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In the present study the authors' main goal is to avoid the corrosive attack of the chloride ions of 3.5% NaCl solution in saline medium on the mild steel (MS), by addition of small amount of a new derivative of the hydrazide called ligand (HL), as a corrosion inhibitor. This study had been achieved by employing different electrochemical measurements such as, open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentio-dynamic polarization (PDP) methods. The results of the electrochemical test (OCP), showed that, the open circuit potential of the mild steel in saline solution, was guided to more positive direction in presence of the ligand (HL), at its ideal concentration (1 × 10−3 M), compared to the (OCP), of the mild steel in absence of (HL). The results of the electrochemical methods, EIS and PDP presented that, the ligand (HL), was acted as a good corrosion inhibitor for hindering the corrosion process of the mild steel in 3.5% sodium chloride, as it was recorded a good percentage of the inhibition efficiency (77.45%, 53.41%, by EIS and PDP techniques respectively), at its optimum concentration (1 × 10−3 M). Also, the corrosion rate of the mild steel in the saline medium without (HL), was listed about (0.0017 mm/year), while in existence of (HL), was decreased to a value about (0.00061 mm/year). As well, some of electrical properties of (HL), and its derivative [Pd(II), Cr(III), and Ru(III)], complexes were investigated such as; the activation energy (Ea(ac)), which recorded values in the range of 0.02–0.44 (eV) range and electrical conductivity which listed values at room temperature in the range of 10−5–10−8 S.cm−1. The results of the AC and DC electrical conductivity measurements for (HL), and its derivative [Pd(II), Cr(III) and Ru(III)] complexes indicate semiconducting nature which suggests that these compounds could be used in electronic devices. Also, the complexes exhibited higher conductivity values than (HL). Photophysical studies showed good florescence properties of HL that indicated that it can be used to determine most of the drugs with no fluorescence properties by quenching and calculating quantum yield. Moreover, the hydrazide ligand (HL), has shown selectivity as an active anticancer candidate drug for both breast and colon cancer in humans. Density function theory demonstrated that, the frontier molecular orbital HOMOs of the complexes have exhibited similar behavior and the charge density has localized in the metallic region of all the studied complexes. Also, the values of the energy gap of the ligand (HL), and its complexes Pd(II), Cr(III) and Ru(III), had been arranged in this order HL > Cr(III) > Ru(III) > Pd(II). All characterization using different spectroscopic techniques were reported to elucidate the proposed structures such as; thermal analysis, elemental analysis of C, H, and N atoms, spectral analysis using IR, UV, 1H NMR techniques, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When recycled material is used to produce quasicrystal-forming alloys, their price is reduced, which makes them even more attractive. Therefore, this study reports the development of the recycled quasicrystal-forming Al–Cu–Fe alloys with characteristics competitive with those of high purity alloys. A comprehensive understanding of the characterization by directly linking microstructure, mechanical properties and the relationship with electrochemical response was assessed. The microstructures of the alloys were composed of crystalline phases, such as λ-Al3Fe and β-Al(Cu,Fe), as well as Ψ icosahedral quasicrystalline (i-QC) phase. The last one was formed via peritectic reaction by L + β → Ψ . The microstructures were composed of Ψ i-QC phase of two different morphologies (polyhedral-like structure close to a pentagonal dodecahedron and cauliflower-like structure). The alloys presented higher hardness values (> 650 GPa). The higher the quasicrystallinity, the higher (nobler) the corrosion potential. In addition, the alloys presented a tendency to pseudo-passivate in 3.5 mass% NaCl media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate cryotherapy as a therapeutic option for pain prevention after endodontic treatment with and without foraminal enlargement, in patients with asymptomatic apical periodontitis.120 teeth of patients with preoperative Visual Analogue Scale score indicating zero were treated. Specimens were randomly allocated into 4 groups: Control, Cryotherapy (ICT), Foraminal Enlargement (FE), and Cryotherapy and Foraminal Enlargement (ICT + FE). Working length was determined with an Electronic Apex Locator (EAL). Cryotherapy groups passed through a final irrigation protocol using 20 ml (2.5 ℃) of cold saline solution delivered at working length for 5 min. In FE groups a #40 K-file was used up to the 0.0 mark on the EAL display. Obturation was performed and postoperative pain was checked at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h and 7 days after endodontic treatment.All experimental groups showed an increase in the level of postoperative pain, which started to decrease after 12 h. Foraminal enlargement caused a statistically significant increase in postoperativepain compared to ICT and control groups within the first 6 h (p < 0.05). Cryotherapy did not influence postoperative pain, regardless of whether or not foraminal enlargement was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A body area network involving wearable sensors distributed around the human body can continuously monitor physiological signals, finding applications in personal healthcare and athletic evaluation. Existing solutions for near-field body area networks, while facilitating reliable and secure interconnection among battery-free sensors, face challenges including limited spectral stability against external interference. Here we demonstrate a textile metamaterial featuring a coaxially-shielded internal structure designed to mitigate interference from extraneous loadings. The metamaterial can be patterned onto clothing to form a scalable, customizable network, enabling communication between near-field reading devices and battery-free sensing nodes placed within the network. Proof of concept demonstration shows the metamaterial's robustness against mechanical deformation and exposure to lossy, conductive saline solutions, underscoring its potential applications in wet environments, particularly in athletic activities involving water or significant perspiration, offering insights for the future development of radio frequency components for a robust body area network at a system level. Near-field body area wearable sensing networks are limited in application due to the low spectral stability against external interference. Here, the authors demonstrate a robust metamaterial-enabled near-field body area network that maintains spectral stability even under lossy and conductive loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of biodegradable hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides in the agricultural and biomedical sectors is anticipated to be a growing field of interest. Due to increasing environmental pollution, the current global goal is to synthesize sustainable materials based on natural polysaccharides to conserve natural resources for the future. In this study, we synthesized an amla-based hydrogel, denoted as AL-g-poly(MAA), using the graft-free radical polymerization method. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was employed as the monomer, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) served as the crosslinker, and ammonium persulfate (APS) acted as the initiator. The synthesized hydrogel, AL-g-poly(MAA), underwent optimization by adjusting seven parameters: initiator, solvent, time, monomer, power, pH, and crosslinker, to achieve the highest swelling percentage. The optimized values were as follows: solvent: 10 ml, time: 150 s, monomer: 0.039 mol/L, power: 60%, pH: 7, and crosslinker: 0.0648 mol/L. The cross-linking process was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The swelling behavior of the synthesized hydrogels was determined in saline solutions with varying ionic strengths and concentrations, revealing maximum swelling in solutions with lower ionic strengths and concentrations. Additionally, the density and porosity of the hydrogels were examined. The biodegradability of AL-g-poly(MAA) was tested through soil burial and vermicomposting experiments, demonstrating its significant potential for agriculture applications. Furthermore, both the backbone and the synthesized hydrogel were evaluated for antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains (Burkholderia gladioli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus), revealing strong potential as an antimicrobial agent and therefore having applications in the biomedical field. The mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of synthesized AL-g-poly(MAA) hydrogel on bacterial cell membranes is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm in the oral cavity using the photosensitizer chloroaluminum phthalocyanine encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (ClAlPc/Ch) at three preirradiation times. Methods: Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans strains (ATCC 25,175) were cultivated on bovine tooth blocks and exposed to a 10% sucrose solution three times a day for 1 min over three consecutive days. The samples were randomly distributed into five treatment groups (n = 5): (I) aPDT with ClAlPc/Ch with a preirradiation time of 5 min (F5), (II) aPDT with ClAlPc/Ch with a preirradiation time of 15 min (F15), (III) aPDT with ClAlPc/Ch with a preirradiation time of 30 min (F30), (IV) 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), and (V) 0.9% saline solution (NaCl). After treatment, the S. mutans biofilms formed on each specimen were collected to determine the number of viable bacteria (colony-forming units (CFU)/mL). Data were analyzed for normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD tests to analyze the number of viable bacteria (α = 0.05). Results: The one-way ANOVA showed a difference between the groups (p = 0.0003), and the Tukey HSD posttest showed that CHX had the highest microbial reduction of S. mutans, not statistically different from the F5 and F15 groups, whereas the NaCl group had the lowest microbial reduction statistically similar to the F30 group. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that aPDT mediated by ClAlPc/Ch when used at preirradiation times of 5–15 min can be an effective approach in controlling cariogenic biofilm of S. mutans, being an alternative to 0.12% CHX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isosteviol has been investigated with a cardio-treating effect on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, its hydrophilicity suppressed its efficient cellular uptake for targeting the heart. Exosomes were seen as delivery vesicles with excellent histocompatibility; thus, an isosteviol-loaded exosome (Istv-exo) was prepared for cardiopulmonary delivery in this study. For in vivo evaluation, the Istv-exo and isosteviol saline solution was used for inhalation or intragastric administration on Sprague–Dawley rats for an assay of dynamic distribution. The higher biodistribution of Istv-exo in the lung and heart has been confirmed by the dynamic content curve. Istv-exo/isosteviol solution was administered by inhalation/intragastrically to Myh6-/- mice, a cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model, to explore the therapeutic effect. The heart function of the mice was measured using echocardiography and in situ imaging was used to analyze the morphology of the heart. The higher level of left ventricular internal dimension, ejection fraction, and cardiac output in echocardiography indicated that Istv-exo enhanced improvement of myocardial function. The attenuation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in mice treated with inhalation of Istv-exo determined that it contributed to the reversal of pathological hypertrophy phenotypes. Wheat germ agglutinin staining confirmed that cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was reversed to varying degrees in the Istv-exo, intragastrical isosteviol, and positive control groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining exhibited the enlarging left ventricular and thinning ventricular wall of the treated mice. Drastically less collagen fiber was observed in the positive control group and Istv-exo group. The inhalation administration of isosteviol-loaded exosomes may be better in therapy for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy than intragastric usage of isosteviol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthopedic and dental equipment have always been made of Ti and its alloys. In physiological saline solution, the corrosion behavior of the β-Ti alloy, as a possible replacement for Ti and Ti6Al4V in medical applications, was studied. In agreement with the EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), the PPCs (potentiodynamic polarization curves) findings, and the OCP (the open circuit potential), the specimens' resistance of corrosion declines in the next arrangement: β-Ti alloy > Ti6Al4V alloy > Ti in a physiological saline solution (PSS). Because of the thin layer of Ti oxide that forms on its surface, the β-Ti alloy is widely known for its ability to resist corrosion in dental applications. H2O2, a reactive oxygen species that is present during inflammation, and albumin, the most prevalent protein in biological fluids, were added to in vitro tests to stimulate peri-implant inflammatory conditions. Consequently, for the first time in PSS at 310 K, electrochemical and long-term immersion tests were utilized to assay the impact of BSA (bovine serum albumin) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) on the β-Ti alloy corrosion. Because hydrogen peroxide has a high oxidizing effect, its existence increases the OCP's positive trend. The EIS and PPCs show that albumin suppresses both the cathodic reaction and the anodic dissolution, whereas hydrogen peroxide enhances both the cathodic and anodic reactions. It was discovered that there was a good correlation between the electrochemical data and SEM photomicrographs obtained before and after corrosion testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel zinc-incorporated superabsorbent hydrogel (ZSAH) was fabricated by interpenetrating zinc micronutrient in xanthan gum and carboxymethyl tamarind kernel gum with sodium methacrylate. Various compositions of SAH hydrogels were fabricated by varying the concentrations of biopolymers, monomer, cross-linker, and initiator. Zinc chloride was incorporated in the best-swelled hydrogel for the release of Zinc as a micronutrient. Synthesized SAH and ZSAH were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and TGA techniques. The influence of various solvents, such as standard saline solution, different pH solutions (4, 9, and 12), and distilled water on the swelling degree of ZSAH. Moreover, ZSAH was utilized for controlled-release studies of zinc micronutrient in both soil and water. Moreover, the kinetic modeling of zinc release was done using Korsmeyer–Peppas and Higuchi models. It was found that the Korsmeyer–Peppas model with a higher value of regression coefficient (R2) close to unity fitted well in the zinc release pattern in soil and water. Moreover, the estimated value of diffusion exponent (n) indicated that the mechanism of zinc release followed Fickian diffusion. The ZSAH was used for the study of sesame plant growth. It was found that the number of germination of seeds count for ZSAH was significantly greater than that for the controlled soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) commonly experience moderate to severe postoperative pain. We conducted a randomized, prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic effect of laparoscopic-guided TAP (LG-TAP) block after LSG in a high-volume bariatric center, applying an enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) pathway. Material and Methods: One hundred ten patients were randomly allocated to receive LG-TAP block with local anesthetic (LA) or saline solution (placebo), both combined with port-site infiltration with LA (LA-PSI). Primary outcome was pain score measured in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative nausea and/or vomiting (PONV), analgesic requirement, time to walking, time to flatus, length of hospital stay (LOS), and surgical complications. Results: No significant differences were observed between LG-TAP and placebo groups in postoperative analgesia, with a median (IQR) NRS of 2 (4.75–0) vs. 2 (5.25–0) in PACU, 5.5 (7–3) vs. 6 (7–4) at 6 h, 2 (6–0) vs. 3 (5.25–1.75) at 12 h, and 2 (3.75–0) vs. 1 (2–0) at 24 h; all p > 0.05. A significant difference was found in PONV in PACU (LG-TAP, 46%; placebo, 25%, p-value, 0.019) and at 6 h postoperatively (LG-TAP, 69%, placebo, 41%, p-value, 0.003). No differences were observed as regards other secondary outcomes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that LG-TAP block is not related to more effective postoperative analgesia compared to placebo when LA-PSI is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abrus precatorious is a member of the leguminous family with characteristic red and black seeds. The roots, leaves and seeds of this plant are used for different medicinal purpose. It principally carries flavonoids, triterpene glycosides, abrin and alkaloids. The plant had been mentioned for neuromuscular effects, neuro-protective, abortifacient, antiepileptic, anti-viral, antimalarial, antifertility, nephroprotective, immunomodulator, immunostimulatory properties, antiinflammatory activity, antidiabetic, and many others. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-fertility activity of the methanol extract of Abrus precatorius seeds (APS) in female albino rats administered 45 and 50 mg/kg BW through oral gavage for 30 days. An Abrus precatorius seed (APS) was extracted (1:1 w/v) using methanol to obtain the crude extract. Liquid-liquid fractionation was performed on the crude methanol extract using solvents of different polarity. Methods: Eighteen female rats were divided into three groups each containing six animals was used for this experiment. Group one (control), received 1 ml of saline solution, group two received 45 mg/kg and group three received 50 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage daily for a period of 30 days. At the end of the study, Body weight, Organ Weight, Estrous cycle, Hormonal Concentrations, Oxidative Stress Markers, Enzymatic Activities, Biochemical indices (Liver and Kidney panel) and Hematological parameters were also evaluated. Results: Consequent upon the administration of A.precatorius seed methanol extract 45 and 50 mg/kg BW into the female rats resulted in changes pertaining to Body weight, Estrous cycle, Hormonal Concentrations, Antioxidant Enzymes, Serum Biochemical indices and Hematological indices significantly (p < 0.05) compared to control rats. Initial body weights are significantly (p < 0.05) indicated, whereas final weights were decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Organ weight changes i.e. Ovary, Liver and Kidney weights were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in APS administered rats compared to control. Estrous cycle study i.e. time duration of Proestrus, Estrus, Metestrus and Diestrus (in days) was significantly prolonged. Hormonal Concentrations represented by FSH, LH, Prolactin, Estradiol were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, whereas Progesterone levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in APS administered female rats compared to control group of rats. All the antioxidant enzyme assayed CAT, SOD, GPx, GR and GST were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, whereas MDA concentration was found to be increased significantly (p < 0.05). Enzymatic activities and biomolecules includes Cholesterol and Ascorbic acid contents were significantly increased (p < 0.05), but G6PDH and Δ5 − 3β-HSD activities were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in APS administered group of female rats compared to control group. Biochemical indices of liver tissue presented by Bilirubin, SGPT, SGOT, Albumin and Globulin were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) increased whereas Alkaline Phosphate and Total Protein contents were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. The biochemical indices of kidney, i.e. Urea and Creatinine were significantly (p < 0.05) increased and Uric acid and Calcium contents were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in APS administered female rats compared to control group of rats. Hematological parameters including RBC, Hb, ESR and Clotting Time were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) increased but WBC levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in APS administered female rats compared to control group of rats. Conclusion: A. Precatorius seeds have anti-fertility effect on female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane distillation (MD) is a versatile low-temperature separation process used for desalinating saline solutions with high salt rejection rates. Its current drawbacks include low flux and high energy demand. This study presents localized electrically induced heating using ceramic-coated metallic spacers to improve MD performance. We coated Ni-Cr spacers with MgO via electrolytic deposition and calcination, optimizing for a crack-free protective surface. Smaller wire diameter Ni-Cr exhibited superior heating. When a periodic current of 0.2 A cm−2 was applied, permeate flux increased by 15% although energy consumption only increased by 4%. Continuous supply of high-grade electrical energy added no further performance improvement as compared to periodic application. Our work highlights a spacer-based approach for localized Joule heating in MD systems without compromising membrane structure, while exploring coating systems to protect conductive spacers and optimizing schemes for electrically controlled performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) is increasingly used for a diverse range of wounds. Meanwhile, the topical wound irrigation solution consisting of polyhexamethylene biguanide and betaine (PHMB-B) has shown efficacy in managing wound infections. However, the effectiveness of this solution as a topical instillation solution for NPWTi-d in patients with diabetic foot infections (DFIs) has not been thoroughly studied. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of using PHMB-B as the instillation solution during NPWTi-d on reducing bioburden and improving clinical outcomes in patients with DFIs. Between January 2017 and December 2022, a series of patients with DFIs received treatment with NPWTi-d, using either PHMB-B or normal saline as the instillation solution. Data collected retrospectively included demographic information, baseline wound characteristics, and treatment outcomes. The study included 61 patients in the PHMB-B group and 73 patients in the normal saline group, all diagnosed with DFIs. In comparison to patients treated with normal saline, patients with PHMB-B exhibited no significant differences in terms of wound bed preparation time (P = 0.5034), length of hospital stay (P = 0.6783), NPWTi-d application times (P = 0.1458), duration of systematic antimicrobial administration (P = 0.3567), or overall cost of hospitalization (P = 0.6713). The findings of the study suggest that the use of either PHMB-B or normal saline as an instillation solution in NPWTi-d for DFIs shows promise and effectiveness, yet no clinical distinction was observed between the two solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly pathogenic and rapidly disseminated virus with strong viability in the environment, suggesting the importance of environmental detection for prevention and control in all the pig industry. However, the detection results of environmental swabs cannot always reflect the accurate status of viral pollution, leading to persistent ASFV environmental contamination. In this study, we developed an ASFV eluant with higher environmental ASFV detection efficiency relative to 0.85% saline solution, which obtains the patent certificate issued by the China Intellectual Property Office (patent number:202010976050.9). qPCR analysis showed that in the environmental swab samples, the number of viral copies was 100 times higher for the ASFV eluant treatment than the traditional eluant treatment (0.85% saline solution). And besides, the high sensitivity of the ASFV eluant had be verified in a slaughterhouse environmental sampling detection. In soil samples, the ASFV eluent showed the same extraction effect as the TIANamp Soil DNA Kit, in contrast to no extraction effect for 0.85% saline solution. Simultaneously, this eluent could protect ASFV from degradation and allow the transportation of samples at ambient temperature without refrigeration. In clinical practice, we monitored the environmental contamination condition of the ASFV in a large-scale pig farm. The results shown that the ASFV load decreased after every disinfection in environment. This study provides an effective solution for surveilling the potential threat of ASFV in environment. Key points: The ASFV eluant can significantly improve the positive detection rate in environmental samples in clinical practice. The ASFV eluant is economical and convenient compared to commercial kit.. The ASFV eluant can provide a caution for the environmental safety for China's pig industries, slaughter houses, and transportations and facilitate ASFV eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioreabsorbability properties of PLA make it an attractive material for biomedical applications, especially in implantable devices. Nevertheless, the degradation of this material in biological media under mechanical stress has not yet been fully explored and needs further understanding. Thus, the motivation of this research is to evaluate changes in the properties of 3D-printed PLA when exposed to a simulated biological media, for possible applications in implantable devices. This work aimed to evaluate changes in properties of PLA parts manufactured through 3D printing when immersed in saline phosphate solution for periods of (7, 14 and 30) days. The material was evaluated for mass change, chemical changes (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–FTIR), glass transition temperature (dynamic mechanical analysis), flexural properties (3-point bending tests) and fatigue behaviour. Results showed an increase in mass after immersion for 7 days followed by a decrease in mass for samples immersed for 14 days and 30 days. It was found that immersion in saline phosphate solution produced chemical alterations and increase in glass transition temperature. Although no significant changes were observed in flexural strength after immersion, an average reduction in fatigue life of 57% for 0.25% strain amplitude and 77% for 1% strain amplitude was observed for immersed samples. The results presented suggest that printed PLA can be a promising alternative for applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the refractive power profile, subjective depth-of-field and objective optical quality of two advanced monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) designed to improve intermediate vision. Methods: This prospective study evaluated forty-six eyes of twenty-three patients, aged 54–68 years, binocularly implanted with two monofocal enhanced intraocular lenses (IOLs), the Tecnis Eyhance and the Physiol Isopure. Subjective through-focus visual acuity curves were obtained by placing trial lenses in front of the eye while wearing its best spherical-cylindrical correction for distance. Objective optical quality was defined as the area under the modulation transfer function, calculated from the wavefront maps measured with a high-resolution aberrometer. The optical design of both lenses was compared based on their refractive power profiles measured with the lenses immersed in saline solution. Results: Both lenses have progressive aspherical geometries, in which the sagittal power decreases rapidly from the center to the edge of the optical zone. Mean monocular through-focus curves show a best corrected distance visual acuity of − 0.02 logMAR with both lenses. Through-focus visual acuity was marginally higher for the Eyhance, with a difference of 1 letter at the defocus position of − 0.5D and 3 letters between − 1.0D and − 2.0D. Objective assessment of optical quality revealed only a difference of about 2 points in MTF area at distance. Conclusion: Both IOLs use a similar approach to improve intermediate vision. The Eyhance showed marginally better subjective performance than the Isopure at the target vergences between − 1.00D and − 2.00D, although these results did not reach statistical significance and were not replicated by the objective findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the synthetic analogue of leu-enkephalin (dalargin) on the level of corticosterone in the blood and the mass of the adrenal glands in rats with various typological features of behavior in the model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied. Groups were formed: active low-anxiety (ALA) and high-anxiety (AHA), as well as passive low-anxiety (PLA) and high-anxiety (PHA) rats. Each of the four groups of rats was divided into three subgroups, where subgroup 1 is an intact control. Twenty days after the first stressful exposure, rats from subgroup 3 were injected intramuscularly with dalargin for seven days, and rats from subgroup 2 were injected with saline solution. It was found that the course of injections of dalargin into rats in the PTSD model had a positive effect on the studied indicators only in the group of active high-anxiety animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The number of seven required throws per knot was previously reported as providing sufficient security against slippage. A novel high-strength suture featuring dynamic tightening may allow for throw number reduction without compromising stability. The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the influence of the throw number and the effect of different ambient conditions on the knot security of two different high-strength sutures, and (2) compare their biomechanical competence. Methods: Two sutures (FiberWire (FW) and DynaCord (DC)) were considered for preparing alternating surgical knots. The specimens were stratified for exposure to different media during biomechanical testing—namely air (dry), saline solution (wet), and fat (fatty-wet). A monotonic tensile ramp loading to failure was applied in each test run. For each suture and ambient condition, seven specimens with three to seven throws each were tested (n = 7), evaluating their slippage and ultimate force to failure. The minimum number of throws preventing suture unraveling was determined for each suture type and condition. Results: For each suture type and condition, failure occurred via rupture in all specimens for the following minimum number of throws: FW—dry–7, wet–7, fatty-wet–7; DC—dry–6, wet–4, fatty-wet–5. When applying seven throws, FW demonstrated significantly larger slippage (6.5 ± 2.2 mm) versus DC (3.5 ± 0.4 mm) in wet (p = 0.004) but not in dry and fatty-wet conditions (p ≥ 0.313). Conclusions: The lower number of throws providing knot security of DC versus FW in the more realistic wet and fatty-wet conditions indicates that the novel DC suture may allow to decrease the foreign body volume and save surgical time without compromising the biomechanical competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Medialization thyroplasty (MT) using various implants has been employed as a corrective procedure for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). A newly developed APrevent® vocal implant system (VOIS) offers an innovative solution with a finely adjustable design. This study aimed to investigate the long-term functional voice outcomes and benefits of postoperative adjustments in patients receiving MT using the VOIS-implant. Methods: This is a prospective case series study at single tertiary medical center. Fourteen adult patients diagnosed with UVFP received MT with the VOIS implant and were followed up for more than 1 year. Implant adjustment procedure by injecting 0.9% physiological saline solution was performed both during and after the surgery to optimize glottal closure and voice quality. Objective voice outcomes and acoustic parameters were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at various timepoints. Results: Thirteen patients (93%) received intraoperative balloon adjustment, ranging from 0.05to 0.12 ml. Four patients underwent adjustments postoperatively and exhibited a positive trend towards immediately improving acoustic voice quality. Our long-term results demonstrated a notable improvement after the surgery in voice quality, with significant decreases in VHI-30 and improvements in perceptual parameters of GRBAS scale, acoustic measures such as jitter and signal-to-noise ratio (p < 0.001) and cepstral peak prominence smoothed in sustained vowel and short sentences. The voice outcomes remained stable more than 1 year follow-up. Conclusions: Overall, MT with VOIS implantation provides a favorable long-term outcomes and stability in voice quality for patients with UVFP and also an effective tool for postoperative adjustment without major revision surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Striae distensae (SD), or stretch marks, are a common skin problem having a psychological impact and cosmetic concern, especially for women, in whom the prevalence is higher than in men. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a single autologous micrografting treatment (AMT®) using Rigenera® technology for the management of SD. Methods: This single-centre study included 10 healthy women between 24 and 65 years of age, with Fitzpatrick–Goldman skin types I–IV, who had visible SD in glutes/thighs. Each subject acted as their own control. The treatment procedure (microneedling + AMT) and the control procedure (no treatment) were performed on contralateral sides of the glutes/thighs, targeting matched and paired SD. Microneedling was carried out using Dermapen®, equipped with 32 needle heads set at 1.5 mm needle length. The AMT procedure involved extracting biopsies from the mastoid hair zone with a 2.5-mm dermal punch, followed by disaggregation of the biopsies in a physiological saline solution using the Rigeneracons. The disaggregated micrografts were then intradermally injected using 30G 4-mm needles, maintaining a distance of 1 cm between injection points, covering the entire marked treatment region. Results: In the treated area, at 3 months post-procedure compared to pre-procedure, the following changes were observed, all with statistical significance (P ≤ 0.05): (a) significant reductions in skin roughness (Ra, − 15.9%; Rz, − 22.6%), skin luminance (− 2.0%), and blue-green color distribution (− 10.6%); (b) significant increases in skin microcirculation maximum value (+ 240.1%), skin hydration (+ 71.2%), skin elasticity (+ 216.5%), skin density (+ 34.3%), skin thickness (+ 26.0%), and hypodermis thickness (+ 29.9%). Furthermore, for each of the aforementioned parameters, there was a significantly greater improvement observed with the AMT procedure compared with microneedling at 3 months (all P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The AMT procedure using Rigenera technology resulted in an noticeable improvement in the SD appearance after 3 months in healthy women. Plain Language Summary: This was a study of the Autologous Micrografting Technology (AMT) procedure for management of SD. Striae distensae (SD) commonly known as stretch marks are visible linear scars on the skin arising from excessive stretching of the skin. They are a very common condition, especially in women, causing cosmetic concern and psychological discomfort. Ten healthy women with SD were included in the study and each subject acted as their own control. Matched and paired SD on contralateral sides of the glutes/thighs were identified for treatment and control. In the area identified for treatment, the skin was initially damaged by microneedling to enhance regeneration, followed by intradermal injection of disaggregated autologous micrografts. The micrografts for the AMT procedure were extracted from the mastoid hair zone and disaggregated in physiological saline solution using the Rigeneracons. In the control area, no treatment was performed. The efficacy of the AMT procedure was assessed at 1 and 3 months post-procedure using several validated methodologies. Three months after the AMT procedure, a significant increase was observed in skin hydration, elasticity, density, and thickness, as well as in hypodermis thickness and microcirculation maximum value compared with pre-procedure in the treated area. There also was a significant reduction in skin roughness, skin luminance, and blue-green color distribution at 3 months in the treated area. For each of these parameters, the improvement observed at 3 months was significantly higher with the AMT procedure compared with only microneedling. We showed that a single AMT procedure using Rigenera technology is useful in the management of SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) in managing avulsed teeth. This systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (i.e., "PRISMA") statement 2020 and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (i.e., PROSPERO) with number CRD42022362198. The participants, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study design (i.e., PICOS) for the present study considered the following question: "Does the use of laser PBM in the treatment of teeth with avulsion influence tissue repair performance?" A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases until January 2023. The SYRCLE's RoB tool (Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation) for animal studies were used for quality assessment. A total of 7 in vivo studies published between 2011 and 2018 were included in this systematic review for qualitative analysis. All studies used Wistar rats, totaling 368 specimens that simulated tooth avulsion trauma. The effect of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of avulsed teeth was positive in 5 studies (significant increase in tissue repair) and negative in 2 studies, in which both studies with negative results kept teeth in saline solution before reimplantation and showed the longest time and power of laser application. PBM appears to be effective for tissue repair in the treatment of avulsed teeth, depending on the means of conservation of the avulsed tooth and the laser application protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal alteration of olivine greatly influences geodynamics and the recycling of volatiles (such as water and carbon) in subduction zones. Silica is an important component of geological fluids, and its influence on the hydrothermal alteration of olivine remains poorly constrained. In this study, we performed experiments at 300–515°C and 3.0 kbar (1 bar=105 Pa) by reacting well homogenized mixtures of olivine and silica powders with saline solutions (0.5 mol L−1 NaCl). Silica greatly influences the reaction pathways, reaction rates, and molecular hydrogen (H2) formation during olivine hydrothermal alteration. In experiments at 300°C and 3.0 kbar with mixtures of olivine and 10 wt% silica, olivine was replaced by serpentine and talc. The proportions of serpentine and talc were determined according to standard curves based on infrared spectroscopy analyses. Around 6.5% serpentine and 12% talc were produced after an experimental duration of 7 days, which had no change after a longer period (14 days). Compared to the kinetics in silica-free systems, the rates of olivine hydrothermal alteration in experiments with 10 wt% silica are much lower. The overall reaction is: 4.5Forsterite+5.5SiO2,aq+4H2O=Serpentine+2Talc. With the addition of more silica (20 wt% and 40 wt%), olivine was transformed into talc. The rates of reaction were much faster, e.g., for experiments with olivine and 20 wt% silica, 43% of talc was produced after 14 days, which increased to 77% for experiments with 40 wt% silica over the same period. The overall reaction is: 3Forsterite+5SiO2,aq+2H2O=2Talc. In experiments at 400–505°C and 3.0 kbar, the promoting effect of silica on olivine hydrothermal alteration was also observed, which is closely associated with a decrease in Gibbs free energies of olivine hydrothermal alteration. At 300°C and 3.0 kbar, silica decreased H2 formed during olivine hydrothermal alteration by around an order of magnitude, resulting in an increase in oxygen fugacity. Based on measured H2, we calibrated oxygen fugacities, ranging from 0.96 to 3.41 log units below FMQ (fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer assemblage). This study suggests that the infiltration of SiO2-bearing fluids into peridotites greatly influences redox conditions and the rates of olivine hydrothermal alteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogels prepared using natural sources are of great importance in various applications due to their biodegradable and biocompatible features. In this work, a novel nanocomposite hydrogel based on the Gum extracted from Elaeagnus angustifolia was prepared and characterized. Graft copolymerization of Acrylic acid (AA) and Acrylamide (AAm) monomers was done on the polysaccharide chains of E. angustifolia Gum (EAG). To improve the physical and mechanical properties of the synthesized hydrogel, Cloisite 15A was used in different amounts as additive and physical cross-linking agent. The prepared hydrogels based on EAG polysaccharides were chemically and structurally characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis and SEM images. Incorporation of Cloisite 15A altered the porosity and network structure of the hydrogels-based EAG by acting as a physical cross-linker. So, the hydrogel containing Cloisite 15A showed improved water absorption and mechanical properties. Also, it was observed that the nanocomposite hydrogels have better performance in solutions with various pH values and saline solutions. The rheological studies showed that by the application of 3% wt of Cloisite 15A, the gel characteristics of the nanocomposite hydrogel are enhanced due to the optimum density of physical cross-linking in hydrogel structure. Accordingly, due to the natural source and proper physicochemical properties, the prepared hydrogel can be potentially used as water reservoir system in various agricultural and hygienic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore a storage solution for titanium implants and investigate its osteogenic properties. The commercial pure titanium (cp-Ti) surface and double-etched (SLA) titanium surface specimens were preserved in air, saline, 10 mM Vitamin C (VitC)-containing saline and 100 mM VitC-containing saline storage solutions for 2 weeks. The surface microtopography of titanium was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface elemental compositions of the specimens were analyzed by Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and water contact angle and surface roughness of the specimens were tested. The protein adsorption capacity of two titanium surfaces after storage in different media was examined by BCA kit. The MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were cultured on two titanium surfaces after storage in different media, and the proliferation, adhesion and osteogenic differentiation activity of osteoblasts were detected by CCK-8, laser confocal microscope (CLSM) and Western blot. The SEM results indicated that the titanium surfaces of the air group were relatively clean while scattered sodium chloride or VitC crystals were seen on the titanium surfaces of the other three groups. There were no significant differences in the micromorphology of the titanium surfaces among the four groups. Raman spectroscopy detected VitC crystals on the titanium surfaces of two experimental groups. The XPS, water contact angle and surface roughness results suggested that cp-Ti and SLA-Ti stored in 0.9% NaCl and two VitC-containing saline storage solutions possessed less carbon contamination and higher surface hydrophilicity. Moreover, the protein adsorption potentials of cp-Ti and SLA-Ti surfaces were significantly improved under preservation in two VitC-containing saline storage solutions. The results of in vitro study showed that the preservation of two titanium surfaces in 100 mM VitC-containing saline storage solution upregulated the cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic related protein expressions of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In conclusion, preservation of cp-Ti and SLA-Ti in 100 mM VitC-containing saline storage solution could effectively reduce carbon contamination and enhance surface hydrophilicity, which was conducive to osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research focuses on utilizing gamma irradiation to synthesize polyacrylic acid-co-polyacrylamide p(AAm-co-AAc) hydrogels. The effect of synthetic parameters on physicochemical features of p(AAm-co-AAc) hydrogls were examined, including acrylic acid (AAc): acrylamide (AAm) weight ratios, monomer concentration, and gamma irradiation dosage (kGy). At the optimum synthetic conditions (30 kGy and 75% AAc), different chemical modifications are explored to incorporate sulfonate, hydroxyl, carboxyl, cysteine, thiol, and amine functional groups within the bare hydrogel (Cpd 0) structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed the success development of functionalized hydrogels (namely Cpd 1 to 6) with three-dimensional porous structures. These modified hydrogels include Cpd 1, a sulfonated hydrogel through a sulfonation reaction; Cpd 2, modified via NaOH hydrolysis; Cpd 3, modified using thionyl chloride; Cpd 4, incorporating cysteine modification through reaction with cysteine; Cpd 5, with 4-(Dimethylamino) benzaldehyde; and Cpd 6, modified with 3,4-Dimethylbenzoic acid.The effect of hydrogel composition and surface functionalities on the swelling capacity and interactions with scale-forming/heavy metal ions (e.g., Ba2+, Sr2+, and Cu2+) was investigated in saline water solution (NaCl = 1000 mg/L). Batch adsorption studies reveal that all modified hydrogels exhibited higher removal efficiency for the three metal ions than unmodified p(AAm-co-AAc) hydrogel, validating the key role of surface functionalities in tailoring hydrogel affinity for metal ions adsorption. Amongst these, NaOH-treated hydrogel (Cpd 2) outperformed all other modified ones in the removal of Cu2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ ions, with maximum capacities of 13.67, 36.4, and 27.31 mg/g, respectively. Based on adsorption isotherm and kinetic modeling, the adsorption process of the three metal ions onto all modified hydrogels better obeyed Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-first-order kinetic models. Thermodynamic studies also indicated that the adsorption behavior of Sr2+ ions can exhibit both exothermic and endothermic characteristics, depending on the nature of hydrogel surface chemistry. Conversely, the adsorption process of Cu2+ and Ba2+ ions onto all modified hydrogels is endothermic, suggesting favorable chemical adsorption mechanisms. These findings reveal that the specific adsorption performance of hydrogel is dependent on the type of modification and the targeted heavy metal ions. Based on the nature of hydrogel surface functionality, surface modifications can change the charge density, hydrophilicity, and overall chemical environment of the hydrogel, offering a versatile approach to optimize the adsorption affinity/selectivity of hydrogel's in removing scale-forming/heavy metals from water solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome of African swine fever (ASF) has been analyzed, and a protein that can serve an immunogen has been identified. A water-soluble fragment of this protein is shown (by the molecular dynamics) to be stable in an aqueous saline solution. Immunomodeling has shown that this fragment causes a cellular response and, therefore, may serve a vaccine prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weathering and environmental factors to which components are exposed during their useful life can promote damage and, consequently, premature failure in service. Thus, through the morphological analysis of fracture surfaces, it is possible to identify the failure modes and the main fractographic aspects present on the fracture surface. From these data, it is possible to increase the knowledge of the behavior of the material in service or even to have information for preventive corrections in the processing and use of material. Fractographic studies of carbon fiber (CF)/thermoplastic matrix composites are still little explored in the literature and can bring important contributions to understanding the failure mode of this class of materials. The objective of this work is to study the fractographic aspects of CF/polyamide 6 (PA6) composite exposed to two different conditionings, that is, distilled water at 80 ºC and saline solution, tested in tensile. Scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that the CF/PA6 laminate has a good consolidation and an excellent CF/matrix interface. Plastic deformations and fiber bridging are present in the fracture surface of the unconditioned specimens. However, after conditioning in distilled water at 80 ºC, the matrix became more fragile and the interface weaker. The conditioning in saline solution was less aggressive due to the salt effect that decreased the water migration into the specimens. The fractographic study performed shows in detail the influence of environmental deterioration using accelerated weathering on the fracture surface of thermoplastic laminates tested in tensile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new low-toxicity nanocontainer is proposed to functionalize an epoxy coating. The nanocontainer is made up of 1) a hierarchical mesoporous structure of ZnO, 2) the Mimosa tenuiflora [Mt] extract, and 3) a tannic acid-iron complex (Fe-TA). The performance of the modified coating with ZnO/[Mt]@Fe-TA nanocontainers sprayed on low-carbon steel in a saline solution of NaCl (3.5%) is evaluated. The characterization of the hierarchical mesoporous structure of ZnO includes the specific surface area and adsorption/desorption isotherms obtained by BET method. Likewise, the chemical composition of the extract of the [Mt] bark is determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and 13 C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The nanocontainers are characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electronic Microscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The performance of the coating added with ZnO/[Mt]@Fe-TA nanocontainers is carried out by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The results exhibit that although ionic permeability occurs in the coating, the ZnO/[Mt]@Fe-TA nanocontainers are responsible for the formation of an oxide layer that mitigates the degradation of the coating. In addition, the electrochemical parameters show oscillations throughout the entire exposure time, suggesting that ZnO/[Mt]@Fe-TA nanocontainers could be potential pigments for a self-healing coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Acute subdural hematoma (ASH) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly. As military neurosurgeons, we perform a simplified technique using a linear skin incision and a small craniotomy bone flap in order to ease perioperative tolerance. Methods: The patient lies supine, a pad under the shoulder ipsilateral to the ASH, the head completely rotated on the other side and placed on a circular pad, without head clamp. The linear frontotemporal skin incision should be twice the size of the bone flap's diameter, allowing to access the whole subdural space. Care is taken to obtain complete decompression of the temporal fossa in order to alleviate uncal herniation. A subdural drain can be placed, and the subdural space is filled with warm saline solution in order to create a closed drainage system. Conclusion: The patient is allowed to sit at postoperative day 1 and to walk at postoperative day 2. Simplified craniotomy for ASH allows to reduce operative time and provides faster functional recovery [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 82Sr/82Rb generator is used to produce a radiopharmaceutical rubidium-82 chloride in saline solution for PET imaging. In this work, we studied the effect of the amount of stable strontium and calcium delivered to the sorbent (on the basis of hydrated tin dioxide) on the maximum volume of radiopharmaceutical solution that can be obtained from the generator. Sr and Ca may be delivered to the sorbent from the initial solution of strontium-82 chloride or from the eluent (0.9% NaCl) during medical application of the generator. It is shown that this volume depends on the value CSr + 0.11CCa, where CSr and CCa are molar concentrations of the elements in 1 g of the sorbent. The obtained results make it possible to increase significantly the productivity and reliability of the used generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studying primary and secondary melt inclusions within olivine macrocrysts and groundmass minerals from monticellite–nepheline damtjernites of the Victoria pipe (Anabar diamondiferous province, Siberia craton) are presented. They were used to reconstruct the evolution of the ultramafic alkaline melt during the formation of the pipe. It is shown that the primary damtjernite melts were K–Na bearing carbonate–silicate in composition. Here, K and Na in the primary melt inclusions within olivine macrocrysts enter the composition of essentially silicate daughter phases. According to this, they are different in composition from similar inclusions in olivine from aillikites and kimberlites and emphasize the more alkaline character of the damtjernitic parental melts. At the subsequent stages of melt evolution during pipe formation, Na and K in the studied inclusions not only enter silicate daughter phases but can also form alkaline phosphates, carbonates, sulfates, and halides. This leads to the formation of alkaline carbonate and saline sulfate–phosphate–chloride–carbonate solutions. According to this, the evolution of the damtjernitic melt is similar to that of aillikite and carbonatite melts and can serve as a uniform mechanism of evolution of alkaline–ultramafic melts. The further reactionary interaction of the fluid phase with olivine led to the formation of monticellite and processes of degassing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into the corrosion behavior of a copper substrate with a graphene coating synthesized using the CVD method has been performed. The influence of various copper substrates with varying substrate thickness, time of high-temperature annealing and duration of graphene synthesis was investigated. Different synthesis durations allowed studying the corrosive current on the copper surface: (a) not fully covered with graphene, (b) completely covered with single-layer graphene and (c) when there are areas with several graphene layers on the surface. Electrochemical corrosion in saline solution was realized at high and low potentials of the working electrode, which enabled assessment of the limiting factors of corrosion. At a low potential, the mass of corrosion products decreased by an order of magnitude. A hypothesis explaining the formation of deep corrosion pits of rectangular shape was proposed. The energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) demonstrated that with a high potential of the working electrode, an essentially heterogeneous distribution of carbon and copper is realized (compared with a lower potential of the electrode). With the duration of graphene synthesis from 0 to 10 min, the corrosion current decreases almost 10 times. With a further increase in the duration of synthesis, the corrosion current drops slightly. The performed MD simulation on wettability corresponds to the experimental data. The obtained results may be useful for the development of the technology of defect-free graphene-based sensors that are less sensitive to corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare image quality and diagnostic performance of preoperative direct hip magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) performed with gadolinium contrast agent and saline solution. Methods: IRB-approved retrospective study of 140 age and sex-matched symptomatic patients with femoroacetabular impingement, who either underwent intra-articular injection of 15–20 mL gadopentetate dimeglumine (GBCA), 2.0 mmol/L ("GBCA-MRA" group, n = 70), or 0.9% saline solution ("Saline-MRA" group, n = 70) for preoperative hip MRA and subsequent hip arthroscopy. 1.5 T hip MRA was performed including leg traction. Two readers assessed image quality using a 5-point Likert scale (1–5, excellent-poor), labrum and femoroacetabular cartilage lesions. Arthroscopic diagnosis was used to calculate diagnostic accuracy which was compared between groups with Fisher's exact tests. Image quality was compared with the Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: Mean age was 33 years ± 9, 21% female patients. Image quality was excellent (GBCA-MRA mean range, 1.1–1.3 vs 1.1–1.2 points for Saline-MRA) and not different between groups (all p > 0.05) except for image contrast which was lower for Saline-MRA group (GBCA-MRA 1.1 ± 0.4 vs Saline-MRA 1.8 ± 0.5; p < 0.001). Accuracy was high for both groups for reader 1/reader 2 for labrum (GBCA-MRA 94%/ 96% versus Saline-MRA 96%/93%; p > 0.999/p = 0.904) and acetabular (GBCA-MRA 86%/ 83% versus Saline-MRA 89%/87%; p = 0.902/p = 0.901) and femoral cartilage lesions (GBCA-MRA 97%/ 99% versus Saline-MRA 97%/97%; both p > 0.999). Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy and image quality of Saline-MRA and GBCA-MRA is high in assessing chondrolabral lesions underlining the potential role of non-gadolinium-based hip MRA. Key Points: • Image quality of Saline-MRA and GBCA-MRA was excellent for labrum, acetabular and femoral cartilage, ligamentum teres, and the capsule (all p > 0.18). • The overall image contrast was lower for Saline-MRA (Saline-MRA 1.8 ± 0.5 vs. GBCA-MRA 1.1 ± 0.4; p < 0.001). • Diagnostic accuracy was high for Saline-MRA and GBCA-MRA for labrum (96% vs. 94%; p > 0.999), acetabular cartilage damage (89% vs. 86%; p = 0.902), femoral cartilage damage (97% vs. 97%; p > 0.999), and extensive cartilage damage (97% vs. 93%; p = 0.904). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on RF heating was studied in sterilized Milli-Q water and saline solution during treatments at 27.0 ± 0.6 MHz and 3.0 ± 0.02 MHz for 30 min. The presence of microorganisms caused a significant increase in temperature (maximum to 54.9 °C), with no significant decrease in cell numbers being observed for any conditions. For both media and frequencies, heating rates followed the order S. Typhimurium ≤ L. monocytogenes ≤ S. cerevisiae, except for heating at 3.0 ± 0.02 MHz in saline solution, where heating rates for S. cerevisiae and S. Typhimurium were equal. Generally, heating rates for microorganisms were significantly higher at 27.0 ± 0.6 MHz than at 3.0 ± 0.02 MHz, except for the S. cerevisiae case. Observed phenomena were probably caused by differences in the cell lipid and peptidoglycan content, with interaction effects with salt being present. This study was the first to investigate the influence of the presence of microorganisms on heating behavior of simple media. On the long term, more research on this topic could lead to finding specific RF frequencies more suitable for the heating of specific media and products for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between the structural and aggregational state of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the specific length and total number of zigzag pattern segments of the film textures formed upon drying biopolymer solutions with aluminum and iron chlorides have been shown. To obtain films, saline solutions of BSA were dried in a glass cuvette under thermostatically controlled conditions. It is shown that the formation of zigzag structures is sensitive to the influence of aluminum chlorides Al3+ and iron chlorides Fe3+ and depend on the concentration of AlCl3 and FeCl3. This may be due to a change in the charge and size of BSA particles and due to a change in conformation or a violation of the structure of BSA. These factors, in turn, affect the hydration of the solution components and the structural state of free water in solution, which presumably also affects the formation of zigzag structures. It is established that the analysis of the specific length and the number of segments of zigzag patterns makes it possible to evaluate changes in the state of biopolymers in the initial solution during structural changes and aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides enjoy from the biocompatibility and economic favorites. In this work, mucilage of Ocimum basilicum seeds was extracted and used for the preparation of hydrogels followed by study of the hydrogel properties. The hydrogels were prepared by graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide monomers to the polysaccharide chains extracted from O. basilicum seeds. Graphene Oxide (GO) nanosheets, produced by the green, easy and cost-effective electrochemical exfoliation method, were used to improve the physical and mechanical properties of prepared natural-based hydrogels. FTIR spectroscopy, SEM images and XRD analysis were used to characterize the prepared hydrogels. The structure and water absorption properties of hydrogels based on O. basilicum Mucilage (OBM), grafted by acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AAm) copolymers (OBM-g-poly(AA-co-AAm)), were investigated and the effect of GO additive was evaluated. GO nanosheets, alters the porosity and water absorption behavior of OBM based hydrogels and in 1.25% wt of GO additive, the highest water absorption rate was obtained which is due to the suitable porosity of the hydrogel and the higher contact area between the water molecules and the hydrogel structure. More studies showed the increasing of pH and saline solution sensitive responsibility of OBM based hydrogel by incorporating GO nanosheet having highly hydrophilic functional groups. Finally, rheological studies showed that by increasing the amount of GO content, the hydrogels got stiffer, which is due to their highly compressed structure. This is attributed to the more functional groups present on GO nanosheets and their physical and chemical crosslinking effect in the formation of hydrogel networks with a more compact structure. Considering the advanced physical and mechanical properties of the novel OBM based nanocomposite hydrogels, they have high potential for use in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressing films and drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to create a polyaspartic acid (PAA) surface-modified blue luminescent carbon quantum dots (CDs)-based biosensor (PAA-CDs) that could detect calcium (II) ions and glutathione (GSH) with excellent sensitivity and selectivity. Herein, the hydrothermal approach was adopted to produce blue luminescent CDs from mint plant stalks. To improve surface irregularities, quantum confinement effects, and to impart recognition sites for the analyte sensing, the CDs were surface-functionalized with PAA. Spectroscopic techniques like UV, FT-IR, XPS, and other techniques were used to sanction the synthesis and surface functionalization of PAA-CDs. The probe PAA-CDs was utilized for the detection of Ca (II) ions via a quenching process (turn-off) and subsequently, restoration in fluorescence intensity (turn-on) was accomplished by incorporation of GSH, forming a novel probe for sensing of biothiol. For a linearity range of 0–45 µM concentration of Ca (II), the LOD was obtained as 25 nM in phosphate-buffered saline solutions (PBS, pH 7.4). Similarly, for a linearity range of 0–40 µM concentration of GSH, LOD was obtained as 64 nM. The surface-modified PAA-CDs exhibited stronger affinity towards Ca (II) ions via the FRET mechanism, which formed the Ca (II)@PAA-CDs complex that was unable to emit photons when excited. Thereafter, thiol (-SH) group of GSH offered selective attraction with Ca (II) ions among the various biomolecules; this caused the breaking of Ca (II) from Ca(II)@PAA-CDs complex. So, the detachment of Ca (II) from the complex re-established the fluorescence intensity of PAA-CDs in linear fashion. In addition, the cytotoxicity study of the PAA-CDs revealed their biocompatible nature, and the methodology was effectively practical to estimate the GSH concentration in human serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in biotechnology and related fields continue to compel the development of new sensing techniques for more efficient miniature bioelement detections at low concentrations. Microsystems have gained huge interest and produced fascinating results in cell studies, owing to their miniature sensing area, low fabrication costs, label-less detection, and ease of integration with lab-on-a-chip (LoC) applications. In this study, an innovative tapered polymer-based microchannel-embedded microcantilever termed the 'T-SPMF3' is presented and computationally analyzed. The working of the device is based on the deflection of the microcantilever tip by flow forces produced within the embedded microchannel. Using the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) module in COMSOL Multiphysics, the sensitivity of the biosensor is investigated relative to a series of parameter tweaks. By increasing the characteristic parameter of the model, the lateral displacement angle θ from 0 0 to 20 0 , sensitivity increased by ~ 90%. The same magnitude of improvement was shown through each of the test fluids (water, milk, saline solution, acetone, and blood) considered in the study, with the most and the least viscous of them producing the largest and smallest deflections respectively. Furthermore, a particle flow analysis is carried out – using three microparticle parameters that represent red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) – to gain a better understanding of how the microparticles impact the microchannel walls and as a result, produce different beam deflections. Overall, the study shows how the sensitivity of the proposed model can be tuned to meet the demands of different bio-diagnostic applications. This research could greatly push MEMS capabilities and multifunctionality in cell mechanobiological to new heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein-based biomaterials are excellent candidates for biomedical applications since they have similar properties to the extracellular matrix. Recently, the use of sericin (SS), a protein present in the silk cocoon, can be used as biomaterial. To improve their properties, SS biomaterials must be subject to treatments after their manufacturing. Ethanol post-treatments by immersion and solvent vapor, are used for increasing their crystallinity, mechanical and water stability. In this work, the effect of ethanol post-treatment on the properties of SS scaffolds elaborated by the lyophilization technique was evaluated. Four post-treatments were carried out on the samples: immersed in absolute ethanol for 5 min (SS/EtOH 5 min) and for 1 h (SS/EtOH 1 h); and exposition in a saturated ethanol vapor environment for 1 h (SS/VapEtOH 1 h) and for 24 h (SS/VapEtOH 24 h). The scaffolds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption, degradation in a phosphate-buffered saline solution, sericin release from the scaffolds, and the cytotoxicity test. The ATR-FTIR results showed an increment in the relative content of β-sheet structures and an increment in the crystallinity. SEM images revealed that the post-treatment process induces changes in treated materials to present morphological changes. The treatment materials were more water-stable. The excipients of the SS scaffolds evaluated in human epithelial fibroblasts do not generate an acute cytotoxic effect. The results suggest that ethanol post-treatments induce conformational transitions and morphological changes, which should be considered for selecting the post-treatment conditions according to developing materials for wound regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: The low solubility, weak acid drug, niclosamide is a host cell modulator with broad-spectrum anti-viral cell-activity against many viruses, including stopping the SARS-CoV-2 virus from infecting cells in cell culture. As a result, a simple universal nasal spray preventative was proposed and investigated in earlier work regarding the dissolution of niclosamide into simple buffers. However, starting with pharmaceutical grade, niclosamide represents a new 505(b)(2) application. The motivation for this second paper in the series was therefore to explore if and to what extent niclosamide could be extracted from commercially available and regulatory-approved niclosamide oral tablets that could serve as a preventative nasal spray and an early treatment oral/throat spray, with possibly more expeditious testing and regulatory approval. Experimental: Measurements of supernatant niclosamide concentrations were made by calibrated UV-Vis for the dissolution of niclosamide from commercially available Yomesan crushed into a powder for dissolution into Tris Buffer (TB) solutions. Parameters tested were as follows: time (0–2 days), concentration (300 µM to -1 mM), pH (7.41 to 9.35), and anhydrous/hydrated state. Optical microscopy was used to view the morphologies of the initial crushed powder, and the dissolving and equilibrating undissolved excess particles to detect morphologic changes that might occur. Results: Concentration dependence: Niclosamide was readily extracted from powdered Yomesan at pH 9.34 TB at starting Yomesan niclosamide equivalents concentrations of 300 µM, 600 µM, and 1 mM. Peak dissolved niclosamide supernatant concentrations of 264 µM, 216 µM, and 172 µM were achieved in 1 h, 1 h, and 3 h respectively. These peaks though were followed by a reduction in supernatant concentration to an average of 112.3 µM ± 28.4 µM after overnight stir on day 2. pH dependence: For nominal pHs of 7.41, 8.35, 8.85, and 9.35, peak niclosamide concentrations were 4 µM, 22.4 µM, 96.2 µM, and 215.8 µM, respectively. Similarly, the day 2 values all reduced to 3 µM, 12.9 µM, 35.1 µM, and 112.3 µM. A heat-treatment to 200 °C dehydrated the niclosamide and showed a high 3 h concentration (262 µM) and the least day-2 reduction (to 229 µM). This indicated that the presence, or formation during exposure to buffer, of lower solubility polymorphs was responsible for the reductions in total solubilities. These morphologic changes were confirmed by optical microscopy that showed initially featureless particulate-aggregates of niclosamide could grow multiple needle-shaped crystals and form needle masses, especially in the presence of Tris-buffered sodium chloride, where new red needles were rapidly made. Scale up: A scaled-up 1 L solution of niclosamide was made achieving 165 µM supernatant niclosamide in 3 h by dissolution of just one fifth (100 mg niclosamide) of a Yomesan tablet. Conclusion: These comprehensive results provide a guide as to how to utilize commercially available and approved tablets of niclosamide to generate aqueous niclosamide solutions from a simple dissolution protocol. As shown here, just one 4-tablet pack of Yomesan could readily make 165 L of a 20 µM niclosamide solution giving 16,500 10 mL bottles. One million bottles, from just 60 packs of Yomesan, would provide 100 million single spray doses for distribution to mitigate a host of respiratory infections as a universal preventative-nasal and early treatment oral/throat sprays throughout the world. pH dependence of niclosamide extraction from crushed Yomesan tablet material into Tris buffer (yellow-green in vial) and Tris-buffered saline solution (orange-red in vial). Initial anhydrous dissolution concentration is reduced by overnight stirring to likely monohydrate niclosamide; and is even lower if in TBSS forming new niclosamide sodium needle crystals grown from the original particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Exótica deposit, south of the giant porphyry copper deposit of Chuquicamata (Atacama Desert, Chile), Cu-rich groundwater seeped out at several locations in the Exótica open pit (Mina Sur) during sampling in 2009–2011. At their outflows, these solutions formed blueish and greenish copper-bearing gel-like precipitates. These gels contained atacamite and copper sulfate hydroxides such as devilline, spangolite, posnjakite, schulenbergite, and brochantite, which were identified by XRD, SEM, ESEM, and FTIR. The formation of the gel materials was studied under humid and dry conditions during and after maturation and water evaporation. Atacamite was found associated to outflowing saline solutions with pH 5.7, SO4/Cl weight ratios of 0.42–0.48, SO4/NO3 ratios of 0.48–0.50. These solutions are seen as an expression of the the lower aquifer of the Calama basin. Most copper sulfate hydroxides (spangolite, posnjakite, schulenbergite) were associated with slightly acidic freshwaters (pH 6.0 to 6.5, SO4/Cl ratios of 3.08–4.99, SO4/NO3 ratios of 2.52–3.13). In contrast, devilline formed in gels with near neutral to slightly alkaline water (pH 7.2 to 7.8, SO4/Cl ratio of 8.34, and SO4/NO3 ratio of 6.05). Non-copper-bearing precipitates formed by evaporation of the supernatant solutions from the gel. Gypsum precipitated first, then blödite (sodium-magnesium sulfate), and finally halite. Slightly negative sulfur isotope values suggest that the sulfur source in the neoformed gels is primarily the oxidation of sulfides rather than sulfate of sedimentary origin. The studied copper-gel seeps suggest that they might represent a modern precursor of the latest atacamite-brochantite-gypsum mineralization event at Exótica. These data support that the atacamite-brochantite-gypsum mineralization at Exótica is linked to the inflow of Cl-SO4-dominated groundwater from the lower saline aquifer of the Calama basin into the Chuquicamata-Exótica-Radomiro Tomic complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stilbene-based halochromic dye was synthesized, which possesses the effect of intramolecular color matching. By dyeing cotton fabric with the synthesized dye, a textile sensor material was prepared to visually monitor the acidity of the biologically significant pH range (4.5–8.0). The sensitivity of the sensor material to changes in the acidity of the environment, as well as the color stability to the action of saline solutions simulating biological fluids (sweat and blood plasma), were explored. A visually noticeable pH-induced color change of the material is observed in the pH range of 3.0–10.0. In the pH range of buffer solutions at pH 3, the color of the samples is green, from 6 to 8, orange, and from 9 and above, purple. The average color change time was 3 s. The results obtained show the promise of using the studied azo compound in technologies for designing multifunctional pH-sensitive textile sensor materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the simultaneous improvement of mechanical, corrosion, and tribo-corrosion properties of Zr–2.5Nb alloy, an adherent black coating was deposited on the Zr–2.5Nb substrate by thermal oxidation in air at different temperatures and times to use in biomedical applications such as knee joints and orthopedic/dental replacements. According to obtained results, the long-term corrosion and tribo-corrosion resistance, and frictional properties in the phosphate-buffered saline solution improved significantly by oxidization at 523 °C for 4 h compared to the bare substrate. XRD patterns and Raman spectra revealed the formation of monoclinic and tetragonal ZrO2, as well as Nb2O5 phases in the black coating. According to microstructural studies, high adherence between the compact oxide layer and substrate decreased due to the formation of micro-cracks in the coating at a high operating temperature of 700 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the alterations of blood metabolome levels and their association with cardiac dysfunction and cardiac injury following treatment with doxorubicin and trastuzumab. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group) to receive intraperitoneal injection with either: (1) 1 mL of normal saline solution (NSS) at days 0, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29 (control group for doxorubicin); (2) 3 mg/kg/day of doxorubicin at days 0, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29 (doxorubicin group); (3) 1 mL of NSS at days 0–6 (control group for trastuzumab); or (4) 4 mg/kg/day of trastuzumab at days 0–6 (trastuzumab group). Four days after the last injected dose, cardiac function was determined. The rats were then euthanized to collect venous blood and the heart for the quantification of 107 serum and 100 cardiac metabolomes using mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics. We observed strong relationships between 72 cardiac versus 61 serum metabolomes in doxorubicin and trastuzumab groups. Moreover, significant correlations between cardiac function and the cardiac injury biomarker versus 28 and 58 serum metabolomes were revealed in doxorubicin and trastuzumab-treated rats, respectively. Interestingly, the patterns of both serum and cardiac metabolome alterations differed between doxorubicin and trastuzumab groups. Our findings emphasize the potential role of the constituents of the blood metabolome as non-invasive biomarkers to assess severity and prognosis of heart failure induced by doxorubicin and trastuzumab. These findings may contribute to the development of metabolic-targeted therapy specific for cardioprotection during different phases of cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) with postoperative catheter traction can lead to significant catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). This condition causes many postoperative complications and low patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative single-dose intravenous nefopam on the incidence and severity of CRBD and its adverse effects. Methods: This randomized, controlled, double-blind study included patients who underwent TURP under spinal anesthesia with postoperative urinary catheter traction. Patients were allocated into nefopam (NF) and normal saline (NS) groups. Twenty mg of nefopam in normal saline solution (NSS) 100 mL or NSS 100 mL were given intravenously before TURP. The primary outcome was the incidence of CRBD. Results: Seventy-three patients were randomized into NF (n = 37) and NS (n = 36) groups. There were 35 and 33 patients in the NF and NS groups, respectively, in the final analysis. The incidences of CRBD were 45.71% and 84.85% in the NF and NS groups at 6 h after operation, respectively, OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.36, 0.73), while before the end of catheter traction, the corresponding incidences were 37.14% and 75.76%, respectively, OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.28, 0.84). The CRBD scores were statistically significantly lower in the NF group at both time points. Morphine consumptions and adverse effects were not different between groups. Patient satisfaction was higher in the NF group. Conclusions: Single-dose nefopam significantly reduced the incidence and severity of CRBD in patients undergoing TURP with urinary catheter traction at 6 h after the procedure and before the end of catheter traction without increasing the adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research of novel implantable medical devices is one of the most attractive, yet complex areas in the biomedical field. The design and development of sufficiently small devices working in an in vivo environment is challenging but successful encapsulation of such devices is even more so. Industry-standard methods using glass and titanium are too expensive and tedious, and epoxy or silicone encapsulation is prone to water ingress with cable feedthroughs being the most frequent point of failure. This paper describes a universal and straightforward method for reliable encapsulation of circuit boards that achieves ISO10993 compliance. A two-part PVDF mold was machined using a conventional 3-axis machining center. Then, the circuit board with a hermetic feedthrough was placed in the mold and epoxy resin was injected into the mold under pressure to fill the cavity. Finally, the biocompatibility was further enhanced with an inert P3HT polymer coating which can be easily formulated into an ink. The biocompatibility of the encapsulants was assessed according to ISO10993. The endurance of the presented solution compared to silicone potting and epoxy potting was assessed by submersion in phosphate-buffered saline solution at 37 °C. The proposed method showed superior results to PDMS and simple epoxy potting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superabsorbent polymers (SAP) possessed the favorable properties of absorbing and holding water, as well as the good degradability are urgently required for modern agriculture. And the grafting polymerization based on the natural polymers is an effective method for preparation of the SAP with degradability. In this work, a novel degradable SAP of CTS-g-PAA/SC was successful prepared via grafting the acrylic acid onto the chitosan (CTS) and introducing the oil shale semi-coke (SC) as inorganic component. The structure, morphology and thermal stability of the SAP were systemically studied by FTIR, SEM and TGA. Meanwhile, the water absorption capacities of SAP in different pH or various saline solutions as well as the reusability and the water retention capacity in soil were also investigated. The result suggested that the successful grafting polymerization and the SAP possessed the excellent water absorption capabilities, which were as high as 514.5 g/g in distilled water and 60.3 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. More importantly, the cultivation experiments verified the SAP not only promoted the plants growth, but also could be degraded about 37.5% in the 70 days. Therefore, based on its excellent water retention, degradability and low cost, the SAP may have the great application potential in modern agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection with Thelazia nematodes results in eye disease in wild and domestic animals. The aim of the present study was to describe the occurrence of Thelazia nematodes in European bison, and to subject the isolated parasites to molecular identification and phylogenetical analysis. The eyeballs of 18 European bison from the Bieszczady Mountains, culled due to dysfunctional vision, were collected for study. The conjunctival sacs, tear ducts, corneal surface and nictitating membrane were rinsed with a saline solution. Any obtained nematodes were isolated under a stereoscopic microscope, and then identified as T. gulosa or T. skrjabini by molecular analysis of partial cox1 sequences. The prevalence of infection with Thelazia spp. was found to be 61%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) of 39–80%. Thelazia skrjabini was isolated from 56% (CI 95% 34–75%) of examined animals; T. gulosa was significantly less common (p = 0.038) with the prevalence of infection reaching 22% (CI 95% 9–45%). Three European bison were cross-infected with both T. gulosa and T. skrjabini. Phylogenetic analysis found the obtained sequences to be similar to those of Thelazia species from domestic ungulates in Europe. Infection intensity ranged from 1 to 16 nematodes per individual (median of three nematodes), and was significantly higher in females (6 nematodes) than in males (1 nematode; p = 0.019). A tendency for seasonal occurrence of nematodes in European bison was also observed. Our study provides further information regarding the patterns of Thelazia transmission in European bison in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inward Na+ current (INa), generated by the voltage-gated Na+ channels, can be divided into two components: the fast, transient peak current (INa,peak) and the late, non-inactivating current (INa,late). INa,late plays a significant role in pathophysiology of the human heart and is a putative target for cardiovascular drugs. Because zebrafish (Danio rerio) is proposed as a potential model organism for preclinical drug screening, we decided to investigate the presence of INa,late in zebrafish ventricular myocytes. Patch-clamp experiments at +28°C and in an external saline solution containing 60 mM Na+ showed that INa,late exists in zebrafish ventricular myocytes. The density of INa,late was –0.58 ± 0.061 pA pF–1, which was 1.1 ± 0.13% of the density of the INa,peak. INa,late was increased by 10 nM Anemonia sulcata toxin 2 (ATX-II), an INa,late inducer, by 131.3 ± 17.5%. Ranolazine, an inhibitor of INa,late, reduced zebrafish ventricular INa,late and INa,peak with IC50 values of 79 and 151 µM, respectively. INa,late and INa,peak were also inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX) with IC50 values of 43 and 9.8 nM, respectively. The density and voltage-dependence of INa,late in zebrafish ventricular myocytes are similar to those of mammalian cardiomyocytes. On the other hand, the INa,late of zebrafish ventricular myocytes is less sensitive to ranolazine than that of mammalian cardiomyocytes, and ranolazine is less selective between INa,peak and INa,late in zebrafish than mammalian cardiomyocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this meta-analysis, we aim to compare ketamine use versus a control group (saline solution) during induction of anesthesia in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing fusion surgery in terms of postoperative opioid consumption, pain control, and side effects. Methods: A PubMed search of studies published over the last 20 years using the descriptor/terms "ketamine AND scoliosis" was performed. Baseline characteristics of each article were obtained and efficacy measures analyzed (morphine equivalent treatment at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively, complications (vomiting/nausea and pruritus), length of hospital stay (days); and pain score (VAS)) (Review Manager 5.4 software package). Results: Five randomized clinical trials were included. Morphine administration showed statistically significant differences at 24 and 48 h (MD − 0.15, 95% CI − 0.18 to − 0.12) and (MD − 0.26, 95% CI − 0.31 to − 0.21) between the ketamine and control (saline solution), respectively. No intergroup differences were found regarding nausea/vomiting and pruritus (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.67) and (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.62), respectively, same as for the pain score (MD − 0.75, 95% CI − 1.71 to 0.20). Conclusions: The use intraoperative and postoperative continuous low doses of ketamine significantly reduces opioid use throughout the first 48 h in patients with AIS who undergo posterior spinal fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]