Frequency tuning of the spin-injection radiation in the magnetic contact junction

The frequency tuning of the terahertz radiation of spin-injection oscillator based on magnetic contact junction that is formed by contacting ferromagnetic metal layers with different magnetizations is analyzed. Under the current-induced spin injection from one magnetic layer (injector) to another (working) layer, the interval of radiation frequencies is determined by the current density in the magnetic contact, the mismatch angle of the magnetizations of injector and working layer, and the equilibrium spin polarization. The wide-range tuning of terahertz frequencies of the spin-injection radiation can be implemented using variations in the above parameters.     

Doctoring III: innovations in education in the clinical years

Despite recent major changes in the practice of medicine, there has been relatively little change in medical education, particularly in the clinical years. Important areas such as ethics, domestic violence, nutrition, preventive medicine, and clinical decision making have been neglected in the curriculum. However, in 1994 the UCLA School of Medicine began to implement Doctoring III, a multidisciplinary, centralized, longitudinal course that spans the third year of medical school. This course addresses many underrepresented topics. Students spend one day every other week in Doctoring III. Half of the day is spent in community-based clinical sites and the other half is spent in small-group teaching sessions. In the small groups, students and faculty follow and manage a panel of simulated patients over the course of the year. The students thus have the opportunity to develop a sense of the progression of common illnesses over time and to explore related ethical, social, and other concerns. The approach taken in Doctoring III has enabled the UCLA School of Medicine to overcome many barriers to curricular change, and it may serve as a model for incorporating the teaching of underrepresented topics in the clinical years.     

The role of thiotepa in autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia

Post-transplant leukemic relapse remains the major problem following autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). One possible approach to reducing the relapse rate is to intensify pre-transplant conditioning. Thiotepa (TTP) is an alkylating agent that has been used mainly in breast and ovarian cancer with 20-50% response rates. This report presents our results on 33 patients with acute leukemia (acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) 27 patients, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) six patients) who underwent ABMT following conditioning with busulfan (BU), 4 mg/kg x 4 days (days -8 to -5), TTP 5 mg/kg x 2 days (days -4, -3) and cyclophosphamide (CY) 60 mg/kg x 2 days (days -2, -1). Of the 33 patients, 22 were males and 11 females, of median age 24 (1-55) years. Twenty-eight patients were transplanted in complete remission (AML 26; ALL 2) while 5 (AML 1; ALL 4) were in early relapse. Twenty-nine additional AML patients (15 females, 14 males) of median age 22 (2-48) years, who underwent ABMT following a standard BU-CY conditioning regimen (25 in complete remission and four in relapse) served as historical controls. There were no significant differences between the study and control groups with respect to patient age, sex, diagnosis, stage of disease, FAB classification, and prior chemotherapy, at ABMT. Overall survival, disease free survival (DFS), and relapse rate at 72 months were 33, 33 and 61%, respectively, for the study group, and 38, 34.5 and 52%, respectively, for the historical controls. Engraftment and transplant related toxicity also did not differ significantly in the two groups. In conclusion, TTP appears to have made no substantial improvement to the outcome of ABMT for acute leukemia.     

Concentrated oat β-glucan,a fermentable fiber,lowers serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic adults in a randomized controlled trial

Background  

Soluble fibers lower serum lipids, but are difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of a concentrated oat β-glucan on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints in human subjects. We also compared the fermentability of concentrated oat β-glucan with inulin and guar gum in a model intestinal fermentation system.     

Antioxidant properties and phytochemical composition of China-grown pomegranate seeds

Four cultivars of Shanxi-grown pomegranate seeds were investigated for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties. Pomegranate seed oils were extracted and analysed for their fatty acid profiles, and tocopherol and carotenoid contents. The defatted flours were extracted with 50% acetone or 80% methanol, and evaluated for levels of phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, and scavenging capacities against DPPH and ABTS⁺ and their ferric ion reducing abilities. Pomegranate seed oil was rich in punicic acid (73.5-78.8 g/100 g oil) and total tocopherols (5.3-12.0 μmol/g). The 50% acetone and 80% methanol were appropriate solvents for extraction of total phenolic and total flavonoid, respectively. The four cultivars were significantly different in levels of phenolics, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and their antioxidant properties (P < 0.05), generally flowing an order: Suanshiliu > Tianhongdan > Sanbaitian ≈ Jingpitian. This study will assist in the cultivar selection of the above pomegranate seeds for commercial production to meet the market demand.