Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy approach for measurements of photoluminescence and electroluminescence in mid-infrared

An improved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy approach adapting to photoluminescence and electroluminescence measurements in mid-infrared has been developed, in which diode-pumped solid-state excitation lasers were adopted for photoluminescence excitation. In this approach, three different Fourier transform infrared modes of rapid scan, double modulation, and step scan were software switchable without changing the hardware or connections. The advantages and limitations of each mode were analyzed in detail. Using this approach a group of III-V and II-VI samples from near-infrared extending to mid-infrared with photoluminescence intensities in a wider range have been characterized at room temperature to demonstrate the validity and overall performances of the system. The weaker electroluminescence of quantum cascade lasers in mid-infrared band was also surveyed at different resolutions. Results show that for samples with relatively strong photoluminescence or electroluminescence out off the background, rapid scan mode is the most preferable. For weaker photoluminescence or electroluminescence overlapped with background, double modulation is the most effective mode. To get a better signal noise ratio when weaker photoluminescence or electroluminescence signal has been observed in double modulation mode, switching to step scan mode should be an advisable option despite the long data acquiring time and limited resolution.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm does not improve early survival versus open repair in patients younger than 60 years

OBJECTIVES

Multiple randomised trials have demonstrated lower perioperative mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) compared to open surgical repair for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, in these trials the mortality advantage for EVAR is being lost within 2 years of repair and the patients evaluated are relatively older with no study specifically comparing EVAR and open repair for patients younger than 60 years of age.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients younger than 60 years of age who underwent EVAR and open surgical repair for elective infrarenal AAA were identified from the 2007-09 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) - a prospective database maintained at 237 centres across the United States. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 651 patients, 369 (56.7%) underwent EVAR and 282 (43.3%) underwent open repair. Thirty-day mortality for EVAR and open repair were 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively. This was not significantly different on univariate (P = 0.22) as well as multivariate (P = 0.69) analysis after controlling for other co-morbidities. On multivariate analysis, body mass index, history of stroke and bleeding disorder prior to surgery were associated with a higher 30-day mortality after AAA repair (combined open and EVAR).

CONCLUSIONS

These contemporary results demonstrate that the 30-day mortality rate after open repair is similar to that after EVAR in patients younger than 60 years with infrarenal AAA.

Development of DRAGON electron cyclotron resonance ion source at Institute of Modern Physics

A new room temperature electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source, DRAGON, is under construction at IMP. DRAGON is designed to operate at microwaves of frequencies of 14.5-18 GHz. Its axial solenoid coils are cooled with evaporative medium to provide an axial magnetic mirror field of 2.5 T at the injection and 1.4 T at the extraction, respectively. In comparison to other conventional room temperature ECR ion sources, DRAGON has so far the largest bore plasma chamber of inner diameter of 126 mm with maximum radial fields of 1.4-1.5 T produced by a non-Halbach permanent sextupole magnet.

Status of the laser ion source at IMP

A laser (Nd:YAG laser, 3 J, 1064 nm, 8-10 ns) ion source has been built and under development at IMP to provide pulsed high-charge-state heavy ion beams to a radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) for upgrading the IMP accelerators with a new low-energy beam injector. The laser ion source currently operates in a direct plasma injection scheme to inject the high charge state ions produced from a solid target into the RFQ. The maximum power density on the target was about 8.4 × 10(12) W∕cm(2). The preliminary experimental results will be presented and discussed in this paper.

A 2.45 GHz electron cyclotron resonance proton ion source and a dual-lens low energy beam transport

The structure and preliminary commissioning results of a new 2.45 GHz ECR proton ion source and a dual-lens low energy beam transport (LEBT) system are presented in this paper. The main magnetic field of the ion source is provided by a set of permanent magnets with two small electro-solenoid magnets at the injection and the extraction to fine tune the magnetic field for better microwave coupling. A 50 keV pulsed proton beam extracted by a three-electrode mechanism passes through the LEBT system of length of 1183 mm. This LEBT consists of a diagnosis chamber, two Glaser lenses, two steering magnets, and a final beam defining cone. A set of inner permanent magnetic rings is embedded in each of the two Glaser lenses to produce a flatter axial-field to reduce the lens aberrations.

Study of ion beam transport from the SECRAL electron cyclotron resonance ion source at the Institute of Modern Physics

Ion beam transport from the Superconducting Electron Cyclotron Resonance ion source with Advanced design in Lanzhou (SECRAL) electron cyclotron resonance ion source was studied at the Institute of Modern Physics during 2010. Particle-in-cell simulations and experimental results have shown that both space charge and magnetic aberrations lead to a larger beam envelope and emittance growth. In the existing SECRAL extraction beam line, it has been shown that raising the solenoid lens magnetic field reduces aberrations in the subsequent dipole and results in lower emittance. Detailed beam emittance measurements are presented in this paper.

Microstructure evolution during impact on granular matter

We study the impact of an intruder on a dense granular material. The process of impact and interaction between the intruder and the granular particles is modeled using discrete element simulations in two spatial dimensions. In the first part of the paper we discuss how the intruder's dynamics depends on (1) the intruder's properties, including its size, shape and composition, (2) the properties of the grains, including friction, polydispersity, structural order, and elasticity, and (3) the properties of the system, including its size and gravitational field. It is found that polydispersity and related structural order, and frictional properties of the granular particles, play a crucial role in determining impact dynamics. In the second part of the paper we consider the response of the granular system itself. We discuss the force networks that develop, including their topological evolution. The influence of friction and structural order on force propagation, including the transition from hyperbolic-like to elastic-like behavior is discussed, as well as the affine and nonaffine components of the grain dynamics. Several broad observations include the following: tangential forces between granular particles are found to play a crucial role in determining impact dynamics; both force networks and particle dynamics are correlated with the dynamics of the intruder itself.

A novel EcoRII PCR-RFLP detecting genetic variation of goat <i>NF1-C2</i> gene and its association with milk yield (Brief Report)

Abstract. The transcription factor nuclear factor1-C2 (NF1-C2) mediates the action of prolactin in the mammary gland. Research on the molecular genetic mechanism of model system have indicated that the NF1-C2 gene plays an important role for the activation of several mammary gland specific genes (Nilsson et al. 2006). Moreover, the effects of prolactin on milk production traits have been reported in ruminant (Seriwatanachai et al. 2008). NF1-C2 may have a similar function in goat. To our knowledge polymorphisms of NF1-C2 gene have not been described in animals. Here a SNP of the caprine NF1-C2 was detected and a EcoRII PCR-RFLP was derived, that allowed to clearly detect NF1-C2 genotypes. Further investigation was conduct to evaluate the association between polymorphisms and milk yield at different lactation stages.

Thoracic curve correction after posterior fusion and instrumentation of structural lumbar curves in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

INTRODUCTION

Spontaneous thoracic curve correction may occur following selective anterior spinal fusion in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, a few reports have described outcomes in patients following selective posterior fusion. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess curve correction in AIS patients with major lumbar curves and secondary thoracic curves after selective posterior fusion of the major curve.

METHODS

The records of 42 AIS patients with major lumbar and minor thoracic curves who had received selective posterior lumbar fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation were examined. Preoperative and follow-up radiographs were examined and the following were determined: curve flexibility, Cobb angle measurements of the major and minor curves, thoracolumbar/lumbar and thoracic Cobb measurements. Also, thoracolumbar/lumbar to thoracic Cobb ratios were determined. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Patients were compared with respect to whether final thoracic curve improvement was (group A) or was not (group B) apparent. Improvement was indicated by a final thoracic curve that was less than the preoperative thoracic curve.

RESULTS

Thoracic curve improvement was apparent in 32 of 42 patients after surgery. The mean preoperative thoracic curve in group A was 22.5° and 15.0° at follow-up, while corresponding values in group B were 35.0° and 39.8°. There were no cases in group A and eight cases in group B in which the preoperative thoracic curve was >30°. All patients in group B had preoperative thoracic curves on lateral bending >20°. Thoracic curvature at final follow-up was strongly correlated with preoperative thoracic curvature (r = 0.911) and thoracic curvature on lateral bending (r = 0.948).

CONCLUSIONS

Selective posterior fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation in patients with major lumbar AIS resulted in curve correction in the majority of cases. Preoperative thoracic curvature and thoracic curvature on lateral bending were strongly correlated with the final thoracic curvature.

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in allogynogenetic silver crucian carp, Carassius auratus gibelio

The pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin (EF) was investigated after single intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) in 300 healthy allogynogenetic silver crucian carp at 24-26°C. The plasma concentrations of EF and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CF) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. After i.v. administration, the plasma concentration-time data were described by an open two-compartment model. The elimination half-life (T(1/2β)), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and total body clearance of EF were 63.5 h, 239.6 μg·h/mL and 0.04 L/h/kg, respectively. Following p.o. administration, the plasma concentration-time data showed a double peak-shaped curve, indicating the possibility of enterohepatic recirculation of EF in allogynogenetic silver crucian carp. The maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), T(1/2β) and AUC of EF were 4.5 μg/mL, 62.7 h and 205.9 μg·h/mL, respectively. Absorption of EF was very good with a bioavailability (F) of 86%, which could be correlated with the unique structure of the alimentary canal in allogynogenetic silver crucian. CF, an active metabolite of EF, was not detected in this study.

Twist2 contributes to breast cancer progression by promoting an epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem-like cell self-renewal

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly conserved cellular programme that has an important role in normal embryogenesis and in cancer invasion and metastasis. We report here that Twist2, a tissue-specific basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is overexpressed in human breast cancers and lymph node metastases. In mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells, ectopic overexpression of Twist2 results in morphological transformation, downregulation of epithelial markers and upregulation of mesenchymal markers. Moreover, Twist2 enhances the cell migration and colony-forming abilities of mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells in vitro and promotes tumour growth in vivo. Ectopic expression of Twist2 in mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells increases the size and number of their CD44(high)/CD24(low) stem-like cell sub-populations, promotes the expression of stem cell markers and enhances the self-renewal capabilities of stem-like cells. In addition, exogenous expression of Twist2 leads to constitutive activation of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and downregulation of E-cadherin. Thus, the overexpression of Twist2 may contribute to breast cancer progression by activating the EMT programme and enhancing the self-renewal of cancer stem-like cells.

Performance of sequential organ failure assessment, logistic organ dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction score in severe sepsis within Chinese intensive care units

This study assessed the performance of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score in outcome prediction in severe sepsis. A total of 528 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of severe sepsis were enrolled from two surgical intensive care units of university hospitals in China. Clinical and laboratory data of patients were collected and admission and maximum values of each scoring system were calculated. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, which were used to assess discrimination, were 0.80, 0.83 and 0.74 for admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score respectively, and 0.91, 0.93 and 0.86 for corresponding maximum values respectively. Calibration assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic was better with admission (chi2 = 18.2) and maximum Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score (chi2 = 19.6) than with admission (chi2 = 98.1) and maximum Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (chi2 = 30.9). Brier Scores, indicating the overall performance of the scores, were 0.18, 0.17 and 0.22 for admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score respectively, and 0.12, 0.10 and 0.15 for their maximum counterparts respectively. This study found good performance of both admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score in severe sepsis, and a slightly weaker performance of admission Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score. Since poor calibration was observed in Logistic Organ Dysfunction Score and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score, we suggest further study of customisation of these scores in critical illness with severe sepsis.

Survival outcomes in metastatic renal carcinoma based on histological subtypes: SEER database analysis

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Background: Renal cell cancer (RCC) represents a heterogeneous group of tumors with distinct histopathologic, genetic, and clinical features. This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of histology in RCCs.

Methods: 3,062 patients with metastatic RCC from year 1998-2007 were identified from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Data regarding their age, sex, race, treatment modality utilized and cancer specific survival was extracted and analyzed.

Results: Clear cell, sarcomatoid, adenocarcinoma NOS, papillary, collecting duct, chromophobe and cyst associated renal carcinoma accounted for 2,166 (70%), 433 (14%), 216 (7%), 160 (52%), 47 (1.5%), 35 (1.14%), and 5 (0.01%) respectively. The mean age of presentation was 63.5 in clear cell RCC and 62.7 years in non-clear cell RCC. Surgery was performed in 57.23% of all clear cell cancers and 50.84% in non-clear cell-RCC group. 27.34% of all clear cell cancer patients received radiation in contrast to 34.53% in the other group. Both clear cell RCC (64.54%) and non-clear cell RCC (69.52%) occurred commonly in males. Incidence of clear cell RCC was 4.67% in Asians, 7.01% in Blacks, 88.32% in Whites. The incidence of non-clear cell RCC was 3.81% in Asians, 14.78% in Blacks, and 81.41% in Whites. Cancer-specific survival was calculated in all histologic subtypes. Median survival for clear cell RCC was 8 months, 3 months for adenocarcinoma NOS, 7 months for cyst associated renal carcinoma, 8 months for papillary carcinoma, 7 months for chromophobe type, 4 months for sarcomatoid and 4 months for collecting duct RCC. Median overall survival was significantly better for clear cell cancer as compared to non-clear cell RCCs (8 months vs. 4 months; p< 0.0001).

Conclusions: Non-clear histology RCCs represent 30% of metastatic RCC and are associated with poor prognosis when compared to clear cell RCC.While development of novel targeted therapies has improved survival in clear cell RCC, it has not made a impact in survival of non-clear RCCs. An indepth understanding of the genetic and molecular changes associated with non-clear cell RCCs is important to improve their prognosis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Relationship between vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and bone health

CONTEXT

There is a controversy regarding the definition of vitamin D insufficiency as it relates to bone health.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to examine the evidence for a threshold value of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) that defines vitamin D insufficiency as it relates to bone health.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data in 488 elderly Caucasian women, mean age 71 yr, combined with a literature review of 70 studies on the relationship of serum PTH to serum 25OHD.

SETTING

The study was conducted in independent-living women in the midwest United States.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The relationship between serum 25OHD, serum PTH, and serum osteocalcin and 24-h urine N-telopeptides was evaluated.

RESULTS

Serum PTH was inversely correlated with serum 25OHD (r = -0.256, P < 0.0005), but no threshold as defined by suppression of serum PTH was found within the serum 25OHD range 6-60 ng/ml (15-150 nmol/liter). However, in contrast, there was a threshold for bone markers, serum osteocalcin and urine N-telopeptides, that increased only below a serum 25OHD of approximately 18 ng/ml (45 nmol/liter). Calcium absorption was not correlated with serum PTH and serum 25OHD, and no threshold was found. A literature review of 70 studies generally showed a threshold for serum PTH with increasing serum 25OHD, but there was no consistency in the threshold level of serum 25OHD that varied from 10 to 50 ng/ml (25-125 nmol/liter).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D insufficiency should be defined as serum 25OHD less than 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/liter) as it relates to bone.

Heparin and prednisone-associated priapism: two case reports

Priapism is a prolonged penile erection that is not associated with sexual stimulation. In this report, two patients who developed priapism 2-4 h after an oral prednisone and intravenous heparin infusion are described. Low-flow (ischaemic) priapism is usually associated with sickle cell disease, haemoglobinopathies, neoplastic syndrome, anticoagulant therapy (heparin and warfarin), psychotropic medication, sildenafil citrate (Viagra) or idiopathic causes. Here we report two cases of prolonged low-flow priapism induced by heparin and prednisone. Treatments were successfully conducted after the priapism, while the exact mechanism remains unclear.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the diagnosis and surgical treatment of tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries.

METHODS

Between January 2000 and October 2009, 24 cases of tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries were treated. There were 14 males and 10 females with an average age of 38 years (range, 21-65 years). Injury was caused by a machine in 8 cases, by traffic accident in 12 cases, and by falling from height in 4 cases. All fractures were closed. The time from injury to hospitalization was 2-17 hours (5 hours on average). Open reduction and internal fixation with screw were performed.

RESULTS

Incision healed by first intention in other patients except 1 patient who had effusion at incision. Twenty-three cases were followed up 12-47 months with an average of 23 months. X-ray films showed that all fractures healed after 9-15 weeks of operation (13 weeks on average). No complication was found, such as osteofascial compartment syndrome, nonunion infection, loosening or breakage of the internal fixator. According to Maryland scoring, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 3 cases with an excellent and good rate of 65.2%.

CONCLUSION

Anatomical reduction and stable fixation are important for satisfying results in treating tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries.