Histogram analysis of ADC maps based on entire tumor volume can be a useful tool for grading gliomas. The fifth percentile of the cumulative ADC histogram obtained at a high b value was the most promising parameter for differentiating high- from low-grade gliomas.

Background: Observational studies of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak suggest that a 'cytokine storm' is involved in the pathogenesis of severe illness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the altered pathological inflammation in COVID-19 are largely unknown. We report here that toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-mediated inflammatory signaling molecules are upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from COVID-19 patients, compared with healthy controls (HC). Methods: A total of 48 subjects including 28 COVID-19 patients (8 severe/critical vs. 20 mild/ moderate cases) admitted to Chungnam National University Hospital, and age/sex-matched 20 HC were enrolled in this study. PBMCs from the subjects were processed for nCounter Human Immunology gene expression assay to analyze the immune related transcriptome profiles. Recombinant proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) were used to stimulate the PBMCs and monocyte-derived macrophages, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the mRNA expressions of the proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. Results: Among the most highly increased inflammatory mediators in severe/critically ill patients, S100A9, an alarmin and TLR4 ligand, was found as a noteworthy biomarker, because it inversely correlated with the serum albumin levels. We also observed that recombinant S2 and nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 significantly increased proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and S100A9 in human primary PBMCs. Conclusion: These data support a link between TLR4 signaling and pathological inflammation during COVID-19 and contribute to develop therapeutic approaches through targeting TLR4-mediated inflammation.

This paper presents experimental and analytical studies on the characteristic resistance of NI (no-insulation) ReBCO pancake coils, which are used in an equivalent circuit model to characterize 'radial as well as spiral' current paths within the NI coils. We identified turn-to-turn contact resistance as a major source of the characteristic resistance of an NI coil. In order to verify this, three single pancake NI HTS coils-60, 40, 20 turns-were fabricated with their winding tension carefully maintained constant. A sudden discharge test was performed on each coil to obtain its characteristic resistance, and the relation between the turn-to-turn contact and the characteristic resistance was investigated. Based on the characteristic resistance and the n-value model, an equivalent circuit model was proposed to characterize the time-varying response of the NI coils. Charging tests were performed on the three test coils and the experimental results were compared with the simulated ones to validate the proposed approach with the equivalent circuit model.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of ovarian granulosa cell tumors.MethodsMedical records of 113 patients presenting between January 1995 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOne-hundred two patients had adult type disease, with a mean age of 46.2 years (range, 18 to 83 years) and a mean follow-up period of 54.7 months (range, 1 to 155 months). The distribution of FIGO stages was 86 patients at stage I, 11 at stage II, and 5 at stage III. During follow-up, ten patients recurred at a mean time of 48 months (range, 4 to 109 months). Among them, three patients died after a mean of 57 months (range, 25 to 103 months). In recurrence analysis, advanced stage (p=0.032) and presence of residual disease (p=0.012) were statistically significant, and age<40 years, premenopause and positive washing cytology were marginally significant (p<0.1). In multivariate analysis, stage was the only factor associated with recurrence; adjuvant chemotherapy and fertility-sparing surgery were not statistically significant. Among 36 patients with fertility-sparing operations, eight patients had nine pregnancies and delivered seven babies. Eleven patients had juvenile type tumors; the mean age was 20.0 years (range, 8 to 45 years) and the mean follow-up period was 69.8 months (range, 20 to 156 months). The distribution of FIGO stage was nine patients at stage I and two at stage III. There were no recurrences or deaths reported. Four patients had seven pregnancies and delivered six babies.ConclusionStage is the only factor associated with disease-free survival, and fertility-sparing surgery may be a treatment option for women with early-stage disease who want to retain fertility.

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