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Macroalgal forests provide productivity and biomass that underpins the function of many coastal ecosystems globally. The phenology of forests is seasonally driven by environmental conditions, with the environment-productivity relationship understood for most coastlines of the world. Climatic transition zones, however, have characteristics of temperate and tropical regions, creating large fluctuations in environmental conditions, and potentially limiting productivity and the persistence of macroalgal forests. The response of a forest-forming, dimorphic seaweed (Sargassum hemiphyllum) to seasonal temperature and light conditions in a rapidly warming tropical-temperate transitional zone (Hong Kong) was quantified by measuring in situ growth, net primary productivity (NPP), respiration, and photosynthetic potential. These physiological responses of S. hemiphyllum were then experimentally tested in response to changing temperatures (16.5-27 °C) and irradiances (20, 110, and 300 μmol m

Background: Various methodologies have been employed for the therapeutic interpolation of the progressive brain disorder Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, β-secretase inhibition is significant to prevent disease progression in the early stages. Objective: This study seeks to purify and characterize a novel β-secretase inhibitory peptide from Pacific hake enzymatic hydrolysate. Methods: A potent β-secretase inhibitory peptide was isolated by sequential purifications using Sephadex G-25 column chromatography and octadecylsilane (ODS) C18 reversed-phase HPLC. A total of seven peptides were synthesized using the isolated peptide sequences. SH-SY5Y cells stably transfected with the human ‘‘Swedish’’ amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutation APP695 (SH-SY5YAPP695swe) were used as an in-vitro model system to investigate the effect of Leu-Asn peptide on APP processing. Results: The β-secretase inhibitory activity (IC50) of the purified peptide (Ser-Leu-Ala-Phe-Val-Asp- Asp-Val-Leu-Asn) from fish protein hydrolysate was 18.65 μM and dipeptide Leu-Asn was the most potent β-secretase inhibitor (IC50 value = 8.82 µM). When comparing all the seven peptides, the inhibition pattern of Leu-Asn dipeptide was found to be competitive by Lineweaver-Burk plot and Dixon plot (Ki value = 4.24 µM). The 24 h treatment with Leu-Asn peptide in SH-SY5Y cells resulted in reducing the β-amyloid (Aβ) production in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study suggest that β-secretase inhibitory peptides derived from marine organisms could be potential candidates to develop nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals as antidementia agents.

The objective of this study was to generate protein hydrolysates with dual in vitro inhibitory activities against dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), by proteolytic enzymes acting either individually or sequentially on steelhead skin gelatin. The results showed strong dual bioactivity in the low molecular weight (

Inhibition of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) are useful strategies for managing, respectively, diabetes and hypertension, two conditions often occurring together. In this study, debittered and non-debittered whey protein hydrolysates (WPHs) were assessed for their in vitro inhibitory activity against ACE and DPP-IV and characterized for their constituent peptides. All WPHs and several fractions obtained from them had ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory activities, with ACE being generally more strongly inhibited than DPP-IV. Among the identified peptides tested, GYGGVSLPEW derived from α-lactalbumin and LKPTPEGDLE from β-lactoglobulin were, respectively, the most effective at inhibiting ACE (IC 50 = 2 µM) and DPP-IV (IC 50 = 42 µM). Although some identified peptides were able to inhibit both enzymes, the majority did not show a dual inhibitory effect. This research provides new insight on the active peptides responsible for the ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory activities of whey protein hydrolysates.

High intensity ultrasound (HIU) treated soy protein isolate (SPI) and non-HIU-treated SPI were cross-linked by transglutaminase to form hydrogels. SDS-PAGE showed that HIU increased the amount of high molecular weight aggregates, likely due to the formation of e-(γ-glutamyl) lysine bonds. Moreover, HIU pretreatment increased the hydrophobic nature of transglutaminase gels as demonstrated by FT-Raman. HIU changed the 3D-network structure of transglutaminase induced SPI gel with riboflavin (TSGR). Furthermore, 40 min HIU increased gel yield, riboflavin encapsulation efficiency and gel strength of TSGR. HIU decreased swelling and protein erosion of TSGR in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. It also resulted in reduced riboflavin release rate and altered the release mechanism in simulated gastrointestinal fluids both in the absence and presence of digestive enzymes. In conclusion, HIU may facilitate covalent cross-linking, increase hydrophobicity and change the 3D network of TSGR, leading to differences in hydrogel stability, as well as riboflavin encapsulation and release profiles.

The effects of high intensity ultrasound treatment (HUS; 20 kHz at 400 W for 5, 20 or 40 min) on aggregated soybean β-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S) fractions were investigated in this study. HUS decreased turbidity and particle size of 7S in 0.05 M Tris–HCl buffer at pH 7.0, while it increased surface hydrophobicity (H0), solubility, emulsifying activity (EAI) and emulsion stability (ESI). Similarly, HUS of soybean 11S decreased turbidity while increasing EAI but it had minimal effects on particle size and ESI. The SH groups of both 7S and 11S fractions decreased after HUS. HUS did not change 7S or 11S secondary structure, but it slightly increased the percentage of high molecular-weight aggregates under non-reducing SDS-PAGE, and changed the microenvironment of aromatic and aliphatic side chains as observed by Raman spectroscopy of freeze-dried samples. These findings on physicochemical changes of 11S and especially of 7S proteins induced by HUS treatment may contribute to improved applications of soy proteins in food products.

The objective of this work was to examine the texture, viscosity, rheological properties and meltability of processed cheese analogues prepared using only acid casein (AC) or rennet casein (RC) at 11, 12 or 13% concentration, or using 10% AC or RC plus 1, 2 or 3% whey protein concentrate 80 or isolate. Hardness, adhesiveness and viscosity generally increased while meltability decreased with protein concentration. RC samples were harder but less cohesive than AC samples, and adding whey proteins to RC samples caused greater adhesiveness compared with AC samples. The temperature of decreasing loss tangent and the transition temperature differed between AC and RC samples. All AC samples but only 11% RC samples exhibited good meltability. These distinct properties observed in the current study may provide an approach to control textural/rheological properties and meltability by using the appropriate casein and whey preparations at the proper concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if obesity and dietary quality in low-income children differed by participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program. METHODS: The study population included 5193 children aged 4 to 19 with household incomes ≤130% of the federal poverty level from the 1999–2008 NHANES. Diet was measured by using 24-hour recalls. RESULTS: Among low-income US children, 28% resided in households currently receiving SNAP benefits. After adjusting for sociodemographic differences, SNAP participation was not associated with a higher rate of childhood obesity (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–1.74). Both SNAP participants and low-income nonparticipants were below national recommendations for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, and potassium, while exceeding recommended limits for processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, saturated fat, and sodium. Zero percent of low-income children met at least 7 of 10 dietary recommendations. After multivariate adjustment, compared with nonparticipants, SNAP participants consumed 43% more sugar-sweetened beverages (95% CI: 8%–89%), 47% more high-fat dairy (95% CI: 7%, 101%), and 44% more processed meats (95% CI: 9%–91%), but 19% fewer nuts, seeds, and legumes (95% CI: –35% to 0%). In part due to these differences, intakes of calcium, iron, and folate were significantly higher among SNAP participants. Significant differences by SNAP participation were not evident in total energy, macronutrients, Healthy Eating Index 2005 scores, or Alternate Healthy Eating Index scores. CONCLUSIONS: The diets of low-income children are far from meeting national dietary recommendations. Policy changes should be considered to restructure SNAP to improve children’s health.

ObjectiveTo determine public attitudes towards federal spending on nutrition assistance programmes and support for policies to improve the nutritional impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).DesignParticipants answered survey questions by telephone assessing support for SNAP spending and proposed programme policy changes.SettingUSA.SubjectsSurvey of 3024 adults selected by random digit dialling conducted in April 2012, including 418 SNAP participants.ResultsA majority (77 %; 95 % CI 75, 79 %) of all respondents supported maintaining or increasing SNAP benefits, with higher support among Democrats (88 %; 95 % CI 86, 90 %) than Republicans (61 %; 95 % CI 58, 65 %). The public supported policies to improve the nutritional impact of SNAP. Eighty-two per cent (95 % CI 80, 84 %) of respondents supported providing additional benefits to programme participants that can only be used on healthful foods. Sixty-nine per cent (95 % CI 67, 71 %) of respondents supported removing SNAP benefits for sugary drinks. A majority of SNAP participants (54 %; 95 % CI 48, 60 %) supported removing SNAP benefits for sugary drinks. Of the 46 % (95 % CI 40, 52 %) of SNAP participants who initially opposed removing sugary drinks, 45 % (95 % CI 36, 54 %) supported removing SNAP benefits for sugary drinks if the policy also included additional benefits to purchase healthful foods.ConclusionsThe US public broadly supports increasing or maintaining spending on SNAP. The majority of respondents, including SNAP participants, supported policies to improve the nutritional impact of SNAP by restricting the purchase of sugary drinks and incentivizing purchase of healthful foods with SNAP benefits.

Lack of reliable methods to accurately measure hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) produced in vitro has impeded research on the physiology of this gaseous mediator. Current in vitro methods involve measurement of H(2)S in cell culture media following incubation with H(2)S-releasing compounds. However, this method is inaccurate because H(2)S gas has a short life and thus evades detection. To overcome this, we have adapted a method that employs a modified agar layer to instantly trap H(2)S, allowing measurement of H(2)S accumulated with time. The amount of H(2)S trapped in the agar is quantified using an in situ methylene blue assay. We were able to detect H(2)S produced from sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) added at concentrations as low as 10 μM. Following a 24-h incubation of endothelial-like or vascular smooth muscle cells with 50 μM NaHS, we were able to recover twice more H(2)S than conventional methods. When H(2)S-releasing compounds L-cysteine and N-acetylcysteine were added to the cell culture, the amount of H(2)S increased in a concentration-, time-, and cell line-dependent manner. In conclusion, we have developed an improved method to quantify H(2)S generated in vitro. This method could be used to screen compounds to identify potential H(2)S donors and inhibitors for therapeutic use.

Background: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that alteration of left ventricular (LV) torsional mechanics occurs in patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and is associated with right ventricular (RV) volume overload and changes in LV configuration. Methods and Results: Fifty-five TOF patients aged 19.0±8.1 years and 27 age-matched healthy controls were studied. The LV and RV volumes were measured using 3-dimensional echocardiography while LV geometry was quantified by the diastolic eccentricity index (EI). The LV peak systolic torsion and systolic twisting and diastolic untwisting velocities were determined by speckle tracking. Compared with controls, patients had significantly greater RV end-systolic (P

MgO thin films with high optical transmittances (more than 90%) were prepared by cathodic vacuum arc deposition technique. With the increase of arc current from 40 to 80 A, the deposition pressure decreases and the film thickness increases; the atomic ratio of Mg/O in MgO thin films (obtained by RBS) increases from 0.97 to 1.17, giving that deposited at 50 A most close to the stoichiometric composition of the bulk MgO; the grains of MgO thin films grow gradually as shown in SEM images. XRD patterns show that MgO (1 1 0) orientation is predominant for films prepared at the arc currents ranged from 50 to 70 A. The MgO (1 0 0) orientation is much enhanced and comparable to that of MgO (1 1 0) for films prepared at the arc current of 80 A. The secondary electron emission coefficient of MgO thin film increases with arc current ranged from 50 to 70 A.

The importance of water-to-substrate ratio, protease type, percent enzyme and incubation time on hydrolysates produced from shrimp processing byproducts was investigated using Taguchi’s L 16 (4 5 ) experimental design. Protease type significantly ( p IC 50 = 100–200 μg/ml and 70 μg/ml, respectively), accompanied by high yield, high DH and strong bitterness. Furthermore, ACE inhibition was positively correlated ( r 2 = 0.87) with bitterness of the hydrolysates. Fractionation by size-exclusion chromatography revealed that the bitter substances, which also showed strong ACE inhibition, were

The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the outcomes and effect on right ventricular (RV) function of surgical pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The reported outcomes of surgical PVR in children and adults after tetralogy of Fallot repair were from relatively small observational studies. The PubMed database was searched from its inception to April 2009. Observational studies reporting on the following outcomes measures after surgical PVR were reviewed: early and late all-cause mortalities, the redo-PVR rate, and changes in the indexed RV volumes, ejection fraction, and QRS duration after PVR. Of the 305 citations screened, 15 met the criteria and were analyzed. The pooled early mortality rate (n = 595) was 2.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1% to 4.0%). The late mortality rate was 0.5%/patient-year (95% CI 0.2% to 0.8%/patient-year), and the redo-PVR rate was 1.9%/patient-year (95% CI 1.3% to 2.5%/patient-year). Data on RV volumes and ejection fractions were available from 5 studies (n = 141). The pooled mean difference in the indexed RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume was -63 ml/m(2) (95% CI -55 to -72) and -37 ml/m(2) (95% CI -30 to -45), respectively. No significant changes in the pooled mean difference of the RV ejection fraction (95% CI -1% to 3%) or QRS duration (95% CI -10 to 1 ms) were observed. In conclusion, surgical PVR in patients after tetralogy of Fallot repair has been associated with low early and late mortality and significant decreases in RV volumes but no changes in the RV ejection fraction or QRS duration.

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is 1 of the major determinants of late adverse clinical outcomes in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that LV myocardial deformation is impaired in patients after TOF repair and related to right ventricular (RV) dilation and exercise capacity. Longitudinal, radial, and circumferential LV myocardial deformation was determined using speckle-tracking echocardiography in 23 postoperative patients with TOF and compared to that of 23 age-matched controls. Relations between LV strain and strain rate (SR) and RV volumes and exercise parameters were determined in patients. Compared to controls, patients had reduced global LV longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain (all p values0.05). Patients with significantly increased RV end-systolic volume (2 SDs higher than normal; n = 17) had reduced global LV circumferential strain (p = 0.048) and SR (p = 0.038), but similar longitudinal and radial speckle-tracking echocardiographic parameters, compared to those without (n = 6). RV end-systolic volume was correlated inversely with global LV circumferential strain and SR (r = -0.58, p = 0.004, and r = -0.58, p = 0.005, respectively), while RV end-diastolic volume was correlated only with global LV circumferential strain (r = -0.43, p = 0.047). In patients, the LV ejection fraction was correlated with global LV circumferential strain (r = 0.54, p = 0.01) and SR (r = 0.66, p = 0.001) but not with longitudinal or radial speckle-tracking echocardiographic parameters. Using multivariate analysis, global LV circumferential SR (beta = 0.66, p = 0.001) and male gender (beta = 0.46, p = 0.012) were identified as independent predictors of peak oxygen consumption. In conclusion, the negative impact of RV dilation on LV function relates to its influence on LV circumferential strain and SR in patients after TOF repair.

Fish protein hydrolysates produced by proteolysis of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) with Alcalase® (FPH-A) or Flavourzyme® (FPH-F) were investigated as a potential alternative to the 1 : 1 blend of sucrose–sorbitol (SuSo) commonly used for cryoprotection of frozen fish mince. The physicochemical properties of cod mince samples in the absence (control) or presence of 8% FPH-A, FPH-F, or SuSo were evaluated before and after 6 freeze–thaw cycles, with differences noted at the 5% significance level. Freeze–thawing of control sample increased expressible moisture (from 22% to 33%) and cook loss (from 3% to 16%). These poor water retention properties were improved in samples containing FPH or SuSo. Differential scanning calorimetry showed higher proportion of unfrozen water in freeze–thawed samples containing FPH-F or FPH-A (0.36 g/g) compared to SuSo (0.33 g/g) and control (0.24 g/g) samples. Textural analysis of cooked mince from unfrozen samples indicated greater hardness for FPH than SuSo and control samples, while freeze–thawing resulted in decreased hardness for FPH and SuSo samples. Content and surface hydrophobicity of extractable natural actomyosin (NAM) were maintained after freeze–thawing of samples containing FPH-F or SuSo, compared to 50% decrease in extractable NAM and a significant increase in surface hydrophobicity for the control. The presence of oligopeptides in both hydrolysates and the high levels of free amino acids including Asp, Glu, Arg, and Lys in FPH-F might be responsible for their cryoprotective action. This study provides strong evidence to support development of FPH as a new generation cryoprotectant to maintain quality of frozen fish.

Background. There are controversies on the benefits of elective neck dissection (END) for oral tongue carcinoma. Method. This is a prospective randomized study of elective selective I, II, III neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of stage I to II oral tongue carcinoma. There were 35 patients on the observation arm and 36 patients on the END arm. The main outcome assessment parameters are node-related mortality and disease-specific survival rate. Results. There were 11 patients in the observed arm and 2 patients in the END arm who developed nodal recurrence alone without associated local or distant recurrence. All 13 patients were salvaged, and no patient died of nodal recurrence. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 87% for the observation arm and was 89% for the END arm; the 2% difference was not significant. Conclusion. Observation may be an acceptable alternative to END if strict adherence to a cancer surveillance protocol is followed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009

A metal–oxide–silicon (MOS) tunneling light-emitting diode is fabricated with ion-beam-synthesized β-FeSi2 precipitates embedded in the active region. Fe ions were implanted into p−-100 silicon substrate at cryogenic temperature (∼−120 °C), followed by rapid thermal oxidation (RTO). Under constant voltage biased in accumulation and at temperatures down to 80 K, electroluminescence (EL) with wavelength peaking at ∼1.5 μm is observed at a current density of about 2.0 A/cm2. Light output increases linearly with current density. Temperature dependence of the EL shows that the luminescence is due to interband recombination in the crystalline precipitates. The strain in these isolated precipitates may contribute to the luminescence properties of β-FeSi2 in silicon.

Assessment of systemic right ventricular (RV) function is inherently difficult. In adults, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been shown to reflect systemic ventricular dysfunction. We sought to test the hypothesis that plasma BNP is a biomarker of systemic RV function in patients after atrial switch operation.We determined the RV function in 44 patients, 35 after Senning and 9 after Mustard operation, aged 19.7+/-4.0 years, by tissue Doppler echocardiography and determination of myocardial performance index (MPI). The results were compared to the left ventricular function of 14 age-matched controls. Their plasma BNP levels were correlated with indices of systemic ventricular function.Compared with controls, the patients had greater MPI (p0.001), lower systemic ventricular free wall-annular early diastolic (p0.001), late diastolic (p0.001), and systolic velocities (p=0.001), lower septal-annular early diastolic (p0.001), late diastolic (p0.001), and systolic velocities (p0.001), and higher BNP levels (p=0.03). Plasma BNP levels correlated positively with MPI (r=0.43, p=0.001) and negatively with the free wall- and septal-annular myocardial velocities (r=-0.32 to -0.47, p0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for BNP to detect ventricular dysfunction (MPI0.45) in patients was 0.67 (p=0.04). A BNP level of 36 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 55%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value 80%, negative predictive value of 64%, and an accuracy of 70% for detecting systemic ventricular dysfunction.Plasma BNP has modest accuracy in the detection of systemic RV dysfunction in patients after atrial switch operation.

The myocardial performance index (MPI) has been proposed to be a simple echocardiographic index of right ventricular (RV) function in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). However, its functional status remains to be clarified. The functional implications of RV MPI were determined by exploring its relationships with parameters of RV function as derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and exercise capacity of postoperative TOF patients Thirty patients (11 males), aged 15.6 +/- 3.1 years, who have undergone surgical repair of TOF at 4.0 +/- 1.8 years, were studied. The RV and left ventricular (LV) MPIs determined using pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography were related to CMR-derived RV and LV ejection fractions, and pulmonary regurgitant fraction and treadmill exercise testing parameters. Log RV MPI correlated positively with log LV MPI (r = 0.38, P = 0.037) and negatively with CMR-derived RV ejection fraction (r = -0.4, P = 0.028) and pulmonary regurgitant fraction (r = -0.4, P = 0.031). No significant correlations were found between LV MPI and any of the CMR parameters. Using receiver operated characteristics analysis, a cutoff value of 0.30 for RV MPI was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 74% in predicting a RV ejection fraction35%. Right ventricular, but not LV, MPI correlated inversely with exercise duration (r = -0.45, P = 0.013) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (r = -0.56, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified RV MPI (beta = -0.6, P0.001), male sex (beta = 0.44, P = 0.01), and duration from surgery (beta = -0.30, P = 0.019) as significant determinants of VO2 max. Increased MPI is a reflection of reduced RV ejection fraction and exercise capacity in patients after TOF repair.

Recent data suggest potential benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy in the management of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in congenital heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the nature, prevalence, and functional implications of mechanical RV dyssynchrony in patients after Senning or Mustard procedures for transposition of the great arteries. Twenty-eight patients (mean age 21.1 +/- 3.5 years) at 19.9 +/- 3.2 years after atrial switch operations and 29 healthy controls were studied. The times from the onset of QRS to peak systolic strain (T epsilon) at the base of and the mid RV free wall, the ventricular septum (VS), and the left ventricular (LV) free wall were determined using tissue Doppler echocardiography. Intraventricular mechanical delay was defined as Delta T epsilon(RV-VS) and interventricular mechanical delay as Delta T epsilon(RV-LV). In patients, the magnitude of RV intra- and interventricular mechanical delay was correlated with cardiac magnetic resonance-derived RV volumes and ejection fractions (n = 26) and treadmill exercise testing parameters (n = 20). Compared with controls, patients had significantly longer Delta T epsilon(RV-VS) (48.1 +/- 50.9 vs 17.0 +/- 16.1 ms, p0.001) and Delta T epsilon(RV-LV) (63.1 +/- 49.5 vs 19.0 +/- 12.9, p0.001). Nine patients (32%) exhibited RV dyssynchrony (Delta T epsilon(RV-VS)49 ms, control mean +/- 2SD), and 16 patients (57%) showed interventricular dyssynchrony (Delta T epsilon(RV-LV)45 ms). In patients, RV intra- and interventricular mechanical delay was correlated negatively with the RV ejection fraction (both r = -0.42, p = 0.03) and percentage predicted maximum oxygen consumption (r = -0.50, p = 0.03, and r = -0.52, p = 0.02, respectively) and positively with minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope (r = 0.49, p = 0.03, and r = 0.56, p = 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, RV dyssynchrony is common in young adults after atrial switch operations and is associated with RV systolic dysfunction and impaired exercise performance.

Right ventricular (RV) volume overload secondary to pulmonary regurgitation contributes to long-term morbidities in patients after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. We tested the hypothesis that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels relate to RV volume overload, pulmonary regurgitation, and exercise capacity in adolescents after TOF repair.We assessed the RV function echocardiographically and plasma BNP levels in 32 postoperative TOF patients aged 14.7+/-3.1 years and 20 age-matched controls. Eighteen patients further underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and 26 had exercise testing.Compared with controls, patients had significantly higher BNP levels (p=0.027), greater indexed RV end-diastolic dimension (p0.001), increased RV myocardial performance index (p=0.005), and reduced tricuspid annular systolic velocity (p=0.008). Multivariate analysis identified indexed RV end-diastolic dimension as the only significant determinant of plasma BNP levels (beta=0.69, p0.001). Plasma BNP levels correlated positively with indexed RV end-diastolic volume (r=0.6, p=0.009) and pulmonary regurgitant fraction (r=0.54, p=0.026), and negatively with exercise duration (r=-0.45, p=0.021), peak oxygen consumption (r=-0.43, p=0.03), and minute ventilation at maximal exercise (r=-0.52, p=0.006). Multivariate analysis demonstrated BNP levels (beta=-0.43, p=0.034) and body mass index (beta=-0.40, p=0.036) to be independent predictors of peak oxygen consumption. No relations were found between BNP levels and RV myocardial performance index, tricuspid annular velocities and RV ejection fraction.In adolescent patients after TOF repair, plasma BNP levels relate to RV volume overload, pulmonary regurgitation and exercise capacity.

Silicon–germanium films, doped with boron, were deposited on oxidised silicon substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The post-deposition dopant activation and film crystallisation was done by annealing in the temperature range from 580 to 900 °C. The structural changes in the silicon–germanium films caused by the presence of boron and annealing were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) was characterised in the temperature range from room temperature to 210 °C and correlated to the nano-structure of the films. The TCR values were explained by the contribution of different scattering mechanisms and confirmed by low-frequency noise measurement. Very low values of TCR can be obtained by selecting appropriate boron content and post-deposition annealing conditions.

Highly (1000) oriented ZnO films were successfully grown onto silicon substrates using a dual plasma deposition process incorporating a metal cathodic arc source and oxygen ambient. The optical properties of a series of ZnO films deposited on quartz using similar conditions were investigated using UV–visible spectrophotometry, and the effects on the band gap were investigated. The absorption of C-excitons resulting in a blue-shift of the band gap at room temperature is accentuated due to strong absorption at higher energy for light polarized ( E // c ) in the highly (1000) oriented ZnO film.

We report the design, construction, and characterisation of a five-component cellular fluorescence-based thermometer and its individual parts, built from the bottom up in Escherichia coli. The sensing mechanism is based on the temperature-sensitive regulatory activity of the mutated LacIts transcription factor. Such microscale temperature sensors have potential applications in the measurement of temperature gradients on 2D and 3D contours and in microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices.

Single crystals of MgO with (100), (110) and (111) orientations were implanted with 64 keV Fe ions at a dose of 1.9×1017 ions/cm2 by using metal-vapor vacuum arc ion source (MEVVA). The magnetic properties were investigated by a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) was used to analyze the Fe concentration and distribution. The presence of Fe nanoparticles in MgO matrix was verified by magnetization measurements. Results show that all the samples behave with ferromagnetism at 5 K and 300 K, and the coercive field, H C , follow well the relation: H C ( 110 ) H C ( 100 ) H C ( 111 ) at measured temperatures. The orientation dependence of the coercive field may result from the different distribution of Fe nanoparticle size.