Metastable crystalline AuGe catalysts formed during isothermal germanium nanowire growth.

We observe the formation of metastable AuGe phases without quenching, during strictly isothermal nucleation and growth of Ge nanowires, using video-rate lattice-resolved environmental transmission electron microscopy. We explain the unexpected formation of these phases through a novel pathway involving changes in composition rather than temperature. The metastable catalyst has important implications for nanowire growth, and more broadly, the isothermal process provides both a new approach to growing and studying metastable phases, and a new perspective on their formation.A. D. G. acknowledges funding from the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission and the National Science Foundation. S. H. and C. D. acknowledge funding from the Royal Society. S. H. acknowledges funding from ERC grant InsituNANO (n°279342).This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available from APS at http://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.255702

Quantitative analysis of collagens and fibronectin expression in human right ventricular hypertrophy

One of the main features in human tetralogy of Fallot (TF) is right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) due to pressure (sub-pulmonary stenosis) and volume overload (ventricular septal defect). Currently, primary correction at a young age is the treatment of choice. To unravel the role of extracellular matrix in RVH, we examined myocardial expression of collagens and fibronectin in TF patients with primary correction (TF1, age 0.7 ± 0.2 yr,), secondary surgery (TF2, age 36.9 ± 4.6 yr), and in age-matched control patients. Sirius red staining quantified by video imaging showed significantly increased interstitial staining for collagens in both TF1 and TF2 groups as compared to respective controls. Fibronectin was expressed in extracellular spaces, perivascular regions, and in some cardiomyocytes. Quantitative analysis of fibronectin revealed increased expression in only TF1 group as compared to respective control. Our results indicate an increased amount of myocardial extracellular matrix deposition as a sign of fibrosis during RVH in patients with TF

Pathways From Family Disadvantage via Abusive Parenting and Caregiver Mental Health to Adolescent Health Risks in South Africa

PURPOSE: Adolescent health is a major concern in low- and middle-income countries, but little is known about its predictors. Family disadvantage and abusive parenting may be important factors associated with adolescent psychological, behavioral, and physical health outcomes. This study, based in South Africa, aimed to develop an empirically based theoretical model of relationships between family factors such as deprivation, illness, parenting, and adolescent health outcomes. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected in 2009–2010 from 2,477 adolescents (aged 10–17) and their caregivers using stratified random sampling in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Participants reported on sociodemographics, psychological symptoms, parenting, and physical health. Multivariate regressions were conducted, confirmatory factor analysis employed to identify measurement models, and a structural equation model developed. RESULTS: The final model demonstrated that family disadvantage (caregiver AIDS illness and poverty) was associated with increased abusive parenting. Abusive parenting was in turn associated with higher adolescent health risks. Additionally, family disadvantage was directly associated with caregiver mental health distress which increased adolescent health risks. There was no direct effect of family disadvantage on adolescent health risks but indirect effects through caregiver mental health distress and abusive parenting were found. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing family disadvantage and abusive parenting is essential in improving adolescent health in South Africa. Combination interventions could include poverty and violence reduction, access to health care, mental health services for caregivers and adolescents, and positive parenting support. Such combination packages can improve caregiver and child outcomes by reducing disadvantage and mitigating negative pathways from disadvantage among highly vulnerable families

Basal Cell Adenoma‑Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical Analysis and Surgical Considerations of a Rare Salivary Gland Tumor with Review of Literature

Introduction: Basal cell adenoma (BCA) of the salivary glands is a rare benign salivary gland tumour. Differentiation of BCA from varied entities involving maxillofacial area is mandatory. Aim: To analyze the clinicopathological, histopathologic features, immunohistochemcal analysis and surgical considerations of this rare entity. Materials and Methods: This study included 12 cases of BCA from archives of department reported over the period of 13 years. All the pertaining clinicopathologic features such as incidence, age, sex and site of lesions were assessed. Tissue sections were stained by using panel of immunohistochemical markers, i.e. Pan CK, CK 5/6 and S100, Calponin, p63, CD 117 and smooth muscle actin. Results: BCA was observed in 26-52 years age group (mean age, 38.75 years) with female propensity of 7:5 male to female ratio. It is seen more commonly in parotid gland, followed by upper lip, buccal mucosa and palate. Solid type is the most common histopathologic type followed by tubular, membranous and trabecular. Only one case of membranous type of BCA showed recurrence. Pan CK, CK 5/6 showed strong immunoreactivity, calponin showed moderate staining, p63 and Ki‑67 mild staining, whereas CD 117 and SMA showed negative immunostaining. Conclusion: Vigilant comprehensive analysis of all the pertaining clinicopathologic and histopathologic features and immunohistochemical analysis are required for differentiating from other lesions with basaloid differentiation having varying prognosis.Keywords: Basal cell adenoma, basal cell adenocarcinoma, monomorphic adenom

Improved Exercise-Related Skeletal Muscle Oxygen Consumption Following Uptake of Endurance Training Measured Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Skeletal muscle metabolic function is known to respond positively to exercise interventions. Developing non-invasive techniques that quantify metabolic adaptations and identifying interventions that impart successful response are ongoing challenges for research. Healthy non-athletic adults (18–35 years old) were enrolled in a study investigating physiological adaptations to a minimum of 16 weeks endurance training prior to undertaking their first marathon. Before beginning training, participants underwent measurements of skeletal muscle oxygen consumption using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) at rest (resting muscleV˙O2) and immediately following a maximal exercise test (post-exercise muscleV˙O2). Exercise-related increase in muscleV˙O2 (ΔmV˙O2) was derived from these measurements and cardio-pulmonary peakV˙O2 measured by analysis of expired gases. All measurements were repeated within 3 weeks of participants completing following the marathon and marathon completion time recorded. MuscleV˙O2 was positively correlated with cardio-pulmonary peakV˙O2 (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). MuscleV˙O2 increased at follow-up (48% increase; p = 0.004) despite no change in cardio-pulmonary peakV˙O2 (0% change; p = 0.97). Faster marathon completion time correlated with higher cardio-pulmonary peakV˙O2 (rpartial = −0.58, p = 0.002) but not muscleV˙O2 (rpartial = 0.16, p = 0.44) after adjustment for age and sex [and adipose tissue thickness (ATT) for muscleV˙O2 measurements]. Skeletal muscle metabolic adaptions occur following training and completion of a first-time marathon; these can be identified non-invasively using NIRS. Although the cardio-pulmonary system is limiting for running performance, skeletal muscle changes can be detected despite minimal improvement in cardio-pulmonary function

Single-Stage Repair versus Traditional Repair of High Anorectal Malformations, Functional Results’ Correlation with Kelly’s Score and Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Introduction: Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) is the standard treatment for anorectal malformations. In the present study, the clinical evaluation of anal continence was carried out using Kelly’s scoring system and the results of primary PSARP or abdomino-PSARP were compared with the traditional three-stage procedure and the functional outcome was correlated with the findings of MRI, which was used as an objective method of evaluation.Patients and methods: A total of 40 patients with intermediate and high anorectal malformations were studied and were divided into two groups on the basis of a random number table. The patients in group A were treated with a single-stage operation, whereas the patients in group B were treated with a standard staged operation (either PSARP or abdominoperineal pull-through). After clinical evaluation using the Kelly score, patients were divided into three clinical groups irrespective of whether they were operated in one stage or in three stages. All patients were subjected to MRI at the age of 3 years and the findings were correlated with the clinical scoring system.Result: Patients were categorized according to their Kelly’s scores as follows: group 1: clinically good (score 5–6); group 2: clinically fair (score 3–4); and group 3: clinically poor (score 0–2). The proportions of good development of the muscles (puborectalis, external sphincter muscle, and levator muscle hammock) were 78.9% in group 1, 40% in group 2, and none in group 3. Development of muscles was found to be a significant factor for anal continence. Other significant factors for anal continence are rectal diameter and anorectal angle.Conclusion: Clinical assessment using the Kelly score was similar for the single-stage operation and the staged procedure, and this was supported by MRI findings. Therefore, we recommend the single-stage procedure to achieve a better outcome in intermediate and high anorectal malformation.Keywords: Anorectal Malformations, MRI, Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplast