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Objective(s): To examine the effect and potential mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment in spatial learning, memory, gut microbiota, and JNK signaling in D-galactose-induced AD-like rats. Materials and Methods: The AD-like rat model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose. Morris water maze was used to determine spatial learning and memory ability, Real-time PCR to determine intestinal flora levels, ELISA to determine tryptophan (Trp) and 5-HT levels in the colon and hippocampal tissues, immunofluorescence to determine 5-HT levels in enterochromaffin cells (ECs), and immunoblotting to determine JNK signaling protein levels in hippocampal tissues. Results: Electroacupuncture pretreatment significantly reduced escape latency and prolonged exploration time in the target quadrant, and significantly increased the relative DNA abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Meanwhile, electroacupuncture pretreatment also reduced colonic 5-HT levels and increased hippocampal 5-HT levels. Moreover, electroacupuncture pretreatment significantly inhibited hippocampal JNK pathway-related protein expression, including 5-HT6R, JNK, p-JUNK, c-JUN, and p-c-Jun. And the combination of GV20 and ST36 was more effective than single acupoints. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture pretreatment improved the learning and memory ability of D-galactose-induced AD-like model rats, changed the gut microbiota composition, and the mechanism may be related to the gut-brain axis and the JNK signaling pathway. In addition, the combination of GV20 and ST36 could further enhance the efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development of a uniform polarimetric matrix rotation theory in the rotation domain along the radar line of sight for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data interpretation. The uniform representation of each coherency matrix element is a sinusoidal function in the rotation domain. A set of oscillation parameters, including oscillation amplitude, oscillation center, angular frequency, and initial angle, is proposed to fully characterize the scattering behavior in the rotation domain. A set of rotation angle parameters, including stationary angle, null angle, and minimization/maximization angles, is derived to indicate specific states of the rotation property. The rotation relationships between the coherency and covariance matrices with linear and circular polarization bases are established. A look-up table for these parameters is provided, and their physical meanings are interpreted. These derived parameters directly link to the Huynen parameters. Therefore, the proposed theory has the ability to achieve a desired state of one Huynen parameter by rotating the polarimetric matrix at a designated rotation angle. This theory also generalizes both the classic polarization orientation angle originally derived from the covariance matrix in a circular polarization basis and the deorientation theory developed from the minimization of the cross-polarization term. The roll-invariant terms have also been summarized. Finally, multifrequency Pi-SAR and AIRSAR PolSAR data sets are used to demonstrate the derived parameters. One oscillation amplitude parameter has been verified to be especially suitable for characterization of oriented man-made targets. Two angle parameters are sensitive to the reflection symmetry condition and crop types. Therefore, a simple unsupervised classification scheme has been developed and demonstrated. Further utilization perspectives of the proposed theory have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Orientation angle compensation was incorporated into model-based decomposition to cure overestimation of the volume scattering contribution for interpretation of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data. The compensation is based on rotating the coherency matrix to minimize the cross-polarization term. However, this processing cannot always guarantee that the double- and odd-bounce scattering components will be rotated back to zero orientation angle and left with zero cross-polarization power. As a result, built-up patches with large orientation angles may still suffer from the scattering mechanism ambiguity. In this paper, double- and odd-bounce scattering models were generalized to fit the cross-polarization and off-diagonal terms, by separating their independent orientation angles. A general decomposition framework is proposed that utilizes all elements of a coherency matrix. The residual minimization criterion is used for model inversion. All the model parameters are simultaneously obtained using a nonlinear least squares optimization technique. The manual intervention, branch conditions, and negative power issues are avoided. The performance and advantages of this approach are demonstrated and evaluated with spaceborne L-band ALOS/PALSAR and airborne X-band Pi-SAR PolSAR data sets. Comparison studies are also carried out and demonstrate that further improved decomposition performance is achieved by the proposed method, especially in oriented built-up areas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The overestimation of volume scattering power and the scattering mechanism ambiguity are still present in model-based decompositions even with the implementation of the deorientation processing. These effects are demonstrated and investigated. One possible reason is because of the limited dynamic range of the models themselves that are not fully satisfied for the mixed scene cases. An empirical volume scattering model is proposed, using the repeat-pass polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) coherence, to extend the model dynamic range to be more adaptive. PolInSAR coherence is sensitive to different types of forests and terrains. The proposed model inherits these characteristics. In addition, it considers the cross-polarization power induced by oriented man-made structures. Thereby, a model-based polarimetric decomposition scheme is developed. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated using E-SAR airborne and ALOS/PALSAR spaceborne repeat-pass PolInSAR datasets. Comparative experiments are carried out and show that the proposed decomposition overcomes the scattering mechanism ambiguity between forests and oriented built-up areas, since it successfully identifies the oriented buildings as double- or odd-bounce man-made structures while keeping the volume scattering dominant for the forests. Besides, the stable decomposition performance over the oriented built-up patches with quite different orientation angles also validates the improvement of the proposed decomposition. In addition, the demonstrations with short and long temporal baselines validate the generality of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Most polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) data processing procedures and their applications are based on the polarimetric complex coherence descriptor. The reliable estimation of the complex coherence requires selecting sufficient homogeneous pixels for generating an unbiased estimator. In this paper, two indicators using only polarimetric and both polarimetric and interferometric information are derived as the similarity measures for complex Wishart distributed PolInSAR covariance matrix, respectively. Using these indicators, a double similarity test scheme, which shows high sensitivity to both polarimetric and interferometric properties, is proposed for similar pixel selection. The full information utilization could characterize the homogeneous pixels more accurately. Furthermore, since the similarity test has the potential to reject the pixels with different populations, it is suitable to be applied in a large searching area (e.g., 15 × 15 window) to accept sufficient homogeneous pixels. Thereby, combining with unbiased estimator, reliable estimation is achieved. The efficiency and advantage of the proposed estimation scheme are demonstrated with the aid of simulated and real PolInSAR data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competitive adsorption properties of the heavy metal ions Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) ions in binary and ternary systems on black carbon (BC) isolated from the burning residue of wheat straw were studied in batch systems. The BC samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Equilibrium and kinetic adsorption data showed that the selectivity of metal ions on BC followed the order of Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II). Kinetic studies were performed, and the rate kinetics was fitted well with the pseudosecond-order model. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm was applicable to the adsorption process, and its constants were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sphingomonas paucimobilis biomass has been successfully utilized to degrade several persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, few studies have been conducted to use it to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. In the present study, biosorption experiments for Cr (VI) were investigated using nonliving biomass of S. paucimobilis isolated from activated sludge, Lianyungang Dapu sewage treatment plant, China. The effects of several parameters including solution pH, contact time, and ionic strength, etc. on Cr (VI) uptake were studied. The biomass was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich models was tested. The correlation coefficients (R) of both models were greater than 0.95. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 28.5 mg/g for Cr (VI) at 20°C. The adsorption process was quick and found to follow the pseudo-second-order equation. The optimum adsorption was achieved at pH 2. The adsorption was also NaCl concentrations dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingomonas paucimobilis biomass has been successfully utilized to degrade several persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, few studies have been conducted using it to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. In the present study, the biosorption of copper(II) ions was investigated using non-living Sphingomonas paucimobilis biomass isolated from activated sludge, as obtained from the Lianyungang Dapu sewage treatment plant in China. The effects of several parameters including solution pH, contact time and ionic strength on the Cu(II) ion uptake were studied. The biomass was characterized by scanning electron microscopy/X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich models was tested. The correlation coefficients (R2) of both models were greater than 0.9. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 50.1 mg/g for Cu(II) ions at 20 ºC. The adsorption process was rapid and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Optimum adsorption was achieved at pH 5. The adsorption was also found to be dependent on the NaCl concentration employed. The Sphingomonas paucimobilis biomass could serve as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from industrial effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batch adsorption experiments were carried out using marine brown Laminaria japonica algae for the removal of the Basic dye Malachite Green from aqueous solution. The influence of process parameters such as the initial solution pH, the contact time, the adsorbent concentration, the particle size, the interaction temperature and the ionic strength were investigated. The adsorbent was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy. The adsorption of Malachite Green was pH-dependent and attained equilibrium within 60 min for two particle size fractions. The kinetic data were tested using the pseudo-first-order equation and the second-order Ritchie equation. The results showed that the adsorption of Malachite Green onto Laminaria japonica followed the second-order Ritchie equation very well. The Langmuir and Freundlich equations were applied to the data relating to the adsorption isotherms and the observed maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) for the particle size fraction < 150 μm was 89.44 mg/g at 20 °C. The effects of adsorbent concentration and ionic strength on the adsorption of Malachite Green were very marked. The Laminaria japonica algae could serve as low-cost adsorbents for removing Malachite Green dye from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of Methylene Blue, a Basic dye, onto the non-living biomass of marine algae and freshwater macrophyte was investigated by batch experiments. Such adsorption onto both adsorbents was pH-independent. The experimental data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations, the results suggesting that the data were described well by both models. Intraparticle diffusion played an important role in the mass-transfer process. Methylene Blue adsorption onto both adsorbents at 20°C was also evaluated by the Freundich and Langmuir isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacities were 155.31 mg/g for Laminaria japonica (LJ) biomass and 150.39 mg/g for alligator weed (AW) biomass, respectively. The effects of adsorbent concentration and ionic strength on Methylene Blue adsorption were also investigated. The adsorbents investigated could serve as low-cost adsorbents for removing Methylene Blue from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of basic dye crystal violet by low-cost biosorbents was investigated in this study using a batch experimental system. The adsorption of crystal violet onto various adsorbents was solution pH-dependent and the maximum removal occurred at basic pH 10.0. The kinetic experimental data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations to examine the adsorption mechanism and the intraparticle diffusion model to identify the potential rate controlling step. These results suggested that the adsorption of crystal violet onto various adsorbents was best represented by the pseudo-second-order equation. The suitability of the Langmuir and Freundich adsorption isotherms to the equilibrium data was also investigated at various temperatures for all four sorbents and the adsorption isotherms exhibited Freundlich behavior. The Freundlich constant Kf was 1.55 for alligator weed, 2.33 for Laminaria japonica, 9.59 for rice bran and 5.38 (mg/g)/(mg/L)1/n for wheat bran, respectively at adsorbent concentration 5 g/L, pH 10.0 and 20°C. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS) were calculated and the results showed that the adsorption process for various adsorbents was spontaneous, endothermic, with an increased randomness, respectively. The particle size and the reaction temperature exhibited an insignificant impact on the adsorption equilibrium of crystal violet. The adsorbents investigated could serve as low-cost adsorbents for removing the crystal violet from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolites have been shown to be effective adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. In this study, mordenite (a natural zeolite) has been used for the removal of lead ions to evaluate its potential use as a low-cost adsorbent. Batch experiments have been conducted to evaluate the equilibrium and process kinetics at different temperatures. The equilibrium experimental data for various temperatures studied conformed to the six adsorption isotherm equations: the Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Redlich-Peterson (RP), Dubinin-Radwhkevich (DR), and Flory-Huggins (FH). Constants were determined for each of the isotherms. The apparent thermodynamic parameters were calculated and the obtained values supported the conclusion that the lead ions adsorption onto mordenite was a spontaneous, exothermic process of physical nature. The kinetic experimental data fitted the pseudo-second-order, parabolic diffusion and Elovich equations successfully. The process of lead ions adsorption onto the Na-mordenite was diffusion-controlled. The value of apparent activation energy also confirmed a physical mechanism for the adsorption of lead ions onto Na-mordenite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice bran, an agricultural by-product, was used for the removal of zinc ions from aqueous solution. The work considered the determination of zinc-biomass equilibrium data in batch system. These studies were carried out in order to determine some operational parameters of zinc sorption such as the time required for the Zinc-biosorbent equilibrium, the effects of biomass particle size, pH, and temperature. The results showed that pH has an importance effect on zinc biosorption capacity. The biosorbent size also affects the zinc biosorption capacity. The sorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. The intraparticle diffusion may be the rate-controlling step involved in the adsorption zinc ions onto the rice bran up to 30 min. The equilibrium data could be best fitted by the Langmuir sorption isotherm equation over the entire concentration range (40–160 mg/dm 3 ). Thermodynamic parameters, such as ?G°, ?H°, ?S°, have been calculated. The thermodynamics of zinc ion/rice bran system indicate spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new multi-step predictive controller based on neural networks and researches the adaptability of the predictive controller for a pneumatic position servo system which has some typical characteristics of non-linearity and time-varying. A diagonal recurrent neural network (DRNN) is used to predict the system output of the multi-step ahead directly. According to the intrinsic defects of a back-propagation (BP) algorithm that cannot update network weights incrementally, a new hybrid learning algorithm combining the temporal differences (TD) method with the BP algorithm to train the DRNN is put forward. A three-layer feedforward BP neural network is used as a non-linear rolling optimal controller to realize the optimization of control input of the next step according to a single-value predictive control algorithm to simplify computation. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed predictive controller is suitable for real-time control of a pneumatic position servo system because of its characteristics of a simple algorithm, fast calculation of the control input and good tracking effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowering is a pivotal event in the life cycle of plants. miR172 has been widely confirmed to play critical roles in flowering time control by regulating its target gene expression in Arabidopsis. However, the role of its counterpart in soybean remains largely unclear. In the present study, we found that the gma-miR172a was regulated by a GIGANTEA ortholog, GmGIa, in soybean through miRNA metabolism. The expression analysis revealed that gma-miR172a has a pattern of diurnal rhythm expression and its abundance increased rapidly as plants grew until the initiation of flowering phase in soybean. One target gene of gma-miR172a, Glyma03g33470, was predicted and verified using a modified RLM 51-RACE (RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of 51 cDNA ends) assay. Overexpression of gma-miR172a exhibited an early flowering phenotype and the expression of FT, AP1 and LFY were simultaneously increased in gma-miR172a-transgenic Arabidopsis plants, suggesting that the early flowering phenotype was associated with up-regulation of these genes. The overexpression of the gma-miR172a-resistant version of Glyma03g33470 weakened early flowering phenotype in the toe1 mutant of Arabidopsis. Taken together, our results suggested that gma-miR172a played an important role in GmGIa-mediated flowering by repressing Glyma03g33470, which in turn increased the expression of FT, AP1 and LFY to promote flowering in soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea clutter and multipath scattering affect the detection performance of sea surveillance radar simultaneously when the radar detects low altitude target over the sea. In this study, the effects of K distributed sea clutter and multipath on radar detection performance for low altitude sea surface targets are analysed. First, the probability density function of the multipath power propagation factor is derived by taking specular and diffuse reflections into account. Based on this, mathematical expressions of radar detection and false alarm probabilities in K distributed sea clutter and multipath are further derived. The radar detection performances in various K distributed sea clutter and multipath circumstances by simulation are presented, and the impacts of K distributed clutter and multipath on radar detection performance are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic scoliosis is a common spinal deformity in teenagers, which is managed mainly by orthomorphia. However, due to great trauma, long operative duration and large blood loss, a great amount of blood transfusion is needed during the surgery. Allogeneic blood transfusion should be reduced in order to release blood insuficient, decline blood transfusion expense, as well as avoid transfusion diseases. Objective: The objective of the following study is to investigate the value of controlled hypotension combined with autotransfusion in idiopathic scoliosis orthomorphia and in order to reduce surgical bleeding and reduction in blood transfusion. Subjects and Methods: Intra-operative controlled hypotension was performed during posterior orthomorphia surgery on all the 46 cases of idiopathic scoliosis, 17 cases in which were served as the control group, who underwent allogeneic blood transfusion without autotransfusion, whereas the other 29 cases were served as the experimental group, who underwent autotransfusion that including reinfusion of pre-operative deposited autologous blood and intra-operative salvaged autologous blood. The blood loss volume and transfusion status in two groups were observed. Results and Conclusion: Blood loss volume in the control group was 400-1000 (835.3 ± 167.5) mL and that in the experimental group was 350-1400 (812.1 ± 152.7) mL, there was no marked difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The volume of allogeneic blood transfusion in the control group was 500-1800 (855.9 ± 321.1) mL, which was greater than that in the experimental group ((0-1300 (337.9 ± 258.3) mL) (P < 0.01). The results suggested that controlled hypotension reduces intraoperative bleeding and post-operative autotransfusion minimizes the need of allogeneic blood transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indeed, both the intestinal barrier and the BBB are weakened during aging, and the malfunction of these physiological barriers may lead to systemic inflammation and chronic neuro-inflammation, which is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of AD (56). Notably, TLR4/NF-kB signaling can be significantly inhibited by EA intervention in aging rats and a previous study also indicating that EA treatment at ST36 can inhibit TLR4/NF- B signaling thus alleviating LPS-induced inflammation in rats (62). Preventive electroacupuncture ameliorates D-galactose-induced Alzheimer's diseaselike inflammation and memory deficits, probably via modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis. [Extracted from the article]

The unique behavior of a new Ru(II) diimine complex, Ru(bpy)[sub 2](L)[sup 2+] (where L is 4-methyl-4'-[p-(dimethyl- amino)-α-styryl]-2,2'bipyridine, bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine), was studied in detail. Due to the strong electron donating property of the amino group, an ILCT (intraligand charge transfer) state is involved either in the absorption spectra or in the time-resolved emission spectra. Dual emission based on ³MLCT and ³ILCT states was observed at room temperature for the first time via a time-resolved technique in Ru(II) diimine complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the clinical significance of Oct-4 in the development and progression of gastric cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze Oct-4 expression in 412 gastric cancer cases. Oct-4 protein levels were upregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues. Results: Positive expression of Oct-4 correlated with age, depth of invasion, Lauren classification, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage. In stages I, II, and III, the 5-year survival rate of patients with high expression of Oct-4 was significantly lower than that in patients with low expression of Oct-4. In stage IV, Oct-4 expression did not correlate with the 5-year survival rate. Furthermore, multivariate analysis suggested that the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, TNM stage, and upregulation of Oct-4 were independent prognostic factors of gastric cancer. Conclusion: Oct-4 protein is a useful marker in predicting tumor progression and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed to observe the effect of tramadol on T-lymphocyte subsets, activated T cell and natural killer (NK) cells of patients undergoing gastric cancer surgeries. Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients undergoing elective gastric cancer surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. Before anesthesia induction, Group I did not receive any drugs and Group II received intramuscular tramadol 1 mg/kg. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken before anesthesia, 1 h after incision and postoperation. CD3+, CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD8+, CD3- CD16+ CD56+ (NK) cells and CD3+ human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+ (activated T cell) were measured by flow cytometer. Results: One hour after incision, CD3+, CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD4+/CD3+ CD8+, CD3- CD16+ CD56+, and CD3+ HLA-DR+ cells in the experimental and control group were significantly decreased compared with their baselines (P < 0.05), while the values of Group I were lower than those of Group II (P < 0.05). After surgery, the values of Group I were lower than their baselines (P < 0.05). But the values of Group II had no significant difference compared with their baselines. Conclusion: Tramadol can reduce the decrease of T-lymphocytes subsets and NK cells, thus improve the cellular immune function in the perioperation of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A special type of repairable meniscal lesion involving the peripheral attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus is commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and is termed a ‘‘ramp lesion.’’ However, there are no previously published articles reporting the epidemiologic characteristics of ramp lesions.Hypothesis: The ramp lesion is a special type of medial meniscal tear with high prevalence associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture; the prevalence increases with time from anterior cruciate ligament injury. Age and gender are risk factors affecting the prevalence of the ramp lesion.Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: From April 2002 to October 2007, 868 consecutive knees were diagnosed as having an anterior cruciate ligament injury and received arthroscopic surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. All the patients had verified tears of the ramp area under arthroscopy. The prevalence of the ramp lesion was evaluated retrospectively. Then, all cases were divided into different groups depending on the time interval from anterior cruciate ligament injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and other relevant risk factors such as age and gender. The effects of age, gender, and time from injury on the prevalence of ramp lesions were analyzed.Results: Among 868 knees that underwent surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, 144 knees were diagnosed as having a ramp lesion. The mean age was 24.7 years; there were 113 male and 31 female patients. The mean time from injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was 27.2 months. The prevalence of ramp lesions was 16.6%, which was analyzed as a logarithmic correlation with time from injury. Patients younger than 30 years of age and male patients had a significantly higher prevalence of ramp lesions.Conclusion: The ramp lesion is a common meniscal injury that can occur at the time of anterior cruciate ligament rupture or as a result of knee laxity associated with anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. The prevalence of ramp lesion in this patient group was 16.6%, which increased with time until 24 months after initial injury. Patients younger than 30 years of age and male patients had a higher prevalence of ramp lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of popliteofibular ligament (PFL) reconstruction for posterolateral external rotation instability of the knee. PFL reconstruction was performed consecutively in 22 patients with chronic external rotation instability of the knee. The inclusion criterion for surgery was tibial external rotation of 10° more than the contralateral uninjured knee without varus laxity. A double bone tunnel was created at the PFL insertion of the fibular head through the lateral incision of the knee joint and a single bone tunnel at the popliteus tendon insertion on the femoral side. A semitendinosus autograft tendon or tibialis anterior allograft tendon was introduced through the fibular tunnel as a loop, then both free ends of the graft were introduced through the femoral tunnel and a bioabsorbable interference screw was used to fix the graft. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Clinical review included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scale and tibial external rotation assessment. All patients’ preoperational tibial external rotation averaged 15° more than the contralateral uninjured knee. operatively the tibial external rotation was decreased, average −3° compared with the contralateral side. This difference was statistically significant. The final IKDC grades were: 22 cases with grade D preoperatively, and 6 were grade A, 8 were grade B, 7 were grade C and 1 was grade D postoperatively. In this small clinical series, PFL reconstruction technique was shown to correct pathological excessive tibial external rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(II)(tpy)(dppz)(py-R)]2+(tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine; py-R = 4-substituted pyridine; R = N(CH3)2, NH2, OCH3, H, NO2), were synthesized; and the substituent effects on the photophysical property, electrochemical property, DNA binding, and DNA photocleavage of the complexes were examined carefully. Increasing the electron-donating ability of the substituent R from NO2to N(CH3)2leads to a cathodic shift of Ru-based oxidation potential, a red shift of the 1MLCT absorption at room temperature and the 3MLCT emission at 77 K, and enhancement of the DNA photocleavage ability. DNA photocleavage control experiments and the EPR spin-trapping technique confirm that the photocleavage abilities of the complexes originate from 1O2production. Time-resolved absorption spectra suggest that the 3MLCT lifetime plays an important role in the photosensitized 1O2generation of these complexes, which in turn depends strongly on the electron-donating ability of the substituent R. By changing the substituent of pyridine from the electron-withdrawing to the electron-donating group, the photocleavage abilities of the complexes varied from inactive to active, providing a new strategy for the development of DNA photocleavers of tpy-based Ru(II) complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is comment on “Orientation Angle Preserving A Posteriori Polarimetric SAR Calibration”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequential replacement of a bpy ligand (bpy=2,2'-bipyiidine) by a dpb ligand (dpb=2,3-bis(2-pyndyl) benzoquinoxaline) in the seiles [Ru(bpy)3-n(dpb)n]2+ (n = 1-3) leads to a remarkable increase of the excited state lifetime, the ¹O2 quantum yield, and the binding affinity toward dsDNA, rendering both [Ru(bpy)(dpb)2]2+ and [Ru(dpb)3]2+ efficient DNA photodeavage activities upon red light irradiation (⩾600 nm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol-modified HB derivative was synthesized and enhanced photodamaging ability towards DNA was achieved by making use of the electrostatic attraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]