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Superhalogens belong to a class of molecules that not only mimic the chemistry of halogen atoms but also possess electron affinities that are much larger than that of chlorine, the element with the highest electron affinity in the periodic table. Using BO2 as an example and the synergy between density functional theory-based calculations and photoelectron spectroscopy experiments we demonstrate another unusual property of superhalogens. Unlike halogens, whose ability to accept an electron falls upon dimerization, B2O4, the dimer of BO2, has an electron affinity larger than that of the BO2 building block. This ability of (BO2)2 and subsequent, higher oligomers (BO2)n (n = 3 and 4), to retain their superhalogen characteristics can be traced to the enhanced bonding interactions between oxygen and boron atoms and due to the delocalization of the charge of the extra-electron over the terminal oxygen atoms. These results open the door to the design and synthesis of a new class of metal-free highly negative ions with potential for novel applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, absorbable meshes are used as temporary closure in case of laparostoma. Unfortunately the multifilament polyglycolic acid (PG) meshes with small pores reveal little elasticity acting rather as a fluid barrier than permitting drainage of intra-abdominal fluids. Therefore, a new mesh was constructed of absorbable polydioxanon monofilaments (PDS) with increased porosity and longer degradation time. Material and Methods: For evaluation of the tissue response the new PDS mesh was implanted as abdominal wall replacement in each five rats for 7, 21, or 90 days, respectively, and compared to a PG mesh. Histological analysis included HE staining with measurement of the size of the granuloma and immunoshistochemistry for TUNEL, Ki67, TNF-R2, MMP-2, YB1, FVIII, gas6, AXL. Parameters for neovascularization and nerve ingrowth were analyzed. Results: The inflammatory and fibrotic tissue reaction is attenuated with PDS in comparison to PG, e.g., the size of the granuloma was smaller with less cell turnover, and less remodeling as represented by, e.g., reduction of apoptosis, expression of MMP-2, or TNF-R2. The number of ingrowing nerves and vessels explored via AXL, gas6, and factor VIII was increased in the PDS mesh. Conclusion: The results from the present investigation showed that a mesh can be constructed of monofilament PDS that induce significant less inflammatory and fibrotic reaction, however permits fluid drainage and preserves elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryBackground: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether perioperative epidural analgesia had any effect on the duration of postoperative ileus after laparoscopic sigmoid resection. Methods: Twenty patients were randomized to surgery either with (group 1; n = 10) or without (group 2; n = 10) thoracic epidural analgesia. The major endpoint of the study was the time to the first postoperative bowel movement. Secondary endpoints were the interval until oral feeding was tolerated, incidence of postoperative vomiting, postoperative analgesic consumption use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) until the fourth day after operation, subjective pain perception and the incidence of epidural-related side-effects. Results: Age, sex and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification were similar in the two groups. The first bowel movement was documented after a median of 54 (95 per cent confidence interval 32–127) h in group 1 and 77 (31–99) h in group 2 (P = 0·8). Oral feeding without additional parenteral therapy was tolerated after 48 (40–64) h in group 1 and after 56 (48–64) h in group 2 (P = 0·6). Postoperative vomiting occurred in two patients from each group. During epidural therapy the use of PCA was lower in group 1 (0·30 (0·19–0·96) mg morphine per kg) than in group 2 (0·56 (0·37–0·80) mg/kg) (P < 0·05). Postoperative pain perception during rest and while coughing was similar in both groups. Three patients experienced reversible side-effects of epidural therapy (motor deficit, two patients; bladder dysfunction, one). Conclusion: Perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia did not have a clinically relevant effect on the duration of postoperative ileus after laparoscopic sigmoid resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "CFD-DEM Modeling of Liquid Injection for Spray Coating in a Prismatic Spouted Bed," by S. Pietsch and colleagues is presented.