Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Dynamic Properties Investigation of Permalloy Antidot Arrays

Regular nanosized structures are considered to be promising materials for magnetic information storage media with high density of information. Recently attention was paid to static and dynamic magnetic properties arising from dimensional confinement in such nanostructures. Here we present an investigation of permalloy antidot arrays of different thicknesses. Thin permalloyfilms of thickness ranging from were deposited on nanoporous membranes with a pore size of . It was found that additional ferromagnetic resonance peaks appear for film thicknesses below , while films with larger thicknesses show resonanceproperties similar to continuous films. A comparison between the filmsdeposited onto Si wafers and porous media was done. An evolution of the domain structures observed in MFM experiments was confirmed by micromagnetic calculations

Contrast Echo-A Simple Diagnostic Tool for a Coronary Artery Fistula

Coronary artery fistulas have been diagnosed with aortography, coronary angiography, and coronary computed tomography (CT). A large fistula can be occasionally found as a mass lesion on echocardiography but cannot be easily confirmed. Here, we report a new diagnostic approach to coronary artery fistulas using a contrast agent and transthoracic echocardiography. Transthoracic echocardiography of a 46-year-old female suffering from dyspnea revealed suspicious small turbulent flow in the main pulmonary artery. Following infusion of a contrast agent, we found whitish flow in the main pulmonary artery during the diastolic phase, and aortic CT revealed two huge right coronary artery fistulas in the main pulmonary artery. A simple diagnostic approach to a coronary artery fistula using contrast agent helped us confirm the diagnosis because of the typical diastolic whitish flow in the pulmonary artery

Influencing Factors for Cure of Clonorchiasis by Praziquantel Therapy: Infection Burden and CYP3A5 Gene Polymorphism

Chemotherapy of clonorchiasis with praziquantel (PZQ) is effective but about 15% of treated cases have been reported uncured. The present study investigated correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cytochrome P450 gene, CYP3A5 and cure of clonorchiasis. A total of 346 egg passing residents were subjected and treated by 3 doses of 25 mg/kg PZQ. Reexamination recognized 33 (9.5%) uncured and 313 cured. Numbers of eggs per gram of feces (EPGs) before treatment were significantly lower in the cured group than in the uncured group (2,011.2±3,600.0 vs 4,998.5±7,012.0, P<0.001). DNAs of the subjects were screened for SNPs at 7 locations of CYP3A5 using PCR. In the uncured group, the SNP frequencies at g.-20555G>A and g.27526C>T of CYP3A5 were 15.2% and 9.1% while those were 3.8% and 1.0%, respectively, in the cured group. The cure rate was significantly lower in the cases with SNP at g.27526C>T and EPGs≥1,000. In conclusion, EPGs and SNPs of CYP3A5 are factors which influence cure of clonorchiasis by PZQ therapy. It is strongly suggested to recommend 2-day medication for individuals with high EPGs≥1,000

Targeted synthesis of two super-complex zeolites with embedded isoreticular structures

A novel structural coding approach combining structure solution, prediction, and the targeted synthesis of new zeolites with expanding complexity and embedded isoreticular structures was recently proposed. Using this approach, the structures of two new zeolites in the RHO family, PST-20 and PST-25, were predicted and synthesized. Herein, by extending this approach, the next two higher generation members of this family, PST-26 and PST-28, have been predicted and synthesized. These two zeolites have much larger unit cell volumes (422 655 Å3 and 614 912 Å3, respectively) than those of the lower generations. Their crystallization was confirmed by a combination of both powder X-ray and electron diffraction techniques. Aluminate and water concentrations in the synthetic mixture were found to be the two most critical factors influencing the structural expansion of embedded isoreticular zeolites under the synthetic conditions studied herein.PostprintPostprintPeer reviewe

Effect of rhBMP-2 applied with a 3D-printed titanium implant on new bone formation in rabbit calvarium

Objective: This study sought to compare the biocompatibility of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium implant with a conventional machined titanium product, as well as the effect of such implant applied with recombinant human Bone Morphogenetic Protein Type 2 (rhBMP-2) for guided bone regeneration.&nbsp;Methodology: Disk-shaped titanium specimens fabricated either by the conventional machining technique or by the 3D-printing technique were compared by MC3T3-E1 cells cytotoxicity assay. New bone formation was evaluated using a rapid prototype titanium cap applied to the calvaria of 10 rabbits, which were divided into two groups: one including an atelopeptide collagen plug on one side of the cap (group I) and the other including a plug with rhBMP-2 on the other side (group II). At six and 12 weeks after euthanasia, rabbits calvaria underwent morphometric analysis through radiological and histological examination.&nbsp;Results: Through the cytotoxicity assay, we identified a significantly higher number of MC3T3-E1 cells in the 3D-printed specimen when compared to the machined specimen after 48 hours of culture. Moreover, morphometric analysis indicated significantly greater bone formation at week 12 on the side where rhBMP-2 was applied when evaluating the upper portion immediately below the ca p. Conclusion: The results suggest that 3D-printed titanium implant applied with rhBMP-2 enables new bone formation

Anti-lipoapoptotic effect of Artemisia capillaris extract on free fatty acids-induced HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND: Artemisia capillaris (AC) has been recognized as one of the promising candidates for hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antiobesitic and anti-inflammatory therapeutic effectiveness. This study evaluated the inherent mechanism and anti-apoptotic activity of 30% ethanol extract of AC (AC extract) 100 μg/ml on free fatty acids (FFAs)-induced HepG2 cellular steatosis and lipoapoptosis. METHODS: Hepatic steatosis was induced by culturing HepG2 cells with a FFAs mixture (oleic and palmitic acid at the proportion of 2:1) for 24 h, thus ultimately giving rise to lipoapoptosis. Cell viability and lipid accumulation were detected by MTT assay and Oil Red O staining method respectively and Caspase-3, −9, Bax, Bcl-2, p-JNK and PUMA were measured for lipoapoptosis after 24 hours. RESULTS: AC extract significantly improved the FFAs-induced steatosis without cytotoxicity and Caspase-3, −9, Bax and Bcl-2 were modulated profitably to HepG2 cells after AC treatment. In addition, AC extract inhibited the activation of c-Jun NH(2) terminal kinase (JNK) and PUMA, which mechanism is related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). CONCLUSIONS: Combined together, AC extract exerted an obvious hypolipidemic and anti-apoptotic effect, indicating that AC extract might have potential therapeutic herb against NASH

The anti-angiogenic herbal composition Ob-X inhibits adipose tissue growth in obese mice

Objective: The growth and development of adipose tissue are thought to be associated with angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Since the composition of the herbal extract called Ob-X has been shown to have both anti-angiogenic and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-inhibiting activities, we hypothesized that growth of adipose tissue can be regulated by Ob-X. Materials and Methods: The effects of Ob-X on angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling were measured using in vitro and ex vivo assays. The effects of Ob-X on adipose tissue growth were investigated with nutritionally obese mice. Results: Ob-X inhibited angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation assay in vitro and the rat aortic ring assay ex vivo. Ob-X also suppressed MMP activity in vitro. Administration of Ob-X to high fat diet-induced obese mice produced significant reductions in body weight gain and adipose tissue mass, compared to controls. The mass of both subcutaneous (SC) and visceral (VSC) fat was reduced in Ob-X-treated mice. The size of adipocytes in SC and VSC adipose tissues was also significantly reduced in Ob-X-treated mice. Ob-X treatment decreased the blood vessel density and MMP activity in VSC adipose tissues of nutritionally obese mice. Ob-X reduced mRNA levels of angiogenic factors (VEGF-A and FGF-2) and MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9), whereas it increased mRNA levels of angiogenesis inhibitors (TSP-1 and TIMP-2) in SC and VSC adipose tissues of nutritionally obese mice. Conclusion: Ob-X, which has anti-angiogenic and MMP-inhibitory activities, reduces adipose tissue mass in nutritionally induced obese mice, providing evidence that adipose tissue growth and development may be prevented by inhibiting angiogenesis. In addition, these data suggest that regulation of adipose tissue growth by inhibiting angiogenesis may alter the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and the MMP system

Stent Fracture at the Proximal Shaft of the Left Main Stem

Stent fracture is likely to be caused due to mechanical stress at the hinge point or kinking movement at the point of aneurysm formation with stent malapposition. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of stent fracture at the proximal shaft of the left main stem in a patient with acute myocardial infarction