Adsorption of Ferritin at Nanofaceted AlO Surfaces.

The influence of nanoscale surface topography on protein adsorption is highly important for numerous applications in medicine and technology. Herein, ferritin adsorption at flat and nanofaceted, single-crystalline AlO surfaces is investigated using atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanofaceted surfaces are generated by the thermal annealing of AlO wafers at temperatures above 1000 °C, which leads to the formation of faceted saw-tooth-like surface topographies with periodicities of about 160 nm and amplitudes of about 15 nm.

Real-Time Observation of Temperature-Induced Surface Nanofaceting in M-Plane α-AlO.

The spontaneous crystal surface reconstruction of M-plane α-AlO is employed for nanopatterning and nanofabrication in various fields of research including, among others, magnetism, superconductivity, and optoelectronics. In this reconstruction process the crystalline surface transforms from a planar morphology to one with a nanoscale ripple patterning. However, the high sample temperature required to induce surface reconstruction made studies of the process seem unfeasible.

Design and performance of a dedicated coherent X-ray scanning diffraction instrument at beamline NanoMAX of MAX IV.

The diffraction endstation of the NanoMAX beamline is designed to provide high-flux coherent X-ray nano-beams for experiments requiring many degrees of freedom for sample and detector. The endstation is equipped with high-efficiency Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror focusing optics and a two-circle goniometer supporting a positioning and scanning device, designed to carry a compact sample environment. A robot is used as a detector arm.

Self-Driven Broadband Photodetectors Based on MoSe/FePS van der Waals n-p Type-II Heterostructures.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials with broadband optical absorption are promising candidates for next-generation UV-vis-NIR photodetectors. FePS, one of the emerging antiferromagnetic van der Waals materials with a wide bandgap and p-type conductivity, has been reported as an excellent candidate for UV optoelectronics. However, a high sensitivity photodetector with a self-driven mode based on FePS has not yet been realized.

NanoMAX: the hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory.

NanoMAX is the first hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the MAX IV laboratory. It utilizes the unique properties of the world's first operational multi-bend achromat storage ring to provide an intense and coherent focused beam for experiments with several methods. In this paper we present the beamline optics design in detail, show the performance figures, and give an overview of the surrounding infrastructure and the operational diffraction endstation.

Single-inhaler fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) triple therapy versus tiotropium monotherapy in patients with COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment guidelines do not currently include recommendations for escalation directly from monotherapy to triple therapy. This 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy study randomized 800 symptomatic moderate-to-very-severe COPD patients receiving tiotropium (TIO) for ≥3 months to once-daily fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) 100/62.5/25 mcg via ELLIPTA (n = 400) or TIO 18 mcg via HandiHaler (n = 400) plus matched placebo.

Formation of Thin NiGe Films by Magnetron Sputtering and Flash Lamp Annealing.

The nickel monogermanide (NiGe) phase is known for its electrical properties such as low ohmic and low contact resistance in group-IV-based electronics. In this work, thin films of nickel germanides (Ni-Ge) were formed by magnetron sputtering followed by flash lamp annealing (FLA). The formation of NiGe was investigated on three types of substrates: on amorphous (a-Ge) as well as polycrystalline Ge (poly-Ge) and on monocrystalline (100)-Ge (c-Ge) wafers.

General Colloidal Synthesis of Transition-Metal Disulfide Nanomaterials as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The material-efficient monolayers of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a promising class of ultrathin nanomaterials with properties ranging from insulating through semiconducting to metallic, opening a wide variety of their potential applications from catalysis and energy storage to optoelectronics, spintronics, and valleytronics. In particular, TMDs have a great potential as emerging inexpensive alternatives to noble metal-based catalysts in electrochemical hydrogen evolution. Herein, we report a straightforward, low-cost, and general colloidal synthesis of various 2D transition-metal disulfide nanomaterials, such as MoS, WS, NiS, FeS, and VS, in the absence of organic ligands.

Uniform metal nanostructures with long-range order via three-step hierarchical self-assembly.

Large-scale nanopatterning is a major issue in nanoscience and nanotechnology, but conventional top-down approaches are challenging because of instrumentation and process complexity while often lacking the desired spatial resolution. We present a hierarchical bottom-up nanopatterning routine using exclusively self-assembly processes: By combining crystal surface reconstruction, microphase separation of copolymers, and selective metal diffusion, we produce monodisperse metal nanostructures in highly regular arrays covering areas of square centimeters. In situ grazing incidence small-angle x-ray scattering during Fe nanostructure formation evidences an outstanding structural order in the self-assembling system and hints at the possibility of sculpting nanostructures using external process parameters.

Feedback in low-mass galaxies in the early Universe.

The formation, evolution and death of massive stars release large quantities of energy and momentum into the gas surrounding the sites of star formation. This process, generically termed 'feedback', inhibits further star formation either by removing gas from the galaxy, or by heating it to temperatures that are too high to form new stars. Observations reveal feedback in the form of galactic-scale outflows of gas in galaxies with high rates of star formation, especially in the early Universe.

High velocity dispersion in a rare grand-design spiral galaxy at redshift z = 2.18.

Although grand-design spiral galaxies are relatively common in the local Universe, only one has been spectroscopically confirmed to lie at redshift z > 2 (HDFX 28; z = 2.011); and it may prove to be a major merger that simply resembles a spiral in projection. The rarity of spirals has been explained as a result of disks being dynamically 'hot' at z > 2 (refs 2-5), which may instead favour the formation of commonly observed clumpy structures.

Investigation of 3'-debenzoyl-3'-(3-([¹²⁴I]-iodobenzoyl))paclitaxel analog as a radio-tracer to study multidrug resistance in vivo.

A study was carried out to identify a suitable radioactive paclitaxel analog and to use it to investigate tumor multidrug resistance in vivo. 3'-Debenzoyl-3'-(3-([(124)I]-iodobenzoyl))paclitaxel was prepared by aromatic iodination of 3'-debenzoyl-3'-(3-trimethylstannylbenzoyl)paclitaxel. Uptake of the labeled paclitaxel analog in nude mice bearing tumor with the paclitaxel sensitive cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-435/LCC6(WT), and multidrug resistant cell lines NCI/ADR-RES and MDA-435/LCC6(MDR), was studied.

Validation of an item bank in a sample of community-dwelling survivors of a stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate an item bank of questions associated with activities of daily living (ADL), using graded item response theory (G-IRT), in a sample of community-dwelling survivors of a stroke.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 364 community-dwelling individuals who reported a recent history of stroke. Sixteen line items from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) survey were analyzed using factor analysis, internal analyses of consistency, and G-IRT.

Isolated pancreatic islets in three-dimensional matrices are responsive to stimulators and inhibitors of angiogenesis.

The formation of a new microvasculature is essential for the long-term survival and function of the islet graft. In this study we examined endothelium of isolated pancreatic islets by stimulation with growth factors, different culture conditions, and genetic modification. We also inspected the effect of immunosuppressives used in human transplantation on angiogenesis.

Impact of race on breast cancer in lower socioeconomic status women.

Lower socioeconomic status and lack of access to care are often implicated as plausible causes for African American women to present with later stage breast cancer than Caucasian women. Our objective is to determine if racial differences are present in newly diagnosed breast cancer in women of equivalent socioeconomic status. A retrospective review of prospectively gathered data from women with newly diagnosed breast cancer was performed.

Polymers for induction of revascularization in the rat fascial flap: application of vascular endothelial growth factor and pancreatic islet cells.

One of the major obstacles in transplanting avascular tissue or metabolically active cells for ischemic diseases is the loss of transplanted cells due to lack of oxygen and nutrients in the early posttransplantation period. Biodegradable polymeric tissue engineering scaffolds and hydrogels have a potential to incorporate cells or cellular organoids such as islets of Langerhans and growth factors. In this study, we tested the efficiency of two types of polymeric materials to carry recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) or pancreatic tumor cell lines, namely Ins-1 and AR42J, for the induction of new vessels.

Properties of medial gastrocnemius motor units and muscle fibers reinnervated by embryonic ventral spinal cord cells.

Severe muscle atrophy occurs after complete denervation. Here, Embryonic Day 14-15 ventral spinal cord cells were transplanted into the distal tibial nerve stump of adult female Fischer rats to provide a source of neurons for muscle reinnervation. Our aim was to characterize the properties of the reinnervated motor units and muscle fibers.

Embryonic cord transplants in peripheral nerve restore skeletal muscle function.

The rapid atrophy of skeletal muscle after denervation severely compromises efforts to restore muscle function. We have transplanted embryonic day 14-15 (E14-E15) ventral spinal cord cells into adult Fischer rat tibial nerve stump to provide neurons for reinnervation. Our aim was to evaluate medial gastrocnemius reinnervation physiologically because this transplant strategy will only be effective if the reinnervated muscle contracts, generates sufficient force to induce joint movement, and is fatigue resistant enough to shorten repeatedly.

Clinical and technical considerations for imaging colorectal cancers with technetium-99m-labeled antiCEA Fab' fragment.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, after lung and breast cancers. Approximately 133,500 Americans develop colorectal cancer annually and approximately 54,900 die of the disease. As many as 600,000 individuals in the US are under care after surgery for colorectal cancer.

[Exercise hemodynamic in hypertension associated with coronary microangiopathy, coronary heart disease and without ischemic syndrome effect of nifedipine].

Objective: Is heart function during exercise impaired in hypertensive patients with effort angina and ST-segment depression but normal coronary angiograms?

Methods And Results: In 12 hypertensive patients (group 1; aged 53 +/- 4 yrs), who had ST-segment depression during exercise, concomitant angina pectoris but normal coronary angiograms, and no LVH, left ventricular function at rest and during exercise was studied by cardiac catheterization and compared with 12 hypertensives with CAD (group 2; aged 56 +/- 5 yrs) and 12 hypertensives without ST-segment depression (group 3; aged 56 +/- 7 yrs) after discontinuation of all cardiac medications. PCWP was normal at rest and pathologically increased at 79.2 +/- 17.

Superiority of SPET to planar imaging in the detection of colorectal carcinomas with 111In monoclonal antibodies.

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of single photon emission tomography (SPET) to planar imaging of colorectal carcinoma in patients being evaluated with 111In-labelled monoclonal antibodies CYT-103 (OncoScint CR/OV) or IVP ZCE 025. Planar and SPET scans from 110 colorectal carcinoma patients were scored individually as follows: 1=negative, 2=equivocal, 3=positive. The planar and SPET images identified 67 and 93 of 113 documented lesions, respectively.

Reinnervation of adult rat gastrocnemius muscle by embryonic motoneurons transplanted into the axotomized tibial nerve.

In some cases of spinal cord injury and in certain motoneuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophies, lower motoneurons are destroyed and muscle function cannot be restored except by reinnervation from alternate motoneuron sources. We have tested the feasibility of employing local transplantation of embryonic motoneurons to restore innervation to denervated somatic muscle as a first step in salvaging muscle function and enabling use of functional electric stimulation. Dissociated ventral spinal cord cells from Embryonic Days 14 and 15 rats were transplanted into the distal stump of axotomized tibial nerves of adult rats.

Expression and function of VLA-alpha 2, -alpha 3, -alpha 5 and -alpha 6-integrin receptors in pancreatic carcinoma.

The expression of the VLA-integrins alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5 and alpha 6 was studied immunohistochemically in tissue samples from ductal pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, normal pancreas and in 8 cell lines of ductal human pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, adhesion assays on purified extracellular matrix (ECM)-compounds were used to define the function of alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5 and alpha 6 in pancreatic cancer cells. Immunohistochemically, VLA alpha 2 and VLA alpha 6 were moderately to strongly expressed on the basal surface of ductal and acinar cells in normal pancreatic tissue, while centro-acinar cells predominantly expressed VLA alpha 3 and VLA alpha 5.