Conclusions: Our B-Raf inhibitor clinical trial data provide compelling evidence for the genetic alteration and loss of expression of DEAR1 in breast cancer, for the functional role of DEAR1 in the dominant regulation of acinar morphogenesis in 3D culture, and for the potential utility of an immunohistochemical assay for DEAR1 expression as an independent prognostic marker for stratification of early-onset disease.”
“2,2-Bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA), one of the most important light-curable dimethacrylate resins, is widely used as dental restorative material. However, one problem of Bis-GMA is the high water

sorption due to the hydrophilic hydroxyl (OH) group, resulting in a short life in actual application. In this study, to overcome the drawback stated above, novel organicinorganic dimethacrylate monomer containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), Bis-GMA-graft-POSS, is synthesized via the nucleophilic addition reaction of isocyanate functionalized POSS (IPOSS) and pendent hydroxyl group of Bis-GMA. Then the as-synthesized Bis-GMA-graft-POSS, of which hydroxyl group was substituted by hydrophobic POSS, is Nocodazole mw also introduced into the Bis-GMA/TEGDMA matrix to prepare a series of methacrylate-based hybrids for dental materials

under visible light with camphorquinone and ethyl-4N,N-dimethy-laminobenzoae (EDMAB) as initiator and coinitiator, respectively. Compared to Bis-GMA/TEGDMA composites, water sorption of modified composites can be significantly reduced with the addition Nutlin-3 molecular weight of Bis-GMA-graft-POSS.

Moreover, the Bis-GMA/TEGDMA/POSS hybrids show hydrophobic surfaces, leading to much higher water contact angles than that of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA composites. The morphology of hybrids containing POSS was furthermore studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that POSS disperses in the matrix in noncrystalline form and tend to migrate to the surface of the modified composites that lead to the lower water sorption and higher water contact angles. These results are very useful for design of novel methacrylate monomers and clinical application. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“The elastic properties of paramagnetic face-centered-cubic (fcc) Fe(1-x)M(x) (M = Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Rh; 0 <= x <= 0.1) random alloys are investigated using the exact muffin-tin orbitals density functional method in combination with the coherent-potential approximation. We find that the theoretical lattice parameter of fcc Fe is strongly enlarged by Al, V, and Rh and slightly reduced by Si, Cr, and Co, while it remains nearly constant with Mn and Ni.

52 V and a power density 20.84 mW/cm(3) at 42 Hz, with a half peak working bandwidth of 6 Hz. This vibration energy harvester design leads to high output voltage,

power and power density that are critical for real applications. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3549607]“
“Biofilms play a pivotal role in medical device-related infections. However, epidemiological analysis of biofilm formation and genotyping among clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from patients with orthopaedic infections has rarely been reported. A total of 168 MRSA strains were examined: 23 strains from patients with device-related infection (the device group); 55 from patients with device-non-related infection (the nondevice group); and 90 from

asymptomatic nasal carriers (the colonization SC79 cost group). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis and five genotyping methods including agr typing were performed. Biofilm formation was quantified using a microtitre plate assay. The device group had a significantly higher incidence of agr-2 than the colonization group (78.3% vs. 34.4%, P = 0.001). The biofilm index of the agr-2 (0.523 +/- 0.572) strains was significantly higher than those of agr-1 (0.260 +/- 0.418, P < 0.0001) and agr-3 (0.379 +/- 0.557, P = 0.045). The prevalence of strong biofilm Wee1 inhibitor formers in the device group (43.5%) was significantly higher than that in the nondevice THZ1 group (12.7%, P = 0.003) and the colonization group (20.0%, P = 0.020). agr-2 MRSA strains may be more likely to cause orthopaedic device infection because of their strong biofilm formation ability.”
“We report the effect of Mn doping on temperature-dependent magnetic properties of L1(0) FeMnPt (001) epitaxial films. (001) textured L1(0) Fe50-xMnxPt50 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at. %) films were prepared by cosputtering Fe, Pt, and Mn onto MgO single crystal substrates at 550 degrees C. theta-2 theta XRD scans indicated the lattice parameter c increased whereas the ordering parameter S decreased with Mn doping. The thermal magnetic properties

measured using a superconducting quantum interference device showed that Curie temperature T-C could be reduced to 500 K with 15 at. % Mn doping, but K-u was decreased to 1.6 x 10(7) erg/cm(3). The relation of temperature-dependent anisotropy and saturation magnetization showed that it did not obey the Callen-Callen theory. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3561445]“
“Seventy-seven patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were in complete remission and whose therapies had been stopped for at least 6 months before enrollment in this study were retrospectively analyzed regarding their antibody status for measles, mumps, and rubella, with the aim to demonstrate the seropositivity rate after treatment in the authors’ group.

In this study, by using 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFMA) and a synthesized side methacryloxy group polysiloxane (MAPS) as modifying materials and bisphenol-A epoxy methacrylate (BEMA) as matrix,

respectively, a innovative UV-curing system, BEMA/HFMA/MAPS composite system was developed. Through UV-cure process, a series of BEMA/HFMA, BEMA/MAPS, and BEMA/HFMA/MAPS cured composite films with different proportions were successfully obtained. It was found that HFMA monomer was helpful for the reduction of the surface energy of the UV-cured composite films and the enhancement of their water resistance property. Without HFMA in BEMA matrix, MAPS could facilitate the improvement of the properties of BEMA/MAPS HDAC inhibitor cured films, and the presence of MAPS in BEMA/HFMA/MAPS system could significantly decrease the surface energy of the cured films to 22.1 mJ/m(2) and improve their thermal stabilities and water resistance properties by measurements, contact angle, TGA, DSC, and water resistance. To the SEM observation, HFMA and MAPS were well distributed in the cured films in favor of their excellent performances. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Nutlin-3 supplier Polym Sci 117: 1859-1866, 2010″
“In this study, photoluminescence (PL) under high excitation intensity as a function of crystalline size was systematically investigated

through ZnO nanocrystalline films prepared by spin-coating a colloidal solution of ZnO nanoparticles obtained using the microemulsion method. Annealing of the films at 723, 633, and 593 K allowed us to

tune the crystalline radius R. PL studies distinguished different regimes of crystalline size according to the ratio of R to the effective Bohr radius a(B)(R/a(B)). For the sample annealed at 723 K (R/a(B)=7.2), the peak of stimulated emission due to the exciton-exciton collisions appeared on the low-energy side of the exciton emission with an increase in excitation intensity. MX69 in vitro A further increase in excitation intensity eventually resulted in the occurrence of an electron-hole plasma (EHP) accompanied by consequent band gap renormalization, which indicates that high excitation intensity provokes the dissociation of excitons. For the sample annealed at 633 K (R/a(B)=4.7), the stimulated emission was observed while the transition to EHP was obscure. For the sample annealed at 593 K (R/a(B)=2.1), only emissions due to the recombination of the electron-hole pair were observed, and stimulated emission did not appear even when the excitation intensity was increased. The transition from free-exciton emission to donor-bound exciton emission was observed in temperature dependence of PL only for the sample with R/a(B)=7.2. The origin of annihilation of the stimulated emission with a size reduction is discussed based on nonradiative Auger recombination. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.

“
“Background: Recent data revealed differences in human absorption kinetics and metabolism between food folates and folic acid supplements and fortificant.

Objective: The objective was to determine folate bioavailability after ingestion of breads or a breakfast meal fortified with either 5-CH3-H-4 folate or folic acid by using a stable-isotope area under the curve (AUC) and ileostomy model.

Design: In a randomized crossover trial, healthy ileostomists (n = 8) ingested single doses of whole-meal bread that contained approximate to 450 nmol (200 mu g) of either (6S)-[C-13(5)]5-CH3-H-4 folate or [C-13(5)]folic acid

or a breakfast this website meal that contained approximate to 450 nmol (200 mu g) [C-13(5)]folic acid. We collected blood from the subjects during 12 h postdose for assessment

of plasma kinetics. Nonabsorbecl folate was assessed from labeled folate contents in stomal effluent 12 and 24 h postdose.

Results: The median (range) plasma AUC(0 -> 12) (AUC from 0 to 12 h after ingested dose) of 66 nmol . h/L (34-84 nmol . h/L) after ingestion of bread that contained (6S)-[C-13(5)]5-CH3-H-4 folate was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that after ingestion of [C-13(5)] folic acid in fortified bread [28 nmol . h/L (15-38 nmol . h/L)] and a fortified breakfast meal [26 nmol . h/L (15-60

nmol . h/L)]. Both labeled doses resulted in increases of plasma [C-13(5)]5-CH3-H-4 CB-839 folate. However, the kinetic variables C-max (maximum plasma concentration) and T-max [time (min) of maximum plasma concentration] varied after ingestion of the different folate forms. The stomal folate content was <10% of the ingested dose and did not vary significantly after ingestion of test foods that contained (6S)[C-13(5)]5-CH3H4 folate [median (range): 13 nmol (10-31 nmol)] or [C-13(5)]folic acid [median (range): 25 nmol (8-42 nmol)] (P = 0.33).

Conclusions: Our data confirm differences in plasma absorption kinetics for reduced folates and synthetic folic acid administered with the test foods. Stomal folate contents indicated almost complete bioavailability of labeled folate from the breads or breakfast VX-689 datasheet meal. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;92:532-8.”
“This study presented influence of mixing technique as well as filler content on physical and thermal properties of bovine bone-based carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites. CHA/PLA composites at various contents of CHA were prepared by either melt-mixing or solution-mixing techniques. Thermal properties, morphologies, and mechanical properties of the CHA/PLA composites including molecular weight deterioration of PLA matrices were investigated.

“
“Despite the standardization of pathologic grading of acute rejection in transbronchial lung biopsies following lung transplantation, the reproducibility of pathologic diagnosis has not been adequately evaluated. To determine the interobserver variability for pathologic grading of acute rejection, 1566 biopsies from 845 subjects in the Lung Allograft Rejection Gene Expression Observational study were regraded by a pathology panel blinded to the original diagnosis and compared to the grade of acute rejection assigned

by individual center pathologists. The study panel confirmed 49.1% of center pathologists’ RSL3 order A0 grades, but upgraded 5.7% to A1 and 2.7% to grade >= A2 rejection; 42.5% were regraded as AX. Of 268 grade A1 samples, 21.2% were confirmed by the pathology panel; 18.7% were upgraded to >= A2 and 35.8% were downgraded to A0 with 24.3% being regraded as AX. Lastly, 53.5% of >= A2 cases were confirmed, but 15.7% were downgraded to grade A0 and 18.4% cases to A1, while 12.4% were regraded as AX. The kappa value for interobserver agreement was 0.183 (95%CI 0.147-0.220, p < 0.001). The results for B grade interpretation were similar. Suboptimal sampling is common and a high degree of variability exists in the pathologic interpretation

of acute rejection in transbronchial biopsies.”
“Study Design. Single-institution retrospective study.

Objective. To assess the effect surgical staging (i.e., sequencing) has on clinical MEK162 cost and economic outcomes for patients undergoing sacropelvic tumor resection requiring lumbopelvic stabilization.

Summary of Background Data. Sacral corpectomy with lumbopelvic stabilization is an extensive surgical procedure that can be performed in either a single episode or multiple

episodes of care on different days. The impact of varied sequencing of surgical episodes of care on patient, resource, and financial outcomes is unknown.

Methods. Anlotinib This single-center retrospective case series identified all cases of sacropelvic tumor resection requiring lumbopelvic stabilization over an 8-year period. We assessed and compared clinical and economic outcomes for patients whose anterior exposure and posterior resection were separated into two distinct surgical episodes of care (staged) versus patients whose anterior exposure and posterior resection occurred in a single encounter (nonstaged procedures). Primary endpoints included procedural outcomes (operative and after-hours surgical time), resuscitative requirements, adverse perioperative events, mortality, and direct medical costs (hospital and physician) associated with the surgical episodes of interest.

Results. From January 1, 2000, to July 15, 2008, a total of 25 patients were identified. Eight patients had their procedure staged. Surgical staging was associated with a significant increase in intensive care unit free days (P = 0.

Incidence

of oral bleeding with the AWS (6.1%) was significantly lower than that with the Macintosh laryngoscope (23.5%). Pharyngeal morbidity on the day after surgery did not differ between groups, and no patient complained of delayed oral intake. In female patients, the AWS successfully reduced the incidence Selleckchem BYL719 and severity of sore throat on the day of surgery in comparison with the Macintosh laryngoscope.”
“Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has evolved as a primary weight loss surgery. This study provides changes in lipid profiles in obese patients 1 year after LSG.

A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LSG from June 2004 to June 2008 provided data on demographics, body mass index (BMI) changes, co-morbidities, and medication changes.

We compared lipid profiles, and the relationship between the lipid profiles and pre-operative weight, BMI, and weight loss. GSK461364 manufacturer Proportion changes for all variables were also assessed. Lipid profiles for those taking lipid-lowering therapy and patients receiving no medication were evaluated.

Data is presented on 45 patients (58% women) ages 18 to 73 years. Co-morbidities included hypertension (19), hyperlipidemia (22), and diabetes (13). One year after LSG, weight decreased from 161.4 +/- 34.3 to 112.9 +/- 25.6 kg (p < 0.01). BMI decreased from 57.5 +/- 9.6 to 39.9 +/- 7.1 kg/m(2) (p < 0.01). Patients with elevated triglycerides decreased from 17 to 8 (p < 0.01) while patients selleckchem with elevated cholesterol increased from 13 to 15. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) increased from 48.4 to 54.5 mg/dl (p < 0.01) and triglycerides (TG) decreased from 141.7 to 109.3 mg/dl (p < 0.01). TC/HDL and TG/HDL ratios also, decreased significantly (p < 0.01). There were no changes for total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). TG/HDL changes

correlated with pre-op weight (r = 0.363, p < 0.05).

One year after LSG, significant weight loss and improvements in HDL and TG levels, TC/HDL and TG/HDL ratios were observed. TC and LDL levels were unchanged.”
“We describe the case of a 76-year-old man presenting with a gas-filled intradural cyst that increased in size over a 10-month period and caused acute bilateral foot drop. The gas-filled intradural cyst was resected from the adherent cauda equina, and histopathological examination identified cystic tissue with degenerated fibrocartilage. Leg pain disappeared immediately following surgery, and the bilateral foot drop resolved within 8 months.”
“Computed tomography (CT) depicts intricate bony details well, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers excellent contrast to the anatomy of soft tissues. This technical report offers a method to merge the CT and MRI images using Photoshop software and yield hybrid images that combine the key features of both CT and MRI.

6%. There are no proven strategies for prevention of obstructive anuria after prophylactic ureteral catheter removal, but staged removal has shown a trend toward reduced incidence. When encountered, most cases of anuria after catheter removal resolved with medical management alone; however, indwelling stent learn more placement has been advocated while ureteral edema resolves.”
“Objective: This study was undertaken to determine if automated differential leukocyte counts (A-DIFF) can be used in place of manual differential

leukocyte counts (M-DIFF) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients.

Methods: Relative and absolute automated lymphocyte counts obtained from 83 specimens from 76 CLL patients were compared with corresponding manual counts obtained by performing differential on albuminized blood smears. Means and correlation

coefficients were calculated using Excel software.

Results: The mean relative lymphocyte count by automated method was 73.6% as compared to 75.6% by the manual method. The mean absolute lymphocyte count by automated selleck method was 32.1 x 10(3)/mu L as opposed to 32.9 x 10(3)/mu L by the manual method. The correlation coefficients were 0.928 and 0.998 for the relative lymphocyte counts and absolute lymphocyte counts, respectively.

Conclusion: Automated differential leukocyte counts can be used in place of M-DIFF in CLL.”
“Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complaint after plastic and reconstructive surgery. Transdermal scopolamine is a commonly used agent for prevention of PONV. Anisocoria from transdermal scopolamine use is an AZD1208 purchase adverse effect that has not been reported in the plastic surgery literature. We present a series of 3 craniofacial patients in which ipsilateral mydriasis occurred and spontaneously resolved after removal

of the scopolamine patch. Given the various causes and potentially grave implications of unilateral mydriasis, we discourage the use of transdermal scopolamine in craniofacial surgery, and especially in orbital surgery. However, if transdermal scopolamine is decided to be used for PONV prophylaxis, we recommend educating the patient, the operating room staff, and the surgical team regarding this potential adverse effect and to avoid finger-to-eye contamination after patch manipulation.”
“The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments (air abrasion, acid etching, laser irradiation) on the surface roughness of a lithium-disilicate-based core ceramic. A total of 40 discs of lithium disilicate-based core ceramic (IPS Empress 2; Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were prepared (10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(C) 2009 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We have investigated the selleck screening library thermal stability and interfacial reactions of a Ru/HfSiON gate stack structure, annealed in a nitrogen ambient, using synchrotron-radiation photoelectron spectroscopy.

We find that in HfSiON films with Ru metal, competition between catalyst-induced oxidation and oxygen or SiO desorption arises upon high-temperature annealing, unlike in the same films without Ru. The desorption reaction during high-temperature annealing at 1050 degrees C could be caused by the decomposition of an unstable Si oxide component, formed by catalytic oxidation at the interface between the HfSiON layer and the Si substrate after annealing below 850 degrees C. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3525584]“
“Methods: Long-term event-free survival

Selleckchem Epigenetic inhibitor was assessed for 480 consecutive patients undergoing surgical (48) or percutaneous (432) left ventricle (LV) lead placement at our institution from January 2000 to September 2008.

Results: Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were similar between groups. While there was no statistically significant difference in overall event-free survival (P = 0.13), when analysis was restricted to surgical patients with isolated surgical lead placement (n = 28), event-free survival was significantly lower in surgical patients (P = 0.015). There appeared to be an early risk (first approximately 3 months postimplantation)

with surgical lead placement, primarily in LV lead-only patients. Event rates were significantly higher in LV lead-only surgical patients than in transvenous patients in the first 3 months (P = 0.006). In proportional hazards analysis comparing isolated surgical LV lead placement to transvenous lead placement, adjusted hazard ratios were 1.8 ([1.1,2.7] P = 0.02) and 1.3 ([1.0,1.7] P = 0.07) for the first 3 months and for the full duration of follow-up, respectively.

Conclusions: Isolated surgical LV lead placement appears to carry a small but significant upfront mortality cost, with risk extending beyond the immediate postoperative buy MS-275 period. Long-term survival is similar, suggesting those surviving beyond this period of early risk derive the same benefit as coronary sinus lead recipients. Further work is needed to identify risk factors associated with early mortality following surgical lead placement. (PACE 2011; 34:490-500).”
“Aims: Most patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer are elderly, but current standard regimens have emerged from trials predominantly involving patients with a median age <65 years. The aim of this study was to assess the factors influencing survival outcome for an elderly gastroesophageal cancer non-trial population.

This review discusses the luteal-phase insufficiency seen after GnRHa triggering and the various trials that have been performed to assess the most optimal luteal support in relation to GnRHa triggering. Although more research is needed, GnRHa triggering is now an alternative to HCG triggering, combining a significant reduction in OHSS with high ongoing pregnancy rates. (C) 2011, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published

by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“With the exponential growth of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in pediatric patients, a new method of long-term surveillance, remote monitoring (RM), has become the standard of care. The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of RM as a monitoring tool in the pediatric population. A retrospective review was performed of 198 patients at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital NCT-501 supplier who had CIEDs. Data transmitted by RM were analyzed. The following Tariquidar chemical structure data were examined: patient demographics; median interval between transmissions; detection of adverse events requiring corrective measures, including detection of lead failure; detection of arrhythmias and device malfunctions independent

of symptoms; time gained in the detection of events using RM versus standard practice; the validity of RM; and the impact of RM on data management. Of 198 patients, 162 submitted 615 RM transmissions. The median time between remote transmissions was 91 days. Of 615 total transmissions, 16 % had true adverse events with 11 % prompting clinical intervention. Of those events requiring clinical response, 61 % of patients reported symptoms. The median interval between last follow-up and occurrence of events detected by RM was 46 days, representing a gain of 134 days for patients followed-up at 6-month intervals and 44 days for patients followed-up at 3 month-intervals. The sensitivity and specificity of RM were found to be 99 and 72 %, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were found to be 41 and 99 %, respectively. RM allows for early identification of arrhythmias

and device malfunctions, thus prompting earlier corrective measures and improving care and safety in pediatric patients.”
“BACKGROUND

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been applied successfully to treat masseteric hypertrophy, but selleck chemicals it can cause muscle weakness.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the change in maximum bite force (MBF) after BTX-A injection into the human masseter muscle and to evaluate the influence of a booster (repeated) injection.

METHODS

Thirty volunteers completed 18-week follow-up, and MBF was measured. At 18 weeks after the first injection, a booster injection was given to 14 patients, and they were followed up until 18 weeks from the booster injection.

RESULTS

Mean MBF was approximately 20% lower at 2 weeks than before the injection, and it recovered gradually after 4 weeks to return to the preinjection level at 12 weeks.

(C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3463405]“
“Objective.

Standardized experimental investigations determining the critical-size JQ-EZ-05 inhibitor defect (CSD) in the mandible of miniature pigs are still lacking. The aim of the present study was to obtain information about the new bone formation in created defects of varying sizes.

Study design. Marginal resection of the alveolar crest of the lower jaw was performed in 3 female miniature pigs. The animals used in the study were 3 years of age and weighed similar to 55 kg. For histologic evaluation the dental implants were harvested with the surrounding bone tissue 10 weeks after implant placement. For this, bone segments including the implants were removed from each side of the mandible. The sizes of the resected LY2157299 bone blocks varied, showing the following volumes: 10.1 cm(3), 4.2 cm(3), and 1.9 cm(3). Periosteal coverage of the defects was performed. Computerized tomography (CT) of the skull of the miniature

pig was performed immediately after the surgical procedure as well as 6 weeks later using a 64-channel mult-slice scanner.

Results. The CT showed that 6 weeks after obtaining the biopsies, the filling of the defects with new bone varied. The percentage of newly formed bone in relation to the size of the original defect was 57.4% for the small- and 87.2% for the middle-sized defect. The large-sized defect showed 75.5% newly formed bone compared with baseline.

Conclusion. Considering the amount of new bone formation found within this study, it is questionable if the critical defect size of 5 cm(3) stated in the literature is valid. Further research concerning the mandibular model in minipigs is required and more refinement needed to

assure selleck kinase inhibitor a standardized CSD, allowing qualitative and quantitative evaluation of bone grafts and bone graft substitutes. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009;108:699-706)”
“We study the dependence of the hole barrier height at the metal/alpha-Ge2Sb2Te5 interface as a function of nitrogen doping in Ge2Sb2Te5 as well as the vacuum work function of the metal. Materials parameters such as the band gap, dielectric constant, and electron affinity values of these nitrogen-doped films were also determined. All Ge2Sb2Te5 films studied in this work are amorphous. Following further physical analysis, the effective work functions of metals on nitrogen-doped Ge2Sb2Te5 films were obtained and found to differ from that of their values in vacuum. This led to the extraction of the slope parameter S, and charge neutrality level Phi(CNL), which characterizes Ge2Sb2Te5.