Skeletal muscle mass adjusted by height correlated better with muscular functions than that adjusted by body weight in defining sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, characterized by low muscle mass and function, results in frailty, comorbidities and mortality. However, its prevalence varies according to the different criteria used in its diagnosis. This cross-sectional study investigated the difference in the number of sarcopenia cases recorded by two different measurement methods of low muscle mass to determine which measurement was better. We recruited 878 (54.2% female) individuals aged over 65 years and obtained their body composition and functional parameters. Low muscle mass was defined as two standard deviations below either the mean height-adjusted (hSMI) or weight-adjusted (wSMI) muscle mass of a young reference group. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.7% vs. 0.4% (male/female) by hSMI, and 4.0% vs. 10.7% (male/female) by wSMI. The κ coefficients for these two criteria were 0.39 vs. 0.03 (male/female), and 0.17 in all subjects. Serum myostatin levels correlated positively with gait speed (r = 0.142, p = 0.007) after adjustment for gender. hSMI correlated with grip strength, cardiopulmonary endurance, leg endurance, gait speed, and flexibility. wSMI correlated with grip strength, leg endurance, gait speed, and flexibility. Since hSMI correlated more closely with grip strength and more muscular functions, we recommend hSMI in the diagnosis of low muscle mass.

Polymorphism identification in BMP15 and GDF9 genes and their association with egg production in chickens

1. Mutations in growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are significantly associated with reproductive performance in mammals and the objective of the present study was to identify polymorphic sites and elucidate the association between genotypes in BMP15 and GDF9 and egg production. 2. Polymorphisms in BMP15 exon1 and GDF9 exon2 were detected by DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Three SNPs were detected in each of BMP15 (A111G, C231T and C34T) and GDF9 (G593A, T824C and C896T). C34T leads to the substitution of Leu by Phe, which was predicted to affect protein function. 3. Results of the association analysis indicated that C34T had an effect on total egg production at 300 d of age (EN) and age at first laying (AFE). G593A affected EN and both C231T and C896T influenced AFE. The TGC1TGC1 diplotype in BMP15 had the highest EN. 4. In conclusion, EN may be significantly improved by marker-assisted selection of the BMP15 genotypes in maternal lines of Shaobo hens.

Acidity measurement of iron ore powders using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with partial least squares regression

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with partial least squares regression (PLSR) has been applied to measuring the acidity of iron ore, which can be defined by the concentrations of oxides: CaO, MgO, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂. With the conventional internal standard calibration, it is difficult to establish the calibration curves of CaO, MgO, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ in iron ore due to the serious matrix effects. PLSR is effective to address this problem due to its excellent performance in compensating the matrix effects. In this work, fifty samples were used to construct the PLSR calibration models for the above-mentioned oxides. These calibration models were validated by the 10-fold cross-validation method with the minimum root-mean-square errors (RMSE). Another ten samples were used as a test set. The acidities were calculated according to the estimated concentrations of CaO, MgO, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ using the PLSR models. The average relative error (ARE) and RMSE of the acidity achieved 3.65% and 0.0048, respectively, for the test samples.

Reduced flexibility associated with metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling elders

BACKGROUND

The ageing process may lead to reductions in physical fitness, a known risk factor in the development of metabolic syndrome. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate cross-sectional and combined associations of metabolic syndrome with body composition and physical fitness in a community based geriatric population.

METHODS

A total of 628 community-dwelling elders attending a geriatric health examination were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criterion with Asian cutoff of waist girth was adopted in this study. Body composition was obtained using bioimpedance analysis, and physical fitness was evaluated through the measurement of muscle strength (handgrip force), lower extremity muscle endurance (sit-to-stand test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and cardiorespiratory endurance (2-minute step test). Multivariable logistic regression and correlation analysis were performed to determine the association of metabolic syndrome with body composition and functionality variables.

RESULTS

Metabolic syndrome was associated with increased skeletal muscle index (SMI) (odds ratio (OR), 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.25-2.07) and decreased flexibility (OR, 0.97, 95% CI, 0.95-0.99) compared with those without metabolic syndrome. When body mass index was accounted for in the analysis, the association of SMI with metabolic syndrome was reduced. Waist circumference was positively correlated with SMI but negatively correlated with flexibility, whereas high density lipoprotein was positively correlated with flexibility but negatively correlated with SMI.

CONCLUSION

Reduced flexibility was positively associated with metabolic syndrome independent of age, gender, body composition, and functionality measurements in a community based geriatric population. Significant associations between metabolic syndrome with muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly were not observed. Furthermore, flexibility should be included in the complete evaluation for metabolic syndrome.

Genetic polymorphisms of the BMAP-28 and MASP-2 genes and their correlation with the somatic cell score in Chinese Holstein cattle

DNA sequencing, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism were used to investigate mutations in the coding regions of the bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide-28 (BMAP-28) and mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) genes in 249 Chinese Holstein dairy cows. The associations between the polymorphisms and somatic cell score (SCS) were analyzed to determine the potential of these genes as genetic markers for breeding mastitis-resistant dairy cattle. The results revealed a C-86G synonymous mutation in the BMAP-28 gene that caused no alteration in the amino acid sequence. G553A mutation was found in the MASP-2 gene that led to the substitution of glycine with serine. The chi-square test showed that the G553A mutation was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Chinese Holstein dairy cows, whereas the C-86G mutation was not. The variance analysis of the influence of group loci and different genotypes on the SCS showed that the SCS of genotype CC was significantly lower than those of genotypes CG and GG (P < 0.05) of the C-86G mutation, and that the SCS of genotype GG was significantly lower than those of genotypes GA and AA (P < 0.05) of the G553A mutation. Genotype combination analysis showed that the combination of the BMAP-28 genotype CC and the MASP-2 genotype GG was the best one, in which the SCS was significantly lower than those in the other combinations. Thus, this combination might be useful as a molecular and genetic marker of mastitis in Chinese Holstein dairy cows.

CCL17 Induces Trophoblast Migration and Invasion by Regulating Matrix Metalloproteinase and Integrin Expression in Human First-Trimester Placenta

Chemokines and chemokine receptors have been implicated a pivotal role in trophoblast differentiation and in the formation of a functionally normal placenta. In this study, we present data that highlight the involvement of chemokine ligand 17/chemokine receptor 4 (CCL17/CCR4) expression at the fetomaternal interface and expand its biological relevance of influence during trophoblast differentiation and placentation. By immunohistochemistry, we found that CCL17 was abundantly expressed in the decidua and trophoblasts, especially in cell columns. The receptor for CCL17, CCR4, was specifically expressed in invading interstitial extravillous trophoblasts. Furthermore, by transwell migration, invasion assays, and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, we found that exogenous CCL17 concentrations paralleled the invasive potential of cytotrophoblasts to some extent, with no significant effect on cell proliferation. Using Western blotting, we demonstrated that the stimulatory effect of CCL17 was related to the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-13, integrin α5, and integrin β1, although it downregulated tissue inhibitors of MMP-1 expression. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CCL17, as a differentiation-related molecule coexpressed by decidua and trophoblast, stimulates extravillous trophoblast migration and directs invasion mainly via modulating integrins, MMPs, and its inhibitor levels.

Abstract P6-07-02: Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of denosumab for the treatment of bone metastases in patients with advanced breast cancer in Canada

Background: Skeletal-related events (SREs) occur in 80% of patients with advanced breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases. SREs are costly and can be painful and debilitating, impacting patients’ quality of life and morbidity. While intravenous bisphosphonates such as pamidronate (PAM) and zoledronic acid (ZA) have demonstrated clinical benefit in reducing SREs, skeletal metastases remain a problem as treatments that are more efficacious, well tolerated, more convenient and less costly to administer are needed. Denosumab (XGEVA™) is a novel subcutaneous human monoclonal antibody therapy that significantly reduces the risk of developing SREs in patients with bone metastases from BC.

Objective: The objective of this project is to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of denosumab relative to ZA and PAM in the treatment of advanced BC patients with bone metastases.

Methods: A lifetime Markov model with four-week cycle lengths was developed with three health states: on treatment; off treatment; and death. The model included the risk of an SRE for patients on and off treatment and adverse events during treatment. Efficacy was measured as reduction in SREs. Head-to-head efficacy data, transition probabilities, and risk of adverse events were obtained from the clinical trial of denosumab versus ZA. (Stopeck AT et al JCO 2010) Efficacy data compared to PAM was determined from a published network meta-analysis. (Ford JA et al Eur J Cancer 2012) The baseline SRE risk was derived from clinical trial data due to the absence of real-world Canadian data. Analyses were conducted from the Canadian healthcare system perspective and reported in 2011 $CAD. Resource use was determined from a Canadian retrospective chart review of oncology patients with SREs. Costs were based on the published literature, the Ontario Case Costing Initiative, and input from a physician panel. Utility inputs were based on a time trade-off study. (Matza LS et al. Eur J Health Econ 2013) Bisphosphonate administration costs were derived from a published time and motion study. (Dranitsaris G et al. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2001) Outcomes were measured as both SREs avoided and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Dominance was assessed or incremental cost-effectiveness ratios calculated per SRE avoided and per QALY gained, for denosumab compared to ZA and PAM. Future costs and QALYs were discounted at 5% per annum. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the results.

Results: Denosumab was dominant and resulted in $5,733 in cost savings compared to ZA and $2,566 in cost savings compared to PAM based on a probabilistic analysis. Cost savings was driven by differences in drug administration costs and reduction in SREs. SREs avoided were 0.27 and 0.57 compared to ZA and PAM respectively. Denosumab resulted in 0.012 QALYs gained and 0.025 QALYs gained per patient compared to ZA and PAM, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed the results were robust but most sensitive to drug administration costs and the relative risk of SREs.

Conclusion: Compared to both ZA and PAM, denosumab is more efficacious and offers better value for money (i.e. dominant) in Canada for managing SREs in patients with advanced BC and bone metastases.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-07-02.

Relationships between biochemical and physiological changes induced by exercise in postmyocardial infarction patients

AIM

AIM of the study was to examine the relationships between biochemical and physiological changes induced by exercise in postmyocardial infarction patients (PMIP) during the early stages of cardiac rehabilitation.

METHODS

Forty-nine male non-blockade recent PMIP, aged 63.8 ± 4.7 years, performed a graded exercise test on a motorised treadmill until volitional cessation or reaching any of the American College of Sports Medicine criteria. Blood pressure and rate-pressure product (RPP) were recorded every three minutes. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was monitored continuously and heart rate (HR) was taken from this. Blood samples were obtained by two methods; those used for testing blood lactate (BL) were taken from an already warmed finger tip before and during exercise, and the others used for enzymatic analysis based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LDH-1), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase polypeptide sub-unit MB (CK-MB) were collected by venipuncture from the antecubital vein pre and immediate post exercise test.

RESULTS

Highly significant correlations existed between exercise-induced changes in HR, RPP, BL and ST segment level with increased enzymes activity in serum, and 73.1% to 90.1% of the variance in percentage increase of the enzyme activity could be predicted from the variance in percentage increase of HR during exercise. However, the mechanism of these relationships may differ.

CONCLUSION

Since the rise in serum enzymes during submaximal exercise is primarily attributed to changes in membrane permeability in fatigued muscle, these relationships provide useful guidance to health professionals obtaining biochemical information about muscle fatigue.

Preventive effect of tert-butylhydroquinone on scrotal heat-induced damage in mouse testes

To investigate the effect of tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) on scrotal heat-induced damage in mice testes, 8-week-old mice were divided into 6 groups and administered with or without tBHQ through diet (10 mg/g), intraperitoneal injection (100 mg/kg body weight), or intratestis injection (12.5 mg/kg body weight), respectively. After single scrotal heat exposure (42 °C for 25 min), trunk blood and testes were collected 48 h later. The testes from diet and intraperitoneal tBHQ-treated mice showed more compact interstitial cells and less germ cell loss in the seminiferous epithelium compared with their corresponding non-tBHQ groups. However, intratestis tBHQ treatment showed no marked difference relative to the non-treatment group. In addition, pre-treatment of tBHQ caused lower testosterone concentrations and reduced expression of cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP 17) compared to the corresponding non-tBHQ groups. The results indicated that scrotal heat-induced structural damage was partly prevented by pre-treatment of tBHQ, which could be used as an effective antioxidant for preventing scrotal heat-mediated male infertility.

The chemokine CXCL6 restricts human trophoblast cell migration and invasion by suppressing MMP-2 activity in the first trimester

STUDY QUESTION

Can the chemokine CXCL6 affect trophoblast cell migration and invasion in human first-trimester placenta?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Chemokine CXCL6 inhibits trophoblast cell migration and invasion by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity in human first-trimester placenta.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Several chemokines including CXCL8, CXCL12, CXCL14, CXCL16, CX3CL1, CCL14 and CCL4 can promote or inhibit trophoblast cell migration and invasion in human first-trimester placenta.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

We used the trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo cells, primary trophoblast cells and villi explants to investigate the effect of rhCXCL6 on trophoblast cell migration and invasion.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

First, the CXCL6 RNA transcript level was detected in HTR8/SVneo cells derived from human first-trimester, second-trimester and third-trimester placenta by RT-PCR. Protein expression of CXCL6 and its receptors was tested in first-trimester placenta by immunohistochemistry. Secreted CXCL6 protein was detected in HTR8/SVneo cell supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Secondly, the effect of rhCXCL6 on HTR8/SVneo cell proliferation was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Thirdly, the effect of rhCXCL6 on cell migration and invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells, primary trophoblast cells and villi explants was tested by transwell migration and invasion assays, respectively. Last, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the supernatants of HTR8/SVneo and primary trophoblast cells treated by rhCXCL6 in the invasion assay was assessed by gelatin zymography.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Abundance of the CXCL6 RNA transcript increased with pregnancy development. CXCL6 and its receptor were expressed in several cells at the human maternal-fetal interface. RhCXCL6 inhibited trophoblast cell migration and invasion by suppressing MMP-2 activity.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

These experiments are only in vitro.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

According to the literature, CXCL6 could promote tumour cell migration and invasion by accelerating MMP-9 activity. However, CXCL6 inhibited trophoblast cell migration and invasion by suppressing MMP-2 activity in human first-trimester interface. These data suggest that strict regulation of CXCL6 is required for normal migration and invasion of cells, such as those involved at the maternal-fetal interface.

Reliability and validity of the overactive bladder symptom score in Hong Kong Chinese

OBJECTIVE

To validate the Hong Kong Chinese translation of the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire (OABSS-HKC).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Five urology clinics of different regional hospitals in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted for Hong Kong Chinese, according to the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures. Chinese-speaking patients with overactive bladder symptoms were recruited from five urology clinics. The patients completed the OABSS-HKC, a 3-day micturition diary, International Prostate Symptom Scores, and the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition questionnaires (visit 1), and again after a 2-week interval (visit 2). Test-retest reliability was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient and weighted Kappa coefficient. The relationship between OABSS-HKC total scores and items in the comparison measures was evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

The OABSS-HKC was successfully translated and culturally adapted. Fifty-one patients completed the validation study. A high level of reliability was observed between the OABSS-HKC total score answered at visit 1 and 2 for all subjects (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.82) and among the four items answered (weighted Kappa coefficients, 0.57-0.75). The OABSS-HKC total score correlated significantly with numbers of micturitions, incontinence and urgency episodes recorded in the 3-day micturition diary, as well as the total International Prostate Symptom Scores and the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition score. However, the OABSS-HKC total score was not significantly associated with nocturia episodes, total voided volume, or number of pads used.

CONCLUSIONS

The OABSS-HKC total scores are reliable and moderately valid for the quantitative evaluation of overactive bladder symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese-speaking adults.

D2 lymphadenectomy can disseminate tumor cells into peritoneal cavity in patients with advanced gastric cancer

We sought to determine the dissemination of gastric cancer cells before and after radical D2 surgery and to determine the effectiveness of EIPL in preventing post-operative peritoneal metastasis. 64 patients were recruited with advanced gastric cancer for our final analysis. Complete curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed on the 64 patients. Before surgery, peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological analysis by cell smearing and immunohistochemistry to detect disseminated cancer cells (S1). Following tumor and lymph node resection, peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination (S2). The patients were treated by extensive intra-operative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) with normal saline (n = 31) or distilled water (n = 33). The peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination (S3). At S1 stage, 18 patients (28.1%) were positive for disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid. After D2 lymphadenectomy, 34 patients (53.1%) had disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid at stage S2, which indicated that the D2 lymphadenectomy caused in an additional 16 (16/46, 34.8%) patients positive for disseminated cancer cells. After EIPL with either normal saline or distilled water at the S3 stage), all the patients were negative for disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid. A total of six patients died, and four patients had recurrencent cancer. These findings indicate that D2 lymphadenectomy can disseminate gastric cancer cells, and post-operative lavage of the abdominal cavity can eliminate cancer cell dissemination and decrease the risk of peritoneal metastasis.

SLICC/ACR damage index independently associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been reported in both active and inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between the long-term inflammatory burden reflected by the SLICC/ACR damage index and LV diastolic function has not been studied. Eighty-two SLE patients and 82 controls matched for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate underwent echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). LV diastolic function was estimated by the myocardial early diastolic velocity (E') at the lateral annulus. There were 51 patients (62.2%) with nephritis, 23 patients (28.0%) with hypertension, 21 patients (25.6%) with vasculitis, 16 patients (19.5%) with pulmonary hypertension, 4 patients (4.9%) with cerebrovascular disease and 2 patients (2.4%) with diabetes mellitus. Sixty-two patients (75.6%) were taking prednisone and 35 patients (42.7%) used a immunosuppressant. Forty-five patients (54.8%) had active disease and suffered from disease-related end-organ damage. Patients with SLICC/ACR damage index ≥1 had more evidence of LV diastolic dysfunction with lower lateral annulus E' (9.6 ± 3.4 vs 12.9 ± 3.5 cm/s, p < 0.001) than those without. In addition, the proportion of patients with abnormal LV myocardial relaxation (defined as lateral E' < 10.0 cm/s) (51.1% vs 16.2%, χ(2) = 10.8, p = 0.001) were significantly higher. Multivariate analysis showed that the SLICC/ACR damage index ≥1 was independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction (OR = 3.80, 95%CI: 1.21-11.95, p = 0.023) after adjusting for hypertension, disease duration and medical therapy. This may suggest that the overall inflammatory burden in SLE, as reflected by SLICC/ACR damage index, is associated with the development of diastolic dysfunction in SLE patients.

Optimally enhanced optical emission in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy by combining spatial confinement and dual-pulse irradiation

In laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), a pair of aluminum-plate walls were used to spatially confine the plasmas produced in air by a first laser pulse (KrF excimer laser) from chromium (Cr) targets with a second laser pulse (Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm, 360 mJ/pulse) introduced parallel to the sample surface to re-excite the plasmas. Optical emission enhancement was achieved by combing the spatial confinement and dual-pulse LIBS (DP-LIBS), and then optimized by adjusting the distance between the two walls and the interpulse delay time between both laser pulses. A significant enhancement factor of 168.6 for the emission intensity of the Cr lines was obtained at an excimer laser fluence of 5.6 J/cm(2) using the combined spatial confinement and DP-LIBS, as compared with an enhancement factor of 106.1 was obtained with DP-LIBS only. The enhancement mechanisms based on shock wave theory and reheating in DP-LIBS are discussed.

Quantum dot-based nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Quantum dot (QD) has been extensively investigated as a nanoprobe to replace conventional organic dyes due to its unique optical properties. However, nanotoxicity of QD greatly hampers its biomedical applications, particularly in in vivo imaging. It is critical to functionalize QD and/or composite QD with other functional materials for biocompatibility, multifunction and expanded applications. In this review, advances of QD-based nanocomposites are addressed with emphasis of their synthesis, fundamental understanding and applications in biosensor, multimodal imaging, drug delivery, diagnostics and cancer therapy. Some specific QD-based bionanosystems and future development directions are also discussed.

Selective Upregulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Transcripts and BDNF Direct Induction of Activity Independent N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Currents in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients with Hippocampal Sclerosis

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in many aspects of neuronal biology and hippocampal physiology and pathology, and has been implicated as a potential therapeutic target in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). BDNF total mRNA and its six transcripts were compared in the hippocampal tissue of TLE patients with or without hippocampal sclerosis (HS) by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Excitatory actions induced by BDNF on hippocampal cells were investigated by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Statistically significant increases in three human BDNF mRNA transcripts were observed in TLE patients with HS compared with those without HS (transcripts 2, 3 and 5 exhibited 2.1-, 2.3-and 4.1-fold increases, respectively); there were no significant increases in other transcripts. BDNF directly induced N-methyl-d-aspartate currents in dentate granule cells of TLE patients with HS. These results demonstrated that BDNF transcripts were selectively upregulated in TLE patients with HS compared with those without HS. Moreover, BDNF induced excitability of dentate granule cells in TLE patients with HS.

Enhancement of optical emission from laser-induced plasmas by combined spatial and magnetic confinement

To enhance optical emission in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, both a pair of permanent magnets and an aluminum hemispherical cavity (diameter: 11.1 mm) were used simultaneously to magnetically and spatially confine plasmas produced by a KrF excimer laser in air from pure metal and alloyed samples. High enhancement factors of about 22 and 24 in the emission intensity of Co and Cr lines were acquired at a laser fluence of 6.2 J/cm2 using the combined confinement, while enhancement factors of only about 11 and 12 were obtained just with a cavity. The mechanism of enhanced optical emission by combined confinement, including shock wave in the presence of a magnetic field, is discussed. The Si plasmas, however, were not influenced by the presence of magnets as Si is hard to ablate and ionize and hence has less free electrons and positive ions. Images of the laser-induced Cr and Si plasmas show the difference between pure metallic and semiconductor materials in the presence of both a cavity and magnets.

Generation of high-temperature and low-density plasmas for improved spectral resolutions in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Improved spectral resolutions were achieved in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) through generation of high-temperature and low-density plasmas. A first pulse from a KrF excimer laser was used to produce particles by perpendicularly irradiating targets in air. A second pulse from a 532 nm Nd:YAG laser was introduced parallel to the sample surface to reablate the particles. Optical scattering from the first-pulse plasmas was imaged to elucidate particle formation in the plasmas. Narrower line widths (full width at half maximums: FWHMs) and weaker self-absorption were observed from time-integrated LIBS spectra. Estimation of plasma temperatures and densities indicates that high temperature and low density can be achieved simultaneously in plasmas to improve LIBS resolutions.

Measurement of w-InN/h-BN Heterojunction Band Offsets by X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to measure the valence band offset (VBO) of the w-InN/h-BN heterojunction. We find that it is a type-II heterojunction with the VBO being -0.30 ± 0.09 eV and the corresponding conduction band offset (CBO) being 4.99 ± 0.09 eV. The accurate determination of VBO and CBO is important for designing the w-InN/h-BN-based electronic devices.

The effectiveness of a comprehensive geriatric assessment intervention program for frailty in community-dwelling older people: a randomized, controlled trial

This randomized, controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and subsequent intervention in pre-frail and frail community-dwelling elderly based on the Fried Frailty Criteria (FFC) and the Barthel Index (BI) A total of 310 pre-frail or frail elderly from a single community were identified using the FFC. Of these, 152 were randomly assigned to the intervention group for CGA and appropriate intervention by medication adjustment, exercise instruction, nutrition support, physical rehabilitation, social worker consultation, and specialty referral. Clinical outcome was re-evaluated by the FFC and BI 6 months later. Compared to the control group, the intervention group tended to have a better outcome, with an odds ratio (OR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.48-3.04, p = 0.71) and 3.29 (95% CI = 0.65-16.64, p = 0.15), respectively, and were less likely to deteriorate, with an OR = 0.78 (95% CI = 0.34-1.79, p = 0.57) and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.42-2.12, p = 0.88), respectively. Although no significant differences were observed, the CGA and subsequent intervention showed a favorable outcome in frail and pre-frail elderly based on the frailty status and BI. Inability to complete the CGA and poor compliance with the intervention program appear to be the main reasons for unfavorable outcomes.

Multifunctional CuO nanowire devices: p-type field effect transistors and CO gas sensors

We report the properties of a field effect transistor (FET) and a gas sensor based on CuO nanowires. CuO nanowire FETs exhibit p-type behavior. Large-scale p-type CuO nanowire thin-film transistors (10(4) devices in a 25 mm(2) area) are fabricated and we effectively demonstrate their enhanced performance. Furthermore, CuO nanowire exhibits high and fast response to CO gas at 200 degrees C, which makes it a promising candidate for a poisonous gas sensing nanodevice.

Evolution of the clock from yeast to man by period-doubling folds in the cellular oscillator

Analysis of genome-wide oscillations in transcription reveals that the cell is an oscillator and an attractor and that the maintenance of a stable phenotype requires that maximums in expression in clusters of transcripts must be poised at antipodal phases around the steady state-this is the dynamic architecture of phenotype. Plots of the path through concentration phase space taken by all of the transcripts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yield a simple three-dimensional surface. How this surface might change as period lengthens or as a cell differentiates is at the center of current work. We have shown that changes in gene expression in response to mutation or perturbation by drugs occur through a folding or unfolding of the surface described by this circle of transcripts and we suggest that the path from this 40-minute oscillation to the cell cycle and circadian rhythms takes place through a series of period-two or period-three bifurcations. These foldings in the surface of the putative attractor result in an increasingly dense set of nested trajectories in the concentrations of message and protein. Evolutionary advantage might accrue to an organism that could change period by changes in just one or a few genes as day length increased from 4 hours in the prebiotic Earth, through 8 hours during the expansion of photoautotrophs, to the present 24 hours.

Improving interval estimation of binomial proportions

In this paper, we propose one new confidence interval for the binomial proportion; our interval is based on the Edgeworth expansion of a logit transformation of the sample proportion. We provide theoretical justification for the proposed interval and also compare the finite-sample performance of the proposed interval with the three best existing intervals-the Wilson interval, the Agresti-Coull interval and the Jeffreys interval-in terms of their coverage probabilities and expected lengths. We illustrate the proposed method in two real clinical studies.