Chung-Ang University

About: Chung-Ang University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 13381 authors who have published 26978 publications receiving 416735 citations. The organization is also known as: CAU & Chung.

Radiofrequency versus Ethanol Ablation for Treating Predominantly Cystic Thyroid Nodules: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract: To compare single-session radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation (EA) for treating predominantly cystic thyroid nodules (PCTNs).This single-blind, randomized trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board of two centers and informed consent was obtained from all patients before enrollment. Fifty patients with a single PCTN (cystic portion less than 90% and greater than 50%) were randomly assigned to be treated by either RFA (25 patients) or EA (25 patients) at two hospitals. The primary outcome was the tumor volume reduction ratio (%) at the six-month follow-up and the superiority margin was set at 13% (RFA minus EA). Analysis was performed primarily in an intention-to-treat manner. The secondary outcomes were the therapeutic success rate, improvement of symptomatic and cosmetic problems, and the number of major complications.The mean volume reduction was 87.5 ± 11.5% for RFA (n = 22) and 82.4 ± 28.6% for EA (n = 24) (p = 0.710; mean difference [95% confidence interval], 5.1% [-8.0 to 18.2]), indicating no significant difference. Regarding the secondary outcomes, therapeutic success (p = 0.490), mean symptom (p = 0.205) and cosmetic scores (p = 0.710) showed no difference. There were no major complications in either group (p > 0.99).The therapeutic efficacy of RFA is not superior to that of EA; therefore, EA might be preferable as the first-line treatment for PCTNs.

Variability in biofilm formation correlates with hydrophobicity and quorum sensing among Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from food contact surfaces and the distribution of the genes involved in biofilm formation.

Abstract: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the leading foodborne pathogens causing seafood contamination. Here, 22 V. parahaemolyticus strains were analyzed for biofilm formation to determine whether there is a correlation between biofilm formation and quorum sensing (QS), swimming motility, or hydrophobicity. The results indicate that the biofilm formation ability of V. parahaemolyticus is positively correlated with cell surface hydrophobicity, autoinducer (AI-2) production, and protease activity. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that strong-biofilm-forming strains established thick 3-D structures, whereas poor-biofilm-forming strains produced thin inconsistent biofilms. In addition, the distribution of the genes encoding pandemic clone factors, type VI secretion systems (T6SS), biofilm functions, and the type I pilus in the V. parahaemolyticus seafood isolates were examined. Biofilm-associated genes were present in almost all the strains, irrespective of other phenotypes. These results indicate that biofilm formation on/in seafood may constitute a major factor in the dissemination of V. parahaemolyticus and the ensuing diseases.