Reduced Claudin-12 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cervical Cancer

Background: Within the claudin (CLDN) family, CLDN12 mRNA expression is altered in various types of cancer, but its clinicopathological relevance has yet to be established due to the absence of specific antibodies (Abs) with broad applications. Methods: We generated a monoclonal Ab (mAb) against human/mouse CLDN12 and verified its specificity. By performing immunohistochemical staining and semiquantification, we evaluated the relationship between CLDN12 expression and clinicopathological parameters in tissues from 138 cases of cervical cancer. Results: Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the established mAb selectively recognized the CLDN12 protein. Twenty six of the 138 cases (18.8%) showed low CLDN12 expression, and the disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly decreased compared with those in the high CLDN12 expression group. We also demonstrated, via univariable and multivariable analyses, that the low CLDN12 expression represents a significant prognostic factor for the DSS of cervical cancer patients (HR 3.412, p = 0.002 and HR 2.615, p = 0.029, respectively). Conclusions: It can be concluded that a reduced CLDN12 expression predicts a poor outcome for cervical cancer. The novel anti-CLDN12 mAb could be a valuable tool to evaluate the biological relevance of the CLDN12 expression in diverse cancer types and other diseases.     

Liquid Marble Patchwork on Super-Repellent Surface

Liquid marble (LM) is a droplet that is wrapped by hydrophobic solid particles, which behave as a non-wetting soft solid. Based on these properties, LM can be applied in fluidics and soft device applications. A wide variety of functional particles have been synthesized to form functional LMs. However, the formation of multifunctional LMs by integrating several types of functional particles is challenging. Here, a general strategy for the flexible patterning of functional particles on droplet surfaces in a patchwork-like design is reported. It is shown that LMs can switch their macroscopic behavior between a stable and active state on super-repellent surfaces in situ by jamming/unjamming the surface particles. Active LMs hydrostatically coalesce to form a self-sorted particle pattern on the droplet surface. With the support of LM handling robotics, on-demand cyclic activation–manipulation–coalescence–stabilization protocols by LMs with different sizes and particle types result in the reliable design of multi-faced LMs. Based on this concept, a single bi-functional LM is designed from two mono-functional LMs as an advanced droplet carrier.     

A CMOS multichannel 10-Gb/s transceiver

We describe a CMOS multichannel transceiver that transmits and receives 10 Gb/s per channel over balanced copper media. The transceiver consists of two identical 10-Gb/s modules. Each module operates off a single 1.2-V supply and has a single 5-GHz phase-locked loop to supply a reference clock to two transmitter (Tx) channels and two receiver (Rx) channels. To track the input-signal phase, the Rx channel has a clock recovery unit (CRU), which uses a phase-interpolator-based timing generator and digital loop filter. The CRU can adjust the recovered clock phase with a resolution of 1.56 ps. Two sets of two-channel transceiver units were fabricated in 0.11-/spl mu/m CMOS on a single test chip. The transceiver unit size was 1.6 mm /spl times/ 2.6 mm. The Rx sensitivity was 120-mVp-p differential with a 70-ps phase margin for a common-mode voltage ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 V. The evaluated jitter tolerance curve met the OC-192 specification.     

Efficiency of repeated batch penicillin fermentation using two fermentors. Computer simulation and optimisation

Repeated batch operation using two fermentors (RBTF) to penicillin fermentation was demonstrated by computer simulation to improve productivity. Three operation modes were compared: chemostat, repeated batch operation using a single fermentor (RBSF) and RBTF; in each case account was made of the lag period before growth. The simulated fermentor performances were assessed on the basis of the penicillin productivity and concentration; the simulation was based on published batch fermentation data. It was shown that RBTF was superior to RBSF and chemostat. The advantage of RBTF increased as the lag period became greater.     

Annual changes in serum vitellogenin concentrations in viviparous eelpout, Zoarces elongatus

Vitellogenin of matrotrophic viviparous eelpout (Zoarces elongatus) was purified from estradiol-17 beta (E2) treated immature male sera by gel chromatography and anion exchange chromatography. Isolated vitellogenin has a molecular weight of 540 kDa estimated by gel chromatography. Serum levels of vitellogenin in females were measured during oocyte development and gestation by single radial immunodiffusion. Serum vitellogenin level was low (less than 0.2 mg/ml) during the early vitellogenic period, increased in the late vitellogenic period to a peak level (6.4 +/- 2.1 mg/ml) at the beginning of gestation. After that it rapidly decreased to a low level (0.1 +/- 0.1 mg/ml) during the early gestation period. Levels of vitellogenin remained low throughout the gestation period. Serum E2 levels in females showed increased from 1.3 to 3.0 ng/ml during the late vitellogenic period, and declined to 0.4 ng/ml during the early gestation period. Serum levels of E2 showed good correlation with serum vitellogenin levels, suggesting that the vitellogenin synthesis is controlled by E2 in this species. These results combined with the matrotrophic growth of embryo during gestation suggest that there is a shift in the synthesis of maternal nutritional products for embryos from the yolk to other nutrients.     

Is it possible to differentiate between choledochal cyst and congenital biliary atresia (type I cyst) by antenatal ultrasonography?

Both choledochal cyst and congenital biliary atresia (type I cyst) may share the same ultrasonographic pattern. We report 2 cases which were shown to have cystic structures on the upper abdomen by antenatal ultrasonography. The size of the choledochal cyst found at 24 weeks' gestation increased steadily as gestational age advanced. But the size of the cyst in congenital biliary atresia found at 29 weeks' gestation remained unchanged throughout the remaining pregnancy. Cyst enlargement, therefore, may suggest the possibility of a choledochal cyst.     

A new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factors: increased midkine expression in Wilms' tumor and other human carcinomas

Midkine (MK) and heparin-binding growth-associated molecule/pleiotrophin form a new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factors. We studied MK gene expression in human tumors. In normal human reference tissues, MK was highly expressed in the mucosal tissue of the small intestine, moderately in the thyroid, weakly in the tissues of the lung, colon, stomach, kidney, and spleen, and not at all in the liver. All of 6 surgically removed specimens of Wilms' tumor highly expressed MK. Also, a moderate to intense level of MK expression was noted in the majority of surgically removed hepatocellular carcinomas. The MK mRNA level was analyzed in a number of cultured and nude mice-transplanted lines of human tumors. In stomach, colon, pancreatic, lung, and esophageal carcinomas, a moderate to high level of MK expression was found in the majority of them. These results suggest an important role of MK in the development and/or biological behavior of tumors and raised a possibility to use MK as a diagnostic marker. Heparin-binding growth associated molecule/pleiotrophin mRNA was low or scarcely detectable in samples analyzed thus far except for significant levels of the expression that were observed in PA-1 teratocarcinoma cells and in some surgical specimens of Wilms' tumor.     

Advanced Coatings on Furnace Wall Tubes

Nickel-based self-fluxing alloy coating extends the service life of furnace wall tubes at waste incineration plants due to its excellent corrosion resistance and heat resistance. Fusing of such coatings by induction heating offers improved efficiency and reliability of products. Compared with conventional plasma, flame, and high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying thermal-sprayed coatings, induction-fused coatings provide a far stronger metallurgical bond at the interface, while minimizing the inclusion of pores. In addition, the tubes are less costly than those with welded coatings, and the process reduces the distortion of the products, facilitating easier final assembly. A successful experimental application of 11 units in a waste incinerator revealed virtually no corrosion on the exposed surfaces, and showed an improved water heating efficiency over that of the original tubes. Such units are now being employed in four incinerators in Taiwan, and continuing tests are showing great promise.     

Adsorption of urea,creatinine, and uric acid from three solution types using spherical activated carbon and its recyclability

In this paper, we propose that the urinary toxins from the wastewater be adsorbed on an adsorbent such as spherical activated carbon and the latter be regenerated by subjecting it to high temperatures to recycle activated carbon and also to recycle the water used in dialysis. We studied the adsorption of artificial waste dialysate, which is a mixed solution of urea, creatinine, and uric acid, and the separate solutions for each of these and found that their extents of adsorption onto the spherical activated carbon material were nearly identical. The amount of adsorption was approximately 1.4 mg·g^-1 for urea, 18 mg·g^-1 for creatinine, and 20 mg·g^-1 for uric acid. The urea, creatinine, and uric acid adsorbed onto the spherical activated carbon decomposed on heat treatment at 500℃, and the adsorption capacity of the spherical activated carbon was regenerated. Our study successfully demonstrated that the spherical activated carbon can be recycled in the waste dialysate treatment process.     

A carboxyalkanethiol monolayer modified electrode for blocking of ascorbic acid oxidation and its application to a biosensor

Upon the application of amperometric biosensor to the biological fluid, ascorbic acid interferes the amperometric determination of analytes, because the oxidative potential of ascorbic acid is lower than that of electro active substances such as H₂O₂ produced by the enzymatic reaction. In this study we propose a method to block ascorbic acid based on the electrostatic interaction with self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and its application of the surface modified electrode to biosensor. In order to form SAM on the gold electrode with carboxyl group, 7-carboxy-heptanethiol (7-CHT) was used. The 7-CHT modified electrode did not show anodic response to ascorbic acid, but oxidized phenanthroline cobalt complex [Co(phen)₃²⁺], which can be used as a mediator of biosensor. Thus, the 7CHT-modified electrode was applied to biosensor mediated with Co(phen)₃²⁺. Fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) was immobilized to the 7-CHT modified electrode. Fructose was determined selectively with the FDH/7-CHT modified electrode at the range of 0.2-2 mM.