Characterization of plasma metal profiles in Alzheimer's disease using multivariate statistical analysis.

The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the role of metals in its etiology remain unclear. We have used an analytical approach, based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled with multivariate statistical analysis, to study the profiles of a wide range of metals in AD patients and healthy controls. AD cannot be cured and the lack of sensitive biomarkers that can be used in the early stages of the disease may contribute to this treatment failure. In the present study, we measured plasma levels of amyloid-ß1-42(0.142±0.029µg/L)and furin(2.292±1.54µg/L), together with those of the metalloproteinases, insulin-degrading enzyme(1.459±1.14µg/L) and neprilysin(0.073±0.015µg/L), in order to develop biomarkers for AD. Partial least squares discriminant analysis models were used to refine intergroup differences and we discovered that four metals(Mn, Al, Li, Cu) in peripheral blood were strongly associated with AD. Aberration in homeostasis of these metals may alter levels of proteinases, such as furin, which are associated with neurodegeneration in AD and can be a used as plasma-based biomarkers.

Evolution of morphology in electrodeposited nanocrystalline Co-Ni films by in-situ high magnetic field application.

The effect of high magnetic fields up to 12 T, applied during electrodeposition process, on the morphology of nanocrystalline CoNi films has been investigated. The magneto-induced dramatic modifications in the morphology were observed by using field-emission scanning electronic microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Along with the increase of magnetic flux density (B), the grain size and the surface roughness of the films increased to reach a maximum value at a field of 9 T. Meanwhile, higher magnetic flux density could improve cobalt atomic percentage in the film due to the impacts of magnetohydrodynamic effect. However, at a high field of 12 T, the paramagnetic force played a predominant role in a decrease of mass transport, resulting in minimum grain size and roughness, even smaller than that of the ordinarily (B=0 T) sample.

Effects of high magnetic fields on solidified structures of Mn-90.4 wt% Sb hypoeutectic alloy.

Mn-90.4 wt% Sb alloy specimens were solidified under both uniform magnetic field and magnetic field gradient conditions. The solidification behavior was examined to elucidate the effects of high magnetic fields on the solidified structure evolution of this hypoeutectic alloy. The macrostructures on the longitudinal section of the alloys were investigated by optical microscopy and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The volume fraction of primary MnSb phases and the interrod spacing of the eutectic were measured by metallographic analysis. It was found that the segregation of the primary MnSb particles at the certain regions of the specimens occurred under the influence of high magnetic field gradients. The MnSb phases obtained under magnetic fields were oriented with their (h0 l) planes along the direction of the magnetic field. Both the volume fraction of primary MnSb phases and the interrod spacing of the eutectic were decreased upon the application of the high magnetic fields.