[Characteristics of sleep apnea events in non-snoring children]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of sleep-related respiratory events in normal children and to provide normal polysomnographic parameters for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing in children. Methods: Normal subjects between 3 and 14 years old were enrolled from 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2015 and the subjects received overnight polysomnography at the sleep center of our hospital. They were children of our hospital employees or were recruited from the communities who did not have sleep and respiratory disorders. The children were divided into preschool group (3-5 years) and school-age group (6-14 years). Apnea index (AI), obstructive apnea index (OAI), central apnea index (CAI), and mixed apnea index (MAI) were compared between the two groups. Data for continuous variables that showed normal distribution were expressed as x ±s. M(P₂₅, P₇₅) were used when data were not normally distributed. Continuous variables that showed normal distribution were compared by using an independent-sample t-test. Wilcoxon-test was performed when data exhibited non-normal distribution. Differences in categorical data were tested with Chi-square test. Pearson correlation test was applied for the correlation analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 115 normal children took part in the study including 40 in preschool group and 75 in school-age group. Children in both groups had a few sleep apnea events, most of which were central apneas, accounting for 80% and 70% of the total respiratory events respectively. Central apnea index in preschool children were significantly higher than that of school-age children (P<0.001), with median of 0.6 times/h and 0.1 times/h, respectively. Median OAI of both groups were 0.0 times/h without significant difference (P=0.748). Obstructive apnea events occurred mainly in the supine position in both groups. Conclusions: Normal children may have a few apnea events in sleep that were predominantly central apnea. CAI of preschool children is significantly higher than that of school-age children. Obstructive sleep apnea is rare in normal children, and sleep apnea occurs mainly in the supine position.

IL-8 -251A/T polymorphism contributes to coronary artery disease susceptibility in a Chinese population

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a mediator of inflammation and plays an important role in regulating immune responses. To date, several studies have tested the association between IL-8 gene polymorphisms and development of coronary artery disease (CAD), but their results have proved to be inconsistent. We conducted an investigation to assess the relationship between the IL-8 -251A/T (rs4073) sequence variant and CAD in a Chinese population. Between April 2013 and January 2015, 217 patients with coronary angiography-confirmed CAD were enrolled in our study, along with 245 control subjects. IL-8 -251A/T genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. A chi-square test revealed that IL-8 -251A/T genotype distributions significantly differed between CAD patients and control subjects (chi-square = 8.29, P < 0.02). Moreover, multiple-logistic regression analysis showed that individuals carrying TA [odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-2.57] and AA (OR = 2.06, 95%CI = 1.21-3.52) genotypes were at increased risk of CAD compared to those with the TT genotype. Under dominant (OR = 1.75, 95%CI = 1.13-2.73) and recessive (OR = 1.54, 95%CI = 1.02-2.37) genetic models, the IL-8 -251A/T polymorphism also significantly correlated with CAD. In conclusion, our results suggest that this variant is an independent risk factor for CAD development under codominant, dominant, and recessive models.

[Effect of smart-phone application on complications of chemoradiotherapy and quality of life in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective:To investigate the interventional effect of smart-phone application on development of complications of chemoradiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after discharge.Method:Sixty-five NPC patients receving first chemoradiotherapy were randomly divided into two groups. Control group including 33 patients, use traditional oral Health education. Intervention group including 32 patients, use a smart-phone application after discharge. The smart-phone application with text and graphics was established to conduct health education and dynamically manage discharged patients for promoting themselves health management. Poisonous side reactions and quality of life of two groups were investigated at discharge and 6 months after discharge.Result:There were not significant difference between two groups on complications of chemoradiotherapy and quality of life at discharge. After discharge 6 months, the incidence of oral mucositis, dry mouth, nasal obstruction and difficulty in opening mouth of intervention group were lower than control group significantly, while the quality of life of intervention group higher than control group significantly (P< 0.05). Conclusion:Smart-phone application can reduce complications of chemoradiotherapy, and improve the quality of life in patients with NPC after discharge.

Retraction RETRACTION of "Association between polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene and the risk of non-small cell lung cancer", by Han JC, Zhang YJ and Li XD - Genet. Mol. Res. 14 (4): 12888-12893 (2015)

The retracted article is: Han JC, Zhang YJ and Li XD (2015). Association between polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene and the risk of non-small cell lung cancer. Genet. Mol. Res. 14: 12888-12893. The GMR editorial staff was alerted about this article (received on May 3, 2015; accepted on August 18, 2015) published on October 21, 2015 (DOI: 10.4238/2015.October.21.9) that was found to be substantially similar to the publication of "Association of XRCC1 gene polymorphisms with risk of non-small cell lung cancer" (received on January 25, 2015; accepted on March 23, 2015; e-published on April 1, 2015) by Kang et al., published in the International Journal of Clinical Experimental Pathology 8 (4): 4171-4176. The authors were aware of the Kang et al.'s paper, since they cite it several times in the manuscript published in GMR. Some of the language is similar between the two manuscripts, but what is the most concerning is that several of the tables in the papers are nearly identical. Tables 2 and 3 are exactly identical between the two articles, suggesting that the publication in GMR was plagiarized from the publication in the International Journal of Clinical Experimental Pathology. The Publisher and Editor decided to retract these articles in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). After a thorough investigation, we have strong reason to believe that the peer review process was failure and, after review and contacting the authors, the editors of Genetics and Molecular Research decided to retract the article. The authors and their institutions were advised of this serious breach of ethics.

[Investigation of renal corticomedullary differentiation with age-related change on non-contrast-enhanced MRI]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between renal corticomedullary differentiation, renal cortical thickness and age-related changes with non-contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession(SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spatially selective inversion recovery(IR) pulse technology as well as its applied value .

METHODS

A total of 76 healthy volunteers had been recruited from August 2014 to June 2015 in First Hospital of China Medical University.All volunteers were divided into three groups: 2-40 years old, 41-60 years old, 61-80 years old. All 76 volunteers underwent non-contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession(SSFP) 3.0 T MRI scan using variable inversion times (TIs)(TI=1 000, 1 100, 1 200, 1 300, 1 400, 1 500, 1 600, 1 700 ms). The renal corticomedullary differentiation was observed and the signal intensity of renal cortex and medulla were measured respectively as well in order to calculate renal corticomedullary contrast ratio. Besides, renal cortical thickness and renal size were measured.

RESULTS

All 76 volunteers were successfully performed all the sequences of MRI scan, including 152 useful imaging of kidney in total. The renal corticomedullary differentiation was clearly shown in all subjects. There was negative correlation between the optimal inversion time(TI) and age(r=-0.65, P<0.01). Similarly, negative correlation was observed between renal corticomedullary contrast ratio and age(r=-0.35, P<0.01). The mean renal cortical thickness of all subjects was (5.33±0.71)mm and there were statistically significant difference among those different groups, which was negative-related with age(r=-0.79, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between sexuality and renal cortical thickness.Additionally, renal cortical thickness had no statistically significant difference in both sides of kidneys.

CONCLUSION

The renal corticomedullary differentiation is depicted clearly by means of non-contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession MRI with spatially selective inversion recovery pulse technology. The optimal inversion time decreases along with the increase of age. In the meanwhile, the renal cortical thickness could be measured truthfully and accurately.

[Field investigation of occupational disease diagnosis in Guangdong Provincial Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment from 2009 to 2014: an analysis of 136 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of 136 patients with occupational diseases, to summarize key techniques used in field investigation, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of standard operating procedures for field investigation of occupational disease diagnosis.

METHODS

Field investigation and routine data analysis were performed to analyze the cases diagnosed by Guangdong Provincial Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment from January 2009 to December 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 136 cases of occupational diseases were diagnosed by Guangdong Provincial Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment from 2009 to 2014, and there were 66 cases of leukemia, 18 cases of suspected occupational benzene poisoning, 12 cases of suspected occupational handarm vibration disease, and 11 cases of suspected pneumoconiosis. Of all these patients, 41.91% were engaged in at least three types of work, 70.59% were exposed to at least three types of chemicals, 25.74% experienced changes in technical processes and chemicals, and 47.06% had disputes on the chemicals they were exposed to during verification by both parties. Occupational hazard factors were detected. Most samples (358)were used to measure benzene concentration in workplace air, among which 11.7% had a benzene concentration of >6.00 mg/m(3)(exceeding standard), 13.41% had a benzene concentration of 3.26~6.00 mg/m(3), 75.42% had a benzene concentration of<0.03 to <3.25 mg/m(3). The samples of suspected occupational hand-arm vibration disease, suspected pneumoconiosis, and suspected occupational noiseinduced hearing loss had high overstandard rates (100%, 93.8%, and 83.3%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Field investigation of occupational disease diagnosis reveals large numbers of cases of leukemia, suspected occupational benzene poisoning, suspected occupational hand-arm vibration disease, and suspected pneumoconiosis. The key aspects of field investigation include confirmation of the history of occupational exposure, identification of occupational hazard factors, confirmation of the changes in technical processes and chemicals, detection of occupational hazard factors, sampling and analysis of raw materials, and epidemiological investigation of workers with the same type of work.

Effect of high-intensity exercise on interleukin-15 expression in rabbit synovia

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of high-intensity exercise on interleukin-15 (IL-15) expression in rabbit synovia. We utilized 24 New Zealand white rabbits, which were randomly divided equally into high-intensity exercise and control groups. The former were forced to run for 60 min/day over 4 weeks at the speed of 30 m/min. The histological changes of cartilage and knee joint synovia were investigated with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to measure IL-15 expression. From these analyses, we identified knee articular cartilage damage and synovitis in the high-intensity exercise group. This group also exhibited higher IL-15 expression in their synovial fluid and tissues than was observed in the control group (P < 0.05). These results suggested that high-intensity exercise might lead to synovitis and articular cartilage damage, and that IL-15 overexpression in synovia might be associated with post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Highly spectrum-selective ultraviolet photodetector based on p-NiO/n-IGZO thin film heterojunction structure

Ultraviolet photodetector with p-n heterojunction is fabricated by magnetron sputtering deposition of n-type indium gallium zinc oxide (n-IGZO) and p-type nickel oxide (p-NiO) thin films on ITO glass. The performance of the photodetector is largely affected by the conductivity of the p-NiO thin film, which can be controlled by varying the oxygen partial pressure during the deposition of the p-NiO thin film. A highly spectrum-selective ultraviolet photodetector has been achieved with the p-NiO layer with a high conductivity. The results can be explained in terms of the "optically-filtering" function of the NiO layer.

Effects of high intensity exhaustive exercise on SOD, MDA, and NO levels in rats with knee osteoarthritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of high intensity exhaustive exercise on nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression in rats with knee osteoarthritis. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (N = 5) and model (N = 35) groups; the model group was further divided into quiet (N = 5), low- (N = 15) and high- (N = 15) intensity exhaustive exercise groups. The low- and high-intensity groups were randomly divided into pre-exercise (N = 5), immediate post-exercise (N = 5), and 24-h post-exercise (N = 5) groups according to different time points for detection. NO, MDA, and SOD levels were compared between each group. The SOD levels in the quiet, low-, and high-intensity exhaustive exercise groups were lower than that in the control group, whereas the NO and MDA levels were higher in the former groups than in the controls (P < 0.05). The SOD level in the 24-h post-low intensity exhaustive exercise group was higher than that in the 24-h post-high intensity exhaustive exercise group, whereas the NO and MDA levels were lower in the 24-h post-low intensity than in the post-high intensity exercise group (P < 0.05). Overall, the results demonstrated that with the increase of exercise intensity, the SOD activity in the rats with knee osteoarthritis decreased gradually, whereas the MDA and NO levels gradually increased. Thus, the greater the exercise intensity, the more serious the impact on knee osteoarthritis.

Determination of the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into mouse nucleus pulposus cells in vitro

We determined the potential for induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to differentiate into nucleus pulposus (NP)-like cells in mice. iPS cells were generated from tail-tip fibroblasts. We used a pellet culture model with the aim of determining the applicability of iPS cell-based therapy to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD). The cell pellet was cultured in an NP cell basal medium comprising Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with transforming growth factor beta 1, dexamethasone, ascorbate-2-phosphate, and 1% ITS-Premix. The pellet was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and biochemical composition. The differentiation of iPS cells into NP cells was demonstrated by the protein and mRNA expression levels of proteoglycan, collagen II, aggrecan, and CD24. Furthermore, increased hydroxyproline content and dimethylmethylene blue staining demonstrated that the collagen II and glycosaminoglycan content in the NP cells increased with time. We have shown that cultured mouse iPS cells can be induced to differentiate into NP cells. Such proof-of-concept opens up the possibility of producing patient-specific NP cells in a relatively simple and straightforward manner with high efficiency. We are confident that such cells could be immediately useful for the study of IVD disease.

Significance of Ebp1 and p53 protein expression in cervical cancer

In this study, the ErbB3-binding protein (Ebp1) and p53 protein expression in cervical cancer tissues, and its significance in the prognosis of the disease was investigated. Ebp1 and p53 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemical analysis in cervical cancer tissues (N = 60) and normal tissues adjacent to the cancer tissues (N = 60). The rates of positive Ebp1 and p53 protein expression were 35.0 and 60.0%, respectively. Ebp1 and p53 were overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues, compared to normal tissues (P < 0.05). Ebp1 and p53 protein expression was not correlated with age, tumor size, or family tumor history (P > 0.05). However, high levels of expression of Ebp1 and p53 were positively correlated with the TNM stage and lymphatic metastasis in cervical cancer patients (P < 0.05). The combined determination of Ebp1 and p53 expression levels in cervical cancer patients could support the effective prediction of metastatic potential and patient prognosis.

Arterial embolization of massive hepatocellular carcinoma with lipiodol and gelatin sponge

BACKGROUND

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used to treat unresectable massive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lots of embolic agents have been applied in embolization because of it can decrease patient discomfort and side-effects.

AIM

The aim was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of TACE with lipiodol and gelatin sponge.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 109 patients with massive HCC (the size of tumor >10 cm and unresectable) from January 2011 to August 2014 in our institution was divided into group A and group B based on the different embolitic agents. Before and about 1-month after each case of TACE, clinical and biological data such as tumor size, Child-Pugh stage, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), complications, were recorded at the same time.

RESULTS

In group A, the diameter of the tumor reduced from 12.57 ± 1.26 cm to 9.04 ± 0.89 cm. No patient was complete response (CR), partial response (PR) 36, stable disease (SD) 7 and PD 6; in group B, the diameter of tumor decreased from 12.08 ± 1.42 cm to 8.43 ± 1.05 cm, CR 0, but PR 27, SD 18 and PD 15. RR in group A was significantly higher than in group B (P < 0.05).The change of Child-Pugh stage and AFP pre- and post-operative in group A can be found significantly better than in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

TACE with lipiodol and gelatin sponge is a highly effective for massive HCC.

Reducing dioxin formation by adding hydrogen in simulated fly ash

In this study, simulated fly ash containing CuO/CuCl2 was heated at 350 °C in a flow of N2 and also in a nitrogen flow containing 10 vol% H2, to evaluate the influence of hydrogen adding on dioxin formation. The total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) output derived from the CuO sample under N2 and 10 % H2 was 7.382 and 0.708 ng/g, respectively. As for CuCl2, it was 589 and 46.1 ng/g, respectively. The results show that the hydrogen adding has a good inhibition effect on PCDD/F formation; the inhibition rate was higher than 90 % for PCDD/Fs. HCl and NH3 were detected by Gasmet in the flue gas; the probable inhibition mechanism of hydrogen reaction was proposed, based on our measurements and others' researches.

Ebp1 protein expression in cervical cancer tissue and its significance

The objectives of this study were to observe the changes in expression of ErbB-3 binding protein (Ebp1) in cervical cancer and to investigate their clinic significance. We detected the expression level of Ebp1 in cancerous and adjacent tissues from 56 patients with cervical cancer. We identified 21 Ebp1 positive samples (37.5%) from among the 56 cervical cancer tissue samples and 5 Ebp1 positive samples (8.9%) in the corresponding adjacent tissues; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). No statistically significant (P > 0.05) differences in the rates of positive Ebp1 expression were found between patients under 60 years of age and those equal to or over this age. No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between patients whose tumor diameters were under 5 cm and those with tumor diameters over 5 cm. No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in the Ebp1 positive rates were found among the cervical cancer samples when stratified by grade (I, II, or III). Together, these results demonstrate that Ebp1 protein expression is upregulated in cervical cancer tissues but is not related to clinical pathologic factors such as patient age or tumor size or differentiation level, suggesting that Ebp1 plays an important role in the genesis and growth process of cervical cancer.

Increased expression of amyloid precursor protein promotes proliferation and migration of AML1/ETO-positive leukemia cells and be inhibited by panobinostat

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a highly conserved integral membrane protein extensively expressed in various types of cells. Previously we found that overexpression of APP in patients with AML1/ETO-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with a higher incidence of extramedullary infiltrationin and indicate a poor prognosis. In this study, we attempted to define the roles of APP in AML1/ETO-positive leukemia cells. Western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis showed that protein levels of APP are significantly higher in Kasumi-1, a t(8;21)/ AML1/ETO-positive M2-type AML cell line. Stable knockdown of APP by lentivirus-based RNA interference (RNAi) dramatically impaired colony-formation and migration ability of Kasumi-1 cells, whereas APP knockdown had very little effect on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle and differentiation. We further explored whether the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat could deplete the protein levels of APP in Kasumi-1 cells. Treatment with panobinostat caused depletion of APP in Kasumi-1 cells. These findings indicate that overexpression of APP is involved in promoting proliferation and migration of AML1/ETO-positive leukemia cells and can be inhibited by panobinostat, which provide an attractive prospect for treatment of AML1/ETO-positive AML.

Description of a New Species of the Genus Macromotettixoides Zheng (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea: Metrodorinae) from China

A new species, Macromotettixoides lativertex Deng et al n. sp. is described with detailed illustrations of external morphology. Comparison between the species M. lativertex n. sp. and allied species is compiled into a table for identification. The distribution and an updated identification key to all known species of the genus is given.

Evolution of dielectric function of Al-doped ZnO thin films with thermal annealing: effect of band gap expansion and free-electron absorption

Evolution of dielectric function of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films with annealing temperature is observed. It is shown that the evolution is due to the changes in both the band gap and the free-electron absorption as a result of the change of free-electron concentration of the AZO thin films. The change of the electron concentration could be attributed to the activation of Al dopant and the creation/annihilation of the donor-like defects like oxygen vacancy in the thin films caused by annealing.

Two New Species of the Genus Xistra Bolivar (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from China

Two new species of the tetrigid genus Xistra Bolivar from China, namely Xistra oculata Li, Deng et Zheng n. sp. and Xistra brachynota Li, Deng et Zheng n. sp. are described. An updated key to all known species of the genus is given.

Influence of localized surface plasmon resonance and free electrons on the optical properties of ultrathin Au films: a study of the aggregation effect

The contributions of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and Drude (free electrons) absorption to the complex dielectric function of ultrathin Au films were investigated with spectroscopic ellipsometry. When the Au film thickness is thinner than ~10 nm, Au nanoparticles (NPs) are formed as a result of the discontinuity in the films, leading to the emergence of LSPR of Au NPs; and the LSPR exhibits a splitting when the films thinner than ~8 nm, which could be attributed to the near-field coupling of the Au NPs and/or the inhomogeneous polarizations of the Au NPs. On the other hand, the delocalization of electrons in Au NPs due to the aggregation of Au NPs in a thicker film leads to an increase in the free-electron absorption and a suppression of the LSPR.

A review of the genus Alulatettix Liang (Orthoptera: Tetrigoidea: Tetrigidae)

The taxonomy of the tetrigid genus Alulatettix Liang is reviewed. A new species, Alulatettix orthomarginalis n. sp. is described. The annotated list and key to all known species of Alulatettix are given.

Effects of free electrons and quantum confinement in ultrathin ZnO films: a comparison between undoped and Al-doped ZnO

Band gaps and exciton binding energies of undoped and Al-doped ZnO thin films were determined from optical absorption measurement based on the Elliott's exciton absorption theory. As compared to the undoped films, the doped films exhibit a band gap expansion and a reduction in the exciton binding energies due to the free electron screening effect, which suppresses the excitonic absorption and results in a blue shift of the absorption edge. The undoped and doped films show the same quantum size dependence, i.e. both the exciton binding energies and band gap energies increase with decreasing grain size of the oxides.

Characterization of SNPs in strawberry cultivars in China

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occur at high frequencies in both plant and animal genomes and can provide broad genome coverage and reliable estimates of genetic relationships. The availability of expressed sequence tag (EST) data has made it feasible to discover SNPs. DNA analysis is crucial in genetic studies not only for strawberry breeding programs but also for characterization of hybrids and species. We cloned 96 EST sequences, and 116 SNPs were discovered by comparing 16 strawberry cultivars grown in the region of Nanjing, China. Sequence alignment of 6 group sequences derived from 16 sample cultivars yielded 116 SNPs, within a total genomic sequence length of 1755 bp. The SNPs were discovered with a mean frequency of one SNP per 15 bp. These SNPs were comprised of 57% transitions, 32.7% transversions, 8.6% InDels, and 1.7% others, based on which a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Among the 116 SNPs, 75% were located within the open reading frame (ORF), while 25% were located outside the ORF. All 16 cultivars scattered well in dendrogram derived from the SNP data, demonstrating that SNPs can be a powerful tool for cultivar identification and genetic diversity analysis in strawberries.

Promotion of peri-implant bone healing by systemically administered parathyroid hormone (1-34) and zoledronic acid adsorbed onto the implant surface

The effect of human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH) and zoledronic acid (ZA) alone or in combination on bone healing in osteoporotic settings was tested using implants inserted in tibiae of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Combination therapy promoted bone healing more than each treatment alone 12 weeks after implant insertion.

INTRODUCTION

PTH and ZA have been demonstrated to be effective on implant fixation. However, reports about the combined use of PTH and ZA for promotion of bone healing around implant in osteoporotic settings are still limited. This study aims to investigate effects of PTH+ZA on implant stabilization in OVX rats.

METHODS

Twelve weeks after bilateral ovariectomy, OVX rats randomly received implants without or with ZA (by immersion in 1 mg/ml ZA solution for 24 h). Subsequently, half of the animals from each group also received subcutaneous injections of PTH (60 μg/kg, three times a week) for 12 weeks. Thus, there were four groups: control, PTH, ZA, and PTH+ZA.

RESULTS

All treatments promoted bone healing around implant compared to control, but PTH+ZA treatment showed significantly stronger effects than PTH or ZA alone in histological, micro-CT, and biomechanical tests.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated the additive effects of PTH and ZA on implant fixation in OVX rats; it was suggested that the anabolic effect of PTH was potent and not blunted by ZA during bone healing around implant when used concurrently.

Core/shell structured NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/Gd+3 nanorods with Au nanoparticles or shells for flexible amorphous silicon solar cells

A simple approach for preparing near-infrared (NIR) to visible upconversion (UC) NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods in combination with gold nanostructures has been reported. The grown UC nanomaterials with Au nanostructures have been applied to flexible amorphous silicon solar cells on the steel substrates to investigate their responses to sub-bandgap infrared irradiation. Photocurrent–voltage measurements were performed on the solar cells. It was demonstrated that UC of NIR light led to a 16-fold to 72-fold improvement of the short-circuit current under 980 nm illumination compared to a cell without upconverters. A maximum current of 1.16 mA was obtained for the cell using UC nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles under 980 nm laser illumination. This result corresponds to an external quantum efficiency of 0.14% of the solar cell. Mechanisms of erbium luminescence in the grown UC nanorods were analyzed and discussed.