Serum γ-glutamyltransferase and associated damage among a She Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

It has been suggested that serum γ-glutamyltransferase is independently associated with cardiovascular mortality and atherosclerosis. The present study is to investigate the relationship between serum γ-glutamyltransferase and potential associated damage in an adult She Chinese population.

METHOD

A multistage, stratified, cluster, random sampling method was used to select an ethnically representative group of individuals aged 20-80 years in the general population. Brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity was used to assess arterial stiffness in the general population and the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System was used to detect diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy among populations with diabetes.

RESULTS

A total of 5385 subjects were entered into the analysis. Serum γ-glutamyltransferase levels were classified into four groups using the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles as cut points (males: < 20, 20-29, 29-52 and > 52 U/l; females: < 13, 13-18, 18-25 and > 25 U/l). As compared with the first quartile, the relative risks of arterial stiffness were 1.418, 1.667 and 2.394 in the other three categories, respectively (test for trend P < 0.05). After adjustment in five models, serum γ-glutamyltransferase was still a risk factor of arterial stiffness. We found inverted U-shape curves in both genders and the third quartile (male: 29 52 U/l; female: 18-25 U/l) had the highest odds ratios of 1.640 and 1.529, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that high serum γ-glutamyltransferase concentrations were directly associated with the increased risk of arterial stiffness, in general, and with peripheral polyneuropathy in subjects with diabetes in an ethnic She Chinese population. Alcohol use, gender, BMI and blood pressure were related to serum γ-glutamyltransferase and were involved in the relationship between serum γ-glutamyltransferase and brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity.

Curing Efficiency of Three Different Curing Modes at Different Distances for Four Composites

Doubling the exposure time of a high-intensity light-emitting diode curing light with a turbo tip and autofocus capability does not predictably compensate for distance in deep cavities.

A simple dynamic optical manipulation technique for label-free detection of biological cells

A dynamic optical tweezers system is employed for generation of an optical trap in continuous rotation for manipulating a biological cell in an aqueous solution. When the rotating speed is increased, the trapped cell experiences an augmented viscous drag force, and eventually it escapes from the trap at the critical rotating speed: when the drag force is greater than the trapping force. With experimental verifications, the method can easily be employed to differentiate cells in terms of trapping forces due to different refractive indices. The proposed method is a simple, robust, accurate and noninvasive label-free technique for cell detection.

NEL-like molecule-1-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells/poly lactic-co-glycolic acid composite improves repair of large osteochondral defects in mandibular condyle

OBJECTIVE

Articular cartilage of the mandibular condyle has limited ability to regenerate itself after injury. This study was to investigate whether osteochondral defects in mandibular condyle could be repaired by NELL-1(NEL-like molecule-1)-modified autogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) composite.

METHODS

Osteochondral defects of 3mm-diameter × 5mm-depth were created unilaterally in the central part of the condyle in 50 adult goats. The injury sites were treated with NELL-1-modified BMMSCs/PLGA, BMMSCs/PLGA, PLGA alone, or left empty. The defect area was monitored using gross examination, histology, immunohistochemistry, and micro-computed tomography (μ-CT). Implanted BMMSCs were tracked using Adeno-LacZ labeling.

RESULTS

The NELL-1-modified BMMSCs/PLGA group showed vigorous and rapid repair leading to regeneration of fibrocartilage at 6 weeks and to complete repair of native articular cartilage and subchondral bone at 24 weeks. The BMMSCs/PLGA group also completely repaired the defect with fibrocartilage at 24 weeks, but the cartilage in the BMMSCs/PLGA group was less well-organized than the NELL-1-modified BMMSCs/PLGA. The osteochondral defects in the PLGA and empty defect groups were poorly repaired, and no cartilage in the empty defect group or only small portion of cartilage in the PLGA group was found. In vivo viability of implanted cells was demonstrated by the retention for 6 weeks in the defects.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrated that NELL-1-modified BMMSCs/PLGA composite can rapidly repair large osteochondral defect in the mandibular condyle with regeneration of native fibrocartilage and subchondral bone.

Cesium Ion Implantation in Single Crystal Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) and Polycrystalline MgAl2O4-YSZ

YSZ and MgAl2O4-YSZ composite are two promising materials as in the inert matrix nuclear fuel for the incineration of plutonium. In this study, 400 keV Cs ions were implanted to a fluence of 1×1017 ions/m2 in both materials in order to investigate the retention behavior of fission product at elevated temperature. The implantations were completed at room temperature for the YSZ and 973 K for MgAl2O4-YSZ, respectively. Subsequent annealing at 1273 K was performed after a room temperature implantation of YSZ. After annealing, a high density of gas bubbles formed with diameter from 3 to 40 nm from the surface to a depth of 150 nm in the YSZ matrix. The swelling due to bubbles formation was estimated to be 2.5%. In situ TEM was employed during high temperature ion implantation of the MgAl2O4-YSZ composite. A high density of small bubbles with 5 nm in diameter formed in the MgAl2O4 and YSZ grains after an ion dose of 1×1017 ions/cm2. There was no preferential precipitation along grain boundaries. Electron Paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the type of defects that formed in the YSZ matrix.

Morphology and Microstructure of (111) Crystalline CeO2 Films Grown on Amorphous SiO2 Substrates by Pulsed-Laser Ablation

The surface morphology and microstructure of (lll)-oriented CeO2 thin films, grown on amorphous fused silica (S1O2) substrates by low-energy-ion-beam assisted pulsed laser ablation, have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). These CeO2 films are aligned with respect to a single in-plane axis despite being deposited on an amorphous substrate. There is a honeycomb-like growth morphology to the films and island-growth can be observed in thicker films. These islands, inside of which are high density of honeycomb-like clusters, are separated by a void network with ∼700nm width. However, on the surface of the thinnest film (∼3nm), only very small clusters (diameter <60nm) appear, and the boundaries of the void network are undefined, which implies that the film is just beginning to coalesce into clusters (grains). The combined AFM images and XRD pattern suggest these clusters probably are the initial seeds for the subsequent island growth. Based on these results, the growth mechanism of oriented CeO2 films on amorphous fused silica substrates is discussed.

Microlens-array-enabled on-chip optical trapping and sorting

An on-chip optical trapping and sorting system composed of a microchamber and a microlens array (MLA) is demonstrated. The MLA focuses the incident light into multiple confocal spots to trap the particles within the microchamber. The SiO(2)/ZrO(2) solgel material is introduced in the fabrication of MLA for its unique optical and chemical characters. Moreover, in order to prove the effectiveness of the system, experimental demonstration of multibeam trapping and locked-in transport of micropolymer particles in the microchamber is implemented. The system may easily be integrated as microfluidic devices, offering a simple and efficient solution for optical trapping and sorting of biological particles in lab-on-a-chip technologies.

Obesity and non-fatal motor vehicle crash injuries: sex difference effects

Background

Obesity and motor vehicle crash (MVC) injuries are two parallel epidemics in the United States. An important unanswered question is if there are sex differences in the associations between the presence of obesity and non-fatal MVC injuries.

Objectives

To further understand the association between obesity and non-fatal motor vehicle crash injuries, particularly the sex differences in these relations.

Methods

We examined this question by analyzing data from the 2003 to 2007 National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS CDS). A total of 10, 962 drivers who were aged 18 years or older and who survived frontal collision crashes were eligible for study.

Results

Male drivers experienced a lower rate of overall non-fatal MVC injuries than did female drivers (38.1% vs. 52.2%) but a higher rate of severe injuries (0.7% vs. 0.2%). After adjusting for change in velocity (ΔV) during the crashes, obese male drivers showed a much higher risk [logistic coefficients of BMI for moderate, serious, and severe injury are 0.0766, 0.1470, and 0.1792, respectively; all p<0.05] of non-fatal injuries than did non-obese male drivers and these risks increased with injury severity. Non-fatal injury risks were not found to be increased in obese female drivers. The association between obesity and risk of non-fatal injury was much stronger for male drivers than for female drivers.

Conclusion

The higher risk of non-fatal MVC injuries in obese male drivers might result from their different body shape and fat distribution compared with obese female drivers. Our findings should be considered for obesity reduction, traffic safety evaluation and vehicle design for obese male drivers and provide testable hypotheses for future studies.

Associations of fat mass and fat distribution with bone mineral density in pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women

Fat mass (FM) is closely related to bone mineral density (BMD). However, the associations of FM and fat distribution with BMD in pre- and postmenopausal women are still poorly understood. The present study showed android fat mass accumulation after menopause had a negative association with BMD.

INTRODUCTION

FM is closely related to BMD. However, it is unknown whether FM and central fat distribution have different associations with BMD in pre- and postmenopausal women. The study aims to investigate the associations of FM and fat distribution with BMD in pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women.

METHODS

Two hundred sixty premenopausal and 267 postmenopausal women aged 18 to 79 years were analyzed. Lean mass (LM), FM, percent body fat (%BF), android FM, gynoid FM, and total and regional BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fat distribution was assessed by android to gynoid FM ratio (AOI). Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the associations of BMD with FM, LM, and AOI.

RESULTS

FM, %BF, android FM, and AOI were significantly higher, whereas total and regional BMD were significantly lower in postmenopausal women (all р < 0.01). In premenopausal women, FM was positively associated with total and regional BMD (all р < 0.05). AOI had no significant association with BMD. In postmenopausal women, FM was significantly associated with total and regional BMD even additionally adjusting for LM (all р < 0.01). AOI had significantly negative association with total, head, arm, and leg BMD (all р < 0.05). The results remained unchanged when replacing FM with %BF.

CONCLUSIONS

There were different associations of FM and fat distribution with BMD in pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women. Increased central body fat had a negative association with BMD. Our findings may have significant implications in the prevention of menopause-related osteoporosis through reducing centralized fat deposition.

Evaluation of low-cost cathode catalysts for high yield biohydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cell

As an ideal fuel due to the advantages of no pollution, high combustion heat and abundant sources, hydrogen gas can be produced from organic matter through the electrohydrogenesis process in microbial electrolysis cells. But in many MECs, platinum is often used as catalyst, which limits the practical applications of MECs. To reduce the cost of the MECs, Ni-based alloy cathodes were developed by electrodepositing. In this paper hydrogen production using Ni-W-P cathode was studied for the first time in a single-chamber membrane-free MEC. At an applied voltage of 0.9 V, MECs with Ni-W-P cathodes obtained a hydrogen production rate of 1.09 m3/m3/day with an cathodic hydrogen recovery of 74%, a Coulombic efficiency of 56% and an electrical energy efficiency relative to electrical input of 139%, which was the best result of reports in this study. The Ni-W-P cathode demonstrated a better electrocatalytic activity than the Ni-Ce-P cathode and achieved a comparable performance to the Pt cathode in terms of hydrogen production rate, Coulombic efficiency, cathodic hydrogen recovery and electrical energy efficiency at 0.9 V.

Systematic review and economic modelling of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of non-surgical treatments for women with stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of non-surgical treatments for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) through systematic review and economic modelling.

DATA SOURCES

The Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Register, electronic databases and the websites of relevant professional organisations and manufacturers, and the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index, Current Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov and the UKCRN Portfolio Database.

STUDY SELECTION

The study comprised three distinct elements. (1) A survey of 188 women with SUI to identify outcomes of importance to them (activities of daily living; sex, hygiene and lifestyle issues; emotional health; and the availability of services). (2) A systematic review and meta-analysis of non-surgical treatments for SUI to find out which are most effective by comparing results of trials (direct pairwise comparisons) and by modelling results (mixed-treatment comparisons - MTCs). A total of 88 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs reporting data from 9721 women were identified, considering five generic interventions [pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), electrical stimulation (ES), vaginal cones (VCs), bladder training (BT) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications], in many variations and combinations. Data were available for 37 interventions and 68 treatment comparisons by direct pairwise assessment. Mixed-treatment comparison models compared 14 interventions, using data from 55 trials (6608 women). (3) Economic modelling, using a Markov model, to find out which combinations of treatments (treatment pathways) are most cost-effective for SUI.

DATA EXTRACTION

Titles and abstracts identified were assessed by one reviewer and full-text copies of all potentially relevant reports independently assessed by two reviewers. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus or arbitration by a third person.

RESULTS

Direct pairwise comparison and MTC analysis showed that the treatments were more effective than no treatment. Delivering PFMT in a more intense fashion, either through extra sessions or with biofeedback (BF), appeared to be the most effective treatment [PFMT extra sessions vs no treatment (NT) odds ratio (OR) 10.7, 95% credible interval (CrI) 5.03 to 26.2; PFMT + BF vs NT OR 12.3, 95% CrI 5.35 to 32.7]. Only when success was measured in terms of improvement was there evidence that basic PFMT was better than no treatment (PFMT basic vs NT OR 4.47, 95% CrI 2.03 to 11.9). Analysis of cost-effectiveness showed that for cure rates, the strategy using lifestyle changes and PFMT with extra sessions followed by tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) (lifestyle advice-PFMT extra sessions-TVT) had a probability of greater than 70% of being considered cost-effective for all threshold values for willingness to pay for a QALY up to 50,000 pounds. For improvement rates, lifestyle advice-PFMT extra sessions-TVT had a probability of greater than 50% of being considered cost-effective when society's willingness to pay for an additional QALY was more than 10,000 pounds. The results were most sensitive to changes in the long-term performance of PFMT and also in the relative effectiveness of basic PFMT and PFMT with extra sessions.

LIMITATIONS

Although a large number of studies were identified, few data were available for most comparisons and long-term data were sparse. Challenges for evidence synthesis were the lack of consensus on the most appropriate method for assessing incontinence and intervention protocols that were complex and varied considerably across studies.

CONCLUSIONS

More intensive forms of PFMT appear worthwhile, but further research is required to define an optimal form of more intensive therapy that is feasible and efficient for the NHS to provide, along with further definitive evidence from large, well-designed studies.

Split of surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles on silicon substrate: a study of dielectric functions

The split of surface plasmon resonance of self-assembled gold nanoparticles on Si substrate is observed from the dielectric functions of the nanoparticles. The split plasmon resonances are modeled with two Lorentz oscillators: one oscillator at ~1 eV models the polarization parallel to the substrate while the other at ~2 eV represents the polarization perpendicular to the substrate. Both parallel and perpendicular resonances are red-shifted when the nanoparticle size increases. The red shifts in both resonances are explained by the image charge effect of the Si substrate.