Thickness Effects of Radio-Frequency-Sputtered Molybdenum Disulfide Films on Soda-Lime Glass Substrates.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) films were directly formed on soda-lime glass substrates by radio-frequency (RF) sputtering and rapid thermal processing (RTP) to avoid physical exfoliation and transfer process of a MoS2 layer. The sputtering time was adjusted in the fabrication process and the thickness effects of the MoS2 films were investigated in terms of structural and electrical characteristics. The surface morphologies were not dependent on the film thickness but on the RF sputtering power after the film was annealed using RTP. The electrical mobility of the MoS2 film was more dependent on the film thickness at lower RF sputtering powers and low annealing temperatures. An investigation of the E12g and A11g peaks in the Raman spectra revealed that the two-dimensional properties of the MoS2 layers were more distinct in the case of a lower thickness.

Histological Alterations from Condyle Repositioning with Functional Appliances in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the morphological and histological alterations of the condyle of rats undergoing forward mandibular repositioning via functional appliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional appliances were mounted onto the upper jaws of rats. Morphological analysis was conducted on micro-CT images of sacrificed animals. Histological changes in condyle were examined by immunohistochemistry using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-1), interleukin 1b (IL-1ß), Aggrecan and Type II collagen. Osteoclast activity was identified by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. RESULTS: Morphological analysis confirmed the forward positioning of the condyles of rats by the appliance, but the position gradually returned to normal on days 14 after treatment. An increase in PCNA positive cells was observed in the posterior region of the condyles on days 7, whereas PCNA positive cells decreased in the anterior region. Aggrecan and Type II collagen localization increased in the posterior region throughout the entire period, but decreased in the anterior region on days 14. In both regions, IL-1ß and VEGF localization was significantly increased for 14 days while MMPs localization was evident throughout the entire period. The TRAP positive cells were significantly elevated on days 3 and 7. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the functional appliance therapy induces significant morphological and histological changes in the anterior and posterior regions of the condyle and subsequently causes adaptive cellular functions such as chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage matrix formation.

Potential benefit of intraocular pressure reduction in normal-tension glaucoma in South Korea.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) Asian adult patients in South Korea. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter analysis of 166 NTG Asian adult patients in South Korea. The patient population consisted of Korean patients with NTG with at least 5 years of records available for evaluation. Patients all had typical glaucomatous optic-disc and/or visual-field changes but had never had a recorded IOP >21 mmHg. RESULTS: Overall, 48 (29%) patients were progressed and 116 (71%) were stable over the follow-up period. Of patients with IOPs or=15 mmHg (27/73) 37% progressed (P = 0.041). The mean IOP for the stable group was 14.0 +/- 1.8 mmHg, whereas with the progressed group the average mean IOP was 14.4 +/- 1.6 mmHg (P = 0.20). The mean peak IOP was 17.4 +/- 2.2 mmHg in the stable group and 17.8 +/- 2.0 mmHg in the progressed group (P = 0.26). Multivariate linear regression analysis did not any identify independent risk factors for progression, including age, gender, or mean and peak IOP. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial evidence that Korean patients with normal-tension glaucoma, treated to lower IOPs, may have a decreased incidence of progression over 5 years than those patients with higher IOPs. More research is required to confirm this finding.