Dielectric response of spherically anisotropic graded piezoelectric composites

Author name used in this publication: Y. M. PoonAuthor name used in this publication: F. G. Shin2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Dielectric responses of anisotropic graded granular composites having arbitrary inclusion shapes

Author name used in this publication: Y. M. PoonVersion of RecordPublishe

Meta-analysis of scalp acupuncture for acute hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

Objectives: Scalp acupuncture (SA) is a commonly used therapeutic approach for primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but the efficacy and safety of SA therapy are still undetermined. The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of SA therapy for the treatment of acute hypertensive ICH. Methods: Literature reports with randomized controlled clinical trials and controlled clinical trials on SA therapy for acute hypertensive ICH were searched, and the efficacy and safety of SA therapy were evaluated by using the Cochrane systematic review methods. The primary outcome measures were death or dependency at the end of long-term follow-up (at least 3 months) and adverse events. The secondary outcome measure was neurological deficit improvement at the end of the treatment course. Results: Seven (7) independent trials (230 patients) were included in this study. All trials described the methods of randomization in which four trials had adequate concealment of randomization at the level of grade A, but no trial included sham acupuncture as a control group. None of the trials included "death or dependency" as a primary outcome measure. Four (4) trials contained safety assessments and stated that no adverse event was found, whereas the other three trials did not provide the information about adverse events. By using random effects statistical model, it was found that patients with acute hypertensive ICH who received SA therapy had significantly improved neurological deficit scores (Z=4.97, p<0.01). Conclusions: Although SA therapy is widely used to treat acute hypertensive ICH in TCM, the efficacy and safety of SA therapy remain to be further determined. No evidence is available on whether SA therapy can be used to treat acute ICH according to the primary outcome measure. However, SA therapy appears to be able to improve neurological deficit in patients with acute hypertensive ICH. © 2011, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.published_or_final_versio

Effective properties of spherically anisotropic piezoelectric composites

Author name used in this publication: Y. M. PoonAuthor name used in this publication: F. G. Shin2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Effective properties of piezoelectric composites with periodic structure

Author name used in this publication: F. G. Shin2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

AFM, SEM and TEM Studies on Porous Anodic Alumina

Porous anodic alumina (PAA) has been intensively studied in past decade due to its applications for fabricating nanostructured materials. Since PAA’s pore diameter, thickness and shape vary too much, a systematical study on the methods of morphology characterization is meaningful and essential for its proper development and utilization. In this paper, we present detailed AFM, SEM and TEM studies on PAA and its evolvements with abundant microstructures, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The sample preparation, testing skills and morphology analysis are discussed, especially on the differentiation during characterizing complex cross-sections and ultrasmall nanopores. The versatility of PAAs is also demonstrated by the diversity of PAAs’ microstructure

SWATH-MS Quantitative analysis of proteins in the rice inferior and superior spikelets during grain filling

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Effects of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 gene disruption on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation

Background. Cyclooxygenases (COXs) play important roles in inflammation and carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to determine the effects of COX-1 and COX-2 gene disruption on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation. Methods. Wild-type (WT), COX-1 and COX-2 heterozygous (COX-1 +/- and COX-2 +/-), and homozygous COX-deficient (COX-1 -/- and COX-2 -/-) mice were inoculated with H. pylori strain TN2 and killed after 24 weeks of infection. Uninfected WT and COX-deficient mice were used as controls. Levels of gastric mucosal inflammation, epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis, and cytokine expression were determined. Results. COX deficiency facilitated H. pylori-induced gastritis. In the presence of H. pylori infection, apoptosis was increased in both WT and COX-deficient mice, whereas cell proliferation was increased in WT and COX-1-deficient, but not in COX-2-deficient, mice. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-10 mRNA expression was elevated in H. pylori-infected mice, but only TNF-α mRNA expression was further increased by COX deficiency. Prostaglandin E 2 levels were increased in infected WT and COX-2-deficient mice but were at very low levels in infected COX-1-deficient mice. Leukotriene (LT) B 4 and LTC 4 levels were increased to a similar extent in infected WT and COX-deficient mice. Conclusions. COX deficiency enhances H. pylori-induced gastritis, probably via TNF-α expression. COX-2, but not COX-1, deficiency suppresses H. pylori-induced cell proliferation. © 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.published_or_final_versio

Inhibition of Cardiac Sympathetic Afferent Reflex and Sympathetic Activity by Baroreceptor and Vagal Afferent Inputs in Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) contributes to sympathetic activation and angiotensin II (Ang II) in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) augments the CSAR in vagotomized (VT) and baroreceptor denervated (BD) rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). This study was designed to determine whether it is true in intact (INT) rats with CHF and to determine the effects of cardiac and baroreceptor afferents on the CSAR and sympathetic activity in CHF. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sham-operated (Sham) or coronary ligation-induced CHF rats were respectively subjected to BD+VT, VT, cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) or INT. Under anesthesia, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded, and the CSAR was evaluated by the RSNA and MAP responses to epicardial application of capsaicin. Either CSAR or the responses of RSNA, MAP and CSAR to Ang II in PVN were enhanced in CHF rats treated with BD+VT, VT or INT. Treatment with VT or BD+VT potentiated the CSAR and the CSAR responses to Ang II in both Sham and CHF rats. Treatment with CSD reversed the capsaicin-induced RSNA and MAP changes and the CSAR responses to Ang II in both Sham and CHF rats, and reduced the RSNA and MAP responses to Ang II only in CHF rats. CONCLUSIONS: The CSAR and the CSAR responses to Ang II in PVN are enhanced in intact CHF rats. Baroreceptor and vagal afferent activities inhibit CSAR and the CSAR responses to Ang II in intact Sham and CHF rats

Fabrication of Porous Anodic Alumina with Ultrasmall Nanopores

Anodization of Al foil under low voltages of 1–10 V was conducted to obtain porous anodic aluminas (PAAs) with ultrasmall nanopores. Regular nanopore arrays with pore diameter 6–10 nm were realized in four different electrolytes under 0–30°C according to the AFM, FESEM, TEM images and current evolution curves. It is found that the pore diameter and interpore distance, as well as the barrier layer thickness, are not sensitive to the applied potentials and electrolytes, which is totally different from the rules of general PAA fabrication. The brand-new formation mechanism has been revealed by the AFM study on the samples anodized for very short durations of 2–60 s. It is discovered for the first time that the regular nanoparticles come into being under 1–10 V at the beginning of the anodization and then serve as a template layer dominating the formation of ultrasmall nanopores. Under higher potentials from 10 to 40 V, the surface nanoparticles will be less and less and nanopores transform into general PAAs