Manipulating the metal-to-insulator transitions of VO2 by combining compositing and doping strategies

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) exhibits the most abrupt metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) property near room temperature among the representative 3d-orbital correlated oxides, and its structural variation during the MIT usually results in poor mechanical properties as bulk pellets. Moreover, compositing with highly resistive oxides has been reported to improve the mechanical strength of bulk VO2 since the generation and propagation of microcracks is suppressed upon thermocycling across the MIT; further, their respective impacts on electrical transportation are yet unclear. Herein, we demonstrate the role of these highly resistive oxide composites (e.g., HfO2, CoO and Al2O3) in reducing charge leakage along the microcracks within the insulating phase of VO2, leading to more abrupt MIT properties from the perspective of electrical transportation. This enables the possibility of simultaneously regulating the critical temperature and abrupt MIT transition, as well as the mechanical properties of the VO2 bulk pellets via compositing with oxides with different melting points using spark plasma-assisted reactive sintering (SPARS).

Field-free spin-orbit torque switching via out-of-plane spin-polarization induced by an antiferromagnetic insulator/heavy metal interface

Manipulating spin polarization orientation is challenging but crucial for field-free spintronic devices. Although such manipulation has been demonstrated in a limited number of antiferromagnetic metal-based systems, the inevitable shunting effects from the metallic layer can reduce the overall device efficiency. In this study, we propose an antiferromagnetic insulator-based heterostructure NiO/Ta/Pt/Co/Pt for such spin polarization control without any shunting effect in the antiferromagnetic layer. We show that zero-field magnetization switching can be realized and is related to the out-of-plane component of spin polarization modulated by the NiO/Pt interface. The zero-field magnetization switching ratio can be effectively tuned by the substrates, in which the easy axis of NiO can be manipulated by the tensile or compressive strain from the substrates. Our work demonstrates that the insulating antiferromagnet based heterostructure is a promising platform to enhance the spin-orbital torque efficiency and achieve field-free magnetization switching, thus opening an avenue towards energy-efficient spintronic devices.

An Ultrathin Flexible Programmable Spin Logic Device Based on Spin-Orbit Torque

Flexible electronic devices have shown increasingly promising value facilitating our daily lives. However, flexible spintronic devices remain in their infancy. Here, this research demonstrates a type of nonvolatile, low power dissipation, and programmable flexible spin logic device, which is based on the spin-orbit torque in polyimide (PI)/Ta/Pt/Co/Pt heterostructures fabricated via capillary-assisted electrochemical delamination. The magnetization switching ratio is shown to be about 50% for the flexible device and does not change after 100 cycles of bending, indicating the device has stable performance. By designing the path of pulse current, five Boolean logic gates AND, NAND, NOT, NOR, and OR can be realized in an integrated two-element device. Moreover, such peeling-off devices can be successfully transferred to almost any substrate, such as paper and human skin, and maintain high performance. The flexible PI/Ta/Pt/Co/Pt spin logic device serves as logic-in-memory architecture and can be used in wearable electronics.

[Expression of GPNMB in renal eosinophilic tumors and its value in differential diagnosis]

Objective: To investigate the expression of glycoprotein non metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) in renal eosinophilic tumors and to compare the value of GPNMB with CK20, CK7 and CD117 in the differential diagnosis of renal eosinophilic tumors. Methods: Traditional renal tumor eosinophil subtypes, including 22 cases of renal clear cell carcinoma eosinophil subtype (e-ccRCC), 19 cases of renal papillary cell carcinoma eosinophil subtype (e-papRCC), 17 cases of renal chromophobe cell carcinoma eosinophil subtype (e-chRCC), 12 cases of renal oncocytoma (RO) and emerging renal tumor types with eosinophil characteristics [3 cases of eosinophilic solid cystic renal cell carcinoma (ESC RCC), 3 cases of renal low-grade eosinophil tumor (LOT), 4 cases of fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-dRCC) and 5 cases of renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (E-AML)], were collected at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from January 2017 to March 2022. The expression of GPNMB, CK20, CK7 and CD117 was detected by immunohistochemistry and statistically analyzed. Results: GPNMB was expressed in all emerging renal tumor types with eosinophil characteristics (ESC RCC, LOT, FH-dRCC) and E-AML, while the expression rates in traditional renal eosinophil subtypes e-papRCC, e-chRCC, e-ccRCC and RO were very low or zero (1/19, 1/17, 0/22 and 0/12, respectively); the expression rate of CK7 in LOT (3/3), e-chRCC (15/17), e-ccRCC (4/22), e-papRCC (2/19), ESC RCC (0/3), RO (4/12), E-AML(1/5), and FH-dRCC (2/4) variedly; the expression of CK20 was different in ESC RCC (3/3), LOT(3/3), e-chRCC(1/17), RO(9/12), e-papRCC(4/19), FH-dRCC(1/4), e-ccRCC(0/22) and E-AML(0/5), and so did that of CD117 in e-ccRCC(2/22), e-papRCC(1/19), e-chRCC(16/17), RO(10/12), ESC RCC(0/3), LOT(1/3), E-AML(2/5) and FH-dRCC(1/4). GPNMB had 100% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity in distinguishing E-AML and emerging renal tumor types (such as ESC RCC, LOT, FH-dRCC) from traditional renal tumor types (such as e-ccRCC, e-papRCC, e-chRCC, RO),respectively. Compared with CK7, CK20 and CD117 antibodies, GPNMB was more effective in the differential diagnosis (P<0.05). Conclusion: As a new renal tumor marker, GPNMB can effectively distinguish E-AML and emerging renal tumor types with eosinophil characteristics such as ESC RCC, LOT, FH-dRCC from traditional renal tumor eosinophil subtypes such as e-ccRCC, e-papRCC, e-chRCC and RO, which is helpful for the differential diagnosis of renal eosinophilic tumors.

[Study on the correlation between PPG and HVPG in patients with portal hypertension]

Objective: To explore the correlation between portal vein pressure gradient (PPG) and hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) in patients with portal hypertension (PHT). Methods: 752 cases with portal hypertension (PHT) who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and met the enrollment criteria between January 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed for hepatic vein, inferior vena cava and portal vein pressure. Paired t-test was used for analysis. Pearson correlation test was used to estimate correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination. P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Wedged hepatic vein pressure (WHVP), portal vein pressure (PVP), correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination were 27.98±8.95 mmHg, 33.85±7.33 mmHg, 0.329 (P<0.001), and 0.108, respectively. HVPG, PPG,correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination were 16.84±7.97 mmHg, 25.11±6.95 mmHg (P<0.001), 0.145, and 0.021 (P<0.001), respectively. The difference between HVPG and PPG was greater than 5 mmHg in 524 cases, accounting for 69.7%. The difference between HVPG and PPG was within 5 mmHg or basically equal in 228 cases, accounting for 30.3%. The correlation coefficient between free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) and inferior vena cava pressure (IVCP) was 0.568 (P<0.001), and the coefficient of determination was 0.323. According to the presence or absence of hepatic venous collaterals after balloon occluded hepatic angiography, they were divided into two groups: 157 (20.9%) cases in the group with hepatic venous collaterals, and 595 (79.1%) cases in the group without hepatic venous collaterals. The parameters of the two groups were compared: WHVP (15.73±3.63) mmHg vs. (31.22±6.90) mmHg, P<0.001; PVP (31.69±8.70) mmHg vs. (34.42±6.81) mmHg, P<0.001; HVPG (7.18±4.40) mmHg vs. (19.40±6.62) mmHg, P<0.001; PPG (24.24±8.11) mmHg vs. (25.34±6.60) mmHg, P<0.001; free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) (8.58±3.37) mmHg vs. (11.82±5.07) mmHg , P<0.001; inferior vena cava pressure (IVCP) (7.45±3.29) mmHg vs. (9.09±4.14) mmHg, P<0.001. Conclusion: The overall correlation is poor between HVPG and PPG. HVPG of most patients is not an accurate representation of PPG, and the former is lower than the latter. Hepatic venous collateral formation is one of the important reasons for the serious underestimation of HVPG values.

Evaluation of illness severity of neonate infectious pneumonia and neurobehavioral development through ultrasonography under adaption algorithm

Objectives:

To explore the diagnostic effect of ultrasound imaging on the illness severity, and to analyze neurobehavioral development of neonates with Infectious Pneumonia (IPN), Self- Adaptation (SD), and Spatial Smoothing (SS) technologies were adopted to build SDSS. Then, the WFFSF algorithm based on Wiener Filtering (WF) and Feature Space Fusion (FSF) and the SNRP-FSF algorithm based on Signal-to-noise ratio post-filtering (SNRP) and FSF were introduced for comparison.

Methods:

One hundred and thirty-two neonates were divided into group without respiratory failure (S1) and respiratory failure group (S2). The study was conducted from March 2018 to July 2020. According to scoring systems for neonatal critically illness, they were divided into non-severe group (W1), severe group (W2), and extremely-severe group (W3). According to the Scale of Child Development Center of China (CDCC), they were divided into a normal neurobehavioral developmental group (P1) and an abnormal neurobehavioral developmental group (P2).

Results:

The normalized mean square distance l and normalized mean absolute distance f of SDSS algorithm were significantly lower than that of WFFSF algorithm and SNRP-FSF algorithm, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) was significantly higher than that of WFFSF algorithm and SNRP-FSF algorithm (P<0.05). The lung ultrasound score (40.62±7.22%) of S1 was greatly higher than S2 group (28.47±6.29%) (P<0.05); the lung ultrasound score (39.13±8.25) in W1 was greatly higher than W2 (27.28±6.39) and W3 groups (14.33±7.03); neonates in group W2 had higher lung ultrasound scores than W3 (P<0.05), and lung ultrasound scores in P1 (42.57±8.58) was greatly higher than that the P2 group (26.49±6.09).

Conclusion:

In contrast with traditional algorithms, the SDSS algorithm based on AD has a better reconstruction effect on neonatal IPN ultrasound images. The lung ultrasound score can clearly indicate the severity of the disease and neurobehavioral development of neonate IPN, and the lung ultrasound score is negatively correlated with the severity of the child’s disease and the abnormality of neurobehavioral development.

Prototype Design of a Domain-Wall-Based Magnetic Memory Using a Single Layer La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 Thin Film

Magnetic field-free, nonvolatile magnetic memory with low power consumption is highly desired in information technology. In this work, we report a current-controllable alignment of magnetic domain walls in a single layer La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ thin film with the threshold current density of 2 × 10⁵ A/cm² at room temperature. The vector relationship between current directions and domain-wall orientations indicates the dominant role of spin-orbit torque without an assistance of external magnetic field. Meanwhile, significant planar Hall resistances can be readout in a nonvolatile way before and after the domain-wall reorientation. A domain-wall-based magnetic random-access memory (DW-MRAM) prototype device has been proposed.

Wilms' tumor (WT1) (±KTS) variants decreases the progesterone secretion of bovine ovarian theca cells

Wilms' tumor gene WT1 encodes a nuclear transcriptional factor, which has been shown to regulate granulosa cell steroidogenesis in bovine; however, it is not known whether the functions of theca cells are regulated by WT1. Here, we determined the effects of this gene on theca cell proliferation, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis in vitro. In cultured bovine theca cells, the downregulation of WT1 increased the secretion of progesterone but had no effect on proliferation and apoptosis. WT1 includes the variants WT1(+KTS) and WT1(-KTS), which differ by 3 amino acids KTS (lysine, threonine, and serine). WT1(±KTS) upregulation increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of STAR and CYP17A1 and decreased the progesterone secretion and CYP11A1 mRNA expression. In contrast to WT1(+KTS), WT1(-KTS) upregulation also decreased the mRNA expression of 3β-HSD. In both variants, WT1(-KTS) has more obvious effects. In conclusion, WT1 can decrease progesterone secretion, likely due in part to the inhibition of CYP11A1 and 3β-HSD.

Field evaporation and atom probe tomography of pure water tips

Measuring biological samples by atom probe tomography (APT) in their natural environment, i.e. aqueous solution, would take this analytical method, which is currently well established for metals, semi-conductive materials and non-metals, to a new level. It would give information about the 3D chemical structure of biological systems, which could enable unprecedented insights into biological systems and processes, such as virus protein interactions. For this future aim, we present as a first essential step the APT analysis of pure water (Milli-Q) which is the main component of biological systems. After Cryo-preparation, nanometric water tips are field evaporated with assistance by short laser pulses. The obtained data sets of several tens of millions of atoms reveal a complex evaporation behavior. Understanding the field evaporation process of water is fundamental for the measurement of more complex biological systems. For the identification of the individual signals in the mass spectrum, DFT calculations were performed to prove the stability of the detected molecules.

Tunable broadband terahertz polarizer using graphene-metal hybrid metasurface

We demonstrate an electrically tunable polarizer for terahertz (THz) frequency electromagnetic waves formed from a hybrid graphene-metal metasurface. Broadband (>3 THz) polarization-dependent modulation of THz transmission is demonstrated as a function of the graphene conductivity for various wire grid geometries, each tuned by gating using an overlaid ion gel. We show a strong enhancement of modulation (up to ∼17 times) compared to graphene wire grids in the frequency range of 0.2-2.5 THz upon introduction of the metallic elements. Theoretical calculations, considering both plasmonic coupling and Drude absorption, are in good agreement with our experimental findings.

Increasing the sensitivity of terahertz split ring resonator metamaterials for dielectric sensing by localized substrate etching

We demonstrate a significant enhancement in the sensitivity of split ring resonator terahertz metamaterial dielectric sensors by the introduction of etched trenches into their inductive-capacitive gap area, both through finite element simulations and in experiments performed using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The enhanced sensitivity is demonstrated by observation of an increased frequency shift in response to overlaid dielectric material of thicknesses up to 18 µm deposited on to the sensor surface. We show that sensitivity to the dielectric is enhanced by a factor of up to ∼2.7 times by the incorporation of locally etched trenches with a depth of ∼3.4 µm, for example, and discuss the effect of the etching on the electrical properties of the sensors. Our experimental findings are in good agreement with simulations of the sensors obtained using finite element methods.

Illness representations, pain and physical function in patients with rheumatic disorders: between- and within-person associations

OBJECTIVES

Rehabilitation for patients with rheumatic diseases improves both illness representations (IR) and clinical outcomes such as pain and physical functioning (PF). However, it is unclear whether IR may affect and, in turn, are affected by pain and PF. In this study, we examined both between-person associations and within-person associations between IR and pain/PF over time on three measurement occasions. Furthermore, cross-lagged relationships were examined.

DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

This secondary analysis is based on data from N = 186 patients with rheumatic diseases. Data on pain, PF and IR were assessed using self-report questionnaires at the beginning, the end and three months after a 3-week inpatient rehabilitation.

METHODS

To separate between- and within-person level, data were analysed using random-intercept cross-lagged panel models.

RESULTS

On both the between-person level (r = |0.21| - |0.44|) and the within-person level (r = |0.15| - |0.46|), pain and PF were related to cognitive and emotional IR. In addition, we found within-person bidirectional cross-lagged effects between emotional IR and PF.

CONCLUSION

IR show complex relationships with pain and PF. Improving PF might improve subsequent illness-related emotional distress and vice versa.

Abstract P4-10-03: Racial variation in effects of gene expression profiling on chemotherapy use

Gene expression profile (GEP) testing in early hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer can inform adjuvant treatment decisions by providing refined estimates of prognosis and chemotherapy benefit. GEPs may also downshift chemotherapy use, potentially avoiding excess morbidity. Multiple studies have reported racial disparities in access to GEP testing. In this study, we examine the effect of race and GEP testing on chemotherapy utilization in early stage HR+ breast cancer.

From The University of North Carolina Cancer Information and Population Health Resource (CIPHR), a statewide linkage of cancer registry and administrative claims data, we studied all women eligible for GEP testing, including those with HR+, T1-2, N0 or N1 unilateral primary breast cancers diagnosed from 2005 to 2012. Separate analyses were performed for N0 and N1 patients. Patients were required to have breast surgery within 6 months of diagnosis and no chemotherapy prior to surgery. Use of GEP testing and chemotherapy treatment were defined from insurance claims, while race was defined using cancer registry data. Propensity score adjustment by standardized mortality ratio weighting (SMRW) was used to control for differences in measured patient characteristics between treatment groups in a non-randomized cohort. Propensity score models included age, race, diagnosis year, co-morbidity, and tumor features. Propensity weighted Poisson models were then used to calculate the adjusted risk of receiving chemotherapy. To investigate differential effects of covariates on chemotherapy across racial groups, we used race-stratified models in the N0 cohort. Due to small sample sizes, race-stratified models were not used for N1 patients.

The cohort included 11,958 women of whom 84.5% were non-Hispanic white (NHW), 12.9% black, and 2.6% other race/ethnicity. For stratified analyses, race was dichotomized to NHW versus non-white. In the N0 cohort (n=9,671), 11.5% of untested NHW women, 20.8% of tested NHW, 16.8% of untested non-whites, and 21.9% of tested non-whites received chemotherapy. In SMRW-adjusted models, GEP testing was associated with downshifts in chemotherapy for N0 patients (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.72-0.86) and N1 patients (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.40 - 0.54). In race-stratified analyses of N0 patients, use of GEP testing was associated with a decrease in chemotherapy of 19% among NHW women (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72 - 0.91) and 25% among non-white women (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57 - 0.99). Taxane-based regimens were most common, but a substantial portion of chemotherapy-treated patients (43%) received anthracycline-based regimens with or without a taxane.

We conclude that GEP testing was associated with decreases in chemotherapy use after propensity adjustment for patient and tumor factors, with greater reductions among non-white patients and node-positive patients. Possible explanations include over-treatment of black women in the absence of testing due to higher perceived risk, racial differences in provider recommendation or chemotherapy choice among tested women where benefit is uncertain, such as for intermediate recurrence scores. Further studies are underway to evaluate racial differences by recurrence score group and the effect of GEPs on racial disparities in outcome.

Citation Format: Reeder-Hayes KE, Meyer A-M, Baggett C, Roberts MC, Zhou X, Meng K, Wheeler SB. Racial variation in effects of gene expression profiling on chemotherapy use [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-03.

Hybrid magnetoresistance in Pt-based multilayers: Effect originated from strong interfacial spin-orbit coupling

The hybrid magnetoresistance (MR) behaviors in Pt/Co₉₀Fe₁₀/Pt, Mn_1.5Ga/Pt and Mn_1.5Ga/Pt/Co₉₀Fe₁₀/Pt multilayers have been investigated. Both planer Hall effect (PHE) and angle-dependent MR in Pt/Co₉₀Fe₁₀/Pt revealed the combination of spin Hall MR (SMR) and normal anisotropic MR (AMR), indicating the large contribution of strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) at the interfaces. When Pt contacted with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) metal Mn_1.5Ga, the strong interfacial SOC modified the effective anomalous Hall effect. The MR in Mn_1.5Ga/Pt/Co₉₀Fe₁₀/Pt is not a simple combination of SMR and AMR, but ascribed to the complicated domain wall scattering and strong interfacial SOC when Pt is sandwiched by the in-plane magnetized Co₉₀Fe₁₀ and the PMA Mn_1.5Ga.

Ultrasound of the Hypoglossal Nerve in the Neck: Visualization and Initial Clinical Experience with Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The hypoglossal nerve, providing motor innervation for the tongue, can be affected in many diseases of the neck and skull base, leading to dysarthria, dysphagia, and ultimately atrophy of the tongue. We determined the feasibility of direct visualization of the hypoglossal nerve in the neck with ultrasound, testing this technique on healthy volunteers and evaluating it in clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study consisted of 4 parts: first, ultrasound-guided perineural ink injections along the course of the hypoglossal nerve at 24 sides of 12 fresh, nonembalmed cadaver necks. Subsequently, the specimens were dissected to confirm the correct identification of the nerve. The second part was examination of healthy volunteers with ultrasound and measurement of cross-sectional areas for generating reference data. The third part was scanning of healthy volunteers by 2 resident physicians with little and intermediate experience in ultrasound. Fourth was examination with ultrasound of patients with motor symptoms of the tongue.

RESULTS

The hypoglossal nerve was correctly identified bilaterally in all cadaveric specimens (24/24) and all volunteers (33/33). The cross-sectional area ranged from 1.9 to 2.1 mm(2). The resident physicians were able to locate the nerve in 19 of 22 cases, demonstrating that locating the nerve is reproducible and feasible even with intermediate experience in ultrasound. Finally, alterations of the hypoglossal nerve in disease states could be depicted.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct, reliable, and reproducible visualization of the extracranial hypoglossal nerve with ultrasound is feasible.

[Acceptance of the Implementation of Standardised Patient Education Programmes by the Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Team Using the Example of a Back School - A Qualitative Study]

AIM

The transfer of standardised patient education programmes into practice is a complex process with a multitude of influencing factors. Determinants relate among others to the organisation and individuals (e. g., practitioner, patient). Knowledge about individual factors regarding the trainers of patient education programmes in the German rehabilitation system is scarce. The aim of this study is to explore the acceptance of trainers concerning the implementation of a standardised back school and to derive facilitators and barriers to the implementation of patient education programmes.

METHODS

Semi-structured guideline-based interviews were conducted in 10 rehabilitation clinics. The sample consisted of 46 trainers (25 women): 11 physicians, 11 psychologists, 21 physio-/exercise therapists and 3 occupational therapists with a mean age of 41. The opinions of the trainers regarding the central components of back schools in general, their opinions about the new curriculum, their expectations on its implementation, anticipated difficulties with implementation and requests to the project team were explored as indicators for acceptance. The data were analysed with a multi-step qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

6 main categories comprising 136 subcategories were created and 729 quotations coded. Regarding the central components that should be covered by back schools, back-friendly behaviour was addressed most often. Opinions regarding the new curriculum were mostly positive. Trainers' approval of content and methods was highlighted and the similarity with existing offers in the clinics as well as the structure of the programme were rated positively. The trainers expected an increased patient orientation and personal development as well as a common, coherent language and interdisciplinarity. Difficulties were anticipated regarding time and personnel as well as therapy and appointment planning and also regarding the motivation/acceptance of patients. A wish for communication, education of trainers and feedback was directed at the project team.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates high acceptance of programme implementation and central components of modern patient education programmes among trainers. The basis of individual facilitators and barriers has been investigated and might contribute to further development of implementation interventions. Communication and education considering those factors play a central role.

Genetic diversity and expression profiles of cysteine phytases in the sheep rumen during a feeding cycle

Cysteine phytase is the main phytate-degrading enzyme of ruminant animals. To explore the genetic diversity and dynamic expression profile of cysteine phytase in sheep rumen during a feeding cycle, four transcript (0, 4, 9 and 16 h after feeding) and one DNA (9 h after feeding) clone libraries were constructed, respectively. A total of 46 distinct gene fragments were identified, and most of these sequences had low identities (<60%) with known phytases. Great divergence was found in the constitution and abundance of genes at the genome and transcriptional levels, and the transcript data are more reliable to reflect the information of functional genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the genes from uncultured bacteria instead of Firmicutes played the major phytate-degrading role. Further comparative analysis revealed the dynamic constitution of cysteine phytase genes in rumen at different time points.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Ruminal phytases, that are cysteine phytases, are novel in sequences and functions. Great divergence in the constitution and abundance of cysteine phytase genes at the genome and transcriptional levels suggested that transcript data are more reliable to reflect the information of functional genes. Phylogenetic and rarefaction analyses indicated that the cysteine phytase genes from uncultured bacteria instead of Firmicutes play the major phytate-degrading role in rumen, and their constitution is dynamic at different time points. This study provides a new insight into ruminal cysteine phytase genes and undermines their expression profiles over a whole feeding cycle.

Interleukin-37 ameliorates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Innate immune and inflammatory responses are involved in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Interleukin (IL)-37 is a newly identified member of the IL-1 family, and functions as a fundamental inhibitor of innate immunity and inflammation. However, its role in myocardial I/R injury remains unknown. I/R or sham operations were performed on male C57BL/6J mice. I/R mice received an injection of recombinant human IL-37 or vehicle, immediately before reperfusion. Compared with vehicle treatment, mice treated with IL-37 showed an obvious amelioration of the I/R injury, as demonstrated by reduced infarct size, decreased cardiac troponin T level and improved cardiac function. This protective effect was associated with the ability of IL-37 to suppress production of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and neutrophil infiltration, which together contributed to a decrease in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, we found that IL-37 inhibited the up-regulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activation after I/R, while increasing the anti-inflammatory IL-10 level. Moreover, the administration of anti-IL-10R antibody abolished the protective effects of IL-37 in I/R injury. In-vitro experiments further demonstrated that IL-37 protected cardiomyocytes from apoptosis under I/R condition, and suppressed the migration ability of neutrophils towards the chemokine LIX. In conclusion, IL-37 plays a protective role against mouse myocardial I/R injury, offering a promising therapeutic medium for myocardial I/R injury.

[Development and short-term effects of a standardized patient education program for in-patient cardiologic rehabilitation]

BACKGROUND

Patient education is an essential part in the treatment of coronary heart disease in medical rehabilitation. In the German-speaking area, no standardized and evaluated patient education program for coronary heart disease is available so far. In this paper, we demonstrate the development of a quality assured patient education program based on a health-education program of the German statutory pension insurance scheme.

METHODS

In a multi-level approach, an existing program was modified concerning treatment evidence, practical guidelines, theories of health and illness behavior and quality criteria for patient education as well as clinical experience and thereafter manualized. In a formative evaluation, feasibility and patient acceptance of this modified program were assessed using evaluation questionnaires of patients and trainers. Afterwards, effects of the patient education program as compared to a traditional education program were assessed on a short-term (at discharge), medium-term (6-month follow-up) and long-term (12-month follow-up) basis in a multicenter quasi-experimental control group study of patients with coronary heart disease (n=434).

RESULTS

Results of the formative evaluation demonstrate an overall good acceptance and a good feasibility of the manualized program. Short-term results show a significant small treatment effect in the primary outcome variable patients' knowledge (p=0.001, η2 =0.028). Furthermore, small effects were also observed among some secondary outcomes, such as attitude towards medication, planning of physical activity, psychological quality of life and satisfaction with the education program.

CONCLUSION

A standardized education program for patients with coronary heart disease has been developed in a systematic process based on established quality standards. Depending on the outstanding medium and long-term effects, the program may be recommended for general use in medical rehabilitation. The manual provides the prerequisites allowing for a successful transfer into clinical practice.

Multifunctional L1(0) -Mn(1.5)Ga films with ultrahigh coercivity, giant perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy and large magnetic energy product

A new kind of multifunctional L1(0) -Mn(1.5)Ga film is demonstrated for the first time. These MBE-grown epitaxial films exhibit pronounced magnetic properties at room temperature, including ultrahigh perpendicular coercivity up to 42.8 kOe, giant perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with a maximum of 21.7 Merg/cm(3) and large magnetic energy products up to 2.60 MGOe, which allow various applications in ultrahigh density recording, spintronics, and permanent magnets.

[DGRW-update: patient education]

Patient education programmes, i. e. standardized, manualized, interactive group programmes aiming to increase self-management and empowerment, are a core element of medical rehabilitation for chronic conditions. In an update of the evidence of the effectiveness of patient education, its effectiveness was proven for a broad spectrum of chronic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, bronchial asthma, COPD, and cancer, as well as for the modification of health behaviours, such as diet and exercise. To sustain effects, aftercare interventions, such as support provided by phone, were found to be successful. Interventions targeted to particular patient groups according to gender, age, or migration background are also being developed more frequently. When evaluating educational interventions not only distal outcomes, such as quality of life and participation, should be used but also proximal outcomes such as self-management skills. A recent survey of patient education practice in medical rehabilitation revealed a continuing potential for optimization relative to manualization, evaluation and didactics. However, the dissemination of innovative programmes into rehabilitation routine presents a major challenge.

Therapeutic effects of anticoagulant agents on preeclampsia in a murine model induced by phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine microvesicles

Preeclampsia (PE) is a placenta-mediated pregnancy complication that results in high maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Currently, there is no satisfactory pharmacotherapeutic treatment to stop the PE progression. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of anticoagulant agents, including annexin V, heparin, and a fusion protein of annexin V and hirudin (AND), in a murine PE model induced by intravenous injection of phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine (PS/PC) microvesicles. Compared with the control pregnant animals, the pregnant mice injected with PS/PC presented PE-like symptoms, including elevated systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, and reduction of antithrombin III and blood platelets. However, the PE-like symptoms were significantly alleviated after the PS/PC-injected mice were treated with annexin V, AND, or heparin. Furthermore, fibrin deposition in the placentas in the anticoagulant treated mice was remarkably improved, compared with that in the mice injected with PS/PC alone. The data demonstrate that anticoagulants are effective to prevent the occurrence of PE in the murine model and also suggest that hypercoagulation in the placenta is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of PE.

Endovascular procedures for cerebrovenous disorders

Cerebral venous anomalies may have a variety of clinical consequences. MR or CT venogram can assist the imaging diagnosis; yet, cerebral angiogram may be required to confirm or establish the correct diagnosis. Venous anomalies predisposing venous hypertension may be categorized into three major entities such as congenital variations, outflow obstruction, and increased blood flow. The degree of clinical presentations of venous hypertension depends upon the chronicity or acuteness. Venous hypertension may lead to venous congestion with edema, hemorrhage and encephalopathy. Endovascular therapeutic procedures may be employed to relieve venous congestion either from reducing blood flow or relieving obstruction. Those endovascular treatment options include embolization, thrombolysis and angioplastic stentings.

The host species affects the microbial community in the goat rumen

AIMS

This study was carried out to determine whether bacterial and ciliate populations in goat rumen vary significantly between different goat species living in the same environment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bacterial and ciliate communities in the rumen of three goat species were analysed at the molecular level using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The microbial community varied considerably among goats living in the same environment. Interspecies variation in the bacterial population was noticeably greater than intraspecies variation. In contrast, there was considerable variation in the ciliate population among goats within the same species, and intraspecies similarities were no greater than those observed across species.

CONCLUSIONS

Because environmental factors and diets were identical for all goats, differences in bacterial populations reflect species-specific differences in rumen microbes.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Factors related to the host species have an important effect on determining the bacterial composition in the goat rumen.

[Rehabilitation need in sociomedical assessment--development and evaluation of an algorithm of decision-making]

For sociomedical assessment on application for medical rehabilitation by the German Statutory Pension Insurance no valid diagnostic assessment tools exist. In the present study two expert surveys and current guidelines were used to develop an algorithm of decision-making which is based on 13 criteria for rehabilitation need. The algorithm was evaluated in a prospective, longitudinal survey in the sociomedical services of five Bavarian Statutory Pension Insurance agencies on a sample of applicants with primary musculoskeletal disease (n=243). The medical experts rated the criteria after they had made their decision on the applications. To examine validity of the algorithm, concordance with the medical expert decisions and individual need for rehabilitation was analyzed. Respectively results of the algorithm were compared with data in course of the measure (rating by the clinician, patient questionnaire). Analyzing data, there is evidence for problems in rating the criteria by assessment on medical records; on average 9.2 (s=2.4) of 13 criteria could be rated. There is statistically significant concordance between decisions by the algorithm and sociomedical decisions based on assessment of medical records (kappa=0.37, p<0.001) or examination (kappa=0.71, p<0.001). Applications with positive recommendation by the algorithm have a significantly higher degree of subjective rehabilitation need (d=0.38). The results illustrate the need for measures to improve the basis of information by medical records. By reason of heterogeneity in practical application of criteria for rehabilitation need, operationalisation and explicit diagnostic algorithms are necessary to improve objectivity of making decisions.

Introduction of a disulfide bridge enhances the thermostability of a Streptomyces olivaceoviridis xylanase mutant

Substitution of the N-terminus of Streptomyces olivaceoviridis xylanase XYNB to generate mutant TB has been previously shown to increase the thermostability of the enzyme. To further improve the stability of this mutant, we introduced a disulfide bridge (C109-C153) into the TB mutant, generating TS. To assess the effect of the disulfide bridge in the wild-type enzyme, the S109C-N153C mutation was also introduced into XYNB, resulting in XS. The mutants were expressed in Pichia pastoris, the recombinant enzymes were purified, and the effect of temperature and pH on enzymatic activity was characterized. Introduction of the disulfide bridge (C109-C153) into XYNB (XS variant) and TB (TS variant) increased the thermostability up to 2.8-fold and 12.4-fold, respectively, relative to XYNB, after incubation at 70 degrees C, pH 6.0, for 20 min. In addition, a synergistic effect of the disulfide bridge and the N-terminus replacement was observed, which extended the half-life of XYNB from 3 to 150 min. Moreover, XS and TS displayed better resistance to acidic conditions compared with the respective enzymes that did not contain a disulfide bridge.