Classic yin and yang tonic formula for osteopenia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis is a growing worldwide problem, with the greatest burden resulting from fractures. Nevertheless, the majority of fractures in adults occur in those with "osteopenia" (bone mineral density (BMD) only moderately lower than young normal individuals). Since long-term drug therapy is an expensive option with uncertain consequences and side effects, natural herbal therapy offers an attractive alternative. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect on BMD and safety of the Classic Yin and Yang Tonic Formula for treatment of osteopenia and to investigate the mechanism by which this efficacy is achieved.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>We propose a multicenter double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Classic Yin and Yang Tonic Formula for the treatment of osteopenia. Participants aged 55 to 75 with low bone mineral density (T-score between -1 and -2.5) and kidney deficiency in TCM will be included and randomly allocated into two groups: treatment group and control group. Participants in the treatment group will be treated with Classic Yin and Yang Tonic Granule, while the controlled group will receive placebo. Primary outcome measure will be BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity measured with visual analogue scales, quality of life, serum markers of bone metabolism, indices of Neuro-endocrino-immune network and safety.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>If the Classic Yin and Yang Tonic Formula can increase bone mass without adverse effects, it may be a novel strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis. Furthermore, the mechanism of the Chinese medical formula for osteoporosis will be partially elucidated.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01271647">NCT01271647</a>.</p

A study of the structural properties of GaN implanted by various rare-earth ions

GaN layers with h0001i crystallographic orientation, grown by low-pressure metal-organic vapourphase epitaxy (MOVPE) on c-plane sapphire substrates, were implanted with 200 and 400 keV Sm+, Tm+, Eu+, Tb+ and Ho+ ions at fluencies of 1 1015–1 1016 cm2. The composition of the ion-implanted layers and concentration profiles of the implanted atoms were studied by Rutherford Back-Scattering spectrometry (RBS). The profiles were compared to SRIM 2008 simulations. The structural properties of the ion-implanted layers were characterised by RBS-channelling and Raman spectroscopy. Changes in the surface morphology caused by the ion implantation were examined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). A structural analysis showed a high disorder of the atoms close to the amorphised structure at the surface layer above an implantation fluence of 5 1015 cm2 while lower disorder density was observed in the bulk according to the projected range of 400 keV ions. The post-implantation annealing induced significant changes only in the Sm and Eu depth profiles; a diffusion of rare-earths implanted at a fluence of 5 1015 cm2 to the surface was observed. The annealing caused the reconstruction of the surface layer accompanied by surface-roughness enhancement

Polydimethylsiloxane–graphene oxide composite improving performance by ion beam irradiation

A hybrid film consisting of graphene oxide covered with poly(dimethylsiloxane) was prepared via spin coater and followed by thermal annealing to improve the bond strength of the polymerized systems. Direct patterning on both graphene oxide and hybrid graphene oxide–poly(dimethylsiloxane) foils by ion microbeam was performed to induce localized reduction in the ion irradiated material. It is well established that the ion irradiation of graphene oxide induces modifications in its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties and disorder in the carbon crystal structure and defect production. The presence of poly(dimethylsiloxane) can be useful as it confers flexibility to the produced pattern and oxygen permeability from the graphene oxide surface. Rutherford backscattered spectroscopy and elastic recoil detection analysis were performed to evaluate the compositional changes in the composite. Atomic force microscopy studied the pattern fidelity. The electrical conductivity of the hybrid material was used to evaluate the changes induced during the proton irradiation of the material

Localized modification of graphene oxide properties by laser irradiation in vacuum

Modifications induced by nanosecond Nd:YAG laser irradiation in the graphene oxide properties were investigated. To correlate the effects of laser irradiation with the modifications of the structural, chemical and electrical properties of graphene oxide, 2.5 MeV alpha particle and 2.0 MeV proton beams in Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and elastic recoil detection analysis, and also X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, have been employed. A high ratio of carbon to oxygen atoms was measured in the irradiated graphene oxide, with respect to the virgin one. The localized reduction of graphene oxide film is promising for patterning techniques useful for the graphene-based devices production

Effects of the ion bombardment on the structure and composition of GO and rGO foils

In recent years graphene and its derivatives, have attracted scientific interest due to their unique properties. This study is to explore the quality of synthesized graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide foils under the irradiation of protons and helium ions of the same energy and current. Fully characterizations by Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and Elastic recoil detection analysis and the relative results are presented. The effects of parameters, such as type of ions, their current and irradiation time, are studied. The quality of large-scale fabrication of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is important for industrial and research applications of these materials. An overview on the changes in the optical property and electron conductivity of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide under irradiation by protons, helium and carbon ions are also summarized

Characterization of graphene oxide film by implantation of low energy copper ions

Graphene oxide (GO) is an electrical insulator as most of the carbon atoms in this material are sp3-hybridized. Its physical, optical and chemical properties depend on the type and degree of reduction process. Presently, copper ion irradiation of GO foil has been performed at Ion Beam Center of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf to investigate the behavior of a set of GO foils under this irradiation at low energy and different fluences up to 5 × 1016 ions/cm2. The compositional and optical properties of graphene oxide have been studied as a function of the fluences of implanted copper ions in the wavelength range 400–1000 nm. The results of ellipsometry microscopy, helium Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, elastic recoil detection analysis, Raman spectroscopy and SEM-EDX measurements will be presented and discussed

Design, fabrication, and characterization of picowell arrays on cyclic olefin copolymer surfaces generated with a 10.5 MeV N4+ ion microbeam

Handling of picoliter-to-nanoliter-scale volumes and objects has increasing importance in life sciences. This is the volume scale of cell extractions and individual living cells. Here, we introduce a method of generating a picoliter-scale device by direct writing of picowell arrays on a ZEONOR™ copolymer surface with high-energy medium-mass ion microbeam. Arrays of various microstructures were written in the sample using a microbeam of 10.5 MeV N4+ ions at various implanted ion fluences. The best array was obtained by implantation of annuli of 10 and 11 μm of inner and outer diameters with a fluence of 7.8 × 1012 ions/cm2

Vaginal Er:YAG laser application in the menopausal ewe model: a randomised estrogen and sham-controlled trial

Objective: To describe effects of non-ablative erbium-doped:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser on vaginal atrophy induced by iatrogenic menopause in the ewe. Design: Animal experimental, randomised, sham and estrogen-treatment controlled study with blinding for primary outcome. Setting: KU Leuven, Belgium. Sample: Twenty-four ewes. Methods: Menopause was surgically induced, after which the ewes were randomised to three groups receiving vaginal Er:YAG laser application three times, with a 1-month interval; three sham manipulations with a 1-month interval; or estrogen replacement and sham manipulations. At given intervals, ewes were clinically examined and vaginal wall biopsies were taken. Vaginal compliance was determined by passive biomechanical testing from explants taken at autopsy. Main outcome measures: Vaginal epithelial thickness (primary), composition of the lamina propria (collagen, elastin, glycogen and vessel content), vaginal compliance, clinical signs. Results: Animals exposed to Er:YAG laser application and sham manipulation, but not to estrogens, displayed a significant and comparable increase in vaginal epithelial thickness between baseline and 7 days after the third application (69% and 67%, respectively, both P < 0.0008). In laser-treated ewes, temporary vaginal discharge and limited thermal injury were observed. Estrogen-substituted ewes displayed a more prominent increase in epithelial thickness (202%; P < 0.0001) and higher vaginal compliance (P < 0.05). None of the interventions induced changes in the lamina propria. Conclusions: Vaginal Er:YAG laser has comparable effect to sham manipulation in menopausal ewes. Tweetable abstract: Vaginal Er:YAG laser has comparable effect to sham manipulation in menopausal ewes #LASER #GSM #RCT