In situ investigation of the early stage of TiO2 epitaxy on (001) SrTiO3.

We report on a systematic study of the growth of epitaxial TiO(2) films deposited by pulsed laser deposition on Ti-terminated SrTiO(3) (001) single crystals. By using in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction, low energy electron diffraction, x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy, we show that the stabilization of the anatase (001) phase is preceded by the growth of a few nanometers thick pseudomorphic Sr(x)TiO(2+y) (x, y < 1) intermediate layer. The data demonstrate that the formation of this intermediate phase is related to the activation of a long range Sr migration from the SrTiO(3) substrate into the film. Our results enrich the phase diagram of the Sr-Ti-O system under epitaxial strain opening a route for the study of the electronic and dielectric properties of the reported Sr-deficient SrTiO(3) phase.

Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy study of paramagnetic superconducting ß''-ET(4)[(H(3)O)Fe(C(2)O(4))(3)]·C(6)H(5)Br crystals.

Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) and microscopy (STM) were performed on the paramagnetic molecular superconductor ß''-ET(4)[(H(3)O)Fe(C(2)O(4))(3)]·C(6)H(5)Br. Under ambient pressure, this compound is located near the boundary separating superconducting and insulating phases of the phase diagram. In spite of a strongly reduced critical temperature T(c) (T(c) = 4.0 K at the onset, zero resistance at T(c) = 0.5 K), the low temperature STS spectra taken in the superconducting regions show strong similarities with the higher T(c) ET κ-derivatives series. We exploited different models for the density of states (DOS), with conventional and unconventional order parameters to take into account the role played by possible magnetic and non-magnetic disorder in the superconducting order parameter. The values of the superconducting order parameter obtained by the fitting procedure are close to the ones obtained on more metallic and higher T(c) organic crystals and far above the BCS values, suggesting an intrinsic role of disorder in the superconductivity of organic superconductors and a further confirmation of the non-conventional superconductivity in such compounds.

Indirect electric field doping of the CuO2 planes of the cuprate NdBa2Cu3O7 superconductor.

The mechanism of field-effect doping in the 123 high critical temperature superconductors (HTS) has been investigated by x-ray absorption spectroscopy in the presence of an electric field. We demonstrate that holes are created at the CuO chains of the charge reservoir and that field-effect doping of the CuO(2) planes occurs by charge transfer, from the chains to the planes, of a fraction of the overall induced holes. The electronic properties of the charge reservoir and of the dielectric-HTS interface determine the electric field doping of the CuO(2) planes.

[Self monitoring of capillary blood glucose. Evaluation of long-term results (3 to 7 years)]. / Autocontrol de la glucemia capilar. Evaluación del resultado a largo plazo (3 a 7 años).

We analyzed data provided by 60 diabetic patients (DP) included in a Program (P) of Self Blood Glucose Monitoring (SBGM) which showed an initial adherence of at least 6 months. Total follow-up was 67,293 DP-days (110,504 capillary glycemias). Only 50% of DP's remained for > 3 years. Rates of drop-out (DO) peaked early (3th semester (S) and late (10th. S) mean +/- SE of daily SBGM reported in the preprogram period and during the 1st S on P-SBGM by the future DO was significantly higher (4.25 +/- 0.22) than those reported by their P-SBGM-mates who stayed in the program (3.11 +/- 0.29; p < 0.01). DO showed a higher % of capillary glycemias < 60 mg/dl (hypoglycemia) (5.34 +/- 1.49 vs 2.85 +/- 1.14; p < 0.01). During the 3rd S early DO showed significantly higher Glycosilated Hemoglobin (HbA1) levels (10.4 +/- 0.49%) than late DO (8.19 +/- 0.45%; p < 0.01). HbA1's recorded by the late DO's just before leaving P-SBGM were significantly higher (10.14 +/- 0.61%) than those seen at 2nd/5th S (8.2 +/- 0.2; p < 0.01). However, HbA1's of 1-DO at time of abandoning P-SBGM were comparable to those shown by those DP's who remained (10.14 +/- 0.61 vs 9.46 +/- 0.27%). DP's performed daily SBGM's in 70% of possible days during 4 years and in only 50% afterwards. Daily SBGM's was 3.3 +/- 1 during the first 3 years and 2.1 +/- 0.8 thereafter. Compared to preprogram period, all DP's improved HbA1's (12.5 +/- 0.31 vs 9.46 +/- 0.27; p < 0.001) and mean blood glucose (166 +/- 5.2 vs 146 +/- 3.6; p < 0.01). DP's who reached a faster and more satisfactory degree of glycemic control in earlier stages of P-SBGM showed the highest rates of drop-out. Early identification of such patients, as well as setting of feasable and individualy adjusted goals of glycemic control may improve current compliance of DP's on long term tight control.

Autocontrol de la glucemia capilar. Evaluación del resultado a largo plazo (3 a 7 años). / [Self monitoring of capillary blood glucose. Evaluation of long-term results (3 to 7 years)]

We analyzed data provided by 60 diabetic patients (DP) included in a Program (P) of Self Blood Glucose Monitoring (SBGM) which showed an initial adherence of at least 6 months. Total follow-up was 67,293 DP-days (110,504 capillary glycemias). Only 50

of DPs remained for > 3 years. Rates of drop-out (DO) peaked early (3th semester (S) and late (10th. S) mean +/- SE of daily SBGM reported in the preprogram period and during the 1st S on P-SBGM by the future DO was significantly higher (4.25 +/- 0.22) than those reported by their P-SBGM-mates who stayed in the program (3.11 +/- 0.29; p < 0.01). DO showed a higher

of capillary glycemias < 60 mg/dl (hypoglycemia) (5.34 +/- 1.49 vs 2.85 +/- 1.14; p < 0.01). During the 3rd S early DO showed significantly higher Glycosilated Hemoglobin (HbA1) levels (10.4 +/- 0.49

) than late DO (8.19 +/- 0.45

; p < 0.01). HbA1s recorded by the late DOs just before leaving P-SBGM were significantly higher (10.14 +/- 0.61

) than those seen at 2nd/5th S (8.2 +/- 0.2; p < 0.01). However, HbA1s of 1-DO at time of abandoning P-SBGM were comparable to those shown by those DPs who remained (10.14 +/- 0.61 vs 9.46 +/- 0.27

). DPs performed daily SBGMs in 70

of possible days during 4 years and in only 50

afterwards. Daily SBGMs was 3.3 +/- 1 during the first 3 years and 2.1 +/- 0.8 thereafter. Compared to preprogram period, all DPs improved HbA1s (12.5 +/- 0.31 vs 9.46 +/- 0.27; p < 0.001) and mean blood glucose (166 +/- 5.2 vs 146 +/- 3.6; p < 0.01). DPs who reached a faster and more satisfactory degree of glycemic control in earlier stages of P-SBGM showed the highest rates of drop-out. Early identification of such patients, as well as setting of feasable and individualy adjusted goals of glycemic control may improve current compliance of DPs on long term tight control.

Growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-I axis in adult insulin-dependent diabetic patients: evidence for central hypersensitivity to growth hormone-releasing hormone and peripheral resistance to growth hormone.

The aim of this study was to assess the GH-IGFI axis, GH receptor availability, as reflected by the levels of GH-BP, and the amount of GH-dependent IGFBP-3 in adult IDDM patients with different degrees of metabolic control. Thus, 10 adult well-controlled IDDMs (HbA1 7.8 +/- 0.4%), 10 adult non-ketotic poorly controlled IDDMs (HbA1 13.3 +/- 7%) and 14 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were subjected to two intravenous GH-RH stimulation tests with 0.1 and 1.0 microg/kg body weight respectively, and a plasma IGF-1 generation test induced by the administration of hGH. Poorly controlled IDDM patients exhibited an exaggerated GH response to 1.0 microg/kg of GH-RH when compared to healthy control subjects. Low fasting plasma IGF-1 levels and a blunted IGF-1 response to exogenously administered hGH were also found in poorly controlled IDDMs when compared to the healthy control group. GH-BP levels were significantly lower in IDDMs than in normal controls, and correlated positively with the IGF-1 generation capacity after hGH. Serum IGFBP-3 levels measured by RIA were similar in IDDM and control groups. Good glycemic control for 5.7 +/- 0.9 months did not correct the above mentioned abnormalities of the GH-IGF-1 axis. Our findings suggest that IDDM is associated with a diminished availability of GH receptors and synthesis of IGF-1. GH might then increase as a compensatory mechanism, further down-regulating liver GH receptors, and thus perpetuating the initial abnormality.

[Intensified insulin therapy in the management of gestational diabetes]. / Insulinoterapia intensificada en el manejo de la diabetes pregestacional.

A total of 35 pregnancies in 28 Pregestational Diabetic Patients (PDP) were followed with the goal of achieving and maintaining near normoglycemia (as many pre-postprandial glycemias as possible between 60-140 mg/dl); 13 patients (16 pregnancies) were assigned to Subcutaneous Continuous Preprogrammed Insulin Infusion (SCII) because of high risk pregnancies (HRP) (at least one of the following: former history of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature deliveries and/or sterility). The remaining 12 PDP's (15 pregnancies with no past history of the above nature) were treated with Multiple Conventional Insulin Injections (MCII). Both groups were comparable regarding the following clinical parameters: age, time of onset and class of diabetes. All patients were instructed in performing 3 to 7 daily Self Capillary Blood Glucose controls (SCBG). Mean follow-up observation period was (mean +/- SEM) 28.5 +/- 2.5 weeks for SCII and 3.2 MCII and 28.8 +/- 3.2 weeks for MCII. All the 3 PDP drop out's (4 pregnancies) belonged to the CMII group. No drop out's were recorded in the SCII group. Both insulin therapy approaches were similarly effective in improving metabolic control in that comparable levels of mean blood glucose (MBG) and HbA1 were attained by SCII and MCII (Fig. 1). Compliance, as evidenced by average of daily SCBG was also similar in both groups (Fig. 2). Such satisfactory metabolic control was achieved mostly because of an increase in the percentage (65%) of "fair" glycemias (60-139 mg/dl) and not because of an increase in hypoglycemias (< 60 mg/dl) which could have canceled out an undesirable degree of hyperglycemias thus rendering "false satisfactory" MBG's and HbA1 (Fig. 1). With the above degree of metabolic control obtained there occurred no severe hypoglycemic episodes requiring medical intervention. All newborns to the PDP's who remained under treatment showed an adequate APGAR (X +/- SEM, 9.5 +/- 0.2) regardless of the modality (SCII or MCII) of insulin delivery used (Tables 1, 2). The single malformed baby found in this series was born to a patient on SCII who happened to start on the intensified insulin treatment rather late in her pregnancy (21st week) and, in addition, the patient self medicated with high doses of chlorpromazine because of recurrent vomiting episodes. Incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (HY) or macrosomy (MS) was comparable in both groups (Tables 1, 2). It is to be pointed out, however, that PDP's who bore the babies with no HY or MS had presented a larger number of low glycemic values than mothers who bore the babies with HY and/or MS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Insulinoterapia intensificada en el manejo de la diabetes pregestacional. / [Intensified insulin therapy in the management of gestational diabetes]

A total of 35 pregnancies in 28 Pregestational Diabetic Patients (PDP) were followed with the goal of achieving and maintaining near normoglycemia (as many pre-postprandial glycemias as possible between 60-140 mg/dl); 13 patients (16 pregnancies) were assigned to Subcutaneous Continuous Preprogrammed Insulin Infusion (SCII) because of high risk pregnancies (HRP) (at least one of the following: former history of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature deliveries and/or sterility). The remaining 12 PDPs (15 pregnancies with no past history of the above nature) were treated with Multiple Conventional Insulin Injections (MCII). Both groups were comparable regarding the following clinical parameters: age, time of onset and class of diabetes. All patients were instructed in performing 3 to 7 daily Self Capillary Blood Glucose controls (SCBG). Mean follow-up observation period was (mean +/- SEM) 28.5 +/- 2.5 weeks for SCII and 3.2 MCII and 28.8 +/- 3.2 weeks for MCII. All the 3 PDP drop outs (4 pregnancies) belonged to the CMII group. No drop outs were recorded in the SCII group. Both insulin therapy approaches were similarly effective in improving metabolic control in that comparable levels of mean blood glucose (MBG) and HbA1 were attained by SCII and MCII (Fig. 1). Compliance, as evidenced by average of daily SCBG was also similar in both groups (Fig. 2). Such satisfactory metabolic control was achieved mostly because of an increase in the percentage (65

) of [quot ]fair[quot ] glycemias (60-139 mg/dl) and not because of an increase in hypoglycemias (< 60 mg/dl) which could have canceled out an undesirable degree of hyperglycemias thus rendering [quot ]false satisfactory[quot ] MBGs and HbA1 (Fig. 1). With the above degree of metabolic control obtained there occurred no severe hypoglycemic episodes requiring medical intervention. All newborns to the PDPs who remained under treatment showed an adequate APGAR (X +/- SEM, 9.5 +/- 0.2) regardless of the modality (SCII or MCII) of insulin delivery used (Tables 1, 2). The single malformed baby found in this series was born to a patient on SCII who happened to start on the intensified insulin treatment rather late in her pregnancy (21st week) and, in addition, the patient self medicated with high doses of chlorpromazine because of recurrent vomiting episodes. Incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (HY) or macrosomy (MS) was comparable in both groups (Tables 1, 2). It is to be pointed out, however, that PDPs who bore the babies with no HY or MS had presented a larger number of low glycemic values than mothers who bore the babies with HY and/or MS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Insulinoterapia intensificada en el manejo de la diabetes pregestacional. / [Intensified insulin therapy in the management of gestational diabetes]

A total of 35 pregnancies in 28 Pregestational Diabetic Patients (PDP) were followed with the goal of achieving and maintaining near normoglycemia (as many pre-postprandial glycemias as possible between 60-140 mg/dl); 13 patients (16 pregnancies) were assigned to Subcutaneous Continuous Preprogrammed Insulin Infusion (SCII) because of high risk pregnancies (HRP) (at least one of the following: former history of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature deliveries and/or sterility). The remaining 12 PDPs (15 pregnancies with no past history of the above nature) were treated with Multiple Conventional Insulin Injections (MCII). Both groups were comparable regarding the following clinical parameters: age, time of onset and class of diabetes. All patients were instructed in performing 3 to 7 daily Self Capillary Blood Glucose controls (SCBG). Mean follow-up observation period was (mean +/- SEM) 28.5 +/- 2.5 weeks for SCII and 3.2 MCII and 28.8 +/- 3.2 weeks for MCII. All the 3 PDP drop outs (4 pregnancies) belonged to the CMII group. No drop outs were recorded in the SCII group. Both insulin therapy approaches were similarly effective in improving metabolic control in that comparable levels of mean blood glucose (MBG) and HbA1 were attained by SCII and MCII (Fig. 1). Compliance, as evidenced by average of daily SCBG was also similar in both groups (Fig. 2). Such satisfactory metabolic control was achieved mostly because of an increase in the percentage (65

) of [quot ]fair[quot ] glycemias (60-139 mg/dl) and not because of an increase in hypoglycemias (< 60 mg/dl) which could have canceled out an undesirable degree of hyperglycemias thus rendering [quot ]false satisfactory[quot ] MBGs and HbA1 (Fig. 1). With the above degree of metabolic control obtained there occurred no severe hypoglycemic episodes requiring medical intervention. All newborns to the PDPs who remained under treatment showed an adequate APGAR (X +/- SEM, 9.5 +/- 0.2) regardless of the modality (SCII or MCII) of insulin delivery used (Tables 1, 2). The single malformed baby found in this series was born to a patient on SCII who happened to start on the intensified insulin treatment rather late in her pregnancy (21st week) and, in addition, the patient self medicated with high doses of chlorpromazine because of recurrent vomiting episodes. Incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (HY) or macrosomy (MS) was comparable in both groups (Tables 1, 2). It is to be pointed out, however, that PDPs who bore the babies with no HY or MS had presented a larger number of low glycemic values than mothers who bore the babies with HY and/or MS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)