Abstract
Two-dimensional MoS
2
has emerged as promising material for nanoelectronics and spintronics due to its exotic properties. However, high contact resistance at metal semiconductor MoS
2
...interface still remains an open issue. Here, we report electronic properties of field effect transistor devices using monolayer MoS
2
channels and permalloy (Py) as ferromagnetic (FM) metal contacts. Monolayer MoS
2
channels were directly grown on SiO
2
/Si substrate via chemical vapor deposition technique. The increase in current with back gate voltage (
V
g
) shows the tunability of FET characteristics. The Schottky barrier height (SBH) estimated for Py/MoS
2
contacts is found to be +28.8 meV (at
V
g
= 0V), which is the smallest value reported so-far for any direct metal (magnetic or non-magnetic)/monolayer MoS
2
contact. With the application of positive gate voltage, SBH shows a reduction, which reveals ohmic behavior of Py/MoS
2
contacts. Low SBH with controlled ohmic nature of FM contacts is a primary requirement for MoS
2
based spintronics and therefore using directly grown MoS
2
channels in the present study can pave a path towards high performance devices for large scale applications.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) presents clinically as a systemic eosinophilic disease with asthma and eosinophilia. It causes eosinophilic necrotizing granulomatous ...inflammation, which damages the respiratory organs, and necrotizing angiitis, which affects the small blood vessels. Systemic corticosteroids are generally used as the first-line treatment to attain remission in EGPA, although they cannot be used for long-term therapy owing to their potential adverse effects. Mepolizumab, a biologic interleukin (IL) 5 antibody, has been shown to suppress recurrence of EGPA; however, half of the patients studied did not achieve remission, even when mepolizumab was coadministered with corticosteroids. Therefore, it is crucial to discover more effective drugs. Benralizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that acts against the IL-5 receptor a chain, which suppresses eosinophil activation by directly and specifically binding to and inhibiting the IL-5 receptor. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of benralizumab; one case report showed that benralizumab reduced levels of myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA), and another showed an effect on refractory EGPA . However, long-term prognosis following therapy with benralizumab remains unclear.
Molecule encapsulation inside the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) core has been demonstrated to be a successful route for the modification of nanotube properties. SWCNT diameter-dependent ...filling results in band gap modification together with the enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yield. However, the interaction between the inner structure and the outer shell is complex. It depends on the orientation of the molecules inside, the geometry of the host nanotube and on several other mechanisms determining the resulting properties of the hybrid nanosystem. In this work we study the influence of encapsulated graphene nanoribbons on the optical properties of the host single-walled carbon nanotubes. The interplay of strain and dielectric screening caused by the internal environment of the nanotube affects its band gap. The photoluminescence of the filled nanotubes becomes enhanced when the graphene nanoribbons are polymerized inside the SWCNTs at low temperatures. We show a gradual photoluminescence quenching together with a selective signal enhancement for exact nanotube geometries, specifically (14,6) and (13,8) species. A precise adjustment of the optical properties and an enhancement of the photoluminescence quantum yield upon filling for nanotubes with specific diameters were assigned to optimal organization of the inner structures.
This paper presents a novel design of a magnetically-sprung mechanical resonator for wideband vibration energy harvesting. In this design, a magnet composite consisting of two cylindrical magnets ...composed in a repelling arrangement is used as a moving mass, which is magnetically suspended between two ring magnets. This configuration yields more significant variation of stiffness in a shorter stroke compared with the previous design, resulting in wider operation band even under small excitation.
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils into lung tissue, which is often preceded by or concomitant with allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic ...rhinitis. Interleukin (IL) 5 is involved in eosinophil proliferation, migration, and activation, and perhaps also in development of CEP. Mepolizumab, a humanized anti--IL-5 monoclonal antibody, was shown to be effective in a retrospective study and in several case reports. Although standard interval dosing (SID) of mepolizumab for asthma is every 4 weeks, the appropriate interval for CEP has not yet been investigated. Here, 2 patients with corticosteroid-refractory CEP and asthma who were able to discontinue corticosteroid treatment following treatment with mepolizumab are presented.
Aims
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to metformin versus metformin monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who achieved inadequate glycaemic control on metformin ...(500 or 750 mg/day) + diet/exercise.
Methods
In a randomized, double‐blind trial, 288 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM received either 12.5 or 25 mg alogliptin once daily + metformin or placebo + metformin for 12 weeks. Thereafter, 276 patients continued on one of the two alogliptin dosages + metformin in an open‐label extension for 40 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint in the randomized, double‐blind phase was the change in HbA1c from baseline (week 0) to the end of treatment (week 12). The primary endpoint during the long‐term extension phase was adverse events.
Results
After 12 weeks both dosages of alogliptin + metformin produced significantly greater changes from baseline in HbA1c than placebo (metformin monotherapy: with changes in LS means − 0.55 and − 0.64% vs. 0.22%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Incidences of adverse effects were comparable between groups, with no increases in hypoglycaemia. Over 52 weeks, there were no safety or tolerability concerns with alogliptin when added to metformin.
Conclusions
Alogliptin 12.5 and 25 mg once daily was safe and effective when added to metformin (500 or 750 mg/day) in Japanese patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes on metformin alone.
Lethal 3 malignant brain tumor 1 (L3MBTL1), a homolog of the Drosophila polycomb tumor suppressor l(3)mbt, contains three tandem MBT repeats (3xMBT) that are critical for transcriptional repression. ...We recently reported that the 3xMBT repeats interact with mono- and dimethylated lysines in the amino termini of histones H4 and H1b to promote methylation-dependent chromatin compaction. Using a series of histone peptides, we now show that the recognition of mono- and dimethylated lysines in histones H3, H4 and H1.4 (but not their trimethylated or unmodified counterparts) by 3xMBT occurs in the context of a basic environment, requiring a conserved aspartic acid (D355) in the second MBT repeat. Despite the broad range of in vitro binding, the chromatin association of L3MBTL1 mirrors the progressive accumulation of H4K20 monomethylation during the cell cycle. Furthermore, transcriptional repression by L3MBTL1 is enhanced by the H4K20 monomethyltransferase PR-SET7 (to which it binds) but not SUV420H1 (an H4K20 trimethylase) or G9a (an H3K9 dimethylase) and knockdown of PR-SET7 decreases H4K20me1 levels and the chromatin association of L3MBTL1. Our studies identify the importance of H4K20 monomethylation and of PR-SET7 for L3MBTL1 function.
BACKGROUND: The choice of prosthetic socket interface material significantly affects user comfort and satisfaction. The Affordable Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Roll-On (AERO) liner was created with the aim ...of improving functionality and streamlining the wearing process for users.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess user satisfaction, comfort, and durability of the AERO liner and compare it with the common soft Pe-Lite liner.
METHODOLOGY: Fourteen individuals with transtibial amputation participated in this three-month randomized crossover trial study. The Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ), Expanded Socket Comfort Score (ESCS), and liner thickness measurements were used to comprehensively compare the AERO and Pe-Lite liner.
FINDINGS: The AERO liner demonstrated notable improvements in prosthetic comfort and functionality over Pe-Lite liner. After three months use, there was a significant reduction in reported frustration with the AERO liner (p=0.023, r=0.604) in the PEQ subscale. Specific aspects, such as walking with the prosthesis (p=0.030, r=0.601) and odor perception (p=0.024, d=0.579), favored the use of the AERO liner. The expanded socket comfort score (ESCS) revealed significant superiority for the AERO liner “at best” (p=0.04) and “on average” (p=0.02) after one and three months, respectively. Liner thickness analysis showed significant reductions at the mid-patellar tendon location for the AERO liner at one (0.57±0.48) and three months (0.90±0.69, p=0.01) and in the posterior region after three months (0.63±0.64, p=0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the potential advantages of the AERO liner in enhancing comfort and satisfaction. Yet, durability and thinning of the liner when compared to Pe-Lite may be a concern which may eventually affect socket fit. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts to optimize prosthetic interventions and improve the quality of life of individuals with lower limb prosthesis in resource-limited environments.
Layman's Abstract
Comfort and satisfaction are essential for people using prosthetics. The socket interface material, which encompasses the limb, is crucial for comfort and suspension of the prosthesis on the limb. In resource-limited environments, people mainly use an interface material called Pe-Lite in their prosthetic sockets. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding its comfort and suitability for the residual limb. We aimed to evaluate an alternative material to determine if it was more comfortable and functional than Pe-Lite for these individuals. We invited fourteen people with transtibial amputations to participate in this study. They used a traditional prosthetic design and were provided both Pe-Lite and AERO liners. We asked them about their experiences and measured the various aspects of their treatment. The results were promising. People who used the AERO liner reported much less frustration after three months. They felt an improvement in walking, and they didn't have odor problems expressed when using Pe-Lite. The AERO liner was more comfortable when using the prosthesis. Although the AERO liner compressed more in certain areas compared to the Pe-Lite liner, it remained usable after three months. However, reduce the liner thickness compared to Pe-Lite may be a concern and could affect the socket fit.
Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/41865/32282
How To Cite: Miyata Y, Sasaki K, Guerra G, Dacharux W, Chaiwan P. Evaluating feasibility and durability of the AERO prosthetic liner in transtibial prosthetic users. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023; Volume 6, Issue 1, No.5. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v6i1.41865
Corresponding Author: Kazuhiko Sasaki, Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.E-Mail: kazuhiko.sas@mahidol.eduORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1778-6308
Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is relatively rare and early diagnosis is difficult. We investigated the utility of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT for the diagnosis of RPC and evaluation of disease ...activity.
Five RPC patients undergoing FDG-PET/CT in our hospital between 2006 and 2012 were studied. Eight RPC cases examined by PET reported in the literature were also assessed. Data from a total of 13 patients were analysed.
Typical FDG accumulation was noted in the tracheobronchial trees of nine patients, the costal cartilage of five, joints of five, larynx of four, nasal cavity/paranasal sinuses of three, auricles of three, lymph nodes of three and the aorta of one. One patient showed nasal chondritis on a PET scan despite the absence of nasal changes on physical examination. Of five patients with costochondritis, four remained asymptomatic. Of nine patients with airway FDG accumulation, eight developed respiratory symptoms and all had CT abnormalities. In the other patient, airway FDG accumulation was evident despite the absence of airway symptoms and a lack of abnormalities in the respiratory function test and CT. PET also revealed bronchial chondritis in asymptomatic patients. The mean maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the upper and lower airways was 5.79 (s.d. 2.87) and 6.47 (s.d. 4.08), respectively. In five patients with a PET after treatment, FDG accumulation had diminished with symptomatic and inflammatory improvement.
FDG-PET/CT is a potentially powerful tool for the early diagnosis of RPC, especially in patients without easily biopsied organ involvement. This modality also facilitates evaluation of disease extent and disease activity during treatment.
To better describe clinical T descriptors using solid tumor size (the maximum dimension of the solid component of the tumor) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and maximum standardized ...uptake value (SUVmax) on F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (FDG-PET/CT).
We examined 610 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma who underwent complete resection. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was assessed on the basis of whole tumor size (maximum dimension of the tumor), solid tumor size, or a combination of solid tumor size and SUVmax.
RFS based on whole tumor size was not significantly different between patients with tumors measuring ≤2 cm and 2–3 cm (P = 0.089), whereas RFS based on solid tumor size was significantly different (P < 0.0001). We divided patients into four groups on the basis of solid tumor size and SUVmax: group 1: solid tumor size ≤2 cm, SUVmax ≤1.8; group 2: solid tumor size ≤2 cm, SUVmax >1.8; group 3: solid tumor size 2–3 cm, SUVmax ≤3.6; and group 4: solid tumor size 2–3 cm, SUVmax >3.6. Groups 2 and 3 were combined because they showed similar RFS each other. RFS was significantly different among these groups: group 1 versus groups 2 + 3, P < 0.0001; groups 2 + 3 versus group 4, P = 0.019.
Both solid tumor size on HRCT and SUVmax on FDG-PET/CT reflect prognosis well in patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma and may support new clinical T descriptors.
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