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Background: Diagnosing knee osteoarthritis (KOA) often relies on limited routine methods. This study investigates the efficacy of T2 mapping and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values in MRI for enhanced assessment of cartilage damage in KOA, focusing on their correlation with pain severity. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 KOA patients (74 knee joints) and 50 healthy individuals (100 knee joints) were assessed from May 2022 to June 2023. Both groups underwent MRI with Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) sequence and T2 mapping to analyze ADC and T2 mapping values across femoral condyle, tibial plateau, and patellar joint surfaces, and their correlation with pain levels. Results: The KOA group showed significantly higher ADC and T2 mapping values in all examined areas compared to the control group (P<0.05). These values were also higher in advanced stages of cartilage degeneration and correlated positively with increased pain scores (P<0.05). Conclusion: MRI utilizing DWI and T2 mapping provides a quantitative reflection of knee joint cartilage degeneration in KOA. These methods show a positive correlation with pain severity, suggesting their potential for more accurate KOA diagnostics and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al0.30Ga0.70N/GaN heterostructures grown on sapphire substrates by rf-plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy are investigated. The heterostructures consist of a 20 nm Al0.30Ga0.70N barrier layer deposited on a 2 μm semi-insulating GaN epilayer. Room-temperature mobilities averaging 1350 cm2/V s and a sheet charge density of 1.1×1013 cm-2 are consistently achieved. Central to our approach is the iron-doped semi-insulating GaN epilayer and a pulsed N/Ga atomic deposition technique which makes it possible to simultaneously reduce threading dislocations and achieve a smooth surface. The heterostructures were examined by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Structural characterizations reveal a smooth surface morphology, coherent and sharp interfaces, and a low density of the threading dislocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO/SrTiO3 core/shell nanorod arrays were fabricated by a facile two-step method. ZnO nanorod arrays were first hydrothermally grown on Si substrate. Then, using liquid phase deposition method, SrTiO3 were deposited onto the ZnO nanorods to form core/shell nanorod structures. The morphologies and structures of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The photocatalytic behavior of the nanorod arrays was also examined through the photodegradation of methylene blue solution under UV irradiation. It was found that the core/shell nanorod arrays with deposition time of 10 min showed higher photocatalytic activity than bare ZnO nanorod arrays. This enhancement was attributed to the efficient charge separation at the ZnO/SrTiO3 interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various education interventions were developed for preventing or managing OP, but the effects of those interventions on older adults were inconclusive. Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of educational interventions in preventing osteoporosis in older adults. A literature search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and CBM (China BioMed Database) from the initial date of each database to Oct 2016. Data Extraction: Two investigators independently extracted essential data from qualified studies concerning the settings, population, interventions, follow-ups, and outcomes of interest, namely effects of bone mineral density tests, changes in behavior, knowledge increase, self-efficacy, medication adherence (calcium and vitamin D), and quality of life, respectively. Data Synthesis: A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria and therefore were included in the current study. The overall quality of the included studies was moderate. We were unable to carry out a meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity of these studies. We fond that compared with control groups, patients' knowledge of osteoporosis increased significantly (p <.05) through all five interventions, which included PowerPoint presentations and discussion, class-based educational programs, osteoporosis self-management courses, revised health belief model and classes, computerized support programs and brush-up courses. Limitation: Studies included in the present study were all conducted in Western countries and only descriptive methods were applied in synthesis due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes. Conclusion: Education interventions were effective in preventing osteoporosis in older adults. Future research should focus on approaching this issue quantitatively (i.e., through meta-analysis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]