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Trifecta bioprosthesis claims favorable hemodynamic performance. However, reports of structural valve deterioration (SVD) raise concerns of its long-term durability. We assessed outcomes with the Trifecta valve over a 10-year period. All patients receiving Trifecta bioprostheses between October 2011 and October 2020 were included. Perioperative and survival characteristics were prospectively collated in an independent database. Re-intervention was recorded as a surrogate for SVD. Nine hundred and forty-four patients (mean age 72.82 years ± 8.13, 58% male) underwent aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta valve. At 10-years, 1.4% of patients required a redo operation, giving an overall freedom from re-intervention of 98.6%. The mean time to re-intervention was 48.87 months. Survival was 73.58% and 76.92% in patients who did not require re-intervention vs re-intervention group, respectively. In a large, single-center cohort, the Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis had a 1.4% all-cause re-intervention rate at 10-years, with insignificant impact on survival., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The decision tree used a generating set of rules based on various correlated variables for developing an algorithm from the target variable. Using the training dataset this paper used boosting tree algorithm for gender classification from twenty-five anthropometric measurements and extract twelve significant variables chest diameter, waist girth, biacromial, wrist diameter, ankle diameter, forearm girth, thigh girth, chest depth, bicep girth, shoulder girth, elbow girth and the hip girth with an accuracy rate of 98.42%, by seven decision rule sets serving the purpose of dimension reduction., (Copyright © 2022 National Medical Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this project, poly (citric acid) (PCA) functionalized on nano Ag/Cu was synthesized by chemical analysis method. The nano probe was applied to detection of cysteine by using the magnesium (II) ions as a cross linker. The characterization of Ag/Cu/PCA nano probe was studied by using the UV-visible, morphological microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analyzer. The zeta potential and size of Ag/Cu/PCA were -38.0 mV and 18.0 nm, respectively. The prepared nano probe shows rapid response for detection of cysteine. The detection limit of Ag/Cu/PCA nano probe was 0.07 nM. Additional, the Ag/Cu/PCA nanoparticles was applied to cysteine detection from real samples in the presence of amino acids compounds. Rapidly and sensitive determination of Streptococcus pneumoniae is substantial for food safety and human health. The DNA-Ag/Cu/PCA were prepared as a template in chemical method and experimented as a bio-receptor for the cell bacteria detection as peroxidase-like catalytic process. The DNA-Ag/Cu/PCA nano probe shows a linear dynamic concertation range of Streptococcus pneumoniae via detection limit about 65 CFU/mL. The project presents that the DNA-Ag/Cu/PCA could detect the biological and bacterial samples via high accuracy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Graphene Oxide (GO) has wide applications in many fields which has caused a large expected quantity of the graphene-based wastes. It is necessary to understand the toxic effects of the GO on the activated sludge (AS) considering its inevitable discharge to the wastewater treatment plants as the ultimate repositories for these wastes. In this study, the acute exposures of the multilayer Nano-graphene oxide (MNGO) at different dosages were conducted in order to investigate its integrated effects on the formation of the biofilm, mature biofilm and the microbial activity of the activated sludge. Raman spectroscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were adopted for the in-situ characterization of the biofilm with the exposure of the MNGO. The results showed that the activated sludge was tolerable to the acute exposure of the less than 100 mg/L of the MNGO, especially for the mature biofilm, and only a subtle decrease was found in the size and thickness during the formation of the biofilm, while the amount of 300 mg/L of the MNGO caused the sever deterioration on the activated sludge system. The microbial metabolic activity, viability, and the biological removal of the nutrients were significantly affected with the more than 100 mg/L of the MNGO. It was also demonstrated by the microbial cytotoxicity tests that the increase in the exposure of the MNGO was related to the increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the damaging degree of the cell membrane., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The biocomposites of polypyrrole (PPY), polyaniline (PANI) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) with cellulosic biomass barley husk (BH) were prepared and employed for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) form aqueous media. The sorption of 2,4-DCP was studied using native and biocomposites (PPY/BH, PANI/BH and NaAlg/BH) as function of various process variables. The maximum sorption (q e , 7.55-24.57 mg/g) of 2,4-DCP was achieved in the range of 7-10 pH, 0.05 g composite dose, 25 mg/L initial concentration of 2,4-DCP and 120 min contact time at 30 °C. The FTIR analysis revealed the involvement of amino, hydroxyl and carboxylic groups for the binding of 2,4-DCP on the surface of biocomposites. The Freundlich and pseudo second order kinetics models best explained the 2,4-DCP adsorption on to the biocomposites. The ∆G, ∆H and ∆S parameters were also computed, which revealed the favorable and exothermic adsorption nature of 2,4-DCP. Presence of salts affected the 2,4-DCP adsorption negatively. HCl found to be efficient desorbing agent for 2,4-DCP from composites and up to 65.12% was eluted using 0.5 N solution. In view of promising efficiency, the biocomposites have potential to remove 2,4-DCP form industrial effluents., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The current study examined the independent and interactive effects of HIV and marijuana (MJ) use on brain structure and cognitive function among a sample of HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) individuals., Methods: Participants (HIV+, n=48; HIV-, n=29) individuals underwent cognitive testing, questionnaires about substance use, and brain MRI. The HIV+ group was clinically stable based upon current plasma CD4 count, 50% had undetectable viral load (i.e.,<20 copies/mL), and all were on a stable regimen of cART., Results: For HIV+ and HIV- participants, higher levels of MJ use were associated with smaller volumes in the entorhinal cortex and fusiform gyrus. HIV status (but not MJ use) was associated with cingulate thickness, such that HIV+ participants evidenced smaller thickness of the cingulate, as compared to HIV- controls. Regarding neurocognitive functioning, there was a HIV*MJ interactive effect on global cognition, such that when the amount of MJ use was less than 1.43g per week, the HIV- group displayed significantly better neurocognitive performance than the HIV+ group (t=3.14, p=0.002). However, when MJ use reached 1.43g per week, there were no significant HIV group differences in global cognitive performance (t=1.39, p=0.168)., Conclusions: Our results show independent and interactive effects of HIV and MJ on brain structure and cognition. However, our results do not support that HIV+ MJ users are at greater risk for adverse brain or cognitive outcomes compared to HIV- MJ users., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds have been widely and successfully used with osteoblast cells for bone tissue regeneration. However, it is necessary to investigate the effects of these scaffolds on odontoblast cells' proliferation and differentiation for dentin tissue regeneration. In this study, three different hydroxyapatite (HA) to beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ratios of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds, BCP20, BCP50, and BCP80, with a mean pore size of 300μm and 65% porosity were prepared from phosphoric acid (H2PO4) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) sintered at 1000°C for 2h. The extracts of these scaffolds were assessed with regard to cell viability and differentiation of odontoblasts. The high alkalinity, more calcium, and phosphate ions released that were exhibited by BCP20 decreased the viability of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) as compared to BCP50 and BCP80. However, the cells cultured with BCP20 extract expressed high alkaline phosphatase activity and high expression level of bone sialoprotein (BSP), dental matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) genes as compared to that cultured with BCP50 and BCP80 extracts. The results highlighted the effect of different scaffold ratios on the cell microenvironment and demonstrated that BCP20 scaffold can support HDPC differentiation for dentin tissue regeneration., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe the outcome of intraocular tumor resection by partial lamellar sclerouvectomy (PLSU) in the pediatric age group., Design: Retrospective, interventional case series., Participants: We included 37 patients who underwent PLSU for intraocular tumors under age 21 years., Methods: Medical records were reviewed for clinical, operative, and histopathologic features., Main Outcome Measures: Globe salvage, visual acuity, surgical side effects, tumor control, and tumor-related metastasis and death., Results: The mean patient age was 9 years (median, 10; range, 0.25-17) and there were 22 (59%) females and 15 (41%) males. The tumor involved mainly the iris (n = 27; 73%), ciliary body (n = 7; 19%), or choroid (n = 3; 8%). The mean tumor basal dimension was 7 mm (median, 6; range, 3-15) and thickness was 3.6 mm (median, 3; range, 0.2-9.6). The histopathologic diagnosis was melanoma (n = 19; 51%), cyst (n = 5; 14%), medulloepithelioma (n = 4; 10%), melanocytoma (n = 3; 8%), lacrimal gland choristoma (n = 2; 5%), gliosis (n = 1; 3%), nevus (n = 1; 3%), hemorrhage (n = 1; 3%), and leiomyoma (n = 1; 3%). Intraoperative adverse effects included vitreous loss in 19 (51%) and hyphema in 4 (11%). Postoperative side effects included early transient hyphema in 9 (24%) and late cataract in 12 (32%). Local tumor recurrence was detected in 5 cases (13%) at mean interval of 28 months, including melanoma (n = 3) and medulloepithelioma (n = 2). Enucleation was necessary in 9 (24%) cases for recurrence in 3 (8%), prophylactic in eyes with high-grade malignancy in 5 (13%), and for blind painful eye in 1 (3%). Of the 28 salvaged eyes, final visual acuity was ≥ 20/40 in 18 (64%), 20/50 to 20/100 in 5 (18%), and <20/200 in 5 (18%). There were no cases of metastasis or death at a mean of 51 months of follow-up., Conclusions: A surgically challenging procedure, PLSU can achieve control of selected intraocular tumors. Medulloepithelioma responds poorly to local resection and in most cases enucleation is required. If the globe is salvaged, visual acuity is ≥ 20/40 in 64% of children., Financial Disclosure(s): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article., (Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the 5-year survival rate and prognostic factors for survival in patients with colorectal cancer treated at the Surgical Unit, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 115 patients treated in HUSM from 1996 to 2005. Data of variables considered as prognostic factors were obtained from the records. Simple and multiple Cox proportional hazard regression using the stepwise method were used to model the prognostic factors for survival., Results: We found that the significant prognostic factors were liver metastases [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 3.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.95-7.22], Dukes C stage (adjusted HR: 4.65; 95% CI: 2.37-9.11), Dukes D stage (adjusted HR: 6.71; 95% CI: 2.92-15.48) and non-surgical treatment (adjusted HR: 3.75; 95% CI: 1.26-11.21)., Conclusion: Colorectal patients treated at HUSM with Dukes C staging, presence of liver metastases and received treatment with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy are at the greatest risk of death from colorectal cancer., (Copyright © 2010 Asian Surgical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Glyphosate is a widely used broad spectrum herbicide, reported to induce various toxic effects in non-target species, but its carcinogenic potential is still unknown. Here we showed the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate using 2-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model and proteomic analysis. Carcinogenicity study revealed that glyphosate has tumor promoting activity. Proteomic analysis using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry showed that 22 spots were differentially expressed (>2 fold) on glyphosate, 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) application over untreated control. Among them, 9 proteins (translation elongation factor eEF-1 alpha chain, carbonic anhydrase III, annexin II, calcyclin, fab fragment anti-VEGF antibody, peroxiredoxin-2, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], stefin A3, and calgranulin-B) were common and showed similar expression pattern in glyphosate and TPA-treated mouse skin. These proteins are known to be involved in several key processes like apoptosis and growth-inhibition, anti-oxidant responses, etc. The up-regulation of calcyclin, calgranulin-B and down-regulation of superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] was further confirmed by immunoblotting, indicating that these proteins can be good candidate biomarkers for skin carcinogenesis induced by glyphosate. Altogether, these results suggested that glyphosate has tumor promoting potential in skin carcinogenesis and its mechanism seems to be similar to TPA., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The infrared spectra of pure Mn(CO)(5)X in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) has been obtained in the vapour phase. The observed spectrum has been analyzed to distinguish the fundamental frequencies, the rotational-vibrational and structure, and overtone and combination frequencies. The assignment of the observed vapour phase frequencies to the fundamental modes of vibration has been made on C(4V) symmetry. The weak peaks due to XMn(CO)(4)((13)CO) molecules have been measured and assigned for all molecules. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of these compounds, with all of these data the assignment of frequencies is reviewed and a set of quite unambiguous assignments made. The significant finding in this regards are that, it is not necessary to assume lower than C(4V) symmetry for XMn(CO)(5) as has been done in previous consideration of some infrared spectrum of these compounds.

An anomalous course of the left anterior descending artery is a rare but potentially fatal condition. We herein describe the treatment and management of a patient who was diagnosed with this ailment.