Plasmon-enhanced photocathode for high brightness and high repetition rate x-ray sources

In this Letter, we report on the efficient generation of electrons from metals using multiphoton photoemission by use of nanostructured plasmonic surfaces to trap, localize, and enhance optical fields. The plasmonic surface increases absorption over normal metals by more than an order of magnitude, and due to the localization of fields, this results in over 6 orders of magnitude increase in effective nonlinear quantum yield. We demonstrate that the achieved quantum yield is high enough for use in rf photoinjectors operating as electron sources for MHz repetition rate x-ray free electron lasers.

Effects of iron glycine chelate on growth, tissue mineral concentrations, fecal mineral excretion, and liver antioxidant enzyme activities in broilers

The study was conducted to determine the effects of iron glycine chelate (Fe-Gly) on growth, tissue mineral concentrations, fecal mineral excretion, and liver antioxidant enzyme activities in broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old commercial broilers (Ross × Ross) were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments with six replications of ten chicks per replicate. Broilers were fed a control diet with no Fe supplementation, while five other treatments consisted of 40, 80, 120, and 160 mg Fe/kg diets from Fe-Gly, and 160 mg Fe/kg from ferrous sulfate, respectively. After a 42-day feeding trial, the results showed that 120 and 160 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly improved the average daily gain (P < 0.05) and average daily feed intake (P < 0.05) of broilers (4-6 weeks). Addition with 120 and 160 mg Fe/kg from Fe-Gly and 160 mg Fe/kg from FeSO(4) increased Fe concentration in serum (P < 0.05), liver (P < 0.05), breast muscle (P < 0.05), tibia (P < 0.05), and feces (P < 0.01) at 21 and 42 days. There were linear responses to the addition of Fe-Gly from 0 to 160 mg/kg Fe on Fe concentration in serum (21 days, P = 0.005; 42 days, P = 0.001), liver (P = 0.001), breast muscle (P = 0.001), tibia (P = 0.001), and feces (21 days, P = 0.011; 42 days, P = 0.032). Liver Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activities of chicks were increased by the addition of 80, 120, and 160 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly to diets at 42 days. There were no differences in liver catalase activities of chicks among the treatments (P > 0.05). This study indicates that addition with Fe-Gly could improve growth performance and iron tissue storage and improves the antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

[Analysis of circulating lung cancer cells in the peripheral blood in patients with lung cancer by flow cytometry]

BACKGROUND

To analyze circulating lung cancer cells in the peripheral blood in patients with lung cancer by flow cytometry (FCM).

METHODS

The monocyte fraction in peripheral blood was isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. The cells obtained were labeled with antibodies against CD45, cytokeratin (CK) and antigen (2F7/S5A). The CD45(-) CK(+) 2F7/S5A(+) cells were analyzed by FCM.

RESULTS

Fifty cases out of 165 patients with lung cancer (30.30%) were found to have cancer cells in the peripheral blood. Positive rate in non-small cell lung cancer was 30.67%(45/150) and that in small cell lung cancer was 33.33%(5/15) respectively. Meanwhile, there was distinct correlation between detective rate of cancer cells in the peripheral blood and pathological stage(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Examination of lung cancer presented in the peripheral blood by FCM might be helpful for staging and finding metastatic potential of lung cancer.

A new approach to investigate wave dissipation in viscoelastic tubes: application of Wave Intensity Analysis

Wave dissipation in elastic and viscoelastic medium has been investigated extensively in the frequency domain. The aim of this study is to examine the pattern of wave dissipation in the time-domain using Wave Intensity Analysis. A single semi-sinusoidal pulse was generated in 8mm and 16mm diameter tubes; each is of 200cm in length. Pressure and flow measurements were taken at intervals of 5 cm along the tube. In order to examine the effect of the wall mechanical properties on wave dissipation, we also modified the wall of the 16mm tube; a thread of strong cotton was wound with a pitch of approximately 30&#176; around the circumference of the tube in the longitudinal direction. The separated forward pressure, wave intensity and wave energy were calculated using Wave Intensity Analysis. The amplitudes of the forward pressure wave, wave intensity and wave energy dissipated exponentially with distance. In the 8mm diameter tube, the dissipation of forward pressure, wave intensity and wave energy were greater than those in 16mm tube. For the same sized of tube, there was no significant difference in the dissipation of forward pressure, wave intensity and wave energy between the modified and normal wall tubes. It is concluded that the size of tube has a significant effect on the wave dissipation but the mechanical properties of the wall do not have a discernable effect on wave dissipation.

Unilateral lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway decreases the response of GABA interneurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus to 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation in the rat

This study examined the firing rate and pattern of electrophysiologically and chemically identified GABA interneurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and role of 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the firing activity in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The interneurons in rats with lesions of the SNc showed a more burst-firing, while having no change in the firing rate; the mPFC and combined mPFC and SNc lesions in rats decreased the firing rate of the interneurons and firing pattern shifted towards a more burst-firing compared to rats with sham lesions of the SNc, respectively. In rats with sham lesions of the SNc, administration of 8-OH-DPAT (1-243 μg/kg, i.v.) produced excitatory-inhibitory, excitatory and inhibitory effects in the firing rate of individual interneurons. However, when these effects were averaged over the group, 8-OH-DPAT had no significant effect on firing rate. In rats with lesions of the SNc, mPFC and the paired lesions, 8-OH-DPAT, at the same doses, inhibited all interneurons tested, respectively. Cumulative doses producing inhibition in rats with the paired lesions were higher than that of rats with lesions of the mPFC. In contrast to rats with sham lesions of the SNc, SNc lesion reduced expression of 5-HT(1A) receptor on parvalbumin positive neurons in the DRN, a subpopulation of GABA interneurons. Our results indicate that the SNc and mPFC regulate the firing activity of GABA interneurons in the DRN. Furthermore, response of likely GABA interneurons to systemic administration of 8-OH-DPAT is altered by lesion of the SNc and mPFC.

Prevalence and extent of right-to-left shunt in migraine: a survey of 217 Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

Recently, contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD) studies have shown that right-to-left shunt (RLS) may be a risk factor for migraine in Westerners; however, limited data in the literature describes the prevalence of RLS in Chinese patients with migraine.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of RLS in patients with migraine in China and to evaluate the relationship between the extent of RLS and migraine.

METHODS

A total of 217 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of migraine and 100 volunteers were recruited. cTCD was used to assess the prevalence and the extent of RLS in all subjects.

RESULTS

In the migraine group, the rate of positive RLS was 44.2% (96/217), with 23.5% (51/217) of these being large. In the healthy group, 28.0% (28/100) were positive for RLS overall, and 5.0% (5/100) were large (P = 0.006; P < 0.001). In patients having migraines with aura (MwA), 66.1% (39/59) were positive for RLS overall, and 37.3% (22/59) were large, which was significantly higher when compared with the healthy group (P < 0.001; P < 0.001); in patients having migraines without aura (MwoA), 36.1% (57/158) were positive for RLS overall, and 18.4% (29/158) were large, which was against significantly higher (P < 0.001; P = 0.003). In the MwoA group, the large RLS rate was also higher than in the healthy group (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

A close correlation has been documented between RLS and migraine, especially MwA, but these relationships exist only when the shunts were large.

Highly flexible and efficient top-emitting organic light-emitting devices with ultrasmooth Ag anode

We demonstrate highly flexible and efficient top-emitting organic light-emitting devices (TOLEDs) by using an ultrasmooth Ag anode. A template-stripping process has been employed to create the ultrasmooth Ag anode on a photopolymer substrate. The flexible TOLEDs obtained by this method keep good electroluminescence properties under a small bending radius and after repeated bending. The efficiency of the flexible TOLEDs is improved by 60% compared with the conventional TOLEDs deposited on Si substrate due to the enhanced hole injection from the ultrasmooth anode.

Endoscopic versus open radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting

AIM

The radial artery has become the artery of choice after the internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study compares wound healing and arm complications after endoscopic versus open radial artery harvesting for CABG.

METHODS

From January 2002 to July 2004, 509 patients underwent CABG in which a radial artery conduit was used. Thirty-nine had endoscopic and 470 had conventional open radial artery harvesting. A propensity score was used to obtain 1:3 matching of all endoscopic to 117 open-harvesting patients. Postoperative wound healing using the Hollander scale, local neurologic deficits, wound infection, and pain scores were compared.

RESULTS

Wound healing: 34 of 39 endoscopic wounds exhibited a perfect Hollander score versus 339 of 470 open-harvest wounds (P=0.01). Wound appearance in particular was better than for open harvesting (P=0.004), with no abnormal step-off borders, irregular contours, or abnormal scar width observed. Neurologic deficits. Three incomplete neurologic deficits were observed after open harvesting (two being distal sensitivity localized in the interspace between the first and second metacarpals); one complete neurologic deficit occurred after endoscopic harvesting, but improved remarkably prior to hospital discharge. Wound infection. Occurrence of wound infection was similar in the two groups (P=0.7), although infection was more severe with open harvesting. Pain: pain score was lower (P=0.006) with endoscopic harvesting.

CONCLUSION

Compared with conventional open harvesting, endoscopic radial artery harvesting was associated with better wound appearance and less pain. Occurrence of neurologic deficits and wound infection was infrequent in both groups.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene polymorphisms are associated with treatment outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia

INTRODUCTION

In the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway, STAT3 is one of the most prominent prognosis factors for cancer and leukemia. STAT3 activation might promote cellular transformation and therefore have an important role in human tumors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between STAT3 polymorphisms and treatment response of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the Chinese population.

METHODS

Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested in 130 patients with AML. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and assayed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

RESULTS

The results of response to chemotherapy showed that there were strong relationships between unfavorable cytogenetics, partial remission (and even no remission), and GG genotype frequency in rs9909659 (P = 0.01 and 0.03). Patients younger than 45 years were associated significantly with GA/AA genotype (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the GG genotype in rs9909659 might confer increased resistance to standard chemotherapy.

Diagnostic accuracy of 18 F-FDG and 11 C-PIB-PET for prediction of short-term conversion to Alzheimer's disease in subjects with mild cognitive impairment

In recent years, the role of PET imaging in the prediction of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD) conversion has been the subject of many longitudinal studies. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of (18) F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and (11) C-Pittsburgh Compound B-positron emission tomography (PIB-PET) for prediction of short-term conversion to AD in patients with MCI. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Sensitivities and specificities of PET in individual studies were calculated and meta-analysis was undertaken with a random-effects model. A summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was constructed with the Moses-Shapiro-Littenberg method. Heterogeneity was tested, and the presence of publication bias was assessed. Potential sources for heterogeneity were explored by assessing whether or not certain covariates significantly influenced the relative diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), DOR and the SROC curve of each PET imaging were determined. A total of 13 research studies (seven FDG-PET and six PIB-PET) met inclusion criteria and had sufficient data for statistical analysis. FDG-PET pooled estimates had 78.7% sensitivity (95% CI, 68.7-86.6%),74.0% specificity (95% CI, 67.0-80.3%), 18.1 LR+(95% CI, 7.3-45.0) and 0.32 LR-(95% CI, 0.16-0.61); and PIB-PET pooled estimates had 93.5% sensitivity (95%CI, 71.3-99.9%), 56.2% specificity (95% CI, 47.2-64.8%), 2.01 LR+ (95% CI, 1.57-2.58) and 0.17 LR-(95% CI, 0.08-0.36). Overall DOR was 17.3 (95% CI, 5.08-59.2) for FDG-PET and 12.8 (95% CI, 5.35-30.54) for PIB-PET. Area under the SROC curve was 0.88 ± 0.05 for FDG-PET and 0.85 ± 0.04 for PIB-PET. The data from FDG-PET research studies had high heterogeneity and funnel plot suggested a publication bias. The diagnostic accuracy determined for both FDG-PET and PIB-PET in this meta-analysis suggests that they are potentially valuable techniques for prediction of progression in patients with MCI. Both have their advantages and their combined use is a promising option for prediction purposes depending on availability and experience.

Orthopedic protraction of the maxilla may affect cranial base synchondroses indicated by increased expressions of growth factors

OBJECTIVES

To examine the biological adaptation of cranial base synchondroses (CBS) when the maxilla was forward positioned by orthopedic force.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

The Department of Orthodontics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 50 Sprague-Dawley rats, 4 weeks of age, were divided into experimental (n=30) and control groups (n=20).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An orthopedic appliance was fitted to the cranio-maxillary complex to advance the maxilla forward. The animals in the experimental group, together with the counterparts in the control group, were sacrificed at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, respectively. The whole cranial base housing both the spheno-ethmoid (SES) and spheno-occipital synchondroses (SOS) was removed for tissue processing and immunotest of Sox9, Core-binding factor α 1 (Cbfa1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), three carefully selected growth factors that are markers of chondrogenesis in different stages and its transition to endochondral ossification. Semiquantitative analysis was also conducted by using a computerizing imaging system.

RESULTS

The temporal tendency of the changes in the expressions of the three growth factors featured an increase from Day 3 and onwards for Cbfa1 and VEGF, and a following decline after Day 5 for Sox9. In both SES and SOS, the expressions of the three growth factors were significantly stronger in the experimental groups than that in groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Protractive orthopedic force imposed on the maxilla provokes an enhancement of chondrogenic process in CBS.

Association of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) polymorphisms with acute leukemia susceptibility

INTRODUCTION

Aberrant activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway leads to deregulated proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis of normal cells. One of the members of this family, JAK2, plays a very important role in metabolizing carcinogens and medications. This study aimed to detect whether any association exists between genetic polymorphisms in JAK2 gene and individual susceptibility to acute leukemia.

METHODS

A case-control study in a Chinese population with 260 acute leukemia cases and 280 healthy controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity. Genomic DNA was assayed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) with five genetic polymorphisms in JAK2 gene.

RESULTS

The distributions of rs56118985 GA genotype in the acute leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) groups were both slightly different when compared with the control group (P = 0.049 and P = 0.045). The frequencies of rs2230724 AA and GA genotypes in the acute leukemia and its subtypes were all significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). This suggested that subjects with A allele of rs2230724 were susceptible to acute leukemia and its subtypes. In addition, A allele of rs2230724 should be an important genetic determinant for acute leukemia and AML.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the risk of acute leukemia might be associated with JAK2 polymorphisms.

Interaction between CYP 2C19*3 polymorphism and smoking in relation to laryngeal carcinoma in the Chinese Han population

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, which strongly promote proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Knowing that smoking is the most important risk factor for laryngeal carcinoma, we examined the relationships between CYP2C19*3 polymorphism, smoking and laryngeal carcinoma in the Chinese Han population. In a Chinese Han case-control study of 300 laryngeal carcinoma patients and 300 healthy controls, we investigated polymorphism in the CYP2C19 gene by PCR-RFLP analysis. The CYP2C19*3 AG + AA genotype was significantly more prevalent in laryngeal carcinoma patients (6.67 vs 2.67%; P = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 6.353, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.413-9.144; P < 0.001) and alcohol consumption (OR = 2.607, 95%CI = 1.130-6.016; P = 0.025) as independent risk factors for laryngeal carcinoma; there was a significant interaction between CYP2C19*3 and smoking (OR = 17.842, 95%CI = 13.32-31.102; P = 0.009). We conclude that CYP2C19*3 polymorphism is significantly associated with laryngeal carcinoma in the Chinese Han population.

Effects of Rosuvastatin versus Atorvastatin on Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil Containing Protein Kinase Activity and Endothelial Function in Patients with Atherosclerosis

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-design study compared the short-term effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on serum lipids and markers of inflammation and endothelial function in patients with stable atherosclerosis. Patients received either 10 mg/day rosuvastatin ( n = 18) or 20 mg/day atorvastatin ( n = 18), orally, for 4 weeks. Serum lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) activity and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery were assessed before and after therapy. Both statins produced significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride and hsCRP levels, and significant increases in FMD. Both statins significantly reduced ROCK activity and inhibition was significantly greater with rosuvastatin. There was no correlation between ROCK activity and LDL-C level in either group. There was a significant correlation between ROCK activity and FMD for both statins, but no correlations between FMD and LDL-C or hsCRP levels. Short-term treatment with either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin inhibits ROCK activity independent of cholesterol reduction, and improves endothelium dysfunction in patients with atherosclerosis.

Degeneration in the ventral cochlear nucleus after severe noise damage in mice

To study the mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss and the phantom noise, or tinnitus, often associated with it, we used a mouse model of noise damage designed for reproducible and quantitative structural analyses. We selected the posteroventral cochlear nucleus, which has shown considerable plasticity in past studies, and correlated its changes with the distribution of neurotrophin 3 (NT3). We used volume change, optical density analysis, and microscopic cluster analysis to measure the degeneration after noise exposure. There was a fluctuation pattern in the reorganization of nerve terminals. The data suggest that the source and size of the nerve terminals affect their capacity for regeneration. We hypothesize that the deafferentation of ventral cochlear nucleus is the structural basis of noise-induced tinnitus. In addition, the immunofluorescent data show a possible connection between NT3 and astrocytes. There appears to be a compensatory process in the supporting glial cells during this degeneration. Glia may play a role in the mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss.

Molecular cloning of a new wheat calreticulin gene TaCRT1 and expression analysis in plant defense responses and abiotic stress resistance

Calreticulin proteins play essential roles in regulating various metabolic processes and in molecular signal transduction in animals and plants. Using homologous PCR, we screened a cDNA library of the wheat resistance gene Yr5 from a near-isogenic line in the susceptible common wheat variety Taichung 29, which was inoculated with an incompatible race CYR32 of Puccinia striiformis. We isolated a novel full-length cDNA encoding calreticulin protein, which we named TaCRT1. Sequence analyses indicated that TaCRT1 contains an open reading frame of 1287 bp in length; it was deduced to encode 428 amino acids. Clustering analysis showed that TaCRT1 belongs to group III of the calreticulin protein family. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to analyze expression profiles of the isolated gene under biotic and abiotic stresses. Expression of TaCRT1 was suppressed by exogenous application of phytohormones, such as abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate, and by dehydration; but it was induced by CYR32 infection and cold treatment. Based on the expression patterns, we propose that TaCRT1 participates in regulatory processes involved in defense responses and stress resistance in wheat.

Lower extremity amputation prevention in Singapore: economic analysis of results

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of the Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) strategy in comparison to standard clinical practice for treating patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI).

METHODS

A retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis of the LEAP programme relative to pre-LEAP practice was performed from the perspective of Singapore hospitals. The cost incorporated in the analysis included direct medical costs incurred during the admission. Outcomes included the number of amputations, number of deaths and length of hospital stay after the initial treatment.

RESULTS

During the study period, the LEAP group had a lower amputation rate (29 percent versus 76 percent, p-value is 0.00001), lower related death rate (one percent versus 19 percent, p-value is 0.00001) and fewer in-hospital days per patient (17.8 days versus 23.16 days, p-value is 0.048) as compared to the standard clinical practice group. The implementation of the LEAP strategy generated cost savings of S$2,566 per patient during admission when compared with the pre-LEAP approach. The results were robust to variations in input parameters.

CONCLUSION

The LEAP strategy dominated standard practice in the management of patients with diabetes mellitus and CLI. The implementation of the LEAP strategy significantly improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital costs.