A ZnO diode was fabricated by using a laser-doping technique to form a p-type ZnO layer on an n-type ZnO substrate. A zinc-phosphide compound, used as a phosphorous source, was deposited on the ZnO wafer and subjected to excimer-laser pulses. The current–voltage characteristics showed a diode characteristic between the phosphorous-doped p-layer and the n-type substrate. Moreover, light emission, with a band-edge component, was observed by forward current injection at 110 K.

Based on the recent development of molecular biology, the investigation of biofunctional machinery at their ligand accepting interface has become one of the challenging and important subject of post-genome field. The technique of photoaffinity labeling has become increasingly appreciated as a powerful methodology for the purpose. This micro review focused synthesis of trifluoromethylphenyldiazirine, which is one of the most promising photophore, and its application to the biomolecules

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and electrophysiological efficacy of 3,4-diaminopyridine (DAP) in patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over drug trial. The diagnosis of LEMS was made based on the combination of fluctuating muscle weakness, diminished or absent reflexes, and more than 60% increment of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude after brief exercise or 50-HZ stimulation on a repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test. Evaluations were done at baseline, with placebo, and with 3,4-DAP (up to 75-80 mg/day). Assignment of placebo or 3,4-DAP was done in a double-blinded manner. Measurements included subjective symptoms score, objective clinical measurements [LEMS classification, muscle strength score, quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score] and RNS test and single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG). The differences between placebo and baseline values (placebo change) were compared with the differences between 3,4-DAP and baseline or placebo values (DAP change). Seven patients with LEMS (QMG score >9) participated in the study. One patient had major side-effects with 3,4-DAP and withdrew from the study. Statistically significant efficacy was noted with DAP change (N = 13) compared with placebo change (N = 7) according to the subjective symptoms score (P = 0.01), LEMS classification (P < 0.001), muscle strength score (P < 0.006), QMG score (P = 0.02), and CMAP (P = 0.03). For long-term treatment, 2 patients preferred 3,4-DAP, 1 chose guanidine hydrochloride, 1 preferred pyridostigmine, and 2 chose no treatment. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over drug trial of 3,4-DAP showed significant efficacy over placebo in patients with LEMS. As a long-term treatment, however, not all patients preferred this drug.

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Our study suggests that IFNβ-1b may trigger severe exacerbation in patients with the NMO spectrum. In INFβ-1b therapy, cases in NMO spectrum should be carefully excluded.

A series of simple methods for modifying diazirines bearing an aromatic ring has been accomplished. This first versatile approach involving direct substitution on the aromatic ring of diazirines has been achieved by means of the aromatic thallation of (alkoxyphenyl)diazirines. Introduction of the thallium moiety was successfully followed by nitration, iodination, or palladium-catalyzed carbonylation to give a family of substituted aryldiazirines useful for photolabeling. For instance, diazirines labeled with a nitro group can be detected by spectrophotometric methods, and those labeled with an iodo group can be useful in tracer experiments. The (methoxyphenyl)diazirines were also found to be stable under certain demethylation conditions, thus providing a potential source of diazirines with modifiable phenol hydroxyl groups. By means of this approach, a spacer arm to link diazirines with ligands was readily introduced. Radioactive diazirines labeled with carbon-14 or tritium were also prepared using this method. All the new diazirines were derived from a pair of simple (methoxyphenyl)diazirines. The ease of derivatization of the (alkoxyphenyl) diazirines described here may offer a practical approach to simplify the time-consuming methods currently used for diazirine synthesis.

Previous studies suggest that in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) are more severely involved than abductor digiti minimi (ADM). To elucidate the pattern, frequency, extent, and specificity of such dissociated muscle atrophy in ALS, compound muscle action potentials recorded from APB, FDI, and ADM were analyzed in 77 ALS patients, 171 normal controls, and 196 disease controls. Compared with normal controls, ALS patients had a reduced APB/ADM amplitude ratio (P < 0.001) and FDI/ADM ratio (P < 0.001), whereas patients with other anterior horn diseases showed similar APB/ADM and FDI/ADM ratios to normal values. Decreased APB/ADM ratio was found in 41% of ALS patients, 5% of normal controls, and 4% of disease controls. Prominent muscle atrophy in APB and FDI, with relatively preserved ADM, appears to be specific to ALS. Dissociated hand muscle atrophy presumably reflects part of the pathophysiology and supports the diagnosis of ALS.