This study demonstrated that the prognosis of CPFE is significantly worse than that of IPF alone. In particular, CPFE with paraseptal emphysema associated with high esPAP has an extremely poor prognosis.

The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of nerve agent, isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate, Sarin (GB) on powdery TiO 2 film has been investigated using attenuated total reflection-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) in ambient atmosphere. Producing innocuous isopropyl methylphosphonic acid as a consequence of GB adsorption at the surface of TiO 2 indicates that powdery TiO 2 film is effective to hydrolyze GB. The adsorbed GB and IMPA were quickly decomposed by TiO 2 photocatalysis to give isopropanol, acetone, formate, and methylphosphonic acid, and finally completely mineralized to phosphoric acid, water, and carbon dioxide. We also elucidated a plausible adsorption structure and photocatalytic decomposition mechanism of GB at the surface of TiO 2 photocatalyst.

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We have detected biological toxins using localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and synthetic glycosyl ceramides (β-lactoside, globosyl trisaccharide (Gb3), or GM1 pentasaccharide) attached to gold (Au) nanoparticles. The particle diameters ranged from 5-100 nm. The detection sensitivity for three toxins (ricin, Shiga toxin, and cholera toxin) was found to depend not only on the attached glycoside but also on the diameter of the Au nanoparticles. For the detection of ricin, the 20-nm β-lactoside-coated Au nanoparticle exhibited the highest LSPR response, whereas 40-nm Gb3- and GM1-coated Au nanoparticles gave the best results for Shiga toxin and cholera toxin, respectively. In addition, a blocking process on the nanoparticle surface greatly improved the detection sensitivity for cholera toxin. The LSPR system enabled us to detect ricin at 30 ng/mL, Shiga toxin at 10 ng/mL, and the cholera toxin at 20 ng/mL.

Background:Germline alterations in the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2–like 11 (BIM) can have a crucial role in tumor response to treatment. To determine the clinical utility of detecting BIM deletion polymorphism in non–small-cell lung cancer positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, we examined outcomes of patients with and without BIM alterations.Methods:We studied 70 patients with EGFR mutation-positive non–small-cell lung cancer who were treated with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor between January 2008 and January 2013. BIM deletion was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction in 58 samples of peripheral blood and 24 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slides of surgical specimens (20 of lung tissue and four of brain tissue); both blood and tissue specimens were available for 12 patients. We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, response rate, toxicity, and outcomes among patients with and without BIM deletion.Results:BIM deletion was present in 13 of 70 patients (18.6%). There were no significant differences between patients with and without BIM deletion in clinical characteristics, rate of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, or incidence of adverse events. Patients with BIM deletion had significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than those without BIM deletion (median, 227 versus 533 days; p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BIM deletion was an independent indicator of shorter PFS (hazard ratio, 3.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.864–8.547; p < 0.001).Conclusions:Polymerase chain reaction successfully detected BIM deletion in samples of peripheral blood and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slides of surgical specimens. BIM deletion was the most important independent prognostic factor in shorter PFS.

Many studies suggest that mutans streptococci (MS), Lactobacillus (LB), and salivary buffering capacity are important risk factors for dental caries. However, target populations for most studies were children. In adult patients, the same risk factors affect the number of fillings or prostheses or secondary caries. It is therefore important to investigate these risk factors as predictors of caries in adults. In the present study, we evaluated the oral conditions of adult subjects at private dental offices using bite-wing radiographs. Detection of salivary LB level using Dentocult LB had a statistically significant correlation with the number of flat surface caries and approximal caries (P < 0.001). Detection of salivary MS level using Dentocult MS and salivary buffering capacity did not predict dental caries. Thus, detection of salivary LB level using Dentocult LB may be a useful tool for detecting approximal and secondary caries.

BackgroundGallbladder agenesis (GBA) is extremely rare in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe the history, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of dogs with GBA.AnimalsSeventeen client‐owned dogs with GBA.MethodsMedical records from 2006 through 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were included when GBA was suspected on abdominal ultrasonography and confirmed by gross evaluation. Signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathological data, diagnostic imaging, histopathology, treatment, and outcome were recorded.ResultsDogs were of 6 different breeds, and Chihuahuas (10 of 17) were most common. Median age at presentation was 1.9 (range, 0.7–7.4) years. Clinical signs included vomiting (5 of 17), anorexia (2 of 17), ascites (2 of 17), diarrhea (1 of 17), lethargy (1 of 17), and seizures (1 of 17). All dogs had increased serum activity of at least 1 liver enzyme, most commonly alanine aminotransferase (15 of 17). Fifteen dogs underwent computed tomography (CT) cholangiography; common bile duct (CBD) dilatation was confirmed in 12, without evidence of bile duct obstruction. Gross evaluation confirmed malformation of the liver lobes in 14 of 17 dogs and acquired portosystemic collaterals in 5 of 17. Ductal plate malformation was confirmed histologically in 16 of 17 dogs. During follow‐up (range, 4–3,379 days), 16 of 17 dogs remained alive.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDogs with GBA exhibit clinicopathological signs of hepatobiliary injury and hepatic histopathological changes consistent with a ductal plate abnormality. Computed tomography cholangiography was superior to ultrasound examination in identifying accompanying nonobstructive CBD distention. Computed tomography cholangiography combined with laparoscopic liver biopsy is the preferable approach to characterize the full disease spectrum accompanying GBA in dogs.

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