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Introduction: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an inflammatory skin disease affecting all ages. LS typically involves the anogenital site where it causes itching and soreness; it may lead to sexual and urinary dysfunction in females and males; however, it may be asymptomatic. First signs of LS are usually a whitening of the genital skin, sometimes preceded by redness and oedema; fissuring, scarring, shrinkage and fusion of structures may follow in its course. LS is associated with an increased risk of genital cancer. LS has a huge impact on the quality of life of affected patients, and it is important to raise more awareness of this not uncommon disease in order to diagnose and treat it early. Objectives: The guideline intends to provide guidance on the diagnostic of LS (part 1), highlight important aspects in the care of LS patients, generate recommendations and treatment algorithms (part 2) on topical, interventional and surgical therapy, based on the latest evidence, provide guidance in the management of LS patients during pregnancy, provide guidance for the follow‐up of patients with LS and inform about new developments and potential research aspects. Materials and Methods: The guideline was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Methods Manual v1.3https://www.edf.one/de/home/Guidelines/EDF‐EuroGuiDerm.html. The wording of the recommendations was standardized (as suggested by the GRADE Working Group). The guideline development group is comprised of 34 experts from 16 countries, including 5 patient representatives. Results: Ultrapotent or potent topical corticosteroids in females and males, adults and children remain gold standard of care for genital LS; co‐treatment with emollients is recommended. If standard treatment fails in males, a surgical intervention is recommended, complete circumcision may cure LS in males. UV light treatment is recommended for extragenital LS; however, there is limited scientific evidence. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are second line treatment. Laser treatment, using various wave lengths, is under investigation, and it can currently not be recommended for the treatment of LS. Treatment with biologics is only reported in single cases. Conclusions: LS has to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible in order to minimize sequelae like scarring and cancer development. Topical potent and ultrapotent corticosteroids are the gold standard of care; genital LS is often a lifelong disease and needs to be treated long‐term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an inflammatory skin disease affecting all ages. LS typically involves the anogenital site where it causes itching and soreness. It may lead to sexual and urinary dysfunction in females and males; however, it may be asymptomatic. First signs of LS are redness and oedema, typically followed by whitening of the genital skin; sometimes fissuring, scarring, shrinkage and fusion of structures may follow in its course. LS is associated with an increased risk of genital cancer. LS has a huge impact on the quality of life of affected patients, and it is important to raise more awareness of this not uncommon disease in order to diagnose and treat it early. Objectives: The guideline intends to provide guidance on the diagnostic of LS, highlight important aspects in the care of LS patients (part 1), generate recommendations and treatment algorithms (part 2) on topical, interventional and surgical therapy, based on the latest evidence, provide guidance in the management of LS patients during pregnancy, provide guidance for the follow‐up of patients with LS and inform about new developments and potential research aspects. Materials and Methods: The guideline was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Methods Manual v1.3https://www.edf.one/de/home/Guidelines/EDF‐EuroGuiDerm.html. The wording of the recommendations was standardized (as suggested by the GRADE Working Group). The guideline development group is comprised of 34 experts from 16 countries, including 5 patient representatives. Results: Ultrapotent or potent topical corticosteroids in females and males, adults and children remain gold standard of care for genital LS; co‐treatment with emollients is recommended. If standard treatment fails in males, a surgical intervention is recommended, complete circumcision may cure LS in males. UV light treatment is recommended for extragenital LS; however, there is limited scientific evidence. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are second line treatment. Laser treatment, using various wave lengths, is under investigation, and it can currently not be recommended for the treatment of LS. Treatment with biologics is only reported in single cases. Conclusions: LS has to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible in order to minimize sequelae like scarring and cancer development. Topical potent and ultrapotent corticosteroids are the gold standard of care; genital LS is often a lifelong disease and needs to be treated long‐term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between vitiligo and hearing loss has been noted but the specific frequencies and degrees of hearing impairment remain unclear. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the relationship between vitiligo and hearing thresholds at various specific frequencies. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase for relevant studies from inception to 10th April 2021. Case‐control studies, cross‐sectional, or cohort studies that compared the frequency‐specific hearing thresholds between vitiligo patients and age‐matched non‐vitiligo controls were included. There were neither language nor geographic limitations. We used the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale to assess the risk of bias of included studies. The DerSimonian and Laird random‐effects model was utilized in meta‐analyses due to expected clinical heterogeneity. We included 9 case‐control studies with 371 vitiligo patients and 349 controls, which were rated with low or unclear risk. We found neither relevant cross‐sectional nor cohort studies. The meta‐analysis showed that when compared with controls, vitiligo patients had significantly higher pure‐tone hearing thresholds at 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. In conclusions, vitiligo patients are prone to high‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant efforts towards understanding bi-magnetic core-shell nanoparticles are underway currently as they provide a pathway towards properties unavailable with single-phased systems. Recently, we have demonstrated that the magnetism of c-Fe2O3/CoO core-shell nanoparticles, in particular, at high temperatures, originates essentially from an interfacial doped iron-oxide layer that is formed by the migration of Co2+ from the CoO shell into the surface layers of the γ-Fe2O3 core [Skoropata et al., Phys. Rev. B 89, 024410 (2014)]. To examine directly the nature of the intermixed layer, we have used high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and first-principles calculations to examine the impact of the core-shell intermixing at the atomic level. By analyzing the HRTEM images and energy dispersive spectra, the level and nature of intermixing was confirmed, mainly as doping of Co into the octahedral site vacancies of γ-Fe2O3. The average Co doping depths for different processing temperatures (150 °C and 235 °C) were 0.56 nm and 0.78 nm (determined to within 5% through simulation), respectively, establishing that the amount of core-shell intermixing can be altered purposefully with an appropriate change in synthesis conditions. Through first-principles calculations, we find that the intermixing phase of γ-Fe2O3 with Co doping is ferromagnetic, with even higher magnetization as compared to that of pure γ-Fe2O3. In addition, we show that Co doping into different octahedral sites can cause different magnetizations. This was reflected in a change in overall nanoparticle magnetization, where we observed a 25% reduction in magnetization for the 235 °C versus the 150 °C sample, despite a thicker intermixed layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) play a critical role in standardizing and improving treatment outcomes based on the available evidence. It is unclear how many CPGs are available globally to assist clinicians in the management of patients with skin disease. Objectives: To search for and identify CPGs for dermatological conditions with the highest burden globally. Methods: We adapted a list of 12 dermatological conditions with the highest burden from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. A systematic literature search was done to identify CPGs published between October 2014 to October 2019. The scoping review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Results: A total of 226 CPGs were included. Melanoma had the greatest representation in the CPGs, followed by dermatitis and psoriasis. Skin cancers had a relatively high CPG representation but with lower GBD disease burden ranking. There was an uneven distribution by geographical region, with resource‐poor settings being under‐represented. The skin disease categories of the CPGs correlated weakly with the GBD disability‐adjusted life‐years metrics. Eighty‐nine CPGs did not have funding disclosures and 34 CPGs were behind a paywall. Conclusions: The global production of dermatology CPGs showed wide variation in geographical representation, article accessibility and reporting of funding. The number of skin disease CPGs were not commensurate with its disease burden. Future work will critically appraise the methodology and quality of dermatology CPGs and lead to the production of an accessible online resource summarizing these findings. What is already known about this topic? Skin‐related diseases are leading causes of disability and disease burden globally.Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are important to ensure appropriate standards of care for skin conditions.The number, distribution, accessibility and quality of dermatological CPGs available globally is unknown. What does this study add? This is the first scoping review to describe the distribution of CPGs for common dermatological conditions of highest burden available internationally.Inflammatory skin conditions and skin cancers represent a higher proportion of the number of CPGs produced, largely driven by high‐income countries.Further studies to evaluate the quality of CPGs in dermatology, and the development of CPGs in skin diseases predominantly affecting resource‐poor countries, are needed. Linked Comment: T.E. Sivesind and R.P. Dellavalle. Br J Dermatol 2021; 185:690–691. Plain language summary available online [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a highly tunable, narrow band far-infrared (FIR) photodetector which utilizes the characteristic merits of graphene and two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs heterostructure in the Quantum Hall states (QHS). The heterostructure surface is covered with chemi-cal vapor-deposited graphene, which functions as a transparent top-gate to vary the electron density of the 2DEG. FIR response observed in the vicinity of integer QH regime can be effectively tuned in a wide range of 27-102 cm_1 with a bias voltage less than _ 1 V. In addition, we have found that the presence of graphene can genuinely modulate the photoresponse. Our results demonstrate a promis-ing direction for realizing a tunable long-wavelength FIR detector using QHS in GaAs 2DEG/ graphene composite material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patient in this manuscript has given written informed consent to the publication of his case details. On the other hand, a previous meta-analysis has indicated a significant association between psoriasis and BP.8 Whether the new development of BP following the mRNA-1273 vaccine administration is a coincidence or is triggered by the vaccine-induced immune reaction is hard to elucidate. Incident bullous pemphigoid in a psoriatic patient following mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. [Extracted from the article]

We investigate the effects of defect scatterings on the electric transport properties of chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene by measuring the carrier density dependence of the magneto-conductivity. To clarify the dominant scattering mechanism, we perform extensive measurements on large-area samples with different mobility to exclude the edge effect. We analyze our data with the major scattering mechanisms such as short-range static scatters, short-range screened Coulomb disorders, and weak-localization (WL). We establish that the charged impurities are the predominant scatters because there is a strong correlation between the mobility and the charge impurity density. Near the charge neutral point (CNP), the electron-hole puddles that are induced by the charged impurities enhance the inter-valley scattering, which is favorable for WL observations. Away from the CNP, the charged-impurity-induced scattering is weak because of the effective screening by the charge carriers. As a result, the local static structural defects govern the charge transport. Our findings provide compelling evidence for understanding the scattering mechanisms in graphene and pave the way for the improvement of fabrication techniques to achieve high-quality CVD graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electric transport properties of superconducting c-axis FeSe0.46Te0.54/Au (S/N) junctions, fabricated using pulsed laser deposition, have been investigated in the temperature range of 2 K to the superconducting transition temperature Tc (∼ 13.5 K) and in the presence of applied magnetic fields from 0 to 9 T. A large zero bias conductance peak has always been observed in every conductance spectrum of several batches of junctions. In addition, we have found several gap-like features. Using the extended BTK theory with the currently favored nodeless S±-wave symmetry, our conductance spectrum can be reproduced quite well in the low bias range with Δ1 = 4 meV and Δ2 = 6 meV at 2 K. However, the experimental conductance spectrum is substantially below the one calculated in the high bias range. Furthermore, there is a conductance minimum at approximately 20 meV, which may be the reason for the discrepancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Clinical question: Is psoriasis associated with dementia or cognitive impairment? Background: Psoriasis is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder that has an unclear association with cognitive dysfunction. Objectives: To conduct a Critically Appraised Topic that synthesizes the results from relevant observational studies. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase was conducted on 12 July 2019 to identify case–control, cross‐sectional or cohort studies that investigated the association between psoriasis and cognitive impairment or dementia. Risk of bias was assessed for each study, and the results presented in a narrative synthesis. Results: Eleven studies were included for critical appraisal. Of the 11 studies, 10 compared a total of 16 574 psoriasis cases with over 45 078 controls for risk of dementia or cognitive impairment. One of the 11 studies evaluated 7118 patients with dementia for odds of psoriasis compared with 21 354 controls. Six studies were assessed to have higher risk of bias. Nine of the 11 included studies found a significant positive association between the two diseases, one study a null association, and one study an inverse association. Discussion and recommendation: Most of the 11 included studies found a positive association between psoriasis and either mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Brief cognitive assessments have been suggested to screen older patients with psoriasis who present with subjective cognitive complaints. What is already known about this topic? Psoriasis and dementia are complex diseases with multifactorial pathogenesis, but share common inflammatory characteristics.There is evidence for a shared genetic and inflammatory pathogenesis between the two entities. What does this study add? Most observational studies found a significant positive association between psoriasis and cognitive impairment or dementia, and cognitive screening can be considered for patients with psoriasis who present with cognitive complaints.There is currently not enough evidence to suggest one specific systemic antipsoriatic treatment over another for patients with psoriasis showing mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Plain language summary available online [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) technique was used to grow high TC superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) films on both virgin and ion-bombarded yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates. To pattern high TC films for device applications, the ion milling technique is often used to turn virgin YSZ substrates into ion-bombarded substrates. Multilayered processes require the growth of high TC films on these ion-bombarded substrates. The purpose of this work was to investigate the growing conditions for these two kinds of substrate surfaces. We found that high quality 0° in-plane orientation films can be grown on either substrate when the growth temperature is about 810 °C. The thin film grown at this temperature has TC of about 90.3 K and JC of about 4×106 A cm-2 at 77 K. On virgin substrates, the in-plane orientations of YBCO films grown within the temperature range of 790–730 °C exhibit a mixture of 0° and 45° domains. As the growth temperature decreases, the dominant orientation shifts gradually from 0° to 45°. On the other hand, on ion-bombarded YSZ substrates, the in-plane orientation of YBCO films grown within the same temperature range shows that the 45° domain is more prominent. Furthermore, 9° subpeaks appear around the 0° peak on ion-bombarded YSZ substrates. At a lower growth temperature of around 690 °C, only the 45° domain exists on the virgin substrate, while a small amount of 0° domain is present with the majority of 45° domain on the ion-bombarded substrate. The TC and JC of the films grown at around 690 °C on virgin substrates are as good as films grown at high temperatures, despite the difference in the in-plane orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses current-voltage curves of direct current superconducting quantum interference devices in the presence of radio frequency fields. Agreement among numerical simulations and experimental I-V curves; Experimental results; Physical interpretation and conclusion.

Discusses a study on the control of the in-plane epitaxy for bi-epitaxial grain boundary junctions using a new multilayer structure. Details of the experimental procedures; Density of the junctions made on the boundary; Current-voltage characteristics of the junctions.

Ni3Fe/(Ni,Fe)O thin films having a nanocrystallite dispersion morphology were prepared by a reactive ion beam-assisted deposition technique. The crystallite sizes of these dispersion-based films were observed to decrease from 8.4±0.3 nm to 3.4±0.3 nm as the deposition flow-rate increased from 2.78% to 7.89% O2/Ar. Thin film composition was determined using selective area electron diffraction images and Multislice simulations. Through a detailed analysis of high resolution transmission electron microscopy images, the nanocrystallites were determined to be Ni3Fe (a ferromagnet), NiO, and FeO (both antiferromagnets). It was determined that the interfacial molar Ni3Fe ratio in the nanocrystallite dispersions increased slightly at first, then decreased as the oxygen content was increased; at 7.89% O2/Ar, the interfacial molar ratio was essentially zero (only NiO and FeO remained). For nanocrystallite dispersion films grown with O2/Ar flow-rate greater than 7.89%, no interfacial (intermixed) Ni3Fe phase was detected, which resulted in no measurable exchange bias. Comparing the exchange bias field between the nanocrystallite dispersion films at 5 K, we observed a decrease in the magnitude of the exchange bias field as the nanocrystallite size decreased. The exchange bias coupling for all samples measured set in at essentially the same temperature (i.e., the exchange bias blocking temperature). Since the ferromagnetic/anti-ferromagnetic (FM/AFM) contact area in the nanocrystallite dispersion films increased as the nanocrystallite size decreased, the increase in the magnitude of the exchange bias could be attributed to larger regions of defects (vacancies and bond distortions) which occupied a significant portion of the FM/AFM interfaces in the nanocrystallite dispersion films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Topical corticosteroids may be needed for treating skin conditions in pregnancy. Nevertheless, only limited data on the fetal effects of topical corticosteroids are available. Objective To update an evidence-based guideline on the safe use of topical corticosteroids in pregnancy. Methods A guideline subcommittee of the European Dermatology Forum updated the guideline by adding and appraising new evidence. Results The current best evidence from 14 observational studies with 1 601 515 study subjects found no significant associations between maternal use of topical corticosteroids of any potency and some adverse pregnancy outcomes including mode of delivery, birth defect, preterm delivery and fetal death. However, maternal use of potent/very potent topical corticosteroids, especially in large amounts, is associated with an increase in the risk of low birthweight. Conclusion Mild/moderate topical corticosteroids should be preferred to potent/very potent ones in pregnancy. The well-known topical side-effects of corticosteroids on the mother's side need to be considered as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the prognostic performance of a new N classification that incorporates the log odds of positive lymph nodes ( LODDS) into the routinely used pathological N classification for oral squamous cell carcinoma ( OSCC) patients. Design Retrospective cohort study utilising LODDS into pN category was performed, and the AJCC TNM stage and T-New N-M stage were compared with respect to 5-year disease-specific survival ( DSS) rates. The discriminability was evaluated from the linear trend chi-square test, Akaike information criterion ( AIC) and Harrell's c-statistic. Setting Medical centrer in Taiwan. Participants A total of 463 patients received primary surgery and neck dissection between 2004 and 2013 for OSCC. Main outcome measures The discriminability for 5-year DSS rates. Results The median follow-up period was 54 months, the mean patient age was 54 ± 11 years and 428 patients (92.4%) were male. The patients with higher LODDS had worse 5-year DSS rates. Incorporation of LODDS into the prognostic model based on the seventh edition of the TNM classification significantly improved discriminative performance for 5-year DSS with a lower AIC (1883 versus 1897), and higher prediction accuracy (Harrell's c-statistic: 0.768 versus 0.764). Conclusions By utilising a merger of the LODDS and pN classifications to create a new N classification has better discriminatory and predictive ability than pathological TNM staging and could help identify high-risk patients for intense adjuvant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the widespread adoption of mobile computing devices and smartphones, most of us are familiar with and expect software updates in technology every few months. The method of updating LSR and living guideline publication will depend on whether new evidence changes the certainty of recommendations. [Extracted from the article]

We present a study of electric instability in a two-dimensional electron gas system under high magnetic fields. As the applied dc electric current exceeds a threshold value Ith, we find that the longitudinal magnetoresistance Rxx fluctuates and exhibits negative differential resistivity (NDR). The observed instability occurs only in well-separated low-lying Landau levels (LLs) with a filling factor =2, and the onset of NDR can be described by the theory of Andreev et al. We find that Ith increases with increasing magnetic field B and the lattice temperature TL. In contrast, NDR becomes more pronounced at higher B, but gradually diminishes with increasing TL. Data analysis suggests that NDR is actuated by the suppression of Rxx with increasing electric field, which can be understood in terms of the capability of the spectral diffusion of electrons and of electron transfer to higher levels via inelastic inter-LLs scattering in the limit of one-occupied LL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celecoxib has been shown to have antitumor effect in previous studies but the mechanisms are unclear. The effect of celecoxib on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and viability in HA59T human hepatoma cells was explored. The Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca2+]i. Celecoxib at concentrations of 10–50 μM induced a [Ca2+]i rise in a concentration-dependent manner. The response was reduced by 80% by removing Ca2+. Celecoxib induced Mn2+ influx, leading to quenching of fura-2 fluorescence. Celecoxib-evoked Ca2+ entry was suppressed by nifedipine, econazole, SK&F96365, and protein kinase C modulators. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, incubation with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin nearly abolished celecoxib-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Incubation with celecoxib abolished thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 abolished celecoxib-induced [Ca2+]i rise. At 1–50 μM, celecoxib inhibited cell viability by less than 20%, which was not reversed by chelating cytosolic Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N′, N′-tetraacetic acid/acetoxy methyl (BAPTA/AM). Celecoxib (10–50 μM) also induced apoptosis. In sum, in HA59T hepatoma cells, celecoxib induced a [Ca2+]i rise by evoking phospholipase C-dependent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ entry via protein kinase C-sensitive store-operated Ca2+ channels. Celecoxib also caused cell death via apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We have constructed a scanning probe microscope for magnetic imaging, which can function as a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) and as a scanning SQUID microscope (SSM). The scanning scheme, applicable to SHPM and SSM, consists of a mechanical positioning (sub) micron-XY stage and a flexible direct contact to the sample without a feedback control system for the Z-axis. With the interchangeable capability of operating two distinct scanning modes, our microscope can incorporate the advantageous functionalities of the SHPM and SSM with large scan range up to millimeter, high spatial resolution (≤4 µm), and high field sensitivity in a wide range of temperature (4.2 K-300 K) and magnetic field (10-7 T-1 T). To demonstrate the capabilities of the system, we present magnetic images scanned with SHPM and SSM, including a RbFeB magnet and a nickel grid pattern at room temperature, surface magnetic domain structures of a La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 thin film at 77 K, and superconducting vortices in a striped niobium film at 4.2 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number needed to treat to harm (NNTH) provides an estimate of the number of patients who would need to receive the intervention for one additional adverse event to occur and can be used to quantify the effect size of clinically important harm.7 Based on the data reported by Yao I et al i .,2 our calculations found the NNTH for GI bleeding, sepsis and heart failure were 1000, 16 081 and 15 969, respectively. When interpreting the risk of adverse events in patients with an intervention, it is always important to consider both relative risk and absolute risk simultaneously, which helps clinicians in interpreting data and making evidence-based treatment decisions. This large-scale SCCS study raises concerns over the association between steroid bursts and the risks of GI bleeding, sepsis and heart failure. [Extracted from the article]

The effect of the natural product diindolylmethane (DIM) on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and viability in MDCK renal tubular cells was explored. The Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca2+]i. DIM at concentrations 1–50 μM induced a [Ca2+]i rise in a concentration-dependent manner. The response was reduced partly by removing Ca2+. DIM induced Mn2+ influx leading to quenching of fura-2 fluorescence. DIM-evoked Ca2+ entry was suppressed by nifedipine, econazole, SK&F96365 and protein kinase C modulators. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, incubation with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin (TG) or 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) greatly inhibited DIM-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Incubation with DIM abolished TG or BHQ-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 reduced DIM-induced [Ca2+]i rise by 50%. At 1, 10, 40 and 50 μM, DIM slightly enhanced cell proliferation. The effect of 50 μM DIM was reversed by chelating cytosolic Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. In sum, in MDCK cells, DIM induced a [Ca2+]i rise by evoking phospholipase C-dependent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ entry via protein kinase C-sensitive store-operated Ca2+ channels. DIM did not induce cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ferromagnetic GeMn was prepared by Mn implantation followed by ion beam-induced epitaxial crystallization annealing. The damage caused by Mn implantation was repaired by subsequent helium ion irradiation. Various structural analyses were performed and Mn ions were found to incorporate uniformly into the Ge lattice without the formation of any secondary phases. The remnant magnetic moment exhibited room temperature ferromagnetism. Anomalous Hall effect and field dependent magnetization were measured at the same time at room temperature indicating spin polarized free carrier transport. Additional measurement using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism also revealed that the carriers were spin-polarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of thimerosal on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in human oral cancer cells (OC2) is unclear. This study explored whether thimerosal changed basal [Ca2+]i levels in suspended OC2 cells using fura-2. Thimerosal at concentrations between 1and 50 μM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca2+ signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca2+. Thimerosal-induced Ca2+ influx was not blocked by L-type Ca2+ entry inhibitors and protein kinase C modulators (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA] and GF109203X). In Ca2+-free medium, 50 μM thimerosal failed to induce a [Ca2+]i rise after pretreatment with thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor). Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not change thimerosal-induced [Ca2+]i rises. At concentrations between 5 and 10 μM, thimerosal killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of 8 μM thimerosal was potentiated by prechelating cytosolic Ca2+ with the Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate/acetomethyl (BAPTA/ AM). Flow cytometry data suggested that 1-7 μM thimerosal-induced apoptosis in a concentrationdependent manner. Collectively, in OC2 cells, thimerosal-induced [Ca2+]i rises by causing phospholipase C-independent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ influx through non-L-type Ca2+ channels. Thimerosal killed cells in a concentrationdependent manner through apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reflow of Sn-58Bi solder joints in a BGA package with Au/Ni/Cu pads has been performed by employing various temperature profiles, which results in the formation of (Au0.66Ni0.34)(Sn0.82Bi0.18)4 intermetallic flakes in the solder matrix. The reflow operation performed at a peak temperature of 180 °C for a melting time of 80 s gives a ball shear strength of 9.1 N, which decreases drastically to lower values between 6.4 and 4.6 N after further aging at temperatures from 75 to 125 °C. Double layers of intermetallic compounds with the compositions of (Au0.30Ni0.70)(Sn0.90Bi0.10)4/Ni3Sn4 can be found at the solder/pad interfaces of the aged Sn-58Bi solder joints. Ball shear testing of the reflowed specimens shows ductile fracture through the solder matrix, which changes to brittle cleavage fracture mainly along the (Au0.30- Ni0.70)(Sn0.90Bi0.10)4 intermetallic layer after aging at various temperatures. The measurement of ball shear strengths (S) reveals a linear relation with the thicknesses (X) of (Au0.30Ni0.70)(Sn0.90Bi0.10)4 intermetallic layers: S = 7.13 - 0.33X. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]