Effects of a short-term differently dosed aerobic exercise on maximum aerobic capacity in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study

Background/Aim. Regular physical activity and exercise improves quality of life and possibly reduces risk of disease relapse and prolongs survival in breast cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 3-week moderate intensity aerobic training, on aerobic capacity (VO2max) in breast cancer survivors. Methods. A prospective, randomized clinical study included 18 female breast cancer survivors in stage I-IIIA, in which the primary treatment was accomplished at least 3 months before the study inclusion. In all the patients VO2max was estimated using the Astrand’s protocol on a bicycle-ergometer (before and after 3 weeks of training), while subjective assessment of exertion during training were estimated by the Category-Ratio RPE Scale. Each workout lasted 21 minutes: 3 minutes for warmup and cool-down each and 15 min of full training, 2 times a week. The workload in the group E1 was predefined at the level of 45% to 65% of individual VO2max, and in the group E2 it was based on subjective evaluation of exertion, at the level marked 4-6. Data on the subjective feeling of exertion were collected after each training course in both groups. Results. We recorded a statistically significant improvement in VO2max in both groups (E1 - 11.86%; E2 - 17.72%), with no significant differences between the groups. The workload level, determined by the percent of VO2max, was different between the groups E1 and E2 (50.47 ± 7.02% vs 55.58 ± 9.58%), as well as subjective perception of exertion (in the groups E1 and E2, 11.6% and 41.6% of training, respectively, was graded in the mark 6). Conclusion. In our group of breast cancer survivors, a 3-week moderate intensity aerobic training significantly improved the level of VO2max

Ferromagnetic response of nanocomposites based on polyaniline and TiO2 nanocrystals of different shape

Ferromagnetic polyaniline (PANI)/TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by the oxidative polymerization of aniline with ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS), in the presence of colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2 nanotubes, without added acid. The morphological, magnetic and structural properties of the PANI/TiO2 nanocomposites were studied by SEM microscopy, SQUID magnetometer and FTIR spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of synthesized nanocomposites was ~10-3 Scm-1. The room temperature ferromagnetic response significantly depends on shape of TiO2 nanoparticles

Particle growing mechanisms in Ag-ZrO2 and Au-ZrO2 granular films obtained by pulsed laser deposition

Thin films consisting of Ag and Au nanoparticles embedded in amorphous ZrO2 matrix were grown by pulsed laser deposition in a wide range of metal volume concentrations in the dielectric regime (0.08<x(Ag)<0.28 and 0.08<x(Au)<0.52). High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed regular distribution of spherical Au and Ag nanoparticles having very sharp interfaces with the amorphous matrix. Mean particle size determined from X-ray diffraction agreed with direct TEM observation. The silver mean diameter increases more abruptly with metal volume content than that corresponding to gold particles prepared under the same conditions. Two mechanisms of particle growing are observed: nucleation and particle coalescence, their relative significance being different in both granular systems, which yields very different values of the percolation threshold (xc(Ag)~0.28 and xc(Au)~0.52).Comment: 6 figure

Room temperature ferromagnetism in Cu2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals

Hydrothermal synthesis of Cu2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals, using dispersion of titania nanotubes in the presence of Cu2+ ions as precursor, which showed room temperature ferromagnetism, is reported. Morphology of Cu2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An average size of polygonal nanocrystals mainly of square/rectangular shape was around 13 nm. The x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis of resultant powder confirmed the anatase crystal phase of Cu2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals. Room temperature ferromagnetic ordering with saturation magnetic moment of the order of 2 x 10-2 μB per Cu atom was observed

Taeniosis and cysticercosis in Serbia, 1990-2018: Significance of standard of living

Objectives: As is the case for all of Southeast Europe, Serbia is an area traditionally endemic for Taenia saginata and Taenia solium infections. This study was performed to analyse the epidemiological data on taeniosis and cysticercosis in Serbia for the period 1990-2018. Methods: Data on cases of T. saginata and T. solium infection were collected via a systematic search of published articles, the grey literature, and official reports, as well as by performing clinical observational studies of patients treated in the departments for infectious diseases of hospitals and university clinics in Serbia. Results: A total of 212 cases of taeniosis were reported, all between 1997 and 2004 when taeniosis was notifiable (incidence range 0.04-0.9/100 000 population/year). From 1990 to 2018, 170 cases of cysticercosis (all but one of neurocysticercosis), were registered (incidence range 0-0.29/100 000 population/year), with a strong decrease since 2000 and a single case in the last 9 years. The annual number of cases of both taeniosis (Pearson's r = 0.914, p = 0.001) and cysticercosis (Pearson's r = 0.582, p = 0.014) correlated with the consumer price index. Conclusions: In Serbia, T. saginata and T. solium infections are autochthonous but occur only sporadically. However, the potential for re-emergence exists, depending on the socio-economic state of the country

Nonstoichiometry driven ferromagnetism in double perovskite La2Ni1-xMn1+ xO6 insulating thin films

This is an open access article published under an ACS AuthorChoice License. See Standard ACS AuthorChoice/Editors' Choice Usage AgreementIn this work we report on the epitaxial growth of LaNiMnO double perovskite thin films on top of (001) oriented SrTiO substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The influence of oxygen pressure (P O) and growth temperature on the microstructure, stoichiometry of the films, and magnetic and transport properties is thoroughly investigated. It is found that high oxygen pressure promotes the growth of stoichiometric films, with a Ni/Mn ratio almost equal to 1. However, these films exhibit poor ferromagnetic properties with respect to the expected optimum values corresponding to ferromagnetic ordering mediated by superexchange interaction between Mn and Ni according to the Goodenough-Kanamori rules. Most interestingly, films grown at low P O exhibit Ni/Mn ratios below 1, but ferromagnetic properties close to the optimal ones. The valence balance between Ni and Mn ions in nonstoichiometric sample has been elucidated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results indicate that Ni deficiency plays a crucial role in the puzzling insulating ferromagnetic behavior observed in nonstoichiometric samples

Characterization of Sm3+ doped Tio2 and Ni2+ doped Tio2 nanocrystals

We report on a new approach toward synthesis of Sm3+ doped TiO2 and Ni2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals by shape transformation of hydrothermally treated titania nanotubes in the presence of Sm3+ or Ni2+ ions. The percentage ratio of Sm3+ (or Ni2+) to Ti4+ ions in doped nanocrystals was determined using ICP atomic emission spectroscopy. The XRD patterns revealed the homogeneous anatase crystal phase of both 0.4 at% Sm3+ doped TiO2 and 0.12 at% Ni2+ doped TiO2 nanoparticles. An average size of polyhedral Sm3+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals was between 12 and 14 nm. In the orange-red spectral region, room temperature photoluminescence signals associated with 4 G5/2 →6 HJ (J = 5/2, 7/2 and 9/2) transitions of Sm3+ was observed in Sm3+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals. Optically transparent film made of 0.12 at% Ni2+ doped TiO2 nanoparticles showed room temperature ferromagnetic ordering. The coercive field was found to be HC ~ 80 Oe.Physical chemistry 2012 : 11th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 24-28 September 201

Tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance in La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/LaAlO3/Pt tunnel junctions

The magnetotransport properties of La2/3 Sr1/3 MnO3 (LSMO)/ LaAlO3 (LAO)/Pt tunneling junctions have been analyzed as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The junctions exhibit magnetoresistance (MR) values of about 37%, at H=90 kOe at low temperature. However, the temperature dependence of MR indicates a clear distinct origin than that of conventional colossal MR. In addition, tunneling anisotropic MR (TAMR) values around 4% are found at low temperature and its angular dependence reflects the expected uniaxial anisotropy. The use of TAMR response could be an alternative of much easier technological implementation than conventional MTJs since only one magnetic electrode is required, thus opening the door to the implementation of more versatile devices. However, further studies are required in order to improve the strong temperature dependence at the present stage

Self-Arranged Misfit Dislocation Network Formation upon Strain Release in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/LaAlO3(100) Epitaxial Films under Compressive Strain

Lattice-mismatched epitaxial films of LaSrMnO (LSMO) on LaAlO (001) substrates develop a crossed pattern of misfit dislocations above a critical thickness of 2.5 nm. Upon film thickness increases, the dislocation density progressively increases, and the dislocation spacing distribution becomes narrower. At a film thickness of 7.0 nm, the misfit dislocation density is close to the saturation for full relaxation. The misfit dislocation arrangement produces a 2D lateral periodic structure modulation (Λ≈ 16 nm) alternating two differentiated phases: one phase fully coherent with the substrate and a fully relaxed phase. This modulation is confined to the interface region between film and substrate. This phase separation is clearly identified by X-ray diffraction and further proven in the macroscopic resistivity measurements as a combination of two transition temperatures (with low and high T). Films thicker than 7.0 nm show progressive relaxation, and their macroscopic resistivity becomes similar than that of the bulk material. Therefore, this study identifies the growth conditions and thickness ranges that facilitate the formation of laterally modulated nanocomposites with functional properties notably different from those of fully coherent or fully relaxed material