[Determination of the block range of ultrasound-guided lumbar erector spinal plane and its application in lumbar spine surgery].

Objective: To determinate the block range of lumbar erector spinal plane (ESPB), and investigate the efficacy of ESPB in lumbar spine surgery. Methods: Forty patients who underwent posterior lumbar fusion in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from November 2019 to August 2020 were randomly divided into two groups (with n=20 in each group) using the random number table: the experimental group (group E) and control group (group C). All the patients received ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine (group E) or equal volume of normal saline (group C) on each side before induction of general anesthesia. The range of weakened temperature sense in each patient was measured at 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after ESPB, respectively. Dosage of analgesic drug, visual analog scale (VAS), and incidence of adverse events were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: In group E, the dermatomal distribution and area of weakened temperature sense at 10 min, 20 min, 30 min after ESPB were T9-S1 (222±16) cm2, T8-S2 (352±22) cm2, T8-S3 (481±24) cm2, respectively. The intraoperative dosage of remifentanil in group E was (0.76±0.02) mg, which was significantly lower than that of group C (0.97±0.06) mg (P<0.05). Oxycodone consumption in group E at 0-12 h and 12-24 h after surgery was (4.9±0.4) mg and (8.4±1.2) mg, respectively, which were lower than those in group C [(14.5±2.4) mg and (19.3±2.4) mg, respectively] (both P<0.05). The VAS during rest and movement within 24 h after operation in group E were significantly lower than those in group C (both P<0.05). The passive exercise in bed in group E started at (3.3±0.3) h postoperatively, which was earlier than that in group C (4.6±0.3) h (P<0.05). Conclusion: The blocking effects of T12-S1 segment after ultrasound-guided lumbar ESPB is definite, which can effectively decrease the amounts of analgesics during and after the lumbar fusion surgery, reduce postoperative rest and exercise VAS score, and contribute to a rapid recovery of the patients.

[Preclinical study of the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite in repairing peri-implant bone defects in canine mandible].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite (FPHA) on guided bone regeneration of peri-implant buccal bone defects in canine mandible. Methods: Six male beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups with different time points (4 weeks and 12 weeks after implants placement), with 3 dogs in each group. Bilateral mandibular second premolars, first molars, and second molars in each dog were extracted. The wounds were allowed to heal for 12 weeks. For each dog, four implant beds were prepared in each side and standardized peri-implant buccal bone defect was created at each implant site. After implants placement, the defect sites were randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to blank control group, deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), the porcine hydroxyapatite (PHA), FPHA and covered with collagen membranes. The animals were sacrificed 4 or 12 weeks after the surgery. Biopsies of the implant sites were obtained for micro-CT evaluation [bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone trabecular separation degree (Tb.Sp)] and histological analysis. Results: Micro-CT results showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, PHA, FPHA and DBBM successfully maintained the contour of alveolar ridge at the buccal aspect of the implants, while the contour of alveolar ridge collapsed in the blank control group. BV/TV in the FPHA group [(24.77±2.20) %] was significantly higher than that in the PHA group [(16.89±1.70)%] and DBBM group [(15.68±3.15)%] (P<0.05). Tb.Sp in the FPHA group (0.70±0.07) was significantly lower than that in the DBBM group (1.03±0.19) (P<0.05). Twelve weeks after implants placement, the alveolar ridge contour of the grafted sites in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group remained stable. The alveolar ridge of the blank control group was still collapsed. There was no significant difference in BV/TV and Tb.Sp between PHA group, FPHA group and DBBM group. The histomorphological analysis showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, in the central area of the defect, the amount and maturity of new bone (NB) around the material particles in FPHA group was higher than that in PHA group and DBBM group. Osseointegration could be observed between the NB and implant surface in all the four groups. Twelve weeks after implants placement, the material particles were surrounded by a large number of mature NB in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group. Conclusions: The incorporation of fluoride ion into PHA could effectively promote the repair of peri-implant bone defects in the early stage of guided bone regeneration.

[Mediating effect of resilience on nursing occupational risk and job performance in nurses].

Objective: To analyze Nursing Occupational Risk, the relationship between resilience and job performance, and investigate the mediating effects of resilience on Nursing Occupational Risk and job performance. Methods: 406 nurses from33 clinical departments of Chengdu first-class hospital were recruited by randomsampling method. Thier Nursing Occupational Risk, resilience and job performance were interviewed by nursing occupational risk assessment questionnaire, the Scale of medical staff resilience and the job performance questionnaire, and analyze the relationship between variables. Results: The clinical nurses＇ resilience is 82.98±10.05, the clinical nurses' job performance is 145.79±23.55; here was a positive correlation between clinical nurses' resilience and job performance (P<0.05) ; three variable of resilience can explain 33.2% of the variation of clinical nurses job performance; in the highest the Nursing Occupational risk, resilience served to mediate the relationship between Nursing Occupational Risk and job performance, which was 56.77% of the total effect respective. Conclusion: resilience are closely related to job performance. Resilience plays mediating role in the relationships between Nursing Occupational Risk and job performance, three dimensions of resilience can predict nurses' job performance. Improving the resilience of nurses can effectively improve their job performance.

Driving under the influence of psychoactive substances - A historical review.

Important events in the history of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and/or other drugs (DUID) are reviewed covering a period of approximately 100 years. This coincides with major developments in the pharmaceutical industry and the exponential growth in motor transportation worldwide. DUID constitutes an interaction between the driver, the motor-driven vehicle, and one or more psychoactive (mind-altering) substances. In this connection, it is important to differentiate between drugs intended and used for medical purposes (prescription or licit drugs) and recreational drugs of abuse (illicit drugs). All chemicals with a mechanism of action in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are potentially dangerous to use when skilled tasks, such as driving, are performed. The evidence necessary to charge a person with drug-impaired driving has evolved over many years and initially rested on a driver's own admissions and observations made about the driving by police officers or eyewitnesses. Somewhat later, all suspects were examined by a physician, whose task was to ask questions about any recent ingestion of alcohol and/or other drugs and to administer various clinical tests of impairment. By the 1940s-1950s, the driver was asked to provide samples of blood, breath, or urine for toxicological analysis, although the test results served only to verify the type of drug causing impairment of the driver. The current trend in DUID legislation is toward zero-tolerance or concentration per se statutes, which are much more pragmatic, because behavioral evidence of impairment is no longer a lynchpin in the prosecution case. This legal framework puts considerable emphasis on the results of toxicological analysis; therefore, the methods used must be accurate, precise, and fit for forensic purposes. Many traffic delinquents charged with DUI or DUID suffer from a substance use and/or personality disorder, with high recidivism rates. In addition to conventional penalties and sanctions for drug-related traffic crimes, many offenders would probably benefit from a medical intervention, such as counseling, rehabilitation, and treatment for substance use disorder, which often coexists with a mental health problem.

Evidence for negative thermal expansion in the superconducting precursor phase SmFeAsO.

The fluorine-doped rare-earth iron oxypnictide series SmFeAsO1-x F x (0 [Formula: see text] 0.10) was investigated with high resolution powder x-ray scattering. In agreement with previous studies (Margadonna et al 2009 Phys. Rev. B. 79 014503), the parent compound SmFeAsO exhibits a tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural distortion at [Formula: see text] = 130 K which is rapidly suppressed by [Formula: see text] 0.10 deep within the superconducting dome. The change in unit cell symmetry is followed by a previously unreported magnetoelastic distortion at 120 K. The temperature dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient [Formula: see text] reveals a rich phase diagram for SmFeAsO: (i) a global minimum at 125 K corresponds to the opening of a spin-density wave instability as measured by pump-probe femtosecond spectroscopy (Mertelj et al 2010 Phys. Rev. B 81 224504) whilst (ii) a global maximum at 110 K corresponds to magnetic ordering of the Sm and Fe sublattices as measured by magnetic x-ray scattering (Nandi et al 2011 Phys. Rev. B 84 055419). At much lower temperatures than [Formula: see text], SmFeAsO exhibits a significant negative thermal expansion on the order of -40 ppm · K-1 in contrast to the behaviour of other rare-earth oxypnictides such as PrFeAsO (Kimber et al 2008 Phys. Rev. B 78 140503) and the actinide oxypnictide NpFeAsO (Klimczuk et al 2012 Phys. Rev. B 85 174506) where the onset of [Formula: see text] 0 only appears in the vicinity of magnetic ordering. Correlating this feature with the temperature and doping dependence of the resistivity and the unit cell parameters, we interpret the negative thermal expansion as being indicative of the possible condensation of itinerant electrons accompanying the opening of a SDW gap, consistent with transport measurements (Tropeano et al 2009 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 22 034004).

[A concentration-response observation of hydromorphone combined with ropivacaine in labor analgesia].

Objective: To investigate the median effective dose (ED(50)) of hydromorphone and the appropriate concentration of ropivacaine combined with hydromorphone in epidural labor analgesia. Methods: One hundred and forty nulliparous women undergoing labor selected for delivery with epidural analgesia were enrolled in our hospital from January to June 2016. The first of top 50 women received 0.12% ropivacaine plus 20 µg/ml hydromorphone complex solution, then sequential women were used the modified sequential method to determine the ED(50) and ED(95) of hydromorphone. The other 90 women were randomly divided and receieved 0.08% ropivacaine and 15 µg/ml hydromorphone(H1 group), 0.10% ropivacaine and 15 µg/ml hydromorphone (H2 group), 0.12% ropivacaine and 15 µg/ml hydromorphone (group H3) respectively for epidural labor analgesia. In the course of labor, block levels of epidural analgesia, the Bromage scores, analgesia scores and fetal heart rate-uterine concraction were monitored. In addition, onset time of anesthesia, labor time, mode of delivery, cases of increased oxytocin using, neonatal Apgar score, incidence of nausea and vomiting, itching and fetal heart reduction were recorded. Results: The ED(50) and ED(95) values of hydromorphone were 10.49 (95% CI: 8.89-11.79) and 15.15 (95% CI: 13.25-22.25) µg/ml respectively. The onset time in group H1 was significantly longer than those in group H2 and H3((14.23±3.82) , ( 11.32±2.16), (10.83±2.56)min, respectively), the difference was statistically significant (t=5.854, 6.212, all P<0.05). Analgesic VAS score at 30, 60 and 90 min time points in H1 group was significantly higher than that in H2 group and H3 group (all P<0.05). VAS score at withdrawal in H1 group was significantly higher than that in group H3 ( (3.25±0.75) vs (0.27±0.12) ), the difference was statistically significant ( t=9.314, P<0.05). VAS scores at the fourth, fifth, sixth contractions after analgesia in H1 group were significantly higher than those in H2 and H3 groups (all P<0.05). The incidence of motor nerve block in group H3 was higher than that in group H1 and group H2 (26.67%, 6.66%, 3.33%, respectively), the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=6.413, 4.320, all P<0.05). Conclusions: 0.10% ropivacaine combined with 15 µg/ml hydromorphone has a good analgesic effect, slight motor block, high safety and worthy clinical application for labor analgesia.

[HOOF genotyping characteristics of Brucella melitensis strains isolated in Ulanqab of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region].

Objective: To investigate the HOOF genotyping characteristics of 83 Brucella (B.) melitensis strains isolated in Ulanqab of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2012 to 2015. Methods: A total of 83 B. melitensis strains were detected by convention identification and AMOS-PCR, then HOOF protocol with eight VNTR locus were used for the genotyping of the strains, and the allelic diversity of each VNTR locus and the discriminatory power of VNTR typing of HOOF were assessed by Hunter-Gaston Discriminatory index. BioNumerics 5.0 was used for phylogenetic analysis and constructing dendrogram. Results: All of the isolates were identified as B. melitensis strains by two identification methods. The complete eight VNTR locus had higher polymophism and diversity index was 0.998; and diversity index of six locus (1, 2 and 4-7) were ≥0.678, discriminatory power of HOOF was mainly from this six higher diversity index locus. The 83 B. melitensis strains were classified into eight clusters and 76 genotypes, 6 shared genotypes included 13 isolates, indicating that these brucellosis cases had epidemiological link, the other 70 strains had distinct genotypes, indicating that these cases had no epidemiological link. Conclusions: The epidemic of human brucellosis in Ulanqab was characterized by local and sporadic outbreaks. Cross infection was related with the transfer of the sources of infection.

Chemical derivatization for forensic drug analysis by GC- and LC-MS.

Utilizing chemical derivatization (CD) to improve gas chromatographic (GC) and GC-mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of drugs has been abundantly studied and widely practiced, while in liquid chromatography (LC) and LC-MS, application of CD approaches is still at an early stage. Silylation, acylation, and alkylation are common CD reactions, long adopted by GC and GC-MS (including GC-MS/MS) methodologies, to improve analytes' stability and/or to optimize their extraction/separation and detection efficiencies. Highly polar and nonvolatile analytes are not amenable to GC-MS analysis without the CD step; however, CD can improve LC-MS analysis of highly polar analytes, especially those with low molecular weights. Many CD reagents developed for GC and GC-MS applications are also effective in LC-MS. Other CD reagents are developed for LC-MS to enhance analytes' performance under electrospray and atmospheric pressure ionization sources. Certain CD reagents are designed to facilitate analytes' fragmentation (upon collision-induced dissociation) in generating intense product ions for sensitive MS/MS detection. In this review, various CD reagents, reaction types, and application examples are presented and discussed, with emphases on GC-MS and LC-MS analysis of drugs of abuse.

Decrease of the insulin-like growth factor-1 bioavailability in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction.

We investigated the role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction. Firstly, we evaluated intracavernous pressure. The bioavailability of IGF-1 at both mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. Then, cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cavernosal pressure was significantly decreased in the hypertensive and the propranolol treatment groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). Cavernous IGF-1 bioavailability and the concentrations of cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were both significantly decreased in the hypertensive and the propranolol treatment groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). This study suggests that an obvious decrease in cavernous IGF-1 levels might play an important role in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction.

Short hairpin ribonucleic acid constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 rehabilitated dyslipidaemia in diabetic rats.

It was investigated whether short hairpin ribonucleic acid constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3 shRNA) can rehabilitate dyslipidaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. After 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA, intracavernous pressure responses to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves were evaluated. The concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were all detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The per cent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernous tissue was also evaluated. It was found that the cavernosal pressure was significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group after 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA (P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group, while no significant changes of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were found (P < 0.01). At the same time, cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations and the percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle were both significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.01). This study indicated that IGFBP-3 shRNA might rehabilitate erectile function via a decrease in concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride, an increase in the percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle and an improvement in the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signalling activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 and decorin expression in old fracture fragments and surrounding tissues.

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) can promote fracture healing. Although the complex role BMP-2 in bone formation is increasingly understood, the role of endogenous BMP-2 in nonunion remains unclear. Decorin (DCN) can promote the formation of bone matrix and calcium deposition to control bone morphogenesis. In this study, tissue composition and expression of BMP-2 and DCN were detected in different parts of old fracture zones to explore inherent anti-fibrotic ability and osteogenesis. Twenty-three patients were selected, including eight cases of delayed union and 15 cases of nonunion. Average duration of delayed union or nonunion was 15 months. Fracture fragments and surrounding tissues, including bone grafts, marrow cavity contents, and sticking scars, were categorically sampled during surgery. Through observation and histological testing, component comparisons were made between fracture fragments and surrounding tissue. The expression levels of DCN and BMP-2 in different tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of DCN and BMP- 2 in different parts of the nonunion area showed that, compared with bone graft and marrow cavity contents, sticking scars had the highest expression of BMP-2. Compared with the marrow cavity contents and sticking scars, bone grafts had the highest expression of DCN. The low antifibrotic and osteogenic activity of the nonunion area was associated with non-co-expression of BMP-2 and DCN. Therefore, the co-injection of osteogenic factor BMP and DCN into the nonunion area can improve the induction of bone formation and enhance the conversion of the old scar, thereby achieving better nonunion treatment.

Dynamical skyrmion state in a spin current nano-oscillator with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

We study the spectral characteristics of spin current nano-oscillators based on the Pt/[Co/Ni] magnetic multilayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. By varying the applied magnetic field and current, both localized and propagating spin wave modes of the oscillation are achieved. At small fields, we observe an abrupt onset of the modulation sidebands. We use micromagnetic simulations to identify this state as a dynamical magnetic skyrmion stabilized in the active device region by spin current injection, whose current-induced dynamics is accompanied by the gyrotropic motion of the core due to the skew deflection. Our results demonstrate a practical route for controllable skyrmion manipulation by spin current in magnetic thin films.

Supplementing mesenchymal stem cells improves the therapeutic effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of murine systemic lupus erythematosus.

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been demonstrated to be a promising strategy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) support hematopoiesis of HSCs and suppress immune response in a dose-dependent manner. Previous study showed that MSCs could alleviate the pathologic conditions of MRL/lpr mice (SLE animal model) when cotransplanted with bone marrow cells. Here, we investigated whether MSCs could improve the therapeutic effect of HSC transplantation in treating MRL/lpr mice in a dose-dependent manner. We found that lethally irradiated MRL/lpr mice were successfully reconstituted with HSCs alone or with various amounts of MSCs. Mice transplanted with HSCs and MSCs in the ratios of 5:1 (HSCs:MSCs) showed less transfusion-associated graft-versus-host reaction, steady body weight, and improved renal functions when compared with mice transplanted with HSCs only and those cotransplanted with MSCs in lower ratios. These results suggest that supplementing MSCs can improve the therapeutic effect of HSC transplantation in treatment of MRL/lpr mice in a dose-dependent manner.

Difference in weight loss based on ethnicity, age and comorbidity status in a publicly funded adult weight management centre: 1-year results.

Limited evidence is available on the effectiveness of publicly funded weight loss (WL) clinics. We examined the 1-year WL outcomes and investigated predictors of WL and discontinuation of 1566 overweight and obese adults, who attended the Wharton Medical Clinic (WMC) weight management centre for at least 6 months. Overall, 42.7% (n = 669) of the entire sample achieved a ≥5%WL over the entire follow-up period from July 2008 to February 2012. On average, patients lost 5.6 ± 7.2 kg (5.0 ± 6.3%) of initial body weight (BW), while a subsample of patients attending the clinic for at least 1 year had a mean weight reduction of 6.6 ± 7.9 kg (5.9 ± 7.2%) of BW. Older patients were more likely to achieve a greater WL in comparison with young patients while White patients and those without type 2 diabetes (T2D) lost almost twice as much weight and %BW in comparison with Asian patients and patients with T2D, respectively (P < 0.05). Discontinuing patients did not differ in terms of sex, body mass index, education and smoking status from those who continued treatment (P > 0.05). Results of this study demonstrate that the WMC provides a practical model for clinically effective lifestyle-based treatment, accessible to a wide range of demographically diverse adults.

Spectral characteristics of the microwave emission by the spin Hall nano-oscillator.

We utilized microwave spectroscopy to study the magnetization oscillations locally induced in a Permalloy film by a pure spin current, which is generated due to the spin Hall effect in an adjacent Pt layer. The oscillation frequency is lower than the ferromagnetic resonance of Permalloy, indicating that the oscillation forms a self-localized nonpropagating spin-wave soliton. At cryogenic temperatures, the spectral characteristics are remarkably similar to the traditional spin-torque nano-oscillators driven by spin-polarized currents. However, the linewidth of the oscillation increases exponentially with temperature and an additional peak appears in the spectrum below the ferromagnetic resonance, suggesting that the spectral characteristics are determined by interplay between two localized dynamical states.

Free ferulic acid uptake in lactating cows.

Ferulic acid (FRA), a phenolic compound with antioxidant and anticancer activities, naturally occurs in plants as a lignin precursor. Many veins of research have been devoted to releasing FRA from the lignin complex to improve digestibility of ruminant feeds. Thus, the objective of this research was to investigate the transfer of a given dosage of the free form of FRA into the milk of dairy cattle. Six mid- to late-lactation Holstein cows at the Cornell Research Farm (Harford, NY) were given 14-d adaptation to diet and stall position. Ad libitum access to a total mixed ration based on haylage and maize silage (31.1% neutral detergent fiber containing 5.52 mg of FRA/g) was provided during the study. A crossover design was implemented so that each cow alternated weekly between FRA-dosed and control. On d 1, jugular cannulas and urine catheters were placed in all cows. On d 2, FRA-dosed cows received a single dosage of 150 g of pure FRA powder at 0830 h via their fistula (n=4) or a balling gun for nonfistulated cows (n=2). Plasma, urine, feces, feed, orts, milk, and rumen fluid were sampled intensively for the next 36 h and analyzed for FRA concentration. On d 8, the cows crossed over and the experiment was repeated. When compared with the control, FRA administration did not have an effect on dry matter intake, milk yield, milk fat yield, milk protein yield, somatic cell count, or neutral detergent fiber content of orts and feces. The concentration of FRA in the feces did not change as a result of FRA dosage. As expected, FRA concentration increased dramatically upon FRA dosage and decreased over time until returning to basal levels in rumen fluid (4 h after dosage), plasma (5.5 h after dosage), urine (10 h after dosage), and milk (14 h after dosage). Baseline values for FRA in urine and rumen fluid were variable among cows and had an effect on FRA concentration in FRA-dosed cows. From this study, it is observed that orally ingested FRA can be transported into the milk and that the physiological transfer of FRA occurs from rumen to milk within 6.5 h or the first milking after dosage. Ferulic acid may affect the functionality of milk due to its antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. Future research will be required to elucidate whether FRA in milk is bioavailable and bioactive, and to evaluate the complete sensory and microbiological effects of increased FRA and FRA degradation products in milk.

Short communication: Antioxidant activity of calf milk replacers.

A calf milk replacer (CMR) is designed to replace whole, saleable milk as a lower cost nutrient source for calves while striving to nourish a newborn calf, reduce calf mortality, strengthen immunity, and increase animal life span and productivity. Antioxidants (AO) can enhance immune defense by reducing oxidative damage, but CMR are traditionally not formulated for AO activity. The objective of this study was to compare total AO activities of bovine milk and 6 CMR (A to F) that vary in the amount and source of fat and protein. Calf milk replacers were donated by Milk Products LLC (Chilton, WI). Milk was obtained from the Cornell Dairy Research Farm bulk tank, representing milk produced within 24h by 455 cows. Milk replacers were mixed to 150 g/L with 40°C purified water. All samples were extracted in triplicate. Following hexane lipid extraction, both milk and CMR samples were extracted 5 times with ethyl acetate and then evaporated and reconstituted with 70% methanol:water. Samples were assessed for total AO activity using the peroxyl radical scavenging capacity assay where each sample was diluted to 5 descending concentrations, plated in triplicate. Ascorbic and gallic acids were standards for each plate. Type of protein (soy) had a positive effect on AO activity for CMR A, which exhibited the highest total AO activity. Natural bovine milk had the second highest AO activity. Many factors may explain the difference in AO activity between natural milk and formulated CMR, including fat, vitamin, and mineral contents, enzymatic AO, phenolics, flavonoids, fatty acid profile, and AA composition. When comparing AO activity of CMR, it is important to consider the diversity in feeding recommendations, which will alter the vitamin and mineral content, thus influencing AO activity. The opportunity exists to enhance AO activity of CMR to more closely mimic that of bovine milk. Future research is warranted to compare a broader range of CMR using methods that account for total lipophilic and hydrophilic AO activities, as well as to investigate the effect of additional compounds in milk that may affect AO activity.

Superconductivity at 5 K in alkali-metal-doped phenanthrene.

Organic superconductors have π-molecular orbitals, from which electrons can become delocalized, giving rise to metallic conductivity due to orbital overlap between adjacent molecules. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity at a transition temperature (T(c)) of ~5 K in alkali-metal-doped phenanthrene. A 1-GPa pressure leads to a 20% increase of T(c), suggesting that alkali-metal-doped phenanthrene shows unconventional superconductivity. Raman spectra indicate that alkali-metal doping injects charge into the system to realize the superconductivity. The discovery of superconductivity in A(3)phenanthrene (where A can be either K or Rb) produces a novel broad class of superconductors consisting of fused hydrocarbon benzene rings with π-electron networks. An increase of T(c) with increasing number of benzene rings from three to five suggests that organic hydrocarbons with long chains of benzene rings are potential superconductors with high T(c).

Measurements of the anisotropic in-plane resistivity of underdoped FeAs-based pnictide superconductors.

We systematically investigated the in-plane resistivity anisotropy of electron-underdoped EuFe(2-x)Co(x)As(2) and BaFe(2-x)Co(x)As(2) and hole-underdoped Ba(1-x)K(x)Fe(2)As(2). Large in-plane resistivity anisotropy was found in the former samples, while tiny in-plane resistivity anisotropy was detected in the latter ones. When it is detected, the anisotropy starts above the structural transition temperature and increases smoothly through it. As the temperature is lowered further, the anisotropy takes a dramatic enhancement through the magnetic transition temperature. We found that the anisotropy is universally tied to the presence of T-linear behavior of resistivity. Our results demonstrate that the nematic state is caused by electronic degrees of freedom, and the microscopic orbital involvement in the magnetically ordered state must be fundamentally different between the hole- and electron-doped materials.

The pharmacokinetics of C-glycosyl flavones of Hawthorn leaf flavonoids in rat after single dose oral administration.

Hawthorn leaf flavonoids (HLF) are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Various potential pharmacodynamic effects have been observed for vitexin-4''-O-glucoside (VOG) and vitexin-2''-O-rhamnoside (VOR) which are the main constituents of HLF. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of VOG and VOR when a single dose of HLF was administrated orally. The levels of VOG and VOR in plasma, tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain), bile, urine and feces were measured by HPLC-UV. The results showed that VOG and VOR have the similar pharmacokinetics. Both of them were absorbed quickly into plasma with maximal plasma concentrations of VOG and VOR being reached within 0.75 h. The mean elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of VOG and VOR were 2.53 h and 2.32 h, respectively. High levels of tissue distribution of VOG and VOR were observed in liver and kidney. No VOG and VOR were detected in brain tissue. There was no long-term accumulation of VOG and VOR in rat tissues examined. The total recovery of the dose in 24 hours was 64.91% (0.70% in urine; 64.21% in feces) for VOG and 89.01% (0.72% in urine; 88.29% in feces) for VOR. The cumulative VOG and VOR excreted in bile represented 0.58% and 13.38% of the doses, respectively. VOG and VOR in HLF were not efficiently absorbed in the rodent gastrointestinal tract.