Assessment of Bladder Filling Type on Radiation Dose to Organs at Risk in MR-Guided Intracavity Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In this study, we evaluated whether the classification of bladder shape affects the absorbed dose (Gy) of OARs and its geometrical position to normal organs in MR-guided intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT).

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this study, 269 patients who underwent MR-guided ICBT for cervical cancer from 2016 to 2022 were included. The applicator-inserted bladder filling type (BFT) classification was divided into three types (tilted, curved, and other shapes: group E). The anatomical positional relationship between the uterus and its surroundings was measured on pre-MR images and ICBT simulation MR images. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used for bladder volume and OAR dose according to BFT. Anatomical differences were analyzed by ANOVA by measuring the distance from the center to both bladder walls.

RESULTS

In the correlation analysis considering the shape of the bladder, the tilted, curved, and group E had Spearman's ρ of 0.211; -0.323, 0.412; -0.307 and -0.035; -0.209 for maximum absorbed dose (D2cc) of bladder and small bowel, respectively. It was statistically significant in the tilted type and curved type. The average left and right bladder lengths differences of the tilted type were the highest at 8.47 cm and 7.11 cm, respectively. It was a statistically significant between bladder shape and the difference in left and right bladder lengths differences (p< 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was confirmed that bladder distension increased the maximum bladder dose (D2cc) and decreased the maximum bowel dose (D2cc) to the tilted type and curved type. In addition, if the left and right bladder lengths are measured in pre-MR, the degree of bladder distension can be evaluated in advance by checking the shape of the bladder in the case of the tilting type before ICBT. Based on these findings, a prospective study is needed to evaluate the effect of ICBT on cervical cancer treatment outcomes through bladder type classification.

Risk factors and renal outcomes of low bone mineral density in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Bone disorder is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The clinical usefulness of bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD is not well known. Our study shows that low BMD is associated with physical activity and dietary Na/K intake ratio and can predict poor renal outcome in non-dialysis CKD.

PURPOSE

Despite evidence of a link between bone mineral disorders and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the clinical implications of bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD are not well established. We investigated risk factors and renal outcomes of low BMD in CKD.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the KNOW-CKD. BMD measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was classified by T score: normal (T score ≥ - 1.0), osteopenia (- 1.0 > T score > - 2.5), and osteoporosis (T score ≤ - 2.5) of the lumbar spine, hip, or femoral neck. Logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors of low BMD (T score < - 1.0) and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate risk of incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

RESULTS

Low BMD was prevalent (osteopenia 33%; osteoporosis 8%) in 2128 adults with CKD (age 54 ± 12 years; male 61%). Over a median follow-up of 4.3 years, there were 521 cases of incident ESRD. Lower BMD was associated with female sex, older age, low eGFR, low BMI, and lifestyle factors of physical activity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (0.49-0.77)) and spot urine Na/K ratio (1.07 (1.00-1.15)). In adjusted Cox models, low BMD was associated with increased incident ESRD (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14 (0.92-1.41) for osteopenia; 1.43 (1.01-2.04) for osteoporosis, P for trend < 0.05) compared with the reference of normal BMD. The association between low BMD and ESRD was similar according to T score discordance classification.

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMD was associated with modifiable lifestyle factors including low physical activity and high dietary Na/K intake ratio. The presence of low BMD is associated with poor renal outcomes in non-dialysis CKD.

Preservation of fruit and vegetable discards with sodium metabisulfite

Two series of experiments were performed to investigate the aerobic preservation of fruit and vegetable discards (FVD) using sodium metabisulfite (SMB). In Exp. 1, metabisulfite was applied at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg FVD for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 d. Metabisulfite treatment at 6 and 8 g/kg FVD was highly effective in controlling putrefaction and preserving the nutrient components for 6 and 9 d, respectively. In the pilot-scale experiment (Exp. 2), SMB was applied at 0 and 8 g/kg FVD in a 600-L bucket for 0, 6, and 9 d in an outdoor environment. The SMB treatment was highly effective in maintaining the integrity and freshness of FVD, suppressing microbial proliferation, and preserving the nutrient constituents. Under the conditions of this study, SMB effectively preserved FVD in an aerobic environment, enabling their more efficient long-term recycling through livestock feed or development of value-added products.

Stemmed DNA nanostructure for the selective delivery of therapeutics

DNA has emerged as a biocompatible biomaterial that may be considered for various applications. Here, we report tumor cell-specific aptamer-modified DNA nanostructures for the specific recognition and delivery of therapeutic chemicals to cancer cells. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)7-specific DNA aptamer sequences were linked to 15 consecutive guanines. The resulting aptamer-modified product, AptG15, self-assembled into a Y-shaped structure. The presence of a G-quadruplex at AptG15 was confirmed by circular dichroism and Raman spectroscopy. The utility of AptG15 as a nanocarrier of therapeutics was tested by loading the photosensitizer, methylene blue (MB), to the G-quadruplex as a model drug. The generated MB-loaded AptG15 (MB/AptG15) showed specific and enhanced uptake to CCRF-CEM cells, which overexpress PTK7, compared with Ramos cells, which lack PTK7, or CCRF-CEM cells treated with a PTK7-specific siRNA. The therapeutic activity of MB/AptG15 was tested by triggering its photodynamic effects. Upon 660 nm light irradiation, MB/AptG15 showed greater reactive oxygen species generation and anticancer activity in PTK7-overexpressing cells compared to cells treated with MB alone, those treated with AptG15, and other comparison groups. AptG15 stemmed DNA nanostructures have significant potential for the cell-type-specific delivery of therapeutics, and possibly for the molecular imaging of target cells.

Propagation Dynamics Associated with Resonant Magnetic Perturbation Fields in High-Confinement Mode Plasmas inside the KSTAR Tokamak

The propagation dynamics of resonant magnetic perturbation fields in KSTAR H-mode plasmas with injection of small edge perturbations produced by a supersonic molecular beam injection is reported for the first time. The results show that the perturbation field first excites a plasma response on the q=3 magnetic surface and then propagates inward to the q=2 surface with a radially averaged propagation velocity of resonant magnetic perturbations field equal to 32.5  m/ s. As a result, the perturbation field brakes the toroidal rotation on the q=3 surface first causing a momentum transport perturbation that propagates both inward and outward. A higher density fluctuation level is observed. The propagation velocity of the resonant magnetic perturbations field is larger than the radial propagation velocity of the perturbation in the toroidal rotation.

Yield survey and nutritional evaluation of garlic stalk for ruminant feed

Background

Very limited information exists on the ruminal degradation kinetics of nutrients in garlic stalk. The present study aimed to survey the annual yield of garlic stalk in Korea and determine its feed-nutritive value for ruminants.

Methods

In Experiment 1, garlic stalk was incubated in situ in the rumen of two Hanwoo steers (360 ± 15 kg body weight) and removed after 12, 24, or 48 h to determine the ruminal degradation kinetics of DM and NDF. Rice straw was also included for comparison. In Experiment 2, In Experiment 2, six male Corriedale sheep were randomized to two dietary treatments to determine the apparent digestibility of nutrients in garlic stalk. Diets included a control ration without garlic stalk (60% concentrate mix +40% ryegrass) or a treatment ration (70% control diet +30% garlic stalk).

Results

The Korean national yield of garlic stalk (sun-dried basis) in 2016 was estimated to be 31,910 tons, with the southern coastal regions producing the highest quantity. Compared with rice straw, garlic stalk had lower NDF, higher ADF, and greater effective degradabilities of DM and NDF, resulting in a greater TDN value (56.3%), which was higher than that obtained for rice straw (43.7%).

Conclusion

These results provide basic information on the ruminal DM and NDF degradation kinetics of garlic stalk, which would be helpful for the efficient utilization of this by-product in ruminant diets.

Immune-camouflaged graphene oxide nanosheets for negative regulation of phagocytosis by macrophages

Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) is highly expressed in macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system and in tumor-associated macrophages, whereas tumor cells express the surface membrane protein, CD47, which interacts with SIRPα to negatively regulate phagocytosis. In this study, we modified the surfaces of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets with a CD47-like SIRPα-binding peptide (SP). The presence of SP on GO nanosheets reduced the macrophage uptake to a greater extent than the PEGylation of such nanosheets. This reduced uptake was found to be mediated by the activation of Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) and the downstream inhibition of myosin assembly, which is necessary for phagosome formation. Unlike SP-coated GO nanosheets, PEGylated GO nanosheets did not affect myosin assembly or phagocytosis. After in vivo systemic administration, the clearance of SP-coated GO nanosheets was slower than that of PEGylated GO nanosheets, and this difference increased with repeated administration. Finally, SP-coated GO nanosheets showed a higher distribution to tumor tissues than PEGylated GO nanosheets or a physical mixture of SP and GO nanosheets. Our findings indicate that immune-camouflaged GO nanosheets with natural CD47-like SIRPα-binding molecules can reduce the nonspecific loss of such nanosheets through macrophage uptake, thereby enhancing their blood circulation and tumor delivery after multiple injections.

Effect of microbial inoculant or molasses on fermentative quality and aerobic stability of sawdust-based spent mushroom substrate

In the first experiment, the effect of two novel Lactobacillus plantarum strains was studied on the fermentation of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) through 10d of ensiling. Based on lactic acid production and lactic acid bacteria population, L. plantarum KU5 was identified as the best strain for fermentation with a 5-L bag silo. Spent mushroom substrate was ensiled with 0.5% (v/w) L. plantarum KU5 without or with 5% molasses. Silages treated with microbial inoculant and molasses had the lowest pH and the highest fermentative odors. In a second set of experiments similar to the above 5-L silo study, the simultaneous application of L. plantarum KU5 inoculant and molasses to 80-L silos improved fermentability and aerobic stability of SMS silages. For similar treatment using ton-bag silos, aerobic stability decreased and NH3-N content increased dramatically. In conclusion, sawdust-based SMS for animal use was successfully ensiled with L. plantarum KU5 inoculant and molasses.

Clinical outcomes in Asian elderly kidney transplant recipients: a multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

The kidney transplantation rate in elderly patients is increasing rapidly. However, the clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation in elderly patients have not yet been thoroughly evaluated.

METHODS

This multicenter cohort study included adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) admitted to five major tertiary hospitals in Korea between 1997 and 2012. A total of 3,565 adult participants were enrolled. Patient survival, allograft survival, and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) of 242 elderly recipients (≥ 60 years) were assessed and compared with those of a younger population.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into five groups according to age at time of transplantation. The proportion of elderly patients was 6.7 % (mean age, 63.1 ± 2.7 years; n = 242). The numbers of male patients (69.4%), those with diabetes mellitus history (36.3%), and those with pretransplantation ischemic heart disease history (17.7%) were significantly higher in the elderly group than in the younger age groups. Elderly patients were more likely to receive a cadaveric kidney, and overall mortality rates were significantly higher in the elderly patients (1-year survival 93.3%, 5-year survival 91.3%). However, death-censored allograft survival rate and BPAR were not affected by patient age (P = .104 and .501, respectively). Among the elderly, BPAR and female donors were independent risk factors for allograft loss.

CONCLUSION

The overall survival rate of the elderly KTRs was significantly lower than that of younger KTRs. However, the death-censored allograft survival rate did not differ between groups. Kidney transplantation should not be stagnated especially in elderly patients with end-stage renal disease.

Responses of blood glucose, insulin, glucagon, and Fatty acids to intraruminal infusion of propionate in hanwoo

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of intraruminal infusion of propionate on ruminal fermentation characteristics and blood hormones and metabolites in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) steers. Four Hanwoo steers (average body wt. 270 kg, 13 month of age) equipped with rumen cannula were infused into rumens with 0.0 M (Water, C), 0.5 M (37 g/L, T1), 1.0 M (74 g/L, T2) and 1.5 M (111 g/L, T3) of propionate for 1 hour per day and allotted by 4×4 Latin square design. On the 5th day of infusion, samples of rumen and blood were collected at 0, 60, 120, 180, and 300 min after intraruminal infusion of propionate. The concentrations of serum glucose and plasma glucagon were not affected (p>0.05) by intraruminal infusion of propionate. The serum insulin concentration at 60 min after infusion was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 than in C, while the concentration of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) at 60 and 180 min after infusion was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the propionate treatments than in C. Hence, intraruminal infusion of propionate stimulates the secretion of insulin, and decreases serum NEFA concentration rather than the change of serum glucose concentration.

Rotation characteristics during the resonant magnetic perturbation induced edge localized mode suppression on the KSTAR

Measuring rotation profiles with a reliable spatial resolution is one of the critical diagnostics in understanding the plasma behavior especially for the edge transport. In the KSTAR experiments, it has been consistently observed from the charge exchange spectroscopy measurements that the magnetic perturbations not only suppresses edge localized modes (ELMs) but also reduces toroidal rotations. In this paper, toroidal velocities of the carbon impurity and their profile evolutions during ELMy and ELM-suppressed phases are presented. The rotation profiles are shown to collapse immediately after an ELM burst and continue to build up until the next burst that accompanies another collapse. Toroidal rotations following the resonant magnetic perturbations applications are observed to be reduced along with the ELMs suppressed.

Ensiling Characteristics and the In situ Nutrient Degradability of a By-product Feed-based Silage

This study was conducted to evaluate the ensiling characteristics and the in situ degradability of a by-product feed (BF)-based silage. Before ensilation, the BF-based mixture was composed of 50% spent mushroom substrate, 21% recycled poultry bedding, 15% ryegrass straw, 10.8% rice bran, 2% molasses, 0.6% bentonite, and 0.6% microbial inoculant on a wet basis and ensiled for up to 4 weeks. The BF-based silage contained on average 39.3% moisture, 13.4% crude protein (CP), and 52.2% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 49% total digestible nutrient, and 37.8% physically effective NDF1.18 on a dry matter (DM) basis. Ensiling the BF-based silage for up to 4 weeks affected (p<0.01) the chemical composition to a small extent, increased (p<0.05) the lactic acid and NH3-N content, and decreased (p<0.05) both the total bacterial and lactic acid bacterial counts from 10(9) to 10(8) cfu/g when compared to that before ensiling. These parameters indicated that the silage was fermented and stored well during the 4-week ensiling period. Compared with rice or ryegrass straws, the BF-based silage had a higher (p<0.05) water-soluble and filterable fraction, a lower insoluble degradable DM and CP fraction (p<0.05), a lower digestible NDF (p<0.05) fraction, a higher (p<0.05) DM and CP disappearance and degradability rate, and a lower (p<0.05) NDF disappearance and degradability rate. These results indicated that cheap, good-quality BF-based roughage could be produced by ensiling SMS, RPB, rice bran, and a minimal amount of straw.

Maintenance Crude Protein Requirement of Penned Female Korean Spotted Deer (Cervus nippon)

This study was conducted to evaluate the protein requirement for maintenance of 2-year-old female Korean spotted deer. In the course of the experiment, each of three hand-reared female spotted deer was fed three diets that were iso-calorically formulated to contain low (approximately 7%), medium (12%), and high (17%) levels of crude protein (CP). Each of six trials included a 5-day transition, a 10-day preliminary, and a 7-day collection period. Dietary protein levels affected the apparent digestibility of CP (p<0.05) but not the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, or acid detergent fiber. All of the deer showed a positive CP balance on all of the diets. The maintenance CP requirement estimated by regression analysis was 4.17 g/kg metabolic body weight (W^0.75)·d. The maintenance digestible CP requirement was 1.42 g/kg W^0.75·d. The metabolic fecal CP was 1.95 g/kg W^0.75·d. The blood urea nitrogen of spotted deer increased (p<0.05) as the dietary protein levels increased.

Effect of indigenous herbs on growth, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics in the late fattening period of hanwoo steers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of indigenous herbal supplements on growth, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. In a 6 month feeding trial, thirty Hanwoo steers (647±32 kg) were allotted to one of 5 treatment groups, control (basal diet contained lasalocid), licorice, clove, turmeric and silymarin, with six steers per pen. All groups received ad libitum concentrate and 1 kg rice straw/animal/d throughout the feeding trial. Blood samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and the end of the experiment and the steers were slaughtered at the end. Blood glucose, triglyceride, total protein, and albumin concentrations were higher in the turmeric treatment compared with other treatments. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were highest (p<0.003 and p = 0.071, respectively) in steers treated with silymarin. Alanine aminotransferase activity was lower (p<0.06) for licorice and silymarin compared with the control group. There were no alterations in serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase activities as a consequence of herb treatments (p = 0.203 and 0.135, respectively). Final body weight, body weight gain, average dairy gain and dry matter intake were not significantly different among treatments. Yield grade, marbling score and quality grade were higher for silymarin group than those of the control group (p<0.05). Therefore, the results suggest that silymarin can be used an effective dietary supplement as an alternative to antibiotic feed additive and a productivity enhancer, providing safe and more consumer acceptable alternative to synthetic compounds during the late fattening period of steers.

Effects of Supplementing Microbially-fermented Spent Mushroom Substrates on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers (a Field Study)

This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation of microbially-fermented spent mushroom substrates (MFSMS) on weight gain, carcass characteristics, and economic efficiency of Hanwoo steers. Highly cellulolytic bacteria (Enterobacter spp. and Bacillus spp.) isolated from spent mushroom substrates (SMS) stacks were inoculated (1% v/v) into the SMS, which was anaerobically fermented and fed to the steers for 12.6 months during the growing and fattening periods. Growing Hanwoo steers were assigned to the control group without supplementation of Microbially-fermented SMS (MFSMS), to a treatment group with 50% of MFSMS (1/2 of the ad libitum group), and to a treatment group with ad libitum access to SMS (the ad libitum group). All the groups were fed the formulated feed and rice straw. The voluntary intake (DM basis) of MFSMS was 1.6 kg/d during the growing period and 1.4 kg/d during the fattening period. The voluntary rice straw intake decreased by 6 to 11%, but the total voluntary DMI increased by 7 to 15% with MFSMS fed. The increased DMI with MFSMS supplementation resulted in a tendency of increased (p = 0.055) live weight gain by 8 to 12% compared with the control group. At slaughtering, the supplementation of MFSMS increased (p<0.05) the ribeye area by an average of 10 cm(2). In conclusion, feeding MFSMS improved growth performance and carcass traits of Hanwoo steers and could successfully replace a part of conventional roughage such as rice straw commonly used in Asian countries.

A comparison of outcomes between concurrent chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy alone in cancer of the uterine cervix: a single institutional experience

PURPOSE

To compare failure patterns and evaluate prognostic factors related to survival rates after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or radiotherapy (RT) alone in cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1996 to December 2006, 218 patients with cervical cancer (FIGO Stage IB2 - III) treated with CCRT or RT alone as primary treatments were included, retrospectively. One-hundred eight patients were treated with CCRT and 110 with RT alone.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in failure patterns between the treatment groups, but distant metastasis was the predominant pattern in both groups. The frequent metastatic sites were supraclavicular lymph node, lung, and brain. Treatment group, diabetes, and FIGO Stage were found to be significant for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and initial hemoglobin level for DFS.

CONCLUSION

Distant metastasis is the predominant failure pattern and diabetes is one of the independent prognostic factors to survival rates in this study.

Effects of electron-cyclotron-resonance-heating-induced internal kink mode on the toroidal rotation in the KSTAR Tokamak

It is observed that the magnitude of the toroidal rotation speed is reduced by the central electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) regardless of the direction of the toroidal rotation. The magnetohydrodynamics activities generally appear with the rotation change due to ECRH. It is shown that the internal kink mode is induced by the central ECRH and breaks the toroidal symmetry. When the magnetohydrodynamics activities are present, the toroidal plasma viscosity is not negligible. The observed effects of ECRH on the toroidal plasma rotation are explained by the neoclassical toroidal viscosity in this Letter. It is found that the neoclassical toroidal viscosity torque caused by the internal kink mode damps the toroidal rotation.

17α-hydroxlyase/17, 20-lyase deficiency in three siblings with primary amenorrhea and absence of secondary sexual development

BACKGROUND

17α-hydroxlyase/17, 20-lyase deficiency (17OHD) is a rare phenotype of congenital adrenal hyperplasia that can cause primary amenorrhea.

CASE

Three phenotypically female siblings visited the adolescent gynecologic clinic complaining of primary amenorrhea and absence of secondary sexual developments. All had constant high blood pressure and showed a hypergonadotropic hypogonadal state with high progesterone and low testosterone levels. Two were genotypically females and one was genotypically a male; all were confirmed to have 17OHD, and estrogen replacement, glucocorticoids, and antihypertensive drugs were Prescribed to the patients.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Identifying a 17OHD patient complaining of primary amenorrhea in a gynecologic clinic is important for proper management.

Effect of estradiol on the expression of renal sodium transporters in rats

BACKGROUND

Although estradiol has been thought to perform an important role in blood pressure regulation, the effects of estradiol on the expression of renal sodium transporters are not fully understood.

METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 17β-estradiol or vehicle for 10 days after ovariectomy, and after both ovariectomy and adrenalectomy to eliminate the effect of aldosterone.

RESULTS

In the ovariectomized (OVX) rats, estradiol decreased the abundance of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) (31.5% of control (OVX), p < 0.01), Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) proteins (40.5% of control (OVX), p < 0.01) and α- and γ-subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) (44.7% and 11.0% of control (OVX), p < 0.01). Estradiol also reduced plasma aldosterone levels (OVX + 17β-estradiol vs. OVX, 116.3 ± 44.4 vs. 184.2 ± 33.4 pmol/l, p < 0.05) and systolic blood pressure (OVX + 17β-estradiol vs. OVX, 115 ± 4 vs. 132 ± 2 mmHg, p < 0.05). In rats having undergone adrenalectomy and ovariectomy, estradiol did not reduce systolic blood pressure, or the expression of sodium transporters.

CONCLUSION

Estradiol decreased systolic blood pressure, plasma aldosterone levels, and the expression of renal sodium transporters. After aldosterone was eliminated, estradiol did not affect blood pressure or the expression of sodium transporters, which indicates that the effect of estradiol on the renal sodium transporters is at least partly influenced by aldosterone.

Wastewater screening method for evaluating applicability of zero-valent iron to industrial wastewater

This study presents a screening protocol to evaluate the applicability of the ZVI pretreatment to various industrial wastewaters of which major constituents are not identified. The screening protocol consisted of a sequential analysis of UV-vis spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), and bioassay. The UV-vis and HPLC analyses represented the potential reductive transformation of unknown constituents in wastewater by the ZVI. The UV-vis and HPLC results were quantified using principal component analysis (PCA) and Euclidian distance (ED). The short-term bioassay was used to assess the increased biodegradability of wastewater constituents after ZVI treatment. The screening protocol was applied to seven different types of real industrial wastewaters. After identifying one wastewater as the best candidate for the ZVI treatment, the benefit of ZVI pretreatment was verified through continuous operation of an integrated iron-sequencing batch reactor (SBR) resulting in the increased organic removal efficiency compared to the control. The iron pretreatment was suggested as an economical option to modify some costly physico-chemical processes in the existing wastewater treatment facility. The screening protocol could be used as a robust strategy to estimate the applicability of ZVI pretreatment to a certain wastewater with unknown composition.

Diagnostics for first plasma and development plan on KSTAR

The first plasma with target values of the plasma current and the pulse duration was finally achieved on June 13, 2008 in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR). The diagnostic systems played an important role in achieving successful first plasma operation for the KSTAR tokamak. The employed plasma diagnostic systems for the KSTAR first plasma including the magnetic diagnostics, millimeter-wave interferometer, inspection illuminator, H(alpha), visible spectrometer, filterscope, and electron cyclotron emission (ECE) radiometer have provided the main plasma parameters, which are essential for the plasma generation, control, and physics understanding. Improvements to the first diagnostic systems and additional diagnostics including an x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer, reflectometer, ECE radiometer, resistive bolometer, and soft x-ray array are scheduled to be added for the next KSTAR experimental campaign in 2009.

Zero-valent iron pretreatment for detoxifying iodine in liquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturing wastewater

This study investigated reductive transformation of iodine by zero-valent iron (ZVI), and the subsequent detoxification of iodine-laden wastewater. ZVI completely reduced aqueous iodine to non-toxic iodide. Respirometric bioassay illustrated that the presence of iodine increase the lag phase before the onset of oxygen consumption. The length of lag phase was proportional to increasing iodine dosage. The reduction products of iodine by ZVI did not exhibit any inhibitory effect on the biodegradation. The cumulative biological oxidation associated with iodine toxicity was closely fitted to Gompertz model. When iodine-laden wastewater was continuously fed to a bench-scale activated sludge unit, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies decreased from above 90% to below 80% along with a marked decrease in biomass concentration. On the other hand, the COD removal efficiency and biomass concentration remained constant in the integrated ZVI-activated sludge system. Respirometric bioassay with real iodine-laden LCD manufacturing wastewater demonstrated that ZVI was effective for detoxifying iodine and consequently enhancing biodegradability of wastewater. This result suggested that ZVI pretreatment may be a feasible option for the removal of iodine in LCD processing wastewater, instead of more costly processes such as adsorption and chemical oxidation, which are commonly in the iodine-laden LCD wastewater treatment facility.

Molasses and microbial inoculants improve fermentability and silage quality of cotton waste-based spent mushroom substrate

A small-silo study was conducted to develop an effective ensiling storage method for the use of cotton waste-based spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as an animal feed. The SMS was ensiled with 5% molasses (DM basis), 0.5% (v/w) lactic acid bacteria (LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum) inoculant or 0.5% (v/w) yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) inoculant. The treatments included 100% SMS (control), 95% SMS+5% molasses (T1), 95% SMS+5% molasses+0.5% LAB (T2) and 95% SMS+5% molasses+5% LAB+0.5% yeast (T3). The treatments were ensiled for 10. Change in chemical compositions was little (P>0.05) according to the ensiling process and treatments. Compared with those before ensiling, 100% SMS (control) after ensiling showed unstable fermentative properties with high pH (5.2) and little lactic acid production. Compared with the ensiled control, treatments (T1, T2 and T3) resulted in decreased pH, 18-20 times higher concentrations of lactic acid, and greater populations of total bacteria (P<0.07), LAB and yeast (P<0.07). The addition of 5% molasses, 0.5% LAB and 0.5% yeast (T3) to the SMS resulted in the lowest pH (4.25) and the greatest microbial populations. Treatment T3 was selected for a large scale silo study which was ensiled for 10, 20 and 30 d. As in the small-silo study, the T3 treatment showed favorable fermentative and microbial parameters, compared with the control, by decreasing pH and increasing lactic acid concentrations, LAB and yeast populations. The minimum ensiling period was 20 d, when pH was reasonably low and LAB and yeast populations were greatest. In conclusion, molasses and microbial inoculation improved silage quality of SMS.

Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research vacuum and gas puffing system

A piezoelectric valve, which has a flow rate of about 463 mbar l/s, has been installed to fuel the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) tokamak. The valve flow rate is in situ calibrated by analyzing the pressure rise curve while fueling the vessel at a constant rate. The calibration method and results are presented. In addition to the flow rate, other vacuum system parameters, such as the pumping speed and the vessel volume, were experimentally obtained. Based on these measurements, a KSTAR vacuum system simulator was developed to calculate the valve drive signal to obtain a programmed pressure trace. An arbitrarily shaped pressure trace was successfully controlled in KSTAR with this hardware and software system.

Association between the Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) G38A polymorphism and the progression of IgA nephropathy

AIMS

Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) is a protein with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, both CC16 gene knockout and antisense-transgenic mouse models developed glomerulonephritis resembling IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In the present study, we evaluated the influence of the G38A polymorphism in the CC16 gene exon 1 on the development and progression of IgAN.

METHODS

Korean patients with biopsy-proven IgAN (n=267) with a minimal follow-up of 4 years (mean +/- SD 103.8 +/- 52.6 months) were recruited. Healthy normal subjects (n=315) were included as controls. The G38A polymorphism was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

GG, GA and AA genotype frequencies were 36.3, 50.2 and 13.5% in IgAN patients, respectively, and 34.3, 50.2 and 15.5% in controls (chi2 = 0.596, p = 0.742). The G allele frequency was 0.614 in IgAN patients and 0.594 in controls (chi2 = 0.429, p = 0.512). Moreover, the GG genotype frequencies were 40.4% in patients showing stable disease course and 26.6% in those with progressive disease (chi2 = 4.029, p = 0.045). Patients with the GG genotype showed a better outcome by Kaplan-Meier analysis in terms of renal survival (p = 0.043). The CC16 polymorphism remained an independent risk factor for progression after multivariate analysis (Cox regression model, HR for CC16 AA genotype: 2.34, 95% CI 1.19-4.64, p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that CC 16 gene G38A polymorphism is not associated with the development of IgAN, but that it is an important marker of progression in IgAN.

Improvement of the thickening and dewatering characteristics of activated sludge by electroflotation (EF)

The performances of electroflotation (EF) on the thickening of activated sludge were investigated using laboratory scale batch flotation reactors. Four activated sludges including bulking sludges were tested. After 30 minutes of EF operation, 57-84% of sludge volume reduction could be achieved by EF, while only about 1.5-14% could be obtained by gravity thickening for the same period. After thickening the effluent water quality in terms of TCOD, SS, and turbidity was improved by EF operation for all sludge samples. In addition, the EF thickened sludge showed much better dewaterability both in SRF and cake solid content. It is induced that the air bubbles entrapped in the thickened sludge play a key role in the observed dewaterbility improvement.

Denitrification and phosphorus release under anoxic conditions in an anoxic-anaerobic-aerobic BNR process

An anoxic-anaerobic-aerobic biologial nutrient removal process was used in this study. The kinetic aspects of denitrification and phosphorus release under anoxic conditions were investigated by conducting a pilot-scale plant operation under various SRTs (solids retention times), HRTs (hydraulic retention times) and internal recycle ratios. The process was capable of completely denitrifying the NOx- -N (the sum of NO2- -N and NO3- -N) in the nitrified recycle, resulting in an NOx- -N concentration of less than 1.0 mg l(-1) N in the anoxic zones. Denitrification and phosphorus release were accomplished due to abundant organic substrates in the anoxic zone at the head end of the process and achieved approximately equivalent rates with respect to influent SCOD loading in the zone. Phosphorus release continued without any nitrate inhibition due to low NOx- -N concentrations of less than 2.0 mg l(-1) N in the anaerobic zone.

Prolonged organ retention and safety of plasmid DNA administered in polyethylenimine complexes

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been studied as an efficient nonviral gene transfer vector. Here, we report the biodistribution fates and safety of plasmid DNA intravenously administered in PEI complexes. Using pCMVbeta as a model gene, the biodistribution of plasmid DNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A deletion mutant of pCMVbeta was used as an internal standard. After intravenous administration of PEI/DNA complexes, the serum levels of DNA rapidly declined for up to 15 min. However, after this point, the serum levels of DNA diminished slowly. At 15 min after dose, PEI/DNA complexes showed 33-fold higher distribution of DNA in the lung than did naked DNA. At 24 h, all the organs tested showed much higher levels of plasmid DNA in PEI/DNA complexes, with distribution in the liver and lung being three orders of magnitude higher than naked DNA. The mRNA expression of DNA was observed in various organs of PEI/DNA-treated mice at 12 days after dose. Once a week dosing of PEI/DNA complexes over 3 consecutive weeks did not alter the histology of the organs. However, twice a week dosing over 3 weeks induced a sign of inflammation in the liver. These results indicate that PEI enhances the delivery and retention of plasmid DNA in the organs, especially the liver, but that safe delivery requires proper dosing intervals.

Effects of presurgical and post-surgical irradiation on the healing process of Medpor in dogs

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of irradiation on the healing process and the effect on the contact surface of Medpor and bone. Eighteen dogs were studied. The animals were divided into three groups. Six non-irradiated dogs served as controls (Group 1). Twelve dogs irradiated on the left femur, before and after implantation of Medpor, were studied. The dogs were euthanized 4 and 8 weeks after Medpor was implanted in presurgical irradiation subgroup animals (Group 2) and after the completion of irradiation in post-surgical irradiation subgroup animals (Group 3). Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examinations were performed. The appearance of osteoblasts and bone matrix formation were remarkably late and manifest slight reactions in post-surgical irradiation group compared to the control group presenting the osteoblasts at 4 weeks, and those osteoblasts were not visible in presurgical irradiation group in both the 4-week and 8-week observation. We concluded that the bone remodeling was delayed in the irradiated bone, especially in the presurgical group.

Nuclear factor-kappa B plays a major role in the regulation of chemokine expression of HeLa cells in response to Toxoplasma gondii infection

Toxoplasma gondii infection results in an infiltration of immune cells. The mechanisms responsible for triggering inflammatory cell infiltration in T. gondii infection are not fully understood. We report that T. gondii-infected HeLa cells induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and increased the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA. An inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation, calpain-1 inhibitor, blocked the chemokine secretion induced by live T. gondii. Activation of the IL-8 and NF-kappaB transcriptional reporters was suppressed in cells co-transfected with IkappaB kinase beta and the IkappaBalpha super-repressor plasmids. Moreover, the addition of IL-1alpha increased NF-kappaB activation and IL-8 mRNA expression in T. gondii-infected HeLa cells. These results suggest that NF-kappaB is a central regulator of the chemokine response in T. gondii-infected human epithelial cells and that chemokine IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion might be involved in the pathogenesis of T. gondii, via the recruitment of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes.