we first demonstrated the possibility of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) dispensing method for preparing nanoliter probe DNA droplets on surfaces in DNA microarrays. To study the effect of an electric field on the dynamic behavior of pendent DNA droplet, visualization experiments with three kinds of electrode shapes are performed. In the early stage of droplet dispensing, it is shown that applied electric field assists a gravitational force exerted on DNA droplet.

The relationship of the anthropometric variables to the infusion rate of rocuronium in the elderly.

We have determined the infusion rates of rocuronium in the elderly and young adult patients during sevoflurane and nitrous oxide anesthesia. The correlation of some anthropometric predictors with infusion rate of rocuronium was also investigated for both elderly and young adult. Participating patients were assigned to one of two groups: 1) young adult patients aged 20 to 50 years (n = 30); 2) elderly patients aged over 65 years (n = 30).