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The influence of the stoichiometry of amorphous zinc tin oxide (a-ZTO) thin films used as the semiconducting channel in thin film transistors (TFTs) is investigated. A-ZTO has been deposited using remote-plasma reactive sputtering from zinc:tin metal alloy targets with 10%, 33%, and 50% Sn at. %. Optimisations of thin films are performed by varying the oxygen flow, which is used as the reactive gas. The structural, optical, and electrical properties are investigated for the optimised films, which, after a post-deposition annealing at 500 °C in air, are also incorporated as the channel layer in TFTs. The optical band gap of a-ZTO films slightly increases from 3.5 to 3.8 eV with increasing tin content, with an average transmission ~90% in the visible range. The surface roughness and crystallographic properties of the films are very similar before and after annealing. An a-ZTO TFT produced from the 10% Sn target shows a threshold voltage of 8 V, a switching ratio of 108, a sub-threshold slope of 0.55 V dec-1, and a field effect mobility of 15 cm2 V-1 s-1, which is a sharp increase from 0.8 cm2 V-1 s-1 obtained in a reference ZnO TFT. For TFTs produced from the 33% Sn target, the mobility is further increased to 21 cm2 V-1 s-1, but the sub-threshold slope is slightly deteriorated to 0.65 V dec-1. For TFTs produced from the 50% Sn target, the devices can no longer be switched off (i.e., there is no channel depletion). The effect of tin content on the TFT electrical performance is explained in the light of preferential sputtering encountered in reactive sputtering, which resulted in films sputtered from 10% and 33% Sn to be stoichiometrically close to the common Zn2SnO4 and ZnSnO3 phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titin provides a molecular blueprint for muscle sarcomere assembly, and sarcomere length can vary according to titin isoform expression. If variations in sarcomere length influence muscle fascicle length, this may provide an advantage for running performance. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the titin (TTN) rs10497520 polymorphism was associated with muscle fascicle length in recreationally active men (RA; n=137) and marathon personal best time in male marathon runners (MR; n=141). Fascicle length of the vastus lateralis was assessed in vivo using B‐mode ultrasonography at 50% of muscle length in RA. All participants provided either a whole blood, saliva or buccal cell sample, from which DNA was isolated and genotyped using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Vastus lateralis fascicle length was 10.4% longer in CC homozygotes, those carrying two copies of the C‐allele, than CT heterozygotes (P=.003) in RA. In the absence of any TT homozygotes, reflective of the low T‐allele frequency within Caucasian populations, it is unclear whether fascicle length for this group would have been smaller still. No differences in genotype frequency between the RA and MR groups were observed (P=.500), although within the MR group, the T‐allele carriers demonstrated marathon personal best times 2 minutes 25 seconds faster than CC homozygotes (P=.020). These results suggest that the T‐allele at rs10497520 in the TTN gene is associated with shorter skeletal muscle fascicle length and conveys an advantage for marathon running performance in habitually trained men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: FTO gene variants have been associated with obesity phenotypes in sedentary and obese populations, but rarely with skeletal muscle and elite athlete phenotypes. Methods: In 1089 participants, comprising 530 elite rugby athletes and 559 non-athletes, DNA was collected and genotyped for the FTO rs9939609 variant using real-time PCR. In a subgroup of non-resistance trained individuals (NT; n = 120), we also assessed structural and functional skeletal muscle phenotypes using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound and isokinetic dynamometry. In a subgroup of rugby athletes (n=77), we assessed muscle power during a countermovement jump. Results: In NT, TT genotype and T allele carriers had greater total body (4.8% and 4.1%) and total appendicular lean mass (LM; 3.0% and 2.1%) compared to AA genotype, with greater arm LM (0.8%) in T allele carriers and leg LM (2.1%) for TT, compared to AA genotype. Furthermore, the T allele was more common (94%) in selected elite rugby union athletes (back three and centre players) who are most reliant on LM rather than total body mass for success, compared to other rugby athletes (82%; P = 0.01, OR = 3.34) and controls (84%; P = 0.03, OR = 2.88). Accordingly, these athletes had greater peak power relative to body mass than other rugby athletes (14%; P = 2 x 10-6). Conclusion: Collectively, these results suggest that the T allele is associated with increased LM and elite athletic success. This has implications for athletic populations, as well as conditions characterised by low LM such as sarcopenia and cachexia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to quantify the ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739) genetic variants in elite rugby athletes (rugby union and league) and compare genotype frequencies to controls and between playing positions. The rugby athlete cohort consisted of 507 Caucasian men, including 431 rugby union athletes that for some analyses were divided into backs and forwards and into specific positional groups: front five, back row, half backs, centers, and back three. Controls were 710 Caucasian men and women. Real-time PCR of genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes using TaqMan probes and groups were compared using χ² and odds ratio (OR) statistics. Correction of P values for multiple comparisons was according to Benjamini-Hochberg. There was no difference in ACE I/D genotype between groups. ACTN3 XX genotype tended to be underrepresented in rugby union backs (15.7%) compared with forwards (24.8%, P = 0.06). Interestingly, the 69 back three players (wings and full backs) in rugby union included only six XX genotype individuals (8.7%), with the R allele more common in the back three (68.8%) than controls (58.0%; χ² = 6.672, P = 0.04; OR = 1.60) and forwards (47.5%; χ² = 11.768, P = 0.01; OR = 2.00). Association of ACTN3 R577X with playing position in elite rugby union athletes suggests inherited fatigue resistance is more prevalent in forwards, while inherited sprint ability is more prevalent in backs, especially wings and full backs. These results also demonstrate the advantage of focusing genetic studies on a large cohort within a single sport, especially when intrasport positional differences exist, instead of combining several sports with varied demands and athlete characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lluded to the current collaboration of the environmental technology, this article focused on the ultrasonic efficiency for dyeing silk fabric with sticta coronata lichen in the presence of alum and catechu mild mordants. The spectrophotometer studies on the dye uptake and fixation have been demonstrated, as well as, the influence of mordants and their combination on the colorimetric properties and light fastness. The results indicated that sticta coronata dye had a good substantively to silk fabric with brilliant lilac color. The pre-mordanting process exhibited a significant effect on the color strength, hue, and light fastness depending on the mordant type and concentration. The use of ultrasonic energy is found to have a significant improvement in the dye uptake representing the sonication efficiency in textile dyeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the incidence of lymphoma and wasting-related deaths in the National Baboon Colony of Australia and relate it to the presence of simian T-cell lymphotrophic virus 1 (STLV-1) infection. Design and procedure The records of all animals that had died since establishment of the National Baboon Colony in Australia were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical signs and histopathological findings were recorded and assessed to determine the involvement of lymphoma in the deaths. The presence of STLV-1 was recorded if known and correlated with the STLV-1 status of the colony. Results Of the deaths from disease or illness, 53% were diagnosed as or suspected to be lymphoma, occurring in mature animals with no sex predisposition. The most common presentation was rapidly occurring generalised lymphadenomegaly. Conclusions This study has described a relatively high prevalence of lymphoma in a colony of captive-bred baboons, and it is evident that STLV-1 may play a role in the disease. Management practices in baboon colonies need to take into account the possible presence of STLV-1 and aim to reduce the transmission of the virus by preventing sexual contact between positive and negative animals. Lymphoma needs to be considered as one of the more common causes of wasting and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis. To improve understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy and to establish a primate model for experimental studies, we examined nerve changes in baboons with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. We also examined the effect of aminoguanidine (an inhibitor of the formation of advanced glycation end products) on nerve function.¶Methods. Male baboons (Papio hamadryas) were assigned to four groups; control, diabetic, control and diabetic treated with aminoguanidine. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, intravenous). Insulin and aminoguanidine (10 mg/kg) were injected subcutaneously daily. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity was measured using standard techniques. Autonomic function was examined by measuring heart rate response to positional change. Sural nerve morphometry was analysed in the diabetic group (mean duration 5.5 years) along with their age-matched controls.¶Results. The diabetic groups were smaller in size with a mean HbA1 c of 8.9 ± 1.2 %. The nerve conduction velocity and heart rate response was reduced in the diabetic groups. Morphometric analysis of the diabetic sural nerve showed smaller axon diameter (2.99 ± 0.06 μm vs 3.29 ± 0.06 μm; p < 0.01) accompanied by thinner myelin (1.02 ± 0.02 μm vs 1.15 ± 0.02 μm, p < 0.01) with no change in the axon density. Treatment with aminoguanidine for 3 years had no effect on glycaemic control and did not restore conduction velocity or autonomic dysfunction in the diabetic animals, contrary to the studies in rats.¶Conclusions/interpretation. These results show that the primate is a good model to study diabetic neuropathy and suggest that the accumulation of advanced glycation end products are not an early mechanism of nerve damage in this disorder. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 110–116] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver staining nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR's) were determined in archival histological specimens of breast carcinoma. Representative samples from forty-eight female patients were counted manually for AgNOR's - median 3.85 (range 1.1-10.2 AgNOR's per cell). Taking the median value of 3.85 as a cutoff, the patients were divided into two groups: A = Those with AgNOR counts > 3.85 B = Patients with AgNOR counts ≤ 3.85 The 5 year survival was 21% in group A and 85% in group B (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between AgNOR's and tumour size, lymph node status, tumour grade, menopausal status and oestrogen receptors. We conclude that nucleolar organiser regions may be useful as a prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma especially in patients in whom other prognostic information is unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A case of adreno-cortical insufficiency co-existing with congestive heart failure is described. The heart failure was unresponsive to therapy until cortisone was also given and maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of recurrent spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder is described. The incidence, aetiology, diagnosis and mortality are briefly discussed. I would like to thank Professor H. L. Barniville for permission to publish this case, and Dr. M. Hickey for the pathological reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies suggest that fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules is a sensitive and specific tool for the detection of thyroid cancers thus preventing unnecessary operations. This technique was introduced in our institution in 1987 and performed where indicated under strictly defined criteria. We reviewed the aspirates performed over a 36 month period to critically evaluate the role of this procedure. Review was limited to F.N.A.S of nodules considered to be potentially malignant by conventional criteria and hence all the following criteria needed to be fulfilled: (1) solitary or dominant nodules in a multinodular goitre, (2) cold on isotope scanning, (3) solid or complex cystic nodule on ultrasonography. During the period May 1987 to May 1990 88 aspiration procedures were performed on 77 patients. 93% of the 77 patients had adequate aspirates and of these approximately 30% were considered suspicious or malignant. The overall resection rate was 23.4% which is approximately one third of the rate expected should suspicion have been based solely on conventional imaging criteria. The yield of neoplasia (adenoma and carcinoma) at resection was 89%. We found FNA to be a very useful adjunct in the management of nodular thyroid disease when used in conjunction with clinical laboratory and radiological evaluation. It is safe, inexpensive and provides useful additional information towards making appropiate decisions in an area beset with uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fifty two year old female underwent attempted thyroidectomy for a progressively enlarging cervical swelling. At operation the thyroid gland was extensively fibrosed and not resectable, frozen section showed fibrous replacement. The patient was given a short course of postoperative corticosteroid therapy and was maintained on thyroid replacement therapy. Thirty months later the patient remains asymptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of retroperitoneal abscess secondary to a ruptured appendix in a woman aged 68 is described. The value of sonography and aspiration in this rare condition, notably difficult to diagnose, is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]