A Gd-doped HfO2 single film for a charge trapping memory device with a large memory window under a low voltage

In this study, a performance-enhanced charge trapping memory device with a Pt/Gd-doped HfO₂/SiO₂/Si structure has been investigated, where Gd-doped HfO₂ acts as a charge trapping and blocking layer. The device demonstrates a large memory window of 5.4 V under a ±5 V sweeping voltage (360% of the device with pure HfO₂), which is extremely attractive in low-power applications. In addition, the device also exhibits good retention characteristics with a 24.5% charge loss after the retention time of 1 × 10⁵ seconds and robust endurance performance with a 1% degradation after 1 × 10⁴ program/erase cycles. It is considered that the high density of defect states and the reduction in the defect energy levels induced by Gd-doping contribute to the performance improvement.

In this study, a performance-enhanced charge trapping memory device with a Pt/Gd-doped HfO₂/SiO₂/Si structure has been investigated, where Gd-doped HfO₂ acts as a charge trapping and blocking layer.     

Aza-CGP37157-lipoic hybrids designed as novel Nrf2-inducers and antioxidants exert neuroprotection against oxidative stress and show neuroinflammation inhibitory properties

Two multitarget hybrids, derived from an aza-analogue of CGP37157, a mitochondrial Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger antagonist, and lipoic acid were designed in order to combine in a single molecule the antioxidant and Nrf2 induction properties of lipoic acid and the neuroprotective activity of CGP37157. The hybrid derivatives showed Nrf2 induction and radical scavenging properties, leading to a good neuroprotective profile against oxidative stress, together with an interesting antineuroinflammatory activity. The results obtained show differences in activity depending on the configuration of the chiral center of LA.     

Associations of total and free 25OHD and 1,25(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>D with serum markers of inflammation in older men

Summary

Vitamin D is hypothesized to suppress inflammation. We tested total and free vitamin D metabolites and their association with inflammatory markers. Interleukin-6 levels were lower with higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and free 25OHD associations mirrored those of 25OHD. However, associations for the two metabolites diverged for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) soluble receptors.

Introduction

Vitamin D is hypothesized to suppress inflammation, and circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and inflammatory markers are inversely correlated. However, total serum 25OHD may not be the best indicator of biologically active vitamin D.

Methods

We tested serum total 25OHD, total 1,25(OH)₂D, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), and estimated free 25OHD and free 1,25(OH)₂D associations with inflammatory markers serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-α and their soluble receptors, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as continuous outcomes and the presence of ≥2 inflammatory markers in the highest quartile as a dichotomous outcome, in a random subcohort of 679 men in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study.

Results

IL-6 was lower in men with higher 25OHD (?0.23 μg/mL per standard deviation (SD) increase in 25OHD, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) ?0.07 to ?0.38 μg/mL) and with higher 1,25(OH)₂D (?0.20 μg/mL, 95 % CI ?0.0004 to ?0.39 μg/mL); free D associations were slightly stronger. 25OHD and DBP, but not 1,25(OH)₂D, were independently associated with IL-6. TNF-α soluble receptors were inversely associated with 1,25(OH)₂D but positively associated with 25OHD, and each had independent effects. The strongest association with ≥2 inflammatory markers in the highest quartile was for free 1,25(OH)₂D (odds ratios (OR) 0.70, 95 % CI 0.54 to 0.89 per SD increase in free 1,25(OH)₂D).

Conclusions

Associations of 1,25(OH)₂D and free 25OHD with IL-6 mirrored those of 25OHD, suggesting that 1,25(OH)₂D and free D do not improve upon 25OHD in population-based IL-6 studies. However, associations for the two metabolites diverged for TNF-α soluble receptor, warranting examination of both metabolites in studies of TNF-α and its antagonists.

     

Microvascular decompression by interposition method for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia: a retrospective single-center study

Neurosurgical Review - Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare disease that can be challenging to treat. The objectives of this study are to investigate the...     

益肾降浊汤加减联合坦索罗辛治疗前列腺增生症疗效观察

目的:观察益肾降浊汤加减联合坦索罗辛治疗前列腺增生症的疗效。方法:122例随机分为两组各61例,两组均用坦索罗辛治疗,观察组加用益肾降浊汤加减。结果:总有效率观察组高于对照组(P<0.05),观察组Qmax高于对照组(P<0.05)、RV及PV均低于对照组(P<0.05),观察组IPSS评分低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:益肾降浊汤加减方联合坦索罗辛治疗前列腺增生症效果较好。     

Effects of ozone oxidative preconditioning on nitric oxide generation and cellular redox balance in a rat model of hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Many studies indicate that oxygen free-radical formation after reoxygenation of liver may initiate the cascade of hepatocellular injury. It has been demonstrated that controlled ozone administration may promote an oxidative preconditioning or adaptation to oxidative stress, preventing the damage induced by reactive oxygen species and protecting against liver ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. AIMS: In the present study, the effects of ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) on nitric oxide (NO) generation and the cellular redox balance have been studied. Methods: Six groups of rats were classified as follows: (1). sham-operated; (2). sham-operated+l-NAME (N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester); (3). I/R (ischaemia 90 min-reperfusion 90 min); (4). OzoneOP+I/R; (5). OzoneOP+l-NAME+I/R; and (6). l-NAME+I/R. The following parameters were measured: plasma transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase) as an index of hepatocellular injury; in homogenates of hepatic tissue: nitrate/nitrite as an index of NO production; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione levels as markers of endogenous antioxidant system; and finally malondialdehyde+4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HDA) and total hydroperoxides (TH) as indicators of oxidative stress. Results: A correspondence between liver damage and the increase of NO, CAT, TH, glutathione and MDA+4-HDA concentrations were observed just as a decrease of SOD activity. OzoneOP prevented and attenuated hepatic damage in I/R and OzoneOP+l-NAME+I/R, respectively, in close relation with the above-mentioned parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that OzoneOP protected against liver I/R injury through mechanisms that promote a regulation of endogenous NO concentrations and maintenance of cellular redox balance. Ozone treatment may have important clinical implications, particularly in view of the increasing hepatic transplantation programs.